WEBVTT 00:00:01.590 --> 00:00:06.070 We're continuing our summer series, the Pentecost 00:00:06.070 --> 00:00:10.689 season, in being green and growing in the Lord. 00:00:11.189 --> 00:00:14.150 And so we're continuing our foundations, Christian 00:00:14.150 --> 00:00:20.089 foundations, here this morning. I want us to, 00:00:20.289 --> 00:00:24.309 as we approach this here this morning, to think 00:00:24.309 --> 00:00:27.089 a little bit about the title, and I'll reemphasize 00:00:27.089 --> 00:00:30.320 several of these things. But the throne of God 00:00:30.320 --> 00:00:35.759 manifested to the world is the church. The throne 00:00:35.759 --> 00:00:38.939 of God manifested to the world is the church. 00:00:39.719 --> 00:00:44.320 Let us pray. We praise thee, O God the Father, 00:00:44.439 --> 00:00:47.659 God the Son, and God the Holy Ghost, who of your 00:00:47.659 --> 00:00:50.340 grace and mercy has called us to be your people. 00:00:50.570 --> 00:00:53.750 You've made us a new creation in Jesus Christ 00:00:53.750 --> 00:00:57.310 and have given us such great and glorious promises 00:00:57.310 --> 00:01:01.189 concerning all of our todays and tomorrows. We 00:01:01.189 --> 00:01:03.670 humbly ask that you make the words of my mouth 00:01:03.670 --> 00:01:06.469 and the meditations of all our hearts acceptable 00:01:06.469 --> 00:01:09.930 in your sight, O Lord our Redeemer, Jesus Christ. 00:01:10.349 --> 00:01:14.890 Amen. Our text this morning is from Acts chapter 00:01:14.890 --> 00:01:20.109 2. Acts chapter 2. beginning with verse 36. I 00:01:20.109 --> 00:01:23.209 know I sent out 38 but I wanted to back it up 00:01:23.209 --> 00:01:27.109 and add a couple of verses for context. So Acts 00:01:27.109 --> 00:01:32.349 chapter 2 beginning in verse 36. Therefore let 00:01:32.349 --> 00:01:35.510 all the house of Israel know assuredly that God 00:01:35.510 --> 00:01:40.530 has made this Jesus whom you crucified both Lord 00:01:40.530 --> 00:01:44.609 and Christ. Now when they heard this they were 00:01:44.609 --> 00:01:47.549 cut to the heart. and said to Peter and the rest 00:01:47.549 --> 00:01:51.170 of the apostles, men and brethren, what shall 00:01:51.170 --> 00:01:54.689 we do? Then Peter said to them, repent and let 00:01:54.689 --> 00:01:56.989 every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus 00:01:56.989 --> 00:02:00.430 Christ for the remission of sins that you shall 00:02:00.430 --> 00:02:03.950 receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. For the 00:02:03.950 --> 00:02:07.049 promise is to you and to your children and to 00:02:07.049 --> 00:02:10.189 all who are afar off, as many as the Lord our 00:02:10.189 --> 00:02:13.740 God will call. And with many other words, he 00:02:13.740 --> 00:02:16.439 testified and exhorted them, saying, Be saved 00:02:16.439 --> 00:02:20.259 from this perverse generation. Then those who 00:02:20.259 --> 00:02:23.599 gladly received his word were baptized. And that 00:02:23.599 --> 00:02:27.080 day about 3 ,000 souls were added to them. And 00:02:27.080 --> 00:02:30.060 they continued steadfastly in the apostles' doctrine 00:02:30.060 --> 00:02:32.560 and fellowship, in the breaking of bread and 00:02:32.560 --> 00:02:36.259 in prayers. Then the fear came upon every soul, 00:02:36.360 --> 00:02:38.560 and many leaders and sides were done through 00:02:38.560 --> 00:02:41.979 the apostles. Now all who believed were together 00:02:41.979 --> 00:02:44.939 and had all things in common and sold their possessions 00:02:44.939 --> 00:02:47.879 and good and divided them among all as anyone 00:02:47.879 --> 00:02:51.780 had need. So continuing daily with one accord 00:02:51.780 --> 00:02:54.080 in the temple and breaking bread from house to 00:02:54.080 --> 00:02:57.560 house, they ate their food with gladness and 00:02:57.560 --> 00:03:01.099 simplicity of heart, praising God and having 00:03:01.099 --> 00:03:04.180 favor with all people that the Lord added to 00:03:04.180 --> 00:03:07.780 the church daily those who were being saved. 00:03:08.590 --> 00:03:12.430 These are the words of Almighty God receive them 00:03:12.430 --> 00:03:20.270 in your hearts Before we go any further you you 00:03:20.270 --> 00:03:24.090 hear that line every week after I read the text 00:03:24.090 --> 00:03:27.949 and Two things I want to point out one from our 00:03:27.949 --> 00:03:31.990 texts. They gladly receive the words of Peter 00:03:31.990 --> 00:03:37.800 Right and also this in my studies As a minister, 00:03:37.979 --> 00:03:43.580 I came across a quote, targeted towards pastors. 00:03:43.639 --> 00:03:46.020 So I'm going to accept the pastor part. Then 00:03:46.020 --> 00:03:49.719 there's an intuitive part that is the congregation's 00:03:49.719 --> 00:03:53.800 part. Every Sunday, I should preach as if I'm 00:03:53.800 --> 00:03:58.219 never going to get this Sunday back again. You 00:03:58.219 --> 00:04:01.520 should receive the word of the Lord as the congregation 00:04:01.520 --> 00:04:06.430 here, as if you are never going to get. This 00:04:06.430 --> 00:04:11.090 Sunday this service this word from God again 00:04:11.090 --> 00:04:14.349 So again, I say to you these are the words of 00:04:14.349 --> 00:04:19.990 Almighty God Receive them in your hearts Now 00:04:19.990 --> 00:04:22.310 there are three things that I want us to get 00:04:22.310 --> 00:04:24.610 out of that we're going to emphasize out of this 00:04:24.610 --> 00:04:26.709 passage There's many things that could be taken, 00:04:26.709 --> 00:04:29.589 but here are the three things that I want you 00:04:29.589 --> 00:04:36.089 to get We are saved from our sins by Jesus That 00:04:36.089 --> 00:04:38.889 of course reminds us of last week our emphasis 00:04:38.889 --> 00:04:44.490 on this we are saved from our sins by Jesus Second 00:04:44.490 --> 00:04:48.870 we are given the gifts of the covenant in baptism 00:04:48.870 --> 00:04:53.410 we are given the gifts of the covenant in baptism 00:04:53.410 --> 00:04:59.110 and finally We are given nourishment to maturity 00:04:59.110 --> 00:05:03.790 in membership to the local body. We are given 00:05:03.790 --> 00:05:07.930 nourishment to maturity and membership to the 00:05:07.930 --> 00:05:11.629 local body. For the last several weeks we've 00:05:11.629 --> 00:05:14.629 been reminded that Jesus came to deliver us from 00:05:14.629 --> 00:05:19.269 sin and death. Jesus lived a holy life. He suffered, 00:05:19.350 --> 00:05:21.889 died, and was resurrected. He ascended to the 00:05:21.889 --> 00:05:24.430 right hand of the Father to reign until all his 00:05:24.430 --> 00:05:29.430 enemies are put under his feet. We have also 00:05:29.430 --> 00:05:32.709 been reminded that this did not end his work 00:05:32.709 --> 00:05:35.089 in the world. He did not leave his people, the 00:05:35.089 --> 00:05:38.529 church, as orphans, but kept his promises by 00:05:38.529 --> 00:05:41.350 sending the Holy Spirit to transform hearts, 00:05:41.730 --> 00:05:46.649 minds, and the affections of his people. That 00:05:46.649 --> 00:05:51.170 is the church. What did he do all this for? He 00:05:51.170 --> 00:05:54.029 did all this so that we may be able to complete 00:05:54.029 --> 00:05:57.189 the task of tending and guarding the new creation. 00:05:57.740 --> 00:06:01.079 by making disciples of all nations, baptizing 00:06:01.079 --> 00:06:03.519 them in the name of the Father, the Son, and 00:06:03.519 --> 00:06:06.420 the Holy Spirit, and teaching them, that is the 00:06:06.420 --> 00:06:11.860 nations, all, that is our disciples, all that 00:06:11.860 --> 00:06:17.160 Jesus commanded. Why? That men may live, taking 00:06:17.160 --> 00:06:21.300 dominion, being fruitful, multiply, and covering 00:06:21.300 --> 00:06:25.459 the earth with the glory of the Lord as the waters 00:06:25.459 --> 00:06:30.089 cover the sea. When God created the universe 00:06:30.089 --> 00:06:34.649 he made his throne the center of it Throughout 00:06:34.649 --> 00:06:37.829 the scriptures from Genesis to Revelation We 00:06:37.829 --> 00:06:41.129 see that God gives his people access to him his 00:06:41.129 --> 00:06:45.050 throne in his sanctuary Although after the fall 00:06:45.050 --> 00:06:48.850 that becomes a very limited access by priests 00:06:48.850 --> 00:06:53.370 and the blood of animals Over and over again. 00:06:53.370 --> 00:06:57.889 We have this three tiered world Given to us beginning 00:06:57.889 --> 00:07:00.089 in creation. We have the Garden of Eden where 00:07:00.089 --> 00:07:08.129 God meets man face to face Moving outward we 00:07:08.129 --> 00:07:11.990 have the land of Eden and then by a river it 00:07:11.990 --> 00:07:15.689 flows out of that place God is to the four corners 00:07:15.689 --> 00:07:20.889 of the earth And just as Adam fell into sin so 00:07:20.889 --> 00:07:26.430 all men are separated from God by their sin All 00:07:26.430 --> 00:07:28.670 men were put out of the garden which was guarded 00:07:28.670 --> 00:07:32.509 by cherubim you know this story Right and children 00:07:32.509 --> 00:07:35.550 you know this those angels stood and guarded 00:07:35.550 --> 00:07:41.050 The garden the sanctuary of God God's access 00:07:41.050 --> 00:07:44.029 to his throne room for people with cherubim with 00:07:44.029 --> 00:07:49.769 what flaming swords The only way to come through 00:07:49.769 --> 00:07:56.680 was to pass through the fire of judgment in Exodus, 00:07:57.620 --> 00:08:00.600 when God formed a people, a covenant nation, 00:08:01.319 --> 00:08:04.500 to intercede not just for themselves in worship, 00:08:04.519 --> 00:08:07.980 prayer, and teaching, but to be a priestly covenant 00:08:07.980 --> 00:08:12.480 nation to every tribe, every nation, and every 00:08:12.480 --> 00:08:17.220 people. God again gave a three -tiered house 00:08:17.220 --> 00:08:19.959 to us. In the Tabernacle, we have the Holy of 00:08:19.959 --> 00:08:23.079 Holies, the most holy place. We have what? Then 00:08:23.079 --> 00:08:27.500 we have the courtyard. which all proceeds out 00:08:27.500 --> 00:08:30.660 to the world. And you get this, right? What happens? 00:08:30.720 --> 00:08:33.759 Who were the tribe that could be there? That's 00:08:33.759 --> 00:08:36.460 the Levites, right? By the way, think about this. 00:08:36.679 --> 00:08:39.940 One person in the Holy of Holies. At the establishment 00:08:39.940 --> 00:08:44.100 of the Tabernacle, five men could go into the 00:08:44.100 --> 00:08:50.159 most holy place, five priests. And then the rest 00:08:50.159 --> 00:08:52.480 of the priests and the Levites could serve in 00:08:52.480 --> 00:08:56.029 the courtyard. And then what was outside of that? 00:08:56.529 --> 00:09:00.529 That was the 12 tribes of Israel. And then outside 00:09:00.529 --> 00:09:02.710 of that were the God -fearers. And then outside 00:09:02.710 --> 00:09:04.990 of that were all the nations of the world. It 00:09:04.990 --> 00:09:07.830 proceeds out. And we have that very same imagery 00:09:07.830 --> 00:09:12.529 given to us by the fact of waters flowing out 00:09:12.529 --> 00:09:15.970 of the presence by the basins, the cleansing 00:09:15.970 --> 00:09:21.370 waters that were placed into the courtyard. Finally, 00:09:21.389 --> 00:09:25.000 when God establishes Solomon's temple. We have 00:09:25.000 --> 00:09:27.179 the very same imagery. Oh, by the way, I forgot 00:09:27.179 --> 00:09:30.399 to remind you. What was the curtain between the 00:09:30.399 --> 00:09:35.840 most holy place and the holy of holies? Cherubim. 