WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:19.179 Great. That's my prayer as I speak, that it would be Christ in me and Jesus with me as I speak to you, that he would speak to us all this morning. 00:00:19.179 --> 00:00:34.100 So I wonder, what are you enjoying about this journey through Ephesians? Are you dipping in and out of it? Are you fully in each chapter, kind of wondering what's coming next? 00:00:34.100 --> 00:00:48.280 Next, maybe you're visiting today or you might be exploring faith and I think maybe for all of us who are reading this through, we would really recommend this book. 00:00:48.280 --> 00:00:57.719 It is full of wisdom and so much to notice and so much to wonder about. 00:00:58.219 --> 00:01:09.260 I thank God every day that he has given us brains to wonder with him and also with others. 00:01:09.260 --> 00:01:17.960 And isn't that the beauty of church communities and our home groups? I urge you to connect in if you're not already connected in. 00:01:18.280 --> 00:01:22.620 We do this together with one another. 00:01:24.420 --> 00:01:26.439 So what have you been up to this week? 00:01:27.439 --> 00:01:30.859 I imagine that would be a lot of different answers. 00:01:31.359 --> 00:01:39.420 Well, I had the joy of going to North Yorkshire for less than 24 hours. 00:01:39.420 --> 00:01:41.760 I'm renaming it a speed retreat. 00:01:42.099 --> 00:01:43.900 I'm thinking of writing a book. 00:01:43.900 --> 00:01:48.300 It was like the opposite of what a retreat should be. 00:01:48.960 --> 00:01:50.400 It was our staff retreat. 00:01:50.680 --> 00:01:54.400 I needed to travel later because of interviewing on Tuesday. 00:01:55.100 --> 00:01:59.080 But my goodness, can't God do wonderful things? 00:01:59.540 --> 00:02:01.760 How he can stretch time. 00:02:02.780 --> 00:02:08.480 The most beautiful place I utterly recommend going there is called the Jonas Centre. 00:02:08.680 --> 00:02:09.200 Look it up. 00:02:09.259 --> 00:02:10.620 I've already got Russ on it. 00:02:10.620 --> 00:02:12.520 He's like, oh yes, I'm going there. 00:02:12.520 --> 00:02:18.840 But the word I came away with, I'm already emphasising to you this morning. 00:02:19.599 --> 00:02:20.120 With. 00:02:20.980 --> 00:02:24.439 And we're going to come back to that through this time together. 00:02:24.439 --> 00:02:34.020 So in Ephesians, we've reached this point in Ephesians 5, where we connect with Paul's message to the church. 00:02:35.439 --> 00:02:37.780 In a deeper way, I think. 00:02:38.579 --> 00:02:45.259 And we find ancient wisdom here that is rich and relevant to us today. 00:02:46.000 --> 00:02:48.340 On the 6th of April, 2025. 00:02:48.340 --> 00:02:55.719 So I've got beside me my message version of the Bible. 00:02:56.560 --> 00:02:58.180 I love this translation. 00:02:58.580 --> 00:03:01.599 I spend often a lot of time in that. 00:03:02.480 --> 00:03:11.240 And in the message translation of this chapter, the opening bit is called Wake Up From Your Sleep. 00:03:11.240 --> 00:03:19.920 And as we explore God's word this morning, I'm going to be referring to the message translation. 00:03:20.480 --> 00:03:25.080 So I wonder, what does waking up look like for you in the morning? 00:03:25.240 --> 00:03:27.040 Or maybe those closest to you? 00:03:27.980 --> 00:03:29.360 I see that face. 00:03:29.939 --> 00:03:31.420 Do you leap out of bed? 00:03:31.419 --> 00:03:37.679 Do you hear the alarm and snuggle back in a little bit? 00:03:39.560 --> 00:03:41.539 Kind of wishing you could stay there. 00:03:43.060 --> 00:03:47.000 Perhaps you're one of those people I admire who can be a bit robotic. 00:03:47.459 --> 00:03:50.979 Alarm, up, routine, this is get into the day. 00:03:51.839 --> 00:03:53.639 I dream of being like that. 00:03:53.639 --> 00:04:03.519 Or perhaps, does it feel like an intentional choice, an invitation from God? 00:04:04.599 --> 00:04:05.579 Wake up. 00:04:06.359 --> 00:04:07.000 Get up. 00:04:07.599 --> 00:04:11.879 Take one more step on this adventure. 