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<v SPEAKER_00>Hello, Pastor Green, and thank you for tuning in to the New Center Church's podcast.

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<v SPEAKER_00>We're a gospel center church in the Ordinary Ontario and believe in the true and life-giving word of Jesus as we love and serve our neighbors.

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<v SPEAKER_00>May God bless you today through his life-giving word.

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<v SPEAKER_00>This is the holy gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ, according to John.

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<v SPEAKER_00>Glory to you, Lord Christ.

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<v SPEAKER_00>On the evening of that day, the first day of the week, when the door is being locked where the disciples were for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among the disciples and said to them, Jesus be with you.

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<v SPEAKER_00>When he said he showed them his hands and his eye.

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<v SPEAKER_00>This is the gospel of the Lord.

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<v SPEAKER_00>Praise to you, Lord Christ.

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<v SPEAKER_02>Well, I should pray also that the words of my word, the invitation of all our hearts, be acceptable in thy sight.

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<v SPEAKER_02>O Lord, my strength and my redeemer.

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<v SPEAKER_02>Remembering these are his words that I'm trying to share with you an interpretation that is going to make.

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<v SPEAKER_02>This morning I'd like to explore these words that we heard, but especially verse 21, I believe it is as the Father has sent me, even so I am sending you.

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<v SPEAKER_02>And this should bring up at least three questions, hopefully some answers, and maybe help us understand mission a little bit more, how we apply it in our lives wherever we may be.

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<v SPEAKER_02>And so three questions that occurred to me, and you may see as we go along a few more.

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<v SPEAKER_02>First off, what are we being said to do?

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<v SPEAKER_02>Secondly, what might be stopping me or us from going out to do the Lord's work?

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<v SPEAKER_02>And three, or the third one, what is it that we need to have to do his work?

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<v SPEAKER_02>Bear with me, there's an awful lot in this passage.

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<v SPEAKER_02>I might rush through it sometimes, I may drag it out, but I promise you I won't be doing a Nigerian preaching service.

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<v SPEAKER_02>We'd be here for several hours just for the sermon alone.

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<v SPEAKER_02>Thank you, Lord.

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<v SPEAKER_02>Let's take the first two verses again and thank you every for reading them so well.

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<v SPEAKER_02>It brings it out, the repetition really helps us, doesn't it?

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<v SPEAKER_02>On the evening of that day, the first day of the week, the doors being locked, where the disciples were for fear of the Jews.

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<v SPEAKER_02>Jesus came and stood among them and said to them, Peace be with you.

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<v SPEAKER_02>When he said this, he showed them his hands and his side.

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<v SPEAKER_02>Then the disciples were glad when they saw the Lord.

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<v SPEAKER_02>That was the same day as you remember that Mary had run to the tomb in the morning and discovered it empty.

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<v SPEAKER_02>And he went back to Simon and John to tell them there was no body there at all.

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<v SPEAKER_02>In Mark, Mary also tells the disciples that she has seen the Lord, yet they don't believe her just yet.

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<v SPEAKER_02>Consider where the disciples are.

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<v SPEAKER_02>They're in a room, and many say it's the upper room, and that makes a lot of sense.

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<v SPEAKER_02>It's in Jerusalem.

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<v SPEAKER_02>They're gathered there to try and figure out what has happened over the last few days and what they should be doing.

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<v SPEAKER_02>But they're together.

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<v SPEAKER_02>This is important.

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<v SPEAKER_02>We know that the door is locked.

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<v SPEAKER_01>Why?

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<v SPEAKER_01>Why is it locked?

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<v SPEAKER_02>John tells us that they're afraid of the Jews.

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<v SPEAKER_02>These same Jews who just killed their leader, crucified him, buried him, and put him in a tomb.

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<v SPEAKER_02>These disciples have spent about three years, we read, or have read, with Jesus, doing a whole pile of things.

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<v SPEAKER_02>They've eaten with him, they've prayed with him, they've worshiped the Lord with him, they've learned from him, they've seen him carry out, as John says, signs, others say miracles, of curing the blind, of making people hear, of forgiving sins.

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<v SPEAKER_02>All these things over three years.

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<v SPEAKER_02>And now their leader is dead.

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<v SPEAKER_02>Now their leader was crucified, buried, and placed in a tomb.

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<v SPEAKER_02>What is going on?

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<v SPEAKER_02>And what are they going to do?

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<v SPEAKER_02>With the Jews, and of course their fear goes back to that, but the Jews also want their body.

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<v SPEAKER_02>And what about the Romans?

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<v SPEAKER_02>The Romans, as you remember, send guards to guard the tomb, to make sure nothing happened.

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<v SPEAKER_02>And something has happened.

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<v SPEAKER_02>Matthew tells us that the chief priests bribed the soldiers to say that the body had been taken.

