WEBVTT

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 Father in heaven, we thank you for the writing and preservation of the Acts of the Apostles,

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 how your church existed and lived and how you worked through it after your son ascended.

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 And Lord, we pray that we would be careful observers, Lord, that we would glean this truth

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 from your word and Lord, help us to understand it by considering how Jesus illuminates it and also

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 help us to understand Jesus in his fullness and in greater fullness as we read your word.

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 We pray this in Christ's name. Amen. We're looking at Acts chapter 12, the entire portion that Brad

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 read up till actually verse 24, we'll hit 25 next week. But our text today begins with

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 and ends with a reference to Herod being the king. It's interesting, this is Herod Agrippa,

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 this is not the Herod that we read about that slaughtered the innocents in the early chapters

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 of the gospel. This is his grandson, Herod Agrippa I. At first glance, it seems like just an ordinary

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 narrative description of Herod. Herod's the king, we know that he's not an actual king, not the king

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 of kings, he's not the emperor, but he was a king of sorts. He was made the emperor by, or he was made

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 the king by the Roman emperor Gaius, and he had an expanding territory. He was the regional king,

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 puppet king, but regional king of all of Judea and Galilee and this region called Perea.

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 He's not a just king. He's an opportunist. He seeks to harass the church in order to consolidate power

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 and flex his political muscles. Luke here, he makes use of Herod's title. He could have just said

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 Herod Agrippa. He could have just said Herod, but he says Herod the king. And he does this in two

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 different portions of our scripture at the beginning and the end, like I mentioned. Biblical scholars,

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 and you guys as well, as you read the Bible, whenever you see a section that is bookmarked

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 at the beginning and the end with either a theme or a title, it's drawing our attention to what that

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 thing is that bookmarks that portion of scripture. And then the middle part of the scripture helps us

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 to understand what is happening. Biblical scholars call this an inclusio. I like to call it a hamburger.

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 It's a bit more

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 understandable. There's, it starts with king, king Herod. It ends with king Herod.

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 Why does Luke do this? Because Luke is going to juxtapose

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 king Herod, king of Israel, with the real king, the king of all kings, the true king of Israel,

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 who is Jesus Christ. Herod is not the one who directs history and commands true power.

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 He is about

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 self-promotion.

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 He is not the one who lays down his life

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 only to pick it up again, ascending to the ultimate throne. He

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 is on a throne that was given to him that was

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 never Gaius's truly to give.

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 He is not a kind king like Christ is.

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 He is a selfish king.

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 Interestingly, we're going to see how, how Jesus is the king, the, the most excellent king, the king par excellence.

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 And this is going to help us to, to understand what true power looks like

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 and how to properly respect,

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 but not to,

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 and to properly fear, but, but never to fear earthly powers as if they were gods.

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 This text is going to show us

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 that

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 Herod and

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 Gaius

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 and Trudeau and

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 Pollyev and

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 Harris and Trump

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 and Putin and Erdogan

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 and Schwab and Soros,

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 none of these people hold true,

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 eternal,

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 cosmic power,

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 but only Christ does.

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 The risen and ascended King of Kings,

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 Lord of all and lover of his bride,

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 the church who he bled and died for.

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 This is, this is what our text

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 unmistakably communicates to us this morning.

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 And that this King of Kings,

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 this Lord of Lords is gracious

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 and kind

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 and good

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 to his people.

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 His graciousness is extended

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 to the church by sustaining the church.

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 These are the, the points we'll touch on.

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 His graciousness is extended

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 in building up the faith of the church.

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 And finally, his graciousness

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 as King of Kings

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 and Lord of Lords

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 is extended

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 in defeating the enemies

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 of the church.

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 Before we get into the text,

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 an interesting point,

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 and I think it's,

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 it's something worth considering.

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 A bit of a rabbit trail,

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 but also it helps us situate

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 the text.

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 If you remember last week,

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 Acts 11,

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 Peter is before,

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 really good look at it,

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 Acts 10 and 11,

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 but Peter is before the church

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 in Jerusalem.

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 The Gentiles have just come to faith.

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 The church is like,

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 we're not sure about this.

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 We don't like it.

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 Peter explains very clearly

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 that this is the work of the Lord

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 and they say,

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 praise God,

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 who are we to oppose

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 the salvation coming to the Gentiles?

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 Verse, sorry,

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 chapter 14

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 will describe the beginning

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 of the first missionary journey

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 of Paul and Barnabas.

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 So it's,

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 it's a kind of an interesting

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 placement of Acts 13.

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 It would seem if you took out Acts 13,

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 just cut it out,

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 Acts 12 flows really nicely

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 into Acts 14.

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 The Gentiles come to faith,

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 faith en masse.

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 Paul and Barnabas

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 continue on

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 with this missionary journey

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 to the Gentiles,

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 but Acts 13 returns back

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 to Jerusalem.

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 So the question is why?

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 I mean,

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 was it a mistake?

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 You say,

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 no,

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 this is the Bible.

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 Why is it in there?

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 And I think for two reasons,

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 and I'm sure there are more,

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 but two important reasons

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 why Acts 13 is situated

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 where it is.

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 And the first,

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 and this is going to be critical

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 for us today,

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 is that God will ensure

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 that his church will endure

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 even the most aggressive

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 and demonic oppression.

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 And we see that with King Herod,

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 that the church will endure

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 and survive regardless

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 of the amount of oppression

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 upon it.

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 Often that oppression

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 is state-sponsored.

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 The second thing is that

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 as the church moves away

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 from its Jewish roots,

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 I think Luke here,

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 by the inspiration

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 of the Holy Spirit,

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 is going to encourage

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 the Jewish believers

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 that God has not moved on

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 from them

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 to the bigger and greater

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 Gentile world.

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 That he still has a heart

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 for his church.

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 He still has a heart

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 for the people of Jerusalem.

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 So as a bit of a backgrounder,

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 let's turn to our first point.

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 The graciousness of the Lord

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 in sustaining the church.

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 Apart from Stephen

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 getting martyred,

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 not a great thing,

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 and a couple arrests,

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 the church has been on

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 a series of wins.

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 I mean, they're on a hitting streak.

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 They are enjoying favor,

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 answered prayers,

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 miracles, love, joy.

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 Again, there's this martyrdom

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 of Stephen that is a problem,

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 but what does it result in?

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 It results in more of an expansion

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 of the church,

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 more love,

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 more joy,

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 more growth.

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 Acts 12 happens,

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 and all of a sudden,

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 James,

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 he is the son of Zebedee,

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 one of the sons of thunder,

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 James and John,

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 if you remember from the Gospels.

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 He's a pillar of the church,

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 and he is taken by Herod,

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 and he is put to the sword.

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 Herod sees,

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 as Brad read,

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 he sees that this is

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 going to curry favor.

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 So what does he do?

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 He takes Peter into custody,

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 and he's going to hold him

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 until after

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 a feast

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 of unleavened bread,

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 and then

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 put him on

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 a kangaroo,

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 give him a kangaroo court,

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 show trial,

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 and then cut off his head.

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 And all of a sudden,

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 all of this momentum

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 seems to be grinding

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 to a halt in the church.

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 Both pillars of the church

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 will surely die.

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 James is gone.

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 Peter is next.

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 Has the church

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 finally run its course?

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 They've come up

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 against Herod,

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 and really,

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 they've come up

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 against the emperor himself.

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 So what recourse

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 does the church have?

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 What miracle,

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 so to speak,

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 do they have

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 in their back pocket?

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 Look at verse 5 with me.

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 The church begins to pray.

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 It says,

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 So Peter was kept in prison,

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 but earnest prayer

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 for him was made

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 to God by the church.

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 I don't want to downplay prayer.

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 Don't,

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 hear me out here.

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 The people are praying well.

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 They're praying to God.

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 Always a good thing.

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 It would imply

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 that they're praying

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 in Jesus' name.

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 They're praying earnestly,

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 like Jesus.

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 The term in the Greek,

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 the fervent prayer,

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 is the same language

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 that is used

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 to describe Jesus

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 praying in the Garden

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 of Gethsemane.

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 They are praying well,

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 and prayer works,

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 and prayer is effective,

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 but in this chapter,

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 prayer,

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 the people who are praying,

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 they look helpless and weak.

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 Again,

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 prayer isn't nothing,

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 but in this text,

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 it communicates

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 the helplessness

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 of the people.

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 In fact,

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 all of the human characters

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 in this story

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 are seen to be very helpless.

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 Peter,

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 we'll go back to James.

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 James is taken.

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 There is nothing

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 he can really do.

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 His head is cut off.

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 Peter is chained

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 in prison.

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 It's like a maximum

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 security prison.

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 He has four sets

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 of four guards

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 guarding him

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 at all time.

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 He is chained to some.

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 He is behind

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 a giant iron gate.

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 There's,

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 he's helpless.

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 What can he do?

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 He's one man.

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 The church is afraid.

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 They're gathered together.

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 We'll see later on

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 that they are actually

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 quite helpless

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 and afraid.

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 The church has no power

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 to wield.

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 Again,

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 prayer is powerful.

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 In this case,

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 though,

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 they are truly helpless

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 against Herod.

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 Later on in the narrative,

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 we'll see that

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 even when Peter is released,

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 these prayerful people,

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 they don't believe

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 that their prayer

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 is answered.

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 Consider also

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 how the escape

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 from prison,

00:11:17.259 --> 00:11:17.819
 Peter's escape

00:11:17.819 --> 00:11:18.319
 from prison,

00:11:18.779 --> 00:11:19.480
 is not because

00:11:19.480 --> 00:11:20.899
 he memorized

00:11:20.899 --> 00:11:21.719
 the blueprint

00:11:21.720 --> 00:11:22.560
 of the jail

00:11:22.560 --> 00:11:23.720
 and snuck

00:11:23.720 --> 00:11:25.160
 a bone

00:11:25.160 --> 00:11:26.420
 to unlock

00:11:26.420 --> 00:11:27.340
 his shackles.

00:11:27.840 --> 00:11:28.560
 He plays

00:11:28.560 --> 00:11:29.759
 almost zero part

00:11:29.759 --> 00:11:30.639
 in his escape.

00:11:31.180 --> 00:11:31.860
 Read with me

00:11:31.860 --> 00:11:33.360
 verses 7 and onward.

00:11:33.899 --> 00:11:34.580
 7 to 11.

00:11:34.660 --> 00:11:35.040
 And behold,

00:11:35.200 --> 00:11:35.980
 an angel of the Lord

00:11:35.980 --> 00:11:36.879
 stood next to him.

00:11:37.440 --> 00:11:37.680
 Remember,

00:11:37.759 --> 00:11:38.340
 he is sleeping.

00:11:39.000 --> 00:11:39.639
 And a light

00:11:39.639 --> 00:11:40.840
 shone in the cell.

00:11:41.440 --> 00:11:42.340
 He struck Peter

00:11:42.340 --> 00:11:42.860
 on the side

00:11:42.860 --> 00:11:43.320
 and woke him,

00:11:43.379 --> 00:11:43.500
 saying,

00:11:43.620 --> 00:11:44.300
 Get up quickly.

00:11:44.420 --> 00:11:44.980
 And the chains

00:11:44.980 --> 00:11:45.860
 fell off his hands.

00:11:46.500 --> 00:11:47.360
 The angel said to him,

00:11:47.420 --> 00:11:48.060
 Dress yourself

00:11:48.060 --> 00:11:49.120
 and put on your sandals.

00:11:49.180 --> 00:11:50.080
 And he did so.

00:11:50.100 --> 00:11:50.620
 And he said to him,

00:11:50.620 --> 00:11:51.679
 Wrap your cloak

00:11:51.679 --> 00:11:52.299
 around you

00:11:52.299 --> 00:11:53.159
 and follow me.

00:11:53.620 --> 00:11:54.779
 It sounds like

00:11:54.779 --> 00:11:55.919
 morning time

00:11:55.919 --> 00:11:57.259
 at the Avatan home.

00:11:58.779 --> 00:11:59.259
 It's,

00:11:59.980 --> 00:12:02.240
 let's get back

00:12:02.240 --> 00:12:02.759
 to the text.

00:12:03.019 --> 00:12:03.700
 And he went out

00:12:03.700 --> 00:12:04.419
 and followed him.

00:12:04.860 --> 00:12:05.820
 He did not know

00:12:05.820 --> 00:12:07.500
 that what was being done

00:12:07.500 --> 00:12:08.720
 by the angel

00:12:08.720 --> 00:12:09.279
 was real,

00:12:09.379 --> 00:12:10.060
 but thought he was

00:12:10.060 --> 00:12:11.019
 seeing a vision.

00:12:11.759 --> 00:12:12.480
 When they had passed

00:12:12.480 --> 00:12:13.879
 the first and second guard,

00:12:13.980 --> 00:12:15.159
 they came to the iron gate.

00:12:15.320 --> 00:12:16.419
 An iron gate

00:12:16.419 --> 00:12:17.919
 leading into the city.

00:12:18.080 --> 00:12:18.659
 It opened for them

00:12:18.659 --> 00:12:19.500
 on its own accord.

00:12:19.500 --> 00:12:20.539
 And they went out

00:12:20.539 --> 00:12:22.080
 and went along the street,

00:12:22.899 --> 00:12:23.559
 one street,

00:12:23.639 --> 00:12:24.019
 and immediately

00:12:24.019 --> 00:12:25.039
 the angel left him.

00:12:26.059 --> 00:12:27.440
 Peter is stumbling about.

00:12:28.940 --> 00:12:30.220
 What is he doing

00:12:30.220 --> 00:12:31.919
 contributing to his escape?

00:12:33.299 --> 00:12:34.659
 Waking up three in the morning,

00:12:34.879 --> 00:12:36.980
 stumbling to get a glass of water.

