WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:05.100 Now, I've got some things in a bag here, and they have something in common, 00:00:05.179 --> 00:00:08.400 and I wondered if you can guess what it is they have in common. 00:00:08.480 --> 00:00:11.779 But wait until we get to all the end of the items before you take the guesses. 00:00:11.880 --> 00:00:17.940 But the first thing I've got here is a cycling helmet. 00:00:18.379 --> 00:00:19.400 I'll stick that one on. 00:00:20.219 --> 00:00:22.120 A pair of wellies. I'm not going to put those on. 00:00:22.339 --> 00:00:24.160 They're not actually my wellies, and they don't fit me. 00:00:24.480 --> 00:00:26.560 So we've got wellies and a cycling helmet. 00:00:26.559 --> 00:00:30.699 Don't shout it out. Does anyone guess yet what the thing might be? 00:00:31.039 --> 00:00:33.119 Okay, you think you might know? Don't say it yet, though. 00:00:33.239 --> 00:00:35.019 So we've got wellies, cycling helmet. 00:00:35.479 --> 00:00:39.979 I realise I've done this totally the wrong way round, because I can't now get this on over here. 00:00:39.979 --> 00:00:43.019 But I've got some protective goggles. 00:00:43.859 --> 00:00:48.480 I can assure you, just in case you're wondering, I don't normally wear these when I'm riding my bike. 00:00:49.239 --> 00:00:51.359 But that would be silly. 00:00:51.439 --> 00:00:56.359 So I've got some goggles, helmet, wellies, some rubber gloves. 00:00:57.160 --> 00:01:00.679 Tamara will tell you, I can never get these off, because I've always got them on. 00:01:01.300 --> 00:01:05.939 We've got wellies, rubber gloves, goggles, cycling helmet. 00:01:07.040 --> 00:01:10.299 And one last thing, and now I'm not going to be able to get hold of these. 00:01:10.740 --> 00:01:12.200 I'm not actually going to put these in. 00:01:12.820 --> 00:01:17.079 But I have some earplugs. 00:01:18.540 --> 00:01:19.700 Earplugs might not be a certain amount of time. 00:01:20.140 --> 00:01:23.500 Earplugs, I'm not going to stick them in, because otherwise I won't be able to hear you. 00:01:23.500 --> 00:01:30.359 But I've got some earplugs, some goggles, helmet, wellies, gloves. 00:01:30.939 --> 00:01:33.620 What is it that these things have in common? 00:01:33.960 --> 00:01:35.560 Yes, your hand went up really, really early. 00:01:36.099 --> 00:01:36.299 Sorry. 00:01:37.180 --> 00:01:38.159 To do with being a builder. 00:01:38.280 --> 00:01:42.599 That's a really good guess, but that's not actually what I'm looking for. 00:01:42.719 --> 00:01:43.900 Anybody else? 00:01:44.240 --> 00:01:44.340 All right. 00:01:45.900 --> 00:01:46.460 Protection. 00:01:46.459 --> 00:01:46.539 Protection. 00:01:46.679 --> 00:01:47.579 That's exactly it. 00:01:47.799 --> 00:01:51.780 They are all to protect you from something. 00:01:52.659 --> 00:01:57.639 And the thing is, is that we live in a world where we need protection. 00:01:58.059 --> 00:01:59.359 Because things happen. 00:02:00.000 --> 00:02:06.139 Things, the reality is, is we need protection from things that can go wrong. 00:02:06.140 --> 00:02:20.240 And what we're thinking about in our service this morning is actually the feelings that we can have over things that could go wrong or over things that are going wrong. 00:02:21.020 --> 00:02:24.039 And the word that comes to mind, I'm going to take these rubber gloves off. 00:02:24.900 --> 00:02:26.560 It just doesn't feel natural. 00:02:26.560 --> 00:02:43.860 The thing is, is that the feelings that we have over things that either have gone wrong, could go wrong, or are going wrong, could be summed up with the word fear. 00:02:45.680 --> 00:02:50.860 Do you know, there's a word in the Bible that wasn't written in English, but in the New Testament it was written in Greek. 00:02:50.860 --> 00:02:59.480 A word that is translated to fear, which actually we do use in our language, in our English language. 00:03:00.340 --> 00:03:01.600 The Greek would be phobos. 00:03:01.720 --> 00:03:03.820 We get the word phobia, which means fear. 00:03:04.480 --> 00:03:05.960 And it's a word that we use. 00:03:06.000 --> 00:03:10.040 When we refer to a phobia, it means something that makes us afraid. 