1 00:00:00,800 --> 00:00:04,640 Wow, what a video, eh? And just want to say thank you 2 00:00:04,640 --> 00:00:07,640 to the the team at Trent Vineyard who made that and 3 00:00:07,640 --> 00:00:12,720 shared it with us. I first saw that video six years 4 00:00:12,720 --> 00:00:17,560 ago at the Vineyard Leaders gathering in 2019. 5 00:00:18,200 --> 00:00:20,880 Guys, can I tell you what's happened since 2019? 6 00:00:21,880 --> 00:00:28,000 OK February 2023, a tiny university campus in Asbury in 7 00:00:28,000 --> 00:00:31,320 Kentucky. There's a worship service led by 8 00:00:31,320 --> 00:00:32,600 Gen. Z students. 9 00:00:33,360 --> 00:00:36,960 And within two weeks, a small town with a population of about 10 00:00:36,960 --> 00:00:44,280 6000 people has hosted a revival in which 70,000 visitors have 11 00:00:44,280 --> 00:00:48,800 come to be part of it. It's reach on social media hits 12 00:00:48,800 --> 00:00:53,600 63 million views. Before the two weeks were out 13 00:00:54,400 --> 00:01:00,400 and, and, and, and we saw that shift and that move of God 14 00:01:00,400 --> 00:01:03,880 across the world. And there were whispers and 15 00:01:03,880 --> 00:01:07,280 stories. And then earlier this year we 16 00:01:07,280 --> 00:01:11,840 saw the publication of The Quiet Revival, a study looking at 17 00:01:12,240 --> 00:01:14,240 church growth in the last six years. 18 00:01:14,480 --> 00:01:19,440 And what it showed was that the tide is turning and a declining 19 00:01:19,440 --> 00:01:23,680 church is now starting to grow once again in our time and in 20 00:01:23,680 --> 00:01:27,680 our day and, and, and particularly amongst young men 21 00:01:28,080 --> 00:01:31,920 where there's been a 5 fold increase in church attendance. 22 00:01:32,680 --> 00:01:35,880 Another study revealed openness like never before in our 23 00:01:35,880 --> 00:01:38,280 lifetime. Do you know the study showed 24 00:01:38,280 --> 00:01:43,080 that three out of four uni age students would come to church if 25 00:01:43,120 --> 00:01:47,600 only they were invited. Can I tell you what we're 26 00:01:47,600 --> 00:01:51,120 seeing? We are seeing a cloud. 27 00:01:51,600 --> 00:01:53,680 Amen. We are seeing a cloud. 28 00:01:53,880 --> 00:01:57,880 God is moving and now is the time. 29 00:01:59,320 --> 00:02:03,480 You know, I played that video at Versa Hemel in our last service 30 00:02:03,480 --> 00:02:07,880 before summer. And little did I know that in in 31 00:02:07,880 --> 00:02:10,919 pre service prayer, as our as our team meet before the service 32 00:02:10,919 --> 00:02:17,480 to pray, the wonderful Steve Borland legend had a he had a 33 00:02:17,480 --> 00:02:18,960 picture that he didn't quite understand. 34 00:02:19,680 --> 00:02:23,360 So this is before the service. He sees a picture of a blue sky 35 00:02:24,560 --> 00:02:27,800 and then all of a sudden it's filled with clouds. 36 00:02:28,080 --> 00:02:30,840 He had no idea what it meant. And then he saw this video. 37 00:02:30,840 --> 00:02:35,280 Let let me tell you this right? We're in a season of change and 38 00:02:35,280 --> 00:02:39,440 God is being very clear. I believe it's time to get ready 39 00:02:39,440 --> 00:02:42,120 for rain. Yeah. 40 00:02:42,560 --> 00:02:45,000 And yeah. Amen. 41 00:02:45,160 --> 00:02:48,400 Amen. And and Speaking of Speaking of 42 00:02:48,400 --> 00:02:53,840 change, can I just honour Mark and Steph and family? 43 00:02:54,160 --> 00:02:56,080 What a wonderful couple they are. 44 00:02:56,080 --> 00:02:58,120 That's just wonderful in so many ways. 45 00:02:58,120 --> 00:03:02,040 And Mark, I must say, I, I often joke just because we're going to 46 00:03:02,040 --> 00:03:05,280 miss you so much, you know, and, and I, and I want to say, you 47 00:03:05,280 --> 00:03:07,680 know, we shouldn't take for granted the quality of preaching 48 00:03:08,000 --> 00:03:10,960 that, that, that we've been privileged to receive. 49 00:03:11,800 --> 00:03:13,520 I've actually learned a lot from Mark. 50 00:03:13,920 --> 00:03:18,560 You may hear some Mark phrases in my talk today. 51 00:03:18,840 --> 00:03:20,200 I hope you all brought your bingo cards. 52 00:03:22,000 --> 00:03:24,200 So what I really want to do for the next hour and a half? 53 00:03:26,240 --> 00:03:35,920 Lock the doors. What I what I want to do is get 54 00:03:35,920 --> 00:03:38,640 us ready for rain. So I hope you've all brought 55 00:03:38,640 --> 00:03:40,640 your umbrellas or or at least your Bibles. 56 00:03:41,360 --> 00:03:45,000 And if you have your Bible, can I invite you to turn to John 57 00:03:45,240 --> 00:03:48,160 chapter 21. We're going to be in verse 19. 58 00:03:48,320 --> 00:03:53,680 Sorry, 15 to 19, but but while you're turning there, let me 59 00:03:53,680 --> 00:03:56,680 just give you the, the, the previously, previously on the 60 00:03:56,680 --> 00:04:02,280 Bible. So it's the Last Supper and 61 00:04:02,280 --> 00:04:04,960 Jesus has told his disciples, I'm going to be betrayed. 