WEBVTT 00:00:16.269 --> 00:00:19.550 Let's stretch out our hands so we can pray for her. 00:00:20.829 --> 00:00:23.469 Father, I thank you for my friend. 00:00:23.869 --> 00:00:27.230 I thank you for a friend that's a friend of this house. 00:00:28.109 --> 00:00:30.829 I thank you, Lord, that she loves your people. 00:00:31.949 --> 00:00:33.950 That you are her constant yes. 00:00:34.030 --> 00:00:41.549 And I ask, Father, that you prepare our hearts, that we will receive from her, anoint her in Jesus' name. 00:00:42.109 --> 00:00:42.590 Amen. 00:00:42.829 --> 00:00:44.189 And then thank you, my lovely. 00:00:44.590 --> 00:00:45.310 Thank you, church. 00:00:45.390 --> 00:00:46.750 Can you stay standing for a minute? 00:00:46.909 --> 00:00:48.189 I'm gonna stand the whole time. 00:00:48.269 --> 00:00:49.390 You'll be all right. 00:00:49.709 --> 00:00:53.069 But I'd like us all to pray together if that's okay with you. 00:00:53.310 --> 00:00:55.310 Because I believe God wants to do today. 00:00:55.469 --> 00:00:58.750 Hi up there, in the balcony, hi online. 00:00:59.150 --> 00:01:00.829 Hope you're standing too. 00:01:01.390 --> 00:01:06.030 I know the sofa can be very cozy, but this is standing mode. 00:01:06.269 --> 00:01:09.310 Put your hand on your heart because that's where the issues flow from. 00:01:09.390 --> 00:01:11.390 And pray with me, Jesus. 00:01:11.709 --> 00:01:14.349 Today I want to be challenged. 00:01:14.590 --> 00:01:16.030 I want to be changed. 00:01:16.189 --> 00:01:17.870 I want to be more like you. 00:01:18.109 --> 00:01:19.230 You're able? 00:01:19.469 --> 00:01:20.509 I'm willing. 00:01:20.750 --> 00:01:22.189 So let's do it. 00:01:22.589 --> 00:01:24.109 Ain't never you heard you. 00:01:24.269 --> 00:01:24.670 Thank you. 00:01:24.750 --> 00:01:25.950 You can sit down. 00:01:26.269 --> 00:01:27.229 Thanks online. 00:01:29.229 --> 00:01:30.750 I'm excited to be with you. 00:01:30.829 --> 00:01:32.509 We had a great first service. 00:01:33.149 --> 00:01:39.869 Um, but I believe God has got something different and special just for you. 00:01:40.030 --> 00:01:40.670 Amen. 00:01:41.469 --> 00:01:42.109 Amen. 00:01:42.349 --> 00:01:44.030 Um, I love your pastors. 00:01:44.189 --> 00:01:47.629 As Kathy said, I've known David since he was a naughty boy. 00:01:47.869 --> 00:01:57.469 Um and then he used to travel with me and worship and lead a generation into the presence of God. 00:01:57.709 --> 00:02:02.109 We went all over the country together and saw God do what only God can do. 00:02:02.349 --> 00:02:08.909 And so it's it's such a delight to see you and to see him flourish in this season. 00:02:09.229 --> 00:02:11.390 But you know, we can all flourish. 00:02:11.710 --> 00:02:13.150 You have a choice. 00:02:13.629 --> 00:02:16.990 And so in the first service, I shared some of my story. 00:02:17.069 --> 00:02:24.909 Um, but for time in this service, uh, I have a crazy story, and I just share my story because you've got a story. 00:02:25.070 --> 00:02:29.630 And the Bible says, by the blood of the Lamb and the word of your testimony, people will get saved. 00:02:29.870 --> 00:02:32.430 And I think so often we think, oh, I haven't got a story. 00:02:32.590 --> 00:02:36.990 I don't mean how you got saved, I mean what Jesus did for you this week. 00:02:38.510 --> 00:02:46.430 You know, I had coffee with someone a couple of weeks ago, and I just said, Oh, Jesus has been so kind. 00:02:46.510 --> 00:02:49.230 And I carried on talking, she doesn't come to church. 00:02:49.390 --> 00:02:52.189 She said, Stop, what do you mean Jesus is kind? 00:02:52.990 --> 00:02:54.430 People don't know. 00:02:54.909 --> 00:02:58.270 Ordinary things that we take for granted about are Jesus. 00:02:58.510 --> 00:03:01.630 And I spent the time unpacking how kind he is. 00:03:01.950 --> 00:03:13.469 Ordinary conversations can bring extraordinary results, just sharing where you are on your journey, um, and that Jesus helps us because there's a world out there that don't know that. 00:03:13.710 --> 00:03:16.350 But I have written a book, it's called Healed and Whole. 