WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:06.759 Good morning. It's wonderful to be back with you again. We have had a fantastic week in Hong Kong. 00:00:06.980 --> 00:00:12.439 To everyone that we have met and has hosted us, thank you so much. It's been wonderful to be here. 00:00:12.939 --> 00:00:18.800 In a good Watermark tradition, let me introduce myself. If you're new here, my name is Kevin. 00:00:19.179 --> 00:00:24.660 I'm not one of the pastors. I'm a visitor from Cape Town. I've listened to lots of Chris's sermons, 00:00:24.740 --> 00:00:28.600 and he does that every week, right? And so it's good to be with you. 00:00:28.600 --> 00:00:33.500 I wonder if you can pray with me. I know we've prayed a bit this morning, but I feel like I would love some prayer. 00:00:33.600 --> 00:00:37.400 I'd love for us just to pray. Will you join me? I'm going to pray for 30 seconds. 00:00:39.439 --> 00:00:43.700 Heavenly Father, Christ the Son, Holy Spirit, we want to hear from you this morning. 00:00:44.359 --> 00:00:48.840 God, we don't need to hear from any individual. We don't need to hear the opinions of man. 00:00:48.920 --> 00:00:53.299 We want to hear from you and from your Word. God, why don't you take the words of your Scripture. 00:00:53.299 --> 00:00:57.320 Why don't you apply them to our lives? Why don't you help us to hear from you this morning? 00:00:57.320 --> 00:00:59.320 God, challenge us where we need to be challenged. 00:00:59.859 --> 00:01:01.420 Encourage us where we need to be encouraged. 00:01:02.119 --> 00:01:05.159 God, you know where we all are at in our different stages. 00:01:05.379 --> 00:01:07.960 Some of us are joyful, and some of us are mourning. 00:01:08.460 --> 00:01:10.700 Some of us are celebrating, and some of us are grieving. 00:01:11.359 --> 00:01:14.700 God, why don't you speak to us this morning, and come and have your way. 00:01:14.780 --> 00:01:17.620 In your name we pray. Amen. Amen. 00:01:17.620 --> 00:01:25.900 Now, as a church, you know that if you've been coming for a while, you are busy working through the book of Acts, which is fantastic. 00:01:26.660 --> 00:01:30.820 And last week and the week before, we looked at Acts chapter 2. 00:01:31.320 --> 00:01:37.719 And Acts chapter 2 is really the time when the Holy Spirit is poured out upon the church in power. 00:01:37.719 --> 00:01:43.019 And the church is baptized in the love and the power of the Holy Spirit. 00:01:43.179 --> 00:01:48.519 The church is empowered by the Holy Spirit for the ministry and the work to which God calls them. 00:01:49.260 --> 00:01:56.280 And Chris and I have argued over the last two weeks that the ministry of the Holy Spirit is not just for some people. 00:01:56.819 --> 00:02:00.879 It's not just for those that are extroverted or the young people. 00:02:00.879 --> 00:02:07.359 It's not just for the Pentecostals or the Charismatics or those that enjoy having a good time. 00:02:08.079 --> 00:02:10.299 And, you know, the rest are the chosen frozen. 00:02:10.479 --> 00:02:11.280 Do you know that phrase? 00:02:12.099 --> 00:02:12.359 Okay. 00:02:12.879 --> 00:02:20.120 The ministry of the Holy Spirit is what it means to be a follower of Jesus, to walk with God and to know God. 00:02:20.759 --> 00:02:24.460 And more than that, we see that if we go back to the beginning of the Bible, 00:02:24.919 --> 00:02:29.300 we see that actually to walk with God and know the presence and the love and the power of God 00:02:29.300 --> 00:02:31.060 is part of what it means to be human. 00:02:32.280 --> 00:02:38.640 And so the ministry of the Holy Spirit is so necessary and powerful and needed in the church. 00:02:38.800 --> 00:02:42.439 And without the person and the work of the Holy Spirit, the church is not the church. 00:02:42.939 --> 00:02:46.439 We're just a gathering of people that believe the same things. 00:02:46.860 --> 00:02:51.780 But it's the life and the power of the Holy Spirit that takes the wonderful truth of the gospel, 00:02:51.939 --> 00:02:56.080 the truth of Jesus, and actually makes it real in our lives and applies it to us. 00:02:56.080 --> 00:03:00.980 And so that was the beginning of Acts chapter 2 that we've looked at the last two weeks. 00:03:01.640 --> 00:03:05.860 Now, the scripture that Echo read to us is a wonderful scripture. 00:03:06.320 --> 00:03:11.060 And we're going to look at what happens when God the Holy Spirit is poured out in His church, 00:03:11.060 --> 00:03:14.900 when the gospel is preached, and when God is at work in His church. 00:03:15.400 --> 00:03:19.900 And let's just recap briefly the story in the Bible where we're at. 00:03:19.900 --> 00:03:26.680 Remember that for hundreds of years, God has been speaking to His people, promising to give them His presence. 00:03:27.159 --> 00:03:32.000 Through the prophets, through Joel and Jeremiah and Isaiah and Ezekiel, 00:03:32.319 --> 00:03:36.520 God's been saying that there will come a time when I will no longer, 00:03:37.240 --> 00:03:41.740 the words of God will not just be on the pages of your Bible, but they'll be written in your hearts. 00:03:41.819 --> 00:03:46.319 You will know what it means to walk with God and to love God and to trust God, 00:03:46.400 --> 00:03:49.000 because I will give you the Holy Spirit. 00:03:49.000 --> 00:03:52.800 So God's been promising this for centuries for His people. 00:03:53.560 --> 00:03:58.000 And then Jesus comes, and Jesus promises to pour out the Holy Spirit. 00:03:58.360 --> 00:03:59.419 And He says it like this. 00:03:59.699 --> 00:04:00.039 He says, 00:04:00.419 --> 00:04:03.759 If anyone is thirsty, let him come to Me and drink. 00:04:04.240 --> 00:04:06.939 For whoever believes in Me, as the scriptures have said, 00:04:07.280 --> 00:04:10.199 out of his heart will flow rivers of living water. 00:04:10.659 --> 00:04:11.520 And then John adds, 00:04:11.840 --> 00:04:15.300 This He spoke about the Holy Spirit, who had not yet been given, 00:04:15.699 --> 00:04:17.740 because Jesus had not yet been glorified. 00:04:17.740 --> 00:04:21.340 And so then just a little bit later, in Acts chapter 1, 00:04:21.819 --> 00:04:22.980 Jesus says to the disciples, 00:04:23.300 --> 00:04:26.900 Wait here in Jerusalem for the promised Holy Spirit, 00:04:27.040 --> 00:04:28.639 which my Father promised, 00:04:29.060 --> 00:04:31.019 and John baptized you with water, 00:04:31.439 --> 00:04:33.980 but I will baptize you in the Spirit. 00:04:34.860 --> 00:04:37.480 And then a few days later, this happens. 00:04:37.819 --> 00:04:39.639 Pentecost, Acts chapter 2. 00:04:39.639 --> 00:04:44.539 And the result of Pentecost is that the disciples are full of the Holy Spirit. 00:04:44.979 --> 00:04:45.860 They are joyful. 00:04:46.199 --> 00:04:47.120 They are celebrating. 00:04:47.740 --> 00:04:49.500 They are bold. 00:04:49.740 --> 00:04:51.839 And the people around them think that they're drunk. 00:04:52.379 --> 00:04:55.060 And so Peter stands up and explains what's going on. 00:04:55.180 --> 00:04:55.539 And he says, 00:04:55.599 --> 00:04:56.240 They're not drunk. 00:04:56.319 --> 00:04:57.639 They've encountered God. 00:04:58.039 --> 00:05:01.240 And the result is that Peter invariably preaches the gospel. 00:05:01.459 --> 00:05:02.579 And then look at what happens. 00:05:02.659 --> 00:05:04.060 Acts chapter 2, verse 36. 00:05:04.060 --> 00:05:05.319 Peter says, 00:05:05.519 --> 00:05:09.420 Let all the house of Israel know for certain that God has made him, 00:05:09.560 --> 00:05:11.180 both the Lord and Christ, 00:05:11.740 --> 00:05:13.500 this Jesus whom you crucified. 00:05:14.500 --> 00:05:14.740 It says, 00:05:14.819 --> 00:05:16.720 When they heard this, they were cut to the heart. 00:05:17.220 --> 00:05:19.040 They said to Peter and to the other apostles, 00:05:19.220 --> 00:05:20.819 Brothers, what shall we do? 00:05:21.439 --> 00:05:22.279 Peter said to them, 00:05:22.340 --> 00:05:23.560 Repent and be baptized, 00:05:23.740 --> 00:05:24.600 every one of you, 00:05:24.680 --> 00:05:26.259 in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, 00:05:26.660 --> 00:05:27.879 for the forgiveness of your sins, 00:05:28.000 --> 00:05:30.259 and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 00:05:30.259 --> 00:05:32.579 And those who received his word were baptized. 00:05:33.279 --> 00:05:36.980 And there were added that day about 3,000 souls to the church. 00:05:37.620 --> 00:05:39.139 And here's the question I want to ask us. 00:05:40.159 --> 00:05:41.240 What happens? 00:05:41.779 --> 00:05:44.759 What does it look like to a community of people 00:05:44.759 --> 00:05:46.560 when the Holy Spirit is poured out, 00:05:46.899 --> 00:05:48.579 when the gospel of Jesus is preached, 00:05:48.719 --> 00:05:51.159 and when God is at work in a city? 00:05:51.980 --> 00:05:52.939 What does that look like? 00:05:53.480 --> 00:05:55.300 What does that manifest as? 00:05:56.939 --> 00:05:59.599 Well, in some senses, a new community is born. 00:06:00.259 --> 00:06:02.659 On this day, straight after the Holy Spirit is poured out, 00:06:02.759 --> 00:06:03.779 the church is born. 00:06:03.860 --> 00:06:05.779 In fact, this is the first church gathering 00:06:05.779 --> 00:06:07.439 that Echo read to us about. 