Churches of King Jesus

[0:00] Well folks it really is a real joy to be here and see so many smiling faces and have such warm affections and love from you all and I thank you for that.

[0:11] I thank you for your love and care and support and prayers and we are together in the gospel and together in the name of the Lord and it's such a joy to be so.

[0:22] So today we are continuing our series in Acts chapter 11 verse 27 we're starting from and I'm going to read to 12, 20, 25 to the end of chapter 12.

[0:36] Afterwards after the service has ended we're going to break for a short bit and then we're going to take communion together and then next month we're going to do it a little bit different next month. We're going to follow a pattern of the second and the last Sunday rather than the first and last just so it's not back to back.

[0:54] So Acts chapter 11 verse 27. Now in these days prophets came down from Jerusalem to Antioch and one of them named Agabus stood up and foretold by the spirit that there would be a great famine over all the world.

[1:16] This took place in the days of Claudius. So the disciples determined everyone according to his ability to send relief to the brothers living in Judea.

[1:28] And they did so sending it to the elders by the hand of Barnabas and Saul. About that time Herod the king laid violent hands on some who belonged to the church.

[1:40] He killed James the brother of John with the sword. When he saw that it pleased the Jews he proceeded to arrest Peter also. This was during the days of unleavened bread.

[1:53] When he had seized him he put him in prison delivering him over to four squads of soldiers to guard him. Intending after the Passover to bring him out to the people. So Peter was kept in prison but earnest prayer for him was made to God by the church.

[2:10] Now when Herod was about to bring him out on that very night Peter was sleeping between two soldiers bound with two chains. And centuries before the door were guarding the prison.

[2:21] And behold an angel of the Lord stood next to him and a light shone in the cell. He struck Peter on the side and woke him saying get up quickly. And the chains fell off his hands.

[2:33] And the angel said to him dress yourself and put on your sandals. And he did so. And he said to him wrap your cloak around you and follow me. And when he went out and followed him he did not know what was being done by the angel was real.

[2:50] But he thought he was seeing a vision. When he had passed the first and the second guard. They came to the iron gate leading into the city and it opened for them of its own accord. They went out and went along one street.

[3:03] And immediately the angel left him. When Peter came to himself he said now I am sure that the Lord has sent his angel. And rescued me from the hand of Herod.

[3:14] And from all that the Jewish people were expecting. When he realized this he went to the house of Mary. The mother of John whose other name was Mark. Where there were many gathered together and praying.

[3:26] And when he knocked at the door of the gateway. A servant girl named Rhoda came to answer. Recognizing Peter's voice. In her joy she did not open the gate.

[3:37] But ran in and reported that Peter was standing at the gate. They said to her. You're out of your mind. But she kept insisting that it was so. And they kept saying.

[3:48] Well it's his angel. But Peter continued knocking. And when they opened they saw him and were amazed. But motioning to them with his hand to be silent.

[3:58] He described to them how the Lord had brought him out of the prison. And he said tell these things to James. And to the brothers. And then he departed and went to another place.

[4:10] And when day came there was no little disturbance among the soldiers. Over what had become of Peter. And after Herod searched for him. And did not find him. He examined the sentries.

[4:22] And ordered that they should be put to death. And then he went down from Judea to Caesarea. And spent time there. Now Herod was angry with the people of Tyre and Sidon. And they came to him with one accord.

[4:34] And having persuaded Blastus the king's chamberlain. They asked for peace. Because their country was dependent. Their country depended on the king.

[4:45] The king's country for food. And on an appointed day Herod put on his royal robes. Took his seat upon the throne. And delivered an oration to them. And the people were shouting.

[4:57] The voice of a god. And not of a man. Immediately an angel of the Lord struck him down. Because he did not give God the glory. And he was eaten by worms.

[5:08] And breathed his last. But the word of God increased. And multiplied. And Barnabas and Saul returned from Jerusalem. When they had completed their service.

[5:19] Bringing with them John. Whose other name was Mark. Amen. And we pray that God would bless the reading of his word. God. I remember a few years back.

