1 00:00:00,000 --> 00:00:14,760 Hey everyone, this is Josh from Encounter Church Henley and thanks so much for tuning 2 00:00:14,760 --> 00:00:17,000 into our podcast. 3 00:00:17,000 --> 00:00:20,680 Our prayer is that through this podcast you can have an encounter with Jesus that will 4 00:00:20,680 --> 00:00:22,800 change your life. 5 00:00:22,800 --> 00:00:26,480 And now get ready for an inspiring message from our preaching team. 6 00:00:26,480 --> 00:00:30,440 Thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you. 7 00:00:30,440 --> 00:00:33,800 Well it's such a privilege to be here. 8 00:00:33,800 --> 00:00:35,800 Church plants, am I right? 9 00:00:35,800 --> 00:00:38,680 Yes, you're in the honeymoon phase. 10 00:00:38,680 --> 00:00:41,440 But just lean into it. 11 00:00:41,440 --> 00:00:44,240 Guys, did you know this is my hood? 12 00:00:44,240 --> 00:00:45,240 This is where I grew up. 13 00:00:45,240 --> 00:00:46,720 I grew up two streets that way. 14 00:00:46,720 --> 00:00:49,560 I'm a Grange Primary School alum. 15 00:00:49,560 --> 00:00:50,800 I used to ride my bike. 16 00:00:50,800 --> 00:00:56,320 My brother and I smoked our first cigarette out the back, actually out the back here. 17 00:00:56,320 --> 00:01:01,640 And anyway, the tech said to take notes. 18 00:01:01,640 --> 00:01:06,720 So what a time. 19 00:01:06,720 --> 00:01:08,320 Well I'll tell you what, yes. 20 00:01:08,320 --> 00:01:14,240 So my name's Katie and I bring lots of love and kisses from Journey United Church which 21 00:01:14,240 --> 00:01:15,560 is where I hail from. 22 00:01:15,560 --> 00:01:21,840 And about six weeks ago I finished up as their associate pastor and having spent sort of 23 00:01:21,840 --> 00:01:23,360 15 years on team there. 24 00:01:23,360 --> 00:01:24,360 So we're still attending. 25 00:01:24,360 --> 00:01:25,360 All good. 26 00:01:25,360 --> 00:01:27,360 We still love no moral failure. 27 00:01:27,360 --> 00:01:31,360 It felt like I owed it to the church. 28 00:01:31,360 --> 00:01:37,600 I felt like I owed it to the church to leave well just to prove that it could be done. 29 00:01:37,600 --> 00:01:45,560 So I just felt, you know, like I'm no less committed to ministry or to harvesting the 30 00:01:45,560 --> 00:01:49,440 gifts and karats than God's entrusted me with. 31 00:01:49,440 --> 00:01:53,960 But just felt that I just couldn't shake that there was something afoot. 32 00:01:53,960 --> 00:01:59,800 So yeah, with the help of a lot of good friends, Tex and Cara included, I just spent some time 33 00:01:59,800 --> 00:02:04,800 discerning and decided that it was time to move out of, I suppose, a vocational partial 34 00:02:04,800 --> 00:02:05,800 ministry. 35 00:02:05,800 --> 00:02:09,000 Which means I can say whatever I want now and there's no paperwork. 36 00:02:09,000 --> 00:02:15,520 So no paperwork for me. 37 00:02:15,520 --> 00:02:16,520 Lol jokes. 38 00:02:16,520 --> 00:02:18,040 Guys, chill. 39 00:02:18,040 --> 00:02:22,320 So yes, I'm a third generation preacher. 40 00:02:22,320 --> 00:02:25,040 My grandfather was an Anglican archdeacon. 41 00:02:25,040 --> 00:02:30,760 My daddy was an apologist and evangelist and pastor. 42 00:02:30,760 --> 00:02:33,760 And then there's me who has a journalism degree. 43 00:02:33,760 --> 00:02:35,920 So go figure. 44 00:02:35,920 --> 00:02:40,840 So yes, it is always a great joy to bring the word of God. 45 00:02:40,840 --> 00:02:43,840 It's my favorite thing to do in the world. 46 00:02:43,840 --> 00:02:48,520 Now I have started operating as a consultant. 47 00:02:48,520 --> 00:02:49,520 Everyone says that. 48 00:02:49,520 --> 00:02:50,520 What do you do? 49 00:02:50,520 --> 00:02:51,520 I'm a consultant. 50 00:02:51,520 --> 00:02:52,520 What do you want it to mean? 51 00:02:52,520 --> 00:02:53,520 I don't. 52 00:02:53,520 --> 00:02:56,800 Like, it means whatever it means. 53 00:02:56,800 --> 00:03:00,120 But a lot of my work is in social research. 54 00:03:00,120 --> 00:03:06,520 So I spend time doing a lot of trend analysis, looking at demographics, looking at anything 55 00:03:06,520 --> 00:03:13,800 from consumer trends through to location trends, through to cultural trends, through to generational 56 00:03:13,800 --> 00:03:20,600 trends and how society is growing and changing so that we can best position ourselves for 57 00:03:20,600 --> 00:03:25,440 success and for growth and for vitality and all those good things. 58 00:03:25,440 --> 00:03:26,840 So that's a lot of what I do. 59 00:03:26,840 --> 00:03:33,520 And now I do a lot of coaching as well, one-on-one and also with businesses and churches around 60 00:03:33,520 --> 00:03:34,520 this joint. 61 00:03:34,520 --> 00:03:35,520 So that's what I'm doing. 62 00:03:35,520 --> 00:03:39,560 So I'm going to bring a little bit of that in today if that's okay. 63 00:03:39,560 --> 00:03:40,560 So yes. 64 00:03:40,560 --> 00:03:48,560 Now, how many of you have come into this church plant from a different church tradition? 65 00:03:48,560 --> 00:03:50,920 Would you mind just giving me a little wave? 66 00:03:50,920 --> 00:03:54,880 One, two, baku ma shu, three, four, close the door. 67 00:03:54,880 --> 00:03:57,000 Five, six, pick up sticks. 68 00:03:57,000 --> 00:03:58,000 So quite a few. 69 00:03:58,000 --> 00:04:00,800 This is, that worked quite well. 70 00:04:00,800 --> 00:04:03,560 You all did it in like, dun dun. 71 00:04:03,560 --> 00:04:07,160 I mean, see, God's at work. 72 00:04:07,160 --> 00:04:08,160 That's interesting. 73 00:04:08,160 --> 00:04:11,360 How many of you came from the mothership at Prospect? 74 00:04:11,360 --> 00:04:12,360 Hands up. 75 00:04:12,360 --> 00:04:14,720 Yeah, all right, calm down. 76 00:04:14,720 --> 00:04:16,960 So Mike and Jen, Mike and I grew up together. 77 00:04:16,960 --> 00:04:19,440 We went to school together. 78 00:04:19,440 --> 00:04:25,560 He's one of my best mates and he and my husband are best mates and that's all I have to say 79 00:04:25,560 --> 00:04:26,560 about that. 80 00:04:26,560 --> 00:04:28,240 But it's probably helpful for context. 81 00:04:28,240 --> 00:04:32,320 So that's part of the reason why we love you guys so much and we're so excited for what 82 00:04:32,320 --> 00:04:33,400 you've chosen to do. 83 00:04:33,400 --> 00:04:39,880 So for those of you who are traveling a distance to be here and serve and carry culture and 84 00:04:39,880 --> 00:04:44,440 to invest and do the hard yards, just really, really thankful. 85 00:04:44,440 --> 00:04:53,680 And what that means for your pastoral team for Tim and Ash and Tex and Co. can't be understated. 86 00:04:53,680 --> 00:05:00,840 So for whatever it's worth as a fellow, well, formerly known as Pastor, can I just say thank 87 00:05:00,840 --> 00:05:03,080 you and please keep going. 88 00:05:03,080 --> 00:05:05,160 Okay, you are going to get mad. 89 00:05:05,160 --> 00:05:06,640 You're going to get real frustrated. 90 00:05:06,640 --> 00:05:07,800 You're going to get sick of it. 91 00:05:07,800 --> 00:05:10,160 You're going to feel like what you're doing is getting you nowhere. 92 00:05:10,160 --> 00:05:15,240 You're going to feel like sometimes things aren't changing until they do. 93 00:05:15,240 --> 00:05:18,240 And so can I just encourage you to just stick with it? 94 00:05:18,240 --> 00:05:19,240 Yes? 95 00:05:19,240 --> 00:05:22,360 Imagine if Jesus got halfway to the cross and he's like, oh, this is such a drag. 96 00:05:22,360 --> 00:05:25,120 I don't want to carry this anymore. 97 00:05:25,120 --> 00:05:28,000 Oh, I could be making tables with this. 98 00:05:28,000 --> 00:05:29,120 What am I doing? 99 00:05:29,120 --> 00:05:31,800 You know, imagine. 100 00:05:31,800 --> 00:05:32,800 So stick with it. 101 00:05:32,800 --> 00:05:34,280 Can I get an amen? 102 00:05:34,280 --> 00:05:36,600 Okay, you guys are the greatest. 103 00:05:36,600 --> 00:05:41,120 Now, Tim asked me to preach on spiritual authority. 104 00:05:41,120 --> 00:05:42,440 All right. 