WEBVTT

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 Turn, if you will, to Acts chapter 8.

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 Acts chapter 8.

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 If you've got a Black Church Bible, it's on page 917.

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!

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 It can be noisy, can't it?

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 And so, I want to speak just for a couple of minutes to parents and to all of us.

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 We believe that the Bible teaches that children should be part of corporate worship.

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 They belong.

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 We want them to be with us, seeing mum and dad, seeing uncles and aunts, seeing others, growing up, worshipping and learning, seeing that for our children, this is for them.

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 They belong as much as we do.

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 The children of the people of God in the New Testament, they're addressed.

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 It's just assumed that they would be there.

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 And so, we love having children with us.

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 It's one of the great joys, isn't it, to see a generation of kids grow up into young people and adulthood still following the Lord.

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 And we're also aware that for children to be part of public worship, that takes training, to learn, to sit and to listen.

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 And so, we want to say that we have great sympathy with the parents of little ones.

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 We know it's not easy.

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 As Ruben said earlier, there is a supervised crash for babies.

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 And there is a room in the church lounge has the service beamed into it.

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 And so, if your child is getting a little bit scratchy and a little bit too noisy, please feel totally free to take them out into that room.

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 We recognise that a number of you are training your children.

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 And we want to really encourage you in that.

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 And we know that it's easy.

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 Well, we know it's easy to be frustrated with noise.

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 And we want to bear with one another in this.

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 It demands, doesn't it, us as a church family, a high degree of patience.

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 And so, let me give you a couple of tips to the congregation.

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 Turning around and glaring is probably not a good thing.

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 Tutting under your breath isn't particularly helpful.

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 Above all, pray for our parents.

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 Pray for our children.

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 Love our children.

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 We've got to bear with one another on this, haven't we?

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 And so, if you want to understand a little bit more of our approach to children in this church,

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 there's a book on the bookstall written by Jason Halepoulis, Let the Children Worship.

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 It's really, really terrific.

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 It's helpful for parents, but helpful for all of us.

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 Let's pray for each other.

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 Let's pray for our children.

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 Our Father, we thank you for the great blessing and privilege of corporate worship.

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 There are brothers and sisters in parts of the world that are forbidden from meeting together.

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 There are people, our brothers and sisters, who meet in fear of their lives today.

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 And so, we are a privileged people.

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 And we thank you so much for our children.

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 We thank you for our little ones.

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 We thank you for the promises of the covenant for them,

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 that you will be our God and the God of our children.

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 We pray that our children will grow up knowing and enjoying their God,

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 following him, enjoying being with the people of God,

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 hearing your voice in worship.

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 And so, we pray that as your word is preached now,

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 by the power of your Holy Spirit, you would speak to us.

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 For we pray in Jesus' name.

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 Amen.

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 Amen.

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 There are times out there when people open up their hearts to us.

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 We're talking with them.

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 And suddenly, they tell us something we didn't know before.

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 Or we knew it, but we didn't know how deeply.

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 And they felt it.

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 And they pour out their heart to us.

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 And we leave knowing that person a little bit more.

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 Having greater affection for them.

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 And we understand what makes them tick.

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 We understand what they're about.

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 And Acts chapter 8 is a passage where the living God shows us his heart.

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 He shows us what makes them tick.

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 He shows us what he's about.

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 He shows us his heart for people like you and people like me.

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 And you'll know that the plot line of Acts unfolds from Acts chapter 1 and verse 8.

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 And the risen Lord Jesus says to his apostles,

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 you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you.

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 And you will be my witnesses.

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 And here's the stages in Jerusalem and Judea.

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 And then in Samaria.

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 And then to the ends of all the earth.

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 And that is the story of Acts.

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 Do you see the picture?

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 The Father has sent the Son.

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 And the Son is now sending his apostles.

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 He's sending them out in the power of the Holy Spirit to be his witnesses.

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 In Jerusalem and in Judea and Samaria and to the ends of the earth.

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 And the Jerusalem crowds, they hear this.

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 And thousands of them become Christians.

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 And then we saw the next stage of the gospel going to Samaria.

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 The good news of the Lord Jesus.

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 Chapter 8 verse 1.

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 Can you see it?

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 There arose on that day a great persecution.

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 Against the church in Jerusalem.

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 And they are scattered throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria.

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 And remember what happened.

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 You go further on in the chapter.

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 And those that were scattered.

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 Verse 8.

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 They go about preaching the word.

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 And crowds become Christians.

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 And verse 8.

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 What's the result?

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 Much joy in that city.

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 Do you see what's happening?

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 The living God is reaching out to the world.

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 Jerusalem.

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 Judea.

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 Samaria.

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 Samaria.

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 The ends of the earth.

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 And you might think, well that's very impressive.

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 But it's a little bit impersonal.

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 Don't you want to know a little bit about the people?

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 Who were they?

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 What happened to them?

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 How did meeting Jesus change them?

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 It's a really thrilling thing, isn't it?

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 To hear how people became Christians.

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 I hope you do that over the lunch table.

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 I hope when you meet someone new.

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 And over the lunch table.

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 You say, why don't you do it maybe after Judea?

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 How did you come to faith in the Lord Jesus Christ?

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 For many of us it'll be, well I can never remember a time when I didn't know and love the Lord Jesus.

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 But for many others it's not like that, isn't it?

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 And there are some amazing stories in this room.

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 Thrilling stories of how people have come to know the Lord Jesus.

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 And it turns out that these people that we meet in Acts are a little bit, well, are a lot like you and me.

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 I'm going to break the section into three scenes.

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 The first is a divine appointment.

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 A divine appointment.

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 Look at verse 25.

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 Can you look at that?

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 Now when they testified and spoke in the word of the Lord, they returned to Jerusalem.

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 Back to HQ.

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 Preaching the gospel to many villages in Samaria.

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 Peter and John, they go back to Jerusalem via Samaria.

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 That's where the action is.

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 Where the crowds are being converted.

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 But verse 26, look what happens.

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 An angel of the Lord said to Philip, rise.

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 And go towards the south to the town that goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza.

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 And you need to know that angels are very rare in the Bible.

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 And usually when angels appear, they appear to signify that this is a key moment.

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 An angel appears to say, hang on a minute, something significant is going to happen.

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 It's a signal to everyone that you need to pay attention.

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 Everyone is going back to where the crowds were.

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 Back to Jerusalem.

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 But God wants Philip to do something he would never have thought of by himself doing.

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 He's told to go south.

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 To go into the desert.

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 Why?

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 It doesn't sound very strategic, does it?

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 People are always talking about strategic church planting.

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 Well, Philip doesn't seem to buy into that.

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 Who is in the desert?

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 Verse 27.

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 He rose and he went.

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 There was an Ethiopian there.

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 A eunuch.

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 A court official of Candace.

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 Queen of the Ethiopians.

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 He was in charge of all her treasure.

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 He'd come to Jerusalem to worship.

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 Ancient Ethiopia is that part of Africa that we now know as Sudan.

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 And the Romans said that it was the ends of the earth.

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 What did Jesus say?

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 Jesus said, you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria and the ends of the earth.

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 And so the living God sends Philip to go after this man.

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 Of course he does.

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 We're told he was a eunuch.

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 He's unable to have children.

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 He's unmarried.

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 And in the ancient world what often happened is that people who were in high government,

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 those who were in high government had important roles.

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 Because their servants were often castrated for various reasons.

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 This guy we read, he's been put in charge of the treasury.

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 The treasury of the Ethiopian queen.

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 Actually the queen mother.

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 And we see, don't we, that this guy is really different to Philip.

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 Philip is an ordinary Jew.

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 Here is a high-ranking African who is very different.

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 But in verse 29 the Holy Spirit says to Philip, go over and join this chariot.

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 You can imagine, can't you, Philip looking at this guy saying, are you sure you want me to do that?

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 It seems very unlikely that a man from the ends of the earth, this high-ranking African,

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 would be interested in the Lord God of Israel.

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 But here is the thing.

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 There is a good chance that this man from the ends of the earth, this high-ranking African sitting in this chariot,

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 well, it's very unlikely, isn't it, that he would be, that God would be interested in him, we might think.

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 Look what's happened so far.

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 He's been to Jerusalem.

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 It would have been a very, very long journey, wouldn't it, from Sudan.

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 It's about 4,000 kilometers.

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 Can you look in verse 27, he's gone to Jerusalem.

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 Why?

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 What's the reason?

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 To worship.

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 We don't know what led him to worship in Jerusalem.

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 And we don't know what he'd shared of the God of Israel, the God of the Jews that had drawn him.

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 But most commentators agree that his journey to worship at the Temple of Jerusalem would have left him feeling very disappointed.

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 This Ethiopian eunuch would have come away from Jerusalem feeling marginalized.

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 If you went to the temple in Jerusalem and you were not a Jew, you had to stay in the outer courts of the temple.

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 You weren't allowed into the temple.

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 If you were a non-Jew, you were allowed into the outer courts.

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 But this man is not only a non-Jew, he's not only a Gentile, he's a eunuch.

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 Which meant he was not allowed to gather in the assembly of God's people.

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 He'd gone all that way, 4,000 kilometers, in a chariot, pulled by oxen, to not be allowed to gather with the assembled people of God.

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 He'd gone all that way, hungry to worship God.

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 And what had happened? He'd been shut out.

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 How do you think that would have made him feel?

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 But amazingly, he is not put off.

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 Verse 28, he's on his way home.

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 He's sitting in his chariot, reading the book of Isaiah the prophet.

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 Which had been written about 700 years before Jesus.

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 What that means is he's taken the trouble to go to waterstones.

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 He's taken the trouble to go to a physical bookshop.

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 He managed to find one.

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 Back in those days, there were real, proper bookshops.

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 He bought a scroll of the Bible for himself.

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 It's an expensive thing to buy.

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 There's something in him that wants to know more of this God.

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 He'd heard about it.

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 And so he might be sitting there thinking,

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 Of course, this God, he's not very interested in me.

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 But he starts reading the Bible.

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 He starts with Genesis.

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 And that means that the God of the Bible is the God who made the world.

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 Not just the God of the Jews.

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 You get to the book of Psalms.

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 All nations would worship him.

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 There was a psalm, actually.

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 We don't know whether the Ethiopian read it.

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 But it says,

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 The Cushites, those who are from Ethiopia,

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 One day they would worship the Lord God.

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 The heart of God, the God of the Bible, is a heart for all nations.

