[Music] [Music] we where would I be if it wer for your love where would I be if it w for your son whatever my pass and all that’s to come I’m choosing Joy over everything you giv me Grace like a river flowing down on me you giv me joy joy joy joy endlessly you giv me love like no other It’s All I Need You GI me joy joy Jo Joy endless can we be a church that is fully Alive can we be a church that is sold out for Christ whatever he comes would you set me on fire I’m Cho and joyn over everything give me Grace like a river flowing down on me you g me joyy joy joy andless me love like no other It’s All I Need You giv me joy joy joy [Music] endless know that we are safe did you know that we are Love For Freedom you set us free so freely we can sing did you know that he’s alive did you know he’s coming back Jesus has set us free so freely we can sing did you know that we are saved did you know that we are loved free he set us free so freely we can say did you know that he’s alive you know he’s coming back Jesus has set us free so freely we can if you’re happy in you know and clap your hands know that you’re forgiven and say Amen there’s joy in here everybody there’s joy in here happy and you know lift a shout don’t back just let it out there’s joy here everybody there’s joy in here if you’re happy and you know clap your hand you know that you’re forgiv say Amen there’s joy in here everybody there’s joy in here happy in you not and lift a shout don’t hold back just let it out there’s joy in here everybody there’s joy in here giving me Grace like a river flowing down on me you giving me joy joy endlessly G me love like no other and it’s all I need you’ve given me joy joy joy joy endlessly you giv me Grace like down you given me joy joy joy joy endlessly you given me love like no other and it’s all I need you giv me joy joy Jo andless youve given me joy joy joy joy andless s Hallelujah in Psalm 27 David writes the Lord is my light in my salvation so why should I be afraid the Lord is my Fortress protecting me from danger so why should I tremble when evil people come to devour me when my enemies and foes attack me they will all stumble and fall though a mighty Army surrounds me my heart will not be afraid even if I’m attacked I will remain confident the one thing I ask of the Lord the thing I seek most is to live in the house of the Lord all the days of my life delighting in the Lord’s Perfections and meditating in his Temple for he will conceal me there when troubles come he will hide me in his Sanctuary he will place me Out Of Reach on a high Rock then I will hold my head high above my enemies who surround me at his Sanctuary I will offer My Sacrifice with shouts of Joy singing and praising the Lord with music let’s pray Heavenly Father this morning we have come to worship you in this place with songs of praise and shouts of Joy we’re unashamed and forgiven through the sacrifice of your only begotten son Jesus Christ we have come to find sanctury in you to hide ourselves in you this morning and to offer you our worship we dedicate this time to you now and we pray that as we meet together you would open our hearts and Minds to receive from you we pray these things in the mighty and Powerful name of Jesus Christ Our Lord and Savior amen good morning please take a seat um Welcome To Worship this morning I’m going to pass over to Brendan or not for the video questions what should I wear what’s the weather going to be like how am I going to fit everything in but then there are those bigger questions like why am I here where am I heading is there more to life than [Music] this I had arrived at an answer to the most important issue that we humans ever deal with is there a god and I had arrived there without really looking at the evidence and I was supposed to be a [Music] [Applause] [Music] [Applause] [Music] [Applause] scientist at 28 uh I had gotten many of the things that I thought I wanted my girlfriend was on the cover of magazines I had a beamer and I was so unhappy it was a realization maybe that I would I would never find happiness where I was looking for [Music] it I think for so many years you know I always just strived to be strong in myself all I needed was me and my buddies and you know would be like Invincible but the truth is none of us are and I found purpose I found meaning I found hope God took something so broken and made it a beautiful art piece alfha is a place where you can be yourself you can say what you think and challenge everything now no question is too complex or too simple and what your point of view is is as important as anyone else’s we are going on a journey to together an adventure to explore the questions of life Faith and [Music] meaning how many of you are up for a challenge anyone else who’s up for a challenge okay I’ve got an alpha challenge for you today okay tomorrow in a month’s time we begin our next Alpha course uh I know that probably many people in this room have done the alpha course but it’s not for you it’s for other people who haven’t done the alpha course and I reckon that between us we know lots of people out there who are not yet Christians who might just enjoy or appreciate the opportunity uh to explore a few questions get to talk about it in a a really great relaxed atmosphere with food and