62 00:04:04,960 --> 00:04:07,080 I'm going to be crucified and you're all going to fall away. 63 00:04:07,080 --> 00:04:08,880 You're going to be scattered like sheep. 64 00:04:10,040 --> 00:04:11,760 And good old Peter, we love Peter. 65 00:04:12,680 --> 00:04:15,600 He pipes up and says, though they all fall away because of 66 00:04:15,600 --> 00:04:20,399 you, I, I will never fall away. And Jesus is like, yeah, no, you 67 00:04:20,399 --> 00:04:21,519 will. You're actually going to deny me 68 00:04:21,519 --> 00:04:24,600 three times before morning. Peter's like never. 69 00:04:24,600 --> 00:04:28,200 I'll die for you. Anyway, next scene, Peter denies 70 00:04:28,240 --> 00:04:30,920 Jesus three times and then the rooster crows. 71 00:04:31,560 --> 00:04:34,840 And so he flees in tears. Jesus is crucified. 72 00:04:35,160 --> 00:04:38,360 And I hope you all know, by the way, Jesus didn't stay dead, but 73 00:04:38,840 --> 00:04:43,400 he rose from the dead. He's alive today, Hallelujah. 74 00:04:44,080 --> 00:04:45,640 And he appeared to the disciples. 75 00:04:45,640 --> 00:04:48,200 He appears to them again. And then here we see this 76 00:04:48,200 --> 00:04:51,760 beautiful conversation that he has with Peter. 77 00:04:52,080 --> 00:04:56,120 So John chapter 21 from verse 15, it says when they'd finished 78 00:04:56,120 --> 00:05:01,320 breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, Simon son of John, do you 79 00:05:01,320 --> 00:05:05,160 love me more than these? He said to him, yes, Lord, you 80 00:05:05,160 --> 00:05:09,400 know that I love you. He said to him, feed my lambs. 81 00:05:10,360 --> 00:05:13,600 He said to him a second time, Simon son of John, do you love 82 00:05:13,600 --> 00:05:16,240 me? He said to him, yes, Lord, you 83 00:05:16,240 --> 00:05:20,000 know that I love you. He said to him, tend my sheep. 84 00:05:21,360 --> 00:05:24,880 He said to him the third time, Simon, son of John, do you love 85 00:05:24,880 --> 00:05:28,120 me? Peter was grieved because he 86 00:05:28,120 --> 00:05:29,880 said to him a third time, Do you love me? 87 00:05:30,560 --> 00:05:34,480 And he said to him, Lord, you know everything, and you know 88 00:05:34,480 --> 00:05:37,720 that I love you. Jesus said to him, Feed my 89 00:05:37,720 --> 00:05:39,760 sheep. Truly, truly. 90 00:05:39,760 --> 00:05:43,720 I say to you, when you were young you used to dress yourself 91 00:05:43,760 --> 00:05:47,240 and walk wherever you wanted, but when you are old you will 92 00:05:47,240 --> 00:05:50,600 stretch out your hands and another will dress you and carry 93 00:05:50,600 --> 00:05:54,000 you where you do not want to go. This he said to show by what 94 00:05:54,000 --> 00:05:56,480 kind of death he was to glorify God. 95 00:05:57,240 --> 00:06:01,160 And after saying this he said to him, follow me. 96 00:06:02,760 --> 00:06:06,960 This is a beautiful moment. You know, Peter denied Jesus 97 00:06:06,960 --> 00:06:09,560 three times. And here Jesus gives Peter the 98 00:06:09,560 --> 00:06:14,360 opportunity to, to, to affirm and declare his love for Jesus 99 00:06:14,360 --> 00:06:17,200 three times. And within this passage, I 100 00:06:17,200 --> 00:06:20,920 believe there are three invitations that Jesus offers to 101 00:06:20,920 --> 00:06:25,680 Peter, and I believe he's offering to us today in 102 00:06:25,680 --> 00:06:30,200 readiness for the coming Rain Church. 103 00:06:30,200 --> 00:06:34,840 I believe now is the time to draw near to the Lord, to go 104 00:06:34,840 --> 00:06:38,160 deeper with him and be a devoted people. 105 00:06:39,200 --> 00:06:43,400 Now is the time to draw near to each other, to press in and 106 00:06:43,400 --> 00:06:48,400 press on together as family. And now is the time to step out 107 00:06:48,560 --> 00:06:52,920 in faith to really chase after the Lord with everything we 108 00:06:52,920 --> 00:06:56,040 have. So that's our map for today. 109 00:06:56,040 --> 00:06:57,600 So let's start draw near to the Lords. 110 00:06:57,600 --> 00:07:01,440 That's the first invitation. You know, Jesus asks Peter, do 111 00:07:01,440 --> 00:07:06,600 you love me? Jesus isn't needy or insecure, 112 00:07:06,800 --> 00:07:08,240 by the way. That's not what he's asking. 113 00:07:08,760 --> 00:07:11,880 It's an invitation. OK, All right. 114 00:07:11,880 --> 00:07:17,240 I remember when, way back when T and I were teenagers and we were 115 00:07:17,240 --> 00:07:20,880 texting. We were on the chirps, all 116 00:07:20,880 --> 00:07:21,960 right? That's what we were. 117 00:07:22,320 --> 00:07:28,000 That's what we were doing. And then and then on the chip, 118 00:07:28,520 --> 00:07:30,000 we were, we were, we were in that stage. 119 00:07:30,000 --> 00:07:31,000 You guys know what I'm talking about. 120 00:07:31,000 --> 00:07:32,080 You guys know. You guys know. 121 00:07:32,280 --> 00:07:35,360 And then we had and then the time came for us to have that 122 00:07:35,360 --> 00:07:37,160 conversation. You know, the one that's like, 123 00:07:37,600 --> 00:07:39,520 oh, I like you. Do you? 124 00:07:39,560 --> 00:07:42,400 Do you like me? And by the way, there's some of 125 00:07:42,400 --> 00:07:44,240 you today. You're here with a friend. 