WEBVTT 00:00:00.320 --> 00:00:06.459 Welcome all, it's good to see you. Welcome those who are listening on the podcast this morning and 00:00:06.459 --> 00:00:13.740 we'll be listening during the week. We've come to the point in our four-point gospel of where last 00:00:13.740 --> 00:00:19.359 week we'd looked at the cross, we'd looked at the love of God first there. This week we're looking 00:00:19.359 --> 00:00:28.440 at the X which is about sin. There was a vicar got up and thought he would actually teach the church 00:00:28.440 --> 00:00:36.340 about the sin of lying. So he said I just want you to go away this week and read Mark 17 and come back 00:00:36.340 --> 00:00:41.900 which would be really good. And so the next week they all came back and he said I'd just like you 00:00:41.900 --> 00:00:47.420 to put your hands up for all those of you who've been reading Mark 17. Of course everybody put their 00:00:47.420 --> 00:00:54.020 hand up. He said I think we need to preach on this. There's only 16 chapters in Mark's gospel. 00:00:54.020 --> 00:01:03.200 This week I've been thinking about this thing about sin and how we want to deal with that, 00:01:03.260 --> 00:01:07.000 how we want to talk about that, how we want to acknowledge that, how we want to overcome that. 00:01:07.340 --> 00:01:16.760 And this week, I don't know about you, I'm being very judicious in washing my hands for 20 seconds. 00:01:16.760 --> 00:01:24.600 Now I've been told by the press that it's a good idea to do this while you're singing happy birthday. 00:01:25.460 --> 00:01:30.359 Happy birthday to you. Well I don't know, I got a bit fed up with that really to be honest. 00:01:30.900 --> 00:01:35.400 You know, while you're stood there and you know wherever you wash your hands in a public place, 00:01:35.540 --> 00:01:40.439 you know, people do look at you a little bit strangely as you're singing happy birthday to 00:01:40.439 --> 00:01:46.360 yourself as you go along. So I thought we could use this as an evangelistic opportunity people. 00:01:46.760 --> 00:01:54.160 And so I thought we'd come up with this this morning and I want to give thanks really to, 00:01:54.280 --> 00:02:01.040 let's have a look, where is it? It is actually the first Baptist church in Glen Arden which has had 00:02:01.040 --> 00:02:08.200 7 million hits. So here's something that may help you as you're stood there wherever 00:02:08.199 --> 00:02:12.000 you wash your hands this week to remind you of our scripture. 00:02:15.159 --> 00:02:18.259 So we're going to start off really, oh happy day. 00:02:20.399 --> 00:02:22.319 So we're going to get really in here. 00:02:24.359 --> 00:02:27.780 When Jesus washed, you can swear along people. 00:02:27.780 --> 00:02:29.219 Yes. 00:02:30.620 --> 00:02:32.080 You can get into the groove. 00:02:34.920 --> 00:02:35.340 Yes. 00:02:38.080 --> 00:02:38.360 Amen. 00:02:39.400 --> 00:02:39.680 Yeah. 00:02:41.060 --> 00:02:42.840 Oh yes, got to get the fingertips. 00:02:43.060 --> 00:02:43.599 Really get in there. 00:02:43.900 --> 00:02:46.520 Jesus did wash my sins away. 00:02:47.379 --> 00:02:47.900 Fantastic. 00:02:48.479 --> 00:02:49.139 Well done. 00:02:49.719 --> 00:02:50.060 Amen. 00:02:50.060 --> 00:02:50.240 Amen. 00:02:50.240 --> 00:02:57.180 Jesus did wash our sins away. 00:02:58.020 --> 00:03:04.280 And I think for Christians sometimes we really struggle to engage with that message that we 00:03:04.280 --> 00:03:13.740 need to get to people, the seriousness of actually this essence of what this sin is that pollutes 00:03:13.740 --> 00:03:14.719 our lives. 00:03:14.719 --> 00:03:22.460 We've got our cards that we've all been given which is to go with the wristband. 00:03:22.539 --> 00:03:24.680 If you haven't got one, please take one. 00:03:25.620 --> 00:03:33.439 And the four points of the gospel, it says this morning, sadly we have been separated from God's 00:03:33.439 --> 00:03:36.319 love by something the Bible calls sin. 00:03:37.840 --> 00:03:44.079 Simply put, sin is when we choose to live for ourselves rather than for God. 00:03:44.719 --> 00:03:51.740 We sin when we ignore God, break his laws and basically do things our own way. 00:03:53.039 --> 00:03:57.840 Sin destroys relationships with friends, family, with God. 00:03:58.340 --> 00:04:02.139 And the Bible says that sin ultimately brings death. 00:04:03.039 --> 00:04:04.599 It's a serious issue, friends. 00:04:04.599 --> 00:04:34.579 Sin destroys relationships with friends. 00:04:34.579 --> 00:04:37.419 Friends, colleagues, families, and friends. 