WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:04.400 I find where you can bring your own personal requests and prayers. 00:00:06.400 --> 00:00:10.460 So let's pray together now, let's talk to God. 00:00:14.980 --> 00:00:19.660 Our Father, we thank you for the world in which we live, 00:00:20.719 --> 00:00:23.640 for the beauty of your creation, 00:00:25.760 --> 00:00:29.140 for the provision of all that we have every day. 00:00:30.000 --> 00:00:34.960 We thank you for your control, for your rule. 00:00:36.799 --> 00:00:41.980 We thank you so much for the things that we can enjoy in this world. 00:00:43.480 --> 00:00:47.060 But yet we recognize when we look out into the world, 00:00:47.140 --> 00:00:51.920 as we listen to our news, we see that not only is it a place of beauty, 00:00:53.000 --> 00:00:55.719 but it is a place that is terribly broken, 00:00:55.719 --> 00:01:00.719 where people are living in rebellion against you, 00:01:01.679 --> 00:01:05.959 which we see in wars, we see in famine, 00:01:06.780 --> 00:01:09.200 we see in so much destruction. 00:01:09.200 --> 00:01:15.060 And so today we pray especially for the country of Syria. 00:01:16.460 --> 00:01:21.000 We pray for an end of the violence and the bloodshed. 00:01:21.000 --> 00:01:29.040 we pray for an end of the rule upon the people 00:01:29.040 --> 00:01:33.359 that is causing so much pain and so much suffering. 00:01:33.359 --> 00:01:37.680 And we pray that in its place, 00:01:38.739 --> 00:01:40.180 there would be a new leadership, 00:01:40.780 --> 00:01:41.539 a new government 00:01:41.539 --> 00:01:46.980 that would not only seek justice and peace, 00:01:47.980 --> 00:01:51.400 a government that would not only seek 00:01:51.400 --> 00:01:53.939 what is right and best for the most vulnerable, 00:01:53.939 --> 00:01:58.920 but leaders who would seek to follow the way of God 00:01:58.920 --> 00:02:02.379 and would lead people towards the Lord Jesus. 00:02:05.319 --> 00:02:07.799 We pray for the church in that country, 00:02:08.219 --> 00:02:09.379 for all the believers, 00:02:09.599 --> 00:02:11.319 for all those who know you and love you, 00:02:11.840 --> 00:02:13.479 that you would give to them courage 00:02:13.479 --> 00:02:16.159 to be peacemakers, 00:02:17.159 --> 00:02:20.400 to speak the truth of peace 00:02:20.400 --> 00:02:23.159 rather than taking up arms. 00:02:23.939 --> 00:02:27.579 So we pray, Father, 00:02:27.659 --> 00:02:30.379 that you would intervene into that land 00:02:30.379 --> 00:02:34.259 and the many nations surrounding that area too. 00:02:35.840 --> 00:02:38.240 Not only that, we pray for our own country. 00:02:38.400 --> 00:02:40.060 We thank you for all the privileges 00:02:40.060 --> 00:02:41.960 and the benefits that we enjoy. 00:02:42.460 --> 00:02:45.099 While we recognize there is hard times 00:02:45.099 --> 00:02:46.979 and economic difficulties, 00:02:47.219 --> 00:02:48.460 we praise you and thank you 00:02:48.460 --> 00:02:49.819 for the things that we do have, 00:02:49.900 --> 00:02:50.780 for our education, 00:02:51.560 --> 00:02:52.400 for our health, 00:02:52.400 --> 00:02:54.060 for benefits, 00:02:54.219 --> 00:02:54.740 for care, 00:02:55.039 --> 00:02:58.420 for the freedom that we have to meet together 00:02:58.420 --> 00:03:00.200 without fear of any authority, 00:03:00.840 --> 00:03:03.200 coming to shut this meeting down 00:03:03.200 --> 00:03:08.260 or telling us that we cannot talk about Jesus. 00:03:08.259 --> 00:03:11.639 We thank you for all that we have 00:03:11.639 --> 00:03:13.179 and we pray for our government 00:03:13.179 --> 00:03:14.280 and for our leaders 00:03:14.280 --> 00:03:17.039 that you would continue to give them wisdom 00:03:17.039 --> 00:03:20.159 in leading us and helping us. 00:03:21.219 --> 00:03:23.000 And again, we pray that it will be 00:03:23.000 --> 00:03:26.500 for the best of those who are most vulnerable 00:03:26.500 --> 00:03:29.680 and most in need within our society 00:03:29.680 --> 00:03:30.939 and our community. 00:03:30.939 --> 00:03:35.879 Now let's just take a moment, 00:03:36.020 --> 00:03:36.539 quietness, 00:03:36.599 --> 00:03:40.419 to bring our own personal requests to God. 00:03:41.039 --> 00:03:43.219 Let's just use the quietness to do that now. 00:03:43.219 --> 00:04:02.439 God bless you. 00:04:02.439 --> 00:04:32.420 So, let's go. 00:04:32.439 --> 00:04:57.199 Thank you, Father, that you are kind, generous, always listening, always caring. 00:04:57.199 --> 00:05:03.659 Thank you for this privilege that we can talk to you about all of our needs and concerns. 00:05:04.899 --> 00:05:14.560 And we pray that we would be a people who live for you, who follow you, and who trust you in every circumstance of life. 00:05:14.560 --> 00:05:20.120 We pray this in Jesus' name. Amen. 00:05:20.120 --> 00:05:20.259 Amen. 00:05:20.259 --> 00:05:26.259 Well, we're going to hear God's Word, so if you've got a Bible... 00:05:26.259 --> 00:05:37.519 I've got a Bible, and one will be brought to you. 00:05:37.959 --> 00:05:39.240 Put it up nice and high. 00:05:39.240 --> 00:05:43.100 And turn to Acts 2. 00:05:45.379 --> 00:05:55.319 As you're doing that, just for those who are going away on the church weekend, next weekend, I've been asked to announce that if you could read, if possible, all of Philippians. 00:05:55.319 --> 00:05:56.920 It's only a short book. 00:05:57.719 --> 00:06:00.399 In preparation, the book of Philippians. 00:06:00.920 --> 00:06:03.019 It will take you about 20 minutes, I reckon. 00:06:03.219 --> 00:06:03.540 Less. 00:06:03.759 --> 00:06:05.079 It doesn't take very long at all. 00:06:05.839 --> 00:06:06.279 Kirstie. 00:06:07.319 --> 00:06:08.120 Thank you. 00:06:08.120 --> 00:06:15.639 Our reading is from Acts chapter 2, starting from verse 37. 00:06:15.840 --> 00:06:20.780 That's on page 1094 in the church Bibles. 00:06:23.720 --> 00:06:28.600 So page 1094 in the church Bibles. 00:06:28.720 --> 00:06:30.100 That's Acts chapter 2. 00:06:34.060 --> 00:06:35.879 Starting from verse 37. 00:06:35.879 --> 00:06:41.719 When the people heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and the other apostles, 00:06:42.240 --> 00:06:43.759 Brothers, what shall we do? 00:06:44.560 --> 00:06:45.439 Peter replied, 00:06:46.000 --> 00:06:52.980 Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ, for the forgiveness of your sins, 00:06:53.379 --> 00:06:56.000 and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 00:06:56.800 --> 00:07:03.819 The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off, for all whom the Lord our God will call. 00:07:03.819 --> 00:07:08.159 With many other words, he warned them and he pleaded with them, 00:07:08.659 --> 00:07:11.079 Save yourselves from this corrupt generation. 00:07:12.159 --> 00:07:18.699 Those who accepted his message were baptized, and about 3,000 were added to their number that day. 00:07:19.659 --> 00:07:26.039 They devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. 00:07:26.040 --> 00:07:33.200 Everyone was filled with awe, and many wonders and miraculous signs were done by the apostles. 00:07:34.160 --> 00:07:39.100 All the believers were together and had everything in common, selling their possessions and goods. 00:07:39.500 --> 00:07:41.640 They gave to anyone as he had need. 00:07:42.340 --> 00:07:45.560 Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. 00:07:45.560 --> 00:07:50.959 They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, 00:07:51.259 --> 00:07:54.680 praising God and enjoying the favour of all the people. 00:07:55.420 --> 00:07:58.899 And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved. 00:07:58.899 --> 00:08:12.759 Well, if you've got the Welcome to sheet again on the back, 00:08:13.060 --> 00:08:15.639 and also on the screen there's an outline of the talk, 00:08:15.979 --> 00:08:19.319 you can write notes on there, or even on the back there. 00:08:19.399 --> 00:08:22.939 I'm not sure where the pens are, there are pens around, I think at the back there. 00:08:22.939 --> 00:08:26.719 If anybody would like a pen to jot down notes again, put up your hands, 00:08:27.219 --> 00:08:28.500 and you can get one there. 00:08:28.899 --> 00:08:46.220 Well, let's pray and ask for God's help as we hear his word. 00:08:46.659 --> 00:08:47.799 Let's pray together. 00:08:49.159 --> 00:08:56.840 Father, again, we thank you for this opportunity to come and to join with Stephen and with Shane 00:08:56.840 --> 00:08:59.180 as they get baptised. 00:08:59.940 --> 00:09:02.000 Help us now as we think about that, 00:09:03.420 --> 00:09:07.180 that not only would it be something they are doing, 00:09:07.280 --> 00:09:10.840 but it is something that we also understand and respond to. 00:09:12.280 --> 00:09:14.920 We pray that by your Holy Spirit, 00:09:15.720 --> 00:09:18.620 you would help us to see the good news, 00:09:18.620 --> 00:09:20.620 the wonder of who Jesus is, 00:09:20.620 --> 00:09:24.139 and all that he has given to us. 00:09:26.139 --> 00:09:28.720 In Jesus' name, Amen. 00:09:31.200 --> 00:09:32.379 So, baptism. 00:09:33.220 --> 00:09:34.440 What's it all about? 00:09:36.039 --> 00:09:39.620 Well, I'm quite sure the idea of baptism is not new. 00:09:39.620 --> 00:09:47.899 In fact, I'd say that most people who are here have been baptised either as a baby or as an adult. 00:09:48.960 --> 00:09:55.340 And depending on your background, we all have a different idea of what baptism is. 00:09:56.500 --> 00:10:00.299 But whatever our tradition and our experience is, 00:10:00.799 --> 00:10:03.379 we want to hear what the Bible has to say. 00:10:03.379 --> 00:10:09.340 In other words, you and I don't get to decide what baptism is or what it is not. 00:10:09.480 --> 00:10:13.820 We need to let God's Word, the Bible, tell us what it is. 00:10:13.879 --> 00:10:18.559 And that's why we're going to be looking at this section here in Acts chapter 2, 00:10:18.939 --> 00:10:23.399 which is on page 1094. 