WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:09.599 And the second reading is from Romans 13 verses 1 to 7 and that's on page 1140. 00:00:10.599 --> 00:00:12.939 So that's Romans 13 verses 1 to 7. 00:00:17.879 --> 00:00:23.199 Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except 00:00:23.199 --> 00:00:24.660 that which God has established. 00:00:25.760 --> 00:00:28.660 The authorities that exist have been established by God. 00:00:28.660 --> 00:00:35.439 Consequently, he who rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted 00:00:35.439 --> 00:00:38.640 and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves. 00:00:39.880 --> 00:00:44.920 For rulers hold no terror for those who do right, but for those who do wrong. 00:00:45.960 --> 00:00:48.960 Do you want to be free from fear of the one in authority? 00:00:50.019 --> 00:00:53.100 Then do what is right and he will commend you. 00:00:54.600 --> 00:00:56.859 For he is God's servant to do you good. 00:00:56.859 --> 00:01:02.820 But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword for nothing. 00:01:03.719 --> 00:01:08.079 He is God's servant, an agent of wrath to bring punishment on the wrongdoer. 00:01:09.060 --> 00:01:14.900 Therefore, it is necessary to submit to the authorities, not only because of possible punishment, 00:01:15.640 --> 00:01:17.579 but also because of conscience. 00:01:17.579 --> 00:01:20.920 This is also why you pay taxes. 00:01:20.920 --> 00:01:25.739 For the authorities are God's servants who give their full time to governing. 00:01:26.959 --> 00:01:28.480 Give everyone what you owe him. 00:01:29.259 --> 00:01:31.280 If you owe taxes, pay taxes. 00:01:32.140 --> 00:01:33.840 If revenue, then revenue. 00:01:34.739 --> 00:01:36.780 If respect, then respect. 00:01:37.439 --> 00:01:39.259 If honour, then honour. 00:01:39.260 --> 00:01:44.060 Thanks very much. 00:01:45.840 --> 00:01:50.320 Well, please keep Bibles open there at Romans chapter 13. 00:01:50.319 --> 00:01:57.719 And for those who want to take notes. 00:02:06.280 --> 00:02:13.979 So as Peter's doing that, just to remind you, this is a short series we've been doing on leading, 00:02:13.979 --> 00:02:24.620 learning to lead, and we've been looking at leaders within marriage, leaders within home, 00:02:24.780 --> 00:02:30.839 leaders within the church, and this morning we're looking at leaders within our community. 00:02:30.840 --> 00:02:41.860 And I recognise that in preparation, part of this, particularly the last part of it, is a lot of application. 00:02:42.879 --> 00:02:49.759 And I hope that it will provoke conversation, discussion amongst us, 00:02:49.840 --> 00:02:56.259 but also that that discussion would also lead into action as well. 00:02:56.259 --> 00:03:01.319 And just to encourage you as well, if you've missed out on any of these talks, 00:03:01.399 --> 00:03:02.759 you can listen to them online. 00:03:03.659 --> 00:03:07.060 And they're there for our encouragement as well. 00:03:08.280 --> 00:03:15.399 So, Romans 13, 1-7, leaders in our community. 00:03:16.539 --> 00:03:17.399 Let's pray. 00:03:26.259 --> 00:03:31.299 Our Father, we thank you for people in the past, 00:03:31.899 --> 00:03:35.060 for leaders like the Apostle Paul, 00:03:35.259 --> 00:03:41.019 who were given the task and responsibility of writing your word down. 00:03:41.599 --> 00:03:44.539 And we thank you that we now have that word, 00:03:45.299 --> 00:03:47.579 preserved for us in our own language, 00:03:48.259 --> 00:03:50.819 that we can learn from ourselves. 00:03:50.819 --> 00:03:55.799 And we pray that you would help us today as a church to understand 00:03:55.799 --> 00:04:00.099 what it is for us to be leaders within our community 00:04:00.099 --> 00:04:06.560 and how we should respond to those who are leaders in our community. 00:04:07.859 --> 00:04:10.799 Encourage us, and may it be used by you, 00:04:11.719 --> 00:04:14.659 to further your gospel 00:04:14.659 --> 00:04:17.360 and the building up of your kingdom. 00:04:17.819 --> 00:04:18.879 In Jesus' name. 00:04:19.579 --> 00:04:19.879 Amen. 00:04:19.879 --> 00:04:20.279 Amen. 00:04:23.560 --> 00:04:25.459 Well, we start with a question. 00:04:25.659 --> 00:04:26.519 Who will lead? 00:04:27.579 --> 00:04:29.560 Well, a little over a year ago, 00:04:29.659 --> 00:04:33.939 we were calling for the removal of our past government. 00:04:34.480 --> 00:04:35.779 We wanted them out. 00:04:36.819 --> 00:04:38.779 But now that we've got a new government, 00:04:39.659 --> 00:04:40.379 a coalition, 00:04:41.180 --> 00:04:43.360 it seems that we're still not happy. 00:04:43.519 --> 00:04:44.980 According to a recent survey, 00:04:44.980 --> 00:04:48.659 which was just conducted just after the referendum, 00:04:48.660 --> 00:04:55.920 75% of the country are now dissatisfied with the government's performance. 00:04:56.920 --> 00:04:59.280 Being a leader is not easy, 00:04:59.520 --> 00:05:01.300 as Enda Kenny is discovering. 00:05:01.940 --> 00:05:03.760 And despite winning the referendum, 00:05:03.920 --> 00:05:06.080 getting the yes vote as they campaigned, 00:05:06.340 --> 00:05:12.740 his popularity and his party have all lost significant points in recent weeks. 00:05:12.740 --> 00:05:18.319 But who would you want to take his place? 00:05:18.319 --> 00:05:24.180 What party would you choose to be in their place? 00:05:24.259 --> 00:05:25.319 Who could do any better? 00:05:25.319 --> 00:05:27.959 For most of us, 00:05:28.040 --> 00:05:32.399 we rather like to sit on the sidelines with the majority of the country, 00:05:32.899 --> 00:05:35.120 point fingers and complain. 00:05:35.120 --> 00:05:40.379 But I want to encourage us this morning to think about, 00:05:40.740 --> 00:05:42.079 what about us? 00:05:42.300 --> 00:05:46.280 People like us getting involved and making a difference. 00:05:47.480 --> 00:05:53.100 I'm not promoting any particular political party that you should be signing up to, 00:05:53.459 --> 00:05:56.959 but what I am encouraging is active involvement, 00:05:56.959 --> 00:06:00.539 locally and nationally. 00:06:03.099 --> 00:06:06.560 Some people have perhaps been brought up on the view that 00:06:06.560 --> 00:06:10.060 the church should remain separate from the state. 00:06:11.599 --> 00:06:14.679 Others say that the church should rule the state. 00:06:15.519 --> 00:06:17.560 Not sure what your views are on that, 00:06:17.679 --> 00:06:20.839 but I think the Bible is somewhere in the middle. 00:06:20.839 --> 00:06:26.199 And it's saying that as far as Christians are concerned, 00:06:27.139 --> 00:06:31.719 our country and our community needs leadership 00:06:31.719 --> 00:06:36.379 and Christians ought to play their part in it. 00:06:37.120 --> 00:06:40.479 And that's what we want to encourage this morning. 00:06:40.659 --> 00:06:43.359 So we're going to look at two main things. 00:06:43.599 --> 00:06:48.339 First of all, leadership is a wonderful gift from God. 00:06:48.339 --> 00:06:51.179 Look at chapter 13, verse 1. 00:06:51.379 --> 00:06:51.979 We'll read there. 00:06:52.139 --> 00:06:56.219 Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, 00:06:56.859 --> 00:07:02.459 for there is no authority except that which God has established. 00:07:03.239 --> 00:07:08.859 The authorities that exist have been established by God. 00:07:09.879 --> 00:07:12.939 Consequently, he who rebels against the authority 00:07:12.939 --> 00:07:17.479 is rebelling against what God has instituted. 00:07:18.339 --> 00:07:22.099 So I think it's quite clear that the governing authorities, 00:07:22.379 --> 00:07:25.799 the government that we have today in our country 00:07:25.799 --> 00:07:27.319 and within our community, 00:07:27.739 --> 00:07:32.120 have been put in place by God. 00:07:33.579 --> 00:07:36.179 Jesus himself recognised this fact 00:07:36.179 --> 00:07:38.979 when he was brought before Pilate on trial. 00:07:39.979 --> 00:07:42.500 And he turns to Pilate and he says to him, 00:07:42.500 --> 00:07:45.459 you would have no power over me 00:07:45.459 --> 00:07:49.339 if it were not given to you from above. 00:07:50.459 --> 00:07:52.040 So any political party, 00:07:52.160 --> 00:07:54.060 any authority that is in place 00:07:54.060 --> 00:07:58.060 is only there because God has allowed it. 00:08:00.220 --> 00:08:01.660 Now while we recognise, 00:08:01.759 --> 00:08:03.839 and we're going to look at this in more detail in a minute, 00:08:03.959 --> 00:08:05.480 that many who are leaders 00:08:05.480 --> 00:08:07.740 abuse their position and power, 00:08:07.740 --> 00:08:09.840 the institution, 00:08:10.019 --> 00:08:12.540 the idea of governing authority 00:08:12.540 --> 00:08:14.860 is something good from God. 00:08:15.199 --> 00:08:16.240 It is good for us 00:08:16.240 --> 00:08:18.360 and it is good for our society. 00:08:20.120 --> 00:08:22.139 I know the Leaving Cert is on at the minute 00:08:22.139 --> 00:08:24.400 and I don't want to draw too much attention to it, 00:08:24.460 --> 00:08:27.600 but when I did my Leaving Cert a few years ago, 00:08:27.980 --> 00:08:30.240 the book that we had to read and study 00:08:30.240 --> 00:08:31.699 on the English syllabus was 00:08:31.699 --> 00:08:34.440 William Golding's Lord of the Flies. 