00:03:10.440 --> 00:03:14.280 And there are all sorts of different types of phobias, that is, fears. 00:03:14.680 --> 00:03:16.840 So we're going to put some up on the screen. 00:03:16.840 --> 00:03:21.400 And I wonder if you can guess what these different fears, these different phobias are. 00:03:21.560 --> 00:03:23.879 Some of them are more obvious than others. 00:03:24.039 --> 00:03:25.159 It's kind of in the word. 00:03:25.400 --> 00:03:26.719 But a zoo phobia. 00:03:27.439 --> 00:03:30.180 Put it out if you think you know what zoo phobia refers to. 00:03:30.219 --> 00:03:31.460 What's it a fear of? 00:03:31.900 --> 00:03:33.099 What do you think it might be? 00:03:33.140 --> 00:03:34.280 There's a bit of a hint there. 00:03:35.740 --> 00:03:38.860 It's not a fear of zoo, but it's a fear of animals. 00:03:39.280 --> 00:03:39.719 Fear of animals. 00:03:39.840 --> 00:03:40.460 Next one. 00:03:41.520 --> 00:03:41.800 Ornophobia. 00:03:43.520 --> 00:03:43.879 Birds. 00:03:44.060 --> 00:03:44.780 Fear of birds. 00:03:44.780 --> 00:03:45.379 Next one. 00:03:46.400 --> 00:03:46.759 Hemophobia. 00:03:47.140 --> 00:03:47.460 Blood. 00:03:47.960 --> 00:03:48.759 It's the fear of blood. 00:03:49.420 --> 00:03:49.979 Next one. 00:03:51.039 --> 00:03:51.520 Claustrophobia. 00:03:51.840 --> 00:03:52.659 Small spaces. 00:03:53.620 --> 00:03:54.580 Confined spaces. 00:03:55.480 --> 00:03:56.259 The next one. 00:03:57.259 --> 00:03:57.699 Scotophobia. 00:03:59.340 --> 00:04:03.000 No, it's nothing to do with people on the other side of the border. 00:04:04.960 --> 00:04:05.699 Anybody know? 00:04:06.620 --> 00:04:08.659 It's the fear of the dark, apparently. 00:04:09.379 --> 00:04:09.960 Of the what? 00:04:10.080 --> 00:04:10.819 Fear of the dark. 00:04:12.640 --> 00:04:13.000 Nyctophobia. 00:04:15.340 --> 00:04:16.819 It's the fear of night time. 00:04:16.839 --> 00:04:18.679 Next one. 00:04:18.679 --> 00:04:20.439 I don't know if I'm going to pronounce this correctly. 00:04:21.739 --> 00:04:22.459 Helminthophobia. 00:04:23.899 --> 00:04:25.219 Fear of worms. 00:04:25.439 --> 00:04:25.679 Wow. 00:04:26.019 --> 00:04:26.639 I'm impressed. 00:04:28.099 --> 00:04:28.599 What is it? 00:04:29.639 --> 00:04:30.479 Agrophobia. 00:04:31.599 --> 00:04:32.379 Gardening. 00:04:32.419 --> 00:04:33.379 Open spaces. 00:04:33.799 --> 00:04:34.719 Or going out. 00:04:35.099 --> 00:04:35.579 Next one. 00:04:35.679 --> 00:04:36.479 Arachnophobia. 00:04:37.359 --> 00:04:38.079 Spiders. 00:04:38.399 --> 00:04:38.779 Guilty. 00:04:40.779 --> 00:04:41.620 Lullophobia. 00:04:41.620 --> 00:04:46.300 It's the fear of public speaking. 00:04:48.300 --> 00:04:48.980 Yeah. 00:04:49.459 --> 00:04:50.180 Hydrophobia. 00:04:50.680 --> 00:04:51.100 Water. 00:04:51.459 --> 00:04:51.819 Water. 00:04:53.240 --> 00:04:53.800 Thermophobia. 00:04:53.800 --> 00:04:54.240 Heat. 00:04:54.240 --> 00:04:54.439 Heat. 00:04:54.439 --> 00:04:55.060 Heat. 00:04:56.740 --> 00:04:57.459 Acrophobia. 00:04:57.459 --> 00:05:00.959 It's the fear of heights. 00:05:01.839 --> 00:05:02.339 Fear of heights. 00:05:03.419 --> 00:05:03.979 Hodophobia. 00:05:06.279 --> 00:05:06.879 Hobbits. 00:05:08.019 --> 00:05:09.399 It's the fear of travel. 00:05:10.979 --> 00:05:11.539 Musophobia. 00:05:11.540 --> 00:05:14.860 Not music. 00:05:15.100 --> 00:05:15.780 Fear of mice. 00:05:16.180 --> 00:05:16.840 Last one. 00:05:17.980 --> 00:05:18.580 Pognophobia. 00:05:18.760 --> 00:05:19.319 I love this one. 00:05:20.379 --> 00:05:22.220 It is the fear of beards. 00:05:23.160 --> 00:05:23.340 John. 00:05:23.439 --> 00:05:24.180 Says a man with a beard. 00:05:24.379 --> 00:05:24.560 Yeah. 00:05:24.560 --> 00:05:26.560 Now. 00:05:27.339 --> 00:05:29.300 All sorts of different things. 00:05:30.100 --> 00:05:32.899 That can generate a sense of fear in us. 00:05:32.939 --> 00:05:35.199 And if we're honest with ourselves. 00:05:35.639 --> 00:05:39.800 All of us have fears of one kind or another. 00:05:40.500 --> 00:05:42.680 Now I'm not going to go around with a microphone. 00:05:42.680 --> 00:05:44.519 And share it with everybody. 