WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:08.439 Nearly 2,000 years ago, Pontius Pilate, when Jesus was on trial, asked the question, what is truth? 00:00:09.400 --> 00:00:13.419 Within John's Gospel, as John recounts that situation, 00:00:13.960 --> 00:00:17.620 Pilate's question hangs there on a theological level, 00:00:17.719 --> 00:00:22.339 as the one who is the truth is on trial before Pilate. 00:00:23.460 --> 00:00:27.519 Pontius Pilate's question also hangs there on a cultural level. 00:00:27.519 --> 00:00:34.140 Every culture we live in has its truth claims and has a truth culture. 00:00:35.019 --> 00:00:41.379 And what I'd like to do to begin with is to see if we can move this along. 00:00:41.439 --> 00:00:44.620 I'll hand that to Steve and see if he can move that along one for me. 00:00:45.260 --> 00:00:50.840 Going to look at changes in an Australian truth culture since 1999. 00:00:51.140 --> 00:00:53.879 Why pick 1999? It's the close of the old century. 00:00:53.879 --> 00:00:56.480 It gives us two decades to consider. 00:00:56.479 --> 00:01:03.079 And there are six areas that I think the truth culture of Australia has changed over those times. 00:01:03.500 --> 00:01:07.219 I wonder if you can think what's changed in Australia over the last 20 years 00:01:07.219 --> 00:01:10.340 and see if I pick them up in my six here. 00:01:10.859 --> 00:01:16.340 First of all, do you remember the events of 9-11 and the subsequent terrorist threats 00:01:16.340 --> 00:01:21.579 that have poured cold water on what was the so-called end of history 00:01:21.579 --> 00:01:25.099 that was meant to have come with the end of the Cold War? 00:01:25.099 --> 00:01:30.379 Do you remember those Australian security announcements and adverts? 00:01:30.759 --> 00:01:32.939 We're alert but not alarmed. 00:01:33.679 --> 00:01:36.699 I can never quite say that without a faux Australian accent. 00:01:37.839 --> 00:01:43.079 But I wonder, really, were you, are we, alert but not alarmed? 00:01:43.340 --> 00:01:48.099 Or is there a shadow edge of alarm that creeps in to our alertness? 00:01:48.099 --> 00:01:51.599 Even yesterday's stabbing in Sydney, that immediate thought, 00:01:51.699 --> 00:01:53.219 is this a terror plot? 00:01:53.319 --> 00:01:55.219 Is this part of something bigger? 00:01:55.659 --> 00:01:57.640 We are actually a bit alarmed. 00:01:58.119 --> 00:02:01.119 And fear, fear harms truth. 00:02:02.079 --> 00:02:09.500 Second of my events, the GFC, the global financial crisis of the years 2007 to 2008. 00:02:09.500 --> 00:02:13.599 Australia survived fairly well compared to other countries. 00:02:14.060 --> 00:02:19.659 But a speed bump on the road for individual narratives and national narratives 00:02:19.659 --> 00:02:23.879 of growing prosperity generation after generation. 00:02:24.639 --> 00:02:30.920 Fears, anxieties, uncertain working lives and patterns as a result. 00:02:32.159 --> 00:02:37.379 A heightened concern for self at a national level, at an individual level. 00:02:37.379 --> 00:02:39.400 Again, that harms truth. 00:02:40.419 --> 00:02:46.419 Third, digital revolutions, in the plural, and their radical effects on everyday life. 00:02:47.340 --> 00:02:49.379 Who's got a phone in their pocket here? 00:02:50.079 --> 00:02:50.719 Show of hands. 00:02:52.319 --> 00:02:54.840 Who's not got a phone in their pocket? 00:02:56.379 --> 00:02:58.139 Much fewer of us. 00:02:58.939 --> 00:03:02.139 If we'd asked that 20 years ago, that would have been futuristic almost. 00:03:02.340 --> 00:03:03.579 Certainly 30 years ago. 00:03:03.580 --> 00:03:08.520 But now, the technologies are in our pockets and wrapped around our lives. 00:03:08.620 --> 00:03:15.740 And the sheer multiplicity of sources and amplifiers of news and counter news 00:03:15.740 --> 00:03:19.160 means that truth becomes harder to track. 00:03:20.120 --> 00:03:26.540 Fourth, and related, a shift, a continuing shift from character to personality. 00:03:27.220 --> 00:03:28.860 To personality politics. 00:03:28.860 --> 00:03:33.160 To personal rights-based agendas for society. 00:03:34.160 --> 00:03:37.280 We might think of particular instances like human sexuality. 00:03:37.620 --> 00:03:41.280 But they are just one marker of a wider turn. 00:03:42.040 --> 00:03:48.580 A turn in which personalized truth notions rise to the fore. 00:03:49.020 --> 00:03:50.640 That are harder to share. 00:03:51.680 --> 00:03:55.160 And which find it harder to coexist within a society. 00:03:55.159 --> 00:04:04.599 Fifth, a declining confidence in traditional institutions, trade unions, politicians, 00:04:05.800 --> 00:04:10.680 experts of all kinds, and churches included as well. 00:04:11.620 --> 00:04:15.780 Distrust that corrodes collective truth. 00:04:16.779 --> 00:04:21.300 Sixth and finally, what we might call the Anthropocene. 00:04:21.300 --> 00:04:23.480 A new age dawning. 00:04:24.259 --> 00:04:30.139 An age of human intervention on the planet that brings about weather extremities. 00:04:31.100 --> 00:04:35.199 Trigger thresholds crossed where climates change. 00:04:36.020 --> 00:04:38.780 What will be the effects of this kind of era? 00:04:39.699 --> 00:04:40.939 The effects will be many. 00:04:41.379 --> 00:04:48.519 But one of them will be a decline of confidence in human ability to control our lives. 00:04:48.519 --> 00:04:52.899 The decline of human measures of truth. 00:04:53.879 --> 00:04:55.539 Some good in that. 00:04:55.919 --> 00:04:59.579 But also some anti-biblical traits as well. 00:05:00.319 --> 00:05:04.299 If we were to summarize these, then there are four letters that could summarize them. 00:05:04.339 --> 00:05:07.519 The letters V-U-C-A. 00:05:08.359 --> 00:05:10.959 An old Cold War code. 00:05:11.439 --> 00:05:11.779 VUCA. 00:05:12.479 --> 00:05:13.939 The V stands for volatility. 00:05:15.060 --> 00:05:16.319 Things change. 00:05:16.319 --> 00:05:19.480 Increasingly so, compared to 20 years ago. 00:05:19.800 --> 00:05:22.699 Life is not as stable as it once was. 00:05:23.779 --> 00:05:26.079 The U stands for uncertainty. 00:05:27.040 --> 00:05:29.819 That change is unpredictable. 00:05:30.600 --> 00:05:32.319 Not easily predicted. 00:05:33.680 --> 00:05:34.339 The C. 00:05:35.300 --> 00:05:36.680 Life is complex. 00:05:37.620 --> 00:05:38.500 Multiple causes. 00:05:39.459 --> 00:05:40.759 Not easily unraveled. 00:05:41.500 --> 00:05:44.860 Certainly not easily controlled or manipulated by us. 00:05:44.860 --> 00:05:48.100 A complexity that eludes us in life. 00:05:48.840 --> 00:05:49.560 And the A. 00:05:50.379 --> 00:05:51.600 Things are ambiguous. 00:05:52.759 --> 00:05:57.180 Life and its individual life moments are often hazy. 00:05:57.639 --> 00:06:00.680 With potential for misreading and misunderstanding. 00:06:02.020 --> 00:06:04.600 We live in a VUCA world. 00:06:05.699 --> 00:06:07.220 Even in the changes. 00:06:07.660 --> 00:06:10.759 Maybe particularly in the changes of the last 20 years. 00:06:10.759 --> 00:06:14.639 Where then can we go from this? 00:06:14.639 --> 00:06:16.500 In a search for truth. 00:06:17.240 --> 00:06:20.240 Well, again, to track through four steps. 