WEBVTT

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 We're going to be looking at Acts chapter 2 for part of our talk this morning, and then

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 we're going to be looking at the rest of Acts.

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 So I'm not going to be reading anything straight off this morning, we're going to be looking

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 at different parts of the Acts.

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 So you can look it up at least anyway for starters.

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 I'm going to pray and ask for God's help.

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 Let's pray.

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 Father, thank you for the gathering of this church, for the people that you have brought

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 together, people that you love and treasure.

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 And thank you that you have given us your word so that we aren't left guessing and wandering

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 in the dark, but you've shown us your truth, your light, so that we might know how we should

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 live as your people together.

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 So encourage us today and build us up in Jesus' name.

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 Amen.

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 Thank you.

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 Thank you.

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 So in this series, as we head towards the more summer months, we're asking the big question,

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 what is a Christian?

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 And I wonder if you were asked that question, would you be able to answer it?

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 What does it mean to be a Christian?

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 Well, today we're going to see that a Christian is someone who is committed to church.

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 Now, all of us can have lots of different ideas about what church is.

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 So what do we mean when we talk about church?

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 Well, church is not the building you enter.

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 It's a basketball court.

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 It's not the service you attend.

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 It is that, but it's much more.

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 And it's not a club that you adjoin.

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 Church, and I've summarized it here for helpful for us this morning, is a local community of

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 Christ followers who are committed to one another.

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 Again, it's more than that, but it's not less than that.

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 A local community of Christ followers who are committed to one another.

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 And to help us understand this commitment, the Bible uses two striking word pictures.

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 It says the church is like a family.

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 So in Galatians, it reads, you can see this on the screen.

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 Let us do good to all people.

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 That is, people who are believers or unbelievers.

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 But especially to those who belong to the family of believers.

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 And the church is also like a body.

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 In Christ, we, though many, and there's many here this morning, well, we form one body.

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 And each member, a foot, an arm, a leg, an eye, a tongue, each member belongs to all the others.

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 So we belong to a family, and we belong to a body.

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 In other words, the Bible's view is that if you are a Christian, you belong to a local church.

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 You can't have one without the others.

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 You can't say, oh, I'm a Christian, but I don't really bother with church.

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 Or I like the church, but not so hot on being a Christian.

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 One writer put it like this.

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 Again, you can read it on the screen.

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 The Christian community, that is, the church, is not an ideal we have to realize, but rather a reality created by God in Christ in which we participate.

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 So being a Christian and being committed to church are two sides of the one coin.

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 They belong together.

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 So we're going to look at the book of Acts together and going to see how this is true.

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 We're going to look at two main things.

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 How we are saved into the church, and then what it looks like to be committed to the church.

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 So saved into the church, and then committed to the church.

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 These are the two big ideas we're going to think about together this morning.

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 So have your Bibles open in Acts chapter 2.

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 First, we are saved into the church.

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 You see, the church doesn't save us.

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 No, we're saved into the church by the gospel.

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 The gospel in which we stand.

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 The gospel that we were singing about just earlier.

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 Two things will help us to see how we are saved into the church.

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 First, we need to hear the gospel.

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 And in Acts chapter 2, Peter, who is an apostle, that is someone who's been entrusted with the words of Jesus and commissioned by Jesus,

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 is preaching to many different people from all kinds of different backgrounds and cultures.

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 And he's preaching about Jesus.

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 And we can summarize his whole talk in four simple headings.

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 I don't think he had a PowerPoint then, but nevertheless, we're going to help us by giving it some headings.

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 So the first thing he wants us to know is that Jesus is God.

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 So look at verse 22.

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 Fellow Israelites, here's the crowd he's addressing.

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 Listen to this.

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 Jesus of Nazareth was a man accredited by God to you by miracles, wonders, and signs,

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 which God did among you through him, as you yourselves know.

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 Some of them had seen and witnessed Jesus and the miracles that he had done, the wonders he had done,

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 how he walked on water, how he calmed the storm and fed crowds with just a little bit of food and raised the dead.

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 All of these miracles and wonders were signs, a big signpost pointing and proving that this man, Jesus, is God.

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 Jesus is God who comes to us as a man, a human being into the world.

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 Not just a person, but he is the God-man.

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 And what about this God-man?

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 Well, very simply, he tells us that Jesus died for you.

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 Verse 23.

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 This man, Jesus, was handed over to you by God's deliberate plan and foreknowledge,

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 and you, with the help of wicked men, put him to death by nailing him to the cross.

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 Jesus' death was no ordinary death.

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 Yes, it was very severe in his crucifixion,

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 but something deeper and greater was happening as Jesus died.

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 As he died on the cross, he was taking the punishment for our sins,

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 all the things we do wrong.

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 He was suffering the penalty that we deserve.

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 He was suffering hell itself so that we might not have to.

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 This is the gospel.

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 Jesus is God.

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 Jesus died for you, and Jesus was raised for you.

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 Look at verse 24.

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 But God raised Jesus from the dead,

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 freeing him from the agony of death,

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 because it was impossible for death to keep its hold on him.

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 Jesus did not stay dead.

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 He was buried, placed in a tomb,

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 but three days later, he walked out of that tomb.

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 He crushed death to death.

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 He defeated the grave so that we, all who trust in him,

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 might not have to suffer death forever,

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 but have life with him.

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 So Jesus died for you.

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 He was raised for you.

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 And he continues to talk about the resurrection,

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 but we're going to jump to verse 32,

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 where he begins to conclude his talk

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 and tells us that Jesus is God's saving king.

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 This is what he wants us to know.

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 Verse 32.

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 God has raised this Jesus to life,

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 and we are all witnesses of it.

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 So people like Peter saw Jesus,

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 ate with him,

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 touched him,

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 heard him,

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 and now,

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 verse 33,

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 he is exalted

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 to the right hand of God.

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 That is a position of all power

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 and all authority.

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 Verse 36.

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 Therefore,

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 let all Israel,

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 everybody who is listening,

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 be assured of this.

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 God has made this Jesus,

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 whom you crucified,

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 both Lord

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 and Messiah.

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 It's telling us that Jesus,

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 who died and was raised from the dead,

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 now rules and now reigns

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 over all people

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 and over all things.

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 He is God's king

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 who comes to rescue us

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 from our hell-bound life.

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 And he demands

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 that all people

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 would treat him

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 as king

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 and would worship him

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 as Lord of all.

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 This

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 is the gospel.

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 This is the gospel

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 on which we stand.

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 Jesus is God

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 who died for your sins,

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 who defeated death for you,

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 and now rules

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 as God's saving king.

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 This is the wonderful gospel

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 that saves us.

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 In fact,

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 it's a message

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 that demands

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 a response

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 from each one of us

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 today.

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 So,

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 having heard the gospel,

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 there is a response

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 to the gospel.

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 Verse 37.

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 When the people heard this,

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 when they heard this

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 wonderful message,

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 they were cut

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 to the heart.

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 Remember how we saw

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 last week,

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 like a surgeon's scalpel,

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 the word of God

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 cuts right to the heart.

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 And they said to Peter

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 and the other apostles,

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 brothers,

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 what should we do?

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 What's,

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 what's our response?

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 How are we to respond

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 to this message?

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 Well,

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 we can respond

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 negatively

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 and continue

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 to push Jesus away,

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 or we can respond

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 positively.

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 And that positive response

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 comes in two parts.

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 Follow on the screen

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 with me.

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 The first is this.

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 The first response

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 that there is a personal

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 confession

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 of the Lord Jesus.

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 So what does that mean?

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 Well,

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 look at verse 38.

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 What's the response?

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 Well,

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 Peter said,

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 repent

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 and be baptized

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 every one of you.

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 Now,

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 repentance

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 isn't just something

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 that's done on its own.

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 It always comes

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 with faith.

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 So just very quickly,

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 just flick over

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 to Acts chapter 20,

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 verse 21.

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 So it isn't that

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 sometimes

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 some people

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 had to repent

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 and other people

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 had to have faith.

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 No,

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 repentance

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 and faith

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 belong together.

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 So in Acts chapter 20

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 and verse 21,

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 here,

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 the apostle Paul

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 is summarizing

00:13:34.100 --> 00:13:35.480
 his message.

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 And he says it

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 in verse 21,

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 I've declared

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 to both Jews

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 and Greeks

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 that they must

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 turn to God

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 in repentance

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 and

00:13:48.240 --> 00:13:50.079
 have faith

00:13:50.079 --> 00:13:52.079
 in our Lord Jesus.

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 So do you see it there?

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 Repentance

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 and faith.

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 Go back to

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 Acts chapter 2.

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 So when we see

00:13:59.939 --> 00:14:00.860
 repentance here,

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 the implication

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 is that

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 faith

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 is also

00:14:04.480 --> 00:14:05.240
 implied.

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 That's the response,

00:14:07.139 --> 00:14:08.539
 the personal confession,

00:14:08.539 --> 00:14:10.539
 that we turn

00:14:10.539 --> 00:14:11.340
 from living

00:14:11.340 --> 00:14:12.559
 from ourself

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 and turn

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 to live

00:14:15.159 --> 00:14:15.840
 for Jesus.

00:14:16.080 --> 00:14:17.159
 That is a life

00:14:17.159 --> 00:14:17.799
 of repentance.

00:14:18.319 --> 00:14:18.819
 No longer

00:14:18.819 --> 00:14:19.879
 am I going to live

00:14:19.879 --> 00:14:21.019
 as if I am king,

00:14:21.699 --> 00:14:23.000
 but I am going

00:14:23.000 --> 00:14:23.659
 to live

00:14:23.659 --> 00:14:25.059
 with Jesus

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 as my king.

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 And we respond

00:14:28.179 --> 00:14:29.100
 in faith.

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 That is,

00:14:30.000 --> 00:14:30.559
 we put our

00:14:30.559 --> 00:14:32.080
 full and complete

00:14:32.080 --> 00:14:32.860
 confidence

00:14:32.860 --> 00:14:33.899
 and trust

00:14:33.899 --> 00:14:35.159
 in Jesus

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 Christ alone

00:14:36.159 --> 00:14:37.139
 for our salvation.

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 There's nothing

00:14:38.279 --> 00:14:39.139
 in myself.

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 It's all

00:14:41.200 --> 00:14:41.879
 what Jesus

00:14:41.879 --> 00:14:42.600
 has done.

00:14:44.159 --> 00:14:45.259
 And as we

00:14:45.259 --> 00:14:45.879
 do that,

00:14:45.940 --> 00:14:46.960
 as we repent

00:14:46.960 --> 00:14:48.379
 and turn

00:14:48.379 --> 00:14:49.019
 in faith

00:14:49.019 --> 00:14:49.680
 to Jesus,

00:14:50.519 --> 00:14:51.600
 look what happens,

00:14:51.700 --> 00:14:52.899
 end of verse 38.

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 There is the

00:14:55.180 --> 00:14:55.800
 forgiveness

00:14:55.800 --> 00:14:58.680
 of your sins.

00:14:59.720 --> 00:15:01.060
 All your sins

00:15:01.060 --> 00:15:01.560
 forgiven.

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 forgiven.

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 But not only

00:15:04.039 --> 00:15:04.539
 that,

00:15:05.419 --> 00:15:06.459
 you will receive

00:15:06.459 --> 00:15:07.419
 the gift

00:15:07.419 --> 00:15:08.739
 of the Holy

00:15:08.739 --> 00:15:09.279
 Spirit.

00:15:09.739 --> 00:15:10.119
 You see,

00:15:10.219 --> 00:15:11.399
 to live a life

00:15:11.399 --> 00:15:12.359
 that responds

00:15:12.359 --> 00:15:12.939
 to Jesus

00:15:12.939 --> 00:15:13.899
 and follows him

00:15:13.899 --> 00:15:14.579
 in the right way,

00:15:14.939 --> 00:15:15.659
 well, we cannot

00:15:15.659 --> 00:15:16.500
 do that without

00:15:16.500 --> 00:15:17.519
 the Holy Spirit.

00:15:17.919 --> 00:15:18.859
 And the moment

00:15:18.859 --> 00:15:19.839
 we believe

00:15:19.839 --> 00:15:20.500
 and turn

00:15:20.500 --> 00:15:21.259
 to Jesus,

00:15:21.799 --> 00:15:22.959
 we are filled

00:15:22.959 --> 00:15:24.719
 with the Holy

00:15:24.719 --> 00:15:25.179
 Spirit.

00:15:27.439 --> 00:15:28.000
 Now,

00:15:28.159 --> 00:15:29.359
 Peter's message

00:15:29.359 --> 00:15:30.919
 wasn't just

00:15:30.919 --> 00:15:31.699
 for the people

00:15:31.699 --> 00:15:32.299
 way back

00:15:32.299 --> 00:15:32.759
 then.

00:15:33.479 --> 00:15:34.399
 This is for us

00:15:34.399 --> 00:15:34.779
 today.

00:15:34.899 --> 00:15:35.379
 He even

00:15:35.379 --> 00:15:36.259
 tells us.

00:15:36.479 --> 00:15:37.719
 Look at verse 39.

00:15:39.019 --> 00:15:40.120
 The promise,

00:15:40.219 --> 00:15:40.959
 the promise of

00:15:40.959 --> 00:15:41.500
 forgiveness

00:15:41.500 --> 00:15:43.019
 and the gift

00:15:43.019 --> 00:15:43.579
 of the Holy

00:15:43.579 --> 00:15:44.039
 Spirit

00:15:44.039 --> 00:15:45.919
 is for you,

00:15:46.059 --> 00:15:46.819
 that's the people

00:15:46.819 --> 00:15:47.500
 who are listening,

00:15:47.979 --> 00:15:49.179
 and for your

00:15:49.179 --> 00:15:49.699
 children,

00:15:49.899 --> 00:15:50.519
 so the people

00:15:50.519 --> 00:15:51.159
 who are listening,

00:15:51.159 --> 00:15:52.799
 and for all

00:15:52.799 --> 00:15:53.719
 who are far

00:15:53.719 --> 00:15:54.199
 off,

00:15:55.100 --> 00:15:55.699
 not just

00:15:55.699 --> 00:15:56.899
 distant lands,

00:15:58.100 --> 00:15:59.639
 but for all

00:15:59.639 --> 00:16:00.639
 whom the Lord

00:16:00.639 --> 00:16:01.019
 will,

00:16:01.259 --> 00:16:01.860
 our God

00:16:01.860 --> 00:16:02.519
 will call.