00:10:23.679 --> 00:10:25.620 You can follow along there. 00:10:26.659 --> 00:10:30.159 In the book of Acts, which is really a great big story 00:10:30.159 --> 00:10:34.759 of how the good news of Jesus began to spread in the early years, 00:10:34.899 --> 00:10:37.139 we hear people talk about Jesus, 00:10:37.719 --> 00:10:40.379 and then in response, people get baptised. 00:10:40.699 --> 00:10:43.699 So let me show you a few examples of that from Acts. 00:10:43.759 --> 00:10:46.799 So look at verse 41 of chapter 2. 00:10:49.699 --> 00:10:50.419 It says, 00:10:50.719 --> 00:10:52.799 Those who accepted his message, 00:10:52.939 --> 00:10:55.519 that's the message of Jesus Christ, 00:10:55.699 --> 00:10:57.480 were baptised. 00:10:57.480 --> 00:11:00.340 Then have a look at chapter 8, 00:11:01.000 --> 00:11:02.159 verse 35. 00:11:03.120 --> 00:11:06.539 This is the story of Philip and the Ethiopian. 00:11:08.340 --> 00:11:09.180 Philip had been, 00:11:09.639 --> 00:11:12.800 or the Ethiopian had been reading something from Isaiah, 00:11:13.539 --> 00:11:15.580 and then Philip explains what it is. 00:11:15.659 --> 00:11:17.620 So in chapter 8, verse 35, 00:11:18.720 --> 00:11:22.240 it tells us there that Philip began with that very passage of Scripture 00:11:22.240 --> 00:11:25.940 and told him the good news about Jesus. 00:11:26.759 --> 00:11:28.279 As they travelled along the road, 00:11:28.360 --> 00:11:29.480 they came to some water, 00:11:29.860 --> 00:11:30.879 and the eunuch said, 00:11:31.000 --> 00:11:32.500 Look, here is water. 00:11:32.860 --> 00:11:34.620 Why shouldn't I be baptised? 00:11:35.159 --> 00:11:37.740 And he gave orders to stop the chariots. 00:11:37.840 --> 00:11:40.639 Then both Philip and the eunuch went down into the water, 00:11:41.200 --> 00:11:42.879 and Philip baptised him. 00:11:42.879 --> 00:11:45.939 Then in chapter 10, 00:11:46.299 --> 00:11:47.539 over the page from me, 00:11:47.879 --> 00:11:49.120 not sure where it is for you, 00:11:49.220 --> 00:11:51.039 but chapter 10, verse 36. 00:11:51.519 --> 00:11:52.799 Again, we're back to Peter, 00:11:52.899 --> 00:11:56.240 as somebody who went around telling people the good news about Jesus. 00:11:56.840 --> 00:11:58.919 We read in verse 36. 00:12:00.700 --> 00:12:01.480 He says, 00:12:01.519 --> 00:12:04.620 You know the message that God sent to the people of Israel, 00:12:04.620 --> 00:12:06.139 and this was the message, 00:12:06.600 --> 00:12:10.399 telling the good news of peace through Jesus Christ, 00:12:10.519 --> 00:12:12.259 who is Lord of all, 00:12:12.639 --> 00:12:15.139 whatever country or nation you are from. 00:12:17.320 --> 00:12:19.480 And then at the end of his talk, 00:12:19.700 --> 00:12:21.240 look at verse 47. 00:12:22.759 --> 00:12:24.000 Then Peter said, 00:12:24.120 --> 00:12:27.840 Can anyone keep these people from being baptised with water? 00:12:28.100 --> 00:12:31.080 They have received the Holy Spirit just as we have, 00:12:31.080 --> 00:12:36.940 so he ordered that they be baptised in the name of Jesus Christ. 00:12:38.100 --> 00:12:42.240 So, baptism is related to hearing about Jesus, 00:12:42.900 --> 00:12:46.120 and then responding to Jesus. 00:12:46.300 --> 00:12:49.960 In fact, baptism is actually a visible picture, 00:12:50.139 --> 00:12:53.700 a demonstration of the good news about Jesus. 00:12:54.879 --> 00:12:55.540 Two things, 00:12:55.620 --> 00:12:58.480 the new life that we receive from Jesus, 00:12:58.480 --> 00:13:03.840 and the new community that we enter because of Jesus. 00:13:03.960 --> 00:13:05.759 New life from Jesus, 00:13:06.220 --> 00:13:09.680 and the new community we have from Jesus. 00:13:10.779 --> 00:13:15.100 So, although Stephen and Shane are getting baptised in a little while, 00:13:15.680 --> 00:13:16.980 as we said at the beginning, 00:13:17.159 --> 00:13:19.340 it's not actually about them at all. 00:13:20.019 --> 00:13:21.680 It's all about a person, 00:13:22.379 --> 00:13:25.139 the person of Jesus Christ. 00:13:25.139 --> 00:13:31.000 So, let's have a look at these two ideas of new life and new community. 00:13:31.259 --> 00:13:35.120 First, baptism is a picture of new life, 00:13:35.419 --> 00:13:37.600 our faith in Jesus. 00:13:39.240 --> 00:13:41.319 I was talking with someone recently 00:13:41.319 --> 00:13:45.319 who told me about a man who was both deaf and blind. 00:13:46.519 --> 00:13:50.319 So, the way to communicate to this person was through hand signs. 00:13:50.460 --> 00:13:52.299 Literally, the hand would go in one hand, 00:13:52.299 --> 00:13:55.000 and through the shape he would be able to communicate 00:13:55.000 --> 00:13:57.339 and understand the other person. 00:13:57.879 --> 00:14:01.159 And this blind and deaf man was told the good news about Jesus, 00:14:01.379 --> 00:14:04.199 and in response, he too wanted to get baptised. 00:14:04.819 --> 00:14:06.399 But somewhere along the line, 00:14:06.519 --> 00:14:08.199 the communication had broken down. 00:14:09.159 --> 00:14:13.159 This poor man thought he had to jump into a pool. 00:14:14.039 --> 00:14:15.240 Now, if you're blind, 00:14:16.059 --> 00:14:18.639 that would be a huge step of faith, wouldn't it? 00:14:18.639 --> 00:14:20.519 Being told to jump 00:14:20.519 --> 00:14:24.799 and not being able to see what you are jumping into 00:14:24.799 --> 00:14:27.720 requires faith. 00:14:29.179 --> 00:14:30.580 Well, as you can see, 00:14:30.740 --> 00:14:33.799 we thankfully don't have any diving boards rigged up here, 00:14:33.919 --> 00:14:36.460 and Shane and Stephen aren't going to have to jump from a height. 00:14:37.100 --> 00:14:39.000 But, what is required 00:14:39.000 --> 00:14:41.620 is a step of faith. 00:14:43.139 --> 00:14:44.939 Faith not in a church, 00:14:44.940 --> 00:14:47.800 but faith in a person, 00:14:48.980 --> 00:14:49.960 Jesus Christ. 00:14:50.640 --> 00:14:52.880 Look at chapter 2, verse 37. 00:14:57.280 --> 00:14:59.280 It starts like this. 00:14:59.520 --> 00:15:00.760 Chapter 2, verse 37. 00:15:00.940 --> 00:15:03.480 When the people heard this, 00:15:05.680 --> 00:15:07.220 well, what had they heard? 00:15:08.460 --> 00:15:11.700 Well, Peter had been telling them the good news about Jesus. 00:15:11.860 --> 00:15:14.680 In fact, we can see what he actually had told them. 00:15:14.940 --> 00:15:18.240 Go back to verse 22 of chapter 2. 00:15:20.480 --> 00:15:21.600 Because he says there, 00:15:21.720 --> 00:15:22.540 men of Israel, 00:15:23.200 --> 00:15:24.260 listen to this. 00:15:24.300 --> 00:15:25.760 And then he went on to tell them 00:15:25.760 --> 00:15:27.680 the good news about Jesus. 00:15:27.820 --> 00:15:29.900 Now, there's three things we are going to learn 00:15:29.900 --> 00:15:33.240 about Jesus from what Peter told them. 00:15:33.440 --> 00:15:34.840 First, who Jesus is. 00:15:35.380 --> 00:15:36.400 Look at verse 22. 00:15:36.400 --> 00:15:38.160 Jesus of Nazareth 00:15:38.160 --> 00:15:41.580 was a man accredited by God to you 00:15:41.580 --> 00:15:43.960 by miracles, wonders, and signs, 00:15:43.960 --> 00:15:47.220 which God did among you through him, 00:15:47.720 --> 00:15:49.379 as you yourselves know. 00:15:50.420 --> 00:15:52.200 So he's talking about Jesus 00:15:52.200 --> 00:15:54.080 who lived on earth 00:15:54.080 --> 00:15:56.920 and did amazing miracles. 00:15:58.100 --> 00:15:59.440 By a simple word, 00:15:59.500 --> 00:16:01.300 and we can read this in the Gospels, 00:16:01.379 --> 00:16:02.940 the Gospel of Mark, for example. 00:16:02.940 --> 00:16:04.500 By a simple word, 00:16:04.620 --> 00:16:05.920 he calmed the storms. 00:16:06.920 --> 00:16:08.120 By a simple word, 00:16:08.240 --> 00:16:09.400 he healed the sick. 00:16:09.399 --> 00:16:12.259 He raised the dead to life. 00:16:12.819 --> 00:16:14.360 He fed crowds of people 00:16:14.360 --> 00:16:15.679 with only a few fish 00:16:15.679 --> 00:16:16.860 and a bit of bread. 00:16:17.500 --> 00:16:18.899 He silenced demons. 00:16:19.419 --> 00:16:21.220 He did amazing miracles. 00:16:22.399 --> 00:16:24.639 Now, amazing as that was to the people, 00:16:25.059 --> 00:16:27.360 the primary reason of all these miracles 00:16:27.360 --> 00:16:28.639 were signposts 00:16:29.340 --> 00:16:32.360 pointing people to who Jesus is, 00:16:32.519 --> 00:16:33.460 his identity. 00:16:33.460 --> 00:16:36.500 Because Jesus was doing 00:16:36.500 --> 00:16:38.960 what only God could do. 00:16:39.220 --> 00:16:40.720 Only God could raise the dead 00:16:40.720 --> 00:16:41.500 and heal the sick. 00:16:41.840 --> 00:16:43.160 And now this man was coming 00:16:43.160 --> 00:16:44.980 and he was doing the same things. 00:16:45.860 --> 00:16:48.320 Jesus was God in human form. 00:16:48.400 --> 00:16:50.019 The God who created the universe 00:16:50.019 --> 00:16:52.360 and who controls the world 00:16:52.360 --> 00:16:54.340 was walking on earth 00:16:54.340 --> 00:16:56.379 as a human being. 00:16:56.560 --> 00:16:58.240 The God-man. 00:16:58.240 --> 00:17:01.240 But look what happened 00:17:01.240 --> 00:17:03.139 to this Jesus. 00:17:04.859 --> 00:17:05.900 His death. 00:17:06.079 --> 00:17:07.519 Look at verse 23. 00:17:09.140 --> 00:17:11.299 This man was handed over to you 00:17:11.299 --> 00:17:12.720 by God's set purpose 00:17:12.720 --> 00:17:13.720 and foreknowledge 00:17:13.720 --> 00:17:14.859 and you, 00:17:15.039 --> 00:17:16.400 with the help of wicked men, 00:17:17.059 --> 00:17:17.920 put him to death 00:17:17.920 --> 00:17:19.319 by nailing him 00:17:19.319 --> 00:17:20.759 to the cross. 00:17:21.640 --> 00:17:23.200 Now, we know through reading 00:17:23.200 --> 00:17:23.819 the Gospel, 00:17:24.079 --> 00:17:24.980 through reading the Bible, 00:17:25.120 --> 00:17:26.240 that Jesus was a man 00:17:26.240 --> 00:17:27.420 who did nothing wrong. 