WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:09.240 Let me direct your minds briefly to Acts chapter 2, where we're going to look at verses 42 to 47. 00:00:09.240 --> 00:00:39.219 At verse 42 of Acts 2, 00:00:39.240 --> 00:00:47.060 Scripture follows in our understanding of the church and our understanding of the way that God provides for his church to the present day, isn't it? 00:00:47.079 --> 00:00:56.900 These verses, these chapters in the book of Acts, following the Lord's ascension to glory and the coming of the Holy Spirit on the day of Pentecost. 00:00:57.579 --> 00:01:05.420 And then the aftermath, the result of that in the church's expansion and reaching out with the gospel to the surrounding nations. 00:01:05.420 --> 00:01:17.900 And in verses 42 to 47, we could say that the word devoted or devoted themselves is really the central controlling feature of these verses. 00:01:18.719 --> 00:01:28.780 They devoted themselves, these disciples, they devoted themselves to the apostles, to the teaching and the fellowship and the breaking of bread and the prayers. 00:01:28.780 --> 00:01:40.939 When it says they devoted themselves, these words originally mean, you could say that the essential meaning of they continued diligently or continued steadfastly. 00:01:41.480 --> 00:01:48.359 They devoted themselves, they continued steadfastly to continue diligently looking or attending to something. 00:01:48.359 --> 00:01:55.239 It's really the essence of the church at that time as they were gathered together. 00:01:55.620 --> 00:01:56.659 This is what they were doing. 00:01:57.120 --> 00:01:59.739 They devoted themselves to these things that are mentioned. 00:02:00.219 --> 00:02:08.579 They continued diligently in these four features that I'm going to mention that come directly from the passage itself. 00:02:08.580 --> 00:02:24.660 Of course, it's important that we always remember that the church, when we speak about the church, as Acts makes clear, the church is the people who confess God as their God, not the buildings in which they gather to worship or anything like that. 00:02:24.700 --> 00:02:28.600 The church is the people, just as it is today. 00:02:29.060 --> 00:02:33.780 The church here is not this building, though we refer to going to church. 00:02:33.780 --> 00:02:44.300 And there's nothing wrong with that, but the church is you people who are gathered here, the visible church of God, who have come together today, as you do regularly, to worship him. 00:02:45.379 --> 00:02:48.099 So what did they continue diligently in? 00:02:48.199 --> 00:02:58.199 First of all, they continued diligently in learning, in being taught, in studying and being taught in the teaching of the apostles. 00:02:58.199 --> 00:02:59.459 They devoted themselves. 00:02:59.899 --> 00:03:04.179 They continued diligently to the apostles' teaching. 00:03:05.039 --> 00:03:08.560 Secondly, they continued diligently in fellowship. 00:03:09.179 --> 00:03:12.239 The apostles' teaching and fellowship. 00:03:12.419 --> 00:03:14.639 We'll see that literally that means the fellowship. 00:03:15.639 --> 00:03:26.199 Thirdly, they continued diligently in worship, because this is what they were doing as they came together, not only in the temple, but also in their homes regularly. 00:03:26.199 --> 00:03:28.739 Regularly, they worshipped God. 00:03:28.839 --> 00:03:29.919 They worshipped Christ. 00:03:31.319 --> 00:03:39.500 And fourthly, they continued diligently in witnessing for God or witnessing to the gospel or to salvation. 00:03:40.739 --> 00:03:43.439 Learning, fellowship, worship, witnessing. 00:03:43.579 --> 00:03:46.579 That's the essence of what the passage is about. 00:03:46.780 --> 00:03:48.500 And they continued diligently. 00:03:48.500 --> 00:03:57.620 Now, these are very important elements at all times for the church and for ourselves as individual Christians, individual believers as well. 00:03:58.060 --> 00:04:05.240 It's something that we would want to do, not only together, but also whenever the opportunity is there for ourselves. 00:04:05.360 --> 00:04:10.039 So they continued, first of all, diligently in the apostles' teaching. 00:04:10.039 --> 00:04:18.100 Now, of course, the apostles' teaching was foundational at that time and continues to be foundational for the church today. 00:04:19.360 --> 00:04:31.819 Never mind the fact that so many, you find still to this day, people adding to what the New Testament contains or presenting what's called new revelations, 00:04:32.379 --> 00:04:34.660 whether it's through charismatic groups or whatever. 00:04:35.040 --> 00:04:43.199 Here is the gospel, and it's actually the gospel contained in the scriptures of the Old and New Testament, as our standards put it. 00:04:43.199 --> 00:04:48.479 And that's because the apostles' teaching for the New Testament church was foundational. 00:04:49.579 --> 00:04:53.079 And through the apostles, God was giving direction. 00:04:53.279 --> 00:04:54.159 He was giving teaching. 00:04:54.339 --> 00:05:00.980 He was giving all the things that were necessary at that time to establish the church further in the truth of God. 00:05:01.699 --> 00:05:04.599 Apostolic teaching was foundational. 00:05:05.120 --> 00:05:09.480 And because it's now incorporated into the New Testament, it's foundational for ourselves. 00:05:09.480 --> 00:05:15.819 You could say, in a sense, that God was, while it was carrying on from the Old Testament, of course, 00:05:15.879 --> 00:05:20.980 we don't place any severe gap between the Old and New Testament. 00:05:21.759 --> 00:05:25.720 But God was, in fact, opening what you might say was opening a seminary. 00:05:27.020 --> 00:05:31.500 And when it came to the day of Pentecost, and when it came to the church gathered then, 00:05:31.939 --> 00:05:35.920 God was effectively opening a seminary for the teaching of these disciples, 00:05:35.920 --> 00:05:39.439 for the discipling of his new people in the church. 00:05:40.040 --> 00:05:41.420 And there were 3,000. 00:05:42.920 --> 00:05:46.600 Imagine if Edinburgh Theological Seminary, our own seminary, 00:05:46.980 --> 00:05:49.580 had such an intake on the first day of a new term. 00:05:50.379 --> 00:05:55.379 3,000 people were converted, were brought to know the Lord. 00:05:55.740 --> 00:05:58.020 That's what we read in this passage itself. 00:05:58.480 --> 00:05:59.180 Verse 41. 00:05:59.180 --> 00:06:06.360 Those who received his word were baptized, and there were added that day about 3,000 souls. 00:06:07.400 --> 00:06:09.900 And, of course, there have been revivals, as we call them, 00:06:09.959 --> 00:06:13.019 down through the centuries from that time onwards. 00:06:13.240 --> 00:06:15.439 But here's the wonderful emphasis there, 00:06:15.519 --> 00:06:20.439 that God was setting this on foot, this New Testament church, 00:06:20.560 --> 00:06:24.199 this continuation of the church into this New Testament age. 00:06:24.199 --> 00:06:30.459 And he was opening a seminary, and that's really such an important part of what you find in the passage, 00:06:30.579 --> 00:06:33.920 but also carrying on through to the epistles of the apostles, 00:06:35.039 --> 00:06:39.939 where you find that the emphasis is not so much on working of miracles, so that's mentioned. 00:06:40.699 --> 00:06:45.680 The emphasis is actually on people coming to be discipled in the ways of God, 00:06:46.000 --> 00:06:48.719 and coming to relish these things for themselves, 00:06:48.720 --> 00:06:52.140 and coming to gather together, as we'll see, for fellowship and worship, 00:06:52.540 --> 00:06:54.220 and for witnessing to God. 00:06:54.760 --> 00:06:58.820 This was the active church, as it must still be the active church of God, 00:06:59.260 --> 00:07:01.440 carrying out these activities. 00:07:02.100 --> 00:07:07.460 And it's important that we see they placed themselves under the apostles' teaching. 00:07:08.540 --> 00:07:12.220 If you go to the likes of Romans, chapter 6 and verse 17, 00:07:12.220 --> 00:07:18.620 Paul there speaks of the form of teaching to which you were committed. 00:07:20.220 --> 00:07:23.840 And you've got the image in mind there is, 00:07:24.060 --> 00:07:26.940 when he says the form of teaching, or the kind of teaching, 00:07:27.500 --> 00:07:29.920 it really means the shape of this teaching, 00:07:30.760 --> 00:07:34.640 and the shape that is brought to a Christian, 00:07:34.860 --> 00:07:36.380 in a Christian development, 00:07:36.860 --> 00:07:38.920 is formed by this teaching. 00:07:38.920 --> 00:07:42.600 The shape of Scripture is really what we take on. 00:07:42.660 --> 00:07:45.340 In its teaching, when we come to follow the Lord, 00:07:45.600 --> 00:07:47.080 when we come to be his disciples, 00:07:47.560 --> 00:07:50.020 you don't step outside of the Word of God, 00:07:50.199 --> 00:07:52.800 you don't step outside of the teaching of Scripture, 00:07:53.100 --> 00:07:56.100 in order to take on or to import something else. 00:07:56.660 --> 00:07:58.080 This is what forms your life. 00:07:58.160 --> 00:07:59.439 This is what shapes your life. 00:07:59.700 --> 00:08:01.439 This is what brings to your life 00:08:01.439 --> 00:08:04.200 that kind of consistency that you need, 00:08:04.700 --> 00:08:06.160 and your life is shaped 00:08:06.160 --> 00:08:08.360 the more you actually come to have it 00:08:08.360 --> 00:08:10.280 under the direction and teaching 00:08:10.280 --> 00:08:11.520 of the Scriptures, 00:08:11.680 --> 00:08:12.420 of God's Word, 00:08:12.460 --> 00:08:13.700 of the Apostles' teaching. 