WEBVTT

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 Now we're going to continue our series, thinking about habits of a healthy church from the

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 book of Acts.

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 Our third habit is that of giving.

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 And we're going to see that a healthy church is a generous church.

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 Again, we've got a few texts that we will look at together to show us this truth.

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 Let me begin by making a statement, I suppose, that Christians, as we read in the Bible,

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 are called to give generously and joyfully, to support God's work, and to provide for

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 the needy in response to God's generous grace in Christ.

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 And what we'll see as we look at the book of Acts, as we look at the New Testament and

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 the Old Testament, is that giving is a gospel issue.

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 In light of the fact that the Father, in his loving kindness, has given us his Son to be

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 our Savior, that Jesus has come and he's left the glory of heaven to become one of us, has

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 given his life to be our Savior, that the Father and the Son have given us eternal life and given

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 us the Spirit to live in our hearts.

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 That's our motivation for generous giving.

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 So God's grace fuels our generosity.

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 Jesus said our giving is a heart issue.

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 Remember in the Sermon on the Mount, he talked about where our treasure is.

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 That's where our heart will be also.

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 So that money can be a barrier to our worship.

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 Jesus would say that it's easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than it is

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 for a rich man to enter the kingdom.

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 But our money can also be a way that we show that we have been changed by God's love and

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 it can be a way to bless others.

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 That we can use money to serve other people.

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 So the way that we spend, the way that we consume, the Bible would say, is a matter of

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 the heart.

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 Two letters to talk about before we get to the book of Acts.

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 The first from the early 4th century, Emperor Julian, who was no friend of the Christian

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 faith.

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 He said this, there's a little bit of his letter up there.

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 He said, when it came about that the poor were neglected by the pagan priests, the Christians

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 observed this fact and devoted themselves to philanthropy.

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 They support not only their own poor, but ours as well.

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 All men see that our people lack aid from us.

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 And it's really interesting to look at the early centuries of the Christian church and

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 how one of the major reasons, I think, why it had such an impact within the Roman Empire

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 was the fact that not only was the Christian community caring for themselves, they were also

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 caring for others.

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 Where the pagan priests were failing, the Christians were caring.

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 Second, mercy and mission went together from the earliest days of the Christian church.

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 Second letter, much closer to home, from Manuel, Manuel Reanu, who we support in our mission

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 support fund just last month in March.

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 Another example, lovely example of God's providence.

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 So he was talking to a young pastor, anxious pastor, wondering how he was going to look after

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 his family with a very unstable income working for the church.

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 And so he was asking Manuel for advice.

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 Should he leave his calling in order to seek a more stable source of income?

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 And Manuel's advice was to trust that God would provide for his daily needs and for what his

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 family needed, that he shouldn't set aside his calling, but rather he should continue to pastor

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 and he should trust God to provide.

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 And then Manuel said 20 minutes after that chat, he got an email from us as a church to tell him that

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 we were just beginning to provide financial support for Manuel month after month.

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 And this is what Manuel said.

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 He said this was for him a divine confirmation of God's constant generous care.

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 God caring as people give.

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 Let's get into the book of Acts together.

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 We're going to go back to that passage that we've been in a few times.

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 Acts chapter 2, verses 42 to 45.

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 We'll find the words are up on our screen.

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 To think about this idea that giving, the giving of Christians expresses fellowship.

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 Acts 2, verse 42.

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 They devoted themselves, these first Christians who were converted after Peter preached at Pentecost,

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 they devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.

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 Everyone was filled with awe at the many wonders and signs performed by the apostles.

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 All the believers were together and had everything in common.

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 They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need.

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 So this first church, as we thought about before, they're devoted to fellowship.

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 And one way they expressed it was in this generous sharing.

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 It's that kind of mindset.

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 What's mine is yours.

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 When you read the Gospels, we discover that Jesus had a common purse.

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 That was looked after by Judas to meet the needs of the disciples.

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 And it seems like the church continues with this mindset.

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 And certainly the wealthy are selling land and possessions and giving to meet the needs of others.

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 And so again, from the beginning, this unity that they have in the Spirit,

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 this unity that they have because they are the body of Christ,

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 finds practical expression.

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 That their fellowship extends to financial care.

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 It's a reminder, again, that from the beginning, faith touches our wallets.

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 So it's clearly impacting their spending and their consumption.

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 And it's also reminding us that from the beginning,

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 the Christian faith and the Christian church was a community religion.

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 They were thinking of themselves as a fellowship, as a body together.

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 And that was, as we said already, part of the power of the early church witness.

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 The sacrificial voluntary giving to care for the needs of one another.

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 And that is something that you can see still today.

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 Something that has great power still today.

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 Giving to express fellowship.

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 So because we had family who were serving as missionaries in the Philippines,

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 we got to know some different missionary families.

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 And there was this one family who were serving among a remote tribal group called the Mung Young people.

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 It lived up in the hills on a small island.

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 Well, they heard about...

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 So the Philippines is very poor.

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 And the Philippines also has annual typhoon season.

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 And so those really rickety, poorly put together houses often destroyed.

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 And so this church up in the hills and this island over here discovered that when typhoon season came,

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 it really impacted heavily on a coastal town on another island.

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 And their response, poor as they were,

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 was to get a boat full of rice and to send it to that island as a way to show care and support.

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 giving the only thing that they could in order to express their fellowship as the body of Christ.

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 The Free Church, a number of weeks ago, we decided that we would partner with Blysewood in their Ukraine appeal.

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 And I don't know if you've been keeping up with that appeal,

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 but they've raised over half a million pounds to date.

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 And again, what's going on there is that the Christian church here in Scotland,

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 through Blysewood, has partners in Poland and surrounding countries.

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 And so that giving is meeting the needs of the poor and the suffering,

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 and it's standing as a mark of fellowship also.

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 And of course, that doesn't have to just be in the realm of finance.

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 Think about what happens perhaps when a family in the church has a new baby,

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 or there's someone who's sick in the congregation,

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 and people make the time to make some meals and to deliver those meals.

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 Again, that's a giving that expresses fellowship.

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 So whether our giving is local or global, whether it's money or time or resources,

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 we need to think about giving and fellowship and that vital connection,

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 supporting one another as the family of Christ.

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 We see it here from the beginning.

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 In Acts chapter 4, verse 32 to 37, we see something similar,

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 but we also are invited to see what motivates their giving.

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 So let's turn there next, Acts 4, verse 32 to 37,

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 where we read,

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 All the believers were one in heart and mind.

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 No one claimed that any of their possessions was their own,

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 but they shared everything they had.

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 With great power, the apostles continued to testify to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus,

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 and God's grace was so powerfully at work in them all

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 that there was no needy person among them.

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 For from time to time, those who owned land or houses sold them,

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 brought the money from the sales,

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 and put it at the apostles' feet,

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 and it was distributed to anyone who had need.

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 Joseph, a Levite from Cyprus, whom the apostles called Barnabas,

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 which means son of encouragement,

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 sold a field he owned,

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 and brought the money,

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 and put it at the apostles' feet.

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 So Luke likes to record summary sections in the book of Acts.

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 There's one, Acts 2, 42 to 47.

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 These verses here are another summary,

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 and what we see summarized

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 is the impact of God's grace

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 on this early Christian church.

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 Verse 32,

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 They are one in heart and mind.

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 They are one in Christ.

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 They are one by the Spirit.

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 And then we discover in verse 33 and 34

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 that God's grace is powerfully at work in them.

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 And how is that demonstrated?

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 It's demonstrated in the way that they are caring for the poor.

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 So God's powerful love to them through Jesus

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 in the good news of the gospel

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 is leading the early church

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 to then sell possessions

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 to care for the needy.

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 So there's a connection between

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 the work of God in Jesus

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 and their work of caring for their poor.

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 And there's a wonderful impact here

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 as we think of their words and testimony

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 to the risen Lord Jesus

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 in verse 33.

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 They're continuing to testify powerfully

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 to the reality that Jesus died

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 and rose again for them,

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 giving them new life and salvation.

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 And there's powerful deeds and service

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 as these wealthy believers

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 are sacrificing for the sake of others.

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 Just as we thought about with Zacchaeus

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 in the book of Luke.

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 God's grace fueling generous sacrificial giving.

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 These early Christians,

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 they understand that the impact

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 of the truth of the gospel,

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 that Jesus loved me and gave himself for me,

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 and that's clearly transforming their hearts

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 and motivating generosity.

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 That's something that we see

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 whenever Jesus changed people's lives.

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 Like Luke chapter 7, verse 36 to 50

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 is a wonderful example.

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 The sinful woman who anoints Jesus with perfume.

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 That perfume recognized by scholars

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 most likely representing her life savings.

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 And there it is smashed and poured

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 at the feet of Jesus

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 in response to the extravagant grace

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 that she had received

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 from her Savior and Lord.

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 As Jesus said,

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 I tell you,

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 her many sins have been forgiven

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 as her great love has shown.

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 So there is a principle

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 that is established here

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 connected to our giving.

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 Before we give,

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 as we give,

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 as we consider our giving,

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 we meditate and reflect first

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 on God's giving to us

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 of the Lord Jesus.

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 That we would allow that

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 to be shaping our heart

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 and shaping then

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 our response

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 of giving.

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 We can continue

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 to Acts chapter 6

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 and verses 1 to 7.

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 And again,

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 we see the church active

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 in caring for the poor.

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 But this time,

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 with a slightly different focus,

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 let's think about giving

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 as mercy ministry.

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 Acts chapter 6,

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 verse 1 to 7.

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 In those days,

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 when the number of disciples

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 was increasing,

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 the Hellenistic Jews,

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 among them,

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 complained against

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 the Hebraic Jews

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 because their widows

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 were being overlooked

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 in the daily distribution

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 of food.

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 So the twelve gathered

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 all the disciples together

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 and said,

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 it would not be right

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 for us to neglect

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 the ministry of the word of God

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 in order to wait on tables.

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 Brothers and sisters,

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 choose seven men

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 from among you

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 who are known to be full

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 of the Spirit

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 and wisdom.

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 We will turn this responsibility

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 over to them

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 and will give our attention

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 to prayer

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 and the ministry of the word.

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 This proposal

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 pleased the whole group.

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 They chose Stephen,

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 a man full of faith

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 and of the Holy Spirit,

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 also Philip,

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 Prochorus,

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 Nicanor,

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 Timon,

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 Parmenas,

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 and Nicholas from Antioch,

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 a convert to Judaism.

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 They presented these men

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 to the apostles

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 who prayed

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 and laid their hands on them.

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 So the word of God spread.

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 The number of disciples

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 in Jerusalem

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 increased rapidly

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 and a large number

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 of priests

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 became obedient

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 to the faith.

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 So here we're invited

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 to see some tensions

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 emerging

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 in the early church.

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 We know that there are

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 large numbers

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 of new Christians

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 and many of them

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 are needy.

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 And so these two

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 groups of widows

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 from different cultures

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 and the minority group,

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 the Hellenistic

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 Greek culture

00:15:01.259 --> 00:15:02.439
 widows,

00:15:02.879 --> 00:15:04.339
 are being overlooked.

00:15:05.719 --> 00:15:06.899
 Not necessarily

00:15:06.899 --> 00:15:07.579
 deliberately,

00:15:07.719 --> 00:15:08.419
 it could just be

00:15:08.419 --> 00:15:09.659
 force of numbers.

00:15:11.059 --> 00:15:12.120
 But what's happening here

00:15:12.120 --> 00:15:13.439
 is that poor administration

00:15:13.439 --> 00:15:14.319
 and organization

00:15:14.319 --> 00:15:16.459
 is leading to grumbling

00:15:16.459 --> 00:15:18.139
 and is indeed a threat

00:15:18.139 --> 00:15:19.599
 to the unity

00:15:19.599 --> 00:15:21.519
 of this early church.

00:15:21.519 --> 00:15:22.240
 And so how do

00:15:22.240 --> 00:15:22.919
 the apostles

00:15:22.919 --> 00:15:24.460
 respond?

00:15:28.199 --> 00:15:28.860
 Verse 2,

00:15:28.939 --> 00:15:30.100
 it would not be right

00:15:30.100 --> 00:15:30.600
 for us

00:15:30.600 --> 00:15:31.240
 to neglect

00:15:31.240 --> 00:15:31.720
 the ministry

00:15:31.720 --> 00:15:32.679
 of the word of God

00:15:32.679 --> 00:15:34.240
 in order to wait

00:15:34.240 --> 00:15:35.079
 on tables.

00:15:35.179 --> 00:15:35.860
 Now it's important

00:15:35.860 --> 00:15:38.679
 not to imagine

00:15:38.679 --> 00:15:39.199
 that the apostles

00:15:39.199 --> 00:15:39.419
 are saying,

00:15:39.559 --> 00:15:39.579
 well,

00:15:39.620 --> 00:15:40.980
 it's not any concern

00:15:40.980 --> 00:15:41.519
 of ours.

00:15:42.019 --> 00:15:42.740
 It's not a priority

00:15:42.740 --> 00:15:43.299
 for us.

00:15:43.840 --> 00:15:44.279
 They're saying

00:15:44.279 --> 00:15:45.199
 it is a priority

00:15:45.199 --> 00:15:45.919
 for the church

00:15:45.919 --> 00:15:46.480
 and that's clear

00:15:46.480 --> 00:15:47.079
 because they want

00:15:47.079 --> 00:15:47.679
 to organize,

00:15:47.679 --> 00:15:48.559
 to administer.

00:15:49.199 --> 00:15:49.720
 They're just saying

00:15:49.720 --> 00:15:50.940
 it's not our priority.

00:15:52.139 --> 00:15:52.920
 What's their priority

00:15:52.920 --> 00:15:53.759
 for the apostles?

00:15:55.560 --> 00:15:56.420
 Verse 4,

00:15:56.740 --> 00:15:57.759
 we will give our attention

00:15:57.759 --> 00:15:58.440
 to prayer

00:15:58.440 --> 00:15:59.620
 and the ministry

00:15:59.620 --> 00:16:00.440
 of the word.

00:16:00.540 --> 00:16:02.759
 That's their primary calling,

00:16:03.399 --> 00:16:04.000
 to teach,

00:16:04.120 --> 00:16:04.660
 to preach,

00:16:04.820 --> 00:16:05.560
 to pray.

00:16:06.680 --> 00:16:07.440
 And so what they do

00:16:07.440 --> 00:16:08.300
 is they ask the church

00:16:08.300 --> 00:16:09.480
 to appoint servants.

00:16:10.120 --> 00:16:11.540
 We often look at this text

00:16:11.540 --> 00:16:12.500
 to give the basis

00:16:12.500 --> 00:16:14.440
 for the office

00:16:14.440 --> 00:16:15.100
 of deacon.

00:16:16.180 --> 00:16:17.360
 And these seven,

00:16:18.120 --> 00:16:18.759
 interestingly,

00:16:18.759 --> 00:16:19.580
 many of whom

00:16:19.580 --> 00:16:21.399
 have Greek names,

00:16:22.000 --> 00:16:22.639
 perhaps coming

00:16:22.639 --> 00:16:23.799
 from a Hellenistic

00:16:23.799 --> 00:16:24.919
 background themselves,

00:16:25.379 --> 00:16:26.639
 these seven are chosen

00:16:26.639 --> 00:16:27.399
 to oversee

00:16:27.399 --> 00:16:29.220
 this mercy ministry

00:16:29.220 --> 00:16:29.840
 to make sure

00:16:29.840 --> 00:16:30.879
 that none of the widows

00:16:30.879 --> 00:16:31.960
 are being overlooked.

