WEBVTT

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 Here in the West, our individualism is on hyperdrive.

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 We curate our clothes, our fashion, our looks, our likes, our friendships, even our spiritual beliefs.

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 And often this is done with the motivation to be seen as unique or distinct, as an individual in a sea of conformity.

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 And yet for others, their type of individualism feels non-existent because of the demands of family, of children, or other responsibilities.

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 This is difficult because the loss of one's autonomy often feels like a loss of self in our current cultural moment.

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 It's a very unique time in human history where the self has been elevated to almost God-like status.

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 And at the same time, we cannot shake our deep human desire to belong.

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 We want to be noticed and we want people to ask where we were when we didn't show up.

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 That means something to many of us.

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 We want to share in experiences, to be with others who also share our interests, to feel like we are part of a family.

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 And yet, even this good desire, and it is a good desire, seems to be infiltrated by our, I'll call it hyper-individualism.

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 So much so that we only want to be with those that hold our very curated views.

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 People that maybe look the same as us or have the same socioeconomic bracket that we are in.

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 And to be a part of a group with people that are different can feel uncomfortable.

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 There's great irony in our desire to belong if that desire to belong only pushes us to people that are just like ourselves.

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 So on one hand, we have this hyper-individualism.

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 On the other hand, we have this deep, deep, deep desire to belong.

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 How do we remedy this situation?

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 How do we curtail that hyper-individualism that kind of pervades our cultural moment and yet not lose our personal identity?

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 I mean, the scriptures speak of the importance of individualism, in a sense, when it comes to salvation.

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 And yet, at the same time, a connection to the group or a body of believers that do not look like us, but share in the same faith.

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 So in the scripture, we have, in a sense, this image of a balanced individualism with a sense of belonging.

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 But how does that practically play out?

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 Acts chapter 2, the last portion, 42 to the end, 47, will help us understand that.

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 But the answer might be a bit alarming to us.

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 We'll get to that near the end of the sermon.

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 So Luke records Luke chapter 2, 42 to 47, as the first of three summary statements of the church.

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 You can find the other two in Acts chapter 4 and Acts chapter 5 as well.

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 And in these summary statements, we get a picture of the vital importance of shared life together.

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 A picture of what the church is or what it ought to be.

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 And yet, in no way do we get a sense that membership in the church means abandoning one's individuality.

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 So we're going to jump right into Acts chapter 2, 42 to 47.

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 And we're going to see three things that describe and, in a sense, paint a picture of what the church ought to be.

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 Describing three bits of the church.

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 The first one is Acts chapter 2, 42 to 47, will show us the devotional life of the church.

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 The second thing it will show us is that there's a common life of the church.

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 What that looks like.

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 And finally, the third piece will be the joyful life of the church.

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 So in this section, the devotional life of the church, the common life of the church, and the joyful life of the church.

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 So look with me, verse 42.

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 This is a very famous verse.

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 If you've been around the church for a while, it is, in a sense, what a lot of churches want to aspire to, and rightfully so.

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 And this is how it begins.

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 And they, that is the church, devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and the fellowship to the breaking of bread and prayer.

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 These have historically been called the four marks of the church, with some adding a fifth mark.

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 Evangelism.

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 And I think it's safe to include evangelism as a fifth mark.

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 And we see that in verse 47, the last portion, the second half of verse 47, where it says,

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 And the Lord added to their number, day by day, those who were being saved.

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 God's people had a life of devoted study, communal fellowship, eating together, whether or not that was the Lord's Supper at this point, as we understand it, as it came to be articulated by, say, the Apostle Paul.

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 We're unsure.

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 For sure, it was a gathering together, remembering Christ in some kind of way, the breaking of bread.

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 And then there's also times of prayer.

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 And then, like I mentioned, a committed, a commitment to sharing their faith with those around them, in fulfilling Christ's command to bear witness to his resurrection.

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 So we'll briefly touch on all of these marks.

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 I've actually collapsed the breaking of bread and prayer into one mark.

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 So we have four, all total.

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 So we'll jump right in and we'll look at the devoted study of the church.

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 So we see that, the first mark.

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 They devoted themselves to the Apostles' teaching.

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 The church is not a gathering that is foremost concerned with experience.

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 It's not.

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 That's not to say that experience doesn't happen in the church.

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 It doesn't mean that you can have a spiritual experience where it just feels like God's very presence is there.

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 There's something tangible in the air.

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 There's much room for that in church.

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 However, the church is not primarily concerned with experience.

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 But rather, the study, the knowing of and understanding of who God is and what he came to do.

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 And that is, in a sense, described here as the Apostles' teaching.

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 Which is to say, God's word.

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 Our faith must never be anti-intellectual.

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 We must always be people that are trying to learn more about who God is.

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 For those of you that have had the privilege of being married,

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 or being in a relationship for that matter,

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 things go downhill when you stop taking interest in the person that you are with.

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 It's a problem when you stop learning your spouse,

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 or learning your partner,

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 or learning your significant other.

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 It's a problem.

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 Likewise, in the church,

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 if we fail to engage in God's text,

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 we will fail to understand who God is

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 and grow in our knowledge of him.

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 And then,

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 we will fail to grow in our love for him.

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 Our love will grow cold.

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 It will dwindle.

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 In the same way that you might neglect or forget about certain bits of,

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 again, your significant other,

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 your heart will inevitably grow cold towards him or her.

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 So our faith must never be an anti-intellectual one.

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 In fact, anti-intellectualism ought to have no place in the church.

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 And that doesn't mean that we have a room full of Bible scholars.

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 That's not at all what I am suggesting.

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 And nor am I suggesting that after X amount of years in the faith,

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 you ought to know,

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 you know, A, B, and C.

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 You need to be able to,

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 if I'm going to test you on it,

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 you know, you better pass.

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 Or else, you know,

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 what have you been doing for all this time?

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 But what I am saying is that there has to be a trajectory of growth in knowing God's word.

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 There might be seasons where busyness takes over or coldness towards God happens.

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 It happens.

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 Right?

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 A marathon, nobody is running whatever,

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 a super good time per mile the whole way.

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 But the point is,

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 the trajectory continues forward.

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 And I think this is what is identified here

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 when it says that the church is devoted to the apostles' teaching.

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 The call is to commit ourselves to the teaching of God's word,

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 both as individuals,

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 but especially together.

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 And because it's a good thing to be together and to study God's word,

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 but also because you and I have blind spots,

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 or we lack insights.

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 And other people in our congregation,

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 they might have wonderful insights that you do not have.

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 They have blind spots, but not your blind spots.

