WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:05.179 Well, good morning. Keep your Bibles open there at Ephesians chapter 4. 00:00:05.520 --> 00:00:11.140 And I've got a sermon outline as well, which you can get on the St. Paul's app, 00:00:11.179 --> 00:00:12.900 or if you want one in your hand, there's one there. 00:00:13.419 --> 00:00:20.780 And I'm probably following something along that, but who knows, after 17 hours on a flight, we'll see how we go. 00:00:22.460 --> 00:00:27.580 Our world has changed quite a lot in the past 75 to 80 years. 00:00:28.439 --> 00:00:37.379 For instance, our consumer mentality since the end of World War II has had a positive impact 00:00:37.379 --> 00:00:44.920 in that it's helped us kick industry along really well in such a way that the standard of living has risen not just in the West, 00:00:45.039 --> 00:00:46.920 but in fact in the world generally. 00:00:48.259 --> 00:00:54.219 But the same mentality has also had quite a detrimental impact on society. 00:00:54.219 --> 00:01:01.500 Classic example of this is the shift that's happened in advertising and in, for instance, 00:01:01.619 --> 00:01:07.500 as one example, military recruitment advertising since World War II today. 00:01:07.680 --> 00:01:11.079 And it gives you a picture of the way society has moved. 00:01:11.200 --> 00:01:17.000 During World War II, you may have been familiar with this if you were there, which you probably weren't. 00:01:17.000 --> 00:01:21.219 But during World War II, there was advertising like, 00:01:21.620 --> 00:01:25.060 Uncle Sam wants you in the US. 00:01:25.140 --> 00:01:26.180 You've got this sort of stuff. 00:01:26.659 --> 00:01:27.439 I want you. 00:01:27.900 --> 00:01:31.760 Another one was the call to duty, 00:01:32.760 --> 00:01:35.400 to join the army for home and country. 00:01:35.740 --> 00:01:36.539 It's my duty. 00:01:36.900 --> 00:01:37.659 I'm doing it. 00:01:37.719 --> 00:01:38.539 Are you doing it? 00:01:39.039 --> 00:01:42.180 So it's a guilt people into fulfillment of a duty. 00:01:42.180 --> 00:01:49.520 So you sign up and you fulfill your duty to country, to the nation for the good of humanity, 00:01:49.840 --> 00:01:51.920 unless, of course, you are a woman. 00:01:53.060 --> 00:01:55.140 And then in that case, the advertising was, 00:01:55.260 --> 00:01:58.040 I wish I was a man so that I could fulfill my duty. 00:01:59.420 --> 00:02:01.240 I'm making no comment on that whatsoever. 00:02:02.640 --> 00:02:06.640 Similar advertising operated throughout the United States, 00:02:06.719 --> 00:02:10.920 like the UK, Australia, New Zealand, other places like that. 00:02:10.919 --> 00:02:14.039 Now, military advertising is this. 00:02:15.199 --> 00:02:16.199 Be number one. 00:02:17.359 --> 00:02:18.280 It's about you. 00:02:18.399 --> 00:02:19.699 It's focused on you. 00:02:20.639 --> 00:02:25.779 Or you be all you can be and come and join the armed forces. 00:02:26.459 --> 00:02:27.339 We need you. 00:02:27.399 --> 00:02:32.159 And in its worst case, there's this running in the United Kingdom at the moment. 00:02:33.419 --> 00:02:35.500 You, me, me, me, millennials out there, 00:02:35.739 --> 00:02:39.279 the military needs you for your self-belief. 00:02:39.280 --> 00:02:45.460 We're desperate for you, you-centered people to come and be part of us. 00:02:46.439 --> 00:02:48.039 We are lost without you. 00:02:48.280 --> 00:02:49.420 Be all you can be. 00:02:49.620 --> 00:02:50.800 And it's no longer about duty. 00:02:50.900 --> 00:02:52.120 It's no longer about anyone else. 00:02:52.460 --> 00:02:54.879 It's no longer about society, about your country. 00:02:55.219 --> 00:02:56.680 It's about you. 00:02:58.000 --> 00:03:00.819 Advertisement is you focus. 00:03:01.900 --> 00:03:03.300 It's a massive shift. 00:03:03.300 --> 00:03:07.560 I suppose it should not come as a surprise, 00:03:08.560 --> 00:03:15.860 since it's a direct result of the expressive individualism of modern Western culture, 00:03:16.140 --> 00:03:22.560 which has replaced the community-first loyalties of previous generations, 00:03:22.760 --> 00:03:23.600 former generations. 00:03:23.599 --> 00:03:28.419 Individuals have been taught to be consumers, 00:03:29.419 --> 00:03:32.780 not only of retailers and merchants, 00:03:33.359 --> 00:03:36.419 but also of institutions and organizations. 00:03:37.599 --> 00:03:45.539 Individuals have been shaped by the culture to think of their own happiness and prosperity first, 00:03:45.539 --> 00:03:55.039 and to avoid letting commitments to any group or institution become a barrier to finding personal fulfillment. 00:03:56.299 --> 00:04:07.180 The concept of service and sacrifice are viewed as psychologically unhealthy in the West. 00:04:07.180 --> 00:04:10.580 One of the things that church planters did, 00:04:10.920 --> 00:04:14.760 this is back in the 1990s, around the 2000s, 00:04:14.760 --> 00:04:18.699 when the church growth movement was on its peak. 00:04:19.259 --> 00:04:22.420 One of the things they did as a result of the church growth movement 00:04:22.420 --> 00:04:27.759 was conduct neighborhood surveys in advance of going in and planting a church into a neighborhood 00:04:27.759 --> 00:04:33.500 to see what the values of that neighborhood were 00:04:33.500 --> 00:04:39.439 and how the new church could come in and connect with those values. 00:04:42.959 --> 00:04:46.000 They would start, get out there, meet the neighborhood, 00:04:46.560 --> 00:04:52.060 and the assumption was that if we could start a church to meet the values of our neighborhood, 00:04:52.639 --> 00:04:54.659 then people would just flock into that. 00:04:54.660 --> 00:04:58.939 One neighborhood, having done one of these surveys, 00:04:59.200 --> 00:05:00.780 one pastor went and did these surveys, 00:05:01.439 --> 00:05:04.580 and one neighborhood said that the church that they were looking for, 00:05:05.720 --> 00:05:09.160 bottom line, would never ask them to do anything. 00:05:11.100 --> 00:05:12.660 That's the church they're looking for. 00:05:13.360 --> 00:05:15.080 Never make demands on me. 00:05:15.540 --> 00:05:17.140 Never call me to a commitment. 00:05:18.220 --> 00:05:22.540 We don't want to minister to anyone we expect to be ministered to. 00:05:24.660 --> 00:05:27.800 Well, there's a great foundation to start a church. 00:05:29.080 --> 00:05:33.920 Our modern society, as well as many, I think some churches, 00:05:34.580 --> 00:05:38.000 potentially many churches, many members of churches, 00:05:38.500 --> 00:05:44.720 are on a collision course with the one who redefined greatness for us. 00:05:44.720 --> 00:05:53.320 I come not to be served, but to serve and give my life as a ransom for many. 00:05:54.940 --> 00:05:56.820 That's the foundation of our existence. 00:05:56.819 --> 00:06:03.099 Now, if you've just joined us, we're in our annual vision series. 00:06:03.680 --> 00:06:07.000 We are in Ephesians because this letter is about the church, 00:06:07.060 --> 00:06:10.240 it's about who we are as a people. 00:06:10.639 --> 00:06:11.920 We are God's new society. 00:06:12.079 --> 00:06:15.860 We are God's family, a new creation, a new humanity, 00:06:16.100 --> 00:06:19.360 characterized not by walls of hostility and division, 00:06:19.600 --> 00:06:21.480 but by unity and peace. 00:06:21.480 --> 00:06:24.400 And we saw in the first couple of chapters of Ephesians 00:06:24.400 --> 00:06:27.500 that we have, as a new humanity, 00:06:27.640 --> 00:06:30.640 these wonderful blessings in the Lord Jesus Christ. 00:06:31.040 --> 00:06:35.140 It's because of the good news of what Jesus has achieved for us. 00:06:35.400 --> 00:06:36.280 It's the gospel. 00:06:36.500 --> 00:06:38.960 It's on the back of your service sheet. 00:06:40.300 --> 00:06:42.300 And the gospel, this good news, 00:06:42.700 --> 00:06:46.160 is the foundation of what we believe at St. Paul's, 00:06:46.200 --> 00:06:47.460 and it is life-changing. 00:06:47.460 --> 00:06:50.780 Let me just put it to you in case you haven't got time to read it. 00:06:50.779 --> 00:06:55.519 The gospel is the good news that God sent his son, 00:06:55.599 --> 00:06:58.599 the Lord Jesus Christ, in the world to live a perfect life, 00:06:59.139 --> 00:07:01.179 to die as a substitute for sinners, 00:07:01.279 --> 00:07:03.000 to absorb the anger of God, 00:07:03.119 --> 00:07:05.679 to take away our guilt and our shame, 00:07:05.979 --> 00:07:08.539 provide the gift of right standing before God, 00:07:08.699 --> 00:07:11.500 and to give eternal life and joy 00:07:11.500 --> 00:07:14.479 through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ alone, 00:07:14.479 --> 00:07:18.119 apart from any works of obedience on our behalf. 