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 And of course, he sees Philip.

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 Into the desert.

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 He sends Philip into the desert to go after this Egyptian.

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 And maybe, just maybe this morning,

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 You have come to church, come to this church,

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 And you get how the Ethiopian feels.

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 And maybe you're curious about God.

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 And you wish that you had some kind of relationship with him

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 That other people seem to have.

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 You look at other people in this church,

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 And maybe you're a little bit wistful

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 About the relationship with God that they seem to have.

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 But perhaps,

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 Perhaps,

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 Maybe people have made you feel unwelcome.

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 They've made you feel unwelcome because you're different.

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 Maybe you look different.

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 Maybe you sound different.

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 Maybe you feel different.

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 Maybe you dress differently.

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 And it's left you thinking,

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 That this is just not for me.

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 It's not for people like me.

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 Do you see God's heart?

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 This is the God who sends Philip after Ethiopian eunuchs.

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 And so if you're here today,

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 And you're not someone that would call themselves a Christian,

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 It may just be that there's someone who's come into your life.

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 Who is a Christian?

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 And there's something about them that is drawing them to you.

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 Or it may be this morning that you are a believer in the Lord Jesus.

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 You are a follower of the Lord Jesus.

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 And as you think about your week ahead,

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 You think about people who you interact with,

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 And you think that you just happen to work with a load of people.

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 Or you think you happen to live on the same street as a load of people.

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 But what if God has sent you to them?

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 Because they're on his heart.

00:15:48.060 --> 00:15:50.100
 Because he wants to reach out to them.

00:15:50.300 --> 00:15:50.840
 Have you thought of that?

00:15:50.840 --> 00:15:55.820
 Maybe you're here this morning and thinking,

00:15:55.960 --> 00:15:57.519
 Where do I fit in with God's plan?

00:15:59.500 --> 00:16:00.139
 Maybe you're thinking,

00:16:00.300 --> 00:16:01.180
 Where am I supposed to go?

00:16:02.700 --> 00:16:03.620
 Who am I to speak to?

00:16:03.660 --> 00:16:04.940
 God never sends me an angel.

00:16:06.620 --> 00:16:07.820
 Angels are very rare.

00:16:07.940 --> 00:16:09.639
 We are not promised angels, are we?

00:16:09.740 --> 00:16:11.379
 But we see God's heart.

00:16:13.040 --> 00:16:17.379
 We see that God wants his people to go after people who feel shut out.

00:16:17.379 --> 00:16:21.600
 And so maybe it's someone in your class.

00:16:22.700 --> 00:16:23.519
 In your school.

00:16:23.759 --> 00:16:25.480
 Maybe it's the guy in the shop.

00:16:27.200 --> 00:16:29.879
 Maybe it's someone at work you share a desk with.

00:16:30.639 --> 00:16:31.379
 And you say,

00:16:31.460 --> 00:16:33.519
 Well she is so different to me.

00:16:34.379 --> 00:16:37.759
 And you just assume that she's not interested in God.

00:16:37.860 --> 00:16:39.100
 She's not that kind of person.

00:16:39.419 --> 00:16:41.419
 But do you see what God is doing in Acts chapter 8?

00:16:44.100 --> 00:16:46.559
 What if God has begun to work in their heart,

00:16:46.559 --> 00:16:48.539
 and given them a hunger to know him?

00:16:50.000 --> 00:16:52.659
 What if he's sent you to reach them?

00:16:54.879 --> 00:16:56.399
 And so through Acts chapter 8,

00:16:56.500 --> 00:16:57.939
 is he speaking to us this morning?

00:16:58.779 --> 00:17:01.199
 He is saying to you and I,

00:17:01.719 --> 00:17:02.759
 that I am in control.

00:17:02.899 --> 00:17:04.639
 God is in control by his spirit.

00:17:06.119 --> 00:17:09.059
 And I am at work sending Philip.

00:17:10.919 --> 00:17:11.919
 And by my spirit,

00:17:12.059 --> 00:17:14.720
 I am at work in the Ethiopian preparing him.

00:17:14.819 --> 00:17:15.980
 It's not an accident.

00:17:16.559 --> 00:17:18.299
 It's not a coincidence.

00:17:19.339 --> 00:17:21.279
 I've brought these two together.

00:17:22.819 --> 00:17:24.419
 And so what that means for us,

00:17:24.579 --> 00:17:26.119
 in 2025 in Ealing,

00:17:26.740 --> 00:17:27.399
 he's saying,

00:17:28.519 --> 00:17:29.339
 wherever you are,

00:17:29.399 --> 00:17:30.179
 whoever you are,

00:17:31.639 --> 00:17:32.839
 you are not there by accident.

00:17:34.779 --> 00:17:36.980
 And you are not here this morning by accident.

00:17:36.980 --> 00:17:41.920
 God is the great missionary God.

00:17:41.920 --> 00:17:42.779
 Can you see God's heart?

00:17:45.660 --> 00:17:48.019
 And so as we think about the week ahead as a church,

00:17:48.180 --> 00:17:50.059
 that person who sits at your desk,

00:17:50.319 --> 00:17:52.299
 they're not someone that you just share a desk with.

00:17:52.640 --> 00:17:55.240
 This is someone that the Lord wants you to reach out to.

00:17:55.240 --> 00:18:00.579
 And maybe that is why you're there in that workplace,

00:18:00.759 --> 00:18:01.500
 in that place,

00:18:01.620 --> 00:18:02.500
 sharing a desk with them.

00:18:02.579 --> 00:18:05.900
 That's why you're on that school run with those mums.

00:18:06.019 --> 00:18:07.140
 Do you see how this changes everything?

00:18:07.140 --> 00:18:11.280
 It changes Monday morning, doesn't it?

00:18:11.420 --> 00:18:13.520
 That God is reaching out to the world,

00:18:13.600 --> 00:18:14.900
 and he does that through his people.

00:18:18.320 --> 00:18:20.520
 That's why we gathered last week as a church,

00:18:20.800 --> 00:18:21.640
 to pray,

00:18:22.140 --> 00:18:24.980
 for what the Lord is doing.

00:18:24.980 --> 00:18:28.319
 Because it's not about our plans.

00:18:28.839 --> 00:18:30.299
 We would have gone back, wouldn't we,

00:18:30.319 --> 00:18:31.660
 to Jerusalem where the crowds were?

00:18:34.180 --> 00:18:34.860
 No, Lord, we pray,

00:18:35.140 --> 00:18:37.059
 reach out to the world,

00:18:37.380 --> 00:18:38.900
 and would you use us?

00:18:40.880 --> 00:18:42.180
 Send us to the people

00:18:42.180 --> 00:18:44.140
 you want your gospel to go to.

00:18:47.839 --> 00:18:51.259
 I have a friend who's always got stories

00:18:51.259 --> 00:18:53.319
 about people they've talked to

00:18:53.319 --> 00:18:54.160
 about the Lord Jesus.

00:18:55.960 --> 00:18:57.380
 They're just one of those people.

00:18:57.599 --> 00:18:59.380
 They're really, really ordinary,

00:18:59.960 --> 00:19:03.380
 but they always seem to naturally

00:19:03.380 --> 00:19:05.960
 talk about the Lord Jesus to people.

00:19:06.059 --> 00:19:07.500
 I'm terribly envious of them.

00:19:08.220 --> 00:19:09.880
 Takes me all my courage.

00:19:10.640 --> 00:19:12.000
 I'm stammering tongue.

00:19:12.539 --> 00:19:14.579
 But they seem to be able to talk

00:19:14.579 --> 00:19:15.759
 about the Lord Jesus naturally.

00:19:18.319 --> 00:19:19.339
 And I asked my friend,

00:19:19.480 --> 00:19:21.700
 how is it that you seem to have so many stories?

00:19:22.000 --> 00:19:22.920
 And they said to me this,

00:19:22.960 --> 00:19:24.440
 they start every day with a prayer,

00:19:24.980 --> 00:19:28.940
 Lord, use me to reach out to someone today.

00:19:32.220 --> 00:19:35.960
 Lord, use me to reach out to someone today.

00:19:37.440 --> 00:19:38.599
 It's a great prayer, isn't it?

00:19:38.599 --> 00:19:45.480
 Lord, use me to reach out to someone today.

00:19:46.679 --> 00:19:47.459
 A divine appointment.

00:19:47.599 --> 00:19:48.559
 Secondly, an open Bible.

00:19:49.299 --> 00:19:50.019
 An open Bible.

00:19:50.119 --> 00:19:50.519
 Can you see that?

00:19:50.579 --> 00:19:51.019
 Verse 28.

00:19:51.019 --> 00:19:53.779
 The Ethiopian is reading away.

00:19:54.299 --> 00:19:54.900
 And in those days,

00:19:54.960 --> 00:19:55.879
 you would read out loud.

00:19:57.579 --> 00:19:59.500
 And Philip runs up to the chariot,

00:19:59.619 --> 00:20:00.839
 which isn't quite as impressive

00:20:00.839 --> 00:20:01.720
 as you might think.

00:20:02.379 --> 00:20:05.139
 And the chariot is kind of pulled by oxen,

00:20:05.240 --> 00:20:06.180
 so it wouldn't be going very quick.

00:20:07.200 --> 00:20:08.599
 The oxen's trundling along,

00:20:08.599 --> 00:20:10.359
 but he runs up to the side of the chariot

00:20:10.359 --> 00:20:12.859
 and he says, remarkably,

00:20:13.119 --> 00:20:14.459
 do you understand what you're reading?

00:20:15.519 --> 00:20:17.199
 That is quite bold, isn't it?

00:20:19.659 --> 00:20:20.740
 I just imagine tomorrow,

00:20:20.980 --> 00:20:22.579
 I'm cycling along the Exbridge Road

00:20:22.579 --> 00:20:24.119
 and a car pulls up at the traffic lights.

00:20:25.059 --> 00:20:26.659
 And in the back is Sadiq Khan,

00:20:26.799 --> 00:20:27.539
 London's mayor,

00:20:28.059 --> 00:20:29.179
 and he's reading something.

00:20:30.180 --> 00:20:31.519
 Would I be bold enough

00:20:31.519 --> 00:20:32.600
 to tap on his car window

00:20:32.600 --> 00:20:32.880
 and say,

00:20:32.980 --> 00:20:34.140
 do you understand what you're reading?

00:20:34.700 --> 00:20:35.539
 I'd probably want to say

00:20:35.539 --> 00:20:36.560
 a couple of other things as well.

