WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:04.759 encouraging and comforting and urging. 00:00:06.919 --> 00:00:10.980 A church that's about discipleship and that takes discipling seriously 00:00:10.980 --> 00:00:15.200 is a church that recognises that spiritual growth is a lifelong process. 00:00:15.519 --> 00:00:16.399 It never stops. 00:00:17.400 --> 00:00:21.120 John Wesley said that, you know, there's no standing still as a Christian. 00:00:21.260 --> 00:00:22.500 You must either rise or fall. 00:00:23.839 --> 00:00:24.740 So which is it going to be? 00:00:24.739 --> 00:00:30.439 And broadly speaking, what that looks like in practical terms, 00:00:30.500 --> 00:00:35.039 as Paul captures there, is that churches that take discipleship seriously 00:00:35.039 --> 00:00:40.179 need to take seriously the importance of encouraging and comforting, 00:00:41.560 --> 00:00:43.840 but also not being afraid to urge. 00:00:45.140 --> 00:00:46.179 You know, that's a challenge. 00:00:49.560 --> 00:00:52.579 Pablo Casals was a brilliant musician. 00:00:52.579 --> 00:00:56.140 He lived from 1876 to 1973. 00:00:56.500 --> 00:01:01.479 Many regard him as one of the finest cellists who ever lived. 00:01:02.879 --> 00:01:06.120 When he was 95 years old, he was asked, 00:01:07.179 --> 00:01:12.060 why did he still practise the cello for six hours every day? 00:01:13.659 --> 00:01:17.659 He said, because I think I'm making progress. 00:01:17.659 --> 00:01:23.479 Growth in discipleship is a lifelong thing. 00:01:23.859 --> 00:01:25.439 And if we're going to take that seriously, 00:01:25.619 --> 00:01:31.659 we need to take seriously the importance of the ongoingness of growth. 00:01:32.519 --> 00:01:34.459 Jesus never said, go and make converts. 00:01:35.259 --> 00:01:39.819 Being a convert is quite easy because it's in the moment, that change. 00:01:41.420 --> 00:01:42.819 Jesus said, make disciples. 00:01:43.539 --> 00:01:45.400 Discipleship is far more complex. 00:01:45.539 --> 00:01:46.699 That's where the rubber hits the road. 00:01:46.700 --> 00:01:55.379 That's a lifelong challenge of ongoing growth and transformation throughout our whole lives. 00:01:55.439 --> 00:01:56.420 It never stops. 00:01:57.859 --> 00:02:06.420 So how, in practical terms, can we kind of go about both making disciples and being made into disciples? 00:02:06.640 --> 00:02:11.340 What do we find in these words from Paul in Thessalonians? 00:02:11.340 --> 00:02:13.180 Well, we have these key words. 00:02:13.500 --> 00:02:20.080 He says that you are to be about the business of encouraging and comforting and also urging. 00:02:21.140 --> 00:02:26.360 And interestingly, the word urging there in the Greek means something like being a witness to. 00:02:27.780 --> 00:02:29.140 Being a witness to God. 00:02:29.659 --> 00:02:31.620 Coming back to the challenge of the gospel. 00:02:31.759 --> 00:02:33.259 We need both if we're going to grow. 00:02:33.259 --> 00:02:36.379 So let's just briefly spend a few moments thinking about what that means, what that looks like. 00:02:36.579 --> 00:02:40.620 Firstly, let's think about the encouragement and the comfort. 00:02:40.879 --> 00:02:43.219 What that means, what that looks like. 00:02:44.019 --> 00:02:46.979 You know, it's really important that we encourage each other. 00:02:47.560 --> 00:02:49.959 That we say positive things to each other. 00:02:50.519 --> 00:02:55.560 It's too easy to assume that somebody that we see as doing really well at something, 00:02:55.560 --> 00:03:02.080 or perhaps we see as really spiritually mature, to think, well, that person doesn't need any more encouragement from me. 00:03:03.060 --> 00:03:04.500 Because we all need encouragement. 