126 00:07:44,640 --> 00:07:47,320 This is your cue. All right, after the service, 127 00:07:47,760 --> 00:07:52,240 after that, you're welcome. But there's this excitement, 128 00:07:52,240 --> 00:07:54,720 isn't there? Like maybe she does like me, You 129 00:07:54,720 --> 00:07:57,880 know, like I, I really want her to like me because. 130 00:07:58,240 --> 00:07:59,880 Because then we can have a relationship. 131 00:08:00,360 --> 00:08:03,000 Oh, you know, it's, it's like, you know, when you're in the 132 00:08:03,000 --> 00:08:05,360 playground, you can't really do this as an adult or it's not as 133 00:08:05,360 --> 00:08:06,920 effective. You know, when you're in the 134 00:08:06,920 --> 00:08:09,480 playground, you go, you go up to somebody, you say, hey, will you 135 00:08:09,480 --> 00:08:11,720 be my friend? You can't be my best friend 136 00:08:11,720 --> 00:08:12,680 because Richard's my best friend. 137 00:08:12,680 --> 00:08:16,720 But you know, but you want them to say yes, right. 138 00:08:17,000 --> 00:08:18,560 You want a friendship, You want a relationship. 139 00:08:18,760 --> 00:08:21,240 And Jesus wants a relationship with Peter. 140 00:08:21,920 --> 00:08:24,400 Do you know Jesus wants a relationship with you? 141 00:08:25,160 --> 00:08:29,400 You know, he's inviting you to go deeper with him. 142 00:08:29,560 --> 00:08:34,000 And look, look, in this moment, peace is carrying shame. 143 00:08:34,640 --> 00:08:38,520 You know, he let Jesus down. Shame can so often be a barrier 144 00:08:38,880 --> 00:08:42,360 to relationship. And do you notice Jesus says, do 145 00:08:42,360 --> 00:08:47,720 you love me more than these? You know, Remember, Remember, 146 00:08:47,720 --> 00:08:50,240 you know, peace and shame isn't just that he denied Jesus, but 147 00:08:50,240 --> 00:08:53,200 it's that he broke a promise. He said those though, they all 148 00:08:53,200 --> 00:08:55,600 fall away. I will never like, you know, the 149 00:08:55,600 --> 00:08:57,880 disciples, the other disciples, they don't love you as much as I 150 00:08:57,880 --> 00:08:59,200 do. I love you more than they do. 151 00:09:01,440 --> 00:09:03,600 And hey, look, that's that in itself is not a bad thing to 152 00:09:03,600 --> 00:09:06,720 say, right? That's a, you know, I love you. 153 00:09:06,880 --> 00:09:09,320 Great. Here's the thing. 154 00:09:09,840 --> 00:09:11,680 You know, you can say all the right things. 155 00:09:12,400 --> 00:09:16,520 You can turn up to church week in, week out wearing this mask 156 00:09:16,800 --> 00:09:18,160 so that everyone thinks you're brilliant. 157 00:09:20,000 --> 00:09:22,800 Jesus sees through it. You know, he's not after your 158 00:09:22,800 --> 00:09:27,840 words, He's after your heart. I love how Alexander McLaren, 159 00:09:28,040 --> 00:09:30,040 who's the Scottish Baptist minister, puts this. 160 00:09:30,480 --> 00:09:34,360 He says Jesus Christ asks each one of us, not for obedience, 161 00:09:34,360 --> 00:09:39,320 primarily not for repentance, not for vows, not for conduct, 162 00:09:40,000 --> 00:09:45,120 but for a heart and that being given, the rest will follow. 163 00:09:45,120 --> 00:09:48,480 You know, Jesus doesn't say, hey, will you feed my lambs, 164 00:09:48,480 --> 00:09:49,680 Peter? Oh, great. 165 00:09:49,680 --> 00:09:53,600 Well then love me, you know, the prerequisite or it starts with 166 00:09:53,600 --> 00:09:55,600 the prerequisite is do you love me? 167 00:09:57,360 --> 00:10:02,200 You know it starts with the hearts, the rest follow. 168 00:10:02,200 --> 00:10:07,160 Hey, who remembers this? You know, before we're called to 169 00:10:07,160 --> 00:10:13,280 something, we're called to some and the call to do comes after 170 00:10:13,280 --> 00:10:15,680 the call to yes. There you go. 171 00:10:16,840 --> 00:10:18,080 Take that off you bingo card as well. 172 00:10:19,240 --> 00:10:22,680 Look, our first and primary call is to be close to Jesus. 173 00:10:23,600 --> 00:10:26,920 But we see just before Peter denies Jesus, we can find it in 174 00:10:26,920 --> 00:10:32,920 Luke 22 and in verse 54 it says Peter was following at a 175 00:10:32,920 --> 00:10:38,360 distance. Can I ask, are you following at 176 00:10:38,360 --> 00:10:42,600 a distance this morning? You know, I get it looks 177 00:10:43,160 --> 00:10:45,960 sometimes life is really tough. We can experience 178 00:10:45,960 --> 00:10:49,760 disappointment, but our proximity to Jesus matters. 179 00:10:52,280 --> 00:10:54,200 And Mark challenged us last week. 180 00:10:54,360 --> 00:10:57,320 One of the things that hit me hard was he said, you know, when 181 00:10:57,320 --> 00:10:59,760 did I stop praying? You know, like, like, like the 182 00:10:59,840 --> 00:11:02,200 the being in his presence prayers, they're just sitting 183 00:11:02,200 --> 00:11:04,360 with him. Maybe that's the question you 184 00:11:04,360 --> 00:11:06,480 need to hear again. It woke me up when I heard it. 185 00:11:07,040 --> 00:11:12,280 You know, we can get so busy and we can turn God into a cosmic 186 00:11:12,280 --> 00:11:13,760 vending machine. Love it. 187 00:11:14,400 --> 00:11:18,000 Thank you pastor. I think everyone who's preaching 188 00:11:18,000 --> 00:11:23,120 our summer series has touched on something specific that can that 189 00:11:23,120 --> 00:11:26,680 can so easily cause distance between US and Jesus. 