WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:10.179 In our lead up to this week, you will have seen and you will have hopefully read and responded to a leaflet we've had and it's called Let's Make It Happen. 00:00:10.880 --> 00:00:18.059 And make it happen. And I thought, what is that it? What is that it to make it happen? 00:00:18.059 --> 00:00:31.299 I'm reading this morning, Jesus had been baptised. He'd been baptised and then immediately he goes from there into the wilderness for 40 days and 40 nights. 00:00:32.539 --> 00:00:38.379 In the power of the Holy Spirit, he knows that things are going to happen. 00:00:38.379 --> 00:00:47.060 He knows this exciting and dynamic phase of his ministry that he's been called to is about to start. 00:00:47.060 --> 00:01:00.320 It's about to accelerate. And here this morning in Matthew chapter 4 verse 11, we see the privilege of seeing that move of God commence. 00:01:00.320 --> 00:01:23.480 That exciting moment where we read this morning, this move of God that links us and inspires us and encourages us today as Jesus assembles the crew for an audacious and amazing adventure that they're all about to set out on for three years. 00:01:23.480 --> 00:01:53.460 Nobody knew what they were signing up for. 00:01:53.459 --> 00:02:23.439 Most unlikely crew ever. 00:02:23.439 --> 00:02:53.419 Most likely, they're all about to make it happen. 00:02:53.419 --> 00:02:58.839 Maybe you've heard it maybe years back. Maybe you're waiting for it afresh. 00:02:59.479 --> 00:03:03.819 Whatever that call is, have you heard that call? 00:03:04.459 --> 00:03:06.859 Where Jesus says to you, will you come and follow me? 00:03:08.000 --> 00:03:11.339 Will you do this? Will you join in this adventure? 00:03:11.340 --> 00:03:18.840 That Jesus call, that Jesus call, leave whatever it might be and follow me. 00:03:18.840 --> 00:03:24.840 Now I just want to clarify something here. 00:03:24.840 --> 00:03:33.340 Jesus isn't maybe saying to us when he asks us to leave our careers, to leave our houses, leave our families and do all that. 00:03:33.340 --> 00:03:34.340 It's a follow me. 00:03:34.340 --> 00:03:39.340 It's a follow me for whatever that means for us in our own setting. 00:03:39.340 --> 00:03:42.980 For us listening on the podcast, whether we're driving today or whatever. 00:03:42.979 --> 00:03:56.500 Whatever that might be that Jesus is asking of us, but we are called to trust in him and step into an adventure that not only will transform our life here, 00:03:56.500 --> 00:04:07.919 but also will transform our lives in eternity and those that we will reach, but it will reach those that are around us if we choose to truly follow. 00:04:07.919 --> 00:04:15.060 They dropped their nets and immediately followed Jesus. 00:04:16.199 --> 00:04:17.219 What a line. 00:04:18.620 --> 00:04:20.599 Everything that's gone into life. 00:04:20.919 --> 00:04:22.000 I've done all this training. 00:04:22.180 --> 00:04:22.860 This is my life. 00:04:23.139 --> 00:04:24.259 This is my security. 00:04:24.680 --> 00:04:25.479 This is what I do. 00:04:25.560 --> 00:04:26.939 This is my significance. 00:04:28.139 --> 00:04:33.060 I always get this thing, you know, with guys, you know, the conversation starts off, how are you doing? 00:04:33.279 --> 00:04:35.060 And then it normally gets around very quickly. 00:04:35.199 --> 00:04:36.699 So to what do you do for a job? 00:04:36.699 --> 00:04:39.479 We just need to get into that pecking order, don't we? 00:04:39.599 --> 00:04:43.219 We need to know what our significance is in this thing. 00:04:44.219 --> 00:04:49.439 He's asking them to leave everything that is their significance and follow him. 00:04:51.199 --> 00:05:01.439 Now, as they drop their nets, I don't know what your net is that you are being asked to leave and follow Jesus. 00:05:01.439 --> 00:05:08.860 Because I think there's a bit of a myth around Christians that if we say yes to Jesus, that's the end of it. 00:05:08.920 --> 00:05:12.899 We can sit in the back of the boat and allow somebody else to row us into eternity. 00:05:12.899 --> 00:05:15.779 It doesn't quite work like that. 00:05:15.779 --> 00:05:24.319 And this thing that Jesus calls us into a relationship to walk with him into the adventure and show us and be part of what he's doing. 00:05:24.319 --> 00:05:34.519 And these, to become a follower of Jesus, a disciple, we come into that relationship with a living Lord. 00:05:35.339 --> 00:05:42.480 These disciples were going to be carriers of messages to see others becoming followers and disciples. 