1 00:00:02,120 --> 00:00:04,480 Hey, welcome to the City Point Church podcast. 2 00:00:04,480 --> 00:00:07,280 Thanks for joining us. Every day is an opportunity to 3 00:00:07,280 --> 00:00:10,280 take hold of. So we hope this message inspires 4 00:00:10,280 --> 00:00:13,560 you and build your faith, but it helps you have more of a God 5 00:00:13,560 --> 00:00:15,920 perspective for your day. Enjoy can. 6 00:00:17,360 --> 00:00:23,000 You declare out loud today. My heart is open, my ears are 7 00:00:23,000 --> 00:00:29,080 alert to grow and change and to never be the same. 8 00:00:30,520 --> 00:00:32,800 Amen, Amen. Please be seated. 9 00:00:35,160 --> 00:00:39,360 Amazing. Well, I've come to realize that 10 00:00:39,360 --> 00:00:43,640 God has a system when it comes to relationships. 11 00:00:44,080 --> 00:00:49,000 And over, over times, I think we've sometimes forgot this 12 00:00:49,000 --> 00:00:54,400 system of how do we formulate great relationships with people, 13 00:00:54,760 --> 00:00:58,040 especially those relationships that can go a little bit deeper. 14 00:00:58,080 --> 00:01:01,120 You know what I'm talking about, like the honesty that you can 15 00:01:01,120 --> 00:01:05,600 have with some people. And as we've been unpacking this 16 00:01:05,600 --> 00:01:09,240 year, discipleship as a church, I've been reading through the 17 00:01:09,240 --> 00:01:13,400 scriptures and I've come to realize that discipleship has 18 00:01:13,400 --> 00:01:17,960 greater depth and width than just me being discipled by 19 00:01:17,960 --> 00:01:21,280 someone else. I'm starting to realize that 20 00:01:21,280 --> 00:01:24,280 this is actually God's design for relationship. 21 00:01:25,040 --> 00:01:28,960 And because Pastor Mel and I, we've been talking a little bit 22 00:01:28,960 --> 00:01:33,040 about the discipleship concept and, and something we've come to 23 00:01:33,040 --> 00:01:38,520 realize is, is it's not, it's not the biblical way that it's 24 00:01:38,520 --> 00:01:45,560 always someone greater or more superior that disciples someone 25 00:01:45,560 --> 00:01:49,520 less superior. So obviously you want to be 26 00:01:49,520 --> 00:01:54,240 discipled by someone who's walked a few more years or you 27 00:01:54,240 --> 00:01:57,120 know, that that really helps in the discipleship journey. 28 00:01:57,520 --> 00:02:02,760 But the reality is discipleship is a journey of relationship. 29 00:02:03,440 --> 00:02:06,800 And so I've, I'm discipled by some people in my life. 30 00:02:06,800 --> 00:02:10,120 And I remember when Pastor Rick was the pastor of this church, 31 00:02:10,479 --> 00:02:13,720 Pastor Rick used to disciple, disciple me. 32 00:02:14,080 --> 00:02:18,720 And although he's 10 years older than me, it wasn't always the 33 00:02:18,720 --> 00:02:22,520 most superior person to the younger. 34 00:02:22,520 --> 00:02:26,200 It was a relationship that formed where I honored and 35 00:02:26,200 --> 00:02:30,400 respected the one that would disciple my life, but it was 36 00:02:30,440 --> 00:02:34,640 mutual. And our relationship grew deeper 37 00:02:34,640 --> 00:02:37,800 and deeper. Where true honesty and where the 38 00:02:37,800 --> 00:02:42,560 Bible talks about iron, sharpening iron could actually 39 00:02:42,720 --> 00:02:46,200 happen in our relationship. And so I want to encourage 40 00:02:46,200 --> 00:02:51,600 everyone in the church today that if you're seeking out good 41 00:02:51,600 --> 00:02:56,160 friendships or relationships with with people, can I 42 00:02:56,160 --> 00:03:01,440 encourage that the discipleship journey is part of how we form 43 00:03:01,640 --> 00:03:05,840 these deeper relationships with people because you walk a 44 00:03:05,840 --> 00:03:08,240 journey of life together. Is that good? 45 00:03:08,920 --> 00:03:12,560 And so that's just a little key. So I've I've titled today's 46 00:03:12,560 --> 00:03:16,200 message. It starts with a relationship. 47 00:03:16,800 --> 00:03:22,040 It starts with a relationship. Now many people assume 48 00:03:22,360 --> 00:03:27,640 discipleship begins in a classroom like internship, 49 00:03:27,640 --> 00:03:32,280 something like that Bible College in a Bible studying like 50 00:03:32,280 --> 00:03:36,360 you might get in our next steps course with Pastor Henry or 51 00:03:37,440 --> 00:03:42,000 after someone gives their life to Jesus, then discipleship can 52 00:03:42,000 --> 00:03:45,960 start in someone's life. But the the Bible paints a very 53 00:03:45,960 --> 00:03:48,600 different picture. And so we're going to look at 54 00:03:48,600 --> 00:03:55,120 what the Apostle Paul wrote in the Scriptures in Romans chapter 55 00:03:55,120 --> 00:03:59,120 10 verses 14 to 17. And it says this. 56 00:04:00,240 --> 00:04:04,960 How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? 57 00:04:05,520 --> 00:04:10,800 And how shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard? 58 00:04:11,240 --> 00:04:14,920 And how shall they hear without a preacher? 59 00:04:15,640 --> 00:04:21,000 And how shall they preach, unless they are sent as it is 60 00:04:21,000 --> 00:04:23,680 written? How beautiful are the feet of 61 00:04:23,680 --> 00:04:28,560 those who preach the gospel of peace, who bring glad tidings of 62 00:04:28,560 --> 00:04:33,040 good things. But they have not all obeyed the 63 00:04:33,040 --> 00:04:38,160 gospel for Rosiah said, Lord, who has believed our report? 64 00:04:38,480 --> 00:04:45,800 So then faith comes by hearing and hearing by the word of God. 65 00:04:46,120 --> 00:04:47,800 Isn't that a fantastic scripture? 66 00:04:48,280 --> 00:04:51,200 Anyone read that one before? It's a good scripture. 67 00:04:51,520 --> 00:04:56,080 So Paul's laying out a clear progression for us. 68 00:04:56,520 --> 00:05:00,000 People must hear before they believe. 69 00:05:02,280 --> 00:05:05,960 People must hear before they believe. 70 00:05:06,560 --> 00:05:10,240 Listen. We need to pray that God moves 71 00:05:10,240 --> 00:05:13,640 in our community. We must pray because prayer is 72 00:05:13,640 --> 00:05:16,120 the toolkit. It's the greatest tool a 73 00:05:16,120 --> 00:05:20,200 believer has to breakthrough of anything in our worlds. 