WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:04.480 Two of a short series just on healthy members or healthy membership. 00:00:05.820 --> 00:00:07.860 Trevor's handing around two sheets. 00:00:08.720 --> 00:00:12.419 The reason for that is it's just some more notes to follow up. 00:00:12.500 --> 00:00:15.000 I think there might be some questions or to dig a bit deeper. 00:00:15.740 --> 00:00:20.160 I guess it's an element of a study as much as a sermon in some ways. 00:00:20.719 --> 00:00:21.519 There's two pages. 00:00:22.359 --> 00:00:25.620 If you weren't here a couple of weeks ago or you didn't get notes, 00:00:25.719 --> 00:00:28.120 there are some copies of the notes from the first week, 00:00:28.120 --> 00:00:30.960 so please feel free to pick those up on the way out there on the table. 00:00:31.820 --> 00:00:35.500 Just to explain, the first sheet is essentially the outline of the sermon. 00:00:35.620 --> 00:00:41.859 The second one then is some passages from the New Testament that talk about one another. 00:00:42.039 --> 00:00:46.299 So it's just to take away for your encouragement and help as you think 00:00:46.299 --> 00:00:51.200 about what it means to be a healthy member of the church. 00:00:52.939 --> 00:00:54.480 So question to start. 00:00:54.479 --> 00:01:00.119 Is this the church this morning? 00:01:00.259 --> 00:01:02.159 Is this the church this morning? 00:01:02.659 --> 00:01:04.219 Did you come to church? 00:01:04.859 --> 00:01:07.459 Or are you church? 00:01:08.479 --> 00:01:12.179 Have we reached a quota for the minimum number of people, 00:01:12.179 --> 00:01:14.039 the minimum number of Christians, 00:01:14.259 --> 00:01:20.039 in one place to be able to say that we're officially a church? 00:01:20.040 --> 00:01:25.940 In some ways, church could simply be a few people who love Jesus. 00:01:26.840 --> 00:01:30.380 Just take the words of Jesus in Matthew 18, 00:01:30.660 --> 00:01:32.100 on their own, which many do, 00:01:33.040 --> 00:01:37.140 and then church is simply whenever two or three people 00:01:37.140 --> 00:01:40.300 are gathered together in Jesus' name. 00:01:41.660 --> 00:01:46.060 The author George Barna in his book Revolution puts it like this, 00:01:46.060 --> 00:01:50.379 Christians have in principle claimed that nothing more, 00:01:50.700 --> 00:01:53.260 nothing more is required to constitute a church 00:01:53.260 --> 00:01:56.859 than a couple of believers on a park bench. 00:01:57.579 --> 00:02:00.400 Yet the vines of bureaucracy and hierarchy 00:02:00.400 --> 00:02:03.460 have snaked their way around God's people for centuries, 00:02:04.040 --> 00:02:08.259 often choking out innovation and progress. 00:02:08.259 --> 00:02:11.879 I don't know what you make of that quote or that idea, 00:02:12.479 --> 00:02:13.519 but for George Barna, 00:02:14.359 --> 00:02:18.179 church is what two or more believing friends do 00:02:18.179 --> 00:02:19.919 when they talk about Jesus 00:02:19.919 --> 00:02:22.979 over coffee at Bean and Leaf or at Starbucks. 00:02:24.179 --> 00:02:26.919 And church needs to be freed from the stuffy 00:02:26.919 --> 00:02:29.840 and institutional formal structures. 00:02:29.840 --> 00:02:36.439 And yet I think our hearts are complex 00:02:36.439 --> 00:02:40.920 and they often mask our true needs. 00:02:42.360 --> 00:02:45.340 What might be appealing or maybe right-sounding 00:02:45.340 --> 00:02:50.759 to our ears initially may not be all that we actually need. 00:02:51.920 --> 00:02:53.840 Searching for church without structure 00:02:54.400 --> 00:02:56.400 or searching for church without commitment 00:02:56.400 --> 00:03:00.680 might not lead us to all that we expect. 00:03:02.000 --> 00:03:03.400 So as we look again this week 00:03:03.400 --> 00:03:05.120 at healthy church members this morning, 00:03:05.599 --> 00:03:07.200 I want us to see, 00:03:07.759 --> 00:03:10.420 to really think about the deep riches 00:03:10.420 --> 00:03:15.000 of all that God has provided to us 00:03:15.000 --> 00:03:18.200 together as members of his body. 00:03:19.040 --> 00:03:21.159 God tells us in his word 00:03:21.159 --> 00:03:23.919 what the community that he created 00:03:23.919 --> 00:03:26.759 should act and look like. 00:03:27.759 --> 00:03:30.539 And our deep, heartfelt need 00:03:30.539 --> 00:03:32.079 for authentic Christianity, 00:03:32.319 --> 00:03:34.039 and that's a good desire, 00:03:34.139 --> 00:03:35.319 that's a good need to have, 00:03:35.400 --> 00:03:37.500 our heartfelt need for authentic Christianity 00:03:37.500 --> 00:03:38.859 or authentic church. 00:03:39.819 --> 00:03:42.039 I want you to know that that is matched. 00:03:42.819 --> 00:03:44.620 It is matched and more 00:03:44.620 --> 00:03:48.579 by God's provision to us of his church. 00:03:48.580 --> 00:03:51.580 George Barna, 00:03:51.840 --> 00:03:52.800 who we quoted earlier, 00:03:52.900 --> 00:03:54.120 is correct in saying that 00:03:54.120 --> 00:03:56.939 the church is really not a what, 00:03:57.260 --> 00:03:58.200 but a who. 00:03:58.860 --> 00:03:59.640 Three weeks ago, 00:03:59.740 --> 00:04:02.600 Johnny helped us to think deeply about church 00:04:02.600 --> 00:04:04.200 in terms of both 00:04:04.200 --> 00:04:06.620 who is in the church 00:04:06.620 --> 00:04:08.240 and how we identify 00:04:08.240 --> 00:04:10.100 who the members are. 00:04:10.240 --> 00:04:11.640 So who the church is 00:04:11.640 --> 00:04:13.640 and how do we identify the church. 00:04:14.620 --> 00:04:15.939 And so we can say 00:04:15.939 --> 00:04:18.500 that the church is all Christians, 00:04:19.040 --> 00:04:20.519 all Christians in heaven 00:04:20.519 --> 00:04:21.620 and on earth, 00:04:21.980 --> 00:04:24.500 one body with Jesus Christ 00:04:24.500 --> 00:04:25.240 as our head. 00:04:26.800 --> 00:04:29.019 But if we stop there, 00:04:29.579 --> 00:04:31.860 if we stop there, 00:04:31.920 --> 00:04:35.019 we end up with an idea of church 00:04:35.019 --> 00:04:37.060 or a definition of church 00:04:37.060 --> 00:04:40.379 as simply the plural of Christian. 00:04:41.079 --> 00:04:42.360 What do I mean by that? 00:04:42.360 --> 00:04:42.620 I mean, 00:04:42.699 --> 00:04:43.180 it's just, 00:04:43.379 --> 00:04:44.800 church is another way of saying 00:04:44.800 --> 00:04:45.900 two Christians 00:04:45.900 --> 00:04:46.780 or three Christians 00:04:46.780 --> 00:04:47.660 or ten Christians 00:04:47.660 --> 00:04:49.040 and that's all it is. 00:04:49.060 --> 00:04:50.660 It's just a plural word for Christians. 00:04:51.240 --> 00:04:53.220 But we know there's more there, 00:04:53.300 --> 00:04:53.680 don't we? 00:04:54.020 --> 00:04:55.620 Recall some of what was preached 00:04:55.620 --> 00:04:56.920 a few weeks ago. 00:04:57.879 --> 00:05:00.439 We are members of one body, 00:05:01.080 --> 00:05:03.420 marked out in gathered communities 00:05:03.420 --> 00:05:04.540 by our baptism, 00:05:05.180 --> 00:05:06.620 by our partaking, 00:05:06.740 --> 00:05:07.639 which we will do today, 00:05:07.720 --> 00:05:09.800 of the Lord's table. 00:05:09.800 --> 00:05:12.139 Both of which, 00:05:12.280 --> 00:05:13.639 baptism and the Lord's table, 00:05:13.840 --> 00:05:15.879 are things the church should do 00:05:15.879 --> 00:05:17.840 and they're commanded by the Lord. 00:05:17.960 --> 00:05:19.939 So it's not just sufficient to say 00:05:19.939 --> 00:05:22.639 church is just Christians. 00:05:23.560 --> 00:05:24.680 There are certain things 00:05:24.680 --> 00:05:26.500 associated with church. 00:05:27.300 --> 00:05:28.100 On membership, 00:05:28.259 --> 00:05:28.980 Johnny showed us 00:05:28.980 --> 00:05:30.340 that church membership is, 00:05:30.519 --> 00:05:32.259 it's nowhere explicitly taught 00:05:32.259 --> 00:05:32.819 in the Bible, 00:05:33.400 --> 00:05:35.000 but it is everywhere, 00:05:35.439 --> 00:05:35.960 assumed, 00:05:36.199 --> 00:05:37.480 everywhere you go through 00:05:37.480 --> 00:05:38.280 the New Testament, 00:05:38.279 --> 00:05:40.919 membership of a local church 00:05:40.919 --> 00:05:41.779 is assumed. 00:05:42.299 --> 00:05:44.059 We saw that in Acts 20. 00:05:45.439 --> 00:05:47.399 The Christians in Ephesus 00:05:47.399 --> 00:05:48.399 could be identified 00:05:48.399 --> 00:05:49.959 as a local church 00:05:49.959 --> 00:05:51.439 with elders 00:05:51.439 --> 00:05:53.039 and the church 00:05:53.039 --> 00:05:53.799 or the members 00:05:53.799 --> 00:05:55.059 knew who the elders were 00:05:55.059 --> 00:05:56.439 and the elders knew 00:05:56.439 --> 00:05:57.500 who was in the church, 00:05:57.639 --> 00:05:58.719 knew who the members were. 00:05:58.879 --> 00:06:00.619 Each in turn knew 00:06:00.619 --> 00:06:02.039 and the church knew 00:06:02.039 --> 00:06:02.939 and the church formed 00:06:02.939 --> 00:06:04.139 in that local place 00:06:04.139 --> 00:06:04.859 in Ephesus. 00:06:04.860 --> 00:06:06.960 So last time, 00:06:07.040 --> 00:06:08.000 our focus was about 00:06:08.000 --> 00:06:09.420 who the church members, 00:06:10.060 --> 00:06:11.300 the who of the church members 00:06:11.300 --> 00:06:12.379 and this morning, 00:06:12.439 --> 00:06:13.720 we want to look at the what, 00:06:13.939 --> 00:06:14.620 the what. 00:06:14.780 --> 00:06:16.199 What does membership 00:06:16.199 --> 00:06:18.040 of a local church 00:06:18.040 --> 00:06:18.920 look like 00:06:18.920 --> 00:06:20.580 in practice? 00:06:20.780 --> 00:06:21.759 We're going to turn again 00:06:21.759 --> 00:06:22.819 back to the book 00:06:22.819 --> 00:06:24.060 of Ephesians, 00:06:24.139 --> 00:06:26.560 Ephesians chapter 4. 00:06:28.020 --> 00:06:29.280 Ephesians chapter 4 00:06:29.280 --> 00:06:30.139 and we're going to move 00:06:30.139 --> 00:06:31.259 through a few verses 00:06:31.259 --> 00:06:31.660 this morning, 00:06:31.720 --> 00:06:32.540 different parts of the scriptures, 00:06:32.540 --> 00:06:34.800 but let's look at Ephesians chapter 4 00:06:34.800 --> 00:06:35.500 and verse 1. 