WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:07.440 and my friend is not? Or why am I the only Christian that's in my family? 00:00:08.859 --> 00:00:14.500 Or maybe it's a little bit closer to home. Why am I not a Christian? 00:00:16.740 --> 00:00:22.039 So how is it that people become followers of Jesus? 00:00:22.039 --> 00:00:32.840 What can we do so that my friend or perhaps my mum or my dad or the person who I work with or go to college with, 00:00:33.340 --> 00:00:40.079 what can I do so that they too can become a follower of Jesus Christ? 00:00:41.920 --> 00:00:46.320 Well, the simple answer is found in Acts chapter 8. 00:00:46.320 --> 00:00:56.939 The story of the Ethiopian who hears the good news about Jesus from Philip and becomes a Christian. 00:00:57.280 --> 00:01:03.320 So let's look at this story as we seek to answer the question, how do people become Christians? 00:01:03.579 --> 00:01:06.060 The first part of the answer is this. 00:01:07.120 --> 00:01:09.099 God's gospel plan. 00:01:10.379 --> 00:01:13.840 And we see this worked out in three simple ways. 00:01:13.840 --> 00:01:17.520 First, we see his plan worked out in the world. 00:01:18.180 --> 00:01:24.340 The beginning of Acts, no need to look it up, makes it very clear what God's plan is. 00:01:24.980 --> 00:01:29.760 In Acts chapter 1 and verse 8, it says this. 00:01:30.820 --> 00:01:33.500 Jesus is speaking to his disciples. 00:01:33.680 --> 00:01:34.040 He says, 00:01:34.040 --> 00:02:01.400 God's intention was that the gospel, the good news about Jesus, the promise of salvation would be announced to all people. 00:02:01.400 --> 00:02:12.080 So God is making it very clear at the very beginning that his gospel doesn't belong to one particular culture or one particular race or people, 00:02:12.360 --> 00:02:16.879 but it's for everyone everywhere in the world. 00:02:18.719 --> 00:02:21.939 So how did people get to here? 00:02:22.620 --> 00:02:24.400 Well, go back to chapter 8. 00:02:24.719 --> 00:02:26.939 Chapter 8 and verse 1. 00:02:26.939 --> 00:02:30.300 Look at what we read there at the beginning of chapter 8. 00:02:31.219 --> 00:02:39.199 It tells us there that a great persecution broke out against the church at Jerusalem. 00:02:39.699 --> 00:02:42.759 And all except the apostles were scattered. 00:02:43.280 --> 00:02:43.719 Where? 00:02:44.879 --> 00:02:47.699 Throughout Judea and Samaria. 00:02:47.699 --> 00:02:58.280 All of a sudden, families who had trusted in Jesus Christ and who were part of the church in the city of Jerusalem 00:02:58.280 --> 00:03:02.519 had to move to other places for fear of their lives. 00:03:02.599 --> 00:03:03.759 They had to escape. 00:03:05.199 --> 00:03:08.739 And what did they do when they moved to other places? 00:03:09.099 --> 00:03:10.199 Well, look at verse 4. 00:03:10.199 --> 00:03:17.839 Those who had been scattered preached the word wherever they went. 00:03:18.199 --> 00:03:20.619 And we're told they went into Judea and Samaria. 00:03:21.000 --> 00:03:23.379 Just as God had said. 00:03:23.619 --> 00:03:25.000 This was no accident. 00:03:25.179 --> 00:03:27.239 This was all part of God's working. 00:03:27.240 --> 00:03:36.060 His sovereign and great plan that the persecution would move people out to different places 00:03:36.060 --> 00:03:40.540 so that they could begin to share the good news with other people. 00:03:41.200 --> 00:03:42.840 So that's the first step. 00:03:42.939 --> 00:03:44.240 The second part is this. 00:03:45.320 --> 00:03:50.180 God's gospel plan in the witness is also worked out in Philip's life. 00:03:50.960 --> 00:03:56.000 Because Philip was in Jerusalem and now he's having to move out to another place. 00:03:56.000 --> 00:04:00.659 Look at verse 26 of Acts chapter 8. 00:04:02.020 --> 00:04:04.300 Now an angel of the Lord said to Philip, 00:04:05.000 --> 00:04:11.759 Go south to the road, the desert road that goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza. 00:04:12.800 --> 00:04:19.819 This is a road that goes southeast towards the coast from Jerusalem, about a 60 mile journey. 00:04:19.819 --> 00:04:25.819 As he started out on his way, he met an Ethiopian eunuch. 00:04:25.819 --> 00:04:30.959 An important official in charge of the treasury. 00:04:32.199 --> 00:04:41.120 So do you see how God is working in such a way that he brings Philip into contact with an unbeliever? 00:04:41.120 --> 00:04:43.560 So God's working in the world. 00:04:43.560 --> 00:04:49.160 He's working in Philip and he's working in the life of the unbeliever. 00:04:50.399 --> 00:04:55.100 Amazingly, God is doing that in this man from Ethiopia. 00:04:55.959 --> 00:05:01.639 This unbeliever, we've been told, has been up to Jerusalem to go to the temple. 00:05:01.639 --> 00:05:07.939 And now he's on his way home again and he's opened up his Bible to the Old Testament. 00:05:08.180 --> 00:05:11.560 Well, that's all they would have had then, the scriptures of Isaiah. 00:05:11.800 --> 00:05:13.439 And he's reading away. 00:05:14.939 --> 00:05:21.219 Now what would prompt a non-Jew to start reading the scriptures? 00:05:22.639 --> 00:05:25.899 Well, it seems God is at work in his life as well. 00:05:25.899 --> 00:05:27.599 This man is searching. 00:05:28.039 --> 00:05:29.319 He's not satisfied. 00:05:29.560 --> 00:05:31.319 What he has isn't enough. 00:05:32.299 --> 00:05:39.039 So God in his gospel plan is bringing all these people together. 