WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:02.980 If you are new to Watermark, my name is Kevin, one of the leaders here. 00:00:03.220 --> 00:00:04.679 Great to have you with us today. 00:00:05.040 --> 00:00:07.700 Make yourself at home this morning. 00:00:08.140 --> 00:00:10.640 Now, we're going to have the scripture reading in a few minutes time, 00:00:10.640 --> 00:00:13.000 but before, let me just explain where we're going. 00:00:13.460 --> 00:00:16.300 We, as a church, are working through the book of Acts. 00:00:16.679 --> 00:00:20.260 Acts is one of the most exciting books in the Bible, in my opinion. 00:00:20.760 --> 00:00:25.820 It's a book that shows us what happens when God gets a hold of a group of people. 00:00:26.199 --> 00:00:29.039 A very ordinary group of people, but God gets a hold of them, 00:00:29.039 --> 00:00:34.079 and he turns their lives upside down, and through them he turns the world upside down. 00:00:35.039 --> 00:00:39.640 But the book of Acts also shows us the connection between Jesus, 00:00:39.879 --> 00:00:42.179 the ministry of Jesus, and the church, 00:00:43.000 --> 00:00:45.340 and the interconnectedness between Christ and his church. 00:00:45.640 --> 00:00:47.640 I don't know if this has ever happened to you. 00:00:47.780 --> 00:00:54.280 Probably not, but from time to time, more so in the past, you'll be pleased to know, 00:00:54.280 --> 00:01:00.200 I've sometimes wondered, Jesus, can I follow you and not need to bother about the church? 00:01:01.039 --> 00:01:01.620 Let's be honest. 00:01:01.679 --> 00:01:02.740 Sometimes church is messy. 00:01:03.480 --> 00:01:04.640 Sometimes church is awkward. 00:01:05.500 --> 00:01:06.680 I don't know if you've ever thought that. 00:01:08.560 --> 00:01:12.000 Can I follow Jesus and not be involved in the church? 00:01:12.000 --> 00:01:17.700 And the book of Acts is going to show us the interconnectedness between the work and ministry of Jesus, 00:01:18.000 --> 00:01:20.879 and the purpose and the role of the church. 00:01:21.500 --> 00:01:24.500 And so last week we looked at the first half of Acts chapter 2, 00:01:24.599 --> 00:01:27.260 which is this amazing passage, the day of Pentecost. 00:01:27.739 --> 00:01:31.539 The Holy Spirit is poured out on the church in power and in glory, 00:01:31.960 --> 00:01:33.519 and it's an amazing, amazing day. 00:01:33.879 --> 00:01:37.140 It's a day that has impacted the world ever since. 00:01:37.140 --> 00:01:40.000 And Peter stands up and explains what's happening, 00:01:40.120 --> 00:01:43.000 and he says, this is because Jesus has died and risen again. 00:01:43.379 --> 00:01:44.260 Christ is alive. 00:01:44.359 --> 00:01:45.000 He's in the heavens. 00:01:45.340 --> 00:01:46.620 He's pouring out His Spirit. 00:01:47.079 --> 00:01:50.900 And so he says in verse 36 of our passage, we're going to look at it a little later. 00:01:51.579 --> 00:01:51.939 He says, 00:01:51.939 --> 00:01:57.960 Let all the house of Israel know for certain that God has made Him, Jesus, both Lord and Christ, 00:01:58.079 --> 00:01:59.260 this Jesus whom you crucified. 00:01:59.740 --> 00:02:03.740 So he tells them, Jesus is alive, and the people, they respond. 00:02:03.939 --> 00:02:04.640 They believe it. 00:02:04.920 --> 00:02:05.659 They hear it. 00:02:05.659 --> 00:02:08.560 They say, count us in. 00:02:09.340 --> 00:02:11.639 And many of them follow Jesus. 00:02:11.800 --> 00:02:12.939 They repent of their sins. 00:02:13.099 --> 00:02:13.960 They get baptized. 00:02:14.199 --> 00:02:15.460 And so verse 41 says, 00:02:15.620 --> 00:02:20.259 Those who received His word were baptized, and they were added that day about 3,000 souls. 00:02:20.879 --> 00:02:22.219 What an amazing day. 00:02:22.359 --> 00:02:24.039 It's what we looked at last week, right? 00:02:25.000 --> 00:02:28.159 This day that changed the course of the church forever. 00:02:29.120 --> 00:02:30.060 But now what? 00:02:30.599 --> 00:02:32.759 Now you've got 3,000 people that are followers of Jesus. 00:02:33.419 --> 00:02:34.139 Okay, that's great. 00:02:34.199 --> 00:02:34.639 But now what? 00:02:34.639 --> 00:02:35.379 What should they do? 00:02:35.659 --> 00:02:37.039 They just hold on? 00:02:37.500 --> 00:02:38.479 One day hope for heaven? 00:02:39.259 --> 00:02:40.620 What's going to happen to them? 00:02:41.560 --> 00:02:48.280 Last Sunday, we heard the testimonies of five people in Watermark that were getting baptized, right? 00:02:48.379 --> 00:02:53.479 Ron and Celine and Mac and Marilyn and Damien. 00:02:53.479 --> 00:02:55.459 And what an amazing day. 00:02:55.459 --> 00:02:57.759 These five people that have come to faith in Jesus. 00:02:58.259 --> 00:02:59.899 They've seen the wonder of Jesus. 00:02:59.979 --> 00:03:00.799 They've believed in Him. 00:03:00.859 --> 00:03:01.519 They've repented. 00:03:01.839 --> 00:03:02.819 They've got baptized. 00:03:03.459 --> 00:03:05.399 What a celebration last Sunday was. 00:03:06.099 --> 00:03:06.799 But now what? 00:03:07.439 --> 00:03:08.439 What do they do now? 00:03:08.439 --> 00:03:10.759 Maybe you're here this morning. 00:03:10.759 --> 00:03:12.159 Maybe you're not a follower of Jesus. 00:03:12.900 --> 00:03:14.300 Maybe you're a high school student. 00:03:14.500 --> 00:03:17.079 And you're wondering whether you do want to follow Jesus. 00:03:17.159 --> 00:03:18.460 Your parents drag you to church. 00:03:18.500 --> 00:03:19.579 Okay, I'm glad that you're here. 00:03:20.159 --> 00:03:21.020 But maybe you're wondering, 00:03:21.020 --> 00:03:23.320 If I were to become a follower of Jesus, 00:03:23.439 --> 00:03:24.540 what would that mean for me? 00:03:25.800 --> 00:03:27.140 What would that mean for you? 00:03:28.240 --> 00:03:30.400 In our passage of Scripture we're going to look at today, 00:03:30.480 --> 00:03:32.180 we're going to see the very first church. 00:03:32.680 --> 00:03:35.740 And we're going to see the connection between being in Christ, 00:03:35.980 --> 00:03:36.420 a Christian, 00:03:36.939 --> 00:03:38.540 and being in the church. 00:03:39.199 --> 00:03:42.879 And Acts chapter 2 is going to tell us that the gospel is not just about God 00:03:42.879 --> 00:03:46.180 saving and forgiving individuals and taking them to heaven one day. 00:03:46.500 --> 00:03:49.459 It's about God making a new kind of community. 00:03:50.000 --> 00:03:52.899 A community of people that are transformed by the gospel 00:03:52.899 --> 00:03:56.419 and changed into sacrificial, loving, and generous people. 00:03:56.840 --> 00:03:57.599 So on that note, 00:03:57.979 --> 00:03:59.780 Karen, will you come and read the Scripture to us? 00:03:59.780 --> 00:04:04.239 Let's listen to Acts chapter 2, verses 36 to 47, 00:04:04.500 --> 00:04:06.079 and then I'll pick up from there. 00:04:07.079 --> 00:04:08.479 Acts chapter 2. 00:04:08.900 --> 00:04:10.539 Starting with verse 36. 00:04:11.500 --> 00:04:14.579 Let all the house of Israel therefore know for certain 00:04:14.579 --> 00:04:18.680 that God has made him both Lord and Christ, 00:04:19.240 --> 00:04:21.240 this Jesus whom you crucified. 00:04:22.680 --> 00:04:24.279 Now when they heard this, 00:04:24.659 --> 00:04:25.800 they were cut to the heart 00:04:25.800 --> 00:04:28.719 and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, 00:04:29.199 --> 00:04:31.779 Brothers, what shall we do? 00:04:32.779 --> 00:04:34.379 And Peter said to them, 00:04:34.699 --> 00:04:36.939 Repent and be baptized, every one of you, 00:04:37.060 --> 00:04:38.420 in the name of Jesus Christ. 00:04:38.540 --> 00:04:40.480 For the forgiveness of your sins. 00:04:40.680 --> 00:04:43.760 And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 00:04:44.420 --> 00:04:49.640 For the promise is for you and for your children and for all who are far off. 00:04:50.000 --> 00:04:53.160 Everyone whom the Lord our God calls to himself. 