00:16:32.159 --> 00:16:33.460
 God orders,

00:16:33.639 --> 00:16:34.480
 commands his church

00:16:34.480 --> 00:16:35.960
 to care for the widows

00:16:35.960 --> 00:16:36.659
 and the orphans

00:16:36.659 --> 00:16:39.600
 and so these seven

00:16:39.600 --> 00:16:40.240
 are appointed

00:16:40.240 --> 00:16:41.059
 to make sure

00:16:41.059 --> 00:16:42.279
 that that happens.

00:16:44.879 --> 00:16:46.299
 Verse 3 is interesting.

00:16:46.439 --> 00:16:47.059
 Brothers and sisters,

00:16:47.240 --> 00:16:47.960
 choose seven men

00:16:47.960 --> 00:16:48.560
 from among you

00:16:48.560 --> 00:16:49.060
 who are known

00:16:49.060 --> 00:16:49.780
 to be full

00:16:49.780 --> 00:16:50.500
 of the Spirit

00:16:50.500 --> 00:16:51.800
 and wisdom.

00:16:52.800 --> 00:16:53.519
 The church needed

00:16:53.519 --> 00:16:55.639
 men filled with the Spirit,

00:16:55.860 --> 00:16:57.500
 men of wisdom,

00:16:58.220 --> 00:17:00.560
 both for the pastoral ministry

00:17:00.560 --> 00:17:01.759
 and the preaching ministry

00:17:01.759 --> 00:17:03.340
 and the practical ministry

00:17:03.340 --> 00:17:05.140
 within the church.

00:17:07.019 --> 00:17:08.460
 And Luke records for us

00:17:08.460 --> 00:17:09.579
 the outcome

00:17:09.579 --> 00:17:11.420
 when each focuses

00:17:11.420 --> 00:17:13.440
 as they are gifted.

00:17:14.340 --> 00:17:15.059
 Verse 7,

00:17:15.059 --> 00:17:16.619
 the word of God spread

00:17:16.619 --> 00:17:18.519
 and the number of disciples

00:17:18.519 --> 00:17:20.819
 increased rapidly.

00:17:22.960 --> 00:17:24.119
 So the apostles

00:17:24.119 --> 00:17:25.899
 continue to preach

00:17:25.899 --> 00:17:26.679
 and teach

00:17:26.679 --> 00:17:27.659
 and then

00:17:27.659 --> 00:17:29.079
 these deacons

00:17:29.079 --> 00:17:30.139
 help to make sure

00:17:30.139 --> 00:17:31.779
 that the practical needs

00:17:31.779 --> 00:17:32.700
 are being met

00:17:32.700 --> 00:17:34.220
 and the church

00:17:34.220 --> 00:17:35.179
 continues

00:17:35.179 --> 00:17:36.799
 to grow.

00:17:36.799 --> 00:17:36.899
 people.

00:17:38.700 --> 00:17:39.379
 And just

00:17:39.379 --> 00:17:41.399
 while we're on

00:17:41.399 --> 00:17:42.059
 this text,

00:17:42.119 --> 00:17:42.559
 which is a really

00:17:42.559 --> 00:17:44.019
 important text

00:17:44.019 --> 00:17:44.859
 for a number of reasons,

00:17:44.919 --> 00:17:45.859
 but it's certainly important

00:17:45.859 --> 00:17:46.500
 for helping us

00:17:46.500 --> 00:17:47.019
 to understand

00:17:47.019 --> 00:17:48.399
 our own church practice

00:17:48.399 --> 00:17:49.279
 of elders

00:17:49.279 --> 00:17:50.059
 and deacons

00:17:50.059 --> 00:17:51.379
 and as we will soon

00:17:51.379 --> 00:17:52.099
 be ordaining

00:17:52.099 --> 00:17:53.279
 a new elder

00:17:53.279 --> 00:17:54.440
 and some new deacons,

00:17:55.099 --> 00:17:56.039
 it's helpful for us

00:17:56.039 --> 00:17:56.659
 to stop

00:17:56.659 --> 00:17:57.440
 and think about

00:17:57.440 --> 00:17:59.159
 how tasks

00:17:59.159 --> 00:18:01.000
 are divided.

00:18:01.000 --> 00:18:03.519
 And what do we see here

00:18:03.519 --> 00:18:03.900
 is that

00:18:03.900 --> 00:18:05.019
 the apostles

00:18:05.019 --> 00:18:06.200
 represent

00:18:06.200 --> 00:18:07.019
 the work

00:18:07.019 --> 00:18:08.160
 of the eldership,

00:18:08.240 --> 00:18:08.720
 that we are

00:18:08.720 --> 00:18:09.900
 committed to

00:18:09.900 --> 00:18:11.660
 words and prayer

00:18:11.660 --> 00:18:13.420
 within the church

00:18:13.420 --> 00:18:15.460
 and the deacons

00:18:15.460 --> 00:18:17.680
 support that work

00:18:17.680 --> 00:18:19.680
 by focusing

00:18:19.680 --> 00:18:20.519
 in a spiritual way

00:18:20.519 --> 00:18:22.000
 on practical ministry.

00:18:23.740 --> 00:18:24.920
 And that includes

00:18:24.920 --> 00:18:26.039
 making sure

00:18:26.039 --> 00:18:26.660
 that the needs

00:18:26.660 --> 00:18:27.799
 of others are met,

00:18:27.880 --> 00:18:28.299
 that we are

00:18:28.299 --> 00:18:29.500
 well organized,

00:18:29.720 --> 00:18:30.220
 that we can be

00:18:30.220 --> 00:18:31.440
 caring for one another

00:18:31.440 --> 00:18:33.579
 as a church family.

00:18:35.700 --> 00:18:36.440
 And so perhaps

00:18:36.440 --> 00:18:37.180
 even as we think

00:18:37.180 --> 00:18:38.600
 about ordaining

00:18:38.600 --> 00:18:39.140
 new people,

00:18:39.240 --> 00:18:39.819
 it's a reminder

00:18:39.819 --> 00:18:41.819
 that we can be

00:18:41.819 --> 00:18:43.460
 praying for our elders

00:18:43.460 --> 00:18:44.600
 and for our deacons,

00:18:44.720 --> 00:18:46.059
 that we would have

00:18:46.059 --> 00:18:48.140
 these two focuses,

00:18:48.420 --> 00:18:48.660
 foci,

00:18:49.180 --> 00:18:50.539
 in our church,

00:18:50.559 --> 00:18:51.519
 that we would function

00:18:51.519 --> 00:18:52.620
 well,

00:18:52.759 --> 00:18:54.360
 to serve well.

00:18:55.480 --> 00:18:56.500
 But giving is

00:18:56.500 --> 00:18:58.960
 a mercy ministry.

00:18:59.140 --> 00:18:59.860
 Perhaps some of you

00:18:59.859 --> 00:19:02.179
 remember meeting

00:19:02.179 --> 00:19:03.199
 a guy called

00:19:03.199 --> 00:19:04.119
 Sashko,

00:19:04.379 --> 00:19:05.539
 a church planter

00:19:05.539 --> 00:19:07.740
 working in Poland.

00:19:08.019 --> 00:19:08.799
 He came to our

00:19:08.799 --> 00:19:10.000
 weekend away

00:19:10.000 --> 00:19:11.079
 a few years ago

00:19:11.079 --> 00:19:12.879
 and I just got

00:19:12.879 --> 00:19:14.699
 a newsletter

00:19:14.699 --> 00:19:15.359
 from him

00:19:15.359 --> 00:19:16.159
 this week.

00:19:16.799 --> 00:19:17.419
 And so he's got

00:19:17.419 --> 00:19:18.459
 a very small

00:19:18.459 --> 00:19:20.119
 church in Krakow,

00:19:20.199 --> 00:19:20.899
 but they're taking

00:19:20.899 --> 00:19:21.959
 in a lot

00:19:21.959 --> 00:19:23.899
 of refugees

00:19:23.899 --> 00:19:26.039
 from Ukraine.

00:19:26.039 --> 00:19:27.399
 and so his little

00:19:27.399 --> 00:19:28.159
 church has

00:19:28.159 --> 00:19:29.579
 mobilized

00:19:29.579 --> 00:19:30.920
 and they're

00:19:30.920 --> 00:19:31.859
 providing meals

00:19:31.859 --> 00:19:32.559
 every day

00:19:32.559 --> 00:19:33.319
 and they've got

00:19:33.319 --> 00:19:34.460
 a children's daycare

00:19:34.460 --> 00:19:35.240
 center that they've

00:19:35.240 --> 00:19:35.960
 just set up

00:19:35.960 --> 00:19:36.920
 and they're taking

00:19:36.920 --> 00:19:37.579
 in clothes

00:19:37.579 --> 00:19:38.279
 and giving those

00:19:38.279 --> 00:19:38.980
 clothes out

00:19:38.980 --> 00:19:39.980
 and they're giving

00:19:39.980 --> 00:19:41.000
 family support.

00:19:41.159 --> 00:19:41.879
 And in God's

00:19:41.879 --> 00:19:42.240
 providence,

00:19:42.359 --> 00:19:43.680
 he's from Ukraine,

00:19:43.779 --> 00:19:44.279
 so he speaks

00:19:44.279 --> 00:19:44.839
 Ukrainian,

00:19:44.980 --> 00:19:45.980
 so he's able to

00:19:45.980 --> 00:19:46.899
 teach the kids

00:19:46.899 --> 00:19:47.700
 Bible stories,

00:19:47.779 --> 00:19:48.740
 he's able to share

00:19:48.740 --> 00:19:49.440
 God's word

00:19:49.440 --> 00:19:51.000
 with families.

00:19:51.000 --> 00:19:52.000
 And there's a

00:19:52.000 --> 00:19:53.160
 wonderful picture

00:19:53.160 --> 00:19:55.059
 there in Krakow

00:19:55.059 --> 00:19:56.099
 of God's people

00:19:56.099 --> 00:19:56.779
 both sharing

00:19:56.779 --> 00:19:57.480
 the gospel

00:19:57.480 --> 00:19:58.200
 and helping

00:19:58.200 --> 00:19:59.240
 people's

00:19:59.240 --> 00:20:00.420
 practical needs.

00:20:00.720 --> 00:20:01.160
 It's a really

00:20:01.160 --> 00:20:02.940
 biblical pattern.

00:20:03.759 --> 00:20:04.240
 And so we can

00:20:04.240 --> 00:20:05.539
 pray for folks

00:20:05.539 --> 00:20:06.339
 like Sashko

00:20:06.339 --> 00:20:07.220
 and many others

00:20:07.220 --> 00:20:08.519
 who are

00:20:08.519 --> 00:20:09.960
 engaged in the

00:20:09.960 --> 00:20:10.759
 front line right

00:20:10.759 --> 00:20:11.119
 now,

00:20:11.660 --> 00:20:12.599
 reminding us that

00:20:12.599 --> 00:20:13.160
 giving is a

00:20:13.160 --> 00:20:13.980
 mercy ministry.

00:20:15.299 --> 00:20:16.740
 The last text

00:20:16.740 --> 00:20:17.339
 from the book of

00:20:17.339 --> 00:20:17.839
 Acts that we're

00:20:17.839 --> 00:20:18.440
 going to look at,

00:20:18.559 --> 00:20:19.319
 we'll jump forward

00:20:19.319 --> 00:20:20.539
 to Acts chapter 11

00:20:20.539 --> 00:20:22.720
 and verse 25

00:20:22.720 --> 00:20:24.240
 to 30.

00:20:25.899 --> 00:20:26.859
 This brings us

00:20:26.859 --> 00:20:27.819
 to the church

00:20:27.819 --> 00:20:29.420
 in Antioch.

00:20:29.980 --> 00:20:30.920
 So Acts chapter 11

00:20:30.920 --> 00:20:32.220
 at verse 25.

00:20:33.500 --> 00:20:35.579
 Then Barnabas

00:20:35.579 --> 00:20:36.240
 went to Tarsus

00:20:36.240 --> 00:20:37.039
 to look for Saul

00:20:37.039 --> 00:20:37.759
 and when he found

00:20:37.759 --> 00:20:37.879
 him,

00:20:37.920 --> 00:20:38.559
 he brought him

00:20:38.559 --> 00:20:39.240
 to Antioch.

00:20:39.579 --> 00:20:40.220
 So for a whole

00:20:40.220 --> 00:20:41.039
 year Barnabas

00:20:41.039 --> 00:20:41.420
 and Saul

00:20:41.420 --> 00:20:42.420
 met with the church

00:20:42.420 --> 00:20:43.399
 and taught

00:20:43.399 --> 00:20:44.079
 great numbers

00:20:44.079 --> 00:20:44.579
 of people.

00:20:45.299 --> 00:20:45.779
 The disciples

00:20:45.779 --> 00:20:46.240
 were called

00:20:46.240 --> 00:20:46.680
 Christians

00:20:46.680 --> 00:20:47.759
 first at Antioch.

00:20:48.480 --> 00:20:49.279
 During this time

00:20:49.279 --> 00:20:50.059
 some prophets

00:20:50.059 --> 00:20:50.599
 came down

00:20:50.599 --> 00:20:51.179
 from Jerusalem

00:20:51.179 --> 00:20:51.960
 to Antioch.

00:20:52.079 --> 00:20:52.480
 One of them

00:20:52.480 --> 00:20:53.339
 named Agabus

00:20:53.339 --> 00:20:54.519
 stood up

00:20:54.519 --> 00:20:54.859
 and through

00:20:54.859 --> 00:20:55.339
 the spirit

00:20:55.339 --> 00:20:56.019
 predicted that

00:20:56.019 --> 00:20:56.899
 a severe famine

00:20:56.899 --> 00:20:57.480
 would spread

00:20:57.480 --> 00:20:58.200
 over the entire

00:20:58.200 --> 00:20:59.000
 Roman world.

00:20:59.539 --> 00:21:00.139
 This happened

00:21:00.139 --> 00:21:00.899
 during the reign

00:21:00.899 --> 00:21:01.700
 of Claudius.

00:21:02.179 --> 00:21:02.759
 The disciples

00:21:02.759 --> 00:21:04.039
 as each one

00:21:04.039 --> 00:21:04.579
 was able

00:21:04.579 --> 00:21:05.799
 decided to

00:21:05.799 --> 00:21:06.480
 provide help

00:21:06.480 --> 00:21:06.960
 for the brothers

00:21:06.960 --> 00:21:07.480
 and sisters

00:21:07.480 --> 00:21:08.379
 living in Judea.

00:21:08.839 --> 00:21:09.559
 This they did

00:21:09.559 --> 00:21:10.859
 sending their gift

00:21:10.859 --> 00:21:11.759
 to the elders

00:21:11.759 --> 00:21:13.099
 by Barnabas

00:21:13.099 --> 00:21:13.899
 and Saul.

00:21:14.500 --> 00:21:14.940
 So here we're

00:21:14.940 --> 00:21:15.440
 being introduced

00:21:15.440 --> 00:21:16.500
 to the Antioch

00:21:16.500 --> 00:21:16.859
 church,

00:21:17.379 --> 00:21:18.000
 a largely

00:21:18.000 --> 00:21:19.079
 Gentile church,

00:21:19.559 --> 00:21:19.920
 a church

00:21:19.920 --> 00:21:20.240
 that has been

00:21:20.240 --> 00:21:20.940
 well taught

00:21:20.940 --> 00:21:21.660
 by Barnabas

00:21:21.660 --> 00:21:22.579
 and then by Saul

00:21:22.579 --> 00:21:23.839
 solidly teaching

00:21:23.839 --> 00:21:24.799
 for a year

00:21:24.799 --> 00:21:25.500
 there.

