The song you just sang ends with, Jesus, we turn our eyes to you.
Now, why would we do that?
Why would we consider turning our eyes to Jesus?
! Why does that matter?
Why would a people who come to church on a Sunday morning
ever consider to turn their eyes to Jesus and not to something else?
Well, of course, it's because we recognize that in Jesus,
we have everything that we need for life and godliness,
that Christ has accomplished for us what is required to bring us to God
and to make us a people that are connected to God and to one another
because of his death, his resurrection, because of his work on the cross,
because of his perfect life, because of what he's done for us
in establishing us as a people to God and a people to one another.
So because of what Jesus has accomplished,
I think we can all appreciate the fact that we turn our eyes to him.
We look to him.
He's the one who's sufficient.
He's the answer.
Last week, we began to see this church that began to be birthed,
began to be born there in Acts chapter 2,
and we got to see up close and personal what the ultimate goal of the church is.
So I'm going to turn it to you and give you an opportunity just to think
and maybe even respond.
What is the ultimate goal of a church?
The chief end of man is to glorify God.
So the ultimate goal of the church, of course, is to bring glory to God.
We know that.
And we got to see that last week.
We got to see how this church is beginning to be born,
and because of the work of God and the glory of God shining on this church,
we see this glory that's kind of emanating in every piece and every component
that is taking place here at the beginning.
That shouldn't be a surprise.
We got to see the glory of God that was revealed in the presence of the Holy Spirit.
We saw that Holy Spirit that came, this indwelling presence,
in changing the people who were there in the upper room,
in helping them to experience and to know that God was fundamentally making them into witnesses,
empowering their witness.
The glory of God was present.
And maybe just for a moment, we need to back up for a second.
And what is the glory of God?
Is the glory of God just His shining?
Is it just His majesty?
Is it just His brightness?
And last week, we came to see and reminded again that the glory of God is more than that.
The glory of God is the manifestation of His presence, power, and authority among His people.
That's where we see the glory of God.
And so when the presence of God comes through the Holy Spirit in Jerusalem on a people,
the glory of God was there because the presence of God was manifested.
We saw last week that the glory of God was revealed through the Word of God.
That God's people, embracing the Scriptures, embracing the truth of who God was,
then got to enjoy that presence of God and the nature of God through the truth of God in His Word.
We saw the glory of God revealed in His people.
That Jesus came in the flesh, that Jesus became flesh and dwelt among us so that He could impart His Spirit and make a people for Himself.
That would then help the rest of the world participate in seeing the glory of God as well.
We saw that the glory of God will be revealed in His Son.
And it was revealed, of course, in Jesus Himself.
But the glory of God will be revealed in the final moments, the end of history when Jesus comes back
and Jesus takes His place, a place of authority, a place on a throne, a place of reigning as King forever and ever.
From the very beginning, the church is set apart by the glory of God.
And so it should be no surprise then that we see this theme of God's glory everywhere we look in the Scriptures.
Of course, all of creation testifies to the glory of God.
Psalm 19, the heavens declare the glory of God.
And of course, everything exists for His glory.
It's there to help participate and enjoy and express glory to God.
1 Corinthians 10.31, so whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.
So that then the greatest offense that we ever commit,
those outside of Christ and even those inside Christ,
the greatest offense we ever commit is falling short of the glory of God.
Romans 3.23 says,
For all have sinned and fallen short of the glory.
Isn't that interesting?
See, we push away the presence of God.
We push away the authority of God.
We want nothing to do with that when we choose our sin over choosing God.
We don't want His glory, so we fall short of His standard.
And so the greatest strategy of our enemy then, of course, is to interfere with the glory of God.
2 Corinthians 4.3 and 4 says this,
That's Satan's strategy.
He doesn't want you to see the glory of God.
And then the greatest blessing of the gospel found in the next couple of verses, verses 5 and 6.
For what we proclaim is not ourselves but Jesus Christ as Lord,
with ourselves as your servants for Jesus' sake.
For God who said,
Let light shine out of darkness,
has shone into our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.
God intends to shine His glory and to bless His people with a vision of God Himself.
And those who see the glory of God respond in faith and get to enjoy the benefits of His glory.
And then the inevitable aim of salvation is to help us to be transformed by glory.
We see that in 2 Corinthians 3.18.
It says,
If you are a child of God, if you have believed in Christ, ask forgiveness for your sins,
then you have the indwelling Holy Spirit and His aim in your life is to change you.