00:05:42.480 --> 00:06:00.360 These disciples would disciple disciples who would disciple disciples and go down the thing where many of us this morning will have pictures and be giving thanks of those people that brought us and discipled us into a living relationship with the Lord. 00:06:00.540 --> 00:06:03.180 I'm sure many of us can think of those people. 00:06:03.360 --> 00:06:04.140 Mine is a lady. 00:06:04.560 --> 00:06:05.319 She was lovely. 00:06:05.319 --> 00:06:09.540 She used to, she always wore a coat, even in the summer. 00:06:10.139 --> 00:06:18.480 And she would come into our little Baptist tin chapel on my council estate, where we were shoved out in the afternoon so our parents could have some time on their own. 00:06:18.860 --> 00:06:24.000 And we would go in there and she would sit down in a lovely, lovely northern accent. 00:06:24.439 --> 00:06:25.740 She would cook us cookies. 00:06:26.680 --> 00:06:28.279 I'd never heard of cookies before. 00:06:28.740 --> 00:06:31.719 But she gave us cookies that she had baked. 00:06:31.720 --> 00:06:36.520 And she opened my eyes to the stories and the love of Jesus. 00:06:37.420 --> 00:06:39.940 I can't wait to see her on that great day. 00:06:41.220 --> 00:06:45.800 She was part of a significant part of my discipleship journey. 00:06:46.120 --> 00:06:47.740 We have all people who have done that. 00:06:47.840 --> 00:06:51.940 The question is, who are we a part of somebody else's discipleship journey? 00:06:53.180 --> 00:06:54.500 Where is that for us? 00:06:55.260 --> 00:06:58.880 And these disciples were disciple, disciples, and on it goes. 00:06:58.879 --> 00:07:07.180 And on the day of Pentecost, when the Holy Spirit came, just as Jesus had promised, the Spirit came for all people. 00:07:07.639 --> 00:07:09.240 This wasn't a select club. 00:07:09.540 --> 00:07:12.939 The disciples would see thousands added to their number. 00:07:13.639 --> 00:07:13.959 Whoa! 00:07:14.740 --> 00:07:17.579 Because people discipled, discipled, discipled. 00:07:18.219 --> 00:07:19.420 And that's what they would do. 00:07:19.759 --> 00:07:21.139 They were carriers of a message. 00:07:21.379 --> 00:07:24.879 A message to make it happen. 00:07:25.199 --> 00:07:26.399 To show the love of God. 00:07:26.399 --> 00:07:30.399 People who know the grace of God, the power of the presence and the purpose of God. 00:07:30.639 --> 00:07:42.879 And my impression is, as I meet with people who have become disciples, that all have had to leave something in their story in order to move into that new place to follow Jesus. 00:07:43.039 --> 00:07:46.060 A sense of sacrifice in order to serve. 00:07:46.879 --> 00:07:48.679 We get the story all the way through the Bible. 00:07:48.779 --> 00:07:49.639 The rich young ruler. 00:07:49.959 --> 00:07:50.859 Lord, I would do anything. 00:07:50.959 --> 00:07:52.019 What do I do to follow you? 00:07:52.079 --> 00:07:52.959 What do I do to follow you? 00:07:53.099 --> 00:07:53.979 I would do anything. 00:07:53.980 --> 00:08:00.040 And Jesus presses the button because he knows the net that he personally has to drop. 00:08:00.560 --> 00:08:04.540 Which for him is about his significance and his wealth and everything that was in it. 00:08:04.620 --> 00:08:06.040 That's not the same for all of us. 00:08:06.240 --> 00:08:07.480 But it was for him. 00:08:07.860 --> 00:08:09.879 And he walked away a sad young man. 00:08:09.960 --> 00:08:15.220 Because that was the one thing that he just couldn't drop in order to follow Jesus. 00:08:15.220 --> 00:08:25.100 And we all know that the power of the Holy Spirit to sustain us. 00:08:25.860 --> 00:08:29.760 To sustain us when the evil one comes knocking. 00:08:30.780 --> 00:08:31.900 Because he will. 00:08:32.740 --> 00:08:41.360 You know, my impression is, when I was a nominal Christian, I didn't have to bother about the evil one at all because he wasn't interested in me. 00:08:41.480 --> 00:08:44.180 Because I wasn't making any significant impact. 00:08:44.179 --> 00:08:47.219 I was just coasting along in life. 00:08:47.919 --> 00:08:52.799 My goodness, when you step up and give you, whoa, bring it on. 00:08:53.659 --> 00:08:57.939 And that's when you need the power of the Holy Spirit moving in your life. 00:08:58.299 --> 00:09:02.259 In saying that you know the power of the Spirit and you know that power. 00:09:02.259 --> 00:09:05.860 In my own calling. 00:09:06.000 --> 00:09:07.700 And I don't, this is in no way. 00:09:07.960 --> 00:09:09.799 This is for me personally. 00:09:10.379 --> 00:09:12.939 This is for me as part of my calling. 00:09:13.279 --> 00:09:17.259 And my net that I had to drop was to sell my house. 00:09:17.259 --> 00:09:26.319 When this collar came along, everything that I'd had, you notice I, and that was for ordained ministry. 