WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:16.760 Hi, my name is George Sinclair. I'm the lead pastor of Church of the Messiah. It is wonderful 00:00:16.760 --> 00:00:20.519 that you would like to check out some of the sermons done by Church of the Messiah, 00:00:20.620 --> 00:00:24.359 either by myself or some of the others. Listen, just a couple of things. First of all, 00:00:24.359 --> 00:00:30.839 would you pray for us that we will open God's Word well to His glory and for the good of people 00:00:30.839 --> 00:00:36.939 like yourself? The second thing is, if you aren't connected to a church and if you are a Christian, 00:00:37.460 --> 00:00:42.239 we really, I would really like to encourage you to find a good local church where they believe the 00:00:42.239 --> 00:00:48.579 Bible, they preach the gospel, and if you have some trouble finding that, send us an email. We 00:00:48.579 --> 00:00:54.340 will do what we can to help connect you with a good local church wherever you are. And if you're 00:00:54.340 --> 00:00:59.340 non-Christian checking us out, we're really, really, really glad you're doing that. Don't 00:00:59.340 --> 00:01:04.880 hesitate to send us questions. It helps me actually to know as I'm preaching how to deal with the types 00:01:04.880 --> 00:01:07.760 of things that you're really struggling with. So God bless. 00:01:24.340 --> 00:01:40.540 Okay, hopefully. So just tell me when we're live. Now? Good morning. Ooh, I don't know if it's 00:01:40.540 --> 00:01:51.020 welcome. Glad you're able to be here. Let's stand as our service begins. And as Christians, 00:01:51.019 --> 00:01:57.579 well, let's pray. Let's just bow our heads and pray. We give you thanks and praise that you have 00:01:57.579 --> 00:02:03.439 gathered us together. We ask, Father, that your Holy Spirit will fall with gentle but deep power 00:02:03.439 --> 00:02:09.759 upon all of us who are here, those who will be caring for the children outside of this room, 00:02:09.919 --> 00:02:15.439 those who are still making their way here, for those who are joining us online live and 00:02:15.439 --> 00:02:21.159 and for those who will be joining us downstream. Father, I ask that your Holy Spirit would fall 00:02:21.159 --> 00:02:26.939 with gentle power upon us. Help us to know, Father, that you are God, that you are the creator 00:02:26.939 --> 00:02:33.199 of all things, sustain all things, you're sovereign over all things, and that we are coming. Just as we're 00:02:33.199 --> 00:02:41.379 about to go into a time of singing God's praises, just a couple of sort of gentle, just stay standing. 00:02:41.379 --> 00:02:48.780 First of all, we're really thankful. Deborah Reid, our worship leader, is on holidays. And this is my 00:02:48.780 --> 00:02:55.939 son and my daughter-in-law, who have left St. Paul's Presbyterian to come and lead us in singing. So 00:02:55.939 --> 00:03:00.939 we're really grateful that they're here with us. And we might have some sound difficulties today. 00:03:01.039 --> 00:03:07.419 That's because our normal sound team is gone. But we will just soldier on. And anyway, it's good 00:03:07.419 --> 00:03:10.019 that you're all here. We'll remain standing. Let's sing God's praises. 00:03:10.020 --> 00:03:34.560 Great is thy faithfulness, O God, my Father. There is no shadow of turning with thee. Thou changest 00:03:34.560 --> 00:03:39.560 great is thy faithfulness. Great is thy faithfulness. 00:03:39.560 --> 00:03:41.560 Great is thy faithfulness. Morning by morning new mercies I see. All I have need. 00:03:41.560 --> 00:03:46.560 It's not thy compassions, they fail not. As thou hast been, thou forever will be. 00:03:46.560 --> 00:03:54.560 Great is thy faithfulness. Great is thy faithfulness. Great is thy faithfulness. 00:03:54.560 --> 00:03:55.560 Lord unto me. 00:03:55.560 --> 00:04:01.560 Great is thy faithfulness. Lord unto me. 00:04:01.560 --> 00:04:15.560 All I have needed. Thy hands hath provided. Great is thy faithfulness. Lord unto me. 00:04:15.560 --> 00:04:21.560 Timothy and thy grace. 00:04:22.560 --> 00:04:27.560 Emma hath. 00:04:27.560 --> 00:04:31.560 Tonight, dim not while bleep sea, tonight. 00:04:31.560 --> 00:04:32.360 há 00:04:32.560 --> 00:04:35.560 набiseth not hospitals. 00:04:36.560 --> 00:04:38.560 Tackído byorder sustainable wellness. 00:04:38.560 --> 00:04:43.560 We meet Sarah at the glory of Jesus Christ Jesus Christ in Jesus Christ in death. 00:04:43.560 --> 00:04:46.300 mercy and love. 00:04:47.199 --> 00:04:50.439 Great is thy faithfulness. 00:04:50.860 --> 00:04:54.160 Great is thy faithfulness. 00:04:54.620 --> 00:04:57.220 Morning by morning 00:04:57.220 --> 00:05:00.680 new mercies I see. 00:05:01.560 --> 00:05:04.340 All I have needed 00:05:04.340 --> 00:05:07.560 thy hands hath provided. 00:05:07.560 --> 00:05:11.560 Great is thy faithfulness 00:05:11.560 --> 00:05:14.980 Lord unto me. 00:05:16.980 --> 00:05:19.560 Pardon for sin 00:05:20.160 --> 00:05:23.560 and a peace that endureth 00:05:24.240 --> 00:05:26.560 thine own dear presence 00:05:27.420 --> 00:05:30.620 to cheer and to guide. 00:05:31.459 --> 00:05:33.800 Strength for today 00:05:33.800 --> 00:05:37.319 and right hope for tomorrow. 00:05:38.459 --> 00:05:40.959 Blessings all mine 00:05:40.959 --> 00:05:44.120 and thousand beside. 00:05:45.219 --> 00:05:48.459 Great is thy faithfulness. 00:05:48.799 --> 00:05:52.060 Great is thy faithfulness. 00:05:52.459 --> 00:05:55.019 Morning by morning 00:05:55.019 --> 00:05:58.379 new mercies I see. 00:05:58.379 --> 00:06:01.379 All I have needed 00:06:01.379 --> 00:06:05.379 thy hands hath provided. 00:06:06.379 --> 00:06:09.759 Great is thy faithfulness 00:06:09.759 --> 00:06:12.920 Lord unto me. 00:06:12.920 --> 00:06:16.759 Great is thy faithfulness. 00:06:16.759 --> 00:06:20.439 Great is thy faithfulness. 00:06:20.439 --> 00:06:23.620 Morning by morning 00:06:23.620 --> 00:06:27.319 new mercies I see. 00:06:28.019 --> 00:06:31.300 All I have needed 00:06:31.300 --> 00:06:34.680 thy hand hath provided. 00:06:34.680 --> 00:06:35.680 Great is thy faithfulness. 00:06:35.680 --> 00:06:39.680 Great is thy faithfulness. 00:06:39.680 --> 00:06:39.800 Great is thy faithfulness. 00:06:39.800 --> 00:06:39.840 Great is thy faithfulness. 00:06:39.840 --> 00:06:42.920 Lord unto me. 00:06:42.920 --> 00:06:47.280 I love you Molly police. 00:06:47.280 --> 00:06:51.259 Lord 00:06:51.259 --> 00:06:56.420 I love you Lord 00:06:56.420 --> 00:07:00.139 oh your mercy 00:07:00.139 --> 00:07:02.759 never fails me 00:07:02.759 --> 00:07:06.060 all my days 00:07:06.060 --> 00:07:10.060 I've been held in your hands 00:07:10.060 --> 00:07:14.060 From the moment that I wake up 00:07:14.720 --> 00:07:18.560 Until I lay my hand 00:07:18.560 --> 00:07:25.060 I will sing of the goodness of God 00:07:25.060 --> 00:07:33.420 All my life you have been faithful 00:07:33.420 --> 00:07:42.900 All my life you have been so, so good 00:07:42.900 --> 00:07:48.780 With every breath that I am able 00:07:48.780 --> 00:07:56.180 I will sing of the goodness of God 00:07:56.180 --> 00:08:00.280 On your voice 00:08:00.279 --> 00:08:05.599 You have led me through the fire 00:08:05.599 --> 00:08:09.359 In the darkest night 00:08:09.359 --> 00:08:13.000 You were close like no other 00:08:13.000 --> 00:08:16.759 I've known you as a father 00:08:16.759 --> 00:08:20.879 I've known you as a friend 00:08:20.879 --> 00:08:27.039 I have lived in the goodness of God 00:08:27.040 --> 00:08:35.000 All my life you have been faithful 00:08:35.000 --> 00:08:44.039 All my life you have been so, so good 00:08:44.039 --> 00:08:49.620 With every breath that I am able 00:08:49.620 --> 00:08:56.100 I will sing of the goodness of God 00:08:56.100 --> 00:09:02.620 Your goodness is running after me 00:09:02.620 --> 00:09:05.360 It's running after me 00:09:05.360 --> 00:09:09.820 Your goodness is running after me 00:09:09.820 --> 00:09:12.320 It's running after me 00:09:12.320 --> 00:09:14.700 Your life laid down 00:09:14.700 --> 00:09:16.400 I surrender now 00:09:16.400 --> 00:09:18.840 I give you everything 00:09:18.840 --> 00:09:24.040 Your goodness is running after me 00:09:24.040 --> 00:09:26.760 It's running after me 00:09:26.759 --> 00:09:38.639 Your goodness is running after me 00:09:38.639 --> 00:09:40.480 Your goodness is running after me 00:09:40.480 --> 00:09:54.200 Your goodness is running after me 00:09:54.200 --> 00:09:58.520 All my life you have been so, so good 00:09:58.520 --> 00:10:10.520 All my life you have been so, so good 00:10:10.520 --> 00:10:16.520 With every breath that I am able 00:10:16.519 --> 00:10:17.840 I will sing of the goodness of God 00:10:17.840 --> 00:10:22.840 I will sing of the goodness of God 00:10:22.840 --> 00:10:26.840 All my life you have been so, so good 00:10:26.840 --> 00:10:38.840 All my life you have been so, so good 00:10:38.840 --> 00:10:44.160 With every breath that I am able 00:10:44.160 --> 00:10:50.160 I will sing of the goodness of God 00:10:50.160 --> 00:10:57.160 I will sing of the goodness of God 00:10:57.159 --> 00:11:25.480 What gift of grace is Jesus my Redeemer 00:11:25.480 --> 00:11:33.800 There is no more for heaven now to give 00:11:33.800 --> 00:11:40.800 He is my joy, my righteousness and freedom 00:11:40.800 --> 00:11:47.800 My steadfast love, my deep and boundless peace 00:11:47.799 --> 00:11:55.179 To this I hold, my hope is only Jesus 00:11:55.179 --> 00:12:02.120 For my life is fully bound to His 00:12:02.120 --> 00:12:06.120 Oh, how strange and divine 00:12:06.120 --> 00:12:10.559 I can say, all is mine 00:12:10.559 --> 00:12:15.620 Yet not I, but through Christ in me 00:12:15.620 --> 00:12:33.060 The night is dark, but I am not forsaken 00:12:33.060 --> 00:12:40.000 For by my side, the Savior He will stay 00:12:40.000 --> 00:12:47.480 I labor on in meekness and rejoicing 00:12:47.480 --> 00:12:53.879 For in my need His power is displayed 00:12:53.879 --> 00:13:01.840 To this I hold, my shepherd will defend me 00:13:01.840 --> 00:13:08.320 Through the deepest valley He will lead 00:13:08.320 --> 00:13:12.740 Oh, the night has been one 00:13:12.740 --> 00:13:17.879 And I shall overcome it not I 00:13:17.879 --> 00:13:21.500 But through Christ in me 00:13:21.500 --> 00:13:35.379 No fate I dread 00:13:35.379 --> 00:13:38.820 I know I am forgiven 00:13:38.820 --> 00:13:41.980 The future shows 00:13:41.980 --> 00:13:46.100 The price it has been paid 00:13:46.100 --> 00:13:48.100 For Jesus' name, for Jesus I am 00:13:48.100 --> 00:13:52.580 For Jesus lived and suffered for my pardon 00:13:52.580 --> 00:13:53.100 For Jesus' name, for Jesus died 00:13:53.100 --> 00:13:59.379 And He was raised to overthrow the grave 00:13:59.379 --> 00:14:06.480 To this I hold, my sin has been defeated 00:14:06.480 --> 00:14:08.480 Jesus' name, for Jesus' name, for Jesus' name 00:14:08.480 --> 00:14:13.480 Jesus now and ever is my plea 00:14:13.480 --> 00:14:18.139 All the chains are released 00:14:18.139 --> 00:14:19.920 I can sing 00:14:19.920 --> 00:14:21.480 I am free 00:14:21.480 --> 00:14:26.480 It's not I, but through Christ in me 00:14:26.480 --> 00:14:40.600 With every breath 00:14:40.600 --> 00:14:44.360 I long to follow Jesus 00:14:44.360 --> 00:14:47.800 For He has said 00:14:47.800 --> 00:14:51.480 That He will bring me home 00:14:51.480 --> 00:14:54.480 And day by day 00:14:54.480 --> 00:14:58.480 I know He will renew me 00:14:58.480 --> 00:15:04.480 Until I stand with joy before the throne 00:15:04.480 --> 00:15:11.480 To this I hold, my hope is only Jesus 00:15:11.480 --> 00:15:18.480 All the glory evermore to Him 00:15:18.480 --> 00:15:23.480 When the race is complete 00:15:23.480 --> 00:15:26.480 Still my lips shall repeat 00:15:26.480 --> 00:15:32.480 Yet not I, but through Christ in me 00:15:32.480 --> 00:15:36.480 When the race is complete 00:15:36.480 --> 00:15:39.480 Still my lips shall repeat 00:15:39.480 --> 00:15:45.480 Yet not I, but through Christ in me 00:15:45.480 --> 00:15:52.480 Yet not I, but through Christ in me 00:15:52.480 --> 00:16:03.480 Just a pause, remaining standing 00:16:03.480 --> 00:16:06.480 The cross is going to the back of the church 00:16:06.480 --> 00:16:09.480 Those who would like to send their kids to Sunday school 00:16:09.480 --> 00:16:11.480 Can follow the cross 00:16:11.480 --> 00:16:13.480 And let's just bow our heads in prayer 00:16:13.480 --> 00:16:15.480 Father, thank you so much 00:16:15.480 --> 00:16:17.480 That you are not 00:16:17.480 --> 00:16:20.480 That you, Father, we give you thanks and praise 00:16:20.480 --> 00:16:23.480 That you are the creator of all things 00:16:23.480 --> 00:16:25.480 You sustain all things 00:16:25.480 --> 00:16:27.480 You are sovereign over all things 00:16:27.480 --> 00:16:30.480 You are the great transcendent, glorious God 00:16:30.480 --> 00:16:33.480 But you are not just a God who is far away 00:16:33.480 --> 00:16:38.480 