00:05:39.500 --> 00:05:42.179 So that they can hear the good news. 00:05:43.739 --> 00:05:47.579 Now Philip's encounter with the Ethiopian is really quite humorous. 00:05:47.839 --> 00:05:49.120 Look at verse 29. 00:05:49.120 --> 00:05:56.220 The spirit told Philip, go to that chariot and stay near it. 00:05:57.259 --> 00:06:01.720 Then Philip ran up to the chariot and he heard the man reading Isaiah the prophet. 00:06:02.300 --> 00:06:04.740 Do you understand what you're reading? 00:06:05.040 --> 00:06:05.780 Philip asked. 00:06:07.180 --> 00:06:08.300 Well, how can I? 00:06:08.340 --> 00:06:10.600 He said, unless someone explains it to me. 00:06:11.639 --> 00:06:14.240 So he invited Philip to come and sit with him. 00:06:14.319 --> 00:06:17.399 You could imagine the scene that's there. 00:06:17.399 --> 00:06:19.759 What are you reading? 00:06:20.519 --> 00:06:21.079 Isaiah. 00:06:21.620 --> 00:06:23.060 Do you understand it? 00:06:23.659 --> 00:06:24.099 No. 00:06:24.620 --> 00:06:25.699 Can I help you? 00:06:26.120 --> 00:06:26.579 Yes. 00:06:27.120 --> 00:06:28.379 Any chance of a lift? 00:06:28.779 --> 00:06:30.679 Come on, get up, come with me. 00:06:31.179 --> 00:06:32.959 And I'll explain it to you. 00:06:34.539 --> 00:06:36.560 Is this a chance meeting? 00:06:37.739 --> 00:06:39.539 I don't think it is. 00:06:40.919 --> 00:06:44.879 Do you see how God's gospel plan is at work in the world? 00:06:44.879 --> 00:06:49.819 In his witness, Philip, and in the unbeliever, the Ethiopian. 00:06:49.980 --> 00:06:55.459 He's working everything together so that people can become Christians. 00:06:57.180 --> 00:07:08.319 Mimi tells us in her story, if you read it, that she met her cousin who invited her to a meeting where the gospel was shared. 00:07:08.319 --> 00:07:16.719 Philip, in his testimony, he told us how he moved from Congo to Finland and from Finland to Amsterdam. 00:07:17.459 --> 00:07:21.459 And there he met his niece who explained the gospel to him. 00:07:22.300 --> 00:07:23.879 Are these chance meetings? 00:07:23.879 --> 00:07:26.459 I don't think they were. 00:07:27.839 --> 00:07:35.399 And for us, it changes how we think about where we actually live, the house that we live in, the place that we work. 00:07:35.399 --> 00:07:43.079 And why I happen to be, perhaps, the only Christian in my family or in my college. 00:07:43.939 --> 00:07:47.379 At one level, we all choose the different places we live. 00:07:47.759 --> 00:07:48.879 We make decisions. 00:07:49.019 --> 00:07:53.339 We say, I'm going to go to that college and I'm going to do that course. 00:07:53.839 --> 00:07:56.179 Or I'm going to take that job. 00:07:56.180 --> 00:08:04.340 But at another level, God has planned out where we're going to live, where we're going to work, and what we're going to study. 00:08:05.759 --> 00:08:17.379 And if you are a Christian, God has placed you where you are because there are people just like the Ethiopian who doesn't know the good news about Jesus. 00:08:17.379 --> 00:08:25.879 And God has you there so that you can share and live your life amongst the people. 00:08:27.139 --> 00:08:29.600 So, how do people become Christians? 00:08:29.780 --> 00:08:32.700 Well, first, we've got to understand God's big plan. 00:08:33.340 --> 00:08:36.860 But second, his invitation. 00:08:38.240 --> 00:08:42.659 We're told a little bit about the Ethiopian in verse 27. 00:08:43.019 --> 00:08:45.180 Let's read verse 27 again. 00:08:45.180 --> 00:08:51.500 So, he started out, that's Philip, and on his way, he met an Ethiopian eunuch, 00:08:51.500 --> 00:09:00.240 an important official in charge of all the treasury of Candace, queen of the Ethiopians. 00:09:01.460 --> 00:09:05.679 This man had gone to Jerusalem to worship. 00:09:05.679 --> 00:09:11.579 Now, in today's language, we might say that he was the finance minister. 00:09:12.179 --> 00:09:14.679 He's in charge of the treasury. 00:09:15.179 --> 00:09:19.279 He's the one who decides what taxes, what the budget is going to be. 00:09:19.279 --> 00:09:21.919 And he's a very important guy. 00:09:22.199 --> 00:09:28.259 So important, he's being chauffeur-driven in a first-century stretched limo. 00:09:29.079 --> 00:09:30.679 Except for it's a chariot. 00:09:30.679 --> 00:09:41.959 Now, we're told, verse 28, on his way home, he was sitting in his chariot, reading the book of Isaiah, the prophets. 00:09:41.960 --> 00:09:49.540 This unbeliever has travelled literally hundreds of miles all the way from Ethiopia, 00:09:49.740 --> 00:09:55.100 this great big vast kingdom of which the queen was in charge of, a very wealthy place, 00:09:55.139 --> 00:09:58.980 and he's travelled all the way up to Jerusalem to go and worship. 00:10:00.320 --> 00:10:07.240 Except when he arrives at the temple, he discovers that he actually can't worship. 00:10:08.100 --> 00:10:11.420 He's not allowed into the temple. 00:10:11.960 --> 00:10:14.019 Well, how do we know that? 00:10:14.120 --> 00:10:15.120 Where did you read that? 00:10:15.220 --> 00:10:16.340 What verse was that, Johnny? 00:10:16.920 --> 00:10:22.080 Well, we are told that he is a foreigner. 00:10:22.940 --> 00:10:25.040 He's an Ethiopian. 00:10:25.820 --> 00:10:27.860 He's come from a different place. 00:10:29.040 --> 00:10:32.340 And secondly, he is a eunuch. 00:10:33.400 --> 00:10:38.900 A eunuch simply means that he has been sexually altered or castrated. 00:10:38.899 --> 00:10:46.379 Now, for us, that might seem quite odd and quite strange, but in a culture like that, it could be quite common. 