WEBVTT 00:00:00.560 --> 00:00:05.879 Amen. I'm pleased to have a seat. Thank you so much to everyone who's participated so far in our service. 00:00:05.960 --> 00:00:12.019 My name is Graeme. I've got the privilege of being the pastor here of this church and it's a joy to welcome you here this morning, 00:00:12.120 --> 00:00:15.220 especially maybe if this is your first time with us. Fantastic to see you. 00:00:15.900 --> 00:00:21.160 Love being Scottish is that when we see the sun, which is not frequent, our faces go pink. 00:00:21.260 --> 00:00:27.679 And I see a lot of pink faces this morning. I'm sporting one myself, which I take it means that we enjoyed our time in the sun yesterday, right? 00:00:27.679 --> 00:00:33.700 And we enjoyed the main event yesterday. And what a day of football it was, I tell you. 00:00:34.820 --> 00:00:41.320 But here we are, Matthew chapter 6. This is where we're going to be this morning, finishing our little series in the Lord's Prayer. 00:00:41.560 --> 00:00:47.739 So why don't you turn to Matthew chapter 6. We'll be honing in in verse 13 this morning, but we'll be taking in the whole prayer as well. 00:00:47.780 --> 00:00:52.179 So why don't you turn there and let's pray as we come to God's inspired word this morning. 00:00:52.179 --> 00:01:04.900 Father, thank you that your word is a lamp unto our feet and it's a light unto our path. 00:01:05.900 --> 00:01:15.120 And so, Lord, as we turn there now, we ask that your spirit would come and he would challenge us and he would change us and he would mold us 00:01:15.120 --> 00:01:19.560 and he would make us more like your son, Jesus, in whose name we pray. Amen. 00:01:19.560 --> 00:01:30.439 Well, if like me, you love lookalikes, you will love this website that I found this week that tried to match animals with the people that they looked like. 00:01:31.140 --> 00:01:35.240 So other than trying to describe this to you, let me just show you what it means. 00:01:35.359 --> 00:01:38.379 Okay, so here's a dog. Who does this dog look like? 00:01:40.599 --> 00:01:41.520 Vladimir Putin. 00:01:41.980 --> 00:01:43.079 Now, I'm not volunteering. 00:01:44.200 --> 00:01:47.820 I'm not volunteering to be the one who tells him that he looks like a dog. 00:01:47.819 --> 00:01:49.459 How about this one? What about this cat? 00:01:51.619 --> 00:01:52.339 This is Cher. 00:01:54.159 --> 00:01:56.000 How about, I can't remember what order I did here. 00:01:56.019 --> 00:01:56.619 What about this owl? 00:01:58.379 --> 00:01:59.199 Anybody in the owl? 00:02:00.159 --> 00:02:01.559 This is Owen Atkinson. 00:02:03.079 --> 00:02:04.399 How about, I think I've got two more. 00:02:04.439 --> 00:02:05.560 What about this dog? This is my favourite. 00:02:05.780 --> 00:02:06.659 Okay, what about this dog? 00:02:08.199 --> 00:02:09.859 This is John Travolta. 00:02:12.060 --> 00:02:13.500 What about, this is the last one. 00:02:13.560 --> 00:02:14.079 What about this cat? 00:02:14.080 --> 00:02:17.360 This is our friend Donald. 00:02:18.500 --> 00:02:20.500 And who does this animal remind you of? 00:02:23.180 --> 00:02:30.960 So according to the Bible, this animal should remind us of you and it should remind me of me. 00:02:30.960 --> 00:02:38.040 And here is the reason that I'm reminded at this point of the reason why I love the Bible. 00:02:38.680 --> 00:02:45.680 And why millions of others around the globe base their lives and build their lives on this book, God's Word. 00:02:46.540 --> 00:02:50.900 And it's because it tells us the truth about what God is like. 00:02:51.480 --> 00:02:53.879 It tells us the truth about what our world is like. 00:02:53.879 --> 00:02:57.759 And it tells us the truth about what we are like. 00:02:58.780 --> 00:03:10.139 And I love that God, when he comes to pick an adjective to describe us, when he comes to pick an animal to describe us like, when he comes to pick a simile, what does he say? 00:03:10.240 --> 00:03:10.939 What are you like? 00:03:10.979 --> 00:03:11.879 You are like lions. 00:03:12.120 --> 00:03:13.159 No, he doesn't. 00:03:14.039 --> 00:03:14.960 He says, you're like sheep. 00:03:16.300 --> 00:03:17.240 You're like sheep. 00:03:17.240 --> 00:03:26.900 And we see that so clearly in these words today that Jesus tells his disciples to pray in the Lord's Prayer. 00:03:28.240 --> 00:03:29.920 The disciples want Jesus to what? 00:03:31.140 --> 00:03:32.159 Teach them how to pray. 00:03:33.700 --> 00:03:37.000 Jesus replies, pray then like this. 00:03:38.700 --> 00:03:39.860 Start with God. 00:03:41.140 --> 00:03:43.760 Your Father in heaven, revere his name. 00:03:43.759 --> 00:03:46.419 Long to see his name. 00:03:46.699 --> 00:03:48.639 Put in lights for the world to see. 00:03:49.579 --> 00:03:51.620 Seek his kingdom first. 00:03:51.979 --> 00:03:54.159 Seek his glory, not your own. 00:03:54.539 --> 00:04:00.120 Long to see his kingdom come on earth as it is in heaven. 00:04:01.840 --> 00:04:07.579 And having established that he is your heavenly father because of Christ, 00:04:08.519 --> 00:04:12.620 then ask him and know him to be that heavenly father to you. 00:04:13.759 --> 00:04:17.719 The one, the heavenly father who will provide you with your daily bread. 00:04:19.199 --> 00:04:25.819 The heavenly father who will pardon, who has made a way for our sin to be pardoned in Jesus Christ. 00:04:26.980 --> 00:04:34.879 And finally, as the heavenly father who will protect you and who will lead you and who will guide you in your daily life. 00:04:35.659 --> 00:04:37.000 Here's where we are this morning. 00:04:37.000 --> 00:04:39.360 Verse 13. 00:04:39.439 --> 00:04:44.839 And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one. 00:04:46.160 --> 00:04:48.879 Now before we get into the application of this for our lives, 00:04:49.259 --> 00:04:54.420 it's going to be really helpful for us to clarify in our minds what this means and what this doesn't mean. 00:04:54.420 --> 00:04:59.199 Because what it doesn't mean is that God is the author of temptation. 00:05:00.840 --> 00:05:02.340 James 1, you can check this out later. 00:05:02.680 --> 00:05:05.379 James 1 and verse 13 make that explicitly clear. 