00:07:18.120 --> 00:07:21.639 And that statement, 00:07:21.879 --> 00:07:23.040 from that statement, 00:07:23.199 --> 00:07:25.560 from the grasping of that gospel, 00:07:26.040 --> 00:07:31.060 multitudes of blessings flow to those who embraced it in Jesus. 00:07:32.399 --> 00:07:33.720 As we saw last week, 00:07:33.800 --> 00:07:35.720 one of those is, 00:07:36.100 --> 00:07:40.840 God transforms our character in such a way 00:07:40.839 --> 00:07:43.659 that he becomes our new identity 00:07:43.659 --> 00:07:46.959 and he fills us up from the inside 00:07:46.959 --> 00:07:49.759 and grows us in humility at the very least. 00:07:51.000 --> 00:07:52.899 So we're back in Ephesians 4 today. 00:07:52.959 --> 00:07:54.279 We're going to spend three weeks here. 00:07:55.219 --> 00:07:56.979 And to see that the gospel, 00:07:57.919 --> 00:07:58.719 through the gospel, 00:07:58.799 --> 00:07:59.759 because of the gospel, 00:08:00.579 --> 00:08:03.620 God also doesn't just fill us up 00:08:03.620 --> 00:08:05.840 and give us a new identity and a character, 00:08:05.980 --> 00:08:07.620 but also gives us gifts, 00:08:08.500 --> 00:08:09.259 his gifts, 00:08:09.780 --> 00:08:10.480 to serve. 00:08:11.980 --> 00:08:14.340 We saw it in chapter 2, verse 10. 00:08:15.340 --> 00:08:18.540 As a consequence of God's work of salvation, 00:08:18.720 --> 00:08:19.000 it says, 00:08:19.139 --> 00:08:20.300 we are God's handiwork, 00:08:20.680 --> 00:08:21.959 created in Christ Jesus, 00:08:22.060 --> 00:08:23.360 to do good works, 00:08:23.639 --> 00:08:25.780 which God prepared in advance for us to do. 00:08:26.879 --> 00:08:29.399 Now, I've been emphasizing our unity in Jesus 00:08:29.399 --> 00:08:30.800 over the past couple of weeks. 00:08:30.800 --> 00:08:33.580 Now, let's have a look at our diversity. 00:08:34.779 --> 00:08:35.899 We are not clones. 00:08:38.700 --> 00:08:40.539 Yes, there is one faith, one baptism, 00:08:40.720 --> 00:08:44.720 but our unity does not mean uniformity. 00:08:46.220 --> 00:08:47.799 In verse 7, Paul writes, 00:08:47.940 --> 00:08:49.480 to each of us, 00:08:50.120 --> 00:08:54.720 grace has been given as Christ apportioned it. 00:08:56.060 --> 00:09:00.519 And grace here means the ability to perform 00:09:00.519 --> 00:09:03.799 the task that God has given us to do. 00:09:05.019 --> 00:09:06.980 In chapter 3, verses 7 and 8, 00:09:07.659 --> 00:09:09.600 Paul says that his apostleship 00:09:09.600 --> 00:09:13.000 came with the gift of God's grace. 00:09:14.799 --> 00:09:16.679 The point for us is this. 00:09:17.980 --> 00:09:21.419 Each of us who are in Jesus 00:09:21.419 --> 00:09:25.539 has received this enabling grace 00:09:25.539 --> 00:09:31.519 in the exact proportion that Christ gave it. 00:09:32.679 --> 00:09:34.740 And the message of this verse 00:09:34.740 --> 00:09:37.740 is that that's all of us who are in Jesus. 00:09:38.299 --> 00:09:40.439 No exceptions at all. 00:09:40.440 --> 00:09:45.540 All of us have a serving grace 00:09:45.540 --> 00:09:47.360 which has been given to us 00:09:47.360 --> 00:09:50.140 by Christ in perfect measure. 00:09:51.100 --> 00:09:55.860 That is, we all have a special part to perform. 00:09:58.460 --> 00:10:00.720 Some have put the diversity of gifts 00:10:00.720 --> 00:10:02.340 that have been given 00:10:02.340 --> 00:10:05.600 to God's people from Jesus 00:10:05.600 --> 00:10:07.920 into three broad categories. 00:10:08.519 --> 00:10:09.300 Prophetic gifts, 00:10:10.180 --> 00:10:11.460 priestly gifts, 00:10:11.560 --> 00:10:12.399 and kingly gifts. 00:10:13.860 --> 00:10:15.639 Prophetic gifts are abilities 00:10:15.639 --> 00:10:17.560 based on understanding 00:10:17.560 --> 00:10:20.139 and articulating biblical truth. 00:10:21.300 --> 00:10:22.060 They are the gifts 00:10:22.060 --> 00:10:24.259 that represent God to others. 00:10:24.680 --> 00:10:27.000 The gifts that represent God to others. 00:10:27.340 --> 00:10:29.139 And are marked by boldness and clarity. 00:10:29.540 --> 00:10:30.720 Things like evangelism, 00:10:30.879 --> 00:10:32.759 teaching, speaking, discernment, prophecy. 00:10:32.759 --> 00:10:35.600 Priestly gifts 00:10:35.600 --> 00:10:39.220 are abilities based on understanding 00:10:39.220 --> 00:10:40.279 a supply 00:10:40.279 --> 00:10:42.700 and to supply basic needs. 00:10:43.059 --> 00:10:44.679 To understand and supply basic needs. 00:10:45.259 --> 00:10:48.139 They represent God to the world. 00:10:49.559 --> 00:10:51.039 And are marked by things like 00:10:51.039 --> 00:10:53.299 sympathy and sacrifice and care, 00:10:53.720 --> 00:10:54.200 encouragement, 00:10:54.480 --> 00:10:56.259 helping, pastoring, mercy, 00:10:56.740 --> 00:10:57.679 those kinds of things. 00:10:58.519 --> 00:10:59.279 Kingly gifts 00:10:59.279 --> 00:11:01.019 are abilities based on 00:11:01.019 --> 00:11:02.620 understanding direction 00:11:02.620 --> 00:11:05.200 and whole group needs. 00:11:05.860 --> 00:11:08.179 They represent Christ's vision, 00:11:09.060 --> 00:11:10.919 his vision, 00:11:11.539 --> 00:11:13.440 to others. 00:11:13.759 --> 00:11:14.940 And are marked by wisdom, 00:11:15.460 --> 00:11:16.240 practicality, 00:11:16.560 --> 00:11:16.980 leadership, 00:11:17.600 --> 00:11:18.679 things like apostles, 00:11:20.620 --> 00:11:23.000 founders of ministries, 00:11:23.860 --> 00:11:24.320 leadership, 00:11:24.639 --> 00:11:25.080 administration, 00:11:25.580 --> 00:11:25.860 wisdom, 00:11:26.200 --> 00:11:26.500 faith, 00:11:26.680 --> 00:11:27.139 courage. 00:11:27.139 --> 00:11:29.799 when you put it all together, 00:11:29.980 --> 00:11:30.860 and I think one of the 00:11:30.860 --> 00:11:32.519 clues here 00:11:32.519 --> 00:11:34.360 is that it is 00:11:34.360 --> 00:11:36.480 very rare, 00:11:37.759 --> 00:11:39.259 extremely rare 00:11:39.259 --> 00:11:41.120 for anyone 00:11:41.120 --> 00:11:42.799 to have all three 00:11:42.799 --> 00:11:43.840 of those categories 00:11:43.840 --> 00:11:44.659 in equal measure. 00:11:46.659 --> 00:11:47.620 Extremely rare. 00:11:47.620 --> 00:11:52.419 when you put it all together, 00:11:52.940 --> 00:11:54.060 each person's 00:11:54.060 --> 00:11:54.919 person's gifting 00:11:54.919 --> 00:11:56.600 is as unique 00:11:56.600 --> 00:11:57.940 as a thumbprint. 00:11:59.940 --> 00:12:00.440 The implication 00:12:00.440 --> 00:12:02.399 is that there is a ministry 00:12:02.399 --> 00:12:03.460 that only you 00:12:03.460 --> 00:12:04.080 can do. 00:12:07.080 --> 00:12:07.980 Spiritual gifts 00:12:07.980 --> 00:12:08.679 fit you 00:12:08.679 --> 00:12:09.379 for the mission 00:12:09.379 --> 00:12:09.940 in life 00:12:09.940 --> 00:12:10.419 that God 00:12:10.419 --> 00:12:11.399 has given you. 00:12:11.399 --> 00:12:16.079 Paul goes on 00:12:16.079 --> 00:12:16.379 to say 00:12:16.379 --> 00:12:16.720 in verses 00:12:16.720 --> 00:12:17.799 8 and 10 00:12:17.799 --> 00:12:19.539 that not only 00:12:19.539 --> 00:12:20.379 do we have 00:12:20.379 --> 00:12:21.959 a special grace, 00:12:23.000 --> 00:12:23.720 but our 00:12:23.720 --> 00:12:25.059 individual graces 00:12:25.059 --> 00:12:26.419 have 00:12:26.419 --> 00:12:27.439 a spectacular 00:12:27.439 --> 00:12:28.139 origin. 00:12:29.079 --> 00:12:29.679 Have a look at it. 00:12:29.699 --> 00:12:30.120 Verse 8. 00:12:31.500 --> 00:12:32.659 This is why it says 00:12:32.659 --> 00:12:33.539 when he ascended 00:12:33.539 --> 00:12:34.199 on high, 00:12:34.319 --> 00:12:35.139 he led captives 00:12:35.139 --> 00:12:36.100 in his train 00:12:36.100 --> 00:12:37.620 and gave gifts 00:12:37.620 --> 00:12:38.259 to men. 00:12:39.379 --> 00:12:40.159 What does 00:12:40.159 --> 00:12:41.439 he ascended 00:12:41.439 --> 00:12:41.899 mean? 00:12:42.679 --> 00:12:43.399 Except that 00:12:43.399 --> 00:12:44.019 he also 00:12:44.019 --> 00:12:45.019 descended 00:12:45.019 --> 00:12:45.799 to the lower 00:12:45.799 --> 00:12:46.779 earthly regions. 00:12:47.639 --> 00:12:48.159 He who 00:12:48.159 --> 00:12:49.139 descended 00:12:49.139 --> 00:12:50.480 is the very one 00:12:50.480 --> 00:12:51.659 who ascended 00:12:51.659 --> 00:12:52.659 higher than 00:12:52.659 --> 00:12:53.559 all the heavens 00:12:53.559 --> 00:12:54.539 in order to 00:12:54.539 --> 00:12:55.039 fill the whole 00:12:55.039 --> 00:12:55.600 universe. 