WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:06.440 Good morning, everyone. Thank you so much, Lynn and Derek, for reading such a long passage and for praying for us. 00:00:08.040 --> 00:00:14.519 So when my wife and I went on our honeymoon, we did something, you could call it vintage. 00:00:15.320 --> 00:00:20.219 We sent a postcard to our parents like everyone used to in the good old days. 00:00:20.719 --> 00:00:27.620 So we got married on the 13th of September 2014, and they received it in Sicily. 00:00:27.620 --> 00:00:32.380 I'm not joking, that exact week, a year later. 00:00:33.380 --> 00:00:37.620 It took exactly a year to travel from the Canary Islands to Sicily. 00:00:38.320 --> 00:00:40.240 They got it for our first wedding anniversary. 00:00:41.840 --> 00:00:47.040 Now, as you can imagine, we'd basically given up on the idea of that postcard ever, getting there. 00:00:47.079 --> 00:00:49.640 We'd actually forgotten about them, there were two. 00:00:50.299 --> 00:00:56.260 But the plan intended for those postcards was always to reach our parents. 00:00:56.259 --> 00:01:00.699 And to our own surprise, that plan actually came to fruition after all. 00:01:01.679 --> 00:01:09.259 And so I'm sure there were a lot of different people involved to make that possible, as there always is when you're shipping stuff. 00:01:10.140 --> 00:01:18.579 And considering how long it took the postcards to arrive, I just like to think about all the different improbable things that might have happened. 00:01:18.579 --> 00:01:28.140 So was the postcard stuck in the Canary Islands, maybe under the seat of some van, and when it finally got professionally cleaned a year later, someone found it? 00:01:28.420 --> 00:01:33.840 Or did it get diverted to some exotic location, maybe on the other side of the world, I don't know, Vietnam? 00:01:34.700 --> 00:01:39.840 Or maybe it got to our hometown in a matter of days, and then it got stuck under a desk in the post office. 00:01:39.840 --> 00:01:44.340 And it was literally around the corner from our parents, but they never got it for a whole year. 00:01:45.040 --> 00:01:47.260 The possibilities are endless. 00:01:47.740 --> 00:01:54.340 And I'd actually forgotten about the misadventures of our postcards until I was studying this passage earlier this month. 00:01:54.780 --> 00:01:59.620 Because isn't Paul a bit like those postcards of ours? 00:01:59.620 --> 00:02:09.680 He seems hopelessly dependent on the different random people that move it from post office to vans to planes. 00:02:10.960 --> 00:02:14.460 And at some point, also forgotten for a really long time. 00:02:15.020 --> 00:02:22.680 But ultimately, what is determining its final destination is the address that is written on it. 00:02:23.159 --> 00:02:26.360 And for Paul, it was God who put the address. 00:02:26.620 --> 00:02:28.640 And that address was Rome. 00:02:28.639 --> 00:02:33.379 You might remember this verse from last week's passage in Acts 23. 00:02:33.759 --> 00:02:37.019 The following night, the Lord stood near Paul and said, 00:02:37.319 --> 00:02:44.979 Take courage, as ye have testified about me in Jerusalem, so you must also testify in Rome. 00:02:46.279 --> 00:02:48.279 And Paul wanted to go to Rome. 00:02:48.479 --> 00:02:50.139 He'd said it in Acts 19. 00:02:50.639 --> 00:02:52.639 I must go to Rome also. 00:02:53.799 --> 00:02:57.939 And so now everything seems to be completely out of his control. 00:02:57.939 --> 00:03:03.120 He's being passed from city to city, from Roman official to Roman official. 00:03:03.120 --> 00:03:07.500 But the truth is, we know that nothing is out of God's control. 00:03:07.620 --> 00:03:10.159 And so Paul is going to Rome. 00:03:10.439 --> 00:03:13.039 And that's what we'll see today. 00:03:13.680 --> 00:03:18.460 There will be delays compared to how he would have gone about it, I'm sure. 00:03:18.840 --> 00:03:20.360 It won't be straightforward. 00:03:20.360 --> 00:03:26.660 And God will use the most improbable people to accomplish his plan for Paul's life. 00:03:27.340 --> 00:03:34.800 He'll use a diligent tribune, a dishonest lawyer, and what I'm going to call two noncommittal governors. 00:03:34.800 --> 00:03:42.900 So before we look at these characters, just a bit of context, especially for anyone who was in here the past couple of Sundays. 00:03:43.100 --> 00:03:45.480 How did Paul end up in this situation? 00:03:46.460 --> 00:03:50.140 He is in Jerusalem, and his life is in grave danger. 00:03:50.760 --> 00:03:55.760 There are some Jews from Asia who stirred up a riot while he was in the temple. 00:03:55.759 --> 00:04:01.199 And then the Roman soldiers came in, stopped the riot, brought Paul to their barracks. 00:04:01.659 --> 00:04:08.620 And just as Lysias, the tribune, ordered to flog him, they found out that he's a Roman citizen. 00:04:09.399 --> 00:04:17.399 And so Paul is now actually being protected by the Romans, who don't want to be caught mistreating a Roman citizen who hasn't been proven guilty. 00:04:17.399 --> 00:04:24.060 And Lysias has just been told as well that there is a plot against Paul's life. 00:04:24.299 --> 00:04:29.359 There are 40 men who are so committed to killing him that they took an oath. 00:04:29.819 --> 00:04:36.359 And so it was no joke, as you can imagine, at the time when Jewish people took an oath as a group. 