WEBVTT 00:00:00.400 --> 00:00:11.060 Amen. Well, let me urge you to grab a Bible or get it on your phone or whatever it is you need to do to get God's Word open in front of you and come with me to Ephesians chapter 4. 00:00:11.500 --> 00:00:20.440 So we are picking up where we left off back in the autumn in this wonderful letter of Paul's to the church in this city of Ephesus. 00:00:20.699 --> 00:00:25.580 Can't wait for us to get into this this morning and over the number of mornings ahead of us. 00:00:25.580 --> 00:00:28.199 But let's just pray as we come to God's Word. 00:00:30.000 --> 00:00:33.299 Psalm 119 verse 89. 00:00:34.000 --> 00:00:36.899 Your Word, O Lord, is eternal. 00:00:39.039 --> 00:00:42.100 It stands firm in the heavens. 00:00:43.700 --> 00:00:54.219 And so, Lord, as we contemplate a world around about us, our own lives, our own hearts, what's going on in our world and in our nation, Father, that seems to change from day to day. 00:00:54.219 --> 00:01:01.920 Father, we look to your eternal Word that never changes and that is a firm foundation for our times. 00:01:02.320 --> 00:01:09.519 So come, whoever we are here today, Lord, come and teach us, come and mold us, come and challenge us, help us to see the beauty of Jesus. 00:01:09.519 --> 00:01:13.399 And it's in his worthy and his precious name we pray. 00:01:14.239 --> 00:01:14.560 Amen. 00:01:14.560 --> 00:01:18.159 Folks, Ephesians chapter 4. 00:01:18.859 --> 00:01:19.540 You're turning there. 00:01:19.620 --> 00:01:20.659 Here's something to chew on. 00:01:21.439 --> 00:01:25.280 Whoever you are here today, whatever you think about the God of the Bible, here's something for you to think about. 00:01:26.240 --> 00:01:34.420 What is the thing that you reckon most discredits Christianity in the eyes of the watching world? 00:01:34.420 --> 00:01:36.859 Do you know the kind of thing? 00:01:36.939 --> 00:01:45.599 I mean, the thing that our friends and family, they look at from the outside, they look at the church, and they conclude this Christianity business that you lot are into, I think is absolute nonsense. 00:01:47.939 --> 00:01:49.820 Lots of different ways we can answer that question. 00:01:50.900 --> 00:01:54.980 But here's one that I so often hear from people, right? 00:01:55.040 --> 00:01:56.760 And they kind of give it to me in joke form. 00:01:56.799 --> 00:01:58.280 And the joke goes something like this, right? 00:01:58.280 --> 00:02:04.859 So there was once a man who found himself shipwrecked and stranded on a small desert island. 00:02:05.540 --> 00:02:10.219 And he goes about constructing not one, but two buildings. 00:02:11.759 --> 00:02:17.039 And a few weeks later, another man finds himself washed up on the shore on the same desert island. 00:02:17.219 --> 00:02:19.139 And he sees the first man over there. 00:02:19.199 --> 00:02:20.979 He's just delighted there's someone else on this island. 00:02:21.039 --> 00:02:22.020 And he shouts over to him. 00:02:22.039 --> 00:02:25.280 He says, mate, what are those two buildings? 00:02:25.280 --> 00:02:31.240 And the first man replies and he says, well, actually, I don't know if you can see it, but actually they're right next to each other. 00:02:31.319 --> 00:02:33.379 And they're both church buildings. 00:02:34.879 --> 00:02:37.699 And the second man, he's got a puzzled expression on his face. 00:02:37.759 --> 00:02:40.340 And he looks at the first man and he says, mate, do you mind me asking? 00:02:40.879 --> 00:02:41.939 Because he's British, right? 00:02:42.020 --> 00:02:42.840 Do you mind me asking? 00:02:43.939 --> 00:02:45.699 Why did you bother building two? 00:02:47.560 --> 00:02:49.740 Well, says the first man, why I built two? 00:02:49.819 --> 00:02:50.300 Here's the reason. 00:02:50.639 --> 00:02:53.439 You see, that one over there, that's the church that I actually go to. 00:02:53.439 --> 00:03:00.400 And the one that's right next to it, that's just to let any passersby know that that's the church that I don't go to. 00:03:01.859 --> 00:03:03.300 Okay, somewhat of a niche joke. 00:03:03.539 --> 00:03:11.500 And as you dwell on it, and maybe as you work it out, let me tell you the painful heart of what it's trying to communicate. 00:03:11.500 --> 00:03:24.020 People so often look in at the church and conclude that Christians are just a bunch of disunited people quarreling, falling out, just like so many others in the rest of the world. 00:03:24.020 --> 00:03:33.980 And so what they do is they kind of lump the church in with the long list of things in life that they've concluded simply cause divisions. 00:03:33.979 --> 00:03:46.339 And I guess as we think about this whole idea of Christian unity, and we're going to think about it at a local church level, which I think is where this passage leads us to think about it, at a local church level. 00:03:47.479 --> 00:03:56.280 Friends, we have to start by holding our hands up and owning the fact that there have been occasions where we have played right into that joke. 00:03:56.280 --> 00:04:03.960 Okay, at times we've got this in our relationships with one another, we have got this terribly, terribly wrong. 00:04:05.759 --> 00:04:18.600 And if you feel the sting, and maybe if you even feel the scars, and you feel the questions of that reputation, let me extend to you then the wonderful invitation. 00:04:18.600 --> 00:04:27.560 And to come, and the invitation is to come and to take in everything that God is telling us in Ephesians chapter 4. 00:04:28.080 --> 00:04:28.460 Right? 00:04:28.560 --> 00:04:39.800 And it's to come and both savor the gospel of God's wonderful grace and buy into the beauty of a united and a growing church. 00:04:39.800 --> 00:04:50.720 And Ephesians 1 verse 10, to come and see God's master plan of uniting all things in heaven and all things in earth in his son Jesus Christ. 00:04:51.879 --> 00:04:52.319 Right? 00:04:52.400 --> 00:04:55.660 It's kind of been what chapters 1 to 3 have been all about. 00:04:56.180 --> 00:04:59.600 I was thinking this week how to summarize this for us. 00:04:59.680 --> 00:05:04.420 What's going on in the first half of the letter, the theological nerve center, if you like? 00:05:04.680 --> 00:05:05.439 What's going on? 00:05:05.500 --> 00:05:06.540 Well, three things. 00:05:06.540 --> 00:05:09.340 This God has transformed our past. 00:05:10.620 --> 00:05:10.760 Okay? 00:05:10.879 --> 00:05:12.379 Previously dead in our sin. 00:05:13.860 --> 00:05:15.000 Separated from God. 00:05:15.600 --> 00:05:16.720 Deserving of his judgment. 00:05:17.400 --> 00:05:21.200 But now because of his grace, what he's done in Jesus, what is true of us now? 00:05:21.340 --> 00:05:24.640 Forgiven, loved, and adopted. 00:05:25.700 --> 00:05:27.400 This God has changed our past. 00:05:27.700 --> 00:05:29.020 This God has changed our present. 00:05:30.259 --> 00:05:33.160 Previously, just following the flow of our flesh. 