74 00:05:20,520 --> 00:05:25,360 We must pray, but we must also share the good news. 75 00:05:25,840 --> 00:05:30,960 We must pray for people, but we must go out and let it come from 76 00:05:30,960 --> 00:05:34,480 our lips. I believe this, that if we don't 77 00:05:34,480 --> 00:05:38,680 get it in US, the Holy Spirit has nothing to bring out of us. 78 00:05:39,160 --> 00:05:41,960 Does that make sense? And so it's the same principle 79 00:05:41,960 --> 00:05:45,880 here when we are praying for our loved ones or we're praying for 80 00:05:45,880 --> 00:05:50,600 our schools for revival or university or our community like 81 00:05:50,600 --> 00:05:55,560 we do all the all the time. Don't just be a bedroom prayer. 82 00:05:55,560 --> 00:06:00,160 Only be a bedroom prayer. Who then comes out with fire and 83 00:06:00,160 --> 00:06:04,440 anointing and goes and preaches the good news to people and tell 84 00:06:04,440 --> 00:06:06,000 them, tells them about the love of God. 85 00:06:06,440 --> 00:06:10,400 Don't just agree that Easter weekend is going to be an 86 00:06:10,400 --> 00:06:14,560 amazing weekend on the calendar. Take that agreeance in the 87 00:06:14,560 --> 00:06:18,360 spirit realm and make sure people know the invitation to 88 00:06:18,360 --> 00:06:21,960 come with you and if they need it, pick him up, Bring him to 89 00:06:21,960 --> 00:06:24,360 church each week, whatever it requires. 90 00:06:24,760 --> 00:06:27,800 Because we are the hands and the feet, not just the voice. 91 00:06:27,800 --> 00:06:31,200 Amen. So Paul's creating this clear 92 00:06:31,200 --> 00:06:36,160 picture before people hear the message clearly, they must in 93 00:06:36,160 --> 00:06:41,840 first encounter the messenger. Here's the reality. 94 00:06:41,840 --> 00:06:45,560 We pray in our bedrooms. We come out with fire and 95 00:06:46,000 --> 00:06:50,800 anointing oil all over us and then we share the gospel, the 96 00:06:50,800 --> 00:06:52,280 good news, with our next door neighbor. 97 00:06:52,280 --> 00:06:55,760 Guess what? They have just met the 98 00:06:55,760 --> 00:07:02,680 representative of heaven. They have just met someone who 99 00:07:02,680 --> 00:07:08,760 knows the one that they need and how we present ourselves, how we 100 00:07:08,760 --> 00:07:12,960 present the goodness of God. They have just met the 101 00:07:12,960 --> 00:07:17,880 representative of heaven. They meet you and they meet me. 102 00:07:18,680 --> 00:07:22,640 Before someone has a relationship with Jesus, two 103 00:07:22,640 --> 00:07:28,120 things usually happen. First, they hear about Him, and 104 00:07:28,120 --> 00:07:32,080 second, they see what it looks like when someone follows 105 00:07:32,080 --> 00:07:35,680 closely with Him because they see you and I Amen. 106 00:07:36,080 --> 00:07:40,600 So it starts with a relationship more than words, more than 107 00:07:40,600 --> 00:07:43,040 declaring. It always starts with a 108 00:07:43,040 --> 00:07:47,200 relationship. So this means something profound 109 00:07:47,480 --> 00:07:50,240 for every believer in this room today. 110 00:07:50,240 --> 00:07:54,760 You ready? Your life is always preaching. 111 00:07:56,080 --> 00:08:01,320 Your behaviour is always communicating something about 112 00:08:01,400 --> 00:08:04,720 Jesus. Now listen, for sure, your 113 00:08:04,720 --> 00:08:07,720 behaviour is always communicating, but did you know 114 00:08:07,720 --> 00:08:10,920 it's communicating something about the one you follow? 115 00:08:11,840 --> 00:08:15,000 Because people see you as a Christian, a Christ follower. 116 00:08:15,640 --> 00:08:21,080 Your kindness preaches. Your integrity preaches. 117 00:08:21,440 --> 00:08:28,080 Your patience preaches, your love It preaches even when 118 00:08:28,080 --> 00:08:30,240 you're not standing behind a pulpit. 119 00:08:30,640 --> 00:08:35,840 Your life is preaching Jesus to people and the world around you. 120 00:08:36,960 --> 00:08:41,679 Now, discipleship often begins long before a person walks 121 00:08:41,679 --> 00:08:45,360 through the doors of the church. In fact, I would argue they're 122 00:08:45,360 --> 00:08:48,600 walking through the doors of the church because there has been 123 00:08:48,600 --> 00:08:52,960 discipleship in their lives. That's a powerful thing to grab 124 00:08:52,960 --> 00:08:56,240 hold of. It begins in ordinary 125 00:08:56,400 --> 00:09:01,880 relationships, at work, at school, at the gym, across the 126 00:09:01,880 --> 00:09:05,680 fence with a neighbor. So instead of throwing balloons 127 00:09:05,680 --> 00:09:09,200 over to the neighbor, why don't we get to know them and hop over 128 00:09:09,200 --> 00:09:14,200 the fence and say hi. And it starts over a coffee with 129 00:09:14,200 --> 00:09:17,400 a friend. Every single time we are meeting 130 00:09:17,400 --> 00:09:21,600 with people, we are in a in a realm of discipleship. 131 00:09:21,800 --> 00:09:23,800 Amen. You see that on your life this 132 00:09:23,800 --> 00:09:27,760 morning. Can you say out loud I am a 133 00:09:27,880 --> 00:09:33,280 disciple? Say it again, I am a disciple 134 00:09:34,120 --> 00:09:37,600 because everywhere you go this is exactly what you're doing, 135 00:09:37,600 --> 00:09:41,640 whether we realise it or not. And as we've been studying this, 136 00:09:41,680 --> 00:09:47,520 I'm starting to realise if I can put immense attention, attention 137 00:09:47,520 --> 00:09:52,320 to that and purpose behind the way I conduct my life, I can be 138 00:09:52,320 --> 00:09:56,520 discipling people always towards Jesus Christ. 139 00:09:57,120 --> 00:10:01,760 And I have a a little saying the interns would have heard, and if 140 00:10:01,760 --> 00:10:05,800 you've never heard this before, it's your call this morning into 141 00:10:05,800 --> 00:10:11,880 internship mid year intake. And but I just have this thing 142 00:10:12,320 --> 00:10:15,920 that if you're in my sphere of life, you're just going to hear 143 00:10:15,920 --> 00:10:19,920 about Jesus. If you're in my sphere of life 144 00:10:19,920 --> 00:10:23,880 or in a conversation with me, I'm always going to guide you 145 00:10:23,960 --> 00:10:26,760 towards heavenly things or biblical principles. 146 00:10:27,280 --> 00:10:29,400 Now I might skin it a little bit different. 147 00:10:29,400 --> 00:10:33,480 I might not say James, you know, chapter 3, verse 14 says this, 148 00:10:33,960 --> 00:10:38,320 but the the language that will come out of yours or my lip out 149 00:10:38,320 --> 00:10:43,000 of our heart, our lips will speak guidance towards biblical 150 00:10:43,000 --> 00:10:45,880 things. In other words, we are we are 151 00:10:45,880 --> 00:10:51,560 influencing as a disciple, a person towards Jesus Christ. 