WEBVTT

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 Jesus said, come and follow me.

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 It was 30 years ago, almost to the day, that I had a conversation with Jeff.

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 Jeff was a builder.

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 He was also a youth leader at the church where I grew up on the Isle of Wight.

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 And it was the summer 1994.

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 I'd just graduated and I was about to start my first job as a youth worker in Billericay in Essex.

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 And in the summer between finishing college and starting my new job,

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 I was asked if I would go and be chaplain to this boys' brigade camp,

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 which our church was involved with.

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 And so I was very happy to help out with that.

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 Jeff and his wife June were youth leaders in the church where I grew up.

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 And every Sunday evening, they would open their home.

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 And myself, along with quite a large number of teenagers, would fill their front room.

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 We would drink all their tea, eat all their chocolate biscuits, and occasionally do some Bible study.

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 But it was the summer of 1994.

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 And the camp that I'd been involved with was just coming to an end.

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 And we were driving back in Jeff's van.

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 We had some of the camping stuff in the back of the van.

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 Jeff was driving.

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 I was sat there in the passenger seat.

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 We were driving from Swanage in Dorset back to the Isle of Wight.

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 And Jeff, who is no longer with us, but Jeff and I had this conversation about faith, about ministry, about youth work.

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 He knew I was about to start as a youth worker.

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 And he knew that it was in the very early stages of me trying to work out what God was saying to me about the rest of my life.

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 And he knew that I felt that that probably meant that I was going to become a minister at some point.

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 And I'll never forget what Jeff said to me.

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 These weren't his exact words, but it went more or less like this.

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 He said, really, Russell, whether you become a minister or a youth worker, or like me, you're a builder, just as a Christian, it all really boils down to one thing.

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 We've got to tell people about Jesus.

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 Now, that was a conversation that took place 30 years ago, and I still remember it.

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 And I'm going to be honest, I don't remember much else about probably the many things that Jeff and his wife, Jim, would have said to us over the years of being in the youth group that they led.

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 But I think they were probably quite pleased if 30 years later, that was the one and only thing that I remember.

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 Because it is absolutely true.

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 It's all about Jesus.

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 I'm reminded of a vicar who arrived on the first day of the new appointment, and he apparently went into the vestry with the church wardens and said,

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 I need to tell you now, I've only got three sermons.

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 The first one is entitled, Come to Jesus.

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 The second one is entitled, Come Back to Jesus.

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 And the third one is entitled, Come Closer to Jesus.

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 But first and last, everything in between, that's what it's about.

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 Take Jesus out of the gospel and there's no gospel.

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 It's not about religion.

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 It's not about rules.

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 It's not about ritual.

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 It's about relationship.

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 With one.

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 Jesus.

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 And so we begin with those words,

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 Come, follow me.

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 Because that's what it's about.

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 Following him.

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 Now, there are lots of other times where Jesus actually said,

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 Go.

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 We sent people into places.

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 That's another sermon.

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 But right now, we're thinking of these words,

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 right at the beginning of his ministry,

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 as he called ordinary people to follow him,

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 in that oh so simple, yet so profound way.

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 Come, follow me.

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 They're words of invitation.

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 And they're words of invitation to know something that is so fundamentally true

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 that we can so easily forget.

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 And that, actually, in many ways,

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 this series which we're just beginning is all about.

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 Jesus said,

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 The time has come.

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 The kingdom of God is near.

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 In other words, that invitation into his presence.

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 When Jesus says, Come,

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 he's coming into knowing

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 his presence.

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 Knowing that Jesus is,

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 I was going to say there,

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 but knowing that Jesus is here.

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 That there's no place,

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 no situation,

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 at any stage of life,

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 that you will find yourself where he's not already there.

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 Because that's his promise.

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 Come and follow me.

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 Because he's there.

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 That's absolutely vital.

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 Whatever situation you might be facing right now,

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 whether it's good,

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 bad,

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 or a mix of the two,

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 and it probably is,

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 whatever you might be hoping for

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 or living in fear of,

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 you're not alone.

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 He's with you.

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 And that invitation,

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 and it's a daily one

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 that we need to hear

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 and be reminded of,

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 to come follow me,

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 is the invitation that reminds us

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 that there is no place,

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 no situation,

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 no set of circumstances

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 that you will ever find yourselves in

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 where he is not already present.

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 The kingdom of God is near,

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 is at hand.

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 And it is knowing his presence

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 that makes all the difference.

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 Apparently,

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 Wellington once said of Napoleon,

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 his presence on the battlefield

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 is like that,

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 more than that,

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 of 40,000 other soldiers.

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 such was the presence,

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 the charisma,

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 the power of that one individual

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 that he had such an impact.

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 I dare say

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 we can draw on many other examples

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 from human history.

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 But when we're talking about Jesus,

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 yes, we are talking about human history,

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 but we are not only talking

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 about human history,

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 we are talking about the divine,

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 the absolute truth,

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 that which is ultimate and unique,

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 the author of the entire universe

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 and the sustainer of it,

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 the one who has always been there

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 and always will be,

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 is there,

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 is here,

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 with you.

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 And those words of Jesus

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 that say,

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 come follow me,

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 are words that remind us

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 to stay close

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 to that fundamental promise

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 that he's present.

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 It's easy to say that.

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 It's also very easy

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 to forget that reality.

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 And,

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 in many ways,

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 discipleship is about

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 finding ways

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 of sustaining that awareness

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 because it can be so challenging.

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 sustaining and growing

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 and growing in that awareness

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 that Jesus is always there with you.

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 Because when you know

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 that you are in his presence,

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 you act differently.

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 We do.

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 When we know

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 that he's not in some other distant place,

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 but he's not in heaven

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 looking down at us,

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 but he's actually with us

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 and in us,

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 when we know that,

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 we live that out differently.

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 Our responses are different.

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 So,

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 in many ways,

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 growing as a disciple

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 of Jesus

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 is growing

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 in that knowledge

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 of his presence.

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 But that can be the challenge.

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 Now,

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 we may perhaps

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 vary

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 depending on

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 how and where

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 and in what situations

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 we will find that

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 particularly challenging.

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 but I would suggest

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 to you

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 that one of the times

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 where it is most commonly felt

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 a challenge

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 is first thing

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 in the morning.

