WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:03.339 It's on page 1141 if you're using a church Bible. 00:00:07.980 --> 00:00:11.880 So as our focus today is on the Court Kerry project, 00:00:13.099 --> 00:00:15.740 we're just taking a break from 1 Peter. 00:00:20.800 --> 00:00:25.879 And today we're going to think about proclaiming, planting, partnering. 00:00:26.699 --> 00:00:29.660 There's notes being handed round if you'd like to take notes. 00:00:30.000 --> 00:00:31.559 Which helps you to focus. 00:00:33.700 --> 00:00:36.100 Just put your hand up if you want a pen as well. 00:00:36.340 --> 00:00:37.820 They're being passed around too. 00:00:38.640 --> 00:00:41.439 So Romans chapter 15 on page 1141. 00:00:41.740 --> 00:00:43.320 We're going to start at verse 14. 00:00:46.240 --> 00:00:49.740 To verse 33, we're going to look at that passage together. 00:01:00.000 --> 00:01:02.259 So let's pray. 00:01:02.259 --> 00:01:22.879 Our Father God, we ask that through your word and by the power of your Holy Spirit, 00:01:22.879 --> 00:01:31.259 you would captivate our minds and give us understanding. 00:01:32.759 --> 00:01:41.780 That you would captivate our hearts so that we are aligned to you 00:01:41.780 --> 00:01:45.760 and fit in with all that you are doing. 00:01:47.560 --> 00:01:54.640 And we ask that you would capture our will, our very being and all that we have. 00:01:54.640 --> 00:02:00.260 So that we might respond in service to you. 00:02:02.700 --> 00:02:05.939 Lord, we ask for your help. 00:02:06.739 --> 00:02:10.379 For your work to be done amongst us today 00:02:10.379 --> 00:02:15.180 and amongst all the churches that we've been thinking about this morning 00:02:15.180 --> 00:02:21.240 and indeed in all the churches that are seeking to serve you across this island. 00:02:23.879 --> 00:02:26.280 We ask for your help now, we pray. 00:02:26.280 --> 00:02:27.979 Amen. 00:02:31.419 --> 00:02:33.460 So when you think about church, 00:02:34.500 --> 00:02:38.520 what do you think the purpose of the church is? 00:02:39.520 --> 00:02:42.759 Like, here we are, gathered together today, 00:02:43.020 --> 00:02:44.920 as we do every Sunday. 00:02:45.379 --> 00:02:49.740 What is the purpose of our existence here in Carrigline? 00:02:49.840 --> 00:02:51.599 What are we doing here together? 00:02:51.599 --> 00:02:58.960 Are we simply here to meet as friends and hang out and have a chat over tea and coffee? 00:03:00.579 --> 00:03:04.699 Are we here to organise programmes for our kids to attend? 00:03:06.560 --> 00:03:11.620 Or maybe we're here to provide some kind of practical care for people in need. 00:03:13.479 --> 00:03:15.840 Or perhaps our vision is to be bigger 00:03:15.840 --> 00:03:21.000 and we're to send people overseas to dig wells and build houses 00:03:21.000 --> 00:03:22.280 for those who don't have it. 00:03:25.300 --> 00:03:28.000 Now all of those things are good things to do 00:03:28.000 --> 00:03:30.500 and we should do them 00:03:30.500 --> 00:03:35.199 but they are not the primary purpose of the church. 00:03:36.520 --> 00:03:39.000 The Apostle Paul tells us in this text 00:03:39.000 --> 00:03:43.180 what his purpose is, what his ambition is. 00:03:43.520 --> 00:03:46.879 Have a look at verse 20, chapter 15, verse 20. 00:03:48.400 --> 00:03:50.159 Here's the Apostle Paul speaking. 00:03:50.159 --> 00:03:51.199 He says, 00:03:51.199 --> 00:03:54.000 It has always been my ambition. 00:03:54.520 --> 00:03:56.699 This is my purpose in life. 00:03:56.800 --> 00:03:58.519 This is my drive in life 00:03:58.519 --> 00:04:00.599 to preach the gospel 00:04:00.599 --> 00:04:04.800 where Christ was not known. 00:04:06.639 --> 00:04:08.340 Paul's ambition in life, 00:04:08.599 --> 00:04:12.460 his purpose is to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ 00:04:12.460 --> 00:04:15.620 to all people in all places 00:04:15.620 --> 00:04:19.459 and now he's calling on the church 00:04:19.459 --> 00:04:20.740 to support him 00:04:20.740 --> 00:04:23.879 and to partner him in that task. 00:04:24.259 --> 00:04:25.600 So look at verse 23. 00:04:26.300 --> 00:04:27.420 But now he says, 00:04:27.500 --> 00:04:30.259 there's no more places for me to work in these regions 00:04:30.259 --> 00:04:32.519 because there's already churches here. 00:04:33.019 --> 00:04:35.740 And since I've been longing for many years to see you, 00:04:35.980 --> 00:04:38.759 I plan to do so when I go to Spain. 00:04:38.759 --> 00:04:42.060 I hope to visit you while passing through 00:04:42.060 --> 00:04:46.319 and have you assist me on my journey there 00:04:46.319 --> 00:04:48.899 after I've enjoyed your company for a while. 00:04:49.860 --> 00:04:53.480 So we can see the purpose of the church, 00:04:53.800 --> 00:04:55.360 and it's there on the screen, 00:04:55.899 --> 00:05:00.319 is that we together would proclaim the gospel of Christ 00:05:00.319 --> 00:05:04.159 to all peoples in all places 00:05:04.159 --> 00:05:08.060 and to partner together with churches 00:05:08.060 --> 00:05:10.860 who are preaching the same gospel. 00:05:11.879 --> 00:05:13.240 That's what we're about. 00:05:13.339 --> 00:05:15.360 That's in summary what we're about. 00:05:15.519 --> 00:05:17.839 Proclaiming the gospel of Christ to all people 00:05:17.839 --> 00:05:19.120 in all places 00:05:19.120 --> 00:05:22.060 and to partner with churches 00:05:22.060 --> 00:05:25.339 who will preach this same gospel. 00:05:25.899 --> 00:05:27.259 So we're going to look at this 00:05:27.259 --> 00:05:29.420 under three headings this morning. 00:05:30.319 --> 00:05:33.719 Three Ps, all very easy to help us grasp 00:05:33.719 --> 00:05:35.259 and understand what it's all about. 00:05:35.579 --> 00:05:38.099 First, proclaiming the gospel of Christ. 00:05:38.659 --> 00:05:40.459 So here he is writing this letter, 00:05:40.560 --> 00:05:41.639 this big long letter, 00:05:41.939 --> 00:05:43.800 to a church in Rome 00:05:43.800 --> 00:05:46.339 that has heard the good news about Jesus. 00:05:46.699 --> 00:05:49.759 These people have come to trust in Jesus as their saviour. 00:05:50.060 --> 00:05:51.600 They've come to experience 00:05:51.600 --> 00:05:54.620 the death of Jesus on the cross for their sins, 00:05:54.939 --> 00:05:56.620 his resurrection from the grave, 00:05:56.740 --> 00:05:57.579 giving them new life, 00:05:57.579 --> 00:06:02.180 and the impact of this gospel on their lives is obvious. 00:06:02.180 --> 00:06:03.379 Look at verse 14. 00:06:04.919 --> 00:06:06.120 Verse 14. 00:06:06.519 --> 00:06:09.759 I myself am convinced my brothers and sisters 00:06:09.759 --> 00:06:11.800 that you yourselves, 00:06:11.979 --> 00:06:13.719 that is because of the gospel, 00:06:13.979 --> 00:06:15.360 are full of goodness. 00:06:16.379 --> 00:06:18.019 Their love, their kindness, 00:06:18.180 --> 00:06:20.339 their goodness is evident to see. 00:06:20.339 --> 00:06:22.719 They are complete in knowledge. 00:06:22.859 --> 00:06:25.479 Their understanding of who Jesus is 00:06:25.479 --> 00:06:28.039 and what God has done is complete. 00:06:29.299 --> 00:06:32.159 And they are competent to instruct one another. 00:06:32.479 --> 00:06:33.799 They're meeting with each other 00:06:33.799 --> 00:06:36.199 to encourage and support one another. 00:06:36.739 --> 00:06:39.659 They've experienced the gospel in such a way 00:06:39.659 --> 00:06:42.019 that it has got deep down in their lives. 00:06:42.120 --> 00:06:43.559 It has radically changed them. 00:06:44.319 --> 00:06:45.500 But here's the point. 00:06:45.899 --> 00:06:47.859 He wants them to go further. 00:06:47.860 --> 00:06:51.020 He wants them to look out beyond themselves 00:06:51.020 --> 00:06:53.060 and beyond their little church 00:06:53.060 --> 00:06:57.100 and join him in this ministry 00:06:57.100 --> 00:07:02.580 to reach all places and all peoples. 00:07:04.460 --> 00:07:06.180 Look at verse 16. 00:07:06.180 --> 00:07:11.439 This is his plan, his desire. 00:07:12.280 --> 00:07:12.620 He says, 00:07:12.699 --> 00:07:16.400 I want to be a minister of Christ Jesus 00:07:16.400 --> 00:07:18.620 to the Gentiles 00:07:18.620 --> 00:07:20.780 with the priestly duty 00:07:20.780 --> 00:07:23.939 of proclaiming the gospel of God 00:07:23.939 --> 00:07:26.439 so that the Gentiles 00:07:26.439 --> 00:07:29.800 might become an offering acceptable to God. 00:07:30.000 --> 00:07:32.660 This is a summary, if you like, of his ministry. 00:07:32.660 --> 00:07:35.120 And that is what he is calling the church 00:07:35.120 --> 00:07:38.060 to be involved in, to partner in. 00:07:38.439 --> 00:07:39.880 Look what he says, verse 16. 