WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:06.660 enjoyed the service so far. That was a new song for many of us that Jared just let us in, but I 00:00:06.660 --> 00:00:12.160 think I'd heard it a couple times maybe on Christian radio, but I appreciate the atmosphere 00:00:12.160 --> 00:00:17.140 that it helped set for our service, the remainder of it. He really is worth it all, isn't he? 00:00:17.940 --> 00:00:23.820 All the getting up on Sunday morning, all the trying to not respond to one another in the flesh 00:00:23.820 --> 00:00:30.620 how we want to, trying to be led by the Spirit. He is worth all of it. We are in our final installment 00:00:30.620 --> 00:00:38.020 of our series on Christian community, the body of Christ, the family of God coming together 00:00:38.020 --> 00:00:44.179 in fellowship, and let's look by way of review back at some of these lessons from the early church 00:00:44.179 --> 00:00:50.880 that we have learned to be in community with one another. So I want to remind us before we dive into 00:00:50.880 --> 00:00:57.240 it of this quote from Dietrich Bonhoeffer, the church is the church only when it exists for others. 00:00:57.700 --> 00:01:06.560 God did not establish his mighty, powerful, Spirit-filled church on earth to be a social club. 00:01:07.099 --> 00:01:13.800 We are not just to exist for ourselves and our own enjoyment. We are to exist for the glory of God, 00:01:13.800 --> 00:01:20.859 for God's purposes, and he has made his purposes very, very plain. We are to be a missional body, 00:01:20.879 --> 00:01:28.819 going back to the previous series that we finished a few weeks ago, being on mission for God to the 00:01:28.819 --> 00:01:34.560 community around us and to one another. So the church is the church when it exists for others. 00:01:35.280 --> 00:01:40.500 Acts chapter 2 and verse 42. Would you mind turning in the Word of God there with me? Acts chapter 2 00:01:40.500 --> 00:01:47.099 and verse 42. We'll read it and then kind of recap what we have looked at the past few weeks. 00:01:47.099 --> 00:01:55.619 When you've arrived there in your Bible, would you mind joining us in standing if you're able to, 00:01:55.699 --> 00:02:01.060 if you're physically able, and we'll read this together out of Acts chapter 2 00:02:01.060 --> 00:02:06.439 and verses 42 down through 47. 00:02:08.859 --> 00:02:13.579 I'm reading this one from the New Living Translation. It should be similar to what you have 00:02:13.580 --> 00:02:17.980 in front of you. Acts chapter 2 verses 42 through 47. Let's read it. 00:02:18.460 --> 00:02:22.460 All the believers devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and to fellowship 00:02:22.460 --> 00:02:25.640 and to sharing in meals, including the Lord's Supper 00:02:25.640 --> 00:02:29.060 and to prayer. That's kind of been the keynote verse there 00:02:29.060 --> 00:02:33.980 for us as we've been looking, breaking down what exactly was this church like? 00:02:34.080 --> 00:02:35.400 What exactly did they do? 00:02:35.680 --> 00:02:40.000 What are the very practical ways that God moved in their community? 00:02:40.000 --> 00:02:44.599 And then we get to see the results of that in verses 43 through 47. 00:02:44.780 --> 00:02:51.199 A deep sense of awe came over them all and the apostles performed many miraculous signs and wonders. 00:02:51.319 --> 00:02:54.560 Man, we want to see God work in miraculous ways, don't we? 00:02:55.280 --> 00:02:59.400 Well, we've got to follow His recipe for that kind of success. 00:02:59.879 --> 00:03:04.699 And all the believers met together in one place and shared everything they had. 00:03:05.060 --> 00:03:06.240 What an evidence of community. 00:03:06.240 --> 00:03:10.800 They sold their property and possessions and shared the money with those in need. 00:03:11.159 --> 00:03:15.379 They worshiped together at the temple each day, met in homes for the Lord's Supper 00:03:15.379 --> 00:03:18.920 and shared their meals with great joy and generosity, 00:03:18.920 --> 00:03:24.540 all the while praising God and enjoying the goodwill of all the people. 00:03:24.740 --> 00:03:30.439 And each day, the Lord added to their fellowship those who were being saved. 00:03:31.160 --> 00:03:32.020 What a picture. 00:03:32.020 --> 00:03:34.500 No wonder that movement lasted. 00:03:34.659 --> 00:03:41.680 No wonder that still in 2024, there are thousands and thousands of churches scattered around this globe 00:03:41.680 --> 00:03:47.820 still trying to follow what this movement started, what Jesus instituted. 00:03:48.520 --> 00:03:50.240 We follow Jesus, don't we? 00:03:50.260 --> 00:03:52.080 We've chosen the Jesus way. 00:03:53.020 --> 00:03:58.980 And that's what we're looking at here in Acts chapter 2, verses 42 through 47. 00:03:58.979 --> 00:04:05.060 So a couple of weeks ago, we looked at this truth. 00:04:05.219 --> 00:04:06.739 We study truth together. 00:04:06.879 --> 00:04:12.259 Kind of factor number one or ingredient number one in this recipe for how to have Christian community 00:04:12.259 --> 00:04:14.699 is we must study truth together. 00:04:14.799 --> 00:04:16.539 And our takeaway from that sermon was, 00:04:16.839 --> 00:04:18.839 will I commit to grow together? 00:04:19.060 --> 00:04:24.079 Grow together with my church community by studying truth together. 00:04:24.079 --> 00:04:27.659 And as we launched our discipleship groups that are now a weekend, 00:04:27.800 --> 00:04:29.659 we all kind of kicked them off last Sunday. 00:04:30.199 --> 00:04:33.459 And Sunday night, Monday night, Tuesday night, a couple different groups meeting. 00:04:33.599 --> 00:04:39.919 And then Wednesday night, we had five different groups going on studying truth together last week, 00:04:39.919 --> 00:04:41.839 as well as our Sunday school classes, 00:04:41.899 --> 00:04:46.419 as well as right here in the morning service and the things that we've already had going. 00:04:46.860 --> 00:04:48.839 Grow group that meets Sunday afternoon. 00:04:48.839 --> 00:04:53.619 There's a lot of different ways that we've already been trying to study truth together. 00:04:53.619 --> 00:04:56.000 And we're continuing to add to that. 00:04:56.719 --> 00:04:57.879 We fellowship together. 00:04:58.179 --> 00:05:00.219 A couple of weeks ago, we looked at this. 00:05:00.319 --> 00:05:02.139 We fellowship together. 00:05:02.319 --> 00:05:06.039 It's that word koinonia that we find in the Bible that means fellowship. 00:05:06.479 --> 00:05:07.739 And we broke that down. 00:05:07.819 --> 00:05:10.399 And our takeaway was, will I commit to partnering, 00:05:10.939 --> 00:05:14.939 partnership with my church community in fellowship together? 00:05:15.120 --> 00:05:16.039 Y'all please be seated. 00:05:16.859 --> 00:05:17.739 I'm so sorry. 00:05:17.740 --> 00:05:17.800 Sorry. 00:05:18.220 --> 00:05:19.939 We're a little bit out of order. 00:05:21.420 --> 00:05:24.400 Usually I read the Bible, I pray, and then you sit down. 00:05:24.879 --> 00:05:26.120 I understand that. 00:05:27.160 --> 00:05:30.560 I left the prayer part off because we're going to get to that in just a moment. 00:05:30.939 --> 00:05:33.180 And yeah, sorry about that. 00:05:33.199 --> 00:05:36.800 I just wanted to see what your all cardio levels are right now. 00:05:38.019 --> 00:05:38.680 Kidding with you. 00:05:38.759 --> 00:05:39.060 All right. 00:05:39.160 --> 00:05:42.160 So partnering with our church community together. 00:05:42.280 --> 00:05:45.620 Hey, I am amazed by the partnership that y'all just displayed by, 00:05:45.620 --> 00:05:47.819 well, they're still standing, so I guess I'll still stand. 00:05:48.280 --> 00:05:48.800 It's amazing. 00:05:48.939 --> 00:05:50.560 Somebody had to take the lead and say, okay. 00:05:52.480 --> 00:05:55.680 But fellowship together is a powerful, powerful force. 00:05:55.680 --> 00:05:58.639 And y'all, that's something that we cannot manufacture. 00:05:58.840 --> 00:06:01.360 You can't just create fellowship and see it happen. 00:06:01.360 --> 00:06:09.020 It has to really be born out of hearts coming together for the purpose of tearing down walls, 00:06:09.220 --> 00:06:12.460 learning more about each other, opening ourselves up. 00:06:12.639 --> 00:06:14.340 There's a layer of intimacy there. 00:06:14.759 --> 00:06:19.160 There's a layer of being willing to be hurt, being willing to be let down, 00:06:19.259 --> 00:06:21.639 or maybe even letting down someone else. 00:06:21.639 --> 00:06:27.879 But when we break down those walls, we can have Christian community by fellowshipping together. 00:06:28.019 --> 00:06:30.599 And then last Sunday, we talked about food. 00:06:31.399 --> 00:06:32.479 Talked about eating together. 00:06:32.560 --> 00:06:33.300 It was a lot of fun. 00:06:33.639 --> 00:06:39.939 And I can't tell you how many times later that week I had people from our church mentioning to me, 00:06:40.439 --> 00:06:41.319 hey, we're eating together. 00:06:41.599 --> 00:06:44.019 I just wanted to let you know at our D group on Wednesday night, 00:06:44.139 --> 00:06:48.659 we ate together and went to lunch with a family in our church right after the morning service. 00:06:48.659 --> 00:06:50.139 Said, you know, we talked about eating together. 00:06:50.139 --> 00:06:51.240 We should probably eat together. 