WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:06.640 My thoughts and prayers are with you at this difficult time. 00:00:07.520 --> 00:00:08.400 I wish you well. 00:00:09.320 --> 00:00:11.140 I hope everything is okay. 00:00:12.200 --> 00:00:16.440 These are all very common ways of expressing that we support someone. 00:00:16.839 --> 00:00:22.019 But I wonder if they often don't turn into action. 00:00:22.820 --> 00:00:24.519 I see it all over social media. 00:00:24.940 --> 00:00:28.500 Someone will express a hard time that they've been going, 00:00:28.500 --> 00:00:30.780 and people will often respond, 00:00:31.760 --> 00:00:33.880 my thoughts and prayers are with you. 00:00:34.899 --> 00:00:40.060 But do people actually put any thought into a friend situation? 00:00:40.640 --> 00:00:44.780 Is there any seeking to understand a crisis that happens? 00:00:45.219 --> 00:00:47.939 Like in France last year, 00:00:48.000 --> 00:00:49.600 there was a lot of people saying, 00:00:49.700 --> 00:00:51.240 my thoughts and prayers are for France. 00:00:52.519 --> 00:00:54.439 And when people say my thoughts and prayers, 00:00:54.620 --> 00:00:57.200 do those people even believe in a God, 00:00:57.200 --> 00:01:01.020 let alone actually pray to him about the situation? 00:01:02.020 --> 00:01:06.620 I think this sentiment has become a nicer version of good luck. 00:01:07.439 --> 00:01:10.219 It's a hope that you'll figure things out on your own. 00:01:10.579 --> 00:01:11.600 I wish you well, 00:01:11.840 --> 00:01:14.820 but I'm not actually going to do anything about it. 00:01:15.320 --> 00:01:16.840 It's a message that can say, 00:01:17.100 --> 00:01:17.859 I love you, 00:01:18.359 --> 00:01:20.340 and I support you, 00:01:20.400 --> 00:01:23.840 but I'm not actually going to get up and support you. 00:01:23.840 --> 00:01:29.520 I wonder if it is because it is so much easier to actually just say words 00:01:29.520 --> 00:01:33.500 than to be motivated to engage and to help. 00:01:34.540 --> 00:01:37.800 We who know how much Jesus has done for us, 00:01:38.280 --> 00:01:41.300 his love and his sacrifice shown on the cross, 00:01:41.939 --> 00:01:44.379 we too can fall to this same temptation. 00:01:45.040 --> 00:01:46.439 The temptation to say, 00:01:46.439 --> 00:01:46.859 oh, look, 00:01:47.060 --> 00:01:48.939 I know I should forgive, 00:01:49.819 --> 00:01:51.060 but it's hard, 00:01:51.420 --> 00:01:53.319 and so I'm just going to say those words, 00:01:53.399 --> 00:01:54.200 I forgive you, 00:01:54.439 --> 00:01:57.739 and then I'm going to hold a grudge for years. 00:01:58.599 --> 00:01:58.900 Oh, 00:01:58.920 --> 00:02:00.299 I know I should give generously, 00:02:00.719 --> 00:02:01.039 and you know, 00:02:01.079 --> 00:02:01.879 I'll pledge, 00:02:02.179 --> 00:02:04.900 but I really want to hold on to my money, 00:02:05.359 --> 00:02:07.579 just in case something happens tomorrow. 00:02:08.599 --> 00:02:08.939 Look, 00:02:08.939 --> 00:02:11.219 I say that I'm not a racist with my words, 00:02:11.319 --> 00:02:11.939 but do you know what? 00:02:12.079 --> 00:02:13.099 With my eyes, 00:02:13.439 --> 00:02:16.680 I judge people who have different skin than me. 00:02:18.259 --> 00:02:22.520 Can you imagine if Jesus was a thoughts and prayers savior? 00:02:23.680 --> 00:02:24.919 If he said, 00:02:25.020 --> 00:02:25.219 you know, 00:02:25.340 --> 00:02:25.620 oh, 00:02:25.919 --> 00:02:28.599 look at you guys down there on earth, 00:02:28.759 --> 00:02:30.719 I see all of your sin, 00:02:31.099 --> 00:02:34.159 I see your hardened hearts turned away from God, 00:02:34.719 --> 00:02:35.419 and look, 00:02:35.479 --> 00:02:36.800 I'm thinking about you guys, 00:02:36.840 --> 00:02:37.500 if that helps. 00:02:37.500 --> 00:02:43.620 We would be nowhere if Jesus was just a thoughts and prayers savior. 00:02:44.620 --> 00:02:53.960 The challenge for us today is to turn our good intentions into actions that express God's love for us. 00:02:55.060 --> 00:02:57.120 We are in a series called Share Hope, 00:02:57.539 --> 00:03:00.680 and we want to share the hope that we have in Jesus. 00:03:01.659 --> 00:03:06.819 We want to also share the hope for today with people in very practical ways. 00:03:06.819 --> 00:03:08.039 And today, 00:03:08.199 --> 00:03:12.819 we're going to see that our love is shaped by our hope in God. 00:03:13.479 --> 00:03:15.479 Love in deed and action, 00:03:15.699 --> 00:03:17.239 and not just in words. 00:03:17.879 --> 00:03:21.000 We're going to be looking at a letter written by the apostle John, 00:03:21.139 --> 00:03:24.039 and he outlines what this kind of love looks like. 00:03:24.299 --> 00:03:26.019 So please have your Bibles open, 00:03:26.519 --> 00:03:27.199 have your St. 00:03:27.259 --> 00:03:28.199 Paul's app open. 00:03:28.199 --> 00:03:31.479 There are notes that you can be taking for this sermon. 00:03:32.819 --> 00:03:35.599 And the first thing that we're going to see as we have a look at 1 John, 00:03:35.759 --> 00:03:38.159 is that we are loved. 00:03:39.419 --> 00:03:41.539 We're going to have a look at 1 John 3 verse 1. 00:03:41.539 --> 00:03:46.340 See what great love the Father has lavished on us, 00:03:46.879 --> 00:03:49.599 that we should be called children of God. 00:03:49.959 --> 00:03:54.699 God has shown his wonderful love through his adoption. 