1 00:00:02,193 --> 00:00:02,831 Please be seated. 2 00:00:07,058 --> 00:00:08,015 Good morning, Christchurch Church. 3 00:00:10,104 --> 00:00:11,939 Good to be with you all today, to 4 00:00:11,939 --> 00:00:13,773 get to preach and hopefully lead the service, 5 00:00:14,252 --> 00:00:16,427 especially as most of the staff are 6 00:00:16,963 --> 00:00:18,957 away this week and be beginning this weekend 7 00:00:18,957 --> 00:00:19,777 in Guatemala. 8 00:00:20,248 --> 00:00:22,081 On a mission trip together with the mission 9 00:00:22,081 --> 00:00:24,789 team with our long term partner there, Potter 10 00:00:24,949 --> 00:00:26,861 House. I know they got in late last 11 00:00:26,861 --> 00:00:28,295 night and had an early worship of service 12 00:00:28,295 --> 00:00:30,303 this morning and are recovering. So we pray 13 00:00:30,303 --> 00:00:32,218 for them and are happy for their opportunity 14 00:00:32,218 --> 00:00:33,016 to be there together. 15 00:00:33,973 --> 00:00:34,851 For those of who I may not know, 16 00:00:35,010 --> 00:00:36,606 my name is Bill Walker, and I've served 17 00:00:36,606 --> 00:00:37,005 previously, 18 00:00:37,735 --> 00:00:39,796 on staff here as the director of vocation, 19 00:00:40,589 --> 00:00:43,466 overseeing a faith and work ministry and vocational 20 00:00:43,521 --> 00:00:45,997 formation programming. I'm still helping out here and 21 00:00:45,997 --> 00:00:47,746 there with that and doing that same kind 22 00:00:47,746 --> 00:00:49,893 of thing in the city more broadly with 23 00:00:49,893 --> 00:00:51,801 the center for faith and work. But my 24 00:00:51,801 --> 00:00:53,232 main job now in the last 2 years 25 00:00:53,232 --> 00:00:56,113 has been to direct Hill House Christian study 26 00:00:56,113 --> 00:00:57,865 center, which is familiar to some of you. 27 00:00:58,423 --> 00:01:01,052 We serve Ut campus, and we try to 28 00:01:01,052 --> 00:01:03,363 bring Christian faith to bear on all of 29 00:01:03,363 --> 00:01:06,727 the subjects And disciplines and questions that students 30 00:01:06,727 --> 00:01:08,721 are encountering in their college years, 31 00:01:09,439 --> 00:01:10,816 topics and ap, 32 00:01:11,273 --> 00:01:12,868 and cultural engagement, engagement, 33 00:01:13,347 --> 00:01:13,847 politics, 34 00:01:14,478 --> 00:01:15,911 faith and work, these kinds of things. And 35 00:01:15,911 --> 00:01:17,503 we've partnered with Christchurch for a few events 36 00:01:17,503 --> 00:01:18,800 and we hope to do more of that 37 00:01:19,176 --> 00:01:21,962 in the coming months and even years, 38 00:01:24,685 --> 00:01:26,596 last weekend, on Sunday evening, 39 00:01:27,392 --> 00:01:28,428 that was the last time many of us 40 00:01:28,428 --> 00:01:29,941 were together for those who were there. We 41 00:01:29,941 --> 00:01:30,578 gathered to, 42 00:01:31,629 --> 00:01:32,848 celebrate and and 43 00:01:33,467 --> 00:01:35,944 install father Matt Dam as our new director 44 00:01:35,944 --> 00:01:36,584 of Christchurch Church. 45 00:01:37,463 --> 00:01:39,161 And, yeah, It was it was a celebratory 46 00:01:39,301 --> 00:01:40,474 moment, and I came 47 00:01:40,990 --> 00:01:43,449 eager to participate, but with probably low expectations 48 00:01:43,449 --> 00:01:45,194 thinking it would feel more like a formality. 49 00:01:46,543 --> 00:01:48,367 And it was anything but that, I I 50 00:01:48,367 --> 00:01:50,929 was I I was surprisingly just moved deeply. 51 00:01:51,168 --> 00:01:53,875 Maybe some of you shared that feeling in 52 00:01:53,875 --> 00:01:55,308 response to to any number of things that 53 00:01:55,308 --> 00:01:56,741 happened throughout the evening from our... 54 00:01:57,472 --> 00:01:57,972 Enthusiastic 55 00:01:58,503 --> 00:01:59,003 embrace 56 00:01:59,376 --> 00:02:02,415 of Matt when he was announced and received 57 00:02:02,708 --> 00:02:05,009 as our new record to the time afterward, 58 00:02:05,899 --> 00:02:07,574 to the lit g throughout, and especially for 59 00:02:07,574 --> 00:02:09,250 me it was also Bishop Todd's words, 60 00:02:10,128 --> 00:02:12,203 spoken directly to Father. And then by extension, 61 00:02:12,362 --> 00:02:13,973 I think to all of us in this 62 00:02:13,973 --> 00:02:15,648 time of transition still in leadership. 63 00:02:16,445 --> 00:02:18,041 And so I wanted to draw just from 64 00:02:18,041 --> 00:02:20,035 a few of his comments and repeat them 65 00:02:20,035 --> 00:02:21,949 back to you because I think they also 66 00:02:21,949 --> 00:02:23,225 helped to set up some of what we 67 00:02:23,225 --> 00:02:25,155 want explore this morning in the gospel story. 68 00:02:26,272 --> 00:02:29,086 And Bishop Todd was was primarily reflecting on 69 00:02:29,464 --> 00:02:32,273 the passage from Joshua 1 just versus 7 70 00:02:32,273 --> 00:02:34,591 through 9, a very familiar set of verses 71 00:02:34,591 --> 00:02:35,230 too many of us. 72 00:02:36,589 --> 00:02:38,607 And that last verse, maybe most famous 73 00:02:39,465 --> 00:02:40,025 says this, 74 00:02:41,552 --> 00:02:43,223 Have I not commanded you? 75 00:02:44,575 --> 00:02:46,325 Be strong and courageous? 