00:12:37.080 --> 00:12:37.860
 That's basically

00:12:37.860 --> 00:12:39.059
 what Peter is doing.

00:12:39.899 --> 00:12:42.139
 Yeah, okay, cloak, sandals.

00:12:42.299 --> 00:12:43.360
 Okay, I'll follow you.

00:12:43.639 --> 00:12:44.679
 And then he's outside

00:12:44.679 --> 00:12:45.679
 and he kind of comes to.

00:12:45.759 --> 00:12:45.960
 He's like,

00:12:45.980 --> 00:12:46.759
 that wasn't a dream.

00:12:46.759 --> 00:12:48.319
 Peter,

00:12:48.860 --> 00:12:49.759
 completely helpless

00:12:49.759 --> 00:12:51.379
 in this scenario,

00:12:52.580 --> 00:12:54.080
 prompted all the way through,

00:12:54.740 --> 00:12:55.539
 makes his way out.

00:12:55.600 --> 00:12:56.240
 And what does he say

00:12:56.240 --> 00:12:56.879
 in verse 11?

00:12:57.740 --> 00:12:58.980
 When Peter came to himself,

00:12:59.139 --> 00:12:59.639
 he said,

00:13:00.120 --> 00:13:01.100
 now I am sure

00:13:01.100 --> 00:13:02.059
 that the Lord

00:13:02.059 --> 00:13:03.080
 has sent an angel

00:13:03.080 --> 00:13:03.759
 and rescued me

00:13:03.759 --> 00:13:04.679
 from the hand of Herod

00:13:04.679 --> 00:13:06.100
 and from all that

00:13:06.100 --> 00:13:07.120
 the Jewish people

00:13:07.120 --> 00:13:07.980
 were expecting.

00:13:08.819 --> 00:13:10.159
 This is a beautiful

00:13:10.159 --> 00:13:12.019
 and faith-building event.

00:13:12.019 --> 00:13:13.379
 God is sustaining

00:13:13.379 --> 00:13:13.980
 his church

00:13:13.980 --> 00:13:15.340
 in the face

00:13:15.340 --> 00:13:16.759
 of their demise

00:13:16.759 --> 00:13:17.879
 and they are helpless.

00:13:18.100 --> 00:13:19.199
 He is not mustering up

00:13:19.199 --> 00:13:20.799
 an army in this case.

00:13:20.879 --> 00:13:21.919
 He is doing

00:13:21.919 --> 00:13:23.139
 a divine miracle.

00:13:24.519 --> 00:13:26.159
 It is very clear

00:13:26.159 --> 00:13:27.019
 that this isn't,

00:13:28.019 --> 00:13:31.019
 this isn't a human escape

00:13:31.639 --> 00:13:34.279
 clothed in divine words.

00:13:34.539 --> 00:13:34.840
 It is,

00:13:35.519 --> 00:13:36.199
 Luke wants us to know

00:13:36.199 --> 00:13:37.460
 that it is a divine miracle

00:13:37.460 --> 00:13:38.279
 that he is getting out

00:13:38.279 --> 00:13:39.059
 and it is by the hand

00:13:39.059 --> 00:13:39.439
 of the Lord.

00:13:42.059 --> 00:13:43.039
 So it's a beautiful

00:13:43.039 --> 00:13:44.179
 and faith-building event.

00:13:44.679 --> 00:13:45.899
 I'm sure it was for Peter.

00:13:47.019 --> 00:13:47.359
 Yet,

00:13:47.559 --> 00:13:49.219
 how do we make sense

00:13:49.219 --> 00:13:50.139
 of Peter's rescue

00:13:50.139 --> 00:13:50.739
 and not James?

00:13:52.319 --> 00:13:52.919
 Why does,

00:13:53.039 --> 00:13:54.299
 why does James

00:13:54.299 --> 00:13:55.000
 see the sword

00:13:55.000 --> 00:13:55.639
 but not Peter?

00:13:57.459 --> 00:13:58.319
 God is sustaining

00:13:58.319 --> 00:13:58.839
 his church

00:13:58.839 --> 00:13:59.619
 but he allowed

00:13:59.619 --> 00:14:01.059
 one of its pillars

00:14:01.059 --> 00:14:02.379
 to die.

00:14:04.119 --> 00:14:05.079
 The Lord is gracious

00:14:05.079 --> 00:14:05.859
 to his church

00:14:05.859 --> 00:14:07.219
 in the power

00:14:07.219 --> 00:14:07.699
 and wisdom

00:14:07.699 --> 00:14:08.739
 of his providence.

00:14:08.740 --> 00:14:09.039
 And I think

00:14:09.039 --> 00:14:09.759
 that's the big thing

00:14:09.759 --> 00:14:10.259
 in all of this,

00:14:10.320 --> 00:14:11.180
 in his providence.

00:14:12.180 --> 00:14:13.240
 He saves Peter

00:14:13.240 --> 00:14:13.940
 and not James.

00:14:14.820 --> 00:14:16.360
 He's answering

00:14:16.360 --> 00:14:17.139
 some prayers

00:14:17.139 --> 00:14:17.759
 and not others

00:14:17.759 --> 00:14:18.159
 which is,

00:14:18.919 --> 00:14:19.740
 it doesn't say

00:14:19.740 --> 00:14:20.220
 that the church

00:14:20.220 --> 00:14:21.100
 is praying for James

00:14:21.100 --> 00:14:21.320
 but I,

00:14:22.720 --> 00:14:23.399
 from all the,

00:14:23.399 --> 00:14:24.279
 the commentaries

00:14:24.279 --> 00:14:24.600
 I've read

00:14:24.600 --> 00:14:25.539
 it seems to,

00:14:26.500 --> 00:14:28.159
 we can assume

00:14:28.159 --> 00:14:29.039
 that that's what's happening.

00:14:29.220 --> 00:14:30.299
 This is a group

00:14:30.299 --> 00:14:30.840
 of people

00:14:30.840 --> 00:14:31.620
 that are fervently

00:14:31.620 --> 00:14:32.580
 praying to the Lord

00:14:32.580 --> 00:14:33.840
 for the sake

00:14:33.840 --> 00:14:34.500
 of their leaders.

00:14:35.500 --> 00:14:36.460
 So God answers,

00:14:36.539 --> 00:14:37.139
 if that's the case,

00:14:37.139 --> 00:14:37.840
 then God answers

00:14:37.840 --> 00:14:38.460
 some prayers

00:14:38.460 --> 00:14:39.179
 and not others.

00:14:40.299 --> 00:14:41.080
 But here's the thing

00:14:41.080 --> 00:14:41.559
 with all of this.

00:14:41.699 --> 00:14:43.000
 Peter is saved

00:14:43.000 --> 00:14:43.960
 here in Acts 12

00:14:43.960 --> 00:14:46.019
 but some 20 years later

00:14:46.019 --> 00:14:46.899
 he's going to be martyred

00:14:46.899 --> 00:14:48.000
 by Nero in Rome.

00:14:48.840 --> 00:14:49.220
 In fact,

00:14:49.259 --> 00:14:49.819
 not just him,

00:14:50.639 --> 00:14:52.039
 11 of the 12 apostles

00:14:52.039 --> 00:14:52.600
 will die

00:14:52.600 --> 00:14:54.439
 according to church tradition

00:14:54.439 --> 00:14:55.240
 and scripture.

00:14:56.360 --> 00:14:57.699
 Only James' brother,

00:14:58.299 --> 00:14:58.679
 John,

00:14:58.759 --> 00:14:59.139
 will die

00:14:59.139 --> 00:14:59.679
 die

00:14:59.679 --> 00:15:03.259
 not by martyrdom

00:15:03.259 --> 00:15:04.419
 but he is exiled

00:15:04.419 --> 00:15:05.039
 to Patmos.

00:15:07.059 --> 00:15:08.100
 And I think this helps us

00:15:08.100 --> 00:15:09.120
 to understand something,

00:15:09.500 --> 00:15:10.399
 that the gospel

00:15:10.399 --> 00:15:11.240
 is far bigger

00:15:11.240 --> 00:15:12.000
 and more resilient

00:15:12.000 --> 00:15:13.159
 than any one person

00:15:13.159 --> 00:15:14.319
 in the church,

00:15:14.620 --> 00:15:15.559
 any apostle,

00:15:15.879 --> 00:15:16.019
 any,

00:15:16.519 --> 00:15:18.600
 even any group of,

00:15:18.799 --> 00:15:19.799
 even any church

00:15:19.799 --> 00:15:20.659
 or group of churches

00:15:20.659 --> 00:15:21.360
 in a region

00:15:21.360 --> 00:15:22.039
 or a country.

00:15:22.039 --> 00:15:24.419
 North Africa

00:15:24.419 --> 00:15:25.319
 used to be

00:15:25.319 --> 00:15:27.179
 a powerhouse

00:15:27.179 --> 00:15:27.919
 for the gospel

00:15:27.919 --> 00:15:29.099
 and the church

00:15:29.099 --> 00:15:29.980
 by and large

00:15:29.980 --> 00:15:30.839
 does not exist

00:15:30.839 --> 00:15:31.500
 there today.

00:15:32.259 --> 00:15:33.179
 But the church

00:15:33.179 --> 00:15:33.899
 exists.

00:15:36.719 --> 00:15:37.779
 God forbid

00:15:37.779 --> 00:15:38.980
 but if the church

00:15:38.980 --> 00:15:40.339
 goes into decline

00:15:40.339 --> 00:15:40.919
 in Canada

00:15:40.919 --> 00:15:42.579
 and Canada

00:15:42.579 --> 00:15:43.639
 looks more like

00:15:43.639 --> 00:15:44.899
 North Korea,

00:15:45.419 --> 00:15:46.299
 not North Korea,

00:15:46.579 --> 00:15:48.319
 North Africa,

00:15:48.639 --> 00:15:49.399
 God forbid

00:15:49.399 --> 00:15:50.459
 but the church

00:15:50.459 --> 00:15:51.419
 will always exist.

00:15:52.159 --> 00:15:53.120
 Nothing will destroy

00:15:53.120 --> 00:15:53.639
 the church.

00:15:54.399 --> 00:15:55.519
 Not because the church

00:15:55.519 --> 00:15:56.399
 is wonderful and great,

00:15:56.479 --> 00:15:57.379
 it's because the church

00:15:57.379 --> 00:15:59.519
 has been bought

00:15:59.519 --> 00:16:00.699
 by Christ

00:16:00.699 --> 00:16:01.519
 and ransomed

00:16:01.519 --> 00:16:02.399
 by his blood

00:16:02.399 --> 00:16:04.159
 and he is the king

00:16:04.159 --> 00:16:04.620
 of kings

00:16:04.620 --> 00:16:05.579
 and the lord of lords

00:16:05.579 --> 00:16:06.659
 who will sustain

00:16:06.659 --> 00:16:07.299
 his church.

00:16:08.620 --> 00:16:09.479
 The gospel

00:16:09.479 --> 00:16:11.000
 is far bigger

00:16:11.000 --> 00:16:11.699
 and more resilient

00:16:11.699 --> 00:16:13.539
 than anyone

00:16:13.539 --> 00:16:14.219
 or anything.

00:16:15.719 --> 00:16:16.719
 And this is interesting

00:16:16.719 --> 00:16:17.679
 because throughout history

00:16:17.679 --> 00:16:18.759
 we've seen the church's life

00:16:18.759 --> 00:16:20.419
 swing between

00:16:20.419 --> 00:16:21.979
 advance and retreat

00:16:21.979 --> 00:16:24.019
 but never annihilation.

00:16:25.019 --> 00:16:26.120
 That is a comforting

00:16:26.120 --> 00:16:27.099
 thing for us

00:16:27.099 --> 00:16:28.339
 and it's because

00:16:28.339 --> 00:16:29.240
 the all-knowing,

00:16:29.360 --> 00:16:30.240
 all-powerful

00:16:30.240 --> 00:16:31.039
 God of love

00:16:31.039 --> 00:16:31.659
 and justice

00:16:31.659 --> 00:16:32.779
 who is mighty

00:16:32.779 --> 00:16:33.299
 to save

00:16:33.299 --> 00:16:35.219
 has intervened

00:16:35.219 --> 00:16:35.860
 for all

00:16:35.860 --> 00:16:36.659
 by sending his son

00:16:36.659 --> 00:16:37.179
 to bleed

00:16:37.179 --> 00:16:37.899
 and die

00:16:37.899 --> 00:16:38.899
 on the cross

00:16:38.899 --> 00:16:40.019
 of Calvary

00:16:40.019 --> 00:16:40.839
 so that death

00:16:40.839 --> 00:16:42.939
 and every kingdom

00:16:42.939 --> 00:16:43.819
 and power

00:16:43.819 --> 00:16:45.659
 has been cut off

00:16:45.659 --> 00:16:46.319
 at the root.

00:16:46.480 --> 00:16:47.019
 It does not have

00:16:47.019 --> 00:16:47.779
 eternal power

00:16:47.779 --> 00:16:49.299
 but only temporal power.

00:16:51.439 --> 00:16:52.600
 So Herod cannot

00:16:52.600 --> 00:16:54.299
 destroy the church.

00:16:55.360 --> 00:16:56.220
 Secularism cannot

00:16:56.220 --> 00:16:57.120
 destroy the church.

00:16:58.199 --> 00:16:59.019
 Socially progressive

00:16:59.019 --> 00:16:59.779
 ideologies

00:16:59.779 --> 00:17:00.879
 that seek to undermine

00:17:00.879 --> 00:17:01.539
 this divine

00:17:01.539 --> 00:17:02.419
 vision

00:17:02.419 --> 00:17:04.180
 of the complementarity

00:17:04.180 --> 00:17:04.940
 between male

00:17:04.940 --> 00:17:05.859
 and female

00:17:05.859 --> 00:17:06.720
 will not destroy

00:17:06.720 --> 00:17:07.279
 the church.