00:05:44.699 --> 00:05:46.040 But what I would invite you to do. 00:05:46.300 --> 00:05:48.000 Is just pause for a moment now. 00:05:48.420 --> 00:05:49.939 And ask yourself this question. 00:05:50.540 --> 00:05:52.379 What is it that makes you afraid? 00:05:52.379 --> 00:05:54.800 What sort of things. 00:05:55.759 --> 00:05:57.300 Do you become fearful of? 00:05:59.060 --> 00:06:00.740 Each of us will answer that differently. 00:06:01.860 --> 00:06:03.519 And it's a very personal question. 00:06:03.680 --> 00:06:06.339 Which is why I'm not going to ask you to share it with anybody else. 00:06:07.219 --> 00:06:07.519 You know. 00:06:07.579 --> 00:06:10.459 All of us have fears of one kind or another. 00:06:10.560 --> 00:06:12.060 It's part of being a human being. 00:06:12.560 --> 00:06:14.139 And I said jokingly just now. 00:06:14.399 --> 00:06:14.819 That you know. 00:06:15.139 --> 00:06:16.439 When it came to arachnophobia. 00:06:16.579 --> 00:06:17.360 Fear of spiders. 00:06:17.560 --> 00:06:18.240 I put my hand up and said. 00:06:18.439 --> 00:06:18.779 Guilty. 00:06:18.779 --> 00:06:19.639 But actually. 00:06:19.759 --> 00:06:22.159 Why would we describe a fear. 00:06:22.160 --> 00:06:24.160 As something that we're guilty of. 00:06:24.280 --> 00:06:26.260 Because it's not something that. 00:06:26.420 --> 00:06:28.439 Although we might feel embarrassed about. 00:06:28.720 --> 00:06:30.560 Some of the things that may make us afraid. 00:06:31.300 --> 00:06:32.700 Actually it's part of being human. 00:06:32.939 --> 00:06:34.520 All of us have something or other. 00:06:34.700 --> 00:06:35.780 That makes us feel afraid. 00:06:35.900 --> 00:06:36.680 And sometimes. 00:06:37.100 --> 00:06:37.860 In our lives. 00:06:38.220 --> 00:06:40.440 Particular things will happen to us. 00:06:40.580 --> 00:06:42.800 That make us feel fearful. 00:06:42.960 --> 00:06:43.420 And afraid. 00:06:43.500 --> 00:06:44.860 And we'll come to that in a moment. 00:06:45.240 --> 00:06:46.680 When we have our Bible reading. 00:06:47.140 --> 00:06:49.020 But just to introduce that reading. 00:06:49.019 --> 00:06:50.879 Because it comes from. 00:06:51.099 --> 00:06:52.120 The book of Acts. 00:06:52.519 --> 00:06:52.819 Which. 00:06:54.199 --> 00:06:55.339 Tells us the story. 00:06:55.339 --> 00:06:56.459 Of the earliest Christians. 00:06:56.459 --> 00:06:57.819 After the time of Jesus. 00:06:58.439 --> 00:06:59.240 And when we rewind. 00:06:59.599 --> 00:07:01.000 To when Jesus was on earth. 00:07:01.439 --> 00:07:01.959 Jesus was. 00:07:02.079 --> 00:07:03.180 Was with his disciples. 00:07:03.419 --> 00:07:04.539 Before he died. 00:07:04.939 --> 00:07:06.279 He said to them. 00:07:06.459 --> 00:07:07.859 What would happen to him. 00:07:07.859 --> 00:07:09.299 That he would be taken. 00:07:09.680 --> 00:07:10.719 That he would be crucified. 00:07:10.919 --> 00:07:11.819 That he would be died. 00:07:12.039 --> 00:07:12.699 He would die. 00:07:13.019 --> 00:07:13.699 And that he would. 00:07:14.039 --> 00:07:14.919 Come alive again. 00:07:14.920 --> 00:07:16.620 But he said. 00:07:16.720 --> 00:07:17.900 Everything's going to be okay. 00:07:18.080 --> 00:07:19.160 And he said to him. 00:07:19.640 --> 00:07:21.160 He said to his disciples. 00:07:21.379 --> 00:07:22.300 Before he went back. 00:07:22.360 --> 00:07:23.600 To his father in heaven. 00:07:23.980 --> 00:07:24.640 He said. 00:07:24.720 --> 00:07:25.980 I'm not going to be with you. 00:07:26.060 --> 00:07:26.600 In a while. 00:07:26.879 --> 00:07:29.020 But I want you to hold in there. 00:07:29.160 --> 00:07:30.060 And to be hopeful. 00:07:30.439 --> 00:07:31.840 Because something amazing. 00:07:31.840 --> 00:07:32.980 Is going to happen. 00:07:33.819 --> 00:07:35.580 Because my Holy Spirit. 00:07:35.960 --> 00:07:37.540 Is going to come upon you. 00:07:38.240 --> 00:07:39.460 The Holy Spirit. 00:07:39.460 --> 00:07:40.040 Of God. 00:07:40.200 --> 00:07:40.939 Will come upon you. 00:07:41.120 --> 00:07:41.720 Like fire. 00:07:41.720 --> 00:07:43.740 And that fire. 00:07:44.540 --> 00:07:45.820 Will be with you. 00:07:46.200 --> 00:07:46.760 Always. 