WEBVTT

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 Father God, we pray that you would give us the same mind that you have on the Lord Jesus

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 and that we would agree with your assessment of him and that he is Lord and Christ.

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 I pray, Father, that you would continue to shape us as a church that pursues your glory.

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 And individually, Lord, we ask that you would help us to see a commitment to your church

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 and the impact that it makes for all of eternity, not just for our lives but the lives of others.

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 And so be with us now as your word is opened.

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 I pray that you would speak to us and challenge where we're at with you and your people.

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 Amen.

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 Edward Lorenz was a mathematician working in the Massachusetts Institute of Technology back in the 1960s

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 on the computer modelling a weather system.

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 So sorry, Rob, if I get this completely wrong.

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 He devised a program which, once he typed in certain data, could calculate what the subsequent weather pattern was going to be.

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 One day, he made a mistake.

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 He meant to type in a six-digit number, 0.506127, but instead, he only typed in the first three digits, 0.506.

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 It was a minute error, only one part in a thousand.

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 As it turns out, the difference in the weather patterns was enormous.

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 It was as if, this is how he describes it, as if a tiny atmospheric disturbance in China,

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 no greater than the beat of a butterfly's wings, a week or so later becoming a Force 12 hurricane in New York,

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 his discovery became known as the butterfly effect.

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 It explains why our weather forecasters, sorry, Rob, have a difficult time predicting the weather too often in advance

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 or even getting at the weather that we like to have it weekend by weekend.

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 And so instead of blaming Rob of weather zone, we should blame it on the butterflies in China.

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 That's much better as a Rob blame it on the butterflies in China.

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 His discovery is that a little thing over here can have a magnifying effect that just grows and grows and grows.

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 And so the term butterfly effect.

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 Unfortunately, there is no butterfly effects in our lives magnifying the little contribution that we make to the world.

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 On a whole, individual actions on our part are a bit like stones tossed into a very large lake.

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 We make a splash, but the ripples just die out very quickly.

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 We are remembered by just a few and our contribution to humanity remembered even less.

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 Most of us have to face the fact that we will drop the little pebble of our lives into the turbulent ocean of world events

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 and in no time at all, the surface will bear no trace of our passing.

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 It's depressing, but it's a fact of life.

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 I know virtually nothing about the younger lives of my grandparents and nothing about my great-grandparents.

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 It is this purposelessness that is one of the chief anxieties of people.

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 But it doesn't have to be bleak and meaningless.

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 Because the ripples of one life did not die away with death.

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 The effect of the life and ministry, death and resurrection of the Lord Jesus

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 have increased in amplitude and expanded in diameter right across the globe

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 from 2,000 years ago with a bunch of blokes in Galilee.

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 At the beginning of Acts, we see that Jesus returns to heaven after his resurrection.

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 But his impact and his influence in the world is not over.

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 Jesus is still at work in this world and this is what the book of Acts is about

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 and why it is so relevant for us today.

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 The very first sentence in Acts says,

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 in my former book,

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 in my former book, Theophilus, this is Dr. Luke writing,

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 I wrote about all that Jesus began to do and to teach.

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 And the word began there at the beginning of Acts

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 is the word that helps us understand the relevance of this book.

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 What Luke, the author, stresses here is that what Jesus did on earth

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 was the beginning of his doing and his teaching.

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 Jesus is not done with his work and with his teaching.

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 He's not dead and he's not absent.

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 He's alive and he's present.

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 He's still speaking.

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 He is still working.

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 He is still building his church.

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 Whenever people come under the authority of his name

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 and receive the forgiveness of sins and trust in his power,

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 his influence continues to spread and increase.

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 And that is what we long to see happen here in Chatswood

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 through this church and around this city and indeed across this world.

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 And my prayer is that as we go through this commitment series,

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 our annual commitment series here in Acts,

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 Jesus himself will speak and act and give us a glimpse

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 of his purpose for the church

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 and the part that we play in that

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 and therefore the purpose of our lives.

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 May such a glimpse of Jesus and his purpose

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 cause us to make a radical commitment

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 to what he is doing

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 to make his name great in this world.

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 Because in the end, it's all about Jesus.

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 He is Lord and King and Ruler and Creator

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 and Sustainer and Inherit of all that is.

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 The ripple impact of Jesus' life and ministry

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 as obscure as he was in first century Palestine

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 has only increased

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 and will continue to increase for all of eternity.

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 And so we pick up our text today

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 partway through Peter's sermon on the day of Pentecost.

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 So if you haven't got your Bibles open,

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 turn to Acts chapter 2.

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 We're kicking off at verse 22.

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 The promised Holy Spirit has arrived

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 and a large crowd has gathered

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 to see what the fuss is all about.

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 You might expect Peter to get up

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 and to preach on the coming of the Spirit,

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 but as Jesus is the focus of Acts,

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 so he's the focus of this sermon.

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 This former coward, Peter,

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 who denied Jesus,

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 stands up in front of more than 3,000 people

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 and says in Acts 2.23,

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 you, with the help of wicked men,

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 put him to death, that's Jesus,

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 by nailing him to the cross.

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 And again in verse 36,

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 God has made this Jesus,

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 whom you crucified,

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 both Lord and Christ.

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 It's pretty strange here,

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 but Peter gets up in front of this crowd

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 of more than 3,000 people

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 and it seems that he's holding them accountable

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 for the death of Jesus.

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 On the most part,

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 they weren't even likely there.

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 So how can he say that?

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 It seems a little tad rude, actually.

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 What he's getting at

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 is that the essence of the crime

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 against Jesus

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 was not the ending

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 of his physical life per se.

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 It was the rejection of God

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 in Jesus' life.

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 Jesus was handed over

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 to be crucified

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 on the grounds of blasphemy.

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 That is,

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 he claimed to be the Son of God.

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 He claimed that God

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 had endorsed him

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 as Messiah.

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 And so if a person

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 rejects what Jesus claims,

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 then you vote for blasphemy.

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 And to vote for blasphemy

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 is to endorse

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 in the depth of your heart

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 the cry of the crowd

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 in front of Pilate,

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 crucify this man.

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 And what Peter does

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 with his sermon here

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 is he draws the clearest

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 possible contrast

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 between what the crowd

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 did with Jesus

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 and what God

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 did with Jesus.

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 And Peter shows us

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 four ways

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 in which God

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 endorses Jesus

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 and the stark contrast

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 between the way

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 God treats Jesus

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 and the way

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 the crowd treats Jesus

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 and by implication

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 the way that we

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 have treated Jesus.

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 Firstly,

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 God endorsed Jesus

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 by working miracles

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 and signs and wonders

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 through him.

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 Verse 22,

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 men of Israel,

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 listen to this.

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 Jesus of Nazareth

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 was a man

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 accredited by God

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 to you

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 by miracles,

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 wonders and signs

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 which God did

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 among you

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 through him

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 as you yourselves know.

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 The miracles

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 were God's

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 certification

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 of Jesus.

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 They were God's

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 vote,

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 God's testimony.

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 When Jesus

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 did a miracle

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 it was God's

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 endorsement

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 of Jesus.

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 and what

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 did the religious

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 leaders do

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 when Jesus

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 said,

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 Lazarus,

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 come out

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 of the tomb

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 and they're

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 standing over there

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 and they're

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 watching a dead

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 man walk

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 out of the tomb,

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 what did they do?

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 Okay,

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 guys,

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 huddle,

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 how are we

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 going to kill

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 Jesus?

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 God's

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 endorsement

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 of Jesus

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 and their

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 rejection

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 of Jesus.

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 Secondly,

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 God endorsed

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 Jesus by

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 planning his

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 death for

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 the sins

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 of all

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 people.

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 Verse 23,

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 this man

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 was handed

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 over to you

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 by God's

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 set purpose

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 and foreknowledge

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 and you

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 with the help

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 of wicked

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 men put him

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 to death

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 by nailing

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 him to

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 the cross.

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 God

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 plans

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 Jesus'

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 death,

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 the people

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 plan Jesus'

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 death and

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 the difference

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 between God's

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 plan to

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 crucify Jesus

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 and Pilate

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 and the crowd's

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 plan to

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 crucify

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 Jesus

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 was that

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 Pilate and

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 the crowd

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 were rejecting

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 Jesus as a

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 mere pretender

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 and God

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 was honouring

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 Jesus as

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 the saviour

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 of the world.

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 God planned

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 the death of

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 Jesus not to

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 disown him

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 or to

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 dishonour him

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 or to

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 reject him

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 but to

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 glorify him

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 as the

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 perfect,

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 flawless

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 lamb of

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 God who

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 takes away

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 the sin

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 of the

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 world.

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 Thirdly,

00:11:05.720 --> 00:11:06.019
 God

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 endorsed

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 Jesus by

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 raising him

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 from the

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 dead.

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 God's

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 powerful

00:11:09.939 --> 00:11:11.439
 response to

00:11:11.439 --> 00:11:12.159
 their rejection

00:11:12.159 --> 00:11:13.039
 and crucifixion

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 of Jesus is

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 in verse

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 24,

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 but God

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 raised him

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 from the

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 dead,

00:11:17.580 --> 00:11:18.199
 freeing him

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 from the

00:11:18.539 --> 00:11:19.139
 agony of

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 death because

00:11:19.659 --> 00:11:20.019
 it was

00:11:20.019 --> 00:11:21.779
 impossible for

00:11:21.779 --> 00:11:22.399
 death to

00:11:22.399 --> 00:11:22.799
 keep its

00:11:22.799 --> 00:11:23.199
 hold on

00:11:23.199 --> 00:11:23.480
 him.

00:11:23.480 --> 00:11:25.560
 So Peter

00:11:25.560 --> 00:11:26.220
 stands before

00:11:26.220 --> 00:11:26.600
 the crowd

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 of 3,000.

00:11:27.519 --> 00:11:27.620
 You

00:11:27.620 --> 00:11:28.120
 crucified

00:11:28.120 --> 00:11:28.659
 him.

00:11:29.840 --> 00:11:30.279
 It's your

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 treatment of

00:11:30.820 --> 00:11:31.159
 Jesus.

00:11:31.820 --> 00:11:32.379
 God raised

00:11:32.379 --> 00:11:32.659
 him from

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 the dead.

00:11:33.440 --> 00:11:33.820
 That's his

00:11:33.820 --> 00:11:34.399
 response.

00:11:35.980 --> 00:11:36.379
 Fourthly,

00:11:36.420 --> 00:11:36.960
 God endorsed

00:11:36.960 --> 00:11:37.580
 Jesus by

00:11:37.580 --> 00:11:38.139
 exalting him

00:11:38.139 --> 00:11:38.360
 to the

00:11:38.360 --> 00:11:38.899
 right hand

00:11:38.899 --> 00:11:39.659
 and putting

00:11:39.659 --> 00:11:40.519
 all his

00:11:40.519 --> 00:11:41.379
 enemies under

00:11:41.379 --> 00:11:41.980
 his feet.

00:11:42.879 --> 00:11:43.500
 Verses

00:11:43.500 --> 00:11:44.779
 34 and

00:11:44.779 --> 00:11:45.779
 35,

00:11:46.720 --> 00:11:47.740
 Peter quotes

00:11:47.740 --> 00:11:48.620
 Psalm 110

00:11:48.620 --> 00:11:49.600
 to show

00:11:49.600 --> 00:11:50.480
 the significance

00:11:50.480 --> 00:11:51.820
 of Jesus'

00:11:52.159 --> 00:11:53.000
 exaltation.

00:11:53.539 --> 00:11:53.919
 It says,

00:11:54.060 --> 00:11:54.399
 the Lord

00:11:54.399 --> 00:11:54.980
 said to

00:11:54.980 --> 00:11:56.259
 my Lord,

00:11:56.759 --> 00:11:57.220
 sit at

00:11:57.220 --> 00:11:57.820
 my right

00:11:57.820 --> 00:11:58.700
 hand until

00:11:58.700 --> 00:11:59.179
 I make

00:11:59.179 --> 00:12:00.000
 your enemies

00:12:00.000 --> 00:12:01.200
 a footstool

00:12:01.200 --> 00:12:01.720
 for your

00:12:01.720 --> 00:12:02.159
 feet.

00:12:04.340 --> 00:12:04.960
 And so

00:12:04.960 --> 00:12:06.000
 this particular

00:12:06.000 --> 00:12:06.820
 endorsement of

00:12:06.820 --> 00:12:07.279
 Jesus,

00:12:07.860 --> 00:12:08.399
 where God

00:12:08.399 --> 00:12:09.120
 takes him

00:12:09.120 --> 00:12:09.600
 and moves

00:12:09.600 --> 00:12:10.139
 into his

00:12:10.139 --> 00:12:11.000
 right hand,

00:12:13.399 --> 00:12:14.159
 exposes

00:12:14.159 --> 00:12:14.980
 the ultimate

00:12:14.980 --> 00:12:16.039
 horror of

00:12:16.039 --> 00:12:16.560
 rejecting

00:12:16.560 --> 00:12:17.259
 Jesus.

