WEBVTT 00:00:00.900 --> 00:00:02.180 Well, good morning, everyone. 00:00:04.400 --> 00:00:07.700 If you've got a Bible with you, I don't know if you have, you might want to get it out 00:00:07.700 --> 00:00:12.320 and take some notes to make sure that what I'm speaking about is okay. 00:00:12.759 --> 00:00:15.339 And the words will actually be coming up on the screen as well. 00:00:16.320 --> 00:00:17.719 Let's just pray before I start. 00:00:18.980 --> 00:00:22.339 Yeah, dear Lord, I just ask now that you're just with us all, Lord, and that you'll speak 00:00:22.339 --> 00:00:25.199 through me on this challenging subject, Lord. 00:00:26.219 --> 00:00:26.580 Amen. 00:00:28.379 --> 00:00:28.820 Right. 00:00:28.820 --> 00:00:32.240 So, I've brought mine with me. 00:00:33.600 --> 00:00:40.020 I've got various versions that I've had to have for studying, but this is my favourite 00:00:40.020 --> 00:00:40.299 one. 00:00:40.420 --> 00:00:43.120 It was given to me about 10 years ago by a really good friend. 00:00:43.679 --> 00:00:44.700 It's a bit dog-eared. 00:00:45.000 --> 00:00:47.920 It's got kind of masking tape on it where I've broken it. 00:00:48.320 --> 00:00:51.980 It's got post-it notes in here, there and everywhere, but it's my favourite one. 00:00:53.320 --> 00:00:56.500 And what I'm holding today is something extraordinary. 00:00:56.500 --> 00:01:03.820 I'm holding a book that's more than 3,000 years old and a book that's illegal in several countries 00:01:03.820 --> 00:01:04.480 of the world. 00:01:04.480 --> 00:01:11.040 Just possessing a copy of this book a few centuries ago in Europe could have got us killed. 00:01:11.939 --> 00:01:17.700 And even today, if you've got a Bible, you're liable to arrest and beatings at the very least 00:01:17.700 --> 00:01:19.400 in some parts of the world. 00:01:19.400 --> 00:01:24.060 Yet it is by far a best-selling book worldwide. 00:01:25.060 --> 00:01:30.540 In all its versions, it is estimated that between two and a half and six billion copies have been 00:01:30.540 --> 00:01:30.960 sold. 00:01:30.959 --> 00:01:36.759 And at least parts of this book are available in over 2,000 languages. 00:01:37.579 --> 00:01:39.219 So I'm holding a miracle. 00:01:40.579 --> 00:01:41.979 Something really extraordinary. 00:01:44.819 --> 00:01:50.000 And it's something that we can hear God's voice through any time, anywhere. 00:01:50.619 --> 00:01:52.739 A bit like the martini advert that you said last week. 00:01:52.739 --> 00:02:02.319 So as you know, our topic this morning is our series on Christian disciplines, is regular 00:02:02.319 --> 00:02:03.179 Bible study. 00:02:03.879 --> 00:02:09.519 And a question, how do we commit to regularly studying God's word? 00:02:09.520 --> 00:02:16.060 If we go way back to the religious reformation which took place across Europe in the 16th and 00:02:16.060 --> 00:02:23.300 into the 17th century, the great driving force behind that reformation, I think, can be reviewed 00:02:23.300 --> 00:02:25.620 as rediscovering the Bible. 00:02:26.640 --> 00:02:32.280 The Bible was taken out of the hands of corrupt people, the elite, and put it into the hands 00:02:32.280 --> 00:02:33.520 of ordinary people. 00:02:34.060 --> 00:02:36.640 And it was translated into everyday language. 00:02:36.639 --> 00:02:43.839 And this availability was made much more wider due to the newly invented printing press and 00:02:43.839 --> 00:02:51.119 also to ministers committing to preaching the word and explaining what the text meant in 00:02:51.119 --> 00:02:52.599 a language that people can understand. 00:02:53.699 --> 00:02:58.419 And this upheaval utterly changed the social landscape of Europe at that time. 00:02:59.359 --> 00:03:06.259 But for this sermon, I want to go way back much further to a much earlier rediscovery of 00:03:06.259 --> 00:03:08.639 the Bible than the time of the Reformation. 