00:04:53.160 --> 00:04:55.480 And with many other words, 00:04:55.480 --> 00:04:58.980 he bore witness and continued to exhort them, saying, 00:04:59.620 --> 00:05:02.200 Save yourselves from this crooked generation. 00:05:02.199 --> 00:05:06.199 So those who received his word were baptized. 00:05:06.199 --> 00:05:09.959 And there were added that day about 3,000 souls. 00:05:09.959 --> 00:05:16.680 And they devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and the fellowship, 00:05:16.680 --> 00:05:19.560 to the breaking of bread and the prayers. 00:05:20.060 --> 00:05:22.759 And all came upon every soul. 00:05:22.759 --> 00:05:26.639 And many wonders and many wonders and signs were being done through the apostles. 00:05:26.639 --> 00:05:31.800 And all who believed were together and had all things in common. 00:05:31.800 --> 00:05:39.079 And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all as any had need. 00:05:39.079 --> 00:05:44.740 And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, 00:05:44.740 --> 00:05:48.800 they received their food with glad and generous hearts, 00:05:49.400 --> 00:05:52.860 praising God and having favor with all the people. 00:05:53.620 --> 00:05:58.860 And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved. 00:06:00.699 --> 00:06:02.220 Great. Thank you, Karen. 00:06:02.300 --> 00:06:04.579 Let me pray for us and then let's look at this passage together. 00:06:04.720 --> 00:06:07.939 Father, as we come to your word, we want to hear you speak to us. 00:06:08.300 --> 00:06:09.840 We want to know what's on your heart. 00:06:09.839 --> 00:06:12.419 We want to understand what you are saying to us. 00:06:12.979 --> 00:06:15.799 God, your word, which was written 2,000 years ago, 00:06:15.879 --> 00:06:18.359 is still so relevant to our lives and our church today. 00:06:18.459 --> 00:06:22.239 Help us to hear your words and to know what you want to say to us. 00:06:22.279 --> 00:06:26.839 Speak to us as a body, as a family, and help us to respond appropriately. 00:06:27.179 --> 00:06:28.019 In your name we pray. 00:06:28.620 --> 00:06:29.779 Amen. Amen. 00:06:30.500 --> 00:06:35.879 Okay, so this passage, as I said, is going to show us the connection of being in Christ 00:06:35.879 --> 00:06:37.079 and being in Christ's family. 00:06:37.079 --> 00:06:41.300 See, the gospel is not just about God saving individuals, but saving a community. 00:06:41.459 --> 00:06:42.939 So let's look at this passage. 00:06:43.120 --> 00:06:45.620 And three things I want us just to see this morning. 00:06:45.839 --> 00:06:47.719 This morning is going to be very simple in some ways. 00:06:48.099 --> 00:06:49.680 But firstly, a new community. 00:06:49.979 --> 00:06:50.639 A new community. 00:06:51.419 --> 00:06:53.979 The passage we're looking at is a very, very famous one. 00:06:54.120 --> 00:06:55.459 It's a very well-known passage. 00:06:55.719 --> 00:06:56.759 And it's very loved. 00:06:56.759 --> 00:07:02.339 And it's the kind of passage that has inspired many churches and church leaders over the years. 00:07:02.500 --> 00:07:04.000 And you can understand why. 00:07:04.579 --> 00:07:06.939 I mean, it's an amazing passage of Scripture. 00:07:07.839 --> 00:07:14.079 Here is one, for one thing, here is a very organic and authentic church community. 00:07:14.539 --> 00:07:16.519 They all are sharing things. 00:07:16.859 --> 00:07:18.039 They are coming together. 00:07:18.699 --> 00:07:23.779 There's a kind of organic authenticity about this church that is very appealing. 00:07:24.519 --> 00:07:27.759 There's something raw and real and organic about it. 00:07:28.240 --> 00:07:31.079 But additionally, I mean, just look at how they treat one another. 00:07:31.079 --> 00:07:33.799 They are fully devoted to God and to each other. 00:07:34.259 --> 00:07:37.980 They are selling their possessions and giving to anyone that's in need. 00:07:38.500 --> 00:07:40.759 They are miraculous signs and wonders. 00:07:41.259 --> 00:07:42.860 They are sharing everything in common. 00:07:43.360 --> 00:07:44.139 There is joy. 00:07:44.300 --> 00:07:45.160 There is gladness. 00:07:45.300 --> 00:07:46.520 There is sincerity of heart. 00:07:46.960 --> 00:07:48.920 I mean, what an amazing church community. 00:07:48.920 --> 00:07:53.160 Now, of course, we're going to continue to read through the book of Acts. 00:07:53.180 --> 00:07:55.080 And it's not all like this all the time, right? 00:07:55.620 --> 00:07:58.860 Just a few chapters later, we're going to see there's sometimes sin in the church. 00:07:59.240 --> 00:08:00.420 There's sometimes conflict. 00:08:00.900 --> 00:08:02.180 There's sometimes persecution. 00:08:02.800 --> 00:08:04.500 Some people get their heads taken off. 00:08:04.720 --> 00:08:04.900 Okay? 00:08:05.340 --> 00:08:06.660 There's sometimes excommunication. 00:08:06.660 --> 00:08:10.360 So it's not all kind of roses and butterflies all the time. 00:08:10.520 --> 00:08:14.220 But still, here is an amazing, amazing church community. 00:08:15.300 --> 00:08:26.000 But one of the things that I think Luke wants us to see is that the result of the Holy Spirit coming in power upon his church just a few days before 00:08:26.000 --> 00:08:33.320 is not just 3,000 individuals putting their faith in Jesus and getting saved, but it's actually a whole new community being formed. 00:08:34.019 --> 00:08:36.200 What happened last week is the cause. 00:08:36.519 --> 00:08:37.360 This is the effect. 00:08:37.899 --> 00:08:39.899 This is the result of the Spirit coming down. 00:08:40.399 --> 00:08:45.440 The outpouring of the Spirit doesn't end with the baptisms and then just like, okay, that's it done. 00:08:45.840 --> 00:08:51.019 Actually, the outpouring of the Spirit leads to transformed lives, which leads to a community being formed. 00:08:51.820 --> 00:08:53.840 Listen to how Trevon Wax puts it. 00:08:53.899 --> 00:08:54.539 I thought this was amazing. 00:08:54.539 --> 00:08:58.439 He says, the power of Pentecost makes for a fantastic story. 00:08:58.879 --> 00:09:04.839 Rushing wind, flaming tongues of fire, a fisherman turned evangelist calling people to turn to Christ. 00:09:05.299 --> 00:09:07.980 But don't miss how Acts 2 ends. 00:09:08.620 --> 00:09:15.899 The power of the Spirit that flowed through the apostles' proclamation is the same power that gathers people into a new community. 00:09:16.579 --> 00:09:21.559 The Holy Spirit not only leads us to repentance, gives us power, helps us to proclaim the gospel. 00:09:21.759 --> 00:09:24.480 He also forms a new people. 00:09:25.480 --> 00:09:26.199 Okay, do you see that? 00:09:26.679 --> 00:09:28.240 That's what Luke wants us to see here. 00:09:28.620 --> 00:09:41.699 God takes outsiders and he doesn't just dust us off and kind of clean us up a little bit and then put us back on our feet like a collection of toy figurines that stand on the shelf and just hold on for heaven. 00:09:41.700 --> 00:09:49.800 Actually, now he takes us individuals as we are and he forms us into a people, into a family, into a community called the church. 00:09:50.500 --> 00:09:56.180 And as you think about it, think about the pictures that the Bible employs to speak about the church. 00:09:56.540 --> 00:09:57.440 What is the church? 00:09:57.440 --> 00:09:58.920 It's a family. 00:09:59.560 --> 00:10:00.960 It's bricks in a building. 00:10:00.960 --> 00:10:03.440 It's a body. 00:10:03.960 --> 00:10:05.019 It's a flock of sheep. 00:10:05.139 --> 00:10:06.480 It's a vine and branches. 00:10:06.879 --> 00:10:09.900 All these pictures that the Bible uses to describe the church. 00:10:10.440 --> 00:10:11.480 And what do they all have in common? 00:10:11.800 --> 00:10:13.500 The sense of plurality, right? 00:10:13.500 --> 00:10:17.460 Now, okay, if you take any of those images too far, you get yourself in trouble. 00:10:17.820 --> 00:10:23.220 Okay, so we shouldn't all be sheep that, you know, sing, I don't know, Bob or Black Sheep or something like that in church. 