WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:04.580 This one here that I'm holding up, or not sure what page number, if you've got a different one. 00:00:04.780 --> 00:00:08.740 So Acts 1094. 00:00:21.280 --> 00:00:27.240 And on the little sheet here that I'm holding up, with Alex's story on the inside, 00:00:27.239 --> 00:00:32.420 on the very back, there's a place there where you can take notes. 00:00:32.619 --> 00:00:35.640 So if you want a pen, that's what the box is being passed around. 00:00:35.719 --> 00:00:41.159 If you want a pen and you want to take notes or jot down anything, just put up your hand and you can get a pen. 00:00:41.920 --> 00:00:51.320 But you can fill that sheet out on the back there or just jot down any notes or any questions that you might have after our talk. 00:00:51.320 --> 00:01:02.299 And I'm going to ask Stephen, who's going to come up and who's going to read for us from Acts. 00:01:02.399 --> 00:01:03.460 Thank you, Stephen. 00:01:08.700 --> 00:01:10.640 Acts chapter 2, verse 37. 00:01:10.640 --> 00:01:21.739 When the people heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and the other apostles, 00:01:22.120 --> 00:01:23.840 Brothers, what shall we do? 00:01:24.640 --> 00:01:32.319 Peter replied, Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ, for the forgiveness of your sins. 00:01:32.920 --> 00:01:35.159 And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 00:01:35.159 --> 00:01:43.039 The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off, for all whom the Lord our God will call. 00:01:43.939 --> 00:01:47.079 With many other words, he warned them and he pleaded with them. 00:01:47.840 --> 00:01:49.959 Save yourself from this corrupt generation. 00:01:51.140 --> 00:01:56.840 Those who accepted his message were baptized and about 3,000 were added to their number that day. 00:02:01.920 --> 00:02:03.560 Thank you, Stephen. 00:02:03.560 --> 00:02:12.500 Well, I'm going to pray and then we're going to look at that passage that was just read and see what it has to say to explain baptism to us. 00:02:12.539 --> 00:02:13.780 So let's pray again. 00:02:14.939 --> 00:02:17.479 Our Father God, we thank you for your word. 00:02:17.640 --> 00:02:18.780 We thank you for the Bible. 00:02:19.379 --> 00:02:24.580 We thank you that it is written in our own language and in a way that we understand. 00:02:24.580 --> 00:02:33.060 But most of all, we thank you that this is the way in which you, the creator God, speaks to us. 00:02:33.640 --> 00:02:36.560 This is your word to us. 00:02:36.560 --> 00:02:43.819 And so we pray for the help of your Holy Spirit to understand that, not just with our heads, 00:02:45.539 --> 00:02:51.460 but that it would change our hearts and change our lives. 00:02:51.460 --> 00:03:05.939 So that we too understand what it is to follow Jesus and to make him the most important person in our whole life. 00:03:05.939 --> 00:03:10.699 So help us now, we pray in Jesus' name. 00:03:11.579 --> 00:03:12.039 Amen. 00:03:12.039 --> 00:03:21.000 Well, the other day when I went to collect this portable poo over here for today's baptism, 00:03:21.199 --> 00:03:25.680 I was loading it into the boot of the car because it all breaks down very neatly. 00:03:26.259 --> 00:03:29.620 And this man was walking by and he stopped and he asked me, 00:03:29.879 --> 00:03:31.319 what is it? 00:03:31.319 --> 00:03:37.079 So I began to explain what it was and was trying to explain baptism. 00:03:37.259 --> 00:03:40.079 And this is what he says, oh, it's a jacuzzi. 00:03:41.719 --> 00:03:47.019 Well, I hope I do a much better explanation this morning than what I was obviously making then. 00:03:47.019 --> 00:03:50.699 And he started to make some joke about making lots of bubbles. 00:03:51.019 --> 00:03:57.879 Well, in case you think Alex is going to be coming up and having a jacuzzi while we all watch, 00:03:58.439 --> 00:04:00.120 let me explain. 00:04:00.120 --> 00:04:08.039 Again, baptism is all about a person, Jesus Christ. 00:04:09.400 --> 00:04:12.599 In the book of Acts, which we just had read to us, 00:04:13.039 --> 00:04:17.560 the whole book is actually a story about the good news of Jesus 00:04:17.560 --> 00:04:24.540 and how it begins to spread all the way across the world to all kinds of people in all kinds of places. 00:04:25.060 --> 00:04:27.540 And as people hear the good news about Jesus, 00:04:27.540 --> 00:04:34.400 as they hear, in response, people get baptised. 00:04:35.060 --> 00:04:40.400 So in chapter 2, verse 41, of what we just had read, 00:04:40.640 --> 00:04:41.840 look at what it says there. 00:04:41.839 --> 00:04:50.159 Those who accepted his message, that's the message of Jesus Christ, were baptised. 00:04:50.159 --> 00:04:53.199 So they heard and they were baptised. 00:04:53.199 --> 00:04:56.099 Or let me give you another example. 00:04:56.099 --> 00:04:59.879 You can flick on a couple of pages to Acts chapter 8. 00:05:00.539 --> 00:05:05.399 So keep going in your Bible until you see a big number 8 on your page 00:05:05.399 --> 00:05:09.959 and then find a smaller number which says 35. 00:05:10.339 --> 00:05:13.120 So Acts 8, verse 35. 00:05:13.120 --> 00:05:17.280 This is a different person speaking. 00:05:17.280 --> 00:05:24.660 This person is called Philip and he's speaking about Jesus to a very wealthy and important man 00:05:24.660 --> 00:05:27.620 from Ethiopia. 00:05:29.680 --> 00:05:33.699 And he's been reading the Bible and then, verse 35, it says, 00:05:33.860 --> 00:05:36.759 Philip began with that very passage of scripture 00:05:36.759 --> 00:05:40.759 and told him the good news about Jesus. 00:05:42.060 --> 00:05:43.959 And as they travelled along the roads, 00:05:44.060 --> 00:05:45.399 they came to some water 00:05:45.399 --> 00:05:46.899 and the eunuch said, 00:05:47.039 --> 00:05:48.259 Look, here's water. 00:05:48.719 --> 00:05:50.959 Why shouldn't I be baptised? 00:05:51.719 --> 00:05:54.740 And he gave the orders to stop the chariot. 00:05:55.759 --> 00:05:58.819 And then both Philip and the eunuch went down into the water 00:05:58.819 --> 00:06:01.680 and Philip baptised him. 00:06:03.019 --> 00:06:05.540 So they heard the good news about Jesus 00:06:05.540 --> 00:06:08.120 and they were baptised. 00:06:09.319 --> 00:06:13.019 Now although Alex is going to be getting baptised very shortly, 00:06:13.279 --> 00:06:15.159 it's actually not about him. 00:06:16.319 --> 00:06:18.800 It's all about Jesus Christ. 00:06:18.939 --> 00:06:21.740 In fact, baptism is a wonderful picture 00:06:21.740 --> 00:06:25.899 about the good news of Jesus Christ. 00:06:26.620 --> 00:06:28.240 It pictures two things. 00:06:28.240 --> 00:06:31.439 First, believing in Jesus. 00:06:31.600 --> 00:06:34.740 It's a picture of believing in Jesus. 00:06:36.840 --> 00:06:39.259 Now when we talk about believing in Jesus, 00:06:39.500 --> 00:06:42.400 we don't just mean we believe that Jesus exists. 00:06:42.639 --> 00:06:43.879 If we were to do a survey, 00:06:44.220 --> 00:06:45.079 lots of people would say, 00:06:45.180 --> 00:06:46.920 Yeah, I believe Jesus exists. 00:06:47.240 --> 00:06:52.199 It's actually about entrusting your whole life to Jesus. 00:06:53.040 --> 00:06:54.519 So let me give you an example. 00:06:54.699 --> 00:06:56.100 If your house was on fire 00:06:56.100 --> 00:06:58.960 and you were up at the top window 00:06:58.960 --> 00:07:00.660 shouting for help 00:07:00.660 --> 00:07:03.040 and the fire brigade arrives 00:07:03.040 --> 00:07:04.260 and the fireman comes along 00:07:04.260 --> 00:07:05.160 and he puts up his ladder 00:07:05.160 --> 00:07:05.980 and he climbs up 00:07:05.980 --> 00:07:08.400 and there he is right beside you at the window, 00:07:08.900 --> 00:07:11.080 it's no good at that point saying, 00:07:11.460 --> 00:07:13.480 Oh, I believe in firemen 00:07:13.480 --> 00:07:15.439 and telling all the rest of the people, 00:07:15.520 --> 00:07:16.260 Look, a fireman! 00:07:16.259 --> 00:07:17.920 I believe in firemen. 00:07:19.620 --> 00:07:22.620 No, if you really believe in firemen, 00:07:22.879 --> 00:07:24.839 you'll jump into his arms 00:07:24.839 --> 00:07:26.920 and let him rescue you 00:07:26.920 --> 00:07:28.519 or jump onto his shoulder 00:07:28.519 --> 00:07:29.680 or whatever you want to do. 00:07:29.680 --> 00:07:34.079 But you will entrust your life to him. 00:07:34.079 --> 00:07:35.439 And in the same way, 00:07:35.639 --> 00:07:37.439 if we believe in Jesus, 00:07:37.980 --> 00:07:41.400 that means we entrust our whole life to him 00:07:41.400 --> 00:07:43.319 to rescue us. 00:07:44.180 --> 00:07:48.360 And that's essentially what this passage in Acts chapter 2 is about. 00:07:49.220 --> 00:07:50.220 Let me explain. 00:07:50.759 --> 00:07:52.139 Look at verse 37, 00:07:52.300 --> 00:07:54.100 the first part of our reading. 00:07:54.280 --> 00:07:56.720 Acts chapter 2, verse 37. 00:07:56.720 --> 00:07:58.660 Sorry, you need to go back there 00:07:58.660 --> 00:08:00.700 and we'll stay in Acts chapter 2. 