You Are Not Alone

I don’t believe in Australia!

Can I start with a confession this morning?

I’m not sure I believe in Australia.

I know people say it exists.

Naomi even says she comes from there.

But I’ve never seen it.

I know, I have seen photos and I’ve seen it on TV.

After all, I was doing my A Levels when Neighbours was popular!

But those things can be faked.

And yes, I know people who have been on holiday to Australia.

But how do I know they weren’t conned about where they were?

After all, you sit in a tin box for 24 hours.

You could be flying round in circles.

And when you land, it could be anywhere!

I mean, you could even be back in Maidenhead!

I guess the kangaroos could be a giveaway.

But then they could just be brought in from the zoo to fool you.

And yes, there’s the hot weather, and the different scenery, and to the food, and the people, and …

But it’s no use.

I don’t believe in Australia, and I’m never going to believe in it, whatever you say.

Are you convinced?

Does anyone think that Australia doesn’t really exist?

Of course not!

But if we changed Australia to God, there are lots of people who will argue in the same way.

I’ve never seen God.

I’ve never heard God, and so on.

And if he is real, does he know I'm here?

Does he care?

Am I on my own in this?

That last question is the one I want to come back to.

Because the Bible's answer to it is really good news.

So, how do we know that God is real, and how do we know what he is like?

Evidence for God

Flip charts and pen

Ask (one piece of paper for each - ask for volunteers to hold them):

Evidence we can see?

Evidence we can hear?

Evidence we can understand?

Anything else?

Does all this prove that God exists?

Acting on the Evidence

Let me ask you something else:

Could you learn to play football by reading a book about it?

By listening to stories about it?

By watching other people?

So what is needed? - We actually have to play it.

But what do we need once we start playing?

We need a coach.

Someone to come along side us, to show us new ways to play, teach us new skills, and bring out the best in us.

How many people play football?

How many of you go to football matches?

How many of you watch it on TV?

How many are not interested at all?

The same pattern is true as far as believing in God is concerned:

Some people aren’t interested at all.

Some people keep their distance.

Maybe they come to church at Easter, or for weddings, or funerals.

Maybe they watch Songs of Praise on the TV.

Some people come along to church on a regular basis, but they haven’t really signed up for the team.

They haven’t accepted Jesus as their team captain.

And they aren’t living for him.

And some people are actively involved in living (or playing) for God.

Where are you?

For those who have joined the team and are following their captain, Jesus, there's good news.

You don’t play alone

You have the best coach in the world, the Holy Spirit, living right inside you:

John 14:15–17 GNB

“If you love me, you will obey my commandments. I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper, who will stay with you for ever. He is the Spirit who reveals the truth about God. The world cannot receive him, because it cannot see him or know him. But you know him, because he remains with you and is in you.

Jesus promises he won't leave us to figure it out on our own.

He sends the Holy Spirit.

And the Holy Spirit isn't a distant coach shouting from the sidelines.

He is God with us.

God in us.

Every single day.

And then Jesus says this - and this is the heart of it all:

John 14:18 GNB

“When I go, you will not be left all alone; I will come back to you.

So wherever you are this morning, hear this.

You are not alone.

You have never been alone.

And if you belong to Jesus, you never will be.

Next Steps

So let me finish with something for each one of us, wherever you are this morning.

If you're still wondering.

Don't stop.

Keep asking.

Keep looking for the evidence, like the people of Athens did when Paul came to visit.

If you'd like somewhere to start, try reading the gospel of Luke.

It's a clear, honest account of the life of Jesus, written by a doctor who wanted to get the facts right.

And if God is real, ask him to show you.

He's big enough to handle your questions.

If you think you're ready to sign up today.

Come and have a word with me after worship.

I’d love to pray with you.

There's no test.

No clever words to say.

Just a simple yes to Jesus.

If you've already joined the team.

Here's a simple challenge for this week.

Each morning, before your feet hit the floor, pray one sentence:

"Holy Spirit, I'm not alone today. Please help me notice you."

Then watch for him.

At home, with the family.

On the school run.

At work, or college.

With the neighbour over the fence.

In the shops, on the bus, in the queue.

The Holy Spirit doesn't just turn up on Sundays.

He is with you Monday to Saturday too.

So let me leave you with this.

Wherever you go this week, you are not alone.

Jesus sees you.

Jesus loves you.

And the Holy Spirit is right there with you.

Amen.