Not to leave you where you are.
To change you from one degree of glory to the other.
It's incredible.
And so the final outcome of the end of the age is to direct hearts to the glory of God.
Philippians 2.9-11 says,
Therefore God has highly exalted Him, speaking of Jesus,
and bestowed on Him the name that is above every name,
so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow,
in heaven and on earth and under the earth,
and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord to the glory of God the Father.
Seeing and savoring Jesus.
The glory of God is the aim of creation and is also the aim of the church.
That's the highest objective.
But what is the church?
We're talking about the church now.
For the next couple of weeks we're going to be discussing what is the nature of the church?
What makes up a church?
Now we understand it's built on the glory of God,
but what constitutes the church?
How do we define the church?
How do we understand the church?
We're going to spend some time working through Acts chapter 2,
kind of in the flow of our sermon series here,
and I would just encourage you,
if you would, to open up your Bibles to page 910,
or Acts chapter 2, beginning in verse 22,
as we endeavor to understand what the church is by looking at the scriptures.
John Piper has provided this helpful definition of the church.
He says this,
The church is a group of baptized believers
who meet regularly to worship God through Jesus Christ
under the guidance of duly appointed leaders.
I think that's a helpful definition,
and we're going to break that out piece by piece
as we're working our way through the text
and see how relatable that is to our situation.
But we're going to see that the church is built on the foundation of Christ.
The church has Christ as its central identity.
And right at the start, as we evaluate this definition,
I want to provide maybe some defining statements.
So as we have this helpful definition,
what are some things that are true?
Maybe what are some things that are not true
that help us understand the fullness of what we're talking about
when we talk about the church itself?
This first defining statement,
you may find it there in your notes, is this,
The church is not the building,
it's the body.
The church is not the building,
it's the body.
You see, the church is not the structure.
It's not this piece of property
that we're all gathered in.
This is a building,
and it is a place where we worship as the church,
but this is not fundamentally the church.
Peter wants us to understand the living nature of the church
when he says this in 1 Peter 2, verse 5.
He says,
You also, as living stones,
are being built up a spiritual house,
a holy priesthood,
to offer up sacrifices acceptable to God
through Jesus Christ.
And throughout the scriptures,
the nature of the living organism of the church
is expressed in a number of metaphors
that Jesus will use throughout his teaching ministry.
He'll refer to the church as a body.
He'll refer to the church as a bride.
He'll refer to the church as a flock,
or as branches,
and that he is the vine.
He wants to express to us
and help us understand
the living quality of the church.
So we don't find our identity in this structure.
This building is not the church.
This building helps to facilitate believers
who are part of the church
to enjoy worship
and to be encouraged
and to meet with one another
and to carry out the purposes
that God has called us to.
But fundamentally,
this is just the building.
But you are the church.
We believers represent the church.
And so when God gives directives
and provides purposes for the church,
those purposes are not meant to be carried out
by the structure.
Those purposes are meant to be carried out by you
because you are the church.
So when God calls the church to action,
he calls people to action.
And as you are the church
and I am the church,
God has called us to carry out
those objectives together
as a collective unit
of living people
expressing our devotion to God
in carrying out the objectives
that he's called us to.
This is a radical shift in thinking.
This is a radical way
for us to begin to understand
that when God tells the church
to do something,
he's not talking about something theoretical.
He's talking about something very concrete.
He's talking to people.
So just in a moment,
just do this exercise with me.
If you are a believer in Jesus Christ,
the person sitting on your left,
why don't you look to the person on your left?
I guess it's over here.
Look to the person on your right.
If that person is a believer,
that person belongs to you.
They belong to you.
And you belong to them
because you are the church.
That's important for us to understand.
It's not just a theoretical gathering of people
that just kind of show up once in a while
in this structure,
but that you are sent by God
to carry out the mission
that he's given you to carry out.
What a blessing that is.
What a responsibility that is.
So as we come to our passage,
we begin to understand fundamentally
that the church are followers of Jesus Christ.
That's our first point this morning
from Acts chapter 2,
verses 22 to 36.
We're going to see that Jesus Christ
is the one who is the head of his church.
And those who follow Jesus
can identify themselves
not just as disciples of Jesus
or followers of Jesus,
but those who are fundamentally connected
to him as the church.
Here's what it says in verse 22.