00:21:26.119 --> 00:21:27.019
 The outsiders

00:21:27.019 --> 00:21:28.440
 were calling

00:21:28.440 --> 00:21:29.819
 them Christians,

00:21:30.200 --> 00:21:30.900
 not necessarily

00:21:30.900 --> 00:21:31.519
 a term of

00:21:31.519 --> 00:21:32.140
 endearment

00:21:32.140 --> 00:21:33.200
 but a sign

00:21:33.200 --> 00:21:33.519
 that it was

00:21:33.519 --> 00:21:34.279
 evident who

00:21:34.279 --> 00:21:34.960
 they belonged

00:21:34.960 --> 00:21:35.619
 to and who

00:21:35.619 --> 00:21:37.539
 they worshipped.

00:21:38.019 --> 00:21:38.839
 And to this

00:21:38.839 --> 00:21:39.460
 church comes

00:21:39.460 --> 00:21:40.019
 this warning

00:21:40.019 --> 00:21:40.900
 from Agabus

00:21:40.900 --> 00:21:42.160
 about a famine,

00:21:42.299 --> 00:21:43.019
 a famine that came

00:21:43.019 --> 00:21:44.599
 in the 40s AD

00:21:44.599 --> 00:21:45.179
 and their

00:21:45.179 --> 00:21:46.059
 response is so

00:21:46.059 --> 00:21:46.480
 interesting

00:21:46.480 --> 00:21:46.859
 because their

00:21:46.859 --> 00:21:48.279
 response is

00:21:48.279 --> 00:21:49.439
 that they are

00:21:49.439 --> 00:21:50.059
 going to look

00:21:50.059 --> 00:21:50.759
 to provide

00:21:50.759 --> 00:21:52.199
 for mother

00:21:52.199 --> 00:21:52.699
 church,

00:21:52.839 --> 00:21:53.439
 the church

00:21:53.439 --> 00:21:55.599
 in Judea.

00:21:56.919 --> 00:21:57.480
 And so

00:21:57.480 --> 00:21:57.939
 everyone who

00:21:57.939 --> 00:21:58.740
 gives as

00:21:58.740 --> 00:21:59.799
 they are able

00:21:59.799 --> 00:22:00.559
 and this gift

00:22:00.559 --> 00:22:01.059
 is to be

00:22:01.059 --> 00:22:01.740
 organized by

00:22:01.740 --> 00:22:02.419
 Barnabas and

00:22:02.419 --> 00:22:02.659
 Saul.

00:22:02.779 --> 00:22:03.159
 Now why

00:22:03.159 --> 00:22:03.519
 did they

00:22:03.519 --> 00:22:03.980
 choose to

00:22:03.980 --> 00:22:04.719
 give to

00:22:04.719 --> 00:22:05.500
 Judea?

00:22:06.819 --> 00:22:07.419
 Well perhaps

00:22:07.419 --> 00:22:08.480
 they appreciated

00:22:08.480 --> 00:22:09.099
 that famine

00:22:09.099 --> 00:22:09.740
 would be a

00:22:09.740 --> 00:22:10.519
 particularly big

00:22:10.519 --> 00:22:11.159
 problem in

00:22:11.159 --> 00:22:11.719
 that region.

00:22:13.079 --> 00:22:13.559
 Perhaps

00:22:13.559 --> 00:22:14.299
 they'd heard

00:22:14.299 --> 00:22:15.039
 that there

00:22:15.039 --> 00:22:15.480
 are large

00:22:15.480 --> 00:22:16.019
 numbers of

00:22:16.019 --> 00:22:16.779
 poor Christians

00:22:16.779 --> 00:22:18.200
 living in

00:22:18.200 --> 00:22:18.559
 Jerusalem.

00:22:18.720 --> 00:22:19.240
 We just saw

00:22:19.240 --> 00:22:19.619
 it in Acts

00:22:19.619 --> 00:22:20.079
 6.

00:22:21.240 --> 00:22:21.680
 Perhaps

00:22:21.680 --> 00:22:22.240
 they knew

00:22:22.240 --> 00:22:23.279
 that the

00:22:23.279 --> 00:22:23.779
 Christians

00:22:23.779 --> 00:22:24.500
 there in

00:22:24.500 --> 00:22:25.180
 the heart

00:22:25.180 --> 00:22:26.419
 of the

00:22:26.419 --> 00:22:26.859
 Jewish

00:22:26.859 --> 00:22:27.639
 nation

00:22:27.639 --> 00:22:28.599
 would likely

00:22:28.599 --> 00:22:29.180
 be cut

00:22:29.180 --> 00:22:30.759
 off from

00:22:30.759 --> 00:22:31.419
 Jewish food

00:22:31.419 --> 00:22:32.019
 distribution.

00:22:33.019 --> 00:22:33.460
 That was

00:22:33.460 --> 00:22:34.039
 what happened.

00:22:35.240 --> 00:22:35.639
 That's something

00:22:35.639 --> 00:22:36.099
 that we hear

00:22:36.099 --> 00:22:36.960
 today as well.

00:22:37.559 --> 00:22:38.159
 Persecuted

00:22:38.159 --> 00:22:38.859
 Christians will

00:22:38.859 --> 00:22:39.720
 testify living

00:22:39.720 --> 00:22:40.159
 in poorer

00:22:40.159 --> 00:22:40.759
 countries that

00:22:40.759 --> 00:22:41.220
 often they

00:22:41.220 --> 00:22:42.220
 miss out on

00:22:42.220 --> 00:22:43.259
 food distribution,

00:22:43.419 --> 00:22:44.039
 aid distribution

00:22:44.039 --> 00:22:45.379
 because of

00:22:45.379 --> 00:22:46.259
 their faith.

00:22:46.920 --> 00:22:47.319
 We're not

00:22:47.319 --> 00:22:48.379
 told the

00:22:48.379 --> 00:22:49.200
 reason why

00:22:49.200 --> 00:22:49.839
 they're

00:22:49.839 --> 00:22:50.680
 motivated to

00:22:50.680 --> 00:22:51.399
 give to

00:22:51.399 --> 00:22:52.039
 Judea but

00:22:52.039 --> 00:22:52.559
 nevertheless

00:22:52.559 --> 00:22:54.460
 they do.

00:22:55.799 --> 00:22:56.420
 Maybe it's

00:22:56.420 --> 00:22:56.899
 simply because

00:22:56.899 --> 00:22:57.379
 the Jerusalem

00:22:57.379 --> 00:22:57.899
 church had

00:22:57.899 --> 00:22:58.319
 given so

00:22:58.319 --> 00:22:58.559
 much.

00:22:58.639 --> 00:22:59.119
 The apostles

00:22:59.119 --> 00:22:59.740
 came from

00:22:59.740 --> 00:22:59.940
 there.

00:23:00.200 --> 00:23:00.859
 The gospel

00:23:00.859 --> 00:23:02.359
 emanated from

00:23:02.359 --> 00:23:03.220
 there.

00:23:04.299 --> 00:23:04.680
 And perhaps

00:23:04.680 --> 00:23:05.299
 they knew

00:23:05.299 --> 00:23:06.379
 that the

00:23:06.379 --> 00:23:06.740
 church in

00:23:06.740 --> 00:23:07.279
 Jerusalem had

00:23:07.279 --> 00:23:07.859
 been suffering

00:23:07.859 --> 00:23:09.200
 much in

00:23:09.200 --> 00:23:09.539
 terms of

00:23:09.539 --> 00:23:10.240
 exclusion and

00:23:10.240 --> 00:23:10.700
 would face

00:23:10.700 --> 00:23:11.059
 famine.

00:23:11.059 --> 00:23:11.339
 And so

00:23:11.339 --> 00:23:11.779
 their instinct

00:23:11.779 --> 00:23:12.240
 is let's

00:23:12.240 --> 00:23:12.559
 help.

00:23:13.639 --> 00:23:13.839
 Let's

00:23:13.839 --> 00:23:14.200
 not just

00:23:14.200 --> 00:23:14.700
 leave them

00:23:14.700 --> 00:23:15.419
 to it.

00:23:16.139 --> 00:23:16.480
 Let's

00:23:16.480 --> 00:23:16.839
 help.

00:23:18.000 --> 00:23:18.500
 And so

00:23:18.500 --> 00:23:18.980
 their giving

00:23:18.980 --> 00:23:19.299
 is an

00:23:19.299 --> 00:23:20.000
 expression of

00:23:20.000 --> 00:23:20.819
 church unity.

00:23:21.679 --> 00:23:22.259
 This church

00:23:22.259 --> 00:23:23.039
 in Antioch

00:23:23.039 --> 00:23:23.460
 who most

00:23:23.460 --> 00:23:25.240
 likely never

00:23:25.240 --> 00:23:25.940
 met anybody

00:23:25.940 --> 00:23:26.299
 in the

00:23:26.299 --> 00:23:26.759
 church in

00:23:26.759 --> 00:23:27.240
 Judea

00:23:27.240 --> 00:23:28.899
 aimed to

00:23:28.899 --> 00:23:29.440
 alleviate

00:23:29.440 --> 00:23:30.240
 their suffering

00:23:30.240 --> 00:23:31.359
 as a way

00:23:31.359 --> 00:23:32.240
 to promote

00:23:32.240 --> 00:23:33.079
 unity,

00:23:33.259 --> 00:23:33.559
 to put

00:23:33.559 --> 00:23:34.240
 their faith

00:23:34.240 --> 00:23:35.579
 into action

00:23:35.579 --> 00:23:36.019
 for the

00:23:36.019 --> 00:23:36.500
 sake of

00:23:36.500 --> 00:23:37.039
 the body

00:23:37.039 --> 00:23:38.659
 of Christ.

00:23:38.660 --> 00:23:38.779
 Christ.

00:23:40.000 --> 00:23:40.740
 I really

00:23:40.740 --> 00:23:41.060
 like the

00:23:41.060 --> 00:23:41.779
 way Ajit

00:23:41.779 --> 00:23:42.320
 Fernando

00:23:42.320 --> 00:23:42.860
 puts it.

00:23:43.060 --> 00:23:43.400
 So Ajit

00:23:43.400 --> 00:23:43.759
 Fernando

00:23:43.759 --> 00:23:45.220
 works for

00:23:45.220 --> 00:23:45.660
 Youth for

00:23:45.660 --> 00:23:46.279
 Christ in

00:23:46.279 --> 00:23:46.700
 Sri Lanka.

00:23:46.900 --> 00:23:47.240
 He's the

00:23:47.240 --> 00:23:47.860
 director of

00:23:47.860 --> 00:23:48.620
 that mission.

00:23:49.220 --> 00:23:49.440
 And he

00:23:49.440 --> 00:23:49.759
 says the

00:23:49.759 --> 00:23:50.220
 body of

00:23:50.220 --> 00:23:50.480
 Christ

00:23:50.480 --> 00:23:51.180
 mentality

00:23:51.180 --> 00:23:52.040
 should be

00:23:52.040 --> 00:23:53.200
 that when

00:23:53.200 --> 00:23:53.880
 one part

00:23:53.880 --> 00:23:55.180
 is pinched

00:23:55.180 --> 00:23:56.540
 we must

00:23:56.540 --> 00:23:56.779
 say,

00:23:56.880 --> 00:23:57.100
 ow,

00:23:57.460 --> 00:23:58.300
 that hurts.

00:23:59.100 --> 00:23:59.500
 There should

00:23:59.500 --> 00:24:00.000
 be a real

00:24:00.000 --> 00:24:01.340
 living connection

00:24:01.340 --> 00:24:02.840
 within the

00:24:02.840 --> 00:24:03.320
 body of

00:24:03.320 --> 00:24:03.980
 Christ.

00:24:03.980 --> 00:24:04.220
 Christ.

00:24:06.380 --> 00:24:07.019
 So whether

00:24:07.019 --> 00:24:07.299
 that's

00:24:07.299 --> 00:24:08.000
 Ukraine or

00:24:08.000 --> 00:24:08.460
 India or

00:24:08.460 --> 00:24:08.980
 Afghanistan,

00:24:09.319 --> 00:24:09.640
 whatever,

00:24:10.620 --> 00:24:11.039
 when one

00:24:11.039 --> 00:24:11.700
 part suffers

00:24:11.700 --> 00:24:12.319
 we all

00:24:12.319 --> 00:24:12.680
 suffer.

00:24:13.420 --> 00:24:13.860
 And as we

00:24:13.860 --> 00:24:14.200
 see here

00:24:14.200 --> 00:24:15.180
 from Acts

00:24:15.180 --> 00:24:15.620
 11,

00:24:16.240 --> 00:24:16.599
 it also

00:24:16.599 --> 00:24:16.940
 gives us

00:24:16.940 --> 00:24:17.539
 the opportunity

00:24:17.539 --> 00:24:18.480
 to give,

00:24:18.579 --> 00:24:18.980
 to look to

00:24:18.980 --> 00:24:19.400
 support,

00:24:19.599 --> 00:24:20.720
 to show and

00:24:20.720 --> 00:24:21.200
 demonstrate

00:24:21.200 --> 00:24:21.940
 church unity.

00:24:22.880 --> 00:24:23.559
 I think for

00:24:23.559 --> 00:24:23.960
 us as a

00:24:23.960 --> 00:24:24.660
 local congregation

00:24:24.660 --> 00:24:25.180
 it's one of

00:24:25.180 --> 00:24:25.620
 the reasons

00:24:25.620 --> 00:24:26.099
 why we

00:24:26.099 --> 00:24:26.860
 chose to

00:24:26.860 --> 00:24:27.380
 set up our

00:24:27.380 --> 00:24:28.120
 mission support

00:24:28.120 --> 00:24:28.500
 fund,

00:24:28.620 --> 00:24:29.079
 which just

00:24:29.079 --> 00:24:29.620
 began at the

00:24:29.620 --> 00:24:30.120
 start of the

00:24:30.120 --> 00:24:30.519
 year.

00:24:31.140 --> 00:24:31.420
 It's a way

00:24:31.420 --> 00:24:32.220
 to express

00:24:32.220 --> 00:24:33.039
 our unity and

00:24:33.039 --> 00:24:33.539
 to show love

00:24:33.539 --> 00:24:33.819
 to the

00:24:33.819 --> 00:24:34.299
 Reannels

00:24:34.299 --> 00:24:34.680
 over in

00:24:34.680 --> 00:24:35.039
 Colombia,

00:24:35.819 --> 00:24:37.180
 and as we

00:24:37.180 --> 00:24:37.659
 look to be a

00:24:37.659 --> 00:24:38.279
 mother church

00:24:38.279 --> 00:24:39.299
 in Galashios.

00:24:40.299 --> 00:24:41.000
 It's a way

00:24:41.000 --> 00:24:41.460
 for us in a

00:24:41.460 --> 00:24:42.039
 very tangible

00:24:42.039 --> 00:24:42.519
 way to

00:24:42.519 --> 00:24:43.399
 express church

00:24:43.399 --> 00:24:44.079
 unity and

00:24:44.079 --> 00:24:44.759
 commitment to

00:24:44.759 --> 00:24:45.599
 those very

00:24:45.599 --> 00:24:46.539
 different ministries

00:24:46.539 --> 00:24:46.980
 in different

00:24:46.980 --> 00:24:47.659
 parts of the

00:24:47.659 --> 00:24:48.099
 world.

