WEBVTT

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 Before Ralph comes up to preach, you can see the references there on the screen.

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! So we're going to begin with Matthew chapter 28 and verse 16.

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! And that's on page 1000 of the Church Bible.

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 Matthew chapter 28 and verse 16.

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 And we're going to read from verse 16 to 20.

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 And verse 13.

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 And verse 13.

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 Good morning, everyone. It's good to see you.

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 And so on and so on and so on.

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 And so as we're looking over the next three weeks to answer this question of what is the church, we can think of it organically or institutionally.

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 So we can look at the flesh or we can look at the bones of the church.

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 And people these days, they love talking organically, don't they?

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 You know, flesh is soft and it's yielding and it's pretty.

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 But the thing is, flesh without bones isn't very pleasant to look at at all.

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 Okay. So this morning, we're going to start looking at the institutional bones of the church to give us some shape over the next few weeks.

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 But if you're more eager to hear about the organic images of the church, the church's body, the church's family, that's coming.

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 Okay. So I'm saying we're going to work through this.

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 There's a lot to the church.

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 But we're going to open the ears, the eyes of our hearts to see through the word what Jesus has to say about his kingdom and the church.

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 And this morning, we're going to be looking at the gospel of Matthew.

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 So let's just pray as we open up the word again and hear what God has to say.

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 Our Father, you love us immensely and you have given us all that we need for life and godliness.

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 And I thank you, Father, that you have given us one another.

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 We cannot and should not live the Christian life alone, but we should do it together as your gathering, as your church, as your people.

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 So help us now this morning to hear from you and to be a blessing one to another.

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 Amen.

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 So please do keep your Bibles open.

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 We'll be looking at each of those sections together.

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 Let me start with a question.

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 It's always a good way to start a sermon.

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 Who would you put in charge of the church?

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 Well, Jesus, of course.

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 Thank you for listening to today's sermon.

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 I'll dismiss you all early.

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 It's the obvious answer, isn't it?

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 But when we ask a slightly different version of that question, because all Christians would agree that Jesus is the head of the church.

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 If we ask the question, who on earth should be in charge of the church?

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 Christians begin to come up with quite different answers.

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 All Christians say that Jesus is the head of the church and he is in charge.

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 But when asked about who on earth Jesus has given authority to, you get these different ideas.

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 For the Roman Catholic Church, it's ultimately the Pope who is in charge and he holds the church together.

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 For Anglicanism or the Church of Ireland, it's the bishops connected together that hold the church.

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 Presbyterians, well, they rule the church by bringing elders from different churches together to meet and make decisions.

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 And many independent evangelical and Pentecostal churches, well, they go for the one man rule or the group of elders as the rulers of their individual church.

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 That brings us to this church, which is a Baptist church.

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 Now you have Baptist and congregational churches where the church is ruled by ordinary members and led by elders.

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 Who on earth is in charge of the church creates no little controversy and discussion.

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 But this morning I want to show from the scriptures as we look at the Bible that it is the ordinary members of a local church that Jesus puts in charge.

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 Ordinary members, extraordinarily gifted by the Spirit for that task.

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 So let's look again at Matthew chapter 28 and verses 16 to 20.

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 Well-known words.

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 These are the parting words of King Jesus to the apostles.

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 The marching orders.

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 Verse 18.

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 Look at verse 18.

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 All authority in heaven and on earth belongs to Jesus.

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 He is the King of kings.

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 Jesus is the ruler over heaven and earth.

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 And he commands his apostles to go and make disciples of all nations.

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 Baptizing them and teaching them to obey everything that he has commanded.

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 And surely he will be with them always to the very end of the age.

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 This is the great commission of King Jesus.

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 Jesus gives the church his name.

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 Jesus gives the church his mission.

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 And that is to share the gospel.

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 Go and spread the good news.

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 Baptize Christians into the faith.

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 But Jesus left.

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 Actually, soon after he said these words at the end of Matthew.

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 You've probably noticed Jesus isn't here with us this morning face to face.

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 He's not physically here in Carragoline Baptist Church on a Sunday morning.

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 So Jesus must give some means for his church to keep being the church in the world and through the centuries.

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 Because it's been 2,000 years.

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 So how does the church keep being the church through all the world, through all this time?

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 We're going to do a lot of flicking.

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 We're going to go back to Matthew chapter 16.

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 So let's go and look at Matthew 16, chapter 16, page 983, if you're using the church Bible.

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 And from verse 13.

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 I'm going to jump down to verse 15, right in the middle there.

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 Jesus asks his 12 disciples,

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 Who do you say I am?

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 And Peter, who's often a spokesperson,

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 on behalf of the disciples,

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 on behalf of the 12,

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 he says,

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 You are the Christ.

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 Or you are the Messiah.

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 That is the King.

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 The Son of the Living God.

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 Verse 16.

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 And in verse 17,

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 Jesus basically says,

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 Peter, you're right.

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 That's exactly who I am.

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 The Messiah.

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 The King.

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 The Son of the Living God.

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 And look at verse 18.

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 And Jesus then tells Peter

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 that Jesus will build his church on him

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 and his confession.

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 That's a church that's going to knock down the gates of hell,

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 the gates of Hades,

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 as it moves forward.

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 Jesus is going to build his church

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 on Peter and his confession.

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 We spoke about the different views

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 that churches take

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 on the idea of who rules the church on earth.

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 And these verses have created

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 no little debate

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 or controversy about these verses.

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 And they're often made to use,

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 they're often used to make the case

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 for the idea of having a pope

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 or for having a succession of bishops

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 to rule the church.

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 But this morning,

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 I want to focus on two things

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 from these verses

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 that are in focus for building the church.

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 Two things I think are clear.

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 And those two things

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 are a right confession

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 and a right confessor.

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 A right confession

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 and a right confessor.

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 We can say

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 that the church is built

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 on the confession,

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 the speaking, clearly,

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 of the right gospel

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 by people who love Jesus,

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 the right confessors.

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 Let me say that again.

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 We can say that the church

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 is built on the confession

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 of the right gospel

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 by people who love Jesus.

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 And Peter confesses

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 that Jesus is king.

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 Jesus is Messiah.

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 Back in verse 16.

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 That is a true confession.

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 Jesus is God's promised king.

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 He is God, the son, eternal.

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 So when Jesus talks about the church

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 in verse 18,

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 he said it is defined

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 by the rock of this true confession,

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 the rock of the gospel.

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 What we say about Jesus matters.

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 It must be true.

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 It must be the gospel.

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 That is the rock and foundation

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 of the church.

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 And the church is also defined

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 by the rock of a true confessor.

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 Peter knows and loves Jesus.

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 Jesus, in verse 17,

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 says that he is blessed,

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 a sign of his relationship to Jesus.

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 Peter is a Christian.

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 He is a follower called by Jesus

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 to carry Jesus' name,

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 to represent Jesus.

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 Jesus.

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 And Peter truly believes

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 and truly lives

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 by his confession of Jesus,

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 even as he fails

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 and sins many times.

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 He is still a true confessor.

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 And so we come to verse 19.

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 I will give you the keys

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 of the kingdom of heaven.

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 Jesus is the one who holds the keys.

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 He is the I here.

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 And he holds the keys

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 to the kingdom of heaven.

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 Because as we saw

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 at the end of Matthew,

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 all authority in heaven and earth

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 is given to Jesus.

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 He is the king.

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 And he can decide,

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 because he's the king,

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 in his absence,

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 who gets to hold the keys.

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 Who has the keys of the kingdom?

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 Jesus gets to decide

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 who's in charge of the church.

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 It's Jesus who decides,

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 not us.

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 We need to listen to Jesus.

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 The idea of holding

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 and using keys,

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 it's not a complicated idea.

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 But let's think about it a little.

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 You see,

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 I'm a kingdom owner.

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 Don't know if you realize that.

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 Admittedly,

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 it's a really small kingdom

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 and one that the bank

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 currently has an interest in.

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 But 14 Heatherfields

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 is, in a sense,

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 our little kingdom.

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 And I have to say our kingdom

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 because Cherry, of course,

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 is co-regent of our house and home.

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 It's king and queen,

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 Ralph and Cherry,

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 14 Heatherfields.

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 Now, the first house that we ruled

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 was actually 20 Drum and Ore

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 on the upper Kilmoney Road,

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 which is the other side of the town

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 from where we live now.

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 And it's the time, kids,

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 remember when we had the yellow car?

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 Yeah, the yellow car time

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 when we were living over on 20 Drum and Ore.

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 And back in 2009,

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 we had to go away for five months.

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 But we wanted our kingdom,

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 our little house,

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 looked after.

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 So,

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 in our infinite wisdom,

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 we left in the hands

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 of two college students.

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 And we entrusted

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 literal keys

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 for the house

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 to these two young lads.

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 And guess what?

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 They got to decide

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 on our behalf

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 who got in,

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 who enjoyed the pleasures

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 and the protections

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 of the kingdom,

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 who got the fridge,

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 who got the Wi-Fi,

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 who got the beds,

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 and who, in turn,

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 was kept out.

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 We left some instructions,

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 we checked in with them

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 a few times,

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 but you know what?

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 They had the keys.

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 We did stop short

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 of making them

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 taking a loyalty oath

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 to us as king and queen.

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 But for those five months,

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 those two students

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 had the authority

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 to represent us

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 at 20 Drum and Ore

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 on the upper Kilmoney Road.

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 Back to verse 19.

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 Jesus leaves

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 a set of keys

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 with Peter,

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 the representative

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 of the disciples.

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 It's a singular you.

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 I will,

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 Jesus,

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 I will give you,

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 that's Peter,

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 the keys.

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 And then Jesus says,

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 whatever you bind

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 on earth

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 is already bound

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 in heaven,

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 and whatever you

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 loose on earth

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 is already

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 loosed in heaven.

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 So having the keys

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 of the kingdom

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 on earth

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 authorizes

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 the holder

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 to pronounce

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 a judgment

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 on heaven's behalf.

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 There's a connection

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 between what is said

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 on earth

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 is reflected

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 in heaven

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 or

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 the other way,

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 what heaven's view

00:18:54.779 --> 00:18:55.580
 is actually

00:18:55.580 --> 00:18:56.620
 reflected on earth

00:18:56.620 --> 00:18:57.380
 because Jesus

00:18:57.380 --> 00:18:59.080
 is in charge.

00:18:59.900 --> 00:19:00.880
 You can say

00:19:00.880 --> 00:19:02.580
 the what

00:19:02.580 --> 00:19:03.220
 or who

00:19:03.220 --> 00:19:04.600
 is in or out

00:19:04.600 --> 00:19:05.380
 here on earth.

00:19:05.540 --> 00:19:06.160
 The what

00:19:06.160 --> 00:19:06.640
 or who

00:19:06.640 --> 00:19:07.300
 of the gospel

00:19:07.300 --> 00:19:09.440
 is in or out

00:19:09.440 --> 00:19:10.260
 on those two

00:19:10.260 --> 00:19:12.700
 based on

00:19:12.700 --> 00:19:13.180
 the heavenly

00:19:13.180 --> 00:19:13.860
 verdict.

00:19:15.200 --> 00:19:16.420
 Whatever is bound

00:19:16.420 --> 00:19:17.260
 and loosed

00:19:17.260 --> 00:19:19.660
 on our pronouncements

00:19:19.660 --> 00:19:20.860
 is a reflection

00:19:20.860 --> 00:19:21.980
 of what heaven

00:19:21.980 --> 00:19:23.200
 would say.

00:19:23.820 --> 00:19:24.440
 So what does

00:19:24.440 --> 00:19:24.960
 that mean?

00:19:26.240 --> 00:19:27.040
 If somebody

00:19:27.040 --> 00:19:28.040
 says something

00:19:28.040 --> 00:19:28.820
 or a church

00:19:28.820 --> 00:19:29.540
 says something,

00:19:29.620 --> 00:19:30.300
 we have to ask,

00:19:30.299 --> 00:19:31.759
 is this a true

00:19:31.759 --> 00:19:32.460
 confession

00:19:32.460 --> 00:19:33.619
 of the gospel?

00:19:33.919 --> 00:19:34.960
 Are these gospel

00:19:34.960 --> 00:19:35.480
 words?

00:19:35.559 --> 00:19:36.440
 Are they in keeping

00:19:36.440 --> 00:19:37.559
 with what Jesus

00:19:37.559 --> 00:19:38.259
 has said?