00:03:17.070 --> 00:03:18.270 Um, it is my story. 00:03:18.350 --> 00:03:19.630 I've just updated it. 00:03:19.710 --> 00:03:23.870 Uh, I've been on the cancer journey five times, and I'm still here. 00:03:24.110 --> 00:03:25.230 Isn't he good? 00:03:25.630 --> 00:03:33.390 Um, but I'm here because this Bible works, it works, it's the word of God, and it works. 00:03:33.710 --> 00:03:36.990 But like good deodorant, it has to be applied. 00:03:37.870 --> 00:03:43.630 I know lots of people who know the words and they say, I read my Bible, and they can quote it. 00:03:43.870 --> 00:03:45.390 So can Satan. 00:03:46.590 --> 00:03:55.550 But we apply, we take this and we put it into our everyday, ordinary lives, and they become supernatural lives. 00:03:56.270 --> 00:03:58.830 This book is not paper, it's power. 00:03:59.150 --> 00:04:02.189 This book is not paper, it's peace. 00:04:02.590 --> 00:04:05.070 This book is not paper, it's provision. 00:04:05.310 --> 00:04:09.469 And we need to remind people that all that they need is found in here. 00:04:09.710 --> 00:04:12.670 This is all about Jesus from Genesis to Revelation. 00:04:12.830 --> 00:04:15.230 It's about the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords. 00:04:15.390 --> 00:04:17.709 And so we have that to give to people. 00:04:17.870 --> 00:04:20.430 It's a privilege, it really is. 00:04:20.750 --> 00:04:30.589 And but when I say it, my daughter, who um is not with me, sadly, but she's like, Mum, people don't understand when you say, Have you got a word? 00:04:30.829 --> 00:04:34.269 And I do want to ask you, have you got a word for this season that you're in? 00:04:34.430 --> 00:04:37.709 Because that's what you have to apply to the season, this word. 00:04:38.750 --> 00:04:45.629 So for me, I've done the cancer journey as a non-Christian at 28, and then the rest have been with Jesus. 00:04:45.789 --> 00:04:48.829 And my word for the cancer journey, did you hear what I said? 00:04:48.990 --> 00:04:51.709 The cancer journey, not my cancer journey. 00:04:51.870 --> 00:04:53.709 Don't own what's not yours. 00:04:53.949 --> 00:04:55.870 Your language locates you. 00:04:56.589 --> 00:05:02.430 Hi, your language locates you, and online, come on, your language, listen to yourself. 00:05:02.589 --> 00:05:06.430 I was talking to some people in the first service, and we talk a lot of rubbish. 00:05:06.589 --> 00:05:07.549 We do have to stop. 00:05:07.629 --> 00:05:16.589 Our self-true could be awful, but you God has called us to live a life that is full of promise, his promise. 00:05:16.750 --> 00:05:21.229 And so, my word for the cancer journey is no cancer formed against me will prosper. 00:05:22.349 --> 00:05:25.709 And I asked God, what does that mean? 00:05:25.949 --> 00:05:30.909 You know, he doesn't mind answering questions, it's a relationship two-ways. 00:05:31.069 --> 00:05:34.349 And he said, To prosper, you have to invest. 00:05:35.149 --> 00:05:38.189 What are you investing in that's not for God? 00:05:39.069 --> 00:05:42.349 I could invest in the cancer journey, I could do research. 00:05:42.589 --> 00:05:47.709 I'm not saying I've just in the last two, just turned the two-year corner. 00:05:47.870 --> 00:05:52.669 I had advanced cervical cancer and then cancer in both lungs. 00:05:52.990 --> 00:05:56.750 Um, so I've had surgery in both lungs, done chemo, done radiation. 00:05:56.829 --> 00:06:04.189 Uh, and I could, I'm not saying that late at night when I couldn't sleep, I didn't look up the survival rates. 00:06:04.589 --> 00:06:05.310 Stupid. 00:06:05.870 --> 00:06:07.789 Did it help me go to sleep? 00:06:08.109 --> 00:06:08.430 No. 00:06:09.310 --> 00:06:11.229 This is what I should have picked up. 00:06:11.469 --> 00:06:12.829 Another promise from God. 00:06:12.990 --> 00:06:15.229 So I'll never leave you, I'll never forsake you. 00:06:15.469 --> 00:06:20.109 And when you walk through the water, and when you walk through the fire, you won't be burnt. 