WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:03.540 I remember the night that I became a Christian very vividly. 00:00:04.240 --> 00:00:11.480 Even now, it's one of the nights that I look to as potentially one of the most overwhelming and significant nights in my life. 00:00:12.140 --> 00:00:15.280 As a 14-year-old boy, I cried that night. 00:00:16.000 --> 00:00:18.839 14-year-old boys aren't supposed to cry, but I did. 00:00:19.600 --> 00:00:21.800 In fact, I wept that night. 00:00:21.800 --> 00:00:32.579 I was absolutely levelled and humbled by this incredible, unconditional love that God would show me in sending Jesus. 00:00:33.439 --> 00:00:40.840 I remember that even as a 14-year-old, I was pretty aware of the parts of my life that weren't particularly love-worthy. 00:00:40.840 --> 00:00:52.020 And even though I had great parents who loved me incredibly, there was clearly something special, something more about this love that God had for me. 00:00:52.720 --> 00:00:55.040 And so I was overwhelmed with gratitude. 00:00:55.040 --> 00:01:04.820 And at the same time, having for the first time understood how amazing God's love was, I was convicted and I was committed that from that point on, 00:01:04.819 --> 00:01:11.399 I was going to serve God in every second of every minute of every hour of every day of every week of every year that he gave me. 00:01:11.500 --> 00:01:13.399 I was going to be all in. 00:01:14.539 --> 00:01:18.479 And I remember it happened on a camp in January of 1996. 00:01:19.959 --> 00:01:26.679 I came home from that camp still buzzing, still on fire for Jesus, still enthusiastic to a fault. 00:01:26.979 --> 00:01:28.519 I was ready to change the world. 00:01:28.639 --> 00:01:31.219 I was ready to be completely different. 00:01:31.219 --> 00:01:35.159 I was ready to leave my old life and my old sinful habits behind. 00:01:37.739 --> 00:01:40.780 And then I was on that same camp 12 months later. 00:01:43.000 --> 00:01:56.719 And I had a moment of just incredible guilt as I realised that all of that resolve and conviction that I had had, 00:01:57.420 --> 00:02:00.099 had just kind of worn off over the year. 00:02:01.219 --> 00:02:11.579 In fact, if I'm honest, by mid-February of that year, I was basically back where I'd started, back into the usual rhythms of life. 00:02:11.740 --> 00:02:18.780 And so this new me that I had resolved to be seemed like an embarrassing overstatement. 00:02:18.780 --> 00:02:22.060 I remember standing, I was in the same place. 00:02:22.120 --> 00:02:28.539 It was the same point on camp where they were inviting other people to become Christians, other people to respond to God's love. 00:02:29.240 --> 00:02:32.699 And I remember suddenly realising I hadn't arrived. 00:02:33.500 --> 00:02:37.319 I wasn't this person that I thought that I was supposed to be. 00:02:37.319 --> 00:02:47.819 Now I knew and I believed that God loved me more than my weakness and failure and my sad attempts at following him couldn't undo that. 00:02:47.819 --> 00:02:59.060 But I also just felt pretty embarrassed that there was almost nothing in my life that said something had changed, 00:02:59.299 --> 00:03:01.259 that said now I belong to Jesus. 00:03:02.239 --> 00:03:07.639 And so the preacher is standing at the front of the room, 12 months later giving a similar message, 00:03:07.780 --> 00:03:10.459 talking about Jesus, inviting people to become Christians. 00:03:10.460 --> 00:03:15.260 And I'm sitting there thinking, something needs to change. 00:03:16.040 --> 00:03:20.600 I'm not where I'm supposed to be, but I can't do that because I've already done that. 00:03:21.300 --> 00:03:23.360 I've already done the becoming a Christian thing. 00:03:23.460 --> 00:03:26.080 So what am I supposed to do with my guilt? 00:03:27.319 --> 00:03:33.540 Maybe you've heard Christian testimonies, stories of stuff, of how people became Christians, 00:03:33.540 --> 00:03:37.260 and they go something like, before I was a Christian, I was a jerk. 00:03:37.560 --> 00:03:40.420 Then I met Jesus, and now I'm amazing. 00:03:41.460 --> 00:03:43.060 That wasn't my story. 00:03:44.159 --> 00:03:45.879 Before I was a Christian, I was a jerk. 00:03:45.980 --> 00:03:48.560 Then I met Jesus, and 12 months later, I was still a jerk. 00:03:49.280 --> 00:03:52.260 And some of you might think that I'm still a jerk nearly 20 years later. 00:03:53.500 --> 00:03:54.840 It wasn't my story. 00:03:55.000 --> 00:03:58.379 And so I was sitting there with this guilt, conscious that something wasn't right, 00:03:58.680 --> 00:04:00.640 but not sure what I was supposed to do with that. 00:04:01.540 --> 00:04:03.360 I figured I only had two options. 00:04:04.020 --> 00:04:07.120 I couldn't admit that I hadn't gone anywhere and start again. 00:04:07.240 --> 00:04:08.379 That was too embarrassing. 00:04:08.379 --> 00:04:09.219 I couldn't admit that. 00:04:09.219 --> 00:04:16.379 So I figured my best hopes was either to play down how bad I still was and kind of act like 00:04:16.379 --> 00:04:23.259 I was doing better than I really was, or I could just try harder from now on and just 00:04:23.259 --> 00:04:29.259 have such a good year in year number two that kind of makes up for how bad I was in year number one. 00:04:29.259 --> 00:04:37.899 I felt this pressure that if I was going to follow Jesus, I had to meet some kind of standard. 00:04:38.360 --> 00:04:40.920 I didn't want to be another one of those Christian hypocrites. 00:04:40.920 --> 00:04:48.640 I figured I figured I needed to be as good, at least as good as the other Christians around me, 00:04:48.680 --> 00:04:50.439 who all looked like they were doing much better than me. 00:04:51.500 --> 00:04:56.540 And if I'm honest, what I actually thought I had to do was be like Jesus. 00:04:57.920 --> 00:05:00.400 I even had the wristband to remind me of it every day. 00:05:00.399 --> 00:05:03.399 WWJD, what would Jesus do? 00:05:04.599 --> 00:05:05.839 Nothing like what I was doing. 00:05:07.259 --> 00:05:10.620 I felt a pressure to be perfect. 00:05:10.620 --> 00:05:15.819 And that's a pressure that a lot of Christians feel. 00:05:16.120 --> 00:05:20.019 That could even be a pressure that you're feeling right now as you attempt to follow Jesus, 00:05:20.199 --> 00:05:24.180 or as you figure out whether or not you want to follow Jesus, or you're allowed to follow Jesus, 00:05:24.240 --> 00:05:25.079 or it fits for you. 00:05:25.300 --> 00:05:28.899 It could be the intimidation of feeling like, can I meet up to this standard? 00:05:29.620 --> 00:05:34.120 I mean, Christians never say you have to be perfect because that would sound ridiculous. 00:05:35.000 --> 00:05:36.139 It does sound ridiculous. 00:05:36.139 --> 00:05:41.719 But think about the way that you respond to moral failure. 00:05:44.279 --> 00:05:46.699 When you come across sin in someone else, 00:05:47.779 --> 00:05:52.240 do you ever find yourself wondering whether or not they're really a Christian? 00:05:55.159 --> 00:06:00.019 Do you find yourself looking around the room and kind of measuring who the better Christians are 00:06:00.019 --> 00:06:02.519 based on their level of goodness or morality? 00:06:02.519 --> 00:06:06.740 Or what about in your own life? 00:06:08.419 --> 00:06:11.539 When you discover something, some sin in your life, 00:06:11.779 --> 00:06:15.680 are you tempted to justify it, play it down as it's not such a big issue, 00:06:15.899 --> 00:06:17.240 kind of pretend like it's not there? 00:06:18.879 --> 00:06:24.339 Or maybe you feel the pressure to somehow up your game, try harder, make it up to God? 00:06:24.339 --> 00:06:30.519 Does it get compounded by this fear that other people might find out? 00:06:32.019 --> 00:06:33.659 Find out what you're really like? 00:06:34.599 --> 00:06:37.739 Find out that you're not as great as you've been pretending to be? 00:06:38.339 --> 00:06:40.579 Not as holy as you've been pretending to be? 00:06:41.919 --> 00:06:44.839 And so then you just do everything you can to cover it up. 00:06:44.959 --> 00:06:45.620 Keep it a secret. 00:06:47.279 --> 00:06:48.419 Try harder at church. 00:06:48.539 --> 00:06:50.019 Put on a bigger show of godliness. 00:06:50.019 --> 00:06:51.740 And the pressure just builds. 00:06:52.539 --> 00:06:55.459 So where you're saying you're here and you're slowly doing this, 00:06:55.539 --> 00:06:59.219 and so it gets harder and harder to live up to a standard that you're getting further and further away from, 00:06:59.259 --> 00:07:01.919 and the pressure is building, and you're feeling more guilt, 00:07:02.039 --> 00:07:05.439 and you're driven to serve more or read your Bible more or give more, 00:07:05.500 --> 00:07:07.299 but inside you're just feeling horrible. 00:07:10.659 --> 00:07:12.019 Somewhere along the line, 00:07:12.019 --> 00:07:16.899 we started to believe the lie that if we're going to follow Jesus, 00:07:17.019 --> 00:07:17.839 we have to be perfect. 00:07:19.879 --> 00:07:22.299 Or at very least, we've got to be better than most people. 00:07:22.639 --> 00:07:24.000 Better than the people out there. 