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 And all of a sudden,

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 as the Proverbs say,

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 iron starts to sharpen iron.

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 And that's how we grow together,

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 as we open God's word together.

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 Again, that is not a call to have some next level seminary Bible studies every single time,

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 but a commitment to growing in our knowledge of God's word.

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 The second thing that it mentions is a devotion to fellowship.

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 And this is connected.

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 There's a lot of interconnections here,

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 but a commitment, a devotion to fellowship.

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 So I'll say more about this on the next point.

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 However, I'll just simply say that the church must be committed to loving

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 and partnering with one another,

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 showing concern for one another,

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 for our well-being,

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 for our spiritual well-being,

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 our physical well-being,

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 but to also then to partner with one another

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 as we seek to obey God and the things he's called us to.

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 Studying his word,

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 sharing the faith,

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 being a comfort in difficult times,

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 sharing our resources.

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 The next bit is to worship.

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 And remember,

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 I've collapsed breaking of bread and prayer under the point of worship.

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 So although it does not specifically name the breaking of bread,

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 like I mentioned,

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 to mean the Lord's Prayer,

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 certainly this is a shared meal of remembering the sacrifice of Christ,

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 but also to remember that for 40 days,

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 Jesus dined with his disciples.

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 And I'm sure those were wonderful meals.

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 And also wonderful because Christ,

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 who died and was buried,

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 rose again,

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 and we got to spend time with him in the flesh.

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 So every time we gathered,

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 we trusted that by his spirit,

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 he was there.

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 And this is what it is pointing to

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 when it says they devoted themselves to the breaking of bread.

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 When we have potlucks,

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 we try to mimic that.

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 I mean,

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 we're trying to get to know each other and enjoy a meal together,

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 but we are gathering as Christ's people together over a shared meal,

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 hopefully remembering Christ,

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 speaking of him,

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 sharing our lives together,

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 growing so that we may show care

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 and that we may extend our helping hand to our brothers and sisters,

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 or maybe partner with them in sharing the gospel.

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 Notice also that their prayer time was both in the temple and in homes.

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 We see that in verse 46,

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 and day by day,

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 attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes,

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 they receive their food with glad and generous hearts.

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 We see that worship was both structured and unstructured.

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 It was both in a large group as well as in smaller groups.

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 There was worship and prayer in both the fear and the joy of the Lord.

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 We see that in verse 43,

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 an awe or fear came upon every soul,

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 and many wonders and signs were done through the apostles.

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 So worship here is this beautiful picture of shared concern,

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 shared fellowship,

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 shared worship,

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 at the table,

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 at church,

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 in the case,

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 you know,

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 they didn't have the church,

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 it was the temple,

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 but you understand what I'm trying to communicate.

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 It was in large gatherings,

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 it was in small gatherings.

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 It was,

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 in a sense,

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 with great reverence and awe,

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 but also with great joy and spontaneity.

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 That worship for the early church came to define their lives,

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 both in public and in private.

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 That it permeated their whole being.

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 And finally,

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 the last point is evangelism.

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 They devoted themselves to evangelism.

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 And it's really easy to take verse 42 out of context.

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 This is what the church is about.

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 I've heard many sermons or read articles that,

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 I mean,

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 it's just Acts 2.42.

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 We're going to be at Acts 2.42 church,

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 and that is very fantastic.

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 And if you're going to go towards any kind of vision of the church,

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 that's a fantastic vision of the church.

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 But it's,

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 to just talk about verse 42 is taking the text out of context,

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 and forgetting that Jesus commanded the church to bear witness to the resurrection in chapter 1, verse 8.

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 It also fails to remember that the church is themselves a collection of evangelized to converts.

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 We see that in verse 37 to 41 in chapter 2 as well.

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 Verse 47,

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 The Lord was saving many,

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 presumably through the evangelization of the church.

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 This is maybe the hard part for us today.

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 I will say for myself,

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 it is a hard part.

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 I can have fellowship meals till the cows come home.

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 I can pray with folks.

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 I enjoy it.

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 I enjoy opening God's word.

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 Evangelism seems a bit scary.

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 It seems a bit much sometimes.

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 It can be difficult for us,

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 because, again,

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 we live in a culture where there's a hyper-individualism,

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 and it's also mixed with a pluralism intolerance,

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 where any opposition to one's belief is an infringement upon their very person.

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 It's offensive.

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 It can be very offensive to share the faith,

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 because you're implying that your beliefs are not true.

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 To present the good news of the risen Christ can be seen as deeply offensive,

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 and who wants to be somebody who offends?

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 But look with me.

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 Again, verse 47,

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 the second part of verse 47.

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 And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved.

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 So this is what they're committed to.

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 Bearing witness to Christ,

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 trusting that whether it falls on ears that want to hear,

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 or deaf ears,

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 it's actually not up to them to move the ball any further.

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 That it's God and God alone who saves.

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 We simply bear witness to Christ,

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 but it is the Lord who saves,

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 and also the Lord who welcomes into his church all whom he calls.

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 So it's a good work of God, not us,

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 to change the hearts of people.

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 We are called only to bear witness to him,

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 to share with others what we ourselves have witnessed.

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 And he invites us as his church to participate in this wonderful,

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 and at times unnerving ministry of saving the lost.

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 It is not an easy thing,

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 but then we go back and remember,

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 hold on a second,

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 I'm a part of a community,

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 I'm a part of a church,

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 I'm a part of spurring one another on.

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 I don't have to do this myself.

00:17:15.180 --> 00:17:17.339
 So we have the church that supports us,

00:17:17.339 --> 00:17:20.119
 we have Christ who supports us,

00:17:20.179 --> 00:17:22.159
 we have the Holy Spirit who enables us,

00:17:22.399 --> 00:17:24.759
 and then we start to see that the mark of the church

00:17:24.759 --> 00:17:29.259
 is to bear witness to the cross.

00:17:29.500 --> 00:17:33.199
 And we ought to expect, in a sense,

00:17:33.679 --> 00:17:34.980
 that here, just like here,

00:17:35.099 --> 00:17:36.339
 that day by day,

00:17:36.439 --> 00:17:38.240
 whether that is maybe month by month,

00:17:38.299 --> 00:17:39.439
 or throughout the year,

00:17:40.000 --> 00:17:40.399
 those,

00:17:41.579 --> 00:17:43.500
 that their number was added to,

00:17:43.500 --> 00:17:45.339
 those being saved,

00:17:45.380 --> 00:17:46.980
 that the Lord added to their number.

00:17:48.119 --> 00:17:52.640
 That we ought to see and expect God to do a wonderful work amongst us,

00:17:52.660 --> 00:17:55.240
 as we are faithful and obedient to him.

