WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:11.980 The 1980s philosopher Phil Collins once wrote, you always need to hear both sides of the story. 00:00:11.980 --> 00:00:15.980 ! 00:00:30.000 --> 00:00:40.519 The first explanation is about people, people that God used to persuade you, to speak to you about the gospel. 00:00:42.079 --> 00:00:51.079 The second explanation of how you became a follower of the Lord Jesus is about the grace of God and God's total undeserved kindness. 00:00:51.560 --> 00:00:52.820 Both those things are true. 00:00:53.980 --> 00:00:59.920 People come to faith because of the work of other people and because of the work of God. 00:01:00.759 --> 00:01:02.259 At the end of the day they're the same thing, aren't they? 00:01:03.479 --> 00:01:08.879 And in actual fact that reflects a reality that is true all the way through this book of Acts. 00:01:09.400 --> 00:01:11.060 What I'm going to call two stories. 00:01:11.620 --> 00:01:16.180 There's the story of what the early church and the early Christians were doing. 00:01:16.659 --> 00:01:20.280 But there's also the story of what Jesus was doing by his spirit. 00:01:21.500 --> 00:01:24.039 Acts is rightly called, isn't it, the Acts of the Apostles. 00:01:24.159 --> 00:01:27.079 But it could also be called the Acts of God. 00:01:27.079 --> 00:01:30.359 Both those stories are important. 00:01:31.239 --> 00:01:33.099 And they are inextricably linked. 00:01:33.500 --> 00:01:37.340 You always need to hear both sides of the story. 00:01:38.519 --> 00:01:46.319 And so as we come to this chapter in Acts 19, what I want to do is I want to really talk you through the chapter in kind of four different headings. 00:01:46.780 --> 00:01:51.799 And then I want to go back over the story and give you four things that God is doing. 00:01:51.799 --> 00:01:54.140 So really there's eight points. 00:01:54.899 --> 00:01:56.620 But I didn't want to tell you that. 00:01:56.819 --> 00:01:57.459 Four really. 00:01:59.079 --> 00:01:59.899 Versus one to seven. 00:02:00.479 --> 00:02:00.920 Can you look it down? 00:02:02.060 --> 00:02:03.979 It's Paul and the disciples with John. 00:02:04.299 --> 00:02:05.459 Paul and the disciples of John. 00:02:05.459 --> 00:02:10.759 He's been in Ephesus chapter 18. 00:02:10.919 --> 00:02:11.759 You might remember that. 00:02:12.500 --> 00:02:15.379 And the Ephesians have gone to him and said, Paul, can't you stay a little bit longer? 00:02:16.159 --> 00:02:16.900 Paul has declined. 00:02:18.459 --> 00:02:22.560 Nevertheless, he told them, I will come back if God allowed him to. 00:02:22.840 --> 00:02:25.919 And so here is Paul and the return of Paul to Ephesus. 00:02:25.919 --> 00:02:31.099 And when he gets there, the first people that he meets are disciples of John the Baptist. 00:02:32.500 --> 00:02:34.839 And they obviously see themselves as believers. 00:02:36.060 --> 00:02:39.519 But for some reason, Paul is not sure they've got the same picture. 00:02:40.159 --> 00:02:42.779 So he asks them, have you received the Holy Spirit? 00:02:44.000 --> 00:02:46.019 They say, received the Holy Spirit? 00:02:46.060 --> 00:02:47.339 We haven't even heard of the Holy Spirit. 00:02:48.859 --> 00:02:50.659 And so Paul asks them about their baptism. 00:02:50.659 --> 00:02:55.139 And they admit, well, we received the baptism for the forgiveness of sins of John the Baptist. 00:02:56.859 --> 00:03:00.119 So Paul helps them to understand, doesn't he, things more fully. 00:03:00.419 --> 00:03:07.079 The first thing he does is, he says, you need to know that John's ministry, I was pointing forward. 00:03:07.379 --> 00:03:09.519 It was pointing to the one who came after him. 00:03:10.519 --> 00:03:12.439 So look again at verse 4 of the chapter. 00:03:14.539 --> 00:03:17.339 Paul said, John baptized with the baptism of repentance. 00:03:18.179 --> 00:03:21.659 Telling the people to believe in the one who was to come after him. 00:03:21.739 --> 00:03:22.359 That is Jesus. 00:03:22.360 --> 00:03:25.900 And so Paul baptizes them again. 00:03:26.360 --> 00:03:29.100 And he baptizes them into the name of Jesus. 00:03:31.100 --> 00:03:33.500 Paul places his hands upon them. 00:03:33.960 --> 00:03:35.540 And the Holy Spirit came to them. 00:03:36.540 --> 00:03:37.900 They speak in tongues. 00:03:38.440 --> 00:03:39.100 And prophesied. 00:03:39.460 --> 00:03:42.620 Again, it is a picture, isn't it, of a mini Pentecost. 00:03:43.780 --> 00:03:44.700 That is the point. 00:03:44.900 --> 00:03:46.460 What is happening here is unique. 00:03:46.460 --> 00:03:49.280 It is quite unique. 00:03:50.500 --> 00:04:00.120 Because you and I, when we believed in the Lord Jesus Christ, the moment that we believe in him, we receive the Holy Spirit. 00:04:00.120 --> 00:04:08.219 People don't, ordinarily, break into tongues or prophecy. 00:04:09.400 --> 00:04:13.900 This is an unusual time in the history of the church. 00:04:14.800 --> 00:04:17.420 The Old Testament era has come to an end in many ways. 00:04:17.759 --> 00:04:21.079 John the Baptist is the era's final prophet. 00:04:21.079 --> 00:04:26.319 And the New Testament era has arrived with the coming of Jesus and the coming of the Spirit. 00:04:27.459 --> 00:04:30.359 So this is, in the book of Acts, a transitional time. 00:04:32.500 --> 00:04:37.879 And here we find people who have not made the switch on that day of Pentecost. 00:04:37.879 --> 00:04:48.060 The speaking of tongues and prophecy were a sign given to the early church of this new era's arrival. 00:04:48.259 --> 00:04:55.100 We mustn't expect what went on in the early church, in that foundational period, to be mirrored exactly today. 00:04:57.459 --> 00:05:01.839 And that's why elements of Pentecost are again seen in Acts chapter 19. 00:05:03.079 --> 00:05:05.899 These people must know Christ and they must have his Spirit. 00:05:05.899 --> 00:05:08.799 And so Paul is seeking a servant at the end. 00:05:08.839 --> 00:05:09.500 That's the first section. 00:05:09.579 --> 00:05:11.639 The second section, and Paul preaches publicly. 00:05:13.219 --> 00:05:13.939 8 to 11. 00:05:15.859 --> 00:05:17.819 Paul, usual strategy, where does he go? 00:05:17.919 --> 00:05:20.500 First of all, first stop in town, you go to the synagogue. 00:05:20.779 --> 00:05:21.560 To the Jew first. 00:05:23.079 --> 00:05:26.139 The Jews, many Jews, as per normal, refused to believe, 00:05:26.259 --> 00:05:29.120 despite Paul spending three months there arguing. 00:05:29.799 --> 00:05:33.120 And very persuasively, many had hard hearts. 00:05:33.120 --> 00:05:36.199 They're described in verse 19, aren't they? 00:05:36.240 --> 00:05:37.360 As stubborn, as obstinate. 00:05:38.319 --> 00:05:40.980 They publicly criticise the Christian faith. 