00:16:03.559 --> 00:16:04.360
 So he's thinking

00:16:04.360 --> 00:16:05.860
 of all the people

00:16:05.860 --> 00:16:07.199
 in the future,

00:16:07.679 --> 00:16:08.500
 wherever they come

00:16:08.500 --> 00:16:08.879
 from,

00:16:09.199 --> 00:16:10.039
 as they

00:16:10.039 --> 00:16:11.819
 turn to Jesus,

00:16:12.639 --> 00:16:14.100
 they can have

00:16:14.100 --> 00:16:14.699
 forgiveness

00:16:14.699 --> 00:16:16.259
 of all their

00:16:16.259 --> 00:16:16.839
 sins.

00:16:16.840 --> 00:16:18.560
 So that's

00:16:18.560 --> 00:16:19.420
 the personal

00:16:19.420 --> 00:16:20.080
 confession,

00:16:20.300 --> 00:16:21.040
 the personal

00:16:21.040 --> 00:16:21.899
 response

00:16:21.899 --> 00:16:23.000
 that is

00:16:23.000 --> 00:16:23.600
 required.

00:16:24.340 --> 00:16:25.139
 But there's

00:16:25.139 --> 00:16:26.019
 also more,

00:16:26.120 --> 00:16:26.540
 isn't there,

00:16:26.580 --> 00:16:27.460
 in the response?

00:16:28.500 --> 00:16:29.080
 There's a

00:16:29.080 --> 00:16:29.740
 public

00:16:29.740 --> 00:16:30.940
 identification

00:16:30.940 --> 00:16:31.980
 with the

00:16:31.980 --> 00:16:33.080
 local church.

00:16:34.060 --> 00:16:34.899
 We see

00:16:34.899 --> 00:16:35.340
 this in

00:16:35.340 --> 00:16:36.060
 verse 40.

00:16:37.680 --> 00:16:38.759
 With many

00:16:38.759 --> 00:16:39.820
 other words,

00:16:40.560 --> 00:16:41.300
 Peter warned

00:16:41.300 --> 00:16:41.519
 them,

00:16:41.580 --> 00:16:41.840
 and he

00:16:41.840 --> 00:16:42.340
 pleaded

00:16:42.340 --> 00:16:42.840
 with the

00:16:42.840 --> 00:16:43.180
 crowd,

00:16:43.180 --> 00:16:43.680
 saying,

00:16:44.300 --> 00:16:45.580
 save yourselves

00:16:45.580 --> 00:16:46.480
 from this

00:16:46.480 --> 00:16:47.080
 corrupt

00:16:47.080 --> 00:16:48.000
 generation.

00:16:49.280 --> 00:16:50.139
 And those

00:16:50.139 --> 00:16:50.940
 who accepted

00:16:50.940 --> 00:16:51.920
 his message

00:16:51.920 --> 00:16:53.200
 were baptized,

00:16:53.600 --> 00:16:53.960
 and about

00:16:53.960 --> 00:16:55.280
 3,000 were

00:16:55.280 --> 00:16:56.040
 added to their

00:16:56.040 --> 00:16:56.720
 number that

00:16:56.720 --> 00:16:57.080
 day.

00:16:58.340 --> 00:16:59.000
 Now can you

00:16:59.000 --> 00:16:59.600
 see what's

00:16:59.600 --> 00:17:00.180
 being said

00:17:00.180 --> 00:17:00.400
 there?

00:17:00.460 --> 00:17:01.120
 Verse 40,

00:17:01.600 --> 00:17:02.180
 there's a

00:17:02.180 --> 00:17:02.720
 leaving,

00:17:03.080 --> 00:17:03.480
 isn't there?

00:17:03.500 --> 00:17:03.860
 He says,

00:17:04.200 --> 00:17:05.220
 save yourself

00:17:05.220 --> 00:17:06.220
 from this

00:17:06.220 --> 00:17:07.079
 corrupt

00:17:07.079 --> 00:17:07.900
 generation.

00:17:07.900 --> 00:17:09.460
 So leave

00:17:09.460 --> 00:17:11.440
 this corrupt

00:17:11.440 --> 00:17:12.340
 generation.

00:17:13.720 --> 00:17:14.279
 And now,

00:17:14.400 --> 00:17:15.120
 verse 41,

00:17:15.579 --> 00:17:17.339
 belong to

00:17:17.339 --> 00:17:18.960
 God's new

00:17:18.960 --> 00:17:19.619
 community.

00:17:20.899 --> 00:17:21.619
 Leave one

00:17:21.619 --> 00:17:23.179
 and belong

00:17:23.179 --> 00:17:23.859
 to another.

00:17:24.460 --> 00:17:25.039
 Can you see

00:17:25.039 --> 00:17:25.319
 that?

00:17:25.419 --> 00:17:26.139
 Verse 41,

00:17:27.220 --> 00:17:27.819
 it says

00:17:27.819 --> 00:17:29.559
 about 3,000,

00:17:29.599 --> 00:17:30.279
 of all the

00:17:30.279 --> 00:17:30.740
 number of

00:17:30.740 --> 00:17:31.159
 people who

00:17:31.159 --> 00:17:31.480
 were there,

00:17:31.839 --> 00:17:33.079
 about 3,000

00:17:33.079 --> 00:17:34.480
 were added

00:17:34.480 --> 00:17:35.699
 to their

00:17:35.699 --> 00:17:36.139
 number.

00:17:37.720 --> 00:17:37.939
 Well,

00:17:37.939 --> 00:17:38.279
 you've got to

00:17:38.279 --> 00:17:38.519
 ask,

00:17:38.639 --> 00:17:38.759
 well,

00:17:38.819 --> 00:17:39.759
 who's their

00:17:39.759 --> 00:17:40.199
 number?

00:17:40.339 --> 00:17:40.720
 Who's he

00:17:40.720 --> 00:17:41.500
 talking about?

00:17:42.439 --> 00:17:42.779
 Well,

00:17:42.960 --> 00:17:43.619
 it's the

00:17:43.619 --> 00:17:44.299
 church,

00:17:44.299 --> 00:17:45.659
 the community

00:17:45.659 --> 00:17:46.659
 of believers.

00:17:47.279 --> 00:17:47.819
 And this

00:17:47.819 --> 00:17:49.279
 adding is

00:17:49.279 --> 00:17:49.960
 important.

00:17:50.619 --> 00:17:51.279
 They weren't

00:17:51.279 --> 00:17:52.079
 saved to

00:17:52.079 --> 00:17:52.599
 live in

00:17:52.599 --> 00:17:53.359
 isolation,

00:17:53.619 --> 00:17:54.599
 so turn to

00:17:54.599 --> 00:17:55.200
 Jesus and

00:17:55.200 --> 00:17:55.740
 off you go

00:17:55.740 --> 00:17:56.099
 and do

00:17:56.099 --> 00:17:56.619
 whatever you

00:17:56.619 --> 00:17:56.980
 like.

00:17:57.319 --> 00:17:57.619
 No,

00:17:57.720 --> 00:17:58.139
 they were

00:17:58.139 --> 00:17:59.240
 saved into

00:17:59.240 --> 00:18:00.139
 a community

00:18:00.139 --> 00:18:01.559
 of other

00:18:01.559 --> 00:18:02.119
 believers.

00:18:03.399 --> 00:18:03.919
 They were

00:18:03.919 --> 00:18:04.319
 added.

00:18:04.980 --> 00:18:05.579
 This was the

00:18:05.579 --> 00:18:06.519
 practice all

00:18:06.519 --> 00:18:06.879
 the way

00:18:06.879 --> 00:18:07.859
 through Acts.

00:18:08.279 --> 00:18:08.799
 Have a look

00:18:08.799 --> 00:18:09.500
 over the page

00:18:09.500 --> 00:18:10.659
 at chapter 5,

00:18:11.059 --> 00:18:12.779
 verse 13.

00:18:12.779 --> 00:18:14.940
 Acts chapter

00:18:14.940 --> 00:18:15.460
 5,

00:18:15.539 --> 00:18:16.420
 verse 13.

00:18:21.160 --> 00:18:21.980
 So they

00:18:21.980 --> 00:18:22.779
 continued to

00:18:22.779 --> 00:18:23.559
 preach this

00:18:23.559 --> 00:18:24.160
 wonderful

00:18:24.160 --> 00:18:24.720
 gospel.

00:18:29.420 --> 00:18:30.299
 And as

00:18:30.299 --> 00:18:30.859
 they heard

00:18:30.859 --> 00:18:31.160
 it,

00:18:31.819 --> 00:18:32.519
 it did

00:18:32.519 --> 00:18:33.399
 demand a

00:18:33.399 --> 00:18:33.940
 life of

00:18:33.940 --> 00:18:34.440
 commitment.

00:18:35.079 --> 00:18:35.519
 So it

00:18:35.519 --> 00:18:36.099
 tells us

00:18:36.099 --> 00:18:36.480
 in verse

00:18:36.480 --> 00:18:36.940
 13,

00:18:37.399 --> 00:18:37.799
 no one

00:18:37.799 --> 00:18:38.440
 else dared

00:18:38.440 --> 00:18:39.220
 join them.

00:18:39.220 --> 00:18:41.299
 even

00:18:41.299 --> 00:18:41.860
 though they

00:18:41.860 --> 00:18:42.460
 were highly

00:18:42.460 --> 00:18:43.319
 regarded by

00:18:43.319 --> 00:18:43.920
 the people.

00:18:44.579 --> 00:18:45.100
 It was a

00:18:45.100 --> 00:18:45.579
 cost,

00:18:45.700 --> 00:18:46.100
 you see,

00:18:46.519 --> 00:18:47.279
 to follow

00:18:47.279 --> 00:18:47.920
 Jesus.

00:18:49.019 --> 00:18:49.539
 But,

00:18:49.839 --> 00:18:50.680
 verse 14,

00:18:51.160 --> 00:18:51.839
 nevertheless,

00:18:52.660 --> 00:18:53.440
 more and

00:18:53.440 --> 00:18:54.140
 more men

00:18:54.140 --> 00:18:54.680
 and women

00:18:54.680 --> 00:18:55.759
 believed in

00:18:55.759 --> 00:18:56.339
 the Lord

00:18:56.339 --> 00:18:57.620
 and were

00:18:57.620 --> 00:18:59.440
 added to

00:18:59.440 --> 00:19:00.720
 their number.

00:19:01.720 --> 00:19:02.160
 You see,

00:19:02.319 --> 00:19:02.960
 they were

00:19:02.960 --> 00:19:04.839
 saved and

00:19:04.839 --> 00:19:06.100
 they belonged

00:19:06.100 --> 00:19:07.360
 to the

00:19:07.360 --> 00:19:07.839
 church.

00:19:07.839 --> 00:19:09.199
 you see,

00:19:09.399 --> 00:19:10.220
 personal

00:19:10.220 --> 00:19:11.079
 confession of

00:19:11.079 --> 00:19:11.439
 the Lord

00:19:11.439 --> 00:19:12.740
 Jesus goes

00:19:12.740 --> 00:19:13.500
 hand in

00:19:13.500 --> 00:19:14.679
 hand with

00:19:14.679 --> 00:19:15.240
 public

00:19:15.240 --> 00:19:16.179
 identification

00:19:16.179 --> 00:19:17.000
 with the

00:19:17.000 --> 00:19:17.939
 local church.

00:19:18.779 --> 00:19:19.480
 The gospel

00:19:19.480 --> 00:19:20.799
 forms the

00:19:20.799 --> 00:19:22.419
 church and

00:19:22.419 --> 00:19:22.939
 by the

00:19:22.939 --> 00:19:23.599
 gospel we're

00:19:23.599 --> 00:19:25.019
 saved into

00:19:25.019 --> 00:19:25.819
 the church.

00:19:25.959 --> 00:19:26.359
 We cannot

00:19:26.359 --> 00:19:27.159
 have one

00:19:27.159 --> 00:19:28.459
 without the

00:19:28.459 --> 00:19:28.799
 other.

00:19:30.099 --> 00:19:30.659
 And the

00:19:30.659 --> 00:19:31.119
 way we

00:19:31.119 --> 00:19:31.919
 demonstrate

00:19:31.919 --> 00:19:33.579
 our personal

00:19:33.579 --> 00:19:35.439
 confession and

00:19:35.439 --> 00:19:36.139
 our public

00:19:36.139 --> 00:19:37.240
 identification,

00:19:37.839 --> 00:19:38.619
 is through

00:19:38.619 --> 00:19:39.319
 baptism.

00:19:40.119 --> 00:19:40.679
 We haven't

00:19:40.679 --> 00:19:41.379
 forgotten it.

00:19:41.539 --> 00:19:41.980
 Have a look

00:19:41.980 --> 00:19:42.419
 back in

00:19:42.419 --> 00:19:43.019
 chapter 2,

00:19:43.119 --> 00:19:43.959
 verse 38.

00:19:46.459 --> 00:19:47.159
 Do you

00:19:47.159 --> 00:19:47.599
 see what it

00:19:47.599 --> 00:19:48.199
 says there?

00:19:49.319 --> 00:19:50.179
 Peter replied,

00:19:50.319 --> 00:19:51.119
 repent and

00:19:51.119 --> 00:19:52.419
 be baptized.

00:19:54.279 --> 00:19:54.819
 And then in

00:19:54.819 --> 00:19:55.699
 verse 41,

00:19:56.379 --> 00:19:56.899
 those who

00:19:56.899 --> 00:19:57.839
 accepted his

00:19:57.839 --> 00:19:58.740
 message were

00:19:58.740 --> 00:19:59.899
 baptized.