00:06:07.539 --> 00:06:09.939 And it's a very famous and well-known passage. 00:06:10.339 --> 00:06:13.199 And I know that Watermark really cherishes community. 00:06:13.519 --> 00:06:15.620 I'm sure this is a passage you've probably preached on 00:06:15.620 --> 00:06:17.539 many times over the years. 00:06:17.920 --> 00:06:19.500 But what this passage shows us 00:06:19.500 --> 00:06:21.759 is that when the Holy Spirit is poured out, 00:06:21.819 --> 00:06:22.879 when the gospel is preached, 00:06:22.939 --> 00:06:23.980 when God is at work, 00:06:24.399 --> 00:06:25.699 something unique happens. 00:06:25.699 --> 00:06:28.920 God births a new community is born. 00:06:28.920 --> 00:06:30.939 But it's a very unique community. 00:06:31.319 --> 00:06:33.900 It's different from just your colleagues at work 00:06:33.900 --> 00:06:36.060 or the community around your housing estate 00:06:36.060 --> 00:06:38.980 or your alumni at your university where you study. 00:06:39.460 --> 00:06:41.700 This is, when the church is working at its best, 00:06:41.819 --> 00:06:43.400 it's an exceptional community. 00:06:44.680 --> 00:06:46.080 But we need to be careful. 00:06:46.920 --> 00:06:49.900 We need to be careful that we don't just hold up Acts chapter 2 00:06:49.900 --> 00:06:52.480 or print it out and distribute it in the bulletin 00:06:52.480 --> 00:06:53.480 and then say, 00:06:53.700 --> 00:06:54.740 there we go, Watermark, 00:06:54.900 --> 00:06:55.980 go and do likewise. 00:06:55.980 --> 00:06:58.319 In some ways, 00:06:58.480 --> 00:07:00.700 the Bible says that every verse in the Scripture 00:07:00.700 --> 00:07:02.819 is good for learning and for teaching, 00:07:03.000 --> 00:07:05.600 for us to learn from and for training. 00:07:06.640 --> 00:07:10.560 But Acts chapter 2 is not a church planting manual. 00:07:11.200 --> 00:07:12.620 The Holy Spirit didn't just say, 00:07:12.960 --> 00:07:15.140 let me give you a manual how to be the perfect church. 00:07:15.280 --> 00:07:15.740 There it is. 00:07:15.819 --> 00:07:16.640 Go and do it. 00:07:17.640 --> 00:07:20.920 Acts chapter 2 is not a prescription of the perfect church. 00:07:21.259 --> 00:07:23.060 It's a description of what happens 00:07:23.060 --> 00:07:24.939 when God is at work in people's lives. 00:07:24.939 --> 00:07:25.779 Do you see the difference? 00:07:26.300 --> 00:07:27.939 It's a historical description. 00:07:28.259 --> 00:07:29.459 The Holy Spirit is writing, 00:07:29.540 --> 00:07:30.379 or Luke is writing, 00:07:30.740 --> 00:07:31.019 and saying, 00:07:31.379 --> 00:07:32.319 this is what happened 00:07:32.319 --> 00:07:34.839 when God poured out His Spirit in people 00:07:34.839 --> 00:07:37.579 and when the people of God encountered God, 00:07:37.660 --> 00:07:38.500 the gospel is preached 00:07:38.500 --> 00:07:40.259 and God is at work in the world. 00:07:40.560 --> 00:07:42.279 This is a description of what happens 00:07:42.279 --> 00:07:44.259 when the beauty of Jesus is made known, 00:07:44.519 --> 00:07:46.439 when the cross of Jesus is preached 00:07:46.439 --> 00:07:48.500 and when the Holy Spirit is given. 00:07:49.019 --> 00:07:50.939 And what makes this community distinct? 00:07:50.939 --> 00:07:52.920 What differentiates them from, 00:07:53.040 --> 00:07:53.480 like we said, 00:07:53.540 --> 00:07:55.360 your colleagues or your housing estates 00:07:55.360 --> 00:07:56.639 or your sports friends 00:07:56.639 --> 00:07:59.060 or the guys you go running on the mountain with? 00:07:59.219 --> 00:08:00.980 What differentiates these people? 00:08:01.779 --> 00:08:03.699 Well, the key is found in verse 42. 00:08:04.160 --> 00:08:04.720 If you've got your Bible, 00:08:04.819 --> 00:08:05.720 look at it with me. 00:08:05.980 --> 00:08:07.300 Look what verse 42 says. 00:08:08.040 --> 00:08:08.300 It says, 00:08:08.300 --> 00:08:09.560 they devoted themselves 00:08:09.560 --> 00:08:11.439 to the apostles' teaching, 00:08:12.160 --> 00:08:13.360 to fellowship, 00:08:14.100 --> 00:08:15.240 to the breaking of bread, 00:08:15.660 --> 00:08:16.560 and to prayer. 00:08:17.220 --> 00:08:19.280 What makes this community so distinct, 00:08:19.620 --> 00:08:20.360 so unique, 00:08:20.800 --> 00:08:22.180 is that this church, 00:08:22.580 --> 00:08:23.379 in Acts chapter 2, 00:08:23.439 --> 00:08:24.819 and every true church, 00:08:25.300 --> 00:08:26.720 is made up of men and women 00:08:26.720 --> 00:08:28.540 who give themselves away. 00:08:29.300 --> 00:08:30.420 Who give themselves away. 00:08:30.580 --> 00:08:31.220 The ESV, 00:08:31.939 --> 00:08:33.379 which is the version we read, 00:08:33.759 --> 00:08:35.220 says they devoted themselves. 00:08:35.399 --> 00:08:36.759 And the word to devote, 00:08:36.759 --> 00:08:38.059 it actually comes from the same word, 00:08:38.120 --> 00:08:39.299 to consecrate yourself, 00:08:39.439 --> 00:08:41.159 to set yourself apart. 00:08:41.819 --> 00:08:42.740 But what it means is 00:08:42.740 --> 00:08:44.939 to continuously give of yourself 00:08:44.939 --> 00:08:46.139 to a purpose, 00:08:46.279 --> 00:08:47.120 to something else. 00:08:47.500 --> 00:08:47.819 In fact, 00:08:47.879 --> 00:08:49.379 in all the translation of the Bible, 00:08:49.539 --> 00:08:49.779 it says, 00:08:49.860 --> 00:08:50.419 in this verse, 00:08:50.519 --> 00:08:50.779 it says, 00:08:51.139 --> 00:08:52.379 they gave themselves, 00:08:52.799 --> 00:08:53.659 the apostles' teaching, 00:08:53.779 --> 00:08:54.200 to fellowship, 00:08:54.360 --> 00:08:55.159 to breaking of bread, 00:08:55.220 --> 00:08:55.779 and to prayer. 00:08:55.980 --> 00:08:57.139 They gave themselves. 00:08:57.299 --> 00:08:59.039 Just like in Acts chapter 6, 00:08:59.340 --> 00:08:59.740 it says, 00:09:00.039 --> 00:09:01.840 the apostles were so busy, 00:09:02.259 --> 00:09:02.980 they didn't have time 00:09:02.980 --> 00:09:04.299 to give themselves 00:09:04.299 --> 00:09:05.399 to the ministry of word 00:09:05.399 --> 00:09:06.080 and to prayer. 00:09:06.080 --> 00:09:07.879 And so they appointed some deacons. 00:09:07.980 --> 00:09:08.139 They said, 00:09:08.220 --> 00:09:08.480 deacons, 00:09:08.580 --> 00:09:09.520 please come and help us 00:09:09.520 --> 00:09:10.639 and run the ministry 00:09:10.639 --> 00:09:12.259 so that we can give ourselves, 00:09:12.379 --> 00:09:13.620 we can devote ourselves 00:09:13.620 --> 00:09:14.400 to these things, 00:09:14.440 --> 00:09:16.100 to prayer and to preaching. 00:09:16.200 --> 00:09:17.400 They gave themselves 00:09:17.400 --> 00:09:19.259 to that which is important. 00:09:20.300 --> 00:09:21.540 They devoted themselves. 00:09:22.600 --> 00:09:23.220 And here we see 00:09:23.220 --> 00:09:24.980 that they gave of their property. 00:09:25.400 --> 00:09:26.560 They gave of their time. 00:09:26.759 --> 00:09:28.000 They gave of their resources. 00:09:28.500 --> 00:09:29.560 They gave of their wealth. 00:09:30.060 --> 00:09:31.640 They gave of their personal space. 00:09:31.720 --> 00:09:32.620 They invited people 00:09:32.620 --> 00:09:33.620 into their homes. 00:09:33.620 --> 00:09:35.480 Here is a group of people 00:09:35.480 --> 00:09:37.580 characterized by giving. 00:09:39.200 --> 00:09:40.560 I'm not exactly sure 00:09:40.560 --> 00:09:41.580 on all the ins and outs 00:09:41.580 --> 00:09:42.679 of Hong Kong culture, 00:09:43.399 --> 00:09:45.679 but in most major cities 00:09:45.679 --> 00:09:46.220 of the world, 00:09:46.299 --> 00:09:47.139 and this is certainly true 00:09:47.139 --> 00:09:47.679 in the West 00:09:47.679 --> 00:09:48.899 where we come from, 00:09:49.299 --> 00:09:50.060 but I suspect 00:09:50.060 --> 00:09:51.620 it's probably not that different 00:09:51.620 --> 00:09:52.840 here in Hong Kong. 00:09:53.360 --> 00:09:54.659 Most main cities 00:09:54.659 --> 00:09:55.399 of the world, 00:09:55.879 --> 00:09:57.120 there is the idea 00:09:57.120 --> 00:09:58.440 that the good life, 00:09:58.580 --> 00:09:59.580 what James K. Smith 00:09:59.580 --> 00:10:00.600 calls the good life, 00:10:00.680 --> 00:10:01.960 the life of contentment, 00:10:01.960 --> 00:10:03.259 the life of happiness, 00:10:03.780 --> 00:10:04.940 the life of joy, 00:10:05.500 --> 00:10:08.019 is found in consuming things, 00:10:08.220 --> 00:10:08.460 right? 