00:07:39.980 --> 00:07:42.520 He says we have this priestly duty 00:07:42.520 --> 00:07:46.040 of proclaiming the gospel of God. 00:07:47.120 --> 00:07:50.680 The imagery here is of the Old Testament priest. 00:07:50.820 --> 00:07:53.000 You know, the Old Testament temple 00:07:53.000 --> 00:07:55.520 and the priest who was at work there 00:07:55.520 --> 00:07:58.980 and his primary job was to bring offerings, 00:07:58.980 --> 00:08:01.600 to bring thanksgiving offerings to God 00:08:01.600 --> 00:08:02.860 on behalf of the people. 00:08:03.759 --> 00:08:04.840 Now, says Paul, 00:08:05.379 --> 00:08:07.040 that's what our role is, 00:08:07.100 --> 00:08:10.080 except for we're not going to be offering things to God. 00:08:10.160 --> 00:08:12.780 We're not making sacrifices anymore. 00:08:13.259 --> 00:08:15.640 We are, in thanksgiving to God, 00:08:15.720 --> 00:08:17.960 going to offer people to God. 00:08:18.400 --> 00:08:20.900 That's going to be our offering of thanksgiving. 00:08:20.899 --> 00:08:25.519 We will offer the priestly duty 00:08:25.519 --> 00:08:27.259 of proclaiming the gospel of God 00:08:27.259 --> 00:08:31.500 so that the Gentiles might become an offering 00:08:31.500 --> 00:08:34.000 acceptable to God. 00:08:34.659 --> 00:08:36.039 He wants to give. 00:08:36.399 --> 00:08:38.799 He wants to offer people to God 00:08:38.799 --> 00:08:41.340 who have come to believe and trust 00:08:41.340 --> 00:08:43.019 the good news of Jesus Christ. 00:08:43.819 --> 00:08:45.699 Now, that's the greatest thing 00:08:45.699 --> 00:08:48.899 that we can ever give to God. 00:08:48.899 --> 00:08:51.740 If we're wanting to respond 00:08:51.740 --> 00:08:53.399 to what God has done for us, 00:08:53.500 --> 00:08:54.879 if we are wanting to give 00:08:54.879 --> 00:08:56.779 a thanksgiving offering to God, 00:08:56.959 --> 00:08:59.840 the very best gift that we could give to God 00:08:59.840 --> 00:09:01.379 to say thank you to Him 00:09:01.379 --> 00:09:04.860 is to proclaim the gospel to people 00:09:04.860 --> 00:09:07.459 so that they trust in the Lord Jesus 00:09:07.459 --> 00:09:09.459 and follow Him. 00:09:10.600 --> 00:09:13.699 But he doesn't just want to offer believers to God. 00:09:13.939 --> 00:09:15.460 Look at the end of verse 16. 00:09:15.460 --> 00:09:19.800 to offer them so that they will be acceptable to God 00:09:19.800 --> 00:09:23.620 and sanctified by the Holy Spirit. 00:09:23.980 --> 00:09:26.320 To be sanctified by the Spirit 00:09:26.320 --> 00:09:30.200 is to be set apart for God. 00:09:30.840 --> 00:09:33.980 It's somebody who is going to be in the service of God. 00:09:34.259 --> 00:09:37.879 So we can see that not only are they believing in the gospel, 00:09:37.879 --> 00:09:43.960 but they are now beginning to proclaim the gospel to others. 00:09:44.720 --> 00:09:45.740 Verse 17. 00:09:46.299 --> 00:09:49.399 Therefore, I glory in Christ Jesus 00:09:49.399 --> 00:09:52.360 in my service to God. 00:09:52.559 --> 00:09:54.779 This is my ambition. 00:09:55.419 --> 00:09:57.519 This is my desire. 00:09:57.899 --> 00:09:59.980 I long to proclaim the gospel 00:09:59.980 --> 00:10:04.059 so that others will join me 00:10:04.059 --> 00:10:06.899 in proclaiming the gospel to. 00:10:08.139 --> 00:10:09.439 Now that's simply 00:10:09.439 --> 00:10:12.519 what's happening through the Court Kerry Project. 00:10:13.679 --> 00:10:16.219 It's people like you and I 00:10:16.219 --> 00:10:18.219 where we are every day 00:10:18.219 --> 00:10:19.819 in our places of work, 00:10:19.899 --> 00:10:20.659 in our school, 00:10:20.839 --> 00:10:22.399 in our neighbourhoods. 00:10:22.399 --> 00:10:25.039 It's our churches together in partnership 00:10:25.039 --> 00:10:27.659 seeking to reach out 00:10:27.659 --> 00:10:29.939 and to bring an offering 00:10:29.939 --> 00:10:32.620 that is acceptable to God. 00:10:33.500 --> 00:10:36.379 Shane explained how they're seeking to do that in passage. 00:10:36.659 --> 00:10:37.779 You remember on the video, 00:10:38.059 --> 00:10:40.860 he talked about the Bible studies that they're having, 00:10:41.500 --> 00:10:44.179 the events that they organise, 00:10:44.740 --> 00:10:46.959 the relationships that they have with people, 00:10:47.039 --> 00:10:49.480 whether with tidy towns or something else. 00:10:49.480 --> 00:10:52.819 Their purpose is to build up those contacts 00:10:52.819 --> 00:10:55.500 and to introduce people to Jesus, 00:10:55.639 --> 00:10:57.419 to share the good news with them. 00:10:58.579 --> 00:11:00.919 And that's simply what we are seeking to do. 00:11:01.199 --> 00:11:02.139 Each one of us, 00:11:02.379 --> 00:11:03.419 where we are, 00:11:04.360 --> 00:11:06.259 where God has placed us 00:11:06.259 --> 00:11:09.579 in the relationships that we have, 00:11:10.899 --> 00:11:12.719 is to be those who are seeking 00:11:12.719 --> 00:11:13.939 to bring an offering, 00:11:14.679 --> 00:11:16.259 to say thank you to God 00:11:16.259 --> 00:11:17.319 for what he has done 00:11:17.319 --> 00:11:19.120 by just proclaiming 00:11:19.120 --> 00:11:22.500 and bringing that to those people. 00:11:23.899 --> 00:11:25.299 But as we think about that, 00:11:25.379 --> 00:11:26.059 let's remember 00:11:26.059 --> 00:11:30.639 that anyone who does become a believer in Christ 00:11:30.639 --> 00:11:32.759 is God's work, 00:11:32.859 --> 00:11:33.579 not ours. 00:11:34.539 --> 00:11:36.819 If anybody's going to become a Christian, 00:11:37.359 --> 00:11:38.859 it's God who will do it. 00:11:38.939 --> 00:11:39.939 Look at verse 18. 00:11:41.539 --> 00:11:42.439 He says, 00:11:42.440 --> 00:11:46.080 I will not venture to speak of anything 00:11:46.080 --> 00:11:50.700 except what Christ has accomplished through me. 00:11:50.700 --> 00:11:53.500 What Christ has accomplished through me 00:11:53.500 --> 00:11:56.180 in leading the Gentiles to obey God 00:11:56.180 --> 00:11:58.560 by what I have said and done. 00:11:58.980 --> 00:11:59.600 You see, 00:11:59.680 --> 00:12:01.500 we can't make anyone a Christian. 00:12:02.200 --> 00:12:04.980 I can't convince anybody 00:12:04.980 --> 00:12:07.960 to turn and see that Christ is the way. 00:12:07.960 --> 00:12:10.920 Everything that Paul did in his life, 00:12:11.000 --> 00:12:11.820 in his ministry, 00:12:12.259 --> 00:12:14.220 everything he did and he said 00:12:14.220 --> 00:12:15.280 was done, 00:12:15.420 --> 00:12:16.259 verse 19, 00:12:16.840 --> 00:12:20.480 by the power of signs and miracles 00:12:20.480 --> 00:12:24.220 through the power of the Spirit. 00:12:25.040 --> 00:12:27.060 As Paul went about his ministry, 00:12:27.480 --> 00:12:28.400 as an apostle, 00:12:28.580 --> 00:12:30.259 he did many signs and miracles. 00:12:30.259 --> 00:12:32.100 And those signs and miracles 00:12:32.100 --> 00:12:33.220 were to confirm 00:12:33.220 --> 00:12:36.600 that the gospel he preached was true, 00:12:36.860 --> 00:12:39.460 that Jesus did die on the cross, 00:12:39.659 --> 00:12:42.439 that Jesus did rise again from the dead, 00:12:42.580 --> 00:12:45.059 and that he did ascend into heaven. 00:12:45.679 --> 00:12:47.220 These were the testimony 00:12:47.220 --> 00:12:49.559 that the gospel can be trusted 00:12:49.559 --> 00:12:50.259 and believed, 00:12:50.980 --> 00:12:52.100 that it is real. 00:12:52.100 --> 00:12:54.960 But his point is 00:12:54.960 --> 00:12:57.340 that everything through his ministry, 00:12:57.639 --> 00:12:58.759 all that he said, 00:12:58.980 --> 00:12:59.960 all that he did, 00:12:59.960 --> 00:13:01.139 was all done 00:13:01.139 --> 00:13:03.860 through the power of the Holy Spirit. 00:13:04.060 --> 00:13:07.759 It was a work that God accomplished in people. 00:13:08.779 --> 00:13:10.680 So let's be real about this 00:13:10.680 --> 00:13:12.360 as we go about our ministry, 00:13:12.540 --> 00:13:13.659 whether it's in Passage, 00:13:13.960 --> 00:13:14.759 or Carigline, 00:13:14.879 --> 00:13:15.659 or Kinsale, 00:13:15.960 --> 00:13:16.600 or Yaw, 00:13:16.779 --> 00:13:19.259 we can't save anybody ourselves. 00:13:19.259 --> 00:13:22.460 We can't convince anyone. 00:13:23.159 --> 00:13:27.720 It is Christ working through ordinary people like us 00:13:27.720 --> 00:13:30.039 in the power of the Holy Spirit 00:13:30.039 --> 00:13:33.000 that will convince somebody 00:13:33.000 --> 00:13:35.840 that Christ is real. 00:13:36.799 --> 00:13:40.419 So our purpose together as churches 00:13:40.419 --> 00:13:45.580 is to proclaim the gospel of Jesus Christ. 00:13:46.659 --> 00:13:47.939 So that's the first big thing. 