WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:05.780 My name is Chris. I help oversee the community groups here at Watermark Church. 00:00:06.799 --> 00:00:13.060 And today, as Tobin has already mentioned, we are going to be looking at the gospel and mission. 00:00:14.160 --> 00:00:17.600 We've been looking at a series of the gospel and work. 00:00:18.260 --> 00:00:21.719 Next week, we're going to look at the gospel and community. 00:00:22.059 --> 00:00:26.100 And you may think we've heard this all before, and you probably have. 00:00:26.100 --> 00:00:32.700 But the thing is, as Tobin said earlier, we sometimes have memories like goldfish. 00:00:33.460 --> 00:00:38.260 And we need reminding. We need reminding of who we are and what we're about. 00:00:39.120 --> 00:00:43.219 So today, we're going to talk about this value of mission. 00:00:43.340 --> 00:00:45.020 Now, everyone is on a mission. 00:00:46.120 --> 00:00:47.960 Some people's mission is very obvious. 00:00:48.100 --> 00:00:52.719 They just want to make as much money as they can and then retire early. 00:00:52.719 --> 00:00:57.619 And their mission drives their behavior, so they will work crazily long hours. 00:00:58.019 --> 00:01:01.000 They will sacrifice anything, sacrifice their family time. 00:01:01.399 --> 00:01:05.980 They will trample over other people just to get as much money as they can. 00:01:06.819 --> 00:01:09.680 Other people's mission in life is a little bit more subtle. 00:01:10.840 --> 00:01:15.739 They just want to be as comfortable as they can and avoid as much pain and suffering. 00:01:15.739 --> 00:01:21.379 So what they do is they have already looked at the calendar for the next five years 00:01:21.379 --> 00:01:23.739 and worked out when the public holidays are going to be. 00:01:24.280 --> 00:01:27.060 They've marked off the possible days to take sick leave. 00:01:27.239 --> 00:01:31.219 And they're praying for tomorrow that Typhoon 8 is still going to be going. 00:01:31.219 --> 00:01:40.620 Even companies have mission statements which are meant to encapsulate what their mission is all about. 00:01:41.500 --> 00:01:43.219 I need some participation here. 00:01:43.299 --> 00:01:47.340 I'm going to give you a couple of mission statements from companies. 00:01:47.599 --> 00:01:50.200 I want you to tell me what the company is. 00:01:50.480 --> 00:01:51.620 It's not too difficult. 00:01:51.859 --> 00:01:52.700 Well, let's see. 00:01:52.700 --> 00:01:59.900 Our mission is to inspire and nurture the human spirit. 00:02:00.600 --> 00:02:05.820 One person, one cup, and one neighborhood at a time. 00:02:06.480 --> 00:02:10.080 Oh, you go too often. 00:02:12.060 --> 00:02:14.080 Okay, next one. 00:02:14.259 --> 00:02:17.400 Our mission is to refresh the world, 00:02:18.259 --> 00:02:22.000 inspiring moments of optimism and happiness, 00:02:22.000 --> 00:02:25.379 creating value and making a difference. 00:02:28.460 --> 00:02:29.240 Not Google. 00:02:29.419 --> 00:02:31.580 This is one very dear to Tobin's heart. 00:02:32.460 --> 00:02:33.400 Ah, yes. 00:02:33.520 --> 00:02:34.099 Very good. 00:02:34.479 --> 00:02:35.159 Coca-Cola. 00:02:35.960 --> 00:02:40.120 I don't know how many moments you've been inspired with optimism and happiness 00:02:40.120 --> 00:02:41.400 when you drink Coca-Cola. 00:02:45.740 --> 00:02:46.759 Okay, last one. 00:02:47.620 --> 00:02:50.979 Our mission is to be the ultimate house of luxury, 00:02:50.979 --> 00:02:52.879 defining style, 00:02:53.340 --> 00:02:56.379 and creating desire now and forever. 00:02:59.439 --> 00:03:04.060 The number five might help you. 00:03:05.120 --> 00:03:05.679 Chanel. 00:03:07.439 --> 00:03:08.359 Okay. 00:03:08.360 --> 00:03:12.680 So you see, companies have mission statements, 00:03:13.200 --> 00:03:17.100 and a mission which is meant to drive the way that they do business. 00:03:17.760 --> 00:03:21.760 Your mission should drive and shape your behavior. 00:03:21.759 --> 00:03:27.699 So as we come to talk about us as watermark and us as Christians, 00:03:27.979 --> 00:03:28.859 what does it mean? 00:03:28.979 --> 00:03:30.019 What is our mission? 00:03:31.319 --> 00:03:34.299 Now, mission simply means to be sent. 00:03:36.719 --> 00:03:38.359 What is the mission we're sent on? 00:03:38.519 --> 00:03:41.079 Well, Jesus says in that passage in John 20, 00:03:41.080 --> 00:03:41.580 he says, 00:03:41.580 --> 00:03:43.240 as the Father has sent me, 00:03:43.719 --> 00:03:45.160 so I send you. 00:03:45.540 --> 00:03:47.580 So what is the mission we're sent on? 00:03:47.680 --> 00:03:49.580 Well, it's the mission that Jesus was on. 00:03:50.000 --> 00:03:51.000 So then you've got to ask, 00:03:51.100 --> 00:03:52.520 what is the mission that Jesus was on? 00:03:53.540 --> 00:03:55.560 And Jesus says in John chapter 7, 00:03:55.620 --> 00:03:55.880 he says, 00:03:55.879 --> 00:03:59.259 my mission is really to make God known, 00:03:59.400 --> 00:04:02.419 to make the goodness and the greatness of God known. 00:04:03.479 --> 00:04:04.340 And how do I do that? 00:04:04.379 --> 00:04:07.000 I do that through seeking and saving lost people. 00:04:07.599 --> 00:04:11.620 I do that through dying on a cross to bring people back to myself, 00:04:12.060 --> 00:04:14.639 to bring people back to relationship with God. 00:04:14.819 --> 00:04:16.120 That was Jesus' mission, 00:04:16.219 --> 00:04:20.480 to make God known so that people can come into relationship with him. 00:04:22.180 --> 00:04:23.740 So what is our mission as Christians? 00:04:24.839 --> 00:04:25.459 It's the same. 00:04:25.459 --> 00:04:28.419 To make the goodness and greatness of God known 00:04:28.419 --> 00:04:31.239 through our words and through our lives 00:04:31.239 --> 00:04:35.199 and call people back to that relationship with God. 00:04:37.339 --> 00:04:39.139 So here's the main thing I want to say. 00:04:39.219 --> 00:04:42.019 If you just zone off after this, that's fine. 00:04:42.439 --> 00:04:45.579 But the main thing I want you to remember is this. 00:04:45.699 --> 00:04:50.659 God's primary mission strategy for the world is his church. 00:04:51.219 --> 00:04:55.259 God's primary mission strategy for the world is his church. 00:04:55.459 --> 00:04:57.599 And his strategy is this. 00:04:58.419 --> 00:05:02.019 That the lives of Christians should be so attractive 00:05:02.019 --> 00:05:06.399 that people look at them and admire and say, 00:05:06.739 --> 00:05:08.299 I'd love to live like that. 00:05:08.300 --> 00:05:13.199 That your kids look at your lives and say, 00:05:13.199 --> 00:05:15.680 I want to be like my parents. 00:05:16.939 --> 00:05:21.220 That people from other religions look at Watermark community and say, 00:05:21.580 --> 00:05:24.759 I wish we were part of a community like that. 00:05:24.759 --> 00:05:36.139 God's mission strategy is our lives to reflect his goodness and how amazing he is. 00:05:36.680 --> 00:05:41.719 Now, if you're like me, you kind of think about the reality of your own life 00:05:41.720 --> 00:05:48.040 and you feel, wow, I fall so far short of that calling. 00:05:49.160 --> 00:05:53.140 So how do we come to live who we are? 00:05:53.160 --> 00:05:54.400 Well, I've got three main points. 00:05:54.540 --> 00:05:56.520 The first one is just knowing your identity. 00:05:57.480 --> 00:06:00.040 The second is living your identity. 00:06:00.040 --> 00:06:04.260 And the third is living out mission in the day to day. 00:06:04.460 --> 00:06:04.580 Okay? 00:06:04.640 --> 00:06:06.700 So knowing your identity, living your identity, 00:06:07.220 --> 00:06:09.840 living out your mission in the day to day. 00:06:11.400 --> 00:06:16.340 Your behavior flows out from your sense of identity and who you are. 00:06:16.339 --> 00:06:21.599 And so we're going to come and have a look at this passage in 1 Peter. 00:06:22.219 --> 00:06:24.759 If you've got your bulletin, turn with me. 00:06:26.519 --> 00:06:30.399 This passage in 1 Peter is, remember, this is written by Peter, 00:06:30.459 --> 00:06:31.519 one of the disciples of Jesus. 00:06:32.620 --> 00:06:37.459 And it's written to small groups of churches which are scattered around Turkey. 00:06:38.719 --> 00:06:41.799 And these churches are having a hard time 00:06:41.799 --> 00:06:44.359 because they're living in a very hostile world. 00:06:44.360 --> 00:06:46.540 They're living in the midst of the Roman Empire, 00:06:46.740 --> 00:06:48.379 which dominates everywhere. 00:06:48.980 --> 00:06:51.199 And the Roman Empire tells you, 00:06:51.639 --> 00:06:55.639 you need to worship the emperor and the gods that he worships. 