00:05:33.259 --> 00:05:35.040 Just giving in to our own desires. 00:05:35.040 --> 00:05:42.080 And previously, there were worldly barriers that separated us from other people in this world. 00:05:43.500 --> 00:05:51.020 But now God, in Jesus, has decisively broken the power of sin in our lives. 00:05:51.700 --> 00:05:56.620 And now we live for the praise of his glory because the Holy Spirit lives inside of us. 00:05:56.759 --> 00:05:59.960 And God has made us one. 00:05:59.959 --> 00:06:02.680 He's transformed the present. 00:06:02.680 --> 00:06:04.479 And he's transformed the future. 00:06:05.680 --> 00:06:07.699 Whereas before we had no hope. 00:06:08.699 --> 00:06:10.439 Only fear of God's wrath. 00:06:10.819 --> 00:06:14.180 Now, a glorious heavenly inheritance. 00:06:16.219 --> 00:06:17.120 Deserving of hell. 00:06:17.199 --> 00:06:18.139 Now we have heaven. 00:06:18.819 --> 00:06:19.560 How has God done it? 00:06:19.579 --> 00:06:20.179 That's the question. 00:06:20.299 --> 00:06:21.379 How has God done this? 00:06:22.060 --> 00:06:24.079 He's done it through the cross of Jesus Christ. 00:06:24.079 --> 00:06:30.099 As people around the world, down the ages, God draws unto himself. 00:06:31.219 --> 00:06:32.279 Different people. 00:06:32.899 --> 00:06:33.800 Different backgrounds. 00:06:34.159 --> 00:06:34.959 Different races. 00:06:35.259 --> 00:06:36.279 Different interests. 00:06:36.439 --> 00:06:37.459 Different issues. 00:06:38.039 --> 00:06:40.259 Yet joined by this one central confession. 00:06:40.899 --> 00:06:42.439 That Jesus Christ is my savior. 00:06:43.979 --> 00:06:44.139 Okay? 00:06:44.199 --> 00:06:45.799 His blood shed for my sin. 00:06:45.879 --> 00:06:48.240 It's the only way to God. 00:06:48.240 --> 00:06:48.319 God. 00:06:49.840 --> 00:06:51.000 And Jesus, my king. 00:06:51.680 --> 00:06:53.259 I willingly deny myself. 00:06:53.400 --> 00:06:54.319 Take up my cross. 00:06:54.900 --> 00:06:57.199 And I follow him as the way, the truth, and the life. 00:06:58.879 --> 00:07:04.519 And that confession, friends, if it's yours today, it renders all of us united to each other. 00:07:04.879 --> 00:07:07.819 Because we are united to Jesus Christ. 00:07:07.920 --> 00:07:08.860 We ain't just mates. 00:07:09.319 --> 00:07:09.480 Right? 00:07:10.780 --> 00:07:11.660 We're family. 00:07:12.480 --> 00:07:14.780 Adopted into God's family. 00:07:14.779 --> 00:07:20.199 I don't know if you're a Radio 2 listener. 00:07:21.459 --> 00:07:22.619 Steve Wright in the afternoon. 00:07:23.959 --> 00:07:26.819 Every time I go to pick up the girls from school, if it's raining, I'll take the car. 00:07:26.919 --> 00:07:28.079 And Radio 2 always comes on. 00:07:28.339 --> 00:07:30.559 And because of the type of day it is, it's always his show. 00:07:30.939 --> 00:07:34.899 And the most loved part of his show is this section of it called factoids. 00:07:35.339 --> 00:07:35.439 Right? 00:07:35.479 --> 00:07:36.379 It's been running for years. 00:07:36.459 --> 00:07:36.959 People love it. 00:07:37.299 --> 00:07:37.659 Factoids. 00:07:37.739 --> 00:07:39.239 Just interesting little facts. 00:07:40.359 --> 00:07:40.599 Right? 00:07:40.719 --> 00:07:43.399 Let me just give you a little factoid about the first half of Ephesians. 00:07:43.399 --> 00:07:44.799 Okay? 00:07:45.199 --> 00:07:46.639 66 verses. 00:07:47.519 --> 00:07:48.399 Three chapters. 00:07:48.759 --> 00:07:51.859 And I started counting the words in the original Greek this week. 00:07:51.979 --> 00:07:52.699 And I gave up. 00:07:54.019 --> 00:07:55.099 But here's the interesting fact. 00:07:55.159 --> 00:07:55.879 Here's the factoids. 00:07:56.159 --> 00:07:56.859 All of that. 00:07:57.679 --> 00:07:58.419 One imperative. 00:07:59.939 --> 00:08:01.560 One thing that they've got to do. 00:08:02.279 --> 00:08:03.000 Is that not interesting? 00:08:03.419 --> 00:08:04.539 All of this stuff. 00:08:04.939 --> 00:08:06.399 And there's one thing they've got to do. 00:08:06.739 --> 00:08:07.579 What's that thing? 00:08:08.799 --> 00:08:09.879 It's to remember. 00:08:09.879 --> 00:08:10.319 Okay? 00:08:11.459 --> 00:08:12.060 If you've got it there. 00:08:12.159 --> 00:08:13.360 Chapter 2 verse 11. 00:08:14.060 --> 00:08:16.120 And then again chapter 2 verse 12. 00:08:16.219 --> 00:08:17.000 Straight after it. 00:08:17.060 --> 00:08:17.500 Paul writes, 00:08:17.839 --> 00:08:22.779 Remember that at that time you were separate from Christ. 00:08:23.279 --> 00:08:24.579 So all he wants them to do, 00:08:24.699 --> 00:08:25.819 all he wants them to do, 00:08:26.019 --> 00:08:27.620 is just remember what they were. 00:08:29.060 --> 00:08:30.600 And here's the lesson then for us. 00:08:30.980 --> 00:08:35.440 See before this has anything to do with what we do for God. 00:08:35.440 --> 00:08:39.060 Friends, this is about what he has done for us. 00:08:40.280 --> 00:08:40.440 Okay? 00:08:40.560 --> 00:08:46.380 It's the thing that makes Christianity stand apart from every other religion in the world. 00:08:46.940 --> 00:08:49.080 Every other religion says you're defined by what you do. 00:08:49.220 --> 00:08:53.980 This heart of the gospel says you're defined by what God has done. 00:08:54.980 --> 00:08:55.720 What he's done. 00:08:55.860 --> 00:08:57.940 And so the question at this point in the sermon is, 00:08:58.360 --> 00:09:00.100 Friends, have you understood what he has done? 00:09:01.580 --> 00:09:04.480 Whoever you are here today, do you understand what he has done? 00:09:04.480 --> 00:09:07.620 And is it affecting your life? 00:09:08.539 --> 00:09:08.639 Right? 00:09:08.759 --> 00:09:15.120 One of the, my favorite investments for us as a family during the first lockdown back in March, 00:09:15.399 --> 00:09:17.080 right, was a bread maker. 00:09:17.840 --> 00:09:20.980 Amazing what you find in the middle aisle in Aldi, isn't it? 00:09:21.039 --> 00:09:21.700 Bread maker. 00:09:21.899 --> 00:09:24.360 So it comes with this recipe book. 00:09:25.440 --> 00:09:30.820 And I've tried making all sorts of different types of bread, right? 00:09:31.279 --> 00:09:33.820 With our kids made fluffy white. 00:09:34.480 --> 00:09:35.360 Made wholemeal. 00:09:35.720 --> 00:09:36.399 Made herb. 00:09:36.899 --> 00:09:37.680 The recipe book. 00:09:38.039 --> 00:09:38.940 Different quantities. 00:09:39.100 --> 00:09:40.680 Different ingredients go into these things. 00:09:41.060 --> 00:09:41.379 Do you know what? 00:09:41.820 --> 00:09:44.420 Reading the recipe book, but there's one thing that holds them all in common. 00:09:44.960 --> 00:09:46.320 One thing that they all have in common. 00:09:47.159 --> 00:09:47.920 And it's yeast. 00:09:48.940 --> 00:09:49.360 Yeast. 00:09:49.360 --> 00:09:58.680 This organism that, little, but it permeates and works its way through the entirety of the dough. 00:09:59.180 --> 00:10:00.980 And it causes it to grow. 00:10:01.980 --> 00:10:02.180 Right? 