00:09:36.159 --> 00:09:41.340 Guarding God's throne. Right? And we see that 00:09:41.340 --> 00:09:44.799 again. When God gives instructions and they build 00:09:44.799 --> 00:09:46.759 Solomon's temple, they build it in the same fashion, 00:09:46.919 --> 00:09:50.340 the same three -tier house. And again, Solomon 00:09:50.340 --> 00:09:53.679 is doing it so ornately, so grandly, in fact. 00:09:53.960 --> 00:09:56.679 And he wants to emphasize the cleansing waters, 00:09:57.899 --> 00:10:02.120 that he builds a great big bronze sea. They're 00:10:02.120 --> 00:10:04.840 talking about 8 ,000 gallons in the way it's 00:10:04.840 --> 00:10:07.559 described. And then proceeding from that were 00:10:07.559 --> 00:10:10.980 smaller basins of water moving forward towards 00:10:10.980 --> 00:10:14.639 the door of the temple. We have all of this. 00:10:15.759 --> 00:10:18.279 And of course we see what happens, again guarded 00:10:18.279 --> 00:10:23.159 by cherubim. Christ dies, what happens? That 00:10:23.159 --> 00:10:25.559 curtain in the temple, because it precedes every 00:10:25.559 --> 00:10:28.620 temple built after that, inherits temple on that 00:10:28.620 --> 00:10:34.259 day that Jesus dies, that curtain is torn in 00:10:34.259 --> 00:10:39.200 half. And now through the blood of Christ, the 00:10:39.200 --> 00:10:42.799 people of God can return back to face to face 00:10:42.799 --> 00:10:47.820 with God. They can draw near once again. And 00:10:47.820 --> 00:10:52.179 of course we see in Revelation, in chapter 22, 00:10:53.399 --> 00:10:57.259 this very same in the second vision, we see the 00:10:57.259 --> 00:11:00.000 church age described in these terms. There's 00:11:00.000 --> 00:11:04.460 this heavenly city and the temple and God sitting 00:11:04.460 --> 00:11:06.919 on His throne and Jesus is at His right hand 00:11:06.919 --> 00:11:11.120 until every enemy is put under His feet. And 00:11:11.120 --> 00:11:14.500 what do we see? We see this river of life flowing 00:11:14.500 --> 00:11:20.320 outward. Bringing again imaging what we hear 00:11:20.320 --> 00:11:24.820 in Ezekiel, right? This image goes out and it 00:11:24.820 --> 00:11:28.059 specifically says there are long that that river 00:11:28.059 --> 00:11:33.460 of life proceeding out There are trees planted 00:11:33.460 --> 00:11:37.059 bearing fruit. I would argue the fruit of the 00:11:37.059 --> 00:11:43.519 spirit All year round and the leaves of those 00:11:43.519 --> 00:11:46.580 trees are for the healing of the nations So from 00:11:46.580 --> 00:11:50.039 the beginning all the way to the church age and 00:11:50.039 --> 00:11:55.600 all the way to the end of time God's throne is 00:11:55.600 --> 00:12:00.840 the center of the universe And it is in this 00:12:00.840 --> 00:12:06.240 way that we must understand what it is to be 00:12:06.240 --> 00:12:12.409 in the church It is through Christ's work on 00:12:12.409 --> 00:12:14.970 the cross that we are reconciled to God the Father 00:12:14.970 --> 00:12:18.330 by the power of the Spirit. Hear these words 00:12:18.330 --> 00:12:22.289 of life that proceeds from Jesus' mouth in John 00:12:22.289 --> 00:12:25.370 14. It says, I am the way, the truth, and the 00:12:25.370 --> 00:12:29.929 life. The only way to find the truth. The only 00:12:29.929 --> 00:12:32.850 way to find the way to God the Father. The only 00:12:32.850 --> 00:12:38.669 way to find life is through Jesus. The only way 00:12:38.669 --> 00:12:44.590 to be reconciled. to the Father Dearly beloved 00:12:44.590 --> 00:12:47.169 Jesus the Son of God is the only way to be forgiving 00:12:47.169 --> 00:12:52.409 your sins and Is erected to life not just life 00:12:52.409 --> 00:12:58.009 in the world to come but now First John 1 9 tells 00:12:58.009 --> 00:13:02.990 us if we confess our sins he that is Jesus is 00:13:02.990 --> 00:13:06.610 Faithful and just to forgive us our sins and 00:13:06.610 --> 00:13:11.549 to cleanse us from all unrighteousness Dearly 00:13:11.549 --> 00:13:15.269 beloved be assured in Jesus of the forgiveness 00:13:15.269 --> 00:13:21.409 of your sins Sometimes we struggle Sometimes 00:13:21.409 --> 00:13:24.509 we think we have sinned so grievously that we 00:13:24.509 --> 00:13:28.730 cannot be forgiven Here is a herald of the gospel 00:13:28.730 --> 00:13:32.370 of Jesus Christ. I say to you confess your sins 00:13:32.370 --> 00:13:41.179 and Jesus is just and He will forgive you Sometimes 00:13:41.179 --> 00:13:46.399 we think, I can't be forgiven. As one pastor 00:13:46.399 --> 00:13:49.919 says, Jesus stands ready to forgive more than 00:13:49.919 --> 00:13:53.779 we stand ready to be forgiven. We can't believe 00:13:53.779 --> 00:14:00.539 the fact that Jesus would forgive us. I'm gonna 00:14:00.539 --> 00:14:04.240 speak to you fathers for just a moment. If you're 00:14:04.240 --> 00:14:08.940 an honest father, you know that you have sinned 00:14:08.940 --> 00:14:13.500 against your children. Sometimes very grievously 00:14:13.500 --> 00:14:15.860 again husbands in the same fashion, you know 00:14:15.860 --> 00:14:17.440 You've sinned against your wife and this of course 00:14:17.440 --> 00:14:19.460 applies to every one of us, but I want us to 00:14:19.460 --> 00:14:24.899 understand Don't get caught up believe Jesus 00:14:24.899 --> 00:14:27.620 for the forgiveness of your sins and go and sin 00:14:27.620 --> 00:14:32.299 no more Strive put your face towards Christ Jesus 00:14:32.299 --> 00:14:35.980 ask him to help you to be full to be fruitful 00:14:35.980 --> 00:14:40.850 in the fruit of the spirit and to tend To your 00:14:40.850 --> 00:14:43.009 children and to your wife and to your household 00:14:43.009 --> 00:14:46.690 and to the people of God to make it fruitful 00:14:46.690 --> 00:14:53.629 For every one of you moms dads Even older kids 00:14:53.629 --> 00:14:56.470 who've led other little kids to sin confess your 00:14:56.470 --> 00:14:59.590 sin receive God's Forgiveness joyously, you know 00:14:59.590 --> 00:15:03.690 kids are great Right we tell them hug each other 00:15:03.690 --> 00:15:06.190 forgive each other after they do something they 00:15:06.190 --> 00:15:10.460 do that and they go about life free What do we 00:15:10.460 --> 00:15:13.500 do? We get in there and we want to drag all our 00:15:13.500 --> 00:15:18.259 past sins up. No, don't stay stuck there. Grow 00:15:18.259 --> 00:15:22.919 and mature in Christ. In our passage from Acts 00:15:22.919 --> 00:15:25.679 this morning, notice that Peter confronts his 00:15:25.679 --> 00:15:28.820 hearers as complicit in the unjust murder of 00:15:28.820 --> 00:15:32.600 Jesus. See that in verse 36 of chapter 2 of the 00:15:32.600 --> 00:15:36.539 book of Acts. And what does he do? He also proclaims, 00:15:36.600 --> 00:15:39.139 not only does he tell them that they're complicit, 00:15:39.230 --> 00:15:42.070 And it would seem to me that some of those men 00:15:42.070 --> 00:15:45.830 on that day that were in Jerusalem, the nearly 00:15:45.830 --> 00:15:49.370 200 ,000 that had swelled into the city, right? 