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 In that window of time

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 between waking

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 and rising,

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 when we're just

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 surfacing

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 to the reality

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 that we are no longer

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 asleep

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 and we are now awake,

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 and our minds

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 begin to flood

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 with all the many things

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 that we are facing

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 either in that day

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 or over the next few days.

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 They might be

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 long-term things,

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 they might be

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 immediate-term things,

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 but as we gradually

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 wake up,

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 so more

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 and more

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 of those things

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 in the words

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 of C.S. Lewis

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 come rushing at us

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 like wild animals.

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 And our task,

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 as C.S. Lewis

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 put it,

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 first thing

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 in the day,

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 is to push

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 those thoughts

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 away

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 and to focus

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 on the presence

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 of Jesus.

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 How do we do that?

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 I'm not going to suggest

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 that there's a

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 simple formula to it,

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 but some of the things

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 we're going to be looking at

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 over the next few weeks

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 will be thinking

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 about some strategies

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 and some things

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 that we can do

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 about that.

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 But one thing

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 I have found

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 that works

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 for me

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 is as much

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 as possible

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 to try not

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 to go,

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 if we can,

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 try not to go

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 to screens

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 first thing.

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 I can't remember

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 where I came across

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 this some while ago,

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 but the principle

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 of Scripture

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 before screens

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 is a good one.

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 sometimes it's not

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 necessarily possible

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 because if your diary,

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 your calendar's

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 on the screen,

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 you need to check

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 if you've got to be

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 somewhere,

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 you might need

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 to grab that screen.

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 But the point

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 is quite simple.

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 The longer

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 we are looking

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 at a screen

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 first thing

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 in the morning,

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 whether that's

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 the phone,

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 iPad,

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 laptop,

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 whatever,

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 it's not going

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 to help

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 those thoughts

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 that come rushing

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 at us first thing,

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 that take us

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 in so many directions.

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 And if,

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 if,

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 if we can push

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 that back

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 and resist it

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 first thing,

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 and instead

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 turn to some

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 words of Scripture,

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 it hasn't got

00:12:12.879 --> 00:12:13.579
 to be lots,

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 we're not talking

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 about whole chapters,

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 although that can

00:12:17.139 --> 00:12:18.019
 be a really helpful

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 thing,

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 but the point

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 is,

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 is if we can

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 make the start

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 of the day,

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 that time

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 of stillness

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 as we

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 invite God

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 to remind us

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 that we are

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 not alone,

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 it can make

00:12:36.559 --> 00:12:37.299
 all the difference.

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 Come,

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 follow me,

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 says Jesus.

00:12:43.980 --> 00:12:44.839
 Know that the

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 kingdom

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 is at hand.

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 Of course,

00:12:51.299 --> 00:12:51.919
 as Jesus says,

00:12:52.059 --> 00:12:52.379
 come,

00:12:52.579 --> 00:12:53.199
 follow me,

00:12:53.319 --> 00:12:53.959
 let's remember

00:12:53.959 --> 00:12:54.519
 to come back

00:12:54.519 --> 00:12:54.960
 to what we

00:12:54.960 --> 00:12:55.679
 were thinking

00:12:55.679 --> 00:12:56.299
 about right

00:12:56.299 --> 00:12:56.819
 at the start

00:12:56.819 --> 00:12:57.480
 of our service

00:12:57.480 --> 00:12:58.120
 this morning.

00:12:58.699 --> 00:12:59.240
 Those words,

00:12:59.360 --> 00:12:59.559
 come,

00:12:59.740 --> 00:13:00.360
 follow me,

00:13:00.480 --> 00:13:01.279
 are all about

00:13:01.279 --> 00:13:02.259
 decision making.

00:13:05.939 --> 00:13:06.759
 Choosing to

00:13:06.759 --> 00:13:07.419
 follow Jesus

00:13:07.419 --> 00:13:08.259
 is the biggest

00:13:08.259 --> 00:13:09.179
 and most

00:13:09.179 --> 00:13:10.279
 foundational decision

00:13:10.279 --> 00:13:10.720
 you will ever

00:13:10.720 --> 00:13:11.179
 make.

00:13:13.240 --> 00:13:14.139
 Don't be tempted

00:13:14.139 --> 00:13:14.879
 to think otherwise.

00:13:14.879 --> 00:13:17.379
 because if you

00:13:17.379 --> 00:13:17.840
 unpack the

00:13:17.840 --> 00:13:18.419
 implications

00:13:18.419 --> 00:13:19.740
 of accepting

00:13:19.740 --> 00:13:20.700
 Jesus for

00:13:20.700 --> 00:13:21.379
 everything that

00:13:21.379 --> 00:13:22.000
 he claims to

00:13:22.000 --> 00:13:24.179
 be as true,

00:13:24.820 --> 00:13:26.259
 it shifts

00:13:26.259 --> 00:13:26.779
 everything.

00:13:27.820 --> 00:13:28.679
 Right through

00:13:28.679 --> 00:13:29.580
 from whether

00:13:29.580 --> 00:13:30.299
 you will marry

00:13:30.299 --> 00:13:31.240
 somebody to

00:13:31.240 --> 00:13:32.120
 who you will

00:13:32.120 --> 00:13:32.820
 marry to

00:13:32.820 --> 00:13:33.580
 decisions about

00:13:33.580 --> 00:13:34.019
 children,

00:13:34.139 --> 00:13:34.639
 right the way

00:13:34.639 --> 00:13:35.039
 through to the

00:13:35.039 --> 00:13:35.679
 most mundane,

00:13:35.939 --> 00:13:36.820
 ordinary decisions

00:13:36.820 --> 00:13:37.360
 that we make

00:13:37.360 --> 00:13:37.879
 every day of

00:13:37.879 --> 00:13:38.519
 our lives.

00:13:38.820 --> 00:13:39.360
 And everything

00:13:39.360 --> 00:13:40.059
 in between.