00:19:39.579 --> 00:19:40.519
 We have to

00:19:40.519 --> 00:19:41.240
 ask,

00:19:41.359 --> 00:19:42.519
 is this person

00:19:42.519 --> 00:19:43.659
 a true

00:19:43.659 --> 00:19:44.440
 confessor?

00:19:45.000 --> 00:19:45.819
 Are they living

00:19:45.819 --> 00:19:46.819
 in a way

00:19:46.819 --> 00:19:48.159
 that rightly

00:19:48.159 --> 00:19:49.139
 represents

00:19:49.139 --> 00:19:49.680
 Jesus?

00:19:50.960 --> 00:19:51.879
 These are the

00:19:51.879 --> 00:19:52.639
 kinds of

00:19:52.639 --> 00:19:53.279
 questions

00:19:53.279 --> 00:19:54.639
 for whoever

00:19:54.639 --> 00:19:55.859
 holds the keys,

00:19:55.940 --> 00:19:56.319
 for whoever

00:19:56.319 --> 00:19:57.419
 is in charge.

00:19:57.420 --> 00:19:59.880
 and I

00:19:59.880 --> 00:20:00.279
 realize

00:20:00.279 --> 00:20:01.420
 my slides,

00:20:01.900 --> 00:20:02.060
 yeah,

00:20:02.259 --> 00:20:02.580
 sorry,

00:20:03.460 --> 00:20:03.860
 let me keep

00:20:03.860 --> 00:20:04.000
 trying.

00:20:04.460 --> 00:20:05.340
 We need to

00:20:05.340 --> 00:20:05.980
 move very

00:20:05.980 --> 00:20:06.740
 slowly

00:20:06.740 --> 00:20:07.460
 here.

00:20:08.500 --> 00:20:08.779
 Jesus

00:20:08.779 --> 00:20:09.400
 has

00:20:09.400 --> 00:20:10.420
 ultimate

00:20:10.420 --> 00:20:11.500
 authority

00:20:11.500 --> 00:20:13.240
 and then

00:20:13.240 --> 00:20:13.500
 gives

00:20:13.500 --> 00:20:14.140
 exercise

00:20:14.140 --> 00:20:14.900
 of some

00:20:14.900 --> 00:20:15.279
 of that

00:20:15.279 --> 00:20:15.860
 authority

00:20:15.860 --> 00:20:17.060
 on earth

00:20:17.060 --> 00:20:17.640
 to those

00:20:17.640 --> 00:20:18.080
 that hold

00:20:18.080 --> 00:20:18.660
 the keys.

00:20:19.759 --> 00:20:20.440
 And I just

00:20:20.440 --> 00:20:20.759
 want to be

00:20:20.759 --> 00:20:21.539
 super clear

00:20:21.539 --> 00:20:21.900
 on this

00:20:21.900 --> 00:20:22.340
 this morning.

00:20:22.339 --> 00:20:22.980
 holding

00:20:22.980 --> 00:20:24.399
 and using

00:20:24.399 --> 00:20:25.179
 the keys

00:20:25.179 --> 00:20:26.259
 does not

00:20:26.259 --> 00:20:27.039
 give the

00:20:27.039 --> 00:20:27.539
 holder

00:20:27.539 --> 00:20:28.879
 of the keys

00:20:28.879 --> 00:20:29.659
 the power

00:20:29.659 --> 00:20:30.519
 to define

00:20:30.519 --> 00:20:31.079
 the gospel

00:20:31.079 --> 00:20:32.519
 or to make

00:20:32.519 --> 00:20:33.179
 someone a

00:20:33.179 --> 00:20:33.539
 Christian

00:20:33.539 --> 00:20:34.779
 or not.

00:20:35.099 --> 00:20:36.139
 That is really

00:20:36.139 --> 00:20:36.740
 important to

00:20:36.740 --> 00:20:37.039
 understand.

00:20:37.179 --> 00:20:37.639
 Holding the

00:20:37.639 --> 00:20:38.339
 keys does not

00:20:38.339 --> 00:20:38.639
 give us

00:20:38.639 --> 00:20:39.419
 authority over

00:20:39.419 --> 00:20:39.980
 the gospel

00:20:39.980 --> 00:20:41.139
 or over

00:20:41.139 --> 00:20:41.919
 people's

00:20:41.919 --> 00:20:42.339
 eternal

00:20:42.339 --> 00:20:42.879
 state

00:20:42.879 --> 00:20:44.199
 or souls.

00:20:45.220 --> 00:20:45.339
 Our

00:20:45.339 --> 00:20:46.039
 citizenship

00:20:46.039 --> 00:20:47.039
 in the

00:20:47.039 --> 00:20:47.459
 kingdom

00:20:47.459 --> 00:20:48.699
 of God

00:20:48.699 --> 00:20:49.139
 is not

00:20:49.139 --> 00:20:49.559
 given

00:20:49.559 --> 00:20:50.500
 or taken

00:20:50.500 --> 00:20:51.099
 by any

00:20:51.099 --> 00:20:51.759
 earthly

00:20:51.759 --> 00:20:52.319
 power

00:20:52.319 --> 00:20:52.759
 or any

00:20:52.759 --> 00:20:53.299
 earthly

00:20:53.299 --> 00:20:53.960
 exercise

00:20:53.960 --> 00:20:54.440
 of the

00:20:54.440 --> 00:20:54.900
 keys.

00:20:55.539 --> 00:20:55.599
 We are

00:20:55.599 --> 00:20:55.879
 not

00:20:55.879 --> 00:20:57.559
 physically

00:20:57.559 --> 00:20:58.339
 born into

00:20:58.339 --> 00:20:58.680
 the kingdom

00:20:58.680 --> 00:20:59.140
 of God.

00:20:59.220 --> 00:20:59.299
 We are

00:20:59.299 --> 00:20:59.980
 not baptized

00:20:59.980 --> 00:21:00.839
 as babies

00:21:00.839 --> 00:21:01.339
 into the

00:21:01.339 --> 00:21:01.519
 kingdom

00:21:01.519 --> 00:21:01.920
 of God.

00:21:02.119 --> 00:21:02.599
 We do not

00:21:02.599 --> 00:21:03.240
 purchase it

00:21:03.240 --> 00:21:03.819
 for one

00:21:03.819 --> 00:21:04.980
 million dollars

00:21:04.980 --> 00:21:05.420
 as a

00:21:05.420 --> 00:21:05.799
 golden

00:21:05.799 --> 00:21:06.379
 visa.

00:21:07.779 --> 00:21:08.519
 It is a

00:21:08.519 --> 00:21:09.160
 spiritual

00:21:09.160 --> 00:21:10.259
 citizenship

00:21:10.259 --> 00:21:11.720
 that God

00:21:11.720 --> 00:21:12.599
 gifts to

00:21:12.599 --> 00:21:13.319
 each one

00:21:13.319 --> 00:21:13.740
 of us

00:21:13.740 --> 00:21:14.480
 through

00:21:14.480 --> 00:21:15.379
 faith

00:21:15.379 --> 00:21:16.319
 and grace

00:21:16.319 --> 00:21:17.220
 alone.

00:21:18.180 --> 00:21:18.559
 One

00:21:18.559 --> 00:21:19.779
 by one

00:21:19.779 --> 00:21:20.559
 people are

00:21:20.559 --> 00:21:21.599
 born again

00:21:21.599 --> 00:21:22.559
 by the

00:21:22.559 --> 00:21:23.000
 spirit

00:21:23.000 --> 00:21:24.599
 into his

00:21:24.599 --> 00:21:25.419
 kingdom.

00:21:26.259 --> 00:21:26.599
 The good

00:21:26.599 --> 00:21:27.099
 news of

00:21:27.099 --> 00:21:27.619
 Jesus,

00:21:28.059 --> 00:21:28.819
 that news,

00:21:28.919 --> 00:21:29.539
 that gospel,

00:21:29.659 --> 00:21:30.439
 that comes

00:21:30.439 --> 00:21:31.500
 from Jesus.

00:21:32.500 --> 00:21:33.159
 And the

00:21:33.159 --> 00:21:33.579
 ultimate

00:21:33.579 --> 00:21:34.500
 declaration

00:21:34.500 --> 00:21:35.619
 of who is

00:21:35.619 --> 00:21:35.980
 in the

00:21:35.980 --> 00:21:36.339
 kingdom

00:21:36.339 --> 00:21:38.099
 comes from

00:21:38.099 --> 00:21:38.899
 King Jesus

00:21:38.899 --> 00:21:40.059
 on judgment

00:21:40.059 --> 00:21:40.419
 day.

00:21:41.480 --> 00:21:41.959
 The scriptures

00:21:41.959 --> 00:21:42.659
 tell us,

00:21:42.759 --> 00:21:43.179
 and they're on

00:21:43.179 --> 00:21:43.639
 the slide

00:21:43.639 --> 00:21:44.119
 up above,

00:21:44.279 --> 00:21:45.179
 so you don't

00:21:45.179 --> 00:21:45.799
 necessarily need to

00:21:45.799 --> 00:21:46.219
 turn to it

00:21:46.219 --> 00:21:46.459
 in your

00:21:46.459 --> 00:21:46.899
 Bibles.

00:21:47.599 --> 00:21:48.259
 2 Timothy

00:21:48.259 --> 00:21:49.160
 2.19

00:21:49.160 --> 00:21:49.980
 says this,

00:21:50.339 --> 00:21:50.819
 Nevertheless,

00:21:52.019 --> 00:21:52.640
 God's

00:21:52.640 --> 00:21:53.480
 solid

00:21:53.480 --> 00:21:54.299
 foundation

00:21:54.299 --> 00:21:54.960
 stands

00:21:54.960 --> 00:21:55.379
 firm.

00:21:55.859 --> 00:21:56.319
 Sealed

00:21:56.319 --> 00:21:57.160
 with this

00:21:57.160 --> 00:21:57.640
 inscription,

00:21:58.279 --> 00:21:59.119
 the Lord

00:21:59.119 --> 00:22:00.279
 knows

00:22:00.279 --> 00:22:01.039
 those who

00:22:01.039 --> 00:22:01.599
 are his.

00:22:02.420 --> 00:22:02.940
 And Romans

00:22:02.940 --> 00:22:03.960
 chapter 14

00:22:03.960 --> 00:22:04.759
 and verse 4

00:22:04.759 --> 00:22:05.220
 says,

00:22:05.660 --> 00:22:06.180
 Who are you

00:22:06.180 --> 00:22:06.740
 to judge

00:22:06.740 --> 00:22:07.480
 someone else's

00:22:07.480 --> 00:22:07.920
 servant?

00:22:08.400 --> 00:22:08.839
 To their

00:22:08.839 --> 00:22:09.279
 own

00:22:09.279 --> 00:22:10.039
 master,

00:22:10.279 --> 00:22:10.819
 servants

00:22:10.819 --> 00:22:11.640
 stand or

00:22:11.640 --> 00:22:11.940
 fall?

00:22:12.519 --> 00:22:12.859
 And they

00:22:12.859 --> 00:22:13.640
 will stand,

00:22:14.099 --> 00:22:14.579
 for the

00:22:14.579 --> 00:22:15.640
 Lord is

00:22:15.640 --> 00:22:16.200
 able to

00:22:16.200 --> 00:22:16.980
 make them

00:22:16.980 --> 00:22:17.519
 stand.

00:22:17.779 --> 00:22:18.400
 So no

00:22:18.400 --> 00:22:19.000
 man or

00:22:19.000 --> 00:22:19.579
 woman or

00:22:19.579 --> 00:22:20.299
 pope or

00:22:20.299 --> 00:22:21.120
 pastor or

00:22:21.120 --> 00:22:21.640
 synod or

00:22:21.640 --> 00:22:22.620
 local church

00:22:22.620 --> 00:22:24.000
 can pass

00:22:24.000 --> 00:22:24.599
 ultimate

00:22:24.599 --> 00:22:25.960
 judgment on

00:22:25.960 --> 00:22:26.640
 the state

00:22:26.640 --> 00:22:27.940
 of someone's

00:22:27.940 --> 00:22:28.299
 soul.

00:22:29.700 --> 00:22:30.759
 But using

00:22:30.759 --> 00:22:31.480
 the keys,

00:22:32.319 --> 00:22:33.019
 it's similar

00:22:33.019 --> 00:22:34.259
 to how a

00:22:34.259 --> 00:22:35.079
 judge makes

00:22:35.079 --> 00:22:35.579
 a ruling.