00:15:49.470 --> 00:15:51.690 I imagine that some of them may not have actually 00:15:51.690 --> 00:15:55.289 been there, but they were still complicit by 00:15:55.289 --> 00:15:59.750 their sin, by their rebellion to God in the murder 00:15:59.750 --> 00:16:04.529 of Christ Jesus. And he proclaims Jesus as both 00:16:04.529 --> 00:16:10.789 Lord and Christ. And what's their response? Now 00:16:10.789 --> 00:16:13.590 when they heard this they were cut to the heart 00:16:13.590 --> 00:16:17.570 and They said to the rest of Peter and the rest 00:16:17.570 --> 00:16:20.090 of the Apostles men and brethren what shall we 00:16:20.090 --> 00:16:25.230 do? And what's Peter's response repent and let 00:16:25.230 --> 00:16:28.370 every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus 00:16:28.370 --> 00:16:31.690 Christ for the remission of your sins and You 00:16:31.690 --> 00:16:36.179 shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit And 00:16:36.179 --> 00:16:38.139 of course we hear this great thing, and in our 00:16:38.139 --> 00:16:41.539 circles, we love this part, right? This gift, 00:16:42.080 --> 00:16:44.779 it's for us, it's for our children, and it's 00:16:44.779 --> 00:16:48.379 for all who are far off, and we rejoice in that. 00:16:49.039 --> 00:16:53.600 We rejoice in that. There's a lot more here. 00:16:54.639 --> 00:16:57.659 Now all this on that day fulfills what the prophet 00:16:57.659 --> 00:17:01.940 of Jeremiah says in chapter 31, beginning in 00:17:01.940 --> 00:17:04.930 verse 31. Behold the days. Oh, by the way, I 00:17:04.930 --> 00:17:06.990 just want to say this to you. I apologize for 00:17:06.990 --> 00:17:09.470 interrupting there. But there are a lot of visitors 00:17:09.470 --> 00:17:13.170 here today. And I know during a prayer, you heard 00:17:13.170 --> 00:17:15.650 the Lord's name being called Yahweh. I'm going 00:17:15.650 --> 00:17:18.109 to read it here, as you know, in the Old Testament, 00:17:18.210 --> 00:17:20.869 where you see capitalized L -O -R -D, that's 00:17:20.869 --> 00:17:24.210 Yahweh. This is especially important when we 00:17:24.210 --> 00:17:27.009 think about the context of covenant and God's 00:17:27.009 --> 00:17:29.710 covenant work in our life, because Yahweh is 00:17:29.710 --> 00:17:32.930 the name that God gave himself as the covenant 00:17:32.930 --> 00:17:36.609 God. So it's very appropriate. I want us to say 00:17:36.609 --> 00:17:39.849 this when we see it because it reminds us he's 00:17:39.849 --> 00:17:42.450 a covenant God and he keeps his covenant. He's 00:17:42.450 --> 00:17:44.849 the covenant God and he keeps his covenant with 00:17:44.849 --> 00:17:48.650 his people. Behold the days are coming says Yahweh 00:17:48.650 --> 00:17:50.750 when I will make a new covenant with the house 00:17:50.750 --> 00:17:53.569 of Israel and with the house of Judah. Drop it 00:17:53.569 --> 00:17:56.390 down to verse 33. But this is the covenant that 00:17:56.390 --> 00:17:59.630 I will make with the house of Israel after those 00:17:59.630 --> 00:18:01.769 days says Yahweh. I will put my law in their 00:18:01.769 --> 00:18:04.920 minds and write it on their hearts, and I will 00:18:04.920 --> 00:18:08.700 be their God, and they shall be my people. No 00:18:08.700 --> 00:18:11.000 more shall every man teach his neighbor and every 00:18:11.000 --> 00:18:14.619 man his brother, saying, know Yahweh, for they 00:18:14.619 --> 00:18:18.099 all shall know me. From the least of them to 00:18:18.099 --> 00:18:21.279 the greatest of them, says Yahweh. Here it is. 00:18:21.319 --> 00:18:25.160 I will, for I will forgive their iniquity and 00:18:25.160 --> 00:18:29.279 their sin, I will remember no more." And of course, 00:18:29.279 --> 00:18:32.869 this can only be done by the work of Jesus Christ. 00:18:33.970 --> 00:18:37.730 Remember, when these people at Pentecost heard 00:18:37.730 --> 00:18:40.109 Peter, it says they were cut to the heart. This 00:18:40.109 --> 00:18:42.049 is real important when you think about the covenant. 00:18:43.250 --> 00:18:45.950 What do you think a Jewish man or the people 00:18:45.950 --> 00:18:48.109 of men, women that were standing there, they 00:18:48.109 --> 00:18:50.490 hear cut to the heart. They hear the cutting 00:18:50.490 --> 00:18:55.609 of flesh. What do you think they think of? They 00:18:55.609 --> 00:19:00.410 think of circumcision. You know consider what 00:19:00.410 --> 00:19:03.609 the Apostle Paul says describing this very thing 00:19:03.609 --> 00:19:06.769 in Colossians chapter 2 beginning in verse 11 00:19:06.769 --> 00:19:10.470 in him that is Jesus you were also circumcised 00:19:10.470 --> 00:19:13.450 with the circumcision made without hands by the 00:19:13.450 --> 00:19:16.609 putting off the body of the sins of the flesh 00:19:16.609 --> 00:19:19.730 by the circumcision of Christ Buried with him 00:19:19.730 --> 00:19:22.829 in baptism in which you were also raised with 00:19:22.829 --> 00:19:26.009 him through faith in the working of God who raised 00:19:26.009 --> 00:19:29.059 him from the dead and you being dead in your 00:19:29.059 --> 00:19:32.319 trespasses, and the uncircumcision of your flesh. 00:19:32.759 --> 00:19:35.599 He is made alive together with him, having forgiven 00:19:35.599 --> 00:19:39.980 you all trespasses, and having wiped out the 00:19:39.980 --> 00:19:42.599 handwriting of the requirements that was against 00:19:42.599 --> 00:19:46.660 us, which was contrary to us. And he has taken 00:19:46.660 --> 00:19:50.579 it out of the way, having nailed it to the cross. 00:19:51.579 --> 00:19:56.460 Praise God. God keeps his word. He circumcised 00:19:56.460 --> 00:19:58.660 the heart. This isn't a circumcision made by 00:19:58.660 --> 00:20:04.039 men, but by God, by the work of Jesus Christ 00:20:04.039 --> 00:20:07.039 on the cross, and the power of the Spirit. And 00:20:07.039 --> 00:20:09.299 that is what happens in the waters of baptism. 