00:06:51.360 --> 00:06:55.539 So it was great to talk about all the different instances in the Bible 00:06:55.539 --> 00:07:02.339 where Jesus would eat together with his disciples or with other people that were Jesus followers 00:07:02.339 --> 00:07:06.659 or even just in the community, publicans and sinners, the Bible calls them sometimes. 00:07:06.659 --> 00:07:11.539 But he knew that that fellowship is created when you eat together or break bread together. 00:07:11.699 --> 00:07:17.339 So the takeaway was, will I commit to unite with my church community by eating together? 00:07:17.339 --> 00:07:21.919 We do that in homes, gathering together with friends outside of our morning services, 00:07:22.119 --> 00:07:25.459 actually reaching across the aisle and saying, hey, would you like to come to dinner with me? 00:07:25.779 --> 00:07:27.039 Hey, I'd like to get to know you better. 00:07:27.159 --> 00:07:30.019 Hey, I'd like to become closer to you, my brother or sister in Christ. 00:07:30.099 --> 00:07:31.879 We also do that at our D groups. 00:07:32.139 --> 00:07:33.479 We have at least a snack. 00:07:33.599 --> 00:07:36.699 Sometimes I feel like what we had in our group on Wednesday night was a full meal. 00:07:36.939 --> 00:07:37.799 That was amazing. 00:07:38.279 --> 00:07:39.259 People brought stuff. 00:07:39.339 --> 00:07:40.419 The Clarks provided sandwiches. 00:07:40.420 --> 00:07:41.140 It was awesome. 00:07:41.960 --> 00:07:49.960 But we embrace that difficulty and that chore of providing food because it's worth it to eat together 00:07:49.960 --> 00:07:53.340 and the unity that comes from that. 00:07:53.520 --> 00:07:58.040 So today, the last one, we pray together. 00:07:58.720 --> 00:08:01.500 In some ways, you could say we saved the best for last. 00:08:02.420 --> 00:08:04.660 Back in Acts chapter 2 and verse 42, 00:08:04.660 --> 00:08:13.840 All the believers devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and to fellowship and to sharing in meals and to, 00:08:13.939 --> 00:08:14.660 what's that word? 00:08:16.000 --> 00:08:17.420 Oh, y'all can do better than that. 00:08:17.500 --> 00:08:18.200 What's that word? 00:08:18.600 --> 00:08:19.160 Prayer. 00:08:19.480 --> 00:08:20.200 That's right. 00:08:21.200 --> 00:08:23.879 They devoted themselves to prayer. 00:08:24.440 --> 00:08:26.120 So let's pray right now. 00:08:26.120 --> 00:08:32.879 Our good, kind, loving God. 00:08:35.360 --> 00:08:42.379 We're able to come to you in the name of Jesus and we're able to cry out to you to teach us because we need it, God. 00:08:42.539 --> 00:08:44.200 We crave your truth. 00:08:44.659 --> 00:08:46.060 We crave your teaching. 00:08:49.320 --> 00:08:51.620 We crave your Holy Spirit's guidance. 00:08:51.620 --> 00:08:55.940 Because without it, we wander off. 00:08:56.659 --> 00:08:57.840 We go astray. 00:08:57.980 --> 00:09:01.919 We are led by our own desires. 00:09:02.200 --> 00:09:04.980 We're led by our own thinking, our own priorities. 00:09:05.179 --> 00:09:08.940 And we always end up somewhere you don't want us to be. 00:09:11.659 --> 00:09:14.659 And we find out that's somewhere we don't want to be either. 00:09:16.139 --> 00:09:17.940 So God, pull us back. 00:09:17.940 --> 00:09:26.380 Throughout the morning, throughout the afternoon, throughout the evening, even in the middle of the night when we're awakened by thoughts, 00:09:26.480 --> 00:09:32.640 I pray that you would pull us back to your side, your presence in prayer. 00:09:34.120 --> 00:09:37.680 Make us aware of you as we go throughout our day. 00:09:37.780 --> 00:09:38.780 We see the fruit of it. 00:09:39.540 --> 00:09:43.400 We know the promises that await us when we turn to you in prayer. 00:09:43.399 --> 00:09:49.939 So God, individually and together as a church, make us a community of prayer. 00:09:50.360 --> 00:09:51.799 In Jesus' name, amen. 00:09:52.600 --> 00:09:55.779 I want to share this quote from you from Bible teacher John Bloom. 00:09:56.179 --> 00:09:56.519 He said, 00:09:56.659 --> 00:10:02.279 We don't pray enough because we don't really believe it will do much good. 00:10:02.279 --> 00:10:14.740 Now, if I took a poll of the room, y'all would probably unanimously, I'm guessing, there might be a couple folks who would vote otherwise, 00:10:15.059 --> 00:10:18.799 but more than likely, we would get a unanimous vote that says, 00:10:18.980 --> 00:10:20.379 We believe prayer works. 00:10:21.159 --> 00:10:23.299 We believe God answers prayer. 00:10:23.439 --> 00:10:26.179 We believe that prayer can do a lot of good. 00:10:26.179 --> 00:10:32.759 But unfortunately, you and I don't live as though we believe that. 00:10:33.579 --> 00:10:39.699 Because if we did, then we would follow Paul's teaching that says, 00:10:40.239 --> 00:10:42.579 Pray without ceasing. 00:10:43.620 --> 00:10:45.439 But we cease, don't we? 00:10:46.519 --> 00:10:49.679 For those of you who are wondering what ceasing means, it just means stop, okay? 00:10:50.359 --> 00:10:51.819 It's okay, don't feel bad. 00:10:52.500 --> 00:10:54.459 Nobody uses that word a lot anymore. 00:10:54.460 --> 00:10:57.120 But pray without stopping. 00:10:58.940 --> 00:11:00.500 We stop, don't we? 00:11:01.139 --> 00:11:03.080 We hang up the phone, so to speak. 00:11:04.060 --> 00:11:05.740 People are like, what does this mean? 00:11:07.259 --> 00:11:09.240 It's the old kind of telephone, alright? 00:11:09.420 --> 00:11:11.379 They had a receiver here and a receiver here. 00:11:11.639 --> 00:11:12.820 Yeah, there you go. 00:11:13.040 --> 00:11:13.519 Got it. 00:11:14.720 --> 00:11:18.680 So yeah, we hang up the phone with God sometimes. 00:11:18.960 --> 00:11:19.379 Frequently. 00:11:19.379 --> 00:11:25.519 And oftentimes, we don't go to Him when we feel like things are okay. 00:11:26.360 --> 00:11:28.559 We go to Him when there's trouble. 00:11:29.120 --> 00:11:30.100 When there's problems. 00:11:30.419 --> 00:11:34.240 When all of a sudden, we're made aware of our need for God. 00:11:34.399 --> 00:11:36.740 It isn't that we suddenly needed God. 00:11:36.860 --> 00:11:38.799 We needed Him the whole time, didn't we? 00:11:38.799 --> 00:11:44.319 But sometimes, we become more aware, like flashing lights in front of us. 00:11:44.379 --> 00:11:46.379 Hey, you can't handle this. 00:11:46.579 --> 00:11:47.379 You need God. 00:11:47.459 --> 00:11:50.179 Well, you needed Him five minutes ago, but you still need Him now. 00:11:51.019 --> 00:11:52.979 Now you're just more aware of it. 00:11:52.980 --> 00:12:02.580 So the truth is, you and I live so much of the time as though prayer doesn't really do that much good. 00:12:04.340 --> 00:12:11.120 And even sometimes when we pray, doubt chokes that prayer. 00:12:11.120 --> 00:12:16.039 We'll say the words. 00:12:17.659 --> 00:12:23.740 Because somewhere in our brains, we believe that, yes, I do have faith that God is there. 00:12:23.840 --> 00:12:25.600 I do have faith that God loves me. 00:12:26.120 --> 00:12:29.179 I did give my life to Him. 00:12:29.480 --> 00:12:30.919 I do believe I'm His child. 00:12:31.019 --> 00:12:34.799 And so in my head, I know that I should pray, so I'm going to. 00:12:35.799 --> 00:12:37.740 But is it really going to make a difference? 00:12:37.740 --> 00:12:41.519 Is He really going to do what I need Him to do? 00:12:42.860 --> 00:12:49.120 Thankfully, He never promises to do what you believe you need Him to do. 00:12:50.460 --> 00:12:55.560 Thankfully, He promises to act for your good. 00:12:56.860 --> 00:13:04.220 Thankfully, He promises to bring all things together for your good and for His glory. 00:13:05.360 --> 00:13:07.039 So we have that promise. 00:13:07.740 --> 00:13:11.879 So number one, prayer is the key ingredient. 00:13:13.299 --> 00:13:16.639 When we're trying to live a life that's honoring to God, 00:13:16.720 --> 00:13:19.940 when we're trying to have healthy community in our church, 00:13:20.259 --> 00:13:21.980 healthy unity in our church, 00:13:22.620 --> 00:13:26.580 getting together because we all believe in the same God, 00:13:26.639 --> 00:13:28.220 in the same way of salvation, 00:13:28.799 --> 00:13:30.940 there is no other name under heaven 00:13:30.940 --> 00:13:33.360 whereby we can be saved 00:13:33.360 --> 00:13:35.500 except the name of Jesus. 00:13:35.500 --> 00:13:37.399 And if you and I believe that, 00:13:37.460 --> 00:13:38.620 then we can have unity. 00:13:39.000 --> 00:13:40.299 We can have community. 00:13:40.679 --> 00:13:42.480 We can disagree on other things. 00:13:43.159 --> 00:13:45.899 But if we all have chosen the Jesus way 00:13:45.899 --> 00:13:51.019 and we are asking God to lead us another step down that path, 00:13:51.279 --> 00:13:54.379 then you and I can come together in this community 00:13:54.379 --> 00:13:57.679 and worship and follow Jesus together. 00:13:57.679 --> 00:14:01.599 So the number one key ingredient to be able to do that is prayer. 00:14:01.819 --> 00:14:04.639 You and I have to be prayed up. 00:14:04.959 --> 00:14:06.579 We have to be protected by prayer. 00:14:06.739 --> 00:14:08.519 We have to be guided by prayer. 00:14:08.679 --> 00:14:10.319 We have to be led by prayer. 00:14:10.599 --> 00:14:12.519 We have to be motivated by prayer. 00:14:12.739 --> 00:14:16.079 We have to be tethered to prayer. 00:14:16.199 --> 00:14:18.439 We have to be founded in prayer, 00:14:18.639 --> 00:14:19.979 grounded in prayer, 00:14:21.139 --> 00:14:22.879 surrounded by prayer. 