00:08:00.780 --> 00:08:02.360 Acts chapter 2, verse 37. 00:08:03.480 --> 00:08:04.860 It says there right at the beginning, 00:08:05.580 --> 00:08:07.640 When the people heard this, 00:08:09.100 --> 00:08:10.600 well, what have they just heard? 00:08:11.320 --> 00:08:12.620 When they heard this, 00:08:12.740 --> 00:08:14.220 what have they just been hearing about? 00:08:15.300 --> 00:08:16.940 Well, Peter is the speaker 00:08:16.940 --> 00:08:18.700 and he's been telling them 00:08:18.700 --> 00:08:20.580 all about the good news of Jesus. 00:08:21.360 --> 00:08:24.220 And it starts back in verse 22. 00:08:24.720 --> 00:08:26.620 So have a look at verse 22. 00:08:26.720 --> 00:08:32.360 Peter began to explain who Jesus is. 00:08:33.160 --> 00:08:34.700 Men of Israel, he said, 00:08:34.960 --> 00:08:36.560 listen to this. 00:08:37.279 --> 00:08:38.580 And we need to listen too. 00:08:39.879 --> 00:08:42.139 Jesus of Nazareth was a man 00:08:42.139 --> 00:08:44.680 accredited by God to you by miracles, 00:08:45.360 --> 00:08:47.080 wonders and signs 00:08:47.080 --> 00:08:50.279 which God did among you through him 00:08:50.279 --> 00:08:52.040 as you yourselves know. 00:08:53.180 --> 00:08:55.620 You see, when Jesus came onto this earth, 00:08:55.620 --> 00:08:58.620 when he lived his life on this planet, 00:08:59.259 --> 00:09:01.200 he did many miracles and wonders. 00:09:01.560 --> 00:09:03.080 We may have read about it 00:09:03.080 --> 00:09:03.879 or heard about it. 00:09:03.940 --> 00:09:04.960 By a simple word, 00:09:05.039 --> 00:09:05.899 by just speaking, 00:09:06.740 --> 00:09:08.060 he calmed a storm. 00:09:09.419 --> 00:09:10.820 By a simple word, 00:09:11.679 --> 00:09:13.019 he silenced demons 00:09:13.019 --> 00:09:14.579 and he controlled evil. 00:09:14.579 --> 00:09:17.860 And by a touch of his hand, 00:09:18.500 --> 00:09:19.579 he healed people. 00:09:20.860 --> 00:09:22.480 And by a touch of his hand, 00:09:22.659 --> 00:09:25.220 he could even raise the dead. 00:09:26.340 --> 00:09:29.360 And all of these amazing miracles and wonders, 00:09:30.240 --> 00:09:31.379 look at verse 22, 00:09:31.840 --> 00:09:32.879 were signs. 00:09:32.879 --> 00:09:35.259 These signs, 00:09:35.700 --> 00:09:36.519 these miracles, 00:09:36.960 --> 00:09:37.700 were pointing 00:09:37.700 --> 00:09:40.360 to who Jesus is. 00:09:41.240 --> 00:09:41.700 You see, 00:09:41.860 --> 00:09:43.080 Jesus was doing 00:09:43.080 --> 00:09:46.179 what only God could do. 00:09:47.220 --> 00:09:48.080 Only God 00:09:48.080 --> 00:09:50.139 could calm the storms. 00:09:50.580 --> 00:09:51.379 Only God 00:09:51.379 --> 00:09:52.659 could raise the dead. 00:09:52.919 --> 00:09:54.379 So here was Jesus, 00:09:55.000 --> 00:09:55.460 God, 00:09:55.580 --> 00:09:56.820 in human form, 00:09:57.139 --> 00:09:58.120 walking on the earth, 00:09:58.320 --> 00:10:00.179 a person just like you and me, 00:10:00.179 --> 00:10:02.379 controlling the world 00:10:02.379 --> 00:10:04.039 and controlling 00:10:04.039 --> 00:10:05.219 all that was wrong 00:10:05.219 --> 00:10:06.699 and putting it right. 00:10:07.000 --> 00:10:08.859 And he was showing everybody 00:10:08.859 --> 00:10:11.159 who he was. 00:10:11.959 --> 00:10:13.019 That he was God 00:10:13.019 --> 00:10:14.679 come down to earth. 00:10:15.699 --> 00:10:16.839 But look what happened 00:10:16.839 --> 00:10:18.120 to this Jesus 00:10:18.120 --> 00:10:20.839 in verse 23. 00:10:22.399 --> 00:10:24.379 Let's read verse 23. 00:10:25.919 --> 00:10:26.879 This man, 00:10:27.019 --> 00:10:27.719 this Jesus, 00:10:28.339 --> 00:10:29.779 was handed over to you 00:10:29.779 --> 00:10:31.339 by God's set purpose 00:10:31.339 --> 00:10:32.220 and foreknowledge 00:10:32.220 --> 00:10:33.159 and you, 00:10:33.279 --> 00:10:34.639 with the help of wicked men, 00:10:35.059 --> 00:10:36.259 put him to death 00:10:36.259 --> 00:10:38.919 by nailing him to the cross. 00:10:40.419 --> 00:10:41.379 Incredible, isn't it? 00:10:41.480 --> 00:10:42.500 He was going around 00:10:42.500 --> 00:10:43.419 healing people, 00:10:43.860 --> 00:10:44.620 raising the dead, 00:10:44.939 --> 00:10:45.779 calming storms, 00:10:46.600 --> 00:10:47.679 silencing demons 00:10:47.679 --> 00:10:49.120 and then people 00:10:49.120 --> 00:10:49.980 put him to death. 00:10:51.299 --> 00:10:51.980 He was a man 00:10:51.980 --> 00:10:53.799 who had done nothing wrong. 00:10:54.279 --> 00:10:55.019 No fault 00:10:55.019 --> 00:10:56.299 could be found in him. 00:10:56.539 --> 00:10:57.319 He was perfect 00:10:57.319 --> 00:10:58.159 without sin. 00:10:58.159 --> 00:10:59.860 But yet, 00:11:00.219 --> 00:11:01.240 he was put to death 00:11:01.240 --> 00:11:02.779 and verse 23 tells us 00:11:02.779 --> 00:11:04.100 they nailed him 00:11:04.100 --> 00:11:05.740 to the cross. 00:11:06.860 --> 00:11:07.299 Why? 00:11:07.799 --> 00:11:09.279 Why would they do this 00:11:09.279 --> 00:11:10.500 to this man, 00:11:10.639 --> 00:11:10.899 Jesus? 00:11:11.980 --> 00:11:12.299 Well, 00:11:12.379 --> 00:11:13.279 look at verse 23 00:11:13.279 --> 00:11:14.079 at the very beginning. 00:11:14.219 --> 00:11:14.860 It tells us 00:11:14.860 --> 00:11:16.500 that Jesus' death 00:11:16.500 --> 00:11:17.480 was actually 00:11:17.480 --> 00:11:18.279 part 00:11:18.279 --> 00:11:19.620 of God's plan. 00:11:19.719 --> 00:11:20.659 It wasn't an accident. 00:11:21.379 --> 00:11:22.579 It wasn't a mistake. 00:11:22.580 --> 00:11:24.400 But it was all part 00:11:24.400 --> 00:11:25.800 of God's perfect plan. 00:11:27.060 --> 00:11:27.820 But what does 00:11:27.820 --> 00:11:29.060 his death mean? 00:11:29.520 --> 00:11:31.120 Why did he have to die? 00:11:32.700 --> 00:11:33.160 Well, 00:11:33.379 --> 00:11:34.060 listen to this. 00:11:34.180 --> 00:11:34.759 This is the way 00:11:34.759 --> 00:11:35.780 Alex puts it 00:11:35.780 --> 00:11:36.820 in his story. 00:11:36.940 --> 00:11:37.620 You can read it 00:11:37.620 --> 00:11:38.120 afterwards 00:11:38.120 --> 00:11:39.759 in the middle pages. 00:11:40.320 --> 00:11:41.340 This is what Alex says. 00:11:41.420 --> 00:11:42.340 The death of Jesus 00:11:42.340 --> 00:11:43.480 wasn't just 00:11:43.480 --> 00:11:44.820 an ordinary death. 00:11:45.759 --> 00:11:47.280 Unlike most deaths, 00:11:47.480 --> 00:11:48.520 it was a good thing 00:11:48.519 --> 00:11:50.939 because it was for us 00:11:50.939 --> 00:11:53.120 so that we could have 00:11:53.120 --> 00:11:54.559 eternal life. 00:11:55.659 --> 00:11:56.199 You see, 00:11:56.279 --> 00:11:57.199 Jesus' death 00:11:57.199 --> 00:11:58.079 on the cross 00:11:58.079 --> 00:11:59.699 was God's means 00:11:59.699 --> 00:12:01.279 of dealing with 00:12:01.279 --> 00:12:02.000 the problem 00:12:02.000 --> 00:12:02.980 of sin. 00:12:04.299 --> 00:12:05.100 Let me try 00:12:05.100 --> 00:12:05.939 and explain that 00:12:05.939 --> 00:12:06.360 to us 00:12:06.360 --> 00:12:07.679 a little bit better. 00:12:08.720 --> 00:12:10.319 I've got a CD here 00:12:10.319 --> 00:12:11.379 or a DVD 00:12:11.379 --> 00:12:12.120 if you like. 00:12:12.699 --> 00:12:13.360 And I want you 00:12:13.360 --> 00:12:14.000 to imagine 00:12:14.000 --> 00:12:15.759 that this is 00:12:15.759 --> 00:12:16.340 a record 00:12:16.340 --> 00:12:18.019 of your life 00:12:18.019 --> 00:12:19.579 up to this 00:12:19.579 --> 00:12:20.340 very point. 00:12:21.519 --> 00:12:22.659 So that means, 00:12:23.019 --> 00:12:23.419 Alex, 00:12:24.259 --> 00:12:24.840 everything 00:12:24.840 --> 00:12:27.659 you've ever said 00:12:27.659 --> 00:12:28.240 or anything 00:12:28.240 --> 00:12:29.299 that we've ever said 00:12:29.299 --> 00:12:30.379 is on here, 00:12:30.500 --> 00:12:31.480 public or private. 00:12:31.620 --> 00:12:32.419 It's been recorded 00:12:32.419 --> 00:12:33.799 and it's on here. 00:12:35.419 --> 00:12:35.980 Everything 00:12:35.980 --> 00:12:37.319 that you've ever done 00:12:37.319 --> 00:12:39.980 has been videoed, 00:12:40.740 --> 00:12:42.819 public or private. 00:12:43.539 --> 00:12:44.779 And it's all on here 00:12:44.779 --> 00:12:45.340 to watch. 00:12:45.500 --> 00:12:45.919 Everything. 00:12:45.919 --> 00:12:47.860 But not just 00:12:47.860 --> 00:12:48.759 everything you've said 00:12:48.759 --> 00:12:49.699 or everything you've done, 00:12:50.240 --> 00:12:51.339 everything you've thought. 00:12:52.120 --> 00:12:53.479 So this is a very clever CD 00:12:53.479 --> 00:12:54.299 or DVD. 00:12:54.819 --> 00:12:55.919 It knows your mind 00:12:55.919 --> 00:12:56.459 and it's got 00:12:56.459 --> 00:12:58.019 every single thought 00:12:58.019 --> 00:12:59.679 recorded here. 00:13:01.079 --> 00:13:01.659 Now, 00:13:01.759 --> 00:13:02.379 who of us 00:13:02.379 --> 00:13:02.919 would like 00:13:02.919 --> 00:13:03.759 our life 00:13:03.759 --> 00:13:05.279 uploaded 00:13:05.279 --> 00:13:07.159 onto YouTube 00:13:07.159 --> 00:13:08.799 or published 00:13:08.799 --> 00:13:09.479 on Facebook? 