#The Call to fulfil the Great Commission – Part 7

Now we come to the next part of the call, which is part 7,

because I said there are 10 hallmarks of the call.

And as I've said and as Claire reinforced with different

language, we are called to someone before something.

And so the first call is actually the call to be with

Jesus. That is fundamentally the call.

Everything else is a Commission to walk out of that

relationship. Then we looked at the call to

holiness, which Claire unpacked for us in a in a different angle

as well, which is wonderful. And then now we're in the court

of the something to the Great Commission.

And within the story we've been looking at, which is when Jesus

called the first disciples, there are 10 hallmarks of the

call to walk in the Great Commission.

Can we just have those up on the screen?

Let's just give ourselves a bit of a reminder.

The first one is God calls us at the point where we feel weak and

tired. Do I get an Amen in the house?

Yeah, that's true #2 It will require us to go deeper than we

did before. You know, Jesus said now push

out into the deep that is part of one's Kingdom principle.

We're going deeper and deeper with the Lord #3 It doesn't

always seem to make sense to us. His ways are higher than our

ways. #4 It requires obedience to His word.

That's the nevertheless moment. Nevertheless, in spite of what I

think I know, in spite of the fact this is what Simon Peter

said, that we've been fishing all night and caught nothing.

And that's when professionals fish at night.

I'll do it, Lord. And what happened?

Nevertheless, moment opened up a doorway into .5, which is there

is blessing in the call. And number six, the call comes

with others. And that leads us to number 7.

And let me just read some scripture to us in the story,

the story's found in John Five one to 10, and we're going to

look at a portion in the story in verses 6 to 9.

So let me read this now. It'll be on the screen, in the

room, and online. It'll be on your screen.

And when they had done this, they enclosed a large number of

fish. This is the moment, the

nevertheless moment when Jesus said, listen, put your net over

the side and there was a massive amount of fish, and their Nets

were breaking. They signaled to their partners

in the other boat to come and help them, and they came and

filled both the boats. So they began to sink.

That signifies the abundance of God's blessing.

But when Simon Peter saw it, listen, He fell down at Jesus's

knees saying, Depart from me, for I am a sinful man, oh Lord.

He and all who were with him were astonished at the catch of

fish they had taken. What is going on in this story

when it reveals Hallmark #7, which is this?

He reveals himself to us, and we respond in worship to him.

You see, the doing bit is always an invitation to know him more.

The doing bit is always an opportunity to find out more

about him and his character and who he is.

And you see we get to the point in that this story, we've done

all the other hallmarks and there is this revelation of of

the fact that Simon Peter was in the presence of the living God

and he just. You.

See, God doesn't need you just to go and do stuff for him.

Like, I need my kids to do stuff.

Darling, can you empty the dishwasher, please?

Or whatever it might be? God doesn't need you to do stuff

for him. What he wants is you to walk in

the Commission so you know him more.

And this is what we see in the story.

And so I thought, wouldn't it be lovely, as we unpack this

Hallmark to have a conversation with our wonderful worship

pastor and unpack what worship is all about.

So can we welcome our wonderful worship Pastor Eduardo, to the

stage? It's good to have you up.

Here, brother. Wonderful.

Wow, so good. I even have a cup of water

first. You.

Even have some water. Come on.

So, so good. What a great story here.

You know, we get to this Worshipful moment.

We get to this moment where Simon Peter becomes really aware

of Jesus and he just says, you know, it gets on his knees.

I mean he could have said, oh nice catch, well on Jesus High

5, but something else happened. Why do you think that was the

case? What was going on?

Yeah, and the first thing to notice that Jesus stood there,

he didn't leave, right? That shows like the kindness of

the kindness of our Savior. But for sure Peter was like so

overcome by the kindness of the lawyers, the wisdom, the

generosity, the superiority. And then even we see, like when

even the in Matthew chapter 827, when Jesus comes the storm,

people ask the same question like the men like this, He says

the men were amazing. Asked what kind of man is this?

Even the wings and the ways obey him, Like Peter was just over so

overcome by the kindness of the Lord.

I feel like that's the first thing that happened and we know

that feeling right. Sometimes we feel so unworthy,

ashamed, and so convicted by things.

But that's exactly what Jesus is looking at.

Disciple. Someone who knows they don't

deserve status or power. I'll repeat that again.

Jesus looking for what? Jesus looking at the side with

someone who knows they don't deserve status or power.

And the first thing that happened there, it was the

change of the mind, which is the Greek word for metanoia means

repentance. And then I got a reminder of the

Psalm 51, verse 12, that says restore to me the joy of your

Psalms 51:12

salvation and grant me a willing spirit to sustain me.

