WEBVTT

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 I want to encourage you to open up your Bibles, if you would, to Acts chapter 2.

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!

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 What does it look like?

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 So we've sought to answer that question.

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 Then we've moved to the next question, what is the purpose of the church?

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 So if God has put a church together, what is the objectives that he's put in front of them?

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 Why do they exist?

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 What is the goal of their gathering together?

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 We've spent the last several weeks working through the fourfold purpose of the church.

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 We'll be finishing that out this morning.

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 We're going to turn to one more question towards the end of our time together,

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 and that is, who is the church?

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 So once we understand what the church is, who makes up the church,

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 and what does it mean to be part of the church,

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 and we'll spend some time looking at that as we wrap up our series this morning.

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 The Lord has given us a picture, a picture through the Scripture on what a church looks like.

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 We see this interactive community of believers who are fellowshipping with one another,

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 and so we get this picture in full color as we've been reading through the last few verses of Acts 2,

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 verses 42 to 47.

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 Those of us who enjoy sports, I don't know if there's any baseball fans out there,

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 but I think the baseball season has just begun,

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 and I'm sure those of you who enjoy baseball are going bananas.

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 It's good to enjoy your favorite sport.

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 Well, those of you who know something about sports,

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 my family would once in a while go and enjoy a Cincinnati Reds game,

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 and that was an experience, just being able to go down to the park and to be in the stands

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 and to watch the game, to enjoy some conversation with friends and family who had gathered there together.

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 But you know how it works.

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 You know, there's the stands.

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 There's people who are sitting in the stands.

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 They may be wearing the same colors.

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 They may even be wearing the jersey.

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 They often know the stats.

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 They can identify the players.

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 They're excited about when their team wins the game.

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 But at the end of the day, they're just a fan.

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 They're not a player.

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 There's something quite distinct about a player and a person who's observing and watching the game.

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 Right?

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 The players belong to the team in a really formal way.

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 And so that when a victory happens,

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 it's not that the fans are patting themselves on the back,

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 look what we accomplished,

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 but it's the players who get to take credit for the victory that they've been able to achieve.

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 The difference between a fan and a player is the sense of belonging.

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 The sense of attachment.

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 The sense, not just that they're sharing the same space,

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 but there's an obligation, a commitment they have to one another.

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 And that's what we've been coming to observe in our passage this morning

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 and throughout the last several weeks as we've been working through Acts chapter 2.

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 We've seen this portrait.

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 This portrait of belonging.

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 This portrait of togetherness.

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 This portrait of connectivity that's taken place among these believers.

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 They're not loosely attached.

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 They're committed.

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 And they belong to one another.

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 There's two words that have stood out to us

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 as we've been kind of working our way through this passage.

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 And the first is found for us in verse 41.

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 It says, and they were added to one another.

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 They belong together.

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 There was a numbering, a specific grouping.

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 There was an addition that took place.

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 They were counted.

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 And the sum total of them was collectively emblematic

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 of their belonging to one another.

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 Then we find that they were devoted to the fellowship.

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 We saw that a little last week.

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 And the definite article that's used there

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 where they were devoted to the teaching and the fellowship.

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 This specific group, this identifiable group of individuals they belong to.

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 And so Acts chapter 2 is not just describing fans.

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 It's not just describing for us a group of people who are loosely attached.

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 It's describing a group of individuals who belong together

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 and have recognized that there's a commitment now that they have to one another

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 because of what Christ has accomplished for them.

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 They're a team.

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 They're a family.

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 And as we use the metaphor of the scripture,

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 they're a body.

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 They belong.

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 So we've been looking at this fourfold purpose.

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 We began a couple of weeks ago.

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 And the first purpose is worship.

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 We've called bow, to bow ourselves in worship to God.

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 And this is what we've said,

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 living with the spotlight on Jesus.

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 That Jesus is the center.

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 He's the objective.

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 He's the focal point.

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 He's the reason for our gathering.

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 And He's the one who helps to,

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 not only to inflame our worship,

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 but to motivate our worship,

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 our activity towards one another.

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 It spills out in a number of different ways.

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 Yes, worship is singing.

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 But worship is also praying.

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 It's teaching.

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 It's fellowshipping.

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 It's serving.

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 It's also working and playing and resting.

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 That we know that all of this is meant,

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 every sphere of life is meant to be punctuated

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 and saturated by worship.

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 It's the expression of our life.

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 Whether, therefore, you eat or drink

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 or whatever you do,

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 you do all to the glory of God.

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 And that is our worship

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 because we want Jesus,

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 His glory to be in the center.

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 We also have come to see

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 the importance of discipleship.

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 And this is the build category.

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 This is the constructive part of what we do.

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 The purpose of our being together

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 is to build one another up,

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 to equip one another in the work of the Lord.

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 We said that discipleship is leading

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 every person one step closer to Jesus.

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 It's not a formal program,

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 although it can be.

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 It's meant to be this informal,

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 life-on-life,

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 interactive kind of thing that we do together

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 so that in every interaction

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 that we have with one another,

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 the goal is how to stir one another

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 up to love and good deeds.

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 It's to actively and deliberately

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 seek to build up those

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 that God has put us in fellowship with.

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 That's the essence of discipleship.

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 It leads to growth.

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 It leads to the kind of maturing body

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 of believers

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 who are growing in their love for Jesus

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 and growing in love for one another.

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 The Apostle Paul puts it this way

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 in Colossians 1.28 when he says,

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 Him we proclaim,

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 warning everyone and teaching everyone

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 that we may present everyone perfect in Christ.

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 That's the goal.

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 Forming Christ in others.

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 Seeking to develop and nurture them

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 so they look more like Jesus.

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 And as we can become more like Jesus,

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 the desire is to help stimulate

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 that kind of growth in others as well.

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 That leads us to fellowship.

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 Fellowship is the belonging part

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 of what we do.

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 And we have said this,

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 actively pursuing the health of the whole.

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 That fellowship isn't just eating meals together.

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 Fellowship isn't just sitting around

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 and shooting the breeze.

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 But true Christian fellowship has a goal.

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 The goal of true Christian fellowship

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 is what we find in Hebrews.

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 It says,

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 To stir one another up to love and good deeds.

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 It's to help them grow.

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 It's found out in all the one another commands

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 that we looked at last week.

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 The list of all the things

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 that we are meant to do for one another.

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 It flows out of this true Christian fellowship

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 that we have.

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 So the goal of the Christian life

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 is not autonomy.

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 It's not self-sufficiency.

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 It's stimulating and building relationships

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 to help us understand our togetherness.

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 That we belong together.

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 And that once we fellowship in the right way,

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 then it becomes a catalyst

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 for all of these other things

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 that God has called us to.

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 That Christian fellowship

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 is the foundation for discipleship.

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 Remember from Mark chapter 3 verse 14,

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 it says that Jesus,

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 he selected the 12

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 so that they might be with him

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 and they might send them out to preach.

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 It begins with fellowship.

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 It begins with their belonging with Christ

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 and seeing and enjoying his ministry

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 before he could ever send them out

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 to be representatives of his message.

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 They had to know him first.

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 It's also the catalyst for evangelism.

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 And we'll look at that more in just a moment.

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 But do you realize

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 if you want to be an effective evangelist,

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 you need to understand your commitment

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 to the body that God has placed you

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 in community with.

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 If you want to be a great evangelist,

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 if you want to share the gospel,

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 it often happens in relationships

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 that God has allowed you to enjoy.

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 So those are the three of the four purposes.

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 Let's turn our attention now to this final one.

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 What is evangelism?

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 What is evangelism?

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 We're going to see first of all

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 that evangelism is our way to bless the world.

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 It's our way to bless the world.

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 We see that right here at the outset

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 in verse 47.

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 Acts chapter 2 verse 47,

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 at the very end of the chapter,

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 it says this,

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 praising God and having favor

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 with all the people.

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 And notice what happens.

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 And the Lord added to their number day by day

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 those who were being saved.

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 Favor with all the people.

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 This word for favor

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 is the Greek word charis.

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 It's the word for grace.

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 And we get to see here,

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 here in Jerusalem,

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 the outflow of God's favor

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 on his people

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 is showing up.

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 And not just,

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 not just remaining with them,

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 but pouring out

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 and spilling out.

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 And so that all those

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 who are in Jerusalem

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 get to enjoy the benefits

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 of this favor of God

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 on the people of God

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 as they are interacting

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 and they are experiencing

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 and enjoying the benefits

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 of God's grace to them

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 and it's flowing out

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 in this expressive way

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 so that all of Jerusalem

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 gets to enjoy this measure

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 of God's favor.

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 They see it.

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 They experience it.

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 So we see,

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 we've seen this authentic community

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 of believers

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 and what are they doing?

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 Well, there's personal sacrifice involved.

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 There's selling possessions.

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 There's meeting needs.

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 There's attending temple.

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 There's sharing meal.

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 There's praising God.

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 There's glad and generous hearts.

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 There's a life change

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 that's taken place

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 among these people.

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 They are different.

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 There's something substantial.

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 There's something weighty

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 about what's taken place here.

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 Something different.

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 These believers in Jerusalem

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 were genuinely interested

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 in other people.

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 They are moved

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 from being those

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 who are self-serving

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 to being those

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 who are self-sacrificing.

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 And it's visible.

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 It's clear.

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 It's obvious.

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 They were blessed by God

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 and they became a blessing.

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 And that's a key point

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 I want to just draw out here.

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 That by experiencing

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 the favor of God,

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 now they become the conduits

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 of God's favor,

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 God's blessing

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 to a people

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 who they don't know God.

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 And that God then adds

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 to their number,

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 the number of the church,

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 day by day

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 those who are being saved.

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 Because as the grace of God

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 is resident in his people

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 and it's pouring out

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 on the city,

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 the city gets to see

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 the benefits

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 of that favor

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 and that blessing as well.

00:12:54.139 --> 00:12:55.139
 We see the foundations

00:12:55.139 --> 00:12:56.839
 of this in the next chapter,

00:12:56.919 --> 00:12:57.579
 Acts chapter 3.

00:12:57.839 --> 00:12:58.479
 We're going to get to

00:12:58.479 --> 00:12:59.539
 in just a couple of weeks.

00:13:00.039 --> 00:13:00.939
 And I want to just give us

00:13:00.939 --> 00:13:04.059
 a quick reminder

00:13:04.059 --> 00:13:05.279
 of what happens there

00:13:05.279 --> 00:13:06.639
 and just draw your attention

00:13:06.639 --> 00:13:07.979
 back to this,

00:13:08.319 --> 00:13:09.259
 the blessing of God.

00:13:09.899 --> 00:13:10.779
 You know the story.

00:13:11.479 --> 00:13:12.099
 Peter and John,

00:13:12.179 --> 00:13:12.959
 they'll go to Jerusalem

00:13:12.959 --> 00:13:14.699
 during the time of prayer.

00:13:15.259 --> 00:13:16.219
 And while they're there,

00:13:16.319 --> 00:13:17.859
 there's a man who's brought,

00:13:18.159 --> 00:13:18.799
 this lame man,

00:13:18.839 --> 00:13:20.639
 he's been lame since birth

00:13:20.639 --> 00:13:21.599
 and there he is,

00:13:21.639 --> 00:13:22.579
 he's laid at the temple.

00:13:23.399 --> 00:13:25.000
 And he's asking for money

00:13:25.000 --> 00:13:25.979
 but Peter and John,

00:13:26.079 --> 00:13:26.299
 they said,

00:13:26.379 --> 00:13:27.419
 hey, we're not going

00:13:27.419 --> 00:13:28.059
 to give you any money

00:13:28.059 --> 00:13:28.819
 but I got something

00:13:28.819 --> 00:13:29.419
 better for you.

00:13:29.639 --> 00:13:30.179
 Peter says,

00:13:30.719 --> 00:13:32.159
 he heals the man,

00:13:32.159 --> 00:13:34.079
 the man leaps up for joy

00:13:34.079 --> 00:13:36.259
 and as a result of this work,

00:13:36.559 --> 00:13:37.459
 this astonishing,

00:13:37.839 --> 00:13:39.299
 this astonishing work

00:13:39.299 --> 00:13:42.219
 creates this heart of joy

00:13:42.219 --> 00:13:43.000
 in the people

00:13:43.000 --> 00:13:44.000
 there in the temple.

00:13:44.779 --> 00:13:45.959
 And they're praising God.

00:13:46.980 --> 00:13:48.100
 Peter capitalizes

00:13:48.100 --> 00:13:49.279
 on the situation

00:13:49.279 --> 00:13:50.779
 and he now preaches

00:13:50.779 --> 00:13:51.399
 this message

00:13:51.399 --> 00:13:53.240
 but there in Acts chapter 3

00:13:53.240 --> 00:13:54.000
 verse 13,

00:13:54.860 --> 00:13:56.319
 notice where he starts.

00:13:56.879 --> 00:13:58.259
 He starts this way.

00:13:58.259 --> 00:14:00.019
 The God of Abraham,

00:14:00.539 --> 00:14:01.720
 the God of Isaac,

00:14:01.720 --> 00:14:03.080
 and the God of Jacob,

00:14:03.480 --> 00:14:04.759
 the God of our fathers,

00:14:05.200 --> 00:14:06.620
 glorified his servant Jesus

00:14:06.620 --> 00:14:08.639
 whom you delivered over

00:14:08.639 --> 00:14:10.879
 to be and denied

00:14:10.879 --> 00:14:11.899
 in the presence of Pilate

00:14:11.899 --> 00:14:12.680
 when he decided

00:14:12.680 --> 00:14:13.800
 to release him.