190 00:11:27,280 --> 00:11:29,400 So re watch all of them. But the one I want to talk about 191 00:11:29,680 --> 00:11:33,000 that we see in Peter here is fear of man. 192 00:11:34,320 --> 00:11:37,160 You know what happens if people find out I follow Jesus? 193 00:11:38,560 --> 00:11:46,120 You know, here's the thing, when you truly, truly love someone, 194 00:11:46,800 --> 00:11:49,760 it trounces fear of man. OK, I'm going to give you a 195 00:11:49,760 --> 00:11:55,000 light hearted example, OK? My wife is beautiful. 196 00:11:55,000 --> 00:11:57,520 She's very sparkly. One of the things she loves to 197 00:11:57,520 --> 00:12:01,680 do is put glitter on her face. I'm a very manly man. 198 00:12:02,240 --> 00:12:04,480 I like steak, football and Jason Statham movies. 199 00:12:05,000 --> 00:12:08,440 All right, The thoughts of glitter on my face is 200 00:12:08,440 --> 00:12:12,400 horrifying, let alone any of the lads seeing glitter on my face. 201 00:12:13,680 --> 00:12:17,040 And yeah, at our wedding with all the everyone, even work 202 00:12:17,040 --> 00:12:21,560 colleagues gathered around knowing how much it would light 203 00:12:21,560 --> 00:12:24,120 up her little face. Guys, I did it. 204 00:12:24,440 --> 00:12:26,000 I did it. And I know what you're all 205 00:12:26,000 --> 00:12:27,480 thinking. Oh, let's see a photo. 206 00:12:27,520 --> 00:12:30,360 There are none. I've deleted all the photos. 207 00:12:30,720 --> 00:12:43,520 There are none that great. Thank you, honey. 1 John 418 208 00:12:43,520 --> 00:12:45,560 says perfect love casts out fear. 209 00:12:45,560 --> 00:12:48,800 Look, when we truly love someone, it trounces fear. 210 00:12:51,560 --> 00:12:54,280 Are there any areas in your life where you live in fear of man, 211 00:12:55,400 --> 00:12:57,800 where you're terrified of talking to that person about 212 00:12:57,800 --> 00:13:00,040 Jesus? I encourage you. 213 00:13:00,240 --> 00:13:04,680 It's not about working hard to overcome fear, but it's about 214 00:13:04,920 --> 00:13:07,720 deepening your relationship with Jesus. 215 00:13:09,560 --> 00:13:14,440 You know Jesus knew Peter would deny him and he still chose 216 00:13:14,440 --> 00:13:17,880 relationship with Him. You know, I think sometimes we 217 00:13:17,880 --> 00:13:21,440 disqualify ourselves from being near Him because of our greatest 218 00:13:21,440 --> 00:13:24,000 failures. But you know your your place in 219 00:13:24,000 --> 00:13:27,000 his presence was never something you earned, never something you 220 00:13:27,000 --> 00:13:30,920 qualified for. It was Jesus purchasing you on 221 00:13:30,920 --> 00:13:35,000 the cross, paying the price for your sin, and giving you a 222 00:13:35,000 --> 00:13:38,760 position of righteousness. He has done it all for you and 223 00:13:38,760 --> 00:13:40,280 he wants a relationship with you. 224 00:13:40,560 --> 00:13:46,240 He's inviting you to go deeper. Now is the time to draw near to 225 00:13:46,240 --> 00:13:49,000 Jesus. Do you love me? 226 00:13:49,200 --> 00:13:54,480 He says, Then tend my sheep. You know, we are his sheep. 227 00:13:55,040 --> 00:13:58,320 And Jesus is telling Peter and I believe, telling us that, you 228 00:13:58,320 --> 00:14:00,400 know, we need to tend to one another. 229 00:14:00,600 --> 00:14:03,920 So now is the time to draw near to Jesus, but now is also the 230 00:14:03,920 --> 00:14:12,000 time to draw near to each other. Hebrews 10/24 to 25 says and let 231 00:14:12,000 --> 00:14:15,280 us consider how to stir one another up for to love and good 232 00:14:15,280 --> 00:14:18,800 works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of 233 00:14:18,800 --> 00:14:23,440 sun, but encouraging one another all the more as you see the days 234 00:14:23,440 --> 00:14:26,120 you're in there. OK, this is a bit wrong, a 235 00:14:26,120 --> 00:14:29,800 little bit controversial. So that you see about some, you 236 00:14:29,800 --> 00:14:31,320 know, in recent years, there have been some wonderful, 237 00:14:31,320 --> 00:14:35,160 wonderful books that have come out all about like our rhythms 238 00:14:35,160 --> 00:14:38,200 of life and, and essentially how to like declutter, avoid 239 00:14:38,200 --> 00:14:39,960 burnout, all that kind of great stuff. 240 00:14:39,960 --> 00:14:41,320 And they're wonderful, wonderful books. 241 00:14:41,520 --> 00:14:43,480 But here's what I think we've done with them at times. 242 00:14:43,480 --> 00:14:47,520 All right, I think we've gone, oh man, my life is so cluttered 243 00:14:47,920 --> 00:14:50,760 and busy. I need to make more room for me. 244 00:14:51,560 --> 00:14:54,840 And so we we say, no, it's the stuff that maybe we perhaps said 245 00:14:54,840 --> 00:14:57,560 yesterday before and hey, look, that's healthy most of the time. 246 00:14:59,000 --> 00:15:00,160 But I think we've missed the point. 