uh and with people who are willing to listen and be there to just uh help them along the journey okay so here’s my challenge uh invite someone to Alpha on the table there are invitations there they’re not just to sit there to be pretty little decorations they’re there to take away to give to somebody give to somebody invite them along and uh if need be come along with them part of the challenge is also pray for Alpha pray for the people that are going to come to the course pray that people will come okay and and uh that we will have uh the courage and the enthusiasm to reach out Beyond ourselves and to offer people an opportunity to come and explore faith is that not what we’re about oh well that’s good I’m going to go talk about insurance soon but I thought we start on this you know the real exciting stuff um so Alpha challenge pray for Alpha your home groups pray for Alpha please pray about who can be invited to Alpha please reach out Beyond ourselves there is uh and give out those invitations okay uh we got a month so but we’re letting you know now cuz there’s a school holidays and stuff coming up okay it’d be great uh uh yeah good to know you’re up for a challenge look forward to the results uh next weekend Miki weekend uh we we still have two Services 8:30 and then 10:15 at 10:15 it’s an all age service going to be led by our children’s and and youth Ministries and our young adults in fact it’s a phof friendly all age service next week a collaborative effort so um look forward to that it’s going to be uh amazing uh next Sunday night not tonight but next Sunday night we also have our monthly prayer and praise evenings uh so uh from 7 to 8 a time of prayer in here prayer and praise uh continuing to be that house of prayer to go deeper with God to pray that the Lord will just continue to lead the way uh in this place and uh that will seek his face um if you want to stay afterwards for uh something to to drink and catch up with people that’s fine as well but we’re going to do this once a month so hope to see you there good stuff who would like to hear about insurance yay yeah Brendan we need Assurance not insurance but anyway we’ve got insurance good news is is that uh we were anticipating a bill of $28,000 for our insurance but uh because we’ve had the place revalued and it’s been reduced the sum insured to a a realistic uh uh valuation uh that’s reduced our overall insurance bill to 19 and half thousand yay including GST get get saved to today GST but anyway still a big Bill right and uh we want to pay it off in one hit because otherwise we have to pay an extra 10% or whatever the loading is so if you’re able you’re an incredible generous uh church family if anyone’s able to contribute towards that uh you will get a uh eligible for rebate on you know donations um we really appreciate it thank you I don’t want to spend much more time on that but that’s happening hey today at the end of the service we haven’t uh told you all but there is actually going to be a lunch here for just a uh some invited people once a year the staff and their leadership team I’d like to have an official welcome for anyone who’s uh just connected with st Orbin over the last little while so today that’s happening uh we didn’t invite everyone because it’s it’s more we wanted a smaller group just so people can mix and mangle get to know each other uh so that’s why we had a morning tea between services so that people not tripping over each other in the kitchen and um so today after the service uh there will be a lunch in here so uh just you’ll see people coming and St and get tables set up and stuff like that um but uh it’s a special time for those who are new to the church I think that’s pretty much it for now shall we do a uh uh celebrations C the music great anyone had a uh a celebration this week birthdays or anniversary special things that are happening someone down there I haven’t got a microphone so you’ll just have to I know aby’s had birthday and she’s a teenager [Music] yay yes Aon sorting there okay it’s I say anything Abby did you celebrate I oh okay it’s working now um my birthday was on Tuesday and I turned 13 um and I had two birthday parties one of them was yesterday and then one of them was last Saturday so those were fun wow two birthday parties yay when you get your 20s you have three awesome congratulations who else someone else okay okay Cher and I are celebrating our 56th wedding anniversary yesterday did I hear correct was that 56 56 yeah 56 congratulations awesome the tailor are 56 wedding anniversary there’s uh another one over here my auntie had a birthday and she was 69 yesterday and and and she can’t see but she’s still okay but I really miss her so much in my life cuz I love her thank you toy to’s Auntie great 69 yes um Steve’s birthday was on last Wednesday oh wow 19th so happy birthday Steve welcome yeah welcome awesome any other birthdays anniversaries all right at the back and also if there’s any uh shout outs to God things said we want to give thanks to God for I am currently in the middle of my 40 hour Fairman oh yeah yay no Lolly for you then now you can take it and have it later when does it finish about 12:00 11:00 11:00 right oh tonight oh wow anyone else want to give thanks to God uh Janet down the back um our gorgeous