00:03:09.679 --> 00:03:17.019 I want to have a look at the passage that Cherries just read earlier from 2 Kings chapter 23. 00:03:17.719 --> 00:03:24.199 And these events took place during the reign of King Josiah in Jerusalem in 622 BC. 00:03:25.219 --> 00:03:30.919 So King Josiah at that time was 26 years old and he'd been king since he was eight. 00:03:30.919 --> 00:03:36.119 And he was well known as being one of the godliest kings Israel ever had. 00:03:36.579 --> 00:03:41.859 Which is really lovely because, to be honest, Kings is full of a really bad king, then a really 00:03:41.859 --> 00:03:43.679 worse king, and then a really evil king. 00:03:43.779 --> 00:03:47.099 And it's like quite depressing, but actually this is quite a good period of time. 00:03:48.019 --> 00:03:50.099 So praise God for that. 00:03:50.099 --> 00:03:55.739 So if you look a little bit earlier in chapter 22, verse 2, it talks about him and it says, 00:03:56.139 --> 00:04:01.240 he did what was right in the eyes of the Lord and walked in all the ways of his father David, 00:04:01.500 --> 00:04:04.659 not turning aside to the right or to the left. 00:04:05.459 --> 00:04:06.560 So he was a great king. 00:04:08.039 --> 00:04:14.299 Unfortunately, Josiah's reign followed close behind the terrible reign of King Manasseh, 00:04:14.300 --> 00:04:17.980 who was known as the evilest king that Israel had ever had. 00:04:18.600 --> 00:04:25.100 So he had ruled for 55 years and under him, the whole nation had completely turned away from God. 00:04:25.439 --> 00:04:31.400 He destroyed the temple in Jerusalem and he built shrines and altars to idols all over the land. 00:04:32.080 --> 00:04:38.319 And somewhere during that part of his reign, the book of the law, or the Bible that they had at that time, was lost. 00:04:38.980 --> 00:04:42.220 So when Josiah became king, he decided to restore the temple. 00:04:42.220 --> 00:04:49.820 And in the course of that restoration, the book of the law was rediscovered, which you can read about in chapter 22. 00:04:50.580 --> 00:04:54.500 So Josiah was completely convicted by what he hears, what he's read, 00:04:54.760 --> 00:04:59.040 and he decides that he must rededicate himself and the people to God. 00:04:59.520 --> 00:05:03.740 And that's what happens here in chapter 23, verses 1 to 3. 00:05:04.580 --> 00:05:08.040 So can we have that on the screen, Terry, if you can? 00:05:08.580 --> 00:05:08.840 Brilliant. 00:05:08.839 --> 00:05:21.120 So, if you have a look through, and if you've listened, one thing you can see is that the word all occurs quite a lot. 00:05:21.799 --> 00:05:24.620 And that's really what I want to structure my talk about today. 00:05:24.819 --> 00:05:25.519 Three points. 00:05:26.579 --> 00:05:31.579 All the people, all the words, and all the heart and soul. 00:05:31.579 --> 00:05:33.939 So first of all, all the people. 00:05:34.740 --> 00:05:35.560 All the people. 00:05:36.099 --> 00:05:40.099 First committing to studying God's word involves all of us. 00:05:41.500 --> 00:05:43.159 In verse 1 it says, 00:05:43.579 --> 00:05:46.560 Then the king called together all the elders of Judah and Jerusalem. 00:05:47.219 --> 00:05:52.439 He went up to the temple of the Lord with the men of Judah, the people of Jerusalem, the priests and the prophets, 00:05:53.060 --> 00:05:55.379 all the people from the least to the greatest. 00:05:56.419 --> 00:05:59.560 And then at the end of verse 3, we find all the people again. 