1 00:00:01,200 --> 00:00:04,300 We Are One church. We love God love. 2 00:00:04,300 --> 00:00:07,100 People love his mission and love his church. 3 00:00:07,500 --> 00:00:09,700 Welcome to the one Church podcast. 4 00:00:15,700 --> 00:00:18,100 Hello. I'm Chris and welcome to the one 5 00:00:18,100 --> 00:00:20,700 Church podcast. It's great to have you with us 6 00:00:20,700 --> 00:00:25,300 today. Psalm 138 verse 8 says, the Lord 7 00:00:25,300 --> 00:00:29,500 will work out his plans for my life, whatever you are facing at 8 00:00:29,508 --> 00:00:32,200 the moment, whether it's a difficult situation, or a tough 9 00:00:32,200 --> 00:00:34,200 decision. Something that has led to 10 00:00:34,200 --> 00:00:37,400 disappointment, be encouraged today that the Lord will work 11 00:00:37,400 --> 00:00:41,100 out his plans for your life. Not that he might but that he 12 00:00:41,100 --> 00:00:44,100 will. Father, thank you that you will 13 00:00:44,100 --> 00:00:47,100 work out your plans for our lives and I pray for everyone 14 00:00:47,100 --> 00:00:50,200 listening there, whatever they may be facing, they would be 15 00:00:50,200 --> 00:00:53,100 able to stand on that truth. Amen. 16 00:00:53,900 --> 00:00:56,500 This week, we are continuing our series all about being a 17 00:00:56,500 --> 00:00:58,300 Pioneer. People with a message from 18 00:00:58,300 --> 00:01:02,000 Philippa recorded on the 15th of January at are owed. 19 00:01:02,000 --> 00:01:11,300 Be site, enjoy tight-lipped. The messages Pioneers see the 20 00:01:11,300 --> 00:01:15,600 possibilities. When you look at an object or a 21 00:01:15,600 --> 00:01:20,900 place or a situation, can you easily see the potential of what 22 00:01:20,900 --> 00:01:24,200 it can be? I love how some children with a 23 00:01:24,208 --> 00:01:27,800 vivid imagination, if they're given a cardboard box, they 24 00:01:27,800 --> 00:01:32,600 don't simply see a cardboard box, they might see a rocket 25 00:01:32,600 --> 00:01:34,800 ship. Ready to take them and explore 26 00:01:34,800 --> 00:01:37,700 new galaxies. They might see a bus ready to 27 00:01:37,700 --> 00:01:41,100 pick up Travelers and going on an adventure together or perhaps 28 00:01:41,100 --> 00:01:43,900 a pirate ship. Ready to Sail and conquer the 29 00:01:43,900 --> 00:01:48,800 seven seas, and find hidden treasure, sometimes children, 30 00:01:48,800 --> 00:01:52,600 find it easy to see the possibilities of certain things. 31 00:01:53,300 --> 00:01:57,200 I have a slight personal character flaw, just the one and 32 00:01:57,400 --> 00:02:03,000 I love sitting down looking around a room and thinking of 33 00:02:03,000 --> 00:02:07,700 the possible ways in, which you can rearrange the furniture in 34 00:02:07,700 --> 00:02:11,000 that room to make. Best use of the space. 35 00:02:11,000 --> 00:02:12,900 Or I think, I friendly, I move that chair. 36 00:02:13,100 --> 00:02:14,900 Had an over. This would be amazing. 37 00:02:15,400 --> 00:02:18,400 I just love to scan the room only in my own house. 38 00:02:18,400 --> 00:02:20,100 Can I say? So if you ever invite me to your 39 00:02:20,100 --> 00:02:22,600 house, I'm not sitting there thinking you could arrange this 40 00:02:22,600 --> 00:02:27,900 furniture better and certain people in my house, find my love 41 00:02:27,900 --> 00:02:30,900 of moving things, around a little frustrating, I don't know 42 00:02:30,900 --> 00:02:34,600 why. And so I've realized that if I 43 00:02:34,600 --> 00:02:38,400 want to see the amazing possibilities and potential 44 00:02:38,400 --> 00:02:42,800 realized I have to move things around myself. 45 00:02:43,000 --> 00:02:47,900 When certain people are not in the house, how heavy can a two 46 00:02:47,900 --> 00:02:51,200 seater sofa? Really be quite is the answer. 47 00:02:51,800 --> 00:02:55,500 How hard can it be to switch around the direction, our Super 48 00:02:55,500 --> 00:02:58,800 King bed faces? Well, when there isn't enough 49 00:02:58,800 --> 00:03:01,600 turning space in the rooms, you have to take it apart and 50 00:03:01,600 --> 00:03:03,600 rebuild it. It's really hard. 51 00:03:03,900 --> 00:03:07,200 How about moving bunk beds from one room to another. 52 00:03:07,200 --> 00:03:11,400 Surely that is easy on your own. Well, let's just say the moment 53 00:03:11,400 --> 00:03:15,300 that I found myself lying on Bottom bunk well holding up the 54 00:03:15,300 --> 00:03:19,100 top button with my legs and doing the final Allen key. 55 00:03:19,600 --> 00:03:24,200 I realized it was a big mistake. I love seeing the possibilities 56 00:03:24,200 --> 00:03:28,100 and visualizing them. I wonder, do you find it easy to 57 00:03:28,100 --> 00:03:30,300 see the possibilities of something? 58 00:03:30,300 --> 00:03:33,800 Or are you one, who prefers to see it in practice and then, you 59 00:03:33,800 --> 00:03:36,500 can really understand how it's going. 60 00:03:37,000 --> 00:03:40,300 I was so incredibly proud of our kids and youth teams. 61 00:03:40,300 --> 00:03:44,100 This week, all of our midweek groups of move, Left to frog 62 00:03:44,100 --> 00:03:46,300 Island. Number 12, and we're having our 63 00:03:46,300 --> 00:03:49,600 kids groups, our young people's groups, our seniors. 64 00:03:49,600 --> 00:03:53,300 Everything is taking place there, and I love the fact that 65 00:03:53,300 --> 00:03:57,300 five weeks ago, this room that we use for Planet shakers that 66 00:03:57,300 --> 00:04:00,600 are together services and it's used for other things, five 67 00:04:00,600 --> 00:04:03,300 weeks ago. It was a mishmash of sofas. 