WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:09.160 At the beginning of the service, Alex was going to introduce me, but Matt joined us so his 00:00:09.160 --> 00:00:15.900 ! attention was taken elsewhere. I'm Nick Moxon, Methodist minister in Portishead. Just to give 00:00:15.900 --> 00:00:20.940 ! you some context, it wasn't just the case of we need a vicar and I was walking past and so they 00:00:20.940 --> 00:00:29.160 dragged me in this morning. There's a reason for me being here. I minister in Portishead and in PIL. 00:00:30.000 --> 00:00:37.700 I've been in the circuit for, this is my 10th year and as of the beginning of January, I took over 00:00:37.700 --> 00:00:46.420 the role as superintendent when Russ moved on. And just to also say that this afternoon, the circuit 00:00:46.420 --> 00:00:54.280 are having a, I know that you've said a goodbye and a thank you to Russ and to Tam, but we're this 00:00:54.280 --> 00:00:59.960 afternoon, the circuit are gathering at the Beacon Hub at Portishead Methodist Church this afternoon 00:00:59.960 --> 00:01:08.099 at 3.30 till 5. Just a drop in and Russ and Tam will be there and we're going to officially thank 00:01:08.099 --> 00:01:13.959 them for their ministry amongst us. So if you're free this afternoon and you want some coffee and cake 00:01:13.959 --> 00:01:22.919 and to say thank you to Russ and Tam, then please call in between 3.30 and 5. The earlier you get there, 00:01:22.920 --> 00:01:36.599 the more chance of cake. Over the last 12 weeks, I've officiated at seven funerals and most of the 00:01:36.599 --> 00:01:42.320 funerals, in fact all of the funerals, are funerals of people that I've known either through the church 00:01:42.319 --> 00:01:48.839 that I serve, the churches that I serve or from Portishead, from the community in Portishead. 00:01:49.959 --> 00:01:58.179 And when it's come to the eulogy, you know the part when we reflect and we remember about the loved 00:01:58.179 --> 00:02:03.500 one, the person that we're there to celebrate, at five of those services, the eulogies have been 00:02:03.500 --> 00:02:12.299 shared by or led by a member of the family. And so I've sat there and I've listened to the family's 00:02:12.300 --> 00:02:19.439 reflections on their loved one, their mum or their dad, their brother, their uncle, whoever it might be. 00:02:20.900 --> 00:02:28.420 And I've said to myself at the end of each of those five eulogies, I thought I knew the person. 00:02:30.160 --> 00:02:39.000 Because I heard so many different aspects of the person's life that we were celebrating and sharing in, 00:02:39.000 --> 00:02:47.800 that it made me sad that I didn't know as much as I knew about them. So I'm starting a campaign 00:02:47.800 --> 00:02:56.460 that we should hear each other's eulogies and a year before we die. Because there's certain things 00:02:56.460 --> 00:03:01.699 that intrigue us and we've got questions and we want to explore with them. So if you want to join my 00:03:01.699 --> 00:03:08.439 campaign, I put a petition at the back of church and I haven't, so don't look for it when you're getting 00:03:08.439 --> 00:03:20.599 coffee. I wish I knew more about them when they were alive. I think there were two main focuses in 00:03:20.599 --> 00:03:27.939 Paul's life, the apostle Paul's life. One was that he knew Jesus Christ more and more each day 00:03:27.939 --> 00:03:38.300 and that more and more people in the world would know Jesus Christ each day. That's why when we read 00:03:38.300 --> 00:03:44.139 in the book of Acts about his ministry and when we read his letters that he gets cheesed off with the 00:03:44.139 --> 00:03:51.120 church when they live in such a way, they share together in such a way that puts stumbling blocks 00:03:51.120 --> 00:03:58.939 in front of those people and hinder those people who are searching to know Jesus. And he gets really 00:03:58.939 --> 00:04:08.560 angry when false teachers and heretics infiltrate these communities with false teaching and turn people 00:04:08.560 --> 00:04:19.420 away from who Jesus really is. That's why he spends most of his time striving to know more about Jesus. 