00:04:39.120 --> 00:04:41.539 And a reading from Isaiah, it says, 00:04:41.859 --> 00:04:43.779 They pursue evil schemes. 00:04:45.359 --> 00:04:46.979 Acts of violence mark their way. 00:04:47.079 --> 00:04:49.039 The way of peace they do not know. 00:04:50.279 --> 00:04:52.339 There is no justice in their paths. 00:04:53.000 --> 00:04:54.860 They have turned them into crooked roads. 00:04:55.219 --> 00:04:57.860 No one who walks along them will know peace. 00:04:57.860 --> 00:04:59.439 And we know that in our lives. 00:04:59.780 --> 00:05:06.319 When sin gets in the way, we know that somehow there isn't a sense of peace in that. 00:05:07.100 --> 00:05:09.060 It just doesn't feel right. 00:05:09.520 --> 00:05:11.520 And the Bible is really clear about sin. 00:05:11.600 --> 00:05:12.819 In Romans 6, it says, 00:05:13.199 --> 00:05:19.480 For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. 00:05:19.480 --> 00:05:25.180 And Jesus commanded evil to leave people. 00:05:26.319 --> 00:05:27.720 He wants to get rid of that. 00:05:27.840 --> 00:05:28.980 Gets rid of it in our communities. 00:05:29.140 --> 00:05:29.660 Pollutes. 00:05:30.259 --> 00:05:37.819 And sadly, we've, often many of us have grown up with this sort of comedic view of sin and the devil. 00:05:37.819 --> 00:05:45.399 It's sort of been diluted into something we can laugh and be funny about. 00:05:47.740 --> 00:05:51.339 Sin and address sin is, we know, is a serious business. 00:05:52.219 --> 00:06:00.139 And it diminishes lives so serious that God sent his only son to engage with that. 00:06:00.219 --> 00:06:04.019 Yet people will still say and shrug their shoulders and deal with it and say, 00:06:04.319 --> 00:06:06.439 Well, the devil made me do it. 00:06:06.439 --> 00:06:09.060 And say, the devil made me do it. 00:06:09.120 --> 00:06:10.019 And to make light. 00:06:10.180 --> 00:06:15.300 And sin, we know, once it gets a foothold, and you will know this as well as I do, 00:06:15.540 --> 00:06:17.680 can bring in repetitive behaviours. 00:06:18.660 --> 00:06:24.980 That somehow we're on this treadmill of sin that we repeat again and again and again. 00:06:25.060 --> 00:06:28.720 And the scripture talks about the things that are hidden in darkness. 00:06:28.720 --> 00:06:32.480 The sin that we think that we hide from others. 00:06:32.779 --> 00:06:34.319 That we keep to ourselves. 00:06:34.560 --> 00:06:36.259 That nobody knows about. 00:06:36.259 --> 00:06:38.620 And ridiculously, we fool ourselves. 00:06:40.039 --> 00:06:42.360 Because the things that we do. 00:06:42.420 --> 00:06:46.360 I remember, you know, in those wedding vows, I think it said something like, 00:06:47.000 --> 00:06:50.240 He knows all the secrets of our hearts. 00:06:51.099 --> 00:06:53.339 All the secrets of our hearts. 00:06:53.339 --> 00:07:03.819 So, to bring things that are in the darkness into light so that God can actually deal with it and we can see it for what it is. 00:07:03.819 --> 00:07:07.399 And to bring the light of Christ into those dark places. 00:07:07.399 --> 00:07:15.839 My mother, as I've probably said before, had one of those Hoover vacuum cleaners with a little light on the front and a big bag. 00:07:16.179 --> 00:07:21.699 You know, as though it was going to shine into the darkness and help you find the dirt. 00:07:21.699 --> 00:07:27.699 Maybe for many of us, we need that light of Christ to shine into our lives. 00:07:27.800 --> 00:07:31.420 To show us where the dirt is so that actually we can deal with it. 00:07:31.420 --> 00:07:34.840 So, I thought I'd come up with a brilliant idea this morning. 00:07:35.060 --> 00:07:38.080 And I know that you love to respond here at Christ Church. 00:07:38.079 --> 00:07:43.759 So, what we're going to do is, I know you're going to really love this this morning. 00:07:44.659 --> 00:07:47.359 We've got this clipboard here. 00:07:47.819 --> 00:07:49.839 And I've got some pens at the bottom. 00:07:50.240 --> 00:08:01.259 So, I thought, wouldn't it be lovely if we all came up and wrote on here all the sins that nobody else knows about in our lives. 00:08:02.000 --> 00:08:06.620 You know, all those dirty little secrets, maybe, that we have. 00:08:06.620 --> 00:08:13.399 And what we'll do is we'll write them all up here so that everybody can see them and we'll bring them into the light. 