WEBVTT

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 Last week I started with the question, why are you here?

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 The mission statements kind of give us a little bit of that, but why are you here?

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! Queenie, why are you here?

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 Because it's a good thing to gather.

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 Because it's a good thing to gather. Why is it good?

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 Because the Bible tells us to.

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 Because the Bible tells us to. Why does the Bible tell us to?

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 Because we're made for community.

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 Because we're made for community. Oh, I love it.

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 Because even if sometimes we don't feel like it,

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 there are introverts among us, like Dr. Arrow, who don't like people.

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 Even though they work in the hospital, they don't like people.

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 And yet he still has two years to gather.

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 He's got his hand in his hands right now because he hates it when I do this.

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 But I love this guy.

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 We gather because the Lord tells us to because we can't do things alone.

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 That's important.

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 And Mihi, why are you here?

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 Because you don't even live in Hong Kong.

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 Well, I'm here because church people are pretty cool.

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 Because church people are pretty cool, really?

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 Yeah.

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 Have you met Nathan?

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 No.

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 For me personally, I gather because of my love for Jesus and his bride as an extension.

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 You gather because of your love for Jesus and love for his bride, which is his people here.

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 That's so good.

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 We have to keep asking ourselves that question because there's something that I really don't like about church that maybe has gone seeped into culture, which is I'm here to attend church.

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 And there's two reasons why I don't like that word.

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 Because one is either you're literally just attending and you're just present and that's it.

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 And the other is, oh, I'm here to be attended to, just to be cared for, just to be looked after.

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 It is so much more than just you showing up and sitting on a seat, a seat that maybe we don't really have.

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 And you just being here, using up oxygen.

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 That's not why you're here.

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 That isn't the only reason why you're here.

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 But there's got to be something more than right.

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 The other word is observe.

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 Oh, I'm here to observe a worship service.

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 No, no, no, you're not here to observe a worship service.

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 You're here to worship God yourself.

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 As we've been looking through the book of Acts, you see lots of people that are happening.

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 There's actually Acts 7.

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 Stephen says, hey, those people need food.

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 I'll volunteer.

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 I'll go and help.

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 And before you know it, he gets killed.

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 He gets stoned to death.

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 Acts chapter 8.

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 Philip from J-Town, from Jerusalem, spreading the gospel, gets persecuted.

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 People are going and ransacking homes.

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 So he has to leave Jerusalem, heads to Samaria, meets an Ethiopian, meets a magician.

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 And he's like, whoa, that's happening there.

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 Chapter 9.

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 Saul, going to kill these people, meets Jesus.

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 And then he gets converted.

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 Chapter 10, you see Peter praying, getting hungry, seeing a vision.

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 You see Cornelius, the Italian soldier, the Roman centurion, praying, meeting, hearing from the Holy Spirit.

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 And you see these two people being converted almost and being shown that actually there is more to this.

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 What do you see then as you see Acts chapter 7, 8, 9, 10, as you see the Spirit of God just moving through people?

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 These are not people who are just here to attend a service, who are just here to observe worship.

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 These are people who are actually used by God to actually further the movement of Christianity,

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 further the good news of the kingdom of Jesus Christ.

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 So I ask us again, are we here to just attend a worship service?

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 Are we actually part of a movement?

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 Are we a part of movement of what God is doing, not just in this city, but in the world?

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 Do you feel like that?

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 Last week I asked you, if you have the Holy Spirit in you, you're basically like a burning bush, the one that Moses met.

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 And he's like, whoa, you can actually have the Holy Spirit in you and live in such a way that is completely countercultural,

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 that will set this city ablaze if we allow God to do what he wants to do through us.

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 Let me give you a little bit of church history just to kind of hammer home the fact that you're sat here,

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 not just attending as a service.

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 You're sat here because you're a part of a movement that started 2,000 years ago.

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 And this movement is continuing to go.

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 And actually, it's funny, we're in 2025.

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 Whether you believe in Christianity or not, whether you are a Jesus follower or not,

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 you're counting the years since he's been around, 2025.

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 Okay, so whether you acknowledge him or not, he's part of your existence.

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 He split time in half, and he's the most significant human in the history of mankind.

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 And actually, in these 2,000 years, interestingly enough,

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 you can kind of split the history of Christendom into 500-year parts.

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 Let's just say quarters.

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 So the first 500 years is Christianity starting, and then boom, in 313,

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 Constantine basically makes it the religion of Rome.

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 And so you see for the first 500 years, it's growing in that area of the world.

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 But then, of course, Rome starts to fall.

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 And then what happens in from 500 to 1,000 is basically,

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 it's actually the church, the pope, that stabilizes that whole area of Europe.

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 And then so you see Christianity moving into Europe.

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 And then you have something that happens in 1,000 AD,

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 where basically the church splits in half.

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 You've got the Roman Catholic Church on one side,

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 and you've got the Eastern Orthodox Church on the other side.

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 And so that splits.

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 And so you start hearing about these other kinds of churches happening.

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 And then in 1500, another 500 years later, is the Great Schism.

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 It's the Great Reformation.

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 We're sat here, or at least you're sat here.

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 I hope you acknowledge this, that you are a Protestant Christian.

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 What does that mean?

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 It means you protested.

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 What did you protest?

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 You protested against the fact that we can be saved

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 only if we are really good people doing very good things.

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 It's the church going, no, no, no.

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 If you look at this Bible, it's actually not about us doing good things.

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 It's about one person who did one good thing,

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 and the rest of us following along and saying, I'm with him.

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 It's that we're saved by grace.

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 We're saved because we're this guy.

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 And so then the Protestant Church starts to evolve.

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 And so for the next 500 years,

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 what you see is the Great Awakenings that happen in Europe,

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 in the UK, in the US.

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 And you hear about the movement of God moving over to the US.

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 And of course, then there's World War II that happens.

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 And after World War II, basically, Europe starts to become secular.

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 And then you start seeing the US being the one where it's kind of the central hub

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 of Christianity for the next few decades.

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 We're in 2025, so that means there or thereabouts,

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 we're hitting that other next 500-year mark.

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 And of course, you look at the news and you think,

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 okay, the world is changing once again.

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 And now Christianity hasn't left the West,

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 but you can see it moving through Latin America,

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 through Africa, and through Asia.

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 Can you see that?

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 As I just trace that story,

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 you can see how Christianity is moving around the world.

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 You're a part of a movement.

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 You're not here just to attend a service.

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 You're actually a part of a movement of God.

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 Just over 100 years ago,

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 66% of the world's Christians were in one place in Europe.

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 Just over 100 years ago.

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 And now it's about 25% of the world's Christians.

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 Just over 100 years ago, Africa had 9% of Christians.

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 And now it's nearly over half.

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 And you see God just continually moving.

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 150 years ago, there weren't that many Christians

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 in South Korea, in Korea.

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 And now it's probably one of the major missionary hubs

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 around the world,

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 sending people out to share the gospel.

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 In the late 1800s,

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 it was an American missionary that went to Korea.

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 And now the biggest churches in the world

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 are in South Korea.

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 Isn't that crazy?

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 I don't want us to take that for granted.

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 I don't want us to take that for granted

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 that we're living at a really interesting time

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 where the church again,

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 or society again,

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 is at another crossroad.

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 What it needs is not people who think,

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 okay, I'm just here just to attend a worship service

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 so I can go for lunch.

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 It's that I am here

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 because I'm part of the movement of God.

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 And there's something that he's asking you.

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 There's something that he's asking me to do.

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 And you wonder actually,

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 why is actually something else?

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 If it continues this way,

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 in five years time,

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 the largest Christian community population

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 will be in China.

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 That's where we're heading.

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 And so then we have to ask ourselves,

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 what is God actually doing?

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 Why is Christianity moving so fast

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 through the global South

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 into the Southern Hemisphere?

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 Some people think it's because actually

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 those in the Southern Hemisphere,

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 if the West is focused on individualism,

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 actually, at least in Asia,

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 we can say we're still focused on community.

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 We're still focused on what does it mean

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 to do life together.

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 It's harder, I promise you, it's harder.

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 It's easier to attend a service.

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 But to actually be followers of Christ,

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 to be disciples that are actually trying

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 to share the gospel, that's hard.

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 And you know where the hardest place is?

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 Cities.

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 Cities.

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 1950, there were only two cities in the world

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 that had over 10 million people.

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 Any guesses to where they were?

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 Two cities in 1950.

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 You're about to say it.

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 No?

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 Joe?

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 New York is number one.

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 And the other one?

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 Not Shanghai.

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 London.

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 1950, there were only two cities

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 in the whole world

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 that had 10 million people or more.

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 New York and London.

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 Now there are 34.

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 20 of them are in Asia.

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 Mega cities now.

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 Young adults are flocking into the cities.

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 Why?

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 Because that's where the action is.

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 That's where the work is.

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 That's where the money is.

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 But cities are the hardest place.

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 The city is an absence of space.

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 There's an absence of time.

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 There's just, there's no space to think,

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 breathe, or move sometimes, right?

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 And yet you look at cities and you go,

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 this is where there are the most people.

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 The Bible doesn't paint a great picture of cities sometimes.

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 What is it?

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 I would say the Bible basically shows it's human nature magnified.

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 Does that make sense?

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 It's just human depravity magnified.

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 You see immense wealth.

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 You see incredible poverty.

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 You see social classes.

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 You see all the different social problems across all the classes and all the races.

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 All within the city.

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 You think about Sodom and Gomorrah.

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 And yet actually Jesus had a very special heart for cities.

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 One of the few times that we see Jesus crying, weeping.

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 One is when his friend dies, Lazarus.

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 And the other is when?

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 When he sat outside Jerusalem and he looks at the city of Jerusalem and he's weeping.

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 God cares for cities.

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 Where does Jonah get called to?

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 A city.

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 But a city is a super hard place.

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 Ask my wife Christina and she'll tell you she prefers the countryside.

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 She prefers the suburbs.

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 And that's where she can breathe and do the things that she wants to do.

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 But cities are hard because if you catch the MTR at her height, at my height, you're basically stuck under someone's armpit.

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 Cities are not fun.

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 Cities are also the places where most of the idolatry happens.

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 Money and sex and power just on display in a city.

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 And yet it's a city where actually I think a lot of the most creative ventures happen as well.

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 The most creative moves of the kingdom of God happen through cities.

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 If 20 of the world's 34 megacities are in Asia, and actually Hong Kong isn't even one of them.

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 What is God doing through cities?

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 So I ask you again.

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 Maybe not while you're here at church, but why do you think God has placed you in Hong Kong?

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 What is it for?

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 My job here is to ask you, why do you think God placed you here?

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 Because I think God has something that he wants to do here.

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 In Jeremiah, he tells the people who are in exile, the Jewish exiles, he says, go and seek the welfare of the city.

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 Are we truly maximizing the opportunities that this city offers us when it comes to being a Christian, when it comes to sharing the gospel?

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 Today we're going to read a passage, a not too long one compared to last week, and it's about a city.

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 It's about the third biggest city in Rome.

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 So not New York.

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 Chicago is probably a good example of what this city is.

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 The city is called Antioch.

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 And we're going to read this and see where we go from here.

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 And I'm going to invite the birthday girl to read for us today.

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 And so can I invite you to stand for the word of the Lord as she reads Acts chapter 11, verse 19 to 30.

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 Now those who were scattered because of the persecution that arose over Stephen traveled as far as Phoenicia and Cyprus and Antioch,

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 speaking the word to no one except Jews.

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 But there were some of them, men of Cyprus and Cyrene, who on coming to Antioch spoke to the Hellenists also preaching the Lord Jesus.

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 And the hand of the Lord was with them, and a great number who believed turned to the Lord.