00:06:56.720 --> 00:06:59.280 And if you want to move up the career ladder, 00:07:00.160 --> 00:07:02.939 you've got to join guilds, associations, 00:07:03.360 --> 00:07:05.900 where part of the initiation into those associations 00:07:05.900 --> 00:07:09.720 is you have to offer sacrifices to the emperor and to the gods. 00:07:11.319 --> 00:07:13.480 Everywhere you go, there are statues, 00:07:13.480 --> 00:07:15.300 who's shouting to you, 00:07:15.420 --> 00:07:18.540 you need to worship this god and this god over here. 00:07:18.600 --> 00:07:19.340 And the Christians, 00:07:19.640 --> 00:07:22.240 who knew that that's not what they were meant to be doing, 00:07:22.640 --> 00:07:25.939 struggled because everyone was laughing at them, mocking them. 00:07:26.180 --> 00:07:27.040 Why would you? 00:07:27.280 --> 00:07:28.939 Listen, you can join the Roman Empire 00:07:28.939 --> 00:07:31.160 and you can have everything you want. 00:07:31.220 --> 00:07:32.360 You can have your ambitions. 00:07:32.620 --> 00:07:33.840 You can have all those things. 00:07:34.160 --> 00:07:36.180 And yet you're choosing to stay as a Christian. 00:07:37.000 --> 00:07:38.220 Why would you do that? 00:07:38.220 --> 00:07:40.960 Now, this is who Peter's talking about. 00:07:41.060 --> 00:07:41.860 They're marginalized. 00:07:42.100 --> 00:07:44.640 They're feeling on the edge of society, these Christians. 00:07:45.320 --> 00:07:48.800 They're what Peter calls aliens and strangers. 00:07:49.620 --> 00:07:50.920 They feel like they don't belong. 00:07:52.580 --> 00:07:54.980 And Peter says to them, 00:07:55.700 --> 00:07:59.440 don't you realize you're not called to be like everybody else? 00:07:59.439 --> 00:08:02.879 You are a people on the margins. 00:08:03.600 --> 00:08:06.480 But you're a people who dance to a different beat. 00:08:07.040 --> 00:08:08.480 You're a people who are different, 00:08:08.560 --> 00:08:11.600 not because you've got crazy hairstyles or you live like the Amish, 00:08:12.319 --> 00:08:15.959 not because you're separated from people physically, 00:08:16.120 --> 00:08:17.560 but because your life is different. 00:08:17.560 --> 00:08:23.579 Now, I don't know about you, 00:08:23.620 --> 00:08:26.899 but in Hong Kong, I think there's many similarities with this. 00:08:27.199 --> 00:08:32.559 We all want to belong in this society. 00:08:32.840 --> 00:08:34.139 We all want to fit in. 00:08:34.220 --> 00:08:35.720 We all want to feel like we're accepted. 00:08:36.759 --> 00:08:37.320 I don't know about you. 00:08:37.620 --> 00:08:39.740 When I used to have my former colleagues, 00:08:40.580 --> 00:08:41.559 I used to be sitting around, 00:08:41.559 --> 00:08:46.299 and sometimes people just start criticizing another colleague 00:08:46.299 --> 00:08:47.779 or just saying negative things, 00:08:47.899 --> 00:08:49.120 complaining about certain things, 00:08:49.299 --> 00:08:50.759 and you knew it wasn't right, 00:08:51.059 --> 00:08:54.299 but I would just find myself just kind of joining in with them. 00:08:54.779 --> 00:08:55.799 I don't know if you ever do that. 00:08:55.919 --> 00:08:56.779 Maybe it's just me. 00:08:58.079 --> 00:08:58.559 But I would join in. 00:08:58.559 --> 00:08:59.500 Why was I joining? 00:08:59.579 --> 00:09:00.259 And I'd think after, 00:09:00.359 --> 00:09:01.620 oh, I wish I hadn't said that. 00:09:01.699 --> 00:09:02.059 Why? 00:09:02.359 --> 00:09:03.899 Because I wanted to belong. 00:09:04.120 --> 00:09:05.719 I wanted to fit in. 00:09:05.939 --> 00:09:08.019 I wanted to be accepted by them. 00:09:08.019 --> 00:09:11.959 And so I went along with everything that they went along with. 00:09:13.259 --> 00:09:14.459 I want to be accepted. 00:09:14.699 --> 00:09:15.399 I want to belong. 00:09:15.899 --> 00:09:18.000 It's what the society calls peer pressure. 00:09:18.419 --> 00:09:20.720 But actually, it's just a desire to belong. 00:09:21.299 --> 00:09:22.539 We want to be accepted. 00:09:22.879 --> 00:09:23.860 We want to be liked. 00:09:24.000 --> 00:09:24.879 We want to be valued. 00:09:25.679 --> 00:09:26.659 And Peter tells you, 00:09:27.819 --> 00:09:30.779 well, Peter tells them something mind-blowing. 00:09:31.600 --> 00:09:32.779 If you look in verse 9, 00:09:33.819 --> 00:09:34.620 he says, 00:09:34.840 --> 00:09:36.720 Listen, I know you want to belong 00:09:36.720 --> 00:09:39.199 to what everyone else is telling you to belong to. 00:09:39.519 --> 00:09:40.199 But he says, 00:09:41.079 --> 00:09:42.179 Don't you know who you are? 00:09:42.379 --> 00:09:42.879 Verse 9. 00:09:42.879 --> 00:09:46.340 But you are a chosen race, 00:09:46.820 --> 00:09:48.159 a royal priesthood, 00:09:48.580 --> 00:09:49.639 a holy nation, 00:09:50.139 --> 00:09:52.820 a people for God's own possession. 00:09:52.820 --> 00:09:59.940 These are four terms that any reader of the Old Testament 00:09:59.940 --> 00:10:01.360 would have been familiar with. 00:10:01.680 --> 00:10:04.280 Because these were four terms that were used 00:10:04.280 --> 00:10:05.860 for the people of God, 00:10:05.940 --> 00:10:09.340 God's special chosen people in the Old Testament. 00:10:10.640 --> 00:10:12.000 And what are they saying? 00:10:12.080 --> 00:10:12.600 They're saying, 00:10:13.280 --> 00:10:15.560 You belong, 00:10:15.840 --> 00:10:16.620 not to the world, 00:10:16.620 --> 00:10:18.360 but you belong to God. 00:10:18.460 --> 00:10:19.320 You are His. 00:10:19.460 --> 00:10:20.560 You have access 00:10:20.560 --> 00:10:22.299 to a relationship 00:10:22.299 --> 00:10:24.639 with the God of all creation. 00:10:25.460 --> 00:10:26.759 And that's what priesthood is about. 00:10:26.820 --> 00:10:28.620 Only the priests could have access 00:10:28.620 --> 00:10:30.220 to God 00:10:30.220 --> 00:10:31.919 into His presence. 00:10:32.200 --> 00:10:33.460 You have access 00:10:33.460 --> 00:10:35.799 like nobody else has access. 00:10:35.960 --> 00:10:37.860 And you are set apart for Him. 00:10:38.539 --> 00:10:39.820 That's what the word holy means. 00:10:39.860 --> 00:10:41.600 You are set apart for Him. 00:10:42.600 --> 00:10:44.420 And notice what he's saying is, 00:10:44.500 --> 00:10:45.279 he says, 00:10:45.580 --> 00:10:45.840 You, 00:10:46.440 --> 00:10:47.700 and normally when we read you, 00:10:47.920 --> 00:10:49.019 we think me. 00:10:49.879 --> 00:10:51.680 But actually that you is a plural. 00:10:51.860 --> 00:10:53.580 He's saying you as the church 00:10:53.580 --> 00:10:56.639 are His special people. 00:10:57.360 --> 00:10:58.480 You are set apart. 00:10:59.200 --> 00:10:59.399 Now, 00:10:59.639 --> 00:11:02.180 I don't know when you were younger, 00:11:03.060 --> 00:11:04.840 but when I was younger, 00:11:04.940 --> 00:11:05.759 people used to play. 00:11:05.879 --> 00:11:07.360 We had a playground at school. 00:11:08.200 --> 00:11:10.139 And people used to pick teams 00:11:10.139 --> 00:11:10.940 for games. 00:11:11.620 --> 00:11:11.940 So, 00:11:12.220 --> 00:11:13.320 we used to play football, 00:11:13.560 --> 00:11:13.840 soccer, 00:11:14.080 --> 00:11:15.200 in the playground. 00:11:16.419 --> 00:11:16.680 And, 00:11:16.759 --> 00:11:20.659 when it came to choosing the teams, 00:11:22.019 --> 00:11:23.259 the good kids 00:11:23.259 --> 00:11:25.060 always got chosen first. 00:11:26.539 --> 00:11:26.899 And, you know, 00:11:27.139 --> 00:11:29.080 there was the kid at the end 00:11:29.080 --> 00:11:30.460 who no one wanted. 00:11:31.039 --> 00:11:31.800 Did you ever have that? 00:11:32.320 --> 00:11:34.320 And people were fighting 00:11:34.320 --> 00:11:35.720 not to have him. 00:11:35.980 --> 00:11:36.259 They were saying, 00:11:36.259 --> 00:11:37.439 Listen, no, you have him. 00:11:37.519 --> 00:11:37.759 You have him. 00:11:37.759 --> 00:11:38.840 We had him last week. 00:11:39.179 --> 00:11:39.659 No, no. 00:11:39.879 --> 00:11:40.100 Oh, 00:11:40.700 --> 00:11:41.439 just take him. 00:11:41.580 --> 00:11:42.379 Go and sit at the back. 00:11:43.819 --> 00:11:44.700 And that kid, 00:11:45.419 --> 00:11:47.419 when I was at school, 00:11:47.539 --> 00:11:48.860 he always wanted to be 00:11:48.860 --> 00:11:49.500 one of the people 00:11:49.500 --> 00:11:50.279 who was chosen 00:11:50.279 --> 00:11:51.279 at the first. 00:11:51.319 --> 00:11:52.460 He always wanted to belong 00:11:52.460 --> 00:11:53.080 in the team, 00:11:53.139 --> 00:11:54.100 but always felt like 00:11:54.100 --> 00:11:55.480 he was outside. 