00:10:46.559 --> 00:10:54.699 It was a sign, a way of showing that you were completely committed and loyal to the work and to the service that you were involved in. 00:10:54.700 --> 00:10:58.540 So this was a very committed guy. 00:10:59.180 --> 00:11:03.879 But as far as temple rules go, I might have it there. 00:11:04.460 --> 00:11:07.759 Yes, in Deuteronomy 23, you can look it up later. 00:11:07.920 --> 00:11:15.120 As far as temple rules go, foreigners and eunuchs were not allowed into the temple. 00:11:15.460 --> 00:11:17.140 You were kept outside. 00:11:17.540 --> 00:11:18.920 You couldn't get close. 00:11:18.919 --> 00:11:20.240 You were excluded. 00:11:20.459 --> 00:11:21.259 You were shut out. 00:11:21.579 --> 00:11:22.679 You're not allowed in. 00:11:24.519 --> 00:11:32.679 So it seems like his journey all the way up from Ethiopia up to Jerusalem was a complete waste of time. 00:11:33.679 --> 00:11:37.860 And so he leaves disappointed, disillusioned. 00:11:38.259 --> 00:11:41.759 He came to meet God, to know something about God. 00:11:41.919 --> 00:11:43.539 But now he can't get in. 00:11:44.120 --> 00:11:45.419 He's been barred. 00:11:45.419 --> 00:11:56.379 And somewhere on his return journey, this educated and important man is reading from the prophet Isaiah. 00:11:57.319 --> 00:11:59.740 And Philip begins to explain to him. 00:12:00.819 --> 00:12:02.379 We're told what he was reading. 00:12:02.500 --> 00:12:03.659 Look at verse 32. 00:12:05.500 --> 00:12:11.759 The eunuch was reading this passage of scripture, which comes from Isaiah 53. 00:12:11.759 --> 00:12:15.679 He was led like sheep to the slaughter. 00:12:16.559 --> 00:12:21.139 And as a lamb before the shearer is silent, so he did not open his mouth. 00:12:21.480 --> 00:12:24.559 In his humiliation he was deprived of justice. 00:12:25.100 --> 00:12:27.120 Who can speak of his descendants? 00:12:28.000 --> 00:12:31.720 For his life was taken from the earth. 00:12:32.879 --> 00:12:38.539 The eunuch asked Philip, tell me please, who is the prophet talking about? 00:12:38.539 --> 00:12:39.259 Himself? 00:12:39.259 --> 00:12:39.500 Himself? 00:12:40.099 --> 00:12:41.860 Or is it someone else? 00:12:43.579 --> 00:12:52.240 Then Philip began with that very passage of scripture and told him the good news about Jesus. 00:12:53.259 --> 00:12:58.279 You see, Isaiah and the Old Testament is all about Jesus. 00:12:59.679 --> 00:13:01.399 So what did he explain to them? 00:13:01.659 --> 00:13:03.980 What was Philip going to say to him? 00:13:03.980 --> 00:13:10.420 Well, we don't have it all there, but we can figure out from what he has explained, or what he has read, 00:13:10.940 --> 00:13:12.899 that he told the good news about Jesus. 00:13:13.960 --> 00:13:19.180 First, there is freedom from sin's penalty. 00:13:20.240 --> 00:13:25.399 Keep your finger in Acts and let's go back to Isaiah chapter 53. 00:13:25.659 --> 00:13:27.820 Go back with me to Isaiah 53. 00:13:27.820 --> 00:13:37.020 Isaiah 53 and verse 5. 00:13:40.460 --> 00:13:46.780 The Ethiopian is asked the question as he's talked about this sheep who's being taken off for slaughter, 00:13:47.280 --> 00:13:52.920 this lamb who's going to be slain, and he's trying to figure out who is this sheep? 00:13:53.040 --> 00:13:54.020 Who's this lamb? 00:13:54.019 --> 00:13:58.079 Is it the prophet or was he speaking about somebody else? 00:14:00.799 --> 00:14:06.000 Well, look at what this passage has to say, because it is speaking about Jesus. 00:14:06.699 --> 00:14:07.579 Verse 5. 00:14:07.919 --> 00:14:10.919 He was pierced for our transgressions. 00:14:11.019 --> 00:14:13.019 He was crushed for our iniquities. 00:14:13.879 --> 00:14:17.220 The punishment that brought us peace was upon him. 00:14:17.539 --> 00:14:19.340 By his wounds we are healed. 00:14:19.340 --> 00:14:21.860 We all like sheep have gone astray. 00:14:22.100 --> 00:14:23.860 Each of us turned to his own way. 00:14:24.300 --> 00:14:28.600 And the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all. 00:14:28.960 --> 00:14:33.540 He, that's Jesus, was oppressed and afflicted. 00:14:33.960 --> 00:14:35.660 Yet he did not open his mouth. 00:14:36.220 --> 00:14:42.480 He, that's Jesus, was led like a lamb to the slaughter. 00:14:42.480 --> 00:14:47.080 And as a sheep before our shearers is silent. 00:14:47.980 --> 00:14:50.659 So he did not open his mouth. 00:14:51.740 --> 00:14:56.220 You see, Philip was beginning to explain that this is all about Jesus. 00:14:57.659 --> 00:15:02.700 And he wanted to make clear to him that, listen, Mr. Ethiopian, 00:15:02.700 --> 00:15:08.660 It's not your race, it's not your status that excludes you from God. 00:15:09.100 --> 00:15:15.000 The reason why you can't come to God is not because of where you come from or who you are. 00:15:15.280 --> 00:15:16.720 It's because of your sin. 00:15:18.200 --> 00:15:20.940 And the good news is, Mr. Ethiopian, 00:15:21.420 --> 00:15:23.780 Jesus has come to deal with your sin. 00:15:24.160 --> 00:15:26.120 He's the one who stands in for us. 00:15:26.120 --> 00:15:31.060 He takes the place of us and he receives what we deserve. 00:15:31.059 --> 00:15:35.139 He was pierced for our transgressions. 00:15:35.579 --> 00:15:38.339 Crushed for my iniquities. 00:15:39.019 --> 00:15:43.779 The punishment that brings you peace was upon him. 00:15:45.679 --> 00:15:49.799 And so he began to make clear the good news of Jesus. 