00:06:36.520 --> 00:06:36.780 You see, 00:06:36.840 --> 00:06:38.000 the church in the New Testament 00:06:38.000 --> 00:06:39.600 was not just 00:06:39.600 --> 00:06:40.439 the few Christians 00:06:40.439 --> 00:06:41.720 meeting up during the week 00:06:41.720 --> 00:06:43.080 for a spiritual conversation 00:06:43.080 --> 00:06:44.020 at the marketplace 00:06:44.020 --> 00:06:45.600 or a couple of buddies 00:06:45.600 --> 00:06:46.260 getting together 00:06:46.260 --> 00:06:47.400 to go to the Colosseum 00:06:47.400 --> 00:06:48.379 to watch some sport 00:06:48.379 --> 00:06:49.920 and have a chat about Jesus 00:06:49.920 --> 00:06:50.460 in the middle. 00:06:51.660 --> 00:06:52.040 No, 00:06:52.240 --> 00:06:54.620 believers were bound together 00:06:54.620 --> 00:06:55.600 as members 00:06:55.600 --> 00:06:57.620 of an identifiable 00:06:57.620 --> 00:06:59.200 local church 00:06:59.199 --> 00:07:01.519 in a covenantal love 00:07:01.519 --> 00:07:03.120 towards one another. 00:07:03.620 --> 00:07:05.319 Ephesians 1 and 2. 00:07:05.879 --> 00:07:07.539 Paul writing to the church 00:07:07.539 --> 00:07:08.060 in Ephesus, 00:07:08.539 --> 00:07:10.099 as a prisoner for the Lord 00:07:10.099 --> 00:07:11.599 then I urge you, 00:07:12.360 --> 00:07:13.740 urge you to live a life 00:07:13.740 --> 00:07:14.819 worthy of the calling 00:07:14.819 --> 00:07:15.680 you have received. 00:07:16.180 --> 00:07:18.379 Be completely humble 00:07:18.379 --> 00:07:19.879 and gentle. 00:07:20.680 --> 00:07:21.560 Be patient, 00:07:22.879 --> 00:07:24.159 bearing with one another 00:07:24.159 --> 00:07:24.860 in love. 00:07:24.860 --> 00:07:27.319 live a life 00:07:27.319 --> 00:07:28.660 worthy of the calling 00:07:28.660 --> 00:07:29.520 you have received. 00:07:29.920 --> 00:07:31.100 The calling that you 00:07:31.100 --> 00:07:32.740 have received 00:07:32.740 --> 00:07:34.560 to be a follower of Jesus, 00:07:34.699 --> 00:07:36.240 to be a Christian. 00:07:37.560 --> 00:07:38.759 And what is the calling 00:07:38.759 --> 00:07:39.800 that Paul writes of? 00:07:40.520 --> 00:07:41.939 What is he saying here? 00:07:43.259 --> 00:07:43.800 Well, 00:07:43.819 --> 00:07:44.900 I think it's simply this. 00:07:45.360 --> 00:07:45.780 God 00:07:45.780 --> 00:07:47.780 has called you 00:07:47.780 --> 00:07:50.080 to love 00:07:50.080 --> 00:07:51.939 your spiritual family. 00:07:51.939 --> 00:07:54.000 love 00:07:54.000 --> 00:07:55.219 your 00:07:55.219 --> 00:07:56.319 family. 00:07:57.319 --> 00:07:57.939 John 00:07:57.939 --> 00:07:59.199 13, 00:07:59.439 --> 00:08:00.240 the words of Jesus. 00:08:01.139 --> 00:08:02.019 Jesus speaking. 00:08:03.579 --> 00:08:04.420 A new command 00:08:04.420 --> 00:08:05.100 I give you, 00:08:06.220 --> 00:08:06.660 love 00:08:06.660 --> 00:08:07.860 one another. 00:08:08.860 --> 00:08:10.379 As I have loved you, 00:08:10.720 --> 00:08:12.399 so you must 00:08:12.399 --> 00:08:13.600 love 00:08:13.600 --> 00:08:15.079 one another. 00:08:16.899 --> 00:08:17.579 God 00:08:17.579 --> 00:08:18.459 is our 00:08:18.459 --> 00:08:18.939 Father. 00:08:20.259 --> 00:08:20.899 Jesus 00:08:20.899 --> 00:08:21.739 is our 00:08:21.739 --> 00:08:22.399 elder brother. 00:08:23.979 --> 00:08:24.459 Therefore, 00:08:25.319 --> 00:08:26.500 we are all, 00:08:27.199 --> 00:08:28.299 because we are 00:08:28.299 --> 00:08:29.279 united to 00:08:29.279 --> 00:08:30.399 Jesus Christ 00:08:30.399 --> 00:08:31.639 by faith, 00:08:32.019 --> 00:08:33.120 we are all 00:08:33.120 --> 00:08:34.199 brothers 00:08:34.199 --> 00:08:35.919 and sisters 00:08:35.919 --> 00:08:36.939 in 00:08:36.939 --> 00:08:37.919 Christ. 00:08:39.000 --> 00:08:39.939 We are 00:08:39.939 --> 00:08:40.600 family. 00:08:42.019 --> 00:08:42.779 Love 00:08:42.779 --> 00:08:43.840 your 00:08:43.840 --> 00:08:44.799 family. 00:08:46.079 --> 00:08:46.939 To illustrate 00:08:46.939 --> 00:08:47.399 this, 00:08:47.720 --> 00:08:48.259 let me read 00:08:48.259 --> 00:08:48.980 these words again 00:08:48.980 --> 00:08:49.740 as if I was urging 00:08:49.740 --> 00:08:50.620 my own family. 00:08:50.899 --> 00:08:51.840 my wife and 00:08:51.840 --> 00:08:52.159 children, 00:08:52.559 --> 00:08:53.240 as to how we 00:08:53.240 --> 00:08:53.779 should live 00:08:53.779 --> 00:08:54.299 together. 00:08:55.659 --> 00:08:56.079 So you can just 00:08:56.079 --> 00:08:56.439 picture 00:08:56.439 --> 00:08:57.399 Cherry and the 00:08:57.399 --> 00:08:57.919 kids there. 00:08:58.819 --> 00:08:59.199 Maybe we are 00:08:59.199 --> 00:08:59.559 around the 00:08:59.559 --> 00:09:00.000 dinner table. 00:09:00.399 --> 00:09:01.100 I urge us 00:09:01.100 --> 00:09:01.699 to live 00:09:01.699 --> 00:09:02.419 a life 00:09:02.419 --> 00:09:03.120 worthy of 00:09:03.120 --> 00:09:03.659 the calling 00:09:03.659 --> 00:09:04.279 we have 00:09:04.279 --> 00:09:04.980 received as 00:09:04.980 --> 00:09:05.500 members of 00:09:05.500 --> 00:09:06.720 this family 00:09:06.720 --> 00:09:07.259 around this 00:09:07.259 --> 00:09:07.639 table. 00:09:08.379 --> 00:09:08.720 Be 00:09:08.720 --> 00:09:09.500 completely 00:09:09.500 --> 00:09:10.600 humble 00:09:10.600 --> 00:09:11.779 and gentle. 00:09:12.679 --> 00:09:13.019 Be 00:09:13.019 --> 00:09:13.600 patient. 00:09:15.000 --> 00:09:15.679 We need to 00:09:15.679 --> 00:09:16.319 bear with 00:09:16.320 --> 00:09:16.879 one another 00:09:16.879 --> 00:09:17.900 in love. 00:09:19.700 --> 00:09:20.240 As a 00:09:20.240 --> 00:09:20.760 parent, 00:09:21.260 --> 00:09:21.940 or as a 00:09:21.940 --> 00:09:22.440 child, 00:09:22.540 --> 00:09:22.800 or as a 00:09:22.800 --> 00:09:23.060 brother, 00:09:23.320 --> 00:09:23.820 or as a 00:09:23.820 --> 00:09:24.140 sister, 00:09:24.280 --> 00:09:24.879 can you see 00:09:24.879 --> 00:09:25.320 that these 00:09:25.320 --> 00:09:26.640 words that we 00:09:26.640 --> 00:09:27.280 have in front 00:09:27.280 --> 00:09:27.560 of us, 00:09:27.620 --> 00:09:28.140 verse 2, 00:09:28.260 --> 00:09:28.879 speak of 00:09:28.879 --> 00:09:30.440 family life? 00:09:32.300 --> 00:09:32.620 You see, 00:09:32.680 --> 00:09:33.160 those are the 00:09:33.160 --> 00:09:33.740 kind of words 00:09:33.740 --> 00:09:34.320 that I need 00:09:34.320 --> 00:09:35.060 to embrace 00:09:35.060 --> 00:09:36.379 as a father 00:09:36.379 --> 00:09:37.040 when my son 00:09:37.040 --> 00:09:37.460 or daughter 00:09:37.460 --> 00:09:38.480 is huffing 00:09:38.480 --> 00:09:39.420 and puffing 00:09:39.420 --> 00:09:40.220 and refusing 00:09:40.220 --> 00:09:40.920 to engage 00:09:40.920 --> 00:09:41.280 when they're 00:09:41.280 --> 00:09:41.480 saying, 00:09:41.480 --> 00:09:41.960 everything's 00:09:41.960 --> 00:09:42.379 fine, 00:09:42.920 --> 00:09:43.220 when I 00:09:43.220 --> 00:09:43.820 know they're 00:09:43.820 --> 00:09:44.420 bottling up 00:09:44.420 --> 00:09:45.019 some hurt 00:09:45.019 --> 00:09:46.180 or some 00:09:46.180 --> 00:09:46.740 slight. 00:09:47.800 --> 00:09:48.200 I need to 00:09:48.200 --> 00:09:48.840 be patient 00:09:48.840 --> 00:09:49.440 and humble 00:09:49.440 --> 00:09:50.279 and kind. 00:09:51.639 --> 00:09:51.899 And these 00:09:51.899 --> 00:09:52.100 are the 00:09:52.100 --> 00:09:52.460 words, 00:09:53.220 --> 00:09:53.539 and these 00:09:53.539 --> 00:09:53.700 are the 00:09:53.700 --> 00:09:54.100 kind of 00:09:54.100 --> 00:09:54.440 words of 00:09:54.440 --> 00:09:54.860 instruction 00:09:54.860 --> 00:09:55.259 encouragement 00:09:55.259 --> 00:09:55.920 I need 00:09:55.920 --> 00:09:56.300 so that I 00:09:56.300 --> 00:09:56.560 can put 00:09:56.560 --> 00:09:57.159 the needs 00:09:57.159 --> 00:09:57.960 of my 00:09:57.960 --> 00:09:58.480 wife 00:09:58.480 --> 00:09:59.879 above my 00:09:59.879 --> 00:10:00.300 own 00:10:00.300 --> 00:10:01.279 when we're 00:10:01.279 --> 00:10:02.100 both wrecked 00:10:02.100 --> 00:10:03.139 and one of 00:10:03.139 --> 00:10:03.560 us has to 00:10:03.560 --> 00:10:03.840 do this 00:10:03.840 --> 00:10:04.080 bit of 00:10:04.080 --> 00:10:04.560 work so 00:10:04.560 --> 00:10:04.820 that the 00:10:04.820 --> 00:10:05.200 other can 00:10:05.200 --> 00:10:05.639 rest. 00:10:06.820 --> 00:10:07.379 These are 00:10:07.379 --> 00:10:08.100 the words. 00:10:09.279 --> 00:10:09.879 These are 00:10:09.879 --> 00:10:10.440 words that are 00:10:10.440 --> 00:10:11.259 intended to 00:10:11.259 --> 00:10:12.080 govern and 00:10:12.080 --> 00:10:12.840 to shape 00:10:12.840 --> 00:10:13.240 and to 00:10:13.240 --> 00:10:14.360 help a 00:10:14.360 --> 00:10:14.799 family, 00:10:14.939 --> 00:10:15.860 family life, 00:10:16.220 --> 00:10:16.860 spiritual 00:10:16.860 --> 00:10:18.519 family life. 00:10:20.639 --> 00:10:22.000 Jesus says, 00:10:22.879 --> 00:10:24.740 love one 00:10:24.740 --> 00:10:25.139 another. 00:10:26.120 --> 00:10:26.980 Love your 00:10:26.980 --> 00:10:27.600 spiritual 00:10:27.600 --> 00:10:28.299 family. 00:10:29.200 --> 00:10:29.439 You see, 00:10:29.519 --> 00:10:29.980 I've bought 00:10:29.980 --> 00:10:30.500 them at such 00:10:30.500 --> 00:10:30.919 a great 00:10:30.919 --> 00:10:31.480 cost, 00:10:31.980 --> 00:10:33.419 the cost 00:10:33.419 --> 00:10:33.819 of my own 00:10:33.819 --> 00:10:34.159 life, 00:10:34.220 --> 00:10:34.539 and I've 00:10:34.539 --> 00:10:35.279 given my 00:10:35.279 --> 00:10:35.819 life to 00:10:35.819 --> 00:10:36.200 them so 00:10:36.200 --> 00:10:36.740 that they 00:10:36.740 --> 00:10:37.379 could be 00:10:37.379 --> 00:10:37.659 your 00:10:37.659 --> 00:10:38.039 brothers 00:10:38.039 --> 00:10:38.899 and be 00:10:38.899 --> 00:10:39.139 your 00:10:39.139 --> 00:10:39.559 sisters. 