00:10:08.920 --> 00:10:10.139 Consuming products, 00:10:10.620 --> 00:10:11.840 goods and services, 00:10:12.100 --> 00:10:13.340 consuming experiences, 00:10:13.720 --> 00:10:15.620 all found in the relationships 00:10:15.620 --> 00:10:16.500 around us. 00:10:16.820 --> 00:10:18.379 If we can just have more things, 00:10:18.660 --> 00:10:20.019 if we can have more space, 00:10:20.379 --> 00:10:21.820 if we can experience 00:10:21.820 --> 00:10:23.000 more wonderful things, 00:10:23.240 --> 00:10:23.960 if we can have 00:10:23.960 --> 00:10:25.120 the right relationships 00:10:25.120 --> 00:10:26.300 and the right connections, 00:10:26.660 --> 00:10:27.379 if we can know 00:10:27.379 --> 00:10:28.139 the right people, 00:10:28.420 --> 00:10:29.220 then our lives 00:10:29.220 --> 00:10:29.980 will be worthwhile. 00:10:29.980 --> 00:10:32.100 Then we'll really be happy. 00:10:32.700 --> 00:10:33.600 And when we're not happy, 00:10:33.700 --> 00:10:34.379 we are told that 00:10:34.379 --> 00:10:35.180 all we need to do 00:10:35.180 --> 00:10:36.800 is to find more things, 00:10:36.980 --> 00:10:38.379 to get another person 00:10:38.379 --> 00:10:39.259 in the house 00:10:39.259 --> 00:10:39.980 to help us, 00:10:40.360 --> 00:10:42.240 to get some more space, 00:10:42.659 --> 00:10:45.080 to buy another gadget 00:10:45.080 --> 00:10:45.740 or MacBook 00:10:45.740 --> 00:10:46.420 or car 00:10:46.420 --> 00:10:46.980 or something 00:10:46.980 --> 00:10:48.180 of that nature. 00:10:48.940 --> 00:10:50.100 As you think about 00:10:50.100 --> 00:10:50.860 the conversations 00:10:50.860 --> 00:10:51.840 in your workspace 00:10:51.840 --> 00:10:53.300 around the water cooler 00:10:53.300 --> 00:10:55.139 or around the lunch table, 00:10:55.600 --> 00:10:57.300 is that the understanding 00:10:57.300 --> 00:10:58.279 below the surface? 00:10:58.279 --> 00:10:59.899 that the road 00:10:59.899 --> 00:11:00.919 to more happiness 00:11:00.919 --> 00:11:01.799 and contentment 00:11:01.799 --> 00:11:02.299 is found 00:11:02.299 --> 00:11:03.000 in more things 00:11:03.000 --> 00:11:03.959 and more experiences 00:11:03.959 --> 00:11:04.799 or in knowing 00:11:04.799 --> 00:11:05.559 the right people. 00:11:06.199 --> 00:11:06.799 Is that true? 00:11:07.480 --> 00:11:08.899 Is that true in our lives? 00:11:10.100 --> 00:11:11.120 We've got a friend 00:11:11.120 --> 00:11:12.240 in Cape Town. 00:11:12.759 --> 00:11:13.659 Her name is Julie 00:11:13.659 --> 00:11:14.600 and she used to work 00:11:14.600 --> 00:11:15.459 in one of the big 00:11:15.459 --> 00:11:17.419 global advertising agencies. 00:11:18.220 --> 00:11:19.299 And she told us 00:11:19.299 --> 00:11:20.199 many years ago 00:11:20.199 --> 00:11:21.579 that one of the 00:11:21.579 --> 00:11:22.659 underlying principles 00:11:22.659 --> 00:11:24.120 in advertising, 00:11:24.339 --> 00:11:25.279 I really apologize 00:11:25.279 --> 00:11:26.299 if you're in advertising, 00:11:26.299 --> 00:11:26.859 but anyway. 00:11:27.339 --> 00:11:27.879 She told us 00:11:27.879 --> 00:11:28.559 one of the underlying 00:11:28.559 --> 00:11:29.659 principles in advertising 00:11:29.659 --> 00:11:31.479 is to rob somebody 00:11:31.479 --> 00:11:32.919 of their self-contentment 00:11:32.919 --> 00:11:34.240 and then sell it back 00:11:34.240 --> 00:11:34.599 to them 00:11:34.599 --> 00:11:35.799 in the form of a product. 00:11:36.439 --> 00:11:37.120 Does that make sense? 00:11:37.859 --> 00:11:38.679 So in other words, 00:11:39.359 --> 00:11:40.979 an advert's message 00:11:40.979 --> 00:11:41.559 might be, 00:11:42.439 --> 00:11:42.759 you know, 00:11:42.859 --> 00:11:43.740 you're not really 00:11:43.740 --> 00:11:44.659 going to be respected 00:11:44.659 --> 00:11:45.839 or you deserve 00:11:45.839 --> 00:11:47.019 to be respected more 00:11:47.019 --> 00:11:47.620 but you're never 00:11:47.620 --> 00:11:48.439 going to get the respect 00:11:48.439 --> 00:11:49.379 you truly deserve 00:11:49.379 --> 00:11:50.099 unless you drive 00:11:50.099 --> 00:11:50.819 the right car. 00:11:51.559 --> 00:11:52.199 Here's a BMW. 00:11:52.200 --> 00:11:54.020 Or you're never 00:11:54.020 --> 00:11:54.879 really going to be 00:11:54.879 --> 00:11:55.680 appreciated 00:11:55.680 --> 00:11:56.780 unless you look 00:11:56.780 --> 00:11:57.379 magnificent. 00:11:58.120 --> 00:11:59.140 Here's a diamond necklace. 00:11:59.900 --> 00:12:01.700 Or unless you experience 00:12:01.700 --> 00:12:02.280 the world 00:12:02.280 --> 00:12:03.180 and get to see 00:12:03.180 --> 00:12:03.800 and travel 00:12:03.800 --> 00:12:04.220 and experience 00:12:04.220 --> 00:12:05.140 different cultures, 00:12:05.540 --> 00:12:06.520 you're such a bore. 00:12:07.240 --> 00:12:08.080 You're never going to 00:12:08.080 --> 00:12:09.220 have an exciting life. 00:12:09.560 --> 00:12:10.600 You want a trip to Japan? 00:12:11.560 --> 00:12:11.680 Right? 00:12:11.940 --> 00:12:13.660 So advertising sometimes, 00:12:13.720 --> 00:12:14.040 not everyone, 00:12:14.300 --> 00:12:15.259 robs people of their 00:12:15.259 --> 00:12:15.680 self-worth, 00:12:15.759 --> 00:12:16.780 their self-contentment 00:12:16.780 --> 00:12:17.759 and sells it back 00:12:17.759 --> 00:12:19.620 in the form of a product. 00:12:20.419 --> 00:12:20.720 Friends, 00:12:20.799 --> 00:12:21.679 the reason why we 00:12:21.679 --> 00:12:23.679 often buy so much stuff 00:12:23.679 --> 00:12:24.600 and buy often more 00:12:24.600 --> 00:12:25.360 than we need 00:12:25.360 --> 00:12:26.200 is not because we 00:12:26.200 --> 00:12:27.100 fundamentally need 00:12:27.100 --> 00:12:27.639 these things. 00:12:28.240 --> 00:12:28.899 It's because we're 00:12:28.899 --> 00:12:29.879 looking for a version 00:12:29.879 --> 00:12:30.820 of the good life. 00:12:31.480 --> 00:12:31.919 We're looking for 00:12:31.919 --> 00:12:32.700 contentment. 00:12:32.799 --> 00:12:33.159 We're looking for 00:12:33.159 --> 00:12:33.679 satisfaction. 00:12:34.039 --> 00:12:35.519 We're looking for 00:12:35.519 --> 00:12:37.279 something to please us 00:12:37.279 --> 00:12:38.519 and to satisfy us. 00:12:39.279 --> 00:12:39.759 But friends, 00:12:39.840 --> 00:12:40.740 the narrative of the 00:12:40.740 --> 00:12:41.360 Christian life 00:12:41.360 --> 00:12:42.159 is very different. 00:12:42.860 --> 00:12:43.620 The narrative of 00:12:43.620 --> 00:12:44.240 the Christian life 00:12:44.240 --> 00:12:44.940 because the narrative 00:12:44.940 --> 00:12:45.740 of the gospel 00:12:45.740 --> 00:12:47.360 is that joy is found 00:12:47.360 --> 00:12:48.019 not in getting 00:12:48.019 --> 00:12:48.759 but in giving. 00:12:49.759 --> 00:12:50.639 The life that God 00:12:50.639 --> 00:12:51.200 has called us to 00:12:51.200 --> 00:12:51.720 is not found 00:12:51.720 --> 00:12:52.439 in consuming. 00:12:52.679 --> 00:12:53.240 It's in giving 00:12:53.240 --> 00:12:53.700 of ourselves. 00:12:53.860 --> 00:12:54.460 It's in devoting 00:12:54.460 --> 00:12:55.159 ourselves to the 00:12:55.159 --> 00:12:56.059 contentment and the 00:12:56.059 --> 00:12:56.819 joy of others. 00:12:57.659 --> 00:12:59.059 As we give of ourselves 00:12:59.059 --> 00:13:00.379 to others and try 00:13:00.379 --> 00:13:01.179 and secure their 00:13:01.179 --> 00:13:02.139 blessing and their 00:13:02.139 --> 00:13:02.960 joy and their 00:13:02.960 --> 00:13:03.519 happiness, 00:13:03.879 --> 00:13:04.899 in that place we 00:13:04.899 --> 00:13:05.620 find our own 00:13:05.620 --> 00:13:06.620 joy and contentment. 00:13:07.279 --> 00:13:07.939 And that's what we 00:13:07.939 --> 00:13:08.819 see in the book of Acts 00:13:08.819 --> 00:13:10.179 and nowhere more 00:13:10.179 --> 00:13:11.480 poignantly than Acts 00:13:11.480 --> 00:13:12.600 chapter 2 as we've 00:13:12.600 --> 00:13:13.100 read today. 00:13:13.720 --> 00:13:14.980 That the very core 00:13:14.980 --> 00:13:15.919 of the first Christian 00:13:15.919 --> 00:13:16.819 community were these 00:13:16.819 --> 00:13:18.159 two fundamental truths. 00:13:18.159 --> 00:13:20.919 One, for God so loved 00:13:20.919 --> 00:13:22.679 the world that he gave. 00:13:23.879 --> 00:13:25.079 That he gave himself. 00:13:26.279 --> 00:13:27.799 And two, the joy and 00:13:27.799 --> 00:13:29.000 contentment and happiness 00:13:29.000 --> 00:13:30.000 that so many of us are 00:13:30.000 --> 00:13:31.279 looking for are found 00:13:31.279 --> 00:13:33.299 not in consuming but in 00:13:33.299 --> 00:13:33.600 giving. 00:13:34.419 --> 00:13:35.159 Here were a bunch of 00:13:35.159 --> 00:13:36.120 people that devoted 00:13:36.120 --> 00:13:36.579 themselves. 00:13:36.719 --> 00:13:37.839 They gave of themselves. 00:13:38.120 --> 00:13:39.139 They spent their lives 00:13:39.139 --> 00:13:40.419 giving to the people in 00:13:40.419 --> 00:13:42.100 the community around 00:13:42.100 --> 00:13:42.439 them. 00:13:43.159 --> 00:13:43.959 Friends, at the heart of 00:13:43.960 --> 00:13:44.900 the Christian gospels 00:13:44.900 --> 00:13:45.860 that because God so 00:13:45.860 --> 00:13:47.600 loved the world, broken 00:13:47.600 --> 00:13:49.360 and marred and sinful 00:13:49.360 --> 00:13:50.759 as it is, he did 00:13:50.759 --> 00:13:51.620 something about it. 00:13:52.080 --> 00:13:53.240 But he didn't send his 00:13:53.240 --> 00:13:53.600 driver. 