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WEBVTT
Kind: captions
Language: en

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well we look forward very much now to 
hearing an address from brother mark  

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you don't know on the subject waters are peoples

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so even though this uh this particular subject 
has been described now with three different titles  

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uh that was not intentional but it it they're 
all relevant and anyone will do as you can tell  

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from the title just on the splash 
screen that we've just seen that um  

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this is going to be about baptism as a prophetic 
image and the final class that we the final  

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subject on on this particular overall 
theme that we will consider this week

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each of us comes to baptism uh the subject 
of baptism tonight from our own perspective

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there are different perspectives as we consider 
our own baptisms and perhaps the baptisms of  

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others there are some younger folk here who have 
not yet made the decision to be baptized and yet  

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being associated with the cristadelphian 
family and having heard so much discussion  

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on the subject especially this week it would 
be hard not to be thinking about baptism  

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and yet the thoughts of someone who is not baptism 
toward baptism are considerably different than the  

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thoughts of those of us who have spent some time 
in baptism but in between the two are those of us  

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who have only been baptized perhaps just recently 
within the last few months or a year or so  

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and in in that case you remember when 
you were first baptized baptism can

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be something which was a very profound 
decision to make and then um produced  

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a euphoric feeling of god's love and 
mercy in in the action of baptism  

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uh may have been of tremendous value in the 
testimony of baptism uh but then as the days go on  

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uh the the reality of life in christ tends to 
come home to us in ways that we might never have  

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expected um that we nevertheless still might have 
heard about but have now only realized by trying  

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to live in christ and then there are those 
of us who have borne the burden in the heat  

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of the day and spent many years in christ 
reflecting every sunday on their relationship  

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to his body and his blood his sacrifice their 
own symbolic identification with the death burial  

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and resurrection of christ and yet all of us come 
together with with one particular commonality  

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as it relates to our baptisms and that is 
that they are prophetic in some respects  

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of everlasting life for us so there's a there's 
a beautiful overriding meaning to baptism  

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and that is that having identified in this action 
uh where we we are dipped and cleansed in water  

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and we we understand this to mean that we 
have been buried with christ and raised  

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again to new life with him that there is 
an anticipation a prophetic anticipation  

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that when the day comes whether we are alive and 
or dead at that moment that we will rise to life  

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with christ and enter that special everlasting 
life that god has promised us in his kingdom  

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so that's that's the gist of it for us 
and that brings us to the relationship of  

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baptism as we want to look at it tonight to 
the imagery used in god's word around water

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so that takes us all the way 
back to baptism and the beginning  

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it may may interest you to realize 
if you haven't seen this before  

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that it would appear in god's mind 
the idea of rising from water to life  

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as it's expressed in baptism was actually there 
in the beginning when the creation took place

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this is what it says in the second verse of 
genesis 1. and the earth was without form and void  

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and darkness was upon the face of the 
deep so there's a a sort of an absence of  

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of order you might say there is a kind of 
confusion in the early world of god's creation  

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and darkness was even found upon the face of 
the deep and in this verse the second verse  

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we have our first reference to water in the bible 
and you'll notice in the simplest of of ways  

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without really going into this 
or explaining a lot at this point  

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there's a relationship between darkness and the 
face of the deep it's a significant relationship

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and the spirit of god moved upon the face of the 
waters so now it's not just the face of the deep  

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there seems to be another face where 
whereas we may have been facing  

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down into darkness in this description we're 
facing up into light and the spirit of god  

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moved upon the face of the waters 
and god said let there be light  

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all of this happening across the surface 
of the waters where his spirit was found

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so in the beginning you have this very 
interesting and relevant principle established  

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in god's word that water 
separated light from darkness

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as we jump this then just move toward the 
work of christ as it might also bear upon uh  

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our identification with him and therefore our own 
baptisms we find john saying the same thing about  

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jesus that jesus separated light and darkness 
where it says in the first chapter and the  

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third verse in him was life and the life was the 
light of men when the light shines in darkness  

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and the darkness comprehended at night it 
not so there is this this counter distinction  

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between light and darkness that comes especially 
in the effect that the presence of christ has  

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on this world as a light among men or as the 
knowledge of god among men and the full expression  

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of god's word and yet shining in darkness 
the darkness apparently doesn't comprehend it  

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so in the simplest of ways all we understand 
at this point from from the route that we're  

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taking through the scriptures about water and 
baptism and and its prophetic image of our own  

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everlasting life above the waters there was light 
and below the waters there was still darkness so  

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what you have right from the beginning is 
the understanding that water covered darkness

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in the bible you may you may already fully 
understand from so many references that darkness  

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symbolizes ignorance and sin isaiah chapter 60 
put it puts it this way verse 2 darkness shall  

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cover the earth and gross darkness the 
people but the lord shall arise upon  

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you and his glory shall be seen upon you and 
all and the nations shall come to your light  

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and kings to the brightness of your rising so in 
this we can we can very clearly see that darkness  

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covering the earth and gross darkness the people 
symbolizes their at the absence of the knowledge  

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of god which one day will fill the earth as the 
waters cover the sea but in this um understanding  

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represents this gross ignorance that people have 
that that sinks them into a condition of sin but  

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light symbolizes the brightness of rising 
in this case as it applies to israel it's  

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darkness covering the people of israel but the 
lord arising upon her bringing his glory and  

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his brightness then the knowledge of god will 
result in the rising of israel in this world

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waters in the bible as you 
also know symbolize people  

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without god and in many cases 
these waters are turbulent

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isaiah 17 and verse 13 says this the nations 
shall rush like the rushing of many waters so  

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in this we can clearly see 
that waters represent peoples

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this is a fascinating verse 
in job 26 chapter verse 5  

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where it says dead things are formed from 
under the waters and the inhabitants thereof  

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so in addition to symbolizing people 
without god job specifically points  

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out that dead things are formed from beneath 
the face of the deep where there is darkness

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the next place in the bible where baptism comes 
up and waters is in connection with the flood  

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in genesis 6 and verse 5 it says that god saw 
that the wickedness of man was great in the earth  

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and that every imagination of the thoughts 
of his heart was only evil continually  

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so because of that god in his wisdom even in 
his love but in the severity of his judgment  

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buried the iniquity of men beneath the face of the 
deep so water then becomes the mechanism by which  

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god not only covered sin but buried men in the 
judgments against sin and notice you'll notice  

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the same the usage of a similar expression in this 
scenario to the one that we just read in genesis  

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where god's spirit moved upon what the surface 
the face of the waters and the face of the deep  

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well in this case when god's judgments came upon 
the wickedness of this world the ark went upon  

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the face of the waters and once again there was 
god's spirit moving within the ark and saving  

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life in the midst of the severity of his judgments 
so water not only was used to bury the wicked  

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but it was used to cover and to cleanse the earth 
so you can see in in each of these uh simple

