WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:10.700 Brilliant. Thank you so much. Let me introduce myself because there are lots of new faces since last time I was here. I'm Archie. Like Cater said, I'm the pastor at People's Evangelical Church just down the road. 00:00:10.700 --> 00:00:21.400 I hope that you guys know about People's Evangelical Church, that you've been praying for us. Please do and keep praying for us. We've just launched a new vision and mission down the road there. 00:00:21.399 --> 00:00:31.759 And this is our vision. We want to see the people in People's and beyond transformed by the good news about Jesus. That could be any church's vision, couldn't it? 00:00:31.960 --> 00:00:41.239 And this is our mission. We want to proclaim the good news, disciple one another and serve our community. Again, that could be the mission of any church, couldn't it? 00:00:41.240 --> 00:00:48.359 But please pray for us as we seek to do those things. We'd love for you to come and visit us down in People's. It's less than an hour down the road. 00:00:48.900 --> 00:00:57.880 And they'll be all right without you here for a Sunday. If you want to come and visit, that would be great. Even better if you get fed up of city life, come and move to People's and get involved. 00:00:58.579 --> 00:01:05.439 We'd love to have you. We love it in People's, Katie and I. But it is brilliant coming back here. I love Edinburgh. 00:01:05.439 --> 00:01:13.679 In fact, when I was 18, I'd just left school and I moved to Edinburgh. My grandmother lived here. I moved in with her. 00:01:14.219 --> 00:01:21.280 The plan was to get a job, you know, just in a cafe or a shop, work for six months and then go travelling for a bit before uni. 00:01:22.280 --> 00:01:28.140 There was one day I looked a bit like this. How strange is AI? But I did have hair back then, 18. 00:01:28.140 --> 00:01:38.859 And I walked all around the city centre. And I must have given my CV to genuinely every shop and every cafe on Princes Street and George Street and all the roads that connect them. 00:01:39.040 --> 00:01:48.200 I think I hand out over 100 CVs that day. It's a strange thing, isn't it? A CV, your resume, if you're American, curriculum vitae. 00:01:48.299 --> 00:01:52.180 It means course of life. And it's constantly changing, isn't it? 00:01:52.180 --> 00:01:59.400 I couldn't find it. I couldn't find it, but I'd love to go back and find that CV from all those years ago and see how much it has changed. 00:02:00.060 --> 00:02:04.040 What kind of qualifications and experiences I could now add to it. 00:02:05.040 --> 00:02:12.319 Because that's sort of the goal with a CV, isn't it? For it not just to change, but to grow through life. 00:02:12.319 --> 00:02:23.239 I wonder what your CV says about you. One page to summarise all of your gifts and abilities and your work experience. 00:02:24.699 --> 00:02:31.159 And I want you to imagine with me that that CV is much less narrow than just kind of your working life and your studying and your employment. 00:02:31.159 --> 00:02:40.620 Imagine you had one page to summarise you. To define all of your gifts and abilities and life experiences. 00:02:40.780 --> 00:02:43.159 What would that page say about you? 00:02:45.379 --> 00:02:51.919 You know, when you go to a party or just when you meet someone new, what are the kind of first questions that we always ask one another? 00:02:52.780 --> 00:02:57.680 You get past what your name is and where you live. It's what do you do? Or what are you studying? 00:02:57.680 --> 00:03:08.680 Maybe do you have kids? Here's the point. In work and in life, so much of our identity, how we think about ourselves, how we think about each other, who we are. 00:03:09.140 --> 00:03:13.439 So much of our identity is tied up in these things, the kinds of things that end up on a CV. 00:03:14.400 --> 00:03:15.760 And it's so fragile. 00:03:17.600 --> 00:03:21.500 Do we realise how fragile that is to think about ourselves like that? 00:03:22.340 --> 00:03:25.840 Now what happens when those things stop moving forward for us? 00:03:25.840 --> 00:03:28.300 Maybe you fail an exam. 00:03:29.379 --> 00:03:30.740 Or you lose your job. 00:03:31.879 --> 00:03:34.480 Or promotions don't come at the pace that you had hoped. 00:03:35.319 --> 00:03:40.340 Or in life, when we take what feels to be a step backwards, when kids start to leave home. 00:03:40.420 --> 00:03:41.439 Or retirement comes. 00:03:41.520 --> 00:03:42.659 Or your marriage changes. 00:03:43.259 --> 00:03:45.140 When your health starts to falter. 00:03:46.420 --> 00:03:47.920 See how fragile all of that is. 00:03:47.939 --> 00:03:50.360 It's a place for us to ground our identity. 00:03:50.360 --> 00:03:55.900 And we picture these things printed in ink like a CV, but it's pencil. 00:03:56.540 --> 00:03:57.980 And life is an eraser. 00:03:59.920 --> 00:04:05.960 But if you're a Christian here this morning, this passage comes as a wonderful and really helpful reminder. 00:04:06.820 --> 00:04:10.180 If you're not a Christian, there's a really important invitation in this for you. 00:04:10.180 --> 00:04:19.560 Because as Jesus calls his first disciples, he gives them, and I think he gives us, an identity that is utterly secure. 00:04:20.139 --> 00:04:23.660 And a purpose that is eternally significant. 00:04:24.860 --> 00:04:28.460 He says, come, follow me. 00:04:28.459 --> 00:04:33.199 And following this king gives us an utterly secure identity. 00:04:33.199 --> 00:04:34.139 We'll see that. 00:04:34.899 --> 00:04:37.799 And he says, I will send you to fish for people. 00:04:38.459 --> 00:04:41.439 And we'll see that is an eternally significant purpose. 00:04:41.579 --> 00:04:45.179 Come, follow me, and I will send you. 00:04:45.919 --> 00:04:46.899 So that's where we're going. 00:04:47.419 --> 00:04:51.319 But how does that fit into the kind of bigger picture of Matthew's gospel? 