WEBVTT

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 All right, very good. Please take your copy of God's Word out and turn to the book of Acts chapter 4.

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 Our text for today will be Acts chapter 4, verses 14 through 22.

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 But before we read the text and get into it, I'd like to begin by reminding you where we are in our text and what we have considered together in the past weeks.

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 If you have been here, if you have not been here, I hope this will serve you well by catching you up to where we are in our text as well.

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 Beginning three weeks ago on Easter Sunday, we started into chapter 3 and we saw the healing of a lame beggar.

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 This figure at the temple that sat always at the beautiful gate and Peter and John going up at the hour of prayer.

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 It must be three o'clock in the afternoon to pray, encounter this man, and he's miraculously healed.

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 And in so doing, God orchestrates the setting of a stage for Peter's second sermon.

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 So we look also at the beginning of Peter's second sermon in which he exalts Jesus as the Christ by speaking of him with five different titles.

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 And those titles are, and you can look there at the beginning of chapter 3 and spot these, God's servant, Jesus, which means salvation comes from the Lord.

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 Peter refers to him as the holy and righteous one, the author of life and the Christ, the Messiah, the anointed one.

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 So he exalts Jesus Christ in his preaching.

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 Secondly, he indicts his listeners, this crowd that has gathered because of the healing of this lame man.

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 He indicts them.

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 He points out their guilt, beginning in verse 13 of chapter 3 and then 14 and 15.

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 See the phrases, you delivered, you denied, you killed.

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 And he's addressing specifically their misconception about who Jesus is.

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 The following week, we concluded our study of Peter's second sermon.

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 So this is two weeks ago now.

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 And we saw the conclusion of his outline.

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 So first, he exalts Jesus Christ.

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 Second, he indicts his listeners.

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 And third, he calls his listeners to repentance.

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 Verse 19 of chapter 3, repent, therefore, and turn again.

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 And he speaks of the restoration that accompanies repentance.

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 If you are a disciple of Christ, then you are commanded, not merely suggested, but you are commanded to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ.

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 None of us are outside of this.

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 This isn't just a sermon to observe for pastors only.

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 But all of us as disciples of Christ are commanded to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ.

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 And we should follow this very same outline with some consideration to our particular listeners and those listeners' particular context.

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 For example, the gospel, if we're to present it in its entirety, and I'm saying this to you because I think many people believe they're presenting the gospel to their friends and their co-workers.

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 But what they're really doing is they're having a spiritual conversation.

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 They're not actually presenting the gospel.

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 They're not giving all of the information necessary for someone to come to believing faith in Christ.

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 And in its simplest form, and there's much to be said about this, needs to be God, man, Christ, repentance.

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 You heard me say to the kids this morning, ask your parents about God and ask your parents about yourself.

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 That conversation rightly leads us to speaking of Christ.

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 And as these little ones grow older, they need to be called to repent.

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 Well, that's what Peter's doing here.

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 He's using that format, God, man, Christ, repentance.

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 But he's being sensitive to the listener's context.

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 This is a Jewish audience.

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 They believed in the God of Abraham and Isaac and Jacob, the God that had created the world.

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 They believed that He was holy and that He had a holy standard for them to live by.

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 They were aware of the law and they were also aware of their transgression of that law.

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 They knew that they needed a sacrifice for that.

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 And so Peter's able to come in the midst of that understanding of God and man and speak of Christ and then call them to repentance.

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 So being sensitive to that, you can see God, man, Christ, repentance, even in his outline.

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 And as he exalts Jesus, indicts the listeners, calls them guilty and calls them to repentance.

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 Now, last week, we began to study chapter 4, verses 1 through 31.

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 So it's kind of our larger, broader text over these past two weeks and now into next week as well.

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 And in that, at the beginning of it, we observe the arrest of Peter and John as a result of their preaching,

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 their overnight imprisonment, and the beginning of their trial before the Sanhedrin.

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 In verses 8 through 12 of chapter 4, we read and considered Peter's third sermon where he follows the exact same outline.

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 So this is number three, one on the day of Pentecost, second following the healing of the lame man,

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 and now the next day, his third sermon as recorded in the book of Acts.

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 Again, exaltation of Jesus Christ, the indictment of his listeners, now the Sanhedrin, the religious rulers, the court of Israel,

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 and then calling those listeners to repentance.

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 And, last week, I spoke to you of the normalcy of Christian persecution.

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 The normalcy of it.

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 Christian persecution should not be a foreign concept to us.

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 Christian persecution should not be a foreign concept to us.

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 Persecution has been and still is the norm for the Christian church in the world.

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 Always has been and still is.

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 Broadly speaking, we looked at the statistics.

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 More Christians are suffering for the sake of the gospel in the world right now than are not.

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 But, the fact that this is not the case for the American church is not a factor of our political environment.

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 It is not a factor of our political environment that we don't suffer in that way,

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 that we're not persecuted because of the gospel.

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 Let me show you a bit more what I mean.

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 The persecution, hear this carefully,

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 The persecution of the citizens of God's kingdom always accompanies the coming of God's kingdom.

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 They're carried along together.

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 It's not optional.

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 Let this sink.

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 2 Timothy 3.12

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 I read this to you last week.

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 You need to hear these words and they need to resonate.

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 They need to bounce around inside of your head.

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 Paul, at the end of his life, he had suffered much.

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 He had certainly been persecuted.

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 He would be finally martyred not long after the writing of this second letter to Timothy 3.12.

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 And he said,

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 Indeed, all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted.

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 Stages book.

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 Indeed, all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted.

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 All will be persecuted.

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 Don't let American religious freedom numb you to this reality.

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 Now, many places in the world and throughout history, what was experienced as persecution was persecution of the body.

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 That's not a present reality where we live today.

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 And I'm not suggesting that it should be.

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 Please don't seek to go out and be beat up for your faith.

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 It may happen.

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 It's very possible.

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 Certainly, we don't receive systematic persecution.

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 Right.

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 The state is not persecuting Christians, throwing us in prison for the preaching of the gospel.

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 But there is and there should exist amongst us a persecution of the ego.

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 If you preach the good news of Jesus Christ boldly, you might lose your reputation, your status, your position, your job.

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 People might think that you're strange or narrow minded or judgmental.

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 They might label you unloving.

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 A difficult one for many of us.

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 People may just not like you.

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 I like to be liked by people, but they may not like me if I begin to exalt Christ and indict them for their sin against a holy God and call them to repentance.

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 It's the ultimately loving thing I can do for them, but they may not appreciate it.

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 So it's the it's the ego that has the potential of being assaulted here in the U.S.

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 If we're to boldly declare the gospel of Jesus Christ.

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 Some have suggested that the fear of persecution against the ego is a more stifling tool of the devil because it is not so clear an injustice as an assault against the body.

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 So catch what I'm saying.

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 I think I'm tracking with this idea that it's it's more stifling because an injustice against the body.

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 So let's say a man rushed the stage right now because I'm declaring the good news of Jesus Christ in my preaching and just clocked me in the face.

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 I believe I would tend to go, well, hey, suffering for righteousness sake.

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 Right.

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 How clear the injustice is on his part to attack me physically for simply declaring the truth as I understand it.

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 But it seems that it's subliminally restrictive when I'm afraid that that guy just might not like me.

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 He might cross his arms and walk out of here and never return.

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 He might speak poorly of me in the community and I entertain this thought in the back of my head and it could.

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 It has the potential to cause me to shrink back when I should push forward.

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 I will say to you honestly, in the times that I have shrunk back, when I should have pressed forward, when I haven't been bold as I should have been.

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 My concern was that I would get lumped in with other Christians.

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 It seems to me often that Christians that make the popular media are crazy.

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 And so often I go, that's not me.

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 Like, oh, please don't associate me with that guy or that lady.

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 I don't want to be associated with them.

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 I don't want to be seen as weird like them.

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 So I think I'm tracking on this idea that possibly this is the case.

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 But all the same, persecution of one kind or another should be the normative experience of the Christian life.

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 Should be normative, beloved.

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 Should be coming together on Sunday, having experienced the hostility of the world throughout the week.

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 That's why this should be such a refreshing time to be together because we look around at each other and we go, we're not crazy.

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 Everyone in this room believes what I believe.

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 And this is so charging.

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 We sing songs about it.

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 We hear the preaching of it.

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 And we go back out into our week ready once again to bear reproach for the sake of the gospel.

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 I'll give you just a quick example.

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 And this is kind of off the wall, but I thought of it this morning while we were singing.

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 So if you track with me.

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 Normally, day to day, I normally wear a pair of like trail running shoes and a little bit of the soles coming off of one of them.

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 It's a piece I can just glue back on really easily, but I just haven't done it yet.

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 And it's been doing that for about two weeks.

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 So it's a little flat.

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 So you catch them.

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 If you can catch it, it's coming from forward.

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 So when I shuffle my foot on the ground, it catches and does a little like boop with my foot.

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 Picturing that in your mind.

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 So I started walking different.

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 And this morning, I realized I'm not wearing those shoes, but I was also picking that foot up a little bit higher.

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 As I walked, I was doing a little more like lifting, not shuffling my feet, as I often do.

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 Because I had adjusted to a new norm.

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 And the problem is that we have a culture in our churches where we don't boldly proclaim the gospel everywhere we go.

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 And so therefore, we don't bear the reproach of Christ.

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 And it's normative.

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 It's normal that we don't do these things.

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 Rather than it being abnormal that we don't do these things.

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 That you come amongst a group of believers and you go, really?

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 All of you this week suffering for the sake of the gospel?

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 What's wrong with me?

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 And we're silent about it.

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 Right?

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 We don't go, look what the scripture has to say about this.

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 We very conveniently take 2 Timothy 3.12 and we go, well, maybe someday.

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 Could possibly be a thing that would happen.

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 We should be willing to do it.

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 He gives us no space for that type of interpretation, beloved.

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 If you don't like what I'm saying, your problem is with him.

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 Paul, the spirit of God that inspired him to say, all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted.

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 The kingdom of God comes about accompanied by persecution.

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 And because it should be a reality, we begin to prepare for it.

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 It is my hope.

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 It is my prayer that we leave here today ready to go out and boldly proclaim the gospel and that you will be persecuted for that.

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 I hope it would be wonderful if each and every one of you, every single person you encountered, was favorable to the message of the gospel.

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 Already found in Christ or saying, tell me more.

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 I've been waiting my whole life to meet a person that would preach this good news to me.

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 But if you're propagating the gospel widely, I'm also confident that that will not be the case.

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 Right?

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 Will be persecuted.

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 To some people, they will want to shut you down as quickly as they can.

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 They don't want to hear it.

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 So we began to consider in these first one through thirty one, seven ways to honor God in the midst of persecution.

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 I promise I'm going to get to our text through this long introduction.

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 Seven ways to honor God in the midst of persecution.

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 Or if you prefer, seven ways to handle persecution.

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 We looked at the first three last week.

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 The first one was to be expendable.

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 Right?

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 And this is implied in the text.

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 Look at verse four of chapter four.

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 It's implied, but I believe it's there.

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 I don't think I'm taking liberty with the text at all.

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 Verse four.

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 After their arrest, Luke records the arrest and imprisonment.

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 But many of those who had heard the word believed.

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 And the number of the men came to about five thousand.

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 Right?

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 I talked a little bit last week about the varying ways we could count the number of the church in that day.

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 But it's a massive, massive number.

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 Be expendable.

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 Hold your life loosely for the sake of others.

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 Don't be so concerned about the way people view you because they're dying.

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 Be willing to be ridiculed for the sake of others.

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 Consider this.

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 If you're in Christ, it's possible that you picked up a copy of God's word and you read the scripture for yourself.

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 You read the gospel in the scripture.

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 But more likely, someone shared the gospel with you.

