WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:30.000 As I said, we've come to the last of our readings, of our sessions, and in a voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy voy 00:00:30.000 --> 00:00:42.340 in. It is language which is foreign to us, but I think in the end we have to grapple with, 00:00:43.159 --> 00:00:49.640 and I think we're feeling this very much at the moment, that we're having to grapple with 00:00:49.640 --> 00:00:58.859 the ongoing issues of the fallenness of our humanity. And it's a very critical kind of 00:00:58.859 --> 00:01:10.219 existential question which occurs to me in the 21st century, and that is a question that I think 00:01:10.219 --> 00:01:19.359 Christians have asked throughout the whole of Christian history. Why is the world the way that it is? 00:01:19.359 --> 00:01:30.280 What is the world the way that it is? Politicians since the Enlightenment have talked about what they call continuous progress. 00:01:31.480 --> 00:01:40.640 And at a lot of levels, we can tick that box. Why is it the world is the way that it is? 00:01:40.640 --> 00:01:50.079 I want to read to you some words. I mean, I always think, you know, I do it, we all do it a little bit, 00:01:50.159 --> 00:01:59.180 you know, we complain about the world as it is, and that's fully intelligible to me. But it shouldn't 00:01:59.180 --> 00:02:06.000 surprise us in a way if we know our scriptures. Let me just give you one passage of scripture, 00:02:06.000 --> 00:02:14.699 one of many I could have read. And this is from 2 Timothy chapter 3. And Paul writes these words, 00:02:14.819 --> 00:02:21.060 mark this, there will be terrible times in the last days. People will be lovers of themselves, 00:02:21.479 --> 00:02:29.639 lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, without love, 00:02:29.639 --> 00:02:38.059 unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, treacherous, 00:02:38.279 --> 00:02:46.379 rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure, rather than lovers of God, having a form of godliness, 00:02:46.539 --> 00:02:53.699 but denying its power, have nothing to do with such people. I mean, you read that stuff and you think, 00:02:53.699 --> 00:03:04.799 and Paul never actually had read a word of social media. And yet he's talking about what I think is 00:03:04.799 --> 00:03:15.319 the natural outflow of our fallenness as human beings. And I made this point on Sunday in church, 00:03:15.879 --> 00:03:23.159 I'm going to use slightly different words today, but I think what's great about Ephesians chapter 6 is 00:03:23.159 --> 00:03:30.699 it reinforces this idea, not just a philosophical concept, but also a theological concept, 00:03:31.319 --> 00:03:37.960 that when we think correctly, when we believe correctly, the likelihood is that our actions 00:03:37.960 --> 00:03:46.519 will be more appropriate. Wrong thinking, and in the early church, this is a massive issue, you know, 00:03:46.520 --> 00:03:55.800 the early patristic fathers of the church, spent their time trying to weed out orthodox faith from heresy. 00:03:56.680 --> 00:04:04.480 And you can imagine, they had to do that without a copy of the New Testament. 00:04:06.160 --> 00:04:11.660 The canon of the New Testament probably wasn't formed until the end of the fourth century. 00:04:11.659 --> 00:04:17.699 And so for the first years of the church, they're trying to sort out these issues. 00:04:18.459 --> 00:04:22.399 And the only text they had in front of them was the Old Testament. 00:04:24.139 --> 00:04:31.740 And as Paul points out in Ephesians 6, the devil is in the detail. 00:04:31.740 --> 00:04:44.199 It refers here to the various forms of spiritual oppression that might, well, not might, but will befall Christians in all ages. 00:04:45.460 --> 00:04:52.460 And Paul says here, you know, our response to this is to put on the full armour of God. 00:04:52.459 --> 00:05:04.139 In 2 Corinthians chapter 11, verses 13 and 14, we read this. 00:05:05.639 --> 00:05:14.379 It talks about men being false apostles, deceitful workmen, masquerading as apostles of Christ. 00:05:14.379 --> 00:05:25.759 Basically, what he's saying here is that Satan himself, this is verse 14, masquerades as an angel of light. 00:05:27.620 --> 00:05:36.120 That is, that Satan, I never saw the movie The Exorcist, and I hope you didn't either, because I gather it's awful. 00:05:36.120 --> 00:05:46.360 But the big deal with it is that at one point, apparently, this young teenage girl who is possessed of the devil, 00:05:47.500 --> 00:05:55.139 she's kind of, her head is spinning through 360 degrees, whilst at the same time she's vomiting green bile. 00:05:56.819 --> 00:06:02.800 And you kind of think to yourself, well, if that's the work of the devil, frankly, I'm quite keen to avoid it. 00:06:02.800 --> 00:06:09.379 But the devil masquerades as an angel of light. 00:06:11.660 --> 00:06:19.160 And that means the devil is in the detail of Christian living today. 00:06:19.560 --> 00:06:26.460 What can appear to be good can, in fact, be the devil masquerading himself. 00:06:28.280 --> 00:06:30.160 So what's going on here? 00:06:30.160 --> 00:06:41.920 The first word of this reading is, finally, in the version, the NIV, the English version, it says, to end. 00:06:42.720 --> 00:06:48.500 Actually, that doesn't really carry what Paul was intending to communicate here, I don't believe. 00:06:49.160 --> 00:06:54.060 Finally, Paul was saying, in the light of everything I've written to you, 00:06:55.580 --> 00:06:58.820 here's something you really need to take note of. 00:06:58.819 --> 00:07:04.639 You need to take note of the fact that life is not going to be uncomplicated. 00:07:05.599 --> 00:07:10.459 Even if you believe the right things and you adhere to the teaching I've given you 00:07:10.459 --> 00:07:15.699 in Ephesians 4 and 5, in the first bit of Ephesians chapter 6, 00:07:16.839 --> 00:07:18.740 you need to be aware of this. 00:07:19.819 --> 00:07:22.459 And Paul's reading of the problem is very clear. 00:07:22.579 --> 00:07:24.920 Our fight is not against people on earth. 00:07:24.920 --> 00:07:35.600 See, I think that one of the big confusions is that in the church today, 00:07:36.480 --> 00:07:39.420 we kind of have this dichotomy. 00:07:39.520 --> 00:07:46.620 And the dichotomy is this, that some people don't even think about this fight 00:07:46.620 --> 00:07:49.879 that's taking place in the heavenly places. 00:07:49.879 --> 00:07:57.339 And some people, thankfully I believe a minority in the church, are obsessed by it. 00:07:58.339 --> 00:08:04.279 And every stone they turn over in church life, the devil they see at work. 00:08:05.600 --> 00:08:12.800 I mean, I think you have to be very, very careful with that kind of approach to faith. 00:08:12.800 --> 00:08:20.379 So the finally is connecting this important section of Paul's teaching here with what's gone before. 00:08:20.600 --> 00:08:28.160 And his reading of the problem is, this is not the fight that many of you imagine that you will be in. 00:08:30.100 --> 00:08:33.899 And Paul's solution is in chapter 13. 00:08:34.419 --> 00:08:37.240 This is why you need to get God's full armour. 00:08:37.680 --> 00:08:40.399 I'm going to talk about that in a bit more length. 00:08:40.399 --> 00:08:45.019 But his reading of the problem is challenging to us. 00:08:45.319 --> 00:08:49.539 And what it means is that all of Christian history will be messy. 00:08:51.319 --> 00:08:57.240 And some of you will be, I apologise for a little bit of repetition for what I said in here on Sunday morning. 00:08:58.039 --> 00:09:01.779 But Paul's, it's messy. 00:09:01.779 --> 00:09:11.600 Because the general teaching of scripture is that on the cross of Calvary and the resurrection of Jesus, 00:09:12.799 --> 00:09:16.480 the devil has been defeated once and for all. 00:09:16.579 --> 00:09:20.019 And you say, well, if he's been defeated once and for all. 00:09:20.419 --> 00:09:26.000 Paul wrote this kind of stuff, you know, talks about being more than conquerors in the Corinthian literature. 00:09:26.000 --> 00:09:32.620 If the devil's already defeated, well, how come the way the world is the way the world is? 00:09:34.740 --> 00:09:40.240 And I used an analogy from the world of farming. 00:09:40.240 --> 00:09:45.519 And I said that what I think is happening here. 00:09:46.799 --> 00:09:49.620 Is, you know, I'm told this. 00:09:49.700 --> 00:09:50.240 I mean, I don't know. 00:09:50.299 --> 00:09:51.180 I've never seen it. 00:09:51.419 --> 00:09:52.759 And really, I never want to. 00:09:52.899 --> 00:09:57.060 But I'm told if you chop the head off a chicken in the farmyard, 00:09:57.220 --> 00:10:01.379 the chicken will race around the farmyard three or four times before it collapses dead. 00:10:01.379 --> 00:10:10.840 And I think that that's what's happening in the era in which we live. 00:10:11.860 --> 00:10:18.539 Satan has been defeated forever, but with his head chopped, metaphorically, 00:10:19.500 --> 00:10:23.419 he's still able to race around creating carnage. 00:10:24.360 --> 00:10:29.600 And we see some of that carnage every day in our newspapers. 00:10:29.600 --> 00:10:37.180 And Paul's great solution is you need to put on the full armor of God. 00:10:38.360 --> 00:10:52.360 And anybody who thinks that becoming a Christian and being in a church is like a free pass into la-la land 00:10:52.360 --> 00:10:55.399 is amazingly mistaken. 00:10:55.399 --> 00:11:04.100 I mean, you should know this because you know that in churches we have some of the same problems that people out there have. 00:11:06.319 --> 00:11:13.659 So Paul's diagnosis is that we need to put on the full armor of God. 00:11:13.799 --> 00:11:19.639 Wear God's armor, says Paul, so that you can fight against the devil's clever tricks. 00:11:19.639 --> 00:11:22.819 This is subtle. 00:11:24.059 --> 00:11:32.279 As I say, if the devil's subtle tricks were people with their heads revolving 360 degrees whilst vomiting bile, 00:11:33.480 --> 00:11:36.759 we'd have no problem avoiding that. 00:11:36.840 --> 00:11:38.259 We wouldn't want that, it's clear. 00:11:38.439 --> 00:11:45.460 But the devil's clever tricks, his wily tricks, it says in some of the older translations, 00:11:45.460 --> 00:11:50.600 our fight is not against people on earth. 00:11:50.680 --> 00:11:52.960 Well, I think that's kind of complicated. 00:11:53.800 --> 00:11:58.920 Paul goes on to say here that we're fighting against rulers and authorities. 00:11:59.920 --> 00:12:02.240 And I think what Paul would say to us 00:12:02.240 --> 00:12:08.180 would square with a Chinese military general 00:12:08.179 --> 00:12:10.319 is a person who's name is 00:12:10.319 --> 00:12:11.719 Sanju. 00:12:13.039 --> 00:12:15.239 And Sanju wrote this. 00:12:15.399 --> 00:12:15.779 He said, 00:12:16.039 --> 00:12:18.159 Know your enemy and know yourself 00:12:18.159 --> 00:12:20.759 and you will not be in danger 00:12:20.759 --> 00:12:22.419 in a hundred battles. 00:12:23.779 --> 00:12:26.519 See, I think what this general understood was 00:12:26.519 --> 00:12:28.339 that understanding your enemy 00:12:28.339 --> 00:12:30.359 is critical in any engagement 00:12:30.359 --> 00:12:31.159 of that enemy. 00:12:32.459 --> 00:12:33.839 But at the same time, 00:12:33.979 --> 00:12:35.259 understanding yourself 00:12:35.259 --> 00:12:36.419 is important. 00:12:38.179 --> 00:12:40.000 If you think that 00:12:40.000 --> 00:12:41.799 because you're a Christian, 00:12:42.219 --> 00:12:43.799 you are totally immune 00:12:43.799 --> 00:12:45.139 to being influenced 00:12:45.139 --> 00:12:46.879 by these malign powers 00:12:46.879 --> 00:12:48.079 that Paul understands 00:12:48.079 --> 00:12:48.879 lie behind 00:12:48.879 --> 00:12:50.579 a lot of difficult 00:12:50.579 --> 00:12:53.279 issues in our world today, 00:12:54.059 --> 00:12:56.019 I think you might be deluded. 00:12:58.279 --> 00:12:59.779 And Paul here says 00:12:59.779 --> 00:13:01.959 that the bottom line is 00:13:01.959 --> 00:13:02.299 that 00:13:02.299 --> 00:13:05.699 he describes 00:13:05.699 --> 00:13:07.139 four kinds of enemy. 00:13:07.139 --> 00:13:09.319 the first one is 00:13:09.319 --> 00:13:09.919 the rulers 00:13:09.919 --> 00:13:11.759 and the authorities. 00:13:12.319 --> 00:13:13.620 And normally in Scripture, 00:13:13.879 --> 00:13:15.220 when rulers and authorities 00:13:15.220 --> 00:13:15.759 are 00:13:15.759 --> 00:13:17.679 referred to, 00:13:17.899 --> 00:13:18.860 Paul's talking to 00:13:18.860 --> 00:13:19.840 earthly government, 00:13:19.960 --> 00:13:20.500 talking about 00:13:20.500 --> 00:13:21.419 earthly government. 00:13:22.500 --> 00:13:23.620 And I think 00:13:23.620 --> 00:13:25.179 what Paul would tell us 00:13:25.179 --> 00:13:26.159 about this is 00:13:26.159 --> 00:13:26.500 that 00:13:26.500 --> 00:13:27.379 the problem 00:13:27.379 --> 00:13:28.860 with the subtle work 00:13:28.860 --> 00:13:29.519 of the devil 00:13:29.519 --> 00:13:30.679 is that 00:13:30.679 --> 00:13:31.480 he very often 00:13:31.480 --> 00:13:33.220 employs human agency. 