00:04:51.500 --> 00:04:55.659 You guys all know this if you've been here over the last few months because you've been in Matthew's gospel. 00:04:55.879 --> 00:04:57.539 I had to remind myself of it. 00:04:57.540 --> 00:04:59.020 I'm going to remind you of it too. 00:04:59.480 --> 00:05:02.680 Because this book is all about Jesus as the promised king. 00:05:03.900 --> 00:05:08.640 And Matthew wants to show us that Jesus is the one who fulfills all the promises of the Old Testament. 00:05:09.260 --> 00:05:13.040 So he begins his letter like this. 00:05:13.100 --> 00:05:18.800 This is the genealogy of Jesus, the Messiah, the son of David, the son of Abraham. 00:05:18.800 --> 00:05:21.120 And then he kind of lists Jesus' genealogy. 00:05:21.120 --> 00:05:27.060 Before Matthew gets into the kind of famous story of Jesus' birth, his life, his death, his resurrection, 00:05:27.060 --> 00:05:32.879 he begins by establishing Jesus' credentials as the promised king. 00:05:33.519 --> 00:05:35.740 That's what Messiah or Christ means. 00:05:35.879 --> 00:05:37.800 Anointed one, chosen one. 00:05:38.220 --> 00:05:38.920 He's the king. 00:05:39.980 --> 00:05:43.819 But Jesus is much more than just the earthly king of ancient Israel. 00:05:43.819 --> 00:05:49.040 Because just after the genealogy, Matthew tells us how this king was born. 00:05:49.779 --> 00:05:49.959 He says, 00:05:49.959 --> 00:05:52.719 This is how the birth of Jesus, the Messiah, came about. 00:05:53.339 --> 00:05:55.659 His mother Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph. 00:05:56.180 --> 00:06:00.360 But before they came together, she was found to be pregnant through the Holy Spirit. 00:06:00.360 --> 00:06:02.480 And you know this. 00:06:02.500 --> 00:06:06.960 This is one of the big miraculous claims of all time, that Jesus was born to a virgin. 00:06:07.780 --> 00:06:09.879 Because he wasn't just an earthly king. 00:06:11.120 --> 00:06:14.220 And Matthew tells us he came to save his people from their sins. 00:06:14.360 --> 00:06:15.819 That's what his name means. 00:06:16.360 --> 00:06:17.340 Jesus' savior. 00:06:17.540 --> 00:06:22.860 All to fulfill this promise, again from Matthew, that the virgin would conceive and give birth to a son. 00:06:23.220 --> 00:06:28.040 And they will call him Emmanuel, which means God with us. 00:06:28.040 --> 00:06:30.420 He's much more than an ordinary earthly king. 00:06:30.640 --> 00:06:31.879 He is God with us. 00:06:31.900 --> 00:06:33.819 He's the king of the universe. 00:06:34.980 --> 00:06:36.120 So Jesus is born. 00:06:36.760 --> 00:06:39.340 And then in Matthew's gospel, we're introduced to John the Baptist. 00:06:40.460 --> 00:06:42.379 And he's like a herald for the king. 00:06:42.920 --> 00:06:45.640 And you saw, I guess this would have been a couple of weeks ago. 00:06:45.680 --> 00:06:48.400 Or if you took a break over Christmas, it might have even been before Christmas. 00:06:48.540 --> 00:06:49.540 But in chapter 3, he said, 00:06:49.660 --> 00:06:50.140 Repent. 00:06:51.660 --> 00:06:52.640 John the Baptist said, 00:06:52.740 --> 00:06:55.600 Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near. 00:06:55.600 --> 00:06:58.020 That just means turn around. 00:06:58.500 --> 00:06:59.620 Realign your lives. 00:06:59.700 --> 00:07:01.200 Because the kingdom has come near. 00:07:01.580 --> 00:07:02.960 Because the king has come near. 00:07:03.980 --> 00:07:07.160 And last week, you saw Jesus' first public appearance. 00:07:07.280 --> 00:07:08.320 Jesus is now a man. 00:07:08.740 --> 00:07:11.600 And Jesus says exactly the same thing as what John the Baptist said. 00:07:11.960 --> 00:07:14.800 Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near. 00:07:15.420 --> 00:07:19.180 So up to this point, Matthew has been building this picture of us. 00:07:19.180 --> 00:07:23.060 Of Jesus, the king of the universe, coming with a message of repentance, 00:07:24.019 --> 00:07:29.860 saying, realign your life to this, because the kingdom of heaven, my kingdom, has come near. 00:07:30.980 --> 00:07:35.000 And that, I think, probably leaves us with questions up to this point. 00:07:35.360 --> 00:07:37.500 Like, what is that actually going to look like? 00:07:38.420 --> 00:07:39.920 What does it mean to repent? 00:07:40.819 --> 00:07:43.519 What does following Jesus as king mean? 00:07:43.600 --> 00:07:44.939 What is his kingdom like? 00:07:44.939 --> 00:07:50.800 And really, the bulk of the rest of this book answers all of those questions for you. 00:07:51.079 --> 00:07:52.699 So if you've got those questions, stick around. 00:07:52.800 --> 00:07:55.899 I guess you're going to be unpacking that over the following weeks and months. 00:07:56.319 --> 00:08:00.860 But Matthew starts here in our passage, just explaining that straight away. 00:08:02.120 --> 00:08:03.339 So come back to it with me. 00:08:03.779 --> 00:08:07.980 If you've closed your Bible, or if you've been flicking through the first couple of chapters with me there, 00:08:08.060 --> 00:08:08.980 turn to chapter 4. 00:08:09.600 --> 00:08:11.740 It's on page 968 of the church Bibles. 00:08:11.860 --> 00:08:13.060 Do get it open in front of you. 00:08:14.060 --> 00:08:18.319 And this is a really simple story, but it's a really powerful story. 00:08:18.480 --> 00:08:22.000 To get us into it, I'm just going to tell the story from the perspective of Zebedee. 00:08:22.500 --> 00:08:26.100 And if you look at verse 21, he's the father of the second set of brothers. 00:08:27.240 --> 00:08:28.860 So this is the voice of Zebedee. 00:08:30.519 --> 00:08:33.000 I was just mending the nets when I heard him. 00:08:33.200 --> 00:08:35.360 He was just a short way up the shore. 00:08:35.360 --> 00:08:37.940 And he called out to one of the boats. 00:08:38.060 --> 00:08:44.019 He said to the brothers there, come, follow me, and I will make you fishers of men. 00:08:44.860 --> 00:08:46.919 And Simon and Andrew didn't even argue. 