WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:10.000 Leslie Newbigin was a church leader, a Christian writer, a missionary, and one of the great theological voices of the 20th century. 00:00:10.000 --> 00:00:14.000 ! 00:00:30.000 --> 00:00:45.000 That horizon is, for me, fundamental. And that's what makes it possible to be hopeful, and therefore to find life meaningful. 00:00:47.000 --> 00:00:50.000 That horizon of hope. 00:00:50.000 --> 00:00:56.000 Now, the reality may be that sometimes we might not always be feeling hopeful. 00:00:56.000 --> 00:01:04.000 Sometimes life can deal with all sorts of different experiences, or the way that we are as human beings, meaning we process things in different ways, 00:01:04.000 --> 00:01:10.000 and we might not always feel that energizing sense, maybe, of hopeful expectation. 00:01:10.000 --> 00:01:21.000 But perhaps particularly when we find ourselves in those moments, that's when we need to pull back to that horizon and be reminded afresh of that as the horizon within which we live. 00:01:21.000 --> 00:01:31.000 That horizon of Christ's promise that ultimately he will come again, that he will make all things new, and there will be no more suffering or pain. 00:01:31.000 --> 00:01:34.000 That we will live forever with him in a perfect world. 00:01:34.000 --> 00:01:40.000 That is the horizon of hope that we need to be reminded of and reawakened to. 00:01:40.000 --> 00:01:43.000 That's the calling. 00:01:43.000 --> 00:01:47.000 That's the invitation. 00:01:47.000 --> 00:01:59.000 Sadly, tragically, most people in the world today do not live life with that horizon. 00:01:59.000 --> 00:02:03.000 In fact, the very opposite may be said. 00:02:03.000 --> 00:02:08.000 That perhaps there's maybe no sense of horizon at all, or if there is, it's a very bleak one. 00:02:08.000 --> 00:02:25.000 The thing is, is the horizon with which we live before us will shape the way in which we live our lives, and the way we think our way through life, and the way we make sense of things. 00:02:25.000 --> 00:02:32.000 And particularly when we struggle, it will shape the way we live and behave. 00:02:32.000 --> 00:02:43.000 Back in 1950, a very small American town, it was called Flagstaff, was flooded, intentionally. 00:02:43.000 --> 00:02:48.000 It was to make way for a new lake and a dam that was going to be constructed. 00:02:48.000 --> 00:02:56.000 And so this little town, the residents and businesses of that town have been told quite some way in advance that this was going to happen. 00:02:56.000 --> 00:02:59.000 That it was a planned flooding of that town. 00:02:59.000 --> 00:03:07.000 Now, I'm not sure exactly how long it was between when that announcement was made and when the flooding actually took place. 00:03:07.000 --> 00:03:19.000 But there was this period of time between knowing that the town was just going to be intentionally flooded to create a lake, and it actually happening. 00:03:19.000 --> 00:03:26.000 And it was told that during that time, things changed in that town. 00:03:26.000 --> 00:03:35.000 That whereas previously there may have been projects to restore things, that there may have been renovations or repairs, nobody bothered. 00:03:35.000 --> 00:03:41.000 I mean, what was the point if you knew that you were going to have to vacate and everything was just going to be destroyed intentionally? 00:03:41.000 --> 00:03:46.000 And so through that time, buildings went to waste. 00:03:46.000 --> 00:03:52.000 The whole community had about it a sense of, well, what is the point? 00:03:52.000 --> 00:03:54.000 There was no improvement. 00:03:54.000 --> 00:03:58.000 There was no improvements made, no repairs. 00:03:58.000 --> 00:04:03.000 Gradually, the whole place became neglected and bedraggled. 00:04:03.000 --> 00:04:13.000 One resident said, where there is no faith in the future, there is no power in the present. 00:04:13.000 --> 00:04:15.000 It seems difficult to believe, doesn't it? 00:04:15.000 --> 00:04:18.000 Living in a community, what it would be like to be in a community. 