WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:06.780 would lie? Do you think you would give up Jesus to save your own life? I hope that if I was in 00:00:06.780 --> 00:00:11.720 that situation, that I would confess that Jesus is the Lord, that I wouldn't give him up. 00:00:13.560 --> 00:00:17.480 Today we're starting a short series throughout the next four weeks of January, 00:00:18.019 --> 00:00:25.920 looking at heroes of the faith. And in particular, we're looking at their joy in Jesus. And today 00:00:25.920 --> 00:00:31.120 we're going to meet this black and white looking gentleman. I was going to say this good looking 00:00:31.120 --> 00:00:36.820 gentleman, but I can't really tell. This gentleman called Polycarp. It's a bit of a strange name, I 00:00:36.820 --> 00:00:47.960 know. But he had been living with joy for Jesus. He lived almost 2,000 years ago, born just after the 00:00:47.960 --> 00:00:55.380 death of Jesus. And Polycarp was faced with dying for Jesus. And he is going to help us today 00:00:55.380 --> 00:01:01.880 to see what it means to truly live for Jesus. So please, let me pray again for us. Dear Heavenly 00:01:01.880 --> 00:01:09.600 Father, we thank you for the many saints who have followed you throughout history. Thank you that we 00:01:09.600 --> 00:01:17.159 are not alone today as we follow you. Help us to be encouraged by Polycarp today to live worthwhile 00:01:17.159 --> 00:01:24.060 lives following Jesus. Amen. As I mentioned, Polycarp was the bishop in a place called Smyrna, 00:01:24.060 --> 00:01:34.240 which is in modern day Turkey. And he lived from about AD 70 to 156. And he was said to have been 00:01:34.240 --> 00:01:41.280 appointed bishop by John the Apostle himself. One of the other early church fathers, Irenaeus, 00:01:41.340 --> 00:01:46.579 would tell stories of Polycarp, that Polycarp would sit around telling stories about where he, 00:01:47.040 --> 00:01:52.960 you know, John the Apostle had sat when he told stories about Jesus. And so he was one of the very 00:01:52.959 --> 00:02:02.059 first disciples to be made bishop over this young church. John the Apostle was the last of the 00:02:02.059 --> 00:02:10.099 apostles to die around 100 AD. And so when Polycarp was bishop, there was many problems for this young 00:02:10.099 --> 00:02:16.680 church. There was problems of doctrine. There was problems of this church as an organization which 00:02:16.680 --> 00:02:23.300 quickly grew up and got big. And how do you organize a large church as it's spreading across the world? 00:02:23.540 --> 00:02:29.319 There was issues of persecution. This time, Christians were collecting the letters of the 00:02:29.319 --> 00:02:38.200 apostles and beginning to form the set of scriptures that we have today. And around February of 155 AD, 00:02:38.199 --> 00:02:45.379 156 AD, there was tensions mounting between Christians who were being persecuted by Caesar. 00:02:45.979 --> 00:02:50.959 Christians were different to the people of the time. The people of the time, the Romans, 00:02:51.359 --> 00:02:58.239 had a pantheon. They had many gods and they had Caesar as one of their gods. And the Christians were 00:02:58.239 --> 00:03:04.379 called atheists because they refused to worship all of these gods. So, you know, it's very strange to 00:03:04.379 --> 00:03:09.159 only have one god at that time. Now, it's very strange to have any god. But at that time, it was 00:03:09.159 --> 00:03:13.699 strange to only have one god. So, the Christians were called atheists. And Christians were strange, 00:03:13.799 --> 00:03:21.500 again, because they had no shrines. They had no images to worship. Under Roman law at the time, 00:03:21.879 --> 00:03:29.599 a Christian who professed faith in Jesus was subject to the death penalty because they would not join in 00:03:29.599 --> 00:03:35.599 worshipping the emperor. Some rulers were keen to keep the peace, though, and so they didn't enforce 00:03:35.599 --> 00:03:40.500 this law because they wanted to keep all the different religious and political parties happy 00:03:40.500 --> 00:03:49.780 and at peace. But in particular, Christians dreaded the sports festivals because many were thrown to the 00:03:49.780 --> 00:03:59.579 wild beasts, to the lions, to satisfy the bloodthirst of the crowds. On this occasion in February of 155, 00:03:59.599 --> 00:04:07.900 155 AD, 11 Christians had already been martyred. They had already been thrown to the crowd and devoured 00:04:07.900 --> 00:04:14.819 by wild animals. But the crowd cried out for more. And they cried for Polycarp the bishop. 