son is home for three weeks from uni yay didn’t notice uh Sam because something happens to your face yeah welcome back hope it’s going well down there come back to the warmer weather anything else to celebrate our granddaughter anakah was admitted to the bar in the high court uh this week and that’s amazing achievement it is [Applause] indeed okay well we got some birthdays to uh to people to sing Happy Birthday too don’t we we’ve got Abby who is the other yeah your auntie too all right let’s sing the birthday song song thanksg and oh sorry poising happy birthday to you to Jesus be true God bless you and keep you your whole life through awesome hey well our birthday our church has had a birthday of sorts it has because yesterday was the feast day of St or the 22nd of June is St Orbin the uh the English Mar who our church was named after um so we’re going to watch a little bit of video clip about the life of St Orbin and it’s going to lead us to communion so if we could have that now that’d be great 1700 years ago near this place in a town called ver iium lived a man named Alan as a citizen of the Roman Empire Alban was required to follow the Roman religion and worship its many gods and goddesses but Alban had a secret unknown to the Romans Alban was Sheltering a Christian priest in his house at this time Christianity was outlawed throughout the entire Roman Empire a citizen could not choose to follow another religion such as Christianity if caught both all Alan and the priest would face harsh punishments but why did Alan risk so much to hide a stranger what did he have to gain his motivations remain a mystery we do know that alurn was so impressed by the priest’s devotion in faith that he asked to become a Christian too however word soon reached the magistrate of Veria he could not permit the priest to spread Christianity in his City he ordered soldiers to find find and arrest the priest immediately thinking quickly Alban swapped his cloak with the priest the disguised priest was able to slip out of the city and Escape named after this type of cloak to this day that priest is known as amphibus alurn knew the risk he took the judge was Furious that Alburn had helped amphibus the priest to escape he ordered Alburn to renounce his Newfound Christian faith at once all responded boldly I am called Alan and I worship and adore the true and living God Alan was condemned to death soldiers dragged him outside of the city walls to the top of a great Hill there he was beheaded Alburn became the first known Christian to die for his faith in Britain ever since then millions of people have come to this Hillside and to this church which was built to honor orban’s memory today we celebrate Orban as Britain’s first saint we remember his courage in welcoming a stranger who was being hunted for his beliefs one ordinary man who did an extraordinary thing some of you may have noticed this sitting up by the communion table today it’s a brass rubbing that’s normally in the foyer area there who’s seen it before you noticed that before yeah it’s a it it’s a brass rubbing of St Orbin of Orbin and uh the brass comes from St orin’s Church in Hertfordshire England from the 14th century and uh the story of St Auburn here is written out was written out by Chris Yu the late Chris who and uh on the back is an inscription which tells us uh about about this and the history of the this uh beautiful gift uh which was Don ated to the church from Claude Holio who was the brother of the um late sir Keith Holo previous prime minister of New Zealand and governor general too thank you so um I thought I’d put this up here today to remind us of someone who uh someone of great courage someone of great faith an ordinary man who did an extraordinary thing uh to honor the Lord Jesus Christ could uh some of the elders come forward please today we’re going to actually uh serve one another communion around the tables and for those you of you are not at a table uh we will be able to serve people but uh there is room to come forward to a table as well the dance there you go so St Orin Orin gave his life for one other person for a priest so that priest could go on and continue to share the good news about Jesus today we come to the table and we remember the one who gave his life for all for everyone so that all may come to know the love of God in uh 2 Corinthians 5:14 and 15 we read for Christ’s love compels us because we are convinced that one died for all and therefore all died and he died for all that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them and was raised again when I read those vers that verse where it said uh because we are convinced that one died for all and therefore all died and I thought what does that mean I thought Jesus died for us that we should live but in order to live in Christ we must first die to ourselves so Christ died that for all for all of us for the sin of the world and in him we die but we must die first give our lives away uh and die to sin be forgiven and then we will experience the life because Christ was Roose rose from the dead so we give thanks God today for our Lord and savior friends this is the meal of the Lord Jesus and it’s the Lord who invit invites us to share in this meal so if you love the Lord Jesus and seek to follow him