Good morning , we are in . It is hashtag Christian straight . Talk straight out the barrel of truth . There's no bends in it . There's no bananas in it , it is just pure straight . There are no rain bag rainbows .
Speaker 1You're in it , Ben aren't you , I'm in it , yeah , so there is a bend in it . There is a bend in it . There is a bend in it . There is a bend in it . Yeah , has in it . There is a bend in . There is a bend in it . There is a bend in it , yeah . Hashtag christian straight talk wherever you are across this beautiful earth . It is thursday and we are in the 10 commandments , and you know what , simon , when god spoke to simon about bringing these to the table , you know what it has transformed my thinking and my understanding over the last few weeks , and I never realized that I was clueless to a lot of them , because when you start looking at them , they are so deep , aren't they ?
Speaker 2There's so much in there . Ben isn't there . And what we said right from the beginning , and hello everybody . We love you wherever you are across the world , wherever you're listening to us , it's another day in paradise , ben .
Speaker 1We're living the dream . We are . My best life is now . It's awful .
Speaker 2But mate these Ten Commandments . They are very , very deep , there's so much in there and , like we said , ben , I think you know , if the world or the schools were taught these Ten Commandments , we'd have a better place to live , mate , wouldn't we ?
Speaker 1Even if you yeah , if you took the core of school and you put these into schools and universities , what a different place we would live in . Unbelievable . When you think about the power , power , the teaching , that , how long could you literally spend . You know , we're just almost . I feel like we're skimming over it , but every time we speak about it and even through the week , I'm thinking about it and I'm preaching on it it's coming in . There's different things that I'm involved in and I never realized how much it was missing out my life and and it's big , it's very big .
Speaker 2They're commandments . They're commandments from the Lord . They're not , as we said , they're not New Year's resolutions , ben , you know , they're absolute commandments ?
Speaker 1No , they're not . On the 1st of January , thou shalt join a gym . Thou shalt give up smoking .
Speaker 2But none of us , Ben , can keep these commandments . And that's what I love about it , and we certainly can't keep them without the Holy Spirit , can we ?
Speaker 1No . And what does it do ? It sharpens us to realise oh wretched man am I ? I fall on almost every one of these daily . That's huge . Yeah , and we've , I think . I'm not afraid to say that , you know , because these scriptures have made me alert , alert , and they've sharpened me to say Lord , you've got to strip me back more .
Speaker 2Well , that's a dangerous prayer , isn't it Ben ? It's very dangerous , it's a powerful prayer and you know the thing has been . Keep me close . You know , none of us have kept all of these commandments , have we ?
Speaker 1We've all fallen short in every single one of them , really you know if we were truthful , but we're frightened of being truthful . Because of what Condemnation from the religious people , from family , from world ? But the Bible says in Romans , chapter 8 , verse 1 , there is now no condemnation for those that are in Christ Jesus .
Speaker 2Well , that's the big one . That's huge , isn't it ? Those who are in Christ Jesus In Christ . Yeah , there's no guilt for those , but yeah , we've all fallen short of maybe every single one of these .
Speaker 1It's quite scary , isn't it , Simon ? Looking at them , just looking at them alone .
Speaker 2Well , and the Bible tells us , doesn't it , that if we break one , we break the lot .
Speaker 1Join the club join the club to brokenness .
Speaker 2What hope is there ? Well , of course there is hope .
Speaker 1There's hope . There's hope in Jesus .
Speaker 2Christ , and we're going to today , we're going to go on to Exodus 20 , verse 8 , which is , remember , the Sabbath day . But before that , I was thinking , ben , about the one that we did last week , which was verse 7 , you know , not taking the Lord's name in vain . And I was thinking during the week after we've done that , we were very strong on that . We were very strong on casually taking the Lord's name in vain . We were strong on if you're in the church standing on the Lord's name to boost your ministry . So then , what I was thinking , ben , is that do you think that in our actions , we can take the Lord's name in vain ?
Speaker 1100% Because , yeah , it comes back . It's so easy to answer my actions misuse the name of the Lord without a shadow of a doubt and you can almost use it for an insurance policy , can't you as well ? I'm going to get away with it . So my actions ? I'm going to go into a situation or I'm in ministry or I'm manipulating something for my fleshly gain . So I'm using the insurance policy of jesus , once saved , always saved , washed in the blood of jesus . So there is a battle . I believe a true believer will look at these 10 commandments and verse 7 and think do you know what ? I misused the name of the Lord more times than I've realised in my actions , my place at work , my home life .
Speaker 2So , really , as a Christian , as a non-believer , I think the verbal the verbal one , the verbal one , the verbal one .
Speaker 1But as a non-believer , I think the verbal the verbal one , the verbal the verbal one . But as a believer .
Speaker 2As a believer , your actions if someone knows , or you tell someone or people know that you're a christian and your actions don't marry up .
Speaker 1So you're bending the truth , your lips are not really telling the truth , you're manipulating it and your actions don't marry up and it don't marry up and you're especially , I especially . I think that's really important . Verse 7 , for those that are in ministry and in some form of church leadership , am I misusing the name of the Lord and putting his name above the door ? But literally I'm building me up inside .
Speaker 2So actions Really in our everyday actions , as well Ben In everyday life . If we're grumpy or abusive to someone who we meet , you know our actions From the point of Just little things , even .
Speaker 1Opening our eyes to closing our eyes from morning to whenever we go to sleep . I honestly believe there is a big percentage of believers that we misuse his name in my life , in my thinking , my attitude , my understanding , and don't even realise I'm doing it . Just a small
thing .