00:08:15.660 --> 00:08:17.380 And you take that with you, of course, 00:08:17.460 --> 00:08:20.360 into every area of the church's life. 00:08:22.040 --> 00:08:23.680 That's why we teach our children, 00:08:23.760 --> 00:08:25.220 as we do from the Bible. 00:08:25.980 --> 00:08:27.600 That's why in our Sunday schools, 00:08:27.720 --> 00:08:30.200 we emphasize the Bible above everything else. 00:08:30.720 --> 00:08:32.560 That's why the teaching we give to them 00:08:32.560 --> 00:08:35.519 is based upon the Scripture itself. 00:08:35.519 --> 00:08:37.019 That's why we teach our children 00:08:37.019 --> 00:08:39.500 how valuable Scripture is, 00:08:39.519 --> 00:08:42.100 for them as well as for older ones. 00:08:42.199 --> 00:08:43.419 All the children here today 00:08:43.419 --> 00:08:46.299 are here receiving Scripture direction, 00:08:46.519 --> 00:08:47.360 Scripture teaching. 00:08:48.279 --> 00:08:50.899 Their lives are hopefully being shaped, 00:08:51.079 --> 00:08:53.439 as they develop spiritually and morally, 00:08:53.840 --> 00:08:55.019 by the Word of God. 00:08:55.100 --> 00:08:57.039 Why are so many people in our society 00:08:57.039 --> 00:08:59.899 misshapen, as far as we take the Word of God 00:08:59.899 --> 00:09:03.319 to form our thinking of what a proper shape is 00:09:03.320 --> 00:09:04.420 for a human life, 00:09:04.600 --> 00:09:06.280 a life that glorifies God, 00:09:06.560 --> 00:09:08.260 a life that brings praise to God, 00:09:08.480 --> 00:09:11.320 a life that has benefits received for themselves. 00:09:11.600 --> 00:09:13.420 What is wrong with our society 00:09:13.420 --> 00:09:14.580 that so many people, 00:09:14.900 --> 00:09:16.060 in terms of the Bible's teaching, 00:09:16.160 --> 00:09:17.280 are misshapen? 00:09:17.800 --> 00:09:20.200 Well, because they're not shaped 00:09:20.200 --> 00:09:21.900 by the Bible's own teaching. 00:09:22.720 --> 00:09:23.980 When you stop being shaped 00:09:23.980 --> 00:09:25.460 by the Bible's teaching, 00:09:25.580 --> 00:09:27.100 you become misshapen. 00:09:27.100 --> 00:09:30.040 Your life becomes twisted. 00:09:30.180 --> 00:09:31.560 Of course, we don't see it that way 00:09:31.560 --> 00:09:32.420 as human beings. 00:09:33.080 --> 00:09:34.320 None of those people today 00:09:34.320 --> 00:09:36.800 who reject the Gospel 00:09:36.800 --> 00:09:39.159 and say that it's completely outdated 00:09:39.159 --> 00:09:39.879 or whatever else, 00:09:39.940 --> 00:09:40.460 they would never say, 00:09:40.720 --> 00:09:42.300 my life's not misshapen. 00:09:43.460 --> 00:09:45.159 I direct my life in a way 00:09:45.159 --> 00:09:46.460 that's true to myself 00:09:46.460 --> 00:09:49.100 and true to what secular society 00:09:49.879 --> 00:09:51.460 sets before me. 00:09:51.940 --> 00:09:52.700 Well, the Bible says, 00:09:52.960 --> 00:09:55.480 this is what shapes your life today. 00:09:55.480 --> 00:09:57.779 Make sure your life 00:09:57.779 --> 00:09:59.779 is based in Scripture, 00:10:00.580 --> 00:10:01.820 rooted in Scripture, 00:10:02.539 --> 00:10:04.460 around the person of Christ, 00:10:05.220 --> 00:10:06.779 around the fatherhood of God, 00:10:07.460 --> 00:10:10.080 under the direction of the Holy Spirit. 00:10:10.539 --> 00:10:11.840 That's what's going to bring 00:10:11.840 --> 00:10:14.300 proper God-honoring shape 00:10:14.300 --> 00:10:15.700 to your life. 00:10:16.560 --> 00:10:19.420 So they continued diligently in learning. 00:10:20.500 --> 00:10:23.519 They continued diligently also in fellowship. 00:10:23.519 --> 00:10:25.279 They devoted themselves 00:10:25.279 --> 00:10:26.419 to the apostles' teaching 00:10:26.419 --> 00:10:28.419 and fellowship. 00:10:28.759 --> 00:10:30.039 And literally, as we said earlier, 00:10:30.620 --> 00:10:32.319 it's actually the fellowship. 00:10:32.539 --> 00:10:33.799 There's a definite article there 00:10:33.799 --> 00:10:35.480 which the translators have missed out, 00:10:35.539 --> 00:10:36.240 but it should be there. 00:10:36.699 --> 00:10:38.299 They devoted themselves 00:10:38.299 --> 00:10:39.899 to the fellowship. 00:10:40.360 --> 00:10:41.460 What is the fellowship? 00:10:42.019 --> 00:10:43.000 Well, the fellowship is 00:10:43.000 --> 00:10:45.240 the church in its life together. 00:10:46.360 --> 00:10:47.039 That's what it is. 00:10:47.220 --> 00:10:49.179 We speak about having fellowship 00:10:49.179 --> 00:10:50.799 one with another, don't we? 00:10:50.799 --> 00:10:52.379 We speak about having fellowship 00:10:52.379 --> 00:10:53.379 at different meetings. 00:10:53.599 --> 00:10:55.059 We speak about meetings 00:10:55.059 --> 00:10:56.479 being fellowship meetings. 00:10:56.579 --> 00:10:57.399 And of course they are. 00:10:57.539 --> 00:10:58.939 There's nothing wrong with that. 00:10:59.259 --> 00:11:00.519 But what this is saying to us is 00:11:00.519 --> 00:11:03.120 the church is the fellowship. 00:11:03.819 --> 00:11:06.339 It is the body of people 00:11:06.339 --> 00:11:08.079 that share together 00:11:08.079 --> 00:11:10.819 and share in and share out. 00:11:11.079 --> 00:11:12.779 That's really what fellowship means. 00:11:12.919 --> 00:11:15.359 It's a word that means to share. 00:11:15.740 --> 00:11:17.019 But it's a sharing in 00:11:17.019 --> 00:11:18.960 and it's a sharing out. 00:11:19.740 --> 00:11:20.960 And the two things go together. 00:11:21.139 --> 00:11:22.740 When you are a fellowship, 00:11:23.039 --> 00:11:24.240 when you are the fellowship 00:11:24.240 --> 00:11:25.039 of the church, 00:11:25.220 --> 00:11:27.039 you're sharing in the life 00:11:27.039 --> 00:11:28.100 that Christ has given 00:11:28.100 --> 00:11:29.179 to his people. 00:11:29.539 --> 00:11:31.100 You're sharing in the things 00:11:31.100 --> 00:11:32.699 that God has provided for us 00:11:32.699 --> 00:11:33.519 in the gospel. 00:11:34.079 --> 00:11:37.100 It's a sharing in salvation 00:11:37.100 --> 00:11:38.899 and life and the benefits 00:11:38.899 --> 00:11:40.879 and morally and spiritually 00:11:40.879 --> 00:11:43.139 that come from what God 00:11:43.139 --> 00:11:44.779 has given us in his revelation. 00:11:44.779 --> 00:11:47.620 It's a sharing in all of these things. 00:11:47.720 --> 00:11:49.179 That's why when you go to 00:11:49.179 --> 00:11:51.259 Ephesians chapter 3 verse 6, 00:11:51.459 --> 00:11:52.899 if I throw a few verses out at you, 00:11:53.539 --> 00:11:55.600 Colossians 1 verse 2, 00:11:55.759 --> 00:11:57.259 Hebrews 3 verse 14, 00:11:58.139 --> 00:12:00.179 2 Corinthians 1 verse 7, 00:12:00.879 --> 00:12:01.939 they all talk about 00:12:01.939 --> 00:12:03.879 partaking of something, 00:12:04.480 --> 00:12:05.699 sharing in something, 00:12:06.319 --> 00:12:07.339 sharing in something 00:12:07.339 --> 00:12:08.819 spiritually together. 00:12:11.039 --> 00:12:12.939 And the togetherness is important. 00:12:12.940 --> 00:12:15.860 The togetherness is important, 00:12:15.960 --> 00:12:17.640 especially in days 00:12:17.640 --> 00:12:19.820 when we find an individuality 00:12:19.820 --> 00:12:20.780 so much emphasized 00:12:20.780 --> 00:12:22.200 in our society. 00:12:22.540 --> 00:12:24.240 I'm the boss of my own life, 00:12:24.440 --> 00:12:25.280 people will say. 00:12:25.500 --> 00:12:26.720 You have no right to tell me 00:12:26.720 --> 00:12:27.460 how to live 00:12:27.460 --> 00:12:29.140 or what my conduct should be 00:12:29.140 --> 00:12:30.060 or what I should think. 00:12:31.020 --> 00:12:32.120 But the church's life 00:12:32.120 --> 00:12:33.100 is life together. 00:12:33.740 --> 00:12:34.580 The church's life 00:12:34.580 --> 00:12:35.760 is the fellowship 00:12:35.760 --> 00:12:37.020 of God's people. 00:12:37.520 --> 00:12:38.380 And as the fellowship 00:12:38.380 --> 00:12:39.320 of God's people, 00:12:39.660 --> 00:12:41.760 they share in things together. 00:12:41.759 --> 00:12:43.200 They don't just share 00:12:43.200 --> 00:12:44.960 in the teachings 00:12:44.960 --> 00:12:46.220 and in the salvation 00:12:46.220 --> 00:12:47.519 that God has given to us 00:12:47.519 --> 00:12:48.740 individually. 00:12:48.919 --> 00:12:49.480 There is that. 00:12:49.559 --> 00:12:50.460 Of course there's that. 00:12:50.740 --> 00:12:51.620 And that's important. 00:12:52.279 --> 00:12:53.439 But you're here together 00:12:53.439 --> 00:12:54.679 to share together 00:12:54.679 --> 00:12:57.200 the things of God. 00:12:57.860 --> 00:12:59.419 You're sharing in them 00:12:59.419 --> 00:13:01.220 as the fellowship, 00:13:02.220 --> 00:13:05.299 as people who in the gospel 00:13:05.299 --> 00:13:07.419 are worshipers of God. 00:13:07.419 --> 00:13:10.559 And that leads to 00:13:10.559 --> 00:13:11.899 sharing out. 00:13:12.979 --> 00:13:14.000 Because the fellowship 00:13:14.000 --> 00:13:15.779 is not just the fellowship 00:13:15.779 --> 00:13:17.639 in taking things in 00:13:17.639 --> 00:13:19.699 and enjoying things together 00:13:19.699 --> 00:13:21.879 and in partaking of things together. 00:13:22.139 --> 00:13:24.120 The fellowship is also active 00:13:24.120 --> 00:13:25.599 in sharing out 00:13:25.599 --> 00:13:27.519 from the things that we share in 00:13:27.519 --> 00:13:28.379 and share together. 00:13:28.620 --> 00:13:29.959 We share out. 00:13:30.120 --> 00:13:31.360 Not just to one another 00:13:31.360 --> 00:13:33.099 but to that world out there. 00:13:33.459 --> 00:13:34.339 Because when you go out 00:13:34.339 --> 00:13:35.279 to evangelize, 00:13:35.519 --> 00:13:36.139 when you go out 00:13:36.139 --> 00:13:37.279 to witness for Christ, 00:13:37.519 --> 00:13:38.759 you're sharing out 00:13:38.759 --> 00:13:39.740 what God has given. 00:13:39.960 --> 00:13:41.480 You're sharing it out to others. 