WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:06.919 1 Peter 4 and verse 8 we read these words, 00:00:06.919 --> 00:00:10.179 Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling. 00:00:11.599 --> 00:00:17.359 Each one should use whatever gift he or she has received to serve others. 00:00:22.500 --> 00:00:28.820 Maybe, like me, you like those movies that are slightly kind of scary 00:00:28.820 --> 00:00:33.299 only because they're movies about a potential threat to the future 00:00:33.299 --> 00:00:39.200 of our whole civilization, of human life as we know it here on Earth. 00:00:39.280 --> 00:00:42.840 I'm thinking of movies like Greenland and Contagion. 00:00:43.659 --> 00:00:47.460 I guess Contagion is a fairly contemporary theme at the moment. 00:00:47.719 --> 00:00:55.880 And I think the appeal of such movies is that actually it's not quite beyond our imagination 00:00:55.880 --> 00:01:00.219 to imagine that any of these scenarios might happen. 00:01:01.320 --> 00:01:05.359 We know, for instance, that millions of years ago, 00:01:06.620 --> 00:01:13.840 a meteorite hit the Earth and apparently wiped out the dinosaurs, God love them. 00:01:13.840 --> 00:01:24.460 And we know that the threat of global pandemic is a threat that's only too close to us, 00:01:24.579 --> 00:01:28.219 but hanging over us like a sort of sword of Damocles 00:01:28.219 --> 00:01:35.780 is the threat of global warming caused by man-made climate change. 00:01:35.780 --> 00:01:41.400 And depending on which scientists you read, 00:01:42.560 --> 00:01:48.120 you will discover that the Earth's got 30 years left in it as we carry on as we do, 00:01:48.240 --> 00:01:53.520 or maybe longer if other models have got it right. 00:01:54.760 --> 00:01:58.960 I love that quote that somebody said in relation to climate change. 00:01:58.959 --> 00:02:04.280 They said, there is no plan B because there is no planet B. 00:02:06.079 --> 00:02:08.579 And we know what the person who said that meant. 00:02:08.739 --> 00:02:14.539 And Peter is seeking in his letter to encourage Christians 00:02:14.539 --> 00:02:16.819 who are going through tough times. 00:02:16.959 --> 00:02:19.879 And many of you feel that you're going through tough times. 00:02:20.539 --> 00:02:24.819 Not quite the same as the Christians that Peter was writing to. 00:02:24.819 --> 00:02:31.000 Peter was dealing with Christians who were being persecuted simply 00:02:31.000 --> 00:02:34.039 for owning the name of Jesus Christ. 00:02:35.500 --> 00:02:40.959 And we can read in chapter 1 and verse 6 of his amazing epistle these words. 00:02:41.099 --> 00:02:44.419 In this, Peter writes to the Christians, 00:02:44.419 --> 00:02:48.459 you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while 00:02:48.459 --> 00:02:52.560 you may have to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. 00:02:54.819 --> 00:02:58.560 It's interesting that in the early church, 00:02:58.680 --> 00:03:02.459 because they thought that the return of Jesus was so imminent, 00:03:03.019 --> 00:03:06.639 they were truly perplexed when any of the early Christians died. 00:03:06.739 --> 00:03:07.659 They couldn't work it out. 00:03:07.759 --> 00:03:09.359 Why? What's going on here? 00:03:10.799 --> 00:03:12.759 In 2,000 years on, 00:03:13.840 --> 00:03:17.099 we're less clear whether there will be a time, 00:03:17.159 --> 00:03:18.780 as the early church thought, 00:03:18.780 --> 00:03:22.599 there will be a time when God will bring to a close 00:03:22.599 --> 00:03:24.099 the whole of human history. 00:03:25.199 --> 00:03:29.060 And those who are dead and those who are alive 00:03:29.060 --> 00:03:31.699 will be judged by God. 00:03:33.079 --> 00:03:37.840 In AD 325, the Council of Nicaea 00:03:37.840 --> 00:03:40.180 wrote the Nicene Creed, 00:03:40.419 --> 00:03:41.979 accepted it in the church 00:03:41.979 --> 00:03:43.959 as a kind of definitive statement 00:03:43.959 --> 00:03:46.579 of what we Christians believe. 00:03:46.699 --> 00:03:49.519 And a very important part of that 00:03:49.519 --> 00:03:50.840 goes like this. 00:03:50.840 --> 00:03:52.060 We say together, 00:03:52.539 --> 00:03:54.140 he will come again in glory 00:03:54.140 --> 00:03:57.420 to judge the living and the dead. 00:03:58.480 --> 00:03:59.620 Or the quick and the dead, 00:03:59.719 --> 00:04:00.699 to use the old language. 00:04:00.800 --> 00:04:01.780 I've never forgotten this. 00:04:01.939 --> 00:04:05.099 When I was made Archdeacon of Berkshire 00:04:05.099 --> 00:04:06.640 just after the Reformation, 00:04:07.360 --> 00:04:11.120 I went to visit with the Archdeacon 00:04:11.120 --> 00:04:12.099 who was retiring, 00:04:12.300 --> 00:04:12.840 funny old, 00:04:13.879 --> 00:04:15.240 I can't remember his name now, 00:04:15.300 --> 00:04:16.079 David something. 00:04:16.280 --> 00:04:17.100 He said to me, 00:04:17.100 --> 00:04:18.060 Michael, 00:04:18.060 --> 00:04:18.720 he said, 00:04:19.439 --> 00:04:21.340 the clergy are of two sorts. 00:04:21.460 --> 00:04:21.720 He said, 00:04:21.780 --> 00:04:22.740 the quick and the dead. 00:04:24.740 --> 00:04:26.240 Well, I've never forgotten that. 00:04:26.960 --> 00:04:28.120 He will come again. 00:04:29.040 --> 00:04:29.740 And so, 00:04:30.080 --> 00:04:32.439 what we discover is that 00:04:32.439 --> 00:04:33.640 Peter here, 00:04:34.620 --> 00:04:35.780 particularly in the passage 00:04:35.780 --> 00:04:37.100 that we're dealing with, 00:04:37.740 --> 00:04:39.780 is trying to teach Christians 00:04:39.780 --> 00:04:41.240 how they should live 00:04:41.240 --> 00:04:43.980 in the light of what Peter thought 00:04:43.980 --> 00:04:45.939 was the imminent return of Jesus 00:04:45.939 --> 00:04:48.600 and the end of human history. 00:04:50.040 --> 00:04:51.540 Giving them advice on 00:04:51.540 --> 00:04:53.139 how they should live 00:04:53.139 --> 00:04:54.500 in that context. 00:04:54.680 --> 00:04:55.579 And you say to yourself, 00:04:55.620 --> 00:04:56.240 hang on. 00:04:57.680 --> 00:04:59.340 Two thousand years of history 00:04:59.340 --> 00:05:00.139 has gone by. 00:05:00.300 --> 00:05:00.420 You know, 00:05:00.519 --> 00:05:02.240 why is this relevant to us? 00:05:02.300 --> 00:05:02.460 Well, 00:05:02.519 --> 00:05:03.579 it's relevant to us 00:05:03.579 --> 00:05:05.240 because the New Testament 00:05:05.240 --> 00:05:06.840 is very clear in this. 00:05:06.839 --> 00:05:10.679 that because we don't know 00:05:10.679 --> 00:05:11.979 when Christ will return, 00:05:12.099 --> 00:05:13.119 we should live 00:05:13.119 --> 00:05:16.239 as if it might be imminent. 00:05:19.439 --> 00:05:21.739 It's quite a challenging thought. 00:05:21.819 --> 00:05:22.799 I get that. 00:05:23.939 --> 00:05:26.819 But we should live responsibly today 00:05:26.819 --> 00:05:29.639 with the end in mind. 00:05:29.639 --> 00:05:33.879 And Peter is very clear 00:05:33.879 --> 00:05:36.800 in his advice about that. 00:05:36.899 --> 00:05:37.759 We'll come on to that 00:05:37.759 --> 00:05:38.759 in just a second. 00:05:40.839 --> 00:05:42.419 Some years ago, 00:05:42.560 --> 00:05:45.000 the accident investigation people 00:05:45.000 --> 00:05:46.159 in the USA 00:05:46.159 --> 00:05:49.199 did a huge research study 00:05:49.199 --> 00:05:51.819 around horrible incidents 00:05:51.819 --> 00:05:52.639 that happened. 00:05:53.419 --> 00:05:54.800 Things like plane crashes, 00:05:55.139 --> 00:05:57.120 things like car accidents, 00:05:57.120 --> 00:05:59.480 you know, 00:05:59.540 --> 00:05:59.860 bridges, 00:06:00.100 --> 00:06:00.500 collapse, 00:06:00.620 --> 00:06:00.920 whatever. 00:06:01.540 --> 00:06:02.620 And what they were trying 00:06:02.620 --> 00:06:03.660 to find out is 00:06:03.660 --> 00:06:05.680 in such situations, 00:06:05.920 --> 00:06:06.899 who is helpful 00:06:06.899 --> 00:06:08.379 and who isn't? 00:06:09.840 --> 00:06:10.699 And this is what 00:06:10.699 --> 00:06:11.439 they discovered. 