in your life you’re very welcome to share in this Lord’s Supper come to this table not because you are strong but because you need strength come because you recognize your need and you seek God’s mercy and help come because you love the Lord a little and would like like to love him more come and receive the Life of Christ with thankfulness and come to the table not because I invite you but because the Lord invites us and it was for us all that Jesus gave his life I’d like to lead in prayer let us pray before we take the body of Our Lord before we share his life in these elements of bread and Juice we recognize the sorry things within and these we lay down the words of hope that we often fail to give the prayers of kindness that are buried by our pride the signs of care that we argue out of sight these things we lay down the narrowness of vision and of mind the need for other folk to serve our will and every word and silence meant to hurt others these we lay down and of those around in whom we meet our Lord we ask their pardon and we grant them ours that every contradiction to the Peace of Christ might be laid down lord Jesus companion at this Feast we empty now our hearts and we stretch out our hands and ask you to meet us here marvelous God your mercy astounds us as a parent loves a child so you love and forgive us Risen Lord Jesus a broken loaf is before us your death announces your love and your Resurrection brings us hope Holy Spirit vibrant and alive you’re always ahead of us you tried and challenge convict and convert US come and transform us now that we may know your presence as you give meaning to Broken bread and this poured out uh juice amen so on the night he was betrayed the Lord Jesus broke bread and afterwards he had uh given thanks he broke uh he said take this is my body which is broken for you do this to remember me and in the same way Jesus then took the cup saying this is the cup of the New Covenant shed my blood for the Forgiveness of sins do this as often as you drink it to remember me and so whenever we eat this bread or drink this cup we are proclaiming the Lord’s death until he comes again gracious and blessed God your love is greater than we can imagine or deserve you loved us long before we knew or loved you in the Life Death and resurrection of Jesus Christ you showed nothing can destroy your love or separate us from it so with all our hearts we give thanks to you our God help us recognize your presence and to grow in your love and may your spirit unite us with Christ to give us life and wholeness let us say the Lord’s Prayer together and then we will serve each other at the table Our Father who art in heaven Hallowed be thy name thy kingdom come thy will be done on Earth as it is in heaven give us this day our daily bread and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us and lead us not into temptation but but Deliver Us from Evil for thine is the kingdom the power and the glory forever and ever amen please uh uh share the table with one another you young people at the back if you want to come for there are tables here don’t be shy um but we will have Elders available to uh serve at the back anyone who wants to remain seated there uh take the the bread uh the cracker put it in the dip it in the uh the cup and receive that way there are glutenfree crackers in the uh plates as well we could just have some background music Aon it would be great let’s so one another and then you can yeah [Music] [Music] [Music] [Music] [Music] [Music] [Music] [Music] [Music] for [Music] [Music] for [Music] thank you everyone uh children uh you’re welcome to head off now to your programs to if you go through this store if you’re going to Stacks uh primary school or sunbeams for under fives uh the upstairs is prime for intermediate and young High School if you the team would you prepare to give of your TI and offerings as we continue in our sung [Music] worship let stand [Music] together this is communion your body broken the cup we’re drinking is bitter sweet the gift of friendship true his [Music] salvation born of your suffering on calary we remember the sacrifice of love we remember the blood poured out for us we remember the only son of God upon the cross from stain to [Music] spotless from Roth to favor through you our savior the work complete in full repentance led by your kindness partake of [Music] presence as we receive we remember the sacrifice of love we remember the blood P out for us we remember the only son of God upon the [Music] cross we remember the prist you had to P we remember the wounds that made a way we remember the lamb for all was slain upon the cross how can it be there is the table for all who would come for all who would come taste now and see there is a table for all who would come for all who would come how can it be how can it be there is a table for all who would come for all who were tast now there is a table for all who would come for all who were take bread receive the for his Mercy is enough for the many and the one this is communion take it as our you will for his blood has power still by his wounds we shall be this is communion we remember the sacrifice of love we remember the blood poured out for us we remember the only son of God upon the cross we remember the price you had