WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:08.000 Okay, good morning everyone. We good? Yeah, okay, one person is enthusiastic. Love it. Don't know who that was, but I'm glad you are here. 00:00:08.439 --> 00:00:17.120 If you have a Bible, please come to Ephesians chapter 4. If you don't own a Bible, then there's ones at the back that you can just take this morning for yourself. 00:00:17.240 --> 00:00:26.179 You can grab one on the pew. You can look on your phone. Ephesians chapter 4, 1 to 16 is where we're going to end up this morning as we think about this whole area of preaching. 00:00:26.179 --> 00:00:40.399 Now, if you're not in the habit of taking notes, whether that's the old-fashioned way with a jotter, I don't know if they call them jotters these days, or on your phone, this would be a really good one to take notes in just so you can track where we're going. 00:00:41.600 --> 00:00:49.620 So if you have Ephesians 4 open in front of you, here's what I'd love you to do, and this will connect with everything that's going to happen over the next half an hour. 00:00:49.619 --> 00:00:58.219 I'd love you just to stand. Is that okay? Just as we read this together. Why don't you stand and we're going to read God's word together. 00:00:58.339 --> 00:01:06.759 This is something that Christians down in generations across the globe do when they read God's word because we recognize what this is. 00:01:07.379 --> 00:01:12.959 And so this is a way of showing our reverence and dependence on God's words as we come to it together. 00:01:12.959 --> 00:01:42.939 So Paul writes this, 00:01:42.959 --> 00:02:12.939 This is why it says, 00:02:12.939 --> 00:02:42.939 00:02:42.939 --> 00:03:12.939 00:03:12.939 --> 00:03:15.780 Each part does its work. 00:03:15.939 --> 00:03:20.479 And so, Father, we thank you for what we read today is no ordinary book. 00:03:21.280 --> 00:03:23.620 Thank you that this is your inspired words. 00:03:24.000 --> 00:03:27.740 And when your word goes forth, it accomplishes the purpose for which you sent it. 00:03:27.780 --> 00:03:33.060 And so, Lord, we pray for our minds today that you would help capture our minds' attention. 00:03:33.360 --> 00:03:39.120 Father, we pray for our hearts today that you would capture our hearts' affection as we fix our eyes on Jesus. 00:03:39.120 --> 00:03:42.900 And it's in his wonderful name that we pray. Amen. 00:03:42.900 --> 00:03:44.560 Amen. Amen, folks. 00:03:44.640 --> 00:03:46.500 We'll have a seat. I'm not going to make you stand for the whole thing. 00:03:47.219 --> 00:03:47.840 Don't worry. 00:03:48.400 --> 00:03:50.960 Here's what we're going to be doing over the next 30 minutes or so. 00:03:51.879 --> 00:03:58.120 We've been thinking, as Jonathan said at the start, about the things that we do as a church when we gather on a Sunday morning. 00:03:58.120 --> 00:04:01.520 We're going to be thinking this morning about this whole idea of why preach. 00:04:02.180 --> 00:04:05.400 And maybe related to it, why the Bible? 00:04:06.140 --> 00:04:12.740 And so before we zoom in on the details, I want to try and get us to think about the bird's eye view of this topic. 00:04:12.740 --> 00:04:20.379 And I want to let you in on one of the best images that somebody gave me about preaching when I was starting out. 00:04:20.439 --> 00:04:21.180 You ready for it? 00:04:22.000 --> 00:04:26.900 It's the scene from, on the screen actually, from The Lion King. 00:04:27.079 --> 00:04:28.280 One of you remember this one? 00:04:29.740 --> 00:04:33.040 Simba and Nala have got lost in the elephant graveyard. 00:04:33.519 --> 00:04:36.720 Not only have they got lost, but they've been cornered by the hyenas. 00:04:36.720 --> 00:04:43.780 And cub Simba, defending Nala, tries, roaring, to frighten them off. 00:04:45.300 --> 00:04:48.760 And his first attempt, you can only describe it, is utterly pitiful. 00:04:48.880 --> 00:04:50.700 The hyenas are in fits of laughter. 00:04:51.520 --> 00:04:53.820 And Simba goes for it a second time. 00:04:53.960 --> 00:04:57.620 But no surprises, the exact same thing happens. 00:04:58.400 --> 00:05:03.920 And winning full marks for perseverance, Simba tries a third time. 00:05:03.920 --> 00:05:05.660 And here's the genius of the scene. 00:05:06.720 --> 00:05:12.320 The viewer is led to believe that the exact same thing is going to happen the third time. 00:05:12.640 --> 00:05:18.120 But the third time he goes for it, this mighty roar comes through him. 00:05:19.080 --> 00:05:22.080 But the thing is, it's not from Simba. 00:05:22.860 --> 00:05:29.900 What's happened is that at the exactly the same moment that Simba opened his mouth, 00:05:31.660 --> 00:05:35.500 Mephasa is behind him, roaring through him. 00:05:36.720 --> 00:05:40.460 Now friends, if you take one thing from this, and I hope you take a lot from this, 00:05:40.520 --> 00:05:42.720 but if you take one thing from this, let it be this. 00:05:42.880 --> 00:05:46.400 Preaching is hearing the lion roar. 00:05:46.399 --> 00:05:54.199 This is not a TED Talk presentation full of hot takes. 00:05:54.199 --> 00:05:57.459 This is not a TikTok video full of life hacks. 00:05:57.939 --> 00:06:03.139 This is about you and I, as the Bible is faithfully taught, 00:06:03.859 --> 00:06:08.120 encountering and hearing the voice of the triune God of the cosmos. 00:06:08.120 --> 00:06:16.019 And can I suggest that there is no greater thing in life than to hear his voice? 00:06:16.280 --> 00:06:17.959 Do you know I feel the pressure off every week? 00:06:18.220 --> 00:06:18.939 Here's why. 00:06:19.100 --> 00:06:21.319 I do not need to make this relevant. 00:06:21.319 --> 00:06:26.779 Because we will ever be the creature and he is the creator, 00:06:27.000 --> 00:06:31.399 it is the most relevant thing we could ever hear in our lives. 