00:17:08.279 --> 00:17:09.160
 There is no

00:17:09.160 --> 00:17:10.180
 alternative gospel

00:17:10.180 --> 00:17:10.920
 that rivals

00:17:10.920 --> 00:17:11.940
 the gospel of Christ.

00:17:12.139 --> 00:17:12.660
 Nothing will.

00:17:12.779 --> 00:17:13.279
 And therefore

00:17:13.279 --> 00:17:14.619
 when persecution

00:17:14.619 --> 00:17:15.399
 comes

00:17:15.399 --> 00:17:16.639
 and we feel

00:17:16.639 --> 00:17:18.680
 the pinch

00:17:18.680 --> 00:17:20.859
 and maybe

00:17:20.859 --> 00:17:21.899
 even more than that

00:17:21.899 --> 00:17:24.059
 we can trust

00:17:24.059 --> 00:17:24.539
 that God

00:17:24.539 --> 00:17:25.299
 will sustain

00:17:25.299 --> 00:17:25.940
 his church

00:17:25.940 --> 00:17:26.859
 because he is good

00:17:26.859 --> 00:17:27.460
 and gracious

00:17:27.460 --> 00:17:28.039
 and kind.

00:17:30.440 --> 00:17:31.000
 Friends,

00:17:31.119 --> 00:17:31.700
 the biggest honor

00:17:31.700 --> 00:17:32.759
 we have in this life

00:17:32.759 --> 00:17:34.099
 is to faithfully

00:17:34.099 --> 00:17:34.639
 trust

00:17:34.639 --> 00:17:36.960
 in the good news

00:17:36.960 --> 00:17:38.420
 that

00:17:38.420 --> 00:17:40.119
 can never be robbed

00:17:40.119 --> 00:17:40.980
 from us.

00:17:40.980 --> 00:17:42.440
 that the world,

00:17:42.579 --> 00:17:42.900
 the flesh,

00:17:42.960 --> 00:17:43.440
 and the devil

00:17:43.440 --> 00:17:44.279
 can throw

00:17:44.279 --> 00:17:46.259
 all of its fury

00:17:46.259 --> 00:17:47.240
 upon us

00:17:47.240 --> 00:17:49.039
 but the eternal power

00:17:49.039 --> 00:17:50.000
 of Christ

00:17:50.000 --> 00:17:51.380
 has conquered all.

00:17:52.360 --> 00:17:53.240
 He has won the victory.

00:17:53.420 --> 00:17:53.940
 He has defeated

00:17:53.940 --> 00:17:55.140
 all of our enemies.

00:17:57.039 --> 00:17:58.200
 Not continually

00:17:58.200 --> 00:17:59.559
 whenever a new enemy

00:17:59.559 --> 00:18:00.019
 comes up

00:18:00.019 --> 00:18:00.839
 but once and for all

00:18:00.839 --> 00:18:01.460
 on the cross.

00:18:04.460 --> 00:18:05.339
 You might not have

00:18:05.339 --> 00:18:06.400
 that boldness now

00:18:06.400 --> 00:18:07.599
 but when the time

00:18:07.599 --> 00:18:08.860
 comes as we seek

00:18:08.859 --> 00:18:10.159
 to follow the Lord

00:18:10.159 --> 00:18:11.679
 his graciousness

00:18:11.679 --> 00:18:12.539
 will sustain us

00:18:12.539 --> 00:18:13.539
 in our hour of need.

00:18:15.519 --> 00:18:16.039
 One of,

00:18:16.179 --> 00:18:16.439
 I think,

00:18:16.479 --> 00:18:17.279
 the cheekiest

00:18:17.279 --> 00:18:19.579
 bits of Christian history

00:18:19.579 --> 00:18:20.899
 is of St. Lawrence.

00:18:21.679 --> 00:18:23.079
 He's a third century deacon.

00:18:24.439 --> 00:18:26.579
 He was martyred

00:18:26.579 --> 00:18:28.459
 by a Roman prefect

00:18:28.459 --> 00:18:30.279
 and his martyrdom

00:18:30.279 --> 00:18:30.979
 was gruesome.

00:18:31.539 --> 00:18:32.500
 A bed of coals

00:18:32.500 --> 00:18:33.779
 was laid down

00:18:33.779 --> 00:18:35.639
 and a grid iron

00:18:35.639 --> 00:18:37.339
 was laid on top of it

00:18:37.339 --> 00:18:39.399
 and he was laid on

00:18:39.399 --> 00:18:41.619
 essentially a barbecue

00:18:41.619 --> 00:18:44.419
 and after

00:18:44.419 --> 00:18:46.699
 an enormous amount

00:18:46.699 --> 00:18:47.199
 of pain

00:18:47.199 --> 00:18:48.599
 and as time went on

00:18:48.599 --> 00:18:50.319
 he looked up

00:18:50.319 --> 00:18:51.240
 at the prefect

00:18:51.240 --> 00:18:51.740
 and said,

00:18:51.980 --> 00:18:53.139
 I'm done.

00:18:53.259 --> 00:18:54.259
 You better flip me over

00:18:54.259 --> 00:18:56.459
 as if to say,

00:18:56.720 --> 00:18:58.119
 what can you do to me?

00:18:59.019 --> 00:19:00.179
 What can you do

00:19:00.179 --> 00:19:01.339
 more than just harm

00:19:01.339 --> 00:19:02.459
 and kill my body?

00:19:02.939 --> 00:19:04.279
 Your power is neutered.

00:19:04.359 --> 00:19:04.939
 It's done.

00:19:05.079 --> 00:19:06.579
 It's forever destroyed.

00:19:06.579 --> 00:19:07.879
 Christ is my king.

00:19:09.559 --> 00:19:10.559
 Whether that actually

00:19:10.559 --> 00:19:11.319
 happened or not,

00:19:11.539 --> 00:19:12.379
 I'm going to believe

00:19:12.379 --> 00:19:12.859
 it happened

00:19:12.859 --> 00:19:13.759
 because it's wonderful.

00:19:14.019 --> 00:19:15.519
 It's like a big

00:19:15.519 --> 00:19:17.240
 own you moment.

00:19:19.179 --> 00:19:20.659
 I'm done on this side.

00:19:20.759 --> 00:19:21.319
 Turn me over.

00:19:22.579 --> 00:19:23.480
 That is a picture

00:19:23.480 --> 00:19:24.659
 of the graciousness

00:19:24.659 --> 00:19:25.599
 of God sustaining

00:19:25.599 --> 00:19:26.139
 his church

00:19:26.139 --> 00:19:28.079
 in its hour of need.

00:19:28.500 --> 00:19:29.419
 But who has this

00:19:29.419 --> 00:19:30.039
 kind of faith?

00:19:31.199 --> 00:19:32.000
 I'll be honest,

00:19:32.099 --> 00:19:33.079
 I'm not sure I do.

00:19:33.159 --> 00:19:33.859
 That's why I hope

00:19:33.859 --> 00:19:34.799
 that in the hour of need

00:19:34.799 --> 00:19:35.639
 I will be given it.

00:19:36.399 --> 00:19:37.399
 The next section

00:19:37.399 --> 00:19:38.440
 actually communicates

00:19:38.440 --> 00:19:39.240
 the Lord's patience

00:19:39.240 --> 00:19:40.039
 and grace to us

00:19:40.039 --> 00:19:40.659
 as we waver

00:19:40.659 --> 00:19:41.799
 and stumble in our faith

00:19:41.799 --> 00:19:43.200
 as we are trying

00:19:43.200 --> 00:19:44.000
 to seek him

00:19:44.000 --> 00:19:45.200
 and follow him

00:19:45.200 --> 00:19:45.799
 and obey him.

00:19:45.859 --> 00:19:46.240
 Look with me

00:19:46.240 --> 00:19:47.399
 at verses 12

00:19:47.399 --> 00:19:47.980
 and following.

00:19:49.779 --> 00:19:51.460
 When he realized this,

00:19:51.619 --> 00:19:52.399
 this is Peter,

00:19:52.539 --> 00:19:53.379
 he went to the house

00:19:53.379 --> 00:19:53.879
 of Mary,

00:19:54.000 --> 00:19:54.839
 the mother of John

00:19:54.839 --> 00:19:56.159
 whose other name

00:19:56.159 --> 00:19:56.639
 was Mark,

00:19:57.319 --> 00:19:58.019
 where many were

00:19:58.019 --> 00:19:58.680
 gathered together

00:19:58.680 --> 00:19:59.480
 and were praying.

00:19:59.659 --> 00:20:00.639
 And when he knocked

00:20:00.639 --> 00:20:01.279
 at the door

00:20:01.279 --> 00:20:01.839
 of the gateway,

00:20:01.839 --> 00:20:02.679
 a servant girl

00:20:02.679 --> 00:20:03.199
 named Rhoda

00:20:03.199 --> 00:20:03.939
 came to answer.

00:20:04.740 --> 00:20:05.279
 And recognizing

00:20:05.279 --> 00:20:06.119
 Peter's voice

00:20:06.119 --> 00:20:06.980
 in her joy,

00:20:07.419 --> 00:20:08.039
 she did not open

00:20:08.039 --> 00:20:08.439
 the gate,

00:20:08.839 --> 00:20:09.539
 but ran in

00:20:09.539 --> 00:20:10.059
 and reported

00:20:10.059 --> 00:20:10.539
 that Peter

00:20:10.539 --> 00:20:11.119
 was standing

00:20:11.119 --> 00:20:11.779
 at the gate.

00:20:12.799 --> 00:20:13.480
 They said to her,

00:20:13.559 --> 00:20:14.740
 you're out of your mind.

00:20:14.879 --> 00:20:16.199
 But she kept insisting

00:20:16.199 --> 00:20:16.879
 that it was so.

00:20:17.419 --> 00:20:18.259
 And they kept saying,

00:20:18.319 --> 00:20:19.299
 it is his angel.

00:20:19.659 --> 00:20:20.980
 It seems like the tradition

00:20:20.980 --> 00:20:21.699
 at the time

00:20:21.699 --> 00:20:23.379
 was that God

00:20:23.379 --> 00:20:24.579
 would send guardian angels

00:20:24.579 --> 00:20:25.500
 and that the angels

00:20:25.500 --> 00:20:26.099
 would take on

00:20:26.099 --> 00:20:26.639
 the appearance

00:20:26.639 --> 00:20:27.119
 of those

00:20:27.119 --> 00:20:27.539
 that they were

00:20:27.539 --> 00:20:28.519
 looking after.

00:20:28.639 --> 00:20:29.579
 It's not necessarily

00:20:29.579 --> 00:20:30.519
 a biblical bit.

00:20:30.619 --> 00:20:31.279
 It's a traditional

00:20:31.279 --> 00:20:34.439
 understanding.

00:20:34.599 --> 00:20:35.179
 But that's where

00:20:35.179 --> 00:20:35.799
 that whole bit

00:20:35.799 --> 00:20:36.539
 about the guardian angel

00:20:36.539 --> 00:20:37.960
 comes about.

00:20:38.379 --> 00:20:39.279
 Verse 16,

00:20:39.419 --> 00:20:40.119
 But Peter

00:20:40.119 --> 00:20:41.079
 continued knocking

00:20:41.079 --> 00:20:42.419
 and when they opened

00:20:42.419 --> 00:20:43.439
 they saw him

00:20:43.439 --> 00:20:44.919
 and were amazed.

00:20:45.659 --> 00:20:46.799
 But motioning them

00:20:46.799 --> 00:20:47.899
 with his hand

00:20:47.899 --> 00:20:48.720
 to be silent,

00:20:50.500 --> 00:20:51.339
 presumably because

00:20:51.339 --> 00:20:51.919
 he didn't want

00:20:51.919 --> 00:20:53.720
 a big brouhaha

00:20:53.720 --> 00:20:55.419
 and attention

00:20:55.419 --> 00:20:56.319
 being drawn to them

00:20:56.319 --> 00:20:56.899
 given that he

00:20:56.899 --> 00:20:58.139
 just escaped prison,

00:20:58.140 --> 00:21:00.000
 he described to them

00:21:00.000 --> 00:21:00.540
 how the Lord

00:21:00.540 --> 00:21:01.160
 had brought him

00:21:01.160 --> 00:21:02.020
 out of the prison

00:21:02.020 --> 00:21:03.100
 and he said to them,

00:21:03.280 --> 00:21:04.080
 this is the second time

00:21:04.080 --> 00:21:04.940
 Peter's going to say this,

00:21:05.540 --> 00:21:06.180
 tell these things

00:21:06.180 --> 00:21:06.700
 to James

00:21:06.700 --> 00:21:07.500
 and to the brothers,

00:21:08.080 --> 00:21:08.460
 or sorry,

00:21:09.180 --> 00:21:10.259
 but then he said to them,

00:21:10.700 --> 00:21:11.400
 described to them

00:21:11.400 --> 00:21:12.100
 how the Lord

00:21:12.100 --> 00:21:12.840
 had brought him

00:21:12.840 --> 00:21:13.480
 out of the prison.

00:21:13.720 --> 00:21:14.259
 The second time

00:21:14.259 --> 00:21:15.480
 he recognized

00:21:15.480 --> 00:21:16.120
 the Lord's hand

00:21:16.120 --> 00:21:16.700
 in all of this.

00:21:17.160 --> 00:21:17.540
 And he said,

00:21:17.740 --> 00:21:18.180
 tell these things

00:21:18.180 --> 00:21:18.720
 to James

00:21:18.720 --> 00:21:19.420
 and to the brothers.

00:21:20.240 --> 00:21:21.080
 Then he departed

00:21:21.080 --> 00:21:22.360
 and went to another place.

