WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:13.900 Here's a question for you. Who has ever been caught up in a conflict? Just put your hands up. You've ever been in a conflict? How about finding yourself in an awkward situation you can get out of? Has anyone ever been in that situation? Yeah, a few of us. 00:00:13.900 --> 00:00:22.359 Are any of you quite good at conflict avoidance? Put your hands up if you've never been in conflict or you've rarely been in conflict. Yeah, amazing. Wow, you guys. 00:00:22.359 --> 00:00:30.840 Yeah, if I was to summarise my sort of approach to conflict in general, it would be shown by this video. 00:00:31.300 --> 00:00:40.840 Yes! Oh, dramatic. Just remember I said this is my approach to conflict. 00:00:43.899 --> 00:00:49.039 That's me. Good on you, Guana. 00:00:50.539 --> 00:00:56.299 I think being a Christian, actually, a lot of the time, we think it's meant to be like that. 00:00:57.700 --> 00:01:04.180 Don't move. Like, they might know we're here. Like, they might notice us. They've noticed us. 00:01:04.920 --> 00:01:09.420 We're running away, just trying to avoid any sort of offence or conflict. 00:01:09.420 --> 00:01:15.680 I don't know if you've ever felt like that, just trying to get through the day without being pounced on by someone who's out to get you. 00:01:16.060 --> 00:01:17.140 It can be very exhausting. 00:01:18.200 --> 00:01:25.740 In today's passage, we see a very British Paul trying to avoid conflict, trying to drown out the sea is mocking. 00:01:27.040 --> 00:01:32.480 But he eventually cracks and he confronts a girl and the consequences of that choice are pretty bad. 00:01:32.480 --> 00:01:39.500 He gets beat up numerous times. He ends up in prison and he gets kicked out of the city. 00:01:41.100 --> 00:01:47.060 Was it really worth it? Was confronting that girl really worth all that? 00:01:49.219 --> 00:01:54.120 Although I joke a bit about my conflict avoidance, and I do think that that's very true for a lot of us, 00:01:54.120 --> 00:01:59.380 there have been times in my life where I've actually decided not to avoid conflict. 00:02:00.180 --> 00:02:05.880 And often it's where something inside you stirs you so much that you just cannot keep quiet. 00:02:06.200 --> 00:02:11.379 I remember once when I was a school kid and one of my friends was walking ahead of me. 00:02:11.540 --> 00:02:12.400 We don't need to see that again. 00:02:12.719 --> 00:02:19.340 I was walking ahead of me and this guy just came up to him in the park and I could just see him pointing at his fingers, 00:02:19.700 --> 00:02:21.719 looking really quite aggressive, pointing at his phone. 00:02:21.719 --> 00:02:26.400 And I was like 30 metres away or whatever and I did what any of us would do. 00:02:26.879 --> 00:02:29.280 I turned the other way and I ran away as quick as I could. 00:02:29.860 --> 00:02:34.319 No, for some bizarre reason, I ran straight into the midst of this conflict. 00:02:34.759 --> 00:02:35.599 I was like, what are you doing? 00:02:36.079 --> 00:02:39.879 This guy's bigger than me, so you can kind of see how mad I was. 00:02:40.520 --> 00:02:41.479 I was like, what are you doing? 00:02:41.539 --> 00:02:47.180 And he starts mouthing off and starts pointing at my phone in my pockets. 00:02:47.280 --> 00:02:48.180 And I just go, jog on, mate. 00:02:49.539 --> 00:02:50.159 And he did. 00:02:50.159 --> 00:02:51.840 Conflict. 00:02:52.280 --> 00:02:52.680 Solution. 00:02:53.199 --> 00:02:53.560 Simple. 00:02:54.939 --> 00:02:57.620 Very rarely is that true of conflict, right? 00:02:58.539 --> 00:03:01.699 Normally, I would have got mugged or punched. 00:03:02.139 --> 00:03:06.300 I had to call Clive in his previous life as a policeman to get an incident report. 00:03:07.240 --> 00:03:11.620 You know, but this time, somehow it was really easy. 00:03:11.740 --> 00:03:12.519 I got out of it. 00:03:12.520 --> 00:03:17.659 Unfortunately for Paul, it's not the case. 00:03:19.200 --> 00:03:25.340 And so when I read this passage, I kept reading it, reading it, saying to myself, why did this go so wrong for Paul? 00:03:25.340 --> 00:03:29.900 Was it the fact that they took away the guy's business? 00:03:30.280 --> 00:03:34.180 So this woman, this seer, was a slave and she was income. 