00:22:36.519 --> 00:22:36.940
 If you think

00:22:36.940 --> 00:22:37.660
 about a judge,

00:22:37.940 --> 00:22:38.400
 the judge

00:22:38.400 --> 00:22:39.140
 doesn't write

00:22:39.140 --> 00:22:39.660
 the law,

00:22:41.039 --> 00:22:41.599
 we don't

00:22:41.599 --> 00:22:42.160
 create the

00:22:42.160 --> 00:22:42.539
 gospel,

00:22:43.120 --> 00:22:43.799
 and a judge

00:22:43.799 --> 00:22:44.319
 does not

00:22:44.319 --> 00:22:45.240
 actually make

00:22:45.240 --> 00:22:46.160
 someone innocent

00:22:46.160 --> 00:22:48.080
 or guilty.

00:22:48.660 --> 00:22:49.340
 That's a

00:22:49.340 --> 00:22:50.940
 reality apart

00:22:50.940 --> 00:22:51.580
 from the

00:22:51.580 --> 00:22:51.880
 verdict.

00:22:52.860 --> 00:22:53.400
 A judge

00:22:53.400 --> 00:22:55.019
 simply declares

00:22:55.019 --> 00:22:55.800
 a verdict.

00:22:57.160 --> 00:22:57.560
 And the

00:22:57.560 --> 00:22:58.460
 true and

00:22:58.460 --> 00:22:59.320
 final verdict

00:22:59.320 --> 00:23:00.519
 always rests

00:23:00.519 --> 00:23:01.540
 in the

00:23:01.540 --> 00:23:02.360
 hands of

00:23:02.360 --> 00:23:03.040
 Jesus.

00:23:04.200 --> 00:23:05.160
 Will not

00:23:05.160 --> 00:23:06.140
 the judge

00:23:06.140 --> 00:23:06.620
 of all

00:23:06.620 --> 00:23:07.160
 the earth

00:23:07.160 --> 00:23:08.540
 do right?

00:23:10.080 --> 00:23:11.300
 But someone

00:23:11.300 --> 00:23:13.000
 must be

00:23:13.000 --> 00:23:13.720
 in charge

00:23:13.720 --> 00:23:15.039
 of the

00:23:15.039 --> 00:23:15.559
 church on

00:23:15.559 --> 00:23:15.880
 earth

00:23:15.880 --> 00:23:17.319
 and have

00:23:17.319 --> 00:23:17.900
 authority

00:23:17.900 --> 00:23:18.500
 from

00:23:18.500 --> 00:23:19.100
 Jesus

00:23:19.100 --> 00:23:20.079
 to render

00:23:20.079 --> 00:23:20.600
 a verdict

00:23:20.600 --> 00:23:21.839
 on the

00:23:21.839 --> 00:23:22.259
 gospel,

00:23:23.079 --> 00:23:23.680
 the confession,

00:23:24.420 --> 00:23:24.839
 and who

00:23:24.839 --> 00:23:25.299
 is a true

00:23:25.299 --> 00:23:25.980
 confessor.

00:23:27.120 --> 00:23:28.039
 Because this

00:23:28.039 --> 00:23:28.759
 is a kingdom,

00:23:28.960 --> 00:23:29.500
 if we think

00:23:29.500 --> 00:23:29.819
 about it,

00:23:29.880 --> 00:23:30.480
 this is a

00:23:30.480 --> 00:23:31.759
 kingdom whose

00:23:31.759 --> 00:23:32.539
 citizens

00:23:32.539 --> 00:23:34.079
 are spread

00:23:34.079 --> 00:23:35.259
 out through

00:23:35.259 --> 00:23:36.039
 all the

00:23:36.039 --> 00:23:36.620
 other kingdoms

00:23:36.620 --> 00:23:37.319
 of the world.

00:23:37.620 --> 00:23:37.980
 Didn't we get

00:23:37.980 --> 00:23:38.440
 the marching

00:23:38.440 --> 00:23:38.920
 orders,

00:23:39.700 --> 00:23:40.240
 the end of

00:23:40.240 --> 00:23:40.559
 Matthew,

00:23:40.680 --> 00:23:41.200
 going to

00:23:41.200 --> 00:23:42.420
 all the

00:23:42.420 --> 00:23:42.799
 world?

00:23:43.279 --> 00:23:43.580
 It wasn't

00:23:43.580 --> 00:23:43.960
 a kingdom

00:23:43.960 --> 00:23:44.240
 that would

00:23:44.240 --> 00:23:44.539
 sustain

00:23:44.539 --> 00:23:45.160
 Jerusalem

00:23:45.160 --> 00:23:45.580
 in the

00:23:45.580 --> 00:23:45.900
 temple

00:23:45.900 --> 00:23:46.400
 courts

00:23:46.400 --> 00:23:46.960
 defined

00:23:46.960 --> 00:23:48.100
 by nice

00:23:48.100 --> 00:23:48.759
 neat

00:23:48.759 --> 00:23:49.299
 boundary

00:23:49.299 --> 00:23:50.019
 walls.

00:23:51.299 --> 00:23:51.620
 Jesus'

00:23:51.840 --> 00:23:52.340
 kingdom on

00:23:52.340 --> 00:23:52.819
 earth has

00:23:52.819 --> 00:23:53.340
 no

00:23:53.340 --> 00:23:54.620
 physical

00:23:54.620 --> 00:23:55.620
 boundary,

00:23:56.380 --> 00:23:57.819
 no border.

00:24:00.200 --> 00:24:00.500
 Christians

00:24:00.500 --> 00:24:01.340
 go everywhere

00:24:01.340 --> 00:24:01.720
 with the

00:24:01.720 --> 00:24:02.080
 gospel.

00:24:03.620 --> 00:24:03.940
 And they

00:24:03.940 --> 00:24:04.480
 make other

00:24:04.480 --> 00:24:05.039
 Christians

00:24:05.039 --> 00:24:06.180
 through the

00:24:06.180 --> 00:24:06.559
 power of

00:24:06.559 --> 00:24:06.840
 the Holy

00:24:06.840 --> 00:24:07.120
 Spirit.

00:24:07.240 --> 00:24:07.539
 Jesus

00:24:07.539 --> 00:24:08.980
 brings them

00:24:08.980 --> 00:24:09.940
 to faith

00:24:09.940 --> 00:24:10.819
 and they're

00:24:10.819 --> 00:24:11.880
 brought into

00:24:11.880 --> 00:24:12.700
 the church.

00:24:13.519 --> 00:24:14.039
 But a

00:24:14.039 --> 00:24:14.779
 kingdom with

00:24:14.779 --> 00:24:15.660
 no border

00:24:15.660 --> 00:24:16.860
 has a

00:24:16.860 --> 00:24:17.220
 problem.

00:24:18.240 --> 00:24:18.599
 Anyone

00:24:18.599 --> 00:24:19.880
 can claim

00:24:19.880 --> 00:24:20.319
 to be a

00:24:20.319 --> 00:24:20.660
 citizen.

00:24:21.740 --> 00:24:22.319
 And anyone

00:24:22.319 --> 00:24:22.839
 can claim

00:24:22.839 --> 00:24:23.240
 that this

00:24:23.240 --> 00:24:23.519
 is the

00:24:23.519 --> 00:24:24.120
 true gospel.

00:24:25.779 --> 00:24:26.299
 Imposters,

00:24:27.460 --> 00:24:27.819
 false

00:24:27.819 --> 00:24:28.400
 teachers,

00:24:29.039 --> 00:24:29.519
 they can

00:24:29.519 --> 00:24:30.000
 all say

00:24:30.000 --> 00:24:31.339
 thus says

00:24:31.339 --> 00:24:31.900
 the Lord

00:24:31.900 --> 00:24:33.240
 and claim

00:24:33.240 --> 00:24:33.880
 I'm a

00:24:33.880 --> 00:24:34.460
 true follower

00:24:34.460 --> 00:24:37.039
 and so

00:24:37.039 --> 00:24:37.400
 the right

00:24:37.400 --> 00:24:37.839
 use of

00:24:37.839 --> 00:24:38.539
 the keys

00:24:38.539 --> 00:24:39.960
 is how

00:24:39.960 --> 00:24:40.700
 the world

00:24:40.700 --> 00:24:41.680
 knows

00:24:41.680 --> 00:24:42.799
 ultimately

00:24:42.799 --> 00:24:43.339
 who

00:24:43.339 --> 00:24:44.460
 represents

00:24:44.460 --> 00:24:45.180
 Jesus.

00:24:46.039 --> 00:24:46.359
 So we're

00:24:46.359 --> 00:24:46.559
 going to

00:24:46.559 --> 00:24:47.079
 turn now

00:24:47.079 --> 00:24:47.440
 to

00:24:47.440 --> 00:24:48.599
 Matthew

00:24:48.599 --> 00:24:49.259
 18,

00:24:49.819 --> 00:24:50.319
 a couple

00:24:50.319 --> 00:24:50.700
 of pages

00:24:50.700 --> 00:24:51.039
 on.

00:24:53.559 --> 00:24:54.220
 This is

00:24:54.220 --> 00:24:54.680
 the second

00:24:54.680 --> 00:24:55.180
 place,

00:24:55.299 --> 00:24:55.579
 Matthew

00:24:55.579 --> 00:24:56.619
 18 and

00:24:56.619 --> 00:24:58.339
 verse 15

00:24:58.339 --> 00:24:59.200
 where Jesus

00:24:59.200 --> 00:24:59.859
 mentions his

00:24:59.859 --> 00:25:01.379
 church and

00:25:01.379 --> 00:25:01.960
 the use

00:25:01.960 --> 00:25:02.700
 of the

00:25:02.700 --> 00:25:03.139
 keys.

00:25:04.440 --> 00:25:05.000
 Matthew

00:25:05.000 --> 00:25:06.480
 18 is

00:25:06.480 --> 00:25:06.879
 where Jesus

00:25:06.879 --> 00:25:07.720
 shows who

00:25:07.720 --> 00:25:08.420
 holds the

00:25:08.420 --> 00:25:09.259
 keys and

00:25:09.259 --> 00:25:09.920
 uses the

00:25:09.920 --> 00:25:10.400
 keys of

00:25:10.400 --> 00:25:10.759
 the kingdom

00:25:10.759 --> 00:25:11.319
 of heaven.

00:25:11.940 --> 00:25:12.519
 The who

00:25:12.519 --> 00:25:13.100
 gives a

00:25:13.100 --> 00:25:13.799
 verdict so

00:25:13.799 --> 00:25:14.180
 that the

00:25:14.180 --> 00:25:16.079
 world knows

00:25:16.079 --> 00:25:17.579
 who represents

00:25:17.579 --> 00:25:18.299
 Jesus.

00:25:19.360 --> 00:25:20.480
 Verse 15,

00:25:20.640 --> 00:25:21.579
 it starts

00:25:21.579 --> 00:25:22.059
 with a sin

00:25:22.059 --> 00:25:22.380
 issue.

00:25:23.960 --> 00:25:24.600
 A brother

00:25:24.600 --> 00:25:25.700
 that is a

00:25:25.700 --> 00:25:26.620
 Christian in a

00:25:26.620 --> 00:25:27.279
 church family

00:25:27.279 --> 00:25:28.559
 has sinned

00:25:28.559 --> 00:25:29.460
 against someone.

00:25:30.279 --> 00:25:31.059
 It is a sin

00:25:31.059 --> 00:25:32.440
 that is open

00:25:32.440 --> 00:25:33.339
 in some way

00:25:33.339 --> 00:25:33.839
 because in

00:25:33.839 --> 00:25:34.759
 verse 16

00:25:34.759 --> 00:25:35.640
 witnesses can

00:25:35.640 --> 00:25:36.220
 be brought

00:25:36.220 --> 00:25:36.980
 if needed.

00:25:37.359 --> 00:25:37.920
 So it's an

00:25:37.920 --> 00:25:38.740
 open sin.