00:10:02.539 --> 00:10:03.820 Love yeast is what it does. 00:10:03.820 --> 00:10:07.660 Here's the call of the second half of this letter. 00:10:07.660 --> 00:10:21.120 Let the gospel yeast radically and holistically impact every single area of your life as you grow more like Jesus. 00:10:21.120 --> 00:10:21.600 Right? 00:10:22.299 --> 00:10:23.000 This is what it does. 00:10:23.060 --> 00:10:24.360 This is what the gospel does. 00:10:24.840 --> 00:10:28.460 This is what it means to be God's called out treasure possession. 00:10:28.639 --> 00:10:29.639 Transformed by grace. 00:10:30.080 --> 00:10:31.820 It's going to transform the way you speak. 00:10:32.820 --> 00:10:34.519 The kind of friend that you are. 00:10:34.639 --> 00:10:36.379 The way that you interact with others. 00:10:36.379 --> 00:10:39.240 The kind of employee that you are. 00:10:39.340 --> 00:10:40.320 The way that you work. 00:10:41.320 --> 00:10:42.559 And the way that you parent. 00:10:43.620 --> 00:10:45.419 The kind of spouse that you are. 00:10:45.600 --> 00:10:47.240 All these different areas of our life. 00:10:47.580 --> 00:10:48.779 Nothing is off bounds. 00:10:49.899 --> 00:11:03.039 As God forms and grows this word-shaped, spirit-filled, compelling community of diverse yet united disciples, which is the local church. 00:11:03.039 --> 00:11:11.819 So with all that as background, the time we have remaining, we're just going to take in the first few verses of chapter 4. 00:11:12.039 --> 00:11:12.179 Okay? 00:11:12.339 --> 00:11:13.539 This is what Paul writes. 00:11:15.199 --> 00:11:19.620 As a prisoner for the Lord then, I urge you. 00:11:20.019 --> 00:11:21.039 Hear the appeal in his voice. 00:11:21.159 --> 00:11:25.379 I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. 00:11:26.319 --> 00:11:30.599 Be completely humble and gentle. 00:11:31.879 --> 00:11:32.879 Be patient. 00:11:34.000 --> 00:11:36.939 Bearing with one another in love. 00:11:37.039 --> 00:11:44.559 Make every effort to keep the unity of the spirit through the bond of peace. 00:11:44.559 --> 00:11:47.719 There is one body and one spirit. 00:11:48.620 --> 00:11:52.759 Just as you were called to one hope when you were called. 00:11:53.500 --> 00:11:56.139 One Lord, one faith, one baptism. 00:11:56.139 --> 00:12:03.519 One God and Father of all who is over all and through all and in all. 00:12:04.759 --> 00:12:06.199 God will bless the reading of his word. 00:12:06.779 --> 00:12:07.699 This is what Paul is writing. 00:12:07.700 --> 00:12:20.960 So as we think about our unity this morning as a local church and the call to be a community whose life together testifies to the truth of the gospel and how it transforms every area of our lives. 00:12:21.020 --> 00:12:26.640 Friends, I just want to ask us two questions as we think about the two angles of this unity that Paul gives the Ephesians here. 00:12:26.639 --> 00:12:32.819 Two questions I hope are really going to help us to stop and think about what God has done and the implications for our lives. 00:12:32.879 --> 00:12:34.139 So here's question number one, okay? 00:12:35.539 --> 00:12:38.980 When it comes to unity, friends, are we committed to the everyday details? 00:12:38.980 --> 00:12:42.220 Are we committed to the everyday details? 00:12:43.480 --> 00:12:47.300 Paul says, live a life worthy of the calling you have received. 00:12:47.620 --> 00:12:50.180 Here's the thing, it would have been so easy for him to leave it there. 00:12:50.899 --> 00:12:51.340 Right? 00:12:51.379 --> 00:12:52.200 We would have loved that. 00:12:52.560 --> 00:12:53.240 Loved that. 00:12:54.039 --> 00:12:57.100 I would have uttered a deep and a hearty amen. 00:12:58.379 --> 00:13:07.980 But I take it that the truth is that we need help in these bodies where sin so easily entangles and where our desires still linger. 00:13:07.980 --> 00:13:12.519 Or that Paul needs to help spell this out for this local church. 00:13:12.580 --> 00:13:13.399 What does this mean? 00:13:14.840 --> 00:13:16.980 Friends, feel the beauty of these three words. 00:13:17.379 --> 00:13:18.820 Do you get them when we read it together? 00:13:19.759 --> 00:13:25.700 In all humility and in gentleness and patience. 00:13:27.279 --> 00:13:32.480 Just stop there and savor the sweetness of those three words. 00:13:34.100 --> 00:13:37.120 I think about what has gone on in our world over the last year. 00:13:37.980 --> 00:13:43.180 And in my notes I'd written last year, and then I changed it to even what's happened in the last few days. 00:13:44.580 --> 00:13:46.740 Into our world of presidential debates. 00:13:47.340 --> 00:13:49.139 Into our world of political sparks. 00:13:49.340 --> 00:13:50.820 Into our world of angry protests. 00:13:51.080 --> 00:13:54.500 And just remember that Ephesus is a city that knows all about these things. 00:13:54.960 --> 00:13:57.600 Knows all about a riot. 00:13:58.019 --> 00:13:58.180 Okay? 00:13:58.179 --> 00:13:59.539 You can read about that in Acts 19. 00:13:59.659 --> 00:14:00.399 These people know. 00:14:02.000 --> 00:14:04.679 In our world of social media, trial by social media. 00:14:04.899 --> 00:14:07.239 In our world, into our world of cancel culture. 00:14:07.539 --> 00:14:11.239 That a journalist writing in The Spectator this week I was reading called, 00:14:11.739 --> 00:14:13.899 The Unhappiest Religion in the World. 00:14:14.399 --> 00:14:15.159 Something to chew on. 00:14:16.279 --> 00:14:18.620 How sweet are these three words into our world? 00:14:19.779 --> 00:14:20.039 Right? 00:14:20.039 --> 00:14:20.679 Humility. 00:14:22.000 --> 00:14:22.319 Humility. 00:14:22.480 --> 00:14:23.159 Love that word. 00:14:24.000 --> 00:14:25.120 Want more of it in my life. 00:14:25.199 --> 00:14:28.039 How often I go on Facebook, I post something, and Facebook says to me, 00:14:28.059 --> 00:14:29.219 Do you want to boost this post? 00:14:29.439 --> 00:14:30.219 Do you get that all the time? 00:14:30.839 --> 00:14:32.039 Do you want to boost this post? 00:14:33.459 --> 00:14:35.000 And we live in a world, don't we, that says, 00:14:35.539 --> 00:14:36.459 Do you want to boost yourself? 00:14:36.620 --> 00:14:37.599 You want to put yourself forward? 00:14:38.240 --> 00:14:39.079 We PR program. 00:14:39.179 --> 00:14:40.219 Personal PR program. 00:14:42.219 --> 00:14:43.439 Humility is a soul that says, 00:14:43.519 --> 00:14:44.699 No, it's others before me. 00:14:46.339 --> 00:14:48.759 Humility is a heart that's open to correction. 00:14:48.759 --> 00:14:53.379 Humility is a mind that's set on service. 00:14:55.000 --> 00:14:56.620 Humility and gentleness. 00:14:57.399 --> 00:14:58.840 I just love gentle people. 00:15:00.980 --> 00:15:03.340 The kindness that you show to people. 00:15:03.779 --> 00:15:06.200 The tenderness that you have for people. 00:15:07.059 --> 00:15:09.059 Communicated through your words and your manner. 