00:15:50.419 --> 00:15:52.839 But that was only half the good news. 00:15:53.859 --> 00:15:55.679 The second part of it was this. 00:15:56.000 --> 00:15:58.919 That not only was he freed from sin's penalty, 00:15:58.919 --> 00:16:02.459 but he was now welcomed into God's family. 00:16:02.799 --> 00:16:06.199 Look at Isaiah chapter 53 verse 8. 00:16:07.839 --> 00:16:09.519 A question has been raised. 00:16:09.659 --> 00:16:12.959 This is what he had been reading in his chariot. 00:16:13.519 --> 00:16:14.240 It says there, 00:16:14.339 --> 00:16:18.799 By oppression and judgment he, that's Jesus, was taken away. 00:16:19.439 --> 00:16:22.479 And who can speak of his descendants? 00:16:22.480 --> 00:16:26.820 It's a bit of a puzzling question for him 00:16:26.820 --> 00:16:27.980 because he's saying, 00:16:28.139 --> 00:16:29.620 Well, if Jesus has died, 00:16:30.759 --> 00:16:32.840 who is going to be his family? 00:16:33.120 --> 00:16:35.039 Who is going to be his descendants? 00:16:35.259 --> 00:16:36.279 If Jesus is dead, 00:16:36.680 --> 00:16:38.360 what's his offspring going to be? 00:16:39.180 --> 00:16:41.720 Well, the answer comes for us in verse 10. 00:16:43.159 --> 00:16:45.720 It tells us there that it was the Lord's will 00:16:45.720 --> 00:16:49.060 to crush Jesus and to cause him to suffer. 00:16:49.059 --> 00:16:52.359 And though the Lord makes his life a guilt offering, 00:16:52.859 --> 00:16:55.719 he will see his offspring 00:16:55.719 --> 00:16:59.439 and prolong his days. 00:16:59.919 --> 00:17:04.299 And the will of the Lord will prosper in his hands. 00:17:05.700 --> 00:17:07.279 Do you see what it's saying there? 00:17:07.779 --> 00:17:10.200 His offspring, even though Jesus dies, 00:17:10.559 --> 00:17:11.659 there will be offspring, 00:17:11.859 --> 00:17:13.279 there will be a family. 00:17:13.599 --> 00:17:14.220 In other words, 00:17:14.379 --> 00:17:16.059 all who trust in Jesus, 00:17:16.059 --> 00:17:18.819 they are his true descendants. 00:17:19.679 --> 00:17:22.819 They are the ones who become part of God's family. 00:17:23.659 --> 00:17:27.419 So Philip is making it crystal clear to Mr. Ethiopian 00:17:27.419 --> 00:17:30.200 that look, instead of being shut out, 00:17:30.759 --> 00:17:32.339 instead of being excluded, 00:17:32.940 --> 00:17:35.759 not only can you be forgiven of all of your sin, 00:17:36.579 --> 00:17:40.759 but you too can be welcomed in to God's family. 00:17:40.759 --> 00:17:44.079 We don't know, 00:17:44.200 --> 00:17:46.940 but I wonder if he turned the page in his scroll, 00:17:47.440 --> 00:17:50.000 or rather unrolled it a little bit further, 00:17:50.259 --> 00:17:52.319 and came to Isaiah 56. 00:17:52.579 --> 00:17:55.700 Have a look at Isaiah 56 and verse 3. 00:17:58.200 --> 00:18:00.500 Isaiah 56 and verse 3. 00:18:00.500 --> 00:18:08.160 So thinking of the Ethiopian, 00:18:09.220 --> 00:18:10.079 a foreigner, 00:18:10.980 --> 00:18:11.779 a eunuch, 00:18:12.519 --> 00:18:14.019 not allowed near God, 00:18:14.359 --> 00:18:14.940 excluded, 00:18:15.299 --> 00:18:16.440 but look what it says, 00:18:16.559 --> 00:18:18.180 Isaiah 56 verse 3. 00:18:18.180 --> 00:18:22.220 Let no foreigner who has bound himself to the Lord say, 00:18:22.759 --> 00:18:25.680 the Lord will surely exclude me from his people. 00:18:26.420 --> 00:18:28.660 And let not any eunuch complain, 00:18:28.660 --> 00:18:30.960 I am only a dry tree, 00:18:31.560 --> 00:18:33.880 for this is what the Lord says. 00:18:34.200 --> 00:18:35.279 Look at verse 5. 00:18:35.779 --> 00:18:38.980 To them I will give within my temple and its walls 00:18:38.980 --> 00:18:41.560 a memorial and a name, 00:18:41.840 --> 00:18:43.540 better than sons and daughters. 00:18:43.680 --> 00:18:45.600 I will give them an everlasting name 00:18:45.600 --> 00:18:47.740 that will not be cut off. 00:18:48.540 --> 00:18:49.259 Verse 7. 00:18:49.660 --> 00:18:52.360 These I will bring to my holy mountain 00:18:52.360 --> 00:18:56.019 and give them joy in my house of prayer. 00:18:58.660 --> 00:19:00.000 Isn't that amazing? 00:19:00.500 --> 00:19:02.440 He's saying you're welcomed in. 00:19:03.160 --> 00:19:04.120 You can be part, 00:19:04.200 --> 00:19:05.500 you will be given a name. 00:19:06.060 --> 00:19:08.600 The name of God's family. 00:19:09.460 --> 00:19:10.600 But there's also a promise. 00:19:10.759 --> 00:19:12.800 This isn't just about Mr. Ethiopian. 00:19:13.180 --> 00:19:14.700 There's a promise for us too 00:19:14.700 --> 00:19:17.519 in verse 8 of Isaiah 56. 00:19:17.519 --> 00:19:19.819 The sovereign Lord declares, 00:19:20.220 --> 00:19:22.940 He who gathers the exiles of Israel, 00:19:23.480 --> 00:19:27.819 I will gather still others to them 00:19:27.819 --> 00:19:31.200 besides those already gathered. 00:19:33.440 --> 00:19:35.180 God's invitation 00:19:35.180 --> 00:19:38.440 is not just to one or two. 00:19:39.319 --> 00:19:40.900 It is to everyone, 00:19:41.139 --> 00:19:42.660 regardless of their race, 00:19:43.019 --> 00:19:45.379 religion, status or their past. 00:19:45.380 --> 00:19:48.800 It is open to members of your family, 00:19:49.140 --> 00:19:51.040 open to your colleagues at work 00:19:51.040 --> 00:19:52.780 and your friends. 00:19:56.020 --> 00:19:58.480 Listen to this from Philippe's testimony. 00:19:59.020 --> 00:19:59.980 He said this, 00:20:00.520 --> 00:20:03.600 I believe that Jesus is the Lord and Saviour, 00:20:03.680 --> 00:20:04.580 the Son of God, 00:20:04.820 --> 00:20:08.580 who dies for our sins on the cross. 