105 00:05:42,440 --> 00:05:48,440 Well, if we are going to spend some time in the Word of God, can I just encourage you 106 00:05:48,440 --> 00:05:53,120 to just arrest your attention right now? 107 00:05:53,120 --> 00:06:02,600 Can I encourage you to arrest your tradition, even possibly your expectation aside from 108 00:06:02,600 --> 00:06:04,200 God, would you speak to me today? 109 00:06:04,200 --> 00:06:06,720 He'll use your word to speak to me. 110 00:06:06,720 --> 00:06:07,720 What can I learn today? 111 00:06:07,720 --> 00:06:10,640 If we can have that learning posture, then that's going to change everything. 112 00:06:10,640 --> 00:06:11,640 Amen. 113 00:06:11,640 --> 00:06:13,040 So why don't we just take a minute? 114 00:06:13,040 --> 00:06:17,720 And I just want you to be quiet, to be still, to close your eyes and just to invite God 115 00:06:17,720 --> 00:06:19,640 to speak to you through His word today. 116 00:06:19,640 --> 00:06:20,640 Can I leave you to do that? 117 00:06:20,640 --> 00:06:21,640 You don't need me for this part. 118 00:06:21,640 --> 00:06:23,800 I don't need any ra ra prayer. 119 00:06:23,800 --> 00:06:24,800 You do the ra ra prayer. 120 00:06:24,800 --> 00:06:41,320 Well, God, we humble ourselves before you. 121 00:06:41,320 --> 00:06:46,440 We acknowledge that you are God and we are not. 122 00:06:46,440 --> 00:06:48,520 We acknowledge that you are the King of kings. 123 00:06:48,520 --> 00:06:49,760 You are the Lord of lords. 124 00:06:49,760 --> 00:06:54,720 You are the maker of the heavens and the earth and yet you choose to be to us. 125 00:06:54,720 --> 00:06:56,840 You are greater than a brother. 126 00:06:56,840 --> 00:07:07,840 So Holy Spirit, presence of God, would you soften us, illuminate, vitalise and bring 127 00:07:07,840 --> 00:07:16,080 your word to life to us that we might become shaped and formed for yet more effective ministry 128 00:07:16,080 --> 00:07:17,080 in Jesus' name. 129 00:07:17,080 --> 00:07:18,080 Can we say amen? 130 00:07:18,080 --> 00:07:19,080 Amen. 131 00:07:19,080 --> 00:07:20,080 All right. 132 00:07:20,080 --> 00:07:22,200 So I'm going to read you a bit of the Bible. 133 00:07:22,200 --> 00:07:25,600 If you like to follow along in the pews, it's from Matthew 8. 134 00:07:25,600 --> 00:07:29,840 I'm going to read from the NIV because, you know, it's the vanilla Bible and we're there 135 00:07:29,840 --> 00:07:30,840 for it. 136 00:07:30,840 --> 00:07:32,000 I think it's also on the screen. 137 00:07:32,000 --> 00:07:33,280 I'm terrible at PowerPoint. 138 00:07:33,280 --> 00:07:36,760 So whoever I was supposed to send that to and didn't, you're welcome. 139 00:07:36,760 --> 00:07:38,360 Anyway, very good. 140 00:07:38,360 --> 00:07:43,840 So basically what we've got here is Jesus is in public ministry, okay? 141 00:07:43,840 --> 00:07:46,520 And He's going around the place doing really cool things. 142 00:07:46,520 --> 00:07:48,040 He's just healed a leper. 143 00:07:48,040 --> 00:07:49,920 He's done the sermon on the mount. 144 00:07:49,920 --> 00:07:54,280 Things are escalating in all the good and amazing ways. 145 00:07:54,280 --> 00:08:01,080 And then suddenly we have a Roman centurion who rolls up to Jesus and says, Jesus, will 146 00:08:01,080 --> 00:08:05,120 you come and heal my slave? 147 00:08:05,120 --> 00:08:06,120 He's real sick. 148 00:08:06,120 --> 00:08:07,120 He's dying. 149 00:08:07,120 --> 00:08:08,120 Only you can heal him. 150 00:08:08,120 --> 00:08:10,320 Now this is extraordinary on a number of levels. 151 00:08:10,320 --> 00:08:15,920 Number one, because this guy was a centurion, we can automatically deduce that he was Roman 152 00:08:15,920 --> 00:08:17,520 and not Jewish. 153 00:08:17,520 --> 00:08:23,000 The Romans were the occupying force in Israel at that time, which meant that the Jews had 154 00:08:23,000 --> 00:08:26,120 been systematically oppressed, displaced. 155 00:08:26,120 --> 00:08:30,840 They were taxed by the Romans and it was kind of a shucks in the jets, bloods in the crypts, 156 00:08:30,840 --> 00:08:31,840 kind of a vibe. 157 00:08:31,840 --> 00:08:35,680 It wasn't super fun if you were a Jew. 158 00:08:35,680 --> 00:08:37,760 But did you know, I just found facts. 159 00:08:37,760 --> 00:08:41,000 I looked this stuff up for you guys. 160 00:08:41,000 --> 00:08:45,800 Centurions are mentioned seven times in the Bible and they are men of high rank in the 161 00:08:45,800 --> 00:08:46,800 army. 162 00:08:46,800 --> 00:08:48,920 They are a land battalion. 163 00:08:48,920 --> 00:08:52,760 And they are only ever mentioned as honorable men. 164 00:08:52,760 --> 00:08:53,960 Isn't that interesting? 165 00:08:53,960 --> 00:08:57,640 Like, because there were so many Roman soldiers who were corrupt. 166 00:08:57,640 --> 00:09:00,400 They were an occupying oppressive force. 167 00:09:00,400 --> 00:09:05,320 And yet the centurions described in the Bible each time are described as honorable men. 168 00:09:05,320 --> 00:09:06,720 So you know, fun facts. 169 00:09:06,720 --> 00:09:11,880 So anyway, this guy, we can deduce as an honorable man and he comes to advocate to Jesus himself 170 00:09:11,880 --> 00:09:14,840 for the life of a slave. 171 00:09:14,840 --> 00:09:18,600 What does that tell you about the character of this man and the way that he treated those 172 00:09:18,600 --> 00:09:19,840 in his household? 173 00:09:19,840 --> 00:09:21,320 It tells you a lot. 174 00:09:21,320 --> 00:09:22,840 So that's the context we have. 175 00:09:22,840 --> 00:09:23,840 So let's have a read. 176 00:09:23,840 --> 00:09:30,600 We've got a Roman, a Gentile, a non-Jew, and a Centurion. 177 00:09:30,600 --> 00:09:32,960 And his slave is dying and he's come to Jesus. 178 00:09:32,960 --> 00:09:38,400 When Jesus had entered Capernaum, which is where Jesus lived by the way, a Centurion came 179 00:09:38,400 --> 00:09:40,120 to him asking for help. 180 00:09:40,120 --> 00:09:46,360 Lord, he said, my servant lies at home paralyzed, suffering terribly. 181 00:09:46,360 --> 00:09:48,800 Jesus said to him, oh, shall I come and heal him? 182 00:09:48,800 --> 00:09:51,960 It's like, oh, of course, I'll be right over. 183 00:09:51,960 --> 00:09:53,040 What is this? 184 00:09:53,040 --> 00:09:57,920 And then the guy, listen to this, says, Lord, I do not deserve to have you come under my 185 00:09:57,920 --> 00:09:58,920 roof. 186 00:09:58,920 --> 00:10:01,080 Now, this is on a twofold. 187 00:10:01,080 --> 00:10:03,000 This is a double threat here. 188 00:10:03,000 --> 00:10:06,280 First of all, he's humbling himself before Jesus. 189 00:10:06,280 --> 00:10:11,840 And secondly, he's saving face because in that culture, it was unheard of for Jews and 190 00:10:11,840 --> 00:10:12,840 Gentiles to mix. 191 00:10:12,840 --> 00:10:15,080 The Jew would never go to the home of a Gentile. 192 00:10:15,080 --> 00:10:17,600 And so he's kind of offering Jesus an easy out. 193 00:10:17,600 --> 00:10:20,000 You know, it's like, oh, no, no, no, you have to worry about that. 194 00:10:20,000 --> 00:10:24,280 I don't want the parents to be talking about you down at the market when they're buying 195 00:10:24,280 --> 00:10:25,280 their flatbreads. 196 00:10:25,280 --> 00:10:29,200 You know, just let's just get this done in a different way. 197 00:10:29,200 --> 00:10:31,320 But Jesus, who doesn't care about this? 198 00:10:31,320 --> 00:10:32,880 So that wasn't in God's law. 199 00:10:32,880 --> 00:10:36,440 It was a cultural norm that was just accepted and Jesus didn't care. 200 00:10:36,440 --> 00:10:38,480 It's like, yeah, I'll come right over. 201 00:10:38,480 --> 00:10:40,200 So Jesus says, shall I come and heal him? 202 00:10:40,200 --> 00:10:46,320 The Centurion replied, Lord, I do not deserve to have you come under my roof, but just say 203 00:10:46,320 --> 00:10:49,800 the word and my servant will be healed. 