00:15:10.480 --> 00:15:11.740 Gentleness and patience. 00:15:11.899 --> 00:15:14.759 Quite literally the word there just means long suffering. 00:15:15.960 --> 00:15:16.039 Right? 00:15:16.240 --> 00:15:17.139 Long suffering. 00:15:17.139 --> 00:15:20.139 In a world where everything is instant. 00:15:20.299 --> 00:15:20.600 Isn't it? 00:15:21.000 --> 00:15:23.139 Instant mortgage application decisions. 00:15:23.879 --> 00:15:24.759 Instant coffee. 00:15:24.919 --> 00:15:28.059 I mean, my Amazon Prime order doesn't come the next day. 00:15:28.100 --> 00:15:28.559 I'm raging. 00:15:28.840 --> 00:15:29.000 Right? 00:15:29.059 --> 00:15:30.860 Like I've been denied some kind of human right. 00:15:30.960 --> 00:15:33.759 We do not live in a world where patience is promoted. 00:15:33.899 --> 00:15:34.899 We live in a world of instant. 00:15:35.639 --> 00:15:36.080 Instant. 00:15:36.340 --> 00:15:37.759 And yet, Paul is saying, 00:15:38.259 --> 00:15:39.779 In your life's together, be patient. 00:15:40.899 --> 00:15:42.700 Go the long haul with each other. 00:15:42.700 --> 00:15:43.480 Right? 00:15:43.560 --> 00:15:45.500 Particularly when it comes to each other. 00:15:46.100 --> 00:15:47.120 Go the long haul. 00:15:48.540 --> 00:15:49.379 Long haul. 00:15:51.440 --> 00:15:52.960 Friends, this is Christ-likeness. 00:15:53.120 --> 00:15:54.060 This is Jesus. 00:15:55.940 --> 00:16:03.180 And this is the fruit of the Spirit as he works in our lives through the word of God. 00:16:03.179 --> 00:16:07.339 And we should begin to see more of these things in our lives. 00:16:08.839 --> 00:16:12.159 I long to see more of these things in my life. 00:16:14.159 --> 00:16:15.299 The words of John Newton, 00:16:15.299 --> 00:16:31.379 You know, I take it we need this exhortation because the opposite of these things. 00:16:31.719 --> 00:16:31.839 Right? 00:16:32.120 --> 00:16:34.000 Pride, bitterness, and impatience. 00:16:35.039 --> 00:16:38.500 I know my own heart to know that these are the things that come naturally to us. 00:16:40.099 --> 00:16:41.919 And as Paul is writing, there's a realist here, isn't he? 00:16:42.259 --> 00:16:44.439 There's no head in the cloud theologian. 00:16:44.440 --> 00:16:45.980 He's a realist. 00:16:46.120 --> 00:16:46.780 He knows. 00:16:47.060 --> 00:16:47.620 What does he write? 00:16:47.860 --> 00:16:48.960 Bearing with one another. 00:16:49.060 --> 00:16:50.560 Feel the urge of that word. 00:16:50.780 --> 00:16:51.080 The verb. 00:16:51.320 --> 00:16:52.220 Bearing with one another. 00:16:52.380 --> 00:16:53.380 Making every effort. 00:16:53.500 --> 00:16:54.520 Which is Paul's way of saying, 00:16:54.600 --> 00:16:55.660 This ain't going to be easy. 00:16:57.940 --> 00:16:59.520 If it was, he wouldn't need to write it. 00:16:59.600 --> 00:17:00.460 Friends, let me ask you. 00:17:01.900 --> 00:17:02.960 Are you making every effort? 00:17:05.440 --> 00:17:09.960 You know, writer John Wesley used to talk about how the church is like an orchestra 00:17:09.960 --> 00:17:16.539 and how the beautiful harmony of what God is doing is so often ruined by one jarring note. 00:17:18.460 --> 00:17:19.340 You saw the image, isn't it? 00:17:21.279 --> 00:17:23.500 You know, let me just ask you a few heart-level questions, 00:17:23.720 --> 00:17:27.620 soul-searching questions that this passage asked of me this week. 00:17:27.619 --> 00:17:32.219 Just as we seek to put this into practice, friends, let me just ask you. 00:17:32.339 --> 00:17:33.219 Here they come, right? 00:17:34.159 --> 00:17:36.599 When was the last time you found yourself saying sorry? 00:17:38.179 --> 00:17:40.899 And I'm not talking like a sulky child, right? 00:17:40.979 --> 00:17:41.319 Sorry! 00:17:41.319 --> 00:17:49.220 When was the last time your heart was grieved at the thought of not being right with your fellow brother or sister? 00:17:51.039 --> 00:17:55.079 You know, even if it was potentially nothing, knowing your own propensity to get it wrong, 00:17:55.419 --> 00:17:56.700 knowing the times in which we live, 00:17:57.139 --> 00:18:01.579 that you went out your way to make sure things were good with them. 00:18:04.259 --> 00:18:06.019 Friends, when did you last own a mistake? 00:18:06.019 --> 00:18:13.180 When did you last go out of your way to forgive somebody? 00:18:14.819 --> 00:18:19.000 When was the last time that you encouraged somebody, right? 00:18:19.099 --> 00:18:20.440 You're in the habit of doing that, 00:18:21.339 --> 00:18:23.940 loving somebody by telling them how you're praying for them 00:18:23.940 --> 00:18:26.000 and in word and deed loving them, 00:18:26.119 --> 00:18:27.819 communicating to them that you see them, 00:18:28.680 --> 00:18:29.720 you're thinking of them. 00:18:31.639 --> 00:18:35.099 Friends, when was the last time that you and I really went out our way to listen well? 00:18:36.519 --> 00:18:38.379 Love somebody by listening well. 00:18:38.460 --> 00:18:40.639 You know, I heard somebody say recently in our fast-paced world 00:18:40.639 --> 00:18:42.379 that love is spelled T-I-M-E. 00:18:43.180 --> 00:18:44.480 I think there's a lot of truth in that. 00:18:46.500 --> 00:18:48.200 You know, what's your tone like in social media? 00:18:50.619 --> 00:18:52.200 And not just what's your tone as you post, 00:18:52.299 --> 00:18:55.039 but as your heart reacts to some of the stuff that's going on 00:18:55.039 --> 00:18:56.400 and what you see other people doing. 00:18:56.599 --> 00:18:57.839 Friends, what's your heart like? 00:18:59.480 --> 00:19:01.339 You know, I love the words of Don Carson on this 00:19:01.339 --> 00:19:03.240 and I felt the urge of what he's saying. 00:19:04.000 --> 00:19:05.500 He said, all of us would be wiser 00:19:05.500 --> 00:19:08.980 if we would resolve never to put people down 00:19:08.980 --> 00:19:11.579 except on our prayer list. 00:19:12.740 --> 00:19:15.140 And I take all of these things and many, many more 00:19:15.140 --> 00:19:17.839 are wrapped up in this idea of making every effort. 00:19:18.720 --> 00:19:20.920 Let me just say, we need to work extra hard at this 00:19:20.920 --> 00:19:22.380 at the minute as a local church. 00:19:23.220 --> 00:19:26.259 Just firstly because of the season of life that we're in. 00:19:26.519 --> 00:19:27.759 You know, if ever there was a likelihood 00:19:27.759 --> 00:19:29.980 that tensions between us might arise 00:19:29.980 --> 00:19:32.360 or relationships might be strained 00:19:32.360 --> 00:19:34.380 simply because you're just looking at somebody 00:19:34.380 --> 00:19:37.220 on a screen rather than in face. 00:19:38.360 --> 00:19:38.500 Right? 00:19:38.620 --> 00:19:42.180 Or sometimes you've made your way to the 17th Zoom call of the day 00:19:42.180 --> 00:19:43.740 and you're feeling the tiredness 00:19:43.740 --> 00:19:45.740 and so often words can bounce off your tongue 00:19:45.740 --> 00:19:46.819 and you just don't even think. 