00:03:05.180 --> 00:03:06.039 We need to give it. 00:03:06.960 --> 00:03:09.400 And I think we tend to hold back on that. 00:03:10.039 --> 00:03:12.000 And yet it's so simple and so easy to do. 00:03:13.300 --> 00:03:19.020 And I would say it's far better to make the assumption that somebody needs that encouragement 00:03:19.020 --> 00:03:21.060 than to assume that they don't. 00:03:21.060 --> 00:03:27.640 So I want to challenge all of us that the next time, the very next time that even a hint of a thought enters your head, 00:03:27.960 --> 00:03:33.219 should I perhaps just encourage that person by saying something positive to them about something I've noticed that they've done, 00:03:33.280 --> 00:03:35.379 or something that I appreciate about them, do it. 00:03:35.920 --> 00:03:37.360 What is there to lose? 00:03:38.020 --> 00:03:44.300 There is far more to be lost by under-encouraging than there is by over-encouraging people. 00:03:45.000 --> 00:03:47.740 So let's not be afraid to encourage each other. 00:03:47.740 --> 00:03:50.840 Next time that thought enters your head, just don't hesitate. 00:03:51.100 --> 00:03:51.879 Go straight to it. 00:03:51.939 --> 00:03:56.140 Either speak to them, phone them, write to them, message them, whatever, but do it. 00:03:57.980 --> 00:04:04.439 But you know, the other side of that same coin is this challenge of being able to receive words of encouragement. 00:04:05.360 --> 00:04:07.379 Now maybe it's a British thing, I don't know. 00:04:08.379 --> 00:04:15.540 Psychologists cite a number of different reasons why we're not all that good at receiving positive words towards us. 00:04:15.539 --> 00:04:23.180 Sometimes it might be that we suspect other people's motives when they're starting to say nice things to us. 00:04:25.000 --> 00:04:32.439 Perhaps there's a sense of fear that we're going to be rumbled and that it's only a matter of time that they realise actually the positive things they're saying about us, 00:04:32.500 --> 00:04:34.060 we really don't deserve those things. 00:04:34.060 --> 00:04:46.720 It's probably more likely, I guess, that there's something deep within us, perhaps particularly in terms of Christian faith, 00:04:46.819 --> 00:04:55.319 that somehow tells us that somehow it's wrong to accept words of praise for somebody because we feel that it's somehow immodest to do so. 00:04:55.319 --> 00:04:58.560 But you know, we need encouragement. 00:04:59.800 --> 00:05:06.000 And that inward urge to bat it away when it comes our way, we need to be really careful in how we handle that. 00:05:06.699 --> 00:05:12.100 Because it's like if you were to give somebody a gift, they open it up and they bat it away and downplay it and say, 00:05:12.180 --> 00:05:13.420 oh no, I don't really want that. 00:05:13.759 --> 00:05:21.579 That's basically what we do when we effectively downplay or bat away somebody's positive words towards us. 00:05:21.579 --> 00:05:32.479 Next time somebody encourages you, and I hope they do, and you feel that slight sense of reluctance to accept their words, 00:05:32.879 --> 00:05:36.000 take a leaf out of the Americans book because they've got it right. 00:05:36.199 --> 00:05:40.519 They have a brilliant, brilliant way of responding to these things. 00:05:40.599 --> 00:05:42.479 They just simply say, you're welcome. 00:05:43.180 --> 00:05:43.839 It's great. 00:05:44.939 --> 00:05:50.180 Next time somebody says to you a positive thing, don't bat it away, just say, you're welcome and enjoy it. 00:05:50.180 --> 00:05:52.079 Because we need encouragement. 00:05:52.240 --> 00:05:53.540 We need those positive words. 