204 00:10:49,800 --> 00:10:55,280 For I myself am a man under authority with soldiers under me. 205 00:10:55,280 --> 00:10:56,960 I tell this one, go and he goes. 206 00:10:56,960 --> 00:10:59,360 And I tell that one, come and he comes. 207 00:10:59,360 --> 00:11:03,640 I say to my servant, do this and he does it. 208 00:11:03,640 --> 00:11:09,000 In other words, the Centurion had not over complicated the way things work in the kingdom 209 00:11:09,000 --> 00:11:10,000 of God. 210 00:11:10,000 --> 00:11:13,280 And that for you, some of you is going to be all you need to hear today. 211 00:11:13,280 --> 00:11:14,720 Let's not over complicated. 212 00:11:14,720 --> 00:11:16,360 There is a chain of command. 213 00:11:16,360 --> 00:11:22,080 There is a chain of authority that is designed to produce a specific result. 214 00:11:22,080 --> 00:11:23,080 And he just got this. 215 00:11:23,080 --> 00:11:25,080 He's like, I myself am a man under authority. 216 00:11:25,080 --> 00:11:28,640 I do what I'm told people that I'm responsible for do what I told. 217 00:11:28,640 --> 00:11:32,440 So you just have to say the word and it's going to happen. 218 00:11:32,440 --> 00:11:37,640 When Jesus heard this, he was amazed. 219 00:11:37,640 --> 00:11:38,640 He was amazed. 220 00:11:38,640 --> 00:11:42,400 So immediately my thinking is, why is he amazed? 221 00:11:42,400 --> 00:11:43,600 Why is this statement? 222 00:11:43,600 --> 00:11:44,800 Why is this attitude? 223 00:11:44,800 --> 00:11:48,000 Why is this interaction the thing that Jesus is like? 224 00:11:48,000 --> 00:11:49,080 Whoa. 225 00:11:49,080 --> 00:11:50,080 So think about that for a minute. 226 00:11:50,080 --> 00:11:51,120 Be curious about that. 227 00:11:51,120 --> 00:11:52,800 Why is he amazed? 228 00:11:52,800 --> 00:11:58,600 He said to those following him, truly I tell you, I have not found anyone in 229 00:11:58,600 --> 00:12:05,640 Israel, brackets, any Jew with such great faith. 230 00:12:05,640 --> 00:12:13,200 Without faith, it is impossible to please God. 231 00:12:13,200 --> 00:12:15,480 I have not found anyone in Israel with such great faith. 232 00:12:15,480 --> 00:12:20,240 I say to you that many will come from the east and the west and will take their place 233 00:12:20,240 --> 00:12:23,920 at the feast with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven. 234 00:12:23,920 --> 00:12:28,400 But the subjects of the kingdom will be thrown outside into darkness where they will be weeping 235 00:12:28,400 --> 00:12:30,920 and gnashing of teeth. 236 00:12:30,920 --> 00:12:38,640 Then Jesus said to the centurion, go, let it be done just as you believed it would. 237 00:12:38,640 --> 00:12:41,960 And his servant was healed at that moment. 238 00:12:41,960 --> 00:12:43,360 What a wild story. 239 00:12:43,360 --> 00:12:44,360 Amen. 240 00:12:44,360 --> 00:12:49,040 In our church we say this is the word of the Lord and then you say thanks be to God. 241 00:12:49,040 --> 00:12:50,040 Yes. 242 00:12:50,040 --> 00:12:51,040 Amazing. 243 00:12:51,040 --> 00:12:57,880 So Jesus is like going, I am flabbergasted at the faith and the simple faith which is 244 00:12:57,880 --> 00:13:03,840 inspired such hope and confidence in a man who hasn't engaged with me in any spiritual 245 00:13:03,840 --> 00:13:07,320 way but understands who I am spiritually regardless. 246 00:13:07,320 --> 00:13:09,560 He's obviously heard about what Jesus has done. 247 00:13:09,560 --> 00:13:11,320 Jesus' fame is growing rapidly. 248 00:13:11,320 --> 00:13:14,040 His followership is growing massively. 249 00:13:14,040 --> 00:13:20,200 And this guy has bowed up to Jesus and had the audacity to say, would you heal my slave? 250 00:13:20,200 --> 00:13:24,920 It's not even my wife or my dad or my whatever, my king, my boss. 251 00:13:24,920 --> 00:13:27,000 He's like, will you heal my slave? 252 00:13:27,000 --> 00:13:28,680 And he says, no, no, no, don't come. 253 00:13:28,680 --> 00:13:33,640 It'll just happen if you just say the word because you're a man under authority. 254 00:13:33,640 --> 00:13:35,560 I'm a man under authority. 255 00:13:35,560 --> 00:13:44,880 And Jesus said, all authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me, Matthew 28. 256 00:13:44,880 --> 00:13:50,000 All authority in heaven and not partial authority, not like seasonal authority, you know, during 257 00:13:50,000 --> 00:13:54,880 the summer months Jesus is out and about but in the winter months, we shot up shot, all 258 00:13:54,880 --> 00:13:56,520 authority. 259 00:13:56,520 --> 00:14:00,160 All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 260 00:14:00,160 --> 00:14:05,200 And somehow this centurion got it when the Jews themselves were still like, oh, Jesus, 261 00:14:05,200 --> 00:14:06,200 I don't know. 262 00:14:06,200 --> 00:14:09,200 We thought you would look different, be different, sound different, make us feel the way we 263 00:14:09,200 --> 00:14:10,200 wanted to feel. 264 00:14:10,200 --> 00:14:11,600 We like church this way. 265 00:14:11,600 --> 00:14:13,920 I don't think you should prioritize that. 266 00:14:13,920 --> 00:14:16,840 Like the Jews, God love them. 267 00:14:16,840 --> 00:14:18,720 We're a whiny little bunch. 268 00:14:18,720 --> 00:14:19,720 It took a lot. 269 00:14:19,720 --> 00:14:24,560 Did you have to wander around the desert in a circle for 40 years before God's like, I'm 270 00:14:24,560 --> 00:14:27,680 just trying to give you your own country to occupy. 271 00:14:27,680 --> 00:14:34,160 And they're just like, yeah, but yeah, but it's like my children on the first week of 272 00:14:34,160 --> 00:14:35,160 school holidays. 273 00:14:35,160 --> 00:14:38,360 That's what it must be like leading the Jews to the desert for 40 years. 274 00:14:38,360 --> 00:14:41,320 I feel so bad for them, like as if it wouldn't have been us. 275 00:14:41,320 --> 00:14:42,320 You know what I mean? 276 00:14:42,320 --> 00:14:48,440 Like, but you know, that was then this is now so we can throw shade if we want to. 277 00:14:48,440 --> 00:14:49,760 What an incredible story. 278 00:14:49,760 --> 00:14:55,480 So let's talk about spiritual authority, understanding spiritual authority. 279 00:14:55,480 --> 00:14:57,680 And I want to catch it in two ways for you. 280 00:14:57,680 --> 00:15:03,040 I want to catch it from a personal sort of formation and discipleship sort of perspective. 281 00:15:03,040 --> 00:15:10,920 And I also want to talk about it from a neurobiological perspective, if you will stay with me. 282 00:15:10,920 --> 00:15:16,920 So some people are like, okay, take notes. 283 00:15:16,920 --> 00:15:23,320 So what are we talking about spiritual authority? 284 00:15:23,320 --> 00:15:31,240 As a pastor, well, as a former pastor, there was a lot of things that were recurrent. 285 00:15:31,240 --> 00:15:36,880 You would see patterns, you would see the same thing happen repeatedly among people. 286 00:15:36,880 --> 00:15:39,240 So people are people, no matter where you go. 287 00:15:39,240 --> 00:15:47,280 One of my biggest, I suppose, revelations over 15 years of pastoring was that everything 288 00:15:47,280 --> 00:15:49,960 would change in the church. 289 00:15:49,960 --> 00:15:59,280 Everything would change in your life if we were to have a full, uncomplicated, fully 290 00:15:59,280 --> 00:16:02,920 realized revelation of Jesus. 291 00:16:02,920 --> 00:16:06,120 Is God who he says he is? 292 00:16:06,120 --> 00:16:08,000 Is it true? 293 00:16:08,000 --> 00:16:09,320 Is it not? 294 00:16:09,320 --> 00:16:15,480 Because if it's true, if I can put my weight, if I can put my trust, if I can put my hope, 295 00:16:15,480 --> 00:16:23,920 if I can hem myself in with what Jesus says about who he is, then what will happen next? 296 00:16:23,920 --> 00:16:30,080 And I find that most people fall down where there is some sort of blockage in that process. 297 00:16:30,080 --> 00:16:31,080 And it is a process. 