00:06:31.399 --> 00:06:37.819 If you want to think about like this, those kind of old American films where the town crier goes in 00:06:37.819 --> 00:06:40.839 and says, hear ye, hear ye, there's a message from the king. 00:06:41.879 --> 00:06:43.279 Friends, that's what preaching is. 00:06:43.279 --> 00:06:48.599 And just like in Genesis 1 at the beginning of the Bible story, 00:06:48.679 --> 00:06:54.979 when God speaks into the darkness and the chaos and creation comes forth, 00:06:56.359 --> 00:06:59.179 friends, when God speaks through his word, 00:06:59.299 --> 00:07:03.539 he speaks every single time to bring forth life. 00:07:05.619 --> 00:07:12.139 And don't miss how enormous that fact alone is, 00:07:12.139 --> 00:07:18.740 that God would speak not just to make himself known, 00:07:19.039 --> 00:07:23.779 but to make himself known for the purpose of relationship with his creatures. 00:07:24.120 --> 00:07:26.899 That is the mind-blowing emoji moment of the Bible. 00:07:28.879 --> 00:07:33.560 Because by nature we assume that if faith were a game of cosmic hide and seek, 00:07:33.959 --> 00:07:38.120 that surely it has to be the case that God is the hider and we're the seeker. 00:07:38.120 --> 00:07:45.079 But the gospel tells us that it's always been and always will be the other way around. 00:07:45.519 --> 00:07:51.860 That God is the great seeker who loves to make himself known to running rebels like us. 00:07:52.060 --> 00:07:55.439 And here's the humbling truth that we meet in the pages of the Bible. 00:07:55.439 --> 00:08:01.300 The truth is that we would be completely in the dark 00:08:01.300 --> 00:08:07.160 about who he is and flowing from that who we are 00:08:07.160 --> 00:08:13.860 and what life is all about if God hadn't taken the initiative in revealing himself. 00:08:13.860 --> 00:08:18.180 In the words of Francis Schaeffer, friends, 00:08:18.300 --> 00:08:20.300 he is the God who is there. 00:08:22.780 --> 00:08:25.400 Now we can't know God fully. 00:08:27.060 --> 00:08:27.240 Okay? 00:08:27.460 --> 00:08:28.939 God is holy. 00:08:29.139 --> 00:08:29.860 God is transcendent. 00:08:30.660 --> 00:08:31.400 God is eternal. 00:08:31.600 --> 00:08:33.120 God is outside of time. 00:08:33.539 --> 00:08:37.639 And yet, but make no mistake that we can know God truly. 00:08:37.639 --> 00:08:42.179 Now the question becomes, how has God made himself known? 00:08:42.879 --> 00:08:47.179 If you're note taking, here's the two ways that the Bible talks about that he's made himself known. 00:08:47.600 --> 00:08:50.120 Theologians talk about general revelation. 00:08:51.919 --> 00:08:55.500 That God has made himself known in all of creation. 00:08:56.059 --> 00:08:59.179 You get Psalms, like Psalm 19, that start with, 00:08:59.279 --> 00:09:02.379 The heavens declare the glory of God. 00:09:02.840 --> 00:09:07.019 Creation is telling us something about the one who made it. 00:09:07.019 --> 00:09:10.960 Creation is wearing, if you want to think about it last night, this was my Saturday night. 00:09:11.740 --> 00:09:18.960 Creation is wearing like the opposite of the invisibility cloak that Harry Potter wears when he wants to go unnoticed. 00:09:21.399 --> 00:09:31.059 A stunning sunset, mountain grandeurs, when the night sky sparkles with the light of the stars. 00:09:31.220 --> 00:09:32.319 Friends, if I could put it like this, 00:09:32.320 --> 00:09:37.379 No one goes to the Grand Canyon, looks out on it, soaks it in and thinks to themselves, 00:09:37.620 --> 00:09:38.740 Wow, I'm awesome. 00:09:42.820 --> 00:09:44.320 We can't help. 00:09:44.580 --> 00:09:46.300 We can't help ourselves, can we? 00:09:46.379 --> 00:09:47.500 But be moved. 00:09:48.060 --> 00:09:51.580 When we see creation doing its thing. 00:09:52.580 --> 00:09:53.680 And you've got to ask yourself, 00:09:53.820 --> 00:09:56.340 Why can't we help but be moved? 00:09:56.340 --> 00:10:00.240 And the answer is that it's woven into us to worship. 00:10:01.200 --> 00:10:06.680 God has woven clues about his majesty and his character all over the place. 00:10:06.820 --> 00:10:09.040 Friends, have you ever wondered why God made the sun? 00:10:10.280 --> 00:10:16.720 This ball of light and life that is just always existing by itself. 00:10:16.860 --> 00:10:21.019 Could it be that he's made the sun to give us a clue as to who he is and what he is like? 00:10:21.080 --> 00:10:23.220 He is the source of all life. 00:10:23.280 --> 00:10:25.379 You can chew on that one over lunch. 00:10:25.379 --> 00:10:26.120 But here's the thing. 00:10:26.179 --> 00:10:34.100 It's not enough general revelation to lead us to a saving knowledge of God. 00:10:34.220 --> 00:10:37.779 And so that's why theologians also talk about special revelation. 00:10:38.539 --> 00:10:42.019 And this is the thread we're going to run with for the rest of our time together. 00:10:42.159 --> 00:10:47.179 That God has made himself known truly in the pages of the Bible. 00:10:48.179 --> 00:10:53.960 And he's made himself known perfectly in the person of his son, Jesus. 00:10:53.960 --> 00:11:01.040 And that's why for generations this church has been and is a Bible loving church. 00:11:01.039 --> 00:11:06.899 And it's why the Bible continues to be the best-selling book of all time, printing. 00:11:07.039 --> 00:11:10.599 Get this, 80 million copies per year in the 21st century. 00:11:10.819 --> 00:11:16.679 And it's why people in our culture who are not just facing a cost of living crisis, 00:11:17.199 --> 00:11:19.519 but who are facing a lack of purpose crisis, 00:11:19.719 --> 00:11:24.199 are picking this up today and coming to find life in the Jesus who meets us there. 