00:13:41.559 --> 00:13:42.699 They may never receive it. 00:13:43.419 --> 00:13:44.840 They may never want to receive it. 00:13:45.039 --> 00:13:46.379 But you have it from God 00:13:46.379 --> 00:13:48.379 not just so that you'll enjoy it 00:13:48.379 --> 00:13:49.659 but so that you'll actually 00:13:49.659 --> 00:13:51.240 share it out to others. 00:13:52.039 --> 00:13:52.740 As if it was, 00:13:52.939 --> 00:13:53.699 and indeed it is, 00:13:53.779 --> 00:13:54.679 spiritual treasure. 00:13:55.319 --> 00:13:56.120 You're giving it out. 00:13:56.199 --> 00:13:57.699 You want others to come to know it. 00:13:57.939 --> 00:13:58.759 You want others to come 00:13:58.759 --> 00:14:00.019 to share in it as well. 00:14:00.019 --> 00:14:01.519 And indeed, 00:14:01.840 --> 00:14:02.720 that's true also 00:14:02.720 --> 00:14:04.139 in a practical sense, 00:14:04.240 --> 00:14:04.480 isn't it? 00:14:04.480 --> 00:14:06.120 Here's this passage itself 00:14:06.120 --> 00:14:06.720 telling us 00:14:06.720 --> 00:14:09.659 in verses 44 to 46 here, 00:14:10.159 --> 00:14:11.720 they had all things in common. 00:14:12.159 --> 00:14:13.500 They were selling their possessions 00:14:13.500 --> 00:14:14.360 and belongings 00:14:14.360 --> 00:14:16.679 and distributing the proceeds 00:14:16.679 --> 00:14:19.100 to all as any had need. 00:14:19.659 --> 00:14:20.980 There's the sharing out 00:14:20.980 --> 00:14:23.639 by those who are sharing in together 00:14:23.639 --> 00:14:25.460 of the things of the gospel. 00:14:26.259 --> 00:14:27.059 They didn't just say, 00:14:27.219 --> 00:14:28.000 well, this is great. 00:14:28.119 --> 00:14:29.319 This is wonderful. 00:14:29.439 --> 00:14:30.299 Having this together. 00:14:30.419 --> 00:14:31.699 Let's just enjoy this time. 00:14:31.779 --> 00:14:32.979 Let's keep this to ourselves. 00:14:33.839 --> 00:14:35.039 No, they want to share out 00:14:35.039 --> 00:14:36.000 amongst each other 00:14:36.000 --> 00:14:37.299 and they want to share out 00:14:37.299 --> 00:14:38.059 as we'll see in a minute 00:14:38.059 --> 00:14:39.579 by reaching out with the gospel 00:14:39.579 --> 00:14:40.819 to the world around them. 00:14:41.779 --> 00:14:43.319 That's what God has given to you 00:14:43.319 --> 00:14:44.619 as a congregation. 00:14:44.899 --> 00:14:46.199 You're sharing in the things 00:14:46.199 --> 00:14:46.899 of the gospel 00:14:46.899 --> 00:14:49.179 but not so as to keep it to yourselves. 00:14:49.539 --> 00:14:50.419 You're sharing in it 00:14:50.419 --> 00:14:51.639 so that you'll share it out. 00:14:52.319 --> 00:14:53.839 So that you'll go to the society 00:14:53.839 --> 00:14:54.879 around you and say, 00:14:54.879 --> 00:14:57.559 this is what shapes human life. 00:14:57.639 --> 00:14:58.659 This is what's foundational. 00:14:59.100 --> 00:14:59.820 This is what brings 00:14:59.820 --> 00:15:01.080 true and lasting happiness. 00:15:01.960 --> 00:15:03.860 This is what brings contentment. 00:15:04.100 --> 00:15:04.980 What brings security. 00:15:05.419 --> 00:15:07.439 What brings a well-founded life together. 00:15:10.439 --> 00:15:11.679 So they continued 00:15:11.679 --> 00:15:13.799 in diligently learning 00:15:13.799 --> 00:15:15.620 from the apostle's teaching. 00:15:16.159 --> 00:15:17.720 They continued diligently 00:15:17.720 --> 00:15:19.299 in fellowship, 00:15:19.480 --> 00:15:20.980 in being the fellowship, 00:15:21.919 --> 00:15:23.299 partaking of things together 00:15:23.299 --> 00:15:24.500 and sharing out. 00:15:25.240 --> 00:15:26.159 They continued 00:15:26.159 --> 00:15:26.939 thoroughly, 00:15:27.120 --> 00:15:28.819 diligently in worship. 00:15:29.339 --> 00:15:30.039 You notice the 00:15:30.039 --> 00:15:31.719 breaking of bread 00:15:31.719 --> 00:15:32.939 and the prayers. 00:15:33.939 --> 00:15:35.039 Now the breaking of bread 00:15:35.039 --> 00:15:37.319 is an interesting phrase. 00:15:38.620 --> 00:15:40.539 I think it involves both 00:15:40.539 --> 00:15:41.639 because it mentions 00:15:41.639 --> 00:15:42.639 what they were doing at home 00:15:42.639 --> 00:15:43.740 as well as in the temple. 00:15:43.740 --> 00:15:45.759 I think it means 00:15:45.759 --> 00:15:49.799 both the Lord's Supper 00:15:49.799 --> 00:15:51.419 or partaking of the Lord's Supper 00:15:51.419 --> 00:15:54.039 but also in the ordinary 00:15:54.039 --> 00:15:56.700 sharing of meals together. 00:15:56.840 --> 00:15:58.000 And very often in those days, 00:15:58.080 --> 00:15:58.840 there's early days, 00:15:59.320 --> 00:16:00.320 that went together. 00:16:01.560 --> 00:16:02.840 They didn't have church buildings 00:16:02.840 --> 00:16:03.840 such as we do now 00:16:03.840 --> 00:16:05.519 apart from the temple itself. 00:16:05.659 --> 00:16:07.799 So when they came to celebrate 00:16:07.799 --> 00:16:09.379 or take part in the Lord's Supper 00:16:09.379 --> 00:16:10.779 it would be in someone's home. 00:16:10.779 --> 00:16:12.339 And very often 00:16:12.339 --> 00:16:13.240 that would include 00:16:13.240 --> 00:16:15.319 an ordinary meal 00:16:15.319 --> 00:16:16.360 which sometimes was called 00:16:16.360 --> 00:16:17.500 a fellowship meal 00:16:17.500 --> 00:16:19.299 and especially a fellowship meal 00:16:19.299 --> 00:16:20.539 when it was the Lord's Supper. 00:16:21.539 --> 00:16:22.819 But however we interpret that, 00:16:22.980 --> 00:16:23.819 it's true that 00:16:23.819 --> 00:16:25.159 that's what the church 00:16:25.159 --> 00:16:26.899 of the time was like. 00:16:27.919 --> 00:16:29.899 They continued diligently 00:16:29.899 --> 00:16:31.240 in the breaking of bread 00:16:31.240 --> 00:16:32.579 and in the prayers, 00:16:32.899 --> 00:16:34.620 in the worship of the church, 00:16:34.720 --> 00:16:36.279 the worship collectively 00:16:36.279 --> 00:16:37.120 of the church. 00:16:37.639 --> 00:16:38.939 Now we're here today 00:16:38.940 --> 00:16:40.280 because the weather is bad. 00:16:40.340 --> 00:16:41.320 All of these empty seats 00:16:41.320 --> 00:16:42.000 are here today 00:16:42.000 --> 00:16:44.540 because of the weather primarily. 00:16:45.420 --> 00:16:47.280 But it is something 00:16:47.280 --> 00:16:48.180 of course important 00:16:48.180 --> 00:16:50.940 that we worship God together, 00:16:51.140 --> 00:16:53.300 that there is a gathered church 00:16:53.300 --> 00:16:55.040 mentality in our minds. 00:16:55.620 --> 00:16:56.880 And while we benefit so much 00:16:56.880 --> 00:16:58.200 from the technology 00:16:58.200 --> 00:16:59.260 that allows us 00:16:59.260 --> 00:17:01.860 to tap into services 00:17:01.860 --> 00:17:03.920 when we cannot be gathered 00:17:03.920 --> 00:17:05.140 with others at church, 00:17:05.140 --> 00:17:06.240 and that benefit 00:17:06.240 --> 00:17:07.500 is undoubtedly there 00:17:07.500 --> 00:17:09.700 when you come to share online 00:17:09.700 --> 00:17:10.900 in the things of 00:17:10.900 --> 00:17:12.080 the gathered church 00:17:12.080 --> 00:17:12.700 at worship, 00:17:13.120 --> 00:17:14.680 it is still not a substitute 00:17:14.680 --> 00:17:16.480 for people actually 00:17:16.480 --> 00:17:17.920 physically coming together 00:17:17.920 --> 00:17:19.680 to worship God together. 00:17:19.780 --> 00:17:20.600 That's the pattern 00:17:20.600 --> 00:17:21.640 that the New Testament 00:17:21.640 --> 00:17:22.860 sets out for us. 00:17:23.600 --> 00:17:24.640 And, well, okay, 00:17:24.740 --> 00:17:25.240 you might say, 00:17:25.340 --> 00:17:27.400 well, they didn't have Zoom 00:17:27.400 --> 00:17:28.280 and they didn't have 00:17:28.280 --> 00:17:29.880 the technology we have today. 00:17:29.960 --> 00:17:31.720 They didn't have online services. 00:17:32.200 --> 00:17:33.040 And people might say, 00:17:33.100 --> 00:17:33.820 well, if they had them, 00:17:33.819 --> 00:17:35.059 surely they would have used them. 00:17:35.139 --> 00:17:35.759 Well, perhaps, 00:17:35.899 --> 00:17:37.119 but that wouldn't have taken away 00:17:37.119 --> 00:17:38.139 from the principle 00:17:38.139 --> 00:17:40.480 of physically gathering together 00:17:40.480 --> 00:17:41.799 as the people of God 00:17:41.799 --> 00:17:43.179 so as to be seen 00:17:43.179 --> 00:17:44.960 as well as to share together 00:17:44.960 --> 00:17:46.079 in the things of the gospel 00:17:46.079 --> 00:17:47.439 and to worship God together. 00:17:48.240 --> 00:17:49.000 Gathered worship 00:17:49.000 --> 00:17:49.879 is so important 00:17:49.879 --> 00:17:50.639 right down through 00:17:50.639 --> 00:17:51.799 the history of the church. 00:17:55.299 --> 00:17:56.339 There are people today 00:17:56.339 --> 00:17:56.960 in Ukraine 00:17:56.960 --> 00:17:58.159 and places like that 00:17:58.159 --> 00:18:00.799 that go through 00:18:00.799 --> 00:18:03.319 really dreadful, 00:18:03.440 --> 00:18:03.859 testing, 00:18:04.039 --> 00:18:05.119 challenging conditions 00:18:05.119 --> 00:18:07.240 in order to get 00:18:07.240 --> 00:18:08.159 to where God's people 00:18:08.159 --> 00:18:08.980 gather together. 00:18:10.960 --> 00:18:12.159 There are churches in Ukraine, 00:18:12.539 --> 00:18:13.539 people will tell us 00:18:13.539 --> 00:18:15.759 from mission agencies there, 00:18:16.440 --> 00:18:18.539 where there are so many people 00:18:18.539 --> 00:18:19.419 that gather 00:18:19.419 --> 00:18:20.839 at some of these church buildings 00:18:20.839 --> 00:18:22.440 there's not enough room for them. 00:18:23.299 --> 00:18:24.279 In Ukraine, 00:18:24.980 --> 00:18:26.419 under bombardment, 00:18:27.119 --> 00:18:28.419 under attack, 00:18:28.420 --> 00:18:30.500 under persecution. 00:18:31.960 --> 00:18:33.500 What's bringing that about? 