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<v SPEAKER_02>They wouldn't want these rabble-rousing disciples then to say otherwise, would they?

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<v SPEAKER_02>So no matter where they look, no matter what they did, they're in trouble.

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<v SPEAKER_02>Jews, Romans, anybody.

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<v SPEAKER_02>And they don't have Jesus to help them.

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<v SPEAKER_02>Except amazingly, Jesus enters this locker room and stands among them.

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<v SPEAKER_02>If the disciples were afraid before, can you imagine what that shot would do too?

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<v SPEAKER_02>It's so hard to understand.

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<v SPEAKER_02>Peace be with you, he says, and he showed them his hands and his side.

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<v SPEAKER_02>Proof positive.

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<v SPEAKER_02>And here is one of the amazing things, one of the many amazing things in this passage.

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<v SPEAKER_02>They were glad when they saw the Lord.

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<v SPEAKER_02>Jesus, who was crucified, died on the cross, buried, is now risen, as Mary had said, and he was there with them, is alive.

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<v SPEAKER_02>And they were glad.

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<v SPEAKER_02>Their fear is gone.

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<v SPEAKER_02>Have you ever tried to be fearful and glad at the same time?

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<v SPEAKER_02>I believe it's impossible.

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<v SPEAKER_02>I certainly can't do it.

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<v SPEAKER_02>So this we see immediately, Christ appearing, Christ giving them their peace, giving them his peace, pardon me, has transformed their fear into gladness.

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<v SPEAKER_02>That's quite amazing.

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<v SPEAKER_02>Okay, what does that mean to me?

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<v SPEAKER_02>Maybe to us.

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<v SPEAKER_02>What about my fear?

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<v SPEAKER_02>What about your fear?

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<v SPEAKER_02>Here in Canada at this time, I'm not persecuted.

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<v SPEAKER_02>We are not persecuted as Christians.

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<v SPEAKER_02>It may not be number one on the list of great things, but we're not persecuted, although that's not to say there isn't persecution in the world, as some of you know or may have experienced.

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<v SPEAKER_02>You may be run out of town, maybe jail, and in some places there's the death sentence.

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<v SPEAKER_02>But not yet here in Canada.

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<v SPEAKER_02>What then is my fear?

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<v SPEAKER_02>Well, um, one of the major fears, if you go through the top ten fears, is public speaking.

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<v SPEAKER_02>Did you know that?

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<v SPEAKER_02>But let me share you a little story.

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<v SPEAKER_02>We heard from Matt, thank you so much, Matt, about the Learners Exchange downstairs.

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<v SPEAKER_02>It's always rewarding to hear and to be led and to go through scripture in different ways.

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<v SPEAKER_02>We heard about stories this morning.

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<v SPEAKER_02>I'm going to tell you a story that happened just this past week, actually.

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<v SPEAKER_02>I had an online meeting with a bank advisor.

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<v SPEAKER_02>Not that I have pots of money, but the money I try to be careful with it, and it has to roll over.

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<v SPEAKER_02>It's a GIC, and you know those, they come through and you have to put it through again.

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<v SPEAKER_02>Well, the bank advisor won't do that with me, which is a simple thing, but also to update my profile.

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<v SPEAKER_02>His name's John, and John and I are familiar with each other for I don't know how many years, 10, 12, 14 years.

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<v SPEAKER_02>And so we exchange pleasantries, and it's a nice little business.

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<v SPEAKER_02>And we do it, perhaps because I talk a lot, we do it more than others do.

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<v SPEAKER_02>So as we're chatting, I had to grab some forms on my printer just to my left behind me, and I grabbed the forms I needed for him, but also a sheaf of other papers, which were actually notes for this sermon.

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<v SPEAKER_02>So I casually mentioned that to him and went on to the business at hand, but he caught that.

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<v SPEAKER_02>And after we were finished with the business, John asked me about the sermon.

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<v SPEAKER_02>Why was I giving a sermon?

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<v SPEAKER_02>And what was I going to talk about?

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<v SPEAKER_02>I was fully unprepared to speak with him.

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<v SPEAKER_02>I thought, why?

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<v SPEAKER_02>Why would I be unprepared?

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<v SPEAKER_02>I think now that I was fearful of sharing with him a banker, who I didn't know if he was Christian or not, about my Christianity, about what I was doing, about the story, about my faith in Christ.

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<v SPEAKER_02>I was probably afraid to do that.

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<v SPEAKER_02>And if I was afraid then, I wonder how many times in my life I have missed an opportunity to share the good news with anyone, whether they believe in Christ or not.

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<v SPEAKER_02>So as we, as with the disciples in that room, my fear made me look inward to me, to what was important to me, to protect myself, and not at him.

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<v SPEAKER_02>Am I really that afraid of what others think?