00:04:15.120 --> 00:04:24.259 Give us Polycarp. A messenger quickly came to Polycarp to flee. He flees out of Smyrna and he is taken to a 00:04:24.259 --> 00:04:31.560 farm outside of the city. There he hid and he spent time praying for the Christians and praying for those 00:04:31.560 --> 00:04:40.339 who were suffering persecution. And there he hid until he had a vision from God that he must be burned alive. 00:04:42.099 --> 00:04:45.439 I can't even imagine what that kind of realisation would be. 00:04:45.439 --> 00:04:51.959 The authorities sought him and when they came to his house, he came down from the room that he was 00:04:51.959 --> 00:04:58.379 hiding in and he talked with those who arrested him. There's a quote that all those who were present 00:04:58.379 --> 00:05:05.659 marvelled at his age and constancy and that there was so much ado about the arrest of such an old man. 00:05:06.519 --> 00:05:12.180 He asked for permission to pray before being taken away. They allowed it and being so filled with the 00:05:12.180 --> 00:05:19.040 grace of God that for two hours he could not but hold his peace. And so he is taken to the town by a 00:05:19.040 --> 00:05:24.579 sheriff. A sheriff met him and took him in his carriage and he tries to persuade him to give up 00:05:24.579 --> 00:05:33.079 Jesus, deny Christ. The sheriff said to him, now what harm is there in saying Lord Caesar and offering 00:05:33.079 --> 00:05:40.300 incense and then saving yourself? Polycarp said, I do not intend to do what you advise. 00:05:40.300 --> 00:05:47.980 And so he is then brought into the city and he's taken before the ruler and the ruler again tries 00:05:47.980 --> 00:05:57.019 to persuade him to save himself. Have respect to your age. Swear by Caesar. Repent and say away with 00:05:57.019 --> 00:06:02.580 the atheists, as in away with the Christians who don't believe in the Roman gods. And so Polycarp 00:06:02.580 --> 00:06:09.180 turned to the mob of lawless heathen in the stadium and he waved his hand at them. Away with the 00:06:09.180 --> 00:06:17.079 atheists, as in a way with those who don't follow Jesus. And again the ruler said, swear and I will 00:06:17.079 --> 00:06:26.120 release you. Curse the Christ. Now if you were there with Polycarp at this moment, what encouragement 00:06:26.120 --> 00:06:34.160 would you give him? He seems to be a living embodiment of those two passages that John just read for us. 00:06:34.160 --> 00:06:44.060 Polycarp's life has been so impacted by Jesus' life, his death and his resurrection, that he will 00:06:44.060 --> 00:06:51.500 live for him regardless of what it means for himself. Wendy, can you just go to the slide, 00:06:51.580 --> 00:06:57.740 my slides for me? There we go. From Galatians 2, Paul says, I have been crucified with Christ 00:06:57.740 --> 00:07:05.500 and I no longer live but Christ in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of 00:07:05.500 --> 00:07:13.220 God who loved me and gave himself for me. Paul is saying that once we follow Jesus, the old life dies 00:07:13.220 --> 00:07:20.180 and our new life begins. As Jesus says in John 3 that we need to be born again. The old life dies, 00:07:20.180 --> 00:07:29.920 the old life begins. And this life can only happen because Jesus, he died and he was raised to new 00:07:29.920 --> 00:07:37.040 life. And so our entire lives are changed. It is not a preference to be a Christian. It is not that we 00:07:37.040 --> 00:07:42.620 now spend time on a Sunday morning at church instead of at the shops or at the beach or at a family meal. 00:07:42.620 --> 00:07:52.160 Everything has changed. Everything is different because we are different. When God reveals himself 00:07:52.160 --> 00:08:01.600 to us and we place our trust in him, in that moment we die and we are made alive. And the priorities of 00:08:01.600 --> 00:08:08.399 this new life are different to the priorities of the old life. Paul makes the good news of this 00:08:08.399 --> 00:08:16.679 resurrection are extremely personal. He says, I have been crucified