00:11:24.200 --> 00:11:27.720 To quote C.S. Lewis, and I've never done that before here. 00:11:30.680 --> 00:11:35.340 I've been reading poems, romances, vision, literature, legends, and myths all of my life. 00:11:35.860 --> 00:11:37.100 I know what they are like. 00:11:37.100 --> 00:11:40.519 I know none of them are like this. 00:11:42.460 --> 00:11:48.940 Friends, let me give you two words that capture what Christians the world over believe and love about the Bible. 00:11:49.759 --> 00:11:51.040 Number one, it's inspired. 00:11:52.740 --> 00:11:54.519 Open the Bible at the contents page. 00:11:54.580 --> 00:11:56.080 If you do it, here's what you'll see. 00:11:56.080 --> 00:12:02.600 You'll see that in here are actually 66 books written by 40 different authors 00:12:02.600 --> 00:12:07.379 who are each addressing different people at different points in history. 00:12:07.720 --> 00:12:11.800 And you see right there that God doesn't bypass the human personalities, 00:12:12.300 --> 00:12:16.340 but by his spirit like the wind into the sails of a ship, 00:12:16.720 --> 00:12:18.440 he speaks through them. 00:12:19.620 --> 00:12:22.020 66 books, 40 different authors, 00:12:22.019 --> 00:12:26.819 but make no mistake, behind all of this is one grand voice. 00:12:27.519 --> 00:12:32.699 Which means that the Bible, when it's rightly understood and it's correctly applied, 00:12:33.079 --> 00:12:36.579 is the same thing, get this, as having God in the room. 00:12:39.960 --> 00:12:43.620 Second thing, friends, Scripture is inspired. 00:12:43.899 --> 00:12:48.379 Second thing, it is inerrant, which means it stands up to scrutiny. 00:12:48.379 --> 00:12:52.379 Secondly, as a historical document, this is reliable. 00:12:53.220 --> 00:12:55.840 Now listen, I get that in the age in which we're living, 00:12:55.939 --> 00:12:57.899 that many of us here will be struggling with that, really. 00:12:58.960 --> 00:13:01.360 If you want to think more about that, we don't have time this morning. 00:13:01.460 --> 00:13:04.240 Can I highly recommend Amy R. Ewing, 00:13:04.879 --> 00:13:07.820 one of the sharpest minds when it comes to apologetics, 00:13:07.919 --> 00:13:09.500 apologetics about the Bible. 00:13:09.620 --> 00:13:11.840 She's written this book called Can I Trust the Bible? 00:13:12.519 --> 00:13:15.379 Other one's out there, but that's just one of the best that I've read. 00:13:15.379 --> 00:13:17.960 It's not wrong to have questions. 00:13:18.500 --> 00:13:19.320 Get that right. 00:13:20.399 --> 00:13:23.799 The day we stop asking questions is the day that we stop growing. 00:13:25.059 --> 00:13:27.720 But the very fact that the Bible is reliable 00:13:27.720 --> 00:13:31.299 means that we can bring our questions to God and to church 00:13:31.299 --> 00:13:34.620 rather than away from God and away from church. 00:13:34.720 --> 00:13:39.320 What better place to explore these questions than within a community like this? 00:13:39.320 --> 00:13:45.980 And the cash out of all of that is that we can trust it. 00:13:47.840 --> 00:13:50.300 And so here are three, because I love points, right? 00:13:50.740 --> 00:13:54.120 Friends, here are three things that we can do with our Bibles, okay? 00:13:54.320 --> 00:13:55.800 Here's number one, what we do. 00:13:55.940 --> 00:13:57.220 We sit under it. 00:13:57.300 --> 00:14:00.260 Now, if I was not sure if it's reverent or irreverent, 00:14:00.340 --> 00:14:03.320 but you could almost picture yourself standing on the Bible. 00:14:04.180 --> 00:14:05.200 Sorry, rather, we'll get there in a minute. 00:14:05.320 --> 00:14:06.340 Sitting under the Bible. 00:14:06.840 --> 00:14:08.460 Friends, hold it above your heads. 00:14:08.460 --> 00:14:12.019 This is how King Jesus rules his church. 00:14:12.840 --> 00:14:14.560 Through his words. 00:14:15.040 --> 00:14:18.800 And that means that we don't shape the Bible according to our logic. 00:14:19.680 --> 00:14:23.780 We allow the logic of Scripture to shape our minds. 00:14:24.220 --> 00:14:25.160 Romans 12, right? 00:14:25.240 --> 00:14:30.139 Paul talks there about being transformed by the renewing of our minds. 00:14:30.360 --> 00:14:33.620 And the thing is, in our anti-authority age in which we live, 00:14:33.680 --> 00:14:35.240 we might grate against that. 00:14:35.240 --> 00:14:38.100 But can I suggest that that is really good news? 00:14:38.460 --> 00:14:44.600 Because there's truths in here that, honestly, I don't think I would believe for a moment 00:14:44.600 --> 00:14:48.680 if it weren't for the fact that God tells me it is true. 00:14:49.060 --> 00:14:53.340 It's almost as if when I sit under this and God speaks to us, his people, 00:14:53.680 --> 00:14:56.620 it's like he is speaking reality over us. 00:14:56.620 --> 00:15:03.500 I would not believe things here if it wasn't for the fact that God says they are true. 00:15:04.039 --> 00:15:05.600 Particularly about the gospel. 00:15:06.960 --> 00:15:13.100 I don't think I'd believe that my sin problem, my heart problem, is deeper than I think that it is. 00:15:13.100 --> 00:15:20.600 That the Bible talks about the fact that my sin is not just me making a few bad behavioral choices. 00:15:20.820 --> 00:15:25.279 Actually, what I need is the total renovation of my heart. 00:15:25.580 --> 00:15:28.600 I don't think I'd believe that if God didn't tell me it was true. 00:15:28.840 --> 00:15:33.980 But I also don't think I'd believe the fact that God loves me as much as he did if he didn't tell me that it was true. 00:15:34.659 --> 00:15:39.000 That I read to you about the Jesus who came, sent from the Father who came. 00:15:39.000 --> 00:15:42.779 And who would have come up with a Jesus like we read about in the gospels? 