00:07:25.399 --> 00:07:29.079 We started kind of expecting ourselves and other people 00:07:29.079 --> 00:07:31.979 to have arrived as Christians. 00:07:32.599 --> 00:07:33.680 To be like Jesus. 00:07:34.519 --> 00:07:37.439 We read verses like the one that Deb read in 1 John 5. 00:07:37.579 --> 00:07:38.240 Have a look at it. 00:07:38.299 --> 00:07:38.419 It says, 00:07:38.419 --> 00:07:41.019 This is the message we've heard from him and declare to you. 00:07:41.019 --> 00:07:42.659 God is light. 00:07:43.060 --> 00:07:44.979 In him there is no darkness at all. 00:07:45.439 --> 00:07:47.659 If we claim to have fellowship with him, 00:07:47.919 --> 00:07:49.479 and yet walk in the darkness, 00:07:49.839 --> 00:07:52.439 we lie and do not live out the truth. 00:07:52.819 --> 00:07:54.560 And so we look at a verse like that, 00:07:54.579 --> 00:07:54.939 and we go, 00:07:55.060 --> 00:07:55.639 God's light, 00:07:56.000 --> 00:07:57.819 and we can't have any darkness, 00:07:57.959 --> 00:08:00.120 so basically the only answer is we've got to be perfect. 00:08:00.199 --> 00:08:01.120 That's not what it's saying. 00:08:02.740 --> 00:08:04.819 I mean, if you go just down to the next verse, 00:08:04.899 --> 00:08:05.439 verse 7, 00:08:05.719 --> 00:08:06.000 it says, 00:08:06.000 --> 00:08:08.199 If we walk in the light as he is in the light, 00:08:08.599 --> 00:08:10.060 we have fellowship with one another, 00:08:10.060 --> 00:08:12.120 and the blood of Jesus, 00:08:12.240 --> 00:08:12.600 his son, 00:08:12.740 --> 00:08:14.160 purifies us from all sin. 00:08:15.199 --> 00:08:16.220 So walking in the light, 00:08:16.319 --> 00:08:17.040 whatever it means, 00:08:17.160 --> 00:08:18.180 doesn't mean being perfect, 00:08:18.319 --> 00:08:20.560 because you still need to be purified by the blood of Jesus 00:08:20.560 --> 00:08:21.360 when you're in the light. 00:08:21.600 --> 00:08:22.840 So it's not saying that, 00:08:22.879 --> 00:08:25.280 but somehow we've grabbed verses like this 00:08:25.280 --> 00:08:27.100 and put a pressure on ourselves 00:08:27.100 --> 00:08:28.079 and on other people 00:08:28.079 --> 00:08:30.459 that if you're going to wear the Christian badge, 00:08:30.660 --> 00:08:31.939 you've got to be up here. 00:08:33.519 --> 00:08:34.440 You've got to be better. 00:08:34.440 --> 00:08:36.540 You've got to be putting on a show. 00:08:37.040 --> 00:08:39.080 And I want to start this series 00:08:39.080 --> 00:08:41.180 by saying really clearly 00:08:41.180 --> 00:08:44.380 that that is a poisonous lie. 00:08:45.800 --> 00:08:47.980 That is absolute rubbish. 00:08:48.720 --> 00:08:50.500 If there is any part of that sentiment 00:08:51.040 --> 00:08:53.280 that sounds familiar for you, 00:08:53.500 --> 00:08:55.100 that resonates with you, 00:08:56.220 --> 00:08:58.780 if you feel even a little bit 00:08:58.780 --> 00:09:00.780 like there is a standard you have to meet 00:09:00.779 --> 00:09:02.559 for God to love you, 00:09:02.639 --> 00:09:04.199 for you to be valid as a Christian, 00:09:05.100 --> 00:09:07.199 you need to really listen today 00:09:07.199 --> 00:09:08.259 and through this series. 00:09:09.379 --> 00:09:11.620 Jesus wants you to understand what he means 00:09:11.620 --> 00:09:12.539 when he says, 00:09:12.720 --> 00:09:13.819 my yoke is easy, 00:09:14.679 --> 00:09:16.419 my burden is light. 00:09:19.000 --> 00:09:20.740 Following Jesus is a journey. 00:09:21.759 --> 00:09:23.519 It's about becoming something. 00:09:23.860 --> 00:09:26.319 It's about being slowly transformed. 00:09:26.600 --> 00:09:28.199 Christians are not finished products. 00:09:28.200 --> 00:09:32.740 They haven't arrived yet. 00:09:33.240 --> 00:09:34.120 They're on a journey. 00:09:35.400 --> 00:09:36.160 Billy Graham, 00:09:36.240 --> 00:09:37.680 the famous evangelist, 00:09:37.720 --> 00:09:38.860 his wife Ruth, 00:09:39.320 --> 00:09:40.100 when she died, 00:09:40.200 --> 00:09:41.940 had these words put on her tombstone. 00:09:42.660 --> 00:09:43.700 End of construction. 00:09:44.840 --> 00:09:45.980 Thank you for your patience. 00:09:48.280 --> 00:09:50.000 Jesus describes following him 00:09:50.000 --> 00:09:51.720 like being on a narrow road, 00:09:52.220 --> 00:09:54.040 a road that leads to life, 00:09:54.780 --> 00:09:55.860 but being on the road 00:09:55.860 --> 00:09:57.060 is not the same as being 00:09:57.059 --> 00:09:58.199 at the end of the road. 00:09:59.119 --> 00:09:59.839 Being on a journey 00:09:59.839 --> 00:10:00.899 is not the same as being 00:10:00.899 --> 00:10:01.719 at the destination 00:10:01.719 --> 00:10:02.859 that you're trying to get to. 00:10:03.699 --> 00:10:04.659 Anyone who has ever been 00:10:04.659 --> 00:10:05.899 on a road trip with kids, 00:10:06.000 --> 00:10:07.079 some of you guys in this room 00:10:07.079 --> 00:10:07.959 are still closer to being 00:10:07.959 --> 00:10:09.039 the kids on that road trip, 00:10:09.399 --> 00:10:11.119 know the haunting chorus of, 00:10:11.419 --> 00:10:12.019 are we there yet? 00:10:12.279 --> 00:10:12.979 Are we there yet? 00:10:13.159 --> 00:10:13.779 Are we there yet? 00:10:13.899 --> 00:10:15.839 And after answering no 00:10:15.839 --> 00:10:17.259 for the thousandth time, 00:10:17.339 --> 00:10:17.919 as a parent, 00:10:18.000 --> 00:10:19.479 you start to try and get creative 00:10:19.479 --> 00:10:21.719 about how you might answer this. 00:10:21.799 --> 00:10:22.979 And so you come up with, 00:10:23.099 --> 00:10:24.619 well, we're on the way. 00:10:24.620 --> 00:10:25.060 We're there. 00:10:25.279 --> 00:10:27.419 Or we're almost there. 00:10:27.860 --> 00:10:28.759 Or, you know, 00:10:28.820 --> 00:10:29.399 the euphemism, 00:10:29.539 --> 00:10:30.899 which is actually close to a lie, 00:10:31.179 --> 00:10:32.220 it's not about the destination, 00:10:32.539 --> 00:10:33.299 it's about the journey. 00:10:33.700 --> 00:10:34.399 That's rubbish. 00:10:34.799 --> 00:10:36.200 A journey is about the destination. 00:10:36.379 --> 00:10:37.039 That's why it's a journey. 00:10:37.139 --> 00:10:37.960 It's about getting somewhere. 00:10:38.399 --> 00:10:39.480 Kids are pretty astute 00:10:39.480 --> 00:10:42.120 and they quickly work out 00:10:42.120 --> 00:10:44.379 that no matter how you spin it, 00:10:44.820 --> 00:10:45.820 being on the journey 00:10:45.820 --> 00:10:47.279 is not the same 00:10:47.279 --> 00:10:48.440 as being at the destination. 00:10:48.680 --> 00:10:49.480 The point of the journey 00:10:49.480 --> 00:10:50.379 is to get to the place 00:10:50.379 --> 00:10:51.299 that you want to get to 00:10:51.299 --> 00:10:52.179 and they know 00:10:52.179 --> 00:10:53.120 that you can use 00:10:53.120 --> 00:10:54.579 fancy, clever words 00:10:54.579 --> 00:10:55.359 and profound, 00:10:55.859 --> 00:10:56.679 seeming statements, 00:10:57.559 --> 00:11:00.079 but it's still not the same thing. 00:11:02.120 --> 00:11:03.599 We are on a journey 00:11:03.599 --> 00:11:05.799 and so we shouldn't expect 00:11:05.799 --> 00:11:06.539 our life to be 00:11:06.539 --> 00:11:07.299 as if we're already 00:11:07.299 --> 00:11:08.099 at the destination, 00:11:08.219 --> 00:11:08.899 we're already finished. 00:11:08.979 --> 00:11:09.719 If you're a Christian, 00:11:10.079 --> 00:11:12.299 you haven't arrived yet. 00:11:13.039 --> 00:11:15.259 You are between two points. 00:11:15.419 --> 00:11:16.039 Jesus says 00:11:16.039 --> 00:11:17.779 he will carry on the work 00:11:17.779 --> 00:11:19.559 till the destination, 00:11:19.759 --> 00:11:20.500 till completion, 00:11:20.500 --> 00:11:22.519 but that will happen 00:11:22.519 --> 00:11:23.940 at the end of the journey. 00:11:24.299 --> 00:11:25.919 The completion will be heaven. 00:11:26.539 --> 00:11:27.480 The two points 00:11:27.480 --> 00:11:29.460 that define being a Christian 00:11:29.460 --> 00:11:31.179 are the cross. 00:11:32.419 --> 00:11:33.340 The first time 00:11:33.340 --> 00:11:34.399 you understand 00:11:34.399 --> 00:11:35.580 and encounter the fact 00:11:35.580 --> 00:11:36.559 that Jesus died 00:11:36.559 --> 00:11:37.700 so that you could be forgiven 00:11:37.700 --> 00:11:39.259 and you hand your sin over, 00:11:39.379 --> 00:11:40.740 that's the beginning 00:11:40.740 --> 00:11:41.480 of the journey 00:11:41.480 --> 00:11:43.080 and the end of the journey 00:11:43.080 --> 00:11:43.700 is heaven. 00:11:45.240 --> 00:11:45.919 It's home. 00:11:46.320 --> 00:11:47.019 It's when finally 00:11:47.019 --> 00:11:48.000 you're with God, 00:11:48.220 --> 00:11:49.200 you're with him forever 00:11:49.200 --> 00:11:49.980 and in heaven 00:11:49.980 --> 00:11:52.000 you will be perfect. 00:11:53.120 --> 00:11:54.440 You will be sinless. 00:11:54.580 --> 00:11:55.820 It will be amazing. 