00:04:13.299 --> 00:04:15.779 The gift of life that he has given us. 00:04:16.819 --> 00:04:21.120 I used to love when I was teaching that song, one more step along the way we go. 00:04:21.120 --> 00:04:28.920 Well, here in this passage is the invitation to truly do that with intention. 00:04:29.860 --> 00:04:31.420 To be awake. 00:04:32.240 --> 00:04:33.780 To be alert. 00:04:34.660 --> 00:04:38.280 And to notice what he is showing us. 00:04:38.379 --> 00:04:41.300 What the Holy Spirit is showing us. 00:04:41.459 --> 00:04:42.319 And to listen. 00:04:43.500 --> 00:04:44.800 And to respond. 00:04:45.800 --> 00:04:49.280 By following and imitating Jesus. 00:04:49.279 --> 00:04:51.759 And don't forget. 00:04:52.339 --> 00:04:53.839 He is with us. 00:04:54.319 --> 00:04:55.959 Every step of the way. 00:04:57.359 --> 00:05:00.779 So we're going to unpack the main themes in this passage. 00:05:01.579 --> 00:05:06.959 As I came to it, I felt in my spirit the thing to do was, let's just go through it. 00:05:07.399 --> 00:05:08.759 Let's see what it's saying. 00:05:08.959 --> 00:05:11.079 And it's saying so much. 00:05:11.719 --> 00:05:16.339 And it will be saying different things to each of us. 00:05:16.339 --> 00:05:20.579 We come at this collectively, together, gathered here. 00:05:21.299 --> 00:05:28.799 But the Holy Spirit will draw our attention to what he wants to say to each of us. 00:05:29.639 --> 00:05:33.779 The home group that I lead, we meet every Friday lunchtime. 00:05:33.779 --> 00:05:36.099 It's a really beautiful space. 00:05:36.879 --> 00:05:38.959 And we follow the practice of Lectio. 00:05:39.459 --> 00:05:42.179 We always use the Bible reading from the week before. 00:05:43.619 --> 00:05:44.859 Anyone's welcome, by the way. 00:05:45.519 --> 00:05:50.119 And we always read that passage through three times. 00:05:50.120 --> 00:05:52.000 And we pause. 00:05:52.800 --> 00:05:55.220 And before we read it, we ground ourselves. 00:05:55.399 --> 00:05:57.620 And we invite God to be showing us. 00:05:57.720 --> 00:06:00.899 Like, almost like getting those words to shimmer. 00:06:01.060 --> 00:06:02.740 The ones he wants us to notice. 00:06:03.319 --> 00:06:04.780 That's my prayer this morning. 00:06:05.340 --> 00:06:13.180 As we go through this, God will draw our attention to what he is wanting us to notice this morning. 00:06:14.660 --> 00:06:15.500 Here we go. 00:06:15.500 --> 00:06:21.500 So, verses 1 and 2 are really clear on this imitating God. 00:06:22.300 --> 00:06:26.000 It says in the message version, watch what God does. 00:06:26.540 --> 00:06:27.800 And then you do it. 00:06:28.579 --> 00:06:32.500 Like children who learn proper behavior from their parents. 00:06:34.120 --> 00:06:38.199 Mostly, what God does is love you. 00:06:38.199 --> 00:06:41.479 Keep company with him. 00:06:42.680 --> 00:06:43.599 With him. 00:06:44.399 --> 00:06:47.519 And learn a life of love. 00:06:49.659 --> 00:06:56.099 Now, I don't know about you, but I actually noticed, first and foremost, the little challenge to me as a parent here. 00:06:56.659 --> 00:06:59.959 As children who learn proper behavior from their parents. 00:07:00.099 --> 00:07:02.759 I was like, oh, that's quite a thing. 00:07:02.759 --> 00:07:16.219 As a parent or as an adult who seeks or who has a passion to see young people, younger generations have rich, safe, steady role models. 00:07:17.399 --> 00:07:18.719 That's us, folks. 00:07:20.480 --> 00:07:21.699 What a challenge. 