WEBVTT 00:00:05.759 --> 00:00:06.879 Good morning. 00:00:11.679 --> 00:00:13.199 Let's start with a prayer. 00:00:14.640 --> 00:00:15.839 So, Father, we praise you. 00:00:16.000 --> 00:00:17.440 We thank you for being such a great God. 00:00:17.600 --> 00:00:20.640 We are amazed by your love for us. 00:00:20.879 --> 00:00:23.839 You know, how you would adopt us each as your very own children. 00:00:24.079 --> 00:00:31.519 How it's not, you know, because we're without flaws, because we all have them. 00:00:31.760 --> 00:00:34.159 But it's your great love, and we're amazed by that love. 00:00:34.240 --> 00:00:36.159 And Jesus, we thank you for making that possible. 00:00:36.240 --> 00:00:40.079 And Holy Spirit, we thank you for being our teacher and our counselor. 00:00:40.560 --> 00:00:45.840 And ask you to teach us each this morning, encourage us, we'd all come away with something from you. 00:00:46.159 --> 00:00:49.600 As we praise you and thank you, and it's in Jesus' name that we pray. 00:00:49.920 --> 00:00:50.560 Amen. 00:00:51.679 --> 00:00:53.280 Well, welcome everyone. 00:00:53.759 --> 00:00:59.359 If it's your uh first time here, hope you feel at home and can tell that you can just relax and be yourself. 00:00:59.600 --> 00:01:00.719 It's a big day today. 00:01:00.880 --> 00:01:04.319 We have uh 50 people being baptized this morning. 00:01:08.879 --> 00:01:11.200 And that's uh it's super exciting. 00:01:11.519 --> 00:01:15.200 Uh Paul says in Romans 6, he says, This is what happened in baptism. 00:01:15.359 --> 00:01:18.640 When we went under the water, we left the old country of sin behind. 00:01:18.799 --> 00:01:25.599 When we came up out of the water, we entered into the new country of grace, a new life and a new land. 00:01:25.840 --> 00:01:28.560 That's what baptism into the life of Jesus means. 00:01:28.719 --> 00:01:31.840 When we're lower into the water, it is like the burial of Jesus. 00:01:32.000 --> 00:01:36.799 When we're raised up out of the water, it is like the resurrection of Jesus. 00:01:37.040 --> 00:01:45.599 Each of us is raised into a light-filled world by our Father so that we can see where we're going in our new grace, sovereign country. 00:01:45.840 --> 00:01:48.799 You know, it's also spiritually powerful, baptism is. 00:02:34.879 --> 00:02:42.319 Paul says in Ephesians 3, God can do anything you know, far more than you could ever imagine, or guess, or request in your wildest dreams. 00:02:42.560 --> 00:02:50.560 And he does it not by pushing us around, but by working within us, his spirit deeply and gently within us. 00:02:50.719 --> 00:02:53.199 And so it's exciting to see what God's done in all our lives. 00:02:53.280 --> 00:03:01.120 And in the and those of you being baptized this morning, what he's done in your lives to bring you to this point where you're uh just saying, making a statement. 00:03:01.280 --> 00:03:04.479 I'm all in um with you. 00:03:04.960 --> 00:03:09.680 I'm excited to see what he's doing with us uh for the rest of our lives. 00:03:09.919 --> 00:03:13.120 Okay, then we'll finish with hands in the pile after uh this morning. 00:03:13.199 --> 00:03:19.280 And then if you're getting baptized or if you're baptizing someone, um we'll take about 15 minutes. 00:03:19.360 --> 00:03:19.919 You can change. 00:03:20.000 --> 00:03:22.400 There's uh restrooms on this side and on that side. 00:03:22.560 --> 00:03:28.879 Uh we'll get in shorts and t-shirts, and um then we'll meet back here with some instructions. 00:03:28.960 --> 00:03:35.280 We'll meet over here, and uh it'll just be an exciting, um, really joyful time. 00:03:35.680 --> 00:03:47.199 Every time we have Baptism Sunday, there are people here who hadn't planned to be baptized, but uh but the Holy Spirit just speaks to us and and and we want to make that statement, that that connection with Jesus. 