00:11:55.940 --> 00:11:57.280 You will be just like Jesus 00:11:57.280 --> 00:11:59.660 but that is not a standard 00:11:59.660 --> 00:12:00.560 that he expects 00:12:00.560 --> 00:12:02.360 of anyone before then. 00:12:03.879 --> 00:12:05.040 That is not a bar 00:12:05.040 --> 00:12:06.379 that he is holding you to. 00:12:06.379 --> 00:12:09.379 And as long as we keep 00:12:09.379 --> 00:12:10.720 expecting it of ourselves 00:12:10.720 --> 00:12:11.679 and each other, 00:12:12.299 --> 00:12:13.340 all we're doing 00:12:13.340 --> 00:12:14.539 is adding pressure 00:12:14.539 --> 00:12:15.240 and burdens 00:12:15.240 --> 00:12:15.960 in our lives 00:12:15.960 --> 00:12:16.519 and in the lives 00:12:16.519 --> 00:12:17.179 of other people 00:12:17.179 --> 00:12:18.960 that just don't belong there. 00:12:20.539 --> 00:12:21.179 In fact, 00:12:21.240 --> 00:12:21.960 for some people 00:12:21.960 --> 00:12:23.439 who are trying to decide 00:12:23.439 --> 00:12:23.820 whether or not 00:12:23.820 --> 00:12:24.879 they should follow Jesus, 00:12:25.200 --> 00:12:26.360 it's this pressure, 00:12:27.019 --> 00:12:28.039 it's this standard 00:12:28.039 --> 00:12:29.179 that we add 00:12:29.179 --> 00:12:30.820 that deters them, 00:12:31.460 --> 00:12:32.379 that turns them away. 00:12:32.519 --> 00:12:33.539 Jesus sounds great 00:12:33.539 --> 00:12:34.779 but I can't realistically 00:12:34.779 --> 00:12:35.860 live up to that perfection 00:12:35.860 --> 00:12:36.799 that the rest of you guys 00:12:36.799 --> 00:12:37.839 are apparently living up to. 00:12:39.679 --> 00:12:40.879 When we hold ourselves 00:12:40.879 --> 00:12:41.899 and others to this standard, 00:12:41.980 --> 00:12:42.719 for some Christians 00:12:42.719 --> 00:12:44.259 that's enough to crush them 00:12:44.259 --> 00:12:45.419 and make them give up 00:12:45.419 --> 00:12:46.539 because we've made 00:12:46.539 --> 00:12:47.179 following Jesus 00:12:47.179 --> 00:12:48.599 harder than it's supposed to be. 00:12:48.899 --> 00:12:49.399 In fact, 00:12:49.459 --> 00:12:51.179 we've put an impossible task 00:12:51.179 --> 00:12:51.719 in there 00:12:51.719 --> 00:12:54.139 and so we're surprised 00:12:54.139 --> 00:12:55.219 when they feel so guilty 00:12:55.219 --> 00:12:55.819 that they decided 00:12:55.819 --> 00:12:57.120 just be easier to jump out 00:12:57.120 --> 00:12:58.059 and not have any standard 00:12:58.059 --> 00:12:58.679 to live by. 00:12:58.679 --> 00:13:02.500 Being a Christian 00:13:02.500 --> 00:13:04.779 means being unfinished. 00:13:06.299 --> 00:13:07.139 That means 00:13:07.139 --> 00:13:08.059 that every person 00:13:08.059 --> 00:13:08.579 in this room 00:13:08.579 --> 00:13:09.599 who is following Jesus 00:13:09.599 --> 00:13:11.079 is unfinished. 00:13:12.039 --> 00:13:13.639 That is not perfect. 00:13:14.399 --> 00:13:15.639 No one's got it all together. 00:13:17.479 --> 00:13:18.339 Every one of us 00:13:18.339 --> 00:13:18.939 is failing. 00:13:20.199 --> 00:13:21.059 Every one of us 00:13:21.059 --> 00:13:21.559 is struggling 00:13:21.559 --> 00:13:22.879 to obey and love God 00:13:22.879 --> 00:13:23.839 the way he deserves. 00:13:24.419 --> 00:13:25.419 The issue is not 00:13:25.419 --> 00:13:26.500 if we will fail. 00:13:26.500 --> 00:13:29.120 It's what we do 00:13:29.120 --> 00:13:30.019 when we fail. 00:13:32.059 --> 00:13:33.279 That's the important thing. 00:13:33.360 --> 00:13:34.399 Have a look at verse 8. 00:13:36.620 --> 00:13:37.480 If we claim 00:13:37.480 --> 00:13:38.700 to be without sin 00:13:38.700 --> 00:13:40.159 we deceive ourselves 00:13:40.159 --> 00:13:40.860 and the truth 00:13:40.860 --> 00:13:41.919 is not in us. 00:13:43.860 --> 00:13:44.039 See, 00:13:44.120 --> 00:13:44.600 none of us, 00:13:44.740 --> 00:13:44.960 again, 00:13:45.019 --> 00:13:46.220 is claiming to be sinless. 00:13:46.320 --> 00:13:46.820 I haven't heard 00:13:46.820 --> 00:13:47.639 any of you say 00:13:47.639 --> 00:13:48.840 and I probably will challenge you 00:13:48.840 --> 00:13:49.240 if you do, 00:13:49.940 --> 00:13:50.700 I'm sinless. 00:13:51.259 --> 00:13:51.879 I'm perfect. 00:13:51.940 --> 00:13:53.220 We don't say that explicitly 00:13:53.220 --> 00:13:54.820 but if we're not 00:13:54.820 --> 00:13:55.899 recognizing 00:13:55.899 --> 00:13:56.819 or acknowledging 00:13:56.819 --> 00:13:58.340 or confessing 00:13:58.340 --> 00:13:59.939 specific things 00:13:59.939 --> 00:14:00.679 regularly, 00:14:01.459 --> 00:14:02.720 we're more or less 00:14:02.720 --> 00:14:03.759 doing the same thing. 00:14:05.559 --> 00:14:06.939 If we're not saying 00:14:06.939 --> 00:14:08.319 here's something I've done 00:14:08.319 --> 00:14:09.279 that I need forgiveness for, 00:14:09.340 --> 00:14:10.019 we're more or less saying 00:14:10.019 --> 00:14:10.659 I don't have anything 00:14:10.659 --> 00:14:11.419 that I need to say 00:14:11.419 --> 00:14:12.799 and ask forgiveness for. 00:14:13.379 --> 00:14:14.100 We're kind of 00:14:14.100 --> 00:14:15.279 claiming perfection 00:14:15.279 --> 00:14:17.279 and if you talk 00:14:17.279 --> 00:14:18.539 a big game like that, 00:14:19.279 --> 00:14:20.100 if you walk around 00:14:20.100 --> 00:14:20.759 with this persona 00:14:20.759 --> 00:14:21.620 of I've got this 00:14:21.620 --> 00:14:22.319 all sorted, 00:14:22.419 --> 00:14:23.079 I'm nailing it 00:14:23.079 --> 00:14:24.000 at following Jesus, 00:14:24.000 --> 00:14:25.639 people will expect you 00:14:25.639 --> 00:14:26.299 to back it up. 00:14:27.899 --> 00:14:28.720 So if you're not 00:14:28.720 --> 00:14:29.500 confessing sin, 00:14:29.559 --> 00:14:30.820 it's a reasonable assumption 00:14:30.820 --> 00:14:31.840 for the people around you 00:14:31.840 --> 00:14:32.200 to make 00:14:32.200 --> 00:14:33.179 that either you don't 00:14:33.179 --> 00:14:33.779 have any 00:14:33.779 --> 00:14:35.820 or at least you don't 00:14:35.820 --> 00:14:36.720 think you have any. 00:14:38.899 --> 00:14:39.899 And either way, 00:14:40.440 --> 00:14:41.279 that's a recipe 00:14:41.279 --> 00:14:41.919 for pressure 00:14:41.919 --> 00:14:42.519 on you 00:14:42.519 --> 00:14:44.940 because you've said 00:14:44.940 --> 00:14:46.179 here's where I'm traveling. 00:14:47.340 --> 00:14:48.240 I'm nailing it. 00:14:48.279 --> 00:14:48.840 I'm perfect. 00:14:49.379 --> 00:14:50.419 And so people will be watching. 00:14:50.879 --> 00:14:52.000 And so if you make a mistake, 00:14:52.199 --> 00:14:53.099 it's even harder 00:14:53.099 --> 00:14:54.039 for you to admit it now 00:14:54.039 --> 00:14:56.219 because you've been saying, 00:14:56.319 --> 00:14:56.919 no, no, I'm up here. 00:14:56.939 --> 00:14:57.779 I don't make mistakes. 00:14:57.979 --> 00:14:58.860 I'm doing it right. 00:14:59.019 --> 00:15:00.360 It's a recipe for pressure, 00:15:00.539 --> 00:15:01.439 for insecurity 00:15:01.439 --> 00:15:02.120 and ultimately 00:15:02.120 --> 00:15:03.079 for hypocrisy. 00:15:05.339 --> 00:15:06.559 And so you've got to 00:15:06.559 --> 00:15:07.740 ask yourself the question, 00:15:08.099 --> 00:15:09.479 why do you do that? 00:15:10.459 --> 00:15:11.539 Why do we do that? 00:15:11.899 --> 00:15:13.099 Why do we try and act 00:15:13.099 --> 00:15:14.279 like we're doing better 00:15:14.279 --> 00:15:15.500 than we actually are? 00:15:16.919 --> 00:15:18.000 Especially as Christians. 00:15:18.000 --> 00:15:18.159 Christians, 00:15:18.879 --> 00:15:20.580 who is it that 00:15:20.580 --> 00:15:21.779 we're trying to impress? 00:15:23.759 --> 00:15:24.840 The other failures 00:15:24.840 --> 00:15:25.899 who are sitting around us? 00:15:29.379 --> 00:15:30.559 We know we do it. 00:15:31.720 --> 00:15:32.860 It's why the world 00:15:32.860 --> 00:15:33.820 calls us hypocrites. 00:15:36.000 --> 00:15:36.919 Because we claim 00:15:36.919 --> 00:15:37.539 we're here 00:15:37.539 --> 00:15:39.600 and in reality 00:15:39.600 --> 00:15:40.460 we're nowhere near it. 00:15:41.080 --> 00:15:42.139 We know it's true 00:15:42.139 --> 00:15:43.019 because often people 00:15:43.019 --> 00:15:43.940 come into church 00:15:43.940 --> 00:15:45.480 who don't fit 00:15:45.480 --> 00:15:46.799 our moral code, 00:15:46.799 --> 00:15:48.479 maybe who have 00:15:48.479 --> 00:15:49.179 the self-awareness 00:15:49.179 --> 00:15:49.620 to realise 00:15:49.620 --> 00:15:50.839 that it's an impossible one 00:15:50.839 --> 00:15:52.539 and so they feel 00:15:52.539 --> 00:15:53.539 like they don't belong here. 00:15:56.459 --> 00:15:57.839 But why do we do it? 00:15:59.399 --> 00:16:00.799 Why do we hold ourselves 00:16:00.799 --> 00:16:01.919 so rigidly 00:16:01.919 --> 00:16:04.139 to an impossible standard? 00:16:07.959 --> 00:16:09.079 Because it's not a pressure 00:16:09.079 --> 00:16:10.459 that God places on you. 00:16:11.620 --> 00:16:13.079 The Bible never says it. 00:16:13.419 --> 00:16:14.299 Jesus never says, 00:16:14.299 --> 00:16:15.219 I'll save you, 00:16:15.279 --> 00:16:15.839 I'll die for you, 00:16:15.859 --> 00:16:16.379 I'll forgive you, 00:16:16.399 --> 00:16:17.019 I'll love you 00:16:17.019 --> 00:16:18.299 if you just 00:16:18.299 --> 00:16:19.620 meet this level 00:16:19.620 --> 00:16:20.059 of goodness. 00:16:21.639 --> 00:16:22.799 He doesn't even say, 00:16:22.899 --> 00:16:23.019 look, 00:16:23.199 --> 00:16:23.979 I'll love you 00:16:23.979 --> 00:16:24.679 even though you don't 00:16:24.679 --> 00:16:25.139 deserve it 00:16:25.139 --> 00:16:26.019 but from now on 00:16:26.019 --> 00:16:26.799 I'll only let you 00:16:26.799 --> 00:16:27.620 stay around 00:16:27.620 --> 00:16:29.299 if you start being 00:16:29.299 --> 00:16:30.359 a certain amount 00:16:30.359 --> 00:16:30.919 of goodness. 