00:07:21.699 --> 00:07:30.819 But we get to do that by watching Jesus, learning from him every day. 00:07:32.240 --> 00:07:39.039 And it goes on to say that his love is extravagant and we are to love like that. 00:07:40.620 --> 00:07:42.199 Let's pause on that word. 00:07:42.199 --> 00:07:49.740 I wonder, what does it mean to you to love with extravagance? 00:07:51.279 --> 00:07:57.300 I ask myself, what would it look like to love more extravagantly? 00:08:00.480 --> 00:08:03.620 And then verses three to six bring caution. 00:08:04.659 --> 00:08:10.019 It says, don't allow that love to turn into lust. 00:08:10.019 --> 00:08:13.659 First, setting off on a downhill slide. 00:08:14.899 --> 00:08:16.740 Anyone being on a downhill slide? 00:08:16.859 --> 00:08:18.279 Anyone being on an uphill slide? 00:08:18.579 --> 00:08:24.639 I was thinking, I think they always like generally, the idea is, it's downhill. 00:08:25.519 --> 00:08:28.379 My husband Pete is obsessed with a slide at the moment. 00:08:28.560 --> 00:08:31.199 We're just doing a project for a place in Cornwall. 00:08:31.439 --> 00:08:35.019 And he is determined we're going to get a slide next to the staircase. 00:08:35.139 --> 00:08:38.779 I'm like, Pete, focus. 00:08:38.779 --> 00:08:40.659 Let's just have stairs. 00:08:41.360 --> 00:08:43.519 But a slide is fun. 00:08:44.659 --> 00:08:46.339 And it's pretty speedy. 00:08:46.919 --> 00:08:49.659 Unless you get, you know, the wrong clothes on and you get stuck on it. 00:08:49.839 --> 00:08:51.240 So annoying when you're a child. 00:08:51.759 --> 00:08:56.079 But generally, you get on a downhill slide and you're at the bottom before you know it. 00:08:56.080 --> 00:09:00.600 Don't allow love to turn to lust. 00:09:00.600 --> 00:09:00.600 00:09:00.860 --> 00:09:03.259 Setting off on a downhill slide. 00:09:03.379 --> 00:09:04.259 That is speedy. 00:09:05.540 --> 00:09:09.940 How would you define the difference between love and lust? 00:09:09.940 --> 00:09:15.400 By the way, I have noticed I'm asking you a lot of questions this morning. 00:09:15.660 --> 00:09:16.740 That's very intentional. 00:09:16.740 --> 00:09:26.039 I would suggest that lust is mainly driven by physical attraction or desire. 00:09:26.620 --> 00:09:27.799 It's often fleeting. 00:09:28.100 --> 00:09:31.720 It can fade quickly and we move on to something else to replace it. 00:09:31.720 --> 00:09:33.879 It's serving us. 00:09:34.879 --> 00:09:36.840 Love is deeper. 00:09:37.100 --> 00:09:38.460 It's a deeper connection. 00:09:39.379 --> 00:09:48.180 A more encompassing emotion that includes care and respect and commitment. 00:09:48.179 --> 00:09:52.059 Jesus is love. 00:09:55.219 --> 00:09:56.819 Jesus is love. 00:09:57.620 --> 00:10:00.139 Trying to remember not to say things too quietly. 00:10:00.339 --> 00:10:01.799 Wave at me if you can't hear me. 00:10:02.620 --> 00:10:09.679 And I think this is one of those places in God's word where we need to check in with ourselves. 00:10:09.679 --> 00:10:20.159 To be really clear that this passage is not about us taking a look around and judging other people's behaviour. 00:10:21.719 --> 00:10:31.379 This is about ourselves checking in regularly with our Father God with how we are doing at imitating him. 00:10:32.099 --> 00:10:35.699 And loving, truly loving extravagantly. 00:10:35.700 --> 00:10:40.000 And this is not easy in our human condition. 00:10:40.300 --> 00:10:41.220 Let's face it. 00:10:41.980 --> 00:10:46.420 It can be hard work not to get distracted. 00:10:48.200 --> 00:10:51.879 I was recently asked a really challenging question. 00:10:53.140 --> 00:10:56.840 When you look at others, people around you, 00:10:57.280 --> 00:11:02.180 do you generally respond in your internal self with a kind of, 00:11:02.179 --> 00:11:06.939 do you know what, they're really just doing the best they can. 00:11:07.459 --> 00:11:09.379 They're really trying their hardest. 00:11:10.719 --> 00:11:15.299 Or do you respond with a sense of, 00:11:16.259 --> 00:11:17.539 well they could be trying a bit harder. 