00:12:56.539 --> 00:12:57.399 Now what Paul 00:12:57.399 --> 00:12:58.079 is doing there, 00:12:58.159 --> 00:12:58.879 he's borrowing 00:12:58.879 --> 00:13:00.539 a line 00:13:00.539 --> 00:13:01.079 from 00:13:01.079 --> 00:13:01.799 Psalm 00:13:01.799 --> 00:13:04.000 68 00:13:04.000 --> 00:13:05.319 verse 18. 00:13:07.000 --> 00:13:08.019 In Psalm 00:13:08.019 --> 00:13:08.860 68 00:13:08.860 --> 00:13:09.759 verses 16 00:13:09.759 --> 00:13:10.419 17 00:13:10.419 --> 00:13:11.439 just before 00:13:11.439 --> 00:13:11.740 it, 00:13:12.679 --> 00:13:12.939 God 00:13:12.939 --> 00:13:15.779 sets 00:13:15.779 --> 00:13:16.039 his 00:13:16.039 --> 00:13:16.720 sight 00:13:16.720 --> 00:13:17.519 on 00:13:17.519 --> 00:13:18.019 Mount 00:13:18.019 --> 00:13:18.600 Zion 00:13:18.600 --> 00:13:19.939 and moves 00:13:19.939 --> 00:13:20.639 as it says 00:13:20.639 --> 00:13:20.980 there 00:13:20.980 --> 00:13:22.279 with tens 00:13:22.279 --> 00:13:23.340 of thousands 00:13:23.340 --> 00:13:24.559 and thousands 00:13:24.559 --> 00:13:25.799 of thousands 00:13:25.799 --> 00:13:27.460 of chariots 00:13:27.460 --> 00:13:29.639 up the slopes 00:13:29.639 --> 00:13:30.279 of Jerusalem 00:13:30.279 --> 00:13:31.439 in victory 00:13:31.439 --> 00:13:32.439 leading 00:13:32.439 --> 00:13:33.340 captives 00:13:33.340 --> 00:13:34.399 in his train 00:13:34.399 --> 00:13:35.980 and receiving 00:13:35.980 --> 00:13:37.120 gifts 00:13:37.120 --> 00:13:38.240 from 00:13:38.240 --> 00:13:38.940 humanity. 00:13:42.299 --> 00:13:43.600 So Paul 00:13:43.600 --> 00:13:44.399 takes that 00:13:44.399 --> 00:13:45.100 image 00:13:45.100 --> 00:13:48.919 and 00:13:48.919 --> 00:13:50.200 he shifts 00:13:50.200 --> 00:13:50.500 it. 00:13:51.500 --> 00:13:52.620 He changes 00:13:52.620 --> 00:13:53.159 it from 00:13:53.159 --> 00:13:54.179 the conquering 00:13:54.179 --> 00:13:54.779 king to 00:13:54.779 --> 00:13:55.419 Jerusalem 00:13:55.419 --> 00:13:56.720 receiving 00:13:56.720 --> 00:13:57.480 gifts from 00:13:57.480 --> 00:13:58.080 humanity 00:13:58.080 --> 00:13:59.019 for being 00:13:59.019 --> 00:13:59.659 the conquering 00:13:59.659 --> 00:14:00.100 king 00:14:00.100 --> 00:14:00.879 to now 00:14:00.879 --> 00:14:01.480 the conquering 00:14:01.480 --> 00:14:01.860 king 00:14:01.860 --> 00:14:03.379 throwing out, 00:14:03.680 --> 00:14:04.620 casting out 00:14:04.620 --> 00:14:05.180 gifts to 00:14:05.179 --> 00:14:05.719 humanity. 00:14:07.939 --> 00:14:09.199 The triumphant 00:14:09.199 --> 00:14:09.759 Christ 00:14:09.759 --> 00:14:11.019 gave 00:14:11.019 --> 00:14:11.699 gifts 00:14:11.699 --> 00:14:12.739 to people. 00:14:14.899 --> 00:14:15.819 He's simply 00:14:15.819 --> 00:14:16.399 borrowing the 00:14:16.399 --> 00:14:16.879 image of 00:14:16.879 --> 00:14:17.879 Psalm 68 00:14:17.879 --> 00:14:18.819 and applying it 00:14:18.819 --> 00:14:19.279 to Christ 00:14:19.279 --> 00:14:19.819 coming into 00:14:19.819 --> 00:14:20.399 this world 00:14:20.399 --> 00:14:20.979 and his 00:14:20.979 --> 00:14:21.519 return to 00:14:21.519 --> 00:14:21.759 heaven. 00:14:22.479 --> 00:14:23.019 The fact 00:14:23.019 --> 00:14:23.419 that he 00:14:23.419 --> 00:14:24.259 ascended 00:14:24.259 --> 00:14:25.599 is another 00:14:25.599 --> 00:14:26.459 way of 00:14:26.459 --> 00:14:27.139 indicating 00:14:27.139 --> 00:14:28.219 the humiliation, 00:14:28.699 --> 00:14:29.779 his humility 00:14:29.779 --> 00:14:30.819 of coming 00:14:30.819 --> 00:14:31.399 into 00:14:31.399 --> 00:14:32.439 this world. 00:14:34.199 --> 00:14:34.459 His 00:14:34.459 --> 00:14:35.100 descent 00:14:35.100 --> 00:14:35.980 to earth 00:14:35.980 --> 00:14:36.839 meant that 00:14:36.839 --> 00:14:37.419 he set 00:14:37.419 --> 00:14:38.199 aside 00:14:38.199 --> 00:14:38.839 the 00:14:38.839 --> 00:14:39.779 independent 00:14:39.779 --> 00:14:41.220 exercises 00:14:41.220 --> 00:14:42.199 or the 00:14:42.199 --> 00:14:42.679 independent 00:14:42.679 --> 00:14:44.360 exercise 00:14:44.360 --> 00:14:45.259 of his 00:14:45.259 --> 00:14:46.480 eternal 00:14:46.480 --> 00:14:47.779 divine 00:14:47.779 --> 00:14:48.799 attributes. 00:14:50.539 --> 00:14:51.379 Submitting 00:14:51.379 --> 00:14:52.459 the exercise 00:14:52.459 --> 00:14:53.279 of those 00:14:53.279 --> 00:14:54.059 attributes 00:14:54.059 --> 00:14:55.879 to the 00:14:55.879 --> 00:14:56.379 father's 00:14:56.379 --> 00:14:56.699 will. 00:14:56.700 --> 00:14:58.180 he went 00:14:58.180 --> 00:14:58.759 down 00:14:58.759 --> 00:15:00.120 and down 00:15:00.120 --> 00:15:01.740 and down 00:15:01.740 --> 00:15:02.860 in humility 00:15:02.860 --> 00:15:04.740 and became 00:15:04.740 --> 00:15:05.160 man. 00:15:06.460 --> 00:15:06.740 And he 00:15:06.740 --> 00:15:07.140 went further 00:15:07.140 --> 00:15:07.900 down still 00:15:07.900 --> 00:15:09.980 to death 00:15:09.980 --> 00:15:10.620 on a cross. 00:15:11.900 --> 00:15:12.360 This is 00:15:12.360 --> 00:15:12.780 Philippians 00:15:12.780 --> 00:15:13.480 chapter 2. 00:15:16.160 --> 00:15:16.800 Death 00:15:16.800 --> 00:15:17.480 on the cross 00:15:17.480 --> 00:15:18.040 and actually 00:15:18.040 --> 00:15:19.040 becoming sin 00:15:19.040 --> 00:15:19.720 for us. 00:15:20.560 --> 00:15:20.980 But then 00:15:20.980 --> 00:15:21.700 he burst 00:15:21.700 --> 00:15:23.080 up in 00:15:23.080 --> 00:15:24.020 exultation 00:15:24.020 --> 00:15:24.980 so that now 00:15:24.980 --> 00:15:25.600 he fills 00:15:25.600 --> 00:15:26.100 the whole 00:15:26.100 --> 00:15:26.680 universe 00:15:26.680 --> 00:15:27.960 as the 00:15:27.960 --> 00:15:28.480 conquering 00:15:28.480 --> 00:15:29.000 king 00:15:29.000 --> 00:15:30.600 and joyously 00:15:30.600 --> 00:15:31.159 lavishes 00:15:31.159 --> 00:15:31.840 gifts upon 00:15:31.840 --> 00:15:32.580 his children. 00:15:35.960 --> 00:15:36.759 And what 00:15:36.759 --> 00:15:36.980 are the 00:15:36.980 --> 00:15:37.259 gifts 00:15:37.259 --> 00:15:38.279 he gives 00:15:38.279 --> 00:15:38.480 his 00:15:38.480 --> 00:15:38.840 children? 00:15:41.740 --> 00:15:42.379 His 00:15:42.379 --> 00:15:42.879 gifts 00:15:42.879 --> 00:15:45.019 as 00:15:45.019 --> 00:15:45.480 prophet, 00:15:46.040 --> 00:15:46.379 priest 00:15:46.379 --> 00:15:47.560 and king. 00:15:49.440 --> 00:15:50.379 He gives 00:15:50.379 --> 00:15:51.080 abundant 00:15:51.080 --> 00:15:51.540 gifts 00:15:51.540 --> 00:15:52.420 to his 00:15:52.420 --> 00:15:52.960 church 00:15:52.960 --> 00:15:53.740 and gives 00:15:53.740 --> 00:15:54.220 his people 00:15:54.220 --> 00:15:54.759 power to 00:15:54.759 --> 00:15:55.059 fulfill 00:15:55.059 --> 00:15:55.319 their 00:15:55.319 --> 00:15:55.700 gifts. 00:15:55.700 --> 00:15:56.679 The gifts 00:15:56.679 --> 00:15:57.519 and enabling 00:15:57.519 --> 00:15:58.740 grace which 00:15:58.740 --> 00:15:59.519 we have 00:15:59.519 --> 00:16:00.179 have been 00:16:00.179 --> 00:16:01.139 given to 00:16:01.139 --> 00:16:02.240 us by the 00:16:02.240 --> 00:16:03.159 conquering king 00:16:03.159 --> 00:16:04.399 as he has 00:16:04.399 --> 00:16:05.159 apportioned 00:16:05.159 --> 00:16:05.340 them. 00:16:06.759 --> 00:16:07.740 They come 00:16:07.740 --> 00:16:08.100 from the 00:16:08.100 --> 00:16:08.840 conquering king. 00:16:10.399 --> 00:16:11.379 There's no 00:16:11.379 --> 00:16:11.980 room for 00:16:11.980 --> 00:16:12.740 rivalry and 00:16:12.740 --> 00:16:13.500 jealousy here. 00:16:13.500 --> 00:16:17.799 they are 00:16:17.799 --> 00:16:18.559 given with 00:16:18.559 --> 00:16:19.000 great 00:16:19.000 --> 00:16:20.279 expectation on 00:16:20.279 --> 00:16:21.059 his part 00:16:21.059 --> 00:16:21.860 for he 00:16:21.860 --> 00:16:23.299 expects us 00:16:23.299 --> 00:16:24.840 to use 00:16:24.840 --> 00:16:25.940 those gifts 00:16:25.940 --> 00:16:27.940 to bring 00:16:27.940 --> 00:16:28.840 power and 00:16:28.840 --> 00:16:29.779 victory in 00:16:29.779 --> 00:16:30.419 the church. 00:16:32.100 --> 00:16:33.559 He expects 00:16:33.559 --> 00:16:34.279 those gifts 00:16:34.279 --> 00:16:35.159 to be used 00:16:35.159 --> 00:16:36.120 to advance 00:16:36.120 --> 00:16:37.120 his work 00:16:37.120 --> 00:16:37.539 in the 00:16:37.539 --> 00:16:37.919 world. 00:16:39.419 --> 00:16:40.440 Not your 00:16:40.440 --> 00:16:40.919 glory. 00:16:40.919 --> 00:16:48.419 gifts he 00:16:48.419 --> 00:16:49.019 gives us 00:16:49.019 --> 00:16:49.559 are his 00:16:49.559 --> 00:16:50.219 gifting to 00:16:50.219 --> 00:16:51.360 complete his 00:16:51.360 --> 00:16:52.240 mission. 