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 The report of this came to the ears of the church in Jerusalem, and they sent Barnabas to Antioch.

00:13:24.980 --> 00:13:34.379
 When he came and he saw the grace of God, he was glad, and he exhorted them all to remain faithful to the Lord with steadfast purpose.

00:13:34.860 --> 00:13:38.820
 For he was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and of faith.

00:13:39.460 --> 00:13:41.779
 And a great many people were added to the Lord.

00:13:41.779 --> 00:13:45.399
 So Barnabas went to Tarsus to look for Saul.

00:13:46.059 --> 00:13:48.679
 And when he had found him, he brought him to Antioch.

00:13:49.019 --> 00:13:53.819
 For a whole year, they met with the church and taught a great many people.

00:13:54.459 --> 00:13:57.600
 And in Antioch, the disciples were first called Christians.

00:13:57.600 --> 00:14:10.360
 Now in these days, prophets came down from Jerusalem to Antioch, and one of them, named Agabus, stood up and foretold by the Spirit that there would be a great famine over the world.

00:14:10.779 --> 00:14:12.659
 This took place in the days of Claudius.

00:14:13.440 --> 00:14:21.600
 So the disciples determined everyone according to his ability to send relief to the brothers living in Judea.

00:14:21.920 --> 00:14:26.980
 And they did so, sending it to the elders by the hand of Barnabas and Saul.

00:14:27.600 --> 00:14:28.560
 This is the word of the Lord.

00:14:30.060 --> 00:14:30.920
 Please take a seat.

00:14:31.040 --> 00:14:31.500
 Thank you, Mihi.

00:14:35.220 --> 00:14:36.840
 So I'm here to do a couple of things today.

00:14:37.040 --> 00:14:41.960
 The main thing is for me to convince you that you're not here to attend a church service and that you're actually part of a movement.

00:14:42.220 --> 00:14:49.080
 And second, that actually, if you are placed here in this city by God, then there's something that he wants you to do in the city.

00:14:49.100 --> 00:14:51.040
 Because the city is so important.

00:14:51.340 --> 00:14:55.540
 Right now, just over half of the world's population, 55%, live in cities.

00:14:55.539 --> 00:15:00.139
 If we keep going on that trajectory, in a few years' time, it's going to be 70%.

00:15:00.139 --> 00:15:04.639
 The people of the world are flocking into cities because that's where the opportunities are.

00:15:04.679 --> 00:15:06.699
 That's how globalization is happening.

00:15:06.759 --> 00:15:07.860
 It's becoming more urbanized.

00:15:07.919 --> 00:15:11.139
 And it's just what we're going to be facing as we move on from here.

00:15:11.419 --> 00:15:12.319
 And cities are important.

00:15:12.439 --> 00:15:16.559
 And if I can convince you that you're actually part of a movement and that God's placed you here for a reason,

00:15:17.099 --> 00:15:19.679
 then actually maybe the Lord will do something here in this city.

00:15:19.679 --> 00:15:23.799
 And honestly, I say that maybe I already know that he's doing something here in this city.

00:15:24.079 --> 00:15:27.979
 Cities are so important, whether we like them or not, because they are the cultural engines.

00:15:28.099 --> 00:15:29.419
 You reach the city.

00:15:29.599 --> 00:15:30.639
 You reach culture.

00:15:30.879 --> 00:15:32.199
 You reach the world.

00:15:33.079 --> 00:15:36.839
 When Jesus said, hey, go and make disciples of all nations, go to the ends of the earth.

00:15:36.919 --> 00:15:37.500
 Well, I'll tell you what.

00:15:37.959 --> 00:15:41.139
 Cities make that super easy because you don't have to go to the ends of the earth.

00:15:41.219 --> 00:15:43.500
 Right now, our church has people who are in the Congo.

00:15:44.199 --> 00:15:45.679
 Some just came back from Manila.

00:15:46.620 --> 00:15:48.079
 Someone else is in Thailand right now.

00:15:48.080 --> 00:15:49.780
 We can reach other parts of the world.

00:15:49.940 --> 00:15:53.360
 But one thing that's beautiful about the city is that the world comes to the city.

00:15:53.759 --> 00:15:58.860
 So you can reach all these nations, all these ethnicities in one city.

00:15:58.960 --> 00:16:00.820
 You don't even have to go that far.

00:16:00.900 --> 00:16:06.400
 So if I can just exhort you and inspire you and actually remind you of who God is calling you to be,

00:16:06.900 --> 00:16:10.200
 then maybe as we scatter here, actually the city will move.

00:16:10.340 --> 00:16:10.980
 That's my prayer.

00:16:11.259 --> 00:16:12.140
 And that's my hope.

00:16:12.140 --> 00:16:16.620
 Because if you can affect society, cities is where it's at.

00:16:17.259 --> 00:16:17.700
 Business.

00:16:18.720 --> 00:16:19.080
 Art.

00:16:19.379 --> 00:16:19.700
 Media.

00:16:20.340 --> 00:16:20.800
 Law.

00:16:21.639 --> 00:16:22.180
 Education.

00:16:23.860 --> 00:16:28.820
 If God can place people like yourselves into all these different sectors of society,

00:16:29.360 --> 00:16:32.020
 the gospel will continue to move.

00:16:33.639 --> 00:16:35.900
 Antioch is the city that we're looking at today.

00:16:36.020 --> 00:16:36.500
 The third one.

00:16:36.560 --> 00:16:39.400
 So after Rome and Alexandria, you have Antioch.

00:16:39.399 --> 00:16:40.659
 Famous for sports.

00:16:41.120 --> 00:16:42.439
 Famous for sensuality.

00:16:43.220 --> 00:16:44.919
 Famous for business.

00:16:45.980 --> 00:16:46.879
 This is interesting.

00:16:47.360 --> 00:16:48.519
 And I keep saying this is interesting.

00:16:48.600 --> 00:16:49.779
 And I hope you'll never get numb to this.

00:16:50.319 --> 00:16:52.019
 The Bible is very interesting, by the way.

00:16:52.539 --> 00:16:55.779
 Up until now, the church, the kingdom of God has been moving right.

00:16:56.299 --> 00:16:59.500
 And Acts chapter 7, Stephen says, all right, I got this.

00:16:59.579 --> 00:16:59.879
 I'll go.

00:17:00.179 --> 00:17:02.419
 And then Acts chapter 8, Philip goes and he goes to Samaria.

00:17:02.419 --> 00:17:04.879
 The Samaritans, actually, they were part Jewish.

00:17:05.500 --> 00:17:08.200
 So we're actually still dealing with a very kind of familiar crowd.

00:17:08.279 --> 00:17:10.299
 Enemies, nonetheless, but still a familiar crowd.

00:17:10.619 --> 00:17:13.859
 And then you go into Acts chapter 8, you've got Saul, who's actually a Pharisee, who's

00:17:13.859 --> 00:17:15.399
 complete Jew, complete Roman citizen.

00:17:15.680 --> 00:17:17.539
 Again, we're still kind of in the same territory.

00:17:17.539 --> 00:17:20.799
 And then in Acts chapter 9, you've got Cornelius, oh, finally, a Roman citizen.

00:17:20.960 --> 00:17:22.440
 But he was a converted Jew.

00:17:22.559 --> 00:17:26.920
 So we're still dealing with people who are basically still speaking a similar language

00:17:26.920 --> 00:17:27.619
 in some ways.

00:17:28.639 --> 00:17:30.940
 Now, though, it reaches the city.

00:17:31.700 --> 00:17:34.500
 Reaches the city that is filled with Gentiles.

00:17:35.099 --> 00:17:38.440
 This is where it's really going to explode, where it's really going to kick off.

00:17:38.500 --> 00:17:41.599
 And Christianity will start its move around the rest of the world.

00:17:42.440 --> 00:17:44.680
 Basically, leaving us to where we're here right now.

00:17:44.680 --> 00:17:48.759
 I have a South African lady with a beautiful South African accent that I cannot imitate,

00:17:49.740 --> 00:17:53.000
 standing in Hong Kong, reading the word of God to English-speaking Chinese people.

00:17:54.259 --> 00:17:58.779
 This movement has been happening, and I want to convince you that we are part of it.

00:17:58.880 --> 00:18:01.080
 This Antioch was a melting pot of cultures.

00:18:01.160 --> 00:18:05.900
 You see, Rome, the most powerful civilization that has been known to mankind, conquered so

00:18:05.900 --> 00:18:06.580
 much of the world.

00:18:06.759 --> 00:18:08.560
 What happens when you conquer so much of the world?

00:18:09.200 --> 00:18:11.980
 Your own cities become more and more diverse, right?

00:18:11.980 --> 00:18:16.460
 So these cities, actually, I say Hong Kong is a great city, but it's not really that diverse.

00:18:16.559 --> 00:18:19.620
 You look around, and all we really see are Chinese people.

00:18:20.779 --> 00:18:25.079
 So that's why we don't truly understand what's happening here, that there are all kinds of

00:18:25.079 --> 00:18:28.500
 people, all kinds of races, all kinds of cultures, all kinds of gods.

00:18:28.599 --> 00:18:31.559
 There's a fierce pluralism that's happening in this city.

00:18:31.880 --> 00:18:35.019
 And so the gospel creeps in to the city.

00:18:35.200 --> 00:18:37.819
 And you'd have thought, well, just a small bunch of Jews.

00:18:38.059 --> 00:18:38.880
 What are they going to do?

00:18:38.880 --> 00:18:44.100
 Well, actually, it's fascinating here, because suddenly, the moment it goes into these cities,

00:18:44.240 --> 00:18:47.220
 300 years later, over half of Rome is now Christian.

00:18:48.460 --> 00:18:49.980
 These are real facts, people.

00:18:50.560 --> 00:18:51.620
 These things actually happen.

00:18:51.820 --> 00:18:54.160
 We're sat here because these things actually happen.

00:18:54.240 --> 00:18:55.180
 That's why it's interesting.

00:18:55.800 --> 00:18:59.380
 And I think we live in an interesting time now, where God is continuing to move.

00:18:59.460 --> 00:19:00.400
 Why is a city so good?

00:19:00.460 --> 00:19:01.400
 It's filled with creativity.

00:19:01.720 --> 00:19:02.740
 It's filled with idolatry.

00:19:02.940 --> 00:19:04.700
 It's mostly filled with people who are ambitious.

00:19:05.060 --> 00:19:07.120
 You're sat here because probably you're quite ambitious.

00:19:07.119 --> 00:19:11.459
 You're here to kind of further your career, explore the world, or make as much money as

00:19:11.459 --> 00:19:12.199
 you possibly can.

00:19:12.699 --> 00:19:17.039
 You see, those people are the best people to be receiving the gospel, because you guys

00:19:17.039 --> 00:19:17.939
 are looking for answers.

00:19:18.339 --> 00:19:19.679
 You guys are asking questions.

00:19:20.579 --> 00:19:22.299
 That's why cities are so exciting.

00:19:23.279 --> 00:19:28.379
 Whereas if you go into the country, actually, the word pagan, actually, back then, actually

00:19:28.379 --> 00:19:29.099
 meant farmland.

00:19:29.099 --> 00:19:32.899
 If you go into the farmlands, people aren't asking those questions.

00:19:33.500 --> 00:19:36.839
 The few of us from England, Gabs, I can just look at you and see, we come from a very different

00:19:36.839 --> 00:19:38.939
 place where maybe people aren't asking that many questions.

00:19:39.059 --> 00:19:43.119
 We're just living life day to day in a very kind of modest, simple kind of way.

00:19:43.199 --> 00:19:46.559
 But you come into a city, you go into London, you go into New York, you go into Hong Kong,

00:19:46.659 --> 00:19:47.899
 everyone's asking questions.