How beautiful is that? It's powerful.

And then can I carry on? Please, my Lord.

I'm loving it. The things like the goodness of

the Lord leads us into repentance.

That's the beautiful of our Jesus that it says that in

Romans 2 that the goodness of the Lord leads us in repentance.

And I really love the message version that says in In Kindness

he takes us firmly by hand and lead us into a radical life

change. Radical life change.

I love that because I mean, we see that in the story there was

a radical life change that happened with Simon Peter.

So I needed to get a new name in a day of new names.

Pete said, Jesus said you'll be called Peter Build My Rock, but

he radically changed his life. He went and fished for men.

And so I love the way you've unpacked that.

And I love the the point here, which is that the kindness of

Jesus was the thing that leads us to change our mind.

And. And I think in this, you get a

sense, don't you, that Simon is just so astonished by the

goodness and the kindness of Jesus with this provision.

It's just like I am in the presence of almighty God.

OK, Let me ask you another, another question.

Give it to me. I'll give it to you right here

it is. Now you are our worship pastor,

and we're blessed to have you as such.

And you know, I love seeing you worship.

I get the opportunity to see this man during the week, and

he's a Worshipful man. He's always worshiping God.

But here's the thing, What about when we don't feel like it?

Let's be can we be honest with each other?

Like, like, it's almost like, I mean, Simon could have said,

wait, well done, Jesus. That was really good.

Thank you And move on. So how do we worship God?

How do we do all the stuff you're talking about when life

is tough and we don't feel like it?

Yeah, I'd love to address something before that.

And the message version says that God is kind but he's not

soft. And then he that it leads into

that it carries on in that verse that he in kindness he takes us

firmly by hand and lead us into radical life change.

But the second thing that happened there was like that was

an act of alteration from Peter. And then in the Hebrew words is

the word Barack that means to new.

But when we Barack God we all offer ourselves to him in a

humble humbles submission. So we we.

That's the thing about like we you know what Peter tried their

way. Like Jesus.

You know what you don't? You have, you haven't done this

before. But the things like like Jesus

dying in the cross to show us that we can win sin.

We have victory over. Sin we have victory over sin and

then like like even like even some language Jesus got

attempted to murder someone that what really means he could he

got he that the reason that he died in the cross is to so for

you for us to know that like we can do we can overcome sin and

then after that posture when we knew when we Barack, when he

also offer ourselves into the Lord that's when his goodness

leads us into repentance and that's just his blessing over

us. But then I know sometimes we

don't feel most of the time to if I can be very honest with

you, I don't feel anything. Wow.

OK, this is a safe place. So you're fine?

Yeah. Don't worry about the thousands

of watch us online. Yeah, we're in a safe place

here. But The thing is, guys, we have

tasted, we have seen that the Lord is.

Good. Amen.

Yeah, come on. And we have enough proves in the

Bible and the Bible is enough and the cross of the Lord is

sufficient for us. Preach it, brother.

That will lead us into of repentance, adoration,

submission. Wow, that's powerful.

So what you're saying there is that like, and I'm reminded of

Romans 12/1, which says, brothers and sisters, Paul says

to the church in Rome in light of God's mercy, in light of the

fact that he died for you. That is enough to offer

yourselves as a living sacrifice.

And then he says that is your act of worship.

Yeah. And so our worship isn't about

how we feel. It's not about the fact that

we've got a good day and and God's give.

It seems like God has given us all we need.

It's rooted in the reality of who He is and what He's done

for. Us.

Yeah. We got to put God's character in

front of our feelings when we come to.

Worship. Wow.

Yeah, OK, that's quite a challenge.

It is because it means that we need to surrender and we don't

like to surrender. I don't like surrender.

I mean, we have such negative connotations with the word

surrender, but God is calling us to surrender.

Yeah, and I'll say as well, like, even Thanksgiving is the

gateway for the throne room. Even if you're not, you're not

feeling anything. Start to put Thanksgiving in

your mouth. Stop.

Be Thanks for the Lord, for the small thing.

Lord, thank you for the air in my lungs, because that's enough.

Because that means like his promises to Yes and they made in

our lives and I really love the you guys all know the some 100

enter his gates with Thanksgiving, his court with

praise. But I love the message version

that says enter with the password thank you.

How beautiful is that? How beautiful is that?

Even like the, there's another worship term that you can call

it. It's a Hebrew word, say yada,

the word that invites us to raise hands in Thanksgivings.

So how can this help us in worship?