00:03:55.560 --> 00:04:01.719 He has taken a lost and hopeless people and brought them into his family. 00:04:01.719 --> 00:04:06.080 Now all those who love Jesus are in God's family, 00:04:06.520 --> 00:04:09.280 and are to be on about God's mission, 00:04:09.360 --> 00:04:10.639 to do the same thing as God, 00:04:11.159 --> 00:04:12.780 to love others. 00:04:14.060 --> 00:04:19.339 What we love is shaped by the one who has loved us. 00:04:19.939 --> 00:04:20.560 Verse 11, 00:04:21.060 --> 00:04:23.600 For this is the message that we heard from the beginning, 00:04:24.360 --> 00:04:26.399 we should love one another. 00:04:27.339 --> 00:04:28.980 Love one another. 00:04:28.980 --> 00:04:34.700 John contrasts this with an illustration of Cain and Abel, 00:04:35.000 --> 00:04:37.220 Adam and Eve's first two sons. 00:04:37.340 --> 00:04:38.540 Have a look at verse 12 with me. 00:04:38.939 --> 00:04:42.780 Do not be like Cain who belonged to the evil one and murdered his brother. 00:04:43.360 --> 00:04:44.819 And why did he murder him? 00:04:45.180 --> 00:04:49.480 Because his own actions were evil and his brothers were righteous. 00:04:50.480 --> 00:04:52.340 Cain murdered his brother, 00:04:53.120 --> 00:04:57.120 proof that he was influenced and shaped by Satan. 00:04:57.120 --> 00:04:59.199 Our actions, 00:04:59.500 --> 00:05:00.500 the things we do, 00:05:01.060 --> 00:05:03.120 point to the one who shapes us. 00:05:03.639 --> 00:05:06.220 They can either show that we're being shaped by Satan, 00:05:06.360 --> 00:05:08.980 or that we are being shaped by God. 00:05:09.459 --> 00:05:10.139 Verse 14, 00:05:10.980 --> 00:05:14.459 We know that we have passed from death to life, 00:05:15.060 --> 00:05:17.079 because we love each other. 00:05:18.019 --> 00:05:21.100 Anyone who does not love remains in death. 00:05:21.100 --> 00:05:27.340 John is saying that hate and murder is a marker that we don't know Christ. 00:05:28.420 --> 00:05:31.939 But love is a mark that we have died with Christ, 00:05:32.100 --> 00:05:33.780 and we have been raised with him. 00:05:35.060 --> 00:05:36.260 Growing up in Sydney, 00:05:36.780 --> 00:05:40.100 I am very much a product of this culture. 00:05:40.700 --> 00:05:43.320 The things that this culture here in Sydney loves, 00:05:43.600 --> 00:05:45.900 I have found myself loving as well. 00:05:45.899 --> 00:05:50.339 I can't help but find that when I take my kids to McDonald's, 00:05:50.519 --> 00:05:53.259 I get a little bit excited about a Happy Meal, 00:05:53.419 --> 00:05:55.479 because it's got the good food, 00:05:55.639 --> 00:05:57.039 but it's also got a toy. 00:05:57.419 --> 00:05:58.679 And that still excites me, 00:05:58.859 --> 00:06:00.419 even though that's just for my kids. 00:06:01.000 --> 00:06:03.120 But I continue to love the things my culture loves. 00:06:03.219 --> 00:06:05.759 I love the movies that my culture tells me to love. 00:06:05.839 --> 00:06:07.500 I love the TV shows. 00:06:07.779 --> 00:06:09.139 I love the food. 00:06:09.139 --> 00:06:12.740 I love what my culture has shaped me to love. 00:06:13.139 --> 00:06:14.000 And to a large degree, 00:06:14.139 --> 00:06:19.379 it's consuming capitalistic products and being entertained. 00:06:20.439 --> 00:06:23.099 But when we become children of God, 00:06:23.740 --> 00:06:26.099 our culture changes. 00:06:27.139 --> 00:06:29.519 The most influential culture changes. 00:06:30.060 --> 00:06:33.659 We go from being something called ethnocentric. 00:06:34.479 --> 00:06:37.419 Ethnocentric means that our ethnicity, 00:06:37.420 --> 00:06:40.819 our culture is our center, ethnocentric. 00:06:41.280 --> 00:06:45.220 So we go from thinking that everything that our culture loves 00:06:45.220 --> 00:06:46.400 is good to love. 00:06:46.520 --> 00:06:48.520 Everything our culture does is right. 00:06:48.840 --> 00:06:51.640 And everything every other culture chooses to love is wrong. 00:06:52.360 --> 00:06:54.400 When we become children of God, 00:06:54.639 --> 00:06:57.720 we become shaped by Christ. 00:06:58.620 --> 00:07:00.620 We join a Christ culture 00:07:00.620 --> 00:07:04.139 instead of thinking that our culture is right. 00:07:04.759 --> 00:07:06.120 And so before anything else, 00:07:06.120 --> 00:07:07.879 I am a Christian. 00:07:08.459 --> 00:07:11.060 My loves and the things I dislike 00:07:11.060 --> 00:07:12.680 are to be shaped by Christ. 00:07:13.240 --> 00:07:15.500 They trump what my culture says. 00:07:15.819 --> 00:07:17.220 One example of this is that 00:07:17.220 --> 00:07:19.959 in the Australian culture, 00:07:20.480 --> 00:07:23.939 an Australian male wants to show that they are strong. 00:07:24.300 --> 00:07:25.560 They don't want to show weakness. 00:07:25.920 --> 00:07:27.600 They don't want to show emotions. 00:07:27.920 --> 00:07:29.300 And definitely don't cry. 00:07:29.540 --> 00:07:31.420 Unless it's at the football, that's okay. 00:07:31.560 --> 00:07:32.819 Whenever the football goes back. 00:07:32.819 --> 00:07:36.459 But Christ shows his own weakness 00:07:36.459 --> 00:07:38.319 when he died on the cross. 00:07:38.860 --> 00:07:41.959 And I can be upfront about my own weakness 00:07:41.959 --> 00:07:44.860 and how much I need his salvation 00:07:44.860 --> 00:07:46.620 and how flawed I am. 00:07:48.159 --> 00:07:49.500 The hope we share 00:07:49.500 --> 00:07:54.139 is shaped by the one who has loved us. 00:07:54.139 --> 00:07:58.639 John encourages us to love 00:07:58.639 --> 00:08:00.919 because we have been loved. 