WEBVTT

00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:03.060
 The scripture reading comes from 2 Corinthians.

00:00:03.720 --> 00:00:06.900
 Please follow along in your bulletin or on the screen.

00:00:10.060 --> 00:00:16.420
 From now on, therefore, we regard no one according to the flesh.

00:00:17.539 --> 00:00:21.240
 Even though we once regarded Christ according to the flesh,

00:00:21.960 --> 00:00:24.260
 we regard him thus no longer.

00:00:24.260 --> 00:00:31.580
 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation.

00:00:32.640 --> 00:00:34.340
 The old has passed away.

00:00:34.880 --> 00:00:37.620
 Behold, the new has come.

00:00:38.960 --> 00:00:44.140
 All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself

00:00:44.140 --> 00:00:47.460
 and gave us the ministry of reconciliation.

00:00:48.980 --> 00:00:53.660
 That is, in Christ, God was reconciling the world to himself.

00:00:54.259 --> 00:00:57.519
 Not counting their trespasses against them

00:00:57.519 --> 00:01:01.899
 and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation.

00:01:03.579 --> 00:01:07.659
 Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ,

00:01:08.319 --> 00:01:11.239
 God making his appeal through us.

00:01:12.719 --> 00:01:15.599
 We implore you on behalf of Christ,

00:01:16.519 --> 00:01:18.219
 be reconciled to God.

00:01:18.219 --> 00:01:23.340
 For our sake, he made him to be sin who knew no sin,

00:01:24.120 --> 00:01:28.959
 so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.

00:01:30.140 --> 00:01:32.539
 Working together with him, then,

00:01:33.159 --> 00:01:37.200
 we appeal to you not to receive the grace of God in vain.

00:01:38.099 --> 00:01:39.280
 This is the word of God.

00:01:39.700 --> 00:01:41.039
 Great. Thanks, Christina.

00:01:41.099 --> 00:01:44.019
 Let's pray together for a few minutes.

00:01:44.019 --> 00:01:49.359
 Sovereign Lord, great and glorious God,

00:01:49.819 --> 00:01:51.819
 the majestic and mighty one,

00:01:51.920 --> 00:01:53.459
 we come before you this morning,

00:01:53.579 --> 00:01:56.019
 not presuming on your grace,

00:01:56.699 --> 00:01:59.299
 but we come before you, Father, with humility,

00:01:59.859 --> 00:02:02.399
 with a sense of fear and trembling,

00:02:02.899 --> 00:02:05.759
 aware of your awesomeness and our depravity,

00:02:06.659 --> 00:02:09.939
 aware, God, of your glory and our great need for you.

00:02:09.939 --> 00:02:15.079
 Father, where we do come self-confident,

00:02:15.300 --> 00:02:17.740
 we ask you to forgive us, God,

00:02:18.120 --> 00:02:21.020
 to humble us, Lord, to find grace in you.

00:02:21.159 --> 00:02:23.000
 God, you say that you oppose the proud,

00:02:23.099 --> 00:02:24.359
 but you give grace to the humble.

00:02:24.539 --> 00:02:26.419
 Oh, God, make us a humble people,

00:02:27.300 --> 00:02:29.759
 and therefore those that receive your grace, God.

00:02:29.900 --> 00:02:31.479
 What a dreadful thing it would be

00:02:31.479 --> 00:02:34.460
 to be opposed by the sovereign God.

00:02:35.500 --> 00:02:37.319
 Father, we humble ourselves before you today.

00:02:37.319 --> 00:02:40.560
 God, we so need you.

00:02:40.939 --> 00:02:44.060
 We come this morning full of weakness and limitations.

00:02:44.959 --> 00:02:47.979
 God, we carry in our hearts the brokenness of this world,

00:02:48.739 --> 00:02:50.759
 the brokenness of our own lives,

00:02:51.139 --> 00:02:54.579
 and God, we are so aware of our desperate need for you.

00:02:54.719 --> 00:02:56.599
 We've come to worship and adore you,

00:02:56.699 --> 00:02:58.019
 to praise your greatness,

00:02:58.400 --> 00:03:00.900
 but also, God, we've come to find our hope

00:03:00.900 --> 00:03:01.740
 and our rest in you,

00:03:02.120 --> 00:03:04.280
 to find our strength and our peace in you.

00:03:04.280 --> 00:03:08.520
 Christ, come and minister to us this morning, we pray.

00:03:09.319 --> 00:03:10.780
 Even as you have already,

00:03:10.900 --> 00:03:13.319
 we pray that you continue to minister to us.

00:03:14.280 --> 00:03:16.400
 God, as we read your word this morning,

00:03:16.520 --> 00:03:18.699
 we see the wonder of the gospel,

00:03:19.360 --> 00:03:21.319
 the beauty of the gospel, God.

00:03:22.039 --> 00:03:24.560
 We also see your great calling for us

00:03:24.560 --> 00:03:27.840
 to be your agents of hope and healing in this world.

00:03:27.960 --> 00:03:31.099
 And so, Lord, we pray that as we don't just read this word,

00:03:31.099 --> 00:03:35.019
 but as we ponder over it the next half an hour or so,

00:03:35.079 --> 00:03:36.280
 as we open up your word,

00:03:36.340 --> 00:03:40.039
 we pray that you will write your gospel deeply on our hearts.

00:03:40.199 --> 00:03:41.979
 We pray that as a church at Watermark,

00:03:42.079 --> 00:03:46.879
 we will be deeply, deeply moved by the truths of the gospel, God,

00:03:46.919 --> 00:03:48.019
 that it will set us free.

00:03:48.180 --> 00:03:51.039
 It will give us hope in our hearts, Lord, in the city.

00:03:51.519 --> 00:03:52.459
 But we pray, God,

00:03:52.500 --> 00:03:55.620
 that also you will cause us to be agents of your gospel,

00:03:56.199 --> 00:03:58.799
 as we see in this word this morning, Lord.

00:03:58.800 --> 00:04:02.680
 God, help us to see what you're doing in this world

00:04:02.680 --> 00:04:05.120
 and to join you, as that incredible verse said,

00:04:05.200 --> 00:04:08.060
 to work with you in what you're doing in this world.

00:04:08.620 --> 00:04:10.540
 God, we pray that as a church family,

00:04:10.719 --> 00:04:12.900
 we will be faithful to what you've called us to.

00:04:13.660 --> 00:04:16.379
 God, may you look on us as a church family

00:04:16.379 --> 00:04:18.360
 and say, with you I'm well pleased,

00:04:18.439 --> 00:04:20.240
 my good and faithful servants.

00:04:21.060 --> 00:04:22.019
 Speak to us, we pray.

00:04:22.180 --> 00:04:23.560
 Lead us and guide us, God.

00:04:23.819 --> 00:04:26.340
 Show us how to follow you and obey you, Lord.

00:04:26.339 --> 00:04:31.179
 Lord, as a city, this last year has seen so many challenges

00:04:31.179 --> 00:04:34.319
 and help us to know how to respond correctly,

00:04:34.879 --> 00:04:36.759
 how to neither feel sorry for ourselves

00:04:36.759 --> 00:04:38.879
 nor to be overconfident in ourselves.

00:04:39.719 --> 00:04:41.979
 God, help us to humble ourselves before you.

00:04:42.719 --> 00:04:43.739
 And so we do pray, God,

00:04:43.779 --> 00:04:46.219
 that Hong Kong will be a great city again.

00:04:46.299 --> 00:04:48.599
 Not great in earthly terms,

00:04:48.779 --> 00:04:52.339
 not great in necessarily wealth or sophistication,

00:04:53.099 --> 00:04:54.279
 great before you, God.

00:04:54.279 --> 00:04:56.979
 A city that takes care of its people,

00:04:57.139 --> 00:04:58.619
 a city that is humble before you.

00:04:58.759 --> 00:05:00.779
 Make us a great city in your eyes, Lord.

00:05:01.699 --> 00:05:02.719
 Finally, Father, this morning,

00:05:02.799 --> 00:05:04.539
 we want to pray again for our city,

00:05:04.879 --> 00:05:06.539
 for our continent, Asia,

00:05:06.739 --> 00:05:08.799
 and for the world around the coronavirus.

00:05:09.419 --> 00:05:11.699
 For those that are sick, we pray, be with them.

00:05:12.179 --> 00:05:13.819
 For those that are stuck in quarantine,

00:05:14.139 --> 00:05:15.599
 God, pray, minister to them.

00:05:15.719 --> 00:05:17.179
 For those that are at home this morning,

00:05:17.259 --> 00:05:18.439
 because they cannot leave,

00:05:18.579 --> 00:05:20.219
 Lord, minister to them, we pray.

00:05:21.099 --> 00:05:23.299
 Father, for those that have lost loved ones,

00:05:23.300 --> 00:05:26.139
 and are grieving the loss of loved ones,

00:05:26.400 --> 00:05:28.420
 Father, minister to them, draw near to them.

00:05:29.160 --> 00:05:32.100
 God, we pray for our parents and scholars and students,

00:05:32.240 --> 00:05:34.500
 those that have had school and university closed,

00:05:34.980 --> 00:05:36.780
 those that are needing to homeschool their kids,

00:05:36.840 --> 00:05:39.040
 we pray, strengthen them, minister to them.

00:05:39.620 --> 00:05:42.199
 We pray this next month will be good for families, God.

00:05:43.060 --> 00:05:44.080
 We pray for your grace.

00:05:44.920 --> 00:05:47.080
 Father, we pray finally for countries

00:05:47.080 --> 00:05:49.519
 that are experiencing large surges in the virus.

00:05:49.639 --> 00:05:50.980
 Pray for South Korea, God.

00:05:50.980 --> 00:05:53.000
 Pray for Iran and Italy.

00:05:53.520 --> 00:05:56.460
 Pray for the governments and the medical staff and doctors.

00:05:57.160 --> 00:05:58.740
 God, pray for the churches in those countries.

00:05:58.900 --> 00:06:00.540
 May they be salt and light, God,

00:06:00.939 --> 00:06:02.280
 as we pray for ourselves.

00:06:02.939 --> 00:06:06.220
 We pray these wonderful things in your magnificent name.

00:06:07.060 --> 00:06:07.379
 Amen.

00:06:08.379 --> 00:06:08.700
 Amen.

00:06:08.700 --> 00:06:08.900
 Amen.

00:06:08.899 --> 00:06:08.979
 Amen.

00:06:12.279 --> 00:06:14.719
 Well, once again, welcome.

00:06:14.859 --> 00:06:16.179
 My name is Kevin, if you don't know me.

00:06:16.379 --> 00:06:19.039
 And if you're visiting from one of the other churches in Hong Kong,

00:06:19.099 --> 00:06:20.419
 I've met some of you this morning.

00:06:20.799 --> 00:06:21.519
 A warm welcome.

00:06:21.759 --> 00:06:22.599
 Great to have you.

00:06:22.739 --> 00:06:26.079
 You know, a number of churches have needed to close down their services.

00:06:26.759 --> 00:06:29.959
 And so if you're part of the larger body of Christ in Hong Kong,

00:06:30.159 --> 00:06:30.439
 welcome.

00:06:30.560 --> 00:06:32.379
 It's great to have you with us this morning.

00:06:32.379 --> 00:06:40.360
 Being part of the people of God means being part of the mission of God.

00:06:40.959 --> 00:06:42.519
 And what is the mission of God?

00:06:42.819 --> 00:06:46.540
 It's to bring hope and healing to a lost and broken world.

00:06:47.079 --> 00:06:50.420
 That was the main point of the sermon two weeks ago.

00:06:50.420 --> 00:06:54.980
 And as I try to show you us, that is not just a point of a sermon.

00:06:55.199 --> 00:06:57.360
 That is one of the main points of the Bible.

00:06:58.020 --> 00:07:00.520
 That God is at work in the world.

00:07:00.980 --> 00:07:08.600
 God has not abandoned his world, but he's moved towards his world in grace,

00:07:08.980 --> 00:07:11.200
 bringing hope and healing and redemption.

00:07:11.740 --> 00:07:14.680
 But he's doing that, not arbitrarily.

00:07:15.100 --> 00:07:18.900
 He's doing that through his people, through his church.

00:07:18.899 --> 00:07:24.659
 And then last week, Ed unpacked the Great Commission, Matthew 28.

00:07:24.779 --> 00:07:28.339
 Jesus says, go into all the world and make disciples, followers of Jesus,

00:07:28.539 --> 00:07:30.719
 teaching them to obey everything that I've taught you.

00:07:31.179 --> 00:07:34.859
 And then Chris looked at Peter chapter 3, who said,

00:07:35.319 --> 00:07:37.739
 always regard Christ as Lord.

00:07:38.279 --> 00:07:44.079
 And when you do that, then be ready to always give a reason for the hope that is within you.

00:07:44.079 --> 00:07:48.919
 Now this morning, Ed and Chris are preaching in Yunlong at Paul's church.

00:07:49.099 --> 00:07:50.459
 Paul, who was with us a few weeks ago.

00:07:50.859 --> 00:07:52.240
 And they are taking that message there.

00:07:52.939 --> 00:07:58.639
 And so this morning, we continue with this theme of God's call for us as a church to be on mission,

00:07:58.819 --> 00:08:01.639
 to join him in what he's doing in the world.

00:08:02.199 --> 00:08:07.279
 Now this morning, we're going to look at this passage in 2 Corinthians chapter 5, verse 16 and onwards.

00:08:07.279 --> 00:08:11.319
 And if you're here at the end of January, this passage should be familiar,

00:08:11.519 --> 00:08:14.699
 because Oscar preached from this very passage a few weeks ago.

00:08:15.159 --> 00:08:16.219
 I hope you picked that up.

00:08:17.319 --> 00:08:23.619
 And Oscar magnificently unpacked the gospel, the fact that in Christ we are a new creation.

00:08:24.259 --> 00:08:28.959
 This morning, I want us to look at this passage again, not because Oscar didn't do a good job,

00:08:28.959 --> 00:08:34.500
 but because it is so rich and there's so many facets to it.

00:08:34.659 --> 00:08:37.399
 And we're going to look at the gospel briefly,

00:08:37.399 --> 00:08:41.740
 but then we're going to look at the main implication that Paul draws from the gospel.

00:08:42.059 --> 00:08:44.220
 So Paul establishes the gospel and then he says,

00:08:44.539 --> 00:08:48.879
 okay, the implication of this is, therefore, be on mission with God.

00:08:48.919 --> 00:08:50.720
 And so we're going to look at that together.

00:08:50.980 --> 00:08:54.220
 So let's look at this passage in 2 Corinthians chapter 5.

00:08:54.779 --> 00:08:55.939
 And the context is this.

00:08:55.940 --> 00:09:00.800
 The apostle Paul goes to Corinth many years before and he plants this church.

00:09:01.480 --> 00:09:05.600
 And while he's away, some other people come to the church in Corinth and they say,

00:09:05.840 --> 00:09:07.800
 you guys listen to that Paul fellow?

00:09:08.700 --> 00:09:09.400
 Come on.

00:09:09.980 --> 00:09:11.140
 He's not very impressive.

00:09:11.860 --> 00:09:13.100
 He's not very sophisticated.

00:09:13.500 --> 00:09:14.500
 I mean, just look at him.

00:09:14.900 --> 00:09:16.980
 He doesn't even talk that eloquently.

00:09:17.940 --> 00:09:23.020
 And if Paul is not that impressive, then maybe his message isn't that impressive.

00:09:23.340 --> 00:09:25.820
 And so these people are coming to this church in Corinth,

00:09:25.940 --> 00:09:30.100
 and they're downplaying the wonder of the gospel because they're saying,

00:09:30.200 --> 00:09:32.020
 Paul's not a very impressive man,

00:09:32.100 --> 00:09:35.680
 and therefore maybe his message and his ministry aren't that impressive.

00:09:36.360 --> 00:09:39.280
 And so Paul writes this chapter to show them,

00:09:39.660 --> 00:09:41.380
 he says, yes, maybe I'm not impressive.