00:13:40.919 --> 00:13:41.799
 All of those

00:13:41.799 --> 00:13:43.000
 big decisions,

00:13:43.179 --> 00:13:43.980
 little decisions,

00:13:43.980 --> 00:13:45.139
 medium sized

00:13:45.139 --> 00:13:45.680
 decisions,

00:13:46.000 --> 00:13:47.899
 directly or

00:13:47.899 --> 00:13:48.879
 indirectly will

00:13:48.879 --> 00:13:50.159
 be shaped and

00:13:50.159 --> 00:13:50.879
 moulded by the

00:13:50.879 --> 00:13:51.639
 most foundational

00:13:51.639 --> 00:13:52.759
 decision that

00:13:52.759 --> 00:13:53.740
 you can ever

00:13:53.740 --> 00:13:54.279
 make.

00:13:55.180 --> 00:13:55.680
 And that is

00:13:55.680 --> 00:13:56.200
 whether we

00:13:56.200 --> 00:13:57.060
 follow Jesus.

00:13:58.360 --> 00:13:58.879
 And it's for

00:13:58.879 --> 00:13:59.720
 that reason that

00:13:59.720 --> 00:14:00.300
 we need to

00:14:00.300 --> 00:14:00.899
 remember that

00:14:00.899 --> 00:14:01.600
 making the

00:14:01.600 --> 00:14:02.500
 decision to

00:14:02.500 --> 00:14:03.159
 follow Jesus

00:14:03.159 --> 00:14:03.860
 is not just

00:14:03.860 --> 00:14:04.620
 a one moment

00:14:04.620 --> 00:14:05.840
 in time thing.

00:14:07.120 --> 00:14:07.700
 Jesus says

00:14:07.700 --> 00:14:08.399
 repent,

00:14:08.720 --> 00:14:09.539
 meaning turn

00:14:09.539 --> 00:14:10.480
 around and

00:14:10.480 --> 00:14:11.000
 believe the

00:14:11.000 --> 00:14:11.560
 good news.

00:14:11.700 --> 00:14:12.259
 It's about

00:14:12.259 --> 00:14:12.980
 decisions.

00:14:13.980 --> 00:14:15.659
 many years

00:14:15.659 --> 00:14:16.200
 ago there

00:14:16.200 --> 00:14:16.740
 was a

00:14:16.740 --> 00:14:17.120
 fisherman

00:14:17.120 --> 00:14:18.240
 by a

00:14:18.240 --> 00:14:18.519
 lake

00:14:18.519 --> 00:14:19.620
 who

00:14:19.620 --> 00:14:20.620
 always

00:14:20.620 --> 00:14:21.139
 seemed

00:14:21.139 --> 00:14:21.680
 to

00:14:21.680 --> 00:14:22.399
 catch

00:14:22.399 --> 00:14:23.060
 way

00:14:23.060 --> 00:14:23.360
 more

00:14:23.360 --> 00:14:23.779
 fish

00:14:23.779 --> 00:14:24.539
 than

00:14:24.539 --> 00:14:25.180
 any

00:14:25.180 --> 00:14:25.460
 other

00:14:25.460 --> 00:14:25.879
 local

00:14:25.879 --> 00:14:26.340
 fisherman.

00:14:27.200 --> 00:14:27.659
 And nobody

00:14:27.659 --> 00:14:28.039
 could ever

00:14:28.039 --> 00:14:28.639
 quite work

00:14:28.639 --> 00:14:29.120
 out how

00:14:29.120 --> 00:14:29.560
 he did

00:14:29.560 --> 00:14:29.779
 it.

00:14:31.360 --> 00:14:32.060
 One morning

00:14:32.060 --> 00:14:32.600
 he was just

00:14:32.600 --> 00:14:33.220
 loading up

00:14:33.220 --> 00:14:33.659
 his boat,

00:14:33.800 --> 00:14:34.139
 getting his

00:14:34.139 --> 00:14:34.680
 nets ready

00:14:34.680 --> 00:14:34.980
 and he was

00:14:34.980 --> 00:14:35.340
 just about

00:14:35.340 --> 00:14:35.779
 to set

00:14:35.779 --> 00:14:36.100
 off,

00:14:36.639 --> 00:14:37.180
 when a

00:14:37.180 --> 00:14:37.659
 stranger

00:14:37.659 --> 00:14:38.159
 by the

00:14:38.159 --> 00:14:38.720
 shore

00:14:38.720 --> 00:14:39.440
 said,

00:14:39.539 --> 00:14:39.720
 do you

00:14:39.720 --> 00:14:40.180
 mind if I

00:14:40.180 --> 00:14:40.659
 come with

00:14:40.659 --> 00:14:41.220
 you today?

00:14:41.220 --> 00:14:43.480
 a fisherman

00:14:43.480 --> 00:14:44.019
 who was a

00:14:44.019 --> 00:14:44.420
 man of

00:14:44.420 --> 00:14:45.180
 few words

00:14:45.180 --> 00:14:46.100
 nodded and

00:14:46.100 --> 00:14:46.300
 said,

00:14:46.399 --> 00:14:46.600
 sure,

00:14:47.420 --> 00:14:47.860
 come on

00:14:47.860 --> 00:14:48.120
 board.

00:14:49.800 --> 00:14:50.440
 They went

00:14:50.440 --> 00:14:51.060
 across to

00:14:51.060 --> 00:14:51.379
 the other

00:14:51.379 --> 00:14:52.000
 side of

00:14:52.000 --> 00:14:52.320
 the lake,

00:14:52.420 --> 00:14:52.920
 the fisherman

00:14:52.920 --> 00:14:53.639
 didn't say

00:14:53.639 --> 00:14:54.540
 a word to

00:14:54.540 --> 00:14:55.180
 this stranger.

00:14:57.200 --> 00:14:58.000
 Eventually he

00:14:58.000 --> 00:14:59.120
 stopped his

00:14:59.120 --> 00:14:59.360
 boat.

00:15:01.560 --> 00:15:02.240
 He made

00:15:02.240 --> 00:15:02.940
 his way to

00:15:02.940 --> 00:15:03.480
 a wooden

00:15:03.480 --> 00:15:04.160
 box and

00:15:04.160 --> 00:15:04.639
 lifted up

00:15:04.639 --> 00:15:05.200
 the lid and

00:15:05.200 --> 00:15:05.879
 pulled out

00:15:05.879 --> 00:15:06.899
 a stick of

00:15:06.899 --> 00:15:07.460
 dynamite.