00:05:59.560 --> 00:06:09.759 The writer is really trying to get it into our brains that we know that all the people from the least to the greatest were present at the reading of the book. 00:06:10.160 --> 00:06:12.300 This is fundamental to our faith. 00:06:12.459 --> 00:06:16.100 This Bible that we've got is for all people. 00:06:16.959 --> 00:06:24.300 Biblical understanding and interpretation of it is never limited just to an elite, top, really clever class of Christian. 00:06:24.300 --> 00:06:34.400 All of us as believers have both the great privilege but also the great responsibility of seeking out God's word for him or herself. 00:06:35.520 --> 00:06:38.120 Of course, some are better equipped to do this than others. 00:06:39.500 --> 00:06:39.960 Allegedly. 00:06:40.519 --> 00:06:42.120 Some are theologically trained. 00:06:42.360 --> 00:06:44.420 Some are really gifted and called to be teachers. 00:06:45.420 --> 00:06:49.819 But biblical truth and interpretation is not for an exclusive group of people. 00:06:49.819 --> 00:06:54.639 Every single one of us has access to the truth for ourselves. 00:06:55.040 --> 00:06:57.300 We don't just leave this to the professionals. 00:06:58.279 --> 00:07:00.779 Because if we don't study the Bible for ourselves, 00:07:01.120 --> 00:07:04.939 if we just basically come here on a Sunday, listen to what Clive or Russ says, 00:07:05.159 --> 00:07:07.379 and then we leave it and then we come back next week, 00:07:07.659 --> 00:07:09.159 we're really missing out. 00:07:09.160 --> 00:07:18.580 However, committing to regularly reading the Bible recognises that every one of us has a stake in the understanding of the Bible 00:07:18.580 --> 00:07:20.480 and hearing God through it. 00:07:21.300 --> 00:07:24.000 And people have died to make this possible again for us. 00:07:24.840 --> 00:07:27.060 Perhaps you know the story of William Tyndale. 00:07:27.260 --> 00:07:30.160 It's a very famous Bible, the Tyndale Bible. 00:07:30.620 --> 00:07:34.900 To take a well-known example, he was burned at the stake in 1536. 00:07:36.040 --> 00:07:39.040 Although they did the kindness of actually strangling him first. 00:07:40.140 --> 00:07:47.460 Tyndale's life work was to translate the Bible from the original Hebrew and Greek into common English that everyone could understand. 00:07:48.200 --> 00:07:52.560 And he had a passion for placing the word into the ordinary hands of ordinary people. 00:07:53.480 --> 00:07:54.760 His work wasn't in vain. 00:07:55.680 --> 00:07:59.860 And his translation makes up about 80% of the authorised version. 00:08:00.800 --> 00:08:03.300 Published more than 70 years after his death. 00:08:03.300 --> 00:08:06.700 And it's widely been available and distributed. 00:08:06.699 --> 00:08:07.180 Distributed. 00:08:08.279 --> 00:08:10.899 So we all need to commit to studying the Bible ourselves. 00:08:11.240 --> 00:08:14.139 It's fundamental to us as Christians and our discipleship. 00:08:14.779 --> 00:08:17.920 There are millions of Christian believers all around the world today. 00:08:18.060 --> 00:08:20.899 And countries like China, North Korea and many others. 00:08:20.899 --> 00:08:24.479 Who have very limited or no access to the Bible at all. 00:08:24.759 --> 00:08:26.859 Up to 50 million in China alone. 00:08:27.439 --> 00:08:30.139 We are so fortunate here to be able to read it freely. 00:08:31.060 --> 00:08:35.379 There are really great Christian charities such as the Bible Society and Open Doors. 00:08:35.939 --> 00:08:40.939 That make sure that people get the copies of the Bible into their hands worldwide. 00:08:41.600 --> 00:08:43.059 And I would recommend them to you. 00:08:43.059 --> 00:08:50.439 But I do wonder sometimes if it's easier to support charities getting the word out there. 