00:08:47.639 --> 00:08:49.100 They didn't even ask any questions. 00:08:49.300 --> 00:08:52.060 They just downed tools, jumped out of their boats. 00:08:52.500 --> 00:08:55.399 It's as if they'd been waiting for this guy their entire lives. 00:08:56.120 --> 00:08:57.180 I couldn't believe it. 00:08:57.179 --> 00:09:01.019 You don't just walk away from your trade like that. 00:09:01.779 --> 00:09:03.179 How are you going to feed the family? 00:09:03.819 --> 00:09:05.259 How are you going to pay the tax man? 00:09:06.459 --> 00:09:09.379 And then this man on the shore, he began to walk in our direction. 00:09:09.379 --> 00:09:12.080 And he looked at my boat. 00:09:12.820 --> 00:09:14.480 And he looked at my sons. 00:09:15.700 --> 00:09:18.879 And I knew what was coming before he even opened his mouth. 00:09:19.980 --> 00:09:21.159 Follow me, he said. 00:09:21.220 --> 00:09:23.279 No preamble from him. 00:09:24.000 --> 00:09:25.860 And no hesitation from them. 00:09:25.960 --> 00:09:28.460 My sons, James dropped his net. 00:09:28.899 --> 00:09:31.399 John just kind of looked at me and nodded and they walked away. 00:09:32.620 --> 00:09:34.899 Following him like the tide itself had turned. 00:09:34.899 --> 00:09:40.860 And I just stood there with torn nets and empty hands, amazed. 00:09:42.059 --> 00:09:47.299 Who is this man that these men would drop everything to follow him? 00:09:50.100 --> 00:09:51.039 That's the story. 00:09:51.679 --> 00:09:55.639 And as we unpack that together, like I say, we're really going to focus in on that one verse. 00:09:55.720 --> 00:09:58.559 The key invitation from Jesus, which comes in verse 19. 00:09:59.240 --> 00:10:04.199 Come, follow me, and I will send you out to fish for people. 00:10:05.240 --> 00:10:06.639 First, we're going to focus on this. 00:10:06.799 --> 00:10:08.659 Just come, follow me. 00:10:09.259 --> 00:10:14.740 And we'll see that that invitation is the offer of an identity that is utterly secure. 00:10:15.379 --> 00:10:19.779 We've already seen that Matthew is introducing Jesus as king. 00:10:20.159 --> 00:10:25.259 That big driving statement, repent for the kingdom of heaven has come near. 00:10:25.720 --> 00:10:30.419 And that story that we've just listened to illustrates what it means to do that. 00:10:30.559 --> 00:10:33.840 The brothers, they drop everything to follow him, to follow the king. 00:10:33.840 --> 00:10:38.160 And notice where the initiative comes from in that. 00:10:38.639 --> 00:10:40.759 Those words, come, follow me. 00:10:41.740 --> 00:10:48.300 For a first century Jewish reader, the original readers of this book, I'm sure they would have had this in mind as they read them. 00:10:48.360 --> 00:10:51.019 Because they were familiar words in a similar context. 00:10:51.740 --> 00:10:57.540 They were the words used for those who followed behind a well-respected rabbi, a teacher, to learn from him. 00:10:57.539 --> 00:11:02.299 And so normally the way that would work is a man would apply to a rabbi. 00:11:02.399 --> 00:11:07.240 They'd seek a rabbi out and ask to follow him, to be his disciple. 00:11:07.919 --> 00:11:10.299 Notice here how Jesus flips that on his head. 00:11:10.299 --> 00:11:17.659 And he takes all the initiative and he says to them, come, follow me. 00:11:18.399 --> 00:11:20.719 And Jesus continues to work like that today. 00:11:21.299 --> 00:11:23.740 He graciously invites us. 00:11:23.839 --> 00:11:24.639 He invites you. 00:11:25.519 --> 00:11:26.759 He says, would you like to come? 00:11:27.199 --> 00:11:28.459 Would you like to follow me? 00:11:28.899 --> 00:11:30.000 And if you do, we'll see. 00:11:30.199 --> 00:11:32.039 It will change everything for you. 00:11:32.039 --> 00:11:36.179 It starts for these fishermen with their career. 00:11:37.339 --> 00:11:40.759 That's really emphasized with those first two brothers, with Simon and Andrew. 00:11:41.139 --> 00:11:45.620 See how Matthew is really keen to make that point that they're fishing in verse 18. 00:11:46.599 --> 00:11:47.360 Why are they fishing? 00:11:47.459 --> 00:11:48.839 Well, he tells us because they're fishermen. 00:11:49.819 --> 00:11:52.899 Even the way that Jesus calls them, he emphasizes this about them. 00:11:52.939 --> 00:11:53.480 You're fishermen. 00:11:54.159 --> 00:11:55.159 Come fish for people. 00:11:57.179 --> 00:11:59.899 And as they respond, what is it that they leave? 00:11:59.899 --> 00:12:02.519 Those specific brothers leave their nets behind. 00:12:03.360 --> 00:12:09.620 For them, following Jesus, it started by allowing him to be more important to them than their career. 00:12:11.240 --> 00:12:14.759 Fishing, it was a very ordinary career in first century Galilee. 00:12:14.879 --> 00:12:15.840 These are just normal people. 00:12:15.939 --> 00:12:17.819 You might think of them as kind of middle class. 00:12:18.459 --> 00:12:19.579 This was a family business. 00:12:19.879 --> 00:12:23.740 They're not like crazy, elite, wealthy folk, but they're not slaves either. 00:12:24.360 --> 00:12:25.699 Just normal people. 00:12:26.399 --> 00:12:28.500 I guess they're just like most of us. 00:12:28.500 --> 00:12:30.200 Just ordinary folk. 00:12:31.679 --> 00:12:34.700 I said right at the start, this is one of the first things we go to, isn't it? 00:12:34.700 --> 00:12:36.700 One of the first things we ask, what do you do? 00:12:37.240 --> 00:12:37.980 What do you study? 00:12:39.559 --> 00:12:42.059 I want to ask you, how do you feel about what you do? 00:12:42.139 --> 00:12:46.100 Whatever it is that you do, whether you're a student or it's your job or you're retired. 00:12:46.700 --> 00:12:49.620 It could even just be a hobby that you spend most of your time doing. 00:12:50.620 --> 00:12:52.100 Sport or whatever else it is. 00:12:52.539 --> 00:12:53.480 How do you feel about that? 00:12:53.720 --> 00:12:54.980 Does it define you? 00:12:54.980 --> 00:13:01.039 I mean, to be honest, I think it would be strange if it didn't a little bit, just instinctively. 