00:25:39.379 --> 00:25:40.259
 It's a sin

00:25:40.259 --> 00:25:41.460
 that is

00:25:41.460 --> 00:25:42.039
 persistent

00:25:42.039 --> 00:25:43.519
 and it's

00:25:43.519 --> 00:25:44.299
 unrepented

00:25:44.299 --> 00:25:45.700
 because the

00:25:45.700 --> 00:25:46.839
 brother chooses

00:25:46.839 --> 00:25:47.960
 not to

00:25:47.960 --> 00:25:49.000
 listen to

00:25:49.000 --> 00:25:49.440
 his brothers

00:25:49.440 --> 00:25:50.220
 and sisters

00:25:50.220 --> 00:25:50.980
 within the

00:25:50.980 --> 00:25:51.680
 church family.

00:25:52.680 --> 00:25:53.539
 It is a

00:25:53.539 --> 00:25:54.299
 sin that is

00:25:54.299 --> 00:25:55.400
 serious

00:25:55.400 --> 00:25:56.799
 as it

00:25:56.799 --> 00:25:57.339
 brings into

00:25:57.339 --> 00:25:58.579
 question the

00:25:58.579 --> 00:25:59.059
 person's

00:25:59.059 --> 00:26:00.480
 claim of

00:26:00.480 --> 00:26:00.960
 being a

00:26:00.960 --> 00:26:01.279
 Christian.

00:26:01.279 --> 00:26:02.440
 So it's

00:26:02.440 --> 00:26:03.039
 public,

00:26:03.359 --> 00:26:03.839
 it's

00:26:03.839 --> 00:26:04.440
 persistent,

00:26:04.940 --> 00:26:05.819
 it's

00:26:05.819 --> 00:26:06.359
 serious.

00:26:07.379 --> 00:26:07.879
 Let's look

00:26:07.879 --> 00:26:08.259
 at verses

00:26:08.259 --> 00:26:09.099
 17 to

00:26:09.099 --> 00:26:09.559
 18.

00:26:10.119 --> 00:26:10.899
 If they

00:26:10.899 --> 00:26:12.019
 still refuse

00:26:12.019 --> 00:26:12.819
 to listen,

00:26:13.700 --> 00:26:14.379
 tell it to

00:26:14.379 --> 00:26:15.359
 the church.

00:26:16.119 --> 00:26:16.759
 And if they

00:26:16.759 --> 00:26:17.480
 refuse to

00:26:17.480 --> 00:26:17.980
 listen even

00:26:17.980 --> 00:26:18.420
 to the

00:26:18.420 --> 00:26:18.899
 church,

00:26:19.920 --> 00:26:20.399
 treat them

00:26:20.399 --> 00:26:20.839
 as you

00:26:20.839 --> 00:26:21.879
 would a

00:26:21.879 --> 00:26:23.200
 pagan or

00:26:23.200 --> 00:26:23.740
 a tax

00:26:23.740 --> 00:26:24.160
 collector.

00:26:25.119 --> 00:26:25.980
 Truly I

00:26:25.980 --> 00:26:26.460
 tell you,

00:26:26.799 --> 00:26:27.180
 whatever you

00:26:27.180 --> 00:26:27.799
 bind on

00:26:27.799 --> 00:26:29.000
 earth will

00:26:29.000 --> 00:26:29.480
 be bound

00:26:29.480 --> 00:26:30.059
 in heaven

00:26:30.059 --> 00:26:31.200
 and whatever

00:26:31.200 --> 00:26:31.720
 you loose

00:26:31.720 --> 00:26:32.240
 on earth

00:26:32.240 --> 00:26:33.259
 will be

00:26:33.259 --> 00:26:33.859
 loosed

00:26:33.859 --> 00:26:35.359
 in heaven.

00:26:37.559 --> 00:26:38.419
 What's the

00:26:38.419 --> 00:26:39.500
 final court

00:26:39.500 --> 00:26:40.200
 of appeal

00:26:40.200 --> 00:26:41.859
 on earth?

00:26:43.059 --> 00:26:44.159
 Who has

00:26:44.159 --> 00:26:45.220
 authority to

00:26:45.220 --> 00:26:46.619
 pass such

00:26:46.619 --> 00:26:47.119
 a judgment?

00:26:48.200 --> 00:26:48.700
 Well it

00:26:48.700 --> 00:26:49.679
 finally rests

00:26:49.679 --> 00:26:50.879
 with the

00:26:50.879 --> 00:26:51.399
 church.

00:26:53.019 --> 00:26:53.899
 Who's the

00:26:53.899 --> 00:26:54.200
 church?

00:26:54.399 --> 00:26:54.799
 Well I think

00:26:54.799 --> 00:26:55.659
 from here it's

00:26:55.659 --> 00:26:56.159
 clear that it's

00:26:56.159 --> 00:26:56.639
 people who can

00:26:56.639 --> 00:26:57.179
 gather in

00:26:57.179 --> 00:26:57.639
 person,

00:26:58.220 --> 00:26:59.500
 who knows

00:26:59.500 --> 00:26:59.900
 the brother

00:26:59.900 --> 00:27:00.519
 or sister

00:27:00.519 --> 00:27:01.619
 and can

00:27:01.619 --> 00:27:02.660
 pass a

00:27:02.660 --> 00:27:04.059
 verdict as

00:27:04.059 --> 00:27:04.420
 needed.

00:27:05.279 --> 00:27:05.599
 And in

00:27:05.599 --> 00:27:06.279
 this case

00:27:06.279 --> 00:27:07.420
 the church

00:27:07.420 --> 00:27:08.059
 passes a

00:27:08.059 --> 00:27:08.599
 verdict that

00:27:08.599 --> 00:27:10.000
 says we

00:27:10.000 --> 00:27:10.559
 can no

00:27:10.559 --> 00:27:11.079
 longer

00:27:11.079 --> 00:27:12.900
 affirm your

00:27:12.900 --> 00:27:14.019
 claim to

00:27:14.019 --> 00:27:14.420
 be a

00:27:14.420 --> 00:27:14.799
 Christian.

00:27:16.299 --> 00:27:17.140
 That's what

00:27:17.140 --> 00:27:18.119
 it means to

00:27:18.119 --> 00:27:18.660
 treat someone

00:27:18.660 --> 00:27:19.339
 as a pagan.

00:27:20.339 --> 00:27:20.799
 There's someone

00:27:20.799 --> 00:27:21.279
 of another

00:27:21.279 --> 00:27:22.940
 religion or

00:27:22.940 --> 00:27:23.619
 a tax

00:27:23.619 --> 00:27:24.079
 collector,

00:27:24.720 --> 00:27:25.480
 someone who

00:27:25.480 --> 00:27:26.059
 the world

00:27:26.059 --> 00:27:26.759
 would classify

00:27:26.759 --> 00:27:27.319
 as a sinner

00:27:27.319 --> 00:27:27.660
 even.

00:27:29.400 --> 00:27:30.119
 We can

00:27:30.119 --> 00:27:30.759
 no longer

00:27:30.759 --> 00:27:31.599
 validate your

00:27:31.599 --> 00:27:32.200
 claim to

00:27:32.200 --> 00:27:32.539
 be a

00:27:32.539 --> 00:27:32.759
 Christian.

00:27:32.839 --> 00:27:33.039
 We can

00:27:33.039 --> 00:27:33.480
 no longer

00:27:33.480 --> 00:27:34.319
 affirm that

00:27:34.319 --> 00:27:35.579
 because of

00:27:35.579 --> 00:27:36.660
 how you

00:27:36.660 --> 00:27:37.119
 are living

00:27:37.119 --> 00:27:39.000
 in unrepentant,

00:27:39.879 --> 00:27:40.460
 persistent,

00:27:41.339 --> 00:27:42.059
 public and

00:27:42.059 --> 00:27:43.240
 serious sin.

00:27:44.700 --> 00:27:45.680
 Jesus says

00:27:45.680 --> 00:27:47.099
 here that

00:27:47.099 --> 00:27:47.740
 the binding

00:27:47.740 --> 00:27:48.819
 and loosing

00:27:48.819 --> 00:27:49.619
 on earth,

00:27:50.019 --> 00:27:50.559
 verse 18,

00:27:50.700 --> 00:27:51.160
 the use of

00:27:51.160 --> 00:27:51.799
 the keys,

00:27:52.640 --> 00:27:53.339
 is entrusted

00:27:53.339 --> 00:27:55.099
 to members

00:27:55.099 --> 00:27:56.159
 of a

00:27:56.159 --> 00:27:56.599
 church,

00:27:57.259 --> 00:27:58.019
 those that

00:27:58.019 --> 00:27:58.539
 can gather

00:27:58.539 --> 00:27:59.959
 together and

00:27:59.959 --> 00:28:00.480
 pass a

00:28:00.480 --> 00:28:00.720
 verdict.

00:28:01.559 --> 00:28:02.099
 We know

00:28:02.099 --> 00:28:02.839
 from here

00:28:02.839 --> 00:28:04.500
 and elsewhere

00:28:04.500 --> 00:28:04.899
 in the New

00:28:04.899 --> 00:28:05.599
 Testament that

00:28:05.599 --> 00:28:06.439
 is ordinary

00:28:06.439 --> 00:28:08.279
 members of

00:28:08.279 --> 00:28:08.859
 the family,

00:28:09.379 --> 00:28:10.199
 ordinary church

00:28:10.199 --> 00:28:11.439
 members that

00:28:11.439 --> 00:28:12.059
 are involved

00:28:12.059 --> 00:28:12.819
 in the use

00:28:12.819 --> 00:28:13.500
 of these

00:28:13.500 --> 00:28:14.079
 keys,

00:28:15.039 --> 00:28:15.980
 local church

00:28:15.980 --> 00:28:16.500
 members

00:28:16.500 --> 00:28:17.619
 exercising

00:28:17.619 --> 00:28:19.159
 the authority

00:28:19.159 --> 00:28:19.899
 of Jesus

00:28:19.899 --> 00:28:20.759
 in matters

00:28:20.759 --> 00:28:21.439
 of belief

00:28:21.440 --> 00:28:23.380
 and practice.

00:28:25.200 --> 00:28:26.420
 Jesus says

00:28:26.420 --> 00:28:27.200
 bring it to

00:28:27.200 --> 00:28:27.799
 the church.

00:28:28.980 --> 00:28:29.539
 Bring such

00:28:29.539 --> 00:28:30.600
 matters of

00:28:30.600 --> 00:28:31.080
 persistent,

00:28:31.340 --> 00:28:31.820
 public and

00:28:31.820 --> 00:28:32.480
 serious sin

00:28:32.480 --> 00:28:32.880
 to the

00:28:32.880 --> 00:28:34.299
 family if

00:28:34.299 --> 00:28:34.680
 needed.

00:28:35.400 --> 00:28:36.080
 Bring it to

00:28:36.080 --> 00:28:36.779
 the church.

00:28:37.500 --> 00:28:37.779
 Why?

00:28:38.460 --> 00:28:38.940
 For the

00:28:38.940 --> 00:28:39.279
 sake of

00:28:39.279 --> 00:28:39.759
 the gospel.

00:28:41.279 --> 00:28:41.820
 For the

00:28:41.820 --> 00:28:42.380
 sake of

00:28:42.380 --> 00:28:43.180
 the glorious

00:28:43.180 --> 00:28:44.860
 name of

00:28:44.860 --> 00:28:45.279
 Jesus

00:28:45.279 --> 00:28:46.140
 Christ.

00:28:47.759 --> 00:28:48.420
 Jesus

00:28:48.420 --> 00:28:49.059
 tells us

00:28:49.059 --> 00:28:49.340
 that we

00:28:49.340 --> 00:28:49.799
 have his

00:28:49.799 --> 00:28:51.000
 spirit among

00:28:51.000 --> 00:28:52.579
 us as

00:28:52.579 --> 00:28:53.200
 the church

00:28:53.200 --> 00:28:54.579
 and we

00:28:54.579 --> 00:28:55.380
 hold the

00:28:55.380 --> 00:28:55.980
 keys of

00:28:55.980 --> 00:28:56.460
 the kingdom.

00:28:57.519 --> 00:28:57.960
 The you

00:28:57.960 --> 00:28:58.420
 in verse

00:28:58.420 --> 00:28:59.619
 18 is

00:28:59.619 --> 00:29:00.059
 now a

00:29:00.059 --> 00:29:00.480
 plural

00:29:00.480 --> 00:29:01.579
 you.

00:29:02.180 --> 00:29:02.539
 Chapter

00:29:02.539 --> 00:29:03.180
 16 it

00:29:03.180 --> 00:29:03.440
 was a

00:29:03.440 --> 00:29:03.779
 singular

00:29:03.779 --> 00:29:04.140
 you.

