The ruined

Preamble

Thank you

Thank you for coming. Love to meet. Come chat.

Many other things you could be doing.

But assure you, best use of your evening.

(L) Why?

Age of distractions.

Doom scrolling. Swipe right. Considering things of significance: increasingly rare.

Each evening: consider the most significance person ever lived.

Person of Jesus. Individual of monumental significance.

Changed course of history. BC / AD

Western civilisation founded on his teaching

Intrinsic value of individual. Human rights.

Self-sacrifice. Care for the downtrodden.

Things we assume true: finds roots in Jesus’ teaching.

If you want to reckon with things that matter:

Come, encounter the most significant person ever lived.

(L) More than that:

We won’t encounter him in the abstract.

But in a deeply personal way.

Each evening

Hear story. Each individual, tonight ___, encounter Jesus personally.

After that, look at John’s eyewitness, hear how Jesus encounters a similar individual.

Observe: What he says. What he does.

Our hope? You will encounter him too

Will you encounter him?

(L) Getting ahead.

Interview

Now

1. Sharon, thanks for taking time to share your story with us today. You’re a social worker. Can you explain a little about what your work involves?

Past

2. Grew up in Peru and your Dad was an army commando? What was that like growing up? Anyone been to Peru? I went to Peru graduation trip. Persuade people to go to Peru?

3. What made you come to London? You must have done quite well at school?

4. Tell us what it was like working for Goldman Sachs. Back in the early 2000s. Before 2008? (Explain 2008)

Perks? How many months bonus?

What were you doing? Culture of the place?

You mentioned that life was perfect? How so?

 5. From Goldman to social services. What changed?

Can you remember how you felt at that moment?

So what happened after that?

Emotionally how was it like in the first few years.

6. There may be some here who have single parents. Main challenge being a single parent?

Jesus

7. We’re going to pivot and hear about your experience with Christianity. Share when you were first aware of the person of Jesus?

 8. What was the point where you decided to trust in Jesus?

9. What attracts you most about him? How does knowing him help you in your situation?

 Present

10. Holly is all grown up now. Can you tell us what is life like now as a Christian?

 11. Thanks for time. If someone is going through a tough time as if their life has been ruined, do you have  any final advice?

 Applause. Thanks for being willing to share.

Talk: The ruined

Q: How do we find security in a fragile world?

A: I AM THE DOOR, I AM THE GOOD SHEPHERD

SW: Encounter Jesus

INTRODUCTION

Have you ever been in a world crumbling moment?

The kind where your stomach churns.

The kind where you have your heart in your mouth. Heard thumping in your ears.

“Oh I’m so _____________” fill in your own word.

Often these moments have the potential to impact your entire trajectory.

Financial. Relational. Health.

Mine not as serious as Sharon’s. Recall situation at work. Worked on the trading floor.

Had a deal to execute for a client. Buy GBP and Sell USD.

Large sum. Keyed in the information. Hit enter.

Bing! Email from Client. Subject: Wrong trade. Bought instead of Sold.

Large sum. 1000 x annual salary.

Heart thump. Stomach churn. Breath short. World crumble.

Have you ever?

(Turns out that the client made the wrong request, so I was fine)

(L) Sometimes these moments are relational

Friend engaged to girlfriend of 6 years. Wedding planned. Invites sent. Hotels booked.

Guess what? She called it off a week before.

Outcome? He literally crumbled.

Went pretty bonkers.

Tried to do everything he can to win her back.

Couldn’t leave the house for a few weeks.

Took him a year to get back to some semblance of normality.

Have you ever been in a world crumbling moment?

It could happen to any of us.

Sharon’s story. Life full potential.

Partner. Child. Career.

Crumbled.

May not be relational. Sometimes health related.

A life crippling illness.

A critical injury.

The big C.

In a world that is so fragile where do we find security?

Maybe you are worried about the fragility.

Economy not great. Not sure about future jobs.

Relationally things aren’t going smoothly.

Maybe you’re not.

Things are good.

Future career planned.

Relationships are healthy.

But at some point, it may just crumble over night.

When that happens, and I hope it doesn’t, what do you do?

What would Jesus say to someone’s life that has crumbled.

CONTEXT

Each evening. Look at eyewitness account of Jesus. Written by his friend called john.

John spend about three years with Jesus. Hang out. Went to pub together. Travelled together. Learned from him.

Over time, convinced that he was no ordinary man

His teaching.

See inside a person

His miracles.

In public. For the world to see.

Miracles that only God could do.

Ultimately, witness the most extraordinary thing

Died publicly on a Roman Cross

Rose from the grave, appeared to 500 witnesses

Changed the course of human history.