247 00:15:00,960 --> 00:15:03,680 I think the point is, well, I think, and I think what those 248 00:15:03,680 --> 00:15:06,880 books are saying is, hey, my life is so busy and cluttered. 249 00:15:07,400 --> 00:15:10,880 I need to make more room for Jesus in my life. 250 00:15:11,520 --> 00:15:13,200 Yeah. Is that OK? 251 00:15:15,400 --> 00:15:19,080 You know, because I look at I look at this verse and I see, 252 00:15:19,080 --> 00:15:23,200 look, I see the day drawing near and that the rights of Hebrews 253 00:15:23,200 --> 00:15:26,520 doesn't say, you know, meet together if your diary's free as 254 00:15:26,520 --> 00:15:29,080 long as it's not inconvenient as you see the day drawing near. 255 00:15:29,160 --> 00:15:33,960 No, he says all the more as you see the day drawing near. 256 00:15:35,400 --> 00:15:37,320 OK, I'm going, I'm going in now you ready? 257 00:15:38,400 --> 00:15:39,840 Can I be honest? Sometimes I think it's a 258 00:15:39,840 --> 00:15:43,520 question of priority. You know, we T and I have used 259 00:15:43,520 --> 00:15:46,440 this phrase in Hemel. We say keep Sunday sacred. 260 00:15:47,400 --> 00:15:53,080 And by the way, what I mean by that is, you know, set aside 261 00:15:53,560 --> 00:15:56,760 this time like Sunday mornings to meet with other believers, to 262 00:15:56,760 --> 00:15:59,360 meet with with family. You know, if you're scheduling 263 00:15:59,360 --> 00:16:02,360 in life stuff, do it around Sunday mornings. 264 00:16:02,640 --> 00:16:05,520 Like, like don't treat this as a calendar entry that can be 265 00:16:05,520 --> 00:16:10,200 skipped or moved, you know, and, and by the way, let me just be 266 00:16:10,200 --> 00:16:11,520 clear. I'm not saying we can't go on 267 00:16:11,520 --> 00:16:12,720 holidays. We love holidays. 268 00:16:12,720 --> 00:16:14,160 I'm not saying that. I'm not saying we can't on 269 00:16:14,160 --> 00:16:18,240 occasion miss out, right? Let's not get in the cage of 270 00:16:18,240 --> 00:16:21,720 religion with this. But what I am saying, you know, 271 00:16:22,360 --> 00:16:27,160 is, is let's place a high priority on being together. 272 00:16:28,520 --> 00:16:31,720 You know why? Because even in a place as big 273 00:16:31,720 --> 00:16:33,520 as this, it matters if you're here or not. 274 00:16:34,440 --> 00:16:36,040 Why? Why does it matter? 275 00:16:36,040 --> 00:16:41,040 Well, as the writer of Hebrews puts it, you know, to stir each 276 00:16:41,040 --> 00:16:43,480 other up and encourage one another, you know, you need to 277 00:16:43,480 --> 00:16:46,840 be stirred up and encouraged and I need you to do the same to me. 278 00:16:50,560 --> 00:16:53,400 You know, we are so privileged across all our sites, right? 279 00:16:53,600 --> 00:16:56,400 We have a space at the end of the service where you can have, 280 00:16:56,520 --> 00:16:59,360 you have the opportunity for a loving brother or sister to 281 00:17:00,280 --> 00:17:02,840 stand with you, lay hand and pray. 282 00:17:05,560 --> 00:17:07,800 Pete Hughes, lead pastor at KFC, he says this. 283 00:17:07,800 --> 00:17:11,359 He says at least at least once a month. 284 00:17:12,240 --> 00:17:15,720 You should be receiving prayer on a Sunday morning at least 285 00:17:15,720 --> 00:17:19,200 once a month. You know, and another Mark 286 00:17:19,200 --> 00:17:20,599 praise. He often says, you know, at the 287 00:17:20,599 --> 00:17:22,520 end of the service, we'll share our words and knowledge and 288 00:17:22,520 --> 00:17:25,000 he'll say it's not a lottery. If your number's not been 289 00:17:25,000 --> 00:17:26,560 called, you can still receive prayer. 290 00:17:27,280 --> 00:17:29,920 He's not just saying that to be funny, although he is a very 291 00:17:29,920 --> 00:17:32,640 funny man. But he's saying that because we 292 00:17:32,640 --> 00:17:35,680 need prayer, right? Like we need prayer. 293 00:17:37,160 --> 00:17:40,280 Pete Hughes. So, so once a month, receiving 294 00:17:40,280 --> 00:17:42,720 prayer on a Sunday morning. Pete Hughes also says at least 295 00:17:42,840 --> 00:17:47,120 once a week, at least once a week, you should have another 296 00:17:47,120 --> 00:17:49,920 brother or sister in Christ lay a hand on you and pray that 297 00:17:49,920 --> 00:17:53,800 prayer come Holy Spirit at least once a week. 298 00:17:55,680 --> 00:17:56,840 And now that could be at the bus stop. 299 00:17:56,840 --> 00:17:59,320 That could be at work or at home. 300 00:17:59,400 --> 00:18:02,240 It could be in a Verso group. And hey, can I just say like, if 301 00:18:02,240 --> 00:18:04,640 you're not in a Verso group, do it. 302 00:18:05,000 --> 00:18:06,880 Find a group. There are so many in different 303 00:18:07,040 --> 00:18:09,640 places in and they run in different ways on different 304 00:18:09,640 --> 00:18:11,640 times and different days. That rhymes. 305 00:18:11,720 --> 00:18:15,960 That's cool. It's so important. 