00:06:12.319 --> 00:06:13.280 I would never have guessed 00:06:13.280 --> 00:06:13.519 this, 00:06:13.639 --> 00:06:14.780 counterintuitive to me, 00:06:14.860 --> 00:06:17.340 but in a panic, 00:06:17.680 --> 00:06:19.439 calamitous situation, 00:06:20.399 --> 00:06:21.819 10% of people 00:06:21.819 --> 00:06:24.199 keep their wits about them 00:06:24.199 --> 00:06:25.840 and act responsibly 00:06:25.839 --> 00:06:26.859 and do things 00:06:26.859 --> 00:06:28.239 that are broadly judged 00:06:28.239 --> 00:06:31.039 in terms of the research 00:06:31.039 --> 00:06:31.859 as helpful. 00:06:33.039 --> 00:06:34.639 80% of people, 00:06:35.159 --> 00:06:36.159 80%, 00:06:36.159 --> 00:06:37.199 8 out of 10, 00:06:38.339 --> 00:06:39.620 do nothing 00:06:39.620 --> 00:06:40.919 but panic. 00:06:41.879 --> 00:06:43.039 And 10% 00:06:43.039 --> 00:06:45.239 actively getting involved 00:06:45.239 --> 00:06:46.120 in doing things 00:06:46.120 --> 00:06:47.699 that are distinctly unhelpful. 00:06:49.239 --> 00:06:50.479 You might have to think to yourself, 00:06:50.739 --> 00:06:51.620 who am I? 00:06:51.739 --> 00:06:52.699 And don't put your hands up, 00:06:52.919 --> 00:06:55.639 but who am I in that context? 00:06:55.639 --> 00:06:56.639 How am I when, 00:06:56.719 --> 00:06:57.120 you know, 00:06:57.319 --> 00:06:59.279 all around me 00:06:59.279 --> 00:07:00.240 is falling apart? 00:07:01.759 --> 00:07:03.699 And you might like to ask yourself 00:07:03.699 --> 00:07:04.860 the question, 00:07:05.659 --> 00:07:06.479 just suppose, 00:07:06.779 --> 00:07:08.419 go to the theme 00:07:08.419 --> 00:07:09.039 of that movie, 00:07:09.159 --> 00:07:09.539 Greenland, 00:07:09.639 --> 00:07:11.019 suppose it was announced 00:07:11.019 --> 00:07:12.060 in the newspaper 00:07:12.060 --> 00:07:13.399 and on the media tomorrow 00:07:13.399 --> 00:07:16.560 that there was a massive meteorite 00:07:16.560 --> 00:07:17.519 heading for Earth 00:07:17.519 --> 00:07:19.300 and our days were numbered 00:07:19.300 --> 00:07:20.659 and they could calculate 00:07:20.660 --> 00:07:22.360 how long it would take 00:07:22.360 --> 00:07:24.000 for that meteorite 00:07:24.000 --> 00:07:25.160 to hit planet Earth. 00:07:27.080 --> 00:07:28.160 And do you see 00:07:28.160 --> 00:07:28.980 that suddenly 00:07:28.980 --> 00:07:30.800 you're being told 00:07:30.800 --> 00:07:32.160 you've got three months left 00:07:32.160 --> 00:07:34.480 on planet Earth 00:07:34.480 --> 00:07:36.460 before a catastrophic event 00:07:36.460 --> 00:07:38.620 sees to the end 00:07:38.620 --> 00:07:39.379 of all of us. 00:07:40.200 --> 00:07:40.440 Well, 00:07:40.480 --> 00:07:41.300 that's the scenario 00:07:41.300 --> 00:07:42.240 that another group 00:07:42.240 --> 00:07:42.860 of researchers 00:07:42.860 --> 00:07:43.840 put to people 00:07:43.839 --> 00:07:45.259 and they discovered 00:07:45.259 --> 00:07:46.179 that people said 00:07:46.179 --> 00:07:47.159 things like this. 00:07:47.560 --> 00:07:47.759 I mean, 00:07:47.899 --> 00:07:48.899 who would do this, 00:07:48.959 --> 00:07:49.159 right? 00:07:49.859 --> 00:07:51.099 A lot of people said 00:07:51.099 --> 00:07:52.219 we would max out 00:07:52.219 --> 00:07:53.159 our credit cards 00:07:53.159 --> 00:07:54.699 in the time left to us. 00:07:56.259 --> 00:07:57.139 Some of you are thinking 00:07:57.139 --> 00:07:58.259 I'm already maxed out, 00:07:58.379 --> 00:07:58.500 you know, 00:07:58.560 --> 00:07:58.839 how's that, 00:07:58.879 --> 00:07:59.799 how's that help me? 00:08:01.219 --> 00:08:02.419 Some people said 00:08:02.419 --> 00:08:04.120 that they would enter 00:08:04.120 --> 00:08:06.079 as many casual 00:08:06.079 --> 00:08:06.839 sexual relationships 00:08:07.379 --> 00:08:08.179 as they could 00:08:08.179 --> 00:08:10.339 in the time left to them. 00:08:10.339 --> 00:08:15.659 And very few people 00:08:15.659 --> 00:08:18.239 said anything responsible 00:08:18.239 --> 00:08:19.579 in relation 00:08:19.579 --> 00:08:20.799 to that research. 00:08:22.019 --> 00:08:23.299 Majority of people said, 00:08:23.399 --> 00:08:23.439 well, 00:08:23.479 --> 00:08:24.279 what can you do? 00:08:24.379 --> 00:08:24.519 You know, 00:08:24.560 --> 00:08:25.279 just sit around 00:08:25.279 --> 00:08:26.579 and wait for it to happen. 00:08:28.079 --> 00:08:28.639 Well, 00:08:28.659 --> 00:08:29.620 that's not what 00:08:29.620 --> 00:08:30.939 Peter thinks. 00:08:32.720 --> 00:08:33.720 And you might 00:08:33.720 --> 00:08:34.939 ask yourself the question, 00:08:35.600 --> 00:08:36.000 Mike, 00:08:36.079 --> 00:08:36.699 you said that 00:08:36.699 --> 00:08:38.000 Peter was writing 00:08:38.000 --> 00:08:38.899 to encourage us 00:08:38.899 --> 00:08:39.799 and then he's telling us 00:08:39.799 --> 00:08:40.500 the world is going 00:08:40.500 --> 00:08:41.339 to end any time. 00:08:41.579 --> 00:08:42.500 How does that work? 00:08:45.259 --> 00:08:45.500 Well, 00:08:45.519 --> 00:08:46.839 it works like this 00:08:46.839 --> 00:08:47.699 because 00:08:47.699 --> 00:08:50.359 Peter was keen 00:08:50.359 --> 00:08:52.019 to try and speak reality 00:08:52.019 --> 00:08:53.399 as he understood it 00:08:53.399 --> 00:08:55.839 to a fledgling church 00:08:55.839 --> 00:08:58.219 in different parts 00:08:58.219 --> 00:08:59.120 of the diaspora 00:08:59.120 --> 00:09:01.399 around the ancient Near East. 00:09:02.559 --> 00:09:04.679 So what is his advice? 00:09:05.779 --> 00:09:06.139 Well, 00:09:06.179 --> 00:09:07.379 the first thing we read 00:09:07.379 --> 00:09:08.279 is this, 00:09:08.279 --> 00:09:10.299 therefore be clear-minded, 00:09:10.459 --> 00:09:11.079 verse 7, 00:09:11.199 --> 00:09:12.539 and self-controlled 00:09:12.539 --> 00:09:15.019 so that you can pray. 00:09:17.480 --> 00:09:18.679 I know that there are 00:09:18.679 --> 00:09:19.539 some people who say 00:09:19.539 --> 00:09:20.079 are Christians, 00:09:20.199 --> 00:09:21.819 they're so heavenly-minded, 00:09:21.980 --> 00:09:22.699 they're not of much 00:09:22.699 --> 00:09:23.620 earthly use. 00:09:25.319 --> 00:09:26.339 But actually, 00:09:27.679 --> 00:09:28.779 one of the things 00:09:28.779 --> 00:09:31.559 about calamitous scenarios 00:09:31.559 --> 00:09:33.279 is the tendency 00:09:33.279 --> 00:09:34.279 to panic 00:09:34.279 --> 00:09:36.059 inherently, 00:09:36.379 --> 00:09:38.079 basically drives 00:09:38.079 --> 00:09:38.839 many of us 00:09:38.839 --> 00:09:39.839 to be very 00:09:39.839 --> 00:09:41.000 self-centered, 00:09:42.000 --> 00:09:43.039 to become 00:09:43.039 --> 00:09:43.959 confused 00:09:43.959 --> 00:09:44.819 in our thinking. 00:09:45.199 --> 00:09:46.139 I think we've seen 00:09:46.139 --> 00:09:47.220 that through the pandemic 00:09:47.220 --> 00:09:48.799 to a certain extent. 00:09:49.620 --> 00:09:50.439 People's thinking 00:09:50.439 --> 00:09:51.799 just seems a bit 00:09:51.799 --> 00:09:52.439 wrong-headed. 00:09:52.899 --> 00:09:53.139 No, 00:09:53.179 --> 00:09:53.779 says Peter, 00:09:54.199 --> 00:09:54.980 in the light 00:09:54.980 --> 00:09:55.980 of the Lord's return, 00:09:56.240 --> 00:09:57.259 be clear-minded, 00:09:57.399 --> 00:09:58.240 be clear-headed, 00:09:58.480 --> 00:09:58.600 no, 00:09:58.659 --> 00:09:59.659 don't be wrong-headed. 00:09:59.659 --> 00:10:01.659 God knows 00:10:01.659 --> 00:10:02.339 there are enough 00:10:02.339 --> 00:10:03.899 wrong-headed ideas 00:10:03.899 --> 00:10:05.519 alive in our culture 00:10:05.519 --> 00:10:06.059 right now, 00:10:06.120 --> 00:10:06.679 we just prayed 00:10:06.679 --> 00:10:07.379 for some of them. 00:10:09.279 --> 00:10:10.519 Be clear-headed, 00:10:11.679 --> 00:10:13.980 take a few deep breaths, 00:10:15.219 --> 00:10:16.100 don't panic, 00:10:17.139 --> 00:10:18.899 and pray to Almighty God. 00:10:21.120 --> 00:10:21.399 See, 00:10:21.559 --> 00:10:23.299 Peter didn't think 00:10:23.299 --> 00:10:24.639 that the end 00:10:24.639 --> 00:10:25.699 was the end 00:10:25.699 --> 00:10:26.519 for everyone. 