Speaker 2yesterday , like you know , sort of my car went in for its service and you know , I haven't got the privilege or the luxury of having someone pick it up and take it , so I've got to take it to the garage and stand there and wait around . Well , fortunately they gave me a little loan card . But when I was sort of waiting for it to come back , I sort of popped into a shop and I was waiting for the phone call for them to tell me it was ready . And one of my I don't know for me a pet hate is when someone is buying something or interacting with someone , giving them or selling them something , the phone rings and they're on the phone .
Speaker 2So my phone rang just as I was about to go to the counter and I had to say to the lady I've got to say this because I'm really sorry , you know , and I apologise , because otherwise you're just ignorant , aren't you ?
Speaker 1by picking your phone up . Isn't that frustrating ? Yeah , do you think that ? I think that's very true . I think that's really true . So , yeah , the complete action of a believer , from waking up to going to sleep . We actually misuse the name of the lord in many ways if we're not careful in the actions , because the bible says faith and actions go together . So faith and and spiritual the just shall live by faith . So how much of the percentage of our life do I misuse the name of the lord and I don't even know that I'm doing it . It's not that I'm blaspheming because I don't . That's one thing I'm sure , and I well I know that I don't do that . But there are other areas in places I work , just literally living taking the name of the Lord in vain , misusing it .
Speaker 2My actions by your ex , by our actions , yeah and and uh . You said something earlier . You know , um , where we have a connection with those , uh great guys from the , from the gideons , don't we and um what did one of them say about ? About how you , how you treat the bible ben ?
Speaker 1oh , my goodness , how you treat the bible . Yeah , we were just having a general conversation and I learned something yesterday . Now we got these little gospel of John's , these little tracks .
Speaker 2Yeah , don't forget about them , they're out there If you want them get in touch , We'll get them to you .
Speaker 1We've already Get them to you .
Speaker 2Listen , we must have got rid of about 500 already , haven't we In ?
Speaker 1a week , we're gone Within a week , yeah . So I had a couple of these and I put one in my back pocket and I was chatting and he went don't put that in your back pocket , what ?
Speaker 2are you talking ?
Speaker 1about . And then he said I learned something from and do you know what he said From another religion . They don't treat their holy book as we treat the Bible and as that story I told you earlier about the Bible as well . He said never put your Bible on the floor . I thought , yeah , and so it's quite interesting what come of that conversation . And then I was speaking to someone this morning and then an incident happened in church and someone got hold of their Bible and slammed it on the floor , you know . So that is a big action .
Speaker 2It is a big action .
Speaker 1That and I was in the pulpit preaching and I watched it happen and I thought you're doing it in temper , your action . It was quite harrowing to watch . So even by putting a scripture in your back pocket , it shouldn't happen . So even by putting your Bible on the floor , it shouldn't happen . But literally to close your Bible in anger and frustration and literally thunder it to the floor and it bounced on the floor . It shouldn't happen but literally to close your Bible in anger and frustration and literally thunder it to the floor and it bounced off the floor . That is what we're going on about here . You've got to respect the word . That is God . That is God .
Speaker 2I think it's a really important point .
Speaker 1Respecting the word , the Bible .
Speaker 2This is you know .
Speaker 1It's God , whatever .
Speaker 2Bible you've got , just you know , and it doesn't matter what version .
Speaker 1does it really because God speaks through anything ? It doesn't matter what version If you are comfortable in that one , whatever one it might be , God will speak through that . I mean , what version do you use normally ? I can't tell you because I'm not allowed to talk about that online .
Speaker 2I use the one that Paul used . Do you know ?
Speaker 1what I use . Yeah , I literally honest all jokes the NIV because Do you ?
Speaker 1know what someone said yeah , never intended version . Do you know what someone said to me ? Funny , you should say that , talking about this . They went do you know what ? You're not saved ? And I went why is that ? And this was in the church . They went you're not saved because you don't read and you don't preach from the New King James . And I said I'm dyslexic , I can't really . Do you know what their answer was ? Well , what their answer was well , you need to pull your socks and sort yourself out . I thought this is a christian person talking to me and telling me I'm not saved because I am not coming out of the new the king james , so I come out of the niv . I like that , I look for others , but literally . So , carrying on from your verse seven , because it's all very relevant , misusing the name . And so when I hold that Bible , I'm holding God's word . Who is the word Christ when I hold that ? So misuse is like throwing it across the table , leaving it on the shelf , disregarding it , disrespectful to it .
Speaker 2I think even I mean I know we don't want to get sidetracked here , but I think even putting it amongst Other books . Secular books , yes , secular books . I think you've got to be very , very careful really because we will be held account for our actions . I know there's no condemnation , but we don't want to be moving in that direction because as soon as you start getting sloppy and disrespectful , that will .
Speaker 1That shows where your heart actually sits . So respect so this verse 7 really keeps .
Speaker 2It's very relevant . It keeps us burning . It keeps us burning .
Speaker 1So how can I misuse the name of the Lord ? The common one is obviously the blasphemous way that it's used across the world . Secondly , the misuse of the Bible putting it down , misusing it , you know , slamming it on the floor . My actions , I think , are one of the biggest ones for me , really , that I don't realise I'm misusing the name of the Lord , bending , manipulating , blah , blah , blah . You know what I'm saying Ducking and diving , weaving and bobbing .
Speaker 2Everyone we meet is an opportunity to show them Jesus in their actions isn't it ?
Speaker 1And the Bible says we are his ambassadors .
Speaker 2Well , so if we are his ambassadors , then everyone we meet should be looking to us and going there's Jesus , exactly .
Speaker 1What a challenge . What is ?
Speaker 2it about that fella .