00:08:34.980 --> 00:08:36.700 I don't know if any of you ever read that one. 00:08:36.700 --> 00:08:39.280 Well, for me it was a bit of a haze 00:08:39.280 --> 00:08:41.120 as I just looked out the window 00:08:41.120 --> 00:08:42.840 for most of the classes 00:08:42.840 --> 00:08:44.660 and wondered what it was all about. 00:08:44.720 --> 00:08:47.060 But I did remember something about the big idea. 00:08:47.580 --> 00:08:49.620 The ringleader, I think, was a guy called Ralph. 00:08:50.480 --> 00:08:52.840 But no associations there anyway. 00:08:54.200 --> 00:08:55.700 But I do remember this, 00:08:55.800 --> 00:08:58.740 that it was all about a group of these 00:08:58.740 --> 00:09:01.379 well-educated British boys 00:09:01.379 --> 00:09:02.340 who were on the plane 00:09:02.340 --> 00:09:04.620 and they crash-landed on an island. 00:09:04.620 --> 00:09:08.060 And without supervision of adults 00:09:08.060 --> 00:09:09.940 or any other kind of leadership, 00:09:10.519 --> 00:09:12.679 disorder and chaos 00:09:12.679 --> 00:09:15.299 began to reign amongst these children. 00:09:15.440 --> 00:09:17.220 The eldest was only 13. 00:09:18.240 --> 00:09:20.000 And they all began to fight 00:09:20.000 --> 00:09:22.919 and bully and form different rival groups. 00:09:24.100 --> 00:09:25.000 And very quickly, 00:09:25.200 --> 00:09:26.220 one of the children 00:09:26.220 --> 00:09:28.000 actually gets killed. 00:09:28.000 --> 00:09:31.240 Ironically, the one who is killed, 00:09:31.340 --> 00:09:32.740 he seems to be the weakest one, 00:09:32.799 --> 00:09:33.820 his name was Piggy, 00:09:34.779 --> 00:09:37.559 had asked all the rest of the boys this question. 00:09:38.500 --> 00:09:39.360 Which is better, 00:09:39.860 --> 00:09:42.440 to have rules and agree 00:09:42.440 --> 00:09:45.919 or to go hunting and breaking things up? 00:09:47.840 --> 00:09:49.559 They had him removed. 00:09:49.559 --> 00:09:52.899 I think the book is a social comment 00:09:52.899 --> 00:09:54.059 on what happens 00:09:54.059 --> 00:09:55.659 when we remove leadership 00:09:55.659 --> 00:09:57.639 from society. 00:09:58.259 --> 00:09:58.719 Anarchy. 00:09:59.119 --> 00:10:01.139 All hell breaks loose. 00:10:01.539 --> 00:10:03.439 There's disorder and chaos 00:10:03.439 --> 00:10:04.939 all around us. 00:10:05.939 --> 00:10:08.000 So we must not reject leadership. 00:10:08.939 --> 00:10:10.219 Instead, we must recognise 00:10:10.219 --> 00:10:11.199 that leadership 00:10:11.199 --> 00:10:13.859 is actually a good thing 00:10:13.859 --> 00:10:14.879 from God 00:10:14.879 --> 00:10:16.059 to bring stability 00:10:16.059 --> 00:10:17.539 and order 00:10:17.539 --> 00:10:18.639 to our lives 00:10:18.639 --> 00:10:19.619 and to our country. 00:10:20.939 --> 00:10:22.179 And because leadership 00:10:22.179 --> 00:10:23.159 is from God, 00:10:23.779 --> 00:10:24.659 we must learn 00:10:24.659 --> 00:10:25.379 to submit 00:10:25.379 --> 00:10:26.419 to those 00:10:26.419 --> 00:10:27.339 who are in leadership. 00:10:27.539 --> 00:10:28.339 Look at verse 1. 00:10:28.779 --> 00:10:29.879 That's how it starts. 00:10:30.099 --> 00:10:30.519 Everyone 00:10:30.519 --> 00:10:32.779 must submit himself 00:10:32.779 --> 00:10:35.019 to the governing authorities. 00:10:36.099 --> 00:10:36.819 What? 00:10:37.119 --> 00:10:39.459 I have to submit myself 00:10:39.459 --> 00:10:40.579 to end a Kenny? 00:10:41.599 --> 00:10:42.419 Yes, you do. 00:10:43.779 --> 00:10:44.399 Submission 00:10:44.399 --> 00:10:45.599 to our leaders 00:10:45.600 --> 00:10:46.460 is actually 00:10:46.460 --> 00:10:47.460 an expression 00:10:47.460 --> 00:10:49.519 of our ultimate 00:10:49.519 --> 00:10:50.840 submission to God. 00:10:51.879 --> 00:10:52.820 And we've come across 00:10:52.820 --> 00:10:54.000 this idea of submission 00:10:54.000 --> 00:10:55.100 as we've worked through 00:10:55.100 --> 00:10:56.300 the whole idea 00:10:56.300 --> 00:10:57.940 of learning to lead. 00:10:59.420 --> 00:11:00.019 It means, 00:11:00.180 --> 00:11:01.779 submission simply means 00:11:01.779 --> 00:11:03.080 to live under God's 00:11:03.080 --> 00:11:03.920 good order 00:11:03.920 --> 00:11:04.680 and God's 00:11:04.680 --> 00:11:05.659 good design. 00:11:05.860 --> 00:11:07.159 So we looked at 00:11:07.159 --> 00:11:08.240 wives having to submit 00:11:08.240 --> 00:11:08.779 to husbands, 00:11:09.040 --> 00:11:10.240 children having to submit 00:11:10.240 --> 00:11:11.040 to parents. 00:11:11.360 --> 00:11:12.379 All of us 00:11:12.379 --> 00:11:14.340 have to submit 00:11:14.340 --> 00:11:15.460 to those 00:11:15.460 --> 00:11:16.559 who are in 00:11:16.559 --> 00:11:18.100 positions of authority, 00:11:18.100 --> 00:11:19.340 in governance. 00:11:20.139 --> 00:11:20.779 And submission 00:11:20.779 --> 00:11:21.960 isn't a sign of weakness, 00:11:22.700 --> 00:11:23.820 but a willingness 00:11:23.820 --> 00:11:25.519 to live God's way. 00:11:26.659 --> 00:11:27.820 So all of us 00:11:27.820 --> 00:11:28.220 are called 00:11:28.220 --> 00:11:28.820 to submit 00:11:28.820 --> 00:11:29.720 to the governing 00:11:29.720 --> 00:11:30.360 authorities 00:11:30.360 --> 00:11:31.820 in our country 00:11:31.820 --> 00:11:33.000 and community. 00:11:33.000 --> 00:11:35.159 Now before we move on, 00:11:35.240 --> 00:11:35.679 let me just 00:11:35.679 --> 00:11:37.860 have a sidetrack here. 00:11:37.919 --> 00:11:38.220 Do you remember 00:11:38.220 --> 00:11:39.419 our reading in Acts? 00:11:40.460 --> 00:11:40.860 Peter 00:11:40.860 --> 00:11:42.100 had just 00:11:42.100 --> 00:11:43.120 brought about 00:11:43.120 --> 00:11:43.740 this healing 00:11:43.740 --> 00:11:45.940 and the authorities 00:11:45.940 --> 00:11:46.759 told Peter 00:11:46.759 --> 00:11:47.980 to stop preaching, 00:11:48.159 --> 00:11:49.340 to stop teaching 00:11:49.340 --> 00:11:50.879 in the name of Jesus. 00:11:51.419 --> 00:11:52.440 And what did Peter say? 00:11:52.500 --> 00:11:52.700 He says, 00:11:52.779 --> 00:11:53.919 we cannot help 00:11:53.919 --> 00:11:55.580 but preach. 00:11:55.860 --> 00:11:57.539 We must obey God 00:11:57.539 --> 00:11:58.779 rather than men. 00:11:58.779 --> 00:11:59.860 So when it talks 00:11:59.860 --> 00:12:00.519 about submission 00:12:00.519 --> 00:12:01.199 to authorities, 00:12:01.699 --> 00:12:02.539 yes we must 00:12:02.539 --> 00:12:03.319 submit to our 00:12:03.319 --> 00:12:03.779 authorities, 00:12:04.039 --> 00:12:04.579 but when 00:12:04.579 --> 00:12:06.100 what the authorities 00:12:06.100 --> 00:12:06.819 say come 00:12:06.819 --> 00:12:07.720 into contradiction 00:12:07.720 --> 00:12:08.639 with what God 00:12:08.639 --> 00:12:09.439 has to say, 00:12:10.319 --> 00:12:10.980 then we must 00:12:10.980 --> 00:12:12.019 choose to obey 00:12:12.019 --> 00:12:13.220 God 00:12:13.220 --> 00:12:14.860 over our leaders. 00:12:15.899 --> 00:12:16.720 But on the whole 00:12:16.720 --> 00:12:17.459 the point here 00:12:17.459 --> 00:12:18.159 is that we should 00:12:18.159 --> 00:12:18.699 submit 00:12:18.699 --> 00:12:19.740 to those 00:12:19.740 --> 00:12:20.899 who are in authority. 00:12:21.059 --> 00:12:21.659 And this point 00:12:21.659 --> 00:12:22.579 is made stronger 00:12:22.579 --> 00:12:23.399 in verse 2. 00:12:24.899 --> 00:12:25.500 Consequently, 00:12:25.720 --> 00:12:26.600 he who rebels 00:12:26.600 --> 00:12:27.939 against the authority 00:12:27.940 --> 00:12:29.620 is rebelling 00:12:29.620 --> 00:12:30.300 against what 00:12:30.300 --> 00:12:31.740 God has instituted. 00:12:32.580 --> 00:12:33.560 And those who do so 00:12:33.560 --> 00:12:34.380 will bring judgment 00:12:34.380 --> 00:12:35.480 on themselves. 00:12:35.640 --> 00:12:36.220 So to rebel 00:12:36.220 --> 00:12:37.320 against your leaders 00:12:37.320 --> 00:12:39.140 is actually 00:12:39.140 --> 00:12:39.640 to rebel 00:12:39.640 --> 00:12:40.580 against God. 00:12:40.960 --> 00:12:41.480 That's how 00:12:41.480 --> 00:12:42.520 closely knit 00:12:42.520 --> 00:12:43.340 they are. 00:12:44.040 --> 00:12:44.980 Not to submit 00:12:44.980 --> 00:12:45.860 to your government 00:12:45.860 --> 00:12:47.160 and to the decisions 00:12:47.160 --> 00:12:47.940 and the policies 00:12:47.940 --> 00:12:48.660 they make 00:12:48.660 --> 00:12:50.140 is actually 00:12:50.140 --> 00:12:51.460 a willful expression 00:12:51.460 --> 00:12:52.780 of I'm not 00:12:52.780 --> 00:12:53.800 submitting to God. 00:12:55.080 --> 00:12:56.060 Because that's 00:12:56.060 --> 00:12:57.160 how law and order 00:12:57.160 --> 00:12:57.620 happen. 00:12:57.620 --> 00:12:58.639 breaks down. 00:12:59.700 --> 00:13:00.460 Verse 6 00:13:00.460 --> 00:13:01.419 is a good example. 00:13:03.080 --> 00:13:03.899 This is also 00:13:03.899 --> 00:13:05.399 why you pay taxes. 00:13:05.940 --> 00:13:06.960 For the authorities 00:13:06.960 --> 00:13:08.299 are God's servants 00:13:08.299 --> 00:13:09.600 who give their time, 00:13:09.919 --> 00:13:10.840 their full time 00:13:10.840 --> 00:13:11.480 to governing. 