00:16:33.939 --> 00:16:34.139 See, 00:16:34.419 --> 00:16:35.319 the power 00:16:35.319 --> 00:16:36.359 of sin, 00:16:36.959 --> 00:16:38.159 the power of failure 00:16:38.159 --> 00:16:39.000 is fear. 00:16:40.779 --> 00:16:41.659 It's fear 00:16:41.659 --> 00:16:42.539 of the judgment 00:16:42.539 --> 00:16:44.039 that might come 00:16:44.039 --> 00:16:45.219 if people knew 00:16:45.219 --> 00:16:46.579 what we were really like. 00:16:47.139 --> 00:16:47.819 It's fear 00:16:47.819 --> 00:16:49.139 of what we might lose. 00:16:50.159 --> 00:16:51.199 Fear of what people 00:16:51.199 --> 00:16:52.279 might think of us. 00:16:53.599 --> 00:16:54.579 And it's a fear 00:16:54.579 --> 00:16:55.620 that Satan loves 00:16:55.620 --> 00:16:56.539 to grab hold of. 00:16:57.620 --> 00:16:58.559 Satan's sometimes 00:16:58.559 --> 00:16:59.379 known as the 00:16:59.379 --> 00:17:00.719 great accuser 00:17:00.719 --> 00:17:02.899 because when we fail 00:17:02.899 --> 00:17:04.399 he will push the button 00:17:04.399 --> 00:17:05.359 of insecurity 00:17:05.359 --> 00:17:06.460 that we already feel 00:17:06.460 --> 00:17:07.139 sometimes 00:17:07.139 --> 00:17:08.339 with God. 00:17:08.700 --> 00:17:09.519 He'll remind us 00:17:09.519 --> 00:17:09.819 of something 00:17:09.819 --> 00:17:10.720 that's actually true 00:17:10.720 --> 00:17:12.799 that we don't 00:17:12.799 --> 00:17:13.500 deserve to be 00:17:13.500 --> 00:17:14.279 loved by God. 00:17:15.339 --> 00:17:15.980 And then while 00:17:15.980 --> 00:17:16.740 we're conscious 00:17:16.740 --> 00:17:17.279 that we don't 00:17:17.279 --> 00:17:17.839 deserve it 00:17:17.839 --> 00:17:19.000 and he's reminded us 00:17:19.000 --> 00:17:19.740 that we're failing 00:17:19.740 --> 00:17:21.120 he'll just kind of 00:17:21.120 --> 00:17:22.180 put the pressure on 00:17:22.180 --> 00:17:22.460 and go, 00:17:22.579 --> 00:17:23.120 you may as well 00:17:23.120 --> 00:17:23.539 give up. 00:17:24.420 --> 00:17:25.079 You're not anywhere 00:17:25.079 --> 00:17:25.660 near the standard 00:17:25.660 --> 00:17:26.140 anyway. 00:17:26.360 --> 00:17:26.799 Or he'll go, 00:17:26.860 --> 00:17:27.360 you better keep 00:17:27.360 --> 00:17:27.920 trying harder 00:17:27.920 --> 00:17:28.360 because if you 00:17:28.360 --> 00:17:28.980 stay down there 00:17:28.980 --> 00:17:29.500 maybe God 00:17:29.500 --> 00:17:30.100 won't actually 00:17:30.100 --> 00:17:30.539 love you. 00:17:32.160 --> 00:17:33.079 So many 00:17:33.079 --> 00:17:34.000 Christians, 00:17:34.960 --> 00:17:35.900 people who are 00:17:35.900 --> 00:17:36.640 trying to follow 00:17:36.640 --> 00:17:36.980 Jesus, 00:17:37.319 --> 00:17:38.500 live with that 00:17:38.500 --> 00:17:39.400 pressure when they 00:17:39.400 --> 00:17:39.779 fail. 00:17:39.779 --> 00:17:41.139 with that 00:17:41.139 --> 00:17:41.759 fear, 00:17:43.440 --> 00:17:45.160 how would God 00:17:45.160 --> 00:17:46.099 respond if he 00:17:46.099 --> 00:17:46.639 really knew 00:17:46.639 --> 00:17:47.399 what I was like? 00:17:48.039 --> 00:17:48.599 How would the 00:17:48.599 --> 00:17:49.500 people around me 00:17:49.500 --> 00:17:50.279 treat me if they 00:17:50.279 --> 00:17:51.220 really knew that I 00:17:51.220 --> 00:17:52.539 wasn't as holy 00:17:52.539 --> 00:17:53.519 as I pretend to be? 00:17:56.319 --> 00:17:57.420 On the outside 00:17:57.420 --> 00:17:58.000 their commitment 00:17:58.000 --> 00:17:58.899 levels might be 00:17:58.899 --> 00:17:59.399 increasing. 00:17:59.519 --> 00:17:59.899 They're trying 00:17:59.899 --> 00:18:00.839 harder and harder 00:18:00.839 --> 00:18:01.639 because they're so 00:18:01.639 --> 00:18:03.379 scared and inside 00:18:03.379 --> 00:18:03.839 they're just 00:18:03.839 --> 00:18:04.740 petrified that at 00:18:04.740 --> 00:18:05.700 any moment God's 00:18:05.700 --> 00:18:06.259 going to stop 00:18:06.259 --> 00:18:06.859 loving them. 00:18:09.779 --> 00:18:10.779 But that's 00:18:10.779 --> 00:18:12.000 not how God 00:18:12.000 --> 00:18:12.779 responds to 00:18:12.779 --> 00:18:13.160 failure. 00:18:13.819 --> 00:18:14.579 That's not what 00:18:14.579 --> 00:18:15.039 he's like. 00:18:15.119 --> 00:18:15.539 Look at verse 00:18:15.539 --> 00:18:15.980 9. 00:18:17.240 --> 00:18:18.399 If we confess 00:18:18.399 --> 00:18:19.139 our sins, 00:18:19.680 --> 00:18:20.519 he is faithful 00:18:20.519 --> 00:18:21.259 and just 00:18:21.259 --> 00:18:21.639 and will 00:18:21.639 --> 00:18:22.160 forgive us 00:18:22.160 --> 00:18:22.680 our sins 00:18:22.680 --> 00:18:23.920 and purify us 00:18:23.920 --> 00:18:24.420 from all 00:18:24.420 --> 00:18:25.379 unrighteousness. 00:18:25.779 --> 00:18:26.779 Jesus responds 00:18:26.779 --> 00:18:27.740 to your moments 00:18:27.740 --> 00:18:28.599 of sin and 00:18:28.599 --> 00:18:29.160 shame and 00:18:29.160 --> 00:18:29.599 failure 00:18:29.599 --> 00:18:31.319 with a gentle 00:18:31.319 --> 00:18:32.399 invitation to 00:18:32.399 --> 00:18:32.960 come back. 00:18:32.960 --> 00:18:37.200 Jesus calls 00:18:37.200 --> 00:18:37.539 you to 00:18:37.539 --> 00:18:38.360 confess to 00:18:38.360 --> 00:18:38.740 him and 00:18:38.740 --> 00:18:39.360 says I 00:18:39.360 --> 00:18:40.960 will forgive 00:18:40.960 --> 00:18:41.440 you. 00:18:42.200 --> 00:18:42.880 Not I 00:18:42.880 --> 00:18:43.559 might forgive 00:18:43.559 --> 00:18:44.559 you, not 00:18:44.559 --> 00:18:45.340 depending on 00:18:45.340 --> 00:18:47.059 how many bad 00:18:47.059 --> 00:18:47.500 things you've 00:18:47.500 --> 00:18:47.940 done leading 00:18:47.940 --> 00:18:48.500 up to this, 00:18:48.579 --> 00:18:48.840 whether or not 00:18:48.840 --> 00:18:49.200 this is a 00:18:49.200 --> 00:18:49.900 track record, 00:18:50.039 --> 00:18:50.299 whether or not 00:18:50.299 --> 00:18:50.620 we've been 00:18:50.620 --> 00:18:51.059 over this 00:18:51.059 --> 00:18:51.980 before. 00:18:53.600 --> 00:18:55.180 He says I'm 00:18:55.180 --> 00:18:57.079 faithful, I'm 00:18:57.079 --> 00:18:57.980 just and I 00:18:57.980 --> 00:18:59.440 will forgive 00:18:59.440 --> 00:19:00.240 you and 00:19:00.240 --> 00:19:00.880 cleanse you. 00:19:00.880 --> 00:19:03.840 So often 00:19:03.840 --> 00:19:04.680 we let our 00:19:04.680 --> 00:19:05.760 failure become 00:19:05.760 --> 00:19:07.640 a moment of 00:19:07.640 --> 00:19:08.580 insecurity and 00:19:08.580 --> 00:19:09.620 fear when it 00:19:09.620 --> 00:19:10.040 comes to 00:19:10.040 --> 00:19:10.640 following Jesus 00:19:10.640 --> 00:19:11.160 but we 00:19:11.160 --> 00:19:11.560 actually don't 00:19:11.560 --> 00:19:12.020 have to. 00:19:12.580 --> 00:19:13.060 It doesn't 00:19:13.060 --> 00:19:13.740 have to be 00:19:13.740 --> 00:19:14.000 that. 00:19:14.320 --> 00:19:15.020 In his grace 00:19:15.020 --> 00:19:15.900 God has made 00:19:15.900 --> 00:19:16.840 your weakness, 00:19:17.300 --> 00:19:18.400 your imperfection, 00:19:18.640 --> 00:19:19.160 your low 00:19:19.160 --> 00:19:19.800 moments an 00:19:19.800 --> 00:19:20.760 opportunity to 00:19:20.760 --> 00:19:21.800 deepen your 00:19:21.800 --> 00:19:22.540 security in 00:19:22.540 --> 00:19:23.320 him, to 00:19:23.320 --> 00:19:23.980 grow your 00:19:23.980 --> 00:19:24.800 confidence in 00:19:24.800 --> 00:19:25.420 just how much 00:19:25.420 --> 00:19:26.020 he loves you. 00:19:28.000 --> 00:19:28.740 One of the 00:19:28.740 --> 00:19:29.880 things that I 00:19:29.880 --> 00:19:30.380 love to do 00:19:30.380 --> 00:19:30.920 with my two 00:19:30.920 --> 00:19:31.680 boys is 00:19:31.680 --> 00:19:32.460 building with 00:19:32.460 --> 00:19:32.900 blocks. 00:19:33.520 --> 00:19:33.980 We have 00:19:33.980 --> 00:19:34.900 like three 00:19:34.900 --> 00:19:35.700 different kinds 00:19:35.700 --> 00:19:36.520 of blocks and 00:19:36.520 --> 00:19:37.500 we make all 00:19:37.500 --> 00:19:37.840 sorts of 00:19:37.840 --> 00:19:38.620 towers and 00:19:38.620 --> 00:19:39.720 hotels and 00:19:39.720 --> 00:19:40.500 tunnels and 00:19:40.500 --> 00:19:41.040 whatever else. 00:19:41.160 --> 00:19:42.220 Sometimes they 00:19:42.220 --> 00:19:42.980 ruin my 00:19:42.980 --> 00:19:43.340 excellent 00:19:43.340 --> 00:19:44.360 creations but 00:19:44.360 --> 00:19:45.680 I'm growing in 00:19:45.680 --> 00:19:46.220 my grace to 00:19:46.220 --> 00:19:46.660 forgive them 00:19:46.660 --> 00:19:47.040 because they're 00:19:47.040 --> 00:19:47.240 little. 00:19:48.100 --> 00:19:48.800 But something 00:19:48.800 --> 00:19:49.360 I've noticed 00:19:49.360 --> 00:19:50.160 in particular 00:19:50.160 --> 00:19:51.180 in my eldest 00:19:51.180 --> 00:19:52.480 son Bailey is 00:19:52.480 --> 00:19:53.380 this fierce 00:19:53.380 --> 00:19:54.140 independence. 