Speaker 1What a challenge . You speak a lot about challenges .
Speaker 2Yeah .
Speaker 1What a challenge to take that mantle . When I meet people , as of today , I'm going to make sure that they know I represent the king . Now , if you take the monarchy , look at the queen , you know and the many people that represent her at functions and everything you know . And that's the same for us , isn't it ? We are his ambassadors , and do we stand out in the crowd as an ambassador of the king or do we just blend in to the robotic world ?
Speaker 2Well , who said Ben ? Who said preach the gospel at all times and sometimes use words ? Who said that ? Oh yeah , I mean , that's attributed to Francis of Assisi , but whether or not it was from him I don't know , but it's very true , isn't it ?
Speaker 1Yeah , preach the gospel at all times and sometimes use words In season and out of season . You know , if you come to… . So it's important , isn't it ? It's… . So we are an ambassador and we are a servant . So , as a servant , you represent the word , you represent Jesus on earth . You are his instrument .
Speaker 2So , verse 7 , there should be no misuse , because my actions as a servant as a servant , you are now a citizen of the kingdom and as a citizen of the kingdom , you know there is a certain way that you act that has to be adhered to . Look , matthew 5.16 says it all . It says let your light so shine before men that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven . So it doesn't say glorify you , it doesn't glorify your profile on social media Glorify your profile .
Speaker 2Lift your own profile up . It says glorify your father in heaven . So when people see you , let them say there's something different , and when they say what's different about you , why do you stand out like the Ready Breck man ?
Speaker 1What is that glow around ?
Speaker 2you .
Speaker 1Let your light shine out . Let your oats let your light shine , let your Ready Breck in the morning glow down the cold street . We all know that advert that ready break boy used to come out , you know , and he had a glow around him . You know we need to be seen to be different , not religious , because religious people just blend in . You're a warrior , you are a believer , you are a saint , you are a child of the living God and more than that , we are slaves to righteousness and we are servants and we are ambassadors well , you imagine , ben , if every morning , you know , the believers in jesus got up and and said that you know , said right today , today I'm , I'm off out and I'm , I'm just gonna wherever I'm .
Speaker 2Wherever I'm going , and then your life starts to become a bit more exciting , doesn't it ?
Speaker 1Yeah , because people will look at you , and it's not that you're attractive , in a way , the physicality but there is something that you are carrying that the world cannot offer .
Speaker 2Mate . I tell you , mate , it doesn't matter what you look like when the spirit shines out of you . There is something very , very attractive about you .
Speaker 1But isn't it interesting what the Bible says about Jesus ? There was nothing in his physical that was attractive to his persona . There was nothing about him , but because he was the living word , people flocked to him . Houses were filled . He didn't have to sell a ticket on Everbright , he didn't have to put out a social media call . When Jesus spoke , crowds came to him Very , very interesting point .
Speaker 2Very interesting point , yeah , because so what have we got now ? We've got people . We've got the opposite . We've got the opposite . We've got the opposite .
Speaker 1We've got people driving Manipulators wanting to put people to themselves . Yeah , we've got the drive for self , and then they might drop a bit of Jesus in in
the ministry .
Speaker 2And why have we got so many people crashing and burning is because we were never made to be worshipped Ben , were we ?
Speaker 1No .
Speaker 2We were never made to be worshipped , we were made to worship the Creator . So , when we're putting ourselves in the place , we've just covered those particular commandments .
Speaker 1Do you know what ? 7 flows very easily into verse 8 because it talks about rest and we know how important rest is . And he's smiling and I know what he's thinking . I know exactly what he's saying . But when you live in verse 7 and you keep the name of the Lord and you understand he's his servant , you can literally run on the word and not grow faint and weary , you can rise on wings as of eagles . Why have we got so much burnout in ministry is because I'm going on my CV of eagles . Why have we got so much burnout in ministry ? Is because I'm going on my cv and if you , if you , if any human being , thinks that they can deliver a god-given ministry in flesh , you are going to end up in a mental institution . You are going to be under the table , you're going to be completely burnt and hit like a train . But if you know you're calling , I'll tell you something because I've experienced it and I stretch it and I take it to the limit . So we're talking about Isaiah aren't we , we are .
Speaker 2For those who wait on the Lord , we renew their strength . They will rise on wings like eagles . Run and not get weary , walk and not get faint 100% Perfect . So we're in that . So let us know , Ben , read us what Do you want me to read it ?
Speaker 1Go on , you read it , because this hurts me .
Speaker 2Well , this is from obviously God's Bible . So the New King James ? I'm not saved .
Speaker 1That's why I can't do all these 10 , because I'm not saved .
Speaker 2Do you speak in tongues as well ? No , you don't I speak in Chav .
Speaker 1Is Chav a form of Holy Spirit language ? Where you come from ? Where you come from , it might be , so I'm speaking in a language that's foreign .
Speaker 2Oh , dear , dear dear , have some fun . Come on so . Exodus 20 , verse . Dear dear , that was some fun . Come on so . Exodus 20 , verse 8 says Remember the Sabbath day to keep it holy . Six days you shall labour and do all your work , but the seventh day is the Sabbath of the Lord , your God . In it you shall do no work , you , nor your son , nor your daughter , nor your male servant , nor your female servant , nor your cattle , nor your stranger who is working within your gates . I'm out of here .
Speaker 1This is my biggest . This is interesting because this is bad .
Speaker 2Well , my son is married to a Jewish girl . Now , are they religious ? No , but they like to live under the umbrella of the Jewish faith .