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<v SPEAKER_02>Probably.

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<v SPEAKER_02>But why?

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<v SPEAKER_02>And my answer is I tried to go through and determine why I might be.

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<v SPEAKER_02>Number one, I'm not versed enough in the Bible, so I'm not quick enough with his word.

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<v SPEAKER_02>Number two, I'm a sinner.

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<v SPEAKER_02>First and foremost, I am a sinner.

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<v SPEAKER_02>I do what I should not do, and I don't do what I shouldn't.

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<v SPEAKER_02>Simple as that.

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<v SPEAKER_02>I'm not worthy.

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<v SPEAKER_02>I am afraid of being put down for my faith.

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<v SPEAKER_02>Just being Christian and following Him.

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<v SPEAKER_02>Then it is my fear that is stopping me, just like the disciples in that locked room.

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<v SPEAKER_02>But should it stop me?

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<v SPEAKER_02>While Christ tells me not to be fearful, and actually in the book of John, just a little bit before, 1633, John writes that Jesus said, I have said these things to you that in me you may have peace.

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<v SPEAKER_02>In the world you will have tribulation.

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<v SPEAKER_02>But take heart, I have overcome the world.

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<v SPEAKER_02>In Psalm 32 says something similar, be glad in the Lord, rejoice, O righteous.

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<v SPEAKER_02>And just this morning in Isaiah, we talked about the oil of gladness instead of mourning, instead of fear, instead of many things.

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<v SPEAKER_02>The oil of gladness.

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<v SPEAKER_02>Gladness comes about this transformation from fear, which is natural, inward looking, to gladness, being glad in the Lord, rejoicing in the Lord.

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<v SPEAKER_02>Okay, so if that's the case, if I'm glad in Christ, just as the disciples, if I'm not fearful and I'm ready for what he wants me to do, what does he want me to do?

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<v SPEAKER_02>Verse 21.

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<v SPEAKER_02>Jesus said to them again, peace be with you.

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<v SPEAKER_02>As the Father has sent me, even so I send you.

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<v SPEAKER_02>Okay?

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<v SPEAKER_02>Second time, peace be with you.

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<v SPEAKER_02>Great.

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<v SPEAKER_02>So the peace is being transferred through.

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<v SPEAKER_02>That's important.

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<v SPEAKER_02>And we share the peace in our service as part of the liturgy.

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<v SPEAKER_02>It's important to do that.

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<v SPEAKER_02>But the next thing is it's tied into a command here.

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<v SPEAKER_02>What command?

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<v SPEAKER_02>Well, we're being sent out.

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<v SPEAKER_02>To do what?

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<v SPEAKER_02>To do what the Father has sent me to do, says Jesus.

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<v SPEAKER_02>Okay, then what was he sent to do?

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<v SPEAKER_02>Well, we had the reading again this morning, Isaiah 61.14, and we remember in the story of Luke that he records this.

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<v SPEAKER_02>Jesus in the synagogue in Nazareth is preaching that day.

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<v SPEAKER_02>He is handed the scroll and he unrolls it.

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<v SPEAKER_02>It's the scroll of Isaiah.

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<v SPEAKER_02>I don't know how big that is, but I'm told it's really big.

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<v SPEAKER_02>And he unravels it to the area where he reads the first part.

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<v SPEAKER_02>The Spirit of the Lord is upon me because he has anointed me to proclaim the good news to the poor.

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<v SPEAKER_02>He has sent me to proclaim liberty to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed, to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor.

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<v SPEAKER_02>That's what's recorded as being read.

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<v SPEAKER_02>And if we think about that, there are many action, there's several action verbs there.

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<v SPEAKER_02>Proclaim good news, proclaim liberty, set at liberty, proclaim the year of the Lord's favor.

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<v SPEAKER_02>A lot of action verbs.

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<v SPEAKER_02>There's a lot of proclaiming in the Gospel of John.

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<v SPEAKER_02>And if we look at our own mission statement, proclaiming the true and life-giving word, because we love to serve our neighbors.

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<v SPEAKER_02>That sounds a lot like our Zion, doesn't it?

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<v SPEAKER_02>And the Gospels.

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<v SPEAKER_02>Okay, this gives us more meat to chew on, as it were, if I don't mix my metaphors, which I often do.

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<v SPEAKER_02>I remember a TV show that Yes Minister, and you might have seen it, where the minister would often mix metaphors and you'd catch it, great.

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<v SPEAKER_02>And I now find I'm doing the very same thing.

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<v SPEAKER_02>So please excuse me if and when I do.

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<v SPEAKER_02>Okay, so we've got our fear transformed to gladness.

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<v SPEAKER_02>We've got the peace of Christ transforming us.

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<v SPEAKER_02>We've got now a command to go out, and we know what Christ was sent to do, so we have a basic idea of what we are to do.