00:13:33.220 --> 00:13:36.519 and 00:13:36.519 --> 00:13:38.540 again, 00:13:38.639 --> 00:13:39.860 forgive a little repetition 00:13:39.860 --> 00:13:40.879 from Sunday, 00:13:41.040 --> 00:13:41.200 but 00:13:41.200 --> 00:13:42.040 you know, 00:13:42.680 --> 00:13:44.379 what do we live through 00:13:44.379 --> 00:13:45.720 in the 20th century? 00:13:46.879 --> 00:13:48.000 We live through 00:13:48.000 --> 00:13:49.000 Nazism. 00:13:50.320 --> 00:13:51.000 This is, 00:13:51.240 --> 00:13:51.519 you know, 00:13:51.560 --> 00:13:52.460 not just 00:13:52.460 --> 00:13:53.399 a kind of 00:13:53.399 --> 00:13:54.300 bit of a grouse 00:13:54.300 --> 00:13:55.100 that Adolf Hitler 00:13:55.100 --> 00:13:56.500 had with Jewish people 00:13:56.500 --> 00:13:57.879 and Roman Catholics 00:13:57.879 --> 00:13:58.920 and gay people. 00:13:58.919 --> 00:14:00.879 this was 00:14:00.879 --> 00:14:01.740 systemic 00:14:01.740 --> 00:14:02.819 brutality 00:14:02.819 --> 00:14:04.919 on a horrendous scale. 00:14:07.459 --> 00:14:08.279 And we 00:14:08.279 --> 00:14:09.360 tell ourselves, 00:14:09.659 --> 00:14:09.939 you know, 00:14:10.000 --> 00:14:10.579 as we did 00:14:10.579 --> 00:14:11.079 after the 00:14:11.079 --> 00:14:12.500 Second World War, 00:14:13.059 --> 00:14:14.199 there was this 00:14:14.199 --> 00:14:16.319 literature 00:14:16.319 --> 00:14:17.740 that came into play 00:14:17.740 --> 00:14:18.740 which is called 00:14:18.740 --> 00:14:20.199 utopian literature. 00:14:20.539 --> 00:14:21.059 And it was 00:14:21.059 --> 00:14:21.839 basically 00:14:21.839 --> 00:14:23.539 based on the premise 00:14:23.539 --> 00:14:24.559 the world 00:14:24.559 --> 00:14:25.899 must never allow 00:14:25.899 --> 00:14:27.399 this kind of thing, 00:14:27.519 --> 00:14:27.819 i.e. 00:14:27.820 --> 00:14:28.600 world war 00:14:28.600 --> 00:14:29.600 to occur again. 00:14:33.200 --> 00:14:34.280 I don't know, 00:14:34.860 --> 00:14:35.120 you know, 00:14:35.180 --> 00:14:35.900 I think it probably 00:14:35.900 --> 00:14:37.180 would be exaggeration 00:14:37.180 --> 00:14:38.280 at this point in time 00:14:38.280 --> 00:14:39.160 to say that 00:14:39.160 --> 00:14:40.720 we stand on the edge 00:14:40.720 --> 00:14:41.900 of nuclear war 00:14:41.900 --> 00:14:42.640 at the moment. 00:14:42.820 --> 00:14:43.960 I don't honestly 00:14:43.960 --> 00:14:45.200 believe that myself. 00:14:45.720 --> 00:14:46.460 But there are 00:14:46.460 --> 00:14:47.820 several commentators 00:14:47.820 --> 00:14:48.260 who think 00:14:48.260 --> 00:14:49.420 that the only way 00:14:49.420 --> 00:14:51.100 this kind of 00:14:51.100 --> 00:14:54.720 standing up 00:14:54.720 --> 00:14:55.420 against 00:14:55.419 --> 00:14:57.259 Vladimir Putin 00:14:57.259 --> 00:14:58.299 and the 00:14:58.299 --> 00:15:00.079 Chinese government. 00:15:00.759 --> 00:15:01.699 The only way 00:15:01.699 --> 00:15:02.479 that that can get 00:15:02.479 --> 00:15:02.899 resolved 00:15:02.899 --> 00:15:03.399 is through 00:15:03.399 --> 00:15:04.379 nuclear war. 00:15:04.379 --> 00:15:05.419 And I think, 00:15:05.500 --> 00:15:05.679 you know, 00:15:05.759 --> 00:15:06.579 we all know enough 00:15:06.579 --> 00:15:07.779 about nuclear war 00:15:07.779 --> 00:15:08.159 to know 00:15:08.159 --> 00:15:08.599 there are no 00:15:08.599 --> 00:15:09.019 winners 00:15:09.019 --> 00:15:10.459 in that kind 00:15:10.459 --> 00:15:11.179 of scenario. 00:15:12.559 --> 00:15:13.519 So one of the 00:15:13.519 --> 00:15:14.860 tricky things is, 00:15:15.360 --> 00:15:15.819 I mean, 00:15:16.120 --> 00:15:17.039 governments have 00:15:17.039 --> 00:15:17.500 always been 00:15:17.500 --> 00:15:18.719 vaguely incompetent, 00:15:18.779 --> 00:15:19.299 haven't they? 00:15:19.299 --> 00:15:21.659 And I wouldn't 00:15:21.659 --> 00:15:22.559 basically, 00:15:22.759 --> 00:15:22.899 you know, 00:15:22.939 --> 00:15:23.439 that's not, 00:15:24.299 --> 00:15:24.839 that's an 00:15:24.839 --> 00:15:26.120 apolitical statement. 00:15:26.319 --> 00:15:26.559 I mean, 00:15:26.679 --> 00:15:27.259 it's just that 00:15:27.259 --> 00:15:28.179 actually government's 00:15:28.179 --> 00:15:28.879 a really difficult 00:15:28.879 --> 00:15:29.299 thing. 00:15:30.919 --> 00:15:32.179 And authorities 00:15:32.179 --> 00:15:33.019 are going to make 00:15:33.019 --> 00:15:33.919 kind of natural 00:15:33.919 --> 00:15:34.959 mistakes because 00:15:34.959 --> 00:15:36.039 sometimes 00:15:36.039 --> 00:15:37.740 their policies 00:15:37.740 --> 00:15:38.879 have unintended 00:15:38.879 --> 00:15:40.259 consequences. 00:15:40.759 --> 00:15:41.599 That's not what 00:15:41.599 --> 00:15:42.199 Paul's talking 00:15:42.199 --> 00:15:42.639 about here. 00:15:42.719 --> 00:15:43.879 He's talking about 00:15:43.879 --> 00:15:46.019 when the devil 00:15:46.019 --> 00:15:47.579 influences through 00:15:47.580 --> 00:15:49.280 his wily tricks, 00:15:49.940 --> 00:15:50.520 rulers and 00:15:50.520 --> 00:15:51.560 authorities who 00:15:51.560 --> 00:15:52.620 dream up awful 00:15:52.620 --> 00:15:53.020 things, 00:15:53.139 --> 00:15:53.800 genocide, 00:15:58.220 --> 00:15:59.300 Nazism, 00:16:00.000 --> 00:16:00.180 you know, 00:16:00.300 --> 00:16:01.540 Stalin in 00:16:01.540 --> 00:16:02.860 Soviet Russia, 00:16:04.840 --> 00:16:05.120 you know, 00:16:05.660 --> 00:16:06.600 starved up to 00:16:06.600 --> 00:16:07.440 six million 00:16:07.440 --> 00:16:08.639 Ukrainians 00:16:08.639 --> 00:16:10.720 during his 00:16:10.720 --> 00:16:12.920 attempts to 00:16:12.920 --> 00:16:13.540 implement 00:16:13.540 --> 00:16:14.200 communism 00:16:14.200 --> 00:16:14.860 across the, 00:16:15.100 --> 00:16:17.000 across 00:16:17.000 --> 00:16:18.059 what became 00:16:18.059 --> 00:16:18.580 the Soviet 00:16:18.580 --> 00:16:19.159 Union. 00:16:19.700 --> 00:16:20.100 And then 00:16:20.100 --> 00:16:21.220 Paul talks 00:16:21.220 --> 00:16:21.740 about 00:16:21.740 --> 00:16:23.919 the powers 00:16:23.919 --> 00:16:24.580 of this 00:16:24.580 --> 00:16:25.039 world's 00:16:25.039 --> 00:16:25.659 darkness 00:16:25.659 --> 00:16:27.840 against the 00:16:27.840 --> 00:16:28.360 spiritual 00:16:28.360 --> 00:16:29.399 powers of 00:16:29.399 --> 00:16:29.919 evil 00:16:29.919 --> 00:16:31.059 in the 00:16:31.059 --> 00:16:31.360 heavenly 00:16:31.360 --> 00:16:32.059 places. 00:16:33.039 --> 00:16:34.379 I find it 00:16:34.379 --> 00:16:35.620 difficult to 00:16:35.620 --> 00:16:36.559 describe this 00:16:36.559 --> 00:16:37.480 to you because 00:16:37.480 --> 00:16:38.279 Paul doesn't 00:16:38.279 --> 00:16:38.799 go into a 00:16:38.799 --> 00:16:39.620 great description. 00:16:41.039 --> 00:16:41.559 And I 00:16:41.559 --> 00:16:42.200 wouldn't blame 00:16:42.200 --> 00:16:42.659 you if you 00:16:42.659 --> 00:16:43.039 were sitting 00:16:43.039 --> 00:16:43.539 there saying, 00:16:43.659 --> 00:16:43.720 well, 00:16:43.799 --> 00:16:44.179 come on, 00:16:44.259 --> 00:16:44.419 Mike, 00:16:44.519 --> 00:16:44.720 you know, 00:16:44.779 --> 00:16:45.500 this is just 00:16:45.500 --> 00:16:46.399 a kind of 00:16:46.399 --> 00:16:47.700 ancient 00:16:47.700 --> 00:16:48.840 cosmology that 00:16:48.840 --> 00:16:49.340 we don't 00:16:49.340 --> 00:16:49.860 have to 00:16:49.860 --> 00:16:50.759 take seriously 00:16:50.759 --> 00:16:51.200 today. 00:16:51.320 --> 00:16:51.460 Well, 00:16:51.500 --> 00:16:52.000 let me tell 00:16:52.000 --> 00:16:52.139 you, 00:16:52.200 --> 00:16:52.820 Jesus took 00:16:52.820 --> 00:16:53.580 it seriously. 00:16:54.720 --> 00:16:55.519 The early 00:16:55.519 --> 00:16:56.159 church took 00:16:56.159 --> 00:16:56.940 it seriously. 00:16:58.519 --> 00:16:59.399 The Roman 00:16:59.399 --> 00:17:00.340 church today 00:17:00.340 --> 00:17:01.080 takes it 00:17:01.080 --> 00:17:01.820 seriously. 00:17:02.460 --> 00:17:03.259 The Orthodox 00:17:03.259 --> 00:17:04.119 church today 00:17:04.119 --> 00:17:04.779 takes it 00:17:04.779 --> 00:17:05.299 seriously. 00:17:05.700 --> 00:17:06.619 So just be a 00:17:06.619 --> 00:17:07.380 little careful 00:17:07.380 --> 00:17:08.740 if you want 00:17:08.740 --> 00:17:10.160 to dispose 00:17:10.160 --> 00:17:11.000 of this in 00:17:11.000 --> 00:17:11.519 the trash 00:17:11.519 --> 00:17:11.960 can of 00:17:11.960 --> 00:17:12.380 history. 00:17:12.380 --> 00:17:12.420 history. 00:17:14.440 --> 00:17:15.600 These powers 00:17:15.600 --> 00:17:16.860 are at work 00:17:16.860 --> 00:17:17.700 in the world. 00:17:18.600 --> 00:17:19.240 The powers 00:17:19.240 --> 00:17:19.960 of this dark 00:17:19.960 --> 00:17:20.600 world and the 00:17:20.600 --> 00:17:21.640 spiritual forces 00:17:21.640 --> 00:17:23.300 of evil in 00:17:23.300 --> 00:17:23.820 the heavenly 00:17:23.820 --> 00:17:24.280 realms. 00:17:24.380 --> 00:17:25.200 I suppose, 00:17:26.040 --> 00:17:26.760 you know, 00:17:26.820 --> 00:17:27.420 the nearest 00:17:27.420 --> 00:17:28.220 way we can 00:17:28.220 --> 00:17:29.020 get to 00:17:29.020 --> 00:17:30.420 describing it 00:17:30.420 --> 00:17:31.720 is the 00:17:31.720 --> 00:17:32.540 concept of 00:17:32.540 --> 00:17:33.760 fallen angels, 00:17:34.060 --> 00:17:34.740 people who, 00:17:35.500 --> 00:17:36.360 beings that 00:17:36.360 --> 00:17:37.340 have fallen 00:17:37.340 --> 00:17:38.800 below what 00:17:38.800 --> 00:17:39.860 God expected 00:17:39.860 --> 00:17:40.380 of them. 00:17:40.380 --> 00:17:42.800 know your 00:17:42.800 --> 00:17:43.300 enemy. 00:17:44.440 --> 00:17:45.120 Our enemy 00:17:45.120 --> 00:17:46.120 is not 00:17:46.120 --> 00:17:47.500 human agency 00:17:47.500 --> 00:17:48.460 first rate, 00:17:48.560 --> 00:17:49.440 but it is. 00:17:50.440 --> 00:17:52.040 Evil can 00:17:52.040 --> 00:17:55.240 permeate 00:17:55.240 --> 00:17:57.880 human 00:17:57.880 --> 00:17:58.640 agencies. 00:18:00.560 --> 00:18:01.440 His tactics, 00:18:01.920 --> 00:18:02.800 very subtle. 00:18:03.280 --> 00:18:03.840 2 Corinthians 00:18:03.840 --> 00:18:04.720 11, 14, 00:18:04.840 --> 00:18:05.720 he masquerades 00:18:05.720 --> 00:18:06.340 as an angel 00:18:06.340 --> 00:18:06.840 of light. 00:18:06.839 --> 00:18:08.740 And in 00:18:08.740 --> 00:18:09.379 1 Peter 00:18:09.379 --> 00:18:10.399 chapter 5 00:18:10.399 --> 00:18:10.919 and verse 00:18:10.919 --> 00:18:11.319 8, 00:18:11.859 --> 00:18:12.639 this is why 00:18:12.639 --> 00:18:13.359 church history 00:18:13.359 --> 00:18:14.439 is constantly 00:18:14.439 --> 00:18:15.720 messy. 00:18:17.000 --> 00:18:17.720 Because 00:18:17.720 --> 00:18:19.199 those malign 00:18:19.199 --> 00:18:20.259 forces at 00:18:20.259 --> 00:18:20.799 work in 00:18:20.799 --> 00:18:21.519 our world 00:18:21.519 --> 00:18:22.299 are not 00:18:22.299 --> 00:18:22.539 going to 00:18:22.539 --> 00:18:22.859 give up 00:18:22.859 --> 00:18:23.279 easily. 00:18:25.319 --> 00:18:26.259 1 Peter 00:18:26.259 --> 00:18:27.199 chapter 5 00:18:27.199 --> 00:18:27.679 and verse 00:18:27.679 --> 00:18:28.059 8, 00:18:28.639 --> 00:18:29.539 Peter says 00:18:29.539 --> 00:18:29.819 to the 00:18:29.819 --> 00:18:30.259 Christians 00:18:30.259 --> 00:18:30.619 that, 00:18:30.879 --> 00:18:32.139 be self-controlled 00:18:32.139 --> 00:18:33.220 and alert. 00:18:33.220 --> 00:18:34.480 your enemy 00:18:34.480 --> 00:18:35.019 the devil 00:18:35.019 --> 00:18:35.900 prowls around 00:18:35.900 --> 00:18:36.360 like a 00:18:36.360 --> 00:18:37.259 roaring lion 00:18:37.259 --> 00:18:38.240 seeking 00:18:38.240 --> 00:18:39.259 whom he 00:18:39.259 --> 00:18:40.019 may devour. 00:18:41.559 --> 00:18:42.319 Now I 00:18:42.319 --> 00:18:42.860 want to say 00:18:42.860 --> 00:18:43.339 to you 00:18:43.339 --> 00:18:44.259 something that 00:18:44.259 --> 00:18:44.900 I hope will 00:18:44.900 --> 00:18:45.740 be liberating 00:18:45.740 --> 00:18:46.299 for most 00:18:46.299 --> 00:18:46.720 of you. 00:18:47.259 --> 00:18:47.880 If you 00:18:47.880 --> 00:18:48.400 are, 00:18:48.539 --> 00:18:49.019 as Paul 00:18:49.019 --> 00:18:49.519 would put it, 00:18:49.559 --> 00:18:50.240 in Christ, 00:18:50.660 --> 00:18:51.200 if you 00:18:51.200 --> 00:18:52.160 are a 00:18:52.160 --> 00:18:52.779 believing 00:18:52.779 --> 00:18:53.460 Christians, 00:18:53.559 --> 00:18:53.860 if you 00:18:53.860 --> 00:18:54.640 accept what 00:18:54.640 --> 00:18:55.400 Jesus did 00:18:55.400 --> 00:18:55.779 on the 00:18:55.779 --> 00:18:56.299 cross of 00:18:56.299 --> 00:18:56.700 Calvary 00:18:56.700 --> 00:18:57.160 for you 00:18:57.160 --> 00:18:58.299 in grace, 00:18:58.839 --> 00:18:59.279 that your 00:18:59.279 --> 00:18:59.799 sins are 00:18:59.799 --> 00:19:00.180 forgiven 00:19:00.180 --> 00:19:01.259 and that 00:19:01.259 --> 00:19:01.860 God has 00:19:01.860 --> 00:19:02.600 gifted you 00:19:02.600 --> 00:19:03.160 the promise 00:19:03.160 --> 00:19:03.940 of eternity, 00:19:04.900 --> 00:19:05.660 I want to 00:19:05.660 --> 00:19:06.120 say to you 00:19:06.120 --> 00:19:06.500 that you 00:19:06.500 --> 00:19:07.080 can never 00:19:07.080 --> 00:19:07.740 be possessed 00:19:07.740 --> 00:19:08.160 by the 00:19:08.160 --> 00:19:08.400 devil. 