00:19:55.320 --> 00:19:55.800 He has a 00:19:55.800 --> 00:19:56.520 deep desire to 00:19:56.520 --> 00:19:56.960 be able to do 00:19:56.960 --> 00:19:57.560 whatever it is 00:19:57.560 --> 00:19:58.140 that he's trying 00:19:58.140 --> 00:19:58.820 to do on his 00:19:58.820 --> 00:19:59.060 own. 00:19:59.799 --> 00:20:00.359 He doesn't 00:20:00.359 --> 00:20:00.740 want me to 00:20:00.740 --> 00:20:01.240 get involved 00:20:01.240 --> 00:20:01.839 and so he'll 00:20:01.839 --> 00:20:02.179 be sitting 00:20:02.179 --> 00:20:02.859 there and 00:20:02.859 --> 00:20:03.119 he'll be 00:20:03.119 --> 00:20:03.779 struggling to 00:20:03.779 --> 00:20:04.079 get this 00:20:04.079 --> 00:20:04.700 tower to 00:20:04.700 --> 00:20:05.559 balance or 00:20:05.559 --> 00:20:06.319 to get these 00:20:06.319 --> 00:20:07.200 two pieces to 00:20:07.200 --> 00:20:08.139 connect properly 00:20:08.139 --> 00:20:09.960 and I'll offer 00:20:09.960 --> 00:20:10.679 would you like 00:20:10.679 --> 00:20:11.079 me to help? 00:20:11.819 --> 00:20:12.299 He will 00:20:12.299 --> 00:20:14.159 quickly let me 00:20:14.159 --> 00:20:14.599 know that he 00:20:14.599 --> 00:20:15.159 doesn't need my 00:20:15.159 --> 00:20:17.159 help and then 00:20:17.159 --> 00:20:18.119 I'll watch as he 00:20:18.119 --> 00:20:18.759 continues to 00:20:18.759 --> 00:20:19.819 struggle, still 00:20:19.819 --> 00:20:20.359 unable to get 00:20:20.359 --> 00:20:20.779 this thing to 00:20:20.779 --> 00:20:21.399 balance or these 00:20:21.399 --> 00:20:21.839 blocks to 00:20:21.839 --> 00:20:22.200 connect. 00:20:22.919 --> 00:20:23.759 I'll watch for 00:20:23.759 --> 00:20:24.359 as long as I 00:20:24.359 --> 00:20:24.879 can physically 00:20:24.879 --> 00:20:25.799 restrain myself 00:20:25.799 --> 00:20:26.919 for and then 00:20:26.919 --> 00:20:27.339 I'll feel the 00:20:27.339 --> 00:20:27.859 need to offer 00:20:27.859 --> 00:20:28.579 again and so 00:20:28.579 --> 00:20:29.099 I'll be like 00:20:29.099 --> 00:20:30.219 are you sure 00:20:30.219 --> 00:20:30.740 you don't want 00:20:30.740 --> 00:20:31.199 daddy to help? 00:20:31.279 --> 00:20:32.319 Daddy can help 00:20:32.319 --> 00:20:32.619 you with that, 00:20:32.679 --> 00:20:33.199 I can do that. 00:20:33.719 --> 00:20:35.279 He'll reject my 00:20:35.279 --> 00:20:35.839 offer a little 00:20:35.839 --> 00:20:36.259 bit more 00:20:36.259 --> 00:20:37.659 aggressively second 00:20:37.659 --> 00:20:39.159 time around and 00:20:39.159 --> 00:20:39.659 he's getting 00:20:39.659 --> 00:20:41.139 increasingly agitated 00:20:41.139 --> 00:20:42.240 and frustrated 00:20:42.240 --> 00:20:46.500 but the struggle 00:20:46.500 --> 00:20:47.219 here is that 00:20:47.219 --> 00:20:48.559 what he's trying 00:20:48.559 --> 00:20:49.859 to do, his 00:20:49.859 --> 00:20:50.699 desire there is 00:20:50.699 --> 00:20:51.439 actually good. 00:20:51.440 --> 00:20:53.640 he wants to 00:20:53.640 --> 00:20:54.240 be capable, 00:20:55.240 --> 00:20:55.860 he wants to 00:20:55.860 --> 00:20:57.100 broaden his 00:20:57.100 --> 00:20:57.600 skills, he 00:20:57.600 --> 00:20:58.000 doesn't want to 00:20:58.000 --> 00:20:58.640 always have to 00:20:58.640 --> 00:20:59.360 ask for help 00:20:59.360 --> 00:21:01.440 but that good 00:21:01.440 --> 00:21:02.380 desire becomes 00:21:02.380 --> 00:21:04.039 toxic when he 00:21:04.039 --> 00:21:05.180 lets it stand 00:21:05.180 --> 00:21:06.100 between him and 00:21:06.100 --> 00:21:06.779 the one thing 00:21:06.779 --> 00:21:07.340 that can actually 00:21:07.340 --> 00:21:07.840 solve his 00:21:07.840 --> 00:21:09.380 problem and in 00:21:09.380 --> 00:21:10.039 this situation 00:21:10.039 --> 00:21:10.940 that's me 00:21:10.940 --> 00:21:11.799 sitting there 00:21:11.799 --> 00:21:12.840 desperately wanting 00:21:12.840 --> 00:21:13.519 to get involved 00:21:13.519 --> 00:21:14.160 and fix the 00:21:14.160 --> 00:21:14.480 issue. 00:21:14.480 --> 00:21:17.579 in the same 00:21:17.579 --> 00:21:19.200 way we have 00:21:19.200 --> 00:21:20.200 this right 00:21:20.200 --> 00:21:21.440 desire to 00:21:21.440 --> 00:21:22.019 please God 00:21:22.019 --> 00:21:22.360 when we're 00:21:22.360 --> 00:21:22.880 following him. 00:21:23.240 --> 00:21:23.880 We have this 00:21:23.880 --> 00:21:25.059 good desire to 00:21:25.059 --> 00:21:26.360 live up to a 00:21:26.360 --> 00:21:26.860 standard that 00:21:26.860 --> 00:21:27.799 honors him, we 00:21:27.799 --> 00:21:28.620 have this correct 00:21:28.620 --> 00:21:29.980 response of shame 00:21:29.980 --> 00:21:31.079 and guilt when we 00:21:31.079 --> 00:21:31.559 do the wrong 00:21:31.559 --> 00:21:33.880 thing but those 00:21:33.880 --> 00:21:35.180 responses and 00:21:35.180 --> 00:21:35.779 those desires 00:21:35.779 --> 00:21:37.339 become toxic when 00:21:37.339 --> 00:21:38.259 they drive us away 00:21:38.259 --> 00:21:39.180 from the one thing 00:21:39.180 --> 00:21:39.839 that can actually 00:21:39.839 --> 00:21:41.180 help us in our 00:21:41.180 --> 00:21:41.519 failure. 00:21:42.660 --> 00:21:43.980 The only way that 00:21:43.980 --> 00:21:44.599 you will ever 00:21:44.599 --> 00:21:45.740 deal with sin in 00:21:45.740 --> 00:21:46.740 your life is 00:21:46.740 --> 00:21:47.400 through the death 00:21:47.400 --> 00:21:48.240 of Jesus in your 00:21:48.240 --> 00:21:48.680 place. 00:21:50.140 --> 00:21:50.940 No amount of 00:21:50.940 --> 00:21:51.839 trying harder and 00:21:51.839 --> 00:21:53.339 he's saying every 00:21:53.339 --> 00:21:54.640 time you fail just 00:21:54.640 --> 00:21:55.640 come back to me. 00:21:57.000 --> 00:21:57.759 You don't have to 00:21:57.759 --> 00:21:58.440 do it by yourself. 00:21:58.539 --> 00:21:59.220 Have a look at 00:21:59.220 --> 00:22:00.360 chapter 2 verse 1 00:22:00.360 --> 00:22:01.940 it says my dear 00:22:01.940 --> 00:22:02.920 children I write 00:22:02.920 --> 00:22:03.740 this to you so 00:22:03.740 --> 00:22:04.519 that you will not 00:22:04.519 --> 00:22:05.500 sin that's the end 00:22:05.500 --> 00:22:07.460 game but if anybody 00:22:07.460 --> 00:22:09.599 does sin we have 00:22:09.599 --> 00:22:10.460 an advocate with 00:22:10.460 --> 00:22:11.500 the father Jesus 00:22:11.500 --> 00:22:12.640 Christ the righteous 00:22:12.640 --> 00:22:13.039 one. 00:22:13.039 --> 00:22:13.879 he is the 00:22:13.879 --> 00:22:15.539 atoning sacrifice 00:22:15.539 --> 00:22:16.899 for our sins and 00:22:16.899 --> 00:22:17.980 not only for ours but 00:22:17.980 --> 00:22:19.740 also for the sins of 00:22:19.740 --> 00:22:20.779 the whole world. 00:22:22.399 --> 00:22:23.619 The only thing that 00:22:23.619 --> 00:22:24.319 can deal with your 00:22:24.319 --> 00:22:25.460 sins is the death of 00:22:25.460 --> 00:22:26.279 Jesus and it is 00:22:26.279 --> 00:22:26.980 enough to deal with 00:22:26.980 --> 00:22:27.899 every sin you have 00:22:27.899 --> 00:22:29.200 done could possibly 00:22:29.200 --> 00:22:30.220 ever do and not just 00:22:30.220 --> 00:22:31.099 you but the sins of 00:22:31.099 --> 00:22:31.960 the whole world. 00:22:33.139 --> 00:22:34.500 This is written to 00:22:34.500 --> 00:22:35.039 people who are 00:22:35.039 --> 00:22:35.700 already following 00:22:35.700 --> 00:22:36.079 Jesus. 00:22:36.659 --> 00:22:37.680 It says my dear 00:22:37.680 --> 00:22:39.539 children those who 00:22:39.539 --> 00:22:40.399 have already started 00:22:40.399 --> 00:22:41.220 the journey who have 00:22:41.220 --> 00:22:42.139 discovered the cross 00:22:42.140 --> 00:22:42.960 who have asked for 00:22:42.960 --> 00:22:43.900 forgiveness at some 00:22:43.900 --> 00:22:46.100 point and it's 00:22:46.100 --> 00:22:47.880 saying don't leave 00:22:47.880 --> 00:22:50.040 confession behind. 00:22:51.540 --> 00:22:52.360 Don't leave 00:22:52.360 --> 00:22:53.720 confession at the 00:22:53.720 --> 00:22:54.440 beginning of the 00:22:54.440 --> 00:22:55.300 journey and try and 00:22:55.300 --> 00:22:56.200 do the rest of it 00:22:56.200 --> 00:22:57.560 out of kind of good 00:22:57.560 --> 00:22:59.040 intentions and hard 00:22:59.040 --> 00:22:59.500 work. 00:23:01.500 --> 00:23:03.180 Every time you sin 00:23:03.180 --> 00:23:05.820 there is still grace 00:23:05.820 --> 00:23:06.259 on offer. 00:23:06.259 --> 00:23:09.079 no matter how big or 00:23:09.079 --> 00:23:10.019 how bad there is 00:23:10.019 --> 00:23:11.379 forgiveness offered 00:23:11.379 --> 00:23:13.180 freely and the only 00:23:13.180 --> 00:23:14.019 thing that could stand 00:23:14.019 --> 00:23:14.940 between you and that 00:23:14.940 --> 00:23:15.779 offer of grace and 00:23:15.779 --> 00:23:17.799 forgiveness is your own 00:23:17.799 --> 00:23:18.400 pride. 00:23:19.879 --> 00:23:21.279 Is your own attempts to 00:23:21.279 --> 00:23:22.740 try and self-justify. 