00:04:36.639 --> 00:04:38.060 They really want him gone. 00:04:38.060 --> 00:04:48.720 And so let's look at what happens to Paul as Lysias, this diligent tribune, is in charge of him. 00:04:50.000 --> 00:04:59.639 He takes 200 soldiers, 70 horsemen, and 200 spearmen to escort Paul out of town safely. 00:04:59.759 --> 00:05:00.899 That's in verse 23. 00:05:03.420 --> 00:05:07.420 470 men to protect the one Paul. 00:05:08.060 --> 00:05:16.060 And to put 470 in context, in Jerusalem there was only one cohort of students, of not students, soldiers. 00:05:18.500 --> 00:05:20.759 So that means up to 1,000 soldiers. 00:05:20.759 --> 00:05:28.779 So we're talking about half the soldiers that were in Jerusalem are leaving the city to escort Paul out of it. 00:05:29.439 --> 00:05:34.120 And so God carries out his plan even through Roman commanders. 00:05:35.279 --> 00:05:37.420 It wasn't time for Paul to be killed. 00:05:38.060 --> 00:05:47.319 And so what Lysias is doing is both moving Paul away from the immediate danger and also escalating the issue through the Roman ranks. 00:05:47.720 --> 00:05:51.379 And he sends Paul with his letter to governor Felix. 00:05:51.759 --> 00:05:58.060 He says in verse 29, there was no charge against him that deserved death or imprisonment. 00:05:58.060 --> 00:06:00.759 And basically he says, here you go. 00:06:01.040 --> 00:06:03.300 This hot potato, don't want it anymore. 00:06:03.399 --> 00:06:04.620 I'm not paid enough for this. 00:06:05.420 --> 00:06:08.519 And I'll tell the Jews to come and present their charges to you. 00:06:08.720 --> 00:06:09.860 Thank you and bye. 00:06:09.860 --> 00:06:20.860 And maybe you noticed, but he also retold the events in his letter in a way that actually makes him sound way more in the know and kind of on the ball than he was. 00:06:20.860 --> 00:06:27.960 Because verse 27 says, I came with my troops and rescued him, for I had learned that he is a Roman citizen. 00:06:28.780 --> 00:06:31.220 When in fact he'd already ordered to flog him. 00:06:31.300 --> 00:06:36.319 He had no idea that Paul was a Roman citizen until Paul himself told him. 00:06:36.319 --> 00:06:42.219 But either way, Paul is accompanied all the way to Antipatris by the 470. 00:06:42.740 --> 00:06:43.980 They spend the night there. 00:06:44.300 --> 00:06:47.560 Then the soldiers on foot return to Jerusalem. 00:06:47.920 --> 00:06:52.680 And the cavalry keeps going with him all the way to Caesarea to Felix. 00:06:53.579 --> 00:06:55.659 And then Felix reads the letter. 00:06:56.699 --> 00:06:59.219 And you can almost see him roll his eyes. 00:06:59.539 --> 00:07:03.000 You can tell that he's not a fan of a Jewish hot potato himself. 00:07:03.000 --> 00:07:10.399 In verse 34, he kind of double checks what province Paul is actually from, hoping perhaps that this was all a mistake. 00:07:11.160 --> 00:07:13.920 And he doesn't actually fall under his jurisdiction. 00:07:14.660 --> 00:07:20.259 But he does, because Cilicia and Judea at the time are part of what used to be called Syria. 00:07:21.160 --> 00:07:23.540 And it is all under Felix. 00:07:23.540 --> 00:07:33.920 So Felix has Paul put away for a few days until his accusers come from Caesarea for a total of five days. 00:07:36.120 --> 00:07:45.860 The next group of people that play a big role in Paul eventually going to Rome, as per God's plan, are his Jewish accusers. 00:07:45.860 --> 00:07:50.560 It's a delegation of elders led by the high priest Ananias. 00:07:50.939 --> 00:07:57.680 And on this occasion, actually represented by a Gentile, Tertullus, the dishonest lawyer. 00:07:58.759 --> 00:08:04.480 Tertullus makes his dishonesty known from the very beginning, even before telling lies about Paul. 00:08:04.860 --> 00:08:11.160 Look at how he addresses Felix in verses 3 and 4 of the next chapter, chapter 24. 00:08:11.160 --> 00:08:19.900 We have enjoyed a long period of peace under you, and your foresight has brought about reforms in this nation. 00:08:20.480 --> 00:08:27.280 Everywhere and in every way, most excellent Felix, we acknowledge this with profound gratitude. 00:08:29.020 --> 00:08:32.180 Now, by just reading the passages, we wouldn't know. 00:08:32.179 --> 00:08:38.319 But actually, the truth is that, contrary to everything that Tertullus would lead us to believe, 00:08:38.759 --> 00:08:43.879 Festus was an extremely violent man, virgin on madness, actually. 00:08:44.599 --> 00:08:51.339 And if there was one thing that he wasn't known for, then that would have been bringing peace. 00:08:51.859 --> 00:08:53.239 Violence? Definitely. 00:08:53.579 --> 00:08:55.199 Corruption? Plenty. 00:08:55.599 --> 00:09:01.099 He had thousands of Jews massacred in that same city of Caesarea to stop an insurrection. 00:09:01.100 --> 00:09:04.019 And he loved a bribe, as we'll see. 00:09:04.379 --> 00:09:06.279 So the Jews actually hated him. 00:09:07.360 --> 00:09:12.399 But Tertullus tries to flatter Felix, and then he goes on the offensive in verse 5. 00:09:13.100 --> 00:09:19.460 This man is a troublemaker, stirs up riots among the Jews all over the world. 00:09:19.740 --> 00:09:26.940 Which, when you think about it, actually, you know, he's kind of paying a compliment to Paul all over the world. 00:09:27.879 --> 00:09:30.340 Paul is spreading the word. 00:09:30.340 --> 00:09:39.560 He is a ringleader of the Nazarene sect, where Nazarene is as degrading a word as sect is. 00:09:39.879 --> 00:09:47.100 Nazareth being where Jesus, of course, came from, and a poor town that people thought nothing good had ever come out of. 00:09:47.740 --> 00:09:51.460 And he even tried to desecrate the temple. 