00:08:01.019 --> 00:08:03.339 This is a new culture that we are to be part of. 00:08:03.599 --> 00:08:05.300 And so the second thing that we see this morning 00:08:05.300 --> 00:08:08.159 is that we have been loved to love. 00:08:09.120 --> 00:08:10.599 Have a look at verse 16. 00:08:10.600 --> 00:08:13.980 This is how we know what love is. 00:08:14.360 --> 00:08:16.920 Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. 00:08:17.300 --> 00:08:19.700 And we ought to lay down our lives 00:08:19.700 --> 00:08:21.240 for our brothers and sisters. 00:08:22.000 --> 00:08:26.480 He, Jesus, laid down his life for us. 00:08:27.560 --> 00:08:30.620 And John pushes this to be a principle for us. 00:08:31.460 --> 00:08:34.399 It is not just that Christians are saved by his generosity, 00:08:34.980 --> 00:08:36.019 even to death, 00:08:36.019 --> 00:08:38.980 but we are to show the same generosity, 00:08:39.199 --> 00:08:40.079 the same love. 00:08:40.679 --> 00:08:43.840 We should also lay down our lives for people. 00:08:44.840 --> 00:08:46.819 I don't think I've ever actually had the chance 00:08:46.819 --> 00:08:48.939 to lay down my life for someone else. 00:08:49.360 --> 00:08:51.059 I say to my kids, you know, 00:08:51.659 --> 00:08:54.039 I would jump in front of a bus for you. 00:08:54.460 --> 00:08:55.559 And I think I would, 00:08:56.659 --> 00:08:58.899 but I've never actually had that opportunity. 00:08:58.899 --> 00:09:02.500 So it's really easy to have this thought up in the cloud, 00:09:02.620 --> 00:09:04.299 up in the back of my brain somewhere that, 00:09:04.699 --> 00:09:06.799 you know, I'd lay down my life for someone, 00:09:07.000 --> 00:09:08.240 in particular my kids. 00:09:09.419 --> 00:09:12.799 But John immediately grounds this love for us. 00:09:13.319 --> 00:09:14.139 Verse 17. 00:09:15.259 --> 00:09:17.720 If anyone has material possessions 00:09:17.720 --> 00:09:21.179 and sees a brother or sister in need. 00:09:21.639 --> 00:09:23.620 John makes this hope that we have 00:09:23.620 --> 00:09:26.519 incredibly simple and practical. 00:09:26.519 --> 00:09:29.199 If we have a material possession 00:09:29.199 --> 00:09:32.120 and a brother or sister is in need of it, 00:09:32.480 --> 00:09:33.600 we share it with them. 00:09:34.720 --> 00:09:36.460 Let's not make it more difficult than that. 00:09:37.000 --> 00:09:37.879 We see a need, 00:09:38.199 --> 00:09:39.960 we have that material possession, 00:09:40.679 --> 00:09:41.679 we meet that need. 00:09:43.039 --> 00:09:44.919 But if we see a need that we can meet 00:09:44.919 --> 00:09:48.059 and instead we close our hearts, 00:09:48.620 --> 00:09:51.600 we turn away and only offer, 00:09:51.759 --> 00:09:53.199 say, thoughts and prayers, 00:09:53.699 --> 00:09:54.779 well, John questions us. 00:09:54.860 --> 00:09:56.059 Let me read verse 17 again. 00:09:56.059 --> 00:09:58.259 If anyone has material possessions 00:09:58.259 --> 00:10:01.579 and sees a brother or sister in need, 00:10:02.119 --> 00:10:03.879 but has no pity on them, 00:10:04.179 --> 00:10:07.339 how can the love of God be in that person? 00:10:08.099 --> 00:10:10.059 How can the love of God be in that person? 00:10:10.479 --> 00:10:11.939 Have they heard the gospel? 00:10:12.419 --> 00:10:14.339 Are they actually following Jesus? 00:10:15.619 --> 00:10:19.319 If we can't love with the love that we've been shown, 00:10:20.000 --> 00:10:21.679 do we know God's love? 00:10:21.679 --> 00:10:24.120 If there is a person in front of us 00:10:24.120 --> 00:10:26.239 and they need something that we have 00:10:26.239 --> 00:10:27.779 and we don't share it, 00:10:28.159 --> 00:10:30.019 do we know God's love for us? 00:10:31.139 --> 00:10:34.919 Are we still operating like our own culture dictates 00:10:34.919 --> 00:10:40.519 instead of operating by a Christ-shaped culture? 00:10:40.519 --> 00:10:45.419 John knows the importance and difficulty of the reality of this. 00:10:46.259 --> 00:10:48.059 And so to encourage and also challenge us, 00:10:48.120 --> 00:10:49.419 he writes in verse 18, 00:10:50.139 --> 00:10:50.879 Dear children, 00:10:51.720 --> 00:10:54.199 let us not love with words or speech, 00:10:54.620 --> 00:10:56.639 but with actions and in truth. 00:10:57.360 --> 00:10:59.100 He starts with dear children. 00:10:59.299 --> 00:11:02.620 This is a recurring phrase that comes up in John's letters. 00:11:02.620 --> 00:11:06.940 It's an expression of closeness and love and affection. 00:11:07.840 --> 00:11:10.080 It's the parent that says to a child, 00:11:11.240 --> 00:11:14.340 little child, share with your brother. 00:11:15.279 --> 00:11:18.320 Little child, I forgive you and I love you, 00:11:18.560 --> 00:11:19.840 but don't disobey. 00:11:20.139 --> 00:11:22.740 Little child, it's okay. 00:11:23.799 --> 00:11:25.299 Dear children, 00:11:26.720 --> 00:11:29.200 let us not love with words or speech, 00:11:29.200 --> 00:11:31.900 but with actions and in truth. 00:11:33.000 --> 00:11:36.420 Love with actions and in truth, 00:11:36.640 --> 00:11:38.120 not just with words. 00:11:38.220 --> 00:11:41.680 Let's not just be thoughts and prayers type Christians 00:11:41.680 --> 00:11:45.759 in just words or some words we've typed on the computer, 00:11:46.759 --> 00:11:50.440 but let's love with actions and in truth. 