00:03:34.180 --> 00:03:40.319 And when she got healed and freed of the spirit, she was useless to that guy. 00:03:40.960 --> 00:03:41.719 The income's gone. 00:03:42.520 --> 00:03:43.140 I thought, maybe. 00:03:43.340 --> 00:03:44.740 Maybe that's why it's a big deal. 00:03:46.000 --> 00:03:48.040 And then I thought, is it because they're not local? 00:03:48.819 --> 00:03:50.560 They're walking around and they're not local. 00:03:50.800 --> 00:03:53.020 Maybe it's one of those places you don't go down the alleys. 00:03:54.159 --> 00:03:55.460 And I thought, it's possible. 00:03:55.640 --> 00:03:57.280 But Jews are all over the empire. 00:03:57.280 --> 00:04:02.240 And then I realised, this was not just any conflict. 00:04:03.360 --> 00:04:06.939 This was a conflict between an empire and a kingdom. 00:04:09.439 --> 00:04:10.319 Let's have a look. 00:04:10.580 --> 00:04:12.819 This is a conflict between two worlds, essentially. 00:04:12.939 --> 00:04:14.599 Let's have a look at what she says. 00:04:15.000 --> 00:04:16.920 If you could put up that first verse for me, please. 00:04:17.519 --> 00:04:20.759 These servants are from the Most High God. 00:04:20.819 --> 00:04:23.480 I think it needs some, whatever you call these. 00:04:23.480 --> 00:04:27.680 who are telling you the way to be saved. 00:04:28.420 --> 00:04:30.540 So when we read this, we often go past it. 00:04:31.660 --> 00:04:33.040 But this isn't a declaration. 00:04:33.540 --> 00:04:35.379 This spirit is not on their side. 00:04:36.900 --> 00:04:38.800 This is a warning. 00:04:39.819 --> 00:04:40.920 This is even mocking. 00:04:42.060 --> 00:04:44.319 Remember, it goes on for ages and ages, 00:04:44.480 --> 00:04:46.600 following them around, saying it again and again. 00:04:47.600 --> 00:04:49.160 This is a warning and a mocking. 00:04:51.140 --> 00:04:52.660 And let's think about the context. 00:04:52.660 --> 00:04:56.980 Paul and Silas are walking around a town called Thyatria. 00:04:57.200 --> 00:04:58.320 Or Thyatria, or whatever. 00:04:58.820 --> 00:04:59.880 Basically, it's in Rome. 00:05:00.540 --> 00:05:01.340 A Roman province. 00:05:02.920 --> 00:05:05.120 And it's not far from a place called Pergamum. 00:05:05.480 --> 00:05:06.860 So if you like reading Revelation, 00:05:07.040 --> 00:05:08.280 you might recognise that name. 00:05:08.540 --> 00:05:10.760 It's one of the churches that John writes to. 00:05:11.379 --> 00:05:12.840 And do you know what he says about that church? 00:05:12.920 --> 00:05:14.980 He says, that is the place where Satan lives. 00:05:17.140 --> 00:05:19.040 This place that they're walking around 00:05:19.040 --> 00:05:20.900 is the place where Satan lives. 00:05:20.899 --> 00:05:23.659 It's a Hellenistic haven 00:05:23.659 --> 00:05:26.319 where all sorts of gods get worshipped. 00:05:26.319 --> 00:05:29.079 This girl is sending alarm bells. 00:05:30.040 --> 00:05:31.139 She's saying, watch out. 00:05:31.620 --> 00:05:33.939 These servants are from the Most High God 00:05:33.939 --> 00:05:35.800 and they're telling you the way to be saved. 00:05:38.639 --> 00:05:39.659 How do you know that, Jay? 00:05:39.719 --> 00:05:41.100 How do you know that that's what's going on? 00:05:41.139 --> 00:05:42.319 Well, let's look at the next verse 00:05:42.319 --> 00:05:43.480 that I want us to pull out. 00:05:43.480 --> 00:05:49.439 Which is, when they get beat up, 00:05:49.520 --> 00:05:51.740 they get dragged in front of a bunch of other people. 00:05:52.640 --> 00:05:53.680 And in front of the magistrates. 00:05:53.819 --> 00:05:55.220 These men are Jews 00:05:55.220 --> 00:05:57.660 and are throwing our city into an uproar 00:05:57.660 --> 00:06:03.180 by advocating customs unlawful for us Romans to accept. 00:06:04.580 --> 00:06:05.840 Last week you had geography. 00:06:05.980 --> 00:06:07.220 This week you get history, okay? 00:06:07.680 --> 00:06:09.800 Has anyone heard of Emperor Tiberius? 00:06:10.800 --> 00:06:11.079 Yeah? 00:06:11.960 --> 00:06:14.520 So he's an interesting character in Rome. 00:06:15.560 --> 00:06:18.000 He asked the Senate to legalise Christianity. 00:06:18.639 --> 00:06:21.639 He asked the Senate to declare Christ a Roman God. 00:06:22.520 --> 00:06:25.080 But the Senate actually refused and outlawed it. 00:06:25.780 --> 00:06:26.480 Made it illegal. 