00:21:22.400 --> 00:21:23.620
 That is another James,

00:21:24.340 --> 00:21:24.900
 of course.

00:21:24.900 --> 00:21:27.820
 If you quickly read

00:21:27.820 --> 00:21:28.720
 this chapter,

00:21:28.920 --> 00:21:29.860
 it's easy to marvel

00:21:29.860 --> 00:21:30.880
 at the faith of the church.

00:21:31.000 --> 00:21:32.100
 They're up day and night

00:21:32.100 --> 00:21:33.660
 praying to the Lord

00:21:33.660 --> 00:21:34.180
 fervently.

00:21:35.720 --> 00:21:36.519
 They're seeking

00:21:36.519 --> 00:21:37.240
 the Lord's face

00:21:37.240 --> 00:21:38.720
 even when James dies.

00:21:38.840 --> 00:21:39.759
 They continue to pray

00:21:39.759 --> 00:21:40.759
 for Peter.

00:21:41.140 --> 00:21:41.880
 Whether or not

00:21:41.880 --> 00:21:42.480
 they were completely

00:21:42.480 --> 00:21:44.080
 overcome by grief,

00:21:44.120 --> 00:21:44.940
 we're not too sure.

00:21:45.480 --> 00:21:46.000
 Their devotion

00:21:46.000 --> 00:21:47.019
 is admirable.

00:21:47.180 --> 00:21:47.660
 It's incredible.

00:21:48.300 --> 00:21:49.540
 I don't want to downplay it,

00:21:49.560 --> 00:21:49.980
 but again,

00:21:50.180 --> 00:21:51.360
 I want to draw

00:21:51.360 --> 00:21:52.019
 our attention

00:21:52.019 --> 00:21:53.079
 to the helplessness

00:21:53.079 --> 00:21:55.200
 of these disciples.

00:21:56.000 --> 00:21:56.839
 For when Peter

00:21:56.839 --> 00:21:57.779
 knocks on the door

00:21:57.779 --> 00:21:58.839
 in the middle of the night,

00:21:59.480 --> 00:22:01.700
 even though they've been

00:22:01.700 --> 00:22:02.839
 praying for days

00:22:02.839 --> 00:22:03.680
 upon days,

00:22:04.220 --> 00:22:05.559
 they cannot believe

00:22:05.559 --> 00:22:06.160
 that their prayers

00:22:06.160 --> 00:22:06.700
 were answered.

00:22:07.200 --> 00:22:07.519
 I mean,

00:22:07.839 --> 00:22:08.839
 I'll cut them a bit of slack.

00:22:09.359 --> 00:22:10.379
 You get a knock on the door

00:22:10.379 --> 00:22:11.079
 at three or four

00:22:11.079 --> 00:22:11.539
 in the morning,

00:22:11.720 --> 00:22:12.819
 is it ever good news?

00:22:13.519 --> 00:22:14.579
 It's never good news.

00:22:16.779 --> 00:22:17.799
 Usually it's somebody

00:22:17.799 --> 00:22:19.660
 has got in an accident

00:22:19.660 --> 00:22:21.320
 or there's been

00:22:21.320 --> 00:22:22.220
 some sort of issue

00:22:22.220 --> 00:22:24.040
 or they're coming

00:22:24.040 --> 00:22:24.720
 to arrest you

00:22:24.720 --> 00:22:25.680
 or something like that.

00:22:25.800 --> 00:22:26.720
 It's never good news.

00:22:26.940 --> 00:22:27.220
 Nevertheless,

00:22:27.480 --> 00:22:28.160
 they've been praying

00:22:28.160 --> 00:22:29.740
 and their faith

00:22:29.740 --> 00:22:30.840
 doesn't seem to be

00:22:30.840 --> 00:22:31.740
 that great,

00:22:31.920 --> 00:22:32.620
 but kind of

00:22:32.620 --> 00:22:34.660
 on the small end.

00:22:37.720 --> 00:22:38.800
 You get this knock

00:22:38.800 --> 00:22:39.220
 on the door

00:22:39.220 --> 00:22:40.180
 and there's no chance

00:22:40.180 --> 00:22:41.120
 it could have been Peter.

00:22:42.500 --> 00:22:43.279
 These people,

00:22:43.500 --> 00:22:44.640
 they have faith,

00:22:44.779 --> 00:22:45.540
 but it isn't perfect.

00:22:45.700 --> 00:22:46.140
 It's shaky.

00:22:46.279 --> 00:22:47.279
 It's riddled with doubt.

00:22:47.279 --> 00:22:49.339
 But interestingly,

00:22:49.539 --> 00:22:50.319
 nowhere in the text

00:22:50.319 --> 00:22:51.500
 are they condemned for it.

00:22:52.980 --> 00:22:53.819
 Peter does not

00:22:53.819 --> 00:22:54.680
 scold them

00:22:54.680 --> 00:22:55.819
 for being subpar

00:22:55.819 --> 00:22:57.220
 in their faith.

00:23:00.180 --> 00:23:01.359
 He doesn't scold them

00:23:01.359 --> 00:23:02.039
 for not believing

00:23:02.039 --> 00:23:03.079
 Rhoda immediately.

00:23:04.680 --> 00:23:05.839
 And I think this is

00:23:05.839 --> 00:23:06.980
 indicative of

00:23:06.980 --> 00:23:08.440
 who God is,

00:23:08.539 --> 00:23:09.519
 for he is gracious

00:23:09.519 --> 00:23:10.379
 and kind,

00:23:10.980 --> 00:23:11.960
 knowing that we struggle

00:23:11.960 --> 00:23:12.500
 to believe

00:23:12.500 --> 00:23:13.319
 and to trust.

00:23:14.079 --> 00:23:14.700
 So we can pray

00:23:14.700 --> 00:23:15.379
 like the apostles

00:23:15.379 --> 00:23:16.299
 in Luke 17,

00:23:16.299 --> 00:23:18.639
 increase my faith.

00:23:20.639 --> 00:23:21.819
 Or we can pray

00:23:21.819 --> 00:23:23.299
 like the father

00:23:23.299 --> 00:23:25.519
 who has the unwell child,

00:23:25.659 --> 00:23:26.139
 I believe,

00:23:26.299 --> 00:23:27.119
 help my unbelief.

00:23:28.539 --> 00:23:29.980
 God knows that our faith

00:23:29.980 --> 00:23:31.700
 is susceptible

00:23:31.700 --> 00:23:33.879
 to fissures

00:23:33.879 --> 00:23:34.819
 and cracks,

00:23:35.359 --> 00:23:36.919
 that we do not have

00:23:36.919 --> 00:23:37.740
 perfect faith,

00:23:38.480 --> 00:23:39.619
 but God is still kind

00:23:39.619 --> 00:23:40.220
 and gracious

00:23:40.220 --> 00:23:40.940
 to meet us

00:23:40.940 --> 00:23:41.819
 where we are at

00:23:41.819 --> 00:23:43.740
 in taking the grain

00:23:43.740 --> 00:23:44.480
 of mustard seed

00:23:44.480 --> 00:23:45.359
 that is our faith

00:23:45.359 --> 00:23:48.000
 and answering our prayers.

00:23:48.819 --> 00:23:49.759
 In this case,

00:23:50.639 --> 00:23:51.539
 you know,

00:23:51.599 --> 00:23:52.119
 we see this

00:23:52.119 --> 00:23:53.679
 beautiful answer

00:23:53.679 --> 00:23:54.279
 to prayer

00:23:54.279 --> 00:23:55.960
 in light of such

00:23:55.960 --> 00:23:56.700
 small faith

00:23:56.700 --> 00:23:57.419
 and it helps us

00:23:57.419 --> 00:23:58.339
 to have great comfort

00:23:58.339 --> 00:23:59.539
 to know

00:23:59.539 --> 00:24:00.720
 a couple things.

00:24:00.779 --> 00:24:01.259
 The first thing,

00:24:01.379 --> 00:24:02.759
 that the destiny

00:24:02.759 --> 00:24:03.379
 of the church

00:24:03.379 --> 00:24:04.439
 doesn't rise and fall

00:24:04.439 --> 00:24:05.960
 on how pious we are.

00:24:05.960 --> 00:24:07.240
 I mean,

00:24:07.319 --> 00:24:08.400
 it certainly helps

00:24:08.400 --> 00:24:09.019
 to be pious

00:24:09.019 --> 00:24:09.700
 and to pray.

00:24:10.200 --> 00:24:10.519
 Again,

00:24:10.579 --> 00:24:10.980
 like I said,

00:24:11.019 --> 00:24:11.340
 I'm not trying

00:24:11.340 --> 00:24:12.539
 to downplay prayer.

00:24:13.120 --> 00:24:14.220
 Prayer is a mighty,

00:24:14.480 --> 00:24:15.140
 wonderful thing.

00:24:15.579 --> 00:24:16.460
 It sustains us.

00:24:16.620 --> 00:24:18.759
 It is a privilege

00:24:18.759 --> 00:24:22.660
 to go to God

00:24:22.660 --> 00:24:24.220
 and ask him

00:24:24.220 --> 00:24:24.940
 to do things

00:24:24.940 --> 00:24:26.000
 that only he can do

00:24:26.000 --> 00:24:26.880
 and trust that he,

00:24:27.320 --> 00:24:27.779
 if we're praying

00:24:27.779 --> 00:24:28.680
 according to his will,

00:24:29.120 --> 00:24:30.480
 that he can answer prayers,

00:24:30.700 --> 00:24:32.019
 that he will answer prayers.

00:24:34.519 --> 00:24:35.820
 But it is to say

00:24:35.820 --> 00:24:37.019
 that if we don't pray,

00:24:38.340 --> 00:24:39.180
 God's plans

00:24:39.180 --> 00:24:40.320
 don't somehow crumble.

00:24:41.779 --> 00:24:43.779
 He is not relying

00:24:43.779 --> 00:24:44.580
 upon us

00:24:44.580 --> 00:24:45.320
 to do our part

00:24:45.320 --> 00:24:46.720
 and if we can't,

00:24:46.759 --> 00:24:47.860
 then he is powerless

00:24:47.860 --> 00:24:48.400
 to do

00:24:48.400 --> 00:24:50.740
 what he desires to do.

00:24:50.740 --> 00:24:52.940
 God knows

00:24:52.940 --> 00:24:53.740
 our struggles

00:24:53.740 --> 00:24:54.700
 and thank God

00:24:54.700 --> 00:24:55.539
 that his power

00:24:55.539 --> 00:24:56.299
 and his will

00:24:56.299 --> 00:24:57.339
 is not contingent

00:24:57.339 --> 00:24:59.039
 upon what we do.

00:25:01.000 --> 00:25:02.000
 We see problems

00:25:02.000 --> 00:25:03.420
 from a very earthly perspective

00:25:03.420 --> 00:25:06.200
 with increasing degrees

00:25:06.200 --> 00:25:07.160
 of impossibility.

00:25:09.240 --> 00:25:10.759
 But God isn't phased

00:25:10.759 --> 00:25:11.660
 by problems.

00:25:13.019 --> 00:25:15.059
 I want to say this

00:25:15.059 --> 00:25:15.579
 to myself,

00:25:15.680 --> 00:25:16.339
 but I want to say this

00:25:16.339 --> 00:25:16.620
 to you.

00:25:16.680 --> 00:25:17.539
 He is not phased

00:25:17.539 --> 00:25:18.279
 by problems.

00:25:18.880 --> 00:25:19.720
 He created

00:25:19.720 --> 00:25:21.400
 the entire cosmos.

00:25:21.819 --> 00:25:23.079
 Everything that exists

00:25:23.079 --> 00:25:24.180
 is created

00:25:24.180 --> 00:25:25.559
 by him

00:25:25.559 --> 00:25:26.480
 from nothing.

00:25:26.839 --> 00:25:27.819
 Huge doctrine

00:25:27.819 --> 00:25:28.740
 in scripture.

00:25:29.559 --> 00:25:30.220
 From nothing.

00:25:30.380 --> 00:25:30.900
 It's not like

00:25:30.900 --> 00:25:31.839
 there was an existing

00:25:31.839 --> 00:25:34.079
 cosmic Home Depot

00:25:34.079 --> 00:25:35.559
 that he went to

00:25:35.559 --> 00:25:36.799
 and got the materials

00:25:36.799 --> 00:25:37.980
 and then fashioned everything.

00:25:38.259 --> 00:25:39.039
 From nothing.

00:25:40.240 --> 00:25:41.120
 There is nothing

00:25:41.120 --> 00:25:41.660
 that is

00:25:41.660 --> 00:25:43.200
 too big for him.

00:25:43.480 --> 00:25:44.220
 No problem

00:25:44.220 --> 00:25:45.420
 that is too grand.

00:25:45.579 --> 00:25:46.100
 No evil

00:25:46.100 --> 00:25:47.120
 that is too dark.

00:25:47.119 --> 00:25:48.339
 There is nothing

00:25:48.339 --> 00:25:49.919
 that will scare

00:25:49.919 --> 00:25:50.539
 the Lord

00:25:50.539 --> 00:25:53.019
 the way it scares us.

00:25:55.179 --> 00:25:56.539
 He will intervene

00:25:56.539 --> 00:25:57.559
 as he sees fit

00:25:57.559 --> 00:25:58.699
 and he will use us

00:25:58.699 --> 00:25:59.679
 as he sees fit

00:25:59.679 --> 00:26:01.819
 so that his purposes

00:26:01.819 --> 00:26:02.500
 and plans

00:26:02.500 --> 00:26:03.559
 are never upended

00:26:03.559 --> 00:26:04.359
 or redirected.

00:26:04.419 --> 00:26:05.079
 This is the God

00:26:05.079 --> 00:26:05.799
 we serve.