76 00:02:47,692 --> 00:02:48,727 Do not be afraid. 77 00:02:49,522 --> 00:02:50,738 Do not be discouraged 78 00:02:51,590 --> 00:02:53,181 for the lord your God will be with 79 00:02:53,181 --> 00:02:53,420 you. 80 00:02:54,469 --> 00:02:55,184 Wherever you go. 81 00:02:57,809 --> 00:03:00,353 Bishop Todd commented that that phrase that language 82 00:03:00,353 --> 00:03:03,295 be strong and courageous could also be understood 83 00:03:03,295 --> 00:03:04,034 as saying 84 00:03:05,218 --> 00:03:05,957 be not 85 00:03:06,569 --> 00:03:06,966 alarmed. 86 00:03:07,841 --> 00:03:08,794 Do not be alarmed. 87 00:03:10,383 --> 00:03:10,781 Why? 88 00:03:11,908 --> 00:03:13,359 Because you are in the care 89 00:03:13,890 --> 00:03:14,445 of another. 90 00:03:15,556 --> 00:03:17,617 Be not alarmed, you in the care of 91 00:03:17,617 --> 00:03:18,910 another, cannot not be afraid 92 00:03:19,853 --> 00:03:21,603 Be strong and courageous do not be discouraged. 93 00:03:21,762 --> 00:03:22,956 The lord your god is with you. 94 00:03:23,831 --> 00:03:24,467 Wherever you go? 95 00:03:25,501 --> 00:03:26,217 Will you pray with me? 96 00:03:28,384 --> 00:03:30,059 Oh, god, as as Christ church and as 97 00:03:30,059 --> 00:03:32,133 your followers, we do wish to be people 98 00:03:32,133 --> 00:03:34,685 of strength and courage, who are not easily 99 00:03:34,685 --> 00:03:36,462 made afraid or alarmed 100 00:03:37,568 --> 00:03:38,997 By the many things, there might be reason 101 00:03:38,997 --> 00:03:40,030 to be fearful about. 102 00:03:41,618 --> 00:03:43,763 So teach us Lord this morning to trust 103 00:03:43,763 --> 00:03:45,510 you and guide us into more truth through 104 00:03:45,510 --> 00:03:47,355 your word, We pray Holy Spirit. 105 00:03:47,993 --> 00:03:48,312 I'm in. 106 00:03:50,623 --> 00:03:51,362 I recently 107 00:03:51,899 --> 00:03:53,413 got to read as part of a book 108 00:03:53,413 --> 00:03:54,130 club that I'm in, 109 00:03:55,342 --> 00:03:57,415 a book entitled the anxious generation, 110 00:03:58,452 --> 00:03:59,330 by Jonathan Hai. 111 00:04:00,366 --> 00:04:01,962 Some of you may know this work. It's 112 00:04:01,962 --> 00:04:05,008 recently published, fairly widely discussed and height has 113 00:04:05,008 --> 00:04:07,721 a reputation already for publishing similar such books 114 00:04:07,721 --> 00:04:09,556 in recent years that are very good, 115 00:04:10,833 --> 00:04:11,950 conversation starters and raising 116 00:04:12,284 --> 00:04:14,756 awareness and attention about important issues facing our 117 00:04:14,756 --> 00:04:17,011 society as as a moral and social 118 00:04:17,627 --> 00:04:18,106 psychologist. 119 00:04:18,584 --> 00:04:20,020 And the subtitle of the book tells a 120 00:04:20,020 --> 00:04:21,716 bit more of the story, it reads 121 00:04:22,189 --> 00:04:24,605 how the great wheat re wiring 122 00:04:26,260 --> 00:04:27,239 of childhood 123 00:04:28,496 --> 00:04:31,370 is causing an epidemic of mental illness. 124 00:04:34,657 --> 00:04:37,450 Now having just talked about not being alarmed, 125 00:04:38,807 --> 00:04:39,740 this is not 126 00:04:40,097 --> 00:04:42,005 exactly an example of that. It feels a 127 00:04:42,005 --> 00:04:43,118 little bit like an alarm, 128 00:04:44,310 --> 00:04:45,821 like he's sounding the alarm, 129 00:04:47,013 --> 00:04:47,990 but appropriately, 130 00:04:48,603 --> 00:04:51,095 so, it's me based on what he's saying. 131 00:04:51,254 --> 00:04:53,254 The research, the evidence. Things that maybe many 132 00:04:53,254 --> 00:04:54,634 of us have sense about 133 00:04:55,014 --> 00:04:55,514 technological 134 00:04:55,814 --> 00:04:57,735 changes in recent years, but now the data 135 00:04:57,735 --> 00:04:59,024 to back up seems of the problems that 136 00:04:59,024 --> 00:05:01,885 it's causing. Among young people especially and their 137 00:05:01,885 --> 00:05:02,702 use of 138 00:05:03,315 --> 00:05:06,493 smartphones, social media, technology screens in general. Right? 139 00:05:06,890 --> 00:05:08,097 Some and that's a big part of the 140 00:05:08,097 --> 00:05:09,368 book, but this another part I wanna talk 141 00:05:09,368 --> 00:05:11,218 about this morning. His thesis essentially 142 00:05:11,672 --> 00:05:13,522 height is claiming in the book is that 143 00:05:13,658 --> 00:05:14,134 we have... 144 00:05:15,739 --> 00:05:18,071 As a society, so far under 145 00:05:18,766 --> 00:05:19,823 under protected 146 00:05:20,678 --> 00:05:21,656 our young people 147 00:05:22,350 --> 00:05:23,466 in the virtual world, 148 00:05:24,581 --> 00:05:27,539 and that's seems clear enough. Under protected our 149 00:05:27,539 --> 00:05:30,085 young people in the virtual world. But also, 150 00:05:30,323 --> 00:05:32,312 he says, and this is more interesting and 151 00:05:32,312 --> 00:05:33,346 surprising for our purposes today. 152 00:05:34,077 --> 00:05:35,193 Over protected, 153 00:05:36,229 --> 00:05:37,207 over protected 154 00:05:37,743 --> 00:05:39,656 are young people in the real world. 