00:10:23.279 --> 00:10:25.100 Okay, don't take the analogy too far. 00:10:25.100 --> 00:10:30.379 But the point is, all the images that the Bible employs for the church, there's a plurality. 00:10:31.759 --> 00:10:34.600 God is not just saving individuals. 00:10:34.800 --> 00:10:36.300 He's forming us into a community. 00:10:36.480 --> 00:10:38.220 We're not just the person of God. 00:10:38.560 --> 00:10:39.840 We're the people of God. 00:10:40.620 --> 00:10:48.759 And so that's why last week when Oscar was leading the time of baptisms afterwards with Ron and Marilyn and Damien and Mac and Celine, 00:10:49.180 --> 00:10:51.120 I don't know if you remember, he asked them a question. 00:10:51.500 --> 00:10:52.740 Hey, do you believe in Jesus? 00:10:52.920 --> 00:10:53.740 Yes, yes, we do. 00:10:53.740 --> 00:10:56.379 Have you repented of your sins and trusted him? 00:10:56.440 --> 00:10:56.899 Yes, we do. 00:10:57.220 --> 00:10:58.240 And then what did Oscar do? 00:10:58.680 --> 00:10:59.980 He asked us a question. 00:11:00.159 --> 00:11:06.659 Remember, he said, Watermark, will you receive these brothers and sisters and love them and support them and care for them? 00:11:06.680 --> 00:11:07.480 And what did we say? 00:11:07.980 --> 00:11:09.620 Yes, we will welcome you. 00:11:10.060 --> 00:11:11.080 Why did he do that? 00:11:11.539 --> 00:11:15.340 Because baptism is not just the leaders baptizing people. 00:11:15.580 --> 00:11:20.940 It's us as the church family extending our welcome to these brothers and sisters and saying, 00:11:20.940 --> 00:11:23.240 We affirm your professional faith. 00:11:23.779 --> 00:11:29.419 We, as the church body, affirm what you're saying and we welcome you as part of the body of Christ. 00:11:30.440 --> 00:11:32.580 Listen to how Tim Chester says this. 00:11:32.639 --> 00:11:32.960 He says, 00:11:32.960 --> 00:11:39.040 In becoming a Christian, I belong to God and I belong to my brothers and sisters. 00:11:39.519 --> 00:11:43.500 It's not that I belong to God and then I make a decision to join the church. 00:11:43.500 --> 00:11:50.280 No, my being in Christ also means being in Christ with others who are also in Christ. 00:11:50.680 --> 00:11:55.500 Being in Christ is both my identity, but also our identity. 00:11:55.500 --> 00:11:59.159 And that's an amazing thing that he's saying. 00:11:59.960 --> 00:12:04.620 Yes, I belong to Jesus, but I also belong to one another, to you. 00:12:05.019 --> 00:12:07.419 And that's what we see here in Acts chapter 2, right? 00:12:07.799 --> 00:12:09.960 3,000 people put their faith in Jesus. 00:12:10.500 --> 00:12:12.059 They repent from their sins. 00:12:12.179 --> 00:12:13.360 They baptize. 00:12:13.740 --> 00:12:17.799 They formed into this profound spiritual community called the church. 00:12:17.799 --> 00:12:20.179 And we see that that's how they relate to one another. 00:12:20.339 --> 00:12:21.000 Look at what it says here. 00:12:21.039 --> 00:12:22.479 Look at verse 44. 00:12:23.099 --> 00:12:23.339 It says, 00:12:23.340 --> 00:12:51.259 Friends, the New Testament tells us that the Bible knows nothing about Christian individualism. 00:12:51.600 --> 00:12:52.960 Just me and Jesus. 00:12:54.320 --> 00:13:04.720 Actually, when God, the Holy Spirit, through the gospel, saves people, he saves us into a collective, a community, a family, a community of saints. 00:13:05.960 --> 00:13:08.840 So here we see in Acts, God pours out a spirit. 00:13:08.980 --> 00:13:09.280 Amazing. 00:13:09.460 --> 00:13:10.220 Lives are changed. 00:13:10.340 --> 00:13:11.540 The cities turn upside down. 00:13:12.019 --> 00:13:12.940 But what's the effect? 00:13:13.480 --> 00:13:14.780 The effect is a new community. 00:13:15.680 --> 00:13:17.240 Now, what does that mean for us? 00:13:17.560 --> 00:13:19.360 Okay, well, let's think about the applications of this. 00:13:19.360 --> 00:13:22.620 Let me give us three questions to think about. 00:13:22.620 --> 00:13:27.259 Firstly, do we come to church as consumers or contributors? 00:13:27.899 --> 00:13:28.019 Okay? 00:13:28.740 --> 00:13:34.100 We live in an age which is profoundly, profoundly individualistic and consumeristic, right? 00:13:34.299 --> 00:13:36.100 It's kind of the air that we breathe. 00:13:36.100 --> 00:13:41.420 Everything our world caters for is for an individualistic, consumeristic lifestyle. 00:13:41.960 --> 00:13:46.940 I heard a story recently of an individual that had found a date on Tinder. 00:13:47.320 --> 00:13:47.500 Okay? 00:13:47.500 --> 00:13:53.659 And so she's in the taxi on the way to meeting her date for the very first time. 00:13:54.120 --> 00:13:56.139 And while she's in the taxi, she's on her phone. 00:13:56.659 --> 00:13:58.139 And what do you think she's doing on her phone? 00:13:59.019 --> 00:14:03.740 She's on Tinder looking for the next date in case this one doesn't work out. 00:14:03.820 --> 00:14:03.919 Right? 00:14:03.919 --> 00:14:09.240 So she's in the taxi on the day to date on the way to the date, busy swiping, looking for the next date. 00:14:09.379 --> 00:14:09.559 Right? 00:14:10.079 --> 00:14:12.519 We live in a profoundly consumeristic age. 00:14:12.599 --> 00:14:17.139 Whether it's dates on Tinder, whether it's a Netflix show, whether it's food on Food Panda, 00:14:17.740 --> 00:14:23.579 whether it's a job opportunity, we're highly individualistic and consumeristic. 00:14:23.580 --> 00:14:26.180 But the church doesn't work that way. 00:14:27.160 --> 00:14:34.160 The church is actually designed to be highly unsatisfactory and incredibly boring to a consumeristic culture. 00:14:34.840 --> 00:14:35.759 I mean, just think about it. 00:14:36.060 --> 00:14:41.900 You've actually got to arrive in person and engage with real people, not just on a screen. 00:14:42.060 --> 00:14:42.200 Right? 00:14:42.480 --> 00:14:50.960 And you've got to actually talk to real people, not just virtual people or avatars or AI, you know, equivalents. 00:14:51.080 --> 00:14:53.540 And you actually need to sing songs. 00:14:53.960 --> 00:14:55.580 Some of which are over 100 years old. 00:14:55.680 --> 00:14:57.360 I mean, that is very, very uncool. 00:14:57.820 --> 00:15:00.820 And you've got to listen to people pray prayers and read scripture. 00:15:01.320 --> 00:15:07.060 And then you've got to listen to this middle-aged white guy give a monologue for who knows how length of time. 00:15:07.180 --> 00:15:07.360 Right? 00:15:08.400 --> 00:15:15.180 The incredibly boring and unsatisfactory culture if church is all about you. 00:15:16.600 --> 00:15:18.360 But what happens if it's not about you? 00:15:19.120 --> 00:15:21.840 What if we come to church for what we can give? 00:15:21.840 --> 00:15:24.420 How we can encourage somebody else? 00:15:25.200 --> 00:15:27.820 How we can pray with somebody that's going through a hard time? 00:15:28.220 --> 00:15:33.180 How we can give a listening ear and listen to somebody and weep with those who weep? 00:15:33.560 --> 00:15:34.899 And mourn with those who mourn? 00:15:34.899 --> 00:15:36.819 And rejoice with those who rejoice. 00:15:37.620 --> 00:15:39.620 I was so pleased just earlier this morning. 00:15:39.720 --> 00:15:41.559 I got here a little earlier and I saw one individual. 00:15:41.679 --> 00:15:42.340 I won't name her. 00:15:42.840 --> 00:15:45.579 Just talking to five or six different people around the hall. 00:15:45.679 --> 00:15:46.559 Just praying with them. 00:15:47.019 --> 00:15:47.819 Weeping with them. 00:15:48.379 --> 00:15:49.120 Laughing with them. 00:15:49.860 --> 00:15:50.779 That's church family. 00:15:50.779 --> 00:15:54.480 The church is a family where we come together. 00:15:54.579 --> 00:15:55.399 Here's the second question. 00:15:57.519 --> 00:16:01.159 Do you see God at work in his church despite its numerous shortcomings? 00:16:02.199 --> 00:16:05.659 Do you see God at work in his church despite its numerous shortcomings? 