00:17:28.240 --> 00:17:30.700 No fault could be found in him. 00:17:31.140 --> 00:17:32.759 He was perfect without sin. 00:17:33.079 --> 00:17:34.480 He lived the perfect life 00:17:34.480 --> 00:17:36.180 that you and I could never live. 00:17:37.279 --> 00:17:38.480 But yet we're told here 00:17:38.480 --> 00:17:39.420 in verse 23 00:17:39.420 --> 00:17:41.099 that he was put to death, 00:17:42.279 --> 00:17:43.640 he was executed 00:17:43.640 --> 00:17:45.980 by nailing him 00:17:45.980 --> 00:17:47.740 to a cross. 00:17:48.400 --> 00:17:50.819 Now, why was Jesus executed? 00:17:51.180 --> 00:17:52.299 An innocent man. 00:17:54.160 --> 00:17:56.120 Well, Jesus' death on the cross 00:17:56.120 --> 00:17:57.819 was all part of God's plan. 00:17:57.819 --> 00:17:59.539 Look carefully at verse 23. 00:18:00.039 --> 00:18:01.700 It tells us that this man, 00:18:01.859 --> 00:18:02.119 Jesus, 00:18:02.240 --> 00:18:03.619 was handed over to you 00:18:03.619 --> 00:18:05.599 not by chance, 00:18:06.079 --> 00:18:08.599 but by God's set purpose 00:18:08.599 --> 00:18:10.700 and foreknowledge. 00:18:11.319 --> 00:18:13.200 This was all part of God's design 00:18:13.200 --> 00:18:13.759 and plan 00:18:13.759 --> 00:18:15.919 right from the very beginning of time. 00:18:16.639 --> 00:18:18.899 Because Jesus' death on the cross 00:18:18.899 --> 00:18:21.119 was God's means of dealing 00:18:21.119 --> 00:18:23.799 with the big problem of sin. 00:18:23.799 --> 00:18:26.740 For Jesus came into the world 00:18:26.740 --> 00:18:28.399 to take our sin, 00:18:28.519 --> 00:18:29.879 my sin and your sin 00:18:29.879 --> 00:18:30.680 on himself 00:18:30.680 --> 00:18:32.740 and suffer the punishment 00:18:32.740 --> 00:18:35.519 that you and I deserve. 00:18:35.659 --> 00:18:36.639 That was the purpose 00:18:36.639 --> 00:18:37.740 of his death. 00:18:38.720 --> 00:18:40.099 Now, let me illustrate this 00:18:40.099 --> 00:18:41.019 for you. 00:18:41.119 --> 00:18:42.339 Some of you may have seen it 00:18:42.339 --> 00:18:43.019 before, 00:18:43.180 --> 00:18:44.279 but I want you to imagine 00:18:44.279 --> 00:18:46.940 that this DVD here 00:18:46.940 --> 00:18:49.160 is a record 00:18:49.160 --> 00:18:50.840 of your life 00:18:50.840 --> 00:18:51.759 or my life. 00:18:51.759 --> 00:18:53.039 It's a record 00:18:53.039 --> 00:18:54.640 of our life. 00:18:55.620 --> 00:18:57.120 Right from the very beginning 00:18:57.120 --> 00:18:58.100 of your life, 00:18:58.220 --> 00:18:59.480 right up to this moment, 00:19:00.019 --> 00:19:00.960 everything that you 00:19:00.960 --> 00:19:01.880 ever thought, 00:19:02.519 --> 00:19:03.480 everything that you 00:19:03.480 --> 00:19:04.360 ever said, 00:19:05.160 --> 00:19:05.880 everything you 00:19:05.880 --> 00:19:07.000 ever did 00:19:07.000 --> 00:19:08.700 is all recorded 00:19:08.700 --> 00:19:09.320 on here. 00:19:09.980 --> 00:19:10.480 Everything. 00:19:10.480 --> 00:19:12.819 All those public occasions, 00:19:13.319 --> 00:19:14.980 all those private occasions, 00:19:15.339 --> 00:19:17.160 everything is recorded 00:19:17.160 --> 00:19:18.039 in here. 00:19:18.420 --> 00:19:19.180 What would you think? 00:19:20.860 --> 00:19:22.000 Maybe you'd be happy 00:19:22.000 --> 00:19:22.860 with some of the things 00:19:22.860 --> 00:19:23.319 you'd see, 00:19:23.440 --> 00:19:24.460 maybe there's some things 00:19:24.460 --> 00:19:25.319 you wouldn't like. 00:19:25.960 --> 00:19:27.380 Well, if this was a record 00:19:27.380 --> 00:19:28.160 of my life, 00:19:28.380 --> 00:19:29.920 I wouldn't like it 00:19:29.920 --> 00:19:31.860 to be in the public library, 00:19:31.960 --> 00:19:32.640 that's for sure, 00:19:32.740 --> 00:19:33.700 or in extravision. 00:19:33.860 --> 00:19:34.720 Might be entertaining 00:19:34.720 --> 00:19:35.319 to you, 00:19:35.579 --> 00:19:36.539 but not to me. 00:19:37.500 --> 00:19:38.519 Because if this was 00:19:38.519 --> 00:19:39.720 a record of my life, 00:19:39.720 --> 00:19:41.500 it tells of all the things 00:19:41.500 --> 00:19:42.640 that I've ever done wrong. 00:19:42.640 --> 00:19:44.240 Now I want us to imagine 00:19:44.240 --> 00:19:45.380 that in this room. 00:19:45.519 --> 00:19:46.680 Okay, God is up there. 00:19:47.120 --> 00:19:47.740 We are here. 00:19:48.660 --> 00:19:50.120 This record of our life 00:19:50.120 --> 00:19:51.100 is a problem 00:19:51.100 --> 00:19:52.819 because it causes 00:19:52.819 --> 00:19:54.120 a barrier between us 00:19:54.120 --> 00:19:54.660 and God. 00:19:55.039 --> 00:19:55.759 All our things 00:19:55.759 --> 00:19:56.900 that we've ever done wrong, 00:19:57.480 --> 00:19:58.100 all the things 00:19:58.100 --> 00:19:58.960 that we've ever said 00:19:58.960 --> 00:19:59.539 and thought, 00:20:00.680 --> 00:20:01.400 are a barrier 00:20:01.400 --> 00:20:02.440 between us 00:20:02.440 --> 00:20:03.740 and God. 00:20:04.400 --> 00:20:05.160 And God says 00:20:05.160 --> 00:20:06.420 the punishment for that 00:20:06.420 --> 00:20:07.160 is judgment, 00:20:07.819 --> 00:20:09.400 is separation from God. 00:20:09.400 --> 00:20:12.019 God is hell itself. 00:20:13.620 --> 00:20:14.980 To be separated 00:20:14.980 --> 00:20:16.360 from all that is good 00:20:16.360 --> 00:20:17.980 and all that is beautiful. 00:20:19.160 --> 00:20:20.200 That's the problem. 00:20:21.780 --> 00:20:23.160 Christ, on the other hand, 00:20:23.220 --> 00:20:23.740 has come, 00:20:23.860 --> 00:20:24.360 we are told, 00:20:24.460 --> 00:20:25.160 the God-man 00:20:25.160 --> 00:20:26.400 who entered into the world. 00:20:27.220 --> 00:20:28.120 And he has come 00:20:28.120 --> 00:20:29.100 and through his death 00:20:29.100 --> 00:20:30.280 he takes the record 00:20:30.280 --> 00:20:31.460 of all the things 00:20:31.460 --> 00:20:32.300 that we've ever done 00:20:32.300 --> 00:20:33.100 on himself. 00:20:34.259 --> 00:20:35.560 He takes the blame. 00:20:35.759 --> 00:20:36.759 He takes the punishment. 00:20:36.759 --> 00:20:39.779 He suffers hell 00:20:39.779 --> 00:20:40.539 for you and I 00:20:40.539 --> 00:20:41.839 so that we don't have to 00:20:41.839 --> 00:20:44.700 so that what was in the way, 00:20:44.799 --> 00:20:45.319 the barrier, 00:20:45.440 --> 00:20:46.039 is now gone 00:20:46.039 --> 00:20:46.879 and we can have 00:20:46.879 --> 00:20:48.180 that relationship with God. 00:20:48.279 --> 00:20:49.440 We can know God 00:20:49.440 --> 00:20:50.359 and enjoy him 00:20:50.359 --> 00:20:51.099 and love him 00:20:51.099 --> 00:20:52.619 and have all his 00:20:52.619 --> 00:20:53.579 wonderful promises 00:20:53.579 --> 00:20:54.599 because Jesus 00:20:54.599 --> 00:20:56.779 took the record 00:20:56.779 --> 00:20:58.259 for us. 00:20:59.220 --> 00:21:00.279 But not only that, 00:21:00.379 --> 00:21:01.200 let's just change 00:21:01.200 --> 00:21:02.220 that this is no longer 00:21:02.220 --> 00:21:03.059 a record of us, 00:21:03.059 --> 00:21:04.679 but this is a record 00:21:04.679 --> 00:21:06.240 of the life of Jesus. 00:21:06.500 --> 00:21:07.359 A perfect life, 00:21:07.440 --> 00:21:08.019 a good life, 00:21:08.079 --> 00:21:08.799 a pure life, 00:21:09.319 --> 00:21:10.279 a life that never 00:21:10.279 --> 00:21:11.259 did anything wrong. 00:21:12.419 --> 00:21:13.460 Not only does Jesus 00:21:13.460 --> 00:21:14.559 take our record, 00:21:14.740 --> 00:21:17.299 but he gives us 00:21:17.299 --> 00:21:18.579 his record, 00:21:18.759 --> 00:21:19.440 his beauty, 00:21:19.599 --> 00:21:20.240 his perfection, 00:21:20.480 --> 00:21:21.119 his life, 00:21:21.639 --> 00:21:22.279 so that now 00:21:22.279 --> 00:21:23.419 when God looks at us, 00:21:23.480 --> 00:21:24.460 when he looks at me, 00:21:25.460 --> 00:21:26.539 he doesn't see me, 00:21:27.119 --> 00:21:29.179 he sees the record 00:21:29.179 --> 00:21:30.379 of Jesus Christ, 00:21:30.380 --> 00:21:32.700 which is now applied 00:21:32.700 --> 00:21:33.560 to my life 00:21:33.560 --> 00:21:34.340 through faith. 00:21:35.440 --> 00:21:36.620 And now I'm treated 00:21:36.620 --> 00:21:37.320 and loved 00:21:37.320 --> 00:21:38.200 and treasured 00:21:38.200 --> 00:21:39.860 like Jesus, 00:21:40.060 --> 00:21:40.840 like God does 00:21:40.840 --> 00:21:41.980 his own son. 00:21:42.760 --> 00:21:43.880 That's what his death 00:21:43.880 --> 00:21:44.840 is all about. 00:21:45.720 --> 00:21:46.860 That's why he died, 00:21:46.960 --> 00:21:48.880 to take our record 00:21:48.880 --> 00:21:50.680 and to give us 00:21:50.680 --> 00:21:52.220 his record. 00:21:54.220 --> 00:21:55.800 So we learn about his life, 00:21:55.900 --> 00:21:56.860 we learn about his death, 00:21:56.980 --> 00:21:58.640 but look at verse 24. 00:21:58.640 --> 00:21:59.780 We also learn about 00:21:59.780 --> 00:22:00.980 his resurrection. 00:22:02.759 --> 00:22:04.060 We're told that God 00:22:04.060 --> 00:22:05.900 raised Jesus from the dead, 00:22:06.460 --> 00:22:07.940 freeing him from the agony 00:22:07.940 --> 00:22:08.520 of death, 00:22:08.880 --> 00:22:10.480 because it was impossible 00:22:10.480 --> 00:22:11.560 for death 00:22:11.560 --> 00:22:13.100 to keep its hold 00:22:13.100 --> 00:22:14.400 on him. 00:22:15.280 --> 00:22:16.460 Jesus did die, 00:22:17.540 --> 00:22:19.680 but God also raised 00:22:19.680 --> 00:22:20.820 Jesus from the dead. 00:22:21.340 --> 00:22:22.360 Now death isn't something 00:22:22.360 --> 00:22:23.480 we like to talk about, 00:22:23.540 --> 00:22:23.880 is it? 00:22:24.160 --> 00:22:25.800 Not a very popular subject, 00:22:26.200 --> 00:22:28.400 because when people die, 00:22:28.400 --> 00:22:29.259 it means the end 00:22:29.259 --> 00:22:30.019 of relationships. 00:22:31.420 --> 00:22:32.540 It means separation. 