298 00:16:31,080 --> 00:16:37,000 It's not a binary state with forever plumbing the depths of that revelation, amen. 299 00:16:37,000 --> 00:16:40,720 Yes, a thousand days in your court would not be enough. 300 00:16:40,720 --> 00:16:43,440 You know, it's that kind of a vibe. 301 00:16:43,440 --> 00:16:51,120 So I want us to think about how a Roman centurion who's never met Jesus before but has just 302 00:16:51,120 --> 00:16:58,880 heard about who he is, has enough confidence to ask for Jesus to save the life of one of 303 00:16:58,880 --> 00:17:01,000 his slaves. 304 00:17:01,000 --> 00:17:02,000 I want us to think about that. 305 00:17:02,000 --> 00:17:07,080 And I want us to think really carefully about why that impacted Jesus so profoundly. 306 00:17:07,080 --> 00:17:12,280 And I want us to think about who we are and where we are in that story because we've got 307 00:17:12,280 --> 00:17:14,440 something to learn there, amen. 308 00:17:14,440 --> 00:17:18,880 All right, so let's talk about authority and responsibility. 309 00:17:18,880 --> 00:17:24,360 In the church, I don't know if you've noticed this, but sometimes, all the time, people 310 00:17:24,360 --> 00:17:28,000 have very strong opinions. 311 00:17:28,000 --> 00:17:30,920 Amen. 312 00:17:30,920 --> 00:17:33,200 People have preferences. 313 00:17:33,200 --> 00:17:35,400 Amen. 314 00:17:35,400 --> 00:17:43,040 People have, how do I say this, a very entitled kind of attitude that they can bring sometimes. 315 00:17:43,040 --> 00:17:44,280 Am I right? 316 00:17:44,280 --> 00:17:45,280 Not obviously here. 317 00:17:45,280 --> 00:17:48,280 They're full back of prospect. 318 00:17:48,280 --> 00:17:50,160 Right? 319 00:17:50,160 --> 00:17:54,720 We have this thing when I was started as our creative pastor and I used to say to our 320 00:17:54,720 --> 00:18:01,160 team, is this a problem or a preference to very different things but very clarifying 321 00:18:01,160 --> 00:18:02,160 things? 322 00:18:02,160 --> 00:18:06,560 Hang on, is this me getting my bum in my hand because my preference isn't being accommodated 323 00:18:06,560 --> 00:18:10,720 or is this an actual problem that we've got the opportunity to solve? 324 00:18:10,720 --> 00:18:11,720 Okay? 325 00:18:11,720 --> 00:18:13,440 Challenge yourself with that. 326 00:18:13,440 --> 00:18:14,440 Interrogate your own premise. 327 00:18:14,440 --> 00:18:15,440 It'll help you. 328 00:18:15,440 --> 00:18:16,760 It'll help the church plan. 329 00:18:16,760 --> 00:18:19,040 Is it a problem or is it a preference? 330 00:18:19,040 --> 00:18:23,280 We want to think about authority and responsibility. 331 00:18:23,280 --> 00:18:32,640 Has anyone ever heard that saying, responsibility without authority is merely slavery but authority 332 00:18:32,640 --> 00:18:35,800 without responsibility is tyranny? 333 00:18:35,800 --> 00:18:40,720 And I can't, if I had a dollar for the amount of times that there would be people in the 334 00:18:40,720 --> 00:18:45,360 church who want all the authority while taking none of the responsibility, let me give you 335 00:18:45,360 --> 00:18:46,360 an example. 336 00:18:46,360 --> 00:18:49,440 I think the church should provide this for families. 337 00:18:49,440 --> 00:18:50,440 Would you like to help with that? 338 00:18:50,440 --> 00:18:51,440 Are you kidding? 339 00:18:51,440 --> 00:18:55,520 Is it important? 340 00:18:55,520 --> 00:18:57,600 We should be doing more for married couples. 341 00:18:57,600 --> 00:18:58,600 I'm causing feedback. 342 00:18:58,600 --> 00:18:59,600 Sorry, that's me. 343 00:18:59,600 --> 00:19:00,600 You. 344 00:19:00,600 --> 00:19:01,600 Right? 345 00:19:01,600 --> 00:19:05,160 Anyone with me? 346 00:19:05,160 --> 00:19:06,640 Authority without responsibility. 347 00:19:06,640 --> 00:19:08,080 You should do this with your life. 348 00:19:08,080 --> 00:19:11,000 I really am going to need your help with that because I'm an addict. 349 00:19:11,000 --> 00:19:13,840 That feels like a you problem. 350 00:19:13,840 --> 00:19:17,880 Authority without responsibility at best makes you annoying. 351 00:19:17,880 --> 00:19:24,000 That worst makes you a tyrant, which is why we haven't been given authority. 352 00:19:24,000 --> 00:19:26,640 Amen? 353 00:19:26,640 --> 00:19:30,200 Responsibility is a beautiful thing. 354 00:19:30,200 --> 00:19:34,280 Responsibility literally means your ability to respond. 355 00:19:34,280 --> 00:19:37,000 It's a capacity kind of concept. 356 00:19:37,000 --> 00:19:41,520 Your ability to respond, your responsibility. 357 00:19:41,520 --> 00:19:45,960 If we have responsibility, if we're taking responsibility because we're diligent and we 358 00:19:45,960 --> 00:19:50,280 want to make a difference and we want to do good and to be good and to do all of those 359 00:19:50,280 --> 00:19:55,080 things and we're trying to do that in Jesus' name, but we're not doing it out of the authority 360 00:19:55,080 --> 00:19:59,960 that Jesus has, but we're doing it out of our own strength because we're so desperate 361 00:19:59,960 --> 00:20:03,840 to do the right thing and to be the right person and to get it all done and it's a church 362 00:20:03,840 --> 00:20:04,840 plan. 363 00:20:04,840 --> 00:20:09,200 I've got to do all that's going to do is lead to burnout. 364 00:20:09,200 --> 00:20:13,760 Not because you are misguided or perhaps it is misguided. 365 00:20:13,760 --> 00:20:20,000 I would say it's incomplete because in the kingdom of God, Jesus has the authority and 366 00:20:20,000 --> 00:20:26,480 he gives us the responsibility to operate within his authority in order to see his kingdom 367 00:20:26,480 --> 00:20:29,280 come and his will be done on earth as it is in heaven. 368 00:20:29,280 --> 00:20:32,800 So when Jesus is talking to his disciples, he says, all authority in heaven on earth 369 00:20:32,800 --> 00:20:38,440 has been given to me, so go and make disciples. 370 00:20:38,440 --> 00:20:41,280 Baptizing them in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. 371 00:20:41,280 --> 00:20:48,440 And so because I have this authority, I am now delegating you, I am giving you responsibility 372 00:20:48,440 --> 00:20:53,240 to operate under my authority for this specific purpose. 373 00:20:53,240 --> 00:20:54,240 Amen? 374 00:20:54,240 --> 00:20:55,240 How good? 375 00:20:55,240 --> 00:20:59,960 So let's be very, very clear that we need to understand the role of authority and the 376 00:20:59,960 --> 00:21:05,320 role of responsibility and how they work together, not necessarily just in a human sense because 377 00:21:05,320 --> 00:21:09,760 we can talk about chains of command and reasonable leadership infrastructure and all that sort 378 00:21:09,760 --> 00:21:10,760 of thing. 379 00:21:10,760 --> 00:21:15,680 So I want to talk about what it looks like when Jesus, who is the head of the church, 380 00:21:15,680 --> 00:21:20,920 who is the name above all names, who is the prince of peace, who is the one who is able 381 00:21:20,920 --> 00:21:25,720 to open the scroll, the one who tore the curtain into the one who defeated sin and death, his 382 00:21:25,720 --> 00:21:31,960 authority which was given to him by God, all authority in heaven on earth has been given 383 00:21:31,960 --> 00:21:38,200 to me, which means God bestowed it upon him for a reason because he wants you to make 384 00:21:38,200 --> 00:21:39,920 disciples. 385 00:21:39,920 --> 00:21:44,120 And because he knows you can't do that in your own strength, he says, I'm going to give 386 00:21:44,120 --> 00:21:51,360 you my authority so that you can take responsibility so that we can create an alchemy of sorts 387 00:21:51,360 --> 00:21:56,200 that's going to fundamentally change the fabric of history. 