1 00:00:01,160 --> 00:00:05,080 We are one church. We love God, love people, love 2 00:00:05,080 --> 00:00:06,960 His mission, and love His church. 3 00:00:07,520 --> 00:00:09,440 Welcome to the One Church podcast. 4 00:00:09,440 --> 00:00:20,640 Well, today in the room are people who have joined One 5 00:00:20,640 --> 00:00:24,560 Church from so many different situations and places. 6 00:00:24,960 --> 00:00:29,280 Some of you have come to us from other countries, other cities, 7 00:00:29,280 --> 00:00:32,320 other churches. For some of you this is the only 8 00:00:32,320 --> 00:00:35,840 church you've ever been in and for some churches a new 9 00:00:35,840 --> 00:00:40,000 experience you are beginning. So today, in the whole of what 10 00:00:40,000 --> 00:00:44,520 we are across our five sites, soon to be 6 sites, we will 11 00:00:44,520 --> 00:00:48,520 begin a series on our new welcome course. 12 00:00:48,600 --> 00:00:52,160 Now this four week course is taking the place of our normal 13 00:00:52,160 --> 00:00:56,840 newcomers evenings and our heart is to enable everyone together 14 00:00:57,160 --> 00:01:03,080 to look at what it means to growing Jesus, find a place and 15 00:01:03,080 --> 00:01:05,800 then thrive as part of church life. 16 00:01:06,360 --> 00:01:10,320 And to start this journey. We're taking everybody through 17 00:01:10,320 --> 00:01:12,200 the process and it's been very exciting. 18 00:01:12,200 --> 00:01:15,280 Today in every site we're doing the same thing. 19 00:01:15,280 --> 00:01:17,720 Today we're updating people's details. 20 00:01:18,040 --> 00:01:20,920 Everyone's wearing a label, so we can kind of know who everyone 21 00:01:20,920 --> 00:01:24,480 is and as well as long side that each week over these next few 22 00:01:24,480 --> 00:01:28,880 weeks, we're sharing some core messages to help you grow in 23 00:01:28,880 --> 00:01:31,080 your walk with Jesus. And we're also going to show a 24 00:01:31,080 --> 00:01:35,120 short video about who we are as a church and our key values. 25 00:01:35,120 --> 00:01:38,520 And today we're going to begin by looking at a little of our 26 00:01:38,520 --> 00:01:40,400 story. And there's a video on the 27 00:01:40,400 --> 00:01:42,280 screen. Let's watch this together. 28 00:01:55,620 --> 00:02:00,160 We are one church. We love God, love people, love 29 00:02:00,160 --> 00:02:02,320 His mission, and love His church. 30 00:02:02,960 --> 00:02:06,360 We are a multi site Assemblies of God church made-up of 31 00:02:06,360 --> 00:02:10,120 hundreds of people of all ages and many nationalities. 32 00:02:10,479 --> 00:02:14,560 We are one church with one vision, 1 mission, one 33 00:02:14,560 --> 00:02:17,920 leadership and one heart who meet in a number of different 34 00:02:17,920 --> 00:02:20,120 sites around Leicester and Lovegrove. 35 00:02:20,880 --> 00:02:27,800 But what is our story? Our history as the church began 36 00:02:27,880 --> 00:02:32,040 in the 1950s when Trinity Life Church was pioneered in 37 00:02:32,040 --> 00:02:35,320 Highfield's Leicester. Another part of our history 38 00:02:35,320 --> 00:02:39,480 began when All Nations Church was pioneered in the 1970s. 39 00:02:40,000 --> 00:02:43,720 One church. Began in 2022 when these two 40 00:02:43,720 --> 00:02:46,880 local churches were brought together by Jesus to serve Him 41 00:02:46,880 --> 00:02:50,280 as one church. We were blessed individually and 42 00:02:50,280 --> 00:02:55,120 we are thriving as one. We believe in a strong biblical 43 00:02:55,120 --> 00:02:59,080 structure of leadership that is accountable, humble, Jesus 44 00:02:59,080 --> 00:03:03,280 centred and Christ like. Susan and I have served as the 45 00:03:03,280 --> 00:03:06,600 senior leaders of one church since 2007. 46 00:03:07,440 --> 00:03:10,280 Alongside us. Our senior leadership team 47 00:03:10,280 --> 00:03:14,520 provide oversight, vision, strategy and management to our 48 00:03:14,520 --> 00:03:19,320 ministries and to church life. Our eldership oversee prayer, 49 00:03:19,800 --> 00:03:23,720 doctrine, pastoral care, and the prophetic heart of the church. 50 00:03:25,040 --> 00:03:28,520 Our Board of Directors ensure integrity filled leadership, 51 00:03:28,800 --> 00:03:32,240 financial management, policies and procedures and well-being 52 00:03:32,240 --> 00:03:35,280 throughout church life. They also watch over those 53 00:03:35,280 --> 00:03:39,800 employed by one church. Our site pastors bring 54 00:03:39,800 --> 00:03:43,680 leadership and love to each of our local 1 church sites, with 55 00:03:43,680 --> 00:03:46,720 each site having a varied and committed voluntary leadership 56 00:03:46,720 --> 00:03:49,680 team. Our staff teams serve in 57 00:03:49,680 --> 00:03:53,360 specific areas of ministry alongside voluntary leaders and 58 00:03:53,360 --> 00:03:56,840 many hundreds of others who faithfully serve God and His 59 00:03:56,840 --> 00:04:00,280 sons. We are on this journey of loving 60 00:04:00,360 --> 00:04:03,240 Jesus and following him together, and we continue to 61 00:04:03,240 --> 00:04:09,040 believe that the best is ahead. This is just part of our story. 62 00:04:13,240 --> 00:04:16,600 I love our story, and we're gonna love sharing these four 63 00:04:16,600 --> 00:04:18,959 different parts of our journey just with you. 64 00:04:19,360 --> 00:04:21,560 Well, over the coming weeks, we're gonna be looking at the 65 00:04:21,560 --> 00:04:25,480 importance of living free from restrictions. 66 00:04:25,480 --> 00:04:29,120 The importance of playing our part in the house. 67 00:04:29,320 --> 00:04:33,160 There's a part for every person. And then the importance of being 68 00:04:33,160 --> 00:04:36,680 a light where He's placed us. And at the end of this course, 69 00:04:36,840 --> 00:04:40,520 we're going to Commission everyone and send you out to be 70 00:04:40,520 --> 00:04:44,400 a missionary where God has placed you to be his hands and 71 00:04:44,400 --> 00:04:47,360 feet. And today we will talk about the 72 00:04:47,360 --> 00:04:52,400 importance of walking with Jesus in devotion, in baptism, and 73 00:04:52,400 --> 00:04:57,520 being filled with Holy Spirit. I love walking and talking with 74 00:04:57,520 --> 00:05:01,160 people and it can be a lot of fun just just connecting with 75 00:05:01,160 --> 00:05:03,680 people. But some people when you go for 76 00:05:03,680 --> 00:05:08,280 a walk with them, they see it as their main form of exercise. 