It says,
Men of Israel,
hear these words,
Jesus of Nazareth,
a man attested to you by God
with mighty works and wonders
and signs that God did through him
in your midst.
As you yourselves know,
this Jesus delivered up
according to the definite plan
and foreknowledge of God,
you crucified and killed
by the hands of lawless men.
God raised him up,
loosing the pangs of death
because it was not possible
for him to be held by it.
front and center
in Peter's sermon,
he wants to direct attention
to the one who got it all started.
Jesus Christ
is the reason why we gather.
Jesus Christ
is the reason why we exist.
And so Peter has just said
in verse 21
that everyone who calls
on the name of the Lord
shall be saved.
What does it mean
to call on the name of the Lord?
Does it just mean
I say his name out loud?
Does it just mean
that once in a while
I might direct attention to him?
No.
There's something
quite specific
that Peter has in mind.
And over the next several verses,
he'll develop that
when he's talking about
who Jesus is
and the faith
that needs to be resident
in the hearts of believers
of what we believe
about Jesus
that leads us
and helps us to enjoy
saving faith in him.
I'm just going to touch on it briefly
in our time this morning.
And then next week,
I want to just develop
this a little bit more
because it's really important
for us to understand Jesus,
understand what faith
in Christ really looks like.
In verse 22,
we notice that Jesus
was fully man.
He was fully man.
That's the first thing
I want to draw your attention to.
It says,
Jesus of Nazareth,
a man attested to you
by signs and wonders.
You see,
Jesus came
from a real place.
Jesus
had a real heritage.
Jesus
lived
as a man
with flesh
and blood.
Jesus came
to a real time
and a real space
as we saw last week.
John chapter 1,
verse 14,
you know this.
The word became flesh
and dwelt among us.
We have seen his glory,
the glory
as of the only son
from the father
full of grace and truth.
Jesus became
a man
for you.
And that's important
for those of us
who want to have
saving faith.
We must believe
that Jesus was fully man.
But second,
we need to believe
that he was also fully God.
We see that also
in verse 22,
the second part of this.
A man attested
to you
by God
with mighty works
and wonders
and signs
that God did
through him
in your midst
as you yourselves
know.
See,
throughout Christ's life,
he was validated
not only
through the words
that Jesus spoke,
he was validated
by the miracles
that he did.
There was prophecies
about this future Messiah
and what this Messiah
would do.
And Jesus takes
this prophecy
that's found
in Isaiah chapter 61
and he applies that
or places that
onto himself.
That's in Luke
chapter 4,
verse 18.
The spirit of the Lord
is upon me.
And what is he going to do?
Well,
he's going to proclaim
good news to the poor.
He's going to open
the eyes of the blind.
He's going to release
the captives from prison
and certainly
that's what Jesus did.
Jesus healed the blind.
Jesus raised the dead.
Jesus cast out demons.
Jesus accomplished miracles.
He did that
in a way
to help not only
align himself
or identify himself
with these prophecies
but also then
to confirm himself
that he was in fact
Jesus as God.
He was the son of God
himself in the flesh.
The fulfillment
of all these promises.
And so
at his baptism
what does the father say
from heaven?
He says
this is my beloved son
in whom I'm well pleased.
The father's confirmation
of the son
his identity
this is my son.
He was fully God.
Third,
he died for sinners.
We find that in verse 23.
This Jesus
delivered up
according to the definite plan
and foreknowledge of God
you crucified
and killed
by the hands
of lawless men.
Jesus was not
a victim
of circumstances.
Jesus was not
overpowered
by wicked men.
This was not
God's backup plan
because Adam and Eve
fell
in sin
in the garden.
This was God's
plan A
through his son
Jesus Christ
this definite plan
of God
built from the
foundations of the world
that Jesus came
to die.
Why
did Jesus
come to die?
Why was that
so important
that Jesus
had to die?
Just yesterday
as I was
making my way
here to the church
to do some
last minute studying
I went to a store
and saw
one of the younger
guys
he was there
waiting on me
and he was wearing
a cross
I said
hey
so
what's up
with the cross?
Oh yeah
wearing a cross
what's that all about?
Well
you know
Jesus
Jesus died
okay
well
why did he die?
Well
he died
to show
that he loved us
okay
well
why else
did he die?
Why did he have
to die?