with Christ and he gave himself 00:08:16.679 --> 00:08:25.039 for me. This is the wonderful truth of the gospel that Paul can say and that we can say and that 00:08:25.039 --> 00:08:34.639 Polycarp was living that Jesus died for me. He died for Rachel, he died for John, he died for Sue Wing. 00:08:34.639 --> 00:08:46.000 And he is alive and he is living in me and in you now. Because of this new life, Paul keeps talking 00:08:46.000 --> 00:08:53.439 about this new life and he declares in 1 Corinthians 15, where, oh death, is your victory? Where, oh death, 00:08:53.519 --> 00:09:04.059 is your sting? Death is defeated. Even though Paul died and we will all die, the sting of death is defeated. 00:09:04.639 --> 00:09:11.240 All because we have a new life that cannot be destroyed by death. It keeps going in verse 56, 00:09:11.580 --> 00:09:19.720 the sting of death is sin and the power of sin is the law, but thanks be to God, he gives us the victory 00:09:19.720 --> 00:09:28.539 through our Lord Jesus Christ. Jesus has won a victory over sin and death and he gifts it to us. 00:09:28.539 --> 00:09:35.959 He's won the victory and he gives us the victory. We no longer need to live lives fearful of death 00:09:35.959 --> 00:09:44.879 because in Jesus he has given us new life. And not just a good life now, but a new life that endures 00:09:44.879 --> 00:09:52.860 beyond the grave. I think this has massive implications for how we live our lives. When our lives after death 00:09:52.860 --> 00:10:00.399 are secure, we can fully trust God with what happens now. When Alyssa and I were first married, 00:10:01.399 --> 00:10:10.500 we had one car and we worked different shifts. So I bought a motorbike and I always used to joke 00:10:10.500 --> 00:10:18.500 about riding a motorbike. I'd say to Alyssa, oh look, it doesn't matter if I'm riding a motorbike. 00:10:18.500 --> 00:10:25.039 It doesn't matter if I have a higher risk of dying. You know, if I die, it's God's plan. 00:10:25.840 --> 00:10:32.259 If I go to God, it doesn't matter. It's all part of his plan. Now, that's not necessarily loving to a 00:10:32.259 --> 00:10:37.019 new wife to be saying, it doesn't matter if I die because I'll be with God and you'll just be here 00:10:37.019 --> 00:10:47.039 grieving me. But the sentiment in one sense is right. The future looks different because of what 00:10:47.039 --> 00:10:53.639 Jesus has done. And so it changes how we live now because tomorrow is different. The old life, 00:10:53.699 --> 00:11:02.240 the old attitudes have died. The new life has begun. We know that God has our future secure. 00:11:03.039 --> 00:11:13.439 And so for us now, it is possible to face death. Even death by being burned alive on a pyre, 00:11:13.440 --> 00:11:20.380 because God is bigger and he is more powerful than that. And he also knows our pain of death. 00:11:20.940 --> 00:11:27.220 Because Jesus, the second person of the Trinity, God himself, has died so that we might live. 00:11:28.660 --> 00:11:31.320 Paul continues in 1 Corinthians 15. 00:11:31.320 --> 00:11:51.020 New life for us means that our lives are different now. We can stand firm because even when we are 00:11:51.020 --> 00:11:59.460 knocked over, we are raised in Jesus. And so for Polycarp, when he is faced in that situation, 00:11:59.460 --> 00:12:04.780 when he is asked by the ruler, swear and I will release you, curse the Christ. 00:12:06.379 --> 00:12:08.900 Polycarp gave his most famous response. 00:12:10.019 --> 00:12:14.519 Eighty-six years have I served him and he has done me no wrong. 00:12:15.460 --> 00:12:16.639 Where is it? Hang on. 00:12:18.220 --> 00:12:20.300 Give me the quote, Wendy, if you can, please. Thank you. 00:12:20.660 --> 00:12:24.080 Eighty-six years have I served him and he has done me no wrong. 00:12:24.080 --> 00:12:28.060 How then can I blaspheme my king who has saved me? 00:12:29.500 --> 00:12:31.580 Told to curse Christ and he can live. 00:12:31.960 --> 00:12:34.920 Eighty-six years have I served him and he has done me no wrong. 00:12:35.360 --> 00:12:38.300 How then can I blaspheme my king who has saved me? 00:12:39.040 --> 00:12:41.740 The ruler said again, swear by Caesar. 00:12:42.060 --> 00:12:45.540 And Polycarp answered, look, here plainly, I am a Christian. 