77 00:05:08,680 --> 00:05:11,680 So you set off and you perhaps just start on a leisurely walk 78 00:05:11,680 --> 00:05:14,200 and all of a sudden they begin to go. 79 00:05:14,680 --> 00:05:17,800 And in the old days I would try and keep up with them, panting, 80 00:05:17,800 --> 00:05:20,720 trying to keep up with them. But now I've decided as 81 00:05:20,720 --> 00:05:24,000 approaching the age where I could be described as just 82 00:05:24,000 --> 00:05:27,920 slightly over middle-aged, I can look at people and I just stop 83 00:05:27,920 --> 00:05:30,320 and I let them go ahead and then they come back and I go. 84 00:05:30,320 --> 00:05:35,400 I need you to know I am never going to walk at your speed. 85 00:05:36,120 --> 00:05:39,200 If you want to walk with me, it's got to be slower. 86 00:05:40,080 --> 00:05:44,040 But my walk with Jesus is the most important walk of my life. 87 00:05:44,800 --> 00:05:48,960 Walking with Him changes every part of our lives and it 88 00:05:48,960 --> 00:05:52,160 releases the potential that lies in each of us. 89 00:05:52,160 --> 00:05:55,280 Why? Because He walks ahead to 90 00:05:55,280 --> 00:05:59,520 prepare a place for us. He walks behind to help us deal 91 00:05:59,640 --> 00:06:02,880 with our past. And He walks today with us 92 00:06:02,880 --> 00:06:06,440 closely with the promise to never leave us. 93 00:06:06,520 --> 00:06:11,920 And I love walking with Him. We are invited by the Creator of 94 00:06:11,920 --> 00:06:17,480 the universe to walk with Him. So firstly walking with Jesus in 95 00:06:17,800 --> 00:06:21,520 devotion. Jesus said this in John chapter 96 00:06:21,520 --> 00:06:23,440 15. The verses are on the screens 97 00:06:23,760 --> 00:06:27,400 says I am the true vine and my Father is the gardener. 98 00:06:28,320 --> 00:06:32,080 Remain in me as I also remain in you. 99 00:06:32,760 --> 00:06:36,080 No branch can bear fruit by itself, it must remain in the 100 00:06:36,080 --> 00:06:38,360 vine. Neither can you bear fruit 101 00:06:38,640 --> 00:06:42,560 unless you remain in me. I am the vine, You are the 102 00:06:42,560 --> 00:06:45,360 branches. If you remain in me and I in 103 00:06:45,360 --> 00:06:49,440 you, you will bear much fruit. Apart from Me you can do 104 00:06:49,440 --> 00:06:52,160 nothing. This is to my Father's glory 105 00:06:52,160 --> 00:06:56,640 that you bear much fruit, showing yourself to be my 106 00:06:56,640 --> 00:06:58,520 disciples. I love that God wants me to be 107 00:06:58,520 --> 00:07:00,840 fruitful and to live a fruitful life. 108 00:07:01,040 --> 00:07:05,400 Some of you have believed a lie that it's God's plan for you to 109 00:07:05,400 --> 00:07:10,840 have limited lack restriction. He wants you to be fruitful in 110 00:07:10,880 --> 00:07:13,280 everything you put your hands to. 111 00:07:13,720 --> 00:07:16,720 These are powerful words. Not only did Jesus speak these 112 00:07:16,720 --> 00:07:19,240 words, but He lived them out daily. 113 00:07:19,240 --> 00:07:22,520 Jesus walked constantly with the Father, talking with Him, 114 00:07:22,520 --> 00:07:25,520 listening to Him, developing with Him. 115 00:07:25,800 --> 00:07:31,400 And in the same way, He invites us to connect daily and deeply 116 00:07:31,520 --> 00:07:36,920 with Him, to walk with Him. Blessed are those, the proverb 117 00:07:36,920 --> 00:07:41,280 writer says, who listen to me, watching daily at my doors, 118 00:07:41,280 --> 00:07:46,360 waiting at my doorway, you know, practically the basic building 119 00:07:46,360 --> 00:07:51,760 blocks of our faith walk our regular Daily Times of 120 00:07:51,920 --> 00:07:57,600 thankfulness, reading the Bible, listening and praying for 121 00:07:57,600 --> 00:08:01,320 ourselves and others. They are the energy, the life, 122 00:08:01,520 --> 00:08:05,840 the way we grow and let's let's just dig into Jesus words a 123 00:08:05,840 --> 00:08:09,520 little bit more because devotions are our foundation. 124 00:08:09,840 --> 00:08:13,920 If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit. 125 00:08:14,000 --> 00:08:16,240 Apart from me you can do nothing. 126 00:08:16,520 --> 00:08:20,680 As Jesus followers, He wants our passion to be that. 127 00:08:20,680 --> 00:08:24,520 We want to walk with him. We want to be daily filled with 128 00:08:24,520 --> 00:08:28,360 the Holy Spirit and longing for encounters with the Father. 129 00:08:28,920 --> 00:08:32,760 And if that is our longing, it all starts in our daily 130 00:08:32,760 --> 00:08:36,159 devotions. Being thankful, reading the 131 00:08:36,159 --> 00:08:40,520 Bible, listening to His voice, and praying for ourselves and 132 00:08:40,520 --> 00:08:46,400 for others. We stop, we lean into Him and we 133 00:08:46,400 --> 00:08:49,120 grow. I was praying with a couple on 134 00:08:49,120 --> 00:08:50,400 Friday. Just been through a very 135 00:08:50,400 --> 00:08:53,880 difficult situation and I was reminded of an old song we used 136 00:08:53,880 --> 00:08:56,120 to sing. Living under the shadow of his 137 00:08:56,120 --> 00:08:59,240 wing. We find security and that 138 00:08:59,240 --> 00:09:04,160 picture with somebody to just say you can lean into him under 139 00:09:04,160 --> 00:09:07,360 the shadow of his closeness, of his protection. 140 00:09:07,360 --> 00:09:11,440 This is the relationship He wants with you and our devotions 141 00:09:11,440 --> 00:09:16,120 help us remain in Him, connected in walking with Him. 142 00:09:16,760 --> 00:09:20,720 On the screen is a picture of what I see when I sit in my 143 00:09:20,720 --> 00:09:25,560 chair to pray in the morning and this is yesterday morning and 144 00:09:25,560 --> 00:09:28,600 just the joy of it. I opened two patio doors. 145 00:09:28,600 --> 00:09:29,920 I'm very privileged in that sense. 146 00:09:30,080 --> 00:09:33,920 It's very quiet at the back of my house and I sit there with a 147 00:09:33,920 --> 00:09:36,440 blanket because it's so cold some mornings. 148 00:09:36,680 --> 00:09:39,440 But I love the fresh air and just sit there. 