00:11:51.840 --> 00:11:53.720 Loving in action is truth 00:11:53.720 --> 00:11:55.680 because when it's just words, 00:11:56.320 --> 00:11:58.879 it can show to be false and hollow. 00:12:00.000 --> 00:12:02.020 And so to be able to love other people, 00:12:02.280 --> 00:12:04.200 we have to know God's love for us. 00:12:04.259 --> 00:12:07.580 We have to know how loved we are to love. 00:12:08.860 --> 00:12:11.940 Romans 3 is a great place to be reminded 00:12:11.940 --> 00:12:14.860 of how amazing God's love is for us. 00:12:15.340 --> 00:12:18.879 It paints a picture of our sin and our rebellion, 00:12:19.580 --> 00:12:22.100 and yet God chooses to show his love. 00:12:22.100 --> 00:12:24.379 He chooses to show his righteousness. 00:12:25.460 --> 00:12:26.500 Let me encourage you, 00:12:26.500 --> 00:12:30.120 go and spend some time meditating on God's love for us. 00:12:30.879 --> 00:12:34.299 Because when we are reminded of all that God has done, 00:12:35.159 --> 00:12:37.019 sharing his love is so much easier. 00:12:38.279 --> 00:12:39.559 A couple of weeks ago, 00:12:39.720 --> 00:12:43.799 as I was preparing for this series on sharing hope, 00:12:44.139 --> 00:12:46.179 thinking about what it means to love others 00:12:46.179 --> 00:12:47.139 and to show mercy, 00:12:47.879 --> 00:12:50.480 it was just as isolation was starting to ease. 00:12:50.840 --> 00:12:52.480 And my family, we went out, 00:12:52.480 --> 00:12:54.740 we went through Chatswood for the first time in a while, 00:12:54.820 --> 00:12:57.100 and we went down the road and we bought ice cream. 00:12:58.180 --> 00:13:02.200 And as we were walking down through the Chatswood shops area, 00:13:02.860 --> 00:13:07.980 I noticed somebody on the side who was homeless, 00:13:08.560 --> 00:13:10.159 and they were clearly in need. 00:13:11.279 --> 00:13:15.360 But my heart and my eyes have built up a callus 00:13:15.360 --> 00:13:17.779 against people and their needs. 00:13:17.779 --> 00:13:20.559 I've gotten used to ignoring people's needs. 00:13:21.919 --> 00:13:23.480 But as we walked past, 00:13:23.620 --> 00:13:26.179 I noticed the eyes of one of my children 00:13:26.179 --> 00:13:27.740 watched this person, 00:13:28.159 --> 00:13:30.500 and I could see the compassion they had on them. 00:13:31.199 --> 00:13:32.639 And so as we walked back up, 00:13:32.720 --> 00:13:34.179 I said to this child, 00:13:34.399 --> 00:13:36.980 do you think we should help out this person? 00:13:37.939 --> 00:13:40.000 Do you think we should help them with their needs? 00:13:40.259 --> 00:13:41.480 And thankfully at that time, 00:13:41.539 --> 00:13:43.139 I actually had some cash in my pocket, 00:13:43.199 --> 00:13:44.339 which I don't often do. 00:13:44.340 --> 00:13:46.139 And I said, I have some money. 00:13:46.519 --> 00:13:48.000 Do you think we should give it to them? 00:13:48.540 --> 00:13:51.180 And my child said, yes, I think we should help them. 00:13:51.420 --> 00:13:52.540 And so we walked over, 00:13:53.100 --> 00:13:55.660 and we shared what we had with them. 00:13:56.440 --> 00:13:59.639 Now, I know that that was a very small thing. 00:14:00.259 --> 00:14:02.580 It was not much help in the long run. 00:14:03.340 --> 00:14:07.899 But I had a chance to share this part of the Bible with my kids, 00:14:08.420 --> 00:14:13.220 to show that we have been loved by God so much, 00:14:13.220 --> 00:14:16.160 that we are called to love others. 00:14:16.399 --> 00:14:18.620 He has been so generous to us. 00:14:19.000 --> 00:14:20.960 We are called to be generous to others. 00:14:21.279 --> 00:14:24.800 And the reality is, we can do it. 00:14:25.980 --> 00:14:28.019 We need to have that connection between 00:14:28.019 --> 00:14:32.000 how awesome God is and how much He has loved us. 00:14:33.879 --> 00:14:35.180 And when we do, 00:14:35.420 --> 00:14:38.540 it is so much easier to share His love with other people. 00:14:38.539 --> 00:14:42.199 So we have seen that we have been loved. 00:14:42.500 --> 00:14:44.659 We have seen that we have been loved, 00:14:44.719 --> 00:14:46.779 and now we are to love other people. 00:14:47.719 --> 00:14:50.719 And now we are told to do that. 00:14:51.000 --> 00:14:51.620 Go and do that. 00:14:51.679 --> 00:14:53.219 Don't just do that in words or speech. 00:14:53.539 --> 00:14:55.199 Actually love with actions. 00:14:55.740 --> 00:14:56.819 But the third thing this morning, 00:14:56.919 --> 00:14:57.899 well, what does this look like? 00:14:58.199 --> 00:14:59.779 How do we love? 00:14:59.779 --> 00:15:04.039 Earlier, I was putting down the idea 00:15:04.039 --> 00:15:06.740 of being a thoughts and prayers Christian. 00:15:07.419 --> 00:15:09.419 But I think it's actually a good place to start. 00:15:10.480 --> 00:15:12.279 When we look at the world right now, 00:15:12.980 --> 00:15:15.720 the problems seem so big. 00:15:16.779 --> 00:15:18.519 They seem insurmountable. 00:15:18.659 --> 00:15:22.959 How are we supposed to meet all the needs of the bushfires, 00:15:23.240 --> 00:15:26.620 let alone the needs of all those people impacted by coronavirus? 00:15:26.620 --> 00:15:30.320 There's a number of cafes around here 00:15:30.320 --> 00:15:32.460 who are all doing it particularly tough 00:15:32.460 --> 00:15:34.600 because their businesses just disappeared. 