00:05:41.300 --> 00:05:43.240 They refer to it as the way. 00:05:43.439 --> 00:05:45.240 That's what the Christian faith was first known as. 00:05:45.519 --> 00:05:46.220 The way. 00:05:47.740 --> 00:05:49.660 I think it's referring back to Jesus saying, 00:05:49.879 --> 00:05:50.939 I am the way. 00:05:51.459 --> 00:05:52.740 The truth and the life. 00:05:53.959 --> 00:05:56.500 And so as a result, Paul leaves the synagogue and goes elsewhere. 00:05:56.500 --> 00:06:00.180 And he chooses to rent a lecture hall, a town hall, 00:06:00.420 --> 00:06:02.920 where he's able to hold a lunchtime service. 00:06:04.420 --> 00:06:05.740 With people who wanted to come. 00:06:06.300 --> 00:06:07.519 People who wanted to engage. 00:06:08.120 --> 00:06:10.740 Amazingly, he preached at lunchtimes for two years. 00:06:12.660 --> 00:06:15.100 And the outcome, according, well, it's remarkable. 00:06:15.199 --> 00:06:16.040 Listen, look at verse 10. 00:06:16.040 --> 00:06:20.520 It continued for two years, Paul speaking in this lecture hall, 00:06:20.720 --> 00:06:24.360 so that all the residents of Asia heard the word of the Lord, 00:06:24.439 --> 00:06:25.240 both Jews and Greeks. 00:06:25.340 --> 00:06:26.840 That is an astonishing statement. 00:06:28.540 --> 00:06:32.379 All the Jews and all the Greeks. 00:06:33.560 --> 00:06:35.020 Well, that is kind of everyone, isn't it? 00:06:37.259 --> 00:06:40.840 Presumably, that doesn't mean that everyone came and visited the lecture hall in Tyrannus 00:06:40.840 --> 00:06:42.360 and heard Paul speak. 00:06:42.360 --> 00:06:48.500 But I think it's trying to suggest to you and I that those who heard Paul in that lecture hall 00:06:48.500 --> 00:06:50.360 and maybe debated with him, 00:06:50.520 --> 00:06:53.920 they went back to their towns and their villages all over Asia 00:06:53.920 --> 00:06:56.259 and they talked about that message 00:06:56.259 --> 00:06:58.460 so that the news about Jesus spread everywhere. 00:06:59.939 --> 00:07:03.740 The reach of Paul's ministry in this way is incredible. 00:07:05.639 --> 00:07:07.639 And I guess that's another reminder to you, isn't it? 00:07:07.639 --> 00:07:12.560 That obstinate opposition and public criticism 00:07:12.560 --> 00:07:15.919 cannot stop the gospel of the Lord Jesus. 00:07:17.839 --> 00:07:19.979 Thirdly, and we turn to verses 11 to 22, 00:07:20.120 --> 00:07:22.259 and we see there the power of God at work. 00:07:24.399 --> 00:07:26.560 Verse 11 and 12 tell us about these miracles 00:07:26.560 --> 00:07:28.740 that Paul was able to perform. 00:07:29.979 --> 00:07:34.259 Verse 11, God was doing extraordinary miracles by the hands of Paul, 00:07:34.259 --> 00:07:40.060 so that even handkerchiefs or aprons that had touched his skin 00:07:40.060 --> 00:07:41.279 were carried away to the sick 00:07:41.279 --> 00:07:42.959 and their diseases left him 00:07:42.959 --> 00:07:45.039 and the evil spirits came out of them. 00:07:45.120 --> 00:07:46.139 This is unique, isn't it? 00:07:47.959 --> 00:07:50.319 Other people in Ephesus, I'm hearing about this, 00:07:50.379 --> 00:07:52.439 they saw this, they thought it's very, very exciting 00:07:52.439 --> 00:07:54.319 and suddenly they want a slice of the action. 00:07:56.899 --> 00:07:58.899 I was telling somebody this week who was my age 00:07:58.899 --> 00:08:00.359 and we were talking about when you were in school. 00:08:00.599 --> 00:08:04.259 Do you remember on a Monday or a Tuesday of the week, 00:08:04.419 --> 00:08:06.079 somebody would come into school with a yo-yo? 00:08:06.779 --> 00:08:07.579 Do you know what a yo-yo is? 00:08:08.399 --> 00:08:11.739 And by Friday, everyone in the school had a yo-yo. 00:08:12.399 --> 00:08:13.919 It was this astonishing thing, wasn't it? 00:08:14.139 --> 00:08:15.579 Do you children know what a yo-yo is? 00:08:15.939 --> 00:08:16.879 You don't know what it is, do you? 00:08:17.899 --> 00:08:19.339 Ask your parents about what a yo-yo is. 00:08:19.500 --> 00:08:21.319 But it was this astonishing craze, wasn't it? 00:08:21.759 --> 00:08:22.459 Everyone had a yo-yo. 00:08:22.500 --> 00:08:23.879 If you didn't have a yo-yo by the end of the week, 00:08:23.959 --> 00:08:25.079 you were badgering the amount of time. 00:08:25.120 --> 00:08:26.219 You felt terribly left out. 00:08:26.220 --> 00:08:31.360 Well, something similar is happening in verses 11 and 12. 00:08:31.480 --> 00:08:34.040 I told these seven sons of Sceva, they're magicians. 00:08:35.379 --> 00:08:36.840 They look at what Paul is doing 00:08:36.840 --> 00:08:39.320 and they think we've got to get a piece of this action. 00:08:41.480 --> 00:08:46.120 But the name of Jesus is not some talisman for these people. 00:08:46.340 --> 00:08:47.820 It's gone, pear-shaped. 00:08:49.340 --> 00:08:51.779 Verse 16, you have this extraordinary incident. 00:08:51.899 --> 00:08:53.080 The evil spirit answered them, 00:08:53.139 --> 00:08:55.200 Jesus I know, Paul I recognize, but who are you? 00:08:56.220 --> 00:08:59.160 And the man in whom was the evil spirit leapt on them, 00:08:59.300 --> 00:09:01.100 mastered all of them, overpowered them. 00:09:01.279 --> 00:09:04.040 So they fled out the house naked and wounded. 00:09:06.379 --> 00:09:08.660 But God is at work even in this, isn't he? 00:09:11.240 --> 00:09:14.139 People of Ephesus, as a result of this, 00:09:14.220 --> 00:09:16.820 came to realize that what Paul was doing was not magic. 00:09:16.820 --> 00:09:21.020 He really did have the power of God. 00:09:22.300 --> 00:09:24.000 Listen to what verse 17 says. 00:09:24.340 --> 00:09:26.860 When this became known to the Jews and Greeks living in Ephesus, 00:09:27.100 --> 00:09:28.860 they were all seized with fear. 00:09:31.080 --> 00:09:33.520 And the name of the Lord Jesus was held high in honor. 00:09:33.519 --> 00:09:38.759 But if you read on, people weren't just awed, 00:09:39.460 --> 00:09:41.199 they were also repentant. 00:09:43.019 --> 00:09:47.199 Verse 18 and 19 tells us that they came and they confessed to what they'd done. 00:09:47.919 --> 00:09:49.019 They confessed their sin. 00:09:49.539 --> 00:09:51.019 Sorcerers, these magic men, 00:09:52.079 --> 00:09:55.559 came and publicly burnt their sorcerer's scrolls 00:09:55.559 --> 00:09:57.720 at huge personal cost, we're told. 00:09:57.720 --> 00:10:02.300 People were turning from darkness to light, 00:10:02.399 --> 00:10:03.899 from the occult to the gospel, 00:10:04.920 --> 00:10:07.860 turning from their sins in repentance to the Lord. 00:10:09.620 --> 00:10:11.540 And Paul summarizes it, doesn't he, in verse 20, 00:10:11.680 --> 00:10:13.639 the word of the Lord, we've seen it before, 00:10:14.120 --> 00:10:15.800 spread widely, grew in power. 00:10:18.019 --> 00:10:21.180 The last section, verses 23 to 41, is the big uproar. 00:10:22.300 --> 00:10:23.360 The big uproar. 00:10:23.360 --> 00:10:28.759 A big uproar was caused by the ministry of the gospel in Ephesus. 00:10:29.800 --> 00:10:31.399 Verse 23 calls it 00:10:31.399 --> 00:10:34.840 a great disturbance. 