Father, that you sent Jesus to be our Savior 00:16:38.480 --> 00:16:42.480 And that when we put our trust and faith in Jesus 00:16:42.480 --> 00:16:46.480 Father, that Jesus brings us to you 00:16:46.480 --> 00:16:49.480 He makes us right with you 00:16:49.480 --> 00:16:51.480 And you put the Holy Spirit within our lives 00:16:51.480 --> 00:16:55.480 So that, Father, you actually live within your people 00:16:55.480 --> 00:16:57.480 And Father, we are so grateful for this 00:16:57.480 --> 00:17:01.480 We ask that your Holy Spirit will move with gentle power 00:17:01.480 --> 00:17:03.480 In our midst as we worship 00:17:03.480 --> 00:17:06.480 And in the lives of these precious children 00:17:06.480 --> 00:17:08.480 And their teachers as they go off to Sunday school 00:17:08.480 --> 00:17:10.480 Or some other type of care 00:17:10.480 --> 00:17:12.480 And we ask this in the name of Jesus 00:17:12.480 --> 00:17:14.480 Your Son and our Savior, Amen 00:17:14.480 --> 00:17:15.480 Please be seated 00:17:15.480 --> 00:17:20.480 The flow of our worship 00:17:20.480 --> 00:17:22.480 We are still in sort of the first part of our worship 00:17:22.480 --> 00:17:24.480 Is that Jesus gathers his people 00:17:24.480 --> 00:17:26.480 And then we will go into a time 00:17:26.480 --> 00:17:28.480 Where God speaks to his people 00:17:28.480 --> 00:17:29.480 Through his word 00:17:29.480 --> 00:17:32.480 Then we go into a time of Holy Communion 00:17:32.480 --> 00:17:33.480 Through the Lord's Supper 00:17:33.480 --> 00:17:35.480 And then the Holy Spirit sends us out 00:17:35.480 --> 00:17:37.480 And so we are still in that part of time 00:17:37.480 --> 00:17:39.480 If you just think about it for a second 00:17:39.480 --> 00:17:40.480 If Jesus was to appear 00:17:40.480 --> 00:17:42.480 We would want to be with him 00:17:42.480 --> 00:17:43.480 We would sing songs 00:17:43.480 --> 00:17:46.480 We would probably quote scripture back and forth to each other 00:17:46.480 --> 00:17:48.480 And that is the part of the service that we are still in 00:17:48.480 --> 00:17:53.480 And so we are going to say Psalm 98 responsively 00:17:53.480 --> 00:17:55.480 And it is from the New International Version 00:17:55.480 --> 00:17:57.480 The words should be up on the screen 00:17:57.480 --> 00:18:00.480 Sing to the Lord a new song 00:18:00.480 --> 00:18:02.480 We have done marvelous things 00:18:02.480 --> 00:18:05.480 His right hand and his holy arm 00:18:05.480 --> 00:18:07.480 Our salvation for thee 00:18:07.480 --> 00:18:10.480 The Lord has made his salvation known 00:18:10.480 --> 00:18:13.480 And revealed his righteousness to the nations 00:18:13.480 --> 00:18:15.480 He has remembered his love 00:18:15.480 --> 00:18:17.480 And his faithfulness to Israel 00:18:17.480 --> 00:18:19.480 All the ends of the earth have seen 00:18:19.480 --> 00:18:21.480 The salvation of our God 00:18:21.480 --> 00:18:24.480 Shout for joy to the Lord all the earth 00:18:24.480 --> 00:18:27.480 The earth can do a song with music 00:18:27.480 --> 00:18:29.480 Make music to the Lord with the harp 00:18:29.480 --> 00:18:31.480 With the harp 00:18:31.480 --> 00:18:32.480 The sound of the king 00:18:32.480 --> 00:18:35.480 With trumpets and the blast of the ram's horn 00:18:35.480 --> 00:18:37.480 Shout for joy for the Lord 00:18:37.480 --> 00:18:41.480 Let the sea resound and everything in it 00:18:41.480 --> 00:18:43.480 For the world and all who live in 00:18:43.480 --> 00:18:45.480 Let the rivers clap their hands 00:18:45.480 --> 00:18:48.480 Let the mountains sing together for joy 00:18:48.480 --> 00:18:50.480 Let them sing before the Lord 00:18:50.480 --> 00:18:53.480 For he comes to judge the earth 00:18:53.480 --> 00:18:55.480 He will judge the world in righteousness 00:18:55.480 --> 00:18:57.480 And the people of the agony 00:18:57.480 --> 00:19:01.480 And together we pray this ancient and very profound prayer 00:19:01.480 --> 00:19:03.480 Almighty God 00:19:03.480 --> 00:19:04.480 Almighty God 00:19:04.480 --> 00:19:06.480 unto whom all hearts be open 00:19:06.480 --> 00:19:08.480 All desires known 00:19:08.480 --> 00:19:10.480 And from whom no secrets are hid 00:19:10.480 --> 00:19:13.480 Cleanse the thoughts of our hearts 00:19:13.480 --> 00:19:15.480 By the inspiration of your Holy Spirit 00:19:15.480 --> 00:19:18.480 That we may perfectly love you 00:19:18.480 --> 00:19:21.480 And worthily magnify your holy name 00:19:21.480 --> 00:19:22.480 Through Christ our Lord 00:19:22.480 --> 00:19:23.480 Amen 00:19:24.480 --> 00:19:26.480 Our Lord Jesus Christ said 00:19:26.480 --> 00:19:29.480 The first and great commandment is this 00:19:29.480 --> 00:19:30.480 Hear O Israel 00:19:30.480 --> 00:19:33.480 The Lord our God is the only Lord 00:19:33.480 --> 00:19:36.480 You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart 00:19:36.480 --> 00:19:37.480 With all your soul 00:19:37.480 --> 00:19:39.480 With all your mind 00:19:39.480 --> 00:19:40.480 And with all your strength 00:19:40.480 --> 00:19:42.480 The second is this 00:19:42.480 --> 00:19:46.480 You shall love your neighbor as yourself 00:19:46.480 --> 00:19:50.480 There is no other commandment greater than these 00:19:50.480 --> 00:19:51.480 Amen 00:19:51.480 --> 00:19:56.480 Lord have mercy and write these laws in our hearts we pray 00:19:56.480 --> 00:19:59.480 One of the things we're going to be talking about in the sermon today 00:19:59.480 --> 00:20:02.480 Is a common life 00:20:02.480 --> 00:20:07.480 And one of the things that a church like ours 00:20:07.480 --> 00:20:11.480 A church of the English Reformation does to sort of mark that common life 00:20:11.480 --> 00:20:14.480 Is that not only will we announce things like small groups 00:20:14.480 --> 00:20:16.480 And try to get people involved in that 00:20:16.480 --> 00:20:19.480 And you know alpha courses and all of that 00:20:19.480 --> 00:20:22.480 But we also in a sense which I'll talk about more 00:20:22.480 --> 00:20:25.480 We're connected to missionaries and the larger church 00:20:25.480 --> 00:20:29.480 And we're also connected in a sense have a bit of a common life with the church 00:20:29.480 --> 00:20:30.480 Which is before us 00:20:30.480 --> 00:20:32.480 Not that we pray to the saints 00:20:32.480 --> 00:20:34.480 But that we pray common prayers with them 00:20:34.480 --> 00:20:37.480 And so we're going to pray now these two prayers 00:20:37.480 --> 00:20:41.480 The first one is for the collect of the for the 18th Sunday after Trinity 00:20:41.480 --> 00:20:44.480 And when we pray this prayer 00:20:44.480 --> 00:20:47.480 It's a prayer that Christians have been praying for literally centuries 00:20:47.480 --> 00:20:50.480 And we'll pray all around the world today 00:20:50.480 --> 00:20:55.480 And then the second one of course is a prayer for Thanksgiving Day 00:20:55.480 --> 00:20:58.480 And these prayers are both a prayer that we can pray 00:20:58.480 --> 00:21:04.480 And a very concise gospel theology of the Christian life 00:21:04.480 --> 00:21:07.480 Let's pray this first prayer together 00:21:07.480 --> 00:21:12.480 And is it up? 00:21:12.480 --> 00:21:17.480 If we don't pray it together I will pray and you will all listen and say Amen 00:21:17.480 --> 00:21:20.480 Is it there? 00:21:20.480 --> 00:21:23.480 Is it the... 00:21:23.480 --> 00:21:28.480 What's that? 00:21:28.480 --> 00:21:30.480 Start with the Lord we beseech you 00:21:30.480 --> 00:21:31.480 That's perfect 00:21:31.480 --> 00:21:33.480 Let's pray this together 00:21:33.480 --> 00:21:35.480 Lord we beseech you 00:21:35.480 --> 00:21:42.480 Grant your people grace to withstand the temptations of the world, the flesh and the devil 00:21:42.480 --> 00:21:47.480 And with pure hearts and minds to follow you the only God 00:21:47.480 --> 00:21:49.480 Through Jesus Christ our Lord 00:21:49.480 --> 00:21:50.480 Amen 00:21:50.480 --> 00:21:53.480 And let's pray together the collect for Thanksgiving Day 00:21:53.480 --> 00:21:57.480 O almighty and... 00:21:57.480 --> 00:21:58.480 Is that there? 00:21:58.480 --> 00:21:59.480 Not yet 00:21:59.480 --> 00:22:00.480 But... 00:22:00.480 --> 00:22:01.480 By the way just... 00:22:01.480 --> 00:22:02.480 You know no pressure for money 00:22:02.480 --> 00:22:05.480 But if one of you has five or six million dollars 00:22:05.480 --> 00:22:07.480 You don't know what to do with 00:22:07.480 --> 00:22:08.480 If we could buy our own building 00:22:08.480 --> 00:22:11.480 I'll have a screen at the back of the church 00:22:11.480 --> 00:22:13.480 So I can see what you can see 00:22:13.480 --> 00:22:18.480 And that's just if you have that extra five or six million dollars to buy a property 00:22:18.480 --> 00:22:19.480 We'd... 00:22:19.480 --> 00:22:20.480 We can talk 00:22:20.480 --> 00:22:24.480 You know what? 00:22:24.480 --> 00:22:25.480 I'm just gonna pray it 00:22:25.480 --> 00:22:27.480 And then you folks can just say Amen 00:22:27.480 --> 00:22:28.480 Let's do that 00:22:28.480 --> 00:22:31.480 O almighty and everlasting God 00:22:31.480 --> 00:22:34.480 Who crowns the years with your goodness 00:22:34.480 --> 00:22:38.480 And has given unto us the fruits of the earth in their season 00:22:38.480 --> 00:22:42.480 We yield to you our humble and hearty thanks 00:22:42.480 --> 00:22:44.480 For these your bounties 00:22:44.480 --> 00:22:46.480 Beseeching you to give us grace 00:22:46.480 --> 00:22:48.480 To use them rightly 00:22:48.480 --> 00:22:49.480 To your glory 00:22:49.480 --> 00:22:51.480 And the relief of those in need 00:22:51.480 --> 00:22:53.480 Through Jesus Christ our Lord 00:22:53.480 --> 00:22:54.480 Amen 00:22:54.480 --> 00:22:59.480 Well be seated as the Bible God's word written is read 00:22:59.480 --> 00:23:14.480 The Bible reading today comes from Acts chapter 2 starting at verse 42 00:23:14.480 --> 00:23:18.480 And they devoted themselves to the apostles teaching and the fellowship 00:23:18.480 --> 00:23:21.480 To the breaking of bread and the prayers 00:23:21.480 --> 00:23:23.480 And awe came upon every soul 00:23:23.480 --> 00:23:26.480 And many wonders and signs were being done through the apostles 00:23:26.480 --> 00:23:30.480 And all who believed were together and had all things in common 00:23:30.480 --> 00:23:33.480 And they were selling their possessions and belongings 00:23:33.480 --> 00:23:36.480 And distributing the proceeds to all as any had need 00:23:36.480 --> 00:23:39.480 And day by day attending the temple together 00:23:39.480 --> 00:23:41.480 And breaking bread in their homes 00:23:41.480 --> 00:23:44.480 They received their food with glad and generous hearts 00:23:44.480 --> 00:23:46.480 Praising God and having favour with all people 00:23:46.480 --> 00:23:49.480 And the Lord added to their number day by day 00:23:49.480 --> 00:23:51.480 Those who were being saved 00:23:51.480 --> 00:23:53.480 This is the word of the Lord 00:23:53.480 --> 00:23:54.480 Thanks be to God 00:23:54.480 --> 00:24:01.480 I invite you to stand for the reading of the Gospel text 00:24:01.480 --> 00:24:05.480 And just before I read this 00:24:05.480 --> 00:24:12.480 So this, what I'm about to read is part of an ancient eyewitness biography of Jesus 00:24:12.480 --> 00:24:16.480 Matthew in fact was one of the apostles who wrote this 00:24:16.480 --> 00:24:22.480 And it's taking place a day or two before Jesus dies on the cross 00:24:22.480 --> 00:24:26.480 So that's the context of this 00:24:26.480 --> 00:24:30.480 The Holy Gospel is found in the Good News according to Matthew 00:24:30.480 --> 00:24:34.480 Beginning at the 22nd chapter on the 34th verse 00:24:34.480 --> 00:24:38.480 Glory to you, Lord Jesus Christ 00:24:38.480 --> 00:24:44.480 But when the Pharisees heard that Jesus had silenced the Sadducees 00:24:44.480 --> 00:24:46.480 Just sort of pause if you're unfamiliar 00:24:46.480 --> 00:24:51.480 Those are sort of two, I guess we'd call them now denominations within Judaism 00:24:51.480 --> 00:24:56.480 So he's had a controversy with the leaders of one of those, the Sadducees 00:24:56.480 --> 00:24:58.480 And the leaders of another group have heard this 00:24:58.480 --> 00:25:00.480 I'll read it again 00:25:00.480 --> 00:25:05.480 But when the Pharisees heard that Jesus had silenced the Sadducees 00:25:05.480 --> 00:25:06.480 They gathered together 00:25:06.480 --> 00:25:10.480 And one of them, a lawyer, asked him a question to test him 00:25:10.480 --> 00:25:15.480 Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the law? 00:25:15.480 --> 00:25:16.480 And Jesus said to him 00:25:16.480 --> 00:25:19.480 You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart 00:25:19.480 --> 00:25:20.480 And with all your soul 00:25:20.480 --> 00:25:22.480 And with all your mind 00:25:22.480 --> 00:25:25.480 This is the great and first commandment 00:25:25.480 --> 00:25:27.480 And a second is like it 00:25:27.480 --> 00:25:29.480 You shall love your neighbor as yourself 00:25:29.480 --> 00:25:34.480 On these two commandments depend all the law and the prophets 00:25:34.480 --> 00:25:37.480 Now while the Pharisees were gathered together 00:25:37.480 --> 00:25:40.480 Jesus asked them a question 00:25:40.480 --> 00:25:43.480 Saying, what do you think about the Christ? 