00:11:18.599 --> 00:11:19.799 They could be doing better. 00:11:19.799 --> 00:11:24.699 It really challenged me. 00:11:25.979 --> 00:11:30.120 And I felt particularly reminded that one of the fruit of the Holy Spirit, 00:11:30.259 --> 00:11:33.639 what we see when the Holy Spirit is at work, is gentleness. 00:11:34.639 --> 00:11:36.079 It made me question, 00:11:36.079 --> 00:11:42.279 is my heart soft enough to be gentle towards others? 00:11:42.279 --> 00:11:50.039 Or has it been hardened by life's experiences and a bit shut down? 00:11:51.059 --> 00:11:59.159 Empathy and acceptance as we connect with people creates a safe space for God's Spirit to be at work. 00:11:59.819 --> 00:12:09.299 This approach is proven to be healing to our internal wounds, our trauma. 00:12:09.299 --> 00:12:11.299 It's proven. 00:12:12.019 --> 00:12:15.679 So let's be gentle with ourselves and with others. 00:12:17.139 --> 00:12:21.859 Let's take time to really see the person in front of us. 00:12:22.479 --> 00:12:27.179 Again, when you're teaching and you're stressed and your head is so full, 00:12:27.259 --> 00:12:32.719 it's so easy to see this blur of 30 plus young people. 00:12:32.720 --> 00:12:39.600 And it's a challenge to see them as individuals beautifully created, 00:12:40.879 --> 00:12:42.779 loved by our Father God. 00:12:43.680 --> 00:12:45.899 Let's pay attention kindly. 00:12:46.800 --> 00:12:47.879 Bring curiosity. 00:12:49.580 --> 00:12:54.960 Listen to someone else's story and not judge. 00:12:54.960 --> 00:13:00.019 Remember, the chap who was here a couple of weeks said, 00:13:00.139 --> 00:13:01.100 Nick, he said, 00:13:01.920 --> 00:13:05.639 we don't see the internal battles that people are fighting. 00:13:08.500 --> 00:13:11.000 So verse four goes on to say, 00:13:11.560 --> 00:13:13.320 by the way, I'm going to speed up a little bit 00:13:13.320 --> 00:13:15.960 because I know we're going through 21 verses, 00:13:16.259 --> 00:13:19.080 but I just want us to really get this at the beginning. 00:13:19.080 --> 00:13:22.460 Verse four goes on to say, 00:13:22.680 --> 00:13:24.920 Thanksgiving is our dialect. 00:13:25.379 --> 00:13:26.700 I love this. 00:13:27.160 --> 00:13:28.980 Our dialect. 00:13:29.980 --> 00:13:31.800 That sense of together. 00:13:32.480 --> 00:13:33.500 A culture. 00:13:34.680 --> 00:13:39.360 The church's identity is Thanksgiving. 00:13:40.480 --> 00:13:43.320 We should be grounded in this shared language, 00:13:43.500 --> 00:13:44.860 this shared experience. 00:13:44.860 --> 00:13:49.360 And we should notice and feel uncomfortable, 00:13:50.200 --> 00:13:53.080 that discomfort when we step out of that, 00:13:53.680 --> 00:13:54.379 which we do. 00:13:54.560 --> 00:13:55.440 We are human. 00:13:56.200 --> 00:13:59.860 But we should just check ourselves. 00:14:01.860 --> 00:14:04.419 Are we consistent and constant 00:14:04.419 --> 00:14:08.700 with this sense of being thankful to Jesus first? 00:14:08.700 --> 00:14:12.520 And by verse seven through to 14, 00:14:12.720 --> 00:14:14.920 we are really getting to the grace 00:14:14.920 --> 00:14:17.540 of God's incredible love for us. 00:14:18.860 --> 00:14:21.540 It's like a breathing room for the soul. 00:14:21.720 --> 00:14:23.320 It says in verse eight, 00:14:24.020 --> 00:14:25.180 in the message version, 00:14:25.379 --> 00:14:28.560 you groped your way through that murk once, 00:14:28.920 --> 00:14:30.020 but no longer. 00:14:30.480 --> 00:14:32.520 You're out in the open now. 00:14:32.620 --> 00:14:36.259 The bright light of Christ makes your way plain. 00:14:36.259 --> 00:14:39.179 So no more stumbling around. 