00:13:09.479 --> 00:13:09.959 Would you? 00:13:09.960 --> 00:13:13.519 I'd like 00:13:13.519 --> 00:13:14.280 some parts 00:13:14.280 --> 00:13:15.019 of my life 00:13:15.019 --> 00:13:16.019 on YouTube 00:13:16.019 --> 00:13:18.200 but there's 00:13:18.200 --> 00:13:19.080 an awful lot 00:13:19.080 --> 00:13:19.900 that I would not 00:13:19.900 --> 00:13:20.660 want anybody 00:13:20.660 --> 00:13:21.540 to know about. 00:13:23.759 --> 00:13:24.560 And I think 00:13:24.560 --> 00:13:25.139 Ewan 00:13:25.139 --> 00:13:25.940 would be 00:13:25.940 --> 00:13:26.460 exactly 00:13:26.460 --> 00:13:27.560 the same. 00:13:28.400 --> 00:13:28.840 You see, 00:13:29.040 --> 00:13:30.019 every one of us 00:13:30.019 --> 00:13:31.000 has things in our life 00:13:31.000 --> 00:13:32.460 that we're deeply ashamed of, 00:13:32.660 --> 00:13:33.580 embarrassed about, 00:13:33.920 --> 00:13:35.139 things we do wrong, 00:13:35.300 --> 00:13:36.100 things we say wrong, 00:13:36.220 --> 00:13:37.019 things we think 00:13:37.019 --> 00:13:37.740 that are wrong. 00:13:37.740 --> 00:13:39.279 And the problem 00:13:39.279 --> 00:13:40.019 with that is, 00:13:40.120 --> 00:13:41.019 we call it sin, 00:13:41.480 --> 00:13:42.940 is it acts as a barrier. 00:13:43.600 --> 00:13:44.580 So if God is there 00:13:44.580 --> 00:13:45.299 and we are here, 00:13:46.019 --> 00:13:47.120 it's a barrier. 00:13:47.399 --> 00:13:49.000 It cuts in the way 00:13:49.000 --> 00:13:49.899 of a relationship 00:13:49.899 --> 00:13:50.519 with God. 00:13:50.600 --> 00:13:51.820 We cannot enjoy God. 00:13:51.899 --> 00:13:53.060 We cannot know God. 00:13:53.360 --> 00:13:54.779 We cannot love God 00:13:54.779 --> 00:13:55.580 as we ought to. 00:13:58.399 --> 00:14:00.039 So why did Jesus die? 00:14:01.180 --> 00:14:01.659 Well, 00:14:01.700 --> 00:14:02.539 when Jesus came, 00:14:02.639 --> 00:14:03.399 he was perfect, 00:14:03.519 --> 00:14:03.899 wasn't he? 00:14:05.120 --> 00:14:06.340 And he takes 00:14:06.340 --> 00:14:07.560 my record 00:14:07.559 --> 00:14:08.919 and your record 00:14:08.919 --> 00:14:09.839 of your life 00:14:09.839 --> 00:14:11.479 and he takes it 00:14:11.479 --> 00:14:12.079 on himself, 00:14:12.379 --> 00:14:13.519 all the bad things 00:14:13.519 --> 00:14:14.279 that we've ever done 00:14:14.279 --> 00:14:15.899 and Jesus 00:14:15.899 --> 00:14:17.599 is punished. 00:14:18.699 --> 00:14:19.939 He takes the blame 00:14:19.939 --> 00:14:21.219 for all the wrong things 00:14:21.219 --> 00:14:22.459 we have ever done. 00:14:22.539 --> 00:14:23.419 That's why he died 00:14:23.419 --> 00:14:24.159 on the cross. 00:14:26.239 --> 00:14:27.899 But not only that, 00:14:28.599 --> 00:14:29.459 listen to this, 00:14:29.659 --> 00:14:30.719 it gets even better. 00:14:30.859 --> 00:14:31.639 Jesus doesn't just 00:14:31.639 --> 00:14:32.579 take our record. 00:14:33.819 --> 00:14:34.819 I want you to change 00:14:34.819 --> 00:14:35.459 this around now. 00:14:35.539 --> 00:14:36.179 Imagine this is 00:14:36.179 --> 00:14:37.239 the record of Jesus. 00:14:37.639 --> 00:14:38.659 His perfect, 00:14:38.859 --> 00:14:39.199 pure, 00:14:39.599 --> 00:14:40.419 good life. 00:14:40.679 --> 00:14:41.339 Nothing wrong. 00:14:41.959 --> 00:14:42.419 Sinless, 00:14:42.599 --> 00:14:43.559 perfect in every way. 00:14:44.219 --> 00:14:45.099 That record 00:14:45.099 --> 00:14:47.620 is now given to us. 00:14:48.719 --> 00:14:49.699 So when God 00:14:49.699 --> 00:14:50.379 looks at us, 00:14:50.739 --> 00:14:51.899 he doesn't see our life, 00:14:52.039 --> 00:14:52.899 he actually sees 00:14:52.899 --> 00:14:53.839 the life of Jesus. 00:14:54.000 --> 00:14:55.019 The record of Jesus 00:14:55.019 --> 00:14:55.639 is given 00:14:55.639 --> 00:14:57.500 to us. 00:14:59.639 --> 00:15:01.099 Listen to how Alex 00:15:01.099 --> 00:15:01.759 puts it 00:15:01.759 --> 00:15:03.319 in his story again. 00:15:03.320 --> 00:15:04.540 He says this, 00:15:04.700 --> 00:15:06.280 Jesus died for us. 00:15:06.980 --> 00:15:08.420 He died to take away 00:15:08.420 --> 00:15:09.040 our sins 00:15:09.040 --> 00:15:09.900 so that we could 00:15:09.900 --> 00:15:10.820 have eternal life. 00:15:11.260 --> 00:15:12.320 Jesus died for all 00:15:12.320 --> 00:15:13.300 the sins I committed 00:15:13.300 --> 00:15:14.400 in the past 00:15:14.400 --> 00:15:15.840 and all the sins 00:15:15.840 --> 00:15:17.140 I'm going to commit 00:15:17.140 --> 00:15:19.240 or continue to commit. 00:15:20.100 --> 00:15:21.260 He took the blame 00:15:21.260 --> 00:15:23.040 for all the wrong things 00:15:23.040 --> 00:15:23.840 I have done. 00:15:24.340 --> 00:15:25.980 Without him doing so, 00:15:26.360 --> 00:15:27.760 there would be no one 00:15:27.760 --> 00:15:29.200 to take away my sins 00:15:29.200 --> 00:15:30.240 so I would have 00:15:30.240 --> 00:15:31.320 no chance 00:15:31.320 --> 00:15:33.480 of getting into heaven. 00:15:34.840 --> 00:15:35.740 Isn't that incredible? 00:15:36.560 --> 00:15:37.840 What a wonderful story 00:15:37.840 --> 00:15:39.220 to be able to tell. 00:15:39.740 --> 00:15:40.660 That's why Jesus 00:15:40.660 --> 00:15:42.160 is the most important person 00:15:42.160 --> 00:15:43.759 to Alex's life. 00:15:44.900 --> 00:15:46.100 But Jesus didn't just 00:15:46.100 --> 00:15:46.940 stay dead, did he? 00:15:48.040 --> 00:15:48.560 Thankfully, 00:15:48.800 --> 00:15:49.900 look at verse 24. 00:15:51.200 --> 00:15:52.420 God raised him 00:15:52.420 --> 00:15:53.100 from the dead, 00:15:53.540 --> 00:15:54.379 freeing him 00:15:54.379 --> 00:15:55.240 from the agony 00:15:55.240 --> 00:15:55.840 of death 00:15:55.840 --> 00:15:56.640 because 00:15:56.639 --> 00:15:58.699 it was impossible 00:15:58.699 --> 00:16:00.360 for death 00:16:00.360 --> 00:16:01.399 to keep its hold 00:16:01.399 --> 00:16:02.559 on him. 00:16:03.620 --> 00:16:05.080 Jesus did die 00:16:05.080 --> 00:16:07.860 but God raised him 00:16:07.860 --> 00:16:09.159 from the dead. 00:16:10.600 --> 00:16:11.480 Now this is meant 00:16:11.480 --> 00:16:12.199 to be a time 00:16:12.199 --> 00:16:12.899 of celebration 00:16:12.899 --> 00:16:13.580 and we don't really 00:16:13.580 --> 00:16:14.299 want to be talking 00:16:14.299 --> 00:16:15.179 about death, 00:16:15.319 --> 00:16:15.659 do we? 00:16:16.500 --> 00:16:17.860 Because death means 00:16:17.860 --> 00:16:19.240 the end of relationships. 00:16:20.480 --> 00:16:21.120 It means 00:16:21.120 --> 00:16:22.360 separation 00:16:22.360 --> 00:16:23.159 from those 00:16:23.159 --> 00:16:24.620 we love the most, 00:16:25.319 --> 00:16:25.799 sadness, 00:16:26.639 --> 00:16:27.279 heartache 00:16:27.279 --> 00:16:27.899 and pain. 00:16:29.259 --> 00:16:30.580 And we can find 00:16:30.580 --> 00:16:31.080 a cure 00:16:31.080 --> 00:16:31.960 for most things 00:16:31.960 --> 00:16:32.379 in life, 00:16:32.439 --> 00:16:33.399 for most illnesses 00:16:33.399 --> 00:16:34.159 and diseases, 00:16:34.480 --> 00:16:35.740 we can find a cure 00:16:35.740 --> 00:16:37.179 but nobody 00:16:37.179 --> 00:16:38.100 has ever come up 00:16:38.100 --> 00:16:38.819 with a cure 00:16:38.819 --> 00:16:39.659 for death. 00:16:41.879 --> 00:16:42.559 Except 00:16:42.559 --> 00:16:44.699 when Jesus 00:16:44.699 --> 00:16:46.100 rose from the grave 00:16:46.100 --> 00:16:47.399 he defeated 00:16:47.399 --> 00:16:48.299 death. 00:16:49.199 --> 00:16:50.480 He destroyed 00:16:50.480 --> 00:16:51.019 death. 00:16:51.720 --> 00:16:52.580 He beat it. 00:16:52.919 --> 00:16:53.720 Or as it says 00:16:53.720 --> 00:16:55.000 in verse 24, 00:16:55.000 --> 00:16:56.340 it was impossible 00:16:56.340 --> 00:16:57.679 for death 00:16:57.679 --> 00:16:58.860 to keep its hold 00:16:58.860 --> 00:16:59.139 on him. 00:16:59.440 --> 00:17:00.419 He broke out 00:17:00.419 --> 00:17:01.240 of its chains. 00:17:01.620 --> 00:17:03.139 He defeated it. 00:17:04.819 --> 00:17:05.859 And he offers 00:17:05.859 --> 00:17:06.799 that to us. 00:17:08.279 --> 00:17:09.279 So here we have 00:17:09.279 --> 00:17:10.339 this wonderful picture, 00:17:10.480 --> 00:17:11.619 this wonderful story 00:17:11.619 --> 00:17:12.579 of Jesus 00:17:12.579 --> 00:17:13.920 who comes to us, 00:17:14.019 --> 00:17:14.839 the God-man, 00:17:15.259 --> 00:17:16.519 to defeat 00:17:16.519 --> 00:17:17.980 or to deal 00:17:17.980 --> 00:17:18.740 with our sin 00:17:18.740 --> 00:17:19.980 by dying on the cross 00:17:19.980 --> 00:17:21.079 and to defeat 00:17:21.079 --> 00:17:21.759 death for us 00:17:21.759 --> 00:17:22.839 by rising again 00:17:22.839 --> 00:17:23.579 from the grave. 00:17:24.500 --> 00:17:25.240 Now that is 00:17:25.240 --> 00:17:25.980 good news. 00:17:27.220 --> 00:17:28.099 But what do we do 00:17:28.099 --> 00:17:28.859 with this good news? 00:17:28.939 --> 00:17:29.959 Is it just information 00:17:29.959 --> 00:17:30.759 for our heads 00:17:30.759 --> 00:17:31.339 and go, 00:17:31.559 --> 00:17:32.720 hey, that was a nice story 00:17:32.720 --> 00:17:33.259 that I heard 00:17:33.259 --> 00:17:34.099 on Sunday morning? 