00:17:56.720 --> 00:17:58.640
 So the devotion to study,

00:17:58.859 --> 00:17:59.559
 for fellowship,

00:17:59.759 --> 00:18:00.259
 for worship,

00:18:00.559 --> 00:18:01.700
 to evangelize,

00:18:02.019 --> 00:18:03.640
 they're all marks of the church,

00:18:04.079 --> 00:18:06.460
 and not just the individual Christian.

00:18:07.539 --> 00:18:09.519
 We are called out of our sin and brokenness,

00:18:09.579 --> 00:18:11.259
 and into belonging and mission.

00:18:11.259 --> 00:18:12.519
 And friends,

00:18:12.680 --> 00:18:14.879
 to live a devoted Christian life,

00:18:15.240 --> 00:18:17.420
 disconnected from the larger body of believers,

00:18:17.579 --> 00:18:20.240
 is actually not to live a devoted Christian life.

00:18:22.019 --> 00:18:23.339
 So we are called,

00:18:23.660 --> 00:18:24.279
 in a sense,

00:18:24.579 --> 00:18:25.779
 to, yes,

00:18:25.859 --> 00:18:27.039
 devote ourselves to scripture,

00:18:27.720 --> 00:18:29.480
 and to praying,

00:18:29.740 --> 00:18:30.940
 and to evangelize,

00:18:31.339 --> 00:18:33.980
 as individuals,

00:18:34.339 --> 00:18:35.579
 but make no mistake,

00:18:35.700 --> 00:18:40.000
 this is given to us in the context of Christ's church.

00:18:41.259 --> 00:18:44.940
 And this leads us to our second point,

00:18:45.079 --> 00:18:47.940
 where we will explore the second mark,

00:18:48.279 --> 00:18:50.359
 of the church's fellowship,

00:18:50.579 --> 00:18:51.579
 in greater detail.

00:18:52.640 --> 00:18:54.039
 So the second point,

00:18:54.180 --> 00:18:55.579
 the common life of the church.

00:18:55.920 --> 00:18:56.920
 Our common life together,

00:18:57.019 --> 00:18:58.119
 takes two main forms.

00:18:58.879 --> 00:18:59.819
 The first is,

00:19:00.000 --> 00:19:00.640
 our common faith.

00:19:01.740 --> 00:19:03.039
 We've looked at it already,

00:19:03.200 --> 00:19:05.140
 but I'll add one additional thing,

00:19:05.359 --> 00:19:06.539
 to this.

00:19:06.539 --> 00:19:10.420
 We are in fellowship with everyone in this church,

00:19:10.420 --> 00:19:12.259
 that has claimed to,

00:19:13.159 --> 00:19:14.619
 that has professed Christ,

00:19:14.779 --> 00:19:15.859
 and has been baptized.

00:19:17.119 --> 00:19:20.960
 But we are also in fellowship with believers across the globe,

00:19:21.519 --> 00:19:24.799
 with saints in every continent,

00:19:25.480 --> 00:19:27.440
 that are breathing right now,

00:19:27.559 --> 00:19:30.659
 that have prayed to Christ today,

00:19:30.779 --> 00:19:31.279
 this morning,

00:19:31.500 --> 00:19:32.680
 as they gathered to church,

00:19:32.680 --> 00:19:34.380
 whether that be in a church,

00:19:34.799 --> 00:19:36.799
 or in a home,

00:19:36.960 --> 00:19:39.340
 because they've had to go underground.

00:19:41.560 --> 00:19:45.180
 We are also in fellowship with the saints that have gone before us,

00:19:45.220 --> 00:19:45.820
 that have departed.

00:19:46.860 --> 00:19:48.400
 Whether it be last year,

00:19:48.519 --> 00:19:49.840
 or a millennia ago,

00:19:49.940 --> 00:19:52.620
 we are in fellowship with the apostles.

00:19:53.100 --> 00:19:55.019
 We are in fellowship with St. Augustine.

00:19:55.140 --> 00:19:58.759
 We are in fellowship with Wilberforce,

00:19:58.759 --> 00:19:59.940
 and Simeon,

00:20:00.160 --> 00:20:02.579
 and Billy Graham,

00:20:02.720 --> 00:20:05.420
 and whoever else is a saint in Christ Jesus.

00:20:05.599 --> 00:20:07.180
 That is a part of our heritage.

00:20:07.859 --> 00:20:09.660
 That is a part of our fellowship.

00:20:11.559 --> 00:20:14.299
 We have saints that we can look to

00:20:14.299 --> 00:20:18.619
 as the means by which we ought to

00:20:18.619 --> 00:20:21.379
 understand the scriptures a bit more.

00:20:21.559 --> 00:20:23.819
 We can see how people have understood the scriptures,

00:20:24.160 --> 00:20:25.240
 and learn from them.

00:20:25.240 --> 00:20:28.900
 So we have inherited this wonderful faith

00:20:28.900 --> 00:20:29.799
 that is so much bigger,

00:20:30.000 --> 00:20:30.380
 and broader,

00:20:30.519 --> 00:20:30.980
 and diverse,

00:20:31.140 --> 00:20:32.059
 and older than we are.

00:20:32.920 --> 00:20:35.339
 And it means also that we have roots that run deep,

00:20:35.980 --> 00:20:38.519
 and connections that span the globe,

00:20:39.059 --> 00:20:40.440
 and of all time.

00:20:41.599 --> 00:20:42.940
 Our supports are strong.

00:20:44.000 --> 00:20:46.079
 And we are weaker when we forget this.

00:20:46.920 --> 00:20:48.880
 Our fellowship is deep.

00:20:49.839 --> 00:20:51.799
 And all of this is because Christ Jesus

00:20:51.799 --> 00:20:53.440
 broke down the walls that divide,

00:20:53.440 --> 00:20:56.220
 so that all who are united to Him

00:20:56.220 --> 00:20:58.200
 are a part of a family.

00:21:00.519 --> 00:21:02.480
 So the other aspect of our common faith

00:21:02.480 --> 00:21:04.860
 is a profound generosity

00:21:04.860 --> 00:21:06.519
 amongst ourselves.

00:21:07.039 --> 00:21:09.120
 So notice in verse 44 and 45

00:21:09.120 --> 00:21:10.460
 of Acts chapter 2.

00:21:11.160 --> 00:21:13.080
 And all who believed were together

00:21:13.080 --> 00:21:14.580
 and had all things in common,

00:21:15.240 --> 00:21:16.640
 and they were selling their possessions

00:21:16.640 --> 00:21:18.320
 and belongings and distributing

00:21:18.320 --> 00:21:19.840
 the proceeds to all

00:21:19.840 --> 00:21:22.019
 as any had need.