to pay we remember the wounds that made a way we remember the lamb for all was slain upon the cross takeing the bread take of the bread receive the cup for his Mercy is enough for the many and the one this is communion take it as often as you will for his blood has power still by his wounds we shall be healed this is communion see someone going to pray thank you Lord being with us being with us this morning and my father my heavenly father thanks those people who have made direct debate and automatic payment as a uh Tyson offering and multiply it and use for your heavenly Kingdom bless them everybody who are here amen [Music] who else would rocks cry out toship whose Glory T the Stars to [Music] shine perhaps creation longs to have the words to say but this Joy is my [Music] with Hallelujah we magnify your name you alone deserve the glory the honor and the praise Lord Jesus this song is forever thousand Hallelujah who else would die for our Redemption whose Resurrection means [Music] our there isn’t time enough to sing of all you’ve done but I have etern [Music] to try withu we magnify your name you all deserve the glory the honor and the praise Lord Jesus this song is Forever Yours th Hallelujah a [Music] thous praise to the Lord to the L to the king of of Heaven praise for he Roose now he R we will sing forever praise to the Lord to the lamb to the king of Heaven praise for hero now he Reign we will seeing [Music] forever with a thousand Hallelujah we magnify your name you alone deserve the glory the honor and the praise Lord Jesus this song is [Music] PR thousand hallelu and a thous [Music] praise to the Lord to the to the king of [Music] Heaven for he rose now he Reign we will see forever [Music] with a thousand Hallelujah we magnify your name you alone deserve the glory the honor and the praise Lord Jesus this song is forever thousand Hallelujah and a thous more a thousand Hallelujah [Music] thousand Jesus Christ I think upon your sacrifice you became nothing poured out [Music] today many times I’ve wondered at your gift of life and I’m in that place once again I’m in that place once again once again my Lord look upon the cross where you died I’m humbled by your mercy and I’m broken ins once again I thank you once again I pour out my [Music] love now you you are exalted to the highest Place King of the heavens where one day I’ll bow but for now I’m Mar at this saing grace and I’m full of Praise once again I’m full of Praise I’m full of great once [Music] again once again once again I look upon the cross where you die I’m humble by your mercy and I’m broken inside once again I thank you again I pour out my love [Music] oh Jesus thank you for the cross thank you for the cross thank you for the cross my friend sing it out thank you for the CR Jesus we thank you thank you Jesus thank you for the thank you Jesus sing your thank you Jesus Jesus jusus thank you thank you thank you Jesus thank you for the cross hope of Salvation thank you for the cross thank you for my hope Lord Jesus thank you of future thank you for the cross thank you for the cross thank you for the cross my friend once again once again I look upon the cross where you I’m humbled by your mercy and I’m brok ins again I thank you thank you again I pour out my [Music] once again I thank you again I pour out my love [Music] Jesus we’re so grateful for all the work you did when you were here on Earth that you worked for our future not just for what was going on at the time but for the next 2,000 years plus plus we’re so grateful that you did that and we want to thank you for the hope that you’ve given us and we’re full of praise for that thank you for the cross the work is finished hallelujah amen amen thank you Genie and team these verses have been on my heart this week therefore since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of w Witnesses let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us fixing our eyes on Jesus the Pioneer and perfector of our faith for the joy set before him he endured the cross scorning its shame and sat down at the right hand of the Throne of God consider him who endured such opposition from Sinners so that you will will not grow weary and lose heart there only three verses uh so I’m going to read it again in another translation this one here from the message let’s read it again do you see what this means all these Pioneers who blazed the way all these veterans cheering us on it means we’d better get on with it strip down start running and never quit no extra spiritual fat no parasitic sins keep your eyes on Jesus who both began and finished this race we’re in study how he did it because he never lost sight of where he was headed that exhilarating finish in land with God he could put up with anything along the way cross shame whatever and now he’s there in the place of honor right alongside God when you find yourselves flagging in your faith go over that story again item by item that long Litany of hostility he plowed through that will shoot adrenaline into your souls well thanks be to God for his word to us today how many of you are looking forward to the Olympics yeah my wife is that’s good just over a month to the opening of the Olympics in Paris I really enjoy the Olympics I enjoy uh watching all sorts of sports but