00:05:05.480 --> 00:05:06.439 That there is no sin. 00:05:06.600 --> 00:05:07.800 There is no evil in God. 00:05:07.939 --> 00:05:10.400 Rather, he is perfectly holy. 00:05:10.399 --> 00:05:15.839 So none of us, when we fall foul to sin, can say, well, it was God that led me there. 00:05:17.060 --> 00:05:18.459 The devil made me do that. 00:05:18.519 --> 00:05:18.979 No, no, no, no. 00:05:19.439 --> 00:05:22.979 Our sin that's in our hearts that we followed led us there. 00:05:23.099 --> 00:05:24.500 God is not the author of sin. 00:05:24.500 --> 00:05:29.500 But what these words do mean is that while Satan is on the prowl, 00:05:29.579 --> 00:05:35.019 we can trust that if we know this God as our Father through Christ, 00:05:35.120 --> 00:05:38.060 that he will always lead us, not always to comfy pastures, 00:05:38.660 --> 00:05:46.019 but to good pastures where he has purposes to accomplish for our good as his sheep 00:05:46.019 --> 00:05:47.660 and for his glory around the world. 00:05:49.060 --> 00:05:53.500 So here is a prayer that Jesus is inviting his disciples to pray that says, 00:05:53.500 --> 00:05:55.079 Father, I know that I wander. 00:05:55.779 --> 00:05:57.480 I know that I go astray. 00:05:57.740 --> 00:05:59.379 I need you to protect me. 00:06:00.000 --> 00:06:01.439 I need you to lead me. 00:06:01.819 --> 00:06:04.720 I need you to guide me where it is good for me to go. 00:06:06.540 --> 00:06:08.839 And what a comfort for me to know that while I do that, 00:06:09.560 --> 00:06:12.579 that that is something you tell me in your word that you specialize in. 00:06:15.560 --> 00:06:22.779 Remember this prayer in its context comes off the back of Matthew chapter 6. 00:06:23.500 --> 00:06:30.300 Sorry, this prayer in Matthew chapter 6 comes hot off the heels of Jesus' battle with Satan in the wilderness in chapter 4. 00:06:31.379 --> 00:06:36.120 Because Jesus knows that if he has an enemy, that he was fighting in the wilderness, 00:06:36.540 --> 00:06:41.259 then his people too have an enemy, one who is crafty and one who is on the hunt to devour them. 00:06:41.259 --> 00:06:45.879 And so Jesus doesn't want his disciples just to know that they are sheep. 00:06:45.959 --> 00:06:50.959 He wants them to pray like they are sheep, knowing their ability to wander. 00:06:52.360 --> 00:06:58.959 And sheep who are utterly dependent on the leading and the protection of their shepherd, their father. 00:06:58.959 --> 00:07:04.279 So all I want to do this morning in the time that we have remaining is to come up with, 00:07:04.419 --> 00:07:07.399 help us look through three confessions of a sheep. 00:07:08.419 --> 00:07:10.359 As we think about what this prayer means for our life, 00:07:10.439 --> 00:07:16.419 I think underneath, underpinning this verse 13, is three confessions of a sheep. 00:07:17.079 --> 00:07:20.019 Now, Paul suggested last week at the end of each point we said amen. 00:07:20.419 --> 00:07:22.099 Would it be appropriate to get us to say bah? 00:07:22.100 --> 00:07:22.879 I don't think so. 00:07:23.920 --> 00:07:27.480 But here are three confessions of the sheep that I think are going to be so helpful for us 00:07:27.480 --> 00:07:29.960 as we pray this prayer in our Christian lives. 00:07:30.040 --> 00:07:31.900 Here's confession number one. 00:07:31.939 --> 00:07:32.620 I don't know the way. 00:07:34.320 --> 00:07:35.120 I don't know the way. 00:07:37.260 --> 00:07:39.400 A little girl, Chloe's favourite phrase at the minute is, 00:07:39.520 --> 00:07:40.160 I can do it. 00:07:41.660 --> 00:07:42.560 I can do it, mummy. 00:07:42.660 --> 00:07:43.480 I can do it, daddy. 00:07:43.580 --> 00:07:45.560 Getting dressed in the morning, oh no, I can do it. 00:07:46.360 --> 00:07:48.939 Going to the toilet on her own, I can do it. 00:07:49.020 --> 00:07:49.740 She can do it. 00:07:50.460 --> 00:07:51.000 She got there. 00:07:52.379 --> 00:07:54.340 The other night we're having chicken together for dinner. 00:07:54.439 --> 00:07:55.600 She's got a big piece of chicken. 00:07:56.000 --> 00:07:58.280 And I say to her, Chloe, you're going to need to cut up that bit of chicken. 00:07:59.200 --> 00:08:00.080 And she nods at me. 00:08:00.140 --> 00:08:01.180 We're in agreement over that. 00:08:01.879 --> 00:08:02.600 I say, can you help? 00:08:02.760 --> 00:08:04.560 Can you let daddy help you cut it up? 00:08:04.780 --> 00:08:05.400 No, no, no, no. 00:08:05.520 --> 00:08:06.240 I can do it. 00:08:06.920 --> 00:08:08.900 So I watch her trying to cut up this bit of chicken. 00:08:08.980 --> 00:08:09.780 She gets her fork. 00:08:10.800 --> 00:08:12.040 She's pounding this bit of chicken. 00:08:13.400 --> 00:08:14.360 Pounding this bit of chicken. 00:08:15.540 --> 00:08:18.200 She realises in her head that this pounding isn't going to work. 00:08:18.199 --> 00:08:22.439 And so she tries to force the fork down on the chicken, trying to get it to submit. 00:08:23.159 --> 00:08:24.039 Cut into pieces. 00:08:25.319 --> 00:08:26.180 Again, she stops. 00:08:26.240 --> 00:08:26.959 She realises it's not working. 00:08:27.019 --> 00:08:27.959 She's thinking it through. 00:08:28.500 --> 00:08:29.360 In her head, I can see her. 00:08:29.399 --> 00:08:30.860 She's analysing how that went. 00:08:31.719 --> 00:08:32.559 And it didn't go well. 00:08:34.259 --> 00:08:35.179 Quick review in her head. 00:08:35.379 --> 00:08:36.740 She goes for the pounding again. 00:08:38.120 --> 00:08:38.960 Chloe, what are you doing? 00:08:39.000 --> 00:08:39.840 She stops again. 00:08:40.700 --> 00:08:41.600 Eventually, she turns to me. 00:08:41.659 --> 00:08:42.620 She says, daddy, will you help me? 00:08:43.620 --> 00:08:44.679 Will you help me? 00:08:46.659 --> 00:08:51.200 To see what Jesus is doing here, teaching his disciples what it means to follow after him. 00:08:51.700 --> 00:08:57.679 That asking for their father's help is to be part of their very core of their lives as disciples. 00:08:58.460 --> 00:09:01.340 It's a prayer that's not to be sporadic in their lives. 00:09:01.419 --> 00:09:03.299 It's a prayer that's to be consistent in their lives. 00:09:03.379 --> 00:09:05.879 It's a prayer that's to develop into a very impulse of their lives. 