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 Someone taught you the gospel of Jesus Christ.

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 And by the inworking of the spirit and God's grace, you responded in faith.

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 Someone was willing to bear the reproach of Christ for you.

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 They were willing to do so.

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 Fortunately, you responded favorably.

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 You didn't take him out back and beat him up.

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 But you were not likely the only person that that good news was preached to.

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 The person that taught you the gospel was likely teaching other people the gospel as well.

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 And that person probably met with opposition to the message of Christ.

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 Someone was willing to bear reproach for you.

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 Hold loosely to your life.

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 Be expendable.

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 Secondly, we looked at being filled with the spirit.

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 We see that in verse 8, that Peter was filled with the spirit.

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 And I certainly can't talk about this at length.

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 Many Sundays.

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 We ask that question, what does it mean to be filled with the spirit?

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 And I've been saying to you and establishing for you that it is not this extra spiritual experience.

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 It's not this second normative Christian experience where you reach a whole new plateau and plane.

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 It's not a thing that's meant to be sought in the midst of a service by a certain set of incantations or meditation.

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 It's not nearly that complex.

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 If you're in Christ, you have been baptized in the spirit.

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 One time thing.

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 Being in Christ, you have the spirit of God.

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 And you can be filled with him or not.

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 It's a matter of walking in obedience or not.

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 If you want to hear more about this, Acts 2, 1 through 12, the second sermon, you can find it online.

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 I talk about it a bit more.

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 But just quickly, in order for you to study this yourself, I want you to look in Ephesians 5, Colossians 3, Romans 8.

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 Feel free to talk to me about it more as well.

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 But be filled with the spirit.

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 Have the word of God saturate you deeply.

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 Ephesians 5, Colossians 3, these parallel passages.

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 And have it come out of you.

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 Have it so worked into you that it comes out of you.

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 Romans 8.

00:18:58.759 --> 00:19:03.500
 Set your mind on the things of the spirit and you will not fulfill the desires of the flesh.

00:19:04.420 --> 00:19:05.859
 Thirdly, be bold.

00:19:07.339 --> 00:19:07.920
 Be bold.

00:19:08.539 --> 00:19:15.119
 What a great deal of boldness on Peter's part in front of these men.

00:19:15.720 --> 00:19:17.279
 This is a big deal.

00:19:17.400 --> 00:19:23.460
 Again, God orchestrating the miracle itself to bring them to being able to preach in front of this great crowd at the temple.

00:19:23.960 --> 00:19:25.279
 And now the Sanhedrin.

00:19:25.700 --> 00:19:29.380
 Now these religious elite, this ruling party, right?

00:19:29.579 --> 00:19:30.900
 In cahoots with the Romans.

00:19:30.900 --> 00:19:35.840
 And they're sitting in front of this group, 71, 70 men plus the high priest.

00:19:36.540 --> 00:19:39.720
 No way they could have called this audience together on their own, right?

00:19:39.759 --> 00:19:41.300
 This was a work of God.

00:19:41.720 --> 00:19:48.259
 And here, Peter, the one we read this morning, denying Christ three times before his crucifixion.

00:19:48.440 --> 00:19:51.400
 Now, having seen the resurrected Christ, is bold.

00:19:51.600 --> 00:19:54.259
 Man, this was a group to stand in front of.

00:19:54.840 --> 00:19:59.540
 It would have been frightening to be standing in front of these men.

00:19:59.539 --> 00:20:05.420
 The closest equivalent I can draw to it is maybe a joint session of Congress and the Supreme Court.

00:20:05.599 --> 00:20:11.319
 And then we'll just toss the president in the mix, all sitting in a big half circle asking you questions.

00:20:11.779 --> 00:20:11.879
 Right?

00:20:12.159 --> 00:20:14.659
 And you're meant to respond.

00:20:14.839 --> 00:20:17.599
 And boy, does he respond with great boldness.

00:20:17.599 --> 00:20:27.339
 Verse 11, this Jesus is the stone that was rejected by you, the builders, which has become the cornerstone.

00:20:27.459 --> 00:20:35.299
 And he's citing from Psalm 118, 22, which says the stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone.

00:20:35.480 --> 00:20:38.699
 Peter does not remove the offense of the gospel.

00:20:39.139 --> 00:20:40.899
 In fear, he doesn't shrink back.

00:20:40.980 --> 00:20:42.059
 He presses forward.

00:20:42.639 --> 00:20:43.679
 He speaks the truth.

00:20:43.939 --> 00:20:46.000
 He boldly indicts them.

00:20:46.000 --> 00:20:51.019
 He's saying to them, you are fulfilling Psalm 118, 22.

00:20:51.339 --> 00:20:52.599
 You, you're the builders.

00:20:53.259 --> 00:20:58.259
 You've rejected the cornerstone on which the whole temple of God is built.

00:20:58.539 --> 00:21:01.539
 He presses forward instead of shrinking back.

00:21:01.640 --> 00:21:06.180
 He goes on to say, verse 12, there is salvation in no one else.

00:21:06.240 --> 00:21:10.859
 Now, remember, these men are saying to him, they're concerned about the teaching of Jesus.

00:21:11.220 --> 00:21:14.940
 These men were integral to the crucifixion of Christ.

00:21:14.940 --> 00:21:16.940
 These men hated Jesus.

00:21:17.759 --> 00:21:20.620
 And he says, there is salvation in no one else.

00:21:20.619 --> 00:21:26.299
 For there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.

00:21:26.299 --> 00:21:35.399
 If you don't hang all of your hope of salvation in the personal work of Jesus Christ, you will be destroyed.

00:21:37.319 --> 00:21:39.339
 And opponents to this will say, how very narrow.

00:21:39.480 --> 00:21:41.940
 Why couldn't God make many, many ways?

00:21:41.940 --> 00:21:46.400
 But the question we should be asking is, why did God make a way at all?

00:21:47.059 --> 00:21:49.980
 Praise God forevermore than he made a way.

00:21:50.180 --> 00:21:51.640
 And he made a specific way.

00:21:51.980 --> 00:21:56.380
 And it's in faith in the personal work of Jesus Christ.

00:21:56.380 --> 00:21:59.900
 So those were last weeks.

00:22:00.040 --> 00:22:00.860
 We're caught up now.

00:22:01.360 --> 00:22:07.920
 This week, I'm just going to address one additional point from the seven.

00:22:08.980 --> 00:22:12.940
 Because the structure of the text lends itself to that.

00:22:12.940 --> 00:22:16.840
 And you've all been so very gracious.

00:22:16.840 --> 00:22:20.720
 As I've been taking huge bites out of these narratives.

00:22:22.080 --> 00:22:24.140
 And we have a members meeting following the service.

00:22:25.519 --> 00:22:28.019
 So we're just going to add one.

00:22:28.480 --> 00:22:31.240
 So in the seven ways to honor God in the midst of persecution,

00:22:31.820 --> 00:22:33.720
 the one we'll add today is number four.

00:22:34.620 --> 00:22:36.340
 Be obedient.

00:22:38.259 --> 00:22:39.340
 Be obedient.

00:22:39.339 --> 00:22:39.659
 Okay.

00:22:41.899 --> 00:22:43.980
 My text for this morning is verse 14 to 22.

00:22:44.099 --> 00:22:47.299
 But I would like to begin reading in verse one.

00:22:47.459 --> 00:22:49.220
 So Acts four.

00:22:50.879 --> 00:22:52.000
 One through 22.

00:22:57.379 --> 00:22:59.220
 And as they were speaking to the people,

00:22:59.679 --> 00:23:03.839
 the priest and the captain of the temple and the Sadducees came upon them

00:23:03.839 --> 00:23:06.980
 greatly annoyed because they were teaching the people

00:23:06.980 --> 00:23:10.640
 and proclaiming in Jesus the resurrection from the dead.

00:23:11.279 --> 00:23:14.860
 And they arrested them and put them in custody until the next day,

00:23:15.000 --> 00:23:16.339
 for it was already evening.

00:23:17.140 --> 00:23:19.440
 But many of those who had heard the word believed,

00:23:19.559 --> 00:23:22.180
 and the number of the men came to about 5,000.

00:23:22.880 --> 00:23:23.900
 On the next day,

00:23:23.980 --> 00:23:27.440
 their rulers and elders and scribes gathered together in Jerusalem

00:23:27.440 --> 00:23:31.620
 with Annas the high priest and Caiaphas and John and Alexander,

00:23:31.940 --> 00:23:34.140
 all who were of the high priestly family.

00:23:34.140 --> 00:23:36.940
 And when they had set them in the midst,

00:23:36.940 --> 00:23:38.000
 they inquired,

00:23:38.160 --> 00:23:42.880
 by what power or by what name do you do this?

00:23:44.080 --> 00:23:44.840
 Then Peter,

00:23:45.120 --> 00:23:46.580
 filled with the Holy Spirit,

00:23:46.780 --> 00:23:48.100
 said to them,

00:23:48.960 --> 00:23:50.740
 rulers of the people and elders,

00:23:51.240 --> 00:23:54.860
 if we are being examined today concerning a good deed done to a crippled man,

00:23:55.180 --> 00:23:57.320
 by what means this man has been healed?

00:23:57.780 --> 00:24:01.040
 Let it be known to all of you and to all the people of Israel

00:24:01.039 --> 00:24:03.960
 that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth,

00:24:04.059 --> 00:24:05.000
 whom you crucified,

00:24:05.460 --> 00:24:06.980
 whom God raised from the dead,

00:24:07.240 --> 00:24:10.240
 by him this man is standing before you well.

00:24:11.220 --> 00:24:13.740
 This Jesus is the stone that was rejected by you,

00:24:13.899 --> 00:24:14.420
 the builders,

00:24:14.559 --> 00:24:15.980
 which has become the cornerstone.

00:24:16.420 --> 00:24:18.159
 And there is salvation in no one else,

00:24:18.220 --> 00:24:19.799
 for there is no other name under heaven

00:24:19.799 --> 00:24:22.879
 given among men by which we must be saved.

00:24:22.880 --> 00:24:26.560
 Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John

00:24:26.560 --> 00:24:29.080
 and perceived that they were uneducated,

00:24:29.320 --> 00:24:30.060
 common men,

00:24:30.180 --> 00:24:31.420
 they were astonished,

00:24:31.760 --> 00:24:34.480
 and they recognized they had been with Jesus.

00:24:35.380 --> 00:24:38.080
 But seeing the man who was healed standing beside them,

00:24:38.120 --> 00:24:40.460
 they had nothing to say in opposition.

00:24:41.100 --> 00:24:43.100
 But when they had commanded them to leave the council,

00:24:43.280 --> 00:24:44.500
 they conferred with one another,

00:24:44.620 --> 00:24:44.920
 saying,

00:24:45.160 --> 00:24:46.860
 what shall we do with these men?

00:24:47.559 --> 00:24:49.699
 For that a notable sign has been performed through them

00:24:49.699 --> 00:24:51.839
 is evident to all the inhabitants of Jerusalem,

00:24:51.839 --> 00:24:54.399
 and we cannot deny it.

00:24:54.919 --> 00:24:57.479
 But in order that it may spread no further among the people,

00:24:57.659 --> 00:25:01.319
 let us warn them to speak no more to anyone in this name.

00:25:02.019 --> 00:25:04.839
 So they called them and charged them not to speak

00:25:04.839 --> 00:25:07.679
 or teach at all in the name of Jesus.

00:25:08.399 --> 00:25:10.740
 But Peter and John answered them,

00:25:11.599 --> 00:25:14.439
 whether it is right in the sight of God to listen to you

00:25:14.440 --> 00:25:15.640
 rather than to God,

00:25:16.140 --> 00:25:17.140
 you must judge.

00:25:17.539 --> 00:25:21.920
 For we cannot but speak of what we have seen and heard.