00:09:26.460 --> 00:09:30.080 And you notice I don't say full-time ministry. 00:09:30.639 --> 00:09:32.039 Because we were all. 00:09:32.399 --> 00:09:33.759 And let's get this really clear. 00:09:34.120 --> 00:09:36.679 We are all in full-time ministry. 00:09:36.679 --> 00:09:42.599 This just happens to be a collar which is part of all of our ministries. 00:09:43.259 --> 00:09:43.379 Yeah. 00:09:43.979 --> 00:09:51.399 But for me personally, when this came along, we sensed the Lord said, you've got to sell your house. 00:09:51.399 --> 00:09:56.659 Now, if you knew what my house meant to me, it was everything. 00:09:57.220 --> 00:09:58.419 It was my significance. 00:09:58.840 --> 00:10:00.120 It was my security. 00:10:00.500 --> 00:10:02.480 It was everything that I had worked for. 00:10:02.779 --> 00:10:04.600 It was everything that I had done. 00:10:05.240 --> 00:10:10.860 And yet the Lord knew at that time that the house had to go. 00:10:11.039 --> 00:10:12.899 My goodness, did I kick and scream. 00:10:13.759 --> 00:10:17.419 I kicked and screamed, but I knew it had to go. 00:10:17.799 --> 00:10:19.799 I didn't know the reason for it at the time. 00:10:19.799 --> 00:10:24.059 It wasn't the best financial thing that you do in earthly terms. 00:10:24.259 --> 00:10:26.599 But I knew that it had to go. 00:10:26.979 --> 00:10:30.779 I didn't know why that he'd asked me to make this huge sacrifice. 00:10:31.059 --> 00:10:34.279 And it was a huge sacrifice in human terms. 00:10:35.339 --> 00:10:43.299 But I will tell you why that the Lord asks you to drop a net sometimes for whatever that might be to follow him. 00:10:43.299 --> 00:10:54.939 18 months later, as a newly ordained curate, I'd quickly realised that the Church of England wasn't necessarily full of people who loved the Lord like I did. 00:10:56.179 --> 00:10:58.979 It wasn't sometimes a good experience. 00:10:58.980 --> 00:11:02.580 And I'd found myself on this particular Tuesday morning. 00:11:02.779 --> 00:11:03.820 I was in Wales. 00:11:04.320 --> 00:11:09.379 I was at lunch, going to lunch, when I was suddenly aware of somebody next to me. 00:11:10.500 --> 00:11:16.580 And next to me was a friend that I had worked with for many, many years when I was in the place. 00:11:16.580 --> 00:11:21.400 And there he is, just queued up next to me, getting lunch. 00:11:22.200 --> 00:11:23.340 I said, my goodness. 00:11:23.780 --> 00:11:25.160 I said, what are you doing here? 00:11:25.920 --> 00:11:28.000 He said, I'm just passing through. 00:11:28.340 --> 00:11:30.060 I said, what a load of rubbish. 00:11:30.860 --> 00:11:33.060 I said, nobody passes through Wales. 00:11:33.520 --> 00:11:36.780 I said, if I didn't know you better, you were here to bump me for a job. 00:11:37.100 --> 00:11:38.240 And he said, I am. 00:11:38.240 --> 00:11:47.580 And in that moment, he offered me a rollback in a service that I'm not allowed to mention because I signed a form. 00:11:48.200 --> 00:11:50.700 But Stella Remington's allowed to write a book about it. 00:11:51.779 --> 00:11:57.399 So what happens is he offers me this phenomenal package. 00:11:59.320 --> 00:12:04.560 And it says in the Bible that the devil chooses an opportune time. 00:12:04.559 --> 00:12:08.519 He's like a roaring lion. 00:12:09.599 --> 00:12:18.459 And in a split second, I suddenly realised, if I'm tempted by this, I haven't got a house to live in. 00:12:19.739 --> 00:12:23.799 I knew in that moment why I had to sell the house. 00:12:24.519 --> 00:12:29.799 Because so easily, when you drop a net, it's so easy to go back to it. 00:12:30.759 --> 00:12:32.259 Back to the way we were living. 00:12:32.939 --> 00:12:34.239 Back to the way things were. 00:12:34.559 --> 00:12:36.359 Back to the old life. 00:12:37.019 --> 00:12:39.539 And it is so easy to do that. 00:12:41.159 --> 00:12:43.619 You know, I'm stood there. 00:12:44.259 --> 00:12:49.819 And in some ways, I'm so thankful in that moment that I had to do that. 00:12:51.000 --> 00:12:53.000 Maybe this morning. 00:12:53.319 --> 00:12:54.619 Actually, we're still in contact. 00:12:54.779 --> 00:12:55.679 He phoned me the other day. 00:12:55.899 --> 00:12:58.819 He still admires me because he was really upset. 00:12:58.899 --> 00:13:01.519 Because he said, nobody turns me down when I pitch them. 00:13:01.519 --> 00:13:05.279 He still thinks I'm crazy. 00:13:05.279 --> 00:13:07.399 But that's part of the discipleship adventure. 00:13:08.120 --> 00:13:15.840 Maybe this morning you realised that there is something you have to drop in order to be free to follow Jesus. 00:13:15.840 --> 00:13:20.680 That'll be different for all of us in our discipleship journey. 