WEBVTT 00:00:00.460 --> 00:00:10.320 Good morning everyone. Excellent. What an encouraging and exciting morning. John and I, our summer project for this year was Delve and we are so excited about it. 00:00:10.980 --> 00:00:16.719 Regardless of whether there was a PowerPoint or not, John had fireworks and stuff coming up. I saw it earlier. He was gutted he didn't get that PowerPoint. 00:00:17.320 --> 00:00:25.359 Delve, get involved. It is excellent. Fantastic to get reading Mark's Gospel together. Get involved. Pick up your copy before you go this morning. 00:00:25.359 --> 00:00:32.399 Continuing on with the excitement, we are starting a new series this morning that's going to take us the next three Sunday mornings. 00:00:32.899 --> 00:00:36.240 Looking at this thing that we call church. 00:00:37.539 --> 00:00:43.039 One of you have ever asked yourself that question, why do we do this thing on a Sunday morning? 00:00:43.159 --> 00:00:46.719 What does it mean to be part of a church? 00:00:47.539 --> 00:00:53.340 With that in mind, why don't you turn to Acts, the book of Acts chapters 1 and chapters 2. 00:00:55.359 --> 00:00:56.259 And let's pray. 00:00:57.359 --> 00:01:01.719 And let's ask that God would help us this morning as we turn to his words. 00:01:01.859 --> 00:01:03.719 Let's pray together. 00:01:03.719 --> 00:01:05.680 Father God, we love you. 00:01:06.439 --> 00:01:09.519 And we thank you for our time together this morning. 00:01:10.239 --> 00:01:14.939 And we ask now that as we turn to your words, the Bible, 00:01:15.400 --> 00:01:21.280 as we think about this thing called church, that you would teach us by your spirit. 00:01:21.280 --> 00:01:24.659 Would you give us ears to hear? 00:01:25.239 --> 00:01:27.620 Would you give us minds to learn? 00:01:27.760 --> 00:01:32.700 Would you give us hearts to absorb and to love you more? 00:01:33.480 --> 00:01:35.900 And we ask this in Jesus' name. 00:01:36.400 --> 00:01:36.820 Amen. 00:01:37.760 --> 00:01:39.299 So you've been quiet this morning. 00:01:39.939 --> 00:01:43.439 Why don't you turn to your neighbor just before we kick this off for 30 seconds. 00:01:43.799 --> 00:01:45.960 What brought you to church this morning? 00:01:46.480 --> 00:01:47.240 30 seconds. 00:01:47.340 --> 00:01:47.799 Go for it. 00:01:51.280 --> 00:01:52.760 Okay, excellent. 00:01:53.799 --> 00:01:55.180 Going to rattle on this morning. 00:01:55.280 --> 00:01:56.500 I would love to know what you said. 00:01:57.519 --> 00:01:59.379 Maybe you're a student here this morning. 00:01:59.480 --> 00:02:01.019 I do look around and I see students. 00:02:01.140 --> 00:02:03.519 Normally they're over here, but I see them branching out over this way. 00:02:03.560 --> 00:02:03.939 It's great. 00:02:04.280 --> 00:02:05.500 Did you come for the free lunch? 00:02:05.760 --> 00:02:06.019 Maybe. 00:02:07.219 --> 00:02:09.319 Maybe you came because you love the singing. 00:02:09.420 --> 00:02:10.560 The band were great this morning. 00:02:10.620 --> 00:02:11.199 I loved it. 00:02:11.840 --> 00:02:14.259 Maybe you came because you like the teaching. 00:02:14.920 --> 00:02:17.180 Maybe you came because you like the sense of community. 00:02:17.360 --> 00:02:18.800 Your friends are here. 00:02:18.800 --> 00:02:23.740 Or maybe this is just something, church, that you've always done. 00:02:24.560 --> 00:02:26.920 What is this thing called church? 00:02:27.900 --> 00:02:33.320 And as we turn to Acts chapter 1 and 2, so this is the story of the early church. 00:02:34.260 --> 00:02:36.439 That's the question we're going to ask these people that we meet. 00:02:37.460 --> 00:02:39.840 What is this thing called church? 00:02:39.939 --> 00:02:43.320 What does it mean to them to do church? 00:02:43.640 --> 00:02:44.960 Here's the thing for us this morning. 00:02:44.960 --> 00:02:48.460 You speak to these early Christians. 00:02:49.379 --> 00:02:51.219 They're not talking about coffee or cake. 00:02:52.379 --> 00:02:53.379 Right at its core. 00:02:53.480 --> 00:03:03.960 The reason that they meet together is to celebrate the fact that there was a man who lived and a man who died and a man who rose again. 00:03:04.719 --> 00:03:06.340 Certified dead on the third day. 00:03:06.480 --> 00:03:07.960 Smashed death to smithereens. 00:03:09.080 --> 00:03:11.439 And that changes everything. 00:03:12.620 --> 00:03:13.100 Everything. 00:03:13.099 --> 00:03:16.479 Life as they know it, flipped upside down. 00:03:17.659 --> 00:03:19.379 Jesus is the reason. 00:03:19.439 --> 00:03:20.500 Not that they go to church. 00:03:20.579 --> 00:03:21.639 It's not something that you go to. 00:03:22.379 --> 00:03:26.060 Jesus is the reason that they are church. 00:03:26.579 --> 00:03:28.519 And here's the big idea for us this morning. 00:03:29.579 --> 00:03:30.299 The gospel. 00:03:30.859 --> 00:03:33.939 So there's good news about Jesus that we'll come on to see what it is. 00:03:34.019 --> 00:03:37.079 The gospel births the church. 00:03:38.219 --> 00:03:40.060 Church isn't a social club. 00:03:40.060 --> 00:03:44.240 It's not a time for a get together for a jolly sing song on a Sunday. 00:03:44.400 --> 00:03:46.659 Church is about Jesus. 00:03:47.920 --> 00:03:53.620 You see, the elders of this church, we didn't wake up one morning and have an inclination to meet together publicly. 00:03:54.479 --> 00:03:56.080 No, not a chance. 00:03:56.199 --> 00:04:01.759 The church is a people that God has birthed through the gospel. 00:04:01.759 --> 00:04:02.939 Here's what we're going to do this morning. 00:04:04.060 --> 00:04:07.060 We're going to go on a whistle-stop tour of Acts chapter 1 and 2. 00:04:07.959 --> 00:04:09.259 And I want us to see this. 00:04:09.560 --> 00:04:11.079 And I want us to love this. 00:04:11.560 --> 00:04:14.780 So this is going to require us to have eyes wide open. 00:04:15.139 --> 00:04:15.939 Fingers at the ready. 00:04:16.019 --> 00:04:16.980 A bit of a paper chase. 00:04:16.980 --> 00:04:20.080 But here's what's going on in Acts chapter 1 and chapter 2. 00:04:20.180 --> 00:04:23.200 The book of Acts, written by Dr. Luke. 00:04:23.860 --> 00:04:25.600 The sequel to his gospel. 00:04:26.020 --> 00:04:32.740 And it's really the story of all that Jesus continued to do after his resurrection. 00:04:33.680 --> 00:04:40.020 It's the story of the unstoppable gospel as it reaches and it grips the world. 00:04:40.140 --> 00:04:41.620 Here's what happens from verse 1. 00:04:41.700 --> 00:04:42.220 Look with me. 00:04:42.220 --> 00:04:42.900 Verse 1. 00:04:42.899 --> 00:04:48.399 In my former book. 00:04:48.439 --> 00:04:49.539 So there's the sequel thing, right? 00:04:49.639 --> 00:05:04.879 In my former book, Theophilus, I wrote about all that Jesus began to do and to teach until the day he was taken up to heaven after giving instructions through the Holy Spirit to the apostles he had chosen. 00:05:04.879 --> 00:05:14.120 After his suffering, he presented himself to them and gave many convincing proof that he was alive. 00:05:14.980 --> 00:05:21.319 He appeared to them over a period of 40 days and spoke about the kingdom of God. 00:05:22.360 --> 00:05:25.040 So who is this book of Acts about? 00:05:25.420 --> 00:05:26.959 It's about Jesus. 00:05:26.959 --> 00:05:30.439 Jesus, who suffered, says Luke. 00:05:30.500 --> 00:05:31.139 Did you notice that? 00:05:31.180 --> 00:05:31.759 He suffered. 00:05:31.879 --> 00:05:34.079 He was certified dead. 00:05:34.859 --> 00:05:38.319 But he presented himself alive. 00:05:38.459 --> 00:05:39.859 And convincingly so. 00:05:40.079 --> 00:05:42.060 He is not dead. 00:05:42.919 --> 00:05:43.879 He's alive. 00:05:45.319 --> 00:05:46.699 And it wasn't a magic trick. 00:05:46.779 --> 00:05:47.799 It wasn't a delusion. 00:05:47.939 --> 00:05:49.019 It was convincing. 00:05:49.719 --> 00:05:55.959 This is what Luke is saying to this man, Theophilus, who he's investigating all this stuff for, that he's looked into this. 00:05:55.959 --> 00:05:57.879 That he's asked people. 00:05:58.579 --> 00:06:00.620 And it wasn't a one-off appearance. 00:06:00.779 --> 00:06:01.819 Jesus appeared. 00:06:02.299 --> 00:06:04.319 Many proofs over 40 days. 00:06:04.659 --> 00:06:09.159 Theophilus, we're not dealing in the realm of ideas here. 00:06:09.519 --> 00:06:11.719 We are dealing in the realm of fact. 00:06:13.159 --> 00:06:14.219 Here's the thing. 00:06:15.579 --> 00:06:16.879 Jesus is still dead. 00:06:17.699 --> 00:06:21.479 If you can go to Jerusalem somewhere and you can find his skeleton, 00:06:21.480 --> 00:06:26.720 then church as we know it, Christianity stops here. 00:06:27.660 --> 00:06:28.439 Stone dead. 00:06:28.580 --> 00:06:28.939 Killed. 