00:13:47.939 --> 00:13:48.980 The second big thing 00:13:48.980 --> 00:13:50.180 is this, 00:13:51.060 --> 00:13:54.940 that we would be planting gospel churches together. 00:13:55.980 --> 00:13:56.560 You see, 00:13:56.639 --> 00:13:57.940 as Paul went about his work, 00:13:58.000 --> 00:14:00.100 he not only proclaimed the gospel, 00:14:00.680 --> 00:14:03.120 as people came to believe in Jesus, 00:14:03.519 --> 00:14:05.220 they began to meet together 00:14:05.220 --> 00:14:08.100 and form together as local churches. 00:14:08.800 --> 00:14:10.840 Look at the middle of verse 19. 00:14:12.100 --> 00:14:13.080 So he says, 00:14:13.300 --> 00:14:14.080 from Jerusalem 00:14:14.080 --> 00:14:17.240 all the way round to Illyricum. 00:14:17.240 --> 00:14:18.519 Now, 00:14:18.700 --> 00:14:20.320 those countries today, 00:14:20.440 --> 00:14:21.820 it's like working all the way. 00:14:21.940 --> 00:14:23.600 We've seen Syria on the news, 00:14:23.700 --> 00:14:25.700 but that's part of the work where he was, 00:14:25.899 --> 00:14:26.779 through Syria, 00:14:27.360 --> 00:14:28.340 into Turkey, 00:14:28.840 --> 00:14:30.279 then across to Greece, 00:14:30.600 --> 00:14:31.779 up to Macedonia, 00:14:32.120 --> 00:14:32.940 to Kosovo, 00:14:33.159 --> 00:14:34.000 and Albania. 00:14:34.000 --> 00:14:35.700 all these areas, 00:14:35.700 --> 00:14:37.159 the Apostle Paul had travelled. 00:14:38.340 --> 00:14:39.539 And as he went, 00:14:41.039 --> 00:14:43.000 people came to believe in Christ 00:14:43.000 --> 00:14:46.480 and local churches were established in these places. 00:14:47.039 --> 00:14:48.480 We can read the book of Acts 00:14:48.480 --> 00:14:51.399 and we can see these churches being established. 00:14:52.120 --> 00:14:55.000 But he's not content with what he has done. 00:14:55.700 --> 00:14:58.820 He's looking to new areas and new places. 00:14:58.960 --> 00:14:59.860 Look at verse 20. 00:15:00.820 --> 00:15:01.360 He says, 00:15:01.440 --> 00:15:03.460 it has always been my ambition 00:15:03.460 --> 00:15:05.620 to preach the gospel 00:15:05.620 --> 00:15:08.360 where Christ was not known 00:15:08.360 --> 00:15:10.159 so that I would not be building 00:15:10.159 --> 00:15:12.159 on someone else's foundation. 00:15:12.779 --> 00:15:13.480 In other words, 00:15:13.480 --> 00:15:15.180 he's looking to areas 00:15:15.180 --> 00:15:16.680 to plant churches 00:15:16.680 --> 00:15:18.200 where there are no other churches. 00:15:19.360 --> 00:15:21.060 He longs to go to places 00:15:21.060 --> 00:15:22.060 and situations 00:15:22.060 --> 00:15:24.080 where there is no witness. 00:15:25.420 --> 00:15:26.560 His ambition 00:15:26.560 --> 00:15:28.000 is that people 00:15:28.000 --> 00:15:29.460 in all places 00:15:29.460 --> 00:15:30.060 will hear 00:15:30.060 --> 00:15:31.519 the good news of Jesus. 00:15:32.960 --> 00:15:33.279 Now, 00:15:33.340 --> 00:15:35.200 this isn't just Paul's little idea 00:15:35.200 --> 00:15:36.600 that he has for himself. 00:15:37.500 --> 00:15:39.759 This is to be the vision of the church. 00:15:40.360 --> 00:15:41.659 This is to be the vision 00:15:41.659 --> 00:15:43.000 of Carigaline. 00:15:43.480 --> 00:15:44.539 This is the vision 00:15:44.539 --> 00:15:46.120 of the Cork-Cerry project. 00:15:47.820 --> 00:15:48.300 So, 00:15:48.440 --> 00:15:50.320 what would that actually look like 00:15:50.320 --> 00:15:50.960 for us 00:15:50.960 --> 00:15:52.279 here today? 00:15:53.279 --> 00:15:53.680 Well, 00:15:53.720 --> 00:15:54.519 have a look at this 00:15:54.519 --> 00:15:55.460 on the screen. 00:15:56.480 --> 00:15:57.899 Here's a few stats for you. 00:15:58.360 --> 00:16:00.019 Our resident statistician 00:16:00.019 --> 00:16:01.159 has already told me 00:16:01.159 --> 00:16:02.840 that it should be 4.8 million. 00:16:03.060 --> 00:16:03.259 So, 00:16:03.600 --> 00:16:04.759 you can add on another, 00:16:05.139 --> 00:16:05.560 what, 00:16:05.680 --> 00:16:06.539 half a million there 00:16:06.539 --> 00:16:07.960 to the population in Ireland. 00:16:09.279 --> 00:16:09.759 But, 00:16:09.759 --> 00:16:10.700 think of that. 00:16:10.879 --> 00:16:11.879 All those people 00:16:11.879 --> 00:16:13.980 roughly, 00:16:14.419 --> 00:16:15.139 and these are just 00:16:15.139 --> 00:16:16.340 rough figures, 00:16:17.019 --> 00:16:19.620 240 evangelical churches. 00:16:20.139 --> 00:16:20.659 That is, 00:16:20.740 --> 00:16:22.279 people who hold 00:16:22.279 --> 00:16:23.439 that the word of God 00:16:23.439 --> 00:16:24.279 is true, 00:16:25.279 --> 00:16:26.679 that it's God's authority 00:16:26.679 --> 00:16:27.779 for our life 00:16:27.779 --> 00:16:29.139 and what we believe. 00:16:30.100 --> 00:16:30.799 They are people 00:16:30.799 --> 00:16:32.539 who trust in Jesus Christ 00:16:32.539 --> 00:16:33.320 for salvation. 00:16:33.939 --> 00:16:34.299 So, 00:16:34.340 --> 00:16:35.340 there's many flavours 00:16:35.340 --> 00:16:35.899 of that, 00:16:35.899 --> 00:16:36.579 but, 00:16:36.699 --> 00:16:37.480 that's about 00:16:37.480 --> 00:16:38.199 how many churches 00:16:38.199 --> 00:16:38.600 there are 00:16:38.600 --> 00:16:39.779 and about 80 00:16:39.779 --> 00:16:40.299 in attendance. 00:16:40.459 --> 00:16:41.179 You can do the maths 00:16:41.179 --> 00:16:41.879 how many people 00:16:41.879 --> 00:16:42.600 that add up to. 00:16:43.120 --> 00:16:44.220 Roughly speaking, 00:16:45.559 --> 00:16:47.919 around 0.5% 00:16:47.919 --> 00:16:49.279 of the population 00:16:49.279 --> 00:16:50.120 of Ireland 00:16:50.120 --> 00:16:52.419 follow, 00:16:53.240 --> 00:16:53.819 trust, 00:16:54.220 --> 00:16:54.579 and love 00:16:54.579 --> 00:16:55.319 the Lord Jesus. 00:16:56.579 --> 00:16:58.120 That's one of the lowest 00:16:58.120 --> 00:17:00.100 in the whole of Europe. 00:17:01.159 --> 00:17:01.939 The lowest 00:17:01.939 --> 00:17:02.879 in the whole of Europe. 00:17:02.879 --> 00:17:04.740 Look at the bottom 00:17:04.740 --> 00:17:05.700 two figures there. 00:17:06.220 --> 00:17:07.240 31 towns, 00:17:07.299 --> 00:17:07.480 well, 00:17:07.759 --> 00:17:08.599 look at the top one, 00:17:08.720 --> 00:17:09.339 5,000. 00:17:09.440 --> 00:17:10.359 Passage is a town 00:17:10.359 --> 00:17:11.180 of 5,000. 00:17:12.059 --> 00:17:13.779 There's 71 other towns 00:17:13.779 --> 00:17:15.259 across Ireland 00:17:15.259 --> 00:17:16.180 like Passage. 00:17:16.640 --> 00:17:17.160 71. 00:17:18.160 --> 00:17:19.519 31 towns 00:17:19.519 --> 00:17:20.680 of a population 00:17:20.680 --> 00:17:21.579 of 10,000 00:17:21.579 --> 00:17:22.240 or above. 00:17:22.859 --> 00:17:23.099 Maybe 00:17:23.099 --> 00:17:23.819 Cowering a Line 00:17:23.819 --> 00:17:24.440 kind of fits 00:17:24.440 --> 00:17:25.420 into that category 00:17:25.420 --> 00:17:26.619 with no 00:17:26.619 --> 00:17:27.819 evangelical witness. 00:17:27.960 --> 00:17:28.420 It's not that 00:17:28.420 --> 00:17:28.880 they can just 00:17:28.880 --> 00:17:29.759 travel down the road 00:17:29.759 --> 00:17:30.339 two miles 00:17:30.339 --> 00:17:30.839 to a church. 00:17:30.839 --> 00:17:31.579 Some of these 00:17:31.579 --> 00:17:31.939 can be 00:17:31.939 --> 00:17:33.579 30 miles away 00:17:33.579 --> 00:17:34.720 from their 00:17:34.720 --> 00:17:35.559 nearest church. 00:17:39.419 --> 00:17:40.199 You see, 00:17:40.299 --> 00:17:41.099 it's great 00:17:41.099 --> 00:17:42.699 to watch the video 00:17:42.699 --> 00:17:43.959 and see new churches 00:17:43.959 --> 00:17:45.159 planted in Yaw 00:17:45.159 --> 00:17:46.480 and in Kinsale. 00:17:46.740 --> 00:17:47.859 It's great to hear 00:17:47.859 --> 00:17:48.699 of this new work 00:17:48.699 --> 00:17:49.759 in Passage West. 00:17:50.759 --> 00:17:51.959 We thank God 00:17:51.959 --> 00:17:52.859 for what he's done 00:17:52.859 --> 00:17:54.619 in amazing ways. 00:17:55.319 --> 00:17:56.720 Not just amongst 00:17:56.720 --> 00:17:57.740 Baptist churches, 00:17:58.079 --> 00:17:58.579 but amongst 00:17:58.579 --> 00:17:59.699 many other churches 00:17:59.700 --> 00:18:00.400 that are seeking 00:18:00.400 --> 00:18:01.180 to do the same 00:18:01.180 --> 00:18:01.480 thing. 00:18:03.480 --> 00:18:04.279 What about 00:18:04.279 --> 00:18:05.299 the rest of Cork? 00:18:07.380 --> 00:18:08.539 I know of 00:18:08.539 --> 00:18:10.019 just one church 00:18:10.019 --> 00:18:10.680 that is seeking 00:18:10.680 --> 00:18:11.600 to reach out 00:18:11.600 --> 00:18:12.259 with the gospel 00:18:12.259 --> 00:18:12.740 of Christ 00:18:12.740 --> 00:18:13.920 in the north 00:18:13.920 --> 00:18:15.900 part of the city. 00:18:16.840 --> 00:18:17.559 What would it 00:18:17.559 --> 00:18:18.039 mean 00:18:18.039 --> 00:18:19.259 for people 00:18:19.259 --> 00:18:20.640 to work 00:18:20.640 --> 00:18:21.319 into that? 00:18:22.160 --> 00:18:22.799 What would it 00:18:22.799 --> 00:18:23.620 mean to pray 00:18:23.620 --> 00:18:25.039 for that to happen? 