00:13:02.620 --> 00:13:04.879 Because it's what we spend so much of our time doing. 00:13:05.139 --> 00:13:09.000 And in some ways, it's only natural that that's going to shape how we think about ourselves. 00:13:09.000 --> 00:13:12.980 But do you see the danger in that? 00:13:14.799 --> 00:13:17.159 Because it's just not secure. 00:13:18.000 --> 00:13:19.259 Think about how fragile that is. 00:13:19.299 --> 00:13:22.860 I handed out over 100 CVs that day and I didn't get a single job offer. 00:13:24.159 --> 00:13:24.840 It's fragile. 00:13:24.840 --> 00:13:31.519 For most of us, our occupation itself will reward performance, right? 00:13:31.560 --> 00:13:38.200 We'll strive for and kind of crave the approval of our bosses and our lecturers and our teachers. 00:13:40.320 --> 00:13:41.200 And that's fragile. 00:13:41.340 --> 00:13:45.980 I mean, if you're anything like me, you'll have some days that are super productive and some that are much less so. 00:13:45.980 --> 00:13:51.039 If we're defined by that, it's just not secure. 00:13:52.779 --> 00:13:57.180 And of course, it could all just be pulled away from under us at any moment. 00:13:58.420 --> 00:14:01.720 Maybe you feel invincible in whatever your occupation is. 00:14:01.879 --> 00:14:04.519 But speak to anyone in the room who's ever lost their job. 00:14:06.360 --> 00:14:09.700 Or struggled with the transition out of work and into retirement. 00:14:09.700 --> 00:14:16.120 Or if your identity is tied up in sport, maybe you know the feeling of when you get injured. 00:14:17.060 --> 00:14:18.620 It's all so fragile. 00:14:20.420 --> 00:14:23.720 And I think this passage would say, just don't let that stuff define you. 00:14:24.440 --> 00:14:28.200 Those aren't bad things, like career, occupation, sport. 00:14:28.340 --> 00:14:28.879 It's all good. 00:14:28.980 --> 00:14:31.080 Just don't make it your everything. 00:14:32.340 --> 00:14:33.740 Don't let it define you. 00:14:35.060 --> 00:14:38.180 Don't let yourself attach your identity to it. 00:14:38.179 --> 00:14:42.799 Instead, Jesus says, come, follow me. 00:14:44.419 --> 00:14:47.199 Let your response to that invitation define you. 00:14:47.259 --> 00:14:50.799 That you're one who follows the king of the universe. 00:14:52.679 --> 00:14:54.139 That's the first set of brothers. 00:14:54.599 --> 00:14:59.799 And if that's not challenging enough, with the second set, it moves from career to family. 00:15:01.579 --> 00:15:03.240 See how Matthew emphasizes that? 00:15:03.319 --> 00:15:04.159 Look at verse 21. 00:15:04.620 --> 00:15:05.579 We're told they're brothers. 00:15:06.240 --> 00:15:07.559 He repeats that they're brothers. 00:15:07.559 --> 00:15:09.859 It tells us that they're sons of Zebedee. 00:15:10.199 --> 00:15:11.159 Repeats that too. 00:15:12.179 --> 00:15:15.159 And when Jesus asks them to follow him, what is it they leave? 00:15:15.199 --> 00:15:18.319 Well, they leave their boat too, but they also leave their father. 00:15:20.000 --> 00:15:24.559 Can you imagine the conversation that Mr. Zebedee had with Mrs. Zebedee when he got home that night? 00:15:25.319 --> 00:15:26.479 What do you mean they're gone? 00:15:27.319 --> 00:15:28.559 They just got up and left. 00:15:28.599 --> 00:15:29.239 Where are they going? 00:15:29.339 --> 00:15:30.259 Who is this man? 00:15:30.259 --> 00:15:34.220 Family is so important to us, isn't it? 00:15:35.100 --> 00:15:36.919 And it's really emotive, I think. 00:15:37.879 --> 00:15:41.960 Now, I don't think that this passage is a blueprint for us to disown our parents. 00:15:42.379 --> 00:15:43.700 Some of you might want to do that. 00:15:43.759 --> 00:15:50.519 You'll see later on in Matthew that Jesus has really strong words for those who neglect their parents and try and use Scripture to back it up. 00:15:50.519 --> 00:15:52.000 That's not the application here. 00:15:53.139 --> 00:16:04.139 But Jesus does also say, again, later in Matthew, he says that if there is a conflict between family loyalties and Jesus, Jesus wins every time. 00:16:04.139 --> 00:16:06.600 Let me say that again. 00:16:06.679 --> 00:16:12.199 If you have to choose between family and Jesus, Jesus wins every time. 00:16:13.699 --> 00:16:15.240 It's hard to hear that, isn't it? 00:16:15.740 --> 00:16:19.960 I don't know how you feel about family, but I find that a hard thing to hear. 00:16:21.159 --> 00:16:26.799 If you're a strongly family-oriented person, again, maybe your identity is tied to that. 00:16:27.960 --> 00:16:31.399 In this story, it's really from the perspective of kids leaving their parents. 00:16:31.399 --> 00:16:37.539 But I think this might be even more radical and maybe more applicable to most of us in the room if you are a parent. 00:16:38.199 --> 00:16:44.480 Especially if you're in those early stages where your whole purpose can feel wrapped up in your family life. 00:16:46.100 --> 00:16:48.639 To be clear, I think family is really important. 00:16:49.399 --> 00:16:53.179 For me, I find this more challenging than occupation by miles. 00:16:54.279 --> 00:16:57.980 I appreciate that's not true for everyone, but a bit like career, 00:16:57.980 --> 00:17:04.180 let's see how fragile a foundation family actually is for our identity. 00:17:05.299 --> 00:17:07.019 Again, it's a very natural thing. 00:17:07.500 --> 00:17:13.140 In fact, I think it's probably impossible for this not to feel like a huge part of who we are and how we think about ourselves. 00:17:13.920 --> 00:17:20.180 Again, that's true for me, but increasingly, the older I get, the more I recognize how fragile that is. 00:17:20.180 --> 00:17:22.779 Relationships change. 00:17:23.920 --> 00:17:25.480 Expectations in a family change. 00:17:25.600 --> 00:17:26.620 People change. 00:17:28.180 --> 00:17:29.519 Families are really fragile. 00:17:30.640 --> 00:17:32.340 Maybe you've experienced that firsthand. 