00:20:10.180 --> 00:20:12.319 The Holy Spirit comes in because of the work 00:20:12.319 --> 00:20:16.440 of Christ Jesus, and He dwells upon His people. 00:20:17.099 --> 00:20:21.980 And He circumcises the heart. The Holy Spirit 00:20:21.980 --> 00:20:24.279 comes at baptism, and we are circumcised in our 00:20:24.279 --> 00:20:27.470 hearts. Heart washed and our sins are forgiven 00:20:27.470 --> 00:20:32.210 in Christ Jesus Now notice what happens again 00:20:32.210 --> 00:20:35.009 in Acts chapter 2 it perceived it says in those 00:20:35.009 --> 00:20:37.809 Who gladly received the word were baptized that 00:20:37.809 --> 00:20:41.470 day about 3 ,000 souls were added I've never 00:20:41.470 --> 00:20:44.230 been anywhere where I've seen 3 ,000 souls converted 00:20:44.230 --> 00:20:48.410 at one time Okay, I may have been have seen on 00:20:48.410 --> 00:20:51.549 television a Billy Graham crusade and God did 00:20:51.549 --> 00:20:55.049 use him in many ways in that fashion Right, but 00:20:55.049 --> 00:20:59.970 I've never personally seen 3 ,000 souls What 00:20:59.970 --> 00:21:03.410 what a rejoicing thing we get to see that they 00:21:03.410 --> 00:21:08.710 gladly received and were baptized and It then 00:21:08.710 --> 00:21:12.990 tells us in verse 40 42 that they continued steadfastly 00:21:12.990 --> 00:21:17.109 in four things the Apostles doctrine and in fellowship 00:21:17.109 --> 00:21:21.640 in the breaking of bread and in prayers People 00:21:21.640 --> 00:21:24.920 of God, from their joyful baptism, they continued 00:21:24.920 --> 00:21:29.519 steadfastly in these four things. So what are 00:21:29.519 --> 00:21:31.960 these? First of all, what is to be steadfast? 00:21:32.660 --> 00:21:36.420 To be steadfast is to courageously and continually 00:21:36.420 --> 00:21:41.660 attending to. Being steadfast is courageously, 00:21:41.920 --> 00:21:46.420 continually attending to what? The Apostle's 00:21:46.420 --> 00:21:50.119 doctrine. Right remember what Jesus said after 00:21:50.119 --> 00:21:52.740 his resurrection? Right he breathed the Holy 00:21:52.740 --> 00:21:55.500 Spirit on and then he then he says then he explains 00:21:55.500 --> 00:21:59.839 How all of the law all of the prophets and all 00:21:59.839 --> 00:22:03.839 the Psalms were about him? He's constantly through 00:22:03.839 --> 00:22:06.900 Jesus whole work Jesus is teaching and recalibrating 00:22:06.900 --> 00:22:10.440 and fixing all the errors of the doctrine of 00:22:10.440 --> 00:22:17.500 men while serving Yahweh And of course, Jesus 00:22:17.500 --> 00:22:21.000 in the Great Commission says to teach them after 00:22:21.000 --> 00:22:23.480 you baptize them, to teach them all that I have 00:22:23.480 --> 00:22:26.819 commanded. So that doctrine is the word of God. 00:22:27.759 --> 00:22:31.079 Second, they were in fellowship. That's a joint 00:22:31.079 --> 00:22:34.059 participation in the community. That's koinonia. 00:22:34.940 --> 00:22:36.619 Sometimes you guys have heard that. That's the 00:22:36.619 --> 00:22:40.339 Greek understanding. It's this dwelling together, 00:22:41.579 --> 00:22:44.970 but in this way in a particular fashion. They 00:22:44.970 --> 00:22:50.910 were breaking bread. That's the table As we're 00:22:50.910 --> 00:22:55.470 praying we see in first Timothy chapter 2 Paul's 00:22:55.470 --> 00:22:58.630 telling people this Regarding worship therefore 00:22:58.630 --> 00:23:01.089 I accept first of all that supplications prayers 00:23:01.089 --> 00:23:03.450 intercessions and the giving of thanks be made 00:23:03.450 --> 00:23:07.789 for all men and it talks about praying for All 00:23:07.789 --> 00:23:13.170 those in authority over us why? the lead a quiet 00:23:13.279 --> 00:23:17.019 and peaceable life and all godliness and reverence. 00:23:17.660 --> 00:23:19.960 And he tells us that this is good and acceptable. 00:23:22.599 --> 00:23:25.039 These four things demonstrate the foundations 00:23:25.039 --> 00:23:28.859 of the church. Church membership in a local body 00:23:28.859 --> 00:23:32.059 is not just a good idea, but it is essential. 00:23:32.819 --> 00:23:39.240 In order to remain steadfast in the world, The 00:23:39.240 --> 00:23:42.119 scriptures tell us that these 3 ,000 converts 00:23:42.119 --> 00:23:45.480 had to continue in the teachings, admonishments, 00:23:45.900 --> 00:23:48.500 and the proclamations of the words of Jesus. 00:23:49.160 --> 00:23:56.359 That is all scriptures. They then remained steadfast 00:23:56.359 --> 00:23:59.339 by interceding for the church, the authorities, 00:23:59.559 --> 00:24:05.559 and the nations. They remained steadfast as they 00:24:05.559 --> 00:24:08.940 ate the covenant meal and breaking Bread being 00:24:08.940 --> 00:24:11.319 reconciled to God the father by the work of the 00:24:11.319 --> 00:24:17.700 son by the power of the spirit In this work in 00:24:17.700 --> 00:24:22.720 God in the sacrament of communion There's more 00:24:22.720 --> 00:24:27.420 going on in communion It isn't just about our 00:24:27.420 --> 00:24:30.359 relationship to God, but also our relationship 00:24:30.359 --> 00:24:33.990 to one another this is really important Paul 00:24:33.990 --> 00:24:36.210 describes it this way in first Corinthians chapter 00:24:36.210 --> 00:24:38.130 10. I'm gonna read it and then explain it to 00:24:38.130 --> 00:24:42.890 you Says this the cup of blessing which bless 00:24:42.890 --> 00:24:46.849 is not is it not the communion of the blood of 00:24:46.849 --> 00:24:49.549 Christ the bread Which we break is it not the 00:24:49.549 --> 00:24:53.309 communion of the body of Christ? For we though 00:24:53.309 --> 00:24:56.950 many are one bread and one body for we all partake 00:24:56.950 --> 00:25:01.829 of that one bread And we kind of listen to that 00:25:02.329 --> 00:25:07.029 It seems back and forth. What is this? In communion, 00:25:07.289 --> 00:25:10.609 we are covenantally connected to one another 00:25:10.609 --> 00:25:13.589 by all of us being the body of Christ. You're 00:25:13.589 --> 00:25:15.349 the body of Christ. You all know that, right? 00:25:15.990 --> 00:25:18.650 Think about this. By being the body of Christ 00:25:18.650 --> 00:25:23.190 and eating the body, the bread, we are connected. 