00:19:47.960 --> 00:19:50.339 If ever there was a time to go the long haul, 00:19:50.339 --> 00:19:52.379 to be willing to forgive, 00:19:52.740 --> 00:19:53.980 to be willing to go out of our way 00:19:53.980 --> 00:19:55.859 to make sure that we're right, friends, it's now. 00:19:56.199 --> 00:19:56.439 Isn't it? 00:19:56.459 --> 00:19:59.299 And particularly as we react as individuals in the church 00:19:59.299 --> 00:20:01.980 to different things that are going on in our world 00:20:01.980 --> 00:20:03.679 and as we come under, 00:20:04.899 --> 00:20:05.899 we have to do different things 00:20:05.899 --> 00:20:07.099 where the government say we have to, 00:20:07.519 --> 00:20:09.399 we'll react differently to this stuff. 00:20:09.500 --> 00:20:10.500 But friends, let's go out of our way 00:20:10.500 --> 00:20:12.359 to make sure that this stuff doesn't divide. 00:20:12.359 --> 00:20:15.899 First reason because of the times that we live. 00:20:16.000 --> 00:20:17.299 Second reason because of 00:20:17.299 --> 00:20:20.359 surely the fact that we're growing in numbers numerically. 00:20:21.619 --> 00:20:21.679 Right? 00:20:21.740 --> 00:20:23.559 What's the easiest thing to do when that happens 00:20:23.559 --> 00:20:25.459 is just to avoid. 00:20:26.279 --> 00:20:26.459 Right? 00:20:26.539 --> 00:20:27.459 Just get lost in the crowd. 00:20:27.559 --> 00:20:27.959 Avoid. 00:20:29.919 --> 00:20:31.500 Because we need to be in each other's lives. 00:20:31.839 --> 00:20:33.159 We need each other for this. 00:20:33.699 --> 00:20:33.839 Right? 00:20:33.879 --> 00:20:35.539 Those tensions and bumps in the road 00:20:35.539 --> 00:20:37.279 that come up between us with one another, 00:20:37.399 --> 00:20:39.179 they are the God-ordained way 00:20:39.179 --> 00:20:42.159 that we will grow in grace as disciples 00:20:42.160 --> 00:20:42.700 of Jesus. 00:20:43.820 --> 00:20:45.180 As our hearts are exposed 00:20:45.180 --> 00:20:47.460 and as we practice these things, 00:20:47.580 --> 00:20:49.080 friends, we will grow more like Jesus. 00:20:49.200 --> 00:20:49.980 We need one another. 00:20:50.360 --> 00:20:51.519 You know, I've got a friend in the city 00:20:51.519 --> 00:20:52.840 who's a pastor of another church. 00:20:53.540 --> 00:20:55.400 He deliberately records his sermons 00:20:55.400 --> 00:20:57.340 and puts them up online for the church to view. 00:20:57.420 --> 00:20:58.600 He puts them in black and white. 00:20:59.900 --> 00:21:01.480 And he does it because he wants to 00:21:01.480 --> 00:21:04.740 almost subliminally help each other 00:21:04.740 --> 00:21:07.400 think about the fact that this is not the color version. 00:21:09.240 --> 00:21:10.440 When we get back together, 00:21:10.759 --> 00:21:11.920 we'll be the color version. 00:21:11.920 --> 00:21:12.980 We need each other, friends. 00:21:13.060 --> 00:21:13.620 We need, 00:21:13.920 --> 00:21:15.980 we shouldn't be getting content with life apart. 00:21:16.320 --> 00:21:17.680 We need each other to grow. 00:21:19.840 --> 00:21:21.480 Bring that first point to a close, friends. 00:21:21.539 --> 00:21:23.180 Are we committed to the everyday details? 00:21:23.300 --> 00:21:24.840 Are we committed to the everyday details? 00:21:25.460 --> 00:21:26.600 And second question, 00:21:27.640 --> 00:21:28.800 verses four to six, 00:21:29.440 --> 00:21:30.840 are we mindful of the bigger picture? 00:21:32.600 --> 00:21:34.440 Okay, here's another factoid for you. 00:21:34.519 --> 00:21:35.759 I've got carried away with these this week. 00:21:36.700 --> 00:21:38.640 Apparently, this is the place in the Bible 00:21:38.640 --> 00:21:41.900 where the word one comes up most often. 00:21:42.400 --> 00:21:42.859 You see it? 00:21:43.559 --> 00:21:47.339 One body, one spirit, one hope, one Lord, one faith, 00:21:48.400 --> 00:21:51.599 one baptism, one God, and Father of all. 00:21:51.759 --> 00:21:54.339 Some commentators point to the fact that there's seven of them, 00:21:54.400 --> 00:21:55.619 seven, the perfect number. 00:21:56.400 --> 00:21:58.619 Not sure if that's entirely true or not, 00:21:58.660 --> 00:21:59.599 but you see the point. 00:21:59.599 --> 00:22:01.019 You can't miss Paul's point. 00:22:01.639 --> 00:22:02.259 We are one. 00:22:03.199 --> 00:22:03.839 We are one. 00:22:04.000 --> 00:22:06.419 You know, I remember that back in 2014, 00:22:06.719 --> 00:22:10.919 that PR campaign that the Scottish Rugby Union put forward 00:22:10.919 --> 00:22:13.480 to try and get us back interested in supporting 00:22:13.480 --> 00:22:14.459 the Scotland rugby team 00:22:14.459 --> 00:22:17.240 because we were going through such an awful patch of losing. 00:22:18.379 --> 00:22:18.459 Right? 00:22:18.539 --> 00:22:20.439 There's only so much heartache a person can take. 00:22:20.919 --> 00:22:21.740 What was the hashtag? 00:22:21.859 --> 00:22:22.599 We saw it on the buses. 00:22:22.779 --> 00:22:23.959 We saw it everywhere around the city. 00:22:24.000 --> 00:22:24.799 What were they trying to do? 00:22:24.919 --> 00:22:27.480 They promoted the slogan, 00:22:27.480 --> 00:22:28.360 as one. 00:22:29.480 --> 00:22:29.839 Right? 00:22:29.940 --> 00:22:31.420 Trying to say that we're all on the same page here. 00:22:31.480 --> 00:22:32.720 This is Paul's point. 00:22:33.019 --> 00:22:35.440 But do you see how he's not drumming up support for the church? 00:22:36.220 --> 00:22:39.620 He's outlining a spiritual reality of what God has done. 00:22:40.299 --> 00:22:41.160 This is true. 00:22:41.880 --> 00:22:42.839 It's what God has done. 00:22:43.620 --> 00:22:44.980 We're all one in Christ Jesus. 00:22:45.140 --> 00:22:46.860 Many of you will know that that's the strapline 00:22:46.860 --> 00:22:50.180 of the annual Keswick Bible Convention, right? 00:22:50.299 --> 00:22:52.279 Since it began in 1875. 00:22:53.860 --> 00:22:55.200 People from all over the UK, 00:22:55.200 --> 00:22:56.880 all over the world coming together. 00:22:57.940 --> 00:23:00.039 Hearing, singing together, 00:23:00.180 --> 00:23:01.360 hearing from God's words, 00:23:01.740 --> 00:23:04.240 knowing that we're one in Christ Jesus. 00:23:06.019 --> 00:23:07.579 Friends, there's tons of things we can say about this, 00:23:07.680 --> 00:23:08.579 but let me just pick out one. 00:23:09.059 --> 00:23:11.480 Notice the Trinitarian emphasis. 00:23:12.680 --> 00:23:12.839 Okay? 00:23:13.000 --> 00:23:15.140 One Lord, Jesus Christ. 00:23:15.500 --> 00:23:16.960 One God, God the Father. 00:23:17.200 --> 00:23:18.559 One Spirit, the Holy Spirit. 00:23:18.660 --> 00:23:19.700 Here's the logic of it. 00:23:21.039 --> 00:23:22.980 The God of the Bible is triune. 00:23:22.980 --> 00:23:23.740 Okay? 00:23:25.039 --> 00:23:27.339 One God, three distinct persons, 00:23:27.339 --> 00:23:33.099 who has existed as a loving community for all eternity. 