00:08:50.839 --> 00:08:55.299 Than actually committing ourselves to it back here in the UK. 00:08:56.759 --> 00:08:58.939 So we all need to be committed to the Bible. 00:08:59.139 --> 00:09:01.059 It involves all the people. 00:09:01.259 --> 00:09:02.099 And that means you. 00:09:02.259 --> 00:09:03.259 And that means me. 00:09:03.439 --> 00:09:04.179 Whoever we are. 00:09:04.179 --> 00:09:11.120 Over the centuries God led dozens of his greatest saints through immense persecution and agonising deaths. 00:09:11.359 --> 00:09:15.239 So that you and I might have the privilege of hearing and understanding his voice. 00:09:15.939 --> 00:09:18.079 So I really think if we neglect this. 00:09:18.639 --> 00:09:19.879 It's a bit criminal really. 00:09:20.819 --> 00:09:23.279 So maybe as I'm talking and this week. 00:09:23.519 --> 00:09:25.679 We can think about what more we can do. 00:09:26.099 --> 00:09:28.579 To get more of God's word into our lives. 00:09:32.000 --> 00:09:33.179 The second thing. 00:09:34.179 --> 00:09:35.479 Is all the words. 00:09:36.979 --> 00:09:38.799 This can be a bit tricky I find. 00:09:40.539 --> 00:09:41.539 Committing to the Bible. 00:09:42.279 --> 00:09:44.739 Is being prepared to read the whole thing. 00:09:45.219 --> 00:09:46.579 Not just the New Testament. 00:09:46.819 --> 00:09:48.199 But actually the whole Bible. 00:09:48.479 --> 00:09:49.339 And all its words. 00:09:50.659 --> 00:09:52.620 In verse 2 of chapter 3 it said. 00:09:53.339 --> 00:09:56.120 He read in their hearing all the words of the book of the covenant. 00:09:56.319 --> 00:09:58.379 Which had been found in the temple of the Lord. 00:10:00.500 --> 00:10:00.939 Admittedly. 00:10:01.039 --> 00:10:02.779 The Bible that Josiah had. 00:10:02.779 --> 00:10:04.220 Was quite a bit shorter. 00:10:04.459 --> 00:10:06.079 Than the Bibles that we have today. 00:10:06.459 --> 00:10:09.500 It may well have just been the first five books of our Bibles. 00:10:09.500 --> 00:10:10.959 Or it may have only been. 00:10:11.039 --> 00:10:12.500 They reckon the book of Deuteronomy. 00:10:12.879 --> 00:10:14.539 But the writer is keen here. 00:10:14.620 --> 00:10:17.240 That we know that Josiah read all of them. 00:10:17.519 --> 00:10:18.679 And read all the words. 00:10:18.679 --> 00:10:22.959 Now not only is the book of Deuteronomy. 00:10:22.959 --> 00:10:23.219 Sorry. 00:10:23.319 --> 00:10:24.799 A bit heavy going at times. 00:10:25.199 --> 00:10:27.579 And it's got a bit of a whole bunch of curses. 00:10:27.799 --> 00:10:29.120 And a few unpleasantnesses. 00:10:29.199 --> 00:10:30.779 And laws and regulations in there. 00:10:31.179 --> 00:10:31.879 And frankly. 00:10:32.079 --> 00:10:33.039 It might have been better. 00:10:33.120 --> 00:10:33.719 We might think. 00:10:33.799 --> 00:10:35.219 For Josiah to just give them a. 00:10:35.579 --> 00:10:36.639 Edited highlights. 00:10:36.779 --> 00:10:37.899 A quick summary maybe. 00:10:38.179 --> 00:10:39.139 Or some bullet points. 00:10:39.139 --> 00:10:41.599 On a really exciting PowerPoint slide. 00:10:42.319 --> 00:10:43.339 But Josiah knows. 00:10:43.439 --> 00:10:44.459 That a commitment to the Bible. 00:10:44.599 --> 00:10:46.219 Is a commitment to all its words. 00:10:46.220 --> 00:10:48.100 Because they are all God's words. 00:10:48.899 --> 00:10:50.860 And our Bible reading is deficient. 00:10:51.440 --> 00:10:53.360 If we just content ourselves. 00:10:53.360 --> 00:10:54.879 With reading our favourite books. 00:10:54.920 --> 00:10:55.920 Or our favourite passages. 00:10:56.220 --> 00:10:57.580 And not the whole book. 00:10:59.779 --> 00:11:01.320 Sometimes it can be difficult. 00:11:01.320 --> 00:11:02.259 To read the whole thing. 00:11:02.920 --> 00:11:04.279 But we can't just skip it. 00:11:04.519 --> 00:11:06.279 Because bits of it seem dull. 00:11:06.340 --> 00:11:06.840 Or difficult. 