00:21:22.019 --> 00:21:25.079
 This is not a move towards

00:21:25.079 --> 00:21:26.660
 a kind of communism,

00:21:26.839 --> 00:21:28.059
 a proto-communism

00:21:28.059 --> 00:21:31.319
 in the New Testament.

00:21:31.799 --> 00:21:33.119
 Private property is not forbidden

00:21:33.119 --> 00:21:34.119
 in the New Testament.

00:21:34.440 --> 00:21:35.319
 I mean, we'll see here

00:21:35.319 --> 00:21:36.440
 a bit later on,

00:21:36.519 --> 00:21:37.160
 the next verse,

00:21:37.319 --> 00:21:38.379
 it says that they were meeting

00:21:38.379 --> 00:21:39.879
 in people's houses for worship.

00:21:40.859 --> 00:21:42.200
 Well, you have to own a house

00:21:42.200 --> 00:21:42.920
 to meet in it.

00:21:43.559 --> 00:21:45.240
 It would imply that private property

00:21:45.240 --> 00:21:46.700
 is certainly not forbidden

00:21:46.700 --> 00:21:48.379
 amongst God's people.

00:21:48.380 --> 00:21:51.200
 So the next verse,

00:21:51.680 --> 00:21:52.140
 oh, sorry.

00:21:53.400 --> 00:21:54.800
 So although Christ does call

00:21:54.800 --> 00:21:56.020
 some believers to live

00:21:56.020 --> 00:21:57.820
 a life of voluntary poverty,

00:21:57.960 --> 00:21:58.860
 and He certainly does,

00:22:00.000 --> 00:22:01.360
 it is not a demand.

00:22:02.800 --> 00:22:04.940
 What is expected of God's people

00:22:04.940 --> 00:22:08.320
 is a people that are generous,

00:22:09.220 --> 00:22:10.420
 a people that will give

00:22:10.420 --> 00:22:12.180
 especially to the needy

00:22:12.180 --> 00:22:13.140
 and the impoverished.

00:22:13.140 --> 00:22:15.520
 And this is to be a reflection

00:22:15.520 --> 00:22:16.340
 of the generosity

00:22:16.340 --> 00:22:18.000
 that Christ has shown to us.

00:22:19.800 --> 00:22:21.580
 I guess the call, in a sense,

00:22:21.720 --> 00:22:23.300
 is like a divine pay-it-forward.

00:22:23.560 --> 00:22:25.660
 Christ gave us His life

00:22:25.660 --> 00:22:28.580
 with pure generosity.

00:22:29.520 --> 00:22:31.400
 So we ought to be generous to others.

00:22:34.400 --> 00:22:35.660
 If we are the people

00:22:35.660 --> 00:22:36.680
 who carry His name,

00:22:36.740 --> 00:22:38.259
 we ought to exercise generosity

00:22:38.259 --> 00:22:39.600
 like He did.

00:22:40.360 --> 00:22:40.680
 And in fact,

00:22:40.800 --> 00:22:42.180
 generosity is a type of proof

00:22:42.180 --> 00:22:44.140
 that we are walking with Christ.

00:22:44.340 --> 00:22:47.480
 We see this in 1 John 3, 16-18,

00:22:47.600 --> 00:22:48.560
 and it reads this.

00:22:50.340 --> 00:22:51.720
 By this we know love,

00:22:52.140 --> 00:22:53.380
 that He, Christ,

00:22:53.519 --> 00:22:54.880
 laid down His life for us,

00:22:55.420 --> 00:22:56.680
 and we ought to lay down

00:22:56.680 --> 00:22:57.720
 our lives for the brothers.

00:22:58.720 --> 00:23:00.480
 But if anyone has the world's goods

00:23:00.480 --> 00:23:02.259
 and sees his brother in need,

00:23:02.740 --> 00:23:06.039
 yet chooses his heart against him,

00:23:06.420 --> 00:23:08.920
 how does God's love abide in him?

00:23:09.779 --> 00:23:10.400
 Little children,

00:23:10.400 --> 00:23:12.360
 let us not love in word or talk,

00:23:12.440 --> 00:23:14.460
 but in deed and in truth.

00:23:15.920 --> 00:23:17.680
 Generosity will also help us

00:23:17.680 --> 00:23:20.240
 to not just reflect Christ,

00:23:20.360 --> 00:23:22.100
 but it will also help us

00:23:22.100 --> 00:23:23.900
 to let go of the things

00:23:23.900 --> 00:23:26.560
 that we are holding onto

00:23:26.560 --> 00:23:29.280
 that are taking the form

00:23:29.280 --> 00:23:31.560
 of idols in our lives.

00:23:32.400 --> 00:23:34.320
 Giving has this incredible ability

00:23:34.320 --> 00:23:36.920
 to strip us of our idolatry

00:23:36.920 --> 00:23:38.259
 and help us to look to Christ.

00:23:44.640 --> 00:23:46.320
 We will not be perfect in this.

00:23:47.960 --> 00:23:49.519
 Many of us,

00:23:49.600 --> 00:23:51.720
 it takes time to learn to be generous,

00:23:52.039 --> 00:23:53.380
 because there is great fear

00:23:53.380 --> 00:23:54.900
 that we will not have provision,

00:23:55.440 --> 00:23:57.820
 that if we are to give to others

00:23:57.820 --> 00:23:58.660
 or to the church,

00:23:59.200 --> 00:24:00.820
 we will not have enough

00:24:00.820 --> 00:24:03.460
 to take care of me.

00:24:03.460 --> 00:24:05.860
 So, oftentimes,

00:24:06.539 --> 00:24:08.160
 there is a growth in generosity,

00:24:08.640 --> 00:24:10.700
 and that is precisely okay.

00:24:11.860 --> 00:24:13.559
 We are called to, again,

00:24:13.759 --> 00:24:15.319
 trend in the right direction,

00:24:15.860 --> 00:24:18.640
 to grow in obedience.

00:24:20.059 --> 00:24:21.559
 So let us, by God's help,

00:24:22.000 --> 00:24:23.319
 strive to be generous people.

00:24:23.319 --> 00:24:25.179
 If you see a need,

00:24:26.799 --> 00:24:29.639
 as maybe one suggestion,

00:24:30.439 --> 00:24:31.319
 if you see a need,

00:24:32.740 --> 00:24:34.839
 maybe don't ask

00:24:34.839 --> 00:24:36.159
 if somebody else has met it,

00:24:36.259 --> 00:24:37.279
 but try to meet it yourself.