00:12:45.539 --> 00:12:53.139 The ruler said, I will make you consumed by fire if you repent not. 00:12:54.699 --> 00:13:01.860 Polycarp answered, you threaten the fire that burns for an hour and in a little wire is quenched. 00:13:02.639 --> 00:13:06.279 For you don't know of the fire of the judgment to come. 00:13:06.779 --> 00:13:10.159 And the fire of the eternal punishment reserved for the ungodly. 00:13:10.379 --> 00:13:11.699 But why do you delay? 00:13:12.779 --> 00:13:14.039 Bring what you will. 00:13:14.039 --> 00:13:19.079 And so the ruler sent word that should be proclaimed aloud to the crowd. 00:13:19.360 --> 00:13:23.199 Three times, Polycarp has confessed himself to be a Christian. 00:13:24.339 --> 00:13:26.939 And so Polycarp is taken to a pyre. 00:13:27.959 --> 00:13:34.919 Spectators are crying and jostled for a view of this old Christian as he is about to be burned at the stake. 00:13:36.519 --> 00:13:41.360 The executioner approached Polycarp to nail him to the pyre. 00:13:41.360 --> 00:13:43.980 And he said calmly, leave me as I am. 00:13:45.139 --> 00:13:50.480 He who grants me to endure the fire will enable me to remain on the fire unmoved. 00:13:51.200 --> 00:13:53.440 Without the security you wish from the nails. 00:13:54.720 --> 00:13:58.480 The gentle aged bishop raised his voice in prayer. 00:13:58.879 --> 00:14:03.480 Praising God that he was deemed worthy to die for God. 00:14:03.480 --> 00:14:09.420 And so in death, Polycarp received the crown of life. 00:14:09.420 --> 00:14:21.539 And his faithful witness and testimony inspired many other Christians to persevere, to triumph, and to die following Jesus as this church grew and spread across the world. 00:14:21.539 --> 00:14:29.539 Polycarp is such a wonderful example of what Paul is encouraging us in Galatians and in 1 Corinthians. 00:14:30.019 --> 00:14:33.899 He was able to stand firm, even to death. 00:14:34.659 --> 00:14:37.259 All because of his confidence in life. 00:14:38.360 --> 00:14:44.039 He knew that even though death would hurt, the sting would last only a little while. 00:14:44.039 --> 00:14:50.179 That fire would only burn an hour, but that he would have an eternity with God. 00:14:51.579 --> 00:15:01.759 When we are so satisfied in Christ that we would willingly die for him, we are free to live a life that he has for us. 00:15:01.819 --> 00:15:04.759 That shows that God is our greatest treasure. 00:15:04.759 --> 00:15:12.879 When we are so satisfied in Christ that we would willingly die for him, we are free to live the life he has for us. 00:15:13.019 --> 00:15:15.860 To show that Jesus is our greatest treasure. 00:15:17.500 --> 00:15:23.460 Now, for us sitting here in Chatswood today, I don't think we'll be faced with that question. 00:15:24.139 --> 00:15:29.259 Swear that Scott Morrison is God or die. 00:15:29.259 --> 00:15:35.879 It's very unlikely that we're going to be faced with this type of question. 00:15:36.019 --> 00:15:38.000 Swear that Jesus is not God or die. 00:15:39.559 --> 00:15:41.899 Life for Christians is getting harder in Australia. 00:15:43.220 --> 00:15:50.139 The things that God loves and values are no longer things that our society broadly agrees with. 00:15:50.799 --> 00:15:55.080 But we are not yet at the point where Christians are being thrown to the lions. 00:15:55.080 --> 00:16:03.860 So how does it help to know whether we would say, yes, I believe in Jesus if we're faced with death? 00:16:03.920 --> 00:16:05.060 How does this help us? 00:16:06.100 --> 00:16:08.940 It helps us to know what we are living for. 00:16:09.620 --> 00:16:11.720 Remember what Polycarp said before he died? 00:16:12.080 --> 00:16:15.639 Eighty-six years have I served him, and he has done me no wrong. 00:16:15.720 --> 00:16:17.840 How then can I blaspheme my king? 00:16:18.560 --> 00:16:24.420 Polycarp's decision to stand firm was based on a life following Jesus. 00:16:25.080 --> 00:16:27.120 Because Jesus is always good. 00:16:28.480 --> 00:16:35.960 Salvation by Jesus had shaped his footsteps going forward, even those steps that took him to his death. 00:16:37.980 --> 00:16:47.820 Polycarp stood firm in the face of death against the gods of his day, worshipping Caesar, worshipping the other gods, and worshipping what was approved by his culture. 