00:04:18.000 --> 00:04:33.000 Just imagine what it would be like knowing that it was the intention that that community would, and everything about it, all its physicality, its buildings, its shops, its schools, its homes, everything was going to be deliberately wiped out. 00:04:33.000 --> 00:04:43.000 And when the time is ticking away, and that's the horizon that you have before you, well, it doesn't make for a particularly hopeful life. 00:04:43.000 --> 00:04:50.000 Sadly, tragically, that can be the world view that so many people will live with. 00:04:50.000 --> 00:05:00.000 That this end, this life would, it would seem just, ends with just destruction, that eventually we decay, and life is no more. 00:05:00.000 --> 00:05:07.000 And we can perhaps try to sweep that reality under the carpet, or pretend that it won't exist, or just try hard not to think about it. 00:05:07.000 --> 00:05:11.000 But if that's the world view that we have, there's no getting away from it. 00:05:11.000 --> 00:05:17.000 Ultimately, that will shape the way we live our lives. 00:05:17.000 --> 00:05:25.819 That is in complete and utter contrast with the horizon with which we are called to live with as Christians. 00:05:25.819 --> 00:05:37.719 But though there may be despair around us, and although there may be situations in our own particular lives that may cause us to squirm with anguish and with panic at times, 00:05:38.819 --> 00:05:48.319 we are called to come back over and over again every day to this promise that the horizon we have before us is a horizon with God's eternal future. 00:05:48.980 --> 00:05:52.060 Now, that's not pie in the sky when you die. 00:05:55.819 --> 00:05:56.819 This is hope. 00:05:56.819 --> 00:05:57.819 This is hope. 00:05:57.819 --> 00:06:03.819 And this is what shapes the way we live our lives and face whatever realities come our way each day, now. 00:06:03.819 --> 00:06:06.819 The horizon of Christ's promise. 00:06:06.819 --> 00:06:12.819 We're called to live in daily expectation that the kingdom of God is near. 00:06:12.819 --> 00:06:18.819 And so it is that Jesus shares this parable. 00:06:18.819 --> 00:06:33.839 When he's talking about how we are to pray, but not just as a prayer, if we think of prayer just as like an isolated activity, like a bolt-on thing that you do, we've probably got the wrong idea of what prayer is. 00:06:33.839 --> 00:06:46.980 There's more kind of a whole life approach, you know, how we approach all of life, how we navigate our way each day, knowing that we do so not on our own, but we do so with Jesus and with his spirit in us. 00:06:46.980 --> 00:06:54.360 So when Jesus is talking about prayer, he's not just talking about just slipping off to a quiet place and to engage in a religious activity. 00:06:55.080 --> 00:07:01.420 He's talking about a whole of life approach, how we see everything, everything. 00:07:01.819 --> 00:07:05.439 Even when we hit the pillow and we go to sleep at night or try to go to sleep at night. 00:07:05.439 --> 00:07:09.480 That's what we're called to engage in, to know that we're not alone. 00:07:10.939 --> 00:07:14.360 That Christ is not only with you, but he's in you by his Holy Spirit. 00:07:16.100 --> 00:07:23.180 And so when you think of it like that, when you live like that, then it makes all the difference. 00:07:23.180 --> 00:07:35.319 And Jesus gives us this parable to give us this idea of the sorts of expectation with which we are to embrace that. 00:07:36.480 --> 00:07:41.120 And he says, he talks about, imagine that somebody, you know, comes and they haven't got any food, 00:07:41.220 --> 00:07:46.079 and so they bang on a friend's door in the middle of the night and call out, 00:07:46.079 --> 00:07:49.139 I need some food, can you give me some food, give me some supplies. 00:07:49.379 --> 00:07:55.719 And he said, well, that friend actually won't want to go out and help them, even though they're a good friend. 00:07:55.800 --> 00:08:00.779 But because of their audacity, because they're being a pain in the neck, they'll go out and help. 00:08:01.779 --> 00:08:02.839 Now, let's be clear. 00:08:02.979 --> 00:08:05.219 This is what we call a contrast parable. 00:08:05.719 --> 00:08:08.959 Jesus is not saying God is like the reluctant friend, 00:08:09.079 --> 00:08:13.379 who goes out dragging his feet to help because he's annoyed in the middle of the night. 00:08:13.379 --> 00:08:15.139 No, it's the very opposite. 00:08:15.399 --> 00:08:16.199 It's a contrast. 00:08:16.339 --> 00:08:22.060 You say, if somebody in that situation who gets out of bed in the middle of the night to help his friend, 00:08:22.120 --> 00:08:24.759 not because he wants to, but he feels, well, I've got to, I suppose. 