especially watching the New Zealand athletes do well clean up a few medals last time we got 20 uh 7 gold six silver and seven bronze let’s hope we get more than that this time eh I was reading about the ancient Olympics it spanned a thousand years from 776 BC to 393 a held in Olympia Greece every four years at the height of the games in the 2 Century up to 40,000 Spectators would fill the stadia to witness events which included running jumping throwing events boxing wrestling pantion of course pantion it’s old school UFC you know UFC fighting on TV it’s like that and Chariot racing the Olympics weren’t the only games of course in the ancient era they were just a part of a cycle of four games games every year but it was the Olympics which really were the biggest and have lasted to this day there’s no doubt that the writers of the New Testament had these ancient games in mind using them as a metaphor for the race of Faith to exalt Christians in the early church to persevere as disciples in the face of persecution and other [Music] trials you read different scriptures in the New Testament Paul writes in Corinthians 9 do you not know that in a race all the runners run but only one gets a prise run in such a way as to get the prize it talks about going into strict training in order that you get a crown that will last not a temporary one one that will last and then uh writing to Timothy a young Pastor Paul at the end of his uh life and eras faith for him he writes I have fought the good fight I have finished the race I’ve kept the faith now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness which the Lord the righteous judge will award unto me to me on that day but not only to me to all who have longed for his appearing and then of course our scripture for today Hebrews 12 1-3 so Paul uh the writer of Hebrews Begins by talking about one cloud of witnesses one great cloud or crowd of witnesses here’s my wife and I and couple of our boys at a crowd last year the FIFA Women’s World Cup supporting the Dutch and my wife said woohoo yeah right so there we go we’re supporting them the Irish didn’t make it it was an amazing atmosphere it was definitely helped by the dedic dedicated Dutch and the US fans as well who they were taking on uh getting the train ride there it’s just crazy the everyone dressed up and and the atmosphere you get towards the stadium it’s just building and building and then in the stadium it’s just amazing crowds make a great difference to the performance of the teams and the athletes that they’re supporting often referred to as the 12th man for football or cricket matches crowds can really motivate and give strength and encouragement to those who are uh competing or crowds can be a great discouragement the right of Hebrews describes these onlookers in the race of Faith as a cloud of witnesses a cloud not a fluffy little cloud in the sky one little tiny Cloud but a great big massive clouds all these clouds joined together to make one big awesome stretch of cloud a large mass of clouds covering the sky and that figur figuratively ref to a great crowd or a throng of people emphasizing the vast number but also the Oneness or the unity of that number and of course just check out Hebrews 11 in context the writer to Hebrews is referring to the men and women of Faith listed in the Old Testament people like Abel and Enoch and Noah Abraham Isaac Jacob Joseph Moses Rahab Gideon Samuel David Samson the prophets and more together they form a collective witness in what they have seen and experienced of the goodness and the greatness of God but also they speak to us as one by the example that they set not only in their accomplishment and their victories Hallelujah for those but also their faithful endurance and the trials and the tribulations even giving their lives unto death for the sake of the faith they exhibited faith in many ways Noah he was warned about things unseen and he heeded those warnings Abraham was called to a place he obeyed and went even though he didn’t know what the Final Destination was going to be but he obeyed and trusted Moses chose to be ill treated along with the people of God rather than enjoy the pleasures of sin for a short season the common denominator for all these Old Testament Witnesses these were all commended for their faith yet none of them received what had been promised they did one day eventually but it was when they were looking forward they were looking forward to the coming of the Messiah they hadn’t received that we now look back and together with them we become part of that great crowd or cloud of witnesses one way to look at this uh Hebrews 12 and it was mentioned I think in the message translation is to see them as cheering us on in our race of Faith go for it Brian keep going go Jim don’t give up brother you’re doing well Elaine woohoo that’s one way of looking at it but there’s another way of interpreting these verses it’s actually we look to them we look to those Witnesses and let their example Inspire us these Witnesses are great crowd of people who have Faithfully run their race they’ve completed their race they’ve received their medals and these champions of Faith are calling out to us keep on running don’t give up it’s all worth it there’s a place waiting for you we made it by the