00:25:43.480 --> 00:25:45.480 That's another word for the Messiah 00:25:45.480 --> 00:25:47.480 What do you think about the Messiah? 00:25:47.480 --> 00:25:49.480 Whose son is he? 00:25:49.480 --> 00:25:52.480 They said to him, the son of David 00:25:52.480 --> 00:25:57.480 And Jesus said to them, how is it then that David, in the Holy Spirit 00:25:57.480 --> 00:26:03.480 Calls him Lord, saying, the Lord said to my Lord 00:26:03.480 --> 00:26:07.480 Sit at my right hand until I put your enemies under your feet 00:26:07.480 --> 00:26:10.480 If then David calls him Lord 00:26:10.480 --> 00:26:12.480 How is he his son? 00:26:12.480 --> 00:26:16.480 And no one was able to answer him a word 00:26:16.480 --> 00:26:19.480 But from that day, nor from that day 00:26:19.480 --> 00:26:22.480 Did anyone dare to ask him any more questions? 00:26:22.480 --> 00:26:25.480 This is the Gospel of Christ 00:26:25.480 --> 00:26:28.480 Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ 00:26:28.480 --> 00:26:30.480 I invite you to remain standing and join with me 00:26:30.480 --> 00:26:33.480 In confessing the Christian faith 00:26:33.480 --> 00:26:36.480 In the words of this very ancient creed 00:26:36.480 --> 00:26:40.480 I believe in God, the Father Almighty 00:26:40.480 --> 00:26:42.480 Maker of heaven and earth 00:26:42.480 --> 00:26:45.480 And in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord 00:26:45.480 --> 00:26:48.480 Who was conceived by the Holy Spirit 00:26:48.480 --> 00:26:50.480 Born of the Virgin Mary 00:26:50.480 --> 00:26:52.480 Suffered under Pontius Pilate 00:26:52.480 --> 00:26:55.480 Was crucified, died and was buried 00:26:55.480 --> 00:26:57.480 He descended into hell 00:26:57.480 --> 00:27:00.480 On the third day he rose again from the dead 00:27:00.480 --> 00:27:02.480 He ascended into heaven 00:27:02.480 --> 00:27:05.480 And is sitting at the right hand of God, the Father Almighty 00:27:05.480 --> 00:27:09.480 He shall come again to judge the living and the dead 00:27:09.480 --> 00:27:11.480 I believe in the Holy Spirit 00:27:11.480 --> 00:27:13.480 The Holy Catholic Church 00:27:13.480 --> 00:27:15.480 The communion of saints 00:27:15.480 --> 00:27:17.480 The forgiveness of sins 00:27:17.480 --> 00:27:19.480 The resurrection of the body 00:27:19.480 --> 00:27:20.480 And the life everlasting 00:27:20.480 --> 00:27:21.480 Amen 00:27:22.480 --> 00:27:24.480 Father, we ask that your Holy Spirit 00:27:24.480 --> 00:27:27.480 Would bring your word deep into our hearts 00:27:27.480 --> 00:27:32.480 And we, Father, give an invitation and permission 00:27:32.480 --> 00:27:36.480 For your word to speak deeply into our hearts 00:27:36.480 --> 00:27:39.480 And form us so that we will be free 00:27:39.480 --> 00:27:41.480 And bring you glory 00:27:41.480 --> 00:27:44.480 And do much good for your great praise 00:27:44.480 --> 00:27:46.480 And we ask this in the name of Jesus 00:27:46.480 --> 00:27:48.480 Your Son and our Savior 00:27:48.480 --> 00:27:49.480 Amen 00:27:49.480 --> 00:27:51.480 Please be seated 00:27:51.480 --> 00:27:58.480 Some of you who've heard me preach before 00:27:58.480 --> 00:28:01.480 Know that usually when I begin a sermon 00:28:01.480 --> 00:28:03.480 I begin with some type of a problem 00:28:03.480 --> 00:28:05.480 Or issue 00:28:05.480 --> 00:28:07.480 And then I go ahead and talk a little bit about 00:28:07.480 --> 00:28:09.480 How it is that the Bible addresses that problem 00:28:09.480 --> 00:28:10.480 Or that issue 00:28:10.480 --> 00:28:12.480 And I'm going to do something a little bit different today 00:28:12.480 --> 00:28:14.480 It's a little bit 00:28:14.480 --> 00:28:16.480 I was thinking about it in an odd way 00:28:16.480 --> 00:28:19.480 It's a bit similar to how I speak at funerals 00:28:19.480 --> 00:28:22.480 When I get to speak to a very, very mixed crowd 00:28:22.480 --> 00:28:25.480 And if you're at a funeral 00:28:25.480 --> 00:28:27.480 One of the things I will say is 00:28:27.480 --> 00:28:30.480 You know, I know people here have lots of different views 00:28:30.480 --> 00:28:32.480 You come from all sorts of different backgrounds 00:28:32.480 --> 00:28:36.480 As we gather here to remember, you know, the deceased 00:28:36.480 --> 00:28:38.480 And to pray for those who mourn and grieve 00:28:38.480 --> 00:28:40.480 And then I say it's just my great privilege 00:28:40.480 --> 00:28:43.480 To be able to share with you what my hope is 00:28:43.480 --> 00:28:44.480 As a Christian in the face of death 00:28:44.480 --> 00:28:46.480 And that's sort of what I do 00:28:46.480 --> 00:28:48.480 And this sermon is a little bit similar to it 00:28:48.480 --> 00:28:50.480 In the sense that there's a funeral 00:28:50.480 --> 00:28:51.480 Or anything like that 00:28:51.480 --> 00:28:53.480 And it's not to put anything down 00:28:53.480 --> 00:28:57.480 But it's just, you know, I wasn't raised 00:28:57.480 --> 00:29:00.480 In a church of the English Reformation 00:29:00.480 --> 00:29:03.480 I stumbled into it 00:29:03.480 --> 00:29:05.480 And I sort of stumbled into it 00:29:05.480 --> 00:29:07.480 And I sort of stumbled into it with lots of doubts 00:29:07.480 --> 00:29:10.480 Like I didn't really think Anglicans were Christians 00:29:10.480 --> 00:29:13.480 And I sort of stumbled into it 00:29:13.480 --> 00:29:14.480 But just one of the things 00:29:14.480 --> 00:29:16.480 I guess I just want to share 00:29:16.480 --> 00:29:18.480 I've just been so blessed 00:29:18.480 --> 00:29:20.480 As the years have gone by 00:29:20.480 --> 00:29:24.480 As I've become aware of just the English Reformation 00:29:24.480 --> 00:29:25.480 And the documents 00:29:25.480 --> 00:29:29.480 And the life that emerged from that 00:29:29.480 --> 00:29:33.480 And like I just really love it 00:29:33.480 --> 00:29:35.480 Like I just think it's so wise 00:29:35.480 --> 00:29:37.480 And I'm not saying that 00:29:37.480 --> 00:29:38.480 If you're here as a guest 00:29:38.480 --> 00:29:39.480 And you're a Baptist or a Pentecostal 00:29:39.480 --> 00:29:41.480 Like I'm not saying that to put anybody down 00:29:41.480 --> 00:29:44.480 I just share that it's been like an ongoing delight 00:29:44.480 --> 00:29:48.480 To just to see how it is that the English Reformers 00:29:48.480 --> 00:29:51.480 Went about in a sense setting up and launching a church 00:29:51.480 --> 00:29:55.480 And one of the things which they did so relevant 00:29:55.480 --> 00:29:57.480 And that's why it's going to fit into this 00:29:57.480 --> 00:29:59.480 And I know this sounds like a bit of a criticism 00:29:59.480 --> 00:30:01.480 And I guess it is a tiny bit of a criticism 00:30:01.480 --> 00:30:03.480 And I ask your forgiveness 00:30:03.480 --> 00:30:07.480 But like technically speaking 00:30:07.480 --> 00:30:10.480 I can't receive communion at a Roman Catholic Church 00:30:10.480 --> 00:30:12.480 Like technically speaking 00:30:12.480 --> 00:30:14.480 Now in the city of Ottawa 00:30:14.480 --> 00:30:16.480 My guess is that if I was to go into just about any Anglican 00:30:16.480 --> 00:30:18.480 Roman Catholic Church for a mass 00:30:18.480 --> 00:30:20.480 And I was to tell them that I was a priest 00:30:20.480 --> 00:30:23.480 And could I take communion 00:30:23.480 --> 00:30:25.480 And they'd almost definitely say yes 00:30:25.480 --> 00:30:27.480 But technically they're breaking the rules 00:30:27.480 --> 00:30:31.480 And it's not just like on that one side of the Christian spectrum 00:30:31.480 --> 00:30:37.480 Some of you are familiar with very closed brethren churches for instance 00:30:37.480 --> 00:30:39.480 And in closed brethren churches 00:30:39.480 --> 00:30:42.480 I wouldn't be able to receive communion there either 00:30:42.480 --> 00:30:45.480 In fact they would probably think that we aren't a church 00:30:45.480 --> 00:30:47.480 And that I'm not even a real Christian 00:30:47.480 --> 00:30:50.480 One of the things which is 00:30:50.480 --> 00:30:52.480 When I was in my previous church 00:30:52.480 --> 00:30:53.480 I was way up the Ottawa Valley 00:30:53.480 --> 00:30:55.480 In a place called Eganville and Killaloo 00:30:55.480 --> 00:30:57.480 And Clontarf and Tremor 00:30:57.480 --> 00:31:02.480 And after I had been in the church in Killaloo for a couple of years 00:31:02.480 --> 00:31:06.480 This elderly lady started to attend the services with her sister 00:31:06.480 --> 00:31:11.480 And I discovered over time that she actually went to one of those closed brethren churches 00:31:11.480 --> 00:31:14.480 When I was driving there I'd drive by this little gospel hall 00:31:14.480 --> 00:31:16.480 Tucked off 00:31:16.480 --> 00:31:17.480 Very picturesque 00:31:17.480 --> 00:31:19.480 Just off to the side surrounded by trees 00:31:19.480 --> 00:31:21.480 And it turned out that 00:31:21.480 --> 00:31:26.480 I mean and she was breaking the rules by coming to hear me preach 00:31:26.480 --> 00:31:27.480 And to receive communion with me 00:31:27.480 --> 00:31:29.480 She'd come to my nine o'clock service 00:31:29.480 --> 00:31:31.480 And then the gospel hall met at eleven 00:31:31.480 --> 00:31:33.480 But in her case 00:31:33.480 --> 00:31:37.480 She was just I guess in held with such high regard in the church 00:31:37.480 --> 00:31:38.480 That they didn't kick her out 00:31:38.480 --> 00:31:41.480 And she started coming to the church 00:31:41.480 --> 00:31:44.480 Because I discovered after that she was a war widow 00:31:44.480 --> 00:31:47.480 Her husband had actually been an Anglican minister who died 00:31:47.480 --> 00:31:53.480 Serving as a chaplain in the Italian theatre of the Second World War 00:31:53.480 --> 00:31:55.480 And so she was a war widow 00:31:55.480 --> 00:31:56.480 And I discovered she actually 00:31:56.480 --> 00:31:58.480 I reminded her of her husband 00:31:58.480 --> 00:32:02.480 And so she would come to the church with her sister 00:32:02.480 --> 00:32:04.480 And I 00:32:04.480 --> 00:32:06.480 But here's the point 00:32:06.480 --> 00:32:11.480 When the English Reformation was going on 00:32:11.480 --> 00:32:18.480 One of the things they wanted to do was not to de-church or unchurch other churches 00:32:18.480 --> 00:32:22.480 Like that was very very clear to their heart 00:32:22.480 --> 00:32:26.480 Even though they were trying to reform the Roman Catholic Church 00:32:26.480 --> 00:32:28.480 They didn't want to say that all Roman Catholics were bad 00:32:28.480 --> 00:32:32.480 Or that there was no Christians or no godliness there 00:32:32.480 --> 00:32:36.480 They really wanted to work very hard in terms of how they were launching the church 00:32:36.480 --> 00:32:39.480 This reformed, renewed, revived church 00:32:39.480 --> 00:32:46.480 In such a way that it wouldn't unchurch or de-church other churches and traditions 00:32:46.480 --> 00:32:49.480 And I think that they were very wise in that 00:32:49.480 --> 00:32:55.480 We have to be very careful as Christians to not put up walls that the Bible doesn't put up 00:32:55.480 --> 00:32:57.480 We need to understand the walls that are there 00:32:57.480 --> 00:32:58.480 There's some boundaries 00:32:58.480 --> 00:32:59.480 But when there's no boundaries 00:32:59.480 --> 00:33:06.480 We have to be very careful about making walls where the Bible has an open door 00:33:06.480 --> 00:33:09.480 And I mention all of that because what we're going to look at today 00:33:09.480 --> 00:33:11.480 We're preaching through the book of Acts 00:33:11.480 --> 00:33:16.480 And today they're for theology nerd types 00:33:16.480 --> 00:33:19.480 This text that we're looking at today is a very famous text 00:33:19.480 --> 00:33:21.480 Because it has the four marks of the church 00:33:21.480 --> 00:33:24.480 And John Stott argues 00:33:24.480 --> 00:33:26.480 And I'll just share very briefly 00:33:26.480 --> 00:33:28.480 I think there's actually five marks of the church there 00:33:28.480 --> 00:33:30.480 But there's four marks of the church 00:33:30.480 --> 00:33:32.480 And it's a very common understanding 00:33:32.480 --> 00:33:33.480 And so let's just have a look at it 00:33:33.480 --> 00:33:34.480 If you have your Bibles 00:33:34.480 --> 00:33:37.480 I'm using this ESV study Bible 00:33:37.480 --> 00:33:40.480 Just of this journal Bible 00:33:40.480 --> 00:33:42.480 There's a few Bibles there if you don't have your own 00:33:42.480 --> 00:33:44.480 And I think we have extras of these 00:33:44.480 --> 00:33:46.480 If you'd like your own journal Bible of just the book of Acts 00:33:46.480 --> 00:33:49.480 I think we have a couple extra here at the church 00:33:49.480 --> 00:33:50.480 