00:09:52.580 --> 00:09:57.040 Examine him yourself, Felix, and you'll see that these charges are true. 00:09:57.039 --> 00:10:03.919 And then the rest of the Jewish delegation joins in and confirms that all of this was absolutely true. 00:10:05.039 --> 00:10:11.099 So Tertullus is a dishonest lawyer who uses flattery and lies to try and get his own way. 00:10:11.100 --> 00:10:17.019 But fundamentally, he has nothing to substantiate what he is accusing Paul of. 00:10:18.060 --> 00:10:28.600 And so he was probably hoping that Felix would perceive Paul as one of the many false messiahs and the revolutionaries that Rome would have probably actually been concerned about. 00:10:28.600 --> 00:10:42.879 He describes him as an insurrectionist, being part of a sect, an unactual criminal, because desecrating the temple would have been something that even the Romans would have recognized as a valid accusation. 00:10:43.300 --> 00:10:46.100 So lie after lie after lie. 00:10:46.100 --> 00:10:50.060 And now contrast this with Paul's defense. 00:10:50.720 --> 00:10:52.740 He opens with, in verse 10, 00:10:53.320 --> 00:10:59.920 I know that for a number of years you have been a judge over this nation, so I gladly make my defense. 00:11:00.680 --> 00:11:01.480 There's no lies. 00:11:01.860 --> 00:11:03.019 There's no flattery. 00:11:03.360 --> 00:11:04.820 Paul just tells it as it is. 00:11:05.159 --> 00:11:06.860 You've been a judge for many years. 00:11:07.279 --> 00:11:08.800 No one could argue with that. 00:11:09.860 --> 00:11:12.580 And that's because he has God on his side. 00:11:12.580 --> 00:11:17.340 He's not looking to charm anyone, but he does defend himself. 00:11:17.759 --> 00:11:20.680 And he does it with the truth because he has nothing to hide. 00:11:21.460 --> 00:11:25.660 And so if you look at verses 11 to 13, he says, paraphrasing, 00:11:26.240 --> 00:11:35.200 First, it was only 12 days ago that I got to Jerusalem, so not nearly enough time to get a riot like the one that they're describing to you organized. 00:11:36.120 --> 00:11:39.379 And then I quite simply didn't do any of it. 00:11:39.379 --> 00:11:45.620 And that is why my accusers are not even trying to prove it to you, because they can't. 00:11:47.259 --> 00:11:56.080 And then Paul goes on to explain that all he was doing in the temple was really things that his accusers would do in the temple themselves. 00:11:56.600 --> 00:12:00.240 He, too, worships the same God as they do. 00:12:00.500 --> 00:12:03.440 Although, of course, Paul does it as a follower of Jesus. 00:12:03.820 --> 00:12:05.960 In verse 14, he calls it the way. 00:12:05.960 --> 00:12:09.980 And Paul himself was ceremonially clean in the temple. 00:12:10.259 --> 00:12:11.379 So there were no crowds. 00:12:11.780 --> 00:12:17.519 There was no disturbance, or at least not until some men from Asia stirred up the crowds. 00:12:18.100 --> 00:12:25.780 But they, Paul points out, who started all of this, didn't even bother coming here to bring any charges. 00:12:25.940 --> 00:12:28.100 So what are we even doing here? 00:12:28.700 --> 00:12:31.280 Those who accused me in the temple, they're not here. 00:12:31.279 --> 00:12:38.839 Those who accused me in the Sanhedrin, they're here, but they have no evidence to support their charges. 00:12:40.579 --> 00:12:45.539 But there are two verses in Paul's defense that I'd like us to focus on today. 00:12:45.539 --> 00:12:49.579 And it's verses 15 and 16. 00:12:49.580 --> 00:13:16.060 So even here, in such a short defense, Paul manages to profess his faith, 00:13:16.059 --> 00:13:20.179 as he's been doing all along in the previous chapters. 00:13:21.179 --> 00:13:25.000 And he manages to challenge the complacency of those around him. 00:13:25.399 --> 00:13:30.739 And I hope also to challenge us today here, reading his words 2,000 years later. 00:13:30.740 --> 00:13:39.379 What he's saying in these two verses is that because he knows that there will be a resurrection, 00:13:40.060 --> 00:13:43.000 because he knows that this life is not the end of it all, 00:13:43.000 --> 00:13:49.379 but there is an afterlife that is either spent in God's presence or away from him, 00:13:50.080 --> 00:13:53.779 he strives to keep his conscience clear. 00:13:54.159 --> 00:13:58.200 Before God first, and before man too. 00:13:58.200 --> 00:14:02.400 And so in other words, I strive not to sin. 00:14:04.320 --> 00:14:07.040 What a contrast with Tertullus. 00:14:07.600 --> 00:14:14.540 Not only does Paul not lie, he doesn't even need to, because his conscience is clear. 00:14:15.220 --> 00:14:21.560 Because despite everything that he has been through because of these people and how much they hate him, 00:14:22.160 --> 00:14:26.340 he managed to be a witness of the gospel by behaving as he did. 00:14:26.340 --> 00:14:32.940 By not repaying evil with evil, but by always keeping his eyes fixed on the bigger picture instead. 00:14:34.300 --> 00:14:36.899 We are here only for a time. 00:14:37.240 --> 00:14:42.759 And we are here to bring glory to God, not to repay evildoers with evil. 00:14:43.340 --> 00:14:47.500 And because of this, he can stand upright in front of everyone, 00:14:47.500 --> 00:14:54.460 including the governor himself, and declare himself a follower of the way with no shame. 00:14:56.460 --> 00:15:04.100 If this isn't the perfect application of Peter's words in 1 Peter 3, from verse 14. 