00:17:32.560 --> 00:17:38.779 It can come from a big move or a death in the family, an argument and lingering bitterness. 00:17:40.700 --> 00:17:45.080 What would it do to you if you were to find out that your family harbored some horrible secret? 00:17:45.079 --> 00:17:48.799 Or if you found out that they weren't your real family at all? 00:17:49.439 --> 00:17:50.539 These things happen. 00:17:52.079 --> 00:17:53.919 And so family identity is fragile. 00:17:55.319 --> 00:18:00.799 And the truth is, if our identity is rooted in family, we will eventually get let down one way or another. 00:18:02.220 --> 00:18:03.699 It is far from secure. 00:18:05.460 --> 00:18:07.339 I hope this is starting to get uncomfortable. 00:18:07.339 --> 00:18:14.220 But we need to recognize that Jesus is the king of the universe. 00:18:15.480 --> 00:18:20.919 And he has all authority to ask this of us, to ask us for all of life. 00:18:21.779 --> 00:18:23.480 But actually, this is a wonderful thing. 00:18:23.619 --> 00:18:25.079 Family is a wonderful gift. 00:18:25.379 --> 00:18:26.539 It's a wonderful gift. 00:18:27.240 --> 00:18:32.159 But the identity that we're being offered here is so much more secure than that. 00:18:32.359 --> 00:18:34.220 It doesn't mean we no longer have families. 00:18:34.220 --> 00:18:36.259 Of course, we do and they're good. 00:18:36.339 --> 00:18:40.200 But it means that our identity is rooted in something utterly solid. 00:18:40.519 --> 00:18:43.860 If we would be followers of the king of the universe. 00:18:45.440 --> 00:18:49.920 So for these fishermen, the spotlight was on their occupation and on their family. 00:18:50.140 --> 00:18:52.160 We've talked about those things for ourselves. 00:18:53.360 --> 00:18:58.200 But if we're honest, there could be any number of things that lay claims on our identity like that. 00:18:58.200 --> 00:19:04.319 Things that are so important to us that they're kind of intimately connected to how we think about ourselves and who we are. 00:19:04.380 --> 00:19:05.700 That might be your nationality. 00:19:06.360 --> 00:19:07.360 It might be your sexuality. 00:19:08.259 --> 00:19:09.480 It might be your politics. 00:19:10.559 --> 00:19:12.900 It might be the ways that you've suffered in life. 00:19:13.220 --> 00:19:15.180 It might be certain personality traits. 00:19:15.600 --> 00:19:16.860 It might be your image. 00:19:17.600 --> 00:19:19.240 It could even be your position in church. 00:19:19.240 --> 00:19:21.100 If you're an elder or a worship leader. 00:19:21.099 --> 00:19:26.980 Whatever it is, there are so many things that lay claim on who we are. 00:19:27.259 --> 00:19:28.359 On our identity. 00:19:29.059 --> 00:19:31.579 And all of them are utterly fragile. 00:19:32.059 --> 00:19:33.699 And could be taken from us any moment. 00:19:35.379 --> 00:19:37.319 If you're not a Christian this morning. 00:19:37.439 --> 00:19:39.099 If you're a new Christian even. 00:19:39.219 --> 00:19:41.079 And you're just kind of feeling your way into this. 00:19:41.139 --> 00:19:42.659 This is a big deal. 00:19:43.119 --> 00:19:45.839 And I appreciate it can sound like quite a scary thing. 00:19:45.839 --> 00:19:49.759 But honestly, it is so freeing. 00:19:49.919 --> 00:19:54.699 When the most important thing about who you are is utterly secure. 00:19:56.339 --> 00:19:58.519 That is a wonderful thing. 00:19:59.579 --> 00:20:02.639 But it requires a really radical change. 00:20:03.720 --> 00:20:05.199 A reorientation of life. 00:20:05.279 --> 00:20:06.139 Really, that's repentance. 00:20:06.399 --> 00:20:07.899 It's what Jesus demands of us. 00:20:07.939 --> 00:20:12.419 A turning away from all those other things in life that lay claim on us. 00:20:12.420 --> 00:20:16.240 And allowing our identity to be in him. 00:20:17.300 --> 00:20:18.740 And if you are a Christian this morning. 00:20:18.800 --> 00:20:20.460 Maybe you've been a Christian for ages. 00:20:21.080 --> 00:20:24.700 I wonder if you've forgotten just how radical a thing this is. 00:20:25.120 --> 00:20:28.140 To have said to this king, I will follow you. 00:20:29.480 --> 00:20:31.960 And it's just possible this was true for me. 00:20:32.360 --> 00:20:33.980 As I studied this this week. 00:20:34.000 --> 00:20:35.360 If you're really honest with yourself. 00:20:35.460 --> 00:20:36.840 Yes, you've chosen to follow Jesus. 00:20:37.960 --> 00:20:41.039 Yes, you know that that was, that that is all of life. 00:20:41.039 --> 00:20:47.839 But maybe it's just possible that you've let some of those other things in life that used to define you creep back in. 00:20:50.220 --> 00:20:54.920 Is it possible that their whispered claims have grown louder and louder without you even realizing? 00:20:56.700 --> 00:21:00.720 Well, this morning, let me invite you to hear those whispered claims. 00:21:00.720 --> 00:21:02.059 To recognize them. 00:21:02.599 --> 00:21:04.759 But then hearing you, Jesus' invitation. 00:21:05.740 --> 00:21:06.039 Come. 00:21:07.299 --> 00:21:08.000 Follow me. 00:21:08.000 --> 00:21:12.279 And as he asks that, he doesn't ask you for your CV. 00:21:12.599 --> 00:21:14.099 He doesn't ask you what you're good at. 00:21:15.200 --> 00:21:19.000 He doesn't need to know how ambitious you are or how much potential you have. 00:21:19.640 --> 00:21:25.019 He gives you a new identity as a follower of Christ before you even do anything. 00:21:26.299 --> 00:21:29.619 And becoming a follower of Christ is not just another line on your CV. 00:21:29.819 --> 00:21:32.259 It's not another thing to define us. 00:21:32.259 --> 00:21:33.279 It is the thing. 00:21:34.039 --> 00:21:36.980 It means all those other things no longer define who we are. 00:21:37.900 --> 00:21:39.920 He says, come, follow me. 00:21:40.460 --> 00:21:43.700 And it is utterly secure to be a follower of Jesus. 00:21:45.180 --> 00:21:47.799 And it is an identity that comes with real purpose. 