00:25:24.230 --> 00:25:28.690 See, in the old world and in many places of the 00:25:28.690 --> 00:25:31.910 world yet today, People understand the significance 00:25:31.910 --> 00:25:34.269 of eating with other people, and particularly 00:25:34.269 --> 00:25:37.509 if you eat something that died that we both share 00:25:37.509 --> 00:25:42.049 in that animal or that thing. It died for us, 00:25:42.650 --> 00:25:46.230 and we're covenantally connected because it sustains 00:25:46.230 --> 00:25:50.170 us. It binds us together. You may have heard 00:25:50.170 --> 00:25:52.549 me talk about this before, but I call it the 00:25:52.549 --> 00:25:56.529 Kentucky Fried Chicken Paradox. In America, we 00:25:56.529 --> 00:26:00.069 have this issue, right? We don't think about 00:26:00.069 --> 00:26:02.009 this. Some of you, I know, like to go out, cut 00:26:02.009 --> 00:26:04.470 the chicken's head off, and pluck it all, and 00:26:04.470 --> 00:26:07.130 cook it up. And so you understand this a little 00:26:07.130 --> 00:26:08.869 bit because you're doing it in the old fashion. 00:26:09.529 --> 00:26:11.390 You know that that chicken died. If you all sit 00:26:11.390 --> 00:26:12.930 there and eat that chicken together, you all 00:26:12.930 --> 00:26:15.410 know that chicken died to sustain you, to give 00:26:15.410 --> 00:26:18.349 you life and strength, to sing God's praises 00:26:18.349 --> 00:26:22.049 and to do God's works. But here in America, in 00:26:22.049 --> 00:26:24.769 this world of individualism, we go to Kentucky 00:26:24.769 --> 00:26:27.349 Fried Chicken, we get a bucket with 20 pieces 00:26:27.349 --> 00:26:29.349 in it. And we don't know how many chickens is 00:26:29.349 --> 00:26:32.089 there. And so our mind is totally disconnected 00:26:32.089 --> 00:26:36.529 from the realization that in breaking bread in 00:26:36.529 --> 00:26:39.470 what we eat and how we share that with others 00:26:39.470 --> 00:26:44.170 changes the world. Dearly beloved, here in the 00:26:44.170 --> 00:26:45.809 power of the Spirit, when we come to this table 00:26:45.809 --> 00:26:48.309 right here, you need to understand that you are 00:26:48.309 --> 00:26:50.450 not only reconciled to God through the work of 00:26:50.450 --> 00:26:52.470 Christ Jesus by the power of the Spirit, but 00:26:52.470 --> 00:26:55.009 the Spirit works in you as it passes along. This 00:26:55.009 --> 00:26:58.710 is why... This is why each one of you breaks 00:26:58.710 --> 00:27:03.109 a piece and you eat You're each covenantally 00:27:03.109 --> 00:27:05.529 linked to the father by the work of the spirit 00:27:05.529 --> 00:27:07.450 by the by the work of Christ Jesus by the power 00:27:07.450 --> 00:27:11.730 of the spirit to one another Look around you 00:27:11.730 --> 00:27:15.089 the good the bad and the ugly the happy the sad 00:27:15.089 --> 00:27:19.049 the joyous The distracting one all these people 00:27:19.049 --> 00:27:21.869 in this room right now. These are your covenant 00:27:21.869 --> 00:27:31.539 people It's true fellowship. We're an inseparable 00:27:31.539 --> 00:27:35.019 people, the family whose God has declared us 00:27:35.019 --> 00:27:38.099 by placing his own name upon us as his people. 00:27:40.799 --> 00:27:45.740 We are not simply Travato's, Nash's, Grief's, 00:27:45.900 --> 00:27:49.259 Zelostowski's, whatever else your surname may 00:27:49.259 --> 00:27:55.220 be. We are not simply that. We need to understand 00:27:55.220 --> 00:27:59.210 this. If we honor the first one, it's Christ, 00:28:00.750 --> 00:28:05.150 then our family, the second, will take care of 00:28:05.150 --> 00:28:08.369 itself. Dearly beloved, as you look around this 00:28:08.369 --> 00:28:11.369 room, all of those of you who are baptized in 00:28:11.369 --> 00:28:14.829 the name of the triune God, these are your people, 00:28:15.190 --> 00:28:18.450 no matter their tribe, their tongue, or their 00:28:18.450 --> 00:28:23.960 nation. Jesus tells us that his people will be 00:28:23.960 --> 00:28:26.579 distinctive from the people outside of the faith. 00:28:27.119 --> 00:28:34.059 By what? How we love one another. Now in the 00:28:34.059 --> 00:28:36.059 reform world, this is particularly difficult 00:28:36.059 --> 00:28:38.359 because you know what we like to do? We like 00:28:38.359 --> 00:28:40.539 to argue and bicker and divide and divide and 00:28:40.539 --> 00:28:43.019 divide and find every kind of distinctive. People 00:28:43.019 --> 00:28:45.119 of God, that is not how we should be operating. 00:28:46.640 --> 00:28:48.880 Now sometimes we need to stretch one another 00:28:48.880 --> 00:28:51.940 and push one another a little bit. That's okay. 00:28:52.220 --> 00:28:55.420 Because at the end of the day, just like my biological 00:28:55.420 --> 00:28:58.460 brother, I can't change that he's my brother. 00:28:58.839 --> 00:29:01.980 God ordained that those men were my brothers. 00:29:02.880 --> 00:29:05.200 One's with the Lord, and two are yet to get there. 00:29:05.539 --> 00:29:07.299 I mean, they're following God, but they haven't 00:29:07.299 --> 00:29:10.200 passed on. Here's the point I'm making. I didn't 00:29:10.200 --> 00:29:15.000 get to choose them. Not their proclivities, not 00:29:15.000 --> 00:29:19.279 their character, not their strengths, not their 00:29:19.279 --> 00:29:22.660 weaknesses. I didn't choose any of it. God ordained 00:29:22.660 --> 00:29:26.140 it to be so and it was. God ordains it and it 00:29:26.140 --> 00:29:33.539 is so for you. Today in our world where individualism 00:29:33.539 --> 00:29:37.039 and tribalism reign in both thought and deed, 00:29:37.880 --> 00:29:41.920 the church and its worship is seen unnecessary 00:29:41.920 --> 00:29:46.619 at best, or excuse me, at worst and only a helpful 00:29:46.619 --> 00:29:52.579 tool at best. Unnecessary. Might be a helpful 00:29:52.579 --> 00:29:59.059 tool The people of God are out of calibration 00:29:59.059 --> 00:30:04.940 as to what is the center of the universe God's 00:30:04.940 --> 00:30:08.000 throne is the center of the universe and life 00:30:08.000 --> 00:30:11.180 proceeds from his throne in the river of the 00:30:11.180 --> 00:30:16.259 Holy Spirit into the world through what? Through 00:30:16.259 --> 00:30:20.309 the Lord's Day worship from which All of our 00:30:20.309 --> 00:30:24.289 families proceed to our outposts as trees by 00:30:24.289 --> 00:30:26.809 the living waters, producing the fruit of the 00:30:26.809 --> 00:30:30.089 Spirit all year round with leaves for the healing 00:30:30.089 --> 00:30:36.589 of the nations. Saints of God, local church membership 00:30:36.589 --> 00:30:44.450 strengthens us by calling us to the Lord to draw 00:30:44.450 --> 00:30:47.150 near to His throne by the blood of Jesus for 00:30:47.150 --> 00:30:50.920 the transformation. of ourselves and the world. 