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visions of things that happened in bible past 
this idea of water and its significance to  

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to light and darkness to sin and righteousness to 
salvation and judgment that is condemning judgment  

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the picture of water it begins to to fill 
in for us water destroyed all flesh and yet  

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on the other hand where the spirit of god 
was moving water saved noah and his family

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the next place in the bible where water 
comes up in connection with baptism  

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is the baptism of israel in the red sea this is a 
very interesting story but it's also referred to  

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by paul in his letter to the corinthians in 
the new testament first corinthians 10 verses  

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1 through 6 where paul says this he makes an 
observation about the baptism of this congregation  

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from egypt and then he produces a warning this 
is what he says i do not want you to be ignorant  

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brothers and sisters that our ancestors were 
baptized into moses in the cloud and in the sea

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nevertheless god was not pleased with most of them 
and they were struck down in the wilderness now  

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these things occurred as examples for us so that 
we might not desire evil as they did so what you  

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find here is uh for those of us who have have 
who are already baptized and those of us who  

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may be considering being baptized that that's 
not the end of the matter but the beginning  

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the beginning of a commitment it doesn't conclude 
the commitment because although this whole  

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congregation was baptized in the cloud and in 
the sea god wasn't pleased with most of them what  

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would this say about our own life in baptism this 
is the whole reason paul was writing this warning  

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he was saying we need to take this this matter of 
our relationship to god this commitment that we've  

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made seriously because god wasn't pleased with 
most of these people and they were all baptized  

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so it isn't the baptism that does it it's the 
faith operating uh being proven by works but  

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the faith operating in the context 
of the desire to fulfill god's will  

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and he says these things occurred as examples 
for us so that we might not desire evil  

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as they did and yet those of us who are 
baptized know that baptism doesn't take away  

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the desire for evil so that then becomes 
something that we have to understand  

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and integrate into the great work that 
we have in faith when we are baptized

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the next place where baptism comes 
up is of course the story of naaman  

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and his leprosy i find this to be a very 
interesting story and i'll just recount it  

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to you in short form before we get into the 
point neyman was the commander of the syrian  

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army and i think he was a very special 
capable man he found favor with the king  

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and curiously enough the syrians used to go on 
raids in israel and he had captured this young  

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jewish girl and brought her back to 
be a servant to his wife in his home  

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but he had leprosy here's what kind of a man 
naaman was even though he was had had was the  

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commander of the syrian army and had taken 
us a jewish girl to be a slave in his home  

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she still seems to love him because she says if my 
master would only go to israel there's a prophet  

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there who can heal him of his leprosy so when 
naaman heard this he he went to the king and the  

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king said well i'll write a letter for you so he 
wrote a letter to the king of israel and he said  

00:16:32.960 --> 00:16:37.440 align:start position:0%
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i'm going to send he sent some gifts and some 
money some gold and silver and some clothing  

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and he said uh i've sent this to you i'm sending 
naaman when he comes i'd like for you to heal him  

00:16:43.360 --> 00:16:47.440 align:start position:0%
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and the king goes into a fit because he goes 
there's no way there's no way i can heal him  

00:16:47.440 --> 00:16:53.600 align:start position:0%
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this has to be a trap i've been set up he thinks 
to come in and destroy us all and uh he gets very  

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very worried and so uh somehow or another elisha 
the king got so really upset by this that he he  

00:17:01.360 --> 00:17:09.280 align:start position:0%
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rent his clothes and so um elisha hears about 
this and he said why did the king tear his clothes  

00:17:10.240 --> 00:17:14.800 align:start position:0%
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the king doesn't need to tear his clothes over 
this send the man to me and i will take care of it  

00:17:15.520 --> 00:17:17.840 align:start position:0%
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so that he will know that 
there is a prophet in israel  

00:17:18.560 --> 00:17:25.360 align:start position:0%
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so the situation was kind of rescued 
by this and naaman went to see elisha

00:17:28.160 --> 00:17:34.000 align:start position:0%
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elisha sent a messenger to the door when he got to 
his house and he s and the messenger said go and  

00:17:34.000 --> 00:17:38.160 align:start position:0%
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wash in the jordan seven times and your flesh 
will be restored and you will be clean and of  

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course we can see from this uh even though there 
are seven times that naaman was to wash in the  

00:17:45.680 --> 00:17:52.000 align:start position:0%
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jordan that he was in fact to be cleansed by the 
waters of the jordan and that he would therefore  

00:17:52.000 --> 00:17:58.240 align:start position:0%
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be clean clean of a condition that had overtaken 
him in which his own flesh was destroying him  

00:17:59.200 --> 00:18:06.320 align:start position:0%
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so when when naaman heard this he become 
he comes very angry and he goes away saying  

00:18:06.320 --> 00:18:11.760 align:start position:0%
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i thought that for me he would surely come out 
and stand and call on the name of his lord god  

00:18:12.560 --> 00:18:18.080 align:start position:0%
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and call on the name of the lord jesus is he 
what what was running through naaman's mind  

00:18:18.080 --> 00:18:23.760 align:start position:0%
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he wanted it to happen like a pentecostal 
evangelical saving healing kind of event  

00:18:24.720 --> 00:18:31.440 align:start position:0%
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he wanted to be just call on the name of the lord 
but right here in the story of naaman we find that  

00:18:31.440 --> 00:18:37.440 align:start position:0%
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that is not the way god prescribes the healing 
that takes place the cleansing as a result of  

00:18:38.400 --> 00:18:43.120 align:start position:0%
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baptism although we know that it says call 
upon the name of the lord and you should be  

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saved there are other things that enter into it 
and if you don't know about those other things  

00:18:47.280 --> 00:18:51.200 align:start position:0%
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or if you don't take the whole counsel of 
god you might miss a significant detail  

00:18:51.760 --> 00:18:57.120 align:start position:0%
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which naaman had obviously missed look what 
he further says and call on the name of his  

00:18:57.120 --> 00:19:04.240 align:start position:0%
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lord as of the lord his god and would wave 
his hand so now he wants this be healed

00:19:06.560 --> 00:19:13.040 align:start position:0%
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he wants the waving of the hand that's not 
the way god works is it in fact what we  

00:19:13.040 --> 00:19:18.880 align:start position:0%
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learn from the story of naaman is when 
god says to do something specifically  

00:19:18.880 --> 00:19:26.240 align:start position:0%
x
he means what he says he has its reasons it has a 
profound meaning on those watching and those doing  

00:19:28.000 --> 00:19:33.760 align:start position:0%
x
and he means for us to understand the meaning 
through the specifics of his instruction  

00:19:35.200 --> 00:19:40.080 align:start position:0%
x
it doesn't come from calling on the name of the 
lord only it comes from the meaning of calling  

00:19:40.080 --> 00:19:44.960 align:start position:0%
x
on the name it doesn't come from the waving the 
hand but his servants approached him and look  