00:04:21.120 --> 00:04:29.240 Paul had a close relationship with the church in Philippi. He founded it when he was there. You can 00:04:29.240 --> 00:04:37.100 read about it in Acts chapter 16. He spent time. He got to know the Christians in Philippi and they got to 00:04:37.100 --> 00:04:45.060 know him. He encouraged them and he challenged them. He taught them and he strengthened them. 00:04:45.060 --> 00:04:54.420 And his deepest desire was that they would get to know Jesus more intimately. So I want to ask you the 00:04:54.420 --> 00:05:03.079 question that I'm sure Paul would ask us if he were standing here at this lectern this morning. Do you know 00:05:03.079 --> 00:05:11.240 him? Do you know Jesus? Do you know the power of Jesus? Do you know the love of Jesus? Do you know the 00:05:11.240 --> 00:05:17.360 strength of Jesus? Do you know the peace of Jesus? Do you know the joy that comes from knowing Jesus? 00:05:17.720 --> 00:05:18.620 Do you know him? 00:05:21.259 --> 00:05:27.439 I would hope that the answer that most of us would give is a yes, even if it's a qualified yes. 00:05:27.439 --> 00:05:34.800 And if you couldn't, if you can't say yes to that this morning, then I'm praying that you will discover 00:05:34.800 --> 00:05:39.459 the greatest treasure that there ever is, Jesus. 00:05:41.660 --> 00:05:48.399 Paul would ask the same, do you know him? Do you know that Jesus? And the Greek word here for 00:05:48.399 --> 00:05:54.819 knowing that's written in this letter to the Philippians, this word, I want to know, 00:05:54.819 --> 00:06:03.420 this, that Paul writes, is not like an intellectual knowledge. The Greek word has a sort of a, the source 00:06:03.420 --> 00:06:13.399 of it is about a personal, experiential, intimate relationship. It's one that you don't get just 00:06:13.399 --> 00:06:19.319 from books and discussions with other people. It's one that you get when you immerse yourself 00:06:19.319 --> 00:06:28.740 into something. And so Paul writes, I want to know, I want to immerse myself, I want to dive in 00:06:28.740 --> 00:06:38.219 to Christ and know all about him, all that I can about him. My desire is to see him in me and living 00:06:38.219 --> 00:06:43.740 in me and through me each and every day. That's what Paul is saying when he says, I want to know 00:06:43.740 --> 00:06:49.420 Christ. And from our perspective, we'd probably say to Paul, because you know everything, don't you? 00:06:49.720 --> 00:06:57.240 Because we're still reading your letters 2,000 years later. And if he was here, he would cut us 00:06:57.240 --> 00:07:05.300 down at that point and say, there's always more to discover. I have to keep striving to learn and to 00:07:05.300 --> 00:07:13.920 grow, Paul would say. And yet he knew that there was a cost, a cost to pursuing Christ daily. In 00:07:13.920 --> 00:07:21.639 Philippi, when he was there and he was founding the church, he was beaten and he was briefly imprisoned. 00:07:22.639 --> 00:07:31.460 Wherever Paul went, there was hardship and hostility followed him as he introduced others to knowing 00:07:31.459 --> 00:07:44.479 Jesus. He wrote the letter to the Philippians whilst imprisoned in Rome. Paul obediently accepted all 00:07:44.479 --> 00:07:51.479 that was thrown at him, literally thrown at him. Because in those times of hardship and suffering, 00:07:52.199 --> 00:08:01.439 he discovered more about Jesus in his own life. So he writes, what is more? 00:08:01.459 --> 00:08:09.299 I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus, 00:08:09.459 --> 00:08:18.060 my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. Remember, he wrote that in chains. 00:08:19.519 --> 00:08:28.679 What did he lost? Well, he lost prestige and power and respect and honour. All those things that were 00:08:28.680 --> 00:08:35.360 thrown at him and bestowed on him as a rising star of the religious elite. 