00:25:22.960 --> 00:25:24.700
 And when they had further threatened them,

00:25:25.080 --> 00:25:26.200
 they let them go,

00:25:26.600 --> 00:25:29.340
 finding no way to punish them because of the people.

00:25:29.840 --> 00:25:31.920
 For all were praising God for what had happened.

00:25:32.460 --> 00:25:35.220
 For the man on whom the sign of healing was performed

00:25:35.220 --> 00:25:38.240
 was more than forty years old.

00:25:39.660 --> 00:25:41.840
 Beloved, this is God's word to us.

00:25:41.839 --> 00:25:45.220
 It was written for his glory and our good.

00:25:45.859 --> 00:25:47.779
 And we would all do well to listen to it

00:25:47.779 --> 00:25:50.059
 in order to believe its promises

00:25:50.059 --> 00:25:53.379
 and obey its commands.

00:25:54.439 --> 00:25:56.399
 All right, beginning in verse 14.

00:25:57.000 --> 00:25:59.259
 Now, remembering that they're before the Sanhedrin,

00:25:59.339 --> 00:26:01.519
 these 71 men,

00:26:01.619 --> 00:26:04.139
 this highly intimidating situation.

00:26:04.579 --> 00:26:06.259
 Recognize that's where they are

00:26:06.259 --> 00:26:08.640
 and that it was customary

00:26:08.640 --> 00:26:11.519
 to assess claims of miracles.

00:26:11.640 --> 00:26:13.180
 If miracles occurred in this day,

00:26:13.240 --> 00:26:14.640
 it was normative that the Sanhedrin

00:26:14.640 --> 00:26:15.500
 would call together

00:26:15.500 --> 00:26:19.379
 the people who were supposedly responsible for it

00:26:19.379 --> 00:26:21.700
 and assess the claim of it.

00:26:21.759 --> 00:26:24.339
 They knew that God was a miracle-working God.

00:26:24.420 --> 00:26:26.140
 And if someone was to come and perform a miracle,

00:26:26.319 --> 00:26:27.359
 it was possible

00:26:27.359 --> 00:26:29.980
 that they were sent on behalf of God,

00:26:30.039 --> 00:26:32.539
 that they were a prophet of God.

00:26:32.539 --> 00:26:36.519
 This is likely the reason that the man was with them.

00:26:36.639 --> 00:26:38.579
 You see that in verse 14.

00:26:38.659 --> 00:26:42.139
 But seeing the man who was healed standing beside them,

00:26:42.200 --> 00:26:44.200
 he didn't wander his own way into this meeting.

00:26:44.379 --> 00:26:45.500
 He was brought in

00:26:45.500 --> 00:26:49.539
 and he was there with them to be assessed.

00:26:50.399 --> 00:26:51.200
 But remember,

00:26:51.539 --> 00:26:53.599
 this is not ultimately

00:26:53.599 --> 00:26:56.240
 why Peter and John are on trial.

00:26:57.139 --> 00:26:59.279
 So this is the normative thing that would be going on.

00:26:59.420 --> 00:27:00.259
 Like, miracles have been performed.

00:27:00.339 --> 00:27:01.759
 People are saying there's a miracle that's happened.

00:27:01.759 --> 00:27:03.160
 And we need to get together.

00:27:03.460 --> 00:27:04.839
 We need to gather everyone together.

00:27:04.920 --> 00:27:06.420
 The Sanhedrin, we need to gather together.

00:27:06.660 --> 00:27:07.940
 And we need to check this out

00:27:07.940 --> 00:27:09.859
 to see if it's a true claim or not.

00:27:10.319 --> 00:27:12.640
 And we know that's not the primary reason.

00:27:12.900 --> 00:27:15.279
 Back in the beginning of chapter 4.

00:27:15.920 --> 00:27:17.480
 Remember, they were annoyed.

00:27:18.319 --> 00:27:20.059
 They were greatly annoyed with them.

00:27:20.099 --> 00:27:21.299
 And they seized them.

00:27:21.379 --> 00:27:22.900
 And they arrested them.

00:27:23.000 --> 00:27:25.200
 They were annoyed with them for three reasons.

00:27:25.319 --> 00:27:26.480
 They were teaching.

00:27:27.059 --> 00:27:29.879
 It's not a thing that common men did.

00:27:29.880 --> 00:27:33.100
 In verse 13, we saw that they were uneducated,

00:27:33.220 --> 00:27:33.900
 common men.

00:27:33.980 --> 00:27:36.420
 They weren't trained in their rabbinical schools.

00:27:36.560 --> 00:27:39.280
 And they didn't have these clout

00:27:39.280 --> 00:27:41.620
 of a professional theologian.

00:27:42.380 --> 00:27:44.940
 They were amazed by Jesus as well

00:27:44.940 --> 00:27:47.200
 when He came into synagogues

00:27:47.200 --> 00:27:47.860
 and into the temple.

00:27:47.960 --> 00:27:50.740
 And He spoke as one with authority.

00:27:50.840 --> 00:27:51.740
 That's what they're referencing.

00:27:51.940 --> 00:27:54.780
 One who had been granted authority to.

00:27:54.779 --> 00:27:58.119
 Rather than just speaking what God had said

00:27:58.119 --> 00:27:59.160
 in His Word.

00:27:59.259 --> 00:28:00.799
 They were teaching.

00:28:01.359 --> 00:28:02.519
 Second part of verse 2

00:28:02.519 --> 00:28:04.019
 because they were teaching the people.

00:28:04.180 --> 00:28:05.700
 They were teaching about Jesus.

00:28:06.399 --> 00:28:09.519
 They were proclaiming in Jesus.

00:28:10.119 --> 00:28:12.139
 This one that they had put to death.

00:28:12.220 --> 00:28:14.240
 That they had deemed a false prophet

00:28:14.240 --> 00:28:15.339
 and killed.

00:28:15.599 --> 00:28:18.920
 And they were teaching about resurrection.

00:28:19.720 --> 00:28:21.400
 The Sanhedrin was made up

00:28:21.400 --> 00:28:22.960
 primarily,

00:28:23.400 --> 00:28:24.759
 not in entirety,

00:28:24.920 --> 00:28:25.840
 but primarily

00:28:25.840 --> 00:28:27.279
 of Sadducees.

00:28:27.400 --> 00:28:29.120
 And Sadducees were a sect of Judaism

00:28:29.120 --> 00:28:30.220
 that did not believe

00:28:30.220 --> 00:28:31.640
 in the resurrection from the dead.

00:28:32.000 --> 00:28:33.180
 I didn't think that was a possible thing.

00:28:33.300 --> 00:28:34.320
 So, they're teaching.

00:28:34.400 --> 00:28:35.160
 They're teaching about Jesus.

00:28:35.500 --> 00:28:37.900
 And they're teaching about resurrection.

00:28:38.300 --> 00:28:40.140
 That Jesus Himself was raised

00:28:40.140 --> 00:28:41.060
 from the dead.

00:28:41.140 --> 00:28:43.740
 So, they're greatly annoyed with this.

00:28:44.200 --> 00:28:45.680
 They're greatly annoyed.

00:28:45.680 --> 00:28:49.200
 But they have nothing to say

00:28:49.200 --> 00:28:50.519
 in opposition.

00:28:51.279 --> 00:28:53.640
 Here's the man standing before them.

00:28:53.820 --> 00:28:55.880
 We find out at the end of our text,

00:28:55.960 --> 00:28:56.759
 verse 22,

00:28:57.060 --> 00:28:59.640
 that this man had been crippled

00:28:59.640 --> 00:29:00.660
 for 40 years.

00:29:00.660 --> 00:29:01.880
 From birth for 40 years,

00:29:01.980 --> 00:29:04.380
 he was a figure at the temple.

00:29:04.779 --> 00:29:06.340
 Always was at the beautiful gate.

00:29:06.779 --> 00:29:08.539
 They themselves would have seen them.

00:29:08.580 --> 00:29:09.620
 So, here he is standing with them

00:29:09.620 --> 00:29:10.660
 and they're seeing.

00:29:10.799 --> 00:29:11.140
 They're saying,

00:29:11.240 --> 00:29:12.960
 yes, that's the guy.

00:29:13.480 --> 00:29:14.680
 And they've healed him.

00:29:14.680 --> 00:29:16.259
 And they're saying to us

00:29:16.259 --> 00:29:17.140
 that they healed him

00:29:17.140 --> 00:29:19.039
 in the name of Jesus Christ.

00:29:19.140 --> 00:29:20.820
 So, they have nothing to say.

00:29:21.000 --> 00:29:22.000
 So, what do they do?

00:29:22.120 --> 00:29:24.980
 They, in verse 15 and on into 16,

00:29:25.160 --> 00:29:26.620
 they took a recess.

00:29:27.000 --> 00:29:27.660
 They sent him out

00:29:27.660 --> 00:29:28.960
 and took a recess.

00:29:29.080 --> 00:29:31.580
 They conferred amongst each other

00:29:31.580 --> 00:29:33.039
 to figure out what in the world

00:29:33.039 --> 00:29:35.160
 they should do.

00:29:35.840 --> 00:29:36.720
 Verse 16,

00:29:36.820 --> 00:29:38.120
 What shall we do with these men?

00:29:38.820 --> 00:29:40.259
 For that a notable sign

00:29:40.259 --> 00:29:41.180
 has been performed through them

00:29:41.180 --> 00:29:42.100
 is evident

00:29:42.100 --> 00:29:44.100
 to all the inhabitants

00:29:44.100 --> 00:29:45.279
 of Jerusalem.

00:29:45.920 --> 00:29:47.500
 It's evident to everyone.

00:29:47.700 --> 00:29:48.900
 Many thousands

00:29:48.900 --> 00:29:50.160
 had witnessed the man healed.

00:29:50.580 --> 00:29:51.680
 We see that there

00:29:51.680 --> 00:29:53.440
 at the many who believed

00:29:53.440 --> 00:29:54.820
 at the preaching of Peter.

00:29:54.960 --> 00:29:55.820
 Many thousands

00:29:55.820 --> 00:29:56.840
 had witnessed the man healed

00:29:56.840 --> 00:29:59.160
 and the news of his healing

00:29:59.160 --> 00:30:00.539
 had spread.

00:30:00.759 --> 00:30:02.580
 All the inhabitants of Jerusalem,

00:30:02.799 --> 00:30:04.680
 the city was abuzz

00:30:04.680 --> 00:30:06.180
 with this miracle.

00:30:06.180 --> 00:30:06.740
 miracle.

00:30:07.220 --> 00:30:08.960
 They couldn't deny it.

00:30:09.000 --> 00:30:12.060
 There were too many witnesses.

00:30:13.240 --> 00:30:13.900
 It's not that they didn't

00:30:13.900 --> 00:30:14.759
 want to deny it.

00:30:14.880 --> 00:30:15.519
 They would have gladly

00:30:15.519 --> 00:30:16.660
 just dismissed it.

00:30:16.980 --> 00:30:17.500
 They would have gladly

00:30:17.500 --> 00:30:17.980
 just said,

00:30:18.200 --> 00:30:19.740
 this didn't happen at all.

00:30:20.220 --> 00:30:21.920
 This affirms the case

00:30:21.920 --> 00:30:22.580
 against us.

00:30:22.700 --> 00:30:23.960
 We could just deny it,

00:30:24.019 --> 00:30:24.920
 but we can't.

00:30:25.039 --> 00:30:25.759
 Because if we do,

00:30:26.759 --> 00:30:27.460
 we'll lose power.

00:30:27.560 --> 00:30:28.000
 Everyone will think

00:30:28.000 --> 00:30:29.420
 we're crazy.