00:21:48.460 --> 00:21:53.180 And the translation that you guys use here in the church Bibles, the NIV, says, 00:21:53.180 --> 00:21:55.519 I will send you out to fish for people. 00:21:56.259 --> 00:22:00.039 And other translations have, I will make you fishers of men. 00:22:00.400 --> 00:22:02.779 And I want us to see something helpful in that. 00:22:02.840 --> 00:22:06.340 Because their purpose is tied to their identity. 00:22:07.759 --> 00:22:13.380 They move from being fishermen to literally fishermen of men. 00:22:15.140 --> 00:22:18.220 As Jesus says, I will send you. 00:22:18.799 --> 00:22:21.400 I wonder if you've ever had that existential moment. 00:22:21.400 --> 00:22:23.240 It might have happened in the shower. 00:22:23.620 --> 00:22:24.780 Often comes late at night. 00:22:24.880 --> 00:22:27.400 Maybe in a deep conversation with a best friend. 00:22:27.519 --> 00:22:29.640 Maybe just your own lonely thoughts. 00:22:29.740 --> 00:22:32.540 But that moment where you start to ask, is this it? 00:22:33.740 --> 00:22:36.460 Like, is this really what my life is for? 00:22:37.120 --> 00:22:41.620 If I keep going with my kind of day-to-day, what will I have actually done with it all? 00:22:43.740 --> 00:22:46.860 In other words, what's my purpose in life? 00:22:46.859 --> 00:22:53.699 Well, in this passage, Jesus, he gives those who come and follow him a brand new purpose in life. 00:22:53.759 --> 00:22:55.639 A purpose that is eternally significant. 00:22:55.639 --> 00:22:58.559 As he says, I will send you out to fish for people. 00:22:58.679 --> 00:23:00.319 To be fishers of men. 00:23:01.419 --> 00:23:05.099 And I think it's implied in verse 21 with the second set of brothers. 00:23:05.199 --> 00:23:06.939 We're not told exactly what Jesus said. 00:23:06.959 --> 00:23:08.059 Just that he called them. 00:23:08.740 --> 00:23:13.959 I think it's fair to assume that that is therefore the same call that he gave the first set of brothers. 00:23:13.960 --> 00:23:16.480 Follow me, come fish for people. 00:23:16.799 --> 00:23:18.400 This is what it means to follow Jesus. 00:23:18.940 --> 00:23:20.960 Is to be a fisher of men. 00:23:22.019 --> 00:23:23.559 And so what does it mean to do that? 00:23:24.059 --> 00:23:26.519 What is this new purpose that Jesus gives them? 00:23:27.779 --> 00:23:31.240 Well, to put it simply, I think it is to do what Jesus has been doing. 00:23:31.660 --> 00:23:33.420 It is to proclaim, repent. 00:23:34.120 --> 00:23:35.840 For the kingdom of heaven is near. 00:23:36.940 --> 00:23:41.660 In other words, it's encouraging others to turn around and follow the king of that heavenly kingdom. 00:23:41.660 --> 00:23:44.500 That they might receive eternal life. 00:23:45.300 --> 00:23:46.779 That's fishing for men. 00:23:47.120 --> 00:23:49.620 It's an eternally significant purpose. 00:23:51.800 --> 00:23:56.120 But I guess for some of us, maybe even most of us in the room, sitting there thinking, 00:23:56.340 --> 00:23:58.420 I couldn't possibly do that. 00:23:59.240 --> 00:24:01.519 Or I would never be very good at that. 00:24:02.660 --> 00:24:04.680 Or I've tried and it didn't work. 00:24:05.600 --> 00:24:06.640 Think that about yourself. 00:24:06.640 --> 00:24:10.940 I don't have what it takes to encourage other people into the kingdom. 00:24:11.340 --> 00:24:13.600 I'm happy to follow the king myself. 00:24:14.420 --> 00:24:15.980 Grateful for this new identity. 00:24:16.660 --> 00:24:19.360 But I'm going to have to leave the sharing about it to other people. 00:24:20.620 --> 00:24:22.080 But be encouraged by this. 00:24:22.259 --> 00:24:23.759 See what Jesus says. 00:24:23.860 --> 00:24:25.740 And again, he takes the initiative. 00:24:26.380 --> 00:24:29.380 It's not, come, follow me and then go fish for people. 00:24:30.340 --> 00:24:32.800 In our translations, we have something like that. 00:24:32.799 --> 00:24:33.839 I will send you. 00:24:33.839 --> 00:24:37.940 But other translations, I will make you fishers of men. 00:24:38.720 --> 00:24:42.039 To these brothers, he's saying, come and learn from me. 00:24:42.440 --> 00:24:43.460 Be my disciples. 00:24:43.599 --> 00:24:45.659 That's what it means to be taught by someone. 00:24:45.740 --> 00:24:46.779 He says, I will teach you. 00:24:47.039 --> 00:24:47.960 I will show you. 00:24:48.180 --> 00:24:49.700 Ultimately, I will make you. 00:24:49.779 --> 00:24:51.700 I will shape you into fishers of men. 00:24:52.379 --> 00:24:53.319 I will send you. 00:24:54.299 --> 00:24:56.879 And that's what you're going to see in the rest of Matthew. 00:24:56.880 --> 00:25:05.140 These men following Jesus, learning from him as he shapes them into those who go and share the good news themselves. 00:25:05.940 --> 00:25:10.560 And if you'll let it, this book can do the same thing for you. 00:25:11.980 --> 00:25:16.040 You might not feel today particularly well equipped to share the good news. 00:25:16.580 --> 00:25:17.780 You might not feel ready. 00:25:17.779 --> 00:25:23.319 But I think if you'll journey with Jesus through the rest of this book, that's what he's doing. 00:25:23.460 --> 00:25:27.259 He's shaping and forming you into fishers of men. 00:25:28.599 --> 00:25:35.039 In fact, here how Jesus, how Matthew ends his book, Jesus is kind of parting words to his disciples, right? 00:25:35.079 --> 00:25:35.879 They've followed him. 00:25:36.420 --> 00:25:39.399 They've watched him go up to Jerusalem to die. 00:25:39.539 --> 00:25:41.079 They've seen him come back from the dead. 00:25:41.180 --> 00:25:42.180 We're back in Galilee. 00:25:42.180 --> 00:25:46.080 And he says this to them, famous words from Matthew 28. 00:25:47.000 --> 00:25:50.120 All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 00:25:50.860 --> 00:25:57.960 Therefore, go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 00:25:58.560 --> 00:26:01.480 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. 00:26:02.140 --> 00:26:06.920 And surely I am with you always to the very end of the age. 00:26:07.840 --> 00:26:11.980 This is the kind of final statement as he sends them out to fish for people. 