00:13:20.820 --> 00:13:22.200 What is that net? 00:13:22.200 --> 00:13:25.820 Perhaps for some of us, it's doubt. 00:13:26.620 --> 00:13:29.340 Perhaps for some of us, it's cynicism. 00:13:30.080 --> 00:13:31.520 You know, why are we doing all this giving? 00:13:31.640 --> 00:13:32.720 How is the church spending our money? 00:13:32.940 --> 00:13:34.420 It's not our money. 00:13:34.500 --> 00:13:35.300 It's the Lord's money. 00:13:35.299 --> 00:13:39.919 You know, you just got to trust your brothers and sisters as to how they do it. 00:13:40.539 --> 00:13:40.799 You know? 00:13:41.139 --> 00:13:45.219 Perhaps there is something in your heart that struggles with grace. 00:13:46.659 --> 00:13:51.099 Maybe there is something issues over trust. 00:13:52.859 --> 00:13:53.939 A lack of trust. 00:13:54.419 --> 00:14:00.240 Maybe recurring character issues in us that so easily we go back to. 00:14:00.240 --> 00:14:10.620 Maybe it's a long-standing grudge and an issue of forgiveness. 00:14:13.899 --> 00:14:18.240 Maybe it's an issue with a person or a group of people. 00:14:18.620 --> 00:14:19.580 And that's your net. 00:14:19.759 --> 00:14:22.620 I can't go there, Lord, because that's an issue. 00:14:23.139 --> 00:14:26.060 Drop the net and move on. 00:14:26.059 --> 00:14:38.139 And believe you me, nets will tangle you and any fisherman will tell you they will drown you if you're not careful. 00:14:39.359 --> 00:14:42.879 Sometimes it's good to drop the net and move on. 00:14:43.219 --> 00:14:45.379 You see, we have two distinct calls here. 00:14:45.699 --> 00:14:47.799 One to respond, one to follow. 00:14:48.079 --> 00:14:50.679 The other follows on from that is to serve. 00:14:51.159 --> 00:14:54.799 And Jesus modeled that to the disciples over those three years. 00:14:54.799 --> 00:14:57.359 Follow me and I will show you. 00:14:57.459 --> 00:14:59.519 I will show you how to serve. 00:14:59.819 --> 00:15:04.179 I will show you what the marks of relationship are between me and you. 00:15:04.439 --> 00:15:07.039 I will show you what it is to disciple people. 00:15:07.379 --> 00:15:11.339 I will show you if this church didn't exist, ask his people. 00:15:11.779 --> 00:15:16.939 Think of the ministries in the everyday that would fail to thrive and grow. 00:15:18.519 --> 00:15:22.799 Jesus says, I will show you what this adventure looks like. 00:15:24.799 --> 00:15:30.299 You see, I was thinking with this giving thing. 00:15:30.479 --> 00:15:35.620 You know, if I give, I want people to know it comes from the heart of God. 00:15:36.259 --> 00:15:40.719 It doesn't come from my magnanimous generosity. 00:15:41.779 --> 00:15:44.059 It comes from the heart of God. 00:15:44.059 --> 00:15:50.779 And, you know, we give to other charities outside and it challenged me. 00:15:51.239 --> 00:15:56.419 You know, if I give to the Dogs Trust or similar charity, all worthy as they are, 00:15:56.819 --> 00:15:59.099 do they know that I'm a disciple of Jesus? 00:16:00.279 --> 00:16:03.939 That why I'm giving is because out of my love of God. 00:16:04.239 --> 00:16:08.079 Maybe they ought to have a tick box on there for us to say, 00:16:08.080 --> 00:16:14.740 I am giving because I am a Christian and this is out of my love of God that I am giving to this. 00:16:14.900 --> 00:16:21.020 If you serve maybe in a choir, maybe wherever that is, that isn't linked to the church. 00:16:21.379 --> 00:16:24.780 Do people know that you are a disciple of Christ? 00:16:25.080 --> 00:16:26.060 Do you share that? 00:16:26.340 --> 00:16:27.740 Are you able to do that? 00:16:28.720 --> 00:16:32.520 You know, if you give to a charity, and I'm not saying that you shouldn't, 00:16:32.519 --> 00:16:36.000 but you may have noticed that we are a charity as well. 00:16:36.460 --> 00:16:37.539 Christ Church is a charity. 00:16:37.740 --> 00:16:39.379 It has its own number, you know. 00:16:40.199 --> 00:16:46.299 Maybe others would like to encourage you to do that in order to serve and make the gospel known. 00:16:46.980 --> 00:16:49.139 That is why we exist. 00:16:49.439 --> 00:16:51.799 That is the it there. 00:16:53.259 --> 00:16:57.340 And that's what we're going to explore over the next four weeks in Lent. 00:16:57.340 --> 00:17:02.320 Because if you've noticed around, you've noticed some symbols, 00:17:02.500 --> 00:17:07.079 you've noticed the banner that's outside, and there's a table over here. 00:17:07.539 --> 00:17:12.480 And what we're going to do is encourage each one of us in Lent to take one of these, 00:17:12.720 --> 00:17:18.660 which is a band, and one of these, which will explain what the four symbols are. 00:17:18.660 --> 00:17:27.140 Because the thing is, is if we are struggling to actually tell people about our faith, 00:17:27.420 --> 00:17:32.320 and why we exist, what the it is, this really helps. 