00:30:51.440 --> 00:30:54.619 The church is not optional. It is essential. 00:30:56.420 --> 00:31:01.640 Now, I just want to say this to you. Here in 00:31:01.640 --> 00:31:03.500 a little bit, we're going to take a young man 00:31:03.500 --> 00:31:05.980 into membership. By the way, this was already 00:31:05.980 --> 00:31:09.420 on my sermon plan weeks ago for today, and I 00:31:09.420 --> 00:31:11.799 didn't pay attention and realize it was the second 00:31:11.799 --> 00:31:14.200 Sunday and we were going to bring someone in. 00:31:16.140 --> 00:31:21.680 But by God's good providence, it is so. But I 00:31:21.680 --> 00:31:24.059 want to tell you so, I'm very, very grieved if 00:31:24.059 --> 00:31:26.880 you look out at your brothers and sisters and 00:31:26.880 --> 00:31:29.640 you think, man, they're struggling. They got 00:31:29.640 --> 00:31:33.220 a problem in their marriage with their kids, 00:31:33.619 --> 00:31:36.160 how they're doing their work every day on their 00:31:36.160 --> 00:31:40.339 job. You notice these things and you go, I don't 00:31:40.339 --> 00:31:43.519 have any responsibility. It's none of my business. 00:31:43.900 --> 00:31:45.700 Well, the first thing is it is your business 00:31:45.700 --> 00:31:49.039 to pray. Second, check yourself. Make sure you're 00:31:49.039 --> 00:31:51.200 aligned with the scriptures. And then third, 00:31:51.740 --> 00:31:53.900 knowing that this is your brother with whom you 00:31:53.900 --> 00:31:57.579 cannot escape. Go to them in love. You don't 00:31:57.579 --> 00:32:01.380 walk up and hit them with the hammer. Start with 00:32:01.380 --> 00:32:04.880 questions, with humility. Hey, I noticed this. 00:32:05.859 --> 00:32:08.539 What were you thinking? And what you might learn 00:32:08.539 --> 00:32:11.160 is, A, you didn't have all the facts. You were 00:32:11.160 --> 00:32:15.710 missing something. Or B, they are sinning in 00:32:15.710 --> 00:32:18.549 a tough way. Or how about the third one? Some 00:32:18.549 --> 00:32:20.490 of both. You didn't know everything, and you 00:32:20.490 --> 00:32:23.210 can encourage them how to do it better, following 00:32:23.210 --> 00:32:26.390 Christ, pointing them to Christ the whole way. 00:32:30.069 --> 00:32:33.630 The church is an optional. It's essential, and 00:32:33.630 --> 00:32:36.990 you are coming to one another, and you are to 00:32:36.990 --> 00:32:41.150 bear one another's burdens. What is Hebrews chapter 00:32:41.150 --> 00:32:45.039 10? Tell us beginning verse 19 therefore brethren 00:32:45.039 --> 00:32:48.420 having the boldness to enter the holiest by the 00:32:48.420 --> 00:32:53.900 blood of Jesus Excuse me by a new and living 00:32:53.900 --> 00:32:57.420 way which he consecrated us for us through the 00:32:57.420 --> 00:33:00.519 veil That is his flesh and having a high priest 00:33:00.519 --> 00:33:03.759 over the house of God Let us near draw near to 00:33:03.759 --> 00:33:06.359 God with the true heart in full assurance of 00:33:06.359 --> 00:33:08.940 faith having our hearts sprinkled from an evil 00:33:08.940 --> 00:33:13.279 conscience And our bodies washed with pure water. 00:33:13.740 --> 00:33:17.980 There's that baptism. The work of Christ, baptism. 00:33:18.940 --> 00:33:22.519 Let us hold fast to the confession of our hope 00:33:22.519 --> 00:33:25.920 without wavering. That is being steadfast. For 00:33:25.920 --> 00:33:28.759 he who promised is faithful. This is all able 00:33:28.759 --> 00:33:32.319 to be done because Christ is faithful and his 00:33:32.319 --> 00:33:37.220 words are true all the time. And then what's 00:33:37.220 --> 00:33:40.660 the response of that? Let us consider one another, 00:33:40.940 --> 00:33:44.180 loving one another. In order to do what? To stir 00:33:44.180 --> 00:33:48.440 up love and good works. And then it says, all 00:33:48.440 --> 00:33:50.859 of this is happening, right? You come into God's 00:33:50.859 --> 00:33:52.579 presence, you can draw near because of the work 00:33:52.579 --> 00:33:57.599 of Jesus. You hear the word, you're obedient, 00:33:57.779 --> 00:34:01.720 you're baptized. The blood of Christ cleanses 00:34:01.720 --> 00:34:06.170 you. The waters of baptism cleanse you. And it 00:34:06.170 --> 00:34:08.829 says, forsaking, not the assembling of ourselves 00:34:08.829 --> 00:34:12.929 together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting 00:34:12.929 --> 00:34:15.630 one another, so as much more as you see the day 00:34:15.630 --> 00:34:18.230 approaching. Now, when Hebrews is written, the 00:34:18.230 --> 00:34:20.329 approaching that he's talking about is the greatest 00:34:20.329 --> 00:34:23.590 persecution in the history of the church. And 00:34:23.590 --> 00:34:27.489 it says, Jesus says of this in Matthew, that 00:34:27.489 --> 00:34:31.719 if God hadn't put an end to it, The whole church 00:34:31.719 --> 00:34:33.639 would have been wiped out. So you think it's 00:34:33.639 --> 00:34:36.000 tough today. You think that we're in a bad spot 00:34:36.000 --> 00:34:41.159 today This is worse That day approaching so whatever 00:34:41.159 --> 00:34:43.719 day you have approaching God has ordained you 00:34:43.719 --> 00:34:46.000 to be here He's ordained you to be his people. 