00:15:07.460 --> 00:15:10.960
 he lit

00:15:10.960 --> 00:15:11.580
 the fuse,

00:15:12.680 --> 00:15:13.340
 he waited

00:15:13.340 --> 00:15:13.720
 a few

00:15:13.720 --> 00:15:14.340
 moments and

00:15:14.340 --> 00:15:14.980
 he threw

00:15:14.980 --> 00:15:16.259
 it as

00:15:16.259 --> 00:15:16.820
 far as he

00:15:16.820 --> 00:15:17.639
 possibly could

00:15:17.639 --> 00:15:19.300
 into the

00:15:19.300 --> 00:15:19.660
 water.

00:15:21.540 --> 00:15:22.019
 Kaboom!

00:15:24.100 --> 00:15:24.700
 Thousands

00:15:24.700 --> 00:15:25.360
 of fish

00:15:25.360 --> 00:15:26.620
 made their

00:15:26.620 --> 00:15:27.120
 way to the

00:15:27.120 --> 00:15:27.580
 surface,

00:15:28.680 --> 00:15:29.240
 threw his

00:15:29.240 --> 00:15:29.759
 nets and

00:15:29.759 --> 00:15:30.240
 pulled them

00:15:30.240 --> 00:15:30.480
 in.

00:15:32.920 --> 00:15:33.840
 Which point

00:15:33.840 --> 00:15:34.940
 the stranger

00:15:34.940 --> 00:15:35.680
 pulled out

00:15:35.680 --> 00:15:36.620
 an ID card

00:15:36.620 --> 00:15:36.720
 one.

00:15:37.679 --> 00:15:37.960
 He said,

00:15:38.019 --> 00:15:38.299
 I'm the

00:15:38.299 --> 00:15:39.200
 game warden

00:15:39.200 --> 00:15:39.720
 and you

00:15:39.720 --> 00:15:40.519
 are well

00:15:40.519 --> 00:15:41.320
 and truly

00:15:41.320 --> 00:15:42.620
 under arrest.

00:15:44.779 --> 00:15:45.659
 The fisherman

00:15:45.659 --> 00:15:46.480
 said nothing.

00:15:47.639 --> 00:15:47.960
 He just

00:15:47.960 --> 00:15:48.580
 carried on

00:15:48.580 --> 00:15:49.100
 bringing in

00:15:49.100 --> 00:15:49.560
 the fish,

00:15:50.240 --> 00:15:50.639
 eventually

00:15:50.639 --> 00:15:51.379
 reached down

00:15:51.379 --> 00:15:51.639
 to the

00:15:51.639 --> 00:15:51.980
 box,

00:15:52.919 --> 00:15:53.299
 picked out

00:15:53.299 --> 00:15:53.639
 another

00:15:53.639 --> 00:15:54.019
 stick of

00:15:54.019 --> 00:15:54.560
 dynamite,

00:15:55.460 --> 00:15:55.940
 lit the

00:15:55.940 --> 00:15:56.600
 fuse,

00:15:56.919 --> 00:15:57.440
 waited a

00:15:57.440 --> 00:15:58.060
 few seconds

00:15:58.060 --> 00:15:59.120
 and gave

00:15:59.120 --> 00:15:59.779
 it to

00:15:59.779 --> 00:16:00.220
 the game

00:16:00.220 --> 00:16:00.740
 warden

00:16:00.740 --> 00:16:02.000
 and looked

00:16:02.000 --> 00:16:02.320
 at him

00:16:02.320 --> 00:16:02.820
 and said,

00:16:03.419 --> 00:16:03.740
 are you

00:16:03.740 --> 00:16:04.000
 going to

00:16:04.000 --> 00:16:04.580
 sit there

00:16:04.580 --> 00:16:04.899
 or are

00:16:04.899 --> 00:16:05.139
 we going

00:16:05.139 --> 00:16:05.600
 to fish?

00:16:06.620 --> 00:16:10.240
 There are

00:16:10.240 --> 00:16:10.820
 some

00:16:10.820 --> 00:16:12.000
 moments

00:16:12.000 --> 00:16:12.620
 where you

00:16:12.620 --> 00:16:13.179
 have to

00:16:13.179 --> 00:16:13.519
 make a

00:16:13.519 --> 00:16:13.899
 decision.

00:16:17.899 --> 00:16:18.539
 And it

00:16:18.539 --> 00:16:19.039
 seems to

00:16:19.039 --> 00:16:19.460
 be that

00:16:19.460 --> 00:16:19.899
 when it

00:16:19.899 --> 00:16:20.279
 comes to

00:16:20.279 --> 00:16:20.740
 making a

00:16:20.740 --> 00:16:21.220
 decision

00:16:21.220 --> 00:16:22.659
 about God,

00:16:23.460 --> 00:16:24.100
 we're very

00:16:24.100 --> 00:16:24.539
 good at

00:16:24.539 --> 00:16:25.039
 deceiving

00:16:25.039 --> 00:16:25.500
 ourselves

00:16:25.500 --> 00:16:26.200
 into thinking

00:16:26.200 --> 00:16:26.679
 that can

00:16:26.679 --> 00:16:27.080
 be put

00:16:27.080 --> 00:16:27.779
 on hold.

00:16:29.580 --> 00:16:30.299
 How often

00:16:30.299 --> 00:16:30.600
 will you

00:16:30.600 --> 00:16:31.279
 meet somebody

00:16:31.279 --> 00:16:31.480
 who will

00:16:31.480 --> 00:16:31.580
 say,

00:16:31.659 --> 00:16:31.759
 well,

00:16:31.779 --> 00:16:32.100
 I'm just

00:16:32.100 --> 00:16:32.600
 agnostic.

00:16:33.480 --> 00:16:33.879
 I don't

00:16:33.879 --> 00:16:35.299
 really know

00:16:35.299 --> 00:16:35.479
 and I

00:16:35.479 --> 00:16:35.559
 don't

00:16:35.559 --> 00:16:35.679
 think

00:16:35.679 --> 00:16:35.799
 it's

00:16:35.799 --> 00:16:36.079
 possible

00:16:36.079 --> 00:16:36.279
 to

00:16:36.279 --> 00:16:36.500
 know.