Speaker 2So I spoke to her . I said you know , tell us about the Sabbath , you know . And she said well , blue water , no , no . She said it was interesting what she said . She said because she went to a Jewish school . So she said we used to finish school at 2 o'clock on a Friday , yes , and we used to get home Shabbat . Is that ? Yeah , we used to get shabbat . Is that ? Yeah , we used to get home ? Yeah , she said . And my mum yeah , would we'd , we'd all gather around a table .
Speaker 2Yes , big family meal , the mum would have the hollow bread and the chicken soup and the full stretch , the full monte . We'd , we'd sit around the table . No phones , no , nothing this is beautiful and we'd just talk about a week .
Speaker 2We'd talk about how we are . Just talk about a week . We'd talk about how we are , we'd talk about stuff , you know . And she said and then it goes into the Saturday and obviously if you were religious you would go to the synagogue but you know you would do nothing , nothing , nothing . So from the Jewish faith that's a lovely big family meal .
Speaker 1And it's so powerful . And my friend Brian that we've podcast with and you've probably seen him across the socials Mayoz Ministry , and also Chris Millen . Chris Millen got into this as well , where he stopped on a Friday afternoon and he done that , went back and done the full nine yards that we're talking about and everything . But for me I tell you what Simon God help me . It's interesting . If there's some place God could strike me dead , is this one .
Speaker 2It's interesting , isn't it ? But what I will say about that ? Because I spoke to a and we'll come on to your situation in a minute because it's not unusual . No , of course it's not . It's not unusual , ben , because we're all in there . But I said to her you went to the Jewish school . Now , did you learn about the Ten Commandments ? Did you learn ? Because you know what is the Torah ? It's the first five books . First , five .
Speaker 1Yeah , she said , no , we didn't really go in but yeah , she said no , we didn't really go in , but we went into more of the traditions . Yeah , it's very traditional . It's very traditional and it's really interesting as well . So , if you can take that tradition and have revelation in that , what the tradition does and I've found this , what she's experienced and others have experienced in that Jewish faith , following that right line by line and everything through the old , when God reveals that it brings it so much more alive , it really , because it gives you it in picture form , you understand what you're doing it for and not just a religious motion . So it's really interesting . So , where you might be doing what they're doing , they're doing it but it's not worth doing it because they're doing it out of tradition . So you're breaking it because you're I , they're doing it , but it's not worth doing it because they're doing it out of tradition . So you're breaking it because you're I'm just doing it , mom and dad doing it . It's what we normally do but I don't really know what I'm doing it for .
Speaker 2But ? And they're still holding firm , aren't they ? They're still holding firm To that Sabbath day . And I watched something the other night and they don't even , don't turn a light on no , nothing , really nothing . Don't go shopping , don't do nothing . They prepare for it , they prepare for it .
Speaker 1Yes , a big , big . But the thing is , isn't it ? If it's not right in my heart , don't bother doing it . It's like what Christ said about the Pharisees and the Sadducees yeah if it's just… .
Speaker 2If it's just words and action , it's just hot air .
Speaker 1It's a great idea , isn't it ?
Speaker 2It's a great idea and it looks good , but where are we digging , you know ? Look , if we go in this one right the way back to Genesis 2 , to Genesis 2 , and it says right at the start . It says Thus the heavens and the earth and all the host of them were finished , and on the seventh day , god ended his work which he had done and he rested on the seventh day from all his work which he had done . Then God blessed the seventh day and sanctified it because he had rested from all his work , which God had created and made , which God had created and made . Now we hear a lot , don't we , ben ? And we see a lot across social media . We see a lot across blogs and podcasts about certain things that are troubling church leaders or ministry leaders .
Speaker 2And a lot of it is to do with with alcohol and all that sort of thing . But you know , I've got a , I've got to tell you . You know , I personally , from what I've seen , I think the one massive thing , bigger than all of that , is burnout of christian ministers . Now you're a christian minister , you don't have you know , hardly any time to rest , do you mate ?
Speaker 1no , it's . It's very , very sad and I've got myself into a a cycle of if I stop , and what happens if I stop and I take a day off ? What happens is it affects my head , right . This is quite a serious thing to be in . So this stuff that we're talking about , if I stop , I think that I'm failing my community and I'm failing and I and I think that I've got to keep going like a train , seven days a week , 24 hours a day , seven days a week . I prayed , I paid a serious price for that amongst my family . It's not . It's a serious issue of not stopping and acknowledging the Sabbath rest . I'm very conscious of it . I'm very aware of it and it's my biggest downfall . I would say .
Speaker 2I don't think you're alone , though , Ben .
Speaker 1To be honest , with you and it hurts me because there's a consequence to my actions through family , through life , through other people's lives for me thinking that god has called me to create another eight day . You know , I mean and and take over god's job and do this and do that , and then you get in a cycle . You get in a cycle of a very robotic ministry and I'm going to say this Thank God that I haven't had burnout , and I'm not saying this in a blasé or a prideful way . I'm saying that I do think that I have found my calling now . So obviously , in your calling there is a responsibility to rest .
Speaker 1So I'm in a very dangerous position at this moment and that's not sinning all day long and partying and smoking drugs and sex drugs and rock and roll . The danger that I'm in is that I could hit a wall and crash and burn . That's the danger . It's a big danger and I've lost a lot of friends and people in ministry that have done that . Now the only area I can draw on and try and find some reasoning through this is that I believe God strengthens you in your calling , but you've got to know what your calling is . And it's not because I am averse from burnout . I'm not saying that , but I do believe that we have a big issue within ministry and church that there are people that are fire starters , that start fires because they're educated , they've got a few quid behind them , they can talk a bit , they can start a business , and what happens is , if you don't know your calling , you will burn , you will crash , you will hit a wall .
