WEBVTT

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 Creation dictates mission. Creation dictates mission. Think about that. Here's an illustration. It might sound a little bit silly, but bear with me please.

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! In 1962, our nation's commander in chief, because that's our president, ordered the creation of an elite division and division.

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 It's a force for unconventional warfare formed to conduct special operations called the Navy SEALs. You know what SEAL stands for? Sea, Air, and Land.

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 So a SEAL team was created for a very special mission. The mission of a SEAL team is dictated by the purpose for which they were created.

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 SEALs were not created to make music, though it would be a little comical to see these highly trained, unconventional warfare machines singing like a barbershop quartet.

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 But that's not what they were created for. SEALs were not created to make hoops either. Some of them might be good at basketball. Other ones might be way too short to play that sport.

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 You could see them playing a game, but that's not why they were the Navy SEALs. The SEALs were definitely not created or formed to bring their sewing machines and make quilts or kilts together.

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 Other people need to do that. And we're grateful for those who have that skill, but that's not why the Navy SEALs were formed.

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 Other people can play basketball. Other people can make music. The Navy SEALs were created to accomplish unconventional missions.

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 Creation dictates mission. Isn't it true that in our flesh and maybe in our experience with churches in our country today, many of us can forget and maybe many never know who created the church.

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 Our concept of the church is what we assume must go. Man's ideas about church, man's rules, man's preferences, man's opinions.

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 And if all that's true, that the church is a creation of man, that means that ultimately the mission of the church is man's mission for man's glory.

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 There's no way you can read the Bible and come to that conclusion.

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 The creation of the church dictates the mission of the church.

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 I want to do my best in these passages to show you four proofs of this and call us to one response.

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 First proof. God's living word creates the church.

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 It's God's living word that brings the church into being.

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 He's the creator. Therefore, he dictates the mission of the church.

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 Please look again at Acts 1 verse 3.

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 How does the church get created, come to life, get formed?

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 It begins with Jesus Christ, the living, resurrected Savior.

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 In verse 3, it says he presented himself alive to his people.

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 Remember, this is the same Jesus that John says is the word of God, the voice of God.

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 It can be translated in other languages.

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 He is the verb, the speech.

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 He is the living word of God.

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 That's who Jesus Christ is in his resurrected, glorified body.

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 And this Jesus Christ presented himself to them, his disciples, after his suffering by many proofs,

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 appearing to them during 40 days and speaking.

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 What was he speaking about in his glorified state with his disciples?

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 Speaking about, what does yours say in verse 3?

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 The kingdom of God.

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 That would be the most amazing Bible study.

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 The kingdom of heaven.

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 Come to earth by his finished work.

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 Remember on the road to Emmaus, their hearts burned within them.

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 As Jesus walked them through how this is so.

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 The living word who dwelt, who tabernacled with us.

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 See, this is what the disciples knew before the cross.

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 This is what they're reassured of even more now after the cross.

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 Verse 4 says,

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 Jesus said,

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 You heard this from me already.

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 Where did they hear this from him?

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 We can see this in the other gospels.

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 One example is John 20 verses 19 through 23.

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 Listen to what Jesus told the disciples, promising them.

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 On the evening of that day, the first day of the week.

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 That's the Lord's day.

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 The eighth day.

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 The beginning of the new creation.

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 The doors will be locked where the disciples were for fear of Jews.

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 And Jesus came and stood among them and said,

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 Peace be with you.

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 When he said this, he showed them his hands and his side.

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 Then his disciples were glad when they saw the Lord.

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 Now here's what he promised them.

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 This is John chapter 20 verse 21.

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 Peace be with you.

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

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 And when he had said this, look what Jesus did.

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 It's a sign act.

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 He does something to communicate something.

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 Jesus breathed on them.

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 Picture that.

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 The resurrected Jesus.

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 I'm sorry, before the cross.

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 He's promising what he will do.

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 He, Jesus Christ, the same God,

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 breathing on his disciples as a promise of what they will experience after his resurrection.

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 And he said, receive the Holy Spirit.

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 If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them.

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 If you withhold forgiveness from any, it is withheld.

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 It's God's living word, Jesus Christ, who creates the church.

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 It's Jesus Christ who breathes on people like you and me.

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 Save sinners.

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 And he gives us his Holy Spirit.

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 God breathes the creation of the church into existence.

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 The breathing of God to create.

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 This should remind us of Genesis 1, verse 2.

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 Remember those verses?

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 How the earth was without form and void,

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 and the darkness was on the face of the deep.

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 Now listen carefully.

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 The Spirit of God.

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 And the word for spirit in Hebrew is ruach.

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 Ruach.

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 Ruach.

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 The Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters.

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 Ruach means, and is used in other parts of scripture,

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 wind, exhaling, sound, breath.

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 It's the living word of God who brought this whole first creation into existence.

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 We read that glorious creation Psalm 104.

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 You see how Jesus is using that same language and imagery,

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 the same work of his living spirit,

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 to breathe on the church and bring the church into creation.

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 How much more glorious is the church than what we, man, want to make it?

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 What man creates is small and does not last.

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 Amen?

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 But listen to what the church has said.

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 Listen to what this one Christian named Francis Turretin,

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 who also lived in Geneva about 100 years after Calvin,

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 he said this,

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 the church is the primary work of the Holy Trinity,

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 the object of Christ's mediation,

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 and the subject to whom his benefits are applied.

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 Christ so loves the church that he gave himself for the church.

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 God's living word creates the church.

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 Therefore, the church is his,

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 and the mission of the church is his.

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 That's the first proof.

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 Here's the second proof.

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 He creates the church,

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 and the church is the beginning of his new creation.

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 So the church is God's new creation inaugurated.

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 I know it might sound like we're repeating the same point,

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 that he created the church.

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 That's very true.

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 And every congregation that comes together and is formed is by the power of his spirit.

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 But what the church is,

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 it's the inaugurated state of the kingdom of heaven,

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 the new creation already now.

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 Okay, so I want you to listen for new creation language

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 in Acts tied to examples of new creation in the Old Testament.

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 In Acts chapter 2, let's look there again next.

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 Acts 2 verse 1.

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 When the day of Pentecost arrived,

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 they were all together in one place,

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 and suddenly there came from heaven a sound

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 like a mighty rushing wind,

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 and it filled the entire house where they were sitting.