00:16:06.059 --> 00:16:08.899 I think this is one of the most remarkable things about the Apostle Paul. 00:16:09.439 --> 00:16:13.079 The Apostle Paul in the New Testament is always writing these letters to these churches. 00:16:13.579 --> 00:16:16.059 And some of these churches are not very good churches. 00:16:16.259 --> 00:16:16.360 Right? 00:16:16.360 --> 00:16:19.419 But one in particular is the church in Corinth. 00:16:19.820 --> 00:16:24.080 The church in Corinth is the most dysfunctional, broken church you can imagine. 00:16:24.539 --> 00:16:26.800 Think of the most messy church you can imagine. 00:16:27.159 --> 00:16:27.720 That was it. 00:16:27.820 --> 00:16:27.980 Right? 00:16:28.560 --> 00:16:32.840 And Paul writes this letter and he starts off his letter like this. 00:16:32.980 --> 00:16:33.399 He says, 00:16:33.519 --> 00:16:40.259 I give thanks to my God always for you because of the grace of God that was given to you in Christ Jesus. 00:16:40.580 --> 00:16:43.759 That in every way you have been enriched in him. 00:16:43.940 --> 00:16:45.340 Not lacking in anything. 00:16:45.340 --> 00:16:48.440 As you await for the revealing of the Lord Jesus Christ. 00:16:48.740 --> 00:16:50.800 Christ who will sustain you to the end. 00:16:51.180 --> 00:16:54.500 And make you guiltless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. 00:16:55.060 --> 00:16:57.580 Friends, if I wrote a letter to Corinthians, I would say, 00:16:57.920 --> 00:16:58.720 You guys are a mess. 00:16:59.060 --> 00:16:59.899 Sort yourselves out. 00:17:00.399 --> 00:17:03.620 I'm coming back to get you and, you know, clean up your act pretty soon. 00:17:04.200 --> 00:17:09.100 But Paul looks at this church and somehow with the eyes of grace can see, 00:17:09.740 --> 00:17:11.440 This is a church where God is at work. 00:17:11.860 --> 00:17:13.960 It may be very small, but God is at work there. 00:17:13.960 --> 00:17:16.680 Yes, friends, the church is messy. 00:17:16.860 --> 00:17:18.039 Yes, it's an awkward time. 00:17:18.640 --> 00:17:20.299 But can we see what Christ is doing? 00:17:20.900 --> 00:17:22.539 The church is Christ's church. 00:17:23.140 --> 00:17:24.360 And Christ is at work there. 00:17:26.240 --> 00:17:28.160 Here's the third question for us to think about. 00:17:28.819 --> 00:17:30.559 Who knows the real you? 00:17:30.559 --> 00:17:33.799 Now, I appreciate this is a scary question. 00:17:34.460 --> 00:17:38.619 But one of the things that Luke wants to show us here is that our faith is a community project. 00:17:39.519 --> 00:17:41.119 And so who knows the real you? 00:17:41.759 --> 00:17:43.079 Who knows the real me? 00:17:43.079 --> 00:17:52.720 It's very easy to come to church and to put on a smiley, happy Christian smile and to pretend that everything's fine and just to play the part. 00:17:53.359 --> 00:18:00.419 But actually, deep inside, there can be profound fear, anxiety, concern. 00:18:01.419 --> 00:18:03.639 Friends, who knows what's really going on inside of me? 00:18:04.299 --> 00:18:07.279 Being part of a church means more than just being physically present. 00:18:07.279 --> 00:18:12.519 And what the rest of the passage shows us is that here is a church that gave themselves to one another. 00:18:13.000 --> 00:18:17.000 But that also meant some of them receiving the giving of others to them. 00:18:17.960 --> 00:18:22.680 I think we've got to be honest that not all 3,000 people of this church were the nicest people. 00:18:23.319 --> 00:18:25.240 Some of them were probably not that nice. 00:18:25.799 --> 00:18:27.740 Some of them were probably not that easy to get along with. 00:18:29.920 --> 00:18:35.660 Friends, is there anybody that's able to stand with you and point you to your heavenly father in the battles that you're facing? 00:18:35.660 --> 00:18:43.400 Is there anybody that's able to help you hold on to Christ in the midst of your fears and your questions and your doubts? 00:18:44.200 --> 00:18:51.840 Is there anybody that's able to pray with you in the spirit in the midst of your anguish and your questions and your pain and your sorrows? 00:18:52.700 --> 00:18:58.540 Are you able to open yourself up to a friend and to pray with you for the real issues that are on your heart? 00:18:59.200 --> 00:19:03.740 Friends, you'll never know Jesus deeply and never know Jesus' impact in your life 00:19:03.740 --> 00:19:08.500 until you open yourself up to his people, his body, the church. 00:19:09.259 --> 00:19:12.359 So here in Acts we see a new kind of church community. 00:19:12.799 --> 00:19:15.980 God is saving people and he's plugging them into a new kind of community. 00:19:16.700 --> 00:19:20.380 Secondly, we see a new community that's empowered by the Spirit. 00:19:21.740 --> 00:19:24.480 This church is not just a community, a collection of individuals. 00:19:24.480 --> 00:19:27.380 It's a community that's empowered by the Spirit. 00:19:27.380 --> 00:19:36.320 Now, as you look at this passage in Acts chapter 2, as we said earlier, this is a picture of a remarkable, remarkable church. 00:19:37.120 --> 00:19:38.360 Now, a confession here. 00:19:38.700 --> 00:19:43.080 As one of the elders, pastors in this church, I've done this many, many times. 00:19:43.800 --> 00:19:45.760 Elders and pastors have this great temptation. 00:19:45.759 --> 00:19:53.619 We sometimes go away on, you know, annual retreats or weekend away or maybe a day retreat, a leadership summit. 00:19:54.140 --> 00:19:58.420 And we all open our Bibles to Acts chapter 2 and we read this passage and we say, 00:19:58.819 --> 00:20:00.660 that's the kind of church we want, right? 00:20:01.059 --> 00:20:03.559 Where everybody is devoted to God and to one another. 00:20:03.940 --> 00:20:05.759 Where everybody is sharing their possessions. 00:20:06.339 --> 00:20:08.019 Everybody is giving of themselves. 00:20:08.559 --> 00:20:10.119 Nobody has any need. 00:20:10.400 --> 00:20:12.400 How can we be this kind of church? 00:20:12.400 --> 00:20:15.580 What strategy do we need to employ? 00:20:15.940 --> 00:20:16.920 Who do we need to hire? 00:20:17.380 --> 00:20:20.180 What's our five-year goal and vision statement? 00:20:20.840 --> 00:20:25.400 And we all plan and organize and strategize and we miss the point entirely. 00:20:26.640 --> 00:20:34.720 Because one of the things that's remarkable about this passage is not just the power and the love and the community and the generosity, 00:20:35.360 --> 00:20:37.680 but also the lack of strategic planning. 00:20:38.580 --> 00:20:41.519 Nobody here presents a hundred-page slide deck to the board. 00:20:41.519 --> 00:20:47.359 Nobody here goes away on weekend summits or leadership summits or strategic plans away. 00:20:47.839 --> 00:20:50.240 Nobody's coming up with a five-year strategic plan. 00:20:51.000 --> 00:20:55.740 In fact, if anything, the one strategy that they have, Jesus tells them in chapter 1 is, 00:20:56.539 --> 00:20:59.519 wait, do nothing, just pray. 00:21:01.519 --> 00:21:07.079 Here is a church that is the most remarkable church that anybody in the history of the world has ever seen. 00:21:07.160 --> 00:21:09.440 It has almost never been replicated. 00:21:09.440 --> 00:21:17.160 And yet, they're profoundly devoid of any strategic planning or human engineering. 00:21:17.160 --> 00:21:24.880 And the reason is because the church is Holy Spirit-empowered, not human-engineered. 00:21:25.580 --> 00:21:26.500 Okay, do you see that? 00:21:27.700 --> 00:21:30.259 What brought about this remarkable community of people? 00:21:31.160 --> 00:21:37.580 Friends, surely you can put it down to nothing less than the preaching of the gospel and a profound move of the Holy Spirit in the church. 00:21:37.579 --> 00:21:39.699 That's the point that Luke wants us to see. 00:21:40.259 --> 00:21:46.619 Peter preaches the gospel, the Spirit comes, and the effect is this amazing, remarkable community of people 00:21:46.619 --> 00:21:49.019 that are unlike anything the world has seen. 00:21:49.379 --> 00:21:55.399 And yet, where does this joy, this vibrancy, this selflessness, this generosity, this love come from? 00:21:56.099 --> 00:22:02.220 It comes from the preaching of the gospel and a profound move of the Spirit upon God's people. 