00:24:49.839 --> 00:24:50.539
 John Piper

00:24:50.539 --> 00:24:51.119
 puts it this

00:24:51.119 --> 00:24:51.240
 way,

00:24:51.299 --> 00:24:51.859
 the ministry

00:24:51.859 --> 00:24:52.480
 and mission

00:24:52.480 --> 00:24:52.859
 of the

00:24:52.859 --> 00:24:54.559
 church is

00:24:54.559 --> 00:24:54.960
 at the

00:24:54.960 --> 00:24:56.720
 center of

00:24:56.720 --> 00:24:57.299
 Christian

00:24:57.299 --> 00:24:57.819
 giving.

00:24:58.779 --> 00:24:59.159
 And it's

00:24:59.159 --> 00:24:59.379
 what you

00:24:59.379 --> 00:24:59.779
 see time

00:24:59.779 --> 00:25:00.180
 and again

00:25:00.180 --> 00:25:01.240
 in the

00:25:01.240 --> 00:25:02.259
 book of

00:25:02.259 --> 00:25:03.019
 Acts.

00:25:03.539 --> 00:25:04.559
 Now we're

00:25:04.559 --> 00:25:04.720
 going to

00:25:04.720 --> 00:25:05.639
 leave Acts

00:25:05.639 --> 00:25:07.319
 for the

00:25:07.319 --> 00:25:07.819
 moment and

00:25:07.819 --> 00:25:08.000
 we're going

00:25:08.000 --> 00:25:08.619
 to turn

00:25:08.619 --> 00:25:09.240
 in our

00:25:09.240 --> 00:25:09.759
 Bibles to

00:25:09.759 --> 00:25:10.579
 1 Corinthians

00:25:10.579 --> 00:25:12.119
 the end of

00:25:12.119 --> 00:25:12.879
 chapter 15

00:25:12.879 --> 00:25:13.680
 and into

00:25:13.680 --> 00:25:15.339
 chapter 16

00:25:15.339 --> 00:25:16.940
 because here

00:25:16.940 --> 00:25:17.319
 we have a

00:25:17.319 --> 00:25:18.859
 really important

00:25:18.859 --> 00:25:19.700
 set of

00:25:19.700 --> 00:25:21.500
 principles in

00:25:21.500 --> 00:25:21.879
 this very

00:25:21.879 --> 00:25:23.500
 short practical

00:25:23.500 --> 00:25:24.920
 section.

00:25:26.399 --> 00:25:27.039
 Just before

00:25:27.039 --> 00:25:27.639
 this we have

00:25:27.639 --> 00:25:28.240
 Acts chapter

00:25:28.240 --> 00:25:30.039
 15 where

00:25:30.039 --> 00:25:31.559
 Paul speaks

00:25:31.559 --> 00:25:32.419
 much about

00:25:32.419 --> 00:25:32.639
 the

00:25:32.639 --> 00:25:33.240
 resurrection

00:25:33.240 --> 00:25:35.059
 of Christ

00:25:35.059 --> 00:25:36.200
 and the

00:25:36.200 --> 00:25:37.339
 reality of

00:25:37.339 --> 00:25:37.659
 our

00:25:37.659 --> 00:25:38.399
 resurrection

00:25:38.399 --> 00:25:39.399
 bodies.

00:25:40.079 --> 00:25:40.359
 And then

00:25:40.359 --> 00:25:41.139
 in chapter

00:25:41.139 --> 00:25:41.839
 15 verse

00:25:41.839 --> 00:25:42.460
 58 he

00:25:42.460 --> 00:25:42.619
 says,

00:25:42.700 --> 00:25:42.960
 Therefore

00:25:42.960 --> 00:25:43.619
 my dear

00:25:43.619 --> 00:25:44.200
 brothers and

00:25:44.200 --> 00:25:44.980
 sisters stand

00:25:44.980 --> 00:25:45.440
 firm,

00:25:46.039 --> 00:25:46.700
 let nothing

00:25:46.700 --> 00:25:47.279
 move you,

00:25:47.839 --> 00:25:48.599
 always give

00:25:48.599 --> 00:25:49.399
 yourselves fully

00:25:49.399 --> 00:25:49.980
 to the work

00:25:49.980 --> 00:25:50.519
 of the Lord

00:25:50.519 --> 00:25:51.700
 because you

00:25:51.700 --> 00:25:52.059
 know that

00:25:52.059 --> 00:25:52.539
 your labour

00:25:52.539 --> 00:25:53.079
 in the Lord

00:25:53.079 --> 00:25:53.759
 is not in

00:25:53.759 --> 00:25:54.019
 vain.

00:25:55.019 --> 00:25:55.659
 Now about

00:25:55.659 --> 00:25:56.299
 the collection

00:25:56.299 --> 00:25:56.720
 for the

00:25:56.720 --> 00:25:57.319
 Lord's people,

00:25:58.019 --> 00:25:58.519
 do what I

00:25:58.519 --> 00:25:58.980
 told the

00:25:58.980 --> 00:25:59.500
 Galatian

00:25:59.500 --> 00:26:00.180
 churches to

00:26:00.180 --> 00:26:00.400
 do.

00:26:00.900 --> 00:26:01.279
 On the

00:26:01.279 --> 00:26:01.759
 first day

00:26:01.759 --> 00:26:02.220
 of every

00:26:02.220 --> 00:26:03.319
 week each

00:26:03.319 --> 00:26:03.799
 one of you

00:26:03.799 --> 00:26:04.380
 should set

00:26:04.380 --> 00:26:04.980
 aside a

00:26:04.980 --> 00:26:05.500
 sum of

00:26:05.500 --> 00:26:06.599
 money in

00:26:06.599 --> 00:26:07.140
 keeping with

00:26:07.140 --> 00:26:07.660
 your income,

00:26:08.180 --> 00:26:09.619
 saving up so

00:26:09.619 --> 00:26:10.079
 that when I

00:26:10.079 --> 00:26:11.119
 come no

00:26:11.119 --> 00:26:11.839
 collections will

00:26:11.839 --> 00:26:12.500
 have to be

00:26:12.500 --> 00:26:12.900
 made.

00:26:13.259 --> 00:26:14.059
 Then when I

00:26:14.059 --> 00:26:15.099
 arrive I

00:26:15.099 --> 00:26:15.420
 will give

00:26:15.420 --> 00:26:16.079
 letters of

00:26:16.079 --> 00:26:16.940
 introduction to

00:26:16.940 --> 00:26:17.519
 the men you

00:26:17.519 --> 00:26:18.700
 approve and

00:26:18.700 --> 00:26:19.599
 send them with

00:26:19.599 --> 00:26:20.460
 your gift to

00:26:20.460 --> 00:26:20.880
 Jerusalem.

00:26:21.559 --> 00:26:22.099
 If it seems

00:26:22.099 --> 00:26:22.859
 advisable for

00:26:22.859 --> 00:26:23.299
 me to go

00:26:23.299 --> 00:26:24.480
 also they

00:26:24.480 --> 00:26:25.839
 will accompany

00:26:25.839 --> 00:26:26.259
 me.

00:26:26.259 --> 00:26:28.099
 And so

00:26:28.099 --> 00:26:29.039
 just to

00:26:29.039 --> 00:26:30.079
 start there

00:26:30.079 --> 00:26:30.379
 in verse

00:26:30.379 --> 00:26:30.920
 58 he

00:26:30.920 --> 00:26:31.519
 says therefore

00:26:31.519 --> 00:26:32.140
 therefore in

00:26:32.140 --> 00:26:32.779
 light of

00:26:32.779 --> 00:26:33.480
 Jesus'

00:26:33.779 --> 00:26:34.579
 resurrection he

00:26:34.579 --> 00:26:34.940
 says two

00:26:34.940 --> 00:26:35.720
 things is hold

00:26:35.720 --> 00:26:36.519
 on to gospel

00:26:36.519 --> 00:26:37.779
 truth and

00:26:37.779 --> 00:26:38.980
 dedicate yourself

00:26:38.980 --> 00:26:40.160
 to gospel

00:26:40.160 --> 00:26:41.019
 work.

00:26:41.859 --> 00:26:42.740
 He reminds us

00:26:42.740 --> 00:26:43.279
 as Christians

00:26:43.279 --> 00:26:43.700
 that we have

00:26:43.700 --> 00:26:44.740
 hope and

00:26:44.740 --> 00:26:45.579
 purpose our

00:26:45.579 --> 00:26:46.039
 labour in

00:26:46.039 --> 00:26:46.599
 the Lord is

00:26:46.599 --> 00:26:47.319
 not in

00:26:47.319 --> 00:26:48.359
 vain because

00:26:48.359 --> 00:26:49.279
 of the

00:26:49.279 --> 00:26:49.920
 resurrection

00:26:49.920 --> 00:26:51.920
 and then he

00:26:51.920 --> 00:26:52.680
 immediately moves

00:26:52.680 --> 00:26:53.160
 from there to

00:26:53.160 --> 00:26:53.900
 think about this

00:26:53.900 --> 00:26:55.740
 collection that

00:26:55.740 --> 00:26:56.120
 they are to

00:26:56.120 --> 00:26:56.579
 give for the

00:26:56.579 --> 00:26:57.099
 Lord's people

00:26:57.099 --> 00:26:57.819
 and perhaps

00:26:57.819 --> 00:26:58.299
 we are to

00:26:58.299 --> 00:26:59.019
 understand that

00:26:59.019 --> 00:27:00.400
 one of those

00:27:00.400 --> 00:27:01.440
 labours in

00:27:01.440 --> 00:27:03.859
 the Lord is

00:27:03.859 --> 00:27:04.799
 giving to

00:27:04.799 --> 00:27:05.339
 serve the

00:27:05.339 --> 00:27:06.039
 needs of

00:27:06.039 --> 00:27:06.579
 others.

00:27:08.660 --> 00:27:10.160
 Five questions

00:27:10.160 --> 00:27:10.779
 that we can

00:27:10.779 --> 00:27:11.680
 ask in this

00:27:11.680 --> 00:27:12.400
 little section

00:27:12.400 --> 00:27:13.740
 that can help

00:27:13.740 --> 00:27:14.299
 us towards

00:27:14.299 --> 00:27:16.039
 five principles

00:27:16.039 --> 00:27:17.759
 for our

00:27:17.759 --> 00:27:18.160
 giving.

00:27:18.319 --> 00:27:18.940
 First question

00:27:18.940 --> 00:27:19.819
 why should

00:27:19.819 --> 00:27:20.539
 Christians

00:27:20.539 --> 00:27:21.200
 give?

00:27:23.180 --> 00:27:24.359
 Two reasons

00:27:24.359 --> 00:27:25.319
 we find in

00:27:25.319 --> 00:27:25.599
 here.

00:27:25.740 --> 00:27:27.099
 the first

00:27:27.099 --> 00:27:28.079
 is implicit

00:27:28.079 --> 00:27:28.960
 the second

00:27:28.960 --> 00:27:30.380
 more explicit

00:27:30.380 --> 00:27:30.940
 perhaps.

00:27:31.680 --> 00:27:32.519
 Verse two

00:27:32.519 --> 00:27:33.640
 on the first

00:27:33.640 --> 00:27:34.940
 day of

00:27:34.940 --> 00:27:35.700
 every week

00:27:35.700 --> 00:27:36.559
 each one of

00:27:36.559 --> 00:27:36.839
 you should

00:27:36.839 --> 00:27:37.380
 set aside

00:27:37.380 --> 00:27:38.000
 a sum of

00:27:38.000 --> 00:27:38.240
 money.

00:27:38.339 --> 00:27:38.759
 The first

00:27:38.759 --> 00:27:39.180
 day of

00:27:39.180 --> 00:27:39.660
 the week

00:27:39.660 --> 00:27:41.420
 the day

00:27:41.420 --> 00:27:41.680
 when

00:27:41.680 --> 00:27:42.140
 Christians

00:27:42.140 --> 00:27:43.420
 worship

00:27:43.420 --> 00:27:46.000
 their giving

00:27:46.000 --> 00:27:46.980
 was to be

00:27:46.980 --> 00:27:47.380
 part of

00:27:47.380 --> 00:27:47.880
 their worship

00:27:47.880 --> 00:27:48.940
 was something

00:27:48.940 --> 00:27:49.480
 they did

00:27:49.480 --> 00:27:50.160
 on the first

00:27:50.160 --> 00:27:50.539
 day of

00:27:50.539 --> 00:27:50.819
 the week

00:27:50.819 --> 00:27:51.380
 this new

00:27:51.380 --> 00:27:52.160
 day of

00:27:52.160 --> 00:27:52.480
 worship

00:27:52.480 --> 00:27:52.779
 a day

00:27:52.779 --> 00:27:53.259
 that changed

00:27:53.259 --> 00:27:53.839
 because of

00:27:53.839 --> 00:27:54.440
 the resurrection

00:27:54.440 --> 00:27:55.039
 of the

00:27:55.039 --> 00:27:55.240
 Lord

00:27:55.240 --> 00:27:55.759
 Jesus.

00:27:59.720 --> 00:28:00.840
 Verse three

00:28:00.840 --> 00:28:03.480
 I will

00:28:03.480 --> 00:28:04.120
 give letters

00:28:04.120 --> 00:28:04.740
 of introduction

00:28:04.740 --> 00:28:05.220
 to the men

00:28:05.220 --> 00:28:05.600
 you approve

00:28:05.600 --> 00:28:06.039
 and send

00:28:06.039 --> 00:28:06.500
 them with

00:28:06.500 --> 00:28:07.660
 your gift

00:28:07.660 --> 00:28:09.500
 to Jerusalem.