00:19:48.379 --> 00:19:49.619
 Everyone's trying to get somewhere.

00:19:49.980 --> 00:19:52.799
 Those are great people to introduce the gospel to.

00:19:52.959 --> 00:19:53.179
 Why?

00:19:53.500 --> 00:19:54.820
 Because they're asking questions.

00:19:55.100 --> 00:19:55.880
 They're curious.

00:19:56.779 --> 00:20:01.720
 And actually, with any luck, they may have even had some success in their career, in

00:20:01.720 --> 00:20:05.460
 their field, in their friendship circles, and they will have found out that they still

00:20:05.460 --> 00:20:07.799
 don't give the satisfaction that they're craving for.

00:20:08.740 --> 00:20:10.000
 Those people are the best.

00:20:10.200 --> 00:20:12.980
 Those people have got to the top and realized there's nothing there.

00:20:13.539 --> 00:20:17.620
 That's why the moment the gospel hit this city, it caught fire.

00:20:18.620 --> 00:20:22.400
 Because people were asking, were hungry for the truth.

00:20:22.400 --> 00:20:25.560
 And now finally, the truth has arrived.

00:20:27.100 --> 00:20:32.820
 What if we, what if we committed to being those kind of people?

00:20:33.100 --> 00:20:38.019
 To carry that kind of message into the workplace that you're in.

00:20:39.320 --> 00:20:44.740
 Juju, as you head into your law firm, and as you're working, and as you're reading, I don't

00:20:44.740 --> 00:20:46.920
 know, whatever you read as a lawyer.

00:20:46.920 --> 00:20:52.519
 But then you turn around and someone goes, oh, Juju, he's interesting.

00:20:53.539 --> 00:20:59.160
 Not just in a weird kind of sense of humor kind of way, but he's, he's supernaturally

00:20:59.160 --> 00:20:59.480
 kind.

00:21:01.500 --> 00:21:02.380
 He's countercultural.

00:21:02.480 --> 00:21:03.539
 He doesn't make sense to me.

00:21:04.259 --> 00:21:08.220
 I would love for people outside to look at me and go, that guy doesn't really make sense

00:21:08.220 --> 00:21:08.500
 to me.

00:21:08.680 --> 00:21:10.400
 He shouldn't be as nice as, what does he want?

00:21:10.400 --> 00:21:15.960
 But maybe I'll ask you, how do your colleagues describe you?

00:21:16.720 --> 00:21:18.180
 How do your friends describe you?

00:21:18.220 --> 00:21:21.759
 How do you, how do you, how does your family who doesn't know Christ describe you?

00:21:22.980 --> 00:21:27.980
 When in this city, what happens when the gospel came, it caught fire because there was a group

00:21:27.980 --> 00:21:31.620
 of people that lived a different way.

00:21:31.920 --> 00:21:36.680
 To the point where the people in Antioch looked at this group of people and said, oh, look,

00:21:36.680 --> 00:21:39.140
 those people follow something called the way.

00:21:39.480 --> 00:21:40.500
 They're a little bit strange.

00:21:40.820 --> 00:21:41.500
 They're like, I don't know.

00:21:41.880 --> 00:21:44.620
 They're like mini Jesuses just floating around everywhere.

00:21:44.720 --> 00:21:45.860
 I don't know, like little Christians.

00:21:46.960 --> 00:21:47.320
 Hmm.

00:21:47.560 --> 00:21:49.580
 Maybe we'll just call them Christians from now on.

00:21:50.820 --> 00:21:51.880
 That's what it says, right?

00:21:52.340 --> 00:21:53.060
 Verse 26.

00:21:53.160 --> 00:21:56.740
 And in Antioch, the disciples were first called Christians.

00:21:57.960 --> 00:21:59.279
 Little Christians.

00:22:00.960 --> 00:22:02.600
 People who'd looked like Jesus.

00:22:03.519 --> 00:22:05.120
 People who sounded like Jesus.

00:22:05.119 --> 00:22:11.459
 What if we were those kinds of people in the society that we've been in?

00:22:11.519 --> 00:22:16.719
 Something else that this tells me here that doesn't bring me comfort sometimes because

00:22:16.719 --> 00:22:18.519
 I am a creature comfort kind of person.

00:22:18.619 --> 00:22:22.939
 I like to be in the confines of my own comfort zones, live in the places that I feel the most

00:22:22.939 --> 00:22:23.219
 comfortable.

00:22:23.659 --> 00:22:24.559
 I look at this book.

00:22:24.719 --> 00:22:26.579
 I look at how the movement of God happens.

00:22:27.199 --> 00:22:31.059
 It seems to be rarely with people who stay in the place that they grow up.

00:22:31.439 --> 00:22:34.099
 It seems rarely to be that, hey, you grew up here.

00:22:34.099 --> 00:22:36.179
 Why didn't you stay here and live a radical life for Jesus?

00:22:36.379 --> 00:22:38.199
 There always seems to be a calling out.

00:22:39.259 --> 00:22:39.980
 Abraham, go.

00:22:42.159 --> 00:22:42.939
 Moses, go.

00:22:44.279 --> 00:22:45.019
 Jonah, go.

00:22:46.939 --> 00:22:52.539
 There's something about if we are to take up our role, there's a go spirit that we need

00:22:52.539 --> 00:22:54.839
 to have to go to a place that maybe we aren't too comfortable.

00:22:54.839 --> 00:23:00.740
 I remember a few years ago during COVID, actually, Christina and I have this habit of doing this

00:23:00.740 --> 00:23:03.000
 thing where we go on a spiritual retreat because why?

00:23:03.079 --> 00:23:03.980
 Hong Kong is too crazy.

00:23:04.759 --> 00:23:07.099
 And I've shared a lot about this, the schedule of being here.

00:23:07.199 --> 00:23:07.899
 It's too crazy.

00:23:07.899 --> 00:23:13.559
 So we realize the only way we're going to survive is if we spend regular intentional time with

00:23:13.559 --> 00:23:14.819
 Jesus, just like he did.

00:23:15.179 --> 00:23:17.659
 Can you imagine the time back in Jesus's day?

00:23:18.500 --> 00:23:20.159
 The pace of the schedule would have been so different.

00:23:20.160 --> 00:23:24.220
 Yet Jesus constantly went away and left everyone just to spend time alone.

00:23:24.300 --> 00:23:26.580
 So I kind of like, OK, well, let's pattern our lives after that.

00:23:26.640 --> 00:23:27.519
 Actually, I learned this from my brother.

00:23:27.600 --> 00:23:28.860
 He did this very well.

00:23:29.180 --> 00:23:31.480
 And so we decided just to go away.

00:23:31.560 --> 00:23:33.820
 And one time I decided I actually didn't know where I was going.

00:23:34.140 --> 00:23:37.840
 So I caught the bus and somehow ended in this faraway land in Hong Kong called Stanley.

00:23:39.840 --> 00:23:41.160
 Beautiful place, by the way.

00:23:41.300 --> 00:23:42.800
 And then there was like a little ferry pier.

00:23:43.380 --> 00:23:48.300
 And then there's like a ferry pier to go to this other island called, I'm blanking, what's

00:23:48.300 --> 00:23:48.580
 it called?

00:23:49.680 --> 00:23:50.259
 Pold High Dole.

00:23:50.840 --> 00:23:51.279
 There we go.

00:23:52.100 --> 00:23:54.200
 So I went over to, some of you have heard me tell this story before.

00:23:54.400 --> 00:23:57.500
 And then I go over to Pold High Dole and then you keep walking and there's nothing there.

00:23:57.720 --> 00:24:00.200
 This whole island is powered by its own electricity.

00:24:00.660 --> 00:24:02.800
 And then you go all the way to the end, there's these georocks.

00:24:03.180 --> 00:24:06.200
 And I just lay down my mat and I just sat there for pretty much the whole day.

00:24:06.740 --> 00:24:08.180
 And then I was like, oh, it's time to take a picture.

00:24:08.660 --> 00:24:09.480
 Got to take a picture.

00:24:09.480 --> 00:24:11.360
 A selfie for the gram, for the fans.

00:24:11.640 --> 00:24:15.200
 And so I take a picture and I look at what a beautiful view.

00:24:15.380 --> 00:24:17.819
 The ocean, the mountains, the blue sky, everything.

00:24:18.559 --> 00:24:21.360
 And then I looked further into my picture as I took it.

00:24:22.180 --> 00:24:24.860
 And annoyingly, there were a group of humans.

00:24:25.519 --> 00:24:29.759
 This was before iOS 26 where I could actually use AI to get rid of people on pictures.

00:24:30.819 --> 00:24:31.620
 So I said, darn it.

00:24:32.339 --> 00:24:38.200
 This picture would be so perfect, would be so beautiful if those people were not in the

00:24:38.200 --> 00:24:38.380
 frame.

00:24:39.480 --> 00:24:41.299
 And I felt the Lord remind me at that moment.

00:24:42.039 --> 00:24:44.440
 And he said, James, that's the most beautiful part of the picture.

00:24:46.160 --> 00:24:46.960
 And I was like, oh.

00:24:48.579 --> 00:24:52.099
 And he was like, James, you may think that this is beautiful where you're at.

00:24:52.240 --> 00:24:54.319
 The ocean waves, the blue sky, the mountain.

00:24:54.799 --> 00:24:57.279
 I'll tell you where most beautiful is in Hong Kong.

00:24:57.279 --> 00:25:01.379
 It's that crossroads outside Sogo in Causeway Bay.

00:25:03.960 --> 00:25:04.440
 Why?

00:25:05.339 --> 00:25:09.519
 Because there are people there who all bear my image.

00:25:09.519 --> 00:25:13.379
 Who were made fearfully and wonderfully made by me.

00:25:14.480 --> 00:25:17.019
 And as you cross their road and as their elbow hits your face.

00:25:18.200 --> 00:25:21.119
 I want you to know that's what I find the most beautiful.

00:25:21.119 --> 00:25:23.500
 That convicted me.

00:25:24.939 --> 00:25:29.739
 Because I was like, I don't find people as beautiful as you do, God.

00:25:29.740 --> 00:25:34.400
 And yet God finds that the most beautiful.

00:25:35.299 --> 00:25:37.559
 There's something about cities that he truly loves.

00:25:37.799 --> 00:25:41.259
 If we, as long as we actually embrace what we're supposed to be doing here.

00:25:41.259 --> 00:25:47.319
 And I ask us, I ask us to reconsider why God's placed us in Hong Kong.

00:25:47.720 --> 00:25:49.700
 Whether you moved here because you spent time abroad.

00:25:49.759 --> 00:25:51.579
 And then you made a decision to move here.

00:25:51.700 --> 00:25:53.759
 Or whether you grew up here and you don't feel as though you can leave.

00:25:54.000 --> 00:25:55.720
 Whatever the reason is, you're in a city.

00:25:56.160 --> 00:25:57.279
 God's moving in the city.

00:25:57.480 --> 00:26:00.000
 What are you supposed to be doing to move with him?

00:26:00.240 --> 00:26:01.119
 Anyway, let's carry on here.

00:26:01.160 --> 00:26:01.960
 What's actually happening?

00:26:02.440 --> 00:26:03.819
 So verse 19, they're scattered.

00:26:04.640 --> 00:26:06.059
 They head into the city.

00:26:06.379 --> 00:26:09.400
 Verse 20, but there were some of them, men of Cyprus and Cyrene,

00:26:09.400 --> 00:26:11.380
 who on coming to Antioch spoke to the Hellenists,

00:26:11.480 --> 00:26:15.100
 which is the Gentiles, the Greeks, also preaching the Lord Jesus.

00:26:15.420 --> 00:26:19.100
 And then actually this line here, verse 21, I need us to hold on to.