00:22:32.700 --> 00:22:33.580 We don't get to see 00:22:33.580 --> 00:22:34.560 those people again, 00:22:34.940 --> 00:22:36.060 not on this earth 00:22:36.060 --> 00:22:36.980 or in this life. 00:22:37.780 --> 00:22:38.519 There's sadness, 00:22:38.700 --> 00:22:39.600 a loss of friends. 00:22:40.380 --> 00:22:41.180 It hurts, 00:22:41.300 --> 00:22:42.120 it's painful. 00:22:43.720 --> 00:22:44.680 And amazingly, 00:22:44.900 --> 00:22:46.440 we found lots of cures 00:22:46.440 --> 00:22:48.140 for all kinds of diseases 00:22:48.140 --> 00:22:49.320 and all kinds of 00:22:49.320 --> 00:22:50.400 health problems. 00:22:50.600 --> 00:22:51.640 We can go to the chemist, 00:22:51.720 --> 00:22:52.740 we can go to the doctor, 00:22:53.000 --> 00:22:54.160 we can get all kinds 00:22:54.160 --> 00:22:54.700 of treatments. 00:22:56.500 --> 00:22:57.720 But we can't find 00:22:57.720 --> 00:22:58.680 a cure for death. 00:23:00.420 --> 00:23:01.400 Nobody has. 00:23:02.920 --> 00:23:04.019 Except for Jesus' 00:23:04.240 --> 00:23:04.759 resurrection. 00:23:05.420 --> 00:23:06.500 Because when Jesus 00:23:06.500 --> 00:23:07.840 rose from the grave, 00:23:08.180 --> 00:23:09.340 he defeated death, 00:23:09.560 --> 00:23:11.240 he destroyed death. 00:23:12.240 --> 00:23:13.300 Or look what it says 00:23:13.300 --> 00:23:14.380 in verse 24. 00:23:15.540 --> 00:23:17.120 Jesus was freed 00:23:17.120 --> 00:23:19.840 from the agony of death. 00:23:19.839 --> 00:23:21.619 And the good news is, 00:23:21.679 --> 00:23:22.419 as Jesus says, 00:23:22.679 --> 00:23:24.079 I can free you 00:23:24.079 --> 00:23:25.500 from the agony of death. 00:23:26.279 --> 00:23:27.099 It doesn't mean to say 00:23:27.099 --> 00:23:28.220 that we won't face death, 00:23:28.279 --> 00:23:29.659 we all will die, 00:23:30.659 --> 00:23:31.559 but the Bible says 00:23:31.559 --> 00:23:33.119 death for the believer, 00:23:33.279 --> 00:23:33.779 for the person 00:23:33.779 --> 00:23:34.839 who trusts in Christ, 00:23:36.119 --> 00:23:37.839 is just like waking up 00:23:37.839 --> 00:23:38.699 from your sleep 00:23:38.699 --> 00:23:40.459 in the morning. 00:23:40.980 --> 00:23:42.559 Just a simple waking up 00:23:42.559 --> 00:23:44.220 to eternal life. 00:23:44.220 --> 00:23:45.940 That's what it's like. 00:23:46.819 --> 00:23:47.960 And Jesus is the one 00:23:47.960 --> 00:23:48.880 who can free us. 00:23:48.940 --> 00:23:49.799 He has the cure, 00:23:50.160 --> 00:23:51.079 the antidote, 00:23:51.440 --> 00:23:52.339 his resurrection 00:23:52.339 --> 00:23:53.819 from the dead. 00:23:55.259 --> 00:23:56.640 So we have here 00:23:56.640 --> 00:23:57.680 a story, 00:23:57.940 --> 00:23:59.519 an account of Jesus, 00:23:59.680 --> 00:24:00.420 the God-man 00:24:00.420 --> 00:24:01.259 who came to live 00:24:01.259 --> 00:24:01.960 in this world, 00:24:02.240 --> 00:24:03.940 who deals with sin 00:24:03.940 --> 00:24:05.819 through his own death. 00:24:06.860 --> 00:24:08.740 He defeats death 00:24:08.740 --> 00:24:10.600 through his resurrection. 00:24:10.599 --> 00:24:14.000 Now the question is, 00:24:14.399 --> 00:24:15.759 what are we to do 00:24:15.759 --> 00:24:17.159 with this good news 00:24:17.159 --> 00:24:18.039 about Jesus? 00:24:19.139 --> 00:24:20.459 What are you going to do? 00:24:20.519 --> 00:24:21.599 What am I going to do? 00:24:22.639 --> 00:24:24.839 Well, it requires a response. 00:24:26.419 --> 00:24:28.259 Look at verse 37. 00:24:30.519 --> 00:24:33.019 So when the people heard this, 00:24:33.119 --> 00:24:34.980 this was the good news 00:24:34.980 --> 00:24:36.199 about Jesus' life, 00:24:36.299 --> 00:24:37.480 his death and resurrection, 00:24:37.819 --> 00:24:38.579 when they heard 00:24:38.579 --> 00:24:40.019 all of this explained to them, 00:24:40.599 --> 00:24:43.159 they were cut to the heart 00:24:43.159 --> 00:24:44.199 and they said to Peter 00:24:44.199 --> 00:24:45.199 and the other apostles, 00:24:45.859 --> 00:24:48.039 what shall we do? 00:24:49.139 --> 00:24:50.079 What are we to do 00:24:50.079 --> 00:24:50.799 in response 00:24:50.799 --> 00:24:51.759 to what we've heard? 00:24:53.139 --> 00:24:54.159 Well, Peter replied, 00:24:55.439 --> 00:24:55.839 repent 00:24:55.839 --> 00:24:58.000 and be baptized 00:24:58.000 --> 00:25:00.159 every one of you. 00:25:00.240 --> 00:25:00.839 He was talking 00:25:00.839 --> 00:25:01.980 to crowds of people, 00:25:02.099 --> 00:25:03.099 far more than there is 00:25:03.099 --> 00:25:03.599 in this room. 00:25:04.519 --> 00:25:05.819 Repent every one of you 00:25:05.819 --> 00:25:07.879 in the name of Jesus Christ 00:25:07.879 --> 00:25:08.980 for the forgiveness 00:25:08.980 --> 00:25:09.679 of sins 00:25:09.680 --> 00:25:11.180 and you will receive 00:25:11.180 --> 00:25:13.360 the gift of the Holy Spirit. 00:25:16.480 --> 00:25:17.480 Now repentance 00:25:17.480 --> 00:25:19.100 is a double action. 00:25:20.380 --> 00:25:21.340 It means simply 00:25:21.340 --> 00:25:22.120 turning away 00:25:22.120 --> 00:25:23.340 from going your way 00:25:23.340 --> 00:25:25.200 and living your own life 00:25:25.200 --> 00:25:26.180 and turning around 00:25:26.180 --> 00:25:28.060 not just 90 degrees 00:25:28.060 --> 00:25:29.220 but 180 00:25:29.220 --> 00:25:31.580 and going Jesus' way. 00:25:32.340 --> 00:25:34.320 A complete turnaround. 00:25:34.779 --> 00:25:35.420 Repentance. 00:25:35.860 --> 00:25:37.259 Turning away from self 00:25:37.259 --> 00:25:39.079 and turning to Jesus. 00:25:39.480 --> 00:25:40.539 So no longer 00:25:40.539 --> 00:25:42.119 are we putting 00:25:42.119 --> 00:25:43.000 our faith 00:25:43.000 --> 00:25:44.160 in our own ability 00:25:44.160 --> 00:25:45.339 to deal with sin 00:25:45.339 --> 00:25:46.019 and death 00:25:46.019 --> 00:25:47.680 but now our faith 00:25:47.680 --> 00:25:48.379 is in Jesus 00:25:48.379 --> 00:25:49.220 who deals with 00:25:49.220 --> 00:25:49.799 the punishment 00:25:49.799 --> 00:25:50.900 that we deserve 00:25:50.900 --> 00:25:52.359 and he destroys 00:25:52.359 --> 00:25:53.279 death that we can 00:25:53.279 --> 00:25:53.940 never defeat. 00:25:54.359 --> 00:25:55.519 So we've got to do 00:25:55.519 --> 00:25:56.279 something about 00:25:56.279 --> 00:25:57.420 this good news of Jesus. 00:25:57.839 --> 00:25:59.480 Am I going to trust 00:25:59.480 --> 00:26:00.160 in myself 00:26:00.160 --> 00:26:01.119 to deal with 00:26:01.119 --> 00:26:02.059 sin 00:26:02.059 --> 00:26:03.119 and with death? 00:26:03.200 --> 00:26:04.019 Am I going to face 00:26:04.019 --> 00:26:04.819 the grave and say 00:26:04.819 --> 00:26:05.919 well I'm going to 00:26:05.919 --> 00:26:06.819 count on myself 00:26:06.819 --> 00:26:07.579 and I'm going to 00:26:07.579 --> 00:26:08.439 figure out a way. 00:26:09.480 --> 00:26:10.059 Am I going to 00:26:10.059 --> 00:26:10.859 trust myself 00:26:10.859 --> 00:26:11.619 to do that? 00:26:13.399 --> 00:26:14.439 Or am I actually 00:26:14.439 --> 00:26:15.639 going to turn to Jesus 00:26:15.639 --> 00:26:16.359 and say no 00:26:16.359 --> 00:26:18.079 he actually died 00:26:18.079 --> 00:26:18.659 for me. 00:26:19.240 --> 00:26:20.159 He took the blame 00:26:20.159 --> 00:26:20.919 that I deserve. 00:26:21.279 --> 00:26:22.299 He is raised 00:26:22.299 --> 00:26:22.899 from the grave. 00:26:23.019 --> 00:26:23.759 He defeated death. 00:26:23.799 --> 00:26:24.759 I can never do that. 00:26:25.240 --> 00:26:26.679 I'm going to trust him. 00:26:29.899 --> 00:26:30.819 Shane puts it 00:26:30.819 --> 00:26:31.299 like this 00:26:31.299 --> 00:26:31.980 in his story. 00:26:32.099 --> 00:26:32.679 You can read it 00:26:32.680 --> 00:26:34.060 in the little sheet 00:26:34.060 --> 00:26:34.700 later. 00:26:35.380 --> 00:26:35.980 He puts it 00:26:35.980 --> 00:26:36.600 like this. 00:26:37.180 --> 00:26:37.640 He said 00:26:37.640 --> 00:26:38.420 I had come to 00:26:38.420 --> 00:26:39.259 realise that 00:26:39.259 --> 00:26:40.720 Jesus is our 00:26:40.720 --> 00:26:42.220 substitute on the 00:26:42.220 --> 00:26:42.640 cross. 00:26:43.600 --> 00:26:44.840 He takes the pain 00:26:44.840 --> 00:26:46.400 and experiences 00:26:46.400 --> 00:26:47.900 death and hell 00:26:47.900 --> 00:26:48.620 for us 00:26:48.620 --> 00:26:50.019 so that we 00:26:50.019 --> 00:26:50.920 never have to. 00:26:51.320 --> 00:26:51.980 Not only that 00:26:51.980 --> 00:26:52.740 but because of 00:26:52.740 --> 00:26:53.600 Jesus we have 00:26:53.600 --> 00:26:55.019 an amazing promise 00:26:55.019 --> 00:26:56.940 eternal life. 00:26:58.980 --> 00:26:59.940 Stephen says 00:26:59.940 --> 00:27:00.620 it simply 00:27:00.620 --> 00:27:02.080 like this. 00:27:02.680 --> 00:27:04.580 I believed 00:27:04.580 --> 00:27:05.340 in God 00:27:05.340 --> 00:27:07.180 and asked him 00:27:07.180 --> 00:27:08.340 to forgive me 00:27:08.340 --> 00:27:10.039 for my sins. 00:27:12.120 --> 00:27:13.060 Now baptism 00:27:13.060 --> 00:27:13.799 as we'll see 00:27:13.799 --> 00:27:14.220 in a minute 00:27:14.220 --> 00:27:15.279 is just a picture 00:27:15.279 --> 00:27:16.940 of that. 00:27:17.920 --> 00:27:18.640 It's a picture 00:27:18.640 --> 00:27:19.740 of our faith. 00:27:20.060 --> 00:27:20.680 A visible 00:27:20.680 --> 00:27:21.360 demonstration 00:27:21.360 --> 00:27:22.779 of our faith 00:27:22.779 --> 00:27:25.180 in Jesus Christ. 00:27:25.720 --> 00:27:26.600 In his death 00:27:26.600 --> 00:27:27.700 and in his resurrection. 00:27:28.799 --> 00:27:29.519 So when we 00:27:29.519 --> 00:27:30.440 climb into this 00:27:30.440 --> 00:27:31.200 pool here 00:27:31.200 --> 00:27:32.740 when we go 00:27:32.740 --> 00:27:33.620 down into 00:27:33.620 --> 00:27:34.180 the water 00:27:34.180 --> 00:27:36.000 it's a picture 00:27:36.000 --> 00:27:36.900 of Jesus' 00:27:37.180 --> 00:27:37.580 death. 