00:10:35.759 --> 00:10:37.279 No little disturbance. 00:10:38.840 --> 00:10:41.379 It starts with a guy called Demetrius, he's a silversmith. 00:10:42.800 --> 00:10:46.060 And he stirs up his fellow silversmiths in Ephesus, 00:10:46.440 --> 00:10:48.379 all of whom made a lot of money 00:10:48.379 --> 00:10:53.600 out of creating shrines to the local goddess of the time, Artemis. 00:10:55.340 --> 00:10:57.580 And these guys have a bit of an economic problem, 00:10:57.899 --> 00:11:00.799 because as people hear the gospel of the Lord Jesus, 00:11:01.120 --> 00:11:04.240 they're starting to repent and turn away from their idolatry. 00:11:05.919 --> 00:11:08.379 And as a result, there's less work for these guys to do, 00:11:08.539 --> 00:11:10.600 and there's less trade for these guys to sell. 00:11:12.799 --> 00:11:15.600 And the Artemis idol industry is suffering. 00:11:15.600 --> 00:11:20.600 They can see their monthly bank balances getting smaller, 00:11:21.720 --> 00:11:24.800 and the Christian church across the road getting bigger. 00:11:26.879 --> 00:11:29.960 And when Demetrius tries to convince the other silversmiths 00:11:29.960 --> 00:11:30.980 to do something about it, 00:11:31.860 --> 00:11:34.279 he doesn't make it sound like his motive is money, does he? 00:11:35.820 --> 00:11:39.779 He makes it sound that he's very concerned for the goddess Artemis, 00:11:40.840 --> 00:11:42.820 and her worship. 00:11:42.820 --> 00:11:46.220 Listen to what he says in verse 27. 00:11:48.100 --> 00:11:50.920 And there is a danger that not only this trade of ours 00:11:50.920 --> 00:11:52.220 may come into disrepute, 00:11:52.379 --> 00:11:54.820 but also that the temple of the great goddess Artemis 00:11:55.420 --> 00:11:57.020 may be counted as nothing, 00:11:57.240 --> 00:12:00.760 and she may even be deposed from her magnificence, 00:12:01.120 --> 00:12:04.400 she whom all Asia and the world worship. 00:12:07.140 --> 00:12:09.000 The little speech is very effective. 00:12:09.000 --> 00:12:13.399 All the tradesmen that have got together to listen, 00:12:14.159 --> 00:12:14.960 and Demetrius, 00:12:15.120 --> 00:12:16.960 they are roused by this speech, 00:12:17.299 --> 00:12:18.519 and they start shouting, 00:12:19.340 --> 00:12:21.220 Great is Artemis of the Ephesians! 00:12:21.600 --> 00:12:23.759 Great is Artemis of the Ephesians! 00:12:25.220 --> 00:12:26.580 And before you know it, 00:12:27.279 --> 00:12:29.980 the whole city is up in arms. 00:12:30.120 --> 00:12:31.200 There's an angry mob. 00:12:31.200 --> 00:12:34.860 And they're looking for a scapegoat, 00:12:35.220 --> 00:12:37.740 and so they lay their hands on a couple of Paul's colleagues, 00:12:37.940 --> 00:12:39.000 Gaius and Aristarchus, 00:12:39.379 --> 00:12:41.460 and they take them to the theatre. 00:12:43.600 --> 00:12:45.520 Paul wants to go and speak in their defence, 00:12:45.660 --> 00:12:47.160 but his friends talk him out of the commotion. 00:12:48.640 --> 00:12:49.580 And so verse 32, 00:12:49.580 --> 00:12:52.320 most of the crowd are in such an uproar, 00:12:52.360 --> 00:12:53.520 they don't even know why they're there. 00:12:55.000 --> 00:12:56.800 They're just swept up in the moment. 00:12:59.440 --> 00:13:01.060 A Jewish man, Alexander, at that point, 00:13:01.139 --> 00:13:01.940 stands up, 00:13:02.639 --> 00:13:03.820 and he speaks to the crowd, 00:13:03.900 --> 00:13:04.740 but he's shouted down, 00:13:06.000 --> 00:13:08.040 Great is Artemis of the Ephesians! 00:13:08.200 --> 00:13:10.340 Great is Artemis of the Ephesians! 00:13:10.340 --> 00:13:13.460 Well, in the end, 00:13:13.519 --> 00:13:14.620 the authorities get wind of it, 00:13:14.680 --> 00:13:15.740 the city clerk turns up, 00:13:15.780 --> 00:13:17.780 and he manages to settle the whole thing down. 00:13:19.580 --> 00:13:20.759 And he urges the people, 00:13:20.940 --> 00:13:21.920 don't get so worked up. 00:13:24.420 --> 00:13:26.580 As if the great god Artemis 00:13:26.580 --> 00:13:28.360 needs you to defend her. 00:13:30.340 --> 00:13:33.000 He reminds the crowd that Gaius and Aristarchus, 00:13:33.060 --> 00:13:34.220 they're not guilty of any crime. 00:13:35.440 --> 00:13:37.780 And he says that if Demetrius and his mates 00:13:37.780 --> 00:13:38.860 want to make a complaint, 00:13:38.860 --> 00:13:39.759 go to the courts, 00:13:40.340 --> 00:13:42.500 and he sends them all home. 00:13:45.620 --> 00:13:47.639 I guess it's a little reminder to you and I, 00:13:47.720 --> 00:13:49.680 that God sometimes will use 00:13:49.680 --> 00:13:52.660 secular officials to provide justice 00:13:52.660 --> 00:13:54.560 and to protect his people 00:13:54.560 --> 00:13:58.139 as they speak about his word. 00:13:59.700 --> 00:14:01.399 It won't always be like that, 00:14:01.540 --> 00:14:03.120 but sometimes it will be like that, isn't it? 00:14:03.120 --> 00:14:03.800 That's what we're praying 00:14:03.800 --> 00:14:05.120 with the Assisted Suicide Bill, 00:14:05.379 --> 00:14:07.200 that even those who don't want anything 00:14:07.200 --> 00:14:08.000 to do with the gospel, 00:14:08.000 --> 00:14:10.060 that God would cause them to vote 00:14:10.059 --> 00:14:11.399 to protect life. 00:14:13.599 --> 00:14:15.319 Well, that's a quick summary of Acts 19. 00:14:16.439 --> 00:14:18.259 At least from one side of the story. 00:14:19.439 --> 00:14:21.599 It's what Paul and his colleagues are doing 00:14:21.599 --> 00:14:25.379 and how people are responding to them. 00:14:25.379 --> 00:14:29.679 But what I want to do now is to look at the other side of the story 00:14:29.679 --> 00:14:30.580 in Acts 19, 00:14:31.120 --> 00:14:32.620 the story of God's work. 00:14:33.820 --> 00:14:34.759 Four observations. 00:14:37.299 --> 00:14:38.519 One from each of the sections. 00:14:38.700 --> 00:14:39.220 Number one, 00:14:40.539 --> 00:14:42.179 the necessary spirit of God. 00:14:42.179 --> 00:14:50.599 It's the most obvious observation of all 00:14:50.599 --> 00:14:53.179 to make in Paul's interactions 00:14:53.179 --> 00:14:55.419 with the disciples of John. 00:14:55.419 --> 00:14:58.459 In verses 1 to 7, 00:14:58.599 --> 00:15:01.299 Paul believed that they must have the Holy Spirit. 00:15:02.839 --> 00:15:06.099 Paul was not content to leave them as they were. 00:15:06.579 --> 00:15:08.019 He thought it was imperative 00:15:08.019 --> 00:15:10.899 that they know more about Jesus 00:15:10.899 --> 00:15:13.099 and they receive his spirit. 00:15:14.399 --> 00:15:16.240 So much so that he baptized them again. 00:15:16.240 --> 00:15:20.080 And that reminds you and I 00:15:20.080 --> 00:15:21.460 that the spirit of God 00:15:21.460 --> 00:15:23.440 is absolutely necessary 00:15:23.440 --> 00:15:24.700 for the Christian life. 00:15:26.659 --> 00:15:28.159 If you want to know 00:15:28.159 --> 00:15:29.680 and follow Jesus, 00:15:32.180 --> 00:15:34.060 the receiving of the spirit 00:15:34.060 --> 00:15:36.460 is not a secondary matter. 