And we can give them to you 00:33:50.480 --> 00:33:53.480 And we're looking at Acts chapter 2 00:33:53.480 --> 00:33:55.480 And we're going to begin reading verse 36 00:33:55.480 --> 00:33:57.480 Just to give you the context 00:33:57.480 --> 00:33:59.480 And if you're unfamiliar with this 00:33:59.480 --> 00:34:00.480 What this book is 00:34:00.480 --> 00:34:03.480 Is this is in a sense part 2 00:34:03.480 --> 00:34:05.480 Part 1 00:34:05.480 --> 00:34:07.480 The fellow who writes the book 00:34:07.480 --> 00:34:09.480 Was a pagan who became a Christian 00:34:09.480 --> 00:34:14.480 And he himself was not an eyewitness of what Jesus did 00:34:14.480 --> 00:34:16.480 But he interviewed eyewitnesses 00:34:16.480 --> 00:34:21.480 And wrote a very profound true eyewitness biography of Jesus 00:34:21.480 --> 00:34:23.480 And then after he wrote that 00:34:23.480 --> 00:34:26.480 He writes this eyewitness based biography 00:34:26.480 --> 00:34:28.480 Of the early church 00:34:28.480 --> 00:34:30.480 The first 30 years approximately 00:34:30.480 --> 00:34:32.480 Of the Jesus movement 00:34:32.480 --> 00:34:34.480 And what it accomplishes 00:34:34.480 --> 00:34:35.480 And so we're very 00:34:35.480 --> 00:34:37.480 At the beginning of this ancient biography 00:34:37.480 --> 00:34:40.480 Luke himself was an eyewitness for some of the events 00:34:40.480 --> 00:34:42.480 And others he had to interview people 00:34:42.480 --> 00:34:44.480 And this eyewitness biography 00:34:44.480 --> 00:34:46.480 Or history of the church 00:34:46.480 --> 00:34:48.480 Is written when many of the eyewitnesses were still alive 00:34:48.480 --> 00:34:50.480 And could correct it 00:34:50.480 --> 00:34:52.480 And so what's just happened is 00:34:52.480 --> 00:34:54.480 For this part 2 00:34:54.480 --> 00:34:55.480 The book of Acts 00:34:55.480 --> 00:34:56.480 First there's a bit of a 00:34:56.480 --> 00:34:58.480 Just a very brief summary of the fact that Jesus 00:34:58.480 --> 00:35:01.480 After had died on the cross 00:35:01.480 --> 00:35:03.480 That the grave was empty 00:35:03.480 --> 00:35:05.480 And the reason the grave was empty 00:35:05.480 --> 00:35:07.480 Was not because the body was stolen 00:35:07.480 --> 00:35:08.480 But because Jesus was alive 00:35:08.480 --> 00:35:09.480 Physically alive 00:35:09.480 --> 00:35:11.480 And he proved that in many ways 00:35:11.480 --> 00:35:14.480 In fact Acts begins with Peter 00:35:14.480 --> 00:35:16.480 Peter with Jesus sitting at table 00:35:16.480 --> 00:35:18.480 Eating with them 00:35:18.480 --> 00:35:21.480 I mean if you think 00:35:21.480 --> 00:35:22.480 If you think 00:35:22.480 --> 00:35:24.480 If by the way if you wake up in the middle of the night 00:35:24.480 --> 00:35:26.480 And you go down to the kitchen 00:35:26.480 --> 00:35:28.480 And you think you see a ghost 00:35:28.480 --> 00:35:31.480 And you pass the ghost some toast 00:35:31.480 --> 00:35:32.480 And he eats it 00:35:32.480 --> 00:35:34.480 It's an intruder not a ghost 00:35:34.480 --> 00:35:36.480 Okay that's just sort of a general rule 00:35:36.480 --> 00:35:37.480 It's not a ghost 00:35:37.480 --> 00:35:39.480 It's a you should call 9-1-1 00:35:39.480 --> 00:35:42.480 Because you have an intruder in your house 00:35:42.480 --> 00:35:43.480 And so Jesus 00:35:43.480 --> 00:35:45.480 This is like just a very subtle little way 00:35:45.480 --> 00:35:47.480 That Luke is emphasizing 00:35:47.480 --> 00:35:49.480 That Jesus had actually risen from the dead 00:35:49.480 --> 00:35:50.480 The grave is empty 00:35:50.480 --> 00:35:53.480 And then he talks about the ascension 00:35:53.480 --> 00:35:56.480 Jesus ending his physical appearances 00:35:56.480 --> 00:35:58.480 He ascends into heaven 00:35:58.480 --> 00:36:03.480 And then Luke describes how the whole group of Christians 00:36:03.480 --> 00:36:05.480 Were gathering together 00:36:05.480 --> 00:36:08.480 To pray together 00:36:08.480 --> 00:36:09.480 Waiting because Jesus said 00:36:09.480 --> 00:36:11.480 I'm going to send the promise of the Father 00:36:11.480 --> 00:36:14.480 I'm going to send you power from on high 00:36:14.480 --> 00:36:17.480 And then just a little bit before this 00:36:17.480 --> 00:36:19.480 The Holy Spirit 00:36:19.480 --> 00:36:21.480 Which we now call the day of Pentecost 00:36:21.480 --> 00:36:23.480 Comes and it makes a huge noise 00:36:23.480 --> 00:36:26.480 And it comes and people speak other languages 00:36:26.480 --> 00:36:27.480 And praise God 00:36:27.480 --> 00:36:29.480 And everything from the loud praising of God 00:36:29.480 --> 00:36:32.480 To the loud noise of the wind of the Holy Spirit 00:36:32.480 --> 00:36:33.480 Draws this huge crowd 00:36:33.480 --> 00:36:35.480 To figure out what's happening 00:36:35.480 --> 00:36:38.480 And then just immediately before this 00:36:38.480 --> 00:36:39.480 What we looked at last week 00:36:39.480 --> 00:36:41.480 Is that the very first sermon by a Christian 00:36:41.480 --> 00:36:43.480 Is ever preached is preached 00:36:44.480 --> 00:36:45.480 And now 00:36:45.480 --> 00:36:47.480 And here's where we take up 00:36:47.480 --> 00:36:48.480 And what we're going to do is 00:36:48.480 --> 00:36:50.480 We're just going to catch the end of the sermon 00:36:50.480 --> 00:36:51.480 That's verse 36 00:36:51.480 --> 00:36:52.480 Here's how it goes 00:36:52.480 --> 00:36:54.480 Let all the house of Israel 00:36:54.480 --> 00:36:55.480 This is Peter preaching 00:36:55.480 --> 00:36:57.480 Let all the house of Israel 00:36:57.480 --> 00:36:58.480 Therefore know for certain 00:36:58.480 --> 00:37:00.480 That God has made him 00:37:00.480 --> 00:37:01.480 That's Jesus 00:37:01.480 --> 00:37:03.480 Both Lord and Christ 00:37:03.480 --> 00:37:04.480 That is Messiah 00:37:04.480 --> 00:37:05.480 This Jesus 00:37:05.480 --> 00:37:06.480 Whom you crucified 00:37:06.480 --> 00:37:08.480 Now 00:37:08.480 --> 00:37:09.480 When they heard this 00:37:09.480 --> 00:37:11.480 That's the culmination of the sermon 00:37:11.480 --> 00:37:12.480 I want you all to know 00:37:12.480 --> 00:37:15.480 This Jesus whom you crucified 00:37:15.480 --> 00:37:17.480 Is risen from the dead 00:37:17.480 --> 00:37:18.480 We've seen it 00:37:18.480 --> 00:37:19.480 We're witnesses 00:37:19.480 --> 00:37:21.480 And this vindicates him 00:37:21.480 --> 00:37:22.480 He is the Lord 00:37:22.480 --> 00:37:23.480 He is the Messiah 00:37:23.480 --> 00:37:26.480 And you meant harm to him 00:37:26.480 --> 00:37:27.480 By crucifying him 00:37:27.480 --> 00:37:28.480 By abusing him 00:37:28.480 --> 00:37:29.480 But he's alive 00:37:29.480 --> 00:37:30.480 He's Lord 00:37:30.480 --> 00:37:31.480 And he's Christ 00:37:31.480 --> 00:37:32.480 He's vindicated 00:37:32.480 --> 00:37:34.480 And then verse 37 00:37:34.480 --> 00:37:35.480 The crowd 00:37:35.480 --> 00:37:36.480 When they hear this 00:37:36.480 --> 00:37:37.480 They were cut to the heart 00:37:38.480 --> 00:37:39.480 And said to Peter 00:37:39.480 --> 00:37:40.480 And the rest of the apostles 00:37:40.480 --> 00:37:41.480 Brothers 00:37:42.480 --> 00:37:43.480 What shall we do? 00:37:44.480 --> 00:37:46.480 And Peter said to them 00:37:47.480 --> 00:37:48.480 Repent 00:37:48.480 --> 00:37:49.480 And be baptized 00:37:49.480 --> 00:37:50.480 Every one of you 00:37:50.480 --> 00:37:52.480 In the name of Jesus Christ 00:37:52.480 --> 00:37:54.480 For the forgiveness of your sins 00:37:54.480 --> 00:37:56.480 And you will receive the gift 00:37:56.480 --> 00:37:58.480 Of the Holy Spirit 00:37:59.480 --> 00:38:01.480 And for the promises for you 00:38:01.480 --> 00:38:03.480 And for your children 00:38:03.480 --> 00:38:05.480 And for all who are far off 00:38:05.480 --> 00:38:08.480 Everyone whom the Lord our God 00:38:08.480 --> 00:38:10.480 Calls to himself 00:38:10.480 --> 00:38:11.480 And just sort of pause here 00:38:11.480 --> 00:38:13.480 So we have here a very very simple 00:38:13.480 --> 00:38:15.480 You know 00:38:15.480 --> 00:38:17.480 What's your response? 00:38:17.480 --> 00:38:18.480 Response is to repent 00:38:18.480 --> 00:38:20.480 And in the New Testament 00:38:20.480 --> 00:38:21.480 In the Bible 00:38:21.480 --> 00:38:22.480 To repent 00:38:22.480 --> 00:38:23.480 Always includes believing 00:38:23.480 --> 00:38:24.480 Or trusting 00:38:24.480 --> 00:38:25.480 And trusting and believing 00:38:25.480 --> 00:38:26.480 Always includes repentance 00:38:26.480 --> 00:38:28.480 If they go together 00:38:29.480 --> 00:38:30.480 And so 00:38:31.480 --> 00:38:32.480 Repent means to turn 00:38:32.480 --> 00:38:33.480 So that your orient 00:38:34.480 --> 00:38:35.480 Your whole life is now oriented 00:38:35.480 --> 00:38:37.480 Around the man 00:38:38.480 --> 00:38:39.480 Jesus 00:38:39.480 --> 00:38:40.480 Who is also God's son 00:38:40.480 --> 00:38:41.480 The Lord 00:38:41.480 --> 00:38:42.480 And is our savior 00:38:42.480 --> 00:38:44.480 To turn and orient your life 00:38:44.480 --> 00:38:45.480 Around him 00:38:45.480 --> 00:38:46.480 And as a sign of that 00:38:46.480 --> 00:38:48.480 A public sign of that 00:38:48.480 --> 00:38:49.480 You are to be baptized 00:38:49.480 --> 00:38:50.480 To show that you have 00:38:50.480 --> 00:38:51.480 You know 00:38:51.480 --> 00:38:53.480 And I talked last week 00:38:53.480 --> 00:38:54.480 About the three different things 00:38:54.480 --> 00:38:56.480 That baptism types of symbolizes 00:38:57.480 --> 00:38:58.480 And you will receive 00:38:58.480 --> 00:39:00.480 The forgiveness that you receive 00:39:00.480 --> 00:39:01.480 If you turn to Jesus 00:39:01.480 --> 00:39:02.480 Repent 00:39:02.480 --> 00:39:03.480 You will receive the forgiveness 00:39:03.480 --> 00:39:04.480 Of your sins 00:39:04.480 --> 00:39:05.480 And you will receive 00:39:05.480 --> 00:39:06.480 The gift of the Holy Spirit 00:39:06.480 --> 00:39:07.480 Means the Holy Spirit 00:39:07.480 --> 00:39:08.480 Will actually come and live within you 00:39:08.480 --> 00:39:09.480 There's these three things 00:39:09.480 --> 00:39:10.480 That you receive 00:39:10.480 --> 00:39:11.480 You put your faith and trust in Christ 00:39:11.480 --> 00:39:13.480 As your savior and your Lord 00:39:13.480 --> 00:39:14.480 And 00:39:14.480 --> 00:39:17.480 And what he did for you on the cross 00:39:17.480 --> 00:39:19.480 And when you put your faith and trust in him 00:39:19.480 --> 00:39:20.480 All your sins 00:39:20.480 --> 00:39:23.480 All of your things that you've done wrong 00:39:23.480 --> 00:39:25.480 All of the good things that you do 00:39:25.480 --> 00:39:26.480 That you shouldn't 00:39:26.480 --> 00:39:27.480 That you didn't do 00:39:27.480 --> 00:39:29.480 That leave you embarrassed and ashamed 00:39:30.480 --> 00:39:32.480 All of these things are forgiven by almighty God 00:39:32.480 --> 00:39:34.480 In the person and work of Christ 00:39:34.480 --> 00:39:36.480 And not only that 00:39:36.480 --> 00:39:38.480 He actually puts the Holy Spirit 00:39:38.480 --> 00:39:40.480 Within every person 00:39:40.480 --> 00:39:42.480 Who puts their faith and trust in Christ 00:39:42.480 --> 00:39:44.480 You become in a sense 00:39:45.480 --> 00:39:46.480 This deposit 00:39:46.480 --> 00:39:49.480 That God himself will dwell 00:39:49.480 --> 00:39:50.480 And abide within you 00:39:50.480 --> 00:39:52.480 And he will never leave you 00:39:52.480 --> 00:39:53.480 And this begins 00:39:53.480 --> 00:39:55.480 Even for ordinary human beings 00:39:55.480 --> 00:39:56.480 Like us on this side of the grave 00:39:56.480 --> 00:39:58.480 And it will continue even beyond the grave 00:39:58.480 --> 00:39:59.480 Into eternal life 00:39:59.480 --> 00:40:01.480 So you receive 00:40:01.480 --> 00:40:02.480 All of your sins are forgiven 00:40:02.480 --> 00:40:03.480 They're wiped away 00:40:03.480 --> 00:40:05.480 Your Holy Spirit lives within you 00:40:05.480 --> 00:40:08.480 And he receives you to himself 00:40:09.480 --> 00:40:11.480 He takes you to himself 00:40:11.480 --> 00:40:12.480 Yet you might not feel it 00:40:12.480 --> 00:40:14.480 Some people when they become Christians 00:40:14.480 --> 00:40:16.480 C.S. Lewis famously said 00:40:16.480 --> 00:40:17.480 If you've never heard of him 00:40:17.480 --> 00:40:19.480 He was a famous writer 00:40:19.480 --> 00:40:20.480 And thinker and scholar 00:40:20.480 --> 00:40:21.480 And Christian 00:40:21.480 --> 00:40:24.480 From the sort of the middle part of the 1900s 00:40:24.480 --> 00:40:25.480 And he describes 00:40:25.480 --> 00:40:26.480 When he became a Christian 00:40:26.480 --> 00:40:28.480 He was the most dejected convert 00:40:28.480 --> 00:40:29.480 In all of England 00:40:30.480 --> 00:40:31.480 And that's because 00:40:31.480 --> 00:40:32.480 He was such a proud man 00:40:32.480 --> 00:40:33.480 And he didn't want to have to 00:40:33.480 --> 00:40:35.480 Give up his life so to speak 00:40:35.480 --> 00:40:36.480 But others have great joy 00:40:36.480 --> 00:40:38.480 