155 00:05:42,779 --> 00:05:44,531 So what is what is this about? What 156 00:05:44,531 --> 00:05:45,009 is he saying? 157 00:05:45,806 --> 00:05:48,196 Hide goes on to sites, what I... What 158 00:05:48,276 --> 00:05:49,949 I take to be common knowledge for the 159 00:05:49,949 --> 00:05:50,927 most part in 160 00:05:52,673 --> 00:05:55,541 middle psychology, which is to show how we've 161 00:05:55,541 --> 00:05:57,613 learned a good bit about some of the 162 00:05:57,613 --> 00:05:57,931 things, 163 00:05:58,663 --> 00:06:01,291 kids really need, for example, between age ages 164 00:06:01,291 --> 00:06:01,791 3 165 00:06:02,168 --> 00:06:02,566 and 10. 166 00:06:03,362 --> 00:06:05,114 And I'm tuning in especially to this as 167 00:06:05,114 --> 00:06:06,787 a parent of 3 kids in that age 168 00:06:06,787 --> 00:06:06,946 range. 169 00:06:07,995 --> 00:06:10,142 This sounds important. So I'm listening. And he 170 00:06:10,142 --> 00:06:11,414 talks about how 1 of the things that 171 00:06:11,414 --> 00:06:14,197 kids have typically had in most times in 172 00:06:14,197 --> 00:06:16,199 most societies for most much history. As far 173 00:06:16,199 --> 00:06:17,652 as we can tell is something called 174 00:06:18,026 --> 00:06:18,980 free play. 175 00:06:19,694 --> 00:06:21,283 Free play and some abundance. 176 00:06:22,316 --> 00:06:24,794 And that free play is cares for by 177 00:06:24,794 --> 00:06:26,384 a few things that are that are important. 178 00:06:27,814 --> 00:06:29,030 Relative it's relatively 179 00:06:30,358 --> 00:06:30,755 unstructured. 180 00:06:31,550 --> 00:06:33,083 It's relatively un 181 00:06:33,633 --> 00:06:33,952 supervised, 182 00:06:35,148 --> 00:06:36,924 and it's relatively very relatively 183 00:06:37,620 --> 00:06:38,019 risky. 184 00:06:39,055 --> 00:06:40,571 There is an element of risk. There is 185 00:06:40,571 --> 00:06:43,136 the possibility of something going wrong, Nothing too 186 00:06:43,136 --> 00:06:43,772 serious hopefully, 187 00:06:44,488 --> 00:06:45,442 but a cape could get hurt. 188 00:06:46,158 --> 00:06:47,749 Someone's feeling is good get hurt. There could 189 00:06:47,749 --> 00:06:50,787 be conflict. Adults might not be immediately able 190 00:06:50,787 --> 00:06:52,458 to rush in and helps solve the problem 191 00:06:52,458 --> 00:06:54,288 kids have to kinda work it out for 192 00:06:54,288 --> 00:06:56,118 themselves. And that this is very important for 193 00:06:56,118 --> 00:06:57,968 their development, all the better when it's kids 194 00:06:57,968 --> 00:06:59,886 of different ages and even more so when 195 00:06:59,886 --> 00:07:00,706 they're outside 196 00:07:01,325 --> 00:07:02,464 as opposed to inside 197 00:07:03,642 --> 00:07:05,720 And that this has been this this this 198 00:07:05,720 --> 00:07:08,475 this experience kids in their development allows for 199 00:07:09,254 --> 00:07:11,574 the growth of their confidence, 200 00:07:12,055 --> 00:07:14,946 their self esteem, They're courage for resilience. Their 201 00:07:14,946 --> 00:07:17,098 ability to actually fail and realize it's not 202 00:07:17,098 --> 00:07:17,656 the end of the world, 203 00:07:18,533 --> 00:07:20,287 and they can try again and do hard 204 00:07:20,287 --> 00:07:20,526 things. 205 00:07:22,280 --> 00:07:24,361 Their And not just the last 10 or 206 00:07:24,361 --> 00:07:25,870 15 years, but really the last 30 or 207 00:07:25,870 --> 00:07:26,903 40, he's saying. 208 00:07:27,857 --> 00:07:28,754 We have afforded 209 00:07:29,287 --> 00:07:29,787 collectively, 210 00:07:30,320 --> 00:07:31,089 less and less 211 00:07:31,527 --> 00:07:33,199 time for free play to our young people. 212 00:07:33,677 --> 00:07:35,031 And this is part of what has led 213 00:07:35,031 --> 00:07:36,305 to. Part of the story of what leads 214 00:07:36,305 --> 00:07:37,283 to the anxious 215 00:07:38,056 --> 00:07:38,295 generation. 216 00:07:40,459 --> 00:07:41,970 Underlying all of this, how it goes on 217 00:07:41,970 --> 00:07:42,289 to say, 218 00:07:43,323 --> 00:07:44,913 is a deeper condition. 219 00:07:45,947 --> 00:07:47,856 He calls for us and an addiction. 220 00:07:49,303 --> 00:07:49,939 To safety. 221 00:07:52,086 --> 00:07:54,551 Safety. He even he characterized. He calls it 222 00:07:54,551 --> 00:07:57,016 safety ism. We are we are stricken by 223 00:07:57,016 --> 00:07:57,652 safety ism, 224 00:07:58,859 --> 00:08:01,401 is this making sacred the value of safety 225 00:08:01,401 --> 00:08:04,284 so much so that when other practical 226 00:08:05,055 --> 00:08:06,168 and moral demands, 227 00:08:07,296 --> 00:08:09,307 ask something of us, we're unwilling 228 00:08:10,239 --> 00:08:10,977 to compromise 229 00:08:11,671 --> 00:08:12,546 to meet those demands. 230 00:08:14,312 --> 00:08:16,223 Does this sound familiar Does sound accurate to 231 00:08:16,223 --> 00:08:17,577 y'all all of all. This this this is 232 00:08:17,577 --> 00:08:17,976 resonate. 