00:15:43.860 --> 00:15:47.379 A Jesus who would love, a Jesus who would care, who would show compassion, 00:15:47.820 --> 00:15:50.179 who would give straight talking answers, 00:15:50.340 --> 00:15:53.820 who would go all the way to the cross to die for my sin problem, 00:15:53.940 --> 00:15:57.700 who would take the wrath of God that I deserved on himself. 00:15:58.600 --> 00:16:02.299 A Jesus who died, a Jesus who rose again, a Jesus who has ascended. 00:16:02.299 --> 00:16:05.600 I need the Bible to tell me gospel truths. 00:16:09.000 --> 00:16:11.019 Maybe think of it like this, friends. 00:16:11.159 --> 00:16:16.820 True freedom for a fish is not the absence of water, but the fullness of that water. 00:16:18.320 --> 00:16:20.860 What then is the water for the human soul? 00:16:22.080 --> 00:16:27.159 The Bible is telling us that knowing this God and living life under his rule 00:16:27.159 --> 00:16:29.659 is the water that you and I were made for. 00:16:31.580 --> 00:16:33.080 So we sit under it. 00:16:33.399 --> 00:16:34.840 And then secondly, what do we do? 00:16:34.899 --> 00:16:35.919 We stand on it. 00:16:35.919 --> 00:16:37.879 Again, this is the bit where it's under our feet. 00:16:39.320 --> 00:16:43.600 We stand on it because it's a solid place where we can stake our lives. 00:16:44.460 --> 00:16:45.840 We don't hedge our bets. 00:16:45.940 --> 00:16:46.940 We don't spread the risk. 00:16:47.039 --> 00:16:53.259 We put all our eggs in the what God has said is true, is true basket. 00:16:54.399 --> 00:16:55.679 So we sit under it. 00:16:55.740 --> 00:16:56.480 We stand on it. 00:16:56.519 --> 00:16:58.980 And then you can hold it to your chest if you like. 00:16:59.039 --> 00:17:01.299 And this is what we're going to tease out in the rest of our time. 00:17:01.639 --> 00:17:04.720 We allow it to work away in us. 00:17:04.720 --> 00:17:07.900 Because here's the thing, friends. 00:17:08.000 --> 00:17:13.160 You can believe correct things about the Bible and yet completely miss God's intention 00:17:13.160 --> 00:17:17.440 for what he longs to accomplish in the lives of his people through his word. 00:17:18.059 --> 00:17:19.440 Why has God revealed himself? 00:17:20.100 --> 00:17:22.700 He's revealed himself for relationship. 00:17:22.940 --> 00:17:25.960 And this is where we connect with that Ephesians 4 passage. 00:17:26.039 --> 00:17:27.900 If you were wondering when on earth are we getting to that, 00:17:28.100 --> 00:17:29.460 this is when we're getting to that. 00:17:29.460 --> 00:17:33.140 Ephesians 4, we'll pick it up at verse 11. 00:17:33.840 --> 00:17:35.539 Friends, what does God long to accomplish? 00:17:35.660 --> 00:17:38.460 Do you see it here in our lives through his word? 00:17:38.539 --> 00:17:39.779 Let me give you one word. 00:17:40.480 --> 00:17:41.440 Verse 13. 00:17:43.620 --> 00:17:44.059 Maturity. 00:17:44.400 --> 00:17:44.920 Do you see it? 00:17:46.860 --> 00:17:47.299 Maturity. 00:17:47.519 --> 00:17:49.279 And how does that happen? 00:17:49.400 --> 00:17:51.779 Well, let me give you one phrase from verse 15. 00:17:53.380 --> 00:17:57.240 By speaking the truth in love. 00:17:57.240 --> 00:17:58.500 Now, here's a little phrase. 00:17:59.700 --> 00:18:01.740 And I give you the phrase in the hope that it stays. 00:18:02.740 --> 00:18:03.339 Here it is. 00:18:03.680 --> 00:18:05.200 Friends, God's goal is our growth. 00:18:06.160 --> 00:18:07.620 And God's means is his word. 00:18:09.120 --> 00:18:10.279 God's goal is our growth. 00:18:10.500 --> 00:18:12.920 And God's means is his word. 00:18:13.039 --> 00:18:13.740 Now, here's the thing. 00:18:13.819 --> 00:18:18.920 When you become a Christian, it doesn't matter how old you are age-wise. 00:18:19.180 --> 00:18:22.079 The Bible says that we are all babies. 00:18:22.079 --> 00:18:28.279 And God's desire is that we would grow up by drinking the milk of his word. 00:18:28.419 --> 00:18:32.980 And so when we tap into verse 11, do you see that description there of people? 00:18:33.359 --> 00:18:35.099 God's given his church apostles. 00:18:35.899 --> 00:18:38.879 He's given them prophets, evangelists. 00:18:38.980 --> 00:18:40.659 And then we get pastors, teachers. 00:18:40.799 --> 00:18:42.319 I take it what connects these gifts. 00:18:42.399 --> 00:18:44.599 These are the kind of word-speaking people. 00:18:44.599 --> 00:18:49.399 And pastors and teachers, here's this awkward bit of the sermon. 00:18:50.679 --> 00:18:51.859 Here's my job description. 00:18:53.699 --> 00:18:55.599 And everyone else who is up here. 00:18:57.119 --> 00:19:02.019 Why has God given these word-teachingy gift people 00:19:02.019 --> 00:19:05.779 to equip you? 00:19:05.779 --> 00:19:08.980 And that's a workout at the gym word. 00:19:09.139 --> 00:19:11.379 To equip you for the works of ministry. 00:19:11.740 --> 00:19:11.980 How? 00:19:14.319 --> 00:19:18.639 By preaching, teaching, and unleashing his word. 00:19:20.000 --> 00:19:21.379 And giving it to you straight. 00:19:23.839 --> 00:19:25.420 You know, I was listening a few years ago. 00:19:25.539 --> 00:19:30.599 We often do long car journeys from down south of England back up to Edinburgh. 00:19:31.579 --> 00:19:32.980 A few years ago, I remember going on one. 00:19:32.980 --> 00:19:35.599 And the thing is, when you get in a car with Alex and the kids, 00:19:35.920 --> 00:19:37.140 within an hour, they're all asleep. 00:19:38.279 --> 00:19:41.319 And so to make sure it's not just me and my thoughts for seven hours, 00:19:42.099 --> 00:19:42.860 turn on the radio. 00:19:42.960 --> 00:19:43.740 So listen to the radio. 00:19:43.839 --> 00:19:45.720 And here's Ramesh Ranganathan, the comedian. 00:19:46.779 --> 00:19:50.500 And he's talking about life as a stand-up comic. 