00:08:36.680 --> 00:08:42.740 And he writes this, if anyone thinks he has reasons to put confidence in the flesh, 00:08:42.899 --> 00:08:50.519 these are the few verses before chapter 7, verse 7, sorry. If anyone else thinks he has reasons to put 00:08:50.519 --> 00:08:57.480 confidence in the flesh, I have more. Circumcised on the eighth day of the people of Israel to the tribe of 00:08:57.480 --> 00:09:04.759 Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews, in regard to the law of Pharisee, as for zeal, persecuting the church, 00:09:05.180 --> 00:09:12.920 as for legalistic righteousness, faultless. I've been pondering on that this week, 00:09:13.480 --> 00:09:21.000 about what he achieved, as it were, before he met Jesus. And I've tried to put myself in 00:09:21.000 --> 00:09:29.860 Paul's sandals and discovered how difficult it is to say what he said. I mean, I could stand up here 00:09:29.860 --> 00:09:35.019 and say I was born into a church family. My first visit to church was when I was eight days old. 00:09:35.279 --> 00:09:42.440 I followed the footsteps of three family members in full-time church leadership. I've served the 00:09:42.440 --> 00:09:48.520 church locally and regionally and nationally and internationally. I've struggled to study and 00:09:48.520 --> 00:09:55.500 receive two theology degrees. I've been an ordained minister for 25 years. And what I want to say is, 00:09:55.980 --> 00:10:03.980 I've put some effort into this, people. I'd like a badge or a certificate or an Amazon gift voucher, 00:10:03.980 --> 00:10:11.440 something to recognise everything that I have put in over these last 25, 30 years. 00:10:13.639 --> 00:10:20.779 And then I'm taking back a chapter in Philippians to that beautiful Christ hymn. 00:10:22.800 --> 00:10:28.800 Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus, who being in very nature God, 00:10:28.899 --> 00:10:32.820 did not consider equality with God something to be grasped. 00:10:33.980 --> 00:10:35.860 But made himself nothing. 00:10:37.460 --> 00:10:44.060 Made, taken the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. 00:10:46.139 --> 00:10:54.139 There was and there still is a cost to knowing Jesus and to following him. Think of the rich young 00:10:54.139 --> 00:10:59.480 ruler who wanted to follow Jesus and said, I've been following all of the laws, Jesus. 00:10:59.480 --> 00:11:05.120 And Jesus said, you need to let go of everything that's precious to you. 00:11:06.019 --> 00:11:10.180 And he walked away, that rich young man, crestfallen. 00:11:12.100 --> 00:11:21.139 But for Paul, the joy and the contentment of knowing Jesus far outweighed the cost of knowing Jesus. 00:11:21.139 --> 00:11:28.879 Sixteen times in this letter to the Philippians, Paul writes the words joy or rejoicing. 00:11:29.620 --> 00:11:34.480 And they're used in describing knowing Jesus or being part of a fellowship, 00:11:34.840 --> 00:11:38.720 or even receiving the cost, the sufferings of following Jesus. 00:11:38.720 --> 00:11:41.700 Remember, he's writing in prison. 00:11:41.700 --> 00:11:43.240 His freedom is gone. 00:11:43.360 --> 00:11:50.759 Some commentators say that actually he was facing execution when he was writing this letter. 00:11:52.000 --> 00:11:58.540 And even at that point, he writes, there is joy in knowing Jesus. 00:11:58.539 --> 00:12:11.019 For me, and maybe for you, we can often bypass the cost of following Jesus. 00:12:11.219 --> 00:12:12.919 We make it easy for ourselves. 00:12:14.360 --> 00:12:22.759 And I think when we do that, we miss out on more of the joy and the rejoicing in following Jesus. 00:12:24.799 --> 00:12:27.259 Joy is not just a happy feeling. 00:12:27.259 --> 00:12:29.360 I grew up in the Salvation Army. 00:12:29.939 --> 00:12:35.679 And on a Sunday evening, these services on a Sunday evening, there was always a time for testimony. 00:12:37.039 --> 00:12:39.340 And so we'd sit there, and the leader would say, 00:12:39.500 --> 00:12:41.539 OK, now, has anybody got something to share? 00:12:41.740 --> 00:12:43.279 And we were all of the congregation. 00:12:43.460 --> 00:12:44.519 We'd look up to the side. 00:12:45.340 --> 00:12:48.600 Because there was this young, there was this old chap, quite small. 00:12:49.000 --> 00:12:50.019 And I never knew his name. 00:12:50.080 --> 00:12:51.559 We used to call him Testimony Tim. 00:12:52.100 --> 00:12:55.460 Because every Sunday, he used to say something. 00:12:55.460 --> 00:12:58.200 And he got really excited. 00:12:58.320 --> 00:13:00.440 He used to hop on his toes like this. 00:13:00.960 --> 00:13:02.280 And he was Scottish. 00:13:02.400 --> 00:13:04.740 I'm not going to offend anybody by doing the accent. 00:13:05.220 --> 00:13:07.440 But his catchphrase was, 00:13:07.940 --> 00:13:09.740 and the love and the joy of God, 00:13:09.920 --> 00:13:11.840 it just bubbles up inside you. 00:13:11.920 --> 00:13:17.060 And it used to sort of explode like a can of Coke that you've shaken and opened. 