00:30:30.620 --> 00:30:31.920
 The Sadducees also

00:30:31.920 --> 00:30:34.299
 could not deny

00:30:34.299 --> 00:30:35.320
 the resurrection.

00:30:36.519 --> 00:30:37.560
 We're going to see this

00:30:37.560 --> 00:30:38.500
 throughout the book of Acts

00:30:38.500 --> 00:30:40.140
 when the apostles

00:30:40.140 --> 00:30:42.080
 stand in these councils

00:30:42.080 --> 00:30:44.080
 before the Sadducees.

00:30:44.200 --> 00:30:45.480
 They would have loved

00:30:45.480 --> 00:30:46.200
 to have denied

00:30:46.200 --> 00:30:46.820
 the resurrection

00:30:46.820 --> 00:30:47.940
 to present the proof

00:30:47.940 --> 00:30:48.560
 that the resurrection

00:30:48.560 --> 00:30:50.259
 had not happened.

00:30:51.200 --> 00:30:52.180
 But they don't.

00:30:52.960 --> 00:30:53.960
 They never do.

00:30:54.080 --> 00:30:54.900
 They never bring it up

00:30:54.900 --> 00:30:56.460
 because they couldn't.

00:30:57.060 --> 00:30:57.720
 It was impossible

00:30:57.720 --> 00:30:59.840
 for them to do so.

00:31:00.759 --> 00:31:01.820
 This is a bit of a side note,

00:31:01.940 --> 00:31:02.860
 but a commentary

00:31:02.860 --> 00:31:03.460
 on this text

00:31:03.460 --> 00:31:04.340
 by F.F. Bruce,

00:31:04.340 --> 00:31:05.519
 who was a 20th century

00:31:05.519 --> 00:31:07.519
 Scottish Bible scholar

00:31:07.519 --> 00:31:08.339
 I commend to you.

00:31:09.119 --> 00:31:09.299
 He wrote,

00:31:09.299 --> 00:31:10.379
 it is particularly striking

00:31:10.379 --> 00:31:11.639
 that neither on this

00:31:11.639 --> 00:31:12.519
 nor on any other

00:31:12.519 --> 00:31:13.619
 subsequent occasion

00:31:13.619 --> 00:31:14.639
 did the Sanhedrin

00:31:14.639 --> 00:31:16.240
 take any serious action

00:31:16.240 --> 00:31:16.919
 to disprove

00:31:16.919 --> 00:31:17.859
 the apostles'

00:31:18.299 --> 00:31:19.539
 central affirmation,

00:31:20.039 --> 00:31:20.720
 the resurrection

00:31:20.720 --> 00:31:22.119
 of Jesus.

00:31:23.000 --> 00:31:24.099
 Had it seemed possible

00:31:24.099 --> 00:31:24.819
 to refute them

00:31:24.819 --> 00:31:25.559
 on this point,

00:31:25.899 --> 00:31:26.639
 how readily

00:31:26.639 --> 00:31:27.460
 would the Sanhedrin

00:31:27.460 --> 00:31:28.720
 have seized the opportunity?

00:31:29.079 --> 00:31:29.740
 Had they succeeded,

00:31:29.859 --> 00:31:31.200
 how quickly and completely

00:31:31.200 --> 00:31:32.399
 the new movement

00:31:32.399 --> 00:31:33.720
 would have collapsed?

00:31:34.279 --> 00:31:35.159
 So they can't.

00:31:35.180 --> 00:31:36.159
 They can't go after that.

00:31:36.160 --> 00:31:37.140
 They're not even here

00:31:37.140 --> 00:31:38.120
 able to go after

00:31:38.120 --> 00:31:39.700
 the fact that a miracle

00:31:39.700 --> 00:31:41.779
 had been performed.

00:31:41.980 --> 00:31:42.779
 And Peter is saying

00:31:42.779 --> 00:31:43.720
 it happened in the name

00:31:43.720 --> 00:31:45.420
 of Christ.

00:31:45.620 --> 00:31:45.900
 And so,

00:31:46.120 --> 00:31:47.620
 what do they do?

00:31:48.560 --> 00:31:49.660
 Verse 17

00:31:49.660 --> 00:31:51.279
 into 18.

00:31:53.759 --> 00:31:55.140
 But in order that it

00:31:55.140 --> 00:31:55.960
 may spread

00:31:55.960 --> 00:31:56.980
 no further

00:31:56.980 --> 00:31:58.480
 among the people.

00:31:58.740 --> 00:32:00.220
 Let's restrict it

00:32:00.220 --> 00:32:01.320
 to Jerusalem,

00:32:01.440 --> 00:32:02.300
 the city of Jerusalem.

00:32:02.720 --> 00:32:04.060
 Let's squelch

00:32:04.059 --> 00:32:04.599
 the rumor

00:32:04.599 --> 00:32:05.460
 that someone

00:32:05.460 --> 00:32:06.039
 was healed

00:32:06.039 --> 00:32:07.159
 by the power

00:32:07.159 --> 00:32:07.879
 of Christ.

00:32:08.559 --> 00:32:09.480
 Let us warn them

00:32:09.480 --> 00:32:10.619
 to speak no more

00:32:10.619 --> 00:32:11.259
 to anyone

00:32:11.259 --> 00:32:13.440
 in this name.

00:32:14.119 --> 00:32:14.839
 So they did.

00:32:14.899 --> 00:32:15.500
 They called them in,

00:32:15.639 --> 00:32:16.299
 charged them not

00:32:16.299 --> 00:32:16.960
 to speak or teach

00:32:16.960 --> 00:32:17.799
 at all

00:32:17.799 --> 00:32:18.779
 in the name

00:32:18.779 --> 00:32:20.480
 of Jesus.

00:32:21.539 --> 00:32:21.839
 These men

00:32:21.839 --> 00:32:23.019
 were not concerned

00:32:23.019 --> 00:32:24.399
 with the truth.

00:32:24.559 --> 00:32:25.480
 What opportunity

00:32:25.480 --> 00:32:26.139
 they had

00:32:26.139 --> 00:32:27.139
 before them

00:32:27.139 --> 00:32:28.740
 to witness

00:32:28.740 --> 00:32:29.819
 their miracle

00:32:29.819 --> 00:32:30.619
 working God

00:32:30.619 --> 00:32:31.659
 performing a miracle

00:32:31.659 --> 00:32:33.019
 in their midst.

00:32:33.019 --> 00:32:34.639
 even being offered

00:32:34.639 --> 00:32:35.619
 the opportunity

00:32:35.619 --> 00:32:37.059
 to repent.

00:32:37.279 --> 00:32:37.720
 Chapter 4,

00:32:38.079 --> 00:32:38.839
 verse 12.

00:32:38.960 --> 00:32:40.279
 To turn from their sin

00:32:40.279 --> 00:32:42.240
 and turn back to God.

00:32:42.259 --> 00:32:43.099
 But they were not

00:32:43.099 --> 00:32:44.859
 concerned with the truth.

00:32:45.000 --> 00:32:45.319
 They were concerned

00:32:45.319 --> 00:32:46.119
 with their power

00:32:46.119 --> 00:32:47.460
 and the holding of it.

00:32:47.759 --> 00:32:48.740
 They were wealthy men

00:32:48.740 --> 00:32:50.180
 because of the positions

00:32:50.180 --> 00:32:51.339
 that they held.

00:32:52.019 --> 00:32:53.039
 If the people

00:32:53.039 --> 00:32:53.619
 were convinced

00:32:53.619 --> 00:32:54.960
 that Jesus was the Messiah,

00:32:55.819 --> 00:32:56.420
 the Sanhedrin

00:32:56.420 --> 00:32:56.960
 would certainly

00:32:56.960 --> 00:32:57.619
 have been held

00:32:57.619 --> 00:32:58.400
 culpable

00:32:58.400 --> 00:32:59.940
 for his death.

00:33:00.359 --> 00:33:01.519
 He just wanted it

00:33:01.519 --> 00:33:02.180
 dismissed,

00:33:02.379 --> 00:33:03.460
 swept under

00:33:03.460 --> 00:33:04.400
 the rug.

00:33:04.700 --> 00:33:05.680
 The sooner the movement

00:33:05.680 --> 00:33:06.119
 could die,

00:33:06.180 --> 00:33:07.619
 the better for them.

00:33:07.720 --> 00:33:08.740
 So they command them,

00:33:08.920 --> 00:33:10.220
 don't speak anymore

00:33:10.220 --> 00:33:12.259
 in this name.

00:33:13.539 --> 00:33:14.019
 I think it's of

00:33:14.019 --> 00:33:14.500
 interesting note

00:33:14.500 --> 00:33:15.039
 at this point

00:33:15.039 --> 00:33:16.019
 to see.

00:33:16.220 --> 00:33:16.759
 We're going to see

00:33:16.759 --> 00:33:18.359
 again in the book

00:33:18.359 --> 00:33:18.779
 of Acts,

00:33:18.940 --> 00:33:19.660
 again and again

00:33:19.660 --> 00:33:20.019
 and again.

00:33:21.160 --> 00:33:22.339
 The apostles

00:33:22.339 --> 00:33:24.259
 had to be commanded

00:33:24.259 --> 00:33:25.440
 to stop speaking

00:33:25.440 --> 00:33:26.980
 of Jesus.

00:33:26.980 --> 00:33:27.140
 Jesus.

00:33:28.259 --> 00:33:29.200
 And today we have

00:33:29.200 --> 00:33:29.819
 to command people

00:33:29.819 --> 00:33:32.279
 to speak of Jesus.

00:33:33.140 --> 00:33:34.960
 They were so enthralled

00:33:34.960 --> 00:33:36.880
 with who he was

00:33:36.880 --> 00:33:37.779
 to them.

00:33:38.339 --> 00:33:38.980
 They loved him

00:33:38.980 --> 00:33:41.259
 so immensely

00:33:41.259 --> 00:33:42.680
 that they wouldn't

00:33:42.680 --> 00:33:43.319
 shut up.

00:33:44.680 --> 00:33:45.400
 At the threat

00:33:45.400 --> 00:33:46.000
 of their life,

00:33:46.079 --> 00:33:46.680
 they would not

00:33:46.680 --> 00:33:48.640
 be quiet.

00:33:49.220 --> 00:33:49.880
 And we see some

00:33:49.880 --> 00:33:50.460
 of that in the

00:33:50.460 --> 00:33:51.180
 response,

00:33:51.759 --> 00:33:53.079
 verse 19 and 20.

00:33:53.079 --> 00:33:57.359
 Peter and John

00:33:57.359 --> 00:33:58.240
 answered them.

00:33:58.319 --> 00:33:58.939
 So Peter's preached

00:33:58.939 --> 00:33:59.720
 this sermon before,

00:33:59.819 --> 00:34:00.619
 but now Peter

00:34:00.619 --> 00:34:01.859
 and John,

00:34:01.960 --> 00:34:02.699
 and I don't want

00:34:02.699 --> 00:34:03.359
 you to picture this

00:34:03.359 --> 00:34:04.519
 as like the creepy

00:34:04.519 --> 00:34:05.379
 talking at the exact

00:34:05.379 --> 00:34:05.939
 same time,

00:34:06.720 --> 00:34:07.599
 but I think what Luke's

00:34:07.599 --> 00:34:08.179
 trying to communicate

00:34:08.179 --> 00:34:08.779
 is that they were

00:34:08.779 --> 00:34:10.099
 unified in their

00:34:10.099 --> 00:34:10.920
 obstinance.

00:34:11.360 --> 00:34:12.319
 They were both

00:34:12.319 --> 00:34:13.460
 equally bold.

00:34:13.579 --> 00:34:14.420
 One of them spoke up,

00:34:14.480 --> 00:34:15.900
 we're not sure which,

00:34:16.039 --> 00:34:16.559
 likely Peter.