149 00:09:39,440 --> 00:09:43,760 I have to tell you, probably this is my favourite place in 150 00:09:43,760 --> 00:09:50,040 the whole world at the moment. I love it and just sit there and 151 00:09:50,040 --> 00:09:55,520 I work my heart to be thankful, to read the Bible, to listen to 152 00:09:55,520 --> 00:10:00,760 his voice and then to pray for both myself and others. 153 00:10:01,240 --> 00:10:03,320 This space for me is a foundation of my faith. 154 00:10:03,320 --> 00:10:07,800 Now, you may not have a space like this, but we can all find a 155 00:10:07,800 --> 00:10:09,840 space. Even if it's in a room with 156 00:10:09,840 --> 00:10:13,280 others, even if we're surrounded by children taking honours, 157 00:10:13,280 --> 00:10:18,280 asking for something, we can find a space that becomes our 158 00:10:18,280 --> 00:10:21,400 foundation. Devotions also bring us close. 159 00:10:21,680 --> 00:10:26,240 Remain in me as I remain in you. A branch doesn't go on its own. 160 00:10:26,240 --> 00:10:28,480 It has to be connected into the vinyl. 161 00:10:28,480 --> 00:10:32,440 Here's a branch. A little branch that a friend of 162 00:10:32,440 --> 00:10:36,840 mine cut off my lime tree in the garden and it's still, even at 163 00:10:36,840 --> 00:10:39,640 this early scene, buds are booming out of it. 164 00:10:39,840 --> 00:10:42,960 It's full of life. But in a few days time the life 165 00:10:42,960 --> 00:10:46,840 in that will go because it's no longer connected in. 166 00:10:47,080 --> 00:10:51,560 We grow by spending time with the one who loves us the most. 167 00:10:51,640 --> 00:10:55,480 He's close to us and he invites us to be close to him when we 168 00:10:55,480 --> 00:10:57,920 stop. And we find this regular time 169 00:10:58,040 --> 00:11:00,240 and this regular place, and we press. 170 00:11:00,800 --> 00:11:04,880 Things happen when we come with thankfulness and worship with 171 00:11:04,880 --> 00:11:08,760 change, when we regularly read the scriptures, and when we pray 172 00:11:08,760 --> 00:11:11,920 for ourselves and others. Honestly, things change because 173 00:11:11,920 --> 00:11:16,280 devotions bring us close to our heavenly Father, our precious 174 00:11:16,280 --> 00:11:20,280 Lord Jesus, to the Holy Spirit who wants to draw so close to 175 00:11:20,280 --> 00:11:22,040 us. Thirdly, devotions are about 176 00:11:22,040 --> 00:11:25,480 relationship. I am the vine, you are the 177 00:11:25,480 --> 00:11:27,360 branches. There's a connection. 178 00:11:27,480 --> 00:11:30,920 First and foremost. We connect with Jesus because we 179 00:11:30,920 --> 00:11:33,920 want to be with Him. We love Him and the more time we 180 00:11:33,920 --> 00:11:37,200 spend with Him, the more we know we are loved and the more we 181 00:11:37,200 --> 00:11:41,000 love Him and we are changed into His image. 182 00:11:41,680 --> 00:11:46,800 When I'm walking close to Jesus, I am a much nicer person. 183 00:11:47,040 --> 00:11:52,200 I am a more patient person. I am a kinder person and the 184 00:11:52,200 --> 00:11:55,720 reality is more than that, I am a more efficient person. 185 00:11:55,880 --> 00:11:59,560 I am a more at peace person. I've been thinking recently in a 186 00:11:59,560 --> 00:12:02,320 number of situations that could be quite stressful. 187 00:12:02,400 --> 00:12:06,600 I found myself much more peaceful recently, and it comes 188 00:12:06,600 --> 00:12:11,160 out of being closer to Him. And a relationship with God 189 00:12:11,320 --> 00:12:14,600 builds through regular time and regular commitment. 190 00:12:14,840 --> 00:12:18,520 It's not striving so that He loves us more, but rather 191 00:12:18,520 --> 00:12:21,240 spending time on what matters the most. 192 00:12:21,560 --> 00:12:26,320 Daily, regular times, with the source of life, with the living 193 00:12:26,320 --> 00:12:29,160 water in US. And when we pull away, our 194 00:12:29,160 --> 00:12:32,920 relationship is impacted. Fourthly, devotions bring 195 00:12:32,920 --> 00:12:35,000 blessing. This is to my Father's glory 196 00:12:35,160 --> 00:12:38,880 from our passage that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves 197 00:12:38,880 --> 00:12:42,040 to be my disciples. It's in God's presence, 198 00:12:42,240 --> 00:12:46,840 listening to His voice, that He adjusts how we think and speaks 199 00:12:46,840 --> 00:12:51,440 to us when we're people of His presence, walking close to Him 200 00:12:51,760 --> 00:12:54,880 daily. In our devotions, we always have 201 00:12:54,880 --> 00:12:59,280 a word to share with others. We are led by a spirit and not 202 00:12:59,280 --> 00:13:02,120 driven. Our confusion becomes a bit 203 00:13:02,120 --> 00:13:05,760 clearer. We can live a life that works. 204 00:13:05,760 --> 00:13:10,880 We operate in this world as He intended us to and we know more 205 00:13:10,880 --> 00:13:14,840 clearly His purpose. Some of us strive over our 206 00:13:14,840 --> 00:13:17,360 future. We don't always know what the 207 00:13:17,360 --> 00:13:21,160 long term future of all of our lives is, but the promise we can 208 00:13:21,160 --> 00:13:25,040 always know as we sit with Him is He walks with us day by day. 209 00:13:25,400 --> 00:13:28,840 So devotions are our foundation. Let's just remember what we've 210 00:13:28,840 --> 00:13:31,880 said already. Devotions bring us close. 211 00:13:32,400 --> 00:13:34,920 Devotions are about relationship, and devotions 212 00:13:35,080 --> 00:13:37,960 bring blessing. Think about the daily and the 213 00:13:37,960 --> 00:13:42,480 weekly and the regular rhythms that form holy habits in your 214 00:13:42,480 --> 00:13:44,960 life that help you to connect with Him. 215 00:13:45,280 --> 00:13:49,120 Go on an adventure. Eliminate choice. 216 00:13:50,320 --> 00:13:52,640 Now there are a few people in the room that don't particularly 217 00:13:52,640 --> 00:13:55,200 like breakfast. I love breakfast. 218 00:13:55,640 --> 00:13:58,320 I love breakfast. I get excited about breakfast 219 00:13:58,320 --> 00:13:59,560 every day. This morning I made some 220 00:13:59,560 --> 00:14:03,240 porridge, had some frozen sour cherries in it, which was 221 00:14:03,240 --> 00:14:06,760 slightly strange, and some frozen raspberries. 