00:10:39.899 --> 00:10:40.620 They can 00:10:40.620 --> 00:10:40.940 be your 00:10:40.940 --> 00:10:41.399 spiritual 00:10:41.399 --> 00:10:42.240 father or 00:10:42.240 --> 00:10:42.440 your 00:10:42.440 --> 00:10:42.879 spiritual 00:10:42.879 --> 00:10:43.320 mother, 00:10:44.000 --> 00:10:44.159 the 00:10:44.159 --> 00:10:44.539 spiritual 00:10:44.539 --> 00:10:45.340 offspring in 00:10:45.340 --> 00:10:46.440 your care 00:10:46.440 --> 00:10:47.179 because I 00:10:47.179 --> 00:10:47.860 love them 00:10:47.860 --> 00:10:48.720 and I 00:10:48.720 --> 00:10:49.379 want you 00:10:49.379 --> 00:10:50.139 to love 00:10:50.139 --> 00:10:50.899 them. 00:10:51.899 --> 00:10:52.419 Love 00:10:52.419 --> 00:10:52.820 them. 00:10:53.080 --> 00:10:53.779 Uphold 00:10:53.779 --> 00:10:54.259 them. 00:10:55.740 --> 00:10:56.019 Be 00:10:56.019 --> 00:10:56.720 patient. 00:10:58.179 --> 00:10:58.740 Bear with 00:10:58.740 --> 00:10:58.899 their 00:10:58.899 --> 00:10:59.779 failings. 00:11:00.820 --> 00:11:01.240 Members 00:11:01.240 --> 00:11:01.600 then, 00:11:01.720 --> 00:11:02.899 they uphold 00:11:02.899 --> 00:11:04.220 one 00:11:04.220 --> 00:11:04.759 another in 00:11:04.759 --> 00:11:04.980 this 00:11:04.980 --> 00:11:05.699 holy 00:11:05.699 --> 00:11:07.100 brotherly 00:11:07.100 --> 00:11:08.279 love. 00:11:10.419 --> 00:11:10.699 There's a 00:11:10.699 --> 00:11:11.439 great phrase 00:11:11.439 --> 00:11:11.919 I want us 00:11:11.919 --> 00:11:12.500 to see 00:11:12.500 --> 00:11:13.100 just at the 00:11:13.100 --> 00:11:13.340 end of 00:11:13.340 --> 00:11:13.919 verse 2 00:11:13.919 --> 00:11:14.639 and we 00:11:14.639 --> 00:11:14.919 need to 00:11:14.919 --> 00:11:15.539 note it 00:11:15.539 --> 00:11:16.199 so carefully 00:11:16.199 --> 00:11:17.039 and look 00:11:17.039 --> 00:11:17.399 for it 00:11:17.399 --> 00:11:17.679 in our 00:11:17.679 --> 00:11:18.139 Bibles. 00:11:19.220 --> 00:11:19.579 You see 00:11:19.579 --> 00:11:20.399 that phrase 00:11:20.399 --> 00:11:21.340 verse 2 00:11:21.340 --> 00:11:21.939 the end 00:11:21.939 --> 00:11:23.159 one 00:11:23.159 --> 00:11:23.860 another 00:11:23.860 --> 00:11:25.019 one 00:11:25.019 --> 00:11:25.480 another 00:11:25.480 --> 00:11:26.500 each 00:11:26.500 --> 00:11:27.000 and every 00:11:27.000 --> 00:11:27.559 time we 00:11:27.559 --> 00:11:28.500 see those 00:11:28.500 --> 00:11:29.039 words 00:11:29.039 --> 00:11:30.339 in the 00:11:30.339 --> 00:11:30.639 scriptures 00:11:30.639 --> 00:11:31.120 we should 00:11:31.120 --> 00:11:32.419 automatically 00:11:32.419 --> 00:11:33.240 think of 00:11:33.240 --> 00:11:33.399 our 00:11:33.399 --> 00:11:33.699 brothers 00:11:33.699 --> 00:11:34.079 and 00:11:34.079 --> 00:11:34.500 sisters 00:11:34.500 --> 00:11:35.039 in 00:11:35.039 --> 00:11:35.519 Christ. 00:11:38.000 --> 00:11:39.000 So who 00:11:39.000 --> 00:11:39.919 are my 00:11:39.919 --> 00:11:40.480 brothers and 00:11:40.480 --> 00:11:40.980 sisters in 00:11:40.980 --> 00:11:41.299 Christ? 00:11:41.439 --> 00:11:41.740 I am to 00:11:41.740 --> 00:11:43.059 love like 00:11:43.059 --> 00:11:43.339 this. 00:11:43.439 --> 00:11:43.959 What's in 00:11:43.959 --> 00:11:44.480 view here? 00:11:45.759 --> 00:11:46.419 Well yes, 00:11:46.699 --> 00:11:47.419 we can say 00:11:47.419 --> 00:11:48.719 all Christians 00:11:48.719 --> 00:11:49.759 regardless of 00:11:49.759 --> 00:11:50.279 their church 00:11:50.279 --> 00:11:51.120 affiliation 00:11:51.120 --> 00:11:52.259 are to be 00:11:52.259 --> 00:11:52.699 considered. 00:11:53.439 --> 00:11:53.740 That's 00:11:53.740 --> 00:11:54.139 absolutely 00:11:54.139 --> 00:11:54.539 true. 00:11:54.959 --> 00:11:55.500 Johnny on 00:11:55.500 --> 00:11:56.219 his travels 00:11:56.219 --> 00:11:56.699 to Ghana 00:11:56.700 --> 00:11:57.940 and Johnny 00:11:57.940 --> 00:11:59.240 must love 00:11:59.240 --> 00:12:00.720 his brothers 00:12:00.720 --> 00:12:01.460 and sisters 00:12:01.460 --> 00:12:01.940 that he 00:12:01.940 --> 00:12:02.800 meets when 00:12:02.800 --> 00:12:03.120 he's in 00:12:03.120 --> 00:12:03.440 Ghana. 00:12:03.960 --> 00:12:04.420 As he has 00:12:04.420 --> 00:12:05.060 opportunity 00:12:05.060 --> 00:12:05.540 he must 00:12:05.540 --> 00:12:06.140 do good 00:12:06.140 --> 00:12:06.620 to them. 00:12:07.780 --> 00:12:08.460 But I 00:12:08.460 --> 00:12:09.040 believe that 00:12:09.040 --> 00:12:09.440 there is a 00:12:09.440 --> 00:12:10.720 special bond 00:12:10.720 --> 00:12:11.280 for those 00:12:11.280 --> 00:12:11.840 that Christ 00:12:11.840 --> 00:12:12.220 has brought 00:12:12.220 --> 00:12:12.860 us close 00:12:12.860 --> 00:12:13.300 together 00:12:13.300 --> 00:12:14.060 in a 00:12:14.060 --> 00:12:14.400 local 00:12:14.400 --> 00:12:15.060 church. 00:12:15.740 --> 00:12:16.379 Those 00:12:16.379 --> 00:12:16.960 within the 00:12:16.960 --> 00:12:17.440 local 00:12:17.440 --> 00:12:18.240 fellowship 00:12:18.240 --> 00:12:18.820 for which 00:12:18.820 --> 00:12:19.259 there is 00:12:19.259 --> 00:12:19.500 this 00:12:19.500 --> 00:12:20.460 special 00:12:20.460 --> 00:12:21.440 ongoing 00:12:21.440 --> 00:12:22.800 covenantal 00:12:22.800 --> 00:12:23.900 bond. 00:12:25.420 --> 00:12:25.680 You see 00:12:25.680 --> 00:12:25.940 we can 00:12:25.940 --> 00:12:26.379 multiply 00:12:26.379 --> 00:12:26.960 examples 00:12:26.960 --> 00:12:27.480 of this 00:12:27.480 --> 00:12:28.399 one another 00:12:28.399 --> 00:12:28.939 language 00:12:28.939 --> 00:12:29.379 from the 00:12:29.379 --> 00:12:29.639 other 00:12:29.639 --> 00:12:30.340 New 00:12:30.340 --> 00:12:30.939 Testament 00:12:30.939 --> 00:12:31.840 letters. 00:12:32.779 --> 00:12:33.220 And I'm 00:12:33.220 --> 00:12:33.679 going to 00:12:33.679 --> 00:12:34.500 take one 00:12:34.500 --> 00:12:34.740 of those 00:12:34.740 --> 00:12:34.980 sheets 00:12:34.980 --> 00:12:35.120 from 00:12:35.120 --> 00:12:35.220 some 00:12:35.220 --> 00:12:35.299 because 00:12:35.299 --> 00:12:35.559 I forgot 00:12:35.559 --> 00:12:35.879 to give 00:12:35.879 --> 00:12:36.139 one to 00:12:36.139 --> 00:12:36.559 myself. 00:12:39.240 --> 00:12:39.919 But let's 00:12:39.919 --> 00:12:40.500 just read 00:12:40.500 --> 00:12:40.860 the ones 00:12:40.860 --> 00:12:41.580 from Romans 00:12:41.580 --> 00:12:42.419 if you want 00:12:42.419 --> 00:12:42.820 to turn to 00:12:42.820 --> 00:12:43.120 the sheet 00:12:43.120 --> 00:12:43.439 or just 00:12:43.439 --> 00:12:43.840 listen. 00:12:44.779 --> 00:12:45.279 Listen to 00:12:45.279 --> 00:12:45.779 the language 00:12:45.779 --> 00:12:46.500 and think 00:12:46.500 --> 00:12:47.399 of your 00:12:47.399 --> 00:12:47.939 brothers and 00:12:47.939 --> 00:12:48.320 sisters 00:12:48.320 --> 00:12:49.179 in Christ. 00:12:49.600 --> 00:12:49.860 Romans 00:12:49.860 --> 00:12:50.460 12 00:12:50.460 --> 00:12:51.399 10 00:12:51.399 --> 00:12:53.000 Be 00:12:53.000 --> 00:12:53.679 devoted 00:12:53.679 --> 00:12:54.419 to one 00:12:54.419 --> 00:12:54.940 another in 00:12:54.940 --> 00:12:55.500 love. 00:12:55.500 --> 00:12:56.480 Honor 00:12:56.480 --> 00:12:56.740 one 00:12:56.740 --> 00:12:57.100 another 00:12:57.100 --> 00:12:57.500 above 00:12:57.500 --> 00:12:58.299 yourselves. 00:12:59.820 --> 00:13:00.299 Live 00:13:00.299 --> 00:13:00.840 in harmony 00:13:00.840 --> 00:13:01.299 with one 00:13:01.299 --> 00:13:01.539 another. 00:13:01.639 --> 00:13:01.860 Do not 00:13:01.860 --> 00:13:02.480 be proud 00:13:02.480 --> 00:13:02.840 but be 00:13:02.840 --> 00:13:03.279 willing to 00:13:03.279 --> 00:13:03.720 associate 00:13:03.720 --> 00:13:04.200 with people 00:13:04.200 --> 00:13:04.659 of low 00:13:04.659 --> 00:13:05.100 position. 00:13:05.639 --> 00:13:06.039 Do not 00:13:06.039 --> 00:13:06.940 be conceited. 00:13:08.019 --> 00:13:08.279 It's a 00:13:08.279 --> 00:13:08.659 great one. 00:13:08.659 --> 00:13:09.279 let no 00:13:09.279 --> 00:13:09.799 death 00:13:09.799 --> 00:13:10.319 remain 00:13:10.319 --> 00:13:10.959 outstanding 00:13:10.959 --> 00:13:12.139 except 00:13:12.139 --> 00:13:12.879 the 00:13:12.879 --> 00:13:13.480 continuing 00:13:13.480 --> 00:13:14.079 death 00:13:14.079 --> 00:13:15.059 to love 00:13:15.059 --> 00:13:15.719 one 00:13:15.719 --> 00:13:16.179 another. 00:13:16.980 --> 00:13:17.240 Whoever 00:13:17.240 --> 00:13:18.139 loves 00:13:18.139 --> 00:13:18.639 others 00:13:18.639 --> 00:13:19.019 has 00:13:19.019 --> 00:13:19.419 fulfilled 00:13:19.419 --> 00:13:19.659 the 00:13:19.659 --> 00:13:20.000 law. 00:13:21.399 --> 00:13:21.779 Therefore, 00:13:22.219 --> 00:13:22.579 let us 00:13:22.579 --> 00:13:22.860 stop 00:13:22.860 --> 00:13:23.319 passing 00:13:23.319 --> 00:13:23.959 judgment 00:13:23.959 --> 00:13:24.500 on one 00:13:24.500 --> 00:13:24.839 another. 00:13:25.399 --> 00:13:25.860 Instead, 00:13:26.219 --> 00:13:26.579 make up 00:13:26.579 --> 00:13:27.219 your mind 00:13:27.219 --> 00:13:27.959 not to 00:13:27.959 --> 00:13:28.279 put any 00:13:28.279 --> 00:13:28.759 stumbling 00:13:28.759 --> 00:13:29.259 block or 00:13:29.259 --> 00:13:30.000 obstacle in 00:13:30.000 --> 00:13:30.500 the way 00:13:30.500 --> 00:13:31.079 of a 00:13:31.079 --> 00:13:31.819 brother 00:13:31.819 --> 00:13:32.639 or sister. 00:13:34.319 --> 00:13:34.939 Accept 00:13:34.940 --> 00:13:35.200 one 00:13:35.200 --> 00:13:35.520 another 00:13:35.520 --> 00:13:36.360 then, 00:13:37.080 --> 00:13:37.840 just as 00:13:37.840 --> 00:13:38.680 Christ 00:13:38.680 --> 00:13:40.000 accepted 00:13:40.000 --> 00:13:42.180 you in 00:13:42.180 --> 00:13:42.480 order to 00:13:42.480 --> 00:13:43.100 bring praise 00:13:43.100 --> 00:13:43.760 to God. 00:13:45.140 --> 00:13:46.080 I myself 00:13:46.080 --> 00:13:46.580 am convinced, 00:13:46.660 --> 00:13:47.200 my brothers and 00:13:47.200 --> 00:13:47.420 sisters, 00:13:47.420 --> 00:13:47.920 that you 00:13:47.920 --> 00:13:48.600 yourselves are 00:13:48.600 --> 00:13:49.000 full of 00:13:49.000 --> 00:13:49.420 goodness, 00:13:50.000 --> 00:13:50.580 filled with 00:13:50.580 --> 00:13:51.180 knowledge, 00:13:51.600 --> 00:13:52.540 and competent 00:13:52.539 --> 00:13:53.599 to instruct 00:13:53.599 --> 00:13:54.199 one 00:13:54.199 --> 00:13:54.579 another. 