00:20:08.579 --> 00:20:11.419 And all of this would lead to, 00:20:11.480 --> 00:20:11.960 he says, 00:20:12.199 --> 00:20:13.139 new life 00:20:13.139 --> 00:20:16.500 and joining the Christian family. 00:20:17.059 --> 00:20:20.139 The same experience the Ethiopian had, 00:20:21.139 --> 00:20:22.119 Philippe has had. 00:20:22.919 --> 00:20:24.179 Mimi puts it like this, 00:20:24.240 --> 00:20:26.159 I see that on the cross, 00:20:26.539 --> 00:20:28.480 Jesus paid for my sins 00:20:28.480 --> 00:20:30.439 and he is also giving me 00:20:30.439 --> 00:20:33.279 a loving church family. 00:20:33.279 --> 00:20:37.160 This is a wonderful invitation 00:20:37.160 --> 00:20:38.859 to be forgiven 00:20:38.859 --> 00:20:40.980 and welcomed in 00:20:40.980 --> 00:20:42.480 to God's family. 00:20:43.160 --> 00:20:44.680 So there's God's plan, 00:20:44.799 --> 00:20:45.639 his invitation, 00:20:46.839 --> 00:20:48.559 but there's also our responsibility 00:20:48.559 --> 00:20:51.680 in terms of people becoming Christians. 00:20:52.399 --> 00:20:54.639 God plans all these things out, 00:20:55.119 --> 00:20:57.119 but we have an important part 00:20:57.119 --> 00:20:58.200 to play in it. 00:20:58.200 --> 00:21:00.660 The risen Lord Jesus 00:21:00.660 --> 00:21:02.080 made it very clear 00:21:02.080 --> 00:21:04.460 that they would receive power, 00:21:04.580 --> 00:21:05.840 that they would be witnesses 00:21:05.840 --> 00:21:07.380 in Jerusalem, 00:21:07.759 --> 00:21:08.740 Judea, Samaria 00:21:08.740 --> 00:21:10.500 and to the ends of the earth. 00:21:11.799 --> 00:21:12.720 And that doesn't mean 00:21:12.720 --> 00:21:14.480 we sit back and do nothing. 00:21:15.200 --> 00:21:15.980 In this case, 00:21:16.059 --> 00:21:18.059 if you go back to Acts chapter 8, 00:21:18.880 --> 00:21:22.160 Philippe responds with obedience. 00:21:23.319 --> 00:21:24.900 It wasn't just a case of, 00:21:25.299 --> 00:21:26.720 oh well God's going to do it. 00:21:26.720 --> 00:21:28.400 No, he was fully involved 00:21:28.400 --> 00:21:30.000 in what God was going to do. 00:21:30.519 --> 00:21:31.779 So in Acts chapter 8, 00:21:31.860 --> 00:21:32.620 verse 26, 00:21:32.839 --> 00:21:33.220 it says, 00:21:33.579 --> 00:21:34.759 the angel of the Lord 00:21:34.759 --> 00:21:35.500 said to Philippe, 00:21:35.640 --> 00:21:35.960 go. 00:21:37.400 --> 00:21:38.900 And so Philippe went. 00:21:40.700 --> 00:21:42.000 In verse 29, 00:21:42.579 --> 00:21:43.079 it says, 00:21:43.160 --> 00:21:44.339 the Spirit told Philippe, 00:21:44.500 --> 00:21:45.880 go to that chariot. 00:21:46.579 --> 00:21:47.539 And Philippe went. 00:21:49.000 --> 00:21:49.720 And in verse 35, 00:21:50.539 --> 00:21:51.319 Philippe began 00:21:51.319 --> 00:21:53.039 with the very passage of Scripture 00:21:53.039 --> 00:21:55.360 and told him the good news 00:21:55.359 --> 00:21:56.699 about Jesus. 00:21:57.579 --> 00:21:58.599 He obeyed. 00:21:58.679 --> 00:21:59.299 He followed. 00:22:00.019 --> 00:22:01.139 And it reminds us 00:22:01.139 --> 00:22:02.519 that for each one of us, 00:22:02.579 --> 00:22:03.519 if we are Christians, 00:22:04.000 --> 00:22:05.459 our primary purpose 00:22:05.459 --> 00:22:07.719 is to be people 00:22:07.719 --> 00:22:09.619 who pass on the good news. 00:22:10.619 --> 00:22:12.079 That's why God has us 00:22:12.079 --> 00:22:12.939 where we are. 00:22:13.639 --> 00:22:14.639 God's placed us 00:22:14.639 --> 00:22:16.519 in our particular family, 00:22:16.939 --> 00:22:18.699 in our sphere of friends, 00:22:18.699 --> 00:22:20.599 in the place that we work, 00:22:20.599 --> 00:22:23.679 so that we can share 00:22:23.679 --> 00:22:25.019 with others. 00:22:26.119 --> 00:22:28.099 At the beginning of February, 00:22:28.879 --> 00:22:29.839 on Wednesdays, 00:22:29.839 --> 00:22:31.179 we're going to be looking at 00:22:31.179 --> 00:22:32.599 one life. 00:22:32.839 --> 00:22:33.899 What's it all about? 00:22:35.019 --> 00:22:36.679 Christianity Explored. 00:22:36.680 --> 00:22:39.759 This is a great opportunity 00:22:39.759 --> 00:22:41.740 to do exactly 00:22:41.740 --> 00:22:43.460 what Philip did. 00:22:44.500 --> 00:22:45.640 To invite someone 00:22:45.640 --> 00:22:46.140 to say, 00:22:46.259 --> 00:22:47.680 let me explain to you, 00:22:47.840 --> 00:22:48.320 or rather, 00:22:48.440 --> 00:22:49.100 come along 00:22:49.100 --> 00:22:50.039 and listen 00:22:50.039 --> 00:22:50.940 and watch, 00:22:51.660 --> 00:22:52.160 discuss, 00:22:52.560 --> 00:22:53.519 ask questions, 00:22:53.640 --> 00:22:54.460 if you have any, 00:22:54.660 --> 00:22:56.100 about what the good news 00:22:56.100 --> 00:22:57.560 of Jesus is. 00:22:58.380 --> 00:22:59.779 It's a great opportunity 00:22:59.779 --> 00:23:01.500 and I encourage us all 00:23:01.500 --> 00:23:02.820 to pass them 00:23:02.820 --> 00:23:03.980 to our friends. 00:23:04.759 --> 00:23:05.880 Ask God to give you 00:23:05.880 --> 00:23:06.600 the courage. 00:23:06.980 --> 00:23:08.140 I know we'll be quaking, 00:23:08.280 --> 00:23:08.840 we'll be wondering 00:23:08.840 --> 00:23:10.140 what they're going to say. 00:23:11.300 --> 00:23:12.000 But you know what? 00:23:12.020 --> 00:23:13.300 All they can say is no. 00:23:16.360 --> 00:23:17.220 Philippe's niece 00:23:17.220 --> 00:23:19.540 and Mimi's cousin 00:23:19.540 --> 00:23:21.720 took their responsibility 00:23:21.720 --> 00:23:22.800 seriously, 00:23:22.940 --> 00:23:23.460 didn't they? 00:23:24.380 --> 00:23:26.140 They simply explained 00:23:26.140 --> 00:23:26.880 the good news 00:23:26.880 --> 00:23:27.580 to Philippe 00:23:27.580 --> 00:23:28.500 and to Mimi 00:23:28.500 --> 00:23:30.020 and invited them 00:23:30.020 --> 00:23:30.820 to learn more 00:23:30.820 --> 00:23:31.600 about Jesus. 