00:16:37.859 --> 00:16:38.000
 And

00:16:38.000 --> 00:16:38.339
 sometimes

00:16:38.339 --> 00:16:38.559
 people

00:16:38.559 --> 00:16:38.719
 say,

00:16:38.779 --> 00:16:38.839
 no,

00:16:38.839 --> 00:16:38.939
 I'm

00:16:38.939 --> 00:16:39.159
 fine

00:16:39.159 --> 00:16:39.299
 with

00:16:39.299 --> 00:16:39.479
 that.

00:16:42.479 --> 00:16:42.919
 Don't

00:16:42.919 --> 00:16:43.240
 say that

00:16:43.240 --> 00:16:43.399
 to

00:16:43.399 --> 00:16:43.919
 discredit

00:16:43.919 --> 00:16:44.659
 anybody's

00:16:44.659 --> 00:16:45.120
 integrity,

00:16:45.719 --> 00:16:46.319
 but there

00:16:46.319 --> 00:16:46.699
 are some

00:16:46.699 --> 00:16:47.439
 decisions,

00:16:48.479 --> 00:16:49.219
 rather like

00:16:49.219 --> 00:16:49.579
 the stick

00:16:49.579 --> 00:16:50.219
 of dynamite,

00:16:51.099 --> 00:16:51.679
 that have

00:16:51.679 --> 00:16:52.000
 to be

00:16:52.000 --> 00:16:52.359
 made.

00:16:56.240 --> 00:16:56.679
 Jesus

00:16:56.679 --> 00:16:57.819
 is either

00:16:57.819 --> 00:16:58.359
 who he

00:16:58.359 --> 00:16:58.759
 claims to

00:16:58.759 --> 00:16:59.399
 be or

00:16:59.399 --> 00:16:59.599
 he's

00:16:59.599 --> 00:16:59.899
 not.

00:16:59.899 --> 00:17:04.240
 and if

00:17:04.240 --> 00:17:04.660
 he is,

00:17:06.740 --> 00:17:09.960
 we need

00:17:09.960 --> 00:17:10.200
 to do

00:17:10.200 --> 00:17:10.460
 something

00:17:10.460 --> 00:17:10.759
 about

00:17:10.759 --> 00:17:11.039
 him.

00:17:15.039 --> 00:17:15.680
 Decision

00:17:15.680 --> 00:17:16.119
 making

00:17:16.119 --> 00:17:17.519
 is at

00:17:17.519 --> 00:17:18.119
 the very

00:17:18.119 --> 00:17:19.200
 core of

00:17:19.200 --> 00:17:19.819
 being a

00:17:19.819 --> 00:17:20.539
 disciple of

00:17:20.539 --> 00:17:20.879
 Jesus.

00:17:22.460 --> 00:17:23.039
 But

00:17:23.039 --> 00:17:25.039
 it's not

00:17:25.039 --> 00:17:25.599
 just a

00:17:25.599 --> 00:17:26.619
 one-time

00:17:26.619 --> 00:17:28.160
 decision.

00:17:29.900 --> 00:17:31.460
 of course

00:17:31.460 --> 00:17:32.440
 there is

00:17:32.440 --> 00:17:32.700
 that,

00:17:32.900 --> 00:17:33.400
 perhaps that

00:17:33.400 --> 00:17:34.620
 moment where

00:17:34.620 --> 00:17:35.900
 we make

00:17:35.900 --> 00:17:36.440
 that change

00:17:36.440 --> 00:17:36.860
 from not

00:17:36.860 --> 00:17:37.320
 being a

00:17:37.320 --> 00:17:37.820
 follower of

00:17:37.820 --> 00:17:38.300
 Jesus to

00:17:38.300 --> 00:17:38.820
 being a

00:17:38.820 --> 00:17:39.300
 follower of

00:17:39.300 --> 00:17:39.720
 Jesus.

00:17:42.120 --> 00:17:43.000
 But let's

00:17:43.000 --> 00:17:43.540
 not think

00:17:43.540 --> 00:17:43.880
 that we

00:17:43.880 --> 00:17:44.240
 can look

00:17:44.240 --> 00:17:45.120
 back and

00:17:45.120 --> 00:17:45.519
 think that

00:17:45.519 --> 00:17:46.000
 it was a

00:17:46.000 --> 00:17:46.800
 one-point

00:17:46.800 --> 00:17:47.980
 frozen-in-time

00:17:47.980 --> 00:17:48.400
 moment.

00:17:49.980 --> 00:17:50.519
 Because

00:17:50.519 --> 00:17:51.100
 those words

00:17:51.100 --> 00:17:51.560
 come,

00:17:51.820 --> 00:17:52.400
 follow me

00:17:52.400 --> 00:17:53.280
 are words

00:17:53.280 --> 00:17:54.200
 that come

00:17:54.200 --> 00:17:54.720
 our way

00:17:54.720 --> 00:17:56.120
 every single

00:17:56.120 --> 00:17:56.840
 day in

00:17:56.840 --> 00:17:57.560
 every decision

00:17:57.560 --> 00:17:58.200
 we make.

00:17:58.300 --> 00:17:58.580
 And our

00:17:58.580 --> 00:17:59.340
 calling is to

00:17:59.339 --> 00:18:00.279
 work out

00:18:00.279 --> 00:18:01.220
 how,

00:18:01.699 --> 00:18:02.199
 knowing the

00:18:02.199 --> 00:18:02.819
 presence of

00:18:02.819 --> 00:18:03.439
 Jesus with

00:18:03.439 --> 00:18:03.639
 us,

00:18:03.759 --> 00:18:04.500
 we respond

00:18:04.500 --> 00:18:05.339
 to every

00:18:05.339 --> 00:18:07.740
 decision so

00:18:07.740 --> 00:18:08.599
 that we are

00:18:08.599 --> 00:18:09.459
 following him

00:18:09.459 --> 00:18:10.699
 in every

00:18:10.699 --> 00:18:12.079
 decision that

00:18:12.079 --> 00:18:12.720
 we make.

00:18:17.359 --> 00:18:18.459
 And lastly,

00:18:18.599 --> 00:18:19.199
 let's remember

00:18:19.199 --> 00:18:21.159
 that what we're

00:18:21.159 --> 00:18:21.759
 talking about

00:18:21.759 --> 00:18:22.599
 here is not

00:18:22.599 --> 00:18:23.500
 someone else's

00:18:23.500 --> 00:18:23.919
 decision.