00:13:17.540 --> 00:13:18.700 Bubbles up inside you. 00:13:18.700 --> 00:13:20.200 And I used to look there and think, 00:13:20.820 --> 00:13:24.020 I don't want that kind of joy because you're a weirdo, my friend. 00:13:25.920 --> 00:13:28.400 That was a precocious teenager saying that. 00:13:33.620 --> 00:13:34.940 But joy is deeper. 00:13:36.560 --> 00:13:39.460 It doesn't always bubble up inside us. 00:13:39.460 --> 00:13:47.920 I want to read just a few sentences from somebody who's written about joy, 00:13:48.860 --> 00:13:52.160 or Paul's approach to joy in Philippians. 00:13:52.360 --> 00:13:54.379 And it's just, for me, it's just wonderful. 00:13:54.580 --> 00:13:58.460 And I didn't want you to miss out on what the blessing that I received from it. 00:13:58.580 --> 00:14:01.680 Joy, for Paul, is a theological concept. 00:14:01.679 --> 00:14:05.359 It is not necessarily the same as happiness, 00:14:05.579 --> 00:14:11.139 at least if by happiness we mean a mood that might be experienced in the moment. 00:14:12.199 --> 00:14:15.699 Joy, in his understanding, isn't something transient, 00:14:16.059 --> 00:14:20.319 which comes and goes and depends on our levels of tiredness, 00:14:20.620 --> 00:14:22.879 or hunger, or physical activity. 00:14:23.059 --> 00:14:28.419 Rather, it relates to the solidarity of his confidence in Christ. 00:14:28.419 --> 00:14:33.799 It comes from a level of security in God's grace. 00:14:35.000 --> 00:14:39.919 It is the warmed heart that provides some kind of bedrock of hope. 00:14:41.079 --> 00:14:45.860 It's the certainty, deep down, somewhere inside us, 00:14:46.579 --> 00:14:49.360 that God is good all the time. 00:14:50.379 --> 00:14:54.360 That doesn't mean we always feel particularly positive about life, 00:14:55.000 --> 00:14:57.360 faith, or even about God. 00:14:57.360 --> 00:15:01.840 In fact, it can be the firm foundation on which we stand, 00:15:02.340 --> 00:15:05.080 which can give us the confidence to lament, 00:15:05.580 --> 00:15:08.000 or even be angry with God, 00:15:08.539 --> 00:15:09.860 or at the state of the world. 00:15:11.879 --> 00:15:14.580 With that irremovable core of joy, 00:15:14.840 --> 00:15:17.659 we can suffer and agonise, 00:15:18.340 --> 00:15:23.220 and crucially, we can take the reality of suffering seriously. 00:15:23.220 --> 00:15:27.279 With joy in Christ, deep in our being, 00:15:27.700 --> 00:15:29.879 we are freed from the need to be present, 00:15:30.399 --> 00:15:32.860 a happy front in all circumstances, 00:15:33.740 --> 00:15:36.980 or pretend that things are not as they are, 00:15:37.660 --> 00:15:40.060 but are equally freed from the need to despair. 00:15:40.279 --> 00:15:41.259 God is good. 00:15:42.200 --> 00:15:43.320 Suffering is real. 00:15:44.200 --> 00:15:46.040 Hope is stronger. 00:15:46.039 --> 00:15:50.579 In a sense, joy is true faith, 00:15:50.819 --> 00:15:54.699 which can well up in moments of real happiness, 00:15:55.339 --> 00:15:58.779 and carry us through moments of sorrow. 00:15:58.779 --> 00:16:08.079 Our greatest desire needs to be that we know Jesus Christ, 00:16:08.759 --> 00:16:11.959 and know him more each and every day, 00:16:13.000 --> 00:16:17.379 and so discovering deep, deep joy. 00:16:17.379 --> 00:16:21.299 And of this, Paul writes, 00:16:21.439 --> 00:16:22.600 I want to know Christ, 00:16:23.340 --> 00:16:25.679 and the power of his resurrection, 00:16:26.679 --> 00:16:30.200 and the fellowship of sharing in his sufferings, 00:16:31.139 --> 00:16:33.879 becoming like him in his death, 00:16:34.000 --> 00:16:37.919 and so somehow to attain to the resurrection from the dead. 00:16:39.220 --> 00:16:41.759 Not that I have already obtained all this, 00:16:42.100 --> 00:16:44.059 or have already been made perfect, 00:16:44.059 --> 00:16:46.319 but I press on to take hold of that 00:16:46.319 --> 00:16:49.019 for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. 00:16:50.379 --> 00:16:51.500 Brothers and sisters, 00:16:51.619 --> 00:16:54.799 I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it, 00:16:54.859 --> 00:16:55.879 but one thing I do, 00:16:56.019 --> 00:16:57.639 forgetting what is behind, 00:16:58.319 --> 00:17:00.659 and straining towards what is ahead, 00:17:00.799 --> 00:17:02.519 I press on towards the goal, 00:17:02.919 --> 00:17:06.539 to win the prize for which God has called me headwards, 00:17:07.240 --> 00:17:08.500 in Christ Jesus. 