00:06:27.920 --> 00:06:30.460 So Rome is happy with you worshipping any god 00:06:30.460 --> 00:06:31.860 as long as it's an authorised god. 00:06:31.860 --> 00:06:33.980 And they don't mind you having your own god 00:06:33.980 --> 00:06:35.080 as long as you honour theirs. 00:06:35.460 --> 00:06:37.580 So that's the context of which Rome worked 00:06:37.580 --> 00:06:38.680 when it came to religion. 00:06:39.800 --> 00:06:41.759 These guys are unauthorised. 00:06:42.660 --> 00:06:44.699 These guys are telling people to worship 00:06:44.699 --> 00:06:48.500 a god that is not allowed in Rome. 00:06:48.759 --> 00:06:52.520 In the place where Hellenism is massive. 00:06:55.199 --> 00:06:58.720 The conflict is not even what they've said yet in fact. 00:06:58.840 --> 00:07:00.620 It's the fact that they represent Jesus. 00:07:00.620 --> 00:07:07.699 Sometimes we can avoid conflict, right? 00:07:08.480 --> 00:07:09.800 And that's really good. 00:07:11.579 --> 00:07:14.000 We're called to be peacemakers, right? 00:07:14.399 --> 00:07:16.480 That's the art of making peace. 00:07:17.319 --> 00:07:19.819 Not peacekeepers, but peacemakers. 00:07:20.079 --> 00:07:21.660 We should represent peace. 00:07:22.000 --> 00:07:24.340 Because our prince is the prince of peace. 00:07:24.339 --> 00:07:28.060 But sometimes we cannot keep quiet. 00:07:30.119 --> 00:07:32.060 And Paul couldn't keep quiet. 00:07:33.119 --> 00:07:37.979 The eternal ramifications of what he was representing 00:07:37.979 --> 00:07:42.019 were so great that he had to stop what was going on. 00:07:42.019 --> 00:07:50.819 We are called to conflict because we walk around doing life. 00:07:51.379 --> 00:07:54.240 We are representing Jesus and gospel. 00:07:55.639 --> 00:07:58.939 And we're doing that to a world that doesn't want to hear it. 00:08:00.500 --> 00:08:02.699 I wonder if you ever think of yourself like that 00:08:02.699 --> 00:08:03.819 as a conflict maker. 00:08:03.819 --> 00:08:07.599 Just by walking around. 00:08:08.120 --> 00:08:09.120 Do you ever feel like that? 00:08:09.839 --> 00:08:11.199 I'm a walking time bomb. 00:08:11.719 --> 00:08:14.120 Someone's going to find out I'm a Christian. 00:08:14.459 --> 00:08:15.860 And they're going to ask those questions 00:08:15.860 --> 00:08:19.000 that I have an answer to they don't want to hear. 00:08:22.579 --> 00:08:25.000 See, in John 15, Jesus tells his followers 00:08:25.000 --> 00:08:27.379 a really harsh passage. 00:08:27.519 --> 00:08:29.279 I told you some of this was going to get heavy and harsh. 00:08:30.420 --> 00:08:31.199 He says to them, 00:08:31.199 --> 00:08:32.559 If the world hates you, 00:08:33.340 --> 00:08:36.240 be aware that it hated me before it hated you. 00:08:37.279 --> 00:08:38.819 If you belong to the world, 00:08:39.220 --> 00:08:41.139 the world will love you as its own. 00:08:43.000 --> 00:08:44.840 Because you do not belong to the world, 00:08:45.179 --> 00:08:46.960 but I have chosen you out of the world, 00:08:48.019 --> 00:08:49.360 therefore the world hates you. 00:08:51.659 --> 00:08:53.080 Nobody wants to hear that, right? 00:08:55.019 --> 00:08:57.539 By choosing life, light, love, 00:08:58.319 --> 00:08:59.220 the world's going to hate you. 00:09:01.200 --> 00:09:04.160 But this is so important for us to remember. 00:09:04.580 --> 00:09:05.879 Whether we choose it or not, 00:09:06.900 --> 00:09:09.259 we the church are walking testimonies 00:09:09.259 --> 00:09:12.400 that Jesus is the only true Lord. 00:09:14.720 --> 00:09:15.700 Think about that. 00:09:15.960 --> 00:09:17.600 As much as you want to fit in 00:09:17.600 --> 00:09:19.520 and not be offensive, 00:09:20.160 --> 00:09:21.240 what we stand for, 00:09:21.460 --> 00:09:22.879 our views, our message, 00:09:22.879 --> 00:09:28.259 the true life that can only be found in Christ, 00:09:29.259 --> 00:09:30.100 it's offensive. 00:09:32.399 --> 00:09:34.360 As Paul says in 1 Corinthians 15, 00:09:34.480 --> 00:09:36.980 for the message of the cross is foolishness 00:09:36.980 --> 00:09:38.480 to those who are perishing. 00:09:40.340 --> 00:09:41.700 It's a paradox. 00:09:41.899 --> 00:09:42.419 It's weird. 