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<v SPEAKER_02>Where?

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<v SPEAKER_02>In Matthew's gospel, it says to make disciples of all nations.

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<v SPEAKER_02>Right?

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<v SPEAKER_02>All nations, that's the whole world.

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<v SPEAKER_02>We have the opportunity in the whole world.

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<v SPEAKER_02>But I caution you that may not mean that you have to go to the whole world.

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<v SPEAKER_02>But wherever perhaps you may be.

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<v SPEAKER_02>And here, many of us live in Port Perry, so that means sharing the gospel here in Port Perry.

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<v SPEAKER_02>Maybe in Oshawa, perhaps at a stretch, even in Barry.

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<v SPEAKER_02>And some who have been missionaries and are currently working with mission further afield.

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<v SPEAKER_02>And please let us not forget the rest of the world where many have no access to God's Word, to the scripture, to Bibles.

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<v SPEAKER_02>We call that now the unreached people groups.

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<v SPEAKER_02>Okay, so we know what we need to do.

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<v SPEAKER_02>We know where, and without fear, what's next?

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<v SPEAKER_02>Verses 22 and 23.

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<v SPEAKER_02>He breathed on them and said, Receive the Holy Spirit.

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<v SPEAKER_02>If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them.

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<v SPEAKER_02>If you withhold forgiveness from any, it is withheld.

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<v SPEAKER_02>I struggled with that.

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<v SPEAKER_02>And I'll continue to struggle with it, and I don't have all the answers.

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<v SPEAKER_02>In fact, I probably don't have the right answer, but I have an answer, and I'm going to share that with you now.

00:17:23.519 --> 00:17:28.720
<v SPEAKER_02>Here, after receiving the peace, after being told to go out, they receive the Holy Spirit.

00:17:29.039 --> 00:17:30.559
<v SPEAKER_02>Why is this?

00:17:31.359 --> 00:17:38.640
<v SPEAKER_02>Are we only fully able to receive the Holy Spirit after receiving the peace of Christ?

00:17:39.200 --> 00:17:40.079
<v SPEAKER_02>Maybe.

00:17:40.559 --> 00:17:46.559
<v SPEAKER_02>Perhaps his peace prepares our bodies and our minds so the Holy Spirit may do his work.

00:17:46.720 --> 00:17:48.319
<v SPEAKER_02>I should say our spirit as well.

00:17:48.799 --> 00:17:49.680
<v SPEAKER_02>Through us.

00:17:49.920 --> 00:17:51.440
<v SPEAKER_02>We may do his work.

00:17:51.839 --> 00:17:54.400
<v SPEAKER_02>Sorry, the Spirit does his work through us.

00:17:55.039 --> 00:17:58.079
<v SPEAKER_02>The Spirit does his work through us.

00:17:58.319 --> 00:17:59.599
<v SPEAKER_02>It's not Michael.

00:18:00.559 --> 00:18:01.440
<v SPEAKER_02>His work.

00:18:01.759 --> 00:18:04.960
<v SPEAKER_02>Perhaps too, it's a reminder that I'm the branch and he is the vine.

00:18:05.119 --> 00:18:07.920
<v SPEAKER_02>I can do nothing without him.

00:18:08.559 --> 00:18:14.480
<v SPEAKER_02>Without the Spirit guiding me, strengthening me, keeping me from just being me.

00:18:15.839 --> 00:18:21.680
<v SPEAKER_02>The other night, this was brought forth, there's a Canada Bryan Committee, and it ends next Thursday.

00:18:21.759 --> 00:18:24.640
<v SPEAKER_02>There's a Zoom program he has on mission and mission work.

00:18:24.720 --> 00:18:34.559
<v SPEAKER_02>And it's set up by new wineskins in the States, and it covers, I don't know, 15, 20, 30 different types of missions and puts it all together.

00:18:34.799 --> 00:18:45.680
<v SPEAKER_02>The program there on Thursday had some prayers that I had never seen before, and one stuck out, and I will read it to you.

00:18:48.559 --> 00:19:07.119
<v SPEAKER_02>For attempting to engage in evangelism and mission on our own strength, neglecting the direction and aid of the Holy Spirit, forgive us, O Lord, for attempting to engage in evangelism and mission on our own strength.

00:19:07.680 --> 00:19:09.680
<v SPEAKER_02>How often do I do that?

00:19:10.000 --> 00:19:10.880
<v unknown>I can do it.

00:19:11.039 --> 00:19:15.119
<v SPEAKER_02>I've been told, I've been taught, I've read, I know I can do it.

00:19:15.599 --> 00:19:24.400
<v SPEAKER_02>But without prayer, without having the peace of Christ, without having the Holy Spirit guiding and strengthening and aiding me, I can really do nothing.