00:24:38.480 --> 00:24:39.859
 And that might not be

00:24:39.859 --> 00:24:43.519
 a monetary answering of a need.

00:24:44.000 --> 00:24:45.159
 That might be your time.

00:24:46.259 --> 00:24:47.539
 That might be your giftings

00:24:47.539 --> 00:24:48.379
 or your abilities.

00:24:49.200 --> 00:24:50.460
 But don't necessarily wait

00:24:50.460 --> 00:24:51.639
 for somebody to pick up the phone

00:24:51.640 --> 00:24:54.620
 or send a message asking for help

00:24:54.620 --> 00:24:55.620
 until you help.

00:24:57.040 --> 00:24:58.960
 Grow in your generosity,

00:24:59.380 --> 00:25:00.820
 remembering that it is Christ

00:25:00.820 --> 00:25:02.300
 who is so generous to you.

00:25:04.060 --> 00:25:05.820
 The common life of the church

00:25:05.820 --> 00:25:07.900
 will be one of shared faith

00:25:07.900 --> 00:25:10.340
 and shared need.

00:25:11.640 --> 00:25:13.120
 So, again, like I mentioned,

00:25:13.220 --> 00:25:14.120
 what we see is not

00:25:14.120 --> 00:25:15.800
 an ancient proto-communism,

00:25:16.120 --> 00:25:18.620
 but a type of joy-filled life

00:25:18.620 --> 00:25:20.920
 that flows out of the gospel of Christ.

00:25:20.920 --> 00:25:22.039
 And this leads us into

00:25:22.039 --> 00:25:23.380
 our third and final point,

00:25:24.100 --> 00:25:25.620
 that the life of the church

00:25:25.620 --> 00:25:26.740
 is a joy-filled one.

00:25:28.140 --> 00:25:30.080
 So, the church is devoted to worship.

00:25:31.380 --> 00:25:35.120
 It is devoted to communal fellowship.

00:25:36.180 --> 00:25:38.519
 But it is also committed,

00:25:38.759 --> 00:25:39.720
 in a sense, to joy.

00:25:41.200 --> 00:25:44.240
 And that joy flows out of Christ.

00:25:44.240 --> 00:25:46.700
 The year of Jubilee

00:25:46.700 --> 00:25:48.799
 was an Old Testament event

00:25:48.799 --> 00:25:50.400
 that was a celebration

00:25:50.400 --> 00:25:51.859
 of incredible joy

00:25:51.859 --> 00:25:53.880
 where forgiveness and freedom

00:25:53.880 --> 00:25:55.620
 became the law of the land

00:25:55.620 --> 00:25:56.480
 for an entire year.

00:25:57.339 --> 00:25:58.259
 It seems almost,

00:25:59.359 --> 00:26:01.380
 I'm personally a bit skeptical of it.

00:26:01.700 --> 00:26:02.720
 For an entire year,

00:26:03.259 --> 00:26:06.759
 there is complete joy,

00:26:06.980 --> 00:26:07.559
 no working,

00:26:07.759 --> 00:26:08.380
 no reaping,

00:26:08.460 --> 00:26:09.120
 no sowing.

00:26:09.119 --> 00:26:10.559
 It is supposed to be

00:26:10.559 --> 00:26:12.079
 a wonderful,

00:26:12.799 --> 00:26:13.199
 jubilant,

00:26:13.519 --> 00:26:14.359
 joyful year.

00:26:14.539 --> 00:26:15.279
 Not week,

00:26:15.959 --> 00:26:16.899
 not month.

00:26:17.199 --> 00:26:17.839
 Okay, a month,

00:26:18.399 --> 00:26:18.859
 maybe you're,

00:26:19.479 --> 00:26:20.619
 I could believe it's,

00:26:20.759 --> 00:26:21.679
 but a whole year.

00:26:22.259 --> 00:26:23.339
 The year of Jubilee.

00:26:25.319 --> 00:26:27.579
 All needs were to be met.

00:26:27.859 --> 00:26:29.299
 Slaves would be freed.

00:26:29.939 --> 00:26:31.500
 No one is supposed to go

00:26:31.500 --> 00:26:32.119
 without.

00:26:32.459 --> 00:26:33.339
 Work suspended,

00:26:33.579 --> 00:26:34.759
 feasting expected.

00:26:34.759 --> 00:26:37.119
 God was to be worshipped

00:26:37.119 --> 00:26:37.680
 and remembered

00:26:37.680 --> 00:26:38.539
 for his salvation

00:26:38.539 --> 00:26:39.200
 to the people

00:26:39.200 --> 00:26:39.900
 whom he rescued

00:26:39.900 --> 00:26:41.079
 from slavery.

00:26:42.079 --> 00:26:43.180
 The year of Jubilee.

00:26:44.359 --> 00:26:45.900
 And this joy-filled Jubilee

00:26:45.900 --> 00:26:47.619
 happened every 50 years.

00:26:49.720 --> 00:26:51.379
 And what we see in Acts 2

00:26:51.379 --> 00:26:52.240
 is a kind of Jubilee.

00:26:53.220 --> 00:26:54.740
 We see this community

00:26:54.740 --> 00:26:55.759
 that is being

00:26:55.759 --> 00:26:57.379
 freed from slavery

00:26:57.379 --> 00:26:58.700
 and from sin

00:26:58.700 --> 00:27:01.400
 and from bondage

00:27:01.400 --> 00:27:02.740
 by Christ Jesus,

00:27:03.440 --> 00:27:04.680
 freed in order to do

00:27:04.680 --> 00:27:04.940
 what?

00:27:05.080 --> 00:27:05.740
 To rejoice

00:27:05.740 --> 00:27:07.580
 and to free other people

00:27:07.580 --> 00:27:08.480
 or to be at least

00:27:08.480 --> 00:27:09.539
 a tool by which God

00:27:09.539 --> 00:27:10.840
 uses to free other people

00:27:10.840 --> 00:27:12.200
 and to make sure

00:27:12.200 --> 00:27:13.539
 that there is no need

00:27:13.539 --> 00:27:14.299
 amongst them.

00:27:14.980 --> 00:27:15.680
 That generosity

00:27:15.680 --> 00:27:17.180
 becomes the very thing

00:27:17.180 --> 00:27:18.660
 that marks the church.

00:27:18.820 --> 00:27:20.259
 That joy becomes

00:27:20.259 --> 00:27:21.400
 the very thing

00:27:21.400 --> 00:27:23.180
 that marks the church.