00:13:56.120 --> 00:13:56.419 Greet 00:13:56.419 --> 00:13:56.620 one 00:13:56.620 --> 00:13:56.919 another 00:13:56.919 --> 00:13:57.259 with a 00:13:57.259 --> 00:13:57.559 holy 00:13:57.559 --> 00:13:58.039 kiss. 00:13:59.139 --> 00:13:59.559 All 00:13:59.559 --> 00:13:59.799 the 00:13:59.799 --> 00:14:00.179 churches 00:14:00.179 --> 00:14:00.679 of 00:14:00.679 --> 00:14:01.279 Christ 00:14:01.279 --> 00:14:02.339 send 00:14:02.339 --> 00:14:02.939 greetings. 00:14:04.639 --> 00:14:04.919 You 00:14:04.919 --> 00:14:05.059 see, 00:14:05.120 --> 00:14:05.399 we make 00:14:05.399 --> 00:14:05.799 the most 00:14:05.799 --> 00:14:06.360 sense of 00:14:06.360 --> 00:14:06.599 the New 00:14:06.599 --> 00:14:06.959 Testament 00:14:06.959 --> 00:14:07.779 writings on 00:14:07.779 --> 00:14:08.620 loving 00:14:08.620 --> 00:14:09.379 one another 00:14:09.379 --> 00:14:09.759 when we 00:14:09.759 --> 00:14:10.179 consider 00:14:10.179 --> 00:14:11.199 local 00:14:11.199 --> 00:14:12.139 church 00:14:12.139 --> 00:14:12.959 membership. 00:14:13.779 --> 00:14:14.219 It's 00:14:14.219 --> 00:14:14.500 in that 00:14:14.500 --> 00:14:15.480 ongoing, 00:14:16.039 --> 00:14:17.139 covenantal, 00:14:17.500 --> 00:14:18.059 long-term 00:14:18.059 --> 00:14:18.839 love and 00:14:18.839 --> 00:14:19.279 commitment 00:14:19.279 --> 00:14:20.240 that's 00:14:20.240 --> 00:14:20.899 marked by 00:14:20.899 --> 00:14:21.500 humbly 00:14:21.500 --> 00:14:22.259 upholding 00:14:22.259 --> 00:14:22.860 one another 00:14:22.860 --> 00:14:23.700 as 00:14:23.700 --> 00:14:24.139 brothers 00:14:24.139 --> 00:14:24.639 and 00:14:24.639 --> 00:14:25.159 sisters 00:14:25.159 --> 00:14:25.980 in 00:14:25.980 --> 00:14:26.600 holiness. 00:14:28.340 --> 00:14:29.139 Jesus 00:14:29.139 --> 00:14:29.759 says, 00:14:30.580 --> 00:14:31.200 love 00:14:31.200 --> 00:14:32.319 one 00:14:32.319 --> 00:14:33.240 another. 00:14:34.319 --> 00:14:34.799 And the 00:14:34.799 --> 00:14:35.120 Bible's 00:14:35.120 --> 00:14:35.879 realistic about 00:14:35.879 --> 00:14:36.539 the struggle 00:14:36.539 --> 00:14:37.539 and difficulty 00:14:37.539 --> 00:14:38.159 that it is 00:14:38.159 --> 00:14:38.879 to love 00:14:38.879 --> 00:14:39.559 in a 00:14:39.559 --> 00:14:39.819 sinful 00:14:39.819 --> 00:14:40.399 world 00:14:40.399 --> 00:14:40.939 where our 00:14:40.939 --> 00:14:41.480 brothers and 00:14:41.480 --> 00:14:42.220 sisters are 00:14:42.220 --> 00:14:43.299 not perfect, 00:14:44.600 --> 00:14:45.100 yet 00:14:45.100 --> 00:14:46.200 healthy 00:14:46.200 --> 00:14:47.000 church members 00:14:47.000 --> 00:14:48.360 still covenant 00:14:48.360 --> 00:14:49.480 together in 00:14:49.480 --> 00:14:49.840 the midst 00:14:49.840 --> 00:14:50.340 of sin. 00:14:51.000 --> 00:14:51.620 They share 00:14:51.620 --> 00:14:52.220 their food 00:14:52.220 --> 00:14:52.539 and their 00:14:52.539 --> 00:14:53.080 homes. 00:14:53.460 --> 00:14:53.940 They look 00:14:53.940 --> 00:14:54.500 after the 00:14:54.500 --> 00:14:54.879 sick, 00:14:55.440 --> 00:14:55.980 look after 00:14:55.980 --> 00:14:56.500 the elderly. 00:14:57.919 --> 00:14:58.419 Brothers and 00:14:58.419 --> 00:14:59.060 sisters greet 00:14:59.060 --> 00:14:59.600 one another 00:14:59.600 --> 00:15:00.279 warmly. 00:15:00.960 --> 00:15:01.799 They're patient 00:15:01.799 --> 00:15:02.220 when they're 00:15:02.220 --> 00:15:02.679 offended. 00:15:03.340 --> 00:15:03.980 They're long 00:15:03.980 --> 00:15:04.799 suffering in 00:15:04.799 --> 00:15:05.560 their grievances. 00:15:06.560 --> 00:15:07.740 They accept 00:15:07.740 --> 00:15:08.580 one another. 00:15:09.320 --> 00:15:09.759 They don't 00:15:09.759 --> 00:15:10.120 give up 00:15:10.120 --> 00:15:10.519 easily. 00:15:11.560 --> 00:15:12.679 They rebuke 00:15:12.679 --> 00:15:13.039 and they 00:15:13.039 --> 00:15:13.620 correct one 00:15:13.620 --> 00:15:14.659 another in 00:15:14.659 --> 00:15:15.980 love so 00:15:15.980 --> 00:15:16.500 that Satan 00:15:16.500 --> 00:15:17.279 will have no 00:15:17.279 --> 00:15:19.079 opportunity to 00:15:19.079 --> 00:15:20.120 sow discord. 00:15:20.879 --> 00:15:21.759 They forgive 00:15:21.759 --> 00:15:23.459 one another. 00:15:24.579 --> 00:15:25.740 This is 00:15:25.740 --> 00:15:26.220 church. 00:15:29.879 --> 00:15:30.879 So members 00:15:30.879 --> 00:15:31.399 live out their 00:15:31.399 --> 00:15:32.139 lives as a 00:15:32.139 --> 00:15:32.939 community of 00:15:32.939 --> 00:15:34.579 love together, 00:15:34.579 --> 00:15:35.220 but that 00:15:35.220 --> 00:15:36.659 community must 00:15:36.659 --> 00:15:37.959 gather together 00:15:37.959 --> 00:15:39.199 as a local 00:15:39.199 --> 00:15:39.919 church body. 00:15:40.319 --> 00:15:40.659 And the word 00:15:40.659 --> 00:15:41.439 church has that 00:15:41.439 --> 00:15:41.919 idea of 00:15:41.919 --> 00:15:43.519 gathering or 00:15:43.519 --> 00:15:44.639 assembly built 00:15:44.639 --> 00:15:45.220 into it. 00:15:45.519 --> 00:15:45.740 I don't know 00:15:45.740 --> 00:15:46.080 if you know, 00:15:46.240 --> 00:15:47.679 but I'm not 00:15:47.679 --> 00:15:48.240 an expert on 00:15:48.240 --> 00:15:48.639 Greek, but 00:15:48.639 --> 00:15:49.000 the Greek 00:15:49.000 --> 00:15:49.819 word literally 00:15:49.819 --> 00:15:51.639 means just 00:15:51.639 --> 00:15:52.399 that, a 00:15:52.399 --> 00:15:53.220 gathering. 00:15:53.639 --> 00:15:54.000 The word 00:15:54.000 --> 00:15:55.939 church is 00:15:55.939 --> 00:15:56.439 built into 00:15:56.439 --> 00:15:56.699 it, the 00:15:56.699 --> 00:15:57.159 idea of 00:15:57.159 --> 00:15:57.879 gathering. 00:15:58.879 --> 00:15:59.299 And that 00:15:59.299 --> 00:15:59.639 idea of 00:15:59.639 --> 00:16:00.319 gathering has, 00:16:00.860 --> 00:16:01.580 for God's 00:16:01.580 --> 00:16:02.120 people, has 00:16:02.120 --> 00:16:03.500 its origins way 00:16:03.500 --> 00:16:04.120 back in the 00:16:04.120 --> 00:16:04.519 nation of 00:16:04.519 --> 00:16:05.439 Israel, Mount 00:16:05.439 --> 00:16:06.419 Sinai, when 00:16:06.419 --> 00:16:08.080 God said to 00:16:08.080 --> 00:16:08.759 Moses to 00:16:08.759 --> 00:16:10.120 gather the 00:16:10.120 --> 00:16:10.879 people before 00:16:10.879 --> 00:16:11.200 him or 00:16:11.200 --> 00:16:12.059 assemble the 00:16:12.059 --> 00:16:12.919 people before 00:16:12.919 --> 00:16:14.000 him, God's 00:16:14.000 --> 00:16:14.360 people, 00:16:14.639 --> 00:16:15.759 before God. 00:16:16.980 --> 00:16:17.679 And Jesus, 00:16:18.559 --> 00:16:19.100 when he talked 00:16:19.100 --> 00:16:19.379 about the 00:16:19.379 --> 00:16:19.720 church, he 00:16:19.720 --> 00:16:20.100 said, I 00:16:20.100 --> 00:16:20.620 will build 00:16:20.620 --> 00:16:22.460 my church 00:16:22.460 --> 00:16:23.899 or I 00:16:23.899 --> 00:16:24.620 will build 00:16:24.620 --> 00:16:26.279 my gathering. 00:16:28.120 --> 00:16:28.679 The 00:16:28.679 --> 00:16:29.539 church is 00:16:29.539 --> 00:16:30.819 not just 00:16:30.819 --> 00:16:31.819 about, it's 00:16:31.819 --> 00:16:32.419 no less than 00:16:32.419 --> 00:16:32.819 this, but it's 00:16:32.819 --> 00:16:33.460 not just 00:16:33.460 --> 00:16:35.080 about individual 00:16:35.080 --> 00:16:36.879 faith in 00:16:36.879 --> 00:16:37.419 Christ. 00:16:37.559 --> 00:16:38.199 It's not 00:16:38.199 --> 00:16:38.899 just about 00:16:38.899 --> 00:16:39.600 individual 00:16:39.600 --> 00:16:40.899 Christians. 00:16:41.899 --> 00:16:42.620 It is 00:16:42.620 --> 00:16:44.019 seen in 00:16:44.019 --> 00:16:45.019 the gathering 00:16:45.019 --> 00:16:45.860 and 00:16:45.860 --> 00:16:46.500 assembling 00:16:46.500 --> 00:16:47.460 of saved 00:16:47.460 --> 00:16:48.360 people as 00:16:48.360 --> 00:16:49.079 a local 00:16:49.079 --> 00:16:49.779 church. 00:16:51.659 --> 00:16:52.240 And we 00:16:52.240 --> 00:16:52.919 sometimes speak 00:16:52.919 --> 00:16:53.319 about that, 00:16:53.480 --> 00:16:53.759 like, don't 00:16:53.759 --> 00:16:54.319 we, on a 00:16:54.319 --> 00:16:54.919 Sunday, we 00:16:54.919 --> 00:16:55.819 talk about 00:16:55.819 --> 00:16:56.240 our Sunday 00:16:56.240 --> 00:16:56.879 morning time 00:16:56.879 --> 00:16:57.860 as the 00:16:57.860 --> 00:16:58.840 gathering, or 00:16:58.840 --> 00:16:59.460 a gathering, 00:16:59.460 --> 00:16:59.860 and that's 00:16:59.860 --> 00:17:01.819 very purposeful. 00:17:02.759 --> 00:17:03.620 We assemble 00:17:03.620 --> 00:17:05.160 on Sunday, 00:17:05.339 --> 00:17:05.980 the Lord's 00:17:05.980 --> 00:17:06.440 Day, as 00:17:06.440 --> 00:17:07.539 his gathered 00:17:07.539 --> 00:17:08.720 people, his 00:17:08.720 --> 00:17:10.019 church, his 00:17:10.019 --> 00:17:10.519 assembly. 00:17:10.519 --> 00:17:11.519 healthy. 00:17:11.519 --> 00:17:12.160 So healthy 00:17:12.160 --> 00:17:13.559 members will 00:17:13.559 --> 00:17:14.379 come together 00:17:14.379 --> 00:17:15.599 to practice 00:17:15.599 --> 00:17:16.839 the spiritual 00:17:16.839 --> 00:17:17.839 disciplines and 00:17:17.839 --> 00:17:18.519 graces that 00:17:18.519 --> 00:17:19.359 God has given 00:17:19.359 --> 00:17:20.700 to us as a 00:17:20.700 --> 00:17:21.639 gathered people. 00:17:22.559 --> 00:17:23.420 There's many 00:17:23.420 --> 00:17:24.420 spiritual disciplines 00:17:24.420 --> 00:17:24.960 we practice 00:17:24.960 --> 00:17:26.400 ourselves as 00:17:26.400 --> 00:17:27.420 believers, yet 00:17:27.420 --> 00:17:27.980 there are many 00:17:27.980 --> 00:17:28.440 that we can 00:17:28.440 --> 00:17:29.379 only do as a 00:17:29.379 --> 00:17:30.700 gathered people, 00:17:30.859 --> 00:17:31.940 as a church. 