00:06:30.680 --> 00:06:33.600 But Jesus is alive. 00:06:33.680 --> 00:06:35.160 And that changes everything. 00:06:36.240 --> 00:06:37.560 Let me ask you this morning. 00:06:37.640 --> 00:06:38.640 What do you make of that? 00:06:39.939 --> 00:06:41.819 Jesus is alive. 00:06:41.819 --> 00:06:43.180 I remember when I was a teenager. 00:06:43.680 --> 00:06:45.899 When I was thinking through all of these things. 00:06:46.019 --> 00:06:48.060 This is what it rested on for me. 00:06:48.699 --> 00:06:49.459 Thought through it. 00:06:49.480 --> 00:06:54.000 If Jesus, regardless of what he did, if he claimed to be the son of God, 00:06:54.879 --> 00:06:57.860 and if he said he was going to defeat death and he didn't, 00:06:59.839 --> 00:07:01.279 then he isn't a wise teacher. 00:07:01.379 --> 00:07:02.920 He's an absolute fraud. 00:07:04.000 --> 00:07:07.079 He's not worth following on Twitter, let alone with my life. 00:07:07.079 --> 00:07:13.759 But, but if he did rise from the dead, then I concluded two things. 00:07:13.879 --> 00:07:17.639 Firstly, it's got to be worth my time to look into it and investigate it. 00:07:18.339 --> 00:07:19.319 Consider the evidence. 00:07:19.839 --> 00:07:25.399 Secondly, if that is true, if he did rise from the dead, my life can't remain the same. 00:07:26.539 --> 00:07:27.339 It just can't. 00:07:28.299 --> 00:07:31.860 How could my life remain the same? 00:07:31.860 --> 00:07:35.740 If Jesus holds the keys of death and life in his hands, 00:07:37.220 --> 00:07:41.759 then I need to hang all of my life on every word that he said. 00:07:42.780 --> 00:07:45.439 Friends, where are you with this this morning? 00:07:45.840 --> 00:07:51.780 Do you see, regardless of what you think, that you cannot remain neutral to this news? 00:07:51.840 --> 00:07:53.199 Here's what Tim Keller writes. 00:07:55.000 --> 00:07:57.040 Guy I love to read, a Christian author. 00:07:57.139 --> 00:07:57.699 He says this. 00:07:57.699 --> 00:08:02.519 If Jesus rose from the dead, then you have to accept all that he said. 00:08:03.180 --> 00:08:07.560 If he didn't rise from the dead, then why worry about any of what he said? 00:08:08.120 --> 00:08:13.079 The issue on which everything hangs is not whether or not you like his teaching, 00:08:13.300 --> 00:08:16.159 but whether or not he rose from the dead. 00:08:17.419 --> 00:08:19.039 So do you see what Luke is saying here? 00:08:19.399 --> 00:08:22.300 Theophilus, Jesus is alive. 00:08:23.240 --> 00:08:25.819 And Jesus talked to his disciples. 00:08:25.980 --> 00:08:27.339 What does Jesus tell them to do? 00:08:27.339 --> 00:08:28.339 We'll look at verse 8. 00:08:31.099 --> 00:08:34.919 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you, 00:08:35.199 --> 00:08:41.120 and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria 00:08:41.120 --> 00:08:44.360 and to the ends of the earth. 00:08:45.199 --> 00:08:48.159 So Jesus says to these men who have seen and heard, 00:08:48.679 --> 00:08:50.079 go and tell. 00:08:50.339 --> 00:08:53.620 Now remember who Jesus is talking to here. 00:08:53.620 --> 00:08:58.440 He's talking to the disciples, which would be the 11 of them at this point. 00:08:59.299 --> 00:09:02.940 And see the thing is, as you read through the gospel accounts of Jesus' life, 00:09:03.480 --> 00:09:07.580 these are not men with spine, right? 00:09:07.980 --> 00:09:11.120 As you read it through, looking at Peter for example, 00:09:11.679 --> 00:09:13.960 in terms of his standing up for Jesus, 00:09:14.659 --> 00:09:17.100 the slightest interrogation of a little girl, 00:09:17.139 --> 00:09:18.620 and he falls to pieces, doesn't he? 00:09:18.620 --> 00:09:22.639 See, if I was to pick my dream team for world domination, 00:09:22.840 --> 00:09:24.360 this would not be my starting 11. 00:09:25.399 --> 00:09:26.480 They just wouldn't. 00:09:27.700 --> 00:09:29.779 Now as a boy, I remember I used to play top trumps. 00:09:29.899 --> 00:09:31.480 Someone else used to play top trumps as a kid? 00:09:32.159 --> 00:09:33.159 Come on, show me your hands. 00:09:33.700 --> 00:09:34.500 We're not embarrassed here. 00:09:35.120 --> 00:09:35.440 Excellent. 00:09:35.940 --> 00:09:37.659 So this is what used to happen with top trumps. 00:09:37.740 --> 00:09:38.500 Your card, 00:09:39.440 --> 00:09:40.659 your character on the card, 00:09:40.820 --> 00:09:42.340 had certain attributes out of 10, 00:09:42.340 --> 00:09:45.740 and you had to beat your opposition with your, 00:09:46.100 --> 00:09:47.379 you had to trump them, you get the idea. 00:09:47.940 --> 00:09:50.000 I like to think of the disciples like top trumps. 00:09:50.280 --> 00:09:51.700 They would have the lowest stats possible. 00:09:52.280 --> 00:09:53.840 You'd be gutted when you flipped that over. 00:09:53.960 --> 00:09:54.639 Think about it, right? 00:09:54.759 --> 00:09:56.220 Bravery, 1 out of 10. 00:09:57.440 --> 00:09:59.080 Faith, 2 out of 10. 00:10:00.139 --> 00:10:02.340 Anticipation, 0.5 out of 10. 00:10:02.340 --> 00:10:04.639 I mean, you're losing all the time with these guys. 00:10:06.000 --> 00:10:07.240 So when Jesus says, 00:10:07.639 --> 00:10:10.080 go, knowing what I know about them, 00:10:10.340 --> 00:10:11.980 I'm not that optimistic for them. 00:10:13.120 --> 00:10:14.899 But what does Jesus say to them? 00:10:14.980 --> 00:10:15.759 Look at this carefully. 00:10:15.899 --> 00:10:18.139 This bunch of unspectacular men. 00:10:18.620 --> 00:10:19.940 Where's the power going to come from? 00:10:20.600 --> 00:10:21.639 It's not going to come from them. 00:10:22.320 --> 00:10:24.060 It's going to come from him. 00:10:24.580 --> 00:10:27.040 Jesus will send his spirit. 00:10:27.980 --> 00:10:29.700 The spirit will give them power. 00:10:30.220 --> 00:10:32.240 And the spirit will enable them, 00:10:32.320 --> 00:10:33.740 give them boldness to speak. 00:10:33.840 --> 00:10:35.280 And they will be his witnesses. 00:10:36.940 --> 00:10:39.160 Now working in the legal profession for a few years, 00:10:39.220 --> 00:10:40.120 I love the term witness. 00:10:40.259 --> 00:10:40.820 I know what it means. 00:10:40.879 --> 00:10:41.980 We all know what it means, doesn't it? 00:10:41.980 --> 00:10:44.460 It means to tell what you've seen. 00:10:44.519 --> 00:10:45.759 It's basically what it is. 00:10:46.259 --> 00:10:47.800 Tell what you know. 00:10:47.860 --> 00:10:50.259 And that's what Jesus is saying to his disciples here. 00:10:50.639 --> 00:10:52.060 Go and witness. 00:10:52.240 --> 00:10:53.800 Go and make me known. 00:10:53.800 --> 00:10:56.000 And notice where they are to do this. 00:10:58.200 --> 00:10:58.759 Jerusalem. 00:10:59.700 --> 00:11:01.220 And in all Judea and Samaria. 00:11:02.060 --> 00:11:04.420 And to the ends of the earth. 00:11:04.519 --> 00:11:05.899 In other words, where they are, 00:11:06.560 --> 00:11:07.980 the regions round about them, 00:11:07.980 --> 00:11:10.700 and as far as they can possibly go. 00:11:10.700 --> 00:11:12.379 This thing is going global. 00:11:12.899 --> 00:11:17.360 The news that Jesus is alive is for everyone. 00:11:18.200 --> 00:11:19.820 What happens next in the narrative? 00:11:20.800 --> 00:11:22.420 Jesus ascends. 00:11:23.300 --> 00:11:26.139 And Jesus sends his spirit. 00:11:26.259 --> 00:11:28.100 And we get that scene at Pentecost. 00:11:28.519 --> 00:11:30.120 Halfway through chapter 2, 00:11:30.240 --> 00:11:31.840 God's spirit falls on them. 00:11:31.840 --> 00:11:34.240 And speaking in different languages, 00:11:34.420 --> 00:11:36.480 they declare the mighty works of God 00:11:36.480 --> 00:11:37.780 to the watching world. 00:11:38.740 --> 00:11:40.019 And Peter stands 00:11:40.019 --> 00:11:44.540 and addresses the confused and mocking crowd. 00:11:44.620 --> 00:11:47.379 And he delivers what I guess is the first distinctly 00:11:47.379 --> 00:11:48.300 Christian sermon. 00:11:48.440 --> 00:11:49.800 Look at it from verse 22. 00:11:53.000 --> 00:11:54.800 Remember this guy who fell to jelly? 00:11:55.639 --> 00:11:57.259 He's now addressing a crowd. 00:11:57.980 --> 00:11:58.840 What a difference. 00:11:58.840 --> 00:12:00.139 Here's what he says. 00:12:00.259 --> 00:12:01.220 Fellow Israelites, 00:12:01.639 --> 00:12:03.259 listen to this. 00:12:03.639 --> 00:12:04.700 That's brave, isn't it? 00:12:05.259 --> 00:12:06.780 Listen to this. 00:12:06.960 --> 00:12:09.379 Jesus of Nazareth was a man 00:12:09.379 --> 00:12:12.500 accredited by God to you by miracles, 00:12:13.180 --> 00:12:14.240 wonders and signs, 00:12:14.680 --> 00:12:16.860 which God did among you through him, 00:12:16.940 --> 00:12:18.300 as you yourselves know. 00:12:19.259 --> 00:12:22.100 This man was handed over to you 00:12:22.100 --> 00:12:24.940 by God's deliberate plan and foreknowledge. 