00:09:06.019 --> 00:09:06.879 Dad, I need help. 00:09:07.560 --> 00:09:09.060 Father in heaven, I need your help. 00:09:09.059 --> 00:09:12.759 And I don't know about you, but I know that to be true in my own life. 00:09:14.199 --> 00:09:15.319 I know my own heart. 00:09:15.419 --> 00:09:17.319 I know it wanders all over the place. 00:09:17.500 --> 00:09:19.079 It chases the wrong stuff. 00:09:19.219 --> 00:09:20.719 It values the wrong things. 00:09:20.799 --> 00:09:23.159 It dwells on the wrong thoughts. 00:09:23.279 --> 00:09:26.339 How often do I find myself asking myself, how did I get here? 00:09:27.939 --> 00:09:32.579 How often is it because I never stop to ask my heavenly father to help me today? 00:09:33.639 --> 00:09:34.839 Because I don't know the way. 00:09:34.840 --> 00:09:41.780 Let me ask you, how often do you stop and do you pray and say, Father, I don't know the way? 00:09:43.960 --> 00:09:47.680 Here is Jesus inviting his people to come to their heavenly father. 00:09:48.840 --> 00:09:56.460 And when we come to our father asking him to help us and protect us and to lead us, his reply is not, leave it with me. 00:09:56.500 --> 00:09:57.379 I'll see what I can do. 00:09:58.800 --> 00:10:02.220 It's not, it's a big ask, Graham, but I'll give it my best shot. 00:10:02.220 --> 00:10:04.940 No, surely his answer is, my child, would you take my hand? 00:10:05.860 --> 00:10:13.620 And would you know the forgiveness that is yours through my son who took your sin on himself at the cross so that you can go free? 00:10:13.700 --> 00:10:15.000 Would you know that in your life? 00:10:16.920 --> 00:10:28.060 Find refuge in me and take my hand and trust in my eternal and my sovereign and my good care and protection of you for your good and for my glory. 00:10:28.059 --> 00:10:36.459 The words of that great old hymn, guide me, O thou great redeemer, pilgrim through this barren land. 00:10:36.579 --> 00:10:39.339 I am weak, but you are mighty. 00:10:40.619 --> 00:10:43.339 Hold me with thy powerful hand. 00:10:44.719 --> 00:10:47.699 See, underneath this prayer, confession number one, I don't know the way. 00:10:49.199 --> 00:10:51.779 Confession number two, I haven't got the answers. 00:10:51.779 --> 00:10:59.419 Matthew chapter four, if you want to flick back there, when Jesus is in the wilderness doing battle with Satan. 00:11:01.039 --> 00:11:07.439 He arms himself, not with weapons, but you see how he's arming himself with the word of God. 00:11:08.679 --> 00:11:11.659 Consider his responses to the devil's questions. 00:11:12.339 --> 00:11:16.399 Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that proceeds from the mouth of God. 00:11:16.399 --> 00:11:20.639 That's the devil's question, tempting away. 00:11:21.079 --> 00:11:22.959 Worship the Lord your God and serve him only. 00:11:23.039 --> 00:11:24.620 Again, batting that one away. 00:11:25.500 --> 00:11:28.779 You see how Jesus went into battle, arming himself with scripture? 00:11:30.100 --> 00:11:34.240 Or more precisely, if you want to put it like this, Jesus is defending himself with Deuteronomy. 00:11:34.679 --> 00:11:35.419 This is what he's doing. 00:11:36.419 --> 00:11:42.539 Now the implication is that Jesus in his full humanity has been devoting himself to learning God's word, 00:11:42.879 --> 00:11:45.319 meditating God's word, loving God's word. 00:11:47.019 --> 00:11:48.220 Of course you see it in the big old picture. 00:11:48.340 --> 00:11:52.720 This is exactly what God said his king, the true king of Israel, was to do. 00:11:53.419 --> 00:11:58.059 Not to have God's word, not to have his statutes, not to have his law sitting on the bedside table or up on the shelf, 00:11:58.139 --> 00:12:00.039 but to have it stored and written on his heart. 00:12:01.439 --> 00:12:04.600 You read the events of the kings of Israel. 00:12:04.600 --> 00:12:06.899 Some of them did it poorly, some of them did it partially. 00:12:07.100 --> 00:12:08.799 Jesus is the only one who did it perfectly. 00:12:08.799 --> 00:12:14.599 And when it comes to Jesus' battle in the wilderness, 00:12:14.839 --> 00:12:17.979 in partnership with the spirit that has fallen on him at his baptism, 00:12:18.359 --> 00:12:19.599 Jesus draws on those scriptures. 00:12:19.600 --> 00:12:22.480 During battle. 00:12:23.860 --> 00:12:28.560 Implication that he has sponged up scripture so that when it comes to him being squeezed, 00:12:28.779 --> 00:12:30.060 scripture pours out. 00:12:30.860 --> 00:12:36.100 Because he knew that the best counter to the evil one's lies is God's truth. 00:12:36.100 --> 00:12:40.800 Again, Adam and Eve in the garden, tempted, failed to obey. 00:12:41.120 --> 00:12:43.759 Israel in the desert, tempted, failed to obey. 00:12:44.080 --> 00:12:46.620 Jesus in the wilderness, fully obeys. 00:12:46.620 --> 00:12:51.860 And so the challenge that comes to us as his people this morning 00:12:51.860 --> 00:12:55.860 is to ask ourselves whether the devotion, 00:12:56.639 --> 00:12:58.799 whether the hunger, whether the understanding, 00:12:58.980 --> 00:13:02.279 whether the high view of the sufficiency of God's word for our lives, 00:13:02.320 --> 00:13:03.519 is that something that we share? 00:13:06.100 --> 00:13:09.320 To see how God in his grace has given us his word to arm us 00:13:09.320 --> 00:13:12.220 against the schemes of the evil one. 00:13:13.220 --> 00:13:16.220 How firm a foundation, you saints of the Lord. 00:13:17.019 --> 00:13:19.720 Is laid for your faith in his excellent word. 00:13:19.919 --> 00:13:20.799 What more can he say? 00:13:22.039 --> 00:13:23.379 Than to you he has said, 00:13:24.080 --> 00:13:27.740 to you who for refuge to Jesus have fled. 00:13:30.560 --> 00:13:33.480 I met a friend recently who was telling me a story 00:13:33.480 --> 00:13:35.600 about a man he knows up in Aberdeen. 00:13:36.460 --> 00:13:38.899 And this man is an elder in his local church, 00:13:39.039 --> 00:13:42.360 but in his day-to-day job he holds a really high up management position 00:13:42.360 --> 00:13:44.860 in one of the UK's leading corporate companies. 