00:10:28.240 --> 00:10:28.899 He subscribed 00:10:28.899 --> 00:10:29.859 to this idea 00:10:29.859 --> 00:10:31.299 developing in the church 00:10:31.299 --> 00:10:31.899 at the time 00:10:31.899 --> 00:10:32.879 that there would be 00:10:32.879 --> 00:10:33.939 a time when God 00:10:33.939 --> 00:10:35.139 would draw down 00:10:35.139 --> 00:10:35.620 the curtain 00:10:35.620 --> 00:10:36.259 on the whole 00:10:36.259 --> 00:10:37.219 of human history 00:10:37.219 --> 00:10:40.059 and that he would 00:10:40.059 --> 00:10:40.779 send his son 00:10:40.779 --> 00:10:41.799 back to planet Earth 00:10:41.799 --> 00:10:42.919 to judge the living 00:10:42.919 --> 00:10:43.779 and the dead. 00:10:45.959 --> 00:10:47.719 But he also thought 00:10:47.719 --> 00:10:49.799 that there was 00:10:49.799 --> 00:10:51.159 a way to avoid 00:10:51.159 --> 00:10:52.500 adverse judgment. 00:10:54.299 --> 00:10:55.240 And that was 00:10:55.240 --> 00:10:56.399 to trust Christ 00:10:56.399 --> 00:10:58.799 and his finished work 00:10:58.799 --> 00:10:59.639 on the cross 00:10:59.639 --> 00:11:00.319 of Calvary. 00:11:05.279 --> 00:11:06.279 I don't know 00:11:06.279 --> 00:11:07.079 if there are 00:11:07.079 --> 00:11:07.959 other ways 00:11:07.959 --> 00:11:08.799 to be saved. 00:11:09.299 --> 00:11:10.379 I'm not that smart, 00:11:10.479 --> 00:11:11.139 I don't know, 00:11:11.240 --> 00:11:12.099 but what I do know 00:11:12.099 --> 00:11:13.259 is that this book 00:11:13.259 --> 00:11:13.679 says, 00:11:13.819 --> 00:11:14.319 the Bible, 00:11:14.679 --> 00:11:15.279 that there is 00:11:15.279 --> 00:11:16.199 only one way 00:11:16.199 --> 00:11:17.059 to be saved 00:11:17.059 --> 00:11:19.139 and that's 00:11:19.139 --> 00:11:20.199 in Jesus Christ. 00:11:23.299 --> 00:11:24.219 He's saying to himself, 00:11:24.339 --> 00:11:24.719 well, you know, 00:11:24.799 --> 00:11:25.959 I'll bide my time, 00:11:26.059 --> 00:11:26.199 you know, 00:11:26.240 --> 00:11:26.559 maybe, 00:11:27.559 --> 00:11:28.199 you know, 00:11:28.219 --> 00:11:28.859 if things start 00:11:28.859 --> 00:11:29.740 to hot up a bit, 00:11:29.899 --> 00:11:34.139 if Ukraine kicks off 00:11:34.139 --> 00:11:34.979 and, you know, 00:11:35.019 --> 00:11:36.359 things start to go wrong, 00:11:36.519 --> 00:11:37.039 you know, 00:11:37.099 --> 00:11:38.199 maybe I'll reconsider 00:11:38.199 --> 00:11:39.120 that decision. 00:11:39.120 --> 00:11:42.060 Now, 00:11:42.120 --> 00:11:42.480 Peter, 00:11:42.799 --> 00:11:45.100 Peter's very keen 00:11:45.100 --> 00:11:50.039 writing to Christians 00:11:50.039 --> 00:11:51.159 that they should behave 00:11:51.159 --> 00:11:51.820 in a right way, 00:11:51.899 --> 00:11:53.980 but Peter also believed 00:11:53.980 --> 00:11:55.360 that the end 00:11:55.360 --> 00:11:56.000 of all things 00:11:56.000 --> 00:11:57.279 would not be the end 00:11:57.279 --> 00:11:57.860 for some, 00:11:57.980 --> 00:11:59.120 that for those 00:11:59.120 --> 00:12:00.159 who trust Christ, 00:12:01.659 --> 00:12:02.179 death, 00:12:02.980 --> 00:12:03.620 finality, 00:12:03.860 --> 00:12:04.460 calamity, 00:12:04.460 --> 00:12:05.600 would not be the end, 00:12:05.600 --> 00:12:07.420 but would be 00:12:07.420 --> 00:12:08.200 a new beginning. 00:12:11.779 --> 00:12:13.720 People who panic 00:12:13.720 --> 00:12:15.899 don't think clearly 00:12:15.899 --> 00:12:16.899 and switch 00:12:16.899 --> 00:12:18.940 into self-survival mode. 00:12:21.139 --> 00:12:21.899 But Peter 00:12:21.899 --> 00:12:23.259 was a pragmatist 00:12:23.259 --> 00:12:23.940 as well. 00:12:25.519 --> 00:12:26.820 He wasn't just saying, 00:12:26.960 --> 00:12:27.279 you know, 00:12:28.279 --> 00:12:29.560 hang around praying 00:12:29.560 --> 00:12:30.399 till the end. 00:12:31.680 --> 00:12:32.060 He said, 00:12:32.060 --> 00:12:32.320 no, 00:12:32.560 --> 00:12:33.120 first, 00:12:33.320 --> 00:12:33.920 our text, 00:12:34.300 --> 00:12:35.320 offer hospitality, 00:12:35.600 --> 00:12:36.460 to one another. 00:12:38.259 --> 00:12:38.740 Verse, 00:12:39.360 --> 00:12:40.680 sorry, 00:12:40.779 --> 00:12:41.279 verse 8, 00:12:41.500 --> 00:12:42.379 above all, 00:12:42.840 --> 00:12:44.240 love each other deeply 00:12:44.240 --> 00:12:45.440 because love covers 00:12:45.440 --> 00:12:46.879 over a multitude 00:12:46.879 --> 00:12:47.720 of sins. 00:12:49.300 --> 00:12:49.899 Now, 00:12:50.279 --> 00:12:51.259 let's be clear, 00:12:51.720 --> 00:12:52.440 what Peter 00:12:52.440 --> 00:12:53.899 isn't saying here 00:12:53.899 --> 00:12:55.159 is that 00:12:55.159 --> 00:12:56.420 the end of the world 00:12:56.420 --> 00:12:57.139 is nigh, 00:12:57.560 --> 00:12:59.240 so invite your neighbour 00:12:59.240 --> 00:13:00.300 in for a cup of coffee. 00:13:02.980 --> 00:13:04.460 The word hospitality 00:13:04.460 --> 00:13:06.240 is an interesting word. 00:13:06.960 --> 00:13:07.840 It's a Greek word, 00:13:08.040 --> 00:13:09.200 philozenia. 00:13:09.980 --> 00:13:10.720 It's made up 00:13:10.720 --> 00:13:11.440 of two roots. 00:13:11.540 --> 00:13:12.440 One is philia, 00:13:12.660 --> 00:13:13.660 which means to love, 00:13:14.160 --> 00:13:14.940 and the other 00:13:14.940 --> 00:13:15.820 is xenos, 00:13:16.560 --> 00:13:18.180 which is the root 00:13:18.180 --> 00:13:18.820 of our word 00:13:18.820 --> 00:13:19.600 xenophobia. 00:13:20.940 --> 00:13:22.100 So what hospitality 00:13:22.100 --> 00:13:23.100 in the Bible 00:13:23.100 --> 00:13:23.660 means is 00:13:23.660 --> 00:13:24.740 it's a 00:13:24.740 --> 00:13:28.180 position of the heart 00:13:28.180 --> 00:13:28.780 and mind, 00:13:28.780 --> 00:13:30.220 and it literally means 00:13:30.220 --> 00:13:31.379 love the stranger, 00:13:31.700 --> 00:13:33.000 love the foreigner. 00:13:33.000 --> 00:13:35.840 show hospitality. 00:13:37.740 --> 00:13:38.340 Of course, 00:13:38.440 --> 00:13:39.360 that includes 00:13:39.360 --> 00:13:40.759 coffee 00:13:40.759 --> 00:13:41.220 and, 00:13:41.279 --> 00:13:41.500 you know, 00:13:41.519 --> 00:13:42.299 inviting your friends 00:13:42.299 --> 00:13:42.860 for coffee 00:13:42.860 --> 00:13:43.139 and doing, 00:13:43.519 --> 00:13:44.399 but it's something 00:13:44.399 --> 00:13:45.820 much deeper than that, 00:13:46.340 --> 00:13:47.139 something much 00:13:47.139 --> 00:13:48.200 bigger than that. 00:13:50.059 --> 00:13:50.720 Paul's saying, 00:13:51.279 --> 00:13:51.320 as, 00:13:51.860 --> 00:13:52.440 sorry, 00:13:52.559 --> 00:13:53.240 Peter's saying, 00:13:53.340 --> 00:13:54.779 as the end approaches, 00:13:57.779 --> 00:13:59.080 love the stranger 00:13:59.080 --> 00:14:02.139 and love the foreigner, 00:14:02.300 --> 00:14:02.980 love the people 00:14:02.980 --> 00:14:04.740 who are not like you, 00:14:05.860 --> 00:14:06.820 love the people 00:14:06.820 --> 00:14:07.120 who, 00:14:07.259 --> 00:14:08.040 the very thought 00:14:08.040 --> 00:14:08.360 of them 00:14:08.360 --> 00:14:09.460 makes you feel 00:14:09.460 --> 00:14:10.960 just a little bit 00:14:10.960 --> 00:14:11.960 uncomfortable. 00:14:13.940 --> 00:14:14.540 And Peter 00:14:14.540 --> 00:14:15.520 had a 00:14:15.520 --> 00:14:18.580 fascinating take 00:14:18.580 --> 00:14:20.580 on the relationship 00:14:20.580 --> 00:14:21.860 between the way 00:14:21.860 --> 00:14:23.259 Christians behave 00:14:23.259 --> 00:14:25.279 and the way 00:14:25.279 --> 00:14:26.419 pagans behave. 00:14:27.460 --> 00:14:28.360 Chapter 2 00:14:28.360 --> 00:14:30.000 and verse 12, 00:14:30.100 --> 00:14:30.679 he says this, 00:14:30.840 --> 00:14:31.519 live such, 00:14:31.600 --> 00:14:32.539 he's writing to the church, 00:14:32.620 --> 00:14:33.100 you and me, 00:14:33.600 --> 00:14:34.639 live such good lives 00:14:34.639 --> 00:14:35.759 among the pagans 00:14:35.759 --> 00:14:36.799 that though they 00:14:36.799 --> 00:14:37.399 accuse you 00:14:37.399 --> 00:14:38.220 of doing wrong, 00:14:38.580 --> 00:14:39.299 they may see 00:14:39.299 --> 00:14:40.279 your good deeds 00:14:40.279 --> 00:14:42.120 and glorify God 00:14:42.120 --> 00:14:43.220 on the day 00:14:43.220 --> 00:14:44.340 he visits us. 00:14:46.519 --> 00:14:47.779 You get that, 00:14:47.919 --> 00:14:48.159 right? 