222 00:14:07,320 --> 00:14:10,120 And I had it with peanut butter and strawberry jam. 223 00:14:10,120 --> 00:14:13,840 I just have to tell you. But all the time I was eating my 224 00:14:13,840 --> 00:14:16,960 breakfast this morning, I was thinking about some bread that 225 00:14:16,960 --> 00:14:21,640 Susan bought it and I yielded and I cut myself two large 226 00:14:21,640 --> 00:14:27,040 slices of toast with butter dribbling off the edge. 227 00:14:27,760 --> 00:14:30,880 I think butter only works if you can see your teeth prints in it. 228 00:14:31,440 --> 00:14:33,480 That's a picture of my mother when I'm a little boy. 229 00:14:33,680 --> 00:14:37,520 Leer pack on bread, leaving her teeth marks in the leer pack. 230 00:14:38,080 --> 00:14:41,520 I'm not sure it keeps you alive any longer in any way, but it is 231 00:14:41,520 --> 00:14:44,760 a lot of fun on the journey. But it also had homemade 232 00:14:45,120 --> 00:14:47,160 marmalade on it. Here we go. 233 00:14:47,160 --> 00:14:51,160 And there it was, just absolute. Can you taste it? 234 00:14:51,320 --> 00:14:53,120 Is it making some of you salivate? 235 00:14:57,760 --> 00:15:00,800 I'm actually realise I'm really hungry again right now. 236 00:15:01,120 --> 00:15:03,600 I'm feeling very hungry. The thing is, breakfast is a 237 00:15:03,600 --> 00:15:06,800 regular daily moment for me and I don't wake up very often and 238 00:15:06,800 --> 00:15:09,040 go, you know, I don't think I'll bother with breakfast for the 239 00:15:09,040 --> 00:15:13,200 next 6 months. How much more important the 240 00:15:13,200 --> 00:15:17,160 close walk with him? It's time to eliminate choice. 241 00:15:17,640 --> 00:15:20,800 A regular time, a regular place, a change of pace. 242 00:15:20,800 --> 00:15:24,840 Listen. A choice to be thankful, a plan 243 00:15:24,840 --> 00:15:28,360 for your personal Bible reading, A pause to love Him and be 244 00:15:28,360 --> 00:15:31,360 loved, A prayer plan to pray for yourself and others. 245 00:15:31,360 --> 00:15:33,200 It'll change your life. This. 246 00:15:33,280 --> 00:15:35,640 Remember that verse we read without Him? 247 00:15:35,640 --> 00:15:43,160 We can do so why do we try? So let's pause for a minute. 248 00:15:43,160 --> 00:15:45,720 Do you need to go to bed a little bit earlier so you can 249 00:15:45,720 --> 00:15:51,920 get up a little bit earlier? Perhaps 10 minutes to sit in His 250 00:15:51,920 --> 00:15:55,440 presence. We want Jesus to build a strong 251 00:15:55,440 --> 00:15:57,440 church. That means a church made of 252 00:15:57,440 --> 00:16:00,360 strong disciples. And the basic thing, Are you 253 00:16:00,360 --> 00:16:03,400 joining the house? Get your devotions in line. 254 00:16:03,560 --> 00:16:08,600 So let's pause for a minute. No condemnation, just close your 255 00:16:08,600 --> 00:16:11,800 eyes if it helps you. Do you need to tweak this area 256 00:16:11,800 --> 00:16:18,240 of your life? The second thing to consider 257 00:16:18,240 --> 00:16:20,360 today is walking with Jesus in baptism. 258 00:16:20,360 --> 00:16:25,520 My journey was this. I was born into a religious 259 00:16:25,520 --> 00:16:28,440 family. I was baptised as a baby in the 260 00:16:28,440 --> 00:16:33,080 font of Breast and Anglican Church between Nottingham and 261 00:16:33,080 --> 00:16:34,760 I'll be a little sprinkle on my head. 262 00:16:35,320 --> 00:16:38,720 I probably had one of those little frilly sort of strange 263 00:16:38,720 --> 00:16:41,160 things that boy babies wear when they're baptised. 264 00:16:41,880 --> 00:16:45,040 I was confirmed that Sutherminster when I was I think 265 00:16:45,040 --> 00:16:47,480 12. I was a chorister at 266 00:16:47,480 --> 00:16:52,040 Sutherminster just outside of Nottingham and I was confirmed 267 00:16:52,040 --> 00:16:54,920 there by the Bishop of Suttle. I then became a Jesus follower 268 00:16:54,920 --> 00:16:58,120 when I was 19. I had a heart for God until 269 00:16:58,120 --> 00:17:00,720 then, but I became a Christian when I was 19. 270 00:17:00,880 --> 00:17:03,720 I then a few months later was baptised in water by full 271 00:17:03,720 --> 00:17:07,640 immersion at Stapleford Baptist Church and I'm so grateful for 272 00:17:07,640 --> 00:17:10,880 that. When all the people listen to 273 00:17:10,880 --> 00:17:17,400 this, when all the people were being baptised, Jesus said I 274 00:17:17,400 --> 00:17:22,480 don't need to be. No, Jesus was baptised too. 275 00:17:22,720 --> 00:17:26,440 That in itself is enough for every Jesus follower on the 276 00:17:26,440 --> 00:17:27,640 planet. But let's go a little bit 277 00:17:27,640 --> 00:17:30,040 deeper. And as he was praying, heaven 278 00:17:30,040 --> 00:17:31,880 was open. What an amazing verses. 279 00:17:32,040 --> 00:17:37,240 If you want a war with Jesus, he himself was baptised and so do 280 00:17:37,240 --> 00:17:39,560 you need to be. If you've not been baptised in 281 00:17:39,560 --> 00:17:43,800 water, this is a moment of challenge, but if you have 282 00:17:43,800 --> 00:17:48,280 already been baptised as a believer, this is a reminder of 283 00:17:48,280 --> 00:17:51,560 the power of what happened in your life in that moment. 284 00:17:51,800 --> 00:17:54,560 Baptism is a sign, it's a symbol. 285 00:17:54,720 --> 00:17:59,640 It shows outwardly what has already happened inwardly in a 286 00:17:59,640 --> 00:18:02,080 person. They've come to the cross, 287 00:18:02,200 --> 00:18:06,920 they've received forgiveness and now they live a new life in 288 00:18:06,920 --> 00:18:08,640 Jesus. This is it. 289 00:18:08,880 --> 00:18:11,480 And at one church we believe that the biblical way to be 290 00:18:11,480 --> 00:18:15,680 baptised is by full immersion going into the water. 291 00:18:15,920 --> 00:18:20,720 Now, I am sympathetic for those of you who had strong Christian 292 00:18:20,720 --> 00:18:24,200 parents, who had you baptised when you were young and then you 293 00:18:24,200 --> 00:18:25,880 wanted to affirm what they'd done. 294 00:18:25,880 --> 00:18:29,000 I understand that and I'm sympathetic and my heart goes to 295 00:18:29,000 --> 00:18:31,440 you. I still believe that the 296 00:18:31,440 --> 00:18:35,920 biblical way to be baptised is by full immersion as a believer. 