WEBVTT

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 We thank you for this local church. We pray that you would cause us to be growing in our faith.

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 That as we hear you speak in your words, as it is read and preached, that you would be drawing us ever closer to yourself.

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 We pray that you would enable us to love and serve one another, to encourage and build up one another,

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 that we would be committed to praying for the church and for the church's mission,

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 that we would be committed to the good of this local church. Lord, as we recognize the needs of

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 our city and of our immediate community, we recognize how important it is that we live as the

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 people of God and speak of the good news of salvation. And so we pray that you would help us

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 and we pray for other Bible-believing churches in our city who also proclaim Jesus as the only way of

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 salvation. May you be pleased to use the witness of your people to extend your church in this city.

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 And Lord, we pray for our nation and for the nations of the world, for your glory. We pray that you would

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 continue to draw people to faith and obedience, to live lives of worship, acknowledging Jesus as Lord.

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 And we pray that you would give maturity and understanding of our need to live holy lives,

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 that you would be our great purpose for living. Lord, we ask once again that you would continue to raise

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 up laborers for the harvest field, recognizing that there are so many people who need to hear about

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 Jesus. There are so many places where churches need to be established and strengthened. And so we pray

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 that you would continue to save people and build them up in their faith and then send them out, send us

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 out into our local community to be salt and light for the good of others and for the glory and praise of your name.

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 Lord, we thank you for this time that we have around your word and in worship. We pray that it would do

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 our hearts good. And we pray that you would receive glory, that you would enable us to worship you in

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 spirit and in truth. And we pray that you would use this time that we have together to equip us and

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 strengthen us so that we would go into this new week as ambassadors for Jesus. And we pray these things

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 in His name and for His glory. Amen. Now, we're going to read a passage from the Old Testament,

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 the book of Ezekiel, chapter 37. If you're using a church Bible, it's page 868.

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 Here is prophecy anticipating the powerful work of God in bringing new life, resurrection life,

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 the valley of dry bones. So, Ezekiel chapter 37, I'll read from verse 1.

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 The hand of the Lord was on me, and He brought me out by the Spirit of the Lord and set me in the

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 middle of a valley. It was full of bones. He led me to and fro among them, and I saw a great many bones

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 on the floor of the valley, bones that were very dry. He asked me, Son of man, can these bones live?

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 I said, Sovereign Lord, you alone know. Then He said to me, Prophesy to these bones and say to them,

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 dry bones, hear the word of the Lord. This is what the Sovereign Lord says to these bones.

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 I will make breath enter you, and you will come to life. I will attach tendons to you,

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 and make flesh come upon you, and cover you with skin. I will put breath in you,

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 and you will come to life. Then you will know that I am the Lord. So I prophesied as I was commanded,

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 and as I was prophesying, there was a noise, a rattling sound, and the bones came together,

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 bone to bone. I looked, and tendons and flesh appeared on them, and skin covered them, but there

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 was no breath in them. Then He said to me, Prophesy to the breath. Prophesy, Son of man, and say to it,

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 this is what the Sovereign Lord says, come, breath from the four winds, and breathe into these slain,

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 that they may live. So I prophesied as He commanded me, and breath entered them. They came to life and stood

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 up on their feet, a vast army. Then He said to me, Son of man, these bones are the people of Israel.

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 They say, Our bones are dried up, and our hope is gone. We are cut off. Therefore prophesy, and say to

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 them, this is what the Sovereign Lord says, My people, I am going to open your graves and bring

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 you up from them. I will bring you back to the land of Israel. Then you, my people, will know that I

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 am the Lord. When I open your graves and bring you up from them, I will put my Spirit in you,

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 and you will live. And I will settle you in your own land. Then you will know that I, the Lord,

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 have spoken, and I have done it, declares the Lord. Amen. A wonderful vision of the power of God to breathe

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 new life into even dry bones. Now let's again stand together to sing, this time from Psalm 57,

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 and we're going to sing verses 7 to 11, standing again to sing.

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 My heart is steadfast, Lord, with music I will sing. Awake, my soul, wake harp and lyre, my song, the

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 song will bring. Among the nations, Lord, to you I will give praise. Among the peoples of the earth,

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 my songs of you I'll raise. Great is your steadfast love, which reaches to the sky. Your constant faithfulness,

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 O Lord, extends to heaven high. Above the highest heavens, O God, exalted be,

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 and over all the earth below, display your majesty.

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 Now can you turn with me to John chapter 20? Now we're going to pick up the chapter at verse 19.

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 This morning we looked at the first 18 verses, we thought about what happened that first Easter Sunday

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 morning, and now we come to the evening of the week, and then the action moves to a week following.

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 So John chapter 20 at verse 19.

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 On the evening of that first day of the week, when the disciples were together, with the doors locked for fear of the Jewish leaders,

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 Jesus came and stood among them and said,

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 Peace be with you.

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 After he had said this, he showed them his hands and sighed.

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 The disciples were overjoyed when they saw the Lord.

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 Again, Jesus said, Peace be with you.

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 As the Father has sent me, I am sending you.

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 And with that, he breathed on them and said,

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 Receive the Holy Spirit.

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 If you forgive anyone's sins, their sins are forgiven.

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 If you do not forgive them, they are not forgiven.

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 Now Thomas, also known as Didymus, one of the twelve,

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 was not with the disciples when Jesus came.

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 So the other disciples told him,

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 We have seen the Lord.

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 But he said to them,

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 Unless I see the nail marks in his hands,

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 and put my finger where the nails were,

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 and put my hand into his side,

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 I will not believe.

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 A week later, his disciples were in the house again,

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 and Thomas was with them.

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 Though the doors were locked,

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 Jesus came and stood among them and said,

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 Peace be with you.

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 Then he said to Thomas,

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 Put your finger here, see my hands.

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 Reach out your hand and put it into my side.

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 Stop doubting and believe.

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 Thomas said to him,

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 My Lord and my God.

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 Then Jesus told him,

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 Because you have seen me, you have believed.

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 Blessed are those who have not seen,

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 and yet have believed.

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 Jesus performed many other signs

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 in the presence of his disciples,

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 which are not recorded in this book.