00:17:11.619 --> 00:17:13.099 As we come into land, 00:17:13.099 --> 00:17:16.719 I'd just like to offer three things 00:17:16.719 --> 00:17:18.519 that maybe we can do this week 00:17:18.519 --> 00:17:24.819 that might enable us to know Christ Jesus more and more. 00:17:26.019 --> 00:17:27.059 The first is, 00:17:27.379 --> 00:17:29.740 and it might sound a daft thing to say, 00:17:30.059 --> 00:17:30.759 an obvious thing to say, 00:17:30.839 --> 00:17:33.039 but focus on Jesus. 00:17:34.659 --> 00:17:37.459 Take some time just to reflect on who he is. 00:17:38.879 --> 00:17:40.839 Be expectant to meet him, 00:17:41.259 --> 00:17:42.579 and to see him at work. 00:17:42.579 --> 00:17:44.579 Start the day by saying, 00:17:44.859 --> 00:17:45.740 if you don't already, 00:17:45.919 --> 00:17:46.839 with a little prayer like, 00:17:47.039 --> 00:17:47.220 Lord, 00:17:48.099 --> 00:17:50.720 today can I see something of you in me, 00:17:51.019 --> 00:17:52.099 and in others? 00:17:53.679 --> 00:17:54.679 Read the Bible. 00:17:56.179 --> 00:17:58.539 Talk to others about Jesus. 00:17:58.539 --> 00:18:03.159 There's a famous Methodist minister, 00:18:03.879 --> 00:18:06.859 who passed away 20 or so years ago, 00:18:07.039 --> 00:18:08.099 Donald English, 00:18:08.899 --> 00:18:10.960 and within some Methodist circles, 00:18:11.220 --> 00:18:14.519 he's regarded as the fourth person of the Trinity. 00:18:15.539 --> 00:18:17.700 He was such an influential person, 00:18:18.379 --> 00:18:19.579 nationally, globally, 00:18:19.700 --> 00:18:21.379 but also to individuals, 00:18:21.519 --> 00:18:22.440 including myself. 00:18:22.440 --> 00:18:28.100 And he said he loved to go into Methodist ministers' studies, 00:18:29.100 --> 00:18:32.500 and look at their bookshelves, 00:18:32.960 --> 00:18:35.519 and see in which year they died. 00:18:37.600 --> 00:18:39.900 Which year they stopped learning, 00:18:40.779 --> 00:18:43.500 stopped pushing themselves. 00:18:43.500 --> 00:18:49.119 And maybe that's a question that needs to be broadened out to each of us, 00:18:49.420 --> 00:18:50.059 and to me, 00:18:50.420 --> 00:18:51.220 me particularly. 00:18:52.460 --> 00:18:57.440 When did our desire to know more of Jesus stop? 00:18:57.440 --> 00:19:02.200 So let's focus on Jesus this week. 00:19:02.980 --> 00:19:07.539 The second is that we should open ourselves up to be used by Jesus, 00:19:07.740 --> 00:19:09.759 however small that might be, 00:19:09.880 --> 00:19:11.680 or as you think may feel, 00:19:11.820 --> 00:19:12.400 insignificant. 00:19:14.220 --> 00:19:17.500 In my first appointment in Colocots, 00:19:17.640 --> 00:19:21.559 which happened to be Donald English's only circuit appointment 00:19:21.559 --> 00:19:24.100 when he was alive, 00:19:24.099 --> 00:19:29.539 we had around 12 or 13 house groups. 00:19:30.500 --> 00:19:33.759 And we used to gather the house group leaders together, 00:19:34.240 --> 00:19:35.939 and I wrote some material, 00:19:36.079 --> 00:19:36.939 or gathered some material, 00:19:37.079 --> 00:19:37.959 on the Book of Acts, 00:19:38.099 --> 00:19:38.639 and we spent, 00:19:38.859 --> 00:19:39.299 as a church, 00:19:39.399 --> 00:19:42.740 we spent six to eight months going through the Book of Acts, 00:19:43.539 --> 00:19:44.879 during the Sunday services, 00:19:45.279 --> 00:19:46.139 and house groups. 00:19:46.939 --> 00:19:47.879 And halfway through, 00:19:48.319 --> 00:19:49.399 or a third way through, 00:19:49.500 --> 00:19:51.599 I got the house group leaders together, 00:19:51.599 --> 00:19:52.980 just to see how it was going. 00:19:52.980 --> 00:19:54.980 And so I said to the house group leaders, 00:19:55.259 --> 00:19:56.740 how's it going? 00:19:57.019 --> 00:19:57.180 You know, 00:19:57.240 --> 00:19:58.519 is the material okay? 00:19:58.740 --> 00:19:59.920 Am I pitching it right? 00:20:00.500 --> 00:20:02.720 And one lady said, 00:20:03.460 --> 00:20:03.640 Nick, 00:20:04.019 --> 00:20:05.819 three or four of us have been talking. 