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 We also read as part of our service today

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 that wonderful passage in Ezekiel

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 where there's a wind and there's a rattling.

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 And that was a prophecy of that future consummated eschaton,

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 like the age to come,

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 but it's inaugurated now already

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 where God raises up those who were dead into an army.

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 It's inaugurated in the church.

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 Think of how in creation God breathed life into the first body.

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 Genesis 2 verse 7 says,

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 The Lord God formed the man of dust from the ground

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 and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life,

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 and man became a living creature.

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 How does a local church have life in God?

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 God breathes into a little local body,

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 just like he breathed life into Adam when he created him.

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 And throughout redemptive history,

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 God has made a new creation already physically,

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 to foreshadow the new creation he will make spiritually.

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 Think of what the flood was.

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 The flood was a warning

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 and an initial judgment on this earth

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 of that great judgment day for all eternity that is yet to come.

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 The waters represent the judgment of God

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 and those who pass through on the ark,

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 the one door that God provided for entry and to be preserved,

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 passing through the waters of judgment

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 and enjoying salvation and new life.

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 As the waters recede,

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 we have a new creation on this same earth,

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 letting us know God will judge all created,

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 all he's created one day again, eternally,

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 but he will provide a passage,

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 a door,

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 redemption for his people.

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 Now listen to the language in Genesis 8.1.

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 God remembered Noah.

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 This is after the flood.

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 And every living thing and all the animals that were with him in the ark.

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 And after the flood,

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 God made a wind.

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 There's that same Hebrew word.

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 God made a ruach.

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 God made a spirit to pass over the waters

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 and the waters of judgment subsided.

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 New creation.

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 And now the spiritual new creation is foreshadowed

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 in redemptive history as well.

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 In Genesis chapter 12,

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 God gives this glorious promise to Abraham,

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 the line from which Jesus, the Messiah, would come.

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 He says,

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 I will make you a great nation.

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 I will bless you and make your name great

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 and you shall be a blessing.

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 I will bless those who bless you

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 and I will curse him who curses you

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 and all the families of the earth shall be blessed in you.

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 And it's the seed of Abraham, Jesus Christ,

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 who will be a blessing to all the nations.

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 In Exodus 14.21,

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 there is Moses stretching out his hand over the seas.

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 The people of God now,

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 this line of Abraham,

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 this people through whom the Messiah will come,

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 who will be a blessing to all the nations.

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 And it's a new creation again foreshadowed

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 through this people.

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 Listen to the same language now

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 after they crossed the Red Sea

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 as the language God used after the flood.

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 Listen to this in Exodus 14.21.

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 These former slaves wait upon the Lord now.

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 Moses stretches out his hand over the Red Sea

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 and the Lord caused the sea to go back.

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 It's like the waters subsiding.

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 And he did this by a strong east wind.

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 Wind.

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 There's that Hebrew word again.

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 Ruach.

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 All that night,

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 this great wind moving,

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 bringing a new creation.

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 And he made the sea into dry land

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 and the waters were divided.

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 How is that a picture of a spiritual new creation?

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 These Israelites were an enslaved people.

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 These Israelites were delivered by God's grace.

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 They were led by the Lord himself.

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 They also were led to pass through the waters of judgment.

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 On the other side,

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 they are joyful.

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 They're emboldened.

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 They're now a nation that God created.

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 The church is God's new creation.

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 Creation dictates the mission of God's people.

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 The third proof is this.

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 God gives his living word to the world through the church.

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 God gives his living word to the world through his church.

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 Notice what happens next in Acts chapter 2.

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 Starting at verse 3,

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 we read that divided tongues as of fire

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 appeared to them and rested on each one of them.

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 This image of a fire resting on God's people

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 for these Jews who were going to worship in Jerusalem,

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 it would have been a reminder of the temple,

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 the lamp,

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 the presence of God in the temple,

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 the place where he dwells.

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 The Holy Spirit is teaching the church

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 that you now,

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 you people who God has purchased,

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 are his temple.

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 They were all filled with the Holy Spirit.

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 See, you church,

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 you are the ones now

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 on whom God's spirit rests and dwells.

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 God ministered to his people

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 by the presence of his spirit.

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 We continue reading

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 that they began to speak in other tongues

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 as the spirit gave them utterance.

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 And now there were dwelling in Jerusalem,

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 Jews,

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 devout men from every nation under heaven.

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 And at this sound,

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 the multitude came together

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 and they were bewildered

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 because each one was hearing

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 them speak in his own language.

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 What God promised would happen to Abraham

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 that through you,

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 all the nations of the earth will be blessed.

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 It was begun.

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 Verse 14,

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 Peter,

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 remember this is the same man,

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 the same disciple who had fled,

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 who was fearful,

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 who had denied Jesus three times.

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 Now by the power of the Holy Spirit

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 in him stood up with the 11

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 and he lifted up his voice

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 and addressed the crowd.

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 Look at verse 16.

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 This is what was uttered

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 through the prophet Joel.

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 It shall come to pass

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 in the last days,

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 says God,

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 I will pour out my spirit

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 on all flesh.

00:16:04.779 --> 00:16:05.659
 Not just Jews,

00:16:05.779 --> 00:16:07.120
 but people from every nation,

00:16:07.579 --> 00:16:07.959
 tribe,

00:16:08.120 --> 00:16:08.620
 and tongue

00:16:08.620 --> 00:16:10.599
 will receive the Holy Spirit

00:16:10.599 --> 00:16:11.839
 because God himself

00:16:11.839 --> 00:16:13.719
 will pour out his Holy Spirit

00:16:13.719 --> 00:16:15.299
 on these people.

00:16:16.139 --> 00:16:18.199
 It was God's eternal plan

00:16:18.199 --> 00:16:20.120
 to manifest his glory

00:16:20.120 --> 00:16:21.459
 in his church

00:16:21.459 --> 00:16:22.539
 to the world.

00:16:22.539 --> 00:16:25.939
 God gives his living word

00:16:25.939 --> 00:16:27.099
 to the world

00:16:27.099 --> 00:16:28.459
 through his church.

00:16:31.599 --> 00:16:32.719
 See, the church

00:16:32.719 --> 00:16:34.699
 is plan A.

00:16:35.539 --> 00:16:38.019
 The church is what God has designed.