00:03:47.360 --> 00:03:56.319 So if that's you today, we've got uh extra shorts and t-shirts in all sizes uh in the lobby, extra towels uh where you could pick those up. 00:03:56.560 --> 00:03:57.759 Some quick thank yous. 00:03:57.919 --> 00:04:01.919 Um thank you for everyone who signed um up to help in the nursery last week. 00:04:02.080 --> 00:04:08.879 You know, this is a volunteer church, and every time we have a need, you know, as a group, it seems like uh you all just jump in. 00:04:08.960 --> 00:04:10.639 So thank you so much for that. 00:04:10.879 --> 00:04:12.560 Also, thank you for being so loving. 00:04:12.719 --> 00:04:20.560 You know, with the Christmas Angel stars and 150 children that we're providing Christmas for, every one of them was taken last uh last Sunday. 00:04:20.800 --> 00:04:25.680 And so that's exciting. 00:04:25.839 --> 00:04:29.600 And if we have a few more as we go, I'll I'll be sure and let you know um that. 00:04:29.759 --> 00:04:35.360 We'll bring the gifts back up by December 4th and then deliver the gifts on Sunday, December 11th. 00:04:35.600 --> 00:04:38.720 And uh and also thank you to each of you. 00:04:38.800 --> 00:04:42.639 So just being for being so faithful and generous uh in your giving. 00:04:42.800 --> 00:04:49.680 I know it's trusting God and it's obedience um to God, but it's also a commitment when we give that it's a commitment to each other. 00:04:50.000 --> 00:04:52.319 And uh so thanks for that. 00:04:52.639 --> 00:04:54.000 And then one last thank you. 00:04:54.160 --> 00:04:57.360 Thanks to the Falcons for winning the game last Sunday. 00:05:00.160 --> 00:05:04.959 That is the first time I believe that's the first time they've won on a Telgate Sunday. 00:05:05.279 --> 00:05:09.199 So uh maybe that'll be the start of a good run. 00:05:10.000 --> 00:05:20.879 We've been looking together at a letter that Paul wrote to uh uh a young church in in Corinth, but we're gonna take a break this morning and look at what was a defining day in Jesus' life. 00:05:21.040 --> 00:05:22.319 It was really an important day. 00:05:22.480 --> 00:05:28.879 In fact, for the first 400 years after Jesus' resurrection, this day was celebrated equally with Christmas. 00:05:29.040 --> 00:05:32.160 Um, the day started in a very unique place on earth. 00:05:32.319 --> 00:05:48.160 There was a road that left Jerusalem, and it descends uh steeply down through hills and through uh cliffs until it finally reaches the lowest spot where there's the lowest spot above water on earth. 00:05:48.399 --> 00:05:51.920 It's almost a thousand um feet below sea level. 00:05:52.160 --> 00:05:54.800 What it is is it's a 10-mile wide strip of desert. 00:05:54.879 --> 00:06:02.800 It's got rocky cliffs on one side, it has um steep hills and slopes to the east and to the west. 00:06:03.040 --> 00:06:09.920 And right in the middle of this desert is a 10-mile uh strip of desert. 00:06:10.000 --> 00:06:12.079 Right in the middle is a small canyon. 00:06:12.480 --> 00:06:16.240 And uh in the small canyon is a small river. 00:06:16.480 --> 00:06:18.319 It's the Jordan River. 00:06:18.720 --> 00:06:24.639 I've read that most people that that visit Israel, when they go to the Jordan River, they're disappointed. 00:06:24.959 --> 00:06:26.959 Because it's just not as big as they think. 00:06:27.120 --> 00:06:31.360 You know, it's it's not as wide, it's not as deep, it's not as impressive. 00:06:31.519 --> 00:06:37.040 Um, in Jesus' day during the dry season, the amount of water just dropped off dramatically. 00:06:37.199 --> 00:06:42.560 And that is why Jesus comes to this particular spot on this particular day. 00:06:42.800 --> 00:06:48.480 It's the day Jesus is going to launch his ministry, and it's the day that he is going to be baptized. 00:06:48.720 --> 00:06:52.000 Now he's at this spot because that is where there's enough water in the river. 