00:28:09.500 --> 00:28:13.240
 this is voluntary

00:28:13.240 --> 00:28:15.180
 this gift

00:28:15.180 --> 00:28:16.319
 it's the

00:28:16.319 --> 00:28:16.799
 language of

00:28:16.799 --> 00:28:17.299
 grace

00:28:17.299 --> 00:28:18.400
 not demand

00:28:18.400 --> 00:28:20.140
 it's a

00:28:20.140 --> 00:28:21.119
 reminder again

00:28:21.119 --> 00:28:21.779
 that our

00:28:21.779 --> 00:28:22.660
 giving flows

00:28:22.660 --> 00:28:23.339
 from the

00:28:23.339 --> 00:28:23.799
 gospel

00:28:23.799 --> 00:28:24.380
 act of

00:28:24.380 --> 00:28:24.859
 worship

00:28:24.859 --> 00:28:25.980
 response

00:28:25.980 --> 00:28:27.019
 to grace

00:28:27.019 --> 00:28:27.139
 Jesus

00:28:27.139 --> 00:28:28.700
 Andy

00:28:28.700 --> 00:28:29.299
 Stanley

00:28:29.299 --> 00:28:30.519
 who writes

00:28:30.519 --> 00:28:30.740
 really

00:28:30.740 --> 00:28:31.259
 helpfully

00:28:31.259 --> 00:28:31.539
 says

00:28:31.539 --> 00:28:31.900
 God's

00:28:31.900 --> 00:28:32.639
 extravagant

00:28:32.639 --> 00:28:33.220
 generosity

00:28:33.220 --> 00:28:33.720
 towards

00:28:33.720 --> 00:28:34.119
 us

00:28:34.119 --> 00:28:35.099
 compels

00:28:35.099 --> 00:28:35.359
 us

00:28:35.359 --> 00:28:35.639
 to be

00:28:35.639 --> 00:28:36.720
 extravagantly

00:28:36.720 --> 00:28:37.460
 generous

00:28:37.460 --> 00:28:38.920
 towards

00:28:38.920 --> 00:28:39.599
 others

00:28:39.599 --> 00:28:41.119
 so why

00:28:41.119 --> 00:28:41.480
 should we

00:28:41.480 --> 00:28:41.839
 give

00:28:41.839 --> 00:28:42.279
 we should

00:28:42.279 --> 00:28:42.680
 give as

00:28:42.680 --> 00:28:42.859
 our

00:28:42.859 --> 00:28:43.240
 worship

00:28:43.240 --> 00:28:43.639
 we should

00:28:43.639 --> 00:28:43.879
 give

00:28:43.879 --> 00:28:44.160
 because

00:28:44.160 --> 00:28:44.359
 of

00:28:44.359 --> 00:28:44.900
 grace

00:28:44.900 --> 00:28:45.960
 who

00:28:45.960 --> 00:28:46.220
 should

00:28:46.220 --> 00:28:46.599
 give

00:28:46.599 --> 00:28:47.420
 that's

00:28:47.420 --> 00:28:47.599
 dealt

00:28:47.599 --> 00:28:47.819
 with

00:28:47.819 --> 00:28:48.119
 here

00:28:48.119 --> 00:28:49.099
 verse

00:28:49.099 --> 00:28:49.480
 two

00:28:49.480 --> 00:28:50.480
 each

00:28:50.480 --> 00:28:50.779
 one

00:28:50.779 --> 00:28:50.960
 of

00:28:50.960 --> 00:28:51.160
 you

00:28:51.160 --> 00:28:51.900
 should

00:28:51.900 --> 00:28:52.160
 set

00:28:52.160 --> 00:28:52.460
 aside

00:28:52.460 --> 00:28:52.619
 a

00:28:52.619 --> 00:28:52.779
 sum

00:28:52.779 --> 00:28:52.920
 of

00:28:52.920 --> 00:28:53.139
 money

00:28:53.140 --> 00:28:54.000
 every

00:28:54.000 --> 00:28:54.460
 follower

00:28:54.460 --> 00:28:54.700
 of

00:28:54.700 --> 00:28:55.020
 Jesus

00:28:55.020 --> 00:28:56.020
 recognizing

00:28:56.020 --> 00:28:56.340
 this

00:28:56.340 --> 00:28:56.660
 church

00:28:56.660 --> 00:28:56.900
 like

00:28:56.900 --> 00:28:57.160
 every

00:28:57.160 --> 00:28:57.420
 church

00:28:57.420 --> 00:28:57.560
 is

00:28:57.560 --> 00:28:57.759
 made

00:28:57.759 --> 00:28:57.960
 up

00:28:57.960 --> 00:28:58.180
 of

00:28:58.180 --> 00:28:59.140
 rich

00:28:59.140 --> 00:28:59.380
 and

00:28:59.380 --> 00:28:59.720
 poor

00:28:59.720 --> 00:29:00.400
 mixed

00:29:00.400 --> 00:29:00.700
 group

00:29:00.700 --> 00:29:00.880
 but

00:29:00.880 --> 00:29:01.040
 if

00:29:01.040 --> 00:29:01.380
 Jesus

00:29:01.380 --> 00:29:01.800
 is

00:29:01.800 --> 00:29:02.220
 Lord

00:29:02.220 --> 00:29:02.800
 and

00:29:02.800 --> 00:29:02.920
 it

00:29:02.920 --> 00:29:03.140
 all

00:29:03.140 --> 00:29:03.580
 belongs

00:29:03.580 --> 00:29:03.759
 to

00:29:03.759 --> 00:29:04.040
 him

00:29:04.040 --> 00:29:04.620
 we

00:29:04.620 --> 00:29:04.740
 are

00:29:04.740 --> 00:29:05.080
 all

00:29:05.080 --> 00:29:05.600
 asked

00:29:05.600 --> 00:29:05.960
 to

00:29:05.960 --> 00:29:06.259
 give

00:29:06.259 --> 00:29:07.060
 as

00:29:07.060 --> 00:29:07.500
 part

00:29:07.500 --> 00:29:07.980
 of

00:29:07.980 --> 00:29:08.420
 our

00:29:08.420 --> 00:29:09.220
 faith

00:29:09.220 --> 00:29:11.540
 where

00:29:11.540 --> 00:29:11.840
 should

00:29:11.840 --> 00:29:12.000
 we

00:29:12.000 --> 00:29:12.280
 give

00:29:12.280 --> 00:29:13.600
 it's

00:29:13.600 --> 00:29:13.880
 also

00:29:13.880 --> 00:29:14.100
 dealt

00:29:14.100 --> 00:29:14.280
 with

00:29:14.280 --> 00:29:14.440
 here

00:29:14.440 --> 00:29:14.560
 and

00:29:14.560 --> 00:29:14.700
 this

00:29:14.700 --> 00:29:14.860
 is

00:29:14.860 --> 00:29:15.380
 interesting

00:29:15.380 --> 00:29:17.820
 there

00:29:17.820 --> 00:29:17.980
 is

00:29:17.980 --> 00:29:18.160
 that

00:29:18.160 --> 00:29:18.720
 reference

00:29:18.720 --> 00:29:19.520
 to

00:29:19.520 --> 00:29:19.980
 setting

00:29:19.980 --> 00:29:20.300
 aside

00:29:20.300 --> 00:29:20.500
 a

00:29:20.500 --> 00:29:20.720
 sum

00:29:20.720 --> 00:29:20.980
 of

00:29:20.980 --> 00:29:21.280
 money

00:29:21.280 --> 00:29:22.080
 and

00:29:22.080 --> 00:29:22.280
 then

00:29:22.280 --> 00:29:22.500
 the

00:29:22.500 --> 00:29:22.780
 church

00:29:22.779 --> 00:29:23.500
 collecting

00:29:23.500 --> 00:29:23.859
 it

00:29:23.859 --> 00:29:24.899
 and

00:29:24.899 --> 00:29:25.099
 then

00:29:25.099 --> 00:29:25.299
 we

00:29:25.299 --> 00:29:25.700
 discover

00:29:25.700 --> 00:29:25.920
 in

00:29:25.920 --> 00:29:26.139
 verse

00:29:26.139 --> 00:29:26.399
 3

00:29:26.399 --> 00:29:26.579
 that

00:29:26.579 --> 00:29:26.639
 it

00:29:26.639 --> 00:29:26.680
 will

00:29:26.680 --> 00:29:26.839
 be

00:29:26.839 --> 00:29:27.180
 sent

00:29:27.180 --> 00:29:27.839
 with

00:29:27.839 --> 00:29:28.200
 your

00:29:28.200 --> 00:29:28.599
 gift

00:29:28.599 --> 00:29:29.139
 to

00:29:29.139 --> 00:29:29.819
 Jerusalem

00:29:29.819 --> 00:29:30.039
 so

00:29:30.039 --> 00:29:30.160
 we

00:29:30.160 --> 00:29:30.480
 give

00:29:30.480 --> 00:29:31.220
 both

00:29:31.220 --> 00:29:31.700
 in

00:29:31.700 --> 00:29:32.119
 church

00:29:32.119 --> 00:29:32.859
 and

00:29:32.859 --> 00:29:33.460
 for

00:29:33.460 --> 00:29:34.399
 church

00:29:34.399 --> 00:29:35.000
 our

00:29:35.000 --> 00:29:36.059
 generosity

00:29:36.059 --> 00:29:37.480
 begins

00:29:37.480 --> 00:29:37.940
 with

00:29:37.940 --> 00:29:38.160
 the

00:29:38.160 --> 00:29:38.399
 church

00:29:38.399 --> 00:29:38.819
 family

00:29:38.819 --> 00:29:39.039
 we

00:29:39.039 --> 00:29:39.200
 are

00:29:39.200 --> 00:29:39.379
 to

00:29:39.379 --> 00:29:39.759
 give

00:29:39.759 --> 00:29:40.299
 to

00:29:40.299 --> 00:29:40.960
 serve

00:29:40.960 --> 00:29:41.460
 the

00:29:41.460 --> 00:29:41.740
 church

00:29:41.740 --> 00:29:42.299
 family

00:29:42.299 --> 00:29:44.420
 again

00:29:44.420 --> 00:29:44.639
 it's

00:29:44.639 --> 00:29:44.759
 a

00:29:44.759 --> 00:29:45.139
 reminder

00:29:45.139 --> 00:29:45.339
 of

00:29:45.339 --> 00:29:45.440
 the

00:29:45.440 --> 00:29:45.559
 way

00:29:45.559 --> 00:29:45.740
 that

00:29:45.740 --> 00:29:46.339
 generosity

00:29:46.339 --> 00:29:46.920
 unites

00:29:46.920 --> 00:29:47.460
 churches

00:29:47.460 --> 00:29:48.700
 part

00:29:48.700 --> 00:29:48.899
 of

00:29:48.899 --> 00:29:49.200
 the

00:29:49.200 --> 00:29:49.339
 way

00:29:49.339 --> 00:29:49.539
 our

00:29:49.539 --> 00:29:50.460
 Presbyterianism

00:29:50.460 --> 00:29:51.019
 works

00:29:51.019 --> 00:29:52.000
 is

00:29:52.000 --> 00:29:52.579
 our

00:29:52.579 --> 00:29:53.500
 financial

00:29:53.500 --> 00:29:54.460
 sharing

00:29:54.460 --> 00:29:56.059
 supporting

00:29:56.059 --> 00:29:56.960
 the

00:29:56.960 --> 00:29:57.599
 strong

00:29:57.599 --> 00:29:58.240
 supporting

00:29:58.240 --> 00:29:59.019
 the

00:29:59.019 --> 00:29:59.440
 weak

00:29:59.440 --> 00:30:00.900
 so we

00:30:00.900 --> 00:30:01.119
 give

00:30:01.119 --> 00:30:01.440
 in

00:30:01.440 --> 00:30:01.720
 church

00:30:01.720 --> 00:30:01.940
 and we

00:30:01.940 --> 00:30:02.140
 give

00:30:02.140 --> 00:30:02.839
 for

00:30:02.839 --> 00:30:03.319
 the

00:30:03.319 --> 00:30:03.819
 church

00:30:03.819 --> 00:30:05.960
 when

00:30:05.960 --> 00:30:06.259
 should

00:30:06.259 --> 00:30:06.440
 we

00:30:06.440 --> 00:30:06.799
 give

00:30:06.799 --> 00:30:07.339
 how

00:30:07.339 --> 00:30:07.779
 often

00:30:07.779 --> 00:30:08.000
 should

00:30:08.000 --> 00:30:08.160
 we

00:30:08.160 --> 00:30:08.519
 give

00:30:08.519 --> 00:30:10.059
 we

00:30:10.059 --> 00:30:10.220
 can

00:30:10.220 --> 00:30:10.420
 find

00:30:10.420 --> 00:30:10.619
 that

00:30:10.619 --> 00:30:10.819
 there

00:30:10.819 --> 00:30:11.240
 too

00:30:11.240 --> 00:30:12.140
 here's

00:30:12.140 --> 00:30:12.259
 the

00:30:12.259 --> 00:30:12.660
 principle

00:30:12.660 --> 00:30:13.119
 on the

00:30:13.119 --> 00:30:13.440
 first

00:30:13.440 --> 00:30:13.839
 day

00:30:13.839 --> 00:30:14.559
 of

00:30:14.559 --> 00:30:15.299
 every

00:30:15.299 --> 00:30:15.940
 week

00:30:15.940 --> 00:30:17.119
 so it's

00:30:17.119 --> 00:30:17.640
 a reminder

00:30:17.640 --> 00:30:18.620
 that for

00:30:18.620 --> 00:30:19.040
 Paul

00:30:19.040 --> 00:30:19.520
 in the

00:30:19.520 --> 00:30:19.640
 Bible

00:30:19.640 --> 00:30:19.800
 the

00:30:19.800 --> 00:30:20.220
 expectation

00:30:20.220 --> 00:30:20.580
 is we

00:30:20.580 --> 00:30:20.880
 give

00:30:20.880 --> 00:30:22.040
 regularly

00:30:22.040 --> 00:30:23.100
 it's

00:30:23.100 --> 00:30:23.620
 normal

00:30:23.620 --> 00:30:24.200
 and

00:30:24.200 --> 00:30:24.820
 ongoing

00:30:24.820 --> 00:30:26.259
 it's

00:30:26.259 --> 00:30:26.720
 not a

00:30:26.720 --> 00:30:27.140
 one-off

00:30:27.140 --> 00:30:27.900
 based on

00:30:27.900 --> 00:30:28.840
 emotional

00:30:28.840 --> 00:30:29.400
 appeal

00:30:29.400 --> 00:30:30.340
 it's

00:30:30.340 --> 00:30:30.640
 not a

00:30:30.640 --> 00:30:31.040
 one-off

00:30:31.040 --> 00:30:31.620
 based on

00:30:31.620 --> 00:30:31.920
 well I

00:30:31.920 --> 00:30:32.180
 happened to

00:30:32.180 --> 00:30:32.420
 get a

00:30:32.420 --> 00:30:32.680
 bonus

00:30:32.680 --> 00:30:32.980
 this

00:30:32.980 --> 00:30:33.240
 month

00:30:33.240 --> 00:30:33.480
 so I've

00:30:33.480 --> 00:30:33.680
 got a

00:30:33.680 --> 00:30:34.020
 bit more

00:30:34.020 --> 00:30:34.800
 disposable

00:30:34.800 --> 00:30:35.500
 income

00:30:35.500 --> 00:30:36.200
 no we're

00:30:36.200 --> 00:30:36.880
 invited to

00:30:36.880 --> 00:30:37.259
 give

00:30:37.259 --> 00:30:38.320
 regularly

00:30:38.320 --> 00:30:42.380
 how much

00:30:42.380 --> 00:30:43.400
 should

00:30:43.400 --> 00:30:44.259
 we give

00:30:44.259 --> 00:30:45.319
 maybe

00:30:45.319 --> 00:30:45.579
 that's

00:30:45.579 --> 00:30:45.700
 the

00:30:45.700 --> 00:30:46.039
 question

00:30:46.039 --> 00:30:46.379
 we're

00:30:46.379 --> 00:30:46.720