00:19:44.960 --> 00:19:49.360 align:start position:0%
x
at how much his servants love him now what kind 
of commander of the syrian army would you know  

00:19:50.000 --> 00:19:56.160 align:start position:0%
x
would be all upset about something have his mind 
all set be disappointed to this level and then  

00:19:57.760 --> 00:20:04.640 align:start position:0%
x
listen to his servants who is this man i 
think naaman is an extraordinary person  

00:20:04.640 --> 00:20:10.160 align:start position:0%
x
his slave loves him the king loves him 
elisha wants to heal him his servants  

00:20:10.160 --> 00:20:14.160 align:start position:0%
x
give him advice he takes it who is 
this commander of the syrian army

00:20:17.040 --> 00:20:20.240 align:start position:0%
x
well he was a gentile wasn't he

00:20:23.440 --> 00:20:25.680 align:start position:0%
x
and he got baptized in israel didn't he  

00:20:27.680 --> 00:20:33.040 align:start position:0%
x
kind of interesting in those days before all this 
really became clarified the way we understand  

00:20:33.040 --> 00:20:42.080 align:start position:0%
x
it in times that even struck jesus with a point 
that he couldn't get out of his mind but reading  

00:20:42.080 --> 00:20:47.040 align:start position:0%
x
further they say to him father if the prophet had 
commanded you to do something difficult like go  

00:20:47.040 --> 00:20:53.520 align:start position:0%
x
and kill 10 lions you would have been more than 
happy to go out and do that but instead you would  

00:20:53.520 --> 00:21:01.280 align:start position:0%
x
have done it how much more when all he said to you 
was wash and be clean it's not the point painfully  

00:21:01.280 --> 00:21:08.640 align:start position:0%
x
obvious to us those of us who have not yet made 
the decision to be baptized god could have said  

00:21:08.640 --> 00:21:14.960 align:start position:0%
x
like my son i want all of you to be crucified 
and hung in shame on a cross but you didn't say  

00:21:14.960 --> 00:21:20.880 align:start position:0%
x
that he didn't ask us to take a trip around the 
world or climb the highest mountain or go kill  

00:21:20.880 --> 00:21:27.120 align:start position:0%
x
10 lions he didn't ask us to go get shot or our 
heads chopped off although sometimes that happens  

00:21:27.680 --> 00:21:33.360 align:start position:0%
x
he just said wash and be clean who among us would 
say well that's a little bit too much for me  

00:21:35.280 --> 00:21:39.280 align:start position:0%
x
well if we did wouldn't we be just like 
naaman that said i want to be a little easier  

00:21:39.280 --> 00:21:45.360 align:start position:0%
x
just somebody wave their hand that'll be 
that but god has his instructions and his  

00:21:45.360 --> 00:21:52.000 align:start position:0%
x
instructions his instructions are there for a 
reason so how much more when all he said to you

00:21:57.040 --> 00:22:07.120 align:start position:0%
x
wash and be clean so naaman went down and immersed 
himself seven times in the jordan according to the  

00:22:07.120 --> 00:22:12.880 align:start position:0%
x
word of the man of god and his flesh was restored 
like the flesh of a young boy and he was clean  

00:22:13.520 --> 00:22:18.640 align:start position:0%
x
you can imagine the joy in this man because 
in those days leprosy was a death sentence  

00:22:18.640 --> 00:22:23.440 align:start position:0%
x
you didn't get over leprosy it killed your 
nerves prevented you from feeling any pain  

00:22:23.440 --> 00:22:27.840 align:start position:0%
x
as a result of that you're going doing things 
with your limbs your fingers your toes and your  

00:22:27.840 --> 00:22:31.840 align:start position:0%
x
mouth that that would cause infection that you 
couldn't feel because you couldn't feel pain  

00:22:31.840 --> 00:22:38.000 align:start position:0%
x
and it would the infection would eat away at your 
at your your so you had numbs uh nubs on your on  

00:22:38.000 --> 00:22:46.720 align:start position:0%
x
your hands and a rottenness around your mouth you 
can imagine the joy in his heart when he realized  

00:22:46.720 --> 00:22:52.880 align:start position:0%
x
he was clean of the effects of not feeling pain 
this is the way sin operates in our life before  

00:22:52.880 --> 00:22:57.840 align:start position:0%
x
our conscience gets so acute that we come to 
god and beg for mercy and ask him to forgive us  

00:22:57.840 --> 00:23:03.120 align:start position:0%
x
and that drives us that that desire to be forgiven 
in the knowledge of our own sinfulness drives us  

00:23:03.120 --> 00:23:09.760 align:start position:0%
x
to the waters of baptism hoping that god will 
have mercy on us in the same way we realize that  

00:23:09.760 --> 00:23:16.160 align:start position:0%
x
we've been desensitized by our own flesh to the 
effects of sin and it is rotting us while we live  

00:23:17.120 --> 00:23:21.280 align:start position:0%
x
and we don't want to do that we want to 
live and be healed like naaman there's  

00:23:21.280 --> 00:23:27.280 align:start position:0%
x
another interesting thing about this naaman did 
this according to does it say the word of god  

00:23:28.160 --> 00:23:32.160 align:start position:0%
x
no it doesn't say that but it doesn't mean 
it's not according to the word of god we  

00:23:32.160 --> 00:23:37.680 align:start position:0%
x
know it was that's where elisha got his word 
but this adds a detail it's according to the  

00:23:37.680 --> 00:23:43.040 align:start position:0%
x
word of the man of god so does not the 
same condition exist for us these days  

00:23:43.920 --> 00:23:48.400 align:start position:0%
x
there are men and women of god and what's 
what makes the men and women of god that  

00:23:48.400 --> 00:23:53.680 align:start position:0%
x
they have great power like elisha and they can 
you know command the armies and chariots of fire  

00:23:53.680 --> 00:23:59.360 align:start position:0%
x
across there no that's not what makes them men and 
women of god it's that they know god's word and  

00:23:59.360 --> 00:24:05.600 align:start position:0%
x
they they therefore become men of god and women of 
god and these are the ones who make the invitation  

00:24:06.160 --> 00:24:10.400 align:start position:0%
x
uh in the form of parents who say to 
their children listen to me this is true  

00:24:10.400 --> 00:24:13.760 align:start position:0%
x
there's a kingdom coming and you'd like to be 
in it you'd like to live forever wouldn't you  

00:24:14.320 --> 00:24:19.760 align:start position:0%
x
or to friends or business associates or just to 
the person next to you whenever in the highways  

00:24:19.760 --> 00:24:25.600 align:start position:0%
x
and byways of this world we find one who is poor 
and maimed it's the men and women of god who make  

00:24:25.600 --> 00:24:31.520 align:start position:0%
x
this message and so those of us who hear this 
message who have heard it we know we've heard  