388 00:21:56,200 --> 00:21:59,880 Because Jesus himself, in that scripture, he references hell. 389 00:21:59,880 --> 00:22:05,920 We don't talk about hell in the West because honestly, it bums me out. 390 00:22:05,920 --> 00:22:13,640 I mean, we don't like to talk about it, but the reality is, is that Jesus says here, he 391 00:22:13,640 --> 00:22:17,600 says, many will come from the east and the west and will take their place at the feast 392 00:22:17,600 --> 00:22:21,280 in the kingdom of heaven, but the subjects of the kingdom, he's saying, but not everyone 393 00:22:21,280 --> 00:22:25,080 who thinks they're going to get a place is going to get a place will be thrown outside 394 00:22:25,080 --> 00:22:27,760 into darkness where they'll be weeping and gnashing of teeth. 395 00:22:27,760 --> 00:22:32,640 He's talking about the fact that this Roman centurion who is not a Jew, who doesn't know 396 00:22:32,640 --> 00:22:37,560 the Torah back to front, is going to have a seat next to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob because 397 00:22:37,560 --> 00:22:42,880 of his faith in Jesus in a way that people who have assumed that because they've grown 398 00:22:42,880 --> 00:22:48,400 up in a certain culture or tradition or expression of faith that that somehow qualifies them 399 00:22:48,400 --> 00:22:50,760 to sit with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. 400 00:22:50,760 --> 00:22:58,520 He says they will be finding themselves outside in the darkness in hell, which is literally 401 00:22:58,520 --> 00:23:05,240 just think about a life without anything of the goodness of God anywhere to be found. 402 00:23:05,240 --> 00:23:08,680 What a bleak prospect. 403 00:23:08,680 --> 00:23:10,280 But that's the reality that we're talking about. 404 00:23:10,280 --> 00:23:18,000 So we want to understand how we can tread this earth under the authority of Christ, 405 00:23:18,000 --> 00:23:24,520 empowered by the authority of Christ, but taking responsibility to serve, right? 406 00:23:24,520 --> 00:23:26,520 Let me read you a couple of quick fire scriptures. 407 00:23:26,520 --> 00:23:31,120 I always like to do this because it kind of gets me up and about for what I'm actually 408 00:23:31,120 --> 00:23:32,120 talking about. 409 00:23:32,120 --> 00:23:36,200 Matthew 28, 18, All Authority in Heaven and Earth has been given to me. 410 00:23:36,200 --> 00:23:43,120 Matthew 11, 27, Jesus says, All things have been handed over to me by my Father. 411 00:23:43,120 --> 00:23:46,120 All things have been handed over to me by my Father. 412 00:23:46,120 --> 00:23:53,760 John 3, 35, The Father loves the Son and has given all things into his hand. 413 00:23:53,760 --> 00:23:58,560 John 13, 3, Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands and that 414 00:23:58,560 --> 00:24:04,040 he had come from God and was going back to God, what did he do? 415 00:24:04,040 --> 00:24:10,080 He knelt down and he washed the apostles feet. 416 00:24:10,080 --> 00:24:16,560 The one with all authority in heaven and on earth knew he was about to go back to God 417 00:24:16,560 --> 00:24:19,600 to complete his assignment and go back to God. 418 00:24:19,600 --> 00:24:21,600 So what did he do? 419 00:24:21,600 --> 00:24:24,160 He didn't just say, now you go and do the things that I'm going to do. 420 00:24:24,160 --> 00:24:30,520 He gave them an example to follow and he knelt down and he washed their feet. 421 00:24:30,520 --> 00:24:32,760 Jesus says, I only do the things I see my Father doing. 422 00:24:32,760 --> 00:24:35,760 I only say the words I hear my Father saying. 423 00:24:35,760 --> 00:24:41,600 And so he was showing his disciples the posture with which he wanted them to take responsibility 424 00:24:41,600 --> 00:24:42,600 under his authority. 425 00:24:42,600 --> 00:24:45,440 He was with me because that creates alchemy. 426 00:24:45,440 --> 00:24:46,440 Do you know what alchemy is? 427 00:24:46,440 --> 00:24:47,640 Great word. 428 00:24:47,640 --> 00:24:56,480 Science, is that like the nerdy version of saying Jesus as the answer in Sunday school? 429 00:24:56,480 --> 00:25:04,000 Science because science, technically it is the ability of two or more elements to come 430 00:25:04,000 --> 00:25:06,680 together to create an entirely new thing. 431 00:25:06,680 --> 00:25:10,840 It's often referred to in the making and creation of gold, right? 432 00:25:10,840 --> 00:25:12,560 So we want alchemy, the process of alchemy. 433 00:25:12,560 --> 00:25:16,080 If we can figure that out, then we can create gold. 434 00:25:16,080 --> 00:25:17,080 Yes? 435 00:25:17,080 --> 00:25:23,400 If we have authority and responsibility understood and outworked in the way of Jesus, then we 436 00:25:23,400 --> 00:25:27,920 will have an alchemy that becomes acts to level irresistible. 437 00:25:27,920 --> 00:25:30,560 God added to their number daily those who were being saved. 438 00:25:30,560 --> 00:25:31,560 Why? 439 00:25:31,560 --> 00:25:33,360 Because the church was acting like the church. 440 00:25:33,360 --> 00:25:35,080 Are you with me? 441 00:25:35,080 --> 00:25:36,880 Right, so good. 442 00:25:36,880 --> 00:25:43,480 Ephesians 1, 20 to 21, God raised him, Jesus, from the dead and seated him at his right 443 00:25:43,480 --> 00:25:50,480 hand in heavenly places, far above all rule and authority and power and dominion and above 444 00:25:50,480 --> 00:25:55,040 every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come, establishing 445 00:25:55,040 --> 00:26:00,080 yet again the authority of Jesus Christ. 446 00:26:00,080 --> 00:26:06,360 John 17, 2, Jesus is praying, Father the hour has come ahead of his crucifixion. 447 00:26:06,360 --> 00:26:09,920 Glorify your son so that the son may glorify you. 448 00:26:09,920 --> 00:26:12,440 Again, setting the example. 449 00:26:12,440 --> 00:26:18,640 Once you have given him authority over all flesh to give eternal life to all whom you 450 00:26:18,640 --> 00:26:23,400 have given him, all authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 451 00:26:23,400 --> 00:26:27,000 So therefore go and make disciples. 452 00:26:27,000 --> 00:26:30,440 Are you catching this today, church? 453 00:26:30,440 --> 00:26:31,440 Incredible. 454 00:26:31,440 --> 00:26:33,120 A couple of things. 455 00:26:33,120 --> 00:26:35,600 Again, the centurion didn't over complicate it. 456 00:26:35,600 --> 00:26:37,160 He wasn't trying to be Jesus. 457 00:26:37,160 --> 00:26:39,160 He wasn't trying to earn Jesus. 458 00:26:39,160 --> 00:26:46,720 He wasn't doing anything other than recognizing Jesus. 459 00:26:46,720 --> 00:26:52,680 Recognizing Jesus, going, I have this need. 460 00:26:52,680 --> 00:26:57,840 I want to take responsibility for this need but I don't have the authority or the capacity 461 00:26:57,840 --> 00:27:01,600 to make the change. 462 00:27:01,600 --> 00:27:03,760 So what do I do? 463 00:27:03,760 --> 00:27:07,040 I've got to the one who can. 464 00:27:07,040 --> 00:27:14,960 So the centurion taking responsibility was acknowledging the limit of his capacity and 465 00:27:14,960 --> 00:27:23,680 bringing his plea before God, Philippians 4, therefore pray and petition God. 466 00:27:23,680 --> 00:27:29,480 Don't be anxious for anything but in everything through prayer and petition present your request 467 00:27:29,480 --> 00:27:30,480 to God. 468 00:27:30,480 --> 00:27:33,720 That's exactly what the centurion did. 469 00:27:33,720 --> 00:27:39,600 Well, I'm not the paralysis guy, I'm the let's dig a trench and conquer the goals kind 470 00:27:39,600 --> 00:27:40,600 of a guy. 471 00:27:40,600 --> 00:27:44,000 I didn't know that the goals were French. 472 00:27:44,000 --> 00:27:47,320 Explains a lot really. 473 00:27:47,320 --> 00:27:48,880 So this is a really important thing. 474 00:27:48,880 --> 00:27:50,160 So I want you to understand that. 475 00:27:50,160 --> 00:27:54,920 So from a discipleship or a formation perspective, I want you to start to ask yourself questions 476 00:27:54,920 --> 00:27:56,720 about where you are in that story. 477 00:27:56,720 --> 00:28:01,240 Have I understood the complete fullness of Jesus' authority? 