00:23:32.800 --> 00:23:34.080 They took their 00:23:34.080 --> 00:23:35.820 responsibility seriously. 00:23:35.880 --> 00:23:37.660 and passed on 00:23:37.660 --> 00:23:38.620 the good news. 00:23:39.940 --> 00:23:40.760 And we are called 00:23:40.760 --> 00:23:42.000 to do exactly the same 00:23:42.000 --> 00:23:43.100 just as Philip did 00:23:43.100 --> 00:23:44.560 in this story. 00:23:46.060 --> 00:23:46.960 And fourth, 00:23:47.160 --> 00:23:47.820 how do people 00:23:47.820 --> 00:23:48.620 become Christians? 00:23:48.800 --> 00:23:49.360 Well, we've got 00:23:49.360 --> 00:23:50.340 God's great big 00:23:50.340 --> 00:23:51.280 gospel plan. 00:23:52.240 --> 00:23:53.080 He's made that 00:23:53.080 --> 00:23:54.480 invitation known 00:23:54.480 --> 00:23:55.240 where there's 00:23:55.240 --> 00:23:56.260 our responsibility 00:23:56.260 --> 00:23:58.460 in passing it on. 00:23:59.040 --> 00:23:59.880 But then there's 00:23:59.880 --> 00:24:00.720 our response 00:24:00.720 --> 00:24:01.720 to the gospel. 00:24:01.720 --> 00:24:03.559 If people are going 00:24:03.559 --> 00:24:04.640 to be changed 00:24:04.640 --> 00:24:05.620 by the gospel, 00:24:06.140 --> 00:24:07.460 we've got to know 00:24:07.460 --> 00:24:08.120 what the right 00:24:08.120 --> 00:24:09.180 response is. 00:24:09.960 --> 00:24:10.799 And having heard 00:24:10.799 --> 00:24:11.539 the good news 00:24:11.539 --> 00:24:12.259 from Philip, 00:24:12.640 --> 00:24:13.980 look what the 00:24:13.980 --> 00:24:15.600 Ethiopian does. 00:24:15.720 --> 00:24:16.740 Verse 36 00:24:16.740 --> 00:24:18.360 of Acts chapter 8, 00:24:18.500 --> 00:24:19.420 As they travelled 00:24:19.420 --> 00:24:20.240 along the road, 00:24:20.339 --> 00:24:21.600 they came to some water 00:24:21.599 --> 00:24:23.179 and the eunuch said, 00:24:23.659 --> 00:24:24.039 look, 00:24:24.839 --> 00:24:25.959 here is water. 00:24:26.459 --> 00:24:27.539 Why shouldn't I 00:24:27.539 --> 00:24:28.959 be baptised? 00:24:29.619 --> 00:24:31.019 And he gave orders 00:24:31.019 --> 00:24:32.559 to stop the chariot. 00:24:33.439 --> 00:24:34.359 Then both Philip 00:24:34.359 --> 00:24:35.039 and the eunuch 00:24:35.039 --> 00:24:35.699 went down 00:24:35.699 --> 00:24:36.500 into the water 00:24:36.500 --> 00:24:38.140 and Philip 00:24:38.140 --> 00:24:39.519 baptised him. 00:24:40.680 --> 00:24:41.440 That must have 00:24:41.440 --> 00:24:42.519 been a wonderful day. 00:24:43.900 --> 00:24:44.599 And we've got 00:24:44.599 --> 00:24:45.579 to be very clear 00:24:45.579 --> 00:24:46.779 that baptism 00:24:46.779 --> 00:24:47.859 itself doesn't 00:24:47.859 --> 00:24:48.559 make anybody 00:24:48.559 --> 00:24:49.200 a Christian. 00:24:50.420 --> 00:24:51.579 So what's its purpose? 00:24:51.779 --> 00:24:52.380 Why did the 00:24:52.380 --> 00:24:53.319 Ethiopian get 00:24:53.319 --> 00:24:53.900 baptised? 00:24:54.140 --> 00:24:54.960 Why are Philip 00:24:54.960 --> 00:24:55.380 and Mimi 00:24:55.380 --> 00:24:56.420 getting baptised 00:24:56.420 --> 00:24:56.819 today? 00:24:58.559 --> 00:24:59.140 Well, 00:24:59.920 --> 00:25:01.420 it's very closely 00:25:01.420 --> 00:25:02.500 connected to 00:25:02.500 --> 00:25:03.299 the story, 00:25:03.619 --> 00:25:04.299 the good news 00:25:04.299 --> 00:25:05.099 about Jesus. 00:25:05.099 --> 00:25:07.279 two simple things. 00:25:08.179 --> 00:25:08.699 First, 00:25:10.439 --> 00:25:11.859 baptism is a sign 00:25:11.859 --> 00:25:13.039 that Jesus 00:25:13.039 --> 00:25:14.099 sets us free 00:25:14.099 --> 00:25:15.959 from sin's 00:25:15.959 --> 00:25:16.799 penalty. 00:25:17.939 --> 00:25:18.379 As Philip 00:25:18.379 --> 00:25:18.859 and Mimi 00:25:18.859 --> 00:25:20.179 very shortly 00:25:20.179 --> 00:25:21.119 will get 00:25:21.119 --> 00:25:21.859 baptised 00:25:21.859 --> 00:25:22.519 as they go 00:25:22.519 --> 00:25:23.139 down into 00:25:23.139 --> 00:25:23.719 the water, 00:25:24.179 --> 00:25:24.579 they are 00:25:24.579 --> 00:25:25.519 identifying 00:25:25.519 --> 00:25:26.719 with the 00:25:26.719 --> 00:25:27.219 death of 00:25:27.219 --> 00:25:27.559 Jesus. 00:25:28.419 --> 00:25:29.079 They are 00:25:29.079 --> 00:25:30.179 saying publicly 00:25:30.179 --> 00:25:30.919 and clearly 00:25:30.919 --> 00:25:31.799 to us all 00:25:31.799 --> 00:25:32.980 that Jesus 00:25:32.980 --> 00:25:33.779 has taken 00:25:33.779 --> 00:25:34.859 my sin 00:25:34.859 --> 00:25:35.719 and that 00:25:35.719 --> 00:25:36.659 he suffers 00:25:36.659 --> 00:25:37.439 the judgment 00:25:37.439 --> 00:25:38.339 and the punishment 00:25:38.339 --> 00:25:39.779 that I deserve. 00:25:40.179 --> 00:25:40.979 As they go 00:25:40.979 --> 00:25:41.519 down into 00:25:41.519 --> 00:25:41.979 the water, 00:25:42.119 --> 00:25:42.299 they are 00:25:42.299 --> 00:25:42.579 saying, 00:25:43.000 --> 00:25:44.059 Jesus died 00:25:44.059 --> 00:25:44.859 for me. 00:25:45.779 --> 00:25:46.599 I can't 00:25:46.599 --> 00:25:47.119 deal with 00:25:47.119 --> 00:25:47.659 my sin, 00:25:47.899 --> 00:25:48.619 but Jesus 00:25:48.619 --> 00:25:49.240 can. 00:25:49.519 --> 00:25:49.939 And when 00:25:49.939 --> 00:25:50.379 they come 00:25:50.379 --> 00:25:50.879 out of the 00:25:50.879 --> 00:25:51.199 water, 00:25:51.339 --> 00:25:51.699 they are 00:25:51.699 --> 00:25:52.439 identifying 00:25:52.439 --> 00:25:53.319 with Jesus' 00:25:53.599 --> 00:25:54.199 resurrection. 