00:07:47.920 --> 00:07:49.560 Because God's Holy Spirit. 00:07:50.600 --> 00:07:52.140 Is always with us. 00:07:52.200 --> 00:07:53.080 And Jesus said. 00:07:53.600 --> 00:07:53.800 That. 00:07:54.820 --> 00:07:56.280 Even though he did great things. 00:07:56.360 --> 00:07:57.340 If we trust in him. 00:07:57.380 --> 00:07:58.460 And we follow him. 00:07:59.160 --> 00:07:59.500 Then. 00:07:59.860 --> 00:08:00.520 We too. 00:08:00.800 --> 00:08:02.520 Will see amazing things happen. 00:08:03.280 --> 00:08:04.460 And as we go through. 00:08:04.600 --> 00:08:06.300 The stories in the book of Acts. 00:08:06.320 --> 00:08:07.240 And we read of Paul. 00:08:07.280 --> 00:08:08.180 And the earliest Christians. 00:08:08.180 --> 00:08:08.800 We see. 00:08:09.180 --> 00:08:09.820 That actually Jesus. 00:08:10.000 --> 00:08:10.940 Was true to his words. 00:08:10.939 --> 00:08:12.219 That even though there were things. 00:08:12.219 --> 00:08:13.980 That made them feel afraid. 00:08:14.899 --> 00:08:16.639 That his presence by his spirit. 00:08:16.920 --> 00:08:17.740 Was with them. 00:08:18.519 --> 00:08:21.560 That they saw amazing things happen. 00:08:21.660 --> 00:08:22.540 They saw miracles. 00:08:23.040 --> 00:08:24.379 They saw healings. 00:08:24.660 --> 00:08:26.220 They saw people set free. 00:08:26.319 --> 00:08:27.639 They saw lives changed. 00:08:27.800 --> 00:08:29.199 Because God's promise. 00:08:29.540 --> 00:08:31.000 Is that he is always. 00:08:31.240 --> 00:08:31.720 Always. 00:08:32.139 --> 00:08:32.799 With us. 00:08:33.840 --> 00:08:35.320 He's with us by his spirit. 00:08:35.740 --> 00:08:36.620 And he will not. 00:08:36.940 --> 00:08:37.860 Turn away. 00:08:37.860 --> 00:08:39.039 From that promise. 00:08:40.940 --> 00:08:42.100 There's something else. 00:08:42.100 --> 00:08:42.820 That Jesus said. 00:08:43.000 --> 00:08:44.140 Before he died. 00:08:44.420 --> 00:08:45.260 In a conversation. 00:08:45.440 --> 00:08:46.340 With a woman at a well. 00:08:46.500 --> 00:08:46.820 One day. 00:08:46.920 --> 00:08:47.840 Who went to that place. 00:08:47.960 --> 00:08:49.380 Searching and asking questions. 00:08:49.940 --> 00:08:50.980 Was as this woman. 00:08:51.120 --> 00:08:52.260 Was drawing water. 00:08:52.260 --> 00:08:53.160 From the well. 00:08:54.260 --> 00:08:55.680 Jesus spoke of himself. 00:08:57.320 --> 00:08:58.660 As the one who gives. 00:08:59.220 --> 00:09:00.580 Life giving water. 00:09:01.720 --> 00:09:02.280 Water. 00:09:03.140 --> 00:09:04.720 That will always give us. 00:09:04.860 --> 00:09:06.240 Everything that we need. 00:09:06.240 --> 00:09:08.860 God is with us. 00:09:09.220 --> 00:09:10.259 By his spirit. 00:09:10.360 --> 00:09:11.340 That we cannot see. 00:09:12.080 --> 00:09:13.399 And we find in the Bible. 00:09:13.500 --> 00:09:14.480 The image of fire. 00:09:14.639 --> 00:09:15.480 We find in the image. 00:09:15.680 --> 00:09:16.399 In the Bible. 00:09:16.480 --> 00:09:16.840 The image. 00:09:17.180 --> 00:09:18.480 Of living water. 00:09:19.879 --> 00:09:20.700 But God's presence. 00:09:20.700 --> 00:09:21.240 Is something. 00:09:21.360 --> 00:09:22.279 That we cannot see. 00:09:22.919 --> 00:09:23.899 We cannot reach out. 00:09:23.919 --> 00:09:24.500 And touch. 00:09:25.060 --> 00:09:26.519 But we can be reassured. 00:09:26.899 --> 00:09:28.080 That he is always there. 00:09:28.080 --> 00:09:28.600 With us. 00:09:28.840 --> 00:09:30.100 And that leads us. 00:09:30.620 --> 00:09:32.039 To the word on the street. 00:09:32.639 --> 00:09:33.539 Where we're going to hear. 00:09:33.620 --> 00:09:34.620 In just a few moments. 00:09:34.620 --> 00:09:35.899 Of how Paul. 00:09:36.159 --> 00:09:38.179 Even though he had fear going on. 00:09:38.720 --> 00:09:39.480 Knew that God. 00:09:39.860 --> 00:09:40.500 Was with him. 00:09:41.080 --> 00:09:41.759 The word on the street. 00:09:42.360 --> 00:09:43.759 What was the name of the town. 00:09:43.860 --> 00:09:45.139 Where that story took place. 00:09:46.759 --> 00:09:47.440 This is a test to see. 00:09:47.500 --> 00:09:48.179 If you were really listening. 00:09:49.360 --> 00:09:49.799 Corinth. 