233 00:08:19,489 --> 00:08:21,002 I think it does... I know there are 234 00:08:21,002 --> 00:08:21,821 other big 235 00:08:22,197 --> 00:08:22,595 idol. 236 00:08:23,008 --> 00:08:25,153 And addictions and problems in our society, but 237 00:08:25,153 --> 00:08:26,027 this does seem to me to be 1 238 00:08:26,027 --> 00:08:27,775 of... It just as by way of illustration, 239 00:08:28,013 --> 00:08:29,705 I think I think back to Covid 240 00:08:30,413 --> 00:08:31,769 And hopefully, we have enough time removed to 241 00:08:31,769 --> 00:08:33,226 toward. This cannot be as 242 00:08:33,763 --> 00:08:35,358 touchy of a of a thing to comment 243 00:08:35,358 --> 00:08:37,831 on and recognizing that different people had comfort 244 00:08:37,831 --> 00:08:39,960 levels and responses to Covid, but there was 245 00:08:40,159 --> 00:08:41,855 this extreme kind of polarized 246 00:08:42,711 --> 00:08:44,625 response by different folks. On the 1 hand, 247 00:08:44,705 --> 00:08:46,141 those who didn't take it seriously at all 248 00:08:46,141 --> 00:08:48,374 and that led to some harmful consequences. And 249 00:08:48,374 --> 00:08:49,945 there are others who it 250 00:08:50,461 --> 00:08:52,052 absolutely controlled them. 251 00:08:54,120 --> 00:08:54,279 And, 252 00:08:55,789 --> 00:08:58,175 instilled great fear and that led to other, 253 00:08:58,908 --> 00:09:00,264 undesirable outcomes as well. 254 00:09:01,860 --> 00:09:03,397 And this is probably the more mainstream 255 00:09:03,855 --> 00:09:04,812 narrative and response, 256 00:09:06,024 --> 00:09:08,656 because safety has become this tremendous value this 257 00:09:08,656 --> 00:09:09,156 sacred 258 00:09:09,614 --> 00:09:12,087 thing that we hold dear in our time. 259 00:09:12,885 --> 00:09:12,940 Right 260 00:09:13,937 --> 00:09:16,409 Even the expression be safe. Stay safe, started 261 00:09:16,409 --> 00:09:17,765 to sort of get thrown around more, I 262 00:09:17,765 --> 00:09:19,918 noticed with sal and greetings. Like, as though 263 00:09:19,918 --> 00:09:21,354 that is... That's it. Right? 264 00:09:22,471 --> 00:09:24,318 Clinging need to safety. And we say it 265 00:09:24,318 --> 00:09:26,150 probably ourselves sometimes Don't don't mean any harm 266 00:09:26,150 --> 00:09:27,982 by it, but it's gotten more popular. 267 00:09:29,416 --> 00:09:30,372 And this would be fine. 268 00:09:31,965 --> 00:09:33,279 You need if 269 00:09:33,740 --> 00:09:35,019 1 of the chief goals of Life or 270 00:09:35,019 --> 00:09:35,419 to be safe. 271 00:09:36,940 --> 00:09:38,860 If being safe of being secure of being 272 00:09:38,860 --> 00:09:40,299 protected if remaining unharmed was, 273 00:09:41,590 --> 00:09:42,226 Absolutely important. 274 00:09:43,736 --> 00:09:45,485 Of course, we know as humans in general, 275 00:09:45,723 --> 00:09:47,789 that's not true. And as Christians, especially that's 276 00:09:47,789 --> 00:09:48,107 not true. 277 00:09:49,637 --> 00:09:51,073 That we're meant to live for much more. 278 00:09:52,510 --> 00:09:55,303 And focusing on safety can inhibit the flourishing 279 00:09:55,303 --> 00:09:56,341 life that god has for us. 280 00:09:57,868 --> 00:09:59,376 Again, this is not to say though that 281 00:09:59,376 --> 00:10:01,599 there aren't necessary good precautions that need to 282 00:10:01,599 --> 00:10:03,981 be taken. Right? This sonic this isn't going 283 00:10:03,981 --> 00:10:05,648 against practical wisdom, Of course, we need to 284 00:10:05,648 --> 00:10:07,174 be careful. Especially when raising kids. 285 00:10:08,049 --> 00:10:09,720 And we do have we do have all 286 00:10:09,720 --> 00:10:12,368 this information now that I think makes it 287 00:10:12,425 --> 00:10:13,459 especially hard. Right, 288 00:10:14,175 --> 00:10:14,811 for or, 289 00:10:15,543 --> 00:10:16,659 We know the bad things that can happen. 290 00:10:16,898 --> 00:10:18,413 We know more about what can go wrong. 291 00:10:18,811 --> 00:10:20,406 We hear the terrible stories and so we're 292 00:10:20,406 --> 00:10:22,717 more on alert. We're more informed, and that 293 00:10:22,717 --> 00:10:25,045 that makes it... Seem like the world perhaps 294 00:10:25,045 --> 00:10:26,560 even more unsafe than it actually is to 295 00:10:26,560 --> 00:10:27,517 some of our kids. Right? 296 00:10:28,634 --> 00:10:30,308 We don't trust each other as much. 297 00:10:31,106 --> 00:10:32,861 We don't know our neighbors as well. 298 00:10:33,988 --> 00:10:35,599 We're more focused on 299 00:10:36,447 --> 00:10:38,192 making sure our kids are set up for 300 00:10:38,192 --> 00:10:40,572 success until we provide structure around that and 301 00:10:40,572 --> 00:10:43,052 all kinds of programs and activities that are 302 00:10:43,052 --> 00:10:43,768 fine and good, 303 00:10:44,803 --> 00:10:46,237 but they don't allow for as much of 304 00:10:46,237 --> 00:10:47,851 that age appropriate free 305 00:10:48,386 --> 00:10:48,625 play. 306 00:10:49,995 --> 00:10:51,855 And height again says it's because 307 00:10:52,475 --> 00:10:53,674 we're ultimately afraid. 308 00:10:54,955 --> 00:10:57,274 And we're not trusting in a certain kind 309 00:10:57,274 --> 00:10:57,514 of, 310 00:10:58,567 --> 00:10:59,067 collective 311 00:10:59,678 --> 00:11:02,138 common effort to to, work together to raise 312 00:11:02,138 --> 00:11:04,439 our kids in more healthy ways. And he's 313 00:11:04,439 --> 00:11:06,740 speaking as an on Christian, which is fascinating. 