00:05:54.439 --> 00:05:58.939 If we are to either rise or fall, as Wesley said, if we are to seriously grow, 00:05:59.720 --> 00:06:04.240 we need to give encouragement and we need to be able to receive encouragement and comfort. 00:06:06.960 --> 00:06:09.139 But that's not all that Paul says. 00:06:10.480 --> 00:06:14.759 Paul talks of the importance and the seriousness of having a culture in churches 00:06:14.759 --> 00:06:18.800 where we're unafraid to grasp nettles and do that tough talking. 00:06:18.800 --> 00:06:25.180 We need to be able, willing and prepared to urge one another. 00:06:26.439 --> 00:06:32.360 If we are going to rise or fall, sometimes there are things that need to be said that 00:06:32.360 --> 00:06:35.740 may not perhaps feel quite so comfortable. 00:06:37.139 --> 00:06:40.600 If we're going to grow, sometimes we need to grasp some nettles. 00:06:40.600 --> 00:06:47.100 And there may need to be conversations that are hard to say and hard to hear. 00:06:48.100 --> 00:06:52.939 Now, before I go any further, we've got to be super careful with this. 00:06:53.900 --> 00:06:58.060 That phrase, can I say something to you in love? 00:07:00.840 --> 00:07:04.540 Too often can serve as a prelude to kicking you very hard in the nuts. 00:07:04.540 --> 00:07:11.960 It's not a licence to judge or to criticise. 00:07:13.260 --> 00:07:18.439 I think the key question before we ever go about saying something to somebody 00:07:18.439 --> 00:07:22.240 or when we listen to something to somebody is this. 00:07:23.780 --> 00:07:25.960 Are we trying to help that person to grow? 00:07:25.959 --> 00:07:29.399 If you're thinking, should I say something to somebody, 00:07:29.579 --> 00:07:31.139 ask yourself the question, what's your motive? 00:07:32.000 --> 00:07:36.180 Do you want them to rise or actually deep down inside are you wanting to knock them down? 00:07:37.639 --> 00:07:40.899 And likewise, when somebody has said something to us that is challenging, 00:07:41.379 --> 00:07:45.620 before we just take deep offence by it, ask ourselves the question, 00:07:45.779 --> 00:07:47.159 why is this being said to me? 00:07:47.699 --> 00:07:51.060 Is it being said because they want to knock me down, they want me to fall, 00:07:51.159 --> 00:07:53.599 or is it because they want to build me up? 00:07:53.600 --> 00:07:59.120 If we are about the business of seriously trying to build one another up, 00:08:00.320 --> 00:08:06.360 then there may be a time and a place to speak that truth in love. 00:08:08.400 --> 00:08:10.680 You know, after the end of the Second World War, 00:08:11.580 --> 00:08:16.840 one particular commentator had a very, very strong theory 00:08:16.840 --> 00:08:20.560 that one of the many reasons why Hitler crumbled 00:08:20.560 --> 00:08:25.839 was simply because he would never, ever, ever listen to those warning him 00:08:25.839 --> 00:08:27.540 how serious the situation was. 00:08:28.480 --> 00:08:32.279 That he simply punished those who brought news to him 00:08:32.279 --> 00:08:35.059 that he just refused to listen to and didn't want to hear. 00:08:36.700 --> 00:08:39.899 If we're about the business of not standing still, 00:08:39.980 --> 00:08:41.860 but helping each other to rise and not fall, 00:08:41.860 --> 00:08:45.039 we need to be willing to face reality 00:08:45.039 --> 00:08:47.580 that sometimes tough talking is needed. 00:08:47.580 --> 00:08:52.920 We need, as Paul says, to be willing to urge and to be urged. 00:08:55.160 --> 00:08:57.940 In an interview last year with Robert Peston, 00:08:58.040 --> 00:08:59.180 some of you may have seen it, 00:08:59.879 --> 00:09:03.860 Boris Johnson was asked about his beliefs. 00:09:05.060 --> 00:09:07.600 He said, I'm a very, very bad Christian. 