297 00:18:36,280 --> 00:18:39,080 Why? Because as we go down into the 298 00:18:39,080 --> 00:18:44,480 water, we are baptised into the death and burial of Jesus who 299 00:18:44,480 --> 00:18:48,640 took all our sin. We're declaring as we go down 300 00:18:49,120 --> 00:18:51,600 that our sin is covered, our old life is dead. 301 00:18:51,800 --> 00:18:56,640 And then as we emerge from the water and as we rise up, we're 302 00:18:56,640 --> 00:19:01,360 identifying with Jesus resurrection and declaring that 303 00:19:01,360 --> 00:19:03,960 we're choosing to live a new life. 304 00:19:04,160 --> 00:19:07,040 We go down. I have been buried with Christ 305 00:19:07,040 --> 00:19:11,600 in baptism and I've been raised to life, a resurrection life in 306 00:19:11,600 --> 00:19:13,840 my life. Baptism proclaims that we're 307 00:19:13,840 --> 00:19:18,920 raised into a new life and to live in the way of Christ. 308 00:19:18,960 --> 00:19:23,640 It's a sign, it's a symbol, it's about, secondly, obedience. 309 00:19:24,000 --> 00:19:27,800 Jesus was baptised and he commanded his followers to 310 00:19:27,800 --> 00:19:32,480 baptise others in his name. Therefore go and make disciples 311 00:19:32,480 --> 00:19:36,160 of all nations, baptising them in the name of the Father and of 312 00:19:36,160 --> 00:19:40,200 the Son and of the Holy Spirit. In the New Testament, baptism is 313 00:19:40,200 --> 00:19:45,160 linked to believing in Jesus. Repent and be baptised. 314 00:19:45,400 --> 00:19:47,840 It's very simple, it's not complicated. 315 00:19:48,160 --> 00:19:51,800 Anyone trusting in Jesus for salvation, repenting of their 316 00:19:51,800 --> 00:19:54,920 sin, now needs to be baptised, and it's part of it. 317 00:19:55,040 --> 00:19:58,920 We're therefore buried with Him in baptism, Paul says, in order 318 00:19:58,920 --> 00:20:01,400 that just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory 319 00:20:01,400 --> 00:20:03,720 of the Father, we too may live a new life. 320 00:20:03,960 --> 00:20:06,840 And I want to encourage you not to wait. 321 00:20:07,440 --> 00:20:10,760 Sometimes we if you're waiting for perfection, you will never 322 00:20:10,760 --> 00:20:12,640 be baptised because I've got some news for you. 323 00:20:13,040 --> 00:20:16,200 As you trust Him, you're going to sin less, but you're not 324 00:20:16,200 --> 00:20:21,400 going to become sinless. We are living a life of still 325 00:20:21,400 --> 00:20:24,280 falling over, standing up, getting stronger but still 326 00:20:24,280 --> 00:20:27,560 making mistakes, asking God to forgive us, confessing our sins, 327 00:20:27,720 --> 00:20:30,120 moving on. This is the journey until we 328 00:20:30,120 --> 00:20:33,040 come to be with Him and then we will be like him. 329 00:20:33,200 --> 00:20:39,040 I can't wait for that. Can you imagine a 100% sin free 330 00:20:39,120 --> 00:20:44,840 spirit filled you? My goodness, Incredible. 331 00:20:45,440 --> 00:20:47,320 Baptism is a sign. It's a symbol. 332 00:20:47,480 --> 00:20:51,440 It shows outwardly, outwardly what has happened in a person, 333 00:20:51,440 --> 00:20:56,920 but it's also about obedience. It's declaring on your journey 334 00:20:57,280 --> 00:21:01,840 that God is kind and he's doing a work in you and this is your 335 00:21:01,840 --> 00:21:03,120 future. That's what happens. 336 00:21:03,360 --> 00:21:08,680 And baptism leads to blessing. Jesus was baptised too as he was 337 00:21:08,680 --> 00:21:09,720 praying. I love this. 338 00:21:10,000 --> 00:21:12,680 As he and as he was praying, heaven was opened. 339 00:21:12,880 --> 00:21:16,760 Heaven was opened. Something happens when you're 340 00:21:16,760 --> 00:21:19,960 baptised. Last year just over 80 people 341 00:21:19,960 --> 00:21:23,640 were baptised in one church, for which we thank God for that. 342 00:21:23,880 --> 00:21:26,040 They were all blessed in the process. 343 00:21:26,360 --> 00:21:29,000 Now, if you are already baptised, I'm going to get you 344 00:21:29,040 --> 00:21:30,680 to confess something. Are you ready now? 345 00:21:30,680 --> 00:21:34,280 I don't want any mumbling. We're going to declare something 346 00:21:34,280 --> 00:21:35,920 with a bit of energy. We're going to say this. 347 00:21:35,920 --> 00:21:39,640 My old life is at the bottom of the tank and I am raised with 348 00:21:39,640 --> 00:21:43,200 Christ into a new life and I appropriate this resurrection 349 00:21:43,200 --> 00:21:48,240 life in me again. OK, so let Are you ready to say 350 00:21:48,240 --> 00:21:58,360 that my old life is at the bottom of the tank and I am 351 00:21:58,360 --> 00:22:05,800 raised with Christ into a new life? 352 00:22:08,480 --> 00:22:17,160 I appropriate this resurrection life in me again and can I just 353 00:22:17,160 --> 00:22:20,440 say that if you've been baptised as a believer, you never need to 354 00:22:20,440 --> 00:22:23,480 be baptised again. So sometimes when people they 355 00:22:23,480 --> 00:22:25,640 get, they got baptised as a believer and they go away and 356 00:22:25,640 --> 00:22:27,840 they have a bit of a tough time and they come back and say, can 357 00:22:27,840 --> 00:22:31,240 I be baptised again? You just need to go God, I 358 00:22:31,240 --> 00:22:33,960 repent of my sin and I appropriate what you've already 359 00:22:33,960 --> 00:22:35,960 done. And if you want to testify about 360 00:22:35,960 --> 00:22:37,720 you again, then do that. But you don't need to be 361 00:22:37,720 --> 00:22:40,720 baptised more than once. I hope you hear that. 362 00:22:40,720 --> 00:22:44,080 What about the rest of us? You've trusted in Jesus for 363 00:22:44,080 --> 00:22:47,400 forgiveness and eternal life, but you've not yet been 364 00:22:47,400 --> 00:22:49,120 baptised. It's time. 365 00:22:49,600 --> 00:22:52,000 Why? Because it's a sign, it's 366 00:22:52,000 --> 00:22:54,200 obedience and it leads to blessing. 367 00:22:54,200 --> 00:22:56,800 And if you've been waiting a long time until all your family 368 00:22:56,800 --> 00:22:59,760 can come and everyone could come from different lands and to be 369 00:22:59,760 --> 00:23:03,440 just exactly on the 22nd of that particular month and in that 370 00:23:03,440 --> 00:23:11,120 year get baptised, now come on. So walking with Jesus is about 371 00:23:11,120 --> 00:23:12,680 devotions. It's about baptism. 