00:13:44.860 --> 00:13:48.759 And because so many people need to know where he is 00:13:48.759 --> 00:13:50.980 and what he's doing, his calendar, his diary, 00:13:51.120 --> 00:13:53.159 is open for anyone to see. 00:13:54.560 --> 00:13:59.840 And from eight to half eight every single morning for all to see, 00:14:00.200 --> 00:14:02.440 he's blocked out under the title, 00:14:02.659 --> 00:14:03.360 Word and Prayer. 00:14:04.159 --> 00:14:05.480 Word and Prayer. 00:14:06.419 --> 00:14:07.539 Word and Prayer. 00:14:08.539 --> 00:14:09.519 Word and Prayer. 00:14:09.879 --> 00:14:10.460 Word and Prayer. 00:14:10.460 --> 00:14:11.639 Every single day of the week. 00:14:11.720 --> 00:14:12.420 This is what he's doing. 00:14:13.860 --> 00:14:17.480 It's a wonderful example of what everyday faithfulness, 00:14:17.560 --> 00:14:20.620 non-glamorous, everyday faithfulness to Jesus looks like. 00:14:21.500 --> 00:14:23.580 The man with a lot of decisions to make, 00:14:23.980 --> 00:14:25.680 most likely involving a lot of money, 00:14:26.240 --> 00:14:27.360 managing a lot of people, 00:14:27.460 --> 00:14:29.980 I'm sure under an enormous amount of pressure. 00:14:31.560 --> 00:14:32.280 And there he is saying, 00:14:32.500 --> 00:14:33.980 eight to eight thirty every morning. 00:14:34.860 --> 00:14:35.480 Word and Prayer. 00:14:35.980 --> 00:14:36.680 Word and Prayer. 00:14:36.679 --> 00:14:40.479 A man confessing with his lips and his schedule, 00:14:41.159 --> 00:14:41.739 I am a sheep. 00:14:43.000 --> 00:14:45.379 Lord, Heavenly Father, I need you to lead me. 00:14:45.939 --> 00:14:47.000 I need you to guide me, 00:14:47.219 --> 00:14:48.399 because I haven't got the answers. 00:14:50.339 --> 00:14:51.819 Confession number two of a sheep, 00:14:51.879 --> 00:14:52.620 I haven't got the answers. 00:14:52.739 --> 00:14:53.799 Here's confession number three. 00:14:54.879 --> 00:14:55.839 I can't do it alone. 00:14:57.179 --> 00:14:58.299 I can't do it alone. 00:14:59.519 --> 00:15:01.299 You notice as you read this Lord's Prayer through, 00:15:01.379 --> 00:15:01.620 don't you, 00:15:01.639 --> 00:15:03.579 that the language is inescapably corporate. 00:15:03.580 --> 00:15:06.660 Jesus could have easily said, 00:15:06.800 --> 00:15:07.060 my, 00:15:07.180 --> 00:15:08.120 used the personal pronoun, 00:15:08.280 --> 00:15:09.180 all the way through, 00:15:09.600 --> 00:15:12.860 but this is something that the disciples are to pray together. 00:15:13.960 --> 00:15:16.620 And you see how Jesus draws their gaze to the importance 00:15:16.620 --> 00:15:20.780 of praying this prayer together in community. 00:15:21.920 --> 00:15:24.639 That the principles of this prayer aren't just for a select few of them. 00:15:24.700 --> 00:15:27.320 Actually, the principles of this prayer are for all of them. 00:15:28.180 --> 00:15:30.580 Because Jesus knows that the spiritual battle 00:15:30.580 --> 00:15:33.240 that his people will soon find themselves in will be so hard. 00:15:34.139 --> 00:15:36.020 That the suffering that will come on them, 00:15:36.060 --> 00:15:37.440 because they stand for Jesus, 00:15:38.000 --> 00:15:39.480 because they deny selves, 00:15:39.620 --> 00:15:40.180 deny the world, 00:15:40.280 --> 00:15:41.620 take up their cross and follow him, 00:15:41.660 --> 00:15:42.980 it's going to be so hard 00:15:42.980 --> 00:15:44.639 that the world are going to hate them for it. 00:15:46.259 --> 00:15:48.000 And the temptation to give up 00:15:48.000 --> 00:15:50.860 is going to be so incredibly great 00:15:50.860 --> 00:15:54.080 that they cannot afford to be without one another. 00:15:54.080 --> 00:15:56.560 It's funny, 00:15:56.620 --> 00:15:57.900 as you read the letter to the Hebrews, 00:15:58.020 --> 00:15:58.500 the author, 00:15:58.600 --> 00:15:59.460 who I think you can understand, 00:15:59.540 --> 00:16:01.060 is a pastor who loves his people. 00:16:02.320 --> 00:16:04.200 The thing worrying him in his mind, 00:16:04.280 --> 00:16:05.600 the thing keeping him up at night, 00:16:05.639 --> 00:16:07.540 is the thought that these people that he's writing to 00:16:07.540 --> 00:16:08.240 are going to give up. 00:16:09.200 --> 00:16:09.680 They're going to say, 00:16:09.740 --> 00:16:10.000 do you know what? 00:16:10.040 --> 00:16:11.379 Following Jesus is too hard. 00:16:11.639 --> 00:16:13.540 I'm going back to my safe way of life. 00:16:14.420 --> 00:16:16.560 One of the reasons that they find themselves in that position 00:16:16.560 --> 00:16:17.180 as you read it through 00:16:17.180 --> 00:16:20.560 is because they have just simply stopped meeting together. 00:16:20.559 --> 00:16:23.319 They have stopped meeting to study together. 00:16:23.639 --> 00:16:25.239 They've stopped meeting to sing together. 00:16:25.359 --> 00:16:26.739 They've stopped meeting to pray together. 00:16:26.839 --> 00:16:27.500 And whereas before, 00:16:27.619 --> 00:16:29.539 meeting together was thought to be indispensable, 00:16:30.399 --> 00:16:31.299 now in their minds, 00:16:31.379 --> 00:16:33.479 it's drifted to a matter of indifference. 00:16:36.079 --> 00:16:37.739 And so you see how we need one another 00:16:37.739 --> 00:16:38.859 in this spiritual battle. 00:16:38.959 --> 00:16:40.859 See how God in his grace has provided us 00:16:40.859 --> 00:16:41.459 with one another 00:16:41.459 --> 00:16:44.599 to walk through this Christian life with. 00:16:46.159 --> 00:16:48.619 There's a famous story told about Charles Spurgeon. 00:16:48.620 --> 00:16:52.100 He was sitting one evening by his fire in his study 00:16:52.100 --> 00:16:53.639 and one of his students came into his office 00:16:53.639 --> 00:16:55.340 and sat down in the armchair next to him. 00:16:56.279 --> 00:16:57.700 And the student asked Charles Spurgeon, 00:16:58.060 --> 00:16:58.560 he said, 00:16:59.120 --> 00:17:00.120 in my Christian life, 00:17:00.200 --> 00:17:02.440 do I really need my fellow Christians 00:17:02.440 --> 00:17:03.539 to walk alongside me? 00:17:04.000 --> 00:17:05.640 What value, 00:17:05.779 --> 00:17:08.339 what importance is the church? 00:17:09.579 --> 00:17:10.960 And Spurgeon didn't say a word. 00:17:12.480 --> 00:17:14.720 The two of them sat there in awkward silence for a while 00:17:14.720 --> 00:17:17.900 before Spurgeon picked up the tongs 00:17:17.900 --> 00:17:18.960 that were at the side of the fire 00:17:18.960 --> 00:17:20.319 and he reached in 00:17:20.319 --> 00:17:22.299 and he lifted out one of the burning pieces of coal 00:17:22.299 --> 00:17:24.559 and he just left it on the hearth. 