And what happens is 00:40:38.480 --> 00:40:39.480 Whether you feel it or not 00:40:39.480 --> 00:40:41.480 That God himself 00:40:41.480 --> 00:40:42.480 Takes you to himself 00:40:42.480 --> 00:40:43.480 That's what happens 00:40:43.480 --> 00:40:44.480 When you put your faith 00:40:44.480 --> 00:40:45.480 And trust in Jesus 00:40:45.480 --> 00:40:47.480 This is the wonderful news 00:40:47.480 --> 00:40:49.480 There's no other way 00:40:49.480 --> 00:40:50.480 To have God 00:40:50.480 --> 00:40:51.480 The living God 00:40:51.480 --> 00:40:52.480 The creator God 00:40:52.480 --> 00:40:53.480 The triune God 00:40:53.480 --> 00:40:55.480 To receive you for himself 00:40:55.480 --> 00:40:56.480 Than to put your faith 00:40:56.480 --> 00:40:57.480 And trust in Christ 00:40:57.480 --> 00:41:02.480 Your sins are forgiven 00:41:02.480 --> 00:41:04.480 The Holy Spirit indwells you 00:41:04.480 --> 00:41:06.480 God receives you for himself 00:41:07.480 --> 00:41:08.480 Verse 40 00:41:09.480 --> 00:41:10.480 And with many other words 00:41:10.480 --> 00:41:11.480 He bore witness 00:41:11.480 --> 00:41:13.480 And continued to exhort them 00:41:13.480 --> 00:41:14.480 Saying save yourself 00:41:14.480 --> 00:41:16.480 From this crooked generation 00:41:16.480 --> 00:41:18.480 And so those who received his word 00:41:18.480 --> 00:41:19.480 Were baptized 00:41:19.480 --> 00:41:21.480 And there were added that day 00:41:21.480 --> 00:41:22.480 About 3,000 souls 00:41:22.480 --> 00:41:23.480 And I talked a little bit 00:41:23.480 --> 00:41:24.480 Last week about how 00:41:24.480 --> 00:41:27.480 This is one of the many, many, many proofs 00:41:27.480 --> 00:41:28.480 That historically 00:41:28.480 --> 00:41:29.480 Jesus 00:41:29.480 --> 00:41:30.480 The grave 00:41:30.480 --> 00:41:32.480 Nobody would have become a Christian 00:41:32.480 --> 00:41:34.480 If they could show you the body of Jesus 00:41:34.480 --> 00:41:37.480 And there is no better account 00:41:37.480 --> 00:41:39.480 For the start of the Christian movement 00:41:39.480 --> 00:41:41.480 Than the real defeat of death 00:41:41.480 --> 00:41:43.480 And resurrection by Jesus 00:41:43.480 --> 00:41:46.480 There is no better explanation than that 00:41:46.480 --> 00:41:47.480 It's true 00:41:47.480 --> 00:41:48.480 It's true 00:41:48.480 --> 00:41:49.480 It happened 00:41:49.480 --> 00:41:50.480 And it's profoundly good news 00:41:50.480 --> 00:41:53.480 Now what we're going to look at next 00:41:53.480 --> 00:41:55.480 Which is actually the bulk of the sermon 00:41:55.480 --> 00:41:57.480 The next 22 minutes or so 00:41:58.480 --> 00:42:01.480 Is we have the first of several summary statements 00:42:01.480 --> 00:42:02.480 In the book of Acts 00:42:02.480 --> 00:42:03.480 We get a summary statement 00:42:03.480 --> 00:42:05.480 And here's how it goes 00:42:05.480 --> 00:42:07.480 And they devoted themselves 00:42:07.480 --> 00:42:08.480 Verse 42 00:42:08.480 --> 00:42:09.480 To the apostles teaching 00:42:09.480 --> 00:42:10.480 And the fellowship 00:42:10.480 --> 00:42:12.480 To the breaking of bread 00:42:12.480 --> 00:42:13.480 And the prayers 00:42:13.480 --> 00:42:14.480 Now 00:42:14.480 --> 00:42:17.480 I'm going to come back to all of this 00:42:17.480 --> 00:42:19.480 But these are the four marks of the church 00:42:20.480 --> 00:42:22.480 And I'm going to explain them in a bit 00:42:22.480 --> 00:42:24.480 They devoted themselves 00:42:24.480 --> 00:42:26.480 To the apostles teaching 00:42:26.480 --> 00:42:28.480 And in the original language 00:42:28.480 --> 00:42:29.480 That devoted themselves 00:42:29.480 --> 00:42:32.480 Applies to every one of the four things 00:42:32.480 --> 00:42:33.480 And if you notice 00:42:33.480 --> 00:42:36.480 You don't have to put your hand up 00:42:36.480 --> 00:42:39.480 But some of you are English nerds 00:42:39.480 --> 00:42:41.480 We know who each other are 00:42:41.480 --> 00:42:43.480 And for English nerds 00:42:43.480 --> 00:42:44.480 It's really interesting 00:42:44.480 --> 00:42:47.480 The definite article is before each of the four of them 00:42:47.480 --> 00:42:49.480 Isn't it like a really neat English nerd type of thing? 00:42:49.480 --> 00:42:52.480 And so that's why there's the four marks, right? 00:42:52.480 --> 00:42:54.480 And so, you know, the first mark is 00:42:54.480 --> 00:42:57.480 They devoted themselves to the apostles teaching 00:42:57.480 --> 00:42:59.480 They devoted themselves to the fellowship 00:42:59.480 --> 00:43:00.480 Or the koinonia 00:43:00.480 --> 00:43:02.480 They devoted themselves to the breaking of bread 00:43:02.480 --> 00:43:04.480 And they devoted themselves to the prayers 00:43:04.480 --> 00:43:08.480 Now, before I go on and read this next little bit 00:43:08.480 --> 00:43:11.480 It's really important to understand what happens here 00:43:11.480 --> 00:43:13.480 Okay, what did not happen 00:43:13.480 --> 00:43:15.480 What did not happen 00:43:15.480 --> 00:43:18.480 Is that it didn't happen that the twelve apostles 00:43:18.480 --> 00:43:20.480 Gathered the hundred and twenty 00:43:20.480 --> 00:43:21.480 They said, okay, you three thousand people 00:43:21.480 --> 00:43:24.480 I'll go find a nice place to have some shawarma 00:43:24.480 --> 00:43:25.480 And some tabbouleh 00:43:25.480 --> 00:43:28.480 And after you've had some shawarma and tabbouleh 00:43:28.480 --> 00:43:30.480 And maybe some roast lamb or something like that 00:43:30.480 --> 00:43:31.480 Just come back 00:43:31.480 --> 00:43:34.480 And the hundred and twenty went off into a room 00:43:34.480 --> 00:43:36.480 And Peter got up and said 00:43:36.480 --> 00:43:39.480 We're going to look at our strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats 00:43:39.480 --> 00:43:42.480 And so we're all going to break up into small little groups 00:43:42.480 --> 00:43:44.480 And first we're going to all share with each other 00:43:44.480 --> 00:43:47.480 Like what some of the strengths are about this Jesus movement 00:43:47.480 --> 00:43:49.480 And write them down on some full-scat paper 00:43:49.480 --> 00:43:51.480 And then after you've done that 00:43:51.480 --> 00:43:54.480 We're going to tape them all up on the wall around the room 00:43:54.480 --> 00:43:56.480 And now we want to do through 00:43:56.480 --> 00:43:57.480 Now we've done the strengths 00:43:57.480 --> 00:43:58.480 Let's do some of the weaknesses 00:43:58.480 --> 00:44:00.480 And then let's do some of the opportunities 00:44:00.480 --> 00:44:01.480 Let's do some of the threats 00:44:01.480 --> 00:44:04.480 Okay, and then after the facilitator has done all of that type of stuff 00:44:04.480 --> 00:44:08.480 He says, here we have a couple of little stars 00:44:08.480 --> 00:44:11.480 You each have four stars, five stars 00:44:11.480 --> 00:44:12.480 And we want to go to the strengths 00:44:12.480 --> 00:44:17.480 And I want you to put the star beside the strength ones that you think are our strengths 00:44:17.480 --> 00:44:19.480 And then we'll count them all up 00:44:19.480 --> 00:44:21.480 And then we'll see if we can group a few of them together 00:44:21.480 --> 00:44:23.480 And then we'll come up with some type of an action plan 00:44:24.480 --> 00:44:27.480 That didn't happen 00:44:28.480 --> 00:44:36.480 What happened is something both natural and supernatural just happened 00:44:36.480 --> 00:44:39.480 It wasn't thought through 00:44:39.480 --> 00:44:42.480 There was no institutional structure to plan it 00:44:43.480 --> 00:44:46.480 They, on the day of Pentecost 00:44:47.480 --> 00:44:48.480 On the day of Pentecost 00:44:48.480 --> 00:44:50.480 Nobody knew what was going to happen 00:44:50.480 --> 00:44:53.480 Like all of those 120 people in the upper room 00:44:53.480 --> 00:44:55.480 When they woke up that morning 00:44:55.480 --> 00:44:56.480 They didn't wake up and say 00:44:56.480 --> 00:44:58.480 I think the Holy Spirit's going to fall 00:44:58.480 --> 00:45:00.480 And it's going to create four marks of the church 00:45:00.480 --> 00:45:03.480 No, they just woke up 00:45:03.480 --> 00:45:04.480 That's all they did 00:45:04.480 --> 00:45:06.480 And you know, there were more than 120 00:45:06.480 --> 00:45:07.480 And, but some of the people 00:45:07.480 --> 00:45:08.480 They, you know, they went off 00:45:08.480 --> 00:45:09.480 Because, you know, people have to work 00:45:09.480 --> 00:45:12.480 And, and so some of them went off to do work 00:45:12.480 --> 00:45:14.480 And, and some of them didn't have to work that day 00:45:14.480 --> 00:45:16.480 And they gathered and they spent some time in prayer 00:45:16.480 --> 00:45:18.480 And then lo and behold the Holy Spirit falls 00:45:18.480 --> 00:45:21.480 And then lo behold Peter gets up and preaches this sermon 00:45:21.480 --> 00:45:26.480 And all of a sudden they go from about 500 people to three, over 3,000 people 00:45:26.480 --> 00:45:28.480 And that just all happened with no plan 00:45:28.480 --> 00:45:30.480 And then the next thing you know 00:45:30.480 --> 00:45:31.480 And then the next thing you know 00:45:31.480 --> 00:45:34.480 Is there's just something natural and supernatural 00:45:34.480 --> 00:45:36.480 And that these four marks 00:45:36.480 --> 00:45:38.480 The way to understand these four marks 00:45:38.480 --> 00:45:40.480 Is that in a sense four seeds 00:45:40.480 --> 00:45:43.480 Are planted in everybody's life 00:45:43.480 --> 00:45:45.480 That are going to grow 00:45:45.480 --> 00:45:47.480 Or another way to understand it 00:45:47.480 --> 00:45:48.480 Is that the Holy Spirit 00:45:48.480 --> 00:45:50.480 Between knowing who Jesus is 00:45:50.480 --> 00:45:52.480 And what he's done for us on the cross 00:45:52.480 --> 00:45:54.480 And the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives 00:45:54.480 --> 00:45:58.480 Four quests begin 00:45:58.480 --> 00:46:01.480 And one of the things which is so brilliant about this 00:46:01.480 --> 00:46:03.480 Including the next little bits 00:46:03.480 --> 00:46:05.480 Is it doesn't say 00:46:05.480 --> 00:46:07.480 All of the, the, the little 00:46:07.480 --> 00:46:10.480 It doesn't come up with this detailed strategic plan 00:46:10.480 --> 00:46:12.480 It just gives you these four seeds 00:46:12.480 --> 00:46:14.480 And it happens time and time and time again 00:46:14.480 --> 00:46:17.480 It's, it's why they're considered to be the marks of the church 00:46:17.480 --> 00:46:19.480 Is that when people hear about Jesus 00:46:19.480 --> 00:46:20.480 And hear who he is 00:46:20.480 --> 00:46:21.480 And what he did for them on the cross 00:46:21.480 --> 00:46:23.480 They hear about his life 00:46:23.480 --> 00:46:25.480 And they trust their life to him 00:46:25.480 --> 00:46:27.480 And he really takes them to himself 00:46:27.480 --> 00:46:29.480 And the Holy Spirit really enters into them 00:46:29.480 --> 00:46:32.480 And, and the Holy Spirit places four seeds in your life 00:46:32.480 --> 00:46:35.480 Or launches you on four quests 00:46:35.480 --> 00:46:37.480 And they all fit together 00:46:37.480 --> 00:46:39.480 And they're going to be contextual 00:46:39.480 --> 00:46:42.480 There, it's, it's so neat 00:46:42.480 --> 00:46:45.480 Because, um, so, you know 00:46:45.480 --> 00:46:47.480 In, in, uh, six years ago 00:46:47.480 --> 00:46:48.480 I, I had the great privilege 00:46:48.480 --> 00:46:50.480 I was able to go to Angola for a while 00:46:50.480 --> 00:46:55.480 And, um, and, and one of the, the, the, the, the, the, one of the groups I got to be able to visit 00:46:55.480 --> 00:46:59.480 Was, uh, at some of the missionaries that we supported helped plant a church 00:46:59.480 --> 00:47:01.480 In this area of Angola 00:47:01.480 --> 00:47:04.480 That in many ways was using similar farming methods 00:47:04.480 --> 00:47:06.480 As they would have used 200 years ago 00:47:06.480 --> 00:47:09.480 Like this is, you know, beyond the beyond the beyond the beyond 00:47:09.480 --> 00:47:11.480 And they planted a church under a tree 00:47:11.480 --> 00:47:14.480 And they planted a church under a tree 00:47:14.480 --> 00:47:16.480 But that church has these four marks 00:47:16.480 --> 00:47:21.480 And you can read the story of Tim Keller 00:47:21.480 --> 00:47:24.480 Planning a church amongst the intellectual and the rich in Manhattan 00:47:24.480 --> 00:47:26.480 And their church has these four marks 00:47:26.480 --> 00:47:31.480 That there's something very dynamic and contextual about it 00:47:31.480 --> 00:47:34.480 And it's not as if there's this whole pile of rules 00:47:34.480 --> 00:47:36.480 That bangs you over the head 00:47:36.480 --> 00:47:38.480 That you have to follow every little thing 00:47:38.480 --> 00:47:39.480 It's, that's what I say 00:47:39.480 --> 00:47:43.480 It's like a, a, it's a seed that grows where it's planted 00:47:43.480 --> 00:47:45.480 And it's gonna, that seed is still recognizable 00:47:45.480 --> 00:47:47.480 And will grow