68 00:04:03,400 --> 00:04:07,000 There are many different sofas, there were two fridges, neither 69 00:04:07,000 --> 00:04:10,500 of them were, there were lots of other random Furniture in there. 70 00:04:10,500 --> 00:04:14,700 And I love that our team and our He has walked into this space 71 00:04:14,700 --> 00:04:17,700 and they saw the possibility of something amazing. 72 00:04:17,700 --> 00:04:20,800 I love that that's encouraging. And I love the fact that our 73 00:04:21,000 --> 00:04:24,200 teams are making space are making the most spaces. 74 00:04:24,200 --> 00:04:26,600 Why? Because we want to turn things 75 00:04:26,600 --> 00:04:30,800 into a venue where people feel welcomed where young people want 76 00:04:30,800 --> 00:04:33,500 to be, where people can meet with their friends have time to 77 00:04:33,500 --> 00:04:38,000 grow and also meet with God and grow in their relationship with 78 00:04:38,000 --> 00:04:40,300 God's together. I was just so encouraged by the 79 00:04:40,300 --> 00:04:43,200 can-do mentality of our church. Church. 80 00:04:43,800 --> 00:04:47,500 The first thing is this seeing possibilities which Pioneers can 81 00:04:47,500 --> 00:04:50,200 do Pioneers. See the possibilities seeing 82 00:04:50,200 --> 00:04:56,200 possibilities comes from hearing the promises before Moses died. 83 00:04:56,200 --> 00:05:01,100 He climbed up Mount Nebo and God showed him the land that his 84 00:05:01,100 --> 00:05:03,700 people were going to inherit Moses. 85 00:05:03,700 --> 00:05:06,800 Himself, never got to go into this Promised Land, but God 86 00:05:06,800 --> 00:05:11,000 showed him. The possibilities of what could 87 00:05:11,000 --> 00:05:14,000 be. Moses received a promise. 88 00:05:14,200 --> 00:05:18,000 I will give this land to your descendants just as I promised 89 00:05:18,000 --> 00:05:24,200 to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. When he looked around the land, 90 00:05:24,400 --> 00:05:27,600 I wonder what pictures came to his Mind's Eye. 91 00:05:28,700 --> 00:05:30,800 Alarm. That would be given to his 92 00:05:30,800 --> 00:05:35,000 people, a land that the people could call their own. 93 00:05:35,400 --> 00:05:39,000 A Land of blessing that provided above and beyond for God's 94 00:05:39,000 --> 00:05:41,300 people. And when he looked over at the 95 00:05:41,300 --> 00:05:44,900 land, what were people doing? What were the possibilities? 96 00:05:45,400 --> 00:05:49,500 Did he see pictures of people Gathering Together, making 97 00:05:49,500 --> 00:05:53,000 places of worship for God and place has to offer sacrifices. 98 00:05:53,700 --> 00:05:57,100 Did he picture cities where families could live in safety 99 00:05:57,100 --> 00:05:59,700 and community? And Space where parents could 100 00:05:59,700 --> 00:06:02,500 pass on their faith to the Next Generation? 101 00:06:03,100 --> 00:06:06,600 Did he see a permanent place? Where people could put down 102 00:06:06,600 --> 00:06:11,400 Roots plant seeds and be there to see the Harvest when he heard 103 00:06:11,400 --> 00:06:15,000 the promise, what possibilities did he see? 104 00:06:16,300 --> 00:06:21,400 Joshua was also given this same promise in Joshua 1, we read it 105 00:06:21,400 --> 00:06:24,100 says this. Now then this is God talking to 106 00:06:24,100 --> 00:06:28,300 Joshua you and all these people get ready to cross the Jordan 107 00:06:28,300 --> 00:06:31,700 River into the land. I'm about, to give them to the 108 00:06:31,700 --> 00:06:35,100 Israelites. I will give you every place 109 00:06:35,400 --> 00:06:40,200 where you set your foot. As I promised Moses Joshua 110 00:06:40,200 --> 00:06:44,600 received this promise, I will give you this land. 111 00:06:44,600 --> 00:06:48,200 I will give you everything. Every place where you set your 112 00:06:48,200 --> 00:06:51,600 foot. And so when Joshua finds himself 113 00:06:51,700 --> 00:06:56,300 a river, when Joshua finds himself faced with a giant 114 00:06:56,300 --> 00:07:00,500 walled City, Joshua remembers the promise that he has been 115 00:07:00,500 --> 00:07:04,400 given and he sees the possibilities, he doesn't just 116 00:07:04,400 --> 00:07:08,600 see a raging River, but he sees the possibilities of a miracle 117 00:07:08,800 --> 00:07:11,900 that God is going to enable them to cross the river. 118 00:07:12,300 --> 00:07:15,600 He doesn't just see a walled City and tremble in fear. 119 00:07:16,000 --> 00:07:20,300 He remembers the promise that God said, I will give you every 120 00:07:20,300 --> 00:07:23,500 place that you set your foot. And so he thinks of the 121 00:07:23,500 --> 00:07:27,800 possibilities that this land could be ours. 122 00:07:28,400 --> 00:07:32,800 When we hear the promise, it enables us to see and dream, and 123 00:07:32,800 --> 00:07:36,100 look ahead and imagine the possibilities. 124 00:07:36,800 --> 00:07:40,600 How about for it has one Church? Well, a promise that God gave us 125 00:07:40,600 --> 00:07:45,000 15 years ago, was this from Isaiah 54 and large the place of 126 00:07:45,000 --> 00:07:47,300 your tent. Stretch your curtains. 127 00:07:47,300 --> 00:07:51,600 Hence why do not hold back? Lengthen your cords, strengthen 128 00:07:51,600 --> 00:07:55,900 your Stakes for you will spread out to the right and the left 129 00:07:55,900 --> 00:07:58,800 your descendants will dispossess Nations and settle in their 130 00:07:58,800 --> 00:08:02,400 desolate cities. So do not be afraid, you will 131 00:08:02,400 --> 00:08:06,200 not be put to shame. Do not fear disgrace, you will 132 00:08:06,200 --> 00:08:11,300 not be humiliated. I promise of stretching out of 133 00:08:11,300 --> 00:08:15,700 enlarging of spreading to the East and to the West. 134 00:08:16,000 --> 00:08:18,500 And so we begin to see possibilities. 