00:11:07.220 --> 00:11:08.899 Or irrelevant to our lives today. 00:11:09.379 --> 00:11:10.660 Or they teach doctrines. 00:11:10.660 --> 00:11:11.420 That we struggle with. 00:11:12.080 --> 00:11:13.700 We need to really read it. 00:11:13.779 --> 00:11:14.680 To study it. 00:11:14.960 --> 00:11:16.200 Maybe use study Bibles. 00:11:16.220 --> 00:11:17.379 And commentaries. 00:11:17.540 --> 00:11:19.019 As we seek to really wrestle. 00:11:19.019 --> 00:11:20.019 With those words. 00:11:20.639 --> 00:11:22.320 And see what God. 00:11:22.460 --> 00:11:23.500 Is saying to us today. 00:11:24.500 --> 00:11:25.360 So to help. 00:11:25.440 --> 00:11:26.100 It's really helpful. 00:11:26.100 --> 00:11:27.759 To have a Bible reading plan. 00:11:28.500 --> 00:11:29.399 As individuals. 00:11:29.660 --> 00:11:30.379 And as a church. 00:11:30.759 --> 00:11:31.860 Something that over time. 00:11:31.960 --> 00:11:32.560 Takes us through. 00:11:32.660 --> 00:11:33.500 The whole range. 00:11:33.560 --> 00:11:34.399 Of Bible material. 00:11:35.120 --> 00:11:36.259 We don't need to read it all. 00:11:36.300 --> 00:11:37.180 At once of course. 00:11:37.300 --> 00:11:38.040 But over time. 00:11:38.100 --> 00:11:38.800 We should be aiming. 00:11:39.000 --> 00:11:39.840 For something deeper. 00:11:40.200 --> 00:11:41.440 Than a few little verses. 00:11:42.340 --> 00:11:44.040 It's all God's word to us. 00:11:44.039 --> 00:11:45.459 Not just our favourite. 00:11:45.459 --> 00:11:46.779 Or well-known ones. 00:11:47.480 --> 00:11:48.699 He has so much more. 00:11:48.779 --> 00:11:49.480 To say to us. 00:11:50.019 --> 00:11:51.539 And there's plenty of help available. 00:11:51.679 --> 00:11:53.120 Including apps you can get now. 00:11:53.179 --> 00:11:53.719 On your phone. 00:11:53.839 --> 00:11:54.620 As well as books. 00:11:55.899 --> 00:11:56.779 And finally. 00:11:57.199 --> 00:11:57.919 All the heart. 00:11:58.919 --> 00:11:59.779 And all the soul. 00:12:00.899 --> 00:12:01.379 Committing. 00:12:01.799 --> 00:12:03.139 To studying God's word. 00:12:04.039 --> 00:12:04.839 We have to do it. 00:12:04.879 --> 00:12:06.079 With all of our heart. 00:12:06.179 --> 00:12:07.099 And all of our soul. 00:12:07.100 --> 00:12:08.500 So again. 00:12:08.580 --> 00:12:09.659 If we look at verse 3. 00:12:09.899 --> 00:12:10.240 It says. 00:12:10.360 --> 00:12:11.800 The king stood by the pillar. 00:12:12.460 --> 00:12:13.540 And renewed the covenant. 00:12:13.639 --> 00:12:14.680 In the presence of the Lord. 00:12:14.759 --> 00:12:15.800 To follow the Lord. 00:12:15.899 --> 00:12:16.960 And keep his commands. 00:12:17.680 --> 00:12:18.159 Regulations. 00:12:18.320 --> 00:12:19.019 And decrees. 00:12:19.019 --> 00:12:20.279 With all his heart. 00:12:20.659 --> 00:12:21.740 And all his soul. 00:12:21.980 --> 00:12:23.980 So this is about application. 00:12:24.460 --> 00:12:25.540 Applying God's word. 00:12:25.620 --> 00:12:26.659 To our daily lives. 00:12:27.120 --> 00:12:27.899 Committing to the Bible. 00:12:28.019 --> 00:12:29.139 Means that we seek to apply. 00:12:29.240 --> 00:12:29.920 What it says. 00:12:30.639 --> 00:12:31.399 To our lives. 00:12:31.680 --> 00:12:33.860 Not just letting God's living word. 00:12:33.940 --> 00:12:35.000 Enter into our head. 00:12:35.000 --> 00:12:37.179 But actually into our heart. 00:12:37.340 --> 00:12:38.240 And into our soul. 00:12:38.679 --> 00:12:39.840 So that it's life changing. 00:12:39.960 --> 00:12:40.860 And transformational. 00:12:41.779 --> 00:12:42.259 Josiah. 00:12:42.480 --> 00:12:44.080 Maybe had only read Deuteronomy. 00:12:44.399 --> 00:12:45.740 Which is widely regarded. 00:12:45.899 --> 00:12:46.679 Along with Leviticus. 