00:12:24.940 --> 00:12:27.940 And you, with the help of wicked men, 00:12:27.940 --> 00:12:29.340 put him to death 00:12:29.340 --> 00:12:32.380 by nailing him to the cross. 00:12:33.580 --> 00:12:35.020 I mean, he's pulling no punches there, 00:12:35.060 --> 00:12:35.340 isn't he? 00:12:35.920 --> 00:12:36.660 No punches. 00:12:36.780 --> 00:12:38.140 This guy who turned to jelly 00:12:38.140 --> 00:12:39.980 is now accusing the crowd 00:12:39.980 --> 00:12:42.000 of crucifying Jesus. 00:12:42.220 --> 00:12:44.180 Jesus, this man that you saw, 00:12:44.520 --> 00:12:45.920 you saw him do miracles. 00:12:46.120 --> 00:12:47.140 You've heard about him. 00:12:47.320 --> 00:12:48.800 You killed him. 00:12:50.540 --> 00:12:51.580 And hang on a second, Peter. 00:12:54.580 --> 00:12:56.200 Put yourself in the crowd at this point. 00:12:56.200 --> 00:13:00.600 Hands up if you would have objected 00:13:00.600 --> 00:13:02.160 to what Peter said there. 00:13:05.360 --> 00:13:07.460 I would have objected massively. 00:13:07.640 --> 00:13:08.360 And do you know why? 00:13:09.600 --> 00:13:10.500 Because I wasn't in the crowd. 00:13:11.540 --> 00:13:12.720 I didn't kill Jesus. 00:13:13.120 --> 00:13:14.520 Did everyone who was in that crowd 00:13:14.520 --> 00:13:15.980 physically kill Jesus? 00:13:17.120 --> 00:13:19.660 Did they all physically drive the nails 00:13:19.660 --> 00:13:21.500 into his hands and his feet? 00:13:21.740 --> 00:13:23.420 Some of them weren't even on town 00:13:23.420 --> 00:13:24.440 probably on that day. 00:13:24.440 --> 00:13:25.740 And yet what does Peter say? 00:13:26.140 --> 00:13:28.140 You crucified him. 00:13:28.680 --> 00:13:29.860 Now how does that work? 00:13:31.580 --> 00:13:32.400 How does that work? 00:13:34.480 --> 00:13:35.820 Well, the Bible would say 00:13:35.820 --> 00:13:37.980 that you and I are sinners. 00:13:38.800 --> 00:13:41.560 That you and I are guilty 00:13:41.560 --> 00:13:44.380 of falling short of God's glory. 00:13:44.480 --> 00:13:45.580 By our very nature, 00:13:46.120 --> 00:13:48.820 we are in rebellion against him. 00:13:48.880 --> 00:13:50.300 We don't want anything to do with him. 00:13:51.219 --> 00:13:52.419 We don't want anything to do with him. 00:13:52.459 --> 00:13:53.859 We want everything to do 00:13:53.859 --> 00:13:55.379 with ourselves. 00:13:56.399 --> 00:13:57.139 Now I wonder if you know 00:13:57.139 --> 00:13:58.019 that's true in your life. 00:13:59.979 --> 00:14:01.419 I was reminded of it this week. 00:14:03.240 --> 00:14:04.599 Here's how this worked out in my life. 00:14:04.699 --> 00:14:05.919 I study two mornings a week. 00:14:06.000 --> 00:14:06.679 Many of you won't know this. 00:14:06.759 --> 00:14:07.939 I study two mornings a week 00:14:07.939 --> 00:14:10.039 at Edinburgh Theological Seminary. 00:14:10.120 --> 00:14:11.079 The artist formerly known 00:14:11.079 --> 00:14:12.039 as the Free Church College. 00:14:12.439 --> 00:14:13.740 Two mornings a week I do that. 00:14:14.439 --> 00:14:15.559 And BBC Alba, 00:14:16.099 --> 00:14:17.579 so the Gaelic TV channel. 00:14:17.679 --> 00:14:18.699 How's your Gaelic this morning? 00:14:19.399 --> 00:14:20.120 Mine's not very good. 00:14:21.059 --> 00:14:22.599 BBC Alba did a documentary 00:14:22.599 --> 00:14:24.620 on our class last year. 00:14:24.679 --> 00:14:25.559 And they did a documentary 00:14:25.559 --> 00:14:27.379 specifically focusing 00:14:27.379 --> 00:14:28.639 on the free church candidates 00:14:28.639 --> 00:14:29.899 that were going through the system. 00:14:30.779 --> 00:14:32.559 BBC Alba produced this documentary. 00:14:32.719 --> 00:14:33.899 It went out a couple of weeks ago. 00:14:33.979 --> 00:14:34.719 There's four of them. 00:14:34.899 --> 00:14:36.159 Four half an hour episodes. 00:14:36.399 --> 00:14:37.839 They got that much out of our year. 00:14:38.439 --> 00:14:39.939 Four half an hour episodes. 00:14:40.740 --> 00:14:41.859 And on these episodes, 00:14:41.939 --> 00:14:42.859 when I watched it, 00:14:43.359 --> 00:14:44.159 my classmates, 00:14:44.519 --> 00:14:45.319 as they're being interviewed, 00:14:45.479 --> 00:14:46.620 are pouring out their lives 00:14:46.620 --> 00:14:47.379 in front of the camera. 00:14:48.099 --> 00:14:49.139 Really interesting. 00:14:49.759 --> 00:14:50.939 My family have suffered 00:14:50.939 --> 00:14:52.419 because I've decided to do this. 00:14:53.120 --> 00:14:53.559 Financially, 00:14:53.679 --> 00:14:54.159 I've suffered 00:14:54.159 --> 00:14:55.299 because I've chosen 00:14:55.299 --> 00:14:57.179 to take a step out of work 00:14:57.179 --> 00:14:58.299 and pursue God's calling. 00:14:59.199 --> 00:14:59.360 I mean, 00:14:59.399 --> 00:15:01.100 this was really emotional stuff 00:15:01.100 --> 00:15:01.699 on this camera. 00:15:02.860 --> 00:15:04.240 But here's my question for you. 00:15:05.100 --> 00:15:05.919 As they followed us 00:15:05.919 --> 00:15:06.759 around the classroom, 00:15:06.860 --> 00:15:08.139 these boys around the classroom, 00:15:08.240 --> 00:15:08.659 who do you think 00:15:08.659 --> 00:15:09.399 I was looking for 00:15:09.399 --> 00:15:10.259 the whole time? 00:15:11.720 --> 00:15:11.980 Go on. 00:15:12.419 --> 00:15:12.759 Me. 00:15:13.419 --> 00:15:13.720 Right? 00:15:13.720 --> 00:15:15.540 I love me. 00:15:17.120 --> 00:15:18.399 My back of my head 00:15:18.399 --> 00:15:19.340 made two appearances 00:15:19.340 --> 00:15:20.560 in those four episodes. 00:15:21.580 --> 00:15:22.340 And here's the thing. 00:15:22.440 --> 00:15:23.519 Each time I was watching 00:15:23.519 --> 00:15:24.180 it on my laptop, 00:15:24.379 --> 00:15:25.240 I paused it 00:15:25.240 --> 00:15:27.240 and I shouted through to Alex, 00:15:27.480 --> 00:15:27.860 Alex, 00:15:27.980 --> 00:15:28.779 I'm on the telly. 00:15:30.420 --> 00:15:31.200 Every time, 00:15:31.379 --> 00:15:32.120 back of my head. 00:15:32.180 --> 00:15:33.420 I don't even speak Gaelic. 00:15:36.100 --> 00:15:36.940 Chloe told her, 00:15:37.000 --> 00:15:38.160 our little seven-month-old daughter, 00:15:38.279 --> 00:15:39.340 wasn't that fussed. 00:15:39.340 --> 00:15:41.340 But do we not know that 00:15:41.340 --> 00:15:43.300 to be true in our lives? 00:15:43.580 --> 00:15:44.920 Think about your own life. 00:15:45.060 --> 00:15:45.980 Think about the orbit 00:15:45.980 --> 00:15:47.440 of your own life. 00:15:47.580 --> 00:15:49.200 Who does it revolve around? 00:15:50.259 --> 00:15:51.440 Are you like me? 00:15:51.560 --> 00:15:52.460 We're all like me. 00:15:52.540 --> 00:15:53.320 Aren't we all the same? 00:15:53.800 --> 00:15:55.320 Does our lives not orbit 00:15:55.320 --> 00:15:56.420 around ourselves? 00:15:56.980 --> 00:15:58.780 Are we not infatuated 00:15:58.780 --> 00:15:59.960 with ourselves? 00:16:00.480 --> 00:16:01.700 We love us. 00:16:01.940 --> 00:16:03.340 We do not love God. 00:16:04.060 --> 00:16:05.400 We are sinners. 00:16:06.180 --> 00:16:07.100 And that sin 00:16:07.100 --> 00:16:09.259 has separated us from God. 00:16:09.340 --> 00:16:10.340 And that is serious. 00:16:11.500 --> 00:16:12.879 And if it wasn't true, 00:16:13.300 --> 00:16:13.560 friends, 00:16:13.639 --> 00:16:14.180 this morning, 00:16:14.300 --> 00:16:15.500 then Jesus wouldn't have 00:16:15.500 --> 00:16:16.259 had to come 00:16:16.259 --> 00:16:17.480 to earth 00:16:17.480 --> 00:16:18.600 and to die. 00:16:19.060 --> 00:16:20.680 It was our sin 00:16:20.680 --> 00:16:22.480 that put him there. 00:16:24.340 --> 00:16:24.980 Now many of you 00:16:24.980 --> 00:16:25.960 will remember, 00:16:26.240 --> 00:16:26.480 maybe, 00:16:26.620 --> 00:16:27.139 Mel Gibson 00:16:27.139 --> 00:16:27.920 had a film out 00:16:27.920 --> 00:16:28.639 a few years ago, 00:16:28.720 --> 00:16:29.040 I think it was 00:16:29.040 --> 00:16:30.480 maybe ten years ago now, 00:16:30.519 --> 00:16:31.820 called The Passion of the Christ. 00:16:32.420 --> 00:16:33.360 I wonder if you've watched it. 00:16:34.200 --> 00:16:35.139 I remember going to the cinema 00:16:35.139 --> 00:16:36.660 and it's one of only two films 00:16:36.660 --> 00:16:37.800 I can remember in my life 00:16:37.799 --> 00:16:39.079 where it stopped 00:16:39.079 --> 00:16:40.259 and nobody's moved 00:16:40.259 --> 00:16:41.019 at the end of the film. 00:16:41.620 --> 00:16:42.419 Passion of the Christ. 00:16:42.539 --> 00:16:43.819 Mel Gibson directed it. 00:16:44.079 --> 00:16:45.279 He wasn't in one single, 00:16:45.339 --> 00:16:46.859 he wasn't in many scenes, 00:16:47.259 --> 00:16:48.359 but he was in one scene. 