00:20:01.299 --> 00:20:01.819
 You see,

00:20:02.039 --> 00:20:03.299
 baptism is the

00:20:03.299 --> 00:20:04.599
 outward sign

00:20:04.599 --> 00:20:05.399
 of your

00:20:05.399 --> 00:20:06.279
 confession of

00:20:06.279 --> 00:20:06.639
 the Lord

00:20:06.639 --> 00:20:07.059
 Jesus,

00:20:07.220 --> 00:20:07.639
 that you

00:20:07.639 --> 00:20:08.960
 trust him,

00:20:09.379 --> 00:20:09.899
 that you

00:20:09.899 --> 00:20:10.720
 love him.

00:20:11.480 --> 00:20:12.200
 And baptism

00:20:12.200 --> 00:20:13.319
 is also an

00:20:13.319 --> 00:20:14.059
 outward sign

00:20:14.059 --> 00:20:14.480
 of your

00:20:14.480 --> 00:20:15.539
 identification

00:20:15.539 --> 00:20:16.480
 of a local

00:20:16.480 --> 00:20:17.160
 church.

00:20:17.980 --> 00:20:18.599
 It's saying

00:20:18.599 --> 00:20:19.500
 you're committed

00:20:19.500 --> 00:20:20.559
 to these

00:20:20.559 --> 00:20:22.160
 people who

00:20:22.160 --> 00:20:22.759
 are before

00:20:22.759 --> 00:20:23.099
 you.

00:20:26.019 --> 00:20:26.859
 Now you

00:20:26.859 --> 00:20:27.359
 might be

00:20:27.359 --> 00:20:28.259
 thinking through

00:20:28.259 --> 00:20:28.740
 all of this

00:20:28.740 --> 00:20:29.079
 and go,

00:20:29.460 --> 00:20:30.019
 yes, that's

00:20:30.019 --> 00:20:30.700
 really simple,

00:20:30.799 --> 00:20:31.200
 I've heard

00:20:31.200 --> 00:20:31.599
 all that

00:20:31.599 --> 00:20:32.099
 before.

00:20:32.099 --> 00:20:34.740
 Well, before

00:20:34.740 --> 00:20:35.459
 we move on,

00:20:35.539 --> 00:20:35.959
 I want to

00:20:35.959 --> 00:20:36.559
 ask two

00:20:36.559 --> 00:20:37.639
 very important

00:20:37.639 --> 00:20:38.240
 questions.

00:20:39.279 --> 00:20:39.919
 Nobody else

00:20:39.919 --> 00:20:40.459
 is going to

00:20:40.459 --> 00:20:41.159
 ask you this

00:20:41.159 --> 00:20:42.000
 question this

00:20:42.000 --> 00:20:42.699
 coming week,

00:20:43.240 --> 00:20:44.480
 so I'm going

00:20:44.480 --> 00:20:45.019
 to ask it

00:20:45.019 --> 00:20:45.539
 for you.

00:20:46.579 --> 00:20:47.259
 Here's the

00:20:47.259 --> 00:20:48.079
 first question.

00:20:49.199 --> 00:20:49.980
 Are you

00:20:49.980 --> 00:20:51.199
 a Christian?

00:20:52.519 --> 00:20:53.500
 Are you a

00:20:53.500 --> 00:20:53.839
 Christian?

00:20:56.839 --> 00:20:57.539
 What's your

00:20:57.539 --> 00:20:58.480
 answer to that?

00:20:59.519 --> 00:21:00.059
 No matter

00:21:00.059 --> 00:21:00.719
 if you're young

00:21:00.720 --> 00:21:01.400
 and still in

00:21:01.400 --> 00:21:02.380
 school or

00:21:02.380 --> 00:21:02.779
 whether you

00:21:02.779 --> 00:21:03.360
 retired,

00:21:03.759 --> 00:21:04.279
 whatever your

00:21:04.279 --> 00:21:05.019
 status in

00:21:05.019 --> 00:21:05.420
 life,

00:21:05.980 --> 00:21:06.700
 are you a

00:21:06.700 --> 00:21:07.100
 Christian?

00:21:09.579 --> 00:21:10.660
 If not,

00:21:11.480 --> 00:21:12.539
 hear the

00:21:12.539 --> 00:21:13.160
 good news

00:21:13.160 --> 00:21:13.460
 of the

00:21:13.460 --> 00:21:14.220
 message that

00:21:14.220 --> 00:21:15.319
 Jesus died

00:21:15.319 --> 00:21:15.880
 for you,

00:21:16.380 --> 00:21:17.100
 was raised

00:21:17.100 --> 00:21:17.660
 for you.

00:21:18.860 --> 00:21:19.440
 He is your

00:21:19.440 --> 00:21:19.900
 king.

00:21:23.380 --> 00:21:24.559
 Turn from

00:21:24.559 --> 00:21:25.140
 living your

00:21:25.140 --> 00:21:25.920
 own way and

00:21:25.920 --> 00:21:26.500
 put your

00:21:26.500 --> 00:21:27.299
 trust in

00:21:27.299 --> 00:21:28.319
 Jesus for

00:21:28.319 --> 00:21:28.960
 the forgiveness

00:21:28.960 --> 00:21:29.839
 of all of

00:21:29.839 --> 00:21:30.620
 your sins.

00:21:30.720 --> 00:21:32.620
 you can do

00:21:32.620 --> 00:21:33.120
 that right

00:21:33.120 --> 00:21:33.720
 now as I

00:21:33.720 --> 00:21:34.220
 talk.

00:21:35.259 --> 00:21:35.660
 You might

00:21:35.660 --> 00:21:36.079
 want to

00:21:36.079 --> 00:21:36.519
 talk with

00:21:36.519 --> 00:21:37.200
 me afterwards

00:21:37.200 --> 00:21:37.680
 or an

00:21:37.680 --> 00:21:38.480
 older person

00:21:38.480 --> 00:21:39.600
 later on

00:21:39.600 --> 00:21:40.079
 or somebody

00:21:40.079 --> 00:21:40.700
 who is a

00:21:40.700 --> 00:21:41.079
 Christian.

00:21:42.079 --> 00:21:42.960
 Tell them

00:21:42.960 --> 00:21:44.500
 that yes,

00:21:45.079 --> 00:21:45.640
 I have

00:21:45.640 --> 00:21:46.460
 trusted in

00:21:46.460 --> 00:21:46.819
 Jesus.

00:21:48.640 --> 00:21:49.440
 So that's

00:21:49.440 --> 00:21:49.799
 the first

00:21:49.799 --> 00:21:50.299
 question.

00:21:50.680 --> 00:21:51.400
 Are you a

00:21:51.400 --> 00:21:51.740
 Christian?

00:21:53.500 --> 00:21:54.400
 The second

00:21:54.400 --> 00:21:55.259
 question is,

00:21:55.579 --> 00:21:56.339
 have you been

00:21:56.339 --> 00:21:56.779
 baptized?

00:21:56.779 --> 00:21:57.180
 baptized?

00:21:59.039 --> 00:22:00.220
 Well, if

00:22:00.220 --> 00:22:00.559
 you're a

00:22:00.559 --> 00:22:02.379
 Christian and

00:22:02.379 --> 00:22:02.879
 you haven't

00:22:02.879 --> 00:22:03.519
 been baptized,

00:22:04.200 --> 00:22:05.240
 why not?

00:22:07.839 --> 00:22:08.899
 Make clear

00:22:08.899 --> 00:22:09.740
 your confession

00:22:09.740 --> 00:22:10.420
 of Christ.

00:22:10.740 --> 00:22:11.200
 It's like

00:22:11.200 --> 00:22:11.700
 putting your

00:22:11.700 --> 00:22:12.379
 hands up or

00:22:12.379 --> 00:22:13.180
 putting a

00:22:13.180 --> 00:22:13.920
 shirt on to

00:22:13.920 --> 00:22:14.980
 identify yourself

00:22:14.980 --> 00:22:15.539
 with a team

00:22:15.539 --> 00:22:15.920
 and say,

00:22:16.319 --> 00:22:17.420
 yes, I'm

00:22:17.420 --> 00:22:18.119
 for Jesus.

00:22:20.160 --> 00:22:21.220
 I'm for this

00:22:21.220 --> 00:22:22.319
 local church.

00:22:22.319 --> 00:22:26.939
 So are

00:22:26.939 --> 00:22:27.299
 you a

00:22:27.299 --> 00:22:27.679
 Christian?

00:22:28.859 --> 00:22:29.500
 Have you

00:22:29.500 --> 00:22:30.179
 been baptized?

00:22:32.019 --> 00:22:32.679
 And let

00:22:32.679 --> 00:22:32.980
 me say

00:22:32.980 --> 00:22:33.419
 this to

00:22:33.419 --> 00:22:33.740
 younger

00:22:33.740 --> 00:22:36.000
 people who

00:22:36.000 --> 00:22:36.480
 sit and

00:22:36.480 --> 00:22:37.399
 listen also.

00:22:39.480 --> 00:22:40.339
 Maybe you

00:22:40.339 --> 00:22:40.960
 talk to

00:22:40.960 --> 00:22:41.659
 your parents

00:22:41.659 --> 00:22:42.079
 when you

00:22:42.079 --> 00:22:42.599
 go home

00:22:42.599 --> 00:22:44.220
 today about

00:22:44.220 --> 00:22:45.039
 these issues

00:22:45.039 --> 00:22:45.740
 of being a

00:22:45.740 --> 00:22:47.200
 Christian and

00:22:47.200 --> 00:22:47.899
 being baptized.

00:22:49.619 --> 00:22:50.399
 So that's

00:22:50.399 --> 00:22:50.799
 the first

00:22:50.799 --> 00:22:51.200
 step.

00:22:51.200 --> 00:22:52.319
 we are

00:22:52.319 --> 00:22:53.720
 saved into

00:22:53.720 --> 00:22:55.400
 the church.

00:22:56.920 --> 00:22:57.600
 Well, what

00:22:57.600 --> 00:22:58.200
 does it look

00:22:58.200 --> 00:22:59.180
 like as a

00:22:59.180 --> 00:23:01.140
 family to

00:23:01.140 --> 00:23:02.100
 be in the

00:23:02.100 --> 00:23:02.559
 church?

00:23:02.880 --> 00:23:03.620
 What does it

00:23:03.620 --> 00:23:04.240
 look like to

00:23:04.240 --> 00:23:05.700
 be committed

00:23:05.700 --> 00:23:06.580
 and belonging

00:23:06.580 --> 00:23:07.039
 to the

00:23:07.039 --> 00:23:07.279
 church?

00:23:07.420 --> 00:23:07.559
 Well,

00:23:07.900 --> 00:23:08.580
 identifying

00:23:08.580 --> 00:23:09.140
 with a

00:23:09.140 --> 00:23:09.759
 local church

00:23:09.759 --> 00:23:10.580
 is not,

00:23:10.940 --> 00:23:11.380
 as some

00:23:11.380 --> 00:23:12.000
 people think,

00:23:12.100 --> 00:23:12.700
 restrictive

00:23:12.700 --> 00:23:13.580
 and repressive.

00:23:14.000 --> 00:23:14.539
 It's for

00:23:14.539 --> 00:23:15.420
 our good.

00:23:16.759 --> 00:23:17.580
 God saves

00:23:17.580 --> 00:23:18.059
 us into

00:23:18.059 --> 00:23:18.799
 the church

00:23:18.799 --> 00:23:19.900
 to grow

00:23:19.900 --> 00:23:20.299
 us,

00:23:20.299 --> 00:23:21.419
 to mature

00:23:21.419 --> 00:23:21.740
 us,

00:23:21.839 --> 00:23:22.519
 to protect

00:23:22.519 --> 00:23:23.079
 us and

00:23:23.079 --> 00:23:24.059
 equip us.

00:23:25.139 --> 00:23:25.740
 So we're

00:23:25.740 --> 00:23:25.960
 going to

00:23:25.960 --> 00:23:26.399
 look very

00:23:26.399 --> 00:23:27.099
 quickly at

00:23:27.099 --> 00:23:28.500
 five ways

00:23:28.500 --> 00:23:30.200
 we see what

00:23:30.200 --> 00:23:30.879
 commitment to

00:23:30.879 --> 00:23:31.319
 the church

00:23:31.319 --> 00:23:31.940
 is like.

00:23:32.419 --> 00:23:33.119
 There's many

00:23:33.119 --> 00:23:33.579
 others,

00:23:34.099 --> 00:23:34.799
 but I've

00:23:34.799 --> 00:23:36.180
 taken five

00:23:36.180 --> 00:23:36.960
 this morning

00:23:36.960 --> 00:23:37.500
 and they all

00:23:37.500 --> 00:23:38.639
 come from the

00:23:38.639 --> 00:23:39.139
 book of Acts.

00:23:39.220 --> 00:23:39.759
 So let's look

00:23:39.759 --> 00:23:40.119
 at them

00:23:40.119 --> 00:23:40.819
 quickly.

00:23:40.960 --> 00:23:41.200
 You can

00:23:41.200 --> 00:23:41.919
 follow along

00:23:41.919 --> 00:23:42.819
 with me.

00:23:42.919 --> 00:23:43.319
 Here's the

00:23:43.319 --> 00:23:43.899
 first one.

00:23:43.900 --> 00:23:45.300
 first we

00:23:45.300 --> 00:23:46.000
 are committed

00:23:46.000 --> 00:23:47.220
 to worshipping

00:23:47.220 --> 00:23:48.340
 together.

00:23:48.620 --> 00:23:49.440
 If you were

00:23:49.440 --> 00:23:50.180
 listening this

00:23:50.180 --> 00:23:50.820
 morning as

00:23:50.820 --> 00:23:51.519
 Ralph opened

00:23:51.519 --> 00:23:52.160
 up, he

00:23:52.160 --> 00:23:52.560
 said we

00:23:52.560 --> 00:23:53.519
 gather together

00:23:53.519 --> 00:23:55.180
 to worship

00:23:55.180 --> 00:23:55.780
 God.

00:23:56.340 --> 00:23:57.160
 That's why

00:23:57.160 --> 00:23:57.860
 we're here.

00:23:58.580 --> 00:23:59.220
 Worship is

00:23:59.220 --> 00:24:00.340
 the term used

00:24:00.340 --> 00:24:01.019
 to describe

00:24:01.019 --> 00:24:01.880
 all that we

00:24:01.880 --> 00:24:02.580
 do as we

00:24:02.580 --> 00:24:03.820
 gather together.