00:13:12.659 --> 00:13:13.460 And we all know 00:13:13.460 --> 00:13:14.399 and we all complain 00:13:14.399 --> 00:13:14.899 about it 00:13:14.899 --> 00:13:15.779 and we all give off 00:13:15.779 --> 00:13:16.240 about it 00:13:16.240 --> 00:13:16.980 how we all have 00:13:16.980 --> 00:13:17.820 to pay tax. 00:13:18.759 --> 00:13:19.220 And we're going 00:13:19.220 --> 00:13:19.659 to have to pay 00:13:19.659 --> 00:13:20.539 more tax. 00:13:21.179 --> 00:13:21.820 Not least 00:13:21.820 --> 00:13:22.600 the recent 00:13:22.600 --> 00:13:23.759 household tax. 00:13:24.680 --> 00:13:25.620 How many of you 00:13:25.620 --> 00:13:26.519 like me 00:13:26.519 --> 00:13:26.840 thought 00:13:26.840 --> 00:13:27.519 I'm not going 00:13:27.519 --> 00:13:27.919 to pay that. 00:13:27.960 --> 00:13:28.340 I'm not going 00:13:28.340 --> 00:13:29.019 to sign up. 00:13:29.519 --> 00:13:30.120 Did you? 00:13:31.820 --> 00:13:32.299 Well, 00:13:32.399 --> 00:13:33.279 we mightn't agree 00:13:33.279 --> 00:13:33.779 with it 00:13:33.779 --> 00:13:34.879 but our governing 00:13:34.879 --> 00:13:35.480 authorities 00:13:35.480 --> 00:13:36.360 have decided 00:13:36.360 --> 00:13:37.120 that this is 00:13:37.120 --> 00:13:37.940 what is good 00:13:37.940 --> 00:13:39.200 for us. 00:13:39.480 --> 00:13:40.120 This is what is 00:13:40.120 --> 00:13:41.279 right and best 00:13:41.279 --> 00:13:42.560 for our country. 00:13:42.559 --> 00:13:45.019 So in an expression 00:13:45.019 --> 00:13:46.579 of our submission 00:13:46.579 --> 00:13:47.219 to God 00:13:47.219 --> 00:13:48.179 we register, 00:13:48.379 --> 00:13:49.199 we put our names 00:13:49.199 --> 00:13:49.859 and our addresses 00:13:49.859 --> 00:13:50.739 and we will 00:13:50.739 --> 00:13:52.839 pay our household 00:13:52.839 --> 00:13:53.500 tax. 00:13:55.399 --> 00:13:56.439 So leadership 00:13:56.439 --> 00:13:57.939 is a good gift 00:13:57.939 --> 00:13:59.079 from God 00:13:59.079 --> 00:14:01.399 and as an expression 00:14:01.399 --> 00:14:02.159 of our love 00:14:02.159 --> 00:14:02.859 and our commitment 00:14:02.859 --> 00:14:03.699 and our obedience 00:14:03.699 --> 00:14:04.339 to God 00:14:04.339 --> 00:14:06.099 we submit to those 00:14:06.099 --> 00:14:06.659 in authority. 00:14:06.839 --> 00:14:07.939 It's good for us 00:14:07.939 --> 00:14:09.439 and it's good 00:14:09.439 --> 00:14:10.739 for our society. 00:14:10.740 --> 00:14:13.139 So that's the first 00:14:13.139 --> 00:14:13.399 thing, 00:14:13.519 --> 00:14:14.019 that leadership 00:14:14.019 --> 00:14:15.279 is a good gift 00:14:15.279 --> 00:14:16.279 from God. 00:14:16.399 --> 00:14:16.840 Secondly, 00:14:17.759 --> 00:14:18.139 leadership 00:14:18.139 --> 00:14:20.200 is an exercise 00:14:20.200 --> 00:14:21.779 of grace. 00:14:22.340 --> 00:14:23.039 It's a gift 00:14:23.039 --> 00:14:23.879 of grace. 00:14:24.440 --> 00:14:25.360 Look at verse 3. 00:14:27.860 --> 00:14:29.120 For rulers 00:14:29.120 --> 00:14:30.500 hold no terror 00:14:30.500 --> 00:14:31.060 for those 00:14:31.060 --> 00:14:31.960 who do right 00:14:31.960 --> 00:14:32.879 but for those 00:14:32.879 --> 00:14:33.940 who do wrong. 00:14:34.840 --> 00:14:35.539 Do you want 00:14:35.539 --> 00:14:36.139 to be free 00:14:36.139 --> 00:14:36.840 from fear 00:14:36.840 --> 00:14:37.399 of the one 00:14:37.399 --> 00:14:38.180 in authority? 00:14:38.179 --> 00:14:40.679 Then do 00:14:40.679 --> 00:14:41.579 what is right 00:14:41.579 --> 00:14:42.799 and he will 00:14:42.799 --> 00:14:43.620 commend you. 00:14:44.859 --> 00:14:45.819 For he is 00:14:45.819 --> 00:14:47.019 God's servant 00:14:47.019 --> 00:14:48.899 to do you good 00:14:48.899 --> 00:14:50.479 but if you do 00:14:50.479 --> 00:14:51.599 wrong be afraid 00:14:51.599 --> 00:14:52.539 for he does not 00:14:52.539 --> 00:14:53.359 bear the sword 00:14:53.359 --> 00:14:54.299 for nothing. 00:14:54.779 --> 00:14:55.979 He is God's 00:14:55.979 --> 00:14:56.339 servant 00:14:56.339 --> 00:14:58.219 an agent 00:14:58.219 --> 00:14:58.839 of wrath 00:14:58.839 --> 00:15:00.019 to bring punishment 00:15:00.019 --> 00:15:02.019 on the wrongdoer. 00:15:04.339 --> 00:15:05.319 So those 00:15:05.319 --> 00:15:05.899 in position 00:15:05.899 --> 00:15:06.439 of power 00:15:06.439 --> 00:15:07.139 and authority 00:15:07.139 --> 00:15:07.860 the governing 00:15:07.860 --> 00:15:08.519 authorities 00:15:08.519 --> 00:15:08.960 as they're 00:15:08.960 --> 00:15:09.539 called here 00:15:09.539 --> 00:15:11.000 are not only 00:15:11.000 --> 00:15:11.899 put in place 00:15:11.899 --> 00:15:12.919 by God 00:15:12.919 --> 00:15:14.539 they are actually 00:15:14.539 --> 00:15:15.919 called servants 00:15:15.919 --> 00:15:16.759 of God. 00:15:16.899 --> 00:15:17.460 In other words 00:15:17.460 --> 00:15:18.399 they are to act 00:15:18.399 --> 00:15:19.759 on behalf 00:15:19.759 --> 00:15:20.360 of God. 00:15:21.600 --> 00:15:22.360 So leadership 00:15:22.360 --> 00:15:23.159 doesn't mean 00:15:23.159 --> 00:15:24.179 you do as you 00:15:24.179 --> 00:15:24.819 choose 00:15:24.819 --> 00:15:26.039 and you do 00:15:26.039 --> 00:15:26.799 whatever you like 00:15:26.799 --> 00:15:27.460 to the people 00:15:27.460 --> 00:15:28.259 under you. 00:15:28.699 --> 00:15:29.360 No it means 00:15:29.360 --> 00:15:30.000 that we are to 00:15:30.000 --> 00:15:30.759 exercise 00:15:30.759 --> 00:15:32.860 God's character. 00:15:34.019 --> 00:15:34.319 Leaders 00:15:34.320 --> 00:15:35.080 are to be 00:15:35.080 --> 00:15:35.400 people 00:15:35.400 --> 00:15:36.220 who lead 00:15:36.220 --> 00:15:37.460 with grace. 00:15:38.240 --> 00:15:39.200 So the decisions 00:15:39.200 --> 00:15:40.000 that they make 00:15:40.000 --> 00:15:40.580 are to be good 00:15:40.580 --> 00:15:41.300 for the people 00:15:41.300 --> 00:15:42.300 and to be good 00:15:42.300 --> 00:15:43.180 for society. 00:15:44.960 --> 00:15:46.100 And we've already 00:15:46.100 --> 00:15:47.360 mentioned that 00:15:47.360 --> 00:15:48.660 many who do 00:15:48.660 --> 00:15:49.620 get into positions 00:15:49.620 --> 00:15:50.200 of leadership 00:15:50.200 --> 00:15:51.720 abuse their 00:15:51.720 --> 00:15:52.860 position and power 00:15:52.860 --> 00:15:53.780 and they bring 00:15:53.780 --> 00:15:54.740 a lot of harm 00:15:54.740 --> 00:15:55.379 to people. 00:15:55.379 --> 00:15:58.139 As Paul is 00:15:58.139 --> 00:15:58.779 writing this 00:15:58.779 --> 00:15:59.519 we know 00:15:59.519 --> 00:16:00.379 that it's 00:16:00.379 --> 00:16:01.320 not too far 00:16:01.320 --> 00:16:01.799 off 00:16:01.799 --> 00:16:02.960 when Nero 00:16:02.960 --> 00:16:03.679 becomes 00:16:03.679 --> 00:16:04.539 leader 00:16:04.539 --> 00:16:05.580 over Rome. 00:16:06.240 --> 00:16:06.939 He was the one 00:16:06.939 --> 00:16:07.259 who would 00:16:07.259 --> 00:16:08.360 persecute 00:16:08.360 --> 00:16:09.059 Christians 00:16:09.059 --> 00:16:09.519 who would 00:16:09.519 --> 00:16:10.639 blame Christians 00:16:10.639 --> 00:16:11.559 for the burning 00:16:11.559 --> 00:16:11.860 of Rome. 00:16:12.100 --> 00:16:12.519 He would do 00:16:12.519 --> 00:16:13.279 terrible things 00:16:13.279 --> 00:16:13.820 to the people 00:16:13.820 --> 00:16:14.679 but yet he is 00:16:14.679 --> 00:16:15.279 still saying 00:16:15.279 --> 00:16:16.120 to the believers 00:16:16.120 --> 00:16:17.799 submit yourself 00:16:17.799 --> 00:16:18.419 to those 00:16:18.419 --> 00:16:18.779 who are in 00:16:18.779 --> 00:16:19.259 authority. 00:16:22.899 --> 00:16:23.700 We saw 00:16:23.700 --> 00:16:24.559 it last year 00:16:24.559 --> 00:16:25.559 in Libya 00:16:25.559 --> 00:16:26.299 with the brutal 00:16:26.299 --> 00:16:27.039 regime of 00:16:27.039 --> 00:16:27.979 Colonel Gaddafi. 00:16:29.159 --> 00:16:29.879 We see it 00:16:29.879 --> 00:16:30.359 right now 00:16:30.359 --> 00:16:31.000 in Syria 00:16:31.000 --> 00:16:31.739 as we watch 00:16:31.739 --> 00:16:32.339 the news 00:16:32.339 --> 00:16:33.439 of President 00:16:33.439 --> 00:16:34.500 Bashir Assad 00:16:34.500 --> 00:16:35.219 as he watched 00:16:35.219 --> 00:16:36.579 the indiscriminate 00:16:36.579 --> 00:16:37.479 killing of his 00:16:37.479 --> 00:16:38.059 own people 00:16:38.059 --> 00:16:39.119 women and 00:16:39.119 --> 00:16:39.659 children. 00:16:40.299 --> 00:16:41.339 So we recognise 00:16:41.339 --> 00:16:42.179 there are many 00:16:42.179 --> 00:16:43.059 people who are 00:16:43.059 --> 00:16:43.819 in positions 00:16:43.819 --> 00:16:44.419 of leadership 00:16:44.419 --> 00:16:45.759 who abuse 00:16:45.759 --> 00:16:46.619 their authority 00:16:46.619 --> 00:16:47.899 and cause a lot 00:16:47.899 --> 00:16:48.239 of harm. 00:16:48.339 --> 00:16:49.179 That does happen. 00:16:51.419 --> 00:16:52.139 And we don't 00:16:52.139 --> 00:16:52.619 need to look 00:16:52.619 --> 00:16:53.439 outside our own 00:16:53.439 --> 00:16:54.500 country for example 00:16:54.500 --> 00:16:55.139 we've got our 00:16:55.139 --> 00:16:55.940 own gangsters 00:16:55.940 --> 00:16:56.480 and villains. 00:16:57.440 --> 00:16:58.139 They may wear 00:16:58.139 --> 00:16:58.840 collars and 00:16:58.840 --> 00:16:59.500 ties but 00:16:59.500 --> 00:17:00.559 they still 00:17:00.559 --> 00:17:01.600 cause damage 00:17:01.600 --> 00:17:02.919 and they've 00:17:02.919 --> 00:17:03.320 brought our 00:17:03.320 --> 00:17:03.980 own country 00:17:03.980 --> 00:17:05.339 into a terrible 00:17:05.339 --> 00:17:05.880 mess. 00:17:06.940 --> 00:17:07.519 But again 00:17:07.519 --> 00:17:08.059 I think the 00:17:08.059 --> 00:17:09.039 general principle 00:17:09.039 --> 00:17:09.700 and we shouldn't 00:17:09.700 --> 00:17:10.559 lose this here 00:17:10.559 --> 00:17:11.680 is that it is 00:17:11.680 --> 00:17:12.859 God's intention 00:17:12.859 --> 00:17:14.619 God's desire 00:17:14.619 --> 00:17:15.259 that those 00:17:15.259 --> 00:17:16.039 who are in 00:17:16.039 --> 00:17:16.579 leadership 00:17:16.579 --> 00:17:19.599 would express 00:17:19.599 --> 00:17:21.059 God's character 00:17:21.059 --> 00:17:21.980 character in 00:17:21.980 --> 00:17:22.819 their decisions 00:17:22.819 --> 00:17:24.039 and in their 00:17:24.039 --> 00:17:25.000 policy making. 