00:16:49.379 --> 00:16:49.620 He, 00:16:49.859 --> 00:16:50.939 it was his hand 00:16:50.939 --> 00:16:52.419 that drove the nail 00:16:52.419 --> 00:16:53.819 into Jesus' hands 00:16:53.819 --> 00:16:54.279 in the film. 00:16:54.799 --> 00:16:55.699 And he wanted to make 00:16:55.699 --> 00:16:56.219 a statement 00:16:56.219 --> 00:16:57.000 as if to say 00:16:57.000 --> 00:16:58.699 he had some responsibility 00:16:58.699 --> 00:17:00.019 for what happened 00:17:00.019 --> 00:17:00.620 at Calvary. 00:17:02.019 --> 00:17:02.419 Friends, 00:17:02.419 --> 00:17:03.559 it was our sin 00:17:03.559 --> 00:17:05.720 that put him there. 00:17:09.039 --> 00:17:10.019 And the cross, 00:17:10.500 --> 00:17:12.539 it finds us out. 00:17:13.899 --> 00:17:15.480 And I find that truth 00:17:15.480 --> 00:17:17.480 to be so liberating 00:17:17.480 --> 00:17:18.460 and here's why. 00:17:19.819 --> 00:17:20.579 I remember when I was 00:17:20.579 --> 00:17:22.159 saving up for an engagement ring. 00:17:22.259 --> 00:17:23.059 Alex had been going out 00:17:23.059 --> 00:17:23.759 with her for a year 00:17:23.759 --> 00:17:25.480 and she's far too good for me. 00:17:25.539 --> 00:17:26.240 I was punching a well 00:17:26.240 --> 00:17:26.839 above my weight. 00:17:26.920 --> 00:17:27.980 I decided this is a deal 00:17:27.980 --> 00:17:28.759 that I want to seal. 00:17:29.599 --> 00:17:30.420 And I looked 00:17:30.420 --> 00:17:31.519 at an engagement ring 00:17:31.519 --> 00:17:34.079 and I booked 00:17:34.079 --> 00:17:34.640 at the price 00:17:34.640 --> 00:17:35.599 of an engagement ring. 00:17:36.059 --> 00:17:37.640 And not long after 00:17:37.640 --> 00:17:38.599 coming out of uni, 00:17:39.299 --> 00:17:40.259 I decided that I was 00:17:40.259 --> 00:17:40.940 going to have to make 00:17:40.940 --> 00:17:42.019 some cost-cutting measures 00:17:42.019 --> 00:17:42.680 in my life. 00:17:42.740 --> 00:17:43.400 And one of the ways 00:17:43.400 --> 00:17:44.460 that I was going to save money 00:17:44.460 --> 00:17:45.599 was that I was going 00:17:45.599 --> 00:17:46.539 to cut my own hair. 00:17:47.480 --> 00:17:48.480 Has anyone tried that before? 00:17:49.279 --> 00:17:49.779 Cutting their own, 00:17:49.920 --> 00:17:50.740 not get someone else 00:17:50.740 --> 00:17:51.319 to cut your hair, 00:17:51.440 --> 00:17:52.240 cutting your own hair. 00:17:52.779 --> 00:17:53.500 Genius, I know. 00:17:54.420 --> 00:17:56.400 And here is what happened. 00:17:56.819 --> 00:17:58.119 I lived my life 00:17:58.119 --> 00:17:58.859 at work. 00:17:59.139 --> 00:18:00.119 I lived my life 00:18:00.119 --> 00:18:00.939 with my friends 00:18:00.939 --> 00:18:02.559 and nobody ever 00:18:02.559 --> 00:18:03.459 commented on it. 00:18:03.899 --> 00:18:04.539 But secretly, 00:18:04.779 --> 00:18:05.599 I gasped. 00:18:06.939 --> 00:18:07.759 It was a state. 00:18:08.099 --> 00:18:08.759 Now I wonder if you've 00:18:08.759 --> 00:18:09.599 ever had an experience 00:18:09.599 --> 00:18:10.299 like that. 00:18:10.939 --> 00:18:12.119 You've tried to apply 00:18:12.119 --> 00:18:12.979 mascara at about 00:18:12.979 --> 00:18:13.719 six in the morning 00:18:13.719 --> 00:18:14.799 and just forgot about it. 00:18:15.419 --> 00:18:16.139 Big streams down 00:18:16.139 --> 00:18:17.319 your eyes. 00:18:18.279 --> 00:18:19.099 Maybe this is what 00:18:19.099 --> 00:18:20.079 happens to me all the time. 00:18:20.339 --> 00:18:21.099 With a little girl, 00:18:21.179 --> 00:18:22.219 I find breakfast, 00:18:22.579 --> 00:18:23.139 her breakfast, 00:18:23.299 --> 00:18:23.979 randomly on me. 00:18:25.000 --> 00:18:26.179 This is what happens. 00:18:26.180 --> 00:18:28.340 Now what do you need 00:18:28.340 --> 00:18:29.340 if you know what that's like? 00:18:29.420 --> 00:18:30.100 What do you need 00:18:30.100 --> 00:18:30.940 in that situation? 00:18:32.060 --> 00:18:32.860 You need somebody 00:18:32.860 --> 00:18:34.039 to lovingly 00:18:34.039 --> 00:18:35.460 point it out. 00:18:35.860 --> 00:18:36.240 Don't you? 00:18:36.600 --> 00:18:37.779 Somebody to lovingly 00:18:37.779 --> 00:18:38.320 point it out. 00:18:38.400 --> 00:18:39.120 Here's what happened 00:18:39.120 --> 00:18:40.120 to me when this happened. 00:18:41.060 --> 00:18:42.240 I turned up to meet Alex 00:18:42.240 --> 00:18:43.660 after I cut my own hair 00:18:43.660 --> 00:18:44.320 a few times 00:18:44.320 --> 00:18:45.340 and she looks at it. 00:18:45.460 --> 00:18:45.920 One look. 00:18:46.039 --> 00:18:46.560 It's all she needed. 00:18:46.700 --> 00:18:47.240 One look. 00:18:47.519 --> 00:18:48.700 That looks ridiculous. 00:18:49.980 --> 00:18:51.279 If this is going to work, 00:18:51.500 --> 00:18:52.539 that's going to change. 00:18:53.539 --> 00:18:54.779 She didn't put it like that. 00:18:54.779 --> 00:18:57.559 But do we not know 00:18:57.559 --> 00:18:58.299 that to be true? 00:18:59.279 --> 00:19:00.180 We need somebody 00:19:00.180 --> 00:19:01.819 to tell us the truth. 00:19:01.940 --> 00:19:02.859 I need the truth. 00:19:02.960 --> 00:19:04.119 I don't need sugar coating. 00:19:04.539 --> 00:19:05.500 I've got a sweet tooth 00:19:05.500 --> 00:19:06.399 enough as it is. 00:19:06.700 --> 00:19:07.759 I need somebody 00:19:07.759 --> 00:19:08.619 to tell me 00:19:08.619 --> 00:19:10.299 exactly how it is. 00:19:10.779 --> 00:19:11.799 I cannot work 00:19:11.799 --> 00:19:12.619 with a lie. 00:19:12.899 --> 00:19:13.579 But the truth, 00:19:14.259 --> 00:19:15.139 regardless of how 00:19:15.139 --> 00:19:17.119 soul destroying it is 00:19:17.119 --> 00:19:18.259 and how much your pride 00:19:18.259 --> 00:19:18.839 is affected, 00:19:18.980 --> 00:19:19.480 the truth, 00:19:19.779 --> 00:19:20.420 you can work 00:19:20.420 --> 00:19:21.279 with the truth. 00:19:21.279 --> 00:19:21.359 truth. 00:19:22.160 --> 00:19:23.000 And that's why 00:19:23.000 --> 00:19:25.000 I love the Bible. 00:19:25.519 --> 00:19:26.240 It's why 00:19:26.240 --> 00:19:27.740 I love God's Word 00:19:27.740 --> 00:19:28.779 because God's Word 00:19:28.779 --> 00:19:30.000 gives us the ultimate 00:19:30.000 --> 00:19:31.359 reality check. 00:19:32.879 --> 00:19:33.920 We've used that phrase, 00:19:33.980 --> 00:19:34.200 don't we, 00:19:34.220 --> 00:19:35.099 all the time in our culture 00:19:35.099 --> 00:19:35.680 if somebody gets 00:19:35.680 --> 00:19:36.660 a reality check. 00:19:37.420 --> 00:19:38.119 If you're English here 00:19:38.119 --> 00:19:38.519 this morning, 00:19:38.599 --> 00:19:39.160 you'll know that your 00:19:39.160 --> 00:19:39.940 rugby team got one 00:19:39.940 --> 00:19:40.619 a few weeks ago. 00:19:41.759 --> 00:19:43.059 And speaking as a Scot, 00:19:43.119 --> 00:19:43.839 you'll know that Australia 00:19:43.839 --> 00:19:44.559 are about to get one 00:19:44.559 --> 00:19:45.200 this afternoon. 00:19:47.440 --> 00:19:48.759 A reality check. 00:19:48.759 --> 00:19:50.079 That's what God's Word 00:19:50.079 --> 00:19:52.299 gives us as we come to it. 00:19:52.599 --> 00:19:54.299 That I am not an accident. 00:19:55.319 --> 00:19:57.400 I am not the product 00:19:57.400 --> 00:19:59.220 of an impersonal universe. 00:19:59.559 --> 00:20:00.900 I, you and I, 00:20:01.039 --> 00:20:01.920 are fearfully 00:20:01.920 --> 00:20:03.539 and wonderfully made. 00:20:04.019 --> 00:20:05.160 We are valued. 00:20:05.319 --> 00:20:05.559 Why? 00:20:05.700 --> 00:20:06.700 Because we were made 00:20:06.700 --> 00:20:07.960 in God's image. 00:20:09.440 --> 00:20:10.400 We are loved. 00:20:11.200 --> 00:20:12.319 I am more loved 00:20:12.319 --> 00:20:13.519 than I am ever capable 00:20:13.519 --> 00:20:14.460 of grasping. 00:20:14.879 --> 00:20:15.859 But here's the thing. 00:20:16.180 --> 00:20:17.039 At the same time, 00:20:17.039 --> 00:20:18.899 I am more broken 00:20:18.899 --> 00:20:20.139 than I ever think 00:20:20.139 --> 00:20:20.859 I'll realize. 00:20:22.240 --> 00:20:24.639 My sin has separated 00:20:24.639 --> 00:20:25.599 me from God. 00:20:25.700 --> 00:20:27.099 That sin needs dealt with 00:20:27.099 --> 00:20:28.079 and that's a massive 00:20:28.079 --> 00:20:28.960 reality check. 00:20:30.000 --> 00:20:32.119 I am beautifully made 00:20:32.119 --> 00:20:33.579 but I am broken. 00:20:35.059 --> 00:20:35.839 And God, 00:20:36.180 --> 00:20:37.599 in His grace, 00:20:38.139 --> 00:20:39.759 offers the solution. 00:20:39.980 --> 00:20:40.819 Do you not know that 00:20:40.819 --> 00:20:41.379 to be true 00:20:41.379 --> 00:20:42.539 in your own life? 00:20:43.420 --> 00:20:44.539 I know that to be true. 00:20:44.599 --> 00:20:45.879 I found this so liberating 00:20:45.879 --> 00:20:46.399 at the time. 00:20:46.400 --> 00:20:47.700 I know my tendency 00:20:47.700 --> 00:20:48.900 to selfishness. 