00:06:20.349 --> 00:06:23.149 When you walk through the water, it won't overwhelm you. 00:06:23.310 --> 00:06:30.029 And we need to understand that things can overwhelm us and we can go through situations, but we're not meant to camp at them. 00:06:30.829 --> 00:06:35.149 It says, when you walk through the valley, okay. 00:06:35.389 --> 00:06:36.589 This is God's platform. 00:06:36.669 --> 00:06:39.310 I'll give you a title and then we'll see where he wants to go. 00:06:39.549 --> 00:06:42.589 Um, but when we walk through the valley, not if. 00:06:43.069 --> 00:06:48.109 My title today is Contagious Courage with holy boldness. 00:06:48.909 --> 00:06:50.669 And courage is contagious. 00:06:50.829 --> 00:06:54.189 If somebody's doing something and you think, could I do that? 00:06:54.269 --> 00:06:57.229 And they say, come on, you can do it. 00:06:57.549 --> 00:07:01.789 We need each other, iron sharpening iron, encouraging each other. 00:07:02.029 --> 00:07:04.750 And encourages in it really is contagious. 00:07:04.829 --> 00:07:08.589 But it's Pentecost weekends, Pentecost Sunday. 00:07:08.829 --> 00:07:11.949 It's the birth of the church, it's a great time to celebrate. 00:07:12.109 --> 00:07:14.909 If you hadn't read Axe lately, I would encourage you. 00:07:15.149 --> 00:07:20.269 Acts is the book of the church, it's the story. 00:07:20.750 --> 00:07:27.870 Um, but I was sharing the first service, um, it's a long story, but I'll just tell you how we got born again. 00:07:28.109 --> 00:07:32.829 We were divorced from each other, going around Europe in a camper van, as you do. 00:07:33.149 --> 00:07:41.629 And we were on a Greek island and it had an American air base, and like four to seven years ago, there was nothing. 00:07:41.870 --> 00:07:50.509 So we listened to the air base radio, and they had movies and they had food and they had all the things, an English-ish speaking company. 00:07:50.669 --> 00:07:52.990 And I'm like, I want to go at the base. 00:07:53.629 --> 00:07:58.990 Um, long story short, we ended up, this two Christians came, kept talking about Jesus. 00:07:59.149 --> 00:08:01.310 I said, We're not interested. 00:08:01.549 --> 00:08:03.389 We want movies and food. 00:08:03.629 --> 00:08:05.789 And they kept coming, which was very nice of them. 00:08:05.949 --> 00:08:15.149 But we were in the car going to eventually going to a service on a Friday night, and he was in the car and he said, Oh, we're an Axe Church. 00:08:15.870 --> 00:08:19.310 I turned to my daughter and said, Oh, we're going to the theater. 00:08:19.870 --> 00:08:27.870 There'll be Acts 1, Acts 2, they're American, we'll get popcorn, and then Acts 3, and then we can have food. 00:08:28.669 --> 00:08:29.789 I had no idea. 00:08:29.949 --> 00:08:34.909 If you're visiting or if you're online listening, there is a book in the Bible called Acts. 00:08:35.389 --> 00:08:36.509 I didn't know that. 00:08:36.669 --> 00:08:39.870 Um, and so I want to encourage us, let's read it. 00:08:40.110 --> 00:08:41.629 Let's read it afresh. 00:08:41.870 --> 00:08:44.669 It's the church, and we are the church. 00:08:44.909 --> 00:08:48.269 This building is not church, we are, and you know that. 00:08:48.509 --> 00:08:50.829 And so let's enjoy Pentecost. 00:08:50.990 --> 00:08:53.470 They were all filled with the Holy Spirit. 00:08:53.710 --> 00:08:57.069 Um, in the okay, no, let me read a scripture first. 00:08:57.149 --> 00:08:59.069 Uh, God spoke to me a little worship. 00:08:59.470 --> 00:09:08.590 Um, but in Matthew 14, 27, the disciples were in a boat, and the sea became rough. 00:09:09.069 --> 00:09:15.149 I know when rough things happen, we look at the rough, we can lose our focus. 00:09:17.069 --> 00:09:28.350 And Jesus came, Jesus saw them and he spoke to them saying, Take heart, I do not be afraid, take courage. 00:09:29.149 --> 00:09:34.110 But Jesus immediately said, Take courage, not maybe, take courage. 00:09:34.269 --> 00:09:37.629 I think sometimes we say things like we pray, give me courage. 00:09:38.350 --> 00:09:42.029 Throughout the Bible, you'll see it says, take courage. 00:09:42.269 --> 00:09:44.990 And we, you know, some of us are a bit polite. 