00:09:41.700 --> 00:09:44.020
 I'm fallen and I'm fallible as a person.

00:09:44.260 --> 00:09:49.760
 But the message of the gospel and the ministry that we've been given is magnificent.

00:09:50.080 --> 00:09:51.820
 Okay, so that's what this chapter is all about.

00:09:51.820 --> 00:09:54.540
 So look what he says here in verse 16.

00:09:55.400 --> 00:09:55.640
 He says,

00:09:55.639 --> 00:10:06.879
 What's Paul saying here?

00:10:07.319 --> 00:10:11.360
 He's saying that there was once a time when we assessed people,

00:10:12.159 --> 00:10:16.460
 sized people up from a purely humanistic perspective,

00:10:16.580 --> 00:10:18.019
 a purely worldly perspective,

00:10:18.179 --> 00:10:19.779
 or in the words that Paul uses here,

00:10:20.220 --> 00:10:20.779
 he says,

00:10:20.779 --> 00:10:21.959
 According to the flesh.

00:10:22.480 --> 00:10:22.959
 In other words,

00:10:23.000 --> 00:10:27.879
 we would look at people and work out their value or how significant they were

00:10:27.879 --> 00:10:29.679
 from a worldly perspective,

00:10:29.959 --> 00:10:31.120
 what careers they had,

00:10:31.360 --> 00:10:32.919
 how successful they were in their job,

00:10:33.319 --> 00:10:35.199
 where they stayed in Hong Kong,

00:10:35.759 --> 00:10:38.919
 what their culture or their background or their ethnicity were.

00:10:38.919 --> 00:10:42.620
 And so some people we would be in awe of and enamored by them.

00:10:43.039 --> 00:10:45.019
 And some people we would look down at them.

00:10:45.779 --> 00:10:46.599
 And then he says,

00:10:46.919 --> 00:10:48.059
 But something changed.

00:10:48.459 --> 00:10:48.679
 He says,

00:10:48.740 --> 00:10:49.399
 From now on,

00:10:49.479 --> 00:10:52.179
 no longer do we regard people according to the flesh.

00:10:52.399 --> 00:10:53.139
 Something's changed.

00:10:53.179 --> 00:10:53.979
 And what's changed?

00:10:54.579 --> 00:10:54.740
 Well,

00:10:54.779 --> 00:10:56.059
 Paul encountered the gospel.

00:10:56.699 --> 00:10:58.379
 And when he encountered the gospel,

00:10:58.599 --> 00:11:03.459
 that changed the lens through which he saw other people and himself,

00:11:03.899 --> 00:11:04.500
 and in fact,

00:11:04.579 --> 00:11:05.279
 the whole world.

00:11:05.279 --> 00:11:06.100
 He says,

00:11:06.459 --> 00:11:09.240
 Now the gospel helps us to see all people,

00:11:09.399 --> 00:11:10.179
 including ourselves,

00:11:10.379 --> 00:11:11.879
 in a different light,

00:11:12.319 --> 00:11:14.259
 which is that we're broken,

00:11:14.779 --> 00:11:15.559
 we're lost,

00:11:16.000 --> 00:11:17.779
 that we're sinners in need of grace.

00:11:18.159 --> 00:11:18.939
 But also,

00:11:19.240 --> 00:11:20.699
 if we've come to Christ,

00:11:21.100 --> 00:11:23.480
 if someone has come to find their hope in Jesus,

00:11:23.959 --> 00:11:31.819
 that we are eternally loved and accepted and esteemed and valued by the God of all creation.

00:11:32.500 --> 00:11:33.000
 You see that?

00:11:33.000 --> 00:11:33.480
 Previously,

00:11:33.580 --> 00:11:37.519
 we used to size people up and judge people according all sorts of criteria.

00:11:38.019 --> 00:11:40.120
 But now the gospel has given us a different lens.

00:11:40.639 --> 00:11:41.980
 Now we see all people,

00:11:42.340 --> 00:11:46.460
 whether working in the red light industry or the CEO of a big bank,

00:11:46.679 --> 00:11:48.240
 all of us in the same light.

00:11:48.740 --> 00:11:50.259
 We are sinners in need of grace,

00:11:50.519 --> 00:11:51.299
 but if in Christ,

00:11:51.419 --> 00:11:53.600
 loved and esteemed by him.

00:11:54.159 --> 00:11:55.320
 As that great preacher,

00:11:55.460 --> 00:11:56.679
 Oscar Chow once said,

00:11:57.100 --> 00:11:59.759
 The gospel is the great equalizer.

00:12:00.200 --> 00:12:01.080
 And it really is,

00:12:01.139 --> 00:12:01.340
 right?

00:12:01.340 --> 00:12:02.460
 It really does,

00:12:02.540 --> 00:12:05.500
 it just levels the playing field for all of us.

00:12:06.480 --> 00:12:07.639
 And then he says,

00:12:07.860 --> 00:12:10.100
 we even once viewed Christ this way.

00:12:10.519 --> 00:12:11.480
 Once upon a time,

00:12:11.540 --> 00:12:13.040
 we looked at Jesus and we thought,

00:12:13.240 --> 00:12:16.639
 he's this poor peasant from the backwaters of Nazareth.

00:12:17.200 --> 00:12:19.280
 Can anything good come out of Nazareth?

00:12:19.519 --> 00:12:20.920
 Can he teach us anything?

00:12:21.480 --> 00:12:21.600
 Hey,

00:12:21.720 --> 00:12:24.460
 born to an unwed mom,

00:12:24.460 --> 00:12:27.000
 is there anything good that's going to come from Jesus?

00:12:27.800 --> 00:12:30.980
 But now the gospel has helped us to see us as we really are.

00:12:31.460 --> 00:12:34.340
 But it's also helped us to see Jesus for who he really is,

00:12:34.700 --> 00:12:36.220
 the savior of the world.

00:12:38.120 --> 00:12:40.060
 And so ever since encountering the gospel,

00:12:40.300 --> 00:12:41.740
 everything has changed.

00:12:42.019 --> 00:12:42.680
 And so Paul says,

00:12:42.679 --> 00:12:45.779
 a Christian is someone who's come to see Christ for who he is,

00:12:46.339 --> 00:12:48.620
 also come to see themselves for who they are,

00:12:48.979 --> 00:12:52.639
 and in light of that sees the world as it really is.

00:12:53.179 --> 00:12:53.439
 Now,

00:12:53.579 --> 00:12:54.599
 in verse 13,

00:12:55.120 --> 00:12:56.239
 Paul's going to elaborate,

00:12:56.579 --> 00:12:58.339
 elaborate on what a Christian is.

00:12:58.459 --> 00:12:58.939
 And in fact,

00:12:59.019 --> 00:13:02.159
 he's actually going to give us two definitions of a Christian,

00:13:02.339 --> 00:13:04.120
 somebody that's encountered the gospel.

00:13:04.500 --> 00:13:05.559
 The first thing is,

00:13:05.579 --> 00:13:06.159
 he says this,

00:13:06.159 --> 00:13:09.459
 a Christian is not just someone who's trying to be religious.

00:13:10.079 --> 00:13:13.500
 A Christian is not just someone who's trying to improve their lives,

00:13:13.699 --> 00:13:14.659
 make their lives better.

00:13:15.199 --> 00:13:19.539
 A Christian is not just someone who's trying to honor God and serve God in the

00:13:19.539 --> 00:13:22.199
 hope that maybe when they die and they get to heaven,

00:13:22.399 --> 00:13:23.879
 God will be forgiving towards them.

00:13:24.699 --> 00:13:24.919
 No,

00:13:24.959 --> 00:13:29.019
 a Christian is someone who in the most fundamental part of their lives has been

00:13:29.019 --> 00:13:30.100
 recreated,

00:13:30.480 --> 00:13:31.019
 renewed.

00:13:31.199 --> 00:13:32.759
 Look at what he says here in verse 17.

00:13:33.379 --> 00:13:33.620
 It says,

00:13:33.620 --> 00:13:35.339
 if anyone is in Christ,

00:13:35.340 --> 00:13:37.480
 he is a new creation,

00:13:38.399 --> 00:13:39.420
 a new creation.

00:13:40.100 --> 00:13:42.200
 The old is gone and the new has come.

00:13:42.860 --> 00:13:43.120
 Friends,

00:13:43.180 --> 00:13:46.620
 a Christian is someone who was once dead to God because of our sin,

00:13:46.840 --> 00:13:48.840
 but has been made alive in Jesus.

00:13:49.519 --> 00:13:53.899
 A Christian is someone who was once controlled by our own self-centered desires,

00:13:54.220 --> 00:13:55.060
 living for me,

00:13:55.320 --> 00:13:57.560
 but now is free from that.

00:13:58.100 --> 00:14:00.600
 A Christian is someone who wants to live for themselves,

00:14:00.980 --> 00:14:05.280
 but now since coming to know Christ has been won over for Christ and now lives

00:14:05.279 --> 00:14:06.579
 for God and his glory.

00:14:07.339 --> 00:14:07.519
 Friends,

00:14:07.559 --> 00:14:09.539
 a Christian is someone who's in a being,

00:14:10.059 --> 00:14:11.539
 the control center of our lives,

00:14:11.600 --> 00:14:14.799
 our hearts was once self-orientated,

00:14:14.939 --> 00:14:17.159
 but now has been made new and changed.

00:14:17.699 --> 00:14:18.039
 In fact,

00:14:18.079 --> 00:14:20.659
 a Christian is someone who is so different that Paul says,

00:14:20.659 --> 00:14:23.159
 it's like a new creation has been born.

00:14:24.000 --> 00:14:24.579
 John Newton,

00:14:24.679 --> 00:14:27.620
 the famous guy who wrote Amazing Grace,

00:14:28.120 --> 00:14:28.839
 he said this,

00:14:29.319 --> 00:14:30.919
 I'm not what I hope to be.

00:14:31.500 --> 00:14:32.439
 That's true for me.

00:14:32.860 --> 00:14:35.519
 I'm not what I one day will be when I get to glory,

00:14:36.079 --> 00:14:37.559
 but by the grace of God,

00:14:37.620 --> 00:14:38.939
 I'm not what I used to be.

00:14:39.659 --> 00:14:39.839
 See,

00:14:39.919 --> 00:14:41.759
 God's grace comes and changes us.

00:14:41.860 --> 00:14:42.500
 And as Paul says,

00:14:42.539 --> 00:14:44.799
 it's like making us a completely different person.

00:14:45.759 --> 00:14:47.519
 How many of us have heard stories of,

00:14:47.599 --> 00:14:50.639
 of people who in coming to Christ,

00:14:50.859 --> 00:14:52.479
 family members have then come and said,

00:14:52.599 --> 00:14:53.939
 what have you done to my husband?

00:14:54.379 --> 00:14:55.939
 What have you done to my children?

00:14:56.359 --> 00:14:57.679
 They're like a new person.

00:14:58.359 --> 00:14:59.399
 I remember I was once in,

00:14:59.859 --> 00:15:00.279
 Claire and I,

00:15:00.319 --> 00:15:01.219
 when we first got married,

00:15:01.299 --> 00:15:04.079
 went to Czech Republic and we met a pastor there.

00:15:04.779 --> 00:15:05.979
 And I said to him,

00:15:05.979 --> 00:15:06.979
 how did you become a Christian?

00:15:07.719 --> 00:15:07.979
 And you know,

00:15:08.000 --> 00:15:11.740
 Czech Republic is one of the most atheist countries in the world.

00:15:11.740 --> 00:15:14.680
 Less than 1% go to church.

00:15:15.240 --> 00:15:15.500
 He says,

00:15:15.560 --> 00:15:16.860
 I was a university student.

00:15:17.680 --> 00:15:19.460
 Atheist didn't believe in God whatsoever.

00:15:20.000 --> 00:15:23.860
 I was riding on the trains to university and I met this guy from Zambia.

00:15:24.299 --> 00:15:26.779
 And every day he would share the gospel with me.

00:15:27.320 --> 00:15:29.259
 And so one day after hearing the gospel,

00:15:29.379 --> 00:15:30.600
 I'm quite moved by it.

00:15:30.639 --> 00:15:31.519
 I'm challenged by it.

00:15:31.519 --> 00:15:33.940
 And so I go home to my girlfriend and I say,

00:15:34.419 --> 00:15:36.240
 do you know what this guy's been telling me on the train?

00:15:36.620 --> 00:15:39.539
 And he shares the story of the gospel with her.

00:15:39.539 --> 00:15:42.919
 She believes she goes to her room,

00:15:43.039 --> 00:15:44.259
 gets on her knees and says,

00:15:44.480 --> 00:15:44.959
 God,

00:15:45.079 --> 00:15:46.000
 if it's true,

00:15:46.099 --> 00:15:47.240
 make yourself known to me.

00:15:47.379 --> 00:15:48.959
 She becomes a believer that day,

00:15:49.000 --> 00:15:50.639
 but he's still not so sure.

00:15:51.199 --> 00:15:53.480
 And so over the next week or two weeks,

00:15:53.480 --> 00:15:58.659
 he sees such a radical change in her that he suddenly believes it must be true.

00:15:58.959 --> 00:16:00.459
 And he gets on his knees and he says,

00:16:00.539 --> 00:16:00.779
 Christ,

00:16:00.860 --> 00:16:01.919
 come and have your way in my life.

00:16:01.980 --> 00:16:03.039
 He becomes a follower of Jesus.

00:16:03.500 --> 00:16:04.039
 He said to me,

00:16:04.079 --> 00:16:06.939
 I led my first person to Christ before I even believed.

00:16:07.339 --> 00:16:08.599
 Let his girlfriend to Christ.

00:16:08.600 --> 00:16:10.980
 But the point was she changed.

00:16:11.440 --> 00:16:17.000
 There was such a dramatic change in her life that had led him to see there must be something different.

00:16:17.460 --> 00:16:17.639
 Friends,

00:16:17.700 --> 00:16:20.120
 the gospel is a power that changes us.

00:16:20.659 --> 00:16:22.259
 And what brings about this change?

00:16:22.620 --> 00:16:23.540
 Where does it come from?

00:16:23.620 --> 00:16:23.759
 Well,

00:16:23.820 --> 00:16:24.800
 look at verse 18.

00:16:25.620 --> 00:16:27.279
 All this is from God.

00:16:27.940 --> 00:16:28.220
 Friends,

00:16:28.360 --> 00:16:30.360
 God is the great orchestrator of this.

00:16:30.860 --> 00:16:32.500
 If God is at work in your life,

00:16:32.740 --> 00:16:34.259
 if God is changing your life,

00:16:34.259 --> 00:16:36.679
 if you've recently become a follower of Jesus,

00:16:36.679 --> 00:16:39.740
 if you've seen the evidence of God's spirit at work in you,

00:16:39.960 --> 00:16:42.299
 it's not because you have amazing pastors.

00:16:43.200 --> 00:16:44.720
 As wonderful as this church is,

00:16:44.759 --> 00:16:46.179
 it's not because of this church.

00:16:46.580 --> 00:16:50.439
 It's because the great God of the universe changes people.

00:16:50.519 --> 00:16:51.639
 He's at work in your life.

00:16:52.120 --> 00:16:52.399
 God,

00:16:52.519 --> 00:16:53.419
 by his spirit,

00:16:53.600 --> 00:16:54.939
 is working in people.

00:16:55.120 --> 00:16:56.500
 All this is from God.

00:16:56.600 --> 00:16:59.319
 He's the one who gives life to the spiritually dead.

00:16:59.320 --> 00:17:02.240
 He's the one who gives sight to the blind.

00:17:02.800 --> 00:17:03.240
 Friends,

00:17:03.340 --> 00:17:03.600
 if,

00:17:03.740 --> 00:17:04.660
 as we pray often,

00:17:05.140 --> 00:17:08.059
 as I prayed at half past five this morning,

00:17:08.140 --> 00:17:09.299
 when I was praying for Hong Kong,

00:17:09.480 --> 00:17:09.779
 God,

00:17:09.900 --> 00:17:11.440
 send revival to Hong Kong.