372 00:23:12,680 --> 00:23:15,080 And lastly, today we're going to look at this. 373 00:23:15,080 --> 00:23:19,080 Walking with Jesus is being filled with the Holy Spirit. 374 00:23:19,760 --> 00:23:22,840 Jesus spoke and prayed about the gift of the Holy Spirit. 375 00:23:23,400 --> 00:23:27,120 On one occasion while he was eating with them, Jesus gave 376 00:23:27,120 --> 00:23:30,960 them this command. Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait 377 00:23:30,960 --> 00:23:34,760 for the gift my father promised, which you've heard me speak 378 00:23:34,760 --> 00:23:38,040 about for John baptised with water. 379 00:23:38,280 --> 00:23:42,280 But in a few days you will be baptised with the Holy Spirit. 380 00:23:43,240 --> 00:23:46,240 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you, 381 00:23:46,640 --> 00:23:50,200 and you will be my witness in Jerusalem and in all Judea and 382 00:23:50,200 --> 00:23:52,960 Samaria and to the ends of the earth. 383 00:23:53,680 --> 00:23:56,520 You will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you. 384 00:23:56,720 --> 00:24:00,320 These are some of the last recorded words of Jesus after 385 00:24:00,320 --> 00:24:02,880 his resurrection. And he spoke a lot about the 386 00:24:02,880 --> 00:24:06,240 pouring out of the Holy Spirit in these last days. 387 00:24:06,440 --> 00:24:08,720 He knows we need Him for our life. 388 00:24:08,920 --> 00:24:11,720 On witnessing the world. Sometimes people have said the 389 00:24:11,720 --> 00:24:14,320 only church needed the Holy Spirit because it was quite 390 00:24:14,320 --> 00:24:15,840 difficult. But then after the church was 391 00:24:15,840 --> 00:24:19,480 established, the Holy Spirit was no longer being poured out in 392 00:24:19,480 --> 00:24:23,160 the gifts of the Spirit. I look at the desperate state of 393 00:24:23,160 --> 00:24:26,720 Leicestershire and the hundreds of thousands of people living 394 00:24:26,720 --> 00:24:30,120 without Jesus. A country going to hell, a world 395 00:24:30,120 --> 00:24:33,000 lost. We need the power of the Spirit 396 00:24:33,240 --> 00:24:36,720 now as much as any other time in our history. 397 00:24:36,880 --> 00:24:39,480 We need him. So how can we be filled with 398 00:24:39,480 --> 00:24:41,120 him? Or who is the Holy Spirit? 399 00:24:41,360 --> 00:24:44,880 He's God. He is there all the way through 400 00:24:44,880 --> 00:24:46,840 the Bible from the beginning. I love you. 401 00:24:46,840 --> 00:24:48,600 Read the first verses in Genesis. 402 00:24:48,680 --> 00:24:51,680 It says the Spirit hovered over the waters. 403 00:24:51,800 --> 00:24:55,520 He was part with the Father and the Son of all creation, the 404 00:24:55,520 --> 00:24:58,800 beauty of the Trinity through the whole Scriptures. 405 00:24:59,120 --> 00:25:02,560 He was there coming upon particular people for particular 406 00:25:02,560 --> 00:25:05,000 purposes, and then in the life of Jesus. 407 00:25:05,160 --> 00:25:09,800 And then, as Jesus promised, we read him infilling believers. 408 00:25:10,200 --> 00:25:13,760 What does the Spirit do? The Holy Spirit creates, He 409 00:25:13,760 --> 00:25:17,080 renews, he refreshes, He reminds, he empowers, he 410 00:25:17,080 --> 00:25:20,800 releases, and so much more. He makes Jesus real and He 411 00:25:20,800 --> 00:25:23,920 enables us to go out in His name with power. 412 00:25:24,360 --> 00:25:29,800 Every Christian has the Holy Spirit living within them. 413 00:25:30,200 --> 00:25:32,960 Every Christian, every Jesus follower. 414 00:25:33,480 --> 00:25:37,920 Not every person, every Jesus follower has the Holy Spirit 415 00:25:37,920 --> 00:25:39,560 living them. Let me just read this from 416 00:25:39,560 --> 00:25:42,440 Romans 8. You are not controlled by your 417 00:25:42,440 --> 00:25:44,640 sinful nature, you are controlled by the Spirit. 418 00:25:44,640 --> 00:25:46,760 If you have the Spirit of God living in you, Remember that 419 00:25:46,760 --> 00:25:49,640 those who do not have the Spirit of Christ living in them do not 420 00:25:49,640 --> 00:25:53,080 belong to him at all. Every Christian has the Holy 421 00:25:53,080 --> 00:25:57,360 Spirit, but not every Christian is filled with the Holy Spirit. 422 00:25:58,240 --> 00:26:01,160 Everyone is equally loved, equally valued. 423 00:26:01,160 --> 00:26:04,280 God has no favourites. He loves us all the same, which 424 00:26:04,280 --> 00:26:07,560 is why He wants everyone to be filled with the Holy Spirit. 425 00:26:07,840 --> 00:26:10,400 In the Bible we read the promised gift of the Spirit 426 00:26:10,560 --> 00:26:13,160 filling the church as Jesus promised He would. 427 00:26:13,200 --> 00:26:14,560 Let's read it. Acts 2. 428 00:26:14,560 --> 00:26:18,120 When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one 429 00:26:18,120 --> 00:26:19,680 place. Suddenly a sound like the 430 00:26:19,680 --> 00:26:23,920 blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole 431 00:26:23,920 --> 00:26:26,800 house where they were sitting. They saw what seemed to be 432 00:26:26,800 --> 00:26:29,520 tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of 433 00:26:29,520 --> 00:26:31,480 them. And look at this, all of them, 434 00:26:32,360 --> 00:26:36,520 not a selected few, all of them were filled with the Holy 435 00:26:36,520 --> 00:26:39,520 Spirit. And all of them, not a selected 436 00:26:39,520 --> 00:26:42,440 few, began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled 437 00:26:42,440 --> 00:26:44,800 them. After this, the first Christians 438 00:26:44,800 --> 00:26:47,880 went out in power to share the good news of Jesus across the 439 00:26:47,880 --> 00:26:50,600 world. Now we are one church. 440 00:26:51,160 --> 00:26:53,840 We're a Pentecostal church, which means, along with 441 00:26:54,000 --> 00:26:57,600 countless millions of others, we believe that the same Holy 442 00:26:57,600 --> 00:27:01,160 Spirit who was poured out on the day of Pentecost fills and 443 00:27:01,160 --> 00:27:04,120 empowers hungry believers in Jesus today. 