00:17:32.519 --> 00:17:33.019 Let's look at 00:17:33.019 --> 00:17:34.279 Ephesians chapter 00:17:34.279 --> 00:17:35.579 five and 00:17:35.579 --> 00:17:37.059 verse 15 00:17:37.059 --> 00:17:38.940 for some 00:17:38.940 --> 00:17:39.839 ideas of 00:17:39.839 --> 00:17:40.139 what it 00:17:40.139 --> 00:17:40.779 looks like 00:17:40.779 --> 00:17:41.059 and what 00:17:41.059 --> 00:17:41.399 these 00:17:41.399 --> 00:17:42.319 spiritual 00:17:42.319 --> 00:17:43.119 practices 00:17:43.119 --> 00:17:43.659 are. 00:17:44.740 --> 00:17:45.259 Ephesians 00:17:45.259 --> 00:17:45.859 five and 00:17:45.859 --> 00:17:46.359 verse 15, 00:17:46.480 --> 00:17:46.879 be very 00:17:46.879 --> 00:17:47.700 careful then 00:17:47.700 --> 00:17:48.000 how you 00:17:48.000 --> 00:17:48.480 live, not 00:17:48.480 --> 00:17:49.079 as wise, 00:17:49.220 --> 00:17:49.779 unwise, but 00:17:49.779 --> 00:17:50.339 as wise, 00:17:50.779 --> 00:17:51.240 making the 00:17:51.240 --> 00:17:51.679 most of 00:17:51.679 --> 00:17:51.879 every 00:17:51.879 --> 00:17:52.460 opportunity 00:17:52.460 --> 00:17:53.079 because the 00:17:53.079 --> 00:17:53.539 days are 00:17:53.539 --> 00:17:53.879 evil. 00:17:54.539 --> 00:17:54.779 Therefore 00:17:54.779 --> 00:17:55.099 do not 00:17:55.099 --> 00:17:55.720 be foolish, 00:17:56.019 --> 00:17:56.579 but instead 00:17:56.579 --> 00:17:57.480 understand what 00:17:57.480 --> 00:17:57.980 the Lord's 00:17:57.980 --> 00:17:58.460 will is. 00:17:58.899 --> 00:17:59.279 Do not 00:17:59.279 --> 00:17:59.720 get drunk 00:17:59.720 --> 00:18:00.259 on wine, 00:18:00.379 --> 00:18:00.819 which leads 00:18:00.819 --> 00:18:01.480 to debauchery. 00:18:02.639 --> 00:18:03.019 Instead 00:18:03.019 --> 00:18:03.859 be filled 00:18:03.859 --> 00:18:04.519 with the 00:18:04.519 --> 00:18:05.039 Spirit, 00:18:05.599 --> 00:18:06.819 speaking to 00:18:06.819 --> 00:18:08.119 one another 00:18:08.119 --> 00:18:09.679 with psalms, 00:18:09.899 --> 00:18:10.460 hymns, and 00:18:10.460 --> 00:18:11.720 songs from 00:18:11.720 --> 00:18:12.539 the Spirit. 00:18:13.039 --> 00:18:13.619 Sing and 00:18:13.619 --> 00:18:14.159 make music 00:18:14.159 --> 00:18:14.619 from your 00:18:14.619 --> 00:18:15.419 heart to 00:18:15.419 --> 00:18:15.879 the Lord, 00:18:16.299 --> 00:18:17.099 always giving 00:18:17.099 --> 00:18:17.679 thanks to 00:18:17.679 --> 00:18:18.019 God the 00:18:18.019 --> 00:18:18.460 Father for 00:18:18.460 --> 00:18:19.220 everything in 00:18:19.220 --> 00:18:19.899 the name of 00:18:19.899 --> 00:18:20.379 our Lord 00:18:20.379 --> 00:18:21.399 Jesus Christ. 00:18:22.139 --> 00:18:22.859 Submit to 00:18:22.859 --> 00:18:24.000 one another 00:18:24.000 --> 00:18:25.539 out of 00:18:25.539 --> 00:18:26.279 reverence. 00:18:28.019 --> 00:18:28.299 You see, 00:18:28.379 --> 00:18:28.779 Paul is 00:18:28.779 --> 00:18:29.379 encouraging the 00:18:29.379 --> 00:18:29.799 church to 00:18:29.799 --> 00:18:30.519 be filled 00:18:30.519 --> 00:18:31.000 with the 00:18:31.000 --> 00:18:31.659 Spirit and 00:18:31.659 --> 00:18:32.939 to speak 00:18:32.939 --> 00:18:33.480 to one 00:18:33.480 --> 00:18:34.079 another through 00:18:34.079 --> 00:18:35.059 songs and 00:18:35.059 --> 00:18:35.519 music. 00:18:36.819 --> 00:18:37.519 We read 00:18:37.519 --> 00:18:38.019 earlier from 00:18:38.019 --> 00:18:38.579 Hebrews and 00:18:38.579 --> 00:18:39.859 the writer of 00:18:39.859 --> 00:18:40.839 Hebrews instructed 00:18:40.839 --> 00:18:42.179 the believers to 00:18:42.179 --> 00:18:43.879 not forsake meeting 00:18:43.879 --> 00:18:45.039 together, but 00:18:45.039 --> 00:18:46.220 instead to spur 00:18:46.220 --> 00:18:47.279 one another on to 00:18:47.279 --> 00:18:48.279 good works. 00:18:49.779 --> 00:18:50.259 If we look in the 00:18:50.259 --> 00:18:51.039 book of Acts, we 00:18:51.039 --> 00:18:51.619 read about the 00:18:51.619 --> 00:18:52.779 early believers, the 00:18:52.779 --> 00:18:53.500 first believers in 00:18:53.500 --> 00:18:54.179 Jerusalem, and they 00:18:54.179 --> 00:18:56.000 gathered together. 00:18:56.399 --> 00:18:57.079 They devoted 00:18:57.079 --> 00:18:57.740 themselves, it 00:18:57.740 --> 00:18:58.240 says, to the 00:18:58.240 --> 00:18:59.259 apostles' teaching, 00:18:59.639 --> 00:19:00.559 to the breaking of 00:19:00.559 --> 00:19:01.639 bread, to 00:19:01.639 --> 00:19:02.179 prayer. 00:19:03.659 --> 00:19:04.059 Remember the 00:19:04.059 --> 00:19:04.439 church in 00:19:04.439 --> 00:19:05.039 Antioch. 00:19:05.039 --> 00:19:06.319 They gathered 00:19:06.319 --> 00:19:06.819 together and 00:19:06.819 --> 00:19:07.359 they prayed 00:19:07.359 --> 00:19:07.879 together and 00:19:07.879 --> 00:19:08.240 they set 00:19:08.240 --> 00:19:09.899 apart Paul and 00:19:09.899 --> 00:19:10.899 Barnabas for 00:19:10.899 --> 00:19:11.819 missions work. 00:19:13.859 --> 00:19:14.240 So New 00:19:14.240 --> 00:19:15.099 Testament churches 00:19:15.099 --> 00:19:17.339 gathered together. 00:19:17.659 --> 00:19:18.619 They gathered for 00:19:18.619 --> 00:19:19.339 many reasons. 00:19:19.579 --> 00:19:20.299 When needed, they 00:19:20.299 --> 00:19:21.139 gathered to pass 00:19:21.139 --> 00:19:22.920 judgment and 00:19:22.920 --> 00:19:23.960 discipline on 00:19:23.960 --> 00:19:24.839 those who had 00:19:24.839 --> 00:19:25.980 brought disrepute to 00:19:25.980 --> 00:19:27.579 the church body. 00:19:27.579 --> 00:19:31.199 Paul provides, I 00:19:31.199 --> 00:19:31.659 think this is a 00:19:31.659 --> 00:19:32.639 good example again 00:19:32.639 --> 00:19:34.000 of instruction to 00:19:34.000 --> 00:19:34.559 the church in 00:19:34.559 --> 00:19:35.399 Corinth on how 00:19:35.399 --> 00:19:36.240 they should conduct 00:19:36.240 --> 00:19:36.539 themselves. 00:19:36.720 --> 00:19:37.299 So let's turn 00:19:37.299 --> 00:19:38.319 briefly to 1 00:19:38.319 --> 00:19:40.599 Corinthians chapter 00:19:40.599 --> 00:19:41.220 14. 00:19:42.059 --> 00:19:43.240 And again, the 00:19:43.240 --> 00:19:45.119 nature of looking 00:19:45.119 --> 00:19:46.199 at this topic, we 00:19:46.199 --> 00:19:47.119 need to look at a 00:19:47.119 --> 00:19:47.639 few different 00:19:47.639 --> 00:19:48.899 passages because 00:19:48.899 --> 00:19:49.720 again, it's not 00:19:49.720 --> 00:19:51.259 taught just in one 00:19:51.259 --> 00:19:52.139 place, but it's 00:19:52.139 --> 00:19:53.359 woven into the 00:19:53.359 --> 00:19:54.139 fabric of the New 00:19:54.139 --> 00:19:55.559 Testament, this idea 00:19:55.559 --> 00:19:56.699 of membership and 00:19:56.700 --> 00:19:57.140 gathering. 00:19:57.779 --> 00:19:59.220 1 Corinthians 14 00:19:59.220 --> 00:20:01.259 verse 26 to 00:20:01.259 --> 00:20:01.680 33. 00:20:02.019 --> 00:20:02.500 I'm not going to 00:20:02.500 --> 00:20:02.920 read the whole 00:20:02.920 --> 00:20:03.700 section, but just 00:20:03.700 --> 00:20:05.539 note verse 26 and 00:20:05.539 --> 00:20:06.340 verse 33. 00:20:07.980 --> 00:20:09.059 What then shall we 00:20:09.059 --> 00:20:09.880 say, brothers and 00:20:09.880 --> 00:20:11.400 sisters, when you 00:20:11.400 --> 00:20:13.519 come together, each 00:20:13.519 --> 00:20:14.660 of you has a hymn or 00:20:14.660 --> 00:20:15.500 a word of instruction, 00:20:15.600 --> 00:20:16.840 a revelation, a 00:20:16.840 --> 00:20:17.559 tongue or an 00:20:17.559 --> 00:20:18.220 interpretation. 00:20:18.880 --> 00:20:19.920 Everything must be 00:20:19.920 --> 00:20:21.019 done so that the 00:20:21.019 --> 00:20:22.420 church may be built 00:20:22.420 --> 00:20:23.039 up. 00:20:23.960 --> 00:20:24.559 Down to verse 00:20:24.559 --> 00:20:25.100 33. 00:20:25.099 --> 00:20:27.959 For God is not a 00:20:27.959 --> 00:20:29.679 God of disorder, but 00:20:29.679 --> 00:20:31.379 of peace, as in all 00:20:31.379 --> 00:20:33.379 the congregations or 00:20:33.379 --> 00:20:35.099 gatherings of the 00:20:35.099 --> 00:20:36.159 Lord's people. 00:20:38.159 --> 00:20:39.039 Being a healthy 00:20:39.039 --> 00:20:40.139 member of the body 00:20:40.139 --> 00:20:41.339 of Christ involves 00:20:41.339 --> 00:20:42.719 this regular pattern 00:20:42.719 --> 00:20:44.339 of gathering together 00:20:44.339 --> 00:20:45.059 as a church. 00:20:45.779 --> 00:20:46.099 You see, our 00:20:46.099 --> 00:20:47.079 spiritual, our 00:20:47.079 --> 00:20:47.919 personal spiritual 00:20:47.919 --> 00:20:48.559 disciplines and 00:20:48.559 --> 00:20:49.699 preferences don't 00:20:49.699 --> 00:20:51.619 trump the spiritual 00:20:51.619 --> 00:20:52.399 disciplines and 00:20:52.399 --> 00:20:53.159 graces that the 00:20:53.160 --> 00:20:53.980 Lord has given to 00:20:53.980 --> 00:20:55.060 us through his 00:20:55.060 --> 00:20:55.980 church. 00:20:57.380 --> 00:20:58.000 They're not to be in 00:20:58.000 --> 00:20:58.560 conflict. 00:20:58.880 --> 00:20:59.160 They should 00:20:59.160 --> 00:20:59.680 complement. 00:21:00.440 --> 00:21:02.000 Christ loves his 00:21:02.000 --> 00:21:04.120 church and calls his 00:21:04.120 --> 00:21:05.320 church to gather in 00:21:05.320 --> 00:21:07.640 local communities, 00:21:08.259 --> 00:21:10.519 local outcroppings of 00:21:10.519 --> 00:21:11.680 the true heavenly 00:21:11.680 --> 00:21:12.240 gathering. 00:21:12.240 --> 00:21:14.240 church. 00:21:14.240 --> 00:21:16.420 I don't know what 00:21:16.420 --> 00:21:18.279 everyone's attitude is 00:21:18.279 --> 00:21:19.420 to church or 00:21:19.420 --> 00:21:20.599 gathering on a 00:21:20.599 --> 00:21:20.859 Sunday. 00:21:21.259 --> 00:21:22.180 In many ways, I'm 00:21:22.180 --> 00:21:23.920 speaking to those 00:21:23.920 --> 00:21:25.819 that are here who 00:21:25.819 --> 00:21:27.299 show their desire to 00:21:27.299 --> 00:21:27.599 gather. 00:21:28.500 --> 00:21:29.400 But yes, I think at 00:21:29.400 --> 00:21:30.640 different times, we 00:21:30.640 --> 00:21:31.380 need to make a 00:21:31.380 --> 00:21:32.859 conscious decision, 00:21:33.019 --> 00:21:33.720 don't we, about being 00:21:33.720 --> 00:21:35.079 committed to the 00:21:35.079 --> 00:21:35.440 gathering. 