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 But these are written,

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 that you may believe,

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 that Jesus is the Messiah,

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 the Son of God,

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 and that by believing,

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 you may have life in his name.

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 Amen.

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 So we're going to think for a few moments

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 about this seismic event of Easter.

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 What do I mean by that?

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 Well, think about an earthquake.

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 An earthquake is a very dramatic event

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 that causes everything to shake,

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 an event that has a powerful impact.

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 Matthew's gospel records

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 that at the time Jesus died,

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 and when Jesus rose,

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 there was an earthquake.

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 And so I was thinking about that,

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 and then I came across this

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 from Tom Holland,

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 who's one of the podcasters

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 on The Rest is History,

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 a Roman historian.

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 They did a few episodes

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 on Jesus, Messiah.

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 And he said,

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 It is clear

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 that a seismic event

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 happened in the first century,

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 and its reverberations

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 are still felt today.

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 And he went further,

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 and he said nothing,

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 even closely resembling Christianity,

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 would have happened

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 unless the first generation

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 of Christians believed

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 a spectacular event had happened.

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 So what is this seismic,

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 spectacular event

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 that took place

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 in the first century?

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 It is the resurrection

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 of the Lord Jesus.

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 Or perhaps better,

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 it's the combined impact

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 of the life and teaching

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 of Jesus,

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 together with his death

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 on the cross,

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 where he goes

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 as a willing sacrifice,

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 demonstrating a willingness

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 to embrace death

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 on behalf of his people,

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 coupled with the events

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 of Easter Sunday

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 and the resurrection.

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 And it's those events

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 that have had

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 this dramatic impact

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 on believers

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 on the world

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 ever since.

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 Earthquakes are measured

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 with a seismograph.

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 So after an earthquake,

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 the instrument,

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 which is now

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 much more high-tech,

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 but it used to be

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 just needle points,

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 it would record

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 ground movement.

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 The needles would draw spikes,

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 and the level of the spikes

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 would show the impact

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 and the ferocity

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 and intensity

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 of the earthquake.

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 It would locate both

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 where an earthquake happened

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 and the impact

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 of the quake.

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 And John chapter 20,

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 in a sense,

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 is like a seismograph record.

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 It tells us,

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 it locates the event

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 of this great event.

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 It's in the empty tomb,

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 and the risen glorified Jesus,

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 and it traces for us

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 the impact of that event.

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 It traces the impact

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 as people meet

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 the risen Lord Jesus,

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 an impact that continues

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 to be felt today.

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 So when you look at

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 three features

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 of that first few hours

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 in the Sunday evening

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 and then the week following,

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 and we'll see the impact

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 in terms of Jesus' resurrection

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 bringing peace

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 for troubled people,

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 giving a sense of mission

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 for fearful people,

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 and provoking worship

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 for doubting people.

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 So peace,

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 followed by mission,

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 followed by worship.

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 So let's begin thinking

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 about peace.

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 Consider again

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 these disciples.

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 Consider what's going on

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 in their hearts

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 that Sunday evening.

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 There is grief

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 in what they have witnessed

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 happening to Jesus.

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 Jesus.

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 They were there

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 during His arrest.

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 They saw at least

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 something of the beatings

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 and the mockery,

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 and they saw Him

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 hanging on the cross.

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 They bore testimony

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 to His death

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 and to His burial.

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 Couple that with the grief

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 that they would undoubtedly

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 experience,

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 knowing that they had

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 failed Jesus

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 when He needed them most.

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 So remember,

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 there were three

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 who were invited

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 to watch and pray,

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 and instead they slept.

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 When Jesus was arrested,

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 they all ran

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 and left Him alone,

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 and Peter,

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 under pressure,

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 denied knowing Jesus

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 and being one

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 of His followers.

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 And as if that wasn't enough,

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 there is also that sense

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 of grief that we get

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 in the accounts

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 of the Gospels

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 at the sense of hope

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 that they have lost

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 because Jesus has died.

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 So Luke records

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 a couple of Jesus' followers

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 on the road to Emmaus.

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 Jesus comes to them.

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 They don't know who He is.

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 And they say in conversation,

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 well, we hoped

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 He was the one

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 to redeem Israel.

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 The implication,

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 hope is gone

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 because the Redeemer

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 has died.

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 How can the Messiah

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 suffer and die

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 was a question

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 they had always wrestled with,

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 and now they are still

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 living with a sense

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 of grief

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 because they think

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 the movement is gone

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 and hope is lost.

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 So that first Sunday evening,

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 there is a real storm

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 of emotions going on

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 in their hearts.

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 They are deeply

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 troubled people.

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 But into that scene

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 once again,

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 the risen Jesus appears

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 and three times

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 speaks peace.

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 Again, a demonstration

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 of the wonderful love,

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 the patience,

00:16:05.219 --> 00:16:06.379
 the compassion of Jesus.

00:16:06.519 --> 00:16:07.259
 He doesn't come

00:16:07.259 --> 00:16:08.319
 pointing His finger.

00:16:09.899 --> 00:16:10.799
 Why did you run?

00:16:11.099 --> 00:16:12.259
 Why did you abandon me?

00:16:12.259 --> 00:16:14.480
 He speaks peace.

00:16:16.580 --> 00:16:18.019
 Verse 19,

00:16:18.960 --> 00:16:19.700
 when the disciples

00:16:19.700 --> 00:16:20.360
 were together

00:16:20.360 --> 00:16:21.379
 with the doors locked

00:16:21.379 --> 00:16:22.740
 for fear of the Jewish leaders,

00:16:22.919 --> 00:16:23.899
 Jesus came and stood

00:16:23.899 --> 00:16:24.939
 among them and said,

00:16:25.379 --> 00:16:27.720
 peace be with you.

00:16:28.159 --> 00:16:29.080
 Verse 21,

00:16:29.399 --> 00:16:30.100
 Jesus said,

00:16:30.220 --> 00:16:31.439
 peace be with you.

00:16:31.679 --> 00:16:33.179
 As the Father has sent me,

00:16:33.299 --> 00:16:34.439
 I am sending you.