00:24:31.520 --> 00:24:36.800 align:start position:0%
x
it from the men and women of god and that's the 
way this is work from generation to generation  

00:24:36.800 --> 00:24:41.440 align:start position:0%
x
to generation working the mercy of the lord 
throughout all generations it's through  

00:24:41.440 --> 00:24:47.440 align:start position:0%
x
the word of men and women of god because they 
have applied themselves to the things of faith  

00:24:49.120 --> 00:24:55.280 align:start position:0%
x
and naaman was clean this would be a lot less 
significant for us if jesus hadn't brought  

00:24:55.280 --> 00:25:01.680 align:start position:0%
x
it up jesus is in nazareth telling them how 
he's fulfilling the prophecies of the messiah  

00:25:01.680 --> 00:25:05.600 align:start position:0%
x
and they were right with him in the synagogue 
he's back in his hometown they're right with  

00:25:05.600 --> 00:25:09.840 align:start position:0%
x
him the following ever they're very interested 
in what he's saying until he finally opens up  

00:25:09.840 --> 00:25:13.520 align:start position:0%
x
and says what the problem in israel is and 
then they gnash their teeth and they want  

00:25:13.520 --> 00:25:18.960 align:start position:0%
x
to kill him what did he say that turned them 
like that he said this there were many lepers  

00:25:18.960 --> 00:25:25.360 align:start position:0%
x
in israel in the time of the prophet elisha and 
none of them was cleansed except this gentile  

00:25:27.040 --> 00:25:34.560 align:start position:0%
x
that you were never in fellowship with this 
man was cleansed jesus identifies the one thing  

00:25:34.560 --> 00:25:42.480 align:start position:0%
x
that condemned israel across the board they had a 
relationship with god and they were ignoring it it  

00:25:42.480 --> 00:25:48.080 align:start position:0%
x
takes a gentile from a syrian army to come into 
israel and show them all up by listening being  

00:25:48.080 --> 00:25:56.400 align:start position:0%
x
humble enough to listen to god his instruction 
and so be cleansed jesus's point is is is is a  

00:25:56.400 --> 00:26:02.160 align:start position:0%
x
shattering kind of point if you're a proud person 
that feels like membership is what it's all about  

00:26:02.160 --> 00:26:08.640 align:start position:0%
x
because neyman proves that it has nothing to 
do with membership or nationality or formalism  

00:26:08.640 --> 00:26:12.800 align:start position:0%
x
or anything that would have caused anyone in 
the law to think that the law was saving them  

00:26:13.760 --> 00:26:18.000 align:start position:0%
x
there's nothing to do with any of that it 
has to do with faith and being willing to  

00:26:18.000 --> 00:26:25.360 align:start position:0%
x
listen to god to take him at his word follow 
his instruction and so be clean and he said  

00:26:25.360 --> 00:26:32.800 align:start position:0%
x
jesus says this astonishing thing there were 
many lepers in israel at the time this happened  

00:26:33.760 --> 00:26:41.360 align:start position:0%
x
and none of them was cleansed except this gentile 
do you think this gentile will be in the kingdom  

00:26:42.800 --> 00:26:49.760 align:start position:0%
x
i certainly do jesus thought he was something 
something to something remarkable he thought  

00:26:49.760 --> 00:26:54.960 align:start position:0%
x
in this instance he thought naaman was the best 
example of faith he could make to the men of his  

00:26:54.960 --> 00:27:02.720 align:start position:0%
x
own synagogue how significant was naaman's faith 
so you see once again it isn't about the rituals  

00:27:04.240 --> 00:27:05.840 align:start position:0%
x
it's about the faith

00:27:10.720 --> 00:27:17.200 align:start position:0%
x
now we come to baptism and the sacrifice of christ 
what you see here is what i think is a remarkable  

00:27:17.200 --> 00:27:23.600 align:start position:0%
x
painting by a painter who who's so taken with the 
life of christ that all he does is paint scenes  

00:27:23.600 --> 00:27:32.160 align:start position:0%
x
from the gospels this is a picture of of the lord 
jesus christ to this artist as you would would see  

00:27:32.160 --> 00:27:39.920 align:start position:0%
x
him when he is hanging on the cross with the crown 
of thorns on his head um the shock in his eyes  

00:27:41.120 --> 00:27:47.840 align:start position:0%
x
the tears full of love thinking i'm dying 
for all these people and they're killing me  

00:27:48.800 --> 00:27:55.920 align:start position:0%
x
after all i've done you can see the expression 
in his face of a life lived in in the service of  

00:27:55.920 --> 00:28:01.280 align:start position:0%
x
other men and women healing them loving them in 
every respect showing them god's the fullness of  

00:28:01.280 --> 00:28:08.720 align:start position:0%
x
god in his daily activities with them and all they 
could do is shout crucify him what a nightmarish  

00:28:08.720 --> 00:28:14.640 align:start position:0%
x
moment this was in the mind of the lord but he 
nevertheless understood as horrible as it was  

00:28:14.640 --> 00:28:19.760 align:start position:0%
x
that what he was doing would produce the 
ability for men and women who followed him  

00:28:19.760 --> 00:28:25.120 align:start position:0%
x
to identify so carefully with a will that would 
would subject itself to the will of the father  

00:28:25.120 --> 00:28:30.240 align:start position:0%
x
that in fact this one action would result 
in the salvation of the whole world  

00:28:32.000 --> 00:28:38.560 align:start position:0%
x
so effective was it in dealing 
with sin so our lord jesus christ  

00:28:40.480 --> 00:28:46.480 align:start position:0%
x
died on the cross and paul says as we read in 
romans 6 in the fourth verse therefore we are  

00:28:46.480 --> 00:28:52.160 align:start position:0%
x
buried with him by baptism into death that like 
as christ was raised up from the dead by the  

00:28:52.160 --> 00:28:58.640 align:start position:0%
x
glory of the father even so also we should 
walk in newness of life well this was the  

00:28:58.640 --> 00:29:05.200 align:start position:0%
x
the express difference between the baptism of john 
and the baptism in christ you remember apollos and  

00:29:05.200 --> 00:29:12.160 align:start position:0%
x
and his friends got baptized again because they 
had only been baptized in the baptism of john and  

00:29:12.160 --> 00:29:17.040 align:start position:0%
x
when they learned their faith was set on a proper 
footing by understanding the difference between  

00:29:17.040 --> 00:29:22.480 align:start position:0%
x
the baptism of john and the baptism of christ they 
got baptized again because the baptism of christ  

00:29:22.480 --> 00:29:27.360 align:start position:0%
x
was all the better what was the difference 
the baptism of john was repentance from sin  

00:29:28.160 --> 00:29:32.160 align:start position:0%
x
it couldn't have identified with the death 
burial and resurrection of christ because  

00:29:32.160 --> 00:29:38.960 align:start position:0%
x
the baptism of john when john was baptizing but 
didn't could wouldn't be able to take into account  