00:09:45.309 --> 00:09:46.590 I can't take it. 00:09:46.909 --> 00:09:50.509 My mum told me you can't take things, you have to ask nicely. 00:09:50.669 --> 00:09:55.230 But in the Bible it says take, and if Jesus says, take it, we need to take it. 00:09:55.389 --> 00:09:55.949 Amen. 00:09:57.149 --> 00:10:08.509 We need courage for the seasons that we're in, we need courage, just keep standing, we need courage to share the gospel, we need courage to love the unlovely, and they're still out there. 00:10:08.669 --> 00:10:12.509 You know, have you ever had people in your life you're like, why? 00:10:13.230 --> 00:10:16.829 Why were they born in my lifetime? 00:10:17.149 --> 00:10:25.710 They're called sandpaper brothers and sisters, and they're there to rub the edges off us and make us more like Jesus. 00:10:26.110 --> 00:10:30.509 I've asked him why, but he's just said, love them, and they do change us. 00:10:30.669 --> 00:10:34.590 I had a friend, um, and I did ask Jesus why is she in my world? 00:10:34.750 --> 00:10:36.829 He's like, to make you more like me. 00:10:36.990 --> 00:10:38.909 I'm like, okay, I'll take it. 00:10:39.230 --> 00:10:42.829 And so we're gonna need courage for the things in worship. 00:10:42.909 --> 00:10:51.149 I said, I I prepare, I pray, I ask God, but this is his platform, so we're gonna go where he wants to go. 00:10:51.230 --> 00:10:55.949 And I can't know where he wants to go until I'm in the room because you're unique. 00:10:56.429 --> 00:11:00.669 So when you all come in, I'm like, Jesus, what's in the room? 00:11:01.309 --> 00:11:04.029 And he's like, There's distractions. 00:11:04.509 --> 00:11:16.669 Some people have disqualified themselves, and others are carrying disappointments, and to come out of those situations, you're gonna need to take courage and you're gonna need to let go of those things. 00:11:16.909 --> 00:11:17.549 Amen. 00:11:18.110 --> 00:11:27.710 So if you're disqualify if you disqualify yourself, and I think we all have a temptation to do this, not right, but can then can you raise your hand and wave at me? 00:11:27.949 --> 00:11:29.870 So, yeah, Margaret, I can do that. 00:11:30.189 --> 00:11:35.149 And if you have distractions, you know, for me, the cancer journey is just a distraction. 00:11:35.309 --> 00:11:37.789 It's like it can become your whole focus. 00:11:38.029 --> 00:11:39.069 Did you hear what I said? 00:11:39.230 --> 00:11:42.110 The cancer journey, not my cancer journey. 00:11:42.269 --> 00:11:44.669 Don't own sickness, it's not yours. 00:11:44.909 --> 00:11:48.350 Don't own things that not are not in the Bible. 00:11:48.669 --> 00:11:50.350 So it's a distraction. 00:11:50.509 --> 00:11:52.110 Who gets distracted? 00:11:53.549 --> 00:11:56.590 Oh great, God's calling. 00:11:56.909 --> 00:12:03.470 Okay, distractions, see, that's all it is, but this is a heavy one, disappointments. 00:12:04.189 --> 00:12:19.949 And I I I really felt it when in the worship that people can kind of the most powerful thing we can do as human beings, and Jesus and and Father God has never taken this away, is we can withdraw. 00:12:20.429 --> 00:12:27.949 In marriage, we can withdraw, in work we can withdraw, in any relationship, we can withdraw, and we can withdraw from God. 00:12:28.029 --> 00:12:29.629 You can be present and withdraw. 00:12:29.949 --> 00:12:31.230 Have you ever seen somebody like that? 00:12:31.309 --> 00:12:36.189 They're there, but you know they're not there, and often that stems from disappointment. 00:12:36.429 --> 00:12:40.590 Disappointment can get us into that mode of I'm just gonna step back. 00:12:41.230 --> 00:12:44.429 Read your Bible, Jesus never steps back from us. 00:12:45.309 --> 00:12:48.110 So, who is in that space of disappointments? 00:12:48.269 --> 00:12:49.389 Just wave at me. 00:12:49.629 --> 00:12:50.750 Yeah, okay. 00:12:51.069 --> 00:12:54.829 What happens is I minister, I don't just talk. 00:12:55.789 --> 00:12:58.189 You're like, what on earth is this woman gonna do? 00:12:58.350 --> 00:13:08.269 And if you're at home, that does include you because the spirit of God knows no bounds, and he can be just as real in your lounge or in your car, wherever you are, don't stand up in your car. 00:13:08.429 --> 00:13:13.389 Um, wherever you are, that's practical, I want you to stand. 