00:16:38.779 --> 00:16:40.139
 And the church is also the vehicle

00:16:40.139 --> 00:16:41.860
 through which his mission

00:16:41.860 --> 00:16:42.879
 will be accomplished.

00:16:43.719 --> 00:16:45.319
 And our full participation

00:16:45.319 --> 00:16:47.000
 in the life of his church

00:16:47.000 --> 00:16:48.299
 is the goal.

00:16:48.819 --> 00:16:50.299
 It's to be enlisted,

00:16:50.439 --> 00:16:52.299
 to be raised up as that army.

00:16:52.539 --> 00:16:53.899
 Of the kingdom of heaven

00:16:53.899 --> 00:16:54.579
 here on earth.

00:16:55.579 --> 00:16:57.579
 We see God

00:16:57.579 --> 00:16:59.059
 through his ministry

00:16:59.059 --> 00:17:00.339
 within a local church.

00:17:01.139 --> 00:17:02.379
 And we know God

00:17:02.379 --> 00:17:03.439
 more and more and more

00:17:03.439 --> 00:17:04.740
 through the ministry

00:17:04.740 --> 00:17:06.019
 of a local church.

00:17:06.319 --> 00:17:07.720
 We get to be part of that.

00:17:08.639 --> 00:17:09.059
 In fact,

00:17:09.099 --> 00:17:09.920
 that is our mission.

00:17:10.799 --> 00:17:12.339
 It's to give God

00:17:12.339 --> 00:17:13.519
 to the world

00:17:13.519 --> 00:17:14.879
 through his word.

00:17:16.579 --> 00:17:18.079
 So here's the response.

00:17:20.619 --> 00:17:21.480
 Oh, I'm sorry.

00:17:21.480 --> 00:17:22.700
 I said there's four proofs

00:17:22.700 --> 00:17:23.460
 and then a response.

00:17:23.620 --> 00:17:24.860
 We got to do the fourth proof.

00:17:25.640 --> 00:17:26.539
 The church's mission

00:17:26.539 --> 00:17:27.680
 is to declare

00:17:27.680 --> 00:17:28.720
 God's redemption

00:17:28.720 --> 00:17:29.839
 in Jesus Christ.

00:17:30.299 --> 00:17:31.160
 The fulfillment

00:17:31.160 --> 00:17:32.259
 of God's word.

00:17:34.420 --> 00:17:34.720
 Remember,

00:17:34.839 --> 00:17:35.860
 I made that joke

00:17:35.860 --> 00:17:36.819
 about a Navy SEAL

00:17:36.819 --> 00:17:37.420
 sitting around

00:17:37.420 --> 00:17:38.079
 to do something

00:17:38.079 --> 00:17:39.059
 other than the mission

00:17:39.059 --> 00:17:40.200
 for which they were created.

00:17:41.079 --> 00:17:41.900
 Well, what is the mission

00:17:41.900 --> 00:17:42.620
 of the church?

00:17:43.180 --> 00:17:44.460
 The mission of the church

00:17:44.460 --> 00:17:45.480
 is to declare

00:17:45.480 --> 00:17:47.140
 God's redemption

00:17:47.140 --> 00:17:48.300
 in Jesus Christ

00:17:48.300 --> 00:17:50.980
 as the fulfillment

00:17:50.980 --> 00:17:51.960
 of God's word.

00:17:53.340 --> 00:17:54.300
 It's that simple.

00:17:54.620 --> 00:17:55.280
 I want to show you

00:17:55.280 --> 00:17:56.280
 how Peter did this,

00:17:56.820 --> 00:17:57.820
 but let me make sure

00:17:57.820 --> 00:17:58.460
 we understand

00:17:58.460 --> 00:17:58.980
 and appreciate

00:17:58.980 --> 00:18:00.240
 why this is so important.

00:18:01.360 --> 00:18:02.500
 If we as a church

00:18:02.500 --> 00:18:03.300
 lose sight of this,

00:18:03.340 --> 00:18:04.160
 I'll be more specific.

00:18:04.360 --> 00:18:05.920
 If I start to lose sight

00:18:05.920 --> 00:18:07.180
 of our simple mission,

00:18:07.920 --> 00:18:08.759
 you as the church

00:18:08.759 --> 00:18:10.259
 need to hold me accountable.

00:18:10.600 --> 00:18:11.220
 We need to hold

00:18:11.220 --> 00:18:12.120
 one another accountable

00:18:12.120 --> 00:18:12.880
 because it would be

00:18:12.880 --> 00:18:13.780
 just as ridiculous

00:18:13.779 --> 00:18:15.299
 as Navy SEALs

00:18:15.299 --> 00:18:15.879
 sitting around

00:18:15.879 --> 00:18:17.220
 sewing quilts.

00:18:17.559 --> 00:18:18.379
 That's not why

00:18:18.379 --> 00:18:19.059
 we were created.

00:18:19.379 --> 00:18:20.399
 That's not our mission.

00:18:21.599 --> 00:18:22.680
 So this is what

00:18:22.680 --> 00:18:24.500
 the New Testament church did.

00:18:25.279 --> 00:18:26.240
 I want you to please

00:18:26.240 --> 00:18:28.079
 turn to 1 Peter 2.

00:18:28.799 --> 00:18:29.240
 Remember,

00:18:29.379 --> 00:18:29.920
 Peter is the one

00:18:29.920 --> 00:18:30.500
 who stood up.

00:18:31.039 --> 00:18:31.879
 Peter is standing up

00:18:31.879 --> 00:18:34.079
 as a representative

00:18:34.079 --> 00:18:35.500
 of the disciples of Jesus

00:18:35.500 --> 00:18:36.940
 as one of the apostles.

00:18:37.440 --> 00:18:38.299
 He also becomes

00:18:38.299 --> 00:18:39.720
 an elder of a local church.

00:18:40.379 --> 00:18:41.059
 And as such,

00:18:41.180 --> 00:18:41.720
 listen to how

00:18:41.720 --> 00:18:42.599
 the Holy Spirit

00:18:42.599 --> 00:18:43.420
 through whom

00:18:43.420 --> 00:18:44.539
 he's breathing out

00:18:44.539 --> 00:18:45.660
 New Testament passages,

00:18:46.360 --> 00:18:46.759
 ministers,

00:18:46.960 --> 00:18:47.820
 and fulfills the mission

00:18:47.820 --> 00:18:48.400
 of the church.