00:06:21.099 --> 00:06:22.199 And where this sits. 00:06:22.779 --> 00:06:24.699 And we come to Jesus himself. 00:06:25.180 --> 00:06:30.079 First of all, I point towards a book written in 1984 by Walsh and Middleton. 00:06:30.279 --> 00:06:32.659 Two writers called The Transforming Vision. 00:06:32.660 --> 00:06:39.980 In that book, they set the Christian worldview very clearly against a non-Christian worldview. 00:06:40.300 --> 00:06:42.480 A singular worldview of the wider world. 00:06:43.640 --> 00:06:47.140 A neat and confident transforming vision. 00:06:48.140 --> 00:06:55.520 Eleven years later, the two writers wrote a second book called Truth is Stranger Than It Used To Be. 00:06:55.519 --> 00:07:02.939 Suddenly, back in those days of the 1990s, people were beginning to talk about post-modernity. 00:07:03.680 --> 00:07:05.060 Something changing. 00:07:05.539 --> 00:07:06.299 Something afoot. 00:07:06.479 --> 00:07:09.240 Even before our 20 years that we've just looked back on. 00:07:10.259 --> 00:07:11.680 A confusing choice. 00:07:11.979 --> 00:07:14.740 Truth as stranger than it used to be. 00:07:15.439 --> 00:07:18.659 But then we can jump forward to the year 2017. 00:07:19.120 --> 00:07:23.899 When fake news was declared to be the word of the year. 00:07:23.899 --> 00:07:26.879 Of course, that could be fake news in and of itself. 00:07:27.199 --> 00:07:27.859 Who would tell? 00:07:28.639 --> 00:07:33.439 But at that point, and it's not the title of a book, but rather a title of a book, I think ought to be written. 00:07:34.299 --> 00:07:37.979 Truth is a stranger who used to be. 00:07:38.799 --> 00:07:42.959 In a sudden overwhelming of choice, who do you trust? 00:07:43.959 --> 00:07:44.979 Who do you turn to? 00:07:45.839 --> 00:07:47.659 Where is truth to be found? 00:07:48.899 --> 00:07:53.159 Well, truth is to be found where it always was to be found. 00:07:53.160 --> 00:07:56.640 Even to go back to Pontius Pilate 2,000 years ago. 00:07:57.120 --> 00:08:02.200 Truth is found in the disorienting stranger who needs to be heard. 00:08:02.740 --> 00:08:07.260 As theologian Michael Horton has described Jesus himself. 00:08:07.560 --> 00:08:09.800 The disorienting stranger. 00:08:09.800 --> 00:08:23.720 The stranger whom the spirit, God's Holy Spirit, has enabled Christians to recognize as the advocate, the ruler, at the fathers, at God's right hand. 00:08:23.720 --> 00:08:37.480 But we live in a culture, as Horton also says, where there is a fear of meeting the stranger, even if the stranger is God. 00:08:38.160 --> 00:08:42.759 We might say indeed, particularly when the stranger is God. 00:08:42.759 --> 00:08:52.980 This post-truth world, with all its VUCA-like qualities, is a world of fear of the truth. 00:08:53.740 --> 00:08:56.679 Fear of the truth as the other. 00:08:57.759 --> 00:09:02.500 In that sense, it is a world no different to that of John's gospel. 00:09:02.500 --> 00:09:08.580 When the light came into the world, in the word of Jesus Christ himself. 00:09:09.740 --> 00:09:14.980 And the gospel, the good news of Jesus, points to him. 00:09:15.899 --> 00:09:20.120 A matter of relationship and not merely connection. 00:09:21.340 --> 00:09:26.159 In my next slide, I think we have, if we move on a few slides. 00:09:26.779 --> 00:09:28.320 Is the little pointer working? 00:09:28.320 --> 00:09:32.260 I'll take it back if it is, and see if I can run it from here. 00:09:35.540 --> 00:09:39.220 Here we have a city, known and loved. 00:09:39.320 --> 00:09:43.300 A city that I've driven many miles around just over the last week. 00:09:43.900 --> 00:09:46.080 That you know, and in which you live. 00:09:47.060 --> 00:09:55.640 I want to ask the question, in this post-truth world, what will make the good news about Jesus sticky? 00:09:56.440 --> 00:09:56.860 Sticky. 00:09:58.320 --> 00:10:01.760 Connecting in our culture. 00:10:01.760 --> 00:10:08.100 In the twilight of our age, what lights are going on? 00:10:08.720 --> 00:10:10.660 And what lights are dimming? 00:10:11.400 --> 00:10:18.960 It can feel that the lights of Christianity are fading, aging, less numerous. 00:10:19.400 --> 00:10:26.660 The lights of non-religion shine brightly, senses after senses after senses. 00:10:26.659 --> 00:10:30.740 What I want to suggest tonight is this. 00:10:31.699 --> 00:10:35.219 We are well-schooled at a simple gospel. 00:10:36.159 --> 00:10:38.759 The good news of Jesus told simply. 00:10:38.759 --> 00:10:44.600 The gospel is true, but it can be too isolated. 00:10:44.600 --> 00:10:47.679 Too isolated from the world we live in. 00:10:47.759 --> 00:10:51.759 Too instant for those who need time to understand it. 00:10:52.139 --> 00:11:00.460 Too inflexible for a city, for a world where truth is feared and not immediately accepted. 00:11:00.460 --> 00:11:05.560 What I want to propose here is a relational approach. 00:11:05.900 --> 00:11:16.759 An attendance to our relationships one with another that will grant or will increase the likelihood of granting this kind of increased stickiness. 00:11:16.759 --> 00:11:23.220 With that in mind, I want to turn to consider relationships. 00:11:23.220 --> 00:11:26.660 Relationships, we're used to them every day. 00:11:27.060 --> 00:11:30.259 But how can we get a handle on how we increase them? 00:11:30.560 --> 00:11:31.759 How we nurture them? 00:11:32.060 --> 00:11:33.240 How we value them? 00:11:33.740 --> 00:11:34.960 And can grow in them? 00:11:35.860 --> 00:11:42.899 In this, I'm drawing on a book from 1993 written by Michael Schluter and David Lee called The R Factor. 00:11:43.460 --> 00:11:47.220 In this book, they wanted to say that relationships matter. 00:11:47.220 --> 00:11:53.300 They matter for the health of our society and for the life of our society. 00:11:54.519 --> 00:12:05.980 What they particularly pointed to was that proximity in relationship is a vital precursor if we are going to have a flourishing society. 00:12:06.779 --> 00:12:12.840 In pointing to this, they isolated five aspects of relationship. 00:12:13.399 --> 00:12:16.100 To be nurtured and to be maximized. 00:12:16.100 --> 00:12:18.399 Let me briefly run through them for us. 00:12:18.940 --> 00:12:24.420 First of all, they said that directness in relationships is really important. 00:12:24.820 --> 00:12:27.100 A relational proximity in contact. 00:12:28.139 --> 00:12:30.060 Ideally, eye to eye. 00:12:30.519 --> 00:12:34.180 With a felt sense of responsibility for the relationship. 00:12:35.159 --> 00:12:40.560 We might think of the Good Samaritan as he encounters the wounded man on the road. 00:12:41.120 --> 00:12:43.940 And sees there a fellow human being. 00:12:43.940 --> 00:12:50.180 There's a directness of relationship that causes him to act in a particular way. 00:12:51.100 --> 00:12:54.880 Truth then flourishes eye to eye. 00:12:55.700 --> 00:13:02.460 I want to suggest to those of us who might feel awash and a sea in a post-truth world. 00:13:02.460 --> 00:13:10.019 That our everyday relationships in their directness, in their contact, continue to matter. 00:13:10.019 --> 00:13:13.660 And indeed hold the seeds of where we want to go. 00:13:13.980 --> 00:13:15.220 In probing. 