Speaker 1So there's two sides to what simon is saying . It's that you can get blasé in your calling and think that you can run forever on a day , um , because it's your calling . But then also there's another side to the calling when it's the calling of a cv that you've put yourself in that position , or mum and dad and the power . How many times have we heard in church where someone's gone ? Do you know what ? Fred and George and Billy and Sharon , they're great . I think they could be pastors , they could be elders , they could be deacons , they could be , could be , could be You're an evangelist when we put ourselves into ministerial positions when we haven't had a calling positions , when we haven't had a calling . So there we have a difference between calling and anointing and appointing . So you've opened up a big lid on this .
Speaker 2It's a big lid . Well , I haven't the scripture has , hasn't it ? Come on , pick yourself up for once no , it's all… .
Speaker 1No , all seriousness , it's in the scripture .
Speaker 2God is speaking , it's a Sabbath day which I don't think we in the Christian faith really appreciate do we . No , no , no .
Speaker 1See so the .
Speaker 2Jewish faith looks on Saturday really as their Sabbath day , and so we , I guess in the Christian world , look on Sunday , don't ?
Speaker 1we .
Speaker 2Which is the church day , but it means nothing anymore does it .
Speaker 1It doesn't mean anything .
Speaker 2And so church leaders don't give themselves any time to rest .
Speaker 1No .
Speaker 2In a lot of cases you know , you do hear of people taking and this is a word that's probably- not in your .
Speaker 1Are you going to say it ? It's not in your vocabulary .
Speaker 2I didn't say it Sa ba ti col . It's not in your . Oh , it's in your vocabulary . I didn't think it was .
Speaker 1I don't even think it's in the Bible , Simon .
Speaker 2I was chasing a church leader once and eventually he caught up with him , you know , and he said oh , I'm taking three months off just to see where God wants me to be . And I thought , Well , get yourself a Bible . I thought , do you know what my mate down the road is ? A brick he can't take three months off can he ?
Speaker 1I'm going trekking across the Himalayas , simon , to find myself , to find myself and get closer to God , yeah well , it's all very well , but God said just take one day a week . Don't take your life , your whole lifespan . Don't be greedy son , that's lust and greed . That's what they're doing . That's what they're doing , and guess what ? They get paid for it it's a paid holiday .
Speaker 2But the amount of just going on from that , the amount of leaders I know that have taken sabbaticals and fallen short , you know in lots of ways . So you have to be careful . The Lord's given us a day , a week , a day , a week .
Speaker 1So what I've started is taking 15 minutes and 30 minutes . People laugh and think I'm off my rocker . This is a massive journey for me and I'm not frightened . I tell you I've fail all the time at this . I've let people down . I've messed my family up . I've screwed my wife's head up . I've messed my daughter up . Because I won't go on holidays , I won't take a day off . I have wrecked my family .
Speaker 2And I can understand that and I can stand with you on that , because many times I've put ministry before my family and I still do it .
Speaker 1How sad am I , really , how bad is this ? But I'm starting to take 15 minutes , 30 minutes an hour , taking a moment's quietness , thinking , sitting back , being respectful for people in my life and my situation , and all that because I seriously have done some damage . I seriously have done some damage . Yeah .
Speaker 2And I pray that God will have mercy . I understand that , but there's no . You can mend that . You can mend that Of course , and I think , because you see it now , it's a process Of course , and I think , because you see it now it's a process . I've seen pastors and church leaders just go mentally .
Speaker 2Yes mentally ill Because , believe me , running a church , I haven't got a clue . But you must have so much thrown at you , different personalities , different people . If you've not got someone to filter that through to , you've got to deal with a whole show , haven't you ?
Speaker 1Very respectfully , very respectfully , completely respectfully If you're not called to be a pastor or a leader , get out , stay out . Stay out , literally , stay out . You know that I'm full-time here with no wages , and I say that . So I have two other places I work as well as this ministry , this church that is full guns , blazing on every level .
Speaker 2I could not do this .
Speaker 1I could not do this without knowing my calling . So I have learned a lot through what Simon and God is bringing through the table the Sabbath day's rest . I have learned a lot what my calling is , what my capabilities are , what to say no to . I tell you what . What this is , number verse , verse eight is an absolute mountain for those and the issue we have as well for those that are in leadership . You can get in leadership and actually realize that I'm in so deep that if I say this is not my bag , I've fouled .
Speaker 2Well , yeah . I mean if you imagine that if you're living in a manse , if you've got your whole family tied up , if you're living in a place that's given to you by the church and all of a sudden you're thinking whoa , but you know the deal is , if you're not giving time to God .
Speaker 1This ain't a job .
Speaker 2It's not a job . It's not a job and a lot of people are using it as a job now . It is a vocation , it is a calling and the thing is , if you're not giving that time to the Lord , if you're not giving that time to the Lord , then you're not refreshing yourself .
Speaker 1Are you If you're not giving that time to the Lord , then you're not refreshing yourself , are you ?
Speaker 2No , you're not . So when you stand up on a Sunday to give a talk , where's it coming from ? It ain't coming from… . What are you drawing from ?
Speaker 1You know , the Bible says out the overflow of the heart , the mouth speaks .
Speaker 2So if you're exhausted , if you're like a mobile phone , my mobile phone is fully charged and it's great and I can phone my wife who's in the States and I can . You know , it's great .
Speaker 1Yeah .
Speaker 2But if it's not got any charge in it , it's useless . It's nothing .
Speaker 1Throw it on the side , it's just a bit of metal , isn't it ? And that's how we are .