478 00:28:01,240 --> 00:28:09,960 And have I allowed my confidence and my hope and my posture to respond appropriately to 479 00:28:09,960 --> 00:28:16,200 all that God is, to all that God is revealed in Jesus because that my friends is what has 480 00:28:16,200 --> 00:28:21,280 got changed the earth for multiple millennia since the church became the church in Jesus' 481 00:28:21,280 --> 00:28:22,280 name. 482 00:28:22,280 --> 00:28:23,280 Are you with me? 483 00:28:23,280 --> 00:28:26,880 Okay, so take that, marinate on that, chat about that in your connect groups, life groups, 484 00:28:26,880 --> 00:28:29,640 gather groups, what do you call them here? 485 00:28:29,640 --> 00:28:31,840 Hindley Hanks. 486 00:28:31,840 --> 00:28:34,120 Tell me you're a Christian without telling me you're a Christian. 487 00:28:34,120 --> 00:28:35,120 What are you doing tonight? 488 00:28:35,120 --> 00:28:36,120 Oh, I've got Hindley Hanks. 489 00:28:36,120 --> 00:28:37,840 I love it. 490 00:28:37,840 --> 00:28:44,760 Now, I want to talk to you about something that God has placed inside of you, that it's 491 00:28:44,760 --> 00:28:53,000 in your literal DNA, that is within your neurobiological capacity to help this process be more effective 492 00:28:53,000 --> 00:28:54,400 and efficient. 493 00:28:54,400 --> 00:28:56,840 Do you wish to know what it is? 494 00:28:56,840 --> 00:29:02,520 So what I love about God is that He doesn't let us off the hook by going, oh, it happens 495 00:29:02,520 --> 00:29:07,880 like this, it works like this, but He puts within us the mysteries of heaven. 496 00:29:07,880 --> 00:29:16,960 He puts within us so much intricacy, order, complexity, ingenuity. 497 00:29:16,960 --> 00:29:24,680 There it is, that we can't actually wrap our heads around it, but that's a gift to us, 498 00:29:24,680 --> 00:29:25,680 right? 499 00:29:25,680 --> 00:29:33,000 If me being able to hold the same posture as that centurion to go, me taking responsibility 500 00:29:33,000 --> 00:29:38,240 means bringing this need to Jesus, Jesus exercising His authority on my behalf through 501 00:29:38,240 --> 00:29:42,640 me so someone's life can be impacted, yes? 502 00:29:42,640 --> 00:29:48,600 Then I need to understand what it looks like and how I can best position myself, to position 503 00:29:48,600 --> 00:29:57,760 my thinking, to position my emotions, to position my soul, the very essence of who I am, to accurately 504 00:29:57,760 --> 00:30:04,040 perceive and understand and ultimately know Jesus. 505 00:30:04,040 --> 00:30:11,200 Not the idea I have about who I want Jesus to be, who I think Jesus should be to me. 506 00:30:11,200 --> 00:30:14,440 Have you ever heard someone say, well, I couldn't believe in a God who? 507 00:30:14,440 --> 00:30:20,040 I'm not sure he asked your opinion about what he should be because that would make you God 508 00:30:20,040 --> 00:30:22,440 and he would just be not. 509 00:30:22,440 --> 00:30:24,440 Do you know what I mean? 510 00:30:24,440 --> 00:30:26,160 We have to think about it like that. 511 00:30:26,160 --> 00:30:28,400 What are we coming to God saying, well, you should be like this. 512 00:30:28,400 --> 00:30:30,240 If you're God, you should be like this. 513 00:30:30,240 --> 00:30:35,400 God's like, and from which making of the creatives of the heavens and the earth and the raising 514 00:30:35,400 --> 00:30:38,960 of the dead and the healing of the sick and the knowing of the mysteries of the universe, 515 00:30:38,960 --> 00:30:42,000 from what authority are you wishing to hold that position? 516 00:30:42,000 --> 00:30:44,640 You have self-pointed yourself smarter than me. 517 00:30:44,640 --> 00:30:50,240 Honestly, we are so audacious sometimes and God is like, well, God, you should do this. 518 00:30:50,240 --> 00:30:52,640 Jesus, why haven't you? 519 00:30:52,640 --> 00:30:54,840 Not that they're not natural human experiences. 520 00:30:54,840 --> 00:31:00,880 I've been there myself, but ultimately my job, the Bible says this, the work of those 521 00:31:00,880 --> 00:31:05,280 who are redeemed is to believe in the one that God has sent. 522 00:31:05,280 --> 00:31:12,120 In order to do that, I have to know the one that God has sent and to help me unto that 523 00:31:12,120 --> 00:31:19,840 end, God has gifted us with a neurobiology with a capacity for awe and wonder. 524 00:31:19,840 --> 00:31:25,200 Now, I've been studying like you, awe and wonder. 525 00:31:25,200 --> 00:31:29,480 Ha-ha, I have not been studying that, Katie. 526 00:31:29,480 --> 00:31:31,960 I'm shocked. 527 00:31:31,960 --> 00:31:35,880 Let me tell you about it because it's going to blow your literal mind. 528 00:31:35,880 --> 00:31:36,880 Are you ready? 529 00:31:36,880 --> 00:31:37,880 Are you ready? 530 00:31:37,880 --> 00:31:39,960 Guys, it's really hot here. 531 00:31:39,960 --> 00:31:41,120 You were nearly falling asleep. 532 00:31:41,120 --> 00:31:42,800 I saw it. 533 00:31:42,800 --> 00:31:44,680 Someone opened a door. 534 00:31:44,680 --> 00:31:45,680 It's happening. 535 00:31:45,680 --> 00:31:49,160 All right, let me pull this research out for you. 536 00:31:49,160 --> 00:31:50,840 I made text read this the other day. 537 00:31:50,840 --> 00:31:52,840 Bless you, texts. 538 00:31:52,840 --> 00:31:53,840 Okay. 539 00:31:53,840 --> 00:31:58,720 Now, you think that God created us. 540 00:31:58,720 --> 00:32:01,360 Isn't that incredible? 541 00:32:01,360 --> 00:32:03,480 It's incredible. 542 00:32:03,480 --> 00:32:05,640 But we have a neurobiology. 543 00:32:05,640 --> 00:32:10,880 In other words, we have a biological system which is driven by our brain. 544 00:32:10,880 --> 00:32:15,440 The way our brain operates affects how our biological self operates. 545 00:32:15,440 --> 00:32:21,240 Essentially, it's the physiology and the psychology coming together in one fun little package that 546 00:32:21,240 --> 00:32:23,160 we call neurobiology. 547 00:32:23,160 --> 00:32:24,160 Taking notes. 548 00:32:24,160 --> 00:32:25,160 No one's taking notes. 549 00:32:25,160 --> 00:32:26,160 I'm trying not to be offended. 550 00:32:26,160 --> 00:32:27,160 It's fine. 551 00:32:27,160 --> 00:32:28,160 Text, that was a joke. 552 00:32:28,160 --> 00:32:29,160 You don't have to take notes. 553 00:32:29,160 --> 00:32:30,160 I appreciate it. 554 00:32:30,160 --> 00:32:33,600 Text plus, you're a great guy. 555 00:32:33,600 --> 00:32:35,600 Isn't he though? 556 00:32:35,600 --> 00:32:38,800 Now, listen. 557 00:32:38,800 --> 00:32:43,600 Let's take spirituality out of there for a minute and let's just look at raw data. 558 00:32:43,600 --> 00:32:50,800 Let's look at raw, heathen, bog standard, garden variety, CSIRO level data. 559 00:32:50,800 --> 00:32:51,800 Okay? 560 00:32:51,800 --> 00:32:54,240 In God we trust all others must bring data. 561 00:32:54,240 --> 00:32:55,240 Yes? 562 00:32:55,240 --> 00:32:58,800 Because otherwise we're trapped into this realm of our own opinions and we get these 563 00:32:58,800 --> 00:32:59,800 feedback loops. 564 00:32:59,800 --> 00:33:03,080 We become our own algorithm and then we create a monster. 565 00:33:03,080 --> 00:33:04,080 Yes? 566 00:33:04,080 --> 00:33:12,960 So, there are a literal smorgasbord of psychological benefits when we actively engage and build 567 00:33:12,960 --> 00:33:17,040 our capacity for awe and wonder. 568 00:33:17,040 --> 00:33:21,880 Who has ever, who's the person who's like, oh, music's not really my thing. 569 00:33:21,880 --> 00:33:24,280 I'm not really, I'm more of a cerebral kind of a thinker. 570 00:33:24,280 --> 00:33:25,280 Is that you? 571 00:33:25,280 --> 00:33:27,280 I mean, God bless you. 572 00:33:27,280 --> 00:33:28,280 Anyone? 573 00:33:28,280 --> 00:33:34,440 I'm a real creative artsy feeling deeply like solving the problems of the, wow. 574 00:33:34,440 --> 00:33:36,360 Well, that's great. 575 00:33:36,360 --> 00:33:42,520 That makes this law easier. 576 00:33:42,520 --> 00:33:48,560 So, how many people are moved when they find themselves in nature? 