00:24:04.000 --> 00:24:04.500
 So look at

00:24:04.500 --> 00:24:05.400
 verse 42.

00:24:05.840 --> 00:24:06.540
 Acts chapter

00:24:06.540 --> 00:24:07.180
 2 verse

00:24:07.180 --> 00:24:07.759
 42.

00:24:07.759 --> 00:24:11.519
 They,

00:24:11.700 --> 00:24:12.339
 that's the

00:24:12.339 --> 00:24:12.759
 church,

00:24:13.000 --> 00:24:13.720
 devoted

00:24:13.720 --> 00:24:14.619
 themselves,

00:24:15.599 --> 00:24:17.119
 they prioritised,

00:24:17.220 --> 00:24:17.720
 they made

00:24:17.720 --> 00:24:18.519
 it a habit

00:24:18.519 --> 00:24:21.879
 to devote

00:24:21.879 --> 00:24:22.640
 themselves to

00:24:22.640 --> 00:24:23.200
 the apostles

00:24:23.200 --> 00:24:23.740
 teaching,

00:24:24.420 --> 00:24:24.980
 to the

00:24:24.980 --> 00:24:25.420
 fellowship,

00:24:26.480 --> 00:24:26.960
 to the

00:24:26.960 --> 00:24:27.599
 breaking of

00:24:27.599 --> 00:24:28.000
 bread,

00:24:28.879 --> 00:24:29.420
 and to

00:24:29.420 --> 00:24:29.819
 prayer.

00:24:31.140 --> 00:24:31.759
 Now the

00:24:31.759 --> 00:24:32.559
 apostles were

00:24:32.559 --> 00:24:33.680
 uniquely chosen

00:24:33.680 --> 00:24:34.480
 by Jesus

00:24:34.480 --> 00:24:36.099
 to be the

00:24:36.099 --> 00:24:37.440
 teachers of

00:24:37.440 --> 00:24:37.980
 the church.

00:24:38.140 --> 00:24:38.299
 And,

00:24:38.700 --> 00:24:38.920
 well,

00:24:38.980 --> 00:24:39.360
 we don't

00:24:39.360 --> 00:24:39.759
 have the

00:24:39.759 --> 00:24:40.500
 apostles today,

00:24:40.600 --> 00:24:41.080
 we can't

00:24:41.080 --> 00:24:41.980
 invite the

00:24:41.980 --> 00:24:42.740
 apostle Peter

00:24:42.740 --> 00:24:43.360
 to come and

00:24:43.360 --> 00:24:43.740
 speak,

00:24:43.980 --> 00:24:44.980
 but we do

00:24:44.980 --> 00:24:45.820
 have his

00:24:45.820 --> 00:24:46.799
 words written

00:24:46.799 --> 00:24:47.259
 down,

00:24:47.400 --> 00:24:48.259
 recorded for

00:24:48.259 --> 00:24:48.759
 us in the

00:24:48.759 --> 00:24:49.420
 New Testament.

00:24:49.840 --> 00:24:50.580
 So today,

00:24:50.720 --> 00:24:51.519
 as we gather

00:24:51.519 --> 00:24:52.360
 right now,

00:24:52.680 --> 00:24:53.460
 we're learning

00:24:53.460 --> 00:24:54.320
 the same

00:24:54.320 --> 00:24:56.400
 truths that

00:24:56.400 --> 00:24:57.000
 the apostles

00:24:57.000 --> 00:24:57.820
 were teaching

00:24:57.820 --> 00:24:58.620
 and declaring

00:24:58.620 --> 00:24:59.840
 all those

00:24:59.840 --> 00:25:00.600
 years ago.

00:25:01.559 --> 00:25:01.940
 You see,

00:25:02.019 --> 00:25:02.600
 the church,

00:25:02.900 --> 00:25:03.400
 as we're

00:25:03.400 --> 00:25:04.039
 gathered here

00:25:04.039 --> 00:25:04.539
 today,

00:25:04.960 --> 00:25:05.680
 are committed

00:25:05.680 --> 00:25:06.539
 together

00:25:06.539 --> 00:25:08.259
 to hear

00:25:08.259 --> 00:25:08.700
 the word

00:25:08.700 --> 00:25:09.299
 of God

00:25:09.299 --> 00:25:11.000
 and for

00:25:11.000 --> 00:25:11.519
 God to

00:25:11.519 --> 00:25:12.000
 do his

00:25:12.000 --> 00:25:12.440
 work

00:25:12.440 --> 00:25:13.740
 within us.

00:25:14.740 --> 00:25:15.420
 But not

00:25:15.420 --> 00:25:16.019
 only do we

00:25:16.019 --> 00:25:16.599
 gather to

00:25:16.599 --> 00:25:17.279
 be taught

00:25:17.279 --> 00:25:17.779
 and to

00:25:17.779 --> 00:25:18.940
 learn much

00:25:18.940 --> 00:25:19.680
 of Jesus,

00:25:20.779 --> 00:25:21.619
 we gather

00:25:21.619 --> 00:25:22.500
 to remember

00:25:22.500 --> 00:25:23.119
 Jesus.

00:25:23.299 --> 00:25:23.539
 Isn't that

00:25:23.539 --> 00:25:24.019
 what it says

00:25:24.019 --> 00:25:24.399
 at the end

00:25:24.399 --> 00:25:25.180
 of verse 42?

00:25:26.139 --> 00:25:27.259
 They devoted

00:25:27.259 --> 00:25:28.159
 themselves to

00:25:28.159 --> 00:25:28.779
 the breaking

00:25:28.779 --> 00:25:29.519
 of bread.

00:25:30.000 --> 00:25:30.819
 I think this

00:25:30.819 --> 00:25:31.399
 is a reference

00:25:31.399 --> 00:25:32.319
 to the Lord's

00:25:32.319 --> 00:25:32.839
 Supper or

00:25:32.839 --> 00:25:33.799
 what we call

00:25:33.799 --> 00:25:34.399
 communion.

00:25:34.400 --> 00:25:34.519
 communion.

00:25:35.700 --> 00:25:36.380
 The Lord's

00:25:36.380 --> 00:25:37.440
 Supper is

00:25:37.440 --> 00:25:38.380
 a family

00:25:38.380 --> 00:25:39.680
 meal where

00:25:39.680 --> 00:25:40.620
 we affirm

00:25:40.620 --> 00:25:41.740
 our ongoing

00:25:41.740 --> 00:25:42.680
 faith in

00:25:42.680 --> 00:25:43.300
 Jesus as

00:25:43.300 --> 00:25:44.000
 we eat of

00:25:44.000 --> 00:25:44.480
 the bread

00:25:44.480 --> 00:25:45.480
 and drink

00:25:45.480 --> 00:25:46.240
 of the juice.

00:25:46.700 --> 00:25:47.160
 We're saying,

00:25:47.460 --> 00:25:47.720
 yes, I

00:25:47.720 --> 00:25:48.560
 trust in

00:25:48.560 --> 00:25:49.140
 Jesus.

00:25:50.040 --> 00:25:50.580
 But more

00:25:50.580 --> 00:25:50.900
 than that,

00:25:50.960 --> 00:25:51.540
 we do it

00:25:51.540 --> 00:25:54.180
 together as

00:25:54.180 --> 00:25:54.880
 we affirm

00:25:54.880 --> 00:25:55.860
 our commitment

00:25:55.860 --> 00:25:57.740
 as brothers

00:25:57.740 --> 00:25:58.540
 and sisters

00:25:58.540 --> 00:26:00.280
 who worship

00:26:00.280 --> 00:26:00.940
 together.

00:26:00.940 --> 00:26:01.000
 together.

00:26:01.880 --> 00:26:02.420
 So we

00:26:02.420 --> 00:26:03.019
 are committed

00:26:03.019 --> 00:26:04.059
 to

00:26:04.059 --> 00:26:04.720
 worshiping

00:26:04.720 --> 00:26:05.220
 together.

00:26:06.400 --> 00:26:07.240
 We're also

00:26:07.240 --> 00:26:08.360
 committed to

00:26:08.360 --> 00:26:10.680
 community

00:26:10.680 --> 00:26:11.240
 care.

00:26:12.279 --> 00:26:13.180
 We have a

00:26:13.180 --> 00:26:14.059
 responsibility

00:26:14.059 --> 00:26:14.980
 to one

00:26:14.980 --> 00:26:15.320
 another.

00:26:15.660 --> 00:26:16.039
 Look at

00:26:16.039 --> 00:26:17.059
 verse 44.

00:26:17.539 --> 00:26:17.980
 We're still

00:26:17.980 --> 00:26:18.500
 in chapter

00:26:18.500 --> 00:26:18.900
 2.

00:26:19.420 --> 00:26:19.779
 Don't worry,

00:26:19.880 --> 00:26:20.140
 we're not

00:26:20.140 --> 00:26:20.480
 going to go

00:26:20.480 --> 00:26:20.940
 through every

00:26:20.940 --> 00:26:21.440
 verse of

00:26:21.440 --> 00:26:21.820
 the whole

00:26:21.820 --> 00:26:22.180
 book of

00:26:22.180 --> 00:26:22.440
 Acts.

00:26:22.580 --> 00:26:22.799
 We're going

00:26:22.799 --> 00:26:23.640
 to jump

00:26:23.640 --> 00:26:24.240
 ahead in a

00:26:24.240 --> 00:26:24.500
 minute.

00:26:25.080 --> 00:26:25.840
 Verse 44,

00:26:26.840 --> 00:26:27.500
 all the

00:26:27.500 --> 00:26:28.019
 believers,

00:26:28.320 --> 00:26:28.779
 all the

00:26:28.779 --> 00:26:29.180
 church,

00:26:29.360 --> 00:26:30.340
 were together

00:26:30.339 --> 00:26:31.559
 and had

00:26:31.559 --> 00:26:32.339
 everything in

00:26:32.339 --> 00:26:32.659
 common.

00:26:33.220 --> 00:26:34.019
 They sold

00:26:34.019 --> 00:26:35.139
 property and

00:26:35.139 --> 00:26:36.119
 possessions to

00:26:36.119 --> 00:26:36.519
 give to

00:26:36.519 --> 00:26:37.159
 anyone who

00:26:37.159 --> 00:26:37.899
 had need.

00:26:38.939 --> 00:26:39.799
 Every day

00:26:39.799 --> 00:26:40.579
 they continued

00:26:40.579 --> 00:26:41.159
 to meet

00:26:41.159 --> 00:26:42.799
 together in

00:26:42.799 --> 00:26:43.359
 the temple

00:26:43.359 --> 00:26:44.000
 courts.

00:26:45.619 --> 00:26:46.599
 Now what an

00:26:46.599 --> 00:26:48.959
 amazing example

00:26:48.959 --> 00:26:49.919
 of community

00:26:49.919 --> 00:26:50.339
 care.

00:26:50.699 --> 00:26:50.980
 There were

00:26:50.980 --> 00:26:51.819
 obviously people

00:26:51.819 --> 00:26:52.459
 who God

00:26:52.459 --> 00:26:53.079
 had blessed

00:26:53.079 --> 00:26:53.859
 and, well,

00:26:53.899 --> 00:26:54.399
 they had more

00:26:54.399 --> 00:26:54.919
 than one

00:26:54.919 --> 00:26:55.559
 house or they

00:26:55.559 --> 00:26:56.179
 had things

00:26:56.179 --> 00:26:56.679
 they didn't

00:26:56.679 --> 00:26:57.500
 need and

00:26:57.500 --> 00:26:57.859
 they were

00:26:57.859 --> 00:26:58.339
 able to

00:26:58.339 --> 00:26:59.039
 sell them

00:26:59.039 --> 00:26:59.759
 to provide

00:26:59.759 --> 00:27:00.339
 for those

00:27:00.339 --> 00:27:00.980
 who didn't

00:27:00.980 --> 00:27:01.359
 have.

00:27:04.279 --> 00:27:04.980
 So the

00:27:04.980 --> 00:27:05.640
 principle is

00:27:05.640 --> 00:27:06.000
 clear,

00:27:06.119 --> 00:27:06.420
 we're to

00:27:06.420 --> 00:27:08.299
 care in

00:27:08.299 --> 00:27:09.200
 very practical

00:27:09.200 --> 00:27:10.319
 ways, to

00:27:10.319 --> 00:27:11.160
 provide for

00:27:11.160 --> 00:27:11.700
 those who

00:27:11.700 --> 00:27:12.019
 are in

00:27:12.019 --> 00:27:12.420
 need.

00:27:12.980 --> 00:27:13.680
 That might

00:27:13.680 --> 00:27:14.440
 be financial

00:27:14.440 --> 00:27:16.339
 help, it

00:27:16.339 --> 00:27:16.900
 might be a

00:27:16.900 --> 00:27:17.460
 lift to the

00:27:17.460 --> 00:27:19.099
 shops, it

00:27:19.099 --> 00:27:19.460
 might be

00:27:19.460 --> 00:27:20.220
 arranging to

00:27:20.220 --> 00:27:20.879
 meet somebody

00:27:20.879 --> 00:27:21.579
 for tea and

00:27:21.579 --> 00:27:22.079
 coffee and

00:27:22.079 --> 00:27:22.660
 have a chat

00:27:22.660 --> 00:27:23.339
 to find out

00:27:23.339 --> 00:27:23.740
 how they're

00:27:23.740 --> 00:27:24.019
 doing.

00:27:24.599 --> 00:27:25.400
 This care

00:27:25.400 --> 00:27:25.980
 was not

00:27:25.980 --> 00:27:26.559
 random,

00:27:27.319 --> 00:27:28.079
 they knew

00:27:28.079 --> 00:27:29.039
 who was in

00:27:29.039 --> 00:27:29.599
 the church

00:27:29.599 --> 00:27:30.099
 and who

00:27:30.099 --> 00:27:30.599
 they were

00:27:30.599 --> 00:27:31.180
 to care

00:27:31.180 --> 00:27:31.759
 for.

00:27:34.759 --> 00:27:35.559
 So they

00:27:35.559 --> 00:27:36.279
 were committed

00:27:36.279 --> 00:27:38.079
 to community

00:27:38.079 --> 00:27:38.700
 care.