00:19:24.480 --> 00:19:26.240
<v SPEAKER_02>And certainly nothing right.

00:19:26.799 --> 00:19:28.240
<v SPEAKER_02>I have to remember that.

00:19:28.480 --> 00:19:36.480
<v SPEAKER_02>And how often in our culture, in the way we're taught in school, in business, if you've been in business, are you told you do it?

00:19:36.960 --> 00:19:37.759
<v SPEAKER_02>You're the one.

00:19:37.839 --> 00:19:39.519
<v SPEAKER_02>It's all up to you.

00:19:39.680 --> 00:19:41.039
<v SPEAKER_02>You have all the qualities.

00:19:41.119 --> 00:19:44.880
<v SPEAKER_02>You're the one to take care of, and not the Lord.

00:19:45.920 --> 00:19:50.319
<v SPEAKER_02>And how often have I followed that advice to my detriment?

00:19:50.960 --> 00:19:52.319
<v SPEAKER_02>Probably a lot.

00:19:55.680 --> 00:20:01.759
<v SPEAKER_02>Then the disciples, and here's the tough bit for me, were told that if they forgive others' sins, they are forgiven.

00:20:01.839 --> 00:20:04.799
<v SPEAKER_02>If not, forgiveness is withheld.

00:20:05.039 --> 00:20:06.480
<v SPEAKER_02>That's pretty powerful.

00:20:06.799 --> 00:20:13.279
<v SPEAKER_02>Is this saying that they or I should withhold forgiveness from others?

00:20:13.680 --> 00:20:16.480
<v SPEAKER_02>It seems at first glance to give me permission.

00:20:17.440 --> 00:20:19.359
<v SPEAKER_02>But think about it, Michael.

00:20:20.240 --> 00:20:22.640
<v SPEAKER_02>You're guided by the Holy Spirit.

00:20:24.480 --> 00:20:25.039
<v SPEAKER_02>Stories.

00:20:25.119 --> 00:20:26.559
<v SPEAKER_02>I've driven a lot over the years.

00:20:26.720 --> 00:20:28.000
<v SPEAKER_02>I've put a lot of models in cars.

00:20:28.079 --> 00:20:28.799
<v SPEAKER_02>I like driving.

00:20:28.880 --> 00:20:33.839
<v SPEAKER_02>I have a couple of older cars, not old by some standards, but old by others.

00:20:34.079 --> 00:20:35.920
<v SPEAKER_02>And sometimes they break down.

00:20:36.000 --> 00:20:38.720
<v SPEAKER_02>But nevertheless, I'm on the road a lot and it's fun.

00:20:39.519 --> 00:20:43.920
<v SPEAKER_02>And I see what my wife calls a lot of creative driving.

00:20:45.519 --> 00:20:49.200
<v SPEAKER_02>It does not amuse me as it might others.

00:20:49.440 --> 00:20:51.839
<v SPEAKER_02>In fact, I'm quite perturbed by it.

00:20:52.079 --> 00:20:53.119
<v SPEAKER_02>It bothers me.

00:20:53.279 --> 00:20:58.640
<v SPEAKER_02>They make up their own rules, they follow their own rules to the detriment of others, read me.

00:21:00.160 --> 00:21:02.960
<v SPEAKER_02>And I actually comment on that regularly.

00:21:03.200 --> 00:21:04.400
<v SPEAKER_02>Just ask Monica.

00:21:06.000 --> 00:21:08.079
<v SPEAKER_02>But do I forgive them?

00:21:09.200 --> 00:21:11.119
<v SPEAKER_02>Can I forgive them?

00:21:11.440 --> 00:21:11.599
<v SPEAKER_02>C.

00:21:11.759 --> 00:21:11.839
<v SPEAKER_02>S.

00:21:11.920 --> 00:21:28.160
<v SPEAKER_02>Losey, who's quoted this morning, and you've heard about him other times, one of the most influential Christian apologists of the 20th century, states in his book, Mere Christianity, and it's an essay before that, I believe, something that's so very true that I feel true.

00:21:28.559 --> 00:21:35.200
<v SPEAKER_02>Everyone says forgiveness is a lovely idea until they have something to forgive.

00:21:36.000 --> 00:21:37.039
<v SPEAKER_02>Isn't that the case?

00:21:37.200 --> 00:21:41.119
<v SPEAKER_02>Oh, it's great if you can forgive you, but for me to forgive?

00:21:41.440 --> 00:21:43.680
<v SPEAKER_02>Oh, come on, you're asking a lot.

00:21:43.839 --> 00:21:45.279
<v SPEAKER_02>Now, what about the Lord's Prayer?

00:21:45.359 --> 00:21:46.559
<v SPEAKER_02>What does that say to me?