00:26:07.579 --> 00:26:08.799
 He does not live

00:26:08.799 --> 00:26:09.699
 with perpetual

00:26:09.699 --> 00:26:10.979
 contingency plans.

00:26:10.980 --> 00:26:13.259
 I was listening

00:26:13.259 --> 00:26:14.819
 to a conversation

00:26:14.819 --> 00:26:16.420
 between a man

00:26:16.420 --> 00:26:17.200
 named Ray Ortland

00:26:17.200 --> 00:26:18.599
 and Sam Albury

00:26:18.599 --> 00:26:19.839
 and it's

00:26:19.839 --> 00:26:20.640
 an interesting

00:26:20.640 --> 00:26:22.160
 series for

00:26:22.160 --> 00:26:23.039
 young pastors.

00:26:23.900 --> 00:26:24.559
 Sam I think

00:26:24.559 --> 00:26:24.900
 is like

00:26:24.900 --> 00:26:26.000
 a few years

00:26:26.000 --> 00:26:26.559
 older than me.

00:26:26.779 --> 00:26:28.099
 Ray is in his 70s

00:26:28.099 --> 00:26:28.460
 and he's been

00:26:28.460 --> 00:26:28.980
 pastoring

00:26:28.980 --> 00:26:30.579
 for 150 years

00:26:30.579 --> 00:26:32.259
 and there's

00:26:32.259 --> 00:26:33.460
 just an absolute

00:26:33.460 --> 00:26:34.759
 some gold

00:26:34.759 --> 00:26:35.460
 from that

00:26:35.460 --> 00:26:36.140
 from the

00:26:36.140 --> 00:26:37.259
 ongoing conversation.

00:26:37.259 --> 00:26:39.099
 Sam has

00:26:39.099 --> 00:26:42.799
 he's a single man

00:26:42.799 --> 00:26:43.720
 he is

00:26:43.720 --> 00:26:44.640
 an ordained minister

00:26:44.640 --> 00:26:45.339
 in the Church of England

00:26:45.339 --> 00:26:46.200
 although he's here

00:26:46.200 --> 00:26:47.640
 in North America

00:26:47.640 --> 00:26:50.039
 but he is

00:26:50.039 --> 00:26:51.059
 same sex attracted.

00:26:53.059 --> 00:26:54.700
 He recognizes it

00:26:54.700 --> 00:26:55.599
 he asks the Lord

00:26:55.599 --> 00:26:56.079
 for strength

00:26:56.079 --> 00:26:57.039
 it's one of the things

00:26:57.039 --> 00:26:57.900
 he talks about often

00:26:57.900 --> 00:26:59.140
 but he said

00:26:59.140 --> 00:27:00.019
 this to Ray

00:27:00.019 --> 00:27:00.940
 in light

00:27:00.940 --> 00:27:02.319
 of God's power

00:27:02.319 --> 00:27:02.940
 he says

00:27:02.940 --> 00:27:04.799
 do you know

00:27:04.799 --> 00:27:05.559
 how easy

00:27:05.559 --> 00:27:06.160
 it is

00:27:06.160 --> 00:27:06.640
 for God

00:27:06.640 --> 00:27:07.300
 to restore

00:27:07.300 --> 00:27:07.940
 a gay man?

00:27:08.160 --> 00:27:08.720
 That's what he said.

00:27:11.980 --> 00:27:13.500
 My immediate reaction

00:27:13.500 --> 00:27:13.900
 was

00:27:13.900 --> 00:27:15.080
 I have no idea.

00:27:15.860 --> 00:27:16.519
 I have no idea

00:27:16.519 --> 00:27:17.300
 my faith is

00:27:17.300 --> 00:27:18.420
 is like this

00:27:18.420 --> 00:27:19.380
 but then I thought

00:27:19.380 --> 00:27:20.880
 about that phrase

00:27:20.880 --> 00:27:21.720
 do you know

00:27:21.720 --> 00:27:22.380
 how easy

00:27:22.380 --> 00:27:23.259
 it is

00:27:23.259 --> 00:27:24.660
 for God

00:27:24.660 --> 00:27:25.360
 to restore

00:27:25.360 --> 00:27:25.860
 a marriage?

00:27:26.860 --> 00:27:27.040
 Do you know

00:27:27.040 --> 00:27:27.560
 how easy

00:27:27.560 --> 00:27:28.100
 it is

00:27:28.100 --> 00:27:28.519
 for God

00:27:28.519 --> 00:27:29.279
 to save

00:27:29.279 --> 00:27:30.720
 an unsaved

00:27:30.720 --> 00:27:31.220
 loved one?

00:27:31.279 --> 00:27:31.460
 Do you know

00:27:31.460 --> 00:27:32.040
 how easy

00:27:32.040 --> 00:27:32.580
 it is

00:27:32.580 --> 00:27:33.680
 for God

00:27:33.680 --> 00:27:34.720
 to bring

00:27:34.720 --> 00:27:35.200
 back

00:27:35.200 --> 00:27:36.279
 into the fold

00:27:36.279 --> 00:27:37.000
 a wayward

00:27:37.000 --> 00:27:37.559
 child?

00:27:38.340 --> 00:27:38.580
 Do you know

00:27:38.580 --> 00:27:39.220
 how easy

00:27:39.220 --> 00:27:40.019
 it is

00:27:40.019 --> 00:27:40.559
 for God

00:27:40.559 --> 00:27:40.860
 to see

00:27:40.860 --> 00:27:41.299
 the gospel

00:27:41.299 --> 00:27:41.960
 spread

00:27:41.960 --> 00:27:43.000
 across the world

00:27:43.000 --> 00:27:43.960
 and to see

00:27:43.960 --> 00:27:45.180
 tyrants fall

00:27:45.180 --> 00:27:46.200
 and to see

00:27:46.200 --> 00:27:46.900
 addictions

00:27:46.900 --> 00:27:48.740
 mended

00:27:48.740 --> 00:27:49.539
 and broken

00:27:49.539 --> 00:27:50.340
 relationships

00:27:50.340 --> 00:27:50.620
 mended?

00:27:50.720 --> 00:27:50.940
 Do you know

00:27:50.940 --> 00:27:51.519
 how easy

00:27:51.519 --> 00:27:52.039
 it is?