00:12:18.620 --> 00:12:19.220
 In

00:12:19.220 --> 00:12:19.679
 rejecting

00:12:19.679 --> 00:12:20.299
 Jesus,

00:12:20.740 --> 00:12:21.399
 they have

00:12:21.399 --> 00:12:21.899
 rejected

00:12:21.899 --> 00:12:22.519
 the one

00:12:22.519 --> 00:12:23.120
 whom God

00:12:23.120 --> 00:12:23.879
 declared to

00:12:23.879 --> 00:12:24.379
 be the

00:12:24.379 --> 00:12:24.799
 Lord of

00:12:24.799 --> 00:12:25.639
 the universe

00:12:25.639 --> 00:12:27.440
 by exalting

00:12:27.440 --> 00:12:27.940
 him to

00:12:27.940 --> 00:12:28.500
 his right

00:12:28.500 --> 00:12:28.940
 hand.

00:12:30.240 --> 00:12:30.740
 And so

00:12:30.740 --> 00:12:31.759
 the decisive

00:12:31.759 --> 00:12:32.500
 thrust of

00:12:32.500 --> 00:12:33.179
 Peter's sermon

00:12:33.179 --> 00:12:33.740
 is summed

00:12:33.740 --> 00:12:34.100
 up in

00:12:34.100 --> 00:12:35.200
 verse 36.

00:12:35.980 --> 00:12:36.460
 Therefore,

00:12:37.220 --> 00:12:37.899
 let all

00:12:37.899 --> 00:12:39.000
 Israel be

00:12:39.000 --> 00:12:39.700
 assured of

00:12:39.700 --> 00:12:40.179
 this.

00:12:40.820 --> 00:12:41.580
 God has

00:12:41.580 --> 00:12:42.259
 made this

00:12:42.259 --> 00:12:42.899
 Jesus,

00:12:43.840 --> 00:12:44.399
 whom you

00:12:44.399 --> 00:12:45.019
 crucified,

00:12:46.000 --> 00:12:46.879
 both Lord

00:12:46.879 --> 00:12:48.259
 and Christ.

00:12:48.620 --> 00:12:51.460
 God

00:12:51.460 --> 00:12:52.019
 endorsed

00:12:52.019 --> 00:12:52.759
 Jesus as

00:12:52.759 --> 00:12:53.220
 the worker

00:12:53.220 --> 00:12:54.060
 of miracles

00:12:54.060 --> 00:12:54.659
 on earth.

00:12:55.460 --> 00:12:55.799
 God

00:12:55.799 --> 00:12:56.419
 endorsed

00:12:56.419 --> 00:12:57.179
 Jesus as

00:12:57.179 --> 00:12:57.620
 the perfect

00:12:57.620 --> 00:12:58.139
 sacrifice

00:12:58.139 --> 00:12:59.060
 for sins.

00:12:59.679 --> 00:12:59.899
 God

00:12:59.899 --> 00:13:00.480
 endorsed

00:13:00.480 --> 00:13:00.840
 him as

00:13:00.840 --> 00:13:01.299
 Christ,

00:13:01.399 --> 00:13:01.919
 the Messiah,

00:13:02.039 --> 00:13:02.620
 by raising

00:13:02.620 --> 00:13:02.879
 him from

00:13:02.879 --> 00:13:03.340
 the dead.

00:13:03.720 --> 00:13:03.899
 God

00:13:03.899 --> 00:13:04.460
 endorsed

00:13:04.460 --> 00:13:04.759
 him as

00:13:04.759 --> 00:13:05.200
 the Lord

00:13:05.200 --> 00:13:06.159
 of everything

00:13:06.159 --> 00:13:07.799
 by exalting

00:13:07.799 --> 00:13:08.860
 him all

00:13:08.860 --> 00:13:09.779
 the way to

00:13:09.779 --> 00:13:10.519
 the highest

00:13:10.519 --> 00:13:11.179
 place in

00:13:11.179 --> 00:13:11.740
 the universe

00:13:11.740 --> 00:13:13.860
 and making

00:13:13.860 --> 00:13:14.700
 him supreme

00:13:14.700 --> 00:13:15.639
 over all

00:13:15.639 --> 00:13:16.019
 of his

00:13:16.019 --> 00:13:16.440
 enemies.

00:13:18.560 --> 00:13:18.840
 And so

00:13:18.840 --> 00:13:19.539
 the crucial

00:13:19.539 --> 00:13:21.039
 issue in

00:13:21.039 --> 00:13:21.700
 this sermon

00:13:21.700 --> 00:13:22.659
 of Peter's

00:13:22.659 --> 00:13:24.080
 is not

00:13:24.080 --> 00:13:25.120
 the rejection

00:13:25.120 --> 00:13:25.659
 or the

00:13:25.659 --> 00:13:26.120
 killing of

00:13:26.120 --> 00:13:26.980
 a man,

00:13:27.580 --> 00:13:28.340
 but the

00:13:28.340 --> 00:13:28.980
 denial of

00:13:28.980 --> 00:13:29.379
 God.

00:13:31.460 --> 00:13:31.759
 You see,

00:13:31.840 --> 00:13:32.320
 to reject

00:13:32.320 --> 00:13:32.860
 Jesus,

00:13:33.080 --> 00:13:33.560
 is Peter's

00:13:33.560 --> 00:13:34.240
 point here,

00:13:34.440 --> 00:13:35.080
 is in fact

00:13:35.080 --> 00:13:35.560
 to reject

00:13:35.560 --> 00:13:36.100
 God.

00:13:36.299 --> 00:13:36.759
 To vote

00:13:36.759 --> 00:13:37.340
 no to

00:13:37.340 --> 00:13:38.360
 Jesus is

00:13:38.360 --> 00:13:38.899
 to stand

00:13:38.899 --> 00:13:39.399
 in opposition

00:13:39.399 --> 00:13:40.100
 to God.

00:13:40.319 --> 00:13:40.860
 That's the

00:13:40.860 --> 00:13:41.220
 issue.

00:13:41.539 --> 00:13:42.019
 And that

00:13:42.019 --> 00:13:42.519
 is what

00:13:42.519 --> 00:13:43.500
 cut them

00:13:43.500 --> 00:13:43.919
 to the

00:13:43.919 --> 00:13:44.500
 heart.

00:13:46.139 --> 00:13:47.159
 Peter means

00:13:47.159 --> 00:13:47.899
 for his

00:13:47.899 --> 00:13:48.500
 audience

00:13:48.500 --> 00:13:49.379
 here to

00:13:49.379 --> 00:13:50.120
 feel the

00:13:50.120 --> 00:13:50.860
 clash

00:13:50.860 --> 00:13:51.500
 between

00:13:51.500 --> 00:13:52.039
 their

00:13:52.039 --> 00:13:52.779
 rejection

00:13:52.779 --> 00:13:53.539
 of Jesus

00:13:53.539 --> 00:13:54.759
 and God's

00:13:54.759 --> 00:13:55.959
 acceptance

00:13:55.959 --> 00:13:57.139
 and endorsement

00:13:57.139 --> 00:13:57.899
 of Jesus.

00:13:59.759 --> 00:14:00.779
 What matters

00:14:00.779 --> 00:14:01.500
 here ultimately

00:14:01.500 --> 00:14:02.579
 is not that

00:14:02.579 --> 00:14:03.039
 they killed

00:14:03.039 --> 00:14:03.679
 a man,

00:14:04.360 --> 00:14:04.980
 but that

00:14:04.980 --> 00:14:05.279
 they are

00:14:05.279 --> 00:14:05.960
 standing in

00:14:05.960 --> 00:14:06.620
 opposition to

00:14:06.620 --> 00:14:07.059
 God.

00:14:08.899 --> 00:14:10.079
 And this

00:14:10.079 --> 00:14:10.439
 is a

00:14:10.439 --> 00:14:10.939
 shocking

00:14:10.939 --> 00:14:11.699
 thing for

00:14:11.699 --> 00:14:12.240
 these people

00:14:12.240 --> 00:14:12.860
 to hear

00:14:12.860 --> 00:14:15.000
 and extremely

00:14:15.000 --> 00:14:15.639
 hard for

00:14:15.639 --> 00:14:16.000
 them to

00:14:16.000 --> 00:14:16.439
 admit.

00:14:19.959 --> 00:14:20.600
 Because

00:14:20.600 --> 00:14:21.579
 these 3,000

00:14:21.579 --> 00:14:23.120
 people have

00:14:23.120 --> 00:14:23.699
 gathered for

00:14:23.699 --> 00:14:24.240
 worship.

00:14:25.159 --> 00:14:26.059
 It is the

00:14:26.059 --> 00:14:26.360
 day of

00:14:26.360 --> 00:14:26.860
 Pentecost.

00:14:29.740 --> 00:14:30.519
 They are

00:14:30.519 --> 00:14:31.360
 religious people

00:14:31.360 --> 00:14:31.879
 that Peter

00:14:31.879 --> 00:14:32.439
 is talking

00:14:32.439 --> 00:14:32.779
 to.

00:14:34.059 --> 00:14:34.720
 They are

00:14:34.720 --> 00:14:35.460
 moral people.

00:14:36.159 --> 00:14:36.740
 They are

00:14:36.740 --> 00:14:37.199
 worshipping

00:14:37.199 --> 00:14:37.659
 people.

00:14:38.899 --> 00:14:39.659
 But he is

00:14:39.659 --> 00:14:40.399
 telling them

00:14:40.399 --> 00:14:40.879
 that their

00:14:40.879 --> 00:14:41.740
 minds are

00:14:41.740 --> 00:14:42.620
 totally at

00:14:42.620 --> 00:14:43.139
 odds with

00:14:43.139 --> 00:14:43.559
 God.

00:14:44.600 --> 00:14:45.279
 They claim

00:14:45.279 --> 00:14:45.699
 to know

00:14:45.699 --> 00:14:46.120
 God.

00:14:46.799 --> 00:14:47.319
 They claim

00:14:47.319 --> 00:14:47.779
 to love

00:14:47.779 --> 00:14:48.199
 God and

00:14:48.199 --> 00:14:48.759
 worship God

00:14:48.759 --> 00:14:49.159
 and follow

00:14:49.159 --> 00:14:49.639
 God.

00:14:50.299 --> 00:14:50.860
 But Peter

00:14:50.860 --> 00:14:52.240
 says that

00:14:52.240 --> 00:14:52.559
 they are

00:14:52.559 --> 00:14:53.340
 diametrically

00:14:53.340 --> 00:14:54.519
 opposed to

00:14:54.519 --> 00:14:54.899
 God.

00:14:57.799 --> 00:14:58.639
 And so if

00:14:58.639 --> 00:14:59.459
 we say that

00:14:59.459 --> 00:14:59.919
 we know

00:14:59.919 --> 00:15:00.480
 God,

00:15:01.179 --> 00:15:02.799
 but reject

00:15:02.799 --> 00:15:03.639
 God's

00:15:03.639 --> 00:15:04.500
 endorsement

00:15:04.500 --> 00:15:05.240
 of Jesus,

00:15:05.240 --> 00:15:07.639
 then we

00:15:07.639 --> 00:15:08.159
 don't really

00:15:08.159 --> 00:15:08.779
 know God.

00:15:11.019 --> 00:15:11.659
 And

00:15:11.659 --> 00:15:12.240
 worse,

00:15:13.519 --> 00:15:13.980
 we're

00:15:13.980 --> 00:15:14.399
 actually

00:15:14.399 --> 00:15:15.240
 against

00:15:15.240 --> 00:15:15.940
 God.

00:15:17.940 --> 00:15:18.919
 And this

00:15:18.919 --> 00:15:19.320
 is what

00:15:19.320 --> 00:15:19.980
 cuts

00:15:19.980 --> 00:15:20.700
 Peter's

00:15:20.700 --> 00:15:21.259
 hearers to

00:15:21.259 --> 00:15:21.899
 the heart.

00:15:22.899 --> 00:15:24.340
 They saw

00:15:24.340 --> 00:15:25.700
 for the

00:15:25.700 --> 00:15:26.820
 first time

00:15:26.820 --> 00:15:28.220
 that their

00:15:28.220 --> 00:15:29.139
 zeal

00:15:29.139 --> 00:15:30.480
 for God

00:15:30.480 --> 00:15:31.860
 had actually

00:15:31.860 --> 00:15:32.700
 been a

00:15:32.700 --> 00:15:33.180
 zeal

00:15:33.179 --> 00:15:33.959
 against

00:15:33.959 --> 00:15:34.559
 God.