00:08:13.720 --> 00:08:15.340 Wouldn't that be a lovely idea? 00:08:16.000 --> 00:08:19.780 For those of you on the podcast, people are rushing forward now. 00:08:20.720 --> 00:08:26.899 Just grabbing a pen and just putting them up here so that we all know. 00:08:28.280 --> 00:08:35.879 And I guess probably, you know, if we were bold enough, there would be things that we would want to write up like, 00:08:36.620 --> 00:08:38.500 my tax return. 00:08:39.960 --> 00:08:40.220 Yeah? 00:08:40.600 --> 00:08:41.639 Isn't it interesting? 00:08:41.840 --> 00:08:47.340 You know, maybe that thing about sort of theft that we would want to write up. 00:08:47.399 --> 00:08:48.500 How about coveting? 00:08:49.120 --> 00:08:50.820 You know, write up coveting. 00:08:50.879 --> 00:08:52.960 I'm never happy with what I've got. 00:08:53.360 --> 00:08:55.039 I always want something different. 00:08:55.399 --> 00:08:58.259 I'm always looking for the better thing. 00:08:58.259 --> 00:09:00.659 How about pride? 00:09:01.120 --> 00:09:02.220 That would be a good one. 00:09:02.939 --> 00:09:04.080 Put up pride. 00:09:04.539 --> 00:09:05.879 That would be interesting. 00:09:06.039 --> 00:09:07.159 That might be one of mine. 00:09:08.379 --> 00:09:09.379 Selfishness and greed. 00:09:10.379 --> 00:09:13.939 I have been buying pasta and toilet rolls. 00:09:15.399 --> 00:09:15.799 You know? 00:09:16.679 --> 00:09:20.240 Maybe we need to write that up there for some of us. 00:09:20.759 --> 00:09:21.240 Wrath. 00:09:21.659 --> 00:09:23.159 We have a short fuse. 00:09:23.159 --> 00:09:30.740 You know, we were stood at Liddles watching the person in front of us who had filled up their thing with toilet rolls. 00:09:31.240 --> 00:09:32.759 And all I wanted was two. 00:09:33.860 --> 00:09:35.079 Maybe envy. 00:09:35.259 --> 00:09:37.699 We could go on the seven deadly sins. 00:09:38.079 --> 00:09:40.339 The character issues that this brings out. 00:09:40.600 --> 00:09:43.699 And sometimes we need to name these things. 00:09:44.339 --> 00:09:47.139 And that is where being a Christian comes in really helpful. 00:09:47.139 --> 00:09:50.379 Because in the Old Testament, there's this guy called Nathan. 00:09:50.899 --> 00:09:52.220 Nathan was a great guy. 00:09:52.240 --> 00:09:53.100 I love Nathan. 00:09:53.480 --> 00:09:54.960 He's a friend of David's. 00:09:55.439 --> 00:10:03.799 And when David errs and strays, and he errs and strays, I can tell you, Nathan is there alongside him to say, 00:10:04.199 --> 00:10:05.779 Mate, come on. 00:10:06.659 --> 00:10:08.519 This is absolutely wrong. 00:10:09.399 --> 00:10:09.819 Come on. 00:10:09.980 --> 00:10:10.600 Wise up. 00:10:10.699 --> 00:10:11.480 What are you doing? 00:10:12.000 --> 00:10:12.899 Come on back. 00:10:13.419 --> 00:10:15.500 Come on back into that walk with God. 00:10:15.500 --> 00:10:17.820 Because you have strayed well and truly. 00:10:18.799 --> 00:10:24.360 And this issue of maybe being accountable to one another is so important. 00:10:25.340 --> 00:10:25.620 You know? 00:10:26.220 --> 00:10:29.000 And it's how we water down things as well, isn't it? 00:10:29.120 --> 00:10:35.299 We sort of make them more compliant so that we are happier with our sin. 00:10:35.519 --> 00:10:38.720 So that we can speak in terms about it. 00:10:38.919 --> 00:10:42.419 So let's put up there adultery. 00:10:42.419 --> 00:10:45.799 But of course, we wouldn't put up adultery, would we? 00:10:46.219 --> 00:10:51.979 We would say, oh, maybe we had a fling. 00:10:53.299 --> 00:10:55.740 Isn't that a nice way of softening sin? 00:10:56.459 --> 00:10:56.759 You know? 00:10:57.319 --> 00:10:59.319 They went over the side. 00:11:00.099 --> 00:11:01.899 We use all sorts of terms. 00:11:02.079 --> 00:11:04.899 Rather than actually naming it for what it is. 00:11:04.899 --> 00:11:08.899 There's another thing up there that maybe we want to say. 00:11:08.980 --> 00:11:09.259 Oh, yeah. 00:11:10.139 --> 00:11:10.500 Gambling. 00:11:11.399 --> 00:11:14.720 Gambling and the addictive behavior that that can get into. 00:11:15.360 --> 00:11:19.240 So what we would say is, oh, they have a little flutter on the horses. 00:11:19.899 --> 00:11:21.319 Sounds a lot better, doesn't it? 00:11:21.539 --> 00:11:21.799 You know? 00:11:22.340 --> 00:11:24.259 The evil one is a great deceiver. 00:11:24.679 --> 00:11:30.759 The evil one is a great deceiver and will make what sin looks like almost as though it's okay. 00:11:30.759 --> 00:11:34.259 Because it's all right and everybody else does it. 00:11:35.179 --> 00:11:42.139 And this idea, this thing of theft, you know, I fiddled my tax claim. 00:11:42.799 --> 00:11:43.799 No, you didn't. 00:11:44.220 --> 00:11:45.080 No, it was theft. 