00:27:52.440 --> 00:27:53.019
 And I

00:27:53.019 --> 00:27:53.779
 respond

00:27:53.779 --> 00:27:54.500
 like the same

00:27:54.500 --> 00:27:54.680
 way

00:27:54.680 --> 00:27:55.220
 I don't

00:27:55.220 --> 00:27:55.799
 I have no idea

00:27:55.799 --> 00:27:56.220
 my faith

00:27:56.220 --> 00:27:56.880
 is this big

00:27:56.880 --> 00:28:00.220
 but this

00:28:00.220 --> 00:28:00.820
 text is

00:28:00.820 --> 00:28:01.860
 telling us

00:28:01.860 --> 00:28:03.240
 it is so

00:28:03.240 --> 00:28:04.440
 easy

00:28:04.440 --> 00:28:04.960
 for God

00:28:04.960 --> 00:28:05.440
 to just

00:28:05.440 --> 00:28:06.740
 upend

00:28:06.740 --> 00:28:07.380
 the plans

00:28:07.380 --> 00:28:08.160
 of the enemy

00:28:08.160 --> 00:28:09.220
 Herod

00:28:09.220 --> 00:28:10.180
 and turn it

00:28:10.180 --> 00:28:10.780
 on his head

00:28:10.780 --> 00:28:11.280
 and sustain

00:28:11.280 --> 00:28:11.820
 the church

00:28:11.820 --> 00:28:12.600
 and to

00:28:12.600 --> 00:28:13.680
 bring salvation

00:28:13.680 --> 00:28:15.520
 to all

00:28:15.520 --> 00:28:15.860
 that would

00:28:15.860 --> 00:28:16.280
 believe

00:28:16.280 --> 00:28:16.780
 and trust

00:28:16.780 --> 00:28:17.100
 in him

00:28:17.100 --> 00:28:18.160
 it is so

00:28:18.160 --> 00:28:18.640
 easy

00:28:18.640 --> 00:28:19.080
 it's not

00:28:19.080 --> 00:28:20.080
 like this

00:28:20.080 --> 00:28:20.860
 is tough

00:28:20.860 --> 00:28:21.300
 for God

00:28:21.300 --> 00:28:21.920
 it is not

00:28:21.920 --> 00:28:22.440
 tough for him

00:28:22.440 --> 00:28:23.880
 it's easy

00:28:23.880 --> 00:28:24.400
 for him

00:28:24.400 --> 00:28:26.100
 it's a cinch

00:28:26.100 --> 00:28:31.860
 God knows

00:28:31.860 --> 00:28:32.480
 our struggles

00:28:32.480 --> 00:28:33.120
 with faith

00:28:33.120 --> 00:28:34.240
 he sees

00:28:34.240 --> 00:28:34.519
 that

00:28:34.519 --> 00:28:35.340
 we say

00:28:35.340 --> 00:28:35.920
 it is not

00:28:35.920 --> 00:28:36.360
 easy

00:28:36.360 --> 00:28:37.340
 it is actually

00:28:37.340 --> 00:28:38.300
 very difficult

00:28:38.300 --> 00:28:39.500
 and yet

00:28:39.500 --> 00:28:40.340
 he invites us

00:28:40.340 --> 00:28:40.740
 to seek

00:28:40.740 --> 00:28:41.320
 his faith

00:28:41.320 --> 00:28:42.340
 his face

00:28:42.340 --> 00:28:42.980
 in trust

00:28:42.980 --> 00:28:43.880
 and dependence

00:28:43.880 --> 00:28:44.440
 especially

00:28:44.440 --> 00:28:45.680
 when the world

00:28:45.680 --> 00:28:46.440
 seeks to

00:28:46.440 --> 00:28:47.019
 convince us

00:28:47.019 --> 00:28:47.980
 otherwise

00:28:47.980 --> 00:28:50.080
 so if

00:28:50.080 --> 00:28:50.740
 God is

00:28:50.740 --> 00:28:51.140
 gracious

00:28:51.140 --> 00:28:51.660
 in how he

00:28:51.660 --> 00:28:52.440
 sustains the church

00:28:52.440 --> 00:28:52.820
 and he is

00:28:52.820 --> 00:28:53.200
 gracious

00:28:53.200 --> 00:28:53.920
 in how he

00:28:53.920 --> 00:28:54.360
 builds up

00:28:54.359 --> 00:28:55.019
 our faith

00:28:55.019 --> 00:28:57.479
 how does

00:28:57.479 --> 00:28:58.099
 he bolster

00:28:58.099 --> 00:28:58.719
 our faith

00:28:58.719 --> 00:28:59.779
 when our

00:28:59.779 --> 00:29:00.179
 enemies

00:29:00.179 --> 00:29:00.599
 rage

00:29:00.599 --> 00:29:01.319
 against us

00:29:01.319 --> 00:29:03.079
 this is

00:29:03.079 --> 00:29:03.459
 the last

00:29:03.459 --> 00:29:03.879
 part

00:29:03.879 --> 00:29:05.439
 verses

00:29:05.439 --> 00:29:05.939
 20

00:29:05.939 --> 00:29:06.759
 and following

00:29:06.759 --> 00:29:07.240
 verses

00:29:07.240 --> 00:29:07.799
 18

00:29:07.799 --> 00:29:08.579
 and 19

00:29:08.579 --> 00:29:09.879
 situate

00:29:09.879 --> 00:29:11.459
 the

00:29:11.459 --> 00:29:12.139
 narrative

00:29:12.139 --> 00:29:12.759
 but we're

00:29:12.759 --> 00:29:13.039
 just going

00:29:13.039 --> 00:29:13.319
 to jump

00:29:13.319 --> 00:29:13.699
 into verse

00:29:13.699 --> 00:29:14.079
 20

00:29:14.079 --> 00:29:14.740
 Herod is

00:29:14.740 --> 00:29:15.679
 in Caesarea

00:29:15.679 --> 00:29:17.859
 and this

00:29:17.859 --> 00:29:18.179
 is what it

00:29:18.179 --> 00:29:18.359
 says

00:29:18.359 --> 00:29:19.019
 verses 20

00:29:19.019 --> 00:29:19.859
 and following

00:29:19.859 --> 00:29:20.500
 now Herod

00:29:20.500 --> 00:29:21.099
 was angry

00:29:21.099 --> 00:29:21.459
 with the

00:29:21.459 --> 00:29:21.879
 people of

00:29:21.879 --> 00:29:22.259
 Tyre

00:29:22.259 --> 00:29:22.859
 and Sidon

00:29:22.859 --> 00:29:23.839
 and they

00:29:23.839 --> 00:29:24.240
 came to

00:29:24.240 --> 00:29:24.379
 him

00:29:24.379 --> 00:29:24.659
 with one

00:29:24.659 --> 00:29:25.000
 accord

00:29:25.000 --> 00:29:25.379
 and having

00:29:25.379 --> 00:29:25.839
 persuaded

00:29:25.839 --> 00:29:26.479
 Blastus

00:29:26.479 --> 00:29:27.159
 the king's

00:29:27.159 --> 00:29:27.619
 chamberlain

00:29:27.619 --> 00:29:28.959
 before I

00:29:28.959 --> 00:29:29.279
 continue

00:29:29.279 --> 00:29:30.459
 notice all

00:29:30.459 --> 00:29:30.799
 of the

00:29:30.799 --> 00:29:31.479
 the royal

00:29:31.479 --> 00:29:32.099
 and regal

00:29:32.099 --> 00:29:32.839
 language used

00:29:32.839 --> 00:29:33.339
 to describe

00:29:33.339 --> 00:29:33.639
 Herod

00:29:33.639 --> 00:29:34.119
 okay

00:29:34.119 --> 00:29:36.119
 they came

00:29:36.119 --> 00:29:36.379
 to him

00:29:36.379 --> 00:29:36.639
 with one

00:29:36.639 --> 00:29:36.899
 accord

00:29:36.899 --> 00:29:37.199
 having

00:29:37.199 --> 00:29:37.679
 persuaded

00:29:37.679 --> 00:29:38.219
 Blastus

00:29:38.219 --> 00:29:38.859
 the king's

00:29:38.859 --> 00:29:39.240
 chamberlain

00:29:39.240 --> 00:29:39.539
 that is

00:29:39.539 --> 00:29:39.859
 Herod's

00:29:39.859 --> 00:29:40.259
 chamberlain

00:29:40.259 --> 00:29:41.240
 they asked

00:29:41.240 --> 00:29:41.779
 for peace

00:29:41.779 --> 00:29:42.440
 because their

00:29:42.440 --> 00:29:43.160
 country depended

00:29:43.160 --> 00:29:43.680
 on the

00:29:43.680 --> 00:29:44.160
 king's

00:29:44.160 --> 00:29:44.839
 country

00:29:44.839 --> 00:29:45.420
 for food

00:29:45.420 --> 00:29:46.539
 and on

00:29:46.539 --> 00:29:47.039
 an appointed

00:29:47.039 --> 00:29:47.460
 day

00:29:47.460 --> 00:29:48.059
 Herod put

00:29:48.059 --> 00:29:48.460
 on his

00:29:48.460 --> 00:29:49.720
 royal robes

00:29:49.720 --> 00:29:51.000
 took his

00:29:51.000 --> 00:29:51.720
 seat upon

00:29:51.720 --> 00:29:52.460
 the throne

00:29:52.460 --> 00:29:53.440
 and delivered

00:29:53.440 --> 00:29:54.099
 an oration

00:29:54.099 --> 00:29:54.500
 to them

00:29:54.500 --> 00:29:55.660
 and the people

00:29:55.660 --> 00:29:56.160
 were shouting

00:29:56.160 --> 00:29:56.640
 the voice

00:29:56.640 --> 00:29:57.160
 of God

00:29:57.160 --> 00:29:57.440
 and not

00:29:57.440 --> 00:29:57.980
 of a man

00:29:57.980 --> 00:29:59.000
 and immediately

00:29:59.000 --> 00:29:59.640
 an angel

00:29:59.640 --> 00:30:00.200
 of the Lord

00:30:00.200 --> 00:30:00.759
 struck him

00:30:00.759 --> 00:30:01.359
 down because

00:30:01.359 --> 00:30:01.819
 he did not

00:30:01.819 --> 00:30:02.420
 give God

00:30:02.420 --> 00:30:02.900
 the glory

00:30:02.900 --> 00:30:03.299
 and he was

00:30:03.299 --> 00:30:03.759
 eaten by

00:30:03.759 --> 00:30:04.099
 worms

00:30:04.099 --> 00:30:04.640
 and breathed

00:30:04.640 --> 00:30:05.259
 his last

00:30:05.259 --> 00:30:07.180
 Herod the

00:30:07.180 --> 00:30:07.920
 all-powerful

00:30:07.920 --> 00:30:08.319
 king

00:30:08.319 --> 00:30:10.259
 who is

00:30:10.259 --> 00:30:11.200
 is the

00:30:11.200 --> 00:30:11.759
 king of

00:30:11.759 --> 00:30:12.399
 Jerusalem

00:30:12.399 --> 00:30:13.399
 and Judea

00:30:13.399 --> 00:30:14.079
 and all

00:30:14.079 --> 00:30:14.419
 of the

00:30:14.419 --> 00:30:14.980
 Galilee

00:30:14.980 --> 00:30:15.859
 and Perea

00:30:15.859 --> 00:30:18.319
 he fashions

00:30:18.319 --> 00:30:19.000
 himself as

00:30:19.000 --> 00:30:19.679
 a god

00:30:19.679 --> 00:30:20.539
 and he

00:30:20.539 --> 00:30:21.500
 is struck

00:30:21.500 --> 00:30:22.099
 down

00:30:22.099 --> 00:30:24.139
 like a

00:30:24.139 --> 00:30:24.619
 common

00:30:24.619 --> 00:30:24.980
 man

00:30:24.980 --> 00:30:26.200
 and what's

00:30:26.200 --> 00:30:26.939
 interesting here

00:30:26.939 --> 00:30:27.460
 again we're

00:30:27.460 --> 00:30:28.099
 juxtaposing

00:30:28.099 --> 00:30:29.299
 Herod the

00:30:29.299 --> 00:30:30.099
 false king

00:30:30.099 --> 00:30:30.759
 with Christ

00:30:30.759 --> 00:30:31.599
 the ultimate

00:30:31.599 --> 00:30:31.939
 king

00:30:31.939 --> 00:30:34.299
 notice how

00:30:34.299 --> 00:30:36.259
 as God

00:30:36.259 --> 00:30:37.000
 was rescuing

00:30:37.000 --> 00:30:37.399
 Peter

00:30:37.400 --> 00:30:38.400
 in the

00:30:38.400 --> 00:30:38.720
 dungeon

00:30:38.720 --> 00:30:39.259
 Peter

00:30:39.259 --> 00:30:39.660
 sleeping

00:30:39.660 --> 00:30:40.019
 and he

00:30:40.019 --> 00:30:40.580
 strikes him

00:30:40.580 --> 00:30:40.720
 and he

00:30:40.720 --> 00:30:41.060
 says get

00:30:41.060 --> 00:30:41.380
 up

00:30:41.380 --> 00:30:43.140
 and Herod

00:30:43.140 --> 00:30:44.380
 who is not

00:30:44.380 --> 00:30:45.259
 putting himself

00:30:45.259 --> 00:30:45.720
 at the mercy

00:30:45.720 --> 00:30:46.140
 of God

00:30:46.140 --> 00:30:46.460
 but is

00:30:46.460 --> 00:30:46.880
 claiming to

00:30:46.880 --> 00:30:47.180
 be God

00:30:47.180 --> 00:30:47.560
 himself

00:30:47.560 --> 00:30:49.380
 is struck

00:30:49.380 --> 00:30:50.560
 and falls

00:30:50.560 --> 00:30:50.940
 down

00:30:50.940 --> 00:30:52.700
 it is an

00:30:52.700 --> 00:30:53.680
 inverse of

00:30:53.680 --> 00:30:54.360
 what is

00:30:54.360 --> 00:30:55.140
 happening

00:30:55.140 --> 00:30:55.700
 and we're

00:30:55.700 --> 00:30:56.040
 seeing a

00:30:56.040 --> 00:30:56.740
 complete reversal

00:30:56.740 --> 00:30:57.500
 verses 1

00:30:57.500 --> 00:30:58.000
 to 3

00:30:58.000 --> 00:30:59.200
 the strength

00:30:59.200 --> 00:31:00.519
 and the

00:31:00.519 --> 00:31:01.080
 bravado

00:31:01.080 --> 00:31:02.080
 that the

00:31:02.080 --> 00:31:02.820
 chapter opens

00:31:02.819 --> 00:31:03.139
 with

00:31:03.139 --> 00:31:07.200
 this bit

00:31:07.200 --> 00:31:07.700
 about him

00:31:07.700 --> 00:31:08.460
 dying

00:31:08.460 --> 00:31:10.019
 and worms

00:31:10.019 --> 00:31:11.480
 eating him

00:31:11.480 --> 00:31:11.819
 and he

00:31:11.819 --> 00:31:12.299
 breathes

00:31:12.299 --> 00:31:12.879
 his last

00:31:12.879 --> 00:31:14.019
 Josephus

00:31:14.019 --> 00:31:14.879
 the historian

00:31:14.879 --> 00:31:15.559
 records

00:31:15.559 --> 00:31:16.799
 the death

00:31:16.799 --> 00:31:17.279
 of Herod

00:31:17.279 --> 00:31:17.740
 Agrippa

00:31:17.740 --> 00:31:19.039
 different

00:31:19.039 --> 00:31:21.000
 descriptors

00:31:21.000 --> 00:31:21.480
 but pretty

00:31:21.480 --> 00:31:22.119
 sure the

00:31:22.119 --> 00:31:22.619
 same event

00:31:22.619 --> 00:31:23.720
 which is to

00:31:23.720 --> 00:31:24.319
 say that

00:31:24.319 --> 00:31:25.279
 Josephus

00:31:25.279 --> 00:31:26.059
 he develops

00:31:26.059 --> 00:31:26.480
 some kind

00:31:26.480 --> 00:31:27.279