135 00:08:18,900 --> 00:08:22,800 We don't just think of locations and meeting rooms in a school 136 00:08:22,800 --> 00:08:26,600 here, or and Music Cafe there. Instead, we think of the 137 00:08:26,600 --> 00:08:31,100 possibilities of taking the good news of Jesus into different 138 00:08:31,100 --> 00:08:35,600 communities of empowering people in leadership of believing for 139 00:08:35,600 --> 00:08:39,799 light to shine in these parts of our cities where we meet whole 140 00:08:39,799 --> 00:08:43,400 neighborhoods and streets and areas to be blessed, and 141 00:08:43,400 --> 00:08:48,200 impacted by the love of Jesus. We hear the promise to enlarge 142 00:08:48,200 --> 00:08:52,200 and stretch out and we see the possibilities of people finding 143 00:08:52,200 --> 00:08:58,600 Jesus of Salvation popping up in all these areas of our city, we 144 00:08:58,600 --> 00:09:01,500 heard the promise and we see the possibilities of just what God 145 00:09:01,500 --> 00:09:04,200 might do. And then through a miraculous 146 00:09:04,200 --> 00:09:07,300 move of God is divine marriage between Trinity Life Church and 147 00:09:07,300 --> 00:09:10,500 All Nations Church joining together to become one church 148 00:09:10,500 --> 00:09:12,100 and sharing everything that we have. 149 00:09:12,100 --> 00:09:16,600 We receive another promise Genesis 26 verse 22. 150 00:09:17,000 --> 00:09:23,400 The Lord has given us room and we will flourish in the land. 151 00:09:24,400 --> 00:09:28,100 And again, we begin to see possibilities that come from 152 00:09:28,100 --> 00:09:31,700 this promise, not just a building and a great central 153 00:09:31,700 --> 00:09:34,600 location with lots of parking and a space to work. 154 00:09:34,600 --> 00:09:38,300 But the possibilities to flourish essential 155 00:09:38,300 --> 00:09:42,000 administrative center from which we can prepare and train and 156 00:09:42,000 --> 00:09:44,200 outwork. The plan that God has for us in 157 00:09:44,200 --> 00:09:47,900 our whole city. Place to Resource and outwork 158 00:09:47,900 --> 00:09:52,600 our multi-site vision. At building an amazing building 159 00:09:52,600 --> 00:09:56,900 that has space for us to gather together to worship together to 160 00:09:56,900 --> 00:10:01,500 be inspired and encouraged and built up together so that we can 161 00:10:01,500 --> 00:10:05,000 then be sent back out into our sites but also into our world 162 00:10:05,000 --> 00:10:07,800 and the places that we are called to influence. 163 00:10:08,700 --> 00:10:13,600 We've been given a promise and so together we will be pioneers 164 00:10:13,600 --> 00:10:17,800 and see the possibilities. We are dreaming big together 165 00:10:17,800 --> 00:10:22,400 because we are excited. And expectant of all that God is 166 00:10:22,400 --> 00:10:27,000 going to do promises help us see possibilities. 167 00:10:27,000 --> 00:10:28,900 And can I encourage his church on? 168 00:10:28,900 --> 00:10:32,300 We think about the next six months and our building project 169 00:10:32,300 --> 00:10:34,400 that's happening. Think this is not just a 170 00:10:34,400 --> 00:10:37,200 building. We've been given a promise. 171 00:10:37,500 --> 00:10:40,900 I have given you room, you will flourish in the land. 172 00:10:40,900 --> 00:10:44,000 And so we're going to see the possibilities of just what God 173 00:10:44,200 --> 00:10:48,900 might do in our city. How about hearing One Church? 174 00:10:48,900 --> 00:10:51,600 OB. The promise that came from God, 175 00:10:51,600 --> 00:10:56,100 that everywhere we go, we will have enough people provisions 176 00:10:56,300 --> 00:10:59,200 and premises. And so when Richard snout 177 00:10:59,200 --> 00:11:01,700 reached in Sioux, who used to be the site pastor's here, when 178 00:11:01,700 --> 00:11:05,200 Richard and David came to look around this building because 179 00:11:05,200 --> 00:11:08,300 that was a promise, they knew from God, that they would have 180 00:11:08,300 --> 00:11:11,300 everything they needed. When they look around this room, 181 00:11:11,300 --> 00:11:14,700 they don't just see a whole, they don't just see a great 182 00:11:14,700 --> 00:11:16,800 storage cupboard that we could put stuff in. 183 00:11:17,100 --> 00:11:21,600 But See a room a gathering space ready to welcome people into 184 00:11:21,600 --> 00:11:24,000 find Jesus. They see breakout rooms where 185 00:11:24,000 --> 00:11:27,100 children can Thrive and make friendships and have fun. 186 00:11:27,400 --> 00:11:30,600 And see that church is an exciting place to come. 187 00:11:30,800 --> 00:11:34,200 They see a great and Library where momentum can happen a 188 00:11:34,200 --> 00:11:38,600 space for our teenagers. When we hear the promise, we see 189 00:11:38,600 --> 00:11:41,000 the possibilities. It's exciting. 190 00:11:41,000 --> 00:11:44,700 And and I'm so excited to see what God does here in this 191 00:11:44,700 --> 00:11:50,600 building in this next season. What about has personally when 192 00:11:50,600 --> 00:11:55,800 we hear and receive promises, we begin to see possibilities 193 00:11:56,400 --> 00:12:00,200 Adventures. To be had ground to be claimed 194 00:12:00,200 --> 00:12:04,300 families to love people to reach, workplace has to be 195 00:12:04,300 --> 00:12:06,800 changed. What Promises of we receive 196 00:12:06,800 --> 00:12:11,300 personally, here might be a few, we've been promised life in all 197 00:12:11,300 --> 00:12:14,200 its fullness and so we can think of the possibilities of this 198 00:12:14,200 --> 00:12:17,300 exciting life, we've been promised amazing. 