00:17:35.240 --> 00:17:36.579 No, it requires 00:17:36.579 --> 00:17:37.439 a response. 00:17:38.019 --> 00:17:39.179 Look at verse 37 00:17:39.179 --> 00:17:43.099 of Acts chapter 2. 00:17:43.299 --> 00:17:44.240 When the people 00:17:44.240 --> 00:17:44.899 heard this, 00:17:44.939 --> 00:17:45.619 so when they heard 00:17:45.619 --> 00:17:46.319 this good news 00:17:46.319 --> 00:17:47.000 about Jesus, 00:17:47.139 --> 00:17:47.699 his life, 00:17:47.980 --> 00:17:48.439 his death, 00:17:48.519 --> 00:17:49.339 his resurrection, 00:17:49.339 --> 00:17:51.659 they were cut 00:17:51.659 --> 00:17:52.480 to the heart. 00:17:53.720 --> 00:17:54.959 They were deeply 00:17:54.959 --> 00:17:56.519 affected in their lives 00:17:56.519 --> 00:17:57.359 and they said 00:17:57.359 --> 00:17:57.799 to Peter 00:17:57.799 --> 00:17:58.720 and the other apostles, 00:17:59.079 --> 00:17:59.359 brothers, 00:17:59.500 --> 00:18:00.459 what shall we do? 00:18:01.839 --> 00:18:02.959 And Peter replied, 00:18:03.919 --> 00:18:04.339 repent 00:18:04.339 --> 00:18:06.779 and be baptized 00:18:06.779 --> 00:18:08.399 every one of you 00:18:08.399 --> 00:18:08.959 in the name 00:18:08.959 --> 00:18:09.980 of Jesus Christ 00:18:09.980 --> 00:18:11.099 for the forgiveness 00:18:11.099 --> 00:18:12.399 of your sins 00:18:12.399 --> 00:18:13.859 and you will receive 00:18:13.859 --> 00:18:14.279 the gift 00:18:14.279 --> 00:18:15.159 of the Holy Spirit. 00:18:15.160 --> 00:18:15.400 it. 00:18:17.779 --> 00:18:19.320 So, in response, 00:18:19.480 --> 00:18:20.480 there's two things. 00:18:21.300 --> 00:18:21.820 Repent 00:18:21.820 --> 00:18:23.640 and be baptized. 00:18:25.519 --> 00:18:26.340 Now, repentance, 00:18:27.060 --> 00:18:28.019 a religious word, 00:18:28.140 --> 00:18:29.620 but it's a double action. 00:18:30.320 --> 00:18:31.279 It means two things. 00:18:31.360 --> 00:18:31.759 It means 00:18:31.759 --> 00:18:32.940 turning away 00:18:32.940 --> 00:18:33.880 from something 00:18:33.880 --> 00:18:34.800 or someone, 00:18:36.640 --> 00:18:37.400 turning away 00:18:37.400 --> 00:18:38.160 from believing 00:18:38.160 --> 00:18:38.980 in yourself 00:18:38.980 --> 00:18:41.259 and turning 00:18:41.259 --> 00:18:42.100 to believe 00:18:42.100 --> 00:18:42.759 and entrust 00:18:42.759 --> 00:18:43.279 your life 00:18:43.279 --> 00:18:43.860 to Jesus. 00:18:45.160 --> 00:18:46.000 I don't know 00:18:46.000 --> 00:18:46.320 if you know 00:18:46.320 --> 00:18:46.800 that Alex 00:18:46.800 --> 00:18:47.940 is presently 00:18:47.940 --> 00:18:48.980 learning to drive. 00:18:49.820 --> 00:18:50.700 I think he reckons 00:18:50.700 --> 00:18:51.360 himself to be 00:18:51.360 --> 00:18:52.440 a good driver. 00:18:53.120 --> 00:18:53.700 And for Alex, 00:18:53.880 --> 00:18:54.160 he's, 00:18:54.540 --> 00:18:54.680 well, 00:18:54.720 --> 00:18:55.259 he can't just 00:18:55.259 --> 00:18:56.440 have an ordinary car. 00:18:57.380 --> 00:18:58.200 He's got to have 00:18:58.200 --> 00:18:59.720 a BMW E30. 00:19:00.519 --> 00:19:01.000 If you don't know 00:19:01.000 --> 00:19:01.560 what that is, 00:19:01.580 --> 00:19:02.120 it's one of those 00:19:02.120 --> 00:19:02.940 old models 00:19:02.940 --> 00:19:03.980 with the square back 00:19:03.980 --> 00:19:05.200 and those square lights 00:19:05.200 --> 00:19:07.320 and maybe a flat top 00:19:07.320 --> 00:19:07.720 as well. 00:19:08.279 --> 00:19:08.920 Yeah, yeah, 00:19:08.940 --> 00:19:09.519 you'd like that. 00:19:09.700 --> 00:19:09.880 Okay. 00:19:10.840 --> 00:19:11.860 Now, imagine Alex 00:19:11.860 --> 00:19:13.140 has just passed his test 00:19:13.140 --> 00:19:13.860 and he's driving 00:19:13.860 --> 00:19:14.860 along down the road 00:19:14.859 --> 00:19:16.079 elbow out the window. 00:19:16.199 --> 00:19:17.000 You know how it is. 00:19:18.139 --> 00:19:19.179 And he realises 00:19:19.179 --> 00:19:20.339 he's gone the wrong way. 00:19:21.259 --> 00:19:22.359 So he throws it 00:19:22.359 --> 00:19:23.119 into reverse, 00:19:23.919 --> 00:19:24.699 tears backward, 00:19:25.459 --> 00:19:26.559 pulls up the handbrake, 00:19:26.839 --> 00:19:28.099 does a 180 degree 00:19:28.099 --> 00:19:29.019 turn. 00:19:30.399 --> 00:19:30.799 Don't worry, 00:19:30.879 --> 00:19:31.339 mum and dad, 00:19:31.439 --> 00:19:32.119 he won't do that. 00:19:32.579 --> 00:19:33.439 Just an illustration. 00:19:33.959 --> 00:19:35.099 And he drives off 00:19:35.099 --> 00:19:35.740 down the road 00:19:35.740 --> 00:19:37.000 in the opposite direction 00:19:37.000 --> 00:19:38.119 to what he was going. 00:19:39.339 --> 00:19:40.879 That's what repentance is. 00:19:40.880 --> 00:19:43.000 It's a sudden 00:19:43.000 --> 00:19:45.260 and radical change 00:19:45.260 --> 00:19:46.340 in direction. 00:19:46.740 --> 00:19:48.000 The conscious moment of 00:19:48.000 --> 00:19:49.880 I'm going in the wrong direction, 00:19:50.040 --> 00:19:51.080 I need to turn around 00:19:51.080 --> 00:19:52.360 and go in the right direction. 00:19:53.580 --> 00:19:54.940 So you turn around 00:19:54.940 --> 00:19:55.900 and you believe, 00:19:56.160 --> 00:19:57.820 you entrust your life 00:19:57.820 --> 00:19:58.680 to Jesus. 00:19:58.900 --> 00:20:00.080 No longer do we believe 00:20:00.080 --> 00:20:01.060 in our own ability 00:20:01.060 --> 00:20:02.540 to deal with sin and death. 00:20:03.480 --> 00:20:04.040 Instead, 00:20:04.580 --> 00:20:06.020 we throw ourselves, 00:20:06.160 --> 00:20:07.740 we entrust our life 00:20:07.740 --> 00:20:08.319 to Jesus 00:20:08.319 --> 00:20:09.839 who deals 00:20:09.839 --> 00:20:11.539 with the punishment 00:20:11.539 --> 00:20:12.359 that we deserve. 00:20:12.940 --> 00:20:13.839 He takes the blame 00:20:13.839 --> 00:20:15.539 for the record 00:20:15.539 --> 00:20:16.400 of our wrong 00:20:16.400 --> 00:20:19.359 and he destroys death 00:20:19.359 --> 00:20:21.660 that we can never defeat 00:20:21.660 --> 00:20:22.960 on our own. 00:20:23.720 --> 00:20:24.700 So in response, 00:20:24.900 --> 00:20:25.680 we repent, 00:20:25.839 --> 00:20:27.079 we say sorry, 00:20:27.259 --> 00:20:29.099 we entrust our life 00:20:29.099 --> 00:20:29.740 to Jesus. 00:20:30.120 --> 00:20:31.200 But it also says, 00:20:31.299 --> 00:20:31.660 doesn't it, 00:20:31.680 --> 00:20:32.599 in verse 37, 00:20:32.759 --> 00:20:33.319 repent and 00:20:33.319 --> 00:20:35.160 be baptised. 00:20:35.160 --> 00:20:36.960 Now baptism 00:20:36.960 --> 00:20:38.120 is very simply 00:20:38.120 --> 00:20:39.960 a visible demonstration 00:20:39.960 --> 00:20:41.640 of believing in Jesus. 00:20:41.840 --> 00:20:42.820 It's a big, 00:20:43.000 --> 00:20:43.580 big picture 00:20:43.580 --> 00:20:45.420 of what it is 00:20:45.420 --> 00:20:46.700 to trust Jesus. 00:20:47.300 --> 00:20:48.140 So when Alex 00:20:48.140 --> 00:20:49.380 gets baptised here, 00:20:49.600 --> 00:20:50.820 he's going to go down 00:20:50.820 --> 00:20:51.860 into the water. 00:20:51.980 --> 00:20:52.640 He's going to go 00:20:52.640 --> 00:20:53.660 backwards down 00:20:53.660 --> 00:20:54.420 into the water. 00:20:54.900 --> 00:20:56.000 Which is a picture 00:20:56.000 --> 00:20:58.279 of Jesus dying. 00:21:00.160 --> 00:21:01.220 So when Alex 00:21:01.220 --> 00:21:02.180 gets baptised 00:21:02.180 --> 00:21:02.960 and he goes down 00:21:02.960 --> 00:21:03.720 under the water, 00:21:03.720 --> 00:21:04.920 Alex is in effect 00:21:04.920 --> 00:21:05.400 as saying, 00:21:05.480 --> 00:21:06.019 you know what? 00:21:06.720 --> 00:21:08.600 Jesus died for me. 00:21:09.600 --> 00:21:11.140 And when Jesus died, 00:21:11.759 --> 00:21:12.579 he was dying 00:21:12.579 --> 00:21:13.740 in my place, 00:21:13.839 --> 00:21:14.240 for me. 00:21:14.500 --> 00:21:15.600 And I am accepting 00:21:15.600 --> 00:21:16.600 Jesus' death 00:21:16.600 --> 00:21:18.180 on my behalf. 00:21:19.640 --> 00:21:20.120 And then, 00:21:20.360 --> 00:21:20.819 of course, 00:21:21.519 --> 00:21:22.680 we will bring him up again. 00:21:22.799 --> 00:21:23.740 He doesn't have to hold 00:21:23.740 --> 00:21:24.799 his breath for too long. 00:21:25.160 --> 00:21:26.059 But he's going to come up 00:21:26.059 --> 00:21:26.880 out of the water, 00:21:26.960 --> 00:21:27.680 which is a picture 00:21:27.680 --> 00:21:29.079 of resurrection. 00:21:30.059 --> 00:21:31.620 Jesus was raised 00:21:31.619 --> 00:21:32.119 for me. 00:21:32.479 --> 00:21:33.759 And Alex is saying 00:21:33.759 --> 00:21:34.299 at that moment, 00:21:34.379 --> 00:21:35.019 when I come out 00:21:35.019 --> 00:21:35.619 of the water, 00:21:36.379 --> 00:21:37.219 I'm saying that 00:21:37.219 --> 00:21:38.619 Jesus defeated death 00:21:38.619 --> 00:21:40.059 for me in my place. 00:21:40.139 --> 00:21:41.000 I can never do it, 00:21:41.039 --> 00:21:41.859 but I am trusting 00:21:41.859 --> 00:21:44.059 Jesus with my life 00:21:44.059 --> 00:21:45.099 so that when I die, 00:21:45.399 --> 00:21:46.939 I will just rise 00:21:46.939 --> 00:21:48.179 and live with him 00:21:48.179 --> 00:21:49.559 for all eternity. 