00:18:34.340 --> 00:18:35.039 It's because 00:18:35.039 --> 00:18:36.279 they realize 00:18:36.279 --> 00:18:38.259 that they need to be together 00:18:38.259 --> 00:18:40.160 as worshippers of God. 00:18:40.920 --> 00:18:42.380 That they need the benefits 00:18:42.380 --> 00:18:44.440 of being the gathered church of God 00:18:44.440 --> 00:18:45.440 where they are, 00:18:45.680 --> 00:18:46.779 whatever the conditions. 00:18:47.420 --> 00:18:48.740 We have it relatively easy, 00:18:48.860 --> 00:18:49.519 friends, don't we? 00:18:50.160 --> 00:18:52.460 And so our focus should be 00:18:52.460 --> 00:18:53.900 and our relish should be 00:18:53.900 --> 00:18:54.539 in the things 00:18:54.539 --> 00:18:56.460 that are to do with meeting together, 00:18:56.539 --> 00:18:58.140 as you are today, of course. 00:18:59.200 --> 00:19:00.460 But it's something 00:19:00.460 --> 00:19:01.940 that we need to focus on 00:19:01.940 --> 00:19:03.660 and keep maintaining 00:19:03.660 --> 00:19:04.440 in our lives 00:19:04.440 --> 00:19:05.779 and be like the church 00:19:05.779 --> 00:19:06.480 of the apostles. 00:19:07.180 --> 00:19:07.980 They continued 00:19:07.980 --> 00:19:10.000 diligently in worship. 00:19:11.480 --> 00:19:11.900 And you see, 00:19:11.940 --> 00:19:12.880 there's one thing mentioned 00:19:12.880 --> 00:19:14.620 there that's really 00:19:14.620 --> 00:19:16.539 important for us as well. 00:19:17.019 --> 00:19:18.220 As well as meeting together, 00:19:18.900 --> 00:19:20.480 they praised the Lord 00:19:20.480 --> 00:19:21.640 and had favor 00:19:21.640 --> 00:19:23.400 with all the people. 00:19:24.060 --> 00:19:24.840 And as you go through 00:19:24.840 --> 00:19:25.580 the book of Acts 00:19:25.579 --> 00:19:27.139 and other passages 00:19:27.139 --> 00:19:28.319 that speak about 00:19:28.319 --> 00:19:29.480 their gatherings together, 00:19:30.179 --> 00:19:31.099 you can see 00:19:31.099 --> 00:19:33.259 how much joy 00:19:33.259 --> 00:19:35.159 filled their hearts. 00:19:36.779 --> 00:19:37.679 They bore witness 00:19:37.679 --> 00:19:38.220 to God 00:19:38.220 --> 00:19:39.460 joyfully. 00:19:40.879 --> 00:19:41.939 They were in awe. 00:19:42.240 --> 00:19:43.419 That's what the passage says. 00:19:43.619 --> 00:19:45.179 Awe came upon every soul. 00:19:45.740 --> 00:19:46.779 They had all things in common. 00:19:46.859 --> 00:19:47.539 They met together 00:19:47.539 --> 00:19:49.119 and they had this reverence, 00:19:49.240 --> 00:19:50.019 this awe. 00:19:50.019 --> 00:19:51.859 But awe is not 00:19:51.859 --> 00:19:53.180 an enemy of joy. 00:19:54.400 --> 00:19:55.279 Awe is not something 00:19:55.279 --> 00:19:56.019 that causes you 00:19:56.019 --> 00:19:57.099 to hide the joy 00:19:57.099 --> 00:19:58.039 that you have 00:19:58.039 --> 00:19:58.879 in Christ, 00:19:58.960 --> 00:19:59.500 that you have 00:19:59.500 --> 00:20:01.700 as a saved individual. 00:20:02.460 --> 00:20:03.000 The two things 00:20:03.000 --> 00:20:03.599 are friends, 00:20:03.799 --> 00:20:04.599 awe and joy. 00:20:04.839 --> 00:20:05.599 They go together. 00:20:06.039 --> 00:20:06.639 They're twins 00:20:06.639 --> 00:20:08.019 in Christian experience. 00:20:08.019 --> 00:20:12.960 That's the balance 00:20:12.960 --> 00:20:14.259 the Bible gives us. 00:20:16.160 --> 00:20:18.599 If our Christian life, 00:20:18.700 --> 00:20:20.259 if our Christian witness, 00:20:20.539 --> 00:20:23.200 if our Christian confession 00:20:23.200 --> 00:20:25.440 is dreary, 00:20:26.720 --> 00:20:27.339 drab, 00:20:28.759 --> 00:20:29.259 boring, 00:20:29.900 --> 00:20:31.619 that's not awe. 00:20:33.940 --> 00:20:35.039 Whatever else it is, 00:20:35.079 --> 00:20:35.920 it's not awe. 00:20:36.720 --> 00:20:37.880 Because nowhere in the Bible 00:20:37.880 --> 00:20:39.039 do you find reverence 00:20:39.039 --> 00:20:39.800 and awe 00:20:39.800 --> 00:20:41.160 being at odds 00:20:41.160 --> 00:20:42.000 with joy. 00:20:43.080 --> 00:20:43.759 Being at odds 00:20:43.759 --> 00:20:44.360 with truly 00:20:44.360 --> 00:20:45.820 being in your heart 00:20:45.820 --> 00:20:46.500 joyful 00:20:46.500 --> 00:20:47.600 and upbeat 00:20:47.600 --> 00:20:48.340 about the things 00:20:48.340 --> 00:20:49.000 of God. 00:20:49.779 --> 00:20:51.080 And we are to show that. 00:20:51.840 --> 00:20:52.620 We are to show that 00:20:52.620 --> 00:20:52.940 to the world. 00:20:52.980 --> 00:20:54.180 Not in a false way. 00:20:54.539 --> 00:20:55.080 Not in a way 00:20:55.080 --> 00:20:55.900 that goes out 00:20:55.900 --> 00:20:57.779 really just 00:20:57.779 --> 00:20:58.920 as it were 00:20:58.920 --> 00:20:59.259 just 00:20:59.259 --> 00:21:01.300 making a main point 00:21:01.300 --> 00:21:02.259 of showing that 00:21:02.259 --> 00:21:03.500 we have joy 00:21:03.500 --> 00:21:04.259 in the Lord. 00:21:04.380 --> 00:21:05.460 Sometimes it's very difficult 00:21:05.460 --> 00:21:06.059 to show that 00:21:06.059 --> 00:21:06.600 we have joy 00:21:06.600 --> 00:21:07.059 in the Lord. 00:21:07.380 --> 00:21:07.860 And sometimes 00:21:07.860 --> 00:21:08.460 it's actually 00:21:08.460 --> 00:21:09.140 our sadness 00:21:09.140 --> 00:21:10.740 that conveys more 00:21:10.740 --> 00:21:12.180 than our conveying 00:21:12.180 --> 00:21:12.840 of joy. 00:21:14.220 --> 00:21:15.019 But that doesn't mean 00:21:15.019 --> 00:21:16.480 that we don't 00:21:16.480 --> 00:21:17.759 deliberately set out 00:21:17.759 --> 00:21:18.319 to show 00:21:18.319 --> 00:21:19.519 that we are 00:21:19.519 --> 00:21:20.799 joyful in Christ. 00:21:21.460 --> 00:21:22.279 That we have 00:21:22.279 --> 00:21:23.440 something in the Lord 00:21:23.440 --> 00:21:25.200 that no one else 00:21:25.200 --> 00:21:25.799 can add 00:21:25.799 --> 00:21:26.819 to human life. 00:21:28.620 --> 00:21:29.180 And isn't that 00:21:29.180 --> 00:21:30.519 the case for you today? 00:21:30.519 --> 00:21:31.759 Let me say this 00:21:31.759 --> 00:21:32.400 to the young ones 00:21:32.400 --> 00:21:32.819 as well. 00:21:32.819 --> 00:21:35.839 you want to be 00:21:35.839 --> 00:21:36.579 happy don't you? 00:21:36.639 --> 00:21:37.079 You want to have 00:21:37.079 --> 00:21:38.220 a joyful life. 00:21:38.879 --> 00:21:39.759 Of course you do. 00:21:39.859 --> 00:21:40.539 So do we all. 00:21:41.299 --> 00:21:41.939 Well here's the Bible 00:21:41.939 --> 00:21:42.500 telling us 00:21:42.500 --> 00:21:43.960 how do I have 00:21:43.960 --> 00:21:45.819 a truly joyful life? 00:21:46.639 --> 00:21:47.619 How do I have 00:21:47.619 --> 00:21:49.200 the kind of joy 00:21:49.200 --> 00:21:50.659 that the world 00:21:50.659 --> 00:21:51.439 the devil 00:21:51.439 --> 00:21:52.679 that no other power 00:21:52.679 --> 00:21:53.179 can actually 00:21:53.179 --> 00:21:54.339 take away from me? 00:21:55.299 --> 00:21:56.000 Well you have it 00:21:56.000 --> 00:21:57.159 because you have Jesus. 00:21:58.259 --> 00:21:59.500 And when you have Jesus 00:21:59.500 --> 00:22:00.679 then he's your joy. 00:22:00.680 --> 00:22:02.560 And when Jesus 00:22:02.560 --> 00:22:03.480 is your joy 00:22:03.480 --> 00:22:05.039 that's what you show 00:22:05.039 --> 00:22:05.840 to the world. 00:22:06.840 --> 00:22:07.840 And if people ask you 00:22:07.840 --> 00:22:08.860 why are you 00:22:08.860 --> 00:22:09.720 always joyful? 00:22:10.539 --> 00:22:11.400 Why do you seem 00:22:11.400 --> 00:22:12.320 to have such happiness 00:22:12.320 --> 00:22:13.200 in your life? 00:22:14.680 --> 00:22:15.240 You can say 00:22:15.240 --> 00:22:16.500 well it's because 00:22:16.500 --> 00:22:18.120 I know the Lord. 00:22:19.060 --> 00:22:19.480 It's because 00:22:19.480 --> 00:22:20.420 I know Christ. 00:22:21.440 --> 00:22:22.860 And because I love him. 00:22:23.320 --> 00:22:24.320 And he loves me. 00:22:25.320 --> 00:22:26.660 That's what adds joy 00:22:26.660 --> 00:22:28.279 to my life. 00:22:28.279 --> 00:22:30.879 And so they continued 00:22:30.879 --> 00:22:31.920 diligently 00:22:31.920 --> 00:22:33.399 in worship. 00:22:34.440 --> 00:22:35.440 In learning 00:22:35.440 --> 00:22:36.480 in fellowship 00:22:36.480 --> 00:22:37.279 the fellowship 00:22:37.279 --> 00:22:38.899 and in worship. 00:22:39.059 --> 00:22:39.460 And finally 00:22:39.460 --> 00:22:40.180 they continued 00:22:40.180 --> 00:22:42.200 diligently 00:22:42.200 --> 00:22:43.460 in witnessing. 00:22:45.000 --> 00:22:45.480 Now it doesn't 00:22:45.480 --> 00:22:46.319 say that 00:22:46.319 --> 00:22:47.039 explicitly 00:22:47.039 --> 00:22:48.559 in the passage 00:22:48.559 --> 00:22:49.259 but it says 00:22:49.259 --> 00:22:49.799 that they had 00:22:49.799 --> 00:22:50.680 all things common 00:22:50.680 --> 00:22:52.180 and they actually 00:22:52.180 --> 00:22:53.819 had a favor 00:22:53.819 --> 00:22:54.859 having favor 00:22:54.859 --> 00:22:56.139 with all the people. 00:22:56.140 --> 00:22:57.280 they were publicly 00:22:57.280 --> 00:22:58.540 praising God 00:22:58.540 --> 00:23:00.000 and had favor 00:23:00.000 --> 00:23:01.700 with all the people. 00:23:03.540 --> 00:23:04.460 Because you see 00:23:04.460 --> 00:23:06.000 all the things 00:23:06.000 --> 00:23:06.500 we've mentioned 00:23:06.500 --> 00:23:07.080 previously 00:23:07.080 --> 00:23:08.660 are kind of 00:23:08.660 --> 00:23:09.560 inwardly looking 00:23:09.560 --> 00:23:10.100 if you like 00:23:10.100 --> 00:23:10.780 into the church 00:23:10.780 --> 00:23:11.980 or a congregation. 