152 00:10:51,960 --> 00:10:55,920 Let me tell you, discipleship is all about Jesus. 153 00:10:56,320 --> 00:11:01,600 It's to Jesus in Jesus, and from Jesus it's to Jesus. 154 00:11:01,600 --> 00:11:06,440 We're always disciple in people into a relationship with Jesus. 155 00:11:06,720 --> 00:11:11,400 It's in Jesus where we then start to mature and we start to 156 00:11:11,400 --> 00:11:14,120 grow. But it's from Jesus because 157 00:11:14,120 --> 00:11:18,360 Jesus sends us out into the world to share the gospel. 158 00:11:18,840 --> 00:11:23,880 Discipleship and Christian living is all about Jesus. 159 00:11:23,880 --> 00:11:29,440 So can I encourage you, when you go home today, you say, God, I 160 00:11:29,440 --> 00:11:34,720 just want my life to always be speaking, to always be 161 00:11:34,720 --> 00:11:39,000 witnessing, and to always be leading people towards you. 162 00:11:39,120 --> 00:11:41,520 Amen. See that this morning, Church? 163 00:11:42,160 --> 00:11:45,280 All right, so it starts with a relationship. 164 00:11:46,040 --> 00:11:52,640 When Jesus called the 12 disciples, they didn't yet fully 165 00:11:52,640 --> 00:11:56,760 understand who he was. And I think we forget that 166 00:11:56,760 --> 00:12:02,800 sometimes. Hey, Jesus was this new person 167 00:12:02,800 --> 00:12:05,880 on the block. Some people knew him because 168 00:12:05,880 --> 00:12:08,040 they were friends in school and things like that. 169 00:12:09,040 --> 00:12:12,560 And he's preaching about this God no one on planet Earth had 170 00:12:12,560 --> 00:12:17,480 ever heard about before, which is crazy to even kind of think. 171 00:12:17,800 --> 00:12:21,200 And then he was claiming that this God was his father. 172 00:12:21,480 --> 00:12:25,440 But, you know, everyone knew his father and it was just all 173 00:12:25,440 --> 00:12:28,640 different. But he called these people and 174 00:12:28,640 --> 00:12:30,800 he said, would you come follow me now? 175 00:12:30,800 --> 00:12:35,040 They didn't have perfect theology, they and if they were 176 00:12:35,040 --> 00:12:38,840 like me, they probably couldn't even say theology properly. 177 00:12:39,800 --> 00:12:43,840 They simply heard him say come and follow me. 178 00:12:44,680 --> 00:12:50,280 They heard him, then they followed him, then they 179 00:12:50,280 --> 00:12:56,080 experienced life with him, then they believed and obeyed. 180 00:12:57,040 --> 00:12:59,880 Let me tell you, church people have heard you. 181 00:13:01,120 --> 00:13:05,080 They're following you and they're experiencing what 182 00:13:05,080 --> 00:13:10,400 Christian life can look like, and if our example is pure, 183 00:13:10,400 --> 00:13:15,320 wholesome, filled with love and joy and peace, they will begin 184 00:13:15,320 --> 00:13:19,240 to believe and obey the one we are following. 185 00:13:19,240 --> 00:13:24,400 Also, Dietrich Bonhoeffer wrote in his book The Cost of 186 00:13:24,400 --> 00:13:29,760 Discipleship. Christianity, man without 187 00:13:29,760 --> 00:13:35,560 discipleship is always Christianity without Christ, man 188 00:13:37,240 --> 00:13:40,760 Christianity without discipleship. 189 00:13:40,760 --> 00:13:44,280 And he doesn't even water it down. 190 00:13:44,520 --> 00:13:49,760 He says it's always Christianity without Christ. 191 00:13:50,240 --> 00:13:54,840 That says to me this words alone don't cut it. 192 00:13:57,840 --> 00:14:05,160 My life, my discipling people, my showing people is what people 193 00:14:05,160 --> 00:14:10,560 need to see Christ through me, not just Christ said from me. 194 00:14:11,040 --> 00:14:14,480 Amazing. What Bonhoeffer was highlighting 195 00:14:14,760 --> 00:14:20,240 is that discipleship is not just information, it's formation 196 00:14:20,360 --> 00:14:26,320 through relationship. People learn the way of Jesus by 197 00:14:26,320 --> 00:14:28,800 walking with people who follow Jesus. 198 00:14:29,640 --> 00:14:32,080 And you know the Great Commission is relational. 199 00:14:33,480 --> 00:14:38,400 In fact, Jesus said in Matthew 2819 to 20, he said go therefore 200 00:14:38,400 --> 00:14:42,880 and make disciples relationship of all the nations. 201 00:14:42,880 --> 00:14:46,560 And Jesus exampled this relationship, teaching them to 202 00:14:46,560 --> 00:14:51,400 observe all things that I have commanded, not telling them to 203 00:14:51,400 --> 00:14:55,360 observe, but teaching them, walking with them, showing them, 204 00:14:55,360 --> 00:15:00,080 releasing them and giving them a go to follow all things that 205 00:15:00,080 --> 00:15:03,280 Jesus commanded, but not what we command. 206 00:15:04,120 --> 00:15:07,400 So Jesus has written the words for you and I to read. 207 00:15:07,680 --> 00:15:13,840 But we exemplify, you know, it's we, we don't preach at people, 208 00:15:14,480 --> 00:15:18,960 we preach for people. We don't preach to condemn pre 209 00:15:19,000 --> 00:15:24,440 people, but we we preach to show people we give them the words. 210 00:15:24,440 --> 00:15:29,400 But then we but we behave in the same ways and we exemplify and 211 00:15:29,400 --> 00:15:32,560 then they walk with us and then we give them the opportunity to 212 00:15:32,560 --> 00:15:35,720 do that with someone else. This is called multiplication. 213 00:15:37,040 --> 00:15:40,400 Notice something important. Jesus didn't say go build large 214 00:15:40,400 --> 00:15:45,520 events and everyone says Amen. He didn't say go create 215 00:15:45,520 --> 00:15:51,280 impressive programs like our Easter, Easter after the service 216 00:15:51,280 --> 00:15:55,760 program outside for the kids. He said go make disciples. 217 00:15:56,840 --> 00:16:02,800 Making disciples always and only ever involves people. 218 00:16:04,440 --> 00:16:06,760 And it doesn't just involve other people. 219 00:16:06,880 --> 00:16:10,160 It involves you and me also, which is great. 220 00:16:10,320 --> 00:16:14,120 It involves walking with people. I feel like I'm giving you 221 00:16:14,120 --> 00:16:17,360 really good stuff this morning. It's a little bit quiet in this 222 00:16:17,360 --> 00:16:20,080 room. It's a little bit quiet in this 223 00:16:20,080 --> 00:16:22,800 room. Like I laboured over this. 224 00:16:24,200 --> 00:16:27,840 Yeah, there's 20 hours here. Can I get it just a little bit 225 00:16:27,840 --> 00:16:31,960 more this morning? Where's City Point NI Know 226 00:16:32,000 --> 00:16:34,680 you're listening and all that, but a preacher really needs a 227 00:16:34,680 --> 00:16:37,280 bit of a response. That's how you get the real good 228 00:16:37,280 --> 00:16:39,360 stuff. I'm giving you good stuff, but 229 00:16:39,360 --> 00:16:41,960 there's deeper and you got to draw it out this morning. 