00:21:36.759 --> 00:21:38.140 To some of those who 00:21:38.140 --> 00:21:39.279 are in first year of 00:21:39.279 --> 00:21:40.980 secondary school, they 00:21:40.980 --> 00:21:41.980 finish Sunday school, 00:21:41.980 --> 00:21:43.120 and they're with us 00:21:43.120 --> 00:21:43.779 now in the service 00:21:43.779 --> 00:21:44.299 and they've gained 00:21:44.299 --> 00:21:45.039 more freedom. 00:21:46.240 --> 00:21:46.720 And you know, I 00:21:46.720 --> 00:21:48.480 know it's hard at 00:21:48.480 --> 00:21:49.039 that age, or maybe 00:21:49.039 --> 00:21:49.680 any age, but 00:21:49.680 --> 00:21:50.259 particularly at that 00:21:50.259 --> 00:21:51.360 age, there's things 00:21:51.360 --> 00:21:52.160 happening on a 00:21:52.160 --> 00:21:52.420 Sunday. 00:21:53.140 --> 00:21:53.839 There's birthday 00:21:53.839 --> 00:21:54.700 parties, there's a 00:21:54.700 --> 00:21:55.660 Saturday night away, 00:21:55.839 --> 00:21:56.579 there's the match at 00:21:56.579 --> 00:21:58.440 12pm that's hard to 00:21:58.440 --> 00:21:58.799 resist. 00:22:00.380 --> 00:22:01.420 And so, young 00:22:01.420 --> 00:22:03.980 people, as we think 00:22:03.980 --> 00:22:04.799 about church and 00:22:04.799 --> 00:22:05.559 gathering, we have 00:22:05.559 --> 00:22:06.640 to resolve to honour 00:22:06.640 --> 00:22:07.940 Christ and his 00:22:07.940 --> 00:22:09.720 family above those 00:22:09.720 --> 00:22:11.079 other good things. 00:22:11.980 --> 00:22:13.480 And the strength to 00:22:13.480 --> 00:22:14.259 do that isn't found 00:22:14.259 --> 00:22:15.779 by looking inwards, 00:22:16.480 --> 00:22:18.099 particularly, or by 00:22:18.099 --> 00:22:19.700 being guilted by 00:22:19.700 --> 00:22:21.460 your parents or 00:22:21.460 --> 00:22:22.279 maybe by your 00:22:22.279 --> 00:22:23.620 pastor or elder. 00:22:24.400 --> 00:22:25.200 It's not going to 00:22:25.200 --> 00:22:26.200 cut it, ultimately. 00:22:27.460 --> 00:22:28.660 The strength to 00:22:28.660 --> 00:22:29.740 gather regularly is 00:22:29.740 --> 00:22:31.539 found in the habit 00:22:31.539 --> 00:22:32.559 of looking to 00:22:32.559 --> 00:22:32.940 Jesus. 00:22:34.240 --> 00:22:35.380 Looking to Jesus' 00:22:35.640 --> 00:22:36.579 death on the cross 00:22:36.579 --> 00:22:37.440 in our place, 00:22:38.640 --> 00:22:40.400 following him in the 00:22:40.400 --> 00:22:41.000 strength of the 00:22:41.000 --> 00:22:41.840 Holy Spirit. 00:22:42.960 --> 00:22:44.040 The more we look to 00:22:44.040 --> 00:22:45.720 Jesus, the more we 00:22:45.720 --> 00:22:47.480 love him, the more 00:22:47.480 --> 00:22:48.900 we should love his 00:22:48.900 --> 00:22:49.320 family. 00:22:50.280 --> 00:22:51.700 It means knowing 00:22:51.700 --> 00:22:52.820 that good things 00:22:52.820 --> 00:22:54.759 come to us through 00:22:54.759 --> 00:22:56.500 being here on a 00:22:56.500 --> 00:22:56.800 Sunday. 00:22:58.420 --> 00:22:59.420 And Christian, you 00:22:59.420 --> 00:23:00.220 must also remember 00:23:00.220 --> 00:23:02.060 that he has, God 00:23:02.060 --> 00:23:02.800 has given his gifts 00:23:02.800 --> 00:23:03.500 very widely. 00:23:04.100 --> 00:23:05.180 I do not have all 00:23:05.180 --> 00:23:06.019 that I need to 00:23:06.019 --> 00:23:06.740 function as a 00:23:06.740 --> 00:23:07.519 healthy member of 00:23:07.519 --> 00:23:08.380 the body of Christ. 00:23:08.380 --> 00:23:11.340 I can't do all 00:23:11.340 --> 00:23:12.360 that I need to do 00:23:12.360 --> 00:23:13.340 or change in all 00:23:13.340 --> 00:23:14.020 the ways I need to 00:23:14.020 --> 00:23:15.940 change apart from 00:23:15.940 --> 00:23:16.400 the body. 00:23:17.940 --> 00:23:18.740 We can turn back 00:23:18.740 --> 00:23:19.860 to Ephesians 4 and 00:23:19.860 --> 00:23:21.220 11 to 13 and see 00:23:21.220 --> 00:23:22.740 there that it was 00:23:22.740 --> 00:23:23.580 the whole body as 00:23:23.580 --> 00:23:24.240 the gifts were 00:23:24.240 --> 00:23:25.020 distributed that 00:23:25.020 --> 00:23:26.420 grew and changed 00:23:26.420 --> 00:23:28.120 and matured until 00:23:28.120 --> 00:23:29.640 the whole church is 00:23:29.640 --> 00:23:30.060 brought to 00:23:30.060 --> 00:23:30.920 completeness and 00:23:30.920 --> 00:23:32.160 fullness in Christ 00:23:32.160 --> 00:23:34.120 as we minister one 00:23:34.120 --> 00:23:34.700 to another. 00:23:36.240 --> 00:23:37.080 So can I encourage 00:23:37.079 --> 00:23:38.359 you to pray for 00:23:38.359 --> 00:23:39.059 our gatherings? 00:23:40.460 --> 00:23:41.579 Pray as we come 00:23:41.579 --> 00:23:42.480 together on a 00:23:42.480 --> 00:23:44.059 Sunday and as we 00:23:44.059 --> 00:23:45.000 gather, especially at 00:23:45.000 --> 00:23:45.819 our members meetings 00:23:45.819 --> 00:23:47.639 as well, that if the 00:23:47.639 --> 00:23:48.639 church gathers that 00:23:48.639 --> 00:23:50.159 we would love one 00:23:50.159 --> 00:23:51.659 another, that we 00:23:51.659 --> 00:23:53.279 would honor Christ, 00:23:53.799 --> 00:23:54.720 that we would care 00:23:54.720 --> 00:23:55.439 for one another, 00:23:56.199 --> 00:23:57.220 that we would gather 00:23:57.220 --> 00:23:58.839 in a good order that 00:23:58.839 --> 00:24:00.859 shows our love for 00:24:00.859 --> 00:24:02.439 Jesus and his body. 00:24:02.440 --> 00:24:07.519 For sincere 00:24:07.519 --> 00:24:09.900 Christians hurt or 00:24:09.900 --> 00:24:11.019 abused by a church, 00:24:12.340 --> 00:24:14.420 commitment like this 00:24:14.420 --> 00:24:15.299 to a local church 00:24:15.299 --> 00:24:16.380 can be a very slow 00:24:16.380 --> 00:24:18.700 and understandably a 00:24:18.700 --> 00:24:20.840 very hard process. 00:24:22.299 --> 00:24:23.420 And I think we 00:24:23.420 --> 00:24:26.140 must make some 00:24:26.140 --> 00:24:27.460 sense of the 00:24:27.460 --> 00:24:28.799 shameful ways that 00:24:28.799 --> 00:24:30.259 some local churches 00:24:30.259 --> 00:24:32.119 or institutional 00:24:32.119 --> 00:24:33.980 churches have 00:24:33.980 --> 00:24:34.339 acted. 00:24:35.980 --> 00:24:36.799 We want to say 00:24:36.799 --> 00:24:38.240 that we see 00:24:38.240 --> 00:24:39.839 Christ when the 00:24:39.839 --> 00:24:40.539 church gathers. 00:24:40.700 --> 00:24:41.160 When the church 00:24:41.160 --> 00:24:41.879 gathers, we can 00:24:41.879 --> 00:24:42.759 see Jesus. 00:24:45.119 --> 00:24:46.259 But how can we 00:24:46.259 --> 00:24:47.279 see Jesus in 00:24:47.279 --> 00:24:47.740 abuse? 00:24:48.259 --> 00:24:49.140 How can we see 00:24:49.140 --> 00:24:50.879 Jesus in 00:24:50.879 --> 00:24:51.299 scandal? 00:24:53.039 --> 00:24:53.740 Given such 00:24:53.740 --> 00:24:55.779 failings, we 00:24:55.779 --> 00:24:58.440 can understand 00:24:58.440 --> 00:25:00.460 that people 00:25:00.460 --> 00:25:01.860 turn aside from 00:25:01.860 --> 00:25:03.180 church and 00:25:03.180 --> 00:25:03.660 begin to look 00:25:03.660 --> 00:25:04.420 elsewhere for 00:25:04.420 --> 00:25:04.880 Christ. 00:25:06.279 --> 00:25:06.680 I just want to 00:25:06.680 --> 00:25:07.480 give three ways 00:25:07.480 --> 00:25:08.880 briefly that can 00:25:08.880 --> 00:25:09.460 help us to think 00:25:09.460 --> 00:25:10.160 through our love 00:25:10.160 --> 00:25:11.559 for Jesus and 00:25:11.559 --> 00:25:12.259 his church in the 00:25:12.259 --> 00:25:13.860 midst of failings. 00:25:14.420 --> 00:25:16.019 Firstly, we need 00:25:16.019 --> 00:25:16.600 to admit that 00:25:16.600 --> 00:25:18.660 churches fail. 00:25:19.960 --> 00:25:22.279 Leaders are 00:25:22.279 --> 00:25:22.640 sometimes 00:25:22.640 --> 00:25:23.720 characterized by 00:25:23.720 --> 00:25:24.960 unrepented and 00:25:24.960 --> 00:25:27.380 gross sin rather 00:25:27.380 --> 00:25:28.280 than humble 00:25:28.280 --> 00:25:29.360 service. 00:25:30.740 --> 00:25:31.740 Good structures 00:25:31.740 --> 00:25:32.460 within the life 00:25:32.460 --> 00:25:32.940 of the church 00:25:32.940 --> 00:25:35.000 can be and 00:25:35.000 --> 00:25:36.160 are abused. 00:25:38.060 --> 00:25:38.940 And when we 00:25:38.940 --> 00:25:40.420 see or even 00:25:40.420 --> 00:25:41.920 directly experience 00:25:41.920 --> 00:25:43.600 abusive leadership, 00:25:44.160 --> 00:25:45.060 we should in 00:25:45.060 --> 00:25:45.820 most cases 00:25:45.820 --> 00:25:47.360 flee. 00:25:48.520 --> 00:25:49.060 Flee. 00:25:50.180 --> 00:25:50.660 Flee. 00:25:51.100 --> 00:25:52.120 For the sake of 00:25:52.120 --> 00:25:52.840 your own heart, 00:25:53.740 --> 00:25:54.600 for your family, 00:25:55.340 --> 00:25:56.160 for your witness to 00:25:56.160 --> 00:25:56.880 the other members 00:25:56.880 --> 00:25:57.779 that are sane, 00:25:58.380 --> 00:25:58.960 and your witness 00:25:58.960 --> 00:25:59.600 to a watching 00:25:59.600 --> 00:26:01.019 world, we 00:26:01.019 --> 00:26:01.759 should not lend 00:26:01.759 --> 00:26:02.500 our credibility 00:26:02.500 --> 00:26:04.120 to an abusive 00:26:04.120 --> 00:26:05.320 church. 00:26:07.180 --> 00:26:07.860 Secondly, the 00:26:07.860 --> 00:26:08.400 New Testament 00:26:08.400 --> 00:26:10.480 church, as we 00:26:10.480 --> 00:26:11.600 read about, knew 00:26:11.600 --> 00:26:12.300 of abuse and 00:26:12.300 --> 00:26:12.740 scandal. 00:26:13.640 --> 00:26:14.560 What we read in 00:26:14.560 --> 00:26:15.480 1 Corinthians, 00:26:15.660 --> 00:26:17.019 where Paul is 00:26:17.019 --> 00:26:17.779 encouraging good 00:26:17.779 --> 00:26:18.240 order in the 00:26:18.240 --> 00:26:19.279 church, Paul was 00:26:19.279 --> 00:26:19.740 writing to a 00:26:19.740 --> 00:26:20.120 church that was 00:26:20.120 --> 00:26:21.259 filled with wrong 00:26:21.259 --> 00:26:22.080 and shameful 00:26:22.080 --> 00:26:22.660 practices. 00:26:23.700 --> 00:26:24.800 We had wealthy 00:26:24.799 --> 00:26:26.399 Christians dominating 00:26:26.399 --> 00:26:28.000 poor Christians in 00:26:28.000 --> 00:26:28.539 the life of the 00:26:28.539 --> 00:26:28.879 church. 