00:11:56.340 --> 00:11:57.419 He always wanted to belong. 00:11:59.200 --> 00:11:59.539 But, 00:12:00.240 --> 00:12:01.580 if you imagine 00:12:01.580 --> 00:12:03.319 that one day 00:12:03.320 --> 00:12:06.320 the most famous footballer 00:12:06.320 --> 00:12:06.860 in the world 00:12:06.860 --> 00:12:08.740 came to that school 00:12:08.740 --> 00:12:09.240 and said, 00:12:09.340 --> 00:12:10.040 I've got a team 00:12:10.040 --> 00:12:14.480 that I'm picking players for. 00:12:15.940 --> 00:12:16.300 And, 00:12:16.340 --> 00:12:18.020 and he comes in 00:12:18.020 --> 00:12:18.920 and all the kids 00:12:18.920 --> 00:12:19.340 are kind of there. 00:12:19.400 --> 00:12:19.780 Yeah, yeah, yeah. 00:12:19.780 --> 00:12:20.080 Choose me. 00:12:20.160 --> 00:12:20.520 Choose me. 00:12:20.879 --> 00:12:21.700 Look at what I've done. 00:12:21.760 --> 00:12:22.400 I'm really good. 00:12:23.220 --> 00:12:24.060 And what he does, 00:12:24.120 --> 00:12:24.980 he goes to the kid 00:12:24.980 --> 00:12:26.200 that nobody else wants 00:12:26.200 --> 00:12:27.759 and he says, 00:12:28.040 --> 00:12:29.360 I want you in my team. 00:12:32.960 --> 00:12:33.780 And it's not that 00:12:33.780 --> 00:12:35.280 I just want you in my team. 00:12:36.100 --> 00:12:37.680 I'm going to spend time with you. 00:12:37.740 --> 00:12:38.820 I'm going to hang out with you. 00:12:38.940 --> 00:12:39.900 I want you to 00:12:39.900 --> 00:12:41.600 be with me. 00:12:43.400 --> 00:12:44.920 To be a part of my team. 00:12:46.879 --> 00:12:47.620 And now, 00:12:48.120 --> 00:12:50.200 imagine how that kid 00:12:50.200 --> 00:12:50.940 would feel. 00:12:52.360 --> 00:12:53.360 Doesn't that change 00:12:53.360 --> 00:12:54.620 the perspective now 00:12:54.620 --> 00:12:56.480 when he feels rejected 00:12:56.480 --> 00:12:57.539 from the other teams 00:12:57.539 --> 00:12:58.379 but he knows 00:12:58.379 --> 00:12:59.580 that he is now part 00:12:59.580 --> 00:13:00.740 of a team 00:13:00.740 --> 00:13:02.539 that is so much better. 00:13:05.299 --> 00:13:06.500 And all of us 00:13:06.500 --> 00:13:08.259 are like that kid, 00:13:08.919 --> 00:13:09.820 Peter tells us. 00:13:10.779 --> 00:13:11.799 We were not a people, 00:13:12.240 --> 00:13:12.820 he says. 00:13:14.100 --> 00:13:14.940 But now, 00:13:15.200 --> 00:13:16.060 you are a people. 00:13:17.000 --> 00:13:17.759 All of us, 00:13:18.600 --> 00:13:19.600 if you were a Christian, 00:13:19.600 --> 00:13:22.100 you were part of God's family. 00:13:22.759 --> 00:13:24.600 You were part of his people. 00:13:24.620 --> 00:13:26.639 And what that means 00:13:26.639 --> 00:13:27.299 is this. 00:13:28.340 --> 00:13:29.440 It means you're set apart 00:13:29.440 --> 00:13:29.860 for him 00:13:29.860 --> 00:13:31.000 but it also means 00:13:31.000 --> 00:13:32.299 that you'll be an alien 00:13:32.299 --> 00:13:33.240 and a stranger. 00:13:33.580 --> 00:13:34.820 Jesus was rejected 00:13:34.820 --> 00:13:35.560 by people. 00:13:36.240 --> 00:13:36.799 So you 00:13:36.799 --> 00:13:38.060 will also 00:13:38.060 --> 00:13:39.779 experience 00:13:39.779 --> 00:13:41.580 not belonging 00:13:41.580 --> 00:13:42.879 in this world. 00:13:44.039 --> 00:13:45.340 That's the first point. 00:13:46.940 --> 00:13:48.399 The second point is, 00:13:48.799 --> 00:13:50.419 if we are a new people, 00:13:50.600 --> 00:13:51.120 as it were, 00:13:51.259 --> 00:13:52.299 what are we for? 00:13:52.639 --> 00:13:53.939 Is it just to hide away 00:13:53.939 --> 00:13:54.599 by ourselves, 00:13:54.719 --> 00:13:55.299 kind of enjoy 00:13:55.299 --> 00:13:56.500 the relationship with God? 00:13:57.939 --> 00:13:58.799 And Peter says, 00:13:59.039 --> 00:13:59.199 no, 00:13:59.319 --> 00:14:00.199 that's not what it's about. 00:14:00.539 --> 00:14:01.779 It's not all about you. 00:14:02.959 --> 00:14:05.359 Look at verse 9 again. 00:14:05.519 --> 00:14:06.059 So he says, 00:14:06.059 --> 00:14:07.899 you are this chosen people, 00:14:08.039 --> 00:14:08.659 this chosen race, 00:14:08.759 --> 00:14:09.599 royal priesthood, 00:14:09.959 --> 00:14:11.199 people for God's own possession, 00:14:11.699 --> 00:14:12.719 so that, 00:14:13.519 --> 00:14:14.919 so that 00:14:14.919 --> 00:14:17.059 you may proclaim 00:14:17.059 --> 00:14:18.819 the excellences 00:14:18.819 --> 00:14:20.179 of him 00:14:20.179 --> 00:14:21.239 who has called you 00:14:21.239 --> 00:14:21.959 out of darkness 00:14:21.959 --> 00:14:24.019 into his marvelous light. 00:14:24.979 --> 00:14:26.419 What does that mean? 00:14:26.699 --> 00:14:28.179 Why has God saved you? 00:14:28.279 --> 00:14:29.659 Why has God brought you, 00:14:29.719 --> 00:14:31.000 if you are a Christian today, 00:14:31.119 --> 00:14:32.119 why has he brought you 00:14:32.119 --> 00:14:32.859 into his family? 00:14:32.860 --> 00:14:34.379 He saved you for a purpose. 00:14:34.879 --> 00:14:36.019 He saved you for the purpose 00:14:36.019 --> 00:14:38.300 of making him known, 00:14:38.620 --> 00:14:40.659 proclaiming his excellences, 00:14:40.879 --> 00:14:41.480 his goodness, 00:14:41.720 --> 00:14:42.340 his greatness, 00:14:42.600 --> 00:14:44.879 how amazing he is. 00:14:47.320 --> 00:14:49.680 And that mission 00:14:49.680 --> 00:14:52.860 is to shape all of life. 00:14:53.360 --> 00:14:55.180 It's to shape the decisions we make, 00:14:55.419 --> 00:14:56.500 the way we spend our money, 00:14:56.740 --> 00:14:57.980 the way we spend our time. 00:14:57.980 --> 00:14:58.879 It's meant to be 00:14:58.879 --> 00:15:00.700 a shaping influence 00:15:00.700 --> 00:15:02.019 if we really are 00:15:02.019 --> 00:15:02.879 this people 00:15:02.879 --> 00:15:04.120 that God has set apart 00:15:04.120 --> 00:15:04.680 for himself. 00:15:05.800 --> 00:15:06.279 And actually, 00:15:06.420 --> 00:15:07.039 that word proclaim, 00:15:07.659 --> 00:15:08.120 in Greek, 00:15:08.240 --> 00:15:08.720 it can mean 00:15:08.720 --> 00:15:09.860 praise, 00:15:10.159 --> 00:15:10.720 tell out, 00:15:10.860 --> 00:15:11.740 but it can also mean 00:15:11.740 --> 00:15:12.560 to advertise. 00:15:14.720 --> 00:15:16.100 Your life 00:15:16.100 --> 00:15:19.899 is to be an advertisement. 00:15:21.300 --> 00:15:22.379 And not just your words, 00:15:22.460 --> 00:15:23.539 but it's every part 00:15:23.539 --> 00:15:24.180 of your life, 00:15:24.600 --> 00:15:25.120 your words, 00:15:25.220 --> 00:15:25.700 your actions, 00:15:25.779 --> 00:15:26.320 is to show 00:15:26.320 --> 00:15:27.659 how amazing God is. 00:15:28.840 --> 00:15:29.279 Now, 00:15:29.360 --> 00:15:30.200 I don't know about you, 00:15:30.379 --> 00:15:32.820 but I'm a bit suspicious 00:15:32.820 --> 00:15:34.440 of advertisers 00:15:34.440 --> 00:15:36.460 and salespeople in general. 00:15:37.120 --> 00:15:38.279 And I know there's a few of you 00:15:38.279 --> 00:15:38.700 among here, 00:15:38.759 --> 00:15:39.639 so I've got to be careful 00:15:39.639 --> 00:15:40.460 what I say. 00:15:41.039 --> 00:15:43.700 But the thing that gets me 00:15:43.700 --> 00:15:44.860 about advertisers 00:15:44.860 --> 00:15:45.680 is that they're always 00:15:45.680 --> 00:15:47.519 trying to sell you something, 00:15:47.659 --> 00:15:48.700 but they're not really 00:15:48.700 --> 00:15:49.879 interested in you. 00:15:51.220 --> 00:15:52.159 Even when they're trying 00:15:52.159 --> 00:15:54.100 to appeal to your personal needs 00:15:54.100 --> 00:15:54.779 and things, 00:15:55.000 --> 00:15:56.200 you know what they're trying to do 00:15:56.200 --> 00:15:57.180 is they're trying to sell. 00:15:57.179 --> 00:15:58.719 something to you. 00:15:59.099 --> 00:15:59.319 You know, 00:15:59.359 --> 00:16:00.500 you see these things 00:16:00.500 --> 00:16:02.259 because you're worth it. 00:16:02.899 --> 00:16:03.639 And I look at that 00:16:03.639 --> 00:16:04.000 and I think, 00:16:04.099 --> 00:16:04.239 no, 00:16:04.319 --> 00:16:05.500 because you want my money. 00:16:08.979 --> 00:16:10.599 And even, 00:16:10.799 --> 00:16:11.579 you think of, 00:16:11.579 --> 00:16:12.179 like, 00:16:12.279 --> 00:16:13.199 tele-sales people. 00:16:13.279 --> 00:16:14.039 I don't know if you've ever 00:16:14.039 --> 00:16:14.459 had this, 00:16:14.559 --> 00:16:16.399 where they ring you up 00:16:16.399 --> 00:16:17.319 and it's like, 00:16:17.739 --> 00:16:18.059 hi, 00:16:18.199 --> 00:16:19.819 thank you as a valued customer. 00:16:19.820 --> 00:16:22.000 we would just like to do a survey 00:16:22.000 --> 00:16:23.420 on customer satisfaction. 