444 00:27:04,320 --> 00:27:07,320 Sometimes we can sing songs about we want a new Pentecost. 445 00:27:07,320 --> 00:27:10,680 We don't need a new Pentecost because it's still Pentecost 446 00:27:10,680 --> 00:27:13,160 today. We tap into the one who has been 447 00:27:13,160 --> 00:27:17,480 poured out and he comes with a fresh wave into our lives. 448 00:27:17,640 --> 00:27:19,840 How do I know if I've been filled with or baptised in the 449 00:27:19,840 --> 00:27:22,640 Holy Spirit? Well, one sure sign as it was 450 00:27:22,640 --> 00:27:24,600 for them, is speaking in tongues. 451 00:27:24,880 --> 00:27:28,560 There was also a sign for them, tongues of fire above their 452 00:27:28,560 --> 00:27:30,800 heads. I'd like a bit more of that. 453 00:27:30,800 --> 00:27:34,560 Lord, what seemed like tongues of fire. 454 00:27:34,920 --> 00:27:41,080 Let your fire fall on us. Let the power of your fire fall 455 00:27:41,080 --> 00:27:44,920 on us even today. But is speaking in tongues it's 456 00:27:44,920 --> 00:27:46,960 one sure sign of being filled with the Spirit. 457 00:27:47,520 --> 00:27:52,080 Now we believe that everyone who is Spirit filled can speak in 458 00:27:52,080 --> 00:27:56,320 tongues, but not all do. And we know this is a journey 459 00:27:56,320 --> 00:27:57,800 for some. And we know perhaps this has 460 00:27:57,800 --> 00:28:00,680 been a bit painful for you and you wonder if you're special 461 00:28:00,680 --> 00:28:02,840 enough. I know it's a journey of faith, 462 00:28:02,840 --> 00:28:07,040 but there's a step to take and we begin to speak out. 463 00:28:07,440 --> 00:28:08,720 Well, what is the gift of tongues? 464 00:28:09,320 --> 00:28:12,200 Speaking in tongues is speaking in a language we've never 465 00:28:12,200 --> 00:28:14,760 learned. It can be human or it can be 466 00:28:14,760 --> 00:28:16,840 heavenly. Look at this one Corinthians 13. 467 00:28:17,080 --> 00:28:19,480 Tongues of men, tongues of angels. 468 00:28:20,840 --> 00:28:23,800 I was once in a meeting and we were singing a song, and at the 469 00:28:23,800 --> 00:28:26,640 end of it I sang a song in the language of the Spirit. 470 00:28:26,640 --> 00:28:30,320 And as I sang, one of the pastors from this church came 471 00:28:30,320 --> 00:28:35,000 and stood at the front and danced and danced to that song. 472 00:28:35,000 --> 00:28:38,320 It was quite strange. And at the end, a lady came to 473 00:28:38,320 --> 00:28:42,040 see us both and said this, that she was visiting the church and 474 00:28:42,040 --> 00:28:46,480 that the words that I'd used were the the tribal words of her 475 00:28:46,480 --> 00:28:49,160 people. And the dance that was done was 476 00:28:49,160 --> 00:28:52,000 a spiritual dance that they do within their context. 477 00:28:52,200 --> 00:28:55,560 And it had been a tremendous encouragement to her life as she 478 00:28:55,560 --> 00:28:56,280 visited. See. 479 00:28:56,280 --> 00:28:58,880 Because God knows he's able. He's able. 480 00:28:58,880 --> 00:29:02,120 I know sometimes, you know, is it a tad different? 481 00:29:02,120 --> 00:29:03,680 Yeah. But we're all right with that. 482 00:29:04,720 --> 00:29:08,160 Speaking in tongues in a language you've never learned is 483 00:29:08,160 --> 00:29:10,560 is both a heavenly language, tongues of men, arrangers. 484 00:29:10,680 --> 00:29:14,640 It's a form of prayer. For when anyone who speaks in a 485 00:29:14,640 --> 00:29:18,160 tongue does not speak to people, but to God, no one understands 486 00:29:18,160 --> 00:29:19,400 them. They are to mysteries by the 487 00:29:19,400 --> 00:29:22,640 Spirit. I don't know how how to live 488 00:29:22,640 --> 00:29:25,920 without speaking in tongues as a Jesus follower, I don't know how 489 00:29:25,920 --> 00:29:28,600 to do it. I run out of my English words. 490 00:29:28,920 --> 00:29:31,360 I don't know how to pray into all situations. 491 00:29:32,240 --> 00:29:35,120 Speaking in tongues helps you so much. 492 00:29:35,600 --> 00:29:40,440 Now remember this, we the speaker is always in full 493 00:29:40,440 --> 00:29:43,240 control. Do I believe sometimes the power 494 00:29:43,240 --> 00:29:46,920 of the Spirit comes upon a person without pressure or ever 495 00:29:47,040 --> 00:29:50,360 laying on of hands or pushing from anybody rest on the floor? 496 00:29:50,440 --> 00:29:53,440 Yes, that happens occasionally. It doesn't mean they are more 497 00:29:53,440 --> 00:29:56,040 blessed and it doesn't necessarily mean they feel more 498 00:29:56,040 --> 00:29:57,840 of its presence, but that can happen. 499 00:29:58,040 --> 00:30:02,240 But we are always in control. People said I, I, I couldn't 500 00:30:02,240 --> 00:30:03,800 help it. The Spirit made me do it. 501 00:30:03,960 --> 00:30:06,360 It's not true. It's not real. 502 00:30:06,600 --> 00:30:11,520 You are in control. We allow him, amazingly to speak 503 00:30:11,520 --> 00:30:14,880 through US. And even this think about this 504 00:30:15,280 --> 00:30:19,760 guard within us, speaks through US to guard outsiders. 505 00:30:19,920 --> 00:30:23,080 I mean, it's just an incredible miracle of what happens. 506 00:30:23,240 --> 00:30:26,840 It's a form of prayer. You're always in control. 507 00:30:28,080 --> 00:30:31,400 Doesn't mean you don't want him to take over, and public 508 00:30:31,880 --> 00:30:34,400 messages of tongues require an interpretation. 509 00:30:34,600 --> 00:30:36,600 But why is the gift of tongues helpful? 510 00:30:37,200 --> 00:30:39,080 It builds up the individual. Listen to this. 511 00:30:39,120 --> 00:30:42,560 Anyone who speaks in the tongue edifies themselves. 512 00:30:42,760 --> 00:30:45,480 They build themselves up. When you speak in tongues, you 513 00:30:45,480 --> 00:30:48,400 build yourself up in God's presence. 514 00:30:49,080 --> 00:30:50,840 But it also inspires our worship. 515 00:30:50,840 --> 00:30:53,120 What will I do? I'll pray with my Spirit, Paul 516 00:30:53,120 --> 00:30:54,320 says. I'll also pray with my 517 00:30:54,320 --> 00:30:56,640 understanding. I will sing with my Spirit, but 518 00:30:56,640 --> 00:30:58,680 I will also sing with my understanding. 519 00:30:58,680 --> 00:31:02,000 I love singing in the language of the Spirit. 