00:20:37.680 --> 00:20:39.700
 But it is bold, isn't it, to say that?

00:20:40.039 --> 00:20:41.160
 Do you understand what you're reading?

00:20:44.220 --> 00:20:45.660
 Ethiopian says an amazing thing.

00:20:45.840 --> 00:20:46.759
 Do you see that verse 31?

00:20:47.060 --> 00:20:48.160
 How can I?

00:20:49.519 --> 00:20:50.920
 How can I understand

00:20:50.920 --> 00:20:53.940
 unless someone explains it to me?

00:20:55.860 --> 00:20:57.640
 And so he invites Philip

00:20:57.640 --> 00:20:59.000
 to come up and sit with him in the chariot

00:20:59.000 --> 00:20:59.819
 and explain it.

00:21:03.799 --> 00:21:05.140
 Sometimes Christians can say

00:21:05.140 --> 00:21:05.779
 something like this,

00:21:05.900 --> 00:21:06.359
 Christianity,

00:21:06.859 --> 00:21:07.460
 the Christian faith,

00:21:07.599 --> 00:21:08.819
 is caught, not taught.

00:21:08.940 --> 00:21:10.299
 And there is something in that.

00:21:12.019 --> 00:21:13.680
 But Christianity is not just

00:21:13.680 --> 00:21:14.720
 a pattern of living

00:21:14.720 --> 00:21:15.660
 for someone to copy.

00:21:17.400 --> 00:21:18.200
 There is something

00:21:18.200 --> 00:21:19.900
 that needs to be explained.

00:21:20.440 --> 00:21:21.279
 There is someone

00:21:21.279 --> 00:21:22.759
 who needs to be explained.

00:21:24.400 --> 00:21:25.180
 The Ethiopian,

00:21:25.299 --> 00:21:26.599
 he doesn't get what he's reading.

00:21:27.000 --> 00:21:27.960
 So he invites Philip up

00:21:27.960 --> 00:21:28.980
 and we read in verse 32,

00:21:29.000 --> 00:21:30.200
 the eunuch is reading

00:21:30.200 --> 00:21:31.460
 this passage of scripture.

00:21:31.700 --> 00:21:32.680
 You'll be familiar with it,

00:21:32.740 --> 00:21:33.660
 those of you are regulars.

00:21:34.319 --> 00:21:35.259
 He was led like a sheep

00:21:35.259 --> 00:21:35.819
 to the slaughter.

00:21:36.859 --> 00:21:37.460
 And as a lamb

00:21:37.460 --> 00:21:38.319
 before his shearers

00:21:38.319 --> 00:21:38.700
 is silent,

00:21:38.960 --> 00:21:40.079
 so he did not

00:21:40.079 --> 00:21:40.940
 open his mouth.

00:21:41.220 --> 00:21:42.259
 In his humiliation,

00:21:42.480 --> 00:21:43.599
 justice was denied him.

00:21:44.599 --> 00:21:45.740
 Who can describe

00:21:45.740 --> 00:21:46.480
 his generation?

00:21:46.480 --> 00:21:49.680
 for his life is taken away

00:21:49.680 --> 00:21:50.220
 from the earth.

00:21:50.220 --> 00:21:53.860
 We don't know

00:21:53.860 --> 00:21:55.799
 why it's this particular

00:21:55.799 --> 00:21:57.380
 section of Isaiah

00:21:57.380 --> 00:21:58.660
 that the Ethiopian eunuch

00:21:58.660 --> 00:21:59.519
 was reading.

00:22:01.860 --> 00:22:02.980
 But I wonder

00:22:02.980 --> 00:22:05.079
 if he might have come across

00:22:05.079 --> 00:22:06.220
 Isaiah chapter 56.

00:22:06.420 --> 00:22:07.240
 Will you come with me

00:22:07.240 --> 00:22:08.140
 to Isaiah 56?

00:22:08.140 --> 00:22:13.000
 Isaiah chapter 53.

00:22:14.600 --> 00:22:15.840
 And I want you to listen

00:22:15.840 --> 00:22:18.259
 to what Isaiah chapter 56 says.

00:22:20.740 --> 00:22:22.420
 It says in verse 3,

00:22:23.600 --> 00:22:24.840
 Isaiah chapter 56

00:22:24.840 --> 00:22:25.720
 in verse 3.

00:22:25.720 --> 00:22:30.880
 It says this,

00:22:31.000 --> 00:22:31.279
 it says,

00:22:31.279 --> 00:22:33.259
 Let not the foreigner

00:22:33.259 --> 00:22:36.299
 who has joined himself

00:22:36.299 --> 00:22:37.480
 to the Lord say,

00:22:38.500 --> 00:22:39.600
 The Lord will surely

00:22:39.600 --> 00:22:41.380
 separate me from his people.

00:22:43.039 --> 00:22:44.420
 And let not

00:22:44.420 --> 00:22:47.680
 the eunuch say,

00:22:48.700 --> 00:22:49.720
 Behold, I'm a dry tree.

00:22:51.220 --> 00:22:52.680
 For thus says the Lord

00:22:52.680 --> 00:22:53.380
 to the eunuchs

00:22:53.380 --> 00:22:54.460
 who keep my Sabbaths,

00:22:54.460 --> 00:22:55.940
 who choose the things

00:22:55.940 --> 00:22:56.519
 that please me

00:22:56.519 --> 00:22:57.620
 and hold fast to my covenant,

00:22:57.940 --> 00:22:59.660
 I will give in my house

00:22:59.660 --> 00:23:01.400
 and within my walls

00:23:01.400 --> 00:23:02.140
 a monument

00:23:02.140 --> 00:23:03.299
 and a name

00:23:03.299 --> 00:23:05.180
 better than sons

00:23:05.180 --> 00:23:05.700
 and daughters.

00:23:07.039 --> 00:23:07.960
 I will give them

00:23:07.960 --> 00:23:09.660
 an everlasting name.

00:23:09.960 --> 00:23:11.000
 They shall not be cut off.

00:23:13.160 --> 00:23:14.299
 And I suspect

00:23:14.299 --> 00:23:16.539
 that if the Ethiopian eunuch

00:23:16.539 --> 00:23:18.140
 read Isaiah 56,

00:23:18.519 --> 00:23:19.460
 his heart would have

00:23:19.460 --> 00:23:20.259
 burst with joy.

00:23:22.299 --> 00:23:24.019
 Because here is a man

00:23:24.019 --> 00:23:24.980
 who for his whole life

00:23:24.980 --> 00:23:25.900
 has been shut out.

00:23:27.740 --> 00:23:29.099
 And he's gone to worship

00:23:29.099 --> 00:23:30.740
 God at the temple

00:23:30.740 --> 00:23:32.339
 and he's been shut out.

00:23:32.960 --> 00:23:33.900
 But here is a promise.

00:23:35.379 --> 00:23:36.200
 Here is a promise

00:23:36.200 --> 00:23:37.079
 that one day

00:23:37.079 --> 00:23:37.940
 people like him

00:23:37.940 --> 00:23:38.759
 are going to be

00:23:38.759 --> 00:23:39.819
 welcomed in.

00:23:41.700 --> 00:23:42.639
 And here is a promise

00:23:42.639 --> 00:23:43.400
 that people like him

00:23:43.400 --> 00:23:44.000
 are going to be given

00:23:44.000 --> 00:23:44.759
 something better

00:23:44.759 --> 00:23:46.000
 than sons and daughters.

00:23:46.139 --> 00:23:46.579
 Can you imagine

00:23:46.579 --> 00:23:47.660
 that promise for a eunuch?

00:23:47.660 --> 00:23:50.380
 And you're thinking

00:23:50.380 --> 00:23:51.580
 when?

00:23:54.080 --> 00:23:54.900
 But how?

00:23:56.400 --> 00:23:57.320
 And he flicks back

00:23:57.320 --> 00:23:58.040
 and he comes across

00:23:58.040 --> 00:23:58.740
 this person

00:23:58.740 --> 00:23:59.560
 who we've read about

00:23:59.560 --> 00:24:00.740
 in these verses

00:24:00.740 --> 00:24:01.700
 that are quoted

00:24:01.700 --> 00:24:02.720
 in Acts chapter 8.

00:24:03.200 --> 00:24:03.759
 This person

00:24:03.759 --> 00:24:04.860
 who was humiliated,

00:24:05.420 --> 00:24:06.300
 who was deprived

00:24:06.300 --> 00:24:07.040
 of justice

00:24:07.040 --> 00:24:08.200
 and this person

00:24:08.200 --> 00:24:08.560
 who you see

00:24:08.560 --> 00:24:08.940
 in the middle

00:24:08.940 --> 00:24:09.840
 of verse 33,

00:24:10.300 --> 00:24:11.140
 who can speak

00:24:11.140 --> 00:24:11.900
 of his descendants?

00:24:12.080 --> 00:24:12.700
 What's going to become

00:24:12.700 --> 00:24:13.420
 of his generation?

00:24:13.420 --> 00:24:16.420
 And these people

00:24:16.420 --> 00:24:16.940
 who've been eunuch

00:24:16.940 --> 00:24:17.400
 is thinking

00:24:17.400 --> 00:24:18.519
 this is someone

00:24:18.519 --> 00:24:19.440
 like me.

00:24:21.840 --> 00:24:23.220
 I've been humiliated.

00:24:24.519 --> 00:24:25.380
 I've been made

00:24:25.380 --> 00:24:26.480
 to stand outside

00:24:26.480 --> 00:24:27.640
 and this is someone

00:24:27.640 --> 00:24:28.480
 like me.

00:24:28.779 --> 00:24:30.220
 Someone with no descendants

00:24:30.220 --> 00:24:31.840
 and he wants to know more.

00:24:31.940 --> 00:24:32.800
 Who is this?

00:24:33.660 --> 00:24:34.400
 Who is it

00:24:34.400 --> 00:24:34.860
 that the prophet

00:24:34.860 --> 00:24:35.500
 is talking about?

00:24:35.740 --> 00:24:36.720
 And verse 34

00:24:36.720 --> 00:24:38.120
 the eunuch says

00:24:38.120 --> 00:24:39.400
 ask,

00:24:39.539 --> 00:24:40.920
 well who is this person?

00:24:42.200 --> 00:24:43.400
 Is this the prophet?

00:24:43.420 --> 00:24:45.160
 Is he speaking

00:24:45.160 --> 00:24:45.779
 about himself?