00:21:46.720 --> 00:21:52.160
<v SPEAKER_02>It says, forgive us our trespasses as we forgive them, their trespass against us.

00:21:52.319 --> 00:21:53.759
<v SPEAKER_02>And what does that mean?

00:21:54.079 --> 00:21:56.000
<v SPEAKER_02>It means I need to forgive.

00:21:56.640 --> 00:21:58.880
<v SPEAKER_02>And going back to Jesus' words.

00:22:00.079 --> 00:22:01.200
<v SPEAKER_02>Or sorry, the story.

00:22:01.359 --> 00:22:06.640
<v SPEAKER_02>Remember the story of the servants and the unforgiving servant.

00:22:06.720 --> 00:22:10.160
<v SPEAKER_02>He was forgiven this huge amount, and then he did not forgive the other.

00:22:10.240 --> 00:22:11.519
<v SPEAKER_02>And what happened to him?

00:22:12.160 --> 00:22:15.200
<v SPEAKER_02>Tossed into jail until he could repay the debt.

00:22:15.519 --> 00:22:18.720
<v SPEAKER_02>How long would it take me to repay my debts?

00:22:19.839 --> 00:22:20.240
<v SPEAKER_02>Forever?

00:22:20.720 --> 00:22:23.119
<v SPEAKER_02>Forever and a day if there is such a thing.

00:22:23.680 --> 00:22:25.519
<v SPEAKER_02>And I have to remember to forgive.

00:22:26.240 --> 00:22:27.839
<v SPEAKER_02>I have a hard time with that.

00:22:28.079 --> 00:22:33.440
<v SPEAKER_02>But I'm told to do it, and if I have faith and I believe and love God, I have to do that.

00:22:33.680 --> 00:22:40.480
<v SPEAKER_02>And remember, Jesus even forgave those who crucified him on the cross.

00:22:42.400 --> 00:22:43.039
<v SPEAKER_02>Wow.

00:22:44.880 --> 00:22:54.480
<v SPEAKER_02>So I need to forgive to go up and do his work to proclaim his word, doing it with the Holy Spirit guiding me, not relying on myself alone.

00:22:55.279 --> 00:22:58.079
<v SPEAKER_02>This is not easy, is it?

00:22:58.960 --> 00:23:01.039
<v SPEAKER_02>Alright, well, what's next?

00:23:01.519 --> 00:23:04.319
<v SPEAKER_02>John verses 24 to 29.

00:23:04.880 --> 00:23:10.880
<v SPEAKER_02>Now Thomas, one of the twelve called the twin, was not with them when Jesus came.

00:23:11.119 --> 00:23:15.039
<v SPEAKER_02>So the other disciples told him, We have seen the Lord.

00:23:15.279 --> 00:23:28.160
<v SPEAKER_02>But he said to them, unless I see in his hands the mark of the nails, and place my finger into the mark of the nails, and place my hand into his side, I will never believe.

00:23:28.559 --> 00:23:31.759
<v SPEAKER_02>Eight days later, eight days, it's a week and a bit, right?

00:23:32.000 --> 00:23:35.039
<v SPEAKER_02>His disciples were inside again, and Thomas was with them.

00:23:35.200 --> 00:23:42.160
<v SPEAKER_02>Although the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, Peace be with you.

00:23:42.400 --> 00:23:48.000
<v SPEAKER_02>Then he said to Thomas, Put your finger here and see my hands.

00:23:48.160 --> 00:23:50.960
<v SPEAKER_02>Put out your hand and place it in my sight.

00:23:51.279 --> 00:23:54.400
<v SPEAKER_02>Do not disbelieve, but believe.

00:23:55.039 --> 00:24:00.079
<v SPEAKER_02>Thomas answered him, My Lord and my God.

00:24:01.039 --> 00:24:05.440
<v SPEAKER_02>Jesus said to him, Have you believed because you've seen me?

00:24:06.079 --> 00:24:11.680
<v SPEAKER_02>Blessed are those who have not seen and have yet to believe, and yet have believed.

00:24:12.640 --> 00:24:14.960
<v SPEAKER_02>So eight days, Jesus appears.

00:24:15.200 --> 00:24:17.920
<v SPEAKER_02>Once again, the disciples are behind locked doors.

00:24:18.160 --> 00:24:20.559
<v SPEAKER_02>Fear returns so easily, doesn't it?

00:24:21.359 --> 00:24:22.720
<v SPEAKER_02>John says that he came.

00:24:22.880 --> 00:24:25.200
<v SPEAKER_02>Jesus came and stood among them and said, Peace be with you.

00:24:25.359 --> 00:24:27.359
<v SPEAKER_02>So that's now the third time.

00:24:28.000 --> 00:24:35.759
<v SPEAKER_02>Then speaking to Thomas, he says to him, Place your finger in, touch aside, and do not disbelieve, but believe.