00:25:54.200 --> 00:25:55.100 they are 00:25:55.100 --> 00:25:55.620 saying that 00:25:55.620 --> 00:25:56.360 the life 00:25:56.360 --> 00:25:57.039 that Jesus 00:25:57.039 --> 00:25:57.640 has given 00:25:57.640 --> 00:25:58.660 is their 00:25:58.660 --> 00:25:59.380 life to 00:25:59.380 --> 00:26:00.000 now live 00:26:00.000 --> 00:26:00.360 with 00:26:00.360 --> 00:26:02.100 forevermore. 00:26:03.680 --> 00:26:04.440 So committing 00:26:04.440 --> 00:26:05.299 yourself to 00:26:05.299 --> 00:26:06.319 being baptised 00:26:06.319 --> 00:26:06.819 is saying, 00:26:07.319 --> 00:26:08.380 I trust in 00:26:08.380 --> 00:26:08.759 Jesus. 00:26:09.600 --> 00:26:10.680 I trust that 00:26:10.680 --> 00:26:11.420 he sets me 00:26:11.420 --> 00:26:12.580 free from 00:26:12.580 --> 00:26:13.640 sin's penalty. 00:26:14.460 --> 00:26:15.080 So first, 00:26:15.200 --> 00:26:16.080 it's a sign. 00:26:16.640 --> 00:26:17.360 And second, 00:26:18.539 --> 00:26:19.559 baptism is a 00:26:19.559 --> 00:26:20.160 seal. 00:26:20.160 --> 00:26:20.279 baptism. 00:26:21.480 --> 00:26:22.040 It's this 00:26:22.040 --> 00:26:23.120 mark upon 00:26:23.120 --> 00:26:23.700 us that 00:26:23.700 --> 00:26:24.300 we have 00:26:24.300 --> 00:26:25.120 been welcomed 00:26:25.120 --> 00:26:25.920 and that 00:26:25.920 --> 00:26:26.800 we belong 00:26:26.800 --> 00:26:27.480 to God's 00:26:27.480 --> 00:26:28.140 family and 00:26:28.140 --> 00:26:28.440 that he 00:26:28.440 --> 00:26:29.220 keeps us 00:26:29.220 --> 00:26:29.640 in his 00:26:29.640 --> 00:26:30.100 family. 00:26:31.060 --> 00:26:31.840 Just as 00:26:31.840 --> 00:26:32.340 through our 00:26:32.340 --> 00:26:32.860 faith we 00:26:32.860 --> 00:26:33.420 are committing 00:26:33.420 --> 00:26:34.200 ourselves to 00:26:34.200 --> 00:26:34.600 Jesus, 00:26:35.259 --> 00:26:36.340 Jesus is 00:26:36.340 --> 00:26:36.759 committing 00:26:36.759 --> 00:26:37.660 himself to 00:26:37.660 --> 00:26:38.120 us. 00:26:38.660 --> 00:26:38.820 Our 00:26:38.820 --> 00:26:40.519 baptism is 00:26:40.519 --> 00:26:41.440 a recognition 00:26:41.440 --> 00:26:42.220 of God's 00:26:42.220 --> 00:26:43.019 approval to 00:26:43.019 --> 00:26:43.740 us, not 00:26:43.740 --> 00:26:44.259 because of 00:26:44.259 --> 00:26:44.740 what we 00:26:44.740 --> 00:26:46.480 do, but 00:26:46.480 --> 00:26:47.080 because of 00:26:47.080 --> 00:26:47.800 what Jesus 00:26:47.800 --> 00:26:48.380 has done 00:26:48.380 --> 00:26:49.100 for us. 00:26:49.460 --> 00:26:49.640 So 00:26:49.640 --> 00:26:50.620 baptism is 00:26:50.620 --> 00:26:51.280 saying very 00:26:51.280 --> 00:26:52.420 clearly, I 00:26:52.420 --> 00:26:53.120 belong to 00:26:53.120 --> 00:26:54.440 Jesus, I'm 00:26:54.440 --> 00:26:55.100 a part of 00:26:55.100 --> 00:26:55.900 his family 00:26:55.900 --> 00:26:57.540 and that 00:26:57.540 --> 00:26:58.420 is sealed 00:26:58.420 --> 00:26:59.259 upon us. 00:26:59.620 --> 00:27:00.120 That is, 00:27:00.660 --> 00:27:01.840 we belong 00:27:01.840 --> 00:27:03.259 to him, part 00:27:03.259 --> 00:27:04.180 of his family 00:27:04.180 --> 00:27:05.880 forever and 00:27:05.880 --> 00:27:06.540 forever. 00:27:07.420 --> 00:27:08.300 And that's 00:27:08.300 --> 00:27:09.040 the only right 00:27:09.040 --> 00:27:09.840 response to 00:27:09.840 --> 00:27:10.420 the gospel. 00:27:10.900 --> 00:27:11.380 And some 00:27:11.380 --> 00:27:12.160 of you here 00:27:12.160 --> 00:27:12.980 may say, 00:27:13.160 --> 00:27:13.940 I'm a 00:27:13.940 --> 00:27:14.360 Christian, 00:27:15.400 --> 00:27:16.160 I'm a 00:27:16.160 --> 00:27:16.740 follower of 00:27:16.740 --> 00:27:17.080 Jesus, 00:27:17.079 --> 00:27:19.559 Jesus, but 00:27:19.559 --> 00:27:19.939 you're not 00:27:19.939 --> 00:27:20.179 yet 00:27:20.179 --> 00:27:20.720 baptized. 00:27:22.579 --> 00:27:23.019 Well, let 00:27:23.019 --> 00:27:23.480 me ask the 00:27:23.480 --> 00:27:24.159 question, why 00:27:24.159 --> 00:27:24.779 are you not 00:27:24.779 --> 00:27:25.159 baptized? 00:27:26.259 --> 00:27:26.879 It's what 00:27:26.879 --> 00:27:27.500 Jesus has 00:27:27.500 --> 00:27:29.699 commanded and 00:27:29.699 --> 00:27:30.099 it's that 00:27:30.099 --> 00:27:30.659 visible 00:27:30.659 --> 00:27:31.579 demonstration 00:27:31.579 --> 00:27:32.419 that yes, I 00:27:32.419 --> 00:27:33.659 do trust and 00:27:33.659 --> 00:27:34.480 yes, I do 00:27:34.480 --> 00:27:35.019 belong. 00:27:35.019 --> 00:27:36.179 It makes that 00:27:36.179 --> 00:27:36.980 statement 00:27:36.980 --> 00:27:38.439 clarifying and 00:27:38.439 --> 00:27:39.259 letting everybody 00:27:39.259 --> 00:27:40.419 know that 00:27:40.419 --> 00:27:41.619 you are with 00:27:41.619 --> 00:27:42.480 Jesus. 00:27:42.480 --> 00:27:42.680 Jesus. 00:27:43.940 --> 00:27:44.319 Look at 00:27:44.319 --> 00:27:45.120 verse 39. 00:27:45.799 --> 00:27:46.120 When they 00:27:46.120 --> 00:27:46.920 came up out 00:27:46.920 --> 00:27:47.519 of the water, 00:27:47.660 --> 00:27:48.500 the spirit of 00:27:48.500 --> 00:27:48.940 the Lord 00:27:48.940 --> 00:27:50.299 suddenly took 00:27:50.299 --> 00:27:51.140 Philip away 00:27:51.140 --> 00:27:52.539 and the eunuch 00:27:52.539 --> 00:27:53.299 didn't see him 00:27:53.299 --> 00:27:54.259 again but went 00:27:54.259 --> 00:27:55.120 on his way 00:27:55.120 --> 00:27:56.440 rejoicing. 