00:08:25.259 --> 00:08:29.019 If somebody in that situation will go to somebody's help, 00:08:29.019 --> 00:08:34.740 how much more so will God, who loves you, who made you, who created you, 00:08:34.960 --> 00:08:37.000 who wants you to have the very best in life, 00:08:37.240 --> 00:08:39.299 who wants you to live life to the full, 00:08:39.299 --> 00:08:44.679 such that he comes to us in Jesus and dies on the cross and is raised, 00:08:44.939 --> 00:08:51.659 the God who does all of that is in such contrast with a reluctant friend. 00:08:51.659 --> 00:08:57.039 How much more so, therefore, is he poised to answer our prayers? 00:08:58.699 --> 00:09:04.319 So that's the horizon of expectancy and hope with which we are called to live. 00:09:04.620 --> 00:09:06.599 So what does that mean in practical terms? 00:09:06.600 --> 00:09:08.100 I just want to suggest two things. 00:09:09.460 --> 00:09:11.940 Firstly, it means that we're called to be bold. 00:09:12.580 --> 00:09:14.440 And secondly, we're called to be brave. 00:09:16.080 --> 00:09:18.440 Firstly, what does it mean to be bold in this sense? 00:09:19.840 --> 00:09:25.759 Well, of course we need to be sensitive and cautious when we think about prayer here. 00:09:26.259 --> 00:09:29.159 The idea of, well, you name it and you claim it. 00:09:29.680 --> 00:09:33.200 We need to exercise sensitivity and caution around that, 00:09:33.220 --> 00:09:34.360 and I'll come to that in a moment. 00:09:34.360 --> 00:09:37.440 But, and this is an important thing, 00:09:37.659 --> 00:09:42.580 there is no getting away from the fact that the thrust of Jesus' teaching is clear. 00:09:43.620 --> 00:09:47.039 When you pray, don't be afraid to ask. 00:09:48.360 --> 00:09:48.840 Ask. 00:09:50.000 --> 00:09:50.860 Be direct. 00:09:51.399 --> 00:09:52.180 Be explicit. 00:09:53.500 --> 00:09:58.300 Live in a poise of expectation that God actually does want to answer your prayer, 00:09:58.560 --> 00:09:59.379 and that he will. 00:09:59.379 --> 00:10:04.399 Name the things that are on your heart and mine before him, 00:10:05.059 --> 00:10:07.379 and don't be embarrassed or ashamed to do so. 00:10:08.519 --> 00:10:09.799 Be bold in your prayer. 00:10:10.220 --> 00:10:11.740 Be bold in your expectation. 00:10:12.139 --> 00:10:13.320 Be bold in your hope. 00:10:16.179 --> 00:10:20.279 Now, this does, of course, involve a process of learning. 00:10:21.120 --> 00:10:22.960 You may have come across this before. 00:10:22.960 --> 00:10:26.540 It was presented, I think, by Bill Hybels a few years ago. 00:10:26.639 --> 00:10:30.620 Sometimes, when we ask God, God will simply say no. 00:10:31.600 --> 00:10:37.060 And the reason he will say no is that the request itself is not aligned with the will of God. 00:10:37.519 --> 00:10:40.720 And that might be something that is difficult for us to come to terms with, 00:10:40.980 --> 00:10:43.840 but it may just be that the thing we're asking for is not good. 00:10:44.420 --> 00:10:45.720 It may not be good for us. 00:10:45.940 --> 00:10:48.740 It may not be good for God's wider purposes. 00:10:48.740 --> 00:10:53.259 But the answer, difficult though it may be for us to come to terms with, 00:10:53.779 --> 00:10:55.139 may simply have to be no. 00:10:56.740 --> 00:10:59.560 It could be that we're just praying for the wrong kind of thing. 00:11:00.919 --> 00:11:04.539 Lord, give me that Ferrari so I can do your work so much more quickly. 00:11:07.879 --> 00:11:13.440 But it may be that God is not saying no, but he's saying slow. 00:11:14.259 --> 00:11:16.120 In other words, the timing is wrong. 00:11:16.120 --> 00:11:18.960 It's not the request is wrong, but the timing is wrong. 00:11:19.740 --> 00:11:23.759 That God has something that, yes, he will give a yes to that prayer, 00:11:23.940 --> 00:11:25.620 but right now, no, we've got to wait. 00:11:25.700 --> 00:11:28.919 And there are reasons that we may not be able to understand this side of eternity, 00:11:30.100 --> 00:11:35.060 but nevertheless, as we pray, God will answer that prayer, but just not yet. 00:11:35.919 --> 00:11:39.960 For reasons perhaps known just to God himself, but the timing is not right. 00:11:39.960 --> 00:11:46.080 And I can think of times in my own life, and I dare say you can as well in your own lives, 00:11:46.180 --> 00:11:48.759 when there's been a sense that you look back and you think, 00:11:48.860 --> 00:11:53.060 actually, I'm glad God didn't do that, which I was asking him to do right then, 00:11:53.480 --> 00:11:57.160 but I can see now how he did it at a later stage. 