00:16:23.600 --> 00:16:23.940 And you think, 00:16:24.060 --> 00:16:24.560 okay, 00:16:24.760 --> 00:16:25.600 let's go on. 00:16:25.700 --> 00:16:26.980 And 30 seconds later, 00:16:27.180 --> 00:16:28.320 you suddenly realize 00:16:28.320 --> 00:16:29.060 they're actually trying 00:16:29.060 --> 00:16:29.879 to sell you something. 00:16:30.440 --> 00:16:31.280 And at that point, 00:16:31.500 --> 00:16:32.500 in my most polite, 00:16:32.680 --> 00:16:33.640 angry British voice, 00:16:33.740 --> 00:16:34.300 I say, 00:16:34.379 --> 00:16:35.180 thank you very much, 00:16:35.220 --> 00:16:36.120 and I put the phone down. 00:16:37.700 --> 00:16:38.060 Because 00:16:38.060 --> 00:16:41.000 they're kind of being underhand. 00:16:41.140 --> 00:16:41.820 They're not really 00:16:41.820 --> 00:16:42.920 interested in me. 00:16:42.919 --> 00:16:43.799 they want to sell me 00:16:43.799 --> 00:16:44.479 a product 00:16:44.479 --> 00:16:45.459 or a service. 00:16:47.779 --> 00:16:48.279 And 00:16:48.279 --> 00:16:49.839 so often, 00:16:49.979 --> 00:16:51.500 the world sees Christians 00:16:51.500 --> 00:16:54.099 trying to sell Jesus 00:16:54.099 --> 00:16:55.379 as a product 00:16:55.379 --> 00:16:56.179 or a service. 00:16:57.599 --> 00:16:57.779 You know, 00:16:57.899 --> 00:16:58.719 come to Jesus 00:16:58.719 --> 00:17:00.399 and he'll fix all your problems. 00:17:00.819 --> 00:17:01.419 He'll give you 00:17:01.419 --> 00:17:02.360 a great life. 00:17:03.679 --> 00:17:04.539 Come to Jesus, 00:17:04.680 --> 00:17:05.139 get the Father 00:17:05.139 --> 00:17:05.740 and the Holy Spirit 00:17:05.740 --> 00:17:06.180 for free. 00:17:08.680 --> 00:17:09.319 You know, 00:17:09.319 --> 00:17:09.759 we're, 00:17:09.759 --> 00:17:12.680 we're not, 00:17:12.920 --> 00:17:14.759 we're not selling 00:17:14.759 --> 00:17:15.980 a product 00:17:15.980 --> 00:17:17.500 or a service. 00:17:17.660 --> 00:17:17.740 When, 00:17:17.940 --> 00:17:18.259 when it, 00:17:18.340 --> 00:17:18.920 we talk about 00:17:18.920 --> 00:17:19.980 being advertising, 00:17:20.400 --> 00:17:21.380 we're not selling 00:17:21.380 --> 00:17:21.960 a product 00:17:21.960 --> 00:17:22.759 or a serving, 00:17:23.039 --> 00:17:23.380 service. 00:17:23.580 --> 00:17:25.240 We're living adverts 00:17:25.240 --> 00:17:26.880 of a relationship 00:17:26.880 --> 00:17:28.320 with the king 00:17:28.320 --> 00:17:29.400 that we were created 00:17:29.400 --> 00:17:30.820 to have relationship with. 00:17:30.980 --> 00:17:31.680 That everybody 00:17:31.680 --> 00:17:33.060 who is chasing 00:17:33.060 --> 00:17:34.140 after belonging, 00:17:34.620 --> 00:17:35.180 acceptance, 00:17:35.500 --> 00:17:36.320 everything in the world 00:17:36.320 --> 00:17:37.160 is truly, 00:17:37.160 --> 00:17:40.460 truly made for. 00:17:41.120 --> 00:17:42.039 Where they were made 00:17:42.039 --> 00:17:43.379 to find satisfaction. 00:17:43.720 --> 00:17:44.500 So what that means, 00:17:45.059 --> 00:17:45.960 as a Christian, 00:17:46.659 --> 00:17:47.700 we don't have to use 00:17:47.700 --> 00:17:49.200 kind of underhand tactics 00:17:49.200 --> 00:17:50.559 to try and get people 00:17:50.559 --> 00:17:51.639 kind of, 00:17:51.720 --> 00:17:53.000 to come along to church. 00:17:55.079 --> 00:17:55.420 I mean, 00:17:55.599 --> 00:17:56.399 you see sometimes, 00:17:56.519 --> 00:17:56.720 you know, 00:17:57.319 --> 00:17:57.639 I've, 00:17:57.639 --> 00:17:58.180 I've heard people, 00:17:58.220 --> 00:17:59.119 and I've done this myself, 00:17:59.240 --> 00:17:59.440 you know, 00:17:59.519 --> 00:18:00.619 we've got a, 00:18:00.619 --> 00:18:02.279 a great buffet lunch 00:18:02.279 --> 00:18:02.940 this Sunday. 00:18:04.720 --> 00:18:05.259 You know, 00:18:05.480 --> 00:18:05.680 you, 00:18:05.680 --> 00:18:06.680 you should come along. 00:18:07.019 --> 00:18:07.180 It's, 00:18:07.240 --> 00:18:08.019 it's going to be fantastic. 00:18:08.159 --> 00:18:09.019 Food was great 00:18:09.019 --> 00:18:09.539 and everything. 00:18:09.539 --> 00:18:10.139 And they say, 00:18:10.200 --> 00:18:10.440 okay, 00:18:10.579 --> 00:18:10.700 yeah, 00:18:10.740 --> 00:18:11.139 where is it? 00:18:11.220 --> 00:18:11.259 Oh, 00:18:11.500 --> 00:18:12.539 it's down at Cyberport. 00:18:13.200 --> 00:18:13.819 And you say, 00:18:13.879 --> 00:18:14.240 okay, 00:18:14.420 --> 00:18:15.019 great. 00:18:15.319 --> 00:18:15.480 And, 00:18:15.519 --> 00:18:16.399 and there'll be 00:18:16.399 --> 00:18:16.720 a little bit 00:18:16.720 --> 00:18:17.399 of church beforehand. 00:18:17.500 --> 00:18:18.079 But don't worry, 00:18:18.139 --> 00:18:19.460 the food is fantastic. 00:18:23.220 --> 00:18:24.019 If we had to be 00:18:24.019 --> 00:18:24.639 these people 00:18:24.639 --> 00:18:25.259 who have proclaimed 00:18:25.259 --> 00:18:25.819 the extences, 00:18:26.099 --> 00:18:27.319 we don't have to be 00:18:27.319 --> 00:18:28.399 trying to be 00:18:28.399 --> 00:18:29.259 underhand about, 00:18:29.339 --> 00:18:29.480 no, 00:18:29.539 --> 00:18:30.879 it's a relationship 00:18:30.879 --> 00:18:32.420 that we're advertising. 00:18:32.680 --> 00:18:33.779 So we can be open 00:18:33.779 --> 00:18:34.819 about our motivation 00:18:34.819 --> 00:18:35.559 just to say, 00:18:35.559 --> 00:18:36.799 I want you 00:18:36.799 --> 00:18:38.039 to come to know 00:18:38.039 --> 00:18:39.460 the living God 00:18:39.460 --> 00:18:40.539 who is amazing. 00:18:42.019 --> 00:18:42.859 That's what I want 00:18:42.859 --> 00:18:43.240 for you. 00:18:46.000 --> 00:18:46.720 And if you're 00:18:46.720 --> 00:18:47.619 genuinely concerned 00:18:47.619 --> 00:18:48.359 about people, 00:18:48.859 --> 00:18:50.059 genuinely interested, 00:18:50.139 --> 00:18:50.619 not just trying 00:18:50.619 --> 00:18:51.599 to sell them something, 00:18:52.440 --> 00:18:53.259 but genuinely 00:18:53.259 --> 00:18:54.200 interested in them, 00:18:54.480 --> 00:18:55.480 people will 00:18:55.480 --> 00:18:56.559 honor your integrity. 00:18:58.059 --> 00:18:58.859 When we were 00:18:58.859 --> 00:19:00.019 in Austria 00:19:00.019 --> 00:19:00.599 on our, 00:19:00.599 --> 00:19:01.559 on our honeymoon, 00:19:02.299 --> 00:19:02.919 we were told 00:19:02.919 --> 00:19:03.440 about a, 00:19:03.440 --> 00:19:05.119 a local guest house 00:19:05.119 --> 00:19:05.439 where you could 00:19:05.439 --> 00:19:05.959 get food. 00:19:06.059 --> 00:19:06.399 We were looking 00:19:06.399 --> 00:19:07.239 around for restaurants 00:19:07.239 --> 00:19:08.239 and, 00:19:08.319 --> 00:19:09.939 and we went down 00:19:09.939 --> 00:19:10.559 to this restaurant, 00:19:10.699 --> 00:19:10.919 just kind of 00:19:10.919 --> 00:19:11.579 checked it out 00:19:11.579 --> 00:19:11.859 and thought, 00:19:11.959 --> 00:19:12.079 okay, 00:19:12.159 --> 00:19:12.579 the food's, 00:19:12.639 --> 00:19:13.519 the food's pretty good 00:19:13.519 --> 00:19:14.839 and then we started 00:19:14.839 --> 00:19:15.719 talking to a couple 00:19:15.719 --> 00:19:16.979 who'd been there, 00:19:17.159 --> 00:19:17.979 who'd been coming back 00:19:17.979 --> 00:19:18.819 to the same place 00:19:18.819 --> 00:19:19.979 for 18 years. 00:19:20.439 --> 00:19:20.639 Now, 00:19:20.719 --> 00:19:21.500 I know some people 00:19:21.500 --> 00:19:21.839 like that, 00:19:21.899 --> 00:19:22.419 so instantly 00:19:22.419 --> 00:19:23.279 I'm kind of like, 00:19:23.379 --> 00:19:23.659 okay, 00:19:24.099 --> 00:19:24.839 I kind of write them 00:19:24.839 --> 00:19:25.459 off in that kind 00:19:25.459 --> 00:19:25.799 of corner. 00:19:26.439 --> 00:19:26.759 And, 00:19:26.879 --> 00:19:27.299 and, 00:19:27.599 --> 00:19:28.319 and then 00:19:28.319 --> 00:19:30.299 they started talking 00:19:30.299 --> 00:19:31.599 about the owner 00:19:31.599 --> 00:19:33.419 and, 00:19:33.500 --> 00:19:33.719 um, 00:19:33.720 --> 00:19:35.360 they started sharing 00:19:35.360 --> 00:19:36.720 how incredibly generous 00:19:36.720 --> 00:19:37.720 and hospitable 00:19:37.720 --> 00:19:38.740 the owner was. 00:19:38.940 --> 00:19:39.600 And I'm thinking, 00:19:39.680 --> 00:19:39.920 okay, 00:19:40.039 --> 00:19:40.440 that's great. 00:19:40.539 --> 00:19:41.220 And as they, 00:19:41.259 --> 00:19:41.740 they taught, 00:19:41.819 --> 00:19:42.700 they shared story 00:19:42.700 --> 00:19:43.259 after story 00:19:43.259 --> 00:19:43.960 about the, 00:19:44.000 --> 00:19:44.500 the owner 00:19:44.500 --> 00:19:45.519 and the more impressive 00:19:45.519 --> 00:19:46.579 she sounded. 00:19:46.740 --> 00:19:48.019 But I'm naturally 00:19:48.019 --> 00:19:48.640 cynical. 00:19:48.860 --> 00:19:49.700 It's part of British 00:19:49.700 --> 00:19:50.339 education. 