00:14:39.639 --> 00:14:40.500 Get on with it. 00:14:40.879 --> 00:14:41.620 I love that. 00:14:41.740 --> 00:14:42.960 I like God saying to me, 00:14:43.059 --> 00:14:44.179 get on with it, Kate. 00:14:45.120 --> 00:14:47.799 The good, the right, the true. 00:14:48.860 --> 00:14:51.500 Figure out what will please Christ 00:14:51.500 --> 00:14:52.980 and then do it. 00:14:54.139 --> 00:14:56.200 Ooh, there's something for me to have to do. 00:14:56.960 --> 00:14:59.399 Figure out what will please Christ 00:14:59.399 --> 00:15:01.100 and then do it. 00:15:01.100 --> 00:15:05.379 Pete and I watched a great film the other night. 00:15:05.580 --> 00:15:07.200 It's called 13 Lives. 00:15:08.040 --> 00:15:11.100 It's about the story in 2018 00:15:11.100 --> 00:15:13.840 of 13, 12 lads in Thailand, 00:15:14.080 --> 00:15:15.680 football team and their coach. 00:15:15.720 --> 00:15:19.060 And they went through a structure of caves 00:15:19.060 --> 00:15:21.840 on a day that should have been fine to do that. 00:15:21.920 --> 00:15:23.840 The rain, the monsoon came early 00:15:23.840 --> 00:15:24.820 and they were trapped. 00:15:25.379 --> 00:15:26.800 They were completely trapped 00:15:26.800 --> 00:15:29.440 seven hours into this cave, 00:15:29.440 --> 00:15:30.760 into a system 00:15:30.760 --> 00:15:31.860 and everyone thought 00:15:31.860 --> 00:15:33.700 that they had probably perished. 00:15:34.320 --> 00:15:35.400 But they were found 00:15:35.400 --> 00:15:38.600 by some expert divers, 00:15:38.820 --> 00:15:40.500 a couple of guys from Britain actually, 00:15:40.640 --> 00:15:42.980 but teams came from all over the world 00:15:42.980 --> 00:15:45.640 and they were rescued 00:15:45.640 --> 00:15:47.860 in the most miraculous way. 00:15:48.280 --> 00:15:51.120 They could not have got themselves out. 00:15:51.380 --> 00:15:52.880 There was not a chance. 00:15:53.580 --> 00:15:55.900 They absolutely would have died. 00:15:55.899 --> 00:16:00.159 But because the person, 00:16:00.799 --> 00:16:01.480 the people, 00:16:01.819 --> 00:16:04.539 equipped and willing 00:16:04.539 --> 00:16:06.679 to go through 00:16:06.679 --> 00:16:10.360 to them and rescue them 00:16:10.360 --> 00:16:14.139 meant they were brought back into life, 00:16:14.740 --> 00:16:15.759 into the open, 00:16:17.100 --> 00:16:18.079 into the light. 00:16:18.080 --> 00:16:21.139 And I can see on your faces, 00:16:21.340 --> 00:16:23.060 I don't need to explain for me 00:16:23.060 --> 00:16:24.379 the power of the metaphor 00:16:24.379 --> 00:16:27.920 of what Jesus has done for us. 00:16:28.460 --> 00:16:29.560 It is done. 00:16:29.860 --> 00:16:31.700 We are brought into the light. 00:16:31.840 --> 00:16:32.900 We are forgiven. 00:16:34.340 --> 00:16:35.980 Do we live in it 00:16:35.980 --> 00:16:39.280 with intention every day 00:16:39.280 --> 00:16:40.400 to notice it? 00:16:41.160 --> 00:16:42.300 And the role of light 00:16:42.300 --> 00:16:44.500 is transformational, isn't it? 00:16:44.500 --> 00:16:45.960 In communities, 00:16:46.679 --> 00:16:48.360 the light of Christ's spirit 00:16:48.360 --> 00:16:51.279 changes lives. 00:16:53.720 --> 00:16:55.820 That's my bread and butter 00:16:55.820 --> 00:16:56.720 every day. 00:16:57.039 --> 00:16:58.460 I work for an organisation 00:16:58.460 --> 00:17:00.919 called Transforming Lives for Good. 00:17:01.840 --> 00:17:03.139 Every day we meet 00:17:03.139 --> 00:17:03.820 and we pray 00:17:03.820 --> 00:17:05.680 that lives will be transformed 00:17:05.680 --> 00:17:07.539 because of the love of Christ 00:17:07.539 --> 00:17:09.119 through the local church, 00:17:09.480 --> 00:17:10.980 through the local church, 00:17:11.200 --> 00:17:12.140 stepping out 00:17:12.140 --> 00:17:14.119 and being in community. 00:17:14.500 --> 00:17:17.059 I wonder, 00:17:17.299 --> 00:17:18.319 when have you 00:17:18.319 --> 00:17:21.099 most recently seen 00:17:21.099 --> 00:17:23.440 this light, 00:17:23.740 --> 00:17:26.960 this exuberant love 00:17:26.960 --> 00:17:29.640 transform lives? 