00:20:49.460 --> 00:20:50.600 I know my thoughts. 00:20:50.759 --> 00:20:52.000 I know my hearts. 00:20:52.420 --> 00:20:53.880 And as I come to God's word, 00:20:54.180 --> 00:20:55.700 God's word puts all the cards 00:20:55.700 --> 00:20:56.380 on the table. 00:20:57.259 --> 00:20:57.480 It says, 00:20:57.620 --> 00:20:58.280 I am beautiful 00:20:58.280 --> 00:21:00.140 and yet I am broken. 00:21:00.660 --> 00:21:01.440 And I found that 00:21:01.440 --> 00:21:03.180 the most liberating truth. 00:21:03.860 --> 00:21:04.640 That God knows 00:21:04.640 --> 00:21:05.519 what's going on 00:21:05.519 --> 00:21:06.440 inside of me. 00:21:06.540 --> 00:21:07.360 He knows the numbers 00:21:07.360 --> 00:21:08.900 of hairs on my head. 00:21:09.140 --> 00:21:10.180 He knows the depths 00:21:10.180 --> 00:21:10.940 of my heart. 00:21:11.200 --> 00:21:12.500 And He loves me enough 00:21:12.500 --> 00:21:14.040 to point it out. 00:21:14.039 --> 00:21:16.859 my sin 00:21:16.859 --> 00:21:18.500 put Jesus there. 00:21:18.599 --> 00:21:19.519 How does that make you 00:21:19.519 --> 00:21:20.359 feel this morning? 00:21:22.399 --> 00:21:23.359 Isn't it not massively 00:21:23.359 --> 00:21:23.980 interesting 00:21:23.980 --> 00:21:24.659 when we compare 00:21:24.659 --> 00:21:25.899 what God's word says 00:21:25.899 --> 00:21:28.099 to what our culture says? 00:21:29.539 --> 00:21:30.359 We hear this stuff 00:21:30.359 --> 00:21:31.099 all the time 00:21:31.099 --> 00:21:31.759 that you and I, 00:21:31.920 --> 00:21:33.240 we can define ourselves. 00:21:33.740 --> 00:21:34.759 We can just live 00:21:34.759 --> 00:21:35.240 how we want. 00:21:35.319 --> 00:21:36.319 We can be who we want 00:21:36.319 --> 00:21:36.639 to be 00:21:36.639 --> 00:21:37.759 and it's okay 00:21:37.759 --> 00:21:39.819 that we deserve 00:21:39.819 --> 00:21:40.379 the best, 00:21:40.480 --> 00:21:41.559 that nobody should stand 00:21:41.559 --> 00:21:41.960 in the way 00:21:41.960 --> 00:21:43.419 of our personal happiness. 00:21:45.119 --> 00:21:45.460 And friends, 00:21:45.519 --> 00:21:46.279 my question to you 00:21:46.279 --> 00:21:46.799 this morning 00:21:46.799 --> 00:21:48.740 is which voice 00:21:48.740 --> 00:21:49.599 are you going 00:21:49.599 --> 00:21:50.359 to listen to? 00:21:51.179 --> 00:21:52.539 The flattering one 00:21:52.539 --> 00:21:54.480 or the honest one? 00:21:55.460 --> 00:21:56.440 God's word 00:21:56.440 --> 00:21:57.659 tells us 00:21:57.659 --> 00:21:58.919 what it's like. 00:21:59.159 --> 00:22:00.019 It gives us 00:22:00.019 --> 00:22:01.659 the ultimate reality check. 00:22:01.720 --> 00:22:02.179 It gives us 00:22:02.179 --> 00:22:03.700 the diagnosis. 00:22:05.039 --> 00:22:06.019 But praise God, 00:22:06.379 --> 00:22:07.500 He also gives us 00:22:07.500 --> 00:22:08.220 the prescription. 00:22:08.740 --> 00:22:09.579 Back into Acts, 00:22:09.579 --> 00:22:10.960 look at verse 24 00:22:10.960 --> 00:22:12.319 of chapter 2. 00:22:14.339 --> 00:22:15.299 This is still 00:22:15.299 --> 00:22:16.519 Peter going at it here. 00:22:16.599 --> 00:22:17.179 What does he say? 00:22:17.259 --> 00:22:18.699 But God raised him 00:22:18.699 --> 00:22:19.599 from the dead, 00:22:20.159 --> 00:22:21.019 freeing him 00:22:21.019 --> 00:22:21.740 from the agony 00:22:21.740 --> 00:22:22.279 of death 00:22:22.279 --> 00:22:22.939 because it was 00:22:22.939 --> 00:22:23.559 impossible 00:22:23.559 --> 00:22:24.799 for death 00:22:24.799 --> 00:22:26.119 to keep its hold 00:22:26.119 --> 00:22:27.500 on him. 00:22:27.720 --> 00:22:28.960 What's this book about? 00:22:29.099 --> 00:22:30.179 Who is this book about? 00:22:30.299 --> 00:22:30.679 Jesus, 00:22:31.240 --> 00:22:32.799 the risen champion. 00:22:33.799 --> 00:22:34.279 How does that 00:22:34.279 --> 00:22:35.000 make you feel? 00:22:36.000 --> 00:22:36.759 Given everything 00:22:36.759 --> 00:22:37.779 that we've seen before, 00:22:37.779 --> 00:22:39.079 how does it 00:22:39.079 --> 00:22:39.779 make you feel? 00:22:41.899 --> 00:22:42.339 Well, 00:22:42.359 --> 00:22:42.740 let's look at 00:22:42.740 --> 00:22:43.599 the crowd's reaction. 00:22:43.740 --> 00:22:44.539 How did they feel 00:22:44.539 --> 00:22:45.299 when they hear 00:22:45.299 --> 00:22:45.940 this message? 00:22:46.039 --> 00:22:46.779 Verse 37. 00:22:47.980 --> 00:22:48.879 When the people 00:22:48.879 --> 00:22:49.619 heard this, 00:22:50.420 --> 00:22:51.240 they were cut 00:22:51.240 --> 00:22:52.519 to the heart 00:22:52.519 --> 00:22:54.480 and said to Peter 00:22:54.480 --> 00:22:55.519 and the other apostles, 00:22:55.700 --> 00:22:55.980 brothers, 00:22:56.119 --> 00:22:57.099 what shall we do? 00:22:57.980 --> 00:22:58.859 Peter replied, 00:22:59.000 --> 00:22:59.440 repent 00:22:59.440 --> 00:23:00.740 and be baptized 00:23:00.740 --> 00:23:01.920 every one of you 00:23:01.920 --> 00:23:02.480 in the name 00:23:02.480 --> 00:23:03.440 of Jesus Christ 00:23:03.440 --> 00:23:04.379 for the forgiveness 00:23:04.380 --> 00:23:06.340 of your sins 00:23:06.340 --> 00:23:07.800 and you will receive 00:23:07.800 --> 00:23:08.540 the gift 00:23:08.540 --> 00:23:10.040 of the Holy Spirit. 00:23:10.700 --> 00:23:11.200 The promise 00:23:11.200 --> 00:23:12.100 is for you 00:23:12.100 --> 00:23:13.180 and your children 00:23:13.180 --> 00:23:14.020 and for all 00:23:14.020 --> 00:23:15.080 who are far off, 00:23:15.400 --> 00:23:15.940 for all 00:23:15.940 --> 00:23:16.640 whom the Lord 00:23:16.640 --> 00:23:17.240 our God 00:23:17.240 --> 00:23:17.900 will call. 00:23:18.000 --> 00:23:18.880 How did they feel 00:23:18.880 --> 00:23:20.580 cut to the heart? 00:23:21.760 --> 00:23:22.380 And do you see 00:23:22.380 --> 00:23:22.940 how they do not 00:23:22.940 --> 00:23:23.660 remain neutral 00:23:23.660 --> 00:23:24.360 to what Peter 00:23:24.360 --> 00:23:25.180 has been saying? 00:23:25.280 --> 00:23:26.000 They do not sit 00:23:26.000 --> 00:23:26.660 on the fence. 00:23:26.740 --> 00:23:27.420 They repent. 00:23:28.340 --> 00:23:29.160 What it means 00:23:29.160 --> 00:23:30.100 is just in their life, 00:23:30.180 --> 00:23:31.160 they did a 180. 00:23:31.360 --> 00:23:32.180 They acknowledged 00:23:32.180 --> 00:23:33.299 their failings 00:23:33.299 --> 00:23:34.140 before God. 00:23:34.299 --> 00:23:35.019 They stopped 00:23:35.019 --> 00:23:36.080 walking their way 00:23:36.080 --> 00:23:37.000 and they started 00:23:37.000 --> 00:23:38.140 walking His way. 00:23:39.019 --> 00:23:39.740 And Peter uses 00:23:39.740 --> 00:23:40.600 two words here 00:23:40.600 --> 00:23:41.060 that I think 00:23:41.060 --> 00:23:42.440 are so wonderful. 00:23:43.299 --> 00:23:43.940 Two words. 00:23:44.039 --> 00:23:44.539 First word, 00:23:44.700 --> 00:23:45.240 forgiven. 00:23:46.299 --> 00:23:47.320 That is what God 00:23:47.320 --> 00:23:47.960 is offering, 00:23:48.420 --> 00:23:49.360 that is what God 00:23:49.360 --> 00:23:49.880 was offering 00:23:49.880 --> 00:23:50.519 that morning 00:23:50.519 --> 00:23:51.259 and that is what 00:23:51.259 --> 00:23:52.039 God is offering 00:23:52.039 --> 00:23:52.880 this morning. 00:23:53.039 --> 00:23:53.660 Forgiveness. 00:23:54.880 --> 00:23:55.820 This isn't cheap 00:23:55.820 --> 00:23:56.400 forgiveness. 00:23:56.799 --> 00:23:58.019 This is extremely 00:23:58.019 --> 00:23:59.539 costly forgiveness 00:23:59.539 --> 00:24:01.100 through the blood 00:24:01.100 --> 00:24:02.060 of Jesus. 00:24:02.180 --> 00:24:02.400 forgiveness. 00:24:03.700 --> 00:24:03.960 Now friends, 00:24:04.000 --> 00:24:04.620 we need to see 00:24:04.620 --> 00:24:05.720 what is driving 00:24:05.720 --> 00:24:06.820 the cross, 00:24:06.940 --> 00:24:08.460 the great love 00:24:08.460 --> 00:24:10.180 of God for us. 00:24:10.259 --> 00:24:10.900 Because He could 00:24:10.900 --> 00:24:12.299 have quite justifiably 00:24:12.299 --> 00:24:13.779 left us on our own. 00:24:14.519 --> 00:24:15.560 We rejected Him. 00:24:15.640 --> 00:24:16.600 He could have chosen 00:24:16.600 --> 00:24:17.420 to have nothing 00:24:17.420 --> 00:24:18.299 to do with us. 00:24:18.660 --> 00:24:19.160 And yet, 00:24:19.519 --> 00:24:21.420 He sent His Son 00:24:21.420 --> 00:24:22.580 who went 00:24:22.580 --> 00:24:23.640 to the cross 00:24:23.640 --> 00:24:24.680 paying the penalty 00:24:24.680 --> 00:24:25.860 that you and I 00:24:25.860 --> 00:24:26.720 deserve to pay 00:24:26.720 --> 00:24:27.539 for our sin. 00:24:27.920 --> 00:24:29.080 Jesus gave it 00:24:29.080 --> 00:24:31.000 all for us. 00:24:31.000 --> 00:24:32.059 second word 00:24:32.059 --> 00:24:32.720 that Peter uses, 00:24:33.319 --> 00:24:33.680 gift. 00:24:34.819 --> 00:24:35.960 This is not about 00:24:35.960 --> 00:24:36.779 us earning 00:24:36.779 --> 00:24:38.720 God's love. 00:24:38.839 --> 00:24:39.819 This is all about 00:24:39.819 --> 00:24:41.059 God's grace. 