00:16:34.779 --> 00:16:36.399
 And again in verse 26,

00:16:36.480 --> 00:16:37.200
 when they're still

00:16:37.200 --> 00:16:38.960
 behind locked doors,

00:16:38.960 --> 00:16:40.340
 Jesus came and said,

00:16:40.480 --> 00:16:43.000
 peace be with you.

00:16:43.379 --> 00:16:43.900
 Peace.

00:16:44.420 --> 00:16:45.820
 I am really alive.

00:16:46.759 --> 00:16:47.519
 You can have peace

00:16:47.519 --> 00:16:48.560
 because your failure

00:16:48.560 --> 00:16:50.340
 is not the final word

00:16:50.340 --> 00:16:51.460
 on your life.

00:16:52.120 --> 00:16:53.220
 There is peace

00:16:53.220 --> 00:16:54.519
 because your life

00:16:54.519 --> 00:16:55.820
 has purpose.

00:16:56.860 --> 00:16:57.940
 And there is that promise

00:16:57.940 --> 00:16:58.980
 that Jesus would always

00:16:58.980 --> 00:17:00.500
 be with His followers

00:17:00.500 --> 00:17:02.120
 by the Spirit.

00:17:02.240 --> 00:17:03.060
 There is peace

00:17:03.060 --> 00:17:04.819
 that Jesus gives.

00:17:04.819 --> 00:17:06.200
 He'd made that promise

00:17:06.200 --> 00:17:08.179
 at least a couple of times.

00:17:08.299 --> 00:17:08.859
 So for example,

00:17:09.039 --> 00:17:09.960
 John 16,

00:17:10.579 --> 00:17:11.559
 verse 33,

00:17:11.799 --> 00:17:13.220
 shortly before His arrest,

00:17:13.659 --> 00:17:14.339
 I have told you

00:17:14.339 --> 00:17:15.119
 these things

00:17:15.119 --> 00:17:16.399
 so that in me

00:17:16.399 --> 00:17:18.119
 you may have peace.

00:17:18.779 --> 00:17:19.799
 In this world

00:17:19.799 --> 00:17:20.619
 you will have trouble,

00:17:20.740 --> 00:17:21.539
 but take heart,

00:17:21.799 --> 00:17:23.339
 I have overcome the world.

00:17:24.159 --> 00:17:25.559
 Now He has overcome.

00:17:26.179 --> 00:17:27.159
 Now He will be

00:17:27.159 --> 00:17:28.639
 the source of their peace.

00:17:28.859 --> 00:17:30.000
 Now He will make good

00:17:30.000 --> 00:17:30.720
 on that promise.

00:17:32.179 --> 00:17:32.939
 These words

00:17:32.939 --> 00:17:33.779
 become a partner

00:17:33.779 --> 00:17:35.019
 to His words on the cross,

00:17:35.139 --> 00:17:35.859
 it is finished.

00:17:37.099 --> 00:17:38.180
 Jesus has come

00:17:38.180 --> 00:17:39.180
 on a mission,

00:17:40.059 --> 00:17:41.279
 a mission to make peace

00:17:41.279 --> 00:17:42.779
 between God and humanity

00:17:42.779 --> 00:17:44.579
 by way of sacrifice,

00:17:45.339 --> 00:17:46.680
 that we would be reconciled

00:17:46.680 --> 00:17:47.799
 by the way of the cross.

00:17:48.319 --> 00:17:48.899
 And Jesus,

00:17:49.099 --> 00:17:50.000
 now that He has finished

00:17:50.000 --> 00:17:50.480
 that work,

00:17:50.740 --> 00:17:51.980
 can bring that peace

00:17:51.980 --> 00:17:53.420
 to troubled hearts

00:17:53.420 --> 00:17:55.339
 and troubled lives.

00:17:57.000 --> 00:17:58.339
 Notice that John again

00:17:58.339 --> 00:17:59.299
 records for us

00:17:59.299 --> 00:18:00.220
 that this is happening

00:18:00.220 --> 00:18:02.039
 on the first day

00:18:02.039 --> 00:18:02.839
 of the week.

00:18:02.839 --> 00:18:04.319
 John reminds us

00:18:04.319 --> 00:18:05.079
 over and over

00:18:05.079 --> 00:18:06.779
 by God's design,

00:18:07.259 --> 00:18:08.000
 Easter Sunday

00:18:08.000 --> 00:18:09.899
 represents a new beginning,

00:18:10.759 --> 00:18:11.779
 new creation.

00:18:12.019 --> 00:18:12.959
 Jesus' resurrection

00:18:12.959 --> 00:18:13.740
 is the start

00:18:13.740 --> 00:18:15.240
 of new creation life.

00:18:15.599 --> 00:18:16.199
 Paul will speak

00:18:16.199 --> 00:18:16.579
 about Him

00:18:16.579 --> 00:18:17.439
 as the first fruit.

00:18:21.339 --> 00:18:22.839
 And it's a new beginning

00:18:22.839 --> 00:18:23.720
 and there's new life

00:18:23.720 --> 00:18:26.119
 because Jesus has done

00:18:26.119 --> 00:18:26.899
 what He came to do.

00:18:26.980 --> 00:18:28.019
 He has made peace

00:18:28.019 --> 00:18:28.899
 by His blood shed

00:18:28.899 --> 00:18:29.399
 on the cross.

00:18:29.400 --> 00:18:31.759
 He is the answer

00:18:31.759 --> 00:18:33.200
 to the great human problem

00:18:33.200 --> 00:18:33.740
 that emerged

00:18:33.740 --> 00:18:34.460
 all the way back

00:18:34.460 --> 00:18:35.000
 at the beginning

00:18:35.000 --> 00:18:35.940
 in Genesis 3.

00:18:36.660 --> 00:18:37.460
 Human guilt

00:18:37.460 --> 00:18:38.360
 and human sin.

00:18:39.600 --> 00:18:40.180
 Adam and Eve

00:18:40.180 --> 00:18:41.300
 believing the lie,

00:18:42.140 --> 00:18:42.860
 thinking badly

00:18:42.860 --> 00:18:43.900
 of God's character,

00:18:44.420 --> 00:18:45.320
 turning their back

00:18:45.320 --> 00:18:46.100
 on God.