00:27:40.700 --> 00:27:41.319
 Third,

00:27:43.059 --> 00:27:43.420
 committed

00:27:43.420 --> 00:27:44.420
 to every

00:27:44.420 --> 00:27:45.019
 member

00:27:45.019 --> 00:27:45.940
 ministry.

00:27:46.759 --> 00:27:47.240
 For this

00:27:47.240 --> 00:27:47.720
 we need to

00:27:47.720 --> 00:27:48.079
 go to

00:27:48.079 --> 00:27:49.039
 chapter 6.

00:27:50.299 --> 00:27:50.639
 Follow

00:27:50.639 --> 00:27:51.099
 with me,

00:27:51.200 --> 00:27:52.059
 chapter 6.

00:27:54.720 --> 00:27:55.059
 And when

00:27:55.059 --> 00:27:55.519
 we think

00:27:55.519 --> 00:27:56.259
 about every

00:27:56.259 --> 00:27:56.680
 member

00:27:56.680 --> 00:27:57.240
 ministry,

00:27:57.240 --> 00:27:58.680
 we're

00:27:58.680 --> 00:27:59.140
 saying that

00:27:59.140 --> 00:27:59.700
 every

00:27:59.700 --> 00:28:01.220
 person in

00:28:01.220 --> 00:28:01.759
 the life

00:28:01.759 --> 00:28:02.079
 of the

00:28:02.079 --> 00:28:02.519
 church,

00:28:02.799 --> 00:28:03.220
 young and

00:28:03.220 --> 00:28:03.620
 old,

00:28:04.299 --> 00:28:04.779
 male or

00:28:04.779 --> 00:28:05.259
 female,

00:28:05.460 --> 00:28:05.940
 whatever your

00:28:05.940 --> 00:28:06.680
 background or

00:28:06.680 --> 00:28:07.299
 your culture,

00:28:07.779 --> 00:28:08.819
 everybody has

00:28:08.819 --> 00:28:09.720
 gifts and

00:28:09.720 --> 00:28:11.460
 skills to

00:28:11.460 --> 00:28:12.319
 serve others.

00:28:13.480 --> 00:28:14.279
 So let's

00:28:14.279 --> 00:28:14.759
 look at an

00:28:14.759 --> 00:28:15.200
 example,

00:28:15.359 --> 00:28:15.960
 chapter 6,

00:28:16.039 --> 00:28:16.579
 verse 1.

00:28:18.180 --> 00:28:19.200
 In those

00:28:19.200 --> 00:28:20.519
 days, when

00:28:20.519 --> 00:28:21.160
 the number of

00:28:21.160 --> 00:28:22.000
 disciples was

00:28:22.000 --> 00:28:22.579
 increasing,

00:28:23.660 --> 00:28:24.500
 the Hellenistic

00:28:24.500 --> 00:28:25.200
 Jews, so

00:28:25.200 --> 00:28:25.819
 that's Jews

00:28:25.819 --> 00:28:26.500
 from a

00:28:26.500 --> 00:28:26.960
 Greek

00:28:26.960 --> 00:28:27.559
 background

00:28:27.559 --> 00:28:28.380
 or culture,

00:28:29.120 --> 00:28:29.759
 among them

00:28:29.759 --> 00:28:30.660
 complained

00:28:30.660 --> 00:28:32.360
 against the

00:28:32.360 --> 00:28:33.220
 Hebraic

00:28:33.220 --> 00:28:34.080
 Jews, those

00:28:34.080 --> 00:28:34.460
 from a

00:28:34.460 --> 00:28:34.779
 Hebrew

00:28:34.779 --> 00:28:35.360
 background,

00:28:35.720 --> 00:28:36.559
 because their

00:28:36.559 --> 00:28:37.259
 widows were

00:28:37.259 --> 00:28:38.080
 being overlooked

00:28:38.080 --> 00:28:38.740
 in the daily

00:28:38.740 --> 00:28:39.740
 distribution of

00:28:39.740 --> 00:28:40.200
 food.

00:28:41.299 --> 00:28:42.059
 So there was

00:28:42.059 --> 00:28:42.559
 a real

00:28:42.559 --> 00:28:43.720
 and practical

00:28:43.720 --> 00:28:44.600
 concern in

00:28:44.600 --> 00:28:45.240
 the church.

00:28:46.539 --> 00:28:47.279
 Some of the

00:28:47.279 --> 00:28:48.220
 widows who

00:28:48.220 --> 00:28:48.900
 were older

00:28:48.900 --> 00:28:50.720
 had no food,

00:28:50.819 --> 00:28:51.240
 they had no

00:28:51.240 --> 00:28:51.759
 means of

00:28:51.759 --> 00:28:52.080
 working,

00:28:52.079 --> 00:28:52.839
 they had no

00:28:52.839 --> 00:28:53.339
 income,

00:28:54.339 --> 00:28:55.279
 which was a

00:28:55.279 --> 00:28:56.099
 serious matter

00:28:56.099 --> 00:28:56.699
 then because

00:28:56.699 --> 00:28:57.240
 there was no

00:28:57.240 --> 00:28:57.879
 meals on

00:28:57.879 --> 00:28:58.220
 wheels,

00:28:59.039 --> 00:28:59.839
 there was no

00:28:59.839 --> 00:29:00.859
 social welfare,

00:29:01.859 --> 00:29:02.439
 they were

00:29:02.439 --> 00:29:04.359
 dependent on

00:29:04.359 --> 00:29:04.960
 the church

00:29:04.960 --> 00:29:05.679
 community.

00:29:06.859 --> 00:29:07.579
 So what were

00:29:07.579 --> 00:29:08.099
 they going to

00:29:08.099 --> 00:29:09.299
 do about this

00:29:09.299 --> 00:29:09.699
 issue?

00:29:10.379 --> 00:29:10.939
 Well, look at

00:29:10.939 --> 00:29:11.480
 verse 2.

00:29:11.960 --> 00:29:12.839
 So the twelve

00:29:12.839 --> 00:29:14.099
 gathered all the

00:29:14.099 --> 00:29:15.299
 disciples together

00:29:15.299 --> 00:29:15.980
 and said,

00:29:16.379 --> 00:29:17.220
 it would not be

00:29:17.220 --> 00:29:18.119
 right for us to

00:29:18.119 --> 00:29:18.699
 neglect the

00:29:18.699 --> 00:29:19.379
 ministry of the

00:29:19.379 --> 00:29:20.079
 word of God.

00:29:20.079 --> 00:29:21.339
 So we have a

00:29:21.339 --> 00:29:22.099
 role and it's

00:29:22.099 --> 00:29:23.699
 to be teaching

00:29:23.699 --> 00:29:24.799
 and discipling

00:29:24.799 --> 00:29:25.619
 and caring for

00:29:25.619 --> 00:29:26.279
 people as we

00:29:26.279 --> 00:29:26.939
 bring God's

00:29:26.939 --> 00:29:27.519
 word to them.

00:29:28.480 --> 00:29:29.259
 We need to,

00:29:29.359 --> 00:29:29.839
 we shouldn't

00:29:29.839 --> 00:29:30.480
 neglect the

00:29:30.480 --> 00:29:31.139
 ministry of the

00:29:31.139 --> 00:29:31.699
 word of God

00:29:31.699 --> 00:29:32.500
 in order to

00:29:32.500 --> 00:29:33.740
 wait on tables.

00:29:34.619 --> 00:29:35.240
 In other words,

00:29:35.319 --> 00:29:36.099
 to be involved

00:29:36.099 --> 00:29:36.699
 in this

00:29:36.699 --> 00:29:38.179
 distribution of

00:29:38.179 --> 00:29:38.799
 the food.

00:29:40.279 --> 00:29:41.159
 Brothers and

00:29:41.159 --> 00:29:41.619
 sisters,

00:29:42.759 --> 00:29:43.639
 choose seven

00:29:43.639 --> 00:29:44.599
 men from among

00:29:44.599 --> 00:29:45.199
 you who are

00:29:45.199 --> 00:29:45.859
 known to be

00:29:45.859 --> 00:29:46.500
 full of the

00:29:46.500 --> 00:29:47.119
 spirit and

00:29:47.119 --> 00:29:47.439
 wisdom.

00:29:48.179 --> 00:29:49.139
 We will turn

00:29:49.140 --> 00:29:50.320
 this responsibility

00:29:50.320 --> 00:29:51.400
 over to them

00:29:51.400 --> 00:29:52.360
 and we will

00:29:52.360 --> 00:29:52.820
 give our

00:29:52.820 --> 00:29:53.620
 attention to

00:29:53.620 --> 00:29:54.980
 prayer and

00:29:54.980 --> 00:29:55.580
 the ministry

00:29:55.580 --> 00:29:56.320
 of the word.

00:29:57.360 --> 00:29:58.460
 This proposal

00:29:58.460 --> 00:30:00.000
 pleased the

00:30:00.000 --> 00:30:00.759
 whole group

00:30:00.759 --> 00:30:02.240
 and then they

00:30:02.240 --> 00:30:03.640
 choose the

00:30:03.640 --> 00:30:04.440
 seven people

00:30:04.440 --> 00:30:04.920
 who were to

00:30:04.920 --> 00:30:05.540
 be involved

00:30:05.540 --> 00:30:06.400
 in this work.

00:30:07.780 --> 00:30:08.540
 So you see,

00:30:08.780 --> 00:30:09.560
 in the church

00:30:09.560 --> 00:30:10.780
 there were

00:30:10.780 --> 00:30:12.180
 different people

00:30:12.180 --> 00:30:14.220
 with different

00:30:14.220 --> 00:30:15.160
 roles and

00:30:15.160 --> 00:30:16.140
 responsibilities.

00:30:16.140 --> 00:30:16.520
 communities.

00:30:17.720 --> 00:30:18.220
 And so it

00:30:18.220 --> 00:30:18.900
 is for us

00:30:18.900 --> 00:30:19.320
 today.

00:30:19.820 --> 00:30:21.160
 Every person

00:30:21.160 --> 00:30:22.400
 has a

00:30:22.400 --> 00:30:22.880
 ministry.

00:30:24.140 --> 00:30:24.960
 It might be

00:30:24.960 --> 00:30:25.520
 teaching.

00:30:26.480 --> 00:30:27.160
 It might be

00:30:27.160 --> 00:30:27.940
 helping in the

00:30:27.940 --> 00:30:28.740
 rock or

00:30:28.740 --> 00:30:29.280
 polo.

00:30:30.320 --> 00:30:31.060
 It might be

00:30:31.060 --> 00:30:31.900
 welcoming or

00:30:31.900 --> 00:30:33.000
 serving tea and

00:30:33.000 --> 00:30:33.700
 coffee on a

00:30:33.700 --> 00:30:34.400
 Sunday morning.

00:30:35.780 --> 00:30:36.880
 It can be all

00:30:36.880 --> 00:30:38.020
 kinds of things.

00:30:39.420 --> 00:30:40.400
 I'm going to

00:30:40.400 --> 00:30:41.120
 read what I

00:30:41.120 --> 00:30:41.820
 sent earlier

00:30:41.820 --> 00:30:42.500
 this morning.

00:30:42.640 --> 00:30:42.880
 It was

00:30:42.880 --> 00:30:43.840
 intentional to

00:30:43.840 --> 00:30:44.400
 send this

00:30:44.400 --> 00:30:44.780
 morning.

00:30:44.779 --> 00:30:46.019
 if you got

00:30:46.019 --> 00:30:46.500
 this little

00:30:46.500 --> 00:30:47.500
 note on

00:30:47.500 --> 00:30:47.960
 your phone

00:30:47.960 --> 00:30:48.559
 from me this

00:30:48.559 --> 00:30:48.960
 morning.

00:30:50.200 --> 00:30:51.619
 Pray before

00:30:51.619 --> 00:30:52.319
 church.

00:30:53.399 --> 00:30:54.420
 This is ways

00:30:54.420 --> 00:30:55.019
 in which we

00:30:55.019 --> 00:30:55.899
 can enact

00:30:55.899 --> 00:30:56.899
 every member

00:30:56.899 --> 00:30:57.440
 ministry.

00:30:58.500 --> 00:30:59.039
 Pray for

00:30:59.039 --> 00:30:59.579
 those who

00:30:59.579 --> 00:30:59.920
 you will

00:30:59.920 --> 00:31:00.319
 meet.

00:31:02.200 --> 00:31:02.700
 Pray for

00:31:02.700 --> 00:31:03.240
 God to

00:31:03.240 --> 00:31:03.920
 use you as

00:31:03.920 --> 00:31:04.460
 you come

00:31:04.460 --> 00:31:05.000
 to gather

00:31:05.000 --> 00:31:05.440
 with other

00:31:05.440 --> 00:31:05.879
 people.

00:31:07.660 --> 00:31:08.139
 Second,

00:31:08.700 --> 00:31:09.859
 look during

00:31:09.859 --> 00:31:10.319
 church.

00:31:10.460 --> 00:31:10.819
 Look out

00:31:10.819 --> 00:31:11.859
 for newcomers.

00:31:13.180 --> 00:31:13.519
 Go, oh

00:31:13.519 --> 00:31:14.019
 look, there's

00:31:14.019 --> 00:31:14.480
 somebody over

00:31:14.480 --> 00:31:14.640
 there.

00:31:14.700 --> 00:31:15.000
 I don't

00:31:15.000 --> 00:31:15.420
 even know

00:31:15.420 --> 00:31:16.000
 their name.

00:31:17.000 --> 00:31:17.480
 Maybe I'll

00:31:17.480 --> 00:31:18.079
 go and speak

00:31:18.079 --> 00:31:18.440
 to them

00:31:18.440 --> 00:31:19.079
 afterwards.

00:31:21.099 --> 00:31:22.039
 Speak after

00:31:22.039 --> 00:31:22.480
 church.

00:31:23.079 --> 00:31:23.559
 Introduce

00:31:23.559 --> 00:31:24.579
 yourself and

00:31:24.579 --> 00:31:25.500
 introduce others

00:31:25.500 --> 00:31:25.980
 to new

00:31:25.980 --> 00:31:27.039
 people and

00:31:27.039 --> 00:31:27.720
 invite them.