00:22:02.220 --> 00:22:05.140 So look at verse 43 with me. 00:22:05.700 --> 00:22:06.420 Look at what he says. 00:22:07.019 --> 00:22:07.500 Luke says, 00:22:07.839 --> 00:22:12.960 And awe came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were being done through the apostles. 00:22:14.039 --> 00:22:19.220 Awe means to be in the presence of something profoundly bigger and more majestic than yourself. 00:22:19.420 --> 00:22:20.900 God himself is in their midst. 00:22:21.559 --> 00:22:22.600 God is with them. 00:22:23.460 --> 00:22:25.000 God has come upon them. 00:22:25.019 --> 00:22:26.299 And look at verse 47. 00:22:26.299 --> 00:22:30.159 The Lord added to the number day by day those who are being saved. 00:22:30.419 --> 00:22:31.960 This is the Lord's doing. 00:22:32.419 --> 00:22:34.980 Christ is building his church through the Spirit. 00:22:35.899 --> 00:22:42.379 In a few weeks' time, we're going to see in chapter 4, one thing that happens is the apostles and the disciples are in the city, 00:22:42.779 --> 00:22:47.500 and they are full of the Spirit, and they're preaching the gospel, and they're turning the city upside down. 00:22:48.039 --> 00:22:52.759 And one of the accusations that the leaders have is, you are filling this city with your message. 00:22:52.759 --> 00:22:55.900 I mean, the church is not just contained to himself. 00:22:56.019 --> 00:22:57.619 It's turning the whole city upside down. 00:22:58.460 --> 00:23:04.859 But one of the things that's remarkable is the religious leaders, when they look at the leaders of the church, 00:23:05.059 --> 00:23:06.279 they kind of scratch their heads. 00:23:06.779 --> 00:23:07.859 They can't make sense of this. 00:23:08.220 --> 00:23:08.539 They say, 00:23:08.879 --> 00:23:10.019 We see you guys. 00:23:10.240 --> 00:23:11.099 You're pretty ordinary. 00:23:11.599 --> 00:23:14.319 We see the church, and these two things don't go together. 00:23:14.720 --> 00:23:16.819 Look at how they say this in Acts chapter 4. 00:23:16.940 --> 00:23:17.099 It says, 00:23:17.099 --> 00:23:26.659 When the leaders saw the boldness of Peter and John, they perceived that they were uneducated, common men, and they were astonished. 00:23:27.480 --> 00:23:28.000 Why? 00:23:28.899 --> 00:23:32.500 Because the church is not something that is on the shoulders of the leaders. 00:23:33.179 --> 00:23:34.559 It's not humanly engineered. 00:23:35.179 --> 00:23:36.719 It's not strategically organized. 00:23:37.439 --> 00:23:42.959 It's a profound work of the Spirit of God through the gospel that's changing people. 00:23:42.960 --> 00:23:48.980 And what we see in the book of Acts is that the gospel and the Spirit is what forms the church, 00:23:49.220 --> 00:23:54.680 and it's the same gospel and the Spirit that sustains the church ongoingly, 00:23:55.180 --> 00:23:57.860 not least of which is done through prayer. 00:23:58.660 --> 00:23:59.759 And that's why we see them here. 00:24:00.120 --> 00:24:00.720 They're devoted. 00:24:00.819 --> 00:24:01.620 What are they devoted to? 00:24:01.740 --> 00:24:07.579 The apostles' teaching, to breaking of bread, to spiritual community, to prayer. 00:24:07.579 --> 00:24:11.039 Not because that's what the management consultants came up with, 00:24:11.720 --> 00:24:18.759 but because they understood that this dynamic power, this spiritual power that created the church and sustained the church, 00:24:19.099 --> 00:24:20.619 is a move of God alone. 00:24:22.319 --> 00:24:23.519 A new community. 00:24:24.460 --> 00:24:26.919 A new community empowered by the Spirit. 00:24:27.599 --> 00:24:28.879 Now, what does that mean for us? 00:24:29.000 --> 00:24:30.720 Well, here's a question. 00:24:31.379 --> 00:24:34.139 Do we see the indispensable need for prayer? 00:24:35.279 --> 00:24:37.500 Friends, the church is a spiritual community. 00:24:37.579 --> 00:24:38.699 You're not a human organization. 00:24:39.500 --> 00:24:44.240 And that means probably one of the most important things that the church can do is give itself to prayer. 00:24:45.199 --> 00:24:46.439 Constantly giving itself to prayer. 00:24:46.519 --> 00:24:51.579 There's no greater indicator about your spiritual maturity, your spiritual health, 00:24:51.899 --> 00:24:54.960 as to ask ourselves the questions, what is our prayer life like? 00:24:55.579 --> 00:24:59.220 One of the things that's amazing in this passage is that it actually says here, 00:24:59.500 --> 00:25:02.939 they gave themselves not just to prayer in general, but to the prayers. 00:25:03.500 --> 00:25:06.579 That means that they weren't just having their morning devotions, 00:25:06.579 --> 00:25:11.980 but it means that they were gathering together with other saints regularly for times of prayer. 00:25:12.519 --> 00:25:15.319 Almost every day they would gather with other Christians in the temple. 00:25:15.539 --> 00:25:16.679 They would gather in homes. 00:25:16.779 --> 00:25:17.579 They would gather together. 00:25:17.699 --> 00:25:18.740 They would gather in big groups. 00:25:19.039 --> 00:25:21.859 They would gather in small groups constantly in prayer. 00:25:22.419 --> 00:25:24.639 And this is why throughout the entire book of Acts, 00:25:24.779 --> 00:25:27.339 almost every chapter, whatever they do, 00:25:27.339 --> 00:25:30.839 wherever they go, whatever decisions they make, 00:25:30.919 --> 00:25:34.119 they're bathed and saturated in prayer. 00:25:35.879 --> 00:25:39.559 Friends, can I ask us, what is the measure of your prayer life? 00:25:41.599 --> 00:25:44.459 Friends, what is the measure of our prayer life as a church? 00:25:44.460 --> 00:25:48.720 What is our dependence upon God like? 00:25:49.799 --> 00:25:51.740 Is monthly prayer meeting a priority? 00:25:53.000 --> 00:25:55.980 Friends, if you're a CG leader, do you pray for your CG members? 00:25:57.140 --> 00:26:00.299 If you're a man, are you praying for your wife and your children? 00:26:01.579 --> 00:26:03.900 Friends, the most important thing that you can give your children 00:26:03.900 --> 00:26:06.279 is not just for them to go to a great university, 00:26:06.799 --> 00:26:09.079 it's for them to know the power of the living God. 00:26:09.079 --> 00:26:10.379 Do you pray for your children? 00:26:10.879 --> 00:26:13.119 Do you pray for your children's future spouse? 00:26:14.119 --> 00:26:18.699 Do you pray for your wife to know and love and be saturated by God? 00:26:19.379 --> 00:26:21.859 Friends, your wife needs God's spirit and power 00:26:21.859 --> 00:26:24.259 more than she needs your job or your money. 00:26:25.559 --> 00:26:27.000 Do we pray for our families? 00:26:27.240 --> 00:26:28.519 Do we pray for our church? 00:26:29.319 --> 00:26:30.559 Do we pray for our city? 00:26:31.579 --> 00:26:32.939 Do we pray for one another? 00:26:35.299 --> 00:26:38.519 When God pours out his spirit on a group of people, 00:26:39.079 --> 00:26:41.319 he's not just saving individuals for heaven one day, 00:26:41.399 --> 00:26:43.079 he's creating a new family. 00:26:43.740 --> 00:26:45.679 A family that will one day be in heaven, 00:26:45.819 --> 00:26:47.379 surrounding the throne of heaven, 00:26:47.559 --> 00:26:51.439 people from every language and nation and culture and ethnicity, 00:26:51.919 --> 00:26:53.019 united in one. 00:26:53.319 --> 00:26:54.960 And he's creating a new community. 00:26:55.679 --> 00:26:58.139 But this community is not strategically engineered, 00:26:58.879 --> 00:27:00.019 it's spirit-empowered. 00:27:00.720 --> 00:27:03.339 And for that we need to be a people of prayer. 00:27:03.339 --> 00:27:09.339 But that tells us not only that God is creating a new community 00:27:09.339 --> 00:27:10.839 that's empowered by the spirit, 00:27:11.359 --> 00:27:13.839 it's also a community that's transformed by the gospel. 