00:15:04.100 --> 00:15:08.680 But even if you should suffer for what is right, you are blessed. 00:15:09.120 --> 00:15:14.639 Do not fear their threats, do not be frightened, but in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. 00:15:15.159 --> 00:15:21.560 Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. 00:15:21.559 --> 00:15:27.339 But do this with gentleness and with respect, keeping a clear conscience, 00:15:27.639 --> 00:15:34.799 so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander. 00:15:37.079 --> 00:15:43.519 So, friends, the first challenge that I would like us to bring home today is, 00:15:43.519 --> 00:15:50.120 Do I live like I actually believe that there will be a reckoning? 00:15:51.699 --> 00:15:57.480 Do I live consistently with this idea that there will be a resurrection of what Paul calls 00:15:57.480 --> 00:16:01.120 the righteous and the wicked in verse 15? 00:16:01.579 --> 00:16:07.360 By which he means those who do and those who don't live their lives for Christ. 00:16:08.100 --> 00:16:11.579 Because if we do accept the Bible as the word of God, 00:16:11.580 --> 00:16:15.060 then we do believe that we're here only for a time. 00:16:15.660 --> 00:16:16.480 Then we die. 00:16:17.600 --> 00:16:19.800 But also that then that is not the end of it. 00:16:20.600 --> 00:16:22.460 Because the Jesus who died for our sins, 00:16:22.759 --> 00:16:25.940 as we'll be commemorating later during communion, 00:16:26.500 --> 00:16:28.160 he is coming back. 00:16:29.800 --> 00:16:34.780 And how can I believe that and yet still live like I don't? 00:16:35.720 --> 00:16:39.540 Go about my life without thinking twice about my sin. 00:16:39.539 --> 00:16:44.279 I strive always to keep my conscience clear. 00:16:44.620 --> 00:16:47.919 Paul doesn't say, I always keep my conscience clear. 00:16:48.500 --> 00:16:49.659 I strive. 00:16:50.139 --> 00:16:53.120 Because Paul sinned, just like we all do. 00:16:53.799 --> 00:16:55.539 And God knows we're fallible. 00:16:56.500 --> 00:16:58.959 We're broken men and women. 00:16:59.439 --> 00:17:02.240 And that is why we are saved by grace. 00:17:02.240 --> 00:17:05.759 But that absolutely does not mean, not for a moment, 00:17:05.960 --> 00:17:08.940 that we should not strive to keep our conscience clear. 00:17:09.140 --> 00:17:11.759 We should not strive to resist sin. 00:17:13.440 --> 00:17:15.920 And so as we'll ask God for forgiveness, 00:17:16.099 --> 00:17:18.779 as we take the bread and cup later, 00:17:19.140 --> 00:17:21.839 can I challenge every one of us, me first, 00:17:22.259 --> 00:17:24.759 to pray about maybe those recurrent sins 00:17:24.759 --> 00:17:28.299 that are preventing us from keeping our conscience clear? 00:17:28.299 --> 00:17:32.200 Maybe those ones that we've kind of gotten used to, 00:17:32.619 --> 00:17:35.559 to the point that they maybe go undetected, 00:17:35.859 --> 00:17:39.220 that we don't even feel the need to ask for forgiveness about. 00:17:40.220 --> 00:17:42.519 The ones that we've learned to coexist with. 00:17:43.759 --> 00:17:45.940 And not only ask God to forgive us, 00:17:46.019 --> 00:17:50.619 but also commit in prayer to strive to resist this sin. 00:17:50.619 --> 00:17:54.559 And we'll all know what it is for each of us. 00:17:54.619 --> 00:17:56.699 So let's work with the help of the Spirit 00:17:56.699 --> 00:18:00.119 to be able to stand straight and say with Paul, 00:18:00.639 --> 00:18:03.359 I strive to always keep, 00:18:03.759 --> 00:18:07.179 I strive always to keep my conscience clear. 00:18:08.259 --> 00:18:11.219 And as a result, our testimony as well, 00:18:11.319 --> 00:18:14.579 whenever we profess faith to our neighbors, 00:18:14.799 --> 00:18:16.959 it'll be so much more impactful, 00:18:17.439 --> 00:18:18.399 just like Paul's, 00:18:18.400 --> 00:18:20.960 because it'll be consistent with what we 00:18:20.960 --> 00:18:24.320 and what those around us see in our lives. 00:18:30.720 --> 00:18:32.680 So after this, Felix, 00:18:33.080 --> 00:18:35.460 similarly to what he'd done with Paul 00:18:35.460 --> 00:18:37.080 when he was first sent to him, 00:18:37.580 --> 00:18:38.580 adjourns the proceedings. 00:18:38.900 --> 00:18:41.480 He just puts off having to deal with the situation. 00:18:42.080 --> 00:18:44.780 That's why Felix, the non-committal governor. 00:18:44.779 --> 00:18:47.859 Now, there's a couple more things 00:18:47.859 --> 00:18:49.519 that is helpful to know about Felix, 00:18:49.639 --> 00:18:50.879 just for context. 00:18:51.740 --> 00:18:54.720 The first one is that he used to be a slave. 00:18:55.539 --> 00:18:56.680 And it's through connections, 00:18:56.799 --> 00:18:58.039 mainly his brothers to, 00:18:59.160 --> 00:19:01.519 and his connection with the emperor himself. 00:19:01.899 --> 00:19:02.920 And through corruption, 00:19:03.339 --> 00:19:06.500 he managed to rise to the position of governor, 00:19:06.859 --> 00:19:08.339 despite his background. 00:19:08.339 --> 00:19:09.839 And then second, 00:19:09.980 --> 00:19:10.740 that his wife, 00:19:10.899 --> 00:19:11.299 Trusilla, 00:19:11.740 --> 00:19:14.919 she was the sister of King Herod Agrippa, 00:19:15.119 --> 00:19:17.679 and she was Felix's third wife 00:19:17.679 --> 00:19:20.659 that he'd taken away from her husband. 00:19:21.019 --> 00:19:21.959 And she was Jewish. 