00:18:25.039 --> 00:18:27.480 And when we 00:18:27.480 --> 00:18:28.099 look at this, 00:18:28.359 --> 00:18:28.920 we can go, 00:18:29.259 --> 00:18:30.119 how on earth 00:18:30.119 --> 00:18:30.720 is that going 00:18:30.720 --> 00:18:31.480 to be achieved? 00:18:31.980 --> 00:18:33.339 It seems impossible. 00:18:34.420 --> 00:18:35.460 How on earth 00:18:35.460 --> 00:18:36.639 will this happen? 00:18:38.079 --> 00:18:38.519 Well, 00:18:38.559 --> 00:18:39.420 look what motivates 00:18:39.420 --> 00:18:40.299 him to do this. 00:18:43.299 --> 00:18:44.279 Verse 21. 00:18:47.819 --> 00:18:49.279 As it is written, 00:18:49.279 --> 00:18:51.500 those who were 00:18:51.500 --> 00:18:52.279 not told 00:18:52.279 --> 00:18:53.079 about him 00:18:53.079 --> 00:18:54.700 will see. 00:18:55.379 --> 00:18:56.099 Those who 00:18:56.099 --> 00:18:57.099 have not heard 00:18:57.099 --> 00:18:58.720 about Christ 00:18:58.720 --> 00:18:59.559 will 00:18:59.559 --> 00:19:01.019 understand. 00:19:01.619 --> 00:19:01.920 Now, 00:19:01.980 --> 00:19:02.660 this is a quote 00:19:02.660 --> 00:19:03.559 that comes right 00:19:03.559 --> 00:19:05.259 out of Isaiah 52, 00:19:06.200 --> 00:19:07.420 which is a big 00:19:07.420 --> 00:19:08.480 section telling us 00:19:08.480 --> 00:19:09.139 of God's 00:19:09.139 --> 00:19:10.180 great promise 00:19:10.180 --> 00:19:11.359 of salvation 00:19:11.359 --> 00:19:11.980 that's going 00:19:11.980 --> 00:19:12.399 to go 00:19:12.399 --> 00:19:13.339 not just 00:19:13.339 --> 00:19:14.240 to God's 00:19:14.240 --> 00:19:14.720 people, 00:19:15.759 --> 00:19:16.240 Israel, 00:19:16.519 --> 00:19:17.779 but to 00:19:17.779 --> 00:19:18.859 all the nations. 00:19:18.859 --> 00:19:19.719 Let me read 00:19:19.719 --> 00:19:20.019 you just 00:19:20.019 --> 00:19:20.679 one verse. 00:19:21.819 --> 00:19:22.879 Isaiah 52, 00:19:24.299 --> 00:19:25.059 verse 10. 00:19:27.779 --> 00:19:28.459 The Lord 00:19:28.459 --> 00:19:29.639 will lay 00:19:29.639 --> 00:19:30.419 bare his 00:19:30.419 --> 00:19:31.359 holy arm 00:19:31.359 --> 00:19:32.500 in the sight 00:19:32.500 --> 00:19:33.579 of all 00:19:33.579 --> 00:19:34.299 the nations 00:19:34.299 --> 00:19:36.039 and all 00:19:36.039 --> 00:19:36.759 the ends 00:19:36.759 --> 00:19:37.259 of the earth 00:19:37.259 --> 00:19:38.000 will see 00:19:38.000 --> 00:19:38.859 the salvation 00:19:38.859 --> 00:19:40.619 of our God. 00:19:40.779 --> 00:19:41.839 This is God's 00:19:41.839 --> 00:19:43.519 global plan 00:19:43.519 --> 00:19:44.240 that his 00:19:44.240 --> 00:19:44.799 salvation 00:19:44.799 --> 00:19:45.259 would go 00:19:45.259 --> 00:19:46.299 to all nations. 00:19:46.299 --> 00:19:46.819 So, 00:19:47.000 --> 00:19:47.459 in the quote 00:19:47.459 --> 00:19:47.679 here, 00:19:47.740 --> 00:19:48.299 verse 21, 00:19:48.299 --> 00:19:49.399 those who 00:19:49.399 --> 00:19:49.720 are not 00:19:49.720 --> 00:19:50.240 told about 00:19:50.240 --> 00:19:50.399 him, 00:19:50.500 --> 00:19:51.059 they will 00:19:51.059 --> 00:19:51.359 see, 00:19:51.440 --> 00:19:51.700 they will 00:19:51.700 --> 00:19:52.319 get it. 00:19:52.839 --> 00:19:53.419 Those who 00:19:53.419 --> 00:19:53.720 have not 00:19:53.720 --> 00:19:54.019 heard, 00:19:54.159 --> 00:19:54.680 they will 00:19:54.680 --> 00:19:55.099 hear and 00:19:55.099 --> 00:19:55.599 they will 00:19:55.599 --> 00:19:56.419 understand. 00:19:58.599 --> 00:19:59.119 That's 00:19:59.119 --> 00:20:00.099 the promise. 00:20:00.279 --> 00:20:00.799 This is the 00:20:00.799 --> 00:20:01.399 motivation, 00:20:01.599 --> 00:20:02.200 the drive 00:20:02.200 --> 00:20:02.859 for Paul 00:20:02.859 --> 00:20:03.559 and for the 00:20:03.559 --> 00:20:04.220 church at Rome 00:20:04.220 --> 00:20:04.919 to keep on 00:20:04.919 --> 00:20:05.680 going because 00:20:05.680 --> 00:20:06.579 God has given 00:20:06.579 --> 00:20:07.299 this promise, 00:20:07.559 --> 00:20:08.319 not just to 00:20:08.319 --> 00:20:08.579 them, 00:20:08.839 --> 00:20:09.659 but to us 00:20:09.659 --> 00:20:10.240 also. 00:20:10.240 --> 00:20:12.220 that as we 00:20:12.220 --> 00:20:12.859 go and 00:20:12.859 --> 00:20:13.500 proclaim the 00:20:13.500 --> 00:20:14.079 good news, 00:20:14.400 --> 00:20:14.799 as the 00:20:14.799 --> 00:20:15.220 good news 00:20:15.220 --> 00:20:16.019 is proclaimed 00:20:16.019 --> 00:20:16.839 in passage, 00:20:17.160 --> 00:20:18.319 hearts will 00:20:18.319 --> 00:20:19.480 be captivated 00:20:19.480 --> 00:20:20.180 by the 00:20:20.180 --> 00:20:21.160 beauty and 00:20:21.160 --> 00:20:21.720 the greatness 00:20:21.720 --> 00:20:22.380 of Jesus 00:20:22.380 --> 00:20:22.940 Christ, 00:20:24.019 --> 00:20:25.099 that people 00:20:25.099 --> 00:20:25.620 will come 00:20:25.620 --> 00:20:26.220 to faith 00:20:26.220 --> 00:20:28.000 and churches 00:20:28.000 --> 00:20:28.759 will be 00:20:28.759 --> 00:20:29.420 planted. 00:20:30.420 --> 00:20:31.120 It's not 00:20:31.120 --> 00:20:31.599 us, 00:20:32.339 --> 00:20:33.180 it's God's 00:20:33.180 --> 00:20:33.740 promise 00:20:33.740 --> 00:20:34.140 power 00:20:34.140 --> 00:20:37.140 working 00:20:37.140 --> 00:20:38.180 through us 00:20:38.180 --> 00:20:39.380 people, 00:20:39.579 --> 00:20:39.960 ordinary 00:20:39.960 --> 00:20:40.700 people like 00:20:40.700 --> 00:20:41.079 you and 00:20:41.079 --> 00:20:41.279 I. 00:20:42.559 --> 00:20:43.039 Now we 00:20:43.039 --> 00:20:43.660 might think, 00:20:44.299 --> 00:20:44.700 well, 00:20:45.799 --> 00:20:46.440 that's alright 00:20:46.440 --> 00:20:46.960 for some of 00:20:46.960 --> 00:20:47.279 the other 00:20:47.279 --> 00:20:47.640 churches, 00:20:47.779 --> 00:20:48.279 they're bigger, 00:20:48.859 --> 00:20:49.519 they're better, 00:20:49.640 --> 00:20:50.019 look at the 00:20:50.019 --> 00:20:50.460 stuff that 00:20:50.460 --> 00:20:51.120 they can do, 00:20:51.460 --> 00:20:52.059 what can we 00:20:52.059 --> 00:20:52.339 do? 00:20:52.660 --> 00:20:53.359 Look at us, 00:20:54.220 --> 00:20:54.980 look at us, 00:20:55.640 --> 00:20:56.000 rattling 00:20:56.000 --> 00:20:56.960 about in this 00:20:56.960 --> 00:20:57.940 huge big 00:20:57.940 --> 00:20:58.299 hall, 00:20:59.400 --> 00:21:00.000 what can we 00:21:00.000 --> 00:21:00.460 do? 00:21:02.859 --> 00:21:03.420 Together, 00:21:03.740 --> 00:21:04.940 as people 00:21:04.940 --> 00:21:05.700 who love 00:21:05.700 --> 00:21:06.120 the Lord 00:21:06.120 --> 00:21:06.519 Jesus, 00:21:07.099 --> 00:21:08.059 our resources, 00:21:08.579 --> 00:21:09.380 our gifts, 00:21:10.160 --> 00:21:10.599 God's 00:21:10.599 --> 00:21:11.079 promise, 00:21:11.519 --> 00:21:11.980 God's 00:21:11.980 --> 00:21:12.400 power, 00:21:12.779 --> 00:21:13.400 working through 00:21:13.400 --> 00:21:14.039 people like 00:21:14.039 --> 00:21:14.960 you and 00:21:14.960 --> 00:21:15.220 I, 00:21:15.460 --> 00:21:15.920 with this 00:21:15.920 --> 00:21:16.640 great promise 00:21:16.640 --> 00:21:17.140 that those 00:21:17.140 --> 00:21:17.720 who have not 00:21:17.720 --> 00:21:18.880 heard will 00:21:18.880 --> 00:21:19.500 understand. 00:21:20.660 --> 00:21:21.359 Our purpose 00:21:21.359 --> 00:21:22.480 is that new 00:21:22.480 --> 00:21:23.740 churches will 00:21:23.740 --> 00:21:24.359 be planted. 00:21:25.480 --> 00:21:25.839 So, 00:21:26.220 --> 00:21:26.839 that's the 00:21:26.839 --> 00:21:27.339 second big 00:21:27.339 --> 00:21:27.680 thing. 00:21:29.400 --> 00:21:30.000 Proclaiming 00:21:30.000 --> 00:21:30.440 Christ, 00:21:31.900 --> 00:21:32.359 planting 00:21:32.359 --> 00:21:32.940 churches, 00:21:33.740 --> 00:21:34.480 and the 00:21:34.480 --> 00:21:34.779 last, 00:21:34.940 --> 00:21:35.099 our 00:21:35.099 --> 00:21:35.759 partnership 00:21:35.759 --> 00:21:36.960 in the 00:21:36.960 --> 00:21:37.359 gospel. 00:21:38.539 --> 00:21:38.980 We can 00:21:38.980 --> 00:21:39.420 only do 00:21:39.420 --> 00:21:39.880 this in 00:21:39.880 --> 00:21:40.420 partnership 00:21:40.420 --> 00:21:41.019 together. 00:21:41.759 --> 00:21:42.400 As Paul 00:21:42.400 --> 00:21:43.200 travels from 00:21:43.200 --> 00:21:43.720 place to 00:21:43.720 --> 00:21:44.059 place, 00:21:44.519 --> 00:21:45.039 he's not 00:21:45.039 --> 00:21:45.859 expecting that 00:21:45.859 --> 00:21:46.900 everybody is 00:21:46.900 --> 00:21:47.779 gifted in the 00:21:47.779 --> 00:21:48.579 same ways that 00:21:48.579 --> 00:21:49.019 he is or 00:21:49.019 --> 00:21:49.420 that he has 00:21:49.420 --> 00:21:49.759 the same 00:21:49.759 --> 00:21:50.240 calling. 