00:16:52.799 --> 00:16:53.259 We carry 00:16:53.259 --> 00:16:54.379 on his 00:16:54.379 --> 00:16:55.019 work. 00:16:55.099 --> 00:16:55.219 At the 00:16:55.219 --> 00:16:55.599 beginning of 00:16:55.599 --> 00:16:55.879 the book 00:16:55.879 --> 00:16:56.599 of Acts, 00:16:56.979 --> 00:16:57.559 it says 00:16:57.559 --> 00:16:57.899 there, 00:16:58.139 --> 00:16:58.839 Luke says 00:16:58.839 --> 00:17:02.979 about his 00:17:02.979 --> 00:17:03.479 gospel, 00:17:04.019 --> 00:17:04.519 we've heard 00:17:04.519 --> 00:17:05.299 already about 00:17:05.299 --> 00:17:05.899 all that 00:17:05.899 --> 00:17:07.599 Jesus began 00:17:07.599 --> 00:17:09.119 to do 00:17:09.119 --> 00:17:09.819 and teach. 00:17:09.959 --> 00:17:10.359 And now 00:17:10.359 --> 00:17:10.639 in the 00:17:10.639 --> 00:17:10.919 book of 00:17:10.919 --> 00:17:11.259 Acts, 00:17:11.639 --> 00:17:12.240 his mission 00:17:12.240 --> 00:17:13.000 continues on 00:17:13.000 --> 00:17:13.240 as he 00:17:13.240 --> 00:17:14.879 continues to 00:17:14.879 --> 00:17:15.480 do and 00:17:15.480 --> 00:17:16.899 teach through 00:17:16.899 --> 00:17:17.619 his disciples 00:17:17.619 --> 00:17:17.939 in the 00:17:17.939 --> 00:17:18.199 world. 00:17:22.240 --> 00:17:23.059 The use 00:17:23.059 --> 00:17:23.339 of the 00:17:23.339 --> 00:17:23.779 gifts of 00:17:23.779 --> 00:17:24.279 grace that 00:17:24.279 --> 00:17:24.759 God has 00:17:24.759 --> 00:17:25.319 apportioned 00:17:25.319 --> 00:17:26.259 to us 00:17:26.259 --> 00:17:29.819 is also, 00:17:30.000 --> 00:17:30.439 according to 00:17:30.439 --> 00:17:31.679 Ephesians 4, 00:17:32.379 --> 00:17:33.299 how we make 00:17:33.299 --> 00:17:34.059 every effort 00:17:34.059 --> 00:17:34.539 to maintain 00:17:34.539 --> 00:17:35.000 the unity 00:17:35.000 --> 00:17:35.419 that we have 00:17:35.419 --> 00:17:35.839 in Jesus. 00:17:35.839 --> 00:17:37.259 So, 00:17:37.419 --> 00:17:37.720 first of 00:17:37.720 --> 00:17:37.839 all, 00:17:37.899 --> 00:17:38.299 character, 00:17:39.299 --> 00:17:40.259 growing 00:17:40.259 --> 00:17:41.199 downward as 00:17:41.199 --> 00:17:41.779 Jesus did 00:17:41.779 --> 00:17:42.559 in humility, 00:17:43.519 --> 00:17:44.059 bearing with 00:17:44.059 --> 00:17:44.539 one another 00:17:44.539 --> 00:17:45.259 in love, 00:17:45.939 --> 00:17:48.000 and also 00:17:48.000 --> 00:17:48.819 the exercising 00:17:48.819 --> 00:17:49.480 of gifts 00:17:49.480 --> 00:17:50.379 to one 00:17:50.379 --> 00:17:50.720 another. 00:17:53.659 --> 00:17:54.480 The bottom 00:17:54.480 --> 00:17:55.299 line here is 00:17:55.299 --> 00:17:55.879 that every 00:17:55.879 --> 00:17:56.679 Christian is 00:17:56.679 --> 00:17:57.259 in ministry 00:17:57.259 --> 00:17:57.779 through the 00:17:57.779 --> 00:17:58.159 church. 00:17:58.720 --> 00:17:59.299 No one, 00:17:59.799 --> 00:18:00.899 no one, 00:18:01.919 --> 00:18:02.319 did you hear 00:18:02.319 --> 00:18:02.480 it? 00:18:02.559 --> 00:18:02.839 Let me just 00:18:02.839 --> 00:18:03.019 say, 00:18:03.500 --> 00:18:03.939 how was it? 00:18:04.179 --> 00:18:04.639 Not a 00:18:04.640 --> 00:18:06.040 single soul 00:18:06.040 --> 00:18:07.060 who is 00:18:07.060 --> 00:18:08.080 in Christ 00:18:08.080 --> 00:18:09.100 is merely 00:18:09.100 --> 00:18:09.980 a consumer 00:18:09.980 --> 00:18:10.960 of services. 00:18:11.680 --> 00:18:12.140 Everyone 00:18:12.140 --> 00:18:13.360 is also 00:18:13.360 --> 00:18:14.360 a distributor 00:18:14.360 --> 00:18:15.520 of services. 00:18:19.100 --> 00:18:19.980 Although we 00:18:19.980 --> 00:18:20.460 are different 00:18:20.460 --> 00:18:20.780 in the 00:18:20.780 --> 00:18:21.060 ministry, 00:18:21.200 --> 00:18:21.520 we do. 00:18:22.380 --> 00:18:24.020 Ephesians 4, 00:18:24.100 --> 00:18:24.759 verses 11 and 00:18:24.759 --> 00:18:25.520 12 gives us 00:18:25.520 --> 00:18:25.900 a glimpse 00:18:25.900 --> 00:18:26.259 into the 00:18:26.259 --> 00:18:26.800 relationship. 00:18:27.520 --> 00:18:28.180 It's just a 00:18:28.180 --> 00:18:28.800 brief glimpse. 00:18:29.140 --> 00:18:29.500 There's other 00:18:29.500 --> 00:18:29.920 bits of the 00:18:29.920 --> 00:18:30.200 New Testament 00:18:30.200 --> 00:18:30.840 unpacked this, 00:18:30.920 --> 00:18:31.360 but a brief 00:18:31.360 --> 00:18:31.660 glimpse, 00:18:32.020 --> 00:18:32.280 relationship 00:18:32.280 --> 00:18:33.440 between church 00:18:33.440 --> 00:18:34.160 leaders and 00:18:34.160 --> 00:18:34.799 church members, 00:18:34.860 --> 00:18:35.440 between those 00:18:35.440 --> 00:18:35.980 who are in 00:18:35.980 --> 00:18:36.740 vocational 00:18:36.740 --> 00:18:37.360 ministry and 00:18:37.360 --> 00:18:37.779 those who 00:18:37.779 --> 00:18:38.779 are as 00:18:38.779 --> 00:18:39.180 members of 00:18:39.180 --> 00:18:39.700 the church. 00:18:40.240 --> 00:18:40.860 Verse 11 00:18:40.860 --> 00:18:41.220 reads, 00:18:41.320 --> 00:18:42.180 Christ himself 00:18:42.180 --> 00:18:42.580 gave the 00:18:42.580 --> 00:18:42.960 apostles, 00:18:43.200 --> 00:18:43.559 the prophets, 00:18:43.700 --> 00:18:44.220 the evangelists, 00:18:44.279 --> 00:18:44.640 the pastors, 00:18:44.660 --> 00:18:44.860 and the 00:18:44.860 --> 00:18:45.240 teachers. 00:18:46.279 --> 00:18:46.840 So why 00:18:46.840 --> 00:18:47.480 did Christ 00:18:47.480 --> 00:18:49.440 give these 00:18:49.440 --> 00:18:50.019 to the 00:18:50.019 --> 00:18:50.460 church? 00:18:50.880 --> 00:18:51.759 Verse 12, 00:18:52.160 --> 00:18:52.860 to equip 00:18:52.860 --> 00:18:53.680 his people 00:18:53.680 --> 00:18:54.799 for works 00:18:54.799 --> 00:18:56.019 of service. 00:18:57.360 --> 00:18:58.200 The word 00:18:58.200 --> 00:18:59.200 service there 00:18:59.200 --> 00:19:01.240 is interchangeable 00:19:01.240 --> 00:19:01.539 with the 00:19:01.539 --> 00:19:02.279 word ministry. 00:19:04.279 --> 00:19:04.799 What's the 00:19:04.799 --> 00:19:05.680 end goal 00:19:05.680 --> 00:19:07.120 of God 00:19:07.120 --> 00:19:09.039 giving church 00:19:09.039 --> 00:19:09.759 leaders to 00:19:09.759 --> 00:19:10.480 equip his 00:19:10.480 --> 00:19:11.039 people for 00:19:11.039 --> 00:19:11.559 the ministry? 00:19:12.660 --> 00:19:13.420 Verse 12 00:19:13.420 --> 00:19:13.720 again. 00:19:14.519 --> 00:19:14.960 Keep reading. 00:19:15.599 --> 00:19:16.099 So that the 00:19:16.099 --> 00:19:16.940 body of 00:19:16.940 --> 00:19:17.620 Christ 00:19:17.620 --> 00:19:19.440 may be 00:19:19.440 --> 00:19:20.059 built. 00:19:21.539 --> 00:19:21.980 Christ 00:19:21.980 --> 00:19:23.160 gives the 00:19:23.160 --> 00:19:23.759 leaders to 00:19:23.759 --> 00:19:24.420 equip the 00:19:24.420 --> 00:19:24.980 members for 00:19:24.980 --> 00:19:25.480 the works 00:19:25.480 --> 00:19:26.099 of ministry 00:19:26.099 --> 00:19:27.400 in such a 00:19:27.400 --> 00:19:28.380 way that the 00:19:28.380 --> 00:19:29.660 whole body 00:19:29.660 --> 00:19:30.519 of Christ 00:19:30.519 --> 00:19:31.380 gets built. 00:19:33.180 --> 00:19:34.620 We all 00:19:34.620 --> 00:19:35.420 have a 00:19:35.420 --> 00:19:35.820 ministry. 00:19:37.100 --> 00:19:37.600 Leaders 00:19:37.600 --> 00:19:38.380 have primarily 00:19:38.380 --> 00:19:39.120 an equipping 00:19:39.120 --> 00:19:40.600 ministry and 00:19:40.600 --> 00:19:41.519 members have 00:19:41.519 --> 00:19:42.519 primarily a 00:19:42.519 --> 00:19:43.380 doing ministry 00:19:43.380 --> 00:19:44.800 but we all 00:19:44.800 --> 00:19:45.580 are called to 00:19:45.580 --> 00:19:46.500 minister together 00:19:46.500 --> 00:19:48.000 as Christ 00:19:48.000 --> 00:19:48.920 has apportioned 00:19:48.920 --> 00:19:50.200 it to build 00:19:50.200 --> 00:19:51.560 his church. 00:19:54.140 --> 00:19:56.320 So we 00:19:56.320 --> 00:19:56.920 should not 00:19:56.920 --> 00:19:58.180 think of 00:19:58.180 --> 00:19:58.720 the local 00:19:58.720 --> 00:19:59.579 church as 00:19:59.579 --> 00:20:00.799 being the 00:20:00.799 --> 00:20:01.140 manly 00:20:01.140 --> 00:20:01.480 ferry. 00:20:03.420 --> 00:20:04.240 On the 00:20:04.240 --> 00:20:05.799 ferry you 00:20:05.799 --> 00:20:06.319 get on the 00:20:06.319 --> 00:20:08.200 ferry and 00:20:08.200 --> 00:20:09.680 you have a 00:20:09.680 --> 00:20:10.600 few staff who 00:20:10.600 --> 00:20:11.059 get you from 00:20:11.059 --> 00:20:12.200 point A to 00:20:12.200 --> 00:20:14.220 point B or 00:20:14.220 --> 00:20:14.960 it's like the 00:20:14.960 --> 00:20:15.920 airplane that a 00:20:15.920 --> 00:20:16.420 few of us just 00:20:16.420 --> 00:20:17.059 flew back on 00:20:17.059 --> 00:20:17.500 yesterday. 