00:13:15.780 --> 00:13:17.820 Not only post-truth culture. 00:13:18.300 --> 00:13:20.980 But also the growth of the gospel within it. 00:13:20.980 --> 00:13:25.720 Second, I want to talk about continuity. 00:13:26.639 --> 00:13:32.100 That's the second of Schluter and Lee's five aspects of relationships. 00:13:32.399 --> 00:13:34.440 Relational proximity through time. 00:13:35.139 --> 00:13:38.879 Allowing the sustained time for a relationship to grow. 00:13:39.560 --> 00:13:41.639 Again, this is something that we're used to. 00:13:41.639 --> 00:13:44.120 Relationships grow over time. 00:13:44.899 --> 00:13:47.019 Some of you I've met for the first time tonight. 00:13:47.139 --> 00:13:48.519 Our relationship will be thin. 00:13:49.360 --> 00:13:51.819 Some of you I've known for decades. 00:13:52.120 --> 00:13:54.699 Our relationship will be deeper and richer. 00:13:55.600 --> 00:13:58.319 And that is where I want to point us. 00:13:59.259 --> 00:14:05.519 Truth flourishes where people slow down and spend time together. 00:14:05.519 --> 00:14:07.939 We might think of believers. 00:14:08.460 --> 00:14:12.600 How we use our gatherings, our services on Sundays. 00:14:13.000 --> 00:14:14.819 And the time beyond it. 00:14:15.740 --> 00:14:22.120 The relational answer to busy lives where people rush past one another. 00:14:22.600 --> 00:14:23.860 And truth suffers. 00:14:24.220 --> 00:14:26.240 Might be a contrarian one. 00:14:26.720 --> 00:14:28.279 At least at first hearing. 00:14:28.799 --> 00:14:30.480 To ask those who are busy. 00:14:30.740 --> 00:14:31.759 Working away. 00:14:32.179 --> 00:14:33.579 Raising children perhaps. 00:14:33.579 --> 00:14:35.460 Paying off a mortgage perhaps. 00:14:35.519 --> 00:14:41.579 Asking those busy people to slow down and spend time together. 00:14:42.720 --> 00:14:46.399 I guess many in northern Sydney are time poor. 00:14:47.480 --> 00:14:52.379 And some might also consider themselves to be church poor. 00:14:53.439 --> 00:14:59.120 Some others might be time poor and not consider themselves to be church poor. 00:14:59.799 --> 00:15:03.519 But relationships grow with directness and continuity. 00:15:03.519 --> 00:15:08.360 And thirdly with what Schluter and Lee call multiplexity. 00:15:08.779 --> 00:15:09.899 Not a visit to the cinema. 00:15:10.579 --> 00:15:13.279 But rather to multiple life spheres. 00:15:13.679 --> 00:15:14.899 Getting to know someone. 00:15:15.139 --> 00:15:16.559 Perhaps not just at church. 00:15:16.879 --> 00:15:17.899 But also at home. 00:15:18.399 --> 00:15:19.480 Not just at work. 00:15:19.779 --> 00:15:21.179 But also after work. 00:15:22.000 --> 00:15:23.559 To build trust in a person. 00:15:23.879 --> 00:15:25.120 And not just a contact. 00:15:25.759 --> 00:15:27.539 The truth flourishes. 00:15:27.539 --> 00:15:29.379 When our relationships flourish. 00:15:29.379 --> 00:15:29.459 When our relationships flourish. 00:15:29.459 --> 00:15:33.459 When we meet in different areas of life. 00:15:34.319 --> 00:15:37.860 This has a bearing on how we move through places. 00:15:38.419 --> 00:15:40.879 How we live in our places. 00:15:41.099 --> 00:15:43.439 Not just our places at home. 00:15:43.599 --> 00:15:44.759 Where we sleep. 00:15:45.259 --> 00:15:46.980 Also our places of work. 00:15:47.480 --> 00:15:48.740 And other places. 00:15:48.740 --> 00:15:51.519 Where we encounter those around us. 00:15:51.519 --> 00:15:56.679 I wonder if we think about the gospel of Jesus Christ. 00:15:57.079 --> 00:15:59.819 And evangelism happening in places. 00:16:00.519 --> 00:16:02.100 It always does so. 00:16:02.579 --> 00:16:05.620 And it happens ideally in relationships. 00:16:06.460 --> 00:16:08.579 Fourthly in these relational dimensions. 00:16:08.960 --> 00:16:09.539 Parity. 00:16:10.059 --> 00:16:12.679 Relational proximity in levels of power. 00:16:12.679 --> 00:16:15.679 To enable easier self-disclosure. 00:16:16.719 --> 00:16:17.819 Showing of ourselves. 00:16:18.359 --> 00:16:20.459 And cultivating of common ground. 00:16:21.279 --> 00:16:22.679 Truth flourishes. 00:16:23.000 --> 00:16:24.679 Human to human. 00:16:24.919 --> 00:16:25.839 On the level. 00:16:26.759 --> 00:16:30.579 Not necessarily in stark hierarchical terms. 00:16:31.019 --> 00:16:33.159 But as we open our lives. 00:16:33.519 --> 00:16:34.779 One to another. 00:16:35.839 --> 00:16:36.699 Fifth and finally. 00:16:36.979 --> 00:16:37.799 A commonality. 00:16:37.959 --> 00:16:41.079 A relational proximity in purpose. 00:16:41.080 --> 00:16:43.660 Which binds people together. 00:16:43.660 --> 00:16:46.340 As partners in a task. 00:16:46.520 --> 00:16:47.320 In a project. 00:16:48.100 --> 00:16:49.580 Truth flourishes. 00:16:49.840 --> 00:16:52.680 Where people are shoulder to shoulder. 00:16:53.800 --> 00:16:55.080 Our church times. 00:16:55.540 --> 00:16:56.560 On Sundays. 00:16:57.139 --> 00:16:58.440 Our gathering times. 00:16:58.639 --> 00:17:00.980 Our lingering times together. 00:17:01.860 --> 00:17:04.860 As times to feed lives. 00:17:05.180 --> 00:17:06.400 And equip lives. 00:17:06.680 --> 00:17:09.120 Of gospel intentionality. 00:17:09.119 --> 00:17:13.319 That we would live our lives on purpose. 00:17:13.959 --> 00:17:14.879 For Jesus. 00:17:15.559 --> 00:17:18.000 Growing relationships for him. 00:17:18.819 --> 00:17:20.199 It's not accidental in this. 00:17:20.259 --> 00:17:22.579 That I picked upon the good Samaritan. 00:17:23.419 --> 00:17:25.819 He engages in these kind of activities. 00:17:26.500 --> 00:17:28.319 In a parable way. 00:17:29.059 --> 00:17:30.359 If you remember that parable. 00:17:30.739 --> 00:17:33.279 He even engages in commonality. 00:17:33.279 --> 00:17:34.639 With the innkeeper. 00:17:35.439 --> 00:17:36.279 A risky partnership. 00:17:36.279 --> 00:17:38.279 A new relationship. 00:17:38.279 --> 00:17:39.559 A new relationship with that man. 00:17:39.859 --> 00:17:41.579 Because of the need before him. 00:17:42.559 --> 00:17:43.660 Following Jesus. 00:17:44.559 --> 00:17:45.920 Responding to his gospel. 00:17:46.559 --> 00:17:49.139 Invites us into relationships. 00:17:49.980 --> 00:17:51.899 What Schluter and Lee present here. 00:17:52.000 --> 00:17:54.460 I think is an analysis for our relationships. 00:17:54.940 --> 00:17:57.019 And an audit for them as church members. 00:17:57.920 --> 00:18:00.379 Do we know the lives of those around us? 00:18:00.420 --> 00:18:01.859 Perhaps not the whole church. 00:18:01.859 --> 00:18:03.099 If we're in a big church. 00:18:03.099 --> 00:18:05.459 But are we in a relational group. 00:18:05.699 --> 00:18:06.719 A neighborhood. 00:18:08.339 --> 00:18:09.980 That's not geographically formed. 00:18:10.219 --> 00:18:11.339 But a small group. 00:18:12.099 --> 00:18:14.339 A small group that is outward looking. 00:18:14.679 --> 00:18:16.179 But also inward looking. 00:18:16.500 --> 00:18:19.000 Where relationships can increase. 00:18:19.459 --> 00:18:20.500 And can flourish. 00:18:21.719 --> 00:18:23.159 As I say in a large church. 00:18:23.379 --> 00:18:25.559 This might be a question of smaller groups. 00:18:25.919 --> 00:18:26.919 In a smaller group. 