00:14:14.420 --> 00:14:17.240
 He begins right back

00:14:17.240 --> 00:14:19.180
 in the promise

00:14:19.180 --> 00:14:20.800
 that was given to Abraham.

00:14:21.779 --> 00:14:23.120
 God has not forgotten

00:14:23.120 --> 00:14:23.899
 his people.

00:14:24.560 --> 00:14:26.019
 And what we begin to see

00:14:26.019 --> 00:14:27.879
 working its way out

00:14:27.879 --> 00:14:28.779
 here in Jerusalem

00:14:28.779 --> 00:14:30.439
 is the confirmation

00:14:30.439 --> 00:14:32.019
 that God has not forgotten

00:14:32.019 --> 00:14:33.699
 his promises to Abraham

00:14:33.699 --> 00:14:34.620
 and is actually

00:14:34.620 --> 00:14:36.699
 going to use those promises

00:14:36.699 --> 00:14:38.199
 and we're going to see them

00:14:38.199 --> 00:14:39.459
 worked out now

00:14:39.459 --> 00:14:41.579
 in the ministry

00:14:41.579 --> 00:14:43.899
 of Peter and John

00:14:43.899 --> 00:14:45.220
 in the salvation

00:14:45.220 --> 00:14:46.879
 of those who come to faith

00:14:46.879 --> 00:14:48.159
 in Christ there in Jerusalem.

00:14:49.220 --> 00:14:51.199
 Notice in verses 25 and 26

00:14:51.199 --> 00:14:51.919
 of chapter 3.

00:14:51.919 --> 00:14:52.839
 It says,

00:14:52.840 --> 00:15:13.320
 Do you notice what's happening?

00:15:14.160 --> 00:15:15.420
 Do you see what's taking place?

00:15:16.279 --> 00:15:18.479
 God promised Abraham,

00:15:19.039 --> 00:15:21.659
 going back to Genesis chapter 12,

00:15:21.899 --> 00:15:22.860
 verses 2 and 3,

00:15:23.699 --> 00:15:24.000
 He says,

00:15:24.079 --> 00:15:24.740
 I will make of you

00:15:24.740 --> 00:15:25.500
 a great nation.

00:15:25.899 --> 00:15:26.879
 I will bless you

00:15:26.879 --> 00:15:27.959
 and make your name great

00:15:27.959 --> 00:15:29.339
 so that you will be a blessing.

00:15:29.740 --> 00:15:30.559
 I will bless those

00:15:30.559 --> 00:15:31.240
 who bless you

00:15:31.240 --> 00:15:32.579
 and him who dishonors you

00:15:32.579 --> 00:15:33.120
 I will curse

00:15:33.120 --> 00:15:33.860
 and in you

00:15:33.860 --> 00:15:35.099
 all the families of the earth

00:15:35.099 --> 00:15:35.979
 shall be blessed.

00:15:36.479 --> 00:15:37.459
 That was the promise

00:15:37.459 --> 00:15:38.919
 that God made to Abraham

00:15:38.919 --> 00:15:40.599
 1,500 years

00:15:40.599 --> 00:15:42.219
 before Jesus came

00:15:42.220 --> 00:15:45.440
 and now in Jerusalem

00:15:45.440 --> 00:15:47.980
 that promise is happening.

00:15:48.940 --> 00:15:50.220
 It's happening right

00:15:50.220 --> 00:15:51.420
 before their eyes.

00:15:52.240 --> 00:15:52.980
 The blessing

00:15:52.980 --> 00:15:55.360
 that was promised to Abraham

00:15:55.360 --> 00:15:56.980
 is now extended

00:15:56.980 --> 00:15:58.019
 through his son,

00:15:58.500 --> 00:15:59.440
 Jesus Christ,

00:15:59.600 --> 00:16:00.820
 who now has come

00:16:00.820 --> 00:16:01.879
 to make a way

00:16:01.879 --> 00:16:03.720
 for those who come

00:16:03.720 --> 00:16:04.360
 to be saved

00:16:04.360 --> 00:16:05.680
 to now be a blessing,

00:16:05.860 --> 00:16:07.160
 to receive the blessing

00:16:07.160 --> 00:16:08.379
 and to be a blessing.

00:16:09.340 --> 00:16:10.500
 This promise to Abraham

00:16:10.500 --> 00:16:12.360
 confirmed and sealed

00:16:12.360 --> 00:16:14.379
 and now being fulfilled

00:16:14.379 --> 00:16:16.139
 through the ministry

00:16:16.139 --> 00:16:17.080
 of Christ

00:16:17.080 --> 00:16:19.980
 and his men,

00:16:20.299 --> 00:16:21.419
 Peter and John

00:16:21.419 --> 00:16:22.460
 and the rest of the apostles.

00:16:23.659 --> 00:16:25.960
 Christ blessed us

00:16:25.960 --> 00:16:28.139
 so that we would be a blessing.

00:16:29.200 --> 00:16:31.320
 And so that through us,

00:16:32.240 --> 00:16:34.039
 going back to this promise,

00:16:34.240 --> 00:16:36.039
 in you all the nations

00:16:36.039 --> 00:16:37.139
 will be blessed.

00:16:37.700 --> 00:16:39.480
 This promise worked out

00:16:39.480 --> 00:16:40.300
 through us

00:16:40.300 --> 00:16:42.460
 by receiving the gospel,

00:16:42.639 --> 00:16:43.560
 enjoying the benefits

00:16:43.560 --> 00:16:45.399
 of Christ's work

00:16:45.399 --> 00:16:46.980
 and now being a blessing

00:16:46.980 --> 00:16:48.440
 to the world around us.

00:16:49.139 --> 00:16:49.980
 And this is important

00:16:49.980 --> 00:16:51.539
 because when we often

00:16:51.539 --> 00:16:53.100
 think about evangelism,

00:16:53.580 --> 00:16:54.480
 I think we're prone

00:16:54.480 --> 00:16:55.759
 to think about conversion.

00:16:56.779 --> 00:16:57.879
 We're prone to think

00:16:57.879 --> 00:16:59.800
 about making converts,

00:17:00.460 --> 00:17:01.700
 maybe closing the deal,

00:17:02.180 --> 00:17:03.639
 maybe having the best arguments,

00:17:03.980 --> 00:17:05.599
 maybe presenting the best case,

00:17:06.019 --> 00:17:07.039
 making sure that people

00:17:07.039 --> 00:17:08.140
 not only understand,

00:17:08.140 --> 00:17:09.100
 but they come to faith

00:17:09.100 --> 00:17:09.940
 in Jesus Christ.

00:17:10.259 --> 00:17:10.980
 We want to win

00:17:10.980 --> 00:17:11.720
 these arguments.

00:17:12.080 --> 00:17:12.460
 We want to have

00:17:12.460 --> 00:17:14.200
 the best crafted apologetic.

00:17:14.540 --> 00:17:15.400
 We want to make sure

00:17:15.400 --> 00:17:17.540
 that we are doing

00:17:17.540 --> 00:17:19.220
 the closing the deal,

00:17:19.380 --> 00:17:20.259
 what all the words

00:17:20.259 --> 00:17:21.080
 that you want to say.

00:17:21.420 --> 00:17:22.780
 But the spirit

00:17:22.780 --> 00:17:23.800
 and the goal

00:17:23.800 --> 00:17:25.400
 of evangelism

00:17:25.400 --> 00:17:26.900
 is to bless.

00:17:28.140 --> 00:17:29.000
 It's simply

00:17:29.000 --> 00:17:30.700
 to be a blessing.

00:17:31.740 --> 00:17:32.520
 And then,

00:17:33.440 --> 00:17:34.200
 as a result,

00:17:34.880 --> 00:17:35.580
 allowing God

00:17:35.579 --> 00:17:36.199
 to do the work.

00:17:36.799 --> 00:17:37.579
 Because notice

00:17:37.579 --> 00:17:38.679
 in verse 47,

00:17:39.299 --> 00:17:39.779
 who adds

00:17:39.779 --> 00:17:41.240
 to the number

00:17:41.240 --> 00:17:41.839
 day by day

00:17:41.839 --> 00:17:43.059
 those who are being saved?

00:17:43.759 --> 00:17:44.919
 The Lord adds

00:17:44.919 --> 00:17:45.839
 to the number

00:17:45.839 --> 00:17:46.759
 day by day

00:17:46.759 --> 00:17:48.220
 those who are being saved.

00:17:48.779 --> 00:17:49.659
 Our goal then

00:17:49.659 --> 00:17:51.720
 is to be a blessing

00:17:51.720 --> 00:17:53.699
 regardless of the outcomes

00:17:53.699 --> 00:17:55.339
 and let God do

00:17:55.339 --> 00:17:55.939
 the work

00:17:55.939 --> 00:17:56.559
 that God

00:17:56.559 --> 00:17:57.799
 is going to do.

00:17:57.899 --> 00:17:58.779
 Trust Him

00:17:58.779 --> 00:17:59.639
 with that work.

00:18:00.439 --> 00:18:01.179
 And so we entrust

00:18:01.179 --> 00:18:01.579
 those results

00:18:02.379 --> 00:18:03.000
 to the Lord

00:18:03.000 --> 00:18:04.099
 because it's the Lord

00:18:04.099 --> 00:18:05.400
 who then brings

00:18:05.400 --> 00:18:06.759
 that work.

00:18:08.559 --> 00:18:09.980
 So we need to understand

00:18:09.980 --> 00:18:10.579
 the significance

00:18:10.579 --> 00:18:12.400
 of this goal.

00:18:12.579 --> 00:18:13.640
 The goal of God

00:18:13.640 --> 00:18:15.059
 doing this work

00:18:15.059 --> 00:18:16.000
 and having,

00:18:16.920 --> 00:18:17.319
 blessing

00:18:17.319 --> 00:18:19.200
 the world

00:18:19.200 --> 00:18:20.279
 as an objective

00:18:20.279 --> 00:18:21.859
 for our hearts.

00:18:22.359 --> 00:18:22.779
 Second,

00:18:23.640 --> 00:18:24.319
 I want you to understand

00:18:24.319 --> 00:18:25.259
 that evangelism

00:18:25.259 --> 00:18:25.940
 is our way

00:18:25.940 --> 00:18:27.279
 to love our neighbor.

00:18:28.039 --> 00:18:28.640
 It's our way

00:18:28.640 --> 00:18:29.680
 to love our neighbor.

00:18:30.720 --> 00:18:30.900
 You know,

00:18:30.900 --> 00:18:31.620
 we're all familiar

00:18:31.620 --> 00:18:33.080
 with the way

00:18:33.080 --> 00:18:33.880
 that Jesus

00:18:33.880 --> 00:18:34.880
 summarized

00:18:34.880 --> 00:18:35.560
 all the law

00:18:35.560 --> 00:18:36.060
 and the prophets,

00:18:36.160 --> 00:18:36.340
 right?

00:18:36.980 --> 00:18:38.620
 There's 600 plus

00:18:38.620 --> 00:18:39.880
 commands

00:18:39.880 --> 00:18:40.360
 that are given

00:18:40.360 --> 00:18:40.720
 to us

00:18:40.720 --> 00:18:41.440
 in the Old Testament.

00:18:42.180 --> 00:18:43.019
 Jesus narrowed it

00:18:43.019 --> 00:18:43.840
 down to two.

00:18:44.440 --> 00:18:45.140
 The first is

00:18:45.140 --> 00:18:46.160
 love the Lord

00:18:46.160 --> 00:18:46.580
 your God

00:18:46.580 --> 00:18:47.440
 with all your heart,

00:18:47.580 --> 00:18:48.019
 soul, mind,

00:18:48.040 --> 00:18:48.540
 and strength.

00:18:48.880 --> 00:18:49.460
 The second,

00:18:49.600 --> 00:18:49.920
 it says,

00:18:49.980 --> 00:18:50.580
 is like it

00:18:50.580 --> 00:18:51.820
 to love your neighbor

00:18:51.820 --> 00:18:53.019
 as yourself.

00:18:53.860 --> 00:18:54.460
 How do you know

00:18:54.460 --> 00:18:55.060
 that you love God?

00:18:55.840 --> 00:18:56.000
 Well,

00:18:56.019 --> 00:18:57.140
 you know that you love God

00:18:57.140 --> 00:18:58.900
 when it expresses itself

00:18:58.900 --> 00:18:59.720
 in real,

00:19:00.320 --> 00:19:00.840
 tangible,

00:19:01.620 --> 00:19:02.019
 physical,

00:19:02.259 --> 00:19:02.860
 obvious,

00:19:03.360 --> 00:19:05.180
 outworking of love

00:19:05.180 --> 00:19:05.740
 to the people

00:19:05.740 --> 00:19:07.060
 that God has put you

00:19:07.060 --> 00:19:08.820
 in community with,

00:19:08.960 --> 00:19:09.940
 relationship with.

00:19:10.440 --> 00:19:12.140
 So I can know

00:19:12.140 --> 00:19:14.700
 that I am loving God

00:19:14.700 --> 00:19:15.920
 when I'm growing in love

00:19:15.920 --> 00:19:16.500
 with the people

00:19:16.500 --> 00:19:17.800
 that God has put me

00:19:17.800 --> 00:19:19.680
 in community with.

00:19:20.380 --> 00:19:20.700
 So,

00:19:21.220 --> 00:19:22.180
 our evangelism

00:19:22.180 --> 00:19:22.740
 is meant

00:19:22.740 --> 00:19:23.780
 to be an outworking

00:19:23.780 --> 00:19:24.700
 of our love

00:19:24.700 --> 00:19:25.220
 for the world.