230 00:16:41,960 --> 00:16:44,720 Is this all right? Well, I know Nicole's not here 231 00:16:44,720 --> 00:16:47,120 this morning, but it's all good. She's ministering somewhere 232 00:16:47,120 --> 00:16:48,640 else. OK. 233 00:16:49,200 --> 00:16:55,240 Making disciples always involves people helping someone to learn 234 00:16:55,240 --> 00:17:00,160 about God, helping someone grow in their faith, which is just 235 00:17:00,160 --> 00:17:04,640 like the most wonderful thing we could possibly do is help people 236 00:17:04,640 --> 00:17:09,240 grow in their faith with Jesus and helping someone obey the 237 00:17:09,240 --> 00:17:13,000 teachings of Jesus. You know, I love how Pastor John 238 00:17:13,000 --> 00:17:15,800 this morning, you know, he brings out the word, but he then 239 00:17:15,800 --> 00:17:17,960 he gives you the, the Hebrew of it. 240 00:17:18,280 --> 00:17:21,560 And we're sort of we're learning the we're learning deeper 241 00:17:21,560 --> 00:17:23,240 levels. You know, this is what you get 242 00:17:23,240 --> 00:17:26,480 when you hang around faith believing people. 243 00:17:26,800 --> 00:17:32,320 The value of your life is that God has called you to grow and 244 00:17:32,320 --> 00:17:38,520 to sow the value of your life is not just in the growth. 245 00:17:40,200 --> 00:17:43,520 I know that sometimes we all try and become bigger and, and 246 00:17:43,520 --> 00:17:46,280 better, not bigger like that, but just bigger in, in our 247 00:17:46,280 --> 00:17:49,480 faith. And we try and get, become 248 00:17:49,480 --> 00:17:53,600 better people and, and we try to become more pure people. 249 00:17:53,920 --> 00:17:57,160 But sometimes I think we just get a little bit too focused on 250 00:17:57,160 --> 00:18:00,160 us. Like we need to do internship, 251 00:18:00,400 --> 00:18:04,920 not 100% for you and I, but we need to do internship because 252 00:18:04,920 --> 00:18:08,040 it's teaching us something to sow into someone else. 253 00:18:08,720 --> 00:18:12,160 We grow in our faith so that we can share to others. 254 00:18:12,320 --> 00:18:17,960 We read our word everyday, not just for us, but if God can get 255 00:18:17,960 --> 00:18:21,120 it through US, he'll get the revelation to us. 256 00:18:21,480 --> 00:18:24,760 And it's the same with money. If he can get money through you, 257 00:18:24,760 --> 00:18:28,200 he'll get money to you. And we'll just keep saying, well 258 00:18:28,200 --> 00:18:32,360 God, where's my blessings? Forget about your blessing, just 259 00:18:32,360 --> 00:18:35,920 say God, where is something that I can give to someone else? 260 00:18:36,800 --> 00:18:40,560 Give me what I can, what I need to be a blesser. 261 00:18:41,080 --> 00:18:45,280 And I think sometimes we focus a little bit too much just on us. 262 00:18:45,640 --> 00:18:49,720 We need to refine ourselves and we need to get our our skills 263 00:18:49,720 --> 00:18:54,240 all up and upgraded and we need to become better singers and, 264 00:18:54,440 --> 00:18:58,120 and better worshippers and, and have more money in the bank. 265 00:18:58,120 --> 00:19:00,440 We need all of this stuff for sure. 266 00:19:01,000 --> 00:19:05,960 But if you get it all and you do nothing with it, it does 267 00:19:05,960 --> 00:19:08,040 nothing. It achieves nothing. 268 00:19:08,640 --> 00:19:11,760 I want to go to heaven with a whole army of people of 269 00:19:11,760 --> 00:19:17,320 influence behind me. And we are learning today. 270 00:19:17,760 --> 00:19:23,000 My words aren't enough for that. Your words aren't enough for 271 00:19:23,000 --> 00:19:25,400 that. Your generosity does that. 272 00:19:26,400 --> 00:19:30,760 Your finance does that. Your open house does that. 273 00:19:31,640 --> 00:19:34,600 You're giving someone a room when they need it that does 274 00:19:34,600 --> 00:19:36,960 that. Being gracious with your 275 00:19:36,960 --> 00:19:40,960 children does that, you know, not always being the one that 276 00:19:40,960 --> 00:19:46,600 knows it all, but being the one that accepts people and guides 277 00:19:46,600 --> 00:19:48,920 them through the word of God and through life. 278 00:19:49,760 --> 00:19:53,680 You know, no one wants to go to a know it all, but everyone 279 00:19:53,680 --> 00:19:55,600 wants to go to a gracious person. 280 00:19:56,640 --> 00:20:00,720 The key is is to not remain gracious only and not to be a 281 00:20:00,720 --> 00:20:04,560 know it all gracious only. You might be a gracious person, 282 00:20:04,560 --> 00:20:08,200 but when people come to you, if they stay with you, you're not 283 00:20:08,360 --> 00:20:10,600 achieving the what God's called of us. 284 00:20:10,960 --> 00:20:14,080 People come to you because you've got an open house, open 285 00:20:14,080 --> 00:20:16,720 arms. And then we have to direct 286 00:20:16,720 --> 00:20:19,600 people. Where do we direct them to what 287 00:20:19,600 --> 00:20:22,720 you learn to internship, what you learn in the word of God, 288 00:20:22,720 --> 00:20:25,400 what you learn at Bible college, what you experience in your 289 00:20:25,400 --> 00:20:29,400 workplace and, and what's your example, you know, at university 290 00:20:29,400 --> 00:20:32,480 and things like that. So we're leading people always. 291 00:20:32,480 --> 00:20:35,280 The Old Testament come on in turns. 292 00:20:35,280 --> 00:20:37,520 We went through this on the on last week. 293 00:20:37,800 --> 00:20:45,000 The Old Testament always led to Jesus because he is the answer. 294 00:20:45,000 --> 00:20:51,520 And what that tells you and I our lives also must always lead 295 00:20:51,520 --> 00:20:55,840 to Jesus. The value of your life is that 296 00:20:55,840 --> 00:20:58,560 God has called you to grow and to sow. 297 00:20:58,720 --> 00:21:03,800 As we grow, God calls us to sow into someone else and help them 298 00:21:03,800 --> 00:21:05,800 grow. This is multiplication of 299 00:21:05,800 --> 00:21:09,000 discipleship. It starts though, with a 300 00:21:09,000 --> 00:21:11,280 relationship. Now listen. 301 00:21:11,280 --> 00:21:17,960 Relationships grow on the journey One Life group session, 302 00:21:18,520 --> 00:21:23,880 isn't it? And listen, you don't have to be 303 00:21:23,880 --> 00:21:26,800 fantastic on the first Life group gathering. 