00:23:34.160 --> 00:23:35.039 And so, in other words, 00:23:35.120 --> 00:23:38.980 the God of the Bible is the perfect definition 00:23:38.980 --> 00:23:42.059 of unity in diversity. 00:23:42.059 --> 00:23:45.419 And we were made in his image. 00:23:45.519 --> 00:23:49.159 We were made to reflect something of that beauty to the world. 00:23:50.599 --> 00:23:52.460 And that image has been marred by sin. 00:23:53.299 --> 00:23:55.859 But it's almost as if when God saves us, 00:23:56.960 --> 00:23:58.579 puts his spirit in us, 00:23:59.059 --> 00:24:00.119 by his word, 00:24:00.259 --> 00:24:00.839 he's saying, 00:24:00.980 --> 00:24:01.759 almost as if, 00:24:01.759 --> 00:24:03.440 I am molding you 00:24:03.440 --> 00:24:05.779 so that you can come increasingly 00:24:05.779 --> 00:24:07.440 to bear that image once again 00:24:07.440 --> 00:24:09.099 as my son and daughter. 00:24:10.059 --> 00:24:11.500 As you image me to the world. 00:24:11.720 --> 00:24:14.619 Which means the way that we as a local church 00:24:14.619 --> 00:24:18.259 can best image this God to the world, 00:24:19.660 --> 00:24:19.879 friends, 00:24:19.920 --> 00:24:23.859 is by living out loving unity and diversity. 00:24:26.099 --> 00:24:26.319 Friends, 00:24:26.400 --> 00:24:29.900 what if you consider the context of Ephesians 4? 00:24:29.900 --> 00:24:32.160 What a witness this would be 00:24:32.160 --> 00:24:33.360 in a city like Ephesus. 00:24:35.220 --> 00:24:35.380 Right? 00:24:35.620 --> 00:24:37.980 A hugely influential, 00:24:38.500 --> 00:24:40.040 divided and diverse city. 00:24:40.460 --> 00:24:42.060 This church then, 00:24:42.540 --> 00:24:45.200 made up of former pagan worshippers, 00:24:45.440 --> 00:24:45.920 check this out, 00:24:46.000 --> 00:24:46.940 Acts 18-19, 00:24:47.320 --> 00:24:49.019 people caught up in the occult, 00:24:49.420 --> 00:24:51.320 people chasing money and fame, 00:24:52.700 --> 00:24:54.500 people living however they wanted 00:24:54.500 --> 00:24:55.860 without restraints 00:24:55.860 --> 00:24:57.460 and encouraged to do so. 00:24:57.460 --> 00:24:59.680 this group of people 00:24:59.680 --> 00:25:02.819 called out of those former ways of life 00:25:02.819 --> 00:25:05.299 into this one life together 00:25:05.299 --> 00:25:06.920 where they live for the glory 00:25:06.920 --> 00:25:08.640 and the worship of Jesus Christ. 00:25:11.519 --> 00:25:11.960 Friends, 00:25:12.000 --> 00:25:13.180 are we committed then as we close? 00:25:13.279 --> 00:25:14.920 Are we committed to the everyday details? 00:25:16.319 --> 00:25:18.100 And are we mindful of the bigger picture? 00:25:19.819 --> 00:25:20.019 Friends, 00:25:20.100 --> 00:25:21.000 let me just say then, 00:25:21.360 --> 00:25:22.840 if our longing in our hearts 00:25:22.840 --> 00:25:25.160 is yes to both of those questions, 00:25:25.279 --> 00:25:26.180 that's what we want, right? 00:25:26.180 --> 00:25:27.840 We want to be committed to the everyday details. 00:25:28.180 --> 00:25:29.880 We want to be more mindful of the bigger picture. 00:25:30.180 --> 00:25:31.539 If our answer in our hearts 00:25:31.539 --> 00:25:32.720 to those questions is yes, 00:25:33.019 --> 00:25:33.960 then let me just say 00:25:33.960 --> 00:25:35.580 we will be in for a spiritual battle. 00:25:37.519 --> 00:25:37.700 You know, 00:25:37.720 --> 00:25:38.380 what was that quote from 00:25:38.380 --> 00:25:39.560 The Usual Suspects? 00:25:39.600 --> 00:25:40.180 Remember the film? 00:25:40.940 --> 00:25:42.400 I'm sure it was someone else 00:25:42.400 --> 00:25:42.980 that said it, 00:25:43.120 --> 00:25:44.380 but I can't remember at the minute. 00:25:44.860 --> 00:25:46.120 The Usual Suspects, 00:25:46.160 --> 00:25:48.279 the greatest trick the devil ever played 00:25:48.279 --> 00:25:49.519 was convincing the world 00:25:49.519 --> 00:25:50.519 that he didn't exist. 00:25:52.519 --> 00:25:52.720 Friends, 00:25:52.740 --> 00:25:53.259 when we consider 00:25:53.259 --> 00:25:54.640 what God has done, 00:25:54.700 --> 00:25:55.220 when we consider 00:25:55.220 --> 00:25:56.559 the beauty of our unity 00:25:56.559 --> 00:25:58.140 in diversity, 00:25:58.539 --> 00:26:00.279 we do well to remember 00:26:00.279 --> 00:26:01.440 that he does exist. 00:26:02.680 --> 00:26:03.879 And he'll do anything 00:26:03.879 --> 00:26:04.740 and everything 00:26:04.740 --> 00:26:07.059 to disrupt this 00:26:07.059 --> 00:26:09.619 and discreditize us 00:26:09.619 --> 00:26:11.140 in the eyes of the watching world. 00:26:11.259 --> 00:26:11.559 Why? 00:26:13.359 --> 00:26:13.660 Well, 00:26:13.660 --> 00:26:14.420 we're back at our man 00:26:14.420 --> 00:26:15.200 in the desert island 00:26:15.200 --> 00:26:16.259 with the two church buildings, 00:26:16.379 --> 00:26:16.720 aren't we? 00:26:17.779 --> 00:26:18.879 What is the one thing 00:26:18.879 --> 00:26:20.259 that most discredits Christianity 00:26:20.259 --> 00:26:21.839 in the eyes of the watching world? 00:26:21.839 --> 00:26:24.019 Surely it's got to be this, 00:26:24.559 --> 00:26:25.240 disunity. 00:26:26.919 --> 00:26:28.000 So let me just finish then 00:26:28.000 --> 00:26:28.899 by flipping it around 00:26:28.899 --> 00:26:31.099 and saying, 00:26:31.220 --> 00:26:32.019 as we close, 00:26:32.799 --> 00:26:33.699 what is the thing 00:26:33.699 --> 00:26:35.720 that most compels 00:26:35.720 --> 00:26:37.199 Christianity to the world, 00:26:38.139 --> 00:26:39.639 offers Christianity to the world, 00:26:39.740 --> 00:26:40.319 shows the beauty 00:26:40.319 --> 00:26:41.179 of what God has done 00:26:41.179 --> 00:26:41.799 to the world? 00:26:42.359 --> 00:26:42.500 Well, 00:26:42.579 --> 00:26:43.319 as we close, 00:26:43.379 --> 00:26:43.819 let me tell you 00:26:43.819 --> 00:26:45.000 about a story I read recently 00:26:45.000 --> 00:26:46.119 from a man called 00:26:46.119 --> 00:26:47.599 Jonathan Lamb. 00:26:48.439 --> 00:26:50.399 He's a church leader 00:26:50.400 --> 00:26:51.380 who travels the world 00:26:51.380 --> 00:26:52.140 just kind of 00:26:52.140 --> 00:26:53.100 meeting different people, 00:26:53.220 --> 00:26:54.540 speaking at different events. 00:26:55.240 --> 00:26:56.880 He's written a wonderful book 00:26:56.880 --> 00:26:58.259 on this whole subject 00:26:58.259 --> 00:26:58.920 of unity 00:26:58.920 --> 00:27:00.120 and he's actually coming 00:27:00.120 --> 00:27:01.840 Lord willing in May 00:27:01.840 --> 00:27:02.680 to be our speaker 00:27:02.680 --> 00:27:03.480 at our weekend 00:27:03.480 --> 00:27:04.740 when we're going to think 00:27:04.740 --> 00:27:06.640 about this precise topic. 00:27:07.300 --> 00:27:08.200 He tells a story 00:27:08.200 --> 00:27:08.780 in the book 00:27:08.780 --> 00:27:10.080 about a time 00:27:10.080 --> 00:27:12.300 where he witnessed 00:27:12.300 --> 00:27:13.900 one of the most powerful scenes 00:27:13.900 --> 00:27:14.920 that he's ever witnessed. 