00:13:54.240 --> 00:13:55.100 He didn't send an 00:13:55.100 --> 00:13:55.519 ambassador. 00:13:56.200 --> 00:13:56.900 What did he do? 00:13:57.440 --> 00:13:58.440 He sent himself. 00:13:58.980 --> 00:14:00.060 He gave himself. 00:14:00.259 --> 00:14:01.620 He gave his son, Jesus 00:14:01.620 --> 00:14:02.820 Christ, to die on the 00:14:02.820 --> 00:14:03.160 cross. 00:14:03.540 --> 00:14:04.720 To be smashed with 00:14:04.720 --> 00:14:05.740 nine inch nails through 00:14:05.740 --> 00:14:06.240 his hands. 00:14:06.600 --> 00:14:07.800 To be so bloody that 00:14:07.800 --> 00:14:08.259 you wouldn't even 00:14:08.259 --> 00:14:09.280 recognize him as a 00:14:09.280 --> 00:14:09.720 human body. 00:14:09.720 --> 00:14:12.019 He gave himself that 00:14:12.019 --> 00:14:12.960 you and I could find 00:14:12.960 --> 00:14:13.440 life. 00:14:14.240 --> 00:14:16.160 Jesus didn't just come 00:14:16.160 --> 00:14:17.160 as an obedient son. 00:14:17.259 --> 00:14:18.300 He did that as well. 00:14:18.540 --> 00:14:19.440 But he gave of 00:14:19.440 --> 00:14:19.820 himself. 00:14:20.560 --> 00:14:21.360 Jesus didn't just come 00:14:21.360 --> 00:14:22.160 because his father 00:14:22.160 --> 00:14:23.139 asked him to and as 00:14:23.139 --> 00:14:24.100 an obedient son you 00:14:24.100 --> 00:14:24.860 obey your father. 00:14:25.340 --> 00:14:26.480 Jesus gladly and 00:14:26.480 --> 00:14:27.519 willingly gave of 00:14:27.519 --> 00:14:27.860 himself. 00:14:28.279 --> 00:14:29.660 In Matthew 20, Jesus 00:14:29.660 --> 00:14:30.940 says, the son of man 00:14:30.940 --> 00:14:32.200 came not to be served 00:14:32.200 --> 00:14:34.080 but to serve and to 00:14:34.080 --> 00:14:35.440 give his life as a 00:14:35.440 --> 00:14:36.320 ransom for many. 00:14:36.840 --> 00:14:37.960 Galatians chapter 1, 00:14:38.340 --> 00:14:39.480 Paul writes, grace to 00:14:39.480 --> 00:14:40.139 you and peace from 00:14:40.139 --> 00:14:41.519 God our father and 00:14:41.519 --> 00:14:42.659 the Lord Jesus Christ 00:14:42.659 --> 00:14:44.940 who gave himself for 00:14:44.940 --> 00:14:46.180 our sins to deliver us 00:14:46.180 --> 00:14:47.159 from the present evil 00:14:47.159 --> 00:14:47.600 age. 00:14:47.899 --> 00:14:49.560 Galatians 2.20, I have 00:14:49.560 --> 00:14:50.539 been crucified with 00:14:50.539 --> 00:14:50.960 Christ. 00:14:51.279 --> 00:14:52.500 It's no longer I who 00:14:52.500 --> 00:14:53.840 live but Christ who 00:14:53.840 --> 00:14:54.340 lives in me. 00:14:54.420 --> 00:14:55.120 That's a wonderful 00:14:55.120 --> 00:14:56.000 verse, isn't it? 00:14:56.580 --> 00:14:57.639 Now why is that true? 00:14:58.300 --> 00:14:59.420 Why is it that I can be 00:14:59.420 --> 00:15:00.259 crucified to myself? 00:15:00.399 --> 00:15:01.960 Why is it that I can go 00:15:01.960 --> 00:15:02.779 into my work week 00:15:02.779 --> 00:15:03.580 tomorrow no longer 00:15:03.580 --> 00:15:04.779 looking after myself 00:15:04.779 --> 00:15:06.759 and no longer me in my 00:15:06.759 --> 00:15:08.220 life but Christ living in 00:15:08.220 --> 00:15:08.320 me? 00:15:08.320 --> 00:15:09.640 On what basis can I do 00:15:09.640 --> 00:15:09.960 that? 00:15:10.580 --> 00:15:12.400 He goes on to say, for 00:15:12.400 --> 00:15:13.560 the life that I now live 00:15:13.560 --> 00:15:15.260 in the flesh, I live by 00:15:15.260 --> 00:15:16.420 faith in the son of God 00:15:16.420 --> 00:15:19.020 who loved me and gave 00:15:19.020 --> 00:15:20.300 himself for me. 00:15:20.879 --> 00:15:21.660 Friends, at the heart of 00:15:21.660 --> 00:15:22.840 the gospel is a God who 00:15:22.840 --> 00:15:24.040 though he made everything 00:15:24.040 --> 00:15:25.480 and therefore he owns 00:15:25.480 --> 00:15:26.940 everything and everything 00:15:26.940 --> 00:15:27.960 belongs to him and 00:15:27.960 --> 00:15:29.020 everybody is accountable 00:15:29.020 --> 00:15:29.520 to him. 00:15:29.879 --> 00:15:31.000 This sovereign and 00:15:31.000 --> 00:15:32.240 majestic God to whom 00:15:32.240 --> 00:15:33.560 one day all creation 00:15:33.560 --> 00:15:34.820 will one day bow down, 00:15:34.820 --> 00:15:37.080 this God gave. 00:15:37.860 --> 00:15:38.740 For God so loved the 00:15:38.740 --> 00:15:40.460 world that he gave. 00:15:41.400 --> 00:15:44.020 Kelly Capik wrote an 00:15:44.020 --> 00:15:45.940 amazing book from where 00:15:45.940 --> 00:15:46.879 I got that phrase, for 00:15:46.879 --> 00:15:47.760 God so loved the world, 00:15:47.920 --> 00:15:48.940 for God so loved that he 00:15:48.940 --> 00:15:49.200 gave. 00:15:49.280 --> 00:15:49.960 And this is what he 00:15:49.960 --> 00:15:50.280 writes. 00:15:51.000 --> 00:15:52.540 He says, the God who 00:15:52.540 --> 00:15:54.000 created and perfected the 00:15:54.000 --> 00:15:55.300 world and whose world 00:15:55.300 --> 00:15:56.820 turned from him has brought 00:15:56.820 --> 00:15:58.940 restoration through giving. 00:15:58.940 --> 00:16:00.820 The Father loved the world 00:16:00.820 --> 00:16:01.620 and gave the Son. 00:16:02.060 --> 00:16:03.320 The Father and the Son 00:16:03.320 --> 00:16:04.960 gave the gift of the Holy 00:16:04.960 --> 00:16:06.120 Spirit into the hearts of 00:16:06.120 --> 00:16:06.640 humanity. 00:16:07.240 --> 00:16:08.520 In other words, the gospel 00:16:08.520 --> 00:16:09.780 is shaped by giving. 00:16:10.480 --> 00:16:12.260 God's generosity buys us 00:16:12.260 --> 00:16:13.660 out of bondage and brings 00:16:13.660 --> 00:16:15.080 us into the blessing of 00:16:15.080 --> 00:16:15.940 belonging to him. 00:16:16.580 --> 00:16:17.800 But the good news is not 00:16:17.800 --> 00:16:19.360 only that God made us to be 00:16:19.360 --> 00:16:20.440 recipients of his 00:16:20.440 --> 00:16:22.100 generosity, but also 00:16:22.100 --> 00:16:23.440 participants in the 00:16:23.440 --> 00:16:25.120 movement of his divine 00:16:25.120 --> 00:16:26.200 generosity. 00:16:27.040 --> 00:16:27.840 Isn't that amazing? 00:16:28.360 --> 00:16:30.440 God redeems the world by 00:16:30.440 --> 00:16:30.820 giving. 00:16:31.660 --> 00:16:33.160 God puts right the wrongs 00:16:33.160 --> 00:16:33.940 of the past, not by 00:16:33.940 --> 00:16:35.580 punishing, not by 00:16:35.580 --> 00:16:37.340 teaching, but by giving. 00:16:37.899 --> 00:16:39.080 But more than that, God 00:16:39.080 --> 00:16:41.420 doesn't just give and put 00:16:41.420 --> 00:16:42.200 right the wrongs of the 00:16:42.200 --> 00:16:42.500 past. 00:16:42.860 --> 00:16:44.000 See, the problem with our 00:16:44.000 --> 00:16:45.120 rebellion, the problem with 00:16:45.120 --> 00:16:46.379 our sin, the problem with 00:16:46.379 --> 00:16:47.639 the brokenness of the 00:16:47.639 --> 00:16:50.080 world, is that sin, it 00:16:50.080 --> 00:16:51.700 doesn't just cause problems 00:16:51.700 --> 00:16:52.680 in my life, though it does 00:16:52.680 --> 00:16:52.960 that. 00:16:53.280 --> 00:16:54.879 It leaves me separated from 00:16:54.879 --> 00:16:55.180 God. 00:16:55.259 --> 00:16:56.860 I'm existentially divorced from 00:16:56.860 --> 00:16:57.500 my Creator. 00:16:57.840 --> 00:16:59.120 The problem with sin is 00:16:59.120 --> 00:17:00.519 that it also causes a part 00:17:00.519 --> 00:17:01.899 of my soul and my makeup 00:17:01.899 --> 00:17:02.620 to die. 00:17:03.060 --> 00:17:03.980 It leaves us spiritually 00:17:03.980 --> 00:17:04.400 dead. 00:17:04.980 --> 00:17:05.720 That's why Ephesians 00:17:05.720 --> 00:17:07.100 chapter 2 says, as for 00:17:07.100 --> 00:17:08.299 you, you are dead in your 00:17:08.299 --> 00:17:09.500 trespasses and sins. 00:17:09.900 --> 00:17:10.920 But it also says you are 00:17:10.920 --> 00:17:12.799 slaves to the enemy, slaves 00:17:12.799 --> 00:17:13.759 to the prince of the power 00:17:13.759 --> 00:17:14.180 of the world. 00:17:14.559 --> 00:17:15.660 And so sin does a couple 00:17:15.660 --> 00:17:16.000 of things. 00:17:16.079 --> 00:17:16.880 It leaves us spiritually 00:17:16.880 --> 00:17:17.360 dead. 00:17:17.819 --> 00:17:19.360 It makes us slaves to sin. 00:17:19.799 --> 00:17:22.000 And it mars our hearts. 00:17:22.059 --> 00:17:23.460 It disorders our loves. 00:17:24.240 --> 00:17:26.220 And so when Jesus brings us 00:17:26.220 --> 00:17:27.380 back from the grave, when 00:17:27.380 --> 00:17:29.220 Jesus died to rescue us and 00:17:29.220 --> 00:17:31.019 to save us, he didn't just 00:17:31.019 --> 00:17:32.019 forgive us of sins. 00:17:32.100 --> 00:17:32.740 He did that. 00:17:33.019 --> 00:17:34.640 But he makes dead people 00:17:34.640 --> 00:17:35.360 alive again. 00:17:35.799 --> 00:17:36.700 That's Ephesians 2. 00:17:36.799 --> 00:17:38.039 As for you, you're dead in 00:17:38.039 --> 00:17:39.799 your sins, but by the grace 00:17:39.799 --> 00:17:41.259 and the kindness of God, God 00:17:41.259 --> 00:17:42.440 has made those of you who are 00:17:42.440 --> 00:17:43.519 dead alive again. 