Well
he died
this is a good question
he said
he had to die
because
of sin
he wouldn't die
for our sin
that's what it was
and of course
that is true too
but what
our world
doesn't understand
is that
yes
Jesus loved us
for God
so loved the world
that he gave
his only begotten son
and yes
Jesus died
for sin
but
he didn't die
for his sin
right
and
what was it
about dying
that was required?
well
we know that
Romans 6 23
says
the wages
of sin
is
death
everyone
in this room
deserves
not only
to die
in a physical way
you deserve
to die
I deserve
to die
and be separated
from God
forever
because of my sin
and Jesus
by his grace
died
for
that
he
became
sin
who knew
no sin
that
we
might
be
called
the
righteousness
of God
now
can you
wrap your head
around that
you are called
righteous
before God
even though
you're a sinner
because of what
Christ did
for us
on the cross
by becoming
sin for us
hallelujah
that's why
he had to
die
he had to
die
for sinners
fourth
he was
raised
from the
dead
notice
verse 24
God
raised him
up
loosing
the
pangs
of death
because
it was
not
possible
for him
to be
held
by it
and then
for the
next
several
verses
Peter
will go
on
to describe
the wonder
of his
resurrection
and the
essential
quality
of his
resurrection
and why
that matters
for you
you see
Jesus
through his
death
and then
through his
resurrection
says
finally
I have
conquered
death
and the
grave
and sin
I am
triumphant
and then
he extends
and offers
to those
who believe
in him
newness
of life
he was
put to
death
in the
flesh
he was
raised
in the
spirit
so he
could offer
to us
the hope
of eternal
life
John
chapter 11
verse 25
and 26
says this
Jesus said
to her
I am
the
resurrection
and the
life
he
who
believes
in me
though
he may
die
he shall
live
and whoever
lives
and believes
in me
shall never
die
do you
believe
in the
resurrected
savior
so you
can enjoy
the benefits
of life
with him
fifth
he's at
the right
hand of
God
we see
that in
verses
34
and 35
being
therefore
exalted
at the
right
hand
of God
and having
received
from the
father
the promise
of the
holy
spirit
he has
poured
out
this
that you
yourselves
are seeing
and hearing
for David
did not ascend
into the heavens
but he himself
says
the Lord
said to my
Lord
sit at
my right
hand
then verse
36
let all the
house of
Israel
therefore
know
for certain
that God
has made
him
both
Lord
and Christ
this
Jesus
who you
crucified
the work
of salvation
is complete
and Jesus
is now at the
right hand of
God
demonstrating
his once
for all
authority
over
everything
he is
Lord
over all
and so
he is
worthy
of worship
our next
defining
statement
is this
the church
is about
Jesus
and our
connection
to the
head
the church
is about
him
Jesus
died
for the
church
so that we
could enjoy
the benefits
of being
joined together
with him
and joined
together
with one
another
Colossians
1
18
says this
and he
is the
head
of the
body
the church
he is the
beginning
the firstborn
from the
dead
that in
everything
he might
be preeminent
you see
the church
belongs
to Jesus
it's been
given to him
by the
father
he's purchased
it with his
precious blood
he is
we have
placed our
faith in
him
and by
faith
we believe
in his
death
and resurrection
so the
church
belongs
to Jesus
and because
it belongs
to him
then we
belong
to one
another
and because
it belongs
to him
then the
way you
treat
your brother
or sister
in Christ
is the
way you
treat
Christ
how you
treat
the body
of Christ
is how
you treat
Jesus
himself
ever
considered
that
the
significance
of our
oneness
and the
way that
we
interact
with one
another
is not
just a
reflection
of what
we believe
about them
but more
importantly
it's a
reflection
of what
we believe
about God
what do
you believe
about God
how does
it show
up in the
way that
you interact
with your
brothers and
sisters in
Christ
if we
don't care
about the
body of
Christ
how could
we ever
say that
we care
about Jesus
himself
so God
came in
the flesh
he was
came to
death
he was
buried
he was
risen
again
so that
we could
enjoy
oneness
with him
as a
church
next we
see that
the church
is a
confession
a people
who confess
faith and
repentance
in
Christ
Acts chapter
2 verses
37 and 38
says this
now when
they heard
this
they were
hearing
Peter talk
about the
significance
of what
Christ had
done for
them
they heard
this
they were
cut to
their
hearts
and said
to Peter
and the
rest of
the apostles
brothers
what shall
we do
and Peter
said to
them
repent
and be
baptized
every one