00:13:13.470 --> 00:13:14.829 Why do I want you to stand? 00:13:14.990 --> 00:13:17.230 Because it changes our state of mind. 00:13:17.470 --> 00:13:19.870 When you stand for something, it falls off. 00:13:20.110 --> 00:13:26.909 If I have disappointment, discouragements, and distractions on my lack and I stand up, what happens? 00:13:27.389 --> 00:13:28.829 Um, am I in the wrong? 00:13:29.230 --> 00:13:38.350 I thought you said that they were if I have distractions and disappointments and discouragements on my lack and I stand up, what happens? 00:13:40.029 --> 00:13:41.629 Up there, yes, good. 00:13:41.949 --> 00:13:43.230 Come on, we're in this together. 00:13:43.309 --> 00:13:45.470 You're gonna spend eternity with me. 00:13:46.189 --> 00:13:49.230 Seriously, we might as well get to know each other now. 00:13:49.470 --> 00:13:51.309 This is a heavenly moment. 00:13:51.629 --> 00:13:58.750 Come on, if that's you, I'd love you to stand up on your feet because chains are gonna fall off as you do so, up on those lovely feet, right around. 00:13:59.389 --> 00:14:03.789 We're gonna believe God this morning to do the exceedingly abundantly above and beyond. 00:14:03.949 --> 00:14:04.829 Look around you. 00:14:05.069 --> 00:14:07.149 We carry so he was right, wasn't he? 00:14:07.389 --> 00:14:12.269 In the worship, we carry it and it gets heavy. 00:14:12.669 --> 00:14:19.470 And if I'm carrying things in both hands and and the lost come along, I've got nothing to give them. 00:14:20.029 --> 00:14:20.990 Someone needs help. 00:14:21.069 --> 00:14:23.870 I'm like, I'm sorry, I've got nothing. 00:14:24.110 --> 00:14:25.549 I'm weighed down with this. 00:14:25.629 --> 00:14:27.149 Sorry, I've got nothing. 00:14:27.549 --> 00:14:37.629 We are called to be givers to the kingdom of God and to the people of God, and everyone who doesn't yet know Jesus still belongs to Jesus. 00:14:37.789 --> 00:14:41.629 They're made in his image, and we are givers of life, amen. 00:14:42.110 --> 00:14:47.149 We can't give what you haven't got, and so today's our day to receive. 00:14:47.549 --> 00:14:52.990 There's some great givers standing here, but your stinky receivers has to change. 00:14:53.230 --> 00:14:53.549 Okay. 00:14:54.110 --> 00:14:59.470 What I want us to do is whatever it is, it's this side, okay? 00:14:59.789 --> 00:15:04.429 Your disappointments, your discouragements, your distractions. 00:15:04.669 --> 00:15:09.549 So imagine a box here, and then we're gonna have another box here that we're gonna dump them in. 00:15:09.789 --> 00:15:13.710 You might have to double dip, but we'll see how we go. 00:15:13.949 --> 00:15:16.590 But first, we're gonna pray together, Jesus. 00:15:17.069 --> 00:15:29.549 You know me, you know what I'm carrying, but it fell off when I stood up, and I'm gonna pick it up off the floor, and I'm gonna put it in your presence, and I'm never gonna pick it up. 00:15:29.710 --> 00:15:37.549 I'm gonna walk free today, full of your love, full of your purpose in Jesus' name. 00:15:37.789 --> 00:15:38.350 Amen. 00:15:38.509 --> 00:15:40.110 Are we ready to do the deal? 00:15:40.429 --> 00:15:42.909 To whatever side this is for you. 00:15:43.149 --> 00:15:43.870 This is your box. 00:15:44.029 --> 00:15:45.470 Bend down, pick it up. 00:15:45.870 --> 00:15:46.750 Got it? 00:15:47.470 --> 00:15:48.669 Got any hand ready? 00:15:48.750 --> 00:15:49.629 We're gonna fling it. 00:15:49.710 --> 00:15:51.149 It's not a nice thing, you know. 00:15:51.309 --> 00:15:52.350 It says cast. 00:15:52.669 --> 00:15:53.789 Cast means fling. 