Speaker 2We can be and look at this scripture here , Not another scripture . Yeah , I mean if you go through the all of Hebrews 4 , but I'm just going to pick out a little bit here . It says he talks about the rest of God in Hebrews 4 , right .
Speaker 2It's a great thing , you know , because entering his rest , entering God's rest , it talks about , and from verse 8 it goes for if Joshua had given them rest , then he would not afterwards have spoken of another day . There remains , therefore , a rest for the people of God , for he who has entered his rest has himself also seized from his works , as God did from his . So if God has seized from his works , I have I have , I've got to step back .
Speaker 2We've got to seriously look at what time we're given , because he goes on to say and I think this is a beautiful scripture . He goes on to say Let us therefore be diligent to enter that rest lest anyone fall according to the same example of disobedience . Because he says it's disobedience , I'm disobedient to God , for the word of God is what it's living . It's powerful and sharper than any two edged sword , piercing even the vision of soul and spirit listen to this and of joints and marrow , and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart . This is , this will get you . And there is no creature hidden from his sight , but all things are naked and open to the eyes of him , to whom we must give account . I'm in trouble .
Speaker 2I'm in big trouble so it clearly says that , yeah , clearly says it , that if we've not given ourselves rest , I'm disobedient . And do you know what , ben , during the old lockdowns , you know that dark period of we didn't , we weren't locked down .
Speaker 1We were still doing the old .
Speaker 2We were at full pelt .
Speaker 1Sorry , Boris .
Speaker 2But there was a time when I thought I just looked and I thought do you know what , lord , I should be doing more ? Yeah yeah , and I got this thought come into my head , saying just sit back and enjoy me .
Speaker 1Just enjoy me Now that that is the most powerfulest beautiful . You can't even express how that would be Be still and know that I'm God .
Speaker 2Just enjoy me , just get to know me .
Speaker 1Yeah .
Speaker 2And someone from the States rang me very early on in the lockdowns and said Simon , that's how they talk . He said Simon . He said just get to know the Lord more , just get to know , get closer to the Lord in this time .
Speaker 1So the lockdown was precious precious to probably so many people in the world of Christianity .
Speaker 2If you used it .
Speaker 1If you used the time correctly , how many leaders I have heard 38 minutes were already in . Do you know what ? We haven't even skimmed it , but it's all so relevant , isn't it ? So through lockdown , I had a very interesting conversation with quite a senior leader in the movement and , uh , he said so many pastors have turned to alcohol through lockdown . That's quite harrowing , isn't it ? When you think about that , a lot of turned to Netflix . Who actually turned to the Bible ? When you really think about it , why would I Now I'm probably going to get you probably cause a lot of eruptions If , oh , I don't know , this is such a big thing , isn't it ?
Speaker 1Alcohol in ministry ? You know alcohol , you know addictions . We're all addicted , we've all got certain traits , we've all got certain failings . But why wouldn't you get into the Bible ? That's what I'm just trying to get my head to understand . Why wouldn't I ? I think now , please , pastors , don't come and hunt me down leaders .
Speaker 1I think that a lot of people turn to the worldly addictions in this because deep down in their heart they know that they shouldn't have taken up the pulpit or the leadership and they're trying to find fulfillment in something .
Speaker 1So it's easy to turn to alcohol . It's easy to crack a can or turn a bottle lid off , pop the cork and all that , but if you really know your calling , if you really are in a calling , if you really are , I know what it says about the prodigal son . But we are in a very dangerous place in the UK spiritually , leadership-wise , across the governments , across church , because we have too many people that are trying to lead this nation that haven't got a clue and we've got people trying to leave churches that don't have a clue . And I'm saying this really respectfully , but this is straight talk . And when you find , when you find a christian leader , when you find a christ Christian leader leading by the word of God , you will find that they get this , not a drive for themselves , but this calling overtakes the flesh , the bones and it's all Jesus .
Speaker 2See , this is opening a can of worms , isn't it ? Because do you think it's a pride thing that we yeah , you know , hold on a minute ? You know I haven't got . The church is not now . I'm no one , I'm faceless . So why don't I reach out to that good Christian mate of mine who went ?
Speaker 1hold on a minute , I ain't got a good Christian mate .
Speaker 2I've never had any good Christian mates , so it's that , isn't it ? Do you know , what kept me going through those times was our meeting , us meeting every week .
Speaker 1Every week , we were constant , we met up every week , constantly , every week we did a podcast , press , press , press .
Speaker 2And the biggest thing that came to me out of that personally was knowing that I had to get into that place , our own garden of Gethsemane , where we got on our faces and went Lord , not my will , but your will be done .
Speaker 1And then that changes and gives you strength and energy to go .
Speaker 1And it's like when that great prophet , when he prayed for rain . He prayed for rain and it rained . He ran down Mount Carmel . He had a word from Jezebel . He fell underneath the juniper tree . He said Lord , I've had enough , now I want to die . God sent an angel and what did the angel do ? He ministered to the servant and he gave him a bread and a little bit of bread and a jar of water . And it says he went for 40 days . When God feeds you , when God feeds you and you are in his will and his purpose , I tell you this from experience you will go and go and go and go , because it's not in your strength .
Speaker 2It's not in your strength , ben , but here's the thing . He still wants you to have a rest .
Speaker 1He still wants you to have a day's rest and you can rest . You can rest in your . Yeah , that's right .
Speaker 2Rest in the word , just rest and enjoy the Lord .
Speaker 1Be still and know that I'm God .