00:11:58.620 --> 00:12:02.580 Sometimes God doesn't say no, but he does say slow. 00:12:02.580 --> 00:12:08.460 Thirdly, there might be times when actually there's something in us 00:12:08.460 --> 00:12:13.580 that just needs to develop first before we are ready to receive that which we are praying for. 00:12:14.420 --> 00:12:15.500 We need to develop. 00:12:15.980 --> 00:12:21.060 Something about us needs to calibrate with God, 00:12:21.920 --> 00:12:25.240 to calibrate with his desires. 00:12:26.180 --> 00:12:28.420 It may be that we need to grow, we need to develop, 00:12:28.759 --> 00:12:31.240 that we need to put things right within our relationships. 00:12:31.240 --> 00:12:35.600 We may be praying for a particular blessing on our lives in a particular way, 00:12:35.740 --> 00:12:40.700 but we have first to put something right with a relationship with somebody else, 00:12:40.860 --> 00:12:42.759 and deal with some unfinished business. 00:12:43.539 --> 00:12:45.200 And it may be that God is saying to us, 00:12:45.279 --> 00:12:48.919 you've got to sort this out in your life, and in your lifestyle first. 00:12:49.700 --> 00:12:50.500 And do that. 00:12:50.919 --> 00:12:54.379 Do it not because I'm being unkind to you, 00:12:54.419 --> 00:12:56.740 but because I love you and I want the very best for you. 00:12:56.740 --> 00:13:01.360 Again, remember the teaching of Jesus there in that parable. 00:13:01.500 --> 00:13:05.399 He says, which of you, you know, if a son asks for a fish, we'll give him a snake. 00:13:08.460 --> 00:13:10.560 It may well be that over a course of time, 00:13:10.659 --> 00:13:12.240 we just need to recalibrate, 00:13:12.379 --> 00:13:16.740 that we need to be in a place where the desires of our own hearts 00:13:16.740 --> 00:13:19.639 actually reflect the desires of the Father's heart. 00:13:19.639 --> 00:13:24.819 And so sometimes the answer, therefore, may not be no, 00:13:25.059 --> 00:13:27.539 and it might not be slow, but it is grow. 00:13:29.980 --> 00:13:33.879 But, Bill Hybel said, you know, if the request is right, 00:13:34.080 --> 00:13:37.620 and if the timing is right, and if we're right, then God says go. 00:13:39.080 --> 00:13:42.639 But the point is, is that with all of this, it's a process of discernment. 00:13:42.639 --> 00:13:47.779 But you won't know if God's answer is go, unless you ask him. 00:13:48.000 --> 00:13:48.819 And that's the point. 00:13:50.039 --> 00:13:52.360 So we should be bold in our prayers. 00:13:53.039 --> 00:13:55.340 We should be direct and explicit. 00:13:56.399 --> 00:13:59.019 And there is nothing wrong with laying this before God, 00:13:59.100 --> 00:14:00.039 what is on our hearts. 00:14:01.039 --> 00:14:06.240 As long as we do so with that spirit of expectancy, 00:14:06.639 --> 00:14:08.419 combined with humility, 00:14:08.419 --> 00:14:14.819 with Lord, I recognise that this might not be the right timing now. 00:14:15.439 --> 00:14:18.319 I recognise that this might not be the right request, 00:14:18.439 --> 00:14:21.259 or there might be something that needs to be put right within my heart 00:14:21.259 --> 00:14:23.839 before what I'm praying for will come to be. 00:14:24.120 --> 00:14:26.219 But Lord, this is what's on my heart now, 00:14:26.259 --> 00:14:28.479 and I'm being honest with you, and I'm pouring it out before you. 00:14:29.339 --> 00:14:30.759 It's knocking on that door. 00:14:31.659 --> 00:14:32.839 But if we don't knock, 00:14:33.679 --> 00:14:35.519 we shouldn't be surprised when it's not answered. 00:14:35.519 --> 00:14:39.059 So let's be bold in our prayers, 00:14:39.639 --> 00:14:42.240 because it is only when we ask 00:14:42.240 --> 00:14:47.240 that we can begin to learn what the heart of the Father might be for us. 00:14:50.740 --> 00:14:52.480 And one thing I can say is this, 00:14:52.539 --> 00:14:53.460 that I do know, 00:14:54.460 --> 00:14:55.860 often I've found that people 00:14:55.860 --> 00:14:59.720 have said that when they have started talking to Jesus, 00:15:00.740 --> 00:15:01.919 when they've become a Christian, 00:15:02.039 --> 00:15:03.199 when they've given their life to him, 00:15:03.200 --> 00:15:07.640 and they begin to actually lay what is on their hearts before God in prayer, 00:15:07.759 --> 00:15:08.840 openly and honestly, 00:15:09.400 --> 00:15:11.940 life seems to strangely come together. 