00:15:36.659 --> 00:15:37.440 It is essential. 00:15:38.980 --> 00:15:40.560 The Holy Spirit is not 00:15:40.560 --> 00:15:41.860 an optional extra. 00:15:41.860 --> 00:15:45.379 we need the Holy Spirit 00:15:45.379 --> 00:15:48.320 to help us to see 00:15:48.320 --> 00:15:49.419 who Jesus really is. 00:15:51.279 --> 00:15:52.560 We need the Holy Spirit 00:15:52.560 --> 00:15:53.879 to help us to grow 00:15:53.879 --> 00:15:55.720 in the likeness of the Lord Jesus. 00:15:57.340 --> 00:15:58.680 We need the Holy Spirit 00:15:58.680 --> 00:16:01.259 to enable us to serve Jesus. 00:16:02.980 --> 00:16:04.600 And it is for those reasons 00:16:04.600 --> 00:16:05.860 that the New Testament 00:16:05.860 --> 00:16:07.300 talks often about the Holy Spirit 00:16:07.300 --> 00:16:09.100 and what he does in the life of the Christian 00:16:09.100 --> 00:16:10.879 and what he does in 00:16:10.879 --> 00:16:12.320 the Christian church. 00:16:13.759 --> 00:16:15.379 We need the Holy Spirit 00:16:15.379 --> 00:16:17.600 like we need the Lord Jesus. 00:16:19.480 --> 00:16:20.939 We depend on him 00:16:20.939 --> 00:16:23.539 like we depend upon God 00:16:23.539 --> 00:16:24.279 our Father in heaven. 00:16:25.919 --> 00:16:27.019 And it ought to be 00:16:27.019 --> 00:16:29.139 a source of great rejoicing 00:16:29.139 --> 00:16:30.159 for people like us 00:16:30.159 --> 00:16:32.139 in the fact that God 00:16:32.139 --> 00:16:33.519 gives his Holy Spirit 00:16:33.519 --> 00:16:35.399 to people so generously. 00:16:37.279 --> 00:16:38.539 And what we see here 00:16:38.539 --> 00:16:39.919 calls for gratitude. 00:16:40.879 --> 00:16:45.679 And this is what God does 00:16:45.679 --> 00:16:46.860 all the time, isn't it? 00:16:48.019 --> 00:16:49.620 He knows what we need 00:16:49.620 --> 00:16:51.279 before ourselves. 00:16:53.120 --> 00:16:54.860 And he supplies what we need 00:16:54.860 --> 00:16:56.000 with generous grace. 00:16:57.600 --> 00:16:59.039 And that is definitely true 00:16:59.039 --> 00:17:00.320 when it comes to the Holy Spirit. 00:17:01.379 --> 00:17:03.439 If you are a Christian this morning 00:17:03.440 --> 00:17:05.600 if you are a follower 00:17:05.600 --> 00:17:06.559 of the Lord Jesus 00:17:06.559 --> 00:17:08.000 then the Bible says 00:17:08.000 --> 00:17:09.140 that you have 00:17:09.140 --> 00:17:10.480 God's Holy Spirit 00:17:10.480 --> 00:17:11.779 living inside you. 00:17:13.400 --> 00:17:14.240 What does he do? 00:17:14.460 --> 00:17:15.539 He assures you 00:17:15.539 --> 00:17:16.740 of God's love for you. 00:17:18.000 --> 00:17:19.279 He points you 00:17:19.279 --> 00:17:20.559 to our future in heaven. 00:17:21.820 --> 00:17:23.220 He teaches you 00:17:23.220 --> 00:17:24.600 about the Lord Jesus. 00:17:25.900 --> 00:17:27.779 He shows you your need. 00:17:27.779 --> 00:17:29.180 He grows you 00:17:29.180 --> 00:17:30.099 in the character 00:17:30.099 --> 00:17:31.000 of the Lord Jesus. 00:17:32.579 --> 00:17:34.039 He brings about 00:17:34.039 --> 00:17:35.779 the fruit of the Holy Spirit. 00:17:36.180 --> 00:17:37.180 Love, joy, peace, 00:17:37.299 --> 00:17:38.279 patience, kindness, 00:17:38.559 --> 00:17:39.779 goodness, faithfulness, 00:17:40.779 --> 00:17:41.379 gentleness, 00:17:41.759 --> 00:17:42.579 self-control. 00:17:42.579 --> 00:17:44.359 The Holy Spirit 00:17:44.359 --> 00:17:45.699 has given you gifts 00:17:45.699 --> 00:17:47.659 that you might build up 00:17:47.659 --> 00:17:49.439 the body of Jesus 00:17:49.439 --> 00:17:50.379 as you serve. 00:17:51.859 --> 00:17:53.259 And God has given us 00:17:53.259 --> 00:17:54.319 all of that 00:17:54.319 --> 00:17:56.720 by giving us himself 00:17:56.720 --> 00:17:57.939 his spirit. 00:17:59.639 --> 00:18:00.480 And we ought to be 00:18:00.480 --> 00:18:01.819 very, very grateful. 00:18:04.419 --> 00:18:05.819 The second thing we see 00:18:05.819 --> 00:18:06.759 about God's story 00:18:06.759 --> 00:18:07.899 in this passage 00:18:07.899 --> 00:18:09.699 is the irrepressible 00:18:09.699 --> 00:18:10.500 word of God. 00:18:10.500 --> 00:18:13.180 The unstoppable 00:18:13.180 --> 00:18:15.299 word of God. 00:18:17.160 --> 00:18:18.079 That's the section, 00:18:18.200 --> 00:18:19.000 second section, isn't it? 00:18:19.039 --> 00:18:20.000 Paul is preaching 00:18:20.000 --> 00:18:20.680 in the synagogue, 00:18:20.940 --> 00:18:22.079 in the lecture hall, 00:18:22.660 --> 00:18:24.259 and there's great obstinance, 00:18:24.720 --> 00:18:26.000 great stubbornness 00:18:26.000 --> 00:18:27.779 on the part of his hearers. 00:18:29.460 --> 00:18:30.680 But the word goes out 00:18:30.680 --> 00:18:31.779 so much that we read 00:18:31.779 --> 00:18:32.539 in verse 10 00:18:32.539 --> 00:18:34.339 that all the residents 00:18:34.339 --> 00:18:35.299 of Asia 00:18:35.299 --> 00:18:37.599 heard the word of the Lord, 00:18:37.700 --> 00:18:38.859 both Jews and Greeks. 00:18:40.500 --> 00:18:42.019 And that is astounding. 00:18:44.380 --> 00:18:45.440 And not only that, 00:18:45.519 --> 00:18:46.279 in the next section, 00:18:46.700 --> 00:18:48.440 there are people out there 00:18:48.440 --> 00:18:49.519 trying to muscle in 00:18:49.519 --> 00:18:50.339 on Paul's gig. 00:18:51.579 --> 00:18:53.000 Trying to reproduce 00:18:53.000 --> 00:18:54.059 his miracles 00:18:54.059 --> 00:18:56.460 only to discover 00:18:56.460 --> 00:18:57.220 that Jesus is not 00:18:57.220 --> 00:18:58.480 a genie in a lamp. 00:18:59.619 --> 00:19:00.920 Jesus is not at the disposal 00:19:00.920 --> 00:19:01.539 of anyone 00:19:01.539 --> 00:19:02.900 who just uses his name. 00:19:02.900 --> 00:19:06.640 But even that incident 00:19:06.640 --> 00:19:07.720 causes people 00:19:07.720 --> 00:19:08.400 to fear 00:19:08.400 --> 00:19:09.800 God 00:19:09.800 --> 00:19:11.600 and to honour 00:19:11.600 --> 00:19:12.380 Christ's name. 00:19:14.300 --> 00:19:15.120 People repent 00:19:15.120 --> 00:19:15.820 of their sins 00:19:15.820 --> 00:19:18.500 and that familiar phrase 00:19:18.500 --> 00:19:19.420 that we read 00:19:19.420 --> 00:19:20.140 in Acts 6, 00:19:20.259 --> 00:19:20.780 do you remember it? 00:19:20.920 --> 00:19:21.700 The word of the Lord 00:19:21.700 --> 00:19:22.480 spread widely 00:19:22.480 --> 00:19:24.420 and grew in power. 00:19:24.420 --> 00:19:28.200 And if only that 00:19:28.200 --> 00:19:28.620 were true 00:19:28.620 --> 00:19:29.539 in our day, 00:19:29.900 --> 00:19:31.680 in our city, 00:19:32.180 --> 00:19:34.779 if only people 00:19:34.779 --> 00:19:35.400 in Ealing 00:19:35.400 --> 00:19:37.160 and the surrounding area 00:19:37.160 --> 00:19:38.100 would hold 00:19:38.100 --> 00:19:39.100 the name of Jesus 00:19:39.100 --> 00:19:39.940 in high honour, 00:19:41.180 --> 00:19:42.380 as verse 17 says, 00:19:43.440 --> 00:19:44.680 if only 00:19:44.680 --> 00:19:46.039 the Lord's word 00:19:46.039 --> 00:19:46.920 would spread 00:19:46.920 --> 00:19:48.720 and grow in power, 00:19:48.940 --> 00:19:49.920 as verse 20 says, 00:19:49.920 --> 00:19:52.539 if only 00:19:52.539 --> 00:19:53.539 everyone 00:19:53.539 --> 00:19:54.700 who lived in Ealing 00:19:54.700 --> 00:19:55.259 might hear 00:19:55.259 --> 00:19:56.060 the word of the Lord, 00:19:56.160 --> 00:19:56.640 verse 10. 