00:26:19.540 --> 00:26:20.019
 Which is this.

00:26:20.160 --> 00:26:21.380
 And the hand of the Lord was with them,

00:26:21.460 --> 00:26:23.180
 and a great number who believed turned to the Lord.

00:26:23.900 --> 00:26:25.180
 So you've got a group of guys, unnamed.

00:26:25.259 --> 00:26:26.900
 And I'll talk about that a little bit later.

00:26:27.460 --> 00:26:29.060
 They go and they preach about Jesus.

00:26:29.500 --> 00:26:30.600
 And then here's that line.

00:26:30.840 --> 00:26:32.519
 And the hand of the Lord was on them,

00:26:32.820 --> 00:26:35.759
 and then a great number who believed turned to the Lord.

00:26:36.460 --> 00:26:39.040
 So before I send you out and inspire you to be the people

00:26:39.039 --> 00:26:39.980
 that you're supposed to be,

00:26:40.200 --> 00:26:40.920
 I want you to remember,

00:26:41.159 --> 00:26:42.779
 actually the only way that hearts are going to turn

00:26:42.779 --> 00:26:44.259
 is if the hand of the Lord is on you.

00:26:45.139 --> 00:26:45.980
 That's the only way.

00:26:46.539 --> 00:26:49.639
 But there isn't going to be you convincing them about Jesus.

00:26:49.720 --> 00:26:51.960
 It's not going to be you winning an argument with them

00:26:51.960 --> 00:26:54.000
 about apologetics, about science and faith,

00:26:54.359 --> 00:26:55.440
 about all these other topics.

00:26:55.599 --> 00:26:56.740
 That's not how it's going to happen.

00:26:56.940 --> 00:26:58.700
 It's going to be God's hand on you,

00:26:58.819 --> 00:26:59.839
 and that will be the thing.

00:27:00.379 --> 00:27:01.740
 This just shows actually God's the one

00:27:01.740 --> 00:27:02.980
 who's turning hearts towards him.

00:27:03.720 --> 00:27:04.920
 All we have to do is just go,

00:27:04.920 --> 00:27:06.639
 God, I'm about to step into work.

00:27:07.099 --> 00:27:07.740
 Can you use me?

00:27:08.680 --> 00:27:10.880
 Can you speak the truth through me

00:27:10.880 --> 00:27:12.900
 to share the good news to them?

00:27:12.960 --> 00:27:13.660
 And it's good news,

00:27:13.720 --> 00:27:15.759
 and let's not be ashamed and embarrassed and afraid,

00:27:15.980 --> 00:27:16.980
 but it's just good news.

00:27:17.599 --> 00:27:18.620
 So when you have a colleague

00:27:18.620 --> 00:27:19.880
 who's really struggling with the boss,

00:27:20.380 --> 00:27:21.539
 who is maybe really disappointed

00:27:21.539 --> 00:27:22.880
 with the promotion they didn't get,

00:27:23.079 --> 00:27:24.359
 you can say, hey, I have some,

00:27:24.559 --> 00:27:25.380
 okay, that's pretty bad news.

00:27:25.440 --> 00:27:26.140
 I'm sorry, that sucks.

00:27:26.319 --> 00:27:27.440
 But let me tell you about some good news.

00:27:28.700 --> 00:27:30.819
 Someone loved you so much that they died for you,

00:27:30.880 --> 00:27:32.000
 and then now they are alive,

00:27:32.039 --> 00:27:32.920
 and now they live inside you.

00:27:32.920 --> 00:27:33.779
 Isn't that great news?

00:27:34.900 --> 00:27:35.460
 And they'll be like, what?

00:27:35.900 --> 00:27:36.779
 Well, let me tell you more.

00:27:37.740 --> 00:27:40.059
 I love to be that kind of person.

00:27:41.859 --> 00:27:42.859
 I love to, and they'll be like,

00:27:42.920 --> 00:27:46.400
 oh, Kelly, she's just different.

00:27:46.900 --> 00:27:48.440
 She's actually having a really tough time at work.

00:27:48.480 --> 00:27:49.460
 The project is really hard,

00:27:49.740 --> 00:27:51.779
 but yet somehow there's always just a glow about her.

00:27:52.880 --> 00:27:53.539
 What is that?

00:27:53.539 --> 00:27:57.319
 Oh, she's a little Christ, Ian.

00:27:58.139 --> 00:27:59.539
 She's a little Jesus.

00:28:00.639 --> 00:28:02.819
 So then, this church grows.

00:28:03.460 --> 00:28:04.180
 This church grows.

00:28:04.519 --> 00:28:06.099
 And then it grows to the point

00:28:06.099 --> 00:28:08.220
 where those in Jerusalem hear about it.

00:28:08.680 --> 00:28:09.659
 Have you heard about that church?

00:28:10.819 --> 00:28:12.000
 Those Gentiles, those Greeks,

00:28:12.079 --> 00:28:13.500
 those people that we don't usually talk to.

00:28:14.720 --> 00:28:15.940
 There's a church that's growing there.

00:28:16.099 --> 00:28:17.059
 And so what does Jerusalem do?

00:28:17.139 --> 00:28:18.980
 They're like, okay, well, we should go check it out.

00:28:18.980 --> 00:28:21.860
 So they send their guy, Barnabas, to go check it out.

00:28:21.940 --> 00:28:23.420
 So Barney leaves Jerusalem.

00:28:23.740 --> 00:28:25.180
 Interesting fact about Barney.

00:28:25.460 --> 00:28:27.900
 When everyone else was scattered, he stayed put.

00:28:29.079 --> 00:28:30.680
 Okay, so he stayed in Jerusalem.

00:28:31.579 --> 00:28:34.180
 And then they hear about something happening in Antioch.

00:28:34.240 --> 00:28:36.400
 So they send him because he's a good man.

00:28:36.420 --> 00:28:37.519
 And we'll find out a little bit later.

00:28:37.660 --> 00:28:38.400
 That's what they say,

00:28:38.660 --> 00:28:40.640
 that he is a very good man in verse 24.

00:28:40.640 --> 00:28:41.520
 For he was a good man,

00:28:41.700 --> 00:28:43.240
 full of the Holy Spirit and of faith.

00:28:44.120 --> 00:28:45.440
 Search this Bible through and through.

00:28:45.520 --> 00:28:46.380
 There's not that many people

00:28:46.380 --> 00:28:48.640
 who get described as a good man.

00:28:49.640 --> 00:28:51.320
 So we should pay attention to Barney.

00:28:52.620 --> 00:28:53.700
 And so they send him.

00:28:54.200 --> 00:28:55.180
 And then he sees, he's like,

00:28:55.259 --> 00:28:57.759
 whoa, the Gospels act.

00:28:58.040 --> 00:28:58.720
 Wait, guys.

00:28:59.680 --> 00:29:02.480
 Remember, he probably hasn't been following

00:29:02.480 --> 00:29:04.600
 word for word, minute after minute,

00:29:04.900 --> 00:29:06.560
 by what's happening with Peter and Cornelius,

00:29:06.660 --> 00:29:07.380
 one chapter before,

00:29:07.800 --> 00:29:09.540
 or chapter nine with Paul.

00:29:09.539 --> 00:29:11.839
 So he's just like, whoa, guys.

00:29:12.920 --> 00:29:14.079
 It's not just us Jews.

00:29:14.859 --> 00:29:16.319
 There's a church there that's growing.

00:29:18.500 --> 00:29:19.339
 Isn't that crazy?

00:29:19.500 --> 00:29:20.639
 And he says, and it actually says,

00:29:20.759 --> 00:29:21.940
 he saw the grace of God.

00:29:22.180 --> 00:29:23.980
 He was glad and he exhorted them all

00:29:23.980 --> 00:29:25.519
 to remain faithful to the Lord

00:29:25.519 --> 00:29:26.519
 with steadfast purpose.

00:29:26.859 --> 00:29:27.680
 He was so happy.

00:29:28.259 --> 00:29:31.000
 Oh, this grace that you don't deserve

00:29:31.000 --> 00:29:31.720
 is on you too.

00:29:31.940 --> 00:29:32.659
 I don't deserve it.

00:29:32.680 --> 00:29:33.700
 And it's on me and now it's on you.

00:29:33.819 --> 00:29:34.519
 That is amazing.

00:29:34.700 --> 00:29:36.859
 Stay the course is what he's saying.

00:29:37.500 --> 00:29:38.720
 Now, this is how you can tell

00:29:38.720 --> 00:29:39.600
 that Barney was a good man

00:29:39.600 --> 00:29:41.279
 because actually a couple of things

00:29:41.279 --> 00:29:42.140
 could have happened with Barney.

00:29:42.420 --> 00:29:44.460
 So he goes, as a guy who's respected,

00:29:44.640 --> 00:29:45.420
 who is in Jerusalem,

00:29:45.539 --> 00:29:46.860
 basically the headquarters right now,

00:29:47.180 --> 00:29:49.039
 he goes and see this group of Gentiles

00:29:49.039 --> 00:29:51.319
 who are trying to worship God

00:29:51.319 --> 00:29:52.079
 and be Christians.

00:29:52.819 --> 00:29:54.039
 He could have said, hey, guys,

00:29:54.100 --> 00:29:55.180
 you're doing worship all wrong.

00:29:55.860 --> 00:29:56.600
 The worship is too loud.

00:29:57.480 --> 00:29:58.720
 Actually, you're singing too many songs.

00:29:59.259 --> 00:30:00.240
 And the songs that you're singing

00:30:00.240 --> 00:30:00.799
 are too charismatic.

00:30:01.339 --> 00:30:01.980
 Don't sing those songs.

00:30:02.680 --> 00:30:03.620
 Sing songs that are this.

00:30:04.339 --> 00:30:06.160
 Hey, actually, your sermons are too short.

00:30:06.160 --> 00:30:08.540
 You're preaching too much

00:30:08.540 --> 00:30:09.140
 from the Old Testament

00:30:09.140 --> 00:30:09.980
 or from the New Testament,

00:30:10.460 --> 00:30:11.779
 which actually wasn't there at that time.

00:30:13.660 --> 00:30:14.500
 He could have gone in

00:30:14.500 --> 00:30:15.320
 and he could have critiqued

00:30:15.320 --> 00:30:16.220
 every single thing and said,

00:30:16.300 --> 00:30:17.340
 guys, this is how you do it.

00:30:17.980 --> 00:30:19.960
 We know because we are the Jews.

00:30:20.700 --> 00:30:21.880
 We're God's chosen people

00:30:21.880 --> 00:30:23.100
 to lead this next movement.

00:30:23.320 --> 00:30:24.100
 So listen to us.

00:30:24.160 --> 00:30:24.860
 He doesn't say that.

00:30:25.340 --> 00:30:26.140
 He doesn't critique.

00:30:26.480 --> 00:30:28.480
 He's just glad that this is happening.

00:30:28.720 --> 00:30:29.759
 That shows you a little glimpse

00:30:29.759 --> 00:30:30.440
 of how good he is.

00:30:30.680 --> 00:30:31.720
 The other thing he could have done

00:30:31.720 --> 00:30:32.500
 was actually say,

00:30:32.680 --> 00:30:34.779
 oh, this is a church plant

00:30:34.779 --> 00:30:35.680
 that I want to take over.

00:30:35.799 --> 00:30:37.099
 Guys, move out of the way.

00:30:37.299 --> 00:30:38.619
 I am now the senior executive

00:30:38.619 --> 00:30:40.180
 pastor of this church

00:30:40.180 --> 00:30:41.299
 and I'm going to lead us

00:30:41.299 --> 00:30:42.240
 to the promised land together.

00:30:42.420 --> 00:30:43.079
 He doesn't say that.