00:15:35.340 --> 00:15:37.460 And even if I went to four different cafes 00:15:37.460 --> 00:15:39.039 and bought two coffees a day, 00:15:39.220 --> 00:15:41.679 the reality is it's not going to help them that much. 00:15:42.320 --> 00:15:44.460 And I'll just be buzzing from caffeine. 00:15:45.700 --> 00:15:47.460 Now, I pushed hard against the idea 00:15:47.460 --> 00:15:49.159 of being a thoughts and prayers Christian. 00:15:49.799 --> 00:15:51.960 But if we start with those two, 00:15:52.019 --> 00:15:53.580 it's actually a really wonderful thing 00:15:53.580 --> 00:15:55.980 to think about an issue, 00:15:56.840 --> 00:15:58.960 to actually spend time investigating 00:15:58.960 --> 00:16:01.259 and researching a friend's problem, 00:16:01.759 --> 00:16:03.240 an issue overseas, 00:16:03.460 --> 00:16:05.080 a problem in our country, 00:16:05.580 --> 00:16:08.700 we might realise we actually can help out. 00:16:09.500 --> 00:16:12.440 We can serve somebody. 00:16:12.900 --> 00:16:15.480 Maybe something we give will actually make a difference. 00:16:15.920 --> 00:16:17.200 And if we can't, 00:16:17.520 --> 00:16:20.040 just understanding, seeking to understand, 00:16:20.039 --> 00:16:22.919 helps us to empathise with others 00:16:22.919 --> 00:16:23.980 and love them more. 00:16:25.120 --> 00:16:26.339 And so the first thing we can start with 00:16:26.339 --> 00:16:28.579 is thinking deeply about an issue. 00:16:28.839 --> 00:16:30.079 And the second thing is prayer. 00:16:30.799 --> 00:16:33.699 Prayer is a good and wonderful thing to do 00:16:33.699 --> 00:16:35.279 because we have a God 00:16:35.279 --> 00:16:36.759 who is in control of all things. 00:16:38.059 --> 00:16:40.559 There are plenty of problems in our world right now, 00:16:40.639 --> 00:16:42.299 in our country as well, 00:16:42.419 --> 00:16:44.539 that seem too big for us. 00:16:44.539 --> 00:16:47.000 But they are not too big for our God 00:16:47.000 --> 00:16:48.740 because He is sovereign 00:16:48.740 --> 00:16:50.620 and in control of all things. 00:16:51.620 --> 00:16:53.719 Prayer is an effective way 00:16:53.719 --> 00:16:55.459 to love people who are in need. 00:16:56.620 --> 00:16:57.579 And so the next time 00:16:57.579 --> 00:16:59.879 you're tempted to just type, 00:17:00.000 --> 00:17:00.219 oh, you know, 00:17:00.259 --> 00:17:01.699 my thoughts and prayers are with you, 00:17:02.079 --> 00:17:03.059 well, do those things. 00:17:03.699 --> 00:17:05.859 Take a moment to investigate 00:17:05.859 --> 00:17:08.359 and to spend some time in prayer to God. 00:17:08.359 --> 00:17:12.939 But the call and the challenge for us today 00:17:12.939 --> 00:17:15.539 is that deep thinking and understanding 00:17:15.539 --> 00:17:16.879 and real prayer to God 00:17:16.879 --> 00:17:18.879 is not where it should end. 00:17:20.099 --> 00:17:21.559 I found it really difficult 00:17:21.559 --> 00:17:24.959 watching what's been happening in the US 00:17:24.959 --> 00:17:28.219 with the protests and the riots 00:17:28.219 --> 00:17:30.799 after the death of George Floyd 00:17:30.799 --> 00:17:33.679 almost two weeks ago in police custody. 00:17:34.539 --> 00:17:37.599 I've been horrified by both the rioters 00:17:37.599 --> 00:17:39.379 and by some of the politicians. 00:17:40.699 --> 00:17:43.279 With an issue like widespread racism, 00:17:43.819 --> 00:17:45.919 it is just one of those big things 00:17:45.919 --> 00:17:49.740 that I don't even know how to start dealing with. 00:17:50.579 --> 00:17:53.619 And I don't just want to support in words 00:17:53.619 --> 00:17:54.959 and not in actions. 00:17:56.079 --> 00:17:59.439 Tuesday week that just passed in the week, 00:17:59.539 --> 00:18:03.179 it was branded as Black Out Tuesday 00:18:03.179 --> 00:18:06.219 to show that Black Lives Matter. 00:18:06.220 --> 00:18:09.720 And many people change their image 00:18:09.720 --> 00:18:11.380 on Facebook or Twitter 00:18:11.380 --> 00:18:14.700 to just a blank image of black 00:18:14.700 --> 00:18:16.640 to show that Black Lives Matter 00:18:16.640 --> 00:18:18.019 and to show their support. 00:18:19.360 --> 00:18:22.700 I thought about doing the same thing 00:18:22.700 --> 00:18:25.160 because I believe that black lives do matter. 00:18:25.900 --> 00:18:26.940 But I stopped 00:18:26.940 --> 00:18:29.420 because I thought 00:18:29.420 --> 00:18:32.079 that it almost would have been too simple 00:18:32.079 --> 00:18:33.299 because for me, 00:18:33.839 --> 00:18:35.199 if I had done that, 00:18:35.859 --> 00:18:38.859 that would have been the only action that I took. 00:18:39.339 --> 00:18:41.679 I would have just changed a picture 00:18:41.679 --> 00:18:43.279 on the internet 00:18:43.279 --> 00:18:47.139 and that's where my action would have ended. 00:18:47.859 --> 00:18:50.099 For me, that's all it would have done. 00:18:50.720 --> 00:18:52.399 Now, there's nothing wrong with doing that. 00:18:52.460 --> 00:18:54.220 There's nothing wrong with supporting 00:18:54.220 --> 00:18:56.439 our African brothers and sisters 00:18:56.439 --> 00:18:58.699 and people of African descent in that way. 00:18:58.700 --> 00:19:00.440 But for me, 00:19:01.319 --> 00:19:02.559 I think it would have been a problem 00:19:02.559 --> 00:19:04.319 because that's all I would have done. 00:19:05.279 --> 00:19:07.759 It's easy to think that racism 00:19:07.759 --> 00:19:09.779 is just a problem overseas 00:19:09.779 --> 00:19:12.600 and it's easy to support in that way 00:19:12.600 --> 00:19:13.720 because it's far away. 00:19:14.799 --> 00:19:15.620 But the reality is, 00:19:15.660 --> 00:19:17.940 is that racism is alive and well 00:19:17.940 --> 00:19:19.140 in Australia too. 00:19:20.480 --> 00:19:22.000 We only have to think of our 00:19:22.000 --> 00:19:23.660 indigenous community. 