304 00:21:27,840 --> 00:21:31,800 Well, you're growing too, right? And that's why you call Pastor 305 00:21:31,800 --> 00:21:34,760 Mel during the week and say, Pastor Mel, I'll put it in the 306 00:21:34,760 --> 00:21:37,640 deep end, Pastor John and Rachel. 307 00:21:40,160 --> 00:21:45,680 All right, you can call me and you say, hey, I LED my life 308 00:21:45,680 --> 00:21:48,200 group this week and this is what happened. 309 00:21:48,200 --> 00:21:52,360 And you know, I, I, I know of, of a couple of people that had a 310 00:21:52,360 --> 00:21:56,560 life group and no one rocked up. How crazy is that? 311 00:21:56,840 --> 00:22:01,960 Could that happen to you that do they not like you, you know, and 312 00:22:01,960 --> 00:22:04,680 so because they don't like you, no one rocked up. 313 00:22:05,360 --> 00:22:09,840 And so I got a call or I had a conversation, and it was like, 314 00:22:09,840 --> 00:22:13,240 what do we do in this situation? And so I walked those people 315 00:22:13,240 --> 00:22:14,880 through and it was nothing to do with you. 316 00:22:14,880 --> 00:22:17,440 In fact, you're the most loved person in the whole church. 317 00:22:18,040 --> 00:22:19,720 Yeah, they love you more than Pastor Grey. 318 00:22:19,720 --> 00:22:21,240 They just listen to you because they got to. 319 00:22:21,240 --> 00:22:25,040 But. But here's the reality is we're 320 00:22:25,040 --> 00:22:28,160 growing together. You don't have to have the 321 00:22:28,160 --> 00:22:32,800 theology and remember 64 verses of the Bible before you can run 322 00:22:32,800 --> 00:22:35,880 a life group. What you do is you say, I want 323 00:22:35,880 --> 00:22:40,200 to lead someone to Jesus. Everything I have, I'm going to 324 00:22:40,200 --> 00:22:43,120 give. But I haven't achieved the goal 325 00:22:43,120 --> 00:22:46,560 of learning yet, and I'm going to continue to grow myself. 326 00:22:46,600 --> 00:22:50,440 Amen. Discipleship is not a moment, 327 00:22:50,640 --> 00:22:54,680 it's a journey. Systems help, but relationships 328 00:22:54,680 --> 00:22:59,280 transform. In the church, we create systems 329 00:22:59,280 --> 00:23:02,160 to help people grow. We've got life groups, we've got 330 00:23:02,160 --> 00:23:06,480 courses, we've got demographic ministries, we've got Sunday 331 00:23:06,480 --> 00:23:09,760 gatherings, we've got SWB conference coming up. 332 00:23:10,360 --> 00:23:17,040 These are powerful and these are important, but church don't rely 333 00:23:17,040 --> 00:23:19,400 on them. Be part of them. 334 00:23:20,680 --> 00:23:27,760 Empower them, go to them, learn and grow in them, and be serving 335 00:23:27,760 --> 00:23:29,720 them. Be part of them for other 336 00:23:29,720 --> 00:23:35,800 people, but don't let our lives rely on these things alone. 337 00:23:36,760 --> 00:23:40,320 They help believers grow in knowledge, faith, and community. 338 00:23:40,320 --> 00:23:45,080 But here is the reality. Systems organized discipleship. 339 00:23:46,080 --> 00:23:49,320 With relationship, discipleship matures. 340 00:23:50,760 --> 00:23:54,920 So the systems of the church organize avenues for 341 00:23:54,920 --> 00:23:59,200 discipleship to happen. But discipleship must happen in 342 00:23:59,200 --> 00:24:01,280 relationship because it's a journey. 343 00:24:02,480 --> 00:24:06,680 And so in that relationship journey, it then matures. 344 00:24:07,120 --> 00:24:11,680 People may attend a program, but they are transformed through 345 00:24:11,680 --> 00:24:16,200 connection. This is why discipleship often 346 00:24:16,200 --> 00:24:19,040 begins outside the walls of the church. 347 00:24:20,280 --> 00:24:22,720 It begins when someone hears for me. 348 00:24:22,720 --> 00:24:26,600 Back to our first verse, when someone trusts you. 349 00:24:26,600 --> 00:24:29,360 Why? Because you remain faithful to 350 00:24:29,360 --> 00:24:34,320 this. Let me tell you, I know fuel is 351 00:24:34,320 --> 00:24:36,920 ridiculous. I bought a diesel because I 352 00:24:36,920 --> 00:24:40,280 thought it was the better option, and now I'm learning I 353 00:24:40,280 --> 00:24:42,400 chose the worst option. Right. 354 00:24:43,040 --> 00:24:46,520 I understand they're saying that this is going to be worse than 355 00:24:46,520 --> 00:24:49,200 COVID, but does this shake your faith? 356 00:24:50,640 --> 00:24:54,240 Does this shake the when Pastor Dan gets up and talks about 357 00:24:54,240 --> 00:24:58,560 finances and money, does this shake that or is your faith in 358 00:24:58,560 --> 00:25:02,000 God? See, the, the reality is the 359 00:25:02,000 --> 00:25:04,920 world is always going to disintegrate. 360 00:25:05,400 --> 00:25:10,280 It's constantly going to, you know, the, the earth groans out. 361 00:25:10,280 --> 00:25:14,480 The Bible says as his coming draws nearer, it's going to, 362 00:25:14,840 --> 00:25:17,760 it's going to decay. We already know. 363 00:25:17,760 --> 00:25:21,520 We've read the book. I don't know, but if you go to 364 00:25:22,360 --> 00:25:33,480 let me find where it starts, New King James Version page, there 365 00:25:33,480 --> 00:25:41,480 we go, page 15118. There's the ending story for us. 366 00:25:42,080 --> 00:25:46,600 We already know it, don't we? The world has even heard about 367 00:25:46,600 --> 00:25:49,840 it. So faith remains faithful 368 00:25:49,840 --> 00:25:54,040 through that book. And it's always been a thing 369 00:25:54,040 --> 00:25:57,000 through every ear from the book of Genesis, Man, there's been. 370 00:25:57,000 --> 00:26:01,960 Imagine growing up in the medieval time just like crazy, 371 00:26:01,960 --> 00:26:04,680 crazy stuff, pirates and all that time, you know? 372 00:26:05,480 --> 00:26:07,640 Yeah. The other, the other part of 373 00:26:07,640 --> 00:26:09,000 history. Yeah. 374 00:26:09,240 --> 00:26:12,200 Imagine that. Imagine the disciples, what they 375 00:26:12,200 --> 00:26:16,880 went through, crazy crazy stuff. But we don't let it shake our 376 00:26:16,880 --> 00:26:19,840 church. In fact I reckon God loves this 377 00:26:19,840 --> 00:26:22,280 stuff. The church through history has 378 00:26:22,280 --> 00:26:28,200 always come out stronger at the end of mass trial and 379 00:26:28,200 --> 00:26:32,400 persecutions against the church. The church has always come out 380 00:26:32,400 --> 00:26:36,480 stronger, brighter and general. Generally revivals come out of 381 00:26:36,480 --> 00:26:39,720 it, which we all seek the revival but we don't like the 382 00:26:39,720 --> 00:26:44,040 beforehand. We all want to see our lives 383 00:26:44,040 --> 00:26:46,640 revive. Let me tell you that the the 384 00:26:46,640 --> 00:26:49,720 more the fuel goes up, the easier the conversation with 385 00:26:49,720 --> 00:26:56,040 your next neighbor will be. Yeah, the more chance you have 386 00:26:56,400 --> 00:26:59,280 to bring hope into a conversation. 