00:24:41.279 --> 00:24:42.119 God giving us 00:24:42.119 --> 00:24:42.740 something that we 00:24:42.740 --> 00:24:43.640 do not deserve. 00:24:44.519 --> 00:24:46.519 The gift of the Spirit. 00:24:46.619 --> 00:24:47.559 This is what happens 00:24:47.559 --> 00:24:48.519 as men and women 00:24:48.519 --> 00:24:49.200 come to put their 00:24:49.200 --> 00:24:50.259 faith in Jesus. 00:24:51.140 --> 00:24:52.019 That God sends 00:24:52.019 --> 00:24:52.599 His Spirit, 00:24:52.720 --> 00:24:53.640 His real presence 00:24:53.640 --> 00:24:55.859 to live in their lives. 00:24:55.859 --> 00:24:57.359 so that we no longer 00:24:57.359 --> 00:24:58.539 remain detached 00:24:58.539 --> 00:25:00.139 and separated 00:25:00.139 --> 00:25:00.799 from God. 00:25:00.919 --> 00:25:02.199 We become His. 00:25:02.939 --> 00:25:04.319 No longer orphans 00:25:04.319 --> 00:25:05.019 but adopted 00:25:05.019 --> 00:25:06.519 as His children. 00:25:07.359 --> 00:25:08.000 Reconciled. 00:25:08.339 --> 00:25:09.639 Put right with God. 00:25:09.819 --> 00:25:11.000 The God who created us. 00:25:11.059 --> 00:25:11.219 Friends, 00:25:11.279 --> 00:25:12.219 you were not made 00:25:12.219 --> 00:25:13.379 by accident. 00:25:13.539 --> 00:25:13.979 You were made 00:25:13.979 --> 00:25:14.939 for a relationship 00:25:14.939 --> 00:25:15.879 with the God 00:25:15.879 --> 00:25:17.039 who created you. 00:25:17.179 --> 00:25:18.099 How do you get there? 00:25:18.459 --> 00:25:19.799 Through the gospel. 00:25:20.779 --> 00:25:22.339 The offer of the gospel 00:25:22.339 --> 00:25:24.379 is God Himself. 00:25:25.480 --> 00:25:26.480 That is the sermon 00:25:26.480 --> 00:25:27.459 that Peter preaches. 00:25:27.599 --> 00:25:29.000 And look at what 00:25:29.000 --> 00:25:30.139 Luke tells us 00:25:30.139 --> 00:25:31.339 at verse 41. 00:25:35.299 --> 00:25:36.399 How did this message 00:25:36.399 --> 00:25:36.839 go down? 00:25:38.019 --> 00:25:39.139 Well, those who accepted 00:25:39.139 --> 00:25:39.859 His message 00:25:39.859 --> 00:25:40.480 were baptized 00:25:40.480 --> 00:25:43.279 and about 3,000 00:25:43.279 --> 00:25:44.359 were added to their 00:25:44.359 --> 00:25:45.240 number that day. 00:25:46.419 --> 00:25:47.220 So the ESV, 00:25:47.299 --> 00:25:48.000 if you've got an ESV 00:25:48.000 --> 00:25:48.299 with you, 00:25:48.359 --> 00:25:49.099 it uses that word 00:25:49.099 --> 00:25:49.699 souls. 00:25:50.299 --> 00:25:50.740 And I'll admit 00:25:50.740 --> 00:25:51.599 I love that word. 00:25:52.339 --> 00:25:53.539 Because these are 00:25:53.539 --> 00:25:54.339 real people. 00:25:54.500 --> 00:25:55.399 These are real 00:25:55.399 --> 00:25:56.319 confessions. 00:25:56.519 --> 00:25:57.879 These are real baptisms. 00:25:58.059 --> 00:25:58.919 And 3,000, 00:25:59.099 --> 00:26:00.259 that's a real number. 00:26:01.179 --> 00:26:02.879 3,000 people respond 00:26:02.879 --> 00:26:04.059 to what Peter 00:26:04.059 --> 00:26:04.959 has been saying 00:26:04.959 --> 00:26:06.000 and put their faith 00:26:06.000 --> 00:26:06.699 in Jesus. 00:26:08.079 --> 00:26:09.039 They trust in what 00:26:09.039 --> 00:26:09.579 Jesus did, 00:26:09.619 --> 00:26:11.059 that He paid their debt 00:26:11.059 --> 00:26:12.539 and His victory 00:26:12.539 --> 00:26:13.859 has become their victory. 00:26:14.259 --> 00:26:15.720 His perfect obedience, 00:26:15.859 --> 00:26:16.480 His righteousness 00:26:16.480 --> 00:26:18.459 has become their righteousness 00:26:18.459 --> 00:26:20.379 and Jesus has reconciled 00:26:20.379 --> 00:26:21.139 them to God 00:26:21.140 --> 00:26:22.520 and the resurrection 00:26:22.520 --> 00:26:24.620 proves that it's all true. 00:26:24.720 --> 00:26:25.500 It's the gospel. 00:26:26.820 --> 00:26:28.040 It's the new life 00:26:28.040 --> 00:26:29.120 that you and I have 00:26:29.120 --> 00:26:30.000 because God 00:26:30.000 --> 00:26:31.280 has given us it 00:26:31.280 --> 00:26:32.500 in Jesus Christ. 00:26:33.360 --> 00:26:34.200 Now here's the thing. 00:26:34.280 --> 00:26:35.120 Do you see 00:26:35.120 --> 00:26:36.720 this message, 00:26:37.140 --> 00:26:38.420 this gospel message, 00:26:38.480 --> 00:26:39.480 it births 00:26:39.480 --> 00:26:40.540 the church. 00:26:41.400 --> 00:26:42.660 It births the church. 00:26:42.780 --> 00:26:43.980 This isn't our doing. 00:26:44.100 --> 00:26:45.000 This is all 00:26:45.000 --> 00:26:46.460 God's doing. 00:26:46.640 --> 00:26:48.120 God saves a people 00:26:48.120 --> 00:26:49.920 through the gospel. 00:26:49.920 --> 00:26:51.420 He redeems men 00:26:51.420 --> 00:26:52.039 and women 00:26:52.039 --> 00:26:53.039 and creates 00:26:53.039 --> 00:26:53.960 a people 00:26:53.960 --> 00:26:54.900 for Himself. 00:26:55.100 --> 00:26:55.660 This message 00:26:55.660 --> 00:26:56.380 is glorious. 00:26:57.960 --> 00:26:58.740 It's glorious. 00:26:59.300 --> 00:27:00.440 No other message 00:27:00.440 --> 00:27:00.980 works. 00:27:01.720 --> 00:27:02.720 No other message 00:27:02.720 --> 00:27:03.400 could work 00:27:03.400 --> 00:27:03.920 and that's why 00:27:03.920 --> 00:27:04.940 we as a church, 00:27:05.060 --> 00:27:06.940 we stand on this message 00:27:06.940 --> 00:27:08.460 because it's the power 00:27:08.460 --> 00:27:09.580 of God 00:27:09.580 --> 00:27:11.000 unto salvation. 00:27:11.140 --> 00:27:12.180 It's the centerpiece 00:27:12.180 --> 00:27:12.980 around everything 00:27:12.980 --> 00:27:13.980 that goes on here. 00:27:15.460 --> 00:27:16.620 The gospel is glorious. 00:27:16.619 --> 00:27:19.899 And look what happens 00:27:19.899 --> 00:27:20.579 naturally 00:27:20.579 --> 00:27:21.719 as a result of that. 00:27:21.839 --> 00:27:22.500 Look what the gospel 00:27:22.500 --> 00:27:23.139 creates, 00:27:23.259 --> 00:27:24.119 verse 42. 00:27:27.000 --> 00:27:27.939 This is what Luke 00:27:27.939 --> 00:27:28.599 tells us 00:27:28.599 --> 00:27:29.839 about this group 00:27:29.839 --> 00:27:30.219 of people, 00:27:30.319 --> 00:27:31.179 this group of Christians. 00:27:31.319 --> 00:27:32.059 They devoted 00:27:32.059 --> 00:27:32.779 themselves 00:27:32.779 --> 00:27:34.339 to the apostles' 00:27:34.579 --> 00:27:34.899 teaching 00:27:34.899 --> 00:27:35.819 and to fellowship, 00:27:36.399 --> 00:27:37.239 to the breaking 00:27:37.239 --> 00:27:37.759 of bread 00:27:37.759 --> 00:27:38.579 and to prayer. 00:27:39.339 --> 00:27:40.579 Everyone was filled 00:27:40.579 --> 00:27:41.199 with awe 00:27:41.199 --> 00:27:42.500 at the many wonders 00:27:42.500 --> 00:27:43.740 and signs 00:27:43.740 --> 00:27:45.059 performed by the apostles. 00:27:45.720 --> 00:27:46.579 All the believers 00:27:46.579 --> 00:27:47.359 were together 00:27:47.359 --> 00:27:48.859 and had everything 00:27:48.859 --> 00:27:49.420 in common. 00:27:50.279 --> 00:27:51.539 They sold property 00:27:51.539 --> 00:27:52.319 and possessions 00:27:52.319 --> 00:27:53.299 to give to anyone 00:27:53.299 --> 00:27:53.960 who had needs. 00:27:54.599 --> 00:27:55.440 Every day 00:27:55.440 --> 00:27:56.200 they continued 00:27:56.200 --> 00:27:57.039 to meet together 00:27:57.039 --> 00:27:58.180 in the temple courts. 00:27:58.759 --> 00:27:59.720 They broke bread 00:27:59.720 --> 00:28:00.319 in their homes 00:28:00.319 --> 00:28:01.019 and ate together 00:28:01.019 --> 00:28:01.480 with glad 00:28:01.480 --> 00:28:02.519 and sincere hearts 00:28:02.519 --> 00:28:03.559 praising God 00:28:03.559 --> 00:28:04.519 and enjoying 00:28:04.519 --> 00:28:05.059 the favor 00:28:05.059 --> 00:28:06.220 of all the people. 00:28:07.180 --> 00:28:08.140 So they repent 00:28:08.140 --> 00:28:08.819 and they believe 00:28:08.819 --> 00:28:09.319 the good news 00:28:09.319 --> 00:28:09.960 as individuals. 00:28:10.099 --> 00:28:10.720 But do you see 00:28:10.720 --> 00:28:11.480 how quickly 00:28:11.480 --> 00:28:12.600 Luke begins 00:28:12.600 --> 00:28:13.319 to talk of them 00:28:13.319 --> 00:28:14.579 as a collective group? 00:28:15.240 --> 00:28:15.900 Now if you just look 00:28:15.900 --> 00:28:16.779 at those verses there, 00:28:16.900 --> 00:28:17.839 how often he uses 00:28:17.839 --> 00:28:19.059 the words together. 00:28:20.200 --> 00:28:20.680 Together. 00:28:20.779 --> 00:28:21.480 That's not an accident. 00:28:21.640 --> 00:28:22.480 That is emphasis. 00:28:22.700 --> 00:28:23.279 These people 00:28:23.279 --> 00:28:24.259 were together. 