00:17:32.319 --> 00:17:35.099 Notice and give thanks. 00:17:36.400 --> 00:17:37.319 And finally, 00:17:38.920 --> 00:17:41.440 verses 14 to 21, 00:17:41.440 --> 00:17:45.240 come with even more challenge 00:17:45.240 --> 00:17:47.400 but with encouragement. 00:17:48.680 --> 00:17:49.160 So, 00:17:49.559 --> 00:17:51.100 watch your step. 00:17:52.519 --> 00:17:53.640 Use your head. 00:17:54.900 --> 00:17:55.880 Make the most 00:17:55.880 --> 00:17:58.660 of every chance you get. 00:17:59.820 --> 00:18:01.640 Don't live carelessly 00:18:01.640 --> 00:18:03.840 or unthinkingly. 00:18:03.839 --> 00:18:06.839 I thought, hmm. 00:18:09.859 --> 00:18:10.439 Instead, 00:18:10.779 --> 00:18:11.679 Paul's encouragement 00:18:11.679 --> 00:18:12.399 to us 00:18:12.399 --> 00:18:12.959 is to live 00:18:12.959 --> 00:18:14.519 spirit-filled lives 00:18:14.519 --> 00:18:16.480 full of worship, 00:18:17.579 --> 00:18:18.980 full of thankfulness, 00:18:19.859 --> 00:18:20.480 prayer 00:18:20.480 --> 00:18:22.359 and obedience 00:18:22.359 --> 00:18:23.599 to God 00:18:23.599 --> 00:18:26.159 and to love 00:18:26.159 --> 00:18:27.799 those around us 00:18:27.799 --> 00:18:29.879 who we recognise 00:18:29.880 --> 00:18:31.380 with soft 00:18:31.380 --> 00:18:32.580 and gentle hearts. 00:18:33.700 --> 00:18:35.140 Maybe numbing 00:18:35.140 --> 00:18:35.740 themselves 00:18:35.740 --> 00:18:36.880 through addiction 00:18:36.880 --> 00:18:38.160 or through 00:18:38.160 --> 00:18:39.120 choices 00:18:39.120 --> 00:18:39.880 that are not 00:18:39.880 --> 00:18:40.920 serving them well 00:18:40.920 --> 00:18:43.440 because they don't 00:18:43.440 --> 00:18:44.660 know this love. 00:18:44.660 --> 00:18:48.019 we have the joy 00:18:48.019 --> 00:18:48.720 and the privilege 00:18:48.720 --> 00:18:49.660 of sharing 00:18:49.660 --> 00:18:50.480 this love 00:18:50.480 --> 00:18:51.160 with others. 00:18:51.880 --> 00:18:52.779 Let's do it. 00:18:54.320 --> 00:18:54.840 So, 00:18:54.920 --> 00:18:55.500 in summary, 00:18:57.240 --> 00:18:58.500 I feel like 00:18:58.500 --> 00:18:59.100 this part 00:18:59.100 --> 00:18:59.820 of Ephesians 00:18:59.820 --> 00:19:01.660 and Ephesians 5 00:19:01.660 --> 00:19:03.140 could feel like 00:19:03.140 --> 00:19:04.140 a bit of a tick list. 00:19:04.540 --> 00:19:05.160 We do this, 00:19:05.240 --> 00:19:05.940 we don't do this, 00:19:06.000 --> 00:19:06.500 we do this, 00:19:06.580 --> 00:19:07.460 we don't do this. 00:19:08.220 --> 00:19:09.560 But let's remember, 00:19:09.800 --> 00:19:10.580 Romans 6, 00:19:10.680 --> 00:19:11.460 verse 14 00:19:11.460 --> 00:19:12.340 reminds us 00:19:12.340 --> 00:19:13.240 of our freedom 00:19:13.240 --> 00:19:13.880 to live. 00:19:13.980 --> 00:19:14.799 We live 00:19:14.799 --> 00:19:16.579 under grace, 00:19:16.779 --> 00:19:17.819 not under law. 00:19:19.740 --> 00:19:20.859 The legalistic 00:19:20.859 --> 00:19:21.480 requirements 00:19:21.480 --> 00:19:22.640 and obligations 00:19:22.640 --> 00:19:24.000 of the Old Testament 00:19:24.000 --> 00:19:26.859 no longer 00:19:26.859 --> 00:19:28.900 are the main 00:19:28.900 --> 00:19:30.859 kind of 00:19:30.859 --> 00:19:32.480 rule book 00:19:32.480 --> 00:19:33.440 that we live by 00:19:33.440 --> 00:19:35.380 because of Jesus. 00:19:36.880 --> 00:19:38.359 God's unearned 00:19:38.359 --> 00:19:39.839 favour and gifts 00:19:39.839 --> 00:19:40.720 through the power 00:19:40.720 --> 00:19:41.779 of the cross 00:19:41.779 --> 00:19:44.299 David's just 00:19:44.299 --> 00:19:45.319 prayed that 00:19:45.319 --> 00:19:46.720 so richly 00:19:46.720 --> 00:19:47.379 for us 00:19:47.379 --> 00:19:48.379 and over us. 00:19:48.920 --> 00:19:50.099 It leaves us 00:19:50.099 --> 00:19:51.000 empowered 00:19:51.000 --> 00:19:53.039 to live lives 00:19:53.039 --> 00:19:54.000 for Christ, 00:19:55.059 --> 00:19:56.319 pleasing to him. 00:19:56.319 --> 00:20:02.740 and so I wonder 00:20:02.740 --> 00:20:04.740 what do we need 00:20:04.740 --> 00:20:05.559 to release 00:20:05.559 --> 00:20:06.980 this morning? 