00:15:37.259 --> 00:15:37.620
 And so

00:15:37.620 --> 00:15:38.399
 after years

00:15:38.399 --> 00:15:39.059
 of denial

00:15:39.059 --> 00:15:39.659
 and running

00:15:39.659 --> 00:15:40.319
 from God,

00:15:40.439 --> 00:15:40.959
 the question

00:15:40.959 --> 00:15:42.179
 is to

00:15:42.179 --> 00:15:42.559
 Peter,

00:15:43.139 --> 00:15:44.139
 what are

00:15:44.139 --> 00:15:45.779
 we going

00:15:45.779 --> 00:15:46.599
 to do?

00:15:49.679 --> 00:15:50.079
 And

00:15:50.079 --> 00:15:50.439
 Peter's

00:15:50.439 --> 00:15:51.179
 response is

00:15:51.179 --> 00:15:51.879
 twofold in

00:15:51.879 --> 00:15:52.639
 verse 38.

00:15:53.439 --> 00:15:53.919
 Repent

00:15:53.919 --> 00:15:54.259
 and be

00:15:54.259 --> 00:15:54.620
 baptized

00:15:54.620 --> 00:15:55.500
 every one

00:15:55.500 --> 00:15:55.899
 of you

00:15:55.899 --> 00:15:56.659
 in the

00:15:56.659 --> 00:15:57.079
 name of

00:15:57.079 --> 00:15:57.359
 Jesus

00:15:57.359 --> 00:15:57.859
 Christ

00:15:57.859 --> 00:15:58.219
 for the

00:15:58.219 --> 00:15:58.559
 forgiveness

00:15:58.559 --> 00:15:59.059
 of your

00:15:59.059 --> 00:15:59.579
 sins

00:15:59.579 --> 00:16:00.479
 and you

00:16:00.479 --> 00:16:01.039
 receive the

00:16:01.039 --> 00:16:01.359
 gift of

00:16:01.359 --> 00:16:01.699
 the Holy

00:16:01.699 --> 00:16:02.179
 Spirit.

00:16:03.179 --> 00:16:04.039
 And so

00:16:04.039 --> 00:16:04.439
 they need

00:16:04.439 --> 00:16:05.059
 two things.

00:16:05.199 --> 00:16:05.500
 They need

00:16:05.500 --> 00:16:05.919
 forgiveness

00:16:05.919 --> 00:16:07.139
 and they

00:16:07.139 --> 00:16:08.039
 need the

00:16:08.039 --> 00:16:08.739
 Holy Spirit.

00:16:10.000 --> 00:16:10.539
 And what

00:16:10.539 --> 00:16:11.279
 we desperately

00:16:11.279 --> 00:16:12.399
 need and

00:16:12.399 --> 00:16:13.319
 what God

00:16:13.319 --> 00:16:13.859
 is willing

00:16:13.859 --> 00:16:14.620
 to give

00:16:14.620 --> 00:16:15.479
 is forgiveness.

00:16:16.039 --> 00:16:16.979
 We have

00:16:16.979 --> 00:16:17.559
 violated

00:16:17.559 --> 00:16:18.120
 God.

00:16:18.479 --> 00:16:19.019
 We have

00:16:19.019 --> 00:16:19.939
 disobeyed

00:16:19.939 --> 00:16:20.639
 God.

00:16:20.859 --> 00:16:21.620
 And there

00:16:21.620 --> 00:16:21.979
 is only

00:16:21.979 --> 00:16:22.719
 one hope

00:16:22.719 --> 00:16:23.759
 that this

00:16:23.759 --> 00:16:24.259
 God,

00:16:24.759 --> 00:16:25.059
 through the

00:16:25.059 --> 00:16:25.439
 atoning

00:16:25.439 --> 00:16:25.899
 death of

00:16:25.899 --> 00:16:26.599
 his son,

00:16:27.199 --> 00:16:27.599
 might

00:16:27.599 --> 00:16:28.519
 forgive us

00:16:28.519 --> 00:16:29.259
 for our

00:16:29.259 --> 00:16:29.839
 sin against

00:16:29.839 --> 00:16:30.219
 him.

00:16:30.220 --> 00:16:32.000
 And so

00:16:32.000 --> 00:16:32.460
 I say

00:16:32.460 --> 00:16:32.820
 to us

00:16:32.820 --> 00:16:33.440
 all here

00:16:33.440 --> 00:16:34.060
 today,

00:16:35.860 --> 00:16:36.300
 worshipping

00:16:36.300 --> 00:16:36.899
 people,

00:16:38.340 --> 00:16:39.620
 as Peter

00:16:39.620 --> 00:16:40.160
 did to

00:16:40.160 --> 00:16:40.879
 verse 4

00:16:40.879 --> 00:16:41.379
 in verse

00:16:41.379 --> 00:16:41.840
 40 to

00:16:41.840 --> 00:16:42.420
 the crowd,

00:16:43.100 --> 00:16:43.960
 be saved.

00:16:44.639 --> 00:16:45.759
 Be saved

00:16:45.759 --> 00:16:46.240
 from this

00:16:46.240 --> 00:16:46.620
 crooked

00:16:46.620 --> 00:16:47.379
 generation.

00:16:48.379 --> 00:16:48.660
 On the

00:16:48.660 --> 00:16:49.279
 basis of

00:16:49.279 --> 00:16:49.660
 God's

00:16:49.660 --> 00:16:50.019
 word,

00:16:50.180 --> 00:16:50.800
 I declare

00:16:50.800 --> 00:16:51.680
 that there

00:16:51.680 --> 00:16:52.060
 is a

00:16:52.060 --> 00:16:52.820
 God who

00:16:52.820 --> 00:16:53.700
 rules the

00:16:53.700 --> 00:16:54.080
 universe.

00:16:54.080 --> 00:16:54.360
 verse.

00:16:56.860 --> 00:16:57.900
 There is

00:16:57.900 --> 00:16:58.680
 a holy

00:16:58.680 --> 00:16:59.920
 law that

00:16:59.920 --> 00:17:00.280
 he has

00:17:00.280 --> 00:17:00.879
 given us,

00:17:00.960 --> 00:17:01.639
 his word

00:17:01.639 --> 00:17:02.000
 that we

00:17:02.000 --> 00:17:02.700
 have trampled

00:17:02.700 --> 00:17:03.320
 all over

00:17:03.320 --> 00:17:04.180
 and ignored.

00:17:05.079 --> 00:17:05.480
 And in

00:17:05.480 --> 00:17:05.860
 the name

00:17:05.860 --> 00:17:06.340
 of Jesus

00:17:06.340 --> 00:17:06.840
 Christ,

00:17:06.940 --> 00:17:07.579
 there is

00:17:07.579 --> 00:17:08.180
 forgiveness

00:17:08.180 --> 00:17:09.240
 for our

00:17:09.240 --> 00:17:10.120
 sin against

00:17:10.120 --> 00:17:10.660
 God.

00:17:11.579 --> 00:17:12.120
 That is

00:17:12.120 --> 00:17:12.860
 our first

00:17:12.860 --> 00:17:13.160
 need,

00:17:13.279 --> 00:17:13.900
 our primary

00:17:13.900 --> 00:17:14.340
 need,

00:17:14.600 --> 00:17:15.519
 and God

00:17:15.519 --> 00:17:16.440
 in Jesus

00:17:16.440 --> 00:17:17.039
 Christ

00:17:17.039 --> 00:17:18.000
 stands ready

00:17:18.000 --> 00:17:18.420
 to give

00:17:18.420 --> 00:17:18.660
 it to

00:17:18.660 --> 00:17:19.400
 anyone who

00:17:19.400 --> 00:17:19.819
 comes to

00:17:19.819 --> 00:17:20.460
 him in

00:17:20.460 --> 00:17:20.840
 repentance

00:17:20.840 --> 00:17:21.460
 and faith.

00:17:22.860 --> 00:17:23.460
 Repentance

00:17:23.460 --> 00:17:24.160
 involves

00:17:24.160 --> 00:17:25.380
 turning from

00:17:25.380 --> 00:17:26.360
 any conviction.

00:17:27.360 --> 00:17:27.819
 It's a

00:17:27.819 --> 00:17:28.360
 transformation

00:17:28.360 --> 00:17:28.840
 of the

00:17:28.840 --> 00:17:29.259
 mind.

00:17:29.900 --> 00:17:30.180
 It's a

00:17:30.180 --> 00:17:30.819
 turning away

00:17:30.819 --> 00:17:31.440
 from any

00:17:31.440 --> 00:17:31.880
 conviction

00:17:31.880 --> 00:17:32.700
 about Jesus

00:17:32.700 --> 00:17:34.140
 other than

00:17:34.140 --> 00:17:34.700
 that he is

00:17:34.700 --> 00:17:35.259
 the son of

00:17:35.259 --> 00:17:35.559
 God,

00:17:35.720 --> 00:17:36.140
 crucified,

00:17:36.519 --> 00:17:36.840
 raised,

00:17:36.980 --> 00:17:37.500
 ascended,

00:17:38.039 --> 00:17:39.400
 reigns as

00:17:39.400 --> 00:17:40.120
 Lord and

00:17:40.120 --> 00:17:40.799
 king of the

00:17:40.799 --> 00:17:41.480
 universe.

00:17:43.180 --> 00:17:44.059
 And that he

00:17:44.059 --> 00:17:44.539
 is the lamb

00:17:44.539 --> 00:17:45.220
 of God who

00:17:45.220 --> 00:17:45.779
 has come to

00:17:45.779 --> 00:17:46.440
 take away

00:17:46.440 --> 00:17:47.840
 the sin of

00:17:47.840 --> 00:17:48.340
 the world.

00:17:50.759 --> 00:17:51.579
 And as

00:17:51.579 --> 00:17:52.279
 Lord and

00:17:52.279 --> 00:17:53.140
 Christ over

00:17:53.140 --> 00:17:53.620
 all that

00:17:53.620 --> 00:17:53.940
 he has

00:17:53.940 --> 00:17:54.280
 made,

00:17:54.360 --> 00:17:55.100
 he expects

00:17:55.100 --> 00:17:55.960
 our

00:17:55.960 --> 00:17:56.440
 allegiance.

00:17:58.600 --> 00:17:59.020
 And so

00:17:59.020 --> 00:17:59.840
 we see in

00:17:59.840 --> 00:18:00.680
 verse 41

00:18:00.680 --> 00:18:02.080
 that about

00:18:02.080 --> 00:18:04.080
 3,000 people

00:18:04.080 --> 00:18:05.180
 accepted

00:18:05.180 --> 00:18:05.759
 Peter's

00:18:05.759 --> 00:18:06.880
 message and

00:18:06.880 --> 00:18:07.420
 were added

00:18:07.420 --> 00:18:07.880
 to the

00:18:07.880 --> 00:18:08.720
 church in

00:18:08.720 --> 00:18:09.440
 that day.

00:18:10.520 --> 00:18:11.120
 That's

00:18:11.120 --> 00:18:11.840
 astounding.

00:18:13.759 --> 00:18:14.640
 In chapter

00:18:14.640 --> 00:18:14.960
 1,

00:18:15.040 --> 00:18:15.780
 verse 15,

00:18:15.880 --> 00:18:16.259
 it says

00:18:16.259 --> 00:18:16.560
 that the

00:18:16.560 --> 00:18:17.300
 believers

00:18:17.300 --> 00:18:18.800
 numbered

00:18:18.800 --> 00:18:19.560
 120.

00:18:19.559 --> 00:18:22.179
 and now

00:18:22.179 --> 00:18:22.559
 there's

00:18:22.559 --> 00:18:24.159
 3,120

00:18:24.159 --> 00:18:26.799
 and 11

00:18:26.799 --> 00:18:27.220
 apostles.

00:18:28.159 --> 00:18:28.960
 My goodness,

00:18:29.839 --> 00:18:30.460
 their staff

00:18:30.460 --> 00:18:31.059
 teams are

00:18:31.059 --> 00:18:31.619
 smaller than

00:18:31.619 --> 00:18:32.119
 ours.

00:18:35.440 --> 00:18:36.159
 That's

00:18:36.159 --> 00:18:37.000
 massive growth.

00:18:37.299 --> 00:18:39.000
 3,120 people

00:18:39.000 --> 00:18:39.539
 have repented

00:18:39.539 --> 00:18:39.919
 of their

00:18:39.919 --> 00:18:40.779
 rejection of

00:18:40.779 --> 00:18:41.659
 God and

00:18:41.659 --> 00:18:42.179
 now have a

00:18:42.179 --> 00:18:42.899
 common focus,

00:18:43.019 --> 00:18:43.539
 the Lord Jesus

00:18:43.539 --> 00:18:44.039
 Christ.

00:18:44.759 --> 00:18:45.039
 And this

00:18:45.039 --> 00:18:45.839
 brings us,

00:18:46.240 --> 00:18:46.920
 now left

00:18:46.920 --> 00:18:48.000
 with 3,120

00:18:48.000 --> 00:18:48.879
 people,

00:18:49.359 --> 00:18:49.899
 brings us

00:18:49.899 --> 00:18:50.460
 to their

00:18:50.460 --> 00:18:51.440
 second need

00:18:51.440 --> 00:18:51.839
 and our

00:18:51.839 --> 00:18:52.519
 deep second

00:18:52.519 --> 00:18:53.000
 need as

00:18:53.000 --> 00:18:53.359
 well.