00:27:39.160 --> 00:27:39.640 And when 00:27:39.640 --> 00:27:40.240 Stephen and 00:27:40.240 --> 00:27:40.980 Shane go down 00:27:40.980 --> 00:27:41.640 under the water 00:27:41.640 --> 00:27:42.340 they are saying 00:27:42.340 --> 00:27:43.799 that when 00:27:43.799 --> 00:27:44.720 Jesus died 00:27:44.720 --> 00:27:45.539 he was dying 00:27:45.539 --> 00:27:46.200 for me. 00:27:47.420 --> 00:27:47.900 Jesus' 00:27:48.200 --> 00:27:48.740 death was 00:27:48.740 --> 00:27:49.440 my death. 00:27:49.700 --> 00:27:50.340 He was taking 00:27:50.340 --> 00:27:50.960 the blame. 00:27:51.279 --> 00:27:52.380 He was experiencing 00:27:52.380 --> 00:27:53.319 hell for me 00:27:53.319 --> 00:27:54.039 so that I don't 00:27:54.039 --> 00:27:54.480 have to. 00:27:54.740 --> 00:27:55.420 So when they go 00:27:55.420 --> 00:27:56.299 down under the water 00:27:56.299 --> 00:27:56.920 they are putting 00:27:56.920 --> 00:27:57.960 their faith in Jesus 00:27:57.960 --> 00:27:58.380 and saying 00:27:58.380 --> 00:27:59.940 he died for me. 00:28:00.480 --> 00:28:01.400 He did it all 00:28:01.400 --> 00:28:01.860 for me. 00:28:02.600 --> 00:28:03.460 I'm not trusting 00:28:03.460 --> 00:28:04.160 in myself 00:28:04.160 --> 00:28:05.400 but in Jesus. 00:28:06.799 --> 00:28:07.460 And then when 00:28:07.460 --> 00:28:08.000 they come up 00:28:08.000 --> 00:28:08.740 out of the water 00:28:08.740 --> 00:28:09.539 we promise 00:28:09.539 --> 00:28:10.120 we'll do that. 00:28:10.180 --> 00:28:10.799 We'll not leave you 00:28:10.799 --> 00:28:11.259 down there. 00:28:11.600 --> 00:28:12.019 We're going to 00:28:12.019 --> 00:28:12.660 bring you up. 00:28:14.140 --> 00:28:15.059 It's a picture 00:28:15.059 --> 00:28:15.720 of Jesus' 00:28:16.000 --> 00:28:16.759 resurrection. 00:28:17.700 --> 00:28:18.400 That Jesus 00:28:18.400 --> 00:28:19.279 was raised 00:28:19.279 --> 00:28:19.840 for me. 00:28:20.180 --> 00:28:20.700 That his 00:28:20.700 --> 00:28:21.279 resurrection 00:28:21.279 --> 00:28:21.940 was my 00:28:21.940 --> 00:28:22.480 resurrection. 00:28:22.700 --> 00:28:23.299 That his 00:28:23.299 --> 00:28:23.720 life, 00:28:23.819 --> 00:28:24.420 his ability 00:28:24.420 --> 00:28:25.120 to defeat 00:28:25.120 --> 00:28:25.880 death 00:28:25.880 --> 00:28:27.620 is in 00:28:27.620 --> 00:28:27.960 Jesus. 00:28:29.140 --> 00:28:29.840 They're not 00:28:29.840 --> 00:28:30.279 trusting 00:28:30.279 --> 00:28:31.279 on their 00:28:31.279 --> 00:28:31.720 own. 00:28:31.880 --> 00:28:32.240 They're not 00:28:32.240 --> 00:28:32.860 trusting in 00:28:32.860 --> 00:28:33.340 their own 00:28:33.340 --> 00:28:33.900 self or 00:28:33.900 --> 00:28:34.600 anyone else 00:28:34.600 --> 00:28:35.180 or anything 00:28:35.180 --> 00:28:35.519 else. 00:28:35.720 --> 00:28:37.140 Only in 00:28:37.140 --> 00:28:37.600 the death 00:28:37.600 --> 00:28:37.920 and the 00:28:37.920 --> 00:28:38.300 resurrection 00:28:38.300 --> 00:28:39.460 of Jesus. 00:28:39.980 --> 00:28:40.320 And this 00:28:40.320 --> 00:28:40.900 is a wonderful 00:28:40.900 --> 00:28:41.539 picture of 00:28:41.539 --> 00:28:42.080 new life. 00:28:42.400 --> 00:28:43.000 Their death 00:28:43.000 --> 00:28:43.640 and their 00:28:43.640 --> 00:28:44.519 rising again 00:28:44.519 --> 00:28:45.200 to new 00:28:45.200 --> 00:28:45.480 life. 00:28:45.560 --> 00:28:45.840 And that's 00:28:45.840 --> 00:28:46.500 what baptism 00:28:46.500 --> 00:28:46.980 is all 00:28:46.980 --> 00:28:47.200 about. 00:28:47.340 --> 00:28:48.039 It's new 00:28:48.039 --> 00:28:48.840 life. 00:28:49.539 --> 00:28:50.480 A transformed 00:28:50.480 --> 00:28:50.840 life. 00:28:50.940 --> 00:28:51.440 The hope 00:28:51.440 --> 00:28:52.060 of eternal 00:28:52.060 --> 00:28:52.519 life. 00:28:53.660 --> 00:28:54.080 A new 00:28:54.079 --> 00:28:55.559 life today. 00:28:56.500 --> 00:28:56.939 Sins 00:28:56.939 --> 00:28:57.419 forgiven 00:28:57.419 --> 00:28:58.619 and the 00:28:58.619 --> 00:28:59.179 future 00:28:59.179 --> 00:29:00.319 secured. 00:29:01.819 --> 00:29:02.659 So that's 00:29:02.659 --> 00:29:03.079 the first. 00:29:04.199 --> 00:29:04.799 It's new 00:29:04.799 --> 00:29:05.199 life. 00:29:06.460 --> 00:29:07.119 Second, 00:29:07.279 --> 00:29:07.960 baptism is 00:29:07.960 --> 00:29:08.480 also a 00:29:08.480 --> 00:29:09.399 picture of 00:29:09.399 --> 00:29:10.619 the new 00:29:10.619 --> 00:29:11.659 community or 00:29:11.659 --> 00:29:12.119 if you like 00:29:12.119 --> 00:29:12.960 the family 00:29:12.960 --> 00:29:14.299 of Jesus. 00:29:15.679 --> 00:29:16.399 Community 00:29:16.399 --> 00:29:17.960 is vital 00:29:17.960 --> 00:29:19.220 to all 00:29:19.220 --> 00:29:19.480 of our 00:29:19.480 --> 00:29:19.859 lives, 00:29:19.939 --> 00:29:20.379 isn't it? 00:29:21.199 --> 00:29:21.720 In fact, 00:29:21.819 --> 00:29:22.359 most of us 00:29:22.359 --> 00:29:23.299 I say long 00:29:23.299 --> 00:29:23.879 for real 00:29:23.880 --> 00:29:24.480 community. 00:29:25.160 --> 00:29:25.600 Friendships, 00:29:25.760 --> 00:29:26.360 relationships, 00:29:26.820 --> 00:29:27.320 people that 00:29:27.320 --> 00:29:27.760 are going to 00:29:27.760 --> 00:29:28.540 support us 00:29:28.540 --> 00:29:29.080 and encourage 00:29:29.080 --> 00:29:29.740 us and 00:29:29.740 --> 00:29:30.340 never let 00:29:30.340 --> 00:29:30.760 us down. 00:29:31.000 --> 00:29:31.680 A place 00:29:31.680 --> 00:29:32.080 where we 00:29:32.080 --> 00:29:32.560 can feel 00:29:32.560 --> 00:29:33.200 safe, 00:29:33.500 --> 00:29:33.920 a place 00:29:33.920 --> 00:29:34.260 where we 00:29:34.260 --> 00:29:34.740 feel we 00:29:34.740 --> 00:29:35.300 belong, 00:29:35.640 --> 00:29:36.060 a place 00:29:36.060 --> 00:29:36.380 where we're 00:29:36.380 --> 00:29:36.760 not going 00:29:36.760 --> 00:29:36.960 to be 00:29:36.960 --> 00:29:37.460 left out 00:29:37.460 --> 00:29:37.900 and even 00:29:37.900 --> 00:29:38.240 if we 00:29:38.240 --> 00:29:38.700 mess up 00:29:38.700 --> 00:29:38.920 we're 00:29:38.920 --> 00:29:39.480 still going 00:29:39.480 --> 00:29:39.740 to be 00:29:39.740 --> 00:29:40.080 welcomed. 00:29:40.380 --> 00:29:40.680 That's 00:29:40.680 --> 00:29:41.000 the kind 00:29:41.000 --> 00:29:41.540 of community 00:29:41.540 --> 00:29:42.220 we want. 00:29:44.440 --> 00:29:45.200 Now most 00:29:45.200 --> 00:29:45.540 of us 00:29:45.540 --> 00:29:46.240 belong to 00:29:46.240 --> 00:29:46.880 communities. 00:29:47.560 --> 00:29:47.960 You live 00:29:47.960 --> 00:29:48.200 in a 00:29:48.200 --> 00:29:48.540 neighbourhood 00:29:48.540 --> 00:29:49.060 don't you? 00:29:49.100 --> 00:29:49.520 Or on a 00:29:49.520 --> 00:29:49.880 street 00:29:49.880 --> 00:29:50.320 somewhere? 00:29:50.740 --> 00:29:51.280 That's a 00:29:51.280 --> 00:29:51.440 little 00:29:51.440 --> 00:29:52.000 community. 00:29:52.000 --> 00:29:52.900 We all 00:29:52.900 --> 00:29:53.400 live within 00:29:53.400 --> 00:29:53.880 the bigger 00:29:53.880 --> 00:29:54.779 community of 00:29:54.779 --> 00:29:55.559 Carragaline. 00:29:56.200 --> 00:29:56.799 Maybe some 00:29:56.799 --> 00:29:57.380 of you belong 00:29:57.380 --> 00:29:58.339 to a sports 00:29:58.339 --> 00:29:59.579 community or 00:29:59.579 --> 00:30:00.180 a social 00:30:00.180 --> 00:30:00.640 club. 00:30:02.160 --> 00:30:02.960 We all 00:30:02.960 --> 00:30:03.599 belong to 00:30:03.599 --> 00:30:03.859 little 00:30:03.859 --> 00:30:04.539 communities. 00:30:06.279 --> 00:30:06.700 Now it 00:30:06.700 --> 00:30:07.319 tells us here 00:30:07.319 --> 00:30:07.940 that when our 00:30:07.940 --> 00:30:08.799 faith is in 00:30:08.799 --> 00:30:09.799 Jesus Christ 00:30:09.799 --> 00:30:11.799 you know 00:30:11.799 --> 00:30:12.019 what? 00:30:12.079 --> 00:30:12.539 We become 00:30:12.539 --> 00:30:13.400 part of a 00:30:13.400 --> 00:30:13.819 new 00:30:13.819 --> 00:30:14.839 community, 00:30:15.339 --> 00:30:16.180 a new 00:30:16.180 --> 00:30:16.700 family. 00:30:16.700 --> 00:30:16.759 family. 00:30:17.940 --> 00:30:18.500 Look at 00:30:18.500 --> 00:30:19.200 verse 40. 00:30:21.720 --> 00:30:22.319 It says 00:30:22.319 --> 00:30:22.960 with many 00:30:22.960 --> 00:30:23.720 other words 00:30:23.720 --> 00:30:24.680 Peter warned 00:30:24.680 --> 00:30:25.900 them and 00:30:25.900 --> 00:30:26.539 he pleaded 00:30:26.539 --> 00:30:27.059 with them 00:30:27.059 --> 00:30:28.580 save yourselves 00:30:28.580 --> 00:30:29.340 from this 00:30:29.340 --> 00:30:29.880 corrupt 00:30:29.880 --> 00:30:30.860 generation. 00:30:32.440 --> 00:30:33.220 He's telling 00:30:33.220 --> 00:30:33.720 the people 00:30:33.720 --> 00:30:34.420 look you're 00:30:34.420 --> 00:30:35.019 to leave 00:30:35.019 --> 00:30:35.840 this old 00:30:35.840 --> 00:30:36.539 community. 00:30:37.740 --> 00:30:38.200 Leave the 00:30:38.200 --> 00:30:39.460 community of 00:30:39.460 --> 00:30:40.059 people who 00:30:40.059 --> 00:30:41.120 do not 00:30:41.120 --> 00:30:42.740 put their 00:30:42.740 --> 00:30:43.299 faith in 00:30:43.299 --> 00:30:43.580 Jesus. 00:30:43.720 --> 00:30:44.019 Who do 00:30:44.019 --> 00:30:44.460 not have 00:30:44.460 --> 00:30:45.160 Jesus at 00:30:45.160 --> 00:30:45.720 the centre 00:30:45.720 --> 00:30:46.080 of their 00:30:46.080 --> 00:30:46.480 lives. 00:30:46.700 --> 00:30:47.759 And devote 00:30:47.759 --> 00:30:48.600 yourself or 00:30:48.600 --> 00:30:49.440 join this 00:30:49.440 --> 00:30:50.400 new community 00:30:50.400 --> 00:30:51.680 who do 00:30:51.680 --> 00:30:52.299 have Jesus 00:30:52.299 --> 00:30:52.720 at the 00:30:52.720 --> 00:30:53.080 centre. 