00:27:14.319 --> 00:27:16.599 And so that's the final thing we see in our passage today, 00:27:17.299 --> 00:27:20.279 is a community that's transformed by the gospel. 00:27:21.059 --> 00:27:22.279 When you read this passage, 00:27:22.599 --> 00:27:24.859 I find this passage profoundly challenging. 00:27:24.859 --> 00:27:27.740 I must confess, 00:27:27.839 --> 00:27:29.159 sometimes when I read this passage, 00:27:29.299 --> 00:27:29.939 I kind of just, 00:27:30.039 --> 00:27:31.679 the eyes of my heart roll, 00:27:32.319 --> 00:27:34.339 and I kind of just gloss over it really quickly 00:27:34.339 --> 00:27:35.759 and move on to the next section. 00:27:36.579 --> 00:27:37.439 And the reason is, 00:27:37.500 --> 00:27:39.259 because it's so profoundly challenging, 00:27:39.599 --> 00:27:42.599 I don't really want to slow down and read it slowly 00:27:42.599 --> 00:27:44.179 and take it in, right? 00:27:45.000 --> 00:27:47.039 But let's read it together once again. 00:27:47.119 --> 00:27:47.859 Read it slowly. 00:27:47.859 --> 00:27:49.099 And I want us to think about 00:27:49.099 --> 00:27:54.000 the remarkable selfless generosity of this church. 00:27:54.659 --> 00:27:56.619 Listen to what this passage is. 00:27:57.819 --> 00:27:58.819 Luke says, 00:27:59.879 --> 00:28:01.339 the spirit comes upon the church, 00:28:01.439 --> 00:28:02.559 creates a new community, 00:28:03.199 --> 00:28:04.559 and this is what it looked like. 00:28:05.679 --> 00:28:08.039 This church community devoted themselves 00:28:08.039 --> 00:28:09.599 to the apostles' teaching, 00:28:10.299 --> 00:28:12.500 to the fellowship and to the breaking of bread, 00:28:12.579 --> 00:28:13.399 and to prayer. 00:28:14.279 --> 00:28:16.559 And all came upon every soul, 00:28:16.559 --> 00:28:18.200 and many wonders and signs 00:28:18.200 --> 00:28:19.839 were being done through the apostles. 00:28:20.980 --> 00:28:23.019 And all who believed were together 00:28:23.019 --> 00:28:25.720 and had all things in common. 00:28:26.779 --> 00:28:28.440 They were selling their possessions 00:28:28.440 --> 00:28:31.019 and belongings 00:28:31.019 --> 00:28:33.460 and distributing the proceeds to all 00:28:33.460 --> 00:28:35.159 as anyone had need. 00:28:36.000 --> 00:28:37.379 And day by day, 00:28:37.799 --> 00:28:39.279 attending the temple together 00:28:39.279 --> 00:28:41.299 and breaking bread in their homes, 00:28:41.700 --> 00:28:43.039 they received their food 00:28:43.039 --> 00:28:45.359 with glad and generous hearts, 00:28:45.359 --> 00:28:46.759 praising God 00:28:46.759 --> 00:28:48.359 and having favor with all the people. 00:28:48.959 --> 00:28:50.519 And the Lord added to their number, 00:28:51.079 --> 00:28:52.059 day by day, 00:28:52.579 --> 00:28:53.959 those who were being saved. 00:28:55.319 --> 00:28:55.719 Friends, 00:28:55.759 --> 00:28:56.619 when we read those words, 00:28:56.699 --> 00:28:57.299 sometimes it, 00:28:57.379 --> 00:28:57.839 for me, 00:28:57.919 --> 00:28:58.559 it feels like 00:28:58.559 --> 00:29:00.439 listening to a foreign language. 00:29:00.519 --> 00:29:00.799 It's like, 00:29:00.839 --> 00:29:02.159 I know what the individual words mean, 00:29:02.219 --> 00:29:03.619 but I can't quite see 00:29:03.619 --> 00:29:05.119 how it all makes sense together. 00:29:06.000 --> 00:29:06.759 Can you imagine 00:29:06.759 --> 00:29:08.219 being part of a church like this? 00:29:09.179 --> 00:29:11.139 Imagine being part of a community like this? 00:29:11.140 --> 00:29:12.980 Friends, 00:29:13.080 --> 00:29:14.360 if what the church is, 00:29:14.640 --> 00:29:16.940 is a community that's born of the gospel 00:29:16.940 --> 00:29:17.820 by the Spirit, 00:29:18.280 --> 00:29:20.340 and one that's sustained by the gospel 00:29:20.340 --> 00:29:20.900 and the Spirit, 00:29:21.620 --> 00:29:22.920 what we should expect 00:29:22.920 --> 00:29:24.620 is that the culture of the community 00:29:24.620 --> 00:29:26.420 and the relationships of the community 00:29:26.420 --> 00:29:28.800 will be shaped by the gospel 00:29:28.800 --> 00:29:30.140 and by the Spirit, 00:29:30.620 --> 00:29:32.560 transformed by the same gospel 00:29:32.560 --> 00:29:33.720 and the Spirit. 00:29:34.580 --> 00:29:35.220 And that's, I think, 00:29:35.300 --> 00:29:36.820 partly what Luke wants us to see. 00:29:37.020 --> 00:29:37.980 Here is a community 00:29:37.980 --> 00:29:40.240 that is shaped by the gospel. 00:29:41.059 --> 00:29:41.339 Friends, 00:29:41.420 --> 00:29:42.120 here is a community 00:29:42.120 --> 00:29:42.400 which, 00:29:42.599 --> 00:29:43.360 just like the God 00:29:43.360 --> 00:29:44.680 that they love and serve, 00:29:45.200 --> 00:29:46.759 don't merely think about themselves, 00:29:46.900 --> 00:29:47.880 but give of themselves 00:29:47.880 --> 00:29:49.380 for the well-being of one another. 00:29:50.240 --> 00:29:51.360 Here is a community 00:29:51.360 --> 00:29:52.480 just like the Savior 00:29:52.480 --> 00:29:53.519 that they worship 00:29:53.519 --> 00:29:55.019 are willing to give up 00:29:55.019 --> 00:29:57.000 what is rightfully theirs 00:29:57.000 --> 00:29:58.380 for the sake of those 00:29:58.380 --> 00:29:59.120 that they've chosen 00:29:59.120 --> 00:30:00.299 to join themselves 00:30:00.299 --> 00:30:01.900 and unite themselves to. 00:30:02.539 --> 00:30:03.559 Here is a community 00:30:03.559 --> 00:30:04.880 who generously gave 00:30:04.880 --> 00:30:05.720 of their belongings 00:30:05.720 --> 00:30:07.339 because Jesus Christ 00:30:07.339 --> 00:30:08.379 had generously given 00:30:08.379 --> 00:30:09.240 of His life, 00:30:09.699 --> 00:30:10.819 His blood on the cross. 00:30:11.559 --> 00:30:12.879 Here is a community of saints 00:30:12.879 --> 00:30:13.079 who, 00:30:13.179 --> 00:30:13.939 just like the Spirit 00:30:13.939 --> 00:30:14.980 who dwells within them, 00:30:15.259 --> 00:30:16.559 are willing to dismantle 00:30:16.559 --> 00:30:17.659 the social orders 00:30:17.659 --> 00:30:18.980 and the hierarchies 00:30:18.980 --> 00:30:19.439 that exist 00:30:19.439 --> 00:30:20.980 and relate to one another 00:30:20.980 --> 00:30:21.779 as equals. 00:30:23.079 --> 00:30:24.119 Here is a community 00:30:24.119 --> 00:30:25.240 of believers 00:30:25.240 --> 00:30:26.299 just like the Christ 00:30:26.299 --> 00:30:27.439 they've come to trust in 00:30:27.439 --> 00:30:28.459 who open up 00:30:28.459 --> 00:30:29.699 not only their homes 00:30:29.699 --> 00:30:30.859 but their hearts 00:30:30.859 --> 00:30:31.919 and their lives 00:30:31.919 --> 00:30:33.199 to let one another in. 00:30:33.559 --> 00:30:34.339 Even people 00:30:34.339 --> 00:30:35.879 who are very different to them 00:30:35.880 --> 00:30:36.900 and who they wouldn't 00:30:36.900 --> 00:30:37.960 naturally relate to. 00:30:38.720 --> 00:30:39.040 Friends, 00:30:39.120 --> 00:30:39.860 here is a community 00:30:39.860 --> 00:30:40.480 of saints 00:30:40.480 --> 00:30:41.660 who just like 00:30:41.660 --> 00:30:42.260 their Savior 00:30:42.260 --> 00:30:43.160 and their King 00:30:43.160 --> 00:30:44.560 are going to have to 00:30:44.560 --> 00:30:45.040 forgive 00:30:45.040 --> 00:30:46.480 and welcome 00:30:46.480 --> 00:30:47.780 and love 00:30:47.780 --> 00:30:49.040 and receive 00:30:49.040 --> 00:30:50.340 people that they would 00:30:50.340 --> 00:30:51.860 never have done so before. 00:30:52.620 --> 00:30:53.720 Here is a community 00:30:53.720 --> 00:30:54.440 that's not just 00:30:54.440 --> 00:30:55.620 talking about the Gospel 00:30:55.620 --> 00:30:56.980 and singing about the Gospel 00:30:56.980 --> 00:30:58.280 but who's allowing 00:30:58.280 --> 00:30:59.040 the values 00:30:59.040 --> 00:30:59.600 and the truth 00:30:59.600 --> 00:31:00.100 of the Gospel 00:31:00.100 --> 00:31:01.460 to so transform 00:31:01.460 --> 00:31:02.140 their hearts 00:31:02.140 --> 00:31:03.180 that it transforms 00:31:03.180 --> 00:31:04.340 the way that they relate 00:31:04.339 --> 00:31:05.539 to one another. 