00:14:49.279 --> 00:14:50.419 No rocket science. 00:14:50.419 --> 00:14:51.679 It is 00:14:51.679 --> 00:14:52.500 that the way 00:14:52.500 --> 00:14:53.339 we behave 00:14:53.339 --> 00:14:55.120 will have an impact 00:14:55.120 --> 00:14:57.240 on the way 00:14:57.240 --> 00:14:57.939 people who are 00:14:57.939 --> 00:14:58.779 unbelievers 00:14:58.779 --> 00:15:00.219 see us 00:15:00.219 --> 00:15:01.759 and see 00:15:01.759 --> 00:15:02.500 the value 00:15:02.500 --> 00:15:03.339 of our faith 00:15:03.339 --> 00:15:04.179 or not. 00:15:05.879 --> 00:15:06.459 Peter's 00:15:06.459 --> 00:15:07.479 a practical 00:15:07.479 --> 00:15:08.279 person. 00:15:09.620 --> 00:15:10.459 Love one another 00:15:10.459 --> 00:15:11.860 and offer 00:15:11.860 --> 00:15:12.699 hospitality, 00:15:12.899 --> 00:15:13.659 vilosenia, 00:15:14.079 --> 00:15:14.819 to each other. 00:15:18.819 --> 00:15:19.899 I wonder 00:15:19.899 --> 00:15:21.819 if 00:15:21.819 --> 00:15:23.519 the people 00:15:23.519 --> 00:15:24.159 who were lying 00:15:24.159 --> 00:15:25.360 in bed this morning 00:15:25.360 --> 00:15:26.620 with the Sunday 00:15:26.620 --> 00:15:27.720 papers in front 00:15:27.720 --> 00:15:28.519 of them 00:15:28.519 --> 00:15:30.039 are thinking 00:15:30.039 --> 00:15:30.600 of church 00:15:30.600 --> 00:15:31.360 primarily 00:15:31.360 --> 00:15:32.579 as a place 00:15:32.579 --> 00:15:33.500 of hospitality. 00:15:36.000 --> 00:15:36.159 And 00:15:36.159 --> 00:15:37.579 in Swindon 00:15:37.579 --> 00:15:39.600 the Sikhs 00:15:39.600 --> 00:15:40.059 built this 00:15:40.059 --> 00:15:40.679 amazing 00:15:40.679 --> 00:15:41.600 Gurdvara. 00:15:41.879 --> 00:15:42.399 It's a Sikh 00:15:42.399 --> 00:15:42.819 temple, 00:15:42.959 --> 00:15:43.259 it's like, 00:15:43.319 --> 00:15:43.500 you know, 00:15:43.539 --> 00:15:44.159 their church. 00:15:45.419 --> 00:15:46.240 And one thing 00:15:46.240 --> 00:15:46.740 I learned 00:15:46.740 --> 00:15:47.740 was that 00:15:47.740 --> 00:15:49.399 literally 24 00:15:49.399 --> 00:15:50.139 hours a day 00:15:50.139 --> 00:15:50.860 if you show up 00:15:50.860 --> 00:15:51.720 at the Gurdvara, 00:15:53.120 --> 00:15:54.159 there is 00:15:54.159 --> 00:15:55.019 hospitality 00:15:55.019 --> 00:15:55.820 on offer. 00:15:57.360 --> 00:15:57.899 Samots 00:15:57.899 --> 00:16:00.279 and 00:16:00.279 --> 00:16:01.500 Pakura 00:16:01.500 --> 00:16:01.899 just, 00:16:02.779 --> 00:16:03.019 you know, 00:16:03.080 --> 00:16:03.580 when I worked 00:16:03.580 --> 00:16:04.120 in Slough, 00:16:04.220 --> 00:16:05.080 I put on weight. 00:16:07.440 --> 00:16:07.940 And of course 00:16:07.940 --> 00:16:08.519 there's an element 00:16:08.519 --> 00:16:09.360 of hospitality 00:16:09.360 --> 00:16:10.379 which is cultural, 00:16:10.519 --> 00:16:10.879 isn't it? 00:16:10.879 --> 00:16:11.759 You know, 00:16:11.820 --> 00:16:12.759 some cultures 00:16:12.759 --> 00:16:14.279 in some places 00:16:14.279 --> 00:16:15.340 people are 00:16:15.340 --> 00:16:16.299 highly offended 00:16:16.299 --> 00:16:16.960 if you don't 00:16:16.960 --> 00:16:17.620 accept their 00:16:17.620 --> 00:16:18.480 hospitality. 00:16:21.720 --> 00:16:22.279 You know, 00:16:22.320 --> 00:16:22.539 when you 00:16:22.539 --> 00:16:23.840 sit with a Bedouin 00:16:23.840 --> 00:16:24.639 around a pot 00:16:24.639 --> 00:16:25.080 of tea 00:16:25.080 --> 00:16:25.340 and, 00:16:25.659 --> 00:16:25.840 you know, 00:16:26.200 --> 00:16:27.939 the great honour 00:16:27.939 --> 00:16:28.679 is to be given 00:16:28.679 --> 00:16:29.379 the sheep's eye 00:16:29.379 --> 00:16:29.899 to eat. 00:16:31.279 --> 00:16:31.700 And you 00:16:31.700 --> 00:16:32.320 breathe before 00:16:32.320 --> 00:16:32.679 and if you 00:16:32.679 --> 00:16:33.259 don't eat it 00:16:33.259 --> 00:16:33.700 that will be 00:16:33.700 --> 00:16:34.759 a huge insult. 00:16:35.980 --> 00:16:36.580 What do you do? 00:16:36.580 --> 00:16:36.620 What do you do? 00:16:36.620 --> 00:16:42.179 You can feign 00:16:42.179 --> 00:16:43.299 vegetarianism 00:16:43.299 --> 00:16:43.820 or something 00:16:43.820 --> 00:16:44.379 like that. 00:16:46.799 --> 00:16:47.379 But, 00:16:47.560 --> 00:16:48.080 you know, 00:16:48.159 --> 00:16:49.000 it's just 00:16:49.000 --> 00:16:50.240 such a big deal, 00:16:50.360 --> 00:16:50.639 you know, 00:16:50.720 --> 00:16:52.320 that in 00:16:52.320 --> 00:16:52.919 households 00:16:52.919 --> 00:16:53.820 people had 00:16:53.820 --> 00:16:54.820 food prepared 00:16:54.820 --> 00:16:55.659 in case 00:16:55.659 --> 00:16:56.019 somebody 00:16:56.019 --> 00:16:56.519 knocked on 00:16:56.519 --> 00:16:56.940 the door. 00:16:58.899 --> 00:17:00.080 I like that 00:17:00.080 --> 00:17:00.659 and I think 00:17:00.659 --> 00:17:01.279 our churches 00:17:01.279 --> 00:17:02.279 should be 00:17:02.279 --> 00:17:03.100 nearer to that. 00:17:04.380 --> 00:17:05.220 I also 00:17:05.220 --> 00:17:06.000 think that 00:17:06.000 --> 00:17:07.359 you know, 00:17:07.440 --> 00:17:08.099 the quality 00:17:08.099 --> 00:17:08.559 of our 00:17:08.559 --> 00:17:09.079 hospitality 00:17:09.079 --> 00:17:09.859 is really 00:17:09.859 --> 00:17:10.660 important. 00:17:11.099 --> 00:17:11.160 And, 00:17:11.660 --> 00:17:11.960 Clive, 00:17:12.039 --> 00:17:12.380 I'm not 00:17:12.380 --> 00:17:13.039 obsessed by 00:17:13.039 --> 00:17:13.420 coffee, 00:17:13.539 --> 00:17:14.579 so don't 00:17:14.579 --> 00:17:15.299 worry about 00:17:15.299 --> 00:17:15.480 it. 00:17:16.480 --> 00:17:17.099 But I 00:17:17.099 --> 00:17:17.519 think to 00:17:17.519 --> 00:17:17.940 myself, 00:17:18.059 --> 00:17:18.220 you know, 00:17:18.279 --> 00:17:18.740 if somebody 00:17:18.740 --> 00:17:19.160 has had a 00:17:19.160 --> 00:17:19.920 peripatetic 00:17:19.920 --> 00:17:20.380 ministry, 00:17:20.519 --> 00:17:20.619 you know, 00:17:20.660 --> 00:17:21.039 been around 00:17:21.039 --> 00:17:21.740 churches, 00:17:22.460 --> 00:17:22.740 different 00:17:22.740 --> 00:17:23.160 churches 00:17:23.160 --> 00:17:24.019 every Sunday, 00:17:26.019 --> 00:17:26.440 my 00:17:26.440 --> 00:17:27.019 custodied 00:17:27.019 --> 00:17:27.519 conclusion 00:17:27.519 --> 00:17:28.079 is that 00:17:28.079 --> 00:17:28.759 the difference 00:17:28.759 --> 00:17:29.559 in effort 00:17:29.559 --> 00:17:30.839 between 00:17:30.839 --> 00:17:31.759 making a 00:17:31.759 --> 00:17:32.460 nice cup 00:17:32.460 --> 00:17:33.059 of coffee 00:17:33.059 --> 00:17:34.779 and church 00:17:34.779 --> 00:17:35.299 coffee 00:17:35.299 --> 00:17:38.319 is minimal 00:17:38.319 --> 00:17:38.819 effort. 00:17:40.339 --> 00:17:40.740 And I 00:17:40.740 --> 00:17:40.859 mean, 00:17:40.919 --> 00:17:41.379 I'm talking 00:17:41.379 --> 00:17:41.799 about, 00:17:41.859 --> 00:17:42.119 you know, 00:17:42.200 --> 00:17:42.779 the sweet 00:17:42.779 --> 00:17:43.399 old ladies 00:17:43.399 --> 00:17:43.899 in these 00:17:43.899 --> 00:17:44.779 rural churches 00:17:44.779 --> 00:17:45.419 who bought 00:17:45.419 --> 00:17:46.799 a pot of 00:17:46.799 --> 00:17:47.440 powdered 00:17:47.440 --> 00:17:47.980 co-op 00:17:47.980 --> 00:17:48.440 coffee 00:17:48.440 --> 00:17:51.079 and you 00:17:51.079 --> 00:17:51.519 don't put 00:17:51.519 --> 00:17:51.899 enough in 00:17:51.899 --> 00:17:52.299 the cup 00:17:52.299 --> 00:17:52.779 anyway. 00:17:54.779 --> 00:17:55.339 And, 00:17:55.339 --> 00:17:55.839 you know, 00:17:55.879 --> 00:17:56.279 I think to 00:17:56.279 --> 00:17:56.579 myself, 00:17:56.720 --> 00:17:57.440 let's not 00:17:57.440 --> 00:17:58.419 shortcut this. 00:18:00.220 --> 00:18:00.919 Let's be 00:18:00.919 --> 00:18:01.740 lavish in 00:18:01.740 --> 00:18:02.819 our hospitality 00:18:02.819 --> 00:18:04.159 so that 00:18:04.159 --> 00:18:04.759 the world 00:18:04.759 --> 00:18:06.319 might believe. 