00:28:24.740 --> 00:28:25.940 This new community, 00:28:26.579 --> 00:28:27.839 this community 00:28:27.839 --> 00:28:28.620 of Jesus' 00:28:28.960 --> 00:28:29.819 living people 00:28:29.819 --> 00:28:32.559 had been brought 00:28:32.559 --> 00:28:33.019 together 00:28:33.019 --> 00:28:33.539 through their 00:28:33.539 --> 00:28:34.319 common faith 00:28:34.319 --> 00:28:34.920 in Jesus. 00:28:35.160 --> 00:28:36.299 And that common faith, 00:28:36.620 --> 00:28:37.140 the gospel, 00:28:37.440 --> 00:28:38.539 shaped their community. 00:28:39.519 --> 00:28:40.019 And I think 00:28:40.019 --> 00:28:40.779 there are two 00:28:40.779 --> 00:28:41.879 really quick marks 00:28:41.879 --> 00:28:43.079 of this community 00:28:43.079 --> 00:28:43.879 that Luke draws 00:28:43.879 --> 00:28:44.740 their attention to. 00:28:44.980 --> 00:28:45.799 First mark, 00:28:46.500 --> 00:28:46.940 devotion. 00:28:48.059 --> 00:28:48.599 Did you notice 00:28:48.599 --> 00:28:49.059 that word 00:28:49.059 --> 00:28:49.720 as we went through? 00:28:49.819 --> 00:28:50.700 Devoted to what? 00:28:51.079 --> 00:28:51.839 Well three things. 00:28:51.940 --> 00:28:53.059 Devoted to the words. 00:28:53.660 --> 00:28:54.400 That is the apostles 00:28:54.400 --> 00:28:54.920 teaching, 00:28:55.039 --> 00:28:55.539 what they heard 00:28:55.539 --> 00:28:56.240 from the apostles 00:28:56.240 --> 00:28:57.460 about this man Jesus. 00:28:58.519 --> 00:28:59.799 Devoted to fellowship. 00:29:00.980 --> 00:29:01.519 Do you see that? 00:29:01.559 --> 00:29:02.039 That they're looking 00:29:02.039 --> 00:29:02.900 out for one another. 00:29:03.039 --> 00:29:03.740 They're meeting needs 00:29:03.740 --> 00:29:04.279 that arise 00:29:04.279 --> 00:29:05.000 in their community. 00:29:05.200 --> 00:29:06.059 They're eating together. 00:29:06.519 --> 00:29:07.180 They are together 00:29:07.180 --> 00:29:07.819 in their homes. 00:29:07.900 --> 00:29:08.660 They've got everything 00:29:08.660 --> 00:29:09.240 in common. 00:29:09.980 --> 00:29:10.800 And they are devoted 00:29:10.800 --> 00:29:11.320 to, 00:29:11.800 --> 00:29:12.580 can anyone guess it? 00:29:14.120 --> 00:29:14.600 Prayer. 00:29:15.620 --> 00:29:16.519 Devoted to prayer, 00:29:16.620 --> 00:29:17.620 to seeking God, 00:29:17.740 --> 00:29:18.880 to humbling themselves 00:29:18.880 --> 00:29:20.259 and asking for 00:29:20.259 --> 00:29:21.340 his help and power. 00:29:21.980 --> 00:29:22.940 As they seek 00:29:22.940 --> 00:29:24.100 in their community 00:29:24.100 --> 00:29:26.100 to impact it 00:29:26.100 --> 00:29:26.880 with the good news 00:29:26.880 --> 00:29:27.340 of Jesus. 00:29:27.640 --> 00:29:28.360 Here's my question 00:29:28.360 --> 00:29:29.300 for us this morning. 00:29:30.019 --> 00:29:30.860 As a church, 00:29:30.940 --> 00:29:31.740 as individuals, 00:29:31.880 --> 00:29:32.880 are we devoting 00:29:32.880 --> 00:29:34.019 ourselves to these things? 00:29:35.420 --> 00:29:36.040 That's where 00:29:36.040 --> 00:29:37.180 our three things 00:29:37.180 --> 00:29:37.640 come from 00:29:37.640 --> 00:29:38.299 in our transformation 00:29:38.299 --> 00:29:38.860 statement. 00:29:38.980 --> 00:29:39.720 I'm pointing at the wall 00:29:39.720 --> 00:29:40.480 because it's over there. 00:29:40.720 --> 00:29:40.860 Okay, 00:29:40.880 --> 00:29:41.539 I've not lost it. 00:29:41.799 --> 00:29:42.220 It's over there. 00:29:43.060 --> 00:29:43.460 Prayer, 00:29:43.920 --> 00:29:44.240 word, 00:29:44.620 --> 00:29:44.980 fellowship. 00:29:45.120 --> 00:29:45.960 These are the things 00:29:45.960 --> 00:29:46.600 that we devote 00:29:46.600 --> 00:29:47.380 ourselves to. 00:29:47.700 --> 00:29:48.220 And we've not just 00:29:48.220 --> 00:29:49.620 got that out of thin air. 00:29:49.900 --> 00:29:50.360 This is where 00:29:50.360 --> 00:29:51.060 we've got it from. 00:29:52.019 --> 00:29:53.620 Are we devoting 00:29:53.620 --> 00:29:55.259 ourselves to God's words? 00:29:56.039 --> 00:29:57.160 Are we committed 00:29:57.160 --> 00:29:57.960 to one another 00:29:57.960 --> 00:29:58.539 because we are 00:29:58.539 --> 00:30:00.200 connected in Christ? 00:30:00.960 --> 00:30:01.519 Are we, 00:30:01.600 --> 00:30:02.259 as a family 00:30:02.259 --> 00:30:03.380 of God's people, 00:30:03.460 --> 00:30:04.380 are we devoting 00:30:04.380 --> 00:30:05.580 ourselves to prayer? 00:30:05.579 --> 00:30:07.559 They are a devoted 00:30:07.559 --> 00:30:08.460 community. 00:30:09.099 --> 00:30:09.619 Second mark 00:30:09.619 --> 00:30:10.359 of this community, 00:30:10.919 --> 00:30:11.500 praise. 00:30:12.299 --> 00:30:13.159 Do you see that? 00:30:14.139 --> 00:30:15.199 That they attend 00:30:15.199 --> 00:30:16.319 the temple together. 00:30:16.439 --> 00:30:17.240 Look at the description 00:30:17.240 --> 00:30:18.039 of these people. 00:30:18.679 --> 00:30:19.559 Praising God 00:30:19.559 --> 00:30:20.240 with glad 00:30:20.240 --> 00:30:21.839 and sincere hearts, 00:30:21.939 --> 00:30:23.000 giving thanks to him 00:30:23.000 --> 00:30:23.899 for what he's done 00:30:23.899 --> 00:30:24.799 for them in the gospel. 00:30:25.859 --> 00:30:26.339 Do you see that 00:30:26.339 --> 00:30:27.179 there's a distinct 00:30:27.179 --> 00:30:28.259 sense of joy 00:30:28.259 --> 00:30:29.179 as we read 00:30:29.179 --> 00:30:29.819 about them here? 00:30:29.879 --> 00:30:31.319 This joy inspired, 00:30:31.919 --> 00:30:33.220 given by the Holy Spirit. 00:30:33.299 --> 00:30:34.139 And notice that phrase 00:30:34.139 --> 00:30:35.159 at verse 47. 00:30:36.159 --> 00:30:37.019 Back in the text, 00:30:37.079 --> 00:30:37.500 what does it say? 00:30:37.559 --> 00:30:38.000 We're almost done. 00:30:38.079 --> 00:30:38.740 Verse 47, 00:30:38.879 --> 00:30:39.939 they enjoyed favor 00:30:39.939 --> 00:30:41.699 with all the people. 00:30:42.539 --> 00:30:43.759 So what is going on here? 00:30:43.819 --> 00:30:44.899 The outside world 00:30:44.899 --> 00:30:45.720 is looking at 00:30:45.720 --> 00:30:46.359 what's going on 00:30:46.359 --> 00:30:47.220 in this community, 00:30:47.779 --> 00:30:49.740 this transformed community, 00:30:49.740 --> 00:30:51.139 and they are dumbfounded. 00:30:52.039 --> 00:30:53.679 The way that these people act, 00:30:53.759 --> 00:30:54.720 the way that they speak, 00:30:55.159 --> 00:30:55.879 the way that they live 00:30:55.879 --> 00:30:56.460 their lives, 00:30:56.539 --> 00:30:57.379 the way that they witness 00:30:57.379 --> 00:30:58.220 for Jesus, 00:30:58.740 --> 00:30:59.699 clearly caused 00:30:59.699 --> 00:31:00.500 the watching world 00:31:00.500 --> 00:31:02.699 to see something different. 00:31:03.500 --> 00:31:04.220 What a challenge 00:31:04.220 --> 00:31:04.700 is that is 00:31:04.700 --> 00:31:05.779 for us this morning. 00:31:06.500 --> 00:31:07.740 Think about the circles 00:31:07.740 --> 00:31:08.640 that you move in. 00:31:09.460 --> 00:31:10.339 Think about the people 00:31:10.339 --> 00:31:11.180 that are in and out 00:31:11.180 --> 00:31:12.400 of your lives every day. 00:31:12.500 --> 00:31:13.100 The office, 00:31:13.559 --> 00:31:14.400 the classroom, 00:31:14.539 --> 00:31:15.220 the lecture hall, 00:31:15.279 --> 00:31:16.079 the sports team. 00:31:16.799 --> 00:31:17.640 Do people see 00:31:17.640 --> 00:31:18.880 something different 00:31:18.880 --> 00:31:20.079 in us? 00:31:21.000 --> 00:31:22.140 Are our neighborhoods 00:31:22.140 --> 00:31:23.120 here at Brunsfield, 00:31:23.180 --> 00:31:24.100 are they thankful 00:31:24.100 --> 00:31:25.120 that we are here? 00:31:25.640 --> 00:31:27.120 Do we enjoy their favor? 00:31:27.279 --> 00:31:27.500 Why? 00:31:27.600 --> 00:31:28.460 Because they know 00:31:28.460 --> 00:31:29.180 that we are people 00:31:29.180 --> 00:31:29.960 who deeply, 00:31:30.400 --> 00:31:31.560 deeply care. 00:31:32.980 --> 00:31:33.160 See, 00:31:33.220 --> 00:31:34.019 this news about Jesus, 00:31:34.140 --> 00:31:35.200 it has transformed 00:31:35.200 --> 00:31:36.299 and it has created 00:31:36.299 --> 00:31:37.440 a people individually, 00:31:37.799 --> 00:31:38.840 but it has created 00:31:38.840 --> 00:31:40.500 a people corporately. 00:31:41.140 --> 00:31:43.120 This is the church, 00:31:43.660 --> 00:31:44.519 God's people 00:31:44.519 --> 00:31:45.700 who has transformed, 00:31:45.799 --> 00:31:46.420 this community 00:31:46.420 --> 00:31:48.460 of cross-shaped people. 00:31:48.740 --> 00:31:49.240 They are not 00:31:49.240 --> 00:31:50.120 a perfect people. 00:31:51.039 --> 00:31:52.740 Do not fall into the trap 00:31:52.740 --> 00:31:54.039 of romanticizing this. 00:31:54.120 --> 00:31:54.680 You just look at 00:31:54.680 --> 00:31:55.740 Acts chapter 5, 00:31:55.860 --> 00:31:56.039 okay, 00:31:56.080 --> 00:31:56.860 a few more on. 00:31:57.320 --> 00:31:58.019 Look at the book 00:31:58.019 --> 00:31:58.839 of 1 Corinthians. 