00:15:12.900 --> 00:15:14.420 It doesn't necessarily all sort of, 00:15:14.440 --> 00:15:15.960 there's going to be problems and challenges 00:15:15.960 --> 00:15:17.480 as long as we're in this world. 00:15:18.220 --> 00:15:22.020 But it seems to be a strange set of coincidences, 00:15:22.180 --> 00:15:23.400 over and over again, 00:15:23.820 --> 00:15:27.280 that when people say that they begin to ask God to answer prayers, 00:15:27.340 --> 00:15:28.940 and they're honest with God in their prayers, 00:15:28.940 --> 00:15:34.500 that those coincidences that can either be falsified or verified, 00:15:34.500 --> 00:15:38.100 those coincidences seem to somehow stack up. 00:15:42.100 --> 00:15:43.680 Let's be bold 00:15:43.680 --> 00:15:48.680 in our expectation as we live in the horizon of hope. 00:15:48.679 --> 00:15:52.419 But the second thing I would say 00:15:52.419 --> 00:15:57.759 is that this parable encourages us not only to be bold, 00:15:57.959 --> 00:15:59.039 but to be brave. 00:16:02.319 --> 00:16:04.799 You see, living in the horizon of Christ's promise 00:16:04.799 --> 00:16:07.120 does not immunise us 00:16:07.120 --> 00:16:08.699 from suffering, 00:16:09.199 --> 00:16:10.179 or problems, 00:16:10.399 --> 00:16:11.019 or difficulties, 00:16:11.179 --> 00:16:11.699 or challenges. 00:16:11.700 --> 00:16:14.500 And it would be misleading 00:16:14.500 --> 00:16:16.020 if we were to suggest otherwise. 00:16:16.300 --> 00:16:17.480 And Jesus never said 00:16:17.480 --> 00:16:19.040 that the moment you follow him, 00:16:19.420 --> 00:16:20.900 everything will become hunky-dory. 00:16:21.280 --> 00:16:22.560 In fact, the very opposite. 00:16:23.379 --> 00:16:23.820 He said, 00:16:24.180 --> 00:16:25.560 expect it to be difficult. 00:16:25.800 --> 00:16:26.720 Take up your cross 00:16:26.720 --> 00:16:27.860 and follow me. 00:16:29.800 --> 00:16:31.900 Living in the horizon of Christ's promise 00:16:31.900 --> 00:16:33.200 does not remove us, 00:16:33.940 --> 00:16:34.960 or immunise us, 00:16:35.020 --> 00:16:36.700 from the reality of death and dying. 00:16:36.700 --> 00:16:40.120 But it means that death 00:16:40.120 --> 00:16:43.100 is no longer seen as the ultimate reality, 00:16:43.960 --> 00:16:46.360 but rather something that we pass through. 00:16:48.860 --> 00:16:49.720 Years ago, 00:16:50.360 --> 00:16:51.560 decades ago actually, 00:16:51.640 --> 00:16:53.640 there was a series of radio broadcasts 00:16:53.640 --> 00:16:55.220 called All Stations to the Cross. 00:16:56.160 --> 00:16:57.300 In one particular episode, 00:16:57.860 --> 00:16:59.360 there was a vicar, 00:17:00.100 --> 00:17:01.379 I can't remember his name, 00:17:01.620 --> 00:17:04.240 but he was being interviewed 00:17:04.240 --> 00:17:09.319 about his experience of dying. 00:17:09.759 --> 00:17:12.480 He had a life-threatening disease, 00:17:12.740 --> 00:17:13.680 and he had been told 00:17:13.680 --> 00:17:14.900 that he had a very, 00:17:15.059 --> 00:17:16.819 very limited time left. 00:17:19.420 --> 00:17:20.740 And during the interview, 00:17:21.180 --> 00:17:22.259 he was asked, 00:17:23.680 --> 00:17:24.599 if you know this, 00:17:25.380 --> 00:17:27.299 why do you keep on going? 00:17:27.500 --> 00:17:28.700 Why are you still doing 00:17:28.700 --> 00:17:29.740 what you're able to do? 00:17:29.740 --> 00:17:31.319 Why are you in the studio today 00:17:31.319 --> 00:17:32.259 giving an interview 00:17:32.259 --> 00:17:34.039 when you know that you're going to die? 00:17:34.240 --> 00:17:37.120 Why don't you just kind of 00:17:37.120 --> 00:17:38.420 resign yourself to reality 00:17:38.420 --> 00:17:42.799 and just give up now? 00:17:45.400 --> 00:17:46.779 His answer was fascinating. 00:17:46.960 --> 00:17:47.500 He said this, 00:17:48.400 --> 00:17:49.339 I could do that. 00:17:50.440 --> 00:17:51.440 But if I was to do it, 00:17:51.480 --> 00:17:52.859 it would be almost like 00:17:52.859 --> 00:17:54.400 going to a party 00:17:54.400 --> 00:17:57.799 and then refusing to take my coat off 00:17:57.799 --> 00:17:59.480 for the whole evening 00:17:59.480 --> 00:18:01.839 because I know that a taxi 00:18:01.839 --> 00:18:03.079 is coming at the end 00:18:03.079 --> 00:18:04.579 to take me home. 00:18:09.720 --> 00:18:10.720 That's being brave. 