00:18:47.080 --> 00:18:48.060
 And God's answer

00:18:48.060 --> 00:18:48.940
 all the way

00:18:48.940 --> 00:18:50.240
 in Genesis 3

00:18:50.240 --> 00:18:51.040
 and indeed all the way

00:18:51.040 --> 00:18:52.540
 back in eternity past

00:18:52.540 --> 00:18:53.900
 was that He would provide

00:18:53.900 --> 00:18:54.580
 a sacrifice

00:18:54.580 --> 00:18:55.540
 to make peace.

00:18:55.539 --> 00:18:57.539
 There was the promise

00:18:57.539 --> 00:18:59.099
 even to Adam and Eve

00:18:59.099 --> 00:19:00.119
 of one who would come

00:19:00.119 --> 00:19:00.799
 who would suffer

00:19:00.799 --> 00:19:02.200
 in order to save us.

00:19:03.819 --> 00:19:04.700
 The only way

00:19:04.700 --> 00:19:05.700
 to true peace,

00:19:06.559 --> 00:19:07.720
 to have peace with God,

00:19:08.980 --> 00:19:10.379
 to have peace of conscience,

00:19:11.220 --> 00:19:12.059
 to have true peace

00:19:12.059 --> 00:19:12.700
 with others,

00:19:13.000 --> 00:19:13.759
 is through

00:19:13.759 --> 00:19:15.180
 the finished work

00:19:15.180 --> 00:19:15.779
 of Jesus.

00:19:16.359 --> 00:19:16.740
 And Jesus,

00:19:16.940 --> 00:19:17.819
 having done His work,

00:19:17.920 --> 00:19:18.920
 comes to His disciples

00:19:18.920 --> 00:19:21.460
 and brings peace.

00:19:21.460 --> 00:19:21.579
 peace.

00:19:23.340 --> 00:19:24.779
 This word peace,

00:19:24.900 --> 00:19:26.279
 the Hebrew word shalom,

00:19:27.360 --> 00:19:29.079
 is much more than

00:19:29.079 --> 00:19:30.160
 a greeting.

00:19:30.480 --> 00:19:31.200
 Sometimes it's used

00:19:31.200 --> 00:19:31.740
 as a greeting

00:19:31.740 --> 00:19:32.759
 and it's much more

00:19:32.759 --> 00:19:34.940
 than the ending of wars.

00:19:36.740 --> 00:19:37.940
 It's the idea

00:19:37.940 --> 00:19:39.220
 of wholeness

00:19:39.220 --> 00:19:41.620
 and flourishing.

00:19:42.819 --> 00:19:43.680
 It has the idea

00:19:43.680 --> 00:19:44.440
 of knowing

00:19:44.440 --> 00:19:46.340
 that we are at home

00:19:46.340 --> 00:19:47.480
 and we belong

00:19:47.480 --> 00:19:48.360
 and we're part

00:19:48.360 --> 00:19:49.100
 of the family.

00:19:49.099 --> 00:19:51.359
 There's that deep sense

00:19:51.359 --> 00:19:52.459
 of well-being.

00:19:53.699 --> 00:19:55.059
 The complete reconciliation

00:19:55.059 --> 00:19:56.959
 that Jesus brings

00:19:56.959 --> 00:19:57.599
 through His work

00:19:57.599 --> 00:19:58.079
 on the cross

00:19:58.079 --> 00:19:59.259
 brings a complete

00:19:59.259 --> 00:19:59.939
 flourishing

00:19:59.939 --> 00:20:01.740
 to His people.

00:20:02.859 --> 00:20:04.159
 So we can have

00:20:04.159 --> 00:20:04.939
 this deep

00:20:04.939 --> 00:20:06.719
 and lasting peace

00:20:06.719 --> 00:20:07.439
 because

00:20:07.439 --> 00:20:09.519
 Jesus has

00:20:09.519 --> 00:20:10.519
 gone through

00:20:10.519 --> 00:20:11.639
 that Easter journey.

00:20:11.759 --> 00:20:12.379
 He has died

00:20:12.379 --> 00:20:14.059
 and He has risen again.

00:20:14.559 --> 00:20:15.679
 He has put the relationship

00:20:15.679 --> 00:20:16.279
 between us

00:20:16.279 --> 00:20:17.039
 and God right.

00:20:17.039 --> 00:20:19.559
 And so Jesus

00:20:19.559 --> 00:20:20.680
 continues to speak

00:20:20.680 --> 00:20:22.000
 peace to troubled hearts.

00:20:23.119 --> 00:20:24.099
 I am doing

00:20:24.099 --> 00:20:25.200
 all things well.

00:20:26.139 --> 00:20:27.180
 I am the one

00:20:27.180 --> 00:20:28.299
 who can make you whole.

00:20:28.779 --> 00:20:29.599
 I am the one

00:20:29.599 --> 00:20:30.720
 who will bring you home.

00:20:31.500 --> 00:20:32.539
 I will bring you

00:20:32.539 --> 00:20:33.659
 into what you

00:20:33.659 --> 00:20:35.240
 and I were created for.

00:20:35.960 --> 00:20:36.940
 That deep peace,

00:20:37.039 --> 00:20:37.940
 that deep rest

00:20:37.940 --> 00:20:39.039
 of life with God.

00:20:40.240 --> 00:20:41.359
 When we think about

00:20:41.359 --> 00:20:42.420
 this message

00:20:42.420 --> 00:20:43.039
 that Jesus brings,

00:20:44.079 --> 00:20:44.980
 I think we recognize

00:20:44.980 --> 00:20:46.099
 what a gift this is

00:20:46.099 --> 00:20:47.379
 for the times

00:20:47.379 --> 00:20:48.279
 in which we live,

00:20:48.559 --> 00:20:49.219
 often known as

00:20:49.219 --> 00:20:50.359
 the age of anxiety.