00:06:52.160 --> 00:07:03.920 In John 3, it says, at this time John the Baptist was baptizing at Anon near Salem because there was plenty of water there, and people kept coming to him for baptism. 00:07:04.720 --> 00:07:11.199 See, John and Jesus have been connected in a sense even before they were born. 00:07:11.439 --> 00:07:13.040 And you probably know the story. 00:07:13.199 --> 00:07:20.160 But John's parents, Zachariah and Elizabeth, couldn't have children, and it had been their big prayer the whole life that they'd wanted to have children. 00:07:20.319 --> 00:07:24.240 You know, but then they got older and older, and so it was obviously a physical impossibility. 00:07:24.399 --> 00:07:27.920 But then the angel Gabriel comes and he says, You are gonna have a son. 00:07:28.000 --> 00:07:35.279 His name's gonna be John, he's gonna be powerful like Elijah, and he's gonna prepare the way for the Lord. 00:07:35.519 --> 00:07:41.040 You know, when the angel told Elizabeth, she said, uh, no way, that can't happen. 00:07:41.199 --> 00:07:42.639 I'm way too old. 00:07:42.879 --> 00:07:46.639 And uh and the angel said just some important words to Elizabeth. 00:07:46.879 --> 00:07:50.319 He says, There's nothing impossible for God. 00:07:50.959 --> 00:07:53.199 And it was true, and she became pregnant. 00:07:53.360 --> 00:07:58.240 And then Mary became pregnant with Jesus, and she visited Elizabeth. 00:07:58.560 --> 00:08:06.879 In Luke chapter 1, it says, Elizabeth gave a glad cry and exclaimed to Mary, God has blessed you above all women, and your child is blessed. 00:08:07.120 --> 00:08:10.000 Why am I so honored that the mother of my Lord should visit me? 00:08:10.160 --> 00:08:13.600 When I heard your greeting, the baby in my womb jumped for joy. 00:08:13.920 --> 00:08:17.839 You are blessed because you believed that the Lord would do what he said. 00:08:18.079 --> 00:08:27.600 And so John and Jesus, in a sense, had met even before they were born, and they were second cousins, and so they would have uh known each other some growing up. 00:08:28.399 --> 00:08:38.480 But now it's 33 years later, and here is John preparing the way for Jesus, um, telling people to repent, repent of their sins and turn to God. 00:08:38.879 --> 00:08:40.720 John was something else. 00:08:40.879 --> 00:08:45.360 Um, he was a no-nonsense firebrand kind of guy. 00:08:45.440 --> 00:08:50.320 You know, he famously wore a robe made out of camel hair, and he had a big leather belt, kind of like Aaron Rodgers. 00:08:50.480 --> 00:08:53.360 He just did the had the big belt thing going. 00:08:53.519 --> 00:08:55.519 Um and he lived off the land. 00:08:55.759 --> 00:08:57.600 He ate grasshoppers. 00:08:57.840 --> 00:09:00.080 How many of us have eaten grasshoppers? 00:09:01.279 --> 00:09:05.919 I've actually eaten grasshoppers uh quite a bit in uh in Uganda. 00:09:06.000 --> 00:09:06.960 It's a real delicacy. 00:09:07.039 --> 00:09:14.240 And so when we're over there, it's called Cincinnati, and so we'll eat grasshoppers, and that's not really important. 00:09:14.320 --> 00:09:21.039 I'm just kind of proud of it, and don't have many occasions to brag about that. 00:09:21.360 --> 00:09:24.799 Um but but John lived off the land. 00:09:24.879 --> 00:09:32.879 He ate grasshoppers, he uh he ate wild honey, and he's he's a great man, and he's he's unusual. 00:09:33.360 --> 00:09:35.519 Uh he's filled with the Holy Spirit. 00:09:35.759 --> 00:09:38.720 And when he speaks, people are really convicted. 00:09:39.039 --> 00:09:42.159 You know, they're convicted of their need to God and their need to change. 