00:30:43.139 --> 00:30:43.660
 What does he do?

00:30:45.299 --> 00:30:46.039
 What does he do?

00:30:47.039 --> 00:30:47.960
 He looks at them and goes,

00:30:48.059 --> 00:30:49.740
 oh, this church is amazing.

00:30:50.799 --> 00:30:51.319
 One sec.

00:30:51.759 --> 00:30:52.420
 I'll be back.

00:30:52.839 --> 00:30:54.399
 And he goes and finds another guy.

00:30:56.500 --> 00:30:58.119
 He goes and finds Saul.

00:30:58.859 --> 00:30:59.220
 Paul.

00:30:59.779 --> 00:31:00.720
 This is where the drama

00:31:00.720 --> 00:31:01.379
 just keeps building

00:31:01.379 --> 00:31:02.839
 because only just one chapter before,

00:31:03.019 --> 00:31:03.779
 Saul was blinded

00:31:03.779 --> 00:31:05.660
 and then he's chased down

00:31:05.660 --> 00:31:06.359
 by the Jews

00:31:06.359 --> 00:31:07.660
 because he turned on them.

00:31:07.899 --> 00:31:08.859
 So he's labeled as a traitor

00:31:08.859 --> 00:31:10.500
 and he goes home to Tarsus

00:31:10.500 --> 00:31:12.200
 and he actually hides out there

00:31:12.200 --> 00:31:12.899
 for a few years.

00:31:13.180 --> 00:31:13.579
 Years.

00:31:15.139 --> 00:31:16.680
 Sometimes we share the gospel once

00:31:16.680 --> 00:31:17.220
 and then we wonder,

00:31:17.379 --> 00:31:18.960
 okay, that person needs to be converted

00:31:18.960 --> 00:31:20.299
 like tomorrow or yesterday.

00:31:21.440 --> 00:31:23.759
 There is just a slow pace sometimes,

00:31:23.759 --> 00:31:25.339
 but it's just continually moving.

00:31:26.000 --> 00:31:27.460
 So Saul's hiding out in Tarsus,

00:31:27.579 --> 00:31:28.440
 probably just reflecting

00:31:28.440 --> 00:31:29.720
 on all his education,

00:31:29.899 --> 00:31:30.639
 all his life going,

00:31:31.359 --> 00:31:33.460
 man, I never read that scripture that way.

00:31:33.460 --> 00:31:34.680
 I had memorized the Torah,

00:31:34.980 --> 00:31:35.700
 but now I understand

00:31:35.700 --> 00:31:36.559
 what the Torah is about.

00:31:37.279 --> 00:31:38.500
 So he's just probably just thinking

00:31:38.500 --> 00:31:39.779
 for three years about this

00:31:39.779 --> 00:31:40.600
 and then finally,

00:31:40.740 --> 00:31:41.539
 Barney shows up and says,

00:31:41.620 --> 00:31:43.640
 hey, there's a bunch of Greeks

00:31:43.640 --> 00:31:45.380
 who are starting a church

00:31:45.380 --> 00:31:46.480
 and we need to teach them.

00:31:47.160 --> 00:31:48.440
 So Barney goes, gets Paul,

00:31:48.600 --> 00:31:49.240
 they come back

00:31:49.240 --> 00:31:50.360
 and then they spend a year

00:31:50.360 --> 00:31:52.140
 teaching this church.

00:31:52.940 --> 00:31:54.059
 There is no discrimination.

00:31:54.600 --> 00:31:55.380
 There is just a year

00:31:55.380 --> 00:31:56.700
 of intentional discipleship

00:31:56.700 --> 00:31:57.079
 saying, hey,

00:31:57.539 --> 00:31:58.600
 this is what being

00:31:58.600 --> 00:32:00.799
 a Christ follower means.

00:32:01.519 --> 00:32:02.259
 It encouraged me

00:32:02.259 --> 00:32:02.940
 because the thing I shared

00:32:02.940 --> 00:32:03.460
 about last week

00:32:03.460 --> 00:32:04.059
 about the fellowship,

00:32:04.319 --> 00:32:05.619
 we're lasting for just about

00:32:05.619 --> 00:32:06.259
 a year or so.

00:32:06.919 --> 00:32:07.299
 And I was like,

00:32:07.339 --> 00:32:08.779
 hey, this is what we need to do.

00:32:09.200 --> 00:32:10.700
 How can we equip one another,

00:32:11.119 --> 00:32:12.379
 those who live in this city,

00:32:12.500 --> 00:32:13.480
 to actually be a part

00:32:13.480 --> 00:32:14.599
 of the movement of the city

00:32:14.599 --> 00:32:15.859
 where God is actually

00:32:15.859 --> 00:32:17.480
 doing different things?

00:32:20.659 --> 00:32:21.519
 But it's uncomfortable.

00:32:23.339 --> 00:32:24.559
 If you imagine that term,

00:32:24.839 --> 00:32:25.700
 hey, you're a Christian,

00:32:25.700 --> 00:32:27.240
 and imagine that term

00:32:27.240 --> 00:32:28.480
 is a derogatory one.

00:32:28.900 --> 00:32:30.319
 It's kind of like mocking you.

00:32:31.000 --> 00:32:33.259
 Oh, you're going to be like Jesus

00:32:33.259 --> 00:32:34.559
 is what he's saying.

00:32:34.860 --> 00:32:35.580
 It's what they're saying.

00:32:36.120 --> 00:32:37.400
 Oh, you're a businessman.

00:32:37.720 --> 00:32:39.360
 Oh, and you're a Jesus man.

00:32:39.460 --> 00:32:39.860
 So that means,

00:32:40.000 --> 00:32:41.559
 I guess there's no corruption in you.

00:32:41.799 --> 00:32:42.940
 I guess you're just going to do things

00:32:42.940 --> 00:32:43.559
 the Jesus way,

00:32:44.059 --> 00:32:45.019
 which is stupid

00:32:45.019 --> 00:32:45.840
 because that means you're not going

00:32:45.840 --> 00:32:46.460
 to make that much money.

00:32:47.340 --> 00:32:49.080
 That's how they were describing Christians.

00:32:50.500 --> 00:32:51.180
 But it's funny,

00:32:51.279 --> 00:32:52.940
 that's where Christianity moves the most,

00:32:52.960 --> 00:32:53.840
 when there is persecution.

00:32:53.839 --> 00:32:55.459
 And sometimes we're shocked.

00:32:55.679 --> 00:32:57.119
 Let's say Kelly goes to work

00:32:57.119 --> 00:32:58.220
 and people are like,

00:32:58.259 --> 00:32:58.899
 Kelly's different.

00:32:59.639 --> 00:33:00.579
 Isn't Kelly amazing?

00:33:01.959 --> 00:33:03.019
 Sometimes that will happen,

00:33:03.399 --> 00:33:04.279
 but the other times it'll be,

00:33:04.419 --> 00:33:05.639
 yeah, don't invite Kelly.

00:33:06.199 --> 00:33:06.899
 She's not like us.

00:33:07.259 --> 00:33:08.159
 We don't really want her around.

00:33:09.599 --> 00:33:10.759
 Yeah, she's just always

00:33:10.759 --> 00:33:11.500
 pretending to be good.

00:33:14.639 --> 00:33:15.980
 We have to be prepared for that.

00:33:17.240 --> 00:33:18.659
 We have to be prepared for people

00:33:18.659 --> 00:33:20.099
 who talk down about us,

00:33:20.319 --> 00:33:21.199
 talk behind our backs.

00:33:21.519 --> 00:33:22.299
 And then you say,

00:33:22.299 --> 00:33:22.919
 well, actually,

00:33:23.879 --> 00:33:25.359
 why are we so surprised?

00:33:26.359 --> 00:33:27.139
 The one we're following,

00:33:27.519 --> 00:33:28.419
 the one we're named after,

00:33:28.579 --> 00:33:28.899
 Christian,

00:33:29.500 --> 00:33:30.399
 he was persecuted,

00:33:30.579 --> 00:33:31.299
 he was put on a cross,

00:33:31.879 --> 00:33:32.659
 he was killed.

00:33:33.279 --> 00:33:34.460
 And somehow we wonder

00:33:34.460 --> 00:33:35.200
 why, oh,

00:33:35.259 --> 00:33:36.339
 when we go and share the gospel,

00:33:36.599 --> 00:33:37.639
 we should be met with flowers

00:33:37.639 --> 00:33:39.399
 and roses and free lunches.

00:33:40.879 --> 00:33:42.639
 Yet, it's in those circumstances

00:33:42.639 --> 00:33:44.119
 that Christianity grew.

00:33:44.379 --> 00:33:45.960
 Are we willing to be uncomfortable?

00:33:46.759 --> 00:33:47.619
 Are we willing to make

00:33:47.619 --> 00:33:48.720
 a conversation awkward

00:33:48.720 --> 00:33:49.379
 at dinner,

00:33:49.539 --> 00:33:50.059
 at lunch,

00:33:50.259 --> 00:33:50.680
 at work?

00:33:50.680 --> 00:33:51.820
 When you're talking

00:33:51.820 --> 00:33:52.380
 to your colleague

00:33:52.380 --> 00:33:53.120
 and they're sharing

00:33:53.120 --> 00:33:54.200
 something about

00:33:54.200 --> 00:33:54.940
 their own personal life

00:33:54.940 --> 00:33:55.299
 and you're suddenly,

00:33:55.420 --> 00:33:55.680
 actually,

00:33:56.180 --> 00:33:57.299
 or sharing what they did

00:33:57.299 --> 00:33:57.860
 in the weekend,

00:33:57.960 --> 00:33:58.120
 you say,

00:33:58.160 --> 00:33:58.279
 yeah,

00:33:58.340 --> 00:33:58.420
 no,

00:33:58.480 --> 00:33:58.600
 actually,

00:33:58.640 --> 00:33:59.580
 I actually don't like

00:33:59.580 --> 00:34:00.120
 that kind of stuff

00:34:00.120 --> 00:34:00.660
 because I don't think

00:34:00.660 --> 00:34:01.720
 there's any point to it.

00:34:03.000 --> 00:34:03.460
 Are you willing

00:34:03.460 --> 00:34:04.340
 to be a party pooper

00:34:04.340 --> 00:34:05.680
 and say something

00:34:05.680 --> 00:34:06.060
 that just,

00:34:06.720 --> 00:34:07.580
 you know other people

00:34:07.580 --> 00:34:07.880
 will be like,

00:34:07.920 --> 00:34:08.280
 okay,

00:34:08.280 --> 00:34:11.880
 if I can even get us

00:34:11.880 --> 00:34:12.260
 to a point

00:34:12.260 --> 00:34:12.860
 where this week

00:34:12.860 --> 00:34:13.519
 we are convinced

00:34:13.519 --> 00:34:13.880
 that we're going

00:34:13.880 --> 00:34:14.260
 to go out

00:34:14.260 --> 00:34:15.300
 and make someone else

00:34:15.300 --> 00:34:15.920
 a little bit like,

00:34:16.220 --> 00:34:16.360
 oh,

00:34:16.420 --> 00:34:16.920
 that's different.

00:34:18.820 --> 00:34:19.519
 I think that's what

00:34:19.519 --> 00:34:20.300
 being a Christian

00:34:20.300 --> 00:34:21.740
 actually means.

00:34:23.940 --> 00:34:24.700
 And you see this.

00:34:25.040 --> 00:34:26.080
 And so maybe I'll finish here.

00:34:26.620 --> 00:34:27.460
 What's this all got to do

00:34:27.460 --> 00:34:27.780
 with us?

00:34:28.160 --> 00:34:28.960
 This church is growing,

00:34:29.060 --> 00:34:29.860
 this movement is growing.