00:19:51.360 --> 00:19:55.240 And what he's saying in his interview is that he's really jealous of bands like Oasis. 00:19:56.380 --> 00:19:58.980 Because when somebody goes to an Oasis concert, 00:19:59.380 --> 00:20:00.920 what is it they want to hear? 00:20:00.920 --> 00:20:03.800 They don't want to hear your new stuff. 00:20:04.600 --> 00:20:04.800 Right? 00:20:05.640 --> 00:20:06.940 They want to hear the best of. 00:20:07.019 --> 00:20:08.300 They want to hear your old stuff. 00:20:08.400 --> 00:20:13.519 I mean, why did people pay thousands of pounds to go and see ACDC at Murrayfield earlier this year? 00:20:13.600 --> 00:20:15.080 Was it for their new stuff, was it? 00:20:15.920 --> 00:20:16.160 Right? 00:20:16.259 --> 00:20:16.920 Give me back... 00:20:17.580 --> 00:20:18.440 Was it Back to Black? 00:20:18.500 --> 00:20:18.980 Is that the one? 00:20:19.080 --> 00:20:20.180 Give me all these... 00:20:20.180 --> 00:20:21.480 Give me the ones that we want to hear. 00:20:21.480 --> 00:20:28.819 And he's saying I'm jealous of them because in my line of work as a comedian, 00:20:28.960 --> 00:20:30.799 I've got to come up with new stuff all the time. 00:20:32.640 --> 00:20:34.819 And it struck me in that moment listening to the guy. 00:20:34.920 --> 00:20:37.880 I was like, you know, my job is to do neither of those things. 00:20:37.880 --> 00:20:41.800 And everyone who's up here is to do neither of those things. 00:20:42.400 --> 00:20:46.840 It's not just to give you old devotional thoughts from 10 or 15 years ago. 00:20:48.080 --> 00:20:52.460 Neither is it to give you novelty, to try and come up with new stuff all the time. 00:20:52.580 --> 00:20:54.880 Friends, I could not imagine facing the pressure of that. 00:20:55.220 --> 00:20:56.520 What is the job description? 00:20:57.180 --> 00:20:59.400 It's to be like the Deliveroo pizza guy. 00:20:59.400 --> 00:21:05.960 Drops it off and delivers exactly what was promised, what was said, and get it to the person. 00:21:06.080 --> 00:21:07.580 In other words, what is the job here? 00:21:07.700 --> 00:21:10.000 It's to give you this straight. 00:21:11.400 --> 00:21:15.060 And so that's where your job comes in. 00:21:15.160 --> 00:21:21.680 Because you as the congregation for the generations to come need to make sure that whoever is up here 00:21:21.680 --> 00:21:24.480 is saying the things that are written down here. 00:21:24.480 --> 00:21:26.400 And see the minute that they're not. 00:21:27.220 --> 00:21:28.700 You have to say something. 00:21:30.080 --> 00:21:35.000 Because the minute that we go off peace, the minute we start saying what are just our thoughts, 00:21:35.400 --> 00:21:39.060 friends, this church will go south very quick. 00:21:39.960 --> 00:21:43.759 Because we long to hear the voice of God. 00:21:43.840 --> 00:21:46.280 Because God builds his church through his word. 00:21:46.660 --> 00:21:52.280 There will be up here, certainly for me, an unapologetic commitment to unoriginality. 00:21:56.759 --> 00:21:59.340 Because here's the assumption of this passage. 00:21:59.400 --> 00:22:04.259 That we so often miss because of the individualistic culture in which we live. 00:22:04.740 --> 00:22:06.460 See, speaking the truth in love. 00:22:07.080 --> 00:22:09.160 Friends, what does it assume? 00:22:10.420 --> 00:22:17.680 It assumes that there's a group of people close enough to you that you can do that with and they can do that with you. 00:22:18.740 --> 00:22:19.460 Think about it. 00:22:19.460 --> 00:22:23.940 I'm not called to speak the truth in love to a believer who's living their lives in Nepal. 00:22:24.299 --> 00:22:25.779 They're not called to do it to me. 00:22:25.920 --> 00:22:27.600 But I am called to do it to you. 00:22:27.599 --> 00:22:32.899 Here's what that means, friends. 00:22:34.659 --> 00:22:36.240 Listening to sermons online. 00:22:36.519 --> 00:22:36.759 Good. 00:22:38.199 --> 00:22:40.079 Listening to Christian podcasts. 00:22:40.379 --> 00:22:42.579 I listen to lots of them when I'm out running. 00:22:42.879 --> 00:22:43.119 Good. 00:22:43.619 --> 00:22:45.939 Reading your Bible and praying individually. 00:22:46.240 --> 00:22:46.459 Good. 00:22:46.460 --> 00:22:47.600 All these things good. 00:22:47.840 --> 00:22:48.700 But do you know what's better? 00:22:49.840 --> 00:22:55.420 Being part of a church family where people will share with you, not just the truth from the Bible, 00:22:55.819 --> 00:22:59.120 but who will share with you their entire lives as well. 00:22:59.119 --> 00:23:06.079 And who you know are invested in your growth in godliness. 00:23:06.219 --> 00:23:12.339 Who want the best for you, who are going nowhere, who will speak to you the hard things that you need to hear, 00:23:12.459 --> 00:23:15.019 who will speak the encouraging words that you need to hear. 00:23:15.639 --> 00:23:18.459 Surely that is what church membership is all about. 00:23:19.979 --> 00:23:23.299 People who will have you into their home. 00:23:23.679 --> 00:23:26.259 People who will meet up with you for a coffee. 00:23:26.699 --> 00:23:28.459 People who will know your name. 00:23:29.119 --> 00:23:33.719 People who will notice when you're not here on Sunday. 00:23:33.859 --> 00:23:38.699 See, all of that, dear friends, the church, that is absolute gold dust. 00:23:40.539 --> 00:23:45.439 Let me encourage you, if you're sitting in the periphery of church, 00:23:46.759 --> 00:23:49.879 as my friend Paul Rees at Charlotte says, friends, of your showing leg, 00:23:51.879 --> 00:23:55.379 can I encourage you to make yourself known? 00:23:55.380 --> 00:24:05.100 Fred, there is an entire world of blessing to be had in coming to the center of a church community, 00:24:05.360 --> 00:24:10.100 committing yourself to a group of people, and that group of people committing themselves to you, 00:24:10.360 --> 00:24:12.480 and saying, masks off. 00:24:13.380 --> 00:24:14.300 What do we need? 00:24:14.299 --> 00:24:16.019 We need his words. 