00:18:53.920 --> 00:18:54.559
 It's here,

00:18:55.180 --> 00:18:55.759
 our need is

00:18:55.759 --> 00:18:56.279
 to have God

00:18:56.279 --> 00:18:57.000
 himself reign

00:18:57.000 --> 00:18:57.799
 in our lives

00:18:57.799 --> 00:18:58.480
 where sin

00:18:58.480 --> 00:18:59.519
 and ignorance

00:18:59.519 --> 00:19:00.159
 and rebellion

00:19:00.159 --> 00:19:00.940
 used to reign.

00:19:02.220 --> 00:19:03.359
 Those 3,120

00:19:03.359 --> 00:19:04.440
 people and

00:19:04.440 --> 00:19:04.940
 those here

00:19:04.940 --> 00:19:05.379
 gathered at

00:19:05.379 --> 00:19:05.779
 St. Paul's

00:19:05.779 --> 00:19:06.299
 Chatswood

00:19:06.299 --> 00:19:07.639
 need wisdom

00:19:07.639 --> 00:19:08.200
 and guidance

00:19:08.200 --> 00:19:08.619
 and love

00:19:08.619 --> 00:19:09.079
 and joy

00:19:09.079 --> 00:19:09.639
 and peace

00:19:09.639 --> 00:19:10.180
 and patience

00:19:10.180 --> 00:19:10.639
 and goodness

00:19:10.640 --> 00:19:11.060
 and self

00:19:11.060 --> 00:19:11.540
 control.

00:19:12.080 --> 00:19:12.500
 We need

00:19:12.500 --> 00:19:13.100
 extraordinary

00:19:13.100 --> 00:19:13.740
 power for

00:19:13.740 --> 00:19:14.259
 the task

00:19:14.259 --> 00:19:14.759
 of living

00:19:14.759 --> 00:19:15.720
 with Christ

00:19:15.720 --> 00:19:16.320
 the Lord.

00:19:16.640 --> 00:19:17.060
 We need

00:19:17.060 --> 00:19:17.740
 extraordinary

00:19:17.740 --> 00:19:18.400
 power of

00:19:18.400 --> 00:19:18.720
 the Holy

00:19:18.720 --> 00:19:19.240
 Spirit to

00:19:19.240 --> 00:19:19.740
 pursue any

00:19:19.740 --> 00:19:20.200
 discipline

00:19:20.200 --> 00:19:20.560
 that we

00:19:20.560 --> 00:19:21.300
 call to

00:19:21.300 --> 00:19:21.800
 in commitment

00:19:21.800 --> 00:19:22.320
 series.

00:19:23.640 --> 00:19:24.040
 We need

00:19:24.040 --> 00:19:24.720
 extraordinary

00:19:24.720 --> 00:19:26.060
 power for

00:19:26.060 --> 00:19:27.180
 revealing to

00:19:27.180 --> 00:19:27.759
 this world

00:19:27.759 --> 00:19:28.300
 that Jesus

00:19:28.300 --> 00:19:28.900
 is Lord

00:19:28.900 --> 00:19:29.380
 and Christ.

00:19:29.500 --> 00:19:29.680
 We need

00:19:29.680 --> 00:19:30.060
 the power

00:19:30.060 --> 00:19:30.280
 of the

00:19:30.280 --> 00:19:30.720
 Spirit for

00:19:30.720 --> 00:19:31.240
 the task

00:19:31.240 --> 00:19:31.560
 of being

00:19:31.560 --> 00:19:31.900
 a new

00:19:31.900 --> 00:19:32.400
 community

00:19:32.400 --> 00:19:33.140
 under the

00:19:33.140 --> 00:19:33.460
 Lordship

00:19:33.460 --> 00:19:33.940
 of Jesus.

00:19:36.259 --> 00:19:36.780
 Notice

00:19:36.780 --> 00:19:37.160
 that the

00:19:37.160 --> 00:19:38.300
 call from

00:19:38.300 --> 00:19:39.259
 Peter in

00:19:39.259 --> 00:19:40.280
 verse 40

00:19:40.279 --> 00:19:41.220
 and 41

00:19:41.220 --> 00:19:42.160
 is a

00:19:42.160 --> 00:19:42.759
 call to

00:19:42.759 --> 00:19:43.339
 leave one

00:19:43.339 --> 00:19:43.819
 group.

00:19:45.099 --> 00:19:45.779
 He says

00:19:45.779 --> 00:19:47.279
 be safe

00:19:47.279 --> 00:19:47.599
 from this

00:19:47.599 --> 00:19:48.039
 corrupt

00:19:48.039 --> 00:19:48.759
 generation.

00:19:50.059 --> 00:19:50.500
 He says

00:19:50.500 --> 00:19:51.480
 leave that

00:19:51.480 --> 00:19:52.180
 group

00:19:52.180 --> 00:19:53.740
 and join

00:19:53.740 --> 00:19:55.059
 this new

00:19:55.059 --> 00:19:55.500
 group

00:19:55.500 --> 00:19:56.039
 the

00:19:56.039 --> 00:19:56.460
 fellowship.

00:19:58.819 --> 00:19:59.660
 These new

00:19:59.660 --> 00:20:00.220
 converts

00:20:00.220 --> 00:20:00.879
 were brought

00:20:00.879 --> 00:20:01.599
 together

00:20:01.599 --> 00:20:02.579
 through a

00:20:02.579 --> 00:20:02.859
 common

00:20:02.859 --> 00:20:03.460
 salvation

00:20:03.460 --> 00:20:04.099
 into a

00:20:04.099 --> 00:20:04.399
 common

00:20:04.399 --> 00:20:04.940
 devotion.

00:20:05.619 --> 00:20:05.940
 There is

00:20:05.940 --> 00:20:06.420
 no

00:20:06.420 --> 00:20:07.180
 leave the

00:20:07.180 --> 00:20:07.420
 corrupt

00:20:07.420 --> 00:20:08.039
 generation

00:20:08.039 --> 00:20:08.460
 and go

00:20:08.460 --> 00:20:08.839
 and find

00:20:08.839 --> 00:20:09.220
 your own

00:20:09.220 --> 00:20:09.639
 way.

00:20:09.640 --> 00:20:10.220
 There is

00:20:10.220 --> 00:20:10.420
 no

00:20:10.420 --> 00:20:11.280
 individualism.

00:20:11.380 --> 00:20:11.540
 There is

00:20:11.540 --> 00:20:12.140
 no solo

00:20:12.140 --> 00:20:12.720
 Christianity.

00:20:13.040 --> 00:20:13.280
 There is

00:20:13.280 --> 00:20:13.940
 no consumer

00:20:13.940 --> 00:20:14.580
 Christianity.

00:20:15.020 --> 00:20:15.580
 Even the

00:20:15.580 --> 00:20:16.460
 term I think

00:20:16.460 --> 00:20:17.460
 volunteering

00:20:17.460 --> 00:20:18.300
 at church

00:20:18.300 --> 00:20:19.259
 seems really

00:20:19.259 --> 00:20:20.220
 foreign in

00:20:20.220 --> 00:20:20.740
 this picture

00:20:20.740 --> 00:20:21.020
 of the

00:20:21.020 --> 00:20:21.200
 early

00:20:21.200 --> 00:20:21.720
 church.

00:20:25.120 --> 00:20:26.220
 The picture

00:20:26.220 --> 00:20:27.580
 here is

00:20:27.580 --> 00:20:28.200
 not a

00:20:28.200 --> 00:20:28.720
 bunch of

00:20:28.720 --> 00:20:29.080
 poor

00:20:29.080 --> 00:20:30.480
 slaves who

00:20:30.480 --> 00:20:30.920
 have sort

00:20:30.920 --> 00:20:31.380
 of been

00:20:31.380 --> 00:20:32.580
 given a

00:20:32.580 --> 00:20:33.840
 job in

00:20:33.840 --> 00:20:34.160
 some

00:20:34.160 --> 00:20:34.900
 factory

00:20:34.900 --> 00:20:35.660
 somewhere

00:20:35.660 --> 00:20:37.259
 by God.

00:20:37.259 --> 00:20:37.779
 It's

00:20:37.779 --> 00:20:38.580
 more poor

00:20:38.580 --> 00:20:39.160
 slaves who

00:20:39.160 --> 00:20:39.400
 have been

00:20:39.400 --> 00:20:39.820
 made

00:20:39.820 --> 00:20:40.360
 family

00:20:40.360 --> 00:20:40.960
 members

00:20:40.960 --> 00:20:41.560
 brought

00:20:41.560 --> 00:20:42.240
 into the

00:20:42.240 --> 00:20:42.560
 family

00:20:42.560 --> 00:20:43.720
 business

00:20:43.720 --> 00:20:44.660
 as joint

00:20:44.660 --> 00:20:45.320
 owners and

00:20:45.320 --> 00:20:46.040
 heirs of

00:20:46.040 --> 00:20:46.740
 that business

00:20:46.740 --> 00:20:47.600
 to do the

00:20:47.600 --> 00:20:48.140
 work of

00:20:48.140 --> 00:20:48.560
 their new

00:20:48.560 --> 00:20:49.000
 generous

00:20:49.000 --> 00:20:49.500
 father.

00:20:49.500 --> 00:20:51.920
 God

00:20:51.920 --> 00:20:52.480
 And there

00:20:52.480 --> 00:20:52.900
 are four

00:20:52.900 --> 00:20:53.660
 things happening

00:20:53.660 --> 00:20:54.519
 in the

00:20:54.519 --> 00:20:55.140
 church where

00:20:55.140 --> 00:20:55.740
 the spirit

00:20:55.740 --> 00:20:56.160
 of God

00:20:56.160 --> 00:20:56.839
 reigns.

00:20:56.839 --> 00:20:57.359
 These

00:20:57.359 --> 00:20:58.099
 believers were

00:20:58.099 --> 00:20:58.480
 devoted,

00:20:58.619 --> 00:20:58.880
 that is,

00:20:58.940 --> 00:20:59.200
 they were

00:20:59.200 --> 00:20:59.740
 seriously,

00:21:00.500 --> 00:21:01.019
 continually,

00:21:01.359 --> 00:21:02.299
 single-mindedly

00:21:02.299 --> 00:21:03.140
 and earnestly

00:21:03.140 --> 00:21:04.560
 pursuing and

00:21:04.560 --> 00:21:05.440
 persisting in

00:21:05.440 --> 00:21:06.520
 four things

00:21:06.520 --> 00:21:07.320
 that are the

00:21:07.320 --> 00:21:07.800
 keys to

00:21:07.800 --> 00:21:08.500
 spiritual growth

00:21:08.500 --> 00:21:08.980
 and maturity.

00:21:09.080 --> 00:21:09.460
 Have a look at

00:21:09.460 --> 00:21:09.800
 it in verse

00:21:09.800 --> 00:21:10.280
 42.

00:21:10.700 --> 00:21:11.259
 The first is

00:21:11.259 --> 00:21:11.820
 teaching.

00:21:12.200 --> 00:21:12.660
 They devoted

00:21:12.660 --> 00:21:13.400
 themselves to

00:21:13.400 --> 00:21:13.940
 the apostles'

00:21:14.460 --> 00:21:14.820
 teaching.

00:21:16.160 --> 00:21:16.700
 Under the

00:21:16.700 --> 00:21:17.240
 reign of the

00:21:17.240 --> 00:21:17.860
 Holy Spirit,

00:21:17.960 --> 00:21:18.440
 these new

00:21:18.440 --> 00:21:19.100
 Christians were

00:21:19.100 --> 00:21:19.700
 hungry for

00:21:19.700 --> 00:21:20.140
 the word of

00:21:20.140 --> 00:21:20.440
 God.

00:21:21.420 --> 00:21:22.360
 Being filled

00:21:22.360 --> 00:21:22.780
 with the

00:21:22.780 --> 00:21:23.880
 spirit and

00:21:23.880 --> 00:21:24.660
 being filled

00:21:24.660 --> 00:21:25.000
 with the

00:21:25.000 --> 00:21:25.380
 word of

00:21:25.380 --> 00:21:26.460
 God go

00:21:26.460 --> 00:21:27.220
 together like

00:21:27.220 --> 00:21:27.660
 peas and

00:21:27.660 --> 00:21:28.100
 carrots.

00:21:30.920 --> 00:21:31.600
 Where the

00:21:31.600 --> 00:21:33.000
 spirit reigns,

00:21:33.140 --> 00:21:34.759
 a love for

00:21:34.759 --> 00:21:35.740
 God's word

00:21:35.740 --> 00:21:36.500
 reigns.