00:23:23.420 --> 00:23:24.680 Is your insistence to 00:23:24.680 --> 00:23:25.680 hold on to your mistakes 00:23:25.680 --> 00:23:26.859 and try and make up for 00:23:26.859 --> 00:23:27.099 them. 00:23:29.200 --> 00:23:30.960 Whether it's playing down 00:23:30.960 --> 00:23:31.700 your sin as if it 00:23:31.700 --> 00:23:33.180 doesn't matter or whether 00:23:33.180 --> 00:23:34.519 it's trying to make up 00:23:34.519 --> 00:23:34.920 for it. 00:23:35.660 --> 00:23:36.740 So long as you 00:23:36.740 --> 00:23:38.980 somehow believe that 00:23:38.980 --> 00:23:40.240 God needs you to be good 00:23:40.240 --> 00:23:41.319 enough for him to love 00:23:41.319 --> 00:23:44.759 you, you will always be 00:23:44.759 --> 00:23:47.160 crushed by the standard 00:23:47.160 --> 00:23:48.139 that you are trying to 00:23:48.139 --> 00:23:49.119 reach and you will never 00:23:49.119 --> 00:23:50.299 live up to. 00:23:54.160 --> 00:23:55.079 If you're following 00:23:55.079 --> 00:23:56.400 Jesus, God knows what 00:23:56.400 --> 00:23:57.000 you're like. 00:23:58.279 --> 00:23:59.460 The Bible says that while 00:23:59.460 --> 00:24:00.660 we were still sinners, 00:24:00.859 --> 00:24:02.059 Christ died for us. 00:24:02.059 --> 00:24:04.299 Before we had a chance 00:24:04.299 --> 00:24:05.279 to try and impress him, 00:24:05.700 --> 00:24:06.399 Christ had already 00:24:06.399 --> 00:24:07.539 decided to die for us. 00:24:07.619 --> 00:24:08.419 Before the creation of 00:24:08.419 --> 00:24:09.619 the world, God chose to 00:24:09.619 --> 00:24:10.679 send his son so that we 00:24:10.679 --> 00:24:11.659 could be forgiven. 00:24:11.799 --> 00:24:13.079 God knows who you are. 00:24:14.099 --> 00:24:14.960 He knows your deepest, 00:24:15.159 --> 00:24:15.960 darkest secrets better 00:24:15.960 --> 00:24:16.539 than you do. 00:24:17.740 --> 00:24:19.240 And he's decided to love 00:24:19.240 --> 00:24:19.720 you anyway. 00:24:22.720 --> 00:24:26.559 When you fail, grace is 00:24:26.559 --> 00:24:27.000 on offer. 00:24:27.960 --> 00:24:29.059 And again, this isn't an 00:24:29.059 --> 00:24:30.279 if you fail issue. 00:24:30.659 --> 00:24:32.419 This is a when you fail. 00:24:34.720 --> 00:24:36.039 When you fail, God 00:24:36.039 --> 00:24:38.440 offers grace and he 00:24:38.440 --> 00:24:39.220 offers forgiveness. 00:24:40.139 --> 00:24:41.419 And this matters more 00:24:41.419 --> 00:24:42.500 than just trying to 00:24:42.500 --> 00:24:43.599 relieve the discomfort 00:24:43.599 --> 00:24:44.539 that goes with being 00:24:44.539 --> 00:24:44.940 guilty. 00:24:45.539 --> 00:24:46.619 This is more than just 00:24:46.619 --> 00:24:47.519 trying to take the 00:24:47.519 --> 00:24:48.460 pressure off so that you 00:24:48.460 --> 00:24:49.299 don't have to worry 00:24:49.299 --> 00:24:50.779 about the fact that 00:24:50.779 --> 00:24:51.460 you've done something 00:24:51.460 --> 00:24:52.720 shameful and embarrassing. 00:24:52.799 --> 00:24:53.619 It's not just about 00:24:53.619 --> 00:24:54.599 escaping guilt. 00:24:54.599 --> 00:24:57.799 coming back to God 00:24:57.799 --> 00:24:59.039 and confessing sin 00:24:59.039 --> 00:25:00.179 is a chance to 00:25:00.179 --> 00:25:01.559 encounter God's grace 00:25:01.559 --> 00:25:02.879 again and again. 00:25:03.219 --> 00:25:04.439 And that is essential 00:25:04.439 --> 00:25:07.439 if you are going to do 00:25:07.439 --> 00:25:08.819 this journey home well. 00:25:09.839 --> 00:25:11.459 It is so important 00:25:11.459 --> 00:25:13.339 that we confess sin 00:25:13.339 --> 00:25:14.019 because it is an 00:25:14.019 --> 00:25:15.579 assurance-building 00:25:15.579 --> 00:25:16.199 activity. 00:25:16.339 --> 00:25:16.959 I'll say that again. 00:25:17.359 --> 00:25:18.799 Confessing sin is an 00:25:18.799 --> 00:25:20.139 assurance-building 00:25:20.139 --> 00:25:20.759 activity. 00:25:21.159 --> 00:25:22.539 Confessing sin is scary 00:25:22.539 --> 00:25:23.559 because you're airing 00:25:23.559 --> 00:25:24.480 your dirty laundry. 00:25:24.659 --> 00:25:25.440 And so often we don't 00:25:25.440 --> 00:25:26.159 want to do it. 00:25:26.460 --> 00:25:27.240 And it comes from that 00:25:27.240 --> 00:25:28.059 place of fear. 00:25:28.220 --> 00:25:29.399 Will God still love me? 00:25:29.440 --> 00:25:30.179 But he's actually 00:25:30.179 --> 00:25:32.779 designed confessing sin 00:25:32.779 --> 00:25:33.940 to be a chance for you 00:25:33.940 --> 00:25:35.200 to be more secure 00:25:35.200 --> 00:25:36.700 on the other side of it. 00:25:37.819 --> 00:25:38.980 I mean, think about 00:25:38.980 --> 00:25:39.879 what you did when you 00:25:39.879 --> 00:25:40.919 first became a Christian. 00:25:42.839 --> 00:25:45.480 Now, you confessed sin. 00:25:46.859 --> 00:25:47.639 It might have been 00:25:47.639 --> 00:25:48.139 vague. 00:25:48.839 --> 00:25:49.399 It might have been 00:25:49.399 --> 00:25:50.379 kind of generic and 00:25:50.379 --> 00:25:51.440 not particularly well 00:25:51.440 --> 00:25:52.139 expressed. 00:25:52.460 --> 00:25:53.339 But on some level, 00:25:53.339 --> 00:25:54.079 when you became a 00:25:54.079 --> 00:25:54.799 Christian, you said, 00:25:54.879 --> 00:25:55.859 God, I don't deserve 00:25:55.859 --> 00:25:57.359 it, but I want you 00:25:57.359 --> 00:25:58.000 to forgive me. 00:25:58.599 --> 00:26:00.000 I want you in my life. 00:26:00.159 --> 00:26:01.379 And he said yes. 00:26:02.319 --> 00:26:03.500 And he did forgive you. 00:26:03.599 --> 00:26:04.559 And he did wash you. 00:26:04.599 --> 00:26:05.699 And he did purify you. 00:26:05.759 --> 00:26:06.959 And every step since 00:26:06.959 --> 00:26:07.919 then, if you're following 00:26:07.919 --> 00:26:09.179 Jesus, has been a 00:26:09.179 --> 00:26:10.859 response to the love 00:26:10.859 --> 00:26:11.679 that you experienced 00:26:11.679 --> 00:26:12.699 in that first moment. 00:26:14.579 --> 00:26:15.639 Every step has been 00:26:15.639 --> 00:26:16.980 fueled because you 00:26:16.980 --> 00:26:18.240 tasted God's grace 00:26:18.240 --> 00:26:18.859 there and it was 00:26:18.859 --> 00:26:20.019 enough to drive you 00:26:20.019 --> 00:26:20.399 forward. 00:26:20.400 --> 00:26:23.700 regular confession 00:26:23.700 --> 00:26:25.720 draws you back 00:26:25.720 --> 00:26:26.600 to that first 00:26:26.600 --> 00:26:27.420 experience. 00:26:29.519 --> 00:26:30.620 Engages you again 00:26:30.620 --> 00:26:31.519 in how incredible 00:26:31.519 --> 00:26:32.180 it was 00:26:32.180 --> 00:26:33.080 to be loved 00:26:33.080 --> 00:26:33.600 and forgiven 00:26:33.600 --> 00:26:34.500 for the very first 00:26:34.500 --> 00:26:34.840 time. 00:26:36.019 --> 00:26:36.860 See, it's 00:26:36.860 --> 00:26:37.480 kind of like a 00:26:37.480 --> 00:26:38.160 long-distance 00:26:38.160 --> 00:26:38.840 relationship. 00:26:39.960 --> 00:26:40.820 If you don't 00:26:40.820 --> 00:26:41.880 speak to or see 00:26:41.880 --> 00:26:42.580 the person that 00:26:42.580 --> 00:26:43.320 you're in love with, 00:26:43.620 --> 00:26:44.320 it's inevitable 00:26:44.320 --> 00:26:45.160 that over a period 00:26:45.160 --> 00:26:45.880 of time, 00:26:46.280 --> 00:26:47.340 the power that 00:26:47.339 --> 00:26:48.079 that love has 00:26:48.079 --> 00:26:49.359 to drive your 00:26:49.359 --> 00:26:50.339 actions and 00:26:50.339 --> 00:26:51.039 your emotions 00:26:51.039 --> 00:26:51.500 is going to 00:26:51.500 --> 00:26:52.720 slowly decrease. 00:26:53.839 --> 00:26:54.519 Now, it might 00:26:54.519 --> 00:26:55.439 still be sufficient 00:26:55.439 --> 00:26:56.399 that you remain 00:26:56.399 --> 00:26:57.119 faithful and 00:26:57.119 --> 00:26:57.799 committed to that 00:26:57.799 --> 00:26:59.439 person, but it's 00:26:59.439 --> 00:27:00.000 never going to have 00:27:00.000 --> 00:27:01.119 the same force 00:27:01.119 --> 00:27:02.119 or energy or 00:27:02.119 --> 00:27:03.819 power as is 00:27:03.819 --> 00:27:04.679 possible if the 00:27:04.679 --> 00:27:05.599 distance is removed 00:27:05.599 --> 00:27:06.480 and you get to see 00:27:06.480 --> 00:27:07.179 and enjoy that 00:27:07.179 --> 00:27:08.319 person face-to-face, 00:27:08.559 --> 00:27:09.439 day in, day out. 00:27:10.319 --> 00:27:11.279 Now, in the same 00:27:11.279 --> 00:27:12.439 way, that first 00:27:12.439 --> 00:27:13.959 experience of God's 00:27:13.959 --> 00:27:15.019 grace, when you 00:27:15.019 --> 00:27:16.159 said, I'm in, I want 00:27:16.160 --> 00:27:16.880 to follow you and 00:27:16.880 --> 00:27:17.620 you learnt that you 00:27:17.620 --> 00:27:18.920 were loved unconditionally 00:27:18.920 --> 00:27:20.320 and irreversibly, 00:27:20.519 --> 00:27:22.940 that's enough to get 00:27:22.940 --> 00:27:23.779 you home to heaven. 00:27:24.160 --> 00:27:24.779 I want to say that 00:27:24.779 --> 00:27:25.519 really clearly. 00:27:25.800 --> 00:27:27.019 If you've taken step 00:27:27.019 --> 00:27:28.200 one, God promises 00:27:28.200 --> 00:27:29.440 he'll make sure you 00:27:29.440 --> 00:27:30.259 take all the steps 00:27:30.259 --> 00:27:31.040 until you get to 00:27:31.040 --> 00:27:31.279 heaven. 00:27:34.100 --> 00:27:35.480 But God doesn't 00:27:35.480 --> 00:27:36.080 want you to just 00:27:36.080 --> 00:27:37.700 kind of survive life 00:27:37.700 --> 00:27:38.440 and then collapse 00:27:38.440 --> 00:27:39.240 over the finish line 00:27:39.240 --> 00:27:39.740 and think, oh, 00:27:39.740 --> 00:27:40.420 thank God that's 00:27:40.420 --> 00:27:40.660 over. 00:27:42.360 --> 00:27:43.160 That's not his 00:27:43.160 --> 00:27:44.080 desire for you. 00:27:44.560 --> 00:27:45.920 He wants your life 00:27:45.920 --> 00:27:47.080 to be amazing. 