00:26:29.659 --> 00:26:30.720 There was sexual 00:26:30.720 --> 00:26:33.079 relationships happening 00:26:33.079 --> 00:26:34.039 in the church that 00:26:34.039 --> 00:26:35.240 the world was ashamed 00:26:35.240 --> 00:26:36.019 of and the world 00:26:36.019 --> 00:26:36.519 would have covered 00:26:36.519 --> 00:26:37.220 up, and yet the 00:26:37.220 --> 00:26:38.200 church, it was 00:26:38.200 --> 00:26:38.960 happening openly. 00:26:39.799 --> 00:26:40.740 There was chaos and 00:26:40.740 --> 00:26:41.519 hurt when the church 00:26:41.519 --> 00:26:42.480 gathered like this, 00:26:42.720 --> 00:26:44.119 and pain at the 00:26:44.119 --> 00:26:44.799 gatherings and the 00:26:44.799 --> 00:26:45.139 meetings. 00:26:46.940 --> 00:26:48.079 Paul still calls 00:26:48.079 --> 00:26:49.639 them saints at the 00:26:49.639 --> 00:26:51.139 start of the 00:26:51.139 --> 00:26:51.419 letter. 00:26:51.420 --> 00:26:54.100 And with apostolic 00:26:54.100 --> 00:26:56.080 authority, authority 00:26:56.080 --> 00:26:59.539 given by Christ, Paul 00:26:59.539 --> 00:27:00.740 calls them back to 00:27:00.740 --> 00:27:02.860 follow Jesus, to 00:27:02.860 --> 00:27:03.779 follow Jesus. 00:27:04.160 --> 00:27:04.539 You see, the 00:27:04.539 --> 00:27:05.460 prescription for a 00:27:05.460 --> 00:27:07.380 sick church isn't 00:27:07.380 --> 00:27:08.519 less order and 00:27:08.519 --> 00:27:09.600 greater individualism. 00:27:09.740 --> 00:27:10.420 That's not the 00:27:10.420 --> 00:27:11.400 prescription for the 00:27:11.400 --> 00:27:11.779 problem. 00:27:12.460 --> 00:27:13.180 It's this, it's 00:27:13.180 --> 00:27:15.180 repentance through the 00:27:15.180 --> 00:27:16.080 power of the Spirit 00:27:16.080 --> 00:27:17.279 that's seen in a 00:27:17.279 --> 00:27:18.060 love for Jesus. 00:27:18.700 --> 00:27:20.019 Having the Spirit 00:27:20.019 --> 00:27:21.500 work and change us 00:27:21.500 --> 00:27:23.119 so that we obey 00:27:23.119 --> 00:27:25.619 his commands, that 00:27:25.619 --> 00:27:26.639 we put sin to 00:27:26.639 --> 00:27:28.119 death, that we 00:27:28.119 --> 00:27:29.299 love one another, 00:27:29.779 --> 00:27:30.859 that we do good 00:27:30.859 --> 00:27:32.440 works and persevere. 00:27:33.180 --> 00:27:33.839 You see, that's 00:27:33.839 --> 00:27:34.599 what makes a 00:27:34.599 --> 00:27:36.500 healthy church. 00:27:37.480 --> 00:27:39.599 Not less order 00:27:39.599 --> 00:27:40.019 and greater 00:27:40.019 --> 00:27:41.559 individualism, but a 00:27:41.559 --> 00:27:42.400 proper prescription 00:27:42.400 --> 00:27:43.480 of a love for Jesus 00:27:43.480 --> 00:27:44.500 and a love for his 00:27:44.500 --> 00:27:44.940 people. 00:27:46.299 --> 00:27:48.920 Third thing, and 00:27:48.920 --> 00:27:49.480 this is very 00:27:49.480 --> 00:27:50.839 pertinent to us as 00:27:50.839 --> 00:27:51.920 a family of 00:27:51.920 --> 00:27:52.720 believers, we must 00:27:52.720 --> 00:27:53.660 hold one another 00:27:53.660 --> 00:27:54.620 to account. 00:27:55.720 --> 00:27:57.079 You see, members 00:27:57.079 --> 00:27:58.319 appoint elders and 00:27:58.319 --> 00:27:59.259 deacons in this 00:27:59.259 --> 00:28:00.960 church and members 00:28:00.960 --> 00:28:01.579 welcome new 00:28:01.579 --> 00:28:02.900 members and where 00:28:02.900 --> 00:28:04.440 necessary, members 00:28:04.440 --> 00:28:06.759 remove leaders or 00:28:06.759 --> 00:28:07.440 other members. 00:28:08.120 --> 00:28:08.720 You see, Carraghline 00:28:08.720 --> 00:28:10.099 Baptist Church is a 00:28:10.099 --> 00:28:11.779 congregational-based 00:28:11.779 --> 00:28:12.599 church government. 00:28:13.599 --> 00:28:14.500 What does that 00:28:14.500 --> 00:28:14.660 mean? 00:28:14.759 --> 00:28:15.500 Well, among other 00:28:15.500 --> 00:28:16.480 things, this, that we 00:28:16.480 --> 00:28:17.299 believe that Jesus 00:28:17.299 --> 00:28:18.359 himself gave the 00:28:18.359 --> 00:28:19.259 keys of the kingdom 00:28:19.259 --> 00:28:20.059 to the gathered 00:28:20.059 --> 00:28:21.779 congregation when he 00:28:21.779 --> 00:28:22.819 said in Matthew 18, 00:28:23.200 --> 00:28:24.559 tell it to the 00:28:24.559 --> 00:28:24.960 church. 00:28:26.139 --> 00:28:27.359 Jesus says that the 00:28:27.359 --> 00:28:29.039 final court, when it 00:28:29.039 --> 00:28:29.879 comes to issues of 00:28:29.879 --> 00:28:31.940 sin and abuse and 00:28:31.940 --> 00:28:34.419 bad practice, it's 00:28:34.419 --> 00:28:35.200 not in the end the 00:28:35.200 --> 00:28:36.200 elders, although it's 00:28:36.200 --> 00:28:37.019 good to speak to the 00:28:37.019 --> 00:28:37.259 elders. 00:28:37.960 --> 00:28:38.940 It's not in the end 00:28:38.940 --> 00:28:39.659 a Christian that you 00:28:39.659 --> 00:28:40.460 meet up with at 00:28:40.460 --> 00:28:41.500 Starbucks for coffee. 00:28:41.500 --> 00:28:43.859 It's not a bishop or 00:28:43.859 --> 00:28:45.980 a presbytery, but it's 00:28:45.980 --> 00:28:46.660 the church. 00:28:47.339 --> 00:28:48.299 It's the gathered 00:28:48.299 --> 00:28:49.619 body, the members. 00:28:51.339 --> 00:28:51.960 I think our best 00:28:51.960 --> 00:28:53.019 protection for the 00:28:53.019 --> 00:28:53.880 life and witness of 00:28:53.880 --> 00:28:55.359 our church is to 00:28:55.359 --> 00:28:56.420 know the mind of 00:28:56.420 --> 00:28:57.680 Christ through the 00:28:57.680 --> 00:28:58.660 gathering of the 00:28:58.660 --> 00:29:00.259 church members as we 00:29:00.259 --> 00:29:01.579 listen to the spirit 00:29:01.579 --> 00:29:03.000 through his word. 00:29:06.619 --> 00:29:07.920 All of this matters. 00:29:08.240 --> 00:29:08.920 All of these things 00:29:08.920 --> 00:29:10.500 matter as our witness 00:29:10.500 --> 00:29:12.079 of Christ to a 00:29:12.079 --> 00:29:12.500 dying world. 00:29:12.599 --> 00:29:13.680 This is the last 00:29:13.680 --> 00:29:14.740 point. 00:29:15.539 --> 00:29:16.279 All that we spoke 00:29:16.279 --> 00:29:17.119 of, our humble life 00:29:17.119 --> 00:29:18.059 together as we love 00:29:18.059 --> 00:29:19.019 one another, our 00:29:19.019 --> 00:29:19.900 meeting together in 00:29:19.900 --> 00:29:21.019 good order, our 00:29:21.019 --> 00:29:22.599 patient discipline of 00:29:22.599 --> 00:29:24.119 one another as we 00:29:24.119 --> 00:29:27.440 bear witness to the 00:29:27.440 --> 00:29:28.359 reality of a risen 00:29:28.359 --> 00:29:29.339 saviour to the 00:29:29.339 --> 00:29:30.099 people around us. 00:29:30.160 --> 00:29:31.059 All of these things 00:29:31.059 --> 00:29:32.039 hold together and 00:29:32.039 --> 00:29:33.380 bear witness to 00:29:33.380 --> 00:29:33.799 Christ. 00:29:34.799 --> 00:29:35.700 This is one of the 00:29:35.700 --> 00:29:36.920 greatest themes of, 00:29:37.079 --> 00:29:38.180 the great themes of 00:29:38.180 --> 00:29:39.920 the Peter's letter, 00:29:39.920 --> 00:29:40.700 1 Peter. 00:29:41.259 --> 00:29:42.140 And let us just look 00:29:42.140 --> 00:29:43.759 briefly at some 00:29:43.759 --> 00:29:45.340 verses from 1 Peter. 00:29:46.160 --> 00:29:47.800 This theme that the 00:29:47.800 --> 00:29:49.000 worked out membership 00:29:49.000 --> 00:29:50.600 of the church as 00:29:50.600 --> 00:29:51.620 believers work that 00:29:51.620 --> 00:29:53.120 out in practice, it 00:29:53.120 --> 00:29:54.500 bears witness to the 00:29:54.500 --> 00:29:56.440 love of Christ to the 00:29:56.440 --> 00:29:56.860 world. 00:29:57.019 --> 00:29:57.500 We're going to look at 00:29:57.500 --> 00:29:58.160 two passages. 00:30:00.259 --> 00:30:02.420 1 Peter chapter 2 and 00:30:02.420 --> 00:30:04.920 verses 11 to 17. 00:30:04.920 --> 00:30:10.340 If I can get to the 00:30:10.340 --> 00:30:11.000 right location. 00:30:12.259 --> 00:30:14.779 1 Peter 2, 11 to 17. 00:30:15.220 --> 00:30:16.060 And I'm just going to 00:30:16.060 --> 00:30:18.860 focus on verses 11, 12 00:30:18.860 --> 00:30:19.500 and 17. 00:30:19.500 --> 00:30:20.820 Dear friends, I urge 00:30:20.820 --> 00:30:22.560 you as foreigners and 00:30:22.560 --> 00:30:23.940 exiles to abstain from 00:30:23.940 --> 00:30:25.539 sinful desires which 00:30:25.539 --> 00:30:26.700 wage war against your 00:30:26.700 --> 00:30:27.160 soul. 00:30:27.680 --> 00:30:29.640 Live such good lives 00:30:29.640 --> 00:30:30.740 among the pagans or 00:30:30.740 --> 00:30:31.400 those that aren't 00:30:31.400 --> 00:30:32.640 believers that though 00:30:32.640 --> 00:30:33.759 they accuse you of doing 00:30:33.759 --> 00:30:35.099 wrong, they may see 00:30:35.099 --> 00:30:36.559 your good deeds and 00:30:36.559 --> 00:30:38.180 glorify God on the day 00:30:38.180 --> 00:30:39.119 he visits us. 00:30:39.859 --> 00:30:41.819 Down to verse 17. 00:30:43.039 --> 00:30:44.200 Show proper respect to 00:30:44.200 --> 00:30:44.559 everyone. 00:30:45.619 --> 00:30:47.660 Love the family of 00:30:47.660 --> 00:30:48.119 believers. 00:30:49.299 --> 00:30:51.519 Fear God and honor the 00:30:51.519 --> 00:30:51.879 emperor. 00:30:54.879 --> 00:30:55.960 You see, we're coming 00:30:55.960 --> 00:30:56.859 back to this again, 00:30:56.920 --> 00:30:57.299 aren't we? 00:30:57.740 --> 00:30:58.599 Where we started, if 00:30:58.599 --> 00:30:59.619 you want to bear witness 00:30:59.619 --> 00:31:01.679 to Jesus in a corrupt 00:31:01.679 --> 00:31:03.539 and broken world, God 00:31:03.539 --> 00:31:05.039 says above all things, 00:31:05.479 --> 00:31:07.199 love your family. 00:31:07.659 --> 00:31:08.699 Love the family of 00:31:08.699 --> 00:31:09.059 believers. 00:31:09.779 --> 00:31:10.599 If we turn over to 00:31:10.599 --> 00:31:12.219 chapter 4, look at 00:31:12.219 --> 00:31:13.259 verses 7 and 8. 