00:17:25.400 --> 00:17:27.819 And the two of them sat there for a while 00:17:27.819 --> 00:17:29.380 and they watched this piece of coal 00:17:29.380 --> 00:17:30.740 go from burning hot 00:17:30.740 --> 00:17:32.700 to lukewarm 00:17:32.700 --> 00:17:34.759 to almost all but out. 00:17:36.100 --> 00:17:36.620 Spurgeon did. 00:17:36.660 --> 00:17:37.440 He took the tongs again, 00:17:37.539 --> 00:17:38.460 took that piece of coal 00:17:38.460 --> 00:17:39.980 and he put it back into the fire. 00:17:40.519 --> 00:17:41.480 And the two of them watched 00:17:41.480 --> 00:17:42.660 as the thing heated up again 00:17:42.660 --> 00:17:44.000 as it was around the other coals. 00:17:44.720 --> 00:17:46.339 And the student remarked afterwards 00:17:46.339 --> 00:17:48.259 that that is the best sermon 00:17:48.259 --> 00:17:50.400 I ever saw Charles Spurgeon preach. 00:17:51.860 --> 00:17:53.120 Why do we need one another? 00:17:53.839 --> 00:17:54.980 Because if we drift, 00:17:56.120 --> 00:17:56.880 if we drift, 00:17:57.440 --> 00:17:58.279 then we're going to go out. 00:18:00.920 --> 00:18:02.980 Confession, I can't do it alone. 00:18:03.160 --> 00:18:04.259 Do you see how God and his wisdom 00:18:04.259 --> 00:18:05.339 has given us each other 00:18:05.339 --> 00:18:06.980 to live out this Christian life with. 00:18:06.980 --> 00:18:08.880 And in particular, 00:18:08.980 --> 00:18:10.240 when it comes to God's design 00:18:10.240 --> 00:18:11.620 to lead us from temptation, 00:18:11.900 --> 00:18:13.620 to guide us and keep us from evil. 00:18:13.720 --> 00:18:14.519 Do you see the role 00:18:14.519 --> 00:18:15.860 that other brothers and sisters 00:18:15.860 --> 00:18:17.440 play in that? 00:18:18.099 --> 00:18:19.160 Those who will commit 00:18:19.160 --> 00:18:20.799 to lovingly pointing out 00:18:20.799 --> 00:18:21.980 when you are going off. 00:18:23.019 --> 00:18:24.680 Those who can graciously help 00:18:24.680 --> 00:18:25.559 keep us on track. 00:18:25.680 --> 00:18:26.799 Those who can pull us up 00:18:26.799 --> 00:18:27.779 when we fall down. 00:18:29.180 --> 00:18:30.519 And those who will commit themselves 00:18:30.519 --> 00:18:32.059 to asking difficult questions 00:18:32.059 --> 00:18:32.819 of our lives. 00:18:33.960 --> 00:18:34.900 Keeping us accountable. 00:18:35.059 --> 00:18:36.579 Not because they enjoy it, 00:18:37.000 --> 00:18:38.159 but because they love us. 00:18:39.879 --> 00:18:40.899 I wonder if this morning, 00:18:40.980 --> 00:18:41.639 if some of us, 00:18:42.480 --> 00:18:43.980 the Holy Spirit is challenging us 00:18:43.980 --> 00:18:44.859 that we are withdrawing 00:18:44.859 --> 00:18:45.519 from the center. 00:18:46.799 --> 00:18:48.159 And actually what we need to do 00:18:48.159 --> 00:18:50.039 is move from the periphery 00:18:50.039 --> 00:18:51.159 back to the core. 00:18:52.299 --> 00:18:53.059 We need one another. 00:18:53.139 --> 00:18:54.619 We can't do this alone. 00:18:56.240 --> 00:18:56.899 Is that you? 00:18:56.980 --> 00:18:57.939 Then I'd love to speak to you 00:18:57.939 --> 00:18:58.679 after the service. 00:18:58.839 --> 00:18:59.599 Love to pray with you 00:18:59.599 --> 00:19:00.939 to see how we can make that happen. 00:19:01.019 --> 00:19:01.699 Anyone who you've seen 00:19:01.699 --> 00:19:02.399 up the front this morning, 00:19:02.539 --> 00:19:03.460 anyone that you came with 00:19:03.460 --> 00:19:05.799 to pray that this would be true 00:19:05.799 --> 00:19:07.460 in your own life. 00:19:09.440 --> 00:19:10.440 I don't know the way. 00:19:11.720 --> 00:19:13.019 I don't have the answers. 00:19:13.840 --> 00:19:14.840 And confession number three 00:19:14.840 --> 00:19:15.340 of a sheep, 00:19:15.559 --> 00:19:16.539 I can't do it alone. 00:19:18.519 --> 00:19:19.620 And just as we finish up 00:19:19.620 --> 00:19:20.340 our time together, 00:19:21.200 --> 00:19:22.100 let me just give you 00:19:22.100 --> 00:19:23.380 one encouragement 00:19:23.380 --> 00:19:24.100 and two thoughts 00:19:24.100 --> 00:19:24.700 and then we're done. 00:19:24.960 --> 00:19:25.480 Does that sound okay? 00:19:26.240 --> 00:19:27.000 As we're thinking about 00:19:27.000 --> 00:19:28.240 this whole topic of prayer, 00:19:28.700 --> 00:19:29.299 the things that have been 00:19:29.299 --> 00:19:30.039 on my mind this week, 00:19:30.039 --> 00:19:30.740 I just want to give you 00:19:30.740 --> 00:19:31.579 one encouragement 00:19:31.579 --> 00:19:33.000 and two things to think about. 00:19:33.500 --> 00:19:34.619 Here's the encouragement. 00:19:35.879 --> 00:19:36.960 What struck me most 00:19:36.960 --> 00:19:37.619 as we've journeyed 00:19:37.619 --> 00:19:38.740 through this topic of prayer, 00:19:38.879 --> 00:19:39.659 and I had never really 00:19:39.659 --> 00:19:40.599 thought about this before 00:19:40.599 --> 00:19:41.220 and I encourage you 00:19:41.220 --> 00:19:42.220 to think about it now, 00:19:43.019 --> 00:19:44.440 what has struck me most 00:19:44.440 --> 00:19:46.119 is just how committed 00:19:46.119 --> 00:19:48.240 God is to our prayer lives. 00:19:49.879 --> 00:19:50.759 Think about it. 00:19:51.700 --> 00:19:53.099 How all three persons 00:19:53.099 --> 00:19:54.039 of the Godhead, 00:19:54.960 --> 00:19:55.299 Father, 00:19:55.960 --> 00:19:56.240 Son, 00:19:56.659 --> 00:19:57.279 Holy Spirit, 00:19:57.519 --> 00:19:59.279 they're all intimately involved 00:19:59.279 --> 00:20:00.759 in our prayer lives. 00:20:01.099 --> 00:20:02.099 And we see them all 00:20:02.099 --> 00:20:03.539 in the context of this prayer. 00:20:04.940 --> 00:20:05.680 God our Father 00:20:05.680 --> 00:20:06.859 is the one who provides 00:20:06.859 --> 00:20:07.720 our daily bread. 00:20:08.839 --> 00:20:09.680 Jesus the Son 00:20:09.680 --> 00:20:10.960 is the one who has made a way 00:20:10.960 --> 00:20:11.680 for you and I 00:20:11.680 --> 00:20:12.460 to be forgiven. 