00:20:18.240 --> 00:20:19.339 The vast 00:20:19.339 --> 00:20:19.900 majority of 00:20:19.900 --> 00:20:20.440 people sitting 00:20:20.440 --> 00:20:20.839 on that 00:20:20.839 --> 00:20:21.740 airplane are 00:20:21.740 --> 00:20:22.460 passengers. 00:20:22.720 --> 00:20:23.059 We're getting 00:20:23.059 --> 00:20:24.100 fed and 00:20:24.100 --> 00:20:25.380 watered and 00:20:25.380 --> 00:20:26.220 everything else 00:20:26.220 --> 00:20:27.819 and there's a 00:20:27.819 --> 00:20:28.720 few people up 00:20:28.720 --> 00:20:29.480 the front doing 00:20:29.480 --> 00:20:30.180 the driving of 00:20:30.180 --> 00:20:30.559 the thing, 00:20:31.259 --> 00:20:31.880 flying of it, 00:20:32.000 --> 00:20:32.259 whatever you want 00:20:32.259 --> 00:20:32.740 to call it, 00:20:33.259 --> 00:20:34.240 and a few other 00:20:34.240 --> 00:20:35.220 people helping 00:20:35.220 --> 00:20:36.660 out, get on, 00:20:36.779 --> 00:20:38.360 people serving 00:20:38.360 --> 00:20:39.100 snacks and 00:20:39.100 --> 00:20:39.759 cleaning stuff 00:20:39.759 --> 00:20:40.019 up. 00:20:40.140 --> 00:20:41.000 But the vast 00:20:41.000 --> 00:20:41.740 majority are 00:20:41.740 --> 00:20:42.579 consumers of 00:20:42.579 --> 00:20:43.160 services. 00:20:44.740 --> 00:20:45.539 Everyone else is 00:20:45.539 --> 00:20:46.039 sitting there 00:20:46.039 --> 00:20:47.019 passively in the 00:20:47.019 --> 00:20:48.480 seats, awaiting 00:20:48.480 --> 00:20:49.380 to arrive the 00:20:49.380 --> 00:20:51.200 destination and 00:20:51.200 --> 00:20:51.759 taking some 00:20:51.759 --> 00:20:52.460 photos along the 00:20:52.460 --> 00:20:52.700 way. 00:20:52.700 --> 00:20:55.279 The local 00:20:55.279 --> 00:20:56.720 church is 00:20:56.720 --> 00:20:58.000 much more 00:20:58.000 --> 00:20:59.240 like a 00:20:59.240 --> 00:21:00.900 sailing boat 00:21:00.900 --> 00:21:01.340 in the 00:21:01.340 --> 00:21:01.920 Sydney to 00:21:01.920 --> 00:21:02.600 Hobart yacht 00:21:02.600 --> 00:21:03.080 race. 00:21:03.880 --> 00:21:05.019 Everyone on 00:21:05.019 --> 00:21:05.940 board has a 00:21:05.940 --> 00:21:06.980 crucial role 00:21:06.980 --> 00:21:08.580 to play and 00:21:08.580 --> 00:21:09.600 frankly there are 00:21:09.600 --> 00:21:10.519 no passengers 00:21:10.519 --> 00:21:12.059 on those 00:21:12.059 --> 00:21:13.279 yachts heading 00:21:13.279 --> 00:21:14.240 to Hobart once 00:21:14.240 --> 00:21:14.700 a year. 00:21:15.580 --> 00:21:16.500 No passengers 00:21:16.500 --> 00:21:17.279 catching a lift 00:21:17.279 --> 00:21:18.299 to Hobart to 00:21:18.299 --> 00:21:18.759 visit some 00:21:18.759 --> 00:21:19.220 family. 00:21:20.500 --> 00:21:21.200 You're a dead 00:21:21.200 --> 00:21:22.500 weight is what 00:21:22.500 --> 00:21:22.940 you are. 00:21:23.799 --> 00:21:24.539 The captain's 00:21:24.539 --> 00:21:25.240 job on that 00:21:25.240 --> 00:21:25.740 is to set 00:21:25.740 --> 00:21:26.359 the course, 00:21:26.680 --> 00:21:27.319 to direct the 00:21:27.319 --> 00:21:28.099 crew, to do 00:21:28.099 --> 00:21:28.839 their part and 00:21:28.839 --> 00:21:29.539 to work together 00:21:29.539 --> 00:21:31.279 to reach a 00:21:31.279 --> 00:21:31.720 goal. 00:21:34.160 --> 00:21:35.140 All of God's 00:21:35.140 --> 00:21:35.599 people are 00:21:35.599 --> 00:21:37.000 called to be a 00:21:37.000 --> 00:21:37.420 corporate 00:21:37.420 --> 00:21:38.220 priesthood, 00:21:39.140 --> 00:21:40.579 either an 00:21:40.579 --> 00:21:41.559 equipping ministry 00:21:41.559 --> 00:21:42.220 or a doing 00:21:42.220 --> 00:21:42.740 ministry. 00:21:44.019 --> 00:21:44.359 Throughout 00:21:44.359 --> 00:21:45.099 history the 00:21:45.099 --> 00:21:45.920 church has been 00:21:45.920 --> 00:21:47.160 built on a 00:21:47.160 --> 00:21:48.059 foundation of 00:21:48.059 --> 00:21:48.680 diversity. 00:21:48.680 --> 00:21:53.860 It was 00:21:53.860 --> 00:21:54.400 interesting to 00:21:54.400 --> 00:21:54.880 hear one 00:21:54.880 --> 00:21:55.360 person at 00:21:55.360 --> 00:21:55.799 the conference 00:21:55.799 --> 00:21:57.779 say their 00:21:57.779 --> 00:21:58.860 biggest loss 00:21:58.860 --> 00:22:00.320 in their 00:22:00.320 --> 00:22:00.820 church, 00:22:01.660 --> 00:22:02.360 the biggest 00:22:02.360 --> 00:22:03.019 loss in their 00:22:03.019 --> 00:22:04.420 church when 00:22:04.420 --> 00:22:05.160 they moved from 00:22:05.160 --> 00:22:05.560 being a 00:22:05.560 --> 00:22:06.060 monocultural 00:22:06.060 --> 00:22:06.980 church to a 00:22:06.980 --> 00:22:07.700 multi-ethnic 00:22:07.700 --> 00:22:08.220 church, 00:22:09.420 --> 00:22:10.279 they said was 00:22:10.279 --> 00:22:11.519 from the 00:22:11.519 --> 00:22:12.600 majority culture 00:22:12.600 --> 00:22:13.759 that had been 00:22:13.759 --> 00:22:14.480 used to being 00:22:14.480 --> 00:22:16.000 served and a 00:22:16.000 --> 00:22:16.600 multi-ethnic 00:22:16.600 --> 00:22:17.740 church now meant 00:22:17.740 --> 00:22:18.880 we needed to 00:22:18.880 --> 00:22:19.359 serve one 00:22:19.359 --> 00:22:19.700 another. 00:22:21.900 --> 00:22:22.759 And so they 00:22:22.759 --> 00:22:24.359 just upped and 00:22:24.359 --> 00:22:25.079 moved to a 00:22:25.079 --> 00:22:25.980 church where 00:22:25.980 --> 00:22:26.839 they would get 00:22:26.839 --> 00:22:27.640 the services 00:22:27.640 --> 00:22:28.359 they heard, 00:22:28.420 --> 00:22:28.960 the music they 00:22:28.960 --> 00:22:31.140 wanted, the 00:22:31.140 --> 00:22:31.620 liturgy they 00:22:31.620 --> 00:22:31.880 wanted. 00:22:33.640 --> 00:22:34.480 They just upped 00:22:34.480 --> 00:22:34.920 and moved. 00:22:37.799 --> 00:22:38.900 The foundation 00:22:38.900 --> 00:22:40.240 for them was 00:22:40.240 --> 00:22:41.160 I am here to 00:22:41.160 --> 00:22:41.839 be served. 00:22:45.559 --> 00:22:46.440 God works 00:22:46.440 --> 00:22:47.180 with diversity 00:22:47.180 --> 00:22:47.680 and quite 00:22:47.680 --> 00:22:49.440 ironically he 00:22:49.440 --> 00:22:50.539 uses that to 00:22:50.539 --> 00:22:50.980 build our 00:22:50.980 --> 00:22:51.380 unity. 00:22:51.740 --> 00:22:52.259 Did you notice 00:22:52.259 --> 00:22:52.660 that in verse 00:22:52.660 --> 00:22:53.000 12? 00:22:53.480 --> 00:22:53.880 So that the 00:22:53.880 --> 00:22:54.920 body of Christ 00:22:54.920 --> 00:22:55.519 may be built 00:22:55.519 --> 00:22:56.560 up until we 00:22:56.560 --> 00:22:57.539 all reach 00:22:57.539 --> 00:22:59.920 unity in the 00:22:59.920 --> 00:23:00.539 faith and in 00:23:00.539 --> 00:23:01.240 the knowledge of 00:23:01.240 --> 00:23:02.060 the Son of God 00:23:02.060 --> 00:23:02.820 and become 00:23:02.820 --> 00:23:03.900 mature. 00:23:05.700 --> 00:23:06.100 It's a 00:23:06.100 --> 00:23:06.640 beautiful image. 00:23:06.759 --> 00:23:07.340 The image I 00:23:07.340 --> 00:23:08.400 have here is 00:23:08.400 --> 00:23:08.940 of an 00:23:08.940 --> 00:23:10.120 orchestra. 00:23:11.620 --> 00:23:12.620 Now I'm 00:23:12.620 --> 00:23:13.799 fairly clueless 00:23:13.799 --> 00:23:14.420 when it comes 00:23:14.420 --> 00:23:15.080 to music. 00:23:15.079 --> 00:23:16.299 I don't 00:23:16.299 --> 00:23:16.720 have a lot 00:23:16.720 --> 00:23:17.199 of skill 00:23:17.199 --> 00:23:17.879 set in that 00:23:17.879 --> 00:23:18.419 regard. 00:23:19.379 --> 00:23:19.799 The first 00:23:19.799 --> 00:23:20.419 time I went 00:23:20.419 --> 00:23:21.000 to watch an 00:23:21.000 --> 00:23:21.779 orchestra was 00:23:21.779 --> 00:23:22.220 at the Sydney 00:23:22.220 --> 00:23:22.799 Opera House 00:23:22.799 --> 00:23:23.339 and I did it 00:23:23.339 --> 00:23:24.119 to impress Nat. 00:23:25.539 --> 00:23:26.079 That's the 00:23:26.079 --> 00:23:26.639 reason I was 00:23:26.639 --> 00:23:27.019 there. 00:23:27.359 --> 00:23:27.679 In fact I 00:23:27.679 --> 00:23:28.000 might have 00:23:28.000 --> 00:23:28.480 even bought 00:23:28.480 --> 00:23:28.879 the tickets 00:23:28.879 --> 00:23:29.339 in order to 00:23:29.339 --> 00:23:29.960 be even more 00:23:29.960 --> 00:23:30.319 impressive. 00:23:32.699 --> 00:23:33.500 If I went to 00:23:33.500 --> 00:23:34.019 watch an 00:23:34.019 --> 00:23:35.000 orchestra nowadays 00:23:35.000 --> 00:23:35.819 it would be to 00:23:35.819 --> 00:23:36.379 impress Nat. 00:23:36.380 --> 00:23:40.200 I do remember 00:23:40.200 --> 00:23:40.880 sitting in my 00:23:40.880 --> 00:23:42.080 seat at the 00:23:42.080 --> 00:23:42.520 Sydney Opera 00:23:42.520 --> 00:23:43.700 House and 00:23:43.700 --> 00:23:45.160 watching them 00:23:45.160 --> 00:23:46.320 tune and warm 00:23:46.320 --> 00:23:47.460 up before the 00:23:47.460 --> 00:23:48.040 whole thing got 00:23:48.040 --> 00:23:48.460 going. 