in urban 00:47:47.480 --> 00:47:50.480 And, and, and, and, and, and, uh, down 00:47:50.480 --> 00:47:52.480 More urban, suburban Ottawa 00:47:52.480 --> 00:47:54.480 And it, it will grow in Eganville 00:47:54.480 --> 00:47:56.480 And it will grow in Angola 00:47:56.480 --> 00:47:57.480 And in Nigeria 00:47:57.480 --> 00:47:59.480 And in Singapore 00:47:59.480 --> 00:48:00.480 And in Hong Kong 00:48:00.480 --> 00:48:02.480 And in secret 00:48:02.480 --> 00:48:03.480 In Tehran 00:48:03.480 --> 00:48:07.480 I, I just saw a report 00:48:07.480 --> 00:48:08.480 That they estimate that 00:48:08.480 --> 00:48:10.480 Over half the mosques 00:48:10.480 --> 00:48:12.480 In Iran have been closed 00:48:12.480 --> 00:48:14.480 And I just read a report 00:48:14.480 --> 00:48:16.480 That one of the senior clerics in Iran 00:48:16.480 --> 00:48:19.480 Blames the secret conversions of Christians 00:48:19.480 --> 00:48:21.480 To, from Islam to Christianity 00:48:21.480 --> 00:48:23.480 In Iran 00:48:23.480 --> 00:48:27.480 Is causing the mosques to be shut down 00:48:27.480 --> 00:48:28.480 And they're going to be shut down 00:48:28.480 --> 00:48:33.480 Brothers and sisters 00:48:33.480 --> 00:48:34.480 That blows my mind 00:48:34.480 --> 00:48:38.480 That just blows my mind 00:48:38.480 --> 00:48:40.480 That just blows my mind 00:48:40.480 --> 00:48:42.480 They risk losing everything 00:48:42.480 --> 00:48:45.480 To give their life to Christ 00:48:45.480 --> 00:48:46.480 Like, their life 00:48:46.480 --> 00:48:48.480 If not their life 00:48:48.480 --> 00:48:49.480 Their job, their occupation 00:48:49.480 --> 00:48:51.480 My, my wife's reading a 00:48:51.480 --> 00:48:52.480 I haven't read yet 00:48:52.480 --> 00:48:53.480 I started it 00:48:53.480 --> 00:48:54.480 But, uh, reading a, a, a 00:48:54.480 --> 00:48:56.480 I, I, it's supposed to be 00:48:56.480 --> 00:48:57.480 A very profound book 00:48:57.480 --> 00:48:58.480 Everything sad 00:48:58.480 --> 00:48:59.480 Uh, everything sad 00:48:59.480 --> 00:49:00.480 Becomes, has become untrue 00:49:00.480 --> 00:49:01.480 Or something like that 00:49:01.480 --> 00:49:03.480 And it's the story 00:49:03.480 --> 00:49:05.480 Of, um, an Iranian man 00:49:05.480 --> 00:49:07.480 Whose mother was a dentist 00:49:07.480 --> 00:49:09.480 I think it was a dentist 00:49:09.480 --> 00:49:10.480 And she became a Christian 00:49:10.480 --> 00:49:12.480 And due to persecution 00:49:12.480 --> 00:49:13.480 She had to flee Iran 00:49:13.480 --> 00:49:15.480 And leave all of her, her wealthy life 00:49:15.480 --> 00:49:17.480 Uh, she had to leave her husband 00:49:17.480 --> 00:49:19.480 He didn't want anything to do with her 00:49:19.480 --> 00:49:21.480 And ended up coming to Oklahoma 00:49:21.480 --> 00:49:23.480 And it's the story about him 00:49:23.480 --> 00:49:25.480 This Iranian boy 00:49:25.480 --> 00:49:26.480 Trying to figure out 00:49:26.480 --> 00:49:28.480 How to live as an eight year old 00:49:28.480 --> 00:49:29.480 In, in Oklahoma 00:49:29.480 --> 00:49:30.480 Of all places 00:49:30.480 --> 00:49:32.480 And, uh, it's, uh, I've heard many people 00:49:32.480 --> 00:49:33.480 I'm, I'm looking forward to reading it 00:49:33.480 --> 00:49:34.480 After my wife has finished it 00:49:34.480 --> 00:49:36.480 It's a, a brilliant book 00:49:36.480 --> 00:49:38.480 But, but, you know, here's the point 00:49:38.480 --> 00:49:40.480 These are these four marks 00:49:40.480 --> 00:49:42.480 And, and they're gonna look different 00:49:42.480 --> 00:49:43.480 In different contexts 00:49:43.480 --> 00:49:44.480 But they're there 00:49:44.480 --> 00:49:46.480 When the gospel is preached 00:49:46.480 --> 00:49:48.480 Well, let, let's just finish reading this 00:49:48.480 --> 00:49:50.480 Because it sort of fleshes it out 00:49:50.480 --> 00:49:51.480 And, and then I'll go back 00:49:51.480 --> 00:49:52.480 And very briefly say 00:49:52.480 --> 00:49:53.480 We'll look at each of them 00:49:53.480 --> 00:49:54.480 What they are 00:49:54.480 --> 00:49:55.480 So we'll just read verse 42 again 00:49:55.480 --> 00:49:56.480 And they devoted themselves 00:49:56.480 --> 00:49:58.480 To the apostles' teaching 00:49:58.480 --> 00:49:59.480 They devoted themselves 00:49:59.480 --> 00:50:00.480 To the fellowship 00:50:00.480 --> 00:50:01.480 They devoted themselves 00:50:01.480 --> 00:50:02.480 To the breaking of bread 00:50:02.480 --> 00:50:03.480 And they devoted themselves 00:50:03.480 --> 00:50:04.480 To the prayers 00:50:04.480 --> 00:50:07.480 And awe came upon every soul 00:50:07.480 --> 00:50:09.480 And many wonders and signs 00:50:09.480 --> 00:50:12.480 Were being done through the apostles 00:50:12.480 --> 00:50:15.480 And all who believed were together 00:50:15.480 --> 00:50:17.480 And had all things in common 00:50:17.480 --> 00:50:19.480 And they were selling their possessions 00:50:19.480 --> 00:50:20.480 And belongings 00:50:20.480 --> 00:50:22.480 And distributing the proceeds 00:50:22.480 --> 00:50:24.480 To all as any had need 00:50:24.480 --> 00:50:26.480 And day by day 00:50:26.480 --> 00:50:28.480 Attending the temple together 00:50:28.480 --> 00:50:30.480 And breaking bread in their homes 00:50:30.480 --> 00:50:32.480 They received their food 00:50:32.480 --> 00:50:33.480 With glad and generous hearts 00:50:33.480 --> 00:50:35.480 Praising God 00:50:35.480 --> 00:50:38.480 And having favour with all the people 00:50:38.480 --> 00:50:40.480 And, um, you know how in English 00:50:40.480 --> 00:50:42.480 You can have double entendres 00:50:42.480 --> 00:50:43.480 And, uh, one of the things 00:50:43.480 --> 00:50:45.480 That kids' movies discovered 00:50:45.480 --> 00:50:46.480 A few years ago 00:50:46.480 --> 00:50:48.480 Is that they could make kids' movies 00:50:48.480 --> 00:50:49.480 In such a way 00:50:49.480 --> 00:50:51.480 That the kids could follow it 00:50:51.480 --> 00:50:52.480 But often when they say certain things 00:50:52.480 --> 00:50:54.480 The adults would realize 00:50:54.480 --> 00:50:56.480 It's, there's like a second meaning to it 00:50:56.480 --> 00:50:57.480 Like they're making some film reference 00:50:57.480 --> 00:50:58.480 Or some political reference 00:50:58.480 --> 00:50:59.480 Or whatever 00:50:59.480 --> 00:51:01.480 You can have, like the same words 00:51:01.480 --> 00:51:02.480 Have two sort of multiple meanings 00:51:02.480 --> 00:51:04.480 And, and that's what happens here in this 00:51:04.480 --> 00:51:06.480 And so, uh, the original people 00:51:06.480 --> 00:51:08.480 Hearing this biography 00:51:08.480 --> 00:51:10.480 Or this history in the original language 00:51:10.480 --> 00:51:11.480 They would have heard 00:51:11.480 --> 00:51:13.480 Praising God and having favour with all the people 00:51:13.480 --> 00:51:14.480 In other words 00:51:14.480 --> 00:51:16.480 People had good will towards the Christians 00:51:16.480 --> 00:51:17.480 But it also says 00:51:17.480 --> 00:51:19.480 They were praising good, the God 00:51:19.480 --> 00:51:22.480 And they had good will towards all the people 00:51:22.480 --> 00:51:23.480 In other words 00:51:23.480 --> 00:51:24.480 It's a context where they 00:51:24.480 --> 00:51:25.480 The Christians 00:51:25.480 --> 00:51:27.480 Had good will to Jerusalem 00:51:27.480 --> 00:51:29.480 And Jerusalem had good will towards them 00:51:29.480 --> 00:51:32.480 And the Lord added to their number 00:51:32.480 --> 00:51:33.480 Day by day 00:51:33.480 --> 00:51:34.480 Those who were being saved 00:51:34.480 --> 00:51:35.480 And that's what John Stott 00:51:35.480 --> 00:51:36.480 And I agree with him 00:51:36.480 --> 00:51:37.480 Says is the fifth mark 00:51:37.480 --> 00:51:38.480 That people 00:51:38.480 --> 00:51:39.480 The church grows 00:51:39.480 --> 00:51:41.480 That people come to a saving faith 00:51:41.480 --> 00:51:42.480 In, in Jesus 00:51:42.480 --> 00:51:44.480 That God does this work 00:51:44.480 --> 00:51:46.480 And this is a summary statement 00:51:46.480 --> 00:51:47.480 And the rest of the book of Acts 00:51:47.480 --> 00:51:48.480 Will show that 00:51:48.480 --> 00:51:50.480 This was a, a sweet time 00:51:50.480 --> 00:51:51.480 In their life 00:51:51.480 --> 00:51:53.480 But that problems would come 00:51:53.480 --> 00:51:54.480 Like at the very next chapter 00:51:54.480 --> 00:51:56.480 There's both a miracle reported 00:51:56.480 --> 00:51:58.480 But also an arrest reported 00:51:58.480 --> 00:52:00.480 And, and, and eventually 00:52:00.480 --> 00:52:01.480 There'll be martyrdoms 00:52:01.480 --> 00:52:03.480 Stephen will be martyred 00:52:03.480 --> 00:52:04.480 And James will be martyred 00:52:04.480 --> 00:52:06.480 And, and that's going to all develop 00:52:06.480 --> 00:52:08.480 But this is the summary statement 00:52:08.480 --> 00:52:09.480 And, and so let's go back 00:52:09.480 --> 00:52:10.480 To the marks 00:52:10.480 --> 00:52:11.480 And, and if you could put up 00:52:11.480 --> 00:52:12.480 The first one 00:52:12.480 --> 00:52:13.480 That would be very good 00:52:13.480 --> 00:52:14.480 And they voted themselves 00:52:14.480 --> 00:52:16.480 To the apostles teaching 00:52:16.480 --> 00:52:19.480 Now, obviously in that, those days 00:52:19.480 --> 00:52:22.480 That meant something very, very specific 00:52:22.480 --> 00:52:25.480 I, they didn't have to read 00:52:25.480 --> 00:52:26.480 The book of Matthew 00:52:26.480 --> 00:52:28.480 Cause they could have said 00:52:28.480 --> 00:52:29.480 Oh, there's Matthew 00:52:29.480 --> 00:52:30.480 Let's go listen to him talk 00:52:30.480 --> 00:52:32.480 They didn't have to read 00:52:32.480 --> 00:52:33.480 The book of John 00:52:33.480 --> 00:52:34.480 Cause it could say 00:52:34.480 --> 00:52:35.480 There's John 00:52:35.480 --> 00:52:36.480 Let's go hear him talk 00:52:36.480 --> 00:52:38.480 Um, most ancient Christians 00:52:38.480 --> 00:52:39.480 Believe that, uh, Peter 00:52:39.480 --> 00:52:40.480 Was the genius 00:52:40.480 --> 00:52:42.480 Behind the, the ancient biography 00:52:42.480 --> 00:52:43.480 That we now call Mark 00:52:43.480 --> 00:52:45.480 So people didn't have to read Mark 00:52:45.480 --> 00:52:46.480 They could just say 00:52:46.480 --> 00:52:47.480 Oh, there's Peter 00:52:47.480 --> 00:52:48.480 Let's go listen to him talk 00:52:48.480 --> 00:52:49.480 Right? 00:52:49.480 --> 00:52:50.480 And that, that's how it would have 00:52:50.480 --> 00:52:51.480 Been back then 00:52:51.480 --> 00:52:52.480 And not just the, the, the, and 00:52:52.480 --> 00:52:55.480 But now it's, it's a very commonly understood 00:52:55.480 --> 00:52:56.480 That when we say 00:52:56.480 --> 00:52:57.480 They devoted themselves 00:52:57.480 --> 00:52:58.480 To the apostles teaching 00:52:58.480 --> 00:52:59.480 That what we have 00:52:59.480 --> 00:53:01.480 In the New Testament 00:53:01.480 --> 00:53:03.480 Is the apostolic teaching 00:53:03.480 --> 00:53:05.480 Jesus taught the apostles 00:53:05.480 --> 00:53:08.480 And that is what the apostles 00:53:08.480 --> 00:53:10.480 In a sense guaranteed 00:53:10.480 --> 00:53:12.480 Is included in what we now call 00:53:12.480 --> 00:53:13.480 The New Testament 00:53:13.480 --> 00:53:14.480 Just a little while ago 00:53:14.480 --> 00:53:16.480 I, I had a conversation 00:53:16.480 --> 00:53:18.480 With somebody in a, in a coffee shop 00:53:18.480 --> 00:53:21.480 And, um, they were asking me 00:53:21.480 --> 00:53:22.480 Some questions about the Bible 00:53:22.480 --> 00:53:24.480 And they were actually very surprised 00:53:24.480 --> 00:53:25.480 They thought that the Jewish people 00:53:25.480 --> 00:53:26.480 Had a Bible 00:53:26.480 --> 00:53:27.480 And that Christians had a Bible 00:53:27.480 --> 00:53:28.480 I said, one more moment 00:53:28.480 --> 00:53:31.480 We don't really have separate Bibles 00:53:31.480 --> 00:53:33.480 They said, and they looked at me funny 00:53:33.480 --> 00:53:34.480 And they said, well, what's going on? 00:53:34.480 --> 00:53:35.480 I said, well, actually 00:53:35.480 --> 00:53:37.480 What you can understand is 00:53:37.480 --> 00:53:39.480 If you put on a piece of paper 00:53:39.480 --> 00:53:41.480 Jesus and like a line on either side 00:53:41.480 --> 00:53:42.480 And there's Jesus 00:53:42.480 --> 00:53:45.480 And then above the line 00:53:45.480 --> 00:53:46.480 Is what we would now call 00:53:46.480 --> 00:53:48.480 We call the New Testament 00:53:48.480 --> 00:53:50.480 And below the line 00:53:50.480 --> 00:53:51.480 Is what our Jewish friends called 00:53:51.480 --> 00:53:53.480 The Tanakh or the Torah 00:53:53.480 --> 00:53:55.480 And we call the Old Testament 00:53:55.480 --> 00:53:57.480 And, uh, in a sense 00:53:57.480 --> 00:53:59.480 All of the things in, in the Tanakh 00:53:59.480 --> 00:54:02.480 Are things that were written before Jesus 00:54:02.480 --> 00:54:04.480 And the things in the New Testament 00:54:04.480 --> 00:54:06.480 Are what was written after Jesus 00:54:06.480 --> 