00:12:47.259 --> 00:12:49.460 As being one of the least exciting parts. 00:12:49.539 --> 00:12:49.940 Of the Bible. 00:12:50.840 --> 00:12:51.879 Yet as he read it. 00:12:52.019 --> 00:12:52.820 It caused him. 00:12:52.919 --> 00:12:54.139 To tear his clothes. 00:12:54.240 --> 00:12:55.480 And weep in anguish. 00:12:55.820 --> 00:12:57.039 It turned his life. 00:12:57.139 --> 00:12:57.860 Upside down. 00:12:58.379 --> 00:12:59.740 So how much more. 00:13:00.419 --> 00:13:01.559 The complete Bible. 00:13:01.559 --> 00:13:02.279 That we've got. 00:13:02.360 --> 00:13:03.360 Should speak to our hearts. 00:13:03.360 --> 00:13:03.940 And souls. 00:13:03.940 --> 00:13:05.740 How should it change our lives. 00:13:06.360 --> 00:13:07.560 We have in our hands. 00:13:07.640 --> 00:13:08.620 The whole story. 00:13:08.740 --> 00:13:10.160 Of God's plan to save us. 00:13:10.520 --> 00:13:11.980 Not just a little snapshot. 00:13:12.200 --> 00:13:12.720 Or a glimpse. 00:13:12.840 --> 00:13:13.900 But the whole thing. 00:13:14.600 --> 00:13:15.600 Culminating in Jesus. 00:13:15.780 --> 00:13:16.680 His own son. 00:13:16.740 --> 00:13:17.660 Who died for us. 00:13:18.480 --> 00:13:19.980 And if our Bible reading. 00:13:20.180 --> 00:13:21.460 Is not causing us. 00:13:22.320 --> 00:13:23.200 To weep. 00:13:23.280 --> 00:13:23.960 Or rejoice. 00:13:24.120 --> 00:13:25.280 Or actually change. 00:13:25.280 --> 00:13:26.420 Any parts of our lives. 00:13:26.460 --> 00:13:27.480 Then we're not doing it right. 00:13:28.540 --> 00:13:29.420 It should engage. 00:13:29.420 --> 00:13:30.540 Our heart and our soul. 00:13:30.539 --> 00:13:32.759 No part of our life. 00:13:32.879 --> 00:13:33.620 Is out of scope. 00:13:33.699 --> 00:13:34.360 For God's word. 00:13:35.319 --> 00:13:36.559 And the same goes together. 00:13:37.059 --> 00:13:37.120 For. 00:13:37.579 --> 00:13:37.699 Sorry. 00:13:37.819 --> 00:13:38.480 The same goes. 00:13:38.539 --> 00:13:39.319 For our life together. 00:13:39.319 --> 00:13:40.059 As a church. 00:13:40.559 --> 00:13:41.319 God's word. 00:13:42.299 --> 00:13:43.360 It should inform us. 00:13:43.459 --> 00:13:44.419 Word and spirit. 00:13:45.019 --> 00:13:46.279 To guide every aspect. 00:13:46.279 --> 00:13:47.179 Of our lives together. 00:13:48.179 --> 00:13:48.620 Therefore. 00:13:48.919 --> 00:13:49.799 If we all commit. 00:13:49.879 --> 00:13:50.259 To the Bible. 00:13:50.259 --> 00:13:50.980 As a church. 00:13:51.819 --> 00:13:52.819 Those who are any kind. 00:13:52.819 --> 00:13:53.639 Of leadership. 00:13:53.639 --> 00:13:54.620 Or ministry here. 00:13:54.719 --> 00:13:55.500 Whether you're paid. 00:13:55.500 --> 00:13:56.099 Or voluntary. 00:13:56.100 --> 00:13:57.820 We all need to have. 00:13:58.200 --> 00:13:58.860 An understanding. 00:13:59.139 --> 00:13:59.740 Of the Bible. 00:14:00.000 --> 00:14:01.180 What God's saying to us. 00:14:01.300 --> 00:14:02.000 And to obey it. 00:14:02.740 --> 00:14:03.920 So a radical commitment. 00:14:03.920 --> 00:14:04.519 To the Bible. 00:14:04.759 --> 00:14:05.639 Is with all our heart. 00:14:05.740 --> 00:14:06.480 And all our soul. 00:14:07.259 --> 00:14:08.300 So as I finish. 00:14:09.180 --> 00:14:09.779 I remember. 00:14:09.899 --> 00:14:10.759 A few years ago. 00:14:11.399 --> 00:14:12.460 David Cramoran. 00:14:13.100 --> 00:14:14.779 Describing his Christian faith. 00:14:14.820 --> 00:14:15.519 Like this. 00:14:16.259 --> 00:14:17.779 My own faith is there. 00:14:18.139 --> 00:14:19.220 It's not always a rock. 00:14:19.300 --> 00:14:20.320 That perhaps it should be. 00:14:20.740 --> 00:14:21.980 I've got a sort of. 00:14:22.080 --> 00:14:22.820 Fairly classical. 00:14:22.820 --> 00:14:24.120 Church of England faith. 00:14:24.500 --> 00:14:25.840 A faith that grows hotter. 