00:18:27.399 --> 00:18:28.639 In a small church. 00:18:28.859 --> 00:18:30.679 It might be the church itself. 00:18:30.680 --> 00:18:33.720 To entangle our lives. 00:18:33.720 --> 00:18:35.580 In this kind of way. 00:18:38.140 --> 00:18:39.940 What we need to consider next. 00:18:40.120 --> 00:18:40.600 I think. 00:18:40.980 --> 00:18:43.160 Is a sixth secret source. 00:18:43.640 --> 00:18:45.440 To add to those five dimensions. 00:18:45.880 --> 00:18:47.080 Another R factor. 00:18:47.779 --> 00:18:50.259 The R factor of resurrection. 00:18:51.259 --> 00:18:53.500 Got here on the screen for us. 00:18:53.560 --> 00:18:54.279 A timeline. 00:18:54.700 --> 00:18:57.180 Resurrection established at the first Easter. 00:18:57.180 --> 00:19:00.220 As Jesus is raised from the dead. 00:19:00.279 --> 00:19:01.200 By God his father. 00:19:01.200 --> 00:19:03.279 On the third day after his death. 00:19:03.420 --> 00:19:05.100 As the first born. 00:19:05.460 --> 00:19:06.320 From among the dead. 00:19:06.940 --> 00:19:08.580 The clue is in that first born. 00:19:09.080 --> 00:19:10.720 Not just for that first Easter. 00:19:11.060 --> 00:19:13.240 But Jesus is the second Adam. 00:19:13.720 --> 00:19:16.240 With others being raised to life. 00:19:16.580 --> 00:19:18.320 In his slipstream. 00:19:18.759 --> 00:19:20.160 As they turn to him. 00:19:20.580 --> 00:19:22.920 In repentance and faith. 00:19:23.620 --> 00:19:25.080 Putting their trust in him. 00:19:25.079 --> 00:19:27.439 And aligning their lives with him. 00:19:27.980 --> 00:19:29.819 Which is the gospel going out. 00:19:30.460 --> 00:19:31.220 Expended. 00:19:32.119 --> 00:19:34.279 Expanding grace of God. 00:19:34.679 --> 00:19:36.299 At work in lives. 00:19:37.079 --> 00:19:37.819 But also. 00:19:38.139 --> 00:19:40.179 The resurrection of all. 00:19:40.980 --> 00:19:42.179 Of all the dead. 00:19:42.819 --> 00:19:45.460 Believer and unbeliever alike. 00:19:46.179 --> 00:19:48.139 In Acts chapter 10 verse 42. 00:19:48.399 --> 00:19:49.619 Talking to Cornelius. 00:19:49.619 --> 00:19:50.619 Peter describes. 00:19:50.619 --> 00:19:51.159 Peter describes. 00:19:51.159 --> 00:19:53.259 How Jesus has been established. 00:19:53.439 --> 00:19:55.539 As the judge of the living. 00:19:55.859 --> 00:19:56.759 And the dead. 00:19:58.019 --> 00:20:00.039 Whoever dies tonight in Sydney. 00:20:00.219 --> 00:20:01.399 Whether they be a believer. 00:20:01.679 --> 00:20:02.859 Or an unbeliever. 00:20:03.199 --> 00:20:04.799 Is on a pathway. 00:20:05.339 --> 00:20:06.179 A trajectory. 00:20:06.759 --> 00:20:08.099 Towards resurrection. 00:20:09.279 --> 00:20:10.119 It's no. 00:20:11.699 --> 00:20:12.339 Underestimation. 00:20:13.139 --> 00:20:14.799 When in the latter chapters. 00:20:14.799 --> 00:20:15.719 Of the book of Acts. 00:20:15.799 --> 00:20:16.839 The hope of Israel. 00:20:16.959 --> 00:20:18.000 The hope of the Bible. 00:20:18.000 --> 00:20:19.279 The hope of the Old Testament. 00:20:19.700 --> 00:20:20.619 Is described. 00:20:20.980 --> 00:20:22.579 As the resurrection. 00:20:22.579 --> 00:20:23.720 Of the dead. 00:20:24.579 --> 00:20:25.400 The dead. 00:20:25.920 --> 00:20:26.400 Plural. 00:20:27.500 --> 00:20:29.220 When Jesus returns. 00:20:29.680 --> 00:20:31.000 To raise the dead. 00:20:31.359 --> 00:20:32.000 To judgment. 00:20:32.700 --> 00:20:33.519 And believers. 00:20:34.099 --> 00:20:35.000 To restoration. 00:20:35.680 --> 00:20:36.779 And eternal life. 00:20:37.759 --> 00:20:38.859 What does this sixth. 00:20:39.079 --> 00:20:40.059 Secret source. 00:20:40.160 --> 00:20:40.559 Give us. 00:20:40.559 --> 00:20:41.799 I think it gives us. 00:20:42.140 --> 00:20:42.740 An everyday. 00:20:43.160 --> 00:20:44.279 End times. 00:20:44.519 --> 00:20:44.920 Edge. 00:20:45.319 --> 00:20:46.359 To our living. 00:20:46.359 --> 00:20:48.059 Giving you some words. 00:20:48.059 --> 00:20:48.539 On the sheet. 00:20:48.619 --> 00:20:49.199 From C.S. 00:20:49.279 --> 00:20:49.639 Lewis. 00:20:50.279 --> 00:20:51.099 His observation. 00:20:51.259 --> 00:20:51.799 In the weight. 00:20:51.879 --> 00:20:52.479 Of glory. 00:20:52.479 --> 00:20:53.479 When he says this. 00:20:53.479 --> 00:20:55.159 We live in a society. 00:20:55.159 --> 00:20:56.679 Of possible gods. 00:20:56.899 --> 00:20:58.159 And goddesses. 00:20:58.579 --> 00:20:59.599 Where there are. 00:20:59.719 --> 00:21:01.159 No ordinary people. 00:21:01.699 --> 00:21:02.719 You have never. 00:21:03.259 --> 00:21:03.799 Talked. 00:21:04.159 --> 00:21:05.019 To a mere. 00:21:05.519 --> 00:21:05.899 Mortal. 00:21:07.179 --> 00:21:08.019 Each person. 00:21:08.159 --> 00:21:09.059 You have met today. 00:21:09.899 --> 00:21:10.639 Each person. 00:21:10.639 --> 00:21:11.819 With whom you relate. 00:21:12.139 --> 00:21:12.879 Is someone. 00:21:12.880 --> 00:21:14.240 Who is heading. 00:21:14.800 --> 00:21:15.240 Towards. 00:21:15.800 --> 00:21:16.320 Resurrection. 00:21:17.420 --> 00:21:18.860 Whether they be a believer. 00:21:19.300 --> 00:21:20.020 Or not. 00:21:20.720 --> 00:21:22.040 This focus on the resurrection. 00:21:22.040 --> 00:21:24.140 Doesn't deny the cross of Jesus. 00:21:24.140 --> 00:21:25.320 No far from it. 00:21:25.520 --> 00:21:26.900 And it doesn't isolate. 00:21:27.340 --> 00:21:28.680 Jesus's saving work. 00:21:28.980 --> 00:21:29.480 But rather. 00:21:29.720 --> 00:21:30.940 It crowns it. 00:21:31.440 --> 00:21:32.500 It crowns it. 00:21:33.140 --> 00:21:34.100 Jesus died. 00:21:34.300 --> 00:21:35.720 That he might rise. 00:21:36.140 --> 00:21:36.700 And be us. 00:21:36.940 --> 00:21:39.200 Be the one at God's right hand. 00:21:39.860 --> 00:21:40.700 The first. 00:21:41.060 --> 00:21:41.420 Born. 00:21:41.420 --> 00:21:42.740 Of the resurrection. 00:21:44.140 --> 00:21:45.500 This focus on resurrection. 00:21:45.500 --> 00:21:46.360 Also gives us. 00:21:46.360 --> 00:21:47.380 An everyday. 00:21:48.060 --> 00:21:49.440 Integrated edge. 00:21:50.160 --> 00:21:50.680 That actually. 00:21:50.900 --> 00:21:51.840 You and I. 00:21:52.240 --> 00:21:52.660 Birthday. 00:21:53.160 --> 00:21:53.800 By birthday. 00:21:54.460 --> 00:21:54.940 Day. 00:21:55.340 --> 00:21:55.860 By day. 00:21:56.300 --> 00:21:56.620 Moment. 00:21:56.840 --> 00:21:57.440 By moment. 00:21:57.779 --> 00:21:58.680 Are moving. 00:21:59.000 --> 00:21:59.519 Towards. 00:21:59.779 --> 00:22:00.140 Our. 00:22:00.660 --> 00:22:01.300 Resurrection. 00:22:02.519 --> 00:22:03.240 Evangelism. 00:22:03.660 --> 00:22:04.840 And discipleship. 00:22:05.200 --> 00:22:06.140 Become on one. 00:22:06.480 --> 00:22:07.120 Continuum. 00:22:07.900 --> 00:22:08.600 Evangelism. 00:22:08.740 --> 00:22:09.539 Isn't an optional. 00:22:09.640 --> 00:22:10.000 Extra. 00:22:10.000 --> 00:22:11.859 It's bound together. 00:22:11.859 --> 00:22:13.619 In this relational. 00:22:13.619 --> 00:22:14.380 Pursuit. 00:22:14.380 --> 00:22:15.119 For truth. 00:22:15.119 --> 00:22:16.779 In our churches. 00:22:17.099 --> 00:22:18.099 And beyond. 00:22:18.819 --> 00:22:19.680 In our lives. 00:22:20.819 --> 00:22:22.740 In about 2007. 00:22:23.579 --> 00:22:24.680 Some sociologists. 00:22:24.839 --> 00:22:26.119 Some Christian sociologists. 