00:21:50.940 --> 00:21:51.640 He's not 00:21:51.640 --> 00:21:52.019 saying that 00:21:52.019 --> 00:21:52.620 everybody will 00:21:52.620 --> 00:21:53.160 go where 00:21:53.160 --> 00:21:53.720 he's going 00:21:53.720 --> 00:21:54.259 or will do 00:21:54.259 --> 00:21:54.759 what he's 00:21:54.759 --> 00:21:55.059 doing, 00:21:55.380 --> 00:21:56.279 but he does 00:21:56.279 --> 00:21:56.740 expect 00:21:56.740 --> 00:21:57.539 partnership, 00:21:57.779 --> 00:21:58.220 that this 00:21:58.220 --> 00:21:58.880 is something 00:21:58.880 --> 00:21:59.960 that we can 00:21:59.960 --> 00:22:00.620 all do 00:22:00.620 --> 00:22:01.079 together, 00:22:01.200 --> 00:22:01.940 we all play 00:22:01.940 --> 00:22:02.480 our part 00:22:02.480 --> 00:22:02.880 in it. 00:22:04.640 --> 00:22:05.120 We 00:22:05.120 --> 00:22:05.860 prioritize 00:22:05.860 --> 00:22:08.420 our support 00:22:08.420 --> 00:22:09.059 for church 00:22:09.059 --> 00:22:09.519 planting. 00:22:09.900 --> 00:22:10.120 So, 00:22:10.200 --> 00:22:10.400 look at 00:22:10.400 --> 00:22:11.160 verse 23. 00:22:11.559 --> 00:22:12.279 He's writing 00:22:12.279 --> 00:22:12.840 this letter 00:22:12.840 --> 00:22:13.440 to a church 00:22:13.440 --> 00:22:13.820 and this 00:22:13.820 --> 00:22:14.100 is what 00:22:14.100 --> 00:22:14.680 he's asking 00:22:14.680 --> 00:22:15.160 of them. 00:22:15.960 --> 00:22:16.400 He says, 00:22:16.480 --> 00:22:16.920 now there 00:22:16.920 --> 00:22:17.500 is no more 00:22:17.500 --> 00:22:18.120 places for 00:22:18.120 --> 00:22:18.660 me to work 00:22:18.660 --> 00:22:19.039 in these 00:22:19.039 --> 00:22:19.460 regions, 00:22:19.880 --> 00:22:20.400 so these 00:22:20.400 --> 00:22:20.960 areas have 00:22:20.960 --> 00:22:21.500 already got 00:22:21.500 --> 00:22:21.960 churches. 00:22:22.320 --> 00:22:22.640 We don't 00:22:22.640 --> 00:22:22.840 want to 00:22:22.840 --> 00:22:23.299 plant a 00:22:23.299 --> 00:22:23.720 church where 00:22:23.720 --> 00:22:23.900 there's 00:22:23.900 --> 00:22:24.380 already a 00:22:24.380 --> 00:22:24.940 church there. 00:22:26.220 --> 00:22:27.120 And since 00:22:27.120 --> 00:22:27.600 I've been 00:22:27.600 --> 00:22:28.200 longing for 00:22:28.200 --> 00:22:28.759 many years 00:22:28.759 --> 00:22:29.420 to see you, 00:22:29.420 --> 00:22:30.360 I plan 00:22:30.360 --> 00:22:30.759 to do 00:22:30.759 --> 00:22:31.200 so when 00:22:31.200 --> 00:22:31.500 I go 00:22:31.500 --> 00:22:32.060 to Spain. 00:22:32.259 --> 00:22:32.640 I want 00:22:32.640 --> 00:22:32.860 to go 00:22:32.860 --> 00:22:33.360 to Spain 00:22:33.360 --> 00:22:33.640 because 00:22:33.640 --> 00:22:33.860 there's 00:22:33.860 --> 00:22:34.060 no 00:22:34.060 --> 00:22:34.480 churches 00:22:34.480 --> 00:22:35.120 in Spain. 00:22:35.860 --> 00:22:36.340 And I 00:22:36.340 --> 00:22:36.759 hope to 00:22:36.759 --> 00:22:37.300 visit you 00:22:37.300 --> 00:22:38.039 while passing 00:22:38.039 --> 00:22:39.100 through and 00:22:39.100 --> 00:22:39.560 to have 00:22:39.560 --> 00:22:40.980 you assist 00:22:40.980 --> 00:22:42.220 me on my 00:22:42.220 --> 00:22:42.980 journey there 00:22:42.980 --> 00:22:44.160 after I've 00:22:44.160 --> 00:22:44.759 enjoyed your 00:22:44.759 --> 00:22:45.779 company for 00:22:45.779 --> 00:22:46.180 a while. 00:22:46.960 --> 00:22:47.940 So Paul's 00:22:47.940 --> 00:22:48.380 ambition, 00:22:48.560 --> 00:22:49.240 his desire, 00:22:49.560 --> 00:22:50.140 is he wants 00:22:50.140 --> 00:22:50.740 to get to 00:22:50.740 --> 00:22:51.720 Spain to 00:22:51.720 --> 00:22:52.259 bring the 00:22:52.259 --> 00:22:52.740 good news 00:22:52.740 --> 00:22:53.180 because there's 00:22:53.180 --> 00:22:53.820 no church, 00:22:53.980 --> 00:22:54.580 but if he's 00:22:54.580 --> 00:22:55.120 going to do 00:22:55.120 --> 00:22:55.460 that, 00:22:55.620 --> 00:22:56.080 he needs 00:22:56.080 --> 00:22:56.800 the partnership 00:22:56.800 --> 00:22:57.240 and the 00:22:57.240 --> 00:22:57.840 support of 00:22:57.840 --> 00:22:58.320 the church 00:22:58.320 --> 00:22:58.940 around him. 00:22:58.940 --> 00:22:59.539 So he 00:22:59.539 --> 00:22:59.940 says in 00:22:59.940 --> 00:23:00.640 verse 24, 00:23:01.039 --> 00:23:01.480 I hope 00:23:01.480 --> 00:23:01.940 to visit 00:23:01.940 --> 00:23:03.140 you while 00:23:03.140 --> 00:23:03.580 passing 00:23:03.580 --> 00:23:04.440 through and 00:23:04.440 --> 00:23:05.140 have you, 00:23:05.440 --> 00:23:05.980 the church, 00:23:06.160 --> 00:23:07.960 assist me on 00:23:07.960 --> 00:23:09.180 my journey and 00:23:09.180 --> 00:23:09.920 in my work. 00:23:10.640 --> 00:23:11.180 Now that 00:23:11.180 --> 00:23:13.100 word assist is 00:23:13.100 --> 00:23:13.980 a really helpful 00:23:13.980 --> 00:23:15.059 term because 00:23:15.059 --> 00:23:16.340 it's about 00:23:16.340 --> 00:23:17.720 mission support. 00:23:18.420 --> 00:23:19.220 That's what it 00:23:19.220 --> 00:23:19.500 is. 00:23:19.720 --> 00:23:20.240 It's about 00:23:20.240 --> 00:23:21.400 mission support. 00:23:21.840 --> 00:23:22.519 It's about 00:23:22.519 --> 00:23:23.820 providing the 00:23:23.820 --> 00:23:24.920 practical needs 00:23:24.920 --> 00:23:25.640 that Paul will 00:23:25.640 --> 00:23:25.900 need. 00:23:26.140 --> 00:23:26.700 It's about 00:23:26.700 --> 00:23:28.080 sending people 00:23:28.079 --> 00:23:28.859 who can go 00:23:28.859 --> 00:23:29.659 with him 00:23:29.659 --> 00:23:30.539 to support 00:23:30.539 --> 00:23:30.919 him in 00:23:30.919 --> 00:23:31.379 his work. 00:23:31.659 --> 00:23:32.159 It's about 00:23:32.159 --> 00:23:33.599 giving finances 00:23:33.599 --> 00:23:34.740 to make it 00:23:34.740 --> 00:23:35.039 happen, 00:23:35.139 --> 00:23:35.740 to pay for 00:23:35.740 --> 00:23:36.220 his rent, 00:23:36.480 --> 00:23:37.079 to pay for 00:23:37.079 --> 00:23:37.579 his food. 00:23:37.879 --> 00:23:38.480 It's about 00:23:38.480 --> 00:23:39.699 equipment and 00:23:39.699 --> 00:23:40.539 resources and 00:23:40.539 --> 00:23:41.439 everything else 00:23:41.439 --> 00:23:41.919 that will be 00:23:41.919 --> 00:23:42.480 needed for 00:23:42.480 --> 00:23:43.099 Paul as he 00:23:43.099 --> 00:23:43.539 seeks to 00:23:43.539 --> 00:23:44.000 make that 00:23:44.000 --> 00:23:45.119 journey and 00:23:45.119 --> 00:23:45.599 to plant 00:23:45.599 --> 00:23:46.759 churches in 00:23:46.759 --> 00:23:47.379 that area. 00:23:47.859 --> 00:23:48.740 He knows he 00:23:48.740 --> 00:23:49.359 can't do it 00:23:49.359 --> 00:23:49.960 on his own, 00:23:50.240 --> 00:23:51.019 so he looks 00:23:51.019 --> 00:23:51.759 to the church 00:23:51.759 --> 00:23:52.179 and says, 00:23:52.579 --> 00:23:54.299 support me in 00:23:54.299 --> 00:23:54.679 what I'm 00:23:54.679 --> 00:23:55.240 seeking to 00:23:55.240 --> 00:23:55.480 do. 00:23:58.859 --> 00:23:59.460 Now a 00:23:59.460 --> 00:24:00.079 big part of 00:24:00.079 --> 00:24:01.039 that support 00:24:01.039 --> 00:24:02.640 for him 00:24:02.640 --> 00:24:03.799 and indeed 00:24:03.799 --> 00:24:04.740 for the work 00:24:04.740 --> 00:24:05.140 that we're 00:24:05.140 --> 00:24:05.660 seeking to 00:24:05.660 --> 00:24:06.059 do through 00:24:06.059 --> 00:24:06.460 the Court 00:24:06.460 --> 00:24:07.339 Kerry project 00:24:07.339 --> 00:24:08.500 is financial. 00:24:10.140 --> 00:24:10.819 It will 00:24:10.819 --> 00:24:12.339 need money 00:24:12.339 --> 00:24:13.400 to make it 00:24:13.400 --> 00:24:13.759 happen. 00:24:14.700 --> 00:24:15.200 People need 00:24:15.200 --> 00:24:15.859 places to 00:24:15.859 --> 00:24:16.160 live. 00:24:17.359 --> 00:24:17.859 People need 00:24:17.859 --> 00:24:18.519 to put petrol 00:24:18.519 --> 00:24:19.120 in the car. 00:24:19.460 --> 00:24:19.920 They need to 00:24:19.920 --> 00:24:20.400 eat food. 00:24:20.519 --> 00:24:20.940 They need to 00:24:20.940 --> 00:24:21.460 be able to 00:24:21.460 --> 00:24:22.120 live life 00:24:22.119 --> 00:24:23.339 to enable 00:24:23.339 --> 00:24:23.719 them to 00:24:23.719 --> 00:24:24.039 do the 00:24:24.039 --> 00:24:24.500 work that 00:24:24.500 --> 00:24:24.879 God has 00:24:24.879 --> 00:24:25.259 called them 00:24:25.259 --> 00:24:25.759 to do. 00:24:26.399 --> 00:24:27.079 So look at 00:24:27.079 --> 00:24:27.859 verse 25. 00:24:29.439 --> 00:24:29.959 Now, 00:24:30.059 --> 00:24:30.439 however, 00:24:30.599 --> 00:24:31.199 he says, 00:24:31.779 --> 00:24:32.559 I'm on my 00:24:32.559 --> 00:24:32.979 way to 00:24:32.979 --> 00:24:33.899 Jerusalem in 00:24:33.899 --> 00:24:34.479 service of 00:24:34.479 --> 00:24:35.019 the saints 00:24:35.019 --> 00:24:35.379 there. 