00:11:45.200 --> 00:11:47.379 We render unto Caesar's what is Caesar's. 00:11:47.519 --> 00:11:49.439 We render unto God's what is God. 00:11:49.639 --> 00:11:53.439 And there is a little, a distinct difference between the two. 00:11:53.440 --> 00:11:59.500 And Jesus knew that from Adam and the four that we have choices. 00:12:00.300 --> 00:12:05.080 Yet sadly, sadly, again and again and again, we choose the wrong path. 00:12:05.340 --> 00:12:08.540 Isaiah 53, we all like sheep have gone astray. 00:12:08.880 --> 00:12:11.720 Each of us has turned to his own way. 00:12:12.140 --> 00:12:18.360 And the Lord has laid on him, him, him, the iniquity of us all. 00:12:18.540 --> 00:12:20.180 Sheep stray. 00:12:20.179 --> 00:12:25.339 There is a Jewish blessing which I love. 00:12:26.579 --> 00:12:31.519 And it's, they say, may you be covered in the dust of your rabbi. 00:12:32.279 --> 00:12:33.699 It's a lovely blessing. 00:12:34.339 --> 00:12:41.000 It's the idea that you stay so close to Jesus that actually you can't stray. 00:12:41.819 --> 00:12:43.120 You stay close to him. 00:12:43.199 --> 00:12:44.979 You're covered in the dust of your rabbi. 00:12:44.980 --> 00:12:50.320 You are staying so close that you hang on his every word of what he has to say to you. 00:12:50.659 --> 00:12:52.039 Clive, don't do that. 00:12:52.960 --> 00:12:54.360 You're thinking about doing that. 00:12:54.500 --> 00:12:55.659 Stay close to me. 00:12:56.060 --> 00:12:57.620 And that way we'll be okay. 00:12:58.320 --> 00:13:07.300 And I would know, as many people here will know in listening on the podcast, the times that I have strayed have often been the time that I've been furthest away from God. 00:13:07.299 --> 00:13:13.859 And I've been tempted away to do other things that I shouldn't have been doing. 00:13:14.079 --> 00:13:15.979 And it wasn't my finest hour. 00:13:16.240 --> 00:13:19.539 It diminishes that stuff that is within us. 00:13:20.379 --> 00:13:21.519 And it moves down. 00:13:21.620 --> 00:13:25.639 I mean, maybe if we drew a scale, you know, where do we think murder comes from? 00:13:26.019 --> 00:13:29.079 And stealing a few sweets at the sweet shop. 00:13:29.080 --> 00:13:31.620 You know, we love to judge everybody, don't we? 00:13:31.940 --> 00:13:32.879 Everybody else. 00:13:33.240 --> 00:13:39.040 But actually, we don't turn the mirror back on ourselves and say, where are we walking in the light instead of the darkness? 00:13:39.420 --> 00:13:42.660 You see, I'm not saying this morning I have any sense of pious virtue. 00:13:42.900 --> 00:13:46.860 Because the same demons that tempt you come and tempt me as well. 00:13:47.759 --> 00:13:48.780 That's where we are. 00:13:49.560 --> 00:13:56.280 But drawing close to Jesus and being close, we have this huge opportunity because that's why he came. 00:13:56.279 --> 00:14:02.319 Arthur Conan Doyle, that great writer, thought he'd play a joke on his friends. 00:14:02.939 --> 00:14:09.919 And so with 12 of his most famous friends, each of them virtuous and pious people, he sent a note to them. 00:14:10.539 --> 00:14:15.620 And he said this, fly at once, all is discovered. 00:14:18.319 --> 00:14:23.259 Within 24 hours, all dozen of them had left the country. 00:14:23.259 --> 00:14:34.919 What does that say about the things that are hidden in darkness that we need to bring out and be transparent as to who we are? 00:14:37.279 --> 00:14:41.799 It encourages me that Paul knows that sin in his life. 00:14:42.120 --> 00:14:43.620 And he doesn't hide it. 00:14:44.480 --> 00:14:48.980 Paul doesn't try to sort of sweet talk us or the people that he was teaching. 00:14:48.980 --> 00:14:53.659 In fact, he says, ruin and misery mark their ways and the way of peace they do not know. 00:14:53.960 --> 00:14:56.039 There is no fear of God before their eyes. 00:14:56.340 --> 00:14:59.399 All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. 00:14:59.720 --> 00:15:01.539 Paul says this of his own life. 00:15:01.840 --> 00:15:02.820 And he says this, 00:15:02.820 --> 00:15:15.660 For I do not do the good that I want to do. 00:15:15.659 --> 00:15:43.059 That is honest, isn't it? 00:15:43.059 --> 00:15:51.019 What an honest statement when you're actually being called by God to actually transform communities. 00:15:52.819 --> 00:15:58.579 Had Paul ended his letter there, I think we'd have found probably one of the most depressing things we'd ever read. 00:15:58.959 --> 00:15:59.819 But he doesn't. 00:16:00.039 --> 00:16:02.439 Fortunately, we decide how we judge. 00:16:02.959 --> 00:16:06.239 If the truth isn't in us, we deceive ourselves. 