00:17:43.600 --> 00:17:45.120 We are now alive in Christ 00:17:45.120 --> 00:17:45.960 Jesus. 00:17:46.960 --> 00:17:50.319 And so when Christ brings 00:17:50.319 --> 00:17:51.819 us back, he doesn't just go 00:17:51.819 --> 00:17:53.039 off that which is lost and 00:17:53.039 --> 00:17:53.900 make it found again. 00:17:54.279 --> 00:17:55.640 He goes off to dead people, 00:17:55.720 --> 00:17:56.759 makes them alive again. 00:17:57.660 --> 00:17:59.480 Now, friends, the problem 00:17:59.480 --> 00:18:00.860 with the worldview that says 00:18:00.860 --> 00:18:03.039 happiness and pleasure are 00:18:03.039 --> 00:18:04.380 found in consuming more 00:18:04.380 --> 00:18:05.880 things and in getting more 00:18:05.880 --> 00:18:07.519 things and experiencing more 00:18:07.519 --> 00:18:09.640 pleasures outside of God is 00:18:09.640 --> 00:18:11.500 that it always leads to death. 00:18:12.380 --> 00:18:13.440 It leads to the death of our 00:18:13.440 --> 00:18:14.079 relationships. 00:18:14.079 --> 00:18:16.079 It leads to the death of our 00:18:16.079 --> 00:18:16.559 marriages. 00:18:17.480 --> 00:18:18.519 It leads to the death of our 00:18:18.519 --> 00:18:19.319 families. 00:18:20.299 --> 00:18:21.699 Something inside of us and 00:18:21.699 --> 00:18:23.000 something around us always 00:18:23.000 --> 00:18:24.740 dies when we look to other 00:18:24.740 --> 00:18:27.179 things for our pleasure and our 00:18:27.179 --> 00:18:27.819 satisfaction. 00:18:28.439 --> 00:18:29.559 You know what it's like to be 00:18:29.559 --> 00:18:30.480 used by somebody? 00:18:31.139 --> 00:18:32.519 Someone uses you for their own 00:18:32.519 --> 00:18:34.399 career advancement or to gain 00:18:34.399 --> 00:18:35.099 some benefit? 00:18:35.259 --> 00:18:36.099 What happens to that 00:18:36.099 --> 00:18:36.619 relationship? 00:18:36.779 --> 00:18:37.720 It doesn't flourish. 00:18:38.279 --> 00:18:39.439 It dies, right? 00:18:40.419 --> 00:18:41.859 Because a life that is based on 00:18:41.859 --> 00:18:43.500 getting, a life that is based on 00:18:43.500 --> 00:18:44.980 consuming, a life that is based 00:18:44.980 --> 00:18:48.859 on using, consuming, it promises 00:18:48.859 --> 00:18:50.920 life, but it robs us of life. 00:18:51.359 --> 00:18:52.559 And in the end, it leaves us 00:18:52.559 --> 00:18:52.880 dead. 00:18:53.779 --> 00:18:55.039 But the countercultural, 00:18:55.259 --> 00:18:56.759 counterintuitive message of the 00:18:56.759 --> 00:18:59.200 gospel is that God gave and he 00:18:59.200 --> 00:19:00.079 brought back life. 00:19:00.660 --> 00:19:02.299 In him giving of his life, he gave 00:19:02.299 --> 00:19:02.740 us life. 00:19:03.160 --> 00:19:04.180 And friends, that's true for 00:19:04.180 --> 00:19:05.160 community life as well. 00:19:05.240 --> 00:19:07.059 As we give of ourselves to those 00:19:07.059 --> 00:19:09.660 around us, in that place, the 00:19:09.660 --> 00:19:11.039 community comes alive. 00:19:11.039 --> 00:19:12.220 In that place, we flourish. 00:19:12.960 --> 00:19:14.519 A few years ago, Harvard Medical 00:19:14.519 --> 00:19:16.599 School published a report in the 00:19:16.599 --> 00:19:18.279 Harvard Health Publication. 00:19:18.879 --> 00:19:20.460 And it was called this, money can 00:19:20.460 --> 00:19:22.779 buy you happiness, but only if you 00:19:22.779 --> 00:19:23.440 give it away. 00:19:23.960 --> 00:19:25.799 This is how the report starts off. 00:19:26.200 --> 00:19:27.399 Here's a finding that may be 00:19:27.399 --> 00:19:27.940 surprising. 00:19:28.339 --> 00:19:30.039 Spending money on others makes 00:19:30.039 --> 00:19:31.740 people happier than spending it on 00:19:31.740 --> 00:19:32.180 themselves. 00:19:32.740 --> 00:19:34.039 This was the conclusion of 00:19:34.039 --> 00:19:35.619 researchers at the University of 00:19:35.619 --> 00:19:37.180 British Columbia and Harvard 00:19:37.180 --> 00:19:39.059 Business School who conducted three 00:19:39.059 --> 00:19:40.899 studies to determine the relationship 00:19:40.899 --> 00:19:43.139 between spending habits and 00:19:43.139 --> 00:19:44.220 reported happiness. 00:19:44.980 --> 00:19:46.339 Friends, didn't Jesus say the same 00:19:46.339 --> 00:19:46.639 thing? 00:19:47.099 --> 00:19:49.659 Acts chapter 20, the apostle Paul 00:19:49.659 --> 00:19:51.299 goes to a little village called 00:19:51.299 --> 00:19:53.039 Miletus, just below the city of 00:19:53.039 --> 00:19:53.399 Ephesus. 00:19:53.960 --> 00:19:55.460 And he calls the elders from the 00:19:55.460 --> 00:19:57.139 church in Ephesus to come down to 00:19:57.139 --> 00:19:58.099 Miletus where he is. 00:19:58.139 --> 00:19:59.259 He's at the harbor port. 00:19:59.919 --> 00:20:01.559 And they have a discussion. 00:20:01.740 --> 00:20:03.259 And Paul says to them, I'm getting 00:20:03.259 --> 00:20:04.039 on in age. 00:20:04.299 --> 00:20:05.639 I'm probably not going to see you 00:20:05.639 --> 00:20:05.819 again. 00:20:05.879 --> 00:20:07.079 I don't think I'm going to come to 00:20:07.079 --> 00:20:07.799 Ephesus again. 00:20:08.159 --> 00:20:09.539 And they are all distraught. 00:20:09.740 --> 00:20:11.259 This is their father in the faith, 00:20:11.379 --> 00:20:12.619 the guy that started the church. 00:20:12.740 --> 00:20:13.539 They love Paul. 00:20:13.699 --> 00:20:14.480 They're very upset. 00:20:14.939 --> 00:20:16.299 And they're all crying because he 00:20:16.299 --> 00:20:17.399 said, I'll never, you know, 00:20:17.419 --> 00:20:18.720 I'm probably not going to see you 00:20:18.720 --> 00:20:19.099 again. 00:20:19.759 --> 00:20:21.159 And then so Paul gives them these 00:20:21.159 --> 00:20:22.439 kind of final words. 00:20:22.519 --> 00:20:23.839 These are his last words. 00:20:24.000 --> 00:20:27.199 He says, now I commend you to God 00:20:27.199 --> 00:20:29.059 and to the word of his grace, which 00:20:29.059 --> 00:20:30.919 is able to build you up and give you 00:20:30.919 --> 00:20:32.500 an inheritance amongst those that 00:20:32.500 --> 00:20:33.179 are sanctified. 00:20:33.539 --> 00:20:34.980 Sounds like a good benediction, 00:20:35.179 --> 00:20:35.439 right? 00:20:35.440 --> 00:20:37.039 And then after that, he says, wait, 00:20:37.120 --> 00:20:38.220 wait, there's one more thing. 00:20:39.039 --> 00:20:42.420 Remember the words of Jesus, who 00:20:42.420 --> 00:20:44.779 said himself, it is more blessed to 00:20:44.779 --> 00:20:46.620 give than to receive. 00:20:47.360 --> 00:20:49.220 One of Paul's final words, he says, 00:20:49.700 --> 00:20:51.460 friends, I want you to live a life of 00:20:51.460 --> 00:20:52.559 giving, not consuming. 00:20:53.080 --> 00:20:54.660 I want you to devote yourself, to 00:20:54.660 --> 00:20:56.400 give of yourself for the well-being 00:20:56.400 --> 00:20:57.840 of those around you. 00:20:58.960 --> 00:21:00.580 Paul says the same thing in 1 Timothy. 00:21:01.460 --> 00:21:03.640 Timothy is a young pastor in Ephesus, 00:21:03.640 --> 00:21:05.240 and Paul writes to him. 00:21:05.240 --> 00:21:06.940 And in Timothy's church, there are a 00:21:06.940 --> 00:21:08.560 whole lot of very wealthy people. 00:21:09.120 --> 00:21:10.900 And Paul wants to help young Timothy 00:21:10.900 --> 00:21:13.320 know how to pastor and shepherd these 00:21:13.320 --> 00:21:15.180 wealthy people in his church. 00:21:15.540 --> 00:21:17.140 And so he writes to him and he says this. 00:21:17.540 --> 00:21:19.500 He says, Timothy, for those who are 00:21:19.500 --> 00:21:21.900 wealthy, encourage them not to put their 00:21:21.900 --> 00:21:23.580 hope in the uncertainty of riches, 00:21:23.940 --> 00:21:26.420 which is so unstable, can go up and down, 00:21:26.940 --> 00:21:29.280 but their hope in the faithfulness of God, 00:21:29.340 --> 00:21:30.380 who will look after them. 00:21:30.380 --> 00:21:32.860 And encourage them to be generous and to 00:21:32.860 --> 00:21:35.220 share, to be ready to share, and here's 00:21:35.220 --> 00:21:35.540 why. 00:21:36.040 --> 00:21:37.080 Why should they share? 00:21:37.700 --> 00:21:40.360 He says, because, encourage them to do so, 00:21:40.600 --> 00:21:43.680 so that they may take hold of that which 00:21:43.680 --> 00:21:45.180 is truly life. 00:21:45.960 --> 00:21:46.380 You hear that? 00:21:46.860 --> 00:21:48.800 Paul here says, I want you to experience 00:21:48.800 --> 00:21:49.400 life. 00:21:49.780 --> 00:21:50.840 I want you to flourish. 00:21:51.360 --> 00:21:53.500 I want you to maximize your joy and your 00:21:53.500 --> 00:21:54.580 satisfaction in life. 00:21:54.700 --> 00:21:55.820 So give it away. 00:21:55.820 --> 00:21:55.940 Okay. 00:21:57.500 --> 00:21:58.700 Here is a church. 00:21:58.700 --> 00:22:01.160 In Acts chapter 2, that we're committed 00:22:01.160 --> 00:22:04.039 not to consuming, but to blessing. 00:22:04.539 --> 00:22:06.759 Not to taking, but to giving. 