00:17:26.000 --> 00:17:27.559 They are God's 00:17:27.559 --> 00:17:28.099 servants 00:17:28.099 --> 00:17:29.960 to do good. 00:17:31.599 --> 00:17:32.919 They are to be 00:17:32.919 --> 00:17:33.500 as we might 00:17:33.500 --> 00:17:33.940 call them 00:17:33.940 --> 00:17:34.819 servants 00:17:34.819 --> 00:17:36.279 of God's 00:17:36.279 --> 00:17:36.700 grace. 00:17:37.099 --> 00:17:38.159 They are to see 00:17:38.159 --> 00:17:38.960 that God's 00:17:38.960 --> 00:17:39.700 grace gets 00:17:39.700 --> 00:17:40.399 worked out 00:17:40.399 --> 00:17:41.720 in society. 00:17:42.019 --> 00:17:42.659 We see this 00:17:42.659 --> 00:17:43.339 in two ways. 00:17:43.440 --> 00:17:43.899 Look at verse 00:17:43.900 --> 00:17:44.300 4. 00:17:47.019 --> 00:17:48.019 For he is 00:17:48.019 --> 00:17:49.000 God's servant 00:17:49.000 --> 00:17:49.880 to do you 00:17:49.880 --> 00:17:50.320 good. 00:17:51.640 --> 00:17:52.380 But if you 00:17:52.380 --> 00:17:53.140 do wrong 00:17:53.140 --> 00:17:54.140 be afraid 00:17:54.140 --> 00:17:54.700 for he does 00:17:54.700 --> 00:17:55.400 not bear the 00:17:55.400 --> 00:17:56.040 sword for 00:17:56.040 --> 00:17:56.500 nothing. 00:17:57.180 --> 00:17:58.060 He is God's 00:17:58.060 --> 00:17:58.700 servant, an 00:17:58.700 --> 00:17:59.480 agent of wrath 00:17:59.480 --> 00:18:00.460 to bring punishment 00:18:00.460 --> 00:18:02.180 on the wrongdoer. 00:18:03.560 --> 00:18:04.280 Now whether 00:18:04.280 --> 00:18:04.660 there's an 00:18:04.660 --> 00:18:05.400 argument here 00:18:05.400 --> 00:18:06.160 for corporal 00:18:06.160 --> 00:18:06.600 punishment 00:18:06.600 --> 00:18:07.580 you can discuss 00:18:07.580 --> 00:18:08.300 that afterwards. 00:18:08.800 --> 00:18:09.480 I'm not bringing 00:18:09.480 --> 00:18:10.180 that into this 00:18:10.180 --> 00:18:10.900 now but what 00:18:10.900 --> 00:18:11.620 I want us to 00:18:11.620 --> 00:18:12.259 see here 00:18:12.259 --> 00:18:13.400 is that 00:18:13.400 --> 00:18:13.920 governing 00:18:13.920 --> 00:18:14.660 authorities 00:18:14.660 --> 00:18:16.160 have a 00:18:16.160 --> 00:18:16.839 dual role. 00:18:16.960 --> 00:18:17.400 They are both 00:18:17.400 --> 00:18:18.180 to protect 00:18:18.180 --> 00:18:18.859 the people 00:18:18.859 --> 00:18:20.379 and they are 00:18:20.379 --> 00:18:21.000 to punish 00:18:21.000 --> 00:18:21.559 the people. 00:18:22.240 --> 00:18:22.920 They are to 00:18:22.920 --> 00:18:23.799 protect the 00:18:23.799 --> 00:18:24.460 people from 00:18:24.460 --> 00:18:25.299 injustice 00:18:25.299 --> 00:18:26.619 and they are 00:18:26.619 --> 00:18:27.259 to punish 00:18:27.259 --> 00:18:27.960 those who 00:18:27.960 --> 00:18:29.079 are unjust. 00:18:29.980 --> 00:18:30.680 That is why 00:18:30.680 --> 00:18:31.400 there are 00:18:31.400 --> 00:18:32.279 leaders in 00:18:32.279 --> 00:18:32.900 society. 00:18:33.500 --> 00:18:34.000 Leaders are 00:18:34.000 --> 00:18:34.859 put in place 00:18:34.859 --> 00:18:35.480 by God 00:18:35.480 --> 00:18:36.400 to stand up 00:18:36.400 --> 00:18:37.019 for the weak 00:18:37.019 --> 00:18:37.740 for the 00:18:37.740 --> 00:18:38.180 vulnerable 00:18:38.180 --> 00:18:39.180 and for 00:18:39.180 --> 00:18:40.019 the marginalized 00:18:40.019 --> 00:18:41.359 and leaders 00:18:41.359 --> 00:18:41.819 have been 00:18:41.819 --> 00:18:42.679 put in place 00:18:42.679 --> 00:18:43.279 by God 00:18:43.279 --> 00:18:43.700 to deal 00:18:43.700 --> 00:18:44.059 with the 00:18:44.059 --> 00:18:44.439 greedy 00:18:44.439 --> 00:18:45.639 the unjust 00:18:45.639 --> 00:18:46.579 and those 00:18:46.579 --> 00:18:47.460 who exploit. 00:18:49.000 --> 00:18:49.639 And all 00:18:49.639 --> 00:18:50.000 of this 00:18:50.000 --> 00:18:50.339 when it 00:18:50.339 --> 00:18:50.980 begins to 00:18:50.980 --> 00:18:51.379 work as 00:18:51.379 --> 00:18:51.819 it should 00:18:51.819 --> 00:18:52.179 do 00:18:52.179 --> 00:18:53.079 is actually 00:18:53.079 --> 00:18:53.939 an expression 00:18:53.939 --> 00:18:55.159 of God's 00:18:55.159 --> 00:18:55.659 greater 00:18:55.659 --> 00:18:56.619 and general 00:18:56.619 --> 00:18:57.159 grace 00:18:57.159 --> 00:18:58.179 in action. 00:18:58.899 --> 00:18:59.279 It's a 00:18:59.279 --> 00:18:59.899 working out 00:18:59.899 --> 00:19:01.019 of God's 00:19:01.019 --> 00:19:01.559 character 00:19:01.559 --> 00:19:03.039 in society. 00:19:04.439 --> 00:19:05.019 So for 00:19:05.019 --> 00:19:05.759 example today 00:19:05.759 --> 00:19:06.200 the most 00:19:06.200 --> 00:19:06.679 vulnerable 00:19:06.679 --> 00:19:07.480 in our 00:19:07.480 --> 00:19:08.119 society 00:19:08.119 --> 00:19:08.759 within our 00:19:08.759 --> 00:19:09.259 community 00:19:09.259 --> 00:19:10.599 are those 00:19:10.599 --> 00:19:10.859 who are 00:19:10.859 --> 00:19:11.299 on low 00:19:11.299 --> 00:19:11.900 incomes 00:19:11.900 --> 00:19:13.460 single 00:19:13.460 --> 00:19:13.839 parent 00:19:13.839 --> 00:19:14.440 families 00:19:14.440 --> 00:19:14.920 and 00:19:14.920 --> 00:19:15.440 immigrants. 00:19:16.920 --> 00:19:17.180 And so 00:19:17.180 --> 00:19:17.519 we should 00:19:17.519 --> 00:19:18.279 expect that 00:19:18.279 --> 00:19:18.900 our leaders 00:19:18.900 --> 00:19:19.799 are working 00:19:19.799 --> 00:19:20.819 towards their 00:19:20.819 --> 00:19:21.660 protection and 00:19:21.660 --> 00:19:23.059 care and 00:19:23.059 --> 00:19:23.379 that they 00:19:23.379 --> 00:19:23.740 should be 00:19:23.740 --> 00:19:24.259 seeking to 00:19:24.259 --> 00:19:25.039 bring justice 00:19:25.039 --> 00:19:25.819 on those 00:19:25.819 --> 00:19:26.680 who exploit 00:19:26.680 --> 00:19:27.740 and those 00:19:27.740 --> 00:19:28.220 who pay 00:19:28.220 --> 00:19:29.000 below minimum 00:19:29.000 --> 00:19:29.579 wages. 00:19:30.640 --> 00:19:31.539 And we get 00:19:31.539 --> 00:19:32.059 an example 00:19:32.059 --> 00:19:32.460 of this 00:19:32.460 --> 00:19:32.839 in verse 00:19:32.839 --> 00:19:33.220 7. 00:19:34.680 --> 00:19:35.140 So he 00:19:35.140 --> 00:19:35.759 says give 00:19:35.759 --> 00:19:36.920 everyone 00:19:36.920 --> 00:19:38.039 what you 00:19:38.039 --> 00:19:38.779 owe him. 00:19:39.700 --> 00:19:40.299 If you 00:19:40.299 --> 00:19:41.220 owe taxes 00:19:41.220 --> 00:19:42.759 pay taxes. 00:19:43.059 --> 00:19:43.900 If revenue 00:19:43.900 --> 00:19:45.220 then revenue. 00:19:45.700 --> 00:19:46.579 If respect 00:19:46.579 --> 00:19:47.619 then respect. 00:19:47.759 --> 00:19:48.220 If honour 00:19:48.220 --> 00:19:49.359 then honour. 00:19:50.619 --> 00:19:51.160 Because we 00:19:51.160 --> 00:19:51.500 know that 00:19:51.500 --> 00:19:52.140 part of our 00:19:52.140 --> 00:19:52.900 tax system 00:19:52.900 --> 00:19:53.259 and our 00:19:53.259 --> 00:19:53.859 revenue is 00:19:53.859 --> 00:19:54.240 to help 00:19:54.240 --> 00:19:54.700 those who 00:19:54.700 --> 00:19:55.000 are for 00:19:55.000 --> 00:19:55.339 whatever 00:19:55.339 --> 00:19:55.819 reason 00:19:55.819 --> 00:19:56.980 are unable 00:19:56.980 --> 00:19:57.619 to provide 00:19:57.619 --> 00:19:58.379 for themselves. 00:19:59.279 --> 00:19:59.720 It's a 00:19:59.720 --> 00:20:00.599 good system 00:20:00.599 --> 00:20:01.000 that we 00:20:01.000 --> 00:20:01.720 have within 00:20:01.720 --> 00:20:02.660 our country. 00:20:03.779 --> 00:20:04.200 And the 00:20:04.200 --> 00:20:04.559 governing 00:20:04.559 --> 00:20:05.200 authorities 00:20:05.200 --> 00:20:06.059 are to 00:20:06.059 --> 00:20:07.000 be responsible 00:20:07.000 --> 00:20:08.080 to ensure 00:20:08.080 --> 00:20:08.620 that those 00:20:08.620 --> 00:20:09.200 who can 00:20:09.200 --> 00:20:10.259 pay do 00:20:10.259 --> 00:20:11.240 pay and 00:20:11.240 --> 00:20:11.580 we should 00:20:11.580 --> 00:20:12.380 support them. 00:20:13.080 --> 00:20:13.600 But they 00:20:13.600 --> 00:20:14.120 should also 00:20:14.120 --> 00:20:14.880 punish those 00:20:14.880 --> 00:20:15.519 who abuse 00:20:15.519 --> 00:20:16.019 the system 00:20:16.019 --> 00:20:16.500 and milk 00:20:16.500 --> 00:20:17.100 the system 00:20:17.100 --> 00:20:18.660 and that 00:20:18.660 --> 00:20:19.000 they are 00:20:19.000 --> 00:20:19.500 equally 00:20:19.500 --> 00:20:20.539 dealt with. 00:20:21.299 --> 00:20:21.980 So leadership 00:20:21.980 --> 00:20:22.539 is not 00:20:22.539 --> 00:20:23.180 something to 00:20:23.180 --> 00:20:23.539 kind of 00:20:23.539 --> 00:20:24.299 point fingers 00:20:24.299 --> 00:20:25.019 and complain 00:20:25.019 --> 00:20:25.539 about and 00:20:25.539 --> 00:20:26.019 give off 00:20:26.019 --> 00:20:26.360 about. 00:20:26.960 --> 00:20:27.400 Leadership 00:20:27.400 --> 00:20:28.539 is a 00:20:28.539 --> 00:20:29.000 gift of 00:20:29.000 --> 00:20:29.480 grace. 00:20:30.420 --> 00:20:30.819 It's a 00:20:30.819 --> 00:20:31.420 working out 00:20:31.420 --> 00:20:32.160 of God's 00:20:32.160 --> 00:20:32.759 character 00:20:32.759 --> 00:20:34.840 within society. 