00:09:42.879 --> 00:09:44.980 But our message of love, grace and mercy, 00:09:45.439 --> 00:09:46.320 eternal life, 00:09:46.820 --> 00:09:47.940 forgiveness of sins, 00:09:48.740 --> 00:09:50.120 whether we are speaking it out 00:09:50.120 --> 00:09:51.220 or just living it out, 00:09:52.320 --> 00:09:53.799 this wonderful message 00:09:53.799 --> 00:09:55.240 is offensive 00:09:55.240 --> 00:09:57.179 to a world that wants to make God's 00:09:57.179 --> 00:09:58.060 out of everything else. 00:10:00.299 --> 00:10:02.120 When we say Jesus is Lord, 00:10:02.720 --> 00:10:05.120 we are saying without any other words needed 00:10:05.120 --> 00:10:07.320 that everybody else's beliefs, 00:10:07.779 --> 00:10:09.279 things that they have built their life on, 00:10:10.100 --> 00:10:10.580 are wrong. 00:10:10.580 --> 00:10:11.580 Heavy. 00:10:17.020 --> 00:10:19.160 So what can we learn from this passage 00:10:19.160 --> 00:10:20.700 about how we should respond 00:10:20.700 --> 00:10:22.080 to the kingdom conflict then? 00:10:22.500 --> 00:10:24.240 Whether it be a conflict of our morals, 00:10:24.480 --> 00:10:25.440 of our life choices, 00:10:25.900 --> 00:10:26.860 of how we use our money, 00:10:26.940 --> 00:10:27.520 our time, 00:10:27.759 --> 00:10:28.540 in the workplace, 00:10:28.780 --> 00:10:29.379 at home, 00:10:29.860 --> 00:10:31.120 how can we like Paul 00:10:31.120 --> 00:10:32.460 honour the message we carry? 00:10:33.480 --> 00:10:34.860 And I have three words for us. 00:10:36.460 --> 00:10:36.860 Costly, 00:10:37.420 --> 00:10:37.700 worship, 00:10:38.759 --> 00:10:39.640 and creates. 00:10:40.639 --> 00:10:41.679 And the first one is this, 00:10:42.080 --> 00:10:43.519 there is going to always be a cost 00:10:43.519 --> 00:10:45.139 to the kingdom of God. 00:10:45.860 --> 00:10:47.379 There is always going to be a cost. 00:10:48.179 --> 00:10:50.199 If you think this message can be shared 00:10:50.199 --> 00:10:51.159 and not offend, 00:10:51.240 --> 00:10:52.019 you've missed the point. 00:10:53.620 --> 00:10:54.840 The cost is with Paul, 00:10:55.199 --> 00:10:56.559 as with Jesus on the cross, 00:10:56.659 --> 00:10:58.179 is part of the message of the gospel. 00:10:59.600 --> 00:11:00.740 The God who loved us 00:11:00.740 --> 00:11:02.059 did not stay quiet, 00:11:02.199 --> 00:11:03.559 but carried a cross for us. 00:11:05.000 --> 00:11:06.720 And so we too carry one. 00:11:08.000 --> 00:11:09.000 There's a cost. 00:11:09.639 --> 00:11:13.319 The second point is this, 00:11:13.639 --> 00:11:14.539 strength though, 00:11:14.679 --> 00:11:15.819 comes through worship. 00:11:16.199 --> 00:11:17.439 We missed out in our reading, 00:11:18.379 --> 00:11:20.039 but in the middle of the passage, 00:11:20.139 --> 00:11:21.720 we have Paul and Silas in prison. 00:11:23.580 --> 00:11:25.360 I think that they'd be justified 00:11:25.360 --> 00:11:26.460 to be a bit moany, 00:11:27.259 --> 00:11:28.460 a bit grumpy about that. 00:11:30.860 --> 00:11:31.759 They're praising, 00:11:31.759 --> 00:11:35.220 they're singing songs to God. 00:11:36.759 --> 00:11:38.159 In the midst of their suffering, 00:11:38.279 --> 00:11:39.319 they're glorifying him. 00:11:41.360 --> 00:11:42.620 But let's think about us. 00:11:42.740 --> 00:11:44.200 When things get hard, 00:11:44.580 --> 00:11:46.259 often the first thing we drop is worship. 00:11:46.259 --> 00:11:50.759 Life is frustrating right now. 00:11:51.679 --> 00:11:53.000 I just can't be dealing with prayer. 00:11:53.480 --> 00:11:54.419 I'm not in a good place. 00:11:54.500 --> 00:11:55.679 I can't be singing that song. 00:11:55.799 --> 00:11:56.740 I'm not in a good place. 00:11:57.360 --> 00:11:58.500 I can't be reading my Bible. 00:12:00.500 --> 00:12:01.580 I don't want to celebrate 00:12:01.580 --> 00:12:03.000 how good God is right now. 00:12:04.679 --> 00:12:04.879 See, 00:12:04.980 --> 00:12:06.220 Satan loves that. 00:12:07.819 --> 00:12:08.919 When things get hard, 00:12:09.059 --> 00:12:10.559 we take our eyes off of Jesus. 00:12:10.559 --> 00:12:12.639 And what happens? 00:12:14.739 --> 00:12:15.979 We've lost the very thing 00:12:15.979 --> 00:12:16.839 that can keep us going. 00:12:19.419 --> 00:12:19.819 See, 00:12:19.859 --> 00:12:20.299 our life, 00:12:20.699 --> 00:12:22.079 we were made for worship. 00:12:22.479 --> 00:12:23.639 Whether that is prayer, 00:12:24.919 --> 00:12:25.299 singing, 00:12:26.119 --> 00:12:27.899 or just being present with God. 00:12:28.019 --> 00:12:28.279 You know, 00:12:28.719 --> 00:12:30.419 I'm going to side talk. 00:12:31.500 --> 00:12:33.559 Mother Teresa is this really interesting character. 