00:24:36.400 --> 00:24:52.480
<v SPEAKER_02>Here, Thomas also receives a peace of Christ along with the other disciples and immediately affirms and outwardly acknowledges that Jesus is his Lord, the ruler of his life, his God, the one true God.

00:24:52.799 --> 00:24:58.079
<v SPEAKER_02>Thomas' disbelief is now transformed into belief, into faith.

00:24:59.200 --> 00:25:00.559
<v SPEAKER_02>That's quite incredible.

00:25:03.519 --> 00:25:08.960
<v SPEAKER_02>His belief, his disbelief is changed and transformed immediately to belief.

00:25:09.599 --> 00:25:11.680
<v SPEAKER_02>What about my disbelief?

00:25:12.559 --> 00:25:16.400
<v SPEAKER_02>What stops my disbelief from becoming a belief?

00:25:16.640 --> 00:25:18.240
<v SPEAKER_02>Is it fear again?

00:25:18.720 --> 00:25:19.359
<v SPEAKER_02>Probably.

00:25:19.599 --> 00:25:20.799
<v SPEAKER_02>I'm no different from the others.

00:25:20.960 --> 00:25:22.240
<v SPEAKER_02>In fact, I'm probably not as good.

00:25:22.400 --> 00:25:24.000
<v SPEAKER_02>I didn't spend time with Jesus.

00:25:24.160 --> 00:25:26.000
<v SPEAKER_02>They knew Scripture better.

00:25:26.319 --> 00:25:26.640
<v SPEAKER_02>Right?

00:25:26.799 --> 00:25:29.279
<v SPEAKER_02>All those things I'd said before.

00:25:29.920 --> 00:25:33.359
<v SPEAKER_02>I'm not immersed in his word as I ought to be.

00:25:33.680 --> 00:25:36.319
<v SPEAKER_02>I also think the world should revolve around me.

00:25:36.480 --> 00:25:37.839
<v SPEAKER_02>I mean, come on.

00:25:38.559 --> 00:25:40.799
<v SPEAKER_02>I work, I've done these things.

00:25:41.599 --> 00:25:47.839
<v SPEAKER_02>How can I allow the word of Christ and his peace to transform my disbelief into belief?

00:25:48.319 --> 00:25:57.599
<v SPEAKER_02>Just as Thomas, I need to acknowledge and outwardly state that Jesus is my Lord and my God on a regular and frequent basis.

00:25:59.599 --> 00:26:12.720
<v SPEAKER_02>Years ago, probably 40, yeah, almost 40 years ago now, I had the opportunity to sit with a chaplain who was, I'm told, the top grief counselor in Canada.

00:26:13.359 --> 00:26:33.440
<v SPEAKER_02>His name is Dennis, and he told me that for a person to fully cement an idea into their being, to accept something, they need to think it, ruminate on it, but absolutely need to state it for that idea to be part of that, to be fully accepted.

00:26:35.279 --> 00:26:40.880
<v SPEAKER_02>If the idea is not fully formed, if it's not fully stated, it is not accepted.

00:26:42.160 --> 00:26:44.960
<v SPEAKER_02>Like Thomas, we need to state it out loud.

00:26:45.119 --> 00:26:54.480
<v SPEAKER_02>And interestingly enough, do you remember back to Romans this morning, the reading in Romans 10, 9, verse 9?

00:26:54.640 --> 00:27:03.519
<v SPEAKER_02>If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord, it's not if you think it, Michael, it's if you confess that Jesus is Lord.

00:27:03.680 --> 00:27:04.960
<v SPEAKER_02>And what did Thomas do?

00:27:05.279 --> 00:27:07.119
<v SPEAKER_02>My Lord and my God.

00:27:09.759 --> 00:27:13.440
<v SPEAKER_02>God really has written the scriptures and put them all together, hasn't he?

00:27:13.680 --> 00:27:15.440
<v SPEAKER_02>How often do I learn that?

00:27:15.599 --> 00:27:19.519
<v SPEAKER_02>And how often do I think, oh no, I don't need that part, I don't need that part.

00:27:19.599 --> 00:27:21.039
<v SPEAKER_02>I need every part of it.

00:27:23.759 --> 00:27:32.000
<v SPEAKER_02>As for Thomas, my oh I'm sorry, I forgot to say one other thing on that.

00:27:32.799 --> 00:27:36.000
<v SPEAKER_02>Stating it out loud, isn't that fabulous?

00:27:36.160 --> 00:27:45.599
<v SPEAKER_02>That we have a church community to share our liturgy, and every week, as we just did with Rodrigue Craig, go over the creed, state our beliefs.

00:27:45.759 --> 00:27:47.200
<v SPEAKER_02>It helps cement it in there.