314 00:11:09,533 --> 00:11:10,565 I probably don't have to tell many of 315 00:11:10,565 --> 00:11:11,438 you that in the Bible, 316 00:11:12,152 --> 00:11:14,215 perhaps are arguably the most frequent command depending 317 00:11:14,215 --> 00:11:15,405 on how you define it. 318 00:11:16,694 --> 00:11:19,957 Some 350 to 400 times is this command 319 00:11:19,957 --> 00:11:20,355 to what? 320 00:11:22,823 --> 00:11:23,460 Not be afraid. 321 00:11:24,668 --> 00:11:25,305 To fear not. 322 00:11:26,499 --> 00:11:27,852 To not worry to not be anxious, but 323 00:11:27,852 --> 00:11:28,591 to trust 324 00:11:29,046 --> 00:11:30,956 in the Lord our God who is always 325 00:11:30,956 --> 00:11:32,229 with us, who will never leave us, who 326 00:11:32,229 --> 00:11:33,025 will never for sake us. 327 00:11:33,998 --> 00:11:35,776 It's almost as if god knew 328 00:11:36,155 --> 00:11:37,833 that this would be 1 of the chief 329 00:11:37,833 --> 00:11:38,333 pitfalls 330 00:11:38,712 --> 00:11:39,670 of the life of faith. 331 00:11:40,244 --> 00:11:42,642 Is wouldn't fear grows stronger than faith itself. 332 00:11:45,758 --> 00:11:47,596 And look, we we all know y'all. It 333 00:11:47,596 --> 00:11:49,605 would be silly to pretend, like, it's easy 334 00:11:49,605 --> 00:11:51,298 to do this or, like, the world is 335 00:11:51,435 --> 00:11:51,832 is safe. 336 00:11:53,423 --> 00:11:54,378 The world is not safe. 337 00:11:55,094 --> 00:11:57,420 The world is dangerous. The world is scary, 338 00:11:57,579 --> 00:11:59,892 and I very much understand. This is not 339 00:11:59,892 --> 00:12:02,046 to shame anyone, and myself included for being 340 00:12:02,046 --> 00:12:02,285 afraid. 341 00:12:03,641 --> 00:12:05,850 There is much reason to be afraid and 342 00:12:06,049 --> 00:12:06,607 feel unsafe. 343 00:12:07,644 --> 00:12:08,442 Much good reason. 344 00:12:11,393 --> 00:12:13,148 That we live in a relatively safe part 345 00:12:13,148 --> 00:12:15,062 of the world compared to others. It would 346 00:12:15,062 --> 00:12:15,835 certainly be 347 00:12:16,509 --> 00:12:17,327 less safe 348 00:12:17,700 --> 00:12:19,844 for most people for the average person to 349 00:12:19,844 --> 00:12:21,614 be in a place like, say, Ukraine 350 00:12:22,067 --> 00:12:24,369 or Sudan or Gaza right now. 351 00:12:25,099 --> 00:12:26,455 And other places could be named. 352 00:12:28,848 --> 00:12:30,305 But we too are not 353 00:12:30,682 --> 00:12:31,560 all that safe. 354 00:12:32,357 --> 00:12:34,692 There are dangers everywhere. There are dangers 355 00:12:35,163 --> 00:12:36,595 in the food that we eat, in the 356 00:12:36,595 --> 00:12:37,947 air that we breathe and the water that 357 00:12:37,947 --> 00:12:39,538 we drink on the roads that we drive 358 00:12:39,538 --> 00:12:41,209 on. In the schools we send our kids 359 00:12:41,209 --> 00:12:41,980 to an a tent 360 00:12:42,736 --> 00:12:43,613 in public places. 361 00:12:44,250 --> 00:12:45,764 We know that there are real risks in 362 00:12:45,764 --> 00:12:47,061 real dangers. This is 363 00:12:47,437 --> 00:12:48,314 not a safe world. 364 00:12:52,632 --> 00:12:54,249 And so what really is 365 00:12:55,264 --> 00:12:57,896 the invitation and challenge from God from Jesus 366 00:12:57,896 --> 00:13:00,050 in this story today? To the disciples in 367 00:13:00,050 --> 00:13:01,087 the boat and by ascension, 368 00:13:02,058 --> 00:13:02,456 to us. 369 00:13:03,412 --> 00:13:04,844 What are we being asked to do? What 370 00:13:04,844 --> 00:13:06,038 are we being told to put our faith 371 00:13:06,038 --> 00:13:06,595 in exactly? 372 00:13:10,336 --> 00:13:12,262 And this is hard because this is the 373 00:13:12,262 --> 00:13:13,935 straightforward reading of the story could be something 374 00:13:13,935 --> 00:13:14,333 like this. 375 00:13:15,130 --> 00:13:16,882 When you face trouble, when you're in a 376 00:13:16,882 --> 00:13:17,679 storm, what do you do? 377 00:13:20,241 --> 00:13:22,150 Cry out to Jesus. Why don't you care 378 00:13:22,150 --> 00:13:23,741 where are you? Don't you don't... You're not 379 00:13:23,741 --> 00:13:24,298 even awake? 380 00:13:26,223 --> 00:13:27,420 Come on, rescue us. 381 00:13:29,254 --> 00:13:31,009 And in this case, he does just that. 382 00:13:31,886 --> 00:13:34,040 He rebuke the storm. He calms he calms 383 00:13:34,040 --> 00:13:35,396 the wind in the waves and they are 384 00:13:35,396 --> 00:13:35,555 safe. 385 00:13:36,209 --> 00:13:37,088 Like immediately. 386 00:13:39,725 --> 00:13:41,004 And that's great. And that happens. 387 00:13:41,963 --> 00:13:43,961 That happens often sometimes. I mean, we see. 388 00:13:44,121 --> 00:13:45,320 We experience own lives. 389 00:13:46,690 --> 00:13:48,921 But we also know probably normally, that's not 390 00:13:48,921 --> 00:13:49,479 what happens. 391 00:13:50,355 --> 00:13:50,594 Right? 