00:17:32.740 --> 00:17:36.480 Because people will say, what are those symbols outside your church? 00:17:37.160 --> 00:17:38.660 What are those symbols on your website? 00:17:38.940 --> 00:17:41.420 What are the symbols that you've put on your desk? 00:17:41.700 --> 00:17:43.980 What are the symbols that is on your wristband, 00:17:44.160 --> 00:17:47.300 which I'm going to invite everybody to take as they leave? 00:17:47.299 --> 00:17:50.099 You may even like to take a balloon and hang it in your window, 00:17:50.960 --> 00:17:52.039 and give to a friend. 00:17:54.180 --> 00:17:57.700 See, in the four-point gospel, if we're a disciple, a follower of Jesus, 00:17:57.960 --> 00:18:01.700 this morning we not only pledge ourselves in our sharing and our giving, 00:18:02.019 --> 00:18:04.059 but we know that God has chosen us. 00:18:05.019 --> 00:18:12.159 God has chosen us to ask us to lay down something and follow him, 00:18:12.559 --> 00:18:13.680 whatever that something is. 00:18:13.680 --> 00:18:17.720 God has chosen you and me to change lives, 00:18:18.039 --> 00:18:19.960 to be an agent of change, 00:18:20.200 --> 00:18:22.880 and this Lent will be like no other, 00:18:23.140 --> 00:18:24.460 because brothers and sisters, 00:18:24.740 --> 00:18:26.759 we are going to go out into the everyday, 00:18:27.240 --> 00:18:30.100 and we are going to tell people about the gospel of Christ. 00:18:31.440 --> 00:18:33.560 On the screen, here's the symbols. 00:18:34.519 --> 00:18:36.000 You see, in the heart, 00:18:36.000 --> 00:18:37.059 it says, 00:18:37.799 --> 00:18:39.819 I, God loves me. 00:18:40.740 --> 00:18:42.420 It's a trite line that comes out, 00:18:42.859 --> 00:18:45.720 but four points is a very simple overview 00:18:45.720 --> 00:18:48.920 to let people know that God loves them, 00:18:49.619 --> 00:18:52.640 and we show that in the way in which we respond. 00:18:53.160 --> 00:18:54.740 So the first one is the heart, 00:18:55.059 --> 00:18:56.000 that God loves us, 00:18:56.119 --> 00:18:57.519 that God loves you, 00:18:58.279 --> 00:19:00.220 and can love you no matter whatever, 00:19:01.460 --> 00:19:02.599 that he is there for you, 00:19:02.839 --> 00:19:03.799 that he is part of you. 00:19:03.799 --> 00:19:06.419 People need to know that so much. 00:19:07.139 --> 00:19:09.299 I'm looking at a thing at the moment about loneliness, 00:19:09.799 --> 00:19:12.299 how people need to know that they are loved 00:19:12.299 --> 00:19:13.879 and acknowledged by God, 00:19:13.960 --> 00:19:14.579 that they are loved. 00:19:16.659 --> 00:19:20.079 The second is this X. 00:19:20.940 --> 00:19:23.859 And the second is this X is about, 00:19:24.159 --> 00:19:24.899 I have sinned. 00:19:25.279 --> 00:19:28.159 I acknowledge that I want to just be, 00:19:28.440 --> 00:19:29.099 as we said, 00:19:29.339 --> 00:19:30.799 things are good with my soul. 00:19:30.799 --> 00:19:33.700 I want to get rid of the stuff that's holding me back. 00:19:33.980 --> 00:19:34.519 Please, Lord, 00:19:34.599 --> 00:19:35.759 I know that I'm going to mess up, 00:19:35.940 --> 00:19:38.059 probably going to mess up by the time I even get down. 00:19:38.119 --> 00:19:40.599 If somebody cuts me up later on in the car, 00:19:40.899 --> 00:19:42.919 I'll have probably had to confess again. 00:19:43.339 --> 00:19:46.599 But there will be that time we need to keep clearing, 00:19:47.000 --> 00:19:48.339 keep the doorway open, 00:19:49.299 --> 00:19:50.259 that we have sinned, 00:19:50.339 --> 00:19:51.240 we acknowledge that. 00:19:51.299 --> 00:19:54.240 And the Bible says that sin ultimately brings death, 00:19:54.399 --> 00:19:55.519 which the good news is, 00:19:55.579 --> 00:19:56.000 is next, 00:19:56.240 --> 00:19:57.480 is because it's the cross. 00:19:57.480 --> 00:20:00.380 And we can say to people that the third point 00:20:00.380 --> 00:20:02.779 is probably one of the most well-known facts, 00:20:02.860 --> 00:20:05.059 yet is probably one of the most misunderstood. 00:20:06.620 --> 00:20:08.460 And the key for us is to realise, 00:20:08.700 --> 00:20:10.559 if you've been here at Fact this morning, 00:20:10.759 --> 00:20:12.660 you would have loved this so much. 00:20:13.360 --> 00:20:14.079 They, to me, 00:20:14.140 --> 00:20:14.940 it all came alive. 00:20:15.039 --> 00:20:16.700 There was two wheelie chairs here, 00:20:17.019 --> 00:20:18.599 one with God and one with us. 00:20:19.720 --> 00:20:20.940 In one wheelie chair, 00:20:21.319 --> 00:20:22.120 both together, 00:20:22.599 --> 00:20:24.339 God and us in partnership. 