00:27:47.480 --> 00:27:48.160 He wants you to 00:27:48.160 --> 00:27:49.560 gain momentum in 00:27:49.560 --> 00:27:50.420 your Christian walk. 00:27:50.779 --> 00:27:51.700 He wants every day 00:27:51.700 --> 00:27:52.340 to be a day where 00:27:52.340 --> 00:27:53.580 you are more confident 00:27:53.580 --> 00:27:54.560 in how much God 00:27:54.560 --> 00:27:55.620 loves you, more 00:27:55.620 --> 00:27:56.680 fearless to stand 00:27:56.680 --> 00:27:57.460 up in a world that 00:27:57.460 --> 00:27:58.220 thinks maybe you're 00:27:58.220 --> 00:27:59.180 crazy for following 00:27:59.180 --> 00:27:59.920 him because you 00:27:59.920 --> 00:28:01.279 know he loves you, 00:28:01.340 --> 00:28:02.120 you know nothing's 00:28:02.120 --> 00:28:03.080 going to change and 00:28:03.080 --> 00:28:03.920 you are getting more 00:28:03.920 --> 00:28:04.820 and more excited for 00:28:04.820 --> 00:28:05.840 how good heaven's 00:28:05.840 --> 00:28:07.100 going to be when 00:28:07.100 --> 00:28:07.840 you get that love 00:28:07.840 --> 00:28:08.700 with nothing in the 00:28:08.700 --> 00:28:09.320 way, with no 00:28:09.320 --> 00:28:09.960 restraints. 00:28:11.220 --> 00:28:12.320 And for that to be 00:28:12.320 --> 00:28:14.019 your reality, you 00:28:14.019 --> 00:28:15.160 need to keep tasting 00:28:15.160 --> 00:28:15.700 grace. 00:28:16.759 --> 00:28:17.279 You need to keep 00:28:17.279 --> 00:28:18.259 growing your appetite 00:28:18.259 --> 00:28:19.500 for grace and 00:28:19.500 --> 00:28:22.000 confession, regular 00:28:22.000 --> 00:28:23.259 confession of sin is 00:28:23.259 --> 00:28:24.660 God's gift to you 00:28:24.660 --> 00:28:27.519 for you to taste and 00:28:27.519 --> 00:28:28.660 experience his grace. 00:28:29.540 --> 00:28:30.800 It's a tool he's 00:28:30.800 --> 00:28:31.240 given you. 00:28:31.380 --> 00:28:32.420 If you feel insecure, 00:28:33.060 --> 00:28:34.300 if you feel unsure 00:28:34.300 --> 00:28:35.180 about whether or not 00:28:35.180 --> 00:28:35.759 you're going to spend 00:28:35.759 --> 00:28:36.779 eternity in heaven, 00:28:37.000 --> 00:28:38.140 confession is a tool 00:28:38.140 --> 00:28:39.060 that God has given 00:28:39.060 --> 00:28:40.700 you to help you grow 00:28:40.700 --> 00:28:41.779 in your confidence, 00:28:42.400 --> 00:28:43.140 in your certainty. 00:28:43.140 --> 00:28:46.180 It's an invitation to 00:28:46.180 --> 00:28:47.800 come back again and 00:28:47.800 --> 00:28:49.340 again and again and 00:28:50.340 --> 00:28:51.259 find him faithful. 00:28:53.600 --> 00:28:55.020 You need to dish up 00:28:55.020 --> 00:28:56.780 your dirty laundry. 00:28:58.060 --> 00:28:59.740 You need to lay out the 00:28:59.740 --> 00:29:00.540 things that you are 00:29:00.540 --> 00:29:02.060 embarrassed about, the 00:29:02.060 --> 00:29:03.480 most shameful sins in 00:29:03.480 --> 00:29:04.440 your life to him in 00:29:04.440 --> 00:29:05.900 confession and you know 00:29:05.900 --> 00:29:06.640 what you'll discover? 00:29:07.220 --> 00:29:08.420 According to this verse, 00:29:08.680 --> 00:29:10.700 that he's faithful, he's 00:29:10.700 --> 00:29:11.740 just and he'll forgive 00:29:11.740 --> 00:29:14.759 you again and again 00:29:14.759 --> 00:29:18.539 and again and again 00:29:18.539 --> 00:29:21.799 and again and again. 00:29:23.580 --> 00:29:24.819 It doesn't run out. 00:29:25.940 --> 00:29:27.380 He is faithful and just 00:29:27.380 --> 00:29:28.279 and he will continually 00:29:28.279 --> 00:29:29.900 forgive you and purify 00:29:29.900 --> 00:29:30.340 you. 00:29:30.680 --> 00:29:31.740 And as you find him 00:29:31.740 --> 00:29:33.039 forgiving you, your 00:29:33.039 --> 00:29:34.240 confidence will grow for 00:29:34.240 --> 00:29:34.900 next time. 00:29:35.220 --> 00:29:36.600 Because I remember that 00:29:36.600 --> 00:29:37.580 when I dumped that 00:29:37.580 --> 00:29:39.000 thing, he forgave me and 00:29:39.000 --> 00:29:40.039 he still loved me and so 00:29:40.039 --> 00:29:40.839 I'm confident he's going 00:29:40.839 --> 00:29:41.460 to do this one. 00:29:41.659 --> 00:29:42.500 And then suddenly you've 00:29:42.500 --> 00:29:43.879 got this track record. 00:29:44.139 --> 00:29:45.619 God just keeps coming 00:29:45.619 --> 00:29:46.799 through and keeps loving 00:29:46.799 --> 00:29:48.319 me and so you get more 00:29:48.319 --> 00:29:49.220 confident and more 00:29:49.220 --> 00:29:51.519 excited even to 00:29:51.519 --> 00:29:52.339 acknowledge that you 00:29:52.339 --> 00:29:53.240 have stuffed up, to 00:29:53.240 --> 00:29:54.019 acknowledge that you 00:29:54.019 --> 00:29:54.980 need his help because 00:29:54.980 --> 00:29:56.500 you are so confident that 00:29:56.500 --> 00:29:57.440 his love is more 00:29:57.440 --> 00:29:59.159 powerful than your pride 00:29:59.159 --> 00:30:00.579 or your lust or your 00:30:00.579 --> 00:30:02.420 greed or your laziness or 00:30:02.420 --> 00:30:03.539 your selfishness. 00:30:03.539 --> 00:30:03.599 confess. 00:30:06.279 --> 00:30:08.460 Every time you confess, 00:30:08.599 --> 00:30:10.000 it's like reliving in 00:30:10.000 --> 00:30:11.220 mini version what it was 00:30:11.220 --> 00:30:12.399 like to become a 00:30:12.399 --> 00:30:13.180 Christian for the very 00:30:13.180 --> 00:30:13.859 first time. 00:30:15.740 --> 00:30:17.339 It's like tasting that 00:30:17.339 --> 00:30:19.220 incredible love of God 00:30:19.220 --> 00:30:21.019 again for the very first 00:30:21.019 --> 00:30:21.319 time. 00:30:21.420 --> 00:30:23.319 That first time joy over 00:30:23.319 --> 00:30:24.960 and over again, driving 00:30:24.960 --> 00:30:26.500 you to love God and serve 00:30:26.500 --> 00:30:28.279 him and confess to him 00:30:28.279 --> 00:30:31.460 absolutely secure in God's 00:30:31.460 --> 00:30:32.659 reliable and effective 00:30:32.660 --> 00:30:33.180 love. 00:30:35.140 --> 00:30:36.440 But for that to happen, 00:30:37.660 --> 00:30:38.779 you've got to confess 00:30:38.779 --> 00:30:39.320 sin. 00:30:41.500 --> 00:30:42.060 Regularly. 00:30:43.240 --> 00:30:43.680 Specifically. 00:30:45.100 --> 00:30:46.100 Jesus says he who's 00:30:46.100 --> 00:30:47.560 forgiven much loves 00:30:47.560 --> 00:30:47.940 much. 00:30:48.019 --> 00:30:48.980 He who's forgiven little 00:30:48.980 --> 00:30:49.580 loves little. 00:30:50.040 --> 00:30:50.680 And so if you're not 00:30:50.680 --> 00:30:52.500 asking for forgiveness, 00:30:52.700 --> 00:30:53.480 if you're not regularly 00:30:53.480 --> 00:30:54.540 recognizing that you 00:30:54.540 --> 00:30:55.759 need it, acknowledging 00:30:55.759 --> 00:30:56.900 things that you've done 00:30:56.900 --> 00:30:57.519 that are wrong and 00:30:57.519 --> 00:30:58.519 handing them over and 00:30:58.519 --> 00:31:01.040 being forgiven, then his 00:31:01.040 --> 00:31:02.000 love is going to seem 00:31:02.000 --> 00:31:04.319 kind of small, kind of 00:31:04.319 --> 00:31:05.500 distant, maybe inadequate 00:31:05.500 --> 00:31:06.380 in your life. 00:31:06.859 --> 00:31:07.799 You might find yourself 00:31:07.799 --> 00:31:08.900 like I did a year into 00:31:08.900 --> 00:31:09.640 following Jesus. 00:31:11.400 --> 00:31:12.500 Sure, I was a Christian 00:31:12.500 --> 00:31:13.200 but I wasn't going 00:31:13.200 --> 00:31:13.539 anywhere. 00:31:16.119 --> 00:31:18.460 So often, if you find 00:31:18.460 --> 00:31:19.559 yourself with a lack of 00:31:19.559 --> 00:31:21.960 energy for God, a lack of 00:31:21.960 --> 00:31:23.339 enthusiasm, a lack of 00:31:23.339 --> 00:31:24.619 drive, you can trace it 00:31:24.619 --> 00:31:26.279 back to only ever having 00:31:26.279 --> 00:31:27.859 an entree-sized encounter 00:31:27.859 --> 00:31:28.799 with God's grace. 00:31:28.799 --> 00:31:28.899 grace. 00:31:30.519 --> 00:31:31.519 Just grabbing that bit at 00:31:31.519 --> 00:31:32.119 the beginning and 00:31:32.119 --> 00:31:32.859 thinking that should hold 00:31:32.859 --> 00:31:33.539 me for the rest of the 00:31:33.539 --> 00:31:33.759 day. 00:31:35.980 --> 00:31:37.559 God is inviting you to a 00:31:37.559 --> 00:31:38.299 grace buffet. 00:31:40.000 --> 00:31:41.000 He's inviting you to 00:31:41.000 --> 00:31:42.059 feast on grace. 00:31:42.379 --> 00:31:43.319 All you can eat grace. 00:31:43.440 --> 00:31:44.460 Just keep coming back 00:31:44.460 --> 00:31:45.899 every time you fail and 00:31:45.899 --> 00:31:46.940 he will keep loving you 00:31:46.940 --> 00:31:47.659 and forgiving you and 00:31:47.659 --> 00:31:48.480 getting you more excited 00:31:48.480 --> 00:31:49.720 for heaven when you will 00:31:49.720 --> 00:31:50.859 not have to do it anymore 00:31:50.859 --> 00:31:52.740 because his grace will 00:31:52.740 --> 00:31:53.940 have finished his work and 00:31:53.940 --> 00:31:54.879 removed all those bits 00:31:54.879 --> 00:31:55.500 that you're embarrassed 00:31:55.500 --> 00:31:56.259 about, all the things 00:31:56.259 --> 00:31:57.180 that bring you shame. 