00:19:22.819 --> 00:19:24.179 So as the passage, 00:19:24.519 --> 00:19:26.339 as the text tells us, 00:19:26.759 --> 00:19:29.639 he was well acquainted with the way. 00:19:29.859 --> 00:19:31.839 And he seems to be intrigued by it, 00:19:31.839 --> 00:19:33.659 at least up to a point. 00:19:33.660 --> 00:19:37.519 He knows, just like Lysias, 00:19:38.500 --> 00:19:41.040 that Paul cannot be charged with anything, 00:19:41.180 --> 00:19:43.519 that those accusations really just don't stand. 00:19:44.240 --> 00:19:46.340 But he also will not free Paul 00:19:46.340 --> 00:19:48.640 and make his already rocky relationship 00:19:48.640 --> 00:19:50.960 with the Jews even more difficult, 00:19:51.779 --> 00:19:53.120 just for one man. 00:19:53.779 --> 00:19:55.779 So the compromise that he comes up with 00:19:55.779 --> 00:19:58.060 is to put Paul under house arrest, 00:19:58.300 --> 00:19:59.380 but a very loose one. 00:19:59.560 --> 00:20:00.420 Verse 23 says, 00:20:00.420 --> 00:20:02.920 he ordered the centurion to keep Paul under guard, 00:20:02.920 --> 00:20:04.900 but to give him some freedom. 00:20:06.740 --> 00:20:09.120 But then because he has Paul at his disposal, 00:20:09.440 --> 00:20:11.320 and he is intrigued by Christianity, 00:20:11.600 --> 00:20:15.360 he calls for him to talk about faith in Christ Jesus. 00:20:15.680 --> 00:20:17.480 We see that in verse 24. 00:20:18.300 --> 00:20:20.980 And now see what Paul talks about. 00:20:21.580 --> 00:20:23.200 Luke tells us of three topics. 00:20:24.320 --> 00:20:24.920 Righteousness, 00:20:25.759 --> 00:20:26.539 self-control, 00:20:27.240 --> 00:20:29.080 and the judgment to come. 00:20:30.019 --> 00:20:30.519 Ouch. 00:20:30.519 --> 00:20:33.940 I think we can assume that Paul talked about 00:20:33.940 --> 00:20:36.180 the righteousness that he has before God 00:20:36.180 --> 00:20:38.839 as someone who has accepted Jesus in life, 00:20:39.139 --> 00:20:40.220 Jesus in his life, 00:20:40.339 --> 00:20:42.420 which means he's talking about the righteousness 00:20:42.420 --> 00:20:45.220 that Felix and Rosilla do not have. 00:20:46.700 --> 00:20:47.639 Self-control, 00:20:48.099 --> 00:20:50.500 very relevant to such a couple, 00:20:50.599 --> 00:20:52.519 considering the mess they've made of their marriages 00:20:53.079 --> 00:20:56.079 because of lack of self-control, 00:20:56.079 --> 00:20:59.500 not to mention killing hundreds of people 00:20:59.500 --> 00:21:00.599 who started an insurrection. 00:21:01.799 --> 00:21:02.720 And then finally, 00:21:03.439 --> 00:21:04.759 the judgment to come. 00:21:05.879 --> 00:21:08.599 That judgment that he had already hinted at 00:21:08.599 --> 00:21:10.960 during his defense before the Jews, 00:21:11.359 --> 00:21:13.539 he now goes all in 00:21:13.539 --> 00:21:16.480 and makes the connection between the governor's sin 00:21:16.480 --> 00:21:18.480 and the final judgment, 00:21:18.619 --> 00:21:21.259 just in case he hadn't joined the dots himself. 00:21:21.259 --> 00:21:25.720 So imagine that typical scene 00:21:25.720 --> 00:21:28.039 that you see in many movies 00:21:28.039 --> 00:21:29.680 when one of the characters, 00:21:30.180 --> 00:21:32.319 the character sleeps off a cliff 00:21:32.319 --> 00:21:36.000 and another one grabs their hand just in time. 00:21:37.279 --> 00:21:38.579 And so now there's two of them. 00:21:38.920 --> 00:21:41.299 One is dangling over a cliff. 00:21:43.900 --> 00:21:46.379 And you wouldn't expect the person dangling over the cliff 00:21:46.379 --> 00:21:47.900 to start bringing out, 00:21:48.319 --> 00:21:49.319 let's say their friends, 00:21:49.319 --> 00:21:51.179 all of their friends' flaws. 00:21:52.099 --> 00:21:53.539 You'd think they'd focus on, 00:21:53.659 --> 00:21:55.539 okay, how do we get out of here, right? 00:21:55.659 --> 00:21:57.879 Not, you just are so noisy 00:21:57.879 --> 00:21:59.000 when you chew your food. 00:22:00.359 --> 00:22:01.899 Your jokes are so boring 00:22:01.899 --> 00:22:03.659 and your breath kind of smells. 00:22:04.519 --> 00:22:06.240 You wouldn't want them to let go. 00:22:06.480 --> 00:22:07.519 And if they were enemies, 00:22:07.679 --> 00:22:09.339 and you see that in those movies as well, 00:22:09.519 --> 00:22:11.879 you wouldn't expect the guy who's about to die 00:22:11.879 --> 00:22:14.659 to talk about everything that makes the two enemies. 00:22:14.659 --> 00:22:16.960 If anything, he'd be looking for some common ground 00:22:16.960 --> 00:22:18.220 and try and convince him that, 00:22:18.220 --> 00:22:22.059 you know, maybe we can try just a fresh start after this. 00:22:23.240 --> 00:22:26.860 Paul's life is literally in the hands of Felix. 00:22:27.279 --> 00:22:29.480 And Paul is dangling over that cliff. 00:22:30.160 --> 00:22:33.180 And yet he just will not hold back. 00:22:33.400 --> 00:22:37.640 Because Paul's mission is to share the truth of the gospel 00:22:37.640 --> 00:22:40.559 and not a watered down version of it. 00:22:40.779 --> 00:22:42.559 No matter the circumstances. 00:22:42.559 --> 00:22:46.220 And so he talks to Felix and Rosilla 00:22:46.220 --> 00:22:49.519 about living according to the gospel, 00:22:49.799 --> 00:22:52.259 even though he knows very well that they don't. 00:22:53.419 --> 00:22:55.039 To the point, verse 25, 00:22:55.579 --> 00:22:56.899 that Felix is afraid 00:22:56.899 --> 00:22:59.639 and asks him to please leave. 00:23:00.079 --> 00:23:01.179 Enough about judgment. 