00:09:50.200 --> 00:09:50.879 It was in Corinth. 00:09:51.860 --> 00:09:52.759 And Corinth. 00:09:52.759 --> 00:09:53.500 Corinth did not have. 00:09:53.600 --> 00:09:54.879 A particularly good reputation. 00:09:55.360 --> 00:09:56.620 In Jesus' day. 00:09:57.039 --> 00:09:58.019 It was known. 00:09:58.240 --> 00:09:59.820 To be a difficult place. 00:10:00.200 --> 00:10:00.680 In fact. 00:10:00.960 --> 00:10:01.419 The word. 00:10:01.700 --> 00:10:02.919 To Corinthianize. 00:10:03.120 --> 00:10:03.460 Somebody. 00:10:03.659 --> 00:10:04.580 Was used as an insult. 00:10:04.620 --> 00:10:05.899 It meant to really draw. 00:10:05.899 --> 00:10:07.799 Somebody's moral standards down. 00:10:07.899 --> 00:10:09.139 If you'd been Corinthianized. 00:10:09.399 --> 00:10:11.460 It meant that you really were down there. 00:10:11.620 --> 00:10:12.720 In terms of your. 00:10:12.799 --> 00:10:13.659 Your lifestyle. 00:10:14.440 --> 00:10:14.759 It was. 00:10:14.899 --> 00:10:16.320 It had such a reputation. 00:10:16.799 --> 00:10:16.919 For. 00:10:17.120 --> 00:10:18.240 For being a place. 00:10:18.620 --> 00:10:18.840 Where. 00:10:19.179 --> 00:10:19.419 There was. 00:10:19.840 --> 00:10:20.179 Basically. 00:10:20.399 --> 00:10:22.100 No sense of morality at all. 00:10:22.639 --> 00:10:24.240 There was all sorts of different. 00:10:25.919 --> 00:10:26.480 Competing. 00:10:26.820 --> 00:10:27.340 Philosophies. 00:10:27.440 --> 00:10:28.039 And beliefs. 00:10:28.259 --> 00:10:29.080 About life. 00:10:29.800 --> 00:10:30.160 And. 00:10:30.360 --> 00:10:31.240 That was where. 00:10:31.240 --> 00:10:31.680 Paul. 00:10:31.860 --> 00:10:32.720 Found himself. 00:10:33.100 --> 00:10:34.120 For that period of time. 00:10:34.240 --> 00:10:34.340 Now. 00:10:34.420 --> 00:10:35.300 At face value. 00:10:36.139 --> 00:10:37.160 Listening to that reading. 00:10:37.360 --> 00:10:37.860 Would suggest. 00:10:38.000 --> 00:10:39.200 That things were going quite well. 00:10:39.320 --> 00:10:40.020 Because it tells. 00:10:40.139 --> 00:10:40.820 How the church. 00:10:40.940 --> 00:10:41.480 Was growing. 00:10:41.639 --> 00:10:42.560 There were new Christians. 00:10:42.560 --> 00:10:43.300 Being made. 00:10:43.540 --> 00:10:44.420 And you would think. 00:10:44.420 --> 00:10:45.060 That actually. 00:10:45.360 --> 00:10:46.420 Paul didn't have that much. 00:10:46.480 --> 00:10:47.440 To be afraid of. 00:10:47.820 --> 00:10:48.620 But clearly. 00:10:48.759 --> 00:10:49.180 He did. 00:10:49.179 --> 00:10:50.599 And whilst that reading. 00:10:50.599 --> 00:10:51.539 Doesn't spell out. 00:10:51.659 --> 00:10:52.739 Anything specific. 00:10:52.739 --> 00:10:53.819 That happened. 00:10:54.399 --> 00:10:54.859 Much. 00:10:55.019 --> 00:10:55.919 In much detail. 00:10:56.399 --> 00:10:57.219 In terms of. 00:10:57.419 --> 00:10:58.559 What would make Paul afraid. 00:10:58.859 --> 00:10:59.679 Clearly he was. 00:11:00.079 --> 00:11:00.959 Because later on. 00:11:01.039 --> 00:11:02.059 Where he wrote the letters. 00:11:02.179 --> 00:11:02.919 To the Corinthians. 00:11:03.679 --> 00:11:04.859 He actually wrote. 00:11:05.439 --> 00:11:07.099 When I first came to you. 00:11:07.239 --> 00:11:08.919 I came with much fear. 00:11:09.239 --> 00:11:10.000 And trembling. 00:11:10.699 --> 00:11:11.299 And we know. 00:11:11.379 --> 00:11:12.219 That must have been true. 00:11:12.319 --> 00:11:12.759 Because. 00:11:13.339 --> 00:11:14.139 What we are told. 00:11:14.240 --> 00:11:15.079 In that story. 00:11:15.139 --> 00:11:15.699 That we just read. 00:11:15.959 --> 00:11:17.199 Was that Paul had a dream. 00:11:17.339 --> 00:11:17.879 In which. 00:11:17.879 --> 00:11:18.600 Jesus. 00:11:18.759 --> 00:11:19.600 A vision of Jesus. 00:11:19.740 --> 00:11:20.259 Came to him. 00:11:20.320 --> 00:11:20.700 And said. 00:11:21.080 --> 00:11:22.320 Do not be afraid. 00:11:22.960 --> 00:11:23.939 Do not be afraid. 00:11:24.580 --> 00:11:25.240 But Paul. 00:11:25.240 --> 00:11:26.220 Even though he had. 00:11:26.460 --> 00:11:27.659 His fears going on. 00:11:28.159 --> 00:11:28.600 Knew. 00:11:29.019 --> 00:11:30.159 That if he kept his focus. 