00:18:09.079 --> 00:18:09.859 You might 00:18:09.859 --> 00:18:10.480 just note 00:18:10.480 --> 00:18:10.759 on 00:18:10.759 --> 00:18:11.399 pass on 00:18:11.399 --> 00:18:11.720 that 00:18:11.720 --> 00:18:13.240 when you, 00:18:13.700 --> 00:18:14.200 when they 00:18:14.200 --> 00:18:14.740 talk to 00:18:14.740 --> 00:18:15.200 people who 00:18:15.200 --> 00:18:15.359 have done 00:18:15.359 --> 00:18:15.779 the alpha 00:18:15.779 --> 00:18:16.299 course, 00:18:17.220 --> 00:18:17.559 one of the 00:18:17.559 --> 00:18:17.980 things on 00:18:17.980 --> 00:18:18.119 the, 00:18:18.319 --> 00:18:18.939 people on 00:18:18.939 --> 00:18:19.339 the alpha 00:18:19.339 --> 00:18:20.139 course said, 00:18:20.279 --> 00:18:20.919 one of the 00:18:20.919 --> 00:18:21.139 things, 00:18:21.200 --> 00:18:21.779 not the main 00:18:21.779 --> 00:18:21.980 thing, 00:18:22.059 --> 00:18:22.500 but one of 00:18:22.500 --> 00:18:22.720 the things 00:18:22.720 --> 00:18:23.379 people said 00:18:23.379 --> 00:18:24.539 that doing 00:18:24.539 --> 00:18:25.480 alpha around 00:18:25.480 --> 00:18:26.099 a shared 00:18:26.099 --> 00:18:28.039 meal was 00:18:28.039 --> 00:18:29.159 really important 00:18:29.160 --> 00:18:29.759 for them. 00:18:32.060 --> 00:18:32.900 So we 00:18:32.900 --> 00:18:33.259 need to 00:18:33.259 --> 00:18:33.519 show 00:18:33.519 --> 00:18:34.300 generous 00:18:34.300 --> 00:18:35.380 hospitality, 00:18:36.580 --> 00:18:37.259 inclusive 00:18:37.259 --> 00:18:38.380 hospitality. 00:18:39.580 --> 00:18:40.140 Come back 00:18:40.140 --> 00:18:40.600 to that. 00:18:42.000 --> 00:18:42.740 And it 00:18:42.740 --> 00:18:43.240 needs to 00:18:43.240 --> 00:18:44.160 be ongoing. 00:18:45.380 --> 00:18:45.580 You know, 00:18:45.620 --> 00:18:45.960 we can't 00:18:45.960 --> 00:18:46.220 have a 00:18:46.220 --> 00:18:46.640 church's 00:18:46.640 --> 00:18:47.060 week of 00:18:47.060 --> 00:18:47.759 hospitality. 00:18:48.960 --> 00:18:49.320 It needs 00:18:49.320 --> 00:18:50.019 to be 52 00:18:50.019 --> 00:18:50.600 weeks of 00:18:50.600 --> 00:18:50.860 the year. 00:18:51.259 --> 00:18:51.840 And then 00:18:51.840 --> 00:18:53.000 Peter says 00:18:53.000 --> 00:18:53.600 something really 00:18:53.600 --> 00:18:54.300 interesting. 00:18:55.779 --> 00:18:56.340 Without 00:18:56.340 --> 00:18:57.000 grumbling 00:18:57.000 --> 00:18:58.279 of our 00:18:58.279 --> 00:18:58.900 hospitality, 00:18:59.160 --> 00:19:00.240 throughout 00:19:00.240 --> 00:19:00.600 the whole 00:19:00.600 --> 00:19:01.240 history of 00:19:01.240 --> 00:19:01.779 the Bible, 00:19:02.300 --> 00:19:02.759 the people 00:19:02.759 --> 00:19:03.180 of God 00:19:03.180 --> 00:19:03.640 had a 00:19:03.640 --> 00:19:04.040 wonderful 00:19:04.040 --> 00:19:04.800 reputation 00:19:04.800 --> 00:19:05.560 for what 00:19:05.560 --> 00:19:06.000 the Old 00:19:06.000 --> 00:19:06.380 Testament 00:19:06.380 --> 00:19:06.880 called 00:19:06.880 --> 00:19:07.960 muttering. 00:19:10.920 --> 00:19:11.400 And you 00:19:11.400 --> 00:19:11.840 know that 00:19:11.840 --> 00:19:12.340 kind of 00:19:12.340 --> 00:19:12.880 functions 00:19:12.880 --> 00:19:13.320 around 00:19:13.320 --> 00:19:13.840 churches, 00:19:13.960 --> 00:19:14.360 don't you? 00:19:14.900 --> 00:19:15.460 There's 00:19:15.460 --> 00:19:15.840 always 00:19:15.840 --> 00:19:16.519 muttering. 00:19:18.720 --> 00:19:19.060 And you 00:19:19.060 --> 00:19:19.140 know, 00:19:19.160 --> 00:19:19.640 I like to 00:19:19.640 --> 00:19:19.900 say, 00:19:20.060 --> 00:19:20.900 and I've 00:19:20.900 --> 00:19:21.259 stayed 00:19:21.259 --> 00:19:21.960 clean of 00:19:21.960 --> 00:19:22.279 it all 00:19:22.279 --> 00:19:23.380 my life, 00:19:24.080 --> 00:19:24.519 I have 00:19:24.519 --> 00:19:25.400 never indulged 00:19:25.400 --> 00:19:26.000 in muttering. 00:19:26.360 --> 00:19:26.860 Wrong. 00:19:27.840 --> 00:19:28.320 I have 00:19:28.320 --> 00:19:28.720 been an 00:19:28.720 --> 00:19:29.400 instigator 00:19:29.400 --> 00:19:29.900 around 00:19:29.900 --> 00:19:30.339 muttering 00:19:30.339 --> 00:19:30.600 on 00:19:30.600 --> 00:19:31.140 occasions. 00:19:32.500 --> 00:19:33.160 I am 00:19:33.160 --> 00:19:33.339 a 00:19:33.339 --> 00:19:33.620 weapon 00:19:33.620 --> 00:19:34.039 grade 00:19:34.039 --> 00:19:34.740 mutterer. 00:19:35.779 --> 00:19:36.019 That's 00:19:36.019 --> 00:19:36.299 got to 00:19:36.299 --> 00:19:36.720 stop. 00:19:37.900 --> 00:19:38.420 And then 00:19:38.420 --> 00:19:39.480 Peter says 00:19:39.480 --> 00:19:40.299 serve one 00:19:40.299 --> 00:19:40.640 another, 00:19:40.740 --> 00:19:41.400 verse 10. 00:19:43.079 --> 00:19:43.880 And then 00:19:43.880 --> 00:19:44.500 we've been 00:19:44.500 --> 00:19:45.059 thinking about 00:19:45.059 --> 00:19:45.680 gifts over the 00:19:45.680 --> 00:19:46.120 last few 00:19:46.120 --> 00:19:46.339 weeks. 00:19:46.740 --> 00:19:47.019 What 00:19:47.019 --> 00:19:47.660 Peter's 00:19:47.660 --> 00:19:48.400 saying here 00:19:48.400 --> 00:19:48.839 is, 00:19:49.620 --> 00:19:50.500 in relation 00:19:50.500 --> 00:19:50.900 to the 00:19:50.900 --> 00:19:51.240 way we 00:19:51.240 --> 00:19:51.799 are with 00:19:51.799 --> 00:19:52.259 one another, 00:19:52.319 --> 00:19:52.600 that we 00:19:52.600 --> 00:19:53.259 should use 00:19:53.259 --> 00:19:53.960 those gifts, 00:19:54.200 --> 00:19:54.860 spiritual gifts 00:19:54.860 --> 00:19:55.279 that God 00:19:55.279 --> 00:19:55.700 has given 00:19:55.700 --> 00:19:56.559 us to 00:19:56.559 --> 00:19:57.140 serve one 00:19:57.140 --> 00:19:57.480 another. 00:19:58.860 --> 00:19:59.759 It's like 00:19:59.759 --> 00:20:00.319 Paul's 00:20:00.319 --> 00:20:00.740 picture of 00:20:00.740 --> 00:20:01.259 the church, 00:20:01.640 --> 00:20:02.460 that when 00:20:02.460 --> 00:20:03.200 everybody 00:20:03.200 --> 00:20:04.059 functions in 00:20:04.059 --> 00:20:04.500 their gift 00:20:04.500 --> 00:20:05.160 area and 00:20:05.160 --> 00:20:05.660 we offer 00:20:05.660 --> 00:20:06.220 those gifts 00:20:06.220 --> 00:20:06.700 together, 00:20:07.019 --> 00:20:07.519 the church 00:20:07.519 --> 00:20:07.920 becomes 00:20:07.920 --> 00:20:08.380 something 00:20:08.380 --> 00:20:08.860 different. 00:20:10.460 --> 00:20:11.500 It becomes 00:20:11.500 --> 00:20:12.600 something way 00:20:12.600 --> 00:20:13.120 beyond the 00:20:13.120 --> 00:20:14.240 potential that 00:20:14.240 --> 00:20:15.039 we can at 00:20:15.039 --> 00:20:15.580 the present 00:20:15.580 --> 00:20:17.000 imagine. 00:20:17.000 --> 00:20:20.400 I said 00:20:20.400 --> 00:20:20.900 to my 00:20:20.900 --> 00:20:21.599 home group 00:20:21.599 --> 00:20:22.680 that God 00:20:22.680 --> 00:20:23.380 gives us 00:20:23.380 --> 00:20:24.480 spiritual gifts 00:20:24.480 --> 00:20:25.259 to glorify 00:20:25.259 --> 00:20:25.779 himself, 00:20:25.900 --> 00:20:26.460 to edify 00:20:26.460 --> 00:20:27.220 the church 00:20:27.220 --> 00:20:28.160 and to 00:20:28.160 --> 00:20:29.420 serve in 00:20:29.420 --> 00:20:30.019 the world. 00:20:32.660 --> 00:20:33.559 The way 00:20:33.559 --> 00:20:34.400 we behave 00:20:34.400 --> 00:20:35.839 as a 00:20:35.839 --> 00:20:36.279 church 00:20:36.279 --> 00:20:37.519 might be 00:20:37.519 --> 00:20:38.119 the kicker, 00:20:38.339 --> 00:20:38.980 the clincher 00:20:38.980 --> 00:20:41.799 in the way 00:20:41.799 --> 00:20:43.140 others believe 00:20:43.140 --> 00:20:44.039 or don't 00:20:44.039 --> 00:20:44.519 believe. 00:20:44.519 --> 00:20:47.579 So here 00:20:47.579 --> 00:20:48.019 are three 00:20:48.019 --> 00:20:48.740 things that 00:20:48.740 --> 00:20:49.259 I'd like you 00:20:49.259 --> 00:20:49.639 to take 00:20:49.639 --> 00:20:50.319 home today. 00:20:51.720 --> 00:20:52.319 Think about it. 00:20:52.319 --> 00:20:52.779 I can't make 00:20:52.779 --> 00:20:53.059 you do 00:20:53.059 --> 00:20:53.480 anything. 