199 00:12:17,400 --> 00:12:21,000 Plans that won't harm us but there were prosperous and give 200 00:12:21,000 --> 00:12:25,000 us a hope and a future surround. We think ahead, we hear the 201 00:12:25,000 --> 00:12:30,700 promise and we think, wow? What could those plans be How 202 00:12:30,700 --> 00:12:33,600 about the promise that we will see the goodness of God, in the 203 00:12:33,608 --> 00:12:36,500 land of the living? We remember that promise. 204 00:12:36,500 --> 00:12:38,800 So that when we go through trials, when we go through 205 00:12:38,800 --> 00:12:41,600 times, that are hard circumstances that we don't 206 00:12:41,600 --> 00:12:45,100 understand, we remember God, you've promised that I will see 207 00:12:45,100 --> 00:12:49,100 your goodness in this land. We see the possibilities of what 208 00:12:49,100 --> 00:12:52,800 that goodness could be the promise for our boundary lines 209 00:12:52,800 --> 00:12:55,600 to fall in Pleasant places. What are the promises? 210 00:12:55,900 --> 00:12:58,600 Do you have? And when you hear them, when you 211 00:12:58,600 --> 00:13:02,600 remind yourself of them, can you open your eyes and see the 212 00:13:02,600 --> 00:13:06,200 possibilities of what just could be? 213 00:13:07,700 --> 00:13:12,600 Pioneers can see possibilities when they hear the promises. 214 00:13:14,000 --> 00:13:17,300 But how about achieving those possibilities, sometimes they 215 00:13:17,300 --> 00:13:20,800 seem a bit crazy. Well, achieving the 216 00:13:20,808 --> 00:13:24,800 possibilities comes from following his presence. 217 00:13:25,800 --> 00:13:30,700 Possibilities can seem daunting and unattainable especially when 218 00:13:30,700 --> 00:13:33,100 we're talking about doing new things, which I guess is the 219 00:13:33,100 --> 00:13:37,100 definition of being a Pioneer, taking new ground stepping out 220 00:13:37,100 --> 00:13:40,500 in new ways. Well, let's go back to our story 221 00:13:40,700 --> 00:13:45,000 with Joshua. A promise has been given you 222 00:13:45,000 --> 00:13:50,400 will inherit this land, but this land happens to be found on the 223 00:13:50,400 --> 00:13:54,100 other side of the river Jordan, which is not just a river. 224 00:13:54,100 --> 00:13:56,300 It's actually a river in flood. Season. 225 00:13:56,600 --> 00:14:00,700 It is a raging River. Stretching far, how are they 226 00:14:00,700 --> 00:14:03,500 going to cross? God, you've promised this, but 227 00:14:03,500 --> 00:14:08,900 how's that going to happen? Well, we read in Joshua 3, verse 228 00:14:08,900 --> 00:14:13,500 1, this happens. Early in the morning, Joshua and 229 00:14:13,500 --> 00:14:16,900 all the Israelites set out from shittim and went to the Jordan 230 00:14:16,900 --> 00:14:20,700 where they can't before crossing over after three days, the 231 00:14:20,700 --> 00:14:23,100 officers went throughout the camp, giving orders to the 232 00:14:23,100 --> 00:14:26,500 people. When you see the Ark of the 233 00:14:26,500 --> 00:14:29,900 Covenant of the Lord, your God and the levitical priests 234 00:14:29,900 --> 00:14:34,700 carrying it, you are to move out from your positions and follow 235 00:14:34,700 --> 00:14:37,600 it. Then you will know which way to 236 00:14:37,600 --> 00:14:41,100 go since you have never been this way. 237 00:14:41,300 --> 00:14:45,400 Before to achieve the possibilities of the promise. 238 00:14:45,700 --> 00:14:49,100 We have to follow the presence. The Israelites followed the Ark 239 00:14:49,100 --> 00:14:53,000 of the Covenant, the very presence of God we got to follow 240 00:14:53,300 --> 00:14:55,300 Jesus. When we when we don't know where 241 00:14:55,300 --> 00:14:57,400 we're going, we see Jesus movement. 242 00:14:57,400 --> 00:15:02,100 So we decide to follow then you will know which way to go. 243 00:15:02,300 --> 00:15:05,900 Since you have never been this way before. 244 00:15:07,000 --> 00:15:10,300 To step out into possibilities. We follow Jesus. 245 00:15:11,100 --> 00:15:15,000 We listen to the prompting and the steering of the Holy Spirit, 246 00:15:15,200 --> 00:15:20,100 we follow, since we have not gone this way before, You know, 247 00:15:20,100 --> 00:15:24,100 as a church, we tried and tried different methods to buy a 248 00:15:24,100 --> 00:15:27,200 building over the years and God never let them happen. 249 00:15:27,200 --> 00:15:30,700 So, what did we do? We continued to follow. 250 00:15:30,900 --> 00:15:34,700 God, we stay close to him. We followed him and went into 251 00:15:34,700 --> 00:15:37,200 all these areas of Leicester that he has called us to do. 252 00:15:37,200 --> 00:15:41,000 And the many more that he will call as into, we loved and 253 00:15:41,000 --> 00:15:43,800 prioritize the poor because that's what God loves, God loves 254 00:15:43,800 --> 00:15:47,300 the poor and the marginalized. And so, we did that they became 255 00:15:47,300 --> 00:15:49,400 part of our heart. We invest. 256 00:15:49,600 --> 00:15:52,800 In an amazing Compassion, Center to serve the needs of our city 257 00:15:52,800 --> 00:15:57,400 all the time by lowing God. So that when a Divine moment 258 00:15:57,400 --> 00:16:01,400 came about because we were following, God, we didn't miss 259 00:16:01,400 --> 00:16:04,200 it because we were following him. 260 00:16:04,600 --> 00:16:08,800 We heard we felt prompted to go meet with these people at all 261 00:16:08,800 --> 00:16:14,200 nations and begin a journey together because our eyes were 262 00:16:14,200 --> 00:16:18,900 fixed on Jesus. Perhaps you're wondering how 263 00:16:18,900 --> 00:16:21,800 even this new change is going to happen with all these people? 