00:24:16.240 --> 00:24:17.019 What do we need? 00:24:17.059 --> 00:24:18.039 We need the gospel. 00:24:18.220 --> 00:24:19.899 I need you to tell me it again. 00:24:20.220 --> 00:24:23.399 I need you to love me enough to tell you when I'm drifting off course. 00:24:23.700 --> 00:24:27.919 I need you to love me enough to speak encouragement into my life when I need it. 00:24:28.859 --> 00:24:31.139 And of course, friends, speaking the truth in love, 00:24:31.220 --> 00:24:33.740 do you see how countercultural that is? 00:24:33.740 --> 00:24:41.500 In our world where individual is king and says you cannot do both of those things. 00:24:43.299 --> 00:24:46.480 If you love someone, you'll simply affirm what they want to hear. 00:24:47.900 --> 00:24:50.200 If you love someone, you won't challenge them. 00:24:50.400 --> 00:24:50.940 Not true. 00:24:51.859 --> 00:24:52.420 Not true. 00:24:53.740 --> 00:24:58.220 God calls us to be a community who do both truth and love. 00:24:59.000 --> 00:25:00.980 So here are some quickfire questions. 00:25:01.140 --> 00:25:03.000 You know, in Would I Lie to You to Give You the Quickfire Lies, 00:25:03.000 --> 00:25:04.240 here's the quickfire questions. 00:25:04.359 --> 00:25:04.880 Okay, you ready? 00:25:05.359 --> 00:25:07.420 Friends, who is close enough to us, 00:25:07.819 --> 00:25:09.779 who we have allowed into our lives, 00:25:09.960 --> 00:25:13.180 who will tell us from the Bible the hard things we need to hear 00:25:13.180 --> 00:25:15.740 and the good things we need to hear often when we doubt? 00:25:15.920 --> 00:25:17.039 Who's close enough to you? 00:25:18.619 --> 00:25:23.240 Who is perfectly placed to specifically speak God's truth into your life 00:25:23.240 --> 00:25:26.279 as we walk together through the ups and downs of life? 00:25:28.380 --> 00:25:31.940 God calls us to be a community of word sharers. 00:25:31.940 --> 00:25:37.559 Remember, God's goal is our growth and God's means is his word. 00:25:37.900 --> 00:25:41.920 And let me just pull out two points that Paul makes when it comes to what preaching does 00:25:41.920 --> 00:25:44.140 in the life of the local church as you see it here. 00:25:44.779 --> 00:25:47.279 Friends, number one, if you think about it like the defense, 00:25:48.420 --> 00:25:50.360 what does it do? 00:25:50.779 --> 00:25:53.200 Friends, teaching combats drift. 00:25:53.539 --> 00:25:54.400 Do you see it in the passage? 00:25:54.400 --> 00:26:02.860 Maturity looks like us developing the ability to discern what is true and what is false. 00:26:03.680 --> 00:26:04.440 Again, do you see it? 00:26:04.540 --> 00:26:07.519 Between what is right and what is wrong in God's eyes. 00:26:07.600 --> 00:26:08.480 Do you see what he's saying? 00:26:09.080 --> 00:26:10.860 Don't be tossed to and fro. 00:26:11.700 --> 00:26:16.820 Grow up to maturity as you are transformed by my word. 00:26:16.819 --> 00:26:21.859 And of course, remember Ephesians, Paul's writing to a group of believers who he knows are living in a city 00:26:21.859 --> 00:26:25.519 that are just peddling false narratives to them all the time. 00:26:26.619 --> 00:26:30.159 A city where money is easily made. 00:26:30.679 --> 00:26:32.980 A city where the occult is massive. 00:26:33.399 --> 00:26:36.019 A city where superstition is mainstream. 00:26:36.159 --> 00:26:38.539 And of course, right at the heart of it, of the city, 00:26:38.539 --> 00:26:43.279 this massive statue of Artemis, one of the seven wonders of the ancient world, 00:26:43.500 --> 00:26:46.619 and all the sex worship that went with it. 00:26:47.399 --> 00:26:51.639 These Christians are breathing in false narratives of what life is really all about, 00:26:51.859 --> 00:26:53.899 what you should be chasing all the time. 00:26:54.019 --> 00:26:56.539 Friends, can I suggest we're swimming in those circles as well. 00:26:57.339 --> 00:26:59.079 The narratives might be different from Ephesus, 00:26:59.460 --> 00:27:02.980 but we are surrounded by false narratives about what life is all about, 00:27:02.980 --> 00:27:05.519 who God is, how we should live all the time. 00:27:05.519 --> 00:27:10.079 You know, I read a stat recently that said, and get this, 00:27:11.700 --> 00:27:14.879 do you know what we spend seven and a half years of our lives doing? 00:27:17.220 --> 00:27:18.200 Watching TV. 00:27:21.079 --> 00:27:26.359 Get this, 400 new hours of content are uploaded to YouTube every minute of every day. 00:27:27.639 --> 00:27:33.000 We are a generation quite literally swimming in information and opinions. 00:27:33.000 --> 00:27:37.740 And we are a culture that is swimming also in cliches. 00:27:39.079 --> 00:27:41.720 And what does God call us to do here? 00:27:41.819 --> 00:27:44.180 How can we help each other grow in discernment? 00:27:45.880 --> 00:27:50.779 By being familiar with the word of God and growing in the knowledge of Christ. 00:27:51.119 --> 00:27:55.839 That's how we're going to stop being like a lilo in a stormy night at sea. 00:27:56.180 --> 00:27:57.380 Get the image on the screen. 00:27:57.579 --> 00:27:58.680 That's the image he's using. 00:27:58.680 --> 00:28:02.740 That the waves will come and they will just knock you totally off course. 00:28:02.860 --> 00:28:06.600 You'll start on one track and the waves will force you another track. 00:28:07.299 --> 00:28:08.820 Paul is saying, ditch the dinghy. 00:28:10.460 --> 00:28:12.519 And become like an oil rig. 00:28:15.360 --> 00:28:17.620 Steady, firm, growing. 