00:20:35.200 --> 00:20:39.580 So leadership 00:20:39.580 --> 00:20:40.200 is a good 00:20:40.200 --> 00:20:40.700 gift from 00:20:40.700 --> 00:20:41.319 God and 00:20:41.319 --> 00:20:41.759 it is a 00:20:41.759 --> 00:20:42.519 gift of 00:20:42.519 --> 00:20:42.940 grace. 00:20:43.100 --> 00:20:43.380 But what 00:20:43.380 --> 00:20:43.720 does that 00:20:43.720 --> 00:20:44.180 mean for 00:20:44.180 --> 00:20:44.539 you and 00:20:44.539 --> 00:20:44.940 for I? 00:20:46.779 --> 00:20:47.480 Well I 00:20:47.480 --> 00:20:48.080 think it's 00:20:48.080 --> 00:20:48.400 this. 00:20:48.660 --> 00:20:49.140 Third, that 00:20:49.140 --> 00:20:49.600 we should 00:20:49.600 --> 00:20:50.380 be leaders 00:20:50.380 --> 00:20:51.480 in our 00:20:51.480 --> 00:20:52.039 community. 00:20:53.279 --> 00:20:53.960 It's a 00:20:53.960 --> 00:20:55.920 calling for 00:20:55.920 --> 00:20:56.759 Christian 00:20:56.759 --> 00:20:57.500 leadership 00:20:57.500 --> 00:20:59.080 locally 00:20:59.080 --> 00:21:00.580 and nationally. 00:21:00.579 --> 00:21:02.359 if leadership 00:21:02.359 --> 00:21:03.259 is a gift 00:21:03.259 --> 00:21:04.079 from God 00:21:04.079 --> 00:21:05.079 to society 00:21:05.079 --> 00:21:07.460 and if 00:21:07.460 --> 00:21:07.839 leadership 00:21:07.839 --> 00:21:08.259 is a 00:21:08.259 --> 00:21:08.679 gift of 00:21:08.679 --> 00:21:09.099 grace 00:21:09.099 --> 00:21:10.559 for society 00:21:10.559 --> 00:21:12.339 then we 00:21:12.339 --> 00:21:12.980 ought to 00:21:12.980 --> 00:21:14.079 see many 00:21:14.079 --> 00:21:14.720 Christians 00:21:14.720 --> 00:21:15.720 in positions 00:21:15.720 --> 00:21:16.539 of leadership. 00:21:17.960 --> 00:21:18.619 We need 00:21:18.619 --> 00:21:19.259 to be people 00:21:19.259 --> 00:21:20.139 who take 00:21:20.139 --> 00:21:20.939 the step 00:21:20.939 --> 00:21:21.599 that take 00:21:21.599 --> 00:21:22.240 the initiative 00:21:22.240 --> 00:21:23.399 and that 00:21:23.399 --> 00:21:24.299 we become 00:21:24.299 --> 00:21:25.779 conduits 00:21:25.779 --> 00:21:27.480 or channels 00:21:27.480 --> 00:21:28.480 of God's 00:21:28.480 --> 00:21:28.940 grace 00:21:28.940 --> 00:21:30.680 into our 00:21:30.680 --> 00:21:31.220 community. 00:21:32.779 --> 00:21:33.539 That might 00:21:33.539 --> 00:21:34.099 be starting 00:21:34.099 --> 00:21:34.599 a local 00:21:34.599 --> 00:21:35.420 action group 00:21:35.420 --> 00:21:36.059 who are 00:21:36.059 --> 00:21:36.799 seeking better 00:21:36.799 --> 00:21:37.319 resources 00:21:37.319 --> 00:21:38.440 for young 00:21:38.440 --> 00:21:38.839 people. 00:21:39.700 --> 00:21:40.160 It might 00:21:40.160 --> 00:21:40.700 be joining 00:21:40.700 --> 00:21:41.180 a board 00:21:41.180 --> 00:21:41.460 who are 00:21:41.460 --> 00:21:42.119 seeking better 00:21:42.119 --> 00:21:42.799 education 00:21:42.799 --> 00:21:43.420 facilities 00:21:43.420 --> 00:21:44.319 for our 00:21:44.319 --> 00:21:44.700 children. 00:21:45.160 --> 00:21:45.599 And these 00:21:45.599 --> 00:21:45.879 are the 00:21:45.879 --> 00:21:46.599 kinds of 00:21:46.599 --> 00:21:47.460 areas we 00:21:47.460 --> 00:21:48.240 ought to be 00:21:48.240 --> 00:21:49.299 immersed at 00:21:49.299 --> 00:21:50.480 within local 00:21:50.480 --> 00:21:51.160 levels and I 00:21:51.160 --> 00:21:51.819 know that some 00:21:51.819 --> 00:21:52.420 of you are 00:21:52.420 --> 00:21:52.879 and that's 00:21:52.879 --> 00:21:53.700 great to see 00:21:53.700 --> 00:21:54.279 and we 00:21:54.279 --> 00:21:54.620 ought to 00:21:54.620 --> 00:21:55.279 encourage it 00:21:55.279 --> 00:21:55.720 more and 00:21:55.720 --> 00:21:56.000 more. 00:21:57.840 --> 00:21:58.480 But let me 00:21:58.480 --> 00:21:59.420 suggest two 00:21:59.420 --> 00:22:01.039 areas that 00:22:01.039 --> 00:22:01.440 are of 00:22:01.440 --> 00:22:02.600 particular need 00:22:02.600 --> 00:22:03.120 within our 00:22:03.120 --> 00:22:04.019 wider community 00:22:04.019 --> 00:22:05.460 that perhaps 00:22:05.460 --> 00:22:06.200 we can have 00:22:06.200 --> 00:22:06.799 an input 00:22:06.799 --> 00:22:08.580 or something 00:22:08.580 --> 00:22:09.120 that we should 00:22:09.120 --> 00:22:09.799 certainly be 00:22:09.799 --> 00:22:10.920 raising and 00:22:10.920 --> 00:22:11.840 thinking and 00:22:11.840 --> 00:22:12.900 wanting to 00:22:12.900 --> 00:22:13.340 implement. 00:22:14.420 --> 00:22:14.960 Here's the 00:22:14.960 --> 00:22:15.340 first. 00:22:16.400 --> 00:22:17.279 Protect the 00:22:17.279 --> 00:22:17.720 vulnerable. 00:22:19.600 --> 00:22:20.519 One of the 00:22:20.519 --> 00:22:21.200 most vulnerable 00:22:21.200 --> 00:22:22.100 groups in our 00:22:22.100 --> 00:22:23.140 society today 00:22:23.140 --> 00:22:24.600 are immigrants, 00:22:24.780 --> 00:22:25.360 people who've 00:22:25.360 --> 00:22:26.340 moved to 00:22:26.340 --> 00:22:26.940 this country 00:22:26.940 --> 00:22:27.700 for all 00:22:27.700 --> 00:22:28.320 kinds of 00:22:28.320 --> 00:22:28.660 reasons. 00:22:30.020 --> 00:22:30.380 And the 00:22:30.380 --> 00:22:30.980 survey that 00:22:30.980 --> 00:22:31.440 I looked 00:22:31.440 --> 00:22:32.220 online at 00:22:32.220 --> 00:22:32.800 has just 00:22:32.800 --> 00:22:33.400 been published 00:22:33.400 --> 00:22:33.980 this week 00:22:33.980 --> 00:22:34.640 reported 00:22:34.640 --> 00:22:36.180 and it 00:22:36.180 --> 00:22:36.720 showed that 00:22:36.720 --> 00:22:37.400 unemployment 00:22:37.400 --> 00:22:38.920 among 00:22:38.920 --> 00:22:39.580 immigrants 00:22:39.580 --> 00:22:40.200 rose by 00:22:40.200 --> 00:22:41.280 40% 00:22:41.280 --> 00:22:42.440 in the 00:22:42.440 --> 00:22:43.080 last three 00:22:43.080 --> 00:22:43.560 years 00:22:43.560 --> 00:22:45.060 compared to 00:22:45.060 --> 00:22:46.380 only 10% 00:22:46.380 --> 00:22:47.280 among Irish 00:22:47.280 --> 00:22:48.040 nationals. 00:22:49.280 --> 00:22:49.660 Now I know 00:22:49.660 --> 00:22:50.220 that's still a 00:22:50.220 --> 00:22:50.940 big figure but 00:22:50.940 --> 00:22:51.560 just there's 00:22:51.559 --> 00:22:52.700 40% 00:22:52.700 --> 00:22:53.339 unemployment 00:22:53.339 --> 00:22:53.940 has risen 00:22:53.940 --> 00:22:54.720 with immigrants 00:22:54.720 --> 00:22:56.179 and 10% 00:22:56.179 --> 00:22:57.539 among Irish 00:22:57.539 --> 00:22:58.259 nationals. 00:22:59.099 --> 00:22:59.599 And the 00:22:59.599 --> 00:23:00.059 knock-on 00:23:00.059 --> 00:23:00.839 effects upon 00:23:00.839 --> 00:23:02.139 people is 00:23:02.139 --> 00:23:02.519 what they 00:23:02.519 --> 00:23:03.740 term consistent 00:23:03.740 --> 00:23:04.700 poverty. 00:23:06.319 --> 00:23:07.119 Consistent 00:23:07.119 --> 00:23:08.399 poverty means 00:23:08.399 --> 00:23:10.119 a low income 00:23:10.119 --> 00:23:10.799 which lacks 00:23:10.799 --> 00:23:11.700 basic needs 00:23:11.700 --> 00:23:12.240 such as 00:23:12.240 --> 00:23:13.359 adequate clothing, 00:23:14.039 --> 00:23:15.319 warmth and 00:23:15.319 --> 00:23:15.839 food. 00:23:17.519 --> 00:23:18.019 And they're 00:23:18.019 --> 00:23:18.740 saying now that 00:23:18.740 --> 00:23:19.039 there are 00:23:19.039 --> 00:23:19.839 many people 00:23:19.839 --> 00:23:20.500 because of 00:23:20.500 --> 00:23:21.200 unemployment 00:23:21.200 --> 00:23:22.940 that they 00:23:22.940 --> 00:23:23.380 do not 00:23:23.380 --> 00:23:24.559 have access 00:23:24.559 --> 00:23:25.099 to this. 00:23:25.319 --> 00:23:26.140 They're put 00:23:26.140 --> 00:23:26.579 into a 00:23:26.579 --> 00:23:27.099 bracket of 00:23:27.099 --> 00:23:27.660 consistent 00:23:27.660 --> 00:23:28.240 poverty. 00:23:29.279 --> 00:23:29.700 What do 00:23:29.700 --> 00:23:30.160 we do? 00:23:30.660 --> 00:23:31.259 What's our 00:23:31.259 --> 00:23:32.319 role within 00:23:32.319 --> 00:23:32.579 this? 00:23:32.700 --> 00:23:33.640 Well maybe 00:23:33.640 --> 00:23:35.519 it's people 00:23:35.519 --> 00:23:36.099 having to 00:23:36.099 --> 00:23:36.920 stand up and 00:23:36.920 --> 00:23:37.500 take initiative 00:23:37.500 --> 00:23:38.400 to find out 00:23:38.400 --> 00:23:38.819 where these 00:23:38.819 --> 00:23:39.720 people live 00:23:39.720 --> 00:23:41.579 and start an 00:23:41.579 --> 00:23:42.339 action or 00:23:42.339 --> 00:23:43.279 support group 00:23:43.279 --> 00:23:43.940 to do 00:23:43.940 --> 00:23:44.700 something about 00:23:44.700 --> 00:23:45.039 it. 00:23:45.039 --> 00:23:46.539 maybe it's 00:23:46.539 --> 00:23:47.440 already joining 00:23:47.440 --> 00:23:48.319 an existing 00:23:48.319 --> 00:23:49.839 group as 00:23:49.839 --> 00:23:50.539 a Christian 00:23:50.539 --> 00:23:52.440 and using 00:23:52.440 --> 00:23:53.200 your God 00:23:53.200 --> 00:23:54.000 given Christian 00:23:54.000 --> 00:23:55.379 principles and 00:23:55.379 --> 00:23:56.379 applying them 00:23:56.379 --> 00:23:57.139 and seeing 00:23:57.139 --> 00:23:57.920 them worked 00:23:57.920 --> 00:23:58.500 out for the 00:23:58.500 --> 00:23:59.099 common good 00:23:59.099 --> 00:24:00.200 of people. 00:24:01.220 --> 00:24:02.420 Joining and 00:24:02.420 --> 00:24:03.259 getting alongside 00:24:03.259 --> 00:24:04.119 the weak and 00:24:04.119 --> 00:24:04.559 the helpless 00:24:04.559 --> 00:24:06.039 assisting them 00:24:06.039 --> 00:24:06.980 and pleading 00:24:06.980 --> 00:24:07.680 their case. 00:24:08.759 --> 00:24:09.759 I talked to 00:24:09.759 --> 00:24:10.279 a lady 00:24:10.279 --> 00:24:11.700 recently in 00:24:11.700 --> 00:24:12.659 another church 00:24:12.659 --> 00:24:13.960 who has been 00:24:13.960 --> 00:24:15.059 helping somebody 00:24:15.059 --> 00:24:15.500 in that 00:24:15.500 --> 00:24:16.160 situation. 