00:22:07.319 --> 00:22:09.940 To give themselves to the well-being of 00:22:09.940 --> 00:22:10.740 those around them. 00:22:11.400 --> 00:22:13.500 And friends, that's true of money, but it's 00:22:13.500 --> 00:22:15.019 true of every area of life. 00:22:15.480 --> 00:22:16.740 It's true with our time. 00:22:17.559 --> 00:22:18.779 It's true with our relationships. 00:22:19.120 --> 00:22:20.779 It's true with our resources. 00:22:21.019 --> 00:22:22.440 It's true with our networks and our 00:22:22.440 --> 00:22:22.960 connections. 00:22:23.819 --> 00:22:25.960 This lifestyle of a generosity is what has 00:22:25.960 --> 00:22:28.220 characterized the early church. 00:22:28.700 --> 00:22:31.259 And I think of just Henrico sharing around 00:22:31.259 --> 00:22:32.440 university ministry. 00:22:33.200 --> 00:22:36.100 And I loved what Henrico said around, we can 00:22:36.100 --> 00:22:38.380 think of this ministry strategically. 00:22:38.660 --> 00:22:40.039 Who are the up-and-coming leaders? 00:22:40.160 --> 00:22:41.140 Who are the people that are going to 00:22:41.140 --> 00:22:41.960 influence Hong Kong? 00:22:42.080 --> 00:22:43.259 Who are the people that are, you know, 00:22:43.319 --> 00:22:45.340 maybe we should really try to influence the 00:22:45.340 --> 00:22:47.420 business, the finance guys. 00:22:47.480 --> 00:22:48.960 The guys are going to do well and that will 00:22:48.960 --> 00:22:51.039 pay dividends back into church in years to 00:22:51.039 --> 00:22:51.279 come. 00:22:51.539 --> 00:22:53.400 And we can strategically think about this 00:22:53.400 --> 00:22:53.740 thing. 00:22:54.339 --> 00:22:56.500 But even you can do ministry from a consumer 00:22:56.500 --> 00:22:57.039 aspect. 00:22:57.299 --> 00:22:58.920 You can even think about church, about how do 00:22:58.920 --> 00:23:00.039 we maximize our church? 00:23:00.099 --> 00:23:02.140 How do we grow and grow trajectories? 00:23:02.660 --> 00:23:04.000 You can even think about ministry in that 00:23:04.000 --> 00:23:04.240 way. 00:23:04.819 --> 00:23:06.660 And I loved what Henrico said and said, hey, 00:23:06.720 --> 00:23:07.859 maybe this won't pay dividends. 00:23:08.420 --> 00:23:11.400 But here are people made in God's image that 00:23:11.400 --> 00:23:12.319 Jesus died for. 00:23:12.859 --> 00:23:13.799 And we're going to serve them. 00:23:14.380 --> 00:23:15.240 And we're going to love them. 00:23:15.680 --> 00:23:16.980 And we're going to give up our time for 00:23:16.980 --> 00:23:17.140 them. 00:23:17.840 --> 00:23:20.340 Now, let's look at Acts chapter 2 again. 00:23:20.480 --> 00:23:22.400 And let's see what is it that they devoted 00:23:22.400 --> 00:23:23.180 themselves to. 00:23:23.560 --> 00:23:24.320 Acts chapter 2. 00:23:25.240 --> 00:23:26.560 Verse 42, it says this. 00:23:28.140 --> 00:23:29.720 Firstly, they devoted themselves to the 00:23:29.720 --> 00:23:30.400 things of God. 00:23:30.740 --> 00:23:32.120 So they devoted themselves to the apostles' 00:23:32.320 --> 00:23:34.600 teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking 00:23:34.600 --> 00:23:36.920 of bread and to prayer. 00:23:37.220 --> 00:23:38.720 Notice four things that they gave themselves 00:23:38.720 --> 00:23:38.920 to. 00:23:39.360 --> 00:23:40.560 They gave themselves to the apostles' 00:23:40.820 --> 00:23:42.680 teaching, which means that they gave 00:23:42.680 --> 00:23:44.680 themselves to knowing and understanding 00:23:44.680 --> 00:23:46.740 God's ways and God's word. 00:23:47.140 --> 00:23:49.259 Psalm 19 is one of the most beautiful 00:23:49.259 --> 00:23:49.860 psalms. 00:23:50.259 --> 00:23:51.840 And Psalm 19 says this. 00:23:52.259 --> 00:23:53.700 The law of the Lord is perfect. 00:23:53.840 --> 00:23:55.400 It revives the soul. 00:23:56.000 --> 00:23:57.700 Anyone feel tired and exhausted? 00:23:58.480 --> 00:24:01.400 The word of God revives our souls. 00:24:02.040 --> 00:24:03.900 Then the psalm says, your word is more 00:24:03.900 --> 00:24:06.759 desired than gold, even the most precious 00:24:06.759 --> 00:24:07.240 gold. 00:24:07.580 --> 00:24:09.440 It's sweeter than honey and the drippings 00:24:09.440 --> 00:24:10.320 of the honeycomb. 00:24:10.880 --> 00:24:13.900 Moreover, by your word is your servant warned. 00:24:14.000 --> 00:24:16.600 In keeping them, there is great reward. 00:24:17.419 --> 00:24:19.879 Friends, the little I know about Hong Kong 00:24:19.879 --> 00:24:21.759 is that time is precious, right? 00:24:22.039 --> 00:24:24.099 Time is one of your most precious commodities. 00:24:24.779 --> 00:24:25.819 And time is finite. 00:24:26.339 --> 00:24:27.899 It comes to an end each day. 00:24:28.299 --> 00:24:30.579 You can't prolong it or buy any more of it. 00:24:31.000 --> 00:24:32.219 It is what it is. 00:24:32.879 --> 00:24:34.519 And I know that in Hong Kong, many of you 00:24:34.519 --> 00:24:35.799 work very long hours. 00:24:36.299 --> 00:24:37.740 Many of you have demanding jobs. 00:24:38.319 --> 00:24:39.619 Some of you have demanding bosses. 00:24:40.259 --> 00:24:41.980 Some of you may even be demanding bosses. 00:24:42.700 --> 00:24:44.640 But time is precious, right? 00:24:44.759 --> 00:24:47.140 And when there's a lot of pressure, 00:24:47.360 --> 00:24:48.360 something's got to go. 00:24:49.120 --> 00:24:51.339 You can't do everything that you always want to do 00:24:51.339 --> 00:24:52.860 in the amount of time that you have. 00:24:52.960 --> 00:24:53.860 Time is precious. 00:24:55.019 --> 00:24:58.079 Friends, can I ask you not to give up on God's word? 00:24:59.039 --> 00:25:00.980 This is one of those things that it's so easy 00:25:00.980 --> 00:25:04.759 to let slip when time is little, 00:25:05.319 --> 00:25:06.319 when you're under pressure. 00:25:06.860 --> 00:25:08.640 Friends, can I ask you not to give up on giving 00:25:08.640 --> 00:25:09.920 yourself to God's word? 00:25:10.560 --> 00:25:12.940 Your relationship with God and the state of your soul 00:25:12.940 --> 00:25:16.200 is too precious to let that slip by the side. 00:25:16.640 --> 00:25:18.220 I want to encourage you, don't cut back. 00:25:18.400 --> 00:25:19.180 Wake up early. 00:25:19.720 --> 00:25:20.800 Get into God's word. 00:25:21.060 --> 00:25:23.780 Devote yourself to the teachings of the saints 00:25:23.780 --> 00:25:24.600 and to God's word. 00:25:25.380 --> 00:25:27.980 Secondly, they gave themselves to godly fellowship 00:25:27.980 --> 00:25:28.759 and community. 00:25:29.360 --> 00:25:31.460 They gathered together for community lunches. 00:25:31.920 --> 00:25:34.540 CG wasn't just a program in the life of the church. 00:25:35.000 --> 00:25:37.560 This was a community that gave themselves to each other 00:25:37.559 --> 00:25:39.359 and they spent their time and their energy 00:25:39.359 --> 00:25:41.119 investing in one another. 00:25:41.279 --> 00:25:43.980 Opened up their homes and invited each other in. 00:25:44.519 --> 00:25:46.359 And the truth is that sometimes investing 00:25:46.359 --> 00:25:47.460 in community is costly. 00:25:48.039 --> 00:25:49.019 It does cost you. 00:25:49.480 --> 00:25:50.779 But it's so beautiful. 00:25:51.220 --> 00:25:54.079 It's so wonderful when community comes together. 00:25:54.579 --> 00:25:57.679 And in Jerusalem, notice that Jerusalem was a major city. 00:25:57.980 --> 00:26:00.359 It was a city where people were coming and going. 00:26:00.559 --> 00:26:01.679 People would come for trade. 00:26:02.099 --> 00:26:04.159 People would go back to the outlying villages. 00:26:04.160 --> 00:26:07.580 And it was probably a very transient city, right, 00:26:07.700 --> 00:26:10.680 in the context of the ancient world. 00:26:11.080 --> 00:26:12.920 Sounds familiar to Hong Kong, right? 00:26:13.200 --> 00:26:15.400 And I guess these people might have thought to themselves 00:26:15.400 --> 00:26:16.380 from time to time, 00:26:16.600 --> 00:26:18.680 I don't know if I'm really going to build friendships 00:26:18.680 --> 00:26:19.279 with that person. 00:26:19.360 --> 00:26:20.940 They're just going to be here for 18 months 00:26:20.940 --> 00:26:23.300 and then their company's going to transfer them back to, 00:26:23.380 --> 00:26:26.279 I don't know, some other town, Ephesus, right? 00:26:26.920 --> 00:26:28.480 JP Morgan's going to move them to Ephesus. 00:26:28.980 --> 00:26:31.339 I'm not going to build a friendship with them. 00:26:31.700 --> 00:26:34.319 Or should I really invest in this friendship? 00:26:34.500 --> 00:26:36.440 Who knows how long they're going to be here? 00:26:37.220 --> 00:26:38.980 Here's a community that opened up their homes 00:26:38.980 --> 00:26:40.400 and they gave themselves. 00:26:40.559 --> 00:26:42.680 They devoted themselves to one another. 00:26:43.220 --> 00:26:45.700 And then notice also the diversity of cultures. 00:26:46.420 --> 00:26:47.380 In Jerusalem, there was people, 00:26:47.440 --> 00:26:48.799 we told them earlier in Acts chapter 2, 00:26:48.880 --> 00:26:52.319 people from every region in the known world came together. 