00:16:47.820 --> 00:16:52.580 But for us, the gods of our day are not gods. 00:16:52.840 --> 00:16:53.960 They're different gods. 00:16:55.140 --> 00:16:58.960 But being accepted by our culture, it's still an idol. 00:17:00.240 --> 00:17:04.440 Following the gods that our culture sets can be a temptation for us. 00:17:04.440 --> 00:17:10.400 We are less likely to have people call to us that we should be burned at the stake. 00:17:11.039 --> 00:17:16.740 But we will have people like the sheriff and like the ruler who will tempt us. 00:17:16.740 --> 00:17:25.319 The sheriff and the ruler tried to tempt Polycarp to deny Jesus, but they don't come across as vicious in history. 00:17:26.079 --> 00:17:26.740 They're actually... 00:17:28.180 --> 00:17:31.039 They can almost come across as looking out for Polycarp. 00:17:31.140 --> 00:17:33.200 Look, it's okay. 00:17:33.460 --> 00:17:34.039 It's all right. 00:17:34.180 --> 00:17:37.120 Just deny Jesus and everything will be fine. 00:17:37.539 --> 00:17:39.240 I know, Clemmie, everything will be fine. 00:17:39.680 --> 00:17:43.000 Just deny Jesus and it'll go well for you. 00:17:43.000 --> 00:17:43.579 It's okay. 00:17:44.539 --> 00:17:47.579 These guys don't come across as enemies. 00:17:47.700 --> 00:17:50.700 They almost appear as if they're on Polycarp's side. 00:17:51.140 --> 00:17:56.740 And that is how we can be tricked in our culture where people will try to tempt us, 00:17:56.859 --> 00:18:00.900 not by vicious words, but by saying it's okay. 00:18:02.119 --> 00:18:02.619 It's all right. 00:18:02.619 --> 00:18:06.720 Just deny this little bit of God and just follow us over here. 00:18:06.720 --> 00:18:10.099 Just take a little step away from obeying God. 00:18:10.099 --> 00:18:18.599 Just take a little step away from saying that Jesus is the Lord and he has saved you and come and enjoy this sin with us. 00:18:21.459 --> 00:18:30.919 As we start a new year and as we start a new decade, Polycarp is a great encouragement of a life trusting God. 00:18:31.519 --> 00:18:34.039 A life of joy trusting in Jesus. 00:18:35.240 --> 00:18:38.859 Treasuring Jesus even more than his life on earth. 00:18:38.859 --> 00:18:45.219 And so for us, at this point, it is worthwhile that we ask some tough questions. 00:18:46.039 --> 00:18:51.919 And we make some big commitments at the start of 2020 for the next decade. 00:18:53.479 --> 00:18:56.579 When you came in, I hope you received one of these. 00:18:56.939 --> 00:18:59.379 Pull these out now if you can, dear brothers and sisters. 00:18:59.699 --> 00:19:03.539 If you didn't, our welcomers in the red vests would love to grab you one of these. 00:19:03.539 --> 00:19:08.779 If you don't, please raise your hand and our helpers would love to get you one of these. 00:19:10.299 --> 00:19:17.079 This is a list of questions to help us to start a new year and a new decade well. 00:19:17.680 --> 00:19:24.339 This is a list that I found on John Piper's website of questions as we start the new year. 00:19:24.339 --> 00:19:29.480 And I've made it in the form of a handy bookmark to slot into your Bible. 00:19:30.199 --> 00:19:38.299 These are 10 questions for us as we consider what we should be committing to for the next year and for the next 10 years. 00:19:39.159 --> 00:19:40.319 So I want to take a moment. 00:19:40.879 --> 00:19:43.319 I'd love to go through these slowly. 00:19:43.319 --> 00:19:47.319 Firstly, I'd love for you to be writing a thing or two on these. 00:19:47.839 --> 00:19:54.740 Put this in your Bible so you can be remembering where you need to be going throughout the year. 00:19:55.720 --> 00:20:02.619 Firstly, what is the one thing you can do this year to increase your enjoyment of God? 00:20:03.439 --> 00:20:12.439 God has promised to bless us most directly and consistently through His Word, the Bible, through prayer and through the church. 00:20:13.319 --> 00:20:23.119 And so one specific suggestion that I'd offer would be to include some devotional or meditation on Scripture along with your daily reading. 00:20:23.980 --> 00:20:26.179 I actually think it's better to read less. 00:20:26.919 --> 00:20:31.119 Read less of the Bible and spend time thinking about what you've read. 00:20:31.679 --> 00:20:33.619 For me personally, I have a thick head. 00:20:34.240 --> 00:20:35.919 You may have noticed but not said anything. 