00:24:46.460 --> 00:24:47.560
 Or is this someone else?

00:24:47.660 --> 00:24:48.500
 And so Philip explains

00:24:48.500 --> 00:24:49.279
 verse 35

00:24:49.279 --> 00:24:50.700
 Philip opened his mouth

00:24:50.700 --> 00:24:51.980
 and began

00:24:51.980 --> 00:24:53.800
 with this scripture

00:24:53.800 --> 00:24:54.500
 and told him

00:24:54.500 --> 00:24:55.100
 the good news

00:24:55.100 --> 00:24:55.759
 about the Lord Jesus.

00:24:57.500 --> 00:24:59.000
 Who is this?

00:25:00.320 --> 00:25:01.200
 Who is this

00:25:01.200 --> 00:25:01.700
 that the prophet

00:25:01.700 --> 00:25:02.400
 is speaking about?

00:25:02.539 --> 00:25:03.420
 This is Jesus.

00:25:05.200 --> 00:25:06.460
 This is the Jesus

00:25:06.460 --> 00:25:07.460
 that the apostles

00:25:07.460 --> 00:25:08.100
 have been preaching.

00:25:09.420 --> 00:25:10.539
 Who's been raised

00:25:10.539 --> 00:25:11.240
 from the dead.

00:25:11.360 --> 00:25:12.900
 Who is Lord of Lords.

00:25:12.900 --> 00:25:14.560
 this is the Son of God

00:25:14.560 --> 00:25:17.740
 who is ascended

00:25:17.740 --> 00:25:19.640
 and sits on the throne

00:25:19.640 --> 00:25:20.380
 of heaven.

00:25:21.900 --> 00:25:23.420
 The throne of the universe.

00:25:26.420 --> 00:25:27.740
 And you think this morning

00:25:27.740 --> 00:25:29.500
 what possible relevance

00:25:29.500 --> 00:25:31.540
 could the Lord of Lords

00:25:31.540 --> 00:25:32.280
 have for me

00:25:32.280 --> 00:25:33.019
 in my life?

00:25:34.780 --> 00:25:36.019
 And it turns out

00:25:36.019 --> 00:25:36.400
 doesn't it

00:25:36.400 --> 00:25:37.200
 that the very things

00:25:37.200 --> 00:25:38.100
 I've been through

00:25:38.100 --> 00:25:40.019
 are the very things

00:25:40.019 --> 00:25:40.680
 he's been through.

00:25:43.180 --> 00:25:44.000
 All those things

00:25:44.000 --> 00:25:44.720
 in my life

00:25:44.720 --> 00:25:45.539
 that I think

00:25:45.539 --> 00:25:46.859
 nobody gets

00:25:46.859 --> 00:25:49.079
 it turns out

00:25:49.079 --> 00:25:49.579
 he does.

00:25:51.200 --> 00:25:52.259
 Because he's been there.

00:25:54.440 --> 00:25:55.139
 If you've

00:25:55.139 --> 00:25:56.039
 if you come across

00:25:56.039 --> 00:25:56.639
 somebody who has

00:25:56.639 --> 00:25:57.440
 been through

00:25:57.440 --> 00:25:58.980
 what you've been through

00:25:58.980 --> 00:26:01.200
 your heart is

00:26:01.200 --> 00:26:02.500
 automatically drawn

00:26:02.500 --> 00:26:03.139
 to them isn't it?

00:26:04.339 --> 00:26:05.279
 Aren't you drawn

00:26:05.279 --> 00:26:05.639
 to them?

00:26:05.720 --> 00:26:06.539
 Tell me more.

00:26:06.539 --> 00:26:08.859
 Why did he die?

00:26:09.259 --> 00:26:10.319
 Why was he led

00:26:10.319 --> 00:26:10.940
 like a lamb

00:26:10.940 --> 00:26:11.619
 to the slaughter?

00:26:11.879 --> 00:26:12.500
 What happened?

00:26:12.599 --> 00:26:13.619
 You say it's good news.

00:26:13.819 --> 00:26:14.379
 It doesn't sound

00:26:14.379 --> 00:26:15.180
 like very good news.

00:26:16.779 --> 00:26:17.440
 Do you see why

00:26:17.440 --> 00:26:18.159
 it needs explaining?

00:26:18.879 --> 00:26:19.579
 And I imagine

00:26:19.579 --> 00:26:20.319
 Philip would have

00:26:20.319 --> 00:26:21.839
 explained the Old Testament

00:26:21.839 --> 00:26:23.139
 system of sacrifices.

00:26:24.519 --> 00:26:25.500
 That God had given

00:26:25.500 --> 00:26:25.879
 his people.

00:26:26.099 --> 00:26:26.819
 He would have explained

00:26:26.819 --> 00:26:27.819
 how our sin

00:26:27.819 --> 00:26:28.680
 our rebellion

00:26:28.680 --> 00:26:29.359
 means that we

00:26:29.359 --> 00:26:30.480
 cannot live

00:26:30.480 --> 00:26:31.259
 with God.

00:26:31.259 --> 00:26:33.660
 And we think

00:26:33.660 --> 00:26:34.140
 well that just

00:26:34.140 --> 00:26:34.819
 goes to show

00:26:34.819 --> 00:26:36.420
 how mean God is.

00:26:36.799 --> 00:26:37.319
 But no it goes

00:26:37.319 --> 00:26:38.059
 to show how good

00:26:38.059 --> 00:26:38.640
 God is.

00:26:39.759 --> 00:26:40.640
 So good that

00:26:40.640 --> 00:26:41.519
 in his presence

00:26:41.519 --> 00:26:42.740
 there is no sin.

00:26:42.940 --> 00:26:44.000
 There's no lying.

00:26:44.180 --> 00:26:44.779
 There's no lust.

00:26:44.920 --> 00:26:45.559
 There's no bullying.

00:26:45.740 --> 00:26:46.420
 There's no abuse.

00:26:47.279 --> 00:26:48.220
 There's no promise

00:26:48.220 --> 00:26:49.140
 breaking.

00:26:49.420 --> 00:26:50.640
 There's no war.

00:26:51.059 --> 00:26:51.599
 Isn't that good?

00:26:53.279 --> 00:26:54.359
 A God who will not

00:26:54.359 --> 00:26:54.980
 have sin

00:26:54.980 --> 00:26:55.680
 in his presence.

00:26:55.799 --> 00:26:56.559
 That is good.

00:26:56.779 --> 00:26:57.539
 It is good but it's

00:26:57.539 --> 00:26:58.359
 also sobering

00:26:58.359 --> 00:26:58.900
 because when we

00:26:58.900 --> 00:27:00.039
 really understand that

00:27:00.039 --> 00:27:01.059
 he will not have

00:27:01.059 --> 00:27:01.920
 people who lie

00:27:01.920 --> 00:27:03.019
 or bully

00:27:03.019 --> 00:27:04.039
 or abuse

00:27:04.039 --> 00:27:04.879
 in his presence.

00:27:06.059 --> 00:27:07.579
 He will not have us.

00:27:09.759 --> 00:27:11.019
 But he loves us.

00:27:12.399 --> 00:27:13.619
 And he wants us

00:27:13.619 --> 00:27:14.700
 to be with him.

00:27:15.000 --> 00:27:15.960
 So in his mercy

00:27:15.960 --> 00:27:17.339
 he provides a system

00:27:17.339 --> 00:27:18.460
 of sacrifices

00:27:18.460 --> 00:27:19.839
 and at the heart

00:27:19.839 --> 00:27:21.619
 of that sacrifice

00:27:21.619 --> 00:27:24.579
 the sin of the people

00:27:24.579 --> 00:27:25.460
 is transferred

00:27:25.460 --> 00:27:26.559
 to a lamb.

00:27:27.700 --> 00:27:29.139
 A lamb that dies.

00:27:30.039 --> 00:27:31.859
 And by his death

00:27:31.859 --> 00:27:32.659
 the lamb

00:27:32.659 --> 00:27:34.299
 the death of the lamb

00:27:34.299 --> 00:27:35.420
 takes away the sin

00:27:35.420 --> 00:27:36.500
 of the people.

00:27:38.579 --> 00:27:39.500
 And Isaiah is saying

00:27:39.500 --> 00:27:40.500
 all that system

00:27:40.500 --> 00:27:41.619
 of sacrifice

00:27:41.619 --> 00:27:43.920
 is pointing forward

00:27:43.920 --> 00:27:44.539
 to somebody

00:27:44.539 --> 00:27:45.119
 who would be

00:27:45.119 --> 00:27:46.339
 the lamb of God

00:27:46.339 --> 00:27:48.879
 who would take away

00:27:48.879 --> 00:27:49.579
 the sin of the world.

00:27:51.039 --> 00:27:52.539
 And in his death

00:27:52.539 --> 00:27:54.480
 the sins of his people

00:27:54.480 --> 00:27:56.559
 would be dealt with.

00:27:56.559 --> 00:27:59.279
 the Lord Jesus

00:27:59.279 --> 00:28:00.740
 he was cut off.

00:28:01.899 --> 00:28:02.299
 Why?

00:28:03.480 --> 00:28:04.339
 So that you might

00:28:04.339 --> 00:28:04.779
 come in.

00:28:07.019 --> 00:28:07.839
 And that you might

00:28:07.839 --> 00:28:08.259
 come in

00:28:08.259 --> 00:28:09.559
 not to a temple

00:28:09.559 --> 00:28:10.379
 in Jerusalem.

00:28:11.799 --> 00:28:12.579
 The temple stood

00:28:12.579 --> 00:28:13.099
 for the presence

00:28:13.099 --> 00:28:13.579
 of God.

00:28:13.679 --> 00:28:14.339
 The point was

00:28:14.339 --> 00:28:15.079
 to show the people

00:28:15.079 --> 00:28:15.460
 that they were

00:28:15.460 --> 00:28:16.500
 shut out of the temple.

00:28:16.879 --> 00:28:17.599
 It was to show them

00:28:17.599 --> 00:28:18.240
 that they were not only

00:28:18.240 --> 00:28:19.359
 just shut out of a building

00:28:19.359 --> 00:28:20.539
 but they were shut out

00:28:20.539 --> 00:28:21.619
 from the presence of God.