00:19:10.860 --> 00:19:11.480 I have 00:19:11.480 --> 00:19:12.220 in my 00:19:12.220 --> 00:19:13.620 pastoral 00:19:13.620 --> 00:19:14.120 ministry 00:19:14.120 --> 00:19:15.060 come across 00:19:15.060 --> 00:19:15.759 Christians 00:19:15.759 --> 00:19:16.560 who think 00:19:16.560 --> 00:19:17.019 they might 00:19:17.019 --> 00:19:17.660 be possessed 00:19:17.660 --> 00:19:18.019 of the 00:19:18.019 --> 00:19:18.279 devil. 00:19:20.500 --> 00:19:21.019 And it's 00:19:21.019 --> 00:19:21.440 interesting, 00:19:21.580 --> 00:19:21.759 isn't there 00:19:21.759 --> 00:19:22.299 two bits 00:19:22.299 --> 00:19:22.960 of advice 00:19:22.960 --> 00:19:24.580 here for 00:19:24.580 --> 00:19:25.340 Christians 00:19:25.340 --> 00:19:26.180 that Peter 00:19:26.180 --> 00:19:26.720 is writing 00:19:26.720 --> 00:19:27.060 to. 00:19:27.840 --> 00:19:28.140 He doesn't 00:19:28.140 --> 00:19:28.560 just say 00:19:28.560 --> 00:19:29.140 be alert, 00:19:29.240 --> 00:19:29.460 he says 00:19:29.460 --> 00:19:30.500 be self 00:19:30.500 --> 00:19:31.160 controlled 00:19:31.160 --> 00:19:32.220 and alert. 00:19:33.860 --> 00:19:34.380 Sometimes 00:19:34.380 --> 00:19:34.720 some of 00:19:34.720 --> 00:19:34.860 the 00:19:34.860 --> 00:19:35.480 Christians 00:19:35.480 --> 00:19:35.980 I've met 00:19:35.980 --> 00:19:36.380 who think 00:19:36.380 --> 00:19:36.759 they might 00:19:36.759 --> 00:19:37.319 be possessed 00:19:37.319 --> 00:19:37.779 by the 00:19:37.779 --> 00:19:38.880 devil have 00:19:38.880 --> 00:19:39.420 lost all 00:19:39.420 --> 00:19:39.880 sense of 00:19:39.880 --> 00:19:40.120 self 00:19:40.120 --> 00:19:40.539 control. 00:19:40.680 --> 00:19:40.840 They're 00:19:40.840 --> 00:19:41.400 doing stuff 00:19:41.400 --> 00:19:41.840 they really 00:19:41.840 --> 00:19:42.259 know they 00:19:42.259 --> 00:19:42.519 shouldn't 00:19:42.519 --> 00:19:43.019 be doing 00:19:43.019 --> 00:19:44.559 and they 00:19:44.559 --> 00:19:45.319 continue to 00:19:45.319 --> 00:19:45.759 do it. 00:19:47.360 --> 00:19:47.819 I don't 00:19:47.819 --> 00:19:48.819 believe even 00:19:48.819 --> 00:19:49.940 their salvation 00:19:49.940 --> 00:19:50.759 is up for 00:19:50.759 --> 00:19:51.160 grabs. 00:19:54.160 --> 00:19:55.660 So these 00:19:55.660 --> 00:19:56.700 malign forces 00:19:56.700 --> 00:19:57.900 are constantly 00:19:57.900 --> 00:19:58.799 on the 00:19:58.799 --> 00:19:59.299 prowl. 00:19:59.460 --> 00:20:00.900 like a 00:20:00.900 --> 00:20:01.220 roaring 00:20:01.220 --> 00:20:01.759 lion. 00:20:04.360 --> 00:20:05.319 Some years 00:20:05.319 --> 00:20:05.920 ago now 00:20:05.920 --> 00:20:06.480 Anthony and 00:20:06.480 --> 00:20:06.960 I were 00:20:06.960 --> 00:20:07.360 on a 00:20:07.360 --> 00:20:07.980 game 00:20:07.980 --> 00:20:10.200 hunt in 00:20:10.200 --> 00:20:11.059 Uganda 00:20:11.059 --> 00:20:11.980 and 00:20:11.980 --> 00:20:14.440 we came 00:20:14.440 --> 00:20:15.180 across these 00:20:15.180 --> 00:20:15.720 lions and 00:20:15.720 --> 00:20:16.100 they seemed 00:20:16.100 --> 00:20:16.880 so playful. 00:20:17.740 --> 00:20:17.900 You know 00:20:17.900 --> 00:20:18.059 they were 00:20:18.059 --> 00:20:18.579 just a few 00:20:18.579 --> 00:20:19.259 yards away 00:20:19.259 --> 00:20:19.640 from the 00:20:19.640 --> 00:20:20.100 Land Rover 00:20:20.100 --> 00:20:20.779 where we 00:20:20.779 --> 00:20:22.660 were hiding 00:20:22.660 --> 00:20:23.880 and they 00:20:23.880 --> 00:20:24.120 were just 00:20:24.120 --> 00:20:24.420 plain 00:20:24.420 --> 00:20:24.860 naturally 00:20:24.860 --> 00:20:25.819 rolling over 00:20:25.819 --> 00:20:26.200 he almost 00:20:26.200 --> 00:20:26.600 wanted to 00:20:26.600 --> 00:20:27.039 get out 00:20:27.039 --> 00:20:27.440 to the 00:20:27.440 --> 00:20:28.720 Land Rover 00:20:28.720 --> 00:20:29.220 and tickle 00:20:29.220 --> 00:20:29.720 their tummies 00:20:29.720 --> 00:20:30.079 like you 00:20:30.079 --> 00:20:30.440 might with 00:20:30.440 --> 00:20:31.000 your domestic 00:20:31.000 --> 00:20:31.480 cat. 00:20:32.700 --> 00:20:33.339 The guy 00:20:33.339 --> 00:20:33.799 that took 00:20:33.799 --> 00:20:34.099 us said 00:20:34.099 --> 00:20:34.440 that wouldn't 00:20:34.440 --> 00:20:35.299 be advisable. 00:20:37.180 --> 00:20:38.039 Then suddenly 00:20:38.039 --> 00:20:38.720 one of them 00:20:38.720 --> 00:20:39.460 let out this 00:20:39.460 --> 00:20:40.359 most blood 00:20:40.359 --> 00:20:40.879 curdling 00:20:40.879 --> 00:20:41.399 roar. 00:20:41.400 --> 00:20:43.860 I'm a bit 00:20:43.860 --> 00:20:45.200 into 00:20:45.200 --> 00:20:45.860 tell you 00:20:45.860 --> 00:20:46.640 I'm very 00:20:46.640 --> 00:20:47.540 sensitive to 00:20:47.540 --> 00:20:48.019 noise 00:20:48.019 --> 00:20:49.280 and it was 00:20:49.280 --> 00:20:49.900 so loud 00:20:49.900 --> 00:20:50.240 and so 00:20:50.240 --> 00:20:50.840 scary 00:20:50.840 --> 00:20:51.800 I almost 00:20:51.800 --> 00:20:52.500 wanted to 00:20:52.500 --> 00:20:52.880 tell the 00:20:52.880 --> 00:20:53.060 guy 00:20:53.060 --> 00:20:53.320 right 00:20:53.320 --> 00:20:53.800 start the 00:20:53.800 --> 00:20:54.060 engine 00:20:54.060 --> 00:20:54.660 let's go. 00:20:57.340 --> 00:20:57.620 So 00:20:57.620 --> 00:20:59.060 this is 00:20:59.060 --> 00:21:03.140 reality 00:21:03.140 --> 00:21:03.280 reality 00:21:03.280 --> 00:21:03.740 you know 00:21:03.740 --> 00:21:05.480 the devil 00:21:05.480 --> 00:21:06.800 prowls 00:21:06.800 --> 00:21:07.240 around 00:21:07.240 --> 00:21:07.840 seeking 00:21:07.840 --> 00:21:08.300 whom he 00:21:08.300 --> 00:21:08.520 may 00:21:08.520 --> 00:21:08.880 divide 00:21:08.880 --> 00:21:09.500 if you 00:21:09.500 --> 00:21:09.880 are in 00:21:09.880 --> 00:21:10.300 Christ 00:21:10.300 --> 00:21:11.000 you don't 00:21:11.000 --> 00:21:11.320 have to 00:21:11.320 --> 00:21:11.620 worry 00:21:11.620 --> 00:21:12.060 about the 00:21:12.060 --> 00:21:12.300 devil 00:21:12.300 --> 00:21:13.000 possessing 00:21:13.000 --> 00:21:13.259 you 00:21:13.259 --> 00:21:15.840 but I 00:21:15.840 --> 00:21:16.680 do believe 00:21:16.680 --> 00:21:17.660 that these 00:21:17.660 --> 00:21:18.740 malign forces 00:21:18.740 --> 00:21:20.440 and the 00:21:20.440 --> 00:21:21.020 captain of 00:21:21.020 --> 00:21:21.600 their team 00:21:21.600 --> 00:21:22.100 the devil 00:21:22.100 --> 00:21:24.820 can't 00:21:24.820 --> 00:21:27.220 possess 00:21:27.220 --> 00:21:27.740 you 00:21:27.740 --> 00:21:29.820 but they 00:21:29.820 --> 00:21:31.280 can influence 00:21:31.279 --> 00:21:31.720 you 00:21:31.720 --> 00:21:33.119 and we 00:21:33.119 --> 00:21:33.399 see 00:21:33.399 --> 00:21:34.000 Christians 00:21:34.000 --> 00:21:34.480 all the 00:21:34.480 --> 00:21:34.779 time 00:21:34.779 --> 00:21:35.180 I mean 00:21:35.180 --> 00:21:36.160 I 00:21:36.160 --> 00:21:36.619 you know 00:21:36.619 --> 00:21:36.859 I want 00:21:36.859 --> 00:21:37.099 to go 00:21:37.099 --> 00:21:37.519 on about 00:21:37.519 --> 00:21:37.799 this 00:21:37.799 --> 00:21:38.759 but we 00:21:38.759 --> 00:21:39.480 have seen 00:21:39.480 --> 00:21:40.099 in the 00:21:40.099 --> 00:21:40.720 last 12 00:21:40.720 --> 00:21:41.220 months 00:21:41.220 --> 00:21:42.539 some 00:21:42.539 --> 00:21:43.279 amazing 00:21:43.279 --> 00:21:43.740 church 00:21:43.740 --> 00:21:44.259 leaders 00:21:44.259 --> 00:21:44.819 dragged 00:21:44.819 --> 00:21:45.200 into 00:21:45.200 --> 00:21:45.859 terrible 00:21:45.859 --> 00:21:46.759 sexual 00:21:46.759 --> 00:21:47.599 scandals 00:21:47.599 --> 00:21:47.960 goodness 00:21:47.960 --> 00:21:48.399 knows 00:21:48.399 --> 00:21:48.740 what 00:21:48.740 --> 00:21:49.779 people 00:21:49.779 --> 00:21:50.279 who seem 00:21:50.279 --> 00:21:51.000 rock solid 00:21:51.000 --> 00:21:51.579 to us 00:21:51.579 --> 00:21:51.859 you know 00:21:51.859 --> 00:21:52.299 suddenly 00:21:52.299 --> 00:21:53.279 undermined 00:21:53.279 --> 00:21:54.899 by their 00:21:54.899 --> 00:21:56.079 shocking 00:21:56.079 --> 00:21:56.660 behaviour 00:21:56.660 --> 00:21:58.319 I suppose 00:21:58.319 --> 00:21:58.819 the one 00:21:58.819 --> 00:21:59.099 that 00:21:59.099 --> 00:22:00.440 you know 00:22:00.440 --> 00:22:00.819 really 00:22:00.819 --> 00:22:01.460 kind of 00:22:01.460 --> 00:22:02.000 sticks in 00:22:02.000 --> 00:22:02.379 mind 00:22:02.379 --> 00:22:02.759 is 00:22:02.759 --> 00:22:04.039 the 00:22:04.039 --> 00:22:04.439 Ewan 00:22:04.439 --> 00:22:05.259 minister 00:22:05.259 --> 00:22:06.519 camp 00:22:06.519 --> 00:22:07.259 and this 00:22:07.259 --> 00:22:07.539 man 00:22:07.539 --> 00:22:07.799 John 00:22:07.799 --> 00:22:08.419 Smythe 00:22:08.419 --> 00:22:09.639 who 00:22:09.639 --> 00:22:10.200 apparently 00:22:10.200 --> 00:22:11.839 evangelical 00:22:11.839 --> 00:22:12.559 Bible 00:22:12.559 --> 00:22:13.059 believing 00:22:13.059 --> 00:22:13.779 Christian 00:22:13.779 --> 00:22:14.339 taught 00:22:14.339 --> 00:22:14.519 the 00:22:14.519 --> 00:22:14.720 Bible 00:22:14.720 --> 00:22:15.960 took 00:22:15.960 --> 00:22:16.480 pleasure 00:22:16.480 --> 00:22:16.899 in 00:22:16.899 --> 00:22:17.359 beating 00:22:17.359 --> 00:22:17.799 boys 00:22:17.799 --> 00:22:18.119 with a 00:22:18.119 --> 00:22:18.399 cane 00:22:18.399 --> 00:22:24.599 don't 00:22:24.599 --> 00:22:25.079 tell me 00:22:25.079 --> 00:22:25.720 that we 00:22:25.720 --> 00:22:26.259 Christians 00:22:26.259 --> 00:22:26.859 can't be 00:22:26.859 --> 00:22:27.519 influenced 00:22:27.519 --> 00:22:28.019 by it 00:22:28.019 --> 00:22:28.299 so 00:22:28.299 --> 00:22:29.220 what 00:22:29.220 --> 00:22:29.819 1 Peter 00:22:29.819 --> 00:22:30.180 5 00:22:30.180 --> 00:22:30.400 8 00:22:30.400 --> 00:22:30.759 tells 00:22:30.759 --> 00:22:30.980 us 00:22:30.980 --> 00:22:31.220 is 00:22:31.220 --> 00:22:31.740 that 00:22:31.740 --> 00:22:32.700 this 00:22:32.700 --> 00:22:34.180 malign 00:22:34.180 --> 00:22:34.859 influence 00:22:34.859 --> 00:22:35.200 is 00:22:35.200 --> 00:22:35.879 persistent 00:22:35.879 --> 00:22:37.099 that's 00:22:37.099 --> 00:22:37.400 why 00:22:37.400 --> 00:22:38.339 Paul 00:22:38.339 --> 00:22:38.799 says 00:22:38.799 --> 00:22:39.359 you know 00:22:39.359 --> 00:22:39.740 we need 00:22:39.740 --> 00:22:40.000 to be 00:22:40.000 --> 00:22:40.460 strong 00:22:40.460 --> 00:22:40.799 in the 00:22:40.799 --> 00:22:41.119 Lord 00:22:41.119 --> 00:22:41.779 and in 00:22:41.779 --> 00:22:42.180 his 00:22:42.180 --> 00:22:42.579 great 00:22:42.579 --> 00:22:43.039 power 00:22:43.039 --> 00:22:44.639 leave it 00:22:44.639 --> 00:22:45.019 to my 00:22:45.019 --> 00:22:45.299 great 00:22:45.299 --> 00:22:45.720 power 00:22:45.720 --> 00:22:46.139 we're 00:22:46.139 --> 00:22:46.500 all in 00:22:46.500 --> 00:22:46.799 trouble 00:22:46.799 --> 00:22:47.259 leave it 00:22:47.259 --> 00:22:47.639 to his 00:22:47.639 --> 00:22:47.960 great 00:22:47.960 --> 00:22:48.359 power 00:22:48.359 --> 00:22:49.279 and there 00:22:49.279 --> 00:22:49.440 is 00:22:49.440 --> 00:22:49.720 hope 00:22:49.720 --> 00:22:50.200 for us 00:22:50.200 --> 00:22:51.680 and 00:22:51.680 --> 00:22:52.259 Paul's 00:22:52.259 --> 00:22:53.880 advice 00:22:53.880 --> 00:22:55.539 is 00:22:55.539 --> 00:22:56.559 very 00:22:56.559 --> 00:22:57.460 simple 00:22:57.460 --> 00:22:57.799 in a 00:22:57.799 --> 00:22:57.980 way 00:22:57.980 --> 00:22:58.380 it is 00:22:58.380 --> 00:22:59.319 put on 00:22:59.319 --> 00:22:59.500 the 00:22:59.500 --> 00:22:59.860 full 00:22:59.860 --> 00:23:00.319 armour 00:23:00.319 --> 00:23:00.539 of 00:23:00.539 --> 00:23:00.819 God 00:23:00.819 --> 00:23:02.620 obviously 00:23:02.620 --> 00:23:03.160 it's 00:23:03.160 --> 00:23:03.319 an 00:23:03.319 --> 00:23:03.819 analogy 00:23:03.819 --> 00:23:04.240 in 00:23:04.240 --> 00:23:04.620 Paul's 00:23:04.620 --> 00:23:04.960 mind 00:23:04.960 --> 00:23:06.100 and 00:23:06.100 --> 00:23:06.380 one 00:23:06.380 --> 00:23:06.620 of the 00:23:06.620 --> 00:23:06.880 things 00:23:06.880 --> 00:23:07.200 about 00:23:07.200 --> 00:23:07.380 the 00:23:07.380 --> 00:23:07.660 well 00:23:07.660 --> 00:23:07.940 three 00:23:07.940 --> 00:23:08.319 things 00:23:08.319 --> 00:23:08.600 about 00:23:08.600 --> 00:23:08.799 the 00:23:08.799 --> 00:23:09.019 full 00:23:09.019 --> 00:23:09.279 armour 00:23:09.279 --> 00:23:09.480 of 00:23:09.480 --> 00:23:09.700 God 00:23:09.700 --> 00:23:09.880 is 00:23:09.880 --> 00:23:10.180 one 00:23:10.180 --> 00:23:10.740 it 00:23:10.740 --> 00:23:11.340 prepares 00:23:11.340 --> 00:23:11.600 us 00:23:11.600 --> 00:23:11.759 for 00:23:11.759 --> 00:23:11.960 this 00:23:11.960 --> 00:23:12.400 battle 00:23:12.400 --> 00:23:14.180 two 00:23:14.180 --> 00:23:14.759 it 00:23:14.759 --> 00:23:15.240 protects 00:23:15.240 --> 00:23:15.500 us 00:23:15.500 --> 00:23:15.660 