00:14:22.879 --> 00:14:26.100 So prayer is the key ingredient. 00:14:26.279 --> 00:14:30.179 Let's look at a couple different ideas about prayer. 00:14:30.399 --> 00:14:34.379 Luke emphasized the likely writer of the book of Acts, 00:14:34.439 --> 00:14:37.500 although there have been some other theologians 00:14:37.500 --> 00:14:39.320 that believe maybe somebody else wrote Acts, 00:14:39.399 --> 00:14:40.100 maybe it was Paul, 00:14:40.179 --> 00:14:41.080 maybe wrote part of it, 00:14:41.159 --> 00:14:42.600 maybe somebody else contributed others. 00:14:42.740 --> 00:14:44.820 We know that it was inspired by God 00:14:44.820 --> 00:14:48.200 and provided and preserved in our word of God 00:14:48.200 --> 00:14:49.200 for our benefit. 00:14:49.200 --> 00:14:51.240 So the author of Acts emphasized 00:14:51.240 --> 00:14:53.860 that this was a community of prayer. 00:14:54.020 --> 00:14:58.680 They did not act by gut feelings or intuition, 00:14:59.060 --> 00:15:01.840 but by Holy Spirit guidance, 00:15:01.980 --> 00:15:06.360 actively submitting to the Lord's direction in their lives. 00:15:06.980 --> 00:15:08.740 So prayer is the key ingredient. 00:15:09.020 --> 00:15:10.320 Throughout the book of Acts, 00:15:10.800 --> 00:15:12.020 throughout the book of Acts, 00:15:12.060 --> 00:15:13.640 we see different kind of prayer. 00:15:13.879 --> 00:15:16.740 We see both free and formal prayer. 00:15:16.740 --> 00:15:20.480 Sometimes this was a gathering of prayer. 00:15:20.600 --> 00:15:23.600 Sometimes it was formalized in a prayer, 00:15:23.700 --> 00:15:25.279 like we see the Lord's Prayer. 00:15:25.379 --> 00:15:28.139 We did a study on the Lord's Prayer a long time ago, 00:15:28.200 --> 00:15:29.419 earlier in this year. 00:15:29.740 --> 00:15:30.779 Feels like a long time ago. 00:15:30.919 --> 00:15:33.399 It wasn't that long ago in actuality. 00:15:33.620 --> 00:15:36.379 But the Lord's Prayer is this formal prayer 00:15:36.379 --> 00:15:37.580 that is laid out in Scripture. 00:15:37.960 --> 00:15:40.379 Is it wrong to pray the Lord's Prayer to God? 00:15:40.419 --> 00:15:41.159 Of course not. 00:15:41.700 --> 00:15:45.399 Jesus gave us those words as a model prayer 00:15:45.399 --> 00:15:46.500 for how to pray, 00:15:46.860 --> 00:15:48.879 a guideline for how to pray, 00:15:49.679 --> 00:15:51.860 not selfishly, not self-serving, 00:15:52.199 --> 00:15:54.179 but a prayer that's honoring to God. 00:15:54.240 --> 00:15:55.319 So there are formal prayers. 00:15:55.459 --> 00:15:56.720 There are also free prayers. 00:15:57.340 --> 00:15:58.759 There are prayers that we can just, 00:15:59.039 --> 00:16:00.779 when we don't know what to say, 00:16:01.720 --> 00:16:02.840 God helps us. 00:16:02.919 --> 00:16:04.559 The Bible even says sometimes 00:16:04.559 --> 00:16:07.799 that when we don't know the words to say, 00:16:07.939 --> 00:16:09.299 Jesus will step in 00:16:09.299 --> 00:16:13.579 and take over and pray on our behalf. 00:16:13.899 --> 00:16:15.620 Isn't it amazing to think 00:16:15.620 --> 00:16:17.639 that Jesus is praying for you? 00:16:17.759 --> 00:16:20.519 But that is a promise in the Word of God, 00:16:21.019 --> 00:16:23.519 that Jesus is praying for you. 00:16:23.899 --> 00:16:25.620 How many times have you asked somebody else 00:16:25.620 --> 00:16:26.339 to pray for me? 00:16:26.759 --> 00:16:27.679 Say, pray for me. 00:16:28.199 --> 00:16:29.679 I'm going through something right now. 00:16:29.719 --> 00:16:30.719 Anybody or am I the only one? 00:16:30.859 --> 00:16:31.059 Anybody? 00:16:31.620 --> 00:16:32.319 Yeah, right? 00:16:32.379 --> 00:16:33.199 We ask for prayer. 00:16:34.039 --> 00:16:35.639 Have you ever asked God for prayer? 00:16:35.639 --> 00:16:37.720 God, would you pray for me? 00:16:38.360 --> 00:16:39.379 Well, we know He is. 00:16:40.039 --> 00:16:43.759 Jesus is actively praying or interceding, 00:16:44.659 --> 00:16:47.580 interceding, just a kind of a fancy term 00:16:47.580 --> 00:16:50.860 for stepping in and praying for someone 00:16:50.860 --> 00:16:55.340 in a powerful way for a specific reason, 00:16:56.480 --> 00:16:58.240 interceding on their behalf. 00:16:59.139 --> 00:17:00.659 So there are free prayers 00:17:00.659 --> 00:17:02.200 and there are formal prayers. 00:17:02.200 --> 00:17:04.339 There are also public prayers 00:17:04.339 --> 00:17:05.579 and private prayers. 00:17:06.560 --> 00:17:07.980 There's an example of this 00:17:07.980 --> 00:17:09.560 back in one of the parables 00:17:09.560 --> 00:17:10.759 Jesus was talking about 00:17:10.759 --> 00:17:12.240 how there was the Pharisee 00:17:12.240 --> 00:17:13.400 standing there in the temple 00:17:13.400 --> 00:17:14.680 in the full view of everyone 00:17:14.680 --> 00:17:16.620 and He's giving this big flowery prayer 00:17:16.620 --> 00:17:18.360 and He's wanting all the attention 00:17:18.360 --> 00:17:19.280 to come on Him. 00:17:19.860 --> 00:17:21.740 Now that's not the only way 00:17:21.740 --> 00:17:22.860 to pray in public. 00:17:23.700 --> 00:17:25.160 And if you're praying in public 00:17:25.160 --> 00:17:26.560 to impress somebody else 00:17:26.560 --> 00:17:28.680 with your grasp of the English language 00:17:28.680 --> 00:17:30.880 or your grasp of the Bible or theology, 00:17:31.340 --> 00:17:33.060 then you're not really praying, 00:17:33.220 --> 00:17:34.560 you're just spouting off words. 00:17:35.640 --> 00:17:37.140 And that's not doing anything. 00:17:37.300 --> 00:17:38.920 It's not getting any higher than the ceiling, 00:17:39.140 --> 00:17:40.759 you know, just kind of bouncing right there. 00:17:42.120 --> 00:17:43.920 But then, by contrast, 00:17:44.020 --> 00:17:44.780 there was the sinner 00:17:44.780 --> 00:17:48.640 who didn't pray in public. 00:17:48.780 --> 00:17:49.520 In that moment, 00:17:49.560 --> 00:17:51.300 he didn't feel like he even could. 00:17:51.720 --> 00:17:53.380 He got alone by himself 00:17:53.380 --> 00:17:54.460 and quietly, 00:17:54.560 --> 00:17:55.560 where no one could hear, 00:17:56.020 --> 00:17:56.920 muttered the words, 00:17:57.040 --> 00:17:58.620 God, be merciful to me, 00:17:58.780 --> 00:17:59.240 a sinner. 00:17:59.240 --> 00:18:02.380 Sometimes those are the moments 00:18:02.380 --> 00:18:03.319 we need in private. 00:18:04.420 --> 00:18:05.420 It's just, God, 00:18:05.740 --> 00:18:06.640 I'm a mess. 00:18:07.299 --> 00:18:08.339 I know I'm a mess. 00:18:09.259 --> 00:18:10.859 Maybe my spouse has reminded me 00:18:10.859 --> 00:18:11.420 that I'm a mess, 00:18:11.480 --> 00:18:12.940 but I know I'm a mess, you know. 00:18:13.240 --> 00:18:15.039 And you know most of all, God, 00:18:15.099 --> 00:18:15.740 that I'm a mess 00:18:15.740 --> 00:18:17.000 and yet you love me anyway 00:18:17.000 --> 00:18:18.900 and I stand forgiven in your sight. 00:18:19.000 --> 00:18:21.420 So thank you for forgiving me. 00:18:22.819 --> 00:18:24.660 I'm claiming your mercy right now. 00:18:24.740 --> 00:18:26.279 I'm claiming your grace right now. 00:18:26.279 --> 00:18:28.200 I don't know what else to do. 00:18:29.960 --> 00:18:31.940 Sometimes praying in public is okay. 00:18:32.819 --> 00:18:35.039 Throughout the book of Acts 00:18:35.039 --> 00:18:36.680 and even in the New Testament, 00:18:36.859 --> 00:18:39.579 we see instances of public prayer. 00:18:40.660 --> 00:18:43.359 Sometimes it's one person praying. 00:18:43.500 --> 00:18:46.139 Sometimes it's many people praying at once. 00:18:46.619 --> 00:18:49.579 But public and private prayer. 00:18:51.119 --> 00:18:53.420 Public prayer should never be self-serving. 00:18:53.680 --> 00:18:55.700 Should never be pointing all the attention to me. 00:18:55.700 --> 00:18:59.080 It should always be pointing the attention to God. 00:18:59.180 --> 00:19:01.500 And then there's personal and corporate prayer. 00:19:02.039 --> 00:19:05.740 You could say individual and corporate prayer. 00:19:06.319 --> 00:19:09.319 Sometimes you might be praying just by yourself. 00:19:09.940 --> 00:19:12.440 Sometimes you might be praying together 00:19:12.440 --> 00:19:14.259 as a body of believers. 00:19:15.140 --> 00:19:17.600 Oftentimes in our church, 00:19:17.700 --> 00:19:20.660 we are led by someone on stage 00:19:20.660 --> 00:19:22.720 at the microphone praying. 00:19:22.720 --> 00:19:25.460 And that's still corporate prayer. 00:19:25.640 --> 00:19:26.940 It's corporate public prayer. 00:19:27.319 --> 00:19:28.759 Corporate just means together. 00:19:29.019 --> 00:19:30.380 We're doing it together. 00:19:32.000 --> 00:19:35.319 So both personal, private, individual, 00:19:35.700 --> 00:19:38.940 and also corporate, together, 00:19:39.640 --> 00:19:41.500 joint, unified prayer. 00:19:41.940 --> 00:19:43.799 I think there's something powerful 00:19:43.799 --> 00:19:46.360 about a group of Christians 00:19:46.360 --> 00:19:47.940 gathered together 00:19:47.940 --> 00:19:49.480 and all praying 00:19:49.480 --> 00:19:51.259 at the same time. 00:19:52.860 --> 00:19:54.120 Now, this church 00:19:54.120 --> 00:19:56.080 is not an advocate of speaking in tongues. 00:19:56.779 --> 00:19:57.440 And sometimes, 00:19:57.600 --> 00:19:58.640 if everybody's in the room 00:19:58.640 --> 00:20:00.299 shouting different words 00:20:00.299 --> 00:20:01.759 all together at the same time, 00:20:01.840 --> 00:20:03.039 that's chaos. 