 all

00:30:46.720 --> 00:30:47.720
 waiting

00:30:47.720 --> 00:30:48.240
 for

00:30:48.240 --> 00:30:48.819
 and

00:30:48.819 --> 00:30:49.039
 verse

00:30:49.039 --> 00:30:49.460
 two

00:30:49.460 --> 00:30:50.379
 gives

00:30:50.379 --> 00:30:50.720
 us

00:30:50.720 --> 00:30:51.759
 guidance

00:30:51.759 --> 00:30:52.279
 there

00:30:52.279 --> 00:30:55.339
 each

00:30:55.339 --> 00:30:55.759
 one of

00:30:55.759 --> 00:30:55.900
 you

00:30:55.900 --> 00:30:56.119
 should

00:30:56.119 --> 00:30:56.480
 set

00:30:56.480 --> 00:30:56.920
 aside

00:30:56.920 --> 00:30:57.160
 a

00:30:57.160 --> 00:30:57.400
 sum

00:30:57.400 --> 00:30:57.599
 of

00:30:57.599 --> 00:30:57.960
 money

00:30:57.960 --> 00:30:59.019
 in

00:30:59.019 --> 00:30:59.519
 keeping

00:30:59.519 --> 00:31:00.819
 with

00:31:00.819 --> 00:31:01.160
 your

00:31:01.160 --> 00:31:02.019
 income

00:31:02.019 --> 00:31:03.960
 it's

00:31:03.960 --> 00:31:04.359
 interesting

00:31:04.359 --> 00:31:04.660
 isn't it

00:31:04.660 --> 00:31:04.819
 there's

00:31:04.819 --> 00:31:05.000
 no

00:31:05.000 --> 00:31:05.779
 percentage

00:31:05.779 --> 00:31:06.440
 set

00:31:06.440 --> 00:31:08.339
 in the

00:31:08.339 --> 00:31:08.500
 Old

00:31:08.500 --> 00:31:08.859
 Testament

00:31:08.859 --> 00:31:09.180
 they

00:31:09.180 --> 00:31:09.680
 spoke

00:31:09.680 --> 00:31:09.879
 of

00:31:09.879 --> 00:31:10.039
 the

00:31:10.039 --> 00:31:10.420
 tithe

00:31:10.420 --> 00:31:10.660
 but

00:31:10.660 --> 00:31:10.839
 there's

00:31:10.839 --> 00:31:11.059
 no

00:31:11.059 --> 00:31:12.259
 percentage

00:31:12.259 --> 00:31:13.079
 level

00:31:13.079 --> 00:31:13.700
 there

00:31:13.700 --> 00:31:15.200
 it's

00:31:15.200 --> 00:31:15.299
 a

00:31:15.299 --> 00:31:15.559
 helpful

00:31:15.559 --> 00:31:16.080
 reminder

00:31:16.080 --> 00:31:16.319
 that

00:31:16.319 --> 00:31:16.759
 then

00:31:16.759 --> 00:31:17.200
 and

00:31:17.200 --> 00:31:17.740
 now

00:31:17.740 --> 00:31:18.880
 in

00:31:18.880 --> 00:31:19.160
 a

00:31:19.160 --> 00:31:19.580
 mixed

00:31:19.580 --> 00:31:20.319
 congregation

00:31:20.319 --> 00:31:21.299
 people

00:31:21.299 --> 00:31:21.700
 have

00:31:21.700 --> 00:31:22.180
 very

00:31:22.180 --> 00:31:22.980
 different

00:31:22.980 --> 00:31:23.519
 levels

00:31:23.519 --> 00:31:24.140
 of

00:31:24.140 --> 00:31:24.940
 income

00:31:24.940 --> 00:31:26.319
 for

00:31:26.319 --> 00:31:26.660
 somebody

00:31:26.660 --> 00:31:27.039
 who

00:31:27.039 --> 00:31:27.480
 is

00:31:27.480 --> 00:31:28.299
 struggling

00:31:28.299 --> 00:31:28.640
 to

00:31:28.640 --> 00:31:29.120
 survive

00:31:29.120 --> 00:31:29.700
 10%

00:31:29.700 --> 00:31:30.100
 might

00:31:30.100 --> 00:31:30.340
 be

00:31:30.340 --> 00:31:30.740
 a

00:31:30.740 --> 00:31:31.000
 bridge

00:31:31.000 --> 00:31:31.259
 too

00:31:31.259 --> 00:31:31.680
 far

00:31:31.680 --> 00:31:32.160
 someone

00:31:32.160 --> 00:31:32.319
 who

00:31:32.319 --> 00:31:32.440
 is

00:31:32.440 --> 00:31:32.640
 very

00:31:32.640 --> 00:31:33.120
 affluent

00:31:33.120 --> 00:31:33.740
 10%

00:31:33.740 --> 00:31:34.059
 may

00:31:34.059 --> 00:31:34.299
 be

00:31:34.299 --> 00:31:35.000
 far

00:31:35.000 --> 00:31:35.340
 too

00:31:35.340 --> 00:31:35.840
 low

00:31:35.840 --> 00:31:37.880
 even

00:31:37.880 --> 00:31:38.120
 within

00:31:38.120 --> 00:31:38.299
 the

00:31:38.299 --> 00:31:38.460
 Old

00:31:38.460 --> 00:31:38.779
 Testament

00:31:38.779 --> 00:31:39.100
 when

00:31:39.100 --> 00:31:39.440
 there

00:31:39.440 --> 00:31:39.559
 was

00:31:39.559 --> 00:31:40.000
 the

00:31:40.000 --> 00:31:42.299
 tithing

00:31:42.299 --> 00:31:43.080
 requirement

00:31:43.079 --> 00:31:43.319
 that

00:31:43.319 --> 00:31:43.480
 was

00:31:43.480 --> 00:31:43.759
 always

00:31:43.759 --> 00:31:44.000
 just

00:31:44.000 --> 00:31:44.159
 at

00:31:44.159 --> 00:31:44.399
 a

00:31:44.399 --> 00:31:44.759
 base

00:31:44.759 --> 00:31:45.259
 level

00:31:45.259 --> 00:31:46.919
 there

00:31:46.919 --> 00:31:47.059
 was

00:31:47.059 --> 00:31:47.359
 also

00:31:47.359 --> 00:31:47.659
 free

00:31:47.659 --> 00:31:47.879
 will

00:31:47.879 --> 00:31:48.359
 offerings

00:31:48.359 --> 00:31:48.759
 there

00:31:48.759 --> 00:31:48.899
 was

00:31:48.899 --> 00:31:49.179
 also

00:31:49.179 --> 00:31:49.619
 first

00:31:49.619 --> 00:31:49.879
 fruit

00:31:49.879 --> 00:31:50.299
 offerings

00:31:50.299 --> 00:31:50.500
 so

00:31:50.500 --> 00:31:50.619
 there

00:31:50.619 --> 00:31:50.720
 was

00:31:50.720 --> 00:31:50.879
 the

00:31:50.879 --> 00:31:51.279
 floor

00:31:51.279 --> 00:31:51.619
 set

00:31:51.619 --> 00:31:51.759
 but

00:31:51.759 --> 00:31:51.859
 there

00:31:51.859 --> 00:31:51.960
 was

00:31:51.960 --> 00:31:52.179
 never

00:31:52.179 --> 00:31:52.399
 a

00:31:52.399 --> 00:31:52.679
 ceiling

00:31:52.679 --> 00:31:53.179
 set

00:31:53.179 --> 00:31:54.220
 and

00:31:54.220 --> 00:31:54.319
 you

00:31:54.319 --> 00:31:54.539
 find

00:31:54.539 --> 00:31:55.299
 those

00:31:55.299 --> 00:31:55.639
 different

00:31:55.639 --> 00:31:55.960
 times

00:31:55.960 --> 00:31:56.460
 especially

00:31:56.460 --> 00:31:57.500
 around

00:31:57.500 --> 00:31:57.919
 the

00:31:57.919 --> 00:31:58.259
 building

00:31:58.259 --> 00:31:58.539
 of the

00:31:58.539 --> 00:31:59.019
 tabernacle

00:31:59.019 --> 00:31:59.319
 and the

00:31:59.319 --> 00:31:59.639
 temple

00:31:59.639 --> 00:31:59.819
 the

00:31:59.819 --> 00:32:00.019
 people

00:32:00.019 --> 00:32:00.139
 were

00:32:00.139 --> 00:32:00.359
 giving

00:32:00.359 --> 00:32:00.699
 so

00:32:00.699 --> 00:32:00.960
 much

00:32:00.960 --> 00:32:01.099
 and

00:32:01.099 --> 00:32:01.259
 so

00:32:01.259 --> 00:32:02.099
 generously

00:32:02.099 --> 00:32:03.980
 that

00:32:03.980 --> 00:32:04.119
 the

00:32:04.119 --> 00:32:04.299
 priest

00:32:04.299 --> 00:32:04.519
 actually

00:32:04.519 --> 00:32:04.699
 had to

00:32:04.699 --> 00:32:04.799
 say

00:32:04.799 --> 00:32:05.019
 whoa

00:32:05.019 --> 00:32:05.619
 stop

00:32:05.619 --> 00:32:06.059
 we've

00:32:06.059 --> 00:32:06.179
 got

00:32:06.179 --> 00:32:06.439
 enough

00:32:06.439 --> 00:32:06.579
 and

00:32:06.579 --> 00:32:06.759
 more

00:32:06.759 --> 00:32:06.919
 than

00:32:06.919 --> 00:32:07.240
 enough

00:32:07.240 --> 00:32:08.159
 and

00:32:13.079 --> 00:32:13.220
 talk

00:32:13.220 --> 00:32:13.439
 about

00:32:13.439 --> 00:32:13.639
 a

00:32:13.639 --> 00:32:13.980
 tithe

00:32:13.980 --> 00:32:15.279
 but

00:32:15.279 --> 00:32:15.439
 there

00:32:15.439 --> 00:32:15.639
 is

00:32:15.639 --> 00:32:15.939
 talk

00:32:15.939 --> 00:32:16.139
 on

00:32:16.139 --> 00:32:16.759
 a

00:32:16.759 --> 00:32:17.199
 generous

00:32:17.199 --> 00:32:17.679
 joyful

00:32:17.679 --> 00:32:18.460
 sacrificial

00:32:18.460 --> 00:32:20.299
 in

00:32:20.299 --> 00:32:20.919
 response

00:32:20.919 --> 00:32:21.199
 to

00:32:21.199 --> 00:32:21.659
 God's

00:32:21.659 --> 00:32:22.019
 grace

00:32:22.019 --> 00:32:22.399
 to us

00:32:22.399 --> 00:32:22.519
 in

00:32:22.519 --> 00:32:22.639
 the

00:32:22.639 --> 00:32:22.859
 Lord

00:32:22.859 --> 00:32:23.299
 Jesus

00:32:23.299 --> 00:32:25.980
 Tim

00:32:25.980 --> 00:32:26.319
 Keller

00:32:26.319 --> 00:32:26.559
 the

00:32:26.559 --> 00:32:27.359
 pastor

00:32:27.359 --> 00:32:27.699
 in

00:32:27.699 --> 00:32:28.179
 New

00:32:28.179 --> 00:32:28.699
 York

00:32:28.699 --> 00:32:29.599
 made

00:32:29.599 --> 00:32:29.799
 the

00:32:29.799 --> 00:32:30.399
 observation

00:32:30.399 --> 00:32:30.859
 a

00:32:30.859 --> 00:32:31.059
 number

00:32:31.059 --> 00:32:31.240
 of

00:32:31.240 --> 00:32:31.500
 years

00:32:31.500 --> 00:32:31.839
 ago

00:32:31.839 --> 00:32:32.460
 that

00:32:32.460 --> 00:32:32.779
 this

00:32:32.779 --> 00:32:33.099
 side

00:32:33.099 --> 00:32:33.220
 of

00:32:33.220 --> 00:32:33.379
 the

00:32:33.379 --> 00:32:33.759
 cross

00:32:33.759 --> 00:32:33.939
 as

00:32:33.939 --> 00:32:34.099
 we

00:32:34.099 --> 00:32:34.379
 have

00:32:34.379 --> 00:32:34.619
 known

00:32:34.619 --> 00:32:34.980
 more

00:32:34.980 --> 00:32:35.179
 of

00:32:35.179 --> 00:32:35.619
 God's

00:32:35.619 --> 00:32:36.259
 grace

00:32:36.259 --> 00:32:37.319
 as

00:32:37.319 --> 00:32:37.460
 we

00:32:37.460 --> 00:32:37.619
 have

00:32:37.619 --> 00:32:37.960
 seen

00:32:37.960 --> 00:32:38.299
 how

00:32:38.299 --> 00:32:39.000
 God's

00:32:39.000 --> 00:32:39.480
 salvation

00:32:39.480 --> 00:32:39.859
 comes

00:32:39.859 --> 00:32:40.039
 to

00:32:40.039 --> 00:32:40.339
 pass

00:32:40.339 --> 00:32:40.480
 in

00:32:40.480 --> 00:32:40.639
 the

00:32:40.639 --> 00:32:41.039
 sending

00:32:41.039 --> 00:32:41.259
 of

00:32:41.259 --> 00:32:41.419
 his

00:32:41.419 --> 00:32:41.659
 own

00:32:41.659 --> 00:32:42.279
 son

00:32:42.279 --> 00:32:42.939
 Jesus

00:32:42.940 --> 00:32:43.740
 he

00:32:43.740 --> 00:32:44.000
 asked

00:32:44.000 --> 00:32:44.140
 the

00:32:44.140 --> 00:32:44.580
 question

00:32:44.580 --> 00:32:44.880
 of

00:32:44.880 --> 00:32:45.180
 his

00:32:45.180 --> 00:32:45.480
 church

00:32:45.480 --> 00:32:45.840
 should

00:32:45.840 --> 00:32:46.080
 we

00:32:46.080 --> 00:32:46.460
 give

00:32:46.460 --> 00:32:47.500
 less

00:32:47.500 --> 00:32:48.580
 than

00:32:48.580 --> 00:32:48.720
 an

00:32:48.720 --> 00:32:48.920
 Old

00:32:48.920 --> 00:32:49.279
 Testament

00:32:49.279 --> 00:32:49.820
 believer

00:32:49.820 --> 00:32:50.740
 in

00:32:50.740 --> 00:32:50.920
 light

00:32:50.920 --> 00:32:51.059
 of

00:32:51.059 --> 00:32:51.340
 greater

00:32:51.340 --> 00:32:51.740
 grace

00:32:51.740 --> 00:32:51.900
 that

00:32:51.900 --> 00:32:52.039
 we

00:32:52.039 --> 00:32:52.140
 have

00:32:52.140 --> 00:32:52.519
 received

00:32:52.519 --> 00:32:54.259
 how

00:32:54.259 --> 00:32:54.480
 much

00:32:54.480 --> 00:32:54.640
 should

00:32:54.640 --> 00:32:54.779
 we

00:32:54.779 --> 00:32:55.299
 give

00:32:55.299 --> 00:32:56.100
 we

00:32:56.100 --> 00:32:56.320
 should

00:32:56.320 --> 00:32:56.759
 give

00:32:56.759 --> 00:32:57.420
 in

00:32:57.420 --> 00:32:57.759
 keeping

00:32:57.759 --> 00:32:58.000
 with

00:32:58.000 --> 00:32:58.140
 our

00:32:58.140 --> 00:32:58.620
 income

00:32:58.620 --> 00:32:59.580
 that

00:32:59.580 --> 00:32:59.700
 then

00:32:59.700 --> 00:33:00.000
 becomes

00:33:00.000 --> 00:33:00.120
 a

00:33:00.120 --> 00:33:00.360
 matter

00:33:00.360 --> 00:33:00.580
 of

00:33:00.580 --> 00:33:00.960
 good

00:33:00.960 --> 00:33:01.460
 stewardship

00:33:01.460 --> 00:33:02.039
 and

00:33:02.039 --> 00:33:02.160
 a

00:33:02.160 --> 00:33:02.380
 matter

00:33:02.380 --> 00:33:02.559
 of

00:33:02.559 --> 00:33:02.660
 our

00:33:02.660 --> 00:33:02.820
 own

00:33:02.820 --> 00:33:03.320