00:20:51.219 --> 00:20:52.299
 There are so many reports

00:20:52.299 --> 00:20:53.019
 that say we've never

00:20:53.019 --> 00:20:53.859
 had it so good

00:20:53.859 --> 00:20:55.439
 in terms of our possessions,

00:20:55.919 --> 00:20:56.740
 but yet there is

00:20:56.740 --> 00:20:57.619
 much less happiness.

00:20:58.939 --> 00:20:59.899
 We have a greater

00:20:59.899 --> 00:21:00.799
 sense of freedom.

00:21:01.500 --> 00:21:02.919
 We can be much more

00:21:02.919 --> 00:21:03.919
 mobile and travel

00:21:03.919 --> 00:21:05.219
 and change our jobs

00:21:05.219 --> 00:21:06.019
 however many times

00:21:06.019 --> 00:21:06.379
 we want,

00:21:06.500 --> 00:21:07.919
 but there is at the same time

00:21:07.919 --> 00:21:09.559
 less satisfaction

00:21:09.559 --> 00:21:11.179
 and greater anxiety.

00:21:11.180 --> 00:21:13.400
 For many people,

00:21:13.500 --> 00:21:13.920
 they're living

00:21:13.920 --> 00:21:15.100
 with a sense of guilt,

00:21:15.640 --> 00:21:16.799
 but there is nowhere

00:21:16.799 --> 00:21:17.759
 to go with it.

00:21:19.320 --> 00:21:20.860
 And into that confusion,

00:21:21.759 --> 00:21:22.440
 Jesus would come

00:21:22.440 --> 00:21:23.220
 and speak peace.

00:21:25.000 --> 00:21:26.600
 In our own stories of faith,

00:21:26.680 --> 00:21:27.680
 I wonder how many of us

00:21:27.680 --> 00:21:28.320
 have discovered

00:21:28.320 --> 00:21:29.500
 this wonderful gift.

00:21:30.779 --> 00:21:32.420
 It's in the storms of life

00:21:32.420 --> 00:21:32.980
 that we become

00:21:32.980 --> 00:21:34.420
 profoundly aware

00:21:34.420 --> 00:21:36.560
 of how significant it is

00:21:36.560 --> 00:21:38.380
 to have God with us,

00:21:38.380 --> 00:21:40.560
 to have Jesus come

00:21:40.560 --> 00:21:41.100
 and to say,

00:21:41.300 --> 00:21:42.020
 do not fear,

00:21:42.180 --> 00:21:44.280
 I am with you,

00:21:45.120 --> 00:21:46.480
 bringing us His peace.

00:21:48.180 --> 00:21:50.460
 Jesus brings good news

00:21:50.460 --> 00:21:52.420
 in His death

00:21:52.420 --> 00:21:53.300
 and resurrection,

00:21:53.880 --> 00:21:55.620
 and because the sin barrier

00:21:55.620 --> 00:21:56.700
 that separates us

00:21:56.700 --> 00:21:57.160
 from God

00:21:57.160 --> 00:21:58.380
 has been broken down

00:21:58.380 --> 00:21:59.820
 by God's grace,

00:21:59.900 --> 00:22:01.480
 we are truly reconciled

00:22:01.480 --> 00:22:03.020
 and we can live by faith

00:22:03.020 --> 00:22:03.680
 each day

00:22:03.680 --> 00:22:06.700
 enjoying God's peace.

00:22:08.380 --> 00:22:10.560
 So, the impact

00:22:10.560 --> 00:22:12.220
 of the resurrection

00:22:12.220 --> 00:22:13.460
 of the Lord Jesus

00:22:13.460 --> 00:22:15.700
 is peace

00:22:15.700 --> 00:22:17.060
 for troubled people.

00:22:17.720 --> 00:22:19.080
 But it's more than that.

00:22:19.320 --> 00:22:20.220
 As we go on

00:22:20.220 --> 00:22:20.740
 in the story,

00:22:20.820 --> 00:22:22.140
 we see it's also mission

00:22:22.140 --> 00:22:24.660
 for fearful people.

00:22:25.840 --> 00:22:27.580
 I think one of the vital questions

00:22:27.580 --> 00:22:28.960
 that I guess historians,

00:22:29.080 --> 00:22:29.620
 church historians,

00:22:29.760 --> 00:22:30.800
 love to wrestle with

00:22:30.800 --> 00:22:33.060
 is how do you explain

00:22:33.060 --> 00:22:35.000
 the growth of the church?

00:22:35.540 --> 00:22:36.720
 It's a really interesting question.

00:22:36.760 --> 00:22:37.100
 Well, I think it's

00:22:37.100 --> 00:22:37.920
 a really interesting question.

00:22:37.920 --> 00:22:38.820
 You know, how do you move

00:22:38.820 --> 00:22:40.519
 from a small number

00:22:40.519 --> 00:22:41.080
 of believers,

00:22:41.240 --> 00:22:42.360
 so small that they can fit

00:22:42.360 --> 00:22:43.840
 into a single upper room,

00:22:44.180 --> 00:22:44.840
 that they can,

00:22:44.980 --> 00:22:46.840
 within just a few centuries,

00:22:47.340 --> 00:22:48.180
 go global

00:22:48.180 --> 00:22:49.200
 and come to dominate

00:22:49.200 --> 00:22:50.100
 the Roman Empire?

00:22:51.000 --> 00:22:51.980
 And all of that

00:22:51.980 --> 00:22:53.140
 in the context

00:22:53.140 --> 00:22:54.640
 of conflict

00:22:54.640 --> 00:22:55.880
 and battle

00:22:55.880 --> 00:22:57.519
 of frequent persecutions

00:22:57.519 --> 00:22:59.400
 from the Roman Empire

00:22:59.400 --> 00:23:00.740
 in those early days.

00:23:01.720 --> 00:23:02.640
 How did it happen?