00:21:50.839 --> 00:21:52.159 So the act of baptism 00:21:52.159 --> 00:21:53.659 is this wonderful picture 00:21:53.659 --> 00:21:56.299 of believing in Jesus. 00:21:57.699 --> 00:21:58.359 And then second, 00:21:58.359 --> 00:21:59.819 and this is going 00:21:59.819 --> 00:22:00.500 to be quick, 00:22:00.719 --> 00:22:01.839 baptism is a picture 00:22:01.839 --> 00:22:02.879 not just of believing 00:22:02.879 --> 00:22:03.439 in Jesus, 00:22:03.599 --> 00:22:05.079 but belonging to Jesus. 00:22:05.319 --> 00:22:06.299 Because we all want 00:22:06.299 --> 00:22:06.839 to belong, 00:22:06.979 --> 00:22:07.359 don't we? 00:22:07.619 --> 00:22:08.479 Nobody wants to be 00:22:08.479 --> 00:22:09.479 left out and to be 00:22:09.479 --> 00:22:10.759 Norman no-mates. 00:22:12.219 --> 00:22:13.319 Most of us long 00:22:13.319 --> 00:22:14.479 for a real community. 00:22:14.619 --> 00:22:15.159 I hope there's no 00:22:15.159 --> 00:22:15.839 Normans here, 00:22:15.919 --> 00:22:16.359 by the way, 00:22:16.439 --> 00:22:17.000 and that you have 00:22:17.000 --> 00:22:17.719 got friends. 00:22:18.299 --> 00:22:19.119 But we all want 00:22:19.119 --> 00:22:19.779 relationships, 00:22:20.099 --> 00:22:20.500 don't we? 00:22:20.659 --> 00:22:21.719 We want that support 00:22:21.719 --> 00:22:22.459 and encouragement, 00:22:22.799 --> 00:22:24.219 a place where we're safe 00:22:24.219 --> 00:22:25.339 and have that sense 00:22:25.339 --> 00:22:25.959 of belonging. 00:22:25.960 --> 00:22:27.620 And we don't want 00:22:27.620 --> 00:22:28.420 to be left out. 00:22:29.140 --> 00:22:30.360 So when we believe 00:22:30.360 --> 00:22:31.120 in Jesus, 00:22:31.400 --> 00:22:32.880 we also belong 00:22:32.880 --> 00:22:33.819 to Jesus. 00:22:34.039 --> 00:22:34.840 We become part 00:22:34.840 --> 00:22:35.700 of his family, 00:22:35.920 --> 00:22:36.880 where we're welcomed 00:22:36.880 --> 00:22:37.720 into the family 00:22:37.720 --> 00:22:38.220 of Jesus. 00:22:38.420 --> 00:22:39.380 We can call Jesus 00:22:39.380 --> 00:22:40.000 our brother 00:22:40.000 --> 00:22:41.920 and God our Father. 00:22:42.579 --> 00:22:43.480 We won't ever 00:22:43.480 --> 00:22:44.680 be left out. 00:22:45.759 --> 00:22:47.200 Look at verse 40. 00:22:49.360 --> 00:22:51.200 With many other words, 00:22:51.600 --> 00:22:52.420 he warned them 00:22:52.420 --> 00:22:53.420 and he pleaded with them, 00:22:53.420 --> 00:22:54.920 save yourselves 00:22:54.920 --> 00:22:55.860 from this corrupt 00:22:55.860 --> 00:22:56.580 generation. 00:22:57.860 --> 00:22:58.600 Now, they're very 00:22:58.600 --> 00:22:59.440 strong words 00:22:59.440 --> 00:23:00.000 to be saying 00:23:00.000 --> 00:23:00.740 save yourself 00:23:00.740 --> 00:23:01.580 from this corrupt 00:23:01.580 --> 00:23:02.259 generation. 00:23:03.120 --> 00:23:03.779 Well, basically 00:23:03.779 --> 00:23:04.400 what he's saying 00:23:04.400 --> 00:23:04.740 is this. 00:23:04.980 --> 00:23:05.400 He's saying 00:23:05.400 --> 00:23:06.240 leave your old 00:23:06.240 --> 00:23:07.000 way of life, 00:23:07.920 --> 00:23:08.900 a life without 00:23:08.900 --> 00:23:09.380 Jesus, 00:23:10.200 --> 00:23:11.700 and now devote 00:23:11.700 --> 00:23:12.820 yourself to your 00:23:12.820 --> 00:23:14.000 new way of life, 00:23:14.440 --> 00:23:16.360 a life in the 00:23:16.360 --> 00:23:17.539 family of Jesus. 00:23:18.080 --> 00:23:18.880 So you're leaving 00:23:18.880 --> 00:23:19.720 your old life 00:23:19.720 --> 00:23:20.539 and you're now 00:23:20.539 --> 00:23:22.140 joining the family 00:23:22.140 --> 00:23:23.720 of Jesus. 00:23:25.319 --> 00:23:26.600 Now, when we join 00:23:26.600 --> 00:23:27.700 the family of Jesus, 00:23:28.339 --> 00:23:29.900 we're joining those 00:23:29.900 --> 00:23:31.960 who also believe 00:23:31.960 --> 00:23:33.100 in Jesus, 00:23:33.740 --> 00:23:34.500 which is what we 00:23:34.500 --> 00:23:35.500 call church. 00:23:36.660 --> 00:23:37.559 Joining the family 00:23:37.559 --> 00:23:39.039 of Jesus is becoming 00:23:39.039 --> 00:23:40.039 part of the family 00:23:40.039 --> 00:23:40.620 of Jesus, 00:23:41.100 --> 00:23:42.460 people who trust 00:23:42.460 --> 00:23:42.880 him. 00:23:43.620 --> 00:23:44.500 So look at verse 00:23:44.500 --> 00:23:45.519 44. 00:23:46.420 --> 00:23:47.400 We didn't read this, 00:23:47.480 --> 00:23:48.079 but I think it's 00:23:48.079 --> 00:23:49.220 helpful just to read it. 00:23:49.220 --> 00:23:50.600 In verse 44, 00:23:51.319 --> 00:23:52.160 this is what it 00:23:52.160 --> 00:23:52.700 says here. 00:23:53.720 --> 00:23:54.579 All the believers, 00:23:54.960 --> 00:23:56.019 so all those who 00:23:56.019 --> 00:23:56.839 have entrusted 00:23:56.839 --> 00:23:57.960 their life to Jesus, 00:23:58.860 --> 00:23:59.680 all of them 00:23:59.680 --> 00:24:00.660 were together 00:24:00.660 --> 00:24:02.079 and they had 00:24:02.079 --> 00:24:03.019 everything in common. 00:24:03.539 --> 00:24:04.220 They shared 00:24:04.220 --> 00:24:05.259 their life together. 00:24:06.519 --> 00:24:07.180 Selling their 00:24:07.180 --> 00:24:08.000 possessions and 00:24:08.000 --> 00:24:08.339 goods, 00:24:08.819 --> 00:24:09.860 they gave to 00:24:09.860 --> 00:24:11.120 anyone as he 00:24:11.120 --> 00:24:11.759 had need. 00:24:11.839 --> 00:24:12.400 So those who 00:24:12.400 --> 00:24:13.220 had extra 00:24:13.220 --> 00:24:14.519 were able to 00:24:14.519 --> 00:24:15.140 give to those 00:24:15.140 --> 00:24:15.960 who didn't have. 00:24:16.700 --> 00:24:17.279 And they made 00:24:17.279 --> 00:24:18.160 sure that nobody 00:24:18.160 --> 00:24:19.140 was left 00:24:19.140 --> 00:24:19.720 on their own. 00:24:20.040 --> 00:24:20.660 Verse 46, 00:24:20.759 --> 00:24:21.380 every day they 00:24:21.380 --> 00:24:22.220 continued to meet 00:24:22.220 --> 00:24:22.960 together in the 00:24:22.960 --> 00:24:23.759 temple courts. 00:24:24.600 --> 00:24:25.140 They would eat 00:24:25.140 --> 00:24:25.500 bread, 00:24:25.640 --> 00:24:26.440 they would just 00:24:26.440 --> 00:24:27.240 simply have meals 00:24:27.240 --> 00:24:27.920 together in their 00:24:27.920 --> 00:24:28.300 homes, 00:24:28.779 --> 00:24:29.580 eating together 00:24:29.580 --> 00:24:30.340 with glad and 00:24:30.340 --> 00:24:31.259 sincere hearts. 00:24:33.759 --> 00:24:34.040 You see, 00:24:34.140 --> 00:24:34.400 they would, 00:24:34.640 --> 00:24:35.279 just like we're 00:24:35.279 --> 00:24:35.740 doing now, 00:24:35.820 --> 00:24:36.300 they would meet 00:24:36.300 --> 00:24:37.080 together to read 00:24:37.080 --> 00:24:38.080 the Bible and pray 00:24:38.080 --> 00:24:38.960 and talk about 00:24:38.960 --> 00:24:39.340 Jesus. 00:24:40.040 --> 00:24:40.680 They would look 00:24:40.680 --> 00:24:41.560 after each other's 00:24:41.560 --> 00:24:42.100 needs in a 00:24:42.100 --> 00:24:42.860 practical way. 00:24:43.160 --> 00:24:43.820 They would care 00:24:43.820 --> 00:24:44.600 for one another. 00:24:44.599 --> 00:24:46.359 And for many 00:24:46.359 --> 00:24:46.839 people, 00:24:47.000 --> 00:24:47.740 church is just 00:24:47.740 --> 00:24:48.099 boring. 00:24:48.259 --> 00:24:48.759 It's that kind 00:24:48.759 --> 00:24:49.519 of little slot 00:24:49.519 --> 00:24:50.699 on a Sunday 00:24:50.699 --> 00:24:52.299 morning when I 00:24:52.299 --> 00:24:52.919 want to be in 00:24:52.919 --> 00:24:54.099 bed and do my 00:24:54.099 --> 00:24:55.659 own thing and 00:24:55.659 --> 00:24:56.379 get up at kind 00:24:56.379 --> 00:24:57.019 of two o'clock 00:24:57.019 --> 00:24:58.119 and play games 00:24:58.119 --> 00:24:58.679 or whatever we 00:24:58.679 --> 00:24:58.959 do. 00:24:59.679 --> 00:25:00.539 But church isn't 00:25:00.539 --> 00:25:01.079 just about a 00:25:01.079 --> 00:25:01.679 meeting on a 00:25:01.679 --> 00:25:02.259 Sunday morning, 00:25:02.319 --> 00:25:03.539 it's 24-7. 00:25:04.159 --> 00:25:05.079 It's all about 00:25:05.079 --> 00:25:06.159 people who believe 00:25:06.159 --> 00:25:06.939 in Jesus and 00:25:06.939 --> 00:25:07.919 belong to Jesus. 00:25:08.339 --> 00:25:09.139 It's about a 00:25:09.139 --> 00:25:10.339 family that cares 00:25:10.339 --> 00:25:11.059 and supports. 00:25:11.059 --> 00:25:13.480 And so Alex 00:25:13.480 --> 00:25:14.539 is saying, 00:25:14.740 --> 00:25:15.319 I belong to 00:25:15.319 --> 00:25:16.039 the family of 00:25:16.039 --> 00:25:16.399 Jesus. 00:25:17.759 --> 00:25:18.419 In fact, 00:25:18.539 --> 00:25:19.059 listen to what 00:25:19.059 --> 00:25:19.539 he says in 00:25:19.539 --> 00:25:20.059 his story. 00:25:20.480 --> 00:25:20.799 He says, 00:25:20.899 --> 00:25:21.460 the good thing 00:25:21.460 --> 00:25:22.159 about being a 00:25:22.159 --> 00:25:23.799 Christian is that 00:25:23.799 --> 00:25:24.619 you know you're 00:25:24.619 --> 00:25:25.279 going to heaven. 00:25:25.700 --> 00:25:26.379 I wonder if you 00:25:26.379 --> 00:25:26.960 could say that, 00:25:27.000 --> 00:25:27.519 that you know 00:25:27.519 --> 00:25:28.119 you're going to 00:25:28.119 --> 00:25:28.379 heaven. 