of you
in the
name of
Jesus
Christ
for the
forgiveness
of your
sins
and you
will receive
the gift
of the
Holy Spirit
this concept
of asking
forgiveness
this concept
of even
sin and
guilt
in our
culture
has really
been
minimized
you see
the culture
wants to
excuse
what God
condemns
our culture
wants to
soften sin
until it
no longer
sounds
offensive
we want
to name
rebellion
or rename
rebellion
so that we
don't have
to repent
from it
we have
new titles
for our
wickedness
we call
it a
struggle
rather than
calling it
an offense
against God
how many
times have
we done
that
well
I'm
just
struggling
today
I'm
really
having
a hard
time
it's
really
been
difficult
for me
well
let's
name
it
what
it
is
yes
maybe
you're
struggling
but let's
call it
wickedness
let's call
it sin
let's call
it rebellion
and it's
only when we
begin to
embrace
the real
titles
that God
has assigned
to them
that we'll
come to a
place of
true
repentance
you see
we want
healing
without
true
holiness
we want
relief
from our
consequences
but not
release
from sin
itself
we want
our burdens
lifted
but not
our hearts
changed
and that's
the problem
and that's
what Jesus
has come
to fix
that's what
repentance
is all
about
you see
repentance
is this
Greek word
that helps
to communicate
this idea
of a changed
mind
a changed
heart
a changed
perspective
a change
of direction
it's not
simply a life
that is moving
in a direction
as comfortable
there
but once
you become
aware
of your
state
your sinfulness
your rebellion
there's a change
of heart
a change
of direction
a change
of posture
we see this
in 2nd Corinthians
chapter 7
verses 9 and 10
Paul will talk
about the
difference between
godly sorrow
that leads to
repentance
and worldly
sorrow that just
wants to
relieve itself
of the burden
of shame
and the guilt
that it's feeling
or those
consequences
he says
as it is
I rejoice
not
because you
were grieved
but because you
were grieved
into repenting
for you felt
a godly grief
so that you
suffered no loss
through us
for godly grief
produces repentance
that leads to
salvation
without regret
whereas worldly
grief produces
death
you see
worldly sorrow
is just
wanting to
remove consequences
it wants to
remove the
shame
that is
associated
with sin
godly sorrow
is the kind
of sorrow
that recognizes
the offense
that it's
caused against
god
there's an
earnestness
there's a resolve
in your heart
to do away
with the damage
that sin has
caused
there's a
hatred
of how that
sin has
violated
god's standard
and a
zeal
to remove
those habits
once and for
all
from your
life
you see
true repentance
leads to
true
change
not a change
that's manufactured
but a change
that is
as a result
of the indwelling
spirit's power
and work
in a life
our third
defining statement
is this
the church
is not
about
the program
the church
is about
the people
you see
we've been
called to be
a redeemed
people
a regenerated
people
a changed
people
a people
that express
this new
identity
as a result
of what
Christ has
accomplished
for us
and so
as a people
of god
god has
put us
into a
family
and because
we belong
together
the church
and its
programs
are just
meant to be
a catalyst
for helping
us to
love one
another
better
and to
fulfill
the
obligations
of the
ministries
that god
has called
us to
not just
a program
that is
meant to
serve our
needs
and to
help us
feel a
sense of
accomplishment
how easy
is it
to be
involved in
ministry
and I'm
speaking
just personally
here
how easy
it is
for me
to do
the ministry
that is
right in
front of
me
I'm
teaching
a lesson
I'm
seeking
to
communicate
truth
I am
helping
somebody
memorize
a verse
maybe
I'm
mowing
a lawn
or
weeding
around
the flower
beds
or
maybe
I'm
shoveling
snow
and how
often
the ministry
or the
program
that I'm
involved
in
has
nothing
to do
with
people
and I'm
okay
with that
I feel
quite
satisfied
that I've
accomplished
something
for God
I've
done
my
ministry
I've
made
God
look
beautiful
in how
I am
serving
others
but see
in that
service
there's
so little
to do
with the
people
that God
has put
me
in
fellowship
with
see
even
something
as simple
as coming
to church
on a
Sunday
morning
and sitting
in the
pews
and singing
good songs
and hearing
a message
or joining
a connect
group
how easy
it is
to come
at the
last minute
and show
up
and do
that service
and be
served
but have
nothing to
do with
the people
that God
has put
you in
community
with
that's
so
comfortable
that's
so
normal
that is
so
that's
so
me
okay