00:23:02.659 --> 00:23:03.799 And so it seems that 00:23:03.799 --> 00:23:05.099 after this, 00:23:05.299 --> 00:23:06.639 he mainly called him 00:23:06.639 --> 00:23:09.700 just because he was hoping to be offered a bribe. 00:23:09.700 --> 00:23:12.420 So Felix has rejected the gospel. 00:23:14.500 --> 00:23:16.880 So here, Paul lived clearly 00:23:16.880 --> 00:23:18.680 according to Jesus' words 00:23:18.680 --> 00:23:22.120 in Matthew 10, 19 to 20. 00:23:22.259 --> 00:23:23.680 But when they arrest you, 00:23:24.019 --> 00:23:25.680 do not worry about what to say 00:23:25.680 --> 00:23:27.480 or how to say it. 00:23:27.480 --> 00:23:28.620 At that time, 00:23:29.019 --> 00:23:30.480 you will be given what to say. 00:23:30.480 --> 00:23:32.759 For it will not be you speaking, 00:23:33.200 --> 00:23:34.680 but the spirit of your father 00:23:34.680 --> 00:23:36.420 speaking through you. 00:23:37.839 --> 00:23:39.960 And so here's the second challenge for us. 00:23:41.059 --> 00:23:42.519 We've got to stop waiting 00:23:42.519 --> 00:23:44.259 for the perfect situation 00:23:44.259 --> 00:23:45.839 to share the gospel. 00:23:47.480 --> 00:23:48.599 Jesus doesn't say, 00:23:48.700 --> 00:23:49.720 careful when you speak. 00:23:50.099 --> 00:23:51.640 Here's a list of boxes to tick 00:23:51.640 --> 00:23:52.500 before you do it. 00:23:52.819 --> 00:23:53.500 Do they like you? 00:23:53.839 --> 00:23:54.360 Tick. 00:23:54.500 --> 00:23:55.420 Do you like them? 00:23:56.120 --> 00:23:56.420 Tick. 00:23:56.839 --> 00:23:58.420 Have they ever shown any interest 00:23:58.420 --> 00:23:59.380 in the gospel before? 00:23:59.880 --> 00:24:00.140 Tick. 00:24:00.480 --> 00:24:01.039 And so on. 00:24:01.819 --> 00:24:03.279 What we're called to do 00:24:03.279 --> 00:24:04.400 is trust the spirit 00:24:04.400 --> 00:24:06.380 to speak through us. 00:24:06.740 --> 00:24:08.160 We're not called to convert 00:24:08.160 --> 00:24:09.640 people to the gospel 00:24:09.640 --> 00:24:11.059 because that is not for us to do. 00:24:11.259 --> 00:24:14.640 But we are called to share it. 00:24:15.240 --> 00:24:16.620 Paul shares the gospel here 00:24:16.620 --> 00:24:18.299 and Felix doesn't accept it. 00:24:19.480 --> 00:24:20.839 But he did share 00:24:20.839 --> 00:24:22.160 and boy, did he do it 00:24:22.160 --> 00:24:23.279 without holding back. 00:24:24.360 --> 00:24:26.099 So do I wait 00:24:26.099 --> 00:24:27.799 for the perfect situation 00:24:27.799 --> 00:24:29.099 to evangelize? 00:24:29.099 --> 00:24:29.659 It's just the question 00:24:29.659 --> 00:24:31.659 that we want to ask ourselves. 00:24:32.139 --> 00:24:33.199 Am I obeying Jesus? 00:24:33.919 --> 00:24:35.439 Or am I making excuse 00:24:35.439 --> 00:24:37.379 after excuse for myself 00:24:37.379 --> 00:24:39.240 when it comes to sharing his word? 00:24:40.919 --> 00:24:42.079 And this links back 00:24:42.079 --> 00:24:42.980 to that awareness 00:24:42.980 --> 00:24:44.099 of Paul as well 00:24:44.099 --> 00:24:45.039 that there will be 00:24:45.039 --> 00:24:45.799 a resurrection. 00:24:47.480 --> 00:24:48.279 And so this can be 00:24:48.279 --> 00:24:49.579 another good indicator 00:24:49.579 --> 00:24:50.939 of whether we live 00:24:50.939 --> 00:24:52.579 like we believe that. 00:24:52.579 --> 00:24:56.339 what is our passion like 00:24:56.339 --> 00:24:58.720 for those around us 00:24:58.720 --> 00:24:59.799 who have not found 00:24:59.799 --> 00:25:00.639 the way yet? 00:25:00.740 --> 00:25:02.279 Do we care at all? 00:25:03.799 --> 00:25:05.319 Because if we did 00:25:05.319 --> 00:25:06.339 we wouldn't want 00:25:06.339 --> 00:25:08.059 we wouldn't be waiting 00:25:08.059 --> 00:25:09.159 for the perfect moment. 00:25:09.160 --> 00:25:14.160 So Felix leaves Paul 00:25:14.160 --> 00:25:15.019 under arrest 00:25:15.019 --> 00:25:17.259 for more than two years. 00:25:17.440 --> 00:25:18.279 He doesn't commit 00:25:18.279 --> 00:25:18.900 to the gospel 00:25:18.900 --> 00:25:20.540 in his personal life 00:25:20.540 --> 00:25:21.860 and he will not commit 00:25:21.860 --> 00:25:24.000 to the gospel 00:25:24.000 --> 00:25:25.040 by taking a position 00:25:25.040 --> 00:25:27.060 on Paul's fate. 00:25:27.620 --> 00:25:28.960 Verse 27 says that 00:25:28.960 --> 00:25:30.720 to grant the Jews a favor 00:25:30.720 --> 00:25:32.360 he leaves him in prison. 00:25:33.660 --> 00:25:35.440 What a contrast for Paul 00:25:35.440 --> 00:25:36.620 all this time 00:25:36.620 --> 00:25:37.700 in the same city 00:25:37.700 --> 00:25:39.000 compared to the years 00:25:39.000 --> 00:25:40.500 of spontaneous traveling 00:25:40.500 --> 00:25:42.039 that he'd had so far. 00:25:42.840 --> 00:25:43.440 And then Felix 00:25:43.440 --> 00:25:45.120 is succeeded by Festus 00:25:45.120 --> 00:25:46.640 who is very quick 00:25:46.640 --> 00:25:47.420 to take action 00:25:47.420 --> 00:25:48.299 as soon as he learns 00:25:48.299 --> 00:25:49.100 about Paul. 00:25:49.940 --> 00:25:50.680 And the same thing 00:25:50.680 --> 00:25:51.460 as before happens 00:25:51.460 --> 00:25:52.539 the Jews are still 00:25:52.539 --> 00:25:54.519 100% committed 00:25:54.519 --> 00:25:56.279 to having Paul killed 00:25:56.279 --> 00:25:58.039 over two years later. 00:25:58.140 --> 00:25:58.500 If anything 00:25:58.500 --> 00:25:59.480 they seem even more 00:25:59.480 --> 00:26:00.960 interested in 00:26:00.960 --> 00:26:02.039 making that happen. 