00:20:09.579 --> 00:20:10.519 Is there 00:20:10.519 --> 00:20:11.159 something 00:20:11.159 --> 00:20:12.500 God is showing us 00:20:12.500 --> 00:20:13.279 he wants us 00:20:13.279 --> 00:20:14.000 to bring 00:20:14.000 --> 00:20:15.519 more into the light? 00:20:18.639 --> 00:20:19.679 Is it something 00:20:19.679 --> 00:20:20.480 we're doing, 00:20:21.279 --> 00:20:21.960 an attitude 00:20:21.960 --> 00:20:22.859 we have, 00:20:22.859 --> 00:20:26.339 something that 00:20:26.339 --> 00:20:27.179 is compelling 00:20:27.179 --> 00:20:29.639 and diverting 00:20:29.639 --> 00:20:30.479 and takes 00:20:30.479 --> 00:20:31.399 too much 00:20:31.399 --> 00:20:32.240 of our 00:20:32.240 --> 00:20:32.740 tension 00:20:32.740 --> 00:20:33.299 away? 00:20:35.799 --> 00:20:36.979 Let's ask 00:20:36.979 --> 00:20:37.719 ourselves that. 00:20:38.639 --> 00:20:39.319 Let's ask 00:20:39.319 --> 00:20:40.319 God to show us. 00:20:42.079 --> 00:20:42.899 And secondly, 00:20:43.459 --> 00:20:44.619 we serve 00:20:44.619 --> 00:20:45.279 a God 00:20:45.279 --> 00:20:46.740 who is 00:20:46.740 --> 00:20:48.179 truly alive 00:20:48.180 --> 00:20:49.600 and whose 00:20:49.600 --> 00:20:50.279 word 00:20:50.279 --> 00:20:51.000 is alive. 00:20:51.400 --> 00:20:52.299 This book 00:20:52.299 --> 00:20:54.640 is the 00:20:54.640 --> 00:20:55.580 only book 00:20:55.580 --> 00:20:56.560 that when we 00:20:56.560 --> 00:20:57.299 open it 00:20:57.299 --> 00:20:58.100 and read it, 00:20:58.320 --> 00:20:58.640 revelation 00:20:58.640 --> 00:21:00.100 is truly 00:21:00.100 --> 00:21:00.660 present 00:21:00.660 --> 00:21:01.200 through the 00:21:01.200 --> 00:21:01.880 power of 00:21:01.880 --> 00:21:02.480 God's Holy 00:21:02.480 --> 00:21:02.840 Spirit. 00:21:02.960 --> 00:21:03.720 We're promised 00:21:03.720 --> 00:21:04.200 that. 00:21:05.279 --> 00:21:06.000 Let's spend 00:21:06.000 --> 00:21:07.019 time in his 00:21:07.019 --> 00:21:07.440 word. 00:21:08.200 --> 00:21:09.299 It transforms 00:21:09.299 --> 00:21:10.080 us to be 00:21:10.080 --> 00:21:10.880 carriers of the 00:21:10.880 --> 00:21:11.380 light of 00:21:11.380 --> 00:21:11.840 Christ. 00:21:13.560 --> 00:21:14.740 We draw 00:21:14.740 --> 00:21:15.519 near to him, 00:21:15.640 --> 00:21:16.500 we do life 00:21:16.500 --> 00:21:17.519 with him. 00:21:18.279 --> 00:21:18.839 In Matthew 00:21:18.839 --> 00:21:19.259 11, 00:21:19.460 --> 00:21:19.740 Jesus 00:21:19.740 --> 00:21:20.960 urges us, 00:21:21.079 --> 00:21:21.700 come away 00:21:21.700 --> 00:21:22.319 with me. 00:21:23.660 --> 00:21:24.740 Come and 00:21:24.740 --> 00:21:25.299 rest, 00:21:25.839 --> 00:21:26.420 live out of 00:21:26.420 --> 00:21:27.119 that place 00:21:27.119 --> 00:21:28.059 of resting 00:21:28.059 --> 00:21:28.880 in him. 00:21:29.240 --> 00:21:29.859 When our 00:21:29.859 --> 00:21:30.720 souls and 00:21:30.720 --> 00:21:31.700 our brains 00:21:31.700 --> 00:21:32.720 rest, 00:21:33.359 --> 00:21:34.519 we come 00:21:34.519 --> 00:21:35.460 into life 00:21:35.460 --> 00:21:35.920 with more 00:21:35.920 --> 00:21:36.460 clarity 00:21:36.460 --> 00:21:38.380 and intention, 00:21:39.380 --> 00:21:40.859 more awake 00:21:40.859 --> 00:21:41.500 and more 00:21:41.500 --> 00:21:42.079 alert. 00:21:43.099 --> 00:21:43.500 And in 00:21:43.500 --> 00:21:44.319 Matthew 5, 00:21:44.440 --> 00:21:45.240 Jesus says, 00:21:45.240 --> 00:21:46.539 you are here 00:21:46.539 --> 00:21:47.160 to be 00:21:47.160 --> 00:21:47.740 light. 