00:54:08.480 Ultimately, Jesus is the guarantor 00:54:08.480 --> 00:54:10.480 Of the truth of the New Testament 00:54:10.480 --> 00:54:12.480 And it's because of Jesus 00:54:12.480 --> 00:54:13.480 That we trust the truthfulness 00:54:13.480 --> 00:54:14.480 Of the Old Testament 00:54:14.480 --> 00:54:16.480 It all centers on Jesus 00:54:16.480 --> 00:54:18.480 And I said, so our Jewish friends 00:54:18.480 --> 00:54:20.480 They accept all underneath the line 00:54:20.480 --> 00:54:22.480 But we as Christians 00:54:22.480 --> 00:54:23.480 We as Christians 00:54:23.480 --> 00:54:24.480 We accept both what's underneath the line 00:54:24.480 --> 00:54:25.480 And above the line 00:54:25.480 --> 00:54:26.480 And above the line 00:54:26.480 --> 00:54:27.480 Our Jewish friends 00:54:27.480 --> 00:54:28.480 Think we've gone too far 00:54:28.480 --> 00:54:30.480 And we Christians think 00:54:30.480 --> 00:54:31.480 Our Jewish friends 00:54:31.480 --> 00:54:32.480 Haven't gone far enough 00:54:32.480 --> 00:54:35.480 And hopefully we can be friends 00:54:35.480 --> 00:54:37.480 Although hopefully 00:54:37.480 --> 00:54:38.480 They'll also come down to Jesus 00:54:38.480 --> 00:54:39.480 I didn't say that to the person 00:54:39.480 --> 00:54:40.480 I was asking about it 00:54:40.480 --> 00:54:41.480 I was just trying to explain the Bible 00:54:41.480 --> 00:54:42.480 To explain the Bible 00:54:42.480 --> 00:54:44.480 But what we see here then 00:54:44.480 --> 00:54:46.480 Is they devoted themselves 00:54:46.480 --> 00:54:48.480 To the apostles' teaching 00:54:48.480 --> 00:54:50.480 Here, I think the way I put it 00:54:50.480 --> 00:54:51.480 That you should be able to see 00:54:51.480 --> 00:54:52.480 Up on your screen 00:54:52.480 --> 00:54:56.480 Is the first mark of the church 00:54:56.480 --> 00:54:57.480 Is a devotion to hearing 00:54:57.480 --> 00:55:00.480 And understanding God's word written 00:55:00.480 --> 00:55:02.480 And you know, when I said that 00:55:02.480 --> 00:55:03.480 These are things that are all natural 00:55:03.480 --> 00:55:05.480 And supernatural 00:55:05.480 --> 00:55:07.480 They're natural in this sense 00:55:07.480 --> 00:55:10.480 You know, one of the very common themes 00:55:10.480 --> 00:55:11.480 In movies 00:55:11.480 --> 00:55:13.480 When you see somebody 00:55:13.480 --> 00:55:14.480 Who's really grieving 00:55:14.480 --> 00:55:15.480 The death of a loved one 00:55:15.480 --> 00:55:17.480 It's a very, very common bit 00:55:17.480 --> 00:55:18.480 In the movies 00:55:18.480 --> 00:55:19.480 Is that they 00:55:19.480 --> 00:55:22.480 They don't cancel the phone number 00:55:22.480 --> 00:55:23.480 Of their beloved 00:55:23.480 --> 00:55:25.480 And they 00:55:25.480 --> 00:55:27.480 Time and time again 00:55:27.480 --> 00:55:30.480 They call their beloved's phone number 00:55:30.480 --> 00:55:32.480 So they can hear their voice 00:55:32.480 --> 00:55:33.480 Their voice 00:55:33.480 --> 00:55:35.480 And the message machine 00:55:35.480 --> 00:55:37.480 Because they want to hear the voice 00:55:37.480 --> 00:55:38.480 Of their loved one 00:55:40.480 --> 00:55:41.480 And some of you 00:55:41.480 --> 00:55:43.480 Who've lost loved ones 00:55:43.480 --> 00:55:44.480 And then maybe 00:55:44.480 --> 00:55:45.480 You discover some letters 00:55:45.480 --> 00:55:46.480 From your loved one 00:55:46.480 --> 00:55:47.480 That you'd forgotten 00:55:47.480 --> 00:55:48.480 You're doing some house tiding 00:55:48.480 --> 00:55:49.480 You discover some letters 00:55:49.480 --> 00:55:50.480 Or something like that 00:55:50.480 --> 00:55:51.480 For younger people 00:55:51.480 --> 00:55:52.480 There are these things 00:55:52.480 --> 00:55:53.480 That used to exist 00:55:53.480 --> 00:55:54.480 Called letters 00:55:54.480 --> 00:55:55.480 Where you'd write on paper 00:55:55.480 --> 00:55:56.480 And put a stamp 00:55:56.480 --> 00:55:57.480 And mail them 00:55:57.480 --> 00:55:59.480 And if you've ever been 00:55:59.480 --> 00:56:00.480 To know people in that situation 00:56:00.480 --> 00:56:01.480 They're just so 00:56:01.480 --> 00:56:03.480 Overjoyed 00:56:03.480 --> 00:56:05.480 To hear their loved ones speak 00:56:05.480 --> 00:56:08.480 And so at the heart of this 00:56:08.480 --> 00:56:10.480 Is something very, very natural 00:56:10.480 --> 00:56:11.480 Because you see 00:56:11.480 --> 00:56:12.480 We understand 00:56:12.480 --> 00:56:14.480 That God loves us so much 00:56:14.480 --> 00:56:15.480 That he sent his son 00:56:15.480 --> 00:56:16.480 To die for us 00:56:16.480 --> 00:56:17.480 So that when we hear 00:56:17.480 --> 00:56:19.480 What we call the New Testament 00:56:19.480 --> 00:56:20.480 What we're hearing 00:56:20.480 --> 00:56:22.480 Is we're hearing God speak to us 00:56:22.480 --> 00:56:24.480 And we want to hear God speak to us 00:56:24.480 --> 00:56:26.480 We want him to speak to us 00:56:26.480 --> 00:56:28.480 It's both very natural 00:56:28.480 --> 00:56:29.480 And in a sense 00:56:29.480 --> 00:56:30.480 It's also supernatural 00:56:30.480 --> 00:56:32.480 And then look at the second mark 00:56:32.480 --> 00:56:34.480 And this is the one that gets 00:56:34.480 --> 00:56:35.480 In some ways 00:56:35.480 --> 00:56:36.480 People the most worried 00:56:36.480 --> 00:56:37.480 To the fellowship 00:56:37.480 --> 00:56:38.480 Or to the koinonia 00:56:38.480 --> 00:56:39.480 And I put it 00:56:39.480 --> 00:56:40.480 The second mark 00:56:40.480 --> 00:56:41.480 Is a devotion to having 00:56:41.480 --> 00:56:42.480 A common life 00:56:42.480 --> 00:56:44.480 With your brothers and sisters 00:56:44.480 --> 00:56:45.480 In Christ 00:56:45.480 --> 00:56:46.480 And 00:56:46.480 --> 00:56:50.480 And it's going to be 00:56:50.480 --> 00:56:51.480 A common life 00:56:51.480 --> 00:56:52.480 That's going to involve money 00:56:52.480 --> 00:56:55.480 Just, you know 00:56:55.480 --> 00:56:56.480 Give me a little bit of grace 00:56:56.480 --> 00:56:57.480 Here 00:56:57.480 --> 00:56:58.480 It's a common life 00:56:58.480 --> 00:56:59.480 That's going to involve 00:56:59.480 --> 00:57:01.480 Involve money 00:57:01.480 --> 00:57:04.480 And it's just a natural thing 00:57:04.480 --> 00:57:08.480 We human beings are social creatures 00:57:08.480 --> 00:57:13.480 If things are working properly 00:57:13.480 --> 00:57:15.480 Like we understand it's a tragedy 00:57:15.480 --> 00:57:19.480 When a child has both of his parents 00:57:19.480 --> 00:57:21.480 Or her parents die 00:57:21.480 --> 00:57:23.480 And it's even a bigger tragedy 00:57:23.480 --> 00:57:24.480 If there's not an aunt 00:57:24.480 --> 00:57:25.480 Or an uncle 00:57:25.480 --> 00:57:26.480 Or a grandparent 00:57:26.480 --> 00:57:28.480 That can care for that child 00:57:30.480 --> 00:57:31.480 And step in 00:57:31.480 --> 00:57:33.480 And in many times 00:57:33.480 --> 00:57:34.480 In places in the world 00:57:34.480 --> 00:57:36.480 That child could just have been condemned to death 00:57:36.480 --> 00:57:39.480 Unless there's something like an orphanage 00:57:39.480 --> 00:57:42.480 But we understand that there's something just natural 00:57:42.480 --> 00:57:43.480 And holy 00:57:43.480 --> 00:57:45.480 About something like a family 00:57:45.480 --> 00:57:47.480 That we're meant to be social 00:57:47.480 --> 00:57:50.480 And what happens when you put your faith and trust in Christ 00:57:50.480 --> 00:57:52.480 Is you become part of the family of God 00:57:52.480 --> 00:57:53.480 And it's 00:57:53.480 --> 00:57:57.480 If you have no desire to all be with your brothers and sisters 00:57:57.480 --> 00:58:00.480 In some type of concrete, not an imaginary way 00:58:00.480 --> 00:58:03.480 Then there's something which is missing in your Christian life 00:58:03.480 --> 00:58:07.480 And if there's not some type of financial involvement with that 00:58:07.480 --> 00:58:10.480 There's something missing in your Christian life 00:58:14.480 --> 00:58:17.480 And so Christians have understood that there's this desire 00:58:17.480 --> 00:58:19.480 To have some type of a common life 00:58:19.480 --> 00:58:20.480 That's going to be very contextual 00:58:20.480 --> 00:58:22.480 It's going to look very different 00:58:22.480 --> 00:58:24.480 If, and I don't think she'll mind 00:58:24.480 --> 00:58:25.480 I know that every week 00:58:25.480 --> 00:58:28.480 Anne, who's in her 90s, watches this service 00:58:28.480 --> 00:58:29.480 She can no longer come to service 00:58:29.480 --> 00:58:30.480 Is it? 00:58:30.480 --> 00:58:32.480 She watches 00:58:32.480 --> 00:58:33.480 Hi Anne 00:58:33.480 --> 00:58:35.480 Like you're watching this right now 00:58:35.480 --> 00:58:40.480 And we have to figure out ways to include people who get shut in 00:58:40.480 --> 00:58:44.480 And there's some people who are watching this 00:58:44.480 --> 00:58:46.480 And they could leave their house and come here 00:58:46.480 --> 00:58:48.480 And that's not being part of a common life 00:58:48.480 --> 00:58:49.480 Like I don't want to lay a guilt on you 00:58:49.480 --> 00:58:51.480 But we need each other 00:58:51.480 --> 00:58:54.480 And that common life is everything from having prayer partners 00:58:54.480 --> 00:58:56.480 It's being parts of small groups 00:58:56.480 --> 00:58:58.480 It's helping out on a Sunday morning 00:58:58.480 --> 00:58:59.480 It's coming to worship 00:58:59.480 --> 00:59:01.480 And it could involve very, very costly things 00:59:01.480 --> 00:59:03.480 Of financial help for people 00:59:03.480 --> 00:59:05.480 We've, in this congregation in the past 00:59:05.480 --> 00:59:07.480 Had to help members of the congregation 00:59:07.480 --> 00:59:09.480 Who've been in financial distress 00:59:09.480 --> 00:59:12.480 For them to be able to continue to live in their house 00:59:12.480 --> 00:59:15.480 And it's not just something for your local church 00:59:15.480 --> 00:59:17.480 And this is one of the things I so love about Anglicanism 00:59:17.480 --> 00:59:21.480 Is that we are connected to other churches in the city 00:59:21.480 --> 00:59:22.480 Both within our tribe 00:59:22.480 --> 00:59:24.480 Those are the churches of the English Reformation 00:59:24.480 --> 00:59:26.480 But those outside of our tribe 00:59:26.480 --> 00:59:29.480 We're connected to other churches 00:59:29.480 --> 00:59:30.480 Putting on an apologetics event 00:59:30.480 --> 00:59:32.480 Where in a couple of weeks 00:59:32.480 --> 00:59:34.480 Hopefully we're going to have somebody come and speak 00:59:34.480 --> 00:59:36.480 Because we're part of a group of churches 00:59:36.480 --> 00:59:38.480 Not just from the English Reformation 00:59:38.480 --> 00:59:39.480 A group of churches 00:59:39.480 --> 00:59:41.480 And we team together 00:59:41.480 --> 00:59:43.480 To partner with a group of churches 00:59:43.480 --> 00:59:46.480 Amongst the very poor in Guatemala 00:59:46.480 --> 00:59:49.480 And we raise money 00:59:49.480 --> 00:59:52.480 To give to those churches 00:59:52.480 --> 00:59:54.480 For them to reach the poor in their community 00:59:54.480 --> 00:59:56.480 And that's koinonia 00:59:56.480 --> 00:59:57.480 That's fellowship 00:59:57.480 --> 01:00:00.480 One of the things we're going to pray about 01:00:00.480 --> 01:00:01.480 I don't know if Victor will 01:00:01.480 --> 01:00:02.480 But I'm going to pray about 01:00:02.480 --> 01:00:04.480 If Victor doesn't pray about in our intercessions 01:00:04.480 --> 01:00:07.480 Is that we support missionaries throughout the world 01:00:07.480 --> 01:00:10.480 And one of the missionary families that we support 01:00:10.480 --> 01:00:12.480 When his son 01:00:12.480 --> 01:00:14.480 They're missionaries in Israel 01:00:14.480 --> 01:00:16.480 And when their son turned 18 01:00:16.480 --> 01:00:18.480 And he's basically lived his whole life in Israel 01:00:18.480 --> 01:00:19.480 He knows no other 01:00:19.480 --> 01:00:22.480 I mean technically I think they're New Zealanders or something 01:00:22.480 --> 01:00:25.480 But that's just like a foreign country to him 01:00:25.480 --> 01:00:26.480 He's grown up in Israel 01:00:26.480 --> 01:00:27.480 He's fluent in Jewish 01:00:27.480 --> 01:00:28.480 In Hebrew 01:00:28.480 --> 01:00:29.480 And when he turned 18 01:00:29.480 --> 01:00:30.480 He had a choice to make 01:00:30.480 --> 01:00:33.480 Either he would do his military service 01:00:33.480 --> 01:00:35.480 In the Israeli defense force 01:00:35.480 --> 01:00:37.480 Like other citizens 01:00:37.480 --> 01:00:39.480 Or he would have to leave 01:00:39.480 --> 01:00:40.480 And go back to New Zealand 01:00:40.480 --> 01:00:44.480 And so he chose to stay 01:00:44.480 --> 01:00:45.480 This is a missionary 01:00:45.480 --> 01:00:46.480 Aaron and Michelle 01:00:46.480 --> 01:00:48.480 We support them as missionaries 01:00:48.480 --> 01:00:50.480 And I got a picture yesterday 01:00:50.480 --> 01:00:53.480 Because their son got called up 01:00:53.480 --> 01:00:58.480 Because of the