00:17:11.920 --> 00:17:12.820
 Renew the city.

00:17:13.100 --> 00:17:13.440
 Friends,

00:17:13.519 --> 00:17:14.380
 if that happens,

00:17:14.820 --> 00:17:19.680
 that won't be because of any strategic brilliance of any humans.

00:17:19.779 --> 00:17:22.759
 It'll be because God in his sovereignty has ordained it.

00:17:23.240 --> 00:17:24.519
 If anyone is in Christ,

00:17:24.620 --> 00:17:25.519
 he is a new creation.

00:17:25.740 --> 00:17:27.640
 All this is from God.

00:17:27.640 --> 00:17:30.040
 But now,

00:17:30.640 --> 00:17:32.420
 look at verse 18 and 19.

00:17:33.100 --> 00:17:36.320
 Because here Paul is going to give us the second description of a Christian.

00:17:36.620 --> 00:17:37.400
 So the first thing is,

00:17:37.680 --> 00:17:40.480
 a Christian is someone who has been made new in their heart.

00:17:40.580 --> 00:17:41.120
 But secondly,

00:17:41.560 --> 00:17:42.600
 look at what he says here.

00:17:43.100 --> 00:17:46.200
 A Christian is someone who has been reconciled to God.

00:17:46.580 --> 00:17:47.320
 Verse 18,

00:17:47.440 --> 00:17:48.680
 all this is from God,

00:17:48.980 --> 00:17:52.880
 who through Christ reconciled us to himself.

00:17:53.400 --> 00:17:53.820
 And again,

00:17:53.900 --> 00:17:54.560
 verse 19.

00:17:54.980 --> 00:17:55.600
 That is,

00:17:56.020 --> 00:17:56.720
 in Christ,

00:17:56.720 --> 00:17:59.680
 God was reconciling the world to himself,

00:17:59.900 --> 00:18:03.680
 not counting men's trespasses against them.

00:18:04.299 --> 00:18:06.759
 So here's the second description of a Christian.

00:18:07.339 --> 00:18:10.620
 A Christian is someone who was once estranged from God,

00:18:10.720 --> 00:18:12.299
 once alienated from God,

00:18:12.559 --> 00:18:14.539
 on account of his or her sinful nature,

00:18:14.539 --> 00:18:17.899
 but now has been reconciled or reunited.

00:18:18.000 --> 00:18:19.759
 A Christian is someone who was,

00:18:20.119 --> 00:18:21.899
 where once there was animosity,

00:18:22.559 --> 00:18:24.220
 now there is welcome.

00:18:25.019 --> 00:18:27.559
 Where once there was enmity and strife,

00:18:27.980 --> 00:18:29.599
 now there is friendship.

00:18:30.259 --> 00:18:32.099
 Where once there was alienation,

00:18:32.639 --> 00:18:34.420
 now there is reconciliation.

00:18:34.420 --> 00:18:36.060
 And friends,

00:18:36.160 --> 00:18:40.220
 that prior state of being alienated from the God that made us,

00:18:40.279 --> 00:18:41.039
 and loved us,

00:18:41.080 --> 00:18:42.120
 and created us,

00:18:42.380 --> 00:18:45.920
 and gave us everything that we have and need,

00:18:46.340 --> 00:18:47.539
 being estranged from God,

00:18:47.640 --> 00:18:50.180
 that is the natural state of every human being,

00:18:50.240 --> 00:18:51.279
 apart from the gospel,

00:18:51.900 --> 00:18:53.160
 apart from the grace of God.

00:18:53.380 --> 00:18:54.340
 But now,

00:18:54.460 --> 00:18:55.240
 in Christ,

00:18:55.340 --> 00:18:56.880
 because of Jesus and his death,

00:18:56.960 --> 00:19:00.180
 reconciliation between God and man is possible.

00:19:00.820 --> 00:19:01.060
 Friends,

00:19:01.059 --> 00:19:03.279
 that is the very heart of the gospel.

00:19:03.720 --> 00:19:07.220
 That is the central message of what the Bible is all about.

00:19:07.619 --> 00:19:09.619
 This is what God is doing in the world.

00:19:10.000 --> 00:19:11.339
 That though human beings,

00:19:11.460 --> 00:19:12.519
 in our natural condition,

00:19:13.279 --> 00:19:14.500
 are cut off from God,

00:19:15.000 --> 00:19:15.960
 under his judgment,

00:19:16.519 --> 00:19:17.399
 under his wrath,

00:19:17.599 --> 00:19:18.639
 because of our sin,

00:19:19.139 --> 00:19:20.559
 God has not abandoned the world.

00:19:20.960 --> 00:19:24.179
 He's moved towards us in incredible grace and love.

00:19:24.519 --> 00:19:26.839
 By sending Jesus to die on the cross,

00:19:26.839 --> 00:19:28.619
 to take upon himself,

00:19:29.099 --> 00:19:30.500
 our sin and our judgment,

00:19:30.500 --> 00:19:32.500
 now poured out on Jesus,

00:19:33.000 --> 00:19:34.119
 in our place,

00:19:34.559 --> 00:19:36.660
 so that our sins aren't counted against us,

00:19:36.700 --> 00:19:39.319
 but are now counted against Jesus.

00:19:39.960 --> 00:19:41.660
 As Paul says in verse 21,

00:19:41.880 --> 00:19:42.640
 we read it earlier,

00:19:43.200 --> 00:19:44.039
 for our sake,

00:19:44.400 --> 00:19:44.980
 I need a,

00:19:44.980 --> 00:19:46.099
 I need a handheld mic,

00:19:46.200 --> 00:19:47.319
 I mean a wireless mic.

00:19:47.660 --> 00:19:49.299
 I practiced this this morning with my hands.

00:19:50.039 --> 00:19:50.799
 For our sake,

00:19:51.339 --> 00:19:52.359
 God made him,

00:19:52.460 --> 00:19:53.039
 that's Jesus,

00:19:53.660 --> 00:19:54.700
 who knew no sin,

00:19:55.299 --> 00:19:57.539
 to become like a sinner,

00:19:57.539 --> 00:19:58.480
 to take on sin,

00:19:58.480 --> 00:20:00.160
 so that in him,

00:20:00.360 --> 00:20:01.299
 we who are sinners,

00:20:01.500 --> 00:20:04.400
 might become the righteousness of God.

00:20:05.019 --> 00:20:05.799
 Do you see what happens there?

00:20:06.059 --> 00:20:08.180
 There's this double exchange that takes place.

00:20:08.579 --> 00:20:09.900
 Christ takes on our sin,

00:20:10.180 --> 00:20:12.579
 and we become righteous before God.

00:20:13.180 --> 00:20:13.440
 Friends,

00:20:13.519 --> 00:20:18.279
 all this is so that we can be reconciled to the God who made us.

00:20:19.059 --> 00:20:19.339
 Friends,

00:20:19.380 --> 00:20:21.460
 isn't reconciliation such a beautiful thing?

00:20:22.180 --> 00:20:24.160
 I don't know if you've ever had this,

00:20:24.240 --> 00:20:26.860
 where a relationship that's really meaningful to you,

00:20:26.900 --> 00:20:28.079
 maybe your spouse,

00:20:28.799 --> 00:20:29.720
 maybe your children,

00:20:30.079 --> 00:20:31.059
 maybe your parents,

00:20:32.039 --> 00:20:33.240
 maybe a dear friend,

00:20:34.039 --> 00:20:35.079
 where there's some tension,

00:20:35.220 --> 00:20:36.720
 there's friction that takes place,

00:20:37.519 --> 00:20:38.059
 misunderstanding,

00:20:38.539 --> 00:20:38.960
 and you just,

00:20:39.180 --> 00:20:40.600
 it feels like it's jarring,

00:20:40.819 --> 00:20:42.420
 it feels like you're not seeing eye to eye,

00:20:43.100 --> 00:20:44.559
 and you lie awake at night,

00:20:44.640 --> 00:20:45.920
 you're tossing and you're turning,

00:20:46.600 --> 00:20:47.420
 you can't sleep,

00:20:47.500 --> 00:20:48.299
 you can't rest,

00:20:48.299 --> 00:20:50.639
 and suddenly one person says,

00:20:50.720 --> 00:20:50.819
 hey,

00:20:50.879 --> 00:20:51.859
 can we talk about this?

00:20:52.539 --> 00:20:53.200
 I'm sorry.

00:20:54.119 --> 00:20:55.139
 And the other person says,

00:20:55.180 --> 00:20:55.740
 I'm sorry.

00:20:56.759 --> 00:20:56.919
 Now,

00:20:56.980 --> 00:20:57.799
 please forgive me.

00:20:58.599 --> 00:20:58.879
 Friends,

00:20:58.919 --> 00:21:01.960
 isn't reconciliation one of the most beautiful things in the whole world?

00:21:03.240 --> 00:21:03.519
 Friends,

00:21:03.619 --> 00:21:04.500
 now God says,

00:21:04.579 --> 00:21:06.159
 the God who made us,

00:21:06.299 --> 00:21:08.359
 the God of the universe and the cosmos,

00:21:09.099 --> 00:21:11.639
 the God who knows you better than you know yourself,

00:21:11.639 --> 00:21:13.399
 the God who loves you,

00:21:13.940 --> 00:21:15.559
 that God has made a way for,

00:21:15.919 --> 00:21:17.639
 where there once was friction and animosity,

00:21:18.299 --> 00:21:18.839
 intention,

00:21:19.079 --> 00:21:21.019
 and under his judgment and his wrath,

00:21:21.440 --> 00:21:24.359
 now reconciliation is taking place.

00:21:24.779 --> 00:21:27.039
 Now there is welcome and embrace.

00:21:27.659 --> 00:21:28.359
 Now he says,

00:21:28.460 --> 00:21:29.159
 I love you,

00:21:29.200 --> 00:21:30.379
 my son and my daughter.

00:21:31.460 --> 00:21:32.019
 Dear friend,

00:21:32.079 --> 00:21:34.019
 have you been reconciled to this God?

00:21:35.079 --> 00:21:36.039
 Do you know him?

00:21:37.200 --> 00:21:39.379
 Do you know his love and his tenderness?

00:21:40.379 --> 00:21:42.019
 Do you know his warm embrace?

00:21:43.599 --> 00:21:44.039
 Friends,

00:21:44.119 --> 00:21:46.399
 are you still trusting in yourself to save yourself?

00:21:46.400 --> 00:21:52.240
 Are you trusting in your righteousness or your good works or your moral performance?

00:21:52.880 --> 00:21:55.100
 Are you trusting in your religious devotion?

00:21:56.360 --> 00:21:56.620
 Friends,

00:21:56.660 --> 00:21:58.480
 we've said it many times and we'll say it again.

00:21:59.019 --> 00:21:59.900
 Apart from Jesus,

00:22:00.259 --> 00:22:01.600
 you have no hope.

00:22:02.340 --> 00:22:03.860
 You cannot save yourself.

00:22:04.060 --> 00:22:09.360
 There is nothing you can do in this world to rescue and redeem and to be reconciled to God.

00:22:10.019 --> 00:22:11.160
 Put your hope in Jesus.

00:22:11.160 --> 00:22:11.560
 Friends,

00:22:11.560 --> 00:22:14.880
 the one who loves you the most and knows you the best,

00:22:15.259 --> 00:22:16.600
 the one who went to the cross for you,

00:22:16.940 --> 00:22:21.980
 he went to the cross that you might be reconciled to the God who made you for a relationship with him.

00:22:22.460 --> 00:22:22.800
 Friends,

00:22:22.880 --> 00:22:23.560
 do you know him?

00:22:24.240 --> 00:22:25.120
 Do you know him?

00:22:25.580 --> 00:22:27.700
 As Paul says later on in this chapter,

00:22:28.120 --> 00:22:29.140
 I implore you,

00:22:29.240 --> 00:22:30.740
 be reconciled to God.

00:22:31.620 --> 00:22:32.019
 Friends,

00:22:32.080 --> 00:22:34.480
 maybe for some of us who have been running away from God,

00:22:34.960 --> 00:22:36.480
 maybe you're still coming to church,

00:22:36.620 --> 00:22:37.620
 but in your heart,

00:22:37.720 --> 00:22:39.220
 you're drifting away from him.

00:22:39.220 --> 00:22:40.860
 Maybe in your heart,

00:22:40.920 --> 00:22:44.400
 you're making decisions that you know the relationship is being strained.

00:22:44.579 --> 00:22:44.819
 Friends,

00:22:44.900 --> 00:22:45.980
 be reconciled to him.

00:22:46.299 --> 00:22:47.460
 Don't go another day.

00:22:48.000 --> 00:22:49.220
 Don't go another hour.

00:22:49.839 --> 00:22:49.980
 Friends,

00:22:50.039 --> 00:22:51.120
 don't go another minute.

00:22:51.640 --> 00:22:53.140
 Be reconciled to God.

00:22:54.259 --> 00:22:55.019
 For in Christ,

00:22:55.140 --> 00:22:57.380
 he who knew no sin became sin for us,

00:22:57.420 --> 00:23:00.000
 that we might become the righteousness of God,

00:23:00.059 --> 00:23:02.799
 that we might be reconciled to him.

00:23:03.259 --> 00:23:03.680
 Friends,

00:23:03.740 --> 00:23:04.759
 this is the heart of the Bible.

00:23:05.180 --> 00:23:06.600
 This is the heart of Christianity.

00:23:06.960 --> 00:23:08.480
 This is what the gospel is all about,

00:23:08.480 --> 00:23:09.500
 that in Christ,

00:23:09.660 --> 00:23:12.640
 God is reconciling the world to himself,

00:23:12.880 --> 00:23:16.140
 not counting men's trespasses against him.

00:23:16.180 --> 00:23:17.039
 Isn't that good news?

00:23:17.740 --> 00:23:18.880
 It's great news.

00:23:19.019 --> 00:23:19.779
 If you're not convinced,

00:23:19.920 --> 00:23:20.940
 it's great news.

00:23:21.900 --> 00:23:22.140
 Now,

00:23:22.620 --> 00:23:24.380
 that is part one.

00:23:24.960 --> 00:23:25.099
 Okay?

00:23:25.759 --> 00:23:25.940
 Now,

00:23:26.000 --> 00:23:27.779
 in the second part of this passage,

00:23:28.079 --> 00:23:29.259
 he gives us part two.

00:23:29.819 --> 00:23:30.500
 Part one,

00:23:30.579 --> 00:23:31.240
 you could say,

00:23:31.519 --> 00:23:32.880
 is the ground,

00:23:32.880 --> 00:23:34.160
 or the foundation,

00:23:34.160 --> 00:23:35.460
 of Paul's ministry.

00:23:36.000 --> 00:23:39.580
 Paul's entire ministry is grounded on this.

00:23:40.000 --> 00:23:40.860
 The gospel,

00:23:41.100 --> 00:23:41.360
 right?

00:23:41.460 --> 00:23:42.620
 That's the message.

00:23:43.340 --> 00:23:44.280
 In part two,

00:23:44.380 --> 00:23:46.960
 he's now going to give us the implications of that message,

00:23:47.060 --> 00:23:48.660
 which is his ministry,

00:23:48.760 --> 00:23:49.660
 or his mission.

00:23:50.220 --> 00:23:50.500
 So,

00:23:50.580 --> 00:23:51.460
 the ground,

00:23:51.620 --> 00:23:55.160
 or the foundation of his ministry,

00:23:55.160 --> 00:23:56.620
 is the message of the gospel.

00:23:57.259 --> 00:23:59.739
 The goal of his ministry,

00:23:59.959 --> 00:24:01.439
 is the mission of Jesus.

00:24:02.039 --> 00:24:03.979
 And in the next couple of verses,

00:24:04.439 --> 00:24:05.719
 he's going to oscillate,

00:24:05.919 --> 00:24:07.599
 between the message,

00:24:07.739 --> 00:24:08.359
 and the mission.

00:24:08.619 --> 00:24:08.739
 Okay?