 conscience

00:33:03.320 --> 00:33:03.680
 doesn't

00:33:03.680 --> 00:33:03.880
 it

00:33:03.880 --> 00:33:05.900
 but

00:33:05.900 --> 00:33:06.039
 what

00:33:06.039 --> 00:33:06.160
 we

00:33:06.160 --> 00:33:06.299
 can

00:33:06.299 --> 00:33:06.680
 see

00:33:06.680 --> 00:33:06.940
 in

00:33:06.940 --> 00:33:07.059
 the

00:33:07.059 --> 00:33:07.279
 book

00:33:07.279 --> 00:33:07.480
 of

00:33:07.480 --> 00:33:07.940
 Acts

00:33:07.940 --> 00:33:08.120
 as

00:33:08.120 --> 00:33:08.220
 we

00:33:08.220 --> 00:33:08.600
 see

00:33:08.600 --> 00:33:08.880
 the

00:33:08.880 --> 00:33:09.240
 church

00:33:09.240 --> 00:33:09.860
 grow

00:33:09.860 --> 00:33:10.960
 we

00:33:10.960 --> 00:33:11.140
 can

00:33:11.140 --> 00:33:11.480
 appreciate

00:33:11.480 --> 00:33:11.780
 really

00:33:11.780 --> 00:33:12.259
 clearly

00:33:12.259 --> 00:33:12.460
 that

00:33:12.460 --> 00:33:12.600
 a

00:33:12.600 --> 00:33:12.880
 healthy

00:33:12.880 --> 00:33:13.240
 church

00:33:13.240 --> 00:33:13.580
 is a

00:33:13.580 --> 00:33:13.960
 generous

00:33:13.960 --> 00:33:14.660
 church

00:33:14.660 --> 00:33:18.040
 and

00:33:18.040 --> 00:33:18.180
 that

00:33:18.180 --> 00:33:18.420
 makes

00:33:18.420 --> 00:33:18.820
 sense

00:33:18.820 --> 00:33:19.080
 if we

00:33:19.080 --> 00:33:19.460
 return

00:33:19.460 --> 00:33:19.680
 to

00:33:19.680 --> 00:33:20.080
 why

00:33:20.080 --> 00:33:20.300
 we

00:33:20.300 --> 00:33:20.700
 give

00:33:20.700 --> 00:33:22.140
 if

00:33:22.140 --> 00:33:22.400
 our

00:33:22.400 --> 00:33:22.700
 giving

00:33:22.700 --> 00:33:23.040
 is in

00:33:23.040 --> 00:33:23.480
 response

00:33:23.480 --> 00:33:23.720
 to

00:33:23.720 --> 00:33:24.220
 God's

00:33:24.220 --> 00:33:24.540
 giving

00:33:24.540 --> 00:33:25.820
 then a

00:33:25.820 --> 00:33:26.140
 healthy

00:33:26.140 --> 00:33:26.420
 church

00:33:26.420 --> 00:33:26.700
 is a

00:33:26.700 --> 00:33:26.880
 church

00:33:26.880 --> 00:33:27.040
 that

00:33:27.040 --> 00:33:27.500
 delights

00:33:27.500 --> 00:33:27.660
 in

00:33:27.660 --> 00:33:27.800
 the

00:33:27.800 --> 00:33:28.340
 gospel

00:33:28.340 --> 00:33:29.920
 where

00:33:29.920 --> 00:33:30.100
 our

00:33:30.100 --> 00:33:30.440
 treasure

00:33:30.440 --> 00:33:30.840
 is in

00:33:30.840 --> 00:33:31.120
 heaven

00:33:31.120 --> 00:33:31.360
 because

00:33:31.360 --> 00:33:31.540
 our

00:33:31.540 --> 00:33:31.900
 treasure

00:33:31.900 --> 00:33:32.160
 is

00:33:32.160 --> 00:33:32.600
 Jesus

00:33:32.599 --> 00:33:34.980
 and

00:33:34.980 --> 00:33:35.139
 it's

00:33:35.139 --> 00:33:35.379
 that

00:33:35.379 --> 00:33:35.759
 heart

00:33:35.759 --> 00:33:35.879
 and

00:33:35.879 --> 00:33:36.039
 it's

00:33:36.039 --> 00:33:36.199
 that

00:33:36.199 --> 00:33:36.719
 mindset

00:33:36.719 --> 00:33:37.059
 that

00:33:37.059 --> 00:33:37.319
 makes

00:33:37.319 --> 00:33:37.480
 it

00:33:37.480 --> 00:33:37.939
 easier

00:33:37.939 --> 00:33:38.179
 to

00:33:38.179 --> 00:33:38.740
 give

00:33:38.740 --> 00:33:39.799
 it

00:33:39.799 --> 00:33:40.319
 motivates

00:33:40.319 --> 00:33:40.919
 generosity

00:33:40.919 --> 00:33:41.240
 for

00:33:41.240 --> 00:33:41.699
 mercy

00:33:41.699 --> 00:33:42.059
 and

00:33:42.059 --> 00:33:42.419
 mission

00:33:42.419 --> 00:33:45.699
 let me

00:33:45.699 --> 00:33:46.139
 close

00:33:46.139 --> 00:33:47.159
 I guess

00:33:47.159 --> 00:33:47.439
 with a

00:33:47.439 --> 00:33:48.000
 word of

00:33:48.000 --> 00:33:48.500
 thanks as

00:33:48.500 --> 00:33:48.759
 well as

00:33:48.759 --> 00:33:49.079
 a call

00:33:49.079 --> 00:33:49.259
 to

00:33:49.259 --> 00:33:49.740
 reflect

00:33:49.740 --> 00:33:50.019
 because

00:33:50.019 --> 00:33:50.959
 as a

00:33:50.959 --> 00:33:51.339
 church

00:33:51.339 --> 00:33:52.139
 we are

00:33:52.139 --> 00:33:52.480
 to be

00:33:52.480 --> 00:33:53.199
 thankful

00:33:53.199 --> 00:33:54.839
 we're

00:33:54.839 --> 00:33:55.119
 coming

00:33:55.119 --> 00:33:55.459
 towards

00:33:55.459 --> 00:33:55.839
 the end

00:33:55.839 --> 00:33:55.980
 of

00:33:55.980 --> 00:33:56.559
 pandemic

00:33:56.559 --> 00:33:57.819
 thankful

00:33:57.819 --> 00:33:58.039
 that

00:33:58.039 --> 00:33:58.319
 many

00:33:58.319 --> 00:33:58.599
 have

00:33:58.599 --> 00:33:58.939
 been

00:33:58.939 --> 00:33:59.679
 generous

00:33:59.679 --> 00:34:00.079
 in

00:34:00.079 --> 00:34:00.219
 an

00:34:00.219 --> 00:34:00.599
 ongoing

00:34:00.599 --> 00:34:01.059
 way

00:34:01.059 --> 00:34:01.939
 that

00:34:01.939 --> 00:34:02.159
 God

00:34:02.159 --> 00:34:02.319
 has

00:34:02.319 --> 00:34:02.599
 looked

00:34:02.599 --> 00:34:02.960
 after

00:34:02.960 --> 00:34:03.200
 us

00:34:03.200 --> 00:34:03.379
 through

00:34:03.379 --> 00:34:04.000
 pandemic

00:34:04.000 --> 00:34:04.279
 that

00:34:04.279 --> 00:34:04.559
 our

00:34:04.559 --> 00:34:05.679
 finances

00:34:05.679 --> 00:34:06.019
 haven't

00:34:06.019 --> 00:34:06.279
 taken

00:34:06.279 --> 00:34:06.480
 a

00:34:06.480 --> 00:34:06.779
 huge

00:34:06.779 --> 00:34:07.079
 hit

00:34:07.079 --> 00:34:07.220
 and

00:34:07.220 --> 00:34:07.379
 a

00:34:07.379 --> 00:34:07.720
 dip

00:34:07.720 --> 00:34:08.380
 that

00:34:08.380 --> 00:34:08.619
 people

00:34:08.619 --> 00:34:08.840
 have

00:34:08.840 --> 00:34:09.519
 responded

00:34:09.519 --> 00:34:10.319
 maybe

00:34:10.319 --> 00:34:10.860
 giving

00:34:10.860 --> 00:34:11.480
 differently

00:34:11.480 --> 00:34:11.739
 than

00:34:11.739 --> 00:34:11.900
 the

00:34:11.900 --> 00:34:12.219
 past

00:34:12.219 --> 00:34:12.500
 finding

00:34:12.500 --> 00:34:12.840
 different

00:34:12.840 --> 00:34:13.259
 ways

00:34:13.259 --> 00:34:13.480
 to

00:34:13.480 --> 00:34:13.779
 give

00:34:13.779 --> 00:34:13.900
 and

00:34:13.900 --> 00:34:14.139
 so

00:34:14.139 --> 00:34:14.779
 as

00:34:14.779 --> 00:34:15.000
 church

00:34:15.000 --> 00:34:15.219
 leaders

00:34:15.219 --> 00:34:15.519
 we are

00:34:15.519 --> 00:34:16.099
 thankful

00:34:16.099 --> 00:34:16.400
 for

00:34:16.400 --> 00:34:16.659
 that

00:34:16.659 --> 00:34:19.099
 but

00:34:19.099 --> 00:34:19.219
 I

00:34:19.219 --> 00:34:19.420
 think

00:34:19.420 --> 00:34:20.619
 it

00:34:20.619 --> 00:34:20.799
 gives

00:34:20.799 --> 00:34:20.940
 us

00:34:20.940 --> 00:34:21.079
 a

00:34:21.079 --> 00:34:21.319
 chance

00:34:21.319 --> 00:34:21.500
 to

00:34:21.500 --> 00:34:22.119
 reflect

00:34:22.119 --> 00:34:24.699
 first

00:34:24.699 --> 00:34:24.920
 and

00:34:24.920 --> 00:34:25.279
 especially

00:34:25.279 --> 00:34:25.559
 as

00:34:25.559 --> 00:34:25.739
 we're

00:34:25.739 --> 00:34:26.099
 around

00:34:26.099 --> 00:34:26.440
 Easter

00:34:26.440 --> 00:34:26.679
 to

00:34:26.679 --> 00:34:27.059
 reflect

00:34:27.059 --> 00:34:27.219
 on

00:34:27.219 --> 00:34:27.360
 the

00:34:27.360 --> 00:34:27.699
 generous

00:34:27.699 --> 00:34:28.360
 sacrificial

00:34:28.360 --> 00:34:28.759
 grace

00:34:28.759 --> 00:34:29.079
 shown

00:34:29.079 --> 00:34:29.299
 to

00:34:29.299 --> 00:34:29.639
 us

00:34:29.639 --> 00:34:30.599
 in

00:34:30.599 --> 00:34:31.000
 Jesus

00:34:31.000 --> 00:34:33.019
 and

00:34:33.019 --> 00:34:33.179
 then

00:34:33.179 --> 00:34:33.340
 to

00:34:33.340 --> 00:34:33.780
 reflect

00:34:33.780 --> 00:34:33.980
 on

00:34:33.980 --> 00:34:34.139
 our

00:34:34.139 --> 00:34:34.480
 own

00:34:34.480 --> 00:34:35.360
 giving

00:34:35.360 --> 00:34:37.119
 is

00:34:37.119 --> 00:34:37.280
 it

00:34:37.280 --> 00:34:37.440
 a

00:34:37.440 --> 00:34:37.980
 response

00:34:37.980 --> 00:34:38.219
 of

00:34:38.219 --> 00:34:38.699
 worship

00:34:38.699 --> 00:34:39.880
 I

00:34:39.880 --> 00:34:40.059
 think

00:34:40.059 --> 00:34:40.619
 that's

00:34:40.619 --> 00:34:40.820
 one of

00:34:40.820 --> 00:34:40.920
 the

00:34:40.920 --> 00:34:41.300
 challenges

00:34:41.300 --> 00:34:42.119
 maybe

00:34:42.119 --> 00:34:42.360
 this is

00:34:42.360 --> 00:34:42.500
 just

00:34:42.500 --> 00:34:42.679
 me

00:34:42.679 --> 00:34:42.880
 but

00:34:42.880 --> 00:34:43.300
 when

00:34:43.300 --> 00:34:43.440
 we

00:34:43.440 --> 00:34:43.599
 give

00:34:43.599 --> 00:34:43.780
 by

00:34:43.780 --> 00:34:44.139
 direct

00:34:44.139 --> 00:34:44.400
 debit

00:34:44.400 --> 00:34:44.559
 it's

00:34:44.559 --> 00:34:44.800
 a real

00:34:44.800 --> 00:34:45.239
 challenge

00:34:45.239 --> 00:34:45.780
 is my

00:34:45.780 --> 00:34:46.639
 response

00:34:46.639 --> 00:34:47.099
 worship

00:34:47.099 --> 00:34:47.480
 or is

00:34:47.480 --> 00:34:47.739
 just

00:34:47.739 --> 00:34:48.099
 another

00:34:48.099 --> 00:34:49.219
 amount

00:34:49.219 --> 00:34:49.500
 of money

00:34:49.500 --> 00:34:49.940
 that comes

00:34:49.940 --> 00:34:50.159
 out of

00:34:50.159 --> 00:34:50.519
 the bank

00:34:50.519 --> 00:34:50.780
 at the

00:34:50.780 --> 00:34:50.960
 start

00:34:50.960 --> 00:34:51.139
 of the

00:34:51.139 --> 00:34:51.360
 month

00:34:51.360 --> 00:34:53.980
 is

00:34:53.980 --> 00:34:54.160
 my

00:34:54.160 --> 00:34:54.500
 giving

00:34:54.500 --> 00:34:55.140
 fueled

00:34:55.140 --> 00:34:55.700
 by

00:34:55.700 --> 00:34:57.460
 an

00:34:57.460 --> 00:34:57.940
 understanding

00:34:57.940 --> 00:34:58.260
 of all

00:34:58.260 --> 00:34:58.599
 that God

00:34:58.599 --> 00:34:58.940
 has done

00:34:58.940 --> 00:34:59.260
 for me

00:34:59.260 --> 00:34:59.420
 in

00:34:59.420 --> 00:34:59.700
 Jesus

00:34:59.700 --> 00:35:00.420
 the fact

00:35:00.420 --> 00:35:00.780
 that he's

00:35:00.780 --> 00:35:01.500
 made me

00:35:01.500 --> 00:35:01.940
 part of

00:35:01.940 --> 00:35:02.380
 his body

00:35:02.380 --> 00:35:02.740
 part of

00:35:02.740 --> 00:35:03.180
 his kingdom

00:35:03.180 --> 00:35:04.160
 and is

00:35:04.160 --> 00:35:04.380
 that

00:35:04.380 --> 00:35:04.960
 fueling

00:35:04.960 --> 00:35:05.640
 our

00:35:05.640 --> 00:35:06.360
 response

00:35:06.360 --> 00:35:07.599
 well

00:35:07.599 --> 00:35:07.860
 let's

00:35:07.860 --> 00:35:08.240
 leave

00:35:08.240 --> 00:35:08.680
 that

00:35:08.680 --> 00:35:09.120
 there

00:35:09.120 --> 00:35:09.800
 and

00:35:09.800 --> 00:35:10.360
 let's

00:35:10.360 --> 00:35:10.920
 pray

00:35:10.920 --> 00:35:11.860
 together

00:35:11.860 --> 00:35:16.099
 Lord

00:35:16.099 --> 00:35:17.180
 once again

00:35:17.180 --> 00:35:17.599
 we want

00:35:17.599 --> 00:35:18.220
 to thank

00:35:18.220 --> 00:35:18.579
 you

00:35:18.579 --> 00:35:19.860
 for

00:35:19.860 --> 00:35:20.819
 your

00:35:20.819 --> 00:35:21.539
 generous

00:35:21.539 --> 00:35:22.340
 grace

00:35:22.340 --> 00:35:23.119
 towards

00:35:23.119 --> 00:35:23.679
 us

00:35:23.679 --> 00:35:24.500
 in the

00:35:24.500 --> 00:35:24.739
 Lord

00:35:24.739 --> 00:35:25.119
 Jesus

00:35:25.119 --> 00:35:27.480