00:31:06.059 --> 00:31:06.919 Their interactions 00:31:06.919 --> 00:31:08.179 their relationships 00:31:08.179 --> 00:31:09.619 even how they view 00:31:09.619 --> 00:31:10.319 their possessions. 00:31:12.339 --> 00:31:12.740 Friends, 00:31:12.939 --> 00:31:13.859 as we said earlier 00:31:13.859 --> 00:31:15.199 there's no chance 00:31:15.199 --> 00:31:15.759 that these people 00:31:15.759 --> 00:31:16.720 were all nice people. 00:31:17.539 --> 00:31:18.220 Can't be that 00:31:18.220 --> 00:31:19.319 all 3,000 of them 00:31:19.319 --> 00:31:19.899 were just easy 00:31:19.899 --> 00:31:20.639 to get along with 00:31:20.639 --> 00:31:21.159 selfless 00:31:21.159 --> 00:31:22.059 and didn't rub each other 00:31:22.059 --> 00:31:22.639 after a long way. 00:31:23.359 --> 00:31:23.859 No doubt 00:31:23.859 --> 00:31:25.259 some of those 3,000 people 00:31:25.259 --> 00:31:26.419 they had to learn 00:31:26.419 --> 00:31:26.959 how to get along 00:31:26.959 --> 00:31:27.519 with one another. 00:31:28.199 --> 00:31:29.259 So how did they do it? 00:31:30.079 --> 00:31:31.279 They let the words 00:31:31.279 --> 00:31:31.819 of the Gospel 00:31:31.819 --> 00:31:32.740 the truth of the Gospel 00:31:32.740 --> 00:31:33.460 the welcome 00:31:33.460 --> 00:31:34.740 that they had received 00:31:34.740 --> 00:31:36.559 extend the welcome 00:31:36.559 --> 00:31:37.099 to one another. 00:31:37.240 --> 00:31:38.200 So listen to how 00:31:38.200 --> 00:31:38.880 Paul writes this 00:31:38.880 --> 00:31:40.440 later on in the New Testament. 00:31:40.559 --> 00:31:40.759 He says 00:31:40.759 --> 00:31:42.460 Romans 15 verse 7 00:31:42.460 --> 00:31:44.200 Welcome one another 00:31:44.200 --> 00:31:46.099 just as Christ 00:31:46.099 --> 00:31:47.440 has welcomed you. 00:31:48.160 --> 00:31:48.900 Or Ephesians 4 00:31:48.900 --> 00:31:50.339 Be kind to one another 00:31:50.339 --> 00:31:51.240 tender hearted 00:31:51.240 --> 00:31:52.299 forgiving one another 00:31:52.299 --> 00:31:53.740 just as God 00:31:53.740 --> 00:31:54.359 and Christ 00:31:54.359 --> 00:31:55.900 has forgiven you. 00:31:56.620 --> 00:31:56.900 Friends, 00:31:56.960 --> 00:31:57.460 here is a group 00:31:57.460 --> 00:31:58.059 of people 00:31:58.059 --> 00:31:59.440 so transformed 00:31:59.440 --> 00:32:00.160 by the good news 00:32:00.160 --> 00:32:00.579 of Jesus 00:32:00.579 --> 00:32:01.079 and the work 00:32:01.079 --> 00:32:01.680 of the Spirit 00:32:01.680 --> 00:32:03.460 that their Christian faith 00:32:03.460 --> 00:32:04.220 is not just something 00:32:04.220 --> 00:32:05.640 they say they believe in 00:32:05.640 --> 00:32:06.400 it's not just 00:32:06.400 --> 00:32:07.480 intellectual assent 00:32:07.480 --> 00:32:08.340 it's actually 00:32:08.340 --> 00:32:09.360 transformed them 00:32:09.360 --> 00:32:10.220 their very lives 00:32:10.220 --> 00:32:11.600 to resemble the Savior 00:32:11.600 --> 00:32:13.140 that they now worship 00:32:13.140 --> 00:32:14.259 and trust 00:32:14.259 --> 00:32:15.140 and adore. 00:32:15.519 --> 00:32:16.340 So here is the last 00:32:16.340 --> 00:32:17.200 question for us. 00:32:17.860 --> 00:32:18.240 Friends, 00:32:18.320 --> 00:32:19.019 is the generosity 00:32:19.019 --> 00:32:19.740 of Christ 00:32:19.740 --> 00:32:21.299 shaping us 00:32:21.299 --> 00:32:23.120 shaping Watermark 00:32:23.120 --> 00:32:24.740 shaping our community? 00:32:25.519 --> 00:32:26.360 Is the kindness 00:32:26.360 --> 00:32:27.380 of Jesus Christ 00:32:27.380 --> 00:32:28.320 to sinners like us 00:32:28.320 --> 00:32:29.279 making us kind 00:32:29.279 --> 00:32:29.920 to one another? 00:32:29.920 --> 00:32:31.720 Is the forgiveness 00:32:31.720 --> 00:32:32.340 of Christ 00:32:32.340 --> 00:32:33.060 to rebels 00:32:33.060 --> 00:32:33.900 like us 00:32:33.900 --> 00:32:35.560 helping us 00:32:35.560 --> 00:32:36.120 to forgive 00:32:36.120 --> 00:32:36.720 one another? 00:32:37.340 --> 00:32:38.220 Is the welcome 00:32:38.220 --> 00:32:38.759 of Jesus 00:32:38.759 --> 00:32:39.620 to outsiders 00:32:39.620 --> 00:32:40.400 like us 00:32:40.400 --> 00:32:41.480 helping us 00:32:41.480 --> 00:32:42.140 to welcome 00:32:42.140 --> 00:32:42.800 others? 00:32:43.560 --> 00:32:43.900 Friends, 00:32:44.000 --> 00:32:45.100 is the patience 00:32:45.100 --> 00:32:45.920 of Jesus 00:32:45.920 --> 00:32:47.360 with slow-to-get-it 00:32:47.360 --> 00:32:48.320 people like me 00:32:48.320 --> 00:32:49.720 helping us 00:32:49.720 --> 00:32:50.500 to be patient 00:32:50.500 --> 00:32:51.300 with one another? 00:32:52.019 --> 00:32:52.779 Is the love 00:32:52.779 --> 00:32:53.680 of God the Father 00:32:53.680 --> 00:32:54.779 towards unlovely 00:32:54.779 --> 00:32:56.519 people like us 00:32:56.519 --> 00:32:57.779 helping us 00:32:57.779 --> 00:32:58.720 to be more loving 00:32:58.720 --> 00:33:00.259 towards one another? 00:33:01.299 --> 00:33:01.559 Friends, 00:33:01.599 --> 00:33:02.000 when I look 00:33:02.000 --> 00:33:02.859 at Watermark Church 00:33:02.859 --> 00:33:03.960 I do see this. 00:33:04.500 --> 00:33:05.920 This is a wonderful, 00:33:06.319 --> 00:33:07.220 wonderful church. 00:33:07.899 --> 00:33:08.559 But let's pray 00:33:08.559 --> 00:33:09.399 that this will happen 00:33:09.399 --> 00:33:10.240 more and more 00:33:10.240 --> 00:33:11.019 that the gospel 00:33:11.019 --> 00:33:11.980 that we proclaim 00:33:11.980 --> 00:33:12.619 and the gospel 00:33:12.619 --> 00:33:13.519 that's changed us 00:33:13.519 --> 00:33:14.879 will transform us 00:33:14.879 --> 00:33:15.660 and our community 00:33:15.660 --> 00:33:16.859 to exhibit 00:33:16.859 --> 00:33:18.740 and live out 00:33:18.740 --> 00:33:19.119 the gospel 00:33:19.119 --> 00:33:19.779 to one another. 00:33:20.660 --> 00:33:20.960 So, 00:33:21.160 --> 00:33:22.039 what a passage. 00:33:22.619 --> 00:33:23.440 Acts chapter 2. 00:33:24.180 --> 00:33:25.119 Here's a community 00:33:25.119 --> 00:33:25.519 that's been 00:33:25.519 --> 00:33:27.019 transformed by God, 00:33:27.519 --> 00:33:28.779 saved and changed 00:33:28.779 --> 00:33:29.459 by the Spirit, 00:33:29.919 --> 00:33:31.119 transformed by the gospel. 00:33:31.759 --> 00:33:32.599 Here's a community 00:33:32.599 --> 00:33:33.859 that is living out 00:33:33.859 --> 00:33:34.879 the values of the gospel 00:33:34.879 --> 00:33:35.799 and turning the city 00:33:35.799 --> 00:33:36.479 upside down. 00:33:37.059 --> 00:33:37.879 Here's a community 00:33:37.879 --> 00:33:39.199 that Christ is building 00:33:39.199 --> 00:33:40.279 by His Spirit, 00:33:40.399 --> 00:33:41.399 not human engineering, 00:33:41.759 --> 00:33:43.019 to resemble Him 00:33:43.019 --> 00:33:44.119 and to reflect 00:33:44.119 --> 00:33:45.399 the glory of the gospel. 00:33:46.439 --> 00:33:46.819 So, 00:33:46.919 --> 00:33:47.679 as we come to a close, 00:33:47.759 --> 00:33:48.559 one last question. 00:33:49.539 --> 00:33:50.539 Are you part of it? 00:33:51.619 --> 00:33:52.859 Are you part of it? 00:33:52.859 --> 00:33:54.839 Are you in? 00:33:55.979 --> 00:33:57.339 Has Christ saved you, 00:33:57.399 --> 00:33:58.679 not just for heaven one day, 00:33:58.779 --> 00:34:00.459 but made you part of His body? 00:34:01.359 --> 00:34:02.179 Is your identity 00:34:02.179 --> 00:34:03.719 not just in Christ, 00:34:03.799 --> 00:34:04.399 but are you part 00:34:04.399 --> 00:34:05.299 of Christ's family? 00:34:06.259 --> 00:34:06.519 Friends, 00:34:06.599 --> 00:34:07.419 are you in Jesus? 00:34:07.599 --> 00:34:08.859 Jesus came to say, 00:34:08.980 --> 00:34:09.659 to live the life 00:34:09.659 --> 00:34:10.779 that we should have lived. 00:34:11.139 --> 00:34:11.940 He died the death 00:34:11.940 --> 00:34:12.639 we should have died. 00:34:13.159 --> 00:34:14.279 Jesus rose again 00:34:14.279 --> 00:34:15.039 and ascended into heaven 00:34:15.039 --> 00:34:16.099 and now He's in heaven 00:34:16.099 --> 00:34:17.119 building a community. 