I think it's very essential for us to recognize that we are a

physical beings in our outwork, outward action, impact our

inward spirit. Can I just pause you on that?

That's really interesting because like, we're all

different types of people. Some of us introverts, some of

extroverts, some of us have been brought up where, you know, we

stand for songs. Sit down, stand up.

But I think what you're saying is it's more than just how you

feel and more than what your upbringing is.

In terms of a worship environment, there is something

powerful about posturing our bodies in an outward.

I mean, I'm reminded of David when he came in front of the Ark

and they got the Ark back from the Palestine and they come into

Jerusalem and he's dancing like a crazy man in front of that.

And, you know, so there is something, isn't there, I guess

about saying, you know what? I'm going to forget about what

people think around me. I'm going to forget about being

inhibited because I'm British and I have a stiff upper lip and

I'm going to put my hands up because there's something

powerful about and symbolic about posturing my body and that

does something to my heart. That's what you're saying,

aren't? You.

Yeah, exactly. And so often we come to this

kind of holy gathering, the holy of the Saints here with that we

can call it as a corporate environment.

We are doing this together. But so often we come with our

individual mindset, the thing. And then I go in mind of Psalm

Psalms 116:13

116 verse 13 that says I will lift up the COP the cup of

salvation and call on the name of the Lord.

Guys, Salvation is not a private matter.

He has to overflow. Wow.

Even. Say that again.

That's that's really powerful. Let's listen to this say.

Again, salvation is not a private matter he has to

overflow. The question now is like, is

your cop overflowing? Because that will help us that

our brother and our sister to worship.

That's interesting. So I think we create an

atmosphere of worship around us, don't we?

I mean, that's true. If you walk into a room and

everyone's going, thank you, Jesus, you're like, wow.

But if you walk into a room and people are engaged and they're

posturing their worship not based on how they feel, but who

God is, which is what you said earlier, And that there it

changes the atmosphere in the room.

I'm reminded of the scripture that says a garment of praise

for a spirit of heaviness. That's strong.

I can't recall where it is in the in the Bible.

Someone will know. Someone is Googling right now, a

garment of praise for spirit of heaviness, because often times I

think we feel like this. I'm feeling really heavy, so I'm

just going to lie down. God knows.

Of course he does. Maybe God is saying listen I've

got the medicine for you because when you praise it shifts the

atmosphere and what you are doing is you are fixing your

eyes on the author and perfector of your faith Jesus.

And that's what I love about that.

Now just just moving on as we think about worship and worship

as as the Vineyard movement and we're proud to be part of the

Vineyard movement. 150 churches in the UK, 2 1/2 thousand

globally and worship has always been a priority for us.

We want to rush into His presence and we talked about

today is a significant day. It's a new name, next chapter,

but same story. And we are now Verso Vineyard

Church, but we've also got a new name for our worship ministry.

It's going to be up on the screen.

It's Verso music. So can you maybe explain to us?

Yeah, we've got some groups in the room.

We can be excited. What is this all about, Eduardo?

Why is this important? What does it mean for us as a

body of people here at Verse Adventure Church?

Wow. Wow.

I feel like the Lord is doing just so much in this church, and

I feel like the I feel like our our job is to steward his

presence well instead of. I really want to make us think

about this. So often we say welcome, Holy

Spirit and all that, but instead, what if we say let's

host his presence? Well, let me explain a little

bit now, yeah. That's an interesting point, Go.

Ahead, yeah. The whole point about it is more

about like you making a way for the Lord, let's say the Lord.

Just imagine Jesus walking down the aisle and why he stopped

walking down the aisle. We're casting, casting all the

titles, all the things, anxiety, depression, everything you put

aside. And then when Jesus sits on the

throne and he be like just bring everything I am in the right

place right now instead of like putting him in front of

everything that's going on. Just another thing, just you

that we can address is the Psalm 23 that says like the your rod

and your stuff comfort me, they comfort me.

And there are two things going on there that when I was praying

for the vineyard music and all of that, which is very exciting.

The rod, it's a weapon that the shepherd's would have to fight

off wolves, lions and beasts in the wilderness.

And the stuff is the tool used by the shepherd to correct and

guide his flock. But there's something really

profound there. Let's say we have the shepherd

leading, but imagining like the the the he says in something

three that his goodness in his mercy will follow.

Just imagine these two words as like the the dog watch.

We have the shepherd, we have the mercy, we have the goodness.

And above that we have the presence guiding us.

And it says like even if you walk through valley and the

valley doesn't mean like, oh, someone was mean to me or like

I'm not feeling good, anything like that.