00:24:16.400 --> 00:24:17.019 Who has been 00:24:17.019 --> 00:24:17.700 going with 00:24:17.700 --> 00:24:18.620 them to 00:24:18.620 --> 00:24:19.180 the local 00:24:19.180 --> 00:24:20.620 court to 00:24:20.620 --> 00:24:21.279 plead their 00:24:21.279 --> 00:24:21.759 case, to 00:24:21.759 --> 00:24:22.220 work with 00:24:22.220 --> 00:24:22.519 them, to 00:24:22.519 --> 00:24:23.539 stand with 00:24:23.539 --> 00:24:25.000 them to 00:24:25.000 --> 00:24:25.480 try and 00:24:25.480 --> 00:24:26.600 improve their 00:24:26.600 --> 00:24:27.779 situation because 00:24:27.779 --> 00:24:28.460 simply they 00:24:28.460 --> 00:24:28.880 hadn't the 00:24:28.880 --> 00:24:29.559 resources to 00:24:29.559 --> 00:24:29.940 do it on 00:24:29.940 --> 00:24:30.279 their own. 00:24:30.559 --> 00:24:31.240 It requires 00:24:31.240 --> 00:24:32.299 leaders who 00:24:32.299 --> 00:24:32.740 will do 00:24:32.740 --> 00:24:33.579 that even 00:24:33.579 --> 00:24:34.440 just on a 00:24:34.440 --> 00:24:35.240 friendship level. 00:24:37.420 --> 00:24:38.259 I give you 00:24:38.259 --> 00:24:38.860 one example 00:24:38.860 --> 00:24:39.620 from history. 00:24:40.860 --> 00:24:41.259 I'm sure 00:24:41.259 --> 00:24:41.700 you've all 00:24:41.700 --> 00:24:42.200 heard of 00:24:42.200 --> 00:24:43.120 John Wesley. 00:24:43.960 --> 00:24:44.700 a very 00:24:44.700 --> 00:24:45.380 famous 00:24:45.380 --> 00:24:46.079 preacher 00:24:46.079 --> 00:24:46.799 connected 00:24:46.799 --> 00:24:47.819 with the 00:24:47.819 --> 00:24:48.600 Methodists. 00:24:49.420 --> 00:24:50.200 I actually 00:24:50.200 --> 00:24:50.779 think he 00:24:50.779 --> 00:24:51.880 preached in 00:24:51.880 --> 00:24:53.240 Kinsale on 00:24:53.240 --> 00:24:53.819 one occasion. 00:24:53.960 --> 00:24:54.380 He's well 00:24:54.380 --> 00:24:55.160 known as 00:24:55.160 --> 00:24:56.380 an evangelist. 00:24:57.100 --> 00:24:57.559 But he 00:24:57.559 --> 00:24:58.079 wasn't just 00:24:58.079 --> 00:24:59.120 an evangelist. 00:24:59.559 --> 00:25:00.000 He was 00:25:00.000 --> 00:25:00.660 somebody who 00:25:00.660 --> 00:25:01.480 took local 00:25:01.480 --> 00:25:02.059 action, 00:25:02.759 --> 00:25:03.819 locally and 00:25:03.819 --> 00:25:04.319 nationally, 00:25:04.319 --> 00:25:05.180 to change 00:25:05.180 --> 00:25:05.740 much of 00:25:05.740 --> 00:25:06.100 what was 00:25:06.100 --> 00:25:06.640 going on. 00:25:07.019 --> 00:25:07.500 And I 00:25:07.500 --> 00:25:08.180 read here 00:25:08.180 --> 00:25:10.360 how Britain 00:25:10.360 --> 00:25:11.360 was at 00:25:11.360 --> 00:25:12.160 that time. 00:25:12.360 --> 00:25:12.799 This is a 00:25:12.799 --> 00:25:13.099 quote. 00:25:15.539 --> 00:25:16.319 It was 00:25:16.319 --> 00:25:17.339 characterised 00:25:17.339 --> 00:25:18.220 by wanton 00:25:18.220 --> 00:25:19.119 torture of 00:25:19.119 --> 00:25:19.899 animals for 00:25:19.899 --> 00:25:20.419 sport, 00:25:21.159 --> 00:25:21.980 the bestial 00:25:21.980 --> 00:25:22.779 drunkenness 00:25:22.779 --> 00:25:23.240 of the 00:25:23.240 --> 00:25:23.879 populace, 00:25:24.720 --> 00:25:25.680 the inhuman 00:25:25.680 --> 00:25:26.619 traffic in 00:25:26.619 --> 00:25:27.159 African 00:25:27.159 --> 00:25:28.059 Negroes, 00:25:28.419 --> 00:25:29.079 the kidnapping 00:25:29.079 --> 00:25:29.799 of fellow 00:25:29.799 --> 00:25:30.759 countrymen for 00:25:30.759 --> 00:25:32.059 exportation and 00:25:32.059 --> 00:25:32.779 sale as 00:25:32.779 --> 00:25:33.200 slaves, 00:25:33.680 --> 00:25:34.639 the mortality 00:25:34.639 --> 00:25:35.559 of parish 00:25:35.559 --> 00:25:36.059 children, 00:25:36.599 --> 00:25:37.299 the universal 00:25:37.299 --> 00:25:37.859 gambling 00:25:37.859 --> 00:25:38.440 obsession, 00:25:38.440 --> 00:25:39.600 the savagery 00:25:39.600 --> 00:25:40.059 of the 00:25:40.059 --> 00:25:40.860 prison system 00:25:40.860 --> 00:25:41.460 and penal 00:25:41.460 --> 00:25:41.980 code, 00:25:42.880 --> 00:25:43.779 the political 00:25:43.779 --> 00:25:44.740 bribery and 00:25:44.740 --> 00:25:45.259 corruption, 00:25:45.960 --> 00:25:46.360 nothing's 00:25:46.360 --> 00:25:46.860 changed, 00:25:47.440 --> 00:25:48.660 the ecclesiastical 00:25:48.660 --> 00:25:49.180 arrogance, 00:25:50.580 --> 00:25:51.180 the shallow 00:25:51.180 --> 00:25:52.000 pretensions, 00:25:52.680 --> 00:25:53.299 and it goes 00:25:53.299 --> 00:25:53.860 on and on 00:25:53.860 --> 00:25:54.320 and on. 00:25:54.980 --> 00:25:55.640 And it says 00:25:55.640 --> 00:25:56.660 it was really, 00:25:57.320 --> 00:25:58.720 really bad. 00:25:59.259 --> 00:26:00.100 Life was bad 00:26:00.100 --> 00:26:00.660 for people. 00:26:01.500 --> 00:26:01.960 But people 00:26:01.960 --> 00:26:03.380 like John 00:26:03.380 --> 00:26:04.160 Wesley did 00:26:04.160 --> 00:26:04.920 something about 00:26:04.920 --> 00:26:05.200 it. 00:26:05.200 --> 00:26:06.620 And this 00:26:06.620 --> 00:26:07.059 is what he 00:26:07.059 --> 00:26:07.279 did, 00:26:07.360 --> 00:26:07.920 amongst others, 00:26:07.980 --> 00:26:08.180 and we'll 00:26:08.180 --> 00:26:08.580 come back 00:26:08.580 --> 00:26:08.980 to one of 00:26:08.980 --> 00:26:09.380 these in a 00:26:09.380 --> 00:26:09.580 minute. 00:26:10.360 --> 00:26:10.980 He saw 00:26:10.980 --> 00:26:11.779 the slave 00:26:11.779 --> 00:26:13.019 trade being 00:26:13.019 --> 00:26:13.819 abolished, 00:26:14.440 --> 00:26:15.279 the prison 00:26:15.279 --> 00:26:16.319 system was 00:26:16.319 --> 00:26:17.140 humanised, 00:26:17.660 --> 00:26:18.600 conditions in 00:26:18.600 --> 00:26:19.580 factory and 00:26:19.580 --> 00:26:20.279 mine were 00:26:20.279 --> 00:26:21.059 improved, 00:26:21.840 --> 00:26:22.200 there was 00:26:22.200 --> 00:26:22.960 no longer 00:26:22.960 --> 00:26:25.740 child labour, 00:26:26.200 --> 00:26:27.160 and education 00:26:27.160 --> 00:26:28.380 became available 00:26:28.380 --> 00:26:29.319 to the poor 00:26:29.319 --> 00:26:30.180 for the first 00:26:30.180 --> 00:26:30.580 time. 00:26:31.259 --> 00:26:31.940 Here was a 00:26:31.940 --> 00:26:32.880 Christian man 00:26:32.880 --> 00:26:34.660 campaigning 00:26:34.660 --> 00:26:35.940 and driven 00:26:35.940 --> 00:26:36.840 by his 00:26:36.840 --> 00:26:37.420 Christian 00:26:37.420 --> 00:26:38.120 convictions, 00:26:38.740 --> 00:26:39.259 making a 00:26:39.259 --> 00:26:40.200 change locally 00:26:40.200 --> 00:26:42.120 and nationally. 00:26:43.000 --> 00:26:43.800 If he 00:26:43.800 --> 00:26:44.440 could do it, 00:26:45.019 --> 00:26:45.759 then I'm 00:26:45.759 --> 00:26:46.800 sure people 00:26:46.800 --> 00:26:47.540 like us 00:26:47.540 --> 00:26:48.259 could do 00:26:48.259 --> 00:26:48.820 the same, 00:26:48.980 --> 00:26:49.560 just on a 00:26:49.560 --> 00:26:50.340 very basic 00:26:50.340 --> 00:26:51.019 level. 00:26:51.180 --> 00:26:51.840 So protect 00:26:51.840 --> 00:26:52.620 the vulnerable 00:26:52.620 --> 00:26:53.700 is one way 00:26:53.700 --> 00:26:54.420 we begin to 00:26:54.420 --> 00:26:55.380 lead within 00:26:55.380 --> 00:26:56.080 our community. 00:26:56.720 --> 00:26:57.220 The second 00:26:57.220 --> 00:26:57.700 is this, 00:26:57.800 --> 00:26:58.940 confront the 00:26:58.940 --> 00:26:59.500 unjust. 00:27:01.540 --> 00:27:01.960 It's a 00:27:01.960 --> 00:27:02.480 known fact 00:27:02.480 --> 00:27:02.880 that the 00:27:02.880 --> 00:27:03.540 poorest in 00:27:03.540 --> 00:27:04.279 our community 00:27:04.279 --> 00:27:05.039 are the 00:27:05.039 --> 00:27:06.019 most exploited 00:27:06.019 --> 00:27:07.559 and because 00:27:07.559 --> 00:27:08.119 people are 00:27:08.119 --> 00:27:08.819 desperate for 00:27:08.819 --> 00:27:09.059 money, 00:27:09.180 --> 00:27:09.599 we know 00:27:09.599 --> 00:27:11.160 what happens. 00:27:11.299 --> 00:27:12.220 People work 00:27:12.220 --> 00:27:12.759 for below 00:27:12.759 --> 00:27:13.259 the minimum 00:27:13.259 --> 00:27:14.579 wage and 00:27:14.579 --> 00:27:15.339 without basic 00:27:15.339 --> 00:27:16.180 employment rights, 00:27:16.259 --> 00:27:16.579 so if the 00:27:16.579 --> 00:27:17.200 employer wants 00:27:17.200 --> 00:27:17.619 to get rid 00:27:17.619 --> 00:27:17.859 of them, 00:27:17.940 --> 00:27:18.279 they just 00:27:18.279 --> 00:27:18.859 dismiss them 00:27:18.859 --> 00:27:19.180 and they've 00:27:19.180 --> 00:27:19.700 got nothing 00:27:19.700 --> 00:27:20.139 to show 00:27:20.139 --> 00:27:20.579 for it. 00:27:21.660 --> 00:27:22.200 And what's 00:27:22.200 --> 00:27:22.839 happening is 00:27:22.839 --> 00:27:23.359 that many 00:27:23.359 --> 00:27:24.359 parents are 00:27:24.359 --> 00:27:24.799 having to 00:27:24.799 --> 00:27:25.180 go and 00:27:25.180 --> 00:27:25.980 work longer, 00:27:26.319 --> 00:27:26.660 they're having 00:27:26.660 --> 00:27:27.359 to take two 00:27:27.359 --> 00:27:27.759 or three 00:27:27.759 --> 00:27:28.220 jobs, 00:27:28.539 --> 00:27:29.000 and their 00:27:29.000 --> 00:27:29.879 little children 00:27:29.879 --> 00:27:30.879 are just 00:27:30.879 --> 00:27:31.319 having to 00:27:31.319 --> 00:27:31.720 stay at 00:27:31.720 --> 00:27:32.180 home and 00:27:32.180 --> 00:27:32.700 fend for 00:27:32.700 --> 00:27:33.220 themselves. 