392 00:13:51,390 --> 00:13:52,745 We cry out. We pray. 393 00:13:53,878 --> 00:13:55,477 We ask God where he is, and it 394 00:13:55,477 --> 00:13:57,255 feels like seems like he's asleep 395 00:13:57,954 --> 00:13:58,673 or doesn't care? 396 00:13:59,792 --> 00:14:00,991 Don't you care they ask. 397 00:14:01,870 --> 00:14:02,004 Right 398 00:14:05,067 --> 00:14:06,658 I wanna turn back to 1 more thing, 399 00:14:07,613 --> 00:14:10,016 Bishop Todd said to father Matt this past 400 00:14:10,176 --> 00:14:10,495 Sunday. 401 00:14:11,213 --> 00:14:13,047 That was encouraging along these lines. 402 00:14:14,802 --> 00:14:16,237 He said 1 1 of his final comments 403 00:14:16,237 --> 00:14:18,311 and I'm I'm gonna para. To Matt, I 404 00:14:18,391 --> 00:14:20,472 I If it's 1 thing I wish most 405 00:14:20,472 --> 00:14:22,299 for you, my prayer, my hope is that 406 00:14:22,299 --> 00:14:23,014 when you look back, 407 00:14:23,888 --> 00:14:24,524 on your time, 408 00:14:25,397 --> 00:14:27,780 hopefully, many years from now as rec of 409 00:14:27,780 --> 00:14:28,416 of Christchurch Church, 410 00:14:29,624 --> 00:14:31,238 that you would be able to say 411 00:14:32,409 --> 00:14:34,159 of you and of your people and of 412 00:14:34,159 --> 00:14:35,671 your leadership. You were 413 00:14:36,400 --> 00:14:37,534 you were companion 414 00:14:38,144 --> 00:14:38,540 by God. 415 00:14:39,888 --> 00:14:42,132 You were companion My god. You sense God's 416 00:14:42,821 --> 00:14:43,297 company. 417 00:14:43,789 --> 00:14:45,702 The spirits company, Jesus was with you, and 418 00:14:45,702 --> 00:14:47,217 you you knew it, you felt it. You 419 00:14:47,217 --> 00:14:48,731 could sense it. And there was a strength, 420 00:14:49,608 --> 00:14:51,522 and there was a courage that was available 421 00:14:51,522 --> 00:14:51,761 to you. 422 00:14:52,890 --> 00:14:54,820 That you drew on that you enjoyed 423 00:14:55,830 --> 00:14:56,864 that was not your own, 424 00:14:58,135 --> 00:15:00,617 but it came from the Lord. And it 425 00:15:00,617 --> 00:15:02,691 sustain you through all kinds of thick and 426 00:15:02,691 --> 00:15:02,850 thin. 427 00:15:04,286 --> 00:15:05,344 This was the bishop 428 00:15:06,200 --> 00:15:08,114 final word of encouragement to father Matt and 429 00:15:08,114 --> 00:15:10,384 to us by extension. I as 430 00:15:10,761 --> 00:15:11,261 Christ. 431 00:15:13,391 --> 00:15:14,507 And I do think this is at least 432 00:15:14,507 --> 00:15:17,616 1 key point and theological takeaway from the 433 00:15:17,616 --> 00:15:18,070 story 434 00:15:18,667 --> 00:15:20,897 of Jesus calming the storm. It's that above 435 00:15:20,897 --> 00:15:22,888 all or at least most obviously, 436 00:15:23,844 --> 00:15:26,074 yes, there's a storm still, and sometimes it 437 00:15:26,074 --> 00:15:28,242 seems like Goddess, sleeping or not caring. 438 00:15:30,158 --> 00:15:31,754 But actually, Jesus is with us. 439 00:15:33,032 --> 00:15:34,069 He's in the boat. 440 00:15:35,586 --> 00:15:36,360 God is with us 441 00:15:37,277 --> 00:15:38,155 We are not alone. 442 00:15:38,874 --> 00:15:39,991 We've never been alone, 443 00:15:40,630 --> 00:15:42,785 and we will never be alone, and we 444 00:15:42,785 --> 00:15:44,222 will never be forsaken, he will never leave 445 00:15:44,222 --> 00:15:45,754 us. He is with us. And he is 446 00:15:45,754 --> 00:15:46,153 still god. 447 00:15:48,950 --> 00:15:50,968 That is no small thing even though it's 448 00:15:51,747 --> 00:15:54,236 easy to say it and harder to feel 449 00:15:54,236 --> 00:15:56,301 it and trust it and believe it. But 450 00:15:56,301 --> 00:15:58,787 that god is with us is an enormous 451 00:15:58,843 --> 00:16:00,138 promise and recurring 452 00:16:00,670 --> 00:16:03,634 refrain throughout all of scripture, we constantly being 453 00:16:03,634 --> 00:16:05,875 reminded to trust in and lean into and 454 00:16:05,875 --> 00:16:09,075 live in power from. Right? That God is 455 00:16:09,075 --> 00:16:09,394 with us. 456 00:16:10,127 --> 00:16:13,060 And furthermore, that not only is Jesus with 457 00:16:13,060 --> 00:16:14,804 us in the storm, but Jesus, while he 458 00:16:14,804 --> 00:16:16,152 may not stop the storm right when he 459 00:16:16,152 --> 00:16:16,548 want him to, 460 00:16:17,754 --> 00:16:18,949 or in our lifetimes, 461 00:16:20,462 --> 00:16:22,852 He has power over the storm. 462 00:16:24,207 --> 00:16:26,039 He is stronger than the storm. He out 463 00:16:26,039 --> 00:16:27,210 outlast the storm 464 00:16:28,286 --> 00:16:30,940 in some indirect way, he offered the possibility 465 00:16:31,078 --> 00:16:31,556 4 storms, 466 00:16:33,630 --> 00:16:35,784 and therefore, we too will outlast the storms. 467 00:16:37,632 --> 00:16:39,699 Even in the face of death. And Jesus 468 00:16:39,699 --> 00:16:41,369 has already been through the worst kinds of 469 00:16:41,369 --> 00:16:41,608 storms. 