00:20:24.339 --> 00:20:28.599 And one wheelie chair weighs over here 00:20:28.599 --> 00:20:30.480 with our back to God. 00:20:31.459 --> 00:20:32.919 And God says that's not enough. 00:20:33.339 --> 00:20:34.759 So what I'll do is through the cross, 00:20:34.859 --> 00:20:35.379 through Jesus, 00:20:35.799 --> 00:20:38.859 I will come and come and I will meet you. 00:20:39.259 --> 00:20:40.959 And I will be where you are 00:20:40.959 --> 00:20:43.439 so that you will know my peace and my presence. 00:20:43.720 --> 00:20:45.159 So many people need to know that. 00:20:45.759 --> 00:20:47.919 The saving power of the cross, 00:20:48.059 --> 00:20:49.839 which leads us into the next one, 00:20:50.059 --> 00:20:51.500 which is the question mark, 00:20:51.500 --> 00:20:54.460 is will you decide to turn around 00:20:54.460 --> 00:20:55.700 and meet with him? 00:20:56.460 --> 00:20:59.220 Will you accept that sacrifice that he made? 00:20:59.700 --> 00:21:01.059 It's the four-point gospel. 00:21:01.460 --> 00:21:02.420 It is the it, 00:21:02.660 --> 00:21:04.579 that Jesus died for us 00:21:04.579 --> 00:21:06.779 and we need to make a decision. 00:21:07.920 --> 00:21:09.420 Each of the next four Sundays, 00:21:09.680 --> 00:21:11.940 we will explore each of these areas 00:21:11.940 --> 00:21:12.920 as a church 00:21:12.920 --> 00:21:14.160 to encourage us 00:21:14.160 --> 00:21:15.119 and empower us 00:21:15.119 --> 00:21:15.940 to go out 00:21:15.940 --> 00:21:17.079 and make a difference 00:21:17.079 --> 00:21:18.039 in the everyday. 00:21:18.380 --> 00:21:20.240 It's not for our own self-gratification. 00:21:20.240 --> 00:21:21.500 It's to go out 00:21:21.500 --> 00:21:22.859 and make a difference, 00:21:22.960 --> 00:21:24.759 to make the it known. 00:21:25.339 --> 00:21:26.720 Will we make the change? 00:21:28.500 --> 00:21:30.940 And we're going to send you out this morning 00:21:30.940 --> 00:21:32.039 with one of these cards, 00:21:32.400 --> 00:21:33.180 one of these bands 00:21:33.180 --> 00:21:34.140 with balloons 00:21:34.140 --> 00:21:37.079 and pray as you wake each morning 00:21:37.079 --> 00:21:38.579 for an opportunity 00:21:38.579 --> 00:21:40.380 that somebody will ask you 00:21:40.380 --> 00:21:41.079 and say, 00:21:41.240 --> 00:21:43.140 what on earth is that on your wrist? 00:21:44.279 --> 00:21:45.859 What does that all mean? 00:21:46.940 --> 00:21:47.940 And you'll say, 00:21:48.559 --> 00:21:49.339 do you know what? 00:21:50.199 --> 00:21:51.019 Maybe you want to take 00:21:51.019 --> 00:21:52.159 some spare ones of these. 00:21:52.519 --> 00:21:53.839 Maybe you even want to put one 00:21:53.839 --> 00:21:54.679 in your pocket 00:21:54.679 --> 00:21:55.699 to share with people. 00:21:56.259 --> 00:21:57.480 But this is what it means. 00:21:57.619 --> 00:21:58.919 This is what is important, 00:21:59.259 --> 00:22:00.119 not just to me, 00:22:00.199 --> 00:22:01.359 but it's important to you 00:22:01.359 --> 00:22:02.679 in your life again. 00:22:03.019 --> 00:22:04.619 As Jesus was walking, 00:22:04.720 --> 00:22:05.639 would the band like to come up? 00:22:05.679 --> 00:22:06.279 That would be great. 00:22:07.099 --> 00:22:09.039 As Jesus was walking 00:22:09.039 --> 00:22:10.480 beside the Sea of Galilee, 00:22:10.480 --> 00:22:14.000 he saw two brothers, 00:22:14.360 --> 00:22:14.779 Simon, 00:22:15.400 --> 00:22:16.039 called Peter, 00:22:16.140 --> 00:22:16.980 and his brother Andrew, 00:22:17.200 --> 00:22:18.720 and they were casting a net 00:22:18.720 --> 00:22:19.740 into the lake 00:22:19.740 --> 00:22:20.980 for they were fishermen. 00:22:21.460 --> 00:22:21.900 Come, 00:22:22.900 --> 00:22:23.920 come 00:22:23.920 --> 00:22:25.279 and follow me. 00:22:26.559 --> 00:22:27.539 At once, 00:22:27.660 --> 00:22:28.420 they left their nets 00:22:28.420 --> 00:22:29.120 and followed him. 00:22:31.099 --> 00:22:32.259 I don't know about you people, 00:22:32.339 --> 00:22:33.740 I think there's a sense of urgency 00:22:33.740 --> 00:22:34.599 around at the moment, 00:22:35.819 --> 00:22:36.620 that we come, 00:22:36.740 --> 00:22:38.000 that people gather in churches, 00:22:38.000 --> 00:22:39.099 but we don't go out 00:22:39.099 --> 00:22:40.240 and we share the gospel. 00:22:41.000 --> 00:22:41.359 This, 00:22:41.680 --> 00:22:42.480 for our Lent, 00:22:42.920 --> 00:22:43.839 is an opportunity. 00:22:44.799 --> 00:22:45.000 You know, 00:22:45.900 --> 00:22:46.539 I was thinking, 00:22:46.819 --> 00:22:48.420 I don't know what you've given up 00:22:48.420 --> 00:22:49.880 for Lent, 00:22:50.039 --> 00:22:50.400 all this, 00:22:50.859 --> 00:22:51.000 oh, 00:22:51.059 --> 00:22:51.680 I've given up, 00:22:51.819 --> 00:22:53.700 I've given up chocolates 00:22:53.700 --> 00:22:54.519 and sweets. 