00:22:26.119 --> 00:22:27.480 Came up with the term. 00:22:27.859 --> 00:22:29.059 Midi narrative. 00:22:29.799 --> 00:22:31.000 Midi narrative. 00:22:31.480 --> 00:22:32.980 What they were trying to describe. 00:22:33.099 --> 00:22:34.119 Was what was developing. 00:22:34.259 --> 00:22:35.319 And I think is increasing. 00:22:35.319 --> 00:22:36.339 In our societies. 00:22:36.339 --> 00:22:38.099 That people around us. 00:22:38.359 --> 00:22:39.959 Have a small scale. 00:22:39.959 --> 00:22:41.099 Life project. 00:22:41.639 --> 00:22:43.119 Concerning themselves. 00:22:43.939 --> 00:22:44.720 Their friends. 00:22:45.159 --> 00:22:45.919 And their families. 00:22:46.720 --> 00:22:48.299 It's their midi narrative. 00:22:48.740 --> 00:22:49.980 Their local story. 00:22:50.459 --> 00:22:51.559 Perhaps consisting of. 00:22:51.980 --> 00:22:52.500 Good housing. 00:22:53.439 --> 00:22:54.119 Good schooling. 00:22:54.299 --> 00:22:54.859 For the kids. 00:22:55.399 --> 00:22:56.519 A good health system. 00:22:57.099 --> 00:22:57.959 A good pension. 00:22:58.319 --> 00:22:59.579 At the end of a good job. 00:23:01.079 --> 00:23:01.799 That's. 00:23:02.000 --> 00:23:02.779 A midi narrative. 00:23:02.779 --> 00:23:05.839 Well all midi narratives. 00:23:06.519 --> 00:23:07.859 All the millions of them. 00:23:07.980 --> 00:23:08.980 That move around. 00:23:08.980 --> 00:23:09.740 Sydney. 00:23:10.160 --> 00:23:11.460 And interact with one another. 00:23:11.980 --> 00:23:13.240 All midi narratives. 00:23:13.619 --> 00:23:13.920 Meet. 00:23:14.339 --> 00:23:14.619 At. 00:23:14.960 --> 00:23:15.639 The resurrection. 00:23:16.619 --> 00:23:17.440 And with that in mind. 00:23:17.539 --> 00:23:18.180 I think we need. 00:23:18.259 --> 00:23:18.859 A sharper. 00:23:19.379 --> 00:23:20.240 Better sense. 00:23:20.460 --> 00:23:21.339 Of gospel. 00:23:21.799 --> 00:23:22.519 Lifespan. 00:23:23.119 --> 00:23:24.160 Of what it means. 00:23:24.259 --> 00:23:24.819 To come. 00:23:25.059 --> 00:23:25.579 To Jesus. 00:23:26.119 --> 00:23:26.539 And. 00:23:26.859 --> 00:23:27.379 To move. 00:23:27.700 --> 00:23:28.379 From darkness. 00:23:28.839 --> 00:23:29.599 To light. 00:23:29.599 --> 00:23:31.619 That enormous. 00:23:32.099 --> 00:23:32.579 Step. 00:23:32.939 --> 00:23:34.039 Of new creation. 00:23:35.559 --> 00:23:36.500 And with that in mind. 00:23:36.579 --> 00:23:37.559 I want to move us. 00:23:38.000 --> 00:23:39.399 In the final section. 00:23:40.139 --> 00:23:41.819 To five thresholds. 00:23:42.159 --> 00:23:43.219 Based on a book. 00:23:43.639 --> 00:23:44.859 You can see the reference there. 00:23:44.980 --> 00:23:46.000 By Don Everts. 00:23:46.339 --> 00:23:46.959 And Doug. 00:23:47.240 --> 00:23:47.500 Shaw. 00:23:48.139 --> 00:23:49.799 Five thresholds. 00:23:50.079 --> 00:23:51.079 Towards faith. 00:23:52.179 --> 00:23:53.719 If we think about the movement. 00:23:53.719 --> 00:23:55.179 From darkness to light. 00:23:55.240 --> 00:23:56.240 Of becoming a Christian. 00:23:56.519 --> 00:23:57.619 It is an enormous. 00:23:57.980 --> 00:23:58.459 Step. 00:23:58.460 --> 00:24:00.480 If you have taken it. 00:24:01.259 --> 00:24:02.000 You know something. 00:24:02.079 --> 00:24:02.860 Of that enormity. 00:24:03.420 --> 00:24:04.340 If you have not. 00:24:04.539 --> 00:24:05.340 Yet taken it. 00:24:05.660 --> 00:24:06.640 Perhaps you sense. 00:24:07.000 --> 00:24:07.380 Something. 00:24:07.680 --> 00:24:08.519 Of that enormity. 00:24:09.720 --> 00:24:11.319 What this helpfully does. 00:24:11.440 --> 00:24:12.539 Is break it down. 00:24:12.660 --> 00:24:12.960 For us. 00:24:13.240 --> 00:24:14.140 Into five. 00:24:14.819 --> 00:24:15.420 Thresholds. 00:24:15.660 --> 00:24:16.220 Five. 00:24:16.480 --> 00:24:16.960 Steps. 00:24:17.259 --> 00:24:17.980 To pass through. 00:24:18.660 --> 00:24:19.600 And if we are thinking. 00:24:19.920 --> 00:24:20.400 About. 00:24:20.840 --> 00:24:21.940 How to tell. 00:24:22.100 --> 00:24:22.680 The gospel. 00:24:22.680 --> 00:24:23.259 Of Jesus. 00:24:23.860 --> 00:24:25.160 In the VUCA world. 00:24:25.299 --> 00:24:26.299 In which we live. 00:24:26.759 --> 00:24:27.319 Then I think. 00:24:27.319 --> 00:24:28.579 These five steps. 00:24:28.579 --> 00:24:29.579 Are helpful. 00:24:29.579 --> 00:24:30.439 For us. 00:24:30.439 --> 00:24:31.460 To understand. 00:24:31.460 --> 00:24:32.220 What has happened. 00:24:32.220 --> 00:24:32.980 To us. 00:24:33.679 --> 00:24:34.519 And us. 00:24:34.519 --> 00:24:35.599 In evangelism. 00:24:36.039 --> 00:24:37.079 As we reach out. 00:24:37.200 --> 00:24:38.000 With the gospel. 00:24:38.000 --> 00:24:38.619 To others. 00:24:39.299 --> 00:24:40.919 The first of these thresholds. 00:24:40.919 --> 00:24:42.259 Is trusting. 00:24:42.799 --> 00:24:43.720 A Christian. 00:24:44.779 --> 00:24:46.099 One of the first things. 00:24:46.099 --> 00:24:47.339 I think we need to take. 00:24:47.700 --> 00:24:48.819 Is a truth. 00:24:49.159 --> 00:24:49.779 Inventory. 00:24:50.339 --> 00:24:51.399 If you're a believer. 00:24:51.399 --> 00:24:52.559 In Jesus Christ. 00:24:52.559 --> 00:24:53.440 Then look. 00:24:53.440 --> 00:24:55.059 At your own life. 00:24:55.679 --> 00:24:56.859 Your own networks. 00:24:57.299 --> 00:24:57.579 Daily. 00:24:58.139 --> 00:24:58.519 Weekly. 00:24:59.039 --> 00:24:59.579 Monthly. 00:24:59.899 --> 00:25:00.500 Occasional. 00:25:01.500 --> 00:25:02.779 To whom do I show. 00:25:03.220 --> 00:25:03.980 Face grace. 00:25:04.119 --> 00:25:04.819 By that I mean. 00:25:05.119 --> 00:25:05.399 Someone. 00:25:05.639 --> 00:25:07.259 At whom I will make eye contact. 00:25:07.740 --> 00:25:08.419 And smile. 00:25:09.359 --> 00:25:10.139 To whom perhaps. 00:25:10.200 --> 00:25:11.259 Do we go a step further. 00:25:11.480 --> 00:25:13.399 And extend some sort of hospitality. 00:25:14.240 --> 00:25:15.019 Whether that be. 00:25:15.359 --> 00:25:15.759 Merely. 00:25:16.099 --> 00:25:17.759 During a work break. 00:25:17.819 --> 00:25:18.799 When we might fetch. 00:25:18.799 --> 00:25:19.500 Someone drink. 00:25:19.559 --> 00:25:20.039 Or something. 00:25:20.319 --> 00:25:21.059 Bigger than that. 00:25:21.059 --> 00:25:22.139 In our lives. 00:25:23.099 --> 00:25:24.619 Because that's where the seeds. 00:25:24.740 --> 00:25:26.720 The first of these thresholds occur. 00:25:26.720 --> 00:25:28.899 As people encounter us. 00:25:29.019 --> 00:25:30.440 With our faces. 00:25:30.879 --> 00:25:32.159 Turned towards them. 00:25:32.679 --> 00:25:33.559 Even a world. 00:25:33.679 --> 00:25:34.899 Where there will be hostility. 00:25:34.899 --> 00:25:35.980 Towards Christians. 00:25:36.419 --> 00:25:37.460 It's surprising. 00:25:37.460 --> 00:25:39.440 How many non-Christians. 00:25:39.659 --> 00:25:41.519 Know a Christian. 00:25:42.039 --> 00:25:43.039 As we are scattered. 00:25:43.440 --> 00:25:45.179 Into our wider world. 00:25:45.940 --> 00:25:47.119 Week by week. 00:25:47.940 --> 00:25:49.119 Where are we. 00:25:49.460 --> 00:25:51.039 Developing an openness of face. 00:25:51.059 --> 00:25:52.659 To the world around us. 00:25:52.659 --> 00:25:55.899 That people might make that first threshold step. 00:25:56.399 --> 00:25:57.639 And trust me. 00:25:58.019 --> 00:25:58.779 Or you. 00:25:59.500 --> 00:26:00.059 A Christian. 