00:34:16.659 --> 00:34:17.559
 Peter talked all the time.

00:34:19.360 --> 00:34:19.719
 They said,

00:34:20.119 --> 00:34:21.519
 whether it is right

00:34:21.519 --> 00:34:22.480
 in the sight of God

00:34:22.480 --> 00:34:23.519
 to listen to you

00:34:23.519 --> 00:34:25.480
 rather than to God,

00:34:25.719 --> 00:34:26.780
 you must judge.

00:34:28.360 --> 00:34:29.199
 He's saying to them,

00:34:29.360 --> 00:34:30.280
 you guys decide,

00:34:30.360 --> 00:34:31.300
 should we listen to you

00:34:31.300 --> 00:34:32.539
 or should we listen

00:34:32.539 --> 00:34:34.320
 to God?

00:34:35.000 --> 00:34:36.159
 I love what John

00:34:36.159 --> 00:34:37.360
 MacArthur said of this

00:34:37.360 --> 00:34:39.340
 position that he puts

00:34:39.340 --> 00:34:40.519
 them in by saying this.

00:34:40.960 --> 00:34:41.300
 He says,

00:34:41.360 --> 00:34:42.360
 by such an appeal

00:34:42.360 --> 00:34:44.219
 to the divine judge,

00:34:44.699 --> 00:34:46.460
 the apostles impaled

00:34:46.460 --> 00:34:47.320
 the Sanhedrin

00:34:47.320 --> 00:34:48.240
 on the horns

00:34:48.240 --> 00:34:49.320
 of a dilemma.

00:34:49.320 --> 00:34:52.120
 He sets them up

00:34:52.120 --> 00:34:52.580
 for failure.

00:34:52.700 --> 00:34:53.100
 Either they have

00:34:53.100 --> 00:34:53.680
 to deny God

00:34:53.680 --> 00:34:54.000
 or they have

00:34:54.000 --> 00:34:54.940
 to deny themselves

00:34:54.940 --> 00:34:57.039
 as proper judges

00:34:57.039 --> 00:34:58.539
 over Israel.

00:34:59.760 --> 00:35:00.559
 Peter and John

00:35:00.559 --> 00:35:01.480
 spoke on behalf

00:35:01.480 --> 00:35:02.019
 of God

00:35:02.019 --> 00:35:04.460
 in Jesus Christ.

00:35:05.360 --> 00:35:06.720
 They put the Sanhedrin

00:35:06.720 --> 00:35:07.480
 in a position

00:35:07.480 --> 00:35:08.059
 to worship

00:35:08.059 --> 00:35:09.200
 their own power

00:35:09.200 --> 00:35:10.559
 or the God

00:35:10.559 --> 00:35:12.320
 of all power.

00:35:12.580 --> 00:35:13.660
 And sadly,

00:35:13.780 --> 00:35:14.580
 the Sanhedrin

00:35:14.580 --> 00:35:16.440
 chose the former.

00:35:16.440 --> 00:35:18.639
 verse 20,

00:35:19.539 --> 00:35:20.840
 for we cannot

00:35:20.840 --> 00:35:22.340
 but speak

00:35:22.340 --> 00:35:23.820
 of what we have

00:35:23.820 --> 00:35:24.280
 seen

00:35:24.280 --> 00:35:26.139
 and heard.

00:35:26.720 --> 00:35:28.019
 So compelling

00:35:28.019 --> 00:35:29.420
 and so moving

00:35:29.420 --> 00:35:30.000
 to them.

00:35:30.200 --> 00:35:31.500
 The good news

00:35:31.500 --> 00:35:32.059
 of the gospel

00:35:32.059 --> 00:35:32.860
 of Jesus Christ

00:35:32.860 --> 00:35:33.480
 and the effect

00:35:33.480 --> 00:35:34.179
 that it had had

00:35:34.179 --> 00:35:34.940
 on them.

00:35:35.019 --> 00:35:35.920
 They couldn't help

00:35:35.920 --> 00:35:37.720
 but speak

00:35:37.720 --> 00:35:39.039
 about it.

00:35:39.599 --> 00:35:40.500
 And here they stand,

00:35:40.840 --> 00:35:41.619
 verse 19 and 20,

00:35:42.039 --> 00:35:43.420
 boldly before

00:35:43.420 --> 00:35:44.320
 their government.

00:35:44.320 --> 00:35:46.480
 These men

00:35:46.480 --> 00:35:47.660
 had Christ

00:35:47.660 --> 00:35:48.180
 put to death.

00:35:48.340 --> 00:35:48.740
 Little help

00:35:48.740 --> 00:35:49.240
 from the Romans,

00:35:49.480 --> 00:35:49.940
 of course.

00:35:50.660 --> 00:35:51.460
 But had Christ

00:35:51.460 --> 00:35:52.400
 put to death

00:35:52.400 --> 00:35:53.480
 and here they stand

00:35:53.480 --> 00:35:54.580
 in defiance

00:35:54.580 --> 00:35:56.019
 of their government.

00:35:57.220 --> 00:35:58.000
 Now a note on that.

00:35:58.059 --> 00:35:58.800
 We're told in the scripture

00:35:58.800 --> 00:35:59.800
 to obey our government.

00:36:00.000 --> 00:36:00.340
 Are we not?

00:36:02.080 --> 00:36:02.880
 Peter himself

00:36:02.880 --> 00:36:04.180
 writes in 1 Peter 2,

00:36:04.900 --> 00:36:06.920
 13-17.

00:36:07.320 --> 00:36:07.920
 I'll shorten it

00:36:07.920 --> 00:36:08.539
 for the sake of time.

00:36:10.380 --> 00:36:11.120
 Through 15.

00:36:11.300 --> 00:36:11.840
 Be subject

00:36:11.840 --> 00:36:12.580
 for the Lord's sake

00:36:12.579 --> 00:36:13.920
 to every human institution,

00:36:14.480 --> 00:36:15.059
 whether it be

00:36:15.059 --> 00:36:15.759
 to the emperor

00:36:15.759 --> 00:36:16.579
 as supreme

00:36:16.579 --> 00:36:17.840
 or to governors

00:36:17.840 --> 00:36:18.699
 as sent by him

00:36:18.699 --> 00:36:19.259
 to punish

00:36:19.259 --> 00:36:20.639
 those who do evil

00:36:20.639 --> 00:36:21.639
 and to praise

00:36:21.639 --> 00:36:23.340
 those who do good.

00:36:24.539 --> 00:36:25.019
 14.

00:36:25.259 --> 00:36:25.980
 13 and 14.

00:36:26.239 --> 00:36:26.840
 Be subject

00:36:26.840 --> 00:36:27.179
 for the Lord

00:36:27.179 --> 00:36:27.940
 to every human institution,

00:36:28.059 --> 00:36:28.420
 whether it be

00:36:28.420 --> 00:36:29.400
 to the emperor

00:36:29.400 --> 00:36:30.299
 as supreme

00:36:30.299 --> 00:36:31.519
 or to governors

00:36:31.519 --> 00:36:32.539
 as sent by him

00:36:32.539 --> 00:36:33.059
 to punish

00:36:33.059 --> 00:36:34.619
 those who do evil

00:36:34.619 --> 00:36:35.420
 and to praise

00:36:35.420 --> 00:36:37.319
 those who do good.

00:36:38.099 --> 00:36:38.500
 Paul wrote

00:36:38.500 --> 00:36:39.539
 something similar.

00:36:39.719 --> 00:36:40.599
 Romans 13-1.

00:36:40.599 --> 00:36:41.259
 Let every person

00:36:41.259 --> 00:36:41.860
 be subject

00:36:41.860 --> 00:36:43.460
 to the governing authorities

00:36:43.460 --> 00:36:44.440
 for there is no authority

00:36:44.440 --> 00:36:45.199
 except from God

00:36:45.199 --> 00:36:46.619
 and those that exist

00:36:46.619 --> 00:36:47.900
 have been instituted

00:36:47.900 --> 00:36:49.259
 by God.

00:36:50.219 --> 00:36:50.960
 So we're told

00:36:50.960 --> 00:36:51.259
 the scripture

00:36:51.259 --> 00:36:52.099
 to obey the government

00:36:52.099 --> 00:36:53.599
 but

00:36:53.599 --> 00:36:55.480
 not at the cost

00:36:55.480 --> 00:36:56.739
 of disobeying God.

00:36:57.819 --> 00:36:58.679
 So if any government

00:36:58.679 --> 00:36:59.179
 in the world

00:36:59.179 --> 00:37:01.420
 or if our government

00:37:01.420 --> 00:37:04.059
 speaks in direct opposition

00:37:04.059 --> 00:37:05.579
 to the command of God,

00:37:06.400 --> 00:37:07.619
 we're freed from obeying

00:37:07.619 --> 00:37:08.559
 that command

00:37:08.559 --> 00:37:10.039
 in order to obey

00:37:10.039 --> 00:37:11.980
 the command of God.

00:37:12.019 --> 00:37:12.980
 And we see them doing that.

00:37:13.039 --> 00:37:13.859
 This wonderful example

00:37:13.859 --> 00:37:14.579
 of that here.

00:37:14.739 --> 00:37:16.380
 Standing up to the Sanhedrin's

00:37:16.380 --> 00:37:17.699
 command to no longer speak

00:37:17.699 --> 00:37:18.960
 in the name of Christ.

00:37:19.699 --> 00:37:21.339
 For we cannot but speak

00:37:21.339 --> 00:37:22.679
 of what we have seen

00:37:22.679 --> 00:37:25.000
 and heard.

00:37:26.400 --> 00:37:27.519
 And the last part of the text,

00:37:28.019 --> 00:37:29.420
 they further threatened them.

00:37:30.420 --> 00:37:32.279
 They're bold in this proclamation.

00:37:32.559 --> 00:37:33.179
 They threatened them

00:37:33.179 --> 00:37:34.299
 a little bit more.

00:37:34.779 --> 00:37:35.859
 Probably with the threat

00:37:35.859 --> 00:37:37.399
 of imprisonment

00:37:37.399 --> 00:37:38.339
 and possible death.

00:37:38.919 --> 00:37:39.559
 Let them go.

00:37:39.799 --> 00:37:40.500
 You'll find no way

00:37:40.500 --> 00:37:40.980
 to punish them

00:37:40.980 --> 00:37:41.739
 because of the people.

00:37:42.179 --> 00:37:42.819
 Because they're afraid

00:37:42.819 --> 00:37:43.279
 of what the people

00:37:43.279 --> 00:37:44.659
 are going to say about them.

00:37:44.699 --> 00:37:46.139
 They're afraid of losing power

00:37:46.139 --> 00:37:48.719
 in the eyes of the people.

00:37:49.019 --> 00:37:49.719
 Because they were all

00:37:49.719 --> 00:37:50.519
 praising God

00:37:50.519 --> 00:37:51.199
 for what had happened

00:37:51.199 --> 00:37:51.799
 for the man on whom

00:37:51.799 --> 00:37:52.799
 the sign of healing

00:37:52.799 --> 00:37:53.179
 was performed

00:37:53.179 --> 00:37:54.079
 was more than 40 years old.

00:37:54.119 --> 00:37:56.440
 It was a very significant miracle.

00:37:56.739 --> 00:37:58.099
 It was a massive, massive miracle.

00:37:58.239 --> 00:37:58.799
 From birth,

00:37:59.059 --> 00:37:59.699
 he couldn't walk.

00:37:59.980 --> 00:38:00.719
 Now he can.

00:38:01.000 --> 00:38:01.799
 This old man

00:38:01.799 --> 00:38:02.239
 has been sitting,

00:38:02.239 --> 00:38:04.279
 excuse me if you're over 40.

00:38:05.359 --> 00:38:06.799
 It's a very significant miracle

00:38:06.799 --> 00:38:07.519
 is the point.