00:29:05.259 --> 00:29:05.779
 Chapter

00:29:05.779 --> 00:29:06.440
 18 it's

00:29:06.440 --> 00:29:06.880
 now a

00:29:06.880 --> 00:29:07.259
 plural

00:29:07.259 --> 00:29:07.900
 you.

00:29:08.900 --> 00:29:09.039
 And I

00:29:09.039 --> 00:29:09.420
 think verses

00:29:09.420 --> 00:29:10.240
 19 and

00:29:10.240 --> 00:29:10.839
 20 make

00:29:10.839 --> 00:29:11.519
 this even

00:29:11.519 --> 00:29:12.660
 clearer of

00:29:12.660 --> 00:29:13.299
 who is

00:29:13.299 --> 00:29:14.099
 exercising

00:29:14.099 --> 00:29:15.359
 the keys.

00:29:16.539 --> 00:29:17.079
 Again

00:29:17.079 --> 00:29:17.680
 truly I

00:29:17.680 --> 00:29:17.980
 tell you

00:29:17.980 --> 00:29:18.640
 if two

00:29:18.640 --> 00:29:19.339
 of you

00:29:19.339 --> 00:29:19.720
 on earth

00:29:19.720 --> 00:29:20.240
 agree about

00:29:20.240 --> 00:29:20.859
 anything they

00:29:20.859 --> 00:29:21.460
 ask for

00:29:21.460 --> 00:29:22.160
 it will be

00:29:22.160 --> 00:29:22.599
 done for

00:29:22.599 --> 00:29:22.940
 them by

00:29:22.940 --> 00:29:23.440
 my father

00:29:23.440 --> 00:29:24.000
 in heaven

00:29:24.000 --> 00:29:25.319
 for where

00:29:25.319 --> 00:29:26.180
 two or

00:29:26.180 --> 00:29:27.160
 three gather

00:29:27.160 --> 00:29:27.839
 in my

00:29:27.839 --> 00:29:29.200
 name there

00:29:29.200 --> 00:29:29.920
 I am

00:29:29.920 --> 00:29:31.160
 with them.

00:29:32.759 --> 00:29:33.599
 It's where

00:29:33.599 --> 00:29:34.299
 two or

00:29:34.299 --> 00:29:34.859
 three or

00:29:34.859 --> 00:29:35.359
 more are

00:29:35.359 --> 00:29:35.700
 gathered.

00:29:36.380 --> 00:29:37.420
 Jesus is

00:29:37.420 --> 00:29:38.220
 among them

00:29:38.220 --> 00:29:39.180
 by his

00:29:39.180 --> 00:29:40.000
 spirit as

00:29:40.000 --> 00:29:40.700
 they use

00:29:40.700 --> 00:29:41.500
 the keys

00:29:41.500 --> 00:29:42.900
 to give

00:29:42.900 --> 00:29:43.720
 a verdict.

00:29:44.680 --> 00:29:44.779
 A

00:29:44.779 --> 00:29:45.380
 gathered

00:29:45.380 --> 00:29:46.700
 church in

00:29:46.700 --> 00:29:47.120
 Jesus'

00:29:47.440 --> 00:29:48.599
 name can

00:29:48.599 --> 00:29:49.240
 use the

00:29:49.240 --> 00:29:49.819
 keys of

00:29:49.819 --> 00:29:50.279
 the kingdom

00:29:50.279 --> 00:29:51.759
 of heaven.

00:29:53.220 --> 00:29:53.660
 This is

00:29:53.660 --> 00:29:54.440
 profound

00:29:54.440 --> 00:29:55.839
 deeply

00:29:55.839 --> 00:29:57.299
 profound.

00:29:57.720 --> 00:29:58.299
 These are

00:29:58.299 --> 00:29:59.319
 weighty

00:29:59.319 --> 00:29:59.839
 matters as

00:29:59.839 --> 00:30:00.299
 we think

00:30:00.299 --> 00:30:00.779
 of the

00:30:00.779 --> 00:30:02.140
 skeleton

00:30:02.140 --> 00:30:02.359
 the

00:30:02.359 --> 00:30:03.019
 institutional

00:30:03.019 --> 00:30:03.599
 skeleton

00:30:03.599 --> 00:30:04.059
 of the

00:30:04.059 --> 00:30:04.519
 church.

00:30:05.519 --> 00:30:06.180
 And it's

00:30:06.180 --> 00:30:06.700
 profound

00:30:06.700 --> 00:30:07.200
 because

00:30:07.200 --> 00:30:08.579
 what

00:30:08.579 --> 00:30:09.440
 qualifies

00:30:09.440 --> 00:30:10.299
 you

00:30:10.299 --> 00:30:11.400
 or what

00:30:11.400 --> 00:30:11.940
 qualifies

00:30:11.940 --> 00:30:12.819
 me as

00:30:12.819 --> 00:30:14.180
 ordinary

00:30:14.180 --> 00:30:14.859
 members

00:30:14.859 --> 00:30:16.179
 to rule

00:30:16.179 --> 00:30:17.359
 Christ's

00:30:17.359 --> 00:30:17.859
 church.

00:30:18.859 --> 00:30:19.699
 Nothing.

00:30:21.539 --> 00:30:22.299
 Nothing

00:30:22.299 --> 00:30:23.699
 except the

00:30:23.699 --> 00:30:24.819
 truth that

00:30:24.819 --> 00:30:25.419
 Jesus has

00:30:25.419 --> 00:30:26.099
 called you,

00:30:26.819 --> 00:30:27.399
 that Jesus

00:30:27.399 --> 00:30:28.219
 has saved

00:30:28.219 --> 00:30:28.500
 you,

00:30:28.979 --> 00:30:29.719
 that Jesus

00:30:29.719 --> 00:30:30.559
 has made

00:30:30.559 --> 00:30:31.319
 you a

00:30:31.319 --> 00:30:32.539
 new creation

00:30:32.539 --> 00:30:33.719
 in him.

00:30:34.339 --> 00:30:34.959
 We are

00:30:34.959 --> 00:30:35.839
 qualified

00:30:35.839 --> 00:30:37.579
 simply by

00:30:37.579 --> 00:30:38.199
 being born

00:30:38.199 --> 00:30:39.500
 again and

00:30:39.500 --> 00:30:40.579
 by being

00:30:40.579 --> 00:30:41.579
 given his

00:30:41.579 --> 00:30:42.899
 spirit within

00:30:42.900 --> 00:30:43.540
 us, the

00:30:43.540 --> 00:30:44.680
 spirit among

00:30:44.680 --> 00:30:45.420
 the church.

00:30:46.580 --> 00:30:48.120
 Each one

00:30:48.120 --> 00:30:49.380
 of us who

00:30:49.380 --> 00:30:49.780
 are members

00:30:49.780 --> 00:30:50.120
 of the

00:30:50.120 --> 00:30:51.920
 church knows

00:30:51.920 --> 00:30:52.720
 the Lord

00:30:52.720 --> 00:30:53.759
 directly.

00:30:55.040 --> 00:30:55.720
 The spirit

00:30:55.720 --> 00:30:56.519
 is given to

00:30:56.519 --> 00:30:57.280
 the whole

00:30:57.280 --> 00:30:59.480
 church, all

00:30:59.480 --> 00:31:00.519
 its members,

00:31:01.140 --> 00:31:01.960
 not just its

00:31:01.960 --> 00:31:02.259
 leaders.

00:31:03.000 --> 00:31:03.480
 It's not

00:31:03.480 --> 00:31:04.980
 like old

00:31:04.980 --> 00:31:05.800
 Israel where

00:31:05.800 --> 00:31:06.120
 you were

00:31:06.120 --> 00:31:07.400
 physically born

00:31:07.400 --> 00:31:08.000
 into it,

00:31:08.220 --> 00:31:08.680
 whether you

00:31:08.680 --> 00:31:09.320
 believed or

00:31:09.320 --> 00:31:10.019
 not, and

00:31:10.019 --> 00:31:10.320
 had that

00:31:10.319 --> 00:31:10.859
 mixed

00:31:10.859 --> 00:31:11.559
 community.

00:31:12.279 --> 00:31:13.159
 The new

00:31:13.159 --> 00:31:13.740
 covenant

00:31:13.740 --> 00:31:15.019
 community, the

00:31:15.019 --> 00:31:15.839
 church is a

00:31:15.839 --> 00:31:16.579
 community filled

00:31:16.579 --> 00:31:17.299
 with people

00:31:17.299 --> 00:31:18.679
 who know

00:31:18.679 --> 00:31:19.399
 the Lord

00:31:19.399 --> 00:31:20.759
 and have

00:31:20.759 --> 00:31:21.700
 the spirit.

00:31:22.480 --> 00:31:22.839
 That's why

00:31:22.839 --> 00:31:23.379
 it's so

00:31:23.379 --> 00:31:23.879
 important as

00:31:23.879 --> 00:31:24.319
 we bring

00:31:24.319 --> 00:31:25.659
 people into

00:31:25.659 --> 00:31:26.339
 the church

00:31:26.339 --> 00:31:28.259
 that they

00:31:28.259 --> 00:31:29.279
 confess Jesus

00:31:29.279 --> 00:31:29.939
 and that they

00:31:29.939 --> 00:31:30.799
 love Jesus.

00:31:31.519 --> 00:31:31.879
 And that's not

00:31:31.879 --> 00:31:32.559
 a super high

00:31:32.559 --> 00:31:33.299
 barrier by the

00:31:33.299 --> 00:31:34.359
 way, that's

00:31:34.359 --> 00:31:34.839
 who Jesus

00:31:34.839 --> 00:31:36.139
 accepts, who

00:31:36.139 --> 00:31:36.740
 Jesus has

00:31:36.740 --> 00:31:37.639
 called, and

00:31:37.639 --> 00:31:38.220
 everyone that

00:31:38.220 --> 00:31:39.119
 Jesus accepts,

00:31:39.359 --> 00:31:40.000
 the church

00:31:40.000 --> 00:31:40.900
 accepts.

00:31:41.740 --> 00:31:42.440
 We are

00:31:42.440 --> 00:31:43.579
 all the

00:31:43.579 --> 00:31:44.619
 prophets and

00:31:44.619 --> 00:31:45.240
 the priests

00:31:45.240 --> 00:31:45.839
 and the

00:31:45.839 --> 00:31:47.140
 kings in

00:31:47.140 --> 00:31:48.099
 Christ.

00:31:50.279 --> 00:31:51.279
 1 Corinthians

00:31:51.279 --> 00:31:52.380
 chapter 6,

00:31:52.579 --> 00:31:53.700
 I mean, people

00:31:53.700 --> 00:31:54.259
 say, well, I

00:31:54.259 --> 00:31:54.740
 don't read about

00:31:54.740 --> 00:31:55.359
 membership in

00:31:55.359 --> 00:31:55.740
 the Bible.

00:31:56.019 --> 00:31:56.460
 Where do you

00:31:56.460 --> 00:31:56.900
 see the word

00:31:56.900 --> 00:31:57.339
 membership?

00:31:58.140 --> 00:31:58.859
 And that's a

00:31:58.859 --> 00:31:59.400
 good argument.

00:32:00.220 --> 00:32:01.180
 Don't see it.

00:32:02.180 --> 00:32:02.799
 But yet every

00:32:02.799 --> 00:32:03.859
 single page, I

00:32:03.859 --> 00:32:04.319
 would argue, of

00:32:04.319 --> 00:32:04.559
 the New

00:32:04.559 --> 00:32:06.200
 Testament requires

00:32:06.200 --> 00:32:07.920
 it and supports

00:32:07.920 --> 00:32:08.839
 it and points

00:32:08.839 --> 00:32:10.000
 to it.

00:32:10.079 --> 00:32:11.119
 Because the

00:32:11.119 --> 00:32:11.779
 one anothering

00:32:11.779 --> 00:32:12.319
 that we see

00:32:12.319 --> 00:32:12.579
 in the

00:32:12.579 --> 00:32:13.139
 scriptures is

00:32:13.139 --> 00:32:14.019
 simply not

00:32:14.019 --> 00:32:15.220
 possible without

00:32:15.220 --> 00:32:16.079
 people in

00:32:16.079 --> 00:32:17.480
 this community,

00:32:17.699 --> 00:32:18.639
 this covenanting

00:32:18.639 --> 00:32:19.619
 together, this

00:32:19.619 --> 00:32:20.759
 care and

00:32:20.759 --> 00:32:21.299
 support.