00:20:36.059 --> 00:20:36.779 I thank you for that. 00:20:38.279 --> 00:20:42.480 I need to go slower and I need to think about it so it gets into my head. 00:20:42.480 --> 00:20:48.120 Otherwise, I can just read lots of the Bible and it won't permeate through my head to my heart. 00:20:48.920 --> 00:20:50.779 Read less of the Bible if you need to. 00:20:51.319 --> 00:20:52.240 Keep reading it. 00:20:52.880 --> 00:20:57.420 But read it and save time for meditation and devotion. 00:20:57.759 --> 00:21:01.579 God, what do you actually want me to get out of this? 00:21:01.700 --> 00:21:03.339 God, what am I learning about you? 00:21:03.420 --> 00:21:04.599 What am I learning about Jesus? 00:21:05.220 --> 00:21:08.279 What am I learning about myself from what I am reading today? 00:21:08.279 --> 00:21:13.680 The result of meditation, remember, read something. 00:21:14.079 --> 00:21:16.740 It's better to read something more than nothing. 00:21:17.379 --> 00:21:22.220 So what is one thing to increase your enjoyment of God? 00:21:23.440 --> 00:21:28.240 Secondly, what is an impossible prayer that you can pray? 00:21:28.240 --> 00:21:34.440 Some of my favorite parts in the Bible start with but God. 00:21:36.079 --> 00:21:41.220 Situations that are humanly impossible are transformed by but God. 00:21:41.680 --> 00:21:45.380 Ephesians 2, we are dead in our sins. 00:21:45.859 --> 00:21:47.839 We can't do anything to save ourselves. 00:21:49.019 --> 00:21:50.279 But God. 00:21:50.279 --> 00:21:56.079 But God sent Jesus and he showed his grace to us. 00:21:56.240 --> 00:21:58.139 But God loves us. 00:21:59.279 --> 00:22:03.940 What is a but God prayer you can be praying for this year? 00:22:04.299 --> 00:22:07.619 What is something that is seemingly impossible in your mind? 00:22:08.059 --> 00:22:13.639 Maybe it is a sin that you've had in your life and that you need healing from. 00:22:13.720 --> 00:22:18.180 Maybe it is a broken relationship that you need God to work on. 00:22:18.180 --> 00:22:23.740 What is the prayer that you are saying, this is impossible for me but God? 00:22:26.340 --> 00:22:29.060 What is the most important thing, number three, 00:22:29.660 --> 00:22:33.060 what is the most important thing you could do to improve your family life? 00:22:33.799 --> 00:22:35.640 Bringing your children to church is a wonderful thing. 00:22:36.360 --> 00:22:38.279 It is good to be doing that. 00:22:38.279 --> 00:22:45.899 Maybe you could be spending a moment of prayer together during a meal. 00:22:47.240 --> 00:22:49.799 Share what you are reading in the Bible over food. 00:22:51.339 --> 00:22:54.819 About a year ago, my family, we started a prayer jar. 00:22:55.000 --> 00:22:56.940 We have got this jar at home that says prayer jar. 00:22:57.240 --> 00:22:58.379 And it has got these prayers. 00:22:59.039 --> 00:23:00.759 And I was pulling them out the other day. 00:23:00.759 --> 00:23:04.180 And they all say, help us as we start at the new church. 00:23:04.640 --> 00:23:05.559 Help us as we start. 00:23:05.660 --> 00:23:06.980 Isaac starts at the new school. 00:23:07.539 --> 00:23:10.099 And we went really hard on this prayer jar. 00:23:10.200 --> 00:23:11.180 And it was wonderful. 00:23:11.720 --> 00:23:13.119 Our kids were writing prayers. 00:23:14.099 --> 00:23:16.200 But we moved here a year and a half ago. 00:23:17.299 --> 00:23:19.440 We haven't picked this up for a while. 00:23:19.779 --> 00:23:24.440 And this was a wonderful thing to get us all praying as a family over a meal. 00:23:24.680 --> 00:23:26.220 So I'm going to pick this prayer jar back up. 00:23:26.420 --> 00:23:27.160 It's still sitting there. 00:23:27.180 --> 00:23:28.000 It's still full of prayers. 00:23:28.000 --> 00:23:31.759 I think we probably need to pull some of those out and write some new ones. 00:23:33.339 --> 00:23:36.519 But what is the most important thing you can do to improve your family life? 00:23:37.740 --> 00:23:44.099 Number four, in which spiritual discipline do you want to make the most progress this year? 00:23:44.619 --> 00:23:45.559 Actually plan it out. 00:23:45.599 --> 00:23:48.539 How do I want to be growing as I follow Jesus this year? 00:23:49.680 --> 00:23:56.180 Here at St. Paul's, we talk about five areas of spiritual growth to grow in. 00:23:56.180 --> 00:24:10.400 How could you grow in one of those areas? 