00:21:48.660 --> 00:21:49.019 And I 00:21:49.019 --> 00:21:49.640 love in 00:21:49.640 --> 00:21:50.460 this translation 00:21:50.460 --> 00:21:51.180 it says, 00:21:51.859 --> 00:21:52.579 bringing out 00:21:52.579 --> 00:21:53.279 the God 00:21:53.279 --> 00:21:54.440 colours in 00:21:54.440 --> 00:21:55.259 the world. 00:21:56.319 --> 00:21:57.279 It's all 00:21:57.279 --> 00:21:57.779 there. 00:21:58.660 --> 00:21:59.380 Jesus is 00:21:59.380 --> 00:22:00.299 at work. 00:22:01.000 --> 00:22:01.480 We get 00:22:01.480 --> 00:22:02.079 the joy of 00:22:02.079 --> 00:22:02.980 joining in 00:22:02.980 --> 00:22:03.960 and drawing 00:22:03.960 --> 00:22:04.380 out, 00:22:05.720 --> 00:22:06.160 drawing 00:22:06.160 --> 00:22:07.220 attention to 00:22:07.220 --> 00:22:08.299 the God 00:22:08.299 --> 00:22:09.319 colours in 00:22:09.319 --> 00:22:09.839 the world. 00:22:11.160 --> 00:22:12.099 We do 00:22:12.099 --> 00:22:12.799 this with 00:22:12.799 --> 00:22:13.079 him, 00:22:13.579 --> 00:22:14.299 not in our 00:22:14.299 --> 00:22:15.019 own strength. 00:22:16.139 --> 00:22:16.899 So I 00:22:16.899 --> 00:22:17.680 encourage us 00:22:17.680 --> 00:22:18.079 all, 00:22:18.359 --> 00:22:19.079 I talk to 00:22:19.079 --> 00:22:19.559 myself, 00:22:19.919 --> 00:22:20.619 to read 00:22:20.619 --> 00:22:22.159 and re-read 00:22:22.159 --> 00:22:23.119 this passage 00:22:23.119 --> 00:22:24.899 in a quiet 00:22:24.899 --> 00:22:25.619 space, 00:22:25.740 --> 00:22:26.379 or listen 00:22:26.379 --> 00:22:27.039 to it, 00:22:27.720 --> 00:22:28.339 or come 00:22:28.339 --> 00:22:28.879 along on 00:22:28.879 --> 00:22:29.659 Tuesday night. 00:22:29.960 --> 00:22:30.740 This Tuesday, 00:22:30.899 --> 00:22:31.659 Mike is away, 00:22:32.000 --> 00:22:32.659 but Philip 00:22:32.659 --> 00:22:35.379 Janadu, 00:22:36.180 --> 00:22:37.680 he's a 00:22:37.680 --> 00:22:38.200 former leader 00:22:38.200 --> 00:22:38.779 of Metro 00:22:38.779 --> 00:22:39.379 Church in 00:22:39.379 --> 00:22:39.700 Bristol, 00:22:39.839 --> 00:22:40.579 Woody's Metro 00:22:40.579 --> 00:22:40.980 Church. 00:22:41.039 --> 00:22:41.599 He's coming, 00:22:41.839 --> 00:22:42.359 Mike's asked 00:22:42.359 --> 00:22:42.659 him to 00:22:42.659 --> 00:22:42.939 come and 00:22:42.939 --> 00:22:43.339 lead on 00:22:43.339 --> 00:22:43.679 Tuesday 00:22:43.679 --> 00:22:44.059 night. 00:22:44.159 --> 00:22:44.439 He'll be 00:22:44.439 --> 00:22:45.240 a fantastic 00:22:45.240 --> 00:22:47.319 speaker. 00:22:47.559 --> 00:22:47.899 He now 00:22:47.899 --> 00:22:48.279 works for 00:22:48.279 --> 00:22:48.639 care for 00:22:48.639 --> 00:22:49.119 the family. 00:22:52.899 --> 00:22:54.000 Find ways 00:22:54.000 --> 00:22:54.819 to just 00:22:54.819 --> 00:22:55.859 pause a 00:22:55.859 --> 00:22:56.579 little longer 00:22:56.579 --> 00:22:59.479 and notice 00:22:59.479 --> 00:23:00.179 more than 00:23:00.179 --> 00:23:01.099 I've invited 00:23:01.099 --> 00:23:01.619 us to 00:23:01.619 --> 00:23:02.259 notice this 00:23:02.259 --> 00:23:02.579 morning. 00:23:03.740 --> 00:23:04.579 And encourage 00:23:04.579 --> 00:23:05.240 each other, 00:23:06.240 --> 00:23:06.519 have 00:23:06.519 --> 00:23:07.139 accountability, 00:23:07.140 --> 00:23:07.340 accountability. 00:23:09.320 --> 00:23:10.240 Find those 00:23:10.240 --> 00:23:10.900 trusted, 00:23:11.300 --> 00:23:11.600 close, 00:23:11.800 --> 00:23:12.040 safe 00:23:12.040 --> 00:23:12.680 relationships 00:23:12.680 --> 00:23:13.320 that you 00:23:13.320 --> 00:23:13.960 can journey 00:23:13.960 --> 00:23:14.460 well in 00:23:14.460 --> 00:23:15.080 faith with. 00:23:16.200 --> 00:23:16.980 We are 00:23:16.980 --> 00:23:17.780 not alone. 00:23:19.060 --> 00:23:19.720 Jesus is 00:23:19.720 --> 00:23:20.340 with us 00:23:20.340 --> 00:23:21.480 and we do 00:23:21.480 --> 00:23:22.300 this together. 00:23:22.300 --> 00:23:22.400 Amen. 00:23:22.400 --> 00:23:22.520 Amen.