00:24:08.759 --> 00:24:09.359
 These two things.

00:24:09.399 --> 00:24:10.339
 He's going to go left foot,

00:24:10.399 --> 00:24:10.939
 right foot.

00:24:11.019 --> 00:24:11.419
 It's like,

00:24:12.119 --> 00:24:12.959
 it's like an airplane.

00:24:13.079 --> 00:24:14.659
 You need two wings to fly an airplane.

00:24:15.299 --> 00:24:16.539
 It's like pedals of a bicycle.

00:24:16.679 --> 00:24:17.599
 You need two pedals.

00:24:17.739 --> 00:24:17.959
 Okay?

00:24:18.419 --> 00:24:20.079
 And Paul's going to keep on jumping,

00:24:20.079 --> 00:24:21.419
 between one and two.

00:24:21.759 --> 00:24:22.979
 The message of the gospel,

00:24:23.479 --> 00:24:25.239
 and the mission of the gospel.

00:24:25.240 --> 00:24:26.839
 Let's see how he does this.

00:24:27.160 --> 00:24:28.859
 Look at verse 18 with me.

00:24:29.740 --> 00:24:30.259
 All this,

00:24:30.380 --> 00:24:31.180
 is from God,

00:24:31.559 --> 00:24:33.079
 who through Christ,

00:24:33.279 --> 00:24:34.700
 reconciled us to himself.

00:24:34.819 --> 00:24:34.980
 Okay?

00:24:35.079 --> 00:24:36.220
 That's the message.

00:24:36.839 --> 00:24:37.519
 Now the mission.

00:24:37.960 --> 00:24:39.059
 And gave us,

00:24:39.400 --> 00:24:41.220
 the ministry of reconciliation.

00:24:41.940 --> 00:24:44.420
 So God is reconciling sinners to himself.

00:24:44.620 --> 00:24:46.019
 That's what he's doing in the world.

00:24:46.079 --> 00:24:47.900
 By sending Jesus to die,

00:24:47.900 --> 00:24:48.980
 on the cross.

00:24:49.120 --> 00:24:51.259
 He is now at work in people's hearts.

00:24:51.720 --> 00:24:53.779
 But those that he has reconciled,

00:24:54.039 --> 00:24:55.120
 if you're a follower of Jesus,

00:24:55.240 --> 00:24:55.620
 this morning,

00:24:55.720 --> 00:24:56.160
 that's you.

00:24:56.480 --> 00:24:58.000
 Those that he has reconciled,

00:24:58.279 --> 00:25:01.620
 he is now given a ministry of reconciliation.

00:25:02.400 --> 00:25:03.000
 In other words,

00:25:03.279 --> 00:25:04.759
 when God saves somebody,

00:25:05.380 --> 00:25:06.140
 ransoms somebody,

00:25:06.400 --> 00:25:07.400
 rescues somebody,

00:25:07.720 --> 00:25:08.819
 reconciles somebody,

00:25:09.099 --> 00:25:11.079
 he also brings that person

00:25:11.079 --> 00:25:13.680
 into his reconciliation mission,

00:25:13.680 --> 00:25:15.120
 into the world.

00:25:15.839 --> 00:25:16.420
 In other words,

00:25:16.819 --> 00:25:18.740
 being reconciled to God,

00:25:18.980 --> 00:25:19.599
 being a Christian,

00:25:19.980 --> 00:25:22.319
 is not distinct or separate

00:25:22.319 --> 00:25:24.279
 from being part of his mission

00:25:24.279 --> 00:25:25.939
 of reconciliation into the world.

00:25:26.500 --> 00:25:27.139
 In other words,

00:25:27.480 --> 00:25:28.839
 being those that have received

00:25:28.839 --> 00:25:30.000
 the good news of Jesus

00:25:30.000 --> 00:25:31.960
 is not distinct or separate

00:25:31.960 --> 00:25:33.159
 from his calling

00:25:33.159 --> 00:25:34.480
 to be those who carry

00:25:34.480 --> 00:25:35.519
 the good news of Jesus

00:25:35.519 --> 00:25:36.319
 into the world.

00:25:37.019 --> 00:25:38.019
 Being those who have been

00:25:38.019 --> 00:25:39.659
 changed by the gospel

00:25:39.659 --> 00:25:41.139
 is not distinct

00:25:41.139 --> 00:25:42.319
 from being those

00:25:42.319 --> 00:25:44.339
 who tell others about the gospel.

00:25:44.879 --> 00:25:46.460
 Or in the words of Genesis 12,

00:25:46.460 --> 00:25:48.140
 those that have been blessed

00:25:48.140 --> 00:25:48.900
 by the gospel

00:25:48.900 --> 00:25:51.160
 are called to bless others

00:25:51.160 --> 00:25:51.920
 with the gospel.

00:25:52.779 --> 00:25:53.460
 And so Paul says

00:25:53.460 --> 00:25:54.400
 the exact same thing

00:25:54.400 --> 00:25:55.340
 in the next sentence.

00:25:55.460 --> 00:25:56.420
 Look at verse 19.

00:25:56.680 --> 00:25:57.059
 He says,

00:25:57.539 --> 00:25:58.120
 that is,

00:25:58.720 --> 00:25:59.360
 in Christ,

00:25:59.500 --> 00:26:00.660
 God is reconciling

00:26:00.660 --> 00:26:01.559
 the world to himself,

00:26:01.840 --> 00:26:03.600
 not counting their trespasses

00:26:03.600 --> 00:26:04.220
 against him.

00:26:04.420 --> 00:26:04.579
 Okay,

00:26:04.640 --> 00:26:05.900
 that's the message,

00:26:06.120 --> 00:26:06.519
 the gospel.

00:26:07.380 --> 00:26:07.640
 Now,

00:26:08.200 --> 00:26:09.480
 entrusting to us

00:26:09.480 --> 00:26:11.319
 the message of reconciliation.

00:26:12.759 --> 00:26:13.539
 So do you see that?

00:26:13.960 --> 00:26:14.440
 Paul's saying

00:26:14.440 --> 00:26:15.380
 these two things,

00:26:15.380 --> 00:26:16.740
 being reconciled

00:26:16.740 --> 00:26:17.880
 and being agents

00:26:17.880 --> 00:26:18.600
 of reconciliation,

00:26:19.060 --> 00:26:19.920
 these two things

00:26:19.920 --> 00:26:20.700
 go together.

00:26:21.420 --> 00:26:21.820
 Now,

00:26:21.860 --> 00:26:22.600
 you could say,

00:26:23.100 --> 00:26:23.360
 okay,

00:26:23.460 --> 00:26:23.760
 Kevin,

00:26:24.180 --> 00:26:25.140
 but isn't that just

00:26:25.140 --> 00:26:25.720
 the apostles,

00:26:26.260 --> 00:26:26.460
 right?

00:26:26.500 --> 00:26:27.240
 Maybe Paul's just

00:26:27.240 --> 00:26:28.060
 talking about himself.

00:26:28.540 --> 00:26:29.060
 Maybe he's saying,

00:26:29.180 --> 00:26:29.400
 I,

00:26:29.620 --> 00:26:29.840
 Paul,

00:26:30.240 --> 00:26:30.680
 you know,

00:26:30.720 --> 00:26:31.300
 the apostle

00:26:31.300 --> 00:26:32.080
 who wrote half

00:26:32.080 --> 00:26:32.700
 the New Testament,

00:26:33.020 --> 00:26:35.160
 I have been reconciled

00:26:35.160 --> 00:26:36.240
 and I have been given

00:26:36.240 --> 00:26:36.860
 this message

00:26:36.860 --> 00:26:37.560
 of reconciliation.

00:26:37.940 --> 00:26:39.000
 But the rest of you,

00:26:39.300 --> 00:26:39.640
 well,

00:26:39.760 --> 00:26:40.000
 you know,

00:26:40.160 --> 00:26:41.520
 you just go on

00:26:41.520 --> 00:26:42.360
 doing what you want.

00:26:43.480 --> 00:26:43.880
 Well,

00:26:43.900 --> 00:26:44.540
 look what he says.

00:26:45.380 --> 00:26:47.200
 the same people

00:26:47.200 --> 00:26:48.320
 that he talks about

00:26:48.320 --> 00:26:49.400
 being reconciled

00:26:49.400 --> 00:26:50.740
 is the same people

00:26:50.740 --> 00:26:51.440
 who are given

00:26:51.440 --> 00:26:52.180
 this ministry

00:26:52.180 --> 00:26:52.880
 of reconciliation.

00:26:53.280 --> 00:26:53.560
 He says,

00:26:53.720 --> 00:26:54.080
 God,

00:26:54.300 --> 00:26:55.420
 who through Christ

00:26:55.420 --> 00:26:56.660
 reconciled us,

00:26:57.140 --> 00:26:57.460
 okay,

00:26:58.040 --> 00:26:58.960
 to himself,

00:26:59.520 --> 00:27:00.600
 gives us,

00:27:00.880 --> 00:27:01.680
 those same people

00:27:01.680 --> 00:27:02.600
 that he's reconciled,

00:27:02.720 --> 00:27:03.420
 the ministry

00:27:03.420 --> 00:27:04.200
 of reconciliation.

00:27:04.960 --> 00:27:05.820
 Who has he given

00:27:05.820 --> 00:27:06.300
 the ministry

00:27:06.300 --> 00:27:07.360
 of reconciliation to?

00:27:07.620 --> 00:27:09.440
 Those that he's reconciled.

00:27:09.800 --> 00:27:11.180
 Who is he sending out

00:27:11.180 --> 00:27:12.040
 as his missionaries?

00:27:12.440 --> 00:27:13.440
 Those that have

00:27:13.440 --> 00:27:14.320
 received the gospel.

00:27:14.319 --> 00:27:15.399
 Friends,

00:27:15.460 --> 00:27:15.919
 it's not just

00:27:15.919 --> 00:27:16.659
 the pastors

00:27:16.659 --> 00:27:17.579
 and the elders

00:27:17.579 --> 00:27:18.539
 and those that work

00:27:18.539 --> 00:27:19.139
 at the church

00:27:19.139 --> 00:27:19.939
 as staff.

00:27:20.359 --> 00:27:21.759
 It's all believers.

00:27:22.299 --> 00:27:23.099
 So we could say it

00:27:23.099 --> 00:27:23.619
 like this.

00:27:24.500 --> 00:27:25.720
 Central to the gospel

00:27:25.720 --> 00:27:27.079
 is that those

00:27:27.079 --> 00:27:27.659
 that were once

00:27:27.659 --> 00:27:28.939
 alienated from God

00:27:28.939 --> 00:27:30.200
 have been reconciled

00:27:30.200 --> 00:27:32.279
 and central

00:27:32.279 --> 00:27:33.099
 to what it means

00:27:33.099 --> 00:27:33.879
 to be a Christian

00:27:33.879 --> 00:27:35.619
 is to be an ambassador

00:27:35.619 --> 00:27:36.819
 of reconciliation

00:27:36.819 --> 00:27:38.779
 in our world.

00:27:40.179 --> 00:27:40.599
 Friends,

00:27:40.639 --> 00:27:41.119
 just think about

00:27:41.119 --> 00:27:42.000
 what incredible

00:27:42.000 --> 00:27:43.259
 responsibility

00:27:43.259 --> 00:27:44.279
 and privilege

00:27:44.279 --> 00:27:44.859
 this is.

00:27:45.539 --> 00:27:46.200
 The gospel

00:27:46.200 --> 00:27:47.220
 is so precious.

00:27:47.960 --> 00:27:48.599
 It's the hope

00:27:48.599 --> 00:27:49.160
 of the world.

00:27:49.640 --> 00:27:50.240
 It's the hope

00:27:50.240 --> 00:27:50.819
 of our city.

00:27:51.400 --> 00:27:51.980
 It's the hope

00:27:51.980 --> 00:27:52.759
 of our lives.

00:27:53.400 --> 00:27:53.619
 Friends,

00:27:53.700 --> 00:27:54.160
 the gospel

00:27:54.160 --> 00:27:54.740
 is the thing

00:27:54.740 --> 00:27:55.299
 that's going to bring

00:27:55.299 --> 00:27:56.099
 hope and peace

00:27:56.099 --> 00:27:57.019
 to our city again.

00:27:57.420 --> 00:27:58.079
 It's the thing

00:27:58.079 --> 00:27:59.140
 that can bring together

00:27:59.140 --> 00:28:00.259
 fractured

00:28:00.259 --> 00:28:01.279
 and warring parties.

00:28:01.740 --> 00:28:02.400
 It's the thing

00:28:02.400 --> 00:28:03.359
 that can quieten

00:28:03.359 --> 00:28:03.980
 the anger

00:28:03.980 --> 00:28:05.079
 and the frustration

00:28:05.079 --> 00:28:06.160
 and the restlessness

00:28:06.160 --> 00:28:06.900
 of our city.

00:28:07.380 --> 00:28:08.059
 The message

00:28:08.059 --> 00:28:08.640
 of the gospel

00:28:08.640 --> 00:28:09.480
 is a power

00:28:09.480 --> 00:28:10.259
 that changes

00:28:10.259 --> 00:28:11.120
 people's lives

00:28:11.120 --> 00:28:11.860
 and it can change

00:28:11.860 --> 00:28:12.240
 a city.

00:28:12.960 --> 00:28:13.900
 And this precious

00:28:13.900 --> 00:28:14.360
 treasure,

00:28:14.740 --> 00:28:15.800
 which is more precious

00:28:15.800 --> 00:28:16.759
 than all the gold

00:28:16.759 --> 00:28:17.440
 in the world,

00:28:18.100 --> 00:28:19.020
 this treasure

00:28:19.020 --> 00:28:20.600
 God has entrusted

00:28:20.600 --> 00:28:22.259
 into our hands.

00:28:22.800 --> 00:28:23.980
 I know it sounds foolish.

00:28:24.100 --> 00:28:24.840
 I wouldn't have done it

00:28:24.840 --> 00:28:25.540
 if I was God.

00:28:25.920 --> 00:28:26.640
 But somehow

00:28:26.640 --> 00:28:27.620
 in his wisdom

00:28:27.620 --> 00:28:28.740
 he has entrusted

00:28:28.740 --> 00:28:29.780
 this message

00:28:29.780 --> 00:28:31.160
 into our hands

00:28:31.160 --> 00:28:32.160
 to take into

00:28:32.160 --> 00:28:33.360
 the city

00:28:33.360 --> 00:28:34.440
 to people

00:28:34.440 --> 00:28:35.400
 like you and I.

00:28:35.940 --> 00:28:36.840
 And so in verse 20

00:28:36.839 --> 00:28:38.279
 Paul says the same thing.

00:28:38.379 --> 00:28:39.759
 He uses a different analogy.

00:28:40.619 --> 00:28:40.980
 He says,

00:28:41.339 --> 00:28:41.419
 therefore,

00:28:41.799 --> 00:28:43.079
 we are ambassadors

00:28:43.079 --> 00:28:44.039
 for Christ.

00:28:44.619 --> 00:28:46.279
 God making his appeal

00:28:46.279 --> 00:28:47.220
 to this world

00:28:47.220 --> 00:28:48.500
 through us.

00:28:49.500 --> 00:28:49.779
 Friends,

00:28:49.819 --> 00:28:50.939
 what do ambassadors do?

00:28:51.879 --> 00:28:53.639
 We have some friends

00:28:53.639 --> 00:28:54.619
 from Ambassador Church

00:28:54.619 --> 00:28:55.359
 here this morning.

00:28:56.039 --> 00:28:57.179
 What do ambassadors do?

00:28:57.359 --> 00:28:58.319
 Ambassadors speak

00:28:58.319 --> 00:28:58.939
 on behalf

00:28:58.939 --> 00:28:59.759
 of their government.

00:29:00.480 --> 00:29:00.619
 Now,

00:29:00.879 --> 00:29:02.519
 in the 21st century

00:29:02.519 --> 00:29:03.459
 often ambassadors

00:29:03.459 --> 00:29:06.259
 engage in negotiation.