00:28:21.619 --> 00:28:23.319
 And one day God says

00:28:23.319 --> 00:28:24.299
 there will be

00:28:24.299 --> 00:28:25.979
 a lamb who will come

00:28:25.979 --> 00:28:28.139
 who will take away

00:28:28.139 --> 00:28:29.359
 your sin

00:28:29.359 --> 00:28:30.279
 so that you can

00:28:30.279 --> 00:28:31.539
 enter into God's presence.

00:28:32.899 --> 00:28:34.639
 We who were far away

00:28:34.639 --> 00:28:36.699
 can come near to him.

00:28:38.439 --> 00:28:39.500
 And again and again

00:28:39.500 --> 00:28:39.819
 and again

00:28:39.819 --> 00:28:40.439
 the Lord Jesus

00:28:40.439 --> 00:28:41.699
 has said of himself

00:28:41.699 --> 00:28:42.919
 I am the one

00:28:42.919 --> 00:28:43.739
 that they pointed to.

00:28:45.079 --> 00:28:45.819
 He was the one

00:28:45.819 --> 00:28:46.579
 who just came to

00:28:46.579 --> 00:28:49.839
 cut off

00:28:49.839 --> 00:28:50.679
 so that you might

00:28:50.679 --> 00:28:51.219
 come in.

00:28:51.619 --> 00:28:55.079
 And you might say today

00:28:55.079 --> 00:28:56.079
 is God really interested

00:28:56.079 --> 00:28:56.459
 in me?

00:28:57.419 --> 00:28:58.199
 Do you see his heart?

00:29:00.359 --> 00:29:01.379
 This is the God

00:29:01.379 --> 00:29:02.079
 who says

00:29:02.079 --> 00:29:03.779
 eunuchs

00:29:03.779 --> 00:29:05.319
 and bullies

00:29:05.319 --> 00:29:07.179
 and liars

00:29:07.179 --> 00:29:09.479
 and addicts

00:29:09.479 --> 00:29:11.219
 in Jesus

00:29:11.219 --> 00:29:12.179
 I have stepped

00:29:12.179 --> 00:29:13.419
 into your world

00:29:13.419 --> 00:29:14.159
 I have stood

00:29:14.159 --> 00:29:14.959
 in your shoes

00:29:14.959 --> 00:29:17.139
 for all you have done

00:29:17.139 --> 00:29:18.000
 and all that has been

00:29:18.000 --> 00:29:18.479
 done to you

00:29:18.479 --> 00:29:19.079
 I have suffered

00:29:19.079 --> 00:29:20.119
 I have been humiliated

00:29:20.119 --> 00:29:20.599
 for it.

00:29:21.619 --> 00:29:22.459
 I've died for it

00:29:22.459 --> 00:29:23.239
 I was cut off

00:29:23.239 --> 00:29:23.819
 so that you might

00:29:23.819 --> 00:29:24.239
 come in.

00:29:24.239 --> 00:29:25.219
 In Jesus

00:29:25.219 --> 00:29:28.199
 I became a eunuch

00:29:28.199 --> 00:29:30.139
 so eunuchs

00:29:30.139 --> 00:29:31.219
 could be welcomed in

00:29:31.219 --> 00:29:32.059
 and given something

00:29:32.059 --> 00:29:32.799
 better than sons

00:29:32.799 --> 00:29:33.359
 and daughters.

00:29:34.819 --> 00:29:35.799
 Eunuchs could come home

00:29:35.799 --> 00:29:37.759
 could come and live

00:29:37.759 --> 00:29:38.359
 with me forever

00:29:38.359 --> 00:29:39.000
 that is

00:29:39.000 --> 00:29:40.159
 the good news

00:29:40.159 --> 00:29:40.739
 that our God

00:29:40.739 --> 00:29:41.319
 wants the world

00:29:41.319 --> 00:29:41.779
 to hear.

00:29:41.779 --> 00:29:45.359
 and can I say

00:29:45.359 --> 00:29:46.139
 if you're sitting

00:29:46.139 --> 00:29:46.879
 here this morning

00:29:46.879 --> 00:29:47.819
 and you like

00:29:47.819 --> 00:29:48.720
 the Ethiopian

00:29:48.720 --> 00:29:49.899
 you are baffled

00:29:49.899 --> 00:29:50.559
 as to why

00:29:50.559 --> 00:29:51.299
 Jesus died

00:29:51.299 --> 00:29:51.859
 on the cross

00:29:51.859 --> 00:29:53.259
 can I ask you

00:29:53.259 --> 00:29:53.899
 plead with you

00:29:53.899 --> 00:29:54.480
 ask someone

00:29:54.480 --> 00:29:55.440
 to explain it to you

00:29:55.440 --> 00:29:57.440
 ask someone

00:29:57.440 --> 00:29:57.980
 to open up

00:29:57.980 --> 00:29:58.460
 the Bible

00:29:58.460 --> 00:29:58.980
 with you

00:29:58.980 --> 00:30:00.319
 and if you

00:30:00.319 --> 00:30:00.680
 don't know

00:30:00.680 --> 00:30:01.379
 who to ask

00:30:01.379 --> 00:30:02.519
 come and ask me

00:30:02.519 --> 00:30:03.839
 there's nothing

00:30:03.839 --> 00:30:04.759
 we'd love to do

00:30:04.759 --> 00:30:05.839
 more than explain

00:30:05.839 --> 00:30:06.460
 the good news

00:30:06.460 --> 00:30:06.720
 to you

00:30:06.720 --> 00:30:07.519
 but maybe

00:30:07.519 --> 00:30:08.700
 you're not

00:30:08.700 --> 00:30:09.420
 the Ethiopian

00:30:09.420 --> 00:30:12.220
 you get this

00:30:12.220 --> 00:30:13.440
 but you've forgotten it

00:30:13.440 --> 00:30:16.140
 and you think

00:30:16.140 --> 00:30:16.880
 about your life

00:30:16.880 --> 00:30:18.940
 and you think

00:30:18.940 --> 00:30:19.720
 about how things

00:30:19.720 --> 00:30:20.180
 have not been

00:30:20.180 --> 00:30:21.140
 so great recently

00:30:21.140 --> 00:30:23.480
 and you're wondering

00:30:23.480 --> 00:30:24.079
 this morning

00:30:24.079 --> 00:30:25.900
 is God really

00:30:25.900 --> 00:30:26.700
 interested in someone

00:30:26.700 --> 00:30:27.140
 like you?

00:30:30.140 --> 00:30:30.920
 You're wondering

00:30:30.920 --> 00:30:31.839
 are you really

00:30:31.839 --> 00:30:32.480
 welcome

00:30:32.480 --> 00:30:33.600
 to come into

00:30:33.600 --> 00:30:34.079
 his presence

00:30:34.079 --> 00:30:35.620
 and you keep

00:30:35.620 --> 00:30:36.100
 thinking

00:30:36.099 --> 00:30:36.959
 or you fall

00:30:36.959 --> 00:30:37.959
 back into thinking

00:30:37.959 --> 00:30:39.299
 if I'm good enough

00:30:39.299 --> 00:30:40.439
 then he'll welcome me

00:30:40.439 --> 00:30:42.799
 and that is not

00:30:42.799 --> 00:30:43.500
 the good news

00:30:43.500 --> 00:30:45.879
 that is not

00:30:45.879 --> 00:30:46.500
 the good news

00:30:46.500 --> 00:30:47.039
 because

00:30:47.039 --> 00:30:47.879
 when am I ever

00:30:47.879 --> 00:30:48.419
 good enough?

00:30:49.779 --> 00:30:50.539
 The good news

00:30:50.539 --> 00:30:51.079
 is not because

00:30:51.079 --> 00:30:51.799
 we make the grade

00:30:51.799 --> 00:30:52.399
 none of us

00:30:52.399 --> 00:30:53.059
 make the grade

00:30:53.059 --> 00:30:54.159
 we are all

00:30:54.159 --> 00:30:54.859
 eunuchs

00:30:54.859 --> 00:30:57.859
 he welcomes me

00:30:57.859 --> 00:30:58.299
 because of the

00:30:58.299 --> 00:30:58.740
 Lord Jesus

00:30:58.740 --> 00:31:01.919
 and so this morning

00:31:01.919 --> 00:31:03.500
 don't look at

00:31:03.500 --> 00:31:04.119
 your life

00:31:04.119 --> 00:31:06.639
 don't think

00:31:06.639 --> 00:31:07.179
 about what

00:31:07.179 --> 00:31:07.539
 you think

00:31:07.539 --> 00:31:08.079
 of yourself

00:31:08.079 --> 00:31:10.059
 don't think

00:31:10.059 --> 00:31:10.439
 about what

00:31:10.439 --> 00:31:10.839
 others

00:31:10.839 --> 00:31:11.559
 think of you

00:31:11.559 --> 00:31:14.279
 fix your eyes

00:31:14.279 --> 00:31:15.739
 on the Lamb

00:31:15.739 --> 00:31:16.199
 of God

00:31:16.199 --> 00:31:20.299
 fix your eyes

00:31:20.299 --> 00:31:20.659
 on the Lord

00:31:20.659 --> 00:31:20.939
 Jesus

00:31:20.939 --> 00:31:23.459
 and if you're

00:31:23.459 --> 00:31:23.859
 thinking about

00:31:23.859 --> 00:31:24.219
 the person

00:31:24.219 --> 00:31:24.699
 that you share

00:31:24.699 --> 00:31:25.479
 a desk with

00:31:25.479 --> 00:31:27.879
 well we must

00:31:27.879 --> 00:31:28.919
 live our lives

00:31:28.919 --> 00:31:29.399
 in a way

00:31:29.399 --> 00:31:30.099
 that adorns

00:31:30.099 --> 00:31:30.619
 the gospel

00:31:30.619 --> 00:31:31.079
 that shows

00:31:31.079 --> 00:31:31.539
 the difference

00:31:31.539 --> 00:31:31.960
 that Jesus

00:31:31.960 --> 00:31:32.519
 has made

00:31:32.519 --> 00:31:33.240
 but it does

00:31:33.240 --> 00:31:33.940
 lead explaining

00:31:33.940 --> 00:31:34.460
 doesn't it?