00:20:00.279 --> 00:20:01.039 And I trust 00:20:01.039 --> 00:20:01.240 that, 00:20:01.420 --> 00:20:01.800 like me, 00:20:01.880 --> 00:20:02.519 you are praying 00:20:02.519 --> 00:20:03.259 for those things. 00:20:05.039 --> 00:20:06.460 You are asking God 00:20:06.460 --> 00:20:07.240 to make them happen 00:20:07.240 --> 00:20:08.140 on your street. 00:20:10.820 --> 00:20:11.440 And of course, 00:20:11.580 --> 00:20:11.920 we can have 00:20:11.920 --> 00:20:13.220 very real confidence, 00:20:13.340 --> 00:20:13.640 can't we, 00:20:13.660 --> 00:20:14.460 that this is a prayer 00:20:14.460 --> 00:20:15.620 that God wants to answer. 00:20:17.300 --> 00:20:18.560 Because the word of God 00:20:18.560 --> 00:20:19.539 is irrepressible. 00:20:19.920 --> 00:20:22.200 opposition 00:20:22.200 --> 00:20:23.840 cannot hold it back. 00:20:25.440 --> 00:20:25.800 Imposters 00:20:25.800 --> 00:20:27.039 cannot knock it 00:20:27.039 --> 00:20:27.840 off course. 00:20:29.440 --> 00:20:29.880 Circumstances 00:20:29.880 --> 00:20:31.180 cannot derail it. 00:20:32.120 --> 00:20:32.740 It's one of the 00:20:32.740 --> 00:20:33.440 great themes 00:20:33.440 --> 00:20:34.240 in the book of Acts, 00:20:34.300 --> 00:20:34.580 isn't it? 00:20:34.820 --> 00:20:35.539 God's word 00:20:35.539 --> 00:20:37.180 is uncontainable. 00:20:38.759 --> 00:20:40.360 You cannot stop it 00:20:40.360 --> 00:20:41.320 no matter what you do. 00:20:42.560 --> 00:20:43.360 God's work 00:20:43.360 --> 00:20:44.460 does its work. 00:20:47.240 --> 00:20:48.360 And as we talked 00:20:48.360 --> 00:20:48.920 about last week, 00:20:49.000 --> 00:20:49.860 I think the book of Acts 00:20:49.859 --> 00:20:50.599 has been written 00:20:50.599 --> 00:20:51.879 for us as a church 00:20:51.879 --> 00:20:53.339 to grow expectancy 00:20:53.339 --> 00:20:54.419 in our hearts. 00:20:55.939 --> 00:20:56.879 To make us 00:20:56.879 --> 00:20:57.919 confident of this. 00:20:57.920 --> 00:21:02.360 I don't know about you 00:21:02.360 --> 00:21:02.900 but I don't know 00:21:02.900 --> 00:21:04.000 who you're thinking 00:21:04.000 --> 00:21:04.480 of inviting 00:21:04.480 --> 00:21:05.360 to Hope Explored. 00:21:07.500 --> 00:21:08.259 There's two neighbours 00:21:08.259 --> 00:21:09.500 who live over the road. 00:21:09.600 --> 00:21:10.080 I have great fun 00:21:10.080 --> 00:21:10.380 with them 00:21:10.380 --> 00:21:11.860 and I'm terrified 00:21:11.860 --> 00:21:12.500 of asking them. 00:21:14.039 --> 00:21:14.620 I was speaking 00:21:14.620 --> 00:21:15.120 this week 00:21:15.120 --> 00:21:15.960 and I nearly 00:21:15.960 --> 00:21:16.380 asked them 00:21:16.380 --> 00:21:16.700 and I didn't. 00:21:16.800 --> 00:21:17.300 I bottled it. 00:21:19.300 --> 00:21:20.180 But the book of Acts, 00:21:20.259 --> 00:21:20.539 isn't it, 00:21:21.480 --> 00:21:22.340 it must give us 00:21:22.340 --> 00:21:22.880 confidence 00:21:22.880 --> 00:21:23.840 as we think 00:21:23.840 --> 00:21:24.260 of the people 00:21:24.260 --> 00:21:25.000 that we want 00:21:25.000 --> 00:21:25.480 to come and hear 00:21:25.480 --> 00:21:25.820 the gospel 00:21:25.820 --> 00:21:26.720 that the word 00:21:26.720 --> 00:21:27.000 of God 00:21:27.000 --> 00:21:28.300 is unstoppable, 00:21:28.520 --> 00:21:29.220 uncontainable. 00:21:31.160 --> 00:21:31.660 Of course, 00:21:31.720 --> 00:21:32.420 there will be days 00:21:32.420 --> 00:21:33.120 when there will be 00:21:33.120 --> 00:21:33.440 opposition, 00:21:33.620 --> 00:21:34.300 there will be neighbours 00:21:34.300 --> 00:21:35.340 that say no to us. 00:21:36.560 --> 00:21:37.340 And there are times 00:21:37.340 --> 00:21:37.900 when opposition 00:21:37.900 --> 00:21:38.420 to the gospel 00:21:38.420 --> 00:21:39.680 seems very great 00:21:39.680 --> 00:21:40.500 and it looks like 00:21:40.500 --> 00:21:41.580 nobody wants to listen. 00:21:42.120 --> 00:21:43.540 But there will be days, 00:21:44.260 --> 00:21:45.460 there are days, 00:21:45.460 --> 00:21:47.380 when people hear 00:21:47.380 --> 00:21:47.860 the gospel 00:21:47.860 --> 00:21:48.940 and respond with joy. 00:21:50.759 --> 00:21:51.819 When they welcome 00:21:51.819 --> 00:21:52.700 God's message. 00:21:54.259 --> 00:21:55.299 When they say to us, 00:21:55.380 --> 00:21:56.319 I'd love to come, 00:21:56.600 --> 00:21:57.539 I'd love to hear. 00:21:58.880 --> 00:21:59.620 And they repent 00:21:59.620 --> 00:22:00.180 of their sins 00:22:00.180 --> 00:22:01.240 because God's word 00:22:01.240 --> 00:22:02.680 is powerful to do that. 00:22:02.860 --> 00:22:03.480 Do you believe that? 00:22:06.920 --> 00:22:07.819 Because God's word 00:22:07.819 --> 00:22:08.880 is powerful to do that. 00:22:08.940 --> 00:22:09.640 Do you believe that? 00:22:12.100 --> 00:22:13.000 Very enthusiastic. 00:22:13.000 --> 00:22:15.779 And we ought to trust 00:22:15.779 --> 00:22:16.339 him confidently 00:22:16.339 --> 00:22:16.960 to do it. 00:22:21.119 --> 00:22:21.660 Number three, 00:22:21.740 --> 00:22:22.259 the transforming 00:22:22.259 --> 00:22:23.019 power of God. 00:22:24.680 --> 00:22:25.160 That's the thing 00:22:25.160 --> 00:22:26.039 we see in the third section, 00:22:26.140 --> 00:22:26.279 isn't it? 00:22:26.279 --> 00:22:27.180 We saw how God's word 00:22:27.180 --> 00:22:28.640 changes people's lives. 00:22:31.200 --> 00:22:32.240 We see how it 00:22:32.240 --> 00:22:33.299 draws them 00:22:33.299 --> 00:22:35.259 into costly repentance, 00:22:35.519 --> 00:22:37.619 costly turning away 00:22:37.619 --> 00:22:38.940 from their sin 00:22:38.940 --> 00:22:39.640 and their idolatry 00:22:39.640 --> 00:22:41.500 and walking towards God. 00:22:43.000 --> 00:22:45.380 And in that moment 00:22:45.380 --> 00:22:45.940 of repentance, 00:22:46.180 --> 00:22:46.880 the Ephesians, 00:22:47.839 --> 00:22:48.740 the Ephesian believers, 00:22:48.859 --> 00:22:49.579 they set an example 00:22:49.579 --> 00:22:50.339 for you and I, 00:22:50.440 --> 00:22:50.880 for all who would 00:22:50.880 --> 00:22:51.460 come after us. 00:22:54.680 --> 00:22:55.160 So, 00:22:55.460 --> 00:22:56.539 for me 00:22:56.539 --> 00:22:57.400 and for you, 00:22:57.660 --> 00:22:58.839 one of the implications 00:22:58.839 --> 00:22:59.460 of this chapter 00:22:59.460 --> 00:23:00.279 is to ask ourselves 00:23:00.279 --> 00:23:01.400 some pretty hard questions 00:23:01.400 --> 00:23:01.980 about repentance. 