00:19:25.220 --> 00:19:27.640
 that it's not

00:19:27.640 --> 00:19:28.660
 contingent upon

00:19:28.660 --> 00:19:29.740
 their response

00:19:29.740 --> 00:19:30.319
 to us

00:19:30.319 --> 00:19:31.680
 or their kindness

00:19:31.680 --> 00:19:32.240
 to us

00:19:32.240 --> 00:19:33.120
 or their reception

00:19:33.120 --> 00:19:33.839
 to the gospel.

00:19:34.579 --> 00:19:35.339
 That regardless

00:19:35.339 --> 00:19:36.799
 of whether they

00:19:36.799 --> 00:19:37.900
 reject the gospel

00:19:37.900 --> 00:19:38.480
 or not,

00:19:38.740 --> 00:19:39.440
 that I still have

00:19:39.440 --> 00:19:40.079
 an obligation

00:19:40.079 --> 00:19:40.740
 to love them.

00:19:40.860 --> 00:19:41.120
 And so,

00:19:41.299 --> 00:19:42.380
 in loving them,

00:19:42.720 --> 00:19:44.059
 I'm investing in them

00:19:44.059 --> 00:19:44.940
 in seeking

00:19:44.940 --> 00:19:46.700
 to do a work

00:19:46.700 --> 00:19:48.059
 to welcome

00:19:48.059 --> 00:19:49.200
 and invite them

00:19:49.200 --> 00:19:50.759
 into a relationship

00:19:50.759 --> 00:19:51.640
 with Jesus

00:19:51.640 --> 00:19:52.480
 as well.

00:19:52.480 --> 00:19:53.779
 Of course,

00:19:53.880 --> 00:19:54.759
 the greatest blessing

00:19:54.759 --> 00:19:55.559
 that our world

00:19:55.559 --> 00:19:56.299
 could ever enjoy

00:19:56.299 --> 00:19:56.839
 is the blessing

00:19:56.839 --> 00:19:57.380
 of Christ.

00:19:58.299 --> 00:19:58.779
 And notice,

00:19:59.559 --> 00:20:00.680
 back in chapter 3,

00:20:00.720 --> 00:20:01.400
 verse 26,

00:20:02.120 --> 00:20:03.220
 what was Christ's goal?

00:20:04.220 --> 00:20:04.420
 God,

00:20:04.519 --> 00:20:05.220
 having raised up

00:20:05.220 --> 00:20:05.799
 his servant,

00:20:06.200 --> 00:20:07.120
 sent him to you first

00:20:07.120 --> 00:20:08.400
 to bless you

00:20:08.400 --> 00:20:09.900
 by turning every one

00:20:09.900 --> 00:20:10.900
 of you from your wickedness.

00:20:11.120 --> 00:20:12.180
 Even Jesus' goal

00:20:12.180 --> 00:20:13.660
 was a goal of blessing.

00:20:13.960 --> 00:20:15.360
 Blessing others

00:20:15.360 --> 00:20:16.480
 through the gospel,

00:20:16.640 --> 00:20:17.180
 turning them

00:20:17.180 --> 00:20:18.120
 from their wickedness

00:20:18.120 --> 00:20:19.140
 and turning them

00:20:19.140 --> 00:20:19.740
 to himself.

00:20:20.019 --> 00:20:21.220
 That was his goal.

00:20:21.220 --> 00:20:22.559
 So,

00:20:22.640 --> 00:20:23.519
 how do we do this?

00:20:24.140 --> 00:20:24.700
 How do we,

00:20:25.039 --> 00:20:25.799
 if the objective

00:20:25.799 --> 00:20:27.059
 and the goal

00:20:27.059 --> 00:20:29.319
 is to bless the world

00:20:29.319 --> 00:20:30.559
 and the outworking

00:20:30.559 --> 00:20:31.360
 of that strategy

00:20:31.360 --> 00:20:32.500
 is to love our neighbors,

00:20:32.940 --> 00:20:34.539
 how do we do that tangibly?

00:20:35.620 --> 00:20:35.819
 Well,

00:20:35.839 --> 00:20:36.500
 this word bless

00:20:36.500 --> 00:20:37.200
 is an acronym

00:20:37.200 --> 00:20:38.220
 and I want to just

00:20:38.220 --> 00:20:38.920
 introduce you

00:20:38.920 --> 00:20:39.960
 to it briefly.

00:20:40.779 --> 00:20:42.019
 And I want to encourage you,

00:20:42.100 --> 00:20:43.059
 this will just not only

00:20:43.059 --> 00:20:43.839
 make it memorable,

00:20:44.120 --> 00:20:45.460
 but for those of you

00:20:45.460 --> 00:20:47.360
 who feel very overwhelmed

00:20:47.360 --> 00:20:49.759
 about evangelism,

00:20:49.759 --> 00:20:52.559
 this isn't my spiritual gift,

00:20:52.640 --> 00:20:53.559
 I feel really awkward

00:20:53.559 --> 00:20:54.180
 about this,

00:20:54.299 --> 00:20:54.940
 I'm not sure

00:20:54.940 --> 00:20:55.720
 if I can do this,

00:20:55.819 --> 00:20:56.940
 you might feel intimidated,

00:20:57.339 --> 00:20:58.579
 this will make it easy

00:20:58.579 --> 00:20:59.700
 and this will help you

00:20:59.700 --> 00:21:00.559
 step into it

00:21:00.559 --> 00:21:01.379
 in a way

00:21:01.379 --> 00:21:02.319
 that should take

00:21:02.319 --> 00:21:03.200
 the edge off.

00:21:03.859 --> 00:21:04.640
 First is,

00:21:05.460 --> 00:21:06.180
 begin to pray.

00:21:07.079 --> 00:21:07.980
 Begin to pray.

00:21:08.160 --> 00:21:08.700
 That's the B.

00:21:10.099 --> 00:21:10.339
 See,

00:21:10.420 --> 00:21:11.119
 if anyone's

00:21:11.119 --> 00:21:12.019
 going to come to faith

00:21:12.019 --> 00:21:12.500
 in Christ,

00:21:13.119 --> 00:21:13.720
 it has to be

00:21:13.720 --> 00:21:14.359
 a work of the Lord.

00:21:14.839 --> 00:21:15.720
 The Lord added

00:21:15.720 --> 00:21:16.339
 day by day

00:21:16.339 --> 00:21:17.259
 those who are being saved

00:21:17.259 --> 00:21:18.559
 and so if it has to be

00:21:18.559 --> 00:21:19.619
 a work of the Lord,

00:21:20.019 --> 00:21:21.319
 we as God's people

00:21:21.319 --> 00:21:22.000
 need to pray

00:21:22.000 --> 00:21:22.559
 for the Lord

00:21:22.559 --> 00:21:23.240
 to do His work.

00:21:24.140 --> 00:21:24.759
 We need to ask

00:21:24.759 --> 00:21:25.599
 and invite the Lord

00:21:25.599 --> 00:21:27.299
 to stimulate hearts,

00:21:27.420 --> 00:21:28.519
 to give us opportunities,

00:21:28.740 --> 00:21:30.859
 to open up our eyes

00:21:30.859 --> 00:21:31.559
 so that we can see

00:21:31.559 --> 00:21:32.140
 the opportunities

00:21:32.140 --> 00:21:32.599
 that are there

00:21:32.599 --> 00:21:33.539
 and have courage

00:21:33.539 --> 00:21:34.220
 to step into

00:21:34.220 --> 00:21:34.799
 those opportunities.

00:21:35.559 --> 00:21:36.259
 The second here

00:21:36.259 --> 00:21:37.539
 is to listen to them.

00:21:37.579 --> 00:21:38.220
 That's the L.

00:21:38.980 --> 00:21:40.000
 To listen to them.

00:21:40.839 --> 00:21:42.579
 Take an active interest

00:21:42.579 --> 00:21:44.000
 in the people

00:21:44.000 --> 00:21:44.819
 that you either

00:21:44.819 --> 00:21:45.740
 work with

00:21:45.740 --> 00:21:46.759
 or the people

00:21:46.759 --> 00:21:48.039
 that you study with,

00:21:48.099 --> 00:21:49.380
 you're going to school with,

00:21:49.720 --> 00:21:50.759
 the people that you

00:21:50.759 --> 00:21:53.140
 enjoy activities with,

00:21:53.240 --> 00:21:54.579
 wherever you might be.

00:21:55.059 --> 00:21:56.160
 Pray for opportunities

00:21:56.160 --> 00:21:57.660
 to get to know

00:21:57.660 --> 00:21:58.339
 others better.

00:22:00.000 --> 00:22:00.859
 Be deliberate

00:22:00.859 --> 00:22:02.299
 about asking good questions.

00:22:02.940 --> 00:22:03.700
 Not just the kinds

00:22:03.700 --> 00:22:04.240
 of questions

00:22:04.240 --> 00:22:05.039
 that are surface.

00:22:05.400 --> 00:22:06.120
 How was your day?

00:22:07.500 --> 00:22:08.500
 How's your family?

00:22:08.720 --> 00:22:09.480
 Those kinds of things

00:22:09.480 --> 00:22:10.980
 which are appropriate

00:22:10.980 --> 00:22:11.579
 and good

00:22:11.579 --> 00:22:13.559
 but more meaningful questions.

00:22:14.000 --> 00:22:14.660
 That relationships

00:22:14.660 --> 00:22:15.359
 go deeper.

00:22:16.120 --> 00:22:17.559
 Not just how are you doing

00:22:17.559 --> 00:22:18.599
 but hey,

00:22:18.720 --> 00:22:19.539
 I noticed that

00:22:19.539 --> 00:22:21.019
 this is taking place

00:22:21.019 --> 00:22:21.400
 over here.

00:22:21.839 --> 00:22:23.140
 How is that going for you?

00:22:23.539 --> 00:22:24.960
 How can I encourage you?

00:22:25.559 --> 00:22:26.839
 I imagine that

00:22:26.839 --> 00:22:27.799
 you're struggling

00:22:27.799 --> 00:22:28.579
 because of this.

00:22:28.640 --> 00:22:29.460
 I noticed this

00:22:29.460 --> 00:22:31.759
 and I'd like to know more.

00:22:32.660 --> 00:22:33.940
 Digging below the surface,

00:22:34.400 --> 00:22:35.740
 asking deeper questions,

00:22:36.279 --> 00:22:37.400
 cultivating a relationship

00:22:37.400 --> 00:22:38.240
 that goes more

00:22:38.240 --> 00:22:39.900
 than just a surface level,

00:22:40.359 --> 00:22:41.539
 really taking an interest

00:22:41.539 --> 00:22:42.140
 in the people

00:22:42.140 --> 00:22:43.299
 that God has put you

00:22:43.299 --> 00:22:44.119
 in community with

00:22:44.119 --> 00:22:45.460
 so that you can come

00:22:45.460 --> 00:22:46.200
 to know them

00:22:46.200 --> 00:22:49.019
 and grow in compassion

00:22:49.019 --> 00:22:49.539
 for them

00:22:49.539 --> 00:22:50.339
 as the Lord

00:22:50.339 --> 00:22:52.539
 had compassion for us.

00:22:53.480 --> 00:22:54.619
 The E is

00:22:54.619 --> 00:22:55.419
 eat with them.

00:22:55.919 --> 00:22:56.539
 Eat with them.

00:22:57.240 --> 00:22:57.799
 There's something

00:22:57.799 --> 00:22:58.819
 about a good meal

00:22:58.819 --> 00:23:00.200
 that opens the door.

00:23:00.720 --> 00:23:01.639
 Opens the door

00:23:01.639 --> 00:23:02.619
 for relationship.

00:23:03.240 --> 00:23:04.359
 It kind of helps

00:23:04.359 --> 00:23:05.779
 to take away

00:23:05.779 --> 00:23:07.240
 any of the distractions.

00:23:07.240 --> 00:23:08.859
 It helps to remove

00:23:08.859 --> 00:23:10.000
 some of the pressure

00:23:10.000 --> 00:23:12.740
 of that interaction.

00:23:13.259 --> 00:23:14.539
 It helps to allow

00:23:14.539 --> 00:23:15.099
 those things

00:23:15.099 --> 00:23:16.599
 to be a little less formal.

00:23:17.779 --> 00:23:19.160
 God has designed it that way.

00:23:19.599 --> 00:23:20.740
 It's His design

00:23:20.740 --> 00:23:22.519
 and we need to press in

00:23:22.519 --> 00:23:23.640
 to this design

00:23:23.640 --> 00:23:25.279
 and learn the benefits

00:23:25.279 --> 00:23:26.559
 of fellowship

00:23:26.559 --> 00:23:27.880
 and hospitality

00:23:27.880 --> 00:23:30.400
 and eating good meals together

00:23:30.400 --> 00:23:32.120
 that stimulate

00:23:32.120 --> 00:23:33.539
 deeper conversations.

00:23:34.680 --> 00:23:35.620
 The first S

00:23:35.619 --> 00:23:36.919
 is to serve them.

00:23:37.859 --> 00:23:38.479
 That means we should

00:23:38.479 --> 00:23:39.339
 look for opportunities

00:23:39.339 --> 00:23:40.799
 to help

00:23:40.799 --> 00:23:41.719
 come alongside

00:23:41.719 --> 00:23:42.739
 and meet

00:23:42.739 --> 00:23:44.959
 actual physical needs

00:23:44.959 --> 00:23:46.019
 for our neighbors.