00:15:54.110 --> 00:15:55.789 So turn a little bit. 00:15:56.189 --> 00:16:01.309 And on the count of three, one, two, three, and stab your feet. 00:16:01.549 --> 00:16:03.389 Come on, one more time. 00:16:03.629 --> 00:16:05.389 Anyone needs a double dip? 00:16:05.549 --> 00:16:07.389 Just wave at me if you need a double dip. 00:16:07.470 --> 00:16:08.350 Have you got it all? 00:16:08.590 --> 00:16:13.470 Oh, we've got it, we're gonna go because there's a few double dips, and we are one body, we all love each other. 00:16:13.629 --> 00:16:16.029 Up there, ready at home, needs a double dip. 00:16:16.110 --> 00:16:18.750 We're going ready down, we go, pick it up. 00:16:19.309 --> 00:16:23.470 Got it, turn and fling and stab. 00:16:23.870 --> 00:16:24.269 Woo! 00:16:24.509 --> 00:16:24.669 Oh! 00:16:25.149 --> 00:16:29.389 Freedom! Freedom! Freeder! 00:16:30.590 --> 00:16:37.230 Freedom! Ain't there up there, and you may sit down. 00:16:39.470 --> 00:16:42.269 If church is boring, it's because we are. 00:16:43.069 --> 00:16:46.750 Just so you know, Jesus is always at work. 00:16:47.549 --> 00:16:51.949 Um, I believe that God is gonna continue to do what's in the room as we go. 00:16:52.110 --> 00:16:55.230 I have no idea what that is, but we'll go where he wants to go. 00:16:55.389 --> 00:16:56.829 It is his platform. 00:16:57.069 --> 00:17:06.590 Um, in Acts chapter 23 and verse 10 through 11, Paul was in a situation that was really quite dramatic. 00:17:06.829 --> 00:17:12.590 There's lots of people coming against him, and I think we have to understand that people are not going to agree with us. 00:17:12.829 --> 00:17:14.190 It's okay. 00:17:14.910 --> 00:17:19.549 It really is okay, but we need to be wise in that. 00:17:19.789 --> 00:17:25.710 Um, and for younger people, I just want you to know, I know it's shocking. 00:17:25.950 --> 00:17:26.670 Get ready. 00:17:26.910 --> 00:17:29.069 Your your opinion doesn't count. 00:17:29.389 --> 00:17:30.029 I know. 00:17:30.750 --> 00:17:32.589 I know, you think it does? 00:17:32.829 --> 00:17:34.910 This is the only thing that works. 00:17:35.230 --> 00:17:39.470 No opinions, don't give people your opinions because they can argue your opinion. 00:17:39.710 --> 00:17:42.670 No one can argue with your story because it's yours. 00:17:42.990 --> 00:17:48.349 So let's make sure we give people our stories that what he has done for me, he can do for you. 00:17:48.509 --> 00:17:49.789 Can you see the difference? 00:17:50.029 --> 00:17:52.509 But Paul was in a difficult situation. 00:17:52.750 --> 00:17:58.190 And, you know, he was loved of God, and I think we don't think we have difficult situations when we're a Christian. 00:17:58.430 --> 00:18:01.470 Just be a Christian a while and you'll find that's not true. 00:18:01.950 --> 00:18:06.829 The dispute became so violent that the commander was afraid Paul would be torn to pieces. 00:18:06.990 --> 00:18:08.349 That's extreme, isn't it? 00:18:08.589 --> 00:18:12.509 I don't think at the parade anyone's gonna tear 614 to pieces. 00:18:12.589 --> 00:18:13.789 I think you'll be okay. 00:18:14.029 --> 00:18:15.629 Um, but here he is. 00:18:16.029 --> 00:18:22.269 He ordered the troops to go down and take him away from them by force and bring him into the barracks. 00:18:22.829 --> 00:18:28.509 And the following night the Lord stood near Paul and said, Take courage. 00:18:28.829 --> 00:18:33.950 As you have testified about me in Jerusalem, so you must also testify in Rome. 00:18:34.109 --> 00:18:39.549 He was on a journey, and he was going to Rome where he would be crucified. 00:18:43.549 --> 00:18:48.269 And we need to pause and make sure we're not going without Jesus. 00:18:49.309 --> 00:19:01.069 And we can get on with it, and we can do, and you know, when he was little, Mary and Joseph left lost him in the temple because they thought he was with them, and he wasn't. 00:19:01.309 --> 00:19:06.990 And we do have to make sure that we are following Jesus, not just doing our own thing. 00:19:07.789 --> 00:19:11.309 But, you know, we can fall into pits. 00:19:11.869 --> 00:19:21.230 Psalm 40 is, and I hope you've got words like this that define you, but Psalm 40 is a very powerful Psalm. 