from 00:23:15.660 --> 00:23:16.200 attack 00:23:16.200 --> 00:23:17.440 and 00:23:17.440 --> 00:23:18.120 thirdly 00:23:18.120 --> 00:23:19.080 the 00:23:19.080 --> 00:23:19.440 main 00:23:19.440 --> 00:23:20.019 outcome 00:23:20.019 --> 00:23:20.519 of this 00:23:20.519 --> 00:23:20.960 putting 00:23:20.960 --> 00:23:21.220 on 00:23:21.220 --> 00:23:21.900 this 00:23:21.900 --> 00:23:22.279 armour 00:23:22.279 --> 00:23:23.079 is 00:23:23.079 --> 00:23:23.220 that 00:23:23.220 --> 00:23:23.359 it 00:23:23.359 --> 00:23:23.759 helps 00:23:23.759 --> 00:23:24.039 us 00:23:24.039 --> 00:23:24.559 stand 00:23:24.559 --> 00:23:24.960 our 00:23:24.960 --> 00:23:25.480 ground 00:23:25.480 --> 00:23:27.299 and 00:23:27.299 --> 00:23:28.420 so 00:23:28.420 --> 00:23:28.779 just 00:23:28.779 --> 00:23:29.160 to run 00:23:29.160 --> 00:23:29.539 through 00:23:29.539 --> 00:23:30.279 what 00:23:30.279 --> 00:23:31.079 the 00:23:31.079 --> 00:23:31.519 armour 00:23:31.519 --> 00:23:32.299 is 00:23:32.299 --> 00:23:33.119 constituted 00:23:33.119 --> 00:23:33.339 of 00:23:33.339 --> 00:23:33.519 the 00:23:33.519 --> 00:23:33.839 belt 00:23:33.839 --> 00:23:34.039 of 00:23:34.039 --> 00:23:34.480 truth 00:23:34.480 --> 00:23:35.519 the 00:23:35.519 --> 00:23:36.139 breastplate 00:23:36.139 --> 00:23:36.359 of 00:23:36.359 --> 00:23:36.980 righteousness 00:23:36.980 --> 00:23:37.519 in 00:23:37.519 --> 00:23:38.000 place 00:23:38.000 --> 00:23:38.259 says 00:23:38.259 --> 00:23:38.559 Paul 00:23:38.559 --> 00:23:38.740 the 00:23:38.740 --> 00:23:39.119 readiness 00:23:39.119 --> 00:23:39.480 that 00:23:39.480 --> 00:23:39.779 comes 00:23:39.779 --> 00:23:40.039 from 00:23:40.039 --> 00:23:40.200 the 00:23:40.200 --> 00:23:40.539 gospel 00:23:40.539 --> 00:23:40.779 of 00:23:40.779 --> 00:23:41.139 peace 00:23:41.139 --> 00:23:41.960 the 00:23:41.960 --> 00:23:42.339 shield 00:23:42.339 --> 00:23:42.579 of 00:23:42.579 --> 00:23:43.000 faith 00:23:43.000 --> 00:23:43.639 the 00:23:43.639 --> 00:23:44.000 helmet 00:23:44.000 --> 00:23:44.279 of 00:23:44.279 --> 00:23:44.920 salvation 00:23:44.920 --> 00:23:45.639 the 00:23:45.639 --> 00:23:46.039 sword 00:23:46.039 --> 00:23:46.180 of 00:23:46.180 --> 00:23:46.319 the 00:23:46.319 --> 00:23:46.779 spirit 00:23:46.779 --> 00:23:47.660 and 00:23:47.660 --> 00:23:48.460 consistent 00:23:48.460 --> 00:23:49.139 prayer 00:23:49.140 --> 00:23:49.880 in the 00:23:49.880 --> 00:23:50.320 spirit 00:23:50.320 --> 00:23:52.700 the 00:23:52.700 --> 00:23:53.120 belt 00:23:53.120 --> 00:23:53.660 of 00:23:53.660 --> 00:23:54.300 truth 00:23:54.300 --> 00:23:57.000 has 00:23:57.000 --> 00:23:57.700 truth 00:23:57.700 --> 00:23:59.280 been 00:23:59.280 --> 00:24:00.540 relativized 00:24:00.540 --> 00:24:01.400 in 00:24:01.400 --> 00:24:01.860 modern 00:24:01.860 --> 00:24:02.400 culture 00:24:02.400 --> 00:24:04.820 that 00:24:04.820 --> 00:24:05.580 is 00:24:05.580 --> 00:24:05.980 a 00:24:05.980 --> 00:24:06.560 question 00:24:06.560 --> 00:24:07.000 that 00:24:07.000 --> 00:24:07.480 is 00:24:07.480 --> 00:24:08.280 constantly 00:24:08.280 --> 00:24:08.840 in front 00:24:08.840 --> 00:24:09.180 of us 00:24:09.180 --> 00:24:09.440 these 00:24:09.440 --> 00:24:09.780 days 00:24:09.780 --> 00:24:10.140 in the 00:24:10.140 --> 00:24:10.400 media 00:24:10.400 --> 00:24:11.080 usually 00:24:11.080 --> 00:24:11.600 forms 00:24:11.600 --> 00:24:12.000 around 00:24:12.000 --> 00:24:12.860 people 00:24:12.860 --> 00:24:13.160 who 00:24:13.160 --> 00:24:13.480 are 00:24:13.480 --> 00:24:14.300 woke 00:24:14.299 --> 00:24:15.419 with 00:24:15.419 --> 00:24:15.639 what 00:24:15.639 --> 00:24:15.779 they 00:24:15.779 --> 00:24:16.000 call 00:24:16.000 --> 00:24:16.339 woke 00:24:16.339 --> 00:24:17.039 mentality 00:24:17.039 --> 00:24:17.960 and 00:24:17.960 --> 00:24:18.279 between 00:24:18.279 --> 00:24:18.759 people 00:24:18.759 --> 00:24:18.980 who 00:24:18.980 --> 00:24:19.299 think 00:24:19.299 --> 00:24:19.539 that 00:24:19.539 --> 00:24:19.819 woke 00:24:19.819 --> 00:24:20.440 mentality 00:24:20.440 --> 00:24:20.759 is a 00:24:20.759 --> 00:24:20.919 load 00:24:20.919 --> 00:24:21.079 of 00:24:21.079 --> 00:24:21.539 bunkum 00:24:21.539 --> 00:24:21.940 that 00:24:21.940 --> 00:24:22.200 needs 00:24:22.200 --> 00:24:22.359 to 00:24:22.359 --> 00:24:22.519 be 00:24:22.519 --> 00:24:22.980 avoided 00:24:22.980 --> 00:24:24.240 and 00:24:24.240 --> 00:24:24.559 oddly 00:24:24.559 --> 00:24:24.960 enough 00:24:24.960 --> 00:24:25.180 the 00:24:25.180 --> 00:24:25.759 idea 00:24:25.759 --> 00:24:26.159 of 00:24:26.159 --> 00:24:26.839 truth 00:24:26.839 --> 00:24:27.539 being 00:24:27.539 --> 00:24:28.039 relative 00:24:28.039 --> 00:24:28.379 has 00:24:28.379 --> 00:24:28.579 been 00:24:28.579 --> 00:24:29.079 around 00:24:29.079 --> 00:24:29.740 since 00:24:29.740 --> 00:24:30.099 the 00:24:30.099 --> 00:24:31.019 5th 00:24:31.019 --> 00:24:31.440 century 00:24:31.440 --> 00:24:32.000 BC 00:24:32.000 --> 00:24:33.119 a 00:24:33.119 --> 00:24:33.339 Greek 00:24:33.339 --> 00:24:33.879 philosopher 00:24:33.879 --> 00:24:34.639 by the 00:24:34.639 --> 00:24:35.019 name 00:24:35.019 --> 00:24:35.319 of 00:24:35.319 --> 00:24:36.419 Protagoras 00:24:36.419 --> 00:24:36.779 who 00:24:36.779 --> 00:24:37.099 had a 00:24:37.099 --> 00:24:37.500 big 00:24:37.500 --> 00:24:38.039 influence 00:24:38.039 --> 00:24:38.299 on 00:24:38.299 --> 00:24:38.740 Plato 00:24:38.740 --> 00:24:42.880 Protagoras' 00:24:43.079 --> 00:24:43.660 idea 00:24:43.660 --> 00:24:45.000 is 00:24:45.000 --> 00:24:45.599 probably 00:24:45.599 --> 00:24:46.099 one of 00:24:46.099 --> 00:24:46.220 the 00:24:46.220 --> 00:24:46.460 most 00:24:46.460 --> 00:24:47.279 successful 00:24:47.279 --> 00:24:48.059 though 00:24:48.059 --> 00:24:48.660 ultimately 00:24:48.660 --> 00:24:49.140 wrong 00:24:49.140 --> 00:24:49.759 political 00:24:49.759 --> 00:24:50.319 theories 00:24:50.319 --> 00:24:50.740 of all 00:24:50.740 --> 00:24:51.140 time 00:24:51.140 --> 00:24:53.079 the 00:24:53.079 --> 00:24:53.480 kind 00:24:53.480 --> 00:24:53.660 of 00:24:53.660 --> 00:24:54.240 driving 00:24:54.240 --> 00:24:54.779 thought 00:24:54.779 --> 00:24:55.319 behind 00:24:55.319 --> 00:24:56.259 relativism 00:24:56.259 --> 00:24:57.339 is that 00:24:57.339 --> 00:24:57.740 different 00:24:57.740 --> 00:24:58.259 opinions 00:24:58.259 --> 00:24:58.720 can be 00:24:58.720 --> 00:24:59.200 equally 00:24:59.200 --> 00:24:59.720 true 00:24:59.720 --> 00:25:00.339 relative 00:25:00.339 --> 00:25:00.720 to 00:25:00.720 --> 00:25:01.120 different 00:25:01.120 --> 00:25:01.859 standards 00:25:01.859 --> 00:25:03.460 think 00:25:03.460 --> 00:25:03.759 about 00:25:03.759 --> 00:25:04.019 that 00:25:04.019 --> 00:25:04.319 for a 00:25:04.319 --> 00:25:04.640 moment 00:25:04.640 --> 00:25:05.960 that 00:25:05.960 --> 00:25:06.319 really 00:25:06.319 --> 00:25:06.660 means 00:25:06.660 --> 00:25:06.880 there 00:25:06.880 --> 00:25:07.019 is 00:25:07.019 --> 00:25:07.319 no 00:25:07.319 --> 00:25:07.980 such 00:25:07.980 --> 00:25:08.339 thing 00:25:08.339 --> 00:25:08.640 as 00:25:08.640 --> 00:25:09.280 statements 00:25:09.280 --> 00:25:09.560 of 00:25:09.560 --> 00:25:10.040 truth 00:25:10.040 --> 00:25:10.680 that 00:25:10.680 --> 00:25:10.860 can 00:25:10.860 --> 00:25:11.060 be 00:25:11.060 --> 00:25:11.600 removed 00:25:11.600 --> 00:25:11.840 from 00:25:11.840 --> 00:25:12.060 their 00:25:12.060 --> 00:25:12.520 context 00:25:12.520 --> 00:25:12.800 so 00:25:12.800 --> 00:25:12.960 I 00:25:12.960 --> 00:25:13.080 mean 00:25:13.080 --> 00:25:13.400 first 00:25:13.400 --> 00:25:13.780 up 00:25:13.780 --> 00:25:14.780 I 00:25:14.780 --> 00:25:14.920 mean 00:25:14.920 --> 00:25:15.080 you 00:25:15.080 --> 00:25:15.360 can't 00:25:15.360 --> 00:25:15.520 rip 00:25:15.520 --> 00:25:15.700 the 00:25:15.700 --> 00:25:15.880 Ten 00:25:15.880 --> 00:25:16.400 Commandments 00:25:16.400 --> 00:25:16.600 up 00:25:16.600 --> 00:25:16.840 because 00:25:16.840 --> 00:25:17.020 they 00:25:17.020 --> 00:25:17.960 arrived 00:25:17.960 --> 00:25:18.200 in 00:25:18.200 --> 00:25:18.600 stone 00:25:18.600 --> 00:25:20.500 but 00:25:20.500 --> 00:25:20.980 actually 00:25:20.980 --> 00:25:21.800 if 00:25:21.800 --> 00:25:22.000 you 00:25:22.000 --> 00:25:22.400 start 00:25:22.400 --> 00:25:22.620 to 00:25:22.620 --> 00:25:22.880 take 00:25:22.880 --> 00:25:23.040 the 00:25:23.040 --> 00:25:23.259 Ten 00:25:23.259 --> 00:25:24.000 Commandments 00:25:24.000 --> 00:25:24.380 and 00:25:24.380 --> 00:25:24.680 you 00:25:24.680 --> 00:25:25.000 say 00:25:25.000 --> 00:25:25.259 thou 00:25:25.259 --> 00:25:25.560 shalt 00:25:25.560 --> 00:25:25.800 not 00:25:25.800 --> 00:25:26.060 kill 00:25:26.060 --> 00:25:26.200 and 00:25:26.200 --> 00:25:26.420 you 00:25:26.420 --> 00:25:26.620 say 00:25:26.620 --> 00:25:26.900 yes 00:25:26.900 --> 00:25:27.300 but 00:25:27.300 --> 00:25:30.120 in 00:25:30.120 --> 00:25:30.460 certain 00:25:30.460 --> 00:25:31.360 circumstances 00:25:31.360 --> 00:25:32.120 you 00:25:32.120 --> 00:25:32.380 really 00:25:32.380 --> 00:25:32.660 need 00:25:32.660 --> 00:25:32.820 to 00:25:32.820 --> 00:25:33.040 kill 00:25:33.040 --> 00:25:34.940 the 00:25:34.940 --> 00:25:35.280 problem 00:25:35.280 --> 00:25:35.480 with 00:25:35.480 --> 00:25:36.200 relativism 00:25:36.200 --> 00:25:36.500 is 00:25:36.500 --> 00:25:36.680 that 00:25:36.680 --> 00:25:36.880 there 00:25:36.880 --> 00:25:37.100 is 00:25:37.100 --> 00:25:37.300 an 00:25:37.300 --> 00:25:37.680 element 00:25:37.680 --> 00:25:37.920 of 00:25:37.920 --> 00:25:38.240 truth 00:25:38.240 --> 00:25:38.600 about 00:25:38.600 --> 00:25:38.759 it 00:25:38.759 --> 00:25:38.940 but 00:25:38.940 --> 00:25:39.380 once 00:25:39.380 --> 00:25:39.740 it 00:25:39.740 --> 00:25:40.539 undermines 00:25:40.539 --> 00:25:40.740 the 00:25:40.740 --> 00:25:41.340 idea 00:25:41.340 --> 00:25:42.460 that 00:25:42.460 --> 00:25:42.660 there 00:25:42.660 --> 00:25:42.800 is 00:25:42.800 --> 00:25:43.160 anything 00:25:43.160 --> 00:25:43.400 that 00:25:43.400 --> 00:25:43.600 might 00:25:43.600 --> 00:25:43.779 be 00:25:43.779 --> 00:25:44.039 called 00:25:44.039 --> 00:25:44.620 absolute 00:25:44.620 --> 00:25:45.240 truth 00:25:45.240 --> 00:25:46.820 you 00:25:46.820 --> 00:25:47.060 end 00:25:47.060 --> 00:25:47.279 up 00:25:47.279 --> 00:25:47.480 I 00:25:47.480 --> 00:25:47.779 think 00:25:47.779 --> 00:25:47.980 with 00:25:47.980 --> 00:25:48.160 a 00:25:48.160 --> 00:25:48.600 house 00:25:48.600 --> 00:25:49.240 built 00:25:49.240 --> 00:25:49.480 on 00:25:49.480 --> 00:25:50.039 sand 00:25:50.039 --> 00:25:52.339 so 00:25:52.339 --> 00:25:52.539 what 00:25:52.539 --> 00:25:52.680 does 00:25:52.680 --> 00:25:52.839 it 00:25:52.839 --> 00:25:53.180 mean 00:25:53.180 --> 00:25:53.859 to 00:25:53.859 --> 00:25:54.159 put 00:25:54.159 --> 00:25:54.379 on 00:25:54.379 --> 00:25:54.639 the 00:25:54.639 --> 00:25:54.940 belt 00:25:54.940 --> 00:25:55.119 of 00:25:55.119 --> 00:25:55.519 truth 00:25:55.519 --> 00:25:55.759 I 00:25:55.759 --> 00:25:57.440 love 00:25:57.440 --> 00:25:58.579 these 00:25:58.579 --> 00:25:59.159 speakers 00:25:59.159 --> 00:25:59.440 who 00:25:59.440 --> 00:26:00.039 come 00:26:00.039 --> 00:26:00.279 up 00:26:00.279 --> 00:26:00.619 with 00:26:00.619 --> 00:26:02.159 clever 00:26:02.159 --> 00:26:03.619 ways 00:26:03.619 --> 00:26:03.819 of 00:26:03.819 --> 00:26:04.500 structuring 00:26:04.500 --> 00:26:04.899 their 00:26:04.899 --> 00:26:05.619 sermons 00:26:05.619 --> 00:26:05.859 this 00:26:05.859 --> 00:26:06.019 has 00:26:06.019 --> 00:26:06.299 nothing 00:26:06.299 --> 00:26:06.639 to do 00:26:06.639 --> 00:26:06.779 with 00:26:06.779 --> 00:26:06.879 what 00:26:06.879 --> 00:26:07.039 we're 00:26:07.039 --> 00:26:07.220 talking 00:26:07.220 --> 00:26:07.420 about 00:26:07.420 --> 00:26:07.740 tonight 00:26:07.740 --> 00:26:07.879 but 00:26:07.879 --> 00:26:08.000 I 00:26:08.000 --> 00:26:08.240 once 00:26:08.240 --> 00:26:08.440 heard 00:26:08.440 --> 00:26:08.700 Sal 00:26:08.700 --> 00:26:08.879 when 00:26:08.879 --> 00:26:09.119 you 00:26:09.119 --> 00:26:09.680 speak 00:26:09.680 --> 00:26:10.619 and 00:26:10.619 --> 00:26:10.839 he 00:26:10.839 --> 00:26:11.000 was 00:26:11.000 --> 00:26:11.379 talking 00:26:11.379 --> 00:26:11.839 about 00:26:11.839 --> 00:26:12.519 Samson 00:26:12.519 --> 00:26:13.460 and 00:26:13.460 --> 00:26:13.639 his 00:26:13.639 --> 00:26:13.900 three 00:26:13.900 --> 00:26:14.359 points 00:26:14.359 --> 00:26:14.759 were 00:26:14.759 --> 00:26:16.200 prayerless 00:26:16.200 --> 00:26:17.180 careless 00:26:17.180 --> 00:26:17.639 and 00:26:17.639 --> 00:26:18.240 hairless 00:26:18.240 --> 00:26:22.259 and 00:26:22.259 --> 00:26:24.240 I 00:26:24.240 --> 00:26:24.440 heard 00:26:24.440 --> 00:26:24.940 another 00:26:24.940 --> 00:26:25.339 preacher 00:26:25.339 --> 00:26:25.660 say 00:26:25.660 --> 00:26:25.980 trouble 00:26:25.980 --> 00:26:26.200 is 00:26:26.200 --> 00:26:26.379 if 00:26:26.379 --> 00:26:26.559 you've 00:26:26.559 --> 00:26:26.660 not 00:26:26.660 --> 00:26:26.819 got 00:26:26.819 --> 00:26:26.960 the 00:26:26.960 --> 00:26:27.200 belt 00:26:27.200 --> 00:26:27.379 of 00:26:27.379 --> 00:26:27.680 truth 00:26:27.680 --> 00:26:27.859 on 00:26:27.859 --> 00:26:28.059 you're 00:26:28.059 --> 00:26:28.119 going 00:26:28.119 --> 00:26:28.180 to 00:26:28.180 --> 00:26:28.319 end 00:26:28.319 --> 00:26:28.440 up 00:26:28.440 --> 00:26:28.539 with 00:26:28.539 --> 00:26:28.660 your 00:26:28.660 --> 00:26:29.019 trousers 00:26:29.019 --> 00:26:29.339 around 00:26:29.339 --> 00:26:29.519 your 00:26:29.519 --> 00:26:29.879 ankles 00:26:29.879 --> 00:26:30.599 I 00:26:30.599 --> 00:26:30.799 didn't 00:26:30.799 --> 00:26:30.980 like 00:26:30.980 --> 00:26:31.119 to 00:26:31.119 --> 00:26:31.359 think 00:26:31.359 --> 00:26:31.639 about 00:26:31.639 --> 00:26:31.839 that 00:26:31.839 --> 00:26:32.000 for 00:26:32.000 --> 00:26:32.240 too 00:26:32.240 --> 00:26:32.480 long 00:26:32.480 --> 00:26:32.720 but 00:26:32.720 --> 00:26:32.940 he 00:26:32.940 --> 00:26:33.099 did 00:26:33.099 --> 00:26:33.379 say 00:26:33.379 --> 00:26:33.700 that 00:26:33.700 --> 00:26:35.740 truth 00:26:35.740 --> 00:26:36.259 is 00:26:36.259 --> 00:26:36.619 really 00:26:36.619 --> 00:26:37.339 important 00:26:37.339 --> 00:26:39.200 I 00:26:39.200 --> 00:26:39.299 mean 00:26:39.299 --> 00:26:39.319 ! 