00:18:49.140 --> 00:18:50.460
 1 Peter 2.

00:18:52.940 --> 00:18:54.140
 I want you to see

00:18:54.140 --> 00:18:56.860
 the words that Peter uses.

00:18:57.279 --> 00:18:57.940
 And so you're not having

00:18:57.940 --> 00:18:59.019
 to flip all over your Bible.

00:18:59.140 --> 00:19:00.320
 I want you to listen carefully

00:19:00.320 --> 00:19:00.840
 when I read

00:19:00.840 --> 00:19:02.100
 the Old Testament passage

00:19:02.100 --> 00:19:03.039
 he's alluding to.

00:19:03.220 --> 00:19:04.019
 Then you see

00:19:04.019 --> 00:19:05.660
 the New Testament fulfillment.

00:19:06.620 --> 00:19:08.640
 So starting at verse 5.

00:19:09.000 --> 00:19:11.039
 1 Peter 2, verse 5.

00:19:11.039 --> 00:19:11.900
 Here's how the church

00:19:11.900 --> 00:19:12.580
 carries out

00:19:12.579 --> 00:19:13.859
 that simple mission

00:19:13.859 --> 00:19:15.119
 of declaring

00:19:15.119 --> 00:19:15.899
 God's redemption

00:19:15.899 --> 00:19:17.159
 in Jesus Christ

00:19:17.159 --> 00:19:18.139
 the fulfillment

00:19:18.139 --> 00:19:19.480
 of God's word,

00:19:19.599 --> 00:19:20.259
 the full counsel.

00:19:21.539 --> 00:19:23.059
 You're looking at verse 5.

00:19:23.159 --> 00:19:25.639
 Now listen to Isaiah 61.6.

00:19:26.419 --> 00:19:27.199
 God promises,

00:19:27.519 --> 00:19:28.500
 you shall be named

00:19:28.500 --> 00:19:30.439
 the priests of the Lord

00:19:30.439 --> 00:19:32.259
 and they shall call you

00:19:32.259 --> 00:19:34.759
 the servants of our God.

00:19:35.319 --> 00:19:36.379
 Isaiah's prophesying

00:19:36.379 --> 00:19:37.199
 that this is what

00:19:37.199 --> 00:19:38.419
 the kingdom of God

00:19:38.419 --> 00:19:39.159
 will be like.

00:19:39.160 --> 00:19:40.880
 Notice what Peter wrote.

00:19:40.880 --> 00:19:42.259
 Chapter 2, verse 5.

00:19:42.759 --> 00:19:43.940
 It confirms the fulfillment.

00:19:44.180 --> 00:19:44.720
 You church

00:19:44.720 --> 00:19:46.740
 also as living stones

00:19:46.740 --> 00:19:48.220
 are being built up

00:19:48.220 --> 00:19:49.820
 as a spiritual house,

00:19:50.220 --> 00:19:50.920
 a temple

00:19:50.920 --> 00:19:51.920
 to offer up

00:19:51.920 --> 00:19:53.180
 spiritual sacrifices

00:19:53.180 --> 00:19:54.800
 acceptable to God

00:19:54.800 --> 00:19:55.880
 through Jesus Christ.

00:19:56.620 --> 00:19:58.040
 Verses 6 and 8 say

00:19:58.040 --> 00:19:59.580
 Jesus is the cornerstone

00:19:59.580 --> 00:20:00.240
 of this house,

00:20:00.680 --> 00:20:01.259
 his temple,

00:20:01.820 --> 00:20:02.420
 this church.

00:20:03.500 --> 00:20:05.259
 Do you see how Isaiah 61

00:20:05.259 --> 00:20:06.019
 is fulfilled?

00:20:06.019 --> 00:20:07.259
 The church now

00:20:07.259 --> 00:20:07.839
 will be called

00:20:07.839 --> 00:20:09.059
 priests of the Lord,

00:20:09.700 --> 00:20:10.960
 servants of our God.

00:20:12.359 --> 00:20:13.279
 The next example,

00:20:14.619 --> 00:20:15.900
 Malachi 1.11,

00:20:16.039 --> 00:20:16.740
 God promised,

00:20:17.400 --> 00:20:18.200
 for from the rising

00:20:18.200 --> 00:20:18.859
 of the sun

00:20:18.859 --> 00:20:19.599
 to its setting,

00:20:19.740 --> 00:20:20.980
 my name shall be great

00:20:20.980 --> 00:20:22.000
 among the nations

00:20:22.000 --> 00:20:23.480
 and in every place

00:20:23.480 --> 00:20:25.160
 increase shall be offered

00:20:25.160 --> 00:20:25.920
 to my name

00:20:25.920 --> 00:20:27.039
 and a pure offering.

00:20:27.879 --> 00:20:28.960
 And in 1 Peter 2,

00:20:29.099 --> 00:20:30.259
 verse 5,

00:20:30.319 --> 00:20:31.440
 he confirms the fulfillment.

00:20:32.000 --> 00:20:33.220
 God created you church

00:20:33.220 --> 00:20:33.960
 to offer these

00:20:33.960 --> 00:20:35.139
 spiritual sacrifices

00:20:35.140 --> 00:20:36.440
 acceptable to God

00:20:36.440 --> 00:20:37.940
 through Jesus Christ.

00:20:38.500 --> 00:20:39.280
 Third example,

00:20:39.780 --> 00:20:41.000
 Exodus 19.6,

00:20:41.120 --> 00:20:41.759
 God promised,

00:20:42.200 --> 00:20:43.160
 you shall be to me

00:20:43.160 --> 00:20:44.300
 a kingdom of priests

00:20:44.300 --> 00:20:45.320
 and a holy nation.

00:20:45.980 --> 00:20:47.220
 In 1 Peter 2,

00:20:47.340 --> 00:20:47.900
 verse 9,

00:20:48.300 --> 00:20:49.700
 God confirms the fulfillment

00:20:49.700 --> 00:20:50.420
 in the church.

00:20:50.880 --> 00:20:52.380
 You are a chosen generation,

00:20:52.660 --> 00:20:53.800
 a royal priesthood,

00:20:54.180 --> 00:20:55.940
 a holy nation church.

00:20:56.440 --> 00:20:57.320
 That's who you are.