00:11:30.360 --> 00:11:30.799 On Jesus. 00:11:31.519 --> 00:11:32.360 He would be okay. 00:11:33.559 --> 00:11:34.559 Now I just want to share. 00:11:34.720 --> 00:11:35.179 With you something. 00:11:35.299 --> 00:11:35.799 That I have. 00:11:36.159 --> 00:11:37.019 Used here before. 00:11:37.120 --> 00:11:38.159 So you may have seen this. 00:11:38.460 --> 00:11:38.700 Before. 00:11:38.799 --> 00:11:39.240 But sometimes. 00:11:39.399 --> 00:11:40.320 It can be helpful. 00:11:40.460 --> 00:11:40.820 To see. 00:11:41.179 --> 00:11:41.860 The same image. 00:11:42.200 --> 00:11:42.879 Presented again. 00:11:42.960 --> 00:11:43.820 To help us think. 00:11:44.299 --> 00:11:45.320 About the reality. 00:11:45.600 --> 00:11:46.200 Of our fears. 00:11:46.299 --> 00:11:46.759 Now I want us. 00:11:46.799 --> 00:11:47.320 Just to go back. 00:11:47.320 --> 00:11:48.020 To that question. 00:11:48.120 --> 00:11:48.800 That I asked us all. 00:11:48.800 --> 00:11:49.440 To think about. 00:11:49.800 --> 00:11:50.360 Earlier on. 00:11:50.440 --> 00:11:51.480 About what things. 00:11:51.879 --> 00:11:52.980 Make us feel. 00:11:53.560 --> 00:11:53.879 Afraid. 00:11:54.740 --> 00:11:55.400 You see sometimes. 00:11:55.720 --> 00:11:56.620 Things can come along. 00:11:56.700 --> 00:11:57.200 In our lives. 00:11:57.260 --> 00:11:58.160 That really make us. 00:11:58.640 --> 00:11:59.180 Feel afraid. 00:11:59.260 --> 00:11:59.960 And we refer. 00:12:00.340 --> 00:12:00.680 To that. 00:12:00.720 --> 00:12:01.040 That feeling. 00:12:01.120 --> 00:12:02.500 When we get overwhelmed. 00:12:02.500 --> 00:12:03.360 By our fears. 00:12:03.440 --> 00:12:03.720 As that. 00:12:04.040 --> 00:12:04.820 Sometimes we call it. 00:12:04.920 --> 00:12:06.040 That sinking feeling. 00:12:06.040 --> 00:12:06.420 Don't we. 00:12:06.500 --> 00:12:07.240 Where we just feel. 00:12:07.320 --> 00:12:07.520 That we. 00:12:07.660 --> 00:12:08.600 We just can't. 00:12:08.900 --> 00:12:09.480 Stay afloat. 00:12:09.560 --> 00:12:10.360 Because life is just. 00:12:10.440 --> 00:12:11.160 Getting so difficult. 00:12:11.280 --> 00:12:12.220 We're feeling afraid. 00:12:12.900 --> 00:12:13.700 I've got here. 00:12:13.920 --> 00:12:14.900 A jug of water. 00:12:14.899 --> 00:12:15.019 Water. 00:12:15.699 --> 00:12:15.939 And. 00:12:15.939 --> 00:12:18.079 And a little metal washer. 00:12:18.279 --> 00:12:19.559 Now you might not be able to see that. 00:12:19.620 --> 00:12:20.319 That clearly at the back. 00:12:20.379 --> 00:12:21.439 But it's a little metal washer. 00:12:21.679 --> 00:12:22.840 If I drop the metal washer. 00:12:22.840 --> 00:12:23.679 In the water. 00:12:24.039 --> 00:12:25.399 What's going to happen to it? 00:12:26.720 --> 00:12:27.699 It's going to sink. 00:12:27.699 --> 00:12:28.039 Isn't it? 00:12:28.100 --> 00:12:28.740 And in case you're going. 00:12:28.740 --> 00:12:29.500 There we go. 00:12:29.580 --> 00:12:30.539 Straight to the bottom. 00:12:31.120 --> 00:12:32.659 And that can be us sometimes. 00:12:32.659 --> 00:12:33.960 When we're feeling afraid. 00:12:34.180 --> 00:12:35.480 When something happens. 00:12:35.680 --> 00:12:37.320 That makes us feel frightened. 00:12:37.980 --> 00:12:39.440 Then we can have that. 00:12:39.519 --> 00:12:40.320 That feeling. 00:12:40.419 --> 00:12:40.740 That we say. 00:12:40.879 --> 00:12:42.519 That sinking feeling. 00:12:43.120 --> 00:12:44.560 We wish we could stay afloat. 00:12:44.639 --> 00:12:45.720 But we get pulled down. 00:12:45.820 --> 00:12:46.600 By the things. 00:12:47.200 --> 00:12:48.379 That make us feel afraid. 00:12:49.039 --> 00:12:49.399 Now. 00:12:49.560 --> 00:12:50.799 I've got something else here. 00:12:50.840 --> 00:12:52.100 Which is also quite small. 00:12:52.159 --> 00:12:52.740 I'm going to hold it up. 00:12:52.799 --> 00:12:53.919 It's a little bit easier to see. 00:12:54.000 --> 00:12:54.440 Than the washer. 00:12:55.000 --> 00:12:56.399 It's a little tiny piece. 00:12:56.399 --> 00:12:58.240 Of polystyrene. 00:12:58.919 --> 00:12:59.240 Now. 00:12:59.299 --> 00:13:00.179 If I drop this. 00:13:00.579 --> 00:13:01.399 In the water. 