00:18:24.959 --> 00:18:25.759
 It's a

00:18:25.759 --> 00:18:26.919
 decision that

00:18:26.919 --> 00:18:27.500
 comes to

00:18:27.500 --> 00:18:28.039
 each and

00:18:28.039 --> 00:18:28.639
 every one

00:18:28.639 --> 00:18:29.099
 of us.

00:18:29.339 --> 00:18:32.079
 it's too

00:18:32.079 --> 00:18:32.619
 easy for us

00:18:32.619 --> 00:18:32.959
 to think

00:18:32.959 --> 00:18:33.259
 that the

00:18:33.259 --> 00:18:33.879
 gospel is

00:18:33.879 --> 00:18:34.639
 somebody else's

00:18:34.639 --> 00:18:35.279
 good news.

00:18:36.559 --> 00:18:37.000
 That it's a

00:18:37.000 --> 00:18:37.699
 message that

00:18:37.699 --> 00:18:38.399
 was intended

00:18:38.399 --> 00:18:39.000
 for somebody

00:18:39.000 --> 00:18:39.579
 else but

00:18:39.579 --> 00:18:40.279
 not for

00:18:40.279 --> 00:18:40.480
 me.

00:18:43.240 --> 00:18:43.419
 See,

00:18:43.480 --> 00:18:44.079
 notice the

00:18:44.079 --> 00:18:45.500
 immediacy of

00:18:45.500 --> 00:18:46.240
 the response

00:18:46.240 --> 00:18:47.220
 that those

00:18:47.220 --> 00:18:47.859
 first

00:18:47.859 --> 00:18:49.419
 disciples

00:18:49.419 --> 00:18:50.740
 make to

00:18:50.740 --> 00:18:51.039
 Jesus.

00:18:51.179 --> 00:18:51.319
 Those

00:18:51.319 --> 00:18:52.659
 first followers

00:18:52.659 --> 00:18:53.259
 of Jesus,

00:18:53.980 --> 00:18:54.559
 there's no

00:18:54.559 --> 00:18:55.139
 hanging around.

00:18:55.140 --> 00:18:57.800
 they just

00:18:57.800 --> 00:18:59.360
 leave their

00:18:59.360 --> 00:18:59.759
 boats and

00:18:59.759 --> 00:19:00.400
 nets behind

00:19:00.400 --> 00:19:00.880
 and go.

00:19:06.460 --> 00:19:07.280
 We don't

00:19:07.280 --> 00:19:08.060
 need to be

00:19:08.060 --> 00:19:08.580
 fishermen to

00:19:08.580 --> 00:19:09.240
 follow Jesus

00:19:09.240 --> 00:19:09.740
 and we may

00:19:09.740 --> 00:19:10.280
 not be talking

00:19:10.280 --> 00:19:11.880
 about laying

00:19:11.880 --> 00:19:12.520
 down boats

00:19:12.520 --> 00:19:13.400
 and nets,

00:19:13.880 --> 00:19:14.980
 but all of us

00:19:14.980 --> 00:19:15.300
 will have

00:19:15.300 --> 00:19:15.860
 something.

00:19:16.940 --> 00:19:17.440
 And again,

00:19:17.520 --> 00:19:17.900
 all of us

00:19:17.900 --> 00:19:18.220
 will have

00:19:18.220 --> 00:19:18.980
 something every

00:19:18.980 --> 00:19:19.440
 day of our

00:19:19.440 --> 00:19:20.000
 lives that

00:19:20.000 --> 00:19:20.380
 we are called

00:19:20.380 --> 00:19:21.060
 to lay down

00:19:21.060 --> 00:19:22.140
 in order to

00:19:22.140 --> 00:19:22.860
 follow him.

00:19:22.859 --> 00:19:23.819
 And our

00:19:23.819 --> 00:19:24.259
 question is,

00:19:24.359 --> 00:19:25.019
 what is that?

00:19:26.679 --> 00:19:27.279
 And that

00:19:27.279 --> 00:19:27.719
 will probably

00:19:27.719 --> 00:19:28.939
 look a little

00:19:28.939 --> 00:19:29.439
 bit different

00:19:29.439 --> 00:19:30.139
 for each and

00:19:30.139 --> 00:19:30.639
 every one of

00:19:30.639 --> 00:19:30.979
 us because

00:19:30.979 --> 00:19:31.559
 we are all

00:19:31.559 --> 00:19:31.859
 different.

00:19:34.939 --> 00:19:35.559
 But we

00:19:35.559 --> 00:19:35.899
 need to

00:19:35.899 --> 00:19:36.479
 remember that

00:19:36.479 --> 00:19:38.639
 this challenge,

00:19:38.819 --> 00:19:39.619
 this invitation,

00:19:39.919 --> 00:19:40.659
 come follow

00:19:40.659 --> 00:19:42.119
 me, with

00:19:42.119 --> 00:19:42.839
 Jesus at the

00:19:42.839 --> 00:19:43.399
 centre is

00:19:43.399 --> 00:19:44.179
 something for

00:19:44.179 --> 00:19:45.079
 each and

00:19:45.079 --> 00:19:45.919
 every one of

00:19:45.919 --> 00:19:46.539
 us with

00:19:46.539 --> 00:19:47.959
 absolutely no

00:19:47.959 --> 00:19:48.500
 exception.

00:19:51.839 --> 00:19:52.240
 You see,

00:19:52.240 --> 00:19:53.519
 those first

00:19:53.519 --> 00:19:54.140
 followers of

00:19:54.140 --> 00:19:54.920
 Jesus knew

00:19:54.920 --> 00:19:56.160
 that Jesus

00:19:56.160 --> 00:19:56.900
 was speaking

00:19:56.900 --> 00:19:57.579
 to them

00:19:57.579 --> 00:19:58.779
 personally.

00:19:59.920 --> 00:20:00.380
 Let me

00:20:00.380 --> 00:20:01.079
 share one

00:20:01.079 --> 00:20:01.960
 last story

00:20:01.960 --> 00:20:02.359
 with you

00:20:02.359 --> 00:20:02.779
 before we

00:20:02.779 --> 00:20:03.079
 come to

00:20:03.079 --> 00:20:03.359
 pray.