00:20:58.220 --> 00:20:59.220
 Fourth example,

00:20:59.660 --> 00:21:00.280
 Psalm 135,

00:21:00.620 --> 00:21:01.580
 verse 4 promises

00:21:01.580 --> 00:21:02.940
 that the Lord

00:21:02.940 --> 00:21:04.180
 has chosen Jacob

00:21:04.180 --> 00:21:04.940
 for himself,

00:21:05.160 --> 00:21:06.480
 Israel for his special

00:21:06.480 --> 00:21:08.299
 or precious treasure.

00:21:08.759 --> 00:21:09.640
 Now notice the language

00:21:09.640 --> 00:21:10.840
 of 1 Peter 2.9,

00:21:11.400 --> 00:21:12.360
 confirming fulfillment

00:21:12.360 --> 00:21:12.980
 in the church.

00:21:13.460 --> 00:21:15.519
 You are his own special,

00:21:15.980 --> 00:21:17.120
 precious people church

00:21:17.120 --> 00:21:18.920
 that you may proclaim

00:21:18.920 --> 00:21:19.980
 the praises of him

00:21:19.980 --> 00:21:20.880
 who called you

00:21:20.880 --> 00:21:21.519
 out of darkness

00:21:21.519 --> 00:21:23.980
 into his marvelous light.

00:21:25.080 --> 00:21:25.860
 Fifth example,

00:21:25.980 --> 00:21:27.039
 Hosea 2.28,

00:21:27.380 --> 00:21:28.140
 God promised,

00:21:28.519 --> 00:21:30.019
 I will have mercy on her

00:21:30.019 --> 00:21:31.840
 who had not obtained mercy.

00:21:31.839 --> 00:21:33.339
 Then I will say to those

00:21:33.339 --> 00:21:34.379
 who were not my people,

00:21:34.839 --> 00:21:35.939
 you are my people

00:21:35.939 --> 00:21:37.199
 and they shall say,

00:21:37.399 --> 00:21:38.899
 you are my God.

00:21:39.379 --> 00:21:40.539
 In 1 Peter 2.10,

00:21:40.959 --> 00:21:41.859
 confirms fulfillment

00:21:41.859 --> 00:21:42.480
 in the church.

00:21:42.919 --> 00:21:44.139
 Once you were not a people,

00:21:44.299 --> 00:21:45.439
 but now you are

00:21:45.439 --> 00:21:46.459
 the people of God.

00:21:46.980 --> 00:21:47.919
 Once you were a people

00:21:47.919 --> 00:21:49.139
 who had not obtained mercy,

00:21:49.259 --> 00:21:51.079
 but now you have obtained

00:21:51.079 --> 00:21:52.699
 God's mercy.

00:21:53.699 --> 00:21:55.039
 Do you see the fulfillment?

00:21:55.199 --> 00:21:56.559
 Do you see what the church does?

00:21:56.559 --> 00:21:57.819
 The church shows

00:21:57.819 --> 00:21:58.700
 that in Christ,

00:21:59.279 --> 00:22:00.619
 all that God has planned

00:22:00.619 --> 00:22:01.779
 and intended and promised

00:22:01.779 --> 00:22:02.700
 for our redemption,

00:22:02.980 --> 00:22:03.819
 it's fulfilled

00:22:03.819 --> 00:22:05.119
 through the church.

00:22:06.639 --> 00:22:07.579
 You and me,

00:22:08.480 --> 00:22:09.659
 Jews and Gentiles,

00:22:10.819 --> 00:22:12.000
 Brazilians and Scots,

00:22:13.259 --> 00:22:14.339
 Mexicans and Koreans,

00:22:14.500 --> 00:22:15.099
 all of us,

00:22:15.779 --> 00:22:17.779
 we have obtained mercy

00:22:17.779 --> 00:22:19.079
 through Jesus Christ.

00:22:22.679 --> 00:22:24.339
 Let's turn back to Acts 2.

00:22:26.559 --> 00:22:27.579
 I want to show you

00:22:27.579 --> 00:22:28.339
 a couple more things

00:22:28.339 --> 00:22:28.859
 in Acts 2,

00:22:28.940 --> 00:22:30.039
 including our response.

00:22:30.619 --> 00:22:31.839
 While you're turning there,

00:22:32.940 --> 00:22:33.899
 remember these other

00:22:33.899 --> 00:22:36.200
 fulfillments in Jesus Christ.

00:22:36.679 --> 00:22:38.240
 In Genesis 12, 1-3,

00:22:39.500 --> 00:22:41.440
 Abraham's seed

00:22:41.440 --> 00:22:43.059
 will go from this country

00:22:43.059 --> 00:22:44.579
 and from this kindred

00:22:44.579 --> 00:22:45.519
 to your father's house

00:22:45.519 --> 00:22:47.019
 to a land that I will show you

00:22:47.019 --> 00:22:48.599
 and I will make of you

00:22:48.599 --> 00:22:49.500
 a great nation

00:22:49.500 --> 00:22:50.759
 and I will bless you

00:22:50.759 --> 00:22:52.139
 and make your name great

00:22:52.139 --> 00:22:53.859
 that you will be a blessing

00:22:53.859 --> 00:22:55.259
 and I will bless those

00:22:55.259 --> 00:22:55.940
 who bless you

00:22:55.940 --> 00:22:57.640
 and him who dishonors you

00:22:57.640 --> 00:22:58.380
 I will curse

00:22:58.380 --> 00:22:59.480
 and in you,

00:22:59.620 --> 00:23:00.980
 all the families of the earth

00:23:00.980 --> 00:23:02.140
 shall be blessed.

00:23:02.700 --> 00:23:04.299
 It's fulfilled in Jesus Christ,

00:23:04.519 --> 00:23:06.000
 the family of God

00:23:06.000 --> 00:23:07.220
 that he accomplished.

00:23:08.059 --> 00:23:09.420
 In Hosea 11, 1,

00:23:10.000 --> 00:23:10.680
 God promised,

00:23:10.940 --> 00:23:11.559
 out of Egypt,

00:23:11.720 --> 00:23:12.600
 I called my son.

00:23:12.799 --> 00:23:13.620
 Matthew 2 says,

00:23:13.980 --> 00:23:14.720
 that's why Jesus

00:23:14.720 --> 00:23:15.759
 was taken to Egypt

00:23:15.759 --> 00:23:16.940
 to fulfill that.