00:13:02.279 --> 00:13:03.240 What's going to happen? 00:13:04.360 --> 00:13:05.319 Who thinks it's going to sink? 00:13:06.000 --> 00:13:06.860 Who thinks it's going to float? 00:13:07.679 --> 00:13:07.939 Okay. 00:13:08.019 --> 00:13:08.480 Most of you. 00:13:08.639 --> 00:13:09.480 And you're quite right. 00:13:09.539 --> 00:13:09.919 There it goes. 00:13:10.000 --> 00:13:11.399 It floats on the water. 00:13:12.399 --> 00:13:12.679 Now. 00:13:13.439 --> 00:13:15.259 Sometimes we might think. 00:13:15.620 --> 00:13:16.659 That being a Christian. 00:13:16.860 --> 00:13:18.740 Is about leaning on God. 00:13:19.179 --> 00:13:20.039 And that perhaps. 00:13:20.460 --> 00:13:21.139 If we just. 00:13:21.779 --> 00:13:23.019 Talk a little bit about God. 00:13:23.120 --> 00:13:24.579 Maybe say a quick prayer. 00:13:25.199 --> 00:13:26.039 We lean on him. 00:13:26.039 --> 00:13:26.980 And that might be enough. 00:13:27.439 --> 00:13:27.679 But. 00:13:28.099 --> 00:13:28.299 You know. 00:13:28.339 --> 00:13:29.719 If I try and balance that washer. 00:13:29.839 --> 00:13:31.240 On that piece of polystyrene. 00:13:31.339 --> 00:13:32.559 I might just about be able. 00:13:32.639 --> 00:13:32.779 No. 00:13:32.819 --> 00:13:33.319 I can't do it. 00:13:34.000 --> 00:13:35.179 If I could do it. 00:13:35.259 --> 00:13:36.659 It wouldn't last very long. 00:13:37.339 --> 00:13:38.299 Very quickly. 00:13:39.559 --> 00:13:40.339 Very quickly. 00:13:40.339 --> 00:13:40.779 Indeed. 00:13:41.659 --> 00:13:43.079 It falls right off. 00:13:44.199 --> 00:13:45.519 And straight to the bottom. 00:13:47.099 --> 00:13:48.019 That's you and me. 00:13:48.199 --> 00:13:49.219 When we think. 00:13:49.699 --> 00:13:51.399 That following Jesus. 00:13:51.879 --> 00:13:54.360 Is just a matter of leaning on him. 00:13:54.360 --> 00:13:55.759 You see. 00:13:55.759 --> 00:13:58.659 When we look at the witnesses in the Bible. 00:13:59.139 --> 00:13:59.960 Time and time again. 00:14:00.240 --> 00:14:00.399 Yeah. 00:14:00.480 --> 00:14:01.600 They had fears. 00:14:01.740 --> 00:14:02.100 They had. 00:14:02.300 --> 00:14:03.039 They were afraid. 00:14:03.539 --> 00:14:04.820 But we notice a pattern. 00:14:05.240 --> 00:14:05.860 And it's this. 00:14:06.399 --> 00:14:08.139 That the thing that kept them afloat. 00:14:08.259 --> 00:14:09.560 Is when they focus. 00:14:09.960 --> 00:14:10.779 On Jesus. 00:14:11.500 --> 00:14:12.800 Remember the story of. 00:14:13.200 --> 00:14:15.379 When the disciples were out on the boat. 00:14:15.500 --> 00:14:16.019 On the water. 00:14:16.379 --> 00:14:17.940 And Jesus was walking on the water. 00:14:18.039 --> 00:14:19.019 And he says to Peter. 00:14:19.180 --> 00:14:20.240 Get out of the boat. 00:14:20.320 --> 00:14:21.180 And come to me. 00:14:21.179 --> 00:14:22.859 And he gets. 00:14:23.000 --> 00:14:23.739 Peter gets out. 00:14:23.839 --> 00:14:25.019 And he walks on the water. 00:14:25.099 --> 00:14:25.939 Towards Jesus. 00:14:26.219 --> 00:14:27.079 All the while. 00:14:27.199 --> 00:14:28.439 He's looking at Jesus. 00:14:28.759 --> 00:14:29.879 He stays afloat. 00:14:30.299 --> 00:14:31.199 But then we're told. 00:14:31.359 --> 00:14:32.759 That Peter then looks around. 00:14:32.839 --> 00:14:33.699 And he sees. 00:14:33.699 --> 00:14:34.459 The storms. 00:14:34.579 --> 00:14:35.839 And the size of the waves. 00:14:36.139 --> 00:14:37.039 And it's at that point. 00:14:37.120 --> 00:14:38.039 He starts to sink. 00:14:38.759 --> 00:14:38.939 You see. 00:14:39.019 --> 00:14:40.799 It's when he takes his focus off Jesus. 00:14:41.799 --> 00:14:44.059 And focuses instead on the fear. 00:14:44.579 --> 00:14:45.899 That he starts to sink. 00:14:46.759 --> 00:14:48.860 And so it is in this story we have this morning. 00:14:48.959 --> 00:14:51.899 It's when Paul focuses on Jesus. 00:14:52.019 --> 00:14:55.259 That those fears are put in perspective. 00:14:55.740 --> 00:14:55.939 You see. 00:14:55.980 --> 00:14:59.059 There is one way that this washer can stay afloat. 00:14:59.120 --> 00:15:01.279 And it's not by leaning on the polystyrene. 00:15:02.159 --> 00:15:03.639 You've probably worked out how it is. 00:15:03.939 --> 00:15:04.860 How can I make this float? 