00:19:50.960 --> 00:19:51.200 We have, 00:19:51.360 --> 00:19:52.140 we have classes 00:19:52.140 --> 00:19:52.940 in cynicism. 00:19:52.940 --> 00:19:53.660 It's called, 00:19:53.720 --> 00:19:53.920 um, 00:19:53.920 --> 00:19:54.839 critical thinking. 00:19:55.519 --> 00:19:55.700 Um, 00:19:55.700 --> 00:19:57.579 um, 00:19:57.579 --> 00:20:01.659 and so I was 00:20:01.659 --> 00:20:02.279 kind of a bit 00:20:02.279 --> 00:20:02.619 suspicious. 00:20:02.740 --> 00:20:02.899 Yeah, 00:20:03.000 --> 00:20:03.339 okay, 00:20:03.500 --> 00:20:03.619 yeah, 00:20:03.619 --> 00:20:04.199 I've seen those 00:20:04.199 --> 00:20:04.779 people before. 00:20:05.099 --> 00:20:05.259 They're, 00:20:05.259 --> 00:20:05.939 they're really just 00:20:05.939 --> 00:20:06.819 after to get your money. 00:20:06.919 --> 00:20:07.480 They're just nice, 00:20:07.559 --> 00:20:07.859 they're polite 00:20:07.859 --> 00:20:08.699 just to get your money. 00:20:09.099 --> 00:20:09.599 You've been coming 00:20:09.599 --> 00:20:10.419 back for 18 years. 00:20:10.480 --> 00:20:11.079 You've really fallen 00:20:11.079 --> 00:20:11.500 for it. 00:20:12.899 --> 00:20:13.259 But, 00:20:13.359 --> 00:20:13.539 you know, 00:20:13.699 --> 00:20:14.899 after a while, 00:20:14.960 --> 00:20:15.139 we, 00:20:15.240 --> 00:20:16.220 we saw this couple 00:20:16.220 --> 00:20:17.039 talking to the owner 00:20:17.039 --> 00:20:17.419 and, 00:20:17.539 --> 00:20:17.679 um, 00:20:18.339 --> 00:20:18.919 she mentioned, 00:20:19.539 --> 00:20:20.279 I heard them mention 00:20:20.279 --> 00:20:21.139 that we were on honeymoon. 00:20:21.319 --> 00:20:22.220 We mentioned to this couple 00:20:22.220 --> 00:20:22.819 that we're on honeymoon 00:20:22.819 --> 00:20:23.759 and, 00:20:23.859 --> 00:20:24.019 um, 00:20:24.019 --> 00:20:24.839 they spoke to the owner 00:20:24.839 --> 00:20:25.179 and said, 00:20:25.220 --> 00:20:25.339 oh, 00:20:25.339 --> 00:20:26.099 these guys are on honeymoon. 00:20:26.099 --> 00:20:27.399 One minute later, 00:20:27.719 --> 00:20:28.559 the owner comes out 00:20:28.559 --> 00:20:29.219 with a free bottle 00:20:29.219 --> 00:20:29.919 of champagne, 00:20:30.319 --> 00:20:31.199 pours out the champagne 00:20:31.199 --> 00:20:31.659 for us, 00:20:31.759 --> 00:20:32.699 and then starts taking 00:20:32.699 --> 00:20:33.379 a real interest 00:20:33.379 --> 00:20:34.279 in asking us questions 00:20:34.279 --> 00:20:34.619 about, 00:20:34.740 --> 00:20:35.839 about our lives. 00:20:37.359 --> 00:20:37.839 And, 00:20:37.959 --> 00:20:40.159 and then as I observed her, 00:20:40.699 --> 00:20:42.019 I saw the way 00:20:42.019 --> 00:20:42.839 that she was 00:20:42.839 --> 00:20:44.759 just really genuinely 00:20:44.759 --> 00:20:46.119 interested in people. 00:20:46.879 --> 00:20:47.219 She, 00:20:47.419 --> 00:20:48.519 she would take out 00:20:48.519 --> 00:20:49.480 candy and sweets 00:20:49.480 --> 00:20:49.919 for kids 00:20:49.919 --> 00:20:50.599 as they were leaving. 00:20:51.139 --> 00:20:51.779 She would really 00:20:51.779 --> 00:20:52.759 take an interest 00:20:52.759 --> 00:20:53.339 and a pride 00:20:53.339 --> 00:20:54.099 in what she was doing 00:20:54.099 --> 00:20:54.939 and wanted to know 00:20:54.939 --> 00:20:55.759 how people were. 00:20:56.099 --> 00:20:57.679 And I began to see 00:20:57.679 --> 00:20:58.399 why this couple 00:20:58.399 --> 00:20:59.339 had been coming back 00:20:59.339 --> 00:21:01.039 for 18 years. 00:21:01.699 --> 00:21:02.240 And so, 00:21:02.379 --> 00:21:03.199 from that moment on, 00:21:03.279 --> 00:21:04.119 we were converted. 00:21:04.799 --> 00:21:05.819 We became the greatest 00:21:05.819 --> 00:21:06.519 missionaries 00:21:06.519 --> 00:21:07.439 for that restaurant 00:21:07.439 --> 00:21:08.799 that you could imagine 00:21:08.799 --> 00:21:09.619 in the whole region. 00:21:10.759 --> 00:21:11.240 Because, 00:21:11.639 --> 00:21:13.039 we'd heard the message 00:21:13.039 --> 00:21:13.919 from this couple, 00:21:14.219 --> 00:21:15.819 but then we had seen it, 00:21:16.059 --> 00:21:17.159 we had tasted it, 00:21:17.359 --> 00:21:18.899 we had experienced it 00:21:18.899 --> 00:21:19.839 for ourselves, 00:21:20.299 --> 00:21:22.159 and we saw how it worked. 00:21:22.160 --> 00:21:25.300 And we were convinced. 00:21:26.800 --> 00:21:27.600 And it's the same 00:21:27.600 --> 00:21:28.860 with the gospel message, 00:21:29.440 --> 00:21:30.040 proclaiming God. 00:21:30.180 --> 00:21:31.600 Many people will hear you say, 00:21:31.740 --> 00:21:32.600 oh, God's amazing, 00:21:32.700 --> 00:21:32.920 and you say, 00:21:33.000 --> 00:21:33.620 yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, 00:21:33.620 --> 00:21:34.500 I've heard that one before. 00:21:35.600 --> 00:21:36.320 But actually, 00:21:36.460 --> 00:21:37.200 what is it 00:21:37.200 --> 00:21:38.560 that's going to attract people? 00:21:38.779 --> 00:21:39.779 It's going to be 00:21:39.779 --> 00:21:41.240 lives which are 00:21:41.240 --> 00:21:42.640 genuinely interested 00:21:42.640 --> 00:21:43.400 in people, 00:21:43.980 --> 00:21:45.160 genuinely loving people, 00:21:46.200 --> 00:21:47.279 genuinely taking 00:21:47.279 --> 00:21:48.580 concern and care 00:21:48.580 --> 00:21:49.100 for people. 00:21:49.099 --> 00:21:50.019 That's why, 00:21:50.559 --> 00:21:51.539 if you look in 00:21:51.539 --> 00:21:54.559 verse 11 and 12, 00:21:55.980 --> 00:21:56.980 Peter says, 00:21:57.240 --> 00:21:57.419 beloved, 00:21:57.579 --> 00:21:58.299 I urge you, 00:21:58.439 --> 00:21:59.740 as aliens and strangers, 00:21:59.879 --> 00:22:00.699 you don't belong, 00:22:00.759 --> 00:22:01.959 you're a different community, 00:22:02.659 --> 00:22:04.419 abstain from fleshly lusts 00:22:04.419 --> 00:22:05.759 or sinful desires, 00:22:06.319 --> 00:22:07.279 which wage war 00:22:07.279 --> 00:22:08.019 against the soul. 00:22:08.559 --> 00:22:09.639 Keep your behavior 00:22:09.639 --> 00:22:11.839 excellent among the Gentiles. 00:22:11.959 --> 00:22:12.740 Another translation, 00:22:12.899 --> 00:22:13.240 it says, 00:22:13.980 --> 00:22:16.099 live such good lives 00:22:16.099 --> 00:22:18.119 among the people 00:22:18.119 --> 00:22:18.839 around you. 00:22:19.659 --> 00:22:20.419 so that in the thing 00:22:20.419 --> 00:22:21.659 in which they slander you 00:22:21.659 --> 00:22:22.879 as evildoers, 00:22:23.419 --> 00:22:23.759 they may, 00:22:23.939 --> 00:22:25.459 because of your good deeds, 00:22:26.019 --> 00:22:27.539 and they observe them, 00:22:27.819 --> 00:22:28.679 they see them, 00:22:29.500 --> 00:22:30.579 they will glorify God 00:22:30.579 --> 00:22:32.519 in the day of visitation. 00:22:33.119 --> 00:22:34.359 There are two things here. 00:22:35.000 --> 00:22:35.740 How do we live 00:22:35.740 --> 00:22:36.639 attractive lives? 00:22:36.740 --> 00:22:37.439 One is something 00:22:37.439 --> 00:22:38.240 we don't do, 00:22:38.719 --> 00:22:40.779 which is we abstain 00:22:40.779 --> 00:22:42.339 from sinful desires. 00:22:42.659 --> 00:22:43.359 Tobin has talked 00:22:43.359 --> 00:22:44.279 in the last two weeks 00:22:44.279 --> 00:22:45.500 about coveting, 00:22:45.939 --> 00:22:46.359 worry, 00:22:46.639 --> 00:22:47.339 control. 00:22:47.339 --> 00:22:49.959 these things are not just 00:22:49.959 --> 00:22:51.119 to make us a bit better 00:22:51.119 --> 00:22:52.220 for ourselves. 00:22:52.459 --> 00:22:53.220 These things are meant 00:22:53.220 --> 00:22:54.799 to be a mission strategy, 00:22:54.919 --> 00:22:55.139 whoops, 00:22:56.359 --> 00:22:57.559 a mission strategy 00:22:57.559 --> 00:22:58.899 as we learn 00:22:58.899 --> 00:23:01.439 to really walk with God 00:23:01.439 --> 00:23:02.199 and reflect Him 00:23:02.199 --> 00:23:02.779 in our lives. 00:23:02.779 --> 00:23:05.559 the second thing is 00:23:05.559 --> 00:23:07.819 your good deeds, 00:23:07.920 --> 00:23:08.399 what you do, 00:23:08.440 --> 00:23:09.259 so there's a thing 00:23:09.259 --> 00:23:09.859 you don't do, 00:23:09.960 --> 00:23:10.319 there's something 00:23:10.319 --> 00:23:11.000 you do do, 00:23:11.059 --> 00:23:12.519 there's an active element. 00:23:12.519 --> 00:23:13.839 it's an active element 00:23:13.839 --> 00:23:15.220 that as a community 00:23:15.220 --> 00:23:15.980 we are doing 00:23:15.980 --> 00:23:17.139 and as individuals 00:23:17.139 --> 00:23:17.940 we are doing. 