00:29:06.839 --> 00:29:07.779
 In the Roman world

00:29:07.779 --> 00:29:08.519
 there wasn't a lot

00:29:08.519 --> 00:29:09.339
 of negotiation.

00:29:09.659 --> 00:29:10.599
 The Roman Empire

00:29:10.599 --> 00:29:12.039
 they just annexed somebody

00:29:12.039 --> 00:29:13.220
 and then they sent

00:29:13.220 --> 00:29:13.839
 their ambassador

00:29:13.839 --> 00:29:15.019
 to tell their colony

00:29:15.019 --> 00:29:15.740
 what to do.

00:29:16.559 --> 00:29:17.539
 So when you're

00:29:17.539 --> 00:29:18.419
 an ambassador from Rome

00:29:18.419 --> 00:29:19.139
 there wasn't a lot

00:29:19.139 --> 00:29:20.259
 of negotiation.

00:29:20.879 --> 00:29:22.339
 You just told somebody

00:29:22.339 --> 00:29:22.899
 what to do.

00:29:24.139 --> 00:29:24.619
 Friends,

00:29:24.679 --> 00:29:25.240
 God says that

00:29:25.240 --> 00:29:26.459
 he's called his people

00:29:26.459 --> 00:29:27.959
 to be ambassadors.

00:29:28.619 --> 00:29:30.079
 To speak on behalf

00:29:30.079 --> 00:29:31.279
 of the king of heaven

00:29:31.279 --> 00:29:33.279
 to a rebel world

00:29:33.279 --> 00:29:34.679
 that there is hope

00:29:34.679 --> 00:29:36.019
 for the world.

00:29:36.019 --> 00:29:37.559
 He's called us

00:29:37.559 --> 00:29:38.579
 to speak on behalf

00:29:38.579 --> 00:29:38.980
 of him

00:29:38.980 --> 00:29:40.339
 as his spokesperson

00:29:40.339 --> 00:29:41.299
 to represent

00:29:41.299 --> 00:29:42.099
 his interests.

00:29:42.819 --> 00:29:43.119
 Friends,

00:29:43.299 --> 00:29:44.039
 this morning

00:29:44.039 --> 00:29:44.720
 we're ambassadors

00:29:44.720 --> 00:29:45.519
 not of Rome,

00:29:46.079 --> 00:29:47.220
 not of Hong Kong,

00:29:47.859 --> 00:29:49.480
 not of the family business

00:29:49.480 --> 00:29:51.119
 or the family name

00:29:51.119 --> 00:29:52.559
 but of the reconciling

00:29:52.559 --> 00:29:53.720
 God of the universe.

00:29:54.619 --> 00:29:55.539
 And what is the message

00:29:55.539 --> 00:29:56.319
 that he's given us

00:29:56.319 --> 00:29:56.839
 to deliver?

00:29:57.660 --> 00:29:58.500
 That in Christ

00:29:58.500 --> 00:29:59.220
 reconciliation

00:29:59.220 --> 00:30:00.019
 for rebels

00:30:00.019 --> 00:30:00.660
 is possible.

00:30:01.279 --> 00:30:01.980
 That in Christ

00:30:01.980 --> 00:30:03.299
 God is reconciling

00:30:03.299 --> 00:30:04.400
 the world to himself.

00:30:04.400 --> 00:30:05.940
 Not counting mankind's

00:30:05.940 --> 00:30:07.220
 trespasses against them.

00:30:07.620 --> 00:30:08.280
 That if anyone

00:30:08.280 --> 00:30:09.000
 is in Christ

00:30:09.000 --> 00:30:10.040
 he is a new creation.

00:30:10.860 --> 00:30:11.060
 Friends,

00:30:11.100 --> 00:30:12.019
 that God made him

00:30:12.019 --> 00:30:12.960
 who had no sin

00:30:12.960 --> 00:30:14.140
 to be sin for us

00:30:14.140 --> 00:30:14.740
 so that in him

00:30:14.740 --> 00:30:15.380
 we might be

00:30:15.380 --> 00:30:16.080
 the righteousness

00:30:16.080 --> 00:30:17.180
 of God.

00:30:17.240 --> 00:30:18.500
 This is our privilege.

00:30:18.940 --> 00:30:19.759
 We are entrusted

00:30:19.759 --> 00:30:20.840
 with this message

00:30:20.840 --> 00:30:21.860
 as his ambassadors.

00:30:22.600 --> 00:30:23.240
 God making

00:30:23.240 --> 00:30:24.040
 his reconciliation

00:30:24.040 --> 00:30:24.960
 appeal

00:30:24.960 --> 00:30:26.200
 through us.

00:30:26.660 --> 00:30:27.140
 Is that not

00:30:27.140 --> 00:30:28.160
 an incredible privilege?

00:30:28.820 --> 00:30:29.660
 Oh my goodness,

00:30:29.759 --> 00:30:30.140
 it is.

00:30:30.140 --> 00:30:31.520
 Now,

00:30:31.960 --> 00:30:32.580
 friends,

00:30:32.640 --> 00:30:33.180
 how does this

00:30:33.180 --> 00:30:33.940
 transform

00:30:33.940 --> 00:30:35.220
 your week

00:30:35.220 --> 00:30:36.200
 and your life?

00:30:36.820 --> 00:30:37.900
 Imagine every day

00:30:37.900 --> 00:30:38.780
 waking up

00:30:38.780 --> 00:30:40.300
 with this sense

00:30:40.300 --> 00:30:40.960
 of conviction.

00:30:41.280 --> 00:30:42.259
 Today I am

00:30:42.259 --> 00:30:43.140
 an ambassador

00:30:43.140 --> 00:30:44.220
 for the king of heaven.

00:30:44.940 --> 00:30:45.620
 Today I am

00:30:45.620 --> 00:30:46.320
 God's agent

00:30:46.320 --> 00:30:47.480
 to bring reconciliation

00:30:47.480 --> 00:30:48.700
 to the world.

00:30:49.380 --> 00:30:49.560
 Friends,

00:30:49.580 --> 00:30:50.580
 how would that change

00:30:50.580 --> 00:30:51.640
 the way that we live

00:30:51.640 --> 00:30:52.100
 our lives?

00:30:52.759 --> 00:30:53.620
 Yesterday morning

00:30:53.620 --> 00:30:54.900
 I was going to

00:30:54.900 --> 00:30:55.720
 pick up a bed

00:30:55.720 --> 00:30:56.840
 from Kennedy town

00:30:56.839 --> 00:30:58.059
 to our house

00:30:58.059 --> 00:31:00.019
 youngest daughter

00:31:00.019 --> 00:31:01.279
 and wanted a bunk bed

00:31:01.279 --> 00:31:02.659
 and so got this bed

00:31:02.659 --> 00:31:04.220
 and ordered the go-go van

00:31:04.220 --> 00:31:05.539
 and so while I am

00:31:05.539 --> 00:31:06.179
 in the go-go van

00:31:06.179 --> 00:31:07.599
 I am having this conversation

00:31:07.599 --> 00:31:08.659
 with my new friend Sam

00:31:08.659 --> 00:31:10.199
 the go-go van driver

00:31:10.199 --> 00:31:13.399
 and he asks me

00:31:13.399 --> 00:31:13.799
 what I do

00:31:13.799 --> 00:31:14.119
 so I say

00:31:14.119 --> 00:31:14.819
 I am a pastor

00:31:14.819 --> 00:31:16.439
 and what do you think

00:31:16.439 --> 00:31:16.959
 about faith?

00:31:17.480 --> 00:31:17.659
 Well,

00:31:17.879 --> 00:31:18.119
 he says

00:31:18.119 --> 00:31:19.419
 I don't believe anything.

00:31:19.720 --> 00:31:19.899
 Oh,

00:31:19.959 --> 00:31:20.539
 why is that?

00:31:21.220 --> 00:31:22.500
 Why don't you believe anything?

00:31:23.279 --> 00:31:24.819
 And then we were both

00:31:24.819 --> 00:31:25.599
 wearing face masks

00:31:25.599 --> 00:31:26.639
 and actually he was wearing

00:31:26.639 --> 00:31:27.179
 a face mask

00:31:27.179 --> 00:31:28.719
 and so I said

00:31:28.719 --> 00:31:28.939
 oh,

00:31:29.039 --> 00:31:29.179
 you know,

00:31:29.219 --> 00:31:29.699
 the coronavirus

00:31:29.699 --> 00:31:30.339
 what do you think

00:31:30.339 --> 00:31:30.859
 about that?

00:31:32.039 --> 00:31:32.339
 Well,

00:31:32.379 --> 00:31:33.019
 Hong Kong's gone through

00:31:33.019 --> 00:31:33.659
 a difficult time

00:31:33.659 --> 00:31:34.199
 this last year

00:31:34.199 --> 00:31:34.799
 what are your thoughts

00:31:34.799 --> 00:31:35.279
 about Hong Kong?

00:31:35.399 --> 00:31:36.219
 Where do you find hope,

00:31:36.339 --> 00:31:36.459
 Sam?

00:31:36.839 --> 00:31:38.079
 And so we have this conversation

00:31:38.079 --> 00:31:39.579
 in the go-go van

00:31:39.579 --> 00:31:41.919
 about the hope of the world

00:31:41.919 --> 00:31:43.059
 where you can find hope.

00:31:43.980 --> 00:31:44.959
 Now the reason I did that

00:31:44.959 --> 00:31:46.059
 was because I was preaching

00:31:46.059 --> 00:31:46.980
 this message this morning

00:31:46.980 --> 00:31:47.980
 and I was aware

00:31:47.980 --> 00:31:49.839
 that there in a go-go van

00:31:49.839 --> 00:31:51.519
 God has placed me

00:31:51.519 --> 00:31:52.240
 to be an agent

00:31:52.240 --> 00:31:53.000
 of reconciliation.

00:31:53.980 --> 00:31:55.139
 Here's my friend Sam

00:31:55.140 --> 00:31:56.600
 who does not know

00:31:56.600 --> 00:31:58.240
 the God who made him

00:31:58.240 --> 00:31:59.240
 the God who made him

00:31:59.240 --> 00:32:00.460
 for a relationship with him

00:32:00.460 --> 00:32:01.480
 the one for whom

00:32:01.480 --> 00:32:02.900
 Jesus died on the cross

00:32:02.900 --> 00:32:04.320
 and had his blood poured out

00:32:04.320 --> 00:32:06.140
 the one who Jesus said

00:32:06.140 --> 00:32:06.700
 Father,

00:32:07.200 --> 00:32:08.460
 it is finished.

00:32:09.860 --> 00:32:11.100
 Christ hung on the cross

00:32:11.100 --> 00:32:11.960
 for my friend Sam

00:32:11.960 --> 00:32:12.680
 and he doesn't know

00:32:12.680 --> 00:32:14.180
 the great love of God

00:32:14.180 --> 00:32:16.620
 and maybe there's nobody else

00:32:16.620 --> 00:32:17.320
 that he's going to meet

00:32:17.320 --> 00:32:18.280
 in this next year

00:32:18.280 --> 00:32:19.200
 that knows Jesus

00:32:19.200 --> 00:32:20.560
 and God has put me there

00:32:20.560 --> 00:32:21.200
 in the van

00:32:21.200 --> 00:32:22.320
 as an agent

00:32:22.320 --> 00:32:23.100
 of reconciliation

00:32:23.099 --> 00:32:24.740
 to help Sam

00:32:24.740 --> 00:32:25.419
 get to know

00:32:25.419 --> 00:32:26.639
 this God of the universe.

00:32:27.359 --> 00:32:27.759
 Friends,

00:32:27.819 --> 00:32:29.119
 when you go to work tomorrow,

00:32:29.719 --> 00:32:31.179
 you go there to do a job

00:32:31.179 --> 00:32:32.679
 and we do that job properly.

00:32:33.139 --> 00:32:33.299
 Okay?

00:32:33.579 --> 00:32:34.779
 It's good to work hard

00:32:34.779 --> 00:32:36.699
 but you don't just go to a job.

00:32:37.119 --> 00:32:38.439
 You go as an ambassador

00:32:38.439 --> 00:32:39.119
 of the king,

00:32:39.179 --> 00:32:40.659
 as an agent for reconciliation

00:32:40.659 --> 00:32:42.179
 to help those

00:32:42.179 --> 00:32:43.119
 that do not know

00:32:43.119 --> 00:32:44.279
 the love of Christ

00:32:44.279 --> 00:32:45.240
 come to know him.

00:32:46.019 --> 00:32:46.419
 Friends,

00:32:46.480 --> 00:32:47.199
 how would this change

00:32:47.199 --> 00:32:48.199
 the way we do parenting?

00:32:48.880 --> 00:32:49.559
 We don't just think

00:32:49.559 --> 00:32:50.080
 of parenting

00:32:50.080 --> 00:32:51.519
 as raising our kids

00:32:51.519 --> 00:32:52.460
 to send them

00:32:52.460 --> 00:32:53.160
 to a good school,

00:32:53.299 --> 00:32:54.360
 to go to a good university,

00:32:54.440 --> 00:32:55.400
 to get a good job.

00:32:56.559 --> 00:32:57.559
 We raise our kids

00:32:57.559 --> 00:32:58.580
 that they will know

00:32:58.580 --> 00:33:00.440
 the problem of sin

00:33:00.440 --> 00:33:01.039
 in the world

00:33:01.039 --> 00:33:02.720
 and the wonder of Jesus

00:33:02.720 --> 00:33:03.580
 and what he's done

00:33:03.580 --> 00:33:04.120
 on the cross.

00:33:04.460 --> 00:33:05.420
 To teach our kids

00:33:05.420 --> 00:33:06.460
 how to fear God

00:33:06.460 --> 00:33:07.640
 and to love him deeply.

00:33:08.480 --> 00:33:08.720
 Friends,

00:33:08.759 --> 00:33:09.500
 what happens if we saw

00:33:09.500 --> 00:33:10.660
 our social engagements,

00:33:10.799 --> 00:33:11.680
 not just as having

00:33:11.680 --> 00:33:12.880
 a drink with a friend

00:33:12.880 --> 00:33:13.620
 after work

00:33:13.620 --> 00:33:14.779
 but as a time

00:33:14.779 --> 00:33:15.340
 to listen

00:33:15.340 --> 00:33:16.039
 to the pain

00:33:16.039 --> 00:33:16.559
 and the hurt

00:33:16.559 --> 00:33:17.539
 in people's hearts

00:33:17.539 --> 00:33:18.899
 and to help

00:33:18.899 --> 00:33:20.119
 give a reason

00:33:20.119 --> 00:33:20.779
 for the hope

00:33:20.779 --> 00:33:21.579
 that is within us

00:33:21.579 --> 00:33:22.440
 and to show them

00:33:22.440 --> 00:33:23.119
 that there's hope

00:33:23.119 --> 00:33:23.819
 in this world.

00:33:25.339 --> 00:33:25.740
 Friends,

00:33:25.819 --> 00:33:26.539
 God has called us

00:33:26.539 --> 00:33:27.079
 to be agents

00:33:27.079 --> 00:33:27.819
 of reconciliation.

00:33:28.940 --> 00:33:29.759
 For those of us

00:33:29.759 --> 00:33:30.200
 that are followers

00:33:30.200 --> 00:33:31.240
 of Jesus this morning,

00:33:31.579 --> 00:33:32.139
 those that have been

00:33:32.139 --> 00:33:33.220
 reconciled to God,

00:33:33.339 --> 00:33:34.279
 can I ask us,

00:33:34.639 --> 00:33:35.279
 how is our

00:33:35.279 --> 00:33:36.539
 ambassadorship going?

00:33:38.720 --> 00:33:39.139
 Friends,

00:33:39.180 --> 00:33:39.700
 how faithful

00:33:39.700 --> 00:33:40.359
 are we being

00:33:40.359 --> 00:33:41.079
 with the task

00:33:41.079 --> 00:33:42.180
 that the sovereign God

00:33:42.180 --> 00:33:42.920
 has entrusted

00:33:42.920 --> 00:33:43.700
 to your care?