[5:32] Early in 2018. You might remember this yourself. There was a nationwide snowstorm from Siberia. And it was called the beast from the east. Do you remember?

[5:44] It seems like every other year. There are things that threaten lives. And threaten the economy. Especially the vulnerable. Those who have little health already.

[5:54] Little mobility. And little help. And one of the effects of that snowstorm. That I remember. Was the shortage of food. I remember walking the aisles.

[6:05] Of the supermarket. Surprised that there was literally not even one. Loaf of bread. And for days. You couldn't get a loaf anywhere. And I think milk was in short supply as well.

[6:17] But one day. I was standing in the bakery aisle. Of a supermarket. Scratching my head. Wondering what to do. Where do I get bread? And an older chap.

[6:28] Who was walking past me. He leaned in. And whispered. Green Hills Bakery. They're doing fresh bread. And I went up and right enough.

[6:39] They were. They had a queue. And you could smell it. And they were. Pumping out as fast as they could. But it's interesting. How close. Are we at any given moment.

[6:50] To being without the things. That we depend on each day. What do you depend on? Better still. Who do you depend on? My youngest son.

[7:01] Ezra. Is funny. And he's not yet talking much. But he'll take my hand. He'll come and he'll take my hand. And he'll lead me to the fridge. Because he's not strong enough. To open it yet.

[7:13] And so when I open it. He knows exactly what he wants. He puts his hand to the yogurt. Levi on the other hand. He uses his words. And you know.

[7:23] You remember the apostle Paul says. In Philippians. Don't be anxious. About anything. But pray. Give thanks. Let your requests. Be known to God.

[7:34] Well Levi. Levi often lets his requests. For snacks. Be known to me. Because he knows. That I'll get him something. And we should be like that. With God. Why would Levi.

[7:46] Make any requests. For snacks to me. If I didn't give him anything. He does so expectantly. Why does Paul. Tell us. To make a request. Known to God. Unless.

[7:57] He expects. That God will answer. Just like Levi. Expects me to answer. Believe me. See if I don't answer quick enough. He just keeps on asking. Who do you depend on?

[8:09] What do you depend on? You see for a brief spell. In 2018. We ran out of bread. But Deuteronomy. 8. 3. He says. That God. Humbled the Israelites.

[8:21] For 40 years. He tested them. In the wilderness. He let them hunger. And fed them with manna. Which they did not know. Nor did their fathers know. That.

[8:32] That he might make. Them. Know. That man does not live. By bread alone. But man lives. By every word. That comes from the mouth. Of God. And that's precisely. Why Jesus.

[8:43] Quotes this. When he's tempted. After 40 days of fasting. In the wilderness. Jesus replayed. The 40 years of wilderness. In Israel. He replayed their hunger. Yet instead of grumbling.

[8:54] Like them. He already knew. The truth. That they had to be humbled. To find out. Man does not live. By bread alone. But by every word. That comes from the mouth. Of God. You see.

[9:06] This is the challenge. Of the question. Who do you depend on? Who do you depend on? When famine strikes? Who do you depend on? When persecution comes?

[9:17] Who do you depend on? When death arrives? More often than not. These things come upon us. Like a thief in the night. During the lockdown. Last year. The food bank.

[9:29] In Calderwood Baptist. Were given out. Nearly 200. Parcels. Every week. And they were about. The only local food source. For the poor.

[9:40] That were still open. And operating. For months. In our passage. In AD 46. The famine here in Acts. Was recorded by Josephus.

[9:53] And it was actually. Particularly harsh. In Judea. To the point. That people were dying. From want. Of what was necessary. To produce food. And Josephus.

[10:06] Writes. That Helena. Queen of the modern day. Erbil. In Kurdistan. She embraced. The Jewish customs. And came to Jerusalem.

[10:16] To worship. And when she saw this. She sent. To Alexandria. To bring corn. And she sent. To Cyprus. To bring figs. She basically. Became like a food bank.

[10:28] And a gracious. Provision. Of God. But although God. Had brought kindness. Through people. Like her. She was well. Behind the curve. Who do you depend on? This foreign queen.