264 00:16:21,800 --> 00:16:24,000 Coming well where are they going to fit? 265 00:16:24,000 --> 00:16:27,900 Am I going to be forgotten about well what a be more important 266 00:16:27,900 --> 00:16:29,400 than me? What happens if they don't know 267 00:16:29,400 --> 00:16:31,300 my name and I can't remember their name? 268 00:16:31,600 --> 00:16:34,500 I know that feeling when you try so hard to remember someone's 269 00:16:34,500 --> 00:16:36,900 name and it just goes from your mind. 270 00:16:36,900 --> 00:16:38,700 How are we going to do all this God? 271 00:16:39,500 --> 00:16:43,700 We follow Jesus. We keep our eyes fixed on him. 272 00:16:44,200 --> 00:16:47,500 And for his person, they gotta I feel you're calling me to step 273 00:16:47,500 --> 00:16:51,000 out but I don't know how God I know you've called me to a 274 00:16:51,000 --> 00:16:53,700 position of influence but I've got no idea how I'm going to do 275 00:16:53,700 --> 00:16:56,100 that. God, where do you want me to go 276 00:16:56,100 --> 00:17:01,400 and how will I get there? We follow Jesus closely, then 277 00:17:01,400 --> 00:17:05,099 you will know the way to go since you have not been this way 278 00:17:05,099 --> 00:17:07,800 before to achieve the possibilities. 279 00:17:07,800 --> 00:17:12,200 We follow Jesus, believing the possibilities. 280 00:17:12,200 --> 00:17:17,400 Comes from remembering the big Stones I Of reading passages in 281 00:17:17,400 --> 00:17:20,099 the Bible and discovering something new for the first 282 00:17:20,099 --> 00:17:22,200 time. Perhaps there's a passage that 283 00:17:22,200 --> 00:17:25,099 you've read and read over again and and just one moment when 284 00:17:25,099 --> 00:17:27,500 you're reading it, something just pops out to you. 285 00:17:28,500 --> 00:17:32,800 I had that experience recently In this passage see you in 286 00:17:32,800 --> 00:17:36,800 Joshua 3, we read the time when they're Israelites crossed over 287 00:17:36,800 --> 00:17:38,900 the river. Jordan what happens is the 288 00:17:38,900 --> 00:17:40,900 priests. They step into the river, 289 00:17:40,900 --> 00:17:44,600 they're holding the Ark of the Covenant and God stops the river 290 00:17:44,600 --> 00:17:48,300 flowing Upstream. Dream until the riverbed is dry 291 00:17:48,300 --> 00:17:50,400 and they can pass through safely. 292 00:17:51,000 --> 00:17:53,500 It's a miracle. They've crossed the river. 293 00:17:53,900 --> 00:17:57,500 And then God asked Joshua, to do something that I've never 294 00:17:57,500 --> 00:18:00,700 actually noticed before, but it's this Joshua chapter 4. 295 00:18:02,400 --> 00:18:06,200 When the whole nation and finish crossing the Jordan, the Lord 296 00:18:06,200 --> 00:18:10,600 said to Joshua choose 12 men from among the people, one from 297 00:18:10,600 --> 00:18:14,300 each tribe, and tell them to take up 12 Stones from the 298 00:18:14,300 --> 00:18:18,300 middle of the Jordan from right, where the priests are standing 299 00:18:18,600 --> 00:18:21,800 and carry them over with you and put them down at the place where 300 00:18:21,800 --> 00:18:25,300 you stay tonight. So Joshua did this, and he said 301 00:18:25,300 --> 00:18:28,500 them, go over before the Ark of the Lord, your God into the 302 00:18:28,508 --> 00:18:30,900 middle of the Jordan. Each of you is to take up a 303 00:18:30,908 --> 00:18:33,600 stone on his shoulder. A Orange the number of tribes of 304 00:18:33,600 --> 00:18:37,500 Israel and to serve as a sign in the future. 305 00:18:37,900 --> 00:18:41,900 When your children ask you, what do these Stones mean? 306 00:18:42,200 --> 00:18:45,500 Tell them that the flow of the Jordan was cut off before the 307 00:18:45,500 --> 00:18:49,200 Ark of the Covenant of the Lord and when it crossed the Waters 308 00:18:49,200 --> 00:18:52,700 of the Jordan were cut off. These stones are to be a 309 00:18:52,708 --> 00:18:55,900 memorial to the people of Israel forever. 310 00:18:58,800 --> 00:19:03,800 To believe the possibilities to even think that it could be. 311 00:19:04,100 --> 00:19:08,900 We remember the big Stones. We remember what God has done 312 00:19:09,200 --> 00:19:11,900 before. If I had studied geography for 313 00:19:11,900 --> 00:19:15,000 longer than a year at University, I probably could 314 00:19:15,000 --> 00:19:19,000 tell you why the big Stones were in the middle, I didn't have got 315 00:19:19,000 --> 00:19:22,800 no idea, but these big Stones were found in the middle of the 316 00:19:22,800 --> 00:19:28,100 river, and the only way to have an altar that was built out of 317 00:19:28,100 --> 00:19:31,000 these. Big Stones was to have got them 318 00:19:31,000 --> 00:19:35,000 from the middle of the river. It would only have been possible 319 00:19:35,000 --> 00:19:38,800 if the water had been stopped. That was the only way to get 320 00:19:38,800 --> 00:19:41,700 them. And so the Israelites they bring 321 00:19:41,700 --> 00:19:44,300 these big stones out, they build a memorial. 322 00:19:44,600 --> 00:19:50,200 Why so that when your future Generations ask you what is that 323 00:19:50,600 --> 00:19:56,300 you can tell them Believing the possibilities that just might be 324 00:19:56,300 --> 00:20:00,500 from the promises that we've heard made easier, when we look 325 00:20:00,600 --> 00:20:05,600 at the big Stones. Wow, God's done that before he 326 00:20:05,600 --> 00:20:07,500 can do it again. I love that. 327 00:20:07,500 --> 00:20:11,000 We were just singing about the same God when we think about 328 00:20:11,000 --> 00:20:15,600 what's possible, we remember God, you defeated Giants, you 329 00:20:15,600 --> 00:20:19,400 can do it again. God you favored, the lowly, you 330 00:20:19,400 --> 00:20:23,000 can do it again. God you Delivered. 