00:26:52.920 --> 00:26:53.960 And they didn't just give themselves 00:26:53.960 --> 00:26:55.059 to those that were like them. 00:26:55.059 --> 00:26:56.000 They didn't just give themselves 00:26:56.000 --> 00:26:58.259 to those that were the same socioeconomic class, 00:26:58.259 --> 00:26:59.599 those that had studied overseas 00:26:59.599 --> 00:27:02.039 or those that spoke the same language. 00:27:02.160 --> 00:27:03.720 Here was a diverse group of people 00:27:03.720 --> 00:27:05.920 that gave themselves to each other. 00:27:06.579 --> 00:27:08.599 Thirdly, they gave themselves the breaking of bread. 00:27:08.700 --> 00:27:09.660 And this is communion. 00:27:09.920 --> 00:27:12.339 And Chris led us so wonderfully in this this morning. 00:27:13.099 --> 00:27:14.500 And in the ancient world, 00:27:14.680 --> 00:27:16.900 when you had communion together, 00:27:17.000 --> 00:27:18.900 you didn't just have a tiny piece of bread. 00:27:19.240 --> 00:27:21.000 You had a whole meal together. 00:27:21.400 --> 00:27:22.220 It was a feast. 00:27:22.279 --> 00:27:23.859 And you'd bring your food together 00:27:23.859 --> 00:27:25.119 and have a long table. 00:27:25.220 --> 00:27:27.099 And everyone would take an hour or two 00:27:27.099 --> 00:27:29.139 around the table feasting together, 00:27:29.319 --> 00:27:30.740 celebrating relationships, 00:27:31.399 --> 00:27:33.519 celebrating the many becoming one, 00:27:33.599 --> 00:27:34.919 like Chris led us in this morning, 00:27:35.059 --> 00:27:38.399 but also celebrating what God had done in their midst. 00:27:38.899 --> 00:27:40.759 And they would sit down and celebrate, 00:27:41.099 --> 00:27:42.480 but right at the heart of the community 00:27:42.480 --> 00:27:44.659 was the gospel, the truth that Jesus had died 00:27:44.659 --> 00:27:46.699 on the cross for their sins. 00:27:47.259 --> 00:27:49.419 And then notice they gave themselves to prayer. 00:27:50.379 --> 00:27:52.279 They devoted themselves to prayer. 00:27:52.919 --> 00:27:54.519 Friends, I want to say that you don't become 00:27:54.519 --> 00:27:56.079 the person that God's called you to. 00:27:56.579 --> 00:27:58.119 You don't become the man or the woman 00:27:58.119 --> 00:27:59.980 that God's called you to without prayer. 00:28:00.639 --> 00:28:03.859 And Romans chapter 15 talks about laboring in prayer. 00:28:04.819 --> 00:28:06.420 Any ladies here have been through labor? 00:28:07.039 --> 00:28:08.940 Any men watched your wives going through labor? 00:28:09.379 --> 00:28:11.279 I've watched my wife go through it twice. 00:28:11.879 --> 00:28:13.519 And I remember Claire saying at the end, 00:28:13.579 --> 00:28:15.639 that was the most difficult thing she's ever gone through. 00:28:16.160 --> 00:28:18.299 And yet, what is the result of labor? 00:28:18.460 --> 00:28:19.099 It's life. 00:28:19.660 --> 00:28:20.559 It's new life. 00:28:21.359 --> 00:28:23.960 And Paul here talks about laboring in prayer. 00:28:24.940 --> 00:28:26.679 Friends, sometimes prayer can feel like that. 00:28:27.240 --> 00:28:28.139 It's hard work. 00:28:28.639 --> 00:28:30.700 It's a discipline that we give ourselves to. 00:28:31.319 --> 00:28:32.940 And yet, by laboring in prayer, 00:28:33.019 --> 00:28:34.899 we see the power of God at work. 00:28:35.579 --> 00:28:36.659 And notice what they prayed for. 00:28:37.059 --> 00:28:40.299 The church in the book of Acts believed two things. 00:28:40.379 --> 00:28:41.980 One, they believed in the power of prayer. 00:28:42.440 --> 00:28:43.559 They saw the power of prayer. 00:28:43.619 --> 00:28:45.299 They prayed for Peter to be released in jail, 00:28:45.379 --> 00:28:46.079 and he was released. 00:28:46.259 --> 00:28:48.319 They prayed for people to encounter God 00:28:48.319 --> 00:28:49.960 and the power of the Holy Spirit, and they did. 00:28:49.960 --> 00:28:52.079 They prayed for miracles, and they saw them. 00:28:52.160 --> 00:28:54.279 They prayed for boldness, and they experienced it. 00:28:54.500 --> 00:28:56.840 They prayed for deliverance from attack and oppression, 00:28:57.120 --> 00:28:58.200 and God delivered them. 00:28:58.440 --> 00:29:00.720 These people really believed in the power of prayer, 00:29:00.779 --> 00:29:02.559 and so they gave themselves to prayer. 00:29:03.259 --> 00:29:06.460 But then also, they believed that prayer doesn't just change God's heart. 00:29:06.519 --> 00:29:07.539 It changes our hearts. 00:29:08.019 --> 00:29:11.000 And so in Acts chapter 6, it says the apostles gave themselves to prayer 00:29:11.000 --> 00:29:13.259 because they knew that the power of God was in that. 00:29:13.640 --> 00:29:15.340 And they knew that they needed a change. 00:29:15.440 --> 00:29:16.539 God didn't need a change. 00:29:16.640 --> 00:29:19.079 And so they gave themselves to prayer. 00:29:19.079 --> 00:29:21.119 And then two last things we see. 00:29:21.279 --> 00:29:23.679 Remember, notice how they gave themselves to one another, 00:29:23.819 --> 00:29:24.779 and we spoke about that. 00:29:24.859 --> 00:29:26.460 They gave themselves to each home. 00:29:26.559 --> 00:29:27.480 They sold their possessions. 00:29:27.879 --> 00:29:29.139 They sold their resources. 00:29:29.779 --> 00:29:31.139 They gave to those who had need. 00:29:31.240 --> 00:29:32.859 They gave to anyone in the community. 00:29:33.659 --> 00:29:35.839 And in many ways, they knew that being part of church 00:29:35.839 --> 00:29:38.579 meant being part of a family, being part of a community. 00:29:39.279 --> 00:29:41.819 It's one of the most beautiful things that we've experienced about Watermark. 00:29:41.960 --> 00:29:44.059 Watermark is such a community church. 00:29:44.059 --> 00:29:46.500 And it's easy to put a label on the side, right? 00:29:46.659 --> 00:29:47.899 Watermark Community Church. 00:29:48.079 --> 00:29:50.500 It's easy to put up a banner and say, we believe in community. 00:29:50.940 --> 00:29:52.079 It's another thing to live it. 00:29:52.139 --> 00:29:54.179 And I think Watermark lives it so beautifully. 00:29:54.779 --> 00:29:57.440 And then finally, they gave themselves to mission. 00:29:58.299 --> 00:30:00.659 And it's not immediately clear from this chapter, 00:30:00.799 --> 00:30:04.279 but in the preceding chapter, we see how the Holy Spirit is poured out. 00:30:04.359 --> 00:30:05.159 And what does Peter do? 00:30:05.519 --> 00:30:07.480 He stands up and he tells everyone about Jesus. 00:30:07.619 --> 00:30:09.019 We spoke about this last week, right? 00:30:09.259 --> 00:30:10.819 He tells them about the wonder of Jesus. 00:30:10.819 --> 00:30:14.000 He tells them about the sin and the cross and how God died for us. 00:30:14.119 --> 00:30:16.379 And he makes much of the wonder of Jesus. 00:30:17.299 --> 00:30:19.599 And then Acts chapter 2, it says, 00:30:20.059 --> 00:30:22.980 this new body of people found in Jesus come together. 00:30:23.119 --> 00:30:26.819 They devote themselves to prayer and the sacraments and God's word and community. 00:30:27.519 --> 00:30:30.079 And then it says, the Lord added to their number, 00:30:30.539 --> 00:30:33.059 day by day, those who were being saved. 00:30:33.619 --> 00:30:35.599 And in the next chapter, chapter 3, 00:30:35.939 --> 00:30:38.539 Peter and John are on the way to the temple. 00:30:38.539 --> 00:30:41.240 People, and they see a man begging for money. 00:30:41.680 --> 00:30:42.839 And they don't say to him, 00:30:43.220 --> 00:30:44.879 sorry, I don't have any money on me today. 00:30:45.539 --> 00:30:46.220 What do they do? 00:30:46.619 --> 00:30:48.279 They tell them about the wonder of Jesus. 00:30:48.399 --> 00:30:49.420 And they pray for him. 00:30:49.720 --> 00:30:51.139 And that man comes to faith. 00:30:51.440 --> 00:30:54.819 And other people see this man, life change, and they come to faith. 00:30:55.500 --> 00:30:58.759 And friends, here was a community that hadn't just accepted Jesus. 00:30:59.420 --> 00:31:02.019 They hadn't just converted from one religion to another. 00:31:02.119 --> 00:31:03.879 They hadn't just become church people. 00:31:04.240 --> 00:31:05.539 They devoted themselves. 00:31:05.539 --> 00:31:06.779 They spent themselves. 00:31:06.920 --> 00:31:10.980 They gave themselves to the Lord, to the church, and to the city, 00:31:11.079 --> 00:31:13.559 to help the city find and follow Jesus. 00:31:14.159 --> 00:31:17.200 William Temple was the Archbishop of Canterbury many years ago, 00:31:17.279 --> 00:31:18.639 and he famously said this, 00:31:19.099 --> 00:31:23.000 the church is the only organization which exists not for itself, 00:31:23.180 --> 00:31:25.059 but for those who live outside of it. 00:31:25.899 --> 00:31:28.359 Now, that's maybe not the only reason why the church exists, 00:31:28.819 --> 00:31:29.639 but it is true. 00:31:30.139 --> 00:31:33.559 The reason the church exists is to join God in the renewal of all things. 