00:21:37.980 --> 00:21:38.380
 The

00:21:38.380 --> 00:21:40.080
 backbone of

00:21:40.080 --> 00:21:40.520
 a healthy

00:21:40.520 --> 00:21:41.600
 Christian life

00:21:41.600 --> 00:21:44.759
 is the

00:21:44.759 --> 00:21:45.100
 word of

00:21:45.100 --> 00:21:45.540
 God.

00:21:48.020 --> 00:21:48.900
 1 Peter

00:21:48.900 --> 00:21:49.460
 2.2

00:21:49.460 --> 00:21:49.820
 says,

00:21:50.060 --> 00:21:50.520
 like newborn

00:21:50.520 --> 00:21:50.940
 babes

00:21:50.940 --> 00:21:51.720
 craves pure

00:21:51.720 --> 00:21:52.560
 spiritual milk

00:21:52.560 --> 00:21:53.780
 so that by

00:21:53.780 --> 00:21:54.380
 it you may

00:21:54.380 --> 00:21:55.380
 grow up in

00:21:55.380 --> 00:21:56.780
 your salvation.

00:21:58.420 --> 00:21:58.780
 And so

00:21:58.780 --> 00:21:59.200
 friends,

00:21:59.400 --> 00:22:00.100
 I want to

00:22:00.100 --> 00:22:02.259
 encourage you

00:22:02.259 --> 00:22:03.020
 to read your

00:22:03.019 --> 00:22:03.420
 Bible,

00:22:03.759 --> 00:22:04.619
 to mark it

00:22:04.619 --> 00:22:04.779
 up,

00:22:04.859 --> 00:22:05.339
 to bring it

00:22:05.339 --> 00:22:05.960
 to church.

00:22:06.440 --> 00:22:07.139
 Each of us

00:22:07.139 --> 00:22:07.879
 must make

00:22:07.879 --> 00:22:08.359
 sure that

00:22:08.359 --> 00:22:09.000
 sometimes,

00:22:09.200 --> 00:22:09.700
 somewhere in

00:22:09.700 --> 00:22:10.220
 our week,

00:22:10.639 --> 00:22:11.879
 we are being

00:22:11.879 --> 00:22:12.500
 taught.

00:22:12.980 --> 00:22:13.480
 We have a

00:22:13.480 --> 00:22:14.240
 core value

00:22:14.240 --> 00:22:14.960
 written up

00:22:14.960 --> 00:22:15.460
 there on our

00:22:15.460 --> 00:22:16.319
 wall that

00:22:16.319 --> 00:22:17.119
 says Christ

00:22:17.119 --> 00:22:17.740
 centered Bible

00:22:17.740 --> 00:22:18.440
 saturation.

00:22:20.960 --> 00:22:21.559
 That's a

00:22:21.559 --> 00:22:22.359
 value.

00:22:22.680 --> 00:22:24.139
 A value is

00:22:24.139 --> 00:22:24.619
 something that

00:22:24.619 --> 00:22:25.299
 we say that

00:22:25.299 --> 00:22:25.980
 we hold deep

00:22:25.980 --> 00:22:26.660
 within us.

00:22:27.019 --> 00:22:27.740
 It shapes and

00:22:27.740 --> 00:22:28.339
 forms who we

00:22:28.339 --> 00:22:28.619
 are.

00:22:33.159 --> 00:22:33.759
 And the

00:22:33.759 --> 00:22:34.139
 way we

00:22:34.139 --> 00:22:34.579
 know that

00:22:34.579 --> 00:22:34.980
 we actually

00:22:34.980 --> 00:22:35.559
 value that

00:22:35.559 --> 00:22:37.179
 value is

00:22:37.179 --> 00:22:37.399
 that it

00:22:37.399 --> 00:22:37.879
 gets worked

00:22:37.879 --> 00:22:38.179
 out in

00:22:38.179 --> 00:22:39.039
 practice in

00:22:39.039 --> 00:22:39.699
 our commitment

00:22:39.699 --> 00:22:40.720
 to actually

00:22:40.720 --> 00:22:41.279
 reading and

00:22:41.279 --> 00:22:41.740
 studying the

00:22:41.740 --> 00:22:42.000
 word of

00:22:42.000 --> 00:22:42.299
 God.

00:22:43.019 --> 00:22:43.379
 In other

00:22:43.379 --> 00:22:43.519
 words,

00:22:43.579 --> 00:22:44.099
 don't tell me

00:22:44.099 --> 00:22:44.659
 you hold to

00:22:44.659 --> 00:22:45.099
 that value

00:22:45.099 --> 00:22:45.419
 and tick

00:22:45.419 --> 00:22:46.079
 that box

00:22:46.079 --> 00:22:47.599
 if you

00:22:47.599 --> 00:22:48.299
 shelved your

00:22:48.299 --> 00:22:48.799
 Bible over

00:22:48.799 --> 00:22:49.399
 here somewhere.

00:22:49.400 --> 00:22:53.200
 But let me

00:22:53.200 --> 00:22:53.519
 say that

00:22:53.519 --> 00:22:53.900
 more than

00:22:53.900 --> 00:22:54.540
 study is

00:22:54.540 --> 00:22:54.840
 needed.

00:22:54.960 --> 00:22:55.100
 Yes,

00:22:55.160 --> 00:22:55.460
 we want to

00:22:55.460 --> 00:22:55.820
 be a

00:22:55.820 --> 00:22:56.500
 Bible-believing

00:22:56.500 --> 00:22:57.040
 church and

00:22:57.040 --> 00:22:57.940
 saturation of

00:22:57.940 --> 00:22:58.259
 the scriptures,

00:22:58.780 --> 00:22:59.280
 but we want

00:22:59.280 --> 00:22:59.640
 to be a

00:22:59.640 --> 00:23:00.200
 Bible-living

00:23:00.200 --> 00:23:00.700
 church,

00:23:01.820 --> 00:23:02.780
 a Bible-obeying

00:23:02.780 --> 00:23:03.060
 church,

00:23:03.120 --> 00:23:03.560
 not just

00:23:03.560 --> 00:23:04.720
 information being

00:23:04.720 --> 00:23:05.460
 fed into us,

00:23:05.560 --> 00:23:06.620
 but transformation

00:23:06.620 --> 00:23:07.759
 of our life.

00:23:09.300 --> 00:23:09.900
 The second

00:23:09.900 --> 00:23:12.100
 is fellowship.

00:23:12.240 --> 00:23:12.680
 They devoted

00:23:12.680 --> 00:23:13.300
 themselves to

00:23:13.300 --> 00:23:13.759
 the fellowship,

00:23:13.900 --> 00:23:14.519
 verse 42.

00:23:15.460 --> 00:23:15.640
 Now,

00:23:15.700 --> 00:23:16.220
 this kind of

00:23:16.220 --> 00:23:16.920
 fellowship didn't

00:23:16.920 --> 00:23:18.120
 occur before the

00:23:18.120 --> 00:23:18.900
 day of Pentecost.

00:23:19.400 --> 00:23:20.740
 The Greek

00:23:20.740 --> 00:23:21.460
 word used

00:23:21.460 --> 00:23:22.259
 here isn't

00:23:22.259 --> 00:23:22.940
 even found

00:23:22.940 --> 00:23:23.220
 in the

00:23:23.220 --> 00:23:23.780
 Gospels,

00:23:24.240 --> 00:23:24.740
 and the

00:23:24.740 --> 00:23:25.920
 key idea

00:23:25.920 --> 00:23:26.860
 to it is

00:23:26.860 --> 00:23:27.840
 commonality.

00:23:28.519 --> 00:23:29.100
 Every time

00:23:29.100 --> 00:23:29.700
 the word is

00:23:29.700 --> 00:23:30.340
 used in the

00:23:30.340 --> 00:23:31.120
 New Testament,

00:23:31.680 --> 00:23:32.519
 it stands

00:23:32.519 --> 00:23:33.340
 or it means

00:23:33.340 --> 00:23:34.259
 some kind

00:23:34.259 --> 00:23:35.040
 of sharing.

00:23:36.180 --> 00:23:36.720
 That's what

00:23:36.720 --> 00:23:37.000
 the word

00:23:37.000 --> 00:23:37.400
 fellowship

00:23:37.400 --> 00:23:38.060
 means.

00:23:39.000 --> 00:23:39.220
 Now,

00:23:39.280 --> 00:23:39.740
 we have a

00:23:39.740 --> 00:23:40.019
 lot of

00:23:40.019 --> 00:23:41.759
 ideas that

00:23:41.759 --> 00:23:42.220
 come to

00:23:42.220 --> 00:23:42.880
 mind when

00:23:42.880 --> 00:23:43.320
 we think

00:23:43.320 --> 00:23:44.440
 of Christian

00:23:44.440 --> 00:23:45.019
 fellowship,

00:23:46.060 --> 00:23:46.980
 and I

00:23:46.980 --> 00:23:47.540
 would suggest

00:23:47.540 --> 00:23:48.280
 that most

00:23:48.280 --> 00:23:48.820
 of them are

00:23:48.820 --> 00:23:49.259
 pretty

00:23:49.259 --> 00:23:50.819
 tame,

00:23:51.819 --> 00:23:52.759
 or lame

00:23:52.759 --> 00:23:53.220
 even.

00:23:54.160 --> 00:23:54.700
 The

00:23:54.700 --> 00:23:55.319
 foundational

00:23:55.319 --> 00:23:56.579
 idea is

00:23:56.579 --> 00:23:57.220
 that of

00:23:57.220 --> 00:23:57.799
 giving,

00:23:58.900 --> 00:23:59.319
 sharing,

00:23:59.599 --> 00:24:00.379
 sacrificing.

00:24:01.640 --> 00:24:02.359
 That is,

00:24:03.019 --> 00:24:03.519
 Christian

00:24:03.519 --> 00:24:04.079
 fellowship

00:24:04.079 --> 00:24:04.960
 actually

00:24:04.960 --> 00:24:05.779
 costs.

00:24:06.779 --> 00:24:06.960
 So,

00:24:07.160 --> 00:24:07.720
 fellowship is

00:24:07.720 --> 00:24:08.599
 not a

00:24:08.599 --> 00:24:09.279
 sentimental

00:24:09.279 --> 00:24:10.559
 idea of

00:24:10.559 --> 00:24:11.339
 togetherness.

00:24:11.339 --> 00:24:12.339
 giving,

00:24:12.339 --> 00:24:12.899
 things like

00:24:12.899 --> 00:24:14.240
 it's not

00:24:14.240 --> 00:24:15.779
 tea and

00:24:15.779 --> 00:24:16.279
 biscuits,

00:24:17.720 --> 00:24:18.919
 or whatever

00:24:18.919 --> 00:24:19.299
 it is that

00:24:19.299 --> 00:24:19.740
 young people

00:24:19.740 --> 00:24:19.980
 do,

00:24:20.199 --> 00:24:20.599
 coke and

00:24:20.599 --> 00:24:21.919
 pizza or

00:24:21.919 --> 00:24:22.119
 something.

00:24:23.480 --> 00:24:24.519
 It doesn't

00:24:24.519 --> 00:24:25.339
 just happen

00:24:25.339 --> 00:24:26.779
 because two

00:24:26.779 --> 00:24:27.980
 Christians are

00:24:27.980 --> 00:24:28.839
 sitting together

00:24:28.839 --> 00:24:29.819
 and chatting.

00:24:31.299 --> 00:24:32.240
 Just because you're

00:24:32.240 --> 00:24:32.500
 a Christian,

00:24:32.579 --> 00:24:32.779
 they're a

00:24:32.779 --> 00:24:33.039
 Christian,

00:24:33.199 --> 00:24:33.579
 and we just

00:24:33.579 --> 00:24:33.879
 happen to be

00:24:33.879 --> 00:24:34.159
 talking about

00:24:34.159 --> 00:24:34.599
 football,

00:24:34.980 --> 00:24:35.319
 a great

00:24:35.319 --> 00:24:35.639
 night of

00:24:35.639 --> 00:24:35.919
 fellowship.

00:24:35.920 --> 00:24:36.920
 fellowship

00:24:36.920 --> 00:24:39.759
 comes through

00:24:39.759 --> 00:24:40.320
 giving,

00:24:40.880 --> 00:24:41.460
 and true

00:24:41.460 --> 00:24:41.860
 fellowship

00:24:41.860 --> 00:24:42.519
 costs.

00:24:43.120 --> 00:24:43.320
 Many

00:24:43.320 --> 00:24:44.060
 Christians have

00:24:44.060 --> 00:24:44.880
 never known

00:24:44.880 --> 00:24:45.700
 the joy of

00:24:45.700 --> 00:24:46.039
 Christian

00:24:46.039 --> 00:24:46.539
 fellowship

00:24:46.539 --> 00:24:47.500
 because they

00:24:47.500 --> 00:24:48.000
 have never

00:24:48.000 --> 00:24:48.640
 learnt to

00:24:48.640 --> 00:24:49.620
 actually give

00:24:49.620 --> 00:24:50.600
 themselves away.