00:26:39.500 --> 00:26:39.500 00:26:39.500 --> 00:26:40.220 Christians 00:26:40.220 --> 00:26:41.400 not 00:26:41.400 --> 00:26:42.180 so much 00:26:42.180 --> 00:26:42.180 00:26:42.180 --> 00:26:42.480 these 00:26:42.480 --> 00:26:42.860 days 00:26:42.860 --> 00:26:43.140 may 00:26:43.140 --> 00:26:43.299 be 00:26:43.299 --> 00:26:43.500 but 00:26:43.500 --> 00:26:44.080 traditionally 00:26:44.080 --> 00:26:45.460 I 00:26:45.460 --> 00:26:45.640 don't 00:26:45.640 --> 00:26:45.820 think 00:26:45.820 --> 00:26:46.019 this 00:26:46.019 --> 00:26:46.140 is 00:26:46.140 --> 00:26:46.279 a 00:26:46.279 --> 00:26:46.480 bad 00:26:46.480 --> 00:26:46.779 thing 00:26:46.779 --> 00:26:47.039 as a 00:26:47.039 --> 00:26:47.220 matter 00:26:47.220 --> 00:26:47.460 of 00:26:47.460 --> 00:26:47.779 fact 00:26:47.779 --> 00:26:48.519 I 00:26:48.519 --> 00:26:48.620 mean 00:26:48.620 --> 00:26:48.779 in 00:26:48.779 --> 00:26:49.060 lots 00:26:49.060 --> 00:26:49.240 of 00:26:49.240 --> 00:26:49.620 churches 00:26:49.620 --> 00:26:49.940 these 00:26:49.940 --> 00:26:50.140 days 00:26:50.140 --> 00:26:50.299 the 00:26:50.299 --> 00:26:50.600 last 00:26:50.600 --> 00:26:50.779 thing 00:26:50.779 --> 00:26:50.940 you'll 00:26:50.940 --> 00:26:51.120 ever 00:26:51.120 --> 00:26:51.360 hear 00:26:51.360 --> 00:26:51.519 is 00:26:51.519 --> 00:26:51.680 a 00:26:51.680 --> 00:26:52.100 creed 00:26:52.100 --> 00:26:54.860 I 00:26:54.860 --> 00:26:55.080 think 00:26:55.080 --> 00:26:55.259 to 00:26:55.259 --> 00:26:55.600 myself 00:26:55.600 --> 00:26:55.960 actually 00:26:55.960 --> 00:26:56.140 it's 00:26:56.140 --> 00:26:56.519 good 00:26:56.519 --> 00:26:56.759 for 00:26:56.759 --> 00:26:57.060 us 00:26:57.060 --> 00:26:57.580 to 00:26:57.580 --> 00:26:58.100 recite 00:26:58.100 --> 00:26:58.560 together 00:26:58.560 --> 00:26:58.779 the 00:26:58.779 --> 00:26:59.180 things 00:26:59.180 --> 00:26:59.400 we 00:26:59.400 --> 00:26:59.680 think 00:26:59.680 --> 00:26:59.900 are 00:26:59.900 --> 00:27:00.180 non 00:27:00.180 --> 00:27:00.880 negotiable 00:27:00.880 --> 00:27:02.860 I 00:27:02.860 --> 00:27:03.000 mean 00:27:03.000 --> 00:27:03.360 I 00:27:03.360 --> 00:27:03.539 think 00:27:03.539 --> 00:27:03.680 there 00:27:03.680 --> 00:27:03.759 are 00:27:03.759 --> 00:27:03.980 other 00:27:03.980 --> 00:27:04.240 non 00:27:04.240 --> 00:27:04.880 negotiables 00:27:04.880 --> 00:27:05.039 that 00:27:05.039 --> 00:27:05.120 are 00:27:05.120 --> 00:27:05.340 not 00:27:05.340 --> 00:27:05.820 mentioned 00:27:05.820 --> 00:27:06.200 in 00:27:06.200 --> 00:27:06.360 the 00:27:06.360 --> 00:27:06.740 creed 00:27:06.740 --> 00:27:07.100 the 00:27:07.099 --> 00:27:17.339 it 00:27:17.339 --> 00:27:17.339 00:27:17.339 --> 00:27:17.339 00:27:17.339 --> 00:27:17.339 00:27:17.339 --> 00:27:17.339 00:27:17.339 --> 00:27:17.339 00:27:17.339 --> 00:27:17.339 00:27:17.339 --> 00:27:17.339 00:27:17.339 --> 00:27:19.339 that's 00:27:19.339 --> 00:27:20.359 just a 00:27:20.359 --> 00:27:20.759 ranting 00:27:20.759 --> 00:27:21.059 of an 00:27:21.059 --> 00:27:21.259 old 00:27:21.259 --> 00:27:21.619 buffer 00:27:21.619 --> 00:27:23.319 but look 00:27:23.319 --> 00:27:25.019 truth 00:27:25.019 --> 00:27:25.939 is 00:27:25.939 --> 00:27:26.519 important 00:27:26.519 --> 00:27:28.539 and I 00:27:28.539 --> 00:27:28.939 was telling 00:27:28.939 --> 00:27:29.439 somebody 00:27:29.439 --> 00:27:29.740 this 00:27:29.740 --> 00:27:30.279 morning 00:27:30.279 --> 00:27:32.179 I 00:27:32.179 --> 00:27:32.500 had 00:27:32.500 --> 00:27:32.879 this 00:27:32.879 --> 00:27:33.439 I 00:27:33.439 --> 00:27:33.699 was 00:27:33.699 --> 00:27:34.240 for a 00:27:34.240 --> 00:27:34.480 while 00:27:34.480 --> 00:27:34.619 I 00:27:34.619 --> 00:27:34.719 mean 00:27:34.719 --> 00:27:34.980 don't 00:27:34.980 --> 00:27:35.419 laugh 00:27:35.419 --> 00:27:36.099 I 00:27:36.099 --> 00:27:36.339 was 00:27:36.339 --> 00:27:36.699 for a 00:27:36.699 --> 00:27:37.059 while 00:27:37.059 --> 00:27:38.460 a hospice chaplain. 00:27:39.980 --> 00:27:41.240 And one day, 00:27:41.559 --> 00:27:43.659 the people who ran this hospice 00:27:43.659 --> 00:27:44.440 said to me, 00:27:44.519 --> 00:27:46.879 would I go and visit this family? 00:27:47.259 --> 00:27:51.599 And the man had very bad stage four brain cancer. 00:27:53.399 --> 00:27:54.740 And I said, 00:27:54.819 --> 00:27:56.440 so, you know, what's the issue with him? 00:27:56.500 --> 00:27:57.279 So they said, well, 00:27:57.740 --> 00:28:00.000 the family keep pretending 00:28:00.000 --> 00:28:01.759 he's going to get better. 00:28:03.359 --> 00:28:04.839 And they've made us, 00:28:04.839 --> 00:28:06.200 the medical profession, 00:28:06.379 --> 00:28:06.839 caring for him, 00:28:07.079 --> 00:28:08.879 swear that we won't tell him the truth, 00:28:08.980 --> 00:28:11.220 that actually his days on planet Earth are numbered. 00:28:13.459 --> 00:28:15.639 So I went and I met with the family 00:28:15.639 --> 00:28:17.720 and they said, 00:28:18.679 --> 00:28:20.319 don't judge us harshly for this. 00:28:20.439 --> 00:28:21.639 You know, we know old Harry. 00:28:21.799 --> 00:28:22.500 It wasn't his name, 00:28:22.599 --> 00:28:23.519 but I'll call him Harry. 00:28:24.000 --> 00:28:24.919 We know old Harry. 00:28:24.959 --> 00:28:25.579 If he told, 00:28:25.679 --> 00:28:27.519 he'd just be fall apart in pieces. 00:28:30.139 --> 00:28:31.459 So I said, well, 00:28:32.939 --> 00:28:36.379 your moral basis for telling him a lie is what? 00:28:36.380 --> 00:28:36.780 They said, well, 00:28:36.800 --> 00:28:37.680 it's a white lie. 00:28:40.420 --> 00:28:42.860 I don't think there is such a thing as a white lie. 00:28:42.940 --> 00:28:44.300 I think there are a few grey lies, 00:28:44.520 --> 00:28:46.480 but maybe not so many white lies. 00:28:46.640 --> 00:28:48.920 So I said to them, 00:28:49.200 --> 00:28:49.500 look, 00:28:49.620 --> 00:28:51.460 if he talks to me about it, 00:28:51.720 --> 00:28:52.460 I'm a minister. 00:28:52.620 --> 00:28:54.360 I'm not going to tell him a lie. 00:28:54.359 --> 00:28:57.259 So we're talking together 00:28:57.259 --> 00:28:59.379 and he said, 00:28:59.919 --> 00:29:01.699 when I get out of here, 00:29:01.959 --> 00:29:02.479 I said, 00:29:02.559 --> 00:29:05.500 you think you're going to get out of here? 00:29:07.240 --> 00:29:08.419 He said, don't you? 00:29:09.979 --> 00:29:10.579 I said, 00:29:10.619 --> 00:29:11.879 I'm not so sure about that, 00:29:11.959 --> 00:29:12.139 Harry. 00:29:12.219 --> 00:29:12.419 You know, 00:29:12.459 --> 00:29:13.619 you've got stage four 00:29:13.619 --> 00:29:15.759 and they've stopped treating you. 00:29:18.579 --> 00:29:19.500 His family 00:29:19.500 --> 00:29:23.259 phoned me up 00:29:23.259 --> 00:29:24.619 a week later 00:29:24.619 --> 00:29:27.699 and they said to me, 00:29:28.859 --> 00:29:31.399 Harry seems a lot better in himself. 00:29:33.059 --> 00:29:33.739 I said, 00:29:33.879 --> 00:29:35.399 what did you say to him? 00:29:35.639 --> 00:29:35.919 I said, 00:29:35.959 --> 00:29:36.719 it's very simple. 00:29:38.000 --> 00:29:38.959 What was it? 00:29:38.960 --> 00:29:41.299 They almost thought 00:29:41.299 --> 00:29:43.440 somebody changed his drug regime. 00:29:44.480 --> 00:29:45.500 What did you do? 00:29:45.640 --> 00:29:45.920 I said, 00:29:45.960 --> 00:29:46.900 I told him the truth. 00:29:48.380 --> 00:29:49.980 And the truth set him free 00:29:49.980 --> 00:29:51.640 from anxiety. 00:29:54.140 --> 00:29:55.360 And I remember 00:29:55.360 --> 00:29:57.799 praying a prayer of commitment with him 00:29:57.799 --> 00:29:59.039 at his bedside. 00:30:00.500 --> 00:30:02.079 And all it left me with 00:30:02.079 --> 00:30:03.319 in all of that 00:30:03.319 --> 00:30:05.140 was just this thinking that 00:30:05.140 --> 00:30:08.400 do we persuade ourselves 00:30:08.400 --> 00:30:10.080 that white lies are acceptable? 00:30:12.440 --> 00:30:12.780 You know, 00:30:12.840 --> 00:30:13.100 I mean, 00:30:13.360 --> 00:30:13.800 we, 00:30:13.980 --> 00:30:14.680 you know, 00:30:14.740 --> 00:30:16.120 we didn't do anything about this. 00:30:16.200 --> 00:30:16.860 But for instance, 00:30:17.580 --> 00:30:18.540 I kind of felt 00:30:18.540 --> 00:30:20.540 a bit nervous 00:30:20.540 --> 00:30:21.780 about 00:30:21.780 --> 00:30:24.900 promoting the white lie 00:30:24.900 --> 00:30:25.900 of Father Christmas. 00:30:27.640 --> 00:30:27.860 You know, 00:30:27.900 --> 00:30:28.920 I was engaged 00:30:28.920 --> 00:30:30.180 with one of my grandchildren 00:30:30.180 --> 00:30:30.500 who, 00:30:30.680 --> 00:30:31.060 they said, 00:30:31.420 --> 00:30:32.080 in this place 00:30:32.080 --> 00:30:33.420 we've just been staying with them 00:30:33.420 --> 00:30:33.980 for the week, 00:30:34.440 --> 00:30:35.460 there was a wood burner 00:30:35.460 --> 00:30:36.780 and it's a very thin chimney 00:30:36.780 --> 00:30:37.360 goes up 00:30:37.360 --> 00:30:38.380 and the first question 00:30:38.380 --> 00:30:39.560 what my grandson said 00:30:39.560 --> 00:30:39.700 is, 00:30:40.140 --> 00:30:41.080 how did Father Christmas 00:30:41.080 --> 00:30:42.100 get down there? 00:30:44.340 --> 00:30:44.740 And, 00:30:44.980 --> 00:30:46.080 you know, 00:30:46.180 --> 00:30:47.300 I didn't say to him, 00:30:47.300 --> 00:30:47.760 you idiot, 00:30:47.900 --> 00:30:48.920 there is no such thing, 00:30:48.980 --> 00:30:49.140 you know, 00:30:49.180 --> 00:30:49.860 grow up. 00:30:51.020 --> 00:30:51.540 And he said, 00:30:51.580 --> 00:30:51.700 oh, 00:30:51.720 --> 00:30:52.300 I think he probably 00:30:52.300 --> 00:30:53.440 parks up outside 00:30:53.440 --> 00:30:53.880 or something, 00:30:53.960 --> 00:30:54.120 you know, 00:30:54.240 --> 00:30:55.520 obviously he can't 00:30:55.520 --> 00:30:56.320 get down there. 00:30:57.600 --> 00:30:58.000 And, 00:30:58.060 --> 00:30:59.420 he seemed satisfied 00:30:59.420 --> 00:31:00.580 with that explanation 00:31:00.579 --> 00:31:01.799 and so, 00:31:01.960 --> 00:31:02.179 you know, 00:31:02.220 --> 00:31:03.059 we left it there. 00:31:03.179 --> 00:31:03.339 But, 00:31:03.419 --> 00:31:03.619 you know, 00:31:03.659 --> 00:31:05.519 I have an uneasiness 00:31:05.519 --> 00:31:06.359 about that. 00:31:07.799 --> 00:31:09.119 And the problem is, 00:31:09.259 --> 00:31:10.579 if the message of Christmas 00:31:10.579 --> 00:31:11.559 is about the birth 00:31:11.559 --> 00:31:12.740 of Jesus Christ, 00:31:13.439 --> 00:31:14.740 and that is true, 00:31:15.259 --> 00:31:16.039 and the message 00:31:16.039 --> 00:31:16.960 of Father Christmas 00:31:16.960 --> 00:31:17.899 isn't true, 00:31:18.899 --> 00:31:19.699 how are kids 00:31:19.699 --> 00:31:20.480 going to work out 00:31:20.480 --> 00:31:21.099 the difference 00:31:21.099 --> 00:31:22.599 between what I can know 00:31:22.599 --> 00:31:23.139 is truth 00:31:23.139 --> 00:31:24.019 and what is just, 00:31:24.179 --> 00:31:24.419 you know, 00:31:24.420 --> 00:31:25.320 I mean, 00:31:25.380 --> 00:31:25.980 don't get me wrong, 00:31:26.180 --> 00:31:26.720 you know, 00:31:26.860 --> 00:31:28.560 I'm not, 00:31:28.680 --> 00:31:29.000 you know, 00:31:29.039 --> 00:31:30.380 I'm not Oliver Cromwell 00:31:30.380 --> 00:31:31.360 and the Puritans 00:31:31.360 --> 00:31:31.580 are, 00:31:31.740 --> 00:31:31.960 you know, 00:31:32.019 --> 00:31:32.820 dressed up in 00:31:32.820 --> 00:31:34.320 modern clothes, 00:31:34.460 --> 00:31:34.580 well, 00:31:34.620 --> 00:31:35.620 not that modern clothes, 00:31:35.720 --> 00:31:35.840 but, 00:31:36.320 --> 00:31:38.320 you know, 00:31:38.400 --> 00:31:39.400 I kind of get it 00:31:39.400 --> 00:31:39.980 in one way, 00:31:40.080 --> 00:31:40.759 but I do feel 00:31:40.759 --> 00:31:42.000 uncomfortable with it 00:31:42.000 --> 00:31:43.039 in another way. 00:31:43.100 --> 00:31:43.840 I hope that's not 00:31:43.840 --> 00:31:44.800 too weird. 