00:23:47.139 --> 00:23:48.379
 Depending upon the season

00:23:48.379 --> 00:23:49.279
 maybe that means

00:23:49.279 --> 00:23:51.059
 raking the leaves

00:23:51.059 --> 00:23:52.500
 or mowing a lawn

00:23:52.500 --> 00:23:54.000
 or shoveling the walk.

00:23:54.579 --> 00:23:55.759
 Maybe it's simple things

00:23:55.759 --> 00:23:56.819
 like making a meal

00:23:56.819 --> 00:23:58.839
 and going to

00:23:58.839 --> 00:24:00.199
 maybe watching a pet.

00:24:00.339 --> 00:24:00.879
 I don't know.

00:24:01.019 --> 00:24:01.579
 Fill in the blank.

00:24:01.859 --> 00:24:03.019
 You can find ways

00:24:03.019 --> 00:24:04.500
 to actually serve

00:24:04.500 --> 00:24:04.939
 your neighbors.

00:24:05.619 --> 00:24:06.839
 It follows the pattern

00:24:06.839 --> 00:24:07.599
 of the Lord Jesus

00:24:07.599 --> 00:24:09.979
 who came not to be served

00:24:09.979 --> 00:24:11.319
 but to serve

00:24:11.319 --> 00:24:12.639
 and to give His life

00:24:12.639 --> 00:24:13.539
 a ransom for many.

00:24:14.419 --> 00:24:15.119
 As we have the heart

00:24:15.119 --> 00:24:15.919
 of the Lord Jesus

00:24:15.919 --> 00:24:17.439
 in serving our neighbors

00:24:17.439 --> 00:24:19.779
 you will come to find

00:24:19.779 --> 00:24:21.279
 that that helps

00:24:21.279 --> 00:24:22.559
 also be a gateway

00:24:22.559 --> 00:24:24.799
 not only to meet

00:24:24.799 --> 00:24:26.079
 tangible needs

00:24:26.079 --> 00:24:26.919
 but to demonstrate

00:24:26.919 --> 00:24:28.139
 your concern

00:24:28.139 --> 00:24:28.839
 for your neighbors

00:24:28.839 --> 00:24:30.019
 so they want

00:24:30.019 --> 00:24:30.819
 to know you more.

00:24:31.639 --> 00:24:32.219
 And then finally

00:24:32.219 --> 00:24:33.159
 when all those pieces

00:24:33.159 --> 00:24:33.919
 are in place

00:24:33.920 --> 00:24:35.560
 you will find

00:24:35.560 --> 00:24:37.400
 this last component

00:24:37.400 --> 00:24:38.279
 will be very easy

00:24:38.279 --> 00:24:38.700
 for you

00:24:38.700 --> 00:24:39.560
 and that is

00:24:39.560 --> 00:24:40.440
 to share your story

00:24:40.440 --> 00:24:40.920
 of grace.

00:24:41.940 --> 00:24:42.539
 Share the gospel

00:24:42.539 --> 00:24:43.100
 with them.

00:24:44.360 --> 00:24:46.039
 It says in Acts 2.11

00:24:46.039 --> 00:24:47.960
 that we keep hearing

00:24:47.960 --> 00:24:49.039
 them tell us

00:24:49.039 --> 00:24:50.320
 in our own language

00:24:50.320 --> 00:24:51.680
 the mighty works

00:24:51.680 --> 00:24:52.300
 of God.

00:24:52.960 --> 00:24:53.279
 Well

00:24:53.279 --> 00:24:55.539
 that's the opportunity

00:24:55.539 --> 00:24:56.200
 that God will give

00:24:56.200 --> 00:24:56.960
 all of us.

00:24:57.500 --> 00:24:58.420
 Being able to tell

00:24:58.420 --> 00:24:59.259
 the mighty works

00:24:59.259 --> 00:24:59.740
 of God

00:24:59.740 --> 00:25:01.440
 because those doors

00:25:01.440 --> 00:25:02.320
 will become open.

00:25:02.319 --> 00:25:04.279
 God will create crisis

00:25:04.279 --> 00:25:06.379
 in some way

00:25:06.379 --> 00:25:07.559
 in their life

00:25:07.559 --> 00:25:08.779
 and when that happens

00:25:08.779 --> 00:25:11.099
 if you have developed

00:25:11.099 --> 00:25:11.779
 and nurtured

00:25:11.779 --> 00:25:12.319
 a friendship

00:25:12.319 --> 00:25:13.439
 who are they going

00:25:13.439 --> 00:25:14.200
 to ask for help?

00:25:14.939 --> 00:25:15.599
 Who are they going

00:25:15.599 --> 00:25:16.460
 to bring their questions

00:25:16.460 --> 00:25:16.799
 to?

00:25:17.359 --> 00:25:18.079
 They're going to bring

00:25:18.079 --> 00:25:18.659
 their questions

00:25:18.659 --> 00:25:19.279
 to you

00:25:19.279 --> 00:25:20.240
 and God will have

00:25:20.240 --> 00:25:20.720
 given you

00:25:20.720 --> 00:25:21.659
 a golden opportunity

00:25:21.659 --> 00:25:22.839
 to share

00:25:22.839 --> 00:25:24.099
 the mighty works

00:25:24.099 --> 00:25:24.460
 of God

00:25:24.460 --> 00:25:25.220
 that he's accomplished

00:25:25.220 --> 00:25:26.159
 in your life

00:25:26.159 --> 00:25:28.019
 and open the door

00:25:28.019 --> 00:25:29.240
 for a chance

00:25:29.240 --> 00:25:30.399
 to share the gospel.

00:25:30.400 --> 00:25:31.700
 One of the most

00:25:31.700 --> 00:25:32.280
 powerful ways

00:25:32.280 --> 00:25:33.019
 that we can do this

00:25:33.019 --> 00:25:33.840
 is through

00:25:33.840 --> 00:25:35.340
 our personal testimonies.

00:25:36.040 --> 00:25:37.160
 Your story

00:25:37.160 --> 00:25:39.000
 of how Jesus

00:25:39.000 --> 00:25:39.920
 is the hero

00:25:39.920 --> 00:25:42.160
 in bringing you salvation

00:25:42.160 --> 00:25:43.220
 delivering you

00:25:43.220 --> 00:25:44.040
 from your sin

00:25:44.040 --> 00:25:45.620
 and as we develop

00:25:45.620 --> 00:25:47.180
 those stories of grace

00:25:47.180 --> 00:25:48.500
 or those testimonies

00:25:48.500 --> 00:25:49.519
 you'll find that

00:25:49.519 --> 00:25:49.759
 that would be

00:25:49.759 --> 00:25:50.860
 a very easy gateway

00:25:50.860 --> 00:25:51.440
 for you

00:25:51.440 --> 00:25:52.620
 to share the gospel.

00:25:53.160 --> 00:25:53.620
 Any of you

00:25:53.620 --> 00:25:54.560
 who haven't yet

00:25:54.560 --> 00:25:55.960
 created a testimony

00:25:55.960 --> 00:25:57.420
 or those of you

00:25:57.420 --> 00:25:58.420
 who you created

00:25:58.420 --> 00:25:58.980
 your testimony

00:25:58.980 --> 00:26:00.400
 a very long time ago

00:26:00.400 --> 00:26:01.519
 and aren't acquainted

00:26:01.519 --> 00:26:02.299
 with it anymore

00:26:02.299 --> 00:26:03.740
 I want to just encourage you

00:26:03.740 --> 00:26:05.779
 we have a new tool

00:26:05.779 --> 00:26:06.700
 that we're developing

00:26:06.700 --> 00:26:07.960
 so that you can

00:26:07.960 --> 00:26:09.900
 do this more easily.

00:26:10.339 --> 00:26:10.860
 Pastor David

00:26:10.860 --> 00:26:12.000
 is putting that together

00:26:12.000 --> 00:26:12.839
 and anyone

00:26:12.839 --> 00:26:13.500
 who's interested

00:26:13.500 --> 00:26:14.700
 in a kind of

00:26:14.700 --> 00:26:16.180
 a simpler model

00:26:16.180 --> 00:26:17.039
 of how to put

00:26:17.039 --> 00:26:18.039
 your testimony together

00:26:18.039 --> 00:26:19.059
 kind of leading you

00:26:19.059 --> 00:26:20.140
 through a set of questions

00:26:20.140 --> 00:26:21.599
 that may be

00:26:21.599 --> 00:26:23.000
 a real benefit to you.

00:26:23.559 --> 00:26:24.200
 This summer

00:26:24.200 --> 00:26:25.240
 we'd like to prioritize

00:26:25.240 --> 00:26:26.720
 this purpose

00:26:26.720 --> 00:26:28.019
 of evangelism

00:26:28.019 --> 00:26:28.519
 and neighboring

00:26:28.519 --> 00:26:30.279
 by inviting you

00:26:30.279 --> 00:26:31.879
 to meet with one another.

00:26:32.759 --> 00:26:33.099
 So Caleb

00:26:33.099 --> 00:26:33.680
 if I can have that

00:26:33.680 --> 00:26:34.299
 next slide

00:26:34.299 --> 00:26:36.039
 we're going to call this

00:26:36.039 --> 00:26:37.460
 Won't You Be My Neighbor?

00:26:38.779 --> 00:26:39.440
 And any of you

00:26:39.440 --> 00:26:40.240
 who've maybe

00:26:40.240 --> 00:26:42.220
 I'm dating myself here

00:26:42.220 --> 00:26:43.480
 Mr. Rogers

00:26:43.480 --> 00:26:44.220
 I'm sure

00:26:44.220 --> 00:26:45.379
 most of you

00:26:45.379 --> 00:26:45.940
 younger kids

00:26:45.940 --> 00:26:46.660
 have no idea

00:26:46.660 --> 00:26:48.039
 who Mr. Rogers is

00:26:48.039 --> 00:26:50.160
 but he would

00:26:50.160 --> 00:26:51.400
 he would ask

00:26:51.400 --> 00:26:52.019
 this question

00:26:52.019 --> 00:26:53.480
 Won't You Be My Neighbor?

00:26:53.579 --> 00:26:54.039
 And he would sing

00:26:54.039 --> 00:26:54.539
 a little ditty

00:26:54.539 --> 00:26:55.660
 which I will not

00:26:55.660 --> 00:26:56.859
 I will not do for you.

00:26:56.859 --> 00:27:00.719
 During the summertime

00:27:00.719 --> 00:27:02.099
 the last several years

00:27:02.099 --> 00:27:02.959
 what we have done

00:27:02.959 --> 00:27:04.059
 is we've had something

00:27:04.059 --> 00:27:05.699
 called Sunday Nights

00:27:05.699 --> 00:27:06.139
 in the Park

00:27:06.139 --> 00:27:07.059
 and that's been a great way

00:27:07.059 --> 00:27:07.899
 for us to enjoy

00:27:07.899 --> 00:27:09.039
 fellowship together.

00:27:09.899 --> 00:27:10.559
 This year

00:27:10.559 --> 00:27:11.199
 what we like to do

00:27:11.199 --> 00:27:12.559
 is maybe switch gears

00:27:12.559 --> 00:27:13.079
 a bit

00:27:13.079 --> 00:27:14.159
 and instead of

00:27:14.159 --> 00:27:15.559
 doing it in one place

00:27:15.559 --> 00:27:16.859
 we want to encourage you

00:27:16.859 --> 00:27:17.519
 to do fellowship

00:27:17.519 --> 00:27:18.819
 in lots of different places

00:27:18.819 --> 00:27:19.959
 with the friends

00:27:19.959 --> 00:27:21.039
 and families

00:27:21.039 --> 00:27:21.819
 of your choice.

00:27:22.619 --> 00:27:23.459
 So still

00:27:23.459 --> 00:27:24.599
 twice

00:27:24.599 --> 00:27:26.039
 a month

00:27:26.039 --> 00:27:27.259
 and the first

00:27:27.259 --> 00:27:28.519
 the first time

00:27:28.519 --> 00:27:28.959
 you meet

00:27:28.959 --> 00:27:29.919
 on that

00:27:29.919 --> 00:27:31.099
 during the month

00:27:31.099 --> 00:27:32.319
 we want to encourage you

00:27:32.319 --> 00:27:33.679
 to meet with another family

00:27:33.679 --> 00:27:34.939
 or group of families

00:27:34.939 --> 00:27:35.939
 here from Maranatha

00:27:35.939 --> 00:27:37.439
 growing in fellowship

00:27:37.439 --> 00:27:38.759
 growing in relationship

00:27:38.759 --> 00:27:39.919
 enjoying a meal

00:27:39.919 --> 00:27:40.699
 going out

00:27:40.699 --> 00:27:41.439
 and maybe going

00:27:41.439 --> 00:27:42.240
 to a game together

00:27:42.240 --> 00:27:43.439
 doing something together

00:27:43.439 --> 00:27:44.740
 that stimulates

00:27:44.740 --> 00:27:45.379
 some measure

00:27:45.379 --> 00:27:47.259
 of Christian community.