00:22:55.200 --> 00:22:55.900 If you ever see me 00:22:55.900 --> 00:22:57.059 with a bag of wine gums 00:22:57.059 --> 00:22:57.619 in a meeting, 00:22:57.740 --> 00:22:58.400 you'll know it's the most 00:22:58.400 --> 00:22:59.380 boring meeting ever. 00:23:00.200 --> 00:23:00.359 Yeah? 00:23:00.579 --> 00:23:01.559 Because it keeps me up. 00:23:01.779 --> 00:23:02.019 But, 00:23:02.980 --> 00:23:04.400 it's more than giving that up. 00:23:05.160 --> 00:23:06.140 It's giving out. 00:23:06.140 --> 00:23:08.480 What I'm asking of us 00:23:08.480 --> 00:23:09.080 as a church 00:23:09.080 --> 00:23:09.680 and I believe 00:23:09.680 --> 00:23:11.080 what the Lord is asking of us 00:23:11.080 --> 00:23:12.180 is to give out 00:23:12.180 --> 00:23:13.100 this Lent. 00:23:13.700 --> 00:23:14.300 To give out 00:23:14.300 --> 00:23:14.960 in our sharing 00:23:14.960 --> 00:23:15.500 and our giving. 00:23:15.880 --> 00:23:17.140 To give out of ourselves 00:23:17.140 --> 00:23:18.960 as we leave ourselves free 00:23:18.960 --> 00:23:20.360 to share the gospel. 00:23:20.740 --> 00:23:21.420 He chooses, 00:23:21.740 --> 00:23:23.020 Jesus did not call 00:23:23.020 --> 00:23:23.660 the qualified, 00:23:24.960 --> 00:23:26.440 he qualified the called. 00:23:27.660 --> 00:23:28.600 Just want to make that 00:23:28.600 --> 00:23:29.259 really clear. 00:23:29.780 --> 00:23:30.880 Jesus did not 00:23:30.880 --> 00:23:32.180 call the qualified. 00:23:33.180 --> 00:23:33.720 Rather, 00:23:33.860 --> 00:23:34.140 he qualifies 00:23:34.800 --> 00:23:35.680 the called. 00:23:36.140 --> 00:23:37.780 Once we say yes, 00:23:39.000 --> 00:23:40.400 the adventure starts 00:23:40.400 --> 00:23:41.060 afresh. 00:23:43.600 --> 00:23:45.080 I was really encouraged 00:23:45.080 --> 00:23:45.759 this week 00:23:45.759 --> 00:23:47.220 that there was 00:23:47.220 --> 00:23:48.300 one of the groups 00:23:48.300 --> 00:23:49.000 that meets here, 00:23:49.060 --> 00:23:49.759 a women's group, 00:23:50.100 --> 00:23:51.759 came and asked us 00:23:51.759 --> 00:23:53.700 how the overflow 00:23:53.700 --> 00:23:54.960 of their group 00:23:54.960 --> 00:23:56.620 could make a difference 00:23:56.620 --> 00:23:57.759 in our outreach 00:23:57.759 --> 00:23:58.740 in our community. 00:23:59.300 --> 00:24:00.700 I was so excited 00:24:00.700 --> 00:24:01.180 by that. 00:24:01.720 --> 00:24:02.640 Maybe if you belong 00:24:02.640 --> 00:24:03.480 to a growth group, 00:24:03.560 --> 00:24:04.240 a small group, 00:24:04.480 --> 00:24:05.060 a home group, 00:24:05.059 --> 00:24:05.759 a men's group, 00:24:05.759 --> 00:24:06.399 a women's group, 00:24:06.679 --> 00:24:08.480 maybe you would like 00:24:08.480 --> 00:24:09.000 to do that. 00:24:09.099 --> 00:24:10.240 And I was given a book 00:24:10.240 --> 00:24:10.980 some time ago, 00:24:11.159 --> 00:24:11.500 it's called 00:24:11.500 --> 00:24:12.119 Love Does 00:24:12.119 --> 00:24:14.359 by Bob Goff. 00:24:14.740 --> 00:24:15.759 I'll just read you this 00:24:15.759 --> 00:24:16.519 before we move 00:24:16.519 --> 00:24:17.460 into a time of prayer. 00:24:19.639 --> 00:24:20.440 Bob says, 00:24:20.440 --> 00:24:23.779 I'm going to go to the Bible 00:24:23.779 --> 00:24:25.500 and I'm going to go to the Bible 00:24:25.500 --> 00:24:26.559 and I'm going to go to the Bible 00:24:26.559 --> 00:24:27.700 and I'm going to go to the Bible 00:24:27.700 --> 00:24:28.259 and I'm going to go to the Bible. 00:24:29.920 --> 00:24:31.039 We've been at it now 00:24:31.039 --> 00:24:32.259 for 15 years 00:24:32.259 --> 00:24:33.559 and I've found 00:24:33.559 --> 00:24:34.559 there's a big difference 00:24:34.559 --> 00:24:35.440 between the two. 00:24:35.840 --> 00:24:36.840 In our Bible doing, 00:24:37.000 --> 00:24:37.880 we read what God 00:24:37.880 --> 00:24:38.640 has to say 00:24:38.640 --> 00:24:39.860 and then focus 00:24:39.860 --> 00:24:41.019 all of our attention 00:24:41.019 --> 00:24:42.259 on what we are going 00:24:42.259 --> 00:24:43.380 to do about it. 00:24:44.120 --> 00:24:44.980 Just agreeing 00:24:44.980 --> 00:24:46.120 isn't enough. 00:24:46.119 --> 00:24:47.379 I can't think 00:24:47.379 --> 00:24:48.319 of a single time 00:24:48.319 --> 00:24:49.079 where Jesus 00:24:49.079 --> 00:24:50.179 asked his friends 00:24:50.179 --> 00:24:51.919 to just agree with him. 00:24:57.459 --> 00:24:58.819 God has chosen you 00:24:58.819 --> 00:25:00.079 to be his own. 00:25:00.599 --> 00:25:01.979 He's chosen each one of us. 00:25:02.319 --> 00:25:02.959 May God grant 00:25:02.959 --> 00:25:03.819 to each one of us 00:25:03.819 --> 00:25:05.500 his modern day disciples 00:25:05.500 --> 00:25:06.679 the compassion, 00:25:06.939 --> 00:25:07.679 power, courage, 00:25:08.079 --> 00:25:09.079 strength and joy 00:25:09.079 --> 00:25:11.579 to make it happen. 