00:20:14.079 --> 00:20:15.000 And the Holy Spirit 00:20:15.000 --> 00:20:15.599 is the one 00:20:15.599 --> 00:20:16.099 that the Father 00:20:16.099 --> 00:20:16.960 and the Son have sent 00:20:16.960 --> 00:20:19.019 to live inside our hearts 00:20:19.019 --> 00:20:20.579 to help us say 00:20:20.579 --> 00:20:21.599 no to sin, 00:20:21.779 --> 00:20:22.519 no to self, 00:20:22.619 --> 00:20:23.859 and yes to Christ 00:20:23.859 --> 00:20:24.759 and the things 00:20:24.759 --> 00:20:25.720 of our Father's kingdom. 00:20:26.680 --> 00:20:27.359 Do you see how just 00:20:27.359 --> 00:20:28.440 committed God is 00:20:28.440 --> 00:20:30.400 to this prayer, 00:20:30.519 --> 00:20:31.620 to the prayer lives 00:20:31.620 --> 00:20:33.259 of His people? 00:20:35.840 --> 00:20:36.840 But this one God 00:20:36.840 --> 00:20:37.960 doesn't just help 00:20:37.960 --> 00:20:39.279 answer our prayers. 00:20:40.200 --> 00:20:41.299 Do you see how this God 00:20:41.299 --> 00:20:42.759 helps us pray? 00:20:44.100 --> 00:20:45.779 The Father is the one, 00:20:45.880 --> 00:20:47.000 in the context there, 00:20:47.259 --> 00:20:48.799 who sees and knows. 00:20:49.360 --> 00:20:50.559 The Father is the one 00:20:50.559 --> 00:20:52.400 who invites us 00:20:52.400 --> 00:20:53.299 through His Word 00:20:53.299 --> 00:20:54.200 to pray to Him. 00:20:54.380 --> 00:20:55.340 This is the kind of God 00:20:55.340 --> 00:20:56.180 that we're dealing with here. 00:20:56.180 --> 00:20:56.960 We have His Word. 00:20:57.799 --> 00:20:58.980 The Father is intimately 00:20:58.980 --> 00:20:59.980 involved in our prayer lives. 00:21:00.060 --> 00:21:00.660 The Son 00:21:00.660 --> 00:21:02.640 who taught His disciples 00:21:02.640 --> 00:21:03.340 how to pray 00:21:03.340 --> 00:21:04.539 is the one through whom 00:21:04.539 --> 00:21:05.840 we have access to the Father 00:21:05.840 --> 00:21:06.900 and the one who is 00:21:06.900 --> 00:21:07.820 at the right hand, 00:21:08.080 --> 00:21:08.680 ascended, 00:21:08.980 --> 00:21:09.259 risen, 00:21:09.500 --> 00:21:10.640 interceding for His people. 00:21:11.960 --> 00:21:12.500 He's there. 00:21:12.600 --> 00:21:13.259 That's what He's doing. 00:21:13.340 --> 00:21:14.120 That's what He ever lives 00:21:14.120 --> 00:21:14.660 to do. 00:21:14.840 --> 00:21:16.019 Intercede for His people 00:21:16.019 --> 00:21:17.019 and the Spirit 00:21:17.019 --> 00:21:18.160 that God has given us, 00:21:18.700 --> 00:21:19.500 living in us, 00:21:19.940 --> 00:21:20.759 guiding our souls, 00:21:21.120 --> 00:21:21.799 giving us those 00:21:21.799 --> 00:21:22.700 groaning words 00:21:22.700 --> 00:21:23.740 that we see in Romans 8 00:21:23.740 --> 00:21:24.180 that we need 00:21:24.180 --> 00:21:24.759 as we pray. 00:21:25.940 --> 00:21:27.000 To see how committed 00:21:27.000 --> 00:21:28.079 this three-in-one 00:21:28.079 --> 00:21:29.339 glorious God is 00:21:29.339 --> 00:21:30.339 to the prayer lives 00:21:30.339 --> 00:21:31.339 of His people. 00:21:31.859 --> 00:21:32.559 Now that's not just 00:21:32.559 --> 00:21:33.279 something to study 00:21:33.279 --> 00:21:34.220 in a textbook, friends. 00:21:34.259 --> 00:21:34.779 That is something 00:21:34.779 --> 00:21:35.940 to stop and think about 00:21:35.940 --> 00:21:36.640 next time you find 00:21:36.640 --> 00:21:37.339 yourself praying. 00:21:37.980 --> 00:21:38.900 Whether yourself, 00:21:39.059 --> 00:21:39.759 on your own, 00:21:39.859 --> 00:21:40.859 or with other people. 00:21:41.019 --> 00:21:42.759 This is a magnificent 00:21:42.759 --> 00:21:44.279 and a glorious thing 00:21:44.279 --> 00:21:45.079 that's going on here. 00:21:45.339 --> 00:21:46.400 This is mind-blowing. 00:21:47.319 --> 00:21:48.420 That God has pulled out 00:21:48.420 --> 00:21:50.180 literally all the stops 00:21:50.180 --> 00:21:52.160 to make our prayer lives 00:21:52.160 --> 00:21:53.000 a possibility. 00:21:55.960 --> 00:21:57.640 How incredible 00:21:57.640 --> 00:21:58.500 is our God 00:21:58.500 --> 00:21:59.240 that this is the grace 00:21:59.240 --> 00:22:00.019 that He shows us? 00:22:01.880 --> 00:22:02.800 And so the question 00:22:02.800 --> 00:22:04.720 in is two thoughts. 00:22:05.240 --> 00:22:06.040 How are we doing 00:22:06.040 --> 00:22:06.960 at making the most 00:22:06.960 --> 00:22:08.240 of this glorious opportunity 00:22:08.240 --> 00:22:08.920 that we have? 00:22:09.000 --> 00:22:09.700 Here's two thoughts 00:22:09.700 --> 00:22:10.000 for you. 00:22:10.040 --> 00:22:11.400 One, two things 00:22:11.400 --> 00:22:11.960 to think through. 00:22:12.060 --> 00:22:12.360 Firstly, 00:22:12.800 --> 00:22:15.360 how is this going to change 00:22:15.360 --> 00:22:16.540 your prayer life? 00:22:18.480 --> 00:22:19.540 There's a famous story 00:22:19.540 --> 00:22:20.640 told of golfer 00:22:20.640 --> 00:22:21.440 Jack Nicklaus 00:22:21.440 --> 00:22:23.020 that at the beginning 00:22:23.020 --> 00:22:24.020 of every golf season 00:22:24.020 --> 00:22:24.759 he used to go to 00:22:24.759 --> 00:22:25.660 his caddy, 00:22:25.740 --> 00:22:26.220 his coach, 00:22:26.320 --> 00:22:27.280 and he just used to say, 00:22:27.440 --> 00:22:28.620 most successful golfer 00:22:28.620 --> 00:22:30.200 arguably ever to have lived 00:22:30.200 --> 00:22:30.980 and played the game, 00:22:31.520 --> 00:22:32.420 he used to go to his coach 00:22:32.420 --> 00:22:32.720 and say, 00:22:32.780 --> 00:22:33.480 would you teach me again 00:22:33.480 --> 00:22:34.020 the basics? 00:22:35.000 --> 00:22:35.820 Teach me again 00:22:35.820 --> 00:22:36.640 how to play. 00:22:37.300 --> 00:22:38.080 Teach me again 00:22:38.080 --> 00:22:38.800 how to play. 00:22:39.460 --> 00:22:40.600 Teach me the rhythm. 00:22:41.560 --> 00:22:42.200 Doing it again 00:22:42.200 --> 00:22:43.100 every single season 00:22:43.100 --> 00:22:43.759 he used to come back 00:22:43.759 --> 00:22:44.860 and say that to his coach. 00:22:45.860 --> 00:22:46.860 Remind me of the rhythm. 00:22:47.360 --> 00:22:48.660 Remind me of the basics. 00:22:49.400 --> 00:22:49.640 Friends, 00:22:49.640 --> 00:22:50.320 for some of us, 00:22:50.640 --> 00:22:51.200 would it not be 00:22:51.200 --> 00:22:51.960 a wonderful idea 00:22:51.960 --> 00:22:53.340 to spend the next little period 00:22:53.340 --> 00:22:54.640 of our own private prayer lives 00:22:54.640 --> 00:22:55.540 to focus it 00:22:55.540 --> 00:22:56.400 and pray these words 00:22:56.400 --> 00:22:56.900 in this prayer? 