00:23:18.740 --> 00:23:19.940 So the question is, 00:23:20.700 --> 00:23:23.279 can people see that? 00:23:24.420 --> 00:23:25.839 Can people see that? 00:23:26.639 --> 00:23:27.680 Both in your life, 00:23:27.779 --> 00:23:28.259 but also, 00:23:29.200 --> 00:23:30.519 can they see 00:23:30.519 --> 00:23:32.240 the Christian community 00:23:32.240 --> 00:23:35.119 living out 00:23:35.119 --> 00:23:36.079 these lives together, 00:23:36.220 --> 00:23:37.039 loving one another, 00:23:37.359 --> 00:23:38.339 caring for one another 00:23:38.339 --> 00:23:38.839 in the world? 00:23:38.900 --> 00:23:39.619 Can they see that? 00:23:39.619 --> 00:23:40.479 Can they see 00:23:40.479 --> 00:23:42.000 how many non-Christians 00:23:42.000 --> 00:23:43.979 are connected in 00:23:43.979 --> 00:23:45.299 with your community groups? 00:23:45.859 --> 00:23:46.619 How many of them 00:23:46.619 --> 00:23:48.279 see your life together? 00:23:49.819 --> 00:23:50.859 We would be 00:23:50.859 --> 00:23:52.439 an advertisement for God. 00:23:53.779 --> 00:23:55.379 One implication of this 00:23:55.379 --> 00:23:57.539 is that mission, 00:23:58.659 --> 00:23:59.919 as we're talking about here, 00:23:59.979 --> 00:24:01.979 is not an add-on to life. 00:24:03.059 --> 00:24:03.579 Sometimes, 00:24:03.779 --> 00:24:05.159 and I'm guilty of this, 00:24:05.479 --> 00:24:06.259 we can think mission 00:24:06.259 --> 00:24:06.939 is some event 00:24:06.939 --> 00:24:07.799 that we just hold 00:24:07.799 --> 00:24:10.240 or we've just done 00:24:10.240 --> 00:24:11.399 an outreach. 00:24:11.740 --> 00:24:12.259 But actually, 00:24:12.440 --> 00:24:13.279 what he's saying is, 00:24:13.480 --> 00:24:14.980 we are all missionaries 00:24:14.980 --> 00:24:16.220 in whatever context, 00:24:16.419 --> 00:24:17.460 in whatever relationships 00:24:17.460 --> 00:24:18.319 you're part of. 00:24:18.359 --> 00:24:19.440 We're all missionaries. 00:24:20.599 --> 00:24:22.119 So we can't just separate 00:24:22.119 --> 00:24:22.419 and say, 00:24:22.519 --> 00:24:22.720 okay, 00:24:22.839 --> 00:24:24.759 I did my community service 00:24:24.759 --> 00:24:25.279 last week. 00:24:25.339 --> 00:24:25.980 Some of us went down 00:24:25.980 --> 00:24:26.899 to St. Barnabas 00:24:26.899 --> 00:24:27.680 on Saturday. 00:24:27.839 --> 00:24:28.619 We had a great time. 00:24:28.680 --> 00:24:29.759 That's a homeless 00:24:29.759 --> 00:24:30.799 and elderly outreach. 00:24:31.079 --> 00:24:32.319 Had a fantastic time. 00:24:33.279 --> 00:24:35.559 And it's great 00:24:35.559 --> 00:24:36.139 just to see 00:24:36.139 --> 00:24:37.700 how people 00:24:37.700 --> 00:24:38.659 were inviting 00:24:38.659 --> 00:24:39.399 even their 00:24:39.399 --> 00:24:41.720 non-church colleagues 00:24:41.720 --> 00:24:42.519 to come in 00:24:42.519 --> 00:24:43.839 and just serve together 00:24:43.839 --> 00:24:44.619 so they could see 00:24:44.619 --> 00:24:45.759 our relationships together. 00:24:45.839 --> 00:24:46.480 It's fantastic. 00:24:47.339 --> 00:24:48.419 And I come away 00:24:48.419 --> 00:24:48.960 and sometimes 00:24:48.960 --> 00:24:50.059 I think, 00:24:50.220 --> 00:24:50.700 okay, great, 00:24:50.799 --> 00:24:51.659 I've done mission now. 00:24:51.720 --> 00:24:52.240 Now I can live 00:24:52.240 --> 00:24:53.139 the rest of my life. 00:24:54.519 --> 00:24:55.039 But I just say, 00:24:55.099 --> 00:24:55.299 no. 00:24:56.000 --> 00:24:57.619 Mission is all of your life, 00:24:58.000 --> 00:24:58.799 your lifestyle, 00:24:59.159 --> 00:24:59.819 lived out 00:24:59.819 --> 00:25:00.720 wherever you are 00:25:00.720 --> 00:25:01.819 in whatever context. 00:25:02.200 --> 00:25:02.680 And that's why 00:25:02.680 --> 00:25:04.120 we want to be about 00:25:04.120 --> 00:25:04.759 church planting, 00:25:04.960 --> 00:25:06.519 multiplying community groups 00:25:06.519 --> 00:25:07.920 because in our 00:25:07.920 --> 00:25:09.100 relational networks 00:25:09.100 --> 00:25:10.579 we want to spread 00:25:10.579 --> 00:25:11.980 this attractive 00:25:11.980 --> 00:25:12.740 advertisement 00:25:12.740 --> 00:25:14.360 of our lives 00:25:14.360 --> 00:25:15.559 into every 00:25:15.559 --> 00:25:16.259 nook and cranny 00:25:16.259 --> 00:25:17.100 of Hong Kong. 00:25:19.120 --> 00:25:19.460 Now, 00:25:20.460 --> 00:25:22.880 you may be thinking 00:25:22.880 --> 00:25:24.660 that sounds great. 00:25:25.740 --> 00:25:26.039 But 00:25:26.039 --> 00:25:28.120 in my life 00:25:28.120 --> 00:25:28.980 I know 00:25:28.980 --> 00:25:30.299 that I've tried 00:25:30.299 --> 00:25:31.019 to live an attractive 00:25:31.019 --> 00:25:31.680 life to people 00:25:31.680 --> 00:25:32.279 but people are not 00:25:32.279 --> 00:25:32.680 interested. 00:25:34.460 --> 00:25:35.519 People just say 00:25:35.519 --> 00:25:35.740 no. 00:25:37.220 --> 00:25:38.299 And Peter here 00:25:38.299 --> 00:25:39.319 is actually not naive. 00:25:40.599 --> 00:25:41.640 What he says is 00:25:41.640 --> 00:25:44.779 live such good lives, 00:25:44.860 --> 00:25:45.380 keep your behavior 00:25:45.380 --> 00:25:46.079 excellent 00:25:46.079 --> 00:25:48.079 so that in the thing 00:25:48.079 --> 00:25:48.940 in which they slander 00:25:48.940 --> 00:25:49.920 you as evildoers, 00:25:50.299 --> 00:25:51.579 what does that mean? 00:25:52.099 --> 00:25:52.839 That means 00:25:52.839 --> 00:25:54.920 there will be 00:25:54.920 --> 00:25:55.480 people 00:25:55.480 --> 00:25:57.900 who do not 00:25:57.900 --> 00:26:00.720 see the attractiveness 00:26:00.720 --> 00:26:02.180 of your life. 00:26:03.440 --> 00:26:04.640 There will be people 00:26:04.640 --> 00:26:06.039 who might say 00:26:06.039 --> 00:26:06.740 you're stupid. 00:26:07.440 --> 00:26:08.259 And I find this, 00:26:08.519 --> 00:26:08.880 for me, 00:26:08.960 --> 00:26:09.980 it's easy to talk 00:26:09.980 --> 00:26:10.660 about God 00:26:10.660 --> 00:26:11.400 to people. 00:26:12.080 --> 00:26:12.880 It's very difficult 00:26:12.880 --> 00:26:13.660 because people say, 00:26:13.779 --> 00:26:14.019 okay, 00:26:14.160 --> 00:26:14.980 you've got God, 00:26:15.120 --> 00:26:16.019 I've got my iPad, 00:26:16.200 --> 00:26:16.779 that's cool, 00:26:17.100 --> 00:26:17.480 great. 00:26:17.900 --> 00:26:18.259 You know, 00:26:18.400 --> 00:26:19.180 each to their own. 00:26:19.320 --> 00:26:19.980 But when we talk 00:26:19.980 --> 00:26:20.940 about Jesus, 00:26:22.400 --> 00:26:22.960 sometimes it just 00:26:22.960 --> 00:26:24.039 get a little bit weirder. 00:26:24.740 --> 00:26:25.380 It feels a little bit 00:26:25.380 --> 00:26:26.079 more personal. 00:26:26.799 --> 00:26:27.220 It's suddenly 00:26:27.220 --> 00:26:28.000 you're a little bit 00:26:28.000 --> 00:26:28.400 different. 00:26:30.160 --> 00:26:30.980 And Peter says, 00:26:31.220 --> 00:26:32.460 that's okay. 00:26:32.960 --> 00:26:33.740 You're an alien 00:26:33.740 --> 00:26:34.840 and you're a stranger 00:26:34.840 --> 00:26:36.340 in this world. 00:26:36.519 --> 00:26:37.460 But he says, 00:26:38.079 --> 00:26:39.259 don't give up. 00:26:39.900 --> 00:26:41.779 Keep persevering 00:26:41.779 --> 00:26:43.079 in doing good, 00:26:43.600 --> 00:26:44.740 in loving people, 00:26:45.019 --> 00:26:46.400 in praying for people. 00:26:46.700 --> 00:26:47.559 There are people here, 00:26:47.600 --> 00:26:48.600 I know you've been praying 00:26:48.600 --> 00:26:50.600 for your family members, 00:26:50.720 --> 00:26:51.279 for your colleagues 00:26:51.279 --> 00:26:52.380 for a long time. 00:26:52.380 --> 00:26:53.380 And he says, 00:26:53.880 --> 00:26:54.380 persevere. 00:26:55.420 --> 00:26:56.140 Don't give up 00:26:56.140 --> 00:26:57.360 doing good deeds 00:26:57.360 --> 00:26:59.640 because one day 00:26:59.640 --> 00:27:01.320 people will see 00:27:01.320 --> 00:27:02.520 what you've been 00:27:02.520 --> 00:27:03.220 trying to tell them 00:27:03.220 --> 00:27:03.700 all along 00:27:03.700 --> 00:27:05.340 and they will glorify God 00:27:05.340 --> 00:27:06.780 in the day that he comes. 00:27:07.140 --> 00:27:08.660 One day people will see 00:27:08.660 --> 00:27:10.700 that he is worth it. 00:27:12.440 --> 00:27:13.440 So we've looked at 00:27:13.440 --> 00:27:15.160 our identity, 00:27:15.360 --> 00:27:15.980 knowing our identity. 