[10:41] Undoubtedly. Brought much relief. To the Jews. During this famine. Yet she was already. Behind the curve. What about the government. Closer to home? You see. Later in chapter 12. We find out.

[10:52] That the people of Tyre. And Sidon. Depended on Herod's country. For food. And for some reason. He's angry with them. So they came. With one accord. To ask for peace.

[11:05] And even later. Flattered him. By saying. That he had the voice. Of a God. Because they depended. On him. For food. Who do you depend on? You see.

[11:18] We have different groups. Of people here. And different. People depending. On different people. Kings. Queens. Crops. Import. All these things. Are behind the curve.

[11:29] Because none of them. Are in control. But the Lord is. God is in control. And this little church. In Antioch. Certainly little. Compared to Jerusalem. This multi-ethnic.

[11:41] Jew. Gentile church. Has a pastor. That is in control. Of the whole universe. The chief shepherd. The Lord. The good shepherd. Of his church.

[11:53] Jesus Christ. Is the head of the church. And Jesus knew. That the famine. Was coming. Before it even did. He knew. That it would be worse. In Jerusalem. Than it was. In Antioch. So he sends.

[12:05] Prophets. From Jerusalem. To Antioch. To forewarn them. Of the famine. You see. Jesus is always. Ahead of the curve. Because he is sovereign. And he is in control.

[12:16] Who do you depend on? You see. The church. The church of Jesus. Depends on Jesus. The church. Is a gathering. Of people. Who depend. On the Lord Jesus. Jesus. What is a church.

[12:28] Of Jesus. But a gathering. Of sheep. Who belong. To the good shepherd. Jesus takes care. Of his sheep. The other week. I was reading. A bedtime story.

[12:39] To Levi. We had a few books. And one of them. Was a pop-up. Bible story book. And we got. To one of these. Pictures of Jesus. Holding a sheep.

[12:49] You know the kind. Jesus. Holding a sheep. Sheep. And it's. Perhaps one of these. Kind of lost sheep. Kind of pictures. Anyway.

[13:01] It turns out. If you don't know. The context. To that picture. And you're a child. Living in the 21st century. You can misread. What's happening. In the story. So when we got to that.

[13:13] Jesus made a. Sorry. Not Jesus. When we got to that. Picture of Jesus. Levi made a comment. That just had me. In stitches. When he turned around. And he said. Oh there's Jesus.

[13:23] At the zoo. Grabbing a sheep. I thought. That's not a good picture. Jesus isn't. At the zoo.

[13:34] Grabbing sheep. Jesus. Jesus is the good shepherd. And he takes care of his people. Because Jesus is God. And he's way ahead of the curve. So what does a.

[13:45] Church of Jesus. Look like. What does a. A true church of Jesus. Look like. Well. I'm going to go through. This entire passage. And look at different things.

[13:56] Starting with this. The church of Jesus. Is a church. With a prophetic voice. And by that. I don't mean. That every church. Should have a. A prophet. Named Agabus. But rather.

[14:08] That the church. Should be prepared. For anything. The church. Should be a voice. Of truth. In a world. Of uncertainty. Nowadays. The greatest threat. To the world. I don't know.

[14:18] If you know this. The greatest threat. To the entire. Human race. And the world. And the planet. Is climate change. But the church. Knows. That that's simply. Not the truth.

[14:30] The church. Is a church. With a prophetic voice. We know. What to expect. In the last days. Because we are told. We know. What the real problem. Of the world is.

[14:40] And we know. What the only. Real solution. To man's greatest problem. Is. And that's why. The good news. Keeps going out. You see. The church. Is a church. With a prophetic voice.

[14:51] Because we speak. The message. Of the one. Who is in control. We speak. The word of God. When people. Are facing. Challenges. Of health. And hunger. The church. Is a people.

[15:01] Who should be. At the front. Of the line. To help. You see. Remember. Back in the early days. Of Jerusalem. The members. Began to look after. One another.