331 00:20:23,000 --> 00:20:26,000 You can do it again in the future Generations. 332 00:20:26,000 --> 00:20:28,700 When the Israelites were facing trouble, they looked at this 333 00:20:28,700 --> 00:20:34,700 Memorial and they saw God, you stopped the flow of the River. 334 00:20:34,700 --> 00:20:38,700 Jordan to allow your people to cross safely and inherit the 335 00:20:38,700 --> 00:20:42,100 land. You can do it again. 336 00:20:43,100 --> 00:20:44,800 Let's remember what God has already done. 337 00:20:44,800 --> 00:20:48,600 Let's thank him and it member, it gives us confidence for the 338 00:20:48,600 --> 00:20:51,100 future that he can do it again for me. 339 00:20:51,100 --> 00:20:53,400 Personally, I've I've been healed once when I was a 340 00:20:53,408 --> 00:20:57,200 teenager there for, I know that the God who was restored my 341 00:20:57,200 --> 00:21:01,200 strength before will restore my strength once again. 342 00:21:01,800 --> 00:21:05,600 What about you? What are your big stones that 343 00:21:05,800 --> 00:21:09,300 you can build as a memorial to help you remember? 344 00:21:09,300 --> 00:21:13,400 And believe that the possibilities just might come to 345 00:21:13,400 --> 00:21:18,300 pass? Reaching the possibilities means 346 00:21:18,500 --> 00:21:21,400 ignoring the phrase. Is it worth it? 347 00:21:22,300 --> 00:21:25,700 It's always worth it. Have you ever done something 348 00:21:25,700 --> 00:21:29,200 that doesn't feel completely worth it all necessary and you 349 00:21:29,200 --> 00:21:31,900 just saved yourself? Why did I even bother? 350 00:21:33,100 --> 00:21:37,000 A few years ago, we were on a trip to Belton house. 351 00:21:37,000 --> 00:21:42,000 It's a lovely National Trust property in the in Grantham in 352 00:21:42,000 --> 00:21:44,900 the middle of nowhere. It takes an hour to get to from 353 00:21:44,900 --> 00:21:48,300 Lester and Tom and I have been there a few times with the girls 354 00:21:48,300 --> 00:21:52,500 and we've loved it and we decided it would be an amazing 355 00:21:52,500 --> 00:21:56,300 place to run a trip for our little ones families. 356 00:21:56,600 --> 00:21:59,500 So are in our stay and play group, the children are their 357 00:21:59,500 --> 00:22:02,100 parents and carers thought, wow, wouldn't it be wonderful to 358 00:22:02,100 --> 00:22:05,200 bring NG families out of Leicester, especially some of 359 00:22:05,200 --> 00:22:07,100 those who wouldn't normally get a chance to leave. 360 00:22:07,100 --> 00:22:10,000 Lester as much to bring them out, of Leicester, and 361 00:22:10,000 --> 00:22:13,200 experience. This wonderful beautiful period 362 00:22:13,200 --> 00:22:16,000 property. I think the best player in there 363 00:22:16,000 --> 00:22:18,900 is actually in England, I could probably say it's gonna be a 364 00:22:18,900 --> 00:22:21,700 great trip. I have, to be honest, take it 365 00:22:21,700 --> 00:22:25,700 was very slow, very, very slow. In fact, I think we actually 366 00:22:25,700 --> 00:22:29,600 even bribed some of our church families that had lots of kids. 367 00:22:29,900 --> 00:22:32,300 If they would just come and please sit on the couch to fill 368 00:22:32,300 --> 00:22:36,600 up the Because no one wanted to come and when we arrived with 369 00:22:36,600 --> 00:22:41,100 our half-full coach Matt who's our children's worker said to 370 00:22:41,100 --> 00:22:44,200 Tom and I this very amazing phrase. 371 00:22:44,200 --> 00:22:47,300 He said, have you guys heard of happy Park? 372 00:22:48,300 --> 00:22:50,700 Yes, Matt. We've heard of a be part that we 373 00:22:50,700 --> 00:22:53,300 thought people would want to come to Belton house. 374 00:22:53,300 --> 00:22:57,200 It's a wonderful day and I remember Tom and I we we were 375 00:22:57,200 --> 00:23:00,700 trying to be so enthusiastic about this trip. 376 00:23:00,700 --> 00:23:02,600 Come on everybody. Let's go. 377 00:23:02,800 --> 00:23:06,700 And do amazing and people are waiting for the one toilet that 378 00:23:06,700 --> 00:23:09,100 was so far away from the playground. 379 00:23:10,000 --> 00:23:13,000 I just, we just came back and we thought that was not worth it. 380 00:23:13,600 --> 00:23:17,000 I felt completely unnecessary. And yes, we were able to bless 381 00:23:17,000 --> 00:23:20,500 some families, but for the years afterwards, we felt like it was 382 00:23:20,500 --> 00:23:23,700 an awful decision, a loss maker, a bad idea and never again. 383 00:23:24,500 --> 00:23:27,200 The Israelites in Jericho will go back to the story in a minute 384 00:23:27,200 --> 00:23:31,000 when the Israelites had crossed over the river Jordan. 385 00:23:31,000 --> 00:23:34,700 The first place they came to was Jericho a city with fortified 386 00:23:34,700 --> 00:23:40,300 walls and so, because the promise was, you will inherit 387 00:23:40,300 --> 00:23:42,500 every bit of land where you set your foot. 388 00:23:42,500 --> 00:23:46,600 The Israelites knew this was a possibility, this city could be 389 00:23:46,600 --> 00:23:49,400 defeated, and it could be become our land. 390 00:23:49,400 --> 00:23:54,000 It could be become ours, but the thing is, since the Israelites 391 00:23:54,000 --> 00:23:58,300 crossed the Jordan, all the kings of the area. 392 00:23:58,300 --> 00:24:02,800 It says this in Joshua 5 verse 1, their hearts melted in fear, 393 00:24:02,800 --> 00:24:05,700 and they no longer had courage to face the Israelites. 