00:09:09.040 --> 00:09:10.360 And then he went on and said, 00:09:10.620 --> 00:09:14.820 Christianity is a superb ethical system. 00:09:14.820 --> 00:09:20.140 Now these sermons are recorded and put online. 00:09:21.140 --> 00:09:23.900 I think normally sometime around Sunday afternoon. 00:09:24.180 --> 00:09:29.379 I'm not sure that Boris Johnson is going to be listening to this this afternoon. 00:09:30.220 --> 00:09:34.040 He might have just about finished opening all his Father's Day cards by then. 00:09:37.160 --> 00:09:40.960 But, Boris, if you are listening, 00:09:40.960 --> 00:09:49.300 there is an ethical advisor who is always there for us. 00:09:51.100 --> 00:09:56.080 But he's far more than an ethical advisor. 00:09:57.519 --> 00:09:58.620 But seriously, 00:09:59.400 --> 00:10:02.180 seriously, that concept 00:10:02.180 --> 00:10:06.580 that I'm a very, very bad Christian, 00:10:06.580 --> 00:10:10.820 that's something that I do hear people say quite often, 00:10:11.280 --> 00:10:12.360 different versions of that. 00:10:13.040 --> 00:10:14.040 I'm a rubbish Christian. 00:10:14.139 --> 00:10:15.460 I'm not really a very good Christian. 00:10:16.620 --> 00:10:18.900 It completely misses the point, 00:10:19.040 --> 00:10:20.220 if that's what we think, 00:10:20.340 --> 00:10:21.639 that when we get things wrong, 00:10:21.720 --> 00:10:23.060 somehow we're a bad Christian. 00:10:23.200 --> 00:10:26.120 No, we are human beings as Christians, 00:10:26.540 --> 00:10:28.100 and we get things wrong. 00:10:28.460 --> 00:10:30.400 What we need is an understanding 00:10:30.400 --> 00:10:32.740 of what Christian community is, 00:10:32.860 --> 00:10:33.660 what faith community, 00:10:33.759 --> 00:10:34.560 what church is, 00:10:34.559 --> 00:10:36.119 that it's a place to grow. 00:10:36.839 --> 00:10:38.179 And that's the reason why, 00:10:38.559 --> 00:10:39.899 yes, we need to encourage each other, 00:10:39.939 --> 00:10:40.679 but there are times 00:10:40.679 --> 00:10:42.119 when we have to have those tough, 00:10:42.500 --> 00:10:43.479 difficult conversations 00:10:43.479 --> 00:10:45.839 that people would perhaps rather not have. 00:10:46.539 --> 00:10:47.859 Because it's only then 00:10:47.859 --> 00:10:50.259 that we can face reality and grow, 00:10:51.199 --> 00:10:52.699 whatever that means. 00:10:52.700 --> 00:11:02.960 Maybe perhaps we misunderstand 00:11:02.960 --> 00:11:04.379 what church is about. 00:11:05.340 --> 00:11:06.480 The following analogy, 00:11:06.580 --> 00:11:07.660 which I'm going to finish with now, 00:11:08.160 --> 00:11:08.680 may help. 00:11:09.700 --> 00:11:11.740 Think of church as being a bit like a garage. 00:11:13.340 --> 00:11:14.920 Now, church, sorry, garages, 00:11:15.480 --> 00:11:16.920 the word garage can mean, 00:11:17.600 --> 00:11:20.300 well, I think of two broadly different things. 00:11:20.299 --> 00:11:22.819 On the one hand, 00:11:23.819 --> 00:11:26.099 a garage could be a showroom. 00:11:27.259 --> 00:11:28.899 It could be a place 00:11:28.899 --> 00:11:31.139 that's just full of really lovely, 00:11:31.579 --> 00:11:33.279 brand new, shiny cars. 00:11:34.019 --> 00:11:35.699 You know, to the point where you walk in 00:11:35.699 --> 00:11:37.839 and you can see your reflection in the tyres. 00:11:38.079 --> 00:11:38.579 They're shining. 00:11:39.699 --> 00:11:42.379 Everything about them is absolutely spotless. 00:11:43.639 --> 00:11:46.919 And everything just smells new and luxurious. 00:11:46.919 --> 00:11:54.500 Sadly, that's often the kind of understanding 00:11:54.500 --> 00:11:56.679 that people have of what church is 00:11:56.679 --> 00:11:58.719 and of what Christians are meant to be. 00:11:59.620 --> 00:12:01.500 Spotless and shining. 