00:16:06.679 --> 00:16:08.500 Often it's the small things. 00:16:09.259 --> 00:16:11.239 And it is the small things, isn't it? 00:16:11.240 --> 00:16:13.779 It's the small things that catch us out. 00:16:15.560 --> 00:16:18.159 There was a guy who was 28. 00:16:18.460 --> 00:16:26.379 He was going to be made the president of one of the largest, largest multinational companies in America. 00:16:27.440 --> 00:16:29.180 They had this amazing meeting. 00:16:29.299 --> 00:16:35.340 A 28-year-old is unheard of in the States to have somebody so young to head it up. 00:16:35.340 --> 00:16:38.680 So they had this amazing, the board thought he was great. 00:16:38.960 --> 00:16:39.759 It was fantastic. 00:16:40.240 --> 00:16:45.120 And after lunch, they were going to actually install him as the president of the company. 00:16:45.580 --> 00:16:47.300 At lunchtime, the guy went down. 00:16:47.440 --> 00:16:52.160 And unbeknownst to him and unbeknownst to the other people alongside him in the team that were there, 00:16:52.440 --> 00:16:53.899 they lined up to get their lunch. 00:16:53.899 --> 00:17:01.600 And they noticed that this guy took a couple of butter pats that he should be paying for. 00:17:02.299 --> 00:17:06.099 And he put them under his napkin and just slid them over. 00:17:09.059 --> 00:17:10.059 He went through. 00:17:10.160 --> 00:17:11.119 He didn't declare them. 00:17:11.180 --> 00:17:11.980 He didn't pay for them. 00:17:12.059 --> 00:17:20.900 That afternoon, what should have been the most amazing moment in his career and his life so far was dashed. 00:17:20.900 --> 00:17:26.800 As other people said, if we can't trust you with so many dollars of butter pats, 00:17:27.200 --> 00:17:31.259 how can we trust you with this amazing company? 00:17:32.300 --> 00:17:33.560 And he didn't get the job. 00:17:34.840 --> 00:17:40.220 It's the small things that we need to trust each other in and be reliant on one another. 00:17:40.900 --> 00:17:42.240 But here's the good news. 00:17:42.800 --> 00:17:45.580 Because the cross follows the X. 00:17:45.579 --> 00:17:51.960 And thankfully, Paul turned his attention away from his own sin and back to the one that had set him free. 00:17:53.039 --> 00:17:54.819 The one that sets him free. 00:17:54.919 --> 00:17:58.699 And the joy he had in writing of God's grace in Romans 8, 00:17:59.000 --> 00:18:03.619 one of the greatest chapters, I think, in the Bible that I come back to again and again. 00:18:03.619 --> 00:18:09.399 Therefore, there is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, 00:18:09.739 --> 00:18:20.259 because through Jesus Christ, the law of the Spirit who gives life has set you free from the law of sin and death. 00:18:20.919 --> 00:18:22.719 To be set free. 00:18:22.819 --> 00:18:23.959 It's good news, people. 00:18:24.659 --> 00:18:25.539 It's the gospel. 00:18:26.419 --> 00:18:30.919 Jesus has broken the power of sin in our lives. 00:18:30.920 --> 00:18:34.080 We don't have to be beholden anymore. 00:18:34.340 --> 00:18:39.320 I nearly heard a cheer from those who were already looking through their Bibles from Mark 17. 00:18:40.000 --> 00:18:46.160 You know, it has set us free to be free, to be who the Lord wants us to be. 00:18:46.460 --> 00:18:48.860 Paul says that God has already set him free, 00:18:49.240 --> 00:18:53.460 and by sending Jesus to defeat it once and for all. 00:18:53.460 --> 00:18:58.299 That is a great message as we sing, as we wash our hands, 00:18:58.440 --> 00:19:02.100 to see Jesus has washed your sins away. 00:19:02.319 --> 00:19:07.559 For a people, a country, a nation, a world that needs to know that. 00:19:07.799 --> 00:19:09.840 And we are the carriers of the message, 00:19:10.100 --> 00:19:12.960 because we can be the ones that actually live that out. 00:19:12.960 --> 00:19:19.740 This is coming from chapter 7, 00:19:20.299 --> 00:19:24.480 from a man who still battles with his sin. 00:19:25.759 --> 00:19:27.620 That is hugely encouraging. 00:19:27.619 --> 00:19:31.759 Because if anybody here is... 00:19:31.759 --> 00:19:33.599 I had a friend... 00:19:33.599 --> 00:19:34.919 It was quite a big thing. 00:19:36.219 --> 00:19:39.839 A friend of mine fell very badly in sin. 00:19:40.359 --> 00:19:43.319 And I thought it was amazing at a big conference. 00:19:44.000 --> 00:19:46.259 And a friend came, 00:19:46.979 --> 00:19:48.959 and we didn't hide it away. 00:19:49.059 --> 00:19:50.000 We didn't dust it away. 00:19:50.099 --> 00:19:51.019 We didn't put it away. 00:19:51.139 --> 00:19:51.979 It was out there. 