00:23:17.799 --> 00:23:19.299
 Israel spent 40 days

00:23:19.299 --> 00:23:20.920
 testing in the wilderness

00:23:20.920 --> 00:23:22.259
 and our Lord Jesus Christ,

00:23:23.160 --> 00:23:24.160
 his active obedience,

00:23:24.160 --> 00:23:24.940
 40 days,

00:23:24.940 --> 00:23:25.600
 I'm sorry,

00:23:25.660 --> 00:23:26.540
 Israel was 40 years

00:23:26.540 --> 00:23:27.300
 testing in Jesus,

00:23:27.480 --> 00:23:28.519
 40 days in the wilderness

00:23:28.519 --> 00:23:31.519
 to replace their sin,

00:23:31.940 --> 00:23:33.019
 his active obedience

00:23:33.019 --> 00:23:34.480
 in the place of their sin,

00:23:34.720 --> 00:23:35.279
 their failure.

00:23:36.320 --> 00:23:37.340
 Our Lord Jesus Christ

00:23:37.340 --> 00:23:39.120
 fulfilled what all of his people

00:23:39.120 --> 00:23:40.279
 came short on.

00:23:41.000 --> 00:23:42.320
 That's why Galatians 6,

00:23:42.600 --> 00:23:44.019
 15 and 16 says,

00:23:44.220 --> 00:23:45.560
 in Christ Jesus,

00:23:46.040 --> 00:23:48.160
 you are a new creation

00:23:48.160 --> 00:23:49.880
 and as many as walk

00:23:49.880 --> 00:23:51.060
 according to this rule,

00:23:51.059 --> 00:23:53.159
 peace and mercy be upon them

00:23:53.159 --> 00:23:56.099
 and upon all the Israel of God,

00:23:56.559 --> 00:23:57.500
 which is the church.

00:23:58.779 --> 00:24:01.619
 The church is not God's plan B.

00:24:02.679 --> 00:24:04.539
 The church is not a parentheses

00:24:04.539 --> 00:24:06.919
 in redemptive history.

00:24:08.379 --> 00:24:10.019
 The church is the bride

00:24:10.019 --> 00:24:11.779
 of the Lord all along.

00:24:12.659 --> 00:24:13.899
 All who put their faith

00:24:13.899 --> 00:24:14.899
 in God's promises

00:24:14.899 --> 00:24:16.200
 fulfilled by the Messiah

00:24:16.200 --> 00:24:18.079
 is the only way to be saved.

00:24:18.079 --> 00:24:21.139
 And the church is God's fulfillment.

00:24:22.299 --> 00:24:24.000
 The church is plan A

00:24:24.000 --> 00:24:25.779
 and you and me get to be part of it.

00:24:26.139 --> 00:24:27.059
 God created it

00:24:27.059 --> 00:24:29.039
 and therefore it's his mission

00:24:29.039 --> 00:24:30.419
 for us as people.

00:24:31.159 --> 00:24:32.639
 So here's our call to action.

00:24:32.759 --> 00:24:33.839
 Here's our one response.

00:24:34.079 --> 00:24:35.319
 What does this mean for you and me?

00:24:36.179 --> 00:24:37.699
 Let's look at Acts chapter 2,

00:24:37.759 --> 00:24:38.439
 verse 38.

00:24:39.799 --> 00:24:40.960
 Then Peter said,

00:24:41.079 --> 00:24:43.759
 repent and let every one of you

00:24:43.759 --> 00:24:45.220
 be baptized in the name

00:24:45.220 --> 00:24:46.380
 of Jesus Christ

00:24:46.380 --> 00:24:48.620
 for the remission of sins

00:24:48.620 --> 00:24:50.039
 and you shall receive

00:24:50.039 --> 00:24:51.819
 the gift of the Holy Spirit

00:24:51.819 --> 00:24:54.039
 for the promises to you

00:24:54.039 --> 00:24:55.000
 and to your children

00:24:55.000 --> 00:24:57.900
 and to all who are afar off.

00:24:57.900 --> 00:24:59.539
 As many as the Lord,

00:24:59.920 --> 00:25:01.420
 our God will call.

00:25:02.980 --> 00:25:04.140
 With many other words,

00:25:04.200 --> 00:25:06.420
 he testified and exhorted them saying,

00:25:07.000 --> 00:25:09.559
 be saved from this perverse generation.

00:25:09.559 --> 00:25:14.179
 Ephesians 1.22 reminds us

00:25:14.179 --> 00:25:16.059
 that God has put all things

00:25:16.059 --> 00:25:18.019
 under Christ's feet

00:25:18.019 --> 00:25:19.639
 and gave him as head

00:25:19.639 --> 00:25:22.319
 over all things to the church.

00:25:23.599 --> 00:25:25.000
 Genesis 1.28,

00:25:25.899 --> 00:25:27.519
 that old command

00:25:27.519 --> 00:25:29.099
 given to the first federal head,

00:25:29.200 --> 00:25:31.319
 be fruitful and increase in number,

00:25:31.759 --> 00:25:33.879
 fill the earth and rule over it,

00:25:34.379 --> 00:25:37.500
 can only be fulfilled in Jesus Christ.

00:25:37.500 --> 00:25:39.619
 And that's the command

00:25:39.619 --> 00:25:40.920
 he gives his church.

00:25:41.319 --> 00:25:42.079
 Matthew 28,

00:25:42.259 --> 00:25:43.539
 go where?

00:25:43.680 --> 00:25:44.640
 Into all the world.

00:25:45.359 --> 00:25:46.359
 And as Christians,

00:25:46.500 --> 00:25:47.599
 we respond this way.

00:25:49.039 --> 00:25:50.259
 Jesus is the king.

00:25:50.460 --> 00:25:51.180
 We're his army.

00:25:51.759 --> 00:25:53.579
 He created us for a special mission.

00:25:54.640 --> 00:25:55.880
 We are all in,

00:25:56.160 --> 00:25:57.059
 in his kingdom.

00:25:58.619 --> 00:25:59.920
 In verse 41,

00:26:00.579 --> 00:26:02.079
 they responded that same way.

00:26:02.920 --> 00:26:05.380
 Those who gladly received his word.

00:26:06.019 --> 00:26:06.819
 What did they do?

00:26:06.819 --> 00:26:07.939
 They were baptized.