00:31:14.359 --> 00:31:15.679 The end of all things 00:31:15.679 --> 00:31:16.139 is near. 00:31:17.019 --> 00:31:18.119 Therefore be alert and 00:31:18.119 --> 00:31:19.099 of sober minds that 00:31:19.099 --> 00:31:19.859 you may pray. 00:31:21.039 --> 00:31:21.659 Listen to this. 00:31:21.779 --> 00:31:24.619 Above all, love each 00:31:24.619 --> 00:31:26.039 other deeply. 00:31:26.959 --> 00:31:29.079 Because love covers 00:31:29.079 --> 00:31:30.399 over a multitude of 00:31:30.399 --> 00:31:30.939 sins. 00:31:32.939 --> 00:31:34.559 Above all, love each 00:31:34.559 --> 00:31:35.099 other deeply. 00:31:36.159 --> 00:31:38.019 You see, love is an 00:31:38.019 --> 00:31:40.019 action that keeps no 00:31:40.019 --> 00:31:41.599 record of wrong, but 00:31:41.599 --> 00:31:43.699 forgives as the Lord 00:31:43.699 --> 00:31:45.159 forgave us. 00:31:45.959 --> 00:31:46.739 This is why Jesus 00:31:46.739 --> 00:31:50.539 said, by this everyone 00:31:50.539 --> 00:31:52.000 will know that you are 00:31:52.000 --> 00:31:52.700 my disciples. 00:31:52.980 --> 00:31:56.079 If you love one 00:31:56.079 --> 00:31:58.660 another, a unique love 00:31:58.660 --> 00:32:00.779 that the world cannot, 00:32:00.940 --> 00:32:04.079 cannot, cannot offer. 00:32:06.660 --> 00:32:07.819 Jonathan Lehman has a 00:32:07.819 --> 00:32:08.819 short book about church 00:32:08.819 --> 00:32:10.019 membership and he puts 00:32:10.019 --> 00:32:10.700 it like this. 00:32:12.000 --> 00:32:12.660 You see, it's through 00:32:12.660 --> 00:32:13.619 the lives of its 00:32:13.619 --> 00:32:15.160 members, the local 00:32:15.160 --> 00:32:17.759 church defines, defines 00:32:17.759 --> 00:32:19.200 love for the world. 00:32:20.140 --> 00:32:21.720 Jesus says, greater 00:32:21.720 --> 00:32:23.579 love has no one to 00:32:23.579 --> 00:32:25.160 lay down his life for 00:32:25.160 --> 00:32:25.759 his friends. 00:32:26.539 --> 00:32:27.480 And then he calls us 00:32:27.480 --> 00:32:28.420 by saying, if you love 00:32:28.420 --> 00:32:30.620 me, keep my commands. 00:32:32.160 --> 00:32:33.100 This is a combination 00:32:33.100 --> 00:32:34.259 that the world just 00:32:34.259 --> 00:32:35.440 does not understand. 00:32:36.180 --> 00:32:37.380 But this is the love 00:32:37.380 --> 00:32:38.059 of God. 00:32:38.779 --> 00:32:40.839 Love and holiness 00:32:40.839 --> 00:32:42.680 are not opposed to 00:32:42.680 --> 00:32:44.140 one another, but 00:32:44.140 --> 00:32:45.220 partner together to 00:32:45.220 --> 00:32:47.200 lead people to God. 00:32:47.759 --> 00:32:48.420 Our holy life 00:32:48.420 --> 00:32:49.880 together, marked by 00:32:49.880 --> 00:32:51.720 walking in love and 00:32:51.720 --> 00:32:52.820 gathering as a church 00:32:52.820 --> 00:32:54.640 body, is God's 00:32:54.640 --> 00:32:56.280 witness of the love 00:32:56.280 --> 00:32:57.480 of Christ in the 00:32:57.480 --> 00:32:57.840 world. 00:32:59.160 --> 00:33:00.420 One brief application 00:33:00.420 --> 00:33:01.900 or challenge maybe as 00:33:01.900 --> 00:33:02.380 we finish. 00:33:03.340 --> 00:33:04.180 Maybe I'd like you to 00:33:04.180 --> 00:33:04.920 go away and think 00:33:04.920 --> 00:33:05.500 about this. 00:33:06.460 --> 00:33:07.460 How would you begin to 00:33:07.460 --> 00:33:08.180 help a fellow 00:33:08.180 --> 00:33:10.200 Christian, maybe 00:33:10.200 --> 00:33:10.980 someone in this 00:33:10.980 --> 00:33:11.840 church that says, 00:33:12.240 --> 00:33:13.060 well, I get more 00:33:13.060 --> 00:33:14.900 out of listening to 00:33:14.900 --> 00:33:16.000 online sermons and 00:33:16.000 --> 00:33:18.800 songs at home and I 00:33:18.799 --> 00:33:20.659 meet up with a 00:33:20.659 --> 00:33:21.159 couple of friends 00:33:21.159 --> 00:33:21.740 during the week to 00:33:21.740 --> 00:33:22.019 pray. 00:33:23.279 --> 00:33:24.240 I get more out of 00:33:24.240 --> 00:33:24.879 that than I do out 00:33:24.879 --> 00:33:25.579 of being part of a 00:33:25.579 --> 00:33:26.480 local church and 00:33:26.480 --> 00:33:27.139 gathering on a 00:33:27.139 --> 00:33:27.399 Sunday. 00:33:27.519 --> 00:33:29.980 How would you begin 00:33:29.980 --> 00:33:31.259 to challenge that or 00:33:31.259 --> 00:33:32.200 to think about that 00:33:32.200 --> 00:33:33.399 from God's word or 00:33:33.399 --> 00:33:35.879 to see why that may 00:33:35.879 --> 00:33:36.799 not be sufficient? 00:33:40.139 --> 00:33:42.220 Finally, I was 00:33:42.220 --> 00:33:43.539 asked about church 00:33:43.539 --> 00:33:44.359 membership recently 00:33:44.359 --> 00:33:45.079 and the question was 00:33:45.079 --> 00:33:45.680 this, it was a good 00:33:45.680 --> 00:33:46.119 question. 00:33:46.599 --> 00:33:47.299 What more would I 00:33:47.299 --> 00:33:48.240 have to do if I was a 00:33:48.240 --> 00:33:48.460 member? 00:33:48.960 --> 00:33:49.859 What more would I 00:33:49.859 --> 00:33:51.079 have to do if I was a 00:33:51.079 --> 00:33:51.279 member? 00:33:52.559 --> 00:33:53.599 I hope that you see 00:33:53.599 --> 00:33:54.120 this morning that a 00:33:54.120 --> 00:33:54.579 member isn't about 00:33:54.579 --> 00:33:56.000 being another type of 00:33:56.000 --> 00:33:57.400 Christian with additional 00:33:57.400 --> 00:33:58.400 responsibilities that are 00:33:58.400 --> 00:33:59.079 tagged on. 00:34:00.339 --> 00:34:01.000 Membership is about 00:34:01.000 --> 00:34:02.039 realizing what it means 00:34:02.039 --> 00:34:02.900 to be a Christian 00:34:02.900 --> 00:34:04.539 within a family. 00:34:05.420 --> 00:34:07.599 The call is to love 00:34:07.599 --> 00:34:10.460 one another, to bear 00:34:10.460 --> 00:34:11.639 with one another, to 00:34:11.639 --> 00:34:12.900 pray for one another, 00:34:13.179 --> 00:34:14.340 to gather with one 00:34:14.340 --> 00:34:14.679 another. 00:34:14.679 --> 00:34:17.179 This is all expressed in 00:34:17.179 --> 00:34:18.379 our church covenant, 00:34:18.599 --> 00:34:19.559 which is part of our 00:34:19.559 --> 00:34:20.679 church constitution here 00:34:20.679 --> 00:34:21.339 in Carragoline. 00:34:22.179 --> 00:34:23.139 I was able to share that 00:34:23.139 --> 00:34:24.079 with the person asking the 00:34:24.079 --> 00:34:25.639 question and to reassure 00:34:25.639 --> 00:34:27.339 them that it's not about 00:34:27.339 --> 00:34:28.919 more, but it's about 00:34:28.919 --> 00:34:31.000 continuing to love the 00:34:31.000 --> 00:34:31.960 church family as they 00:34:31.960 --> 00:34:33.019 were already doing. 00:34:33.639 --> 00:34:34.579 I'd like to finish with 00:34:34.579 --> 00:34:36.219 sharing these words from 00:34:36.219 --> 00:34:36.719 the covenant. 00:34:38.159 --> 00:34:39.019 Recognizing our own 00:34:39.019 --> 00:34:39.899 unworthiness and 00:34:39.899 --> 00:34:42.079 inability and in total 00:34:42.079 --> 00:34:43.399 dependence upon God, we 00:34:43.400 --> 00:34:44.960 now covenant to give 00:34:44.960 --> 00:34:46.660 ourselves first to God 00:34:46.660 --> 00:34:48.320 and then to this local 00:34:48.320 --> 00:34:48.780 church. 00:34:49.660 --> 00:34:51.180 That we will endeavor to 00:34:51.180 --> 00:34:52.340 walk in holiness and 00:34:52.340 --> 00:34:54.079 brotherly love, being 00:34:54.079 --> 00:34:55.460 concerned to honor God 00:34:55.460 --> 00:34:56.680 in our lives and 00:34:56.680 --> 00:34:58.099 encourage one another to 00:34:58.099 --> 00:34:59.420 love and good works, to 00:34:59.420 --> 00:35:01.619 pray for one another and 00:35:01.619 --> 00:35:02.780 to bear each other's 00:35:02.780 --> 00:35:03.160 burdens. 00:35:04.099 --> 00:35:05.240 That we will at all times 00:35:05.240 --> 00:35:06.200 be loyal to each other, 00:35:06.280 --> 00:35:07.880 being patient with one 00:35:07.880 --> 00:35:09.059 another's weaknesses and 00:35:09.059 --> 00:35:10.480 failings, seeking to 00:35:10.480 --> 00:35:12.300 maintain unity and avoid 00:35:12.300 --> 00:35:13.720 all causes of division. 00:35:14.640 --> 00:35:16.080 That we will endeavor to 00:35:16.080 --> 00:35:16.900 meet together on the 00:35:16.900 --> 00:35:18.720 Lord's Day and all other 00:35:18.720 --> 00:35:19.780 meetings of the church as 00:35:19.780 --> 00:35:20.519 we have opportunity, 00:35:21.220 --> 00:35:22.920 encouraging one another by 00:35:22.920 --> 00:35:25.340 our attendance to pray for 00:35:25.340 --> 00:35:26.500 and encourage the officers 00:35:26.500 --> 00:35:28.480 of the church in the 00:35:28.480 --> 00:35:29.980 discharge of their duty. 00:35:30.820 --> 00:35:31.600 Let's pray. 00:35:31.599 --> 00:35:36.739 Lord, we thank you for the 00:35:36.739 --> 00:35:38.000 love that you have shown to 00:35:38.000 --> 00:35:40.279 us through your son, 00:35:40.380 --> 00:35:41.059 Jesus Christ. 00:35:41.219 --> 00:35:42.259 We thank you that he has 00:35:42.259 --> 00:35:44.139 died in our place so that 00:35:44.139 --> 00:35:46.819 we could be accepted by you 00:35:46.819 --> 00:35:47.739 into your family. 00:35:48.539 --> 00:35:49.500 We thank you for one 00:35:49.500 --> 00:35:49.819 another. 00:35:50.980 --> 00:35:54.960 Convict us, Lord, of our bad 00:35:54.960 --> 00:35:56.559 attitude at times to one 00:35:56.559 --> 00:35:56.860 another. 00:35:56.860 --> 00:36:01.820 our desire for self above 00:36:01.820 --> 00:36:02.280 others. 00:36:03.400 --> 00:36:04.720 But help us, Lord, to 00:36:04.720 --> 00:36:07.340 change, to grow into all 00:36:07.340 --> 00:36:08.460 fullness, to become more 00:36:08.460 --> 00:36:10.460 like Jesus through the life 00:36:10.460 --> 00:36:11.519 of this church in 00:36:11.519 --> 00:36:12.019 Carragoline. 00:36:12.920 --> 00:36:14.980 For your glory and to bear 00:36:14.980 --> 00:36:16.620 witness to the world around. 00:36:17.240 --> 00:36:17.559 Amen. 00:36:17.559 --> 00:36:17.700 Amen. 00:36:17.700 --> 00:36:17.760 Amen. 00:36:17.760 --> 00:36:19.120 Amen. 00:36:19.120 --> 00:36:19.240 Amen. 00:36:19.240 --> 00:36:19.260 Amen. 00:36:19.260 --> 00:36:19.559 Amen. 00:36:19.559 --> 00:36:19.740 Amen. 00:36:19.740 --> 00:36:19.820 Amen. 00:36:19.820 --> 00:36:19.880 Amen. 00:36:19.880 --> 00:36:19.920 Amen.