00:12:33.719 --> 00:12:34.119 She was, 00:12:34.739 --> 00:12:36.139 I'm sure you've all heard of her. 00:12:38.199 --> 00:12:40.019 She was in an interview. 00:12:40.019 --> 00:12:41.360 And someone asked her, 00:12:41.679 --> 00:12:41.819 well, 00:12:41.860 --> 00:12:42.939 what happens when you pray? 00:12:43.159 --> 00:12:43.620 She says, 00:12:43.860 --> 00:12:44.799 I listen. 00:12:46.699 --> 00:12:47.939 And then she said, 00:12:47.980 --> 00:12:48.079 well, 00:12:48.100 --> 00:12:48.779 what does God do? 00:12:49.779 --> 00:12:50.620 He listens. 00:12:53.120 --> 00:12:54.139 Isn't that amazing? 00:12:54.240 --> 00:12:54.879 That picture, 00:12:55.240 --> 00:12:55.600 that actually, 00:12:55.740 --> 00:12:56.679 our base response, 00:12:56.840 --> 00:12:57.039 it doesn't, 00:12:57.139 --> 00:12:58.079 it's not words, 00:12:58.159 --> 00:12:58.799 it's perspective. 00:12:59.439 --> 00:13:01.539 It's about being with God. 00:13:02.019 --> 00:13:02.480 And I thought, 00:13:02.559 --> 00:13:02.779 actually, 00:13:02.819 --> 00:13:04.519 she's a good advocate for conflict 00:13:04.519 --> 00:13:06.199 because she gave her life 00:13:06.199 --> 00:13:07.299 to the kingdom of God. 00:13:08.019 --> 00:13:08.340 And yet, 00:13:08.340 --> 00:13:10.040 her base place 00:13:10.040 --> 00:13:10.720 was, 00:13:11.060 --> 00:13:12.560 was the presence of God. 00:13:13.399 --> 00:13:13.899 And now, 00:13:13.960 --> 00:13:14.759 when we're suffering 00:13:14.759 --> 00:13:15.660 in a conflict, 00:13:15.800 --> 00:13:16.320 we're struggling, 00:13:16.500 --> 00:13:17.300 we're feeling low, 00:13:18.940 --> 00:13:20.680 the first thing we drop is prayer. 00:13:20.879 --> 00:13:22.259 The first thing we drop is worship. 00:13:23.060 --> 00:13:24.700 We may not go to church this week. 00:13:25.200 --> 00:13:26.460 I don't think church is the only place 00:13:26.460 --> 00:13:26.940 we should be, 00:13:26.980 --> 00:13:27.360 by the way. 00:13:27.720 --> 00:13:28.100 But, 00:13:28.440 --> 00:13:29.519 it's one of those places 00:13:29.519 --> 00:13:31.899 where we start asking questions of ourselves. 00:13:32.040 --> 00:13:32.580 Why are we not, 00:13:32.759 --> 00:13:34.519 why don't we want to go be with the body anymore? 00:13:34.519 --> 00:13:37.480 Why don't we want to worship God today? 00:13:39.740 --> 00:13:41.240 Our strength in conflict 00:13:41.240 --> 00:13:42.579 comes through worship. 00:13:46.620 --> 00:13:47.879 We need to keep praising. 00:13:48.019 --> 00:13:48.860 Think of the Psalms, 00:13:48.960 --> 00:13:49.659 think of David. 00:13:52.220 --> 00:13:52.620 Those are, 00:13:52.620 --> 00:13:53.620 those are praise 00:13:53.620 --> 00:13:55.139 and those are struggles 00:13:55.139 --> 00:13:56.779 and those are frustrations, 00:13:57.000 --> 00:13:58.139 but they always end. 00:13:58.639 --> 00:13:59.399 But you are God. 00:13:59.399 --> 00:14:02.319 Why do you think the Psalms 00:14:02.319 --> 00:14:03.500 are so important for the church, 00:14:03.579 --> 00:14:04.279 even today? 00:14:04.559 --> 00:14:05.679 It's a very Anglican thing 00:14:05.679 --> 00:14:06.740 I'm about to say 00:14:06.740 --> 00:14:07.480 in my learning 00:14:07.480 --> 00:14:08.459 how to be Anglican. 00:14:08.860 --> 00:14:09.480 It's actually, 00:14:09.579 --> 00:14:10.179 the Psalms are something 00:14:10.179 --> 00:14:11.679 we should be reading every day 00:14:11.679 --> 00:14:12.659 and I don't think it's so 00:14:12.659 --> 00:14:13.600 that we read the Bible 00:14:13.600 --> 00:14:15.159 and get better at memorising it. 00:14:15.740 --> 00:14:16.740 I think we remember 00:14:16.740 --> 00:14:17.919 that life is hard 00:14:17.919 --> 00:14:20.159 and it has been hard 00:14:20.159 --> 00:14:21.959 and that following Jesus, 00:14:22.480 --> 00:14:23.860 or let's caveat that, 00:14:23.960 --> 00:14:24.699 following God, 00:14:24.960 --> 00:14:26.000 even when you're a king, 00:14:26.779 --> 00:14:27.500 is hard. 00:14:27.500 --> 00:14:29.720 Even when you have 00:14:29.720 --> 00:14:30.299 all the power, 00:14:30.399 --> 00:14:31.100 you have all the wealth, 00:14:31.200 --> 00:14:31.779 all the money, 00:14:32.639 --> 00:14:33.600 it's still hard. 00:14:35.200 --> 00:14:36.519 I think it's really important 00:14:36.519 --> 00:14:37.600 that we remember that. 00:14:38.000 --> 00:14:39.980 Praise is our weapon. 