00:26:02.420 --> 00:26:03.100 And so they want him 00:26:03.100 --> 00:26:04.220 to be sent back 00:26:04.220 --> 00:26:04.720 to Jerusalem 00:26:04.720 --> 00:26:05.600 so that they can 00:26:05.600 --> 00:26:06.600 ambush him. 00:26:07.000 --> 00:26:08.240 But just like last time 00:26:08.240 --> 00:26:09.140 their accusations 00:26:09.140 --> 00:26:10.500 will not convince 00:26:10.500 --> 00:26:12.460 the new governor either. 00:26:12.799 --> 00:26:14.140 There are very serious charges 00:26:14.140 --> 00:26:15.140 but there is still 00:26:15.140 --> 00:26:17.079 no evidence being given. 00:26:18.140 --> 00:26:19.100 Because there was nothing 00:26:19.100 --> 00:26:19.759 about Christianity 00:26:19.759 --> 00:26:20.559 really that went 00:26:20.559 --> 00:26:22.319 against Roman law. 00:26:22.860 --> 00:26:24.579 And so just like last time 00:26:24.579 --> 00:26:25.279 this governor 00:26:25.279 --> 00:26:26.519 will not commit 00:26:26.519 --> 00:26:27.440 either way. 00:26:27.819 --> 00:26:28.920 He can't sentence Paul 00:26:28.920 --> 00:26:30.400 but he won't make 00:26:30.400 --> 00:26:32.380 the Jews unhappy either. 00:26:32.920 --> 00:26:33.600 And so when Paul 00:26:33.600 --> 00:26:34.420 is offered the option 00:26:34.420 --> 00:26:35.800 to go back to Jerusalem 00:26:35.800 --> 00:26:37.080 and basically be killed 00:26:37.080 --> 00:26:39.019 he appeals to Caesar 00:26:39.019 --> 00:26:40.080 as a Roman citizen. 00:26:40.080 --> 00:26:41.460 And he is granted 00:26:41.460 --> 00:26:42.180 his request. 00:26:42.600 --> 00:26:44.920 So Paul is going 00:26:44.920 --> 00:26:45.740 to Rome 00:26:45.740 --> 00:26:47.120 just like God 00:26:47.120 --> 00:26:47.940 had told him 00:26:47.940 --> 00:26:49.440 he would. 00:26:51.519 --> 00:26:52.740 So let me conclude 00:26:52.740 --> 00:26:54.000 with Jesus' words 00:26:54.000 --> 00:26:55.360 in the Gospel of Matthew 00:26:55.360 --> 00:26:56.300 chapter 10 00:26:56.300 --> 00:26:57.180 from verse 28. 00:26:57.180 --> 00:26:58.940 Do not be afraid 00:26:58.940 --> 00:26:59.660 of those who kill 00:26:59.660 --> 00:27:00.060 the body 00:27:00.060 --> 00:27:00.980 but cannot kill 00:27:00.980 --> 00:27:01.620 the soul. 00:27:02.120 --> 00:27:03.220 Rather be afraid 00:27:03.220 --> 00:27:03.720 of the one 00:27:03.720 --> 00:27:04.600 who can destroy 00:27:04.600 --> 00:27:05.960 both soul 00:27:05.960 --> 00:27:07.240 and body 00:27:07.240 --> 00:27:08.120 in hell. 00:27:09.000 --> 00:27:10.180 Are not two sparrows 00:27:10.180 --> 00:27:11.400 sold for a penny? 00:27:12.160 --> 00:27:13.220 Yet not one of them 00:27:13.220 --> 00:27:14.240 will fall to the ground 00:27:14.240 --> 00:27:15.519 outside your father's care. 00:27:16.080 --> 00:27:17.640 And even the very hairs 00:27:17.640 --> 00:27:18.460 of your head 00:27:18.460 --> 00:27:19.299 are all numbered 00:27:19.299 --> 00:27:21.120 so don't be afraid. 00:27:21.560 --> 00:27:22.779 You are worth 00:27:22.779 --> 00:27:24.880 more than many sparrows. 00:27:24.880 --> 00:27:27.800 Two thoughts on this 00:27:27.800 --> 00:27:29.420 for us to conclude. 00:27:30.340 --> 00:27:31.800 If you are in a situation 00:27:31.800 --> 00:27:32.660 similar to that 00:27:32.660 --> 00:27:33.820 of Felix and Festus 00:27:33.820 --> 00:27:35.500 if you've heard 00:27:35.500 --> 00:27:36.420 the Gospel 00:27:36.420 --> 00:27:37.760 but you are 00:27:37.760 --> 00:27:38.480 delaying 00:27:38.480 --> 00:27:39.540 your decision 00:27:39.540 --> 00:27:40.720 if you're not 00:27:40.720 --> 00:27:41.440 taking a stance 00:27:41.440 --> 00:27:42.540 if you're not committing 00:27:42.540 --> 00:27:44.100 delaying 00:27:44.100 --> 00:27:45.400 is rejecting 00:27:45.400 --> 00:27:46.640 in the here and now. 00:27:47.500 --> 00:27:48.000 And rejecting 00:27:48.000 --> 00:27:49.940 is not being afraid 00:27:49.940 --> 00:27:51.460 of the one 00:27:51.460 --> 00:27:52.520 as Jesus calls him 00:27:52.520 --> 00:27:53.600 who can destroy 00:27:53.599 --> 00:27:54.939 both soul 00:27:54.939 --> 00:27:55.919 and body 00:27:55.919 --> 00:27:56.559 Satan. 00:27:56.980 --> 00:27:57.699 It's ignoring 00:27:57.699 --> 00:27:58.379 that resurrection 00:27:58.379 --> 00:27:59.059 that Paul 00:27:59.059 --> 00:28:00.299 was talking about. 00:28:00.699 --> 00:28:01.319 So please 00:28:01.319 --> 00:28:02.319 pick up a Bible 00:28:02.319 --> 00:28:03.399 open it 00:28:03.399 --> 00:28:04.759 on one of the Gospels 00:28:04.759 --> 00:28:05.919 and read for yourself 00:28:05.919 --> 00:28:06.759 about the hope 00:28:06.759 --> 00:28:08.059 that Jesus offers. 00:28:08.599 --> 00:28:09.539 Come and talk to us 00:28:09.539 --> 00:28:09.959 we'd be 00:28:09.959 --> 00:28:11.480 very happy 00:28:11.480 --> 00:28:12.639 to help. 00:28:13.799 --> 00:28:15.039 And for those of us 00:28:15.039 --> 00:28:15.480 who have 00:28:15.480 --> 00:28:16.339 committed 00:28:16.339 --> 00:28:18.799 by being made weary 00:28:18.799 --> 00:28:19.799 by the difficulties 00:28:19.799 --> 00:28:20.659 of life 00:28:20.659 --> 00:28:22.019 in a broken world 00:28:22.019 --> 00:28:23.139 who are struggling 00:28:23.139 --> 00:28:23.680 to see how 00:28:23.680 --> 00:28:24.619 any of this 00:28:24.619 --> 00:28:25.920 any of what we see 00:28:25.920 --> 00:28:26.460 around us 00:28:26.460 --> 00:28:27.299 or what is happening 00:28:27.299 --> 00:28:27.819 to us 00:28:27.819 --> 00:28:28.779 who struggle to see 00:28:28.779 --> 00:28:29.339 it fit 00:28:29.339 --> 00:28:30.859 within God's plan. 00:28:31.319 --> 00:28:31.940 If we're feeling 00:28:31.940 --> 00:28:33.119 sent from post office 00:28:33.119 --> 00:28:34.519 to post office 00:28:34.519 --> 00:28:35.539 and then forgotten 00:28:35.539 --> 00:28:36.539 under a desk. 00:28:37.259 --> 00:28:38.079 I pray that the 00:28:38.079 --> 00:28:39.099 example of Paul 00:28:39.099 --> 00:28:40.480 and Jesus' words 00:28:40.480 --> 00:28:41.339 in this passage 00:28:41.339 --> 00:28:43.119 will be the 00:28:43.119 --> 00:28:43.660 encouragement 00:28:43.660 --> 00:28:44.920 that we need 00:28:44.920 --> 00:28:46.200 because God 00:28:46.200 --> 00:28:47.740 is executing 00:28:47.740 --> 00:28:48.420 his plan. 00:28:48.920 --> 00:28:49.200 God 00:28:49.200 --> 00:28:50.579 is sovereign. 