to be
quite
honest
I
would
just
rather
punch
the
clock
do
my
deal
get
out
of
the
way
and
have
nothing
to
do
with
people
that's
what
my
flesh
wants
because
that's
the easy
thing
but what
does
God
want
I've
been
so
convicted
over the
last
couple
of
months
at the
compassion
of our
Lord
Jesus
Christ
Jesus
here he
is
he's
served
all day
long
he
finally
has
an
opportunity
to get
away
with
his
disciples
he's
encouraging
them
to enjoy
a
vacation
so
they
cross
the
sea
of
Galilee
they
show
up
on
the
shore
and
there
in
the
distance
are
all
the
crowds
he
just
got
away
from
so
he
could
have
vacation
but
what
does
the
Lord
do
he
doesn't
get
back
on
the
boat
and
go
further
he
gets
off
the
boat
and
he
serves
because
of
compassion
for
the
crowds
Lord
please
help
me
to be
a
person
of
compassion
help
me
grow
in
love
with
your
people
help
this
church
love
the
people
that
God
called
into
relationship
with
him
and into
relationship
with
us
may it
never be
that we
check in
and check out
of the
program
but that we
understand the
program is
meant to be a
catalyst for
knowing and
loving the
people that God
has put us in
community with
and to serve
them
instrumentally
so we can
carry out the
purposes that
God has called
us to
next
we find
that the
church is a
testimony
has a
testimony of
believers
baptism
and I don't
have time to
to really
dig into
this the way
I would
like to
but we're
going to
develop this
more as
we as
we talk
about
baptism
it comes
up
many
times
throughout
the
book of
Acts
but
but we
see
here
that
this
testimony
of
believers
baptism
these
individuals
who have
come to
faith in
Christ
what are they
commanded
to do
we find
in verse
38
and Peter
says to
them
repent
and be
baptized
every one
of you
in the name
of Jesus
Christ
for the
forgiveness
of your
sins
and you
will receive
the gift
of the
Holy Spirit
there's a lot
in this
verse
but I
touch on
them one
at a
time
those
who follow
in faith
in Christ
are those
who are
marked
by Christ
and then
will
carry out
the example
of Jesus
and what
did Jesus
do
he fulfilled
all
righteousness
by being
baptized
that's in
Matthew
chapter 3
Jesus
came
remember
Jesus
comes
he comes
into
the Jordan
and he
comes to
Galilee
and he
wants to
be baptized
by John
the Baptist
and like
no I
can't
baptize
you
you should
be baptizing
me
because it
was a
baptism
of repentance
did Jesus
need to
repent for
anything
of course
not
Jesus
was perfect
Jesus
he fulfilled
the law
he didn't
need to
be baptized
so what
is he
doing
why was
he baptized
well he
was baptized
as an
example
for you
and me
who need
to repent
he was an
example
to us
to fulfill
righteousness
this example
for us
to know
that in
the Christian
life
those who
come to
faith
in
Christ
have
sin
to
deal
with
and
repentance
is the
way
that
sin
is
handled
but
also
recognizing
now
Jesus
will
turn
this
baptism
this
illustration
of
repentance
and
washing
and he'll
turn it
now into
something
even more
because
now it's
a picture
of him
it's a
picture
of his
death
his burial
his
resurrection
and so
when we
get baptized
we're not
getting saved
it has
nothing to
do
with
salvation
but we
get baptized
to associate
ourself
and confess
what Christ
has already
done for us
in our
hearts
Christ
has saved
us
we've been
buried with
him in
baptism
we've been
raised with
him into
everlasting
life and so
we are
confessing
in baptism
the work
that Christ
has already
accomplished
for us
and we
do it
once
because
it was a
once for
all
work
of
Christ
you
don't
have
to be
saved
many
times
so
you
don't
have
to be
baptized
many
times
but it
is a
mark
of those
who have
come
to faith
in Jesus
we see
that in
Acts chapter
2
41
so that
those
who
received
his
word
were
baptized
we see
that
all the
way
through
we see
it in
Acts
chapter
8
verse
12
with
the
Samaritans
we see
it in
Acts
chapter 9
with
Paul
we see
it in
chapter 10
with
Cornelius
we see
it in
chapter 16
with
Lydia
every time
a person
comes to
faith in
Christ
they're
baptized
it's an
expression
of their
identity
with
Christ
in a
desire
to
demonstrate
a heart
that's
repentant
changed
by God
and desiring
to follow
him
in obedience
we
we also
find
in
verse
38
these
are
people
who
were
indwelt
by
the
Holy
Spirit
indwelt
by
the
Holy
Spirit
it
says
again
repent
and be
baptized
every
one
of
you
in
the
name
of
Jesus
Christ
for
the
forgiveness
of
your
sins
and
you
will
receive
the
gift
of
the
Holy
Spirit
this
gift
of
the
Holy
Spirit
what
does
it
do
what
does
that
gift
of
the
!