00:26:01.279 --> 00:26:03.659 The second of these thresholds. 00:26:03.659 --> 00:26:04.299 Involves. 00:26:04.720 --> 00:26:06.000 Not just merely trusting. 00:26:06.480 --> 00:26:08.099 But becoming curious. 00:26:09.220 --> 00:26:10.759 I wonder what kind of questions. 00:26:10.940 --> 00:26:11.799 You and I can ask. 00:26:12.099 --> 00:26:13.980 That will provoke curiosity. 00:26:14.299 --> 00:26:15.460 That opens doors. 00:26:16.380 --> 00:26:17.860 My best example of this. 00:26:18.259 --> 00:26:19.819 Is when I met my wife. 00:26:20.840 --> 00:26:22.480 She wasn't my wife at the time. 00:26:23.480 --> 00:26:25.220 Nor was she a Christian. 00:26:25.860 --> 00:26:27.220 At least I didn't think she was. 00:26:27.900 --> 00:26:28.940 And we went for lunch. 00:26:29.299 --> 00:26:31.400 The circumstances of how we got to go for lunch. 00:26:31.620 --> 00:26:32.660 Are neither here nor there. 00:26:33.140 --> 00:26:33.860 But over lunch. 00:26:33.920 --> 00:26:34.980 I asked her what she studied. 00:26:35.299 --> 00:26:36.519 She was a university student. 00:26:37.039 --> 00:26:37.579 And she said. 00:26:37.640 --> 00:26:38.799 Biological anthropology. 00:26:38.799 --> 00:26:41.659 What do you say next for evangelism? 00:26:42.539 --> 00:26:45.379 I'm so thankful that God gave me this next question. 00:26:46.119 --> 00:26:46.339 I said. 00:26:46.460 --> 00:26:48.119 What's your view of human nature? 00:26:49.200 --> 00:26:51.639 Are we apes with less body hair? 00:26:52.139 --> 00:26:53.899 Or one step away from God? 00:26:54.859 --> 00:26:55.940 To which she replied. 00:26:56.200 --> 00:26:57.399 I'm not religious. 00:26:57.859 --> 00:26:59.019 And went on from there. 00:26:59.019 --> 00:27:00.759 And then. 00:27:01.019 --> 00:27:01.779 When she's finished. 00:27:02.160 --> 00:27:02.960 She asked me. 00:27:03.220 --> 00:27:04.059 What I thought. 00:27:05.079 --> 00:27:06.200 That is the power. 00:27:06.519 --> 00:27:07.359 Of questions. 00:27:08.299 --> 00:27:09.619 When someone moves. 00:27:09.779 --> 00:27:10.900 From trusting a Christian. 00:27:11.160 --> 00:27:12.619 To actually becoming curious. 00:27:13.460 --> 00:27:15.319 And some of us are very schooled. 00:27:15.400 --> 00:27:16.259 In answers. 00:27:17.119 --> 00:27:18.099 In answers. 00:27:18.480 --> 00:27:19.180 To questions. 00:27:19.940 --> 00:27:20.660 But what. 00:27:20.900 --> 00:27:22.680 These five threshold steps. 00:27:22.680 --> 00:27:23.519 Invite us to do. 00:27:23.579 --> 00:27:24.660 In a post-truth world. 00:27:24.980 --> 00:27:25.920 Is to increase. 00:27:26.160 --> 00:27:27.000 Our ability. 00:27:27.480 --> 00:27:28.180 To ask questions. 00:27:28.180 --> 00:27:29.259 I've given you a couple of. 00:27:29.620 --> 00:27:30.440 References there. 00:27:30.519 --> 00:27:31.000 To books. 00:27:31.220 --> 00:27:31.900 Which I think. 00:27:32.000 --> 00:27:32.580 That are helpful. 00:27:32.680 --> 00:27:33.380 In this regard. 00:27:35.460 --> 00:27:36.160 Kukul's book. 00:27:36.440 --> 00:27:36.960 Tactics. 00:27:37.140 --> 00:27:38.600 Is directly addressing. 00:27:38.880 --> 00:27:40.279 The question of questions. 00:27:41.019 --> 00:27:42.299 Daniel Strange's books. 00:27:42.500 --> 00:27:43.019 Plugged in. 00:27:43.580 --> 00:27:44.740 Addresses what he calls. 00:27:45.039 --> 00:27:46.140 Subversive fulfillment. 00:27:46.860 --> 00:27:47.880 How the gospel. 00:27:48.140 --> 00:27:49.080 Will subvert. 00:27:49.380 --> 00:27:49.960 The hopes. 00:27:49.960 --> 00:27:51.080 Of those around us. 00:27:51.360 --> 00:27:51.600 And say. 00:27:51.799 --> 00:27:52.759 You cannot find. 00:27:52.940 --> 00:27:53.580 Your hopes. 00:27:53.779 --> 00:27:54.580 And your desires. 00:27:55.000 --> 00:27:56.080 In anything else. 00:27:56.299 --> 00:27:57.100 Other than Jesus. 00:27:57.099 --> 00:27:58.899 And at that point. 00:27:58.899 --> 00:28:00.219 As well as subversive. 00:28:01.179 --> 00:28:01.699 Destruction. 00:28:01.699 --> 00:28:02.459 If you like. 00:28:02.899 --> 00:28:04.240 There's also subversive. 00:28:04.639 --> 00:28:05.199 Construction. 00:28:05.799 --> 00:28:06.599 Fulfillment. 00:28:06.879 --> 00:28:08.039 That is the gospel. 00:28:08.039 --> 00:28:08.879 Of Jesus. 00:28:09.339 --> 00:28:10.299 That will bring. 00:28:10.759 --> 00:28:11.319 Answers. 00:28:12.099 --> 00:28:13.179 But that's to jump. 00:28:13.339 --> 00:28:14.099 Ahead of ourselves. 00:28:14.439 --> 00:28:15.559 We're simply becoming. 00:28:15.699 --> 00:28:16.799 Curious at this point. 00:28:17.359 --> 00:28:18.419 The third of these. 00:28:18.679 --> 00:28:19.399 Thresholds. 00:28:19.399 --> 00:28:20.339 Is opening. 00:28:20.839 --> 00:28:21.519 To change. 00:28:22.519 --> 00:28:23.740 Beyond curiosity. 00:28:23.740 --> 00:28:25.519 Now I'm thinking. 00:28:26.120 --> 00:28:26.960 Is there something. 00:28:26.960 --> 00:28:27.660 Here. 00:28:27.660 --> 00:28:28.740 That I might need. 00:28:28.740 --> 00:28:29.539 To think about. 00:28:30.059 --> 00:28:31.120 Something that might. 00:28:31.359 --> 00:28:32.220 Have a claim. 00:28:32.420 --> 00:28:33.180 On myself. 00:28:34.299 --> 00:28:35.380 Perhaps we need. 00:28:35.460 --> 00:28:36.279 To ask ourselves. 00:28:36.539 --> 00:28:37.980 Who is it in our lives. 00:28:38.099 --> 00:28:39.059 Who is quietly. 00:28:39.259 --> 00:28:40.480 Becoming curious. 00:28:41.099 --> 00:28:42.339 Perhaps asking us. 00:28:42.500 --> 00:28:43.140 More questions. 00:28:43.140 --> 00:28:43.920 About ourselves. 00:28:43.920 --> 00:28:44.599 As a Christian. 00:28:45.400 --> 00:28:46.160 The questions. 00:28:46.220 --> 00:28:46.480 Are beginning. 00:28:46.480 --> 00:28:47.519 To come to us. 00:28:48.420 --> 00:28:49.620 Where can we. 00:28:49.779 --> 00:28:50.519 Begin to share. 00:28:50.960 --> 00:28:51.460 Rumors. 00:28:51.460 --> 00:28:52.640 Of providence. 00:28:52.819 --> 00:28:53.700 Of God's. 00:28:54.000 --> 00:28:54.220 Good. 00:28:54.579 --> 00:28:55.039 Acts. 00:28:55.259 --> 00:28:56.140 In this world. 00:28:57.240 --> 00:28:58.319 Now let's understand. 00:28:58.740 --> 00:28:59.259 Change. 00:28:59.480 --> 00:29:00.440 When it comes to God. 00:29:00.620 --> 00:29:01.720 Is a beautiful thing. 00:29:02.120 --> 00:29:03.559 But also a scary thing. 00:29:04.400 --> 00:29:04.880 Selling. 00:29:05.200 --> 00:29:05.640 Everything. 00:29:05.940 --> 00:29:06.779 And giving up everything. 00:29:06.900 --> 00:29:07.860 To follow Christ. 00:29:08.120 --> 00:29:09.079 Is a big step. 00:29:10.160 --> 00:29:11.380 This relational. 00:29:11.900 --> 00:29:12.259 Program. 00:29:13.279 --> 00:29:14.120 This relational. 00:29:14.360 --> 00:29:14.840 Audit. 00:29:15.120 --> 00:29:16.039 This relational. 00:29:16.799 --> 00:29:17.980 Self-reflection. 00:29:18.160 --> 00:29:19.600 That I'm trying to put before us. 00:29:19.599 --> 00:29:21.059 Invites us. 00:29:21.059 --> 00:29:21.959 To travel. 00:29:21.959 --> 00:29:23.039 With people. 00:29:23.039 --> 00:29:24.919 With godly patience. 00:29:25.619 --> 00:29:26.139 But also. 00:29:26.559 --> 00:29:27.699 Within those relationships. 