470 00:16:42,960 --> 00:16:45,027 The storm of facing and taking on all 471 00:16:45,027 --> 00:16:46,856 of our sin, all of our suffering, death 472 00:16:46,856 --> 00:16:47,149 itself 473 00:16:47,987 --> 00:16:50,321 and overcoming it and conquering it 474 00:16:51,177 --> 00:16:52,555 and giving life to us 475 00:16:53,092 --> 00:16:53,889 on the other side. 476 00:17:00,674 --> 00:17:01,413 I turned 477 00:17:02,027 --> 00:17:02,981 40 this last week. 478 00:17:07,606 --> 00:17:08,719 It's a it's a big birthday. 479 00:17:09,593 --> 00:17:11,898 I recognize that it's still young ish, right, 480 00:17:12,057 --> 00:17:12,613 kind of, and 481 00:17:13,343 --> 00:17:14,455 I shouldn't be too alarms. 482 00:17:16,600 --> 00:17:18,768 But it's 1 of those birthdays like many 483 00:17:18,824 --> 00:17:20,651 anniversaries or birthdays or milestones where you are 484 00:17:20,651 --> 00:17:22,558 prompted to get this opportunity to reflect. 485 00:17:23,529 --> 00:17:25,769 And consider and take stock. And I've been 486 00:17:25,769 --> 00:17:26,890 doing trying to do that. 487 00:17:27,609 --> 00:17:28,410 And I can say, 488 00:17:29,609 --> 00:17:30,970 it's it's a blessing to be able to 489 00:17:30,970 --> 00:17:33,401 say that... By and large, what I've been 490 00:17:33,539 --> 00:17:35,715 focused on is and and trying to 491 00:17:36,252 --> 00:17:38,885 appreciate and just receive and be grateful for 492 00:17:38,885 --> 00:17:39,259 is 493 00:17:39,699 --> 00:17:40,418 the bo of, 494 00:17:41,217 --> 00:17:43,075 just gifts and blessings and and 495 00:17:43,614 --> 00:17:44,993 all the good things in my life 496 00:17:45,692 --> 00:17:47,130 that are that are... That I do not, 497 00:17:47,782 --> 00:17:49,000 deserve and that I nonetheless 498 00:17:50,173 --> 00:17:50,810 get to receive, 499 00:17:51,528 --> 00:17:53,121 and it's a practice of gratitude, and I... 500 00:17:53,281 --> 00:17:54,635 It's overwhelming when I think about it, 501 00:17:55,368 --> 00:17:56,725 So many things you long for and hope 502 00:17:56,725 --> 00:17:58,241 for and even maybe expect which you just 503 00:17:58,241 --> 00:17:59,916 you don't know for sure. And then you... 504 00:18:00,156 --> 00:18:01,273 Next thing you know, you have you have 505 00:18:01,273 --> 00:18:02,150 these this rich life. 506 00:18:05,427 --> 00:18:06,778 And so that... That's not lost on me 507 00:18:06,778 --> 00:18:07,812 in 40 years. 508 00:18:09,720 --> 00:18:12,240 And and it it equally, perhaps 509 00:18:13,234 --> 00:18:13,734 prompts 510 00:18:14,190 --> 00:18:17,294 and throws into relief and light, things that 511 00:18:17,294 --> 00:18:18,966 are not yet the way you'd like for 512 00:18:18,966 --> 00:18:20,160 them to be in your life. 513 00:18:21,207 --> 00:18:22,502 Aspects of yourself 514 00:18:23,114 --> 00:18:25,020 that do not yet look the way. You 515 00:18:25,020 --> 00:18:27,086 know God wants them to be Ways that 516 00:18:27,086 --> 00:18:28,674 you are not yet fully the person god 517 00:18:28,674 --> 00:18:30,619 intends for you to. You're not living bully 518 00:18:31,398 --> 00:18:33,316 in faith the way God invites us and 519 00:18:33,316 --> 00:18:35,394 commands us too. And I see this. I 520 00:18:35,394 --> 00:18:36,672 feel this. I I recognize this in my 521 00:18:36,672 --> 00:18:38,990 own life, There is too much fear still 522 00:18:38,990 --> 00:18:41,238 fully Mostly, it's small, but sometimes it grows 523 00:18:41,238 --> 00:18:41,557 too big, 524 00:18:42,434 --> 00:18:44,349 and I I really it really inhibits me. 525 00:18:44,508 --> 00:18:46,103 Whether it's fear fears that you all can 526 00:18:46,103 --> 00:18:47,321 relate to fears about 527 00:18:47,858 --> 00:18:50,260 perhaps not having enough. Being able to provide 528 00:18:50,260 --> 00:18:50,760 fears 529 00:18:51,133 --> 00:18:53,593 related to failure in general or failure, in 530 00:18:53,593 --> 00:18:55,522 certain ways with work. Fears 531 00:18:56,212 --> 00:18:56,585 about 532 00:18:57,102 --> 00:18:59,272 that is dis approval of others or 533 00:18:59,886 --> 00:19:00,920 just end significance. 534 00:19:05,079 --> 00:19:06,440 These are fears that I I can't say 535 00:19:06,599 --> 00:19:08,440 I've overcome in 40 years, and I don't 536 00:19:08,440 --> 00:19:10,039 know when I will, but I I know 537 00:19:10,119 --> 00:19:11,559 I do sense. Very clear. And this is 538 00:19:11,559 --> 00:19:13,079 why the the passage is so challenging to 539 00:19:13,079 --> 00:19:14,471 me. Yes, it is 540 00:19:14,926 --> 00:19:16,836 it is wonderful to remember, and I... And 541 00:19:16,836 --> 00:19:18,029 we must, practice, 542 00:19:19,303 --> 00:19:20,496 god's presence in our life, 543 00:19:21,610 --> 00:19:22,565 and companionship. 544 00:19:24,336 --> 00:19:26,331 And and be comforted by that. 545 00:19:27,529 --> 00:19:30,163 But as Jesus shows us. Right? He's the 546 00:19:30,163 --> 00:19:30,642 1 who, 547 00:19:32,813 --> 00:19:34,811 puts his full trust in the care of 548 00:19:34,811 --> 00:19:37,209 another, his good heavenly father all the way 549 00:19:37,209 --> 00:19:38,108 to the cross 550 00:19:38,567 --> 00:19:40,166 and does so in such a way where 551 00:19:40,166 --> 00:19:41,225 he's still able 552 00:19:41,539 --> 00:19:42,677 knowing what's ahead 553 00:19:43,055 --> 00:19:44,272 to live with a freedom 554 00:19:44,730 --> 00:19:45,629 and a power 555 00:19:46,325 --> 00:19:48,974 that bless others and claims the gospel to 556 00:19:48,974 --> 00:19:50,252 them and sets them free. 557 00:19:51,290 --> 00:19:52,329 This kind of faith, 558 00:19:52,968 --> 00:19:54,486 this kind of courage and strength, 559 00:19:55,445 --> 00:19:57,282 gospel This is what we are gathered and 560 00:19:57,282 --> 00:19:58,788 then sent to go out in. 561 00:19:59,659 --> 00:19:59,818 Right? 