00:31:36.720 --> 00:31:37.579
 The Father

00:31:37.579 --> 00:31:38.440
 wants people

00:31:38.440 --> 00:31:39.200
 to get his

00:31:39.200 --> 00:31:39.559
 son

00:31:39.559 --> 00:31:41.619
 to get

00:31:41.619 --> 00:31:42.000
 what he's

00:31:42.000 --> 00:31:42.259
 done

00:31:42.259 --> 00:31:45.279
 and so pray

00:31:45.279 --> 00:31:46.000
 for the Holy

00:31:46.000 --> 00:31:46.339
 Spirit

00:31:46.339 --> 00:31:48.299
 the help

00:31:48.299 --> 00:31:48.720
 of the Holy

00:31:48.720 --> 00:31:49.059
 Spirit

00:31:49.059 --> 00:31:49.859
 to help you

00:31:49.859 --> 00:31:50.379
 to speak

00:31:50.379 --> 00:31:50.839
 of him

00:31:50.839 --> 00:31:51.259
 and why

00:31:51.259 --> 00:31:51.740
 he died

00:31:51.740 --> 00:31:53.980
 and of

00:31:53.980 --> 00:31:54.500
 why his

00:31:54.500 --> 00:31:54.859
 death

00:31:54.859 --> 00:31:55.399
 is good

00:31:55.399 --> 00:31:55.779
 news

00:31:55.779 --> 00:31:58.539
 and pray

00:31:58.539 --> 00:31:58.839
 for that

00:31:58.839 --> 00:31:59.359
 opportunity

00:31:59.359 --> 00:31:59.799
 that is

00:31:59.799 --> 00:32:00.200
 his heart

00:32:00.200 --> 00:32:00.599
 for you

00:32:00.599 --> 00:32:01.059
 a divine

00:32:01.059 --> 00:32:01.480
 appointment

00:32:01.480 --> 00:32:02.059
 an open

00:32:02.059 --> 00:32:02.339
 Bible

00:32:02.339 --> 00:32:02.639
 and then

00:32:02.639 --> 00:32:02.960
 lastly

00:32:02.960 --> 00:32:03.359
 a changed

00:32:03.359 --> 00:32:03.720
 life

00:32:03.720 --> 00:32:05.099
 do you see

00:32:05.099 --> 00:32:06.039
 the Ethiopian's

00:32:06.039 --> 00:32:06.399
 response

00:32:06.399 --> 00:32:07.059
 verse 36

00:32:07.059 --> 00:32:09.519
 verse 36

00:32:09.519 --> 00:32:11.759
 and as they

00:32:11.759 --> 00:32:12.039
 were going

00:32:12.039 --> 00:32:12.379
 along

00:32:12.379 --> 00:32:15.160
 they came

00:32:15.160 --> 00:32:15.779
 to a road

00:32:15.779 --> 00:32:18.000
 they were

00:32:18.000 --> 00:32:18.379
 going along

00:32:18.379 --> 00:32:18.660
 the road

00:32:18.660 --> 00:32:19.000
 they came

00:32:19.000 --> 00:32:19.299
 to some

00:32:19.299 --> 00:32:19.680
 water

00:32:19.680 --> 00:32:20.379
 and the eunuch

00:32:20.379 --> 00:32:20.740
 said

00:32:20.740 --> 00:32:21.139
 see

00:32:21.139 --> 00:32:22.619
 here's water

00:32:22.619 --> 00:32:23.160
 it's the middle

00:32:23.160 --> 00:32:23.619
 of a desert

00:32:23.619 --> 00:32:25.059
 what prevents

00:32:25.059 --> 00:32:25.339
 me from

00:32:25.339 --> 00:32:25.500
 being

00:32:25.500 --> 00:32:26.079
 baptised

00:32:26.079 --> 00:32:31.639
 there's a

00:32:31.639 --> 00:32:31.959
 danger

00:32:31.959 --> 00:32:32.559
 isn't there

00:32:32.559 --> 00:32:33.879
 in saying

00:32:33.879 --> 00:32:34.419
 that we

00:32:34.419 --> 00:32:35.179
 need to

00:32:35.179 --> 00:32:36.659
 explain

00:32:36.659 --> 00:32:37.219
 the good

00:32:37.219 --> 00:32:37.679
 news

00:32:37.679 --> 00:32:39.819
 and the

00:32:39.819 --> 00:32:40.199
 danger

00:32:40.199 --> 00:32:40.559
 to that

00:32:40.559 --> 00:32:40.819
 is

00:32:40.819 --> 00:32:41.679
 that

00:32:41.679 --> 00:32:42.439
 the gospel

00:32:42.439 --> 00:32:42.799
 becomes

00:32:42.799 --> 00:32:43.059
 something

00:32:43.059 --> 00:32:43.500
 that we

00:32:43.500 --> 00:32:44.000
 kind of

00:32:44.000 --> 00:32:44.379
 tick a

00:32:44.379 --> 00:32:44.699
 box

00:32:44.699 --> 00:32:45.419
 to

00:32:45.419 --> 00:32:46.000
 you know

00:32:46.000 --> 00:32:46.439
 the terms

00:32:46.439 --> 00:32:46.919
 and conditions

00:32:46.919 --> 00:32:49.219
 it sounds

00:32:49.219 --> 00:32:49.759
 like Christianity

00:32:49.759 --> 00:32:50.279
 becomes

00:32:50.279 --> 00:32:51.279
 assenting

00:32:51.279 --> 00:32:51.819
 to certain

00:32:51.819 --> 00:32:52.399
 truths

00:32:52.400 --> 00:32:53.780
 you've

00:32:53.780 --> 00:32:53.920
 prayed

00:32:53.920 --> 00:32:54.100
 this

00:32:54.100 --> 00:32:54.300
 prayer

00:32:54.300 --> 00:32:54.759
 hey presto

00:32:54.759 --> 00:32:54.980
 you're a

00:32:54.980 --> 00:32:55.160
 Christian

00:32:55.160 --> 00:32:56.540
 you've

00:32:56.540 --> 00:32:56.740
 ticked

00:32:56.740 --> 00:32:56.880
 this

00:32:56.880 --> 00:32:57.220
 box

00:32:57.220 --> 00:32:58.120
 you've

00:32:58.120 --> 00:32:58.480
 affirmed

00:32:58.480 --> 00:32:58.860
 that you

00:32:58.860 --> 00:33:00.560
 agree

00:33:00.560 --> 00:33:01.120
 with it

00:33:01.120 --> 00:33:02.720
 please

00:33:02.720 --> 00:33:03.040
 sign

00:33:03.040 --> 00:33:03.480
 here

00:33:03.480 --> 00:33:06.060
 but can

00:33:06.060 --> 00:33:06.220
 you see

00:33:06.220 --> 00:33:06.700
 the Ethiopian

00:33:06.700 --> 00:33:07.240
 he's a

00:33:07.240 --> 00:33:07.560
 changed

00:33:07.560 --> 00:33:07.800
 man

00:33:07.800 --> 00:33:08.759
 the Ethiopian

00:33:08.759 --> 00:33:08.980
 says

00:33:08.980 --> 00:33:09.259
 is there

00:33:09.259 --> 00:33:09.519
 anything

00:33:09.519 --> 00:33:09.880
 to stop

00:33:09.880 --> 00:33:10.000
 me

00:33:10.000 --> 00:33:10.160
 being

00:33:10.160 --> 00:33:10.800
 baptised

00:33:10.800 --> 00:33:12.360
 it's

00:33:12.360 --> 00:33:12.480
 not

00:33:12.480 --> 00:33:12.759
 is there

00:33:12.759 --> 00:33:12.920
 a

00:33:12.920 --> 00:33:13.320
 form

00:33:13.320 --> 00:33:16.440
 it's

00:33:16.440 --> 00:33:16.740
 is there

00:33:16.740 --> 00:33:16.980
 anything

00:33:16.980 --> 00:33:17.280
 to stop

00:33:17.280 --> 00:33:17.400
 me

00:33:17.400 --> 00:33:17.500
 being

00:33:17.500 --> 00:33:18.280
 baptised

00:33:18.280 --> 00:33:19.420
 what we've

00:33:19.420 --> 00:33:19.740
 seen in

00:33:19.740 --> 00:33:20.040
 acts

00:33:20.040 --> 00:33:20.380
 already

00:33:20.380 --> 00:33:20.660
 is that

00:33:20.660 --> 00:33:21.019
 the way

00:33:21.019 --> 00:33:21.680
 to respond

00:33:21.680 --> 00:33:22.200
 to the

00:33:22.200 --> 00:33:22.960
 good news

00:33:22.960 --> 00:33:24.779
 is to

00:33:24.779 --> 00:33:24.920
 get

00:33:24.920 --> 00:33:25.320
 baptised

00:33:25.320 --> 00:33:25.680
 we read

00:33:25.680 --> 00:33:26.360
 in verse 38

00:33:26.360 --> 00:33:26.640
 that he

00:33:26.640 --> 00:33:27.279
 gave instructions

00:33:27.279 --> 00:33:27.840
 to stop

00:33:27.840 --> 00:33:28.440
 the chariot

00:33:28.440 --> 00:33:30.060
 and Philip

00:33:30.060 --> 00:33:30.680
 and the

00:33:30.680 --> 00:33:31.019
 eunuch

00:33:31.019 --> 00:33:31.460
 get down

00:33:31.460 --> 00:33:31.759
 into the

00:33:31.759 --> 00:33:32.019
 water

00:33:32.019 --> 00:33:33.640
 and Philip

00:33:33.640 --> 00:33:34.180
 baptised

00:33:34.180 --> 00:33:34.299
 him

00:33:34.299 --> 00:33:34.600
 it is

00:33:34.600 --> 00:33:34.840
 pretty

00:33:34.840 --> 00:33:35.220
 amazing

00:33:35.220 --> 00:33:35.519
 there is

00:33:35.519 --> 00:33:36.000
 water

00:33:36.000 --> 00:33:36.560
 in the

00:33:36.560 --> 00:33:36.860
 desert

00:33:36.860 --> 00:33:38.740
 and we

00:33:38.740 --> 00:33:39.019
 do not

00:33:39.019 --> 00:33:39.380
 know how

00:33:39.380 --> 00:33:39.720
 much

00:33:39.720 --> 00:33:40.080
 water

00:33:40.080 --> 00:33:40.640
 there was

00:33:40.640 --> 00:33:42.039
 and we

00:33:42.039 --> 00:33:42.320
 do not

00:33:42.320 --> 00:33:42.640
 know how

00:33:42.640 --> 00:33:43.039
 deep

00:33:43.039 --> 00:33:43.660