00:24:11.060 --> 00:24:13.160 Maybe you're not sure. 00:24:13.440 --> 00:24:17.299 Maybe you're like, I want to grow as a Christian, but I have no idea. 00:24:17.299 --> 00:24:19.500 I want to grow in those areas, but I don't know how to. 00:24:20.079 --> 00:24:24.419 We use this, which is, it's called the My Purpose Checkup. 00:24:24.740 --> 00:24:27.419 In here, there's helpful questionnaires. 00:24:28.319 --> 00:24:29.740 And you can fill these out. 00:24:29.819 --> 00:24:34.399 And this will help you to identify, actually, I'm growing in maturity. 00:24:34.720 --> 00:24:35.759 I'm sharing the gospel. 00:24:35.759 --> 00:24:40.440 But I'm not a strong member of the church. 00:24:40.759 --> 00:24:43.160 I actually need to get to know more people. 00:24:43.420 --> 00:24:44.079 What can I do? 00:24:44.299 --> 00:24:45.519 So please, I've got some of these. 00:24:45.799 --> 00:24:47.819 Come and grab one of these off me. 00:24:48.460 --> 00:24:52.640 How can you be growing to make progress as a Christian? 00:24:53.500 --> 00:24:54.200 Number five. 00:24:55.980 --> 00:24:57.299 This might be the most painful. 00:24:58.180 --> 00:25:01.279 What is the single biggest time waster in your life? 00:25:01.279 --> 00:25:03.879 And how can you redeem the time? 00:25:04.420 --> 00:25:06.559 How many people are thinking of their phone right now? 00:25:08.859 --> 00:25:10.579 I was thinking it would only be the young people. 00:25:10.700 --> 00:25:11.180 It wasn't. 00:25:12.160 --> 00:25:13.019 Is it social media? 00:25:13.639 --> 00:25:14.660 Is it the phone? 00:25:15.039 --> 00:25:19.680 On my iPhone, I have the Screen Time app, pops up on a Sunday morning, 00:25:20.099 --> 00:25:21.519 usually just before church starts. 00:25:21.519 --> 00:25:24.639 And it says, you've been using your phone, on average, 00:25:24.740 --> 00:25:27.240 for four hours a day over the last week. 00:25:28.240 --> 00:25:29.460 And that's always a rebuke. 00:25:29.460 --> 00:25:32.240 What is the single biggest time waster? 00:25:32.360 --> 00:25:33.779 Is it video games? 00:25:33.880 --> 00:25:34.620 Is it sport? 00:25:34.860 --> 00:25:35.660 Is it hobbies? 00:25:36.920 --> 00:25:38.819 These things are all good and wonderful, 00:25:39.200 --> 00:25:41.420 but it's easy for any of these, 00:25:42.160 --> 00:25:43.059 or something else, 00:25:43.160 --> 00:25:47.559 to take too much of our hearts and our time. 00:25:48.640 --> 00:25:50.059 Do we need to repent? 00:25:52.039 --> 00:25:54.819 Trying to stop by itself is probably not the answer, 00:25:54.819 --> 00:25:59.000 but actively replacing it with something else can make it better. 00:26:00.460 --> 00:26:04.059 You know, if everybody at the family dinner table is on their phones, 00:26:04.420 --> 00:26:06.700 maybe it's, okay, let's write some prayers instead. 00:26:07.000 --> 00:26:09.220 Let's share what we've been reading in the Bible. 00:26:10.860 --> 00:26:12.759 Number six, flipping it over. 00:26:14.920 --> 00:26:19.700 What is the most helpful way you could strengthen the church St. Paul's? 00:26:19.700 --> 00:26:22.840 Christianity is not just a personal faith. 00:26:23.720 --> 00:26:25.440 We are part of the church. 00:26:25.559 --> 00:26:26.480 It is a body. 00:26:27.539 --> 00:26:32.720 So how can you be serving or giving or praying differently to last year? 00:26:33.580 --> 00:26:37.559 Back in November, we pledged support to the ministry of the church. 00:26:38.220 --> 00:26:43.720 Have you changed your direct deposit giving to reflect what you pledged in November? 00:26:43.720 --> 00:26:46.140 However, how can you be serving? 00:26:46.279 --> 00:26:48.180 How can you be strengthening the church here? 00:26:49.680 --> 00:26:50.400 Number seven, 00:26:51.900 --> 00:26:55.160 who will you pray for to be saved this year? 00:26:55.319 --> 00:26:58.759 And who will you be praying most fervently for? 00:27:00.279 --> 00:27:03.640 Praying frequently and fervently for someone's salvation 00:27:03.640 --> 00:27:07.620 makes us more sensitive to opportunities to share the gospel with them. 00:27:07.619 --> 00:27:11.099 If I was praying for, I'll pick on John, not that I'm saying he's not saved, 00:27:11.359 --> 00:27:14.819 but if I'm praying for John to know Jesus every single day, 00:27:14.959 --> 00:27:18.399 and then I see John, what am I going to be thinking about? 