00:31:59.059 --> 00:31:59.819 This early church, 00:31:59.940 --> 00:32:01.079 they do not have it sorted. 00:32:02.299 --> 00:32:04.400 But there are two marks 00:32:04.400 --> 00:32:04.960 that I think 00:32:04.960 --> 00:32:05.720 we should be seeing 00:32:05.720 --> 00:32:06.519 in our community 00:32:06.519 --> 00:32:07.480 as we look at this. 00:32:08.400 --> 00:32:09.000 A people marked 00:32:09.000 --> 00:32:09.700 by devotion 00:32:09.700 --> 00:32:11.339 and a people marked 00:32:11.339 --> 00:32:12.119 by praise. 00:32:12.220 --> 00:32:14.000 The gospel births 00:32:14.000 --> 00:32:15.000 the church. 00:32:15.819 --> 00:32:16.879 And just as we close, 00:32:17.420 --> 00:32:18.059 look at the end 00:32:18.059 --> 00:32:19.480 of verse 47. 00:32:22.579 --> 00:32:23.639 We'll just look right. 00:32:23.639 --> 00:32:26.319 And the Lord 00:32:26.319 --> 00:32:28.119 added to their number 00:32:28.119 --> 00:32:28.599 daily 00:32:28.599 --> 00:32:30.419 those who were being 00:32:30.419 --> 00:32:31.119 saved. 00:32:33.000 --> 00:32:34.720 The gospel message 00:32:34.720 --> 00:32:36.279 went forth. 00:32:36.619 --> 00:32:37.539 It continued 00:32:37.539 --> 00:32:39.599 to transform lives. 00:32:40.259 --> 00:32:40.980 God continued 00:32:40.980 --> 00:32:43.639 to give his spirit, 00:32:43.740 --> 00:32:44.240 his power, 00:32:44.339 --> 00:32:44.939 so that this thing 00:32:44.939 --> 00:32:45.839 would go global 00:32:45.839 --> 00:32:47.939 and it would hit Jerusalem. 00:32:48.439 --> 00:32:49.759 It would hit Asia. 00:32:50.179 --> 00:32:51.339 It would hit Europe. 00:32:51.919 --> 00:32:53.939 This thing went global. 00:32:53.940 --> 00:32:55.299 And 2,000 years later, 00:32:55.880 --> 00:32:56.720 it continues 00:32:56.720 --> 00:32:58.840 to transform lives today. 00:32:58.960 --> 00:32:59.759 Here's some stats 00:32:59.759 --> 00:33:00.340 as we close 00:33:00.340 --> 00:33:00.900 that I read 00:33:00.900 --> 00:33:02.460 on the Bible Society's 00:33:02.460 --> 00:33:03.480 website this week. 00:33:03.920 --> 00:33:05.019 Here's what's going on 00:33:05.019 --> 00:33:05.779 in our world today. 00:33:05.880 --> 00:33:07.200 This gospel is still 00:33:07.200 --> 00:33:08.600 transforming lives. 00:33:08.720 --> 00:33:09.380 In China, 00:33:10.380 --> 00:33:11.380 thousands are turning 00:33:11.380 --> 00:33:11.940 to Christ 00:33:11.940 --> 00:33:13.039 every single day 00:33:13.039 --> 00:33:14.539 with 500,000 00:33:14.539 --> 00:33:15.180 baptisms 00:33:15.180 --> 00:33:15.900 every year. 00:33:16.480 --> 00:33:17.720 Get your head around that. 00:33:17.880 --> 00:33:19.860 500,000 00:33:19.860 --> 00:33:20.440 baptisms. 00:33:20.519 --> 00:33:21.100 That's bigger 00:33:21.100 --> 00:33:21.960 than our population 00:33:21.960 --> 00:33:22.660 of this city. 00:33:23.860 --> 00:33:24.500 In Nepal, 00:33:24.620 --> 00:33:25.299 the church in Nepal 00:33:25.299 --> 00:33:26.180 has grown from zero 00:33:26.180 --> 00:33:27.259 to over 2 million 00:33:27.259 --> 00:33:28.680 in 65 years. 00:33:29.539 --> 00:33:30.279 In Cuba, 00:33:30.940 --> 00:33:32.319 people are now free 00:33:32.319 --> 00:33:33.759 to attend church services 00:33:33.759 --> 00:33:34.500 where they hear 00:33:34.500 --> 00:33:35.039 the gospel, 00:33:35.180 --> 00:33:36.220 they hear God's words, 00:33:36.319 --> 00:33:37.759 and churches are flourishing 00:33:37.759 --> 00:33:39.460 and more and more people 00:33:39.460 --> 00:33:40.279 daily are coming 00:33:40.279 --> 00:33:41.019 to faith. 00:33:41.539 --> 00:33:42.579 In Cambodia, 00:33:43.640 --> 00:33:44.680 1970s, 00:33:44.700 --> 00:33:45.319 Christianity 00:33:45.319 --> 00:33:46.539 almost wiped out. 00:33:46.700 --> 00:33:46.980 Now, 00:33:47.380 --> 00:33:48.700 the church is expanding 00:33:48.700 --> 00:33:50.759 at an extraordinary rate. 00:33:50.759 --> 00:33:51.920 Here is a quote 00:33:51.920 --> 00:33:52.799 from a young woman 00:33:52.799 --> 00:33:53.500 in Cambodia. 00:33:53.660 --> 00:33:55.200 She's receiving her first Bible 00:33:55.200 --> 00:33:56.619 through the Bible Society. 00:33:56.799 --> 00:33:57.660 Here's what she says. 00:33:59.039 --> 00:33:59.619 I've been waiting 00:33:59.619 --> 00:34:00.799 for the Bible for a year 00:34:00.799 --> 00:34:02.019 ever since I became 00:34:02.019 --> 00:34:02.460 a Christian. 00:34:03.059 --> 00:34:04.299 We have no money, 00:34:04.720 --> 00:34:06.059 just enough for food 00:34:06.059 --> 00:34:06.740 and sometimes 00:34:06.740 --> 00:34:07.759 not even enough for that. 00:34:08.380 --> 00:34:10.400 I am so happy 00:34:10.400 --> 00:34:11.340 about getting a Bible. 00:34:11.639 --> 00:34:13.760 I am so excited. 00:34:14.860 --> 00:34:15.460 Do you see it? 00:34:16.079 --> 00:34:16.820 That the gospel, 00:34:17.019 --> 00:34:17.840 this message, 00:34:18.300 --> 00:34:19.360 2,000 years ago, 00:34:19.360 --> 00:34:20.800 transformed this community. 00:34:21.320 --> 00:34:23.000 Life's God won them 00:34:23.000 --> 00:34:23.860 through the gospel. 00:34:23.980 --> 00:34:24.840 He saved a people 00:34:24.840 --> 00:34:26.820 and it still transforms 00:34:26.820 --> 00:34:28.120 lives today. 00:34:28.539 --> 00:34:28.760 Friends, 00:34:28.860 --> 00:34:29.840 we are here 00:34:29.840 --> 00:34:31.760 because the gospel works. 00:34:33.400 --> 00:34:34.420 We are here 00:34:34.420 --> 00:34:35.740 because God chose 00:34:35.740 --> 00:34:36.400 to save us 00:34:36.400 --> 00:34:37.480 through this message. 00:34:37.620 --> 00:34:38.300 The gospel 00:34:38.300 --> 00:34:40.539 forms the church. 00:34:41.820 --> 00:34:42.220 Now, 00:34:42.260 --> 00:34:42.860 here's what we're going to do 00:34:42.860 --> 00:34:43.620 just before we pray. 00:34:44.579 --> 00:34:45.539 I want you to turn back 00:34:45.539 --> 00:34:46.059 to that neighbor 00:34:46.059 --> 00:34:46.720 that you talked to 00:34:46.720 --> 00:34:47.140 two seconds, 00:34:47.660 --> 00:34:48.599 about 30 minutes ago. 00:34:48.599 --> 00:34:49.880 It wasn't two seconds, 00:34:49.960 --> 00:34:50.139 was it? 00:34:50.960 --> 00:34:52.019 Turn back to that neighbor 00:34:52.019 --> 00:34:53.239 and in light of what we've seen 00:34:53.239 --> 00:34:54.639 in Acts chapter 1 and 2, 00:34:55.339 --> 00:34:56.299 why did you come to church 00:34:56.299 --> 00:34:56.779 this morning? 00:34:57.980 --> 00:34:58.900 And then we'll close in prayer. 00:34:59.000 --> 00:34:59.719 Why don't you talk 00:34:59.719 --> 00:35:00.119 to your neighbor 00:35:00.119 --> 00:35:01.139 and then we'll close. 00:35:02.759 --> 00:35:03.619 Okay, let's pray. 00:35:05.519 --> 00:35:05.920 Father, 00:35:06.019 --> 00:35:07.739 we are so thankful 00:35:07.739 --> 00:35:08.719 for our time together 00:35:08.719 --> 00:35:09.319 this morning 00:35:09.319 --> 00:35:11.420 and we thank you 00:35:11.420 --> 00:35:12.699 for the church. 00:35:13.319 --> 00:35:14.319 We thank you 00:35:14.319 --> 00:35:15.119 for Jesus. 00:35:15.299 --> 00:35:15.880 We thank you 00:35:15.880 --> 00:35:17.440 for the gospel message. 00:35:18.480 --> 00:35:19.059 We thank you 00:35:19.059 --> 00:35:20.780 for the wonderful news 00:35:20.780 --> 00:35:22.220 that he is not dead, 00:35:22.760 --> 00:35:24.260 that he is alive 00:35:24.260 --> 00:35:25.579 and reigning in heaven. 00:35:26.460 --> 00:35:26.720 Father, 00:35:26.800 --> 00:35:27.700 I pray that you would help us 00:35:27.700 --> 00:35:28.960 to know that this week. 00:35:29.740 --> 00:35:30.579 Help us to live 00:35:30.579 --> 00:35:31.200 as people 00:35:31.200 --> 00:35:31.900 whose lives 00:35:31.900 --> 00:35:32.700 are marked 00:35:32.700 --> 00:35:33.420 by love 00:35:33.420 --> 00:35:34.559 for people 00:35:34.559 --> 00:35:35.900 and for him 00:35:35.900 --> 00:35:36.800 in everything 00:35:36.800 --> 00:35:37.400 that we do. 00:35:37.500 --> 00:35:38.200 And this is our prayer 00:35:38.200 --> 00:35:38.860 in his name. 00:35:39.200 --> 00:35:39.500 Amen. 00:35:39.500 --> 00:35:39.599 Amen. 00:35:40.240 --> 00:35:40.640 Amen. 00:35:40.640 --> 00:35:41.140 Amen. 00:35:41.140 --> 00:35:41.640 Amen. 00:35:41.640 --> 00:35:41.700 Amen. 00:35:41.700 --> 00:35:42.140 Amen. 00:35:42.140 --> 00:35:42.640 Amen. 00:35:42.640 --> 00:35:42.700 Amen. 00:35:42.700 --> 00:35:43.640 Amen. 00:35:43.640 --> 00:35:43.700 Amen. 00:35:43.700 --> 00:35:44.140 Amen. 00:35:44.140 --> 00:35:44.700 Amen. 00:35:44.700 --> 00:35:44.720 Amen. 00:35:44.720 --> 00:35:44.740 Amen. 00:35:44.740 --> 00:35:44.760 Amen. 00:35:44.760 --> 00:35:45.860 Amen.