00:23:48.880 --> 00:23:49.340 It was like 00:23:49.340 --> 00:23:50.880 all this 00:23:50.880 --> 00:23:51.500 racket of 00:23:51.500 --> 00:23:52.120 noise that was 00:23:52.120 --> 00:23:52.800 going on. 00:23:52.940 --> 00:23:54.200 It did not 00:23:54.200 --> 00:23:55.140 sound right at 00:23:55.140 --> 00:23:55.500 all. 00:23:56.380 --> 00:23:57.720 Then the 00:23:57.720 --> 00:23:58.080 conductor 00:23:58.080 --> 00:23:58.680 walked on 00:23:58.680 --> 00:24:01.360 and started. 00:24:03.520 --> 00:24:04.040 Wow. 00:24:04.039 --> 00:24:05.519 It was 00:24:05.519 --> 00:24:06.139 music. 00:24:07.659 --> 00:24:08.480 All their 00:24:08.480 --> 00:24:09.139 little different 00:24:09.139 --> 00:24:11.180 bits coming 00:24:11.180 --> 00:24:11.579 together. 00:24:11.659 --> 00:24:11.960 All the 00:24:11.960 --> 00:24:12.539 diversity of 00:24:12.539 --> 00:24:13.119 instruments coming 00:24:13.119 --> 00:24:13.899 together and 00:24:13.899 --> 00:24:14.559 it was 00:24:14.559 --> 00:24:16.000 fantastic. 00:24:19.119 --> 00:24:20.700 And I 00:24:20.700 --> 00:24:21.319 enjoyed it. 00:24:23.099 --> 00:24:24.399 God's design 00:24:24.399 --> 00:24:25.519 for us is to 00:24:25.519 --> 00:24:26.119 be different. 00:24:27.119 --> 00:24:28.039 But when we 00:24:28.039 --> 00:24:28.559 get put 00:24:28.559 --> 00:24:30.819 together we 00:24:30.819 --> 00:24:31.379 come up with 00:24:31.379 --> 00:24:32.079 a harmony 00:24:32.079 --> 00:24:33.180 that is 00:24:33.180 --> 00:24:34.360 absolutely 00:24:34.360 --> 00:24:35.440 impossible 00:24:35.440 --> 00:24:37.380 when we're 00:24:37.380 --> 00:24:37.700 all the 00:24:37.700 --> 00:24:37.960 same. 00:24:40.519 --> 00:24:41.259 That's the 00:24:41.259 --> 00:24:41.920 genius of 00:24:41.920 --> 00:24:42.340 God. 00:24:44.880 --> 00:24:45.840 It's because 00:24:45.840 --> 00:24:46.600 we are so 00:24:46.600 --> 00:24:47.360 different that 00:24:47.360 --> 00:24:47.880 we need 00:24:47.880 --> 00:24:48.400 each other. 00:24:49.759 --> 00:24:50.360 That means 00:24:50.360 --> 00:24:51.019 we are all 00:24:51.019 --> 00:24:51.620 involved in 00:24:51.620 --> 00:24:52.080 the ministry 00:24:52.080 --> 00:24:52.820 to prepare 00:24:52.820 --> 00:24:53.860 God's people 00:24:53.860 --> 00:24:54.740 for works 00:24:54.740 --> 00:24:55.460 of service. 00:24:55.779 --> 00:24:56.160 When you 00:24:56.160 --> 00:24:56.840 use your 00:24:56.840 --> 00:24:58.100 gifts that 00:24:58.100 --> 00:24:58.500 God has 00:24:58.500 --> 00:24:59.019 given you to 00:24:59.019 --> 00:24:59.900 strengthen me 00:24:59.900 --> 00:25:00.640 instead of 00:25:00.640 --> 00:25:01.080 gratifying 00:25:01.080 --> 00:25:01.539 yourself and 00:25:01.539 --> 00:25:02.100 when I use 00:25:02.100 --> 00:25:02.960 my God 00:25:02.960 --> 00:25:03.460 given gifts 00:25:03.460 --> 00:25:04.019 to strengthen 00:25:04.019 --> 00:25:04.720 you instead 00:25:04.720 --> 00:25:06.720 of gratifying 00:25:06.720 --> 00:25:07.500 myself, 00:25:07.940 --> 00:25:08.539 then our 00:25:08.539 --> 00:25:09.900 diversity will 00:25:09.900 --> 00:25:10.799 build us 00:25:10.799 --> 00:25:12.140 up into a 00:25:12.140 --> 00:25:13.279 beautiful harmony 00:25:13.279 --> 00:25:15.360 in truth and 00:25:15.360 --> 00:25:17.220 love rather 00:25:17.220 --> 00:25:18.259 than fragmenting 00:25:18.259 --> 00:25:18.539 us. 00:25:20.240 --> 00:25:20.840 Serving is 00:25:20.840 --> 00:25:21.299 putting the 00:25:21.299 --> 00:25:21.720 needs of 00:25:21.720 --> 00:25:22.940 others ahead 00:25:22.940 --> 00:25:23.819 of our own 00:25:23.819 --> 00:25:25.120 or putting 00:25:25.120 --> 00:25:26.160 the needs of 00:25:26.160 --> 00:25:26.720 the community 00:25:26.720 --> 00:25:27.759 ahead of our 00:25:27.759 --> 00:25:28.740 individual needs. 00:25:28.740 --> 00:25:28.799 things. 00:25:29.680 --> 00:25:30.559 And this 00:25:30.559 --> 00:25:31.059 day of 00:25:31.059 --> 00:25:31.900 age of 00:25:31.900 --> 00:25:33.599 consumerism, 00:25:34.180 --> 00:25:34.759 what Jesus 00:25:34.759 --> 00:25:35.680 is saying 00:25:35.680 --> 00:25:36.480 here, what 00:25:36.480 --> 00:25:37.279 Paul is 00:25:37.279 --> 00:25:38.099 saying here 00:25:38.099 --> 00:25:40.220 is like a 00:25:40.220 --> 00:25:41.240 fist in 00:25:41.240 --> 00:25:41.779 the face. 00:25:42.160 --> 00:25:43.059 This is so 00:25:43.059 --> 00:25:43.859 countercultural 00:25:43.859 --> 00:25:44.299 what we're 00:25:44.299 --> 00:25:44.880 seeking to do 00:25:44.880 --> 00:25:45.220 here. 00:25:46.160 --> 00:25:46.759 Totally 00:25:46.759 --> 00:25:47.559 countercultural. 00:25:50.059 --> 00:25:50.900 Why would 00:25:50.900 --> 00:25:51.259 you do 00:25:51.259 --> 00:25:51.779 this? 00:25:54.259 --> 00:25:54.839 Well, there 00:25:54.839 --> 00:25:55.299 are a few 00:25:55.299 --> 00:25:56.240 personal benefits. 00:25:56.240 --> 00:25:56.420 benefits. 00:25:57.420 --> 00:25:57.880 The first 00:25:57.880 --> 00:25:58.559 benefit is 00:25:58.559 --> 00:25:59.440 self-knowledge. 00:26:01.500 --> 00:26:02.140 Don't think 00:26:02.140 --> 00:26:03.059 you know your 00:26:03.059 --> 00:26:03.779 real gifts and 00:26:03.779 --> 00:26:05.299 capacities until 00:26:05.299 --> 00:26:05.859 you do a 00:26:05.859 --> 00:26:06.339 whole lot of 00:26:06.339 --> 00:26:07.200 humble serving 00:26:07.200 --> 00:26:08.579 in many 00:26:08.579 --> 00:26:09.579 different capacities 00:26:09.579 --> 00:26:11.480 across generations 00:26:11.480 --> 00:26:12.599 and across 00:26:12.599 --> 00:26:13.079 cultures. 00:26:13.700 --> 00:26:14.299 Don't think you 00:26:14.299 --> 00:26:14.859 know your true 00:26:14.859 --> 00:26:15.519 self until that 00:26:15.519 --> 00:26:15.759 happens. 00:26:15.839 --> 00:26:16.099 We've already 00:26:16.099 --> 00:26:16.640 seen this in 00:26:16.640 --> 00:26:17.000 this series 00:26:17.000 --> 00:26:17.339 already. 00:26:17.339 --> 00:26:20.959 only as you 00:26:20.959 --> 00:26:22.859 do that 00:26:22.859 --> 00:26:25.259 with others 00:26:25.259 --> 00:26:26.199 you'll come to 00:26:26.199 --> 00:26:26.899 understand your 00:26:26.899 --> 00:26:28.199 own self more. 00:26:28.859 --> 00:26:29.179 The second 00:26:29.179 --> 00:26:29.699 benefit is 00:26:29.699 --> 00:26:30.159 community. 00:26:30.799 --> 00:26:31.139 When you 00:26:31.139 --> 00:26:31.740 approach the 00:26:31.740 --> 00:26:32.240 church as a 00:26:32.240 --> 00:26:32.819 consumer, that 00:26:32.819 --> 00:26:33.519 is only to 00:26:33.519 --> 00:26:33.899 get your 00:26:33.899 --> 00:26:35.279 needs met, 00:26:35.279 --> 00:26:35.839 only to get 00:26:35.839 --> 00:26:36.879 your needs 00:26:36.879 --> 00:26:38.559 met, you 00:26:38.559 --> 00:26:39.019 are in 00:26:39.019 --> 00:26:39.959 solitary mode 00:26:39.959 --> 00:26:40.559 of being. 00:26:44.179 --> 00:26:44.879 Solitary mode 00:26:44.879 --> 00:26:45.220 of being. 00:26:45.379 --> 00:26:45.740 And you know 00:26:45.740 --> 00:26:46.399 what happens? 00:26:48.240 --> 00:26:49.259 You sit on 00:26:49.259 --> 00:26:50.159 the sideline 00:26:50.159 --> 00:26:51.839 complaining that 00:26:51.839 --> 00:26:52.720 your needs are 00:26:52.720 --> 00:26:53.240 never getting 00:26:53.240 --> 00:26:53.519 met. 00:26:55.299 --> 00:26:56.220 You come 00:26:56.220 --> 00:26:57.519 with a 00:26:57.519 --> 00:26:58.359 consumer mindset 00:26:58.359 --> 00:26:59.939 and you'll be 00:26:59.939 --> 00:27:00.639 critical of the 00:27:00.639 --> 00:27:01.099 church because 00:27:01.099 --> 00:27:01.579 they're never 00:27:01.579 --> 00:27:02.159 meeting your 00:27:02.159 --> 00:27:02.379 needs. 00:27:02.439 --> 00:27:02.659 They're never 00:27:02.659 --> 00:27:03.139 coming up to 00:27:03.139 --> 00:27:03.480 standard. 00:27:04.759 --> 00:27:05.319 It's a 00:27:05.319 --> 00:27:06.299 consistent thing. 00:27:06.899 --> 00:27:07.179 And then you 00:27:07.179 --> 00:27:07.779 walk out the 00:27:07.779 --> 00:27:08.359 door and go, 00:27:08.759 --> 00:27:09.099 I'm on the 00:27:09.099 --> 00:27:09.939 conveyor belt to 00:27:09.939 --> 00:27:10.639 leave because I'm 00:27:10.639 --> 00:27:11.279 not here to serve, 00:27:11.359 --> 00:27:11.939 not here to connect, 00:27:12.059 --> 00:27:12.559 not here to build 00:27:12.559 --> 00:27:12.819 anyone. 