00:31:45.360 --> 00:31:46.560 But the belt of truth 00:31:46.560 --> 00:31:46.860 is, 00:31:46.940 --> 00:31:47.800 it's not just about 00:31:47.800 --> 00:31:48.779 the issue of truth, 00:31:48.860 --> 00:31:49.500 though it is about 00:31:49.500 --> 00:31:50.500 the issue of truth, 00:31:50.820 --> 00:31:51.980 but it's about 00:31:51.980 --> 00:31:53.580 living the truth. 00:31:54.420 --> 00:31:56.279 speaking the truth, 00:31:57.080 --> 00:31:58.360 avoiding falsehood, 00:31:58.560 --> 00:31:58.860 gossip, 00:31:59.279 --> 00:32:00.039 and slander. 00:32:01.880 --> 00:32:03.279 I think some of 00:32:03.279 --> 00:32:04.519 the worst gossipy 00:32:04.519 --> 00:32:05.800 stuff I hear 00:32:05.800 --> 00:32:06.820 is in churches. 00:32:08.920 --> 00:32:10.360 Living in integrity, 00:32:10.600 --> 00:32:11.800 aligning our actions 00:32:11.800 --> 00:32:12.380 with words, 00:32:12.480 --> 00:32:13.180 that's Paul's 00:32:13.180 --> 00:32:14.600 consistent message. 00:32:15.800 --> 00:32:16.900 If you believe this, 00:32:17.140 --> 00:32:18.480 this is the ramifications 00:32:18.480 --> 00:32:19.200 for the way 00:32:19.200 --> 00:32:20.480 you should behave. 00:32:21.060 --> 00:32:22.400 Pursuing righteousness, 00:32:23.460 --> 00:32:24.400 seeking justice, 00:32:24.420 --> 00:32:25.220 honesty, 00:32:25.840 --> 00:32:26.660 and fairness. 00:32:28.240 --> 00:32:29.480 It seems reasonable 00:32:29.480 --> 00:32:30.120 to me 00:32:30.120 --> 00:32:31.320 to be expected 00:32:31.320 --> 00:32:32.240 of a Christian. 00:32:33.500 --> 00:32:34.220 And, 00:32:34.340 --> 00:32:35.880 discerning deception. 00:32:37.440 --> 00:32:38.080 That is, 00:32:38.240 --> 00:32:39.000 recognizing 00:32:39.000 --> 00:32:40.420 and rejecting 00:32:40.420 --> 00:32:41.580 false teaching 00:32:41.580 --> 00:32:43.259 and temptations. 00:32:44.759 --> 00:32:45.300 Friends, 00:32:45.440 --> 00:32:46.519 you need to buckle up 00:32:46.519 --> 00:32:47.720 with the belt of truth 00:32:47.720 --> 00:32:49.200 in this fight 00:32:49.200 --> 00:32:50.640 against these 00:32:50.640 --> 00:32:52.100 malign influences. 00:32:52.099 --> 00:32:52.819 on the second, 00:32:53.059 --> 00:32:54.119 the breastplate 00:32:54.119 --> 00:32:55.259 of righteousness. 00:32:57.039 --> 00:32:58.079 What's a breastplate 00:32:58.079 --> 00:32:58.879 designed for? 00:32:59.519 --> 00:32:59.939 Well, 00:33:00.439 --> 00:33:01.579 as it tells you 00:33:01.579 --> 00:33:02.299 in all the books 00:33:02.299 --> 00:33:03.379 about breastplates, 00:33:03.480 --> 00:33:04.599 it says it's designed 00:33:04.599 --> 00:33:06.639 to protect your vital organs. 00:33:08.159 --> 00:33:08.439 I mean, 00:33:08.439 --> 00:33:09.279 I can think of one, 00:33:09.379 --> 00:33:09.980 I don't think it does 00:33:09.980 --> 00:33:10.879 protect too well, 00:33:10.959 --> 00:33:11.399 but anyway, 00:33:11.539 --> 00:33:12.299 you won't go there. 00:33:13.059 --> 00:33:13.879 But what is a breastplate? 00:33:13.880 --> 00:33:14.660 It's designed 00:33:14.660 --> 00:33:15.340 to protect 00:33:15.340 --> 00:33:16.840 your vital organs. 00:33:17.620 --> 00:33:18.620 And the breastplate 00:33:18.620 --> 00:33:19.440 of righteousness 00:33:19.440 --> 00:33:21.060 is the way 00:33:21.060 --> 00:33:21.960 that you live 00:33:21.960 --> 00:33:22.740 your lives 00:33:22.740 --> 00:33:24.520 because righteous lives 00:33:24.520 --> 00:33:25.540 turn back the enemy. 00:33:28.120 --> 00:33:29.360 Nothing the devil 00:33:29.360 --> 00:33:30.340 hates more 00:33:30.340 --> 00:33:31.200 than people 00:33:31.200 --> 00:33:31.960 who claim 00:33:31.960 --> 00:33:32.740 the righteousness 00:33:32.740 --> 00:33:33.540 of Jesus 00:33:33.540 --> 00:33:35.100 in their lives. 00:33:35.099 --> 00:33:35.219 righteousness. 00:33:36.219 --> 00:33:37.679 And we have to remember 00:33:37.679 --> 00:33:38.240 that wearing 00:33:38.240 --> 00:33:39.159 this breastplate 00:33:39.159 --> 00:33:39.959 reminds us, 00:33:40.059 --> 00:33:40.279 I mean, 00:33:40.379 --> 00:33:41.500 I think Paul 00:33:41.500 --> 00:33:42.359 in other parts 00:33:42.359 --> 00:33:43.039 of the scripture 00:33:43.039 --> 00:33:44.919 talks about 00:33:44.919 --> 00:33:48.759 what he calls 00:33:48.759 --> 00:33:49.839 sanctification. 00:33:50.699 --> 00:33:52.119 That is being 00:33:52.119 --> 00:33:53.740 transformed 00:33:53.740 --> 00:33:55.659 in holiness. 00:33:56.659 --> 00:33:58.119 In 1 Thessalonians 00:33:58.119 --> 00:33:59.179 chapter 4 00:33:59.179 --> 00:34:00.179 and verse 1, 00:34:00.259 --> 00:34:00.939 just let me give you 00:34:00.939 --> 00:34:01.939 a flavour of this, 00:34:02.419 --> 00:34:03.079 just so you know 00:34:03.079 --> 00:34:04.219 this isn't my idea, 00:34:04.220 --> 00:34:06.500 it's Paul's writing. 00:34:08.039 --> 00:34:08.240 And 00:34:08.240 --> 00:34:11.760 in chapter 4 00:34:11.760 --> 00:34:14.820 verses 3 through 8 00:34:14.820 --> 00:34:16.559 he says 00:34:16.559 --> 00:34:17.780 this 00:34:17.780 --> 00:34:21.659 Sorry, 00:34:21.820 --> 00:34:22.659 I'm just about to read 00:34:22.659 --> 00:34:23.800 1 Timothy to you. 00:34:23.960 --> 00:34:24.280 Hang on, 00:34:24.480 --> 00:34:25.039 give me a minute. 00:34:30.960 --> 00:34:31.559 Okay, 00:34:31.900 --> 00:34:32.780 here we go. 00:34:34.219 --> 00:34:36.839 Anybody else 00:34:36.839 --> 00:34:37.419 have this problem? 00:34:37.480 --> 00:34:38.339 The older I get, 00:34:38.500 --> 00:34:39.599 the harder I find it 00:34:39.599 --> 00:34:40.599 to split pages. 00:34:42.359 --> 00:34:43.339 Is that just me? 00:34:44.419 --> 00:34:45.000 Come on, 00:34:45.039 --> 00:34:45.439 own up. 00:34:47.399 --> 00:34:47.799 So, 00:34:48.139 --> 00:34:49.139 Paul says this, 00:34:49.179 --> 00:34:49.839 it's God's will 00:34:49.839 --> 00:34:50.659 that you should be 00:34:50.659 --> 00:34:51.079 holy, 00:34:51.179 --> 00:34:51.719 that you should 00:34:51.719 --> 00:34:53.139 avoid sexual immorality, 00:34:53.279 --> 00:34:54.000 that each of you 00:34:54.000 --> 00:34:54.579 should learn 00:34:54.579 --> 00:34:55.199 to control 00:34:55.199 --> 00:34:56.019 his own body 00:34:56.019 --> 00:34:56.939 in a way 00:34:56.939 --> 00:34:57.699 that is holy 00:34:57.699 --> 00:34:58.279 and honourable, 00:34:58.419 --> 00:34:59.259 not in passionate 00:34:59.259 --> 00:35:00.559 lusts like the heathen 00:35:00.559 --> 00:35:02.340 who do not know God. 00:35:03.840 --> 00:35:04.860 In verse 8 00:35:04.860 --> 00:35:05.420 he says, 00:35:05.639 --> 00:35:06.079 therefore, 00:35:07.259 --> 00:35:08.400 he who rejects 00:35:08.400 --> 00:35:09.219 this instruction 00:35:09.219 --> 00:35:10.820 does not reject man 00:35:10.820 --> 00:35:11.440 but God 00:35:11.440 --> 00:35:12.779 who gives you 00:35:12.779 --> 00:35:13.980 his Holy Spirit. 00:35:14.840 --> 00:35:15.699 You sit there 00:35:15.699 --> 00:35:16.340 and you think, 00:35:16.440 --> 00:35:17.440 oh my goodness, 00:35:17.639 --> 00:35:18.420 sanctification, 00:35:18.719 --> 00:35:18.920 you know, 00:35:19.019 --> 00:35:20.759 how am I doing with that? 00:35:20.840 --> 00:35:22.279 What's my progress on that? 00:35:23.279 --> 00:35:24.759 And the answer is, 00:35:24.980 --> 00:35:25.539 thank God 00:35:25.539 --> 00:35:26.420 you're not left alone 00:35:26.420 --> 00:35:27.460 to battle with this 00:35:27.460 --> 00:35:28.699 because God 00:35:28.699 --> 00:35:29.280 has given you 00:35:29.280 --> 00:35:30.059 the Holy Spirit 00:35:30.059 --> 00:35:31.139 who will convict you 00:35:31.139 --> 00:35:31.519 of sin 00:35:31.519 --> 00:35:32.199 and show you 00:35:32.199 --> 00:35:32.880 what is right 00:35:32.880 --> 00:35:33.500 from wrong 00:35:33.500 --> 00:35:34.440 and give you 00:35:34.440 --> 00:35:35.179 the strength 00:35:35.179 --> 00:35:36.840 to withhold 00:35:36.840 --> 00:35:40.920 temptation. 00:35:43.139 --> 00:35:43.340 So, 00:35:44.280 --> 00:35:46.099 we go on 00:35:46.099 --> 00:35:46.559 to the, 00:35:46.920 --> 00:35:47.320 sorry, 00:35:48.320 --> 00:35:49.240 I can't split 00:35:49.240 --> 00:35:50.480 my notes up here. 00:35:54.820 --> 00:35:55.380 Okay. 00:35:57.460 --> 00:35:58.900 Put this down. 00:36:01.539 --> 00:36:03.079 Talk amongst yourselves. 00:36:03.880 --> 00:36:05.380 Paul talks about 00:36:05.380 --> 00:36:06.659 wearing, 00:36:08.039 --> 00:36:09.599 somebody put it like this, 00:36:10.460 --> 00:36:11.860 choose sensible shoes. 00:36:13.980 --> 00:36:14.280 And, 00:36:14.460 --> 00:36:16.019 one of the things 00:36:16.019 --> 00:36:17.579 about shoes is, 00:36:17.940 --> 00:36:18.340 you know, 00:36:18.380 --> 00:36:18.780 to say, 00:36:19.380 --> 00:36:20.599 we wear 00:36:20.599 --> 00:36:22.639 different kinds of shoes 00:36:22.639 --> 00:36:23.639 for different jobs, 00:36:23.720 --> 00:36:24.099 don't we? 00:36:24.099 --> 00:36:25.299 So, 00:36:25.400 --> 00:36:25.559 you know, 00:36:25.639 --> 00:36:26.460 you don't go, 00:36:27.299 --> 00:36:28.460 I imagine you don't go 00:36:28.460 --> 00:36:29.699 running in six-inch 00:36:29.699 --> 00:36:30.299 high heels. 00:36:32.420 --> 00:36:33.539 You don't go 00:36:33.539 --> 00:36:34.400 and work 00:36:34.400 --> 00:36:35.339 in a factory 00:36:35.339 --> 00:36:36.719 where there are 00:36:36.719 --> 00:36:37.599 heavy weights 00:36:37.599 --> 00:36:38.980 being shifted around 00:36:38.980 --> 00:36:40.500 in open-toed 00:36:40.500 --> 00:36:41.059 sandals. 00:36:42.519 --> 00:36:42.739 No, 00:36:42.739 --> 00:36:43.659 we choose the right 00:36:43.659 --> 00:36:44.619 shoes for the right 00:36:44.619 --> 00:36:45.000 job. 00:36:45.920 --> 00:36:46.900 And Paul says 00:36:46.900 --> 00:36:48.119 in 00:36:48.119 --> 00:36:50.299 Ephesians chapter 6 00:36:50.299 --> 00:36:50.739 that 00:36:50.739 --> 00:36:52.500 the shoes 00:36:52.500 --> 00:36:53.139 that we should 00:36:53.139 --> 00:36:53.759 be wearing 00:36:53.759 --> 00:36:54.539 in the light 00:36:54.539 --> 00:36:55.339 of the spiritual 00:36:55.339 --> 00:36:56.299 warfare 00:36:56.299 --> 00:37:00.219 are the shoes 00:37:00.219 --> 00:37:01.420 that are fitted 00:37:01.420 --> 00:37:02.359 with the readiness 00:37:02.359 --> 00:37:03.299 that comes 00:37:03.299 --> 00:37:04.299 from the gospel 00:37:04.299 --> 00:37:05.099 of peace. 00:37:07.199 --> 00:37:09.019 And Paul tells us 00:37:09.019 --> 00:37:09.839 what the gospel 00:37:09.839 --> 00:37:11.279 of peace is 00:37:11.279 --> 00:37:12.900 in Ephesians chapter 2 00:37:12.900 --> 00:37:14.480 and verse 14. 00:37:14.559 --> 00:37:15.659 It means primarily 00:37:15.659 --> 00:37:17.519 peace with God. 00:37:17.519 --> 00:37:18.519 God 00:37:18.519 --> 00:37:19.679 and the gospel 00:37:19.679 --> 00:37:20.860 is a way 00:37:20.860 --> 00:37:21.900 that rebellious 00:37:21.900 --> 00:37:22.420 sinners 00:37:22.420 --> 00:37:23.980 can find peace 00:37:23.980 --> 00:37:24.519 with God. 00:37:25.920 --> 00:37:26.780 And again, 00:37:26.980 --> 00:37:27.539 I would say 00:37:27.539 --> 00:37:28.280 the proclamation 00:37:28.280 --> 00:37:29.159 of the gospel 00:37:29.159 --> 00:37:30.639 is what the devil 00:37:30.639 --> 00:37:31.199 hates. 00:37:32.340 --> 00:37:33.099 One of the 00:37:33.099 --> 00:37:34.759 not so wily 00:37:34.759 --> 00:37:35.679 tricks of the 00:37:35.679 --> 00:37:36.639 evil one is 00:37:36.639 --> 00:37:37.599 that if you 00:37:37.599 --> 00:37:38.199 read through 00:37:38.199 --> 00:37:38.579 scripture 00:37:38.579 --> 00:37:39.400 you will see 00:37:39.400 --> 00:37:40.719 that so often 00:37:40.719 --> 00:37:42.539 God sorts 00:37:42.539 --> 00:37:43.259 out 00:37:43.259 --> 00:37:46.339 key people 00:37:46.339 --> 00:37:47.679 in God's 00:37:47.679 --> 00:37:48.179 purposes 00:37:48.179 --> 00:37:48.939 for special 00:37:48.939 --> 00:37:49.439 treatment. 00:37:50.779 --> 00:37:51.359 You see that 00:37:51.359 --> 00:37:51.839 in the life 00:37:51.839 --> 00:37:52.599 of Elisha 00:37:52.599 --> 00:37:53.399 in the Old 00:37:53.399 --> 00:37:53.719 Testament, 00:37:53.899 --> 00:37:54.379 Elijah, 00:37:54.619 --> 00:37:55.039 all these 00:37:55.039 --> 00:37:55.719 people. 00:37:56.419 --> 00:37:56.959 And you can 00:37:56.959 --> 00:37:57.500 see it in the 00:37:57.500 --> 00:37:57.959 New Testament. 00:37:58.099 --> 00:37:59.119 When Paul is 00:37:59.119 --> 00:38:00.519 talking about 00:38:00.519 --> 00:38:01.500 his qualifications 00:38:01.500 --> 00:38:02.719 for his role 00:38:02.719 --> 00:38:03.500 in churches 00:38:03.500 --> 00:38:04.359 which doubt 00:38:04.359 --> 00:38:04.959 his 00:38:04.959 --> 00:38:06.459 apostleship, 00:38:06.859 --> 00:38:07.199 he doesn't 00:38:07.199 --> 00:38:07.559 say, 00:38:07.559 --> 00:38:08.359 I went to 00:38:08.359 --> 00:38:09.019 the University 00:38:09.019 --> 00:38:09.759 of Antioch 00:38:09.759 --> 00:38:10.139 and took 00:38:10.139 --> 00:38:10.519 a double 00:38:10.519 --> 00:38:11.199 first in 00:38:11.199 --> 00:38:11.739 theology. 