00:24:50.599 --> 00:24:54.480
 some visit a

00:24:54.480 --> 00:24:55.199
 church or even

00:24:55.199 --> 00:24:55.679
 a community

00:24:55.679 --> 00:24:56.179
 group with

00:24:56.179 --> 00:24:57.259
 an eye only

00:24:57.259 --> 00:24:58.059
 for their

00:24:58.059 --> 00:24:58.679
 needs,

00:24:59.559 --> 00:25:02.039
 and they

00:25:02.039 --> 00:25:02.819
 walk away

00:25:02.819 --> 00:25:03.679
 saying there

00:25:03.679 --> 00:25:03.980
 was no

00:25:03.980 --> 00:25:04.299
 fellowship

00:25:04.299 --> 00:25:04.639
 there.

00:25:05.719 --> 00:25:06.439
 I've heard

00:25:06.439 --> 00:25:07.439
 it this

00:25:07.439 --> 00:25:08.119
 year a

00:25:08.119 --> 00:25:08.379
 couple of

00:25:08.379 --> 00:25:08.719
 times.

00:25:10.019 --> 00:25:10.719
 But we

00:25:10.719 --> 00:25:11.179
 only have

00:25:11.179 --> 00:25:11.959
 fellowship when

00:25:11.959 --> 00:25:12.719
 we make it a

00:25:12.719 --> 00:25:13.759
 practice to

00:25:13.759 --> 00:25:14.399
 reach out to

00:25:14.399 --> 00:25:15.159
 others and to

00:25:15.159 --> 00:25:15.679
 give something

00:25:15.679 --> 00:25:16.679
 of ourselves to

00:25:16.679 --> 00:25:17.059
 others,

00:25:17.419 --> 00:25:18.599
 regardless of

00:25:18.599 --> 00:25:19.119
 what's happening

00:25:19.119 --> 00:25:19.980
 in our lives.

00:25:20.599 --> 00:25:25.179
 thirdly,

00:25:25.419 --> 00:25:26.119
 they devote

00:25:26.119 --> 00:25:26.779
 themselves to

00:25:26.779 --> 00:25:27.179
 the breaking

00:25:27.179 --> 00:25:27.639
 of bread.

00:25:28.539 --> 00:25:28.879
 Now the

00:25:28.879 --> 00:25:29.339
 breaking of

00:25:29.339 --> 00:25:29.740
 bread here

00:25:29.740 --> 00:25:30.279
 might refer

00:25:30.279 --> 00:25:30.619
 to the

00:25:30.619 --> 00:25:30.939
 Lord's

00:25:30.939 --> 00:25:31.199
 Supper,

00:25:31.459 --> 00:25:31.980
 or it

00:25:31.980 --> 00:25:32.419
 might refer

00:25:32.419 --> 00:25:32.819
 to the

00:25:32.819 --> 00:25:33.240
 fellowship

00:25:33.240 --> 00:25:33.779
 they have

00:25:33.779 --> 00:25:34.439
 over a

00:25:34.439 --> 00:25:34.719
 meal,

00:25:35.099 --> 00:25:36.039
 or both.

00:25:36.339 --> 00:25:37.059
 I have a

00:25:37.059 --> 00:25:37.619
 tendency to

00:25:37.619 --> 00:25:38.059
 lean that

00:25:38.059 --> 00:25:38.679
 it's about

00:25:38.679 --> 00:25:39.139
 the Lord's

00:25:39.139 --> 00:25:39.339
 Supper

00:25:39.339 --> 00:25:39.980
 specifically,

00:25:40.639 --> 00:25:41.119
 but most

00:25:41.119 --> 00:25:41.599
 likely,

00:25:42.139 --> 00:25:42.899
 what happened

00:25:42.899 --> 00:25:43.240
 was that

00:25:43.240 --> 00:25:43.699
 they had

00:25:43.699 --> 00:25:44.319
 a meal

00:25:44.319 --> 00:25:44.740
 together,

00:25:44.879 --> 00:25:45.199
 a main

00:25:45.199 --> 00:25:45.859
 meal of

00:25:45.859 --> 00:25:46.679
 steak and

00:25:46.679 --> 00:25:46.899
 chips,

00:25:47.339 --> 00:25:47.879
 and then

00:25:47.879 --> 00:25:48.539
 they would

00:25:48.539 --> 00:25:49.059
 take the

00:25:49.059 --> 00:25:49.419
 bread and

00:25:49.419 --> 00:25:49.899
 the wine

00:25:49.899 --> 00:25:50.399
 and they

00:25:50.400 --> 00:25:50.600
 would

00:25:50.600 --> 00:25:51.160
 remember

00:25:51.160 --> 00:25:52.240
 Christ's

00:25:52.240 --> 00:25:52.460
 death

00:25:52.460 --> 00:25:52.940
 together.

00:25:54.400 --> 00:25:54.860
 What this

00:25:54.860 --> 00:25:55.860
 means is

00:25:55.860 --> 00:25:56.660
 that Christ

00:25:56.660 --> 00:25:57.500
 and his

00:25:57.500 --> 00:25:58.860
 atoning work

00:25:58.860 --> 00:26:00.259
 was constantly

00:26:00.259 --> 00:26:01.300
 before this

00:26:01.300 --> 00:26:02.000
 new community.

00:26:03.700 --> 00:26:04.220
 Daily,

00:26:04.340 --> 00:26:04.660
 they would

00:26:04.660 --> 00:26:05.500
 bring their

00:26:05.500 --> 00:26:06.420
 hearts up to

00:26:06.420 --> 00:26:07.060
 solemn and

00:26:07.060 --> 00:26:07.420
 joyous

00:26:07.420 --> 00:26:08.300
 contemplation.

00:26:09.360 --> 00:26:09.860
 There is a

00:26:09.860 --> 00:26:10.519
 real sense of

00:26:10.519 --> 00:26:11.060
 wanting to be

00:26:11.060 --> 00:26:11.500
 together and

00:26:11.500 --> 00:26:11.840
 to share

00:26:11.840 --> 00:26:12.259
 together,

00:26:12.259 --> 00:26:13.019
 and the

00:26:13.019 --> 00:26:14.380
 ongoing basis

00:26:14.380 --> 00:26:15.300
 of their

00:26:15.300 --> 00:26:16.019
 being together

00:26:16.019 --> 00:26:16.740
 and sharing

00:26:16.740 --> 00:26:18.460
 together was

00:26:18.460 --> 00:26:19.200
 their fellowship

00:26:19.200 --> 00:26:20.240
 in the Lord

00:26:20.240 --> 00:26:21.100
 Jesus Christ.

00:26:22.340 --> 00:26:23.079
 He was the

00:26:23.079 --> 00:26:24.620
 linchpin of

00:26:24.620 --> 00:26:24.799
 their

00:26:24.799 --> 00:26:25.420
 togetherness.

00:26:27.900 --> 00:26:28.579
 Fourthly,

00:26:28.880 --> 00:26:29.400
 they devoted

00:26:29.400 --> 00:26:30.059
 themselves to

00:26:30.059 --> 00:26:30.759
 the prayers.

00:26:31.220 --> 00:26:31.500
 When they

00:26:31.500 --> 00:26:32.079
 got together,

00:26:32.180 --> 00:26:32.460
 they ate

00:26:32.460 --> 00:26:32.779
 together,

00:26:32.880 --> 00:26:33.279
 they prayed

00:26:33.279 --> 00:26:33.600
 together,

00:26:33.660 --> 00:26:33.880
 and they

00:26:33.880 --> 00:26:34.240
 praised

00:26:34.240 --> 00:26:34.620
 together.

00:26:35.319 --> 00:26:35.840
 This

00:26:35.840 --> 00:26:37.799
 togetherness

00:26:37.799 --> 00:26:38.259
 was not

00:26:38.259 --> 00:26:38.680
 one of those

00:26:38.680 --> 00:26:39.559
 churchy kind

00:26:39.559 --> 00:26:40.240
 of togetherness

00:26:40.240 --> 00:26:41.500
 things where

00:26:41.500 --> 00:26:42.480
 you can come

00:26:42.480 --> 00:26:43.180
 together and

00:26:43.180 --> 00:26:43.840
 spend all night

00:26:43.840 --> 00:26:44.400
 talking about

00:26:44.400 --> 00:26:44.920
 church but

00:26:44.920 --> 00:26:45.519
 never mention

00:26:45.519 --> 00:26:45.920
 Jesus.

00:26:47.259 --> 00:26:47.759
 This is

00:26:47.759 --> 00:26:48.299
 Jesus at

00:26:48.299 --> 00:26:48.759
 the center.

00:26:50.119 --> 00:26:50.500
 When they

00:26:50.500 --> 00:26:50.799
 got in

00:26:50.799 --> 00:26:51.240
 touch with

00:26:51.240 --> 00:26:51.599
 each other,

00:26:51.639 --> 00:26:52.019
 they got in

00:26:52.019 --> 00:26:52.460
 touch with

00:26:52.460 --> 00:26:53.220
 God together.

00:26:53.720 --> 00:26:54.059
 Where the

00:26:54.059 --> 00:26:55.259
 spirit reigns,

00:26:55.619 --> 00:26:56.220
 the hearts of

00:26:56.220 --> 00:26:56.799
 God's people

00:26:56.799 --> 00:26:57.539
 move up

00:26:57.539 --> 00:26:58.240
 towards him

00:26:58.240 --> 00:26:58.740
 in prayer.

00:26:59.799 --> 00:27:00.359
 What a

00:27:00.359 --> 00:27:01.680
 wonderful picture

00:27:01.680 --> 00:27:02.799
 of this new

00:27:02.799 --> 00:27:03.400
 community of

00:27:03.400 --> 00:27:04.359
 transformed lives

00:27:04.359 --> 00:27:04.700
 where the

00:27:04.700 --> 00:27:05.619
 spirit reigns.

00:27:06.379 --> 00:27:06.720
 They've been

00:27:06.720 --> 00:27:07.379
 rescued from

00:27:07.379 --> 00:27:07.940
 sin through

00:27:07.940 --> 00:27:08.519
 the gospel of

00:27:08.519 --> 00:27:08.819
 the Lord

00:27:08.819 --> 00:27:09.480
 Jesus Christ.

00:27:09.579 --> 00:27:09.799
 They've been

00:27:09.799 --> 00:27:10.460
 brought together

00:27:10.460 --> 00:27:11.220
 in a new

00:27:11.220 --> 00:27:13.259
 spirit-transformed

00:27:13.259 --> 00:27:13.920
 community.

00:27:13.920 --> 00:27:15.740
 So make

00:27:15.740 --> 00:27:16.279
 no mistake

00:27:16.279 --> 00:27:17.300
 here, this

00:27:17.300 --> 00:27:17.820
 is a work

00:27:17.820 --> 00:27:18.320
 of God.

00:27:18.620 --> 00:27:19.300
 This impressive

00:27:19.300 --> 00:27:20.180
 community didn't

00:27:20.180 --> 00:27:20.680
 just happen

00:27:20.680 --> 00:27:21.240
 because a few

00:27:21.240 --> 00:27:21.920
 people decided

00:27:21.920 --> 00:27:22.380
 to turn over

00:27:22.380 --> 00:27:23.380
 a new leaf and

00:27:23.380 --> 00:27:23.880
 start some

00:27:23.880 --> 00:27:24.400
 new club.

00:27:25.340 --> 00:27:26.039
 This was a

00:27:26.039 --> 00:27:26.420
 radical

00:27:26.420 --> 00:27:27.680
 transformation

00:27:27.680 --> 00:27:29.039
 controlled by

00:27:29.039 --> 00:27:29.480
 the sovereign

00:27:29.480 --> 00:27:30.240
 hand of God

00:27:30.240 --> 00:27:31.060
 and God

00:27:31.060 --> 00:27:31.840
 enabled the

00:27:31.840 --> 00:27:32.500
 apostles to

00:27:32.500 --> 00:27:33.160
 do wonders

00:27:33.160 --> 00:27:34.039
 and it says

00:27:34.039 --> 00:27:34.580
 here that the

00:27:34.580 --> 00:27:35.700
 Lord added to

00:27:35.700 --> 00:27:36.240
 their number

00:27:36.240 --> 00:27:37.420
 daily those

00:27:37.420 --> 00:27:37.860
 who were being

00:27:37.860 --> 00:27:38.340
 saved.

00:27:38.759 --> 00:27:39.620
 This is God

00:27:39.620 --> 00:27:40.220
 at work through

00:27:40.220 --> 00:27:40.900
 the life and

00:27:40.900 --> 00:27:41.960
 witness of his

00:27:41.960 --> 00:27:43.140
 people and this

00:27:43.140 --> 00:27:44.120
 sort of community

00:27:44.120 --> 00:27:45.620
 cannot be

00:27:45.620 --> 00:27:48.380
 manufactured by

00:27:48.380 --> 00:27:49.160
 tweaking a few

00:27:49.160 --> 00:27:49.900
 programs.