00:33:45.200 --> 00:33:46.159
 Have you neglected

00:33:46.159 --> 00:33:46.799
 this task?

00:33:46.799 --> 00:33:48.099
 task he's given you?

00:33:49.039 --> 00:33:50.079
 Are you faithfully

00:33:50.079 --> 00:33:51.339
 discharging your duties

00:33:51.339 --> 00:33:52.000
 with diligence

00:33:52.000 --> 00:33:52.579
 and care?

00:33:54.700 --> 00:33:55.819
 The last few days

00:33:55.819 --> 00:33:56.639
 I've done a lot

00:33:56.639 --> 00:33:57.379
 of repenting

00:33:57.379 --> 00:33:57.859
 as I've thought

00:33:57.859 --> 00:33:58.460
 about this.

00:33:59.139 --> 00:33:59.879
 How so often

00:33:59.879 --> 00:34:00.579
 I neglect

00:34:00.579 --> 00:34:01.960
 the great call

00:34:01.960 --> 00:34:02.680
 that God has put

00:34:02.680 --> 00:34:03.259
 on our lives

00:34:03.259 --> 00:34:04.139
 as followers of Jesus.

00:34:05.159 --> 00:34:06.019
 On Friday night

00:34:06.019 --> 00:34:07.159
 we were flying back

00:34:07.159 --> 00:34:07.960
 from Thailand

00:34:07.960 --> 00:34:08.519
 and I was sitting

00:34:08.519 --> 00:34:09.000
 in the airplane

00:34:09.000 --> 00:34:10.179
 and I was frantically

00:34:10.179 --> 00:34:11.480
 typing away

00:34:11.480 --> 00:34:12.119
 trying to finish

00:34:12.119 --> 00:34:12.679
 off the sermon

00:34:12.679 --> 00:34:13.719
 and on the way

00:34:13.719 --> 00:34:14.559
 back from the airport

00:34:14.559 --> 00:34:16.179
 half past 11

00:34:16.179 --> 00:34:16.899
 on Friday night

00:34:16.899 --> 00:34:17.679
 I realized

00:34:17.679 --> 00:34:18.319
 there was a lady

00:34:18.319 --> 00:34:19.159
 sitting next to me

00:34:19.159 --> 00:34:20.779
 fully donned

00:34:20.779 --> 00:34:21.819
 in coronavirus

00:34:21.819 --> 00:34:23.299
 gear, right?

00:34:23.359 --> 00:34:24.500
 The rain jacket

00:34:24.500 --> 00:34:26.059
 and the plastic gloves

00:34:26.059 --> 00:34:27.199
 and the mask

00:34:27.199 --> 00:34:28.419
 and the laboratory goggles

00:34:28.419 --> 00:34:29.039
 and everything

00:34:29.039 --> 00:34:31.379
 and for two and a half hours

00:34:31.379 --> 00:34:32.219
 I sat next to her

00:34:32.219 --> 00:34:32.679
 on the plane

00:34:32.679 --> 00:34:34.139
 typing out a message

00:34:34.139 --> 00:34:34.899
 about reconciliation

00:34:34.899 --> 00:34:35.899
 and did not have

00:34:35.899 --> 00:34:36.639
 one conversation

00:34:36.639 --> 00:34:37.099
 with her.

00:34:37.099 --> 00:34:39.920
 And so in the taxi

00:34:39.920 --> 00:34:40.319
 I was like

00:34:40.319 --> 00:34:41.179
 God I'm so sorry.

00:34:41.960 --> 00:34:42.739
 I'm so sorry.

00:34:42.839 --> 00:34:43.440
 You've called me

00:34:43.440 --> 00:34:44.000
 to be an agent

00:34:44.000 --> 00:34:44.759
 of reconciliation.

00:34:45.159 --> 00:34:45.900
 I was more concerned

00:34:45.900 --> 00:34:46.860
 with my own work

00:34:46.860 --> 00:34:48.219
 than this person

00:34:48.219 --> 00:34:49.319
 knowing you.

00:34:49.679 --> 00:34:50.679
 Father forgive me.

00:34:52.259 --> 00:34:53.360
 As we come to a close

00:34:53.360 --> 00:34:54.139
 I want us to

00:34:54.139 --> 00:34:55.799
 finally look at

00:34:55.799 --> 00:34:56.900
 what does this mean

00:34:56.900 --> 00:34:57.420
 practically

00:34:57.420 --> 00:34:58.219
 and the way to do this

00:34:58.219 --> 00:34:59.019
 I want us to look at

00:34:59.019 --> 00:34:59.739
 the book of Acts

00:34:59.739 --> 00:35:03.059
 and look at Acts chapter 5

00:35:03.059 --> 00:35:04.000
 and we want to look at

00:35:04.000 --> 00:35:04.819
 how the early church

00:35:04.819 --> 00:35:05.279
 did this

00:35:05.279 --> 00:35:06.480
 and then draw a couple

00:35:06.480 --> 00:35:07.679
 of practical applications.

00:35:08.500 --> 00:35:09.360
 So in Acts chapter 5

00:35:09.360 --> 00:35:10.360
 the story is this

00:35:10.360 --> 00:35:12.280
 Jesus sends out

00:35:12.280 --> 00:35:12.860
 his apostles

00:35:12.860 --> 00:35:13.679
 to be his witnesses

00:35:13.679 --> 00:35:14.280
 he says

00:35:14.280 --> 00:35:15.460
 wait until you receive

00:35:15.460 --> 00:35:16.179
 the Holy Spirit

00:35:16.179 --> 00:35:17.139
 the Holy Spirit

00:35:17.139 --> 00:35:17.679
 of Pentecost

00:35:17.679 --> 00:35:18.619
 comes upon them

00:35:18.619 --> 00:35:19.559
 empowers them

00:35:19.559 --> 00:35:20.840
 and they go out

00:35:20.840 --> 00:35:22.019
 witnessing for Jesus

00:35:22.019 --> 00:35:23.760
 and as they do that

00:35:23.760 --> 00:35:24.900
 many people

00:35:24.900 --> 00:35:25.800
 are coming to faith

00:35:25.800 --> 00:35:26.280
 in Christ.

00:35:26.440 --> 00:35:26.719
 It's just

00:35:26.719 --> 00:35:28.139
 the city of Jerusalem

00:35:28.139 --> 00:35:28.920
 is being turned

00:35:28.920 --> 00:35:29.659
 upside down

00:35:29.659 --> 00:35:32.800
 and people are

00:35:32.800 --> 00:35:33.559
 following the apostles

00:35:33.559 --> 00:35:34.740
 and listening to their teaching

00:35:34.740 --> 00:35:36.320
 and the religious leaders

00:35:36.320 --> 00:35:37.280
 are getting jealous

00:35:37.280 --> 00:35:38.980
 because more people

00:35:38.980 --> 00:35:40.059
 are now following

00:35:40.059 --> 00:35:40.720
 and flocking

00:35:40.720 --> 00:35:41.300
 to the apostles

00:35:41.300 --> 00:35:42.420
 than listening

00:35:42.420 --> 00:35:43.420
 to the religious leaders

00:35:43.420 --> 00:35:45.180
 and so the religious leaders

00:35:45.180 --> 00:35:46.360
 have the apostles

00:35:46.360 --> 00:35:47.580
 arrested and thrown

00:35:47.580 --> 00:35:48.100
 in jail

00:35:48.100 --> 00:35:49.240
 to try and

00:35:49.240 --> 00:35:50.380
 quieten down

00:35:50.380 --> 00:35:51.100
 this uproar

00:35:51.100 --> 00:35:51.620
 in the city.

00:35:52.460 --> 00:35:52.640
 Well

00:35:52.640 --> 00:35:53.940
 the apostles

00:35:53.940 --> 00:35:54.519
 are in jail

00:35:54.519 --> 00:35:55.380
 and that night

00:35:55.380 --> 00:35:56.280
 an angel

00:35:56.280 --> 00:35:57.720
 miraculously

00:35:57.720 --> 00:35:59.340
 opens the gates

00:35:59.340 --> 00:35:59.940
 of the jail

00:35:59.940 --> 00:36:00.900
 and sets them free.

00:36:01.740 --> 00:36:02.300
 Now

00:36:02.300 --> 00:36:03.220
 if you're a spiritual

00:36:03.220 --> 00:36:04.200
 seeker this morning

00:36:04.200 --> 00:36:04.860
 you might think

00:36:04.860 --> 00:36:05.340
 come on

00:36:05.340 --> 00:36:05.680
 that stuff

00:36:05.680 --> 00:36:06.260
 doesn't happen

00:36:06.260 --> 00:36:06.460
 right

00:36:06.460 --> 00:36:06.940
 who believes

00:36:06.940 --> 00:36:07.740
 those kind of things

00:36:07.740 --> 00:36:09.240
 but just take note

00:36:09.240 --> 00:36:10.300
 the book of Acts

00:36:10.300 --> 00:36:11.200
 was written by

00:36:11.200 --> 00:36:11.860
 Luke

00:36:11.860 --> 00:36:12.579
 who's a physician

00:36:12.579 --> 00:36:14.280
 and Luke

00:36:14.280 --> 00:36:14.980
 was commissioned

00:36:14.980 --> 00:36:16.340
 by a Roman official

00:36:16.340 --> 00:36:17.320
 called Theophilus

00:36:17.320 --> 00:36:17.900
 to write

00:36:17.900 --> 00:36:18.960
 to investigate

00:36:18.960 --> 00:36:19.980
 the claims of Jesus

00:36:19.980 --> 00:36:21.340
 and to investigate

00:36:21.340 --> 00:36:22.140
 the early church

00:36:22.140 --> 00:36:22.980
 and then to write

00:36:22.980 --> 00:36:23.920
 a report for him.

00:36:24.539 --> 00:36:25.380
 So the book of Acts

00:36:25.380 --> 00:36:27.300
 isn't like a PR stunt

00:36:27.300 --> 00:36:28.599
 or written from an angle

00:36:28.599 --> 00:36:30.820
 it was an investigative report

00:36:30.820 --> 00:36:32.440
 commissioned by a Roman official

00:36:32.440 --> 00:36:34.200
 to this physician

00:36:34.200 --> 00:36:35.039
 to write for him.

00:36:35.400 --> 00:36:36.579
 So you can trust

00:36:36.579 --> 00:36:37.840
 the facts of the book of Acts.

00:36:38.539 --> 00:36:38.740
 So

00:36:38.740 --> 00:36:41.019
 this angel

00:36:41.019 --> 00:36:42.119
 opens the gates

00:36:42.119 --> 00:36:44.400
 and if I was in the prison

00:36:44.400 --> 00:36:45.139
 I would have said

00:36:45.139 --> 00:36:46.220
 thank you God

00:36:46.220 --> 00:36:47.639
 time to go home

00:36:47.639 --> 00:36:49.340
 and to look after myself.

00:36:49.599 --> 00:36:50.420
 But that's not what

00:36:50.420 --> 00:36:51.079
 the angel says.

00:36:51.320 --> 00:36:51.760
 He says

00:36:51.760 --> 00:36:53.059
 go into the town square

00:36:53.059 --> 00:36:53.940
 go to the temple

00:36:53.940 --> 00:36:55.079
 and go and tell people

00:36:55.079 --> 00:36:55.639
 about Jesus.

00:36:56.400 --> 00:36:57.559
 Now they've just been arrested

00:36:57.559 --> 00:36:58.300
 for doing that

00:36:58.300 --> 00:36:58.599
 right?

00:36:59.200 --> 00:36:59.599
 And he says

00:36:59.599 --> 00:37:00.599
 go back and tell them

00:37:00.599 --> 00:37:01.559
 the words of life.

00:37:02.440 --> 00:37:02.960
 So they say

00:37:02.960 --> 00:37:03.260
 okay.

00:37:03.840 --> 00:37:05.019
 So they go to the town square

00:37:05.019 --> 00:37:05.840
 they go to the temple

00:37:05.840 --> 00:37:06.920
 and they start telling people

00:37:06.920 --> 00:37:07.440
 about Jesus.

00:37:08.519 --> 00:37:09.340
 Very soon

00:37:09.340 --> 00:37:10.519
 the religious leaders

00:37:10.519 --> 00:37:11.800
 find out exactly

00:37:11.800 --> 00:37:12.380
 what's happening

00:37:12.380 --> 00:37:13.300
 and they have them

00:37:13.300 --> 00:37:14.000
 arrested again.

00:37:14.539 --> 00:37:15.380
 And they bring them

00:37:15.380 --> 00:37:16.320
 before the council

00:37:16.320 --> 00:37:17.360
 called the Sanhedrin

00:37:17.360 --> 00:37:19.519
 and look at what they say.

00:37:19.980 --> 00:37:20.679
 They say this

00:37:20.679 --> 00:37:21.840
 in chapter 5

00:37:21.840 --> 00:37:22.860
 verse 28.

00:37:23.500 --> 00:37:23.619
 It says

00:37:23.619 --> 00:37:25.500
 we strictly charged you

00:37:25.500 --> 00:37:27.139
 not to teach

00:37:27.139 --> 00:37:28.220
 in this man's name

00:37:28.220 --> 00:37:29.960
 and yet here you are

00:37:29.960 --> 00:37:31.000
 filling Jerusalem

00:37:31.000 --> 00:37:32.260
 with your teaching.

00:37:33.179 --> 00:37:33.460
 Church

00:37:33.460 --> 00:37:35.019
 is it possible

00:37:35.019 --> 00:37:35.539
 that one day

00:37:35.539 --> 00:37:36.740
 people could accuse us

00:37:36.740 --> 00:37:37.099
 of that

00:37:37.099 --> 00:37:38.400
 in Hong Kong

00:37:38.400 --> 00:37:39.679
 if we link up

00:37:39.679 --> 00:37:40.380
 with other churches

00:37:40.380 --> 00:37:41.360
 and work with other

00:37:41.360 --> 00:37:42.059
 great churches

00:37:42.059 --> 00:37:42.639
 in our city

00:37:42.639 --> 00:37:44.539
 and plant new churches

00:37:44.539 --> 00:37:45.039
 in our city

00:37:45.039 --> 00:37:46.079
 that one day

00:37:46.079 --> 00:37:46.780
 people could say

00:37:46.780 --> 00:37:47.380
 you guys

00:37:47.380 --> 00:37:48.720
 you're filling Hong Kong

00:37:48.720 --> 00:37:49.500
 with your teaching

00:37:49.500 --> 00:37:50.119
 about Jesus.

00:37:50.960 --> 00:37:52.039
 May it be so.

00:37:52.780 --> 00:37:53.679
 If you're a guest

00:37:53.679 --> 00:37:54.300
 here this morning

00:37:54.300 --> 00:37:55.019
 just so you know

00:37:55.019 --> 00:37:55.860
 that's what we're trying

00:37:55.860 --> 00:37:56.200
 to do.

00:37:56.460 --> 00:37:56.860
 We're not trying

00:37:56.860 --> 00:37:57.700
 to build a big church

00:37:57.700 --> 00:37:58.599
 or a fancy church.

00:37:58.900 --> 00:37:59.980
 We're trying to fill Hong Kong

00:37:59.980 --> 00:38:01.019
 with the message of Jesus.

00:38:01.019 --> 00:38:02.099
 That's what we're on about.

00:38:03.039 --> 00:38:04.139
 So that's what they do.

00:38:04.199 --> 00:38:05.079
 They're filling Jerusalem

00:38:05.079 --> 00:38:06.519
 with the wonder

00:38:06.519 --> 00:38:07.800
 message of Jesus.

00:38:08.739 --> 00:38:09.179
 Except

00:38:09.179 --> 00:38:10.420
 that's exactly

00:38:10.420 --> 00:38:11.039
 what they were told

00:38:11.039 --> 00:38:11.679
 not to do.

00:38:12.360 --> 00:38:13.179
 And so the authorities

00:38:13.179 --> 00:38:13.780
 come to them

00:38:13.780 --> 00:38:14.219
 and they say

00:38:14.219 --> 00:38:15.079
 what are you doing?