306 00:18:15,960 --> 00:18:18,560 Groups of stone balls. It's where we do life together. 307 00:18:19,560 --> 00:18:23,240 You know, Why am I? Why am I banging on about all of 308 00:18:23,240 --> 00:18:26,320 this? Look, Jesus instructs pizza to 309 00:18:26,320 --> 00:18:29,400 tend to his sheep. And I believe that now is the 310 00:18:29,400 --> 00:18:33,200 time to draw near to each other, to press in and press on 311 00:18:33,240 --> 00:18:36,840 together as one body. Like we need to be actively 312 00:18:36,880 --> 00:18:40,280 holding one another up, encouraging one another even 313 00:18:40,280 --> 00:18:42,360 more as we see the day approaching. 314 00:18:42,360 --> 00:18:43,560 And who sees the day approaching? 315 00:18:44,040 --> 00:18:49,120 Yeah. OK, finally, now is the time to 316 00:18:49,120 --> 00:18:52,000 step out in faith. Jesus asked Peter, do you love 317 00:18:52,000 --> 00:18:53,880 me a third time? And Peter says, do you know I 318 00:18:53,880 --> 00:18:56,040 love you? And now Jesus changes his 319 00:18:56,040 --> 00:18:59,440 response slightly. And ultimately he says, follow 320 00:18:59,440 --> 00:19:00,760 me. Yeah. 321 00:19:01,760 --> 00:19:05,080 And to follow Jesus means to live a life in which we 322 00:19:05,080 --> 00:19:09,240 regularly step out in faith. And how do we spell faith in the 323 00:19:09,240 --> 00:19:15,280 vineyard? Anyone know RISK RASK is how we 324 00:19:15,280 --> 00:19:17,720 spell faith in the vineyard. Look, I love the summer series 325 00:19:17,720 --> 00:19:19,920 because, you know, all these speakers come up and we are free 326 00:19:19,920 --> 00:19:22,400 range to speak about whatever and genuinely we do. 327 00:19:23,600 --> 00:19:26,720 But have you noticed God always weaves like a single thread 328 00:19:27,240 --> 00:19:31,160 through all the all the preachers and I think this year 329 00:19:31,280 --> 00:19:35,280 is this. It's an invitation to lay down 330 00:19:35,320 --> 00:19:39,600 comfort, you know, so he talks about getting comfortable with 331 00:19:39,600 --> 00:19:42,280 being uncomfortable. And Jenna said this is 332 00:19:42,280 --> 00:19:43,640 brilliant. Jenna said this in the first 333 00:19:43,640 --> 00:19:47,280 week of summer when we seek after comfort as a priority, 334 00:19:47,640 --> 00:19:51,000 we're going to seek that first, even above saying yes to God. 335 00:19:51,840 --> 00:19:54,920 And that means we end up pursuing control over surrender. 336 00:19:55,240 --> 00:19:58,560 It says, God, I'll follow you as long as it doesn't cost me too 337 00:19:58,560 --> 00:20:01,640 much. Comfort can easily become an 338 00:20:01,640 --> 00:20:04,120 idol. We should just watch Jenna's 339 00:20:04,120 --> 00:20:07,560 preach again, shouldn't we? You know and. 340 00:20:08,320 --> 00:20:11,920 In Luke 22, back to that passage where he's about to deny Jesus, 341 00:20:11,960 --> 00:20:15,000 he's following at a distance. And then in verse 55, it says, 342 00:20:15,000 --> 00:20:19,800 and when they kindled a fire in the middle of the court and sat 343 00:20:19,800 --> 00:20:21,800 down together, Peter sat among them. 344 00:20:22,800 --> 00:20:26,600 And in this moment, he chooses not only the the to be following 345 00:20:26,600 --> 00:20:29,360 at a distance, but now he he moves towards comfort. 346 00:20:29,840 --> 00:20:35,800 He chooses comfort over Jesus and you know, and then, you 347 00:20:35,800 --> 00:20:38,120 know, in our in our John passage, we flip forward and 348 00:20:38,120 --> 00:20:41,080 Jesus is is talking to him. And now he says, when you're 349 00:20:41,080 --> 00:20:43,240 old, you will stretch out your hands. 350 00:20:43,480 --> 00:20:45,840 Another will dress you and carry you where you do not want to go. 351 00:20:45,840 --> 00:20:50,440 In other words, you're going to be crucified for me one day. 352 00:20:51,560 --> 00:20:53,800 And that's about as far from comfort as it gets, right. 353 00:20:55,120 --> 00:21:00,600 But I know which version of Peter I would rather be, you 354 00:21:00,600 --> 00:21:03,240 know, there's a there's a cool and invitation for us to 355 00:21:03,240 --> 00:21:06,400 surrender our comfort in this new season and brace the cool of 356 00:21:06,400 --> 00:21:10,560 God in our lives and offer a reinvigorated yes to the Lord 357 00:21:10,640 --> 00:21:13,720 again and again as we move into this new season. 358 00:21:15,280 --> 00:21:18,040 So what might that look like? I'm going to be really 359 00:21:18,040 --> 00:21:20,440 predictable now because I am a Hemel site pastor, right? 360 00:21:20,440 --> 00:21:24,320 I'm going to talk about Hemel. Hey, look, we're moving into a 361 00:21:24,320 --> 00:21:26,160 new venue on the 21st of September. 362 00:21:26,160 --> 00:21:31,160 Hallelujah. You know, and, and there's three 363 00:21:31,160 --> 00:21:32,280 reasons. I'm going to tell you why I'm 364 00:21:32,280 --> 00:21:37,040 particularly excited, OK? Reason #1 the space is bigger. 