00:30:55.180 --> 00:30:55.819 Now of 00:30:55.819 --> 00:30:56.200 course that 00:30:56.200 --> 00:30:56.620 doesn't mean 00:30:56.620 --> 00:30:57.140 we all have 00:30:57.140 --> 00:30:57.660 to leave our 00:30:57.660 --> 00:30:58.200 neighbourhoods 00:30:58.200 --> 00:30:58.600 and go and 00:30:58.600 --> 00:30:59.080 live in some 00:30:59.080 --> 00:30:59.920 little commune 00:30:59.920 --> 00:31:00.559 somewhere or 00:31:00.559 --> 00:31:01.559 stop going to 00:31:01.559 --> 00:31:02.100 our sports 00:31:02.100 --> 00:31:02.519 club or 00:31:02.519 --> 00:31:03.059 anything else 00:31:03.059 --> 00:31:03.380 like that. 00:31:03.640 --> 00:31:04.299 Don't do 00:31:04.299 --> 00:31:04.660 that. 00:31:05.080 --> 00:31:05.640 Stay where 00:31:05.640 --> 00:31:06.360 you are and 00:31:06.360 --> 00:31:06.799 live where 00:31:06.799 --> 00:31:07.440 you are and 00:31:07.440 --> 00:31:08.039 keep being 00:31:08.039 --> 00:31:08.720 involved where 00:31:08.720 --> 00:31:09.059 you are. 00:31:09.420 --> 00:31:09.960 Both of 00:31:09.960 --> 00:31:10.200 you. 00:31:11.120 --> 00:31:11.400 Keep 00:31:11.400 --> 00:31:12.120 involved where 00:31:12.120 --> 00:31:12.720 you are with 00:31:12.720 --> 00:31:13.319 your friends. 00:31:13.539 --> 00:31:14.019 Don't ever 00:31:14.019 --> 00:31:14.559 leave them. 00:31:14.799 --> 00:31:14.980 Alright? 00:31:14.980 --> 00:31:16.380 But what 00:31:16.380 --> 00:31:16.660 does it 00:31:16.660 --> 00:31:17.079 mean this 00:31:17.079 --> 00:31:17.620 leaving to 00:31:17.620 --> 00:31:17.920 another 00:31:17.920 --> 00:31:18.440 community? 00:31:19.039 --> 00:31:19.599 Well it 00:31:19.599 --> 00:31:20.720 simply means 00:31:20.720 --> 00:31:21.940 that we 00:31:21.940 --> 00:31:22.360 have this 00:31:22.360 --> 00:31:22.860 awesome 00:31:22.860 --> 00:31:23.620 privilege and 00:31:23.620 --> 00:31:24.360 responsibility 00:31:24.360 --> 00:31:25.720 of belonging 00:31:25.720 --> 00:31:26.299 to those 00:31:26.299 --> 00:31:27.019 who also 00:31:27.019 --> 00:31:27.720 love Jesus. 00:31:28.460 --> 00:31:28.920 Look what 00:31:28.920 --> 00:31:29.279 it looks 00:31:29.279 --> 00:31:29.539 like. 00:31:29.620 --> 00:31:30.339 Verse 42 00:31:30.339 --> 00:31:31.959 it says 00:31:31.959 --> 00:31:32.379 they now 00:31:32.379 --> 00:31:32.899 devoted 00:31:32.899 --> 00:31:33.279 themselves 00:31:33.279 --> 00:31:33.659 so they 00:31:33.659 --> 00:31:34.119 leave one 00:31:34.119 --> 00:31:34.659 community 00:31:34.659 --> 00:31:35.659 and connect 00:31:35.659 --> 00:31:36.240 themselves to 00:31:36.240 --> 00:31:36.519 another 00:31:36.519 --> 00:31:37.119 community. 00:31:37.539 --> 00:31:37.799 They 00:31:37.799 --> 00:31:38.299 devoted 00:31:38.299 --> 00:31:38.819 themselves 00:31:38.819 --> 00:31:39.199 to the 00:31:39.199 --> 00:31:39.559 apostles 00:31:39.559 --> 00:31:40.199 teaching 00:31:40.199 --> 00:31:41.279 that's 00:31:41.279 --> 00:31:41.740 devoting 00:31:41.740 --> 00:31:42.139 themselves 00:31:42.139 --> 00:31:42.519 to the 00:31:42.519 --> 00:31:42.980 good news 00:31:42.980 --> 00:31:43.259 about 00:31:43.259 --> 00:31:43.599 Jesus 00:31:43.599 --> 00:31:43.859 and 00:31:43.859 --> 00:31:44.279 learning 00:31:44.279 --> 00:31:44.539 from 00:31:44.539 --> 00:31:44.959 God's 00:31:44.959 --> 00:31:45.220 word 00:31:45.220 --> 00:31:45.839 to the 00:31:45.839 --> 00:31:46.259 fellowship 00:31:46.259 --> 00:31:47.919 that's 00:31:47.919 --> 00:31:48.159 to the 00:31:48.159 --> 00:31:48.519 rest of 00:31:48.519 --> 00:31:48.959 the people 00:31:48.959 --> 00:31:49.679 to the 00:31:49.679 --> 00:31:50.019 breaking 00:31:50.019 --> 00:31:50.480 of bread 00:31:50.480 --> 00:31:51.059 remembering 00:31:51.059 --> 00:31:51.539 everything 00:31:51.539 --> 00:31:52.119 that Jesus 00:31:52.119 --> 00:31:52.579 had done 00:31:52.579 --> 00:31:52.919 for them 00:31:52.919 --> 00:31:53.559 his death 00:31:53.559 --> 00:31:54.939 and to 00:31:54.939 --> 00:31:55.339 prayer. 00:31:56.519 --> 00:31:56.779 And verse 00:31:56.779 --> 00:31:57.319 44 00:31:57.319 --> 00:31:58.399 all of 00:31:58.399 --> 00:31:58.539 the 00:31:58.539 --> 00:31:58.939 believers 00:31:58.939 --> 00:31:59.279 were 00:31:59.279 --> 00:31:59.919 together 00:31:59.919 --> 00:32:01.339 and they 00:32:01.339 --> 00:32:01.539 had 00:32:01.539 --> 00:32:01.899 everything 00:32:01.899 --> 00:32:02.200 in 00:32:02.200 --> 00:32:02.619 common. 00:32:03.759 --> 00:32:04.159 They 00:32:04.159 --> 00:32:04.579 were even 00:32:04.579 --> 00:32:05.059 selling 00:32:05.059 --> 00:32:05.319 their 00:32:05.319 --> 00:32:05.839 possessions 00:32:05.839 --> 00:32:07.099 and goods 00:32:07.099 --> 00:32:08.379 and they 00:32:08.379 --> 00:32:09.039 gave to 00:32:09.039 --> 00:32:09.819 anyone 00:32:09.819 --> 00:32:11.159 as he 00:32:11.159 --> 00:32:11.439 had 00:32:11.439 --> 00:32:11.879 need. 00:32:14.059 --> 00:32:14.659 Now 00:32:14.659 --> 00:32:15.159 this isn't 00:32:15.159 --> 00:32:15.700 a community 00:32:15.700 --> 00:32:16.399 of rules 00:32:16.399 --> 00:32:17.220 and regulations 00:32:17.220 --> 00:32:17.899 where everything 00:32:17.899 --> 00:32:18.619 is decided 00:32:18.619 --> 00:32:19.099 for you 00:32:19.099 --> 00:32:19.720 or we're 00:32:19.720 --> 00:32:20.299 suddenly going 00:32:20.299 --> 00:32:20.799 to ask 00:32:20.799 --> 00:32:21.439 Stephen and 00:32:21.439 --> 00:32:21.799 Shane to 00:32:21.799 --> 00:32:22.220 hand over 00:32:22.220 --> 00:32:22.679 their bank 00:32:22.679 --> 00:32:23.559 account details 00:32:23.559 --> 00:32:24.220 or no 00:32:24.220 --> 00:32:24.559 it's not 00:32:24.559 --> 00:32:25.000 like that 00:32:25.000 --> 00:32:25.460 at all. 00:32:26.240 --> 00:32:27.059 It's like 00:32:27.059 --> 00:32:27.700 a family. 00:32:28.399 --> 00:32:28.759 It's a 00:32:28.759 --> 00:32:29.179 place of 00:32:29.179 --> 00:32:29.919 support and 00:32:29.919 --> 00:32:30.279 care, 00:32:30.379 --> 00:32:30.700 a place 00:32:30.700 --> 00:32:31.119 where people 00:32:31.119 --> 00:32:31.839 grow and 00:32:31.839 --> 00:32:32.259 learn. 00:32:32.759 --> 00:32:33.099 It's a 00:32:33.099 --> 00:32:33.740 community 00:32:33.740 --> 00:32:34.919 of 00:32:34.919 --> 00:32:35.799 continual 00:32:35.799 --> 00:32:36.399 forgiveness 00:32:36.399 --> 00:32:37.559 and 00:32:37.559 --> 00:32:38.419 unconditional 00:32:38.419 --> 00:32:39.079 love. 00:32:40.500 --> 00:32:40.899 And of 00:32:40.899 --> 00:32:41.379 course it's 00:32:41.379 --> 00:32:42.159 not perfect 00:32:42.159 --> 00:32:43.440 because this 00:32:43.440 --> 00:32:44.139 community is 00:32:44.139 --> 00:32:44.659 made up of 00:32:44.659 --> 00:32:44.980 people. 00:32:45.399 --> 00:32:46.119 I'm involved 00:32:46.119 --> 00:32:46.500 in that 00:32:46.500 --> 00:32:47.059 community. 00:32:47.859 --> 00:32:48.359 That's one 00:32:48.359 --> 00:32:48.879 good reason 00:32:48.879 --> 00:32:49.339 why it's 00:32:49.339 --> 00:32:49.980 not perfect. 00:32:50.960 --> 00:32:51.539 And Stephen 00:32:51.539 --> 00:32:51.980 and Shane 00:32:51.980 --> 00:32:52.500 are joining. 00:32:52.619 --> 00:32:53.119 That's another 00:32:53.119 --> 00:32:53.740 reason why 00:32:53.740 --> 00:32:54.119 it's not 00:32:54.119 --> 00:32:54.619 perfect. 00:32:55.119 --> 00:32:55.839 He was 00:32:55.839 --> 00:32:56.539 already blaming 00:32:56.539 --> 00:32:57.059 his brother 00:32:57.059 --> 00:32:57.680 earlier on 00:32:57.680 --> 00:32:58.059 for being 00:32:58.059 --> 00:32:58.379 late. 00:32:58.659 --> 00:32:59.119 That's how 00:32:59.119 --> 00:32:59.899 imperfect it 00:32:59.899 --> 00:33:00.180 is. 00:33:01.299 --> 00:33:02.000 But this 00:33:02.000 --> 00:33:02.299 is a 00:33:02.299 --> 00:33:02.839 community 00:33:02.839 --> 00:33:03.920 that depends 00:33:03.920 --> 00:33:04.720 on the 00:33:04.720 --> 00:33:05.700 daily grace 00:33:05.700 --> 00:33:06.659 and mercy 00:33:06.659 --> 00:33:08.059 of God. 00:33:08.240 --> 00:33:08.599 We're 00:33:08.599 --> 00:33:09.259 messed up 00:33:09.259 --> 00:33:09.759 people who 00:33:09.759 --> 00:33:10.099 get it 00:33:10.099 --> 00:33:10.619 wrong all 00:33:10.619 --> 00:33:11.159 the time 00:33:11.159 --> 00:33:11.940 but we're 00:33:11.940 --> 00:33:12.339 simply 00:33:12.339 --> 00:33:13.180 depending on 00:33:13.180 --> 00:33:13.960 his grace 00:33:13.960 --> 00:33:14.559 each and 00:33:14.559 --> 00:33:15.079 every day 00:33:15.079 --> 00:33:15.839 and seeking 00:33:15.839 --> 00:33:16.299 to live 00:33:16.299 --> 00:33:16.899 that grace 00:33:16.899 --> 00:33:17.519 out with 00:33:17.519 --> 00:33:18.059 each other. 00:33:20.960 --> 00:33:21.559 Stephen 00:33:21.559 --> 00:33:22.079 puts it 00:33:22.079 --> 00:33:22.539 like this 00:33:22.539 --> 00:33:22.940 in his 00:33:22.940 --> 00:33:23.399 story. 00:33:25.200 --> 00:33:25.619 This is 00:33:25.619 --> 00:33:26.180 after his 00:33:26.180 --> 00:33:26.500 faith. 00:33:26.639 --> 00:33:26.879 He says 00:33:26.879 --> 00:33:27.420 I then 00:33:27.420 --> 00:33:27.920 knew in 00:33:27.920 --> 00:33:28.680 my heart 00:33:28.680 --> 00:33:29.920 that God 00:33:29.920 --> 00:33:30.639 really had 00:33:30.639 --> 00:33:31.420 forgiven me 00:33:31.420 --> 00:33:32.319 and that I 00:33:32.319 --> 00:33:33.119 was saved. 00:33:33.859 --> 00:33:34.980 I knew I 00:33:34.980 --> 00:33:35.779 was part of 00:33:35.779 --> 00:33:37.220 God's family 00:33:37.220 --> 00:33:38.500 and that I 00:33:38.500 --> 00:33:39.220 was a citizen 00:33:39.220 --> 00:33:39.799 of heaven. 00:33:40.220 --> 00:33:40.720 From then 00:33:40.720 --> 00:33:41.599 on I began 00:33:41.599 --> 00:33:42.279 to grow 00:33:42.279 --> 00:33:43.180 every day 00:33:43.180 --> 00:33:44.079 as a 00:33:44.079 --> 00:33:44.440 believer. 00:33:46.220 --> 00:33:46.659 Shane 00:33:46.659 --> 00:33:47.200 says it 00:33:47.200 --> 00:33:47.859 like this. 00:33:48.839 --> 00:33:49.319 He says 00:33:49.319 --> 00:33:50.019 it's bizarre 00:33:50.019 --> 00:33:50.579 to me 00:33:50.579 --> 00:33:51.400 that you 00:33:51.400 --> 00:33:51.799 can know 00:33:51.799 --> 00:33:52.319 someone for 00:33:52.319 --> 00:33:53.119 five minutes 00:33:53.119 --> 00:33:54.559 but instantly 00:33:54.559 --> 00:33:55.059 have a 00:33:55.059 --> 00:33:56.180 strong bond 00:33:56.180 --> 00:33:57.480 thanks to 00:33:57.480 --> 00:33:58.000 a shared 00:33:58.000 --> 00:33:58.559 love of 00:33:58.559 --> 00:33:58.900 Jesus 00:33:58.900 --> 00:34:00.299 you automatically 00:34:00.299 --> 00:34:01.259 feel as if 00:34:01.259 --> 00:34:01.859 you have a 00:34:01.859 --> 00:34:03.000 bond with 00:34:03.000 --> 00:34:03.579 the other. 