horrendous terrorist attack by Hamas 01:00:58.480 --> 01:01:02.480 And I got a picture of their son getting in the cab 01:01:02.480 --> 01:01:04.480 To go serve in the war 01:01:04.480 --> 01:01:08.480 But that involves us 01:01:08.480 --> 01:01:12.480 We're in Koinonia with him 01:01:12.480 --> 01:01:14.480 And we'll pray for him 01:01:14.480 --> 01:01:17.480 And just imagine how hard Aaron and Michelle must be praying 01:01:17.480 --> 01:01:18.480 And his brothers and sisters 01:01:18.480 --> 01:01:22.480 For their oldest son to go and fight this war 01:01:22.480 --> 01:01:26.480 And that's part of what it means to be in Koinonia 01:01:28.480 --> 01:01:30.480 And it involves our money 01:01:30.480 --> 01:01:31.480 It involves our prayer 01:01:31.480 --> 01:01:32.480 It involves our time 01:01:32.480 --> 01:01:34.480 And it might look different when you're in your 90s 01:01:34.480 --> 01:01:36.480 And it's going to look like when you're 18 01:01:36.480 --> 01:01:38.480 And it might look very different when you're 50 and able-bodied 01:01:38.480 --> 01:01:42.480 And for a mom with five or six young kids 01:01:42.480 --> 01:01:45.480 It's all going to look like that desire to have a common life 01:01:45.480 --> 01:01:47.480 That's what's there 01:01:47.480 --> 01:01:50.480 And I need to hurry up over the last two 01:01:50.480 --> 01:01:51.480 If you could put up the next one 01:01:51.480 --> 01:01:54.480 The third mark is a devotion to holy communion 01:01:54.480 --> 01:01:56.480 With the triune God through the Lord's Supper 01:01:56.480 --> 01:01:58.480 Look what it says, verse 42 01:01:58.480 --> 01:02:00.480 And they voted themselves to the apostles' teaching 01:02:00.480 --> 01:02:02.480 And the fellowship and the breaking of bread 01:02:02.480 --> 01:02:04.480 Now just to be clear 01:02:04.480 --> 01:02:07.480 If you went back in a time machine 01:02:07.480 --> 01:02:10.480 They would not do communion the way we do communion 01:02:10.480 --> 01:02:13.480 They almost definitely would have done 01:02:13.480 --> 01:02:15.480 What they would have almost definitely done 01:02:15.480 --> 01:02:19.480 Is they would have had all of us group up in varieties of tables 01:02:19.480 --> 01:02:21.480 And we would have all had a big potluck 01:02:21.480 --> 01:02:23.480 And in the midst of the pot 01:02:23.480 --> 01:02:25.480 And we would have arranged beforehand 01:02:25.480 --> 01:02:27.480 So Uzo's going to bring 01:02:27.480 --> 01:02:29.480 I don't know, he's going to bring the beef 01:02:29.480 --> 01:02:32.480 And Diane's going to bring the egg salad sandwiches 01:02:32.480 --> 01:02:34.480 Because she has a spiritual gift for that 01:02:34.480 --> 01:02:35.480 And she's famous for it 01:02:35.480 --> 01:02:37.480 And I don't know 01:02:37.480 --> 01:02:40.480 And Owen would bring some type of spectacular gift 01:02:40.480 --> 01:02:43.480 And I don't know, maybe Susie and her husband 01:02:43.480 --> 01:02:45.480 Would bring some smoked brisket 01:02:45.480 --> 01:02:46.480 Or something like that 01:02:46.480 --> 01:02:47.480 That they'd do in the barbecue 01:02:47.480 --> 01:02:49.480 And then we'd all have a nice meal 01:02:49.480 --> 01:02:50.480 But as part of that meal 01:02:50.480 --> 01:02:52.480 We would also have the Lord's Supper 01:02:54.480 --> 01:02:58.480 And I love the way Anglicans understand the Lord's Supper 01:02:59.480 --> 01:03:02.480 Here's the theological understanding 01:03:02.480 --> 01:03:04.480 And most of the things which is so beautiful 01:03:04.480 --> 01:03:05.480 About the English Reformation 01:03:05.480 --> 01:03:09.480 Is it teaches Christian truths through prayer 01:03:11.480 --> 01:03:13.480 And here's what we say 01:03:13.480 --> 01:03:14.480 This is like in a sense 01:03:14.480 --> 01:03:17.480 At the root of the English Reformation 01:03:17.480 --> 01:03:18.480 About communion 01:03:18.480 --> 01:03:20.480 The body of our Lord Jesus Christ 01:03:21.480 --> 01:03:22.480 Which was given for you 01:03:23.480 --> 01:03:25.480 Preserve your body and soul 01:03:25.480 --> 01:03:26.480 Unto everlasting life 01:03:26.480 --> 01:03:28.480 Take and eat this in remembrance 01:03:28.480 --> 01:03:31.480 That Christ died for you 01:03:31.480 --> 01:03:33.480 And feed on him 01:03:34.480 --> 01:03:35.480 In your heart 01:03:36.480 --> 01:03:37.480 By faith 01:03:38.480 --> 01:03:39.480 With thanksgiving 01:03:40.480 --> 01:03:41.480 It's not just remembering 01:03:42.480 --> 01:03:44.480 It's a time to feed on Christ 01:03:45.480 --> 01:03:46.480 In his person 01:03:46.480 --> 01:03:47.480 How do we do that? 01:03:48.480 --> 01:03:50.480 Well, you know what it means a little bit 01:03:50.480 --> 01:03:51.480 You know, if you see a grandmother 01:03:51.480 --> 01:03:53.480 Who gets together with her grandchildren 01:03:53.480 --> 01:03:56.480 And she just feeds on their presence 01:03:57.480 --> 01:04:00.480 You know, or you get to be with your family 01:04:01.480 --> 01:04:02.480 Or your loved one 01:04:03.480 --> 01:04:04.480 And you just sort of 01:04:05.480 --> 01:04:06.480 What do we say? 01:04:06.480 --> 01:04:07.480 You're eating it all in 01:04:07.480 --> 01:04:08.480 You're drinking it all in 01:04:09.480 --> 01:04:12.480 It's not just that you remember the good times 01:04:13.480 --> 01:04:14.480 You just 01:04:15.480 --> 01:04:17.480 That's what communion is 01:04:18.480 --> 01:04:19.480 So what are the marks? 01:04:19.480 --> 01:04:21.480 We're committed to hearing God speak through the Bible 01:04:21.480 --> 01:04:23.480 We're devoted to it 01:04:23.480 --> 01:04:24.480 We're devoted to having a common life together 01:04:25.480 --> 01:04:26.480 We're devoted around the Lord's Supper 01:04:27.480 --> 01:04:28.480 And the final thing is the prayers 01:04:29.480 --> 01:04:31.480 And they devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching 01:04:32.480 --> 01:04:33.480 And the fellowship 01:04:33.480 --> 01:04:34.480 To the breaking of bread and the prayers 01:04:35.480 --> 01:04:37.480 The fourth mark is a devotion to common prayer 01:04:38.480 --> 01:04:40.480 And so it goes beyond just having your private prayers 01:04:41.480 --> 01:04:44.480 It means that there's times when you have common prayer 01:04:45.480 --> 01:04:47.480 And that common prayer might be that if you join a small group 01:04:47.480 --> 01:04:50.480 And part of your small group time is you share prayer requests 01:04:50.480 --> 01:04:51.480 And you have common prayer 01:04:52.480 --> 01:04:55.480 And it also involves common prayer at a time like this 01:04:55.480 --> 01:04:56.480 Which is more formal 01:04:57.480 --> 01:04:58.480 Where Victor's going to come up in a few moments 01:04:59.480 --> 01:05:00.480 And he's going to lead us in some intercessions 01:05:01.480 --> 01:05:05.480 And we listen to him as he speaks to God on our behalf 01:05:06.480 --> 01:05:09.480 And then we all say, you know, we all agree with him in some type of way 01:05:10.480 --> 01:05:11.480 And say amen at the end 01:05:11.480 --> 01:05:12.480 And that's a decisive part of the church 01:05:12.480 --> 01:05:14.480 And all of these things are very, very natural 01:05:15.480 --> 01:05:16.480 And they're also supernatural 01:05:17.480 --> 01:05:20.480 They're natural because we want to hear loved ones and important ones speak to us 01:05:21.480 --> 01:05:22.480 And so we want to hear God speak to us 01:05:23.480 --> 01:05:25.480 They're natural because we want to have a common life with others 01:05:26.480 --> 01:05:27.480 Whether it's with friends or family or whatever 01:05:28.480 --> 01:05:29.480 And we want to have that 01:05:29.480 --> 01:05:31.480 And we want to have a common life with our brothers and sisters in Christ 01:05:32.480 --> 01:05:33.480 And it's a common, it's a natural thing 01:05:34.480 --> 01:05:36.480 Because we drink it in being with people that we love 01:05:37.480 --> 01:05:40.480 And people that we're, and so we want to, we want to, to keep the God's 01:05:40.480 --> 01:05:43.480 We want to, to keep the gospel in front of us 01:05:43.480 --> 01:05:44.480 And, and, and drink it in 01:05:45.480 --> 01:05:46.480 And, and feed on who he is 01:05:46.480 --> 01:05:47.480 And what he's done in his presence 01:05:48.480 --> 01:05:49.480 And our, and, and, and love for us 01:05:50.480 --> 01:05:52.480 And, and then, and then we want to speak to people 01:05:53.480 --> 01:05:55.480 We don't want to just be like, like they used to talk about kids 01:05:56.480 --> 01:05:57.480 I don't know in the 40s or the 50s 01:05:58.480 --> 01:05:59.480 They should be seen but not heard 01:06:00.480 --> 01:06:01.480 No! 01:06:02.480 --> 01:06:03.480 Our Father in Heaven wants to hear us 01:06:04.480 --> 01:06:06.480 He wants us to tell him about our 01:06:06.480 --> 01:06:10.480 Our, he wants to tell, he wants us to tell him about the fact that we 01:06:11.480 --> 01:06:13.480 We're worried about finding a parking space this afternoon 01:06:14.480 --> 01:06:15.480 And about the job that we need 01:06:16.480 --> 01:06:17.480 And about our loved ones who need to know Jesus 01:06:18.480 --> 01:06:19.480 And about peace in the Middle East 01:06:20.480 --> 01:06:22.480 Like he wants us to pour out our hearts and pray to him 01:06:23.480 --> 01:06:24.480 And he doesn't just want us to do it by ourselves 01:06:25.480 --> 01:06:27.480 He wants us to do it as part of our common life 01:06:28.480 --> 01:06:30.480 That's so wonderful 01:06:30.480 --> 01:06:36.480 And the fifth mark is just the end of that little section 01:06:37.480 --> 01:06:40.480 If you put it up, the fifth mark is a life of humble prayer and witness 01:06:41.480 --> 01:06:43.480 That the Lord uses to bring people to himself 01:06:44.480 --> 01:06:47.480 I mean, we have lots of empty chairs here 01:06:48.480 --> 01:06:50.480 But let me tell you, if for some reason God did a wonderful work 01:06:51.480 --> 01:06:53.480 And every single chair here was filled 01:06:54.480 --> 01:06:56.480 I would say to the wardens, go out and get some empty chairs 01:06:56.480 --> 01:06:59.480 Because we always want to have room for one more person 01:07:00.480 --> 01:07:03.480 If you have a small group, you have empty chairs 01:07:04.480 --> 01:07:06.480 And hope that it gets so big we have to have more groups 01:07:07.480 --> 01:07:08.480 Like we always want to have more 01:07:09.480 --> 01:07:13.480 God is continuing to call people, ordinary people, to himself 01:07:14.480 --> 01:07:15.480 Let's stand, please stand 01:07:16.480 --> 01:07:19.480 Let's pray 01:07:19.480 --> 01:07:29.480 Father, we give you thanks and praise that you reached out to us and called us 01:07:30.480 --> 01:07:31.480 That you called me 01:07:32.480 --> 01:07:33.480 Worthy as I am 01:07:33.480 --> 01:07:34.480 You called me to be your son 01:07:35.480 --> 01:07:36.480 By adoption and grace 01:07:37.480 --> 01:07:41.480 And many, maybe all of us who are here or who are watching online 01:07:41.480 --> 01:07:42.480 Father, that you've called us to yourself 01:07:43.480 --> 01:07:47.480 Father, we give you thanks and praise for your great love and kindness to us 01:07:47.480 --> 01:07:49.480 And we thank and praise you, Father 01:07:50.480 --> 01:07:52.480 That when we put our faith and trust in Jesus 01:07:53.480 --> 01:07:54.480 You take us to yourself 01:07:55.480 --> 01:07:56.480 We belong to you 01:07:57.480 --> 01:07:59.480 As your son, your daughter, your friend 01:08:00.480 --> 01:08:02.480 That you live within us 01:08:03.480 --> 01:08:04.480 You forgive us of our sins 01:08:05.480 --> 01:08:07.480 You give us this new life that will 01:08:08.480 --> 01:08:12.480 Survive death and go into the new heaven and the new earth 01:08:12.480 --> 01:08:15.480 And that you put these seeds within us, Father 01:08:15.480 --> 01:08:18.479 These quests within us to continue to hear your voice 01:08:19.479 --> 01:08:22.479 And speak to us so that we have your wisdom and insight for living 01:08:23.479 --> 01:08:27.479 And that you put within us a desire to have a common life with our brothers and sisters 01:08:28.479 --> 01:08:32.479 And to remember Jesus and to feed on him in our hearts by faith with thanksgiving 01:08:33.479 --> 01:08:37.479 And to join together in prayer for ourselves and each other's needs and for the needs of the world 01:08:37.479 --> 01:08:41.479 And Father, we give you thanks and praise that these are the marks of the church 01:08:41.479 --> 01:08:44.479 And that you use us as worthy as we are in evangelism 01:08:45.479 --> 01:08:48.479 And we ask, Father, that you would grow these 01:08:49.479 --> 01:08:51.479 These streams 01:08:52.479 --> 01:08:54.479 These propulsions within us 01:08:55.479 --> 01:08:58.479 And that you would help us to live them wisely 01:08:59.479 --> 01:09:02.479 And we ask these things in the name of Jesus, your son and our savior 01:09:03.479 --> 01:09:04.479 Amen 01:09:07.479 --> 01:09:09.479 Amen