John recorded the life of Jesus at the risk of his own life.

Past few days

Party. Jesus and fun?

Resistant to change. Jesus and transformation - Call. Darkness to light.

Today we meet someone who was literally in the dark. a Blind man since birth.

Name? Not sure. Let’s call him Benny the blind man.

Bart. Blind since birth. Can you imagine being blind since birth?

Having no experience of light

Having no sense of nature: trees, birds, mountains, stars

Having no sense of people: No clue how parents actually look like.

All you know: darkness.

(L) then a miracle happens. Meet a man Jesus. Touches your eyes. Feel his hand press on your eye lids.

Light streams in. For the first time you can see.

Connect sound to sight.

Heard birds. See what they look like.

Heard of trees. See what they look like.

Heard my parents. Touched them. Now you can see.

(L) Can you guess what life is going to be like for Bart? Nod good. Shake bad.

Yes. Those who shook. You’re right.

We would think. life is great.

instead. From the high of being able to see. his life completely crumbles.

Because he is rejected by everyone. And I mean everyone.

Rejected by his neighbours.

Rejected by the leaders of his day. The religious leaders.

worse of all! rejected by his parents.

Can you imagine.

The first time you’re able to see your parents.

They reject you. They want nothing to do with you.

Why?

Because of Jesus. He was such a controversial figure in his time.

Unsafe to be associated with him.

(A) What do you think? Is this fair?

Here yesterday - Change? Come out of darkness into the light.

BM - comes out of darkness into the light: world crumbles. Is darkness better?

Scene ends John 9:34 “They answered him, “You were born in utter sin, and would you teach us?” And they cast him out.”

Cast out of the temple.

Miss the monumental significance of this casting out.

For Jews. The temple is of fundamental importance to daily life.

Location: security. safety. societal life revolves around.

symbolic "heart" that provides community, knowledge, and a sense of belonging

(A) UCL student?

UCL grounds. Guards. Chuck you out.

Cast out? --> entire academic career is over.

Outcast. No hope in life.

(A) Image the moment of casting out.

Religious leaders. Ruling Elite. Call their henchmen. Take him by the arms and throw him out of the temple door.

Fold their arms. Blocking the door to the temple.

Bart. Blind mind. hits the ground. Cries out in pain. Rolls several times.

Comes to a stop at someone’s feet. Who is it?

It’s Jesus.

Jesus meets him at the moment where his life crumbles.

And what does Jesus says to someone who life has just crumbled.

Two lines.

ARGUMENT

I AM THE DOOR

John 10:9 “I am the door. If anyone enters by me, he will be saved and will go in and out and find pasture.” I AM THE DOOR

Answer to uncertainty in a fragile world? is a DOOR

(A) Thinking of unscrewing a door handle from my home. too troublesome. Risk not being able to put it back. Imagine.

Does anyone have a door obsession?

Collects doors as a hobby?

Expert in all things doors? Design. Height. Frame. Color. Handle.

Not me.

Strange comment isn’t it? I AM THE DOOR. Why?

Actually, not strange.

Remember the scene.

Bart, the blind man. Cast out of the temple door.

Religious leaders, henchmen. Arms folded. Blocking the temple door.

It is in that scene that Jesus says…

“Not that door. I AM THE DOOR”

“You will not find security there. Not the temple. Not anywhere. Only me.”

“I AM THE DOOR!”

(A) Door. is a great metaphor. something you enter.

John 10:9 “I am the door. If anyone enters by me, he will be saved and will go in and out and find pasture.”

On offer? A safe world. he will be saved.

No uncertainties. No fragility. No insecurity.

A safe and secure world.

(L) Not only a safe and secure world. But an abundant world.

John 10:10 “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.”

(A) What might you describe as your happiest moment?

For me? Ideal holiday. With my wife.

Holiday. Look like jumping on my road bike. Cycling up the mountains in the alps with her.

Some of you might call that torture. I call it bliss.

imagine your happiest moment.

Multiple that by x1000. and another 1000.

That sense of overwhelming joy is a fraction of what Jesus is promising.

John 10:10 I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.

Q: What does Jesus have to say to someone who’s life is ruined?

I AM THE DOOR.

The door to a secure world.

The door to an abundant world.

This world that Jesus is promising is a future world. A future secure and abundant world.

But it has significant impact in the present. (ask me more)

Having a secure and abundant future helps you to process the present.

For the blind man

Life crumbled. Societal outcast. Parents reject. Life is painful.

Jesus’ offer: Secure future where this will never happen again.