00:22:58.340 --> 00:22:59.520 With the attitude of 00:22:59.520 --> 00:23:01.000 teach me again Lord Jesus. 00:23:01.240 --> 00:23:02.240 Teach me how to pray. 00:23:03.100 --> 00:23:04.040 Teach me the basics. 00:23:04.560 --> 00:23:04.980 Let me, 00:23:05.060 --> 00:23:06.320 help me find the rhythm 00:23:06.320 --> 00:23:08.320 of this prayer. 00:23:08.860 --> 00:23:09.840 Maybe even an idea 00:23:09.840 --> 00:23:10.160 of something 00:23:10.160 --> 00:23:11.560 to paraphrase it, 00:23:11.620 --> 00:23:12.300 to write it out 00:23:12.300 --> 00:23:13.000 in your own words 00:23:13.000 --> 00:23:14.259 as you seek to meditate it 00:23:14.259 --> 00:23:15.740 as you go through it. 00:23:16.480 --> 00:23:17.500 How is this study 00:23:17.500 --> 00:23:18.040 that we've been in 00:23:18.040 --> 00:23:18.860 over the last few weeks 00:23:18.859 --> 00:23:20.079 going to affect 00:23:20.079 --> 00:23:20.799 and impact 00:23:20.799 --> 00:23:22.399 your prayer life 00:23:22.399 --> 00:23:24.259 and my prayer life? 00:23:25.740 --> 00:23:26.319 And secondly, 00:23:26.399 --> 00:23:27.459 how is it going to 00:23:27.459 --> 00:23:29.159 affect our prayer life 00:23:29.159 --> 00:23:30.519 as a church? 00:23:31.579 --> 00:23:32.619 I've been reminded 00:23:32.619 --> 00:23:34.059 that not only 00:23:34.059 --> 00:23:34.879 of the importance 00:23:34.879 --> 00:23:36.000 of us meeting together 00:23:36.000 --> 00:23:36.579 to pray, 00:23:37.059 --> 00:23:38.019 but I've been reminded 00:23:38.019 --> 00:23:38.639 of how much 00:23:38.639 --> 00:23:39.839 the evil one hates it 00:23:39.839 --> 00:23:40.799 when we gather together 00:23:40.799 --> 00:23:41.299 to pray. 00:23:41.799 --> 00:23:42.299 Do you ever wonder 00:23:42.299 --> 00:23:43.259 why you find it an effort 00:23:43.259 --> 00:23:43.740 to come out 00:23:43.740 --> 00:23:44.379 on a Sunday morning? 00:23:44.380 --> 00:23:44.840 I tell you, 00:23:44.880 --> 00:23:45.520 the Sunday morning 00:23:45.520 --> 00:23:46.560 is the most difficult 00:23:46.560 --> 00:23:47.000 for the week 00:23:47.000 --> 00:23:47.760 for us as a family 00:23:47.760 --> 00:23:48.840 and that's no coincidence. 00:23:50.260 --> 00:23:50.860 Wednesday nights 00:23:50.860 --> 00:23:51.340 before I come 00:23:51.340 --> 00:23:52.000 to the prayer meeting, 00:23:52.120 --> 00:23:53.620 it is a spiritual battle 00:23:53.620 --> 00:23:54.280 to get out here, 00:23:54.360 --> 00:23:54.720 but you know what? 00:23:54.740 --> 00:23:55.920 I'm glad every single time 00:23:55.920 --> 00:23:56.720 I come because it is 00:23:56.720 --> 00:23:57.620 good for my soul 00:23:57.620 --> 00:23:58.920 to meet with brothers 00:23:58.920 --> 00:23:59.880 and sisters to pray. 00:24:00.180 --> 00:24:00.960 Don't underestimate 00:24:00.960 --> 00:24:01.980 and don't overestimate, 00:24:02.080 --> 00:24:02.800 but don't underestimate 00:24:02.800 --> 00:24:03.840 the spiritual battle 00:24:03.840 --> 00:24:04.500 that we are in 00:24:04.500 --> 00:24:05.600 for even just turning up 00:24:05.600 --> 00:24:06.500 to things. 00:24:08.340 --> 00:24:08.600 You know, 00:24:08.620 --> 00:24:09.780 I loved it last Wednesday. 00:24:09.920 --> 00:24:11.480 We put out 25 chairs 00:24:11.480 --> 00:24:12.619 for our prayer meeting 00:24:12.619 --> 00:24:13.519 thinking I was being 00:24:13.519 --> 00:24:14.480 a little bit optimistic 00:24:14.480 --> 00:24:16.139 and it soon became 00:24:16.139 --> 00:24:17.160 very clear that we need 00:24:17.160 --> 00:24:17.899 to put out more 00:24:17.899 --> 00:24:18.740 because more and more 00:24:18.740 --> 00:24:19.319 people came. 00:24:19.720 --> 00:24:19.960 I tell you what, 00:24:19.980 --> 00:24:21.539 that is the most encouraging 00:24:21.539 --> 00:24:22.399 thing for me 00:24:22.399 --> 00:24:24.599 as I see us as a church 00:24:24.599 --> 00:24:25.619 committing ourselves 00:24:25.619 --> 00:24:26.079 to prayer. 00:24:26.460 --> 00:24:27.680 Can I encourage you 00:24:27.680 --> 00:24:30.200 to put that Wednesday evening, 00:24:30.279 --> 00:24:31.379 the first one of the month, 00:24:31.519 --> 00:24:32.660 in the diary, friends? 00:24:32.859 --> 00:24:33.819 Make every effort 00:24:33.819 --> 00:24:35.139 to come to that prayer meeting, 00:24:35.420 --> 00:24:37.139 not out of a sense of duty, 00:24:38.359 --> 00:24:39.559 but only a sense of duty, 00:24:39.779 --> 00:24:41.599 but from a heart 00:24:41.599 --> 00:24:42.279 that recognizes 00:24:42.279 --> 00:24:43.259 and wants to declare 00:24:43.259 --> 00:24:45.079 individually and together 00:24:45.079 --> 00:24:45.519 that God, 00:24:45.579 --> 00:24:46.079 we need you. 00:24:46.680 --> 00:24:47.579 We are sheep 00:24:47.579 --> 00:24:48.559 and you are our shepherd 00:24:48.559 --> 00:24:50.279 and we need you. 00:24:51.500 --> 00:24:51.899 Friends, 00:24:51.960 --> 00:24:52.859 how important it is 00:24:52.859 --> 00:24:53.960 and how special it is 00:24:53.960 --> 00:24:55.160 and how encouraging it is 00:24:55.160 --> 00:24:56.339 when brothers and sisters 00:24:56.339 --> 00:24:57.359 dwell in unity 00:24:57.359 --> 00:24:58.440 and come together 00:24:58.440 --> 00:25:00.119 under no other reason 00:25:00.119 --> 00:25:00.759 than we want to seek 00:25:00.759 --> 00:25:01.359 God in prayer. 00:25:03.660 --> 00:25:04.720 So as we close, 00:25:05.019 --> 00:25:06.099 who does this remind you of? 00:25:06.099 --> 00:25:10.019 Reminds me of me 00:25:10.019 --> 00:25:12.279 and it should remind you 00:25:12.279 --> 00:25:12.599 of you 00:25:12.599 --> 00:25:13.879 because our God loves us enough 00:25:13.879 --> 00:25:14.619 that he tells us 00:25:14.619 --> 00:25:15.339 that you are sheep. 00:25:16.039 --> 00:25:17.539 You are sheep 00:25:17.539 --> 00:25:19.000 and what incredible news 00:25:19.000 --> 00:25:19.519 for sheep 00:25:19.519 --> 00:25:21.699 that the one telling 00:25:21.699 --> 00:25:22.339 his disciples 00:25:22.339 --> 00:25:23.199 how to pray 00:25:23.199 --> 00:25:24.119 in Matthew 6 00:25:24.119 --> 00:25:24.740 is the one 00:25:24.740 --> 00:25:25.679 who has come to be 00:25:25.679 --> 00:25:27.000 and calls himself 00:25:27.000 --> 00:25:28.859 the great shepherd 00:25:28.859 --> 00:25:30.659 of his sheep, 00:25:30.879 --> 00:25:32.119 the great protector, 00:25:32.579 --> 00:25:33.539 the great provider, 00:25:33.539 --> 00:25:34.639 the great lover 00:25:34.639 --> 00:25:35.559 and the leader 00:25:35.559 --> 00:25:36.579 of his sheep. 