00:09:42.320 --> 00:09:51.440 And so they flock to John to be baptized, you know, to repent, to say, I want a different life, I want a new life with God. 00:09:51.679 --> 00:09:54.399 And that is where Matthew chapter 3 picks up. 00:09:54.879 --> 00:09:58.879 Then Jesus went from Galilee to the Jordan River to be baptized by John. 00:09:59.360 --> 00:10:01.759 But John tried to talk him out of it. 00:10:02.320 --> 00:10:06.159 I am the one who needs to be baptized by you, he said. 00:10:06.480 --> 00:10:09.519 So why are you coming to me? 00:10:10.159 --> 00:10:16.080 But Jesus said, It should be done, for we must carry out all that God requires. 00:10:16.480 --> 00:10:18.559 So John agreed to baptize him. 00:10:18.799 --> 00:10:23.840 Now John protests, because he knows, he knows Jesus didn't need to repent. 00:10:24.240 --> 00:10:27.919 You know, it was John that needed Jesus. 00:10:28.240 --> 00:10:29.759 But for Jesus it was other things. 00:10:29.840 --> 00:10:39.279 You know, it was obedience, it was humility, it was a picture of his and our destiny, you know, being buried and then being raised. 00:10:39.840 --> 00:10:45.360 And it was also an example so that we would know what to do when we follow him. 00:10:46.080 --> 00:10:49.360 But something unusual happens in this short conversation. 00:10:51.919 --> 00:10:53.759 And it's in a word, really. 00:10:54.000 --> 00:10:55.679 There's a word that's it's kind of funny. 00:10:56.000 --> 00:11:05.440 That it's a word that Jesus uses sparingly, rarely, and he uses this word with with great purpose when he says it. 00:11:05.919 --> 00:11:09.279 John said, I am the one that needs to be baptized by you. 00:11:09.519 --> 00:11:12.000 Why are you coming to me? 00:11:12.320 --> 00:11:16.879 John is thinking, I and you, you and me. 00:11:18.000 --> 00:11:22.639 And then Jesus says the word that he only uses with great purpose. 00:11:24.080 --> 00:11:24.399 We. 00:11:26.480 --> 00:11:32.000 Jesus changes John's I and his you into we. 00:11:33.360 --> 00:11:37.840 It should be done, for we must carry out all that God requires. 00:11:38.799 --> 00:11:40.799 So John agreed to baptize him. 00:11:42.960 --> 00:11:46.559 In one sense, that is what baptism is for all of us. 00:11:46.799 --> 00:11:55.840 It is obedience, it is literally following Jesus, doing what Jesus did, and it's also turning our me into we. 00:11:57.120 --> 00:12:05.440 In Galatians 3 it says, and all who have been united with Christ in baptism have put on Christ like putting on new clothes. 00:12:06.000 --> 00:12:11.759 So our relationship with Jesus isn't just you and I, it's together. 00:12:12.159 --> 00:12:13.120 It's a we. 00:12:14.240 --> 00:12:19.200 And uh in at least three ways, many ways, really, but three I want to mention. 00:12:20.240 --> 00:12:25.679 The first is that the moment we put our faith in Jesus, we are not alone. 00:12:26.960 --> 00:12:30.480 In fact, you will never be on your own again. 00:12:31.679 --> 00:12:38.080 You're not by yourself, you don't have to have all the answers, you don't have to solve all of your problems. 00:12:41.759 --> 00:12:45.039 You don't have to fix all your weaknesses. 00:12:46.480 --> 00:12:53.360 It is a reminder for all of us, not just those being baptized, but for all of us who put our trust in Jesus that it is a we. 00:12:53.919 --> 00:12:54.720 It's we. 00:12:55.039 --> 00:13:05.039 And Hebrews 4 says, now that we know what we have, Jesus, this great high priest, with ready access to God, let's not let it slip through our fingers. 00:13:05.440 --> 00:13:08.080 We don't have a priest who's out of touch with our reality. 00:13:08.240 --> 00:13:13.200 He's been through weakness and testing, experienced it all, all but the sin. 00:13:14.159 --> 00:13:21.360 So let's walk right up to him and get what he is so ready to give, take the mercy, accept the help. 00:13:23.759 --> 00:13:24.960 You know, it's we. 00:13:25.200 --> 00:13:36.480 I think one thing you know, when we're trying to follow Jesus and we struggle, so so often we let that struggle separate us from Jesus. 