Spirit
accomplish
for
us
we
saw
the
indwelling
that
happens
on the
believers
there
in
Jerusalem
but
the
Lord
Jesus
Christ
throughout
the
upper
room
as
he's
meeting
with
the
disciples
he
wants
to
help
them
recognize
the
significance
of
the
Spirit
and
what
the
Spirit
will
accomplish
for
them
we
don't
have
time
in
our
time
this
morning
to
really
go
into
this
in
depth
but
I
want
to
draw
attention
to
a
couple
of
verses
in
John
chapter
14
verse
16
this
is
one
of
them
Jesus
says
I
will
ask
the
father
he
will
give
you
another
helper
to
be
with
you
forever
even
the
spirit
of
truth
whom
the
world
cannot
receive
because
it
neither
sees
him
nor
knows
him
you
know
him
for
he
dwells
with
you
and
you
will
and
will
be
in
you
I
will
not
leave
you
as
orphans
I
will
come
to
you
one
of
the
things
that
Jesus
has
done
for
the
church
for
those
who
believe
in
Christ
in
salvation
he
has
given
you
the
Holy
Spirit
so
that
you
never
have
to
be
alone
you
are
never
alone
because
God
has
given
his
spirit
to
live
in
you
he's
not
going
to
leave
you
like
orphans
and
there's
power
there
there's
confidence
there's
support
there's
help
there's
encouragement
to know
that the
spirit
will not
leave us
alone
he's
with us
John
14
26
says
this
the
helper
the
Holy
Spirit
whom
the
Father
will
send
in
my
name
he
will
teach
you
all
things
and
bring
to
remembrance
all
that
I
have
said
to
you
the
Holy
Spirit
in
his
power
uses
the
word
of
God
to
inform
believers
what
to
know
how
to
believe
he
teaches
us
he
informs
us
he
instructs
us
he
helps
us
and
so
many
other
things
that
we
could
talk
about
John
chapter
16
speaks
about
verses
13
and
14
when
the
spirit
of
truth
comes
he
will
guide
you
into
all
truth
for
he
will
not
speak
on
his
own
authority
but
whatever
he
hears
he
will
speak
and
he
will
declare
to
you
the
things
that
are
to
come
he
will
glorify
me
for
he
will
take
what
is
mine
and
declare
it
to
you
now
this
is
really
important
especially
in our
day and
age
because
the
prophetic
witness
of the
spirit
is
speaking
from
the
word
the
words
of
Christ
no
new
revelation
the
revelation
has been
fixed
Christ
has
fixed
that
word
the
spirit
is
reminding
us
of the
things
that
Christ
has
already
said
!