grace of God and so can you keep trusting in Jesus Keep trusting in Jesus so as 21st century Believers we can say those great cloud of witnesses in the scriptures and both in the old and the New Testament are included in that great Cloud but also all the Believers throughout history who have run that race of faith and have joined that crowd last week one of my dear Christian mentors passed away he was age 80 during my formative Christian years uh in in the 1980s in Christ Church bill and his family would welcome me into their home time and time again I’d have meals with them I’d even stay the night they had three sons one was my age they opened up their home their hearts their lives to me Bill had a great great passion for helping encouraging mentoring young men every week he would drive around Christ Church in his wolsley picking up young guys at 6:30 in the morning on a Wednesday to go back to his house where we would have a men’s breakfast I was one of the guys he picked up often he when he knocked on the door I was still asleep but he waited for me he was a wise man he opened the scriptures to up to us prayed for us did life with us I so grateful for his example and his encouragement it is because of people like Bill in my life that I am where I am in my faith Journey today and we’ve already heard today about uh the witness of Orban of England the mar that our church is named after this week we had a funeral for the last of the original members of St orin’s Parish Norine green The Last of The Originals 65 years ago when this Parish was formed when this church began she was part of that group there was something significant that she had run her race of faith and asked for her service to be here even her family none of them were Believers who’s someone in the Bible or throughout history that has inspired you and why talk about it at the tables someone from the Bible someone from history someone in your life who has inspired you in your race of faith and why spe [Music] for for [Music] [Music] [Music] you e [Music] uh thank you everyone sorry if you didn’t all get a chance to share around your table some of you got a lot more people at the table than others uh keep those thoughts in mind and you might be able to share them A bit later so Hebrews 12 Begins by talking about one great cloud or crowd of witnesses and it goes on to talk about three exhortations beginning the words with the words let us so here’s the first let us let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles um the ancient Olympia Olympians apparently ran either naked or Nearly Naked supp the clothes that they wore in those days would have hindered their ability to run a race maybe the weight of them but also the fact that they were of such that they would trip over them and get entangled in them uh supp the metaphor has this this uh sense of throwing things off and being done with them creating a distance a break with the old life in the new so it would be worth us reflecting on what things are we aware of that are hindering us in our race or even entangling us up maybe distracting us or discouraging us or hindering us to run in the way that the Lord would have us run I won’t talk about that there’s another let us let us run with perseverance a race marked out for us of course we’re very familiar with that saying uh the Christian Christian uh journey is more a marathon not than a Sprint it’s more like the tour to France and a 1500 met cycling indoor track race which is done at speed so perseverance endurance is required longsuffering it is not without hardship um it’s not without hardship we’ve been encourag here to embrace the challenge and to know that uh there will be pain but there is gain and then there’s the last let us let us fix our eyes on Jesus the Pioneer and perfector of Faith the 20th century American revivalist Vance heavner wrote this the 11th chapter of Hebrews is an impressive roll call of Faith’s Heroes but the list is complete only when Christ is considered no life is great that does not point to Christ these great names from Abel through to the prophets are but signposts that lead us to him Jesus Jesus is the Pioneer the perfector the founder and the end goal Jesus is all in all from beginning to end the one that nurtures and grow gives us strength enables us many years ago a man hired an experienced guide to lead him on a hike in the Swiss Alps after many hours they came to a high and remote mountain pass to the m to the man’s dismay he saw the path had been washed out uh nearly washed out what would he do to the left a sheer rock cliff to his right a a precipice that dropped nearly a th000 ft looking down the man felt his head go faint and his knees begin to knuckle uh Buckle not knuckle buckle and at that moment his guide shouted out don’t look down or you’re a dead man keep your eyes on me and where I put my feet put yours as well and the man did and as he as he was instructed and soon he passed from danger to safety these verses in Hebrews 121:3 can be summed up with four words stay close to Jesus stay close to Jesus which is an echo of Graham’s message last week keep company with Jesus so we’ve got one cloud or crowd three let us statements three exhortations and now one final consideration consider him Jesus who endured from