00:20:06.860 --> 00:20:07.680 Now usually, 00:20:07.819 --> 00:20:08.680 when somebody says that, 00:20:08.759 --> 00:20:09.799 it's not going to be positive. 00:20:11.319 --> 00:20:11.980 And they had been. 00:20:12.019 --> 00:20:12.680 They'd been talking, 00:20:12.860 --> 00:20:13.880 they'd got together. 00:20:14.579 --> 00:20:15.039 And they said, 00:20:15.140 --> 00:20:18.160 we love this sort of learning about the Book of Acts, 00:20:18.279 --> 00:20:19.140 and what goes on, 00:20:19.279 --> 00:20:20.579 and we love the questions, 00:20:20.579 --> 00:20:22.399 but towards the end, 00:20:22.519 --> 00:20:23.359 what we don't like, 00:20:23.419 --> 00:20:24.199 is you saying, 00:20:24.599 --> 00:20:25.419 or asking the question, 00:20:26.079 --> 00:20:27.579 what impact is it going to make on, 00:20:27.699 --> 00:20:29.480 on your life this week? 00:20:31.099 --> 00:20:32.099 We're going back to that, 00:20:32.379 --> 00:20:33.799 they just wanted head knowledge, 00:20:34.359 --> 00:20:36.079 and not sort of like heart knowledge, 00:20:36.299 --> 00:20:36.579 if you know, 00:20:36.659 --> 00:20:37.259 if you know what I mean. 00:20:37.599 --> 00:20:39.359 They wanted the intellectual knowledge, 00:20:39.460 --> 00:20:41.559 but they didn't want to change their lives. 00:20:41.559 --> 00:20:45.899 In October, 00:20:46.059 --> 00:20:46.599 I'm doing the, 00:20:46.740 --> 00:20:49.379 I signed up to do the Western Half Marathon, 00:20:50.259 --> 00:20:53.299 and I can read all the articles, 00:20:53.519 --> 00:20:54.599 I like about running, 00:20:54.839 --> 00:20:56.019 I can have all the gear, 00:20:56.159 --> 00:20:58.299 I could have a hundred training apps, 00:20:58.399 --> 00:20:59.619 on my phone, 00:21:00.299 --> 00:21:02.179 but I won't know what it's really like, 00:21:02.200 --> 00:21:03.539 until I get out and run. 00:21:04.980 --> 00:21:06.319 I could have all the knowledge, 00:21:06.419 --> 00:21:06.859 in the world, 00:21:06.940 --> 00:21:08.240 about running a great, 00:21:08.319 --> 00:21:09.500 13 point, 00:21:09.559 --> 00:21:10.059 whatever it is, 00:21:10.059 --> 00:21:10.599 miles, 00:21:11.379 --> 00:21:12.399 but that alone, 00:21:12.740 --> 00:21:14.679 won't get me over the finish line. 00:21:15.159 --> 00:21:16.399 I have to do it. 00:21:18.359 --> 00:21:19.460 And I think it's the same, 00:21:19.539 --> 00:21:20.399 with knowing Jesus. 00:21:22.039 --> 00:21:23.460 We get to know Jesus, 00:21:23.460 --> 00:21:24.480 more and more, 00:21:24.559 --> 00:21:25.379 when we get out, 00:21:25.460 --> 00:21:26.359 and we serve him. 00:21:27.179 --> 00:21:28.539 When we step up, 00:21:28.679 --> 00:21:29.519 and step out. 00:21:30.339 --> 00:21:32.279 When we put our trust in him, 00:21:32.799 --> 00:21:34.579 and allow his trust in us, 00:21:34.859 --> 00:21:35.819 to shape us, 00:21:36.200 --> 00:21:37.279 and transform us, 00:21:37.379 --> 00:21:38.440 and energise us. 00:21:38.440 --> 00:21:41.200 To get to know how Jesus works, 00:21:41.320 --> 00:21:42.360 and to get to know him more, 00:21:42.600 --> 00:21:44.740 we need to do the work of Jesus. 00:21:46.860 --> 00:21:48.620 And that will be different, 00:21:48.840 --> 00:21:50.580 for each one of us. 00:21:52.059 --> 00:21:53.299 We need to be brave, 00:21:53.620 --> 00:21:54.620 we need to be committed, 00:21:55.200 --> 00:21:56.580 we need to be consistent. 00:21:56.579 --> 00:21:59.299 So we need to focus on Jesus, 00:21:59.919 --> 00:22:00.919 open ourselves up, 00:22:00.980 --> 00:22:01.919 to be used by Jesus, 00:22:02.460 --> 00:22:02.819 and finally, 00:22:02.960 --> 00:22:05.000 to receive from Jesus. 00:22:05.199 --> 00:22:05.980 We need our, 00:22:06.439 --> 00:22:07.319 to allow ourselves, 00:22:07.419 --> 00:22:08.179 to be challenged, 00:22:08.359 --> 00:22:09.099 and changed, 00:22:09.599 --> 00:22:10.319 by Jesus. 00:22:10.579 --> 00:22:11.879 We need to look for ways, 00:22:11.919 --> 00:22:12.240 in which, 00:22:12.659 --> 00:22:13.379 this week, 00:22:14.339 --> 00:22:15.539 by God's grace, 00:22:15.859 --> 00:22:16.659 our lives, 00:22:16.779 --> 00:22:18.079 our very beings, 00:22:18.619 --> 00:22:19.819 can be transformed, 00:22:20.539 --> 00:22:22.119 into the likeness of Christ. 