00:23:13.259 --> 00:23:14.200 The learning 00:23:14.200 --> 00:23:14.960 the fellowship 00:23:14.960 --> 00:23:16.140 the worship 00:23:16.140 --> 00:23:17.440 in a sense 00:23:17.440 --> 00:23:18.380 that's more 00:23:18.380 --> 00:23:19.120 inward looking 00:23:19.120 --> 00:23:19.660 than it is 00:23:19.660 --> 00:23:20.320 outward looking 00:23:20.320 --> 00:23:20.840 but they have 00:23:20.840 --> 00:23:21.259 their outward 00:23:21.259 --> 00:23:22.380 dimensions to them. 00:23:22.380 --> 00:23:24.280 we don't come 00:23:24.280 --> 00:23:24.820 together to 00:23:24.820 --> 00:23:25.500 worship God 00:23:25.500 --> 00:23:26.060 without being 00:23:26.060 --> 00:23:26.600 noticed. 00:23:27.300 --> 00:23:27.940 Fair enough 00:23:27.940 --> 00:23:28.760 people won't 00:23:28.760 --> 00:23:29.600 bother to notice 00:23:29.600 --> 00:23:30.160 today whether 00:23:30.160 --> 00:23:30.880 you go to church 00:23:30.880 --> 00:23:31.480 or not 00:23:31.480 --> 00:23:32.440 in Stornway 00:23:32.440 --> 00:23:33.020 or wherever else 00:23:33.020 --> 00:23:33.300 we are 00:23:33.300 --> 00:23:34.280 but quite a lot 00:23:34.280 --> 00:23:35.100 of people will. 00:23:36.040 --> 00:23:36.520 And some people 00:23:36.520 --> 00:23:37.060 might be even 00:23:37.060 --> 00:23:37.820 asking questions 00:23:37.820 --> 00:23:39.200 why do they do 00:23:39.200 --> 00:23:40.000 that every week? 00:23:40.780 --> 00:23:41.420 Why do they do 00:23:41.420 --> 00:23:42.300 that so regularly? 00:23:43.360 --> 00:23:44.020 What is it that 00:23:44.020 --> 00:23:44.560 brings them 00:23:44.560 --> 00:23:45.380 to that church? 00:23:46.060 --> 00:23:46.620 You don't know 00:23:46.620 --> 00:23:48.420 that maybe people 00:23:48.420 --> 00:23:49.300 are actually asking 00:23:49.300 --> 00:23:49.780 that today 00:23:49.780 --> 00:23:50.760 why in such 00:23:50.760 --> 00:23:51.960 wild weather 00:23:51.960 --> 00:23:53.480 would people 00:23:53.480 --> 00:23:54.319 actually bother 00:23:54.319 --> 00:23:54.900 to gather 00:23:54.900 --> 00:23:55.440 together 00:23:55.440 --> 00:23:56.640 to be 00:23:56.640 --> 00:23:57.380 in a church 00:23:57.380 --> 00:23:57.840 building 00:23:57.840 --> 00:23:59.100 to worship 00:23:59.100 --> 00:24:00.380 at a worship 00:24:00.380 --> 00:24:01.140 service? 00:24:01.799 --> 00:24:02.420 Some people 00:24:02.420 --> 00:24:02.799 might say 00:24:02.799 --> 00:24:03.240 they're absolute 00:24:03.240 --> 00:24:04.120 idiots going out 00:24:04.120 --> 00:24:04.720 in this weather. 00:24:05.660 --> 00:24:06.420 Fair enough. 00:24:07.519 --> 00:24:07.940 But others 00:24:07.940 --> 00:24:08.600 might be asking 00:24:08.600 --> 00:24:09.240 yeah but 00:24:09.240 --> 00:24:09.980 what is it 00:24:09.980 --> 00:24:10.819 that drives them 00:24:10.819 --> 00:24:11.720 in such 00:24:11.720 --> 00:24:12.759 conditions as 00:24:12.759 --> 00:24:13.220 these 00:24:13.220 --> 00:24:14.220 to want to 00:24:14.220 --> 00:24:14.920 be together 00:24:14.920 --> 00:24:15.579 to worship? 00:24:16.960 --> 00:24:17.779 Think about 00:24:17.779 --> 00:24:18.100 that. 00:24:18.620 --> 00:24:19.720 And the answer 00:24:19.720 --> 00:24:20.480 to that of course 00:24:20.480 --> 00:24:21.200 if you get 00:24:21.200 --> 00:24:21.759 the opportunity 00:24:21.759 --> 00:24:22.339 is that 00:24:22.339 --> 00:24:23.379 you want 00:24:23.379 --> 00:24:24.019 to continue 00:24:24.019 --> 00:24:25.640 in worshipping 00:24:25.640 --> 00:24:26.039 God 00:24:26.039 --> 00:24:26.359 because 00:24:26.359 --> 00:24:27.460 that's 00:24:27.460 --> 00:24:28.319 one of the 00:24:28.319 --> 00:24:28.920 main features 00:24:28.920 --> 00:24:29.559 of your life 00:24:29.559 --> 00:24:30.180 as a Christian 00:24:30.180 --> 00:24:30.660 to worship 00:24:30.660 --> 00:24:31.400 God together 00:24:31.400 --> 00:24:32.140 with other 00:24:32.140 --> 00:24:32.519 people. 00:24:33.700 --> 00:24:34.359 And that 00:24:34.359 --> 00:24:35.099 public witness 00:24:35.099 --> 00:24:35.900 that public 00:24:35.900 --> 00:24:36.819 gathering 00:24:36.819 --> 00:24:37.680 that public 00:24:37.680 --> 00:24:38.119 emphasis 00:24:38.119 --> 00:24:38.819 to the church 00:24:38.819 --> 00:24:39.339 at the time 00:24:39.339 --> 00:24:40.359 and this passage 00:24:40.359 --> 00:24:40.980 doesn't say it 00:24:40.980 --> 00:24:41.799 but the whole 00:24:41.799 --> 00:24:42.299 of Acts 00:24:42.299 --> 00:24:42.740 afterwards 00:24:42.740 --> 00:24:43.799 really is about 00:24:43.799 --> 00:24:44.500 this isn't it? 00:24:44.640 --> 00:24:45.099 It's about the 00:24:45.099 --> 00:24:45.920 church going out 00:24:45.920 --> 00:24:46.799 in its witness 00:24:46.799 --> 00:24:47.539 to God 00:24:47.539 --> 00:24:48.619 with the gospel 00:24:48.619 --> 00:24:49.660 going out to the 00:24:49.660 --> 00:24:50.539 world around them 00:24:50.539 --> 00:24:51.639 and it's one 00:24:51.639 --> 00:24:51.940 of the 00:24:51.940 --> 00:24:53.420 most amazing 00:24:53.420 --> 00:24:54.200 things of the 00:24:54.200 --> 00:24:54.740 book of Acts 00:24:54.740 --> 00:24:55.599 is the preservation 00:24:55.599 --> 00:24:56.639 of the church 00:24:56.639 --> 00:24:57.799 in such difficult 00:24:57.799 --> 00:24:58.559 circumstances 00:24:58.559 --> 00:24:59.740 but not just 00:24:59.740 --> 00:25:00.480 its preservation 00:25:00.480 --> 00:25:02.019 it's actually 00:25:02.019 --> 00:25:02.980 its mission 00:25:02.980 --> 00:25:03.879 to the world. 00:25:05.399 --> 00:25:06.119 It's an amazing 00:25:06.119 --> 00:25:06.519 thing 00:25:06.519 --> 00:25:08.119 to actually see 00:25:08.119 --> 00:25:09.180 in the book of Acts 00:25:09.180 --> 00:25:09.960 the development 00:25:09.960 --> 00:25:11.359 of the Lord's 00:25:11.359 --> 00:25:11.960 cause 00:25:11.960 --> 00:25:12.819 as the Lord 00:25:12.819 --> 00:25:13.980 adds to his church 00:25:13.980 --> 00:25:15.299 as the gospel 00:25:15.299 --> 00:25:16.119 goes out to the 00:25:16.119 --> 00:25:17.119 Gentile world 00:25:17.119 --> 00:25:17.839 to the pagan 00:25:17.839 --> 00:25:18.399 world 00:25:18.399 --> 00:25:19.279 to the Greek 00:25:19.279 --> 00:25:19.579 world 00:25:19.579 --> 00:25:20.099 to the Roman 00:25:20.099 --> 00:25:20.719 world 00:25:20.719 --> 00:25:22.019 as the gospel 00:25:22.019 --> 00:25:22.639 goes out 00:25:22.639 --> 00:25:23.339 and seeing 00:25:23.339 --> 00:25:24.579 the establishing 00:25:24.579 --> 00:25:25.439 of churches 00:25:25.439 --> 00:25:26.359 in pagan 00:25:26.359 --> 00:25:27.179 places like 00:25:27.179 --> 00:25:27.659 Corinth 00:25:27.659 --> 00:25:28.719 and Athens 00:25:28.719 --> 00:25:29.859 and Thessalonica 00:25:29.859 --> 00:25:31.699 where there 00:25:31.699 --> 00:25:32.379 wasn't a church 00:25:32.379 --> 00:25:33.000 previously 00:25:33.000 --> 00:25:35.379 how has it 00:25:35.379 --> 00:25:35.959 come about? 00:25:36.779 --> 00:25:37.500 Well it's 00:25:37.500 --> 00:25:38.299 because the 00:25:38.299 --> 00:25:39.099 Lord blessed 00:25:39.099 --> 00:25:39.599 the witness 00:25:39.599 --> 00:25:40.399 of his people 00:25:40.399 --> 00:25:41.799 their witness 00:25:41.799 --> 00:25:42.500 in the gospel 00:25:42.500 --> 00:25:43.019 their witness 00:25:43.019 --> 00:25:44.039 as a gathered 00:25:44.039 --> 00:25:44.919 people of God 00:25:44.920 --> 00:25:45.480 regularly 00:25:45.480 --> 00:25:46.360 worshipping 00:25:46.360 --> 00:25:46.920 the Lord 00:25:46.920 --> 00:25:49.700 and you see 00:25:49.700 --> 00:25:50.360 it says here 00:25:50.360 --> 00:25:50.920 something very 00:25:50.920 --> 00:25:51.779 important as well 00:25:51.779 --> 00:25:54.220 and the Lord 00:25:54.220 --> 00:25:55.820 added daily 00:25:55.820 --> 00:25:57.180 to their number 00:25:57.180 --> 00:25:59.220 those who were 00:25:59.220 --> 00:26:00.080 being saved 00:26:00.080 --> 00:26:02.220 why is that 00:26:02.220 --> 00:26:02.800 important? 00:26:03.700 --> 00:26:04.240 Well it's 00:26:04.240 --> 00:26:04.759 important for 00:26:04.759 --> 00:26:05.320 two reasons 00:26:05.320 --> 00:26:05.940 first of all 00:26:05.940 --> 00:26:07.100 it's the Lord 00:26:07.100 --> 00:26:07.720 who adds 00:26:07.720 --> 00:26:08.560 to the church 00:26:08.560 --> 00:26:10.480 it's wonderful 00:26:10.480 --> 00:26:11.259 to see new 00:26:11.259 --> 00:26:12.000 people coming 00:26:12.000 --> 00:26:12.620 to attend 00:26:12.620 --> 00:26:13.560 church services 00:26:13.560 --> 00:26:14.779 and since I 00:26:14.779 --> 00:26:15.099 was here 00:26:15.099 --> 00:26:15.559 as a minister 00:26:15.559 --> 00:26:16.460 I can see 00:26:16.460 --> 00:26:17.299 the times 00:26:17.299 --> 00:26:17.819 I've been back 00:26:17.819 --> 00:26:18.319 there are new 00:26:18.319 --> 00:26:18.579 faces 00:26:18.579 --> 00:26:19.099 there are people 00:26:19.099 --> 00:26:19.700 I don't know 00:26:19.700 --> 00:26:20.299 and it's thrilling 00:26:20.299 --> 00:26:21.460 it's great to see it 00:26:21.460 --> 00:26:22.859 long may it continue 00:26:22.859 --> 00:26:24.480 long may others 00:26:24.480 --> 00:26:24.960 be encouraged 00:26:24.960 --> 00:26:25.839 to come as well 00:26:25.839 --> 00:26:27.220 but to be added 00:26:27.220 --> 00:26:27.960 to the church 00:26:27.960 --> 00:26:28.539 to be added 00:26:28.539 --> 00:26:29.180 to the number 00:26:29.180 --> 00:26:30.119 of the saved 00:26:30.119 --> 00:26:30.859 is what it means 00:26:30.859 --> 00:26:31.420 essentially 00:26:31.420 --> 00:26:32.859 that's the Lord's 00:26:32.859 --> 00:26:33.299 work 00:26:33.299 --> 00:26:34.980 not the minister's 00:26:34.980 --> 00:26:35.319 work 00:26:35.319 --> 00:26:36.059 it's not the 00:26:36.059 --> 00:26:36.759 Kirk Session's 00:26:36.759 --> 00:26:36.920 work 00:26:36.920 --> 00:26:37.460 yes the Kirk 00:26:37.460 --> 00:26:37.799 Session 00:26:37.799 --> 00:26:38.799 puts people 00:26:38.799 --> 00:26:39.700 on a role 