 of stomach

00:31:27.279 --> 00:31:28.059
 issue

00:31:28.059 --> 00:31:29.319
 and dies

00:31:29.319 --> 00:31:30.679
 and that's

00:31:30.679 --> 00:31:31.319
 but he was

00:31:31.319 --> 00:31:31.559
 struck

00:31:31.559 --> 00:31:32.500
 the same

00:31:32.500 --> 00:31:32.980
 thing

00:31:32.980 --> 00:31:33.460
 he comes

00:31:33.460 --> 00:31:33.679
 out in

00:31:33.679 --> 00:31:34.099
 these silver

00:31:34.099 --> 00:31:34.619
 robes

00:31:34.619 --> 00:31:35.000
 he claims

00:31:35.000 --> 00:31:35.500
 he's God

00:31:35.500 --> 00:31:35.799
 and then

00:31:35.799 --> 00:31:36.179
 he gets

00:31:36.179 --> 00:31:36.419
 sick

00:31:36.419 --> 00:31:36.839
 and dies

00:31:36.839 --> 00:31:37.539
 I think

00:31:37.539 --> 00:31:38.240
 Peter's

00:31:38.240 --> 00:31:38.619
 describing

00:31:38.619 --> 00:31:39.059
 the same

00:31:39.059 --> 00:31:39.240
 thing

00:31:39.240 --> 00:31:39.460
 I don't

00:31:39.460 --> 00:31:39.759
 think we

00:31:39.759 --> 00:31:40.059
 need to

00:31:40.059 --> 00:31:40.359
 think of

00:31:40.359 --> 00:31:40.779
 it as

00:31:40.779 --> 00:31:41.819
 on the

00:31:41.819 --> 00:31:42.039
 spot

00:31:42.039 --> 00:31:42.559
 he dies

00:31:42.559 --> 00:31:42.799
 and all

00:31:42.799 --> 00:31:43.419
 these worms

00:31:43.419 --> 00:31:43.899
 eat him

00:31:43.899 --> 00:31:44.220
 like a

00:31:44.220 --> 00:31:44.799
 horror movie

00:31:44.799 --> 00:31:47.559
 if you

00:31:47.559 --> 00:31:48.039
 remember

00:31:48.039 --> 00:31:48.559
 Psalm

00:31:48.559 --> 00:31:50.440
 16

00:31:50.440 --> 00:31:53.139
 speaks

00:31:53.139 --> 00:31:53.440
 of

00:31:53.440 --> 00:31:54.059
 Jesus

00:31:54.059 --> 00:31:55.039
 being the

00:31:55.039 --> 00:31:55.399
 holy one

00:31:55.399 --> 00:31:55.679
 who does

00:31:55.679 --> 00:31:56.220
 not see

00:31:56.220 --> 00:31:56.639
 decay

00:31:56.640 --> 00:31:58.380
 but people

00:31:58.380 --> 00:31:58.620
 that are

00:31:58.620 --> 00:31:58.860
 not

00:31:58.860 --> 00:31:59.340
 righteous

00:31:59.340 --> 00:32:00.180
 they are

00:32:00.180 --> 00:32:00.400
 eaten

00:32:00.400 --> 00:32:00.880
 by worms

00:32:00.880 --> 00:32:01.360
 it is

00:32:01.360 --> 00:32:02.440
 figurative

00:32:02.440 --> 00:32:03.080
 language

00:32:03.080 --> 00:32:04.020
 to describe

00:32:04.020 --> 00:32:05.040
 the utter

00:32:05.040 --> 00:32:05.780
 baseness

00:32:05.780 --> 00:32:06.220
 the

00:32:06.220 --> 00:32:08.860
 unrighteousness

00:32:08.860 --> 00:32:09.560
 the evil

00:32:09.560 --> 00:32:10.080
 of

00:32:10.080 --> 00:32:11.360
 a tyrant

00:32:11.360 --> 00:32:12.180
 and the

00:32:12.180 --> 00:32:13.880
 what will

00:32:13.880 --> 00:32:14.320
 happen to

00:32:14.320 --> 00:32:14.920
 such people

00:32:14.920 --> 00:32:18.780
 boils down

00:32:18.780 --> 00:32:19.220
 to this

00:32:19.220 --> 00:32:20.420
 anybody

00:32:20.420 --> 00:32:20.920
 who

00:32:20.920 --> 00:32:21.740
 opposes

00:32:21.740 --> 00:32:22.300
 the church

00:32:22.300 --> 00:32:23.180
 of Christ

00:32:23.180 --> 00:32:24.840
 the true

00:32:24.840 --> 00:32:25.340
 church of

00:32:25.340 --> 00:32:25.640
 Christ

00:32:25.640 --> 00:32:26.400
 opposes

00:32:26.400 --> 00:32:26.780
 Christ

00:32:26.780 --> 00:32:27.220
 himself

00:32:27.220 --> 00:32:29.000
 we are

00:32:29.000 --> 00:32:29.380
 his very

00:32:29.380 --> 00:32:29.780
 body

00:32:29.780 --> 00:32:30.980
 and as

00:32:30.980 --> 00:32:31.460
 he goes

00:32:31.460 --> 00:32:31.900
 we go

00:32:31.900 --> 00:32:33.380
 the head

00:32:33.380 --> 00:32:34.980
 of

00:32:34.980 --> 00:32:36.019
 the church

00:32:36.019 --> 00:32:36.519
 has

00:32:36.519 --> 00:32:37.519
 defeated

00:32:37.519 --> 00:32:37.920
 death

00:32:37.920 --> 00:32:38.420
 ascended

00:32:38.420 --> 00:32:38.700
 into

00:32:38.700 --> 00:32:39.080
 heaven

00:32:39.080 --> 00:32:39.640
 and is

00:32:39.640 --> 00:32:39.920
 sitting at

00:32:39.920 --> 00:32:40.220
 the right

00:32:40.220 --> 00:32:40.560
 hand of

00:32:40.560 --> 00:32:40.980
 the father

00:32:40.980 --> 00:32:41.440
 and we

00:32:41.440 --> 00:32:41.960
 too will

00:32:41.960 --> 00:32:43.259
 join him

00:32:43.259 --> 00:32:44.019
 in glory

00:32:44.019 --> 00:32:45.880
 all of his

00:32:45.880 --> 00:32:46.400
 enemies are

00:32:46.400 --> 00:32:46.840
 defeated

00:32:46.840 --> 00:32:47.900
 therefore all of

00:32:47.900 --> 00:32:48.460
 our enemies

00:32:48.460 --> 00:32:48.980
 are defeated

00:32:48.980 --> 00:32:49.600
 and when people

00:32:49.600 --> 00:32:50.580
 stand up

00:32:50.580 --> 00:32:51.380
 against us

00:32:51.380 --> 00:32:53.440
 they might

00:32:53.440 --> 00:32:53.960
 succeed for

00:32:53.960 --> 00:32:54.460
 a time

00:32:54.460 --> 00:32:56.120
 but never

00:32:56.120 --> 00:32:57.020
 eternally

00:32:57.020 --> 00:32:58.820
 God

00:32:58.820 --> 00:33:00.300
 in Christ

00:33:00.300 --> 00:33:01.140
 is the

00:33:01.140 --> 00:33:01.440
 one

00:33:01.440 --> 00:33:02.560
 who is

00:33:02.560 --> 00:33:03.080
 the eternal

00:33:03.080 --> 00:33:03.580
 victor

00:33:03.580 --> 00:33:04.120
 overall

00:33:04.120 --> 00:33:05.260
 his church

00:33:05.260 --> 00:33:05.920
 will endure

00:33:05.920 --> 00:33:06.640
 forever

00:33:06.640 --> 00:33:09.260
 that doesn't

00:33:09.260 --> 00:33:10.020
 necessarily mean

00:33:10.020 --> 00:33:10.740
 that any

00:33:10.740 --> 00:33:11.940
 person that

00:33:11.940 --> 00:33:13.760
 seeks to

00:33:13.759 --> 00:33:16.879
 put pressure

00:33:16.879 --> 00:33:17.440
 on us

00:33:17.440 --> 00:33:19.559
 that they're

00:33:19.559 --> 00:33:19.900
 going to

00:33:19.900 --> 00:33:20.779
 get smited

00:33:20.779 --> 00:33:21.579
 or that

00:33:21.579 --> 00:33:21.960
 they're going

00:33:21.960 --> 00:33:22.319
 to get dealt

00:33:22.319 --> 00:33:22.680
 with right

00:33:22.680 --> 00:33:22.980
 away

00:33:22.980 --> 00:33:24.059
 but we can

00:33:24.059 --> 00:33:24.599
 be sure

00:33:24.599 --> 00:33:25.099
 that we

00:33:25.099 --> 00:33:25.420
 will not

00:33:25.420 --> 00:33:26.059
 be left

00:33:26.059 --> 00:33:27.079
 to our

00:33:27.079 --> 00:33:27.559
 own

00:33:27.559 --> 00:33:28.900
 defense

00:33:28.900 --> 00:33:30.000
 that God

00:33:30.000 --> 00:33:30.519
 is in

00:33:30.519 --> 00:33:31.119
 our corner

00:33:31.119 --> 00:33:31.859
 in Christ

00:33:31.859 --> 00:33:34.939
 we feel

00:33:34.939 --> 00:33:35.199
 a bit of

00:33:35.199 --> 00:33:35.419
 pressure

00:33:35.419 --> 00:33:35.899
 these days

00:33:35.899 --> 00:33:36.259
 if we're

00:33:36.259 --> 00:33:36.559
 going to

00:33:36.559 --> 00:33:37.079
 hold fast

00:33:37.079 --> 00:33:37.500
 to the

00:33:37.500 --> 00:33:38.339
 word

00:33:38.339 --> 00:33:39.179
 and to

00:33:39.179 --> 00:33:39.839
 the historic

00:33:39.839 --> 00:33:40.519
 orthodox

00:33:40.519 --> 00:33:40.939
 faith

00:33:40.939 --> 00:33:42.119
 but we

00:33:42.119 --> 00:33:42.379
 don't

00:33:42.379 --> 00:33:43.459
 I don't

00:33:43.459 --> 00:33:43.619
 want to

00:33:43.619 --> 00:33:44.000
 downplay

00:33:44.000 --> 00:33:44.099
 it

00:33:44.099 --> 00:33:44.299
 but we

00:33:44.299 --> 00:33:44.459
 don't

00:33:44.459 --> 00:33:44.699
 feel

00:33:44.699 --> 00:33:44.879
 the

00:33:44.879 --> 00:33:45.219
 pressure

00:33:45.219 --> 00:33:46.099
 like

00:33:46.099 --> 00:33:46.339
 our

00:33:46.339 --> 00:33:46.599
 brothers

00:33:46.599 --> 00:33:46.819
 and

00:33:46.819 --> 00:33:47.099
 sisters

00:33:47.099 --> 00:33:47.519
 in

00:33:47.519 --> 00:33:49.359
 Pyongyang

00:33:49.359 --> 00:33:49.979
 or

00:33:49.979 --> 00:33:50.819
 in

00:33:50.819 --> 00:33:51.459
 Beijing

00:33:51.459 --> 00:33:52.539
 or

00:33:52.539 --> 00:33:52.959
 in

00:33:52.959 --> 00:33:53.240
 Kabul

00:33:53.240 --> 00:33:53.839
 or

00:33:53.839 --> 00:33:54.279
 in

00:33:54.279 --> 00:33:55.579
 Beirut

00:33:55.579 --> 00:33:58.459
 a text

00:33:58.459 --> 00:33:59.299
 like this

00:33:59.299 --> 00:34:00.019
 the death

00:34:00.019 --> 00:34:00.439
 of Herod

00:34:00.439 --> 00:34:01.199
 is a

00:34:01.199 --> 00:34:01.559
 great

00:34:01.559 --> 00:34:01.960
 comfort

00:34:01.960 --> 00:34:02.419
 for them

00:34:02.419 --> 00:34:05.039
 it means

00:34:05.039 --> 00:34:05.399
 that

00:34:05.399 --> 00:34:07.940
 the head

00:34:07.940 --> 00:34:08.299
 of

00:34:08.299 --> 00:34:08.759
 Hezbollah

00:34:08.759 --> 00:34:09.380
 Nazarela

00:34:09.380 --> 00:34:10.079
 he will

00:34:10.079 --> 00:34:10.699
 not endure

00:34:10.699 --> 00:34:11.099
 forever

00:34:11.099 --> 00:34:11.639
 he will

00:34:11.639 --> 00:34:12.699
 not be

00:34:12.699 --> 00:34:13.259
 ultimately

00:34:13.259 --> 00:34:14.420
 victorious

00:34:14.420 --> 00:34:15.139
 the Taliban

00:34:15.139 --> 00:34:15.579
 in

00:34:15.579 --> 00:34:16.920
 Afghanistan

00:34:16.920 --> 00:34:17.579
 they will

00:34:17.579 --> 00:34:18.000
 not have

00:34:18.000 --> 00:34:18.440
 the final

00:34:18.440 --> 00:34:18.840
 word

00:34:18.840 --> 00:34:21.759
 Kim

00:34:21.759 --> 00:34:22.320
 Jong

00:34:22.320 --> 00:34:23.360
 will not

00:34:23.360 --> 00:34:23.779
 have

00:34:23.779 --> 00:34:24.380
 the final

00:34:24.380 --> 00:34:24.920
 word

00:34:24.920 --> 00:34:27.960
 anybody

00:34:27.960 --> 00:34:28.579
 that

00:34:28.579 --> 00:34:30.420
 looks to

00:34:30.420 --> 00:34:30.960
 oppress

00:34:30.960 --> 00:34:31.400
 God's

00:34:31.400 --> 00:34:31.619
 people

00:34:31.619 --> 00:34:31.800
 will

00:34:31.800 --> 00:34:32.000
 not

00:34:32.000 --> 00:34:32.240
 have

00:34:32.240 --> 00:34:32.380
 the

00:34:32.380 --> 00:34:32.659
 final

00:34:32.659 --> 00:34:33.000
 word

00:34:33.000 --> 00:34:34.360
 it

00:34:34.360 --> 00:34:34.659
 also

00:34:34.659 --> 00:34:35.039
 means

00:34:35.039 --> 00:34:35.220
 that

00:34:35.220 --> 00:34:35.380
 the

00:34:35.380 --> 00:34:35.699
 culture

00:34:35.699 --> 00:34:35.880
 of

00:34:35.880 --> 00:34:36.099
 death

00:34:36.099 --> 00:34:36.300
 in

00:34:36.300 --> 00:34:36.639
 Canada

00:34:36.639 --> 00:34:36.900
 will

00:34:36.900 --> 00:34:37.179
 not

00:34:37.179 --> 00:34:37.480
 in

00:34:37.480 --> 00:34:37.619
 the

00:34:37.619 --> 00:34:37.920
 end

00:34:37.920 --> 00:34:38.260
 win

00:34:38.260 --> 00:34:38.880
 and endure

00:34:38.880 --> 00:34:39.300
 forever

00:34:39.300 --> 00:34:41.260
 the

00:34:41.260 --> 00:34:41.940
 graciousness

00:34:41.940 --> 00:34:42.220
 of the

00:34:42.220 --> 00:34:42.420
 Lord

00:34:42.420 --> 00:34:42.600
 will

00:34:42.600 --> 00:34:43.039
 prevail

00:34:43.039 --> 00:34:43.360
 as

00:34:43.360 --> 00:34:43.500
 he

00:34:43.500 --> 00:34:43.720
 lays

00:34:43.720 --> 00:34:44.060
 waste

00:34:44.060 --> 00:34:44.280
 to

00:34:44.280 --> 00:34:44.500
 his

00:34:44.500 --> 00:34:44.920
 enemies

00:34:44.920 --> 00:34:46.600
 and I'll

00:34:46.600 --> 00:34:46.960
 wrap up

00:34:46.960 --> 00:34:47.500
 with this

00:34:47.500 --> 00:34:48.860
 Herod is

00:34:48.860 --> 00:34:49.260
 eaten by

00:34:49.260 --> 00:34:49.640
 worms

00:34:49.640 --> 00:34:51.140
 but Christ

00:34:51.140 --> 00:34:51.519
 does not

00:34:51.519 --> 00:34:52.160
 see decay

00:34:52.160 --> 00:34:53.960
 Herod's throne

00:34:53.960 --> 00:34:54.840