00:20:03.160 --> 00:20:04.799 And God is not a God of chaos. 00:20:05.000 --> 00:20:06.180 He's not a God of disorder. 00:20:06.500 --> 00:20:07.559 He's a God of order. 00:20:09.200 --> 00:20:10.960 But regardless of your view 00:20:10.960 --> 00:20:12.320 on some of these issues, 00:20:12.319 --> 00:20:13.960 you must understand 00:20:13.960 --> 00:20:15.339 that praying together 00:20:15.339 --> 00:20:19.259 creates a bond of unity. 00:20:19.939 --> 00:20:21.700 And it doesn't all have to be 00:20:21.700 --> 00:20:23.379 one person praying at a time. 00:20:23.740 --> 00:20:24.839 Sometimes it can be. 00:20:25.059 --> 00:20:27.240 Because sometimes we want to all listen 00:20:27.240 --> 00:20:29.119 to what that person is praying 00:20:29.119 --> 00:20:29.899 on our behalf 00:20:29.899 --> 00:20:32.159 or the behalf of our community together. 00:20:32.299 --> 00:20:32.960 But sometimes, 00:20:33.139 --> 00:20:34.740 we just need to lift our voices 00:20:34.740 --> 00:20:35.799 quietly to God 00:20:35.799 --> 00:20:36.939 at the same time 00:20:36.939 --> 00:20:37.899 and pray to Him. 00:20:38.179 --> 00:20:39.559 He's capable of hearing it all. 00:20:40.279 --> 00:20:41.559 He's not going to get confused. 00:20:42.339 --> 00:20:43.639 He's able to single out 00:20:43.639 --> 00:20:44.319 and understand 00:20:44.319 --> 00:20:45.799 and process and answer. 00:20:45.919 --> 00:20:47.139 And He knows in advance 00:20:47.139 --> 00:20:48.619 what's on our heart. 00:20:48.720 --> 00:20:49.659 He knows in advance 00:20:49.659 --> 00:20:50.859 what our prayers 00:20:50.859 --> 00:20:52.019 are going to be about. 00:20:53.339 --> 00:20:54.599 They prayed together. 00:20:54.960 --> 00:20:56.039 They prayed corporately. 00:20:56.619 --> 00:20:57.839 They prayed on their own. 00:20:58.299 --> 00:20:59.759 And they prayed without ceasing. 00:21:00.980 --> 00:21:01.779 The book of Acts, 00:21:01.919 --> 00:21:02.740 this early church, 00:21:02.839 --> 00:21:04.139 these early Christians 00:21:04.139 --> 00:21:05.279 that were joined together 00:21:05.279 --> 00:21:08.159 as God is launching the church, 00:21:08.559 --> 00:21:09.220 getting prepared 00:21:09.220 --> 00:21:11.279 to spread it around the whole globe, 00:21:11.559 --> 00:21:13.019 and we are an individual 00:21:13.019 --> 00:21:15.899 example of that today. 00:21:16.839 --> 00:21:18.359 This church prayed in the temple. 00:21:18.679 --> 00:21:20.119 This church prayed in homes. 00:21:21.179 --> 00:21:22.539 This church prayed 00:21:22.539 --> 00:21:24.039 as they walked along the road. 00:21:24.319 --> 00:21:24.839 They prayed 00:21:24.839 --> 00:21:26.339 as they encountered sick people. 00:21:26.720 --> 00:21:27.579 And the Bible says 00:21:27.579 --> 00:21:28.460 the prayer of faith 00:21:28.460 --> 00:21:29.559 can heal the sick. 00:21:30.559 --> 00:21:31.359 They prayed 00:21:31.359 --> 00:21:33.059 before they preached sermons. 00:21:33.740 --> 00:21:34.639 They prayed 00:21:34.639 --> 00:21:36.460 while they heard sermons. 00:21:36.460 --> 00:21:38.220 They prayed 00:21:38.220 --> 00:21:39.680 before they heard sermons. 00:21:39.799 --> 00:21:40.180 They prayed 00:21:40.180 --> 00:21:41.700 after the preaching was over. 00:21:42.519 --> 00:21:43.240 They prayed 00:21:43.240 --> 00:21:45.579 while they were being persecuted. 00:21:49.039 --> 00:21:50.220 They prayed 00:21:50.220 --> 00:21:51.100 while the devil 00:21:51.100 --> 00:21:52.079 was attacking. 00:21:52.980 --> 00:21:53.640 They prayed 00:21:53.640 --> 00:21:54.940 while they were being harmed. 00:21:56.100 --> 00:21:56.500 Literally, 00:21:57.059 --> 00:21:58.299 while their bodies 00:21:58.299 --> 00:21:59.960 were physically being assaulted, 00:22:00.380 --> 00:22:01.840 they lifted up prayers 00:22:01.840 --> 00:22:02.840 to God. 00:22:02.839 --> 00:22:04.859 They were a community 00:22:04.859 --> 00:22:06.039 of prayer. 00:22:07.859 --> 00:22:08.599 They prayed 00:22:08.599 --> 00:22:09.179 for each other. 00:22:09.959 --> 00:22:10.679 They prayed 00:22:10.679 --> 00:22:11.779 before they ate their food 00:22:11.779 --> 00:22:12.579 to give thanks. 00:22:13.220 --> 00:22:13.839 They prayed 00:22:13.839 --> 00:22:14.740 and they thanked Jesus 00:22:14.740 --> 00:22:15.399 for forgiving 00:22:15.399 --> 00:22:17.079 their sins. 00:22:17.559 --> 00:22:18.439 They prayed 00:22:18.439 --> 00:22:19.619 for their daily needs. 00:22:20.559 --> 00:22:22.199 And they praised God 00:22:22.199 --> 00:22:23.500 through songs 00:22:23.500 --> 00:22:24.199 of prayer. 00:22:24.200 --> 00:22:26.279 we could go on. 00:22:27.019 --> 00:22:27.559 We could give 00:22:27.559 --> 00:22:28.519 far more examples 00:22:28.519 --> 00:22:30.519 of how this church 00:22:30.519 --> 00:22:31.259 prayed. 00:22:33.000 --> 00:22:34.440 You don't walk far 00:22:34.440 --> 00:22:36.000 in the book of Acts 00:22:36.000 --> 00:22:37.299 without stumbling 00:22:37.299 --> 00:22:38.559 over the church 00:22:38.559 --> 00:22:39.539 praying. 00:22:43.319 --> 00:22:44.840 Can I talk to our members 00:22:44.840 --> 00:22:45.740 and regular attenders 00:22:45.740 --> 00:22:46.500 just for a moment? 00:22:47.140 --> 00:22:47.960 If you're a guest with us, 00:22:48.000 --> 00:22:48.799 don't feel unwanted. 00:22:49.160 --> 00:22:49.819 I just want to talk 00:22:49.819 --> 00:22:50.319 to this group 00:22:50.319 --> 00:22:51.039 just for a second. 00:22:52.779 --> 00:22:53.940 If you're unhappy, 00:22:54.200 --> 00:22:55.819 with anything 00:22:55.819 --> 00:22:56.740 about our church, 00:22:57.860 --> 00:22:59.539 could it be traced back 00:22:59.539 --> 00:23:01.340 to the fact 00:23:01.340 --> 00:23:04.059 that we are not 00:23:04.059 --> 00:23:05.360 as praying a church 00:23:05.360 --> 00:23:06.160 as we could be? 00:23:07.779 --> 00:23:08.680 Could it be 00:23:08.680 --> 00:23:09.980 that we must be 00:23:09.980 --> 00:23:11.160 more of a community 00:23:11.160 --> 00:23:11.880 of prayer? 00:23:13.400 --> 00:23:14.539 If you've got something 00:23:14.539 --> 00:23:15.580 against another sister 00:23:15.580 --> 00:23:16.660 or brother in Christ, 00:23:17.940 --> 00:23:18.819 you say, 00:23:18.900 --> 00:23:19.039 man, 00:23:19.080 --> 00:23:19.940 I just wish 00:23:19.940 --> 00:23:20.940 we were better 00:23:20.940 --> 00:23:21.480 in this area. 00:23:21.580 --> 00:23:22.340 I wish our church 00:23:22.340 --> 00:23:23.539 was better in this area. 00:23:23.539 --> 00:23:25.720 What if we took 00:23:25.720 --> 00:23:26.379 that to God? 00:23:27.500 --> 00:23:28.720 What if we fought 00:23:28.720 --> 00:23:29.519 the battle 00:23:29.519 --> 00:23:30.940 from our knees? 00:23:32.000 --> 00:23:33.039 Just like the song 00:23:33.039 --> 00:23:33.879 we sang earlier 00:23:33.879 --> 00:23:35.200 said. 00:23:37.579 --> 00:23:38.399 Martin Luther, 00:23:38.740 --> 00:23:39.399 one of the great 00:23:39.399 --> 00:23:40.659 fathers of our faith 00:23:40.659 --> 00:23:41.420 said this. 00:23:43.579 --> 00:23:44.700 Let me get back up there. 00:23:44.700 --> 00:23:46.680 Prayer is a strong wall 00:23:46.680 --> 00:23:48.220 and a fortress 00:23:48.220 --> 00:23:49.259 of the church. 00:23:49.259 --> 00:23:51.200 It is the godly 00:23:51.200 --> 00:23:52.859 Christian's weapon. 00:23:54.359 --> 00:23:54.960 Now, 00:23:55.019 --> 00:23:55.619 why would you call 00:23:55.619 --> 00:23:56.779 prayer a weapon? 00:23:57.720 --> 00:23:58.819 You're trying to harm 00:23:58.819 --> 00:23:59.299 somebody? 00:24:00.519 --> 00:24:01.119 No. 00:24:01.400 --> 00:24:02.579 But like it or not, 00:24:02.680 --> 00:24:03.339 you and I, 00:24:03.480 --> 00:24:04.700 as Jesus followers, 00:24:04.920 --> 00:24:06.339 are in a spiritual 00:24:06.339 --> 00:24:07.000 battle. 00:24:08.000 --> 00:24:08.839 And if you don't 00:24:08.839 --> 00:24:09.779 arm yourself 00:24:09.779 --> 00:24:11.119 for that battle, 00:24:11.640 --> 00:24:13.619 then you will suffer 00:24:13.619 --> 00:24:14.759 needless, 00:24:15.220 --> 00:24:16.779 not defeats, 00:24:16.779 --> 00:24:17.420 because God 00:24:17.420 --> 00:24:18.139 has already won 00:24:18.139 --> 00:24:19.700 the ultimate battle. 00:24:19.799 --> 00:24:20.440 He's already won 00:24:20.440 --> 00:24:20.899 the war. 00:24:21.799 --> 00:24:22.680 But you will take 00:24:22.680 --> 00:24:23.099 shots, 00:24:23.200 --> 00:24:23.899 you will take 00:24:23.899 --> 00:24:24.619 hits 00:24:24.619 --> 00:24:25.839 that you didn't 00:24:25.839 --> 00:24:26.700 have to take 00:24:26.700 --> 00:24:27.399 if you aren't 00:24:27.399 --> 00:24:28.480 armed for the battle. 00:24:28.980 --> 00:24:29.779 Earlier in the year, 00:24:29.859 --> 00:24:30.859 we went through Ephesians 00:24:30.859 --> 00:24:31.500 and we talked 00:24:31.500 --> 00:24:32.440 for a Sunday 00:24:32.440 --> 00:24:34.039 about the armor 00:24:34.039 --> 00:24:34.519 of God 00:24:34.519 --> 00:24:35.200 and putting on 00:24:35.200 --> 00:24:36.079 the full armor 00:24:36.079 --> 00:24:36.599 of God 00:24:36.599 --> 00:24:37.920 and arming yourself 00:24:37.920 --> 00:24:39.039 for that spiritual 00:24:39.039 --> 00:24:39.519 battle. 00:24:41.180 --> 00:24:41.779 Prayer 00:24:41.779 --> 00:24:43.480 is first 00:24:43.480 --> 00:24:44.220 and foremost 00:24:44.220 --> 00:24:46.259 when you're 00:24:46.259 --> 00:24:46.960 arming yourself 00:24:46.960 --> 00:24:47.500 for the battle. 