00:19:52.519 --> 00:19:54.000 And he just got a stone. 00:19:54.000 --> 00:19:55.859 And he just came forward, 00:19:55.960 --> 00:19:57.940 and he just put it on the corner of the platform. 00:19:58.819 --> 00:19:59.599 And he said, 00:19:59.799 --> 00:20:01.180 if anybody is without sin, 00:20:01.480 --> 00:20:02.640 that is there for them, 00:20:03.160 --> 00:20:04.500 if they would like to come and throw it. 00:20:05.880 --> 00:20:06.440 I thought, 00:20:06.519 --> 00:20:07.740 what a great acknowledgement 00:20:07.740 --> 00:20:09.900 that it is out there, 00:20:10.420 --> 00:20:11.440 and we can deal with it. 00:20:11.599 --> 00:20:12.680 We can talk about it. 00:20:13.099 --> 00:20:15.220 And we can deal with sin the way it should be, 00:20:15.380 --> 00:20:16.880 in the love of God. 00:20:16.980 --> 00:20:19.619 The Holy Spirit comes to give us power 00:20:19.619 --> 00:20:21.960 to live lives that are worthy of him. 00:20:21.960 --> 00:20:24.759 Because greatest threat, 00:20:25.079 --> 00:20:27.720 the enemy's greatest threat to us, 00:20:28.299 --> 00:20:30.759 is an ongoing separation from God. 00:20:31.360 --> 00:20:34.620 And he will make hay in those spaces. 00:20:35.380 --> 00:20:36.140 Believe you me. 00:20:37.039 --> 00:20:38.759 And Satan sees the trap 00:20:38.759 --> 00:20:40.779 in hopes we'll fall into it, 00:20:40.920 --> 00:20:43.819 because the Lord has graciously given us choices. 00:20:45.140 --> 00:20:46.700 We've been given choices. 00:20:47.480 --> 00:20:48.940 I don't know what you do in your choices. 00:20:48.940 --> 00:20:52.220 It's just coming back to God again and again and again, 00:20:52.279 --> 00:20:52.539 and saying, 00:20:52.840 --> 00:20:53.840 what do I do in this? 00:20:54.400 --> 00:20:56.700 What do I do when this has been laid before us? 00:20:56.759 --> 00:20:59.420 What happens when a lustful thought comes? 00:20:59.700 --> 00:21:01.720 What happens when we've got the opportunity 00:21:01.720 --> 00:21:03.140 to take a shortcut 00:21:03.140 --> 00:21:05.039 that's going to save us a few money, 00:21:05.440 --> 00:21:06.120 a few quid, 00:21:06.200 --> 00:21:07.200 but we know it's wrong? 00:21:07.820 --> 00:21:08.100 You know, 00:21:08.380 --> 00:21:10.019 when do we go back to the Lord, 00:21:10.080 --> 00:21:10.539 and we say, 00:21:10.880 --> 00:21:13.019 no, you know it's not right, Clive. 00:21:13.759 --> 00:21:14.019 You know, 00:21:14.139 --> 00:21:15.359 get back on board. 00:21:15.559 --> 00:21:15.900 Satan, 00:21:16.160 --> 00:21:17.180 get behind me. 00:21:17.740 --> 00:21:18.059 You know, 00:21:18.379 --> 00:21:19.059 freedom, 00:21:19.559 --> 00:21:20.980 true freedom 00:21:20.980 --> 00:21:22.500 of walking with God. 00:21:22.799 --> 00:21:24.160 And when Jesus gave his life 00:21:24.160 --> 00:21:24.960 for the sake of sinners, 00:21:25.099 --> 00:21:26.599 the ultimate power of sin 00:21:26.599 --> 00:21:28.559 was defeated once and for all. 00:21:28.740 --> 00:21:30.400 Even though all of us have sinned 00:21:30.400 --> 00:21:32.259 and fallen short of the glory of God, 00:21:32.259 --> 00:21:35.319 when we accept that gift of grace 00:21:35.319 --> 00:21:36.440 and acknowledgement, 00:21:37.680 --> 00:21:39.000 the price is paid. 00:21:39.440 --> 00:21:40.339 And as we sang, 00:21:40.759 --> 00:21:42.059 the debt is cancelled. 00:21:42.059 --> 00:21:45.119 God won't accept our resignation 00:21:45.119 --> 00:21:48.779 because we are not resigned 00:21:48.779 --> 00:21:50.259 to a life of sin. 00:21:51.159 --> 00:21:52.720 That is not his choice 00:21:52.720 --> 00:21:54.419 for each and every one of us. 00:21:55.359 --> 00:21:56.899 But now he expects you 00:21:56.899 --> 00:21:58.079 to get to work on it. 00:21:58.980 --> 00:21:59.899 And we will. 00:22:01.039 --> 00:22:02.159 Sin doesn't have the power 00:22:02.159 --> 00:22:03.179 to hold you prisoner. 00:22:03.559 --> 00:22:05.039 God has broken the chains. 00:22:05.319 --> 00:22:07.259 And whoever is held by that, 00:22:07.339 --> 00:22:09.059 I really want you to hear that this morning. 00:22:09.980 --> 00:22:11.480 It won't hold you. 00:22:12.059 --> 00:22:13.379 It should never bind you. 00:22:13.940 --> 00:22:15.440 You can be free 00:22:15.440 --> 00:22:17.159 from whatever it is, 00:22:17.279 --> 00:22:18.879 that thought that comes back. 00:22:18.940 --> 00:22:20.940 And as soon as that clipboard came out, 00:22:21.159 --> 00:22:22.720 if the word came to you 00:22:22.720 --> 00:22:23.500 and you thought, 00:22:23.899 --> 00:22:24.839 oh my goodness, 00:22:25.599 --> 00:22:26.579 there is that thing 00:22:26.579 --> 00:22:28.539 that I have carried for years, 00:22:28.539 --> 00:22:30.339 it can be dealt with 00:22:30.339 --> 00:22:32.679 here and now, 00:22:33.159 --> 00:22:34.419 once and for all. 00:22:34.420 --> 00:22:36.180 in Christ, 00:22:36.300 --> 00:22:37.800 there is no condemnation. 