00:26:08.879 --> 00:26:09.619
 About that day,

00:26:09.740 --> 00:26:12.000
 3,000 were added to their number.

00:26:13.259 --> 00:26:14.359
 John Calvin commented,

00:26:14.639 --> 00:26:16.099
 there is no other way

00:26:16.099 --> 00:26:18.639
 to enter into eternal life

00:26:18.639 --> 00:26:20.980
 unless the church gives birth

00:26:20.980 --> 00:26:22.220
 to a person.

00:26:23.019 --> 00:26:23.759
 What he means is

00:26:23.759 --> 00:26:24.839
 the church has been entrusted

00:26:24.839 --> 00:26:26.240
 with the treasures of the gospel.

00:26:26.679 --> 00:26:28.059
 By preaching Christ,

00:26:28.159 --> 00:26:29.240
 by preaching the gospel,

00:26:29.740 --> 00:26:31.139
 the spirit uses the ministry

00:26:31.139 --> 00:26:32.679
 of the church to give birth,

00:26:32.799 --> 00:26:33.819
 to give spiritual life

00:26:33.819 --> 00:26:35.079
 to those who were dead.

00:26:35.079 --> 00:26:37.839
 Calvin goes on to say,

00:26:38.139 --> 00:26:42.379
 unless the church nourishes us

00:26:42.379 --> 00:26:44.439
 and keeps us under her care

00:26:44.439 --> 00:26:45.119
 and guidance,

00:26:45.619 --> 00:26:48.199
 and we remain pupils in the church

00:26:48.199 --> 00:26:49.359
 for all our lives.

00:26:50.139 --> 00:26:51.299
 In verse 42,

00:26:51.419 --> 00:26:53.099
 they continued steadfastly

00:26:53.099 --> 00:26:54.619
 in the apostles' doctrine

00:26:54.619 --> 00:26:55.299
 and fellowship,

00:26:55.699 --> 00:26:56.899
 in the breaking of bread,

00:26:56.900 --> 00:26:58.060
 and in the prayers.

00:26:59.060 --> 00:27:02.180
 We read in 2 Corinthians 8, 5,

00:27:02.860 --> 00:27:03.820
 that the church members

00:27:03.820 --> 00:27:05.860
 gave themselves to the Lord

00:27:05.860 --> 00:27:07.759
 and to one another.

00:27:08.440 --> 00:27:10.440
 To be a Christian is to give yourself

00:27:10.440 --> 00:27:11.019
 to the Lord

00:27:11.019 --> 00:27:12.580
 and to one another

00:27:12.580 --> 00:27:14.780
 somewhere at a local church.

00:27:14.779 --> 00:27:17.539
 Our confession of faith,

00:27:18.240 --> 00:27:19.799
 chapter 26, verse 3,

00:27:20.980 --> 00:27:22.779
 summarizes this teaching this way.

00:27:24.079 --> 00:27:26.299
 Christ always has had

00:27:26.299 --> 00:27:28.359
 and ever shall have

00:27:28.359 --> 00:27:29.319
 a kingdom

00:27:29.319 --> 00:27:30.059
 where?

00:27:30.480 --> 00:27:31.519
 In this world,

00:27:32.279 --> 00:27:33.960
 even to the very end,

00:27:34.119 --> 00:27:35.119
 a kingdom of those

00:27:35.119 --> 00:27:36.059
 who believe in him

00:27:36.059 --> 00:27:37.680
 and profess his name

00:27:37.680 --> 00:27:38.559
 on earth,

00:27:38.779 --> 00:27:40.079
 just as it is in heaven.

00:27:41.079 --> 00:27:42.159
 You want to have

00:27:42.159 --> 00:27:43.579
 a higher view of Christ.

00:27:44.519 --> 00:27:45.179
 Praise God.

00:27:45.539 --> 00:27:46.399
 I want that also.

00:27:47.679 --> 00:27:48.579
 So let his word

00:27:48.579 --> 00:27:50.279
 give you a higher view

00:27:50.279 --> 00:27:51.419
 of his bride.

00:27:52.639 --> 00:27:54.179
 You want to experience

00:27:54.179 --> 00:27:55.740
 more of the life

00:27:55.740 --> 00:27:56.960
 of the kingdom of heaven,

00:27:57.059 --> 00:27:57.419
 don't you?

00:27:58.059 --> 00:27:58.859
 I know I do.

00:28:00.079 --> 00:28:01.339
 So make his kingdom

00:28:01.339 --> 00:28:02.099
 on earth,

00:28:02.159 --> 00:28:02.779
 his church,

00:28:03.119 --> 00:28:03.980
 a higher place

00:28:03.980 --> 00:28:04.639
 in your life

00:28:04.639 --> 00:28:05.519
 in Christ.

00:28:05.899 --> 00:28:06.119
 Now,

00:28:07.079 --> 00:28:09.500
 you want to know

00:28:09.500 --> 00:28:10.680
 the powerful presence

00:28:10.680 --> 00:28:11.339
 of Christ.

00:28:12.259 --> 00:28:13.240
 So put yourself

00:28:13.240 --> 00:28:14.880
 as much as you can

00:28:14.880 --> 00:28:15.920
 with those

00:28:15.920 --> 00:28:17.180
 among whom

00:28:17.180 --> 00:28:18.240
 he makes his presence

00:28:18.240 --> 00:28:18.700
 known,

00:28:19.180 --> 00:28:19.779
 his church.

00:28:20.740 --> 00:28:21.319
 God,

00:28:21.400 --> 00:28:22.440
 who created the church

00:28:22.440 --> 00:28:23.880
 by his word,

00:28:24.579 --> 00:28:25.660
 dictates the form

00:28:25.660 --> 00:28:26.319
 of the church,

00:28:26.700 --> 00:28:27.339
 the rules

00:28:27.339 --> 00:28:28.420
 and the mission

00:28:28.420 --> 00:28:29.599
 of the church.

00:28:30.559 --> 00:28:32.440
 We are his church

00:28:32.440 --> 00:28:34.259
 living out his mission

00:28:34.259 --> 00:28:36.359
 for his glory alone.

00:28:36.920 --> 00:28:37.220
 Amen.

00:28:37.220 --> 00:28:38.960
 Let's pray

00:28:38.960 --> 00:28:39.480
 and thank him.