00:13:37.360 --> 00:13:40.559 You know, say say it's uh pornography. 00:13:41.279 --> 00:13:43.440 And so that's a big struggle for a lot of men. 00:13:43.759 --> 00:13:49.600 And so when we fall to that, it's like, okay, now I'm separated from Jesus. 00:13:49.759 --> 00:13:55.600 I gotta get this together, get this fixed, and then it can be we again. 00:13:55.679 --> 00:13:58.240 But the truth is Jesus is not like that. 00:13:58.960 --> 00:14:00.000 It's we right now. 00:14:00.159 --> 00:14:03.120 It's you and he against pornography. 00:14:04.159 --> 00:14:07.600 You know, right in the midst of the temptation, it's Jesus, I need your help. 00:14:07.759 --> 00:14:08.879 Jesus, please change me. 00:14:09.039 --> 00:14:11.200 Jesus, please forgive me. 00:14:11.360 --> 00:14:14.320 Please help me not to do that again. 00:14:14.480 --> 00:14:17.440 It's we, it's always we. 00:14:20.320 --> 00:14:25.120 In Hebrews it says, For God has said, I will never fail you, I will never abandon you. 00:14:25.840 --> 00:14:30.799 And so we can say with confidence, the Lord is my helper, so I will have no fear. 00:14:31.360 --> 00:14:33.679 What can mere people do to me? 00:14:34.240 --> 00:14:40.080 In Philippians 4, Paul says, I've learned by now to be quite content, whatever my circumstances. 00:14:40.720 --> 00:14:45.200 I'm just as happy with little as with much, with much as with little. 00:14:45.600 --> 00:14:51.279 I found the recipe for being happy, whether full or hungry, hands full or hands empty. 00:14:51.519 --> 00:15:00.320 Whatever I have, wherever I am, I can make it through anything in the one who makes me who I am. 00:15:01.279 --> 00:15:06.240 You know, in a group this size, I know that there are many of us who are going through a lot. 00:15:08.960 --> 00:15:13.200 You know, and and some of us, I'm sure, are feeling like giving up. 00:15:13.840 --> 00:15:15.440 It's just too much. 00:15:17.360 --> 00:15:21.039 I know how you feel, because I've felt that way myself. 00:15:21.360 --> 00:15:23.039 But it's not too much. 00:15:23.919 --> 00:15:25.600 It is not too much. 00:15:26.639 --> 00:15:28.000 You are gonna make it. 00:15:28.399 --> 00:15:30.559 You will be okay. 00:15:31.600 --> 00:15:36.000 You will get through it because you are not alone. 00:15:36.799 --> 00:15:37.679 You're not alone. 00:15:37.840 --> 00:15:38.879 We have each other. 00:15:40.799 --> 00:15:47.200 But more importantly, it's you and Jesus, and you're a we. 00:15:48.480 --> 00:15:49.200 You're a we. 00:15:51.600 --> 00:15:57.279 Jesus said, Are you tired, worn out, burned out on religion? 00:15:57.600 --> 00:15:58.480 Come to me. 00:15:58.639 --> 00:16:01.840 Get away with me, and you'll recover your life. 00:16:02.000 --> 00:16:04.000 I'll show you how to take a real rest. 00:16:04.159 --> 00:16:06.080 Walk with me and work with me. 00:16:06.320 --> 00:16:07.919 Watch how I do it. 00:16:08.320 --> 00:16:11.039 Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. 00:16:11.440 --> 00:16:14.080 I won't lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. 00:16:14.320 --> 00:16:19.679 Keep company with me, and you'll learn to live freely and lightly. 00:16:22.240 --> 00:16:25.120 There's a second part of Jesus and us becoming we. 00:16:27.279 --> 00:16:35.440 Not only are we not on our own, it means Jesus is not on his own. 00:16:36.960 --> 00:16:37.759 It's we. 00:16:38.000 --> 00:16:39.279 This is a bit of a strange thought. 00:16:39.360 --> 00:16:43.120 It's one that John couldn't really get his mind around. 00:16:44.000 --> 00:16:45.759 John thought, you don't need me. 00:16:46.399 --> 00:16:47.360 I need you. 00:16:48.480 --> 00:16:50.480 But Jesus did need John. 00:16:52.320 --> 00:16:53.440 It had to be we. 00:16:53.519 --> 00:16:55.200 This was the start of his ministry. 