[15:12] And share their. Possessions. And their resources. And their food. The church. In Antioch. Is responding. To help. Their mother church. In Jerusalem. If the disciples.

[15:24] In Jerusalem. Were in any doubt. As to how legit. This church is. In Antioch. With Gentiles. In it. We begin. To see. That they receive.

[15:34] Aid. From this Antioch church. And Ruth. Was talking about it. Earlier. With the shoebox appeal. The Christian church. Knows. What the problems. Of the world are. We're not going to invest. Millions.

[15:45] Into climate change. When the poor. Are starving. And hungry. The church. Knows. What to expect. In the last days. Things. And so.

[15:55] The church of Jesus. Is a church. That is generous. And no wonder. When they have a guy. Like Barnabas. Leading them. It's the same Barnabas. Who was noted.

[16:05] For his generosity. At the end of Acts chapter 4. So when it came to relief. From the famine. When others were depending. On King Herod. Or Queen Helena. When others were depending.

[16:17] On crops. And import. The only ones. Who were ahead of the curve. Were the disciples. Of the King of Kings. You see. Before the famine struck. Relief was already.

[16:27] Being arranged. From one church. To the other. This is what it's like. To depend on the Lord. This is what it's like. To be in the family.

[16:37] Of the Lord. And that's not to say. That manna came down. From the skies. But belonging. To the kingdom of Jesus. Means that the resources. Of one place. Are shared with another.

[16:48] Another place. Here we see. A truly good example. Of church partnership. The Antioch church. Only exists. Because.

[16:59] The Jewish disciples. Took the gospel. To the Gentiles. And we only exist. As a church. Because of that reason too. The Antioch church. Has benefited. From the Jerusalem church.

[17:09] Sending good folks. Sending resources. To them. And now. Now this little. Antioch church. Is in a position. To bless. And benefit. The Jerusalem church. With their own resources.

[17:22] See. Imagine. What it would have been like. If they didn't want to have anything. To do with each other. But the church of Jesus. Is a generous church.

[17:33] The church of Jesus. Is a church. That is joined. To other churches of Jesus. The family of the Lord. Church that shares. Resources. That gives. And sends people.

[17:43] And aid. And food. And as we move on. Notice a little detail. At the last line. Of chapter 11. The relief was sent. To the elders. In Jerusalem.

[17:54] Notice that it doesn't say. Apostles. But elders. Because back in chapter 4. When Barnabas. Was being generous. All the proceeds. Were laid at the feet. Of the apostles. But now.

[18:05] Now as Barnabas. Comes with more relief. Is given to the elders. And although the apostles. Would also be considered. Elders in a manner. Remember that Peter. At this point.

[18:15] Is already traveling about. And so it's very likely. That the other apostles. Were traveling about too. So we enter into chapter 12. We read about. Two apostles.

[18:28] It was likely. That the apostles. Were not the main leaders. Of the Jerusalem church. At this point. Certainly. They were the leaders. Of the whole movement. But they would no longer.

[18:38] Be tied down. To a local congregation. They were not set apart. To be local church elders. They had a specific mission. So this little detail. Helps us understand something.

[18:50] About a guy called James. A little later on. So as Jerusalem. Is on the brink of famine. Then we've got. This other crisis. Herod. Got a hold of one of the apostles.

[19:01] And he killed him. With his sword. And we don't know. Exactly why. He executed James. Nor do we. Know exactly why. James was killed. And Peter was delivered. But we.

[19:12] What we mustn't do. Is let the unknown things. Cloud our confidence. That Jesus. Is always in control. And that he is good. You see.

[19:22] We cannot say. That James is killed. Because. Peter had prayer. We cannot think. That. One was offered prayer.

[19:34] And the other wasn't. And that's why. One was delivered. And the other wasn't. My thinking personally. Is. Either prayer. Was also offered. For James. Or. Herod. Captured and killed him.

[19:44] In a very quick manner. So that there wasn't time. To. Arrange a prayer meeting. What we can say. If nothing else. Is that James. The apostle. Himself.