00:14:40.919 --> 00:14:41.700 It's our weapon. 00:14:44.480 --> 00:14:45.139 And actually, 00:14:45.320 --> 00:14:46.700 if you don't believe me, 00:14:46.740 --> 00:14:48.080 look at the persecuted church. 00:14:48.840 --> 00:14:50.059 If you've ever looked at a map 00:14:50.059 --> 00:14:50.659 of where the growth 00:14:50.659 --> 00:14:51.419 of the church is at 00:14:51.419 --> 00:14:53.500 is most fruited. 00:14:54.320 --> 00:14:54.860 I was going to think 00:14:54.860 --> 00:14:55.399 of a better word. 00:14:55.480 --> 00:14:56.159 I can't think of one. 00:14:56.159 --> 00:14:57.899 Where the fruition is. 00:14:59.480 --> 00:14:59.839 Fruitfulness. 00:15:01.219 --> 00:15:01.579 Words. 00:15:02.079 --> 00:15:03.939 Is the persecuted church. 00:15:05.399 --> 00:15:06.740 The biggest church now 00:15:06.740 --> 00:15:07.719 is not in the West. 00:15:08.519 --> 00:15:09.480 It's growing out of Africa. 00:15:09.839 --> 00:15:10.759 Where they got nothing. 00:15:11.219 --> 00:15:12.819 I'm not going to be naive 00:15:12.819 --> 00:15:13.500 and say that Africa 00:15:13.500 --> 00:15:14.459 is this desolate place. 00:15:14.519 --> 00:15:15.439 It's a beautiful place 00:15:15.439 --> 00:15:16.199 and there's amazing, 00:15:16.519 --> 00:15:17.699 amazing structure 00:15:17.699 --> 00:15:18.799 and amazing people. 00:15:19.259 --> 00:15:20.120 But what's interesting 00:15:20.120 --> 00:15:21.079 is they don't generally 00:15:21.079 --> 00:15:22.100 have what we have. 00:15:23.439 --> 00:15:24.159 And yet the church 00:15:24.159 --> 00:15:25.199 is bursting out of that. 00:15:25.200 --> 00:15:26.040 Think of China. 00:15:26.460 --> 00:15:27.100 Think of the church, 00:15:27.160 --> 00:15:28.000 how big it is now. 00:15:28.480 --> 00:15:29.320 It grew on the backs 00:15:29.320 --> 00:15:30.220 of people that hid 00:15:30.220 --> 00:15:31.879 and it was a life sentence 00:15:31.879 --> 00:15:33.120 if they got caught. 00:15:33.259 --> 00:15:33.900 They were dead 00:15:33.900 --> 00:15:34.740 if they got caught 00:15:34.740 --> 00:15:35.300 for this faith. 00:15:35.400 --> 00:15:36.780 Look at Syria and Iraq. 00:15:37.680 --> 00:15:38.940 Places where literally 00:15:38.940 --> 00:15:41.280 evil has come in 00:15:41.280 --> 00:15:42.780 to take them 00:15:42.780 --> 00:15:43.680 from their homes. 00:15:44.640 --> 00:15:45.160 And the church, 00:15:45.320 --> 00:15:45.700 you know what? 00:15:46.100 --> 00:15:47.040 ISIS people 00:15:47.040 --> 00:15:48.620 come into faith. 00:15:48.620 --> 00:15:50.019 I heard a story. 00:15:50.080 --> 00:15:50.560 A friend of mine 00:15:50.560 --> 00:15:51.700 is really unwise. 00:15:52.720 --> 00:15:52.960 And he, 00:15:53.460 --> 00:15:55.659 which is what makes him awesome. 00:15:56.000 --> 00:15:57.539 But he decided 00:15:57.539 --> 00:15:58.139 he was going to go 00:15:58.139 --> 00:15:58.759 to Afghanistan 00:15:58.759 --> 00:15:59.500 and just hang out 00:15:59.500 --> 00:15:59.960 with this guy 00:15:59.960 --> 00:16:00.580 who was out there. 00:16:01.019 --> 00:16:02.340 And he got to meet 00:16:02.340 --> 00:16:03.399 lots of different people. 00:16:03.960 --> 00:16:04.620 Awkwardly bumped 00:16:04.620 --> 00:16:07.460 into a few scary people 00:16:07.460 --> 00:16:09.500 and had to pretend 00:16:09.500 --> 00:16:10.379 because he had a beard. 00:16:10.700 --> 00:16:11.580 A better one than mine. 00:16:12.300 --> 00:16:13.660 He had to, 00:16:14.680 --> 00:16:15.520 he sort of mumbled 00:16:15.520 --> 00:16:16.280 a bit of Arabic 00:16:16.280 --> 00:16:17.300 so that they might think 00:16:17.300 --> 00:16:18.460 that he was like 00:16:18.460 --> 00:16:19.960 not Western, 00:16:20.259 --> 00:16:20.860 basically. 00:16:21.500 --> 00:16:23.580 And he met this guy 00:16:23.580 --> 00:16:25.360 who is known 00:16:25.360 --> 00:16:26.080 as the Paul 00:16:26.080 --> 00:16:27.840 to ISIS. 00:16:29.300 --> 00:16:30.160 And he told me 00:16:30.160 --> 00:16:31.300 the story of this guy 00:16:31.300 --> 00:16:31.600 who, 00:16:32.360 --> 00:16:33.600 there's no children here 00:16:33.600 --> 00:16:34.560 so I'm going to go for it. 00:16:35.820 --> 00:16:36.920 He basically broke 00:16:36.920 --> 00:16:37.900 into a house church. 