00:20:04.440 --> 00:20:04.980
 There's a

00:20:04.980 --> 00:20:05.579
 story about

00:20:05.579 --> 00:20:06.279
 Bishop Taylor

00:20:06.279 --> 00:20:06.720
 Smith,

00:20:07.660 --> 00:20:09.240
 who was

00:20:09.240 --> 00:20:10.079
 a former

00:20:10.079 --> 00:20:10.660
 chaplain

00:20:10.660 --> 00:20:11.640
 general to

00:20:11.640 --> 00:20:12.380
 the forces.

00:20:13.859 --> 00:20:14.599
 He had a

00:20:14.599 --> 00:20:15.180
 conversation

00:20:15.180 --> 00:20:16.559
 one day

00:20:16.559 --> 00:20:17.140
 with a young

00:20:17.140 --> 00:20:17.680
 man that

00:20:17.680 --> 00:20:18.400
 went like

00:20:18.400 --> 00:20:18.839
 this.

00:20:20.599 --> 00:20:21.400
 Bishop Taylor

00:20:21.400 --> 00:20:22.259
 Smith said,

00:20:23.080 --> 00:20:23.740
 when you

00:20:23.740 --> 00:20:24.700
 think about

00:20:24.700 --> 00:20:25.259
 the cross

00:20:25.259 --> 00:20:25.960
 of Christ,

00:20:26.800 --> 00:20:28.060
 what do

00:20:28.060 --> 00:20:28.580
 you see?

00:20:30.800 --> 00:20:31.620
 The young

00:20:31.620 --> 00:20:32.480
 man thought

00:20:32.480 --> 00:20:33.140
 and replied

00:20:33.140 --> 00:20:33.620
 to him,

00:20:33.680 --> 00:20:34.060
 I see

00:20:34.060 --> 00:20:35.640
 Christ and

00:20:35.640 --> 00:20:35.960
 I see

00:20:35.960 --> 00:20:36.960
 two thieves

00:20:36.960 --> 00:20:38.100
 crucified

00:20:38.100 --> 00:20:38.860
 either side

00:20:38.860 --> 00:20:39.180
 of him.

00:20:41.980 --> 00:20:42.800
 The bishop

00:20:42.800 --> 00:20:43.280
 replied,

00:20:43.620 --> 00:20:44.720
 what else

00:20:44.720 --> 00:20:45.200
 do you

00:20:45.200 --> 00:20:45.480
 see?

00:20:47.000 --> 00:20:47.580
 The young

00:20:47.580 --> 00:20:48.120
 man thought

00:20:48.120 --> 00:20:48.620
 some more

00:20:48.619 --> 00:20:48.919
 and he

00:20:48.919 --> 00:20:49.139
 said,

00:20:49.699 --> 00:20:50.239
 I see

00:20:50.239 --> 00:20:51.159
 the soldiers

00:20:51.159 --> 00:20:51.739
 gambling.

00:20:54.559 --> 00:20:55.299
 Bishop said

00:20:55.299 --> 00:20:55.639
 this,

00:20:56.919 --> 00:20:57.639
 if that is

00:20:57.639 --> 00:20:58.000
 all you

00:20:58.000 --> 00:20:58.419
 see,

00:20:58.579 --> 00:20:59.000
 I think

00:20:59.000 --> 00:20:59.359
 you will

00:20:59.359 --> 00:20:59.919
 have trouble

00:20:59.919 --> 00:21:00.319
 with the

00:21:00.319 --> 00:21:00.619
 Christian

00:21:00.619 --> 00:21:01.039
 life.

00:21:02.659 --> 00:21:03.319
 When I

00:21:03.319 --> 00:21:03.779
 see the

00:21:03.779 --> 00:21:04.159
 cross,

00:21:05.159 --> 00:21:05.919
 with all

00:21:05.919 --> 00:21:06.199
 that,

00:21:07.299 --> 00:21:08.099
 I see

00:21:08.099 --> 00:21:08.539
 old

00:21:08.539 --> 00:21:09.079
 Bishop

00:21:09.079 --> 00:21:09.599
 Taylor

00:21:09.599 --> 00:21:10.079
 Smith.

00:21:11.819 --> 00:21:12.939
 I was

00:21:12.939 --> 00:21:13.459
 crucified

00:21:13.460 --> 00:21:15.019
 with

00:21:15.019 --> 00:21:15.440
 Christ.

00:21:18.640 --> 00:21:19.140
 These

00:21:19.140 --> 00:21:19.500
 words,

00:21:19.620 --> 00:21:19.819
 come,

00:21:20.000 --> 00:21:20.400
 follow me,

00:21:20.519 --> 00:21:21.000
 are close

00:21:21.000 --> 00:21:21.380
 up and

00:21:21.380 --> 00:21:21.779
 personal.

00:21:23.019 --> 00:21:23.860
 As close

00:21:23.860 --> 00:21:24.279
 up and

00:21:24.279 --> 00:21:24.840
 intimate as

00:21:24.840 --> 00:21:25.100
 it can

00:21:25.100 --> 00:21:25.440
 possibly

00:21:25.440 --> 00:21:25.720
 get.

00:21:27.720 --> 00:21:28.279
 So as

00:21:28.279 --> 00:21:28.660
 we come

00:21:28.660 --> 00:21:29.600
 to pray

00:21:29.600 --> 00:21:29.960
 now,

00:21:31.579 --> 00:21:32.160
 let's ask

00:21:32.160 --> 00:21:32.500
 God to

00:21:32.500 --> 00:21:33.059
 bring those

00:21:33.059 --> 00:21:33.799
 words close

00:21:33.799 --> 00:21:34.200
 up and

00:21:34.200 --> 00:21:34.799
 personal to

00:21:34.799 --> 00:21:35.160
 us,

00:21:36.160 --> 00:21:37.480
 that we

00:21:37.480 --> 00:21:37.980
 might bring

00:21:37.980 --> 00:21:38.480
 our lives

00:21:38.480 --> 00:21:39.000
 closer to

00:21:39.000 --> 00:21:40.180
 him and

00:21:40.180 --> 00:21:40.539
 to grow

00:21:40.539 --> 00:21:40.920
 in him.

00:21:41.539 --> 00:21:42.200
 So let's

00:21:42.200 --> 00:21:42.460
 pray.