[19:56] Would not have been. Altogether surprised. By this. You see. The church of Jesus. Is a church. That will. At times. Experience persecution.

[20:08] Jesus said. That as he was persecuted. As he was hated. So. The people would be. His people. And more than that. When James. And his brother. John. Asked Jesus.

[20:18] To sit next to him. In his kingdom. Jesus said. Are you prepared. To drink from the same cup. As me. Are you prepared. To go through. The same baptism. That I am. To which they both.

[20:29] Said yes. So why did James. Die. And Peter live. Certainly not. Because Peter. Is more favored. But James.

[20:39] Has received the honor. Of being the first apostle. To be martyred. And thus. Seize his lord. And friend again. And funnily enough. His brother.

[20:50] Would be the last. So although the church. Is a people. Who are persecuted. The church. Is also a people. Who should not fear. Nor be surprised. For the moment.

[21:00] It looks like King Herod. Is getting the better. Of King Jesus. But what. Herod didn't know. Was that Herod. Would have no power. Over James. If Jesus. Didn't want to bring James home.

[21:12] Isn't that what Jesus. Himself said. When he faced Pilate. Pilate said. Do you not know. That I have authority. To release you. And authority. To crucify you. To which Jesus said.

[21:24] No no. You would have no authority. Over me. Unless it has been given you. From above. And it is the exact same. With James here. Herod.

[21:34] Could not lay a single hand. On James. Nor could anyone in the world. Lay a single hand. On any Christian. Unless the authority. Is given from above. Jesus is in control.

[21:46] He knows what he's doing. Not only does the earthly king. Treat harshly. The people of the risen. Heavenly king. But his actions. Reveal.

[21:57] The state of Israel. Towards their Messiah. You see. After many many years. Of powerful. And spirit filled ministry. How does the nation.

[22:08] Respond. To the gospel. How are they getting on. With the gospel. More and more people. In Jerusalem. Have been saved. Even priests. But how are they getting on. Now with the gospel. Well.

[22:20] Herod's actions. Show the hardness. And the darkness. Of the nation. Because the Jews. Are pleased. At the death of James. How can you be pleased. At the death of a person.

[22:33] I mean. Surely the only time. That it might seem. Excusable. To be pleased. At the death of someone. As if it's at the death. Of a truly wicked person. James is far.

[22:44] From wicked. James is far. From the kind of person. And far from. Doing the kind of wicked. Things that would warrant. Such pleasure. At his death. And even if it were.

[22:56] Excusable. To be pleased. At the death. Of a wicked person. Not again. The hardness. Of the Jews. Because their own. Prophet said. To them. When Ezekiel said.

[23:08] God does not take. Pleasure. In the death. Of the wicked. But that they would. Turn from their ways. And live. Yet the supposed. People of God. Are pleased.

[23:18] With the death. Of a preacher. Of good news. What hard-hearted people. At this point. And this verse. Headed on. Even more. To arrest Peter.

[23:29] Peter. And the only reason. Why he's delayed. In killing Peter. Is because it's Passover. And it would be illegal. To do anything like that. During Passover. And you might think. Well Jesus was killed.

[23:40] At Passover. Precisely. And although it was fitting. On the divine timetable. It shows. Exactly how illegal. The trial and death. Of Jesus was. So because of this delay.

[23:52] There's time for prayer. Time for a prayer gathering. To be organized. At the house. Of a woman. Called Mary. You see the church of Jesus. Is a church that prays. Like we were saying earlier.

[24:04] Let your requests. Be made known. Make your requests. With expectation. Pray to God. Believing that he will answer. And the interesting thing is. Because.

[24:15] Later when Peter is freed. No one believes. No one actually believes. That he's been freed. In fact. They find it more plausible. To think that an angel. Is at the door. Than Peter. It's funny.

[24:26] Because Peter. Has an easier. Time. Breaking out of prison. Than he does. Getting into a prayer meeting. But I wonder. If that indicates. Perhaps. What they were praying for.

[24:38] They might not. Have been praying. For his release. After seeing. The death of James. They might have been praying. For his courage. In any case. It's clear.