387 00:27:00,000 --> 00:27:02,840 It's really hard to bring hope into, you know that. 388 00:27:02,840 --> 00:27:08,560 Reckon why the western world struggles with church growth is 389 00:27:08,560 --> 00:27:12,480 because the western world hasn't needed God as much as the rest 390 00:27:12,480 --> 00:27:15,600 of the world. And because life is easy. 391 00:27:15,600 --> 00:27:18,760 We got money and we're buying new cars all the time. 392 00:27:19,040 --> 00:27:20,760 I mean, look at all the cars on the road. 393 00:27:20,760 --> 00:27:24,480 Like everyone has one or two, you know, third world countries 394 00:27:24,480 --> 00:27:30,120 aren't like this. And so we don't need a a, a, a 395 00:27:30,120 --> 00:27:34,240 Messiah or as someone who brings us the answer because we all 396 00:27:34,240 --> 00:27:39,200 think our everyday life is OK. But the reality is the world 397 00:27:39,200 --> 00:27:43,200 starts to groan more and more and things start to happen at 398 00:27:43,200 --> 00:27:47,400 the you and I have it just so easy just to bring hope and to 399 00:27:47,400 --> 00:27:50,320 bring a life and to to pour out blessing. 400 00:27:50,560 --> 00:27:54,240 Let's not be the one in the conversation groaning about the 401 00:27:54,240 --> 00:27:57,240 groanings of the world, but let's be the one in the 402 00:27:57,240 --> 00:28:00,080 conversation that turns it around and goes. 403 00:28:00,080 --> 00:28:03,520 I understand diesels like this. Look, you can go any day and get 404 00:28:03,520 --> 00:28:06,600 an unleaded car. But let me tell you, in the 405 00:28:06,600 --> 00:28:09,760 church, we've been walking in blessing like never before. 406 00:28:10,720 --> 00:28:15,280 I've been tithing for 25 years in my life and I have noticed 407 00:28:15,320 --> 00:28:19,280 when I look back, no matter what has happened, even during COVID, 408 00:28:19,480 --> 00:28:23,520 that my life just kept moving forward stronger and stronger. 409 00:28:23,800 --> 00:28:27,800 Sure, sometimes I have to lose this or I have to lose that, but 410 00:28:27,800 --> 00:28:30,160 man, I've never lost the joy of life. 411 00:28:30,600 --> 00:28:34,800 I've never ever thought I don't want to bring children into this 412 00:28:34,800 --> 00:28:38,080 world because I understand that children are the answer of the 413 00:28:38,080 --> 00:28:40,520 world I have under I. You know what I mean? 414 00:28:40,520 --> 00:28:44,920 We can just bring so much goodness and disciple people 415 00:28:45,080 --> 00:28:47,560 through this season of our lives. 416 00:28:48,720 --> 00:28:53,880 But it begins when someone hears from you, when they trust you 417 00:28:53,960 --> 00:28:56,800 and begin to follow your example. 418 00:28:57,440 --> 00:29:00,840 Be in a room of negative conversation, be bold enough to 419 00:29:00,840 --> 00:29:04,800 bring in positive conversation. And I reckon someone in that 420 00:29:04,800 --> 00:29:06,760 group will start to be more positive. 421 00:29:07,440 --> 00:29:10,320 When people not just know that you're a Christian and hear 422 00:29:10,320 --> 00:29:14,240 about it, but they see you in the moments and in the situation 423 00:29:14,240 --> 00:29:17,480 and how you deal with them, it will bring influence. 424 00:29:17,720 --> 00:29:20,720 And out of that group of 10 people, what if one of them 425 00:29:20,720 --> 00:29:23,480 followed you into the House of God, into church? 426 00:29:25,920 --> 00:29:30,760 One of the most important truths about discipleship is this. 427 00:29:31,840 --> 00:29:35,200 You don't need to be a theologian to start. 428 00:29:36,240 --> 00:29:39,880 You simply need to share what Jesus has done in your life. 429 00:29:40,520 --> 00:29:43,680 Has God done anything in anyone's life in this room? 430 00:29:43,680 --> 00:29:47,360 Lift your hand. Whatever it is that he has done 431 00:29:47,360 --> 00:29:50,160 for you. I encourage you this week. 432 00:29:50,880 --> 00:29:54,920 Would you say, God, would you remind me of some of the things 433 00:29:54,920 --> 00:29:59,280 you've done in my life and give me opportunity to share it? 434 00:29:59,920 --> 00:30:03,480 And if you fail in that, just get straight back up. 435 00:30:03,760 --> 00:30:06,120 Just say, OK, God, I missed that one. 436 00:30:06,320 --> 00:30:08,440 Would you give me another opportunity? 437 00:30:08,760 --> 00:30:11,600 Because I just want to share about your goodness and I want 438 00:30:11,600 --> 00:30:16,240 to become amazing at doing this. Pastor Craig Rochelle says 439 00:30:16,600 --> 00:30:20,880 people would rather follow someone who is always real 440 00:30:21,800 --> 00:30:28,800 listen than someone who is always right, someone who is 441 00:30:28,800 --> 00:30:35,200 always authentic to their faith, then someone who has the right 442 00:30:35,200 --> 00:30:40,400 words to say. See in this world, in fact, the 443 00:30:40,400 --> 00:30:46,720 devil himself, he's a man of smooth words, knows what to say 444 00:30:46,720 --> 00:30:50,320 to peace the situation. Don't look to peace the 445 00:30:50,320 --> 00:30:53,760 situation. Look to guide someone through 446 00:30:53,760 --> 00:30:57,760 the situation. Jesus didn't come to be liked by 447 00:30:57,760 --> 00:31:00,440 everyone. He came to bring truth to 448 00:31:00,440 --> 00:31:03,320 everyone. He didn't come to be liked in 449 00:31:03,320 --> 00:31:07,400 the temples, but He'd come to bring revelation to His word in 450 00:31:07,400 --> 00:31:10,640 the temples. And you and I are the carriers 451 00:31:10,640 --> 00:31:13,640 of truth. Don't have a smooth tongue? 452 00:31:13,880 --> 00:31:16,480 Have a truthful tongue. Amen. 453 00:31:16,720 --> 00:31:20,600 And people will be attracted to that when the whole world is 454 00:31:20,600 --> 00:31:26,040 doing the opposite. Authenticity builds trust and 455 00:31:26,040 --> 00:31:30,560 trust creates the environment where discipleship can begin. 