00:38:15.139 --> 00:38:15.880
 We told you

00:38:15.880 --> 00:38:16.940
 not to do this.

00:38:17.639 --> 00:38:18.699
 So look what Peter says

00:38:18.699 --> 00:38:19.559
 in verse 29.

00:38:20.259 --> 00:38:21.480
 Peter and the other apostles

00:38:21.480 --> 00:38:22.139
 answer them

00:38:22.139 --> 00:38:22.440
 and say

00:38:22.440 --> 00:38:24.820
 but we must obey God

00:38:24.820 --> 00:38:25.800
 more than man.

00:38:25.800 --> 00:38:27.100
 Okay?

00:38:28.060 --> 00:38:28.320
 He says

00:38:28.320 --> 00:38:29.940
 we know you've said that

00:38:29.940 --> 00:38:31.440
 but God's told us otherwise.

00:38:31.580 --> 00:38:32.440
 We're going to obey him.

00:38:33.240 --> 00:38:34.120
 Well look at how well

00:38:34.120 --> 00:38:34.860
 this is received.

00:38:34.980 --> 00:38:35.660
 Verse 33

00:38:35.660 --> 00:38:36.000
 it says

00:38:36.000 --> 00:38:36.980
 when they heard this

00:38:36.980 --> 00:38:38.260
 they were enraged

00:38:38.260 --> 00:38:39.320
 and decided

00:38:39.320 --> 00:38:40.340
 to kill them.

00:38:41.200 --> 00:38:42.280
 Things have escalated

00:38:42.280 --> 00:38:42.900
 a little bit.

00:38:43.300 --> 00:38:44.000
 From going to jail

00:38:44.000 --> 00:38:44.440
 to now

00:38:44.440 --> 00:38:45.680
 being killed.

00:38:46.240 --> 00:38:46.900
 So they have this

00:38:46.900 --> 00:38:47.660
 council meeting

00:38:47.660 --> 00:38:49.100
 and at the council meeting

00:38:49.100 --> 00:38:49.820
 one of the leaders

00:38:49.820 --> 00:38:50.620
 Gamaliel says

00:38:50.620 --> 00:38:51.920
 guys this is not a good idea.

00:38:52.039 --> 00:38:52.960
 Let's not kill them.

00:38:52.960 --> 00:38:54.880
 Just charge them

00:38:54.880 --> 00:38:55.599
 and just

00:38:55.599 --> 00:38:56.699
 this thing will die out.

00:38:56.800 --> 00:38:57.519
 If it's not of God

00:38:57.519 --> 00:38:58.199
 it'll die out.

00:38:58.820 --> 00:38:59.900
 So they agree with him.

00:39:00.460 --> 00:39:01.400
 Verse 40 says this

00:39:01.400 --> 00:39:02.920
 when they called the apostles

00:39:02.920 --> 00:39:04.159
 they beat them

00:39:04.159 --> 00:39:05.599
 they charged them

00:39:05.599 --> 00:39:06.260
 not to speak

00:39:06.260 --> 00:39:07.159
 in the name of Jesus

00:39:07.159 --> 00:39:08.360
 and then they let them go.

00:39:09.220 --> 00:39:09.940
 Then the apostles

00:39:09.940 --> 00:39:10.840
 left the presence

00:39:10.840 --> 00:39:11.480
 of the council

00:39:11.480 --> 00:39:12.320
 rejoicing

00:39:12.320 --> 00:39:13.159
 that they had been

00:39:13.159 --> 00:39:14.019
 counted worthy

00:39:14.019 --> 00:39:15.159
 to suffer dishonor

00:39:15.159 --> 00:39:16.039
 for the name of Jesus.

00:39:16.720 --> 00:39:17.460
 And every day

00:39:17.460 --> 00:39:18.380
 in the temple courts

00:39:18.380 --> 00:39:19.260
 from house to house

00:39:19.260 --> 00:39:20.460
 they did not cease

00:39:20.460 --> 00:39:21.579
 teaching and preaching

00:39:21.579 --> 00:39:22.820
 that Jesus

00:39:22.820 --> 00:39:23.700
 is the Christ.

00:39:24.340 --> 00:39:24.980
 Okay what do we learn

00:39:24.980 --> 00:39:25.320
 from this?

00:39:25.380 --> 00:39:26.460
 Three very quick things

00:39:26.460 --> 00:39:26.880
 and we're done.

00:39:27.620 --> 00:39:28.460
 First is this

00:39:28.460 --> 00:39:29.820
 being an ambassador

00:39:29.820 --> 00:39:30.460
 for Christ

00:39:30.460 --> 00:39:31.160
 is hard

00:39:31.160 --> 00:39:32.440
 and often unwelcomed.

00:39:32.880 --> 00:39:33.700
 Friends if you

00:39:33.700 --> 00:39:34.100
 are a follower

00:39:34.100 --> 00:39:35.100
 of Jesus this morning

00:39:35.100 --> 00:39:36.660
 you've got to reconcile

00:39:36.660 --> 00:39:37.480
 the fact that

00:39:37.480 --> 00:39:38.900
 what Jesus calls you to

00:39:38.900 --> 00:39:40.400
 may not make you

00:39:40.400 --> 00:39:41.100
 the most popular

00:39:41.100 --> 00:39:42.000
 person in town.

00:39:42.600 --> 00:39:43.580
 Sometimes it's hard

00:39:43.580 --> 00:39:45.059
 sometimes it's unwelcomed.

00:39:46.400 --> 00:39:47.160
 No way in the Bible

00:39:47.160 --> 00:39:47.660
 does it say

00:39:47.660 --> 00:39:48.580
 that being obedient

00:39:48.580 --> 00:39:49.220
 to Jesus

00:39:49.220 --> 00:39:51.059
 is a bed of roses

00:39:51.059 --> 00:39:52.000
 or going to be easy.

00:39:52.000 --> 00:39:53.000
 If you're a follower

00:39:53.000 --> 00:39:53.920
 of Jesus this morning

00:39:53.920 --> 00:39:54.679
 he's calling you

00:39:54.679 --> 00:39:55.300
 to be a missionary

00:39:55.300 --> 00:39:56.639
 and ask any missionary

00:39:56.639 --> 00:39:58.079
 sometimes it involves

00:39:58.079 --> 00:39:58.559
 suffering

00:39:58.559 --> 00:39:59.920
 sometimes it involves

00:39:59.920 --> 00:40:00.579
 persecution

00:40:00.579 --> 00:40:01.980
 sometimes it involves

00:40:01.980 --> 00:40:02.760
 rejection

00:40:02.760 --> 00:40:04.019
 often involves

00:40:04.019 --> 00:40:04.679
 heartache.

00:40:04.880 --> 00:40:06.139
 It means giving up

00:40:06.139 --> 00:40:07.000
 certain privileges

00:40:07.000 --> 00:40:07.880
 to things that you

00:40:07.880 --> 00:40:08.820
 previously thought

00:40:08.820 --> 00:40:10.099
 were just normal

00:40:10.099 --> 00:40:10.900
 or entitled to.

00:40:11.099 --> 00:40:12.039
 It means being

00:40:12.039 --> 00:40:12.659
 misunderstood

00:40:12.659 --> 00:40:13.659
 being accused

00:40:13.659 --> 00:40:14.679
 of ulterior motives.

00:40:15.199 --> 00:40:16.400
 It means persistence.

00:40:17.139 --> 00:40:17.800
 I love how the

00:40:17.800 --> 00:40:18.500
 apostles here

00:40:18.500 --> 00:40:19.880
 they preach

00:40:19.880 --> 00:40:20.420
 about Jesus

00:40:20.420 --> 00:40:22.039
 they get arrested

00:40:22.039 --> 00:40:22.780
 they get released

00:40:22.780 --> 00:40:23.480
 they go back

00:40:23.480 --> 00:40:24.340
 and do the same thing

00:40:24.340 --> 00:40:25.400
 they get arrested again

00:40:25.400 --> 00:40:26.599
 and then the last

00:40:26.599 --> 00:40:27.179
 verse is

00:40:27.179 --> 00:40:28.480
 so every day

00:40:28.480 --> 00:40:29.960
 they did not cease

00:40:29.960 --> 00:40:31.179
 they did not stop

00:40:31.179 --> 00:40:32.460
 going from house

00:40:32.460 --> 00:40:33.019
 to house

00:40:33.019 --> 00:40:33.900
 in the temple courts

00:40:33.900 --> 00:40:34.940
 telling everybody

00:40:34.940 --> 00:40:35.940
 that the Christ

00:40:35.940 --> 00:40:37.039
 is Jesus.

00:40:37.719 --> 00:40:38.579
 This unbelievable

00:40:38.579 --> 00:40:39.420
 persistence

00:40:39.420 --> 00:40:40.440
 they just would not

00:40:40.440 --> 00:40:40.940
 give up

00:40:40.940 --> 00:40:41.960
 in the face

00:40:41.960 --> 00:40:42.619
 of opposition.

00:40:43.500 --> 00:40:43.639
 Friends

00:40:43.639 --> 00:40:44.300
 being an ambassador

00:40:44.300 --> 00:40:44.860
 for Christ

00:40:44.860 --> 00:40:45.739
 is often hard

00:40:45.739 --> 00:40:47.339
 often unwelcomed

00:40:47.339 --> 00:40:48.859
 but it's a wonderful

00:40:48.859 --> 00:40:49.699
 and a privilege.

00:40:50.539 --> 00:40:51.479
 Second thing is this

00:40:51.479 --> 00:40:52.639
 being an ambassador

00:40:52.639 --> 00:40:53.179
 for Christ

00:40:53.179 --> 00:40:54.659
 requires us

00:40:54.659 --> 00:40:55.119
 to know

00:40:55.119 --> 00:40:56.699
 where our allegiance lies.

00:40:57.379 --> 00:40:58.000
 When they're arrested

00:40:58.000 --> 00:40:58.759
 the second time

00:40:58.759 --> 00:40:59.259
 the authorities

00:40:59.259 --> 00:40:59.739
 come to them

00:40:59.739 --> 00:40:59.899
 and say

00:40:59.899 --> 00:41:00.559
 what are you doing?

00:41:00.859 --> 00:41:01.719
 We told you not

00:41:01.719 --> 00:41:02.399
 to do this

00:41:02.399 --> 00:41:05.059
 and Peter doesn't say

00:41:05.059 --> 00:41:06.000
 oh sorry

00:41:06.000 --> 00:41:07.119
 we misunderstood you.

00:41:07.739 --> 00:41:08.319
 He doesn't say

00:41:08.319 --> 00:41:09.459
 oh gee

00:41:09.459 --> 00:41:10.479
 we didn't hear you.

00:41:11.439 --> 00:41:12.479
 Sounds like parents

00:41:12.479 --> 00:41:12.719
 right?

00:41:12.819 --> 00:41:13.459
 You ask your kids

00:41:13.459 --> 00:41:14.359
 seven times

00:41:14.359 --> 00:41:14.939
 to do something

00:41:14.940 --> 00:41:15.240
 and say

00:41:15.240 --> 00:41:15.519
 sorry

00:41:15.519 --> 00:41:16.300
 I didn't hear you.

00:41:16.760 --> 00:41:17.420
 That's not what

00:41:17.420 --> 00:41:18.119
 Peter says.

00:41:18.179 --> 00:41:18.460
 He says

00:41:18.460 --> 00:41:19.139
 we know

00:41:19.139 --> 00:41:20.720
 but I'm sorry

00:41:20.720 --> 00:41:21.679
 we've got a higher

00:41:21.679 --> 00:41:22.119
 allegiance.

00:41:22.420 --> 00:41:23.179
 His name is Jesus

00:41:23.179 --> 00:41:24.260
 and he has asked us

00:41:24.260 --> 00:41:24.800
 to do this.

00:41:25.480 --> 00:41:26.380
 We've got to listen

00:41:26.380 --> 00:41:26.900
 to him.

00:41:27.619 --> 00:41:28.079
 Friends

00:41:28.079 --> 00:41:28.380
 you know

00:41:28.380 --> 00:41:28.940
 if you're a Christian

00:41:28.940 --> 00:41:29.260
 today

00:41:29.260 --> 00:41:30.260
 Jesus doesn't

00:41:30.260 --> 00:41:31.099
 just save us

00:41:31.099 --> 00:41:32.019
 to forgive us

00:41:32.019 --> 00:41:33.300
 he calls us

00:41:33.300 --> 00:41:34.179
 into his kingdom

00:41:34.179 --> 00:41:35.119
 with Christ

00:41:35.119 --> 00:41:35.700
 as our king.

00:41:36.300 --> 00:41:37.400
 Before you Christians

00:41:37.400 --> 00:41:37.940
 the Bible says

00:41:37.940 --> 00:41:38.559
 you're a slave

00:41:38.559 --> 00:41:39.559
 to your own desires

00:41:39.559 --> 00:41:40.500
 now you're a slave

00:41:40.500 --> 00:41:41.099
 to Christ.

00:41:41.720 --> 00:41:42.460
 Before we are

00:41:42.460 --> 00:41:42.960
 Christians

00:41:42.960 --> 00:41:44.360
 we follow our own

00:41:44.360 --> 00:41:44.760
 desires

00:41:44.760 --> 00:41:45.960
 now we follow Christ.

00:41:46.380 --> 00:41:47.560
 In becoming a Christian

00:41:47.560 --> 00:41:48.920
 you switch allegiance

00:41:48.920 --> 00:41:50.200
 from your own kingdom

00:41:50.200 --> 00:41:51.480
 to the kingdom of Christ.

00:41:52.100 --> 00:41:53.120
 Jesus is a savior

00:41:53.120 --> 00:41:54.460
 reconciler

00:41:54.460 --> 00:41:55.700
 but he's also king.

00:41:56.140 --> 00:41:57.100
 He's also lord.

00:41:57.680 --> 00:41:58.380
 And so that means

00:41:58.380 --> 00:41:59.420
 that we have a higher

00:41:59.420 --> 00:42:00.380
 allegiance

00:42:00.380 --> 00:42:02.120
 allegiance to Christ

00:42:02.120 --> 00:42:02.980
 who's our king.

00:42:03.660 --> 00:42:04.660
 Third thing is this

00:42:04.660 --> 00:42:06.000
 being an ambassador

00:42:06.000 --> 00:42:06.600
 for Christ

00:42:06.600 --> 00:42:08.600
 requires that we know

00:42:08.600 --> 00:42:09.660
 the gospel deeply

00:42:09.660 --> 00:42:11.440
 and love Christ

00:42:11.440 --> 00:42:12.440
 lavishly.

00:42:12.440 --> 00:42:14.139
 that verse we looked

00:42:14.139 --> 00:42:14.700
 at last week

00:42:14.700 --> 00:42:15.500
 1 Peter 3

00:42:15.500 --> 00:42:17.720
 regard

00:42:17.720 --> 00:42:19.420
 honor Christ

00:42:19.420 --> 00:42:20.480
 in your hearts

00:42:20.480 --> 00:42:21.079
 as Lord

00:42:21.079 --> 00:42:22.720
 always being ready

00:42:22.720 --> 00:42:23.579
 to give a reason

00:42:23.579 --> 00:42:24.200
 for the hope

00:42:24.200 --> 00:42:25.079
 that is within you.

00:42:25.639 --> 00:42:26.079
 Friends

00:42:26.079 --> 00:42:26.559
 when opposition

00:42:26.559 --> 00:42:27.340
 comes your way

00:42:27.340 --> 00:42:28.000
 when persecution

00:42:28.000 --> 00:42:28.960
 comes your way

00:42:28.960 --> 00:42:30.300
 when it's tempting

00:42:30.300 --> 00:42:31.320
 just to buckle down

00:42:31.320 --> 00:42:32.320
 and just be quiet

00:42:32.320 --> 00:42:33.420
 when it's tempting

00:42:33.420 --> 00:42:34.440
 to just live a life

00:42:34.440 --> 00:42:34.960
 of comfort

00:42:34.960 --> 00:42:35.679
 and convenience

00:42:35.679 --> 00:42:37.659
 what's going to help us

00:42:37.659 --> 00:42:38.579
 turn the tide?