00:20:53.720 --> 00:20:54.200 You realise 00:20:54.200 --> 00:20:54.480 that, 00:20:54.720 --> 00:20:55.180 obviously. 00:20:55.980 --> 00:20:56.200 There are 00:20:56.200 --> 00:20:56.819 three things 00:20:56.819 --> 00:20:57.099 that you 00:20:57.099 --> 00:20:57.420 could do. 00:20:57.500 --> 00:20:57.779 One, 00:20:59.099 --> 00:21:00.079 do something 00:21:00.079 --> 00:21:01.319 hospitable 00:21:01.319 --> 00:21:02.319 this week. 00:21:04.500 --> 00:21:05.480 Maybe think 00:21:05.480 --> 00:21:06.480 about somebody 00:21:06.480 --> 00:21:07.420 who you 00:21:07.420 --> 00:21:07.879 don't feel 00:21:07.879 --> 00:21:08.420 particularly 00:21:08.420 --> 00:21:08.960 comfortable 00:21:08.960 --> 00:21:09.900 about and 00:21:09.900 --> 00:21:10.500 bake them 00:21:10.500 --> 00:21:11.000 a cake 00:21:11.000 --> 00:21:11.639 or write 00:21:11.639 --> 00:21:11.960 them a 00:21:11.960 --> 00:21:12.220 note. 00:21:12.220 --> 00:21:14.900 or invite 00:21:14.900 --> 00:21:15.319 them into 00:21:15.319 --> 00:21:15.940 your home. 00:21:18.960 --> 00:21:19.440 Two, 00:21:20.440 --> 00:21:21.140 pray about 00:21:21.140 --> 00:21:22.200 getting involved 00:21:22.200 --> 00:21:23.420 in a 00:21:23.420 --> 00:21:23.940 ministry 00:21:23.940 --> 00:21:25.259 that involves 00:21:25.259 --> 00:21:26.420 somebody who 00:21:26.420 --> 00:21:27.079 is different 00:21:27.079 --> 00:21:27.640 than you. 00:21:30.200 --> 00:21:30.660 Now some 00:21:30.660 --> 00:21:31.160 people have 00:21:31.160 --> 00:21:31.860 got very 00:21:31.860 --> 00:21:32.600 involved in 00:21:32.600 --> 00:21:33.279 ministry with 00:21:33.279 --> 00:21:34.279 asylum seekers. 00:21:35.539 --> 00:21:36.279 Some of 00:21:36.279 --> 00:21:36.920 you will 00:21:36.920 --> 00:21:37.360 hold some 00:21:37.360 --> 00:21:38.120 quite hostile 00:21:38.120 --> 00:21:39.039 views towards 00:21:39.039 --> 00:21:40.140 asylum seekers. 00:21:40.140 --> 00:21:43.400 get involved 00:21:43.400 --> 00:21:44.200 even if it 00:21:44.200 --> 00:21:44.960 meant just 00:21:44.960 --> 00:21:45.700 sending some 00:21:45.700 --> 00:21:46.020 money. 00:21:46.300 --> 00:21:47.360 And Sunday 00:21:47.360 --> 00:21:49.700 Times this 00:21:49.700 --> 00:21:50.060 morning, 00:21:50.500 --> 00:21:50.960 there's a 00:21:50.960 --> 00:21:51.320 shocking 00:21:51.320 --> 00:21:52.600 picture on 00:21:52.600 --> 00:21:53.040 the front 00:21:53.040 --> 00:21:54.560 page of 00:21:54.560 --> 00:21:54.900 a little 00:21:54.900 --> 00:21:56.780 girl sitting 00:21:56.780 --> 00:21:57.160 with her 00:21:57.160 --> 00:21:57.800 mother covered 00:21:57.800 --> 00:21:58.520 in snow, 00:21:58.780 --> 00:21:59.360 freezing to 00:21:59.360 --> 00:21:59.780 death, 00:22:00.800 --> 00:22:01.320 begging for 00:22:01.320 --> 00:22:01.740 food. 00:22:05.060 --> 00:22:05.700 Surely some 00:22:05.700 --> 00:22:06.140 of us could 00:22:06.140 --> 00:22:06.820 send out a 00:22:06.820 --> 00:22:07.200 bit of money, 00:22:07.280 --> 00:22:07.480 you know, 00:22:07.640 --> 00:22:08.259 don't forget 00:22:08.259 --> 00:22:08.720 the church, 00:22:08.800 --> 00:22:09.360 I get that. 00:22:10.140 --> 00:22:10.640 Some of us 00:22:10.640 --> 00:22:11.160 could send a 00:22:11.160 --> 00:22:11.640 bit of money 00:22:11.640 --> 00:22:12.100 to help 00:22:12.100 --> 00:22:12.940 out there. 00:22:14.520 --> 00:22:15.259 Bearing in 00:22:15.259 --> 00:22:15.740 mind that 00:22:15.740 --> 00:22:16.320 part of that 00:22:16.320 --> 00:22:17.240 situation was 00:22:17.240 --> 00:22:17.900 caused by 00:22:17.900 --> 00:22:18.600 that hazardous 00:22:18.600 --> 00:22:20.200 and chaotic 00:22:20.200 --> 00:22:21.980 withdrawal of 00:22:21.980 --> 00:22:23.120 Americans and 00:22:23.120 --> 00:22:24.380 British service 00:22:24.380 --> 00:22:26.100 staff. 00:22:27.560 --> 00:22:28.100 And the 00:22:28.100 --> 00:22:28.600 third thing 00:22:28.600 --> 00:22:29.240 you could do 00:22:29.240 --> 00:22:30.080 is this. 00:22:31.340 --> 00:22:32.100 Talk to 00:22:32.100 --> 00:22:33.080 somebody who 00:22:33.080 --> 00:22:33.640 loves you 00:22:33.640 --> 00:22:34.180 enough to 00:22:34.180 --> 00:22:34.800 tell you the 00:22:34.800 --> 00:22:36.580 truth about 00:22:36.580 --> 00:22:37.360 your spiritual 00:22:37.360 --> 00:22:37.880 gifts. 00:22:37.880 --> 00:22:38.000 gifts. 00:22:40.260 --> 00:22:40.660 We've got 00:22:40.660 --> 00:22:41.300 friends who 00:22:41.300 --> 00:22:42.060 just say 00:22:42.060 --> 00:22:43.600 what they 00:22:43.600 --> 00:22:44.020 think we 00:22:44.020 --> 00:22:44.360 want to 00:22:44.360 --> 00:22:44.680 hear. 00:22:45.660 --> 00:22:46.220 Friends like 00:22:46.220 --> 00:22:46.840 that are, 00:22:47.560 --> 00:22:48.060 you know, 00:22:49.140 --> 00:22:49.900 useful in a 00:22:49.900 --> 00:22:50.460 way, but 00:22:50.460 --> 00:22:51.820 talk to 00:22:51.820 --> 00:22:52.340 somebody who 00:22:52.340 --> 00:22:52.760 loves you 00:22:52.760 --> 00:22:54.880 enough to 00:22:54.880 --> 00:22:55.340 be able to 00:22:55.340 --> 00:22:55.820 tell you the 00:22:55.820 --> 00:22:56.200 truth. 00:22:57.940 --> 00:22:58.380 So that, 00:22:59.040 --> 00:22:59.580 you know, 00:22:59.620 --> 00:23:00.640 the tragedy of 00:23:00.640 --> 00:23:01.260 churches is 00:23:01.260 --> 00:23:02.660 that a huge 00:23:02.660 --> 00:23:03.480 percentage of 00:23:03.480 --> 00:23:04.000 members haven't 00:23:04.000 --> 00:23:04.700 got a clue what 00:23:04.700 --> 00:23:05.280 their spiritual 00:23:05.279 --> 00:23:06.099 gifting is. 00:23:06.399 --> 00:23:06.879 So they 00:23:06.879 --> 00:23:07.460 can't offer 00:23:07.460 --> 00:23:08.119 it to serve 00:23:08.119 --> 00:23:08.680 others. 00:23:11.460 --> 00:23:11.899 I mean, 00:23:13.200 --> 00:23:13.779 it makes a 00:23:13.779 --> 00:23:14.519 pretty redundant 00:23:14.519 --> 00:23:15.899 church when 00:23:15.899 --> 00:23:16.779 that happens. 00:23:17.799 --> 00:23:18.740 Let me close 00:23:18.740 --> 00:23:19.539 with a story. 00:23:19.660 --> 00:23:20.240 This is a true 00:23:20.240 --> 00:23:21.180 story and I'm 00:23:21.180 --> 00:23:21.460 going to 00:23:21.460 --> 00:23:22.399 abbreviate it 00:23:22.399 --> 00:23:23.899 because time 00:23:23.899 --> 00:23:24.779 is running on 00:23:24.779 --> 00:23:25.599 and you're 00:23:25.599 --> 00:23:26.200 starting to 00:23:26.200 --> 00:23:27.139 look comatose. 00:23:29.639 --> 00:23:30.740 One night, 00:23:31.160 --> 00:23:31.859 one night, 00:23:32.019 --> 00:23:33.339 I'm home and 00:23:33.339 --> 00:23:33.980 Anthony and the 00:23:33.980 --> 00:23:34.539 kids had gone 00:23:34.539 --> 00:23:35.220 away to, 00:23:35.460 --> 00:23:36.079 I think it 00:23:36.079 --> 00:23:36.500 was to her 00:23:36.500 --> 00:23:37.120 mother's. 00:23:37.779 --> 00:23:38.360 And it was a 00:23:38.360 --> 00:23:39.160 dark and windy 00:23:39.160 --> 00:23:39.900 night and our 00:23:39.900 --> 00:23:40.640 rectory was in 00:23:40.640 --> 00:23:41.140 the middle of 00:23:41.140 --> 00:23:41.740 trees and 00:23:41.740 --> 00:23:42.539 slightly apart 00:23:42.539 --> 00:23:43.180 from any other 00:23:43.180 --> 00:23:43.680 properties. 00:23:44.360 --> 00:23:45.259 And I just 00:23:45.259 --> 00:23:45.880 watched the 00:23:45.880 --> 00:23:46.940 American football 00:23:46.940 --> 00:23:48.160 and Chicago 00:23:48.160 --> 00:23:49.099 Bears had won. 00:23:49.200 --> 00:23:49.759 You can tell 00:23:49.759 --> 00:23:50.339 this was years 00:23:50.339 --> 00:23:50.660 ago. 00:23:52.460 --> 00:23:53.380 It's midnight. 