00:32:23.299 --> 00:32:24.000
 Here's an

00:32:24.000 --> 00:32:24.559
 encouragement

00:32:24.559 --> 00:32:26.859
 that Paul gives

00:32:26.859 --> 00:32:27.799
 the church in

00:32:27.799 --> 00:32:29.000
 Corinth who

00:32:29.000 --> 00:32:29.559
 weren't sure

00:32:29.559 --> 00:32:30.059
 whether they

00:32:30.059 --> 00:32:31.079
 could weigh in

00:32:31.079 --> 00:32:31.679
 on matters.

00:32:32.679 --> 00:32:33.099
 Do you not

00:32:33.099 --> 00:32:34.799
 know that the

00:32:34.799 --> 00:32:35.639
 Lord's people

00:32:35.640 --> 00:32:36.700
 will judge the

00:32:36.700 --> 00:32:37.120
 world?

00:32:38.660 --> 00:32:39.080
 And if you

00:32:39.080 --> 00:32:39.540
 are to judge

00:32:39.540 --> 00:32:41.480
 the world, are

00:32:41.480 --> 00:32:41.860
 you not

00:32:41.860 --> 00:32:42.700
 competent to

00:32:42.700 --> 00:32:43.640
 judge trivial

00:32:43.640 --> 00:32:45.060
 cases here on

00:32:45.060 --> 00:32:45.660
 earth now?

00:32:46.240 --> 00:32:46.640
 Do you not

00:32:46.640 --> 00:32:47.640
 know that we

00:32:47.640 --> 00:32:48.500
 will judge

00:32:48.500 --> 00:32:49.259
 angels?

00:32:49.640 --> 00:32:50.380
 How much

00:32:50.380 --> 00:32:50.900
 more the

00:32:50.900 --> 00:32:51.500
 things of

00:32:51.500 --> 00:32:52.840
 this life?

00:32:54.360 --> 00:32:54.720
 It's the

00:32:54.720 --> 00:32:56.800
 confidence that

00:32:56.800 --> 00:32:57.780
 Christ has put

00:32:57.780 --> 00:32:59.280
 in his people

00:32:59.280 --> 00:32:59.940
 through his

00:32:59.940 --> 00:33:01.580
 spirit to be

00:33:01.580 --> 00:33:02.820
 able to keep

00:33:02.820 --> 00:33:04.320
 his gospel and

00:33:04.319 --> 00:33:05.119
 to keep one

00:33:05.119 --> 00:33:05.919
 another in the

00:33:05.919 --> 00:33:06.339
 faith.

00:33:08.399 --> 00:33:08.960
 What does

00:33:08.960 --> 00:33:09.839
 this look like?

00:33:10.399 --> 00:33:10.799
 So let's get

00:33:10.799 --> 00:33:11.279
 practical.

00:33:11.700 --> 00:33:12.279
 We've read a

00:33:12.279 --> 00:33:12.539
 lot of

00:33:12.539 --> 00:33:12.819
 scripture.

00:33:13.879 --> 00:33:14.460
 Maybe it's

00:33:14.460 --> 00:33:15.039
 kicked off a

00:33:15.039 --> 00:33:15.599
 few questions.

00:33:15.720 --> 00:33:15.980
 Maybe you're

00:33:15.980 --> 00:33:16.419
 thinking of

00:33:16.419 --> 00:33:16.839
 different things

00:33:16.839 --> 00:33:17.200
 about the

00:33:17.200 --> 00:33:17.639
 church or

00:33:17.639 --> 00:33:18.179
 churches you've

00:33:18.179 --> 00:33:18.659
 been in.

00:33:19.559 --> 00:33:19.939
 So let me

00:33:19.939 --> 00:33:20.799
 talk a little

00:33:20.799 --> 00:33:21.399
 bit about what

00:33:21.399 --> 00:33:21.960
 this looks like

00:33:21.960 --> 00:33:22.659
 in practice in

00:33:22.659 --> 00:33:24.019
 a church like

00:33:24.019 --> 00:33:24.639
 ours.

00:33:25.399 --> 00:33:25.720
 In

00:33:25.720 --> 00:33:26.359
 Karageline

00:33:26.359 --> 00:33:27.179
 Baptist Church,

00:33:27.559 --> 00:33:28.559
 we affirm the

00:33:28.559 --> 00:33:30.539
 gospel and we

00:33:30.539 --> 00:33:31.720
 help one another

00:33:31.720 --> 00:33:32.819
 to stay true to

00:33:32.819 --> 00:33:33.259
 the Lord.

00:33:34.319 --> 00:33:36.779
 it's not that

00:33:36.779 --> 00:33:37.700
 complicated in

00:33:37.700 --> 00:33:38.200
 some ways.

00:33:38.740 --> 00:33:39.339
 We affirm the

00:33:39.339 --> 00:33:40.460
 gospel and we

00:33:40.460 --> 00:33:41.439
 help one another

00:33:41.439 --> 00:33:42.279
 to stay true to

00:33:42.279 --> 00:33:43.619
 the Lord as we

00:33:43.619 --> 00:33:45.019
 exercise the keys

00:33:45.019 --> 00:33:45.539
 of the kingdom

00:33:45.539 --> 00:33:46.059
 of heaven.

00:33:46.879 --> 00:33:47.339
 And the Bible

00:33:47.339 --> 00:33:49.119
 gives us lots

00:33:49.119 --> 00:33:49.819
 of images of

00:33:49.819 --> 00:33:50.519
 how the church

00:33:50.519 --> 00:33:51.679
 works organically

00:33:51.679 --> 00:33:52.299
 as I've said.

00:33:52.399 --> 00:33:52.779
 And Johnny

00:33:52.779 --> 00:33:53.980
 will show us

00:33:53.980 --> 00:33:54.899
 over the next

00:33:54.899 --> 00:33:55.240
 couple of weeks

00:33:55.240 --> 00:33:55.679
 about the image

00:33:55.679 --> 00:33:56.220
 of the body

00:33:56.220 --> 00:33:56.919
 and the family

00:33:56.919 --> 00:33:57.480
 over the next

00:33:57.480 --> 00:33:58.159
 two Sundays.

00:33:58.399 --> 00:33:58.779
 So again,

00:33:59.259 --> 00:33:59.960
 there's more

00:33:59.960 --> 00:34:01.079
 about the church

00:34:01.079 --> 00:34:01.619
 than what has

00:34:01.619 --> 00:34:02.779
 been said this

00:34:02.779 --> 00:34:03.019
 morning.

00:34:03.019 --> 00:34:04.759
 But institutionally

00:34:04.759 --> 00:34:06.740
 as a kingdom,

00:34:07.240 --> 00:34:09.639
 we exercise the

00:34:09.639 --> 00:34:10.659
 keys as a

00:34:10.659 --> 00:34:10.880
 church.

00:34:10.980 --> 00:34:11.280
 I'm just going

00:34:11.280 --> 00:34:12.860
 to put up a

00:34:12.860 --> 00:34:13.500
 slide there with

00:34:13.500 --> 00:34:14.099
 some examples,

00:34:14.199 --> 00:34:14.559
 but let me just

00:34:14.559 --> 00:34:15.300
 highlight a few

00:34:15.300 --> 00:34:15.559
 of them.

00:34:15.699 --> 00:34:16.719
 So some examples

00:34:16.719 --> 00:34:17.320
 of what it means

00:34:17.320 --> 00:34:17.940
 to be members

00:34:17.940 --> 00:34:18.619
 of the kingdom,

00:34:19.619 --> 00:34:20.780
 some examples

00:34:20.780 --> 00:34:22.000
 of the organizational

00:34:22.000 --> 00:34:23.280
 skeleton of the

00:34:23.280 --> 00:34:23.659
 church.

00:34:24.500 --> 00:34:25.340
 So the members

00:34:25.340 --> 00:34:26.340
 of this church

00:34:26.340 --> 00:34:27.820
 welcome in new

00:34:27.820 --> 00:34:28.360
 members.

00:34:29.139 --> 00:34:29.980
 That's the who

00:34:29.980 --> 00:34:30.699
 of the gospel.

00:34:31.699 --> 00:34:32.420
 We welcome

00:34:32.420 --> 00:34:34.000
 them in as

00:34:34.000 --> 00:34:34.599
 fellow members.

00:34:34.760 --> 00:34:35.380
 We recognize

00:34:35.380 --> 00:34:37.039
 their confession.

00:34:37.440 --> 00:34:38.000
 We recognize

00:34:38.000 --> 00:34:38.940
 them as a true

00:34:38.940 --> 00:34:39.920
 confessor.

00:34:40.719 --> 00:34:41.280
 The members

00:34:41.280 --> 00:34:41.960
 of this church

00:34:41.960 --> 00:34:43.280
 maintain a

00:34:43.280 --> 00:34:44.059
 statement of

00:34:44.059 --> 00:34:45.519
 faith, the

00:34:45.519 --> 00:34:46.780
 what of the

00:34:46.780 --> 00:34:47.159
 gospel.

00:34:48.099 --> 00:34:48.579
 It's another

00:34:48.579 --> 00:34:49.059
 way that we

00:34:49.059 --> 00:34:49.900
 exercise the

00:34:49.900 --> 00:34:50.099
 keys.

00:34:50.219 --> 00:34:50.659
 We pass

00:34:50.659 --> 00:34:51.659
 judgment on

00:34:51.659 --> 00:34:52.260
 what is the

00:34:52.260 --> 00:34:52.659
 gospel.

00:34:54.059 --> 00:34:55.059
 The members

00:34:55.059 --> 00:34:55.780
 of this church

00:34:55.780 --> 00:34:57.260
 recognizes and

00:34:57.260 --> 00:34:58.679
 affirms its own

00:34:58.679 --> 00:34:59.500
 leaders.

00:35:00.319 --> 00:35:00.659
 It's an

00:35:00.659 --> 00:35:01.199
 incredible

00:35:01.199 --> 00:35:02.719
 responsibility that

00:35:02.719 --> 00:35:03.940
 we call

00:35:03.940 --> 00:35:05.139
 faithful men

00:35:05.139 --> 00:35:06.539
 who hold to

00:35:06.539 --> 00:35:07.679
 and live out

00:35:07.679 --> 00:35:08.659
 in an exemplary

00:35:08.659 --> 00:35:09.419
 fashion the

00:35:09.419 --> 00:35:11.059
 deep truths of

00:35:11.059 --> 00:35:12.119
 the gospel as

00:35:12.119 --> 00:35:12.599
 our elders.

00:35:14.859 --> 00:35:15.539
 I'm going to

00:35:15.539 --> 00:35:15.819
 give one

00:35:15.819 --> 00:35:16.259
 example.

00:35:16.399 --> 00:35:17.059
 The members

00:35:17.059 --> 00:35:18.319
 back in

00:35:18.319 --> 00:35:20.079
 February 2019,

00:35:20.739 --> 00:35:22.279
 we debated

00:35:22.279 --> 00:35:23.039
 and voted on

00:35:23.039 --> 00:35:24.099
 a proposal to

00:35:24.099 --> 00:35:24.940
 add this to

00:35:24.940 --> 00:35:25.399
 our statement

00:35:25.399 --> 00:35:26.619
 of faith at

00:35:26.619 --> 00:35:27.000
 a members

00:35:27.000 --> 00:35:27.719
 meeting in

00:35:27.719 --> 00:35:28.719
 February 2019.

00:35:30.480 --> 00:35:31.039
 Let me read

00:35:31.039 --> 00:35:31.379
 it out.

00:35:32.299 --> 00:35:32.779
 Humanity,

00:35:32.980 --> 00:35:33.679
 number four,

00:35:33.959 --> 00:35:35.439
 we have about

00:35:35.439 --> 00:35:36.019
 a dozen or

00:35:36.019 --> 00:35:36.959
 so parts to

00:35:36.959 --> 00:35:37.339
 our statement

00:35:37.339 --> 00:35:37.879
 of faith.