00:38:07.939 --> 00:38:08.379
 You've been crippled

00:38:08.379 --> 00:38:09.159
 for a very long,

00:38:09.500 --> 00:38:11.279
 long time.

00:38:12.319 --> 00:38:13.119
 So the exhortation

00:38:13.119 --> 00:38:14.779
 is to be obedient.

00:38:14.919 --> 00:38:15.819
 Let me add to that.

00:38:16.259 --> 00:38:18.639
 Be obedient at all costs.

00:38:19.599 --> 00:38:20.279
 So here they are,

00:38:20.359 --> 00:38:20.879
 Peter and John

00:38:20.879 --> 00:38:21.939
 in unison saying,

00:38:22.479 --> 00:38:24.299
 we know what you're telling us to do

00:38:24.299 --> 00:38:25.419
 but we must obey God.

00:38:26.059 --> 00:38:27.639
 We must speak

00:38:27.639 --> 00:38:28.839
 of what we have seen

00:38:28.839 --> 00:38:29.799
 and what we have heard.

00:38:29.899 --> 00:38:31.139
 We must tell people

00:38:31.139 --> 00:38:32.579
 of the only way

00:38:32.579 --> 00:38:34.019
 to salvation.

00:38:35.139 --> 00:38:37.019
 The cost is too high.

00:38:38.299 --> 00:38:40.019
 The war is too precious.

00:38:40.739 --> 00:38:42.500
 We must speak

00:38:42.500 --> 00:38:44.420
 in the name of Christ.

00:38:45.339 --> 00:38:46.940
 Be obedient at all costs.

00:38:47.059 --> 00:38:48.000
 And what does that obedience

00:38:48.000 --> 00:38:50.000
 look like in this context?

00:38:50.000 --> 00:38:51.639
 It's boldness

00:38:51.639 --> 00:38:53.319
 in the face of persecution.

00:38:53.920 --> 00:38:54.799
 That's the way

00:38:54.799 --> 00:38:55.719
 in which they were obedient.

00:38:55.839 --> 00:38:56.219
 That's the way

00:38:56.219 --> 00:38:57.480
 they're going to continue

00:38:57.480 --> 00:38:58.759
 being obedient.

00:38:58.760 --> 00:38:59.980
 In the rest of our text

00:38:59.980 --> 00:39:01.100
 through verse 31

00:39:01.100 --> 00:39:01.680
 next week,

00:39:01.720 --> 00:39:02.240
 we're going to see them

00:39:02.240 --> 00:39:04.360
 pray for even more boldness.

00:39:04.820 --> 00:39:06.180
 Thank God for their boldness

00:39:06.180 --> 00:39:06.700
 and they're going to pray

00:39:06.700 --> 00:39:08.260
 for even more boldness.

00:39:08.500 --> 00:39:10.440
 So obedience at all cost

00:39:10.440 --> 00:39:12.200
 is boldness

00:39:12.200 --> 00:39:13.140
 in the face

00:39:13.140 --> 00:39:15.640
 both in the midst of

00:39:15.640 --> 00:39:16.880
 and in the threat of

00:39:16.880 --> 00:39:18.220
 persecution.

00:39:18.219 --> 00:39:21.459
 So I want us to see

00:39:21.459 --> 00:39:22.439
 two things quickly

00:39:22.439 --> 00:39:24.559
 kind of in summary.

00:39:25.119 --> 00:39:25.439
 First,

00:39:25.539 --> 00:39:26.619
 the command of boldness

00:39:26.619 --> 00:39:27.639
 in the face of persecution.

00:39:28.279 --> 00:39:29.500
 This is obedience.

00:39:29.799 --> 00:39:30.459
 The command of boldness

00:39:30.459 --> 00:39:31.039
 in the face of persecution

00:39:31.039 --> 00:39:33.059
 and the example of boldness

00:39:33.059 --> 00:39:34.359
 in the face of persecution.

00:39:35.099 --> 00:39:36.639
 The command of boldness

00:39:36.639 --> 00:39:37.579
 in the face of persecution.

00:39:38.459 --> 00:39:39.539
 We are,

00:39:40.099 --> 00:39:41.099
 beloved Christians,

00:39:41.480 --> 00:39:42.379
 disciples of Jesus Christ,

00:39:42.500 --> 00:39:43.639
 to live and serve

00:39:43.639 --> 00:39:45.359
 the lost world

00:39:45.360 --> 00:39:47.640
 just as our Lord did.

00:39:48.940 --> 00:39:50.079
 That is the point,

00:39:50.220 --> 00:39:51.260
 the ultimate point

00:39:51.260 --> 00:39:51.920
 of what we're doing

00:39:51.920 --> 00:39:52.740
 together today.

00:39:53.579 --> 00:39:54.980
 The exaltation of Jesus Christ,

00:39:55.099 --> 00:39:56.559
 the glory of God

00:39:56.559 --> 00:39:58.480
 in the salvation

00:39:58.480 --> 00:39:59.200
 of His people.

00:39:59.700 --> 00:40:00.660
 That's the work

00:40:00.660 --> 00:40:01.320
 that we're about.

00:40:01.680 --> 00:40:02.700
 We gather today

00:40:02.700 --> 00:40:03.460
 not to feel good

00:40:03.460 --> 00:40:04.099
 about ourselves.

00:40:05.079 --> 00:40:06.120
 We didn't gather today

00:40:06.120 --> 00:40:07.460
 to meet with friends.

00:40:08.360 --> 00:40:09.140
 So I sure hope not.

00:40:09.980 --> 00:40:10.980
 We gather today

00:40:10.980 --> 00:40:12.339
 to worship the Lord,

00:40:12.480 --> 00:40:13.299
 to be equipped,

00:40:13.440 --> 00:40:14.759
 to be sent back out

00:40:14.759 --> 00:40:15.299
 to the world.

00:40:15.420 --> 00:40:16.139
 We're gathered to go.

00:40:16.500 --> 00:40:17.259
 Gathered to go.

00:40:17.440 --> 00:40:18.019
 Gathered to go.

00:40:18.059 --> 00:40:18.879
 We shouldn't neglect gathering,

00:40:19.079 --> 00:40:20.480
 but we also shouldn't neglect

00:40:20.480 --> 00:40:21.179
 the going.

00:40:21.539 --> 00:40:22.719
 We're to live and serve

00:40:22.719 --> 00:40:23.319
 the lost world

00:40:23.319 --> 00:40:25.339
 just as our Lord did.

00:40:25.859 --> 00:40:27.719
 Mark 10, 45,

00:40:27.839 --> 00:40:28.279
 Jesus says,

00:40:28.359 --> 00:40:29.379
 For even the Son of Man

00:40:29.379 --> 00:40:31.339
 came not to be served,

00:40:31.420 --> 00:40:32.199
 but to serve

00:40:32.199 --> 00:40:33.759
 and to give His life

00:40:33.759 --> 00:40:35.759
 as a ransom from me.

00:40:35.759 --> 00:40:36.819
 That's why Jesus came

00:40:36.819 --> 00:40:37.719
 to the earth,

00:40:37.719 --> 00:40:39.519
 to ransom the church

00:40:39.519 --> 00:40:40.639
 to the glory of God.

00:40:40.819 --> 00:40:42.439
 In 1 Timothy 1, 15,

00:40:42.579 --> 00:40:43.139
 Paul states,

00:40:43.259 --> 00:40:44.839
 Jesus Christ came into the world

00:40:44.839 --> 00:40:46.579
 to save sinners.

00:40:48.179 --> 00:40:50.419
 In John 20, 21,

00:40:50.539 --> 00:40:51.159
 Jesus says,

00:40:51.619 --> 00:40:53.500
 As the Father has sent me

00:40:53.500 --> 00:40:55.559
 into the world

00:40:55.559 --> 00:40:57.059
 to be a ransom for many,

00:40:57.139 --> 00:40:58.119
 to save sinners,

00:40:58.579 --> 00:40:59.480
 even so,

00:40:59.759 --> 00:41:02.480
 I am sending you.

00:41:03.299 --> 00:41:03.939
 The book of Acts

00:41:03.939 --> 00:41:05.019
 is about that.

00:41:06.039 --> 00:41:07.419
 Jesus Christ exalted

00:41:07.420 --> 00:41:08.440
 at the right hand of the Father

00:41:08.440 --> 00:41:09.920
 sending the Spirit of God

00:41:09.920 --> 00:41:10.659
 to His people

00:41:10.659 --> 00:41:12.200
 so that He's multiplied

00:41:12.200 --> 00:41:13.639
 across the planet.

00:41:14.579 --> 00:41:15.380
 Hands and feet,

00:41:15.740 --> 00:41:16.099
 moving,

00:41:16.400 --> 00:41:16.940
 mouthpieces,

00:41:17.280 --> 00:41:17.659
 preaching

00:41:17.659 --> 00:41:19.860
 the good news of Jesus Christ.

00:41:20.059 --> 00:41:21.840
 He has multiplied Himself.

00:41:23.300 --> 00:41:23.880
 He does that

00:41:23.880 --> 00:41:26.200
 even in our suffering.

00:41:26.619 --> 00:41:27.440
 As the Father has sent me,

00:41:27.519 --> 00:41:27.920
 even so,

00:41:28.000 --> 00:41:30.340
 I am sending you.

00:41:30.340 --> 00:41:33.360
 You're familiar with Matthew 28,

00:41:33.460 --> 00:41:34.160
 18-20?

00:41:35.360 --> 00:41:36.720
 Jesus issues the marching orders

00:41:36.720 --> 00:41:37.480
 to the apostles

00:41:37.480 --> 00:41:39.380
 and the church.

00:41:40.160 --> 00:41:41.340
 This is for each one of us,

00:41:41.400 --> 00:41:41.600
 beloved.

00:41:41.720 --> 00:41:42.559
 All authority in heaven and earth

00:41:42.559 --> 00:41:43.360
 has been given to me.

00:41:44.019 --> 00:41:44.680
 Go, therefore,

00:41:44.960 --> 00:41:45.800
 and make disciples

00:41:45.800 --> 00:41:46.800
 of all nations,

00:41:47.579 --> 00:41:48.140
 baptizing them

00:41:48.140 --> 00:41:48.780
 in the name of the Father

00:41:48.780 --> 00:41:49.340
 and of the Son

00:41:49.340 --> 00:41:49.960
 and the Holy Spirit,

00:41:50.519 --> 00:41:51.519
 teaching them to observe

00:41:51.519 --> 00:41:52.600
 all that I have commanded you,

00:41:52.620 --> 00:41:53.120
 and behold,

00:41:53.539 --> 00:41:54.539
 I am with you always

00:41:54.539 --> 00:41:55.840
 to the end of the age.

00:41:55.840 --> 00:41:58.340
 This command for us to go

00:41:58.340 --> 00:41:59.480
 is sandwiched on either side

00:41:59.480 --> 00:42:01.700
 by Christ's authority

00:42:01.700 --> 00:42:02.800
 and His presence,

00:42:02.940 --> 00:42:03.720
 power and presence

00:42:03.720 --> 00:42:04.680
 on either side of us

00:42:04.680 --> 00:42:05.740
 to go and carry

00:42:05.740 --> 00:42:06.680
 the good news

00:42:06.680 --> 00:42:08.480
 to all nations,

00:42:09.880 --> 00:42:10.760
 raising up disciples.

00:42:11.800 --> 00:42:13.460
 I hate that I have to say

00:42:13.460 --> 00:42:14.660
 disciples of Jesus Christ

00:42:14.660 --> 00:42:16.420
 make disciples of Jesus Christ.

00:42:18.280 --> 00:42:18.800
 Duh.

00:42:20.140 --> 00:42:21.600
 But that doesn't seem to be the case.