00:26:39.700 --> 00:26:40.519 of communicants 00:26:40.519 --> 00:26:40.839 perhaps 00:26:40.839 --> 00:26:41.599 or a 00:26:41.599 --> 00:26:42.299 congregational 00:26:42.299 --> 00:26:43.000 role of 00:26:43.000 --> 00:26:43.940 all the people 00:26:43.940 --> 00:26:44.319 that actually 00:26:44.319 --> 00:26:45.200 regularly come 00:26:45.200 --> 00:26:45.720 to church 00:26:45.720 --> 00:26:46.880 but to be added 00:26:46.880 --> 00:26:47.680 to the church 00:26:47.680 --> 00:26:48.420 savingly 00:26:48.420 --> 00:26:49.119 that's the 00:26:49.119 --> 00:26:50.220 Lord's work 00:26:50.220 --> 00:26:51.180 now you know 00:26:51.180 --> 00:26:51.839 that already 00:26:51.839 --> 00:26:52.980 but it's all 00:26:52.980 --> 00:26:53.299 too easy 00:26:53.299 --> 00:26:54.240 to forget it 00:26:54.240 --> 00:26:55.680 and it's easy 00:26:55.680 --> 00:26:56.140 to become 00:26:56.140 --> 00:26:57.599 a bit despondent 00:26:57.599 --> 00:26:58.680 perhaps at times 00:26:58.680 --> 00:26:59.240 such as 00:26:59.240 --> 00:27:00.039 a vacancy 00:27:00.039 --> 00:27:00.500 like you're 00:27:00.500 --> 00:27:00.880 going through 00:27:00.880 --> 00:27:01.519 yourselves 00:27:01.519 --> 00:27:03.680 the Lord 00:27:03.680 --> 00:27:04.920 adds to his 00:27:04.920 --> 00:27:05.180 church 00:27:05.180 --> 00:27:05.599 and he added 00:27:05.599 --> 00:27:06.140 to church 00:27:06.140 --> 00:27:06.920 here daily 00:27:06.920 --> 00:27:08.099 those that 00:27:08.099 --> 00:27:08.599 were being 00:27:08.599 --> 00:27:09.160 saved 00:27:09.160 --> 00:27:09.500 and here's 00:27:09.500 --> 00:27:09.759 the other 00:27:09.759 --> 00:27:10.059 thing 00:27:10.059 --> 00:27:10.859 as well 00:27:10.859 --> 00:27:11.139 as the 00:27:11.139 --> 00:27:11.440 Lord 00:27:11.440 --> 00:27:11.799 adding 00:27:11.799 --> 00:27:12.159 to the 00:27:12.159 --> 00:27:12.539 church 00:27:12.539 --> 00:27:13.339 he's 00:27:13.339 --> 00:27:13.579 adding 00:27:13.579 --> 00:27:13.899 to the 00:27:13.899 --> 00:27:14.099 church 00:27:14.099 --> 00:27:14.379 those 00:27:14.379 --> 00:27:14.539 that 00:27:14.539 --> 00:27:14.659 were 00:27:14.659 --> 00:27:14.919 being 00:27:14.919 --> 00:27:15.539 saved 00:27:15.539 --> 00:27:16.419 because 00:27:16.419 --> 00:27:16.940 you 00:27:16.940 --> 00:27:17.379 cannot 00:27:17.379 --> 00:27:18.200 be 00:27:18.200 --> 00:27:19.019 saved 00:27:19.019 --> 00:27:20.700 really 00:27:20.700 --> 00:27:21.019 without 00:27:21.019 --> 00:27:21.619 having a 00:27:21.619 --> 00:27:22.059 desire 00:27:22.059 --> 00:27:22.480 to be 00:27:22.480 --> 00:27:23.359 part 00:27:23.359 --> 00:27:23.819 of this 00:27:23.819 --> 00:27:24.200 church 00:27:24.200 --> 00:27:24.399 of 00:27:24.399 --> 00:27:24.879 Christ 00:27:24.879 --> 00:27:26.039 something 00:27:26.039 --> 00:27:26.440 wrong 00:27:26.440 --> 00:27:26.799 with an 00:27:26.799 --> 00:27:27.279 individual 00:27:27.279 --> 00:27:27.779 he says 00:27:27.779 --> 00:27:29.879 well I'm 00:27:29.879 --> 00:27:30.339 saved 00:27:30.339 --> 00:27:31.419 I'm a 00:27:31.419 --> 00:27:31.759 Christian 00:27:31.759 --> 00:27:32.720 I believe 00:27:32.720 --> 00:27:33.179 in Jesus 00:27:33.179 --> 00:27:33.599 but I don't 00:27:33.599 --> 00:27:33.960 need to go 00:27:33.960 --> 00:27:34.500 to church 00:27:34.500 --> 00:27:35.740 I don't 00:27:35.740 --> 00:27:36.000 need to 00:27:36.000 --> 00:27:36.200 gather 00:27:36.200 --> 00:27:36.599 with other 00:27:36.599 --> 00:27:37.059 people 00:27:37.059 --> 00:27:38.440 such as 00:27:38.440 --> 00:27:38.720 they do 00:27:38.720 --> 00:27:39.159 that's fine 00:27:39.160 --> 00:27:39.460 for them 00:27:39.460 --> 00:27:39.700 if they 00:27:39.700 --> 00:27:40.000 want to 00:27:40.000 --> 00:27:40.360 do that 00:27:40.360 --> 00:27:40.680 that's 00:27:40.680 --> 00:27:41.440 entirely 00:27:41.440 --> 00:27:41.880 up to 00:27:41.880 --> 00:27:42.180 them 00:27:42.180 --> 00:27:42.940 well that's 00:27:42.940 --> 00:27:43.200 not what 00:27:43.200 --> 00:27:43.519 the Bible 00:27:43.519 --> 00:27:44.120 is encouraging 00:27:44.120 --> 00:27:44.460 me to 00:27:44.460 --> 00:27:44.920 think at 00:27:44.920 --> 00:27:45.360 all is 00:27:45.360 --> 00:27:45.660 it 00:27:45.660 --> 00:27:46.600 where do 00:27:46.600 --> 00:27:46.940 you find 00:27:46.940 --> 00:27:47.300 anywhere 00:27:47.300 --> 00:27:48.019 in the 00:27:48.019 --> 00:27:48.300 Bible 00:27:48.300 --> 00:27:48.660 somebody 00:27:48.660 --> 00:27:48.940 saying 00:27:48.940 --> 00:27:49.500 I'm a 00:27:49.500 --> 00:27:49.740 Christian 00:27:49.740 --> 00:27:50.000 but I 00:27:50.000 --> 00:27:50.120 don't 00:27:50.120 --> 00:27:50.400 need to 00:27:50.400 --> 00:27:50.560 meet 00:27:50.560 --> 00:27:50.920 with other 00:27:50.920 --> 00:27:51.519 Christians 00:27:51.519 --> 00:27:53.060 I don't 00:27:53.060 --> 00:27:53.279 need to 00:27:53.279 --> 00:27:53.540 actually 00:27:53.540 --> 00:27:54.360 go together 00:27:54.360 --> 00:27:55.019 with other 00:27:55.019 --> 00:27:55.560 people to 00:27:55.560 --> 00:27:55.900 worship 00:27:55.900 --> 00:27:56.560 this Christ 00:27:56.560 --> 00:27:56.940 I can do 00:27:56.940 --> 00:27:57.259 that at 00:27:57.259 --> 00:27:57.640 home 00:27:57.640 --> 00:27:58.840 yes you 00:27:58.840 --> 00:27:59.100 can do 00:27:59.100 --> 00:27:59.279 it at 00:27:59.279 --> 00:27:59.519 home 00:27:59.519 --> 00:28:00.180 if you're 00:28:00.180 --> 00:28:00.740 not able 00:28:00.740 --> 00:28:01.220 physically 00:28:01.220 --> 00:28:01.779 to come 00:28:01.779 --> 00:28:02.420 together 00:28:02.420 --> 00:28:02.800 with other 00:28:02.800 --> 00:28:03.040 people 00:28:03.040 --> 00:28:03.279 that's 00:28:03.279 --> 00:28:03.500 where we 00:28:03.500 --> 00:28:03.800 have the 00:28:03.800 --> 00:28:04.440 technology 00:28:04.440 --> 00:28:06.019 but without 00:28:06.019 --> 00:28:06.360 that 00:28:09.160 --> 00:28:09.759 of mind 00:28:09.759 --> 00:28:10.200 and body 00:28:10.200 --> 00:28:10.620 to come 00:28:10.620 --> 00:28:11.040 together 00:28:11.040 --> 00:28:12.100 well that's 00:28:12.100 --> 00:28:12.360 what we 00:28:12.360 --> 00:28:12.560 do 00:28:12.560 --> 00:28:13.220 because the 00:28:13.220 --> 00:28:14.519 Lord adds 00:28:14.519 --> 00:28:15.720 daily to 00:28:15.720 --> 00:28:16.340 the church 00:28:16.340 --> 00:28:17.759 in these 00:28:17.759 --> 00:28:18.980 days of 00:28:18.980 --> 00:28:19.600 the apostles 00:28:19.600 --> 00:28:20.700 those who 00:28:20.700 --> 00:28:21.200 are being 00:28:21.200 --> 00:28:21.820 saved 00:28:21.820 --> 00:28:24.240 there should 00:28:24.240 --> 00:28:25.620 be no 00:28:25.620 --> 00:28:26.019 room in 00:28:26.019 --> 00:28:26.420 our own 00:28:26.420 --> 00:28:27.000 thoughts 00:28:27.000 --> 00:28:28.500 as 00:28:28.500 --> 00:28:28.960 Christians 00:28:28.960 --> 00:28:30.560 or in 00:28:30.560 --> 00:28:30.920 our own 00:28:30.920 --> 00:28:31.700 thoughts as 00:28:31.700 --> 00:28:32.779 congregations 00:28:32.779 --> 00:28:34.000 for 00:28:34.000 --> 00:28:35.040 individualism 00:28:35.040 --> 00:28:37.640 individualism 00:28:37.640 --> 00:28:38.660 is destructive 00:28:38.660 --> 00:28:40.440 of the 00:28:40.440 --> 00:28:40.920 church's 00:28:40.920 --> 00:28:41.400 life 00:28:41.400 --> 00:28:42.900 because what 00:28:42.900 --> 00:28:43.300 it means 00:28:43.300 --> 00:28:44.120 is you're 00:28:44.120 --> 00:28:44.360 going to 00:28:44.360 --> 00:28:44.900 focus on 00:28:44.900 --> 00:28:45.220 each 00:28:45.220 --> 00:28:45.779 individual 00:28:45.779 --> 00:28:46.360 rather than 00:28:46.360 --> 00:28:46.580 on the 00:28:46.580 --> 00:28:47.160 whole body 00:28:47.160 --> 00:28:47.779 of Christ 00:28:47.779 --> 00:28:49.960 and if we 00:28:49.960 --> 00:28:50.460 just say 00:28:50.460 --> 00:28:51.600 individually 00:28:51.600 --> 00:28:52.720 that's fine 00:28:52.720 --> 00:28:53.180 for me 00:28:53.180 --> 00:28:53.860 the rest 00:28:53.860 --> 00:28:54.160 can do 00:28:54.160 --> 00:28:54.440 what they 00:28:54.440 --> 00:28:54.800 like 00:28:54.800 --> 00:28:55.880 that's not 00:28:55.880 --> 00:28:56.259 being a 00:28:56.259 --> 00:28:56.640 Christian 00:28:56.640 --> 00:28:58.019 that's not 00:28:58.019 --> 00:28:58.259 what the 00:28:58.259 --> 00:28:59.040 Bible encourages 00:28:59.040 --> 00:28:59.660 us to 00:28:59.660 --> 00:29:00.320 think or 00:29:00.320 --> 00:29:00.840 to do 00:29:00.840 --> 00:29:03.140 here is a 00:29:03.140 --> 00:29:03.500 church 00:29:03.500 --> 00:29:04.759 who are 00:29:04.759 --> 00:29:06.380 shunning 00:29:06.380 --> 00:29:07.340 individualism 00:29:07.339 --> 00:29:08.859 who are 00:29:08.859 --> 00:29:09.240 saying what 00:29:09.240 --> 00:29:09.720 we have 00:29:09.720 --> 00:29:10.559 belongs to 00:29:10.559 --> 00:29:11.019 all of us 00:29:11.019 --> 00:29:11.379 together 00:29:11.379 --> 00:29:12.980 what we 00:29:12.980 --> 00:29:13.819 share in 00:29:13.819 --> 00:29:14.659 is ours 00:29:14.659 --> 00:29:15.079 together 00:29:15.079 --> 00:29:15.879 to save 00:29:15.879 --> 00:29:17.059 to save 00:29:17.059 --> 00:29:17.879 to share 00:29:17.879 --> 00:29:19.220 what we 00:29:19.220 --> 00:29:20.000 are in 00:29:20.000 --> 00:29:20.359 terms of 00:29:20.359 --> 00:29:21.079 our salvation 00:29:21.079 --> 00:29:22.039 yes there's 00:29:22.039 --> 00:29:22.579 an individual 00:29:22.579 --> 00:29:23.419 aspect to it 00:29:23.419 --> 00:29:23.699 but it 00:29:23.699 --> 00:29:24.119 doesn't make 00:29:24.119 --> 00:29:24.279 us 00:29:24.279 --> 00:29:25.480 individualistic 00:29:25.480 --> 00:29:27.859 we share 00:29:27.859 --> 00:29:28.279 that as 00:29:28.279 --> 00:29:29.279 well in 00:29:29.279 --> 00:29:29.779 