00:24:47.960 --> 00:24:49.059 It is a strong 00:24:49.059 --> 00:24:49.420 wall. 00:24:49.879 --> 00:24:50.660 It's the fortress 00:24:50.660 --> 00:24:51.440 of the church. 00:24:51.819 --> 00:24:52.440 And if you need 00:24:52.440 --> 00:24:52.839 a weapon 00:24:52.839 --> 00:24:54.220 to fight back 00:24:54.220 --> 00:24:55.059 your own flesh, 00:24:55.279 --> 00:24:55.899 if you need 00:24:55.899 --> 00:24:56.379 a weapon 00:24:56.379 --> 00:24:57.480 to fight back 00:24:57.480 --> 00:24:58.079 the attacks 00:24:58.079 --> 00:24:58.619 of Satan, 00:24:58.859 --> 00:24:59.539 if you need 00:24:59.539 --> 00:25:00.000 a weapon 00:25:00.000 --> 00:25:01.119 to fight back 00:25:01.119 --> 00:25:02.180 those who seem 00:25:02.180 --> 00:25:03.099 to want nothing 00:25:03.099 --> 00:25:04.680 but your destruction, 00:25:05.879 --> 00:25:06.220 prayer 00:25:06.220 --> 00:25:07.879 is the godly 00:25:07.879 --> 00:25:08.680 Christian's 00:25:08.680 --> 00:25:09.220 weapon. 00:25:09.220 --> 00:25:12.240 Now, 00:25:12.440 --> 00:25:14.019 let's look at this. 00:25:14.160 --> 00:25:14.960 Acts chapter 4 00:25:14.960 --> 00:25:16.360 verses 23 00:25:16.360 --> 00:25:17.519 through 32. 00:25:17.759 --> 00:25:18.559 Would you turn over 00:25:18.559 --> 00:25:19.160 two chapters 00:25:19.160 --> 00:25:20.420 from Acts 2? 00:25:21.940 --> 00:25:22.839 Two chapters 00:25:22.839 --> 00:25:23.500 from Acts 2. 00:25:23.579 --> 00:25:24.039 We're looking at 00:25:24.039 --> 00:25:24.839 Acts chapter 4 00:25:24.839 --> 00:25:25.720 verses 23 00:25:25.720 --> 00:25:27.120 through 32. 00:25:28.759 --> 00:25:29.319 Y'all, 00:25:29.420 --> 00:25:30.779 we do not have time 00:25:30.779 --> 00:25:32.059 to show you 00:25:32.059 --> 00:25:33.319 all the texts, 00:25:33.640 --> 00:25:34.980 all the Bible passages 00:25:34.980 --> 00:25:36.319 from that list 00:25:36.319 --> 00:25:36.980 of examples 00:25:36.980 --> 00:25:38.079 of how the church 00:25:38.079 --> 00:25:38.500 prayed. 00:25:38.500 --> 00:25:40.319 There are so many, 00:25:40.400 --> 00:25:41.160 like we said before, 00:25:41.240 --> 00:25:42.140 you don't get very far 00:25:42.140 --> 00:25:42.619 in Acts 00:25:42.619 --> 00:25:43.779 before you encounter 00:25:43.779 --> 00:25:45.119 the church praying. 00:25:45.259 --> 00:25:45.920 So if we're looking 00:25:45.920 --> 00:25:46.859 at the book of Acts 00:25:46.859 --> 00:25:47.839 as a template 00:25:47.839 --> 00:25:49.240 for how God 00:25:49.240 --> 00:25:50.180 wanted this church 00:25:50.180 --> 00:25:50.660 to be 00:25:50.660 --> 00:25:51.539 and how he wants 00:25:51.539 --> 00:25:52.519 our church to be, 00:25:52.680 --> 00:25:53.400 then we've got 00:25:53.400 --> 00:25:54.759 to model ourselves 00:25:54.759 --> 00:25:56.200 after their community, 00:25:56.720 --> 00:25:57.900 how did they 00:25:57.900 --> 00:25:59.099 commit themselves 00:25:59.099 --> 00:25:59.539 to prayer? 00:25:59.640 --> 00:26:00.619 We see a huge 00:26:00.619 --> 00:26:01.339 example of that 00:26:01.339 --> 00:26:01.839 right here 00:26:01.839 --> 00:26:03.539 in Acts chapter 4 00:26:03.539 --> 00:26:04.559 and verse 23. 00:26:04.559 --> 00:26:07.539 after they were released, 00:26:07.659 --> 00:26:08.240 talking about 00:26:08.240 --> 00:26:09.139 Peter and John, 00:26:10.200 --> 00:26:11.779 they had been 00:26:11.779 --> 00:26:12.759 arrested for 00:26:12.759 --> 00:26:13.480 preaching the name 00:26:13.480 --> 00:26:13.879 of Jesus 00:26:13.879 --> 00:26:14.500 and then 00:26:14.500 --> 00:26:15.619 because the 00:26:15.619 --> 00:26:16.779 authorities feared 00:26:16.779 --> 00:26:18.220 uprising from the people 00:26:18.220 --> 00:26:19.079 because the message 00:26:19.079 --> 00:26:20.319 was so popular 00:26:20.319 --> 00:26:21.039 and spreading 00:26:21.039 --> 00:26:21.759 so much, 00:26:21.839 --> 00:26:22.579 this saving message 00:26:22.579 --> 00:26:23.079 of Jesus, 00:26:23.440 --> 00:26:24.399 they released them 00:26:24.399 --> 00:26:25.659 and so after they 00:26:25.659 --> 00:26:26.000 released, 00:26:26.119 --> 00:26:26.700 Peter and John 00:26:26.700 --> 00:26:27.639 went to their own 00:26:27.639 --> 00:26:28.859 people and reported 00:26:28.859 --> 00:26:29.879 everything the chief 00:26:29.879 --> 00:26:30.740 priests and the elders 00:26:30.740 --> 00:26:31.759 had said to them. 00:26:31.759 --> 00:26:33.059 When they heard this, 00:26:33.140 --> 00:26:34.299 they raised their voices 00:26:34.299 --> 00:26:35.480 together to God. 00:26:35.879 --> 00:26:36.559 What did they do? 00:26:36.980 --> 00:26:37.519 They prayed. 00:26:38.180 --> 00:26:39.200 First thing they did 00:26:39.200 --> 00:26:40.019 was pray. 00:26:40.319 --> 00:26:40.720 Master, 00:26:41.000 --> 00:26:41.759 you are the one 00:26:41.759 --> 00:26:42.440 who made the heaven, 00:26:42.559 --> 00:26:42.819 the earth, 00:26:42.839 --> 00:26:43.240 and the sea 00:26:43.240 --> 00:26:44.220 and everything in them. 00:26:44.440 --> 00:26:45.099 You said 00:26:45.099 --> 00:26:46.319 through the Holy Spirit 00:26:46.319 --> 00:26:46.900 by the mouth 00:26:46.900 --> 00:26:47.480 of our father, 00:26:47.599 --> 00:26:47.839 David, 00:26:47.839 --> 00:26:48.440 your servant, 00:26:48.839 --> 00:26:49.759 why do the Gentiles 00:26:49.759 --> 00:26:50.839 rage and the people's 00:26:50.839 --> 00:26:52.000 plot futile things? 00:26:52.319 --> 00:26:52.440 Y'all, 00:26:52.539 --> 00:26:53.240 do you realize 00:26:53.240 --> 00:26:54.720 they went directly 00:26:54.720 --> 00:26:55.420 to the scripture? 00:26:55.759 --> 00:26:57.140 They prayed the scriptures 00:26:57.140 --> 00:26:58.299 back to God. 00:26:58.559 --> 00:26:59.579 What a powerful, 00:26:59.900 --> 00:27:01.099 effective way 00:27:01.099 --> 00:27:01.879 of praying. 00:27:02.599 --> 00:27:03.379 The kings of the earth 00:27:03.379 --> 00:27:04.219 take their stand 00:27:04.219 --> 00:27:05.019 and the rulers 00:27:05.019 --> 00:27:05.879 assemble together 00:27:05.879 --> 00:27:06.819 against the Lord 00:27:06.819 --> 00:27:08.279 and against his Messiah. 00:27:08.659 --> 00:27:09.259 For in fact, 00:27:09.359 --> 00:27:10.000 in this city, 00:27:10.319 --> 00:27:11.000 both Herod 00:27:11.000 --> 00:27:12.359 and Pontius Pilate 00:27:12.359 --> 00:27:13.319 with the Gentiles 00:27:13.319 --> 00:27:14.279 and the people of Israel 00:27:14.279 --> 00:27:15.579 assembled together 00:27:15.579 --> 00:27:17.519 against your holy servant, 00:27:17.759 --> 00:27:18.079 Jesus, 00:27:18.879 --> 00:27:19.699 whom you anointed 00:27:19.699 --> 00:27:20.879 to do whatever 00:27:20.879 --> 00:27:21.659 your hand 00:27:21.659 --> 00:27:22.419 and your will 00:27:22.419 --> 00:27:23.619 had predestined 00:27:23.619 --> 00:27:24.579 to take place. 00:27:24.659 --> 00:27:25.419 They acknowledged 00:27:25.419 --> 00:27:26.359 God's sovereignty 00:27:26.359 --> 00:27:27.419 over it all. 00:27:27.980 --> 00:27:28.159 Said, 00:27:28.240 --> 00:27:28.439 God, 00:27:28.500 --> 00:27:29.099 you weren't surprised 00:27:29.799 --> 00:27:30.740 by any of this. 00:27:31.099 --> 00:27:32.779 We know that you 00:27:32.779 --> 00:27:34.219 predestined for Jesus 00:27:34.219 --> 00:27:35.319 to be killed. 00:27:35.439 --> 00:27:36.659 We know you predestined 00:27:36.659 --> 00:27:38.240 for us to be persecuted. 00:27:39.319 --> 00:27:40.240 It was your will. 00:27:40.359 --> 00:27:41.379 You allowed it to happen 00:27:41.379 --> 00:27:43.799 for your greater purposes. 00:27:44.359 --> 00:27:44.980 Verse 29. 00:27:45.159 --> 00:27:45.439 You ready? 00:27:46.259 --> 00:27:46.699 And now, 00:27:46.879 --> 00:27:47.059 Lord, 00:27:47.879 --> 00:27:49.240 consider their threats 00:27:49.240 --> 00:27:51.539 and grant that your servants 00:27:51.539 --> 00:27:53.199 may speak your word 00:27:53.199 --> 00:27:54.579 with all boldness 00:27:54.579 --> 00:27:56.740 while you stretch out 00:27:56.740 --> 00:27:58.199 your hand for healing 00:27:58.200 --> 00:28:00.779 and signs and wonders 00:28:00.779 --> 00:28:01.600 are performed 00:28:01.600 --> 00:28:02.819 through the name 00:28:02.819 --> 00:28:04.340 of your holy servant, 00:28:04.600 --> 00:28:04.880 Jesus. 00:28:04.880 --> 00:28:05.819 You know what they 00:28:05.819 --> 00:28:06.900 didn't pray for? 00:28:07.700 --> 00:28:09.019 The destruction 00:28:09.019 --> 00:28:10.140 of their enemies. 00:28:11.240 --> 00:28:12.600 They prayed 00:28:12.600 --> 00:28:13.880 for God's 00:28:13.880 --> 00:28:15.640 mighty purposes 00:28:15.640 --> 00:28:16.539 to be accomplished 00:28:16.539 --> 00:28:17.420 on this earth. 00:28:18.380 --> 00:28:19.539 They prayed 00:28:19.539 --> 00:28:20.740 for God's word 00:28:20.740 --> 00:28:21.860 to have favor. 00:28:22.500 --> 00:28:23.220 They prayed 00:28:23.220 --> 00:28:24.100 for people 00:28:24.100 --> 00:28:24.880 to be turned 00:28:24.880 --> 00:28:25.660 to the name 00:28:25.660 --> 00:28:26.480 of Jesus. 00:28:27.560 --> 00:28:28.080 That's what 00:28:28.080 --> 00:28:28.720 they prayed for. 00:28:29.500 --> 00:28:30.259 Verse 31. 