00:27:33.420 --> 00:27:33.819 Maybe an 00:27:33.819 --> 00:27:34.340 older brother 00:27:34.340 --> 00:27:34.860 or sister 00:27:34.860 --> 00:27:35.740 is to look 00:27:35.740 --> 00:27:36.220 after them 00:27:36.220 --> 00:27:36.480 and they 00:27:36.480 --> 00:27:36.940 might only 00:27:36.940 --> 00:27:37.480 be ten. 00:27:38.600 --> 00:27:38.980 And this 00:27:38.980 --> 00:27:39.420 is what's 00:27:39.420 --> 00:27:39.819 happening 00:27:39.819 --> 00:27:40.759 within our 00:27:40.759 --> 00:27:41.259 own 00:27:41.259 --> 00:27:42.519 neighbourhoods. 00:27:43.019 --> 00:27:43.440 Again, 00:27:43.559 --> 00:27:43.960 what are we 00:27:43.960 --> 00:27:44.519 to do in 00:27:44.519 --> 00:27:45.360 this situation? 00:27:46.360 --> 00:27:46.600 Well, 00:27:46.620 --> 00:27:47.039 I think it 00:27:47.039 --> 00:27:47.400 can mean 00:27:47.400 --> 00:27:48.019 raising the 00:27:48.019 --> 00:27:48.539 issue with 00:27:48.539 --> 00:27:49.039 our local 00:27:49.039 --> 00:27:50.100 politicians, 00:27:51.319 --> 00:27:51.860 campaigning 00:27:51.860 --> 00:27:52.559 for tougher 00:27:52.559 --> 00:27:53.200 penalties, 00:27:54.680 --> 00:27:55.240 seeking that 00:27:55.240 --> 00:27:56.100 employers who 00:27:56.100 --> 00:27:56.799 are abusing 00:27:56.799 --> 00:27:57.279 the weak 00:27:57.279 --> 00:27:57.559 and the 00:27:57.559 --> 00:27:57.920 vulnerable 00:27:57.920 --> 00:27:58.860 are brought 00:27:58.860 --> 00:27:59.660 to justice. 00:27:59.660 --> 00:28:01.100 And we 00:28:01.100 --> 00:28:01.740 should stand 00:28:01.740 --> 00:28:02.340 with those 00:28:02.340 --> 00:28:03.160 who are in 00:28:03.160 --> 00:28:03.820 those difficult 00:28:03.820 --> 00:28:04.560 situations. 00:28:04.740 --> 00:28:05.140 It takes 00:28:05.140 --> 00:28:05.940 leaders to 00:28:05.940 --> 00:28:06.400 do it. 00:28:07.700 --> 00:28:08.220 Another 00:28:08.220 --> 00:28:08.920 example of 00:28:08.920 --> 00:28:09.300 this, and 00:28:09.300 --> 00:28:09.820 again it's 00:28:09.820 --> 00:28:10.460 in the past 00:28:10.460 --> 00:28:11.279 and maybe 00:28:11.279 --> 00:28:11.680 this is 00:28:11.680 --> 00:28:12.200 something we 00:28:12.200 --> 00:28:12.580 need to 00:28:12.580 --> 00:28:13.360 see happen 00:28:13.360 --> 00:28:13.900 again, but 00:28:13.900 --> 00:28:14.320 William 00:28:14.320 --> 00:28:15.080 Wilberforce. 00:28:15.940 --> 00:28:16.360 You might 00:28:16.360 --> 00:28:17.140 remember him 00:28:17.140 --> 00:28:18.480 from the 00:28:18.480 --> 00:28:19.360 film Amazing 00:28:19.360 --> 00:28:19.900 Grace. 00:28:20.720 --> 00:28:21.320 He was a 00:28:21.320 --> 00:28:22.259 politician in 00:28:22.259 --> 00:28:23.800 the 1780s 00:28:23.800 --> 00:28:24.720 in Britain, 00:28:24.860 --> 00:28:25.300 a member 00:28:25.300 --> 00:28:25.960 of parliament. 00:28:25.960 --> 00:28:28.440 he fought 00:28:28.440 --> 00:28:29.299 against many 00:28:29.299 --> 00:28:30.019 different things 00:28:30.019 --> 00:28:30.660 and as one 00:28:30.660 --> 00:28:31.620 person for 00:28:31.620 --> 00:28:32.860 26 years, 00:28:33.420 --> 00:28:33.840 along with 00:28:33.840 --> 00:28:34.519 the encouragement 00:28:34.519 --> 00:28:35.259 of the likes 00:28:35.259 --> 00:28:35.680 of John 00:28:35.680 --> 00:28:36.100 Wesley, 00:28:37.120 --> 00:28:37.779 brought about 00:28:37.779 --> 00:28:38.519 the abolition 00:28:38.519 --> 00:28:39.340 of the slave 00:28:39.340 --> 00:28:39.920 trade in 00:28:39.920 --> 00:28:40.240 Britain. 00:28:41.100 --> 00:28:41.799 And that 00:28:41.799 --> 00:28:42.440 led to the 00:28:42.440 --> 00:28:43.100 abolition of 00:28:43.100 --> 00:28:43.620 the slave 00:28:43.620 --> 00:28:44.380 trade throughout 00:28:44.380 --> 00:28:45.079 much of the 00:28:45.079 --> 00:28:45.759 British Empire 00:28:45.759 --> 00:28:46.620 and at that 00:28:46.620 --> 00:28:47.140 stage they 00:28:47.140 --> 00:28:47.600 owned half 00:28:47.600 --> 00:28:48.100 the world. 00:28:49.539 --> 00:28:50.299 He was also 00:28:50.299 --> 00:28:51.480 responsible for 00:28:51.480 --> 00:28:53.100 freeing Sierra 00:28:53.100 --> 00:28:53.700 Leone and 00:28:53.700 --> 00:28:54.319 making that 00:28:54.319 --> 00:28:55.279 a free colony. 00:28:55.960 --> 00:28:57.799 Wilberforce 00:28:57.799 --> 00:28:59.480 was a man 00:28:59.480 --> 00:29:00.140 of God 00:29:00.140 --> 00:29:01.059 who loved 00:29:01.059 --> 00:29:01.559 God, who 00:29:01.559 --> 00:29:02.539 read the 00:29:02.539 --> 00:29:03.600 Bible, who 00:29:03.600 --> 00:29:04.100 was a 00:29:04.100 --> 00:29:05.900 Christian, but 00:29:05.900 --> 00:29:06.559 yet he was 00:29:06.559 --> 00:29:08.160 driven by his 00:29:08.160 --> 00:29:09.420 Christian principles 00:29:09.420 --> 00:29:11.519 to see God's 00:29:11.519 --> 00:29:12.200 grace being 00:29:12.200 --> 00:29:13.019 channelled and 00:29:13.019 --> 00:29:14.440 worked out in 00:29:14.440 --> 00:29:15.079 society. 00:29:17.380 --> 00:29:18.440 So if he 00:29:18.440 --> 00:29:18.960 could make 00:29:18.960 --> 00:29:19.740 that huge 00:29:19.740 --> 00:29:20.600 big change, 00:29:21.600 --> 00:29:22.100 then I'm 00:29:22.100 --> 00:29:22.860 sure we 00:29:22.860 --> 00:29:23.400 can make 00:29:23.400 --> 00:29:24.920 little changes 00:29:24.920 --> 00:29:25.960 within our 00:29:25.960 --> 00:29:26.700 own community. 00:29:28.700 --> 00:29:29.460 So why 00:29:29.460 --> 00:29:29.840 should we 00:29:29.840 --> 00:29:30.600 do all of 00:29:30.600 --> 00:29:30.759 this? 00:29:30.880 --> 00:29:31.340 Why should 00:29:31.340 --> 00:29:31.900 there be a 00:29:31.900 --> 00:29:32.960 call for 00:29:32.960 --> 00:29:33.600 Christian 00:29:33.600 --> 00:29:34.160 leadership 00:29:34.160 --> 00:29:35.759 locally and 00:29:35.759 --> 00:29:36.279 nationally? 00:29:37.960 --> 00:29:38.860 Well it's 00:29:38.860 --> 00:29:39.460 this reason, 00:29:39.580 --> 00:29:39.860 that it 00:29:39.860 --> 00:29:40.860 makes God's 00:29:40.860 --> 00:29:42.019 grace visible 00:29:42.019 --> 00:29:43.820 and tangible. 00:29:45.120 --> 00:29:46.019 Look back 00:29:46.019 --> 00:29:46.500 at Romans 00:29:46.500 --> 00:29:47.279 chapter 12 00:29:47.279 --> 00:29:47.740 a minute. 00:29:49.660 --> 00:29:49.980 Romans 00:29:49.980 --> 00:29:50.880 chapter 12 00:29:50.880 --> 00:29:51.519 is a 00:29:51.519 --> 00:29:52.420 turning point 00:29:52.420 --> 00:29:53.400 in the book 00:29:53.400 --> 00:29:53.880 of Romans. 00:29:54.019 --> 00:29:54.380 Chapters 00:29:54.380 --> 00:29:55.240 1 to 11 00:29:55.240 --> 00:29:56.580 is a 00:29:56.580 --> 00:29:57.480 great big 00:29:57.480 --> 00:29:59.060 telling of 00:29:59.060 --> 00:29:59.560 God's 00:29:59.560 --> 00:30:00.759 amazing grace, 00:30:01.600 --> 00:30:02.259 his mercy, 00:30:02.380 --> 00:30:02.880 his goodness 00:30:02.880 --> 00:30:03.340 of how 00:30:03.340 --> 00:30:04.300 Christ gave 00:30:04.300 --> 00:30:05.019 his life 00:30:05.019 --> 00:30:06.080 for us. 00:30:06.539 --> 00:30:07.000 And then we 00:30:07.000 --> 00:30:07.380 get this 00:30:07.380 --> 00:30:08.220 turning point 00:30:08.220 --> 00:30:08.700 at the beginning 00:30:08.700 --> 00:30:09.560 of chapter 12 00:30:09.560 --> 00:30:10.039 and then he 00:30:10.039 --> 00:30:10.380 says, 00:30:10.740 --> 00:30:11.320 chapter 12 00:30:11.320 --> 00:30:11.759 verse 1, 00:30:11.880 --> 00:30:12.700 therefore I 00:30:12.700 --> 00:30:13.360 urge you 00:30:13.360 --> 00:30:13.960 brothers and 00:30:13.960 --> 00:30:15.019 sisters in 00:30:15.019 --> 00:30:15.860 view of 00:30:15.860 --> 00:30:16.600 God's mercy 00:30:16.600 --> 00:30:18.000 because you 00:30:18.000 --> 00:30:18.720 have received 00:30:18.720 --> 00:30:19.300 so much 00:30:19.300 --> 00:30:20.000 grace from 00:30:20.000 --> 00:30:20.420 God. 00:30:20.420 --> 00:30:22.279 because you 00:30:22.279 --> 00:30:22.779 have had 00:30:22.779 --> 00:30:23.500 so much 00:30:23.500 --> 00:30:24.480 from what 00:30:24.480 --> 00:30:25.100 Jesus has 00:30:25.100 --> 00:30:25.460 done. 00:30:26.460 --> 00:30:27.180 Offer your 00:30:27.180 --> 00:30:28.180 bodies as 00:30:28.180 --> 00:30:29.600 living sacrifices, 00:30:30.240 --> 00:30:31.360 holy and 00:30:31.360 --> 00:30:32.120 pleasing to 00:30:32.120 --> 00:30:32.400 God. 00:30:32.500 --> 00:30:33.000 This is your 00:30:33.000 --> 00:30:34.279 spiritual act 00:30:34.279 --> 00:30:34.800 of worship. 00:30:36.220 --> 00:30:36.700 And chapter 00:30:36.700 --> 00:30:37.680 12 then goes 00:30:37.680 --> 00:30:38.300 on and chapter 00:30:38.300 --> 00:30:39.120 13 goes to 00:30:39.120 --> 00:30:39.920 explain some 00:30:39.920 --> 00:30:40.360 of the ways 00:30:40.360 --> 00:30:41.340 in which we 00:30:41.340 --> 00:30:43.140 can begin to 00:30:43.140 --> 00:30:43.920 live out that 00:30:43.920 --> 00:30:44.460 grace to 00:30:44.460 --> 00:30:44.700 others. 00:30:44.800 --> 00:30:45.259 And one of 00:30:45.259 --> 00:30:46.519 it is being 00:30:46.519 --> 00:30:47.220 leaders within 00:30:47.220 --> 00:30:47.860 our community 00:30:47.860 --> 00:30:48.440 that we've just 00:30:48.440 --> 00:30:48.860 been looking 00:30:48.860 --> 00:30:49.240 at. 00:30:50.420 --> 00:30:52.100 In response 00:30:52.100 --> 00:30:52.800 to God's 00:30:52.800 --> 00:30:53.420 grace, the 00:30:53.420 --> 00:30:54.100 gospel that 00:30:54.100 --> 00:30:54.519 has taken 00:30:54.519 --> 00:30:55.060 effect in 00:30:55.060 --> 00:30:55.580 our lives, 00:30:56.240 --> 00:30:56.720 there's a 00:30:56.720 --> 00:30:57.340 call for 00:30:57.340 --> 00:30:58.660 leadership to 00:30:58.660 --> 00:30:59.420 bring God's 00:30:59.420 --> 00:31:00.640 grace to 00:31:00.640 --> 00:31:01.480 our society. 