[24:49] That these people. Don't expect. What happens. And it seems. That Peter. As well. Doesn't expect. This kind of intervention. Either. Because although. An angel.

[24:59] Had let them out of prison. Before. In chapter 5. We don't know. What Peter is expecting. But what we do know. Is that Peter. Is relaxed enough.

[25:10] To have a good night's sleep. Peter. Is not anxious. Whatever the case is. This angelic. Visitation. Is a bit of a surprise. To Peter. And at first.

[25:21] He thinks. It's just a vision. He saw his friend. And fellow apostle. Being killed. And now. He is on death row. Not only. Is he on death row. He's handcuffed. To two guards.

[25:32] One at either side. And there's another. Two guards. Guarding the door. Day and night. Yet he's not anxious. One bit. He can sleep. So soundly. That the angelic.

[25:42] Light. That came into the room. Didn't even. Make him blink. The angel. Has to whack him. On the side. To wake him up. The great thing. About what the angel. Does.

[25:53] Is that the angel. Does what Peter. Cannot do. With the guards. And the cuffs. And the chains. And the doors. But the angel. Tells Peter. To do the things. That he can do.

[26:05] Come on. Get up Peter. Hurry up. Get dressed. Get your shoes on. Get your jacket on. Follow me. You see. There are things. That only God can do. There are things.

[26:16] That we cannot do. And we should not. Be anxious. About any of those things. We should leave that. To God. But then there are things. That we can do. And things that we should do.

[26:27] You see. It's okay. To let go. And let God. When it's something. You actually cannot do. But we should not expect. God to do all the things. That we can do. Because the church. Of Jesus.

[26:38] Is a church. Where both. God is at work. And the people. Are at work. Peter. Goes to Mary's house. The mother of John Mark. Chapter 12.

[26:48] Verse 12. Keep this. As a wee side note. For later. The mother of John Mark. The church of Jesus. Is a church. That is hospitable. And despite the difficulty.

[27:00] Of Peter. To get in. It's clear. That the church. Was often gathered. In houses. And hospitality. Was a major part. Of church life. And it does seem. Though. That not all.

[27:11] The church. Are present. Indeed. How could the whole church. Fit in one house. But notice. How Peter. Mentions James. Not the apostle. But the brother. Of Jesus. You see.

[27:22] In the gospels. In early acts. Peter. Would be at the top. Of the list. Let Peter know. And the brothers. Let Peter know. And the brothers. Tell Peter. But now it's James. James.

[27:33] This non-apostle. Brother of the Lord Jesus. Who is to be informed. You see. Peter's. Now traveling. And it's likely. That the other apostles. Are traveling as well.

[27:44] More than that. The apostles. Were not set apart. To be elders. Of local churches. So it seems fitting. To see someone. Who can be. A local.

[27:55] Leader. Being someone. Who's not an apostle. And who better. Than the brother. Of Jesus himself. James. So the Jerusalem church. Were likely. Being led.

[28:05] By elders. Of which. James. The brother of Jesus. Was chief among. And Peter. Didn't stay. When he told him. When he. When he got out of prison. He didn't stay. But he left them. And he didn't even tell them.

[28:16] Where he was going. Probably for their own protection. Because they would be questioned. By Herod. And although Herod tried. He couldn't find Peter. And he ordered the soldiers.

[28:27] To be killed. But they. Would be the last people. That Herod. Would kill. Shortly afterwards. He would be struck down. By the Lord. You see. The threats.

[28:38] That face the church. All come. And go. And none of them last. And none of them succeed. The church of Jesus. Is a church.

[28:49] That outlasts. Every single threat. Against it. The church of Jesus. Is a church. That outlasts. Every threat. Against it. Because Jesus said. This is my church.

[29:01] I will build my church. And not even the gates of hell. Will prevail against it. And finally. The church of Jesus. Is a church. Where the word of God.

[29:12] Increases. And if you look at. Verse. Twenty three and twenty four. Of chapter twelve. You'll see that Luke. Has this. Juxtaposition.