00:19:23.660 --> 00:19:26.740 People from an indigenous background 00:19:26.740 --> 00:19:28.000 are put in jail 00:19:28.000 --> 00:19:30.080 at rates far higher 00:19:30.080 --> 00:19:31.940 than the rest of the population. 00:19:32.900 --> 00:19:33.740 In 2015, 00:19:34.480 --> 00:19:37.080 an indigenous man died in jail 00:19:37.080 --> 00:19:39.080 in very similar circumstances 00:19:39.080 --> 00:19:40.140 to George Floyd. 00:19:41.300 --> 00:19:42.560 We only have to go back 00:19:42.560 --> 00:19:44.700 to the start of the coronavirus spread 00:19:44.700 --> 00:19:46.259 in Australia a couple of months ago 00:19:46.259 --> 00:19:48.300 to be reminded of the racism 00:19:48.300 --> 00:19:49.300 that came out 00:19:49.300 --> 00:19:51.360 to people from an Asian background. 00:19:51.359 --> 00:19:53.759 There was abuse 00:19:53.759 --> 00:19:54.779 and beatings 00:19:54.779 --> 00:19:56.199 on the streets of Sydney 00:19:56.199 --> 00:19:58.740 that just stemmed from racism 00:19:58.740 --> 00:19:59.599 because people 00:19:59.599 --> 00:20:01.379 looked different. 00:20:02.659 --> 00:20:04.099 Part of the action 00:20:04.099 --> 00:20:05.459 that we are called to do 00:20:05.459 --> 00:20:07.079 means calling out racism 00:20:07.079 --> 00:20:07.879 when we see it. 00:20:09.240 --> 00:20:10.919 We are all raised 00:20:10.919 --> 00:20:13.219 to think in an ethnocentric way, 00:20:13.299 --> 00:20:14.819 to think that our culture 00:20:14.819 --> 00:20:15.759 is right, 00:20:16.639 --> 00:20:18.299 but Christians should seek 00:20:18.299 --> 00:20:19.740 to bring Christ to bear 00:20:19.740 --> 00:20:21.480 on all that we do, 00:20:22.159 --> 00:20:23.159 what we love 00:20:23.159 --> 00:20:24.319 and what we allow 00:20:24.319 --> 00:20:25.399 to influence us. 00:20:26.279 --> 00:20:27.899 The love that we share 00:20:27.899 --> 00:20:29.299 is to be shaped 00:20:29.299 --> 00:20:31.339 by the love God has had for us 00:20:31.339 --> 00:20:33.200 and to love in action. 00:20:34.119 --> 00:20:35.180 I want to encourage you 00:20:35.180 --> 00:20:36.779 to do two things 00:20:36.779 --> 00:20:39.339 if you are in the same place 00:20:39.339 --> 00:20:40.419 that I have been concerned 00:20:40.419 --> 00:20:42.259 about what has been happening 00:20:42.259 --> 00:20:43.119 in Australia, 00:20:43.379 --> 00:20:43.859 Australia, 00:20:44.000 --> 00:20:44.899 let alone overseas. 00:20:44.900 --> 00:20:46.540 The first thing 00:20:46.540 --> 00:20:48.140 is to write a letter. 00:20:49.280 --> 00:20:50.380 Earlier in the week, 00:20:50.580 --> 00:20:51.960 I wrote a letter 00:20:51.960 --> 00:20:54.660 to those who can make change 00:20:54.660 --> 00:20:55.920 in our state. 00:20:56.820 --> 00:20:58.440 I wrote to two members 00:20:58.440 --> 00:20:59.580 of our state parliament, 00:20:59.840 --> 00:21:01.780 to the Minister for Corrections 00:21:01.780 --> 00:21:03.160 and the Minister for Police, 00:21:03.400 --> 00:21:04.960 the Honourable David Elliott 00:21:04.960 --> 00:21:07.660 and the Honourable Anthony Roberts, 00:21:08.180 --> 00:21:08.920 employing them 00:21:08.920 --> 00:21:10.540 to make a change 00:21:10.539 --> 00:21:13.119 because they have 00:21:13.119 --> 00:21:14.440 significant influence 00:21:14.440 --> 00:21:15.099 and power. 00:21:16.059 --> 00:21:17.379 You can get a template 00:21:17.379 --> 00:21:17.980 for the letter 00:21:17.980 --> 00:21:18.599 that I wrote. 00:21:19.099 --> 00:21:19.960 You can go to a website 00:21:19.960 --> 00:21:20.879 called 00:21:20.879 --> 00:21:24.119 commongrace.org.au. 00:21:24.460 --> 00:21:26.159 It has a lot of information 00:21:26.159 --> 00:21:27.000 there for Christians 00:21:27.000 --> 00:21:27.980 about supporting 00:21:27.980 --> 00:21:28.960 indigenous people 00:21:28.960 --> 00:21:29.720 in our country. 00:21:30.240 --> 00:21:31.460 Or you can even contact me, 00:21:31.559 --> 00:21:32.180 contact the church. 00:21:32.420 --> 00:21:33.740 I can send you my letter 00:21:33.740 --> 00:21:35.420 and you can send that as well. 00:21:36.259 --> 00:21:37.139 The second thing 00:21:37.139 --> 00:21:37.960 that you can do 00:21:37.960 --> 00:21:39.819 is be aware 00:21:39.819 --> 00:21:41.960 of your ethnocentric bias 00:21:41.960 --> 00:21:44.160 and change what you do. 00:21:45.100 --> 00:21:45.680 Be aware 00:21:45.680 --> 00:21:47.880 that we are all ethnocentric. 00:21:48.079 --> 00:21:48.600 We all, 00:21:49.299 --> 00:21:50.779 just the way we are brought up, 00:21:51.279 --> 00:21:52.299 are raised to think 00:21:52.299 --> 00:21:53.640 that our cultural way 00:21:53.640 --> 00:21:54.340 of doing things 00:21:54.340 --> 00:21:55.140 is right. 00:21:55.759 --> 00:21:57.340 And we need to be aware 00:21:57.340 --> 00:21:57.860 of that 00:21:57.860 --> 00:22:00.360 and move away from that. 00:22:00.480 --> 00:22:02.059 Because it is very easy 00:22:02.059 --> 00:22:03.100 to go from thinking 00:22:03.100 --> 00:22:04.360 our culture is right 00:22:04.360 --> 00:22:05.860 to being racist 00:22:05.860 --> 00:22:07.360 and saying that people 00:22:07.359 --> 00:22:08.000 who are different 00:22:08.000 --> 00:22:08.740 are wrong. 