00:28:50.579 --> 00:28:52.099 He might use 00:28:52.099 --> 00:28:53.339 the most improbable 00:28:53.339 --> 00:28:54.119 people 00:28:54.119 --> 00:28:55.119 and situations 00:28:55.119 --> 00:28:56.740 to carry out 00:28:56.740 --> 00:28:57.339 his plan 00:28:57.339 --> 00:28:58.679 but he is 00:28:58.679 --> 00:28:59.419 at work 00:28:59.419 --> 00:29:01.559 and if he cares 00:29:01.559 --> 00:29:02.679 for the sparrows 00:29:02.679 --> 00:29:04.039 then he cares 00:29:04.039 --> 00:29:04.619 for Paul 00:29:04.619 --> 00:29:05.599 and he cares 00:29:05.599 --> 00:29:06.119 for you 00:29:06.119 --> 00:29:07.019 and me. 00:29:07.699 --> 00:29:08.500 Let's pray. 00:29:15.960 --> 00:29:16.879 Father thank you 00:29:16.879 --> 00:29:17.240 so much 00:29:17.240 --> 00:29:17.699 for the 00:29:17.699 --> 00:29:18.919 example of 00:29:18.920 --> 00:29:19.480 Paul. 00:29:19.600 --> 00:29:20.019 Thank you for 00:29:20.019 --> 00:29:20.539 everything that 00:29:20.539 --> 00:29:21.300 we can read 00:29:21.300 --> 00:29:22.660 about how he 00:29:22.660 --> 00:29:23.759 interacted with 00:29:23.759 --> 00:29:24.560 those around him 00:29:24.560 --> 00:29:25.200 how he 00:29:25.200 --> 00:29:26.500 professed his 00:29:26.500 --> 00:29:26.800 faith 00:29:26.800 --> 00:29:27.320 how he 00:29:27.320 --> 00:29:28.120 shared 00:29:28.120 --> 00:29:29.539 the word. 00:29:31.140 --> 00:29:31.920 And we pray 00:29:31.920 --> 00:29:32.500 Father that 00:29:32.500 --> 00:29:33.580 we just like 00:29:33.580 --> 00:29:33.920 him 00:29:33.920 --> 00:29:35.560 will let the 00:29:35.560 --> 00:29:36.759 spirit work 00:29:36.759 --> 00:29:37.560 in us 00:29:37.560 --> 00:29:37.880 Father. 00:29:40.080 --> 00:29:41.120 That we will 00:29:41.120 --> 00:29:42.300 be committed 00:29:42.299 --> 00:29:43.919 to the 00:29:43.919 --> 00:29:44.299 gospel 00:29:44.299 --> 00:29:45.519 and that 00:29:45.519 --> 00:29:45.879 that will 00:29:45.879 --> 00:29:46.759 be visible 00:29:46.759 --> 00:29:47.919 in how 00:29:47.919 --> 00:29:49.059 we go 00:29:49.059 --> 00:29:49.639 about our 00:29:49.639 --> 00:29:50.000 lives 00:29:50.000 --> 00:29:50.339 Father. 00:29:50.480 --> 00:29:50.799 That we 00:29:50.799 --> 00:29:51.200 will be 00:29:51.200 --> 00:29:51.599 committed 00:29:51.599 --> 00:29:51.960 to 00:29:51.960 --> 00:29:52.919 resisting 00:29:52.919 --> 00:29:53.319 sin. 00:29:54.399 --> 00:29:54.779 And Father 00:29:54.779 --> 00:29:55.200 we also 00:29:55.200 --> 00:29:55.559 pray that 00:29:55.559 --> 00:29:55.839 we will 00:29:55.839 --> 00:29:56.419 be committed 00:29:56.419 --> 00:29:56.940 just like 00:29:56.940 --> 00:29:57.339 Paul to 00:29:57.339 --> 00:29:58.119 sharing 00:29:58.119 --> 00:29:59.839 your word 00:29:59.839 --> 00:30:00.139 Father. 00:30:00.240 --> 00:30:00.539 That we 00:30:00.539 --> 00:30:01.079 will live 00:30:01.079 --> 00:30:01.859 in accordance 00:30:01.859 --> 00:30:02.279 with the 00:30:02.279 --> 00:30:02.779 belief 00:30:02.779 --> 00:30:03.379 that there 00:30:03.379 --> 00:30:03.700 will be 00:30:03.700 --> 00:30:04.379 a resurrection 00:30:04.379 --> 00:30:04.779 Father. 00:30:04.879 --> 00:30:05.200 That there 00:30:05.200 --> 00:30:05.680 will be 00:30:05.680 --> 00:30:06.339 a 00:30:06.339 --> 00:30:07.200 reckoning 00:30:07.200 --> 00:30:08.019 and that 00:30:08.019 --> 00:30:08.339 we will 00:30:08.339 --> 00:30:08.680 show 00:30:08.680 --> 00:30:09.319 care 00:30:09.319 --> 00:30:10.019 for those 00:30:10.019 --> 00:30:10.759 who haven't 00:30:10.759 --> 00:30:11.519 accepted you 00:30:11.519 --> 00:30:11.740 yet. 00:30:12.240 --> 00:30:12.759 Father thank 00:30:12.759 --> 00:30:13.099 you so 00:30:13.099 --> 00:30:13.480 much for 00:30:13.480 --> 00:30:13.740 Jesus' 00:30:13.940 --> 00:30:14.400 reassuring 00:30:14.400 --> 00:30:15.200 words that 00:30:15.200 --> 00:30:15.720 whatever 00:30:15.720 --> 00:30:16.480 happens around 00:30:16.480 --> 00:30:17.519 us you 00:30:17.519 --> 00:30:18.599 have a 00:30:18.599 --> 00:30:18.940 plan. 00:30:19.220 --> 00:30:19.500 We might 00:30:19.500 --> 00:30:19.920 not know 00:30:19.920 --> 00:30:20.319 what that 00:30:20.319 --> 00:30:21.000 plan looks 00:30:21.000 --> 00:30:21.660 like exactly 00:30:21.660 --> 00:30:22.539 but we 00:30:22.539 --> 00:30:23.539 are not 00:30:23.539 --> 00:30:24.079 forgotten. 00:30:24.660 --> 00:30:25.240 We are 00:30:25.240 --> 00:30:25.920 looked after 00:30:25.920 --> 00:30:26.359 by you 00:30:26.359 --> 00:30:26.639 Father. 00:30:27.299 --> 00:30:28.039 We thank 00:30:28.039 --> 00:30:28.480 you for 00:30:28.480 --> 00:30:28.960 all of 00:30:28.960 --> 00:30:29.660 these truths 00:30:29.660 --> 00:30:30.339 in Jesus' 00:30:30.559 --> 00:30:30.799 name. 00:30:31.220 --> 00:30:31.440 Amen.