00:27:19.139 --> 00:27:20.059 His salvation. 00:27:21.179 --> 00:27:24.539 If it's not in my thought at all, I'm going to see John, 00:27:24.539 --> 00:27:28.099 and I'm going to ask him about his family, anything else. 00:27:29.559 --> 00:27:32.179 Who are we praying for most fervently? 00:27:32.359 --> 00:27:33.639 Write down their name. 00:27:37.619 --> 00:27:39.019 Number eight, 00:27:39.119 --> 00:27:41.699 what's the most important way by God's grace 00:27:41.699 --> 00:27:45.339 you will try to make this year different from last year? 00:27:46.439 --> 00:27:47.819 Under God's sovereignty, 00:27:48.359 --> 00:27:53.519 he gives us a measure of responsibility over many areas of our lives. 00:27:54.599 --> 00:27:57.939 In which of these would you most like to see a change from last year? 00:27:59.059 --> 00:28:02.219 The reality is the answer to this might be one of the above. 00:28:02.459 --> 00:28:03.799 I want to grow as a Christian. 00:28:04.079 --> 00:28:05.619 I want to learn how to share my faith. 00:28:05.619 --> 00:28:07.000 I want to read the Bible more. 00:28:07.619 --> 00:28:14.159 But to which of these is the Holy Spirit calling you 00:28:14.159 --> 00:28:17.119 to put your attention to most urgently? 00:28:18.619 --> 00:28:19.559 Number nine, 00:28:20.479 --> 00:28:24.519 what one thing could you do to improve your prayer life this year? 00:28:25.619 --> 00:28:29.459 For many, it might be as simple as designating a prayer time 00:28:29.459 --> 00:28:34.519 instead of praying only the on-the-go, urgent-type prayers. 00:28:34.519 --> 00:28:40.099 Last year, it was about this time last year, February I think it was, 00:28:40.139 --> 00:28:41.779 we started a series on prayer. 00:28:42.480 --> 00:28:45.299 And last year I committed to praying through the Psalms. 00:28:45.839 --> 00:28:48.400 And I did, and it was wonderful. 00:28:49.000 --> 00:28:50.039 All 150. 00:28:50.779 --> 00:28:51.700 And I loved it. 00:28:52.539 --> 00:28:56.480 This year, I'm doing it again, but I have a new goal. 00:28:56.480 --> 00:28:59.759 I want to get through the Psalms twice this year. 00:29:00.339 --> 00:29:01.559 There's 150 of them. 00:29:01.779 --> 00:29:04.559 I should be able to do that twice. 00:29:05.559 --> 00:29:07.339 Pray through one Psalm a night. 00:29:07.940 --> 00:29:11.380 And so for me, that is what I'm trying to do differently to last year. 00:29:11.539 --> 00:29:14.380 That's how I'm trying to improve my prayer life. 00:29:14.640 --> 00:29:17.839 What are you going to do to improve your prayer life? 00:29:17.839 --> 00:29:20.519 Last, number 10. 00:29:21.579 --> 00:29:24.899 What single thing can you plan to do this year 00:29:24.899 --> 00:29:29.459 that will matter most at the end of this decade, in 10 years' time? 00:29:29.720 --> 00:29:34.000 What single thing can you do this year that will impact eternity? 00:29:36.000 --> 00:29:39.019 Don't let the tyranny of the urgent distract you 00:29:39.019 --> 00:29:40.799 from something that you are neglecting 00:29:40.799 --> 00:29:44.579 that would have enormous long-term impact on your soul, 00:29:44.919 --> 00:29:46.559 for your family, or for this church. 00:29:47.839 --> 00:29:51.619 Now, we might say that we would die for Jesus. 00:29:52.799 --> 00:29:55.799 But will we live for Jesus? 00:29:56.879 --> 00:30:01.759 Are we living to show that He is the treasure worth living and dying for? 00:30:02.259 --> 00:30:07.319 Are we living to show His good news that it should be spread? 00:30:07.559 --> 00:30:12.539 Are we living to show that because of Jesus' death and resurrection, 00:30:12.839 --> 00:30:14.079 we can be God's children, 00:30:14.079 --> 00:30:19.939 and that we have faith and trust in what our future holds? 00:30:21.039 --> 00:30:26.559 Are we living to show that we will obey our Father who has loved us? 00:30:28.319 --> 00:30:31.039 Polycarp was able to stand firm following Jesus, 00:30:31.539 --> 00:30:33.500 even in the face of death, 00:30:33.500 --> 00:30:37.680 all because He knew the Jesus who had saved him. 00:30:38.460 --> 00:30:40.740 And He lived a life like that for 86 years. 00:30:41.460 --> 00:30:44.420 Let's commit this year and this new decade 00:30:44.420 --> 00:30:46.319 to following this Jesus. 00:30:46.839 --> 00:30:47.819 Let me pray for us. 00:30:47.819 --> 00:31:17.799 Let's pray for us.