00:15:06.220 --> 00:15:07.120 Thread it through the middle. 00:15:08.279 --> 00:15:08.879 You see. 00:15:09.399 --> 00:15:13.159 It's when we put God at the very centre of our lives. 00:15:13.159 --> 00:15:13.219 Yes. 00:15:15.100 --> 00:15:16.759 The fear may still be there. 00:15:17.879 --> 00:15:19.519 But we find that in his strength. 00:15:19.639 --> 00:15:20.539 With him at the centre. 00:15:21.740 --> 00:15:22.879 We don't sink. 00:15:23.779 --> 00:15:24.939 But we stay afloat. 00:15:27.279 --> 00:15:27.719 Now. 00:15:28.500 --> 00:15:28.939 Again. 00:15:29.719 --> 00:15:30.500 What is it? 00:15:32.000 --> 00:15:33.659 That you're fearful of. 00:15:34.259 --> 00:15:35.959 What is it that makes you afraid? 00:15:36.679 --> 00:15:37.480 Each of us. 00:15:37.620 --> 00:15:39.159 Every single one of us in this room. 00:15:39.279 --> 00:15:40.559 Will have something or other. 00:15:40.919 --> 00:15:42.259 That makes us feel afraid. 00:15:43.159 --> 00:15:44.079 What we're going to do now. 00:15:44.139 --> 00:15:45.740 Is we're just going to lead us in a short prayer. 00:15:46.439 --> 00:15:48.360 We're going to ask us to think about those things. 00:15:48.360 --> 00:15:49.919 That may make us feel afraid. 00:15:50.839 --> 00:15:51.500 And in our prayers. 00:15:51.579 --> 00:15:53.459 We're just going to bring those things before God. 00:15:54.039 --> 00:15:56.679 And ask him to be at the very centre of our lives. 00:15:57.120 --> 00:15:58.159 And give us strength. 00:15:58.500 --> 00:15:59.980 Just as Paul had strength. 00:16:00.539 --> 00:16:01.659 In the face of his fears. 00:16:02.000 --> 00:16:02.740 So let's pray. 00:16:03.199 --> 00:16:05.539 Sometimes it's helpful to close our eyes for this. 00:16:05.620 --> 00:16:07.720 But if you feel more comfortable keeping them open. 00:16:08.279 --> 00:16:08.620 Then. 00:16:09.019 --> 00:16:10.319 Whichever you prefer to do. 00:16:10.320 --> 00:16:13.280 Firstly. 00:16:13.400 --> 00:16:14.300 As we come to pray. 00:16:14.300 --> 00:16:15.640 I invite you to think about. 00:16:15.879 --> 00:16:17.080 Whatever it may be. 00:16:17.200 --> 00:16:18.600 That may make you feel afraid. 00:16:18.780 --> 00:16:20.480 It might be one particular thing. 00:16:20.900 --> 00:16:22.160 It might be a situation. 00:16:22.420 --> 00:16:25.580 It might be something that's going on in your life right now. 00:16:26.260 --> 00:16:28.360 Or something that lies in the future. 00:16:31.300 --> 00:16:33.300 But just think about that thing. 00:16:33.379 --> 00:16:34.640 And hold it before God. 00:16:35.200 --> 00:16:35.800 In prayer. 00:16:36.040 --> 00:16:36.320 Now. 00:16:36.320 --> 00:16:42.240 And as you hold. 00:16:42.760 --> 00:16:43.740 That thought. 00:16:43.960 --> 00:16:44.620 In prayer. 00:16:45.860 --> 00:16:46.940 Remember again. 00:16:48.520 --> 00:16:50.780 The words that Jesus said. 00:16:51.240 --> 00:16:52.420 To Paul in the vision. 00:16:53.040 --> 00:16:54.200 For they are the same words. 00:16:54.360 --> 00:16:56.020 That he would say to each one of us. 00:16:57.180 --> 00:16:58.960 Do not be afraid. 00:16:58.960 --> 00:17:04.240 Lord God. 00:17:04.840 --> 00:17:06.400 We all have fears. 00:17:06.779 --> 00:17:07.960 We all have things. 00:17:08.480 --> 00:17:10.860 That make us feel like we could be sinking. 00:17:12.779 --> 00:17:13.259 Lord. 00:17:13.319 --> 00:17:14.759 Whatever those things may be. 00:17:15.720 --> 00:17:17.380 We bring them to you now. 00:17:18.920 --> 00:17:20.720 Help us to trust in you. 00:17:21.880 --> 00:17:24.100 Help us not only to lean on you. 00:17:24.099 --> 00:17:27.539 But to put you at the centre of our lives. 00:17:28.659 --> 00:17:30.159 That even though the fears. 00:17:30.339 --> 00:17:31.740 And the things that make us feel afraid. 00:17:31.859 --> 00:17:32.659 May still be there. 00:17:33.799 --> 00:17:35.779 We may know that we are kept afloat. 00:17:36.500 --> 00:17:37.279 By you. 00:17:37.459 --> 00:17:38.500 And by your strength. 00:17:40.779 --> 00:17:41.179 Amen. 00:17:42.100 --> 00:17:51.220 Thank you. 00:17:55.380 --> 00:17:57.380 Amen.