577 00:33:48,560 --> 00:33:51,480 Somebody just call out to me something that you've seen, a place that you visited that 578 00:33:51,480 --> 00:33:53,400 has just flawed you. 579 00:33:53,400 --> 00:33:54,400 Yes? 580 00:33:54,400 --> 00:33:56,240 The what's right? 581 00:33:56,240 --> 00:33:57,240 Where's that? 582 00:33:57,240 --> 00:33:59,240 Is it on the Air Peninsula? 583 00:33:59,240 --> 00:34:00,920 Yeah, love it. 584 00:34:00,920 --> 00:34:02,360 So beautiful, right? 585 00:34:02,360 --> 00:34:05,360 The Outback, that really narrows it down. 586 00:34:05,360 --> 00:34:07,240 But the Gula Rangers, someone else? 587 00:34:07,240 --> 00:34:08,240 Mount, what? 588 00:34:08,240 --> 00:34:10,240 Where's that at? 589 00:34:10,240 --> 00:34:11,240 Japan. 590 00:34:11,240 --> 00:34:12,240 Japan. 591 00:34:12,240 --> 00:34:13,240 You. 592 00:34:13,240 --> 00:34:18,840 Someone else, what else you got? 593 00:34:18,840 --> 00:34:19,840 At the beach? 594 00:34:19,840 --> 00:34:20,840 Henley Beach. 595 00:34:20,840 --> 00:34:22,080 Am I right? 596 00:34:22,080 --> 00:34:24,360 Come on, someone else. 597 00:34:24,360 --> 00:34:25,360 Adelaide Hills. 598 00:34:25,360 --> 00:34:28,640 Oh, crisp winter day, crisp autumn day. 599 00:34:28,640 --> 00:34:31,760 What else has absolutely moved you? 600 00:34:31,760 --> 00:34:32,920 Talk to me. 601 00:34:32,920 --> 00:34:34,760 When you've beholden something. 602 00:34:34,760 --> 00:34:39,400 Birds, birds freak me out. 603 00:34:39,400 --> 00:34:43,040 Do you want me to quickly side by her too, an amazing story? 604 00:34:43,040 --> 00:34:44,040 How much time do we have? 605 00:34:44,040 --> 00:34:47,040 When are we supposed to finish? 606 00:34:47,040 --> 00:34:51,840 Tim's shaking his head and you're saying go. 607 00:34:51,840 --> 00:34:53,160 Tim's got the day off. 608 00:34:53,160 --> 00:34:54,160 All right. 609 00:34:54,160 --> 00:34:55,160 Just real quick. 610 00:34:55,160 --> 00:34:56,960 I don't like birds. 611 00:34:56,960 --> 00:34:58,800 Not because I don't appreciate birds. 612 00:34:58,800 --> 00:35:04,160 I just find them stressful and unpredictable and just in my face. 613 00:35:04,160 --> 00:35:05,960 Stop it. 614 00:35:05,960 --> 00:35:06,960 Not interested. 615 00:35:06,960 --> 00:35:13,480 Anyway, there came a point where I was like, there are crows that live near my house and 616 00:35:13,480 --> 00:35:17,320 they sit on top of our trampoline thing and I'm like, hello crows. 617 00:35:17,320 --> 00:35:20,640 And I don't know about you, but I've watched enough Game of Thrones to be like, I'm not 618 00:35:20,640 --> 00:35:23,880 about this life. 619 00:35:23,880 --> 00:35:29,280 So anyway, I decided to myself, well, what if instead of going, oh my gosh, it's the devil 620 00:35:29,280 --> 00:35:31,760 come to visit in crow form. 621 00:35:31,760 --> 00:35:37,680 What if I conduct an experiment whereby I befriended these two crows who might have named 622 00:35:37,680 --> 00:35:41,120 Andre and Magda. 623 00:35:41,120 --> 00:35:42,840 Andre and Magda. 624 00:35:42,840 --> 00:35:44,600 You can write that down. 625 00:35:44,600 --> 00:35:50,520 Anyway, so what I do is that I have been feeding them at this, just a little treat. 626 00:35:50,520 --> 00:35:54,320 It's not a full thing, I want them to still be able to hunt and do all the things that 627 00:35:54,320 --> 00:35:56,000 they do, but just a little something, something. 628 00:35:56,000 --> 00:36:00,160 And I've given it to them on the top lead of our red bin because I learned that crows 629 00:36:00,160 --> 00:36:03,360 can see colour and they can recognise faces. 630 00:36:03,360 --> 00:36:06,200 And I was like, well, I need these guys to be on my side because they're big enough to 631 00:36:06,200 --> 00:36:13,160 really cause some damage if they decided they wanted to revolt. 632 00:36:13,160 --> 00:36:14,360 So I've just been doing this, right? 633 00:36:14,360 --> 00:36:18,200 And so every day when I see them, I can hear them because they're so heavy, they thud onto 634 00:36:18,200 --> 00:36:21,960 the gutter or they come outside my window in my study where I work. 635 00:36:21,960 --> 00:36:24,880 And I'm like, oh, hello, Magda, hello, Andre. 636 00:36:24,880 --> 00:36:29,320 And then I will go out the back and I hold it up like this so they can see what it is. 637 00:36:29,320 --> 00:36:30,520 And I say, this is for you. 638 00:36:30,520 --> 00:36:32,120 It's so great to see you, blah, blah, blah. 639 00:36:32,120 --> 00:36:36,720 Then I put it on the red bin and then I go inside and I wait for them to come and they 640 00:36:36,720 --> 00:36:40,880 hop on the fence and they look at me like this and they eat it and then they fly off. 641 00:36:40,880 --> 00:36:45,920 Now, I've been doing this for months, months, my friends. 642 00:36:45,920 --> 00:36:46,920 Why? 643 00:36:46,920 --> 00:36:48,520 Who would know? 644 00:36:48,520 --> 00:36:49,840 But this is the things that I do. 645 00:36:49,840 --> 00:36:50,840 I quit my job. 646 00:36:50,840 --> 00:36:53,480 I had time to kill. 647 00:36:53,480 --> 00:36:58,720 So anyway, today we're going to Uluru tomorrow and my husband bought these long range walkie 648 00:36:58,720 --> 00:37:01,880 talkies so that we could go off with the kids and if they wanted to go off somewhere, then 649 00:37:01,880 --> 00:37:03,520 it was like, hey, how's it going? 650 00:37:03,520 --> 00:37:04,520 Oh, cool. 651 00:37:04,520 --> 00:37:09,160 And so Sammy, my youngest, you just saw him, decided he was going to run over to the oval 652 00:37:09,160 --> 00:37:12,760 and I stayed in bed and we were walkie talking the whole way. 653 00:37:12,760 --> 00:37:16,960 And at one point Sammy's like, mum, I'm getting swooped by magpies. 654 00:37:16,960 --> 00:37:18,960 Who's been swooped by a magpie? 655 00:37:18,960 --> 00:37:20,480 It's horrifying. 656 00:37:20,480 --> 00:37:22,040 It's actually the worst. 657 00:37:22,040 --> 00:37:24,720 I'm like, you want to get a PR campaign? 658 00:37:24,720 --> 00:37:28,600 We'll sort that out, mate, because there's no way of spinning that attitude. 659 00:37:28,600 --> 00:37:31,600 And Sammy's like, I'm getting swooped by magpies, but it kept cutting out. 660 00:37:31,600 --> 00:37:34,040 And then a couple of minutes later, he comes back on. 661 00:37:34,040 --> 00:37:36,520 He's like, mum, you won't believe what happened. 662 00:37:36,520 --> 00:37:43,280 These two crows came and started attacking the magpies so that the magpie left me alone. 663 00:37:43,280 --> 00:37:45,440 Andre and Magda. 664 00:37:45,440 --> 00:37:51,920 Tell me that's not the best story you've heard in the last 10 years. 665 00:37:51,920 --> 00:37:59,040 Tell me, it's honestly now one of my proudest achievements and I once fit 33 pieces of hubba 666 00:37:59,040 --> 00:38:01,960 bubba in my face at the one time. 667 00:38:01,960 --> 00:38:08,120 Andre and Magda rescued my eight year old son from the scourge of magpies because I 668 00:38:08,120 --> 00:38:09,600 made friends with them. 669 00:38:09,600 --> 00:38:13,640 So take that game of thrones. 670 00:38:13,640 --> 00:38:14,640 Isn't that incredible? 671 00:38:14,640 --> 00:38:15,640 Okay. 672 00:38:15,640 --> 00:38:18,640 Now guys, focus. 673 00:38:18,640 --> 00:38:21,160 Or and wonder. 674 00:38:21,160 --> 00:38:27,760 People who actively and intentionally build a capacity to engage in awe and wonder and 675 00:38:27,760 --> 00:38:31,720 not necessarily just in the big, magnificent sunset. 676 00:38:31,720 --> 00:38:35,040 It could be that you're singing together as a group. 677 00:38:35,040 --> 00:38:38,520 It could be that you're listening to an aria, you're at a Coldplay concert listening to 678 00:38:38,520 --> 00:38:40,800 fix you for the first time. 679 00:38:40,800 --> 00:38:46,200 You know, something you're holding a new born baby, you're looking at the intricacy of something, 680 00:38:46,200 --> 00:38:50,520 you're learning something and you're like, wow, this is incredible. 