00:31:27.799 --> 00:31:28.740
 Say, come

00:31:28.740 --> 00:31:29.140
 and have a

00:31:29.140 --> 00:31:29.579
 cup of tea

00:31:29.579 --> 00:31:30.039
 and coffee.

00:31:30.220 --> 00:31:31.319
 Let me get

00:31:31.319 --> 00:31:31.819
 to know

00:31:31.819 --> 00:31:32.099
 you.

00:31:33.319 --> 00:31:33.960
 You see, we

00:31:33.960 --> 00:31:34.779
 can all

00:31:34.779 --> 00:31:36.380
 serve in

00:31:36.380 --> 00:31:36.900
 lots of

00:31:36.900 --> 00:31:37.839
 different ways.

00:31:39.019 --> 00:31:39.539
 Every

00:31:39.539 --> 00:31:40.240
 member

00:31:40.240 --> 00:31:41.440
 ministry.

00:31:41.440 --> 00:31:41.519
 ministry.

00:31:43.519 --> 00:31:44.279
 Now, before

00:31:44.279 --> 00:31:44.779
 we move

00:31:44.779 --> 00:31:45.460
 on, notice

00:31:45.460 --> 00:31:45.980
 how the

00:31:45.980 --> 00:31:46.779
 decisions were

00:31:46.779 --> 00:31:47.900
 made in

00:31:47.900 --> 00:31:48.500
 the church.

00:31:48.740 --> 00:31:48.940
 Do you

00:31:48.940 --> 00:31:49.299
 see that

00:31:49.299 --> 00:31:49.680
 in verse

00:31:49.680 --> 00:31:50.059
 three?

00:31:53.640 --> 00:31:54.140
 Brothers

00:31:54.140 --> 00:31:55.019
 and sisters,

00:31:56.200 --> 00:31:57.140
 choose seven

00:31:57.140 --> 00:31:58.039
 men from

00:31:58.039 --> 00:31:59.220
 among you.

00:32:00.340 --> 00:32:00.720
 And then

00:32:00.720 --> 00:32:01.140
 down to

00:32:01.140 --> 00:32:01.840
 verse five.

00:32:02.779 --> 00:32:03.180
 This

00:32:03.180 --> 00:32:03.980
 proposal

00:32:03.980 --> 00:32:05.160
 pleased the

00:32:05.160 --> 00:32:05.779
 whole

00:32:05.779 --> 00:32:06.700
 group.

00:32:06.700 --> 00:32:07.980
 You see,

00:32:08.059 --> 00:32:08.480
 this just

00:32:08.480 --> 00:32:09.039
 wasn't a

00:32:09.039 --> 00:32:10.039
 random group

00:32:10.039 --> 00:32:10.660
 of people

00:32:10.660 --> 00:32:11.580
 where they

00:32:11.580 --> 00:32:12.460
 said, oh,

00:32:12.519 --> 00:32:13.360
 go and, you

00:32:13.360 --> 00:32:14.019
 know, get a

00:32:14.019 --> 00:32:14.519
 few people

00:32:14.519 --> 00:32:15.080
 and go do

00:32:15.080 --> 00:32:15.660
 this and go

00:32:15.660 --> 00:32:16.140
 do that.

00:32:16.420 --> 00:32:16.860
 No, it

00:32:16.860 --> 00:32:17.220
 was an

00:32:17.220 --> 00:32:18.019
 identified

00:32:18.019 --> 00:32:19.019
 group of

00:32:19.019 --> 00:32:19.740
 believers who

00:32:19.740 --> 00:32:20.860
 made decisions

00:32:20.860 --> 00:32:22.080
 about the

00:32:22.080 --> 00:32:22.700
 life of the

00:32:22.700 --> 00:32:23.160
 church.

00:32:24.420 --> 00:32:25.299
 It was like

00:32:25.299 --> 00:32:26.059
 a members

00:32:26.059 --> 00:32:26.600
 meeting,

00:32:26.740 --> 00:32:27.240
 isn't it?

00:32:27.980 --> 00:32:28.440
 Where they

00:32:28.440 --> 00:32:28.860
 had an

00:32:28.860 --> 00:32:30.120
 issue and

00:32:30.120 --> 00:32:30.440
 they were

00:32:30.440 --> 00:32:30.940
 able to

00:32:30.940 --> 00:32:32.440
 solve it by

00:32:32.440 --> 00:32:33.100
 making a

00:32:33.100 --> 00:32:33.539
 decision

00:32:33.539 --> 00:32:34.220
 together.

00:32:34.220 --> 00:32:36.339
 So we

00:32:36.339 --> 00:32:36.900
 are committed

00:32:36.900 --> 00:32:37.799
 to every

00:32:37.799 --> 00:32:38.380
 member

00:32:38.380 --> 00:32:39.579
 ministry.

00:32:40.980 --> 00:32:41.220
 The

00:32:41.220 --> 00:32:41.839
 fourth one.

00:32:42.880 --> 00:32:43.220
 Let's

00:32:43.220 --> 00:32:43.700
 jump to

00:32:43.700 --> 00:32:44.120
 Acts

00:32:44.120 --> 00:32:45.039
 chapter

00:32:45.039 --> 00:32:45.779
 13.

00:32:49.500 --> 00:32:50.240
 A

00:32:50.240 --> 00:32:50.660
 commitment

00:32:50.660 --> 00:32:51.559
 to church

00:32:51.559 --> 00:32:52.140
 planting.

00:32:53.559 --> 00:32:54.680
 So as we

00:32:54.680 --> 00:32:55.259
 go through

00:32:55.259 --> 00:32:56.000
 Acts, yes,

00:32:56.079 --> 00:32:56.640
 the church

00:32:56.640 --> 00:32:57.240
 there in

00:32:57.240 --> 00:32:57.740
 Jerusalem,

00:32:58.160 --> 00:32:58.640
 as they

00:32:58.640 --> 00:32:59.460
 spread and

00:32:59.460 --> 00:33:00.400
 preached the

00:33:00.400 --> 00:33:00.960
 word to

00:33:00.960 --> 00:33:02.100
 other places,

00:33:02.299 --> 00:33:02.940
 so new

00:33:02.940 --> 00:33:03.700
 churches were

00:33:03.700 --> 00:33:04.500
 formed.

00:33:04.940 --> 00:33:05.319
 And one

00:33:05.319 --> 00:33:05.819
 of those

00:33:05.819 --> 00:33:06.680
 new churches

00:33:06.680 --> 00:33:07.539
 was called

00:33:07.539 --> 00:33:08.440
 the church

00:33:08.440 --> 00:33:09.640
 in Antioch,

00:33:10.259 --> 00:33:11.279
 which is

00:33:11.279 --> 00:33:12.140
 not too

00:33:12.140 --> 00:33:13.019
 far away

00:33:13.019 --> 00:33:13.600
 from where

00:33:13.600 --> 00:33:14.380
 modern-day

00:33:14.380 --> 00:33:15.660
 Aleppo is,

00:33:15.860 --> 00:33:17.220
 north Syria,

00:33:17.880 --> 00:33:18.740
 in that area.

00:33:19.660 --> 00:33:20.100
 Well, let's

00:33:20.100 --> 00:33:20.620
 read about

00:33:20.620 --> 00:33:21.380
 this church,

00:33:21.559 --> 00:33:22.480
 chapter 13,

00:33:22.600 --> 00:33:23.180
 verse 1.

00:33:25.059 --> 00:33:26.019
 Now, in the

00:33:26.019 --> 00:33:26.539
 church in

00:33:26.539 --> 00:33:27.340
 Antioch, there

00:33:27.340 --> 00:33:27.940
 were prophets

00:33:27.940 --> 00:33:28.799
 and teachers.

00:33:29.519 --> 00:33:29.920
 There was

00:33:29.920 --> 00:33:30.519
 Barnabas,

00:33:30.640 --> 00:33:31.059
 Simeon,

00:33:31.200 --> 00:33:31.799
 called Niger,

00:33:32.120 --> 00:33:32.860
 Lucius of

00:33:32.860 --> 00:33:33.460
 Cyrene,

00:33:34.120 --> 00:33:34.539
 Manion,

00:33:34.740 --> 00:33:34.980
 who had

00:33:34.980 --> 00:33:35.480
 been brought

00:33:35.480 --> 00:33:35.880
 up with

00:33:35.880 --> 00:33:36.400
 Herod the

00:33:36.400 --> 00:33:37.039
 Tetrarch,

00:33:37.240 --> 00:33:37.920
 and Saul,

00:33:38.500 --> 00:33:39.200
 that's the

00:33:39.200 --> 00:33:39.840
 same Paul

00:33:39.840 --> 00:33:40.180
 that we

00:33:40.180 --> 00:33:40.680
 know of,

00:33:41.200 --> 00:33:41.720
 while they

00:33:41.720 --> 00:33:42.440
 were worshipping

00:33:42.440 --> 00:33:42.920
 the Lord

00:33:42.920 --> 00:33:43.620
 and fasting,

00:33:43.840 --> 00:33:44.240
 the Holy

00:33:44.240 --> 00:33:45.259
 Spirit said,

00:33:46.299 --> 00:33:47.019
 Set apart

00:33:47.019 --> 00:33:47.500
 for me

00:33:47.500 --> 00:33:48.240
 Barnabas

00:33:48.240 --> 00:33:48.819
 and Saul

00:33:48.819 --> 00:33:49.720
 for the

00:33:49.720 --> 00:33:50.259
 work to

00:33:50.259 --> 00:33:50.779
 which I

00:33:50.779 --> 00:33:51.319
 have called

00:33:51.319 --> 00:33:51.559
 them.

00:33:52.500 --> 00:33:53.460
 So after

00:33:53.460 --> 00:33:54.240
 the church

00:33:54.240 --> 00:33:55.140
 had fasted

00:33:55.140 --> 00:33:55.680
 and prayed,

00:33:56.360 --> 00:33:57.220
 they placed

00:33:57.220 --> 00:33:57.920
 their hands

00:33:57.920 --> 00:33:58.480
 on them

00:33:58.480 --> 00:33:59.819
 and sent

00:33:59.819 --> 00:34:00.460
 them off.

00:34:00.460 --> 00:34:01.840
 Now, if

00:34:01.840 --> 00:34:02.240
 you were to

00:34:02.240 --> 00:34:02.880
 read through

00:34:02.880 --> 00:34:04.079
 chapter 13

00:34:04.079 --> 00:34:04.640
 and 14,

00:34:04.779 --> 00:34:05.160
 you'll see

00:34:05.160 --> 00:34:05.579
 all the

00:34:05.579 --> 00:34:06.319
 different places

00:34:06.319 --> 00:34:06.840
 they went

00:34:06.840 --> 00:34:07.140
 to,

00:34:07.680 --> 00:34:08.519
 different areas,

00:34:08.720 --> 00:34:09.280
 preaching the

00:34:09.280 --> 00:34:09.659
 gospel,

00:34:10.380 --> 00:34:10.980
 establishing

00:34:10.980 --> 00:34:11.679
 churches,

00:34:12.679 --> 00:34:13.460
 and then

00:34:13.460 --> 00:34:14.179
 go to the

00:34:14.179 --> 00:34:14.519
 end of

00:34:14.519 --> 00:34:15.559
 chapter 14,

00:34:15.679 --> 00:34:16.720
 verse 26.

00:34:16.719 --> 00:34:19.959
 So chapter

00:34:19.959 --> 00:34:20.480
 13,

00:34:20.599 --> 00:34:21.079
 verse 1

00:34:21.079 --> 00:34:21.619
 says they

00:34:21.619 --> 00:34:22.259
 were sent

00:34:22.259 --> 00:34:22.699
 off.

00:34:24.339 --> 00:34:25.299
 Now chapter

00:34:25.299 --> 00:34:25.939
 14,

00:34:26.059 --> 00:34:27.039
 verse 26.

00:34:33.119 --> 00:34:33.679
 From

00:34:33.679 --> 00:34:34.199
 Italia,

00:34:34.459 --> 00:34:34.859
 this was

00:34:34.859 --> 00:34:35.539
 obviously one

00:34:35.539 --> 00:34:35.759
 of the

00:34:35.759 --> 00:34:36.359
 places they

00:34:36.359 --> 00:34:36.879
 had visited,

00:34:37.379 --> 00:34:38.139
 they sailed

00:34:38.139 --> 00:34:39.099
 back to

00:34:39.099 --> 00:34:39.899
 Antioch,

00:34:40.339 --> 00:34:40.980
 where they

00:34:40.980 --> 00:34:41.419
 had been

00:34:41.419 --> 00:34:42.319
 committed to

00:34:42.319 --> 00:34:42.879
 the grace

00:34:42.879 --> 00:34:43.399
 of God

00:34:43.399 --> 00:34:43.819
 for the

00:34:43.819 --> 00:34:44.379
 work they

00:34:44.379 --> 00:34:44.859
 had now

00:34:44.859 --> 00:34:45.439
 completed.

00:34:45.440 --> 00:34:46.740
 On

00:34:46.740 --> 00:34:47.280
 arriving

00:34:47.280 --> 00:34:47.740
 there,

00:34:48.119 --> 00:34:48.980
 they gathered

00:34:48.980 --> 00:34:49.760
 the church

00:34:49.760 --> 00:34:50.700
 together and

00:34:50.700 --> 00:34:51.940
 reported all

00:34:51.940 --> 00:34:52.559
 that God

00:34:52.559 --> 00:34:53.019
 had done

00:34:53.019 --> 00:34:53.559
 through them

00:34:53.559 --> 00:34:54.039
 and how he

00:34:54.039 --> 00:34:54.420
 had opened

00:34:54.420 --> 00:34:54.820
 the door

00:34:54.820 --> 00:34:55.340
 of faith

00:34:55.340 --> 00:34:56.320
 to the

00:34:56.320 --> 00:34:57.159
 Gentiles.