Beware
of
anyone
who
says
God
told
me
no
he
didn't
unless
it's
in
the
word
of
God
next
we
find
that
those
who
believe
in
Jesus
are
distinct
from
the
world
they're
distinct
from
the
world
we
find
that
in
verses
39
and
40
it
says
this
for
the
promises
for
you
and
for
your
children
and
for
all
who
are
far
off
and
everyone
whom
the
Lord
our
God
calls
to
himself
and
with
many
other
words
he
bore
witness
and
continued
to
exhort
them
saying
save
yourselves
from
this
crooked
generation
one
of
the
one
of
the
results
of
salvation
is
transformation
God
fundamentally
changes
his
people
he
makes
them
new
he
makes
them
blameless
he
makes
them
holy
remember
what
Peter
says
be
holy
for
I
am
holy
you
have
a
holy
God
he's
making
a
holy
people
a
people
to
himself
that's
his
desire
and
so
we
save
ourselves
from
this
crooked
and
perverse
generation
by
understanding
what
the
word
of
God
is
and
participating
and allowing
the
Holy
Spirit
to
change
us
from
one
degree
of
glory
to
the
other
and
to
shape
us
into
people
who
are
holy
here's
a defining
statement
number
four
the
church
is
not
about
consumerism
it's
about
community
I think
one of
the ways
that
our
church
is
most
like
our
culture
is
this
we
are
most
like
our
culture
in
that
we
are
bent
on
consumerism
we
are
bent
on
materialism
we
are
bent
on
entitlement
what
is
in it
for
me
that
is
the
spirit
of
our
age
that
is
what
God
through
his
son
is
trying
to
fix
in
our
hearts
the
church
is
not
about
consumerism
it's
about
the
community
that
God
has
put
together
everywhere
you
look
it's
about
Amazon
purchases
and
Google
business
reviews
right
it's
about
product
reviews
and
customer
service
so
there
is
no
wonder
why
when
we
show
up
to
church
we
have
that
same
consumer
mindset
well
how
did
so
and
so
greet
me
on
Sunday
morning
how
did
that
music
make
me
feel
how
did
the
sermon
how
I
don't
know
whatever
about
the
sermon
I
don't
want to
talk
about
the
sermon
I'm
frustrated
about
the
sermon
too
do
they
have
ministries
that
meet
my
needs
do
they
make
me
feel
like
I
belong
all
of
these
things
that
seep
in
to
our
psyche
because
we
are
so
immersed
in
culture
it's
not
about
consumerism
not
about
what
is
what's
in
it
for
you
it's
what
God
has
made
you
and
allowed
you
to
do
for
others
God
has
made
you
to
be
like
Christ
and
Christ
came
not
to
be
served
but
to
serve
and
to
give
his
life
a
ransom
for
many
that's
what
that's
what
God
has
done
for
you
to
fundamentally
change
you
and
I
oh
may
God
help
us
not
to
be
gripped
by
the
spirit
of
our
age
!
this
!
connected
as
a
chapter 2
verse 42
notice
and
they
devoted
themselves
to
the
apostles
teaching
notice
in
verse
44
of
chapter
2
and
all
who
believed
were
together
everyone
together
notice
chapter 2
verse 46
and
day by
day
attending
the
temple
together
and
then
in
chapter
4
verse
32
now
the
full
number
of
those
who
believed
were
of
one
heart
and
soul
and
no
one
said
that
any
of
the
things
that
belonged
to
him
was
his
own
but
they
had
everything
in
common
there
was
such
unity
among
the
thousands
of
believers
that
had
gathered
it
was
as
if
they
gathered
together
as
one
person
one
heart
one
mind
one
purpose
one
goal
one
spirit
one
affection
one
love
one
joy
connected
in
heart
devoted
to
God
that
was
the
expression
of
this
group
all
together
and
our
final
defining
statement
is
this
the
church
is
about
a
gathering
that
strengthens
the
going
yes
the
church
does
gather
together
yes
we
do
gather
that's
the
joy
of
our
corporate
worship
we
belong
together
so we
come
together
we
enjoy
the
benefits
of
this
corporate
oneness
that we
get to
experience
when we're
all in
one
place
expressed
to us
in
Hebrews
chapter
10
verses
24
and
25
it says
and let
us
consider
how to
stir up
one another
to love
and good
works
not
neglecting
to meet
together
as is the
habit of
some
but encouraging
one another
and all the
more as you
see the day
approaching
if you think
things are getting
bad right now
in the world
it should
intensify
and strengthen
our gathering
not cause us
to be more
disunified
more disjunct
more isolated
it should draw
us together
that much more
but the purpose
of our gathering
is to help
strengthen the
mission
that God
has called
us to
God has called
us to
make disciples
in all the
world
and by the way
that's not just
Africa
or China
that is
Columbus
where God
has placed
you
that's the
world
that's the
world where
you live
and so that's
the world
where you
are to
serve
you are
agents
of God
in the
places
where he's
called you
where he's
placed you
and so as we
come together
we strengthen
that witness
we strengthen
our resolve
we encourage
the faint hearted
we help
the weak
we do all
those things
that help
to make
us a stronger
stronger body
fulfilling the
purposes that
God has called
us to
fulfill
and so this
morning as we
come to our
time of
communion
this is the
final piece
this is the
final element
of those who
recognize this
work of Christ
his death
his resurrection
and we see
again the
central element
of this is
what Christ
has accomplished
for us
making a
people to
himself
let me pray
I'll invite the
deacons to come
forward and we'll
take our communion
together