00:28:30.820 --> 00:28:31.720 And when they 00:28:31.720 --> 00:28:32.300 had prayed, 00:28:32.680 --> 00:28:33.640 the place 00:28:33.640 --> 00:28:34.279 where they were 00:28:34.279 --> 00:28:34.820 assembled 00:28:34.820 --> 00:28:36.060 was shaken 00:28:36.060 --> 00:28:37.980 and they were 00:28:37.980 --> 00:28:38.740 all filled 00:28:38.740 --> 00:28:39.700 with the Holy Spirit 00:28:39.700 --> 00:28:40.420 and began 00:28:40.420 --> 00:28:40.980 to speak 00:28:40.980 --> 00:28:41.620 the word 00:28:41.620 --> 00:28:42.279 of God 00:28:42.279 --> 00:28:43.259 boldly 00:28:43.259 --> 00:28:44.240 and the entire 00:28:44.240 --> 00:28:45.320 group of those 00:28:45.320 --> 00:28:45.940 who believed, 00:28:46.160 --> 00:28:46.660 verse 32, 00:28:46.900 --> 00:28:48.180 were of one heart 00:28:48.180 --> 00:28:49.320 and one mind 00:28:49.320 --> 00:28:50.460 and no one claimed 00:28:50.460 --> 00:28:51.440 that any of his possessions 00:28:51.440 --> 00:28:52.540 was his own. 00:28:52.700 --> 00:28:53.420 They held everything 00:28:53.420 --> 00:28:53.920 in common. 00:28:54.279 --> 00:28:55.259 They were united 00:28:55.259 --> 00:28:58.000 by prayer. 00:29:00.519 --> 00:29:02.039 If you feel like 00:29:02.039 --> 00:29:03.680 there's fracture 00:29:03.680 --> 00:29:05.980 between you 00:29:05.980 --> 00:29:06.799 and another brother 00:29:06.799 --> 00:29:07.799 and sister in Christ, 00:29:08.900 --> 00:29:11.539 prayer can heal it. 00:29:12.879 --> 00:29:14.240 Uniting together, 00:29:15.119 --> 00:29:18.359 not over petty squabbles. 00:29:19.640 --> 00:29:20.700 Uniting together, 00:29:20.700 --> 00:29:22.019 not because I disagree 00:29:22.019 --> 00:29:22.740 in this area, 00:29:22.859 --> 00:29:23.980 you see it this way, 00:29:24.039 --> 00:29:25.019 I see it this way, 00:29:25.379 --> 00:29:26.500 uniting together 00:29:26.500 --> 00:29:27.480 by calling out 00:29:27.480 --> 00:29:28.279 to God together 00:29:28.279 --> 00:29:29.039 and saying, 00:29:29.200 --> 00:29:29.500 God, 00:29:30.139 --> 00:29:31.980 your will be done. 00:29:32.759 --> 00:29:33.180 God, 00:29:33.599 --> 00:29:34.500 your word 00:29:34.500 --> 00:29:35.420 have its way 00:29:35.420 --> 00:29:36.740 in this church 00:29:36.740 --> 00:29:37.920 and in this community. 00:29:38.119 --> 00:29:38.400 God, 00:29:38.759 --> 00:29:39.539 turn people 00:29:39.539 --> 00:29:40.740 to yourself 00:29:40.740 --> 00:29:42.500 and use me 00:29:42.500 --> 00:29:43.200 to do it. 00:29:44.539 --> 00:29:45.139 That's 00:29:45.139 --> 00:29:46.559 the Christian's 00:29:46.559 --> 00:29:47.019 weapon. 00:29:47.220 --> 00:29:47.700 We sang it 00:29:47.700 --> 00:29:48.559 just a moment ago, 00:29:48.559 --> 00:29:50.019 so when I fight, 00:29:50.659 --> 00:29:51.960 I'll fight on my knees. 00:29:52.960 --> 00:29:54.460 My hands lifted high 00:29:54.460 --> 00:29:55.279 because the battle 00:29:55.279 --> 00:29:56.859 belongs to you, 00:29:56.940 --> 00:29:57.139 God. 00:29:58.359 --> 00:29:59.419 But we don't do that, 00:29:59.460 --> 00:29:59.700 do we? 00:30:00.720 --> 00:30:01.980 We fight through emails. 00:30:02.599 --> 00:30:03.879 We fight through letters. 00:30:04.740 --> 00:30:06.799 We fight through social media posts. 00:30:07.599 --> 00:30:10.659 We fight by private conversations 00:30:10.659 --> 00:30:12.079 running down one another. 00:30:12.079 --> 00:30:13.559 We fight through gossip. 00:30:14.199 --> 00:30:15.539 We fight through anger. 00:30:16.059 --> 00:30:16.960 We fight through bitterness. 00:30:17.220 --> 00:30:18.220 We fight through resentment. 00:30:18.799 --> 00:30:20.980 We fight sometimes physically. 00:30:20.980 --> 00:30:24.620 But instead, 00:30:25.259 --> 00:30:26.120 God is waiting 00:30:26.120 --> 00:30:27.940 for us 00:30:27.940 --> 00:30:28.779 to turn to him 00:30:28.779 --> 00:30:30.259 and say, 00:30:30.339 --> 00:30:31.180 I'm going to use the weapon 00:30:31.180 --> 00:30:32.200 that he gave me to use. 00:30:32.500 --> 00:30:33.319 I'm going to use prayer. 00:30:34.460 --> 00:30:34.900 Because, 00:30:35.059 --> 00:30:35.680 believe it or not, 00:30:36.259 --> 00:30:37.180 God's a lot better 00:30:37.180 --> 00:30:38.160 at fighting his battles 00:30:38.160 --> 00:30:38.720 than you are. 00:30:39.700 --> 00:30:40.579 God's a lot better 00:30:40.579 --> 00:30:41.579 at fighting your battles 00:30:41.579 --> 00:30:42.140 than you are. 00:30:43.799 --> 00:30:44.200 So, 00:30:44.299 --> 00:30:44.900 if we need God 00:30:44.900 --> 00:30:45.700 to fight for us, 00:30:46.279 --> 00:30:47.400 we fall to our knees 00:30:47.400 --> 00:30:48.960 and we turn to him 00:30:48.960 --> 00:30:49.900 in prayer. 00:30:49.900 --> 00:30:51.420 And what does he promise? 00:30:52.000 --> 00:30:53.280 Exodus 14, 14, 00:30:53.400 --> 00:30:55.740 the Lord will fight for you. 00:30:56.040 --> 00:30:58.019 You need only to be still. 00:30:58.320 --> 00:30:59.660 You need to be still. 00:30:59.960 --> 00:31:01.240 You need to be quiet 00:31:01.240 --> 00:31:04.019 and let God fight for you. 00:31:04.780 --> 00:31:05.800 Psalm 46, 10, 00:31:05.900 --> 00:31:07.600 be still and know. 00:31:08.240 --> 00:31:09.160 I almost believe 00:31:09.160 --> 00:31:10.519 that carries the idea 00:31:10.519 --> 00:31:11.280 of remember. 00:31:11.780 --> 00:31:13.360 Be still and be aware. 00:31:13.840 --> 00:31:14.960 Remember and know 00:31:14.960 --> 00:31:15.920 that I'm God, 00:31:16.380 --> 00:31:17.180 not you. 00:31:17.280 --> 00:31:18.080 Not Sam Bunnell. 00:31:19.900 --> 00:31:20.560 Not a deacon. 00:31:20.920 --> 00:31:21.780 Not a trustee. 00:31:21.860 --> 00:31:22.940 Not a Sunday school teacher. 00:31:23.740 --> 00:31:24.500 There's no one 00:31:24.500 --> 00:31:25.240 in this church 00:31:25.240 --> 00:31:25.960 that is God. 00:31:26.040 --> 00:31:27.240 He alone 00:31:27.240 --> 00:31:28.380 is God. 00:31:28.820 --> 00:31:29.140 So, 00:31:29.200 --> 00:31:30.000 we have to be still 00:31:30.000 --> 00:31:31.340 and let him fight 00:31:31.340 --> 00:31:32.420 for us. 00:31:33.540 --> 00:31:34.400 We're going to be done. 00:31:37.340 --> 00:31:38.040 Y'all give me 00:31:38.040 --> 00:31:38.720 two minutes. 00:31:39.560 --> 00:31:40.220 Two minutes, 00:31:40.300 --> 00:31:40.440 alright? 00:31:41.040 --> 00:31:42.180 I don't want you 00:31:42.180 --> 00:31:42.800 to miss this. 00:31:42.880 --> 00:31:43.220 It's kind of 00:31:43.220 --> 00:31:44.259 the wrap up, 00:31:44.460 --> 00:31:44.980 the conclusion 00:31:44.980 --> 00:31:45.880 to our whole series 00:31:45.880 --> 00:31:46.560 here on community. 00:31:46.559 --> 00:31:48.819 the results 00:31:48.819 --> 00:31:49.639 of healthy community. 00:31:50.879 --> 00:31:51.579 We've seen 00:31:51.579 --> 00:31:52.299 the ingredients. 00:31:56.159 --> 00:31:56.940 We had 00:31:56.940 --> 00:31:57.619 eating together. 00:31:57.839 --> 00:31:58.039 We had 00:31:58.039 --> 00:31:58.960 studying truth together. 00:31:58.960 --> 00:31:59.639 We had 00:31:59.639 --> 00:32:00.559 fellowshipping together. 00:32:00.659 --> 00:32:01.419 And we had 00:32:01.419 --> 00:32:02.059 praying together. 00:32:02.839 --> 00:32:03.919 The results, 00:32:04.139 --> 00:32:04.960 we read it 00:32:04.960 --> 00:32:05.500 at the end 00:32:05.500 --> 00:32:06.619 of Acts chapter 2. 00:32:08.139 --> 00:32:08.579 All 00:32:08.579 --> 00:32:10.059 generosity, 00:32:11.059 --> 00:32:11.379 joy, 00:32:11.839 --> 00:32:12.559 and daily 00:32:12.559 --> 00:32:13.659 salvations. 00:32:13.660 --> 00:32:15.220 Those were the results 00:32:15.220 --> 00:32:17.340 when you combine 00:32:17.340 --> 00:32:18.980 those four ingredients 00:32:18.980 --> 00:32:20.160 into healthy 00:32:20.160 --> 00:32:21.019 community. 00:32:21.140 --> 00:32:21.700 Billy Graham, 00:32:22.120 --> 00:32:22.840 one of the greatest 00:32:22.840 --> 00:32:23.620 preachers we've ever 00:32:23.620 --> 00:32:24.440 seen in our day, 00:32:24.580 --> 00:32:25.120 said this, 00:32:25.240 --> 00:32:25.980 don't forget, 00:32:26.320 --> 00:32:27.120 without fuel, 00:32:27.279 --> 00:32:28.540 a fire grows cold. 00:32:28.660 --> 00:32:28.759 Well, 00:32:28.779 --> 00:32:29.140 of course, 00:32:29.259 --> 00:32:29.460 right? 00:32:29.640 --> 00:32:30.519 If you don't add fuel 00:32:30.519 --> 00:32:31.060 to a fire, 00:32:31.120 --> 00:32:31.740 it's going to die. 00:32:32.060 --> 00:32:33.180 And without the fuel 00:32:33.180 --> 00:32:34.160 of the Bible, 00:32:34.680 --> 00:32:35.000 prayer, 00:32:35.220 --> 00:32:36.259 and Christian fellowship, 00:32:36.800 --> 00:32:37.600 our faith 00:32:37.600 --> 00:32:38.660 grows cold. 00:32:38.980 --> 00:32:39.400 Church, 00:32:39.500 --> 00:32:40.560 can I suggest 00:32:40.560 --> 00:32:41.279 something to you? 00:32:41.380 --> 00:32:42.040 If you feel 00:32:42.040 --> 00:32:42.980 like your faith 00:32:42.980 --> 00:32:44.180 might be growing cold, 00:32:44.240 --> 00:32:44.920 it could be 00:32:44.920 --> 00:32:45.579 because you're 00:32:45.579 --> 00:32:46.460 missing the Bible, 00:32:47.200 --> 00:32:47.519 prayer, 00:32:47.680 --> 00:32:48.599 or Christian fellowship. 00:32:49.980 --> 00:32:51.160 Or if you're not sure 00:32:51.160 --> 00:32:51.759 that your faith 00:32:51.759 --> 00:32:52.400 is growing cold, 00:32:52.440 --> 00:32:53.180 but you're missing 00:32:53.180 --> 00:32:54.480 one of those areas 00:32:54.480 --> 00:32:55.599 in your life, 00:32:55.839 --> 00:32:56.819 I challenge you, 00:32:56.920 --> 00:32:58.660 see how much hotter 00:32:58.660 --> 00:33:00.180 your faith could burn 00:33:00.180 --> 00:33:01.000 for God 00:33:01.000 --> 00:33:03.000 if you prioritize 00:33:03.000 --> 00:33:03.799 the Bible, 00:33:04.019 --> 00:33:04.279 prayer, 00:33:04.440 --> 00:33:05.380 and Christian fellowship. 