00:35:38.839 --> 00:35:39.719
 We believe

00:35:39.719 --> 00:35:39.980
 in the

00:35:39.980 --> 00:35:40.459
 creation of

00:35:40.459 --> 00:35:40.899
 humanity,

00:35:41.079 --> 00:35:41.419
 male and

00:35:41.419 --> 00:35:41.839
 female,

00:35:42.299 --> 00:35:43.079
 by God

00:35:43.079 --> 00:35:43.480
 and in

00:35:43.480 --> 00:35:43.819
 the image

00:35:43.819 --> 00:35:44.359
 of God,

00:35:44.739 --> 00:35:45.239
 equal in

00:35:45.239 --> 00:35:45.939
 value and

00:35:45.939 --> 00:35:46.459
 complementary

00:35:46.459 --> 00:35:47.000
 in role,

00:35:47.539 --> 00:35:48.059
 the creation

00:35:48.059 --> 00:35:48.699
 ordinance of

00:35:48.699 --> 00:35:49.399
 marriage as

00:35:49.399 --> 00:35:50.039
 a lifelong

00:35:50.039 --> 00:35:50.699
 exclusive

00:35:50.699 --> 00:35:51.539
 union between

00:35:51.539 --> 00:35:52.139
 one man

00:35:52.139 --> 00:35:52.500
 and one

00:35:52.500 --> 00:35:52.799
 woman.

00:35:53.439 --> 00:35:54.039
 This one

00:35:54.039 --> 00:35:54.799
 flesh union

00:35:54.799 --> 00:35:56.199
 establishes the

00:35:56.199 --> 00:35:57.019
 only normative

00:35:57.019 --> 00:35:58.139
 pattern of

00:35:58.139 --> 00:35:59.119
 sexual relations

00:35:59.119 --> 00:35:59.659
 for men

00:35:59.659 --> 00:36:01.000
 and women.

00:36:01.460 --> 00:36:01.820
 And a number

00:36:01.820 --> 00:36:02.400
 of scripture

00:36:02.400 --> 00:36:03.539
 references are

00:36:03.539 --> 00:36:03.780
 given.

00:36:04.559 --> 00:36:06.199
 Why did we

00:36:06.199 --> 00:36:07.119
 do this as

00:36:07.119 --> 00:36:07.599
 members of

00:36:07.599 --> 00:36:08.119
 the church?

00:36:08.800 --> 00:36:09.739
 Because God's

00:36:09.739 --> 00:36:10.800
 good design for

00:36:10.800 --> 00:36:11.320
 humanity,

00:36:12.559 --> 00:36:13.519
 his creation

00:36:13.519 --> 00:36:15.000
 of us as

00:36:15.000 --> 00:36:15.380
 men and

00:36:15.380 --> 00:36:15.619
 women,

00:36:16.019 --> 00:36:16.900
 is a gospel

00:36:16.900 --> 00:36:18.780
 shaping issue.

00:36:20.199 --> 00:36:21.139
 An issue

00:36:21.139 --> 00:36:21.599
 that in the

00:36:21.599 --> 00:36:22.659
 past all

00:36:22.659 --> 00:36:23.719
 Christian churches

00:36:23.719 --> 00:36:24.219
 would have

00:36:24.219 --> 00:36:24.780
 assumed.

00:36:25.739 --> 00:36:26.039
 They wouldn't

00:36:26.039 --> 00:36:26.340
 have written

00:36:26.340 --> 00:36:26.880
 this down

00:36:26.880 --> 00:36:27.539
 in this

00:36:27.539 --> 00:36:27.940
 form,

00:36:28.259 --> 00:36:29.139
 but now

00:36:29.139 --> 00:36:29.599
 must be

00:36:29.599 --> 00:36:29.920
 something

00:36:29.920 --> 00:36:30.659
 explicitly

00:36:30.659 --> 00:36:32.259
 said to

00:36:32.259 --> 00:36:32.820
 ensure that

00:36:32.820 --> 00:36:33.639
 our confession

00:36:33.639 --> 00:36:33.980
 of the

00:36:33.980 --> 00:36:34.940
 gospel is

00:36:34.940 --> 00:36:35.460
 in keeping

00:36:35.460 --> 00:36:36.340
 with what

00:36:36.340 --> 00:36:36.960
 the Bible

00:36:36.960 --> 00:36:38.179
 says.

00:36:41.000 --> 00:36:41.599
 Now,

00:36:41.659 --> 00:36:42.000
 what does

00:36:42.000 --> 00:36:43.360
 this mean

00:36:43.360 --> 00:36:44.539
 for you

00:36:44.539 --> 00:36:45.099
 this morning

00:36:45.099 --> 00:36:45.820
 as you

00:36:45.820 --> 00:36:47.519
 listen to

00:36:47.519 --> 00:36:48.219
 this teaching,

00:36:48.539 --> 00:36:49.539
 this sermon

00:36:49.539 --> 00:36:50.639
 on the

00:36:50.639 --> 00:36:51.279
 church and

00:36:51.279 --> 00:36:51.619
 membership?

00:36:51.619 --> 00:36:53.960
 firstly,

00:36:54.079 --> 00:36:54.299
 if you

00:36:54.299 --> 00:36:54.799
 aren't a

00:36:54.799 --> 00:36:55.159
 Christian

00:36:55.159 --> 00:36:56.779
 this morning,

00:36:56.980 --> 00:36:58.400
 Jesus is

00:36:58.400 --> 00:36:59.639
 calling you

00:36:59.639 --> 00:37:00.579
 to himself.

00:37:01.659 --> 00:37:02.539
 Jesus is

00:37:02.539 --> 00:37:03.239
 the king

00:37:03.239 --> 00:37:04.319
 who lays

00:37:04.319 --> 00:37:04.819
 down his

00:37:04.819 --> 00:37:05.579
 life for

00:37:05.579 --> 00:37:06.679
 his subjects.

00:37:08.000 --> 00:37:08.219
 And so

00:37:08.219 --> 00:37:09.199
 Jesus calls

00:37:09.199 --> 00:37:09.900
 you to turn

00:37:09.900 --> 00:37:11.159
 away from

00:37:11.159 --> 00:37:11.719
 living for

00:37:11.719 --> 00:37:12.440
 yourself,

00:37:13.079 --> 00:37:14.400
 to repent

00:37:14.400 --> 00:37:14.960
 of your

00:37:14.960 --> 00:37:15.420
 sin,

00:37:15.940 --> 00:37:16.920
 and to put

00:37:16.920 --> 00:37:17.880
 your trust

00:37:17.880 --> 00:37:18.639
 in him.

00:37:19.539 --> 00:37:20.239
 Don't delay.

00:37:20.239 --> 00:37:22.279
 pray and

00:37:22.279 --> 00:37:22.819
 ask for

00:37:22.819 --> 00:37:23.259
 the forgiveness

00:37:23.259 --> 00:37:23.779
 of your

00:37:23.779 --> 00:37:24.719
 sins today.

00:37:26.079 --> 00:37:26.879
 If you're

00:37:26.879 --> 00:37:27.259
 a member

00:37:27.259 --> 00:37:27.719
 of this

00:37:27.719 --> 00:37:28.179
 church,

00:37:29.539 --> 00:37:30.399
 Christ has

00:37:30.399 --> 00:37:31.059
 saved you,

00:37:31.879 --> 00:37:32.479
 and he has

00:37:32.479 --> 00:37:32.919
 brought you

00:37:32.919 --> 00:37:33.619
 into membership

00:37:33.619 --> 00:37:35.699
 to keep

00:37:35.699 --> 00:37:36.000
 you,

00:37:36.939 --> 00:37:37.319
 and to

00:37:37.319 --> 00:37:37.719
 keep his

00:37:37.719 --> 00:37:38.059
 gospel.

00:37:39.259 --> 00:37:40.219
 And you

00:37:40.219 --> 00:37:40.979
 and I

00:37:40.979 --> 00:37:41.919
 have this

00:37:41.919 --> 00:37:42.819
 job together

00:37:42.819 --> 00:37:43.799
 as members

00:37:43.799 --> 00:37:45.039
 of ensuring

00:37:45.039 --> 00:37:45.539
 that the

00:37:45.539 --> 00:37:46.619
 gospel remains

00:37:46.619 --> 00:37:47.939
 clear and

00:37:47.939 --> 00:37:48.259
 at the

00:37:48.259 --> 00:37:48.959
 center of

00:37:48.959 --> 00:37:49.579
 all that we

00:37:49.579 --> 00:37:50.079
 do as a

00:37:50.079 --> 00:37:50.440
 church.

00:37:51.179 --> 00:37:51.659
 And I

00:37:51.659 --> 00:37:52.219
 need you,

00:37:53.099 --> 00:37:53.679
 and you

00:37:53.679 --> 00:37:54.179
 need me,

00:37:54.579 --> 00:37:54.900
 and we

00:37:54.900 --> 00:37:55.380
 need one

00:37:55.380 --> 00:37:56.639
 another to

00:37:56.639 --> 00:37:57.420
 keep the

00:37:57.420 --> 00:37:57.799
 gospel.

00:37:59.539 --> 00:38:00.279
 Are you

00:38:00.279 --> 00:38:01.340
 growing closer

00:38:01.340 --> 00:38:02.360
 to the

00:38:02.360 --> 00:38:03.119
 members of

00:38:03.119 --> 00:38:03.599
 the church?

00:38:04.319 --> 00:38:04.840
 Are you

00:38:04.840 --> 00:38:05.400
 fulfilling your

00:38:05.400 --> 00:38:06.119
 role as

00:38:06.119 --> 00:38:06.900
 holders of

00:38:06.900 --> 00:38:07.500
 the keys

00:38:07.500 --> 00:38:08.159
 that Christ

00:38:08.159 --> 00:38:08.599
 has given?

00:38:09.400 --> 00:38:10.559
 Or as a

00:38:10.559 --> 00:38:11.099
 member, do you

00:38:11.099 --> 00:38:12.219
 leave it to

00:38:12.219 --> 00:38:14.940
 others when

00:38:14.940 --> 00:38:15.559
 it is Jesus

00:38:15.559 --> 00:38:15.900
 that has

00:38:15.900 --> 00:38:16.599
 called you?

00:38:16.599 --> 00:38:19.500
 If you're

00:38:19.500 --> 00:38:20.000
 a Christian

00:38:20.000 --> 00:38:21.099
 and you're

00:38:21.099 --> 00:38:21.639
 not a

00:38:21.639 --> 00:38:23.500
 member, can

00:38:23.500 --> 00:38:23.960
 I simply

00:38:23.960 --> 00:38:24.500
 ask why

00:38:24.500 --> 00:38:24.799
 not?

00:38:27.599 --> 00:38:28.759
 I ask to

00:38:28.759 --> 00:38:30.119
 prompt some

00:38:30.119 --> 00:38:31.619
 reflection on

00:38:31.619 --> 00:38:32.199
 what Jesus

00:38:32.199 --> 00:38:33.039
 says through

00:38:33.039 --> 00:38:33.679
 his word.

00:38:35.339 --> 00:38:36.259
 For some

00:38:36.259 --> 00:38:38.139
 of you, the

00:38:38.139 --> 00:38:38.440
 idea of

00:38:38.440 --> 00:38:39.039
 membership and

00:38:39.039 --> 00:38:39.880
 authority and

00:38:39.880 --> 00:38:40.639
 keys and all

00:38:40.639 --> 00:38:41.739
 this talk might

00:38:41.739 --> 00:38:42.460
 be very new.

00:38:42.460 --> 00:38:44.199
 So if you

00:38:44.199 --> 00:38:45.079
 are a new

00:38:45.079 --> 00:38:45.920
 Christian or

00:38:45.920 --> 00:38:46.320
 a young

00:38:46.320 --> 00:38:47.579
 Christian or

00:38:47.579 --> 00:38:48.099
 something you've

00:38:48.099 --> 00:38:48.960
 not considered,

00:38:49.539 --> 00:38:50.460
 Jesus says

00:38:50.460 --> 00:38:51.199
 that you're to

00:38:51.199 --> 00:38:53.199
 be baptized and

00:38:53.199 --> 00:38:53.639
 to become a

00:38:53.639 --> 00:38:54.139
 member of a

00:38:54.139 --> 00:38:54.820
 local church.

00:38:55.860 --> 00:38:56.420
 And you are

00:38:56.420 --> 00:38:57.039
 welcome, I

00:38:57.039 --> 00:38:57.460
 would say, even

00:38:57.460 --> 00:38:58.820
 as a child, if

00:38:58.820 --> 00:38:59.260
 you know and

00:38:59.260 --> 00:39:00.019
 love the Lord and

00:39:00.019 --> 00:39:00.639
 you can understand

00:39:00.639 --> 00:39:02.280
 these things, as

00:39:02.280 --> 00:39:02.980
 a child or even

00:39:02.980 --> 00:39:03.440
 as a new

00:39:03.440 --> 00:39:04.780
 Christian, to be

00:39:04.780 --> 00:39:05.780
 a member of

00:39:05.780 --> 00:39:06.720
 the church here

00:39:06.720 --> 00:39:07.420
 in Carragoline.