520 00:31:02,280 --> 00:31:06,080 I'd like us to do it more as a house, because a sustained 521 00:31:06,080 --> 00:31:10,000 period of just singing in the language of the Spirit releases 522 00:31:10,000 --> 00:31:12,440 something of faith in the atmosphere. 523 00:31:13,120 --> 00:31:17,560 It's a wonderful gateway gift. It leads into the other gifts of 524 00:31:17,560 --> 00:31:20,960 the Spirit. We'd need to desire to speak in 525 00:31:20,960 --> 00:31:25,480 talks and to use this regularly. So how can we be filled? 526 00:31:25,920 --> 00:31:28,520 The Holy Spirit is often described as being like water in 527 00:31:28,520 --> 00:31:30,400 a bowl. The sponge is in the bowl, The 528 00:31:30,400 --> 00:31:35,040 water is in the sponge. He fills us like a thirsty land 529 00:31:35,520 --> 00:31:38,440 and we're immersed in Him like baptism in water. 530 00:31:38,640 --> 00:31:42,680 We are baptised, filled, immerse in the Holy Spirit. 531 00:31:42,680 --> 00:31:46,280 Whatever terminology we use, we need the Holy Spirit to fill us. 532 00:31:47,240 --> 00:31:50,440 We believe in an experience that we call baptism in the Holy 533 00:31:50,440 --> 00:31:52,600 Spirit. When Jesus was baptised, the 534 00:31:52,600 --> 00:31:56,080 Spirit came down on him. John has said this. 535 00:31:56,080 --> 00:31:58,680 It's on the screen. I baptise you with water, but 536 00:31:58,680 --> 00:32:00,320 one more powerful than I will come. 537 00:32:00,520 --> 00:32:05,040 He will baptise you with the Holy Spirit and we listen. 538 00:32:05,640 --> 00:32:12,480 Fire, fire, Jesus himself said just before he died. 539 00:32:12,760 --> 00:32:14,840 I'm going to ask the Father, I love her. 540 00:32:16,440 --> 00:32:22,160 I'm going to ask the Father. I ask you Father again, and he 541 00:32:22,160 --> 00:32:25,480 will give you another advocate, a comforter, A counsellor, the 542 00:32:25,480 --> 00:32:27,440 spirit of truth. Beautiful. 543 00:32:28,000 --> 00:32:30,320 The world cannot accept him because it neither sees him or 544 00:32:30,320 --> 00:32:33,280 knows him. But you know him, for he lives 545 00:32:33,400 --> 00:32:39,280 with you and will be in you. Holy Spirit makes Jesus real to 546 00:32:39,280 --> 00:32:41,120 us. He helps us form fruit. 547 00:32:41,320 --> 00:32:44,600 There's always more. You will never reach the end of 548 00:32:44,600 --> 00:32:47,720 the fullness of what He wants to pour into your life. 549 00:32:48,000 --> 00:32:51,520 When I became a Jesus follower, the day after I gave my life to 550 00:32:51,520 --> 00:32:55,360 Jesus, standing in a room, about 60 people in this room, a man 551 00:32:55,360 --> 00:32:56,720 with a guitar standing at the front. 552 00:32:56,720 --> 00:32:59,760 I was on the front row and a man was playing a song called Worthy 553 00:32:59,760 --> 00:33:03,040 or Worthy Are You Lord worthy to be thanked and praised and 554 00:33:03,040 --> 00:33:05,080 worshipped under the Lord. I still love that song. 555 00:33:05,400 --> 00:33:08,400 And as I stood, the power of the Spirit came upon me from the top 556 00:33:08,400 --> 00:33:10,240 of my head to the bottom of my feet. 557 00:33:10,240 --> 00:33:13,680 And as a 19 year old guy, I wept in the presence of God for 558 00:33:13,840 --> 00:33:18,120 around 2 hours that day. But nobody said to me what had 559 00:33:18,120 --> 00:33:20,880 happened to me. And I didn't at that time speak 560 00:33:20,880 --> 00:33:22,840 in tongues. It was not till a few weeks 561 00:33:22,840 --> 00:33:26,160 later when I was reading about a group of people who were filled 562 00:33:26,160 --> 00:33:27,560 with the Spirit and spoke in tongues. 563 00:33:27,760 --> 00:33:29,200 I said, Lord, I'd like to do that. 564 00:33:29,200 --> 00:33:31,840 And I just began to speak where I was. 565 00:33:32,280 --> 00:33:38,160 It was, it was wonderful. Jesus promises that if we ask, 566 00:33:38,440 --> 00:33:40,920 we'll receive. And if you want to, you can 567 00:33:40,920 --> 00:33:47,520 receive a first, a fresh, a more touch of the Holy Spirit here 568 00:33:47,520 --> 00:33:50,480 today. Ask, seek and knock. 569 00:33:50,720 --> 00:33:54,560 This is what Jesus encourages us to welcome him to ask and then 570 00:33:54,560 --> 00:33:56,200 to receive. So I'm going to just take us 571 00:33:56,200 --> 00:33:58,200 through a little journey of popper, a little bit of music 572 00:33:58,200 --> 00:33:59,720 on. So if you're able, can you stand 573 00:33:59,720 --> 00:34:05,680 to your feet, please? Now ask him, say, I'd like to be 574 00:34:05,880 --> 00:34:08,840 baptised in the Holy Spirit or I'd like to be filled again, or 575 00:34:08,840 --> 00:34:10,480 I'd like you to draw close to me. 576 00:34:10,600 --> 00:34:13,360 Whatever your longing is. Now listen. 577 00:34:13,360 --> 00:34:16,080 The promise is the Father only gives good gifts to us. 578 00:34:16,800 --> 00:34:19,480 So ask Him now just where you are. 579 00:34:19,480 --> 00:34:22,600 Ask Him. He'll hear you as an individual. 580 00:34:23,360 --> 00:34:26,560 He's not overwhelmed by hundreds of people asking Him things at 581 00:34:26,560 --> 00:34:36,620 the same time. Ask Him now. 582 00:34:36,620 --> 00:34:39,820 Just breathe in His presence. It helps you to put your hands 583 00:34:39,820 --> 00:34:43,179 out in front of you, waiting for receiving a gift. 584 00:34:43,420 --> 00:34:45,420 Breathe in His presence right now. 585 00:34:45,900 --> 00:34:49,380 Breathe. Breathe in the presence of God, 586 00:34:50,060 --> 00:34:54,520 ministering to you right now in the name of Jesus, in the name 587 00:34:54,520 --> 00:35:02,920 of Jesus, in the name of Jesus. Hear our prayers, this beautiful 588 00:35:02,920 --> 00:35:08,400 journey that we're all on, walking with him, devotions, 589 00:35:08,920 --> 00:35:12,600 baptism, remembering what we've already done, filled with this 590 00:35:12,600 --> 00:35:14,040 spirit. There's more this week. 591 00:35:14,040 --> 00:35:16,920 Press in for more of him. More of him. 592 00:35:18,800 --> 00:35:22,480 The Lord bless you and keep you. The Lord, Make his face shine 593 00:35:22,480 --> 00:35:25,440 upon you, and be gracious to you, the Lord. 594 00:35:25,440 --> 00:35:28,400 Turn his face towards you and give you peace.