00:31:57.180 --> 00:31:58.900 If you want to be 00:31:58.900 --> 00:32:00.360 someone who runs the 00:32:00.360 --> 00:32:01.600 path God has for you, 00:32:02.500 --> 00:32:03.920 who thrives, who 00:32:03.920 --> 00:32:05.259 flourishes on this 00:32:05.259 --> 00:32:06.259 journey between the 00:32:06.259 --> 00:32:08.259 cross and heaven, if 00:32:08.259 --> 00:32:09.039 you want to be somebody 00:32:09.039 --> 00:32:12.000 who is certain, certain 00:32:12.000 --> 00:32:12.920 in the hope of heaven, 00:32:13.180 --> 00:32:14.240 fearless in the face of 00:32:14.240 --> 00:32:16.980 opposition, you've got 00:32:16.980 --> 00:32:18.759 to be somebody who 00:32:18.759 --> 00:32:21.740 walks in the light, who 00:32:21.740 --> 00:32:25.180 walks honestly, who 00:32:25.180 --> 00:32:27.460 regularly and specifically 00:32:27.460 --> 00:32:30.259 confesses to God and 00:32:30.259 --> 00:32:31.460 finds him faithful and 00:32:31.460 --> 00:32:32.259 just to forgive. 00:32:33.820 --> 00:32:34.920 We as a church here at 00:32:34.920 --> 00:32:35.940 St. Paul's have a core 00:32:35.940 --> 00:32:36.500 value. 00:32:36.759 --> 00:32:37.360 It's something that 00:32:37.360 --> 00:32:38.640 likes to define the 00:32:38.640 --> 00:32:39.860 culture of who we are. 00:32:40.420 --> 00:32:41.560 A core value called 00:32:41.560 --> 00:32:42.759 humble authenticity. 00:32:44.000 --> 00:32:46.420 That's where this hits us 00:32:46.420 --> 00:32:47.240 as a group. 00:32:47.240 --> 00:32:50.079 We want to be a 00:32:50.079 --> 00:32:52.440 community that doesn't 00:32:52.440 --> 00:32:55.599 fake how we're going, but 00:32:55.599 --> 00:32:57.000 is honest with one 00:32:57.000 --> 00:32:57.339 another. 00:32:58.599 --> 00:32:59.620 Because when you're 00:32:59.620 --> 00:33:01.740 honest, that gives me 00:33:01.740 --> 00:33:02.779 permission to be honest. 00:33:04.519 --> 00:33:06.259 When I'm honest, you don't 00:33:06.259 --> 00:33:07.079 have to live up to my 00:33:07.079 --> 00:33:07.940 standard because my 00:33:07.940 --> 00:33:09.079 standard's not particularly 00:33:09.079 --> 00:33:09.859 high or impressive. 00:33:10.460 --> 00:33:12.220 What you see in me is an 00:33:12.220 --> 00:33:13.680 amazing God who forgives 00:33:13.680 --> 00:33:14.920 even people like Sam. 00:33:14.920 --> 00:33:16.900 And you think, actually, I 00:33:16.900 --> 00:33:18.000 belong here too. 00:33:19.620 --> 00:33:20.560 We want to be a 00:33:20.560 --> 00:33:21.940 community that is so 00:33:21.940 --> 00:33:23.039 humble and so honest 00:33:23.039 --> 00:33:23.920 about what we're doing 00:33:23.920 --> 00:33:25.160 that people don't turn up 00:33:25.160 --> 00:33:26.340 and think, wow, what a 00:33:26.340 --> 00:33:27.980 moral and good group of 00:33:27.980 --> 00:33:28.320 people. 00:33:29.060 --> 00:33:30.180 They think, wow, their 00:33:30.180 --> 00:33:31.900 God must be amazing if he 00:33:31.900 --> 00:33:32.680 can love them. 00:33:34.480 --> 00:33:36.960 And also, maybe that 00:33:36.960 --> 00:33:37.980 means he would love me 00:33:37.980 --> 00:33:38.240 too. 00:33:40.680 --> 00:33:41.700 Maybe that means the 00:33:41.700 --> 00:33:42.779 people who walk in here 00:33:42.779 --> 00:33:45.039 fresh out of prison, the 00:33:45.039 --> 00:33:46.119 people who walk in here 00:33:46.119 --> 00:33:48.059 fresh out of having an 00:33:48.059 --> 00:33:50.599 affair, fresh out of 00:33:50.599 --> 00:33:51.519 supporting a drug 00:33:51.519 --> 00:33:53.299 habit, fresh out of all 00:33:53.299 --> 00:33:54.059 the sort of things that 00:33:54.059 --> 00:33:55.259 maybe make us blush and 00:33:55.259 --> 00:33:56.740 embarrassed and are not in 00:33:56.740 --> 00:33:58.279 our world, our version of 00:33:58.279 --> 00:33:59.299 what we think good and bad 00:33:59.299 --> 00:33:59.680 is. 00:34:00.539 --> 00:34:03.200 If we would be honest, if 00:34:03.200 --> 00:34:04.220 we were regularly putting 00:34:04.220 --> 00:34:05.480 up a hand and going, I 00:34:05.480 --> 00:34:06.420 need God's grace as much 00:34:06.420 --> 00:34:07.440 today as I did the first 00:34:07.440 --> 00:34:10.420 day I started, maybe those 00:34:10.420 --> 00:34:11.199 people would get to 00:34:11.199 --> 00:34:12.179 discover the grace that 00:34:12.179 --> 00:34:12.739 we've found. 00:34:15.859 --> 00:34:17.599 We regularly confess here 00:34:17.599 --> 00:34:18.119 at church. 00:34:18.500 --> 00:34:20.019 We say prayers together on 00:34:20.019 --> 00:34:21.599 the screen, we sing songs of 00:34:21.599 --> 00:34:23.639 confession, but there is the 00:34:23.639 --> 00:34:25.239 potential when we do that to 00:34:25.239 --> 00:34:28.699 just kind of dodge it, not 00:34:28.699 --> 00:34:30.579 engage it, say the words, 00:34:30.679 --> 00:34:32.119 oh yeah, God, I haven't been 00:34:32.119 --> 00:34:33.219 good enough, I haven't done 00:34:33.219 --> 00:34:34.419 the stuff I'm supposed to, 00:34:34.519 --> 00:34:35.500 yada, yada, yada, without 00:34:35.500 --> 00:34:36.519 actually going, no, no, no, 00:34:36.940 --> 00:34:39.099 what's going on in your own 00:34:39.099 --> 00:34:40.519 life, specifically. 00:34:43.000 --> 00:34:44.299 If you want to taste grace, 00:34:44.380 --> 00:34:45.079 you've got to be honest. 00:34:45.579 --> 00:34:46.639 If you just say, hey God, I'm 00:34:46.639 --> 00:34:47.639 generally not good enough, that 00:34:47.639 --> 00:34:48.900 doesn't sting really, because 00:34:48.900 --> 00:34:49.940 everyone's not good enough. 00:34:50.699 --> 00:34:51.900 But if you say, hey God, I've 00:34:51.900 --> 00:34:54.239 been struggling with lustful 00:34:54.239 --> 00:34:56.099 thoughts, that feels 00:34:56.099 --> 00:34:57.940 embarrassing, that feels 00:34:57.940 --> 00:34:59.139 shameful, that's something you 00:34:59.139 --> 00:35:00.460 need grace for. 00:35:01.420 --> 00:35:02.880 If you say, hey God, I've been 00:35:02.880 --> 00:35:06.239 really selfish with my money 00:35:06.239 --> 00:35:09.179 at the moment, that's maybe a 00:35:09.179 --> 00:35:09.719 bit embarrassing. 00:35:09.859 --> 00:35:10.819 If you say, hey God, I've been 00:35:10.819 --> 00:35:12.059 talking about some of these 00:35:12.059 --> 00:35:13.679 people who I'm sitting with in 00:35:13.679 --> 00:35:14.759 a way that doesn't honour them 00:35:14.759 --> 00:35:17.039 or you, that's embarrassing. 00:35:17.299 --> 00:35:18.219 That's not something you want 00:35:18.219 --> 00:35:19.099 everyone to know, that's 00:35:19.099 --> 00:35:20.500 something you need grace for. 00:35:23.419 --> 00:35:25.439 Confession needs to be regular, 00:35:26.599 --> 00:35:30.939 specific, honest, and because of 00:35:30.939 --> 00:35:33.699 Jesus, it can be confident and 00:35:33.699 --> 00:35:34.319 even joyful. 00:35:36.119 --> 00:35:37.199 And so I'm going to finish up 00:35:37.199 --> 00:35:38.399 right now and the band's going 00:35:38.399 --> 00:35:39.239 to come up and they're going to 00:35:39.239 --> 00:35:40.839 play some songs and then they're 00:35:40.839 --> 00:35:41.779 going to lead us, but just as 00:35:41.779 --> 00:35:44.799 they begin, I want to encourage 00:35:44.799 --> 00:35:45.619 you, in fact more than 00:35:45.619 --> 00:35:46.659 encourage you, I want to push 00:35:46.659 --> 00:35:47.759 you, I want to say take this 00:35:47.759 --> 00:35:49.000 opportunity right now. 00:35:50.359 --> 00:35:52.559 If your life has been surviving 00:35:52.559 --> 00:35:55.699 on the entree of grace, it's 00:35:55.699 --> 00:35:56.839 time to come to the buffet. 00:35:58.259 --> 00:35:59.879 It's time to be specific. 00:36:00.960 --> 00:36:03.179 As they play and as we sing and as 00:36:03.179 --> 00:36:04.679 we reflect, I want to challenge 00:36:04.679 --> 00:36:05.579 you, you don't have to say it to 00:36:05.579 --> 00:36:06.819 anyone else, although I would say 00:36:06.819 --> 00:36:09.099 there is some real gifting that 00:36:09.099 --> 00:36:10.440 God has given to us in brothers 00:36:10.440 --> 00:36:11.819 and sisters who walk with us. 00:36:12.219 --> 00:36:14.059 But for right now, maybe for step 00:36:14.059 --> 00:36:16.039 one, just confess to God. 00:36:18.159 --> 00:36:19.279 Just one thing. 00:36:19.359 --> 00:36:20.579 If you're sitting there and you 00:36:20.579 --> 00:36:22.299 can't think what that would be, 00:36:22.639 --> 00:36:24.119 maybe that's your starting point. 00:36:25.239 --> 00:36:26.559 Maybe you've gotten so good at 00:36:26.559 --> 00:36:28.059 playing down sin in your life that 00:36:28.059 --> 00:36:29.319 you can't even recognise the 00:36:29.319 --> 00:36:29.559 things. 00:36:29.659 --> 00:36:30.579 Remember, you're unfinished. 00:36:30.579 --> 00:36:32.500 There's stuff you need to confess. 00:36:33.179 --> 00:36:34.500 And so maybe step one is to say, 00:36:34.559 --> 00:36:36.199 God, open my eyes to recognise 00:36:36.199 --> 00:36:37.799 that I'm not there yet. 00:36:39.259 --> 00:36:41.279 Give me the grace to see the 00:36:41.279 --> 00:36:42.739 things that I need grace for so 00:36:42.739 --> 00:36:44.139 that I can get more of your grace. 00:36:45.980 --> 00:36:47.219 Take this opportunity. 00:36:49.400 --> 00:36:51.360 Take the gift God has given you 00:36:51.360 --> 00:36:54.340 and find that again, 00:36:54.340 --> 00:36:56.019 He's faithful. 00:36:56.660 --> 00:36:57.700 He's just. 00:36:58.600 --> 00:36:59.680 And He will forgive.