00:33:06.519 --> 00:33:06.819 All. 00:33:07.200 --> 00:33:07.940 Verse 43, 00:33:08.079 --> 00:33:09.099 back in Acts chapter 2 00:33:09.099 --> 00:33:09.900 in verse 43, 00:33:10.700 --> 00:33:11.960 everyone was filled 00:33:11.960 --> 00:33:12.660 with awe, 00:33:13.660 --> 00:33:14.599 many wonders 00:33:14.599 --> 00:33:15.200 and signs 00:33:15.200 --> 00:33:16.200 were being performed 00:33:16.200 --> 00:33:17.000 through the apostles. 00:33:17.680 --> 00:33:19.259 This was truly awesome. 00:33:19.539 --> 00:33:20.519 We call all kinds 00:33:20.519 --> 00:33:21.339 of things awesome. 00:33:21.839 --> 00:33:22.579 We might say, 00:33:22.920 --> 00:33:23.140 you know, 00:33:23.180 --> 00:33:24.279 the Cowboys looked awesome 00:33:24.279 --> 00:33:25.339 when they played. 00:33:25.660 --> 00:33:26.400 I hope that happens 00:33:26.400 --> 00:33:26.819 again today. 00:33:26.880 --> 00:33:27.339 I'm not sure 00:33:27.339 --> 00:33:27.880 if it will. 00:33:27.980 --> 00:33:28.360 We'll see. 00:33:28.740 --> 00:33:29.319 They inevitably 00:33:29.319 --> 00:33:29.920 let you down 00:33:29.920 --> 00:33:30.700 by the end of the season. 00:33:32.019 --> 00:33:33.519 But what's truly awesome, 00:33:33.519 --> 00:33:34.420 we throw that word 00:33:34.420 --> 00:33:35.640 around so much, 00:33:35.740 --> 00:33:35.980 right? 00:33:36.120 --> 00:33:37.660 But what's truly awesome 00:33:37.660 --> 00:33:39.259 is our God. 00:33:39.440 --> 00:33:40.519 What's truly awesome 00:33:40.519 --> 00:33:41.519 is a community 00:33:41.519 --> 00:33:42.059 of believers 00:33:42.059 --> 00:33:42.900 from all different 00:33:42.900 --> 00:33:43.519 backgrounds 00:33:43.519 --> 00:33:44.759 and walks of life 00:33:44.759 --> 00:33:45.799 and belief systems 00:33:45.799 --> 00:33:47.119 and races 00:33:47.119 --> 00:33:49.519 and financial situations 00:33:49.519 --> 00:33:50.559 and all of this, 00:33:50.619 --> 00:33:51.440 all these differences, 00:33:51.619 --> 00:33:52.539 political opinions, 00:33:52.680 --> 00:33:53.079 et cetera, 00:33:53.200 --> 00:33:54.240 just coming together 00:33:54.240 --> 00:33:56.859 and praying together 00:33:56.859 --> 00:33:57.579 and uniting 00:33:57.579 --> 00:33:59.220 around the study 00:33:59.220 --> 00:34:00.000 of the word of God 00:34:00.000 --> 00:34:01.180 and crying out to God 00:34:01.180 --> 00:34:01.639 in prayer 00:34:01.639 --> 00:34:03.139 and fellowshipping together. 00:34:03.139 --> 00:34:04.900 That is awesome. 00:34:04.900 --> 00:34:06.540 And they were in awe 00:34:06.540 --> 00:34:07.620 when they saw 00:34:07.620 --> 00:34:09.380 how God moved. 00:34:09.740 --> 00:34:10.539 And then generosity. 00:34:11.780 --> 00:34:12.619 Right there 00:34:12.619 --> 00:34:13.539 throughout the rest 00:34:13.539 --> 00:34:14.500 of chapter two, 00:34:14.599 --> 00:34:16.059 we see all these instances 00:34:16.059 --> 00:34:17.099 where they were generous 00:34:17.099 --> 00:34:17.700 to one another. 00:34:17.820 --> 00:34:18.940 They didn't hold anything back. 00:34:19.000 --> 00:34:19.780 They weren't stingy. 00:34:20.059 --> 00:34:21.400 They shared whatever they had 00:34:21.400 --> 00:34:22.720 because that is how 00:34:22.720 --> 00:34:23.880 the Spirit of God 00:34:23.880 --> 00:34:24.440 led them. 00:34:24.920 --> 00:34:26.079 So there was great awe. 00:34:26.220 --> 00:34:27.160 There was generosity. 00:34:27.519 --> 00:34:28.980 And then there was joy. 00:34:30.180 --> 00:34:31.079 Now we have joy. 00:34:31.220 --> 00:34:32.200 She works in the office 00:34:32.200 --> 00:34:33.800 Monday through Thursday. 00:34:33.800 --> 00:34:36.180 And she brings great joy 00:34:36.180 --> 00:34:36.820 to all of us. 00:34:36.900 --> 00:34:37.280 But y'all, 00:34:37.440 --> 00:34:39.380 joy was permeating 00:34:39.380 --> 00:34:41.039 throughout this assembly. 00:34:41.440 --> 00:34:43.039 Verses 46 and 47. 00:34:43.380 --> 00:34:44.880 Every day they devoted themselves 00:34:44.880 --> 00:34:45.740 to meeting together 00:34:45.740 --> 00:34:46.260 in the temple, 00:34:46.720 --> 00:34:48.000 broke bread from house to house. 00:34:48.120 --> 00:34:49.460 They ate their food 00:34:49.460 --> 00:34:51.720 with joyful and sincere hearts. 00:34:51.860 --> 00:34:52.860 They enjoyed the favor 00:34:52.860 --> 00:34:53.920 of all the people. 00:34:54.420 --> 00:34:55.380 This was a community 00:34:55.380 --> 00:34:56.600 that was happy 00:34:56.600 --> 00:34:58.280 to be around each other. 00:34:58.620 --> 00:34:59.200 Do you think 00:34:59.200 --> 00:35:00.000 that for the first time 00:35:00.000 --> 00:35:00.700 in human history 00:35:00.700 --> 00:35:01.560 these people agreed 00:35:01.560 --> 00:35:02.780 on every single little issue 00:35:02.780 --> 00:35:03.340 in their life? 00:35:03.340 --> 00:35:04.260 Of course not. 00:35:05.160 --> 00:35:05.720 They were people 00:35:05.720 --> 00:35:06.800 just like the rest of us. 00:35:07.720 --> 00:35:08.420 They would have 00:35:08.420 --> 00:35:09.340 their petty squabbles 00:35:09.340 --> 00:35:10.480 but they set them aside 00:35:10.480 --> 00:35:11.039 because they were 00:35:11.039 --> 00:35:12.460 a community committed 00:35:12.460 --> 00:35:14.400 to being a community. 00:35:15.620 --> 00:35:16.680 So there was joy. 00:35:17.579 --> 00:35:18.100 And then there was 00:35:18.100 --> 00:35:19.340 daily salvations. 00:35:20.300 --> 00:35:20.460 Y'all, 00:35:20.519 --> 00:35:20.960 we've been having 00:35:20.960 --> 00:35:22.260 salvations in our church. 00:35:23.120 --> 00:35:24.039 Was it daily 00:35:24.039 --> 00:35:24.980 like the book of Acts? 00:35:25.059 --> 00:35:25.240 No. 00:35:26.260 --> 00:35:27.240 But God's still been 00:35:27.240 --> 00:35:28.300 giving us salvations 00:35:28.300 --> 00:35:28.960 in our church. 00:35:29.539 --> 00:35:30.720 We have one this week. 00:35:31.160 --> 00:35:31.980 She's going to come forward 00:35:31.980 --> 00:35:32.639 at the end of the service 00:35:32.639 --> 00:35:33.840 and introduce herself to you 00:35:33.840 --> 00:35:35.260 as a candidate for baptism 00:35:35.260 --> 00:35:35.900 in a few weeks. 00:35:36.000 --> 00:35:36.679 But listen y'all, 00:35:37.079 --> 00:35:38.740 God is moving in our church. 00:35:38.900 --> 00:35:39.960 We're seeing people saved. 00:35:40.059 --> 00:35:41.219 We're seeing people baptized. 00:35:41.639 --> 00:35:42.880 We're seeing people publicly 00:35:42.880 --> 00:35:44.559 choose the Jesus way. 00:35:45.579 --> 00:35:46.559 That's the fruit 00:35:46.559 --> 00:35:47.719 of community. 00:35:47.880 --> 00:35:48.400 That's the fruit 00:35:48.400 --> 00:35:49.219 of the Holy Spirit. 00:35:49.440 --> 00:35:50.099 And the more 00:35:50.099 --> 00:35:50.940 we commit ourselves 00:35:50.940 --> 00:35:51.460 to prayer, 00:35:51.639 --> 00:35:52.240 to fellowship, 00:35:52.440 --> 00:35:53.079 and to the study 00:35:53.079 --> 00:35:54.199 of the Word of God, 00:35:54.740 --> 00:35:56.579 we'll see more 00:35:56.579 --> 00:35:58.039 of that fruit. 00:35:58.039 --> 00:36:00.800 I wanted to show you this. 00:36:01.019 --> 00:36:01.960 Anybody recognize that? 00:36:03.579 --> 00:36:04.639 The old one there 00:36:04.639 --> 00:36:06.239 was have it your way 00:36:06.239 --> 00:36:06.900 for Burger King 00:36:06.900 --> 00:36:07.860 and now it's you rule. 00:36:08.099 --> 00:36:08.719 They're both kind of 00:36:08.719 --> 00:36:09.960 saying the same thing, 00:36:10.019 --> 00:36:10.279 aren't they? 00:36:10.320 --> 00:36:11.019 You're in charge. 00:36:12.059 --> 00:36:13.059 You do what you think 00:36:13.059 --> 00:36:13.900 is best for you. 00:36:14.900 --> 00:36:15.699 Can I remind you 00:36:15.699 --> 00:36:16.340 that that runs 00:36:16.340 --> 00:36:17.659 completely opposite 00:36:17.659 --> 00:36:19.599 to God's commandments. 00:36:20.420 --> 00:36:21.300 That might work 00:36:21.300 --> 00:36:21.860 at Burger King 00:36:21.860 --> 00:36:22.420 and that's great 00:36:22.420 --> 00:36:23.119 if you want to customize 00:36:23.119 --> 00:36:23.679 your hamburger. 00:36:24.960 --> 00:36:26.320 But in the kingdom of God, 00:36:26.659 --> 00:36:27.340 you don't rule. 00:36:28.140 --> 00:36:28.900 I don't rule. 00:36:29.620 --> 00:36:30.320 God rules. 00:36:31.320 --> 00:36:32.320 We must follow 00:36:32.320 --> 00:36:33.720 His ingredients 00:36:33.720 --> 00:36:35.019 if we want to see 00:36:35.019 --> 00:36:35.920 a healthy community 00:36:35.920 --> 00:36:36.420 of believers 00:36:36.420 --> 00:36:37.480 in this church. 00:36:37.559 --> 00:36:38.600 We must recommit 00:36:38.600 --> 00:36:39.579 ourselves 00:36:39.579 --> 00:36:41.260 to His way. 00:36:42.880 --> 00:36:43.720 If you cling 00:36:43.720 --> 00:36:44.420 to your life, 00:36:44.820 --> 00:36:46.000 you will lose it. 00:36:46.460 --> 00:36:47.000 If you give up 00:36:47.000 --> 00:36:47.780 your life for me, 00:36:48.260 --> 00:36:49.700 you will find it. 00:36:49.820 --> 00:36:49.980 So, 00:36:50.160 --> 00:36:50.559 our takeaway 00:36:50.559 --> 00:36:51.059 will be done. 00:36:51.340 --> 00:36:51.900 My two minutes 00:36:51.900 --> 00:36:52.880 turned into six. 00:36:54.420 --> 00:36:54.860 Apologize. 