00:18:12.559 --> 00:18:13.079 You see, 00:18:13.159 --> 00:18:14.319 living in hopeful expectation 00:18:14.319 --> 00:18:15.019 doesn't deny 00:18:15.019 --> 00:18:16.720 any realities of death 00:18:16.720 --> 00:18:18.199 or challenge 00:18:18.199 --> 00:18:19.159 or the things 00:18:19.159 --> 00:18:20.099 that are frankly 00:18:20.099 --> 00:18:20.919 part of life. 00:18:21.059 --> 00:18:21.839 And Jesus never said 00:18:21.839 --> 00:18:22.659 that was the case. 00:18:24.619 --> 00:18:26.199 But that doesn't remove 00:18:26.200 --> 00:18:27.960 the sense of expectation 00:18:27.960 --> 00:18:29.640 that defines what 00:18:29.640 --> 00:18:30.799 Christian hope is. 00:18:33.640 --> 00:18:34.440 I'm going to pray 00:18:34.440 --> 00:18:35.080 in just a moment 00:18:35.080 --> 00:18:36.220 but I just want to share 00:18:36.220 --> 00:18:37.519 one last image with you. 00:18:38.519 --> 00:18:39.580 And it comes from 00:18:39.580 --> 00:18:40.819 Cardinal 00:18:40.819 --> 00:18:42.360 Raniero 00:18:42.360 --> 00:18:43.940 Cantalameta, 00:18:44.080 --> 00:18:44.819 I think it's pronounced. 00:18:45.880 --> 00:18:48.019 He's a Catholic priest. 00:18:48.019 --> 00:18:49.900 And he once said 00:18:49.900 --> 00:18:50.599 that faith 00:18:50.599 --> 00:18:51.119 and hope 00:18:51.119 --> 00:18:51.720 and love 00:18:51.720 --> 00:18:53.279 which I talked about 00:18:53.279 --> 00:18:54.019 in the New Testament 00:18:54.019 --> 00:18:54.819 as those three 00:18:54.819 --> 00:18:56.200 classic Christian virtues. 00:18:56.420 --> 00:18:56.700 Faith, 00:18:56.819 --> 00:18:57.440 hope and love 00:18:57.440 --> 00:18:57.759 he said 00:18:57.759 --> 00:18:58.579 might be understood 00:18:58.579 --> 00:18:59.700 as three sisters. 00:19:01.460 --> 00:19:01.839 Faith, 00:19:01.940 --> 00:19:02.460 hope and love. 00:19:02.519 --> 00:19:02.759 He said 00:19:02.759 --> 00:19:03.339 two of them 00:19:03.339 --> 00:19:04.059 are grown up 00:19:04.059 --> 00:19:05.680 but hope 00:19:05.680 --> 00:19:06.480 is the child 00:19:06.480 --> 00:19:07.139 in the middle. 00:19:08.279 --> 00:19:09.079 And if you can imagine 00:19:09.079 --> 00:19:09.579 faith, 00:19:09.700 --> 00:19:10.379 hope and love 00:19:10.379 --> 00:19:11.579 with hope 00:19:11.579 --> 00:19:12.200 as the child 00:19:12.200 --> 00:19:12.740 in the middle 00:19:12.740 --> 00:19:13.839 and they're walking along 00:19:13.839 --> 00:19:15.959 and this little child 00:19:15.959 --> 00:19:17.119 is holding the hands 00:19:17.119 --> 00:19:18.119 of the other two sisters. 00:19:18.779 --> 00:19:19.939 And as they're walking along 00:19:19.939 --> 00:19:20.519 so the child 00:19:20.519 --> 00:19:21.419 is so much smaller, 00:19:21.740 --> 00:19:22.459 smaller legs, 00:19:22.539 --> 00:19:23.240 can't keep up 00:19:23.240 --> 00:19:24.039 with the other two 00:19:24.039 --> 00:19:27.359 but they're sort of swinging. 00:19:28.119 --> 00:19:28.179 Yeah? 00:19:28.819 --> 00:19:29.659 You often see this, 00:19:29.759 --> 00:19:30.000 don't you? 00:19:30.039 --> 00:19:30.959 You see two grown ups 00:19:30.959 --> 00:19:31.779 with a child in between 00:19:31.779 --> 00:19:32.579 and they're walking along 00:19:32.579 --> 00:19:34.159 and they walk along 00:19:34.159 --> 00:19:35.139 one, two, three, 00:19:35.259 --> 00:19:35.659 whee! 00:19:35.839 --> 00:19:36.679 And they're always like 00:19:36.679 --> 00:19:37.779 leave the ground 00:19:37.779 --> 00:19:39.419 as the legs are sort of 00:19:39.419 --> 00:19:40.439 doing this 00:19:40.439 --> 00:19:41.899 running in mid air 00:19:41.899 --> 00:19:42.959 and then they land again. 00:19:42.960 --> 00:19:44.220 And so this whole thing 00:19:44.220 --> 00:19:45.380 of like swinging along 00:19:45.380 --> 00:19:45.940 in between 00:19:45.940 --> 00:19:47.299 the two grown ups. 00:19:47.500 --> 00:19:48.440 Hope is like that, 00:19:48.500 --> 00:19:48.900 he said. 00:19:50.420 --> 00:19:51.160 But he said the thing is 00:19:51.160 --> 00:19:51.640 is that 00:19:51.640 --> 00:19:53.960 at face value 00:19:53.960 --> 00:19:55.079 it would seem 00:19:55.079 --> 00:19:57.779 that it's the two grown ups 00:19:57.779 --> 00:19:59.039 that are carrying, 00:19:59.279 --> 00:20:00.180 that are swinging 00:20:00.180 --> 00:20:01.500 the child. 00:20:03.660 --> 00:20:04.500 But that's not 00:20:04.500 --> 00:20:05.039 what's happening. 