00:27:16.060 --> 00:27:16.560 Who are we? 00:27:16.620 --> 00:27:17.380 We're a people, 00:27:17.460 --> 00:27:18.220 not just individuals, 00:27:18.400 --> 00:27:19.120 we're a people 00:27:19.120 --> 00:27:20.580 on a mission together 00:27:20.579 --> 00:27:21.859 who live out 00:27:21.859 --> 00:27:22.460 this identity 00:27:22.460 --> 00:27:23.419 as advertisements 00:27:23.419 --> 00:27:25.019 to show how good God is. 00:27:25.539 --> 00:27:26.419 The final thing 00:27:26.419 --> 00:27:28.519 I want to say is, 00:27:29.019 --> 00:27:30.139 how do we live out 00:27:30.139 --> 00:27:30.980 our mission 00:27:30.980 --> 00:27:32.559 in the day-to-day? 00:27:33.399 --> 00:27:35.019 Because when you come down 00:27:35.019 --> 00:27:36.460 to the practicalities 00:27:36.460 --> 00:27:37.519 of it in the day-to-day, 00:27:37.599 --> 00:27:38.299 for everybody, 00:27:38.740 --> 00:27:39.699 it's going to look different. 00:27:40.359 --> 00:27:41.059 How do we live 00:27:41.059 --> 00:27:42.519 these attractive lives 00:27:42.519 --> 00:27:44.500 in front of people? 00:27:44.639 --> 00:27:45.159 For everybody, 00:27:45.220 --> 00:27:45.980 it's going to look different 00:27:45.980 --> 00:27:46.599 because you're 00:27:46.599 --> 00:27:47.519 in different contexts, 00:27:48.019 --> 00:27:49.620 you have different relationships, 00:27:49.799 --> 00:27:50.319 you're involved with 00:27:50.319 --> 00:27:50.980 different gifts, 00:27:51.480 --> 00:27:52.180 different passions. 00:27:53.160 --> 00:27:54.160 So here's just a few things. 00:27:54.400 --> 00:27:55.140 If you could put 00:27:55.140 --> 00:27:56.799 the slide up for me. 00:27:57.620 --> 00:28:00.099 I find this slide helpful. 00:28:00.460 --> 00:28:02.279 Sometimes I get into 00:28:02.279 --> 00:28:03.519 a mentality of thinking, 00:28:03.740 --> 00:28:05.940 I've got to tell everybody 00:28:05.940 --> 00:28:07.019 everything all at once. 00:28:08.220 --> 00:28:09.360 And then it all becomes 00:28:09.360 --> 00:28:10.279 a project. 00:28:10.440 --> 00:28:11.259 It's all about getting 00:28:11.259 --> 00:28:13.380 a message across to people, 00:28:13.480 --> 00:28:14.120 rather than about 00:28:14.119 --> 00:28:15.539 really loving people. 00:28:16.439 --> 00:28:17.439 So here is a helpful, 00:28:17.799 --> 00:28:18.259 I think, 00:28:18.439 --> 00:28:19.500 way of approaching 00:28:19.500 --> 00:28:20.299 and seeing, 00:28:20.500 --> 00:28:22.219 how do we live lives 00:28:22.219 --> 00:28:23.239 which attract people 00:28:23.239 --> 00:28:23.959 and call people 00:28:23.959 --> 00:28:24.619 into a relationship 00:28:24.619 --> 00:28:25.079 with God? 00:28:26.679 --> 00:28:27.679 And here's a picture 00:28:27.679 --> 00:28:29.539 of a baseball field. 00:28:31.439 --> 00:28:32.959 Start off in the places 00:28:32.959 --> 00:28:33.459 where you are. 00:28:33.559 --> 00:28:34.779 Meet people in the everyday 00:28:34.779 --> 00:28:36.000 places you do life, 00:28:36.059 --> 00:28:36.899 whether that's at your work, 00:28:37.599 --> 00:28:39.759 whether that's in your family, 00:28:40.179 --> 00:28:41.419 whether that's at your club, 00:28:41.819 --> 00:28:43.719 and show hospitality to them. 00:28:44.119 --> 00:28:45.739 Show hospitality to them. 00:28:46.879 --> 00:28:47.899 Have a coffee. 00:28:48.299 --> 00:28:49.139 Go for lunch. 00:28:49.459 --> 00:28:50.159 Whatever it is, 00:28:50.579 --> 00:28:51.519 show them kindness. 00:28:52.619 --> 00:28:53.539 It's not a tactic 00:28:53.539 --> 00:28:54.419 to get them in. 00:28:54.799 --> 00:28:56.539 Genuinely show them hospitality. 00:28:57.439 --> 00:28:58.039 Second thing, 00:28:58.579 --> 00:29:00.179 invest in the relationship. 00:29:00.579 --> 00:29:01.500 Ask questions 00:29:01.500 --> 00:29:02.799 to get to know their story. 00:29:03.299 --> 00:29:04.199 Begin opening up 00:29:04.199 --> 00:29:05.259 your life to them 00:29:05.259 --> 00:29:06.459 and look for avenues 00:29:06.459 --> 00:29:07.239 just to love them 00:29:07.239 --> 00:29:07.879 and serve them. 00:29:09.179 --> 00:29:10.199 Ask questions 00:29:10.199 --> 00:29:11.639 about their kids. 00:29:11.640 --> 00:29:12.420 What are their hopes 00:29:12.420 --> 00:29:13.140 for their kids? 00:29:13.860 --> 00:29:14.860 What are their dreams 00:29:14.860 --> 00:29:15.620 for their kids? 00:29:16.400 --> 00:29:19.060 What are they aiming for in life? 00:29:20.100 --> 00:29:20.940 Enjoy the friendship. 00:29:21.960 --> 00:29:23.220 Seek extended time 00:29:23.220 --> 00:29:25.640 through similar interests 00:29:25.640 --> 00:29:26.580 if you've got a hobby. 00:29:27.400 --> 00:29:28.120 Enjoy it together. 00:29:28.940 --> 00:29:30.020 Keep asking questions. 00:29:30.160 --> 00:29:31.380 Continue to love and serve. 00:29:32.259 --> 00:29:32.880 And the final one, 00:29:33.259 --> 00:29:33.840 get them around 00:29:33.840 --> 00:29:34.640 your gospel community, 00:29:35.880 --> 00:29:36.980 your community groups. 00:29:37.440 --> 00:29:38.520 Begin exposing them 00:29:38.519 --> 00:29:39.460 to the word of God. 00:29:42.019 --> 00:29:43.279 In all of those things, 00:29:43.359 --> 00:29:43.940 I think there's 00:29:43.940 --> 00:29:45.379 three things 00:29:45.379 --> 00:29:47.039 which can be helpful. 00:29:47.460 --> 00:29:48.039 One is, 00:29:49.180 --> 00:29:50.740 we need to be intentional. 00:29:51.400 --> 00:29:52.839 In the busyness of life, 00:29:53.359 --> 00:29:54.559 you need to be intentional 00:29:54.559 --> 00:29:56.839 about how you live your life. 00:29:56.900 --> 00:29:57.779 What I mean by that is, 00:29:58.859 --> 00:30:01.180 do you have two or three people, 00:30:02.000 --> 00:30:02.819 if you're a believer, 00:30:03.259 --> 00:30:05.019 who you are trying 00:30:05.019 --> 00:30:06.619 to actively be 00:30:06.619 --> 00:30:08.119 a living advertisement to, 00:30:08.679 --> 00:30:09.579 who you can really 00:30:09.579 --> 00:30:10.539 show an interest in 00:30:10.539 --> 00:30:11.219 and love? 00:30:12.199 --> 00:30:13.179 Two or three people 00:30:13.179 --> 00:30:14.359 that you know their names, 00:30:14.659 --> 00:30:15.579 you've written them down, 00:30:15.939 --> 00:30:16.659 you are praying 00:30:16.659 --> 00:30:17.519 for them regularly. 00:30:19.319 --> 00:30:20.699 With those two or three people, 00:30:21.079 --> 00:30:22.439 does your community group 00:30:22.439 --> 00:30:23.819 know who those two or three, 00:30:23.879 --> 00:30:24.919 know them by name, 00:30:25.259 --> 00:30:26.719 who those two or three people are? 00:30:28.159 --> 00:30:29.399 That's a great thing to do. 00:30:29.479 --> 00:30:30.439 Your community group 00:30:30.439 --> 00:30:31.939 is not just a place 00:30:31.939 --> 00:30:34.019 to have nice time together. 00:30:34.319 --> 00:30:35.279 It's actually a place 00:30:35.279 --> 00:30:35.879 where together, 00:30:36.440 --> 00:30:39.440 you can encourage one another, 00:30:39.720 --> 00:30:40.579 pray for one another, 00:30:41.339 --> 00:30:42.160 help each other walk on. 00:30:42.240 --> 00:30:42.859 So be intentional. 00:30:42.920 --> 00:30:43.519 Be intentional about 00:30:43.519 --> 00:30:44.299 starting conversations 00:30:44.299 --> 00:30:44.859 with people. 00:30:45.039 --> 00:30:45.940 Be intentional about 00:30:45.940 --> 00:30:47.139 inviting people around 00:30:47.139 --> 00:30:47.619 for a meal. 00:30:48.339 --> 00:30:50.720 Be intentional in your life. 00:30:51.480 --> 00:30:52.119 Second thing, 00:30:52.539 --> 00:30:52.899 plan. 00:30:54.039 --> 00:30:54.519 Plan, 00:30:55.200 --> 00:30:56.339 put things in your diary. 00:30:56.799 --> 00:30:58.399 If mission shapes your life, 00:30:58.799 --> 00:30:59.579 it will be evident 00:30:59.579 --> 00:31:00.660 in your diary. 00:31:02.019 --> 00:31:03.399 If mission shapes your life, 00:31:03.460 --> 00:31:04.000 it will be evident 00:31:04.000 --> 00:31:04.759 in your diary. 00:31:05.720 --> 00:31:06.039 Plan. 00:31:07.319 --> 00:31:07.759 Plan. 00:31:08.119 --> 00:31:08.759 For me and Fiona, 00:31:08.859 --> 00:31:10.039 we plan to have people around 00:31:10.039 --> 00:31:11.920 once every couple of weeks. 00:31:12.720 --> 00:31:14.099 You can plan this week. 00:31:14.480 --> 00:31:15.559 Who is it that I can really 00:31:15.559 --> 00:31:17.079 reach out to have coffee with? 00:31:17.420 --> 00:31:18.980 Have lunch with one of my colleagues? 00:31:20.119 --> 00:31:20.440 Plan. 00:31:20.440 --> 00:31:20.519 Plan. 00:31:21.799 --> 00:31:22.240 Bless. 00:31:22.599 --> 00:31:23.380 Third thing, bless. 00:31:23.380 --> 00:31:28.760 I find when I was in, 00:31:29.180 --> 00:31:30.200 working in an office, 00:31:31.000 --> 00:31:32.560 offices can be full of negativity 00:31:32.560 --> 00:31:34.240 and competitiveness. 00:31:35.820 --> 00:31:37.660 To be a light in an office, 00:31:39.040 --> 00:31:40.720 how are you actively going to say, 00:31:40.860 --> 00:31:42.080 try and bless people? 