00:29:38.960 --> 00:29:46.720 align:start position:0%
x
the crucifixion not having happened yet but 
when christ died and came up as a new creation  

00:29:46.720 --> 00:29:53.520 align:start position:0%
x
before god he had a new life and that life for 
christ was everlasting it proved once and for all  

00:29:53.520 --> 00:30:00.880 align:start position:0%
x
what god was capable of doing with flesh because 
christ was flesh he was the word made flesh and  

00:30:00.880 --> 00:30:08.960 align:start position:0%
x
so this proof was absolute when god raised 
him from the grave even so paul says we have  

00:30:08.960 --> 00:30:16.880 align:start position:0%
x
newness of life in which we walk we have an 
earnest of everlasting life which is ours in trust  

00:30:17.680 --> 00:30:22.480 align:start position:0%
x
because we have identified with the death burial 
and resurrection of the lord jesus christ we in  

00:30:22.480 --> 00:30:27.760 align:start position:0%
x
effect have joined him on the cross acknowledging 
that that we are under the law putting ourselves  

00:30:27.760 --> 00:30:34.640 align:start position:0%
x
to death in sin and then rape being raised in the 
mercy of the lord what a beautiful concept this is  

00:30:34.640 --> 00:30:42.240 align:start position:0%
x
that comes to us from christ so in christ light 
really is rising to a new life a prophetic new  

00:30:42.240 --> 00:30:50.240 align:start position:0%
x
life the prophetic image of a resurrected being 
who is now not dead with men but alive with christ  

00:30:50.240 --> 00:30:55.680 align:start position:0%
x
for you were once darkness but now you are light 
in the lord therefore walk as children of light  

00:30:55.680 --> 00:31:03.040 align:start position:0%
x
for the fruit of spirit the spirit is all goodness 
and righteousness and truth so young man who is  

00:31:03.040 --> 00:31:08.480 align:start position:0%
x
thinking about baptism in your future and young 
woman when you think of yourself in this way you  

00:31:08.480 --> 00:31:17.840 align:start position:0%
x
think do i want all goodness all righteousness 
and truth to be the banner of my life or darkness

00:31:20.240 --> 00:31:26.720 align:start position:0%
x
that's the choice life and death good and evil 
when we face the prospect of being baptized

00:31:30.480 --> 00:31:35.600 align:start position:0%
x
so let's look for a moment at baptism and 
salvation this is a picture of a christadelphian  

00:31:35.600 --> 00:31:41.920 align:start position:0%
x
from australia baptizing some new brothers and 
sisters in india when my son was there and he  

00:31:42.480 --> 00:31:49.200 align:start position:0%
x
he took this picture i liked the picture because 
in its simplicity it shows not only baptism but  

00:31:49.200 --> 00:31:54.240 align:start position:0%
x
a whole family of people who are being baptized 
together so don't ever think that baptism isn't  

00:31:54.240 --> 00:32:00.560 align:start position:0%
x
a family thing because it is not the philippian 
jailer when all this happened and the door opened  

00:32:00.560 --> 00:32:04.960 align:start position:0%
x
and paul and company were just sitting there still 
singing hymns they could have walked out of the  

00:32:04.960 --> 00:32:08.800 align:start position:0%
x
jail but they didn't paul goes back to his house 
the whole family listens and in the morning they  

00:32:08.800 --> 00:32:14.320 align:start position:0%
x
were all baptized all of them the whole family 
together so don't be embarrassed to think that  

00:32:14.320 --> 00:32:20.720 align:start position:0%
x
well i'm getting baptized everybody in my family 
is baptized so that's not what happens families  

00:32:20.720 --> 00:32:27.600 align:start position:0%
x
believe together and so families are natural 
components of ecclesias they make a cliches up and  

00:32:27.600 --> 00:32:32.960 align:start position:0%
x
in fact the brotherhood is made up of ecclesias 
made up of families the family union is something  

00:32:32.960 --> 00:32:39.200 align:start position:0%
x
designed by god as a thing that together responds 
to him so if there are members in your family who  

00:32:39.200 --> 00:32:44.880 align:start position:0%
x
are baptized it's only fitting and appropriate 
it's actually by design that god means for you  

00:32:44.880 --> 00:32:53.200 align:start position:0%
x
also to share the same hope that they do and be 
baptized with them in mark 16 16 jesus says this  

00:32:53.200 --> 00:32:59.040 align:start position:0%
x
concerning baptism and salvation on a worldwide 
level as you see it now here coming to place in  

00:32:59.040 --> 00:33:03.680 align:start position:0%
x
india and he said unto them go ye into all the 
world and preach the gospel to every creature  

00:33:05.200 --> 00:33:10.800 align:start position:0%
x
he that believes and is baptized shall be saved 
but he that believes not shall be condemned  

00:33:12.240 --> 00:33:16.800 align:start position:0%
x
so did you ever notice the order this 
is so simple and we go well this is  

00:33:16.800 --> 00:33:20.640 align:start position:0%
x
the great commission it's kind of simple 
there's a little bit more involved than  

00:33:21.520 --> 00:33:25.520 align:start position:0%
x
just going in every world preached the gospel 
he that believes and is baptized shall be saved  

00:33:25.520 --> 00:33:29.520 align:start position:0%
x
what about all those other contingencies we 
come up with our studies in the new testament  

00:33:30.160 --> 00:33:34.720 align:start position:0%
x
what about the study and the daily readings 
and you know the repentance and the prayer and  

00:33:34.720 --> 00:33:37.840 align:start position:0%
x
you know participation in the ecclesia 
and going to meeting every sunday and  

00:33:38.720 --> 00:33:42.880 align:start position:0%
x
you know doing things instead of just talking 
about things and what about all that stuff  

00:33:44.480 --> 00:33:50.240 align:start position:0%
x
how was that how does that fit into this equation 
and yet look at the marvel of what jesus says  

00:33:50.960 --> 00:33:56.320 align:start position:0%
x
everything he says is incontrovertible you can't 
take the simplicity of his stat statements and  

00:33:56.320 --> 00:34:01.440 align:start position:0%
x
and find something wrong with them because 
of their simplicity that doesn't work  

00:34:01.440 --> 00:34:07.360 align:start position:0%
x
with jesus he can make simple five letter 
sentences work perfectly in all conditions  

00:34:08.480 --> 00:34:14.640 align:start position:0%
x
because he was the word made flesh the word of 
god so look at the order here he says go into  

00:34:14.640 --> 00:34:22.160 align:start position:0%
x
the world and preach you have to talk to do this 
and you have to live like you talk it's not just  

00:34:22.160 --> 00:34:30.240 align:start position:0%
x
about the talk but then he says this and i think 
the order is is critical the preaching precedes  