00:27:13.079 --> 00:27:13.539 I'm on the 00:27:13.539 --> 00:27:14.319 conveyor belt to 00:27:14.319 --> 00:27:14.899 leave to the 00:27:14.899 --> 00:27:15.740 next church. 00:27:17.339 --> 00:27:18.399 Throwing grenades 00:27:18.399 --> 00:27:18.679 at the 00:27:18.679 --> 00:27:19.539 previous one 00:27:19.539 --> 00:27:20.279 until you 00:27:20.279 --> 00:27:21.419 discover that 00:27:21.419 --> 00:27:22.039 the next church 00:27:22.039 --> 00:27:22.579 you go to has 00:27:22.579 --> 00:27:23.179 got exactly the 00:27:23.179 --> 00:27:23.799 same problems. 00:27:26.339 --> 00:27:26.980 And the 00:27:26.980 --> 00:27:27.359 problem is 00:27:27.359 --> 00:27:27.519 you. 00:27:29.099 --> 00:27:29.720 You're a 00:27:29.720 --> 00:27:30.019 consumer. 00:27:33.619 --> 00:27:34.299 When you 00:27:34.299 --> 00:27:34.819 reject the 00:27:34.819 --> 00:27:35.699 consumer mindset, 00:27:36.019 --> 00:27:36.539 serving will 00:27:36.539 --> 00:27:37.399 draw you out of 00:27:37.399 --> 00:27:38.039 yourself and 00:27:38.039 --> 00:27:38.899 into relationships. 00:27:38.900 --> 00:27:39.100 relationships. 00:27:40.960 --> 00:27:41.800 The third 00:27:41.800 --> 00:27:43.140 benefit is the 00:27:43.140 --> 00:27:44.019 fulfillment and 00:27:44.019 --> 00:27:45.560 joy of those 00:27:45.560 --> 00:27:46.580 relationships and 00:27:46.580 --> 00:27:47.540 especially seeing 00:27:47.540 --> 00:27:49.160 others touched 00:27:49.160 --> 00:27:49.980 through you. 00:27:50.900 --> 00:27:51.620 Deb highlighted 00:27:51.620 --> 00:27:52.519 this last week. 00:27:53.140 --> 00:27:53.500 Or seeing 00:27:53.500 --> 00:27:54.240 something great 00:27:54.240 --> 00:27:54.920 happening through 00:27:54.920 --> 00:27:55.620 the part that 00:27:55.620 --> 00:27:57.080 you play in 00:27:57.080 --> 00:27:57.580 the body of 00:27:57.580 --> 00:27:58.060 Christ. 00:27:59.140 --> 00:27:59.780 Paradoxically, 00:28:00.259 --> 00:28:01.840 if you serve 00:28:01.840 --> 00:28:03.040 primarily for the 00:28:03.040 --> 00:28:03.660 benefits to 00:28:03.660 --> 00:28:05.400 yourself, then 00:28:05.400 --> 00:28:06.560 it actually isn't 00:28:06.560 --> 00:28:07.880 serving and you 00:28:07.880 --> 00:28:08.460 don't get the 00:28:08.460 --> 00:28:08.900 benefits. 00:28:10.900 --> 00:28:11.960 The only 00:28:11.960 --> 00:28:13.180 workable dynamic 00:28:13.180 --> 00:28:14.279 for every member 00:28:14.279 --> 00:28:15.140 ministry is 00:28:15.140 --> 00:28:16.559 Mark 10, 45 00:28:16.559 --> 00:28:17.519 and the 00:28:17.519 --> 00:28:18.079 standard that 00:28:18.079 --> 00:28:18.720 Jesus set. 00:28:19.680 --> 00:28:20.779 Because Jesus 00:28:20.779 --> 00:28:21.779 served you in 00:28:21.779 --> 00:28:22.980 such a radical 00:28:22.980 --> 00:28:24.640 way, you have a 00:28:24.640 --> 00:28:25.640 joyful need to 00:28:25.640 --> 00:28:25.960 serve. 00:28:27.460 --> 00:28:29.220 It's a form of 00:28:29.220 --> 00:28:30.900 praise that 00:28:30.900 --> 00:28:31.720 doesn't fully 00:28:31.720 --> 00:28:32.559 enjoy what 00:28:32.559 --> 00:28:34.360 admires until 00:28:34.360 --> 00:28:35.660 it expresses 00:28:35.660 --> 00:28:36.299 itself in 00:28:36.299 --> 00:28:36.700 service. 00:28:36.700 --> 00:28:36.799 service. 00:28:38.080 --> 00:28:39.480 So, finally, 00:28:40.480 --> 00:28:42.440 this is all 00:28:42.440 --> 00:28:43.259 going to 00:28:43.259 --> 00:28:44.059 encourage you to 00:28:44.059 --> 00:28:44.660 sign up to 00:28:44.660 --> 00:28:44.940 serve. 00:28:47.519 --> 00:28:48.220 I want to 00:28:48.220 --> 00:28:48.759 suggest three 00:28:48.759 --> 00:28:49.539 broad ways 00:28:49.539 --> 00:28:51.360 that, ways to 00:28:51.360 --> 00:28:52.559 serve God at 00:28:52.559 --> 00:28:53.460 this church, which 00:28:53.460 --> 00:28:53.740 would be the 00:28:53.740 --> 00:28:54.200 same as any 00:28:54.200 --> 00:28:54.880 church, but let 00:28:54.880 --> 00:28:55.220 me make it 00:28:55.220 --> 00:28:55.759 specific about 00:28:55.759 --> 00:28:56.240 this church. 00:28:57.380 --> 00:28:57.940 James has 00:28:57.940 --> 00:28:58.380 already mentioned 00:28:58.380 --> 00:28:58.880 them, time, 00:28:59.120 --> 00:28:59.559 talents and 00:28:59.559 --> 00:28:59.860 treasures. 00:29:00.059 --> 00:29:00.759 Firstly, time. 00:29:01.559 --> 00:29:02.259 Easiest way to 00:29:02.259 --> 00:29:02.920 serve God with 00:29:02.920 --> 00:29:03.980 your time is 00:29:03.980 --> 00:29:04.920 frankly to turn 00:29:04.920 --> 00:29:06.140 up and engage 00:29:06.140 --> 00:29:06.600 with another 00:29:06.600 --> 00:29:07.759 individual who's 00:29:07.759 --> 00:29:08.220 different from 00:29:08.220 --> 00:29:08.480 you. 00:29:09.140 --> 00:29:09.480 That's the 00:29:09.480 --> 00:29:09.960 easiest way. 00:29:11.880 --> 00:29:12.360 Don't 00:29:12.360 --> 00:29:13.380 underestimate the 00:29:13.380 --> 00:29:14.480 role you play 00:29:14.480 --> 00:29:16.019 by turning up 00:29:16.019 --> 00:29:17.759 and going across 00:29:17.759 --> 00:29:19.580 barriers to 00:29:19.580 --> 00:29:20.380 engage with 00:29:20.380 --> 00:29:21.120 another individual. 00:29:22.039 --> 00:29:22.900 Take the time to 00:29:22.900 --> 00:29:23.680 talk, to 00:29:23.680 --> 00:29:24.320 encourage, to 00:29:24.320 --> 00:29:24.800 listen, to 00:29:24.800 --> 00:29:25.120 pray. 00:29:25.460 --> 00:29:26.420 As you speak the 00:29:26.420 --> 00:29:27.180 truth in love to 00:29:27.180 --> 00:29:27.680 them, you are 00:29:27.680 --> 00:29:28.440 ministering to 00:29:28.440 --> 00:29:28.759 them. 00:29:29.660 --> 00:29:30.519 When you think of 00:29:30.519 --> 00:29:31.160 ministry at a 00:29:31.160 --> 00:29:31.960 church, we 00:29:31.960 --> 00:29:32.740 normally think of 00:29:32.740 --> 00:29:34.319 formal ministry 00:29:34.319 --> 00:29:34.900 sense, a 00:29:34.900 --> 00:29:35.559 position on a 00:29:35.559 --> 00:29:36.559 team or a 00:29:36.559 --> 00:29:38.120 specific role on 00:29:38.120 --> 00:29:38.900 a roster or 00:29:38.900 --> 00:29:39.579 something like 00:29:39.579 --> 00:29:39.900 that. 00:29:40.359 --> 00:29:41.700 That's a very 00:29:41.700 --> 00:29:44.339 small portion of 00:29:44.339 --> 00:29:45.279 the ministry that 00:29:45.279 --> 00:29:46.279 happens at St. 00:29:46.319 --> 00:29:46.779 Paul's. 00:29:47.099 --> 00:29:48.299 A small portion. 00:29:51.799 --> 00:29:53.099 And it's not the 00:29:53.099 --> 00:29:54.759 starting point for 00:29:54.759 --> 00:29:57.000 ministry, nor the 00:29:57.000 --> 00:29:57.759 end point of 00:29:57.759 --> 00:29:58.200 ministry. 00:29:59.339 --> 00:30:00.019 The informal 00:30:00.019 --> 00:30:01.380 ministry is what 00:30:01.380 --> 00:30:03.020 happens outside of 00:30:03.020 --> 00:30:03.560 the formal 00:30:03.560 --> 00:30:04.820 structures and 00:30:04.820 --> 00:30:05.360 gatherings of 00:30:05.360 --> 00:30:05.500 St. 00:30:05.520 --> 00:30:05.860 Paul's. 00:30:06.240 --> 00:30:06.700 And it is 00:30:06.700 --> 00:30:08.840 absolutely crucial 00:30:08.840 --> 00:30:13.100 for building each 00:30:13.100 --> 00:30:13.520 other up. 00:30:15.100 --> 00:30:16.080 It takes time, it 00:30:16.080 --> 00:30:16.580 takes effort. 00:30:17.860 --> 00:30:18.440 But ministry 00:30:18.440 --> 00:30:19.340 doesn't stop there 00:30:19.340 --> 00:30:19.600 though. 00:30:20.280 --> 00:30:21.040 And I do want to 00:30:21.040 --> 00:30:21.720 encourage you to 00:30:21.720 --> 00:30:22.380 join a ministry 00:30:22.380 --> 00:30:22.760 team. 00:30:22.840 --> 00:30:23.200 And it's already 00:30:23.200 --> 00:30:23.960 been pointed out 00:30:23.960 --> 00:30:24.340 there on the 00:30:24.340 --> 00:30:24.600 wall. 00:30:24.920 --> 00:30:25.680 You can grab 00:30:25.680 --> 00:30:26.480 some information. 00:30:26.920 --> 00:30:27.540 There's a table 00:30:27.540 --> 00:30:28.060 out in the middle 00:30:28.060 --> 00:30:28.840 of the atrium to 00:30:28.840 --> 00:30:29.760 sign up and get 00:30:29.760 --> 00:30:30.260 involved. 00:30:30.259 --> 00:30:30.319 involved. 00:30:31.240 --> 00:30:32.079 I would say do 00:30:32.079 --> 00:30:32.559 it today. 00:30:33.240 --> 00:30:33.660 We're going to 00:30:33.660 --> 00:30:34.140 keep hitting you 00:30:34.140 --> 00:30:34.539 with it the next 00:30:34.539 --> 00:30:35.119 time it is, but do 00:30:35.119 --> 00:30:35.480 it today. 00:30:35.700 --> 00:30:36.460 Get involved. 00:30:36.859 --> 00:30:38.740 Say no to my 00:30:38.740 --> 00:30:40.039 selfishness. 00:30:40.460 --> 00:30:41.079 Say no to my 00:30:41.079 --> 00:30:42.599 individuality and get 00:30:42.599 --> 00:30:43.640 involved in others. 