00:29:28.099 --> 00:29:29.059 Gently challenging. 00:29:29.500 --> 00:29:30.879 In a Jesus kind of way. 00:29:31.559 --> 00:29:33.419 Just as Jesus told parables. 00:29:33.919 --> 00:29:34.500 So too. 00:29:34.919 --> 00:29:35.119 We. 00:29:35.480 --> 00:29:35.879 Perhaps. 00:29:36.219 --> 00:29:36.579 Will tell. 00:29:36.859 --> 00:29:37.539 Open-ended. 00:29:38.339 --> 00:29:38.980 Stories. 00:29:39.879 --> 00:29:40.740 Known as parables. 00:29:41.139 --> 00:29:41.859 That will point. 00:29:42.119 --> 00:29:42.879 Towards Jesus. 00:29:43.319 --> 00:29:44.119 And his kingdom. 00:29:45.480 --> 00:29:46.500 The fourth step. 00:29:46.500 --> 00:29:48.700 Someone who's open to change. 00:29:49.079 --> 00:29:50.319 Isn't perhaps yet. 00:29:50.720 --> 00:29:51.200 Seeking. 00:29:51.559 --> 00:29:51.980 After. 00:29:52.460 --> 00:29:52.759 God. 00:29:53.579 --> 00:29:54.599 The fourth step. 00:29:54.759 --> 00:29:55.140 Is when. 00:29:55.380 --> 00:29:55.579 They. 00:29:55.940 --> 00:29:56.380 Become. 00:29:56.819 --> 00:29:57.460 A genuine. 00:29:57.900 --> 00:29:58.220 Seeker. 00:29:58.539 --> 00:29:59.619 Someone who is more. 00:30:00.019 --> 00:30:00.259 Than. 00:30:00.579 --> 00:30:01.160 Curious. 00:30:01.859 --> 00:30:03.099 Someone who is more. 00:30:03.420 --> 00:30:03.559 Than. 00:30:03.720 --> 00:30:04.779 Open to change. 00:30:05.140 --> 00:30:05.940 Someone who says. 00:30:06.279 --> 00:30:06.599 Here. 00:30:06.799 --> 00:30:07.700 I'm beginning. 00:30:07.960 --> 00:30:08.559 To sniff. 00:30:08.720 --> 00:30:09.180 Something. 00:30:09.339 --> 00:30:09.700 Out. 00:30:09.700 --> 00:30:10.839 That I need. 00:30:10.839 --> 00:30:11.799 To explore. 00:30:12.359 --> 00:30:12.839 And find. 00:30:12.980 --> 00:30:13.579 Out about. 00:30:14.599 --> 00:30:14.980 This. 00:30:15.099 --> 00:30:15.259 I think. 00:30:15.319 --> 00:30:15.640 Is where. 00:30:15.640 --> 00:30:16.600 Our relational. 00:30:17.000 --> 00:30:17.360 Balance. 00:30:17.440 --> 00:30:17.740 Becomes. 00:30:17.860 --> 00:30:18.140 Important. 00:30:18.259 --> 00:30:18.740 The importance. 00:30:18.740 --> 00:30:19.180 Of us. 00:30:19.440 --> 00:30:19.960 Living. 00:30:20.140 --> 00:30:20.480 Out. 00:30:20.620 --> 00:30:21.060 The kingdom. 00:30:21.180 --> 00:30:21.540 Of God. 00:30:21.700 --> 00:30:22.240 Before them. 00:30:22.840 --> 00:30:23.080 Do you remember. 00:30:23.080 --> 00:30:23.620 That small. 00:30:23.720 --> 00:30:24.540 Relational group. 00:30:24.680 --> 00:30:25.180 Where we're living. 00:30:25.540 --> 00:30:26.759 In good relationship. 00:30:26.920 --> 00:30:27.180 Perhaps. 00:30:27.240 --> 00:30:28.100 A small church. 00:30:28.100 --> 00:30:28.480 Or within. 00:30:28.540 --> 00:30:29.480 A larger church. 00:30:29.860 --> 00:30:30.740 A fellowship. 00:30:30.960 --> 00:30:31.200 Group. 00:30:31.280 --> 00:30:32.020 Of some kind. 00:30:32.620 --> 00:30:33.300 We talked about. 00:30:33.380 --> 00:30:33.780 That being. 00:30:34.120 --> 00:30:35.120 Outward facing. 00:30:35.720 --> 00:30:36.380 The importance. 00:30:36.460 --> 00:30:36.700 Of us. 00:30:36.759 --> 00:30:37.180 Living. 00:30:37.360 --> 00:30:37.660 Out. 00:30:37.780 --> 00:30:38.180 The kingdom. 00:30:38.280 --> 00:30:38.560 Of God. 00:30:38.780 --> 00:30:39.720 Of showing. 00:30:40.300 --> 00:30:40.740 As well. 00:30:40.800 --> 00:30:41.360 As telling. 00:30:41.580 --> 00:30:42.280 The good news. 00:30:42.740 --> 00:30:43.340 The power. 00:30:43.460 --> 00:30:44.120 Of bringing. 00:30:44.119 --> 00:30:44.619 People. 00:30:44.779 --> 00:30:46.159 Into our friendship. 00:30:46.159 --> 00:30:47.039 Groups. 00:30:47.039 --> 00:30:48.559 Into our lives. 00:30:48.559 --> 00:30:49.699 The power. 00:30:49.699 --> 00:30:51.139 Of lives. 00:30:51.439 --> 00:30:52.219 Accompanying. 00:30:52.339 --> 00:30:52.939 Words. 00:30:53.379 --> 00:30:53.719 Telling. 00:30:53.819 --> 00:30:54.479 The good news. 00:30:55.759 --> 00:30:56.459 And inviting. 00:30:57.019 --> 00:30:57.939 A seeker. 00:30:58.339 --> 00:30:59.219 To commit. 00:30:59.759 --> 00:31:00.839 To a quest. 00:31:01.500 --> 00:31:02.659 Not an endless. 00:31:04.259 --> 00:31:05.139 Provarication. 00:31:05.759 --> 00:31:06.859 A shrug at the shoulders. 00:31:07.299 --> 00:31:08.139 But a quest. 00:31:08.599 --> 00:31:09.819 To see where this leads. 00:31:10.639 --> 00:31:11.139 And the fifth. 00:31:11.140 --> 00:31:11.840 Of these steps. 00:31:12.480 --> 00:31:13.000 Entering. 00:31:13.000 --> 00:31:13.600 The kingdom. 00:31:14.840 --> 00:31:15.280 Actually. 00:31:15.280 --> 00:31:15.800 Selling. 00:31:15.800 --> 00:31:16.320 All. 00:31:17.080 --> 00:31:17.580 Moving. 00:31:17.580 --> 00:31:18.100 In. 00:31:18.540 --> 00:31:19.020 And then. 00:31:19.160 --> 00:31:19.440 Looking. 00:31:19.440 --> 00:31:20.000 Out. 00:31:20.140 --> 00:31:21.120 At our existing. 00:31:21.120 --> 00:31:22.440 Relational networks. 00:31:22.660 --> 00:31:23.980 In a new way. 00:31:24.259 --> 00:31:25.660 As a new creation. 00:31:26.680 --> 00:31:27.700 This will involve. 00:31:27.860 --> 00:31:28.840 Being relationally. 00:31:29.000 --> 00:31:29.440 Urgent. 00:31:29.700 --> 00:31:30.480 But at this point. 00:31:30.480 --> 00:31:31.480 If we have been. 00:31:31.560 --> 00:31:32.020 Travelling. 00:31:32.080 --> 00:31:32.640 Alongside. 00:31:32.740 --> 00:31:33.040 Someone. 00:31:33.400 --> 00:31:33.820 Through those. 00:31:33.960 --> 00:31:34.400 Previous. 00:31:34.540 --> 00:31:35.620 Four thresholds. 00:31:35.800 --> 00:31:37.160 Then here is evangelism. 00:31:37.240 --> 00:31:37.940 That doesn't just. 00:31:38.100 --> 00:31:38.800 Need to be. 00:31:38.960 --> 00:31:40.100 About events. 00:31:40.099 --> 00:31:41.000 At our church. 00:31:41.259 --> 00:31:42.519 And someone else. 00:31:43.019 --> 00:31:43.719 Bringing someone. 00:31:43.719 --> 00:31:44.459 To Christ. 00:31:44.859 --> 00:31:45.579 But also. 00:31:45.879 --> 00:31:47.459 A relational basis. 00:31:47.919 --> 00:31:48.899 Under which you. 00:31:49.059 --> 00:31:49.759 And I. 00:31:50.119 --> 00:31:51.639 Can be evangelists. 00:31:52.379 --> 00:31:52.740 We. 00:31:53.279 --> 00:31:53.919 Can bring. 00:31:54.379 --> 00:31:54.679 People. 00:31:54.819 --> 00:31:55.399 To Christ. 00:31:56.859 --> 00:31:57.439 Where. 00:31:58.439 --> 00:31:59.079 Does this. 00:31:59.579 --> 00:32:00.099 Lead us. 00:32:00.539 --> 00:32:01.240 And leave us. 00:32:02.099 --> 00:32:03.099 I want to suggest. 00:32:03.099 --> 00:32:03.599 That in this. 00:32:03.699 --> 00:32:04.059 Post. 00:32:04.319 --> 00:32:04.639 Truth. 00:32:04.839 --> 00:32:05.219 World. 00:32:05.799 --> 00:32:06.659 We have. 00:32:06.939 --> 00:32:08.159 In a relational. 00:32:08.740 --> 00:32:09.379 Approach. 00:32:09.380 --> 00:32:10.100 That is. 00:32:10.100 --> 00:32:10.920 Centred around. 00:32:10.920 --> 00:32:11.920 The resurrection. 00:32:11.920 --> 00:32:12.640 Of Jesus. 00:32:12.640 --> 00:32:14.020 And where we are. 00:32:14.020 --> 00:32:14.800 All heading. 00:32:15.340 --> 00:32:16.260 Something that is. 00:32:16.480 --> 00:32:17.040 Urgent. 00:32:17.320 --> 00:32:18.560 And lifeful. 00:32:19.200 --> 00:32:20.020 That can be. 00:32:20.160 --> 00:32:20.800 A seed. 00:32:21.040 --> 00:32:21.300 Bed. 00:32:21.680 --> 00:32:22.260 For growth. 