00:34:31.920 --> 00:34:38.640 align:start position:0%
x
or involves something very specific it's a gospel 
the gospel that is the good news concerning the  

00:34:38.640 --> 00:34:44.480 align:start position:0%
x
kingdom of god and the name of jesus christ if you 
take that and make that preaching any other gospel  

00:34:44.480 --> 00:34:49.040 align:start position:0%
x
this whole formula breaks down 
so one and two go hand in hand  

00:34:49.040 --> 00:34:54.560 align:start position:0%
x
the preaching has to be about the gospel and 
the gospel is in the and thy seed shall all the  

00:34:54.560 --> 00:34:59.040 align:start position:0%
x
families of the earth be blessed that's the 
kingdom of god and the name of jesus christ  

00:35:00.080 --> 00:35:07.680 align:start position:0%
x
to every creature and then it says this he that 
believes so belief is crucial in this process but  

00:35:08.400 --> 00:35:11.440 align:start position:0%
x
what if you were to change the gospel or 
leave the gospel out there's just preaching  

00:35:12.400 --> 00:35:17.600 align:start position:0%
x
what's to be believed then anything it still 
doesn't work you can't take any one of these  

00:35:17.600 --> 00:35:21.360 align:start position:0%
x
out if there's no preaching there'll be no 
gospel no belief if there's preaching but no  

00:35:21.360 --> 00:35:27.760 align:start position:0%
x
gospel what will be believed nothing so what 
you can see is each of these specific things  

00:35:27.760 --> 00:35:35.120 align:start position:0%
x
is critical to the equation it only works because 
jesus identified the essentials so the gospel is  

00:35:35.120 --> 00:35:42.320 align:start position:0%
x
preached he that is believe that believes and is 
baptized shall be saved so what about the baptism  

00:35:42.320 --> 00:35:49.600 align:start position:0%
x
what does that say well the baptism shows a 
specific public identification with christ  

00:35:50.560 --> 00:35:56.880 align:start position:0%
x
and jesus knew that if if this happens in the 
world people would see it and when people see  

00:35:56.880 --> 00:36:03.120 align:start position:0%
x
baptism they start thinking about it and when 
they think about it their belief begins to turn  

00:36:03.120 --> 00:36:10.400 align:start position:0%
x
in the direction of god so baptism is critical 
for that reason but also because god has his  

00:36:10.400 --> 00:36:15.840 align:start position:0%
x
reasons and he's very specific nothing can 
be left out we can't just believe and then  

00:36:15.840 --> 00:36:22.320 align:start position:0%
x
skip this step that won't work either so 
young people think about that if you believe  

00:36:23.840 --> 00:36:28.880 align:start position:0%
x
in the same way that preaching in the gospel 
are integral and they go hand in hand belief  

00:36:28.880 --> 00:36:34.160 align:start position:0%
x
and baptism are integral and they go hand in hand 
there's almost no such thing as belief without  

00:36:34.160 --> 00:36:41.040 align:start position:0%
x
baptism because the instruction is there for a 
very specific reason god wants us to feel cleansed  

00:36:42.320 --> 00:36:48.640 align:start position:0%
x
he understands that we need to feel forgiven 
he wants us that marker to be in our life so  

00:36:48.640 --> 00:36:54.160 align:start position:0%
x
that for the rest of our days when we think about 
ourselves and we consider our flesh and we think  

00:36:54.160 --> 00:36:59.600 align:start position:0%
x
about the offering we make to him every first day 
of the week and we remember his body and his blood  

00:36:59.600 --> 00:37:06.000 align:start position:0%
x
that these things are considered on the basis of a 
turning point a landmark event in our lives and so  

00:37:06.000 --> 00:37:12.240 align:start position:0%
x
jesus places it right where it needs to be in the 
place in our memory where we can never forget it

00:37:16.400 --> 00:37:23.600 align:start position:0%
x
and the testimony is made to others other 
people see that baptism and they think about it  

00:37:23.600 --> 00:37:29.280 align:start position:0%
x
and all of this is according to the design and 
purpose of god so jesus answers in john 3 and 5  

00:37:30.480 --> 00:37:38.240 align:start position:0%
x
very truly i tell you no one can enter the 
kingdom of god without being born of the water  

00:37:38.960 --> 00:37:42.720 align:start position:0%
x
and of the spirit well there was a guy that tried 
you remember the story about the guy that tried  

00:37:42.720 --> 00:37:46.480 align:start position:0%
x
to get into the kingdom without being born of 
the water well he finds himself at the wedding  

00:37:46.480 --> 00:37:50.640 align:start position:0%
x
and he doesn't have a garment and jesus looks 
at him and he says friend where's your garment  

00:37:51.440 --> 00:38:00.160 align:start position:0%
x
i thought i made it real simple real clear 
preach the gospel he that believes and is  

00:38:00.160 --> 00:38:04.960 align:start position:0%
x
baptized will be saved this guy's there and he 
never got baptized he doesn't have a garment  

00:38:05.920 --> 00:38:12.640 align:start position:0%
x
he's naked in his flesh before god and now the 
importance of following instruction comes home  

00:38:12.640 --> 00:38:18.400 align:start position:0%
x
to him he's entirely speechless and jesus tells 
his servants cast this man in outer darkness he's  

00:38:18.400 --> 00:38:23.920 align:start position:0%
x
not fit to be with me because he can't follow the 
first instruction he wasn't faithful and little  

00:38:23.920 --> 00:38:29.360 align:start position:0%
x
how's he ever going to be faithful and much you 
see what jesus understands if you can't go step  

00:38:29.360 --> 00:38:36.800 align:start position:0%
x
one with him you'll never go down that straight a 
narrow road with him so he's he separates people  

00:38:36.800 --> 00:38:41.520 align:start position:0%
x
who are willing to make a commitment right from 
the start those people who make the baptism and  

00:38:41.520 --> 00:38:48.960 align:start position:0%
x
then stay to it at whatever point and those people 
who just can't go that far we wouldn't want to  

00:38:48.960 --> 00:38:52.960 align:start position:0%
x
end up at the judgment seat asking with jesus 
looking at us saying friend where's your garment  

00:38:53.840 --> 00:38:58.160 align:start position:0%
x
because we'll be just as speechless as that man 
we won't have a thing to say we will have heard  

00:38:58.160 --> 00:39:05.120 align:start position:0%
x
at least one guy like me stand up at bible school 
and say uh all the same things and then all these  

00:39:05.120 --> 00:39:09.760 align:start position:0%
x
memories will flood our head and we'll go well i 
don't really know why i wasn't baptized but i know  

00:39:09.760 --> 00:39:16.400 align:start position:0%
x
i didn't even obey the first little simple 
command that you gave me this is a test  

00:39:16.400 --> 00:39:21.120 align:start position:0%
x
to determine who has the ability to keep 
commandments and who is not interested in them  