00:27:57.140 --> 00:27:57.480 He had 00:27:57.480 --> 00:27:59.120 become a 00:27:59.120 --> 00:27:59.579 Christian. 00:28:01.079 --> 00:28:01.779 And this, 00:28:02.380 --> 00:28:03.319 very simply, 00:28:03.920 --> 00:28:04.779 is how all 00:28:04.779 --> 00:28:05.559 people become 00:28:05.559 --> 00:28:06.039 believers. 00:28:07.200 --> 00:28:08.120 God brings 00:28:08.120 --> 00:28:09.120 believers and 00:28:09.120 --> 00:28:10.019 unbelievers 00:28:10.019 --> 00:28:10.799 together in 00:28:10.799 --> 00:28:11.420 his gospel 00:28:11.420 --> 00:28:11.900 plan. 00:28:11.900 --> 00:28:12.940 He gives 00:28:12.940 --> 00:28:13.800 that invitation 00:28:13.800 --> 00:28:14.740 to come and 00:28:14.740 --> 00:28:15.740 say, receive 00:28:15.740 --> 00:28:16.980 this life that 00:28:16.980 --> 00:28:17.640 I have to 00:28:17.640 --> 00:28:17.900 give. 00:28:18.259 --> 00:28:18.700 Come and 00:28:18.700 --> 00:28:19.360 hear this 00:28:19.360 --> 00:28:20.180 good news. 00:28:21.380 --> 00:28:22.120 And in 00:28:22.120 --> 00:28:24.200 response, be 00:28:24.200 --> 00:28:24.820 baptized. 00:28:26.519 --> 00:28:27.160 Philip and 00:28:27.160 --> 00:28:28.460 Mimi know 00:28:28.460 --> 00:28:29.640 that for sure. 00:28:30.940 --> 00:28:32.060 I hope you 00:28:32.060 --> 00:28:32.860 know that for 00:28:32.860 --> 00:28:33.200 sure. 00:28:34.460 --> 00:28:34.960 And maybe 00:28:34.960 --> 00:28:35.460 there's the 00:28:35.460 --> 00:28:36.320 question too 00:28:36.320 --> 00:28:37.460 about your 00:28:37.460 --> 00:28:38.160 friends or 00:28:38.160 --> 00:28:38.960 your family or 00:28:38.960 --> 00:28:39.480 your work 00:28:39.480 --> 00:28:39.940 colleague. 00:28:40.720 --> 00:28:41.560 Are they 00:28:41.559 --> 00:28:42.079 Christians? 00:28:43.200 --> 00:28:44.099 And what 00:28:44.099 --> 00:28:44.799 part am I 00:28:44.799 --> 00:28:45.259 going to 00:28:45.259 --> 00:28:46.700 play in 00:28:46.700 --> 00:28:48.579 their life so 00:28:48.579 --> 00:28:49.000 that they 00:28:49.000 --> 00:28:50.399 too become 00:28:50.399 --> 00:28:50.899 like the 00:28:50.899 --> 00:28:52.639 Ethiopian and 00:28:52.639 --> 00:28:53.919 Philip and 00:28:53.919 --> 00:28:54.220 Mimi? 00:28:54.899 --> 00:28:55.919 Let's pray 00:28:55.919 --> 00:28:56.720 together. 00:28:56.720 --> 00:28:56.759 together. 00:28:59.980 --> 00:29:00.900 Our Father 00:29:00.900 --> 00:29:01.420 God, we 00:29:01.420 --> 00:29:02.180 thank you so 00:29:02.180 --> 00:29:02.880 much for 00:29:02.880 --> 00:29:03.779 this great 00:29:03.779 --> 00:29:05.799 story of 00:29:05.799 --> 00:29:06.339 the way in 00:29:06.339 --> 00:29:06.720 which you 00:29:06.720 --> 00:29:07.539 bring people 00:29:07.539 --> 00:29:09.240 together so 00:29:09.240 --> 00:29:09.980 that they 00:29:09.980 --> 00:29:11.000 have new 00:29:11.000 --> 00:29:11.500 life. 00:29:12.339 --> 00:29:13.279 We celebrate 00:29:13.279 --> 00:29:14.000 and give 00:29:14.000 --> 00:29:14.920 thanks today 00:29:14.920 --> 00:29:15.980 for the way 00:29:15.980 --> 00:29:16.579 in which you 00:29:16.579 --> 00:29:17.079 have brought 00:29:17.079 --> 00:29:17.900 Philip and 00:29:17.900 --> 00:29:19.100 Mimi to 00:29:19.100 --> 00:29:19.839 faith in 00:29:19.839 --> 00:29:20.220 Christ. 00:29:20.360 --> 00:29:20.819 We thank 00:29:20.819 --> 00:29:21.420 you for 00:29:21.420 --> 00:29:22.779 his niece 00:29:22.779 --> 00:29:24.119 and Mimi's 00:29:24.119 --> 00:29:26.420 cousin for 00:29:26.420 --> 00:29:27.259 taking that 00:29:27.259 --> 00:29:28.119 step of 00:29:28.119 --> 00:29:28.819 sharing the 00:29:28.819 --> 00:29:29.279 good news 00:29:29.279 --> 00:29:29.759 with them 00:29:29.759 --> 00:29:30.440 and we 00:29:30.440 --> 00:29:31.079 thank you 00:29:31.079 --> 00:29:32.200 Father that 00:29:32.200 --> 00:29:32.819 through your 00:29:32.819 --> 00:29:34.099 work that 00:29:34.099 --> 00:29:34.460 you have 00:29:34.460 --> 00:29:35.220 caused them 00:29:35.220 --> 00:29:36.019 to believe 00:29:36.019 --> 00:29:36.700 also. 00:29:37.319 --> 00:29:38.379 We pray 00:29:38.379 --> 00:29:39.639 that we 00:29:39.639 --> 00:29:40.440 ourselves would 00:29:40.440 --> 00:29:41.039 be people 00:29:41.039 --> 00:29:41.920 wherever we 00:29:41.920 --> 00:29:42.379 are and 00:29:42.379 --> 00:29:43.059 wherever we 00:29:43.059 --> 00:29:44.680 go that 00:29:44.680 --> 00:29:45.019 you would 00:29:45.019 --> 00:29:45.500 open up 00:29:45.500 --> 00:29:46.220 opportunities 00:29:46.220 --> 00:29:47.099 for us 00:29:47.099 --> 00:29:48.259 as we 00:29:48.259 --> 00:29:48.740 travel, 00:29:49.359 --> 00:29:49.819 as we 00:29:49.819 --> 00:29:50.619 study or 00:29:50.619 --> 00:29:51.119 as we 00:29:51.119 --> 00:29:52.759 work to 00:29:52.759 --> 00:29:53.479 share the 00:29:53.479 --> 00:29:54.079 good news. 00:29:54.500 --> 00:29:54.899 Give us 00:29:54.899 --> 00:29:55.619 courage, 00:29:56.959 --> 00:29:58.000 simply one 00:29:58.000 --> 00:29:59.739 person who 00:29:59.739 --> 00:30:00.139 we could 00:30:00.139 --> 00:30:03.159 invite to 00:30:03.159 --> 00:30:03.759 Christianity 00:30:03.759 --> 00:30:04.579 Explored. 00:30:04.719 --> 00:30:05.799 Give us a 00:30:05.799 --> 00:30:06.559 door that 00:30:06.559 --> 00:30:08.759 opens to 00:30:08.759 --> 00:30:09.619 explain the 00:30:09.619 --> 00:30:10.399 good news. 00:30:11.559 --> 00:30:12.439 Father help 00:30:12.439 --> 00:30:13.279 us we pray 00:30:13.279 --> 00:30:14.939 in Jesus 00:30:14.939 --> 00:30:15.459 name. 00:30:16.379 --> 00:30:16.799 Amen. 00:30:16.799 --> 00:30:16.959 Amen.