00:23:02.800 --> 00:23:05.120
 Operating as a minority,

00:23:05.119 --> 00:23:08.059
 operating as exiles,

00:23:08.179 --> 00:23:09.399
 being so different

00:23:09.399 --> 00:23:10.439
 from the society

00:23:10.439 --> 00:23:10.899
 around them,

00:23:10.939 --> 00:23:11.559
 but somehow

00:23:11.559 --> 00:23:13.359
 turning this society

00:23:13.359 --> 00:23:14.299
 upside down

00:23:14.299 --> 00:23:15.379
 by preaching

00:23:15.379 --> 00:23:16.439
 the risen Jesus

00:23:16.439 --> 00:23:16.979
 as Lord,

00:23:17.059 --> 00:23:17.539
 being willing

00:23:17.539 --> 00:23:18.379
 to live for Him

00:23:18.379 --> 00:23:19.500
 and to die for Him?

00:23:20.779 --> 00:23:22.079
 How do we explain it?

00:23:23.699 --> 00:23:24.479
 And when we come

00:23:24.479 --> 00:23:25.219
 to a text like this,

00:23:25.279 --> 00:23:26.059
 the question becomes

00:23:26.059 --> 00:23:27.039
 even more pressing

00:23:27.039 --> 00:23:27.739
 because we look

00:23:27.739 --> 00:23:28.139
 and we think,

00:23:28.140 --> 00:23:28.360
 well,

00:23:28.440 --> 00:23:29.759
 the raw materials

00:23:29.759 --> 00:23:30.840
 are not very promising.

00:23:33.420 --> 00:23:34.440
 Here is a group

00:23:34.440 --> 00:23:35.660
 of believers.

00:23:36.860 --> 00:23:37.880
 Here are the leaders

00:23:37.880 --> 00:23:39.500
 of the church.

00:23:39.920 --> 00:23:40.740
 Verse 19,

00:23:41.460 --> 00:23:42.480
 where do we find them?

00:23:42.520 --> 00:23:43.120
 We find them

00:23:43.120 --> 00:23:44.360
 with the doors locked

00:23:44.360 --> 00:23:45.500
 for fear

00:23:45.500 --> 00:23:47.600
 of the Jewish leaders.

00:23:48.280 --> 00:23:49.580
 And it's the same

00:23:49.580 --> 00:23:51.600
 again in verse 26.

00:23:52.800 --> 00:23:53.900
 They are in hiding.

00:23:54.720 --> 00:23:55.780
 They are fearful.

00:23:55.779 --> 00:23:58.099
 Now, Jesus said to them,

00:23:58.200 --> 00:23:59.139
 you are the light

00:23:59.139 --> 00:23:59.940
 of the world,

00:24:01.079 --> 00:24:01.779
 but the disciples

00:24:01.779 --> 00:24:02.720
 are trying to hide

00:24:02.720 --> 00:24:03.339
 their light

00:24:03.339 --> 00:24:05.220
 under a basket

00:24:05.220 --> 00:24:08.539
 behind closed doors.

00:24:09.539 --> 00:24:11.240
 So, what is the event

00:24:11.240 --> 00:24:12.639
 that is going to shake

00:24:12.639 --> 00:24:13.240
 the church

00:24:13.240 --> 00:24:14.839
 with sufficient impact

00:24:14.839 --> 00:24:16.220
 that it will move them

00:24:16.220 --> 00:24:17.700
 out to boldly

00:24:17.700 --> 00:24:20.259
 proclaim Jesus as Lord,

00:24:20.420 --> 00:24:21.799
 to live for Him

00:24:21.799 --> 00:24:23.000
 in such a way

00:24:23.000 --> 00:24:24.359
 that these communities

00:24:24.359 --> 00:24:25.259
 of believers

00:24:25.259 --> 00:24:26.779
 would be recognized

00:24:26.779 --> 00:24:29.039
 as the people of Christ

00:24:29.039 --> 00:24:31.259
 and be so different

00:24:31.259 --> 00:24:32.059
 that they would draw

00:24:32.059 --> 00:24:33.399
 all kinds of people

00:24:33.399 --> 00:24:35.000
 into that community

00:24:35.000 --> 00:24:36.899
 and into faith in Jesus?

00:24:37.859 --> 00:24:39.240
 What explains it?

00:24:41.179 --> 00:24:43.439
 The only plausible explanation

00:24:43.439 --> 00:24:45.399
 is the resurrection,

00:24:46.099 --> 00:24:48.119
 that Jesus truly rose

00:24:48.119 --> 00:24:49.099
 from the dead

00:24:49.099 --> 00:24:51.179
 and the impact of that

00:24:51.179 --> 00:24:52.319
 as they believed then

00:24:52.319 --> 00:24:53.779
 that all His promises,

00:24:54.279 --> 00:24:55.159
 all that He said

00:24:55.159 --> 00:24:56.519
 about Himself were true,

00:24:56.799 --> 00:24:57.819
 that He is the ultimate

00:24:57.819 --> 00:24:58.839
 good news for the world.

00:24:58.919 --> 00:24:59.879
 That and that alone

00:24:59.879 --> 00:25:02.519
 explains the existence,

00:25:02.839 --> 00:25:04.059
 never mind the growth,

00:25:04.500 --> 00:25:05.720
 of the church.

00:25:07.099 --> 00:25:08.279
 And so, here we come

00:25:08.279 --> 00:25:08.859
 to this point

00:25:08.859 --> 00:25:10.460
 where the risen Jesus

00:25:10.460 --> 00:25:12.539
 comes and speaks with them

00:25:12.539 --> 00:25:14.299
 and He shares three truths

00:25:14.299 --> 00:25:15.200
 about the mission

00:25:15.200 --> 00:25:15.740
 of the church,

00:25:15.759 --> 00:25:16.980
 which are hugely significant

00:25:16.980 --> 00:25:19.220
 then and for us today.

00:25:19.220 --> 00:25:21.620
 perhaps we can identify

00:25:21.620 --> 00:25:22.880
 with the disciples

00:25:22.880 --> 00:25:24.140
 having that sense

00:25:24.140 --> 00:25:26.039
 of being fearful

00:25:26.039 --> 00:25:26.779
 about mission,

00:25:28.259 --> 00:25:29.259
 perhaps enjoying

00:25:29.259 --> 00:25:30.539
 the comfort and security

00:25:30.539 --> 00:25:31.539
 of, you know,

00:25:31.579 --> 00:25:33.299
 being behind closed doors.