00:21:43.460 --> 00:21:49.180
 Lord God,

00:21:49.259 --> 00:21:49.940
 we thank

00:21:49.940 --> 00:21:51.000
 you that

00:21:51.000 --> 00:21:51.600
 you come

00:21:51.600 --> 00:21:52.259
 to us in

00:21:52.259 --> 00:21:52.620
 Jesus,

00:21:53.539 --> 00:21:55.000
 not to

00:21:55.000 --> 00:21:55.880
 be religious,

00:21:56.340 --> 00:21:56.900
 not to

00:21:56.900 --> 00:21:57.740
 engage in

00:21:57.740 --> 00:21:58.940
 rules or

00:21:58.940 --> 00:21:59.539
 ritual,

00:22:00.539 --> 00:22:02.259
 but to

00:22:02.259 --> 00:22:02.860
 know you

00:22:02.860 --> 00:22:04.279
 and to

00:22:04.279 --> 00:22:04.700
 know that

00:22:04.700 --> 00:22:05.059
 we are

00:22:05.059 --> 00:22:05.720
 known and

00:22:05.720 --> 00:22:06.259
 loved by

00:22:06.259 --> 00:22:06.600
 you.

00:22:09.819 --> 00:22:10.380
 Lord,

00:22:10.400 --> 00:22:10.640
 as we

00:22:10.640 --> 00:22:10.960
 think of

00:22:10.960 --> 00:22:11.460
 our lives

00:22:11.460 --> 00:22:11.940
 now and

00:22:11.940 --> 00:22:12.440
 we think

00:22:12.440 --> 00:22:13.000
 of the

00:22:13.000 --> 00:22:13.440
 mess we

00:22:13.440 --> 00:22:13.799
 make,

00:22:13.880 --> 00:22:14.000
 the

00:22:14.000 --> 00:22:14.799
 mistakes we

00:22:14.799 --> 00:22:15.200
 make and

00:22:15.200 --> 00:22:15.620
 how we

00:22:15.620 --> 00:22:15.920
 get it

00:22:15.920 --> 00:22:16.559
 wrong over

00:22:16.559 --> 00:22:17.120
 and over

00:22:17.120 --> 00:22:17.580
 again,

00:22:19.240 --> 00:22:20.100
 we just

00:22:20.100 --> 00:22:20.680
 bring the

00:22:20.680 --> 00:22:21.539
 reality of

00:22:21.539 --> 00:22:21.960
 our lives

00:22:21.960 --> 00:22:22.539
 before you

00:22:22.539 --> 00:22:22.920
 now.

00:22:24.180 --> 00:22:25.539
 We confess

00:22:25.539 --> 00:22:26.539
 the reality

00:22:26.539 --> 00:22:27.140
 of our

00:22:27.140 --> 00:22:27.759
 sin and

00:22:27.759 --> 00:22:28.500
 brokenness.

00:22:28.500 --> 00:22:30.220
 forgiveness.

00:22:30.220 --> 00:22:32.940
 And we

00:22:32.940 --> 00:22:33.660
 ask of your

00:22:33.660 --> 00:22:34.160
 forgiveness.

00:22:39.539 --> 00:22:40.180
 Lord,

00:22:40.259 --> 00:22:40.839
 we thank

00:22:40.839 --> 00:22:41.259
 you that

00:22:41.259 --> 00:22:42.299
 because of

00:22:42.299 --> 00:22:43.599
 Christ and

00:22:43.599 --> 00:22:44.019
 his death

00:22:44.019 --> 00:22:44.759
 and resurrection,

00:22:45.299 --> 00:22:45.900
 we may

00:22:45.900 --> 00:22:46.660
 know that

00:22:46.660 --> 00:22:47.339
 we are

00:22:47.339 --> 00:22:47.700
 forgiven.

00:22:49.619 --> 00:22:50.779
 So help

00:22:50.779 --> 00:22:51.380
 us to

00:22:51.380 --> 00:22:52.000
 walk in

00:22:52.000 --> 00:22:52.420
 freedom.

00:22:54.400 --> 00:22:55.059
 Help us

00:22:55.059 --> 00:22:55.720
 to follow

00:22:55.720 --> 00:22:56.539
 you in

00:22:56.539 --> 00:22:56.759
 our

00:22:56.759 --> 00:22:57.279
 everyday

00:22:57.279 --> 00:22:58.019
 lives.

00:22:59.440 --> 00:23:00.379
 To know

00:23:00.379 --> 00:23:00.819
 and to

00:23:00.819 --> 00:23:01.659
 grow in

00:23:01.659 --> 00:23:02.259
 your living

00:23:02.259 --> 00:23:03.319
 presence with

00:23:03.319 --> 00:23:03.700
 us.

00:23:05.700 --> 00:23:06.359
 Help us

00:23:06.359 --> 00:23:06.740
 to know

00:23:06.740 --> 00:23:07.119
 that you

00:23:07.119 --> 00:23:07.779
 go before

00:23:07.779 --> 00:23:08.240
 us in

00:23:08.240 --> 00:23:09.480
 every situation

00:23:09.480 --> 00:23:09.940
 that we

00:23:09.940 --> 00:23:11.019
 face tomorrow,

00:23:11.500 --> 00:23:12.079
 this week,

00:23:12.319 --> 00:23:12.839
 and in the

00:23:12.839 --> 00:23:13.240
 time to

00:23:13.240 --> 00:23:13.599
 come.

00:23:16.419 --> 00:23:17.220
 And as we

00:23:17.220 --> 00:23:17.839
 do so,

00:23:19.419 --> 00:23:19.899
 help us

00:23:19.899 --> 00:23:20.579
 to grow

00:23:20.579 --> 00:23:22.699
 more and

00:23:22.699 --> 00:23:23.220
 more and

00:23:23.220 --> 00:23:23.659
 more into

00:23:23.659 --> 00:23:24.240
 the people

00:23:24.240 --> 00:23:24.980
 that you

00:23:24.980 --> 00:23:26.779
 want us

00:23:26.779 --> 00:23:27.220
 to be.

00:23:29.899 --> 00:23:30.419
 In

00:23:30.419 --> 00:23:30.720
 Jesus'

00:23:30.919 --> 00:23:31.199
 name.

00:23:32.879 --> 00:23:33.399
 Amen.