681 00:38:50,520 --> 00:38:52,960 But you actually don't just go, oh yeah, that's great. 682 00:38:52,960 --> 00:38:53,960 Next. 683 00:38:53,960 --> 00:38:58,600 But you're actually sitting in it because your brain is designed for you to sit in that 684 00:38:58,600 --> 00:38:59,600 space. 685 00:38:59,600 --> 00:39:00,600 Why? 686 00:39:00,600 --> 00:39:08,000 Because people who engage in awe and wonder or activities that produce wonder have lower 687 00:39:08,000 --> 00:39:14,400 rates of depression, diabetes, heart disease, Alzheimer's. 688 00:39:14,400 --> 00:39:22,520 They are far more likely to volunteer because when they participate regularly in activities 689 00:39:22,520 --> 00:39:33,000 that produce awe and wonder, their brain perceives time more slowly. 690 00:39:33,000 --> 00:39:36,520 Tell me is that not counter cultural? 691 00:39:36,520 --> 00:39:44,960 That when you allow yourself to experience wonder, your brain perceives time differently. 692 00:39:44,960 --> 00:39:48,040 You don't get more time because you can't. 693 00:39:48,040 --> 00:39:50,560 Time just is or it's not. 694 00:39:50,560 --> 00:39:54,520 But they felt as though time slowed down, which meant that they were like, well, I've 695 00:39:54,520 --> 00:39:55,680 got time to volunteer. 696 00:39:55,680 --> 00:40:00,320 They wanted to volunteer because they felt this connection with something. 697 00:40:00,320 --> 00:40:05,080 Now this is going to knock your socks off beyond themselves. 698 00:40:05,080 --> 00:40:12,120 And in our society where rampant individualism has made us smaller and snarkier, there is 699 00:40:12,120 --> 00:40:19,440 a neurobiological setup within each and every one of us that is an antidote for that. 700 00:40:19,440 --> 00:40:21,280 But we don't get it. 701 00:40:21,280 --> 00:40:27,200 So I'm going to help you get it because if we can build our capacity for awe and wonder, 702 00:40:27,200 --> 00:40:32,240 then suddenly when we come to things like sitting under the word of God, coming to worship, 703 00:40:32,240 --> 00:40:38,600 reading God's word in our own time, beholding God's creation, suddenly we are going to have 704 00:40:38,600 --> 00:40:45,520 this experience where we can more fully comprehend the fullness of all that God is revealed in 705 00:40:45,520 --> 00:40:47,280 Christ Jesus. 706 00:40:47,280 --> 00:40:48,480 It's unbelievable. 707 00:40:48,480 --> 00:40:54,800 So Socrates, the philosopher 400 BC, maybe you've heard of him, he said, the beginning 708 00:40:54,800 --> 00:40:59,800 of all wisdom starts in wonder. 709 00:40:59,800 --> 00:41:06,960 The beginning of all wisdom starts in wonder because wonder brings you to the edge of what 710 00:41:06,960 --> 00:41:08,880 you don't know. 711 00:41:08,880 --> 00:41:10,240 You don't have the answer to that. 712 00:41:10,240 --> 00:41:11,240 You can't. 713 00:41:11,240 --> 00:41:12,960 This is so far beyond you. 714 00:41:12,960 --> 00:41:14,960 And so it postures you for learning. 715 00:41:14,960 --> 00:41:16,480 It postures you in humility. 716 00:41:16,480 --> 00:41:19,240 It postures you in curiosity. 717 00:41:19,240 --> 00:41:26,280 People who regularly practiced awe and wonder were more comfortable asking questions about 718 00:41:26,280 --> 00:41:32,560 things they didn't have the answer to or sitting in the tension, but in an unresolved space. 719 00:41:32,560 --> 00:41:36,320 Instead of cancelling or going to the far left or the far right, they were able to sit 720 00:41:36,320 --> 00:41:43,080 with it, hold the space for it and be curious about it purely because they had tapped into 721 00:41:43,080 --> 00:41:48,080 what God has gifted each and every one of us in our DNA, which is this capacity for awe 722 00:41:48,080 --> 00:41:53,440 and wonder, which will ultimately slow our minds down, help us to feel more connected 723 00:41:53,440 --> 00:41:58,840 to the world around us, help us to realize that there is so much vastness beyond us that 724 00:41:58,840 --> 00:42:04,160 is good for us and that is good for stop, that we then want to engage with it. 725 00:42:04,160 --> 00:42:09,280 And it postures us for learning and creativity, which then leads to contribution and generative 726 00:42:09,280 --> 00:42:15,160 ways of walking the earth, which is exactly what the church must be because we have to 727 00:42:15,160 --> 00:42:20,320 provide the positive alternative to what culture is offering. 728 00:42:20,320 --> 00:42:26,400 And we have it all here and it is a revelation of Jesus and his authority, which he sends 729 00:42:26,400 --> 00:42:31,280 with us as we take responsibility for the great command and the great commission so 730 00:42:31,280 --> 00:42:37,160 that every knee will bow in heaven and on earth and under the earth and every tongue 731 00:42:37,160 --> 00:42:40,360 will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord to the glory of God. 732 00:42:40,360 --> 00:42:43,200 The Father of Philippians 2, come on now. 733 00:42:43,200 --> 00:42:51,120 So we need to develop a culture and a permission and fight fiercely for a culture in ourselves, 734 00:42:51,120 --> 00:42:55,640 in our families, in our workplaces, in our connect groups, handling hangs, whatever you 735 00:42:55,640 --> 00:43:01,760 want to call them, where you are actively holding space for awe and wonder. 736 00:43:01,760 --> 00:43:11,040 It is not woo-woo, it is a foundational principle that will help you to perceive Jesus. 737 00:43:11,040 --> 00:43:16,000 And when we see Jesus, everything changes. 738 00:43:16,000 --> 00:43:17,000 Amen. 739 00:43:17,000 --> 00:43:20,560 Come on, let's stand and we pray. 740 00:43:20,560 --> 00:43:25,360 Henley, encounter Henley. 741 00:43:25,360 --> 00:43:26,360 Beautiful church. 742 00:43:26,360 --> 00:43:28,880 God is waiting. 743 00:43:28,880 --> 00:43:33,400 Waiting for us to see him, perceive him and respond. 744 00:43:33,400 --> 00:43:43,160 And he wants to reach out to us and to minister to our ability to respond to all that he 745 00:43:43,160 --> 00:43:44,160 is. 746 00:43:44,160 --> 00:43:48,560 So we're going to sing for a little minute and I just want to let that marinate for you 747 00:43:48,560 --> 00:43:51,760 because it's a lot. 748 00:43:51,760 --> 00:43:55,280 So can I just ask you, would you just close your eyes for a little minute? 749 00:43:55,280 --> 00:43:59,960 And if you're not used to being led in this way or expressing yourself in this way, that's 750 00:43:59,960 --> 00:44:00,960 totally fine. 751 00:44:00,960 --> 00:44:12,680 But I would just love to encourage you to posture yourself in humility and openness. 752 00:44:12,680 --> 00:44:23,320 So Holy Spirit, would you help us to see Jesus, the one to whom all authority in heaven 753 00:44:23,320 --> 00:44:33,240 and on earth has been given, who knelt down and washed the disciples feet? 754 00:44:33,240 --> 00:44:44,160 God I pray that there will be a supernatural, almost like a supercharging of everyone in 755 00:44:44,160 --> 00:44:50,200 this room's capacity to see Jesus and respond in the hope and confidence that comes from 756 00:44:50,200 --> 00:44:56,760 knowing who he is, why he is and what he wants for us. 757 00:44:56,760 --> 00:45:00,560 So God will you come and do a work in us? 758 00:45:00,560 --> 00:45:08,320 If there's anything that needs to be reconfigured or perhaps aligned in a new way, if there's 759 00:45:08,320 --> 00:45:15,040 anything that we need to let go of or ask forgiveness for or set down at the foot of 760 00:45:15,040 --> 00:45:20,040 the cross, I pray God that you will by your Holy Spirit show each and every one of us 761 00:45:20,040 --> 00:45:27,040 what that might be so that we can take responsibility for the things that you have made possible 762 00:45:27,040 --> 00:45:29,080 in your authority. 763 00:45:29,080 --> 00:45:50,560 To calm Holy Spirit and have your way, Jesus name.