00:25:33.380 --> 00:25:35.120
 What is it that will move us

00:25:35.120 --> 00:25:37.059
 into this community,

00:25:37.220 --> 00:25:38.299
 into this city

00:25:38.299 --> 00:25:40.259
 with a sense of mission

00:25:40.259 --> 00:25:41.720
 for Jesus?

00:25:41.720 --> 00:25:44.259
 Well, let's look at

00:25:44.259 --> 00:25:45.799
 verses 21 to 23.

00:25:49.259 --> 00:25:50.660
 After Jesus showed them

00:25:50.660 --> 00:25:51.519
 His hands and His side,

00:25:51.600 --> 00:25:53.240
 the disciples were overjoyed.

00:25:53.700 --> 00:25:54.920
 When they saw the Lord again,

00:25:55.059 --> 00:25:55.759
 Jesus said,

00:25:55.940 --> 00:25:57.120
 Peace be with you.

00:25:57.519 --> 00:25:59.579
 As the Father has sent me,

00:25:59.940 --> 00:26:02.339
 I am sending you.

00:26:02.860 --> 00:26:03.720
 So, here's the first

00:26:03.720 --> 00:26:04.339
 important thing.

00:26:04.420 --> 00:26:06.120
 It's Jesus' authority.

00:26:07.079 --> 00:26:08.279
 It's this idea of sending.

00:26:08.279 --> 00:26:09.279
 So, notice first

00:26:09.279 --> 00:26:11.160
 that Jesus was sent

00:26:11.160 --> 00:26:11.980
 by the Father.

00:26:13.160 --> 00:26:14.420
 Jesus was the ultimate

00:26:14.420 --> 00:26:15.960
 man on a mission.

00:26:16.099 --> 00:26:17.559
 He understood His purpose.

00:26:18.379 --> 00:26:19.099
 And so, we see Him

00:26:19.099 --> 00:26:19.920
 always obeying,

00:26:20.299 --> 00:26:21.339
 always seeking the glory

00:26:21.339 --> 00:26:21.960
 of His Father,

00:26:22.319 --> 00:26:23.359
 coming deliberately

00:26:23.359 --> 00:26:24.899
 to complete His task,

00:26:24.940 --> 00:26:26.519
 which is to live

00:26:26.519 --> 00:26:27.299
 a perfect life

00:26:27.299 --> 00:26:28.099
 and then to suffer

00:26:28.099 --> 00:26:28.700
 and die

00:26:28.700 --> 00:26:30.240
 in the place of sinners

00:26:30.240 --> 00:26:30.980
 that we might be

00:26:30.980 --> 00:26:31.859
 forgiven and saved.

00:26:32.420 --> 00:26:32.940
 And now,

00:26:33.079 --> 00:26:34.500
 this one who was sent

00:26:34.500 --> 00:26:35.480
 by the Father says,

00:26:35.799 --> 00:26:37.259
 I am sending you.

00:26:38.259 --> 00:26:38.920
 And so,

00:26:39.019 --> 00:26:39.740
 the disciples

00:26:39.740 --> 00:26:41.220
 and the church,

00:26:41.700 --> 00:26:44.220
 we go under the authority

00:26:44.220 --> 00:26:45.579
 of Jesus our King.

00:26:47.359 --> 00:26:48.539
 And that's important.

00:26:48.839 --> 00:26:49.519
 I think it's important

00:26:49.519 --> 00:26:50.160
 in our age

00:26:50.160 --> 00:26:50.940
 because sometimes

00:26:50.940 --> 00:26:52.440
 we can have the impression

00:26:52.440 --> 00:26:53.000
 that if we share

00:26:53.000 --> 00:26:54.039
 the gospel with someone,

00:26:54.119 --> 00:26:54.740
 it might seem

00:26:54.740 --> 00:26:56.359
 that we are being intolerant.

00:26:56.559 --> 00:26:56.660
 You know,

00:26:56.680 --> 00:26:57.319
 everyone's entitled

00:26:57.319 --> 00:26:58.099
 to their own belief.

00:26:58.339 --> 00:26:59.440
 And that's true.

00:27:00.099 --> 00:27:01.440
 But it's really important

00:27:01.440 --> 00:27:02.579
 that we are faithful

00:27:02.579 --> 00:27:04.180
 to King Jesus

00:27:04.180 --> 00:27:05.779
 who tells us

00:27:05.779 --> 00:27:07.380
 to go and bring good news.

00:27:08.500 --> 00:27:10.060
 But it also reminds us

00:27:10.060 --> 00:27:10.700
 as well

00:27:10.700 --> 00:27:12.220
 that Jesus is the one

00:27:12.220 --> 00:27:12.799
 with authority

00:27:12.799 --> 00:27:13.580
 in this mission.

00:27:14.140 --> 00:27:14.940
 He is the one

00:27:14.940 --> 00:27:16.240
 who will save people.

00:27:16.360 --> 00:27:16.920
 He is the one

00:27:16.920 --> 00:27:17.980
 who builds His church.

00:27:18.460 --> 00:27:19.700
 Our responsibility

00:27:19.700 --> 00:27:21.680
 is to be faithful,

00:27:22.519 --> 00:27:23.640
 to do what we are called

00:27:23.640 --> 00:27:24.140
 to do,

00:27:24.759 --> 00:27:26.500
 to use our spiritual gifts,

00:27:26.700 --> 00:27:27.500
 to be committed

00:27:27.500 --> 00:27:28.039
 to praying,

00:27:28.140 --> 00:27:28.759
 to be committed

00:27:28.759 --> 00:27:29.860
 to seeking the welfare

00:27:29.860 --> 00:27:30.759
 of the church,

00:27:31.180 --> 00:27:32.000
 to look to live

00:27:32.000 --> 00:27:32.720
 as His witnesses,

00:27:32.960 --> 00:27:33.640
 to tell others

00:27:33.640 --> 00:27:34.460
 about His glory

00:27:34.460 --> 00:27:35.079
 and His goodness.

00:27:36.339 --> 00:27:37.779
 But Jesus has authority

00:27:37.779 --> 00:27:38.539
 over the church

00:27:38.539 --> 00:27:39.359
 and over the mission

00:27:39.359 --> 00:27:39.900
 of the church.