00:27:51.380 --> 00:27:51.820
 The Christian

00:27:51.820 --> 00:27:52.660
 community has

00:27:52.660 --> 00:27:53.700
 its origin in

00:27:53.700 --> 00:27:54.800
 and continues

00:27:54.800 --> 00:27:56.200
 under the

00:27:56.200 --> 00:27:57.160
 proclamation of

00:27:57.160 --> 00:27:57.759
 the message

00:27:57.759 --> 00:27:58.220
 that the

00:27:58.220 --> 00:28:00.500
 crucified Jesus

00:28:00.500 --> 00:28:02.180
 is Lord and

00:28:02.180 --> 00:28:03.820
 Christ and all

00:28:03.820 --> 00:28:04.560
 true fellowship

00:28:04.560 --> 00:28:05.880
 is founded upon

00:28:05.880 --> 00:28:07.040
 and focused on

00:28:07.040 --> 00:28:08.259
 the gospel and

00:28:08.259 --> 00:28:09.259
 the result is

00:28:09.259 --> 00:28:10.000
 other person

00:28:10.000 --> 00:28:11.220
 centered love as

00:28:11.220 --> 00:28:11.900
 lives are

00:28:11.900 --> 00:28:12.800
 transformed by

00:28:12.800 --> 00:28:13.500
 that gospel.

00:28:14.220 --> 00:28:15.120
 The two are

00:28:15.120 --> 00:28:15.900
 inseparable.

00:28:18.200 --> 00:28:18.960
 Is it any

00:28:18.960 --> 00:28:20.380
 wonder people

00:28:20.380 --> 00:28:21.320
 were impressed

00:28:21.320 --> 00:28:22.100
 with this new

00:28:22.100 --> 00:28:23.060
 society growing

00:28:23.060 --> 00:28:23.940
 up in Jerusalem?

00:28:25.019 --> 00:28:25.800
 True Christian

00:28:25.800 --> 00:28:26.360
 fellowship

00:28:26.360 --> 00:28:27.640
 naturally

00:28:27.640 --> 00:28:28.720
 overflows

00:28:28.720 --> 00:28:29.740
 into mission

00:28:29.740 --> 00:28:31.100
 as the world

00:28:31.100 --> 00:28:32.180
 wants a slice

00:28:32.180 --> 00:28:32.759
 of the Christian

00:28:32.759 --> 00:28:33.820
 community and

00:28:33.820 --> 00:28:34.580
 the power that's

00:28:34.580 --> 00:28:35.120
 behind that

00:28:35.120 --> 00:28:35.560
 community.

00:28:35.559 --> 00:28:39.299
 our world

00:28:39.299 --> 00:28:40.179
 needs to see

00:28:40.179 --> 00:28:41.460
 church communities

00:28:41.460 --> 00:28:42.399
 witnessing to the

00:28:42.399 --> 00:28:43.399
 reality of gospel

00:28:43.399 --> 00:28:44.339
 shaped restored

00:28:44.339 --> 00:28:45.000
 relationships.

00:28:46.839 --> 00:28:48.319
 It is quite

00:28:48.319 --> 00:28:49.200
 clear in Luke's

00:28:49.200 --> 00:28:50.619
 mind that a

00:28:50.619 --> 00:28:51.679
 Christian is not

00:28:51.679 --> 00:28:52.679
 an individualist

00:28:52.679 --> 00:28:53.899
 who enjoys some

00:28:53.899 --> 00:28:54.659
 kind of private

00:28:54.659 --> 00:28:55.799
 communion with God

00:28:55.799 --> 00:28:57.319
 but a member of a

00:28:57.319 --> 00:28:58.159
 new society

00:28:58.159 --> 00:29:00.220
 inescapably bound

00:29:00.220 --> 00:29:01.200
 up with every

00:29:01.200 --> 00:29:02.619
 other Christian in a

00:29:02.619 --> 00:29:04.059
 mutual solidarity of

00:29:04.059 --> 00:29:05.960
 a radically deep

00:29:05.960 --> 00:29:06.399
 kind.

00:29:08.039 --> 00:29:08.960
 It is a wonderful

00:29:08.960 --> 00:29:09.639
 picture of the

00:29:09.639 --> 00:29:11.740
 church right here

00:29:11.740 --> 00:29:12.519
 where the spirit of

00:29:12.519 --> 00:29:13.460
 God reigns.

00:29:14.019 --> 00:29:14.759
 We see Christians

00:29:14.759 --> 00:29:15.539
 relating to the

00:29:15.539 --> 00:29:16.200
 word of God,

00:29:16.700 --> 00:29:17.759
 relating to each

00:29:17.759 --> 00:29:19.059
 other and the

00:29:19.059 --> 00:29:19.639
 word of God and

00:29:19.639 --> 00:29:20.519
 relating to God and

00:29:20.519 --> 00:29:21.059
 each other and the

00:29:21.059 --> 00:29:21.619
 word of God and

00:29:21.619 --> 00:29:22.859
 relating to God and

00:29:22.859 --> 00:29:23.339
 each other and the

00:29:23.339 --> 00:29:23.980
 word of God and the

00:29:23.980 --> 00:29:24.379
 world.

00:29:27.200 --> 00:29:28.899
 Let me just throw a

00:29:28.899 --> 00:29:29.779
 caution here in

00:29:29.779 --> 00:29:30.440
 against

00:29:30.440 --> 00:29:33.960
 idealising it,

00:29:34.660 --> 00:29:35.500
 this church,

00:29:36.380 --> 00:29:37.360
 in Acts 2.

00:29:37.500 --> 00:29:38.120
 It's a wonderful

00:29:38.120 --> 00:29:38.660
 picture.

00:29:41.500 --> 00:29:42.559
 But if we're not

00:29:42.559 --> 00:29:44.980
 careful, we can

00:29:44.980 --> 00:29:45.980
 paint an unrealistic

00:29:45.980 --> 00:29:46.960
 picture of it.

00:29:48.420 --> 00:29:49.059
 The kind of

00:29:49.059 --> 00:29:50.059
 blessings God has

00:29:50.059 --> 00:29:51.120
 given them in his

00:29:51.120 --> 00:29:53.019
 mercy and in their

00:29:53.019 --> 00:29:54.380
 weakness and in their

00:29:54.380 --> 00:29:56.799
 imperfection comes with

00:29:56.799 --> 00:29:57.400
 groaning.

00:29:57.400 --> 00:29:59.060
 right here in Acts

00:29:59.060 --> 00:29:59.340
 2.

00:29:59.440 --> 00:29:59.759
 They're in

00:29:59.759 --> 00:30:00.500
 honeymoon period.

00:30:00.660 --> 00:30:01.120
 Everything's

00:30:01.120 --> 00:30:01.740
 fantastic.

00:30:02.740 --> 00:30:03.880
 And they will be for

00:30:03.880 --> 00:30:04.320
 a couple of

00:30:04.320 --> 00:30:04.660
 chapters.

00:30:07.259 --> 00:30:08.560
 But here in Acts

00:30:08.560 --> 00:30:10.519
 2, we have the

00:30:10.519 --> 00:30:11.640
 beginnings of a

00:30:11.640 --> 00:30:13.300
 vintage administrative

00:30:13.300 --> 00:30:15.000
 hassle and pressure.

00:30:16.140 --> 00:30:17.240
 It's not obvious

00:30:17.240 --> 00:30:17.600
 here.

00:30:17.800 --> 00:30:18.540
 We'll see it next

00:30:18.540 --> 00:30:18.920
 week.

00:30:20.920 --> 00:30:22.320
 Meeting the needs of

00:30:22.320 --> 00:30:24.580
 3,000 people and

00:30:24.580 --> 00:30:25.780
 leading them into

00:30:25.779 --> 00:30:27.859
 joy-filled mission

00:30:27.859 --> 00:30:29.940
 is very messy.

00:30:31.319 --> 00:30:31.839
 And it will

00:30:31.839 --> 00:30:33.519
 always be messy.

00:30:35.279 --> 00:30:36.379
 These are, you

00:30:36.379 --> 00:30:37.119
 go from a church

00:30:37.119 --> 00:30:38.019
 with 11 leaders and

00:30:38.019 --> 00:30:40.579
 120 members, a few

00:30:40.579 --> 00:30:42.299
 extra here, you

00:30:42.299 --> 00:30:42.960
 know, fill up these

00:30:42.960 --> 00:30:44.180
 seats and you've got

00:30:44.180 --> 00:30:44.759
 some sort of a

00:30:44.759 --> 00:30:45.279
 picture of what the

00:30:45.279 --> 00:30:45.899
 early church was

00:30:45.899 --> 00:30:46.240
 like.

00:30:46.660 --> 00:30:48.299
 And then jam 3,000

00:30:48.299 --> 00:30:50.720
 extra people in

00:30:50.720 --> 00:30:51.319
 amongst it.

00:30:51.779 --> 00:30:54.859
 3,000 new babies

00:30:54.859 --> 00:30:55.759
 in Jesus.

00:30:57.719 --> 00:30:59.699
 Now, in my

00:30:59.699 --> 00:31:00.899
 family, you put

00:31:00.899 --> 00:31:01.939
 one new baby in

00:31:01.939 --> 00:31:03.719
 the house, it's

00:31:03.719 --> 00:31:04.259
 chaos.

00:31:04.859 --> 00:31:06.099
 It's chaos for 12

00:31:06.099 --> 00:31:06.519
 months.

00:31:06.799 --> 00:31:07.559
 It's just madness.

00:31:08.379 --> 00:31:09.339
 Sleep deprivation,

00:31:09.579 --> 00:31:10.199
 all the concerns,

00:31:10.359 --> 00:31:11.179
 worries, anxieties,

00:31:11.439 --> 00:31:14.500
 and 3,000 of them,

00:31:14.599 --> 00:31:15.439
 man, I'm moving to

00:31:15.439 --> 00:31:15.740
 Brazil.

00:31:17.259 --> 00:31:19.439
 It's an issue is

00:31:19.439 --> 00:31:20.000
 what's happening

00:31:20.000 --> 00:31:20.339
 here.

00:31:20.339 --> 00:31:23.240
 It's important for

00:31:23.240 --> 00:31:24.220
 us to realise it

00:31:24.220 --> 00:31:25.299
 unless we think

00:31:25.299 --> 00:31:26.339
 that out there

00:31:26.339 --> 00:31:27.139
 somewhere there is

00:31:27.139 --> 00:31:28.199
 a perfect church

00:31:28.199 --> 00:31:29.539
 that I need to go

00:31:29.539 --> 00:31:31.359
 and find and to be

00:31:31.359 --> 00:31:32.059
 part of.

00:31:33.119 --> 00:31:35.240
 Or unless we have

00:31:35.240 --> 00:31:36.199
 the other response

00:31:36.199 --> 00:31:37.079
 and we fold our

00:31:37.079 --> 00:31:38.319
 hands here and groan

00:31:38.319 --> 00:31:38.939
 and whinge and

00:31:38.939 --> 00:31:40.539
 complain and when

00:31:40.539 --> 00:31:41.399
 this church gets

00:31:41.399 --> 00:31:42.339
 perfect, then I'm

00:31:42.339 --> 00:31:43.319
 going to make a

00:31:43.319 --> 00:31:44.259
 contribution then.

00:31:44.259 --> 00:31:47.879
 In Acts chapter,

00:31:48.319 --> 00:31:49.400
 sorry, in 2

00:31:49.400 --> 00:31:50.359
 Corinthians 11

00:31:50.359 --> 00:31:51.500
 verse 28,

00:31:52.720 --> 00:31:53.140
 Paul,

00:31:55.079 --> 00:31:55.759
 in chapter 11,

00:31:55.859 --> 00:31:56.500
 he gives his long

00:31:56.500 --> 00:31:57.740
 list of all his

00:31:57.740 --> 00:31:58.960
 issues and struggles

00:31:58.960 --> 00:32:00.420
 in ministry and

00:32:00.420 --> 00:32:01.359
 all his burdens in

00:32:01.359 --> 00:32:02.180
 ministry and right at

00:32:02.180 --> 00:32:02.960
 the end of the list

00:32:02.960 --> 00:32:03.539
 he says,

00:32:03.720 --> 00:32:04.599
 apart from other

00:32:04.599 --> 00:32:06.039
 things, there is a

00:32:06.039 --> 00:32:07.259
 daily pressure on me

00:32:07.259 --> 00:32:09.119
 of my anxiety for

00:32:09.119 --> 00:32:10.019
 all the churches.

00:32:11.440 --> 00:32:12.259
 This is the

00:32:12.259 --> 00:32:13.339
 apostle Paul speaking.

00:32:13.339 --> 00:32:15.359
 The apostle Paul

00:32:15.359 --> 00:32:17.699
 was blessed by God

00:32:17.699 --> 00:32:19.659
 in planting multitude

00:32:19.659 --> 00:32:21.159
 after multitude of

00:32:21.159 --> 00:32:22.339
 successful churches.