00:28:40.240 --> 00:28:40.620
 Lord,

00:28:40.680 --> 00:28:41.180
 we thank you

00:28:41.180 --> 00:28:42.740
 that you brought us

00:28:42.740 --> 00:28:44.100
 from nothing.

00:28:45.339 --> 00:28:46.079
 We were like

00:28:46.079 --> 00:28:46.880
 dry bones

00:28:46.880 --> 00:28:47.960
 scattered on a valley.

00:28:48.819 --> 00:28:50.039
 Yet you created us

00:28:50.039 --> 00:28:51.720
 and you breathed life

00:28:51.720 --> 00:28:53.019
 into us individually,

00:28:53.220 --> 00:28:53.640
 but also

00:28:53.640 --> 00:28:55.180
 as a local expression

00:28:55.180 --> 00:28:55.740
 of the kingdom

00:28:55.740 --> 00:28:56.279
 of heaven.

00:28:57.039 --> 00:28:57.779
 We thank you,

00:28:57.860 --> 00:28:57.940
 Lord,

00:28:57.980 --> 00:28:58.920
 that you have given us

00:28:58.920 --> 00:29:00.140
 such a clear,

00:29:00.759 --> 00:29:01.480
 simple mission.

00:29:02.200 --> 00:29:03.059
 We confess,

00:29:03.200 --> 00:29:03.299
 Lord,

00:29:03.339 --> 00:29:03.980
 we're so weak

00:29:03.980 --> 00:29:04.500
 on our own.

00:29:04.559 --> 00:29:05.140
 Our flesh

00:29:05.140 --> 00:29:06.180
 hates this.

00:29:07.000 --> 00:29:07.660
 The world

00:29:07.660 --> 00:29:08.460
 opposes it.

00:29:08.560 --> 00:29:09.140
 The demons

00:29:09.140 --> 00:29:10.200
 go to battle

00:29:10.200 --> 00:29:11.160
 against the advance

00:29:11.160 --> 00:29:11.720
 of your kingdom

00:29:11.720 --> 00:29:12.820
 through the local church.

00:29:13.360 --> 00:29:13.620
 Lord,

00:29:13.660 --> 00:29:14.560
 we can do nothing

00:29:14.560 --> 00:29:15.400
 apart from you.

00:29:15.800 --> 00:29:16.720
 We're like the weak

00:29:16.720 --> 00:29:17.620
 army of Israel.

00:29:17.620 --> 00:29:18.320
 We're cowards

00:29:18.320 --> 00:29:18.860
 on our own.

00:29:19.520 --> 00:29:20.140
 But we trust

00:29:20.140 --> 00:29:21.140
 that Jesus Christ

00:29:21.140 --> 00:29:22.060
 continues.

00:29:22.240 --> 00:29:22.860
 He's alive

00:29:22.860 --> 00:29:23.780
 and he continues

00:29:23.780 --> 00:29:24.700
 to march in front

00:29:24.700 --> 00:29:25.280
 of his army

00:29:25.280 --> 00:29:26.600
 to shield us

00:29:26.600 --> 00:29:27.620
 and to lead

00:29:27.620 --> 00:29:28.200
 his army.

00:29:29.100 --> 00:29:30.240
 A willing church

00:29:30.240 --> 00:29:31.140
 marching

00:29:31.140 --> 00:29:32.100
 one step

00:29:32.100 --> 00:29:32.980
 after the other

00:29:32.980 --> 00:29:34.120
 patiently.

00:29:34.119 --> 00:29:36.319
 full of grace

00:29:36.319 --> 00:29:38.559
 after him.

00:29:39.219 --> 00:29:39.919
 We pray

00:29:39.919 --> 00:29:40.419
 that you will

00:29:40.419 --> 00:29:41.099
 be glorified,

00:29:41.259 --> 00:29:41.319
 Lord,

00:29:41.379 --> 00:29:42.079
 in our lives

00:29:42.079 --> 00:29:43.339
 and in this

00:29:43.339 --> 00:29:43.699
 congregation

00:29:43.699 --> 00:29:44.839
 in a special way.

00:29:45.500 --> 00:29:45.879
 We pray

00:29:45.879 --> 00:29:46.239
 that you will

00:29:46.239 --> 00:29:47.279
 continue to lead us,

00:29:47.439 --> 00:29:47.539
 Lord.

00:29:47.659 --> 00:29:48.179
 Please don't

00:29:48.179 --> 00:29:49.879
 remove your presence,

00:29:50.259 --> 00:29:50.919
 the lampstand,

00:29:51.019 --> 00:29:51.479
 the light

00:29:51.479 --> 00:29:53.059
 from this congregation.

00:29:53.459 --> 00:29:54.399
 But we do ask,

00:29:54.519 --> 00:29:54.599
 Lord,

00:29:54.659 --> 00:29:56.199
 that like that mighty wind,

00:29:56.299 --> 00:29:56.979
 your Holy Spirit

00:29:56.979 --> 00:29:57.579
 will continue

00:29:57.579 --> 00:29:58.599
 to move,

00:29:59.559 --> 00:30:00.519
 to breathe life

00:30:00.519 --> 00:30:01.379
 where there's death,

00:30:01.759 --> 00:30:02.379
 to heal

00:30:02.379 --> 00:30:03.279
 where there's wounds,

00:30:03.279 --> 00:30:04.519
 that you'll do

00:30:04.519 --> 00:30:05.119
 all of this

00:30:05.119 --> 00:30:05.920
 for Christ's sake

00:30:05.920 --> 00:30:06.759
 and for your glory

00:30:06.759 --> 00:30:07.119
 alone,

00:30:07.440 --> 00:30:07.920
 we pray.

00:30:08.299 --> 00:30:08.579
 Amen.

00:30:10.920 --> 00:30:11.980
 Let's spend a moment

00:30:11.980 --> 00:30:13.879
 responding to the Lord

00:30:13.879 --> 00:30:16.339
 and then soon

00:30:16.339 --> 00:30:16.819
 I'll lead us

00:30:16.819 --> 00:30:17.599
 toward his table.

00:30:17.599 --> 00:30:17.660
 Amen.

00:30:17.660 --> 00:30:17.720
 Amen.

00:30:17.720 --> 00:30:17.720


00:30:17.720 --> 00:30:17.720


00:30:17.720 --> 00:30:17.720


00:30:17.720 --> 00:30:17.720


00:30:17.720 --> 00:30:17.720