00:16:38.520 --> 00:16:40.980 He was an ISIS warrior 00:16:40.980 --> 00:16:42.860 and he lined them all up 00:16:42.860 --> 00:16:43.879 and he killed them. 00:16:44.259 --> 00:16:45.560 And he got to the last one 00:16:45.560 --> 00:16:46.620 and this last one 00:16:46.620 --> 00:16:47.580 held a Bible to him 00:16:47.580 --> 00:16:48.360 and just said 00:16:48.360 --> 00:16:49.639 take this Bible, 00:16:49.820 --> 00:16:50.420 take this Bible, 00:16:50.620 --> 00:16:51.399 just take this Bible. 00:16:52.019 --> 00:16:53.000 And the guy killed him 00:16:53.000 --> 00:16:54.379 and he took the Bible 00:16:54.379 --> 00:16:56.460 and Jesus met him 00:16:56.460 --> 00:16:59.220 and completely ruined his life. 00:17:00.139 --> 00:17:00.639 Can you imagine 00:17:00.639 --> 00:17:01.600 being an ISIS member 00:17:01.600 --> 00:17:02.420 that Jesus met? 00:17:03.580 --> 00:17:04.860 Completely ruined his life. 00:17:05.360 --> 00:17:06.299 And he now goes, 00:17:06.420 --> 00:17:07.099 like Paul did, 00:17:07.180 --> 00:17:08.299 we forget that this Paul, 00:17:09.120 --> 00:17:10.799 he wasn't a good guy 00:17:10.799 --> 00:17:11.440 at the start. 00:17:11.899 --> 00:17:12.779 Start of the story, 00:17:12.919 --> 00:17:13.680 not a good guy. 00:17:14.819 --> 00:17:16.079 And he goes around 00:17:16.079 --> 00:17:17.579 proclaiming the gospel 00:17:17.579 --> 00:17:19.639 in the most difficult places 00:17:19.639 --> 00:17:20.619 and it is growing. 00:17:23.799 --> 00:17:24.740 And that brings me on 00:17:24.740 --> 00:17:25.700 to my final point 00:17:25.700 --> 00:17:27.119 which is there. 00:17:28.079 --> 00:17:28.279 So, 00:17:29.240 --> 00:17:30.319 it's costly. 00:17:31.720 --> 00:17:32.720 Our weapon is worship. 00:17:33.339 --> 00:17:34.819 But not only is our weapon worship, 00:17:34.940 --> 00:17:37.119 it creates opportunity. 00:17:37.759 --> 00:17:38.479 Have you ever really 00:17:38.479 --> 00:17:39.699 come out of an argument 00:17:39.699 --> 00:17:41.359 or a debate 00:17:41.359 --> 00:17:42.599 or whatever you'd like to call it 00:17:42.599 --> 00:17:43.799 with someone about your faith 00:17:43.799 --> 00:17:44.879 and they've been, 00:17:45.459 --> 00:17:47.039 they've changed because of it 00:17:47.039 --> 00:17:48.719 or they've wanted to know more, 00:17:48.799 --> 00:17:49.959 they've asked to meet up again 00:17:49.959 --> 00:17:50.839 to talk about it. 00:17:50.899 --> 00:17:52.419 You've had a conflict of interest, 00:17:52.539 --> 00:17:53.819 you've had a conflict of beliefs, 00:17:54.299 --> 00:17:55.639 but there's something in that 00:17:55.639 --> 00:17:57.659 that births an opportunity. 00:17:59.719 --> 00:18:01.519 Think of Paul and Silas, 00:18:01.939 --> 00:18:03.459 their statement looks like 00:18:03.459 --> 00:18:04.679 it was a really bad idea, 00:18:04.680 --> 00:18:06.360 but what comes out of that moment, 00:18:06.460 --> 00:18:07.460 just in that passage, 00:18:07.840 --> 00:18:10.519 we get some amazing results. 00:18:11.140 --> 00:18:12.120 In the midst of that, 00:18:13.460 --> 00:18:15.100 a whole household becomes Christian. 00:18:16.140 --> 00:18:17.120 In the midst of that, 00:18:17.400 --> 00:18:20.200 they declare the word of God. 00:18:21.700 --> 00:18:23.000 And not only do they transform 00:18:23.000 --> 00:18:25.480 this guard's life 00:18:25.480 --> 00:18:27.440 and his family's life 00:18:27.440 --> 00:18:29.700 and probably when you say household, 00:18:30.019 --> 00:18:31.039 that's not a small number, 00:18:31.299 --> 00:18:32.420 especially not for somebody 00:18:32.420 --> 00:18:33.519 who's in charge of a jail. 00:18:34.680 --> 00:18:37.060 They also got the boldness. 00:18:37.240 --> 00:18:38.519 They had the opportunity 00:18:38.519 --> 00:18:40.259 to challenge the very system 00:18:40.259 --> 00:18:41.519 that meant that they were in prison. 00:18:42.279 --> 00:18:42.960 And they won. 00:18:43.820 --> 00:18:45.100 They were kicked out, fine. 00:18:45.860 --> 00:18:46.920 But they were kicked out 00:18:46.920 --> 00:18:48.480 because they couldn't argue with them. 00:18:49.039 --> 00:18:49.700 They were kicked out 00:18:49.700 --> 00:18:51.519 because they couldn't beat this. 00:18:52.000 --> 00:18:52.560 They couldn't beat, 00:18:52.600 --> 00:18:53.460 they were Roman citizens, 00:18:53.620 --> 00:18:54.279 they couldn't beat it, 00:18:54.340 --> 00:18:55.600 they come all apologetically. 