00:31:02.580 --> 00:31:03.259 You see, the 00:31:03.259 --> 00:31:04.100 gospel is not 00:31:04.100 --> 00:31:04.660 just to be 00:31:04.660 --> 00:31:05.180 heard. 00:31:06.340 --> 00:31:07.200 The gospel is 00:31:07.200 --> 00:31:07.960 to be seen 00:31:07.960 --> 00:31:09.080 in action. 00:31:10.000 --> 00:31:10.500 If our 00:31:10.500 --> 00:31:11.660 community is 00:31:11.660 --> 00:31:12.400 going to come 00:31:12.400 --> 00:31:13.080 to Christ, 00:31:14.140 --> 00:31:15.060 then Christ 00:31:15.060 --> 00:31:15.740 must become 00:31:15.740 --> 00:31:17.000 visible to 00:31:17.000 --> 00:31:17.279 them. 00:31:17.279 --> 00:31:17.339 men. 00:31:18.680 --> 00:31:19.220 And this 00:31:19.220 --> 00:31:19.799 is not to 00:31:19.799 --> 00:31:20.680 promote deed 00:31:20.680 --> 00:31:21.559 over word 00:31:21.559 --> 00:31:22.279 or social 00:31:22.279 --> 00:31:23.319 action over 00:31:23.319 --> 00:31:24.180 evangelism. 00:31:24.279 --> 00:31:24.819 There is an 00:31:24.819 --> 00:31:25.599 order and a 00:31:25.599 --> 00:31:26.139 priority. 00:31:27.539 --> 00:31:28.500 Simply saying 00:31:28.500 --> 00:31:29.639 here that the 00:31:29.639 --> 00:31:30.879 most needy in 00:31:30.879 --> 00:31:31.660 our community, 00:31:32.200 --> 00:31:33.180 they need to 00:31:33.180 --> 00:31:34.079 hear the gospel 00:31:34.079 --> 00:31:34.920 of Christ. 00:31:35.480 --> 00:31:36.279 They need 00:31:36.279 --> 00:31:37.200 God's grace. 00:31:38.660 --> 00:31:39.200 But they've 00:31:39.200 --> 00:31:39.980 also got to 00:31:39.980 --> 00:31:40.859 see God's 00:31:40.859 --> 00:31:41.339 grace in 00:31:41.339 --> 00:31:41.720 action. 00:31:41.720 --> 00:31:44.640 Now, I 00:31:44.640 --> 00:31:45.140 don't know if 00:31:45.140 --> 00:31:45.400 there will be 00:31:45.400 --> 00:31:46.279 many here who 00:31:46.279 --> 00:31:46.799 will make it 00:31:46.799 --> 00:31:47.660 into politics, 00:31:48.200 --> 00:31:48.700 whether we'll 00:31:48.700 --> 00:31:49.500 see your face 00:31:49.500 --> 00:31:50.140 on the ballot 00:31:50.140 --> 00:31:51.019 sheet one day. 00:31:51.200 --> 00:31:51.880 Maybe we will. 00:31:51.980 --> 00:31:52.720 I hope we do. 00:31:56.079 --> 00:31:57.000 But we are 00:31:57.000 --> 00:31:58.339 people who 00:31:58.339 --> 00:31:58.799 are to be 00:31:58.799 --> 00:31:59.640 leaders in 00:31:59.640 --> 00:32:00.420 our community. 00:32:01.980 --> 00:32:02.640 Leaders who 00:32:02.640 --> 00:32:03.240 seek to 00:32:03.240 --> 00:32:04.120 bring God's 00:32:04.120 --> 00:32:05.940 grace into 00:32:05.940 --> 00:32:08.000 action, to 00:32:08.000 --> 00:32:08.819 do us good, 00:32:09.440 --> 00:32:10.059 to do us 00:32:10.059 --> 00:32:10.500 right. 00:32:10.500 --> 00:32:12.519 so that the 00:32:12.519 --> 00:32:13.180 gospel and 00:32:13.180 --> 00:32:13.960 his kingdom 00:32:13.960 --> 00:32:15.420 continues to 00:32:15.420 --> 00:32:16.720 grow and be 00:32:16.720 --> 00:32:17.200 established. 00:32:19.380 --> 00:32:20.259 So I 00:32:20.259 --> 00:32:20.960 encourage us 00:32:20.960 --> 00:32:22.279 to not just 00:32:22.279 --> 00:32:23.019 leave it here 00:32:23.019 --> 00:32:23.799 as we close, 00:32:23.920 --> 00:32:24.599 but to take 00:32:24.599 --> 00:32:25.180 what we've been 00:32:25.180 --> 00:32:26.339 looking at and 00:32:26.339 --> 00:32:27.160 explore it. 00:32:27.240 --> 00:32:27.700 Maybe there's 00:32:27.700 --> 00:32:28.220 questions. 00:32:29.539 --> 00:32:30.339 Maybe we just 00:32:30.339 --> 00:32:31.200 need to rethink 00:32:31.200 --> 00:32:32.059 our whole idea 00:32:32.059 --> 00:32:32.819 of what leadership 00:32:32.819 --> 00:32:33.319 is. 00:32:34.319 --> 00:32:34.859 But are there 00:32:34.859 --> 00:32:35.759 ways we can 00:32:35.759 --> 00:32:36.940 begin to be 00:32:36.940 --> 00:32:38.359 leaders in our 00:32:38.359 --> 00:32:38.839 community? 00:32:39.539 --> 00:32:40.259 Let's pray. 00:32:40.500 --> 00:32:53.119 Father, we 00:32:53.119 --> 00:32:53.880 thank you for 00:32:53.880 --> 00:32:54.720 every person 00:32:54.720 --> 00:32:57.680 here, for 00:32:57.680 --> 00:32:59.079 every job that 00:32:59.079 --> 00:32:59.859 they are in, 00:33:00.859 --> 00:33:02.319 for every 00:33:02.319 --> 00:33:03.380 position of 00:33:03.380 --> 00:33:04.440 influence that 00:33:04.440 --> 00:33:04.980 they find 00:33:04.980 --> 00:33:05.759 themselves in, 00:33:06.819 --> 00:33:07.880 for those who 00:33:07.880 --> 00:33:08.980 are on boards 00:33:08.980 --> 00:33:10.019 of schools or 00:33:10.019 --> 00:33:10.759 on various 00:33:10.759 --> 00:33:11.360 committees. 00:33:13.680 --> 00:33:14.900 We thank you 00:33:14.900 --> 00:33:15.420 for each 00:33:15.420 --> 00:33:16.440 person for 00:33:16.440 --> 00:33:16.880 where they 00:33:16.880 --> 00:33:17.519 are seeking 00:33:17.519 --> 00:33:18.880 to be leaders 00:33:18.880 --> 00:33:19.599 in their 00:33:19.599 --> 00:33:20.120 community. 00:33:21.319 --> 00:33:22.120 And we 00:33:22.120 --> 00:33:22.779 pray that you 00:33:22.779 --> 00:33:23.319 would fill 00:33:23.319 --> 00:33:24.160 each one with 00:33:24.160 --> 00:33:24.740 your Holy 00:33:24.740 --> 00:33:26.460 Spirit, to 00:33:26.460 --> 00:33:27.200 be courageous, 00:33:28.259 --> 00:33:28.980 to be 00:33:28.980 --> 00:33:31.160 strong, to 00:33:31.160 --> 00:33:31.819 stand for 00:33:31.819 --> 00:33:32.180 what is 00:33:32.180 --> 00:33:33.860 right, to 00:33:33.860 --> 00:33:34.579 stand for 00:33:34.579 --> 00:33:36.200 justice and 00:33:36.200 --> 00:33:36.759 seek to 00:33:36.759 --> 00:33:37.600 correct that 00:33:37.600 --> 00:33:38.140 which is 00:33:38.140 --> 00:33:38.779 unjust. 00:33:40.240 --> 00:33:41.380 I pray that 00:33:41.380 --> 00:33:41.840 for each 00:33:41.840 --> 00:33:42.640 person here 00:33:42.640 --> 00:33:43.039 that we 00:33:43.039 --> 00:33:43.600 would all 00:33:43.600 --> 00:33:44.720 be conduits 00:33:44.720 --> 00:33:45.500 and channels 00:33:45.500 --> 00:33:47.340 of God's 00:33:47.340 --> 00:33:48.460 grace to 00:33:48.460 --> 00:33:49.220 our communities 00:33:49.220 --> 00:33:50.140 and to our 00:33:50.140 --> 00:33:50.559 neighbourhood. 00:33:52.480 --> 00:33:53.319 May you 00:33:53.319 --> 00:33:54.019 use each 00:33:54.019 --> 00:33:54.620 one of us 00:33:54.620 --> 00:33:55.220 just in 00:33:55.220 --> 00:33:56.120 small ways 00:33:56.119 --> 00:33:58.119 and may 00:33:58.119 --> 00:33:58.559 you even 00:33:58.559 --> 00:33:59.259 be pleased 00:33:59.259 --> 00:33:59.939 to raise 00:33:59.939 --> 00:34:00.219 up 00:34:00.219 --> 00:34:00.879 Christians 00:34:00.879 --> 00:34:03.119 who will 00:34:03.119 --> 00:34:03.500 become 00:34:03.500 --> 00:34:04.519 TDs 00:34:04.519 --> 00:34:06.039 and local 00:34:06.039 --> 00:34:06.939 counsellors, 00:34:07.419 --> 00:34:09.819 who can 00:34:09.819 --> 00:34:10.639 stand for 00:34:10.639 --> 00:34:11.259 truth, 00:34:12.519 --> 00:34:12.880 who can 00:34:12.880 --> 00:34:13.559 stand for 00:34:13.559 --> 00:34:13.920 what is 00:34:13.920 --> 00:34:14.460 right, 00:34:15.859 --> 00:34:16.900 so that 00:34:16.900 --> 00:34:17.699 our country 00:34:17.699 --> 00:34:19.019 and our 00:34:19.019 --> 00:34:19.639 society 00:34:19.639 --> 00:34:20.519 continues to 00:34:20.519 --> 00:34:21.139 be good, 00:34:22.739 --> 00:34:23.599 where people 00:34:23.599 --> 00:34:24.219 are treated 00:34:24.219 --> 00:34:25.179 equally and 00:34:25.179 --> 00:34:25.559 fairly. 00:34:26.119 --> 00:34:27.460 And above 00:34:27.460 --> 00:34:27.819 all, 00:34:28.659 --> 00:34:29.239 where your 00:34:29.239 --> 00:34:30.920 gospel is 00:34:30.920 --> 00:34:31.559 able to be 00:34:31.559 --> 00:34:32.199 continually 00:34:32.199 --> 00:34:33.019 proclaimed 00:34:33.019 --> 00:34:33.779 freely, 00:34:34.779 --> 00:34:35.460 where we 00:34:35.460 --> 00:34:36.099 can continue 00:34:36.099 --> 00:34:36.739 to meet 00:34:36.739 --> 00:34:37.400 as we do 00:34:37.400 --> 00:34:39.279 today and 00:34:39.279 --> 00:34:39.819 live out 00:34:39.819 --> 00:34:40.559 our faith. 00:34:41.940 --> 00:34:42.880 We thank 00:34:42.880 --> 00:34:43.279 you for 00:34:43.279 --> 00:34:43.920 our country, 00:34:44.480 --> 00:34:45.179 we thank 00:34:45.179 --> 00:34:45.639 you for the 00:34:45.639 --> 00:34:46.179 leaders that 00:34:46.179 --> 00:34:46.779 we have, 00:34:47.799 --> 00:34:48.339 we pray 00:34:48.339 --> 00:34:48.960 for wisdom 00:34:48.960 --> 00:34:49.559 for them 00:34:49.559 --> 00:34:51.000 and we 00:34:51.000 --> 00:34:51.579 pray for 00:34:51.579 --> 00:34:52.380 their continued 00:34:52.380 --> 00:34:53.380 change of 00:34:53.380 --> 00:34:53.759 heart, 00:34:54.679 --> 00:34:55.339 that they 00:34:55.339 --> 00:34:56.000 would lead 00:34:56.000 --> 00:34:57.159 according to 00:34:57.159 --> 00:34:57.659 God's 00:34:57.659 --> 00:34:59.099 design and 00:34:59.099 --> 00:34:59.500 not their 00:34:59.500 --> 00:34:59.699 own. 00:35:00.699 --> 00:35:01.280 We pray 00:35:01.280 --> 00:35:01.719 this in 00:35:01.719 --> 00:35:01.980 Jesus' 00:35:02.179 --> 00:35:02.380 name, 00:35:03.199 --> 00:35:03.599 Amen. 00:35:03.599 --> 00:35:03.639 Amen.