00:23:53.660 --> 00:23:54.360 Going to bed 00:23:54.360 --> 00:23:54.860 suddenly, 00:23:55.200 --> 00:23:56.660 there's a 00:23:56.660 --> 00:23:57.180 knock on the 00:23:57.180 --> 00:23:57.440 door. 00:24:00.819 --> 00:24:01.539 Part of me, 00:24:01.660 --> 00:24:01.900 I mean, 00:24:01.940 --> 00:24:02.360 what does this 00:24:02.360 --> 00:24:02.980 say about me? 00:24:03.059 --> 00:24:03.539 Part of me 00:24:03.539 --> 00:24:04.019 thought, I'm 00:24:04.019 --> 00:24:04.339 just going to 00:24:04.339 --> 00:24:04.839 go to bed 00:24:04.839 --> 00:24:05.259 and pretend 00:24:05.259 --> 00:24:05.619 I didn't 00:24:05.619 --> 00:24:06.099 hear it. 00:24:07.440 --> 00:24:07.980 Then I 00:24:07.980 --> 00:24:08.859 realised I 00:24:08.859 --> 00:24:09.319 would have to 00:24:09.319 --> 00:24:10.159 pass the 00:24:10.159 --> 00:24:10.759 front door 00:24:10.759 --> 00:24:11.480 with windows 00:24:11.480 --> 00:24:11.980 in it to 00:24:11.980 --> 00:24:12.579 get to my 00:24:12.579 --> 00:24:13.539 bed. 00:24:13.740 --> 00:24:14.420 I thought 00:24:14.420 --> 00:24:15.099 again about 00:24:15.099 --> 00:24:15.299 it. 00:24:16.019 --> 00:24:16.359 So I 00:24:16.359 --> 00:24:16.779 opened the 00:24:16.779 --> 00:24:16.980 door. 00:24:17.059 --> 00:24:17.379 There's a 00:24:17.379 --> 00:24:17.980 guy there 00:24:17.980 --> 00:24:18.740 about 19 00:24:18.740 --> 00:24:19.480 years old. 00:24:22.779 --> 00:24:23.220 First 00:24:23.220 --> 00:24:23.500 thing I 00:24:23.500 --> 00:24:23.819 noticed 00:24:23.819 --> 00:24:24.119 was he 00:24:24.119 --> 00:24:24.579 got love 00:24:24.579 --> 00:24:25.019 and hate 00:24:25.019 --> 00:24:25.700 tattooed on 00:24:25.700 --> 00:24:26.240 his knuckles, 00:24:26.379 --> 00:24:27.159 which is not 00:24:27.159 --> 00:24:27.819 always, but 00:24:27.819 --> 00:24:28.759 mostly a sign 00:24:28.759 --> 00:24:29.500 that this 00:24:29.500 --> 00:24:30.079 person's been 00:24:30.079 --> 00:24:30.559 in prison. 00:24:30.559 --> 00:24:33.099 I 00:24:33.099 --> 00:24:33.539 said, can 00:24:33.539 --> 00:24:33.960 I help 00:24:33.960 --> 00:24:34.240 you? 00:24:34.619 --> 00:24:35.139 He said, I 00:24:35.139 --> 00:24:35.599 need a bed 00:24:35.599 --> 00:24:35.899 for the 00:24:35.899 --> 00:24:36.159 night. 00:24:39.480 --> 00:24:39.960 Immediately, 00:24:40.759 --> 00:24:41.819 my mind 00:24:41.819 --> 00:24:42.319 went into 00:24:42.319 --> 00:24:43.220 overdrive, 00:24:44.139 --> 00:24:44.519 trying to 00:24:44.519 --> 00:24:44.919 think of 00:24:44.919 --> 00:24:45.419 at least 00:24:45.419 --> 00:24:46.679 36 reasons 00:24:46.679 --> 00:24:47.079 why I 00:24:47.079 --> 00:24:47.279 couldn't 00:24:47.279 --> 00:24:48.579 possibly let 00:24:48.579 --> 00:24:49.319 this person 00:24:49.319 --> 00:24:50.539 across my 00:24:50.539 --> 00:24:50.940 doorway. 00:24:53.440 --> 00:24:54.059 I don't 00:24:54.059 --> 00:24:54.379 know if it's 00:24:54.379 --> 00:24:54.759 the Holy 00:24:54.759 --> 00:24:55.599 Spirit or it 00:24:55.599 --> 00:24:56.139 was just my 00:24:56.139 --> 00:24:56.940 general state 00:24:56.940 --> 00:24:57.440 of panic, 00:24:57.519 --> 00:24:57.839 which is 00:24:57.839 --> 00:24:58.339 usually not 00:24:58.339 --> 00:24:58.559 great. 00:24:58.559 --> 00:24:58.879 I couldn't 00:24:58.879 --> 00:24:59.179 think of 00:24:59.179 --> 00:24:59.579 anything. 00:25:01.079 --> 00:25:01.279 Oh, 00:25:01.359 --> 00:25:01.799 auntie and 00:25:01.799 --> 00:25:02.179 the kids 00:25:02.179 --> 00:25:02.460 were away, 00:25:02.519 --> 00:25:03.079 why not? 00:25:04.179 --> 00:25:04.700 I took 00:25:04.700 --> 00:25:05.039 him in, 00:25:05.139 --> 00:25:05.419 put him 00:25:05.419 --> 00:25:05.759 up on 00:25:05.759 --> 00:25:06.240 the sofa 00:25:06.240 --> 00:25:07.079 downstairs. 00:25:08.579 --> 00:25:09.179 I went 00:25:09.179 --> 00:25:09.639 to bed 00:25:09.639 --> 00:25:10.179 wondering 00:25:10.179 --> 00:25:11.119 whether I 00:25:11.119 --> 00:25:11.500 would get 00:25:11.500 --> 00:25:12.240 up and 00:25:12.240 --> 00:25:12.960 still possess 00:25:12.960 --> 00:25:13.619 a television 00:25:13.619 --> 00:25:13.960 and a 00:25:13.960 --> 00:25:14.279 video. 00:25:16.440 --> 00:25:16.819 Next 00:25:16.819 --> 00:25:17.139 morning I 00:25:17.139 --> 00:25:17.519 got up, 00:25:17.559 --> 00:25:17.919 he's still 00:25:17.919 --> 00:25:18.259 there. 00:25:20.679 --> 00:25:21.220 We had 00:25:21.220 --> 00:25:21.579 breakfast 00:25:21.579 --> 00:25:22.899 together and 00:25:22.899 --> 00:25:23.579 I said a 00:25:23.579 --> 00:25:23.879 little bit 00:25:23.879 --> 00:25:24.440 about my 00:25:24.440 --> 00:25:24.919 story, 00:25:25.079 --> 00:25:25.619 told me his 00:25:25.619 --> 00:25:26.000 story, 00:25:26.059 --> 00:25:26.220 he was 00:25:26.220 --> 00:25:26.819 working for 00:25:26.819 --> 00:25:28.099 a 00:25:28.099 --> 00:25:29.459 family of 00:25:29.459 --> 00:25:30.119 crooks in 00:25:30.119 --> 00:25:33.119 Aylesbury and 00:25:33.119 --> 00:25:33.639 he said, 00:25:34.119 --> 00:25:34.579 he kind of 00:25:34.579 --> 00:25:35.319 summarised our 00:25:35.319 --> 00:25:35.959 conversation 00:25:35.959 --> 00:25:36.659 beautifully. 00:25:37.439 --> 00:25:37.659 He said, 00:25:37.719 --> 00:25:38.179 I guess the 00:25:38.179 --> 00:25:38.939 difference between 00:25:38.939 --> 00:25:39.539 you and me, 00:25:39.659 --> 00:25:40.299 Mike, is you've 00:25:40.299 --> 00:25:41.079 got Jesus and 00:25:41.079 --> 00:25:41.619 I don't. 00:25:42.919 --> 00:25:43.740 I'll settle for 00:25:43.740 --> 00:25:44.379 that, I'll take 00:25:44.379 --> 00:25:44.679 that. 00:25:46.039 --> 00:25:46.959 He went out 00:25:46.959 --> 00:25:47.699 of my life. 00:25:49.539 --> 00:25:50.379 Fifteen years 00:25:50.379 --> 00:25:51.719 later I 00:25:51.719 --> 00:25:52.279 stood up to 00:25:52.279 --> 00:25:53.059 speak in the 00:25:53.059 --> 00:25:53.599 International 00:25:53.599 --> 00:25:54.699 Conference Centre 00:25:54.699 --> 00:25:55.419 in Cardiff, 00:25:55.559 --> 00:25:55.959 Wales. 00:25:55.960 --> 00:25:58.620 and from 00:25:58.620 --> 00:25:59.079 the back 00:25:59.079 --> 00:25:59.340 of the 00:25:59.340 --> 00:26:00.259 auditorium 00:26:00.259 --> 00:26:02.259 suddenly this 00:26:02.259 --> 00:26:02.940 voice shouts, 00:26:03.240 --> 00:26:03.759 Mikey! 00:26:06.100 --> 00:26:06.660 And there's 00:26:06.660 --> 00:26:07.059 this clop, 00:26:07.120 --> 00:26:07.259 clop, 00:26:07.319 --> 00:26:07.480 clop, 00:26:07.539 --> 00:26:07.720 clop, 00:26:07.720 --> 00:26:07.920 clop, 00:26:07.920 --> 00:26:08.120 clop, 00:26:08.120 --> 00:26:08.740 comes down 00:26:08.740 --> 00:26:09.220 the stairs, 00:26:09.299 --> 00:26:09.640 down the 00:26:09.640 --> 00:26:09.960 stairs, 00:26:10.299 --> 00:26:10.860 gets up on 00:26:10.860 --> 00:26:11.460 the stage. 00:26:12.440 --> 00:26:13.039 I'm standing 00:26:13.039 --> 00:26:13.480 there thinking, 00:26:13.600 --> 00:26:14.200 who the heck 00:26:14.200 --> 00:26:14.759 is this? 00:26:15.840 --> 00:26:16.460 And comes 00:26:16.460 --> 00:26:17.100 up to me, 00:26:18.100 --> 00:26:18.539 puts his 00:26:18.539 --> 00:26:19.160 arms around 00:26:19.160 --> 00:26:19.600 me and 00:26:19.600 --> 00:26:20.400 kisses me on 00:26:20.400 --> 00:26:21.019 the cheek. 00:26:21.980 --> 00:26:22.779 My first 00:26:22.779 --> 00:26:23.400 thought was, 00:26:23.519 --> 00:26:23.880 that's the 00:26:23.880 --> 00:26:24.340 end of my 00:26:24.339 --> 00:26:24.879 ministry. 00:26:26.079 --> 00:26:26.699 I can go 00:26:26.699 --> 00:26:27.019 and get a 00:26:27.019 --> 00:26:27.579 proper job 00:26:27.579 --> 00:26:27.899 now. 00:26:30.899 --> 00:26:31.459 That's what 00:26:31.459 --> 00:26:31.879 he said. 00:26:32.699 --> 00:26:33.059 He said, 00:26:33.139 --> 00:26:33.559 this guy 00:26:33.559 --> 00:26:34.220 doesn't know 00:26:34.220 --> 00:26:34.439 him. 00:26:35.319 --> 00:26:35.539 He said, 00:26:35.579 --> 00:26:36.179 when I saw 00:26:36.179 --> 00:26:36.839 him, I was 00:26:36.839 --> 00:26:37.500 in a terrible 00:26:37.500 --> 00:26:37.819 state. 00:26:37.899 --> 00:26:38.299 I'd beaten 00:26:38.299 --> 00:26:38.899 my girlfriend 00:26:38.899 --> 00:26:40.019 up and her 00:26:40.019 --> 00:26:40.559 parents had 00:26:40.559 --> 00:26:41.039 thrown me out 00:26:41.039 --> 00:26:41.459 of the house 00:26:41.459 --> 00:26:42.259 and I needed 00:26:42.259 --> 00:26:42.839 a bed for 00:26:42.839 --> 00:26:43.259 the night. 