00:28:18.120 --> 00:28:19.240 Nothing's going to move it. 00:28:22.140 --> 00:28:23.860 Friends, do you spot somebody here? 00:28:23.859 --> 00:28:27.740 Do you spot somebody who's not here today? 00:28:29.839 --> 00:28:32.219 Do you see someone struggling? 00:28:32.559 --> 00:28:35.919 Who are you uniquely placed to get alongside? 00:28:36.579 --> 00:28:38.899 Whose shoes have you walked in? 00:28:40.059 --> 00:28:41.579 Who do you look at and think, 00:28:42.199 --> 00:28:44.979 Oh gosh, I remember what it was like and how hard that was. 00:28:46.059 --> 00:28:49.579 And yet, here's what I know now that I wish I knew then. 00:28:49.579 --> 00:28:57.319 I remember being a final year student and having that fear of not knowing what was next after I graduated. 00:28:58.339 --> 00:29:03.559 I remember being a young parent and feeling like I've got absolutely no idea what I'm doing. 00:29:04.439 --> 00:29:11.059 I remember having that relationship break down and struggling with loneliness and sadness and purpose. 00:29:11.480 --> 00:29:17.359 I remember having older children who just didn't seem to be interested in the things of God. 00:29:17.359 --> 00:29:24.939 And I remember how through all of those things, God spoke to me and taught me through his word in those seasons. 00:29:25.139 --> 00:29:25.699 And do you know what? 00:29:25.740 --> 00:29:29.019 I love you enough just to want to meet you and pass it on. 00:29:31.099 --> 00:29:36.919 Friends, in my experience, rarely does someone have a crisis of faith. 00:29:36.920 --> 00:29:47.120 What's way more common is that slow drift that comes when a hurting heart becomes a doubting heart, becomes a hardened heart. 00:29:48.980 --> 00:29:53.160 And that happens, to be honest, well before anybody leaves it off the pew. 00:29:53.160 --> 00:30:03.860 And if we spotted it in each other and lovingly sought to listen to each other and speak God's truth into each other's lives, what a difference that would make. 00:30:04.720 --> 00:30:09.960 That's why growth groups are so important as smaller groups of people where you will be known. 00:30:10.980 --> 00:30:12.740 It's difficult in a group this size, isn't it? 00:30:12.759 --> 00:30:16.420 But in a growth group, that's exactly what we've designed them to do. 00:30:16.920 --> 00:30:19.360 Friends, teaching combats drift. 00:30:19.660 --> 00:30:21.040 Do you see what Paul's saying in the passage? 00:30:21.039 --> 00:30:22.980 But here's the flip side. 00:30:23.819 --> 00:30:24.759 Playing the offense. 00:30:26.159 --> 00:30:28.240 Teaching enables growth. 00:30:29.819 --> 00:30:31.399 Picture the church as a body. 00:30:31.879 --> 00:30:32.920 Christ as the head. 00:30:33.000 --> 00:30:34.599 And we're all different body parts. 00:30:35.559 --> 00:30:39.460 And the end of verse 16, Paul is saying we need to help each other grow. 00:30:42.180 --> 00:30:48.039 Imagine if all of us, as a normal part of church life, were caught up in a web of Bible reading relationships. 00:30:49.379 --> 00:30:50.859 In formal settings. 00:30:51.039 --> 00:30:52.059 Our Sunday gatherings. 00:30:52.059 --> 00:30:53.460 Our growth groups during the week. 00:30:53.539 --> 00:30:54.859 Our women's and men's groups. 00:30:55.379 --> 00:30:59.440 But also imagine if we were all involved with them informally as well. 00:31:00.059 --> 00:31:01.779 Digging into the word privately. 00:31:02.700 --> 00:31:08.319 Trying to create cultures at home where our families can be saturated and led by the word. 00:31:08.759 --> 00:31:10.000 Reading it with your spouse. 00:31:10.440 --> 00:31:11.619 Reading it with your kids. 00:31:12.099 --> 00:31:14.440 Reading it with a non-Christian colleague at work. 00:31:14.819 --> 00:31:16.659 Reading it with someone who's new to faith. 00:31:16.819 --> 00:31:18.579 Reading it with a friend over coffee. 00:31:18.579 --> 00:31:21.659 Friends, here's the point as we begin to draw this to a close. 00:31:21.659 --> 00:31:26.059 When God speaks, things happen. 00:31:26.059 --> 00:31:39.759 And his word never returns to him void without accomplishing precisely what he intends to accomplish as his word goes forth through the power and the work of his spirit. 00:31:39.759 --> 00:31:46.539 Friends, when this book is opened, the lion roars. 00:31:46.539 --> 00:31:59.539 And the reason is that they're part of the gospel partnership as well. 00:31:59.539 --> 00:32:03.180 And this is one of the things that we're trying to do is just support each other with pulpit supply. 00:32:03.559 --> 00:32:06.119 And Andy Prime is a really good friend of mine. 00:32:06.259 --> 00:32:09.539 If you know him as the pastor of the church, I'll tell you about his story in a minute. 00:32:10.339 --> 00:32:11.879 Undergoing chemo just now. 00:32:12.180 --> 00:32:13.519 Just had to take a bit of time off. 00:32:13.579 --> 00:32:17.059 And so we're trying to help just with pulpit supply and things. 00:32:17.259 --> 00:32:19.220 But Grace Mount Community Church. 00:32:19.480 --> 00:32:20.879 I just love those guys. 00:32:20.880 --> 00:32:23.220 And here's why. 00:32:23.380 --> 00:32:26.740 I love the story about how that church came to be. 00:32:27.460 --> 00:32:30.200 If you know it's on the south side of the city. 00:32:30.360 --> 00:32:32.300 It's in a real area of deprivation. 00:32:33.320 --> 00:32:38.740 And what happened is that Andy's wife, Sarah, used to work in that area up in Grace Mount. 00:32:39.220 --> 00:32:40.540 And she hears a sermon. 00:32:40.680 --> 00:32:44.260 She reads it in her own time about Romans chapter 10. 00:32:44.420 --> 00:32:45.880 Here's the verses on the screen. 00:32:45.880 --> 00:32:51.100 Where the apostle Paul is saying this. 00:32:51.880 --> 00:32:54.780 How then can they call on the one who they've not believed in? 00:32:55.440 --> 00:32:58.320 And how can they believe in the one whom they have not heard? 