00:42:22.480 --> 00:42:23.460
 This is to be the activity

00:42:23.460 --> 00:42:24.059
 of all of us.

00:42:25.840 --> 00:42:27.039
 The primary task

00:42:27.039 --> 00:42:28.600
 of the disciple of Jesus Christ

00:42:28.600 --> 00:42:29.740
 is to propagate

00:42:29.740 --> 00:42:30.800
 the gospel of Jesus Christ

00:42:30.800 --> 00:42:31.420
 far and wide

00:42:31.420 --> 00:42:33.360
 in order to make disciples.

00:42:33.480 --> 00:42:35.100
 Do you share Paul's sentiment

00:42:35.100 --> 00:42:36.240
 that he expresses

00:42:36.240 --> 00:42:37.579
 in 1 Corinthians 9.16?

00:42:38.000 --> 00:42:38.800
 Do you share this?

00:42:39.559 --> 00:42:40.519
 For if I preach the gospel,

00:42:40.600 --> 00:42:41.579
 that gives me no ground

00:42:41.579 --> 00:42:42.180
 for boasting,

00:42:42.400 --> 00:42:44.600
 for necessity is laid upon me.

00:42:45.380 --> 00:42:46.340
 Woe to me

00:42:46.340 --> 00:42:47.900
 if I do not preach

00:42:47.900 --> 00:42:49.300
 the gospel.

00:42:51.519 --> 00:42:52.320
 This weekend

00:42:52.320 --> 00:42:53.760
 at the biblical counseling

00:42:53.760 --> 00:42:55.260
 and discipleship training

00:42:55.260 --> 00:42:56.580
 that a number of us

00:42:56.580 --> 00:42:57.020
 from our church

00:42:57.020 --> 00:42:57.900
 participated in.

00:42:58.560 --> 00:42:59.560
 It's a wonderful thing.

00:42:59.800 --> 00:43:00.440
 I'm going to encourage you

00:43:00.440 --> 00:43:01.380
 to go to it next year.

00:43:02.360 --> 00:43:03.100
 One of the speakers

00:43:03.100 --> 00:43:04.560
 said multiple times

00:43:04.560 --> 00:43:06.340
 that a common question

00:43:06.340 --> 00:43:07.240
 he asks

00:43:07.240 --> 00:43:08.060
 counselees,

00:43:08.120 --> 00:43:09.240
 those he's counseling,

00:43:09.360 --> 00:43:10.140
 and I really love this,

00:43:10.540 --> 00:43:11.360
 would you rather

00:43:11.360 --> 00:43:12.820
 glorify God

00:43:12.820 --> 00:43:13.580
 than breathe?

00:43:16.220 --> 00:43:17.160
 Would you rather

00:43:17.160 --> 00:43:18.060
 glorify God

00:43:18.060 --> 00:43:19.520
 than breathe?

00:43:19.580 --> 00:43:20.100
 Because of what

00:43:20.100 --> 00:43:20.920
 he's done for you,

00:43:20.960 --> 00:43:21.480
 the way in which

00:43:21.480 --> 00:43:22.040
 he's expressed

00:43:22.039 --> 00:43:22.900
 is great love

00:43:22.900 --> 00:43:23.960
 for us.

00:43:25.179 --> 00:43:26.340
 Is that so precious

00:43:26.340 --> 00:43:26.820
 to you?

00:43:27.539 --> 00:43:28.420
 Christ must be

00:43:28.420 --> 00:43:29.219
 magnified in my life.

00:43:29.300 --> 00:43:30.000
 I'd rather do that

00:43:30.000 --> 00:43:31.480
 than breathe.

00:43:33.420 --> 00:43:34.519
 In John 15.8,

00:43:34.619 --> 00:43:35.320
 Jesus states,

00:43:35.880 --> 00:43:37.219
 By this is my Father

00:43:37.219 --> 00:43:38.039
 glorified,

00:43:38.579 --> 00:43:39.980
 that you bear

00:43:39.980 --> 00:43:41.519
 much fruit,

00:43:41.960 --> 00:43:42.920
 and so prove to be

00:43:42.920 --> 00:43:44.300
 my disciples.

00:43:44.300 --> 00:43:46.440
 And he says

00:43:46.440 --> 00:43:47.780
 in John 14.15,

00:43:48.680 --> 00:43:49.680
 If you love me,

00:43:51.100 --> 00:43:52.000
 you will keep

00:43:52.000 --> 00:43:52.620
 my commandments.

00:43:54.920 --> 00:43:55.220
 Now, beloved,

00:43:55.300 --> 00:43:55.900
 it's the normative

00:43:55.900 --> 00:43:56.480
 response.

00:43:56.920 --> 00:43:57.580
 It's the thing

00:43:57.580 --> 00:43:58.160
 that should be

00:43:58.160 --> 00:43:58.539
 happening.

00:43:59.140 --> 00:43:59.760
 We properly

00:43:59.760 --> 00:44:01.120
 treasure the gospel

00:44:01.120 --> 00:44:02.000
 as we should.

00:44:02.400 --> 00:44:03.240
 Really understand

00:44:03.240 --> 00:44:03.700
 our sin.

00:44:03.920 --> 00:44:04.600
 Really get

00:44:04.600 --> 00:44:05.460
 our depravity.

00:44:05.740 --> 00:44:06.360
 What we've been

00:44:06.360 --> 00:44:07.760
 saved from.

00:44:08.080 --> 00:44:09.180
 Eternal damnation.

00:44:09.340 --> 00:44:10.100
 Eternal separation

00:44:10.100 --> 00:44:10.620
 from him.

00:44:10.980 --> 00:44:11.519
 But because of what

00:44:11.519 --> 00:44:12.640
 Christ did on our behalf,

00:44:12.639 --> 00:44:14.019
 we can have life

00:44:14.019 --> 00:44:15.599
 and life everlasting.

00:44:16.759 --> 00:44:17.839
 Love Christ

00:44:17.839 --> 00:44:18.639
 for that.

00:44:19.779 --> 00:44:20.219
 He should be

00:44:20.219 --> 00:44:21.599
 most pleasurable

00:44:21.599 --> 00:44:22.599
 for us.

00:44:23.619 --> 00:44:23.960
 We'll keep

00:44:23.960 --> 00:44:24.400
 his commandments.

00:44:25.619 --> 00:44:26.420
 But one follows

00:44:26.420 --> 00:44:26.960
 the other.

00:44:28.319 --> 00:44:28.900
 In front of your

00:44:28.900 --> 00:44:29.239
 bulletin,

00:44:29.279 --> 00:44:29.659
 you can see

00:44:29.659 --> 00:44:30.619
 just two quotes

00:44:30.619 --> 00:44:31.139
 I'll read.

00:44:31.599 --> 00:44:32.679
 Love is not

00:44:32.679 --> 00:44:33.639
 just a sentiment.

00:44:33.759 --> 00:44:34.619
 This is Martin Lloyd-Jones.

00:44:35.099 --> 00:44:35.579
 Love is not

00:44:35.579 --> 00:44:36.420
 just a sentiment.

00:44:37.539 --> 00:44:38.259
 Love is a great

00:44:38.259 --> 00:44:39.359
 controlling passion

00:44:39.359 --> 00:44:40.659
 and it always

00:44:40.659 --> 00:44:41.799
 expresses itself

00:44:41.800 --> 00:44:42.820
 in terms

00:44:42.820 --> 00:44:44.019
 of obedience.

00:44:44.640 --> 00:44:45.080
 He's speaking

00:44:45.080 --> 00:44:46.340
 of our love of God

00:44:46.340 --> 00:44:47.000
 here.

00:44:47.640 --> 00:44:48.640
 It's of no value

00:44:48.640 --> 00:44:49.720
 if I just tell my wife

00:44:49.720 --> 00:44:50.500
 Sam, I love you,

00:44:50.780 --> 00:44:51.640
 and I do nothing

00:44:51.640 --> 00:44:53.100
 to actually show her

00:44:53.100 --> 00:44:54.300
 and express to her

00:44:54.300 --> 00:44:56.060
 my love of her.

00:44:56.180 --> 00:44:56.700
 The same is true

00:44:56.700 --> 00:44:57.080
 of God.

00:44:57.160 --> 00:44:58.019
 You cannot just

00:44:58.019 --> 00:44:58.720
 say it.

00:44:58.780 --> 00:44:59.500
 There has to be

00:44:59.500 --> 00:45:00.340
 some outflow

00:45:00.340 --> 00:45:01.360
 of that.

00:45:01.920 --> 00:45:03.060
 Who we are in Christ

00:45:03.060 --> 00:45:04.580
 produces this love

00:45:04.580 --> 00:45:05.340
 and produces

00:45:05.340 --> 00:45:06.500
 the work

00:45:06.500 --> 00:45:08.140
 we're meant to be

00:45:08.140 --> 00:45:09.440
 about.

00:45:09.440 --> 00:45:11.940
 Quote by Augustine

00:45:11.940 --> 00:45:13.400
 is a typo.

00:45:13.480 --> 00:45:13.740
 There should be

00:45:13.740 --> 00:45:14.179
 an E at the end

00:45:14.179 --> 00:45:14.679
 of his name.

00:45:17.260 --> 00:45:17.720
 Augustine,

00:45:17.800 --> 00:45:18.400
 if you prefer.

00:45:20.539 --> 00:45:21.280
 Wicked men

00:45:21.280 --> 00:45:22.539
 obey from fear.

00:45:22.740 --> 00:45:23.480
 Good men

00:45:23.480 --> 00:45:25.539
 from love.

00:45:26.539 --> 00:45:27.220
 Good men

00:45:27.220 --> 00:45:27.880
 from love.

00:45:29.500 --> 00:45:30.280
 So we have a

00:45:30.280 --> 00:45:31.539
 command to boldness

00:45:31.539 --> 00:45:33.019
 in the face

00:45:33.019 --> 00:45:33.720
 of persecution.

00:45:34.720 --> 00:45:35.200
 Don't think

00:45:35.200 --> 00:45:36.079
 yourself exempt

00:45:36.079 --> 00:45:37.299
 from this.

00:45:37.400 --> 00:45:38.079
 It's for your

00:45:38.079 --> 00:45:38.799
 good.

00:45:40.659 --> 00:45:41.059
 Then we have

00:45:41.059 --> 00:45:41.599
 the example

00:45:41.599 --> 00:45:42.179
 of boldness

00:45:42.179 --> 00:45:42.719
 in the face

00:45:42.719 --> 00:45:43.880
 of persecution.

00:45:47.099 --> 00:45:48.119
 1 Peter 2

00:45:48.119 --> 00:45:49.480
 21.

00:45:52.900 --> 00:45:53.579
 Peter writes,

00:45:53.679 --> 00:45:54.159
 For to this

00:45:54.159 --> 00:45:54.659
 you have been

00:45:54.659 --> 00:45:55.119
 called,

00:45:55.360 --> 00:45:56.659
 because Christ

00:45:56.659 --> 00:45:57.659
 also suffered

00:45:57.659 --> 00:45:58.119
 for you.

00:45:58.159 --> 00:45:58.460
 He's talking

00:45:58.460 --> 00:45:58.960
 about suffering.

00:45:59.079 --> 00:45:59.460
 For to this

00:45:59.460 --> 00:45:59.860
 you have been

00:45:59.860 --> 00:46:00.119
 called,

00:46:00.219 --> 00:46:00.759
 because Christ

00:46:00.759 --> 00:46:01.319
 also suffered

00:46:01.319 --> 00:46:01.799
 for you,

00:46:02.380 --> 00:46:03.259
 leaving you

00:46:03.259 --> 00:46:04.380
 an example

00:46:04.380 --> 00:46:05.420
 so that you

00:46:05.420 --> 00:46:06.099
 might follow

00:46:06.099 --> 00:46:07.720
 in his steps.