00:24:36.519 --> 00:24:38.000 So we're 00:24:38.000 --> 00:24:38.439 getting a bit 00:24:38.439 --> 00:24:39.399 confused here 00:24:39.399 --> 00:24:40.839 because rather 00:24:40.839 --> 00:24:41.819 than heading 00:24:41.819 --> 00:24:42.819 towards Rome 00:24:42.819 --> 00:24:43.719 to the church 00:24:43.719 --> 00:24:44.500 where he's 00:24:44.500 --> 00:24:45.019 looking for 00:24:45.019 --> 00:24:46.039 help so he 00:24:46.039 --> 00:24:46.539 can get to 00:24:46.539 --> 00:24:46.879 Spain, 00:24:47.739 --> 00:24:48.539 he's going 00:24:48.539 --> 00:24:49.179 in the other 00:24:49.179 --> 00:24:50.219 direction back 00:24:50.219 --> 00:24:50.939 to Jerusalem. 00:24:50.940 --> 00:24:52.259 So why 00:24:52.259 --> 00:24:52.820 is he going 00:24:52.820 --> 00:24:53.220 all the way 00:24:53.220 --> 00:24:53.600 back to 00:24:53.600 --> 00:24:54.420 Jerusalem first? 00:24:54.820 --> 00:24:54.980 Well, 00:24:55.039 --> 00:24:55.539 read on. 00:24:55.820 --> 00:24:56.660 Verse 26. 00:24:57.559 --> 00:24:58.660 For Macedonia 00:24:58.660 --> 00:24:59.759 and Achaia, 00:24:59.840 --> 00:25:00.600 so the churches 00:25:00.600 --> 00:25:01.539 in Macedonia 00:25:01.539 --> 00:25:02.380 and Achaia, 00:25:02.759 --> 00:25:03.460 were pleased 00:25:03.460 --> 00:25:04.100 to make a 00:25:04.100 --> 00:25:04.799 contribution 00:25:04.799 --> 00:25:06.320 for the poor 00:25:06.320 --> 00:25:07.220 among the 00:25:07.220 --> 00:25:08.279 saints in 00:25:08.279 --> 00:25:08.940 Jerusalem. 00:25:09.680 --> 00:25:10.279 They were 00:25:10.279 --> 00:25:11.120 pleased to 00:25:11.120 --> 00:25:11.580 do it, 00:25:11.840 --> 00:25:12.539 and indeed 00:25:12.539 --> 00:25:13.100 they owe 00:25:13.100 --> 00:25:13.779 it to them. 00:25:14.500 --> 00:25:15.299 For if the 00:25:15.299 --> 00:25:16.140 Gentiles have 00:25:16.140 --> 00:25:16.880 shared in the 00:25:16.880 --> 00:25:17.900 Jews spiritual 00:25:17.900 --> 00:25:18.519 blessings, 00:25:19.120 --> 00:25:20.039 they owe it 00:25:20.039 --> 00:25:20.660 to the Jews 00:25:20.660 --> 00:25:21.140 to share 00:25:21.140 --> 00:25:21.519 with them 00:25:21.519 --> 00:25:21.840 their 00:25:21.840 --> 00:25:22.940 material 00:25:22.940 --> 00:25:23.779 blessings. 00:25:26.400 --> 00:25:26.920 Now, 00:25:26.960 --> 00:25:27.460 this is just 00:25:27.460 --> 00:25:27.900 a big 00:25:27.900 --> 00:25:29.120 subtle hint 00:25:29.120 --> 00:25:30.600 with a big 00:25:30.600 --> 00:25:32.460 mallet on 00:25:32.460 --> 00:25:32.920 top of their 00:25:32.920 --> 00:25:33.220 heads, 00:25:33.320 --> 00:25:33.779 basically. 00:25:34.200 --> 00:25:34.620 Listen, 00:25:34.779 --> 00:25:35.220 guys, 00:25:35.740 --> 00:25:36.440 you should 00:25:36.440 --> 00:25:36.900 be doing 00:25:36.900 --> 00:25:37.440 the same. 00:25:37.860 --> 00:25:38.340 You see 00:25:38.340 --> 00:25:38.880 the churches 00:25:38.880 --> 00:25:39.759 in Macedonia 00:25:39.759 --> 00:25:40.320 and Achaia, 00:25:40.700 --> 00:25:41.400 they're giving 00:25:41.400 --> 00:25:41.779 of their 00:25:41.779 --> 00:25:42.519 resources and 00:25:42.519 --> 00:25:43.140 their finances 00:25:43.140 --> 00:25:43.620 to help 00:25:43.620 --> 00:25:44.080 the church 00:25:44.080 --> 00:25:44.740 in Jerusalem. 00:25:45.259 --> 00:25:45.519 Now, 00:25:45.620 --> 00:25:46.060 you should 00:25:46.060 --> 00:25:46.440 be doing 00:25:46.440 --> 00:25:47.000 the same 00:25:47.000 --> 00:25:47.720 to help 00:25:47.720 --> 00:25:48.620 other areas 00:25:48.619 --> 00:25:49.000 where there 00:25:49.000 --> 00:25:49.519 are no 00:25:49.519 --> 00:25:49.959 churches. 00:25:50.599 --> 00:25:51.759 He's reminding 00:25:51.759 --> 00:25:52.119 them, 00:25:52.459 --> 00:25:53.459 you've received 00:25:53.459 --> 00:25:54.179 the blessings 00:25:54.179 --> 00:25:54.639 of the 00:25:54.639 --> 00:25:55.339 gospel from 00:25:55.339 --> 00:25:55.799 the Jews. 00:25:56.079 --> 00:25:56.579 The gospel 00:25:56.579 --> 00:25:57.399 first came 00:25:57.399 --> 00:25:57.779 to the 00:25:57.779 --> 00:25:58.139 Jews. 00:25:58.579 --> 00:25:59.079 It went 00:25:59.079 --> 00:25:59.599 from them 00:25:59.599 --> 00:26:00.000 to the 00:26:00.000 --> 00:26:00.519 Gentiles 00:26:00.519 --> 00:26:01.039 to other 00:26:01.039 --> 00:26:01.439 people. 00:26:01.899 --> 00:26:02.459 You have 00:26:02.459 --> 00:26:04.459 salvation 00:26:04.459 --> 00:26:05.179 because of 00:26:05.179 --> 00:26:05.399 them. 00:26:06.479 --> 00:26:07.199 You've been 00:26:07.199 --> 00:26:07.739 blessed 00:26:07.739 --> 00:26:08.839 spiritually 00:26:08.839 --> 00:26:09.559 because of 00:26:09.559 --> 00:26:09.739 them. 00:26:09.739 --> 00:26:10.539 And because 00:26:10.539 --> 00:26:11.039 you've been 00:26:11.039 --> 00:26:11.379 blessed 00:26:11.379 --> 00:26:12.119 spiritually, 00:26:12.639 --> 00:26:13.299 give 00:26:13.299 --> 00:26:14.599 financially. 00:26:17.720 --> 00:26:18.639 Now, 00:26:18.740 --> 00:26:19.079 I make 00:26:19.079 --> 00:26:20.240 no excuse 00:26:20.240 --> 00:26:21.180 for what 00:26:21.180 --> 00:26:21.779 I'm saying 00:26:21.779 --> 00:26:22.119 here. 00:26:22.740 --> 00:26:23.240 That should 00:26:23.240 --> 00:26:24.039 be exactly 00:26:24.039 --> 00:26:24.599 the same 00:26:24.599 --> 00:26:25.339 for us. 00:26:26.519 --> 00:26:27.220 The gospel 00:26:27.220 --> 00:26:29.240 has overflowed 00:26:29.240 --> 00:26:29.879 into our 00:26:29.879 --> 00:26:30.480 lives. 00:26:31.519 --> 00:26:32.359 We are 00:26:32.359 --> 00:26:33.240 spiritually 00:26:33.240 --> 00:26:34.299 blessed. 00:26:35.720 --> 00:26:36.359 We have 00:26:36.359 --> 00:26:36.859 been given 00:26:36.859 --> 00:26:37.899 so much. 00:26:39.680 --> 00:26:40.799 We have 00:26:40.799 --> 00:26:41.419 the right 00:26:41.419 --> 00:26:42.099 to be called 00:26:42.099 --> 00:26:42.799 children of 00:26:42.799 --> 00:26:43.119 God. 00:26:43.539 --> 00:26:43.940 We have 00:26:43.940 --> 00:26:44.799 a future 00:26:44.799 --> 00:26:45.919 inheritance 00:26:45.919 --> 00:26:46.619 that is to 00:26:46.619 --> 00:26:47.039 come that 00:26:47.039 --> 00:26:47.419 we've been 00:26:47.419 --> 00:26:48.039 looking at 00:26:48.039 --> 00:26:49.000 1 Peter 00:26:49.000 --> 00:26:49.639 that will 00:26:49.639 --> 00:26:50.359 not perish, 00:26:50.539 --> 00:26:50.980 spoil or 00:26:50.980 --> 00:26:51.240 fade. 00:26:51.619 --> 00:26:52.180 We've got 00:26:52.180 --> 00:26:52.940 an inheritance 00:26:52.940 --> 00:26:53.879 that is 00:26:53.879 --> 00:26:54.559 ours that 00:26:54.559 --> 00:26:54.899 will be 00:26:54.899 --> 00:26:55.700 kept for 00:26:55.700 --> 00:26:56.139 us. 00:26:57.619 --> 00:26:58.159 And guess 00:26:58.159 --> 00:26:58.559 what? 00:26:58.879 --> 00:26:59.720 Nothing that 00:26:59.720 --> 00:27:00.399 we have in 00:27:00.399 --> 00:27:00.899 the here and 00:27:00.899 --> 00:27:01.659 now we're 00:27:01.659 --> 00:27:01.899 going to 00:27:01.899 --> 00:27:02.379 bring with 00:27:02.379 --> 00:27:02.779 us to 00:27:02.779 --> 00:27:03.039 that 00:27:03.039 --> 00:27:03.519 inheritance. 00:27:05.460 --> 00:27:06.339 And because 00:27:06.339 --> 00:27:07.159 we have been 00:27:07.159 --> 00:27:07.519 blessed 00:27:07.519 --> 00:27:08.139 spiritually, 00:27:08.460 --> 00:27:09.319 we are to 00:27:09.319 --> 00:27:09.680 give 00:27:09.680 --> 00:27:11.379 financially so 00:27:11.379 --> 00:27:12.059 that other 00:27:12.059 --> 00:27:12.659 people, 00:27:12.799 --> 00:27:13.440 get to 00:27:13.440 --> 00:27:14.119 receive the 00:27:14.119 --> 00:27:14.619 spiritual 00:27:14.619 --> 00:27:15.940 blessings of 00:27:15.940 --> 00:27:16.819 the gospel. 00:27:18.200 --> 00:27:19.500 Every penny 00:27:19.500 --> 00:27:20.960 or every cent 00:27:20.960 --> 00:27:21.619 that you 00:27:21.619 --> 00:27:22.079 have, 00:27:22.819 --> 00:27:23.759 every euro 00:27:23.759 --> 00:27:24.299 that you 00:27:24.299 --> 00:27:25.359 earn is a 00:27:25.359 --> 00:27:26.259 gift from 00:27:26.259 --> 00:27:26.960 God given 00:27:26.960 --> 00:27:27.639 to you 00:27:27.639 --> 00:27:29.000 and to 00:27:29.000 --> 00:27:30.019 me to 00:27:30.019 --> 00:27:31.019 be administered 00:27:31.019 --> 00:27:32.599 for the 00:27:32.599 --> 00:27:33.159 building up 00:27:33.159 --> 00:27:33.579 of his 00:27:33.579 --> 00:27:33.960 kingdom. 00:27:34.399 --> 00:27:35.399 It is not 00:27:35.399 --> 00:27:36.879 our money. 