394 00:24:06,000 --> 00:24:10,200 Therefore, in Joshua 6, the gates of Jericho was securely 395 00:24:10,200 --> 00:24:13,200 barred because of the Israelites, no one went in and 396 00:24:13,200 --> 00:24:16,800 no one came out and I have to ask myself, what is it really 397 00:24:16,800 --> 00:24:19,100 worth it? The people of Jericho were 398 00:24:19,100 --> 00:24:21,400 afraid. They weren't going to attack the 399 00:24:21,400 --> 00:24:23,300 Israelites. They were bunkered up. 400 00:24:23,300 --> 00:24:25,000 Locked up. No one was going in. 401 00:24:25,000 --> 00:24:29,400 And no one was coming out what he really worth the effort to 402 00:24:29,400 --> 00:24:33,200 gather all of your men together to try and take and Conquer a 403 00:24:33,200 --> 00:24:37,300 city. But the promise was for all the 404 00:24:37,300 --> 00:24:41,100 land, not part of it, not every bit of land apart, from that 405 00:24:41,100 --> 00:24:43,100 City will ne'er to you scared. They won't bother you. 406 00:24:43,100 --> 00:24:47,900 Anyway, the promise was I will give you every place you set 407 00:24:47,900 --> 00:24:50,900 your foot the promise was for all the land. 408 00:24:50,900 --> 00:24:52,500 So the answer to was it worth it? 409 00:24:52,500 --> 00:24:55,500 Well yes, it was because God did another miracle. 410 00:24:56,000 --> 00:24:58,300 He gave a promise there were possibilities and then the 411 00:24:58,300 --> 00:25:01,700 people were able to take the city of Jericho, how through 412 00:25:01,700 --> 00:25:03,800 this incredible story of walking. 413 00:25:04,100 --> 00:25:07,700 And And actually it paved away because once they take in the 414 00:25:07,700 --> 00:25:11,600 city of Jericho, then cities began to fall, because people 415 00:25:11,600 --> 00:25:14,800 heard that this God was doing amazing things, and no one could 416 00:25:14,800 --> 00:25:18,900 stand against the people. Sometimes we can think. 417 00:25:19,300 --> 00:25:22,800 Is it worth it? Is it really causing too much 418 00:25:22,800 --> 00:25:24,600 harm? It's not really bothering me. 419 00:25:25,100 --> 00:25:28,400 Perhaps there's a work situation or a family situation that you 420 00:25:28,400 --> 00:25:32,300 know God could move in, you know, that this is not currently 421 00:25:32,300 --> 00:25:38,400 God's best but you think it's going to take effort Is it 422 00:25:38,400 --> 00:25:42,200 really worth it? Is it worth wanting to create a 423 00:25:42,200 --> 00:25:45,600 culture of work that eradicates gossip or slander? 424 00:25:45,800 --> 00:25:48,100 Is it worth the effort or what we might say? 425 00:25:48,900 --> 00:25:51,600 Is it worth doing School's Out owed be in the library where you 426 00:25:51,600 --> 00:25:54,000 have to move? The computers, is it really 427 00:25:54,000 --> 00:25:57,400 worth that effort? Is it worth stepping out and 428 00:25:57,400 --> 00:25:59,200 tell them my neighbors that I'm praying for them? 429 00:25:59,200 --> 00:26:02,500 Is it really worth it? I wonder what would have 430 00:26:02,500 --> 00:26:06,200 happened if the Israelites looked at Jericho and said now 431 00:26:06,700 --> 00:26:09,300 it's not worth it. How long would it have been 432 00:26:09,300 --> 00:26:13,300 before those people got courage again to fight against the 433 00:26:13,300 --> 00:26:16,300 Israelites? This is what I think the 434 00:26:16,300 --> 00:26:20,000 possibilities wouldn't have been reached and the promise of 435 00:26:20,000 --> 00:26:23,800 inheriting, all of the land would never have been fulfilled 436 00:26:25,100 --> 00:26:28,000 five years after the disaster of Belton because let's be honest, 437 00:26:28,000 --> 00:26:31,200 that's what it was. I find myself in a coffee shop 438 00:26:31,300 --> 00:26:35,700 talking to my Muslim friend about Jesus a privilege that I 439 00:26:35,708 --> 00:26:40,000 think I had because of the The shit that I've shown her over 440 00:26:40,000 --> 00:26:42,600 the years, she was coming to our stay in play groups. 441 00:26:43,100 --> 00:26:46,400 And as we were reading the Bible together, talk about Jesus, out 442 00:26:46,400 --> 00:26:50,100 of nowhere. This woman says, what was that 443 00:26:50,100 --> 00:26:53,500 amazing place that you took us to my daughter? 444 00:26:53,500 --> 00:26:59,100 Still talks about that to this day and suddenly I realize she 445 00:26:59,100 --> 00:27:03,400 was on the disaster to Belton. She was there, I was waiting 446 00:27:03,400 --> 00:27:06,000 outside the toilet whilst her child was going to the toilet 447 00:27:06,000 --> 00:27:07,800 and and everyone else wanted to do the me. 448 00:27:08,000 --> 00:27:15,500 Mase, she was on the trip. And part of the reason why I 449 00:27:15,500 --> 00:27:19,600 believe we had developed this relationship and she she wanted 450 00:27:19,600 --> 00:27:21,700 to come along to the church groups. 451 00:27:21,700 --> 00:27:24,600 And she wanted to talk to me about Jesus was because we were 452 00:27:24,600 --> 00:27:27,100 people that went above and beyond. 