00:27:27.920 --> 00:27:29.000
 And it's wonderful

00:27:29.000 --> 00:27:29.759
 in a sense

00:27:29.759 --> 00:27:30.279
 that

00:27:30.279 --> 00:27:32.799
 what we see here

00:27:32.799 --> 00:27:35.019
 happens 50 days

00:27:35.019 --> 00:27:36.359
 after Christ Jesus

00:27:36.359 --> 00:27:38.899
 rises from the grave.

00:27:39.819 --> 00:27:41.599
 It's as if Luke is saying,

00:27:41.720 --> 00:27:42.059
 hey listen,

00:27:42.180 --> 00:27:43.119
 this is what's happening.

00:27:43.399 --> 00:27:44.180
 We're starting to see

00:27:44.180 --> 00:27:45.440
 bits of Jubilee

00:27:45.440 --> 00:27:46.740
 take root

00:27:46.740 --> 00:27:47.779
 in the church.

00:27:48.539 --> 00:27:50.139
 Remember what Jubilee is like?

00:27:51.139 --> 00:27:52.460
 It points to heaven

00:27:52.460 --> 00:27:54.180
 and how in heaven

00:27:54.180 --> 00:27:55.000
 there will be

00:27:55.000 --> 00:27:55.940
 no slave,

00:27:57.000 --> 00:27:58.019
 there will be

00:27:58.019 --> 00:27:59.339
 no person

00:27:59.339 --> 00:28:00.200
 in bondage,

00:28:00.359 --> 00:28:00.660
 there will be

00:28:00.660 --> 00:28:01.279
 no person

00:28:01.279 --> 00:28:02.220
 guilt-ridden

00:28:02.220 --> 00:28:02.900
 with sin,

00:28:03.339 --> 00:28:04.119
 there will be

00:28:04.119 --> 00:28:05.200
 no hungry stomach

00:28:05.200 --> 00:28:08.059
 or emaciated face

00:28:08.059 --> 00:28:10.559
 or disease

00:28:10.559 --> 00:28:11.480
 or pain,

00:28:12.279 --> 00:28:13.279
 no tears

00:28:13.279 --> 00:28:14.200
 from sorrow.

00:28:16.079 --> 00:28:16.740
 And now,

00:28:17.599 --> 00:28:19.079
 in the Old Testament,

00:28:19.319 --> 00:28:20.639
 this was every 50 years,

00:28:20.640 --> 00:28:22.580
 but in the new covenant

00:28:22.580 --> 00:28:23.300
 that God,

00:28:23.800 --> 00:28:24.759
 He institutes

00:28:24.759 --> 00:28:26.000
 by the life

00:28:26.000 --> 00:28:26.440
 and death

00:28:26.440 --> 00:28:26.960
 and resurrection

00:28:26.960 --> 00:28:27.720
 and ascension

00:28:27.720 --> 00:28:28.360
 of His Son

00:28:28.360 --> 00:28:29.360
 and the coming down

00:28:29.360 --> 00:28:30.160
 of the Holy Spirit,

00:28:30.580 --> 00:28:31.860
 it becomes our reality

00:28:31.860 --> 00:28:32.300
 daily.

00:28:33.820 --> 00:28:35.020
 That it points

00:28:35.020 --> 00:28:36.700
 us to this

00:28:36.700 --> 00:28:38.360
 end of the age

00:28:38.360 --> 00:28:40.100
 when all wrongs

00:28:40.100 --> 00:28:40.940
 will be righted,

00:28:41.320 --> 00:28:42.080
 when we will live

00:28:42.080 --> 00:28:43.259
 forever in eternity

00:28:43.259 --> 00:28:44.840
 in Jubilee

00:28:44.840 --> 00:28:45.720
 and it begins

00:28:45.720 --> 00:28:46.480
 right now.

00:28:50.640 --> 00:28:52.680
 And what's interesting,

00:28:53.220 --> 00:28:53.620
 friends,

00:28:53.780 --> 00:28:54.240
 is that

00:28:54.240 --> 00:28:55.960
 there is no room

00:28:55.960 --> 00:28:57.240
 for hyper-individualism

00:28:57.240 --> 00:28:59.220
 in the year of Jubilee,

00:28:59.660 --> 00:29:00.980
 in a land of Jubilee,

00:29:01.160 --> 00:29:01.900
 in an eternity

00:29:01.900 --> 00:29:02.860
 with Jubilee.

00:29:05.280 --> 00:29:06.540
 We can't

00:29:06.540 --> 00:29:10.040
 be about ourselves

00:29:10.040 --> 00:29:10.620
 primarily

00:29:10.620 --> 00:29:11.360
 and also

00:29:11.360 --> 00:29:12.420
 about others

00:29:12.420 --> 00:29:13.080
 primarily.

00:29:14.180 --> 00:29:15.700
 So to wrap things up,

00:29:16.160 --> 00:29:17.160
 I asked the question

00:29:17.160 --> 00:29:17.620
 at the beginning,

00:29:17.759 --> 00:29:18.540
 how do we

00:29:18.540 --> 00:29:19.740
 balance

00:29:19.740 --> 00:29:21.200
 this hyper-individualism

00:29:21.200 --> 00:29:22.220
 with our

00:29:22.220 --> 00:29:23.059
 deep,

00:29:23.180 --> 00:29:23.700
 deep desire

00:29:23.700 --> 00:29:24.420
 to belong

00:29:24.420 --> 00:29:25.920
 and I said

00:29:25.920 --> 00:29:27.039
 something to the effect

00:29:27.039 --> 00:29:27.440
 of

00:29:27.440 --> 00:29:29.319
 the answer

00:29:29.319 --> 00:29:30.180
 is actually

00:29:30.180 --> 00:29:31.039
 not really easy

00:29:31.039 --> 00:29:31.680
 to stomach

00:29:31.680 --> 00:29:32.380
 in a way.

00:29:32.740 --> 00:29:32.960
 I mean,

00:29:33.000 --> 00:29:33.420
 we're kind of,

00:29:33.920 --> 00:29:35.120
 we're talking about it

00:29:35.120 --> 00:29:36.039
 in Acts chapter 2

00:29:36.039 --> 00:29:37.039
 but really,

00:29:37.240 --> 00:29:37.720
 here's the key.

00:29:38.839 --> 00:29:39.480
 Here's the key.