 it was

00:33:43.660 --> 00:33:46.320
 the point

00:33:46.320 --> 00:33:46.700
 is this

00:33:46.700 --> 00:33:47.080
 baptism

00:33:47.080 --> 00:33:47.580
 is a

00:33:47.580 --> 00:33:48.140
 visible

00:33:48.140 --> 00:33:48.799
 sign

00:33:48.799 --> 00:33:50.039
 of the

00:33:50.039 --> 00:33:50.399
 washing

00:33:50.399 --> 00:33:50.759
 away

00:33:50.759 --> 00:33:51.399
 of sins

00:33:51.399 --> 00:33:51.839
 and the

00:33:51.839 --> 00:33:52.220
 baptism

00:33:52.220 --> 00:33:52.619
 of the

00:33:52.619 --> 00:33:53.039
 spirit

00:33:53.039 --> 00:33:55.059
 and identifying

00:33:55.059 --> 00:33:55.799
 and joining

00:33:55.799 --> 00:33:56.200
 the people

00:33:56.200 --> 00:33:56.599
 of God

00:33:56.599 --> 00:33:59.359
 it starts

00:33:59.359 --> 00:34:00.159
 by explaining

00:34:00.159 --> 00:34:00.579
 Jesus

00:34:00.579 --> 00:34:00.859
 but it

00:34:00.859 --> 00:34:01.099
 doesn't

00:34:01.099 --> 00:34:01.379
 end

00:34:01.379 --> 00:34:01.700
 there

00:34:01.700 --> 00:34:03.940
 becoming

00:34:03.940 --> 00:34:04.180
 a

00:34:04.180 --> 00:34:04.559
 Christian

00:34:04.559 --> 00:34:06.240
 is not

00:34:06.240 --> 00:34:06.700
 just

00:34:06.700 --> 00:34:07.720
 understanding

00:34:07.720 --> 00:34:08.139
 about

00:34:08.139 --> 00:34:08.480
 Jesus

00:34:08.480 --> 00:34:10.440
 it's

00:34:10.440 --> 00:34:10.840
 starting

00:34:10.840 --> 00:34:11.340
 a new

00:34:11.340 --> 00:34:11.820
 life

00:34:11.820 --> 00:34:12.480
 with the

00:34:12.480 --> 00:34:12.659
 Lord

00:34:12.659 --> 00:34:12.980
 Jesus

00:34:12.980 --> 00:34:15.679
 you could

00:34:15.679 --> 00:34:15.940
 sum it

00:34:15.940 --> 00:34:16.079
 up

00:34:16.079 --> 00:34:16.460
 the old

00:34:16.460 --> 00:34:16.980
 life was

00:34:16.980 --> 00:34:17.199
 living

00:34:17.199 --> 00:34:17.639
 for me

00:34:17.639 --> 00:34:18.019
 the new

00:34:18.019 --> 00:34:18.480
 life is

00:34:18.480 --> 00:34:18.719
 living

00:34:18.719 --> 00:34:19.219
 for him

00:34:19.219 --> 00:34:21.259
 and it

00:34:21.259 --> 00:34:21.619
 may be

00:34:21.619 --> 00:34:22.379
 that it's

00:34:22.379 --> 00:34:22.699
 at this

00:34:22.699 --> 00:34:23.019
 point that

00:34:23.019 --> 00:34:23.299
 we begin

00:34:23.299 --> 00:34:23.679
 to shrink

00:34:23.679 --> 00:34:24.139
 back

00:34:24.139 --> 00:34:25.219
 and we

00:34:25.219 --> 00:34:25.319
 think

00:34:25.319 --> 00:34:25.559
 well that

00:34:25.559 --> 00:34:25.819
 doesn't

00:34:25.819 --> 00:34:26.139
 sound like

00:34:26.139 --> 00:34:26.539
 really good

00:34:26.539 --> 00:34:26.980
 news

00:34:26.980 --> 00:34:27.599
 living for him

00:34:27.599 --> 00:34:28.139
 sounds like

00:34:28.139 --> 00:34:28.460
 actually it

00:34:28.460 --> 00:34:28.739
 would spoil

00:34:28.739 --> 00:34:29.299
 my life

00:34:29.299 --> 00:34:30.059
 it sounds

00:34:30.059 --> 00:34:30.279
 like it

00:34:30.279 --> 00:34:30.559
 would cut

00:34:30.559 --> 00:34:31.239
 across all

00:34:31.239 --> 00:34:31.739
 my plans

00:34:31.739 --> 00:34:32.000
 but can

00:34:32.000 --> 00:34:32.219
 you see

00:34:32.219 --> 00:34:32.539
 the end

00:34:32.539 --> 00:34:32.799
 of verse

00:34:32.799 --> 00:34:33.199
 39

00:34:33.199 --> 00:34:33.599
 when they

00:34:33.599 --> 00:34:33.900
 came out

00:34:33.900 --> 00:34:34.079
 of the

00:34:34.079 --> 00:34:34.379
 water

00:34:34.379 --> 00:34:35.299
 the spirit

00:34:35.299 --> 00:34:35.639
 suddenly

00:34:35.639 --> 00:34:36.059
 took Philip

00:34:36.059 --> 00:34:36.460
 away

00:34:36.460 --> 00:34:36.839
 and the

00:34:36.839 --> 00:34:37.039
 eunuch

00:34:37.039 --> 00:34:37.519
 didn't see

00:34:37.519 --> 00:34:37.940
 him again

00:34:37.940 --> 00:34:38.259
 but he

00:34:38.259 --> 00:34:38.659
 went on

00:34:38.659 --> 00:34:39.079
 his way

00:34:39.079 --> 00:34:39.779
 rejoicing

00:34:39.779 --> 00:34:42.099
 when the

00:34:42.099 --> 00:34:42.599
 angels

00:34:42.599 --> 00:34:43.539
 announced the

00:34:43.539 --> 00:34:44.000
 birth of

00:34:44.000 --> 00:34:44.259
 Jesus

00:34:44.259 --> 00:34:44.519
 do you

00:34:44.519 --> 00:34:44.920
 remember what

00:34:47.639 --> 00:34:48.159
 good news

00:34:48.159 --> 00:34:49.940
 of great

00:34:49.940 --> 00:34:50.460
 joy

00:34:50.460 --> 00:34:51.859
 for all

00:34:51.859 --> 00:34:52.199
 people

00:34:52.199 --> 00:34:53.940
 chapter 8

00:34:53.940 --> 00:34:54.379
 verse 8

00:34:54.379 --> 00:34:54.819
 what happened

00:34:54.819 --> 00:34:55.039
 when the

00:34:55.039 --> 00:34:55.339
 people of

00:34:55.339 --> 00:34:55.659
 Samaria

00:34:55.659 --> 00:34:56.179
 believed

00:34:56.179 --> 00:34:57.519
 there was

00:34:57.519 --> 00:34:58.039
 great

00:34:58.039 --> 00:34:59.000
 rejoicing

00:34:59.000 --> 00:35:03.039
 we live

00:35:03.039 --> 00:35:03.199
 in a

00:35:03.199 --> 00:35:03.400
 culture

00:35:03.400 --> 00:35:03.699
 don't we

00:35:03.699 --> 00:35:04.159
 where more

00:35:04.159 --> 00:35:04.739
 than anything

00:35:04.739 --> 00:35:05.279
 else people

00:35:05.279 --> 00:35:05.739
 want to be

00:35:05.739 --> 00:35:06.119
 happy

00:35:06.119 --> 00:35:08.299
 but happiness

00:35:08.299 --> 00:35:08.839
 is pretty

00:35:08.839 --> 00:35:09.239
 elusive

00:35:09.239 --> 00:35:09.619
 isn't it

00:35:09.619 --> 00:35:10.019
 we try and

00:35:10.019 --> 00:35:10.420
 buy it

00:35:10.420 --> 00:35:11.839
 we try and

00:35:11.839 --> 00:35:12.159
 buy our

00:35:12.159 --> 00:35:12.420
 way to

00:35:12.420 --> 00:35:12.719
 happiness

00:35:12.719 --> 00:35:13.079
 but we

00:35:13.079 --> 00:35:13.519
 never seem

00:35:13.519 --> 00:35:13.759
 to be able

00:35:13.759 --> 00:35:13.940
 to buy

00:35:13.940 --> 00:35:14.420
 quite enough

00:35:14.420 --> 00:35:14.719
 to make

00:35:14.719 --> 00:35:15.099
 us happy

00:35:15.099 --> 00:35:15.719
 we want

00:35:15.719 --> 00:35:16.299
 a relationship

00:35:16.299 --> 00:35:16.719
 to make

00:35:16.719 --> 00:35:17.179
 us happy

00:35:17.179 --> 00:35:17.940
 but most

00:35:17.940 --> 00:35:18.460
 relationships

00:35:18.460 --> 00:35:18.879
 are not

00:35:18.879 --> 00:35:19.419
 that simple

00:35:19.419 --> 00:35:21.579
 we think

00:35:21.579 --> 00:35:21.899
 if I

00:35:21.899 --> 00:35:23.000
 get fit

00:35:23.000 --> 00:35:23.480
 then I'll

00:35:23.480 --> 00:35:23.960
 be happy

00:35:23.960 --> 00:35:25.739
 and that's

00:35:25.739 --> 00:35:26.079
 far more

00:35:26.079 --> 00:35:26.319
 difficult

00:35:26.319 --> 00:35:26.799
 I'm finding

00:35:26.799 --> 00:35:27.059
 than

00:35:27.059 --> 00:35:29.079
 you saying

00:35:29.079 --> 00:35:29.339
 it

00:35:29.339 --> 00:35:32.319
 and we

00:35:32.319 --> 00:35:32.859
 think of

00:35:32.859 --> 00:35:33.379
 our whole

00:35:33.379 --> 00:35:34.099
 life lived

00:35:34.099 --> 00:35:34.639
 for Jesus

00:35:34.639 --> 00:35:35.659
 that cannot

00:35:35.659 --> 00:35:36.359
 be the way

00:35:36.359 --> 00:35:37.039
 to happiness

00:35:37.039 --> 00:35:39.819
 but the

00:35:39.819 --> 00:35:40.460
 living God

00:35:40.460 --> 00:35:40.940
 is reaching

00:35:40.940 --> 00:35:41.559
 out to us

00:35:41.559 --> 00:35:41.980
 this morning

00:35:41.980 --> 00:35:42.539
 with what

00:35:42.539 --> 00:35:43.139
 will make

00:35:43.139 --> 00:35:43.639
 us truly

00:35:43.639 --> 00:35:44.079