456 00:31:31,680 --> 00:31:36,040 When people see a genuine faith lived out in everyday life, it 457 00:31:36,040 --> 00:31:41,000 becomes compelling. They start to ask questions, 458 00:31:41,680 --> 00:31:45,640 they start to lean into your life a little bit more, and 459 00:31:45,640 --> 00:31:49,520 often the journey towards Jesus will begin. 460 00:31:50,440 --> 00:31:57,000 So as the band comes up this morning and joins me, this is my 461 00:31:57,200 --> 00:32:01,320 final thought. This week, I want to challenge 462 00:32:01,320 --> 00:32:06,720 every one of us to intentionally live like Jesus in the 463 00:32:06,720 --> 00:32:13,640 relationships already around us. Let's not be gossipers this 464 00:32:13,640 --> 00:32:17,280 week. Let's not be carriers of all 465 00:32:17,280 --> 00:32:20,280 negativity. Everyone saw the news. 466 00:32:22,840 --> 00:32:26,600 Everyone already knows. We don't need to bring it back 467 00:32:26,600 --> 00:32:28,880 up. What we need to bring, bring 468 00:32:28,880 --> 00:32:32,400 back up is an answer to what everyone already knows. 469 00:32:33,120 --> 00:32:38,400 Is that the Christian version of what everyone always knows, the 470 00:32:38,400 --> 00:32:43,480 Christian faith principle to what everyone already knows? 471 00:32:43,640 --> 00:32:45,320 That's what we are required to do. 472 00:32:46,000 --> 00:32:50,680 Look for one or two people in your world and a neighbor, A 473 00:32:50,680 --> 00:32:55,480 colleague, a family member or a friend and choose to invest in 474 00:32:55,480 --> 00:32:59,400 them with genuine care. Can I encourage all of us? 475 00:32:59,400 --> 00:33:03,520 We all have people in our world. Just choose one of them that you 476 00:33:03,520 --> 00:33:06,040 wouldn't normally do this with and just go. 477 00:33:06,120 --> 00:33:09,480 You know what, I'm going to actually call that person beyond 478 00:33:09,480 --> 00:33:12,600 their birthday or you know, Easter greeting. 479 00:33:12,760 --> 00:33:15,640 I'm going to call them randomly this week and I'm just going to 480 00:33:15,640 --> 00:33:17,920 invest a little bit of care into their world. 481 00:33:18,400 --> 00:33:22,120 You'll be amazed of the fruits of that one conversation. 482 00:33:22,480 --> 00:33:26,480 Or buy someone a coffee. If you've got the finances, or 483 00:33:26,480 --> 00:33:29,560 even if you don't have the finances, why don't you exercise 484 00:33:29,560 --> 00:33:31,520 this faith? But when you're in the shopping 485 00:33:31,520 --> 00:33:34,880 oil and there's someone there, pay for them. 486 00:33:35,920 --> 00:33:39,200 Or when you're buying a coffee, pay for the person behind you 487 00:33:39,200 --> 00:33:41,640 and bless them. Or when you're filling up your 488 00:33:41,640 --> 00:33:45,880 car, if you can, why don't you pay for their fuel and bless 489 00:33:45,880 --> 00:33:47,960 them? In the in the crisis of the 490 00:33:47,960 --> 00:33:51,480 world, shine the light of blessing on someone else's life. 491 00:33:52,040 --> 00:33:54,520 So how can I even say to do that? 492 00:33:54,720 --> 00:33:57,200 Because I understand the principle of the Bible. 493 00:33:57,400 --> 00:34:00,120 If he can get it through you, he'll get it to you. 494 00:34:00,400 --> 00:34:04,040 And I honestly have seen the fruits of that statement in my 495 00:34:04,040 --> 00:34:07,240 life. Take time this week to listen to 496 00:34:07,240 --> 00:34:13,639 someone to encourage and to show kindness in a practical way, not 497 00:34:13,639 --> 00:34:17,600 just show kindness with a smile and words because we remember 498 00:34:17,800 --> 00:34:22,080 words alone don't cut it, let's do it in a practical way. 499 00:34:22,560 --> 00:34:28,400 Let your words be gracious and your actions be patient and your 500 00:34:28,400 --> 00:34:34,239 character reflect Christ. Share what God has done in your 501 00:34:34,239 --> 00:34:38,719 life when the opportunity comes soon as the opportunity is 502 00:34:38,719 --> 00:34:40,040 there. Can I encourage you? 503 00:34:40,040 --> 00:34:45,159 This is something I've learned is I've I had to prepare myself 504 00:34:45,639 --> 00:34:49,000 to be ready. I say to our worshippers in the 505 00:34:49,000 --> 00:34:55,480 church, you notice that when the first song starts, the team's 506 00:34:55,480 --> 00:35:01,760 not warming up, but when the first song starts, they hit us 507 00:35:01,760 --> 00:35:05,720 with a wall of sound and worship and like, come on church, you 508 00:35:05,720 --> 00:35:08,560 know, because they, they're already prepared. 509 00:35:09,360 --> 00:35:12,760 And I've had to learn the same principle in my life, especially 510 00:35:12,760 --> 00:35:14,960 with generosity. And I'm not just talking money, 511 00:35:15,320 --> 00:35:20,040 generosity in all forms. I have to be mentally prepared. 512 00:35:20,200 --> 00:35:23,280 So when the moment comes, I don't need a warm up period. 513 00:35:25,280 --> 00:35:30,120 Church listen, you don't walk into prayer meetings and sort 514 00:35:30,120 --> 00:35:33,080 out your personal life in the prayer meeting before you can 515 00:35:33,080 --> 00:35:37,240 start to pray when Rachel's teaching prayer and she says she 516 00:35:37,240 --> 00:35:41,200 hasn't said anything to me, but when she when she says OK, let's 517 00:35:41,200 --> 00:35:44,680 start praying for this. We don't first repent of our 518 00:35:44,680 --> 00:35:47,280 sins. We're doing that on the drive 519 00:35:47,280 --> 00:35:51,480 here and when we get to the prayer meeting we walk in right 520 00:35:51,480 --> 00:35:54,520 Why you talk so much. I'm ready to pray and we're 521 00:35:54,520 --> 00:35:58,960 ready to go We're pre prepared with our life the way we live. 522 00:35:59,520 --> 00:36:03,680 You know, sometimes I even think, you know, I had this 523 00:36:03,680 --> 00:36:06,320 thought this morning, you know, God, what do you want to do in 524 00:36:06,320 --> 00:36:08,560 the service today? And what, what's what's 525 00:36:08,560 --> 00:36:11,160 happening in the atmosphere? I always say to God, what's 526 00:36:11,160 --> 00:36:14,520 what's in the atmosphere over the community. 527 00:36:15,000 --> 00:36:20,120 Now I, I'm not waiting for God to put a, a thought or a prompt 528 00:36:20,120 --> 00:36:23,000 into my spirit. And then I go, wow, that's a big 529 00:36:23,000 --> 00:36:24,760 one. Wow. 530 00:36:24,760 --> 00:36:27,960 OK, my prayer life wasn't that big this morning. 531 00:36:27,960 --> 00:36:30,920 This week, you know, I come ready. 