00:27:14.920 --> 00:27:16.539 And it came 00:27:16.539 --> 00:27:17.680 when he attended 00:27:17.680 --> 00:27:19.220 a conference 00:27:19.220 --> 00:27:20.120 in the Balkans 00:27:20.120 --> 00:27:21.860 during the Yugoslav wars. 00:27:23.200 --> 00:27:24.039 And so at this conference 00:27:24.039 --> 00:27:25.039 were tons 00:27:25.039 --> 00:27:25.860 of different people 00:27:25.860 --> 00:27:27.320 but lots of different people 00:27:27.320 --> 00:27:28.460 from all these different 00:27:28.460 --> 00:27:29.700 warring countries. 00:27:30.660 --> 00:27:31.519 And during one of the sessions 00:27:31.519 --> 00:27:32.340 there was a call 00:27:32.340 --> 00:27:32.980 to prayer 00:27:32.980 --> 00:27:34.840 and three men 00:27:34.840 --> 00:27:35.500 stepped forward 00:27:35.500 --> 00:27:37.320 with tears in their eyes. 00:27:38.240 --> 00:27:39.380 One man from Croatia, 00:27:40.480 --> 00:27:41.660 one man from Serbia 00:27:41.660 --> 00:27:43.759 and one man from Albania. 00:27:43.759 --> 00:27:45.859 And the three of them 00:27:45.859 --> 00:27:46.640 came forward 00:27:46.640 --> 00:27:47.720 and the three of them 00:27:47.720 --> 00:27:48.440 linked arms 00:27:48.440 --> 00:27:50.319 and in their own language 00:27:50.319 --> 00:27:51.099 they each sang 00:27:51.099 --> 00:27:52.180 the words of the song 00:27:52.180 --> 00:27:54.379 Bind us together Lord 00:27:54.379 --> 00:27:55.900 Bind us together 00:27:55.900 --> 00:27:57.680 with cords 00:27:57.680 --> 00:27:59.000 that cannot be broken 00:27:59.000 --> 00:28:00.400 Bind us together Lord 00:28:00.400 --> 00:28:01.779 Bind us together 00:28:01.779 --> 00:28:03.200 Bind us together 00:28:03.200 --> 00:28:04.579 in love. 00:28:05.359 --> 00:28:06.579 So here is Paul's point 00:28:06.579 --> 00:28:07.779 there is one body 00:28:07.779 --> 00:28:09.940 there's one body 00:28:09.940 --> 00:28:10.900 and there's one God 00:28:10.900 --> 00:28:12.000 there's one church. 00:28:12.000 --> 00:28:13.900 You know and Brunsfield 00:28:13.900 --> 00:28:16.200 is as a local church 00:28:16.200 --> 00:28:16.480 friends 00:28:16.480 --> 00:28:17.359 we're just 00:28:17.359 --> 00:28:18.980 this in microcosm 00:28:18.980 --> 00:28:20.039 of what God has done here. 00:28:22.920 --> 00:28:24.079 But we're just going to spend 00:28:24.079 --> 00:28:25.480 just a short while now 00:28:25.480 --> 00:28:26.359 just praying 00:28:26.359 --> 00:28:29.240 for the unity 00:28:29.240 --> 00:28:30.680 and the beauty 00:28:30.680 --> 00:28:32.940 of what God has done 00:28:32.940 --> 00:28:33.700 as we think about 00:28:33.700 --> 00:28:34.759 his church around the world 00:28:34.759 --> 00:28:35.720 but as we think about 00:28:35.720 --> 00:28:36.859 the church here 00:28:36.859 --> 00:28:37.720 in Scotland 00:28:37.720 --> 00:28:39.160 and at Brunsfield as well 00:28:39.160 --> 00:28:40.779 that we would shine 00:28:40.779 --> 00:28:41.320 his lights 00:28:41.320 --> 00:28:42.700 at a time like this. 00:28:42.759 --> 00:28:43.279 So why don't we just 00:28:43.279 --> 00:28:44.540 wherever you are 00:28:44.540 --> 00:28:45.200 just maybe invite you 00:28:45.200 --> 00:28:46.220 to close your eyes 00:28:46.220 --> 00:28:47.300 and let's just spend 00:28:47.300 --> 00:28:47.960 a couple of minutes 00:28:47.960 --> 00:28:48.779 praying for this 00:28:48.779 --> 00:28:49.560 as we respond 00:28:49.560 --> 00:28:50.779 to God's word this morning. 00:28:54.279 --> 00:28:55.120 So Paul would write 00:28:55.120 --> 00:28:56.980 in Philippians chapter 1 00:28:56.980 --> 00:28:58.480 whatever happens 00:28:58.480 --> 00:28:59.880 conduct yourselves 00:28:59.880 --> 00:29:00.460 in a manner 00:29:00.460 --> 00:29:01.620 worthy of the gospel 00:29:01.620 --> 00:29:02.620 of Christ 00:29:02.620 --> 00:29:04.519 then whether I come 00:29:04.519 --> 00:29:05.099 and see you 00:29:05.099 --> 00:29:06.319 or hear about you 00:29:06.319 --> 00:29:06.980 in my absence 00:29:06.980 --> 00:29:07.940 I will know 00:29:07.940 --> 00:29:09.240 that you 00:29:09.240 --> 00:29:10.860 stand firm 00:29:10.860 --> 00:29:12.319 in one spirit 00:29:12.319 --> 00:29:14.099 striving together 00:29:14.099 --> 00:29:14.980 as one 00:29:14.980 --> 00:29:16.360 for the faith 00:29:16.360 --> 00:29:17.039 of the gospel. 00:29:18.900 --> 00:29:19.259 And so Lord 00:29:19.259 --> 00:29:20.700 we thank you so much 00:29:20.700 --> 00:29:22.299 help us appreciate 00:29:22.299 --> 00:29:23.400 something more 00:29:23.400 --> 00:29:25.060 of what you have 00:29:25.060 --> 00:29:25.780 done for us 00:29:25.780 --> 00:29:26.360 in your son 00:29:26.360 --> 00:29:27.240 Jesus Christ. 00:29:28.700 --> 00:29:29.360 Father we pray 00:29:29.360 --> 00:29:30.240 for your people 00:29:30.240 --> 00:29:31.620 around the world 00:29:31.620 --> 00:29:32.100 today 00:29:32.100 --> 00:29:33.680 those who know you 00:29:33.680 --> 00:29:34.620 those disciples 00:29:34.620 --> 00:29:35.180 of Jesus 00:29:35.180 --> 00:29:36.160 wherever they find 00:29:36.160 --> 00:29:36.660 themselves 00:29:36.660 --> 00:29:38.120 Lord at a time 00:29:38.120 --> 00:29:38.820 like this 00:29:38.820 --> 00:29:39.580 that you would 00:29:39.580 --> 00:29:40.080 help us 00:29:40.080 --> 00:29:41.060 to shine like 00:29:41.060 --> 00:29:41.700 stars 00:29:41.700 --> 00:29:43.080 and glorify 00:29:43.080 --> 00:29:44.180 you 00:29:44.180 --> 00:29:45.240 to the watching 00:29:45.240 --> 00:29:45.780 world. 00:29:47.100 --> 00:29:47.460 Father we maybe 00:29:47.460 --> 00:29:48.500 think of a few 00:29:48.500 --> 00:29:49.400 particular places 00:29:49.400 --> 00:29:49.820 today 00:29:49.820 --> 00:29:50.560 we would think 00:29:50.560 --> 00:29:51.480 of the church 00:29:51.480 --> 00:29:52.060 your people 00:29:52.060 --> 00:29:52.800 in America 00:29:52.799 --> 00:29:54.980 Lord recognising 00:29:54.980 --> 00:29:55.659 everything that's 00:29:55.659 --> 00:29:56.339 gone on there 00:29:56.339 --> 00:29:57.180 not just this 00:29:57.180 --> 00:29:57.879 week past 00:29:57.879 --> 00:29:58.440 but over the 00:29:58.440 --> 00:29:59.180 last season 00:29:59.180 --> 00:29:59.740 of life 00:29:59.740 --> 00:30:01.399 and we pray 00:30:01.399 --> 00:30:01.879 Father 00:30:01.879 --> 00:30:03.099 for your people 00:30:03.099 --> 00:30:04.379 up and down 00:30:04.379 --> 00:30:05.079 that land 00:30:05.079 --> 00:30:06.039 in that nation 00:30:06.039 --> 00:30:07.139 Lord we pray 00:30:07.139 --> 00:30:07.700 that you would 00:30:07.700 --> 00:30:08.740 protect their 00:30:08.740 --> 00:30:09.099 unity 00:30:09.099 --> 00:30:09.720 we pray 00:30:09.720 --> 00:30:10.119 Father 00:30:10.119 --> 00:30:10.940 for tensions 00:30:10.940 --> 00:30:11.859 and struggles 00:30:11.859 --> 00:30:13.220 and differences 00:30:13.220 --> 00:30:14.619 Lord that the 00:30:14.619 --> 00:30:15.259 good news of 00:30:15.259 --> 00:30:15.680 Jesus 00:30:15.680 --> 00:30:16.259 and what he 00:30:16.259 --> 00:30:16.659 has done 00:30:16.659 --> 