Sinners such hostility against himself that we will not grow weary or lose heart consider him who endured such opposition from sinners so that you will not grow weary and lose heart the 19th century England cricketer and missionary to China and Africa CT stud once declared if Jesus Christ be God and died for me then no sacrifice is too difficult for me to make for him when we’re feeling weary burdened discouraged challenged let us turn our eyes on Jesus us remember Christ’s redeeming sacrifice we’ve sung about it today once again I look upon the cross where you died I’m humbled by your mercy and I’m broken inside once again I thank you once again I pour out my life question questions to finish with what is the challenge you’re facing in your discipleship Journey at this present time and what do you most need right now to help you to persevere if you’re willing at your table share about that or in the chairs just think about that or talk to someone near you what is the challenge you’re facing at the moment what do you need right now to help you to persevere okay e for [Music] [Music] for [Music] [Music] okay everyone thank you there’s one other thing I want to ask of you now and let’s to we’ll invite you to to pray for one another at your tables um as we you can it’s also a time of prayer for others you may we may be able to lift up others today that in their race of faith I do want to bring your attention to a couple of uh situations the first as about Nancy hlea situation Nancy as many of you know has been one of our uh members here at St Orbin for a long time and has uh got a Long Reach In This Place uh Nancy is very close to uh going to be with the Lord she another day who knows how long but uh she’s very near to the end of her race could we pray for Nancy today could we also pray for her family including Jenny who’s been leading us today um thank you for doing that with such such a difficult situation that you’re facing personally at this present time pray for the family uh and yeah uphold that situation before the Lord I believe the girls are watching online today and with and with Nancy there so uh we are praying for you today on our thoughts and prayers and our our love to you our ARA to you today could you also uh been requested to pray today for Lynn nm’s granddaughter Khloe Khloe is uh tomorrow well chlo on on Tuesday I believe it was on Tuesday had a seizure she was uh F nearly fullterm pregnancy uh baby uh was delivered by emergency csection uh and Chloe uh subsequently has been for MRI and going for an operation tomorrow with has a lesion on her brain and so uh very stressful and difficult situation right now if uh Lyn has asked our church to pray for for Khloe uh for the operation that uh will be in Wellington over the next couple of days and baby is doing well uh and but pray for them and also let us continue to pray for Eric and Ruth Rossa who uh uh Eric’s quite frail um has been in hospital for about a month uh is now in a rest bite care in a in a care a rest home uh but it’s a really difficult time for them so if we could remember them in our prayers you will have other people in your hearts today let us pray for them pray in faith and entrust them to our Lord thank you then you can lead outside [Music] [Music] for e spe e [Music] [Music] to [Music] us e [Music] [Music] [Music] [Music] this [Music] this [Music] [Music] let’s stand and sing together Generations Falling Down In Worship sing s ofes to the all gone us all who will believe sing song ofes [Music] The your name is the highest your name is the greatest your name stands above them all all and dominions and positions your name stands above the mall and the angels cry holy all creation [Music] Christ you are lifted High [Music] holy holy [Music] forever you’ve been forgiven and if you’ve been redeemed s forever to the lamb and if you walk in Freedom and if you bear his name sing song forever to the L sing the song forever and and the angels C [Music] holy all creation Christ you are lifted High [Music] holy holy [Music] forever he you people your people s to the king of [Music] Kingsly you will always be holy holy forever cuz Jesus your name is the highest your name is the greatest your name stands above them all all thrs and dominions and all part and positions your name stands above them all and the angels cry holy of cre cry ohly you are lifted High holy holy forever he your people he your people sa holy to the king of King holy you will be [Music] holy holy [Music] forever you will always [Music] be holy forever [Music] there’s actually uh a prayer St Auburn but uh I’ll adapt it a little bit uh almighty God we thank you for this church which is built to your glory and also named after Orbin one of your Mars following his example and the fellowship of all the saints may we worship and adore the true and living God and be faithful witnesses to the Lord Jesus Christ who is alive and Reigns now and forever May the blessing of almighty god father Son and Holy Spirit be with us all amen so thank you everyone and uh just a reminder if uh the tables will need to be set for a a bit of a lunch and uh um sorry we couldn’t invite everybody but uh we’ll have an all together lunch sometime soon I’m sure [Music]
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