00:27:41.019 --> 00:27:41.779
 And that's something

00:27:41.779 --> 00:27:42.599
 that's really important,

00:27:42.720 --> 00:27:42.940
 I think,

00:27:42.960 --> 00:27:43.799
 when we think about

00:27:43.799 --> 00:27:45.180
 the whole idea of mission.

00:27:45.920 --> 00:27:47.319
 So there's Jesus' authority.

00:27:48.819 --> 00:27:49.539
 The second thing

00:27:49.539 --> 00:27:50.680
 that we see in verse 22,

00:27:52.039 --> 00:27:53.299
 also essential,

00:27:54.700 --> 00:27:56.039
 is He talks about the Spirit,

00:27:56.700 --> 00:27:57.259
 Jesus' Spirit.

00:27:57.380 --> 00:27:58.240
 And there's that idea

00:27:58.240 --> 00:27:58.839
 of breathing.

00:28:00.319 --> 00:28:01.079
 Verse 22,

00:28:01.079 --> 00:28:02.399
 with that He breathed

00:28:02.399 --> 00:28:03.279
 on them and said,

00:28:03.419 --> 00:28:06.199
 receive the Holy Spirit.

00:28:07.619 --> 00:28:08.559
 This breathing

00:28:08.559 --> 00:28:09.579
 seems to be some kind

00:28:09.579 --> 00:28:10.539
 of like an acted

00:28:10.539 --> 00:28:11.919
 sort of parable

00:28:11.919 --> 00:28:12.699
 or a sign.

00:28:13.579 --> 00:28:14.960
 I think taking us back

00:28:14.960 --> 00:28:16.119
 to a couple of passages

00:28:16.119 --> 00:28:16.939
 in the Old Testament,

00:28:17.039 --> 00:28:17.960
 one of which we read.

00:28:18.720 --> 00:28:19.899
 In Genesis 2,

00:28:20.579 --> 00:28:21.039
 if you know

00:28:21.039 --> 00:28:22.299
 the account of creation,

00:28:22.819 --> 00:28:24.179
 God forms the man,

00:28:24.379 --> 00:28:24.699
 Adam,

00:28:25.259 --> 00:28:26.879
 from the ground

00:28:26.879 --> 00:28:28.119
 and then He breathes

00:28:28.119 --> 00:28:29.419
 life into the man.

00:28:29.420 --> 00:28:32.180
 Our God is a life-giving God.

00:28:32.300 --> 00:28:33.180
 And then we read

00:28:33.180 --> 00:28:34.360
 Ezekiel 37,

00:28:34.519 --> 00:28:35.960
 God breathing life

00:28:35.960 --> 00:28:37.940
 into the dry bones.

00:28:38.279 --> 00:28:38.960
 And so here,

00:28:39.080 --> 00:28:39.960
 we're being reminded

00:28:39.960 --> 00:28:41.140
 that Jesus is

00:28:41.140 --> 00:28:42.440
 the life-giving Lord.

00:28:43.880 --> 00:28:45.240
 And He gives life

00:28:45.240 --> 00:28:46.600
 by sending the Spirit.

00:28:47.560 --> 00:28:48.680
 And we see what happens

00:28:48.680 --> 00:28:49.880
 when the Spirit comes

00:28:49.880 --> 00:28:51.060
 in the book of Acts

00:28:51.060 --> 00:28:51.700
 and in the history

00:28:51.700 --> 00:28:52.140
 of the church

00:28:52.140 --> 00:28:53.420
 and in our own lives.

00:28:53.420 --> 00:28:57.300
 that when the Spirit comes,

00:28:58.300 --> 00:28:59.740
 He brings new birth.

00:29:01.140 --> 00:29:02.400
 When the Spirit comes,

00:29:02.480 --> 00:29:03.640
 He brings new power.

00:29:04.840 --> 00:29:06.080
 When the Spirit comes,

00:29:06.160 --> 00:29:07.480
 we enjoy the presence

00:29:07.480 --> 00:29:08.880
 of Jesus

00:29:08.880 --> 00:29:10.400
 and the Father

00:29:10.400 --> 00:29:11.700
 with us.

00:29:12.840 --> 00:29:14.580
 And we have this wonderful thing

00:29:14.580 --> 00:29:16.000
 anticipated by Jesus

00:29:16.000 --> 00:29:17.259
 that the same Spirit

00:29:17.259 --> 00:29:19.279
 that came and anointed Jesus

00:29:19.279 --> 00:29:20.259
 at His baptism,

00:29:20.259 --> 00:29:21.859
 the same Spirit

00:29:21.859 --> 00:29:23.259
 that filled and empowered

00:29:23.259 --> 00:29:24.359
 the Lord Jesus

00:29:24.359 --> 00:29:25.460
 to do His mission on earth

00:29:25.460 --> 00:29:26.879
 is the same Spirit

00:29:26.879 --> 00:29:27.779
 that is now gifted

00:29:27.779 --> 00:29:28.579
 to His people.

00:29:30.539 --> 00:29:32.059
 There's a wonderful promise

00:29:32.059 --> 00:29:32.980
 for our mission

00:29:32.980 --> 00:29:34.960
 when we feel fearful.

00:29:35.220 --> 00:29:35.879
 We don't do it

00:29:35.879 --> 00:29:36.700
 in our own strength.

00:29:38.059 --> 00:29:39.359
 We do it in the strength

00:29:39.359 --> 00:29:40.440
 that Jesus provides

00:29:40.440 --> 00:29:41.099
 by the Spirit.

00:29:41.099 --> 00:29:44.919
 And the last thing about

00:29:44.920 --> 00:29:45.600
 the Spirit,

00:29:45.600 --> 00:29:45.600


00:29:45.600 --> 00:29:45.600


00:29:45.600 --> 00:29:45.600


00:29:45.600 --> 00:29:45.600


00:29:45.600 --> 00:29:45.600


00:29:45.600 --> 00:29:45.600


00:29:45.600 --> 00:29:45.600


00:29:45.600 --> 00:29:45.600


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00:29:45.600 --> 00:29:45.600