00:38:12.840 --> 00:38:13.480 No, he 00:38:13.480 --> 00:38:14.199 goes on about 00:38:14.199 --> 00:38:14.900 I've been 00:38:14.900 --> 00:38:15.500 beaten with 00:38:15.500 --> 00:38:15.820 rods, 00:38:15.960 --> 00:38:16.259 I've been 00:38:16.259 --> 00:38:17.079 shipwrecked, 00:38:17.139 --> 00:38:17.579 I've been 00:38:17.579 --> 00:38:18.980 just this 00:38:18.980 --> 00:38:19.860 whole kind 00:38:19.860 --> 00:38:21.079 of chapter 00:38:21.079 --> 00:38:21.599 of the 00:38:21.599 --> 00:38:22.179 sufferings 00:38:22.179 --> 00:38:22.679 that he's 00:38:22.679 --> 00:38:23.280 gone through. 00:38:24.400 --> 00:38:25.960 And so 00:38:25.960 --> 00:38:27.619 in relation 00:38:27.619 --> 00:38:28.420 to that, 00:38:30.019 --> 00:38:30.900 the gospel 00:38:30.900 --> 00:38:31.480 I think 00:38:31.480 --> 00:38:32.440 being preached 00:38:32.440 --> 00:38:33.840 turns back 00:38:33.840 --> 00:38:34.980 the malign 00:38:34.980 --> 00:38:35.719 influences 00:38:35.719 --> 00:38:36.980 of 00:38:36.980 --> 00:38:38.219 these 00:38:38.219 --> 00:38:39.179 forces 00:38:39.179 --> 00:38:39.519 of 00:38:39.519 --> 00:38:39.959 evil 00:38:39.959 --> 00:38:40.719 that 00:38:40.719 --> 00:38:41.019 Paul 00:38:41.019 --> 00:38:41.379 writes 00:38:41.379 --> 00:38:41.779 about. 00:38:45.019 --> 00:38:45.500 I 00:38:45.500 --> 00:38:47.039 love the 00:38:47.039 --> 00:38:47.639 idea of 00:38:47.639 --> 00:38:47.779 that, 00:38:47.879 --> 00:38:48.279 but then I 00:38:48.279 --> 00:38:48.980 suppose I 00:38:48.980 --> 00:38:49.239 would, 00:38:49.839 --> 00:38:50.819 but I do 00:38:50.819 --> 00:38:51.299 love the 00:38:51.299 --> 00:38:51.919 idea of 00:38:51.919 --> 00:38:52.139 that. 00:38:52.259 --> 00:38:52.619 And that's 00:38:52.619 --> 00:38:52.799 why 00:38:52.799 --> 00:38:54.099 preaching the 00:38:54.099 --> 00:38:54.819 gospel of 00:38:54.819 --> 00:38:55.639 Jesus Christ 00:38:55.639 --> 00:38:56.159 is so 00:38:56.159 --> 00:38:56.719 critical. 00:38:58.419 --> 00:38:58.759 You know, 00:38:58.799 --> 00:38:59.259 if you go 00:38:59.259 --> 00:38:59.919 to a church 00:38:59.919 --> 00:39:00.480 and the 00:39:00.480 --> 00:39:01.419 gospel is 00:39:01.419 --> 00:39:02.459 purely to 00:39:02.459 --> 00:39:02.899 do with 00:39:02.899 --> 00:39:03.839 social action 00:39:03.839 --> 00:39:04.959 or purely 00:39:04.959 --> 00:39:05.599 to do with 00:39:05.599 --> 00:39:05.959 the fight 00:39:05.959 --> 00:39:06.419 for justice, 00:39:06.519 --> 00:39:06.819 these are 00:39:06.819 --> 00:39:07.439 good things, 00:39:07.440 --> 00:39:07.860 these are 00:39:07.860 --> 00:39:08.820 concomitants 00:39:08.820 --> 00:39:09.119 of the 00:39:09.119 --> 00:39:09.460 gospel, 00:39:09.700 --> 00:39:10.159 but they're 00:39:10.159 --> 00:39:10.539 not the 00:39:10.539 --> 00:39:10.900 gospel. 00:39:12.320 --> 00:39:13.200 The gospel 00:39:13.200 --> 00:39:14.820 is about 00:39:14.820 --> 00:39:16.300 Jesus' death 00:39:16.300 --> 00:39:16.740 on the 00:39:16.740 --> 00:39:17.260 cross of 00:39:17.260 --> 00:39:17.679 Calvary, 00:39:17.740 --> 00:39:18.059 what we're 00:39:18.059 --> 00:39:18.320 going to 00:39:18.320 --> 00:39:18.940 talk about 00:39:18.940 --> 00:39:19.440 remember 00:39:19.440 --> 00:39:20.320 on Good 00:39:20.320 --> 00:39:20.800 Friday. 00:39:21.900 --> 00:39:22.460 Paul then 00:39:22.460 --> 00:39:22.900 says you've 00:39:22.900 --> 00:39:23.059 got to 00:39:23.059 --> 00:39:23.460 take up 00:39:23.460 --> 00:39:23.940 the shield 00:39:23.940 --> 00:39:24.599 of faith. 00:39:26.280 --> 00:39:27.260 And so 00:39:27.260 --> 00:39:28.659 the Roman 00:39:28.659 --> 00:39:29.980 army had 00:39:29.980 --> 00:39:30.960 a shield 00:39:30.960 --> 00:39:31.360 which is 00:39:31.360 --> 00:39:31.780 called a 00:39:31.780 --> 00:39:32.240 scutum. 00:39:33.360 --> 00:39:34.000 And a 00:39:34.000 --> 00:39:34.740 scutum was 00:39:34.740 --> 00:39:35.220 as large 00:39:35.220 --> 00:39:35.559 as a 00:39:35.559 --> 00:39:35.820 door. 00:39:35.820 --> 00:39:36.960 You've 00:39:36.960 --> 00:39:37.180 probably 00:39:37.180 --> 00:39:37.480 seen 00:39:37.480 --> 00:39:37.880 pictures 00:39:37.880 --> 00:39:38.080 of 00:39:38.080 --> 00:39:38.360 riot 00:39:38.360 --> 00:39:38.780 police 00:39:38.780 --> 00:39:39.240 today. 00:39:40.019 --> 00:39:40.220 And you 00:39:40.220 --> 00:39:40.440 know they 00:39:40.440 --> 00:39:40.800 have those 00:39:40.800 --> 00:39:41.240 big 00:39:41.240 --> 00:39:43.080 shields. 00:39:43.980 --> 00:39:44.460 And those 00:39:44.460 --> 00:39:44.960 shields have 00:39:44.960 --> 00:39:45.900 two primary 00:39:45.900 --> 00:39:46.360 functions. 00:39:46.500 --> 00:39:46.920 One is 00:39:46.920 --> 00:39:48.160 they protect 00:39:48.160 --> 00:39:49.340 the body, 00:39:49.680 --> 00:39:50.059 the whole 00:39:50.059 --> 00:39:50.480 body. 00:39:51.280 --> 00:39:52.120 And secondly 00:39:52.120 --> 00:39:53.000 they can be 00:39:53.000 --> 00:39:53.380 used 00:39:53.380 --> 00:39:54.539 offensively 00:39:54.539 --> 00:39:55.380 to push 00:39:55.380 --> 00:39:55.880 back the 00:39:55.880 --> 00:39:56.240 enemy. 00:39:57.100 --> 00:39:57.640 That's the 00:39:57.640 --> 00:39:58.440 way riot 00:39:58.440 --> 00:39:58.900 police 00:39:58.900 --> 00:39:59.600 primarily 00:39:59.600 --> 00:40:00.519 use them. 00:40:01.860 --> 00:40:02.740 And again 00:40:02.740 --> 00:40:03.240 one of the 00:40:03.240 --> 00:40:03.700 things the 00:40:03.700 --> 00:40:04.580 devil hates 00:40:04.579 --> 00:40:05.159 is people 00:40:05.159 --> 00:40:05.440 who are 00:40:05.440 --> 00:40:05.860 faithful. 00:40:07.920 --> 00:40:08.219 You know 00:40:08.219 --> 00:40:08.739 if you 00:40:08.739 --> 00:40:10.699 think about 00:40:10.699 --> 00:40:11.539 that of 00:40:11.539 --> 00:40:12.119 course he 00:40:12.119 --> 00:40:12.519 would hate 00:40:12.519 --> 00:40:12.819 that. 00:40:14.059 --> 00:40:14.579 He would 00:40:14.579 --> 00:40:15.380 hate people 00:40:15.380 --> 00:40:16.279 who 00:40:16.279 --> 00:40:18.019 recklessly 00:40:18.019 --> 00:40:18.840 trust God 00:40:18.840 --> 00:40:19.480 even when 00:40:19.480 --> 00:40:20.719 the circumstances 00:40:20.719 --> 00:40:21.699 might dictate 00:40:21.699 --> 00:40:22.340 that that would 00:40:22.340 --> 00:40:22.940 be the last 00:40:22.940 --> 00:40:23.259 thing you 00:40:23.259 --> 00:40:23.599 would think 00:40:23.599 --> 00:40:23.960 of doing. 00:40:24.039 --> 00:40:24.380 The devil 00:40:24.380 --> 00:40:25.199 hates that. 00:40:26.319 --> 00:40:26.920 And he'll 00:40:26.920 --> 00:40:27.380 do what he 00:40:27.380 --> 00:40:28.340 can to 00:40:28.340 --> 00:40:28.900 undermine 00:40:28.900 --> 00:40:29.219 him. 00:40:29.219 --> 00:40:33.579 we go 00:40:33.579 --> 00:40:33.980 on to 00:40:33.980 --> 00:40:34.319 the 00:40:34.319 --> 00:40:37.599 helmet 00:40:37.599 --> 00:40:38.559 of salvation 00:40:38.559 --> 00:40:40.439 and the 00:40:40.439 --> 00:40:40.959 sword of 00:40:40.959 --> 00:40:41.579 the spirit. 00:40:43.719 --> 00:40:44.579 And the 00:40:44.579 --> 00:40:45.179 helmet of 00:40:45.179 --> 00:40:45.819 salvation 00:40:45.819 --> 00:40:47.099 is the 00:40:47.099 --> 00:40:47.919 closest bit 00:40:47.919 --> 00:40:48.619 of protection 00:40:48.619 --> 00:40:49.279 that's near 00:40:49.279 --> 00:40:49.980 your head, 00:40:50.079 --> 00:40:50.579 the seat 00:40:50.579 --> 00:40:51.019 of your 00:40:51.019 --> 00:40:51.619 learning. 00:40:52.859 --> 00:40:53.339 And we 00:40:53.339 --> 00:40:53.899 need to be 00:40:53.899 --> 00:40:54.619 clear in our 00:40:54.619 --> 00:40:55.439 minds that 00:40:55.439 --> 00:40:56.179 we are in 00:40:56.179 --> 00:40:56.559 Christ, 00:40:56.639 --> 00:40:57.119 that we are 00:40:57.119 --> 00:40:57.899 saved by 00:40:57.900 --> 00:40:58.300 grace, 00:40:58.400 --> 00:40:58.780 not by 00:40:58.780 --> 00:40:59.000 our 00:40:59.000 --> 00:40:59.420 effort. 00:41:00.920 --> 00:41:01.579 Save for 00:41:01.579 --> 00:41:02.280 good works, 00:41:02.360 --> 00:41:02.820 not by 00:41:02.820 --> 00:41:03.440 good works. 00:41:03.579 --> 00:41:04.660 A big 00:41:04.660 --> 00:41:06.539 message in 00:41:06.539 --> 00:41:07.200 Ephesians. 00:41:08.880 --> 00:41:10.340 And we 00:41:10.340 --> 00:41:10.860 need to be 00:41:10.860 --> 00:41:11.360 clear as 00:41:11.360 --> 00:41:11.780 well, and 00:41:11.780 --> 00:41:12.519 this is so 00:41:12.519 --> 00:41:13.300 important in 00:41:13.300 --> 00:41:14.139 our society 00:41:14.139 --> 00:41:14.660 today, 00:41:14.920 --> 00:41:15.840 dominated by 00:41:15.840 --> 00:41:16.860 mass marketing 00:41:16.860 --> 00:41:18.519 and dominated 00:41:18.519 --> 00:41:19.400 by social 00:41:19.400 --> 00:41:19.920 media. 00:41:20.380 --> 00:41:21.079 We do 00:41:21.079 --> 00:41:21.559 need to 00:41:21.559 --> 00:41:22.539 exercise some 00:41:22.539 --> 00:41:23.519 caution around 00:41:23.519 --> 00:41:24.400 the idea that 00:41:24.400 --> 00:41:25.400 what we input 00:41:25.400 --> 00:41:26.079 into our 00:41:26.079 --> 00:41:27.280 minds will 00:41:27.280 --> 00:41:27.820 affect the 00:41:27.820 --> 00:41:28.960 outcomes in 00:41:28.960 --> 00:41:29.680 our behaviour. 00:41:33.680 --> 00:41:34.660 I don't 00:41:34.660 --> 00:41:36.000 know how 00:41:36.000 --> 00:41:36.820 to advise 00:41:36.820 --> 00:41:37.280 you on 00:41:37.280 --> 00:41:38.080 this other 00:41:38.080 --> 00:41:39.760 than limit 00:41:39.760 --> 00:41:40.980 your exposure. 00:41:42.260 --> 00:41:43.039 Some of 00:41:43.039 --> 00:41:43.440 you know I 00:41:43.440 --> 00:41:44.460 like sport a 00:41:44.460 --> 00:41:44.820 lot, I 00:41:44.820 --> 00:41:45.400 listen to 00:41:45.400 --> 00:41:46.059 talk sport, 00:41:46.160 --> 00:41:47.059 but one 00:41:47.059 --> 00:41:47.260 of the 00:41:47.260 --> 00:41:47.720 things that 00:41:47.720 --> 00:41:48.760 horrifies me, 00:41:48.880 --> 00:41:49.360 and I've 00:41:49.360 --> 00:41:49.800 phoned in 00:41:49.800 --> 00:41:50.559 about it and 00:41:50.559 --> 00:41:50.940 I've written 00:41:50.940 --> 00:41:51.360 a letter 00:41:51.360 --> 00:41:52.140 about it, 00:41:53.340 --> 00:41:54.800 is every 00:41:54.800 --> 00:41:56.800 advertisement on 00:41:56.800 --> 00:41:57.460 talk sport, 00:41:57.580 --> 00:41:57.880 is for 00:41:57.880 --> 00:41:58.820 online gambling. 00:42:01.100 --> 00:42:01.860 Big, big 00:42:01.860 --> 00:42:02.140 issue. 00:42:02.260 --> 00:42:02.360 I was 00:42:02.360 --> 00:42:02.800 talking to a 00:42:02.800 --> 00:42:03.180 lady in 00:42:03.180 --> 00:42:03.539 one of the 00:42:03.539 --> 00:42:04.200 shops today 00:42:04.200 --> 00:42:04.780 just down 00:42:04.780 --> 00:42:05.260 there and 00:42:05.260 --> 00:42:06.140 I was 00:42:06.140 --> 00:42:06.640 saying to 00:42:06.640 --> 00:42:06.900 her, I 00:42:06.900 --> 00:42:07.140 thought it's 00:42:07.140 --> 00:42:07.400 a big 00:42:07.400 --> 00:42:07.720 problem, 00:42:07.800 --> 00:42:08.160 she's like, 00:42:08.200 --> 00:42:08.560 you're telling 00:42:08.560 --> 00:42:08.900 me. 00:42:10.180 --> 00:42:10.680 I said, 00:42:10.740 --> 00:42:11.160 why, do you 00:42:11.160 --> 00:42:11.460 gamble? 00:42:11.600 --> 00:42:11.840 She said, 00:42:11.900 --> 00:42:12.360 no, no, no, 00:42:12.420 --> 00:42:12.960 but I know 00:42:12.960 --> 00:42:13.560 someone who 00:42:13.560 --> 00:42:13.940 does. 00:42:15.140 --> 00:42:15.840 Take a wild 00:42:15.840 --> 00:42:16.500 guess as to 00:42:16.500 --> 00:42:16.740 who that 00:42:16.740 --> 00:42:17.320 might be. 00:42:17.320 --> 00:42:21.160 And so 00:42:21.160 --> 00:42:21.620 what we 00:42:21.620 --> 00:42:22.380 put into 00:42:22.380 --> 00:42:22.920 our minds 00:42:22.920 --> 00:42:23.420 will affect 00:42:23.420 --> 00:42:24.280 the outcomes 00:42:24.280 --> 00:42:25.120 in our 00:42:25.120 --> 00:42:25.680 behaviour. 00:42:26.640 --> 00:42:27.100 We'd all 00:42:27.100 --> 00:42:27.519 like to 00:42:27.519 --> 00:42:28.039 think that 00:42:28.039 --> 00:42:28.640 we are, 00:42:30.100 --> 00:42:30.519 you know, 00:42:30.620 --> 00:42:31.260 can be, 00:42:33.000 --> 00:42:33.320 you know, 00:42:33.380 --> 00:42:33.780 you're not, 00:42:33.940 --> 00:42:34.640 we all think 00:42:34.640 --> 00:42:35.039 we're not 00:42:35.039 --> 00:42:35.780 influenced by 00:42:35.780 --> 00:42:36.620 mass marketing, 00:42:37.620 --> 00:42:38.519 but we 00:42:38.519 --> 00:42:38.820 are. 00:42:39.940 --> 00:42:40.400 Why would 00:42:40.400 --> 00:42:40.900 commercial 00:42:40.900 --> 00:42:41.780 enterprises 00:42:41.780 --> 00:42:42.920 spend millions 00:42:42.920 --> 00:42:43.519 of pounds 00:42:43.519 --> 00:42:44.059 on mass 00:42:44.059 --> 00:42:46.480 marketing if 00:42:46.480 --> 00:42:46.820 it didn't 00:42:46.820 --> 00:42:47.219 have any 00:42:47.219 --> 00:42:47.699 impact? 