365 00:21:37,400 --> 00:21:39,560 Come on, there's more chairs. OK. 366 00:21:39,560 --> 00:21:42,320 Yeah, yeah, yeah. And I, and I, I, I don't think 367 00:21:42,320 --> 00:21:44,360 it's an accident. I think the Lord is readying us 368 00:21:44,360 --> 00:21:48,760 for a season of growth. Secondly, the building we're 369 00:21:48,760 --> 00:21:50,640 we're in is right next to the football pitch. 370 00:21:50,920 --> 00:21:53,320 And that football pitch on a Sunday morning is full of kids 371 00:21:53,320 --> 00:21:55,880 and their parents. And I believe God is asking us 372 00:21:55,880 --> 00:21:57,360 to love and engage with them, right? 373 00:21:57,680 --> 00:21:59,240 So we're going to invite them in for coffee. 374 00:21:59,360 --> 00:22:01,080 We're going to chat to them. We're going to pray with them. 375 00:22:01,160 --> 00:22:02,600 All right? We're going to, we're going to 376 00:22:02,600 --> 00:22:03,840 make them. We're, they're not going to, 377 00:22:03,840 --> 00:22:05,360 they're not going to be able to run away from us. 378 00:22:05,800 --> 00:22:08,280 We're going to make them know that they are welcome, wanted 379 00:22:08,400 --> 00:22:10,960 and loved and that there is a, there is a heavenly Father who 380 00:22:10,960 --> 00:22:14,280 wants their hearts. OK, reason #3 where I'm really 381 00:22:14,280 --> 00:22:20,280 excited. Reason #3 there's two monthly 382 00:22:20,280 --> 00:22:22,480 activities we're going to start investing in every month. 383 00:22:22,480 --> 00:22:27,000 OK, activity number one, right? We've been captivated by our 384 00:22:27,000 --> 00:22:30,120 missions framework. And, and thank you, Claire, for, 385 00:22:30,120 --> 00:22:31,600 for, for leading us through that. 386 00:22:31,880 --> 00:22:35,600 And, and so we're going to do on the second Sunday of the month, 387 00:22:36,240 --> 00:22:38,280 we're going to do after the service what we're calling Love 388 00:22:38,280 --> 00:22:40,880 Your Street Sunday in which we're going to go into town, 389 00:22:41,120 --> 00:22:42,440 right? And we're going to, it might be, 390 00:22:42,440 --> 00:22:44,520 we do a prayer walk. It might be that we're in town. 391 00:22:44,520 --> 00:22:46,960 We're praying for people. You know, it could be it, you 392 00:22:46,960 --> 00:22:49,080 know what, whatever that looks, it could be a little pick, 393 00:22:49,080 --> 00:22:50,200 right? Whatever that looks like, we're 394 00:22:50,200 --> 00:22:53,600 going to do local mission at least once a month, OK. 395 00:22:53,600 --> 00:22:56,360 And then on 4th Sundays, we're going to do a bring and share 396 00:22:56,360 --> 00:22:57,800 lunch. All right, we're going to eat 397 00:22:57,800 --> 00:22:59,040 together. We're going to have relational 398 00:22:59,040 --> 00:23:00,640 time together. We're going to draw near to each 399 00:23:00,640 --> 00:23:03,800 other. I'm excited. 400 00:23:04,560 --> 00:23:07,680 And look, I could our, our our team could just stay at home on 401 00:23:07,680 --> 00:23:11,640 a Sunday morning, put their feet up, you know, do literally 402 00:23:11,640 --> 00:23:13,560 anything else. But they choose faithfulness 403 00:23:13,800 --> 00:23:17,880 over comfort week in, week out. So I just want to say to Allah, 404 00:23:17,880 --> 00:23:19,520 and there's some in the room. So I just want to say to Allah, 405 00:23:19,520 --> 00:23:21,400 Hemel team, we so appreciate you guys. 406 00:23:21,680 --> 00:23:25,360 You know, thank you so, so much. Yeah, yeah. 407 00:23:28,800 --> 00:23:31,600 And, and I know it's not just guys in Hemel. 408 00:23:31,600 --> 00:23:34,800 Like there are so many in this room that serve faithfully and 409 00:23:34,800 --> 00:23:37,600 sacrificially. And you are so, so appreciated. 410 00:23:38,000 --> 00:23:39,600 And here's the most predictable twist. 411 00:23:39,960 --> 00:23:44,560 OK, you're invited too. All right, You know, T and I 412 00:23:44,560 --> 00:23:47,800 have run the numbers and look, if we're going to extend our 413 00:23:47,800 --> 00:23:50,760 reach, we need, we need to grow. We need, we need more help. 414 00:23:51,520 --> 00:23:54,480 And listen, I'm so excited by what God is going to do in this 415 00:23:54,480 --> 00:23:55,960 chapter. Whether you live in Hemel or 416 00:23:55,960 --> 00:24:01,600 not, you are invited to join us. So there's some specific areas 417 00:24:01,600 --> 00:24:03,480 and, and, and you'll see refreshments, right? 418 00:24:03,480 --> 00:24:05,840 Like just just making coffees and chatting to people is the is 419 00:24:05,840 --> 00:24:08,960 the area of need. But here's the ask, right? 420 00:24:09,480 --> 00:24:12,560 Could you spare 2 hours a month, like 2 hours a month? 421 00:24:12,560 --> 00:24:15,720 That equates so, so the 720 hours in a month and we're 422 00:24:15,720 --> 00:24:20,040 asking for two and two hours a month equates to 24 hours or one 423 00:24:20,040 --> 00:24:22,240 day in a year. All right? 424 00:24:22,680 --> 00:24:25,640 It's not in that context, it doesn't sound like much, right? 