00:39:09.300 --> 00:39:10.000
 Maybe you've

00:39:10.000 --> 00:39:10.480
 thought about

00:39:10.480 --> 00:39:11.460
 membership before,

00:39:11.460 --> 00:39:14.340
 it's just not

00:39:14.340 --> 00:39:15.099
 something for me.

00:39:15.599 --> 00:39:16.119
 I've thought

00:39:16.119 --> 00:39:16.720
 about it, it's

00:39:16.720 --> 00:39:18.119
 just, you know.

00:39:19.260 --> 00:39:20.139
 But what makes

00:39:20.139 --> 00:39:20.860
 it something for

00:39:20.860 --> 00:39:22.199
 others and then

00:39:22.199 --> 00:39:23.159
 not something for

00:39:23.159 --> 00:39:23.480
 you?

00:39:24.079 --> 00:39:24.760
 How do we end

00:39:24.760 --> 00:39:25.380
 up with those

00:39:25.380 --> 00:39:25.860
 categories?

00:39:27.559 --> 00:39:28.280
 It's worth

00:39:28.280 --> 00:39:29.860
 coming again to

00:39:29.860 --> 00:39:31.659
 the Lord and

00:39:31.659 --> 00:39:32.579
 bringing to him

00:39:32.579 --> 00:39:34.019
 whatever it is

00:39:34.019 --> 00:39:35.019
 that keeps you

00:39:35.019 --> 00:39:36.220
 from fully

00:39:36.220 --> 00:39:37.320
 linking arms

00:39:37.320 --> 00:39:38.519
 with the other

00:39:38.519 --> 00:39:39.340
 Christians in this

00:39:39.340 --> 00:39:39.699
 church.

00:39:41.460 --> 00:39:44.800
 for some, I

00:39:44.800 --> 00:39:45.980
 know it is

00:39:45.980 --> 00:39:47.260
 previous hurts,

00:39:48.260 --> 00:39:49.539
 it is bad

00:39:49.539 --> 00:39:50.440
 experiences of

00:39:50.440 --> 00:39:51.119
 church life,

00:39:51.519 --> 00:39:52.340
 maybe even

00:39:52.340 --> 00:39:52.860
 within this

00:39:52.860 --> 00:39:54.260
 church, that

00:39:54.260 --> 00:39:54.860
 would hold you

00:39:54.860 --> 00:39:55.260
 back.

00:39:56.679 --> 00:39:57.340
 You're still

00:39:57.340 --> 00:39:58.340
 happy to attend,

00:39:59.079 --> 00:39:59.880
 confident to

00:39:59.880 --> 00:40:01.079
 fellowship, to

00:40:01.079 --> 00:40:02.019
 receive pastoral

00:40:02.019 --> 00:40:03.579
 care, to give

00:40:03.579 --> 00:40:04.079
 to the church

00:40:04.079 --> 00:40:05.400
 financially, and

00:40:05.400 --> 00:40:06.000
 even to say,

00:40:06.199 --> 00:40:07.000
 well, this is my

00:40:07.000 --> 00:40:07.400
 church.

00:40:07.400 --> 00:40:07.460
 church.

00:40:08.800 --> 00:40:09.720
 I understand

00:40:09.720 --> 00:40:10.260
 that it can be

00:40:10.260 --> 00:40:12.320
 hard to have

00:40:12.320 --> 00:40:13.960
 confidence to

00:40:13.960 --> 00:40:14.639
 become a member

00:40:14.639 --> 00:40:15.500
 of a local

00:40:15.500 --> 00:40:16.500
 church.

00:40:18.720 --> 00:40:19.340
 And what I

00:40:19.340 --> 00:40:19.700
 would say is

00:40:19.700 --> 00:40:20.160
 whatever your

00:40:20.160 --> 00:40:20.840
 situation, if

00:40:20.840 --> 00:40:21.320
 you're a young

00:40:21.320 --> 00:40:22.099
 Christian, a new

00:40:22.099 --> 00:40:23.320
 Christian, a

00:40:23.320 --> 00:40:23.800
 Christian that's

00:40:23.800 --> 00:40:24.260
 thought about

00:40:24.260 --> 00:40:25.139
 this before and

00:40:25.139 --> 00:40:25.700
 just said, not

00:40:25.700 --> 00:40:28.180
 for me, Christ

00:40:28.180 --> 00:40:30.180
 has called you to

00:40:30.180 --> 00:40:30.760
 be under the

00:40:30.760 --> 00:40:31.940
 care and the

00:40:31.940 --> 00:40:32.740
 oversight of a

00:40:32.740 --> 00:40:33.539
 local church for

00:40:33.539 --> 00:40:34.340
 your sake, for

00:40:34.340 --> 00:40:34.880
 the sake of

00:40:34.880 --> 00:40:35.940
 others, and for

00:40:35.940 --> 00:40:36.740
 the sake of the

00:40:36.739 --> 00:40:37.079
 gospel.

00:40:37.899 --> 00:40:38.679
 We are not

00:40:38.679 --> 00:40:39.919
 called to put up

00:40:39.919 --> 00:40:40.379
 boundaries.

00:40:41.059 --> 00:40:41.979
 We're not called

00:40:41.979 --> 00:40:42.899
 to stay outside on

00:40:42.899 --> 00:40:43.619
 our terms.

00:40:44.519 --> 00:40:45.979
 It's his church.

00:40:47.759 --> 00:40:48.739
 The gospel is

00:40:48.739 --> 00:40:49.339
 lived out in

00:40:49.339 --> 00:40:49.899
 community with

00:40:49.899 --> 00:40:50.239
 others.

00:40:50.839 --> 00:40:51.379
 To be a member

00:40:51.379 --> 00:40:53.199
 of the church is

00:40:53.199 --> 00:40:54.019
 to stand with

00:40:54.019 --> 00:40:56.059
 others, saved by

00:40:56.059 --> 00:40:57.139
 grace, and to

00:40:57.139 --> 00:40:58.419
 affirm one

00:40:58.419 --> 00:40:59.319
 another's profession

00:40:59.319 --> 00:41:01.099
 of faith, and to

00:41:01.099 --> 00:41:01.839
 have insurance

00:41:01.839 --> 00:41:02.699
 together as we

00:41:02.699 --> 00:41:03.319
 link arms.

00:41:03.719 --> 00:41:04.059
 That's where

00:41:04.059 --> 00:41:04.779
 Jesus wants you

00:41:04.779 --> 00:41:05.919
 to be, assured

00:41:05.919 --> 00:41:06.599
 in the faith,

00:41:06.739 --> 00:41:08.079
 linking arms with

00:41:08.079 --> 00:41:08.439
 others.

00:41:10.839 --> 00:41:11.619
 There's much

00:41:11.619 --> 00:41:12.479
 more to the

00:41:12.479 --> 00:41:13.000
 church than

00:41:13.000 --> 00:41:13.439
 what we looked

00:41:13.439 --> 00:41:14.139
 at this morning,

00:41:14.539 --> 00:41:15.859
 so I pray that

00:41:15.859 --> 00:41:17.459
 we can hear the

00:41:17.459 --> 00:41:18.319
 words of Jesus

00:41:18.319 --> 00:41:20.219
 clearly over

00:41:20.219 --> 00:41:20.759
 these coming

00:41:20.759 --> 00:41:22.659
 weeks, and see

00:41:22.659 --> 00:41:24.039
 his good design

00:41:24.039 --> 00:41:24.979
 in this world

00:41:24.979 --> 00:41:26.619
 to provide

00:41:26.619 --> 00:41:28.099
 embassies on

00:41:28.099 --> 00:41:28.979
 earth for his

00:41:28.979 --> 00:41:30.659
 kingdom through

00:41:30.659 --> 00:41:31.599
 local churches

00:41:31.599 --> 00:41:33.399
 that are full of

00:41:33.399 --> 00:41:34.079
 members who

00:41:34.079 --> 00:41:36.420
 preserve, protect,

00:41:36.960 --> 00:41:38.639
 and proclaim the

00:41:38.639 --> 00:41:40.079
 gospel together.

00:41:40.659 --> 00:41:41.519
 Let's pray.

00:41:41.519 --> 00:41:47.900
 King Jesus, you

00:41:47.900 --> 00:41:49.519
 thankfully rule

00:41:49.519 --> 00:41:50.119
 over the

00:41:50.119 --> 00:41:51.440
 heavens and the

00:41:51.440 --> 00:41:52.000
 whole earth.

00:41:52.259 --> 00:41:53.000
 Nothing is hidden

00:41:53.000 --> 00:41:54.099
 from your sight.

00:41:54.860 --> 00:41:55.539
 You know all our

00:41:55.539 --> 00:41:57.519
 hearts, and we are

00:41:57.519 --> 00:41:58.619
 laid bare before

00:41:58.619 --> 00:42:00.579
 you, what you say

00:42:00.579 --> 00:42:01.300
 in your word, and

00:42:01.300 --> 00:42:01.960
 by your Holy

00:42:01.960 --> 00:42:04.320
 Spirit every time.

00:42:04.320 --> 00:42:07.620
 Father, I pray that

00:42:07.620 --> 00:42:08.559
 our hearts would be

00:42:08.559 --> 00:42:09.920
 lifted up towards

00:42:09.920 --> 00:42:10.900
 you this morning,

00:42:11.900 --> 00:42:13.539
 that we would love

00:42:13.539 --> 00:42:15.720
 you more, that we

00:42:15.720 --> 00:42:17.059
 would have a godly

00:42:17.059 --> 00:42:19.360
 jealousy for your

00:42:19.360 --> 00:42:20.519
 name, for your

00:42:20.519 --> 00:42:21.559
 kingdom, for your

00:42:21.559 --> 00:42:22.880
 gospel, that we

00:42:22.880 --> 00:42:23.600
 would have a deeper

00:42:23.600 --> 00:42:25.320
 and wider and more

00:42:25.320 --> 00:42:27.340
 generous love for one

00:42:27.340 --> 00:42:27.700
 another.

00:42:27.699 --> 00:42:30.179
 And Father, that the

00:42:30.179 --> 00:42:31.719
 bonds of Christian

00:42:31.719 --> 00:42:33.719
 love and unity would

00:42:33.719 --> 00:42:35.759
 be strengthened in

00:42:35.759 --> 00:42:37.179
 Cargoline Baptist

00:42:37.179 --> 00:42:37.960
 Church.

00:42:38.559 --> 00:42:40.359
 We need one

00:42:40.359 --> 00:42:42.159
 another to hold

00:42:42.159 --> 00:42:45.599
 those keys, to

00:42:45.599 --> 00:42:46.659
 keep the gospel, to

00:42:46.659 --> 00:42:48.519
 pass it on, and to

00:42:48.519 --> 00:42:49.500
 help one another to

00:42:49.500 --> 00:42:50.419
 stay the course.

00:42:51.339 --> 00:42:52.439
 Oh Jesus, you are

00:42:52.439 --> 00:42:53.500
 gracious and kind.

00:42:54.939 --> 00:42:56.259
 Father, you have

00:42:56.259 --> 00:42:57.659
 given us your

00:42:57.659 --> 00:43:00.159
 only Son, and you

00:43:00.159 --> 00:43:01.659
 have poured out your

00:43:01.659 --> 00:43:02.619
 Spirit into our

00:43:02.619 --> 00:43:02.839
 lives.

00:43:02.920 --> 00:43:03.440
 You have given us

00:43:03.440 --> 00:43:04.319
 everything that we

00:43:04.319 --> 00:43:05.159
 need for life and

00:43:05.159 --> 00:43:06.480
 godliness, and we

00:43:06.480 --> 00:43:07.339
 thank you for that.

00:43:07.440 --> 00:43:08.500
 All glory be to

00:43:08.500 --> 00:43:08.719
 you.

00:43:09.199 --> 00:43:09.519
 Amen.

00:43:09.519 --> 00:43:09.659
 Amen.

00:43:14.659 --> 00:43:15.299
 It said,