00:29:40.120 --> 00:29:40.779
 How do we deal

00:29:40.779 --> 00:29:42.380
 with our hyper-individualism

00:29:42.380 --> 00:29:43.779
 and how do we embrace

00:29:43.779 --> 00:29:45.279
 this communal life

00:29:45.279 --> 00:29:45.880
 of belonging

00:29:45.880 --> 00:29:46.259
 that

00:29:46.259 --> 00:29:47.460
 doesn't end

00:29:47.460 --> 00:29:47.920
 in this life

00:29:47.920 --> 00:29:48.799
 but continues on

00:29:48.799 --> 00:29:49.339
 to eternity?

00:29:49.740 --> 00:29:50.359
 We die.

00:29:51.359 --> 00:29:52.140
 We die.

00:29:52.299 --> 00:29:53.079
 That is what the Scripture

00:29:53.079 --> 00:29:53.880
 calls us to do.

00:29:53.960 --> 00:29:54.400
 We die.

00:29:55.079 --> 00:29:56.599
 We die to ourselves

00:29:56.599 --> 00:29:58.420
 which is on one hand

00:29:58.420 --> 00:29:58.980
 really hard

00:29:58.980 --> 00:29:59.700
 but through Christ

00:29:59.700 --> 00:30:00.220
 we die

00:30:00.220 --> 00:30:01.859
 so that we may live.

00:30:03.460 --> 00:30:04.240
 Ephesians 2,

00:30:04.339 --> 00:30:05.039
 1-10

00:30:05.039 --> 00:30:06.120
 I mean,

00:30:06.180 --> 00:30:07.519
 this is a beautiful picture

00:30:07.519 --> 00:30:08.720
 of what it looks like

00:30:08.720 --> 00:30:10.000
 to die to ourselves.

00:30:10.440 --> 00:30:11.220
 I won't read the full

00:30:11.220 --> 00:30:11.980
 ten verses

00:30:11.980 --> 00:30:12.680
 but it says

00:30:12.680 --> 00:30:13.559
 in verse 1

00:30:13.559 --> 00:30:14.019
 and following,

00:30:14.019 --> 00:30:15.359
 and you were dead

00:30:15.359 --> 00:30:16.779
 in the trespasses

00:30:16.779 --> 00:30:17.420
 and sins

00:30:17.420 --> 00:30:19.059
 in which you once walked

00:30:19.059 --> 00:30:19.980
 following the course

00:30:19.980 --> 00:30:20.599
 of this world

00:30:20.599 --> 00:30:21.960
 following the prince

00:30:21.960 --> 00:30:23.039
 of the power of the air

00:30:23.039 --> 00:30:23.539
 the spirit

00:30:23.539 --> 00:30:24.420
 that is now at work

00:30:24.420 --> 00:30:26.220
 in the sons of disobedience

00:30:26.220 --> 00:30:27.940
 among whom

00:30:27.940 --> 00:30:29.059
 all once lived

00:30:29.059 --> 00:30:29.660
 in the passions

00:30:29.660 --> 00:30:30.519
 of our flesh

00:30:30.519 --> 00:30:32.259
 carrying out the desires

00:30:32.259 --> 00:30:33.000
 of the body

00:30:33.000 --> 00:30:33.619
 and the mind

00:30:33.619 --> 00:30:34.480
 and were by nature

00:30:34.480 --> 00:30:36.039
 children of wrath

00:30:36.039 --> 00:30:37.139
 like the rest

00:30:37.139 --> 00:30:38.000
 of mankind.

00:30:38.500 --> 00:30:38.879
 Verse 4

00:30:38.880 --> 00:30:54.420
 What does it mean

00:30:54.420 --> 00:30:55.540
 to die to self?

00:30:57.040 --> 00:30:58.440
 It means to trust Christ

00:30:58.440 --> 00:30:59.320
 for your salvation.

00:31:00.500 --> 00:31:01.520
 To stop trying to

00:31:01.520 --> 00:31:02.120
 in a sense

00:31:02.120 --> 00:31:03.660
 live the good life

00:31:03.660 --> 00:31:04.800
 on your own terms

00:31:04.800 --> 00:31:07.560
 by the sweat

00:31:07.560 --> 00:31:08.540
 of your own brow

00:31:08.539 --> 00:31:10.740
 with a self-righteousness

00:31:10.740 --> 00:31:12.180
 that will flare up

00:31:12.180 --> 00:31:14.200
 or a crushing

00:31:14.200 --> 00:31:15.039
 crushing

00:31:15.039 --> 00:31:15.599
 crushing

00:31:15.599 --> 00:31:17.899
 feeling of guilt

00:31:17.899 --> 00:31:18.519
 and shame

00:31:18.519 --> 00:31:19.859
 when you don't add up.

00:31:20.960 --> 00:31:22.000
 To die to yourself

00:31:22.000 --> 00:31:23.359
 means to trust Christ

00:31:23.359 --> 00:31:24.920
 for salvation

00:31:24.920 --> 00:31:26.559
 and it is grace

00:31:26.559 --> 00:31:27.079
 that he will

00:31:27.079 --> 00:31:28.799
 it will be by grace

00:31:28.799 --> 00:31:29.759
 that he will save you.

00:31:30.159 --> 00:31:30.420
 Why?

00:31:30.879 --> 00:31:31.940
 Because he is rich

00:31:31.940 --> 00:31:32.559
 in mercy.

00:31:32.700 --> 00:31:33.379
 He is abounding

00:31:33.379 --> 00:31:34.559
 in steadfast love

00:31:34.559 --> 00:31:36.200
 because he himself

00:31:36.200 --> 00:31:36.859
 is love.

00:31:36.859 --> 00:31:39.619
 This is what has

00:31:39.619 --> 00:31:40.759
 happened with the believers

00:31:40.759 --> 00:31:42.500
 of chapter 2

00:31:42.500 --> 00:31:43.740
 verse 42 to 47.

00:31:43.979 --> 00:31:44.619
 You see

00:31:44.619 --> 00:31:45.779
 in a sense

00:31:45.779 --> 00:31:47.079
 these are dead people

00:31:47.079 --> 00:31:48.659
 dead to their previous life

00:31:48.659 --> 00:31:49.859
 and alive in Christ

00:31:49.859 --> 00:31:52.139
 and we saw their

00:31:52.139 --> 00:31:53.500
 their death in real time

00:31:53.500 --> 00:31:55.039
 in verses 37 to 41.

00:31:55.319 --> 00:31:55.779
 Remember

00:31:55.779 --> 00:31:57.139
 we looked at it last week

00:31:57.139 --> 00:31:57.859
 and what did it say?

00:31:57.859 --> 00:32:00.019
 Now when they heard

00:32:00.019 --> 00:32:00.579
 this

00:32:00.579 --> 00:32:01.579
 that is Peter's sermon

00:32:01.579 --> 00:32:03.019
 they were cut to the heart

00:32:03.019 --> 00:32:03.879
 and said to Peter

00:32:03.879 --> 00:32:04.919
 and the rest of the apostles

00:32:04.919 --> 00:32:05.759
 brothers

00:32:05.759 --> 00:32:07.259
 what shall we do?