00:36:54.860 --> 00:36:57.780 This is it. 00:36:57.880 --> 00:36:58.440 Last one. 00:36:59.059 --> 00:36:59.720 And we're going to 00:36:59.720 --> 00:37:01.019 start a brand new series 00:37:01.019 --> 00:37:01.680 next Sunday 00:37:01.680 --> 00:37:02.740 on Be a Disciple. 00:37:03.000 --> 00:37:04.099 Very excited about that. 00:37:05.320 --> 00:37:06.200 Healthy community 00:37:06.200 --> 00:37:08.000 will only bear its fruit 00:37:08.000 --> 00:37:08.820 in our church 00:37:08.820 --> 00:37:10.760 if we individually 00:37:10.760 --> 00:37:12.820 recommit ourselves 00:37:12.820 --> 00:37:13.519 or maybe commit 00:37:13.519 --> 00:37:14.260 for the first time 00:37:14.260 --> 00:37:15.519 to what? 00:37:15.700 --> 00:37:16.200 To prayer, 00:37:16.539 --> 00:37:17.200 to God's word, 00:37:17.380 --> 00:37:18.680 and to true fellowship 00:37:18.680 --> 00:37:19.380 together. 00:37:19.380 --> 00:37:21.180 Folks, 00:37:21.680 --> 00:37:23.039 you might not 00:37:23.039 --> 00:37:23.680 realize it, 00:37:24.680 --> 00:37:26.980 but if you have 00:37:26.980 --> 00:37:27.420 a spirit 00:37:27.420 --> 00:37:28.340 of disunity 00:37:28.340 --> 00:37:29.800 in your heart, 00:37:30.039 --> 00:37:31.820 you might be 00:37:31.820 --> 00:37:32.280 holding up 00:37:32.280 --> 00:37:33.360 the work of God 00:37:33.360 --> 00:37:34.200 from having its way 00:37:34.200 --> 00:37:34.700 in our church. 00:37:36.539 --> 00:37:37.760 I plead with you 00:37:37.760 --> 00:37:39.980 to get on your knees 00:37:39.980 --> 00:37:40.680 before God 00:37:40.680 --> 00:37:42.519 and humble yourself 00:37:42.519 --> 00:37:43.059 before God 00:37:43.059 --> 00:37:43.360 and say, 00:37:43.420 --> 00:37:43.619 God, 00:37:43.700 --> 00:37:44.840 I'm recommitting myself 00:37:44.840 --> 00:37:45.440 to prayer, 00:37:45.820 --> 00:37:47.059 to what your word 00:37:47.059 --> 00:37:47.440 teaches, 00:37:47.440 --> 00:37:49.539 and to our fellowship 00:37:49.539 --> 00:37:50.599 together as a community 00:37:50.599 --> 00:37:51.059 of believers. 00:37:51.840 --> 00:37:52.659 And then I believe 00:37:52.659 --> 00:37:53.940 God can move powerfully 00:37:53.940 --> 00:37:55.579 like he's been doing. 00:37:56.340 --> 00:37:57.000 Don't you want to see 00:37:57.000 --> 00:37:57.860 the floodgates of heaven 00:37:57.860 --> 00:37:58.400 opened up? 00:37:58.720 --> 00:37:59.659 Don't you want to see 00:37:59.659 --> 00:38:00.639 the walls torn down 00:38:00.639 --> 00:38:01.840 and God's blessings 00:38:01.840 --> 00:38:02.420 pour out 00:38:02.420 --> 00:38:03.940 and see what he could do 00:38:03.940 --> 00:38:05.059 with our community? 00:38:05.440 --> 00:38:06.119 I want to see that. 00:38:06.420 --> 00:38:07.200 I want to be a part of it. 00:38:07.559 --> 00:38:08.400 So would you join me 00:38:08.400 --> 00:38:08.780 in praying? 00:38:09.240 --> 00:38:09.920 Let's bow our heads 00:38:09.920 --> 00:38:10.360 right now. 00:38:11.019 --> 00:38:11.740 Let's bow our heads 00:38:11.740 --> 00:38:12.159 right now. 00:38:12.200 --> 00:38:13.139 And I want to ask this. 00:38:13.880 --> 00:38:15.000 Right where you're seated, 00:38:15.980 --> 00:38:16.679 Jared's going to play 00:38:16.679 --> 00:38:17.380 a little bit of music 00:38:17.380 --> 00:38:18.820 right where you're seated. 00:38:21.079 --> 00:38:22.380 If God leads you, 00:38:22.740 --> 00:38:23.680 would you quietly 00:38:23.680 --> 00:38:25.039 lift up a prayer to God? 00:38:27.320 --> 00:38:28.700 I want to emphasize quietly. 00:38:29.240 --> 00:38:30.180 If we're all speaking 00:38:30.180 --> 00:38:30.980 at the same time, 00:38:31.059 --> 00:38:31.820 it would be hard 00:38:31.820 --> 00:38:33.720 to keep our minds 00:38:33.720 --> 00:38:35.160 focused on what we're saying 00:38:35.160 --> 00:38:36.019 and thinking right now. 00:38:36.660 --> 00:38:37.940 But would you just quietly, 00:38:38.320 --> 00:38:38.860 out loud, 00:38:39.400 --> 00:38:40.579 lift up a prayer to God? 00:38:42.079 --> 00:38:42.900 Maybe for you, 00:38:43.000 --> 00:38:43.640 for a situation 00:38:43.640 --> 00:38:44.440 you're dealing with, 00:38:44.500 --> 00:38:45.880 maybe for our entire church. 00:38:45.880 --> 00:38:47.960 just say, 00:38:48.019 --> 00:38:48.240 God, 00:38:48.320 --> 00:38:49.140 work in me. 00:38:49.740 --> 00:38:50.480 Use me 00:38:50.480 --> 00:38:52.920 right now 00:38:52.920 --> 00:38:55.180 to bless someone else. 00:38:58.180 --> 00:38:59.000 Use me. 00:38:59.660 --> 00:39:01.220 Maybe my physical possessions. 00:39:01.480 --> 00:39:02.320 Maybe God wants me 00:39:02.320 --> 00:39:03.599 to share something 00:39:03.599 --> 00:39:04.280 with someone else 00:39:04.280 --> 00:39:04.820 and be generous. 00:39:04.820 --> 00:39:07.760 maybe God wants me 00:39:07.760 --> 00:39:08.620 to be more faithful 00:39:08.620 --> 00:39:10.320 in building my walk 00:39:10.320 --> 00:39:11.100 with Him in prayer. 00:39:12.460 --> 00:39:13.700 Maybe God wants me 00:39:13.700 --> 00:39:14.519 to take the plunge 00:39:14.519 --> 00:39:16.320 and unite with this church 00:39:16.320 --> 00:39:17.039 and church membership. 00:39:18.039 --> 00:39:18.920 Partner with us 00:39:18.920 --> 00:39:20.180 in what God's doing here. 00:39:21.220 --> 00:39:22.180 Take on a 00:39:22.180 --> 00:39:24.120 meaningful role 00:39:24.120 --> 00:39:24.640 of service 00:39:24.640 --> 00:39:25.280 in this church. 00:39:25.280 --> 00:39:27.460 maybe God's 00:39:27.460 --> 00:39:27.800 wanting me 00:39:27.800 --> 00:39:28.560 to get baptized 00:39:28.560 --> 00:39:29.700 publicly, 00:39:30.460 --> 00:39:31.340 declare myself 00:39:31.340 --> 00:39:32.260 as a Jesus follower 00:39:32.260 --> 00:39:33.160 and be held accountable 00:39:33.160 --> 00:39:34.000 to this church 00:39:34.000 --> 00:39:35.480 for walking 00:39:35.480 --> 00:39:36.200 the Jesus way. 00:39:37.640 --> 00:39:38.900 Maybe God wants you 00:39:38.900 --> 00:39:39.920 to recommit yourself 00:39:39.920 --> 00:39:41.140 to studying the Word of God 00:39:41.140 --> 00:39:41.840 and turning to it 00:39:41.840 --> 00:39:42.420 every day, 00:39:42.940 --> 00:39:44.019 letting it teach us, 00:39:44.660 --> 00:39:45.560 letting it change us 00:39:45.560 --> 00:39:46.440 and transform us. 00:39:47.720 --> 00:39:48.920 Maybe He's talking to you 00:39:48.920 --> 00:39:51.040 about turning to Him 00:39:51.040 --> 00:39:51.900 more often in prayer, 00:39:52.280 --> 00:39:53.240 never hanging up the phone. 00:39:53.239 --> 00:39:55.899 Maybe He's talking about 00:39:55.899 --> 00:39:57.519 asking forgiveness 00:39:57.519 --> 00:39:58.439 for a brother or sister 00:39:58.439 --> 00:39:58.979 in Christ. 00:40:01.079 --> 00:40:02.119 Maybe you feel like 00:40:02.119 --> 00:40:02.859 you were wronged 00:40:02.859 --> 00:40:03.639 but you responded 00:40:03.639 --> 00:40:04.419 in the wrong spirit 00:40:04.419 --> 00:40:05.399 and you've got to go 00:40:05.399 --> 00:40:06.059 make that right, 00:40:06.139 --> 00:40:07.299 not for that person's benefit 00:40:07.299 --> 00:40:09.379 but for God's benefit, 00:40:09.500 --> 00:40:10.219 for your benefit, 00:40:10.359 --> 00:40:10.839 for the benefit 00:40:10.839 --> 00:40:12.079 of our community together 00:40:12.079 --> 00:40:13.259 as brothers and sisters 00:40:13.259 --> 00:40:13.799 in Christ. 00:40:14.559 --> 00:40:15.599 God keeps a record. 00:40:16.339 --> 00:40:17.239 He'll right all wrongs. 00:40:17.279 --> 00:40:18.079 He'll have justice. 00:40:19.139 --> 00:40:20.299 That belongs to Him. 00:40:21.599 --> 00:40:22.639 Whatever God's working 00:40:22.639 --> 00:40:23.219 on you about, 00:40:23.239 --> 00:40:25.539 I'm going to start praying 00:40:25.539 --> 00:40:26.399 up here at the front. 00:40:27.500 --> 00:40:28.739 If you'd turn my mic off 00:40:28.739 --> 00:40:30.039 and anyone else 00:40:30.039 --> 00:40:30.819 who wants to join me 00:40:30.819 --> 00:40:31.639 from where you're seated, 00:40:32.079 --> 00:40:32.979 would you just lift up 00:40:32.979 --> 00:40:33.259 a prayer? 00:40:33.259 --> 00:40:33.359 Amen. 00:40:33.359 --> 00:40:33.859 Amen. 00:40:33.859 --> 00:40:34.359 Amen. 00:40:34.359 --> 00:40:34.419 Amen. 00:40:34.419 --> 00:40:34.859 Amen. 00:40:34.859 --> 00:40:34.919 Amen. 00:40:34.919 --> 00:40:35.419 Amen. 00:40:35.419 --> 00:40:35.479 Amen. 00:40:35.479 --> 00:40:35.919 Amen. 00:40:35.919 --> 00:40:36.019 Amen. 00:40:36.019 --> 00:40:36.479 Amen. 00:40:36.479 --> 00:40:36.519 Amen. 00:40:36.519 --> 00:40:36.979 Amen. 00:40:36.979 --> 00:40:37.419 Amen. 00:40:37.419 --> 00:40:37.479 Amen. 00:40:37.479 --> 00:40:37.519 Amen. 00:40:37.519 --> 00:40:37.579 Amen. 00:40:37.579 --> 00:40:38.019 Amen. 00:40:38.019 --> 00:40:38.059 Amen. 00:40:38.059 --> 00:40:38.119 Amen. 00:40:53.239 --> 00:40:53.879 Amen. 00:40:53.979 --> 00:40:54.979 Amen. 00:40:54.979 --> 00:40:56.099 Amen. 00:40:56.099 --> 00:40:57.000 Amen. 00:40:57.000 --> 00:40:58.039 Amen. 00:40:58.039 --> 00:40:58.479 Amen. 00:40:58.479 --> 00:40:59.219 Amen. 00:41:01.479 --> 00:41:02.119 Amen. 00:41:02.119 --> 00:41:02.679 Amen. 00:41:02.679 --> 00:41:03.059 Amen. 00:41:04.079 --> 00:41:04.119 Amen. 00:41:04.119 --> 00:41:04.819 Amen. 00:41:04.819 --> 00:41:05.500 Amen. 00:41:05.500 --> 00:41:05.659 Amen. 00:41:05.779 --> 00:41:06.459 Amen. 00:41:06.459 --> 00:41:06.879 Amen. 00:41:06.879 --> 00:41:06.959 Amen. 00:41:06.959 --> 00:41:07.000 Amen. 00:41:07.000 --> 00:41:07.019 Amen. 00:41:07.019 --> 00:41:07.039 Amen. 00:41:07.059 --> 00:41:08.919 Amen. 00:41:16.979 --> 00:41:17.679 Amen.