00:42:50.980 --> 00:42:51.980 I guarantee 00:42:51.980 --> 00:42:52.920 that, you 00:42:52.920 --> 00:42:53.260 don't have to 00:42:53.260 --> 00:42:53.760 shout this 00:42:53.760 --> 00:42:54.219 out, but 00:42:54.219 --> 00:42:54.599 there'll be 00:42:54.599 --> 00:42:55.460 people here 00:42:55.460 --> 00:42:55.900 who've 00:42:55.900 --> 00:42:56.500 watched this 00:42:56.500 --> 00:42:57.420 stuff, and 00:42:57.420 --> 00:42:58.079 you can't 00:42:58.079 --> 00:42:58.659 avoid it, 00:42:58.699 --> 00:42:59.280 to be honest, 00:42:59.820 --> 00:43:00.099 who've 00:43:00.099 --> 00:43:00.599 watched this 00:43:00.599 --> 00:43:01.320 stuff and 00:43:01.320 --> 00:43:02.240 moderated 00:43:02.240 --> 00:43:03.019 their behaviour 00:43:03.019 --> 00:43:03.619 in a certain 00:43:03.619 --> 00:43:04.900 area by 00:43:04.900 --> 00:43:06.119 what you've 00:43:06.119 --> 00:43:06.460 heard. 00:43:08.320 --> 00:43:08.699 I mean, 00:43:08.900 --> 00:43:09.960 you, you 00:43:09.960 --> 00:43:10.480 know, you'd 00:43:10.480 --> 00:43:10.940 think we're 00:43:10.940 --> 00:43:11.599 all mad not 00:43:11.599 --> 00:43:12.159 to go on 00:43:12.159 --> 00:43:12.639 cruises. 00:43:13.400 --> 00:43:13.599 You know, 00:43:13.639 --> 00:43:14.019 they're so 00:43:14.019 --> 00:43:14.840 wonderful and 00:43:14.840 --> 00:43:15.760 so inclusive 00:43:15.760 --> 00:43:16.460 and all 00:43:16.460 --> 00:43:17.280 that stuff. 00:43:18.980 --> 00:43:19.639 Somebody I 00:43:19.639 --> 00:43:20.220 know went 00:43:20.220 --> 00:43:20.519 on their 00:43:20.519 --> 00:43:21.099 first cruise 00:43:21.099 --> 00:43:21.619 last week 00:43:21.619 --> 00:43:21.840 and said 00:43:21.840 --> 00:43:22.480 never again. 00:43:23.579 --> 00:43:23.940 It's just 00:43:23.940 --> 00:43:24.500 one long 00:43:24.500 --> 00:43:25.019 drunken, 00:43:25.740 --> 00:43:26.139 you know, 00:43:26.820 --> 00:43:27.800 festival on 00:43:27.800 --> 00:43:28.300 board this 00:43:28.300 --> 00:43:28.860 ship that 00:43:28.860 --> 00:43:29.440 was cruising 00:43:29.440 --> 00:43:30.139 around the 00:43:30.139 --> 00:43:31.780 Canary Islands. 00:43:33.300 --> 00:43:34.039 And the 00:43:34.039 --> 00:43:35.019 best offensive 00:43:35.019 --> 00:43:36.460 weapon in 00:43:36.460 --> 00:43:37.220 the light of 00:43:37.220 --> 00:43:38.699 all this is 00:43:38.699 --> 00:43:39.260 the Word of 00:43:39.260 --> 00:43:39.480 God. 00:43:39.539 --> 00:43:39.639 Do you 00:43:39.639 --> 00:43:39.960 remember 00:43:39.960 --> 00:43:41.960 Jesus in 00:43:41.960 --> 00:43:42.679 the temptation 00:43:42.679 --> 00:43:43.780 narratives in 00:43:43.780 --> 00:43:44.380 the three 00:43:44.380 --> 00:43:45.119 synoptic 00:43:45.119 --> 00:43:45.780 gospels? 00:43:46.460 --> 00:43:48.220 every temptation 00:43:48.220 --> 00:43:48.760 that the 00:43:48.760 --> 00:43:49.380 devil put 00:43:49.380 --> 00:43:50.179 before Jesus, 00:43:50.380 --> 00:43:51.179 Jesus turned 00:43:51.179 --> 00:43:51.760 back with 00:43:51.760 --> 00:43:52.220 scripture. 00:43:54.220 --> 00:43:55.240 And finally, 00:43:55.480 --> 00:43:56.159 Paul says, 00:43:56.780 --> 00:43:57.800 pray at all 00:43:57.800 --> 00:43:58.619 times in the 00:43:58.619 --> 00:43:58.980 spirit. 00:44:00.240 --> 00:44:00.840 Why? 00:44:01.679 --> 00:44:02.280 Because the 00:44:02.280 --> 00:44:02.960 devil hates 00:44:02.960 --> 00:44:04.220 faithful and 00:44:04.220 --> 00:44:05.179 authoritative 00:44:05.179 --> 00:44:05.760 prayer. 00:44:07.420 --> 00:44:08.480 Any kind of 00:44:08.480 --> 00:44:08.760 prayer, 00:44:08.960 --> 00:44:09.900 intercessions, 00:44:10.800 --> 00:44:11.880 which incidentally, 00:44:12.440 --> 00:44:13.159 not just praying 00:44:13.159 --> 00:44:14.059 for what I want 00:44:14.059 --> 00:44:15.119 in every situation. 00:44:15.299 --> 00:44:15.719 I think when 00:44:15.719 --> 00:44:16.599 you grow up in 00:44:16.599 --> 00:44:17.000 Christ, 00:44:17.480 --> 00:44:18.360 you learn that 00:44:18.360 --> 00:44:19.440 interceding means 00:44:19.440 --> 00:44:20.259 you want to pray 00:44:20.259 --> 00:44:20.940 for what God 00:44:20.940 --> 00:44:21.719 wants in any 00:44:21.719 --> 00:44:22.099 and every 00:44:22.099 --> 00:44:22.860 situation. 00:44:24.860 --> 00:44:25.779 Praising God, 00:44:26.420 --> 00:44:28.199 really important 00:44:28.199 --> 00:44:29.039 and good thing, 00:44:29.099 --> 00:44:30.059 it can lift your 00:44:30.059 --> 00:44:31.099 spirits when you're 00:44:31.099 --> 00:44:31.840 feeling low. 00:44:32.900 --> 00:44:33.779 Confession and 00:44:33.779 --> 00:44:34.340 repentance. 00:44:35.179 --> 00:44:35.759 And Paul says, 00:44:35.860 --> 00:44:36.860 do this at all 00:44:36.860 --> 00:44:37.460 times. 00:44:37.820 --> 00:44:38.619 And you think to 00:44:38.619 --> 00:44:39.340 yourself, I can't 00:44:39.340 --> 00:44:39.799 do that. 00:44:39.800 --> 00:44:41.500 you know, I've 00:44:41.500 --> 00:44:42.300 got stuff to do, 00:44:42.380 --> 00:44:43.300 I can't, well, I 00:44:43.300 --> 00:44:44.360 think it's a kind 00:44:44.360 --> 00:44:46.539 of, it's a way of 00:44:46.539 --> 00:44:48.080 life that you can 00:44:48.080 --> 00:44:50.080 foster. 00:44:51.860 --> 00:44:52.920 And I still get 00:44:52.920 --> 00:44:53.800 caught out by it, 00:44:53.840 --> 00:44:54.820 I still get caught 00:44:54.820 --> 00:44:56.800 out by, sometimes, 00:44:56.920 --> 00:44:57.640 you know, I face a 00:44:57.640 --> 00:44:58.820 situation and 00:44:58.820 --> 00:44:59.760 because, you know, 00:44:59.820 --> 00:45:00.920 I've always been a 00:45:00.920 --> 00:45:02.800 leader, I guess, 00:45:03.240 --> 00:45:04.260 I'm trying to fix 00:45:04.260 --> 00:45:04.860 it in my own 00:45:04.860 --> 00:45:05.320 strength. 00:45:05.680 --> 00:45:06.200 Trying to come up 00:45:06.200 --> 00:45:06.960 with a strategy 00:45:06.960 --> 00:45:07.760 they'll get around 00:45:07.760 --> 00:45:07.920 it. 00:45:07.920 --> 00:45:09.240 And the last 00:45:09.240 --> 00:45:10.180 thing, somebody 00:45:10.180 --> 00:45:10.880 will say to me, 00:45:10.980 --> 00:45:11.300 well, don't you 00:45:11.300 --> 00:45:11.900 want to pray about 00:45:11.900 --> 00:45:12.300 this, Mike? 00:45:12.340 --> 00:45:12.760 I'm like, oh, 00:45:12.820 --> 00:45:13.019 yeah. 00:45:13.920 --> 00:45:14.700 Good thought. 00:45:15.659 --> 00:45:16.480 Why don't we? 00:45:18.519 --> 00:45:19.880 So, friends, there 00:45:19.880 --> 00:45:20.980 we are, and I love 00:45:20.980 --> 00:45:21.639 the end of it, 00:45:21.740 --> 00:45:24.579 where Paul humbly 00:45:24.579 --> 00:45:25.740 asks for prayers 00:45:25.740 --> 00:45:26.780 for himself, that 00:45:26.780 --> 00:45:28.360 he might preach 00:45:28.360 --> 00:45:29.619 the gospel, and he 00:45:29.619 --> 00:45:30.700 uses a kind of 00:45:30.700 --> 00:45:31.820 personal imperative 00:45:31.820 --> 00:45:32.440 there and says, 00:45:32.840 --> 00:45:33.800 which I should. 00:45:35.639 --> 00:45:37.059 And if there's a 00:45:37.059 --> 00:45:37.900 should that a 00:45:37.900 --> 00:45:38.900 applies to the 00:45:38.900 --> 00:45:40.300 church in the 00:45:40.300 --> 00:45:41.260 western world in 00:45:41.260 --> 00:45:42.340 the 20th century, 00:45:43.340 --> 00:45:44.500 it should be 00:45:44.500 --> 00:45:45.160 preaching the 00:45:45.160 --> 00:45:45.579 gospel. 00:45:46.940 --> 00:45:48.240 Not shouting it, 00:45:49.000 --> 00:45:49.880 preaching it, 00:45:50.840 --> 00:45:51.660 arguing for, 00:45:51.760 --> 00:45:52.900 giving a reason for 00:45:52.900 --> 00:45:53.760 the hope that's 00:45:53.760 --> 00:45:54.480 within us. 00:45:57.059 --> 00:45:59.059 So, friends, that's 00:45:59.059 --> 00:46:00.039 it, six weeks 00:46:00.039 --> 00:46:02.220 together, and it's 00:46:02.220 --> 00:46:03.440 been great to be 00:46:03.440 --> 00:46:05.160 with you, and I've 00:46:05.160 --> 00:46:06.820 loved it, and I just 00:46:06.820 --> 00:46:07.700 want to say a few 00:46:07.700 --> 00:46:08.820 closing comments 00:46:08.820 --> 00:46:12.080 before we pray. 00:46:12.079 --> 00:46:14.880 last year, when we 00:46:14.880 --> 00:46:15.920 talked about the 00:46:15.920 --> 00:46:19.920 seven churches in the 00:46:19.920 --> 00:46:22.799 book of Revelation, I 00:46:22.799 --> 00:46:24.420 said that I was 00:46:24.420 --> 00:46:26.179 wondering whether there 00:46:26.179 --> 00:46:27.340 would be any of you 00:46:27.340 --> 00:46:28.319 who might like to go 00:46:28.319 --> 00:46:29.219 in a pilgrimage and 00:46:29.219 --> 00:46:30.139 go to those seven 00:46:30.139 --> 00:46:30.639 churches. 00:46:30.639 --> 00:46:31.679 And I didn't do 00:46:31.679 --> 00:46:32.460 anything about it, 00:46:32.519 --> 00:46:33.019 partly because I 00:46:33.019 --> 00:46:34.299 forgot to ask you to 00:46:34.299 --> 00:46:35.000 leave your email 00:46:35.000 --> 00:46:36.139 addresses, so I had no 00:46:36.139 --> 00:46:37.920 way of getting hold 00:46:37.920 --> 00:46:38.360 of you. 00:46:39.119 --> 00:46:40.559 But I did think 00:46:40.559 --> 00:46:41.079 about that 00:46:41.079 --> 00:46:42.720 pilgrimage, and I 00:46:42.720 --> 00:46:43.659 thought about you, 00:46:43.780 --> 00:46:46.000 and I've done it, and 00:46:46.000 --> 00:46:47.240 I thought to myself, 00:46:47.260 --> 00:46:48.220 there's quite a lot 00:46:48.220 --> 00:46:49.700 of, you know, days 00:46:49.700 --> 00:46:50.559 when you're just on a 00:46:50.559 --> 00:46:51.519 coach for hours. 00:46:52.320 --> 00:46:53.139 And I remember, I 00:46:53.139 --> 00:46:53.639 think it was the 00:46:53.639 --> 00:46:55.180 church in Smyrna, and 00:46:55.180 --> 00:46:56.800 we just coached for 00:46:56.800 --> 00:46:57.680 five hours. 00:46:58.559 --> 00:46:59.460 And when we got 00:46:59.460 --> 00:47:00.380 there, it turns out 00:47:00.380 --> 00:47:01.260 that the only thing 00:47:01.260 --> 00:47:02.099 that's left of the 00:47:02.099 --> 00:47:03.960 church in Smyrna is a 00:47:03.960 --> 00:47:04.960 copper plate on the 00:47:04.960 --> 00:47:06.039 side of a multi-story 00:47:06.039 --> 00:47:06.800 car park. 00:47:08.559 --> 00:47:09.539 And we're like, you 00:47:09.539 --> 00:47:10.480 know, that's a bit 00:47:10.480 --> 00:47:11.239 disappointing. 00:47:13.699 --> 00:47:14.880 But there are some 00:47:14.880 --> 00:47:17.960 fun things that we 00:47:17.960 --> 00:47:19.199 could do by way of a 00:47:19.199 --> 00:47:19.619 pilgrimage. 00:47:20.559 --> 00:47:21.960 And I would love to 00:47:21.960 --> 00:47:22.840 take a group of 00:47:22.840 --> 00:47:23.940 Christians from across 00:47:23.940 --> 00:47:25.099 the churches together. 00:47:25.360 --> 00:47:26.000 I mean, that's where 00:47:26.000 --> 00:47:27.139 you really get to know 00:47:27.139 --> 00:47:27.739 one another. 00:47:28.279 --> 00:47:29.099 You have a lot of 00:47:29.099 --> 00:47:30.579 fun, some learning, 00:47:30.980 --> 00:47:32.320 some worship, some 00:47:32.320 --> 00:47:34.800 time together in that 00:47:34.800 --> 00:47:35.099 way. 00:47:35.099 --> 00:47:38.639 And so if I come up 00:47:38.639 --> 00:47:39.719 with a plan, and I, 00:47:39.980 --> 00:47:40.679 if I've got your 00:47:40.679 --> 00:47:41.759 email addresses, all I 00:47:41.759 --> 00:47:42.559 will do is send you 00:47:42.559 --> 00:47:42.980 the plan. 00:47:43.079 --> 00:47:44.139 It's up to you then. 00:47:46.079 --> 00:47:47.039 I've said if you want 00:47:47.039 --> 00:47:48.199 the Bible school to 00:47:48.199 --> 00:47:49.239 continue, just put a 00:47:49.239 --> 00:47:50.339 tick next to your 00:47:50.339 --> 00:47:51.380 email address. 00:47:52.299 --> 00:47:53.579 I hope you found it 00:47:53.579 --> 00:47:54.360 to be of some 00:47:54.360 --> 00:47:54.880 benefit. 00:47:55.139 --> 00:47:55.940 I hope it's 00:47:55.940 --> 00:47:57.400 stimulated to think. 00:47:58.119 --> 00:47:59.139 But I hope, too, 00:47:59.219 --> 00:47:59.960 there's been a bit of 00:47:59.960 --> 00:48:00.980 food for your soul. 00:48:00.980 --> 00:48:03.719 And in these days 00:48:03.719 --> 00:48:04.780 when some of us are 00:48:04.780 --> 00:48:05.760 thinking the future 00:48:05.760 --> 00:48:06.420 looks a little 00:48:06.420 --> 00:48:08.900 uncertain, understatement 00:48:08.900 --> 00:48:12.420 of the year, I hope 00:48:12.420 --> 00:48:13.960 that in these sessions 00:48:13.960 --> 00:48:15.240 you might find some 00:48:15.240 --> 00:48:15.659 hope. 00:48:16.659 --> 00:48:19.240 Not in me, but in the 00:48:19.240 --> 00:48:20.380 Lord Jesus Christ. 00:48:20.380 --> 00:48:24.119 And as Paul said, you 00:48:24.119 --> 00:48:24.840 know, he wrote to the 00:48:24.840 --> 00:48:26.400 saints in Ephesus, and 00:48:26.400 --> 00:48:27.340 his final words was 00:48:27.340 --> 00:48:28.380 grace and peace. 00:48:29.660 --> 00:48:30.360 Sorry, his opening 00:48:30.360 --> 00:48:31.360 words were grace and 00:48:31.360 --> 00:48:32.320 peace from God our 00:48:32.320 --> 00:48:33.420 Father and the Lord 00:48:33.420 --> 00:48:34.160 Jesus Christ. 00:48:34.280 --> 00:48:35.599 Well, friends, grace and 00:48:35.599 --> 00:48:36.299 peace to you.