True -> doesn’t necessarily change the BM circumstances.

But it knowing the future helps him to process the present.

likewise for Sharon

Life crumbled. Partner left. Everything she hope and dream gone.

Jesus’ offer: secure future.

Didn’t immediately change circumstances. Still tough.

But knowing future. Anchors her. Security. Hope.

Q: What does Jesus say to someone who’s life has been ruined? “I AM THE DOOR”

(L) But there’s more. Is there something Jesus does for us in the present? He says one more thing.

2. I AM THE GOOD SHEPHERD

John 10:11 “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.”

(A) remember the scene.

Bart. BM. Chucked out. Rolling on the ground.1st century leaders of society

Into that context. Jesus says: those leaders are bad shepherd.

I AM THE GOOD SHEPHERD.

These leaders, were bad leaders.

Jesus calls them thieves and robbers.

They are not there to protect but to steal and kill.

Instead of defending the sheep, they carve them up. Roast them over the fire.

There are bad leaders in this world.

People we look to for hope. Partner. Prospective Employer.

They’re there to use. take advantage of. extract value.

(A) Perhaps you’ve been that position before

Being used. Taken advantage of.

Jesus says, I AM the good shepherd.

(L) Any swifties?

Not a fan but not a hater as well. Nothing against her or her music. You do you.

True that she may not be bad.

As charismatic as she is.

She just doesn’t care enough for all of the millions of fans.

If she has to choose between herself or a swiftie, she will choose herself.

But not Jesus.

John 10:11 “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.”

Did you notice?

He cares so much that he gives up his life for his sheep

He loves so much that he lays down his life willingly.

You matter so much that he allows himself to be pinned on a cross for you.

What does Jesus say to someone who’s life has been ruined?

Don’t follow any others.

“I AM THE GOOD SHEPHERD”

REINFORCEMENT

Perhaps you’re somewhat sceptical.

These words are only for those who are desperate. I can defend myself

Maybe you can… for now.

You don’t have to believe.

But in the future… when you least expect it. Everything crumbles.

Remember Jesus’ words.

I AM the door to a future secure place

I AM the good shepherd who lays down my life for you.

These words are for those who want to believe. That’s fine. The only problem is the evidence

I could say: Jesus’ words about himself prove true because of historical public events.

Death and resurrection of Jesus. Public event. Witness by hundreds, thousands.

Historical evidence is solid

I could say all that.

But rather I will say this: that deep down.

We know we live in a fragile world.

We know that anytime our lives could be ruined.

How confident are you of life after graduation?

How certain are you that you won’t be taken advantage of by others?

Deep down we want that security.

We know there is more to life than this fragile world.

We want better leaders, when we are taken advantaged of

And it is into that fragility that Jesus says

NOT THAT DOOR!

Not that door that offers a pretence of security and comfort.

Not that door that the city of london seems to offer. self-sufficency and self-reliance.

Not that door that your future careers pretend to promise. Freedom. Autonomy

I AM THE DOOR

Enter me and you will be in a secure world

Enter me and you will be in an abundant world.

Enter me and you will find pasture.

NOT THOSE LEADERS!

Not those leader who pretend to care but actually steal from you

Not those leaders who pretend to care but at first sign of trouble, seek their own safety

Not any boyfriend or girlfriend. Not any future employer. Not any influencer

I AM THE GOOD SHEPHERD.

Listen to my voice and I will know you

Listen to my voice and I care for you.

Listen to my voice and I will lay down my life for you

Sharon and the Blind man encountered Jesus where their lives crumbled before them and found hope.

The question is: Will you encounter him? Will you follow the good shepherd?

Closing

Aim of this week

Offer some food for thought. Encounter Jesus.

Thank you for being generous with your time. Lots to be involved in.

Aware there will be a variety of views in room and that’s fine

Perhaps unanswered questions, so let me offer a few suggestions.

Come back tomorrow

Tomorrow “____” Interviewing “_____”

Interesting. Fascinating.

Understand more of what it means to encounter Jesus

This book

Yours to keep. Take it back. Read it. Come to an informed opinion about Jesus

Suggestion: pencil. mark. tick agree. cross disagree. ? don’t understand.

Need to explain… how.

Ask your friend who invited you to buy you a coffee. Ask your questions.

Thank you for time. close on this

LAND

If you have a small sense of the fragility of the world. Want security.

Jesus is the person you want to follow

Defends

Take cares

He lays down his life for you.

He will not let you down. Everyone one. But not him.

John 10:9–11 “

I am the door. I came that you may have life and have it abundantly.

I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.”