00:31:42.600 --> 00:31:43.700 It could be with words, 00:31:43.800 --> 00:31:44.840 just encouraging someone, 00:31:44.940 --> 00:31:45.120 saying, 00:31:45.220 --> 00:31:46.780 I appreciate what you've done this week. 00:31:47.200 --> 00:31:49.140 It could be by taking them out for a meal. 00:31:49.140 --> 00:31:50.740 There are tons of ways, 00:31:51.060 --> 00:31:51.820 but bless. 00:31:52.300 --> 00:31:53.120 Look to bless. 00:31:53.200 --> 00:31:53.320 Think, 00:31:53.380 --> 00:31:54.040 who this week 00:31:54.040 --> 00:31:55.940 could I actively go out and bless? 00:31:58.140 --> 00:31:58.900 And remember, 00:31:59.000 --> 00:32:00.340 this is a mission we're on together. 00:32:01.600 --> 00:32:03.060 It's a family on missions. 00:32:03.240 --> 00:32:04.400 So your community group, 00:32:04.860 --> 00:32:05.980 use your time 00:32:05.980 --> 00:32:08.200 to really encourage one another 00:32:08.200 --> 00:32:10.020 in the mission you're on. 00:32:10.860 --> 00:32:12.920 We will be setting up pod meetings. 00:32:13.220 --> 00:32:14.720 What I mean by pod meetings is, 00:32:14.720 --> 00:32:15.940 at the end of October, 00:32:16.579 --> 00:32:18.839 there will be a time 00:32:18.839 --> 00:32:20.180 where if you're in a community group, 00:32:20.500 --> 00:32:21.660 three or four community groups 00:32:21.660 --> 00:32:22.500 will come together, 00:32:23.160 --> 00:32:24.279 and that will be a time 00:32:24.279 --> 00:32:26.799 where we're going to share the stories 00:32:26.799 --> 00:32:27.620 about our mission, 00:32:27.819 --> 00:32:29.620 our life on mission together, 00:32:29.940 --> 00:32:31.400 where we can pray for each other, 00:32:31.700 --> 00:32:32.980 where we can encourage each other, 00:32:33.480 --> 00:32:34.500 where we can see 00:32:34.500 --> 00:32:35.839 how has God answered our prayers. 00:32:36.819 --> 00:32:39.240 And when we struggle with these things, 00:32:39.640 --> 00:32:41.059 we can just lift each other up. 00:32:41.059 --> 00:32:44.220 Each of you, 00:32:45.079 --> 00:32:45.919 each of us, 00:32:46.279 --> 00:32:47.480 are at a different stage, 00:32:47.740 --> 00:32:48.179 and I don't know 00:32:48.179 --> 00:32:49.240 what your next step is. 00:32:51.039 --> 00:32:52.399 But here's the final thing 00:32:52.399 --> 00:32:52.879 I want to say. 00:32:54.480 --> 00:32:56.159 If you're not yet a Christ follower, 00:32:57.019 --> 00:32:57.940 what I want you to do 00:32:57.940 --> 00:32:59.859 is I want you to observe 00:32:59.859 --> 00:33:01.960 the lives of the Christians around you. 00:33:03.039 --> 00:33:04.799 I want you to observe their lives, 00:33:05.119 --> 00:33:06.500 and I want you to ask 00:33:06.500 --> 00:33:08.480 some questions. 00:33:08.480 --> 00:33:11.519 Is their life matching 00:33:11.519 --> 00:33:13.960 what they say they believe? 00:33:15.500 --> 00:33:16.660 Is their life matching 00:33:16.660 --> 00:33:17.700 what they say they believe? 00:33:18.240 --> 00:33:20.000 If you're a Christian at this point, 00:33:20.120 --> 00:33:21.259 you are probably thinking, 00:33:21.420 --> 00:33:21.819 oh no. 00:33:25.240 --> 00:33:27.440 And I genuinely sometimes feel, 00:33:27.579 --> 00:33:28.000 oh no. 00:33:29.460 --> 00:33:30.980 And so what I tend to do is, 00:33:31.420 --> 00:33:35.259 I know that I've shouted this week 00:33:35.259 --> 00:33:36.019 at one of my colleagues. 00:33:36.019 --> 00:33:37.619 I know that I lied, 00:33:37.720 --> 00:33:38.980 and my friends know about it. 00:33:39.519 --> 00:33:42.160 I know that I've been stressed this week, 00:33:42.240 --> 00:33:43.220 and I haven't looked like 00:33:43.220 --> 00:33:44.759 I'm trusting God with my life. 00:33:46.420 --> 00:33:47.559 And that's often, 00:33:47.660 --> 00:33:48.680 we feel like a hypocrite, 00:33:48.759 --> 00:33:49.119 so we feel, 00:33:49.220 --> 00:33:50.339 I can't share my faith, 00:33:50.400 --> 00:33:51.279 I can't be open, 00:33:51.359 --> 00:33:52.660 I can't do these things. 00:33:54.740 --> 00:33:56.379 But we've forgotten who we are. 00:33:58.059 --> 00:33:58.819 Peter says, 00:33:58.819 --> 00:34:02.119 once you had not received mercy, 00:34:03.159 --> 00:34:05.519 but now you've received mercy. 00:34:06.139 --> 00:34:07.119 What he means is, 00:34:07.379 --> 00:34:09.000 God didn't choose a people 00:34:09.000 --> 00:34:10.500 who got it sorted. 00:34:11.000 --> 00:34:12.579 He chooses the people 00:34:12.579 --> 00:34:13.779 who are messed up and broken. 00:34:14.519 --> 00:34:16.559 He chooses the people who fail. 00:34:17.719 --> 00:34:18.940 But the thing is, 00:34:19.519 --> 00:34:20.519 when we fail, 00:34:20.779 --> 00:34:22.679 we come back to his mercy, 00:34:23.119 --> 00:34:24.900 and realize that it's only because 00:34:24.900 --> 00:34:27.119 God is so amazingly merciful, 00:34:28.019 --> 00:34:28.599 that I can go, 00:34:28.800 --> 00:34:30.420 and that his mercy is changing me. 00:34:31.000 --> 00:34:32.180 His mercy transformed me, 00:34:32.200 --> 00:34:33.599 and it pushes me out now 00:34:33.599 --> 00:34:34.800 into the world 00:34:34.800 --> 00:34:35.700 to say, 00:34:36.019 --> 00:34:36.220 listen, 00:34:36.340 --> 00:34:37.200 I messed up. 00:34:38.119 --> 00:34:38.980 But do you know what? 00:34:39.099 --> 00:34:39.880 I have a God 00:34:39.880 --> 00:34:41.420 who is so amazingly merciful, 00:34:42.420 --> 00:34:43.680 that I don't have to hide. 00:34:43.820 --> 00:34:44.380 When I mess up, 00:34:44.420 --> 00:34:45.059 I can apologize. 00:34:45.059 --> 00:34:48.699 And I can be honest with people. 00:34:51.259 --> 00:34:52.699 It gives you great humility 00:34:52.699 --> 00:34:53.960 to go out and say, 00:34:54.099 --> 00:34:55.539 God is amazing. 00:34:55.960 --> 00:34:56.559 I'm not. 00:34:57.380 --> 00:34:58.159 He is good. 00:34:59.000 --> 00:35:00.559 And we walk on this journey together. 00:35:02.980 --> 00:35:04.420 In a world where everyone else 00:35:04.420 --> 00:35:05.779 is living for the mission 00:35:05.779 --> 00:35:06.880 of making more money, 00:35:07.519 --> 00:35:08.759 having a comfortable life, 00:35:09.360 --> 00:35:11.279 God's call for us as his people 00:35:11.279 --> 00:35:12.519 is, 00:35:13.179 --> 00:35:14.000 will you make me known? 00:35:14.000 --> 00:35:16.519 Will you keep running back to me, 00:35:17.059 --> 00:35:18.260 relying on my mercy, 00:35:19.059 --> 00:35:19.920 walking together, 00:35:20.239 --> 00:35:21.780 and you will know 00:35:21.780 --> 00:35:24.420 how I change people's lives through it. 00:35:24.900 --> 00:35:25.559 Let's pray. 00:35:35.559 --> 00:35:36.739 Father, when we see 00:35:36.739 --> 00:35:38.719 the really high standard 00:35:38.719 --> 00:35:39.880 that you've called us to, 00:35:39.960 --> 00:35:41.139 it can make us feel 00:35:41.139 --> 00:35:43.239 crushed sometimes. 00:35:44.480 --> 00:35:45.860 It can make us feel like, 00:35:45.980 --> 00:35:46.219 well, 00:35:46.380 --> 00:35:47.800 I'm just 00:35:47.800 --> 00:35:49.000 not good enough. 00:35:51.059 --> 00:35:51.579 And Lord, 00:35:51.619 --> 00:35:52.760 I pray for each one of us 00:35:52.760 --> 00:35:53.159 who 00:35:53.159 --> 00:35:55.239 feel like that 00:35:55.239 --> 00:35:55.880 because actually 00:35:55.880 --> 00:35:57.719 that is the reality. 00:35:57.880 --> 00:35:58.699 We're not good enough. 00:36:00.179 --> 00:36:01.480 But the amazing thing is 00:36:01.480 --> 00:36:02.320 it's your grace 00:36:02.320 --> 00:36:03.340 and your mercy 00:36:03.340 --> 00:36:06.199 which chooses us. 00:36:06.239 --> 00:36:07.579 It's nothing because of ourselves. 00:36:07.579 --> 00:36:08.900 I pray, Lord, 00:36:08.940 --> 00:36:09.679 that you'd help us 00:36:09.679 --> 00:36:10.599 to shape our lives 00:36:10.599 --> 00:36:11.219 around the mission 00:36:11.219 --> 00:36:12.059 you've called us on. 00:36:12.860 --> 00:36:14.059 That we'd really show 00:36:14.059 --> 00:36:15.199 a genuine concern 00:36:15.199 --> 00:36:16.179 and care for the people 00:36:16.179 --> 00:36:16.920 around us. 00:36:17.539 --> 00:36:18.519 That we would want 00:36:18.519 --> 00:36:19.819 to proclaim a God 00:36:19.819 --> 00:36:20.840 who is so gracious, 00:36:21.539 --> 00:36:22.559 who is so loving, 00:36:23.380 --> 00:36:24.500 who calls people 00:36:24.500 --> 00:36:25.279 to come back 00:36:25.279 --> 00:36:26.519 to relationship with him. 00:36:27.519 --> 00:36:28.480 And that that would be 00:36:28.480 --> 00:36:29.000 what shapes 00:36:29.000 --> 00:36:30.139 all of our lives together. 00:36:30.960 --> 00:36:31.739 In your name. 00:36:32.139 --> 00:36:32.319 Amen. 00:36:32.319 --> 00:36:32.460 Amen.