00:14:25.840 --> 00:14:27.320 And cold by moments. 00:14:28.600 --> 00:14:29.780 So I wonder what he meant. 00:14:29.860 --> 00:14:31.080 By a classic. 00:14:31.080 --> 00:14:32.360 Church of England faith. 00:14:33.100 --> 00:14:34.840 I think it's a caricature. 00:14:35.280 --> 00:14:36.240 It's not necessarily. 00:14:36.399 --> 00:14:38.019 Not necessarily representative. 00:14:38.639 --> 00:14:40.019 Of quite a few of the churches. 00:14:40.019 --> 00:14:40.460 I know. 00:14:40.600 --> 00:14:41.720 Maybe it is of some. 00:14:41.940 --> 00:14:42.800 But quite a few. 00:14:42.920 --> 00:14:43.379 It's not. 00:14:44.220 --> 00:14:45.620 But I expect he means. 00:14:46.019 --> 00:14:46.940 An unthreatening. 00:14:46.940 --> 00:14:47.840 Sort of faith. 00:14:49.639 --> 00:14:50.759 A faith that maybe. 00:14:50.920 --> 00:14:52.060 We just kind of keep God. 00:14:52.160 --> 00:14:52.860 At arm's length. 00:14:53.759 --> 00:14:54.360 It kind of. 00:14:54.460 --> 00:14:55.320 We keep it in a box. 00:14:55.320 --> 00:14:56.340 It doesn't really change. 00:14:56.340 --> 00:14:57.020 Our behaviours. 00:14:57.080 --> 00:14:57.680 Or our thoughts. 00:14:57.760 --> 00:14:58.460 And we confine it. 00:14:58.500 --> 00:14:59.200 To Sunday mornings. 00:15:00.200 --> 00:15:01.280 A faith that doesn't really. 00:15:01.280 --> 00:15:02.200 Make any demands. 00:15:02.200 --> 00:15:03.320 On the rest of our life. 00:15:04.060 --> 00:15:04.920 And above all. 00:15:05.020 --> 00:15:06.020 A faith that is deeply. 00:15:06.020 --> 00:15:06.540 Suspicious. 00:15:06.740 --> 00:15:07.220 Of anything. 00:15:07.660 --> 00:15:08.780 That looks a bit radical. 00:15:09.900 --> 00:15:10.480 Of course. 00:15:10.480 --> 00:15:11.900 This is a terrible stereotype. 00:15:12.580 --> 00:15:13.520 Some of my best friends. 00:15:13.520 --> 00:15:14.000 Are vicars. 00:15:14.560 --> 00:15:15.260 No really they are. 00:15:15.780 --> 00:15:16.540 But I suspect. 00:15:16.700 --> 00:15:17.420 That's what meant. 00:15:17.520 --> 00:15:18.260 By a classic. 00:15:18.260 --> 00:15:19.340 Church of England faith. 00:15:19.500 --> 00:15:19.800 Is that. 00:15:19.799 --> 00:15:21.679 So my question to you. 00:15:21.819 --> 00:15:23.399 And perhaps a question to ponder. 00:15:24.199 --> 00:15:25.519 Is do we want to be. 00:15:25.599 --> 00:15:26.659 That sort of church. 00:15:27.240 --> 00:15:28.979 Or a church that makes a difference. 00:15:28.979 --> 00:15:29.679 In the world. 00:15:30.339 --> 00:15:31.639 If we just want to be. 00:15:31.759 --> 00:15:32.659 Kind of a nice. 00:15:32.979 --> 00:15:33.799 Comfort blanket. 00:15:33.799 --> 00:15:34.719 Kind of a church. 00:15:34.959 --> 00:15:36.259 Then we can just leave. 00:15:36.439 --> 00:15:37.219 The bible study. 00:15:37.399 --> 00:15:38.519 And the bible reading. 00:15:38.740 --> 00:15:39.379 To a few. 00:15:40.279 --> 00:15:41.479 If we just stick to a few. 00:15:41.639 --> 00:15:42.620 Bible sound bites. 00:15:43.339 --> 00:15:43.879 In our reading. 00:15:43.979 --> 00:15:44.519 And our preaching. 00:15:45.079 --> 00:15:46.279 We can just forget. 00:15:46.500 --> 00:15:47.139 Making a difference. 00:15:47.139 --> 00:15:49.600 But if we want to be a church. 00:15:49.600 --> 00:15:51.120 That truly hears God's word. 00:15:51.319 --> 00:15:52.299 And does his work. 00:15:52.399 --> 00:15:52.860 In the world. 00:15:52.960 --> 00:15:53.980 A radical church. 00:15:54.399 --> 00:15:55.720 Then let's be like Josiah. 00:15:55.840 --> 00:15:56.779 And like the reformers. 00:15:57.019 --> 00:15:58.279 Let's commit ourselves. 00:15:58.620 --> 00:15:59.679 Every one of us. 00:16:00.159 --> 00:16:01.419 To hearing God's world. 00:16:01.939 --> 00:16:02.600 God's word. 00:16:02.699 --> 00:16:02.899 Sorry. 