00:26:11.980 --> 00:26:13.860 He says, make disciples. 00:26:14.839 --> 00:26:19.519 That is, as you have followed me, encourage others to follow me. 00:26:20.160 --> 00:26:20.860 Fish for people. 00:26:21.099 --> 00:26:21.440 How? 00:26:22.220 --> 00:26:22.920 Well, he says, go. 00:26:23.140 --> 00:26:23.900 You've got to go. 00:26:24.640 --> 00:26:25.259 Do you see that? 00:26:25.400 --> 00:26:27.160 Go to those who don't know Jesus. 00:26:28.819 --> 00:26:29.339 And do you know this? 00:26:29.480 --> 00:26:34.099 These couple of verses have almost always been used as an encouragement to become a missionary. 00:26:34.779 --> 00:26:38.240 You know, to go to unreached people groups, to go over there. 00:26:38.240 --> 00:26:44.319 As if we were in first century Galilee and over the seas lies the unreached people. 00:26:45.099 --> 00:26:48.980 And look, there's no harm in going overseas to proclaim the good news. 00:26:49.259 --> 00:26:50.740 We want to support that work. 00:26:50.880 --> 00:26:53.740 But we need to see that Scotland is not ancient Galilee. 00:26:55.099 --> 00:26:56.240 Scotland is the nations. 00:26:56.880 --> 00:26:59.000 The unreached people aren't just over there. 00:26:59.740 --> 00:27:00.339 They're here. 00:27:00.339 --> 00:27:07.740 And for most of us, maybe even all of us in the room, fishing for people isn't going to mean crossing oceans. 00:27:08.879 --> 00:27:12.439 It's going to mean staying put and following Jesus closely. 00:27:12.839 --> 00:27:15.139 But we still need to see the command to go. 00:27:15.779 --> 00:27:19.740 You've got to intentionally go towards the people who are already around you. 00:27:21.039 --> 00:27:22.519 Who aren't yet in his kingdom. 00:27:22.519 --> 00:27:26.539 That means seeing the streets that we live on. 00:27:27.119 --> 00:27:33.019 And our schools, our tutorials at university, our workplaces, our clubs, our friendships, our families. 00:27:33.180 --> 00:27:39.220 Seeing them as the very places where the good news about Jesus' kingdom can be shared. 00:27:40.039 --> 00:27:42.920 He says, go, be active in sharing the good news. 00:27:43.559 --> 00:27:45.099 Then he says, baptize. 00:27:45.099 --> 00:27:48.619 And that is really just a symbol of new life. 00:27:49.279 --> 00:27:53.259 Of one who has repented, realigned their lives with God's kingdom. 00:27:54.619 --> 00:27:57.000 He says, share the good news about Jesus Christ. 00:27:57.240 --> 00:27:59.879 That people might respond to it and join his kingdom. 00:28:00.000 --> 00:28:01.000 That's what baptism is. 00:28:01.039 --> 00:28:02.959 The sign of someone joining his kingdom. 00:28:03.139 --> 00:28:05.119 So let's not shy away from this then. 00:28:06.339 --> 00:28:07.559 We go to people. 00:28:08.059 --> 00:28:11.599 Not that we only ever become friends with them as kind of conversion projects. 00:28:11.599 --> 00:28:14.139 And then drop them if they don't respond well to the good news. 00:28:14.140 --> 00:28:17.580 We can and should love people well. 00:28:17.640 --> 00:28:18.820 Be good friends to people. 00:28:19.000 --> 00:28:23.640 But I think even as we do that, we can be clear and say, we do want to share the good news as we do that. 00:28:23.680 --> 00:28:25.720 And we do want people to respond to it. 00:28:26.660 --> 00:28:28.820 Not just to hear it, but to follow him. 00:28:28.900 --> 00:28:29.560 To be baptized. 00:28:30.340 --> 00:28:31.520 And to join the kingdom. 00:28:32.520 --> 00:28:33.240 He says, go. 00:28:33.580 --> 00:28:34.759 He says, baptize. 00:28:35.000 --> 00:28:36.080 He says, teach. 00:28:37.040 --> 00:28:41.120 Because fishing for men isn't just about getting people into the kingdom. 00:28:41.119 --> 00:28:44.239 But about a lifelong following of Jesus. 00:28:44.559 --> 00:28:45.759 Becoming his disciples. 00:28:46.219 --> 00:28:50.519 Teaching and growing together that we might better obey all that he has taught. 00:28:50.719 --> 00:28:55.119 That we might better live as those with this new identity of those who follow the king. 00:28:56.219 --> 00:28:57.919 So that's what it is to fish for people. 00:28:58.639 --> 00:29:00.399 And how do you feel about that? 00:29:00.879 --> 00:29:02.439 How do you feel about that task? 00:29:02.440 --> 00:29:04.940 I think it's pretty daunting. 00:29:06.380 --> 00:29:10.299 And I think it would remain impossibly daunting if not for this. 00:29:10.880 --> 00:29:12.539 Notice how Jesus frames his command. 00:29:13.180 --> 00:29:18.259 He begins by saying, all authority in heaven and on earth have been given to me. 00:29:18.920 --> 00:29:20.140 Remember who this is. 00:29:20.400 --> 00:29:23.900 The one who gives this command is the God of the universe. 00:29:24.420 --> 00:29:25.660 He created it all. 00:29:25.660 --> 00:29:28.600 He has all authority over it. 00:29:28.660 --> 00:29:32.660 Over your heart and over the hearts of the people with whom you're going to share the good news. 00:29:33.759 --> 00:29:35.060 But much more than that. 00:29:35.320 --> 00:29:36.580 At the end of verse 28. 00:29:36.700 --> 00:29:37.540 See what he says. 00:29:38.300 --> 00:29:40.540 Surely I am with you always. 00:29:41.880 --> 00:29:42.840 You're not on your own. 00:29:45.019 --> 00:29:45.680 Jesus came. 00:29:45.820 --> 00:29:46.320 He died. 00:29:46.460 --> 00:29:47.220 He rose again. 00:29:47.680 --> 00:29:48.900 He ascended into heaven. 00:29:48.900 --> 00:29:55.300 But he sent his spirit to equip us and comfort us and encourage us and enable us. 00:29:56.660 --> 00:29:58.120 He's the king of the universe. 00:29:58.400 --> 00:29:59.600 He has all authority. 00:30:00.580 --> 00:30:02.860 And he is with you always. 00:30:04.580 --> 00:30:08.340 To be fishers of men is an eternally significant purpose. 00:30:09.220 --> 00:30:11.460 And we might feel ill-equipped for it. 00:30:11.540 --> 00:30:14.759 In fact, in many ways, I think we should feel ill-equipped. 