00:22:22.119 --> 00:22:24.159 A few times, 00:22:24.279 --> 00:22:25.500 Paul uses the analogy, 00:22:25.659 --> 00:22:26.919 of getting rid of dirty, 00:22:27.519 --> 00:22:28.619 filthy clothes, 00:22:29.359 --> 00:22:30.459 and putting on, 00:22:30.539 --> 00:22:32.219 the beautiful clothes, 00:22:32.679 --> 00:22:33.919 of God's character. 00:22:35.399 --> 00:22:36.419 You'll remember these words, 00:22:36.559 --> 00:22:37.159 from Colossians. 00:22:38.000 --> 00:22:38.819 But now, 00:22:39.619 --> 00:22:40.599 you must also, 00:22:40.599 --> 00:22:41.599 rid yourselves, 00:22:41.759 --> 00:22:42.779 of all such things, 00:22:42.859 --> 00:22:43.439 as these. 00:22:43.979 --> 00:22:44.419 Anger, 00:22:44.719 --> 00:22:45.159 rage, 00:22:45.419 --> 00:22:45.839 malice, 00:22:46.339 --> 00:22:46.779 slander, 00:22:47.000 --> 00:22:48.000 and filthy language, 00:22:48.000 --> 00:22:48.659 from your lips. 00:22:49.079 --> 00:22:49.719 Do not lie, 00:22:49.720 --> 00:22:50.380 to each other, 00:22:50.880 --> 00:22:52.360 since you have taken off, 00:22:52.519 --> 00:22:53.720 your old self, 00:22:54.039 --> 00:22:55.240 with its practices, 00:22:56.120 --> 00:22:56.980 and have put on, 00:22:57.039 --> 00:22:57.700 the new self, 00:22:57.779 --> 00:22:58.960 which is being renewed, 00:22:59.420 --> 00:23:00.240 in knowledge, 00:23:00.519 --> 00:23:01.460 in the image, 00:23:02.019 --> 00:23:02.860 of its creator. 00:23:04.740 --> 00:23:05.120 Therefore, 00:23:05.319 --> 00:23:05.880 as God's, 00:23:06.279 --> 00:23:07.380 chosen people, 00:23:07.579 --> 00:23:07.920 holy, 00:23:08.380 --> 00:23:09.299 and dearly loved, 00:23:09.460 --> 00:23:10.500 clothe yourself, 00:23:10.640 --> 00:23:11.519 with compassion, 00:23:12.559 --> 00:23:13.019 kindness, 00:23:13.940 --> 00:23:14.519 humility, 00:23:15.180 --> 00:23:15.700 gentleness, 00:23:15.700 --> 00:23:16.420 and patience. 00:23:16.680 --> 00:23:17.980 Bear with each other, 00:23:17.980 --> 00:23:19.779 and forgive one another, 00:23:20.099 --> 00:23:21.059 if any of you, 00:23:21.360 --> 00:23:22.259 has a grievance, 00:23:22.259 --> 00:23:23.460 against someone. 00:23:24.220 --> 00:23:24.480 Forgive, 00:23:24.880 --> 00:23:25.680 as the Lord, 00:23:26.079 --> 00:23:26.740 forgave you, 00:23:26.839 --> 00:23:28.360 and over all these virtues, 00:23:29.200 --> 00:23:30.579 which binds them together, 00:23:31.140 --> 00:23:31.700 put on, 00:23:32.500 --> 00:23:33.620 like the overcoat, 00:23:34.380 --> 00:23:35.039 of love. 00:23:36.759 --> 00:23:37.740 My mum has a, 00:23:38.140 --> 00:23:38.880 has a good friend, 00:23:38.960 --> 00:23:39.660 called Cynthia, 00:23:40.400 --> 00:23:41.380 who's been a lifelong, 00:23:41.680 --> 00:23:42.460 follower of Jesus. 00:23:43.460 --> 00:23:44.200 And every morning, 00:23:44.700 --> 00:23:45.819 she lays in bed, 00:23:45.819 --> 00:23:47.559 and she says, 00:23:47.639 --> 00:23:48.119 okay Lord, 00:23:48.659 --> 00:23:49.559 what do you want me, 00:23:49.619 --> 00:23:50.319 to wear today? 00:23:52.399 --> 00:23:53.179 And then she's, 00:23:53.259 --> 00:23:54.379 she feels led, 00:23:54.559 --> 00:23:54.759 to the, 00:23:55.039 --> 00:23:55.960 to her wardrobe, 00:23:56.659 --> 00:23:57.879 and she puts on, 00:23:58.000 --> 00:23:59.039 what she believes, 00:23:59.099 --> 00:23:59.799 God is asking her, 00:23:59.799 --> 00:24:00.079 to wear. 00:24:00.179 --> 00:24:00.619 Some days, 00:24:01.079 --> 00:24:01.899 God has very, 00:24:02.439 --> 00:24:02.759 strange, 00:24:03.119 --> 00:24:03.700 dress sense. 00:24:08.819 --> 00:24:09.379 But actually, 00:24:09.500 --> 00:24:09.740 that's a, 00:24:10.079 --> 00:24:10.700 there's truth, 00:24:10.799 --> 00:24:11.599 in that question. 00:24:13.200 --> 00:24:14.439 Before we start the day, 00:24:14.440 --> 00:24:16.360 what clothes, 00:24:16.420 --> 00:24:17.140 shall I put on today, 00:24:17.240 --> 00:24:17.440 God? 00:24:18.160 --> 00:24:19.299 Will it be the dirty, 00:24:19.539 --> 00:24:20.320 filthy rags, 00:24:20.440 --> 00:24:21.460 of my old self? 00:24:22.160 --> 00:24:24.200 Or will it be the beautiful clothes, 00:24:25.059 --> 00:24:25.960 that you give me, 00:24:26.480 --> 00:24:27.500 through your grace? 00:24:29.259 --> 00:24:30.559 Paul's deepest desire, 00:24:31.220 --> 00:24:32.960 was to know Christ, 00:24:33.059 --> 00:24:34.299 in every way. 00:24:35.100 --> 00:24:35.980 And for others, 00:24:36.120 --> 00:24:36.840 to know Christ, 00:24:36.940 --> 00:24:37.519 for themselves. 