00:34:58.619 --> 00:34:59.380
 You see,

00:34:59.460 --> 00:34:59.880
 there was a

00:34:59.880 --> 00:35:00.860
 desire on

00:35:00.860 --> 00:35:01.559
 behalf of the

00:35:01.559 --> 00:35:02.200
 church to

00:35:02.200 --> 00:35:02.980
 reach out

00:35:02.980 --> 00:35:03.700
 with the

00:35:03.700 --> 00:35:04.119
 gospel,

00:35:04.800 --> 00:35:05.300
 and that's

00:35:05.300 --> 00:35:05.720
 what we

00:35:05.720 --> 00:35:06.240
 seek to

00:35:06.240 --> 00:35:06.519
 do.

00:35:07.300 --> 00:35:08.340
 But notice

00:35:08.340 --> 00:35:08.900
 that in

00:35:08.900 --> 00:35:09.820
 this situation

00:35:09.820 --> 00:35:10.280
 here,

00:35:10.619 --> 00:35:11.300
 it was the

00:35:11.300 --> 00:35:12.700
 church that

00:35:12.700 --> 00:35:13.579
 sent the

00:35:13.579 --> 00:35:14.440
 people off

00:35:14.440 --> 00:35:15.820
 and it

00:35:15.820 --> 00:35:16.220
 was the

00:35:16.220 --> 00:35:16.900
 church that

00:35:16.900 --> 00:35:17.679
 they reported

00:35:17.679 --> 00:35:18.659
 back to.

00:35:19.700 --> 00:35:20.059
 You see,

00:35:20.139 --> 00:35:20.619
 there were no

00:35:20.619 --> 00:35:21.679
 mavericks doing

00:35:21.679 --> 00:35:22.360
 their own thing

00:35:22.360 --> 00:35:22.760
 and going,

00:35:23.119 --> 00:35:23.559
 oh, I'm going

00:35:23.559 --> 00:35:24.099
 to go off and

00:35:24.099 --> 00:35:24.679
 do my own

00:35:24.679 --> 00:35:25.200
 thing here and

00:35:25.200 --> 00:35:25.880
 plant a church

00:35:25.880 --> 00:35:26.480
 over here.

00:35:27.000 --> 00:35:27.820
 No, it

00:35:27.820 --> 00:35:29.119
 was a church

00:35:29.119 --> 00:35:30.619
 partnership,

00:35:32.079 --> 00:35:32.700
 a church

00:35:32.700 --> 00:35:33.940
 responsibility,

00:35:34.559 --> 00:35:35.139
 sending,

00:35:35.740 --> 00:35:36.200
 praying,

00:35:36.740 --> 00:35:37.300
 supporting,

00:35:37.860 --> 00:35:38.920
 reporting back,

00:35:39.400 --> 00:35:40.059
 encouraging.

00:35:40.059 --> 00:35:40.199
 planting.

00:35:41.400 --> 00:35:42.400
 So the

00:35:42.400 --> 00:35:44.000
 church is

00:35:44.000 --> 00:35:44.980
 committed to

00:35:44.980 --> 00:35:46.579
 church planting.

00:35:48.239 --> 00:35:49.340
 The last

00:35:49.340 --> 00:35:50.360
 one, and

00:35:50.360 --> 00:35:50.619
 we're going

00:35:50.619 --> 00:35:51.039
 to go to

00:35:51.039 --> 00:35:51.699
 Acts chapter

00:35:51.699 --> 00:35:52.440
 20 for

00:35:52.440 --> 00:35:54.079
 this, is

00:35:54.079 --> 00:35:54.480
 that there

00:35:54.480 --> 00:35:54.840
 is a

00:35:54.840 --> 00:35:55.380
 commitment

00:35:55.380 --> 00:35:58.099
 to pastoral

00:35:58.099 --> 00:35:59.599
 oversight or

00:35:59.599 --> 00:36:00.880
 pastoral care.

00:36:00.880 --> 00:36:00.940
 prayer.

00:36:04.940 --> 00:36:05.700
 So in

00:36:05.700 --> 00:36:06.240
 Acts chapter

00:36:06.240 --> 00:36:06.980
 20, we're

00:36:06.980 --> 00:36:07.740
 introduced to

00:36:07.740 --> 00:36:08.640
 another church

00:36:08.640 --> 00:36:09.740
 and the

00:36:09.740 --> 00:36:10.460
 church that's

00:36:10.460 --> 00:36:11.019
 being looked

00:36:11.019 --> 00:36:11.740
 at here is

00:36:11.740 --> 00:36:12.460
 the church

00:36:12.460 --> 00:36:13.320
 in Ephesus

00:36:13.320 --> 00:36:14.660
 where we

00:36:14.660 --> 00:36:15.059
 have the

00:36:15.059 --> 00:36:15.539
 letter to

00:36:15.539 --> 00:36:16.660
 the Ephesians.

00:36:18.300 --> 00:36:18.579
 And in

00:36:18.579 --> 00:36:19.559
 verse 17,

00:36:21.960 --> 00:36:22.720
 Acts chapter

00:36:22.720 --> 00:36:23.380
 20, verse

00:36:23.380 --> 00:36:24.920
 17, Paul

00:36:24.920 --> 00:36:25.480
 is on a

00:36:25.480 --> 00:36:26.039
 journey and

00:36:26.039 --> 00:36:26.559
 he comes

00:36:26.559 --> 00:36:27.240
 close to

00:36:27.240 --> 00:36:27.599
 Ephesus.

00:36:27.760 --> 00:36:28.200
 He's not

00:36:28.200 --> 00:36:29.000
 able to go

00:36:29.000 --> 00:36:29.500
 there, but

00:36:29.500 --> 00:36:30.119
 he's sent

00:36:30.119 --> 00:36:31.519
 to Ephesus

00:36:31.519 --> 00:36:32.039
 for the

00:36:32.039 --> 00:36:32.599
 elders of

00:36:32.599 --> 00:36:33.079
 the church.

00:36:33.139 --> 00:36:33.400
 So he

00:36:33.400 --> 00:36:34.159
 arranges for

00:36:34.159 --> 00:36:34.739
 the elders

00:36:34.739 --> 00:36:35.900
 from the

00:36:35.900 --> 00:36:36.360
 church in

00:36:36.360 --> 00:36:36.760
 Ephesus,

00:36:37.000 --> 00:36:37.739
 come down

00:36:37.739 --> 00:36:38.380
 to Miletus

00:36:38.380 --> 00:36:39.280
 because I

00:36:39.280 --> 00:36:39.659
 want to

00:36:39.659 --> 00:36:40.119
 talk to

00:36:40.119 --> 00:36:40.340
 you.

00:36:41.099 --> 00:36:41.840
 I have a

00:36:41.840 --> 00:36:42.539
 message for

00:36:42.539 --> 00:36:42.820
 you.

00:36:44.179 --> 00:36:44.880
 Well, what's

00:36:44.880 --> 00:36:45.400
 the message

00:36:45.400 --> 00:36:46.019
 for the

00:36:46.019 --> 00:36:46.940
 elders in

00:36:46.940 --> 00:36:47.539
 the church

00:36:47.539 --> 00:36:48.420
 in Ephesus?

00:36:49.619 --> 00:36:50.239
 Well, look

00:36:50.239 --> 00:36:50.559
 at verse

00:36:50.559 --> 00:36:51.260
 28.

00:36:55.460 --> 00:36:56.059
 Keep

00:36:56.059 --> 00:36:57.179
 watch over

00:36:57.179 --> 00:36:57.920
 yourselves

00:36:57.920 --> 00:36:58.099
 yourselves

00:36:58.099 --> 00:36:59.659
 and all

00:36:59.659 --> 00:37:00.280
 the flock

00:37:00.280 --> 00:37:00.720
 of which

00:37:00.720 --> 00:37:01.240
 the Holy

00:37:01.240 --> 00:37:01.980
 Spirit has

00:37:01.980 --> 00:37:02.480
 made you

00:37:02.480 --> 00:37:03.360
 overseers.

00:37:04.400 --> 00:37:04.700
 Be

00:37:04.700 --> 00:37:05.659
 shepherds

00:37:05.659 --> 00:37:06.280
 of the

00:37:06.280 --> 00:37:06.860
 church of

00:37:06.860 --> 00:37:07.420
 God, which

00:37:07.420 --> 00:37:07.880
 he bought

00:37:07.880 --> 00:37:08.280
 with his

00:37:08.280 --> 00:37:08.900
 own blood.

00:37:09.980 --> 00:37:10.440
 I know

00:37:10.440 --> 00:37:10.960
 that after

00:37:10.960 --> 00:37:11.519
 I leave,

00:37:11.700 --> 00:37:12.579
 savage wolves

00:37:12.579 --> 00:37:13.039
 will come

00:37:13.039 --> 00:37:13.480
 in among

00:37:13.480 --> 00:37:14.280
 you and

00:37:14.280 --> 00:37:14.780
 will not

00:37:14.780 --> 00:37:15.420
 spare the

00:37:15.420 --> 00:37:15.860
 flock.

00:37:17.260 --> 00:37:17.720
 Even

00:37:17.720 --> 00:37:18.300
 from your

00:37:18.300 --> 00:37:19.220
 own number,

00:37:19.780 --> 00:37:20.240
 men will

00:37:20.240 --> 00:37:21.019
 arise and

00:37:21.019 --> 00:37:21.880
 distort the

00:37:21.880 --> 00:37:22.420
 truth in

00:37:22.420 --> 00:37:22.960
 order to

00:37:22.960 --> 00:37:23.619
 draw away

00:37:23.619 --> 00:37:24.639
 disciples after

00:37:24.639 --> 00:37:24.900
 them.

00:37:25.300 --> 00:37:26.139
 So be

00:37:26.139 --> 00:37:26.900
 on your

00:37:26.900 --> 00:37:27.519
 guard.

00:37:27.920 --> 00:37:29.980
 You see,

00:37:30.180 --> 00:37:31.159
 the elders,

00:37:31.360 --> 00:37:32.059
 the pastors

00:37:32.059 --> 00:37:32.619
 have a

00:37:32.619 --> 00:37:33.780
 responsibility

00:37:33.780 --> 00:37:36.159
 before God

00:37:36.159 --> 00:37:37.340
 to care for

00:37:37.340 --> 00:37:38.039
 the flock,

00:37:39.039 --> 00:37:39.900
 the church,

00:37:40.500 --> 00:37:41.340
 to teach

00:37:41.340 --> 00:37:42.659
 them, to

00:37:42.659 --> 00:37:43.320
 guard them

00:37:43.320 --> 00:37:44.099
 from error.

00:37:46.059 --> 00:37:46.680
 Now, I

00:37:46.680 --> 00:37:47.519
 speak this

00:37:47.519 --> 00:37:49.139
 morning as

00:37:49.139 --> 00:37:50.559
 an elder of

00:37:50.559 --> 00:37:51.380
 this church.

00:37:51.380 --> 00:37:51.460
 church.

00:37:52.460 --> 00:37:52.960
 In fact,

00:37:53.039 --> 00:37:53.360
 there are

00:37:53.360 --> 00:37:54.000
 four of

00:37:54.000 --> 00:37:54.420
 us who

00:37:54.420 --> 00:37:55.019
 are elders,

00:37:55.220 --> 00:37:55.660
 Alex,

00:37:56.400 --> 00:37:57.059
 Ralph,

00:37:57.340 --> 00:37:57.960
 and Jonathan,

00:37:58.760 --> 00:37:59.579
 and myself.

00:38:01.180 --> 00:38:01.740
 Now, who

00:38:01.740 --> 00:38:02.740
 appointed us

00:38:02.740 --> 00:38:03.280
 as elders?

00:38:04.760 --> 00:38:05.420
 Did the

00:38:05.420 --> 00:38:05.920
 four of us

00:38:05.920 --> 00:38:06.480
 get together

00:38:06.480 --> 00:38:06.780
 and go,

00:38:07.519 --> 00:38:08.039
 guys, I've

00:38:08.039 --> 00:38:08.480
 got a great

00:38:08.480 --> 00:38:08.880
 plan.

00:38:10.019 --> 00:38:11.079
 Let's make

00:38:11.079 --> 00:38:11.619
 ourselves

00:38:11.619 --> 00:38:12.200
 elders.

00:38:12.199 --> 00:38:12.439
 elders.

00:38:14.639 --> 00:38:16.219
 No, we

00:38:16.219 --> 00:38:17.439
 don't appoint

00:38:17.439 --> 00:38:18.779
 elders.

00:38:19.039 --> 00:38:19.339
 We don't

00:38:19.339 --> 00:38:20.239
 appoint ourselves

00:38:20.239 --> 00:38:20.859
 as elders.

00:38:21.539 --> 00:38:22.259
 It's the

00:38:22.259 --> 00:38:23.179
 church that

00:38:23.179 --> 00:38:24.019
 appoints the

00:38:24.019 --> 00:38:25.399
 elders and

00:38:25.399 --> 00:38:26.019
 holds us

00:38:26.019 --> 00:38:26.599
 accountable.

00:38:28.379 --> 00:38:29.279
 And if I go

00:38:29.279 --> 00:38:30.119
 off the rails,

00:38:30.579 --> 00:38:31.159
 it's the

00:38:31.159 --> 00:38:31.799
 church that

00:38:31.799 --> 00:38:32.419
 has to take

00:38:32.419 --> 00:38:34.279
 responsibility and

00:38:34.279 --> 00:38:35.980
 correct me or

00:38:35.980 --> 00:38:37.319
 tell me to

00:38:37.319 --> 00:38:38.179
 step aside.

00:38:38.179 --> 00:38:40.659
 So who

00:38:40.659 --> 00:38:41.339
 appoints the

00:38:41.339 --> 00:38:41.759
 elders?

00:38:42.079 --> 00:38:42.879
 The church.

00:38:44.519 --> 00:38:45.019
 Well, who

00:38:45.019 --> 00:38:45.359
 do the

00:38:45.359 --> 00:38:46.119
 elders care

00:38:46.119 --> 00:38:46.539
 for?

00:38:49.239 --> 00:38:50.399
 The church.

00:38:51.879 --> 00:38:52.659
 Does that

00:38:52.659 --> 00:38:53.019
 mean we

00:38:53.019 --> 00:38:53.639
 care for

00:38:53.639 --> 00:38:54.119
 every

00:38:54.119 --> 00:38:54.559
 Christian?