 we know

00:35:27.480 --> 00:35:28.500
 that we

00:35:28.500 --> 00:35:29.099
 do not

00:35:29.099 --> 00:35:29.579
 deserve

00:35:29.579 --> 00:35:30.199
 your

00:35:30.199 --> 00:35:30.639
 mercy

00:35:30.639 --> 00:35:32.119
 we do

00:35:32.119 --> 00:35:32.299
 not

00:35:32.299 --> 00:35:32.759
 deserve

00:35:32.759 --> 00:35:33.639
 to be

00:35:33.639 --> 00:35:34.119
 called

00:35:34.119 --> 00:35:34.699
 children

00:35:34.699 --> 00:35:35.319
 of God

00:35:35.319 --> 00:35:36.639
 we do

00:35:36.639 --> 00:35:36.840
 not

00:35:36.840 --> 00:35:37.239
 deserve

00:35:37.239 --> 00:35:38.039
 to have

00:35:38.039 --> 00:35:38.759
 our

00:35:38.759 --> 00:35:39.239
 sins

00:35:39.239 --> 00:35:39.779
 forgiven

00:35:39.779 --> 00:35:41.000
 we do

00:35:41.000 --> 00:35:41.179
 not

00:35:41.179 --> 00:35:41.920
 deserve

00:35:41.920 --> 00:35:42.719
 the

00:35:42.719 --> 00:35:43.319
 promise

00:35:43.319 --> 00:35:43.659
 of

00:35:43.659 --> 00:35:44.139
 eternal

00:35:44.139 --> 00:35:44.639
 life

00:35:44.639 --> 00:35:47.019
 but by

00:35:47.019 --> 00:35:47.579
 trusting

00:35:47.579 --> 00:35:48.380
 in the

00:35:48.380 --> 00:35:48.900
 person

00:35:48.900 --> 00:35:49.300
 and the

00:35:49.300 --> 00:35:49.619
 work

00:35:49.619 --> 00:35:49.920
 of the

00:35:49.920 --> 00:35:50.140
 Lord

00:35:50.140 --> 00:35:50.599
 Jesus

00:35:50.599 --> 00:35:52.460
 all

00:35:52.460 --> 00:35:52.820
 of these

00:35:52.820 --> 00:35:53.340
 benefits

00:35:53.340 --> 00:35:53.880
 and so

00:35:53.880 --> 00:35:54.140
 many

00:35:54.140 --> 00:35:54.519
 more

00:35:54.519 --> 00:35:55.720
 come

00:35:55.720 --> 00:35:56.280
 freely

00:35:56.280 --> 00:35:57.160
 to us

00:35:57.160 --> 00:35:58.599
 Lord

00:35:58.599 --> 00:35:59.280
 we pray

00:35:59.280 --> 00:36:00.320
 that more

00:36:00.320 --> 00:36:00.840
 and more

00:36:00.840 --> 00:36:01.300
 you would

00:36:01.300 --> 00:36:02.119
 be reminding

00:36:02.119 --> 00:36:03.280
 us of

00:36:03.280 --> 00:36:03.480
 these

00:36:03.480 --> 00:36:04.200
 wonderful

00:36:04.200 --> 00:36:04.920
 truths

00:36:04.920 --> 00:36:06.539
 and that

00:36:06.539 --> 00:36:06.800
 that would

00:36:06.800 --> 00:36:07.660
 help us

00:36:07.660 --> 00:36:08.140
 then

00:36:08.140 --> 00:36:09.380
 to think

00:36:09.380 --> 00:36:09.800
 about

00:36:09.800 --> 00:36:10.920
 how to

00:36:10.920 --> 00:36:11.619
 respond

00:36:11.619 --> 00:36:12.559
 with

00:36:12.559 --> 00:36:12.860
 our

00:36:12.860 --> 00:36:13.200
 giving

00:36:13.200 --> 00:36:13.539
 whether

00:36:13.539 --> 00:36:13.880
 that's

00:36:13.880 --> 00:36:14.039
 our

00:36:14.039 --> 00:36:14.380
 money

00:36:14.380 --> 00:36:15.140
 or our

00:36:15.140 --> 00:36:15.559
 time

00:36:15.559 --> 00:36:16.140
 or other

00:36:16.140 --> 00:36:16.700
 resources

00:36:16.699 --> 00:36:18.139
 Lord

00:36:18.139 --> 00:36:18.639
 we pray

00:36:18.639 --> 00:36:19.079
 that our

00:36:19.079 --> 00:36:19.379
 giving

00:36:19.379 --> 00:36:19.799
 would be

00:36:19.799 --> 00:36:20.480
 a practical

00:36:20.480 --> 00:36:21.399
 demonstration

00:36:21.399 --> 00:36:21.819
 of that

00:36:21.819 --> 00:36:22.779
 fellowship

00:36:22.779 --> 00:36:23.199
 that we

00:36:23.199 --> 00:36:23.839
 have

00:36:23.839 --> 00:36:26.719
 that being

00:36:26.719 --> 00:36:27.379
 part of

00:36:27.379 --> 00:36:27.939
 a body

00:36:27.939 --> 00:36:28.799
 of Christ

00:36:28.799 --> 00:36:29.919
 that means

00:36:29.919 --> 00:36:30.279
 we'd be

00:36:30.279 --> 00:36:30.699
 on the

00:36:30.699 --> 00:36:31.019
 lookout

00:36:31.019 --> 00:36:31.799
 for ways

00:36:31.799 --> 00:36:32.259
 that we

00:36:32.259 --> 00:36:33.139
 can serve

00:36:33.139 --> 00:36:34.039
 others

00:36:34.039 --> 00:36:36.139
 by giving

00:36:36.139 --> 00:36:36.839
 in different

00:36:36.839 --> 00:36:37.339
 ways

00:36:37.339 --> 00:36:39.359
 Lord

00:36:39.359 --> 00:36:40.119
 we pray

00:36:40.119 --> 00:36:41.299
 that our

00:36:41.299 --> 00:36:41.819
 giving

00:36:41.819 --> 00:36:42.779
 would be

00:36:42.779 --> 00:36:43.399
 a means

00:36:43.400 --> 00:36:44.039
 for us

00:36:44.039 --> 00:36:44.720
 extending

00:36:44.720 --> 00:36:45.320
 mercy

00:36:45.320 --> 00:36:46.139
 to

00:36:46.139 --> 00:36:46.639
 others

00:36:46.639 --> 00:36:48.400
 Lord

00:36:48.400 --> 00:36:48.740
 we are

00:36:48.740 --> 00:36:49.260
 aware

00:36:49.260 --> 00:36:50.200
 that there

00:36:50.200 --> 00:36:50.559
 are so

00:36:50.559 --> 00:36:50.860
 many

00:36:50.860 --> 00:36:52.119
 challenges

00:36:52.119 --> 00:36:53.420
 that people

00:36:53.420 --> 00:36:53.940
 are facing

00:36:53.940 --> 00:36:54.460
 around the

00:36:54.460 --> 00:36:54.700
 world

00:36:54.700 --> 00:36:55.160
 and within

00:36:55.160 --> 00:36:56.200
 our own

00:36:56.200 --> 00:36:56.639
 country

00:36:56.639 --> 00:36:56.980
 there are

00:36:56.980 --> 00:36:57.920
 increasing

00:36:57.920 --> 00:36:59.300
 economic

00:36:59.300 --> 00:36:59.920
 challenges

00:36:59.920 --> 00:37:00.780
 to come

00:37:00.780 --> 00:37:02.380
 Lord we

00:37:02.380 --> 00:37:02.980
 pray that

00:37:02.980 --> 00:37:03.220
 you would

00:37:03.220 --> 00:37:03.660
 give us

00:37:03.660 --> 00:37:04.280
 hearts

00:37:04.280 --> 00:37:05.200
 that are

00:37:05.200 --> 00:37:07.200
 mobilized

00:37:07.200 --> 00:37:08.900
 for mercy

00:37:08.900 --> 00:37:09.660
 ministry

00:37:09.660 --> 00:37:11.119
 Lord we

00:37:11.119 --> 00:37:11.519
 pray

00:37:11.519 --> 00:37:12.860
 thanking you

00:37:12.860 --> 00:37:13.860
 for our

00:37:13.860 --> 00:37:14.259
 deacons

00:37:14.259 --> 00:37:14.500
 and the

00:37:14.500 --> 00:37:15.059
 prospect of

00:37:15.059 --> 00:37:15.820
 new deacons

00:37:15.820 --> 00:37:16.460
 thanking you

00:37:16.460 --> 00:37:16.900
 for our

00:37:16.900 --> 00:37:17.340
 women's

00:37:17.340 --> 00:37:17.900
 pastoral

00:37:17.900 --> 00:37:18.360
 team

00:37:18.360 --> 00:37:19.519
 thanking you

00:37:19.519 --> 00:37:20.179
 for everyone

00:37:20.179 --> 00:37:21.099
 who is on

00:37:21.099 --> 00:37:21.539
 the lookout

00:37:21.539 --> 00:37:22.000
 for how

00:37:22.000 --> 00:37:22.940
 to extend

00:37:22.940 --> 00:37:24.300
 mercy

00:37:24.300 --> 00:37:26.079
 Lord we

00:37:26.079 --> 00:37:26.719
 pray to be

00:37:26.719 --> 00:37:27.380
 known as a

00:37:27.380 --> 00:37:27.900
 community

00:37:27.900 --> 00:37:28.920
 of mercy

00:37:28.920 --> 00:37:31.099
 Lord we

00:37:31.099 --> 00:37:31.579
 thank you

00:37:31.579 --> 00:37:32.659
 too that

00:37:32.659 --> 00:37:33.239
 our giving

00:37:33.239 --> 00:37:34.300
 can express

00:37:34.300 --> 00:37:35.679
 our unity

00:37:35.679 --> 00:37:36.300
 with brothers

00:37:36.300 --> 00:37:36.820
 and sisters

00:37:36.820 --> 00:37:37.639
 in Christ

00:37:37.639 --> 00:37:39.079
 in different

00:37:39.079 --> 00:37:39.659
 parts of the

00:37:39.659 --> 00:37:39.940
 world

00:37:39.940 --> 00:37:40.539
 and for us

00:37:40.539 --> 00:37:41.039
 as a local

00:37:41.039 --> 00:37:41.360
 church

00:37:41.360 --> 00:37:41.820
 we thank

00:37:41.820 --> 00:37:42.120
 you for

00:37:42.120 --> 00:37:42.640
 that unity

00:37:42.640 --> 00:37:42.980
 that we

00:37:42.980 --> 00:37:43.420
 have

00:37:43.420 --> 00:37:44.180
 with

00:37:44.180 --> 00:37:44.539
 Manuel

00:37:44.539 --> 00:37:45.300
 and Patty

00:37:45.300 --> 00:37:46.260
 in

00:37:46.260 --> 00:37:46.760
 Colombia

00:37:46.760 --> 00:37:48.320
 and with

00:37:48.320 --> 00:37:49.980
 Craig

00:37:49.980 --> 00:37:50.480
 and Amy

00:37:50.480 --> 00:37:50.920
 and the

00:37:50.920 --> 00:37:51.720
 future

00:37:51.720 --> 00:37:52.120
 church

00:37:52.120 --> 00:37:52.440
 plant

00:37:52.440 --> 00:37:52.620
 in

00:37:52.620 --> 00:37:53.340
 Galashios

00:37:53.340 --> 00:37:54.960
 Lord we

00:37:54.960 --> 00:37:55.599
 ask

00:37:55.599 --> 00:37:56.980
 to be

00:37:56.980 --> 00:37:57.840
 good

00:37:57.840 --> 00:37:58.519
 partners

00:37:58.519 --> 00:37:59.559
 for them

00:37:59.559 --> 00:38:00.380
 to be

00:38:00.380 --> 00:38:00.800
 praying

00:38:00.800 --> 00:38:01.440
 for them

00:38:01.440 --> 00:38:01.820
 to be

00:38:01.820 --> 00:38:02.500
 concerned

00:38:02.500 --> 00:38:03.300
 about them

00:38:03.300 --> 00:38:03.620
 to be

00:38:03.620 --> 00:38:04.180
 taking an

00:38:04.180 --> 00:38:04.740
 interest

00:38:04.740 --> 00:38:05.300
 in those

00:38:05.300 --> 00:38:06.180
 different

00:38:06.180 --> 00:38:06.980
 ministries

00:38:06.980 --> 00:38:08.240
 taking place

00:38:08.240 --> 00:38:08.599
 across

00:38:08.599 --> 00:38:09.039
 different

00:38:09.039 --> 00:38:09.640
 continents

00:38:09.639 --> 00:38:11.019
 and Lord

00:38:11.019 --> 00:38:11.420
 may you

00:38:11.420 --> 00:38:11.779
 use

00:38:11.779 --> 00:38:12.639
 our

00:38:12.639 --> 00:38:13.359
 small

00:38:13.359 --> 00:38:14.119
 gifts

00:38:14.119 --> 00:38:15.599
 to

00:38:15.599 --> 00:38:16.679
 do

00:38:16.679 --> 00:38:17.159
 great

00:38:17.159 --> 00:38:17.819
 things

00:38:17.819 --> 00:38:18.599
 in your

00:38:18.599 --> 00:38:19.039
 kingdom

00:38:19.039 --> 00:38:21.920
 Lord we

00:38:21.920 --> 00:38:22.319
 pray that

00:38:22.319 --> 00:38:22.839
 you'd help

00:38:22.839 --> 00:38:23.339
 us to

00:38:23.339 --> 00:38:23.940
 reflect

00:38:23.940 --> 00:38:24.619
 on

00:38:24.619 --> 00:38:26.259
 the

00:38:26.259 --> 00:38:26.980
 teaching

00:38:26.980 --> 00:38:27.440
 of your

00:38:27.440 --> 00:38:27.940
 word

00:38:27.940 --> 00:38:30.219
 so that

00:38:30.219 --> 00:38:30.639
 we might

00:38:30.639 --> 00:38:31.039
 be

00:38:31.039 --> 00:38:32.379
 generous

00:38:32.379 --> 00:38:32.940
 givers

00:38:32.940 --> 00:38:34.819
 because of

00:38:34.819 --> 00:38:34.980
 your

00:38:34.980 --> 00:38:35.519
 generosity

00:38:35.519 --> 00:38:36.179
 to us

00:38:36.179 --> 00:38:37.239
 we pray

00:38:37.239 --> 00:38:37.659
 in

00:38:37.659 --> 00:38:37.980
 Jesus

00:38:37.980 --> 00:38:38.480
 name

00:38:38.480 --> 00:38:39.319
 Amen

00:38:39.319 --> 00:38:42.159
 and now

00:38:42.159 --> 00:38:42.679
 as we

00:38:42.679 --> 00:38:43.079
 close

00:38:43.079 --> 00:38:43.539
 we'll

00:38:43.539 --> 00:38:43.879
 sing

00:38:43.879 --> 00:38:44.419
 the hymn

00:38:44.419 --> 00:38:44.940
 take my

00:38:44.940 --> 00:38:45.319
 life

00:38:45.319 --> 00:38:46.879
 and let

00:38:46.879 --> 00:38:47.379
 it be

00:38:47.379 --> 00:38:48.480
 and we

00:38:48.480 --> 00:38:49.139
 will stand

00:38:49.139 --> 00:38:49.919
 and we

00:38:49.919 --> 00:38:50.379
 will sing

00:38:50.379 --> 00:38:50.779
 together

00:38:50.780 --> 00:38:52.660
 k

00:39:13.760 --> 00:39:14.360
 things

00:39:14.360 --> 00:39:15.360
 they

00:39:15.360 --> 00:39:15.440
 they

00:39:15.440 --> 00:39:15.620
 are

00:39:15.620 --> 00:39:20.420
 they