00:39:22.480 --> 00:39:27.280 align:start position:0%
x
for as many of you as have been baptized into 
christ have put on christ there is neither jew  

00:39:27.280 --> 00:39:31.760 align:start position:0%
x
nor greek there is neither bond or free there is 
neither male nor female it's all the same there's  

00:39:31.760 --> 00:39:37.600 align:start position:0%
x
no partiality with god you're all one in christ 
jesus and when you are christ your abraham's seed  

00:39:37.600 --> 00:39:42.240 align:start position:0%
x
and heirs according to the promise the promise 
to abraham was that he would inherit all the  

00:39:42.240 --> 00:39:47.440 align:start position:0%
x
land that he saw north south east west it would 
go to him and to his seed who is christ forever  

00:39:47.440 --> 00:39:52.080 align:start position:0%
x
if you're an heir according to that promise you're 
an heir according to the land of israel that means  

00:39:52.080 --> 00:39:58.880 align:start position:0%
x
real estate but not real estate as such it means 
the holy land the land where god will set his  

00:39:58.880 --> 00:40:05.280 align:start position:0%
x
perfection and his beauty in righteousness but it 
goes further than that because the promise extends  

00:40:05.280 --> 00:40:11.360 align:start position:0%
x
to jesus and those that are his by saying ask 
of me and i will give you the ends of the earth  

00:40:11.920 --> 00:40:15.600 align:start position:0%
x
for your possession so god offers 
that makes that offer to his son  

00:40:15.600 --> 00:40:21.120 align:start position:0%
x
and what does his son ask for okay give me 
the ends of the earth i want the whole thing  

00:40:21.120 --> 00:40:28.080 align:start position:0%
x
is that what jesus said he asked 
life of thee and thou gavest it him

00:40:30.640 --> 00:40:38.240 align:start position:0%
x
so what life did jesus ask for 
when he was nailed to the cross

00:40:38.240 --> 00:40:41.760 align:start position:0%
x
and god said i'll give you the ends of 
the earth whose life did he ask for then

00:40:44.320 --> 00:40:45.600 align:start position:0%
x
he asked for yours

00:40:47.680 --> 00:40:56.560 align:start position:0%
x
he asked god give them to me asked for your life 
that was what was on his mind when he was dying

00:40:58.640 --> 00:41:00.400 align:start position:0%
x
even in the form of forgiveness

00:41:03.520 --> 00:41:10.080 align:start position:0%
x
so that brings us now to our descent toward 
the conclusion of this of our remarks tonight  

00:41:10.080 --> 00:41:12.000 align:start position:0%
x
baptism and and the life of christ

00:41:14.080 --> 00:41:16.000 align:start position:0%
x
or and life in christ rather  

00:41:17.760 --> 00:41:25.680 align:start position:0%
x
when we are below the face of the deep in the 
darkness of our life as a natural fleshly human  

00:41:25.680 --> 00:41:30.400 align:start position:0%
x
being we're born into this world and we're born 
into darkness that's just where we are we already  

00:41:30.400 --> 00:41:36.160 align:start position:0%
x
know that from everything we've spoken about uh 
as we learn about god from our parents or in bible  

00:41:36.160 --> 00:41:41.440 align:start position:0%
x
schools or wherever the ecclesia wherever we learn 
about god from especially from our own reading uh  

00:41:41.440 --> 00:41:46.720 align:start position:0%
x
we understand that we're down here we're kind of 
still in darkness because we haven't been raised  

00:41:46.720 --> 00:41:53.360 align:start position:0%
x
with christ to a new life so we're sort of in 
where god describes the dark things of this world  

00:41:53.360 --> 00:41:59.840 align:start position:0%
x
uh death but if we're not ignorant why would we 
want to stay down here this is where sin is we're  

00:41:59.840 --> 00:42:04.960 align:start position:0%
x
sort of bound up in sin because we're human beings 
we can't help it but that's where we are by birth

00:42:07.120 --> 00:42:11.760 align:start position:0%
x
people who are in christ have left this old man 
in the ground and been raised with christ to  

00:42:11.760 --> 00:42:18.240 align:start position:0%
x
become a new man in christ and they get this all 
the strength of christ but something happens and  

00:42:18.240 --> 00:42:24.240 align:start position:0%
x
those of us who've been baptized for some 
time know what life in christ is like there's  

00:42:25.280 --> 00:42:31.200 align:start position:0%
x
a cycle that we experience in our lives a cycle 
that involves being tempted by the lust of the  

00:42:31.200 --> 00:42:36.560 align:start position:0%
x
flesh and lust of the eyes and the pride of 
life and we find that temptation is just as  

00:42:36.560 --> 00:42:41.440 align:start position:0%
x
much if not more a part of our life than 
the victory of obedience this is going to  

00:42:41.440 --> 00:42:46.320 align:start position:0%
x
be a very discouraging thing but why should 
we really be discouraged by this god knows  

00:42:46.320 --> 00:42:51.120 align:start position:0%
x
that we would be tempted it's been expounded 
upon in ever from every angle in the bible  

00:42:52.080 --> 00:42:59.040 align:start position:0%
x
this is life in christ a cycle of temptation and 
repentance what happens is we find ourselves being  

00:42:59.040 --> 00:43:06.400 align:start position:0%
x
tempted and then for some awful event or time 
we find ourselves actually appearing to return  

00:43:07.040 --> 00:43:14.640 align:start position:0%
x
to this frame of mind that was like the old man it 
gets a hold of us and it causes us to sin but then  

00:43:14.640 --> 00:43:20.720 align:start position:0%
x
we wake up and remember that that no we we can 
receive mercy but mercy involves turning to god  

00:43:20.720 --> 00:43:28.720 align:start position:0%
x
facing the ecclesia leaving behind what what what 
it is that that besets us in sin and and changing  

00:43:28.720 --> 00:43:36.080 align:start position:0%
x
our heart and changing our lives according to uh 
repentance this is the cycle of life in christ  

00:43:36.080 --> 00:43:41.440 align:start position:0%
x
so we should never be under any illusion this is 
what it will be like this is the way it is until  

00:43:41.440 --> 00:43:48.240 align:start position:0%
x
our bodies are changed to be like christ uh we 
know that that this cycle may may improve over  

00:43:48.240 --> 00:43:54.320 align:start position:0%
x
time but we will never be rid of the flesh until 
our bodies are changed over it all is the covering  

00:43:54.320 --> 00:44:02.800 align:start position:0%
x
we receive from baptism this overarching power 
of love and mercy in our lives uh that is life  

00:44:02.800 --> 00:44:09.840 align:start position:0%
x
in christ he already has us covered the victory 
has been won once and for all he dealt with sin  

00:44:09.840 --> 00:44:17.040 align:start position:0%
x
and while we were yet sinners he died for us and 
that victory has been won so people who consider  

00:44:17.040 --> 00:44:23.280 align:start position:0%
x
being baptized people who are new in baptism and 
people who have experienced this conundrum of sin  