00:23:04.660 --> 00:23:05.880 Is God's word 00:23:05.880 --> 00:23:08.640 transforming our lives 00:23:08.640 --> 00:23:09.839 like it did here? 00:23:09.839 --> 00:23:12.699 Or are we 00:23:12.699 --> 00:23:13.339 resistant to it? 00:23:13.379 --> 00:23:13.919 And I guess 00:23:13.919 --> 00:23:15.220 that is one of the 00:23:15.220 --> 00:23:16.240 most striking things, 00:23:16.279 --> 00:23:16.559 isn't it, 00:23:16.579 --> 00:23:17.279 about the repentance 00:23:17.279 --> 00:23:18.179 of these Ephesian 00:23:18.179 --> 00:23:18.859 sorcerers. 00:23:21.159 --> 00:23:21.980 Verse 19, 00:23:22.159 --> 00:23:22.939 they are willing 00:23:22.939 --> 00:23:24.539 to give up something 00:23:24.539 --> 00:23:25.419 that was very, 00:23:25.659 --> 00:23:26.720 very valuable 00:23:26.720 --> 00:23:27.359 to them 00:23:27.359 --> 00:23:29.279 because they saw 00:23:29.279 --> 00:23:29.839 that Jesus 00:23:29.839 --> 00:23:31.419 is worth 00:23:31.419 --> 00:23:32.259 far more 00:23:32.259 --> 00:23:32.659 than what they 00:23:32.659 --> 00:23:33.519 previously valued. 00:23:35.259 --> 00:23:36.019 And so they were 00:23:36.019 --> 00:23:36.740 willing to give up 00:23:36.740 --> 00:23:37.299 their sin. 00:23:37.299 --> 00:23:42.259 If you're here 00:23:42.259 --> 00:23:42.700 this morning 00:23:42.700 --> 00:23:43.919 and you're somebody 00:23:43.919 --> 00:23:44.299 that wouldn't 00:23:44.299 --> 00:23:45.000 describe themselves 00:23:45.000 --> 00:23:45.619 as a Christian 00:23:45.619 --> 00:23:46.879 or you're not sure 00:23:46.879 --> 00:23:47.659 that you are, 00:23:48.059 --> 00:23:48.980 I think this raises 00:23:48.980 --> 00:23:50.319 a fundamental question. 00:23:52.200 --> 00:23:53.000 Could it be 00:23:53.000 --> 00:23:54.180 that the very thing 00:23:54.180 --> 00:23:55.240 that is stopping you 00:23:55.240 --> 00:23:55.839 from becoming 00:23:55.839 --> 00:23:56.539 a Christian, 00:23:57.059 --> 00:23:58.119 living for the Lord 00:23:58.119 --> 00:23:58.480 Jesus, 00:23:59.399 --> 00:24:00.619 is deep down 00:24:00.619 --> 00:24:02.259 you know 00:24:02.259 --> 00:24:02.759 that you would 00:24:02.759 --> 00:24:03.279 have to give up 00:24:03.279 --> 00:24:03.819 some things? 00:24:04.359 --> 00:24:05.359 Probably one thing. 00:24:05.359 --> 00:24:09.439 Maybe you're 00:24:09.439 --> 00:24:09.959 a young person 00:24:09.959 --> 00:24:10.759 here and 00:24:10.759 --> 00:24:12.299 you've been taught 00:24:12.299 --> 00:24:12.919 the truth of the 00:24:12.919 --> 00:24:13.179 gospel, 00:24:13.339 --> 00:24:13.839 you've been taught 00:24:13.839 --> 00:24:15.619 to know and love 00:24:15.619 --> 00:24:16.079 the Lord Jesus, 00:24:16.199 --> 00:24:16.759 you can never 00:24:16.759 --> 00:24:17.299 remember a time 00:24:17.299 --> 00:24:17.659 when you weren't 00:24:17.659 --> 00:24:18.039 prayed for, 00:24:18.159 --> 00:24:18.859 you can never 00:24:18.859 --> 00:24:19.379 remember a time 00:24:19.379 --> 00:24:19.719 when your mum 00:24:19.719 --> 00:24:20.240 and dad didn't 00:24:20.240 --> 00:24:20.779 tell you 00:24:20.779 --> 00:24:21.659 about the Lord 00:24:21.659 --> 00:24:21.939 Jesus. 00:24:23.699 --> 00:24:24.299 But there's 00:24:24.299 --> 00:24:25.039 something stopping 00:24:25.039 --> 00:24:25.539 you following 00:24:25.539 --> 00:24:25.899 him. 00:24:26.939 --> 00:24:27.319 And there's 00:24:27.319 --> 00:24:27.919 something stopping 00:24:27.919 --> 00:24:28.819 you living for 00:24:28.819 --> 00:24:29.079 him. 00:24:30.240 --> 00:24:30.619 And do you 00:24:30.619 --> 00:24:30.939 know what it 00:24:30.939 --> 00:24:31.199 is? 00:24:32.519 --> 00:24:33.240 Let me tell you 00:24:33.240 --> 00:24:33.679 what it is. 00:24:33.680 --> 00:24:35.480 it is that 00:24:35.480 --> 00:24:36.240 deep down 00:24:36.240 --> 00:24:37.600 you know 00:24:37.600 --> 00:24:37.920 that you 00:24:37.920 --> 00:24:38.220 would have 00:24:38.220 --> 00:24:38.600 to give 00:24:38.600 --> 00:24:39.180 up something. 00:24:42.680 --> 00:24:43.259 Maybe it's 00:24:43.259 --> 00:24:43.820 some secrets 00:24:43.820 --> 00:24:44.200 and maybe 00:24:44.200 --> 00:24:44.860 it's not that. 00:24:44.960 --> 00:24:45.580 Maybe it's 00:24:45.580 --> 00:24:46.380 being in the 00:24:46.380 --> 00:24:46.920 in crowd. 00:24:47.120 --> 00:24:47.560 Maybe it's 00:24:47.560 --> 00:24:48.060 one of those 00:24:48.060 --> 00:24:48.480 kind of things. 00:24:48.680 --> 00:24:49.340 But you're 00:24:49.340 --> 00:24:50.180 hanging on to 00:24:50.180 --> 00:24:50.580 it and you 00:24:50.580 --> 00:24:51.019 will not 00:24:51.019 --> 00:24:51.480 give it up. 00:24:51.880 --> 00:24:52.100 And the 00:24:52.100 --> 00:24:52.560 Ephesians 00:24:52.560 --> 00:24:53.259 tell us, 00:24:54.100 --> 00:24:54.799 they tell you 00:24:54.799 --> 00:24:55.100 this, 00:24:55.320 --> 00:24:55.660 give it up, 00:24:55.740 --> 00:24:56.060 it's worth 00:24:56.060 --> 00:24:56.220 it. 00:24:56.900 --> 00:24:57.759 It is so, 00:24:58.039 --> 00:24:58.600 so worth 00:24:58.600 --> 00:24:58.779 it. 00:24:59.019 --> 00:24:59.480 Give it up 00:24:59.480 --> 00:24:59.900 for Jesus. 00:24:59.900 --> 00:25:03.580 They would 00:25:03.580 --> 00:25:04.180 say what 00:25:04.180 --> 00:25:05.000 you gain 00:25:05.000 --> 00:25:05.740 in Jesus 00:25:05.740 --> 00:25:07.019 is infinitely 00:25:07.019 --> 00:25:08.660 more than 00:25:08.660 --> 00:25:11.780 60,000 pieces 00:25:11.780 --> 00:25:12.240 of silver 00:25:12.240 --> 00:25:13.180 or however 00:25:13.180 --> 00:25:13.540 many it 00:25:13.540 --> 00:25:13.759 is. 00:25:16.280 --> 00:25:17.200 Jesus is 00:25:17.200 --> 00:25:17.740 far, 00:25:17.980 --> 00:25:19.320 far more 00:25:19.320 --> 00:25:20.100 worthy. 00:25:24.740 --> 00:25:25.360 Will you 00:25:25.360 --> 00:25:25.700 turn away 00:25:25.700 --> 00:25:26.000 from your 00:25:26.000 --> 00:25:27.720 sins and 00:25:27.720 --> 00:25:28.140 start living 00:25:28.140 --> 00:25:28.620 for Jesus? 00:25:28.619 --> 00:25:30.339 Of course 00:25:30.339 --> 00:25:30.559 you might 00:25:30.559 --> 00:25:30.719 say, 00:25:30.799 --> 00:25:30.899 well, 00:25:31.079 --> 00:25:31.759 I need 00:25:31.759 --> 00:25:31.959 to know 00:25:31.959 --> 00:25:32.199 more, 00:25:32.279 --> 00:25:32.459 I'm not 00:25:32.459 --> 00:25:32.739 ready to 00:25:32.739 --> 00:25:32.939 make that 00:25:32.939 --> 00:25:33.159 decision. 00:25:33.279 --> 00:25:33.319 Well, 00:25:33.359 --> 00:25:33.659 come to 00:25:33.659 --> 00:25:33.759 Hope 00:25:33.759 --> 00:25:34.179 Explored. 00:25:35.439 --> 00:25:36.439 Come again 00:25:36.439 --> 00:25:36.619 to it, 00:25:36.639 --> 00:25:37.039 sign up to 00:25:37.039 --> 00:25:37.119 it, 00:25:37.139 --> 00:25:37.419 talk to 00:25:37.419 --> 00:25:37.559 someone 00:25:37.559 --> 00:25:37.799 about it 00:25:37.799 --> 00:25:38.099 after the 00:25:38.099 --> 00:25:38.419 service. 