00:19:21.629 --> 00:19:23.789 It says, I waited patiently for the Lord. 00:19:23.869 --> 00:19:25.789 That's my I haven't given it to the guys. 00:19:25.950 --> 00:19:28.509 Um, as I say, we'll go where he wants us to go. 00:19:28.750 --> 00:19:29.549 Psalm 40. 00:19:29.710 --> 00:19:31.230 I waited patiently for the Lord. 00:19:31.309 --> 00:19:32.750 There's my first miracle. 00:19:32.910 --> 00:19:35.789 It's the fruit of the spirit, and mine falls off the tree. 00:19:36.109 --> 00:19:45.869 Um, I waited patiently for the Lord and he heard my cry and he lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and the mire, and he gave me a firm place to stand. 00:19:46.029 --> 00:19:52.190 He put a new song in my heart, a song of praise to my God, that many would see and fear and put their trust in God. 00:19:52.589 --> 00:20:01.789 Why would all of that he didn't say slimy pit, depression, doubt, anger, slimy pits. 00:20:02.589 --> 00:20:06.029 He didn't throw, he doesn't say, and I will throw you a rope ladder. 00:20:06.190 --> 00:20:09.389 He says, No, I will lift you out of the slimy pit. 00:20:10.430 --> 00:20:11.950 Out of the mud and the mire. 00:20:12.029 --> 00:20:18.109 If you've been in the mud, you will make a mess for a while because you carry mud on your shoes. 00:20:18.430 --> 00:20:19.470 Anybody been there? 00:20:19.710 --> 00:20:24.509 Like we went out in the rain yesterday and Caffey's like, let's find somewhere so you don't get muddy. 00:20:24.829 --> 00:20:27.150 Because we carry mud if we're in mud. 00:20:27.549 --> 00:20:30.509 And he says the mud and the mire, they stick. 00:20:30.670 --> 00:20:39.069 Your past will stick to you unless you get into the presence of God and let him pick you up and let him do what only he can do. 00:20:39.309 --> 00:20:42.750 Out of the mud and the mine, he gave me a firm place to stand. 00:20:43.869 --> 00:20:44.430 Firm. 00:20:44.670 --> 00:20:48.589 Some of you are still very insecure over lots of things. 00:20:48.670 --> 00:20:54.349 I I lived in security, even as a Christian, for too long. 00:20:54.670 --> 00:20:59.869 When we're insecure, what we're saying is you did a great job on the cross, Jesus. 00:21:00.349 --> 00:21:02.910 But it's not quite big enough for my insecurity. 00:21:03.069 --> 00:21:04.269 That's rude. 00:21:04.589 --> 00:21:07.950 The cross is all sufficient, not some sufficient. 00:21:08.750 --> 00:21:12.670 And we have to remember that all that we need, He He provides. 00:21:13.069 --> 00:21:17.150 He lifted me out of the slimy pit, he gave me a firm place to stand. 00:21:17.309 --> 00:21:18.509 You can't earn it. 00:21:18.750 --> 00:21:19.869 He gave it to us. 00:21:20.029 --> 00:21:21.470 Why would he do all that? 00:21:21.710 --> 00:21:23.069 Listen to the last bit. 00:21:23.309 --> 00:21:26.589 So many will see and fear and put their trust in God. 00:21:27.629 --> 00:21:32.589 And slimy pits can be all sorts of things, but they're slimy. 00:21:33.869 --> 00:21:37.549 And independence will keep you in the pit. 00:21:37.710 --> 00:21:39.230 You won't let God lift you. 00:21:39.309 --> 00:21:41.069 And there's independence in this room. 00:21:41.150 --> 00:21:43.150 I was fiercely independent. 00:21:43.549 --> 00:21:46.349 And this is a statement from an independent person. 00:21:46.509 --> 00:21:49.710 If you want something done well, do it yourself. 00:21:50.990 --> 00:21:52.910 That's independence, people. 00:21:53.150 --> 00:21:55.309 And it was my favorite cry. 00:21:55.470 --> 00:21:58.029 It's like, no, do you want something done well? 00:21:58.269 --> 00:21:59.470 Do it yourself. 00:22:00.029 --> 00:22:05.950 No, if you want something done well, stay close to Jesus and He'll do it with you. 00:22:06.109 --> 00:22:07.230 It's a difference. 00:22:07.549 --> 00:22:11.389 Independence is a curse, blocks your blessing. 00:22:11.789 --> 00:22:15.470 And insecurity does the same thing, it has this withdrawing. 00:22:15.549 --> 00:22:19.869 And if that You today, we're going to do business with the King of Kings and the Lord of Lord. 00:22:20.190 --> 00:22:21.150 This is Pentecost. 00:22:21.230 --> 00:22:22.509 This is birth of the church. 