00:30:17.279 the gospel 00:30:17.279 --> 00:30:18.039 would unite 00:30:18.039 --> 00:30:18.379 them 00:30:18.379 --> 00:30:20.279 Father we pray 00:30:20.279 --> 00:30:21.119 for protection 00:30:21.119 --> 00:30:21.859 Lord in that 00:30:21.859 --> 00:30:22.079 land 00:30:22.079 --> 00:30:22.379 we pray 00:30:22.379 --> 00:30:22.759 for a 00:30:22.759 --> 00:30:23.339 peace 00:30:23.339 --> 00:30:23.659 and for 00:30:23.659 --> 00:30:24.220 an end 00:30:24.220 --> 00:30:24.480 to the 00:30:24.480 --> 00:30:25.019 hostility 00:30:25.019 --> 00:30:25.379 we pray 00:30:25.379 --> 00:30:25.879 for those 00:30:25.879 --> 00:30:26.439 families 00:30:26.439 --> 00:30:27.059 Lord who 00:30:27.059 --> 00:30:27.980 perhaps have 00:30:27.980 --> 00:30:28.659 lost loved 00:30:28.659 --> 00:30:29.179 ones this 00:30:29.179 --> 00:30:29.439 week 00:30:29.439 --> 00:30:30.720 those who are 00:30:30.720 --> 00:30:31.559 feeling just 00:30:31.559 --> 00:30:32.259 hurt and 00:30:32.259 --> 00:30:32.779 betrayed by 00:30:32.779 --> 00:30:33.319 everything that's 00:30:33.319 --> 00:30:33.639 happened 00:30:33.639 --> 00:30:34.419 Lord we pray 00:30:34.419 --> 00:30:34.980 for peace 00:30:34.980 --> 00:30:35.299 in that 00:30:35.299 --> 00:30:35.740 nation 00:30:35.740 --> 00:30:37.319 Father we 00:30:37.319 --> 00:30:37.899 think of 00:30:37.899 --> 00:30:38.859 our own 00:30:38.859 --> 00:30:39.379 nation here 00:30:39.379 --> 00:30:39.799 of Scotland 00:30:39.799 --> 00:30:40.299 as well 00:30:40.299 --> 00:30:40.720 Father we 00:30:40.720 --> 00:30:41.199 pray for 00:30:41.199 --> 00:30:41.679 your people 00:30:41.679 --> 00:30:42.000 up and 00:30:42.000 --> 00:30:42.419 down this 00:30:42.419 --> 00:30:42.839 land 00:30:42.839 --> 00:30:44.240 Father we 00:30:44.240 --> 00:30:44.639 pray as 00:30:44.639 --> 00:30:44.879 well that 00:30:44.879 --> 00:30:45.019 you would 00:30:45.019 --> 00:30:45.460 just help 00:30:45.460 --> 00:30:45.960 us Lord 00:30:45.960 --> 00:30:46.500 to be able 00:30:46.500 --> 00:30:47.199 to love 00:30:47.199 --> 00:30:48.579 our neighbour 00:30:48.579 --> 00:30:49.519 Lord in 00:30:49.519 --> 00:30:50.079 word and 00:30:50.079 --> 00:30:50.319 deed 00:30:50.319 --> 00:30:51.079 Father help 00:30:51.079 --> 00:30:51.539 us to be 00:30:51.539 --> 00:30:51.839 able to 00:30:51.839 --> 00:30:52.599 serve and 00:30:52.599 --> 00:30:53.000 know how 00:30:53.000 --> 00:30:53.379 we can 00:30:53.379 --> 00:30:53.980 best serve 00:30:53.980 --> 00:30:54.339 Lord our 00:30:54.339 --> 00:30:54.659 local 00:30:54.659 --> 00:30:55.399 communities 00:30:55.399 --> 00:30:57.059 Father help 00:30:57.059 --> 00:30:57.839 us to 00:30:57.839 --> 00:30:58.319 seize 00:30:58.319 --> 00:30:58.980 opportunities 00:30:58.980 --> 00:30:59.720 to speak 00:30:59.720 --> 00:31:00.399 the good 00:31:00.399 --> 00:31:00.759 news of 00:31:00.759 --> 00:31:01.399 Jesus as 00:31:01.399 --> 00:31:01.679 well 00:31:01.679 --> 00:31:03.000 and Father we 00:31:03.000 --> 00:31:03.419 think of our 00:31:03.419 --> 00:31:03.879 own family 00:31:03.879 --> 00:31:04.240 here at 00:31:04.240 --> 00:31:04.779 Brunsfield 00:31:04.779 --> 00:31:06.179 Lord we 00:31:06.179 --> 00:31:06.599 pray that you 00:31:06.599 --> 00:31:07.000 would help 00:31:07.000 --> 00:31:07.740 us to 00:31:07.740 --> 00:31:08.319 display 00:31:08.319 --> 00:31:09.519 something of 00:31:09.519 --> 00:31:09.879 who you 00:31:09.879 --> 00:31:10.639 are to 00:31:10.639 --> 00:31:11.059 a watching 00:31:11.059 --> 00:31:11.419 world 00:31:11.419 --> 00:31:11.740 Lord we 00:31:11.740 --> 00:31:12.099 think of 00:31:12.099 --> 00:31:12.399 particularly 00:31:12.399 --> 00:31:12.819 maybe of 00:31:12.819 --> 00:31:13.240 our brothers 00:31:13.240 --> 00:31:13.720 and sisters 00:31:13.720 --> 00:31:14.019 who are 00:31:14.019 --> 00:31:14.699 struggling at 00:31:14.699 --> 00:31:15.220 this time 00:31:15.220 --> 00:31:16.460 Lord we 00:31:16.460 --> 00:31:16.799 think of 00:31:16.799 --> 00:31:17.220 those who 00:31:17.220 --> 00:31:18.019 are unwell 00:31:18.019 --> 00:31:18.839 we think 00:31:18.839 --> 00:31:19.600 of Finley 00:31:19.600 --> 00:31:20.819 Lord we 00:31:20.819 --> 00:31:21.319 think of 00:31:21.319 --> 00:31:22.039 Irene 00:31:22.039 --> 00:31:22.740 we think 00:31:22.740 --> 00:31:23.700 of Fiona 00:31:23.700 --> 00:31:24.180 and Ruth 00:31:24.180 --> 00:31:24.819 Ponton 00:31:24.819 --> 00:31:25.880 Lord we 00:31:25.880 --> 00:31:26.220 think of 00:31:26.220 --> 00:31:26.660 David 00:31:26.660 --> 00:31:27.039 Many 00:31:27.039 --> 00:31:27.900 continuing to 00:31:27.900 --> 00:31:28.799 recover from 00:31:28.799 --> 00:31:29.259 his surgery 00:31:29.259 --> 00:31:30.000 Father help 00:31:30.000 --> 00:31:30.460 us to be 00:31:30.460 --> 00:31:30.700 able to 00:31:30.700 --> 00:31:31.319 love one 00:31:31.319 --> 00:31:31.680 another 00:31:31.680 --> 00:31:32.200 well 00:31:32.200 --> 00:31:33.600 Father we 00:31:33.600 --> 00:31:33.980 pray that 00:31:33.980 --> 00:31:34.200 you would 00:31:34.200 --> 00:31:34.779 just continue 00:31:34.779 --> 00:31:35.440 to protect 00:31:35.440 --> 00:31:35.960 our unity 00:31:35.960 --> 00:31:36.460 as we move 00:31:36.460 --> 00:31:37.200 forward as 00:31:37.200 --> 00:31:37.620 a church 00:31:37.620 --> 00:31:38.079 as well 00:31:38.079 --> 00:31:39.880 so Lord I 00:31:39.880 --> 00:31:40.600 just pray that 00:31:40.600 --> 00:31:40.880 you would 00:31:40.880 --> 00:31:41.799 come and help 00:31:41.799 --> 00:31:42.279 us Lord 00:31:42.279 --> 00:31:43.140 grasp something 00:31:43.140 --> 00:31:44.039 more of what 00:31:44.039 --> 00:31:45.019 Jesus has 00:31:45.019 --> 00:31:45.480 done for 00:31:45.480 --> 00:31:45.799 us Lord 00:31:45.799 --> 00:31:46.400 may something 00:31:46.400 --> 00:31:47.400 of his 00:31:47.400 --> 00:31:49.039 character 00:31:49.039 --> 00:31:49.619 Lord who 00:31:49.619 --> 00:31:50.079 he is 00:31:50.079 --> 00:31:50.819 would you 00:31:50.819 --> 00:31:52.059 continue to 00:31:52.059 --> 00:31:52.940 transform us 00:31:52.940 --> 00:31:53.299 by your 00:31:53.299 --> 00:31:53.839 spirit into 00:31:53.839 --> 00:31:55.099 his likeness 00:31:55.099 --> 00:31:56.759 Father thank 00:31:56.759 --> 00:31:57.240 you for your 00:31:57.240 --> 00:31:57.660 great love 00:31:57.660 --> 00:31:58.160 for us 00:31:58.160 --> 00:31:59.619 Lord thank 00:31:59.619 --> 00:31:59.920 you that we 00:31:59.920 --> 00:32:00.480 can approach 00:32:00.480 --> 00:32:00.879 you in 00:32:00.879 --> 00:32:01.400 prayer knowing 00:32:01.400 --> 00:32:01.660 that you 00:32:01.660 --> 00:32:02.259 hear us 00:32:02.259 --> 00:32:03.259 and we 00:32:03.259 --> 00:32:03.799 pray these 00:32:03.799 --> 00:32:04.339 things in 00:32:04.339 --> 00:32:04.960 Jesus is 00:32:04.960 --> 00:32:05.740 worthy and 00:32:05.740 --> 00:32:06.059 in his 00:32:06.059 --> 00:32:07.079 precious name 00:32:07.079 --> 00:32:07.940 Amen