00:27:37.680 --> 00:27:38.399 It is a 00:27:38.399 --> 00:27:39.079 gift given 00:27:39.079 --> 00:27:39.599 to God 00:27:39.599 --> 00:27:40.220 to us 00:27:40.220 --> 00:27:40.839 so that 00:27:40.839 --> 00:27:41.299 we might 00:27:41.299 --> 00:27:42.399 release it 00:27:42.399 --> 00:27:44.119 so that 00:27:44.119 --> 00:27:44.779 the work 00:27:44.779 --> 00:27:45.759 is done 00:27:45.759 --> 00:27:47.859 so that 00:27:47.859 --> 00:27:48.559 churches are 00:27:48.559 --> 00:27:49.220 planted and 00:27:49.220 --> 00:27:50.299 people are 00:27:50.299 --> 00:27:50.899 reached. 00:27:52.599 --> 00:27:53.460 And let me 00:27:53.460 --> 00:27:53.859 be very 00:27:53.859 --> 00:27:54.240 clear, 00:27:55.079 --> 00:27:56.000 this isn't a 00:27:56.000 --> 00:27:56.519 plea, a 00:27:56.519 --> 00:27:57.279 personal plea 00:27:57.279 --> 00:27:57.919 to fill the 00:27:57.919 --> 00:27:58.480 pastor's 00:27:58.480 --> 00:27:58.779 pockets. 00:27:59.779 --> 00:28:00.599 This is 00:28:00.599 --> 00:28:01.939 about letting 00:28:01.939 --> 00:28:02.579 that money 00:28:02.579 --> 00:28:03.960 be released 00:28:03.960 --> 00:28:06.039 so that 00:28:06.039 --> 00:28:07.960 people can 00:28:07.960 --> 00:28:08.519 go and 00:28:08.519 --> 00:28:08.860 proclaim 00:28:08.860 --> 00:28:09.500 Christ. 00:28:10.000 --> 00:28:10.680 Those who 00:28:10.680 --> 00:28:11.180 are gifted 00:28:11.180 --> 00:28:11.819 to go and 00:28:11.819 --> 00:28:12.559 plant churches, 00:28:12.720 --> 00:28:13.240 people like 00:28:13.240 --> 00:28:13.539 Shane, 00:28:13.860 --> 00:28:14.380 people like 00:28:14.380 --> 00:28:14.740 Craig, 00:28:15.220 --> 00:28:15.860 others like 00:28:15.860 --> 00:28:16.180 them, 00:28:16.900 --> 00:28:17.519 so that they 00:28:17.519 --> 00:28:18.200 can go and 00:28:18.200 --> 00:28:18.880 do this 00:28:18.880 --> 00:28:19.600 work. 00:28:20.600 --> 00:28:21.039 Partners 00:28:21.039 --> 00:28:22.920 together in 00:28:22.920 --> 00:28:23.620 this work. 00:28:24.440 --> 00:28:25.059 And that is 00:28:25.059 --> 00:28:25.559 what we are 00:28:25.559 --> 00:28:26.240 seeking to do. 00:28:26.480 --> 00:28:27.140 You can check 00:28:27.140 --> 00:28:27.480 out our 00:28:27.480 --> 00:28:28.039 finances, 00:28:28.480 --> 00:28:28.960 ask Nick, 00:28:29.000 --> 00:28:29.480 he's not here 00:28:29.480 --> 00:28:29.860 today, 00:28:30.160 --> 00:28:30.819 ask one of the 00:28:30.819 --> 00:28:31.079 elders. 00:28:31.079 --> 00:28:32.059 we seek to 00:28:32.059 --> 00:28:32.980 give to 00:28:32.980 --> 00:28:33.720 this work. 00:28:34.779 --> 00:28:35.839 We give to 00:28:35.839 --> 00:28:36.439 help people 00:28:36.439 --> 00:28:37.039 like Craig 00:28:37.039 --> 00:28:37.659 Maiden in 00:28:37.659 --> 00:28:38.679 Kinsale to 00:28:38.679 --> 00:28:39.419 enable him 00:28:39.419 --> 00:28:40.359 to do that 00:28:40.359 --> 00:28:40.759 work. 00:28:41.519 --> 00:28:42.799 So, we 00:28:42.799 --> 00:28:44.399 give support 00:28:44.399 --> 00:28:45.579 financially 00:28:45.579 --> 00:28:48.059 and we do 00:28:48.059 --> 00:28:48.460 it while 00:28:48.460 --> 00:28:49.579 praying for 00:28:49.579 --> 00:28:50.419 gospel work. 00:28:51.059 --> 00:28:51.519 And we just 00:28:51.519 --> 00:28:52.199 finish briefly 00:28:52.199 --> 00:28:52.619 with this, 00:28:52.699 --> 00:28:53.299 verse 30. 00:28:53.980 --> 00:28:54.819 I urge you 00:28:54.819 --> 00:28:55.419 brothers and 00:28:55.419 --> 00:28:56.039 sisters, by 00:28:56.039 --> 00:28:56.480 the Lord 00:28:56.480 --> 00:28:57.199 Jesus Christ 00:28:57.199 --> 00:28:57.759 and by the 00:28:57.759 --> 00:28:58.159 love of the 00:28:58.159 --> 00:28:59.279 Spirit, join 00:28:59.279 --> 00:29:00.480 me in my 00:29:00.480 --> 00:29:01.839 struggle by 00:29:01.839 --> 00:29:02.500 praying to 00:29:02.500 --> 00:29:03.460 God for 00:29:03.460 --> 00:29:03.700 me. 00:29:03.900 --> 00:29:04.740 This work 00:29:04.740 --> 00:29:05.440 is a 00:29:05.440 --> 00:29:05.839 struggle. 00:29:06.819 --> 00:29:07.339 There will 00:29:07.339 --> 00:29:08.059 be opposition, 00:29:08.299 --> 00:29:08.620 there will 00:29:08.620 --> 00:29:09.500 be persecution. 00:29:10.019 --> 00:29:10.579 It's not 00:29:10.579 --> 00:29:12.460 easy to 00:29:12.460 --> 00:29:13.279 be at 00:29:13.279 --> 00:29:13.720 work in 00:29:13.720 --> 00:29:14.180 a town 00:29:14.180 --> 00:29:14.720 like 00:29:14.720 --> 00:29:15.160 passage. 00:29:15.299 --> 00:29:15.620 It's not 00:29:15.620 --> 00:29:16.240 easy to 00:29:16.240 --> 00:29:16.620 be a 00:29:16.620 --> 00:29:16.960 Christian, 00:29:17.059 --> 00:29:17.400 as we've 00:29:17.400 --> 00:29:17.720 been looking 00:29:17.720 --> 00:29:18.019 at in 00:29:18.019 --> 00:29:18.539 1 Peter, 00:29:18.740 --> 00:29:19.299 where you 00:29:19.299 --> 00:29:19.680 go to 00:29:19.680 --> 00:29:20.160 work and 00:29:20.160 --> 00:29:20.460 in your 00:29:20.460 --> 00:29:21.000 college and 00:29:21.000 --> 00:29:21.299 in your 00:29:21.299 --> 00:29:21.579 school. 00:29:21.779 --> 00:29:22.120 It's 00:29:22.120 --> 00:29:22.519 hard, 00:29:22.620 --> 00:29:22.839 it's 00:29:22.839 --> 00:29:23.279 tough. 00:29:24.339 --> 00:29:24.759 And so 00:29:24.759 --> 00:29:25.120 we need 00:29:25.120 --> 00:29:25.799 the prayer 00:29:25.799 --> 00:29:27.120 support of 00:29:27.120 --> 00:29:27.700 one another. 00:29:27.920 --> 00:29:28.500 We cannot 00:29:28.500 --> 00:29:29.000 do it 00:29:29.000 --> 00:29:29.400 alone. 00:29:30.480 --> 00:29:31.140 And we 00:29:31.140 --> 00:29:31.880 must never 00:29:31.880 --> 00:29:33.360 underestimate the 00:29:33.360 --> 00:29:34.360 power of 00:29:34.360 --> 00:29:34.740 prayer. 00:29:35.160 --> 00:29:35.599 Look at his 00:29:35.599 --> 00:29:35.960 prayer. 00:29:37.500 --> 00:29:38.240 Pray, verse 00:29:38.240 --> 00:29:39.680 31, that I 00:29:39.680 --> 00:29:40.500 may be rescued 00:29:40.500 --> 00:29:41.079 from the 00:29:41.079 --> 00:29:42.079 unbelievers in 00:29:42.079 --> 00:29:43.279 Judea, that my 00:29:43.279 --> 00:29:44.059 service in 00:29:44.059 --> 00:29:44.880 Jerusalem may be 00:29:44.880 --> 00:29:45.900 acceptable to the 00:29:45.900 --> 00:29:46.900 saints there, so 00:29:46.900 --> 00:29:47.940 that by God's 00:29:47.940 --> 00:29:49.120 will I may come 00:29:49.120 --> 00:29:49.900 to you with 00:29:49.900 --> 00:29:51.059 joy together 00:29:51.059 --> 00:29:52.240 with you and 00:29:52.240 --> 00:29:53.440 be refreshed. 00:29:54.980 --> 00:29:55.519 You know, 00:29:55.660 --> 00:29:56.339 Paul on his 00:29:56.339 --> 00:29:58.099 journeys went 00:29:58.099 --> 00:29:58.919 to Jerusalem. 00:29:59.439 --> 00:30:00.079 When he 00:30:00.079 --> 00:30:01.000 arrived in 00:30:01.000 --> 00:30:02.799 Jerusalem, he 00:30:02.799 --> 00:30:04.659 was lynched. 00:30:05.419 --> 00:30:05.819 They were 00:30:05.819 --> 00:30:06.759 vying for his 00:30:06.759 --> 00:30:07.099 blood. 00:30:07.439 --> 00:30:07.719 They were 00:30:07.719 --> 00:30:08.299 wanting to 00:30:08.299 --> 00:30:08.699 kill him. 00:30:08.899 --> 00:30:09.379 The only 00:30:09.379 --> 00:30:09.939 way that he 00:30:09.939 --> 00:30:10.599 actually got 00:30:10.599 --> 00:30:11.519 security and 00:30:11.519 --> 00:30:12.179 protection was 00:30:12.179 --> 00:30:12.519 when the 00:30:12.519 --> 00:30:13.240 Roman soldiers 00:30:13.240 --> 00:30:13.980 came in and 00:30:13.980 --> 00:30:15.099 arrested him and 00:30:15.099 --> 00:30:15.599 put him in 00:30:15.599 --> 00:30:15.879 prison. 00:30:16.099 --> 00:30:16.599 That was the 00:30:16.599 --> 00:30:17.079 only way he 00:30:17.079 --> 00:30:17.579 could be kept 00:30:17.579 --> 00:30:18.039 safe. 00:30:18.599 --> 00:30:19.199 They put him 00:30:19.199 --> 00:30:19.919 on a ship 00:30:19.919 --> 00:30:21.199 that got 00:30:21.199 --> 00:30:23.639 shipwrecked and 00:30:23.639 --> 00:30:24.339 eventually he 00:30:24.339 --> 00:30:25.619 ended up in 00:30:25.619 --> 00:30:26.879 Rome under 00:30:26.880 --> 00:30:28.080 house arrest. 00:30:28.580 --> 00:30:29.580 His prayer to 00:30:29.580 --> 00:30:30.100 them at this 00:30:30.100 --> 00:30:30.760 point is saying 00:30:30.760 --> 00:30:31.700 pray that I 00:30:31.700 --> 00:30:32.420 will get to 00:30:32.420 --> 00:30:32.860 Rome and 00:30:32.860 --> 00:30:33.220 that I will 00:30:33.220 --> 00:30:33.700 be able to 00:30:33.700 --> 00:30:34.300 continue on 00:30:34.300 --> 00:30:34.920 my ministry. 00:30:35.840 --> 00:30:36.600 God answered 00:30:36.600 --> 00:30:38.020 that prayer but 00:30:38.020 --> 00:30:38.760 he ended up in 00:30:38.760 --> 00:30:39.720 prison and he 00:30:39.720 --> 00:30:40.620 got shipwrecked 00:30:40.620 --> 00:30:41.480 but God 00:30:41.480 --> 00:30:42.080 answered the 00:30:42.080 --> 00:30:42.360 prayer. 