00:27:47.259 --> 00:27:49.480
 Then that next Sunday

00:27:49.480 --> 00:27:51.240
 the second Sunday

00:27:51.240 --> 00:27:52.740
 of that month

00:27:52.740 --> 00:27:53.680
 whatever

00:27:53.680 --> 00:27:54.299
 whatever

00:27:54.299 --> 00:27:56.119
 week you choose

00:27:56.119 --> 00:27:57.759
 we would like to encourage you

00:27:57.759 --> 00:27:58.539
 to still meet

00:27:58.539 --> 00:27:59.319
 with that family

00:27:59.319 --> 00:28:00.759
 but invite somebody

00:28:00.759 --> 00:28:01.700
 that doesn't know Christ

00:28:01.700 --> 00:28:03.200
 and the goal

00:28:03.200 --> 00:28:04.299
 is to do

00:28:04.299 --> 00:28:05.539
 what we see here

00:28:05.539 --> 00:28:06.559
 in Acts chapter 2

00:28:06.559 --> 00:28:07.240
 verse 47

00:28:07.240 --> 00:28:08.700
 and that is

00:28:08.700 --> 00:28:10.000
 when people

00:28:10.000 --> 00:28:11.660
 the unsaved people

00:28:11.660 --> 00:28:12.119
 see

00:28:12.119 --> 00:28:13.859
 your fellowshipping together

00:28:13.859 --> 00:28:15.059
 your relationship

00:28:15.059 --> 00:28:16.039
 with one another

00:28:16.039 --> 00:28:17.180
 they see how God

00:28:17.180 --> 00:28:18.519
 is working in your hearts

00:28:18.519 --> 00:28:19.159
 and creating

00:28:19.159 --> 00:28:20.500
 Christian community

00:28:20.500 --> 00:28:21.799
 that the favor

00:28:21.799 --> 00:28:23.319
 that God has given to you

00:28:23.319 --> 00:28:24.960
 they will be able to see

00:28:24.960 --> 00:28:26.420
 and in some way

00:28:26.420 --> 00:28:28.000
 be able to participate in

00:28:28.000 --> 00:28:28.680
 in joy

00:28:28.680 --> 00:28:29.960
 so that God might

00:28:29.960 --> 00:28:31.000
 draw their hearts

00:28:31.000 --> 00:28:32.500
 to a saving knowledge

00:28:32.500 --> 00:28:33.339
 of Jesus Christ

00:28:33.339 --> 00:28:34.200
 himself.

00:28:34.859 --> 00:28:36.279
 This QR code

00:28:36.279 --> 00:28:36.859
 that we have here

00:28:36.859 --> 00:28:37.559
 we want to encourage

00:28:37.559 --> 00:28:38.180
 everybody

00:28:38.180 --> 00:28:40.180
 who is at least

00:28:40.180 --> 00:28:41.500
 thinking about this

00:28:41.500 --> 00:28:42.659
 whether you have

00:28:42.659 --> 00:28:43.519
 families in mind

00:28:43.519 --> 00:28:44.700
 already or not

00:28:44.700 --> 00:28:46.240
 we want to encourage

00:28:46.240 --> 00:28:47.160
 you to register

00:28:47.160 --> 00:28:48.299
 so that

00:28:48.299 --> 00:28:50.140
 two things can happen

00:28:50.140 --> 00:28:50.840
 one we know

00:28:50.840 --> 00:28:52.340
 who is registered

00:28:52.340 --> 00:28:53.539
 and who is a part of this

00:28:53.539 --> 00:28:54.680
 and two

00:28:54.680 --> 00:28:55.660
 for those of you

00:28:55.660 --> 00:28:57.039
 who want to be a part of it

00:28:57.039 --> 00:28:58.220
 but don't know of a family

00:28:58.220 --> 00:28:59.080
 that you could

00:28:59.080 --> 00:29:00.200
 partner with

00:29:00.200 --> 00:29:01.400
 then we can

00:29:01.400 --> 00:29:02.000
 access

00:29:02.000 --> 00:29:03.620
 this other resource

00:29:03.620 --> 00:29:05.460
 and be able

00:29:05.460 --> 00:29:06.480
 to pair you up

00:29:06.480 --> 00:29:07.220
 with others

00:29:07.220 --> 00:29:08.039
 who would like

00:29:08.039 --> 00:29:08.779
 to do this as well.

00:29:09.140 --> 00:29:10.940
 This is an experiment

00:29:10.940 --> 00:29:11.779
 but I think

00:29:11.779 --> 00:29:13.080
 this might be a great way

00:29:13.079 --> 00:29:14.299
 for us to get to know

00:29:14.299 --> 00:29:14.939
 each other better

00:29:14.939 --> 00:29:16.139
 and to see

00:29:16.139 --> 00:29:18.659
 how easy it can be

00:29:18.659 --> 00:29:19.500
 to neighbor

00:29:19.500 --> 00:29:21.980
 in our communities.

00:29:22.439 --> 00:29:23.319
 So we want to encourage you

00:29:23.319 --> 00:29:24.599
 to do this.

00:29:24.659 --> 00:29:25.220
 There will be a

00:29:25.220 --> 00:29:26.179
 Miranatha Minute article

00:29:26.179 --> 00:29:26.859
 that will come out

00:29:26.859 --> 00:29:28.439
 in the next week or so

00:29:28.439 --> 00:29:29.159
 about this too.

00:29:30.019 --> 00:29:31.019
 So that's the purpose

00:29:31.019 --> 00:29:31.740
 of the church.

00:29:32.179 --> 00:29:32.720
 That's what God

00:29:32.720 --> 00:29:33.659
 has called us to do.

00:29:34.159 --> 00:29:35.000
 Now I want to turn

00:29:35.000 --> 00:29:37.299
 our attention

00:29:37.299 --> 00:29:38.659
 in this last few moments

00:29:38.659 --> 00:29:40.039
 to this final question.

00:29:40.379 --> 00:29:41.799
 Who is the church?

00:29:41.799 --> 00:29:43.480
 If God has given

00:29:43.480 --> 00:29:44.419
 these objectives

00:29:44.419 --> 00:29:45.700
 to his people

00:29:45.700 --> 00:29:47.539
 well who are his people

00:29:47.539 --> 00:29:49.500
 and how do we know?

00:29:50.559 --> 00:29:52.180
 Well what happened

00:29:52.180 --> 00:29:53.180
 in Acts chapter 2

00:29:53.180 --> 00:29:55.079
 was not invisible.

00:29:55.980 --> 00:29:57.079
 It wasn't vague.

00:29:57.779 --> 00:29:58.779
 It wasn't artificial.

00:29:58.980 --> 00:29:59.619
 It was real.

00:29:59.859 --> 00:30:00.680
 It was physical.

00:30:00.819 --> 00:30:01.480
 It was obvious.

00:30:01.839 --> 00:30:03.460
 This group of individuals

00:30:03.460 --> 00:30:04.619
 who gathered together.

00:30:04.899 --> 00:30:06.119
 Now what was true of them?

00:30:06.980 --> 00:30:08.159
 And there are seven things

00:30:08.159 --> 00:30:08.700
 that were true

00:30:08.700 --> 00:30:10.100
 and I want to just work

00:30:10.100 --> 00:30:11.140
 through these things

00:30:11.140 --> 00:30:12.680
 quickly and briefly.

00:30:13.559 --> 00:30:14.620
 Who is the church?

00:30:14.759 --> 00:30:15.059
 First,

00:30:15.779 --> 00:30:16.720
 the church is those

00:30:16.720 --> 00:30:17.640
 who are saved

00:30:17.640 --> 00:30:18.700
 by grace

00:30:18.700 --> 00:30:19.539
 through faith.

00:30:20.200 --> 00:30:21.380
 Those who are saved

00:30:21.380 --> 00:30:22.420
 by grace

00:30:22.420 --> 00:30:23.319
 through faith.

00:30:24.700 --> 00:30:25.700
 We understand

00:30:25.700 --> 00:30:26.799
 that we are deserving

00:30:26.799 --> 00:30:27.840
 of God's wrath.

00:30:28.680 --> 00:30:29.660
 That all have sinned

00:30:29.660 --> 00:30:30.200
 and come short

00:30:30.200 --> 00:30:30.920
 of the glory of God

00:30:30.920 --> 00:30:31.840
 and what we deserve

00:30:31.840 --> 00:30:33.100
 because of our sin

00:30:33.100 --> 00:30:34.819
 is God's punishment.

00:30:35.259 --> 00:30:35.819
 God's wrath.

00:30:35.819 --> 00:30:36.240
 But,

00:30:37.000 --> 00:30:38.139
 he made a way

00:30:38.139 --> 00:30:39.399
 through his son,

00:30:39.759 --> 00:30:40.079
 Jesus,

00:30:40.659 --> 00:30:42.039
 who lived a perfect life,

00:30:42.460 --> 00:30:43.460
 who died the death

00:30:43.460 --> 00:30:44.299
 that we deserved,

00:30:44.799 --> 00:30:45.939
 who then rose again

00:30:45.939 --> 00:30:46.980
 and is now seated

00:30:46.980 --> 00:30:47.939
 at the right hand of God

00:30:47.939 --> 00:30:48.700
 so that we

00:30:48.700 --> 00:30:50.519
 can enjoy the benefits

00:30:50.519 --> 00:30:51.279
 of salvation.

00:30:52.599 --> 00:30:53.720
 That salvation happens

00:30:53.720 --> 00:30:55.119
 not because we earn it,

00:30:55.779 --> 00:30:56.359
 but it happens

00:30:56.359 --> 00:30:58.139
 because of God's grace.

00:30:58.859 --> 00:30:59.740
 And we access

00:30:59.740 --> 00:31:00.759
 that salvation

00:31:00.759 --> 00:31:01.879
 through faith

00:31:01.879 --> 00:31:03.159
 in Jesus Christ.

00:31:03.160 --> 00:31:03.240
 Christ.

00:31:04.259 --> 00:31:05.300
 And once that happens,

00:31:05.720 --> 00:31:06.340
 we recognize

00:31:06.340 --> 00:31:07.440
 that Christ paid

00:31:07.440 --> 00:31:08.519
 for everything.

00:31:09.080 --> 00:31:10.240
 It's not deserved

00:31:10.240 --> 00:31:11.300
 and so there's nothing

00:31:11.300 --> 00:31:12.680
 for us to boast about.

00:31:13.400 --> 00:31:14.360
 God gets the glory.

00:31:16.240 --> 00:31:17.080
 If you belong

00:31:17.080 --> 00:31:17.660
 to the church,

00:31:18.400 --> 00:31:19.360
 this has happened for you.

00:31:19.440 --> 00:31:20.640
 This is the starting point

00:31:20.640 --> 00:31:20.920
 for you.

00:31:21.019 --> 00:31:22.420
 This is the gateway

00:31:22.420 --> 00:31:24.320
 for us to experience

00:31:24.320 --> 00:31:24.940
 the benefits

00:31:24.940 --> 00:31:25.920
 of what Christ

00:31:25.920 --> 00:31:26.980
 has accomplished

00:31:26.980 --> 00:31:27.660
 for us.

00:31:28.060 --> 00:31:28.500
 Second,

00:31:29.440 --> 00:31:30.100
 those who are part

00:31:30.100 --> 00:31:30.500
 of the church

00:31:30.500 --> 00:31:31.580
 are those who have been

00:31:31.579 --> 00:31:33.819
 placed into a body

00:31:33.819 --> 00:31:35.159
 with Christ

00:31:35.159 --> 00:31:35.919
 as the head.

00:31:36.779 --> 00:31:38.279
 Been placed into a body

00:31:38.279 --> 00:31:39.199
 with Christ

00:31:39.199 --> 00:31:39.779
 as a head.

00:31:40.460 --> 00:31:41.319
 And this has already

00:31:41.319 --> 00:31:42.119
 happened for those

00:31:42.119 --> 00:31:42.859
 of you who believe.

00:31:43.079 --> 00:31:43.579
 This is something

00:31:43.579 --> 00:31:44.379
 that Christ has already

00:31:44.379 --> 00:31:46.039
 accomplished for us

00:31:46.039 --> 00:31:46.899
 who believe.

00:31:47.559 --> 00:31:48.460
 He's placed us

00:31:48.460 --> 00:31:49.619
 into a body

00:31:49.619 --> 00:31:51.220
 that you belong

00:31:51.220 --> 00:31:51.779
 to God.

00:31:52.679 --> 00:31:53.699
 And because you belong

00:31:53.699 --> 00:31:54.139
 to God,

00:31:54.220 --> 00:31:54.859
 you belong

00:31:54.859 --> 00:31:56.579
 to the body

00:31:56.579 --> 00:31:57.319
 of Christ.

00:31:57.399 --> 00:31:57.740
 You belong

00:31:57.740 --> 00:31:58.500
 to the people

00:31:58.500 --> 00:31:59.519
 who Christ

00:31:59.519 --> 00:32:00.240
 has drawn

00:32:00.240 --> 00:32:01.279
 into relationship

00:32:01.279 --> 00:32:02.140
 with Him.

00:32:03.640 --> 00:32:04.119
 And that while

00:32:04.119 --> 00:32:04.819
 Jesus came

00:32:04.819 --> 00:32:05.500
 in the flesh,

00:32:06.759 --> 00:32:08.279
 that the outworking

00:32:08.279 --> 00:32:09.700
 of this spiritual

00:32:09.700 --> 00:32:10.839
 life that He's

00:32:10.839 --> 00:32:11.680
 produced in us

00:32:11.680 --> 00:32:13.799
 also has a physical

00:32:13.799 --> 00:32:14.920
 dimension to it.

00:32:15.880 --> 00:32:16.599
 We see that

00:32:16.599 --> 00:32:17.960
 in Colossians 1,

00:32:18.119 --> 00:32:18.619
 verse 18

00:32:18.619 --> 00:32:19.200
 when it says,

00:32:19.660 --> 00:32:20.200
 and He

00:32:20.200 --> 00:32:21.519
 is the head

00:32:21.519 --> 00:32:21.980
 of the body,

00:32:22.079 --> 00:32:22.559
 the church.

00:32:23.079 --> 00:32:24.099
 He is the beginning,

00:32:24.299 --> 00:32:24.859
 the firstborn

00:32:24.859 --> 00:32:25.440
 from the dead,

00:32:25.440 --> 00:32:26.920
 that in everything

00:32:26.920 --> 00:32:28.500
 He might be

00:32:28.500 --> 00:32:29.039
 preeminent.