562 00:20:00,689 --> 00:20:02,115 To be the hands and feet of jesus 563 00:20:02,115 --> 00:20:02,511 in the world. 564 00:20:03,164 --> 00:20:05,000 We are... When we have faith, we get 565 00:20:05,000 --> 00:20:07,315 to really live for others for the sake 566 00:20:07,315 --> 00:20:08,832 of others. And only then, 567 00:20:10,029 --> 00:20:11,546 Yes, it's a comfort to us to trust 568 00:20:11,546 --> 00:20:12,105 in these things, 569 00:20:12,999 --> 00:20:14,538 but think about a whole people 570 00:20:15,316 --> 00:20:16,915 together trusting in it. And what they can 571 00:20:16,915 --> 00:20:18,913 do. Their collective witness, the church in the 572 00:20:18,913 --> 00:20:20,831 world in your places of work in your 573 00:20:20,831 --> 00:20:21,710 neighborhoods and your families. 574 00:20:23,321 --> 00:20:25,075 In your in your in your extended communities. 575 00:20:26,192 --> 00:20:26,692 When 576 00:20:27,228 --> 00:20:29,142 fear of all kinds of scary things does 577 00:20:29,142 --> 00:20:31,455 not have power over you anymore. 578 00:20:32,428 --> 00:20:33,707 Because you trust in the 1 who is 579 00:20:33,707 --> 00:20:35,864 already in the storm with you and who 580 00:20:35,864 --> 00:20:37,701 can and has conquered all storms. 581 00:20:39,233 --> 00:20:41,457 That unlocks and enables the church to be 582 00:20:41,457 --> 00:20:42,910 on mission and to fully 583 00:20:43,760 --> 00:20:45,746 participate in god's red d work in the 584 00:20:45,746 --> 00:20:45,984 world. 585 00:20:47,589 --> 00:20:49,823 This is what faith does y'all when it's 586 00:20:49,823 --> 00:20:51,898 when it's trusting in Christ. 587 00:20:52,775 --> 00:20:53,733 And this is the invitation. 588 00:20:55,184 --> 00:20:57,336 And I'm I'm I'm receiving it as much 589 00:20:57,336 --> 00:20:59,728 as you all today. And I need it. 590 00:21:00,684 --> 00:21:02,757 I want fear to be chased out of 591 00:21:02,757 --> 00:21:03,529 every corner of my heart 592 00:21:06,283 --> 00:21:07,182 So let me 593 00:21:07,800 --> 00:21:09,716 conclude with a question posed to you all. 594 00:21:11,152 --> 00:21:12,110 I invite you to consider. 595 00:21:13,556 --> 00:21:14,453 Might there be 596 00:21:15,144 --> 00:21:16,970 are there areas in your life where there 597 00:21:16,970 --> 00:21:17,470 is 598 00:21:19,273 --> 00:21:20,067 inordinate fear? 599 00:21:21,118 --> 00:21:21,857 Undue fear 600 00:21:24,152 --> 00:21:25,131 that has gotten 601 00:21:25,748 --> 00:21:26,727 too much power 602 00:21:27,185 --> 00:21:28,004 over you 603 00:21:28,861 --> 00:21:30,955 or that inhibits a life of full flourishing 604 00:21:30,955 --> 00:21:32,154 as Jesus would have for you. 605 00:21:35,835 --> 00:21:38,484 Imagine, imagine that quest that he puts to 606 00:21:38,484 --> 00:21:39,223 the disciples 607 00:21:40,635 --> 00:21:41,272 directed to you, 608 00:21:42,228 --> 00:21:44,060 in compassion, in love, 609 00:21:45,115 --> 00:21:46,154 Because he wants the best of you, not 610 00:21:46,154 --> 00:21:48,075 in judgment, not in shame, though there is 611 00:21:48,075 --> 00:21:49,115 a rebuke there, of course, 612 00:21:50,234 --> 00:21:51,434 but saying, why are you afraid? 613 00:21:52,247 --> 00:21:53,520 Jesus asked you, why are you afraid? 614 00:21:55,826 --> 00:21:57,337 Can you answer that question? Well, how would 615 00:21:57,337 --> 00:21:59,484 you answer that question? And how would you 616 00:21:59,484 --> 00:22:01,392 respond to the invitation to redirect your faith? 617 00:22:02,840 --> 00:22:04,194 Into the 1 to the 1, 618 00:22:05,627 --> 00:22:06,981 who gives us no reason to be afraid. 619 00:22:11,219 --> 00:22:12,336 I wanna read lastly, 620 00:22:13,374 --> 00:22:15,450 words from Jesus elsewhere in the gospel, the 621 00:22:15,450 --> 00:22:16,088 gospel of John. 622 00:22:17,047 --> 00:22:18,084 This is chapter 16. 623 00:22:19,282 --> 00:22:20,240 Perhaps you know this verse. 624 00:22:24,139 --> 00:22:26,755 We're again speaking to disciples after a lengthy 625 00:22:26,755 --> 00:22:27,785 teaching Jesus says. 626 00:22:28,437 --> 00:22:29,654 I have told you 627 00:22:30,668 --> 00:22:31,305 these things. 628 00:22:33,217 --> 00:22:35,130 So that in me, you may have peace, 629 00:22:37,060 --> 00:22:38,737 In the world, you will have trouble, 630 00:22:40,653 --> 00:22:41,371 but take heart, 631 00:22:42,728 --> 00:22:44,245 I have overcome the world. 632 00:22:47,681 --> 00:22:49,192 And the name of the father and of 633 00:22:49,192 --> 00:22:51,022 the son and of the holy spirit. 634 00:22:51,897 --> 00:22:52,056 Amen.