00:25:28.779 --> 00:25:29.500 Where there's 00:25:29.500 --> 00:25:31.480 eternal life with 00:25:31.480 --> 00:25:32.299 all the other 00:25:32.299 --> 00:25:32.740 believers. 00:25:33.599 --> 00:25:34.079 So that's 00:25:34.079 --> 00:25:34.519 something to 00:25:34.519 --> 00:25:35.139 look forward to. 00:25:35.200 --> 00:25:35.679 But what about 00:25:35.679 --> 00:25:35.980 now? 00:25:36.019 --> 00:25:36.639 He says this, 00:25:36.859 --> 00:25:37.740 another good thing 00:25:37.740 --> 00:25:38.399 about being a 00:25:38.399 --> 00:25:38.940 Christian is that 00:25:38.940 --> 00:25:39.899 you get to meet, 00:25:39.900 --> 00:25:41.480 to be with 00:25:41.480 --> 00:25:42.700 the other 00:25:42.700 --> 00:25:43.660 believers. 00:25:45.740 --> 00:25:46.100 You see, 00:25:46.240 --> 00:25:46.980 church is all 00:25:46.980 --> 00:25:47.759 about people who 00:25:47.759 --> 00:25:48.780 believe in Jesus 00:25:48.780 --> 00:25:50.420 and belong to 00:25:50.420 --> 00:25:51.560 Jesus and who 00:25:51.560 --> 00:25:52.880 share this life 00:25:52.880 --> 00:25:53.420 of Jesus 00:25:53.420 --> 00:25:54.400 together. 00:25:55.580 --> 00:25:56.400 Now the question 00:25:56.400 --> 00:25:57.140 is, how do 00:25:57.140 --> 00:25:57.960 people know 00:25:57.960 --> 00:25:59.500 that you belong 00:25:59.500 --> 00:26:00.080 to Jesus? 00:26:01.259 --> 00:26:01.840 Well, they were 00:26:01.840 --> 00:26:02.540 baptised. 00:26:02.740 --> 00:26:03.480 That's how people 00:26:03.480 --> 00:26:03.780 knew. 00:26:03.780 --> 00:26:05.019 So in verse 00:26:05.019 --> 00:26:07.120 41, this is 00:26:07.120 --> 00:26:07.980 where we started. 00:26:08.460 --> 00:26:08.860 Those who 00:26:08.859 --> 00:26:09.719 accepted his 00:26:09.719 --> 00:26:11.039 message were 00:26:11.039 --> 00:26:12.379 baptised. 00:26:12.779 --> 00:26:13.199 And about 00:26:13.199 --> 00:26:15.019 3,000, only 00:26:15.019 --> 00:26:15.639 one is getting 00:26:15.639 --> 00:26:16.659 baptised today, 00:26:17.740 --> 00:26:18.319 but there were 00:26:18.319 --> 00:26:19.759 3,000 on that 00:26:19.759 --> 00:26:20.139 day. 00:26:20.659 --> 00:26:21.899 3,000 and 00:26:21.899 --> 00:26:22.459 they were added. 00:26:22.579 --> 00:26:23.319 They joined. 00:26:23.639 --> 00:26:24.099 They became 00:26:24.099 --> 00:26:24.959 part of the 00:26:24.959 --> 00:26:26.359 family of 00:26:26.359 --> 00:26:27.019 Jesus. 00:26:27.779 --> 00:26:28.519 So when Alex 00:26:28.519 --> 00:26:28.979 is getting 00:26:28.979 --> 00:26:30.039 baptised, he's 00:26:30.039 --> 00:26:30.559 not just saying 00:26:30.559 --> 00:26:31.339 I believe in 00:26:31.339 --> 00:26:32.139 Jesus and 00:26:32.139 --> 00:26:32.639 this is some 00:26:32.639 --> 00:26:33.119 kind of little 00:26:33.119 --> 00:26:34.039 private thing 00:26:34.039 --> 00:26:34.679 that I'm doing 00:26:34.679 --> 00:26:35.199 all on my 00:26:35.199 --> 00:26:35.519 own. 00:26:35.979 --> 00:26:36.319 He's saying, 00:26:36.419 --> 00:26:36.740 no, this is 00:26:36.740 --> 00:26:37.439 something public. 00:26:37.759 --> 00:26:38.479 I'm joining. 00:26:38.859 --> 00:26:39.679 The family 00:26:39.679 --> 00:26:41.039 of Jesus. 00:26:43.379 --> 00:26:43.899 So, 00:26:44.639 --> 00:26:46.539 where does 00:26:46.539 --> 00:26:46.939 that leave 00:26:46.939 --> 00:26:47.359 us all? 00:26:48.859 --> 00:26:49.699 Well, Alex 00:26:49.699 --> 00:26:51.199 has found 00:26:51.199 --> 00:26:51.899 out who 00:26:51.899 --> 00:26:52.639 Jesus is. 00:26:53.099 --> 00:26:53.839 He believes 00:26:53.839 --> 00:26:54.399 in Jesus. 00:26:55.539 --> 00:26:56.439 He knows 00:26:56.439 --> 00:26:57.039 he belongs 00:26:57.039 --> 00:26:57.639 to Jesus. 00:26:58.240 --> 00:26:58.899 And he's 00:26:58.899 --> 00:26:59.399 going to get 00:26:59.399 --> 00:27:00.139 baptised. 00:27:01.500 --> 00:27:01.919 But what 00:27:01.919 --> 00:27:02.339 about you 00:27:02.339 --> 00:27:02.699 and me? 00:27:03.339 --> 00:27:04.139 Is this just 00:27:04.139 --> 00:27:04.659 for Alex? 00:27:05.139 --> 00:27:05.799 Or is this 00:27:05.799 --> 00:27:06.240 for you and 00:27:06.240 --> 00:27:06.759 me as well? 00:27:06.759 --> 00:27:07.960 Well, look 00:27:07.960 --> 00:27:08.819 at verse 39. 00:27:11.579 --> 00:27:12.559 The promise, 00:27:13.079 --> 00:27:13.779 he says, 00:27:14.440 --> 00:27:15.319 this promise 00:27:15.319 --> 00:27:16.000 of forgiveness, 00:27:16.900 --> 00:27:17.480 the promise 00:27:17.480 --> 00:27:18.059 of the Holy 00:27:18.059 --> 00:27:18.619 Spirit, 00:27:19.940 --> 00:27:20.799 is for you 00:27:20.799 --> 00:27:21.599 and for all 00:27:21.599 --> 00:27:22.119 your children 00:27:22.119 --> 00:27:23.359 and for all 00:27:23.359 --> 00:27:24.359 who are far 00:27:24.359 --> 00:27:25.160 off, for all 00:27:25.160 --> 00:27:25.859 whom the Lord 00:27:25.859 --> 00:27:26.420 our God 00:27:26.420 --> 00:27:27.680 will call. 00:27:28.539 --> 00:27:28.879 You see, 00:27:28.940 --> 00:27:29.319 this isn't 00:27:29.319 --> 00:27:29.879 just about 00:27:29.879 --> 00:27:30.579 Alex. 00:27:31.180 --> 00:27:31.660 This is 00:27:31.660 --> 00:27:32.379 something for 00:27:32.379 --> 00:27:33.079 everybody, 00:27:33.079 --> 00:27:33.779 for you 00:27:33.779 --> 00:27:35.059 and for 00:27:35.059 --> 00:27:35.399 me. 00:27:36.259 --> 00:27:36.519 And it 00:27:36.519 --> 00:27:39.160 requires all 00:27:39.160 --> 00:27:39.700 of us to 00:27:39.700 --> 00:27:40.220 respond. 00:27:41.740 --> 00:27:42.579 So I want 00:27:42.579 --> 00:27:43.019 to leave us 00:27:43.019 --> 00:27:43.440 with this 00:27:43.440 --> 00:27:43.899 question. 00:27:45.039 --> 00:27:45.700 What is 00:27:45.700 --> 00:27:47.099 your response? 00:27:47.240 --> 00:27:47.480 We know 00:27:47.480 --> 00:27:48.240 what Alex's 00:27:48.240 --> 00:27:49.119 response is, 00:27:49.960 --> 00:27:50.359 but what's 00:27:50.359 --> 00:27:51.299 your response 00:27:51.299 --> 00:27:52.759 to this good 00:27:52.759 --> 00:27:53.339 news about 00:27:53.339 --> 00:27:53.700 Jesus? 00:27:55.379 --> 00:27:56.119 Will you 00:27:56.119 --> 00:27:57.019 believe in 00:27:57.019 --> 00:27:57.579 your own 00:27:57.579 --> 00:27:58.680 ability to 00:27:58.680 --> 00:27:59.160 deal with 00:27:59.160 --> 00:27:59.720 your own 00:27:59.720 --> 00:28:00.440 sin and 00:28:00.440 --> 00:28:00.759 death? 00:28:00.759 --> 00:28:02.220 Will you 00:28:02.220 --> 00:28:02.859 present your 00:28:02.859 --> 00:28:03.519 record to 00:28:03.519 --> 00:28:04.119 Jesus and 00:28:04.119 --> 00:28:04.299 go, 00:28:04.420 --> 00:28:04.539 right, 00:28:04.680 --> 00:28:06.559 I've done 00:28:06.559 --> 00:28:07.140 a good way 00:28:07.140 --> 00:28:07.920 of excusing 00:28:07.920 --> 00:28:08.599 everything so 00:28:08.599 --> 00:28:09.119 far in my 00:28:09.119 --> 00:28:09.339 life. 00:28:09.799 --> 00:28:10.500 I think I'll 00:28:10.500 --> 00:28:10.960 kind of 00:28:10.960 --> 00:28:11.799 excuse most 00:28:11.799 --> 00:28:12.379 things with 00:28:12.379 --> 00:28:12.720 God. 00:28:14.119 --> 00:28:14.599 Will you 00:28:14.599 --> 00:28:15.079 trust him 00:28:15.079 --> 00:28:15.539 with just 00:28:15.539 --> 00:28:16.200 your life, 00:28:17.240 --> 00:28:18.019 your record? 00:28:19.319 --> 00:28:20.119 Or will you 00:28:20.119 --> 00:28:20.619 present the 00:28:20.619 --> 00:28:21.160 record of 00:28:21.160 --> 00:28:21.740 Jesus as 00:28:21.740 --> 00:28:22.440 being perfect 00:28:22.440 --> 00:28:23.759 for you? 00:28:25.119 --> 00:28:25.799 Will you 00:28:25.799 --> 00:28:26.299 entrust 00:28:26.299 --> 00:28:26.900 yourself to 00:28:26.900 --> 00:28:27.460 Jesus who 00:28:27.460 --> 00:28:28.359 deals with 00:28:28.359 --> 00:28:28.759 death? 00:28:29.279 --> 00:28:29.700 Have you 00:28:29.700 --> 00:28:30.180 found a 00:28:30.180 --> 00:28:30.600 cure for 00:28:30.600 --> 00:28:30.900 death? 00:28:31.500 --> 00:28:32.120 The only 00:28:32.120 --> 00:28:32.680 cure for 00:28:32.680 --> 00:28:33.140 death is 00:28:33.140 --> 00:28:33.880 Jesus who 00:28:33.880 --> 00:28:34.519 rose again 00:28:34.519 --> 00:28:34.880 from the 00:28:34.880 --> 00:28:35.259 grave. 00:28:37.960 --> 00:28:38.660 Do you 00:28:38.660 --> 00:28:39.140 believe? 00:28:40.539 --> 00:28:41.240 And do 00:28:41.240 --> 00:28:41.860 you belong 00:28:41.860 --> 00:28:42.820 to the 00:28:42.820 --> 00:28:43.340 family of 00:28:43.340 --> 00:28:43.620 Jesus? 00:28:44.779 --> 00:28:45.779 We must 00:28:45.779 --> 00:28:47.160 answer that 00:28:47.160 --> 00:28:47.700 question, 00:28:48.940 --> 00:28:49.600 each one 00:28:49.600 --> 00:28:50.160 of us. 00:28:51.299 --> 00:28:52.860 Alex has 00:28:52.860 --> 00:28:53.620 responded with 00:28:53.620 --> 00:28:54.380 a big yes 00:28:54.380 --> 00:28:55.360 to all of 00:28:55.360 --> 00:28:55.680 those. 00:28:56.360 --> 00:28:56.880 I hope 00:28:56.880 --> 00:28:57.779 you do 00:28:57.779 --> 00:28:58.120 too. 00:28:58.940 --> 00:28:59.400 Let's 00:28:59.400 --> 00:28:59.640 pray. 00:29:00.180 --> 00:29:05.000 Father, we 00:29:05.000 --> 00:29:05.560 thank you 00:29:05.560 --> 00:29:06.000 for the 00:29:06.000 --> 00:29:06.720 good news 00:29:06.720 --> 00:29:07.299 of Jesus. 