00:12:04.659 --> 00:12:06.839 But then you've got the other meaning 00:12:06.839 --> 00:12:07.819 of the word garage, 00:12:08.819 --> 00:12:09.899 which is not a showroom. 00:12:10.299 --> 00:12:12.500 It's a place where you take your car 00:12:12.500 --> 00:12:14.860 to be serviced and fixed. 00:12:17.059 --> 00:12:19.159 And you wouldn't rock up into a showroom 00:12:19.159 --> 00:12:20.899 with a car that's got a problem. 00:12:22.820 --> 00:12:24.519 You need that other type of garage. 00:12:27.080 --> 00:12:29.100 As churches, we're in the business 00:12:29.100 --> 00:12:30.820 of not being a showroom 00:12:30.820 --> 00:12:32.860 that makes people feel 00:12:32.860 --> 00:12:34.779 that they're rubbish, bad Christians. 00:12:36.379 --> 00:12:38.720 We're in the business of fixing and repairing. 00:12:38.720 --> 00:12:42.259 And in order to fix and to repair 00:12:42.259 --> 00:12:44.300 and to make new beginnings and fresh starts 00:12:44.300 --> 00:12:45.399 and to grow and to flourish 00:12:45.399 --> 00:12:47.139 and to rise and not fall 00:12:47.139 --> 00:12:49.060 and not to stand still, 00:12:50.500 --> 00:12:51.840 if we're going to do that, 00:12:52.820 --> 00:12:54.620 we need to be unafraid 00:12:54.620 --> 00:12:57.180 to engage in the tough talking 00:12:57.180 --> 00:13:00.320 as well as bringing words of encouragement 00:13:00.320 --> 00:13:02.360 and affirmation. 00:13:02.360 --> 00:13:10.300 Let's rise and not fall. 00:13:11.580 --> 00:13:12.600 But when we do, 00:13:12.740 --> 00:13:14.240 let's not be afraid 00:13:14.240 --> 00:13:16.039 to grab hold of those pieces, 00:13:16.659 --> 00:13:19.440 to put one another back together again, 00:13:20.240 --> 00:13:22.100 but most definitely 00:13:22.100 --> 00:13:24.259 never to stand still. 00:13:26.659 --> 00:13:27.379 Let's pray. 00:13:27.379 --> 00:13:27.420 Let's pray. 00:13:32.360 --> 00:13:39.580 Lord, thank you 00:13:39.580 --> 00:13:43.480 that as a loving father 00:13:43.480 --> 00:13:45.659 receives his child, 00:13:46.320 --> 00:13:48.399 so you are always there 00:13:48.399 --> 00:13:49.720 ready to receive us. 00:13:52.720 --> 00:13:55.519 Help us to be a place, 00:13:56.279 --> 00:13:57.600 a gathering, a fellowship, 00:13:57.759 --> 00:13:58.920 a community of people 00:13:58.920 --> 00:14:00.039 that are unafraid 00:14:00.039 --> 00:14:02.000 to talk what needs 00:14:02.000 --> 00:14:02.980 to be talked about. 00:14:04.419 --> 00:14:05.939 Help us to be ready 00:14:05.939 --> 00:14:07.439 and willing to affirm 00:14:07.439 --> 00:14:09.439 and to encourage 00:14:09.439 --> 00:14:11.120 and to comfort one another 00:14:11.120 --> 00:14:12.740 and help us to be ready 00:14:12.740 --> 00:14:14.659 and willing to receive words 00:14:14.659 --> 00:14:16.779 of encouragement and comfort. 00:14:19.259 --> 00:14:21.139 Help us also to be ready 00:14:21.139 --> 00:14:23.139 and willing to speak words 00:14:23.139 --> 00:14:25.079 of urging one another 00:14:25.079 --> 00:14:26.779 and help us to be ready 00:14:26.779 --> 00:14:28.339 and willing to receive them. 00:14:30.039 --> 00:14:32.299 that we may be a community 00:14:32.299 --> 00:14:35.339 of building one another up, 00:14:35.919 --> 00:14:38.459 to rise and not fall 00:14:38.459 --> 00:14:41.439 and certainly never to stand still. 00:14:43.039 --> 00:14:44.299 Help us to grow 00:14:44.299 --> 00:14:46.259 each and every day 00:14:46.259 --> 00:14:47.360 as your children. 00:14:48.319 --> 00:14:49.539 In Jesus' name. 00:14:51.159 --> 00:14:51.480 Amen. 00:14:51.480 --> 00:14:51.620 Amen. 00:14:51.620 --> 00:14:51.679 Amen. 00:14:51.679 --> 00:14:51.699 Amen. 00:14:51.699 --> 00:14:51.719 Amen.