00:25:40.759 --> 00:25:41.239 But Acts 00:25:41.239 --> 00:25:41.899 19 also 00:25:41.899 --> 00:25:42.199 raises 00:25:42.199 --> 00:25:42.679 questions, 00:25:42.779 --> 00:25:43.119 doesn't it, 00:25:43.159 --> 00:25:45.000 for those 00:25:45.000 --> 00:25:45.319 of us who 00:25:45.319 --> 00:25:45.819 already are 00:25:45.819 --> 00:25:46.159 Christians. 00:25:49.039 --> 00:25:49.399 Because 00:25:49.399 --> 00:25:51.279 repentance 00:25:51.279 --> 00:25:52.959 is not 00:25:52.959 --> 00:25:53.299 just how 00:25:53.299 --> 00:25:53.659 the Christian 00:25:53.659 --> 00:25:54.439 life begins, 00:25:54.879 --> 00:25:55.239 is it? 00:25:55.319 --> 00:25:55.639 It's how 00:25:55.639 --> 00:25:55.979 the Christian 00:25:55.979 --> 00:25:56.599 life continues. 00:25:58.619 --> 00:26:00.399 And being 00:26:00.399 --> 00:26:01.019 honest with 00:26:01.019 --> 00:26:02.459 ourselves and 00:26:02.459 --> 00:26:03.139 with God 00:26:03.139 --> 00:26:03.519 about our 00:26:03.519 --> 00:26:04.019 failures, 00:26:05.419 --> 00:26:06.579 and honest 00:26:06.579 --> 00:26:07.119 with others 00:26:07.119 --> 00:26:08.000 and confessing 00:26:08.000 --> 00:26:08.899 our sin and 00:26:08.899 --> 00:26:09.419 turning away 00:26:09.419 --> 00:26:09.739 from them, 00:26:09.919 --> 00:26:10.879 it's costly. 00:26:15.719 --> 00:26:16.139 Repentance 00:26:16.139 --> 00:26:16.779 is still 00:26:16.779 --> 00:26:17.739 costly for 00:26:17.739 --> 00:26:18.179 the Christian, 00:26:18.319 --> 00:26:18.599 isn't it? 00:26:21.559 --> 00:26:22.279 It may be 00:26:22.279 --> 00:26:22.819 this morning 00:26:22.819 --> 00:26:23.179 that you've 00:26:23.179 --> 00:26:23.399 been a 00:26:23.399 --> 00:26:23.819 Christian for 00:26:23.819 --> 00:26:24.679 many years, 00:26:24.680 --> 00:26:26.680 and it's 00:26:26.680 --> 00:26:27.240 still possible 00:26:27.240 --> 00:26:27.700 for you to 00:26:27.700 --> 00:26:28.299 find yourself 00:26:28.299 --> 00:26:28.940 in a situation 00:26:28.940 --> 00:26:29.440 a bit like 00:26:29.440 --> 00:26:30.400 these Ephesian 00:26:30.400 --> 00:26:31.400 sorcerers, 00:26:31.700 --> 00:26:32.259 that you're 00:26:32.259 --> 00:26:32.960 doing something 00:26:32.960 --> 00:26:33.680 that you know 00:26:33.680 --> 00:26:34.080 is not 00:26:34.080 --> 00:26:34.500 right. 00:26:37.440 --> 00:26:38.039 And as you 00:26:38.039 --> 00:26:38.460 think about it 00:26:38.460 --> 00:26:38.620 now, 00:26:38.779 --> 00:26:39.480 you feel the 00:26:39.480 --> 00:26:39.840 heat of it 00:26:39.840 --> 00:26:40.120 and your 00:26:40.120 --> 00:26:40.720 conscience 00:26:40.720 --> 00:26:41.900 burns within 00:26:41.900 --> 00:26:42.180 you. 00:26:43.539 --> 00:26:44.080 And to 00:26:44.080 --> 00:26:44.600 repent of 00:26:44.600 --> 00:26:45.019 it would be 00:26:45.019 --> 00:26:46.140 very embarrassing 00:26:46.140 --> 00:26:46.960 perhaps and 00:26:46.960 --> 00:26:47.440 confronting, 00:26:47.860 --> 00:26:48.299 but these 00:26:48.299 --> 00:26:49.180 verses ask 00:26:49.180 --> 00:26:49.560 us whether 00:26:49.560 --> 00:26:49.920 we're ready 00:26:49.920 --> 00:26:50.220 to do 00:26:50.220 --> 00:26:50.500 that. 00:26:50.500 --> 00:26:53.420 and they 00:26:53.420 --> 00:26:54.180 ask us to 00:26:54.180 --> 00:26:55.160 see Christ 00:26:55.160 --> 00:26:55.920 clearly, 00:26:57.119 --> 00:26:59.059 to see 00:26:59.059 --> 00:26:59.700 who Jesus 00:26:59.700 --> 00:27:00.319 is clearly 00:27:00.319 --> 00:27:01.259 and so also 00:27:01.259 --> 00:27:01.740 to see that 00:27:01.740 --> 00:27:02.180 what we're 00:27:02.180 --> 00:27:02.799 hanging on 00:27:02.799 --> 00:27:04.019 to is 00:27:04.019 --> 00:27:05.519 actually not 00:27:05.519 --> 00:27:05.940 very much 00:27:05.940 --> 00:27:06.259 at all 00:27:06.259 --> 00:27:06.740 compared to 00:27:06.740 --> 00:27:07.099 Jesus, 00:27:08.019 --> 00:27:09.400 compared to 00:27:09.400 --> 00:27:09.799 Jesus and 00:27:09.799 --> 00:27:10.279 the forgiveness 00:27:10.279 --> 00:27:11.039 that he 00:27:11.039 --> 00:27:11.400 offers. 00:27:12.319 --> 00:27:12.640 And Acts 00:27:12.640 --> 00:27:13.660 19 provokes 00:27:13.660 --> 00:27:14.400 you and I 00:27:14.400 --> 00:27:14.920 to think 00:27:14.920 --> 00:27:15.500 hard this 00:27:15.500 --> 00:27:17.299 morning about 00:27:17.299 --> 00:27:17.920 where we see 00:27:17.920 --> 00:27:18.599 the transforming 00:27:18.599 --> 00:27:19.339 power of God 00:27:19.339 --> 00:27:20.019 in our lives. 00:27:21.440 --> 00:27:21.940 And are there 00:27:21.940 --> 00:27:22.460 things this 00:27:22.460 --> 00:27:24.140 morning we've 00:27:24.140 --> 00:27:24.579 just got to 00:27:24.579 --> 00:27:25.119 let go of? 00:27:27.779 --> 00:27:28.460 The final 00:27:28.460 --> 00:27:28.960 thing from 00:27:28.960 --> 00:27:29.420 God's side 00:27:29.420 --> 00:27:29.980 of the story 00:27:29.980 --> 00:27:31.920 is this 00:27:31.920 --> 00:27:32.779 passage invites 00:27:32.779 --> 00:27:33.240 us to see 00:27:33.240 --> 00:27:33.680 something about 00:27:33.680 --> 00:27:34.259 the divine 00:27:34.259 --> 00:27:35.039 majesty of 00:27:35.039 --> 00:27:35.299 God. 00:27:37.059 --> 00:27:37.920 The divine 00:27:37.920 --> 00:27:38.700 majesty of 00:27:38.700 --> 00:27:38.819 God. 00:27:38.880 --> 00:27:39.119 I choose 00:27:39.119 --> 00:27:39.619 that phrase 00:27:39.619 --> 00:27:40.259 carefully because 00:27:40.259 --> 00:27:40.680 it's used 00:27:40.680 --> 00:27:40.900 in the 00:27:40.900 --> 00:27:41.180 passage, 00:27:41.339 --> 00:27:41.619 but you'll 00:27:41.619 --> 00:27:42.000 have noticed 00:27:42.000 --> 00:27:42.539 it was used 00:27:42.539 --> 00:27:43.339 about Artemis, 00:27:43.420 --> 00:27:43.799 the false 00:27:43.799 --> 00:27:44.119 God. 00:27:46.500 --> 00:27:47.380 Verse 27, 00:27:47.500 --> 00:27:48.640 Demetrius expresses 00:27:48.640 --> 00:27:49.420 this anxiety 00:27:49.420 --> 00:27:50.840 that he feels 00:27:50.840 --> 00:27:51.759 if more and 00:27:51.759 --> 00:27:52.080 more people 00:27:52.080 --> 00:27:52.420 turn to 00:27:52.420 --> 00:27:52.680 Jesus, 00:27:52.860 --> 00:27:53.300 then their 00:27:53.300 --> 00:27:53.980 goddess is 00:27:53.980 --> 00:27:54.320 going to be 00:27:54.320 --> 00:27:56.180 robbed of 00:27:56.180 --> 00:27:56.600 her divine 00:27:56.600 --> 00:27:57.019 majesty. 00:27:58.860 --> 00:27:59.519 And we may 00:27:59.519 --> 00:27:59.800 wonder, 00:27:59.880 --> 00:28:00.140 mightn't we, 00:28:00.200 --> 00:28:00.580 whether a 00:28:00.580 --> 00:28:01.300 God who can 00:28:01.300 --> 00:28:01.940 be robbed of 00:28:01.940 --> 00:28:02.279 her divine 00:28:02.279 --> 00:28:02.960 majesty is 00:28:02.960 --> 00:28:03.560 actually very 00:28:03.560 --> 00:28:04.480 majestic at all, 00:28:04.580 --> 00:28:05.000 or very 00:28:05.000 --> 00:28:05.360 divine. 00:28:06.980 --> 00:28:07.600 And then you 00:28:07.600 --> 00:28:08.160 see the crowds 00:28:08.160 --> 00:28:08.640 chanting, 00:28:08.820 --> 00:28:09.300 great is 00:28:09.300 --> 00:28:09.880 Artemis of 00:28:09.880 --> 00:28:10.340 the Ephesians, 00:28:10.519 --> 00:28:11.019 great is 00:28:11.019 --> 00:28:11.580 Artemis of 00:28:11.580 --> 00:28:12.060 the Ephesians. 