00:27:47.279 --> 00:27:53.200
<v SPEAKER_02>It helps remind me who I stray so often, so frequently away from it, bring me back.

00:27:53.440 --> 00:27:55.839
<v SPEAKER_02>Maybe I should do it even more regularly.

00:27:56.000 --> 00:27:56.880
<v SPEAKER_02>I'm sure I should.

00:27:57.359 --> 00:28:00.720
<v SPEAKER_02>There is actually an office for that online meeting.

00:28:01.440 --> 00:28:05.759
<v SPEAKER_02>If you take a little bit of time in the morning, you can even do it four times a day.

00:28:07.680 --> 00:28:09.279
<v SPEAKER_02>Alright, what's next?

00:28:09.519 --> 00:28:14.559
<v SPEAKER_02>The last two verses in John, this chapter.

00:28:14.799 --> 00:28:17.680
<v SPEAKER_02>He's got another ending, by the way, in this chapter, but never mind.

00:28:17.920 --> 00:28:24.079
<v SPEAKER_02>Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of the disciples, which are not written in this book.

00:28:24.319 --> 00:28:33.839
<v SPEAKER_02>But these are written so that you may believe in Jesus, that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.

00:28:34.240 --> 00:28:37.200
<v SPEAKER_02>Here we have John's summary, his purpose.

00:28:37.279 --> 00:28:38.480
<v SPEAKER_02>He's quite clear about this.

00:28:38.960 --> 00:28:51.440
<v SPEAKER_02>We've read or heard the signs, others call them miracles, so we might believe that Jesus is the Christ, is the Messiah, is the anointed one, the chosen one who would come to save mankind.

00:28:51.759 --> 00:28:58.559
<v SPEAKER_02>This takes us back to Christ's reading of Isaiah in that synagogue in Nazareth.

00:28:59.039 --> 00:29:01.279
<v SPEAKER_02>Jesus is the Messiah.

00:29:01.599 --> 00:29:05.599
<v SPEAKER_02>He died on the cross for us and for our sins.

00:29:05.920 --> 00:29:12.720
<v SPEAKER_02>He was resurrected and he is with us now, and we truly have life in his name.

00:29:13.200 --> 00:29:19.440
<v SPEAKER_02>Only through his peace can I fully live my life, to do what he sends me to do.

00:29:19.920 --> 00:29:35.440
<v SPEAKER_02>Free from fear, as my fear is transformed by his peace into gladness, filled with and guided by the Holy Spirit, forgiving others as I forgive others as I forgive them.

00:29:35.839 --> 00:29:47.599
<v SPEAKER_02>My disbelief fully transformed into belief into faith in him, so I may go out to proclaim the true and life-giving word of Jesus as we love and serve our neighbors.

00:29:49.440 --> 00:29:50.720
<v SPEAKER_02>So what does that mean?

00:29:50.960 --> 00:29:57.119
<v SPEAKER_02>Well, it means I can go out and do it, proclaim the good news, at least just proclaim the good news.

00:29:57.759 --> 00:29:59.519
<v SPEAKER_02>And here's the hardest part for me.

00:29:59.759 --> 00:30:02.720
<v SPEAKER_02>It is me that stops me from doing it.

00:30:03.039 --> 00:30:05.920
<v SPEAKER_02>My very character, my very being.

00:30:07.279 --> 00:30:12.880
<v SPEAKER_02>But with the peace of God and the Holy Spirit, I can be transformed to do it.

00:30:13.279 --> 00:30:14.480
<v SPEAKER_02>That's all I need.

00:30:14.720 --> 00:30:17.519
<v SPEAKER_02>But I cannot do it on my own.

00:30:18.000 --> 00:30:20.720
<v SPEAKER_02>Now I must decide to do it.

00:30:21.519 --> 00:30:22.559
<v SPEAKER_02>What about you?

00:30:24.720 --> 00:30:28.000
<v SPEAKER_02>He said, peace be with you.

00:30:29.039 --> 00:31:00.880
<v SPEAKER_00>As the Father has sent me, even so I am sending you.m.

00:31:01.200 --> 00:31:04.559
<v SPEAKER_00>If you'd like to learn more about Newsong Church, we'd love to connect with you.

00:31:04.720 --> 00:31:09.599
<v SPEAKER_00>Please find our contact information at newsongportperry.ca and reach out to us.

00:31:09.839 --> 00:31:14.960
<v SPEAKER_00>Newsong's ministry is entirely funded by the generous giving of those who worship and journey with us.

00:31:15.200 --> 00:31:23.359
<v SPEAKER_00>If you feel called to support our ministry with a financial gift, please go to newsongportperry.ca slash giving to make your contribution.

00:31:23.599 --> 00:31:26.160
<v SPEAKER_00>Go in peace to love and serve the Lord.