00:34:04.839 --> 00:34:05.819 It's bizarre 00:34:05.819 --> 00:34:06.460 isn't it? 00:34:06.859 --> 00:34:07.339 But it's 00:34:07.339 --> 00:34:08.179 very true. 00:34:09.699 --> 00:34:10.139 Now the 00:34:10.139 --> 00:34:10.699 question is 00:34:10.699 --> 00:34:11.019 how do 00:34:11.019 --> 00:34:11.659 people know 00:34:11.659 --> 00:34:12.780 that Stephen 00:34:12.780 --> 00:34:13.259 and Shane 00:34:13.259 --> 00:34:13.800 are a part 00:34:13.800 --> 00:34:14.099 of this 00:34:14.099 --> 00:34:14.900 new community? 00:34:15.360 --> 00:34:15.860 Well hopefully 00:34:15.860 --> 00:34:16.400 by the way 00:34:16.400 --> 00:34:16.900 they live 00:34:16.900 --> 00:34:17.280 and the way 00:34:17.280 --> 00:34:17.780 they care 00:34:17.780 --> 00:34:18.259 for others 00:34:18.259 --> 00:34:19.039 and the way 00:34:19.039 --> 00:34:19.559 they help 00:34:19.559 --> 00:34:20.000 out which 00:34:20.000 --> 00:34:20.320 is what 00:34:20.320 --> 00:34:20.820 they do 00:34:20.820 --> 00:34:21.719 but the 00:34:21.719 --> 00:34:22.360 sign 00:34:22.360 --> 00:34:24.179 well look 00:34:24.179 --> 00:34:24.500 at verse 00:34:24.500 --> 00:34:25.360 41 was 00:34:25.360 --> 00:34:25.699 that they 00:34:25.699 --> 00:34:25.880 were 00:34:25.880 --> 00:34:26.460 baptized. 00:34:28.619 --> 00:34:29.280 Look at 00:34:29.280 --> 00:34:29.900 verse 41 00:34:29.900 --> 00:34:30.539 those who 00:34:30.539 --> 00:34:31.400 accepted the 00:34:31.400 --> 00:34:31.920 message 00:34:31.920 --> 00:34:32.960 the good 00:34:32.960 --> 00:34:33.519 news about 00:34:33.519 --> 00:34:33.900 Jesus 00:34:33.900 --> 00:34:34.719 were baptized 00:34:34.719 --> 00:34:36.099 and about 00:34:36.099 --> 00:34:37.139 3,000 were 00:34:37.139 --> 00:34:37.760 added to 00:34:37.760 --> 00:34:38.360 their number 00:34:38.360 --> 00:34:38.900 that day. 00:34:39.159 --> 00:34:39.559 They just 00:34:39.559 --> 00:34:40.239 simply became 00:34:40.239 --> 00:34:40.760 part of 00:34:40.760 --> 00:34:41.420 the community. 00:34:43.619 --> 00:34:44.340 You see 00:34:44.340 --> 00:34:45.159 baptism was 00:34:45.159 --> 00:34:45.820 like an 00:34:45.820 --> 00:34:46.360 initiation. 00:34:47.139 --> 00:34:47.500 It was a 00:34:47.500 --> 00:34:48.199 sign to 00:34:48.199 --> 00:34:48.659 say that 00:34:48.659 --> 00:34:49.360 we're no 00:34:49.360 --> 00:34:49.940 longer part 00:34:49.940 --> 00:34:50.260 of this 00:34:50.260 --> 00:34:50.760 community 00:34:50.760 --> 00:34:51.039 we're 00:34:51.039 --> 00:34:51.500 part of 00:34:51.500 --> 00:34:51.820 this 00:34:51.820 --> 00:34:52.460 community 00:34:52.460 --> 00:34:54.599 the family 00:34:54.599 --> 00:34:55.240 of Jesus. 00:34:56.940 --> 00:34:57.620 You see 00:34:57.620 --> 00:34:58.180 our faith 00:34:58.180 --> 00:34:58.720 in Jesus 00:34:58.720 --> 00:34:59.200 is not 00:34:59.200 --> 00:34:59.640 just some 00:34:59.640 --> 00:35:00.140 personal 00:35:00.140 --> 00:35:00.559 affair 00:35:00.559 --> 00:35:01.240 that we 00:35:01.240 --> 00:35:01.680 conduct 00:35:01.680 --> 00:35:02.660 out there 00:35:02.660 --> 00:35:03.200 somewhere in 00:35:03.200 --> 00:35:03.700 our house 00:35:03.700 --> 00:35:04.079 on our 00:35:04.079 --> 00:35:04.320 own 00:35:04.320 --> 00:35:05.140 and do 00:35:05.140 --> 00:35:05.440 it when 00:35:05.440 --> 00:35:05.880 we want 00:35:05.880 --> 00:35:06.140 to. 00:35:07.280 --> 00:35:07.840 No it's 00:35:07.840 --> 00:35:08.280 a public 00:35:08.280 --> 00:35:08.860 event 00:35:08.860 --> 00:35:10.220 of joining 00:35:10.220 --> 00:35:10.960 the family 00:35:10.960 --> 00:35:11.559 of Jesus. 00:35:12.079 --> 00:35:12.740 Faith in 00:35:12.740 --> 00:35:13.200 Jesus 00:35:13.199 --> 00:35:14.299 and the 00:35:14.299 --> 00:35:15.019 family of 00:35:15.019 --> 00:35:15.279 Jesus. 00:35:15.399 --> 00:35:15.819 You can't 00:35:15.819 --> 00:35:16.519 separate them. 00:35:17.399 --> 00:35:18.079 They belong 00:35:18.079 --> 00:35:18.899 together. 00:35:20.059 --> 00:35:20.519 And that's 00:35:20.519 --> 00:35:21.099 why we have 00:35:21.099 --> 00:35:21.679 this public 00:35:21.679 --> 00:35:23.199 event inviting 00:35:23.199 --> 00:35:23.839 people to 00:35:23.839 --> 00:35:24.379 come and to 00:35:24.379 --> 00:35:24.779 share that 00:35:24.779 --> 00:35:25.359 they're saying 00:35:25.359 --> 00:35:26.439 yes I'm a 00:35:26.439 --> 00:35:27.000 follower of 00:35:27.000 --> 00:35:27.299 Jesus, 00:35:27.539 --> 00:35:28.159 yes I have 00:35:28.159 --> 00:35:28.639 faith in 00:35:28.639 --> 00:35:29.559 Jesus and 00:35:29.559 --> 00:35:30.759 yes I'm in 00:35:30.759 --> 00:35:31.319 the family 00:35:31.319 --> 00:35:31.899 of Jesus. 00:35:31.900 --> 00:35:32.059 Jesus. 00:35:35.820 --> 00:35:36.599 Now in a 00:35:36.599 --> 00:35:37.220 moment Shane 00:35:37.220 --> 00:35:37.760 and Stephen 00:35:37.760 --> 00:35:38.380 are going to 00:35:38.380 --> 00:35:39.320 get baptised 00:35:39.320 --> 00:35:41.000 but as we 00:35:41.000 --> 00:35:41.500 said at the 00:35:41.500 --> 00:35:42.079 very beginning 00:35:42.079 --> 00:35:42.840 it's not 00:35:42.840 --> 00:35:43.579 actually about 00:35:43.579 --> 00:35:43.900 them. 00:35:44.940 --> 00:35:45.720 If we think 00:35:45.720 --> 00:35:46.139 it's about 00:35:46.139 --> 00:35:46.700 them we've 00:35:46.700 --> 00:35:47.119 missed the 00:35:47.119 --> 00:35:47.519 point. 00:35:48.340 --> 00:35:48.820 And it's 00:35:48.820 --> 00:35:49.240 not even 00:35:49.240 --> 00:35:49.780 about this 00:35:49.780 --> 00:35:50.119 church. 00:35:50.220 --> 00:35:50.480 It's a 00:35:50.480 --> 00:35:50.760 Baptist 00:35:50.760 --> 00:35:51.180 church. 00:35:51.680 --> 00:35:52.340 So be it 00:35:52.340 --> 00:35:52.680 but it's 00:35:52.680 --> 00:35:53.180 not actually 00:35:53.180 --> 00:35:53.720 about this 00:35:53.720 --> 00:35:54.360 church either. 00:35:55.320 --> 00:35:56.059 It's all 00:35:56.059 --> 00:35:56.740 about Jesus 00:35:56.740 --> 00:35:57.380 Christ. 00:35:59.079 --> 00:35:59.260 Their 00:35:59.260 --> 00:36:00.920 baptism is a 00:36:00.920 --> 00:36:01.800 picture of 00:36:01.800 --> 00:36:02.800 their new 00:36:02.800 --> 00:36:03.300 life. 00:36:03.840 --> 00:36:04.480 Our faith 00:36:04.480 --> 00:36:05.039 in Jesus. 00:36:06.060 --> 00:36:06.700 The new 00:36:06.700 --> 00:36:07.340 community. 00:36:07.960 --> 00:36:08.680 The family 00:36:08.680 --> 00:36:09.760 of Jesus. 00:36:12.320 --> 00:36:13.220 But is this 00:36:13.220 --> 00:36:13.680 just for 00:36:13.680 --> 00:36:14.140 Shane and 00:36:14.140 --> 00:36:14.480 Stephen? 00:36:15.560 --> 00:36:16.200 Is the 00:36:16.200 --> 00:36:16.680 good news 00:36:16.680 --> 00:36:17.180 of Jesus 00:36:17.180 --> 00:36:17.980 Christ just 00:36:17.980 --> 00:36:18.640 for these 00:36:18.640 --> 00:36:19.740 two people 00:36:19.740 --> 00:36:20.100 here? 00:36:20.620 --> 00:36:21.039 The new 00:36:21.039 --> 00:36:21.560 life, the 00:36:21.560 --> 00:36:22.240 new community 00:36:22.240 --> 00:36:22.820 is it just 00:36:22.820 --> 00:36:23.580 kind of for 00:36:23.580 --> 00:36:23.980 a few? 00:36:25.539 --> 00:36:25.920 Well look 00:36:25.920 --> 00:36:26.240 at verse 00:36:26.240 --> 00:36:26.820 39. 00:36:28.660 --> 00:36:29.460 I don't 00:36:29.460 --> 00:36:29.820 think it 00:36:29.820 --> 00:36:30.080 is. 00:36:30.440 --> 00:36:30.900 I think 00:36:30.900 --> 00:36:31.580 it's open 00:36:31.579 --> 00:36:33.159 to all. 00:36:33.519 --> 00:36:33.880 Look at 00:36:33.880 --> 00:36:34.679 verse 39. 00:36:36.139 --> 00:36:36.519 This 00:36:36.519 --> 00:36:37.159 promise, 00:36:38.400 --> 00:36:38.819 the new 00:36:38.819 --> 00:36:39.340 life, the 00:36:39.340 --> 00:36:40.039 new community 00:36:40.039 --> 00:36:42.119 is for 00:36:42.119 --> 00:36:43.299 you and 00:36:43.299 --> 00:36:44.139 your children 00:36:44.139 --> 00:36:44.960 and for 00:36:44.960 --> 00:36:45.619 all who 00:36:45.619 --> 00:36:46.059 are far 00:36:46.059 --> 00:36:46.259 off. 00:36:46.319 --> 00:36:46.880 So he 00:36:46.880 --> 00:36:47.579 was talking, 00:36:47.739 --> 00:36:48.279 this is like 00:36:48.279 --> 00:36:49.219 2,000 years 00:36:49.219 --> 00:36:49.779 ago, so 00:36:49.779 --> 00:36:50.659 we're these 00:36:50.659 --> 00:36:51.219 people who 00:36:51.219 --> 00:36:51.699 are far 00:36:51.699 --> 00:36:52.099 off at 00:36:52.099 --> 00:36:52.719 this stage, 00:36:53.279 --> 00:36:53.559 a long 00:36:53.559 --> 00:36:54.019 ways off, 00:36:54.119 --> 00:36:54.960 2,000 years 00:36:54.960 --> 00:36:55.340 off. 00:36:55.340 --> 00:36:57.320 and for 00:36:57.320 --> 00:36:58.220 all whom 00:36:58.220 --> 00:36:58.860 the Lord 00:36:58.860 --> 00:36:59.740 our God 00:36:59.740 --> 00:37:01.120 will call. 00:37:03.420 --> 00:37:03.900 You see, 00:37:03.960 --> 00:37:04.320 God has 00:37:04.320 --> 00:37:04.640 done a 00:37:04.640 --> 00:37:05.140 work in 00:37:05.140 --> 00:37:05.720 Stephen and 00:37:05.720 --> 00:37:06.100 Shane's 00:37:06.100 --> 00:37:06.460 life. 00:37:07.220 --> 00:37:07.460 He's 00:37:07.460 --> 00:37:07.800 helped them 00:37:07.800 --> 00:37:08.220 to see 00:37:08.220 --> 00:37:08.820 and understand. 00:37:09.480 --> 00:37:09.980 He's given 00:37:09.980 --> 00:37:10.760 them understanding 00:37:10.760 --> 00:37:11.640 and he's 00:37:11.640 --> 00:37:12.160 brought them 00:37:12.160 --> 00:37:12.960 to a place 00:37:12.960 --> 00:37:13.940 of faith. 