00:44:23.280 --> 00:44:29.680 align:start position:0%
x
temptation and repentance in their baptized 
lives can have the full assurance that christ  

00:44:29.680 --> 00:44:35.440 align:start position:0%
x
has already won the victory for us there's nothing 
that can separate us from the love of god and this  

00:44:35.440 --> 00:44:40.400 align:start position:0%
x
doesn't in any way mean that we therefore don't 
need to be obedient it drives us into further  

00:44:40.400 --> 00:44:46.560 align:start position:0%
x
and further love of god uh with with all the more 
dedication to becoming obedient following his will  

00:44:48.000 --> 00:44:55.520 align:start position:0%
x
because in christ not outside of christ but in 
christ is mercy forgiveness grace and the peace  

00:44:55.520 --> 00:45:02.400 align:start position:0%
x
of christ so when we break bread we remember 
the obedience of christ that is our strength we  

00:45:02.400 --> 00:45:09.120 align:start position:0%
x
emulate that in our lives and we we drink the wine 
we recognize that we have have now become the own  

00:45:09.120 --> 00:45:16.000 align:start position:0%
x
our own prophecy of everlasting life because 
we walk not according to the flesh but after  

00:45:16.000 --> 00:45:21.280 align:start position:0%
x
the spirit and mind of christ following 
his disposition seeking the will of god  

00:45:21.280 --> 00:45:26.160 align:start position:0%
x
in our lives so that it can be written upon our 
heart and that's the shaping of god so what's  

00:45:26.160 --> 00:45:32.960 align:start position:0%
x
to be afraid of in baptism this will happen and 
the victory has already been made what's to fear  

00:45:34.160 --> 00:45:39.040 align:start position:0%
x
baptism is the assurance of life when you break 
bread when you are tied to the ecclesia and to  

00:45:39.040 --> 00:45:43.280 align:start position:0%
x
the table of the lord the bread and the 
wine you have that promise every sunday  

00:45:45.120 --> 00:45:52.240 align:start position:0%
x
that christ can overcome sin here's the point 
our incentive to return from sin to obedience  

00:45:52.240 --> 00:46:00.320 align:start position:0%
x
comes from knowing that we can otherwise we 
would give up there's no giving up in christ so  

00:46:00.320 --> 00:46:03.920 align:start position:0%
x
if i don't know who you know where you are 
in your life i know where i am in my life  

00:46:04.640 --> 00:46:10.640 align:start position:0%
x
don't be discouraged brother sister i 
know everybody has trials i have mine too  

00:46:11.200 --> 00:46:16.880 align:start position:0%
x
don't give up don't don't walk away from this with 
some with your head down thinking i've betrayed  

00:46:16.880 --> 00:46:23.520 align:start position:0%
x
everything because the victory's already been won 
his mercies are new every morning he knows that  

00:46:23.520 --> 00:46:28.880 align:start position:0%
x
that that you are weak and uh pitiful 
and he remembers that we're but dust he  

00:46:28.880 --> 00:46:33.920 align:start position:0%
x
pities us as a father pities his children no 
father would turn his son away from his home  

00:46:35.920 --> 00:46:43.200 align:start position:0%
x
you ask life of god he'll give it to you depend 
on his mercy it's all there for you don't give up  

00:46:44.640 --> 00:46:51.280 align:start position:0%
x
it'll be all right we have these verses speaking 
about this strength of christ overcoming our own  

00:46:51.280 --> 00:46:56.720 align:start position:0%
x
inherent weaknesses now the psalmist said it's 
god that girls me with strength and makes my way  

00:46:56.720 --> 00:47:02.080 align:start position:0%
x
perfect he said to me my grace is sufficient 
for you speaking uh paul now speaking for my  

00:47:02.080 --> 00:47:08.080 align:start position:0%
x
strength is made perfect in weakness you will be 
weak in your in the life of your baptized years  

00:47:09.120 --> 00:47:13.040 align:start position:0%
x
and that's where the strength 
of god is made perfect what

00:47:15.120 --> 00:47:24.960 align:start position:0%
x
what an immeasurable blessing we have in christ 
we're protected by his sacrifice that doesn't make  

00:47:24.960 --> 00:47:30.960 align:start position:0%
x
me want to sin anymore it makes me want to stop 
sinning every day try harder than the day before  

00:47:32.400 --> 00:47:36.800 align:start position:0%
x
that's why paul said i can do all things in 
christ who strengthens me and he said that  

00:47:36.800 --> 00:47:42.720 align:start position:0%
x
saying also i don't know know of anything against 
myself but i'm still dependent on the mercy of god  

00:47:43.360 --> 00:47:48.400 align:start position:0%
x
because mercy will triumph over justice there's 
one more dimension about baptism and that is  

00:47:48.400 --> 00:47:53.680 align:start position:0%
x
baptism in the river of life in the kingdom 
of god this beautiful time when uh the river  

00:47:53.680 --> 00:47:58.000 align:start position:0%
x
will flow from jerusalem to the ends of the earth 
and the people of the world will be healed in it  

00:47:58.000 --> 00:48:03.520 align:start position:0%
x
and healed by the leaves of the trees growing on 
on the sides of this river once again it's water  

00:48:03.520 --> 00:48:08.800 align:start position:0%
x
and water and life and life and light and the 
rulership and authority of christ over it all

00:48:11.520 --> 00:48:17.040 align:start position:0%
x
the psalmist said this concerning that there's 
a river the streams whereof shall make glad  

00:48:17.040 --> 00:48:23.120 align:start position:0%
x
the city of god the holy place of the temple 
of the most high god is in the midst of her  

00:48:24.080 --> 00:48:31.680 align:start position:0%
x
she shall not be moved god shall help her and that 
made early so we find here that in the kingdom  

00:48:31.680 --> 00:48:39.360 align:start position:0%
x
baptism will be used to cleanse the nations not 
just naaman a syrian commander or each of us in  

00:48:39.360 --> 00:48:48.000 align:start position:0%
x
our hearts but the nations of the world baptism 
will be used by that river to cleanse the nations  

00:48:48.000 --> 00:48:54.800 align:start position:0%
x
and there will be peace and healing in that day so 
the psalmist says this in psalm 18 and verse 16.  

00:48:55.840 --> 00:49:04.800 align:start position:0%
x
he sent me from above he took me he drew me out 
of many waters saying in your heart and in mine  

00:49:05.840 --> 00:49:12.240 align:start position:0%
x
peace be still because if the 
wind and the seas obey him  

00:49:12.960 --> 00:49:29.840 align:start position:0%
x
how much more so the hearts of those who have 
given their their whole mind and life to christ

00:50:18.960 --> 00:50:25.840 align:start position:0%
x
ah

00:53:13.280 --> 00:53:13.360 align:start position:0%
x
you