00:22:37.800 --> 00:22:38.340 In Christ, 00:22:38.340 --> 00:22:41.539 there is no condemnation. 00:22:42.019 --> 00:22:43.180 He's not going to come back 00:22:43.180 --> 00:22:43.860 and remind you. 00:22:44.019 --> 00:22:45.259 That's what the evil one does. 00:22:45.779 --> 00:22:46.860 The evil one comes back 00:22:46.860 --> 00:22:48.019 and reminds you again and again, 00:22:48.240 --> 00:22:48.680 oh Clive, 00:22:48.740 --> 00:22:49.420 you can't do that 00:22:49.420 --> 00:22:49.759 because, 00:22:50.060 --> 00:22:51.180 do you remember about that? 00:22:51.279 --> 00:22:51.500 No. 00:22:51.779 --> 00:22:52.220 In Christ, 00:22:52.320 --> 00:22:53.440 there is no condemnation. 00:22:53.820 --> 00:22:55.100 Christ is here to build up, 00:22:55.220 --> 00:22:55.820 to encourage, 00:22:55.940 --> 00:22:56.680 to free us, 00:22:56.800 --> 00:22:57.820 to allow us to be 00:22:57.820 --> 00:22:59.279 all that he wants us to be. 00:22:59.779 --> 00:23:00.779 Jesus proclaims 00:23:00.779 --> 00:23:02.379 to all who have a new life in him, 00:23:02.660 --> 00:23:04.839 your sins are forgiven. 00:23:05.980 --> 00:23:07.019 Your sin is forgiven. 00:23:08.220 --> 00:23:09.240 So many Christians 00:23:09.240 --> 00:23:10.680 struggle to grasp that issue. 00:23:10.960 --> 00:23:11.599 They are forgiven. 00:23:11.740 --> 00:23:12.379 They are no more. 00:23:12.480 --> 00:23:13.160 We move on. 00:23:13.579 --> 00:23:14.339 We have freedom. 00:23:16.059 --> 00:23:18.579 If you need to break a chain today, 00:23:18.720 --> 00:23:20.399 I encourage you to do that. 00:23:21.559 --> 00:23:22.839 I encourage you 00:23:22.839 --> 00:23:24.279 in the power of God 00:23:24.279 --> 00:23:25.460 and the power of the Holy Spirit 00:23:25.460 --> 00:23:25.920 and Jesus 00:23:25.920 --> 00:23:26.799 and all that he's done, 00:23:26.799 --> 00:23:30.379 that X doesn't have to mean the end. 00:23:30.460 --> 00:23:31.859 You don't have to carry that. 00:23:32.599 --> 00:23:33.720 Today is the day 00:23:33.720 --> 00:23:34.319 that you may, 00:23:34.500 --> 00:23:35.539 when the niggle comes 00:23:35.539 --> 00:23:36.379 and the word comes, 00:23:36.480 --> 00:23:37.139 I can't do it. 00:23:37.279 --> 00:23:37.879 It is over. 00:23:38.599 --> 00:23:38.879 Lord, 00:23:38.980 --> 00:23:40.079 I give it to you 00:23:40.079 --> 00:23:41.879 and I know that I am forgiven. 00:23:42.519 --> 00:23:43.159 I am free. 00:23:43.899 --> 00:23:45.180 I'll end with a true story. 00:23:47.059 --> 00:23:50.019 There was a young vicar, 00:23:50.119 --> 00:23:51.240 well he wasn't so young, 00:23:51.639 --> 00:23:54.419 but he had a call one day. 00:23:54.420 --> 00:23:56.820 It was a lady that he knew 00:23:56.820 --> 00:23:58.720 who had come to church. 00:23:58.779 --> 00:23:59.880 She was doubled over. 00:24:00.560 --> 00:24:03.120 It was a scoliosis, 00:24:03.740 --> 00:24:04.440 I guess, 00:24:04.740 --> 00:24:05.019 probably, 00:24:05.180 --> 00:24:07.920 but literally bent over double. 00:24:09.420 --> 00:24:11.300 And the afternoon was, 00:24:11.380 --> 00:24:12.240 could you come 00:24:12.240 --> 00:24:14.700 and I'd like to speak to you 00:24:14.700 --> 00:24:15.400 about something 00:24:15.400 --> 00:24:16.560 on a Sunday afternoon. 00:24:17.019 --> 00:24:17.779 Arrived at three. 00:24:17.860 --> 00:24:19.259 I knew it was a serious matter 00:24:19.259 --> 00:24:22.200 because all the best china was out. 00:24:22.200 --> 00:24:23.220 There was theirs, 00:24:23.380 --> 00:24:26.519 the crusts were cut off of there 00:24:26.519 --> 00:24:28.720 and the best china was there. 00:24:29.460 --> 00:24:32.220 There was a lot of pluruminey talking around 00:24:32.220 --> 00:24:35.840 and then came the question, 00:24:36.240 --> 00:24:39.600 I know that I'm not going to go to heaven 00:24:39.600 --> 00:24:41.799 because of something that I did. 00:24:42.880 --> 00:24:44.039 Well, what did you do? 00:24:44.039 --> 00:24:48.159 I've never told anybody else this at all 00:24:48.159 --> 00:24:49.980 and you're the first person 00:24:49.980 --> 00:24:51.659 that I'm sharing it with. 00:24:53.599 --> 00:24:58.399 But I grew up with my loved one in school. 