00:16:55.679 --> 00:17:00.000 And it was really an important part of the plan. 00:17:01.039 --> 00:17:02.240 Jesus needed his help. 00:17:02.399 --> 00:17:05.279 Sometimes we think Jesus doesn't need anything from us. 00:17:07.039 --> 00:17:09.599 But Christianity is not a belief system. 00:17:10.559 --> 00:17:16.720 I mean, there are truths that we believe, but Christianity is a relationship with Jesus. 00:17:17.200 --> 00:17:22.640 It's us voluntarily giving up our eye and asking Jesus to make it a we. 00:17:23.279 --> 00:17:24.640 And it's an adventure. 00:17:24.799 --> 00:17:25.759 It's real life. 00:17:25.839 --> 00:17:27.839 It's an adventure with Jesus. 00:17:28.559 --> 00:17:34.400 Jesus says this He says, We are intimately linked in this harvest work. 00:17:34.720 --> 00:17:39.359 Anyone who accepts what you do accepts me, the one who sent you. 00:17:39.599 --> 00:17:43.519 Anyone who accepts what I do accepts my Father who sent me. 00:17:43.759 --> 00:17:49.599 Accepting a messenger of God is as good as being God's messenger, accepting someone's help, is as good as giving someone help. 00:17:49.759 --> 00:17:52.160 This is a large work I've called you into. 00:17:52.319 --> 00:17:53.920 But don't be overwhelmed by it. 00:17:54.000 --> 00:17:55.920 It's best to start small. 00:17:56.240 --> 00:17:59.839 Give a cool cup of water to someone who is thirsty, for instance. 00:18:00.079 --> 00:18:04.000 The smallest act of giving or receiving makes you a true apprentice. 00:18:04.240 --> 00:18:06.400 You won't lose out on a thing. 00:18:06.720 --> 00:18:10.000 This is what our name, His hands, symbolizes, really. 00:18:10.160 --> 00:18:20.720 That He fills us with His love, and then we want to spill it into others to help and to hold and to love and to be His hands in this area. 00:18:21.119 --> 00:18:22.640 This is part of what baptism means. 00:18:22.720 --> 00:18:24.160 It means I'm surrendering to you. 00:18:24.240 --> 00:18:25.599 I want to be like you. 00:18:25.839 --> 00:18:27.599 I want to do what you do. 00:18:27.759 --> 00:18:29.839 I want to live how you lived. 00:18:31.279 --> 00:18:34.559 And Jesus, you're not alone in loving my neighbors. 00:18:35.279 --> 00:18:40.000 You loved me first, but now we are going to love them together. 00:18:40.720 --> 00:18:43.200 You are not alone in loving my family. 00:18:43.680 --> 00:18:46.079 You are not alone in loving people at work. 00:18:46.960 --> 00:18:50.799 You are not alone in loving other students at school. 00:18:51.279 --> 00:18:52.960 Jesus, you love me first. 00:18:53.920 --> 00:18:58.400 But with your help, we're going to love them together. 00:18:59.200 --> 00:19:01.200 Not just you, not me. 00:19:01.599 --> 00:19:03.599 From now on, it's we. 00:19:07.359 --> 00:19:08.799 The story goes on with Jesus. 00:19:08.960 --> 00:19:17.599 After his baptism, as Jesus came up out of the water, the heavens were opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and settling on him. 00:19:18.720 --> 00:19:20.559 This could be a whole message. 00:19:21.039 --> 00:19:24.960 You know how the Holy Spirit works in each of us, just kind of like we read in Ephesians 3. 00:19:25.119 --> 00:19:30.640 In fact, it will be as we go further into Corinthians. 00:19:33.200 --> 00:19:39.680 And a voice from heaven said, This is my dearly loved son who brings me great joy. 00:19:41.519 --> 00:19:44.480 And this is the final we I want to talk about. 00:19:45.359 --> 00:19:53.759 It is not just Jesus that is dearly loved and gives God great joy. 00:19:55.039 --> 00:19:56.559 It's you too. 00:19:56.880 --> 00:19:58.240 It's all of us. 00:19:59.279 --> 00:20:03.119 Sometimes it's hard to believe because we know ourselves. 00:20:03.839 --> 00:20:05.200 But it's true. 00:20:05.519 --> 00:20:08.880 In Zephaniah, it says, For the Lord your God is living among you. 00:20:08.960 --> 00:20:10.400 He is a mighty Savior. 00:20:10.640 --> 00:20:13.200 He will take delight in you with gladness. 