Then the the, the root word for that, like it's something really

dark. It's something that is like in

your veins like you can't get out of it.

But this, this says like I will fear no evil because you have

the shepherd leading. We'll have the dog watch the

mercy and the goodness follow pursuing you.

And we have the presence walking together.

So then when I was thinking about the Versa music, I was

like, Lord, we want to create places and spaces so we can host

your presence well in our means. So the invitation is for us all.

I really want to ask to stop. I really want us to be like

instead of being like just an expectator.

But like, I'm like, I really want you guys to just

participate and worship We our cup has to overflow.

Has to overflow. I feel like this is the the

whole meaning around the the the wider verse of music.

Why we are creating this name so we can it's like to steward the

presence of the Lord. Well, I feel like this stuff

pretty much all that. You know, I really love that

because I think that's an interesting distinction, which

is we often say come Holy Spirit.

And I think that is a wonderful thing for us to want to be

intentional being in His presence.

But I think sometimes we can think that he's sitting there

thinking I'll only come when you ask me to come.

But we need to be aware sometimes of his presence is

with us always. And I think what's interesting

in this story with with Simon Peter in the boat is that it

wasn't he didn't worship because he said OK, Jesus, can you come

into my boat now? He was aware all of a sudden of

the presence of Jesus. And I think often times we

forget that he is with us and it's about, Lord, would you make

me aware of your presence right now?

There's something powerful in that.

And I like what you talked about hosting his presence, which is

about saying I recognize that he is on the throne and I'm going

to cast my crowns and my titles and I'm going to cast everything

and I'm going to get on my knees in front of him.

And that's what we that's what we mean when we say host his

presence well, which is recognize that God is here.

And that we need to respond in. Worship.

Yeah, in Hebrew. Chapter 4 says for the word of

God is living inactive guys. We don't serve a passive God and

we got as a as his people. We got a response to that not

not only here, not only here, but like a workplace,

universities, college, even the way you son and daughter, you

treat your parents, all of that. Yeah, that's absolutely.

It's the whole package. Yeah, I love that.

So with Versum music, our mission, Jesus is our ultimate

goal, and we long to create spaces to host his presence.

Well, it's powerful. I mean, that's our heart here.

Our our heart. Our ultimate goal is about

people encountering Jesus. It's about us encountering

Jesus. It starts with us first.

And we wanted to create spaces to host his presence.

Well, so who are we then? Who what?

What is Verso music then? Let me to read it.

Yeah, man. I don't know.

If you can read it from there, have you got it?

Here you can turn around and look on the screen.

Verse of music is the minister of verse of Venia Church that

promotes and stewards the manifestation and creation of

all worship out of our encounters with Jesus.

This is who we are. You know, I absolutely love that

because there is an intentionality that we have here

as a church to steward those encounters well and create songs

that people can sing and encounter Jesus, you know, God

has given us so much here as a church and he continues to give

us more and more. And it's so, isn't it?

The temptation. Let's just have a holy huddle on

a Sunday and enjoy the worship here.

But God is calling us to steward those moments and the songs that

are coming so that we can bless people around us and people can

encounter Jesus. And so Verso music is going to

be the vehicle in which we will be blessing the border body of

Christ with new songs, new music.

And I'm really excited about the future there for verse of music.

Very exciting. So we spent some time talking.

Let me try and maybe sum up for us.

You see, what we're seeing here is that the invitation of Jesus

on the Great Commission isn't about.

I need you to do stuff. It's all about an invitation to

encounter him in that moment. When we look to that you look at

through the all the other hallmarks, it's all about a

revelation of who God is, an opportunity for us to know Him

more. And we get to the Hallmark where

there has to be a response in our hearts to that revelation.

And there is this powerful illustration with Simon that he

gets on his knees and all of a sudden he realizes not just who

God is, but who he is. What we see here is a moment of

humility and saying, I am not God.

In fact, please get away from me.

You are holy. It reminds you of Isaiah when he

he experiences God and he says I've disintegrated.

That's modern vernacular to say I am undone.

There is a revelation and it causes us to surrender all.

But you know what Jesus says, do not be afraid.

Do not be afraid. And I think that's the

invitation for us this morning, which is this.

Do we really want to encounter the living God?

Do you really want to encounter the presence of God?

Because if your answer is yes, it demands a response from us,

which is worship and surrender, not based on how we feel, not

based on our circumstances, but based on the truth of who he is

and who we are. Eduardo, thank you for unpacking

that with us. Yeah, let's encourage.

Very welcome.