00:29:08.840 --> 00:29:09.539 Thank you 00:29:09.539 --> 00:29:09.880 that he 00:29:09.880 --> 00:29:10.400 died. 00:29:11.360 --> 00:29:11.900 Thank you 00:29:11.900 --> 00:29:12.259 that he 00:29:12.259 --> 00:29:12.980 rose again 00:29:12.980 --> 00:29:13.340 from the 00:29:13.340 --> 00:29:13.759 grave. 00:29:14.900 --> 00:29:15.560 We thank 00:29:15.560 --> 00:29:15.940 you for 00:29:15.940 --> 00:29:16.600 Alex's 00:29:16.600 --> 00:29:18.080 clear and 00:29:18.080 --> 00:29:18.560 sure 00:29:18.560 --> 00:29:19.180 testimony 00:29:19.180 --> 00:29:20.799 of his 00:29:20.799 --> 00:29:21.720 believing in 00:29:21.720 --> 00:29:22.000 Jesus, 00:29:22.200 --> 00:29:22.720 entrusting 00:29:22.720 --> 00:29:23.200 his whole 00:29:23.200 --> 00:29:23.620 life to 00:29:23.620 --> 00:29:23.880 him, 00:29:24.680 --> 00:29:25.240 and his 00:29:25.240 --> 00:29:26.519 trusting in 00:29:26.519 --> 00:29:27.320 the resurrection 00:29:27.319 --> 00:29:28.000 of Jesus 00:29:28.000 --> 00:29:28.559 that he 00:29:28.559 --> 00:29:29.059 will live 00:29:29.059 --> 00:29:29.639 with him 00:29:29.639 --> 00:29:30.619 forever. 00:29:33.419 --> 00:29:34.240 Please help 00:29:34.240 --> 00:29:34.759 us to 00:29:34.759 --> 00:29:35.720 understand what 00:29:35.720 --> 00:29:36.059 we have 00:29:36.059 --> 00:29:36.379 heard, 00:29:37.379 --> 00:29:38.000 and please 00:29:38.000 --> 00:29:38.619 help us if 00:29:38.619 --> 00:29:39.259 we are not 00:29:39.259 --> 00:29:40.119 yet believing 00:29:40.119 --> 00:29:40.659 in him, 00:29:41.139 --> 00:29:42.240 to believe in 00:29:42.240 --> 00:29:42.500 him, 00:29:42.939 --> 00:29:43.899 and if we 00:29:43.899 --> 00:29:44.279 are, 00:29:44.700 --> 00:29:45.819 that we would 00:29:45.819 --> 00:29:46.779 go on trusting 00:29:46.779 --> 00:29:48.000 in him all 00:29:48.000 --> 00:29:48.659 our lives. 00:29:49.419 --> 00:29:49.980 Amen. 00:29:49.980 --> 00:29:53.420 Before we 00:29:53.420 --> 00:29:54.420 do baptise 00:29:54.420 --> 00:29:54.700 Alex, 00:29:54.759 --> 00:29:55.059 we're going 00:29:55.059 --> 00:29:55.579 to sing 00:29:55.579 --> 00:29:57.240 one last 00:29:57.240 --> 00:29:57.680 song. 00:29:57.819 --> 00:29:58.220 When I 00:29:58.220 --> 00:29:58.839 was lost, 00:29:58.980 --> 00:29:59.500 you came 00:29:59.500 --> 00:30:00.380 and rescued 00:30:00.380 --> 00:30:00.700 me. 00:30:01.099 --> 00:30:01.420 Reach 00:30:01.420 --> 00:30:01.779 down. 00:30:01.860 --> 00:30:02.180 This is 00:30:02.180 --> 00:30:02.759 Jesus who 00:30:02.759 --> 00:30:03.220 came down 00:30:03.220 --> 00:30:03.759 to reach 00:30:03.759 --> 00:30:04.220 down to 00:30:04.220 --> 00:30:05.400 us so 00:30:05.400 --> 00:30:05.860 that we 00:30:05.860 --> 00:30:06.559 could belong 00:30:06.559 --> 00:30:07.579 to him. 00:30:07.900 --> 00:30:08.420 Look at 00:30:08.420 --> 00:30:08.920 those words 00:30:08.920 --> 00:30:09.099 there. 00:30:09.180 --> 00:30:09.599 You know 00:30:09.599 --> 00:30:09.960 all the 00:30:09.960 --> 00:30:10.500 things I've 00:30:10.500 --> 00:30:11.099 ever done, 00:30:11.220 --> 00:30:11.700 but Jesus' 00:30:11.700 --> 00:30:12.160 blood, 00:30:12.259 --> 00:30:12.620 that's a 00:30:12.620 --> 00:30:13.180 reference to 00:30:13.180 --> 00:30:13.620 his death, 00:30:13.960 --> 00:30:15.039 has cancelled 00:30:15.039 --> 00:30:17.220 everyone if 00:30:17.220 --> 00:30:17.680 we believe 00:30:17.680 --> 00:30:18.079 in him. 00:30:18.440 --> 00:30:18.799 Let's 00:30:18.799 --> 00:30:19.039 stand 00:30:19.039 --> 00:30:19.460 together. 00:30:19.980 --> 00:30:20.339 As we 00:30:20.339 --> 00:30:20.819 sing this 00:30:20.819 --> 00:30:21.099 song. 00:30:49.980 --> 00:30:50.980 song. 00:30:50.980 --> 00:30:56.120 When I 00:30:56.120 --> 00:30:56.720 was lost, 00:30:56.819 --> 00:30:57.299 you came 00:30:57.299 --> 00:30:58.180 and rescued 00:30:58.180 --> 00:30:59.220 me. 00:30:59.860 --> 00:31:00.420 Reached 00:31:00.420 --> 00:31:01.140 down into 00:31:01.140 --> 00:31:01.880 the pit 00:31:01.880 --> 00:31:02.759 and lifted 00:31:02.759 --> 00:31:03.819 me. 00:31:04.380 --> 00:31:05.000 Oh, 00:31:05.240 --> 00:31:05.980 Lord, 00:31:06.579 --> 00:31:08.000 such love, 00:31:08.059 --> 00:31:08.839 I was as 00:31:08.839 --> 00:31:09.720 far from 00:31:09.720 --> 00:31:11.120 you as 00:31:11.120 --> 00:31:11.920 I could 00:31:11.920 --> 00:31:12.539 be. 00:31:13.660 --> 00:31:14.480 You know 00:31:14.480 --> 00:31:15.000 all the 00:31:15.000 --> 00:31:15.700 things I've 00:31:15.700 --> 00:31:16.980 ever done, 00:31:16.980 --> 00:31:19.339 Jesus' blood 00:31:19.339 --> 00:31:19.980 has cancelled 00:31:19.980 --> 00:31:21.099 everyone. 00:31:22.339 --> 00:31:22.960 Oh, 00:31:22.960 --> 00:31:24.220 Lord, 00:31:24.220 --> 00:31:25.839 such grace 00:31:25.839 --> 00:31:26.720 to qualify 00:31:26.720 --> 00:31:28.440 me as 00:31:28.440 --> 00:31:29.839 your own. 00:31:32.339 --> 00:31:33.400 There is a 00:31:33.400 --> 00:31:35.019 new song 00:31:35.019 --> 00:31:37.000 in my mouth, 00:31:37.099 --> 00:31:37.839 there is a 00:31:37.839 --> 00:31:39.299 deep cry 00:31:39.299 --> 00:31:41.480 in my heart, 00:31:41.539 --> 00:31:42.279 a hymn of 00:31:42.279 --> 00:31:42.920 praise. 00:31:42.920 --> 00:31:45.039 to almighty 00:31:45.039 --> 00:31:45.860 God, 00:31:45.940 --> 00:31:47.060 hallelujah. 00:31:49.640 --> 00:31:50.740 And now 00:31:50.740 --> 00:31:52.039 I stand 00:31:52.039 --> 00:31:52.660 firm 00:31:52.660 --> 00:31:54.000 on this 00:31:54.000 --> 00:31:54.500 rock, 00:31:54.600 --> 00:31:55.160 my life 00:31:55.160 --> 00:31:56.300 is hidden 00:31:56.300 --> 00:31:57.100 now, 00:31:57.360 --> 00:31:58.160 with Christ 00:31:58.160 --> 00:31:59.000 in God, 00:31:59.080 --> 00:31:59.580 the old 00:31:59.580 --> 00:32:00.519 has gone, 00:32:00.920 --> 00:32:02.400 and the new 00:32:02.400 --> 00:32:03.320 has come, 00:32:03.460 --> 00:32:04.660 hallelujah. 00:32:04.660 --> 00:32:05.880 Your love 00:32:05.880 --> 00:32:08.660 has lifted me. 00:32:08.660 --> 00:32:09.220 me. 00:32:17.500 --> 00:32:18.560 Now I 00:32:18.560 --> 00:32:19.300 come into 00:32:19.300 --> 00:32:20.620 your family, 00:32:22.000 --> 00:32:23.060 for the 00:32:23.060 --> 00:32:23.940 Son of God 00:32:23.940 --> 00:32:24.660 has died 00:32:24.660 --> 00:32:25.820 for me. 00:32:26.400 --> 00:32:26.960 Oh, 00:32:27.259 --> 00:32:28.100 Lord, 00:32:28.480 --> 00:32:29.960 such peace 00:32:29.960 --> 00:32:30.759 I am as 00:32:30.759 --> 00:32:31.620 loved by 00:32:31.620 --> 00:32:32.980 you as 00:32:32.980 --> 00:32:33.779 I could 00:32:33.779 --> 00:32:34.640 be. 00:32:35.680 --> 00:32:36.320 In the 00:32:36.320 --> 00:32:37.360 full assurance 00:32:37.359 --> 00:32:38.179 of your 00:32:38.179 --> 00:32:39.139 love, 00:32:39.959 --> 00:32:40.779 now with 00:32:40.779 --> 00:32:41.219 every 00:32:41.219 --> 00:32:41.939 confidence 00:32:41.939 --> 00:32:43.519 we come. 00:32:44.039 --> 00:32:44.740 Oh, 00:32:44.919 --> 00:32:45.779 Lord, 00:32:46.039 --> 00:32:47.539 such joy 00:32:47.539 --> 00:32:48.219 to know 00:32:48.219 --> 00:32:48.899 that you 00:32:48.899 --> 00:32:50.000 delight 00:32:50.000 --> 00:32:51.559 in me. 00:32:54.259 --> 00:32:55.099 There is a 00:32:55.099 --> 00:32:55.659 new 00:32:55.659 --> 00:32:57.019 song 00:32:57.019 --> 00:32:58.079 in my 00:32:58.079 --> 00:32:58.679 mouth, 00:32:58.799 --> 00:32:59.519 there is a 00:32:59.519 --> 00:33:00.119 deep 00:33:00.119 --> 00:33:01.359 cry, 00:33:01.639 --> 00:33:02.479 in my 00:33:02.479 --> 00:33:03.139 heart, 00:33:03.219 --> 00:33:03.619 a hymn 00:33:03.619 --> 00:33:04.579 of praise 00:33:04.579 --> 00:33:05.519 to 00:33:05.519 --> 00:33:06.679 almighty 00:33:06.679 --> 00:33:07.500 God, 00:33:07.599 --> 00:33:08.759 hallelujah. 00:33:11.259 --> 00:33:12.439 And now 00:33:12.439 --> 00:33:13.399 I stand 00:33:13.399 --> 00:33:14.460 firm 00:33:14.460 --> 00:33:15.659 on this 00:33:15.659 --> 00:33:16.199 rock, 00:33:16.279 --> 00:33:16.859 my life 00:33:16.859 --> 00:33:18.000 is hidden 00:33:18.000 --> 00:33:18.740 now, 00:33:19.039 --> 00:33:19.839 with Christ 00:33:19.839 --> 00:33:20.659 in God, 00:33:20.720 --> 00:33:21.259 the old 00:33:21.259 --> 00:33:22.199 has gone, 00:33:22.559 --> 00:33:24.119 and the new 00:33:24.119 --> 00:33:25.039 has come, 00:33:25.139 --> 00:33:26.319 hallelujah. 