Speaker 1Just rest and enjoy the lord . Just be still and know that I'm god . Just kick back and know he's there . So there's an interesting thing that's coming from this verse . Verse 8 is I have to rest , but in the rest I've got to know my calling and to switch off from not from your calling , as in to put it and hang it up in the cupboard , but to step back . But your calling is always on you because the Bible calls you to be still . So , even though I'm not doing an action of my calling , I'm sitting and I'm still in my calling because I'm being obedient to the Word of God .
Speaker 2You're being obedient . We just read that if you're not resting , then… I'm not obedient . I'm not obedient .
Speaker 1So it's not all about a productive action .
Speaker 2Rest don't mean watching a box set or doing a… . Rest means resting in the Lord , doesn't it ?
Speaker 1Sitting and being still .
Speaker 2Knowing him , even just lying on the floor and just emptying your head and just letting the Holy Spirit just fill you , I need you Jesus . Just fill you up and just refresh you , because then you know your battery will be recharged and on a Sunday morning you'll be speaking out the overflow of the heart . You'll have the words , and it's the order of things . Seek first the kingdom of God , Everything else will fall into place , you know . The question is you know how big is your faith ?
Speaker 1Goodness , gracious me , how big is your ?
Speaker 2faith , because the Bible tells us Ben , doesn't it your faith ? Don't have to be very big Mustard seed . It don't have to be big , does it your faith ? No , it just has to be as big as a mustard seed .
Speaker 1And look what Jesus says just believe , just believe , Just believe . So there is so much in that . So as I'm obedient , as I become obedient , and that opens up the door to surrender . So this is very relevant verse 8 of Exodus , chapter 20 , because if I'm not taking the Sabbath day rest , I'm not obedient , I'm not listening correctly . I'll get in a cycle of disobedience . I'll get in a cycle of I'm helping Jesus out .
Speaker 2You know , this is the question . Is this , you know ?
Speaker 1I'm helping Jesus . I'm helping Jesus .
Speaker 2I'm helping Jesus .
Speaker 1I'm doing what you want me to do , because Jesus is resting and I'm doing his work . I'm finishing , I'm doing Jesus's work , I'm doing what I think you want me to do , and then I flick myself back into verse seven .
Speaker 2I've taken the Lord's name and I'm misusing it , because how many times have we said on this platform you know Jesus is looking at you going , what are you doing ?
Speaker 1over there . And that's exactly what happened to the prophet that I was talking about , that got fed . What ? And that's exactly what happened to the prophet that I was talking about that got fed . What are you doing over there , mate ? Now , that's a very interesting place to be . Ben , get over here . What are you doing over there ? Just come into my arms .
Speaker 2Just rest with me .
Speaker 1Now , that's a very interesting word , isn't it ? Because the angel of the Lord fed him , he was strengthened from heaven . He went on 40 days , but he was in the wrong direction . In from heaven . He went on 40 days , but he was in the wrong direction , in the wrong direction . So there's another area of ministry . You are called , you are chosen , you are fueled . You know the gifts are given without repentance in the wrong direction , but you're anointed and god said what are you doing over there ?
Speaker 1but lord , but lord no . And what did god do to him ? He took him back . The same way . Now that is why maybe a lot of people have a , a moment of burnout , because they know they're called , they're in a certain position , they've gone the wrong direction and actually they've got to go back and they don't want to go back . And they don't want to go back because if I go back and say I made a mistake , my pride is hit I think you you're exactly right .
Speaker 2So so how many people uh are going in their direction and they're going in in the flesh ?
Speaker 1and if you're going in the flesh you're always going to get worn out , you're going to get worn out .
Speaker 2If you set out , if you jump on a plane that's going from Heathrow Airport to Paris , right , and the plane is one degree out , you're going to end up in Timbuktu or somewhere , aren't ?
Speaker 1you . You're going to end up somewhere completely different . So you're on the plane , you're in the plane . You know what the plane's about , but one degree .
Speaker 2One degree out .
Speaker 1That great prophet that was called and anointed . He stopped the rain falling , then he prayed for rain to fall . But we find in a few pages on the text that he was in the wrong direction . But he was filled and he was infueled , he was encouraged , His fire was on , he was at full pelt . He went for 40 days and 40 nights and he got to his destination and he went , yeah , and God went . Oh , son , you're in the wrong place .
Speaker 2So there is , there's another word in there , and there's another , there's a whole new thing . Where do you want me to be ? Yeah , another word in , there's another , there's a . Where do you want me to be ? Yeah , and , and , and . With that there's uh , are we doing it in my will , in my will , are we doing it in the lord's ? Because , if , how many , how many times you hear these um people come out with these church leaders , these ministries , come out with these , uh , this slogan , or or this set of spreadsheets , this new set of ideas , this new course that we've come up with .
Speaker 2We're doing the four R's , or we're doing this , that and the other , it goes nowhere because the Lord's not in it . Now let's give an example of something that the Lord has been in in our lives . In the last three weeks We've got these little booklets out oh dear the Straight Talk booklets with the Gospel of John Straight in it . Three weeks ago we had a conversation .
Speaker 1Yeah .
Speaker 2And now we had 1,000 of them land Last week In the pod room , yeah , and we've given 500 out already , haven't we ? And we're thinking to ourselves .
Speaker 1goodness , we've got to get up . How did we do that ? Because we didn't , Because we didn't .
Speaker 2You were exactly right , because we didn't , because it was in the Lord's will .
Speaker 1It happened so fast , so quick , with no changing of wedge at the moment , which is absolutely beyond human understanding .
Speaker 2Yeah , but not how in the world ? Not beyond , oh , not beyond Benny Cooper's understanding , not beyond , yeah , yeah , yeah .
Speaker 1Baraboy Benny . All things are possible to those that manipulate . Oh sorry , wrong scripture no but it's the truth .