00:34:30.160 --> 00:34:30.460
 You'll say,

00:34:30.580 --> 00:34:30.680
 okay,

00:34:30.740 --> 00:34:31.340
 I'm a movement,

00:34:31.660 --> 00:34:32.380
 but what does that mean?

00:34:32.580 --> 00:34:33.060
 Because actually,

00:34:33.140 --> 00:34:33.460
 I'm not,

00:34:33.560 --> 00:34:34.420
 I didn't go to seminary.

00:34:34.659 --> 00:34:35.360
 I didn't study

00:34:35.360 --> 00:34:36.300
 the four years of MDiv.

00:34:36.619 --> 00:34:37.240
 I don't know

00:34:37.240 --> 00:34:38.840
 what soteriology means.

00:34:39.180 --> 00:34:39.440
 I don't know

00:34:39.440 --> 00:34:40.320
 what ecclesiology means.

00:34:40.900 --> 00:34:41.280
 Theology,

00:34:41.440 --> 00:34:43.460
 I think it begins with TH.

00:34:46.099 --> 00:34:47.180
 Here's the interesting thing.

00:34:48.000 --> 00:34:48.659
 If I go back

00:34:48.659 --> 00:34:50.220
 to verse 20.

00:34:51.559 --> 00:34:52.159
 So they scatter,

00:34:52.980 --> 00:34:53.880
 but there were some of them,

00:34:54.019 --> 00:34:55.059
 men of Cyprus and Cyrene,

00:34:55.139 --> 00:34:56.079
 who on coming to Antioch

00:34:56.079 --> 00:34:57.039
 spoke to the Hellenists

00:34:57.039 --> 00:34:57.780
 also preaching

00:34:57.780 --> 00:34:59.000
 the Lord Jesus.

00:34:59.220 --> 00:34:59.559
 What else,

00:34:59.619 --> 00:35:00.720
 what do you notice about that?

00:35:01.559 --> 00:35:02.559
 There's no names.

00:35:02.559 --> 00:35:05.519
 This church was started

00:35:05.519 --> 00:35:06.460
 off the back of people

00:35:06.460 --> 00:35:07.239
 who didn't make that,

00:35:07.340 --> 00:35:08.039
 who didn't make it

00:35:08.039 --> 00:35:08.559
 into the Bible.

00:35:10.099 --> 00:35:11.000
 There were no names.

00:35:11.299 --> 00:35:12.219
 What does that tell me?

00:35:12.539 --> 00:35:13.679
 That tells me that sometimes

00:35:13.679 --> 00:35:14.579
 I think we have church

00:35:14.579 --> 00:35:15.259
 the wrong way around

00:35:15.259 --> 00:35:17.559
 because you guys

00:35:17.559 --> 00:35:18.360
 sometimes come

00:35:18.360 --> 00:35:18.739
 and you're like,

00:35:18.799 --> 00:35:18.860
 okay,

00:35:18.860 --> 00:35:19.000
 well,

00:35:19.059 --> 00:35:19.759
 here's the pastor,

00:35:19.880 --> 00:35:21.320
 not the most educated

00:35:21.320 --> 00:35:22.119
 or intelligent one,

00:35:22.179 --> 00:35:22.360
 sadly,

00:35:22.500 --> 00:35:23.799
 but he will do

00:35:23.799 --> 00:35:24.259
 all the stuff.

00:35:24.799 --> 00:35:25.940
 He will do the Jesus stuff.

00:35:26.019 --> 00:35:26.779
 He will talk about

00:35:26.779 --> 00:35:27.360
 the Jesus stuff

00:35:27.360 --> 00:35:28.299
 because he knows the Bible.

00:35:28.599 --> 00:35:29.119
 And so he's,

00:35:29.179 --> 00:35:30.539
 he's going to be the one

00:35:30.539 --> 00:35:31.199
 that shares the gospel.

00:35:31.199 --> 00:35:32.119
 So all I have to do,

00:35:32.119 --> 00:35:32.500
 it may be,

00:35:32.659 --> 00:35:33.319
 the most I can do

00:35:33.319 --> 00:35:33.839
 is bring my friends

00:35:33.839 --> 00:35:34.159
 to church

00:35:34.159 --> 00:35:35.000
 and then let him do it.

00:35:35.980 --> 00:35:37.339
 So contemporary Christianity,

00:35:37.659 --> 00:35:38.699
 the church right now

00:35:38.699 --> 00:35:39.880
 has this where actually

00:35:39.880 --> 00:35:40.839
 there's one person

00:35:40.839 --> 00:35:41.659
 who's doing everything

00:35:41.659 --> 00:35:42.799
 and everyone just sits

00:35:42.799 --> 00:35:43.880
 and attends and observes.

00:35:44.799 --> 00:35:45.759
 But you see here,

00:35:45.940 --> 00:35:46.460
 it's not,

00:35:47.960 --> 00:35:48.940
 we talk about Paul

00:35:48.940 --> 00:35:49.619
 being the guy

00:35:49.619 --> 00:35:51.199
 who plants all these churches,

00:35:51.639 --> 00:35:52.920
 who is the apostle

00:35:52.920 --> 00:35:54.259
 to the Gentiles.

00:35:54.619 --> 00:35:56.079
 And yet this Gentile church

00:35:56.079 --> 00:35:57.259
 started without him.

00:35:57.260 --> 00:36:00.080
 it's not me.

00:36:01.380 --> 00:36:01.920
 It's you.

00:36:03.520 --> 00:36:04.200
 It's not those

00:36:04.200 --> 00:36:04.980
 that went to seminary.

00:36:06.180 --> 00:36:07.520
 It's just every single person

00:36:07.520 --> 00:36:08.040
 in this room

00:36:08.040 --> 00:36:08.880
 has a job to play.

00:36:09.300 --> 00:36:09.960
 And that's how

00:36:09.960 --> 00:36:11.020
 the movement of the gospel

00:36:11.020 --> 00:36:12.180
 catches fire.

00:36:14.740 --> 00:36:15.220
 That's it.

00:36:15.280 --> 00:36:15.860
 And then you will ask,

00:36:15.940 --> 00:36:16.220
 okay, well,

00:36:16.380 --> 00:36:17.840
 I actually don't know

00:36:17.840 --> 00:36:18.500
 what to do.

00:36:18.500 --> 00:36:22.420
 What do they preach?

00:36:23.639 --> 00:36:24.300
 Verse 20,

00:36:24.579 --> 00:36:25.219
 also preaching

00:36:25.219 --> 00:36:25.900
 the Lord Jesus.

00:36:26.119 --> 00:36:26.760
 If you don't know

00:36:26.760 --> 00:36:27.219
 what to say

00:36:27.219 --> 00:36:27.739
 when you're talking

00:36:27.739 --> 00:36:28.219
 to a friend,

00:36:29.239 --> 00:36:29.519
 honestly,

00:36:29.619 --> 00:36:30.940
 this sounds revolutionary.

00:36:31.739 --> 00:36:32.320
 I promise you

00:36:32.320 --> 00:36:33.000
 I didn't invent it.

00:36:33.400 --> 00:36:34.199
 Tell them about Jesus.

00:36:35.579 --> 00:36:36.420
 Hey, do you know about,

00:36:36.880 --> 00:36:37.980
 okay, we all know Jesus

00:36:37.980 --> 00:36:38.980
 because when you

00:36:38.980 --> 00:36:40.500
 stub your toe on the table,

00:36:40.659 --> 00:36:41.539
 you shout his name,

00:36:41.960 --> 00:36:42.460
 Jesus Christ.

00:36:43.159 --> 00:36:44.539
 So you know who he is.

00:36:44.579 --> 00:36:45.380
 You've used his name before.

00:36:46.179 --> 00:36:46.820
 But do you know

00:36:46.820 --> 00:36:47.460
 who he actually is?

00:36:49.380 --> 00:36:50.400
 The message is actually

00:36:50.400 --> 00:36:51.019
 very simple.

00:36:53.440 --> 00:36:54.760
 Life and death

00:36:54.760 --> 00:36:56.300
 and the resurrection of Jesus.

00:36:58.840 --> 00:36:59.800
 Find opportunities.

00:37:00.000 --> 00:37:00.780
 Pray for opportunities

00:37:00.780 --> 00:37:01.920
 where you can just tell people

00:37:01.920 --> 00:37:02.420
 about Jesus.

00:37:02.480 --> 00:37:03.320
 What does this look like?

00:37:03.940 --> 00:37:04.440
 You say, hey guys,

00:37:04.679 --> 00:37:05.900
 can I tell you a little bit

00:37:05.900 --> 00:37:06.400
 about Jesus?

00:37:06.539 --> 00:37:07.260
 Now, you know Jesus

00:37:07.260 --> 00:37:08.460
 and we're living in 2025

00:37:08.460 --> 00:37:09.300
 because of him.

00:37:10.219 --> 00:37:10.579
 But you know,

00:37:10.619 --> 00:37:11.400
 I think you might have

00:37:11.400 --> 00:37:12.739
 your conception

00:37:12.739 --> 00:37:13.920
 of who God is wrong.

00:37:15.179 --> 00:37:16.320
 Because so many people

00:37:16.320 --> 00:37:17.159
 have a wrong,

00:37:17.260 --> 00:37:18.099
 incorrect conception

00:37:18.099 --> 00:37:19.440
 of who the father is

00:37:19.440 --> 00:37:20.239
 or who God is.

00:37:20.440 --> 00:37:22.139
 They see this distant ruler

00:37:22.139 --> 00:37:23.139
 crossing his arms,

00:37:23.480 --> 00:37:24.539
 watching who breaks the rules

00:37:24.539 --> 00:37:24.940
 and you say,

00:37:25.000 --> 00:37:25.599
 no, no, no, no, no.

00:37:25.960 --> 00:37:27.239
 Can I tell you about Jesus?

00:37:27.539 --> 00:37:28.239
 That actually he is

00:37:28.239 --> 00:37:29.440
 gracious and compassionate.

00:37:31.319 --> 00:37:32.579
 Jesus described his own heart

00:37:32.579 --> 00:37:33.259
 in Matthew 11.

00:37:33.339 --> 00:37:33.539
 He says,

00:37:33.579 --> 00:37:35.799
 I am gentle and lowly in heart.

00:37:37.199 --> 00:37:38.259
 Can I tell you about that?

00:37:39.259 --> 00:37:40.420
 Can I tell you about Jesus

00:37:40.420 --> 00:37:41.639
 being just filled with grace

00:37:41.639 --> 00:37:42.219
 and truth?

00:37:42.219 --> 00:37:45.079
 So he will tell you the truth.

00:37:46.459 --> 00:37:47.879
 Actually, let me flip this

00:37:47.879 --> 00:37:48.279
 another way.

00:37:48.500 --> 00:37:49.500
 Have you met anyone

00:37:49.500 --> 00:37:50.279
 or seen anyone

00:37:50.279 --> 00:37:51.399
 who reminds you,

00:37:51.459 --> 00:37:52.359
 okay, I think that's a little bit

00:37:52.359 --> 00:37:53.359
 what Jesus would have looked like.

00:37:56.480 --> 00:37:56.799
 Yeah?

00:37:58.079 --> 00:37:58.899
 I hope you have.

00:38:00.519 --> 00:38:01.139
 Because I have.

00:38:02.279 --> 00:38:03.599
 I sat and I watched this lady

00:38:03.599 --> 00:38:04.319
 speak one time

00:38:04.319 --> 00:38:06.699
 and she was comforting

00:38:06.699 --> 00:38:07.399
 and terrifying

00:38:07.399 --> 00:38:08.119
 at the same time.

00:38:08.179 --> 00:38:08.799
 She was just preaching

00:38:08.799 --> 00:38:09.259
 the gospel.