00:33:28.639 --> 00:33:29.539 Your love 00:33:29.539 --> 00:33:30.599 has lifted me. 00:33:30.819 --> 00:33:31.259 Many 00:33:31.259 --> 00:33:31.919 are the 00:33:31.919 --> 00:33:32.299 wonders 00:33:32.299 --> 00:33:33.159 you have 00:33:33.159 --> 00:33:34.200 done, 00:33:35.000 --> 00:33:35.619 many 00:33:35.619 --> 00:33:36.200 other 00:33:36.200 --> 00:33:36.619 things 00:33:36.619 --> 00:33:37.259 that you 00:33:37.259 --> 00:33:37.579 have 00:33:37.579 --> 00:33:38.799 planned, 00:33:39.460 --> 00:33:40.220 beautiful 00:33:40.220 --> 00:33:41.039 the grace 00:33:41.039 --> 00:33:41.299 that you 00:33:41.299 --> 00:33:42.039 give to 00:33:42.039 --> 00:33:42.720 us, 00:33:42.940 --> 00:33:43.299 all that 00:33:43.299 --> 00:33:44.019 we don't 00:33:44.019 --> 00:33:44.559 deserve, 00:33:45.279 --> 00:33:45.539 all that 00:33:45.539 --> 00:33:46.339 we cannot 00:33:46.339 --> 00:33:47.180 earn, 00:33:47.379 --> 00:33:48.000 but it's a 00:33:48.000 --> 00:33:48.859 gift of 00:33:48.859 --> 00:33:49.680 love, 00:33:51.000 --> 00:33:51.659 your love 00:33:51.659 --> 00:33:52.259 has lifted 00:33:52.259 --> 00:33:52.839 me. 00:33:52.839 --> 00:33:53.839 love, 00:33:53.839 --> 00:33:54.839 love, 00:33:54.839 --> 00:33:55.839 love, 00:33:55.839 --> 00:33:56.240 love, 00:33:56.240 --> 00:33:56.839 love, 00:33:56.839 --> 00:33:57.839 love, 00:33:57.839 --> 00:33:58.240 love, 00:33:58.240 --> 00:33:58.839 love, 00:33:58.839 --> 00:33:59.839 love, 00:33:59.839 --> 00:34:00.319 love, 00:34:00.319 --> 00:34:00.679 love, 00:34:00.679 --> 00:34:01.179 there is a 00:34:01.179 --> 00:34:01.740 new 00:34:01.740 --> 00:34:03.859 song in 00:34:03.859 --> 00:34:04.720 my mouth, 00:34:04.819 --> 00:34:05.579 there is a 00:34:05.579 --> 00:34:06.259 deep 00:34:06.259 --> 00:34:08.219 cry in 00:34:08.219 --> 00:34:09.219 my heart, 00:34:09.319 --> 00:34:09.719 a hymn 00:34:09.719 --> 00:34:10.619 of praise 00:34:10.619 --> 00:34:12.759 to almighty 00:34:12.759 --> 00:34:13.539 God, 00:34:13.599 --> 00:34:14.679 hallelujah. 00:34:17.679 --> 00:34:18.460 And now 00:34:18.460 --> 00:34:19.699 I stand 00:34:19.699 --> 00:34:20.380 firm 00:34:20.380 --> 00:34:21.680 on this 00:34:21.680 --> 00:34:22.200 rock, 00:34:22.300 --> 00:34:22.840 my life 00:34:22.840 --> 00:34:23.960 is hidden 00:34:23.960 --> 00:34:24.720 now, 00:34:25.000 --> 00:34:25.760 with Christ 00:34:25.760 --> 00:34:26.599 in God 00:34:26.599 --> 00:34:27.200 the old 00:34:27.200 --> 00:34:28.039 has gone, 00:34:28.500 --> 00:34:30.039 and the new 00:34:30.039 --> 00:34:30.840 has come, 00:34:30.960 --> 00:34:32.099 hallelujah, 00:34:34.360 --> 00:34:35.260 your love 00:34:35.260 --> 00:34:35.860 has lifted 00:34:35.860 --> 00:34:36.599 me. 00:34:36.599 --> 00:34:47.839 please do 00:34:47.839 --> 00:34:48.259 take your 00:34:48.259 --> 00:34:48.599 seats, 00:34:49.739 --> 00:34:50.179 I'm going 00:34:50.179 --> 00:34:50.519 to ask 00:34:50.519 --> 00:34:51.839 Alex to 00:34:51.839 --> 00:34:52.319 come up, 00:34:53.079 --> 00:34:54.000 and Rob, 00:34:56.000 --> 00:34:56.779 Rob, 00:34:56.860 --> 00:34:58.059 Rob isn't 00:34:58.059 --> 00:34:58.299 getting 00:34:58.299 --> 00:34:58.679 baptized, 00:34:59.079 --> 00:34:59.559 he's just 00:34:59.559 --> 00:35:02.259 the unpaid 00:35:02.259 --> 00:35:02.900 dunker. 00:35:06.599 --> 00:35:15.980 Is it 00:35:15.980 --> 00:35:16.420 cold? 00:35:16.719 --> 00:35:17.039 Yes, 00:35:17.099 --> 00:35:19.239 we want 00:35:19.239 --> 00:35:19.659 it to be 00:35:19.659 --> 00:35:20.099 memorable. 00:35:22.639 --> 00:35:23.159 We're going 00:35:23.159 --> 00:35:23.539 to come in 00:35:23.539 --> 00:35:23.900 and join 00:35:23.900 --> 00:35:24.779 you in 00:35:24.779 --> 00:35:25.239 just a 00:35:25.239 --> 00:35:25.420 minute, 00:35:25.559 --> 00:35:25.739 Alex, 00:35:25.980 --> 00:35:26.360 but just 00:35:26.360 --> 00:35:27.619 to let 00:35:27.619 --> 00:35:28.299 people know, 00:35:28.699 --> 00:35:29.139 well, 00:35:29.179 --> 00:35:29.659 if you can't 00:35:29.659 --> 00:35:30.059 see and you 00:35:30.059 --> 00:35:30.619 want to see, 00:35:30.699 --> 00:35:31.619 you can stand 00:35:31.619 --> 00:35:32.000 up at the 00:35:32.000 --> 00:35:32.440 back or 00:35:32.440 --> 00:35:33.239 gather around, 00:35:33.420 --> 00:35:35.019 that's fine. 00:35:35.019 --> 00:35:37.159 this water 00:35:37.159 --> 00:35:37.659 is just 00:35:37.659 --> 00:35:38.199 ordinary 00:35:38.199 --> 00:35:38.759 water, 00:35:39.320 --> 00:35:39.559 a little 00:35:39.559 --> 00:35:40.340 bit of 00:35:40.340 --> 00:35:40.840 hoss, 00:35:40.960 --> 00:35:41.480 just a 00:35:41.480 --> 00:35:41.719 teeny 00:35:41.719 --> 00:35:41.920 weeny 00:35:41.920 --> 00:35:42.179 bit. 00:35:43.340 --> 00:35:44.000 It's not 00:35:44.000 --> 00:35:44.239 going to 00:35:44.239 --> 00:35:44.639 change 00:35:44.639 --> 00:35:45.159 Alex's 00:35:45.159 --> 00:35:45.539 life, 00:35:45.940 --> 00:35:46.380 the water 00:35:46.380 --> 00:35:46.840 itself, 00:35:46.920 --> 00:35:47.139 I'm not 00:35:47.139 --> 00:35:47.360 going to 00:35:47.360 --> 00:35:47.880 pray over 00:35:47.880 --> 00:35:48.019 it, 00:35:48.059 --> 00:35:48.360 it's not 00:35:48.360 --> 00:35:48.860 magical 00:35:48.860 --> 00:35:49.719 in any 00:35:49.719 --> 00:35:50.259 shape or 00:35:50.259 --> 00:35:50.639 form, 00:35:51.239 --> 00:35:51.699 it is 00:35:51.699 --> 00:35:52.119 simply 00:35:52.119 --> 00:35:52.840 a symbol, 00:35:52.980 --> 00:35:53.500 a picture 00:35:53.500 --> 00:35:55.000 of Alex's 00:35:55.000 --> 00:35:55.800 belief, 00:35:56.539 --> 00:35:56.900 and his 00:35:56.900 --> 00:35:57.480 entrusting 00:35:57.480 --> 00:35:58.099 himself to 00:35:58.099 --> 00:35:58.420 Jesus, 00:35:58.559 --> 00:35:59.159 this death, 00:35:59.719 --> 00:35:59.980 this 00:35:59.980 --> 00:36:00.860 resurrection, 00:36:01.780 --> 00:36:02.239 and he 00:36:02.239 --> 00:36:02.619 has come 00:36:02.619 --> 00:36:03.159 to see that 00:36:03.159 --> 00:36:03.840 Jesus is 00:36:03.840 --> 00:36:04.300 the most 00:36:04.300 --> 00:36:04.860 important 00:36:04.860 --> 00:36:06.160 person in 00:36:06.160 --> 00:36:07.000 his life. 00:36:07.960 --> 00:36:08.180 So, 00:36:08.660 --> 00:36:08.940 Alex, 00:36:09.000 --> 00:36:09.260 I'm just 00:36:09.260 --> 00:36:09.420 going to 00:36:09.420 --> 00:36:09.700 ask you 00:36:09.700 --> 00:36:10.300 two questions 00:36:10.300 --> 00:36:10.660 and then 00:36:10.660 --> 00:36:10.920 we're going 00:36:10.920 --> 00:36:11.920 to jump 00:36:11.920 --> 00:36:12.360 in there 00:36:12.360 --> 00:36:13.720 and baptise 00:36:13.720 --> 00:36:13.920 you. 00:36:14.200 --> 00:36:14.360 So, 00:36:14.460 --> 00:36:14.680 here we 00:36:14.680 --> 00:36:14.920 go. 00:36:15.519 --> 00:36:15.860 Do you 00:36:15.860 --> 00:36:16.380 believe 00:36:16.380 --> 00:36:17.599 that Jesus 00:36:17.599 --> 00:36:18.960 died for 00:36:18.960 --> 00:36:20.720 you and 00:36:20.720 --> 00:36:21.579 rose again 00:36:21.579 --> 00:36:22.120 from the 00:36:22.120 --> 00:36:22.780 grave for 00:36:22.780 --> 00:36:24.000 you so 00:36:24.000 --> 00:36:24.640 that you 00:36:24.640 --> 00:36:25.579 might belong 00:36:25.579 --> 00:36:26.559 to Jesus 00:36:26.559 --> 00:36:28.059 now and 00:36:28.059 --> 00:36:28.480 for all 00:36:28.480 --> 00:36:28.980 eternity? 00:36:29.320 --> 00:36:29.519 Yes, 00:36:29.740 --> 00:36:30.019 I do. 00:36:30.740 --> 00:36:31.440 And do 00:36:31.440 --> 00:36:32.039 you promise 00:36:32.039 --> 00:36:32.500 with the 00:36:32.500 --> 00:36:33.160 help of 00:36:33.160 --> 00:36:33.620 the Holy 00:36:33.620 --> 00:36:34.780 Spirit to 00:36:34.780 --> 00:36:35.220 serve 00:36:35.220 --> 00:36:35.640 God 00:36:35.640 --> 00:36:36.360 in the 00:36:36.360 --> 00:36:37.060 family of 00:36:37.060 --> 00:36:37.420 Jesus, 00:36:37.540 --> 00:36:37.880 that is 00:36:37.880 --> 00:36:38.080 the 00:36:38.080 --> 00:36:38.540 church, 00:36:38.820 --> 00:36:39.960 and in 00:36:39.960 --> 00:36:40.140 the 00:36:40.140 --> 00:36:40.580 world, 00:36:41.220 --> 00:36:42.040 now and 00:36:42.040 --> 00:36:42.500 for so 00:36:42.500 --> 00:36:43.280 long as 00:36:43.280 --> 00:36:43.740 you live. 00:36:43.740 --> 00:36:44.220 Yes. 00:36:44.940 --> 00:36:45.380 Okay. 00:36:45.380 --> 00:37:12.260 Alex, on your confession that you trust the Lord Jesus Christ 00:37:12.260 --> 00:37:19.940 with all of your life, we now baptize you in the name of the Father and of the Son and 00:37:19.940 --> 00:37:22.160 of the Holy Spirit. Amen. 00:37:42.260 --> 00:37:48.560 Well, we're going to continue the celebration and have tea and coffee and there'll be some 00:37:48.560 --> 00:37:54.600 food served from the hatch. Before we do, we're going to pray. And so let me just pray 00:37:54.600 --> 00:37:57.680 for us all right now. Let's pray together. 00:37:57.679 --> 00:38:05.819 Father God, we thank you so much for today. We thank you so much for the story of Alex, 00:38:06.000 --> 00:38:15.319 for his life. We thank you so much for his family. Thank you for his testimony that he 00:38:15.319 --> 00:38:22.980 follows you and loves you. We pray that you will strengthen him all of his days as he 00:38:22.980 --> 00:38:27.860 seeks to walk with you and to live for you. Thank you for the food and the drink that 00:38:27.860 --> 00:38:33.280 we're going to enjoy together. We thank you for your many gifts. In Jesus' name. Amen. 00:38:52.980 --> 00:38:55.539 Amen. 00:38:55.539 --> 00:38:56.219 Amen. 00:38:56.440 --> 00:38:59.159 Amen. 00:38:59.159 --> 00:39:29.139 Thank you. 00:39:29.159 --> 00:39:59.139 Thank you. 00:39:59.159 --> 00:40:29.139 Thank you. 00:40:29.159 --> 00:40:31.159 Thank you. 00:40:59.159 --> 00:41:01.159 Thank you.