00:22:22.670 --> 00:22:23.950 This is a freedom day. 00:22:24.029 --> 00:22:28.190 And in your church, you're very blessed because every weekend is Pentecost. 00:22:28.430 --> 00:22:31.629 But today we're saying, right, enough is enough. 00:22:31.789 --> 00:22:34.029 I am not going to be insecure anymore. 00:22:34.109 --> 00:22:35.789 And I'm not going to be independent. 00:22:35.950 --> 00:22:37.230 Jesus, help me. 00:22:37.549 --> 00:22:39.309 I had a reason to be independent. 00:22:39.389 --> 00:22:40.670 People had failed me over. 00:22:40.910 --> 00:22:42.750 I grew up in a horrible situation. 00:22:42.990 --> 00:22:45.470 And people had big people had been mean to me. 00:22:45.629 --> 00:22:48.750 And so I'm like, I'm not going near people. 00:22:49.470 --> 00:22:51.710 But it keeps you isolated and lonely. 00:22:51.869 --> 00:22:55.549 You may look great on the outside, but inside there's things happening. 00:22:55.710 --> 00:23:00.029 If that's you today, God's interested in your inside as well as our outside. 00:23:00.190 --> 00:23:01.069 Please stand up. 00:23:01.150 --> 00:23:03.389 There's freedom in the house from those things. 00:23:03.549 --> 00:23:04.589 Just stand right now. 00:23:04.829 --> 00:23:05.629 Insecurity. 00:23:05.789 --> 00:23:06.910 Come on, just stand. 00:23:07.869 --> 00:23:09.309 Independence. 00:23:09.789 --> 00:23:11.150 It's a big one. 00:23:11.710 --> 00:23:12.750 But today's the day. 00:23:12.910 --> 00:23:15.150 I hear chains falling right around this room. 00:23:15.309 --> 00:23:17.470 I hear chains falling. 00:23:17.710 --> 00:23:19.309 And when they fall, they're gone. 00:23:19.389 --> 00:23:21.389 I don't want anyone picking them up. 00:23:22.750 --> 00:23:23.389 Yeah. 00:23:24.029 --> 00:23:25.309 Well done. 00:23:26.430 --> 00:23:27.389 Good people. 00:23:27.789 --> 00:23:29.309 What's your name, lovely? 00:23:29.470 --> 00:23:29.869 Yeah. 00:23:30.029 --> 00:23:30.670 Yeah. 00:23:32.349 --> 00:23:33.069 Polly. 00:23:33.389 --> 00:23:35.309 Yeah, Polly, well done for standing. 00:23:35.389 --> 00:23:36.589 It was costly for you. 00:23:36.750 --> 00:23:38.670 You were like, shall I? 00:23:39.230 --> 00:23:40.750 Oh, I don't want to. 00:23:40.990 --> 00:23:42.029 But I'm going to. 00:23:42.190 --> 00:23:49.069 You made a good decision today, and I believe your future is full of good decisions if you keep saying yes to Jesus. 00:23:49.309 --> 00:23:50.589 You're a bit stubborn. 00:23:51.549 --> 00:23:52.509 So am I. 00:23:52.829 --> 00:23:54.750 And now stubborn for Jesus. 00:23:54.910 --> 00:23:58.190 David, your pastor, amazing Pastor David, was very stubborn. 00:23:58.349 --> 00:24:00.109 He's now stubborn for Jesus. 00:24:00.190 --> 00:24:01.549 And you are going to be too. 00:24:01.789 --> 00:24:02.589 God's going to use you. 00:24:02.670 --> 00:24:07.869 Your generation needs to see stubborn people who love Jesus with a passion. 00:24:08.029 --> 00:24:14.509 And I believe as you stood today, what you drop and what fell off, he's going to fill you with a passion. 00:24:14.750 --> 00:24:16.190 And a love for his word. 00:24:16.589 --> 00:24:20.670 You do like the Bible, but you're going to love it from today. 00:24:20.910 --> 00:24:24.910 And you're going to God's going to use you to help others to love it in the name of Jesus. 00:24:25.150 --> 00:24:25.789 Amen. 00:24:26.670 --> 00:24:27.230 Amen. 00:24:27.389 --> 00:24:29.789 And you're thinking she never said anything to me. 00:24:30.029 --> 00:24:32.910 If I said it out loud, take it if that's what you need. 00:24:33.150 --> 00:24:33.470 Okay. 00:24:33.789 --> 00:24:38.029 And the Bible says if one person's blessed, we're all blessed. 00:24:38.190 --> 00:24:39.150 We're all blessed. 00:24:39.309 --> 00:24:42.029 At home, I can't see you, but God can. 00:24:42.109 --> 00:24:46.430 And if you need a word of encouragement and it comes out of my mouth, take it. 00:24:46.670 --> 00:24:47.230 Take it. 00:24:47.389 --> 00:24:50.990 Write it down and keep it in Jesus' name. 00:24:51.150 --> 00:24:51.789 Amen. 00:24:52.109 --> 00:24:54.990