the fellowship 00:29:29.779 --> 00:29:31.859 and in 00:29:31.859 --> 00:29:32.859 the things 00:29:32.859 --> 00:29:33.119 that we 00:29:33.119 --> 00:29:33.539 share in 00:29:33.539 --> 00:29:34.119 the Lord's 00:29:34.119 --> 00:29:34.339 supper 00:29:34.339 --> 00:29:34.720 and so 00:29:34.720 --> 00:29:35.000 on 00:29:35.000 --> 00:29:36.459 that's 00:29:36.459 --> 00:29:37.279 why Paul 00:29:37.279 --> 00:29:37.699 goes on 00:29:37.699 --> 00:29:38.559 to use 00:29:38.559 --> 00:29:39.000 the imagery 00:29:39.000 --> 00:29:39.500 of the 00:29:39.500 --> 00:29:40.039 body 00:29:40.039 --> 00:29:41.399 in his 00:29:41.399 --> 00:29:41.799 epistles 00:29:41.799 --> 00:29:42.720 when he 00:29:42.720 --> 00:29:43.079 deals with 00:29:43.079 --> 00:29:43.599 the church 00:29:43.599 --> 00:29:45.179 you can't 00:29:45.179 --> 00:29:45.779 think of 00:29:45.779 --> 00:29:46.379 your physical 00:29:46.379 --> 00:29:46.879 body 00:29:46.879 --> 00:29:48.699 as if 00:29:48.699 --> 00:29:49.720 the arms 00:29:49.720 --> 00:29:50.319 the legs 00:29:50.319 --> 00:29:50.859 the head 00:29:50.859 --> 00:29:51.779 other parts 00:29:51.779 --> 00:29:52.139 of it just 00:29:52.139 --> 00:29:52.720 function on 00:29:52.720 --> 00:29:53.119 their own 00:29:53.119 --> 00:29:53.500 it wouldn't 00:29:53.500 --> 00:29:53.980 function 00:29:53.980 --> 00:29:56.859 and God 00:29:56.859 --> 00:29:57.599 is through 00:29:57.599 --> 00:29:58.240 that teaching 00:29:58.240 --> 00:29:59.119 us as Paul 00:29:59.119 --> 00:30:00.059 writes in his 00:30:00.059 --> 00:30:00.480 epistles 00:30:00.480 --> 00:30:02.259 that the 00:30:02.259 --> 00:30:03.259 eye cannot 00:30:03.259 --> 00:30:03.740 say I have 00:30:03.740 --> 00:30:04.059 no need 00:30:04.059 --> 00:30:04.299 of the 00:30:04.299 --> 00:30:04.819 hands 00:30:04.819 --> 00:30:05.659 or the 00:30:05.659 --> 00:30:05.980 hands 00:30:05.980 --> 00:30:06.319 say I 00:30:06.319 --> 00:30:06.579 have no 00:30:06.579 --> 00:30:06.740 need 00:30:06.740 --> 00:30:07.039 of the 00:30:07.039 --> 00:30:07.419 feet 00:30:07.419 --> 00:30:09.179 they all 00:30:09.179 --> 00:30:09.619 exist 00:30:09.619 --> 00:30:10.220 together 00:30:10.220 --> 00:30:11.099 to be 00:30:11.099 --> 00:30:11.500 together 00:30:11.500 --> 00:30:12.179 to function 00:30:12.179 --> 00:30:12.679 together 00:30:12.679 --> 00:30:14.259 to each 00:30:14.259 --> 00:30:14.819 contribute 00:30:14.819 --> 00:30:15.319 their own 00:30:15.319 --> 00:30:15.879 part but 00:30:15.879 --> 00:30:16.359 to act 00:30:16.359 --> 00:30:16.740 together 00:30:16.740 --> 00:30:17.359 collectively 00:30:17.359 --> 00:30:18.359 as the 00:30:18.359 --> 00:30:18.799 body of 00:30:18.799 --> 00:30:19.259 Christ 00:30:19.259 --> 00:30:21.619 they 00:30:21.619 --> 00:30:22.179 continued 00:30:22.179 --> 00:30:23.079 diligently 00:30:23.079 --> 00:30:24.559 in witnessing 00:30:24.559 --> 00:30:25.960 as God's 00:30:25.960 --> 00:30:26.720 people in 00:30:26.720 --> 00:30:27.259 the world 00:30:27.259 --> 00:30:29.659 four things 00:30:29.659 --> 00:30:31.519 four things 00:30:31.519 --> 00:30:32.419 that are a 00:30:32.419 --> 00:30:33.519 crucial aspect 00:30:33.519 --> 00:30:33.940 of the 00:30:33.940 --> 00:30:34.339 church's 00:30:34.339 --> 00:30:34.839 life 00:30:34.839 --> 00:30:37.119 it's 00:30:37.119 --> 00:30:38.220 learning 00:30:38.220 --> 00:30:39.619 of God's 00:30:39.619 --> 00:30:39.960 truth 00:30:39.960 --> 00:30:43.139 it's 00:30:43.139 --> 00:30:43.859 being the 00:30:43.859 --> 00:30:44.279 fellowship 00:30:44.279 --> 00:30:44.900 together 00:30:44.900 --> 00:30:45.859 of God's 00:30:45.859 --> 00:30:46.200 people 00:30:46.200 --> 00:30:49.000 it's 00:30:49.000 --> 00:30:49.639 worship of 00:30:49.639 --> 00:30:50.059 God 00:30:50.059 --> 00:30:50.839 publicly 00:30:50.839 --> 00:30:51.900 and privately 00:30:51.900 --> 00:30:53.940 it's 00:30:53.940 --> 00:30:54.460 witness 00:30:54.460 --> 00:30:56.599 to God 00:30:56.599 --> 00:30:57.259 to Christ 00:30:57.259 --> 00:30:57.839 as Savior 00:30:57.839 --> 00:31:00.179 and they're 00:31:00.179 --> 00:31:00.699 as applicable 00:31:00.699 --> 00:31:01.240 to you 00:31:01.240 --> 00:31:01.619 today 00:31:01.619 --> 00:31:03.000 as a 00:31:03.000 --> 00:31:03.339 vacant 00:31:03.339 --> 00:31:04.039 congregation 00:31:04.039 --> 00:31:05.099 as at 00:31:05.099 --> 00:31:05.480 any other 00:31:05.480 --> 00:31:05.839 time 00:31:05.839 --> 00:31:07.500 these things 00:31:07.500 --> 00:31:08.199 don't stop 00:31:08.199 --> 00:31:10.059 when a 00:31:10.059 --> 00:31:10.859 vacancy occurs 00:31:10.859 --> 00:31:11.139 in a 00:31:11.139 --> 00:31:11.539 congregation 00:31:11.539 --> 00:31:12.480 I know you 00:31:12.480 --> 00:31:12.879 know that 00:31:12.879 --> 00:31:13.259 already 00:31:13.259 --> 00:31:13.740 I'm just 00:31:13.740 --> 00:31:15.059 setting out 00:31:15.059 --> 00:31:15.359 for you 00:31:15.359 --> 00:31:15.639 what the 00:31:15.639 --> 00:31:16.179 Bible is 00:31:16.179 --> 00:31:17.179 clearly 00:31:17.179 --> 00:31:17.919 teaching us 00:31:17.919 --> 00:31:18.379 we need 00:31:18.379 --> 00:31:18.879 to focus 00:31:18.879 --> 00:31:19.480 our minds 00:31:19.480 --> 00:31:19.779 on 00:31:19.779 --> 00:31:20.899 so as 00:31:20.899 --> 00:31:21.160 you go 00:31:21.160 --> 00:31:21.460 on 00:31:21.460 --> 00:31:22.139 with the 00:31:22.139 --> 00:31:22.660 vacancy 00:31:22.660 --> 00:31:23.539 however 00:31:23.539 --> 00:31:24.079 short 00:31:24.079 --> 00:31:25.099 or long 00:31:25.099 --> 00:31:25.500 it might 00:31:25.500 --> 00:31:25.819 be 00:31:25.819 --> 00:31:27.460 and 00:31:27.460 --> 00:31:28.779 I know 00:31:28.779 --> 00:31:29.000 in a 00:31:29.000 --> 00:31:29.200 sense 00:31:29.200 --> 00:31:29.440 I've 00:31:29.440 --> 00:31:29.819 caused it 00:31:29.819 --> 00:31:30.460 by retiring 00:31:30.460 --> 00:31:30.839 although I 00:31:30.839 --> 00:31:31.139 had to 00:31:31.139 --> 00:31:31.579 do that 00:31:31.579 --> 00:31:32.660 nevertheless 00:31:32.660 --> 00:31:33.660 it's a 00:31:33.660 --> 00:31:34.059 vacancy 00:31:34.059 --> 00:31:34.440 all the 00:31:34.440 --> 00:31:34.639 same 00:31:34.639 --> 00:31:35.960 and it's 00:31:35.960 --> 00:31:36.319 important 00:31:36.319 --> 00:31:36.839 for you 00:31:36.839 --> 00:31:37.660 as a 00:31:37.660 --> 00:31:38.160 congregation 00:31:38.160 --> 00:31:39.480 that I 00:31:39.480 --> 00:31:39.819 love and 00:31:39.819 --> 00:31:40.339 often preach 00:31:40.339 --> 00:31:40.559 to 00:31:40.559 --> 00:31:41.539 that you 00:31:41.539 --> 00:31:41.980 continue 00:31:41.980 --> 00:31:43.339 learning 00:31:43.339 --> 00:31:44.279 from the 00:31:44.279 --> 00:31:44.759 teaching of 00:31:44.759 --> 00:31:45.079 Scripture 00:31:45.079 --> 00:31:46.099 together 00:31:46.099 --> 00:31:47.299 that you 00:31:47.299 --> 00:31:47.759 continue 00:31:47.759 --> 00:31:49.039 in being 00:31:49.039 --> 00:31:49.279 the 00:31:49.279 --> 00:31:49.720 fellowship 00:31:49.720 --> 00:31:50.319 of God's 00:31:50.319 --> 00:31:50.559 people 00:31:50.559 --> 00:31:51.000 in the 00:31:51.000 --> 00:31:51.379 world 00:31:51.379 --> 00:31:52.419 partaking 00:31:52.419 --> 00:31:52.639 of 00:31:52.639 --> 00:31:52.939 sharing 00:31:52.939 --> 00:31:53.220 in 00:31:53.220 --> 00:31:53.399 and 00:31:53.399 --> 00:31:53.639 sharing 00:31:53.639 --> 00:31:54.000 out 00:31:54.000 --> 00:31:54.819 it's 00:31:54.819 --> 00:31:55.139 important 00:31:55.139 --> 00:31:55.500 for you 00:31:55.500 --> 00:31:55.899 that you 00:31:55.899 --> 00:31:56.839 continue 00:31:56.839 --> 00:31:57.099 to 00:31:57.099 --> 00:31:57.759 diligently 00:31:57.759 --> 00:31:58.879 publicly 00:31:58.879 --> 00:31:59.539 come to 00:31:59.539 --> 00:31:59.859 worship 00:31:59.859 --> 00:32:00.500 the Lord 00:32:00.500 --> 00:32:01.879 it's 00:32:01.879 --> 00:32:02.220 important 00:32:02.220 --> 00:32:02.699 for you 00:32:02.699 --> 00:32:02.960 that 00:32:02.960 --> 00:32:03.839 you 00:32:03.839 --> 00:32:04.220 continue 00:32:04.220 --> 00:32:04.500 to 00:32:04.500 --> 00:32:05.119 witness 00:32:05.119 --> 00:32:06.639 to 00:32:06.639 --> 00:32:06.980 witness 00:32:06.980 --> 00:32:07.339 to 00:32:07.339 --> 00:32:08.059 the 00:32:08.059 --> 00:32:08.339 Savior 00:32:08.339 --> 00:32:09.379 to 00:32:09.379 --> 00:32:09.859 God 00:32:09.859 --> 00:32:11.720 the 00:32:11.720 --> 00:32:12.099 Father 00:32:12.099 --> 00:32:12.639 to God 00:32:12.639 --> 00:32:12.939 the Holy 00:32:12.939 --> 00:32:13.339 Spirit 00:32:13.339 --> 00:32:14.460 to 00:32:14.460 --> 00:32:14.819 Jesus 00:32:14.819 --> 00:32:16.960 and 00:32:16.960 --> 00:32:17.220 that 00:32:17.220 --> 00:32:18.179 you 00:32:18.179 --> 00:32:18.579 continue 00:32:18.579 --> 00:32:19.159 to be 00:32:19.159 --> 00:32:19.539 a 00:32:19.539 --> 00:32:19.859 people 00:32:19.859 --> 00:32:20.939 as I'm 00:32:20.939 --> 00:32:21.119 sure 00:32:21.119 --> 00:32:21.259 you 00:32:21.259 --> 00:32:21.439 will 00:32:21.439 --> 00:32:21.679 be 00:32:21.679 --> 00:32:22.939 who 00:32:22.939 --> 00:32:23.059 will 00:32:23.059 --> 00:32:23.200 have 00:32:23.200 --> 00:32:23.419 these 00:32:23.419 --> 00:32:23.819 four 00:32:23.819 --> 00:32:24.359 features 00:32:24.359 --> 00:32:25.700 as 00:32:25.700 --> 00:32:26.220 prominent 00:32:26.220 --> 00:32:27.019 aspects 00:32:27.019 --> 00:32:27.579 together 00:32:27.579 --> 00:32:28.899 of your 00:32:28.899 --> 00:32:29.359 life 00:32:29.359 --> 00:32:30.200 as a 00:32:30.200 --> 00:32:30.740 congregation 00:32:30.740 --> 00:32:31.339 let's 00:32:31.339 --> 00:32:31.599 pray 00:32:31.599 --> 00:32:33.399 Lord 00:32:33.399 --> 00:32:33.559 our 00:32:33.559 --> 00:32:33.799 God 00:32:33.799 --> 00:32:34.000 we 00:32:34.000 --> 00:32:34.500 again 00:32:34.500 --> 00:32:34.700 give 00:32:34.700 --> 00:32:35.000 thanks 00:32:35.000 --> 00:32:35.240 that 00:32:35.240 --> 00:32:36.519 these 00:32:36.519 --> 00:32:37.019 aspects 00:32:37.019 --> 00:32:37.220 of 00:32:37.220 --> 00:32:37.339 your 00:32:37.339 --> 00:32:37.639 word 00:32:37.639 --> 00:32:37.819 and 00:32:37.819 --> 00:32:37.980 its 00:32:37.980 --> 00:32:38.299 teaching 00:32:38.299 --> 00:32:38.500 are 00:32:38.500 --> 00:32:38.819 applicable 00:32:38.819 --> 00:32:39.159 to 00:32:39.159 --> 00:32:39.439 us 00:32:39.439 --> 00:32:40.339 at 00:32:40.339 --> 00:32:40.559 all 00:32:40.559 --> 00:32:40.919 times 00:32:40.919 --> 00:32:41.079 in 00:32:41.079 --> 00:32:41.200 the 00:32:41.200 --> 00:32:41.500 history 00:32:41.500 --> 00:32:41.679 of 00:32:41.679 --> 00:32:41.839 your 00:32:41.839 --> 00:32:42.220 church 00:32:42.220 --> 00:32:43.379 and 00:32:43.379 --> 00:32:43.500 we 00:32:43.500 --> 00:32:43.740 thank 00:32:43.740 --> 00:32:43.859 you 00:32:43.859 --> 00:32:44.000 that 00:32:44.000 --> 00:32:44.119 they 00:32:44.119 --> 00:32:44.220 are 00:32:44.220 --> 00:32:44.539 relevant 00:32:44.539 --> 00:32:44.740 and 00:32:44.740 --> 00:32:45.079 applicable 00:32:45.079 --> 00:32:45.360 to 00:32:45.360 --> 00:32:45.579 us 00:32:45.579 --> 00:32:46.039 today 00:32:46.039 --> 00:32:46.860 whatever 00:32:46.860 --> 00:32:47.160 our 00:32:47.160 --> 00:32:47.799 circumstances 00:32:47.799 --> 00:32:48.140 Lord 00:32:48.140 --> 00:32:48.360 may 00:32:48.360 --> 00:32:48.759 be 00:32:48.759 --> 00:32:49.920 continue 00:32:49.920 --> 00:32:50.120 to 00:32:50.120 --> 00:32:50.360 bless 00:32:50.360 --> 00:32:50.600 this 00:32:50.600 --> 00:32:51.180 congregation 00:32:51.180 --> 00:32:51.500 of your 00:32:51.500 --> 00:32:51.819 people 00:32:51.819 --> 00:32:52.319 we pray 00:32:52.319 --> 00:32:53.759 provide for 00:32:53.759 --> 00:32:54.039 them at 00:32:54.039 --> 00:32:54.539 this time 00:32:54.539 --> 00:32:55.660 bless those 00:32:55.660 --> 00:32:56.039 who have 00:32:56.039 --> 00:32:58.440 positions and 00:32:58.440 --> 00:32:59.200 functions of 00:32:59.200 --> 00:33:00.100 of 00:33:00.100 --> 00:33:01.779 leadership at 00:33:01.779 --> 00:33:02.319 this time 00:33:02.319 --> 00:33:03.400 the elders in 00:33:03.400 --> 00:33:03.880 the session 00:33:03.880 --> 00:33:05.759 remember also 00:33:05.759 --> 00:33:06.600 Calumurdo as he 00:33:06.600 --> 00:33:07.200 continues to 00:33:07.200 --> 00:33:07.700 minister the 00:33:07.700 --> 00:33:08.440 gospel here 00:33:08.440 --> 00:33:09.720 and remember 00:33:09.720 --> 00:33:11.420 Calum McLeod as he 00:33:11.420 --> 00:33:12.500 heads them in 00:33:12.500 --> 00:33:13.220 being an 00:33:13.220 --> 00:33:14.000 intermoderator 00:33:14.000 --> 00:33:14.779 we pray 00:33:14.779 --> 00:33:15.240 Lord for 00:33:15.240 --> 00:33:15.600 all of 00:33:15.600 --> 00:33:15.880 those 00:33:15.880 --> 00:33:16.960 individuals 00:33:16.960 --> 00:33:17.460 and for 00:33:17.460 --> 00:33:17.600 them 00:33:17.600 --> 00:33:18.120 collectively 00:33:18.120 --> 00:33:18.539 to 00:33:18.539 --> 00:33:20.080 continue to 00:33:20.080 --> 00:33:20.720 guide and 00:33:20.720 --> 00:33:21.180 steer the 00:33:21.180 --> 00:33:21.920 congregation at 00:33:21.920 --> 00:33:22.420 this time 00:33:22.420 --> 00:33:23.759 above all we 00:33:23.759 --> 00:33:24.300 pray for your 00:33:24.300 --> 00:33:25.100 Holy Spirit to 00:33:25.100 --> 00:33:25.519 guide them 00:33:25.519 --> 00:33:26.700 we pray for 00:33:26.700 --> 00:33:27.279 souls to be 00:33:27.279 --> 00:33:27.680 saved 00:33:27.680 --> 00:33:28.279 we pray for 00:33:28.279 --> 00:33:28.779 others to be 00:33:28.779 --> 00:33:29.720 added to 00:33:29.720 --> 00:33:30.259 the number of 00:33:30.259 --> 00:33:30.779 the saved 00:33:30.779 --> 00:33:31.880 and we pray 00:33:31.880 --> 00:33:32.460 for the glory 00:33:32.460 --> 00:33:33.100 of your name 00:33:33.100 --> 00:33:34.320 to be more and 00:33:34.320 --> 00:33:35.160 more manifest 00:33:35.160 --> 00:33:35.759 throughout your 00:33:35.759 --> 00:33:36.420 people here 00:33:36.420 --> 00:33:37.580 we pray in 00:33:37.580 --> 00:33:38.259 Jesus name 00:33:38.259 --> 00:33:38.779 Amen 00:33:38.779 --> 00:33:42.039 We're going 00:33:42.039 --> 00:33:43.220 to conclude 00:33:43.220 --> 00:33:43.759 our service 00:33:43.759 --> 00:33:44.339 today singing 00:33:44.339 --> 00:33:44.779 in Psalm 00:33:44.779 --> 00:33:45.639 133 00:33:45.639 --> 00:33:46.220 well known 00:33:46.220 --> 00:33:46.740 words of 00:33:46.740 --> 00:33:48.539 Psalm 133 00:33:48.539 --> 00:33:50.220 in the 00:33:50.220 --> 00:33:50.519 Scottish 00:33:50.519 --> 00:33:50.859 Psalter 00:33:50.859 --> 00:33:51.200 version 00:33:51.200 --> 00:33:52.519 Behold how 00:33:52.519 --> 00:33:53.240 good a thing 00:33:53.240 --> 00:33:53.759 it is and 00:33:53.759 --> 00:33:54.299 how becoming 00:33:54.299 --> 00:33:55.700 well together 00:33:55.700 --> 00:33:56.319 such as 00:33:56.319 --> 00:33:57.019 brethren are 00:33:57.019 --> 00:33:57.579 in unity 00:33:57.579 --> 00:33:58.180 to dwell 00:33:58.180 --> 00:33:59.399 like precious 00:33:59.399 --> 00:34:00.059 ointment on 00:34:00.059 --> 00:34:00.379 the head 00:34:00.379 --> 00:34:00.759 that down 00:34:00.759 --> 00:34:01.180 the beard 00:34:01.180 --> 00:34:01.740 did flow 00:34:01.740 --> 00:34:03.160 even Aaron's 00:34:03.160 --> 00:34:03.700 beard and to 00:34:03.700 --> 00:34:04.200 the skirts 00:34:04.200 --> 00:34:04.680 did of his 00:34:04.680 --> 00:34:05.559 garments go 00:34:05.559 --> 00:34:07.079 as Herman's 00:34:07.079 --> 00:34:07.539 Jew the 00:34:07.539 --> 00:34:08.059 Jew that 00:34:08.059 --> 00:34:08.559 doth on 00:34:08.559 --> 00:34:09.320 Zion hills 00:34:09.320 --> 00:34:10.840 descend for 00:34:10.840 --> 00:34:11.539 there the 00:34:11.539 --> 00:34:12.360 blessing God 00:34:12.360 --> 00:34:13.460 commands life 00:34:13.460 --> 00:34:14.539 that shall 00:34:14.539 --> 00:34:15.519 never end 00:34:15.519 --> 00:34:16.820 Psalm 133 00:34:16.820 --> 00:34:17.340 to God's 00:34:17.340 --> 00:34:17.679 praise 00:34:17.679 --> 00:34:25.559 behold how good 00:34:25.559 --> 00:34:26.879 a thing 00:34:26.879 --> 00:34:30.059 it is 00:34:30.059 --> 00:34:32.759 and how 00:34:32.759 --> 00:34:34.000 becoming 00:34:34.000 --> 00:34:37.599 well 00:34:37.599 --> 00:34:39.299 together 00:34:39.299 --> 00:34:42.460 such 00:34:42.460 --> 00:34:43.699 as 00:34:43.699 --> 00:34:45.379 brethren 00:34:45.380 --> 00:34:47.380 are in 00:34:47.380 --> 00:34:50.380 in unity 00:34:50.380 --> 00:34:52.380 to dwell 00:34:52.380 --> 00:34:55.380 like 00:34:55.380 --> 00:34:55.380 00:34:55.380 --> 00:34:57.380 precious 00:34:57.380 --> 00:35:00.380 ointment 00:35:00.380 --> 00:35:02.380 on the 00:35:02.380 --> 00:35:03.380 head 00:35:03.380 --> 00:35:05.380 that 00:35:05.380 --> 00:35:06.380 earned 00:35:06.380 --> 00:35:08.380 the beard 00:35:08.380 --> 00:35:10.380 did flow 00:35:10.380 --> 00:35:11.380 flow 00:35:11.380 --> 00:35:12.380 he 00:35:12.380 --> 00:35:13.380 he 00:35:13.380 --> 00:35:13.380 00:35:13.380 --> 00:35:15.380 on 00:35:15.380 --> 00:35:16.380 beard 00:35:16.380 --> 00:35:18.380 and to 00:35:18.380 --> 00:35:19.380 the 00:35:19.380 --> 00:35:20.380 skirts 00:35:20.380 --> 00:35:22.380 did 00:35:22.380 --> 00:35:23.380 off 00:35:23.380 --> 00:35:24.380 his 00:35:24.380 --> 00:35:25.380 garments 00:35:25.380 --> 00:35:26.380 go 00:35:26.380 --> 00:35:28.380 as 00:35:28.380 --> 00:35:31.380 her 00:35:31.380 --> 00:35:32.380 most 00:35:32.380 --> 00:35:33.380 Jew 00:35:33.380 --> 00:35:35.380 the 00:35:35.380 --> 00:35:36.380 Jew 00:35:36.380 --> 00:35:37.380 that 00:35:37.380 --> 00:35:38.380 doth 00:35:38.380 --> 00:35:40.380 on 00:35:40.380 --> 00:35:41.380 Zion 00:35:41.380 --> 00:35:43.380 hills 00:35:43.380 --> 00:35:43.380 00:35:43.380 --> 00:35:44.380 ! 00:35:44.380 --> 00:35:44.380 00:35:44.380 --> 00:35:45.380 there 00:35:45.380 --> 00:35:46.380 the 00:35:46.380 --> 00:35:47.380 blessing 00:35:47.380 --> 00:35:49.380 God 00:35:49.380 --> 00:35:49.380 00:35:49.380 --> 00:35:49.380 00:35:49.380 --> 00:35:50.380 that 00:35:50.380 --> 00:35:51.380 shall 00:35:51.380 --> 00:35:51.380 00:35:51.380 --> 00:35:53.380 end 00:35:53.380 --> 00:35:53.380 00:35:53.380 --> 00:35:54.380 God 00:35:54.380 --> 00:35:55.380 commands 00:35:55.380 --> 00:35:57.380 life 00:35:57.380 --> 00:35:58.380 that 00:35:58.380 --> 00:35:59.380 shall 00:35:59.380 --> 00:36:00.380 ever 00:36:00.380 --> 00:36:01.380 end 00:36:01.380 --> 00:36:03.380 ! 00:36:03.380 --> 00:36:05.380 Amen! 00:36:33.380 --> 00:36:35.380 them 00:36:35.380 --> 00:36:36.380 all 00:36:36.380 --> 00:36:37.380 will 00:36:37.380 --> 00:36:38.380 get 00:36:38.380 --> 00:36:39.380 now 00:36:39.380 --> 00:36:40.380 this 00:36:40.380 --> 00:36:41.380 here 00:36:41.380 --> 00:36:42.380 is 00:36:42.380 --> 00:36:43.380 not 00:36:43.380 --> 00:36:44.380 all 00:36:44.380 --> 00:36:45.380 he 00:36:45.380 --> 00:36:46.380 one 00:36:46.380 --> 00:36:47.380 will 00:36:47.380 --> 00:36:48.380 there 00:36:48.380 --> 00:36:49.380 so 00:36:49.380 --> 00:36:50.380 he 00:36:50.380 --> 00:36:51.380 who 00:36:51.380 --> 00:36:52.380 will 00:36:52.380 --> 00:36:53.380 see 00:36:53.380 --> 00:36:54.380 if 00:36:54.380 --> 00:36:55.380 he 00:36:55.380 --> 00:36:56.380 here 00:36:56.380 --> 00:36:57.380 he 00:36:57.380 --> 00:36:58.380 by 00:36:58.380 --> 00:36:59.380 car 00:36:59.380 --> 00:37:00.380 week 00:37:00.380 --> 00:37:30.360 Thank you. 00:37:30.380 --> 00:38:00.360 Thank you.