00:32:58.600 --> 00:33:02.560 And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? 00:33:03.340 --> 00:33:06.980 And of course Paul is talking there about new lands. 00:33:07.120 --> 00:33:09.440 About new people groups to reach with the gospel. 00:33:09.820 --> 00:33:12.680 Anyway, Sarah hears this and she can't get it out of her head. 00:33:12.680 --> 00:33:16.680 And so she shares it with Andy who's down at Charlotte Chapel at the time. 00:33:17.320 --> 00:33:18.539 He says, why don't you come up to mine. 00:33:18.700 --> 00:33:19.440 Walk the area. 00:33:19.580 --> 00:33:20.340 Open your Bible. 00:33:20.519 --> 00:33:22.680 And just let God speak to you. 00:33:23.299 --> 00:33:24.140 And so he does this. 00:33:24.200 --> 00:33:26.380 He just walks around the area with his Bible open. 00:33:26.480 --> 00:33:27.320 He looks at the people. 00:33:27.400 --> 00:33:28.240 He reads the passage. 00:33:28.560 --> 00:33:29.480 He looks at the people. 00:33:29.580 --> 00:33:30.560 He reads the passage. 00:33:31.060 --> 00:33:31.980 He looks at the pub. 00:33:32.039 --> 00:33:32.820 He looks at the bookies. 00:33:32.880 --> 00:33:33.660 He reads the passage. 00:33:33.779 --> 00:33:36.320 And he thinks, who is going to preach to these people? 00:33:36.500 --> 00:33:37.100 Do you know what? 00:33:38.320 --> 00:33:40.060 I think God might be telling me. 00:33:40.900 --> 00:33:41.620 It's me. 00:33:43.680 --> 00:33:48.200 And so what Andy does is he leaves this comfortable row at Charlotte Chapel. 00:33:48.340 --> 00:33:53.160 He moves to the south side of the city because he believes that people need to hear this word. 00:33:54.320 --> 00:33:56.480 And he says, I'm the guy to lead the church. 00:33:56.580 --> 00:33:58.200 And so they get this church together. 00:33:58.500 --> 00:34:00.660 They start working in the area. 00:34:00.820 --> 00:34:02.860 They start meeting every Sunday like we do. 00:34:02.940 --> 00:34:04.039 They start preaching the Bible. 00:34:04.200 --> 00:34:06.420 Some people think it's absolute nonsense in the area. 00:34:06.420 --> 00:34:14.400 And yet other people hear the same word and come to have faith in Jesus. 00:34:14.400 --> 00:34:18.599 And how has God done that, friends? 00:34:18.800 --> 00:34:21.619 It is not purely because a church has been planted. 00:34:22.440 --> 00:34:25.900 Actually, it's probably more accurate to say the word has been planted. 00:34:25.900 --> 00:34:30.380 And as the word goes forth, people respond in faith. 00:34:30.900 --> 00:34:40.260 And what I love is that next Easter Sunday, 2027, Grace Mount Community Church are celebrating 10 years as a gospel church. 00:34:40.340 --> 00:34:42.400 They've had their challenges and everything like that. 00:34:42.400 --> 00:34:44.480 But let me tell you, it's thriving. 00:34:47.180 --> 00:34:51.280 God accomplishes his work as his word goes forth. 00:34:51.940 --> 00:34:56.700 That old saying, the old motto of Glasgow, before they shortened it. 00:34:57.860 --> 00:35:04.420 Let Glasgow flourish by the preaching of your word and the praising of your name. 00:35:05.480 --> 00:35:06.340 Friends, let's pray. 00:35:06.340 --> 00:35:18.280 As if I just echo what Jonathan prayed at the start, we just praise you, Lord, that you're a God who has revealed yourself. 00:35:19.840 --> 00:35:25.320 And, Father, the awesome privilege that we have the Bible in our own language. 00:35:26.519 --> 00:35:29.800 That we can pick up, that we can read, we can discern. 00:35:30.620 --> 00:35:35.920 And by your spirit, we can come to have life with you as we put our faith in your son. 00:35:36.920 --> 00:35:44.960 And, Father, our heart breaks for so many different people, groups around this planet, who do not have access to the Bible in their own language. 00:35:45.059 --> 00:35:50.760 We thank you for Bible translators who are doing wonderful work to get your word in their language. 00:35:50.880 --> 00:35:51.920 And we praise you for that. 00:35:52.000 --> 00:35:58.780 But, Lord, we thank you so much that this has been a church down the generations who have built their existence on your word. 00:35:59.500 --> 00:36:06.059 And so, Father, I pray that as we leave here today, that we wouldn't simply just leave here having had a good time. 00:36:07.240 --> 00:36:13.019 But, Father, we would leave here having met with you as we've heard from you in your word. 00:36:13.600 --> 00:36:21.800 Father, thank you that you're in the business of transforming lives, about speaking light into darkness, about bringing order from chaos. 00:36:21.800 --> 00:36:24.260 And you do it through your word. 00:36:25.420 --> 00:36:28.000 So, Father, we thank you for our time together. 00:36:28.100 --> 00:36:31.380 We just commit it to you, Lord, as we draw it to a close. 00:36:31.539 --> 00:36:32.960 In Jesus' wonderful name. 00:36:33.539 --> 00:36:33.800 Amen. 00:36:33.800 --> 00:36:34.000 Amen. 00:36:34.120 --> 00:36:34.120 00:36:34.120 --> 00:36:34.140 Amen. 00:36:34.140 --> 00:36:34.160 Amen. 00:36:34.180 --> 00:36:34.200 Amen. 00:36:34.200 --> 00:36:34.240 Amen. 00:36:34.240 --> 00:36:34.300 Amen. 00:36:34.300 --> 00:36:34.360 Amen. 00:36:34.360 --> 00:36:34.460 Amen. 00:36:34.460 --> 00:36:34.539 Amen. 00:36:34.539 --> 00:36:34.620 Amen. 00:36:34.620 --> 00:36:34.680 Amen. 00:36:34.680 --> 00:36:34.800 Amen. 00:36:34.800 --> 00:36:34.880 Amen. 00:36:34.880 --> 00:36:34.940 Amen. 00:36:34.940 --> 00:36:34.980 Amen. 00:36:34.980 --> 00:36:35.060 Amen. 00:36:35.080 --> 00:36:35.160 Amen. 00:36:35.160 --> 00:36:35.240 Amen. 00:36:35.240 --> 00:36:35.360 Amen. 00:36:35.360 --> 00:36:35.539 Amen. 00:36:35.539 --> 00:36:35.680 Amen. 00:36:35.680 --> 00:36:35.760 Amen. 00:36:35.760 --> 00:36:35.800 Amen.