[29:24] Herod. On the one hand. Who was said. To have the voice of God. Breathed his last. But the actual word of God. Increased and multiplied.

[29:35] In the church. You see. The voice of God. Is not in the mouth. Of an earthly king. But the word of God. Was in the church. Of the heavenly king. So shall it ever be.

[29:47] The church of Jesus. Is a church. Where the word of God. Increases. Be very wary. Of a church. Where the word of God. Is decreasing. Where the word of God.

[29:57] Is becoming less present. And less prevalent. Be very wary. The church of God. Is a church. Where the word of God. Increases. And that will not be a church.

[30:08] A church. A church. Where the word is becoming less. Will not be a church. Where the people. Will learn to be dependent. On God. But the church of God. Is a church. The church of Jesus.

[30:20] Is a church. Where the word of God. Increases. And in our last verse. Our very last verse. We read. That Barnabas and Saul. Return from their relief mission. And they take John Mark.

[30:30] With them. Who was the son of Mary. Whose house. The prayer meeting was at. And I mentioned earlier. That Peter was. Was there. That's where he went. And that's where the prayer meeting was.

[30:42] It's actually possible. That Barnabas and Saul. Were at that prayer meeting. When Peter turned up. See they must have been there. At some point. To collect John Mark. But it's actually very likely.

[30:53] That they stayed there. Because we read later on. In Colossians 4.10. That Barnabas is related to John Mark. So it's probable. That Barnabas is actually. The brother of Mary.

[31:04] Whose house it was. You see at this point. Luke is introducing us to Mark. Who went on to be the first person. To publish a gospel account.

[31:16] In all of this. In every part of this. We see the Lord's hand. Whether it's famine. Whether it's persecution. Whatever it is. The Lord is at work.

[31:27] And his church. Is growing. And the word of God. Is increasing. The Lord's hand. Is in all of this. And he is in control. And he is building his church.

[31:38] And although there were likely. Many little churches. Here and there. Luke is also. Introducing us to Antioch. Which is a church. That is a major source. Of teaching. Generosity.

[31:49] Training. And evangelism. When you see churches. Like this. And this is what I think as well. Luke is encouraging. When you see Christians. Like this. And when you see churches.

[32:00] Like this. Then be very encouraged. Because the Lord. Is at work. In such churches. And through many more. Come churches.

[32:11] Like them. And so. Be encouraged. Because. There is a little church. In Bells Hill. Might have had support.

[32:23] From other churches. That are bigger. Just like Antioch. This little church. Sends relief. To other people. Other places. Sends support. In gospel ministry.

[32:34] And caring. For the poor. And this is a church. Where the word of God. Increases. This is a church. Like Antioch. And evidently.

[32:45] This is a church. Where the Lord. Is at work. And we thank God. Because. His son Jesus. Is in control. And is building his church.

[32:56] And may we always be. In step with him. Let me pray. God our heavenly father. We thank you so much. That you have purchased. The church.

[33:07] With your blood. That through your son. Jesus. You have brought salvation. To many many people. Even us. Here in Bells Hill. And we thank you.

[33:17] For this church. This gathering. Of believers. Around Jesus name. This only happens. Because you are at work. And we thank you. For your word. Which you have preserved. Over thousands of years.

[33:29] Despite many. People trying to shut it up. We thank you. For your word. And for your people. Despite through thousands. Of years. Many people try to stamp out. Because the Lord Jesus.

[33:40] Is building his church. Lord Jesus. Is sending the good news. Out into the world. For the salvation of many. And the darkness. Cannot snuff out the light.

[33:52] Indeed. When the light appears. The darkness flees. So Lord. We give you praise. That you are at work. In this church. We give you praise. That you are at work. In our lives. We give you praise.

[34:03] That every one of us. Can be here. And give thanks. For the salvation. That we have. Because of you. And because you are always at work. Even today. Even here. In this place.

[34:14] We give you thanks. In Jesus name. Amen. Thanks. Thank you. Amen. Bye. Parchic.