00:22:09.899 --> 00:22:11.519 There is no one race 00:22:11.519 --> 00:22:12.459 or culture 00:22:12.459 --> 00:22:13.859 that is more Christian 00:22:13.859 --> 00:22:15.039 than all the others. 00:22:16.119 --> 00:22:17.659 This is one of the reasons 00:22:17.659 --> 00:22:18.439 why we speak 00:22:18.439 --> 00:22:21.059 of being a trans-cultural church. 00:22:21.279 --> 00:22:22.459 We don't just want to be 00:22:22.459 --> 00:22:24.339 an Australian culture church. 00:22:24.379 --> 00:22:24.819 We don't want to be 00:22:24.819 --> 00:22:26.519 a Chinese culture church. 00:22:27.000 --> 00:22:28.240 We want to be 00:22:28.240 --> 00:22:28.979 a church 00:22:28.979 --> 00:22:29.879 that is shaped 00:22:29.879 --> 00:22:32.219 by a Christ culture. 00:22:33.879 --> 00:22:35.500 One that is united 00:22:35.500 --> 00:22:36.920 in our diversity. 00:22:38.660 --> 00:22:40.140 And this is really difficult. 00:22:41.619 --> 00:22:43.660 One of the small ways 00:22:43.660 --> 00:22:44.559 I've noticed 00:22:44.559 --> 00:22:45.680 that I need to change 00:22:45.680 --> 00:22:47.519 my ethnocentric preference 00:22:47.519 --> 00:22:49.240 is just in the way 00:22:49.240 --> 00:22:50.259 I give people nicknames. 00:22:50.799 --> 00:22:53.019 If you've ever met me, 00:22:53.160 --> 00:22:54.279 I have probably given you 00:22:54.279 --> 00:22:55.299 four different nicknames 00:22:55.299 --> 00:22:56.400 in the space of four minutes. 00:22:56.880 --> 00:22:58.000 It is one of my favourite 00:22:58.000 --> 00:22:58.700 things to do. 00:22:58.700 --> 00:23:00.720 And we have 00:23:00.720 --> 00:23:02.080 a dear colleague at work, 00:23:02.319 --> 00:23:02.660 Adrian, 00:23:02.799 --> 00:23:03.799 our missions pastor. 00:23:04.680 --> 00:23:06.019 His last name is Wong 00:23:06.019 --> 00:23:06.819 and 00:23:06.819 --> 00:23:08.620 I call him 00:23:08.620 --> 00:23:10.039 Wongi sometimes. 00:23:10.700 --> 00:23:11.779 And I did that 00:23:11.779 --> 00:23:13.400 with another brother, 00:23:13.640 --> 00:23:14.680 another Christian brother 00:23:14.680 --> 00:23:15.480 of 00:23:15.480 --> 00:23:16.779 Chinese background 00:23:16.779 --> 00:23:18.180 and he was shocked 00:23:18.180 --> 00:23:20.059 because it is not 00:23:20.059 --> 00:23:21.360 a respectful thing 00:23:21.360 --> 00:23:21.920 to do. 00:23:23.120 --> 00:23:23.680 And 00:23:23.680 --> 00:23:26.039 I had this moment 00:23:26.039 --> 00:23:26.740 where I just went, 00:23:26.740 --> 00:23:27.319 ah yeah, 00:23:27.460 --> 00:23:28.839 but I'm Australian 00:23:28.839 --> 00:23:30.019 and this is what I do 00:23:30.019 --> 00:23:31.059 and this is fine. 00:23:31.900 --> 00:23:33.099 And Adrian's okay with it 00:23:33.099 --> 00:23:34.079 but I realised 00:23:34.079 --> 00:23:35.700 that my preference 00:23:35.700 --> 00:23:37.500 was not actually 00:23:37.500 --> 00:23:39.279 loving my brother. 00:23:40.079 --> 00:23:40.940 Not actually 00:23:40.940 --> 00:23:42.000 loving people 00:23:42.000 --> 00:23:43.099 who are from 00:23:43.099 --> 00:23:43.940 a different culture 00:23:43.940 --> 00:23:45.359 who don't, 00:23:45.640 --> 00:23:46.220 who understand 00:23:46.220 --> 00:23:46.980 that it is not 00:23:46.980 --> 00:23:47.799 respecting people. 00:23:48.359 --> 00:23:49.500 We need to be aware 00:23:49.500 --> 00:23:50.920 of our own biases 00:23:50.920 --> 00:23:52.039 and to instead 00:23:52.039 --> 00:23:53.720 be shaped by Christ 00:23:53.720 --> 00:23:54.859 and to change 00:23:54.859 --> 00:23:55.539 our behaviour. 00:23:55.539 --> 00:23:56.579 to love 00:23:56.579 --> 00:23:57.480 in action 00:23:57.480 --> 00:23:59.099 and not just 00:23:59.099 --> 00:23:59.680 in words. 00:24:00.639 --> 00:24:01.399 Verse 18, 00:24:01.799 --> 00:24:02.519 Dear children, 00:24:02.700 --> 00:24:03.319 let us love 00:24:03.319 --> 00:24:03.960 with words, 00:24:04.139 --> 00:24:05.119 let us not love 00:24:05.119 --> 00:24:06.039 with words or speech 00:24:06.039 --> 00:24:07.359 but with actions 00:24:07.359 --> 00:24:08.399 and in truth. 00:24:09.039 --> 00:24:09.440 So, 00:24:10.319 --> 00:24:11.420 we should first of all 00:24:11.420 --> 00:24:12.019 be thoughts 00:24:12.019 --> 00:24:13.000 and prayers Christians. 00:24:13.200 --> 00:24:14.039 We should be thinking 00:24:14.039 --> 00:24:14.859 deeply about 00:24:14.859 --> 00:24:15.799 other people's problems 00:24:15.799 --> 00:24:16.980 and bringing them 00:24:16.980 --> 00:24:17.579 to our Lord. 00:24:18.519 --> 00:24:19.399 And we should also 00:24:19.399 --> 00:24:20.119 be prepared 00:24:20.119 --> 00:24:21.220 to help those 00:24:21.220 --> 00:24:22.019 around us 00:24:22.019 --> 00:24:22.639 in need. 00:24:22.640 --> 00:24:24.080 seeking to bring 00:24:24.080 --> 00:24:25.420 real healing 00:24:25.420 --> 00:24:26.460 to people's lives 00:24:26.460 --> 00:24:27.840 who are damaged 00:24:27.840 --> 00:24:28.420 from sin, 00:24:28.580 --> 00:24:29.700 who are damaged 00:24:29.700 --> 00:24:30.680 from their own sin 00:24:30.680 --> 00:24:31.820 and other people's sin. 00:24:32.740 --> 00:24:34.100 Their needs could be 00:24:34.100 --> 00:24:36.000 from psychological trauma, 00:24:36.480 --> 00:24:37.860 from social instability, 00:24:38.060 --> 00:24:38.780 from economic 00:24:38.780 --> 00:24:39.920 or physical pain. 00:24:40.900 --> 00:24:41.920 I want to encourage you 00:24:41.920 --> 00:24:42.820 to come 00:24:42.820 --> 00:24:43.980 and drop off food 00:24:43.980 --> 00:24:45.259 for the Anglicare Food Drive. 