00:38:09.260 --> 00:38:10.380
 People were crying

00:38:10.380 --> 00:38:11.440
 and other people were offended

00:38:11.440 --> 00:38:12.620
 and I was sat in the middle

00:38:12.620 --> 00:38:13.700
 neither crying nor offended

00:38:13.700 --> 00:38:14.620
 and I was like,

00:38:15.240 --> 00:38:16.680
 I think she looks a lot

00:38:16.680 --> 00:38:17.420
 like Jesus to me

00:38:17.420 --> 00:38:19.300
 because Jesus was divisive.

00:38:19.720 --> 00:38:20.580
 Jesus was confronting.

00:38:23.360 --> 00:38:24.780
 Are we willing to tell people

00:38:24.780 --> 00:38:25.180
 about him,

00:38:25.220 --> 00:38:25.500
 say, okay,

00:38:25.540 --> 00:38:26.260
 he might be scary,

00:38:26.920 --> 00:38:27.860
 but he also invited

00:38:27.860 --> 00:38:28.920
 little children to him.

00:38:29.860 --> 00:38:31.000
 Prostitutes would come to him.

00:38:31.120 --> 00:38:32.280
 Tax collectors would come to him.

00:38:32.520 --> 00:38:33.740
 Everyone would come to him.

00:38:34.200 --> 00:38:35.640
 He had this super high bar

00:38:35.640 --> 00:38:36.560
 of what it meant to live.

00:38:36.559 --> 00:38:39.099
 But somehow,

00:38:39.239 --> 00:38:40.699
 the lowest of lows in society

00:38:40.699 --> 00:38:41.519
 all came to him.

00:38:43.059 --> 00:38:44.099
 But sometimes as a pastor,

00:38:44.940 --> 00:38:45.219
 actually,

00:38:45.299 --> 00:38:45.920
 I feel convicted

00:38:45.920 --> 00:38:46.500
 because there are people

00:38:46.500 --> 00:38:47.219
 that I hang out with

00:38:47.219 --> 00:38:48.000
 that, oh, you're a pastor.

00:38:48.179 --> 00:38:50.239
 I shouldn't hang out with you.

00:38:50.440 --> 00:38:51.039
 Or it's funny,

00:38:51.099 --> 00:38:51.599
 I play basketball

00:38:51.599 --> 00:38:52.420
 with a group of people

00:38:52.420 --> 00:38:53.340
 who aren't Christians

00:38:53.340 --> 00:38:54.599
 and then it's only later on

00:38:54.599 --> 00:38:55.320
 they find out

00:38:55.320 --> 00:38:55.840
 that I'm a pastor.

00:38:55.940 --> 00:38:56.059
 They're like,

00:38:56.079 --> 00:38:56.619
 oh my goodness,

00:38:57.019 --> 00:38:57.639
 I've been swearing

00:38:57.639 --> 00:38:58.139
 in front of you

00:38:58.139 --> 00:38:58.739
 all this time.

00:39:00.739 --> 00:39:01.519
 I'm like, it's okay,

00:39:01.619 --> 00:39:02.380
 it's okay, chill.

00:39:02.380 --> 00:39:09.059
 But can we be different?

00:39:10.559 --> 00:39:11.440
 That's what I'm saying.

00:39:13.180 --> 00:39:14.680
 Can we have people

00:39:14.680 --> 00:39:15.640
 look at us and go,

00:39:15.800 --> 00:39:16.740
 okay, there is something

00:39:16.740 --> 00:39:17.599
 different about us.

00:39:17.980 --> 00:39:18.860
 This movement needed

00:39:18.860 --> 00:39:19.320
 two things.

00:39:19.460 --> 00:39:20.000
 It needed a bunch

00:39:20.000 --> 00:39:20.840
 of unnamed people

00:39:20.840 --> 00:39:21.340
 that were willing

00:39:21.340 --> 00:39:22.079
 just to do the thing

00:39:22.079 --> 00:39:23.039
 and then it needed

00:39:23.039 --> 00:39:24.599
 one leader to empower them

00:39:24.599 --> 00:39:25.220
 and encourage them.

00:39:25.860 --> 00:39:27.000
 Barney, Barnabas,

00:39:27.320 --> 00:39:28.340
 in chapter four in Acts

00:39:28.340 --> 00:39:29.200
 is called the son

00:39:29.200 --> 00:39:29.720
 of encouragement.

00:39:30.300 --> 00:39:31.260
 That was his gift.

00:39:31.980 --> 00:39:32.740
 Actually, John Snellgrove

00:39:32.740 --> 00:39:33.620
 who started this church,

00:39:34.020 --> 00:39:34.600
 he would often say

00:39:34.600 --> 00:39:35.520
 his best, biggest,

00:39:35.660 --> 00:39:36.540
 strongest spiritual gift

00:39:36.540 --> 00:39:37.040
 was what?

00:39:37.780 --> 00:39:38.140
 Encouragement.

00:39:39.760 --> 00:39:40.780
 So if you're stuck,

00:39:40.900 --> 00:39:41.080
 you're like,

00:39:41.120 --> 00:39:41.860
 I don't know what to say,

00:39:41.900 --> 00:39:42.600
 I don't know what to do,

00:39:42.800 --> 00:39:44.020
 I would say start with this,

00:39:44.180 --> 00:39:44.500
 encourage.

00:39:45.520 --> 00:39:46.600
 You see someone at work

00:39:46.600 --> 00:39:47.220
 who's just a little bit

00:39:47.220 --> 00:39:47.540
 discouraged,

00:39:47.640 --> 00:39:48.140
 a little bit stressed,

00:39:48.400 --> 00:39:48.940
 encourage them.

00:39:49.000 --> 00:39:49.680
 I'll tell you,

00:39:50.140 --> 00:39:51.200
 I think that's actually shocking.

00:39:51.320 --> 00:39:52.480
 I think that's actually new

00:39:52.480 --> 00:39:53.260
 to a lot of people.

00:39:53.420 --> 00:39:54.620
 It's rare for a lot of people.

00:39:55.760 --> 00:39:56.760
 I'll tell you what this looks like.

00:39:57.060 --> 00:39:57.360
 It's just like,

00:39:58.080 --> 00:39:58.360
 hey Brenda,

00:39:58.460 --> 00:39:59.600
 I noticed that actually

00:39:59.600 --> 00:40:00.860
 you're really good.

00:40:01.260 --> 00:40:03.300
 We're just talking to people

00:40:03.300 --> 00:40:04.060
 and caring for them.

00:40:04.680 --> 00:40:05.340
 That is it.

00:40:06.960 --> 00:40:07.920
 I've been recipients

00:40:07.920 --> 00:40:08.780
 of people saying

00:40:08.780 --> 00:40:10.000
 just even simple things

00:40:10.000 --> 00:40:11.520
 and my spirit is lifted.

00:40:12.920 --> 00:40:13.980
 What if we just,

00:40:14.100 --> 00:40:15.340
 we're all going back now

00:40:15.340 --> 00:40:16.360
 and maybe we'll deal with

00:40:16.360 --> 00:40:17.220
 sharing the gospel

00:40:17.220 --> 00:40:17.860
 and Jesus later.

00:40:18.060 --> 00:40:19.100
 What if it started with just,

00:40:19.240 --> 00:40:20.420
 hey, can we be encouragers?

00:40:20.820 --> 00:40:21.540
 Because this movement

00:40:21.540 --> 00:40:22.640
 needed unnamed people

00:40:22.640 --> 00:40:23.940
 and needed one encourager

00:40:23.940 --> 00:40:24.680
 and Barnabas saying,

00:40:25.040 --> 00:40:25.880
 you guys have got it.

00:40:25.980 --> 00:40:26.460
 Keep going.

00:40:26.460 --> 00:40:27.260
 You're on the right track.

00:40:27.360 --> 00:40:28.440
 Stay true to the Lord

00:40:28.440 --> 00:40:29.400
 and that's all they needed.

00:40:31.119 --> 00:40:32.300
 So if there's a spiritual gift

00:40:32.300 --> 00:40:33.119
 that you're asking for,

00:40:33.199 --> 00:40:33.840
 maybe the first one

00:40:33.840 --> 00:40:34.760
 to ask for is encouragement

00:40:34.760 --> 00:40:37.260
 because I think people

00:40:37.260 --> 00:40:38.159
 need encouragement.

00:40:38.720 --> 00:40:40.019
 Once they feel the encouragement,

00:40:40.179 --> 00:40:40.940
 they'll be more receptive

00:40:40.940 --> 00:40:41.559
 to the gospel,

00:40:41.940 --> 00:40:43.059
 to the life and death

00:40:43.059 --> 00:40:43.860
 and the resurrection

00:40:43.860 --> 00:40:45.119
 of Jesus.

00:40:45.240 --> 00:40:46.000
 So you can tell them

00:40:46.000 --> 00:40:46.639
 about Jesus

00:40:46.639 --> 00:40:47.579
 and then you can tell them

00:40:47.579 --> 00:40:48.099
 about his death.

00:40:49.539 --> 00:40:50.320
 Hey, it's okay.

00:40:50.460 --> 00:40:51.940
 There is no condemnation anymore.

00:40:52.240 --> 00:40:52.920
 Don't feel guilty

00:40:52.920 --> 00:40:53.559
 about yourself,

00:40:53.559 --> 00:40:55.500
 about what you did

00:40:55.500 --> 00:40:57.320
 because someone dealt with that.

00:40:57.980 --> 00:40:58.779
 Yes, what you did

00:40:58.779 --> 00:40:59.759
 does have consequences

00:40:59.759 --> 00:41:00.719
 but praise,

00:41:01.539 --> 00:41:01.880
 actually,

00:41:02.019 --> 00:41:03.079
 I messed up as well

00:41:03.079 --> 00:41:04.119
 but I'm so thankful

00:41:04.119 --> 00:41:04.799
 because actually

00:41:04.799 --> 00:41:06.079
 the consequences of my sin

00:41:06.079 --> 00:41:07.179
 and have now been dealt with

00:41:07.179 --> 00:41:07.619
 on the cross.

00:41:07.719 --> 00:41:08.279
 Can I tell you about

00:41:08.279 --> 00:41:08.900
 the death of Jesus?

00:41:10.340 --> 00:41:11.799
 It wasn't just a good man dying.

00:41:11.940 --> 00:41:12.960
 It wasn't just an interesting guy

00:41:12.960 --> 00:41:13.940
 who had good teachings dying.

00:41:14.320 --> 00:41:16.239
 This guy did not make any mistakes.

00:41:16.340 --> 00:41:17.420
 This guy was sinless.

00:41:17.940 --> 00:41:18.840
 He who knew no sin

00:41:18.840 --> 00:41:19.559
 became sin

00:41:19.559 --> 00:41:20.599
 so that we would be

00:41:20.599 --> 00:41:21.480
 the righteousness of God.

00:41:21.480 --> 00:41:23.260
 So now,

00:41:23.460 --> 00:41:24.159
 I made a mistake.

00:41:24.260 --> 00:41:24.760
 I messed up.

00:41:24.840 --> 00:41:25.740
 I still have bad thoughts

00:41:25.740 --> 00:41:26.679
 but I am free

00:41:26.679 --> 00:41:27.320
 from any guilt

00:41:27.320 --> 00:41:28.119
 and condemnation.

00:41:29.460 --> 00:41:30.639
 I don't feel bad at all

00:41:30.639 --> 00:41:32.139
 because Jesus paid the price for me.

00:41:32.260 --> 00:41:32.980
 Tell them about the death

00:41:32.980 --> 00:41:33.579
 and finally,

00:41:33.719 --> 00:41:34.679
 tell them about the empty tomb.