00:32:07.559 --> 00:32:07.879
 Repent

00:32:07.879 --> 00:32:08.599
 and be baptized

00:32:08.599 --> 00:32:10.099
 every one of you

00:32:10.099 --> 00:32:11.759
 in the name

00:32:11.759 --> 00:32:12.619
 of Jesus Christ

00:32:12.619 --> 00:32:13.199
 for the forgiveness

00:32:13.199 --> 00:32:13.979
 of your sins

00:32:13.979 --> 00:32:15.139
 and we see their death

00:32:15.139 --> 00:32:15.839
 in real time

00:32:15.839 --> 00:32:16.979
 so that we also

00:32:16.979 --> 00:32:18.279
 get to see their new life

00:32:18.279 --> 00:32:18.979
 in real time.

00:32:18.980 --> 00:32:22.599
 So the way to curtail

00:32:22.599 --> 00:32:24.039
 our hyper individualism

00:32:24.039 --> 00:32:25.400
 is to die

00:32:25.400 --> 00:32:28.240
 and whatever you will lose

00:32:28.240 --> 00:32:29.079
 it might hurt

00:32:29.079 --> 00:32:31.559
 but what you will gain

00:32:31.559 --> 00:32:32.480
 will be infinitely

00:32:32.480 --> 00:32:33.740
 infinitely better

00:32:33.740 --> 00:32:35.599
 because it will bleed

00:32:35.599 --> 00:32:36.380
 into infinity

00:32:36.380 --> 00:32:39.099
 to all of eternity.

00:32:39.099 --> 00:32:41.799
 So do not despair

00:32:41.799 --> 00:32:44.500
 what you will get

00:32:44.500 --> 00:32:45.079
 from Christ

00:32:45.079 --> 00:32:46.259
 will make what you

00:32:46.259 --> 00:32:47.919
 are currently holding on to

00:32:47.919 --> 00:32:49.819
 look like tatters

00:32:49.819 --> 00:32:50.779
 and rags

00:32:50.779 --> 00:32:51.579
 and garbage.

00:32:52.799 --> 00:32:54.119
 If you do not believe me

00:32:54.119 --> 00:32:54.959
 read Romans 8

00:32:54.959 --> 00:32:57.159
 read Revelation chapter 21

00:32:57.159 --> 00:32:57.919
 and 22

00:32:57.919 --> 00:33:00.659
 Christ Jesus died

00:33:00.659 --> 00:33:02.240
 rose and ascended

00:33:02.240 --> 00:33:04.099
 sending his Holy Spirit

00:33:04.099 --> 00:33:05.259
 so that we can die

00:33:05.259 --> 00:33:06.099
 to ourselves

00:33:06.099 --> 00:33:07.819
 so that we may be made

00:33:07.819 --> 00:33:08.899
 alive in Christ

00:33:08.899 --> 00:33:09.460
 together

00:33:09.460 --> 00:33:10.700
 as a new family

00:33:10.700 --> 00:33:11.419
 so that we can have

00:33:11.419 --> 00:33:12.099
 new priorities

00:33:12.099 --> 00:33:13.039
 and new devotions

00:33:13.039 --> 00:33:15.119
 and we will see

00:33:15.119 --> 00:33:17.139
 by God's strength

00:33:17.139 --> 00:33:19.019
 our lives transformed

00:33:19.019 --> 00:33:20.259
 our community transformed

00:33:20.259 --> 00:33:22.099
 in this world

00:33:22.099 --> 00:33:22.899
 eventually

00:33:22.899 --> 00:33:24.819
 by God's good grace

00:33:24.819 --> 00:33:25.539
 transformed.

00:33:26.299 --> 00:33:27.099
 Let us pray.

00:33:28.339 --> 00:33:29.439
 Lord we thank you

00:33:29.439 --> 00:33:31.159
 that you have used

00:33:31.159 --> 00:33:32.259
 the church

00:33:32.259 --> 00:33:34.819
 to be the tool

00:33:34.819 --> 00:33:35.639
 in your hand

00:33:35.639 --> 00:33:37.799
 to bring many

00:33:37.799 --> 00:33:38.740
 to faith.

00:33:39.779 --> 00:33:40.279
 Lord help us

00:33:40.279 --> 00:33:40.940
 to be people

00:33:40.940 --> 00:33:41.960
 that are devoted

00:33:41.960 --> 00:33:42.919
 to each other

00:33:42.919 --> 00:33:43.839
 and devoted to you

00:33:43.839 --> 00:33:46.000
 devoted to your teachings

00:33:46.000 --> 00:33:46.799
 to your word

00:33:46.799 --> 00:33:49.200
 devoted to fellowship

00:33:49.200 --> 00:33:50.139
 with one another

00:33:50.139 --> 00:33:50.960
 devoted to

00:33:50.960 --> 00:33:52.519
 breaking of bread

00:33:52.519 --> 00:33:53.899
 Lord to prayer

00:33:53.899 --> 00:33:55.319
 and also to share

00:33:55.319 --> 00:33:55.720
 our faith

00:33:55.720 --> 00:33:56.579
 but also people

00:33:56.579 --> 00:33:59.139
 that are devoted

00:33:59.139 --> 00:34:00.659
 to laying down

00:34:00.659 --> 00:34:01.379
 our lives

00:34:01.379 --> 00:34:02.079
 for you

00:34:02.079 --> 00:34:03.159
 so that you may

00:34:03.159 --> 00:34:04.339
 pick our lives up again

00:34:04.339 --> 00:34:05.959
 and give us

00:34:05.959 --> 00:34:06.559
 new lives.

00:34:06.819 --> 00:34:08.380
 Lord this is hard

00:34:08.380 --> 00:34:09.500
 we can't do it ourselves

00:34:09.500 --> 00:34:10.319
 help us

00:34:10.319 --> 00:34:11.559
 to help each other

00:34:11.559 --> 00:34:12.719
 and help us

00:34:12.719 --> 00:34:13.440
 to look to you

00:34:13.440 --> 00:34:14.819
 we pray all of this

00:34:14.819 --> 00:34:15.460
 in Christ's name

00:34:15.460 --> 00:34:16.239
 Amen.

00:34:17.139 --> 00:34:17.379
 TO mix with you

00:34:17.379 --> 00:34:29.339
 because of you

00:34:29.339 --> 00:34:30.919
 you