 is no more

00:34:54.840 --> 00:34:55.900
 Jesus reigns

00:34:55.900 --> 00:34:56.300
 upon the

00:34:56.300 --> 00:34:57.300
 eternal throne

00:34:57.300 --> 00:34:58.420
 right this

00:34:58.420 --> 00:34:58.740
 minute

00:34:58.740 --> 00:34:59.900
 he is there

00:34:59.900 --> 00:35:00.800
 he can't be

00:35:00.800 --> 00:35:01.320
 supplanted

00:35:01.320 --> 00:35:01.900
 he can't be

00:35:01.900 --> 00:35:02.620
 pushed off

00:35:02.620 --> 00:35:03.760
 Herod

00:35:03.760 --> 00:35:04.260
 tried and

00:35:04.260 --> 00:35:05.420
 failed to

00:35:05.420 --> 00:35:05.900
 destroy the

00:35:05.900 --> 00:35:06.260
 church

00:35:06.260 --> 00:35:07.960
 brothers and

00:35:07.960 --> 00:35:08.380
 sisters here

00:35:08.380 --> 00:35:09.060
 we stand

00:35:09.060 --> 00:35:10.080
 here we

00:35:10.080 --> 00:35:10.600
 stand

00:35:10.600 --> 00:35:11.220
 today

00:35:11.220 --> 00:35:13.860
 not in

00:35:13.860 --> 00:35:14.200
 our own

00:35:14.200 --> 00:35:14.700
 power but

00:35:14.700 --> 00:35:14.940
 in the

00:35:14.940 --> 00:35:15.320
 power of

00:35:15.320 --> 00:35:15.440
 the

00:35:15.440 --> 00:35:15.680
 Lord

00:35:15.680 --> 00:35:17.060
 and with

00:35:17.060 --> 00:35:17.280
 all the

00:35:17.280 --> 00:35:17.660
 pressures

00:35:17.660 --> 00:35:18.080
 and the

00:35:18.080 --> 00:35:18.880
 persecutions

00:35:18.880 --> 00:35:19.780
 the text

00:35:19.780 --> 00:35:20.320
 ends with

00:35:20.320 --> 00:35:20.960
 verse 24

00:35:20.960 --> 00:35:21.280
 and this

00:35:21.280 --> 00:35:21.500
 is what

00:35:21.500 --> 00:35:21.840
 it says

00:35:21.840 --> 00:35:22.540
 but the

00:35:22.540 --> 00:35:23.140
 word of

00:35:23.140 --> 00:35:23.500
 God

00:35:23.500 --> 00:35:24.080
 increased

00:35:24.080 --> 00:35:24.320
 and

00:35:24.320 --> 00:35:24.740
 multiplied

00:35:24.740 --> 00:35:25.440
 this is

00:35:25.440 --> 00:35:26.000
 the third

00:35:26.000 --> 00:35:27.060
 of

00:35:27.060 --> 00:35:27.720
 I believe

00:35:27.720 --> 00:35:28.420
 five

00:35:28.420 --> 00:35:29.140
 they're called

00:35:29.140 --> 00:35:29.720
 summary

00:35:29.720 --> 00:35:30.260
 verses

00:35:30.260 --> 00:35:30.760
 or summary

00:35:30.760 --> 00:35:31.200
 statements

00:35:31.200 --> 00:35:31.480
 that

00:35:31.480 --> 00:35:33.020
 kind of

00:35:33.020 --> 00:35:33.760
 redirect

00:35:33.760 --> 00:35:34.960
 our gaze

00:35:34.960 --> 00:35:35.300
 and our

00:35:35.300 --> 00:35:35.680
 focus

00:35:35.680 --> 00:35:36.040
 in the

00:35:36.039 --> 00:35:36.300
 narrative

00:35:36.300 --> 00:35:36.699
 towards

00:35:36.699 --> 00:35:36.960
 what is

00:35:36.960 --> 00:35:37.420
 happening

00:35:37.420 --> 00:35:37.880
 with the

00:35:37.880 --> 00:35:38.320
 mission

00:35:38.320 --> 00:35:38.619
 of the

00:35:38.619 --> 00:35:38.860
 church

00:35:38.860 --> 00:35:39.500
 but in

00:35:39.500 --> 00:35:39.800
 this

00:35:39.800 --> 00:35:40.079
 case

00:35:40.079 --> 00:35:40.719
 verse 24

00:35:40.719 --> 00:35:41.779
 is also

00:35:41.779 --> 00:35:42.460
 a big

00:35:42.460 --> 00:35:43.159
 giant

00:35:43.159 --> 00:35:44.860
 you tried

00:35:44.860 --> 00:35:45.179
 but you

00:35:45.179 --> 00:35:45.619
 failed

00:35:45.619 --> 00:35:46.000
 Herod

00:35:46.000 --> 00:35:46.619
 you tried

00:35:46.619 --> 00:35:46.940
 but you

00:35:46.940 --> 00:35:47.340
 failed

00:35:47.340 --> 00:35:47.699
 Satan

00:35:47.699 --> 00:35:48.059
 but you

00:35:48.059 --> 00:35:48.719
 you tried

00:35:48.719 --> 00:35:49.000
 but you

00:35:49.000 --> 00:35:49.559
 failed

00:35:49.559 --> 00:35:50.719
 world

00:35:50.719 --> 00:35:53.179
 verse 24

00:35:53.179 --> 00:35:53.579
 but the

00:35:53.579 --> 00:35:54.179
 word of

00:35:54.179 --> 00:35:54.460
 God

00:35:54.460 --> 00:35:55.099
 increased

00:35:55.099 --> 00:35:55.380
 and

00:35:55.380 --> 00:35:55.900
 multiplied

00:35:55.900 --> 00:36:00.659
 the cross

00:36:00.659 --> 00:36:01.139
 tried to

00:36:01.139 --> 00:36:01.579
 smite

00:36:01.579 --> 00:36:02.519
 Jesus

00:36:02.519 --> 00:36:03.039
 but he

00:36:03.039 --> 00:36:03.480
 makes a

00:36:03.480 --> 00:36:03.920
 mockery

00:36:03.920 --> 00:36:04.159
 out of

00:36:04.159 --> 00:36:04.320
 it

00:36:04.320 --> 00:36:05.239
 he

00:36:05.239 --> 00:36:05.899
 transforms

00:36:05.899 --> 00:36:06.399
 this

00:36:06.399 --> 00:36:07.000
 ugly

00:36:07.000 --> 00:36:08.159
 disgusting

00:36:08.159 --> 00:36:08.899
 Roman

00:36:08.899 --> 00:36:10.099
 torture

00:36:10.099 --> 00:36:10.659
 apparatus

00:36:10.659 --> 00:36:12.000
 and he

00:36:12.000 --> 00:36:12.359
 makes it

00:36:12.359 --> 00:36:13.239
 the most

00:36:13.239 --> 00:36:13.939
 beautiful

00:36:13.939 --> 00:36:14.959
 picture of

00:36:14.959 --> 00:36:15.439
 victory

00:36:15.439 --> 00:36:16.719
 of all

00:36:16.719 --> 00:36:17.139
 time

00:36:17.139 --> 00:36:19.379
 so what

00:36:19.379 --> 00:36:19.739
 do we do

00:36:19.739 --> 00:36:20.379
 we trust

00:36:20.379 --> 00:36:21.139
 however

00:36:21.139 --> 00:36:21.839
 imperfectly

00:36:21.839 --> 00:36:22.859
 in our

00:36:22.859 --> 00:36:23.279
 Lord and

00:36:23.279 --> 00:36:23.779
 Savior who

00:36:23.779 --> 00:36:24.179
 is mighty

00:36:24.179 --> 00:36:24.659
 to save

00:36:24.659 --> 00:36:24.979
 and that

00:36:24.979 --> 00:36:25.819
 is gracious

00:36:25.819 --> 00:36:26.379
 to give

00:36:26.379 --> 00:36:27.059
 us the

00:36:27.059 --> 00:36:27.579
 strength we

00:36:27.579 --> 00:36:27.879
 need in

00:36:27.879 --> 00:36:28.279
 our time

00:36:28.279 --> 00:36:28.579
 of need

00:36:28.579 --> 00:36:30.219
 let's pray

00:36:30.219 --> 00:36:32.019
 Father in

00:36:32.019 --> 00:36:32.379
 heaven we

00:36:32.379 --> 00:36:32.759
 thank you

00:36:32.759 --> 00:36:33.399
 for Acts

00:36:33.399 --> 00:36:34.079
 13 we

00:36:34.079 --> 00:36:34.599
 thank you

00:36:34.599 --> 00:36:35.779
 that

00:36:35.779 --> 00:36:37.619
 well we

00:36:37.619 --> 00:36:37.980
 thank you

00:36:37.980 --> 00:36:38.359
 that we

00:36:38.359 --> 00:36:38.719
 aren't

00:36:38.719 --> 00:36:39.199
 facing a

00:36:39.199 --> 00:36:39.480
 Herod

00:36:39.480 --> 00:36:41.639
 Lord we

00:36:41.639 --> 00:36:42.359
 thank you

00:36:42.359 --> 00:36:42.859
 that even

00:36:42.859 --> 00:36:43.619
 our most

00:36:43.619 --> 00:36:44.739
 aggressively

00:36:44.739 --> 00:36:45.919
 anti-Christian

00:36:45.919 --> 00:36:46.500
 leader

00:36:46.500 --> 00:36:48.719
 leaders

00:36:48.719 --> 00:36:49.659
 here in

00:36:49.659 --> 00:36:50.019
 Canada

00:36:50.019 --> 00:36:50.819
 in Ottawa

00:36:50.819 --> 00:36:52.480
 in Ontario

00:36:52.480 --> 00:36:53.339
 wherever they

00:36:53.339 --> 00:36:53.779
 may be

00:36:53.779 --> 00:36:54.239
 whoever they

00:36:54.239 --> 00:36:55.299
 are they

00:36:55.299 --> 00:36:55.639
 don't hold

00:36:55.639 --> 00:36:56.039
 the candle

00:36:56.039 --> 00:36:56.579
 to Herod

00:36:56.579 --> 00:36:57.259
 or to

00:36:57.260 --> 00:36:57.760
 some of

00:36:57.760 --> 00:36:58.280
 the emperors

00:36:58.280 --> 00:36:58.600
 for that

00:36:58.600 --> 00:36:58.900
 matter

00:36:58.900 --> 00:36:59.900
 Lord we

00:36:59.900 --> 00:37:00.240
 thank you

00:37:00.240 --> 00:37:00.520
 for that

00:37:00.520 --> 00:37:00.880
 we thank

00:37:00.880 --> 00:37:01.060
 you for

00:37:01.060 --> 00:37:01.460
 the relative

00:37:01.460 --> 00:37:02.040
 peace that

00:37:02.040 --> 00:37:02.300
 we can

00:37:02.300 --> 00:37:02.820
 worship you

00:37:02.820 --> 00:37:03.640
 in here

00:37:03.640 --> 00:37:04.020
 in Canada

00:37:04.020 --> 00:37:04.600
 but Lord

00:37:04.600 --> 00:37:06.620
 give us

00:37:06.620 --> 00:37:07.540
 great courage

00:37:07.540 --> 00:37:08.400
 and faith

00:37:08.400 --> 00:37:10.880
 and hope

00:37:10.880 --> 00:37:11.440
 in you

00:37:11.440 --> 00:37:12.160
 when we

00:37:12.160 --> 00:37:12.900
 feel the

00:37:12.900 --> 00:37:13.440
 pinch and

00:37:13.440 --> 00:37:13.760
 we feel

00:37:13.760 --> 00:37:14.300
 the pressure

00:37:14.300 --> 00:37:15.600
 to recant

00:37:15.600 --> 00:37:16.620
 and to

00:37:16.620 --> 00:37:17.340
 downplay

00:37:17.340 --> 00:37:17.700
 and to

00:37:17.700 --> 00:37:18.380
 go soft

00:37:18.380 --> 00:37:19.080
 on our

00:37:19.080 --> 00:37:19.420
 faith

00:37:19.420 --> 00:37:21.380
 Lord remind

00:37:21.380 --> 00:37:21.880
 us that

00:37:21.880 --> 00:37:22.300
 you are the

00:37:22.300 --> 00:37:22.780
 one who

00:37:22.780 --> 00:37:23.700
 fights our

00:37:23.700 --> 00:37:24.300
 battles and

00:37:24.300 --> 00:37:24.940
 even if we

00:37:24.940 --> 00:37:25.420
 do pray

00:37:25.420 --> 00:37:25.980
 fervently

00:37:25.980 --> 00:37:27.120
 Lord we

00:37:27.119 --> 00:37:27.699
 are truly

00:37:27.699 --> 00:37:28.539
 hopeless and

00:37:28.539 --> 00:37:28.799
 helpless

00:37:28.799 --> 00:37:29.440
 without you

00:37:29.440 --> 00:37:32.139
 Lord give

00:37:32.139 --> 00:37:32.599
 us great

00:37:32.599 --> 00:37:34.019
 courage to

00:37:34.019 --> 00:37:35.619
 to teach

00:37:35.619 --> 00:37:36.559
 our children

00:37:36.559 --> 00:37:37.239
 well to

00:37:37.239 --> 00:37:38.400
 counsel each

00:37:38.400 --> 00:37:39.000
 other well

00:37:39.000 --> 00:37:39.659
 to love

00:37:39.659 --> 00:37:40.139
 each other

00:37:40.139 --> 00:37:41.380
 well and

00:37:41.380 --> 00:37:42.319
 and Lord we

00:37:42.319 --> 00:37:43.219
 pray that

00:37:43.219 --> 00:37:45.199
 that as

00:37:45.199 --> 00:37:45.659
 as verse

00:37:45.659 --> 00:37:46.460
 24 says

00:37:46.460 --> 00:37:47.039
 that the

00:37:47.039 --> 00:37:47.519
 word of the

00:37:47.519 --> 00:37:47.940
 Lord would

00:37:47.940 --> 00:37:48.679
 would increase

00:37:48.679 --> 00:37:49.460
 and multiply

00:37:49.460 --> 00:37:51.339
 here in our

00:37:51.339 --> 00:37:52.279
 city and in

00:37:52.279 --> 00:37:52.859
 our church

00:37:52.859 --> 00:37:54.440
 and in our

00:37:54.440 --> 00:37:55.059
 province and

00:37:55.059 --> 00:37:56.440
 country we

00:37:56.440 --> 00:37:57.039
 pray this in

00:37:57.039 --> 00:37:58.099
 Jesus's mighty

00:37:58.099 --> 00:37:58.719
 mighty name

00:37:58.719 --> 00:37:59.179
 the King of

00:37:59.179 --> 00:37:59.960
 Kings and the

00:37:59.960 --> 00:38:00.599
 Lord of Lords

00:38:00.599 --> 00:38:01.500
 Amen

00:38:01.500 --> 00:38:02.099
 Lord Amen

00:38:02.099 --> 00:38:07.059
 you

00:38:07.059 --> 00:38:10.539
 and

00:38:10.539 --> 00:38:11.940
 Lord of şeyler

00:38:12.460 --> 00:38:14.119
 come on

00:38:14.119 --> 00:38:14.619
 time to

00:38:14.780 --> 00:38:15.360
 hear

00:38:15.360 --> 00:38:16.119
 Son and

00:38:16.119 --> 00:38:16.219
 gentlemen

00:38:16.219 --> 00:38:16.619
 money

00:38:17.239 --> 00:38:17.980
 you

00:38:17.980 --> 00:38:18.239
 and

00:38:18.239 --> 00:38:18.340
 family

00:38:18.340 --> 00:38:18.659
 all

00:38:18.739 --> 00:38:19.039
 Feylo

00:38:19.039 --> 00:38:19.159
 and

00:38:19.159 --> 00:38:19.900
 let

00:38:19.900 --> 00:38:20.179
 lovely

00:38:20.179 --> 00:38:20.840
 mira

00:38:20.840 --> 00:38:21.000
 and

00:38:21.019 --> 00:38:21.039
 and

00:38:21.039 --> 00:38:21.579
 cha

00:38:21.579 --> 00:38:22.139
 my

00:38:22.139 --> 00:38:22.559
 Lord of

00:38:22.559 --> 00:38:22.820
영