Speaker 2So this is powerful . Anyone who's listening out there , you know . Don't run on empty . No , just rest in the Lord and just enjoy . The Lord wants you to enjoy your life . He wants you to enjoy your family , I think another thing there , simon .
Speaker 1What does rest actually mean ? Does it mean picking up the golf club ? Does it mean going out to the gym ? It means actually to shut completely down , to close yourself down . So you've got to be careful there as well , haven't you ? What you do , what you call , what do I do in the rest ? What does the Bible say about being in rest ?
Speaker 2You know , rest in the Lord , don't it ? Rest in the Lord .
Speaker 1Just to be still Be in his rest .
Speaker 2You know , there's nothing wrong with enjoying a day out with a family .
Speaker 1There's nothing wrong with all that ?
Speaker 2sort of stuff , and do you take it too far ? If you don't go shopping , where do you draw ?
Speaker 1the line .
Speaker 2You know we have a lot of athletes that are very religious and .
Speaker 2I'll say that religious who don't enter their sport on a Sunday because they say it's the Sabbath day , you know you've got to be careful but you know it's resting and getting to know the Lord . I think anyone who's got any faith at all has got to spend time in the Word and has got to spend time in prayer and has got to spend time with the Lord . Because if you don't and there are many church leaders who don't believe me then what is… what is ?
Speaker 1That is the question . What is this all about ? What's ?
Speaker 2it all about .
Speaker 1So there's a lot in this and we haven't , we've only just like , got off . Remember the verse eight . It says remember the Sabbath day and keep it holy . There's a do you know what is a word I haven't thought about ? Keep it holy .
Speaker 2Oh , dear , yeah , now you know that's . That covers the golf course , so I don't take time off golf Course Netflix .
Speaker 1You don't even play golf , do you ? No , actually , I don't no , but to keep it holy , Keep it holy yeah , there's a massive conversation in just that one . Yeah , keep it holy . So that means that certain places I can't go to , certain places and things I can't watch on telly , certain conversations I can't indulge in , certain clubs I can't go to . The pole club has to be finished that day . I can't spend the day there , I can't .
Speaker 2So that on its own , that on its own , the Sabbath day rests , yeah because the Lord blessed the Sabbath day , but keep it holy and hallowed it yeah .
Speaker 1So this is a serious .
Speaker 2So it's a balance , isn't it , between religion , religion and a serious . So it's a balance , isn't it , between religion , religion .
Speaker 1And a relationship , what this is , a that's like one , two , three , four , five . That's seven words in on verse . That is just verse eight . Keeping it holy . We're 52 minutes in , we're done .
Speaker 2We'd better get out of here , aren't we ? Yeah , maybe come back to this . I tell you , what Do you want ? To come back to it .
Speaker 1I'm too scared . It's scary . Yeah , it's scary . I'll come back to it . I'm happy to come back to it , but to be honest , I think it's really , really important . The rest is . But then suddenly my eyes , my heart and my down here keep it holy . Have you just put that on the text , or has that always been there ?
Speaker 2That's in God's Bible , isn't it ? I've never read it before .
Speaker 1Oh , holy , that's something what the church doesn't do . Keep it holy . I'm in trouble , but through the power of redemption and the power of the insurance policy of the Cross of Calvary , god , I thank you for you , jesus , because you are , your love endures forever , yeah , but repentance .
Speaker 2Ben see , repentance is turning away , isn't it ? If you keep going back to it ? Yeah , I know , and you ain't really repented , have you ? Oh , I'm in trouble , I'm in bad trouble .
Speaker 1We're all in trouble , we're all in trouble , we're all in trouble , we're all in trouble .
Speaker 2Let's then come by hour and just try and push our way through and pray the Lord comes back soon , soon , but we love you , jesus , and we just , you know we want to follow you and you know hearts are with you and I think that's the main thing . Our hearts are with the Lord you know .
Speaker 1That's the thing , and we are aware . I think when you're aware of issues and you're open to speak about it and you're really not when I say not worried , I like telling people how I really am , because I know that it will encourage others to go . Do you know what ? If those two will talk about it ? It's all right , let's be open , because we need straight talk . Don't we will encourage others to go . Do you know what ? If those two will talk about it ? It's all right , let's be open , because we need straight talk , don't we ?
Speaker 2That's the key is just being pure and open , and we haven't come on to it . Maybe we'll come on to it next week , but remember what Jesus said if your donkey fell down , a well would you leave it down there ? On the Sabbath or if you lost something . Yeah , that's true . So when you've got people on a Sunday knocking at the door for food , here it is in Elim Swanley . It's very true , you're not going to put the door up and say sorry , it's Sunday , it's closed for Jesus .
Speaker 2You know you're going to invite them in , aren't you , and feed them . So there's a lot in it isn , yeah , but it's all about as we've said for many times on this platform .
Speaker 1It's not about the head , it's about the heart praise the lord .
Speaker 2It's about , yeah , and we're thankful for that just follow jesus .
Speaker 1God bless , have a great day . You can find us all over the place . I'm gonna go and try and rest and , uh , there's no chance of me being holy , but through the power of the potter's will , he's got a shape that's another thing , not in the flesh not in the flesh .
Speaker 1Terrible , isn't it ? Anyway , come on . God bless everyone of you in the mighty name of Jesus . We'll see you soon . You can find us on all the social platforms . Hashtag Christian Straight Talk . Simon and myself just speaking out the barrel of truth , and I thank God that I can speak truthfully and be honest , because there's freedom in that yeah , we love you all , and we'll see you next week .
Speaker 2God bless , bye , thank you .