00:32:23.740 --> 00:32:25.459
 His ministry was

00:32:25.459 --> 00:32:25.980
 blessed.

00:32:27.279 --> 00:32:28.159
 The effect of this

00:32:28.159 --> 00:32:28.919
 blessing, this

00:32:28.919 --> 00:32:29.799
 wonderful blessing

00:32:29.799 --> 00:32:31.159
 and this success

00:32:31.159 --> 00:32:32.240
 and this growth

00:32:32.240 --> 00:32:33.939
 was what he called

00:32:33.939 --> 00:32:35.559
 the daily pressure

00:32:35.559 --> 00:32:37.759
 of concern for

00:32:37.759 --> 00:32:38.939
 all the churches.

00:32:40.879 --> 00:32:42.359
 With blessing

00:32:42.359 --> 00:32:43.579
 comes groaning.

00:32:44.240 --> 00:32:45.079
 With blessing

00:32:45.079 --> 00:32:45.859
 comes hardship

00:32:45.859 --> 00:32:46.639
 and difficulties.

00:32:47.039 --> 00:32:48.019
 That's normal.

00:32:50.719 --> 00:32:51.500
 When you look

00:32:51.500 --> 00:32:52.199
 around the church

00:32:52.199 --> 00:32:52.679
 and you see

00:32:52.679 --> 00:32:53.299
 blessing and

00:32:53.299 --> 00:32:53.859
 successes,

00:32:54.339 --> 00:32:55.479
 you'll also see

00:32:55.479 --> 00:32:56.859
 mess and sin

00:32:56.859 --> 00:32:57.639
 and mistakes

00:32:57.639 --> 00:32:58.939
 and difficulties.

00:32:59.719 --> 00:33:00.639
 That's normal.

00:33:00.640 --> 00:33:03.700
 And we are

00:33:03.700 --> 00:33:04.940
 feeling it right

00:33:04.940 --> 00:33:05.820
 here now as a

00:33:05.820 --> 00:33:06.280
 church.

00:33:07.660 --> 00:33:08.540
 Let me tell you,

00:33:08.600 --> 00:33:09.320
 I am feeling

00:33:09.320 --> 00:33:10.360
 the daily pressure

00:33:10.360 --> 00:33:12.320
 for just one

00:33:12.320 --> 00:33:12.820
 church.

00:33:13.820 --> 00:33:14.400
 I couldn't

00:33:14.400 --> 00:33:15.060
 imagine what it

00:33:15.060 --> 00:33:15.500
 would be like to

00:33:15.500 --> 00:33:15.980
 be the apostle

00:33:15.980 --> 00:33:16.340
 Paul.

00:33:17.980 --> 00:33:18.600
 Let me tell you

00:33:18.600 --> 00:33:19.259
 that God has

00:33:19.259 --> 00:33:20.340
 wonderfully blessed

00:33:20.340 --> 00:33:21.560
 us as a church

00:33:21.560 --> 00:33:22.660
 in the past 12

00:33:22.660 --> 00:33:23.440
 to 18 months.

00:33:24.160 --> 00:33:24.980
 There is some

00:33:24.980 --> 00:33:25.940
 great ministry

00:33:25.940 --> 00:33:26.500
 momentum.

00:33:27.080 --> 00:33:27.960
 A number of

00:33:27.960 --> 00:33:29.259
 people have come

00:33:29.259 --> 00:33:30.039
 to Christ and

00:33:30.039 --> 00:33:30.799
 committed to our

00:33:30.799 --> 00:33:31.519
 church family.

00:33:32.019 --> 00:33:32.680
 For the blokes

00:33:32.680 --> 00:33:33.539
 amongst us

00:33:33.539 --> 00:33:35.279
 and who didn't

00:33:35.279 --> 00:33:35.980
 make it yesterday

00:33:35.980 --> 00:33:36.420
 morning,

00:33:36.879 --> 00:33:37.519
 you missed out

00:33:37.519 --> 00:33:37.980
 on a great

00:33:37.980 --> 00:33:38.859
 man's breakfast.

00:33:40.000 --> 00:33:40.779
 Jeremy Kirk,

00:33:41.140 --> 00:33:42.099
 who comes along

00:33:42.099 --> 00:33:42.619
 here occasionally

00:33:42.619 --> 00:33:43.220
 but mainly in our

00:33:43.220 --> 00:33:44.160
 morning congregation,

00:33:44.579 --> 00:33:45.480
 gave a wonderful

00:33:45.480 --> 00:33:47.859
 testimony of how

00:33:47.859 --> 00:33:49.059
 he came into

00:33:49.059 --> 00:33:50.299
 this church as an

00:33:50.299 --> 00:33:51.200
 unbeliever, just

00:33:51.200 --> 00:33:51.819
 thinking I'd be good

00:33:51.819 --> 00:33:52.480
 for the kids.

00:33:52.900 --> 00:33:54.019
 In no time at all,

00:33:54.140 --> 00:33:54.940
 Debbie's leading him

00:33:54.940 --> 00:33:56.640
 in our for course.

00:33:57.019 --> 00:33:57.940
 Eyes came alike

00:33:57.940 --> 00:33:58.680
 to the gospel.

00:33:59.400 --> 00:34:00.080
 Andrew Green at

00:34:00.080 --> 00:34:00.740
 the same time

00:34:00.740 --> 00:34:01.420
 invites him to

00:34:01.420 --> 00:34:02.460
 come along for

00:34:02.460 --> 00:34:03.580
 journaling and

00:34:03.580 --> 00:34:04.259
 prayer, Bible

00:34:04.259 --> 00:34:04.900
 reading and prayer

00:34:04.900 --> 00:34:05.440
 on a Wednesday

00:34:05.440 --> 00:34:06.840
 morning and he

00:34:06.840 --> 00:34:07.700
 said on one of

00:34:07.700 --> 00:34:08.340
 those Wednesday

00:34:08.340 --> 00:34:09.679
 mornings, bang,

00:34:09.840 --> 00:34:11.000
 he said that was

00:34:11.000 --> 00:34:11.519
 the moment,

00:34:11.960 --> 00:34:13.159
 decisive moment

00:34:13.159 --> 00:34:14.400
 where he felt the

00:34:14.400 --> 00:34:15.179
 spirit of God

00:34:15.179 --> 00:34:15.880
 came on him and

00:34:15.880 --> 00:34:16.380
 all of a sudden

00:34:16.380 --> 00:34:18.039
 joy, eyes came

00:34:18.039 --> 00:34:18.519
 open.

00:34:19.119 --> 00:34:19.579
 This is the

00:34:19.579 --> 00:34:20.320
 moment Christ

00:34:20.320 --> 00:34:21.619
 flooded into his

00:34:21.619 --> 00:34:22.019
 life.

00:34:23.840 --> 00:34:24.260
 That was a

00:34:24.260 --> 00:34:25.159
 wonderful testimony.

00:34:25.159 --> 00:34:28.099
 The time to

00:34:28.099 --> 00:34:28.719
 build pledging

00:34:28.719 --> 00:34:29.599
 was an amazing

00:34:29.599 --> 00:34:30.399
 expression of

00:34:30.399 --> 00:34:30.960
 unity and

00:34:30.960 --> 00:34:31.599
 commitment across

00:34:31.599 --> 00:34:32.199
 the church.

00:34:33.079 --> 00:34:34.519
 The $680,000

00:34:34.519 --> 00:34:35.639
 that we pledged

00:34:35.639 --> 00:34:36.059
 over the next

00:34:36.059 --> 00:34:37.319
 three years was

00:34:37.319 --> 00:34:37.980
 not just a few

00:34:37.980 --> 00:34:39.000
 people throwing

00:34:39.000 --> 00:34:39.779
 in masses of

00:34:39.779 --> 00:34:40.980
 bucks, it was

00:34:40.980 --> 00:34:41.739
 across the whole

00:34:41.739 --> 00:34:42.319
 church.

00:34:46.019 --> 00:34:48.279
 And yet, there

00:34:48.279 --> 00:34:48.739
 is a deep

00:34:48.739 --> 00:34:49.819
 groaning as we

00:34:49.819 --> 00:34:50.440
 are faced with

00:34:50.440 --> 00:34:51.179
 hard decisions

00:34:51.179 --> 00:34:53.079
 right now with

00:34:53.079 --> 00:34:53.759
 our budget for

00:34:53.760 --> 00:34:54.360
 next year.

00:34:56.200 --> 00:34:56.960
 And it's

00:34:56.960 --> 00:34:58.220
 right in the

00:34:58.220 --> 00:35:00.000
 midst of such

00:35:00.000 --> 00:35:03.380
 blessing, of

00:35:03.380 --> 00:35:04.020
 such joy.

00:35:05.060 --> 00:35:05.620
 Church is

00:35:05.620 --> 00:35:06.000
 messy.

00:35:08.060 --> 00:35:08.640
 And can I

00:35:08.640 --> 00:35:10.260
 suggest that even

00:35:10.260 --> 00:35:11.080
 as I'm calling

00:35:11.080 --> 00:35:11.800
 you through this

00:35:11.800 --> 00:35:12.300
 series to

00:35:12.300 --> 00:35:13.060
 commitment to the

00:35:13.060 --> 00:35:15.120
 local church and

00:35:15.120 --> 00:35:15.900
 St. Paul's here

00:35:15.900 --> 00:35:16.520
 and our vision

00:35:16.520 --> 00:35:17.260
 that we have for

00:35:17.260 --> 00:35:17.840
 the future and

00:35:17.840 --> 00:35:18.620
 our core values,

00:35:19.440 --> 00:35:20.400
 expect it to be

00:35:20.400 --> 00:35:22.380
 both joyful and

00:35:22.380 --> 00:35:22.900
 hard.

00:35:23.760 --> 00:35:24.900
 Expect both of

00:35:24.900 --> 00:35:25.480
 those things to

00:35:25.480 --> 00:35:25.980
 go together.

00:35:27.260 --> 00:35:28.080
 As messy as the

00:35:28.080 --> 00:35:28.720
 church is,

00:35:30.160 --> 00:35:30.960
 Ephesians 3

00:35:30.960 --> 00:35:31.780
 says that God's

00:35:31.780 --> 00:35:33.020
 universal plan for

00:35:33.020 --> 00:35:34.340
 all ages is that

00:35:34.340 --> 00:35:35.100
 through the church

00:35:35.100 --> 00:35:36.280
 the manifold

00:35:36.280 --> 00:35:37.220
 wisdom of God

00:35:37.220 --> 00:35:37.800
 should be made

00:35:37.800 --> 00:35:38.400
 known to the

00:35:38.400 --> 00:35:38.840
 rulers and

00:35:38.840 --> 00:35:39.640
 authorities in

00:35:39.640 --> 00:35:40.000
 the heavenly

00:35:40.000 --> 00:35:41.460
 realms according

00:35:41.460 --> 00:35:42.200
 to his eternal

00:35:42.200 --> 00:35:43.540
 purposes which he

00:35:43.540 --> 00:35:44.460
 accomplished in

00:35:44.460 --> 00:35:45.600
 Christ Jesus our

00:35:45.600 --> 00:35:45.920
 Lord.

00:35:46.660 --> 00:35:48.400
 When we align our

00:35:48.400 --> 00:35:49.560
 purpose with God's

00:35:49.560 --> 00:35:51.140
 purpose to make

00:35:51.139 --> 00:35:52.219
 Jesus known

00:35:52.219 --> 00:35:52.819
 through the

00:35:52.819 --> 00:35:53.819
 church to this

00:35:53.819 --> 00:35:56.099
 universe, then

00:35:56.099 --> 00:35:58.900
 our life, one

00:35:58.900 --> 00:36:00.379
 life, our drop

00:36:00.379 --> 00:36:02.839
 in the lake, that

00:36:02.839 --> 00:36:04.319
 ripple doesn't

00:36:04.319 --> 00:36:06.159
 peter out but it

00:36:06.159 --> 00:36:07.000
 grows in magnitude

00:36:07.000 --> 00:36:08.379
 through all of

00:36:08.379 --> 00:36:08.759
 eternity.

00:36:09.039 --> 00:36:09.719
 And so my call

00:36:09.719 --> 00:36:10.500
 today and through

00:36:10.500 --> 00:36:12.039
 this series is for

00:36:12.039 --> 00:36:13.279
 us all to reassess

00:36:13.279 --> 00:36:14.059
 our commitment to

00:36:14.059 --> 00:36:15.719
 the Lord Jesus and

00:36:15.719 --> 00:36:16.659
 his purpose is being

00:36:16.659 --> 00:36:17.440
 worked out through

00:36:17.440 --> 00:36:18.319
 his local church

00:36:18.320 --> 00:36:19.360
 here, St. Paul's

00:36:19.360 --> 00:36:21.000
 even to all the

00:36:21.000 --> 00:36:21.420
 universe.

00:36:22.160 --> 00:36:22.380
 Amen.