00:37:14.019 --> 00:37:14.780 That's God's 00:37:14.780 --> 00:37:15.220 work in 00:37:15.220 --> 00:37:15.820 their life 00:37:15.820 --> 00:37:16.640 and this 00:37:16.640 --> 00:37:17.280 promise is 00:37:17.280 --> 00:37:17.880 open to 00:37:17.880 --> 00:37:18.539 everybody 00:37:18.539 --> 00:37:19.140 who will 00:37:19.140 --> 00:37:20.420 come and 00:37:20.420 --> 00:37:21.240 trust him. 00:37:21.239 --> 00:37:24.239 they've 00:37:24.239 --> 00:37:24.979 responded to 00:37:24.979 --> 00:37:25.319 the good 00:37:25.319 --> 00:37:25.719 news. 00:37:26.839 --> 00:37:27.439 They've 00:37:27.439 --> 00:37:27.799 put their 00:37:27.799 --> 00:37:28.419 faith in 00:37:28.419 --> 00:37:28.739 Jesus. 00:37:29.759 --> 00:37:30.279 They've 00:37:30.279 --> 00:37:30.839 identified 00:37:30.839 --> 00:37:31.559 themselves 00:37:31.559 --> 00:37:32.179 with belonging 00:37:32.179 --> 00:37:32.579 to the 00:37:32.579 --> 00:37:33.179 family of 00:37:33.179 --> 00:37:33.479 Jesus. 00:37:34.399 --> 00:37:34.839 Baptism 00:37:34.839 --> 00:37:35.379 is simply 00:37:35.379 --> 00:37:36.019 a sign 00:37:36.019 --> 00:37:37.039 of those 00:37:37.039 --> 00:37:37.459 things. 00:37:39.079 --> 00:37:39.699 What's 00:37:39.699 --> 00:37:40.139 our 00:37:40.139 --> 00:37:40.799 response? 00:37:40.899 --> 00:37:41.099 What's 00:37:41.099 --> 00:37:41.819 my response? 00:37:41.959 --> 00:37:42.279 What's 00:37:42.279 --> 00:37:42.639 your 00:37:42.639 --> 00:37:43.419 response 00:37:43.419 --> 00:37:44.679 to the 00:37:44.679 --> 00:37:44.859 good 00:37:44.859 --> 00:37:45.139 news 00:37:45.139 --> 00:37:45.299 of 00:37:45.299 --> 00:37:45.599 Jesus? 00:37:48.539 --> 00:37:49.179 Have 00:37:49.179 --> 00:37:49.500 you got 00:37:49.500 --> 00:37:50.259 faith in 00:37:50.259 --> 00:37:50.559 Jesus? 00:37:51.239 --> 00:37:53.479 is your 00:37:53.479 --> 00:37:54.000 faith in 00:37:54.000 --> 00:37:54.579 his death 00:37:54.579 --> 00:37:54.939 and 00:37:54.939 --> 00:37:55.539 resurrection 00:37:55.539 --> 00:37:57.059 or are 00:37:57.059 --> 00:37:57.339 you going 00:37:57.339 --> 00:37:57.759 to trust 00:37:57.759 --> 00:37:58.319 yourself 00:37:58.319 --> 00:37:59.679 or are 00:37:59.679 --> 00:37:59.879 you going 00:37:59.879 --> 00:38:00.279 to trust 00:38:00.279 --> 00:38:00.599 him? 00:38:02.919 --> 00:38:03.599 What about 00:38:03.599 --> 00:38:04.139 the family 00:38:04.139 --> 00:38:04.659 of Jesus? 00:38:05.979 --> 00:38:06.479 Is the 00:38:06.479 --> 00:38:07.039 Christian life 00:38:07.039 --> 00:38:07.519 something you 00:38:07.519 --> 00:38:07.959 just want to 00:38:07.959 --> 00:38:08.299 live on 00:38:08.299 --> 00:38:08.719 your own 00:38:08.719 --> 00:38:10.019 or have 00:38:10.019 --> 00:38:10.539 you committed 00:38:10.539 --> 00:38:11.459 to the 00:38:11.459 --> 00:38:11.879 family? 00:38:12.299 --> 00:38:12.979 It's part of 00:38:12.979 --> 00:38:13.339 the same 00:38:13.339 --> 00:38:13.599 thing. 00:38:13.679 --> 00:38:14.000 If you have 00:38:14.000 --> 00:38:14.479 faith in 00:38:14.479 --> 00:38:14.799 Jesus, 00:38:15.019 --> 00:38:15.679 you're in 00:38:15.679 --> 00:38:16.159 the family 00:38:16.159 --> 00:38:16.679 of Jesus. 00:38:16.879 --> 00:38:17.339 You can't 00:38:17.339 --> 00:38:18.139 separate it. 00:38:19.379 --> 00:38:19.979 This is the 00:38:19.979 --> 00:38:20.979 good news 00:38:20.980 --> 00:38:22.320 that Christ 00:38:22.320 --> 00:38:22.900 has come 00:38:22.900 --> 00:38:23.320 to bring 00:38:23.320 --> 00:38:23.699 us. 00:38:24.719 --> 00:38:25.219 Stephen and 00:38:25.219 --> 00:38:25.619 Shane have 00:38:25.619 --> 00:38:26.119 responded. 00:38:27.199 --> 00:38:27.980 We all 00:38:27.980 --> 00:38:28.340 need to 00:38:28.340 --> 00:38:28.820 respond 00:38:28.820 --> 00:38:31.340 to this 00:38:31.340 --> 00:38:31.900 message. 00:38:34.360 --> 00:38:34.840 Let's 00:38:34.840 --> 00:38:35.139 pray 00:38:35.139 --> 00:38:37.800 and then 00:38:37.800 --> 00:38:38.400 we are 00:38:38.400 --> 00:38:39.780 going to 00:38:39.780 --> 00:38:42.400 baptise 00:38:42.400 --> 00:38:43.380 Stephen and 00:38:43.380 --> 00:38:43.639 Shane, 00:38:43.740 --> 00:38:43.980 but we'll 00:38:43.980 --> 00:38:44.639 pray and 00:38:44.639 --> 00:38:44.920 then we'll 00:38:44.920 --> 00:38:45.320 just have a 00:38:45.320 --> 00:38:45.860 little minute 00:38:45.860 --> 00:38:46.460 or two and 00:38:46.460 --> 00:38:46.980 somebody can 00:38:46.980 --> 00:38:47.460 go and get 00:38:47.460 --> 00:38:48.159 the others. 00:38:48.260 --> 00:38:48.579 But let's 00:38:48.579 --> 00:38:49.099 just pray 00:38:49.099 --> 00:38:49.920 together 00:38:49.920 --> 00:38:50.299 first. 00:38:50.380 --> 00:38:50.599 Let's 00:38:50.599 --> 00:38:51.099 just use 00:38:51.099 --> 00:38:52.019 a moment's 00:38:52.019 --> 00:38:52.539 silence 00:38:52.539 --> 00:38:55.159 for us 00:38:55.159 --> 00:38:55.639 all to 00:38:55.639 --> 00:38:56.699 respond to 00:38:56.699 --> 00:38:57.199 what we've 00:38:57.199 --> 00:38:57.500 heard. 00:39:02.579 --> 00:39:03.299 When they 00:39:03.299 --> 00:39:03.819 heard the 00:39:03.819 --> 00:39:04.299 message, 00:39:04.539 --> 00:39:04.980 they said, 00:39:05.079 --> 00:39:05.619 what shall 00:39:05.619 --> 00:39:06.279 we do? 00:39:08.779 --> 00:39:09.639 And Peter 00:39:09.639 --> 00:39:10.239 replied, 00:39:10.400 --> 00:39:10.860 repent 00:39:10.860 --> 00:39:12.679 and be 00:39:12.679 --> 00:39:13.519 baptised, 00:39:13.799 --> 00:39:14.380 every one 00:39:14.380 --> 00:39:14.780 of you. 00:39:32.780 --> 00:39:33.559 Father, we 00:39:33.559 --> 00:39:34.019 thank you 00:39:34.019 --> 00:39:35.300 that it's 00:39:35.300 --> 00:39:36.019 not dependent 00:39:36.019 --> 00:39:36.860 on ourselves, 00:39:37.519 --> 00:39:39.160 but it's 00:39:39.160 --> 00:39:39.940 dependent on 00:39:39.940 --> 00:39:40.320 the Lord 00:39:40.320 --> 00:39:40.740 Jesus, 00:39:40.739 --> 00:39:42.759 that he 00:39:42.759 --> 00:39:43.439 died our 00:39:43.439 --> 00:39:43.759 death. 00:39:45.439 --> 00:39:46.219 He took 00:39:46.219 --> 00:39:46.719 the blame 00:39:46.719 --> 00:39:47.259 that you 00:39:47.259 --> 00:39:47.559 and I 00:39:47.559 --> 00:39:47.919 deserve. 00:39:49.179 --> 00:39:49.939 He defeated 00:39:49.939 --> 00:39:50.679 death for 00:39:50.679 --> 00:39:51.019 us, 00:39:51.139 --> 00:39:51.659 something that 00:39:51.659 --> 00:39:52.019 we could 00:39:52.019 --> 00:39:52.659 never do, 00:39:53.759 --> 00:39:54.639 so that we 00:39:54.639 --> 00:39:55.139 might have 00:39:55.139 --> 00:39:56.459 new and 00:39:56.459 --> 00:39:57.419 eternal life. 00:39:59.079 --> 00:39:59.799 But not 00:39:59.799 --> 00:40:00.299 only that, 00:40:00.359 --> 00:40:00.879 he has given 00:40:00.879 --> 00:40:01.339 us the 00:40:01.339 --> 00:40:02.299 wonderful family 00:40:02.299 --> 00:40:02.899 of Jesus, 00:40:03.699 --> 00:40:05.179 other people 00:40:05.179 --> 00:40:06.000 to care and 00:40:06.000 --> 00:40:06.699 support and 00:40:06.699 --> 00:40:07.239 encourage, 00:40:08.179 --> 00:40:08.759 people who 00:40:08.759 --> 00:40:09.239 forgive. 00:40:10.739 --> 00:40:11.399 People who 00:40:11.399 --> 00:40:12.059 show grace 00:40:12.059 --> 00:40:12.619 and mercy 00:40:12.619 --> 00:40:13.259 and love. 00:40:14.879 --> 00:40:15.719 We thank 00:40:15.719 --> 00:40:17.579 you for 00:40:17.579 --> 00:40:18.339 these wonderful 00:40:18.339 --> 00:40:19.859 things that 00:40:19.859 --> 00:40:20.639 we can have 00:40:20.639 --> 00:40:21.319 because of 00:40:21.319 --> 00:40:21.500 you. 00:40:23.439 --> 00:40:24.199 We thank 00:40:24.199 --> 00:40:24.479 you for 00:40:24.479 --> 00:40:25.099 Stephen and 00:40:25.099 --> 00:40:25.399 Shane. 00:40:26.219 --> 00:40:26.699 Thank you 00:40:26.699 --> 00:40:27.099 that they 00:40:27.099 --> 00:40:27.539 have put 00:40:27.539 --> 00:40:28.099 their faith 00:40:28.099 --> 00:40:28.559 in you. 00:40:29.199 --> 00:40:29.639 Thank you 00:40:29.639 --> 00:40:30.000 that they 00:40:30.000 --> 00:40:30.579 love you. 00:40:31.639 --> 00:40:32.000 And we 00:40:32.000 --> 00:40:32.559 pray your 00:40:32.559 --> 00:40:33.139 help for 00:40:33.139 --> 00:40:33.459 them as 00:40:33.459 --> 00:40:33.779 they go 00:40:33.779 --> 00:40:34.419 into school 00:40:34.419 --> 00:40:35.099 and college 00:40:35.099 --> 00:40:36.119 at the 00:40:36.119 --> 00:40:36.379 beginning 00:40:36.379 --> 00:40:36.799 of this 00:40:36.799 --> 00:40:37.159 week. 00:40:38.159 --> 00:40:38.759 That they 00:40:38.759 --> 00:40:39.059 would be 00:40:39.059 --> 00:40:39.719 strong for 00:40:39.719 --> 00:40:39.839 you, 00:40:39.919 --> 00:40:40.179 that they 00:40:40.179 --> 00:40:40.559 would live 00:40:40.559 --> 00:40:40.900 for you, 00:40:40.980 --> 00:40:41.299 that they 00:40:41.299 --> 00:40:41.679 would be 00:40:41.679 --> 00:40:42.279 people who 00:40:42.279 --> 00:40:42.840 tell others 00:40:42.840 --> 00:40:43.219 the good 00:40:43.219 --> 00:40:45.279 news and 00:40:45.279 --> 00:40:45.880 bring that 00:40:45.880 --> 00:40:46.679 same love 00:40:46.679 --> 00:40:48.860 wherever they 00:40:48.860 --> 00:40:49.139 go. 00:40:50.119 --> 00:40:50.619 Encourage 00:40:50.619 --> 00:40:51.000 them in 00:40:51.000 --> 00:40:51.699 their lives. 00:40:52.960 --> 00:40:53.259 Bless 00:40:53.259 --> 00:40:53.619 them. 00:40:54.719 --> 00:40:54.940 Keep 00:40:54.940 --> 00:40:55.779 them strong. 00:40:57.079 --> 00:40:57.279 Keep 00:40:57.279 --> 00:40:58.059 them focused 00:40:58.059 --> 00:40:58.599 on you. 00:41:00.099 --> 00:41:00.960 We pray 00:41:00.960 --> 00:41:01.400 all these 00:41:01.400 --> 00:41:02.000 things in 00:41:02.000 --> 00:41:02.360 Jesus' 00:41:02.360 --> 00:41:02.779 name. 00:41:03.900 --> 00:41:04.299 Amen. 00:41:07.299 --> 00:41:07.920 So I'm 00:41:07.920 --> 00:41:08.480 going to 00:41:08.480 --> 00:41:09.259 ask Stephen 00:41:09.260 --> 00:41:10.640 on you. 00:41:10.640 --> 00:41:14.680 Hold on 00:41:14.720 --> 00:41:17.560 water on e 00:41:17.560 --> 00:41:18.660 and for 00:41:19.160 --> 00:41:21.560 to 00:41:21.720 --> 00:41:22.840 to 00:41:26.840 --> 00:41:27.520 be 00:41:27.800 --> 00:41:27.900 good.