00:28:12.500 --> 00:28:12.840 And it's 00:28:12.840 --> 00:28:13.420 hard not to 00:28:13.420 --> 00:28:13.620 think, 00:28:13.680 --> 00:28:13.900 isn't it, 00:28:13.900 --> 00:28:14.060 they're 00:28:14.060 --> 00:28:14.380 trying to 00:28:14.380 --> 00:28:14.700 talk 00:28:14.700 --> 00:28:15.100 themselves 00:28:15.100 --> 00:28:15.660 into it. 00:28:19.120 --> 00:28:19.600 Don't 00:28:19.600 --> 00:28:20.140 misunderstand me, 00:28:20.240 --> 00:28:20.540 the one 00:28:20.540 --> 00:28:21.180 true God 00:28:21.180 --> 00:28:22.340 doesn't need 00:28:22.340 --> 00:28:22.880 anyone to 00:28:22.880 --> 00:28:23.420 protect him. 00:28:25.960 --> 00:28:26.440 God's 00:28:26.440 --> 00:28:27.100 divinity and 00:28:27.100 --> 00:28:27.660 his majesty 00:28:27.660 --> 00:28:28.560 can never be 00:28:28.560 --> 00:28:29.100 stolen from 00:28:29.100 --> 00:28:29.300 him. 00:28:30.680 --> 00:28:31.120 You cannot 00:28:31.120 --> 00:28:31.940 rob God of 00:28:31.940 --> 00:28:32.140 that. 00:28:32.240 --> 00:28:32.680 He doesn't 00:28:32.680 --> 00:28:33.220 need people 00:28:33.220 --> 00:28:33.720 to declare 00:28:33.720 --> 00:28:34.340 his greatness 00:28:34.340 --> 00:28:34.880 in order to 00:28:34.880 --> 00:28:35.320 be great. 00:28:36.840 --> 00:28:37.500 God has 00:28:37.500 --> 00:28:38.040 demonstrated 00:28:38.040 --> 00:28:38.580 his unique 00:28:38.580 --> 00:28:39.860 power and 00:28:39.860 --> 00:28:40.360 wisdom in 00:28:40.360 --> 00:28:40.740 the world 00:28:40.740 --> 00:28:41.019 and in 00:28:41.019 --> 00:28:41.600 human history 00:28:41.600 --> 00:28:42.280 from the 00:28:42.280 --> 00:28:42.840 very beginning 00:28:42.840 --> 00:28:43.519 until now, 00:28:43.900 --> 00:28:45.320 supremely in 00:28:45.320 --> 00:28:45.840 the death 00:28:45.840 --> 00:28:47.259 and resurrection 00:28:47.259 --> 00:28:47.720 of his 00:28:47.720 --> 00:28:47.920 son, 00:28:48.000 --> 00:28:48.220 the Lord 00:28:48.220 --> 00:28:48.500 Jesus. 00:28:49.820 --> 00:28:50.500 And those 00:28:50.500 --> 00:28:51.120 who worship 00:28:51.120 --> 00:28:51.540 God, 00:28:51.740 --> 00:28:52.420 we do not 00:28:52.420 --> 00:28:52.780 need to 00:28:52.780 --> 00:28:53.640 whip ourselves 00:28:53.640 --> 00:28:54.200 up into 00:28:54.200 --> 00:28:54.960 a frenzy, 00:28:55.220 --> 00:28:55.600 do we? 00:28:58.000 --> 00:28:58.740 Because we 00:28:58.740 --> 00:28:59.060 have a 00:28:59.060 --> 00:29:01.080 settled and 00:29:01.080 --> 00:29:01.540 a quiet 00:29:01.540 --> 00:29:02.200 assurance in 00:29:02.200 --> 00:29:02.780 our hearts 00:29:02.780 --> 00:29:04.700 that God 00:29:04.700 --> 00:29:05.700 is who 00:29:05.700 --> 00:29:06.080 he says 00:29:06.080 --> 00:29:06.440 he is. 00:29:07.840 --> 00:29:08.580 And that 00:29:08.580 --> 00:29:08.920 Jesus, 00:29:09.440 --> 00:29:09.780 God's 00:29:09.780 --> 00:29:10.060 son, 00:29:10.300 --> 00:29:11.160 is to 00:29:11.160 --> 00:29:11.800 be held 00:29:11.800 --> 00:29:13.519 high in 00:29:13.519 --> 00:29:13.820 honor. 00:29:13.900 --> 00:29:15.600 God's 00:29:15.600 --> 00:29:15.900 God. 00:29:15.900 --> 00:29:16.759 The people 00:29:16.759 --> 00:29:17.440 here in 00:29:17.440 --> 00:29:17.900 Acts 19 00:29:17.900 --> 00:29:18.700 are desperate 00:29:18.700 --> 00:29:19.259 to shore 00:29:19.259 --> 00:29:19.960 up Artemis' 00:29:20.160 --> 00:29:21.000 image and 00:29:21.000 --> 00:29:21.300 future. 00:29:23.320 --> 00:29:23.900 And while 00:29:23.900 --> 00:29:24.620 many in 00:29:24.620 --> 00:29:25.120 Ephesus are 00:29:25.120 --> 00:29:25.620 chanting 00:29:25.620 --> 00:29:26.220 Artemis' 00:29:26.360 --> 00:29:26.680 name, 00:29:26.840 --> 00:29:27.400 great is 00:29:27.400 --> 00:29:27.960 Artemis 00:29:27.960 --> 00:29:28.759 the Ephesians, 00:29:29.860 --> 00:29:31.300 the one 00:29:31.300 --> 00:29:31.880 true God 00:29:31.880 --> 00:29:32.300 goes about 00:29:32.300 --> 00:29:32.660 his work 00:29:32.660 --> 00:29:33.180 really quietly, 00:29:34.800 --> 00:29:35.540 making his 00:29:35.540 --> 00:29:36.380 word known 00:29:36.380 --> 00:29:36.900 by his 00:29:36.900 --> 00:29:37.220 spirit, 00:29:39.120 --> 00:29:39.740 transforming 00:29:39.740 --> 00:29:40.660 his people's 00:29:40.660 --> 00:29:41.140 lives. 00:29:41.140 --> 00:29:42.140 love 00:29:42.140 --> 00:29:43.540 and he 00:29:43.540 --> 00:29:43.759 is the 00:29:43.759 --> 00:29:44.020 one we 00:29:44.020 --> 00:29:44.340 worship 00:29:44.340 --> 00:29:46.080 and the 00:29:46.080 --> 00:29:46.640 only one 00:29:46.640 --> 00:29:47.060 who deserves 00:29:47.060 --> 00:29:47.300 to be 00:29:47.300 --> 00:29:47.640 worshipped. 00:29:49.740 --> 00:29:50.200 And so 00:29:50.200 --> 00:29:50.580 once again, 00:29:50.640 --> 00:29:50.980 can I make 00:29:50.980 --> 00:29:51.340 sure this 00:29:51.340 --> 00:29:51.700 morning that 00:29:51.700 --> 00:29:52.040 you see 00:29:52.040 --> 00:29:52.300 that? 00:29:52.299 --> 00:29:55.619 you see the 00:29:55.619 --> 00:29:56.680 divine majesty 00:29:56.680 --> 00:29:57.379 of God. 00:29:58.579 --> 00:29:59.359 And I want 00:29:59.359 --> 00:29:59.799 to encourage 00:29:59.799 --> 00:30:00.259 you to keep 00:30:00.259 --> 00:30:01.399 worshipping him 00:30:01.399 --> 00:30:01.759 today, 00:30:02.259 --> 00:30:02.819 now and 00:30:02.819 --> 00:30:03.299 always. 00:30:04.799 --> 00:30:05.919 Grateful for 00:30:05.919 --> 00:30:06.759 his spirit who 00:30:06.759 --> 00:30:07.440 is with you, 00:30:09.000 --> 00:30:09.859 confident in 00:30:09.859 --> 00:30:11.059 his irrepressible 00:30:11.059 --> 00:30:11.680 word that 00:30:11.680 --> 00:30:12.059 cannot be 00:30:12.059 --> 00:30:12.379 stopped, 00:30:13.379 --> 00:30:15.000 and continually 00:30:15.000 --> 00:30:15.819 repentant 00:30:15.819 --> 00:30:17.359 because of 00:30:17.359 --> 00:30:17.740 his power. 00:30:19.480 --> 00:30:20.200 May the 00:30:20.200 --> 00:30:21.079 story of 00:30:21.079 --> 00:30:21.939 God's work 00:30:21.939 --> 00:30:22.740 in Ephesus 00:30:22.740 --> 00:30:24.799 be the 00:30:24.799 --> 00:30:25.339 story of 00:30:25.339 --> 00:30:25.779 his work 00:30:25.779 --> 00:30:27.899 here in 00:30:27.899 --> 00:30:29.759 us and 00:30:29.759 --> 00:30:30.599 amongst us 00:30:30.599 --> 00:30:32.419 that we 00:30:32.419 --> 00:30:32.960 may know 00:30:32.960 --> 00:30:33.240 as a 00:30:33.240 --> 00:30:34.000 church the 00:30:34.000 --> 00:30:34.439 word of 00:30:34.439 --> 00:30:34.779 the Lord 00:30:34.779 --> 00:30:35.439 spreading 00:30:35.439 --> 00:30:36.740 and growing 00:30:36.740 --> 00:30:37.279 in power 00:30:37.279 --> 00:30:39.299 to the 00:30:39.299 --> 00:30:39.639 high honour 00:30:39.639 --> 00:30:40.079 of Jesus. 00:30:41.500 --> 00:30:41.980 Amen. 00:30:42.139 --> 00:30:42.539 Let's pray.