00:25:36.720 --> 00:25:37.079 Friends, 00:25:37.119 --> 00:25:38.059 we will never graduate 00:25:38.059 --> 00:25:38.839 from being sheep. 00:25:39.559 --> 00:25:40.460 You're not going to see me 00:25:40.460 --> 00:25:41.159 in a few weeks time 00:25:41.159 --> 00:25:41.980 standing at the door 00:25:41.980 --> 00:25:42.920 waving you goodbye, 00:25:43.279 --> 00:25:44.180 goodbye to the pen 00:25:44.180 --> 00:25:45.279 because he's graduated 00:25:45.279 --> 00:25:46.079 to super sheep. 00:25:46.759 --> 00:25:47.019 Do you remember 00:25:47.019 --> 00:25:47.500 what it was like 00:25:47.500 --> 00:25:48.099 when he was a sheep? 00:25:48.180 --> 00:25:48.980 Oh, he was a great sheep 00:25:48.980 --> 00:25:49.539 but now he's gone. 00:25:49.839 --> 00:25:50.899 None of us are graduating 00:25:50.899 --> 00:25:51.799 from being sheep. 00:25:52.359 --> 00:25:53.240 None of us move on 00:25:53.240 --> 00:25:53.799 from this, 00:25:54.299 --> 00:25:55.720 these three confessions 00:25:55.720 --> 00:25:57.319 of being a sheep 00:25:57.319 --> 00:25:58.700 but here is Jesus 00:25:58.700 --> 00:26:00.359 and it's to him 00:26:00.359 --> 00:26:01.379 we look as we finish 00:26:01.379 --> 00:26:02.099 this morning 00:26:02.099 --> 00:26:03.200 and finish this little series 00:26:03.200 --> 00:26:03.900 is the one who says 00:26:03.900 --> 00:26:05.039 I am the good shepherd. 00:26:06.299 --> 00:26:07.299 The good shepherd 00:26:07.299 --> 00:26:09.140 who lays down his life 00:26:09.140 --> 00:26:11.799 for his sheep. 00:26:13.120 --> 00:26:13.340 Now friends, 00:26:13.380 --> 00:26:13.840 I'm just going to put 00:26:13.840 --> 00:26:14.799 the words of the Lord's Prayer, 00:26:14.860 --> 00:26:15.500 we've already prayed it 00:26:15.500 --> 00:26:15.920 this morning, 00:26:16.019 --> 00:26:17.420 just the words of the Lord's Prayer 00:26:17.420 --> 00:26:17.900 on the screen 00:26:17.900 --> 00:26:18.580 as we close 00:26:18.580 --> 00:26:19.980 and in a minute 00:26:19.980 --> 00:26:20.519 we're just going to have 00:26:20.519 --> 00:26:22.180 a moment of quiet reflection 00:26:22.180 --> 00:26:23.120 but as I was praying 00:26:23.120 --> 00:26:24.160 about this this morning, 00:26:25.019 --> 00:26:26.819 maybe you're here today 00:26:26.819 --> 00:26:28.380 and you think 00:26:28.380 --> 00:26:29.140 I don't know 00:26:29.140 --> 00:26:30.180 Jesus is my shepherd. 00:26:31.340 --> 00:26:32.080 I've been here 00:26:32.080 --> 00:26:32.980 over the last few weeks 00:26:32.980 --> 00:26:34.240 you've been talking 00:26:34.240 --> 00:26:34.920 about this stuff 00:26:34.920 --> 00:26:35.920 but I don't know him. 00:26:36.120 --> 00:26:36.880 Can I encourage you 00:26:36.880 --> 00:26:37.460 that this morning 00:26:37.460 --> 00:26:38.140 could be the morning 00:26:38.140 --> 00:26:38.640 when you say 00:26:38.640 --> 00:26:39.579 Jesus I need you. 00:26:40.839 --> 00:26:41.680 Father in heaven 00:26:41.680 --> 00:26:43.279 I am sorry for my sin 00:26:43.279 --> 00:26:44.339 I need your son 00:26:44.339 --> 00:26:45.220 to forgive me of it 00:26:45.220 --> 00:26:46.360 would you come by your spirit 00:26:46.360 --> 00:26:47.640 and make me new. 00:26:49.720 --> 00:26:49.880 Friends, 00:26:49.900 --> 00:26:50.759 if that's you this morning 00:26:50.759 --> 00:26:51.120 then 00:26:51.120 --> 00:26:52.640 do you know what 00:26:52.640 --> 00:26:53.720 let's say these words together. 00:26:55.079 --> 00:26:56.059 As you say them 00:26:56.059 --> 00:26:57.480 make that your prayer 00:26:57.480 --> 00:26:58.559 Jesus would you be 00:26:58.559 --> 00:27:00.240 the great shepherd 00:27:00.240 --> 00:27:01.179 and king 00:27:01.179 --> 00:27:01.819 and saviour 00:27:01.819 --> 00:27:03.019 of my life. 00:27:03.839 --> 00:27:04.460 So let's have 00:27:04.460 --> 00:27:04.940 just a moment 00:27:04.940 --> 00:27:05.839 of quiet 00:27:05.839 --> 00:27:06.419 and then we'll pray 00:27:06.419 --> 00:27:07.220 these words together 00:27:07.220 --> 00:27:07.940 as we close. 00:27:07.940 --> 00:27:08.079 Amen. 00:27:16.819 --> 00:27:18.279 So let's pray together. 00:27:19.779 --> 00:27:21.679 Our Father in heaven 00:27:21.679 --> 00:27:24.179 hallowed be your name 00:27:24.180 --> 00:27:26.279 your kingdom come 00:27:26.279 --> 00:27:28.380 your will be done 00:27:28.380 --> 00:27:29.400 on earth 00:27:29.400 --> 00:27:30.519 as it is in heaven. 00:27:31.519 --> 00:27:32.600 Give us today 00:27:32.600 --> 00:27:33.820 our daily bread 00:27:33.820 --> 00:27:35.460 and forgive us 00:27:35.460 --> 00:27:36.340 our debts 00:27:36.340 --> 00:27:38.160 as we also have 00:27:38.160 --> 00:27:39.480 forgiven our debtors 00:27:39.480 --> 00:27:41.200 and lead us not 00:27:41.200 --> 00:27:42.340 into temptation 00:27:42.340 --> 00:27:44.140 but deliver us 00:27:44.140 --> 00:27:45.500 from the evil one. 00:27:45.840 --> 00:27:46.220 So Father 00:27:46.220 --> 00:27:47.880 I ask that by your grace 00:27:47.880 --> 00:27:48.640 that today 00:27:48.640 --> 00:27:50.060 would be a day 00:27:50.060 --> 00:27:51.240 and maybe even 00:27:51.240 --> 00:27:51.900 for some of us 00:27:51.900 --> 00:27:52.940 the first day 00:27:52.940 --> 00:27:54.720 when we can turn 00:27:54.720 --> 00:27:55.279 to you 00:27:55.279 --> 00:27:56.840 and know you 00:27:56.840 --> 00:27:58.200 and call you 00:27:58.200 --> 00:27:59.820 our heavenly Father. 00:28:00.220 --> 00:28:01.180 Thank you so much 00:28:01.180 --> 00:28:02.019 for your great grace 00:28:02.019 --> 00:28:02.720 that you show us 00:28:02.720 --> 00:28:04.100 day after day 00:28:04.100 --> 00:28:04.940 after day. 00:28:05.059 --> 00:28:05.900 Help us to know 00:28:05.900 --> 00:28:06.960 and embrace the fact 00:28:06.960 --> 00:28:07.720 that we are sheep 00:28:07.720 --> 00:28:09.100 and in Jesus Christ 00:28:09.100 --> 00:28:10.799 we have an all sufficient 00:28:10.799 --> 00:28:12.019 and a great saviour. 00:28:12.279 --> 00:28:13.080 In his name we pray. 00:28:13.320 --> 00:28:13.680 Amen.