00:24:45.360 --> 00:24:45.900 That is a really 00:24:45.900 --> 00:24:46.940 wonderful thing to do. 00:24:47.300 --> 00:24:48.200 Be supporting 00:24:48.200 --> 00:24:49.520 Sam and Sally 00:24:49.520 --> 00:24:50.200 financially 00:24:50.200 --> 00:24:51.420 as they seek 00:24:51.420 --> 00:24:52.440 to plant their church 00:24:52.440 --> 00:24:53.600 and see many people 00:24:53.600 --> 00:24:54.420 on the Gold Coast 00:24:54.420 --> 00:24:55.799 come to know 00:24:55.799 --> 00:24:56.759 and love Jesus. 00:24:57.480 --> 00:24:58.160 Give money 00:24:58.160 --> 00:24:58.860 to support 00:24:58.860 --> 00:24:59.279 the people 00:24:59.279 --> 00:25:00.059 in Narrabri 00:25:00.059 --> 00:25:01.480 who are continuing 00:25:01.480 --> 00:25:02.819 to find life difficult 00:25:02.819 --> 00:25:03.880 after the floods 00:25:03.880 --> 00:25:04.680 and bushfires. 00:25:06.000 --> 00:25:07.360 These are all 00:25:07.360 --> 00:25:08.700 great things to do. 00:25:08.799 --> 00:25:09.660 I commend them 00:25:09.660 --> 00:25:10.960 to you 00:25:10.960 --> 00:25:11.960 and I will be 00:25:11.960 --> 00:25:12.819 financially supporting 00:25:12.819 --> 00:25:13.340 all of them. 00:25:14.140 --> 00:25:15.660 But let's not think 00:25:15.660 --> 00:25:17.200 that when we do 00:25:17.200 --> 00:25:18.019 those things 00:25:18.019 --> 00:25:19.099 we have met 00:25:19.099 --> 00:25:19.900 the call 00:25:19.900 --> 00:25:20.519 for the Christian 00:25:20.519 --> 00:25:21.519 to love 00:25:21.519 --> 00:25:22.279 in action. 00:25:23.420 --> 00:25:24.740 God has called us 00:25:24.740 --> 00:25:26.000 to meet the needs 00:25:26.000 --> 00:25:26.799 of the people 00:25:26.799 --> 00:25:28.619 that are around us. 00:25:29.660 --> 00:25:30.599 Brothers and sisters, 00:25:31.119 --> 00:25:32.119 we can give 00:25:32.119 --> 00:25:33.799 to every worthy cause 00:25:33.799 --> 00:25:34.839 but we can also 00:25:34.839 --> 00:25:35.519 ignore 00:25:35.519 --> 00:25:36.519 the people 00:25:36.519 --> 00:25:37.460 God puts 00:25:37.460 --> 00:25:38.259 in front of us. 00:25:39.319 --> 00:25:40.180 Let's not only 00:25:40.180 --> 00:25:41.240 love with words 00:25:41.240 --> 00:25:41.859 or speech 00:25:41.859 --> 00:25:42.920 but love 00:25:42.920 --> 00:25:44.220 like we have been loved 00:25:44.220 --> 00:25:45.480 in actions 00:25:45.480 --> 00:25:46.440 by God himself. 00:25:47.059 --> 00:25:47.700 Let me pray. 00:25:48.019 --> 00:25:50.319 Dear Heavenly Father, 00:25:50.779 --> 00:25:51.980 I thank you so much 00:25:51.980 --> 00:25:52.740 for your love 00:25:52.740 --> 00:25:53.339 to us. 00:25:54.539 --> 00:25:55.139 I thank you 00:25:55.139 --> 00:25:55.700 that you 00:25:55.700 --> 00:25:57.599 did not leave 00:25:57.599 --> 00:25:58.599 us alone 00:25:58.599 --> 00:25:59.220 but that you 00:25:59.220 --> 00:26:00.160 sent your Son 00:26:00.160 --> 00:26:02.519 and that he 00:26:02.519 --> 00:26:03.819 acted to die 00:26:03.819 --> 00:26:04.720 on the cross 00:26:04.720 --> 00:26:05.500 the greatest 00:26:05.500 --> 00:26:06.319 expression 00:26:06.319 --> 00:26:07.379 of love ever. 00:26:08.259 --> 00:26:08.940 Heavenly Father, 00:26:09.099 --> 00:26:09.680 help us 00:26:09.680 --> 00:26:10.319 to love 00:26:10.319 --> 00:26:11.519 like you have loved. 00:26:12.220 --> 00:26:13.079 To love 00:26:13.079 --> 00:26:13.900 when it is difficult, 00:26:14.099 --> 00:26:14.619 to love 00:26:14.619 --> 00:26:15.139 when we see 00:26:15.139 --> 00:26:15.799 people's needs 00:26:15.799 --> 00:26:16.579 in front of us 00:26:16.579 --> 00:26:17.859 and not just 00:26:17.859 --> 00:26:19.000 give loving 00:26:19.000 --> 00:26:19.619 words 00:26:19.619 --> 00:26:21.359 but to love 00:26:21.359 --> 00:26:23.119 in physical 00:26:23.119 --> 00:26:23.779 needs, 00:26:23.960 --> 00:26:24.099 Lord. 00:26:24.599 --> 00:26:25.000 Father, 00:26:25.079 --> 00:26:25.460 help us 00:26:25.460 --> 00:26:25.919 to be able 00:26:25.919 --> 00:26:28.000 to support 00:26:28.000 --> 00:26:29.220 the many 00:26:29.220 --> 00:26:30.119 things that we 00:26:30.119 --> 00:26:30.439 are seeking 00:26:30.439 --> 00:26:30.980 to support 00:26:30.980 --> 00:26:31.539 this month. 00:26:32.339 --> 00:26:32.859 Father, 00:26:32.960 --> 00:26:33.519 continue to be 00:26:33.519 --> 00:26:33.879 with Sam 00:26:33.879 --> 00:26:34.379 and Sally. 00:26:34.939 --> 00:26:35.460 Help us 00:26:35.460 --> 00:26:36.019 to support 00:26:36.019 --> 00:26:36.740 Anglicare 00:26:36.740 --> 00:26:37.579 as they support 00:26:37.579 --> 00:26:38.240 many people 00:26:38.240 --> 00:26:39.099 and Narrabri 00:26:39.099 --> 00:26:39.679 as well. 00:26:40.039 --> 00:26:40.539 But Lord, 00:26:41.159 --> 00:26:42.279 open our eyes 00:26:42.279 --> 00:26:42.919 to the people 00:26:42.919 --> 00:26:44.539 who are in front 00:26:44.539 --> 00:26:44.819 of us 00:26:44.819 --> 00:26:45.139 who have 00:26:45.139 --> 00:26:45.539 needs. 00:26:46.619 --> 00:26:47.319 Change our 00:26:47.319 --> 00:26:47.720 hearts 00:26:47.720 --> 00:26:48.200 that we 00:26:48.200 --> 00:26:48.799 would love 00:26:48.799 --> 00:26:49.319 like you 00:26:49.319 --> 00:26:49.799 love us, 00:26:49.920 --> 00:26:50.099 Lord. 00:26:50.559 --> 00:26:50.920 Amen. 00:26:50.920 --> 00:26:51.059 Amen.