00:32:30.519 --> 00:32:31.799
 Jesus is the head

00:32:31.799 --> 00:32:32.840
 of the church.

00:32:33.660 --> 00:32:34.440
 He is the head

00:32:34.440 --> 00:32:35.059
 of the body.

00:32:35.660 --> 00:32:36.740
 He is preeminent.

00:32:36.860 --> 00:32:37.519
 He is overall.

00:32:37.840 --> 00:32:38.580
 He is the one

00:32:38.580 --> 00:32:39.779
 who has the right

00:32:39.779 --> 00:32:40.680
 to call the shots.

00:32:40.820 --> 00:32:41.460
 And because

00:32:41.460 --> 00:32:42.840
 He is the head

00:32:42.840 --> 00:32:44.220
 and we are the body,

00:32:44.620 --> 00:32:45.180
 the body

00:32:45.180 --> 00:32:47.080
 obeys the head.

00:32:47.460 --> 00:32:48.000
 That's our next

00:32:48.000 --> 00:32:48.660
 point here.

00:32:50.259 --> 00:32:50.700
 The churches

00:32:50.700 --> 00:32:51.420
 are those

00:32:51.420 --> 00:32:52.059
 who follow

00:32:52.059 --> 00:32:53.000
 Christ's instructions.

00:32:53.720 --> 00:32:54.380
 They follow

00:32:54.380 --> 00:32:55.540
 God's instructions

00:32:55.540 --> 00:32:56.380
 because He

00:32:56.380 --> 00:32:57.000
 is the head

00:32:57.000 --> 00:32:58.180
 and we belong

00:32:58.180 --> 00:32:58.680
 to Him

00:32:58.680 --> 00:32:59.320
 as the body.

00:33:00.140 --> 00:33:01.100
 And we saw

00:33:01.100 --> 00:33:01.560
 all these

00:33:01.560 --> 00:33:02.520
 one another commands

00:33:02.520 --> 00:33:03.600
 as we worked

00:33:03.600 --> 00:33:04.040
 through this

00:33:04.040 --> 00:33:04.640
 last week.

00:33:04.780 --> 00:33:05.400
 It is

00:33:05.400 --> 00:33:06.980
 encouraging

00:33:06.980 --> 00:33:07.960
 and overwhelming

00:33:07.960 --> 00:33:08.500
 the number

00:33:08.500 --> 00:33:08.920
 of things

00:33:08.920 --> 00:33:10.340
 that we are

00:33:10.340 --> 00:33:11.460
 called to do

00:33:11.460 --> 00:33:12.060
 for one another.

00:33:12.900 --> 00:33:13.660
 Bear one another's

00:33:13.660 --> 00:33:13.980
 burdens,

00:33:14.180 --> 00:33:15.420
 encourage one another,

00:33:15.720 --> 00:33:16.540
 care for one another,

00:33:16.720 --> 00:33:17.520
 admonish one another,

00:33:17.660 --> 00:33:18.460
 exhort one another.

00:33:19.740 --> 00:33:20.620
 And then we find

00:33:20.620 --> 00:33:21.340
 that this is

00:33:21.340 --> 00:33:21.980
 the will of God

00:33:21.980 --> 00:33:22.320
 for you.

00:33:23.140 --> 00:33:23.520
 This is what

00:33:23.519 --> 00:33:24.059
 God has called

00:33:24.059 --> 00:33:24.420
 us to.

00:33:25.379 --> 00:33:25.639
 You see,

00:33:25.700 --> 00:33:26.279
 the Lord Jesus

00:33:26.279 --> 00:33:28.000
 modeled a life

00:33:28.000 --> 00:33:29.279
 of perfect

00:33:29.279 --> 00:33:30.279
 submission to the

00:33:30.279 --> 00:33:30.579
 Father.

00:33:31.319 --> 00:33:31.980
 And He calls

00:33:31.980 --> 00:33:32.639
 us and

00:33:32.639 --> 00:33:34.980
 indwells us

00:33:34.980 --> 00:33:35.579
 with His Spirit.

00:33:35.680 --> 00:33:36.819
 He empowers us

00:33:36.819 --> 00:33:37.940
 to do this,

00:33:38.359 --> 00:33:38.940
 to carry out

00:33:38.940 --> 00:33:39.420
 these commands.

00:33:40.559 --> 00:33:41.099
 And so Christ

00:33:41.099 --> 00:33:41.839
 has given us

00:33:41.839 --> 00:33:42.779
 some commands.

00:33:42.960 --> 00:33:44.000
 John chapter 14

00:33:44.000 --> 00:33:45.059
 verse 15

00:33:45.059 --> 00:33:45.639
 says this,

00:33:45.639 --> 00:33:46.859
 If you love

00:33:46.859 --> 00:33:47.119
 me,

00:33:47.599 --> 00:33:48.539
 you will keep

00:33:48.539 --> 00:33:49.379
 my commandments.

00:33:50.859 --> 00:33:51.700
 Those who love

00:33:51.700 --> 00:33:52.119
 Jesus

00:33:52.119 --> 00:33:52.959
 will do

00:33:52.959 --> 00:33:53.339
 what Jesus

00:33:53.339 --> 00:33:53.779
 says.

00:33:54.919 --> 00:33:55.439
 And John

00:33:55.439 --> 00:33:56.359
 in his epistle

00:33:56.359 --> 00:33:56.979
 says this,

00:33:57.059 --> 00:33:57.939
 1 John chapter 5

00:33:57.939 --> 00:33:58.379
 verse 3,

00:33:58.839 --> 00:33:59.519
 For this is

00:33:59.519 --> 00:34:00.359
 the love of God,

00:34:00.759 --> 00:34:01.759
 that we keep

00:34:01.759 --> 00:34:02.500
 His commandments,

00:34:02.879 --> 00:34:03.819
 and His commandments

00:34:03.819 --> 00:34:05.099
 are not burdensome.

00:34:06.139 --> 00:34:06.500
 You see,

00:34:06.579 --> 00:34:07.259
 when you're in love

00:34:07.259 --> 00:34:07.839
 with someone,

00:34:08.400 --> 00:34:09.359
 doing hard things

00:34:09.359 --> 00:34:10.299
 is not so hard.

00:34:10.940 --> 00:34:11.400
 It becomes

00:34:11.400 --> 00:34:11.940
 pretty easy.

00:34:12.559 --> 00:34:12.980
 And the more

00:34:12.980 --> 00:34:13.779
 we grow in love

00:34:13.779 --> 00:34:14.559
 for our Lord Jesus,

00:34:14.900 --> 00:34:15.659
 the easier

00:34:15.659 --> 00:34:16.940
 obedience becomes.

00:34:17.659 --> 00:34:18.559
 It's not burdensome.

00:34:18.659 --> 00:34:19.000
 It's something

00:34:19.000 --> 00:34:19.920
 that we delight in,

00:34:19.980 --> 00:34:20.799
 something we enjoy.

00:34:20.800 --> 00:34:22.420
 fourth,

00:34:22.580 --> 00:34:23.940
 those who are

00:34:23.940 --> 00:34:24.640
 part of the church

00:34:24.640 --> 00:34:25.180
 are those who

00:34:25.180 --> 00:34:26.880
 pursue spiritual

00:34:26.880 --> 00:34:27.640
 maturity.

00:34:28.320 --> 00:34:28.880
 They pursue

00:34:28.880 --> 00:34:29.860
 spiritual maturity

00:34:29.860 --> 00:34:31.220
 because the word

00:34:31.220 --> 00:34:32.000
 of God is living.

00:34:32.400 --> 00:34:33.220
 It's active.

00:34:33.360 --> 00:34:33.900
 It's sharper

00:34:33.900 --> 00:34:35.160
 than a two-edged sword.

00:34:35.380 --> 00:34:36.539
 And because the word

00:34:36.539 --> 00:34:37.580
 of God is living

00:34:37.580 --> 00:34:39.539
 and it comes

00:34:39.539 --> 00:34:40.680
 and does something

00:34:40.680 --> 00:34:42.000
 for His people,

00:34:42.080 --> 00:34:42.820
 it creates

00:34:42.820 --> 00:34:44.260
 living creatures.

00:34:45.140 --> 00:34:46.080
 People who are alive.

00:34:46.400 --> 00:34:47.180
 People who grow.

00:34:47.580 --> 00:34:48.140
 People who are

00:34:48.140 --> 00:34:48.680
 stimulated.

00:34:48.679 --> 00:34:50.099
 People who grow

00:34:50.099 --> 00:34:51.539
 in spiritual maturity

00:34:51.539 --> 00:34:53.039
 and love for God

00:34:53.039 --> 00:34:54.599
 and love for one another.

00:34:55.480 --> 00:34:56.239
 We see that

00:34:56.239 --> 00:34:57.879
 in Ephesians 4,

00:34:57.980 --> 00:34:58.960
 verse 15 and 16.

00:34:59.779 --> 00:35:00.119
 It says,

00:35:00.239 --> 00:35:00.440
 Rather,

00:35:01.019 --> 00:35:02.039
 speaking the truth

00:35:02.039 --> 00:35:02.579
 in love,

00:35:03.159 --> 00:35:03.940
 we are to grow up

00:35:03.940 --> 00:35:04.440
 in every way

00:35:04.440 --> 00:35:04.899
 into Him

00:35:04.899 --> 00:35:05.559
 who is the head,

00:35:05.960 --> 00:35:06.819
 into Christ,

00:35:07.559 --> 00:35:08.739
 from whom the whole body,

00:35:09.159 --> 00:35:10.219
 joined and held together

00:35:10.219 --> 00:35:12.079
 by every joint

00:35:12.079 --> 00:35:13.359
 with which it is equipped,

00:35:13.500 --> 00:35:14.500
 when each part

00:35:14.500 --> 00:35:15.659
 is working properly,

00:35:16.019 --> 00:35:17.359
 makes the body grow

00:35:17.360 --> 00:35:18.380
 so that it builds

00:35:18.380 --> 00:35:19.800
 itself up in love.

00:35:20.579 --> 00:35:21.579
 Do you see all those

00:35:21.579 --> 00:35:22.860
 connective,

00:35:23.340 --> 00:35:23.920
 living,

00:35:24.220 --> 00:35:25.660
 active kinds of words?

00:35:26.460 --> 00:35:27.559
 That the church

00:35:27.559 --> 00:35:29.059
 is growing up.

00:35:29.420 --> 00:35:29.940
 The church

00:35:29.940 --> 00:35:31.440
 is joined together.

00:35:31.860 --> 00:35:32.240
 The church

00:35:32.240 --> 00:35:32.920
 is equipped

00:35:32.920 --> 00:35:34.280
 and working properly.

00:35:34.519 --> 00:35:35.140
 The church

00:35:35.140 --> 00:35:35.960
 is the one

00:35:35.960 --> 00:35:36.840
 who is making

00:35:36.840 --> 00:35:37.640
 the body grow

00:35:37.640 --> 00:35:39.140
 and it's all bound together,

00:35:39.280 --> 00:35:39.720
 starting

00:35:39.720 --> 00:35:40.700
 and finishing

00:35:40.700 --> 00:35:41.800
 with love.

00:35:42.539 --> 00:35:43.720
 That we grow

00:35:43.720 --> 00:35:44.340
 in love.

00:35:44.680 --> 00:35:45.079
 We grow

00:35:45.079 --> 00:35:46.699
 in spiritual maturity

00:35:46.699 --> 00:35:48.039
 as we're growing

00:35:48.039 --> 00:35:48.559
 in Christ.

00:35:48.799 --> 00:35:49.099
 Fifth,

00:35:49.460 --> 00:35:50.059
 those who are part

00:35:50.059 --> 00:35:50.500
 of the church

00:35:50.500 --> 00:35:51.420
 are those who accept

00:35:51.420 --> 00:35:52.900
 personal accountability.

00:35:53.799 --> 00:35:54.279
 They accept

00:35:54.279 --> 00:35:55.400
 personal accountability.

00:35:56.440 --> 00:35:56.679
 You see,

00:35:56.759 --> 00:35:58.199
 there are real instructions

00:35:58.199 --> 00:36:00.299
 in how to engage

00:36:00.299 --> 00:36:00.739
 one another,

00:36:00.799 --> 00:36:02.299
 not only in caring

00:36:02.299 --> 00:36:03.699
 for one another's needs,

00:36:04.059 --> 00:36:04.799
 but especially

00:36:04.799 --> 00:36:05.659
 in how to protect

00:36:05.659 --> 00:36:06.119
 one another

00:36:06.119 --> 00:36:07.920
 from the dangers

00:36:07.920 --> 00:36:08.699
 of sin.

00:36:09.500 --> 00:36:09.980
 We're told

00:36:09.980 --> 00:36:10.599
 to exhort

00:36:10.599 --> 00:36:11.099
 one another.

00:36:11.719 --> 00:36:12.099
 We're told

00:36:12.099 --> 00:36:12.679
 to encourage.

00:36:12.679 --> 00:36:13.679
 We're told

00:36:13.679 --> 00:36:14.619
 to admonish

00:36:14.619 --> 00:36:15.319
 one another.

00:36:15.799 --> 00:36:16.319
 We're told

00:36:16.319 --> 00:36:16.980
 to restore

00:36:16.980 --> 00:36:17.440
 one another

00:36:17.440 --> 00:36:18.379
 in the spirit

00:36:18.379 --> 00:36:18.980
 of gentleness.