00:38:55.759 --> 00:38:56.359
 What about

00:38:56.359 --> 00:38:56.899
 the person

00:38:56.899 --> 00:38:57.460
 who comes

00:38:57.460 --> 00:38:58.819
 in, well,

00:38:59.019 --> 00:38:59.500
 just for a

00:38:59.500 --> 00:39:00.159
 couple times

00:39:00.159 --> 00:39:00.839
 over six

00:39:00.839 --> 00:39:01.179
 months?

00:39:01.179 --> 00:39:02.480
 Are we to

00:39:02.480 --> 00:39:02.839
 care for

00:39:02.839 --> 00:39:03.119
 them?

00:39:05.980 --> 00:39:06.679
 No, we

00:39:06.679 --> 00:39:07.419
 don't care for

00:39:07.419 --> 00:39:07.799
 every

00:39:07.800 --> 00:39:08.420
 Christian.

00:39:09.000 --> 00:39:09.660
 We care

00:39:09.660 --> 00:39:10.360
 for, verse

00:39:10.360 --> 00:39:12.620
 28, those

00:39:12.620 --> 00:39:13.260
 who are in

00:39:13.260 --> 00:39:13.980
 the flock,

00:39:15.000 --> 00:39:15.740
 those who

00:39:15.740 --> 00:39:16.220
 are in the

00:39:16.220 --> 00:39:18.200
 church, those

00:39:18.200 --> 00:39:19.100
 who identify

00:39:19.100 --> 00:39:20.080
 with the

00:39:20.080 --> 00:39:20.580
 church.

00:39:21.539 --> 00:39:22.200
 Just as

00:39:22.200 --> 00:39:22.880
 sheep need

00:39:22.880 --> 00:39:23.480
 fed and

00:39:23.480 --> 00:39:24.480
 watered and

00:39:24.480 --> 00:39:25.320
 protected and

00:39:25.320 --> 00:39:25.940
 looked after,

00:39:26.340 --> 00:39:26.940
 so the

00:39:26.940 --> 00:39:27.840
 shepherds, the

00:39:27.840 --> 00:39:29.100
 elders, are

00:39:29.100 --> 00:39:30.200
 to feed the

00:39:30.200 --> 00:39:30.780
 church with

00:39:30.780 --> 00:39:32.060
 God's word and

00:39:32.060 --> 00:39:32.720
 look after

00:39:32.720 --> 00:39:33.039
 them.

00:39:33.500 --> 00:39:34.080
 And if the

00:39:34.080 --> 00:39:34.620
 elders are

00:39:34.620 --> 00:39:35.039
 going to

00:39:35.039 --> 00:39:35.539
 know who

00:39:35.539 --> 00:39:36.120
 we look

00:39:36.120 --> 00:39:36.660
 after,

00:39:36.659 --> 00:39:38.899
 we need

00:39:38.899 --> 00:39:39.239
 to know

00:39:39.239 --> 00:39:39.679
 who's in

00:39:39.679 --> 00:39:40.339
 the flock,

00:39:41.599 --> 00:39:42.539
 who are

00:39:42.539 --> 00:39:43.179
 the sheep.

00:39:44.920 --> 00:39:46.000
 It's really

00:39:46.000 --> 00:39:46.679
 important.

00:39:49.339 --> 00:39:50.239
 So the

00:39:50.239 --> 00:39:50.899
 church is

00:39:50.899 --> 00:39:51.339
 committed

00:39:51.339 --> 00:39:53.500
 to pastoral

00:39:53.500 --> 00:39:54.119
 oversight.

00:39:56.480 --> 00:39:57.339
 Now did

00:39:57.339 --> 00:39:58.019
 you notice,

00:39:58.279 --> 00:39:58.819
 just look

00:39:58.819 --> 00:39:59.079
 on the

00:39:59.079 --> 00:39:59.779
 screen there,

00:40:01.179 --> 00:40:01.599
 each

00:40:01.599 --> 00:40:02.179
 commitment,

00:40:02.460 --> 00:40:02.960
 the five

00:40:02.960 --> 00:40:03.559
 commitments

00:40:03.559 --> 00:40:03.980
 there,

00:40:03.980 --> 00:40:04.940
 there is

00:40:04.940 --> 00:40:05.400
 a clear

00:40:05.400 --> 00:40:06.119
 knowledge and

00:40:06.119 --> 00:40:06.820
 understanding

00:40:06.820 --> 00:40:07.380
 of who

00:40:07.380 --> 00:40:07.920
 the church

00:40:07.920 --> 00:40:08.360
 is.

00:40:09.360 --> 00:40:10.260
 In every

00:40:10.260 --> 00:40:10.880
 commitment,

00:40:11.599 --> 00:40:12.139
 in every

00:40:12.139 --> 00:40:12.920
 situation,

00:40:13.619 --> 00:40:14.280
 there is an

00:40:14.280 --> 00:40:15.360
 identifiable

00:40:15.360 --> 00:40:16.139
 group of

00:40:16.139 --> 00:40:17.300
 people who

00:40:17.300 --> 00:40:17.800
 worship

00:40:17.800 --> 00:40:18.420
 together,

00:40:19.240 --> 00:40:19.960
 who care

00:40:19.960 --> 00:40:20.539
 for each

00:40:20.539 --> 00:40:20.880
 other,

00:40:21.280 --> 00:40:22.179
 who serve

00:40:22.179 --> 00:40:22.719
 one another,

00:40:22.860 --> 00:40:23.340
 who plant

00:40:23.340 --> 00:40:23.800
 churches

00:40:23.800 --> 00:40:24.260
 together,

00:40:24.260 --> 00:40:25.199
 and commit

00:40:25.199 --> 00:40:25.940
 themselves to

00:40:25.940 --> 00:40:26.480
 the care of

00:40:26.480 --> 00:40:26.960
 the elders.

00:40:26.960 --> 00:40:27.179
 members.

00:40:28.440 --> 00:40:29.380
 It seems

00:40:29.380 --> 00:40:30.240
 very clear

00:40:30.240 --> 00:40:30.860
 and obvious

00:40:30.860 --> 00:40:31.480
 that there

00:40:31.480 --> 00:40:33.340
 were members

00:40:33.340 --> 00:40:34.980
 of a local

00:40:34.980 --> 00:40:35.559
 church.

00:40:36.840 --> 00:40:37.619
 Well, I know

00:40:37.619 --> 00:40:38.159
 the smart

00:40:38.159 --> 00:40:38.800
 ones amongst

00:40:38.800 --> 00:40:39.360
 you will go,

00:40:39.740 --> 00:40:40.400
 but Johnny,

00:40:40.760 --> 00:40:41.460
 there's no

00:40:41.460 --> 00:40:41.880
 membership.

00:40:42.019 --> 00:40:42.380
 You didn't

00:40:42.380 --> 00:40:42.780
 read the

00:40:42.780 --> 00:40:43.579
 word member

00:40:43.579 --> 00:40:45.019
 in anything

00:40:45.019 --> 00:40:45.780
 in Acts.

00:40:46.699 --> 00:40:46.980
 Well, no,

00:40:46.980 --> 00:40:47.380
 you're quite

00:40:47.380 --> 00:40:47.840
 right, I

00:40:47.840 --> 00:40:48.340
 didn't.

00:40:49.019 --> 00:40:49.740
 But the

00:40:49.740 --> 00:40:51.360
 practice is

00:40:51.360 --> 00:40:52.159
 undeniable.

00:40:52.159 --> 00:40:53.819
 And at

00:40:53.819 --> 00:40:54.460
 Carragalline

00:40:54.460 --> 00:40:54.859
 Baptist

00:40:54.859 --> 00:40:55.460
 Church, we

00:40:55.460 --> 00:40:56.139
 believe that

00:40:56.139 --> 00:40:57.480
 membership of

00:40:57.480 --> 00:40:57.879
 a local

00:40:57.879 --> 00:40:58.440
 church is

00:40:58.440 --> 00:40:58.940
 best and

00:40:58.940 --> 00:40:59.319
 right.

00:41:00.599 --> 00:41:01.299
 We can't,

00:41:01.359 --> 00:41:01.719
 we don't

00:41:01.719 --> 00:41:02.779
 force people

00:41:02.779 --> 00:41:04.319
 to sign up

00:41:04.319 --> 00:41:05.039
 to anything,

00:41:05.500 --> 00:41:06.239
 but we

00:41:06.239 --> 00:41:07.440
 encourage people

00:41:07.440 --> 00:41:07.839
 and say,

00:41:08.299 --> 00:41:09.219
 the best way

00:41:09.219 --> 00:41:10.039
 if you are a

00:41:10.039 --> 00:41:10.819
 Christian is to

00:41:10.819 --> 00:41:11.920
 identify with

00:41:11.920 --> 00:41:12.299
 a local

00:41:12.299 --> 00:41:12.619
 church.

00:41:12.859 --> 00:41:13.179
 And if

00:41:13.179 --> 00:41:13.799
 that's here,

00:41:14.059 --> 00:41:15.059
 that's great.

00:41:19.839 --> 00:41:20.759
 So as we

00:41:20.759 --> 00:41:21.579
 close, let me

00:41:21.579 --> 00:41:22.139
 ask you this

00:41:22.139 --> 00:41:22.779
 question.

00:41:24.980 --> 00:41:25.940
 Are you a

00:41:25.940 --> 00:41:26.319
 Christian?

00:41:28.839 --> 00:41:29.619
 If you

00:41:29.619 --> 00:41:31.099
 are, are

00:41:31.099 --> 00:41:31.819
 you committed

00:41:31.819 --> 00:41:33.619
 to a local

00:41:33.619 --> 00:41:34.179
 church?

00:41:35.920 --> 00:41:36.679
 And the

00:41:36.679 --> 00:41:37.339
 best way to

00:41:37.339 --> 00:41:39.319
 do that is

00:41:39.319 --> 00:41:40.000
 to become a

00:41:40.000 --> 00:41:42.139
 member, to

00:41:42.139 --> 00:41:43.759
 identify yourself

00:41:43.759 --> 00:41:44.440
 with your

00:41:44.440 --> 00:41:45.199
 brothers and

00:41:45.199 --> 00:41:45.900
 sisters in

00:41:45.900 --> 00:41:46.339
 Christ.

00:41:49.619 --> 00:41:50.779
 So what is a

00:41:50.779 --> 00:41:51.159
 Christian?

00:41:51.159 --> 00:41:51.259
 Christian?

00:41:52.599 --> 00:41:53.619
 A Christian

00:41:53.619 --> 00:41:54.480
 is someone

00:41:54.480 --> 00:41:56.179
 who has been

00:41:56.179 --> 00:41:57.379
 saved into the

00:41:57.379 --> 00:41:58.239
 church by the

00:41:58.239 --> 00:42:00.219
 gospel and who

00:42:00.219 --> 00:42:02.239
 is committed to

00:42:02.239 --> 00:42:03.099
 their brothers and

00:42:03.099 --> 00:42:03.539
 sisters.

00:42:04.639 --> 00:42:06.920
 What a joy and

00:42:06.920 --> 00:42:07.859
 what a privilege

00:42:07.859 --> 00:42:10.739
 to be in God's

00:42:10.739 --> 00:42:11.519
 church.

00:42:11.519 --> 00:42:11.579
 church.

00:42:12.579 --> 00:42:13.599
 Let's pray.

00:42:13.980 --> 00:42:14.679
 Let's pray.

00:42:14.679 --> 00:42:14.800
 Let's pray.

00:42:14.800 --> 00:42:15.679
 Let's pray.

00:42:15.679 --> 00:42:16.579
 Let's pray.

00:42:16.579 --> 00:42:16.599
 Let's pray.

00:42:28.039 --> 00:42:29.380
 Father, we thank you

00:42:29.380 --> 00:42:31.019
 for the gospel, the

00:42:31.019 --> 00:42:32.340
 good news about

00:42:32.340 --> 00:42:33.420
 Jesus Christ

00:42:33.420 --> 00:42:36.980
 that saves us

00:42:36.980 --> 00:42:40.900
 into your eternal family

00:42:40.900 --> 00:42:44.960
 where we belong to one another.

00:42:45.880 --> 00:42:49.820
 People that you have graciously given to us

00:42:49.820 --> 00:42:52.180
 to encourage us

00:42:52.180 --> 00:42:54.119
 and support us

00:42:54.119 --> 00:42:57.059
 to grow us and mature us.

00:42:57.300 --> 00:43:00.920
 Thank you for brothers and sisters in Christ

00:43:00.920 --> 00:43:04.300
 who are there to help us

00:43:04.300 --> 00:43:08.180
 as we walk our path with Jesus.

00:43:09.420 --> 00:43:12.400
 Father, would you please help us

00:43:12.400 --> 00:43:16.360
 to live out what you have called

00:43:16.360 --> 00:43:17.940
 and created us to be.

00:43:19.039 --> 00:43:21.400
 Thank you so much for the care

00:43:21.400 --> 00:43:23.440
 of this church family.

00:43:24.099 --> 00:43:27.320
 Thank you for all the many ways

00:43:27.320 --> 00:43:29.039
 in which we receive help

00:43:29.039 --> 00:43:32.000
 for words of encouragement

00:43:32.000 --> 00:43:34.259
 for people praying.

00:43:35.300 --> 00:43:36.559
 Thank you, Lord.

00:43:37.860 --> 00:43:40.719
 Please continue to help us and grow us.

00:43:41.480 --> 00:43:42.639
 In Jesus' name.

00:43:43.739 --> 00:43:44.199
 Amen.

00:43:47.420 --> 00:43:49.360
 Well, we're going to sing together.

00:43:49.360 --> 00:43:54.079
 O church, arise

00:43:54.079 --> 00:43:55.900
 as we've been thinking this morning.

00:43:56.860 --> 00:43:59.660
 We hear the call of Christ our captain

00:43:59.660 --> 00:44:02.260
 for now that we can say

00:44:02.260 --> 00:44:03.900
 that they are strong.

00:44:04.079 --> 00:44:05.480
 So let us sing this song

00:44:05.480 --> 00:44:07.519
 as a theme song

00:44:07.519 --> 00:44:09.140
 to encourage one another

00:44:09.140 --> 00:44:12.160
 as we live for Christ.

00:44:12.300 --> 00:44:12.820
 Let's stand.