00:31:33.559 --> 00:31:38.799 The reason the church exists is to join God in the rescuing and redeeming of this planet 00:31:38.799 --> 00:31:40.799 and restore all that's gone wrong. 00:31:41.319 --> 00:31:44.839 To join God in making everything horrible and painful in the world untrue. 00:31:45.480 --> 00:31:48.000 And by bringing the hope of Jesus and the power of the Holy Spirit 00:31:48.000 --> 00:31:50.139 and the love of God to our city and our world. 00:31:50.859 --> 00:31:52.839 Friends, I don't know all the ins and outs of Hong Kong. 00:31:53.200 --> 00:31:56.359 I don't know all the cultural dynamics that's going on. 00:31:56.379 --> 00:31:57.379 But what I do know is this. 00:31:57.380 --> 00:32:00.800 In every city of the world, in every corner of the globe, 00:32:01.340 --> 00:32:02.980 the wealthy and the not so wealthy, 00:32:03.440 --> 00:32:05.720 the educated and the not so educated, 00:32:06.240 --> 00:32:10.660 male and female, every one of us are longing for the maker that made us. 00:32:10.840 --> 00:32:13.120 Every one of us are longing for a sense of transcendence. 00:32:13.540 --> 00:32:17.780 Every one of us are longing for the balm that our souls need. 00:32:17.880 --> 00:32:21.420 We long to feast in the living waters of Jesus and the power of the Holy Spirit. 00:32:22.160 --> 00:32:24.300 And this city is full of people that don't know God. 00:32:24.299 --> 00:32:26.899 And here was a church that devoted themselves. 00:32:27.039 --> 00:32:30.460 They gave themselves to Christ, to each other, 00:32:31.039 --> 00:32:32.399 and to the city in which they lived. 00:32:32.879 --> 00:32:35.359 Inviting those that had never encountered the life of God 00:32:35.359 --> 00:32:37.180 to experience Him for the first time. 00:32:37.899 --> 00:32:39.599 Friends, we have the hope of the world. 00:32:39.740 --> 00:32:41.879 We have the healing balm that every heart longs for. 00:32:42.159 --> 00:32:44.700 We have the golden treasure that every heart seeks. 00:32:44.759 --> 00:32:45.659 And His name is Jesus. 00:32:46.440 --> 00:32:48.460 Can we be a church that gives ourselves, 00:32:48.460 --> 00:32:50.639 that devotes ourselves to Christ, 00:32:51.379 --> 00:32:52.159 to His Word, 00:32:52.759 --> 00:32:53.720 to each other, 00:32:53.720 --> 00:32:56.140 and to the cities in which we live? 00:32:56.740 --> 00:32:57.559 Let's pray together. 00:33:08.059 --> 00:33:09.200 We're going to pray in a minute, 00:33:09.339 --> 00:33:11.819 but just as I was preparing for today, 00:33:12.180 --> 00:33:15.000 a couple of groups of people I thought about. 00:33:15.000 --> 00:33:17.500 Maybe those of us who have been giving. 00:33:18.000 --> 00:33:20.279 You've been giving and giving and giving. 00:33:20.440 --> 00:33:21.620 You've been serving, serving, 00:33:21.619 --> 00:33:22.859 and you're exhausted. 00:33:24.119 --> 00:33:25.879 I feel like God just wants to empower you 00:33:25.879 --> 00:33:27.119 and refresh you. 00:33:28.099 --> 00:33:30.539 Maybe you so understood this, 00:33:30.639 --> 00:33:32.939 that being a follower of Jesus is not about consuming. 00:33:33.119 --> 00:33:34.659 It's about giving. 00:33:34.779 --> 00:33:35.719 It's about being a blessing. 00:33:36.779 --> 00:33:38.759 And maybe you're exhausted from all the serving. 00:33:39.819 --> 00:33:41.179 God wants to refresh you. 00:33:42.179 --> 00:33:44.459 He wants you to sit at His feet, 00:33:45.199 --> 00:33:45.739 like Mary, 00:33:45.819 --> 00:33:46.559 not like Martha. 00:33:46.559 --> 00:33:47.940 He wants you to sit at His feet. 00:33:49.099 --> 00:33:49.859 Martha said, 00:33:50.599 --> 00:33:50.879 Jesus, 00:33:51.039 --> 00:33:52.619 tell my sister to come work with me. 00:33:52.679 --> 00:33:53.419 And Jesus said, 00:33:54.139 --> 00:33:55.700 she has chosen the better thing. 00:33:56.440 --> 00:33:57.399 One thing is required. 00:33:57.539 --> 00:33:58.399 And I feel like God says, 00:33:58.519 --> 00:33:59.679 for those of us that are exhausted, 00:34:00.980 --> 00:34:01.799 come and sit at my feet, 00:34:01.859 --> 00:34:02.899 and come and encounter me. 00:34:02.900 --> 00:34:06.840 For those who feel like they want to give, 00:34:06.920 --> 00:34:08.680 but the cost is just too high. 00:34:10.099 --> 00:34:11.920 God wants to give us His grace. 00:34:13.639 --> 00:34:15.340 And to help us see that 00:34:15.340 --> 00:34:17.099 it's the greatest blessing 00:34:17.099 --> 00:34:19.260 to be those that follow Jesus 00:34:19.260 --> 00:34:21.240 and don't take but give. 00:34:23.099 --> 00:34:24.780 Maybe for those whose relationships 00:34:24.780 --> 00:34:26.680 have been marked by getting and taking, 00:34:26.900 --> 00:34:28.099 your relationships are struggling, 00:34:28.260 --> 00:34:29.480 maybe your marriage is hurting, 00:34:29.480 --> 00:34:32.219 maybe some other relationship is strained. 00:34:34.619 --> 00:34:36.179 God, we pray for those people. 00:34:36.340 --> 00:34:37.659 We pray to come and bring healing 00:34:37.659 --> 00:34:38.480 and wholeness, Lord. 00:34:39.679 --> 00:34:40.679 We pray, Lord Jesus, 00:34:40.800 --> 00:34:41.780 won't you come and 00:34:41.780 --> 00:34:45.780 bring freedom in those relationships, God. 00:34:47.679 --> 00:34:49.280 God, we pray for those of us here 00:34:49.280 --> 00:34:49.940 that are hurting. 00:34:51.119 --> 00:34:52.019 We pray, Lord God, 00:34:52.059 --> 00:34:53.639 for those that are tired and exhausted. 00:34:53.880 --> 00:34:54.440 Holy Spirit, 00:34:54.480 --> 00:34:55.659 won't you come and refresh us. 00:34:57.420 --> 00:34:58.320 We pray, God, 00:34:58.320 --> 00:34:59.920 for those of us that we feel like 00:34:59.920 --> 00:35:01.800 we want to be this community that gives, 00:35:01.900 --> 00:35:02.960 but God just feels like 00:35:02.960 --> 00:35:04.120 the cost is so high. 00:35:05.200 --> 00:35:07.039 God, won't you help us to see 00:35:07.039 --> 00:35:08.440 that you gave us you. 00:35:09.900 --> 00:35:11.580 You're all we need, Lord Jesus. 00:35:14.400 --> 00:35:15.120 And then finally, 00:35:15.220 --> 00:35:17.100 for those of us that don't even know Jesus. 00:35:18.180 --> 00:35:19.680 Maybe you know Christianity, 00:35:19.960 --> 00:35:20.700 you know religion, 00:35:21.180 --> 00:35:21.880 you know the Bible, 00:35:21.980 --> 00:35:22.860 but you don't know Jesus. 00:35:23.960 --> 00:35:24.880 Friends, without Jesus, 00:35:25.019 --> 00:35:25.700 there's nothing. 00:35:26.720 --> 00:35:27.860 Without the power of the Holy Spirit 00:35:27.860 --> 00:35:29.559 opening our eyes to see Jesus, 00:35:30.240 --> 00:35:31.420 we have nothing. 00:35:33.140 --> 00:35:34.140 If you don't know Jesus, 00:35:34.260 --> 00:35:35.140 why don't you right now, 00:35:35.220 --> 00:35:35.599 just say, 00:35:35.700 --> 00:35:36.760 Jesus, I want to know you. 00:35:36.880 --> 00:35:38.579 This God that so loved me 00:35:38.579 --> 00:35:40.220 that He gave Himself for me. 00:35:40.800 --> 00:35:42.260 This God that so loved me, 00:35:42.300 --> 00:35:43.539 He died on the cross for me. 00:35:44.079 --> 00:35:44.960 I want to know Him. 00:35:45.019 --> 00:35:45.599 If that's you, 00:35:46.340 --> 00:35:47.420 what do you tell God that? 00:35:47.559 --> 00:35:48.960 Say, Jesus, I want to know you. 00:35:51.240 --> 00:35:52.720 Say, Jesus, I'm sorry for my sin. 00:35:54.320 --> 00:35:55.680 Sorry that I've lived my life 00:35:55.679 --> 00:35:56.839 for my own pleasure 00:35:56.839 --> 00:35:57.599 and my own glory. 00:35:57.819 --> 00:35:58.899 God, I want to live for you. 00:36:01.039 --> 00:36:03.259 I want my life transformed by you. 00:36:05.679 --> 00:36:06.359 Christ, I pray, 00:36:06.460 --> 00:36:07.059 won't you make us 00:36:07.059 --> 00:36:08.119 that kind of church, Lord? 00:36:08.940 --> 00:36:09.799 Thank you for 00:36:09.799 --> 00:36:12.000 the tens and the hundreds 00:36:12.000 --> 00:36:12.559 of men and women 00:36:12.559 --> 00:36:13.379 that are already living 00:36:13.379 --> 00:36:14.139 this kind of life, 00:36:14.239 --> 00:36:14.940 the selfless, 00:36:15.079 --> 00:36:16.519 community-giving life. 00:36:16.619 --> 00:36:17.339 Thank you, God. 00:36:18.539 --> 00:36:19.500 God, won't Watermark 00:36:19.500 --> 00:36:20.579 be a light on a hill? 00:36:21.379 --> 00:36:22.679 Won't we be salt in our city? 00:36:22.679 --> 00:36:23.679 Won't we be counterintuitive 00:36:23.679 --> 00:36:25.319 and countercultural? 00:36:26.059 --> 00:36:26.960 A people that give 00:36:26.960 --> 00:36:27.539 and not take. 00:36:27.619 --> 00:36:28.299 A people that live 00:36:28.299 --> 00:36:29.379 for the benefit of others 00:36:29.379 --> 00:36:30.119 and not ourselves. 00:36:32.159 --> 00:36:32.819 Holy Spirit, 00:36:32.940 --> 00:36:33.879 come to work in our hearts, 00:36:33.960 --> 00:36:34.399 we pray. 00:36:36.159 --> 00:36:37.019 In your name. 00:36:37.940 --> 00:36:38.259 Amen.