00:25:12.799 --> 00:25:14.000 Here in Clevedon 00:25:14.000 --> 00:25:15.400 and the places 00:25:15.400 --> 00:25:16.119 where we spend 00:25:16.119 --> 00:25:17.079 our days each day. 00:25:17.940 --> 00:25:19.119 Would you pray with me? 00:25:21.539 --> 00:25:22.339 Holy Spirit, 00:25:22.420 --> 00:25:23.000 would you come? 00:25:26.640 --> 00:25:27.660 Just had a picture 00:25:27.660 --> 00:25:28.259 this morning 00:25:28.259 --> 00:25:30.079 of somebody fishing 00:25:30.079 --> 00:25:31.559 and when you see fishermen 00:25:31.559 --> 00:25:32.420 they often have 00:25:32.420 --> 00:25:33.079 a wristband 00:25:33.079 --> 00:25:34.000 around their net 00:25:34.000 --> 00:25:35.660 so that the net 00:25:35.660 --> 00:25:38.019 just sense maybe 00:25:38.019 --> 00:25:39.619 taking that wristband off 00:25:39.619 --> 00:25:40.660 and putting on 00:25:40.660 --> 00:25:41.579 this wristband 00:25:41.579 --> 00:25:43.420 afresh. 00:25:44.000 --> 00:25:46.200 Whatever that is 00:25:46.200 --> 00:25:46.779 I pray 00:25:46.779 --> 00:25:47.720 if the Lord 00:25:47.720 --> 00:25:48.319 has shown you 00:25:48.319 --> 00:25:48.799 a net 00:25:48.799 --> 00:25:49.420 that you have 00:25:49.420 --> 00:25:50.079 to drop 00:25:50.079 --> 00:25:51.359 Holy Spirit 00:25:51.359 --> 00:25:52.099 would you come 00:25:52.099 --> 00:25:52.839 in power 00:25:52.839 --> 00:25:53.940 and give us 00:25:53.940 --> 00:25:54.720 the courage 00:25:54.720 --> 00:25:56.480 to drop that net 00:25:56.480 --> 00:25:58.119 in order to follow you. 00:26:03.839 --> 00:26:04.720 Holy Spirit, 00:26:04.839 --> 00:26:05.539 would you free us 00:26:05.539 --> 00:26:06.740 from any sense 00:26:06.740 --> 00:26:08.720 of obligation 00:26:08.720 --> 00:26:12.039 to a denomination 00:26:12.039 --> 00:26:12.059 to a denomination 00:26:12.059 --> 00:26:14.600 but focus 00:26:14.600 --> 00:26:15.640 our whole self 00:26:15.640 --> 00:26:16.180 on you. 00:26:17.779 --> 00:26:18.720 That it's about 00:26:18.720 --> 00:26:19.200 you 00:26:19.200 --> 00:26:20.200 and us 00:26:20.200 --> 00:26:22.319 and us 00:26:22.319 --> 00:26:23.319 as a church family. 00:26:23.319 --> 00:26:29.599 and us 00:26:29.599 --> 00:26:30.259 sense for some 00:26:30.259 --> 00:26:30.740 this morning 00:26:30.740 --> 00:26:31.759 it is the peace 00:26:31.759 --> 00:26:32.480 and power 00:26:32.480 --> 00:26:33.439 of the Holy Spirit 00:26:33.439 --> 00:26:35.879 to drop 00:26:35.879 --> 00:26:36.399 our fears 00:26:36.399 --> 00:26:37.259 and concerns 00:26:37.259 --> 00:26:37.799 and whatever 00:26:37.799 --> 00:26:38.939 that is for us 00:26:38.939 --> 00:26:40.759 in order 00:26:40.759 --> 00:26:41.579 to encounter 00:26:41.579 --> 00:26:42.279 the richness 00:26:42.279 --> 00:26:43.740 of what is waiting 00:26:43.740 --> 00:26:44.359 for us 00:26:44.359 --> 00:26:45.480 in the adventure. 00:26:46.319 --> 00:26:47.200 Holy Spirit, 00:26:47.259 --> 00:26:48.079 would you come now? 00:26:49.439 --> 00:26:50.099 Would you give us 00:26:50.099 --> 00:26:50.700 that peace 00:26:50.700 --> 00:26:51.360 which the world 00:26:51.360 --> 00:26:51.960 cannot give 00:26:51.960 --> 00:26:54.940 in order 00:26:54.940 --> 00:26:55.720 that we can be 00:26:55.720 --> 00:26:56.319 courageous 00:26:56.319 --> 00:26:57.640 for you. 00:27:02.660 --> 00:27:03.420 Maybe if you're 00:27:03.420 --> 00:27:04.059 listening to this 00:27:04.059 --> 00:27:04.660 on a podcast 00:27:04.660 --> 00:27:06.440 or you're listening 00:27:06.440 --> 00:27:07.039 to this 00:27:07.039 --> 00:27:07.900 in your car 00:27:07.900 --> 00:27:08.420 or maybe 00:27:08.420 --> 00:27:09.819 listening that today 00:27:09.819 --> 00:27:11.380 if today 00:27:11.380 --> 00:27:12.160 is the day 00:27:12.160 --> 00:27:12.880 that you have 00:27:12.880 --> 00:27:13.400 decided 00:27:13.400 --> 00:27:14.100 to drop 00:27:14.100 --> 00:27:14.700 the net 00:27:14.700 --> 00:27:15.299 that he is 00:27:15.299 --> 00:27:15.860 asking you 00:27:15.860 --> 00:27:16.480 to drop 00:27:16.480 --> 00:27:17.759 and follow him 00:27:17.759 --> 00:27:21.420 oh happy day. 00:27:23.480 --> 00:27:23.920 Hallelujah. 00:27:25.660 --> 00:27:26.519 A new beginning. 00:27:27.579 --> 00:27:28.400 A new beginning. 00:27:29.680 --> 00:27:30.500 A new beginning. 00:27:31.900 --> 00:27:33.339 In Jesus' name. 00:27:34.259 --> 00:27:34.539 Amen. 00:27:36.680 --> 00:27:37.539 Thanks, man.