00:20:06.620 --> 00:20:07.860 Such is the sense 00:20:07.860 --> 00:20:10.100 of youthful energy, 00:20:10.460 --> 00:20:11.779 the sense of childlike wonder, 00:20:11.860 --> 00:20:12.720 the sense of excitement 00:20:12.720 --> 00:20:14.220 the sense of joy 00:20:14.220 --> 00:20:14.640 and wonder 00:20:14.640 --> 00:20:15.339 of being alive 00:20:15.339 --> 00:20:16.279 and just wanting 00:20:16.279 --> 00:20:17.180 to fly again. 00:20:18.960 --> 00:20:20.319 It's that in hope 00:20:20.319 --> 00:20:22.700 which actually pulls 00:20:22.700 --> 00:20:23.680 faith and love 00:20:23.680 --> 00:20:24.740 those other two sisters 00:20:24.740 --> 00:20:25.180 behind. 00:20:29.500 --> 00:20:30.700 Living in the horizon 00:20:30.700 --> 00:20:32.900 of Christ's promises, 00:20:34.059 --> 00:20:35.240 living like the kingdom 00:20:35.240 --> 00:20:35.720 is near. 00:20:38.059 --> 00:20:39.400 So we come to pray now. 00:20:39.400 --> 00:20:42.460 let's pray that we may be 00:20:42.460 --> 00:20:44.040 re-energised in that hope 00:20:44.040 --> 00:20:47.880 and encounter again 00:20:47.880 --> 00:20:49.060 the joy of hope 00:20:49.060 --> 00:20:52.160 swinging before us 00:20:52.160 --> 00:20:53.980 and pulling us forward. 00:20:55.560 --> 00:20:56.259 Let's pray. 00:20:56.259 --> 00:21:03.160 As we come to pray, 00:21:03.279 --> 00:21:04.259 we're aware that 00:21:04.259 --> 00:21:05.559 praying, 00:21:05.740 --> 00:21:05.900 well, 00:21:06.700 --> 00:21:08.000 although we are united 00:21:08.000 --> 00:21:08.599 in the same thing, 00:21:08.660 --> 00:21:09.279 we're praying to 00:21:09.279 --> 00:21:10.299 praying to Jesus, 00:21:10.460 --> 00:21:11.400 praying in the Holy Spirit, 00:21:11.940 --> 00:21:12.559 each of us 00:21:12.559 --> 00:21:13.599 is a different person 00:21:13.599 --> 00:21:14.500 with a different life 00:21:14.500 --> 00:21:15.180 and a different set 00:21:15.180 --> 00:21:16.140 of circumstances 00:21:16.140 --> 00:21:17.180 and 00:21:17.180 --> 00:21:19.099 so we bring something 00:21:19.099 --> 00:21:19.579 different 00:21:19.579 --> 00:21:20.379 in prayer 00:21:20.379 --> 00:21:21.119 and so I just want to 00:21:21.119 --> 00:21:22.359 give space for that 00:21:22.359 --> 00:21:23.039 right now. 00:21:23.039 --> 00:21:24.980 so just in the moment 00:21:24.980 --> 00:21:25.940 of stillness, 00:21:28.279 --> 00:21:29.379 I invite you just to bring 00:21:29.379 --> 00:21:30.960 your own heart, 00:21:31.119 --> 00:21:31.819 your own mind 00:21:31.819 --> 00:21:33.299 and your own circumstances 00:21:33.299 --> 00:21:33.879 in life 00:21:33.879 --> 00:21:34.579 before God 00:21:34.579 --> 00:21:35.299 right now. 00:21:46.299 --> 00:21:47.359 As you hold that 00:21:47.359 --> 00:21:48.099 before God, 00:21:48.099 --> 00:21:53.500 the stillness of this moment, 00:21:55.299 --> 00:21:56.039 bring 00:21:56.039 --> 00:21:57.879 whatever is 00:21:57.879 --> 00:21:58.939 on your heart 00:21:58.939 --> 00:21:59.779 and mind. 00:22:07.319 --> 00:22:08.459 Whatever hopes, 00:22:08.699 --> 00:22:09.319 whatever dreams, 00:22:09.500 --> 00:22:10.439 whatever sense of 00:22:10.439 --> 00:22:12.459 concern you might have 00:22:12.459 --> 00:22:12.980 right now, 00:22:14.519 --> 00:22:15.519 whatever you're going through, 00:22:15.519 --> 00:22:17.279 just bring it before him 00:22:17.279 --> 00:22:20.119 and lay it before him. 00:22:39.639 --> 00:22:40.460 Lord Jesus, 00:22:40.639 --> 00:22:42.319 thank you that you teach us 00:22:42.319 --> 00:22:43.200 to be bold. 00:22:43.200 --> 00:22:48.299 thank you that you call us 00:22:48.299 --> 00:22:48.600 to, 00:22:48.680 --> 00:22:49.220 you invite us 00:22:49.220 --> 00:22:50.120 to live in a 00:22:50.120 --> 00:22:52.299 horizon of expectation 00:22:52.299 --> 00:22:55.660 for that sense of promise 00:22:55.660 --> 00:22:56.080 that 00:22:56.080 --> 00:22:57.440 knock and the door 00:22:57.440 --> 00:22:58.000 will be opened, 00:22:58.200 --> 00:22:59.559 ask and we shall receive. 00:23:02.840 --> 00:23:03.259 Lord, 00:23:03.299 --> 00:23:04.100 in our humanity, 00:23:04.500 --> 00:23:04.940 sometimes 00:23:04.940 --> 00:23:06.360 there are things 00:23:06.360 --> 00:23:06.940 we ask for, 00:23:07.000 --> 00:23:07.539 the timing 00:23:07.539 --> 00:23:08.580 or where we're at 00:23:08.580 --> 00:23:10.000 that might not align 00:23:10.000 --> 00:23:11.360 with your purposes 00:23:11.360 --> 00:23:12.100 right there, 00:23:12.099 --> 00:23:13.000 but thank you 00:23:13.000 --> 00:23:14.619 that you still say, 00:23:14.879 --> 00:23:15.619 ask anyway. 