00:30:53.640 --> 00:30:54.259 You're also 00:30:54.259 --> 00:30:56.319 accountable for your 00:30:56.319 --> 00:30:57.240 time to others. 00:30:57.240 --> 00:30:57.299 service. 00:30:58.039 --> 00:30:58.799 When you're part of 00:30:58.799 --> 00:30:59.880 a ministry team, 00:31:00.620 --> 00:31:01.779 you don't put the 00:31:01.779 --> 00:31:06.259 time in, then 00:31:06.259 --> 00:31:07.039 others have to 00:31:07.039 --> 00:31:07.680 carry the load. 00:31:10.140 --> 00:31:10.900 There might be an 00:31:10.900 --> 00:31:11.660 opportunity for some 00:31:11.660 --> 00:31:12.559 of you who, because 00:31:12.559 --> 00:31:14.180 of life circumstances, 00:31:15.120 --> 00:31:16.000 are able to give 00:31:16.000 --> 00:31:17.299 larger chunks of 00:31:17.299 --> 00:31:18.460 time and ministry 00:31:18.460 --> 00:31:19.440 to this church. 00:31:20.680 --> 00:31:21.380 In a previous 00:31:21.380 --> 00:31:22.099 church I belonged 00:31:22.099 --> 00:31:23.220 to, a teacher 00:31:23.220 --> 00:31:23.720 retired. 00:31:23.720 --> 00:31:24.319 In fact, he was 00:31:24.319 --> 00:31:24.860 my science 00:31:24.860 --> 00:31:25.220 teacher. 00:31:27.299 --> 00:31:27.940 Not that I 00:31:27.940 --> 00:31:28.620 tried to remind 00:31:28.620 --> 00:31:29.100 him of that. 00:31:29.400 --> 00:31:29.940 We didn't have a 00:31:29.940 --> 00:31:30.640 great relationship. 00:31:31.279 --> 00:31:34.339 But he retired at 00:31:34.339 --> 00:31:35.940 normal retirement age 00:31:35.940 --> 00:31:38.220 for a teacher and 00:31:38.220 --> 00:31:39.279 immediately got 00:31:39.279 --> 00:31:40.500 himself ordained into 00:31:40.500 --> 00:31:41.660 the Anglican church to 00:31:41.660 --> 00:31:42.660 serve his local church 00:31:42.660 --> 00:31:43.120 in a full-time 00:31:43.120 --> 00:31:44.660 capacity, now that 00:31:44.660 --> 00:31:45.220 he'd retired. 00:31:45.220 --> 00:31:47.640 And he still 00:31:47.640 --> 00:31:49.360 ministers there in 00:31:49.360 --> 00:31:50.319 his early 80s, 00:31:50.440 --> 00:31:52.140 still ministers, I 00:31:52.140 --> 00:31:53.000 think, four days a 00:31:53.000 --> 00:31:54.779 week doing ministry 00:31:54.779 --> 00:31:57.640 in that church as 00:31:57.640 --> 00:31:58.240 part of the staff 00:31:58.240 --> 00:31:58.500 team. 00:32:00.240 --> 00:32:01.259 Secondly, talents. 00:32:02.059 --> 00:32:03.079 Bibles uses the 00:32:03.079 --> 00:32:03.819 language of gifts. 00:32:04.160 --> 00:32:05.360 I'm going to launch 00:32:05.360 --> 00:32:06.380 more into this a bit 00:32:06.380 --> 00:32:07.940 next week and we 00:32:07.940 --> 00:32:08.600 talked about it 00:32:08.600 --> 00:32:09.240 already today, so I'm 00:32:09.240 --> 00:32:09.660 not going to go 00:32:09.660 --> 00:32:10.440 further into talents 00:32:10.440 --> 00:32:10.880 and gifts. 00:32:11.519 --> 00:32:12.380 Third, and the 00:32:12.380 --> 00:32:13.059 final way you can 00:32:13.059 --> 00:32:13.799 serve God in this 00:32:13.799 --> 00:32:14.860 world is with your 00:32:14.860 --> 00:32:15.200 treasure. 00:32:15.220 --> 00:32:21.259 next Sunday is, no, 00:32:21.400 --> 00:32:22.400 two Sundays time is 00:32:22.400 --> 00:32:23.019 Vision Sunday. 00:32:26.100 --> 00:32:27.440 It's Vision Sunday 00:32:27.440 --> 00:32:29.319 where we ask our 00:32:29.319 --> 00:32:30.299 people here at St. 00:32:30.360 --> 00:32:32.480 Paul's, you, their 00:32:32.480 --> 00:32:33.500 church family, to make 00:32:33.500 --> 00:32:34.660 a financial pledge for 00:32:34.660 --> 00:32:35.740 the ministry of St. 00:32:35.779 --> 00:32:37.120 Paul's into 2020 and 00:32:37.120 --> 00:32:38.259 to continue for this 00:32:38.259 --> 00:32:39.240 vision to go forward. 00:32:40.839 --> 00:32:42.539 We're also asking you 00:32:42.539 --> 00:32:44.500 to give us, in two 00:32:44.500 --> 00:32:47.259 Sundays time, $75,000 to 00:32:47.259 --> 00:32:49.140 support the work of 00:32:49.140 --> 00:32:50.680 developing the gifting 00:32:50.680 --> 00:32:51.799 of others to serve 00:32:51.799 --> 00:32:52.740 God's global mission. 00:32:53.920 --> 00:32:54.880 Wherever these people 00:32:54.880 --> 00:32:55.880 might go in vocational 00:32:55.880 --> 00:32:58.019 ministry, I would love 00:32:58.019 --> 00:32:59.160 them to leave St. 00:32:59.279 --> 00:33:00.339 Paul's, if they're not 00:33:00.339 --> 00:33:01.259 here, to leave St. 00:33:01.319 --> 00:33:03.059 Paul's with God's vision 00:33:03.059 --> 00:33:03.920 for his church that he 00:33:03.920 --> 00:33:05.160 has here to take it 00:33:05.160 --> 00:33:06.779 wherever he has, has 00:33:06.779 --> 00:33:08.859 sends them to be unifying 00:33:08.859 --> 00:33:09.679 for their neighborhood. 00:33:11.959 --> 00:33:13.639 No less than five times 00:33:13.639 --> 00:33:14.819 in the New Testament, the 00:33:14.819 --> 00:33:16.299 language of supporting a 00:33:16.299 --> 00:33:19.139 missionary or supporting a 00:33:19.139 --> 00:33:20.979 church financially is 00:33:20.979 --> 00:33:22.659 described as ministry, 00:33:23.859 --> 00:33:25.679 described as a service. 00:33:25.680 --> 00:33:29.640 Some of us here have a 00:33:29.640 --> 00:33:32.299 special gift of giving. 00:33:32.960 --> 00:33:34.220 It's part of what God has 00:33:34.220 --> 00:33:35.460 given you in displaying, 00:33:36.120 --> 00:33:38.100 disseminating his gifts to 00:33:38.100 --> 00:33:38.360 us. 00:33:38.660 --> 00:33:39.620 Some of us here have a 00:33:39.620 --> 00:33:40.900 special gift of giving. 00:33:41.960 --> 00:33:43.080 And I would be encouraging 00:33:43.080 --> 00:33:45.279 you in two Sundays time to 00:33:45.279 --> 00:33:46.820 use that gift of giving. 00:33:49.140 --> 00:33:50.740 But regardless of that, 00:33:51.340 --> 00:33:53.060 every single Christian has 00:33:53.060 --> 00:33:54.000 been called into it. 00:33:54.000 --> 00:33:56.619 It might not be your gift, 00:33:56.740 --> 00:33:57.539 but it is your duty. 00:34:00.279 --> 00:34:02.000 So exercise it in two 00:34:02.000 --> 00:34:02.759 Sundays time. 00:34:05.359 --> 00:34:07.519 A key ministry that all of 00:34:07.519 --> 00:34:08.619 God's people are involved 00:34:08.619 --> 00:34:10.000 in, regardless of their 00:34:10.000 --> 00:34:12.059 gifting, is to use our 00:34:12.059 --> 00:34:15.019 treasure to serve the 00:34:15.019 --> 00:34:16.380 conquering king and his 00:34:16.380 --> 00:34:16.739 mission. 00:34:20.440 --> 00:34:22.900 Now, like our gifting, it 00:34:22.900 --> 00:34:23.780 is something we do in 00:34:23.780 --> 00:34:24.600 differing degrees. 00:34:25.480 --> 00:34:26.860 We give according to what 00:34:26.860 --> 00:34:29.360 we have rather than what 00:34:29.360 --> 00:34:30.260 we have not. 00:34:31.380 --> 00:34:32.880 The principle that I like to 00:34:32.880 --> 00:34:35.140 use here is unequal giving 00:34:35.140 --> 00:34:36.700 but equal sacrifice. 00:34:38.519 --> 00:34:40.800 Our act of giving is an act 00:34:40.800 --> 00:34:41.300 of worship. 00:34:42.320 --> 00:34:43.720 This is why the Bible calls 00:34:43.720 --> 00:34:45.040 us to give from our first 00:34:45.040 --> 00:34:46.700 fruits and to live on the 00:34:46.700 --> 00:34:48.420 rest rather than giving God 00:34:48.420 --> 00:34:49.420 what is left over. 00:34:49.420 --> 00:34:52.680 If God has saved you in 00:34:52.680 --> 00:34:54.180 Jesus Christ and gathered 00:34:54.180 --> 00:34:55.720 you to himself, his 00:34:55.720 --> 00:34:57.539 purpose is to grow you to 00:34:57.539 --> 00:34:59.500 be like Jesus in both his 00:34:59.500 --> 00:35:00.860 character and his work. 00:35:01.680 --> 00:35:03.180 And so my final call for you 00:35:03.180 --> 00:35:04.700 is to get behind the vision 00:35:04.700 --> 00:35:05.860 of this church. 00:35:06.519 --> 00:35:08.539 It is unique in our context. 00:35:09.079 --> 00:35:09.940 We are seeking to do 00:35:09.940 --> 00:35:10.960 something here which is 00:35:10.960 --> 00:35:12.619 unique for our context. 00:35:13.240 --> 00:35:15.380 Get behind it, serve it, 00:35:15.900 --> 00:35:17.760 serve God with your time, 00:35:17.760 --> 00:35:19.500 your talents and your 00:35:19.500 --> 00:35:19.800 treasures. 00:35:19.800 --> 00:35:20.320 So 00:35:20.320 --> 00:35:21.020 please 00:35:21.020 --> 00:35:24.100 share your 00:35:24.100 --> 00:35:25.280 passions and your 00:35:25.280 --> 00:35:25.820 talents and your treasures. 00:35:26.200 --> 00:35:26.220 Your core 00:35:26.220 --> 00:35:26.780 también 00:35:26.780 --> 00:35:27.340 your talents and your 00:35:27.340 --> 00:35:29.740 treasures.