00:24:59.379 --> 00:25:00.440 We were friends, 00:25:01.200 --> 00:25:02.579 we were childhood sweethearts. 00:25:03.019 --> 00:25:03.779 We got married. 00:25:03.940 --> 00:25:06.319 My husband went off to war, 00:25:06.539 --> 00:25:07.279 World War II. 00:25:08.859 --> 00:25:09.940 And during that time, 00:25:10.019 --> 00:25:11.099 and I don't know why, 00:25:11.099 --> 00:25:12.619 and I can't tell you now, 00:25:12.959 --> 00:25:15.179 but I had an affair 00:25:15.179 --> 00:25:16.799 with an American airman 00:25:16.799 --> 00:25:18.939 while he was away. 00:25:19.039 --> 00:25:19.759 It was short, 00:25:20.399 --> 00:25:22.179 but it was hugely passionate. 00:25:23.319 --> 00:25:24.899 He went back to America. 00:25:25.079 --> 00:25:26.959 My husband came home from the war. 00:25:27.419 --> 00:25:28.399 We had children. 00:25:28.579 --> 00:25:29.159 We grew up. 00:25:29.459 --> 00:25:30.399 We have grandchildren. 00:25:31.859 --> 00:25:33.879 My husband died two years ago. 00:25:34.019 --> 00:25:36.240 There isn't a day that goes by 00:25:36.240 --> 00:25:41.440 that I don't feel sinful in my life. 00:25:42.620 --> 00:25:44.880 Is there any hope for me at all? 00:25:46.339 --> 00:25:47.920 We talked about repentance. 00:25:48.279 --> 00:25:51.500 We talked about the love of God. 00:25:51.940 --> 00:25:53.160 We talked about everything 00:25:53.160 --> 00:25:54.779 that we've talked about this morning. 00:25:55.319 --> 00:25:57.059 And as we prayed together, 00:25:57.200 --> 00:25:59.259 we wept and we cried together. 00:25:59.259 --> 00:26:03.339 And she accepted the forgiveness 00:26:03.339 --> 00:26:05.259 of God in her life. 00:26:05.379 --> 00:26:06.980 But it didn't end there. 00:26:08.379 --> 00:26:10.440 Because I've seen a few miracles 00:26:10.440 --> 00:26:11.259 in my life. 00:26:11.960 --> 00:26:13.319 But as we prayed, 00:26:14.640 --> 00:26:16.920 she physically straightened up. 00:26:18.259 --> 00:26:20.079 And for the first time, 00:26:20.440 --> 00:26:22.240 for years and years and years, 00:26:22.240 --> 00:26:24.079 that woman stood tall 00:26:24.079 --> 00:26:26.519 in the power of Christ 00:26:26.519 --> 00:26:27.720 and in her forgiveness. 00:26:27.720 --> 00:26:31.079 I don't know how she explained it 00:26:31.079 --> 00:26:32.100 when she came to church 00:26:32.100 --> 00:26:33.019 on a Sunday morning. 00:26:34.140 --> 00:26:35.220 But she was the, 00:26:35.600 --> 00:26:37.759 a woman that was wonderfully 00:26:37.759 --> 00:26:40.180 and beautifully saved 00:26:40.180 --> 00:26:41.620 by the love of God. 00:26:43.500 --> 00:26:44.640 In that story, 00:26:44.860 --> 00:26:46.420 I just want to tell you 00:26:46.420 --> 00:26:48.680 that it may not be 00:26:48.680 --> 00:26:49.860 a physical, 00:26:50.860 --> 00:26:51.500 it is, 00:26:51.960 --> 00:26:52.799 whatever it is 00:26:52.799 --> 00:26:53.799 that holds you down, 00:26:54.480 --> 00:26:55.360 you leave it here. 00:26:56.140 --> 00:26:57.559 And you can leave it here. 00:26:57.720 --> 00:26:59.440 And be restored and renewed. 00:27:00.160 --> 00:27:01.339 And that is our message 00:27:01.339 --> 00:27:01.960 to the people 00:27:01.960 --> 00:27:02.799 that we go out to. 00:27:03.519 --> 00:27:05.120 The message that we take 00:27:05.120 --> 00:27:06.360 out to the people 00:27:06.360 --> 00:27:07.100 that we meet 00:27:07.100 --> 00:27:08.319 day in and day out. 00:27:08.640 --> 00:27:09.480 I was thinking about 00:27:09.480 --> 00:27:10.140 this crisis 00:27:10.140 --> 00:27:10.900 that's going on 00:27:10.900 --> 00:27:11.339 at the moment. 00:27:11.819 --> 00:27:12.980 People in 12 months 00:27:12.980 --> 00:27:14.279 won't remember the crisis. 00:27:15.000 --> 00:27:15.940 What they remember 00:27:15.940 --> 00:27:17.779 is who responded to it. 00:27:18.539 --> 00:27:19.620 They'll remember the people 00:27:19.620 --> 00:27:20.759 that came to their door 00:27:20.759 --> 00:27:22.339 and phoned them up 00:27:22.339 --> 00:27:22.680 and said, 00:27:22.779 --> 00:27:23.700 can I leave your groceries? 00:27:23.880 --> 00:27:24.440 Can I do this? 00:27:24.519 --> 00:27:25.140 Can I do that? 00:27:25.140 --> 00:27:26.600 That the love of God 00:27:26.600 --> 00:27:28.100 will shine out 00:27:28.100 --> 00:27:29.100 through us 00:27:29.100 --> 00:27:31.120 in what we do 00:27:31.120 --> 00:27:32.340 and how we respond. 00:27:32.339 --> 00:27:36.959 When God gasped 00:27:36.959 --> 00:27:38.299 can I do it now? 00:27:38.359 --> 00:27:39.019 Could I do it now? 00:27:39.199 --> 00:27:39.779 Can I go through it? 00:27:39.779 --> 00:27:40.579 Can I do it now?