00:18:56.440 --> 00:18:57.900 So although it looks bad, 00:18:57.960 --> 00:18:59.220 actually goods come from it. 00:18:59.420 --> 00:19:00.700 They've been able to honour God, 00:19:00.840 --> 00:19:02.259 they've been able to proclaim the gospel 00:19:02.259 --> 00:19:04.039 in the place that is Satan's home 00:19:04.039 --> 00:19:06.839 and they've been able to silence 00:19:06.839 --> 00:19:09.920 the empire represented by the magistrates. 00:19:09.920 --> 00:19:16.080 We're coming into land now. 00:19:17.100 --> 00:19:19.580 I want to encourage you to be brave. 00:19:22.660 --> 00:19:25.440 If any of those three things ring true for you, 00:19:25.940 --> 00:19:27.360 I want you to get prayer today. 00:19:28.800 --> 00:19:30.340 You're in a conflict right now 00:19:30.340 --> 00:19:32.380 and it's costing you. 00:19:32.380 --> 00:19:36.140 Or actually, 00:19:36.460 --> 00:19:38.240 you're really struggling to worship. 00:19:39.480 --> 00:19:40.440 You're really struggling 00:19:40.440 --> 00:19:41.920 where your life is right now, 00:19:42.120 --> 00:19:44.000 the stress, the strains of it. 00:19:44.260 --> 00:19:46.300 You're struggling to put Jesus back at the centre. 00:19:47.700 --> 00:19:49.740 You're struggling to go to the source of life. 00:19:50.820 --> 00:19:51.680 We need to break that. 00:19:51.840 --> 00:19:52.820 We need to pray for you. 00:19:56.900 --> 00:19:57.880 Maybe you're thinking, 00:19:58.200 --> 00:20:00.480 I really want this opportunity to happen. 00:20:00.480 --> 00:20:02.839 Well, let's pray for you. 00:20:03.839 --> 00:20:05.880 Let us come as a family together 00:20:05.880 --> 00:20:06.799 and pray for you. 00:20:09.440 --> 00:20:10.779 I know it's a big step, 00:20:11.299 --> 00:20:12.380 but when, I don't know, 00:20:12.460 --> 00:20:15.480 when ministry team are around, 00:20:15.599 --> 00:20:16.599 I think they're going to be at the back, 00:20:16.680 --> 00:20:16.839 are they? 00:20:17.180 --> 00:20:17.420 Yeah. 00:20:18.480 --> 00:20:21.099 Or even if that's too big a step, 00:20:22.079 --> 00:20:23.460 here with a church and with family, 00:20:23.880 --> 00:20:25.220 there are people sat next to you. 00:20:25.720 --> 00:20:28.160 Sorry if you hate being asked to pray for people. 00:20:28.160 --> 00:20:29.800 But if you really need prayer 00:20:29.800 --> 00:20:30.220 and you think, 00:20:30.320 --> 00:20:32.100 actually, that's too far for me, 00:20:33.740 --> 00:20:35.100 ask the person next to you, 00:20:35.140 --> 00:20:36.560 just over coffee time, 00:20:37.080 --> 00:20:37.680 just ask them, 00:20:37.800 --> 00:20:38.600 can you pray for me 00:20:38.600 --> 00:20:39.880 because I'm in this situation? 00:20:40.000 --> 00:20:41.019 You don't have to give them details, 00:20:41.840 --> 00:20:42.779 but it's costing me. 00:20:44.740 --> 00:20:46.460 Or I'm struggling to worship right now. 00:20:46.519 --> 00:20:47.860 I'm struggling to get perspective. 00:20:49.400 --> 00:20:50.920 I'm struggling to put God first. 00:20:51.060 --> 00:20:51.860 All these other bits 00:20:51.860 --> 00:20:54.140 that are causing me frustrations and anger, 00:20:54.259 --> 00:20:55.200 they're in front of him. 00:20:55.200 --> 00:20:57.299 Get some prayer. 00:20:58.380 --> 00:20:59.240 And then the final one, 00:20:59.299 --> 00:21:00.840 if you need that opportunity to happen, 00:21:01.100 --> 00:21:01.799 let's pray for it. 00:21:02.779 --> 00:21:04.200 Let's bring God into the center. 00:21:06.440 --> 00:21:07.920 And I want you to remember this. 00:21:07.960 --> 00:21:08.940 This is my last line. 00:21:10.880 --> 00:21:12.460 We've been talking about conflict, 00:21:13.080 --> 00:21:15.319 but remember that the God of all comfort, 00:21:15.920 --> 00:21:17.240 who knows struggle and pain, 00:21:17.840 --> 00:21:19.660 who knows the cost of our message 00:21:19.660 --> 00:21:20.480 better than anyone, 00:21:20.480 --> 00:21:23.279 is right by your side. 00:21:24.200 --> 00:21:25.700 Right by your side. 00:21:26.880 --> 00:21:27.240 Amen. 00:21:27.240 --> 00:21:27.319 Amen. 00:21:27.319 --> 00:21:27.440 Amen. 00:21:27.440 --> 00:21:27.759 Amen.