00:36:19.779 --> 00:36:20.319
 We're told

00:36:20.319 --> 00:36:21.219
 to rebuke

00:36:21.219 --> 00:36:21.819
 one another.

00:36:22.259 --> 00:36:22.559
 We're told

00:36:22.559 --> 00:36:23.199
 to strengthen

00:36:23.199 --> 00:36:23.599
 one another.

00:36:23.619 --> 00:36:24.460
 All of these words

00:36:24.460 --> 00:36:25.519
 that have

00:36:25.519 --> 00:36:26.079
 accountability

00:36:26.079 --> 00:36:27.079
 in mind.

00:36:27.899 --> 00:36:28.460
 And those of you

00:36:28.460 --> 00:36:29.119
 who are parents

00:36:29.119 --> 00:36:29.719
 understand

00:36:29.719 --> 00:36:30.739
 how this works.

00:36:31.259 --> 00:36:31.799
 That fathers

00:36:31.799 --> 00:36:33.399
 are to raise up

00:36:33.399 --> 00:36:34.579
 their children

00:36:34.579 --> 00:36:35.299
 in the nurture

00:36:35.299 --> 00:36:36.099
 and admonition

00:36:36.099 --> 00:36:36.519
 of the Lord.

00:36:36.599 --> 00:36:37.119
 There's some

00:36:37.119 --> 00:36:38.399
 accountability there.

00:36:38.519 --> 00:36:39.739
 There's some

00:36:39.739 --> 00:36:41.059
 instruction there.

00:36:41.379 --> 00:36:42.239
 There's responsibility

00:36:42.239 --> 00:36:43.099
 of parents

00:36:43.099 --> 00:36:44.079
 to their kids

00:36:44.079 --> 00:36:45.159
 to help them grow.

00:36:46.299 --> 00:36:46.879
 And as spiritual

00:36:46.879 --> 00:36:47.119
 leaders,

00:36:47.219 --> 00:36:48.219
 we have a responsibility

00:36:48.219 --> 00:36:48.799
 to you.

00:36:49.059 --> 00:36:50.159
 And as part

00:36:50.159 --> 00:36:50.779
 of the body,

00:36:50.979 --> 00:36:51.919
 you have a responsibility

00:36:51.919 --> 00:36:53.139
 to one another.

00:36:54.519 --> 00:36:55.239
 Hebrews 13,

00:36:55.359 --> 00:36:56.199
 17 says this,

00:36:56.239 --> 00:36:56.979
 Obey your leaders

00:36:56.979 --> 00:36:58.879
 and submit to them

00:36:58.879 --> 00:37:00.159
 for they are keeping

00:37:00.159 --> 00:37:01.479
 watch over your souls

00:37:01.479 --> 00:37:02.239
 as those

00:37:02.239 --> 00:37:03.359
 who will have

00:37:03.359 --> 00:37:04.159
 to give an account.

00:37:04.639 --> 00:37:05.500
 Let them do it

00:37:05.500 --> 00:37:06.199
 with joy

00:37:06.199 --> 00:37:07.439
 and not with groaning

00:37:07.439 --> 00:37:09.079
 for that would be

00:37:09.079 --> 00:37:09.759
 of no advantage

00:37:09.759 --> 00:37:10.179
 to you.

00:37:10.179 --> 00:37:12.159
 God has put us

00:37:12.159 --> 00:37:13.299
 in community

00:37:13.299 --> 00:37:14.879
 with one another

00:37:14.879 --> 00:37:15.559
 for the sake

00:37:15.559 --> 00:37:17.299
 of spiritual protection

00:37:17.299 --> 00:37:18.819
 and safety

00:37:18.819 --> 00:37:20.519
 and flourishing

00:37:20.519 --> 00:37:22.319
 and we have a responsibility

00:37:22.319 --> 00:37:23.879
 to be accountable

00:37:23.879 --> 00:37:24.440
 to one another

00:37:24.440 --> 00:37:24.960
 in that way.

00:37:25.319 --> 00:37:25.799
 Sixth,

00:37:26.219 --> 00:37:26.739
 those who are part

00:37:26.739 --> 00:37:27.119
 of the church

00:37:27.119 --> 00:37:28.019
 are those who exercise

00:37:28.019 --> 00:37:29.219
 their spiritual gifts.

00:37:30.019 --> 00:37:30.619
 We saw that

00:37:30.619 --> 00:37:31.099
 at the beginning

00:37:31.099 --> 00:37:32.259
 of chapter 2 in Acts.

00:37:32.539 --> 00:37:33.480
 We saw this church

00:37:33.480 --> 00:37:34.039
 that was indwelt

00:37:34.039 --> 00:37:34.839
 by the Holy Spirit

00:37:34.839 --> 00:37:35.319
 and what do they do?

00:37:35.319 --> 00:37:36.519
 They start practicing

00:37:36.519 --> 00:37:37.619
 spiritual gifts

00:37:37.619 --> 00:37:38.980
 that God has given us

00:37:38.980 --> 00:37:40.239
 as believers

00:37:40.239 --> 00:37:41.639
 a gift

00:37:41.639 --> 00:37:42.719
 through the indwelling

00:37:42.719 --> 00:37:44.319
 power of His Spirit.

00:37:45.019 --> 00:37:45.639
 It's not meant

00:37:45.639 --> 00:37:46.900
 to be put on the shelf.

00:37:47.059 --> 00:37:47.539
 It's meant

00:37:47.539 --> 00:37:48.420
 to be put to work.

00:37:50.039 --> 00:37:51.179
 God has given us

00:37:51.179 --> 00:37:54.099
 this great responsibility

00:37:54.099 --> 00:37:54.739
 and privilege.

00:37:55.359 --> 00:37:55.920
 We find that

00:37:55.920 --> 00:37:57.019
 in 1 Peter 4

00:37:57.019 --> 00:37:58.019
 verses 10 and 11.

00:37:58.139 --> 00:37:58.819
 It says this,

00:37:59.619 --> 00:38:00.940
 As each has received

00:38:00.940 --> 00:38:01.420
 a gift,

00:38:01.420 --> 00:38:02.279
 use it

00:38:02.279 --> 00:38:03.699
 to serve one another

00:38:03.699 --> 00:38:05.480
 as good stewards

00:38:05.480 --> 00:38:06.799
 of God's very grace.

00:38:07.619 --> 00:38:08.319
 Whoever speaks

00:38:08.319 --> 00:38:09.079
 is one who speaks

00:38:09.079 --> 00:38:09.859
 oracles of God.

00:38:10.139 --> 00:38:10.880
 Whoever serves

00:38:10.880 --> 00:38:11.819
 is one who serves

00:38:11.819 --> 00:38:12.559
 by the strength

00:38:12.559 --> 00:38:13.739
 that God supplies

00:38:13.739 --> 00:38:15.099
 in order that

00:38:15.099 --> 00:38:16.440
 in everything,

00:38:16.819 --> 00:38:17.440
 here it is,

00:38:17.480 --> 00:38:17.940
 the goal,

00:38:18.339 --> 00:38:19.859
 God may be glorified

00:38:19.859 --> 00:38:21.359
 through Jesus Christ.

00:38:22.199 --> 00:38:23.019
 To Him belong

00:38:23.019 --> 00:38:25.159
 glory and dominion

00:38:25.159 --> 00:38:26.079
 forever and ever.

00:38:26.980 --> 00:38:27.839
 We exercise

00:38:27.839 --> 00:38:28.599
 our spiritual gifts

00:38:28.599 --> 00:38:29.960
 not just because

00:38:29.960 --> 00:38:30.699
 we have them,

00:38:31.319 --> 00:38:32.059
 but we do it

00:38:32.059 --> 00:38:33.539
 because of the glory

00:38:33.539 --> 00:38:34.299
 of God.

00:38:34.380 --> 00:38:34.839
 And finally,

00:38:35.699 --> 00:38:36.259
 those who are part

00:38:36.259 --> 00:38:36.619
 of the church

00:38:36.619 --> 00:38:37.339
 are those who make

00:38:37.340 --> 00:38:38.840
 the gospel visible.

00:38:39.720 --> 00:38:41.200
 They make the gospel visible.

00:38:42.280 --> 00:38:42.660
 You see,

00:38:43.780 --> 00:38:45.160
 our belonging together,

00:38:45.280 --> 00:38:46.200
 our togetherness,

00:38:46.660 --> 00:38:47.720
 helps to reinforce

00:38:47.720 --> 00:38:49.880
 what Christ has accomplished

00:38:49.880 --> 00:38:52.579
 through His work.

00:38:53.200 --> 00:38:54.100
 If His work

00:38:54.100 --> 00:38:55.940
 of dying on the cross

00:38:55.940 --> 00:38:57.360
 and rising again

00:38:57.360 --> 00:38:58.660
 brings unity

00:38:58.660 --> 00:38:59.860
 to the church,

00:39:00.519 --> 00:39:02.039
 then we demonstrate

00:39:02.039 --> 00:39:03.360
 the outworking

00:39:03.360 --> 00:39:05.160
 of that gospel power

00:39:05.159 --> 00:39:07.119
 by being together,

00:39:07.299 --> 00:39:08.059
 belonging together.

00:39:09.099 --> 00:39:10.079
 John chapter 17

00:39:10.079 --> 00:39:11.019
 verses 20 and 21

00:39:11.019 --> 00:39:11.699
 says this,

00:39:12.799 --> 00:39:14.319
 this is Christ's prayer,

00:39:14.539 --> 00:39:15.699
 I do not ask

00:39:15.699 --> 00:39:16.420
 for these only,

00:39:16.980 --> 00:39:17.879
 but also for those

00:39:17.879 --> 00:39:18.779
 who believe in me

00:39:18.779 --> 00:39:19.759
 through their word,

00:39:19.920 --> 00:39:21.000
 that they may all

00:39:21.000 --> 00:39:21.500
 be one,

00:39:21.619 --> 00:39:22.279
 just as you,

00:39:22.460 --> 00:39:22.679
 Father,

00:39:23.099 --> 00:39:23.879
 are in me

00:39:23.879 --> 00:39:25.099
 and I in you,

00:39:25.099 --> 00:39:26.299
 that they also

00:39:26.299 --> 00:39:27.179
 may be in us,

00:39:27.319 --> 00:39:28.279
 so that the world

00:39:28.279 --> 00:39:28.899
 may believe

00:39:28.899 --> 00:39:30.399
 that you have sent me.

00:39:30.400 --> 00:39:32.800
 The power of the gospel

00:39:32.800 --> 00:39:34.639
 that's noticeable,

00:39:35.220 --> 00:39:35.980
 observable

00:39:35.980 --> 00:39:37.500
 through a people

00:39:37.500 --> 00:39:38.980
 who are united together.

00:39:40.139 --> 00:39:41.180
 So this group

00:39:41.180 --> 00:39:42.420
 of gathered believers

00:39:42.420 --> 00:39:42.940
 are here

00:39:42.940 --> 00:39:44.900
 not just loosely affiliated,

00:39:45.119 --> 00:39:46.760
 they're gathered together

00:39:46.760 --> 00:39:47.980
 as those who are connected,

00:39:48.539 --> 00:39:49.380
 who are bound,

00:39:49.559 --> 00:39:51.139
 who have this obligation

00:39:51.139 --> 00:39:51.860
 to one another.

00:39:53.220 --> 00:39:54.019
 And so membership

00:39:54.019 --> 00:39:55.220
 then becomes

00:39:55.220 --> 00:39:56.619
 a visible expression

00:39:56.619 --> 00:39:58.420
 of our belonging together.

00:39:58.420 --> 00:40:00.639
 membership is a way

00:40:00.639 --> 00:40:01.340
 for us to say,

00:40:02.139 --> 00:40:03.079
 God has not just

00:40:03.079 --> 00:40:04.639
 accomplished something,

00:40:05.280 --> 00:40:06.159
 but we recognize

00:40:06.159 --> 00:40:07.220
 the importance

00:40:07.220 --> 00:40:08.700
 of what he's done

00:40:08.700 --> 00:40:10.539
 and we want to affirm

00:40:10.539 --> 00:40:12.420
 that in our expression

00:40:12.420 --> 00:40:14.380
 of opting in

00:40:14.380 --> 00:40:15.460
 and becoming

00:40:15.460 --> 00:40:16.920
 a visible part,

00:40:17.200 --> 00:40:18.240
 an active part

00:40:18.240 --> 00:40:19.119
 of the fellowship

00:40:19.119 --> 00:40:20.059
 that God has already

00:40:20.059 --> 00:40:21.240
 connected us to.

00:40:22.740 --> 00:40:23.720
 Many of you heard

00:40:23.720 --> 00:40:24.300
 the expression,

00:40:24.539 --> 00:40:24.840
 membership

00:40:24.840 --> 00:40:26.440
 has its privileges,

00:40:26.700 --> 00:40:26.920
 right?

00:40:26.920 --> 00:40:29.579
 And we're acquainted

00:40:29.579 --> 00:40:30.119
 with membership.

00:40:30.380 --> 00:40:31.059
 You'll either have

00:40:31.059 --> 00:40:32.400
 gym memberships

00:40:32.400 --> 00:40:35.519
 or shopping memberships

00:40:35.519 --> 00:40:37.840
 or phone plans,

00:40:37.920 --> 00:40:38.860
 whatever memberships

00:40:38.860 --> 00:40:39.519
 you're a part of,

00:40:39.579 --> 00:40:40.860
 but those memberships

00:40:40.860 --> 00:40:43.240
 in this day and age

00:40:43.240 --> 00:40:44.860
 have a purpose.