532 00:36:31,480 --> 00:36:34,440 And when I say that and he puts something in my spirit, I'm 533 00:36:34,440 --> 00:36:37,240 like, OK, God, let's partner on that and we'll pray that one 534 00:36:37,240 --> 00:36:38,480 through. You know what I'm saying? 535 00:36:38,880 --> 00:36:44,120 So Church, this is a call today to be prepared to be the light 536 00:36:44,120 --> 00:36:45,680 to people. Yeah. 537 00:36:45,680 --> 00:36:49,440 When someone says I need this or I need a prayer or just yeah, 538 00:36:49,440 --> 00:36:50,960 yeah, yeah, I can do that. I can do that. 539 00:36:51,240 --> 00:36:55,040 I live ready. I live with money in my pocket 540 00:36:55,040 --> 00:36:58,640 to bless someone for a coffee. You might not have much money, 541 00:36:58,880 --> 00:37:00,960 but I'm pretty sure you can have $5. 542 00:37:01,560 --> 00:37:04,720 I'm pretty sure if you planned it, you might not be able to do 543 00:37:04,720 --> 00:37:09,080 $5 this week, but if you plan it next week, you'll have a $5 544 00:37:09,080 --> 00:37:12,080 note. And then, and then let me let me 545 00:37:12,080 --> 00:37:14,800 say this. When you buy someone a coffee, 546 00:37:14,920 --> 00:37:18,720 you now have nothing. You go, God, I'm not just 547 00:37:18,720 --> 00:37:24,480 grungingly giving this away. I'm sewing this today that you 548 00:37:24,480 --> 00:37:26,200 will bring blessing into their world. 549 00:37:26,840 --> 00:37:29,760 I reckon you'll end up with another $5 in your pocket. 550 00:37:33,520 --> 00:37:40,240 Remember this, People often see Jesus before thou will believe 551 00:37:40,240 --> 00:37:44,400 in Jesus. So let your life be a living 552 00:37:44,400 --> 00:37:50,280 example of love, of humility. That's a big one, isn't it? 553 00:37:51,280 --> 00:37:57,840 I struggle with that one of humility and truth to the world 554 00:37:57,840 --> 00:38:01,080 around you. Discipleship doesn't start with 555 00:38:01,080 --> 00:38:04,240 the program. Don't look for a program. 556 00:38:04,640 --> 00:38:08,680 You use your life. It starts with a relationship. 557 00:38:08,680 --> 00:38:14,440 It begins when someone hears from you and they trust you 558 00:38:14,440 --> 00:38:20,520 because you speak truth, not smooth words, and begins to walk 559 00:38:20,520 --> 00:38:22,840 with you because they follow a person of truth. 560 00:38:23,520 --> 00:38:27,640 And through your relationship, they will discover Jesus. 561 00:38:28,360 --> 00:38:30,120 Listen, and I'll finish with this statement. 562 00:38:30,720 --> 00:38:35,440 The greatest discipleship moments often begin with 563 00:38:35,440 --> 00:38:43,320 something very simple, a conversation, a friendship, and 564 00:38:43,320 --> 00:38:48,400 a relationship. You and someone else walking 565 00:38:48,400 --> 00:38:52,720 towards Jesus together. It starts with a relationship. 566 00:38:53,000 --> 00:38:55,200 Amen. That's how we build the House of 567 00:38:55,200 --> 00:38:58,440 God. That's how we build people in 568 00:38:58,440 --> 00:39:02,520 the world around us. And here's the reality of of 569 00:39:02,520 --> 00:39:07,680 this whole subject of discipleship of relationships is 570 00:39:07,680 --> 00:39:13,000 that Jesus wants to be in a relationship with all of us. 571 00:39:14,000 --> 00:39:17,120 You know, when Jesus was on planet earth, we, we often talk 572 00:39:17,120 --> 00:39:22,080 about how we chose 12 people. But did you know crowds of 573 00:39:22,080 --> 00:39:26,640 thousands used to follow him and depending on their heart, out of 574 00:39:26,640 --> 00:39:32,440 the attitude they were allowing Jesus to disciple them. 575 00:39:32,840 --> 00:39:35,800 You know, you might be in a crowd sometimes of thousands, 576 00:39:35,800 --> 00:39:40,480 like, you know, 5000 sometimes and 7000 people Jesus would 577 00:39:40,480 --> 00:39:43,360 minister to. And you might be that one person 578 00:39:43,360 --> 00:39:48,880 sometimes in that crowd. But you can look at that man and 579 00:39:48,880 --> 00:39:51,320 say that truth coming out of his mouth. 580 00:39:51,520 --> 00:39:55,360 I have seen him. He goes from town to town and he 581 00:39:55,360 --> 00:39:59,400 heals and he he loves people and he sits with people. 582 00:40:00,560 --> 00:40:03,000 And you might be like that to that you might go, you know, the 583 00:40:03,000 --> 00:40:06,160 church is vast people on planet earth. 584 00:40:06,160 --> 00:40:08,200 There's, there's millions of them. 585 00:40:08,600 --> 00:40:12,600 They're everywhere. Yet you're saying to me that God 586 00:40:12,600 --> 00:40:15,760 sees me in the crowd. Yes, he does. 587 00:40:16,440 --> 00:40:18,280 Because He wants a relationship with you. 588 00:40:18,760 --> 00:40:21,840 He wants to take you from who you are and where you are in 589 00:40:21,840 --> 00:40:24,720 your life today and continue to walk. 590 00:40:24,720 --> 00:40:27,640 Listen, not dictate to you. That's falsehood. 591 00:40:28,040 --> 00:40:29,760 That's not what the Bible teaches. 592 00:40:30,520 --> 00:40:35,320 He wants to walk with you on a journey of discipleship so that 593 00:40:35,320 --> 00:40:39,000 you and I can become the best version that we could probably 594 00:40:39,440 --> 00:40:43,000 possibly be of who we are. God wants to love you through 595 00:40:43,000 --> 00:40:46,040 struggles. He wants to sit with you through 596 00:40:46,040 --> 00:40:49,080 trials. He wants to encourage us all to 597 00:40:49,080 --> 00:40:54,000 grow and to move forward in our faith and in our lives. 598 00:40:54,360 --> 00:40:57,360 Listen, Jesus is your greatest cheerleader. 599 00:40:57,960 --> 00:41:02,520 He's all for you and your life. And it doesn't matter who we are 600 00:41:02,520 --> 00:41:04,440 today. We could have grown up in the 601 00:41:04,440 --> 00:41:08,400 church like myself, or we could just be what we would consider 602 00:41:08,400 --> 00:41:12,320 the worst of humanity. God doesn't view us like that. 603 00:41:12,320 --> 00:41:17,120 He doesn't rate US like this. What God sees is his children 604 00:41:17,360 --> 00:41:20,760 and we are all his children. We all know that God's formed us 605 00:41:20,760 --> 00:41:23,840 in our mother's womb. And so when he looks at your 606 00:41:23,840 --> 00:41:28,520 life, he doesn't really look and and start to counsel the sins, 607 00:41:29,120 --> 00:41:32,840 but he, he knows his sins. But he looks at your soul. 608 00:41:32,960 --> 00:41:38,280 He looks at who you are and who he made you to become, and he 609 00:41:38,280 --> 00:41:39,080 loves that.