00:24:38.799 --> 00:24:39.500 And that includes, 00:24:39.620 --> 00:24:40.000 you and me. 00:24:40.000 --> 00:24:42.660 may our desire, 00:24:42.779 --> 00:24:43.579 be the same, 00:24:43.680 --> 00:24:44.799 as Paul's. 00:24:45.640 --> 00:24:46.700 And may we join, 00:24:46.859 --> 00:24:47.720 with him, 00:24:48.440 --> 00:24:49.059 in saying, 00:24:49.299 --> 00:24:50.779 I want to know Christ, 00:24:51.500 --> 00:24:52.380 and the power, 00:24:52.480 --> 00:24:53.500 of his resurrection, 00:24:53.940 --> 00:24:54.779 and the fellowship, 00:24:54.960 --> 00:24:55.559 of sharing, 00:24:55.720 --> 00:24:56.660 in his sufferings, 00:24:57.160 --> 00:24:58.440 becoming like him, 00:24:58.519 --> 00:24:59.339 in his death. 00:25:00.220 --> 00:25:00.680 And so, 00:25:00.880 --> 00:25:01.279 somehow, 00:25:01.900 --> 00:25:02.599 to attain, 00:25:02.799 --> 00:25:03.700 to the resurrection, 00:25:04.019 --> 00:25:04.519 of the dead. 00:25:05.700 --> 00:25:06.859 May we strive, 00:25:06.859 --> 00:25:08.119 to be more, 00:25:08.119 --> 00:25:09.099 like Jesus, 00:25:09.359 --> 00:25:10.439 in all we do, 00:25:10.859 --> 00:25:11.919 and all that we say. 00:25:13.019 --> 00:25:14.579 And may we press on, 00:25:15.059 --> 00:25:16.179 towards that goal, 00:25:17.119 --> 00:25:18.179 until we see him, 00:25:18.279 --> 00:25:19.000 face to face. 00:25:20.659 --> 00:25:21.759 Let's pray together. 00:25:25.759 --> 00:25:26.519 I think God, 00:25:26.599 --> 00:25:27.240 we thank you, 00:25:27.319 --> 00:25:28.119 for the joy, 00:25:28.299 --> 00:25:29.740 of knowing you, 00:25:30.139 --> 00:25:31.500 in Christ Jesus. 00:25:34.359 --> 00:25:35.199 Christ Jesus, 00:25:35.339 --> 00:25:36.119 we thank you, 00:25:36.119 --> 00:25:37.759 for the love, 00:25:37.839 --> 00:25:38.500 and the grace, 00:25:38.779 --> 00:25:39.439 and the mercy, 00:25:40.039 --> 00:25:41.359 shown through your life, 00:25:41.459 --> 00:25:42.239 and your ministry. 00:25:43.399 --> 00:25:44.139 And Holy Spirit, 00:25:44.239 --> 00:25:44.859 we thank you, 00:25:44.919 --> 00:25:45.239 that you, 00:25:45.619 --> 00:25:46.219 enable us, 00:25:46.339 --> 00:25:47.419 to draw closer, 00:25:48.219 --> 00:25:48.959 to God, 00:25:49.039 --> 00:25:49.819 our Heavenly Father. 00:25:52.259 --> 00:25:53.719 We offer ourselves, 00:25:54.719 --> 00:25:56.179 to learn more, 00:25:56.179 --> 00:25:57.139 about you Jesus, 00:25:58.179 --> 00:25:59.479 day by day. 00:26:01.559 --> 00:26:02.819 And may you, 00:26:03.599 --> 00:26:04.099 in us, 00:26:04.199 --> 00:26:05.000 and through us, 00:26:05.440 --> 00:26:07.119 build your kingdom, 00:26:08.180 --> 00:26:09.200 here on earth, 00:26:09.920 --> 00:26:11.380 as it is in heaven. 00:26:14.099 --> 00:26:14.099 00:26:14.099 --> 00:26:14.099 00:26:14.099 --> 00:26:14.099 00:26:14.099 --> 00:26:14.099 00:26:14.099 --> 00:26:14.099 00:26:14.099 --> 00:26:14.099 00:26:14.099 --> 00:26:14.099 00:26:14.099 --> 00:26:14.099 00:26:14.099 --> 00:26:14.099 00:26:14.099 --> 00:26:14.099 00:26:14.099 --> 00:26:14.099 00:26:14.099 --> 00:26:14.099 00:26:14.099 --> 00:26:14.099 00:26:14.099 --> 00:26:14.099 00:26:14.099 --> 00:26:14.099 00:26:14.099 --> 00:26:14.099 00:26:14.099 --> 00:26:14.099 00:26:14.099 --> 00:26:14.099 00:26:14.099 --> 00:26:14.099 00:26:14.099 --> 00:26:14.099 00:26:14.099 --> 00:26:14.099 00:26:14.099 --> 00:26:14.099 00:26:14.099 --> 00:26:14.099 00:26:14.099 --> 00:26:14.099 00:26:14.099 --> 00:26:14.099 00:26:14.099 --> 00:26:14.099 00:26:14.099 --> 00:26:14.099 00:26:14.099 --> 00:26:14.099 00:26:14.099 --> 00:26:14.099 00:26:14.099 --> 00:26:14.099 00:26:14.099 --> 00:26:14.099 00:26:14.099 --> 00:26:14.099 00:26:14.099 --> 00:26:14.099 00:26:14.099 --> 00:26:14.099 00:26:14.099 --> 00:26:14.099 00:26:14.099 --> 00:26:14.099 00:26:14.099 --> 00:26:14.099 00:26:14.099 --> 00:26:14.099 00:26:14.099 --> 00:26:14.099 00:26:14.099 --> 00:26:14.099 00:26:14.099 --> 00:26:14.099 00:26:14.099 --> 00:26:14.099 00:26:14.099 --> 00:26:14.099 00:26:14.099 --> 00:26:14.099 00:26:14.099 --> 00:26:14.099 00:26:14.099 --> 00:26:14.099 00:26:14.099 --> 00:26:14.099 00:26:14.099 --> 00:26:14.099 00:26:14.099 --> 00:26:14.099 00:26:14.099 --> 00:26:14.099 00:26:14.099 --> 00:26:17.659 in Jesus name we pray 00:26:17.659 --> 00:26:18.659 Amen