00:34:17.279 --> 00:34:18.119 Are you part of it? 00:34:18.719 --> 00:34:19.619 Are you saved? 00:34:20.380 --> 00:34:21.059 Are you forgiven? 00:34:22.019 --> 00:34:22.639 Do you know 00:34:22.639 --> 00:34:23.500 the wonder of Jesus 00:34:23.500 --> 00:34:24.719 and the forgiveness of Jesus 00:34:24.719 --> 00:34:25.440 and the welcome 00:34:25.440 --> 00:34:26.599 and the kindness 00:34:26.599 --> 00:34:28.279 and the patience of Jesus? 00:34:29.119 --> 00:34:29.920 If you don't know, 00:34:30.039 --> 00:34:30.739 today's the day. 00:34:31.360 --> 00:34:32.340 Why don't you come to Him, 00:34:33.019 --> 00:34:33.900 surrender to Him, 00:34:34.440 --> 00:34:35.219 bow down to Him 00:34:35.219 --> 00:34:36.799 and let Him change you 00:34:36.799 --> 00:34:38.340 now and forever. 00:34:38.980 --> 00:34:39.860 Let's pray to Him 00:34:39.860 --> 00:34:40.860 and come to Him now 00:34:40.860 --> 00:34:41.880 as we do that together. 00:34:43.599 --> 00:34:44.119 Maybe actually, 00:34:44.400 --> 00:34:45.079 before I pray, 00:34:45.159 --> 00:34:46.320 let's take a few minutes 00:34:46.320 --> 00:34:48.019 just to reflect. 00:34:48.019 --> 00:34:51.300 Let's think about 00:34:51.300 --> 00:34:52.739 this community 00:34:52.739 --> 00:34:53.659 in Acts chapter 2 00:34:53.659 --> 00:34:54.019 and what, 00:34:54.780 --> 00:34:56.780 what has God said to us 00:34:56.780 --> 00:34:58.699 and how does God 00:34:58.699 --> 00:34:59.840 want you to respond? 00:35:02.000 --> 00:35:02.619 Father God, 00:35:02.659 --> 00:35:03.699 we confess that 00:35:03.699 --> 00:35:04.880 when we look at 00:35:04.880 --> 00:35:05.920 Acts chapter 2, 00:35:06.019 --> 00:35:07.000 this amazing community 00:35:07.000 --> 00:35:09.320 that you birthed 00:35:09.320 --> 00:35:10.059 by your Spirit 00:35:10.059 --> 00:35:10.800 through the Gospel. 00:35:11.920 --> 00:35:12.280 God, 00:35:12.320 --> 00:35:13.900 we are profoundly challenged, 00:35:14.539 --> 00:35:15.460 both encouraged 00:35:15.460 --> 00:35:16.079 and challenged. 00:35:16.079 --> 00:35:18.759 encouraged because we know 00:35:18.759 --> 00:35:19.860 this is what you're doing. 00:35:21.000 --> 00:35:21.900 This wasn't the work 00:35:21.900 --> 00:35:23.539 of leadership genius, 00:35:23.759 --> 00:35:24.159 this wasn't 00:35:24.159 --> 00:35:25.319 organizational genius, 00:35:26.019 --> 00:35:27.920 this was the work 00:35:27.920 --> 00:35:28.400 of your Spirit 00:35:28.400 --> 00:35:28.940 and that means, 00:35:29.099 --> 00:35:29.179 God, 00:35:29.239 --> 00:35:30.059 that it's something 00:35:30.059 --> 00:35:30.960 you can do in us. 00:35:34.860 --> 00:35:35.299 God, 00:35:35.340 --> 00:35:36.199 it's also challenging 00:35:36.199 --> 00:35:36.840 because 00:35:36.840 --> 00:35:39.880 we see the disconnect. 00:35:40.819 --> 00:35:41.719 It's like a mirror 00:35:41.719 --> 00:35:42.400 to our hearts, 00:35:42.519 --> 00:35:42.759 God. 00:35:43.579 --> 00:35:44.440 We see a group 00:35:44.440 --> 00:35:44.880 of people 00:35:44.880 --> 00:35:45.320 that were 00:35:45.320 --> 00:35:47.019 so impacted 00:35:47.019 --> 00:35:47.640 by the Gospel 00:35:47.640 --> 00:35:48.519 that it changed 00:35:48.519 --> 00:35:49.280 their lives. 00:35:49.340 --> 00:35:49.720 Their lives 00:35:49.720 --> 00:35:50.700 looked radically, 00:35:50.960 --> 00:35:51.700 radically different. 00:35:53.800 --> 00:35:54.280 And God, 00:35:54.340 --> 00:35:55.280 we confess that 00:35:55.280 --> 00:35:59.579 this is not always 00:35:59.579 --> 00:36:00.260 true for us. 00:36:02.500 --> 00:36:03.099 So God, 00:36:03.140 --> 00:36:03.940 I want to ask 00:36:03.940 --> 00:36:05.519 that you do 00:36:05.519 --> 00:36:06.880 something profound 00:36:06.880 --> 00:36:07.800 in our lives 00:36:07.800 --> 00:36:08.740 and in our community. 00:36:10.519 --> 00:36:11.539 I want to ask God 00:36:11.539 --> 00:36:12.500 that by the power 00:36:12.500 --> 00:36:13.260 of your Holy Spirit, 00:36:13.260 --> 00:36:14.160 the same Spirit 00:36:14.160 --> 00:36:15.860 that saved us 00:36:15.860 --> 00:36:16.460 and caused us 00:36:16.460 --> 00:36:17.240 to be born again, 00:36:18.920 --> 00:36:19.160 that God, 00:36:19.240 --> 00:36:19.780 by the power 00:36:19.780 --> 00:36:20.580 of your Spirit, 00:36:20.780 --> 00:36:22.100 you will work 00:36:22.100 --> 00:36:22.680 in our hearts, 00:36:22.800 --> 00:36:23.040 God. 00:36:28.980 --> 00:36:29.680 That you will 00:36:29.680 --> 00:36:30.180 cause us 00:36:30.180 --> 00:36:30.660 to be 00:36:30.660 --> 00:36:32.100 radically 00:36:32.100 --> 00:36:35.700 generous, 00:36:37.020 --> 00:36:38.080 others orientated, 00:36:38.079 --> 00:36:40.539 kind, 00:36:40.539 --> 00:36:40.619 kind, 00:36:42.099 --> 00:36:42.579 bold, 00:36:42.699 --> 00:36:43.360 and courageous. 00:36:45.980 --> 00:36:46.340 God, 00:36:46.400 --> 00:36:46.819 by the work 00:36:46.819 --> 00:36:47.360 of your Spirit, 00:36:47.460 --> 00:36:47.819 my Lord, 00:36:47.880 --> 00:36:48.659 may the Gospel 00:36:48.659 --> 00:36:50.059 not just be 00:36:50.059 --> 00:36:50.599 in our heads 00:36:50.599 --> 00:36:51.420 but transform 00:36:51.420 --> 00:36:52.019 our hearts. 00:36:56.739 --> 00:36:57.119 Lord, 00:36:57.159 --> 00:36:57.699 we ask, 00:36:57.799 --> 00:36:58.239 won't you do 00:36:58.239 --> 00:36:59.039 something like 00:36:59.039 --> 00:37:00.199 what you did 00:37:00.199 --> 00:37:01.000 through the church 00:37:01.000 --> 00:37:01.819 in the book of Acts? 00:37:02.039 --> 00:37:02.739 Do it again 00:37:02.739 --> 00:37:03.400 in our day 00:37:03.400 --> 00:37:04.739 in our church, 00:37:04.840 --> 00:37:05.059 God. 00:37:05.059 --> 00:37:07.420 do it in us, 00:37:07.519 --> 00:37:07.679 Lord. 00:37:10.579 --> 00:37:11.460 Move in our midst, 00:37:11.599 --> 00:37:11.779 God. 00:37:13.119 --> 00:37:13.519 Lord, 00:37:13.559 --> 00:37:13.900 we long 00:37:13.900 --> 00:37:14.980 for a spiritual 00:37:14.980 --> 00:37:15.440 awakening. 00:37:15.659 --> 00:37:16.079 We long 00:37:16.079 --> 00:37:17.799 for revival, 00:37:18.000 --> 00:37:18.139 Lord. 00:37:18.639 --> 00:37:19.239 We long 00:37:19.239 --> 00:37:19.920 for what we saw 00:37:19.920 --> 00:37:20.460 in Jerusalem 00:37:20.460 --> 00:37:21.559 to see that 00:37:21.559 --> 00:37:22.079 in Hong Kong, 00:37:22.259 --> 00:37:22.440 God. 00:37:23.179 --> 00:37:23.820 We long, 00:37:23.920 --> 00:37:24.019 God, 00:37:24.079 --> 00:37:25.159 for thousands 00:37:25.159 --> 00:37:25.699 of people 00:37:25.699 --> 00:37:27.159 to come 00:37:27.159 --> 00:37:27.940 to the transforming 00:37:27.940 --> 00:37:28.400 knowledge 00:37:28.400 --> 00:37:29.679 of the Lord 00:37:29.679 --> 00:37:30.440 Jesus Christ. 00:37:32.340 --> 00:37:33.159 In our city, 00:37:33.279 --> 00:37:33.599 do this, 00:37:33.699 --> 00:37:33.820 God, 00:37:33.820 --> 00:37:34.539 but we pray, 00:37:34.700 --> 00:37:35.559 start with us, 00:37:35.660 --> 00:37:35.820 Lord. 00:37:36.740 --> 00:37:37.460 Start with us. 00:37:37.559 --> 00:37:38.120 Renew us. 00:37:38.380 --> 00:37:39.100 Revive us. 00:37:40.460 --> 00:37:40.840 God, 00:37:40.900 --> 00:37:41.559 for those of us 00:37:41.559 --> 00:37:42.380 who our faith 00:37:42.380 --> 00:37:43.120 is dry 00:37:43.120 --> 00:37:43.940 and apathetic, 00:37:44.980 --> 00:37:45.880 for those of us, 00:37:45.920 --> 00:37:46.039 God, 00:37:46.080 --> 00:37:46.920 who feels like 00:37:46.920 --> 00:37:47.680 it's been a very 00:37:47.680 --> 00:37:48.400 long time 00:37:48.400 --> 00:37:50.180 since the Gospel 00:37:50.180 --> 00:37:51.380 was real in our hearts, 00:37:51.559 --> 00:37:52.460 by your Spirit 00:37:52.460 --> 00:37:53.360 and move in our midst, 00:37:53.440 --> 00:37:53.760 I pray. 00:37:55.360 --> 00:37:56.700 And come and have your way. 00:37:59.380 --> 00:38:00.660 In your name we pray. 00:38:02.080 --> 00:38:02.460 Amen. 00:38:02.460 --> 00:38:02.600 Amen. 00:38:02.599 --> 00:38:04.039 Amen.