00:30:14.960 --> 00:30:17.759 In ourselves, we are ill-equipped. 00:30:17.759 --> 00:30:22.420 But Jesus says that he will make you fishers of men. 00:30:22.900 --> 00:30:23.860 So follow him. 00:30:24.799 --> 00:30:25.759 Learn from him. 00:30:26.619 --> 00:30:28.619 Jesus reminds us of who he is. 00:30:29.079 --> 00:30:30.079 He has all authority. 00:30:30.219 --> 00:30:31.859 He is with us always. 00:30:32.119 --> 00:30:34.099 The Christian life isn't easy. 00:30:35.359 --> 00:30:38.019 The purpose of the Christian life isn't inactive. 00:30:38.019 --> 00:30:40.299 It's hard. 00:30:41.240 --> 00:30:42.480 But it's really good. 00:30:43.660 --> 00:30:45.240 It's eternally significant. 00:30:46.500 --> 00:30:50.980 See, the problem with a CV-shaped life is that the purpose will always be fragile. 00:30:51.259 --> 00:30:52.680 It will always have an expiry date. 00:30:52.740 --> 00:30:56.139 You're always going to end up asking at some point, is this all I'm really living for? 00:30:56.140 --> 00:31:04.000 But Jesus gives us a purpose that will never fade, that can never retire or plateau. 00:31:05.200 --> 00:31:07.400 In the kingdom, you don't stop at 65. 00:31:08.660 --> 00:31:13.240 In the kingdom, your purpose doesn't depend on your health or your status or your income. 00:31:13.480 --> 00:31:15.380 It doesn't even depend on your own ability. 00:31:15.380 --> 00:31:18.340 Because we follow this king. 00:31:19.000 --> 00:31:21.760 And he's the one who shapes us and sends us. 00:31:21.920 --> 00:31:25.100 And so if you're a Christian in the room, this is your purpose. 00:31:25.099 --> 00:31:33.139 This is what he's going to spend the rest of your life doing, making you into fishes of men. 00:31:34.439 --> 00:31:38.119 Just as we finish, one more detail in the text to notice. 00:31:39.500 --> 00:31:42.759 See how Matthew describes the response of these fishermen. 00:31:43.639 --> 00:31:48.359 Simon, Peter and Andrew, if you look at verse 20, they leave at once. 00:31:49.759 --> 00:31:53.179 James and John, verse 22, they leave immediately. 00:31:55.099 --> 00:32:02.119 Look, I don't know where you're at on your journey, but I'm sure there are some people in the room who haven't yet decided to follow Jesus. 00:32:03.839 --> 00:32:07.039 Maybe you're really new to all of this and you're just not sure yet. 00:32:07.399 --> 00:32:10.799 Maybe you've been exploring for a while and you can kind of see the value in it. 00:32:10.839 --> 00:32:15.359 Maybe you're even convinced that it's true, but you don't know that you're ready to dive in yet. 00:32:15.819 --> 00:32:16.599 And that's fine. 00:32:16.679 --> 00:32:18.740 Look, wherever you're at, please keep exploring it. 00:32:18.799 --> 00:32:20.039 But don't miss this. 00:32:20.039 --> 00:32:25.139 The response of these fishermen at once, immediately they follow Jesus. 00:32:25.319 --> 00:32:26.519 And you can do that too. 00:32:27.960 --> 00:32:29.259 You could do that today. 00:32:31.039 --> 00:32:33.940 And that doesn't mean, following Jesus doesn't mean you've got it all together. 00:32:34.500 --> 00:32:37.500 It doesn't mean that all your questions have been neatly answered. 00:32:37.500 --> 00:32:43.720 But if you're committed to following Jesus, you've got a lifetime of learning from him. 00:32:45.140 --> 00:32:47.099 And maybe you've been doing that for a while. 00:32:48.400 --> 00:32:50.440 But if you're honest, you've drifted a bit. 00:32:50.539 --> 00:32:56.359 You've allowed other things in life to become your identity or to give you purpose. 00:32:57.619 --> 00:32:59.140 Well, he continues to call you. 00:32:59.319 --> 00:33:01.019 Hear him call you this morning. 00:33:01.119 --> 00:33:05.640 He says, come, follow me and I will make you fishers of men. 00:33:05.640 --> 00:33:10.840 Do you know, the big question of this passage isn't would you quit your job for Jesus? 00:33:12.280 --> 00:33:14.200 It isn't would you leave your family for Jesus? 00:33:15.259 --> 00:33:19.320 The question is, who has the right to tell you who you are? 00:33:21.560 --> 00:33:25.100 Who has the power to tell you what your life is for? 00:33:27.040 --> 00:33:28.800 Well, he's the king of the universe. 00:33:29.759 --> 00:33:31.520 So would you let Jesus do that? 00:33:32.920 --> 00:33:35.280 Would you let Jesus define your identity? 00:33:35.279 --> 00:33:38.740 Would you let Jesus give you ultimate purpose in life? 00:33:39.639 --> 00:33:41.460 It's a wonderful thing to be a Christian. 00:33:42.039 --> 00:33:47.879 We have an utterly secure identity and an eternally significant purpose. 00:33:49.319 --> 00:33:55.579 In a moment, I'm going to hand back over to Simon and we're going to sing a couple of songs just as we reflect on what we've heard. 00:33:55.619 --> 00:33:57.000 But first, let me pray for us. 00:33:57.119 --> 00:33:57.660 Why don't I pray? 00:33:57.660 --> 00:34:02.540 Heavenly Father, I thank you so much for Jesus. 00:34:04.960 --> 00:34:10.200 Lord, for the identity that you have given us as followers of the king. 00:34:10.199 --> 00:34:19.960 And Lord, I want to pray for those amongst us this morning who are feeling particularly lost or fragile. 00:34:19.960 --> 00:34:27.860 And I pray that you would help them lay claim to this identity and rest in it. 00:34:27.860 --> 00:34:35.900 That those of us who are Christians this morning would know who you say that we are. 00:34:36.860 --> 00:34:39.820 Not earned, but given. 00:34:39.820 --> 00:34:53.120 And Lord, as we look to a renewed purpose, maybe for those who feel particularly directionless and purposeless this morning. 00:34:53.119 --> 00:35:03.739 Lord, would you by your spirit be shaping us, making us, forming us and sending us to fish for people. 00:35:05.679 --> 00:35:10.799 That many might follow you into new life and into eternity. 00:35:12.219 --> 00:35:15.059 For your glory and in Jesus name. 00:35:15.799 --> 00:35:16.139 Amen.