425 00:24:25,640 --> 00:24:29,680 But I believe God will multiply whatever it is you give him. 426 00:24:30,400 --> 00:24:33,000 And, and, and let me just say, right, like I'm talking about 427 00:24:33,000 --> 00:24:35,000 Hemel because I'm Hemel site pastor. 428 00:24:35,360 --> 00:24:38,800 But we have so many places to serve in this church across all 429 00:24:38,800 --> 00:24:41,600 of our sites, you know, and we have places to serve in, in 430 00:24:41,600 --> 00:24:45,560 Verso care or, or, or, you know, or, or, or on Sunday mornings. 431 00:24:45,760 --> 00:24:51,000 And the reason why we have places to serve, Jesus says to 432 00:24:51,000 --> 00:24:54,400 Peter, follow me. And that means engaging with 433 00:24:54,400 --> 00:24:59,120 what the Lord is doing in our time and in our land, you know. 434 00:24:59,800 --> 00:25:02,680 So follow him here on Sundays through the week. 435 00:25:02,680 --> 00:25:06,760 Follow him in your workplace, follow him in your town, in your 436 00:25:06,880 --> 00:25:12,880 in your neighborhood. You know, I've been so inspired 437 00:25:12,880 --> 00:25:14,440 by all the stories from Love Your Street. 438 00:25:14,440 --> 00:25:16,720 Wasn't it amazing just to hear those stories? 439 00:25:17,040 --> 00:25:20,720 Guys, let's be a Church of stories. 440 00:25:21,120 --> 00:25:23,000 Can I say that? Can I say that loud enough? 441 00:25:23,160 --> 00:25:26,080 Let's be a Church of stories. Let's not let those stories dry 442 00:25:26,080 --> 00:25:28,520 up. Like come on, like like, like 443 00:25:28,520 --> 00:25:31,360 just in the week. Don't stop, don't stop. 444 00:25:33,200 --> 00:25:35,880 You know, in hell. Actually, each week before I 445 00:25:35,880 --> 00:25:39,040 preach, which we're trying to get into the habit of sharing a 446 00:25:39,040 --> 00:25:43,800 story from the week not and by the way, we're not celebrating 447 00:25:43,800 --> 00:25:46,320 the outcome necessarily, though the outcome might be worthy of 448 00:25:46,320 --> 00:25:49,200 celebration. But what we're celebrating is a 449 00:25:49,200 --> 00:25:53,680 brother or sister stepping out in faith, taking a risk for 450 00:25:53,720 --> 00:25:59,760 Jesus Church. Now is the time to step out in 451 00:25:59,760 --> 00:26:04,600 faith to really chase after the Lord with everything we have. 452 00:26:06,840 --> 00:26:09,320 All right, let's bring this plane into land. 453 00:26:12,680 --> 00:26:14,160 Guys, we're in a season of change. 454 00:26:14,160 --> 00:26:19,120 This is a significant moment, both for this house, but also 455 00:26:19,120 --> 00:26:21,720 for what God is doing in our lands and in our time. 456 00:26:21,880 --> 00:26:26,520 And don't miss the significance of this moment, guys. 457 00:26:26,520 --> 00:26:32,360 Don't miss the invitation. Now is the time to draw near to 458 00:26:32,400 --> 00:26:36,120 each other and to draw near to the Lord, to go deeper with Him 459 00:26:36,240 --> 00:26:39,520 and be a devoted people. Now is the time to draw near to 460 00:26:39,520 --> 00:26:43,440 each other, to press in and press on together as family. 461 00:26:44,240 --> 00:26:47,960 Now is the time to step out in faith to really chase after the 462 00:26:47,960 --> 00:26:52,120 Lord with everything we have. You know, maybe for you it's 463 00:26:52,360 --> 00:26:55,720 time to take this discipleship thing seriously and make it the 464 00:26:55,720 --> 00:27:00,800 highest priority in your life. You know, in the Book of 465 00:27:01,000 --> 00:27:05,040 Revelation, Jesus tells the Church of Laodicea, you, you're 466 00:27:05,040 --> 00:27:07,520 lukewarm. I'll spit you out of my mouth, 467 00:27:07,520 --> 00:27:10,200 you're lukewarm. And let me just be clear, I'm 468 00:27:10,200 --> 00:27:11,960 not saying we're lukewarm, far from it. 469 00:27:12,680 --> 00:27:17,080 But you know, it's so, so easy for that fire to grow cold if 470 00:27:17,080 --> 00:27:19,320 we're not intentional about stocking it. 471 00:27:21,880 --> 00:27:23,960 And look, maybe you feel you're so far from this. 472 00:27:23,960 --> 00:27:27,160 I don't want you to feel, you know, this isn't about shame or 473 00:27:27,160 --> 00:27:28,680 guilt. You know, that's just a barrier. 474 00:27:29,080 --> 00:27:32,800 Because in the same passage in Revelation 320, Jesus says, 475 00:27:33,000 --> 00:27:35,800 behold, I stand at the door and knock. 476 00:27:35,920 --> 00:27:41,240 If anyone, if anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will 477 00:27:41,240 --> 00:27:44,800 come into him and eat with him and he with me. 478 00:27:45,760 --> 00:27:48,440 Guys, Jesus wants your heart. He wants relationship with you. 479 00:27:48,440 --> 00:27:52,120 He wants to do this with you. And if you feel Jesus knocking 480 00:27:52,280 --> 00:27:57,320 on the door of your heart this morning, open it, make a 481 00:27:57,320 --> 00:27:59,920 decision, open it. Don't wait. 482 00:28:00,760 --> 00:28:05,280 Today is the day of salvation. Today is the day of redemption. 483 00:28:05,600 --> 00:28:08,280 Jesus wants your heart. Don't miss the moment, don't 484 00:28:08,280 --> 00:28:10,520 miss the invitation. Guys, why don't we stand?