00:20:14.079 --> 00:20:17.680 With his love, he will calm all your fears. 00:20:18.240 --> 00:20:22.400 He will rejoice over you with joyful songs. 00:20:26.880 --> 00:20:31.599 God the Father said, This is my dearly loved Son who brings me great joy. 00:20:32.400 --> 00:20:39.440 And you are God's dearly loved daughter that brings him great joy. 00:20:40.079 --> 00:20:47.039 You are God's dearly loved son that brings him great joy. 00:20:50.799 --> 00:20:56.720 We bring him great joy as we surrender to him and just trust him and accept his love. 00:21:07.359 --> 00:21:12.400 John had said to Jesus, he said, You don't need me. 00:21:14.240 --> 00:21:15.200 I need you. 00:21:17.119 --> 00:21:21.119 Jesus said, John, today it's we. 00:21:22.960 --> 00:21:24.720 We need to do something together. 00:21:25.680 --> 00:21:27.839 It was the day he was baptized. 00:21:28.319 --> 00:21:32.559 And so for at least 50 of us, that's today. 00:21:34.000 --> 00:21:44.319 For all of us, it can be today, as we either put our trust in Jesus for the first time, or for many of us, just remind ourselves that we are not alone. 00:21:46.000 --> 00:21:48.319 It is us and it's Jesus together. 00:21:48.799 --> 00:21:51.519 And so if the worship team will come up, we'll stop here. 00:21:56.400 --> 00:21:59.200 In fact, let's stand and we'll get ready for the last song. 00:21:59.440 --> 00:22:01.519 It's an important song this morning. 00:22:01.680 --> 00:22:04.079 It'll be great to sing it together. 00:22:09.359 --> 00:22:15.920 You know, if you never trusted Jesus with your life, you can just ask him in your own words, in your own way. 00:22:16.160 --> 00:22:21.440 There's not a formula, there's not a prayer necessarily to repeat. 00:22:21.839 --> 00:22:24.720 Um, it's just it's just in our own words where we're at. 00:22:24.880 --> 00:22:25.599 Jesus help me. 00:22:25.759 --> 00:22:26.559 Jesus needs you. 00:22:26.720 --> 00:22:30.640 Jesus, I'm sorry, Jesus, change my life. 00:22:31.200 --> 00:22:32.799 I want to follow you. 00:22:34.880 --> 00:22:37.359 You know, if you haven't done that before, you could do that this morning. 00:22:37.519 --> 00:22:42.400 In fact, you could do it with this last song just by singing the song. 00:22:43.359 --> 00:22:46.880 You could put your life in Jesus' hands. 00:22:51.039 --> 00:22:55.920 When we do that, like I said before, the spirit God created with us comes alive. 00:22:56.000 --> 00:22:58.400 It's a little hard to explain, but it's how it happens. 00:22:58.640 --> 00:23:00.799 God's spirit connects with our spirit. 00:23:02.000 --> 00:23:03.279 And then we start changing. 00:23:03.359 --> 00:23:04.400 It's a process. 00:23:04.640 --> 00:23:05.440 But you know what? 00:23:05.599 --> 00:23:09.359 Right away, we know that we are loved. 00:23:09.680 --> 00:23:13.359 And we know that we'll never be alone. 00:23:15.039 --> 00:23:16.000 It's we. 00:23:16.799 --> 00:23:17.920 So let's pray. 00:23:18.160 --> 00:23:19.440 Father, I praise you. 00:23:19.680 --> 00:23:21.920 Just thank you for being such a great God. 00:23:22.400 --> 00:23:23.680 Jesus, we praise you. 00:23:23.839 --> 00:23:26.640 Thank you for coming to reconnect us with our Father. 00:23:26.880 --> 00:23:33.920 Thank you for being with us through thick and through thin, through our great mistakes and through our great victories. 00:23:34.720 --> 00:23:37.759 We thank you for those that are being baptized this morning. 00:23:38.160 --> 00:23:40.319 We just praise you for them and their hearts for you. 00:23:40.400 --> 00:23:46.720 And I thank you for everyone here this morning that uh that you would give each of us what we need. 00:23:46.960 --> 00:23:48.640 We thank you and we trust you. 00:23:48.799 --> 00:23:49.440 We love you. 00:23:49.519 --> 00:23:50.400 In Jesus' name. 00:23:50.640 --> 00:23:51.119 Amen.