00:34:46.039 --> 00:34:49.500 He has ordained you to be in his house of worship 00:34:49.500 --> 00:34:54.139 today What happened? What do we do in here? We 00:34:54.139 --> 00:34:58.719 heard the call So we came right God's chosen 00:34:58.719 --> 00:35:01.329 leaders for you First they set the time like 00:35:01.329 --> 00:35:03.170 we saw here. We're changing the time for next 00:35:03.170 --> 00:35:04.630 week. We set the time. This is the time where 00:35:04.630 --> 00:35:08.289 we're going to assemble as the stones, the living 00:35:08.289 --> 00:35:09.789 stones, and the new temple. We're going to come 00:35:09.789 --> 00:35:13.449 together. And when we come in, what do we do? 00:35:14.909 --> 00:35:18.829 Joyously. And then we confess our sins. We get 00:35:18.829 --> 00:35:21.630 cleaned up. And then because of the faithfulness 00:35:21.630 --> 00:35:26.670 of Christ, what happens? We're able to draw near. 00:35:27.559 --> 00:35:29.860 There's a way in which you draw near in here 00:35:29.860 --> 00:35:33.039 that you can't do at your home outpost. We need 00:35:33.039 --> 00:35:38.699 the church. We need the church. And all of this 00:35:38.699 --> 00:35:40.900 should be to help us keep our eyes on Jesus, 00:35:41.039 --> 00:35:44.139 disturb one another to good works. For what? 00:35:44.639 --> 00:35:47.380 So that we flow out of here through the river 00:35:47.380 --> 00:35:51.079 of life, the spirit proceeding from the throne. 00:35:51.800 --> 00:35:55.039 Every time we get here, we confess those sins. 00:35:55.750 --> 00:36:00.789 And we elevate, and God comes down, His throne. 00:36:00.869 --> 00:36:02.989 That is where we are. This is why, and you hear 00:36:02.989 --> 00:36:08.190 me, this is maybe one of the things I focus on 00:36:08.190 --> 00:36:11.449 a lot. Why do we pray so long? Because it's the 00:36:11.449 --> 00:36:13.429 one time of the week. We can all pray and ask 00:36:13.429 --> 00:36:15.610 God for His blessing, but this is the one time 00:36:15.610 --> 00:36:18.230 where the people of God, united together, are 00:36:18.230 --> 00:36:20.849 not just praying from afar, but we have drawn 00:36:20.849 --> 00:36:26.260 near to God, and we can give Him all. all of 00:36:26.260 --> 00:36:30.519 our concerns. And then by the power of the Spirit, 00:36:30.659 --> 00:36:34.719 we proceed out of here to our family outposts, 00:36:34.760 --> 00:36:37.019 calling on the name of Jesus, walking in obedience. 00:36:37.420 --> 00:36:42.079 By the way, here's the thing. Just like those 00:36:42.079 --> 00:36:45.360 folks on the day of Pentecost and Peter's sermon, 00:36:45.599 --> 00:36:51.579 they gladly received the word. You know it, if 00:36:51.579 --> 00:36:53.909 you're a parent, There's two ways that you can 00:36:53.909 --> 00:36:59.690 get obedience. Right? Oh, man. Dag on it. I'm 00:36:59.690 --> 00:37:07.110 going to have to do that. Right? Saints of God, 00:37:07.489 --> 00:37:10.210 grownups in here do this all the time with God's 00:37:10.210 --> 00:37:16.570 word. Glad to receive the word of God. And be 00:37:16.570 --> 00:37:19.389 baptized. So you've been baptized, right? Great. 00:37:19.570 --> 00:37:22.800 Go out. Stir up one another to good works. and 00:37:22.800 --> 00:37:29.940 love. And so since it's right here, I'm going 00:37:29.940 --> 00:37:32.260 to put this plug in. Every Sunday, no matter 00:37:32.260 --> 00:37:35.239 where you are, you belong in church. Every Sunday. 00:37:35.500 --> 00:37:38.519 Every Sunday. You're not at home? Find a church. 00:37:38.599 --> 00:37:42.079 Find the best one. And if the best one you think 00:37:42.079 --> 00:37:46.019 isn't good enough, too bad. Go to that one. Thank 00:37:46.019 --> 00:37:48.519 God for all His grace. Rejoice in the fact there's 00:37:48.519 --> 00:37:53.550 saints there. And pray for them. But don't walk 00:37:53.550 --> 00:37:57.110 out haughty. Walk out knowing that we're all 00:37:57.110 --> 00:38:01.289 saved by the grace of Jesus Christ. Our passage 00:38:01.289 --> 00:38:04.650 in Acts 2 ends with this. So continuing daily 00:38:04.650 --> 00:38:06.469 with one accord in the temple and the breaking 00:38:06.469 --> 00:38:08.769 of bread from house to house, they ate their 00:38:08.769 --> 00:38:12.630 food with gladness and simplicity of heart. Joy, 00:38:12.989 --> 00:38:19.250 humility. And what happened? They were praying 00:38:19.250 --> 00:38:23.019 to God, having favor with people. And the Lord 00:38:23.019 --> 00:38:25.400 added to the church daily those who were being 00:38:25.400 --> 00:38:29.239 saved. If we're going to see the nations baptized 00:38:29.239 --> 00:38:32.579 and discipled so that the glory of God covers 00:38:32.579 --> 00:38:36.079 the earth as the waters cover the sea, we must 00:38:36.079 --> 00:38:40.099 trust in Jesus, be baptized, and enter the center 00:38:40.099 --> 00:38:43.460 of the universe every week along with the people 00:38:43.460 --> 00:38:49.000 of God. Because this is where the throne room 00:38:49.000 --> 00:38:52.889 of God comes down to the earth. Remember what 00:38:52.889 --> 00:38:58.309 we said in the beginning? God's throne room is 00:38:58.309 --> 00:39:02.530 manifested to the world through the church right 00:39:02.530 --> 00:39:07.030 here every Sunday. Let us then, because of this 00:39:07.030 --> 00:39:12.909 great work, stir up love and good works in one 00:39:12.909 --> 00:39:17.730 another. Let us pray. Heavenly Father, we thank 00:39:17.730 --> 00:39:21.230 you for your word, that your word is truth. and 00:39:21.230 --> 00:39:24.329 that your word is joy and peace and life to our 00:39:24.329 --> 00:39:29.409 hearts. We thank you for your word promises us 00:39:29.409 --> 00:39:32.909 an assurance of victory in Jesus Christ. Make 00:39:32.909 --> 00:39:36.010 us ever mindful of how rich we are in Christ 00:39:36.010 --> 00:39:38.750 our Lord. Help us to center our lives each week 00:39:38.750 --> 00:39:41.570 in your presence that we may be united with you 00:39:41.570 --> 00:39:45.070 and your people to your glory and praise forever. 00:39:45.889 --> 00:39:48.489 We ask this in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord 00:39:48.489 --> 00:39:50.980 who reigns with you in the Holy Spirit. world 00:39:50.980 --> 00:39:52.559 without end. Amen.