00:23:18.179 --> 00:23:18.699 So Lord, 00:23:18.740 --> 00:23:19.639 as we ask you, 00:23:19.740 --> 00:23:20.519 we pray that 00:23:20.519 --> 00:23:21.459 you would give us 00:23:21.459 --> 00:23:21.799 wisdom, 00:23:22.000 --> 00:23:22.959 insight and maturity, 00:23:23.459 --> 00:23:24.639 that you would 00:23:24.639 --> 00:23:25.500 eventually shape 00:23:25.500 --> 00:23:26.740 the desires of our hearts 00:23:26.740 --> 00:23:27.459 around your will 00:23:27.459 --> 00:23:28.019 and purposes. 00:23:31.519 --> 00:23:31.879 Lord, 00:23:31.939 --> 00:23:32.399 right now, 00:23:32.500 --> 00:23:33.399 we bring you 00:23:33.399 --> 00:23:34.339 those things 00:23:34.339 --> 00:23:35.240 that are on our hearts 00:23:35.240 --> 00:23:36.279 and we ask you 00:23:36.279 --> 00:23:36.899 to meet us 00:23:36.899 --> 00:23:37.699 in that place 00:23:37.700 --> 00:23:39.240 to minister 00:23:39.240 --> 00:23:40.680 in the power 00:23:40.680 --> 00:23:41.500 and the peace 00:23:41.500 --> 00:23:41.980 and the joy 00:23:41.980 --> 00:23:42.860 of your Holy Spirit. 00:23:49.420 --> 00:23:49.819 Lord, 00:23:49.900 --> 00:23:50.660 you also call us 00:23:50.660 --> 00:23:51.400 to be brave. 00:23:53.200 --> 00:23:53.700 There will be 00:23:53.700 --> 00:23:54.600 some situations 00:23:54.600 --> 00:23:56.940 that we can't change, 00:23:58.840 --> 00:24:00.039 but Lord, 00:24:00.100 --> 00:24:00.799 you call us 00:24:00.799 --> 00:24:02.299 to live expectantly, 00:24:02.440 --> 00:24:03.140 knowing that 00:24:03.140 --> 00:24:03.840 the horizon 00:24:03.840 --> 00:24:04.620 before us 00:24:04.620 --> 00:24:05.500 is one of a 00:24:05.500 --> 00:24:06.400 hopeful future. 00:24:06.400 --> 00:24:08.940 So even where 00:24:08.940 --> 00:24:09.620 we find it 00:24:09.620 --> 00:24:10.560 so hard 00:24:10.560 --> 00:24:11.259 to see 00:24:11.259 --> 00:24:12.540 beyond the clouds, 00:24:13.580 --> 00:24:15.300 help us 00:24:15.300 --> 00:24:16.000 to do so. 00:24:16.860 --> 00:24:17.240 Help us 00:24:17.240 --> 00:24:17.940 to trust 00:24:17.940 --> 00:24:18.519 in you. 00:24:19.519 --> 00:24:20.019 May that 00:24:20.019 --> 00:24:20.820 light of hope 00:24:20.820 --> 00:24:21.560 burn through 00:24:21.560 --> 00:24:22.100 the mist 00:24:22.100 --> 00:24:25.280 that we may 00:24:25.280 --> 00:24:26.280 lay hold 00:24:26.280 --> 00:24:27.060 of you 00:24:27.060 --> 00:24:28.259 and your 00:24:28.259 --> 00:24:28.400 presence 00:24:28.940 --> 00:24:30.620 in hope 00:24:30.620 --> 00:24:31.060 and in 00:24:31.060 --> 00:24:32.060 expectation 00:24:32.060 --> 00:24:32.400 now. 00:24:33.220 --> 00:24:33.560 now. 00:24:33.560 --> 00:24:33.560 00:24:33.560 --> 00:24:33.560 00:24:33.560 --> 00:24:33.560 00:24:33.560 --> 00:24:33.560 00:24:33.560 --> 00:24:33.560 00:24:33.560 --> 00:24:33.560 00:24:33.560 --> 00:24:33.560 00:24:33.560 --> 00:24:33.560 00:24:33.560 --> 00:24:33.560 00:24:33.560 --> 00:24:33.560 00:24:33.560 --> 00:24:33.560 00:24:33.560 --> 00:24:33.560 00:24:33.560 --> 00:24:33.560 00:24:33.560 --> 00:24:33.560 00:24:33.560 --> 00:24:33.560 00:24:33.560 --> 00:24:33.560 00:24:33.560 --> 00:24:33.560 00:24:33.560 --> 00:24:33.560 00:24:33.560 --> 00:24:33.560 00:24:33.560 --> 00:24:33.560 00:24:33.560 --> 00:24:33.560 00:24:33.560 --> 00:24:33.560 00:24:33.560 --> 00:24:33.560 00:24:33.560 --> 00:24:33.560 00:24:33.560 --> 00:24:33.560 00:24:33.560 --> 00:24:33.560 00:24:33.560 --> 00:24:33.560 00:24:33.560 --> 00:24:33.560 00:24:33.560 --> 00:24:33.560 00:24:33.560 --> 00:24:33.560 00:24:33.560 --> 00:24:33.560 00:24:33.560 --> 00:24:33.560 00:24:33.560 --> 00:24:33.560 00:24:33.560 --> 00:24:33.560 00:24:33.560 --> 00:24:33.560 00:24:33.560 --> 00:24:33.560 00:24:33.560 --> 00:24:33.560 00:24:33.560 --> 00:24:33.560 00:24:33.560 --> 00:24:33.560 00:24:33.560 --> 00:24:33.560 00:24:33.560 --> 00:24:33.560 00:24:33.560 --> 00:24:33.560 00:24:33.560 --> 00:24:33.560 00:24:33.560 --> 00:24:33.560 00:24:33.560 --> 00:24:33.560 00:24:33.560 --> 00:24:33.560 00:24:33.560 --> 00:24:33.560 00:24:33.560 --> 00:24:33.560 00:24:33.560 --> 00:24:33.560 00:24:33.560 --> 00:24:33.560 00:24:33.560 --> 00:24:33.560 00:24:33.560 --> 00:24:33.560 00:24:33.560 --> 00:24:33.560 00:24:33.560 --> 00:24:33.560 00:24:33.560 --> 00:24:33.560 00:24:33.559 --> 00:24:37.839 Holy Spirit, continue to move among us, 00:24:39.599 --> 00:24:44.799 guide us and direct our paths now and in this coming week. 00:24:46.460 --> 00:24:48.639 In the name of Jesus we pray. 00:24:50.460 --> 00:24:51.179 Amen.