00:32:22.880 --> 00:32:23.960 That our churches. 00:32:23.960 --> 00:32:25.000 Can if you like. 00:32:25.120 --> 00:32:25.760 Be truth. 00:32:26.180 --> 00:32:26.700 Spots. 00:32:27.680 --> 00:32:28.120 Bit like. 00:32:28.240 --> 00:32:28.940 Hot spots. 00:32:29.540 --> 00:32:29.740 You know. 00:32:29.760 --> 00:32:30.440 When you log on. 00:32:30.500 --> 00:32:31.660 To someone's hot spot. 00:32:32.220 --> 00:32:33.380 That people can come. 00:32:33.920 --> 00:32:35.340 And find truth spots. 00:32:35.640 --> 00:32:36.840 Where they can begin. 00:32:36.839 --> 00:32:37.839 To relate. 00:32:38.500 --> 00:32:39.079 And indeed. 00:32:39.159 --> 00:32:39.699 You and I. 00:32:39.699 --> 00:32:40.839 As individual. 00:32:41.659 --> 00:32:42.379 Believers. 00:32:42.379 --> 00:32:43.819 Living relational. 00:32:43.819 --> 00:32:44.579 Lives. 00:32:44.859 --> 00:32:46.539 Can be mobile. 00:32:47.240 --> 00:32:48.079 Truth spots. 00:32:48.720 --> 00:32:49.099 Moving. 00:32:49.599 --> 00:32:49.839 Through. 00:32:50.179 --> 00:32:50.959 This city. 00:32:51.319 --> 00:32:51.939 This city. 00:32:51.939 --> 00:32:52.939 Of post truth. 00:32:53.119 --> 00:32:53.699 This city. 00:32:53.899 --> 00:32:54.819 Of so many. 00:32:55.019 --> 00:32:55.500 Noises. 00:32:56.439 --> 00:32:57.459 With the living. 00:32:58.059 --> 00:32:58.559 Word. 00:32:58.879 --> 00:32:59.480 Of God. 00:32:59.959 --> 00:33:00.639 That grows. 00:33:01.679 --> 00:33:02.819 What do we have here? 00:33:03.419 --> 00:33:04.079 I think we have. 00:33:04.240 --> 00:33:04.859 Realism. 00:33:04.859 --> 00:33:06.559 About change. 00:33:07.519 --> 00:33:08.579 That evangelism. 00:33:08.799 --> 00:33:09.859 Sometimes involves. 00:33:09.859 --> 00:33:10.959 People traveling. 00:33:10.959 --> 00:33:11.779 With us. 00:33:12.199 --> 00:33:13.039 Relationally. 00:33:14.099 --> 00:33:14.799 And we have. 00:33:14.879 --> 00:33:15.459 In these five. 00:33:15.459 --> 00:33:16.279 Thresholds. 00:33:16.479 --> 00:33:17.259 Smaller. 00:33:17.639 --> 00:33:18.139 Steps. 00:33:18.359 --> 00:33:18.979 To change. 00:33:19.379 --> 00:33:20.159 As we walk. 00:33:20.259 --> 00:33:21.319 Alongside people. 00:33:21.679 --> 00:33:22.659 As we talk. 00:33:22.899 --> 00:33:23.559 Into their. 00:33:24.000 --> 00:33:24.339 Midi. 00:33:24.659 --> 00:33:25.259 Narratives. 00:33:25.979 --> 00:33:26.899 As the gospel. 00:33:27.059 --> 00:33:27.599 Becomes. 00:33:28.039 --> 00:33:28.319 More. 00:33:28.799 --> 00:33:29.240 Personal. 00:33:30.139 --> 00:33:30.559 More. 00:33:30.979 --> 00:33:31.579 Manageable. 00:33:31.799 --> 00:33:32.119 Even. 00:33:32.799 --> 00:33:33.359 Perhaps. 00:33:33.759 --> 00:33:34.439 More attractive. 00:33:35.819 --> 00:33:36.839 In closing. 00:33:36.979 --> 00:33:37.179 We have. 00:33:37.240 --> 00:33:37.839 A framework. 00:33:38.240 --> 00:33:38.819 To help us. 00:33:38.899 --> 00:33:39.679 See people. 00:33:40.079 --> 00:33:40.419 As. 00:33:40.859 --> 00:33:41.259 Whole. 00:33:41.539 --> 00:33:41.879 People. 00:33:42.619 --> 00:33:42.899 Both. 00:33:42.959 --> 00:33:43.519 Ourselves. 00:33:43.759 --> 00:33:44.240 And others. 00:33:45.279 --> 00:33:45.579 If you're. 00:33:45.619 --> 00:33:46.079 A Christian. 00:33:46.339 --> 00:33:46.699 You are. 00:33:46.779 --> 00:33:47.139 A sinner. 00:33:47.539 --> 00:33:47.879 Who has. 00:33:47.959 --> 00:33:48.139 Become. 00:33:48.259 --> 00:33:48.679 A saint. 00:33:50.319 --> 00:33:51.299 But we are. 00:33:51.539 --> 00:33:51.659 All. 00:33:52.119 --> 00:33:52.339 Also. 00:33:52.839 --> 00:33:53.399 Sufferers. 00:33:54.799 --> 00:33:55.919 And the gospel. 00:33:56.219 --> 00:33:56.679 Speaks. 00:33:57.039 --> 00:33:57.959 Into our lives. 00:33:58.199 --> 00:33:58.899 As a whole. 00:34:00.240 --> 00:34:00.839 Truth. 00:34:01.240 --> 00:34:02.179 Is not. 00:34:02.180 --> 00:34:02.940 Over. 00:34:03.940 --> 00:34:04.700 The gospel. 00:34:04.700 --> 00:34:05.840 Will outlive. 00:34:05.840 --> 00:34:07.140 This secular world. 00:34:07.700 --> 00:34:08.420 Which is. 00:34:08.619 --> 00:34:08.980 Haunted. 00:34:09.780 --> 00:34:10.360 By. 00:34:11.139 --> 00:34:11.619 Jesus. 00:34:11.840 --> 00:34:13.300 At God's right hand. 00:34:13.920 --> 00:34:14.740 That is hunted. 00:34:15.180 --> 00:34:16.039 By Jesus. 00:34:16.500 --> 00:34:17.579 Who will judge. 00:34:17.940 --> 00:34:18.480 The world. 00:34:19.440 --> 00:34:20.460 That is limited. 00:34:21.019 --> 00:34:21.720 By Jesus. 00:34:22.220 --> 00:34:23.099 Who will return. 00:34:24.280 --> 00:34:25.119 To judge. 00:34:25.700 --> 00:34:26.280 The world. 00:34:26.700 --> 00:34:27.539 And to raise. 00:34:27.920 --> 00:34:28.340 The dead. 00:34:28.340 --> 00:34:29.579 The gospel. 00:34:29.820 --> 00:34:30.480 Will outlive. 00:34:30.920 --> 00:34:31.460 The secular. 00:34:33.300 --> 00:34:33.780 Meantime. 00:34:34.980 --> 00:34:35.579 Let's live. 00:34:35.700 --> 00:34:36.260 Word fed. 00:34:36.820 --> 00:34:37.100 Spirit. 00:34:37.260 --> 00:34:37.700 Empowered. 00:34:37.740 --> 00:34:38.100 Lives. 00:34:38.600 --> 00:34:39.800 And let's throw this open. 00:34:40.300 --> 00:34:40.840 For questions. 00:34:41.780 --> 00:34:42.300 Thank you. 00:34:42.300 --> 00:34:55.100 We are going to do that. 00:34:55.160 --> 00:34:55.680 We are going to throw it open. 00:34:55.740 --> 00:34:56.019 Questions. 00:34:56.120 --> 00:34:56.820 What you might want to do. 00:34:56.860 --> 00:34:57.539 Is just turn to someone. 00:34:57.620 --> 00:34:58.600 Beside you right now. 00:34:58.820 --> 00:34:59.080 And. 00:34:59.740 --> 00:35:00.720 Just quickly. 00:35:02.019 --> 00:35:02.560 Engage them. 00:35:02.640 --> 00:35:03.160 About sort of. 00:35:03.280 --> 00:35:04.580 Something that impacted you. 00:35:04.640 --> 00:35:05.240 Something that landed. 00:35:05.360 --> 00:35:06.100 For you right now. 00:35:06.820 --> 00:35:08.000 There is also a number. 00:35:08.060 --> 00:35:08.980 You might want to write it down. 00:35:09.060 --> 00:35:10.360 I am not sure if it is on the screen yet. 00:35:10.360 --> 00:35:16.360 But it is 0480123976. 00:35:17.240 --> 00:35:17.960 If you want to text. 00:35:18.420 --> 00:35:19.380 A question in. 00:35:21.539 --> 00:35:24.440 0480123976. 00:35:25.079 --> 00:35:25.620 So quickly. 00:35:26.240 --> 00:35:26.960 Engage with. 00:35:27.039 --> 00:35:28.360 Someone around you. 00:35:28.760 --> 00:35:29.760 Someone you came with. 00:35:29.840 --> 00:35:31.099 About something that impacted you. 00:35:31.140 --> 00:35:31.880 Something that stood out. 00:35:31.980 --> 00:35:32.220 And then. 00:35:32.579 --> 00:35:33.920 We will launch into some questions. 00:35:34.480 --> 00:35:35.460 And you can text the. 00:35:35.780 --> 00:35:36.940 Person's question next to you. 00:35:36.960 --> 00:35:37.280 Can't you? 00:35:37.460 --> 00:35:37.880 You can. 00:35:37.880 --> 00:35:39.400 You can text someone else's question. 00:35:39.400 --> 00:35:41.639 I have a friend. 00:35:41.639 --> 00:35:42.180 Yeah. 00:35:42.980 --> 00:35:45.539 I have a friend. 00:35:45.740 --> 00:35:46.320 Thank you. 00:35:46.320 --> 00:35:46.579 Thank you. 00:35:59.579 --> 00:35:59.820 Thank you. 00:36:00.059 --> 00:36:00.599 Thank you.