 happy

00:35:44.079 --> 00:35:46.500
 he gives

00:35:46.500 --> 00:35:47.139
 us himself

00:35:47.139 --> 00:35:49.519
 and so

00:35:49.519 --> 00:35:49.679
 you're

00:35:49.679 --> 00:35:50.079
 looking for

00:35:50.079 --> 00:35:50.440
 happiness

00:35:50.440 --> 00:35:50.940
 in all

00:35:50.940 --> 00:35:51.339
 kinds of

00:35:51.339 --> 00:35:51.659
 places

00:35:51.659 --> 00:35:52.179
 all that

00:35:52.179 --> 00:35:52.819
 you long

00:35:52.819 --> 00:35:53.219
 for

00:35:53.219 --> 00:35:53.619
 you will

00:35:53.619 --> 00:35:53.980
 only

00:35:53.980 --> 00:35:54.319
 truly

00:35:54.319 --> 00:35:54.799
 find

00:35:54.799 --> 00:35:55.599
 in him

00:35:55.599 --> 00:35:58.500
 do you

00:35:58.500 --> 00:35:58.719
 long to

00:35:58.719 --> 00:35:59.099
 be loved

00:35:59.099 --> 00:36:01.219
 do you

00:36:01.219 --> 00:36:01.879
 long to

00:36:01.879 --> 00:36:02.359
 be understood

00:36:02.359 --> 00:36:02.719
 do you

00:36:02.719 --> 00:36:02.920
 long to

00:36:02.920 --> 00:36:03.420
 be accepted

00:36:03.420 --> 00:36:05.819
 you will

00:36:05.819 --> 00:36:06.259
 only truly

00:36:06.259 --> 00:36:06.759
 find that

00:36:06.759 --> 00:36:06.960
 in the

00:36:06.960 --> 00:36:07.119
 Lord

00:36:07.119 --> 00:36:07.519
 Jesus

00:36:07.519 --> 00:36:09.259
 do you

00:36:09.259 --> 00:36:09.480
 long for

00:36:09.480 --> 00:36:09.859
 beauty

00:36:09.859 --> 00:36:11.480
 do you

00:36:11.480 --> 00:36:11.699
 long for

00:36:11.699 --> 00:36:12.059
 wisdom

00:36:12.059 --> 00:36:12.339
 do you

00:36:12.339 --> 00:36:12.579
 long for

00:36:12.579 --> 00:36:13.039
 truth

00:36:13.039 --> 00:36:13.900
 for justice

00:36:13.900 --> 00:36:17.240
 only

00:36:17.240 --> 00:36:17.700
 only

00:36:17.700 --> 00:36:18.139
 only

00:36:18.139 --> 00:36:18.480
 will you

00:36:18.480 --> 00:36:18.880
 find that

00:36:18.880 --> 00:36:19.380
 in Jesus

00:36:19.380 --> 00:36:20.960
 do you

00:36:20.960 --> 00:36:21.180
 long for

00:36:21.180 --> 00:36:21.579
 freedom

00:36:21.579 --> 00:36:22.599
 do you

00:36:22.599 --> 00:36:22.800
 long for

00:36:22.800 --> 00:36:23.240
 adventure

00:36:23.240 --> 00:36:24.780
 do you

00:36:24.780 --> 00:36:24.980
 long for

00:36:24.980 --> 00:36:25.240
 a sense

00:36:25.240 --> 00:36:25.700
 of purpose

00:36:25.700 --> 00:36:26.059
 in your

00:36:26.059 --> 00:36:26.320
 life

00:36:26.320 --> 00:36:26.579
 you will

00:36:26.579 --> 00:36:27.019
 only find

00:36:27.019 --> 00:36:27.240
 that

00:36:27.240 --> 00:36:27.680
 in him

00:36:27.680 --> 00:36:30.880
 you long

00:36:30.880 --> 00:36:31.539
 perhaps more

00:36:31.539 --> 00:36:31.920
 than anything

00:36:31.920 --> 00:36:32.340
 else

00:36:32.340 --> 00:36:33.300
 to feel

00:36:33.300 --> 00:36:33.860
 at home

00:36:33.860 --> 00:36:35.740
 at home

00:36:35.740 --> 00:36:38.039
 and it is

00:36:38.039 --> 00:36:38.700
 in him

00:36:38.700 --> 00:36:39.300
 that we

00:36:39.300 --> 00:36:39.960
 come home

00:36:39.960 --> 00:36:42.300
 do you

00:36:42.300 --> 00:36:42.559
 see the

00:36:42.559 --> 00:36:42.960
 Ethiopian

00:36:42.960 --> 00:36:43.240
 has been

00:36:43.240 --> 00:36:43.480
 on a

00:36:43.480 --> 00:36:43.720
 journey

00:36:43.720 --> 00:36:44.059
 he's

00:36:44.059 --> 00:36:44.320
 looking

00:36:44.320 --> 00:36:44.579
 for

00:36:44.579 --> 00:36:45.039
 something

00:36:45.039 --> 00:36:46.320
 and he

00:36:46.320 --> 00:36:46.860
 goes home

00:36:46.860 --> 00:36:47.420
 rejoicing

00:36:47.420 --> 00:36:49.579
 he says

00:36:49.579 --> 00:36:50.000
 I found

00:36:50.000 --> 00:36:50.240
 it

00:36:50.240 --> 00:36:52.500
 in fact

00:36:52.500 --> 00:36:52.840
 he says

00:36:52.840 --> 00:36:53.240
 I found

00:36:53.240 --> 00:36:53.599
 him

00:36:53.599 --> 00:36:56.119
 I found

00:36:56.119 --> 00:36:56.460
 what I'm

00:36:56.460 --> 00:36:57.039
 looking for

00:36:57.039 --> 00:36:59.740
 or rather

00:36:59.740 --> 00:37:00.119
 he would

00:37:00.119 --> 00:37:00.599
 say he

00:37:00.599 --> 00:37:01.260
 found me

00:37:01.260 --> 00:37:03.360
 and he

00:37:03.360 --> 00:37:03.880
 heads home

00:37:03.880 --> 00:37:04.179
 to the

00:37:04.179 --> 00:37:04.500
 ends of

00:37:04.500 --> 00:37:04.880
 the earth

00:37:04.880 --> 00:37:06.900
 and he

00:37:06.900 --> 00:37:07.179
 doesn't know

00:37:07.179 --> 00:37:07.340
 what the

00:37:07.340 --> 00:37:07.519
 future

00:37:07.519 --> 00:37:07.860
 may hold

00:37:07.860 --> 00:37:08.139
 for him

00:37:08.139 --> 00:37:09.440
 he doesn't

00:37:09.440 --> 00:37:09.679
 know

00:37:09.679 --> 00:37:09.960
 what will

00:37:09.960 --> 00:37:10.139
 happen

00:37:10.139 --> 00:37:10.500
 at work

00:37:10.500 --> 00:37:10.839
 he doesn't

00:37:10.839 --> 00:37:11.039
 know

00:37:11.039 --> 00:37:11.859
 whether his

00:37:11.859 --> 00:37:12.179
 health

00:37:12.179 --> 00:37:12.759
 will hold

00:37:12.759 --> 00:37:13.000
 out

00:37:13.000 --> 00:37:15.859
 he doesn't

00:37:15.859 --> 00:37:16.119
 know how

00:37:16.119 --> 00:37:16.779
 his friends

00:37:16.779 --> 00:37:17.659
 will react

00:37:17.659 --> 00:37:20.299
 but what he

00:37:20.299 --> 00:37:20.699
 knows

00:37:20.699 --> 00:37:22.059
 is this

00:37:22.059 --> 00:37:23.980
 he is not

00:37:23.980 --> 00:37:24.679
 cut off

00:37:24.679 --> 00:37:25.859
 he has

00:37:25.859 --> 00:37:26.359
 come in

00:37:26.359 --> 00:37:29.279
 he's come

00:37:29.279 --> 00:37:29.819
 into life

00:37:29.819 --> 00:37:30.099
 with the

00:37:30.099 --> 00:37:30.599
 living God

00:37:30.599 --> 00:37:33.119
 and he may

00:37:33.119 --> 00:37:33.679
 lose his job

00:37:33.679 --> 00:37:34.919
 and he may

00:37:34.919 --> 00:37:35.319
 get sick

00:37:35.319 --> 00:37:35.980
 and his

00:37:35.980 --> 00:37:36.359
 friends may

00:37:36.359 --> 00:37:36.859
 turn on him

00:37:36.859 --> 00:37:37.460
 but whatever

00:37:37.460 --> 00:37:37.879
 happens

00:37:37.879 --> 00:37:38.539
 God is with

00:37:38.539 --> 00:37:38.919
 him now

00:37:38.919 --> 00:37:39.339
 by his

00:37:39.339 --> 00:37:39.619
 spirit

00:37:39.619 --> 00:37:41.880
 which means

00:37:41.880 --> 00:37:42.259
 whatever

00:37:42.259 --> 00:37:42.880
 happens

00:37:42.880 --> 00:37:43.859
 he has

00:37:43.859 --> 00:37:44.400
 this joy

00:37:44.400 --> 00:37:46.339
 he has

00:37:46.339 --> 00:37:46.819
 what he

00:37:46.819 --> 00:37:47.380
 most longs

00:37:47.380 --> 00:37:48.039
 for and he

00:37:48.039 --> 00:37:48.699
 has what his

00:37:48.699 --> 00:37:49.239
 heart most

00:37:49.239 --> 00:37:49.579
 needs

00:37:49.579 --> 00:37:51.319
 the living

00:37:51.319 --> 00:37:51.639
 God

00:37:51.639 --> 00:37:53.920
 and he

00:37:53.920 --> 00:37:54.380
 goes home

00:37:54.380 --> 00:37:54.859
 rejoicing

00:37:54.859 --> 00:37:57.799
 and when he

00:37:57.799 --> 00:37:58.319
 gets home

00:37:58.319 --> 00:38:01.059
 do you think he

00:38:01.059 --> 00:38:01.519
 might reach out

00:38:01.519 --> 00:38:01.719
 to his

00:38:01.719 --> 00:38:02.039
 friends

00:38:02.039 --> 00:38:06.960
 let's pray

00:38:06.960 --> 00:38:07.820
 let's pray

00:38:07.820 --> 00:38:07.820


00:38:07.820 --> 00:38:10.059
 let's pray

00:38:10.059 --> 00:38:11.139
 let's pray

00:38:11.139 --> 00:38:11.139


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