00:40:45.280 --> 00:40:46.440
 It gives us access,

00:40:46.659 --> 00:40:48.079
 it gives us discounts,

00:40:48.260 --> 00:40:49.240
 it gives us convenience,

00:40:49.820 --> 00:40:50.780
 but as long as

00:40:50.780 --> 00:40:51.680
 those memberships

00:40:51.680 --> 00:40:52.460
 serve us well,

00:40:52.500 --> 00:40:53.099
 we keep them.

00:40:53.900 --> 00:40:54.720
 But as soon as

00:40:54.720 --> 00:40:55.500
 those memberships

00:40:55.500 --> 00:40:56.519
 no longer serve us

00:40:56.519 --> 00:40:58.139
 the way we want to,

00:40:58.260 --> 00:40:59.099
 we opt out

00:40:59.099 --> 00:41:00.579
 and we switch allegiance.

00:41:01.320 --> 00:41:01.820
 That's kind of

00:41:01.820 --> 00:41:02.320
 what we've been

00:41:02.320 --> 00:41:04.099
 conditioned to do

00:41:04.099 --> 00:41:04.960
 as it relates

00:41:04.960 --> 00:41:05.539
 to membership

00:41:05.539 --> 00:41:06.340
 in the world.

00:41:07.000 --> 00:41:07.920
 But the membership

00:41:07.920 --> 00:41:09.960
 that Christ has created

00:41:09.960 --> 00:41:11.639
 is a membership

00:41:11.639 --> 00:41:12.559
 of belonging

00:41:12.559 --> 00:41:13.480
 that happens

00:41:13.480 --> 00:41:15.260
 as long as we are

00:41:15.260 --> 00:41:16.880
 a part of the family

00:41:16.880 --> 00:41:17.400
 of God.

00:41:18.059 --> 00:41:18.860
 And as long as God

00:41:18.860 --> 00:41:19.760
 has put us in

00:41:19.760 --> 00:41:21.500
 community with one another.

00:41:22.039 --> 00:41:22.559
 There is

00:41:22.559 --> 00:41:24.159
 the universal church

00:41:24.159 --> 00:41:24.659
 as it were.

00:41:24.879 --> 00:41:26.139
 We belong to Christ.

00:41:26.359 --> 00:41:27.299
 We belong to all

00:41:27.299 --> 00:41:27.839
 the believers

00:41:27.839 --> 00:41:29.599
 that are in the world.

00:41:29.719 --> 00:41:31.079
 But we recognize

00:41:31.079 --> 00:41:32.059
 the beauty

00:41:32.059 --> 00:41:32.799
 and uniqueness

00:41:32.799 --> 00:41:34.659
 of the local fellowships

00:41:34.659 --> 00:41:36.420
 that God has put us

00:41:36.420 --> 00:41:38.059
 in connection with

00:41:38.059 --> 00:41:40.179
 and the joy

00:41:40.179 --> 00:41:41.599
 of demonstrating

00:41:41.599 --> 00:41:42.379
 that commitment

00:41:42.379 --> 00:41:44.440
 to that local fellowship

00:41:44.440 --> 00:41:45.960
 through membership.

00:41:47.639 --> 00:41:48.839
 One of the statistics

00:41:48.839 --> 00:41:50.259
 that I found

00:41:50.259 --> 00:41:51.199
 from the Gallup poll

00:41:51.199 --> 00:41:52.879
 is that in 2023

00:41:52.879 --> 00:41:55.439
 only 45%

00:41:55.439 --> 00:41:56.339
 of Americans

00:41:56.339 --> 00:41:57.719
 said they belonged

00:41:57.719 --> 00:41:58.679
 to a formal

00:41:58.679 --> 00:41:59.859
 house of worship.

00:42:00.439 --> 00:42:01.159
 That doesn't even

00:42:01.159 --> 00:42:02.779
 include membership.

00:42:02.939 --> 00:42:03.919
 But in their minds

00:42:03.919 --> 00:42:05.439
 they were a part

00:42:05.439 --> 00:42:06.439
 of a fellowship.

00:42:07.699 --> 00:42:09.079
 That is down

00:42:09.079 --> 00:42:11.639
 from 73%

00:42:11.639 --> 00:42:13.839
 in 1937

00:42:13.839 --> 00:42:16.359
 and 70%

00:42:16.359 --> 00:42:17.179
 as recently

00:42:17.179 --> 00:42:18.699
 as 1999.

00:42:18.699 --> 00:42:21.199
 That is the spirit

00:42:21.199 --> 00:42:21.799
 of the age

00:42:21.799 --> 00:42:23.179
 to be disconnected

00:42:23.179 --> 00:42:23.980
 to be autonomous

00:42:23.980 --> 00:42:25.319
 to be independent.

00:42:26.379 --> 00:42:27.339
 But these people

00:42:27.339 --> 00:42:28.699
 in Acts chapter 2

00:42:28.699 --> 00:42:29.699
 understood

00:42:29.699 --> 00:42:31.719
 that the church

00:42:31.719 --> 00:42:32.359
 was something

00:42:32.359 --> 00:42:33.339
 entirely different.

00:42:34.159 --> 00:42:35.019
 It was not a product

00:42:35.019 --> 00:42:35.919
 to consume.

00:42:36.579 --> 00:42:37.419
 It wasn't a club

00:42:37.419 --> 00:42:38.019
 to sample.

00:42:38.339 --> 00:42:39.119
 It wasn't a place

00:42:39.119 --> 00:42:39.799
 just to access

00:42:39.799 --> 00:42:40.779
 with benefits

00:42:40.779 --> 00:42:42.039
 but a body

00:42:42.039 --> 00:42:43.019
 to belong to.

00:42:44.239 --> 00:42:44.960
 In a world

00:42:44.960 --> 00:42:45.879
 that idolizes

00:42:45.879 --> 00:42:46.739
 independence

00:42:46.739 --> 00:42:47.539
 and freedom

00:42:47.539 --> 00:42:48.539
 and autonomy

00:42:48.539 --> 00:42:50.139
 membership says

00:42:50.139 --> 00:42:50.939
 something entirely

00:42:50.939 --> 00:42:51.419
 different.

00:42:52.059 --> 00:42:52.579
 It says

00:42:52.579 --> 00:42:53.839
 I want to live

00:42:53.839 --> 00:42:55.019
 the Christian life

00:42:55.019 --> 00:42:55.579
 together.

00:42:56.799 --> 00:42:57.479
 I want

00:42:57.479 --> 00:42:58.219
 to live

00:42:58.219 --> 00:42:59.119
 the Christian life

00:42:59.119 --> 00:43:00.039
 and not

00:43:00.039 --> 00:43:01.239
 remain autonomous.

00:43:01.959 --> 00:43:03.119
 Not to remain

00:43:03.119 --> 00:43:03.679
 unknown.

00:43:04.119 --> 00:43:05.159
 Not to avoid

00:43:05.159 --> 00:43:05.859
 obligation.

00:43:06.059 --> 00:43:06.919
 I want to be

00:43:06.919 --> 00:43:08.000
 connected to

00:43:08.000 --> 00:43:09.199
 the body

00:43:09.199 --> 00:43:09.799
 that Christ

00:43:09.799 --> 00:43:11.239
 has connected

00:43:11.239 --> 00:43:11.659
 me to.

00:43:12.459 --> 00:43:12.939
 I want to be

00:43:12.939 --> 00:43:13.979
 joined to Christ's

00:43:13.979 --> 00:43:14.539
 people in a way

00:43:14.539 --> 00:43:15.179
 that is visible

00:43:15.179 --> 00:43:16.179
 and meaningful.

00:43:17.419 --> 00:43:17.759
 So I would

00:43:17.759 --> 00:43:18.179
 encourage

00:43:18.179 --> 00:43:18.940
 those of you

00:43:18.940 --> 00:43:19.960
 who are part

00:43:19.960 --> 00:43:21.179
 of this fellowship

00:43:21.179 --> 00:43:22.019
 to demonstrate

00:43:22.019 --> 00:43:23.299
 the beauty

00:43:23.299 --> 00:43:24.379
 of what Christ

00:43:24.379 --> 00:43:24.879
 has accomplished

00:43:24.879 --> 00:43:26.000
 and to carry out

00:43:26.000 --> 00:43:26.539
 the purposes

00:43:26.539 --> 00:43:27.000
 that God

00:43:27.000 --> 00:43:27.799
 has given to us.

00:43:28.579 --> 00:43:29.119
 For those of you

00:43:29.119 --> 00:43:29.659
 who are still

00:43:29.659 --> 00:43:30.219
 unsure

00:43:30.219 --> 00:43:31.539
 we have several

00:43:31.539 --> 00:43:32.659
 resources in the

00:43:32.659 --> 00:43:32.960
 back

00:43:32.960 --> 00:43:34.299
 as you're walking

00:43:34.299 --> 00:43:35.199
 out towards the

00:43:35.199 --> 00:43:35.480
 lobby.

00:43:35.619 --> 00:43:35.879
 I want to

00:43:35.879 --> 00:43:36.359
 encourage you

00:43:36.359 --> 00:43:37.460
 to look at those.

00:43:37.559 --> 00:43:37.980
 Some of those

00:43:37.980 --> 00:43:39.079
 are free resources.

00:43:39.639 --> 00:43:40.039
 Some of them

00:43:40.039 --> 00:43:40.500
 are not

00:43:40.500 --> 00:43:41.819
 but they're very

00:43:41.819 --> 00:43:42.659
 helpful in just

00:43:42.659 --> 00:43:43.000
 helping.

00:43:43.279 --> 00:43:44.099
 What is membership?

00:43:44.259 --> 00:43:44.819
 What's it about?

00:43:44.820 --> 00:43:45.420
 Why is it

00:43:45.420 --> 00:43:45.860
 important?

00:43:46.559 --> 00:43:46.860
 And is this

00:43:46.860 --> 00:43:47.620
 something that I

00:43:47.620 --> 00:43:48.200
 should consider?

00:43:49.660 --> 00:43:50.300
 It's been

00:43:50.300 --> 00:43:51.780
 a good

00:43:51.780 --> 00:43:52.940
 it's been good

00:43:52.940 --> 00:43:53.400
 for my own

00:43:53.400 --> 00:43:53.900
 heart to

00:43:53.900 --> 00:43:55.420
 remind myself

00:43:55.420 --> 00:43:56.600
 of what is

00:43:56.600 --> 00:43:57.140
 the church

00:43:57.140 --> 00:43:58.840
 and what is

00:43:58.840 --> 00:43:59.440
 my commitment

00:43:59.440 --> 00:44:00.120
 to the people

00:44:00.120 --> 00:44:00.480
 that God

00:44:00.480 --> 00:44:01.059
 has put me

00:44:01.059 --> 00:44:02.380
 in community

00:44:02.380 --> 00:44:02.800
 with.

00:44:03.300 --> 00:44:03.700
 May God

00:44:03.700 --> 00:44:04.360
 help us

00:44:04.360 --> 00:44:05.380
 as we

00:44:05.380 --> 00:44:06.059
 consider

00:44:06.059 --> 00:44:07.120
 his word

00:44:07.120 --> 00:44:08.140
 and apply it

00:44:08.140 --> 00:44:08.660
 to our lives.

00:44:08.740 --> 00:44:09.100
 Let's pray.

00:44:10.120 --> 00:44:11.039
 Father thank you

00:44:11.039 --> 00:44:12.380
 for the scripture.

00:44:13.380 --> 00:44:14.140
 Thank you for

00:44:14.139 --> 00:44:16.579
 stimulating us

00:44:16.579 --> 00:44:17.659
 in such a way

00:44:17.659 --> 00:44:19.619
 convicting us

00:44:19.619 --> 00:44:20.619
 in such a way

00:44:20.619 --> 00:44:21.900
 that reminds us

00:44:21.900 --> 00:44:22.480
 of our

00:44:22.480 --> 00:44:23.239
 responsibility

00:44:23.239 --> 00:44:25.099
 first to you

00:44:25.099 --> 00:44:26.359
 in bringing glory

00:44:26.359 --> 00:44:26.799
 to you

00:44:26.799 --> 00:44:27.759
 but also

00:44:27.759 --> 00:44:29.119
 our responsibility

00:44:29.119 --> 00:44:29.859
 to the people

00:44:29.859 --> 00:44:30.359
 you put us

00:44:30.359 --> 00:44:30.779
 in fellowship

00:44:30.779 --> 00:44:31.159
 with.

00:44:32.099 --> 00:44:32.519
 May we

00:44:32.519 --> 00:44:33.099
 please you

00:44:33.099 --> 00:44:34.460
 and may we

00:44:34.460 --> 00:44:35.299
 be used of you

00:44:35.299 --> 00:44:36.099
 in a way

00:44:36.099 --> 00:44:37.339
 that makes the

00:44:37.339 --> 00:44:38.079
 gospel look

00:44:38.079 --> 00:44:38.799
 beautiful

00:44:38.799 --> 00:44:39.679
 and our savior

00:44:39.679 --> 00:44:40.759
 look precious.

00:44:40.760 --> 00:44:41.700
 we pray

00:44:41.700 --> 00:44:42.560
 these things

00:44:42.560 --> 00:44:42.980
 in Jesus

00:44:42.980 --> 00:44:43.340
 name.

00:44:43.600 --> 00:44:43.820
 Amen.

00:44:44.460 --> 00:44:45.040
 God bless you.

00:44:45.400 --> 00:44:46.020
 Have a great week.

00:44:46.719 --> 00:44:46.719


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00:44:46.719 --> 00:44:46.719


00:44:46.719 --> 00:45:16.699
 Thank you.