00:41:36.199 --> 00:41:36.880
 You'll have heard me

00:41:36.880 --> 00:41:37.760
 say this countless times

00:41:37.760 --> 00:41:38.480
 and we'll keep saying it.

00:41:38.480 --> 00:41:38.840
 I pray.

00:41:38.920 --> 00:41:39.559
 My prayer is that

00:41:39.559 --> 00:41:40.840
 this place doesn't become,

00:41:40.960 --> 00:41:42.199
 this service doesn't become

00:41:42.199 --> 00:41:43.480
 a memorial service for Jesus

00:41:43.480 --> 00:41:44.820
 where we all come in,

00:41:44.880 --> 00:41:45.820
 remember this guy Jesus.

00:41:46.019 --> 00:41:46.900
 He did some good things.

00:41:46.960 --> 00:41:48.000
 We sing a few songs about him.

00:41:48.179 --> 00:41:49.460
 I share some nice things about him

00:41:49.460 --> 00:41:50.300
 and then we go from here

00:41:50.300 --> 00:41:50.960
 acknowledging,

00:41:50.960 --> 00:41:52.720
 or basically refusing to acknowledge

00:41:52.720 --> 00:41:53.639
 that he's actually alive

00:41:53.639 --> 00:41:54.340
 and he's actually here.

00:41:54.699 --> 00:41:56.000
 Tell them about the empty tomb.

00:41:56.900 --> 00:41:57.960
 Tell them about the biggest thing

00:41:57.960 --> 00:41:58.500
 that they fear,

00:41:58.740 --> 00:41:58.960
 death,

00:41:59.079 --> 00:42:00.119
 has been dealt with.

00:42:01.099 --> 00:42:01.780
 It's gone.

00:42:04.559 --> 00:42:05.460
 Tell them about that.

00:42:05.500 --> 00:42:06.980
 They need to hear about that

00:42:06.980 --> 00:42:07.440
 and really,

00:42:07.679 --> 00:42:08.820
 that's all it is

00:42:08.820 --> 00:42:10.059
 and he is coming back.

00:42:11.619 --> 00:42:12.679
 When you're talking to someone

00:42:12.679 --> 00:42:13.500
 who's dealing with cancer

00:42:13.500 --> 00:42:14.099
 and it's terminal

00:42:14.099 --> 00:42:15.139
 and this might be the end.

00:42:16.820 --> 00:42:17.000
 Say,

00:42:17.039 --> 00:42:17.720
 I'm praying that Jesus

00:42:17.720 --> 00:42:18.420
 will heal you now

00:42:18.420 --> 00:42:20.400
 and he may

00:42:20.400 --> 00:42:21.800
 or he may not

00:42:21.800 --> 00:42:24.680
 but I know he is coming back

00:42:24.680 --> 00:42:25.920
 and he will bring complete healing

00:42:25.920 --> 00:42:26.760
 not just to your body

00:42:26.760 --> 00:42:27.480
 but to your soul

00:42:27.480 --> 00:42:28.019
 and to your heart

00:42:28.019 --> 00:42:28.639
 and to your mind

00:42:28.639 --> 00:42:29.880
 and he will wipe away

00:42:29.880 --> 00:42:30.380
 every tear

00:42:30.380 --> 00:42:31.880
 and every disease will be gone

00:42:31.880 --> 00:42:32.880
 and every pain will be gone.

00:42:33.280 --> 00:42:33.460
 Why?

00:42:33.619 --> 00:42:34.680
 Because he has the authority.

00:42:35.059 --> 00:42:35.220
 Why?

00:42:35.340 --> 00:42:36.380
 Because he defeated death.

00:42:38.599 --> 00:42:40.039
 And you can still be respectful.

00:42:40.200 --> 00:42:41.180
 You don't need to be a jerk.

00:42:42.119 --> 00:42:42.460
 You can say,

00:42:42.539 --> 00:42:42.700
 actually,

00:42:42.700 --> 00:42:43.500
 I don't know what you believe

00:42:43.500 --> 00:42:44.579
 but this is what I believe.

00:42:47.280 --> 00:42:48.260
 Can we get to a place

00:42:48.260 --> 00:42:48.800
 where people go,

00:42:48.860 --> 00:42:48.900
 hey,

00:42:48.940 --> 00:42:50.039
 how come you still have that hope?

00:42:51.280 --> 00:42:52.039
 Funny you ask that.

00:42:52.079 --> 00:42:53.000
 I would love to share with you

00:42:53.000 --> 00:42:53.860
 why I have this hope.

00:42:55.159 --> 00:42:55.860
 There's only one word,

00:42:55.920 --> 00:42:56.239
 it's Jesus.

00:42:56.440 --> 00:42:56.920
 It's his life,

00:42:57.000 --> 00:42:57.380
 it's his death

00:42:57.380 --> 00:42:58.059
 and it's his resurrection.

00:42:59.739 --> 00:43:00.780
 And then watch the gospel

00:43:00.780 --> 00:43:01.840
 continue to catch fire.

00:43:02.139 --> 00:43:03.920
 Watch it continue to move through us.

00:43:04.019 --> 00:43:05.099
 It just takes people

00:43:05.099 --> 00:43:06.400
 who are willing to say,

00:43:06.840 --> 00:43:07.079
 yes.

00:43:08.659 --> 00:43:09.719
 When God says go,

00:43:10.199 --> 00:43:11.039
 you say where?

00:43:11.039 --> 00:43:13.059
 That is it.

00:43:13.960 --> 00:43:15.320
 God loves Hong Kong.

00:43:16.099 --> 00:43:17.800
 God loves Causeway Bay.

00:43:19.420 --> 00:43:20.840
 God's here to restore

00:43:20.840 --> 00:43:23.159
 the brokenness in this city.

00:43:24.099 --> 00:43:25.119
 In every city.

00:43:25.400 --> 00:43:26.380
 In all of humanity.

00:43:27.639 --> 00:43:28.880
 Would we be willing

00:43:28.880 --> 00:43:29.900
 to be part of that?

00:43:31.079 --> 00:43:32.360
 I'm genuinely excited.

00:43:32.500 --> 00:43:33.099
 I'm a Brit.

00:43:33.920 --> 00:43:34.639
 I'm Chinese.

00:43:34.860 --> 00:43:36.420
 I'm on the side of cynicism

00:43:36.420 --> 00:43:37.400
 and conservativeness.

00:43:38.739 --> 00:43:40.179
 But I'm genuinely excited.

00:43:41.039 --> 00:43:42.519
 Because I think there are people here

00:43:42.519 --> 00:43:43.300
 in this room

00:43:43.300 --> 00:43:45.019
 who feel the spirit of God

00:43:45.019 --> 00:43:47.420
 who are starting to understand,

00:43:47.659 --> 00:43:49.279
 man, Jesus is a big deal.

00:43:52.039 --> 00:43:53.340
 And he's doing stuff.

00:43:53.599 --> 00:43:54.659
 And all I need to do

00:43:54.659 --> 00:43:55.679
 is grab my surfboard

00:43:55.679 --> 00:43:56.800
 and the waves are already happening

00:43:56.800 --> 00:43:58.279
 and I can join this movement.

00:44:00.360 --> 00:44:01.659
 That fills me with excitement.

00:44:01.659 --> 00:44:06.159
 Please, would you allow me

00:44:06.159 --> 00:44:07.519
 to be that empowering,

00:44:07.899 --> 00:44:08.299
 encouraging,

00:44:08.599 --> 00:44:09.719
 equipping leader?

00:44:11.219 --> 00:44:12.779
 The most important part of church

00:44:12.779 --> 00:44:14.259
 isn't the 90 minutes here.

00:44:14.719 --> 00:44:16.119
 It's what happens after this.

00:44:18.079 --> 00:44:19.219
 May we all be called

00:44:19.219 --> 00:44:20.339
 little Christians.

00:44:20.340 --> 00:44:32.840
 Spirit, would you lead us?

00:44:39.620 --> 00:44:40.780
 Spirit, would you lead us?

00:44:45.380 --> 00:44:47.059
 To wherever you want us to go.

00:44:47.059 --> 00:44:51.420
 Our only ask is that you

00:44:51.420 --> 00:44:52.219
 would be there with us.

00:44:53.360 --> 00:44:54.039
 If you're not there,

00:44:54.079 --> 00:44:54.599
 we don't want to go.

00:45:00.059 --> 00:45:01.179
 Would your hand be with us?

00:45:02.119 --> 00:45:03.500
 Would hearts be turned towards you?

00:45:03.500 --> 00:45:03.500


00:45:08.779 --> 00:45:10.179
 We were so blessed this morning

00:45:10.179 --> 00:45:11.739
 by Nathan in pre-service prayer

00:45:11.739 --> 00:45:12.960
 when he brought Psalm 34.

00:45:12.960 --> 00:45:16.199
 And he says,

00:45:16.300 --> 00:45:17.460
 those who look to him

00:45:17.460 --> 00:45:18.220
 are radiant

00:45:18.220 --> 00:45:19.940
 and their faces

00:45:19.940 --> 00:45:21.240
 shall never be ashamed.

00:45:25.179 --> 00:45:26.280
 Jesus, we don't know what to do.

00:45:26.380 --> 00:45:27.139
 We don't know where to go.

00:45:27.240 --> 00:45:28.159
 We don't know who to talk to.

00:45:31.940 --> 00:45:32.720
 All we can do

00:45:32.720 --> 00:45:34.340
 is keep our eyes fixated on you.

00:45:38.300 --> 00:45:39.420
 And that by doing so,

00:45:39.500 --> 00:45:40.659
 we will become radiant

00:45:40.659 --> 00:45:42.760
 with your glory.

00:45:42.960 --> 00:45:44.139
 with your beauty.

00:45:47.280 --> 00:45:48.699
 In a way that we won't be ashamed.

00:45:52.220 --> 00:45:53.019
 Embarrassed or afraid.

00:45:57.099 --> 00:45:58.099
 Would you shine on us?

00:45:58.159 --> 00:45:59.059
 Would you keep us upright?

00:46:00.000 --> 00:46:01.280
 Would you keep us moving and going?

00:46:01.280 --> 00:46:06.780
 Thank you, Lord.

00:46:09.640 --> 00:46:10.760
 Thank you for letting us gather.

00:46:14.140 --> 00:46:15.480
 We take seriously your words

00:46:15.480 --> 00:46:16.540
 that it's important for us

00:46:16.540 --> 00:46:17.080
 to be together.

00:46:18.480 --> 00:46:19.620
 To encourage each other

00:46:19.620 --> 00:46:20.500
 as the day draws near.

00:46:25.100 --> 00:46:26.320
 Would you be with us as we go?

00:46:26.480 --> 00:46:26.480


00:46:26.480 --> 00:46:26.480


00:46:26.480 --> 00:46:26.480


00:46:26.480 --> 00:46:26.480


00:46:26.480 --> 00:46:26.480


00:46:26.480 --> 00:46:26.480


00:46:26.480 --> 00:46:26.480


00:46:26.480 --> 00:46:26.480


00:46:26.480 --> 00:46:26.480


00:46:26.480 --> 00:46:26.480


00:46:26.480 --> 00:46:26.480


00:46:26.480 --> 00:46:26.480


00:46:26.480 --> 00:46:26.480


00:46:26.480 --> 00:46:26.480


00:46:26.480 --> 00:46:26.480


00:46:26.480 --> 00:46:26.480


00:46:26.480 --> 00:46:26.480


00:46:26.480 --> 00:46:26.480


00:46:26.480 --> 00:46:26.480


00:46:26.480 --> 00:46:26.480


00:46:26.480 --> 00:46:35.599
 And it's in your powerful, beautiful name we pray.

00:46:35.599 --> 00:46:38.019
 Amen.