00:16:03.740 --> 00:16:04.659 All the people. 00:16:05.220 --> 00:16:06.019 All the words. 00:16:06.600 --> 00:16:07.419 And with our heart. 00:16:07.620 --> 00:16:08.000 And soul. 00:16:08.899 --> 00:16:09.899 Some examples. 00:16:11.200 --> 00:16:12.840 That you might want to use. 00:16:13.000 --> 00:16:14.799 Some of you may have some really great ones already. 00:16:15.240 --> 00:16:15.919 I've just noticed. 00:16:16.039 --> 00:16:17.120 We've got cover to cover. 00:16:18.100 --> 00:16:19.159 Bible in one year. 00:16:19.620 --> 00:16:20.519 Unlocking the bible. 00:16:21.100 --> 00:16:22.120 The gospel coalition. 00:16:22.279 --> 00:16:23.460 They've got a brilliant reading plan. 00:16:23.539 --> 00:16:24.939 You can just google and download. 00:16:25.340 --> 00:16:26.500 Which goes through weeks. 00:16:26.500 --> 00:16:28.600 And books to read. 00:16:28.659 --> 00:16:29.439 Which is really helpful. 00:16:29.919 --> 00:16:31.379 And please do come and chat. 00:16:31.519 --> 00:16:32.460 To Clive or myself. 00:16:32.559 --> 00:16:32.919 Or Russ. 00:16:32.939 --> 00:16:34.220 If you want any more information. 00:16:36.240 --> 00:16:36.879 So yeah. 00:16:37.179 --> 00:16:38.699 So that's what it will look like. 00:16:39.240 --> 00:16:40.059 So I think it'll be just good. 00:16:40.120 --> 00:16:41.759 To finish off with a prayer. 00:16:42.279 --> 00:16:43.460 As we think about this. 00:16:43.519 --> 00:16:44.480 And see how we can. 00:16:44.620 --> 00:16:45.799 Commit ourselves to this. 00:16:45.799 --> 00:16:48.019 Just close your eyes. 00:16:50.599 --> 00:16:51.639 Come Holy Spirit. 00:16:55.259 --> 00:16:56.199 So dear Lord. 00:16:56.759 --> 00:16:58.899 We're sorry that in this busy world. 00:16:58.899 --> 00:17:01.779 We often don't spend enough time with you. 00:17:01.779 --> 00:17:02.639 And your words. 00:17:02.639 --> 00:17:03.879 And listening to you. 00:17:05.059 --> 00:17:06.399 So first of all Lord. 00:17:06.559 --> 00:17:07.259 I pray. 00:17:07.940 --> 00:17:10.099 That you would want us to want to. 00:17:10.379 --> 00:17:11.460 Commit to you Lord. 00:17:11.559 --> 00:17:12.839 And commit to reading your word. 00:17:13.059 --> 00:17:14.359 I pray for a hunger. 00:17:14.740 --> 00:17:15.579 For your word. 00:17:16.099 --> 00:17:17.940 As it says in Psalm 103. 00:17:18.660 --> 00:17:20.759 How sweet are your words to my taste. 00:17:21.299 --> 00:17:22.960 Sweeter than honey to my mouth. 00:17:22.960 --> 00:17:27.279 So help us with this Lord. 00:17:28.120 --> 00:17:29.600 Maybe just ask him now. 00:17:29.980 --> 00:17:31.340 To give you that hunger. 00:17:40.140 --> 00:17:40.900 And Lord. 00:17:41.140 --> 00:17:42.259 Help us to think of. 00:17:43.000 --> 00:17:44.460 How this might work. 00:17:44.460 --> 00:17:47.920 To set some kind of time in our day. 00:17:47.920 --> 00:17:49.079 That works for us. 00:17:50.360 --> 00:17:51.380 Maybe in the morning. 00:17:51.480 --> 00:17:53.140 Before the busyness of the day begins. 00:17:53.960 --> 00:17:55.279 Or maybe in the evening. 00:17:55.960 --> 00:17:57.440 When we can review our day. 00:17:57.759 --> 00:17:58.480 And talk to you. 00:18:01.180 --> 00:18:02.059 And also Lord. 00:18:02.120 --> 00:18:03.180 Give us a good strategy. 00:18:04.380 --> 00:18:05.840 To regularly and consistently. 00:18:05.840 --> 00:18:06.920 Read your word. 00:18:06.920 --> 00:18:11.120 And that we may be open. 00:18:11.259 --> 00:18:12.539 To what you've got to say to us. 00:18:14.340 --> 00:18:16.600 Help us turn our hearts to you Lord. 00:18:16.700 --> 00:18:17.320 Each day. 00:18:18.700 --> 00:18:21.080 And help God against other distractions. 00:18:23.420 --> 00:18:25.000 Ask this in your name Jesus. 00:18:25.880 --> 00:18:26.220 Amen.