00:26:43.519 --> 00:26:44.159 And he was 00:26:44.159 --> 00:26:45.179 stupid enough 00:26:45.179 --> 00:26:46.959 to let me 00:26:46.959 --> 00:26:47.539 have a bed. 00:26:48.939 --> 00:26:49.519 I'm telling 00:26:49.519 --> 00:26:50.059 you the story 00:26:50.059 --> 00:26:51.019 against myself 00:26:51.019 --> 00:26:52.319 because everything 00:26:52.319 --> 00:26:53.899 in me wanted 00:26:53.900 --> 00:26:54.500 to get rid 00:26:54.500 --> 00:26:54.800 of this 00:26:54.800 --> 00:26:55.120 guy. 00:26:57.460 --> 00:26:57.720 Do you 00:26:57.720 --> 00:26:58.140 know what? 00:26:58.420 --> 00:26:58.920 I even 00:26:58.920 --> 00:26:59.400 thought about 00:26:59.400 --> 00:26:59.920 taking the 00:26:59.920 --> 00:27:00.440 poker to 00:27:00.440 --> 00:27:00.900 bed just 00:27:00.900 --> 00:27:01.280 in case 00:27:01.280 --> 00:27:01.680 it kicked 00:27:01.680 --> 00:27:02.019 off. 00:27:04.660 --> 00:27:05.519 I didn't. 00:27:08.259 --> 00:27:09.180 And then 00:27:09.180 --> 00:27:09.460 he said, 00:27:09.500 --> 00:27:09.720 what he 00:27:09.720 --> 00:27:10.220 doesn't know 00:27:10.220 --> 00:27:11.160 is, I 00:27:11.160 --> 00:27:11.640 became a 00:27:11.640 --> 00:27:13.180 Christian and 00:27:13.180 --> 00:27:13.740 I'm now a 00:27:13.740 --> 00:27:15.940 pastor of a 00:27:15.940 --> 00:27:16.740 Pentecostal 00:27:16.740 --> 00:27:17.200 church. 00:27:19.320 --> 00:27:21.340 And I run 00:27:21.340 --> 00:27:21.759 a company 00:27:21.759 --> 00:27:22.200 that makes 00:27:22.200 --> 00:27:22.839 movies. 00:27:24.579 --> 00:27:25.099 We should 00:27:25.099 --> 00:27:25.400 make the 00:27:25.400 --> 00:27:25.720 kind of 00:27:25.720 --> 00:27:26.200 movies you'd 00:27:26.200 --> 00:27:26.519 be happy 00:27:26.519 --> 00:27:26.879 for your 00:27:26.879 --> 00:27:27.420 children to 00:27:27.420 --> 00:27:27.940 look at. 00:27:29.680 --> 00:27:30.740 It started 00:27:30.740 --> 00:27:31.480 the day 00:27:31.480 --> 00:27:32.759 this guy 00:27:32.759 --> 00:27:33.440 opened his 00:27:33.440 --> 00:27:33.799 door. 00:27:38.539 --> 00:27:39.099 Listen to 00:27:39.099 --> 00:27:39.299 me. 00:27:42.299 --> 00:27:42.859 You need 00:27:42.859 --> 00:27:43.379 to be careful 00:27:43.379 --> 00:27:43.799 about who 00:27:43.799 --> 00:27:44.220 you let in 00:27:44.220 --> 00:27:44.599 your house. 00:27:44.759 --> 00:27:44.900 I mean, 00:27:44.960 --> 00:27:45.400 seriously, 00:27:45.700 --> 00:27:46.559 I would say 00:27:46.559 --> 00:27:46.779 that. 00:27:46.839 --> 00:27:47.039 I think 00:27:47.039 --> 00:27:47.339 it's probably 00:27:47.339 --> 00:27:48.000 a tad 00:27:48.000 --> 00:27:48.420 reckless. 00:27:48.420 --> 00:27:51.200 But look, 00:27:52.400 --> 00:27:52.940 when you 00:27:52.940 --> 00:27:53.860 offer that 00:27:53.860 --> 00:27:55.539 philosenia, 00:27:55.700 --> 00:27:56.519 that kind 00:27:56.519 --> 00:27:57.759 of love 00:27:57.759 --> 00:27:58.240 to the 00:27:58.240 --> 00:27:59.500 people who 00:27:59.500 --> 00:27:59.900 are not 00:27:59.900 --> 00:28:00.460 like you, 00:28:00.580 --> 00:28:01.000 who you 00:28:01.000 --> 00:28:01.340 feel 00:28:01.340 --> 00:28:02.039 uncomfortable 00:28:02.039 --> 00:28:02.660 with, 00:28:04.620 --> 00:28:05.600 my goodness, 00:28:06.700 --> 00:28:07.100 you can 00:28:07.100 --> 00:28:07.759 open the 00:28:07.759 --> 00:28:08.259 door to 00:28:08.259 --> 00:28:08.680 a lot of 00:28:08.680 --> 00:28:09.360 good things. 00:28:11.080 --> 00:28:11.860 And who 00:28:11.860 --> 00:28:12.300 knows? 00:28:13.560 --> 00:28:14.440 Maybe when 00:28:14.440 --> 00:28:15.000 that day 00:28:15.000 --> 00:28:15.600 that Peter 00:28:15.600 --> 00:28:16.640 anticipated was 00:28:16.640 --> 00:28:16.900 going to 00:28:16.900 --> 00:28:17.500 happen sooner 00:28:17.500 --> 00:28:18.019 rather than 00:28:18.019 --> 00:28:18.380 later, 00:28:18.660 --> 00:28:19.079 when the 00:28:19.079 --> 00:28:19.440 end of 00:28:19.440 --> 00:28:19.680 things 00:28:19.680 --> 00:28:19.980 happened. 00:28:20.279 --> 00:28:20.500 Who 00:28:20.500 --> 00:28:21.019 knows? 00:28:22.420 --> 00:28:23.119 Because of 00:28:23.119 --> 00:28:23.420 the way 00:28:23.420 --> 00:28:24.259 you behave, 00:28:25.759 --> 00:28:26.500 another soul 00:28:26.500 --> 00:28:26.960 might be 00:28:26.960 --> 00:28:27.380 saved. 00:28:28.579 --> 00:28:29.279 Let's pray 00:28:29.279 --> 00:28:29.740 together. 00:28:34.619 --> 00:28:35.180 Lord, 00:28:35.700 --> 00:28:37.740 oh my 00:28:37.740 --> 00:28:38.099 gosh, 00:28:38.180 --> 00:28:38.599 we're such 00:28:38.599 --> 00:28:39.240 complicated 00:28:39.240 --> 00:28:40.019 people. 00:28:42.259 --> 00:28:43.039 With our 00:28:43.039 --> 00:28:43.619 likes and 00:28:43.619 --> 00:28:44.539 our dislikes, 00:28:44.759 --> 00:28:45.259 with our 00:28:45.259 --> 00:28:46.460 sense of 00:28:46.460 --> 00:28:47.099 comfort, 00:28:47.099 --> 00:28:47.699 with the 00:28:47.699 --> 00:28:48.099 people who 00:28:48.099 --> 00:28:48.579 are like 00:28:48.579 --> 00:28:49.000 us, 00:28:49.719 --> 00:28:52.000 and our 00:28:52.000 --> 00:28:53.119 distrust and 00:28:53.119 --> 00:28:54.219 uncomfortableness 00:28:54.219 --> 00:28:55.519 with people 00:28:55.519 --> 00:28:55.980 who are not 00:28:55.980 --> 00:28:56.779 like us. 00:28:59.659 --> 00:29:00.399 And yet, 00:29:00.519 --> 00:29:00.659 Lord, 00:29:00.719 --> 00:29:01.799 you call us 00:29:01.799 --> 00:29:03.119 to love the 00:29:03.119 --> 00:29:04.000 other deeply. 00:29:05.879 --> 00:29:06.679 And Lord, 00:29:06.819 --> 00:29:07.559 the truth is 00:29:07.559 --> 00:29:08.299 we can't do 00:29:08.299 --> 00:29:08.919 that in our 00:29:08.919 --> 00:29:09.619 own strength. 00:29:11.879 --> 00:29:12.639 We need 00:29:12.639 --> 00:29:13.099 help from 00:29:13.099 --> 00:29:13.419 you. 00:29:13.420 --> 00:29:14.420 Lord, 00:29:16.420 --> 00:29:16.920 all you're 00:29:16.920 --> 00:29:17.680 looking at 00:29:17.680 --> 00:29:21.220 is for 00:29:21.220 --> 00:29:21.759 someone to 00:29:21.759 --> 00:29:22.480 say yes. 00:29:24.620 --> 00:29:25.100 Yes, 00:29:25.160 --> 00:29:25.320 Lord, 00:29:25.360 --> 00:29:26.000 I get it. 00:29:26.460 --> 00:29:26.820 And I 00:29:26.820 --> 00:29:27.200 don't just 00:29:27.200 --> 00:29:27.860 want to hold 00:29:27.860 --> 00:29:28.460 that thought 00:29:28.460 --> 00:29:29.100 in my head. 00:29:29.519 --> 00:29:30.100 I want to 00:29:30.100 --> 00:29:30.580 go and do 00:29:30.580 --> 00:29:31.080 something. 00:29:31.220 --> 00:29:31.740 Even this 00:29:31.740 --> 00:29:32.100 week, 00:29:32.480 --> 00:29:32.840 bake a 00:29:32.840 --> 00:29:33.039 cake, 00:29:33.160 --> 00:29:33.539 write a 00:29:33.539 --> 00:29:33.779 note, 00:29:34.160 --> 00:29:34.620 go visit. 00:29:34.619 --> 00:29:39.919 So Lord, 00:29:40.719 --> 00:29:42.019 help us 00:29:42.019 --> 00:29:43.559 this week 00:29:43.559 --> 00:29:44.559 to value 00:29:44.559 --> 00:29:46.899 the principle 00:29:46.899 --> 00:29:47.919 of hospitality 00:29:47.919 --> 00:29:49.559 deep in our 00:29:49.559 --> 00:29:50.419 minds and in 00:29:50.419 --> 00:29:51.159 our hearts. 00:29:52.299 --> 00:29:53.339 And help us 00:29:53.339 --> 00:29:54.000 to go and do 00:29:54.000 --> 00:29:55.619 something to 00:29:55.619 --> 00:29:56.639 glorify your 00:29:56.639 --> 00:29:56.979 name. 00:29:58.479 --> 00:29:59.399 The pagans 00:29:59.399 --> 00:30:00.539 might have a 00:30:00.539 --> 00:30:01.000 change of 00:30:01.000 --> 00:30:01.379 heart. 00:30:01.380 --> 00:30:01.420 heart. 00:30:02.320 --> 00:30:02.760 And we 00:30:02.760 --> 00:30:03.420 pray these 00:30:03.420 --> 00:30:04.040 things in 00:30:04.040 --> 00:30:04.420 the name 00:30:04.420 --> 00:30:04.980 of Jesus. 00:30:05.660 --> 00:30:06.120 And the 00:30:06.120 --> 00:30:06.580 people who 00:30:06.580 --> 00:30:07.320 agreed said 00:30:07.320 --> 00:30:07.900 together 00:30:07.900 --> 00:30:08.560 loudly. 00:30:08.560 --> 00:30:08.780 Amen. 00:30:12.420 --> 00:30:13.420 Let's go.