00:42:38.700 --> 00:42:39.420
 What's going to help us

00:42:39.420 --> 00:42:40.360
 not live for ourselves

00:42:40.360 --> 00:42:41.320
 but live for others?

00:42:42.039 --> 00:42:42.280
 Friends

00:42:42.280 --> 00:42:42.680
 it's going to be

00:42:42.680 --> 00:42:44.200
 when our hearts

00:42:44.200 --> 00:42:44.720
 are reminded

00:42:44.720 --> 00:42:45.519
 of the wonder

00:42:45.519 --> 00:42:46.059
 of Jesus

00:42:46.059 --> 00:42:47.360
 when our hearts

00:42:47.360 --> 00:42:48.019
 are warmed

00:42:48.019 --> 00:42:48.820
 by what Christ

00:42:48.820 --> 00:42:49.599
 has done for us

00:42:49.599 --> 00:42:50.760
 when we remember

00:42:50.760 --> 00:42:51.579
 that once we were

00:42:51.579 --> 00:42:52.860
 alienated from God

00:42:52.860 --> 00:42:53.780
 under his judgment

00:42:53.780 --> 00:42:54.400
 and his wrath

00:42:54.400 --> 00:42:55.039
 but now have been

00:42:55.039 --> 00:42:56.340
 welcomed as his sons

00:42:56.340 --> 00:42:56.900
 and daughters

00:42:56.900 --> 00:42:57.740
 friends

00:42:57.740 --> 00:42:58.820
 when the love of Christ

00:42:58.820 --> 00:43:00.460
 washes over our hearts

00:43:00.460 --> 00:43:01.920
 and floods our hearts

00:43:01.920 --> 00:43:03.620
 that is when we'll be

00:43:03.620 --> 00:43:04.740
 ambassadors for Christ

00:43:04.740 --> 00:43:05.640
 that's when we'll be

00:43:05.640 --> 00:43:06.220
 missionaries

00:43:06.220 --> 00:43:06.880
 friends

00:43:06.880 --> 00:43:07.440
 if we're going to

00:43:07.440 --> 00:43:08.180
 turn this city

00:43:08.180 --> 00:43:08.680
 upside down

00:43:08.679 --> 00:43:09.159
 if we're going to

00:43:09.159 --> 00:43:09.899
 fill the city

00:43:09.899 --> 00:43:10.399
 of Hong Kong

00:43:10.399 --> 00:43:11.079
 with the message

00:43:11.079 --> 00:43:11.559
 of Jesus

00:43:11.559 --> 00:43:12.719
 the first thing

00:43:12.719 --> 00:43:13.239
 we need is

00:43:13.239 --> 00:43:14.279
 for our own hearts

00:43:14.279 --> 00:43:16.000
 to be in awe

00:43:16.000 --> 00:43:17.279
 and overwhelmed

00:43:17.279 --> 00:43:18.460
 by what Christ

00:43:18.460 --> 00:43:19.399
 has done for us

00:43:19.399 --> 00:43:22.139
 that once we were

00:43:22.139 --> 00:43:22.639
 sinners

00:43:22.639 --> 00:43:23.659
 still sinners

00:43:23.659 --> 00:43:24.419
 once we were

00:43:24.419 --> 00:43:25.359
 lost and broken

00:43:25.359 --> 00:43:26.679
 once we were

00:43:26.679 --> 00:43:27.279
 alienated

00:43:27.279 --> 00:43:28.000
 and cut off

00:43:28.000 --> 00:43:28.940
 once under his

00:43:28.940 --> 00:43:29.299
 judgment

00:43:29.299 --> 00:43:29.879
 and his wrath

00:43:29.879 --> 00:43:31.239
 and now welcomed

00:43:31.239 --> 00:43:32.059
 as his sons

00:43:32.059 --> 00:43:33.440
 and his daughters

00:43:33.440 --> 00:43:34.919
 friends

00:43:34.919 --> 00:43:36.319
 Christ has called us

00:43:36.319 --> 00:43:37.319
 to be his agents

00:43:37.320 --> 00:43:38.140
 of reconciliation

00:43:38.140 --> 00:43:40.100
 Jesus is calling us

00:43:40.100 --> 00:43:40.480
 to stay

00:43:40.480 --> 00:43:41.180
 to go into the

00:43:41.180 --> 00:43:41.820
 public square

00:43:41.820 --> 00:43:42.640
 to be ambassadors

00:43:42.640 --> 00:43:43.180
 for him

00:43:43.180 --> 00:43:44.700
 so let the city

00:43:44.700 --> 00:43:45.260
 and our world

00:43:45.260 --> 00:43:45.580
 know

00:43:45.580 --> 00:43:46.980
 that there is

00:43:46.980 --> 00:43:48.019
 hope in Jesus

00:43:48.019 --> 00:43:50.220
 let's pray

00:43:50.220 --> 00:43:51.320
 let's pray

00:43:51.320 --> 00:44:05.180
 just before we pray

00:44:05.180 --> 00:44:08.320
 I said earlier

00:44:08.320 --> 00:44:08.760
 that

00:44:08.760 --> 00:44:11.220
 as I consider

00:44:11.220 --> 00:44:12.980
 a message like this

00:44:12.980 --> 00:44:14.400
 and this scripture

00:44:14.400 --> 00:44:15.400
 from my own heart

00:44:15.400 --> 00:44:17.820
 I'm compelled

00:44:17.820 --> 00:44:18.900
 to get to my knees

00:44:18.900 --> 00:44:19.539
 in repentance

00:44:19.539 --> 00:44:22.559
 as I consider

00:44:22.559 --> 00:44:23.160
 how often

00:44:23.160 --> 00:44:23.920
 I live for myself

00:44:23.920 --> 00:44:24.840
 and not for Christ

00:44:24.840 --> 00:44:28.880
 I cannot help

00:44:28.880 --> 00:44:29.139
 but

00:44:29.139 --> 00:44:31.500
 calling out to God

00:44:31.500 --> 00:44:32.119
 for his mercy

00:44:32.119 --> 00:44:32.720
 and his forgiveness

00:44:32.720 --> 00:44:35.800
 friends

00:44:35.800 --> 00:44:36.579
 maybe some of us

00:44:36.579 --> 00:44:36.780
 here

00:44:36.780 --> 00:44:37.240
 we need

00:44:37.240 --> 00:44:37.880
 the best way

00:44:37.880 --> 00:44:38.559
 to respond

00:44:38.559 --> 00:44:39.220
 is by

00:44:39.220 --> 00:44:40.240
 acknowledging

00:44:40.240 --> 00:44:40.700
 God

00:44:40.700 --> 00:44:41.180
 we've

00:44:41.180 --> 00:44:44.820
 not heeded

00:44:44.820 --> 00:44:45.440
 your call

00:44:45.440 --> 00:44:46.579
 to be your ambassadors

00:44:46.579 --> 00:44:48.759
 God

00:44:48.759 --> 00:44:49.360
 we've enjoyed

00:44:49.360 --> 00:44:50.059
 the reconciliation

00:44:50.059 --> 00:44:51.019
 you've given us

00:44:51.019 --> 00:44:52.059
 but we've neglected

00:44:52.059 --> 00:44:53.460
 being agents

00:44:53.460 --> 00:44:54.159
 of reconciliation

00:44:54.159 --> 00:44:54.880
 in our city

00:44:54.880 --> 00:44:58.900
 let's come before

00:44:58.900 --> 00:44:59.340
 our father

00:44:59.340 --> 00:45:00.119
 and ask him

00:45:00.119 --> 00:45:00.579
 to forgive us

00:45:02.039 --> 00:45:09.579
 great and sovereign

00:45:09.579 --> 00:45:10.000
 God

00:45:10.000 --> 00:45:10.719
 we do

00:45:10.719 --> 00:45:11.579
 God

00:45:12.299 --> 00:45:12.699
 your word

00:45:12.699 --> 00:45:13.719
 exposes us

00:45:13.719 --> 00:45:16.359
 your word

00:45:16.359 --> 00:45:16.619
 God

00:45:16.619 --> 00:45:17.279
 is like a mirror

00:45:17.279 --> 00:45:18.039
 to our souls

00:45:18.039 --> 00:45:18.699
 it shows us

00:45:18.699 --> 00:45:19.559
 what's really there

00:45:19.559 --> 00:45:22.219
 father

00:45:22.219 --> 00:45:22.799
 so often

00:45:22.799 --> 00:45:23.839
 we enjoy

00:45:23.839 --> 00:45:24.379
 the benefits

00:45:24.379 --> 00:45:25.599
 of the gospel

00:45:25.599 --> 00:45:27.739
 but we neglect

00:45:27.739 --> 00:45:28.899
 the calling

00:45:28.899 --> 00:45:29.959
 that you've given us

00:45:29.959 --> 00:45:31.519
 to be agents

00:45:31.519 --> 00:45:31.980
 of hope

00:45:31.980 --> 00:45:32.619
 and reconciliation

00:45:32.619 --> 00:45:33.299
 in our world

00:45:33.299 --> 00:45:33.659
 father

00:45:33.659 --> 00:45:34.799
 forgive us

00:45:34.799 --> 00:45:39.759
 father

00:45:39.759 --> 00:45:40.199
 as we

00:45:40.199 --> 00:45:40.739
 ponder

00:45:40.739 --> 00:45:41.279
 the wonder

00:45:41.279 --> 00:45:41.799
 of what you've

00:45:41.799 --> 00:45:42.079
 done

00:45:42.079 --> 00:45:43.360
 by sending

00:45:43.360 --> 00:45:43.960
 your son

00:45:43.960 --> 00:45:46.000
 and Jesus

00:45:46.000 --> 00:45:46.599
 you sending

00:45:46.599 --> 00:45:47.380
 the Holy Spirit

00:45:47.380 --> 00:45:49.199
 to change us

00:45:49.199 --> 00:45:49.719
 to make us

00:45:49.719 --> 00:45:50.559
 a new creation

00:45:50.559 --> 00:45:52.440
 and you've

00:45:52.440 --> 00:45:53.179
 reconciled us

00:45:53.179 --> 00:45:53.739
 to yourself

00:45:53.739 --> 00:45:54.179
 God

00:45:54.179 --> 00:45:54.519
 we

00:45:54.519 --> 00:45:56.860
 we want to

00:45:56.860 --> 00:45:57.579
 become agents

00:45:57.579 --> 00:45:58.039
 of hope

00:45:58.039 --> 00:45:58.579
 for our world

00:45:58.579 --> 00:45:58.860
 Lord

00:45:58.860 --> 00:45:59.659
 and so we

00:45:59.659 --> 00:46:00.299
 pray God

00:46:00.299 --> 00:46:01.019
 send us out

00:46:01.019 --> 00:46:03.860
 we pray God

00:46:03.860 --> 00:46:04.539
 that tomorrow

00:46:04.539 --> 00:46:04.920
 morning

00:46:04.920 --> 00:46:05.679
 when we wake up

00:46:05.679 --> 00:46:06.279
 we wake up

00:46:06.279 --> 00:46:06.900
 with a sense

00:46:06.900 --> 00:46:07.960
 of your calling

00:46:07.960 --> 00:46:08.539
 your divine

00:46:08.539 --> 00:46:08.960
 calling

00:46:08.960 --> 00:46:09.639
 on our lives

00:46:09.639 --> 00:46:15.259
 God

00:46:15.259 --> 00:46:16.039
 may we know

00:46:16.039 --> 00:46:18.519
 what this means

00:46:18.519 --> 00:46:19.099
 and looks like

00:46:19.099 --> 00:46:19.559
 for us

00:46:19.559 --> 00:46:19.879
 God

00:46:19.879 --> 00:46:20.420
 may we say

00:46:20.420 --> 00:46:21.519
 yes to you

00:46:21.519 --> 00:46:28.819
 Father

00:46:28.819 --> 00:46:29.599
 for those of us

00:46:29.599 --> 00:46:29.920
 that

00:46:29.920 --> 00:46:31.239
 have been

00:46:31.239 --> 00:46:32.139
 over the last

00:46:32.139 --> 00:46:32.920
 few weeks

00:46:32.920 --> 00:46:33.440
 or months

00:46:33.440 --> 00:46:34.440
 slowly shrinking

00:46:34.440 --> 00:46:35.179
 back from you

00:46:35.179 --> 00:46:37.639
 maybe we've

00:46:37.639 --> 00:46:38.000
 been making

00:46:38.000 --> 00:46:38.480
 decisions

00:46:38.480 --> 00:46:39.139
 or engaging

00:46:39.139 --> 00:46:39.699
 in sin

00:46:39.699 --> 00:46:41.500
 hardening our

00:46:41.500 --> 00:46:42.159
 hearts towards

00:46:42.159 --> 00:46:42.460
 you

00:46:42.460 --> 00:46:43.440
 God we want

00:46:43.440 --> 00:46:44.199
 to be reconciled

00:46:44.199 --> 00:46:44.399
 to you

00:46:44.399 --> 00:46:44.839
 this morning

00:46:44.839 --> 00:46:46.839
 we want to

00:46:46.839 --> 00:46:47.299
 come and say

00:46:47.299 --> 00:46:47.819
 we're sorry

00:46:47.819 --> 00:46:48.259
 God

00:46:48.259 --> 00:46:50.819
 Father thank you

00:46:50.819 --> 00:46:51.399
 that the gospel

00:46:51.399 --> 00:46:52.139
 reminds us

00:46:52.139 --> 00:46:52.799
 that you took

00:46:52.799 --> 00:46:53.579
 the first step

00:46:53.579 --> 00:46:54.299
 you're not waiting

00:46:54.299 --> 00:46:55.019
 for us to take

00:46:55.019 --> 00:46:55.559
 the first step

00:46:55.559 --> 00:46:56.159
 you've taken

00:46:56.159 --> 00:46:56.739
 the first step

00:46:56.739 --> 00:46:57.539
 towards us

00:46:57.539 --> 00:46:58.859
 by sending

00:46:58.859 --> 00:46:59.799
 Christ the Son

00:46:59.799 --> 00:47:01.000
 to die

00:47:01.000 --> 00:47:01.639
 on the cross

00:47:01.639 --> 00:47:03.500
 and now God

00:47:03.500 --> 00:47:04.759
 you've sent

00:47:04.759 --> 00:47:05.400
 us your word

00:47:05.400 --> 00:47:05.839
 saying

00:47:05.839 --> 00:47:07.440
 be reconciled

00:47:07.440 --> 00:47:07.819
 to me

00:47:07.819 --> 00:47:10.679
 Father we're

00:47:10.679 --> 00:47:11.000
 sorry

00:47:11.000 --> 00:47:11.799
 won't you

00:47:11.799 --> 00:47:12.199
 take us

00:47:12.199 --> 00:47:12.579
 back

00:47:12.579 --> 00:47:14.779
 forgive us

00:47:14.779 --> 00:47:15.139
 Lord

00:47:15.139 --> 00:47:24.579
 Christ come

00:47:24.579 --> 00:47:24.940
 and have your

00:47:24.940 --> 00:47:25.339
 way in our

00:47:25.339 --> 00:47:25.900
 hearts and our

00:47:25.900 --> 00:47:26.659
 lives we pray

00:47:26.659 --> 00:47:28.980
 come and don't

00:47:28.980 --> 00:47:29.339
 just be

00:47:29.339 --> 00:47:29.920
 saviour

00:47:29.920 --> 00:47:30.359
 come and be

00:47:30.359 --> 00:47:30.819
 our Lord

00:47:30.820 --> 00:47:33.480
 come and be

00:47:33.480 --> 00:47:33.900
 our King

00:47:33.900 --> 00:47:36.600
 we pray these

00:47:36.600 --> 00:47:37.080
 things in your

00:47:37.080 --> 00:47:37.400
 name

00:47:37.400 --> 00:47:39.300
 Amen