453 00:27:27,100 --> 00:27:31,000 We welcomed her and her daughter into our family and took her on 454 00:27:31,000 --> 00:27:35,500 trips like that. I think it's worth it. 455 00:27:36,700 --> 00:27:39,700 When we think about the possibilities of what could be, 456 00:27:39,700 --> 00:27:42,600 because of the promises new think are, is it worth it? 457 00:27:43,500 --> 00:27:46,800 It's all worth it because the promise for the Israelites was 458 00:27:46,800 --> 00:27:51,200 to inherit all the land, God has great promise is for you. 459 00:27:51,200 --> 00:27:54,500 Possibilities are out there and they are always worth it. 460 00:27:54,700 --> 00:27:59,800 Finally, this seeing the possibilities leads to all and 461 00:27:59,800 --> 00:28:06,100 worship as Joshua found himself. Looking at Jericho, he had an 462 00:28:06,100 --> 00:28:11,100 encounter and God said to him. God, God appeared before him and 463 00:28:11,100 --> 00:28:12,200 he's like, what are you doing here? 464 00:28:12,200 --> 00:28:15,600 And in that, in that conversation, God told him that 465 00:28:15,600 --> 00:28:19,600 he has already delivered Jericho into the hands of the Israelites 466 00:28:20,400 --> 00:28:23,300 and I love what Joshua's response was. 467 00:28:24,800 --> 00:28:29,100 Joshua 5 verse 14. Joshua fell face down to the 468 00:28:29,100 --> 00:28:31,800 ground in reverence and later on. 469 00:28:31,800 --> 00:28:34,900 It says God said, take off your sandals for the place where you 470 00:28:34,900 --> 00:28:40,300 are standing is Holy and Joshua did Being told of the 471 00:28:40,300 --> 00:28:44,200 possibilities there in mind, there was this promised that he 472 00:28:44,208 --> 00:28:47,500 was going to inherit all the land and then being told of the 473 00:28:47,500 --> 00:28:51,100 possibility that even the city of Jericho had been delivered to 474 00:28:51,100 --> 00:28:53,800 them. Joshua's response was only one 475 00:28:53,800 --> 00:28:57,400 thing. He fell to the ground in 476 00:28:57,400 --> 00:29:04,600 reverence in awe and worship. As we hear promises as we look 477 00:29:04,600 --> 00:29:08,100 and we see the possibilities of what just might be. 478 00:29:08,600 --> 00:29:10,800 As we determined to follow Jesus. 479 00:29:10,800 --> 00:29:14,800 As as we remember the big stones in a Memorials of what God has 480 00:29:14,800 --> 00:29:18,700 done before, as we dream together and allow our eyes to 481 00:29:18,700 --> 00:29:23,700 see the possibilities. We can't help but worship. 482 00:29:24,600 --> 00:29:28,700 The full of all and wonder. Wow. 483 00:29:28,700 --> 00:29:32,000 God, you want to do that in my life? 484 00:29:33,400 --> 00:29:36,600 God you've placed Us in this in this building not just because 485 00:29:36,600 --> 00:29:39,900 it's a convenient location but because we're in the middle of 486 00:29:39,900 --> 00:29:43,300 an area where people don't know you and you want to say to them 487 00:29:43,300 --> 00:29:49,200 wake up, Jesus is here. When we open our eyes and our 488 00:29:49,300 --> 00:29:52,800 workplaces and and God gives the picture that he has placed as 489 00:29:52,800 --> 00:29:57,700 there on purpose with purpose for a purpose and we think, wow, 490 00:29:57,700 --> 00:30:03,900 God, you want to use me to bring your kingdom into where I live 491 00:30:04,200 --> 00:30:07,500 in to, where I work in to, where my children go to school. 492 00:30:08,100 --> 00:30:12,600 When we see the possibilities, we can't help, but be full of 493 00:30:12,600 --> 00:30:17,100 awe and worship. Seeing possibilities comes from 494 00:30:17,100 --> 00:30:21,300 hearing the promises achieving possibilities. 495 00:30:21,300 --> 00:30:23,900 Comes from following his presence. 496 00:30:24,700 --> 00:30:28,000 Believing the possibilities comes from remembering the big 497 00:30:28,000 --> 00:30:32,000 Stones reaching. The possibilities means, 498 00:30:32,000 --> 00:30:36,100 ignoring the thought of is it worth it and seeing the 499 00:30:36,100 --> 00:30:41,600 possibilities imagining them leads to all and worship. 500 00:30:43,300 --> 00:30:44,800 Our man. Thank you Philippa. 501 00:30:45,000 --> 00:30:48,000 Let us be people that see the possibilities, and may we have 502 00:30:48,000 --> 00:30:52,400 many stories as a result, if you would like to respond in any way 503 00:30:52,400 --> 00:30:55,300 to that message, or if you would value prayer or support for 504 00:30:55,300 --> 00:30:58,500 anything else, remember that we are here and that you can always 505 00:30:58,500 --> 00:31:01,700 get in touch details, can be found on our website. 506 00:31:02,400 --> 00:31:04,300 There are many things coming up in church life. 507 00:31:04,300 --> 00:31:11,400 So this is your family news. For all of our midweek groups 508 00:31:11,400 --> 00:31:13,600 are back up and running for Ages. 509 00:31:13,700 --> 00:31:15,800 And we'd love to see you at one of them soon. 510 00:31:17,100 --> 00:31:21,000 We have an encounter night on Sunday, the 22nd of January at 7 511 00:31:21,000 --> 00:31:25,200 p.m. this will be a great chance to spend extra time going deeper 512 00:31:25,200 --> 00:31:28,100 into the presence of God on Saturday. 513 00:31:28,100 --> 00:31:32,100 The 28th of January at 6 p.m. we have United kids, and event. 514 00:31:32,100 --> 00:31:36,000 For all children, aged between seven and 11 from churches, 515 00:31:36,100 --> 00:31:39,200 around leicestershire. We love being able to join 516 00:31:39,200 --> 00:31:44,400 together for events like this. And finally, save the date. 517 00:31:44,600 --> 00:31:48,600 Our next one church together, is on the 5th of February at 9:15 518 00:31:48,600 --> 00:31:53,100 and 11:30 do all you can to join us for a great morning together. 519 00:31:54,400 --> 00:31:58,100 The Lord bless you and keep you the Lord, make his face shine 520 00:31:58,100 --> 00:32:02,400 upon you and be gracious to you. The Lord turn his face toward 521 00:32:02,400 --> 00:31:44,400 you and give you peace. And finally, save the date. 522 00:31:44,600 --> 00:31:48,600 Our next one church together, is on the 5th of February at 9:15 523 00:31:48,600 --> 00:31:53,100 and 11:30 do all you can to join us for a great morning together. 524 00:31:54,400 --> 00:31:58,100 The Lord bless you and keep you the Lord, make his face shine 525 00:31:58,100 --> 00:32:02,400 upon you and be gracious to you. The Lord turn his face toward 526 00:32:02,400 --> 00:32:04,100 you and give you peace.