00:30:43.140 --> 00:30:43.740 He kept him 00:30:43.740 --> 00:30:44.300 and preserved 00:30:44.300 --> 00:30:45.260 him to enable 00:30:45.260 --> 00:30:45.820 him to do 00:30:45.820 --> 00:30:46.320 what he had 00:30:46.320 --> 00:30:46.780 to do. 00:30:47.700 --> 00:30:48.120 Don't 00:30:48.120 --> 00:30:49.060 underestimate 00:30:49.060 --> 00:30:50.360 the power of 00:30:50.360 --> 00:30:51.080 your prayers 00:30:51.080 --> 00:30:52.000 for your 00:30:52.000 --> 00:30:52.580 brothers and 00:30:52.580 --> 00:30:53.600 sisters at 00:30:53.600 --> 00:30:54.580 work in 00:30:54.580 --> 00:30:55.160 this way. 00:30:56.020 --> 00:30:56.840 That is why 00:30:56.839 --> 00:30:58.240 we are asking 00:30:58.240 --> 00:30:59.480 us to pray 00:30:59.480 --> 00:31:00.099 when we are 00:31:00.099 --> 00:31:00.579 in our home 00:31:00.579 --> 00:31:01.419 groups for 00:31:01.419 --> 00:31:02.039 this work. 00:31:02.579 --> 00:31:03.419 Pray that 00:31:03.419 --> 00:31:04.699 people's eyes 00:31:04.699 --> 00:31:05.379 would be opened 00:31:05.379 --> 00:31:05.919 up to the 00:31:05.919 --> 00:31:06.459 truth of the 00:31:06.459 --> 00:31:06.699 gospel. 00:31:06.839 --> 00:31:07.139 That their 00:31:07.139 --> 00:31:07.959 ears would be 00:31:07.959 --> 00:31:08.659 unlocked to 00:31:08.659 --> 00:31:10.819 understand who 00:31:10.819 --> 00:31:11.679 Jesus is. 00:31:12.299 --> 00:31:12.919 Pray that in 00:31:12.919 --> 00:31:13.519 the midst of 00:31:13.519 --> 00:31:14.240 the toughness 00:31:14.240 --> 00:31:14.579 and the 00:31:14.579 --> 00:31:15.339 difficulty of 00:31:15.339 --> 00:31:15.759 the work 00:31:15.759 --> 00:31:16.899 churches will 00:31:16.899 --> 00:31:17.500 be planted. 00:31:18.459 --> 00:31:19.419 Never ever 00:31:19.419 --> 00:31:20.839 underestimate the 00:31:20.839 --> 00:31:22.179 power of 00:31:22.179 --> 00:31:23.299 prayer as we 00:31:23.299 --> 00:31:24.319 talk to God. 00:31:25.319 --> 00:31:25.939 This is the 00:31:25.940 --> 00:31:26.420 way in which 00:31:26.420 --> 00:31:27.100 we partner 00:31:27.100 --> 00:31:28.200 for each 00:31:28.200 --> 00:31:28.580 other. 00:31:29.720 --> 00:31:30.080 And I 00:31:30.080 --> 00:31:30.420 want to 00:31:30.420 --> 00:31:31.200 encourage us 00:31:31.200 --> 00:31:32.160 as a 00:31:32.160 --> 00:31:33.080 church as 00:31:33.080 --> 00:31:33.720 we have 00:31:33.720 --> 00:31:34.460 been praying 00:31:34.460 --> 00:31:35.900 keep on 00:31:35.900 --> 00:31:36.279 praying. 00:31:36.519 --> 00:31:37.180 As you 00:31:37.180 --> 00:31:38.019 have been 00:31:38.019 --> 00:31:39.180 giving keep 00:31:39.180 --> 00:31:39.840 on giving. 00:31:40.340 --> 00:31:40.900 As you 00:31:40.900 --> 00:31:41.660 seek to 00:31:41.660 --> 00:31:42.279 reach out 00:31:42.279 --> 00:31:43.100 and partner 00:31:43.100 --> 00:31:43.559 with the 00:31:43.559 --> 00:31:44.720 churches keep 00:31:44.720 --> 00:31:45.480 doing it 00:31:45.480 --> 00:31:46.279 more and 00:31:46.279 --> 00:31:47.019 more with 00:31:47.019 --> 00:31:47.580 the promise 00:31:47.580 --> 00:31:48.140 of God 00:31:48.140 --> 00:31:49.500 that with 00:31:49.500 --> 00:31:50.140 his power 00:31:50.140 --> 00:31:51.320 he will 00:31:51.320 --> 00:31:52.680 change lives. 00:31:52.680 --> 00:31:56.039 so the 00:31:56.039 --> 00:31:56.580 purpose of 00:31:56.580 --> 00:31:57.180 the church 00:31:57.180 --> 00:31:58.740 proclaiming 00:31:58.740 --> 00:31:59.320 the gospel 00:31:59.320 --> 00:31:59.980 of Christ 00:31:59.980 --> 00:32:01.100 to all 00:32:01.100 --> 00:32:02.340 peoples in 00:32:02.340 --> 00:32:03.039 all places 00:32:03.039 --> 00:32:04.640 to partner 00:32:04.640 --> 00:32:05.539 with churches 00:32:05.539 --> 00:32:06.820 who will 00:32:06.820 --> 00:32:07.440 preach this 00:32:07.440 --> 00:32:08.180 same gospel 00:32:08.180 --> 00:32:09.759 to see new 00:32:09.759 --> 00:32:10.600 churches planted. 00:32:11.200 --> 00:32:12.080 Give thanks 00:32:12.080 --> 00:32:12.799 for what God 00:32:12.799 --> 00:32:13.320 has done 00:32:13.320 --> 00:32:14.820 and let us 00:32:14.820 --> 00:32:15.840 together continue 00:32:15.840 --> 00:32:16.680 to work on 00:32:16.680 --> 00:32:18.279 in all that 00:32:18.279 --> 00:32:18.820 he will do. 00:32:19.420 --> 00:32:20.180 Let's pray 00:32:20.180 --> 00:32:20.620 together. 00:32:20.619 --> 00:32:31.379 Father thank 00:32:31.379 --> 00:32:31.919 you for 00:32:31.919 --> 00:32:32.619 giving us 00:32:32.619 --> 00:32:33.519 an insight 00:32:33.519 --> 00:32:35.379 into the 00:32:35.379 --> 00:32:35.879 work that 00:32:35.879 --> 00:32:36.419 you have 00:32:36.419 --> 00:32:37.119 been doing 00:32:37.119 --> 00:32:37.979 through the 00:32:37.979 --> 00:32:38.519 centuries 00:32:38.519 --> 00:32:40.159 through people 00:32:40.159 --> 00:32:40.899 like Paul 00:32:40.899 --> 00:32:42.239 through the 00:32:42.239 --> 00:32:42.819 church in 00:32:42.819 --> 00:32:43.119 Rome. 00:32:44.399 --> 00:32:45.299 Thank you 00:32:45.299 --> 00:32:46.039 that as we 00:32:46.039 --> 00:32:46.719 follow that 00:32:46.719 --> 00:32:47.419 story 00:32:47.419 --> 00:32:49.359 right up to 00:32:49.359 --> 00:32:50.099 now we see 00:32:50.099 --> 00:32:51.000 churches across 00:32:51.000 --> 00:32:51.539 the world 00:32:51.539 --> 00:32:52.879 following that 00:32:52.879 --> 00:32:53.619 same vision. 00:32:55.219 --> 00:32:56.039 Thank you 00:32:56.039 --> 00:32:56.559 that people 00:32:56.559 --> 00:32:57.139 have come to 00:32:57.139 --> 00:32:58.299 see and 00:32:58.299 --> 00:32:58.779 understand. 00:32:59.719 --> 00:33:00.359 Thank you 00:33:00.359 --> 00:33:00.879 that this 00:33:00.879 --> 00:33:01.639 island in 00:33:01.639 --> 00:33:02.019 which we 00:33:02.019 --> 00:33:03.379 live has 00:33:03.379 --> 00:33:04.419 many churches 00:33:04.419 --> 00:33:05.759 and many 00:33:05.759 --> 00:33:06.319 people who 00:33:06.319 --> 00:33:06.719 love you 00:33:06.719 --> 00:33:07.179 and follow 00:33:07.179 --> 00:33:07.459 you. 00:33:08.240 --> 00:33:08.899 Thank you 00:33:08.899 --> 00:33:09.240 for the 00:33:09.240 --> 00:33:09.980 believers that 00:33:09.980 --> 00:33:10.439 are gathered 00:33:10.439 --> 00:33:11.199 here today. 00:33:11.599 --> 00:33:12.199 Thank you 00:33:12.199 --> 00:33:12.899 for saving 00:33:12.899 --> 00:33:13.599 each one. 00:33:14.240 --> 00:33:14.599 Thank you 00:33:14.599 --> 00:33:15.179 for bringing 00:33:15.180 --> 00:33:15.600 them to 00:33:15.600 --> 00:33:16.039 Christ. 00:33:16.039 --> 00:33:16.759 Thank you 00:33:16.759 --> 00:33:17.200 for giving 00:33:17.200 --> 00:33:17.640 them the 00:33:17.640 --> 00:33:18.799 hope that 00:33:18.799 --> 00:33:19.440 they have. 00:33:20.740 --> 00:33:21.160 And we 00:33:21.160 --> 00:33:21.920 pray Father 00:33:21.920 --> 00:33:23.560 that we 00:33:23.560 --> 00:33:24.019 would take 00:33:24.019 --> 00:33:24.480 on board 00:33:24.480 --> 00:33:25.200 this wonderful 00:33:25.200 --> 00:33:26.960 promise that 00:33:26.960 --> 00:33:27.600 you would yet 00:33:27.600 --> 00:33:28.200 see your 00:33:28.200 --> 00:33:29.100 salvation go 00:33:29.100 --> 00:33:29.920 to the ends 00:33:29.920 --> 00:33:30.799 of this 00:33:30.799 --> 00:33:31.259 earth. 00:33:31.519 --> 00:33:32.420 Not just 00:33:32.420 --> 00:33:33.560 here in 00:33:33.560 --> 00:33:34.680 Cork but 00:33:34.680 --> 00:33:35.360 beyond the 00:33:35.360 --> 00:33:36.080 boundaries to 00:33:36.080 --> 00:33:36.660 the rest of 00:33:36.660 --> 00:33:37.560 Ireland and 00:33:37.560 --> 00:33:38.320 beyond Ireland 00:33:38.320 --> 00:33:38.960 to the rest 00:33:38.960 --> 00:33:39.560 of the world. 00:33:39.559 --> 00:33:41.119 that you 00:33:41.119 --> 00:33:41.700 would accomplish 00:33:41.700 --> 00:33:43.179 your work in 00:33:43.179 --> 00:33:43.859 the power of 00:33:43.859 --> 00:33:44.539 your spirit 00:33:44.539 --> 00:33:45.779 through your 00:33:45.779 --> 00:33:46.179 people. 00:33:46.940 --> 00:33:47.859 So please 00:33:47.859 --> 00:33:48.659 encourage us 00:33:48.659 --> 00:33:49.099 today. 00:33:50.200 --> 00:33:50.919 Please Father 00:33:50.919 --> 00:33:51.819 do your work 00:33:51.819 --> 00:33:53.399 in this area. 00:33:54.539 --> 00:33:55.359 Raise people 00:33:55.359 --> 00:33:55.700 up. 00:33:56.480 --> 00:33:57.299 Call people 00:33:57.299 --> 00:33:58.599 who will do 00:33:58.599 --> 00:33:59.259 this work 00:33:59.259 --> 00:34:00.480 for your 00:34:00.480 --> 00:34:01.419 honour and 00:34:01.419 --> 00:34:01.960 for your 00:34:01.960 --> 00:34:02.359 glory. 00:34:03.059 --> 00:34:03.559 We pray 00:34:03.559 --> 00:34:04.000 this in 00:34:04.000 --> 00:34:04.720 Jesus name. 00:34:05.500 --> 00:34:05.859 Amen.