00:46:08.640 --> 00:46:09.640
 Jesus Christ

00:46:09.640 --> 00:46:10.380
 is the great

00:46:10.380 --> 00:46:11.599
 example for us

00:46:11.599 --> 00:46:13.640
 of boldness

00:46:13.640 --> 00:46:14.680
 in the face

00:46:14.680 --> 00:46:15.280
 of persecution.

00:46:16.860 --> 00:46:17.320
 Turn with me

00:46:17.320 --> 00:46:17.599
 if you will

00:46:17.599 --> 00:46:18.099
 please in your

00:46:18.099 --> 00:46:18.680
 copy of God's

00:46:18.680 --> 00:46:19.240
 word to Matthew

00:46:19.240 --> 00:46:20.160
 chapter 26.

00:46:20.160 --> 00:46:20.300
 Amen.

00:46:34.380 --> 00:46:34.760
 I had every

00:46:34.760 --> 00:46:35.180
 intention of

00:46:35.180 --> 00:46:35.400
 this being

00:46:35.400 --> 00:46:35.640
 a short

00:46:35.640 --> 00:46:35.860
 sermon.

00:46:36.099 --> 00:46:36.400
 Hang with

00:46:36.400 --> 00:46:36.700
 me.

00:46:38.280 --> 00:46:39.140
 Matthew 26

00:46:39.140 --> 00:46:39.440
 beginning

00:46:39.440 --> 00:46:39.780
 in verse

00:46:39.780 --> 00:46:40.619
 36.

00:46:44.340 --> 00:46:45.019
 It's a picture

00:46:45.019 --> 00:46:45.440
 of Jesus

00:46:45.440 --> 00:46:45.880
 in the garden

00:46:45.880 --> 00:46:46.519
 of Gethsemane

00:46:46.519 --> 00:46:47.640
 before the

00:46:47.640 --> 00:46:48.599
 eve of his

00:46:48.599 --> 00:46:49.220
 crucifixion.

00:46:49.440 --> 00:46:49.920
 It's the night

00:46:49.920 --> 00:46:50.340
 before.

00:46:51.000 --> 00:46:51.300
 Most of you

00:46:51.300 --> 00:46:51.539
 are probably

00:46:51.539 --> 00:46:52.220
 familiar with

00:46:52.220 --> 00:46:53.460
 the story.

00:46:54.440 --> 00:46:54.960
 Think about

00:46:54.960 --> 00:46:55.480
 him as an

00:46:55.480 --> 00:46:56.000
 example of

00:46:56.000 --> 00:46:56.519
 boldness in

00:46:56.519 --> 00:46:56.860
 the face

00:46:56.860 --> 00:46:58.420
 of persecution.

00:46:59.200 --> 00:46:59.579
 Find

00:46:59.579 --> 00:47:00.240
 yourself in

00:47:00.240 --> 00:47:00.840
 the garden

00:47:00.840 --> 00:47:01.260
 in this

00:47:01.260 --> 00:47:01.940
 place.

00:47:02.059 --> 00:47:02.519
 Verse 36

00:47:02.519 --> 00:47:02.900
 and Jesus

00:47:02.900 --> 00:47:03.639
 went with

00:47:03.639 --> 00:47:04.000
 them to a

00:47:04.000 --> 00:47:04.440
 place called

00:47:04.440 --> 00:47:05.139
 Gethsemane.

00:47:05.820 --> 00:47:06.239
 He said to

00:47:06.239 --> 00:47:06.639
 his disciples,

00:47:06.840 --> 00:47:07.440
 sit here while

00:47:07.440 --> 00:47:07.880
 I go over

00:47:07.880 --> 00:47:08.880
 there and

00:47:08.880 --> 00:47:09.239
 pray.

00:47:10.199 --> 00:47:10.539
 And taking

00:47:10.539 --> 00:47:10.920
 with him

00:47:10.920 --> 00:47:11.639
 Peter and

00:47:11.639 --> 00:47:11.940
 the two

00:47:11.940 --> 00:47:12.360
 sons of

00:47:12.360 --> 00:47:12.739
 Zebedee,

00:47:12.840 --> 00:47:13.199
 he began

00:47:13.199 --> 00:47:13.860
 to be

00:47:13.860 --> 00:47:14.579
 sorrowful

00:47:14.579 --> 00:47:15.800
 and troubled.

00:47:16.099 --> 00:47:16.320
 He's

00:47:16.320 --> 00:47:16.800
 anticipating

00:47:16.800 --> 00:47:17.219
 what's

00:47:17.219 --> 00:47:17.639
 coming the

00:47:17.639 --> 00:47:18.179
 next day.

00:47:19.099 --> 00:47:19.380
 Then he

00:47:19.380 --> 00:47:19.659
 said to

00:47:19.659 --> 00:47:19.800
 them,

00:47:19.840 --> 00:47:20.400
 my soul

00:47:20.400 --> 00:47:21.340
 is very

00:47:21.340 --> 00:47:21.900
 sorrowful,

00:47:22.300 --> 00:47:22.840
 even to

00:47:22.840 --> 00:47:23.199
 death,

00:47:23.300 --> 00:47:24.179
 remain here

00:47:24.179 --> 00:47:24.900
 and watch

00:47:24.900 --> 00:47:25.320
 with me.

00:47:26.000 --> 00:47:26.460
 And going

00:47:26.460 --> 00:47:26.699
 a little

00:47:26.699 --> 00:47:27.059
 farther,

00:47:27.179 --> 00:47:27.739
 he fell

00:47:27.739 --> 00:47:28.119
 on his

00:47:28.119 --> 00:47:28.840
 face and

00:47:28.840 --> 00:47:29.380
 prayed,

00:47:29.679 --> 00:47:30.059
 saying,

00:47:30.679 --> 00:47:30.780
 my

00:47:30.780 --> 00:47:31.300
 father,

00:47:31.300 --> 00:47:32.700
 if it

00:47:32.700 --> 00:47:32.860
 be

00:47:32.860 --> 00:47:33.460
 possible,

00:47:33.680 --> 00:47:33.880
 let

00:47:33.880 --> 00:47:34.200
 this

00:47:34.200 --> 00:47:34.560
 cup

00:47:34.560 --> 00:47:35.160
 pass

00:47:35.160 --> 00:47:36.120
 from

00:47:36.120 --> 00:47:36.519
 me.

00:47:37.600 --> 00:47:38.000
 Nevertheless,

00:47:38.280 --> 00:47:38.720
 not as

00:47:38.720 --> 00:47:39.240
 I will,

00:47:39.580 --> 00:47:39.940
 but as

00:47:39.940 --> 00:47:40.880
 you will.

00:47:42.120 --> 00:47:42.360
 He's

00:47:42.360 --> 00:47:42.640
 saying,

00:47:42.720 --> 00:47:43.320
 if it's at

00:47:43.320 --> 00:47:43.780
 all possible,

00:47:43.820 --> 00:47:44.060
 if there's

00:47:44.060 --> 00:47:44.560
 any other

00:47:44.560 --> 00:47:44.860
 way for

00:47:44.860 --> 00:47:45.060
 this to

00:47:45.060 --> 00:47:45.160
 be

00:47:45.160 --> 00:47:45.539
 accomplished,

00:47:45.640 --> 00:47:45.800
 this is

00:47:45.800 --> 00:47:45.960
 the way

00:47:45.960 --> 00:47:46.300
 we know

00:47:46.300 --> 00:47:46.600
 that this

00:47:46.600 --> 00:47:48.800
 had to

00:47:48.800 --> 00:47:50.519
 happen in

00:47:50.519 --> 00:47:51.019
 this way.

00:47:51.100 --> 00:47:51.300
 Jesus

00:47:51.300 --> 00:47:51.760
 himself

00:47:51.760 --> 00:47:52.100
 said,

00:47:52.580 --> 00:47:52.800
 if I

00:47:52.800 --> 00:47:53.480
 can avoid

00:47:53.480 --> 00:47:53.660
 the

00:47:53.660 --> 00:47:54.140
 persecution,

00:47:55.019 --> 00:47:55.760
 can we

00:47:55.760 --> 00:47:56.060
 do this

00:47:56.060 --> 00:47:56.620
 another way?

00:47:56.720 --> 00:47:56.920
 Is there

00:47:56.920 --> 00:47:57.380
 any other

00:47:57.380 --> 00:47:58.160
 way to

00:47:58.160 --> 00:47:58.600
 do it?

00:47:59.440 --> 00:47:59.800
 But I

00:47:59.800 --> 00:48:00.360
 prefer what

00:48:00.360 --> 00:48:00.780
 you will.

00:48:01.300 --> 00:48:02.800
 verse 40,

00:48:02.820 --> 00:48:02.980
 and he

00:48:02.980 --> 00:48:03.360
 came to

00:48:03.360 --> 00:48:03.460
 the

00:48:03.460 --> 00:48:03.840
 disciples

00:48:03.840 --> 00:48:04.740
 and he

00:48:04.740 --> 00:48:05.100
 found them

00:48:05.100 --> 00:48:05.539
 sleeping

00:48:05.539 --> 00:48:05.800
 and he

00:48:05.800 --> 00:48:06.080
 said to

00:48:06.080 --> 00:48:06.400
 Peter,

00:48:06.539 --> 00:48:06.820
 so could

00:48:06.820 --> 00:48:07.180
 you not

00:48:07.180 --> 00:48:07.660
 watch with

00:48:07.660 --> 00:48:08.160
 me one

00:48:08.160 --> 00:48:08.600
 hour?

00:48:09.500 --> 00:48:10.220
 Watch and

00:48:10.220 --> 00:48:10.840
 pray that

00:48:10.840 --> 00:48:11.180
 you may

00:48:11.180 --> 00:48:12.080
 not enter

00:48:12.080 --> 00:48:12.820
 into temptation.

00:48:13.519 --> 00:48:13.920
 The spirit

00:48:13.920 --> 00:48:14.340
 indeed is

00:48:14.340 --> 00:48:14.620
 willing,

00:48:14.740 --> 00:48:14.960
 but the

00:48:14.960 --> 00:48:16.360
 flesh is

00:48:16.360 --> 00:48:16.720
 weak.

00:48:17.460 --> 00:48:17.800
 Again,

00:48:17.840 --> 00:48:18.039
 for the

00:48:18.039 --> 00:48:18.580
 second time,

00:48:18.640 --> 00:48:18.960
 he went

00:48:18.960 --> 00:48:19.660
 away and

00:48:19.660 --> 00:48:20.140
 prayed,

00:48:20.700 --> 00:48:21.200
 my father,

00:48:21.300 --> 00:48:21.700
 if this

00:48:21.700 --> 00:48:23.019
 cannot pass

00:48:23.019 --> 00:48:24.180
 unless I

00:48:24.180 --> 00:48:24.940
 drink it,

00:48:25.000 --> 00:48:25.380
 we understand

00:48:25.380 --> 00:48:26.060
 that to be

00:48:26.060 --> 00:48:27.140
 the wrath

00:48:27.140 --> 00:48:27.680
 of God,

00:48:28.620 --> 00:48:29.460
 your will

00:48:29.460 --> 00:48:30.500
 be done.

00:48:31.059 --> 00:48:31.400
 If this

00:48:31.400 --> 00:48:31.960
 cannot pass

00:48:31.960 --> 00:48:32.320
 unless I

00:48:32.320 --> 00:48:32.800
 drink it,

00:48:33.840 --> 00:48:34.400
 your will

00:48:34.400 --> 00:48:35.039
 be done.

00:48:35.360 --> 00:48:35.800
 And again,

00:48:35.840 --> 00:48:36.360
 he came and

00:48:36.360 --> 00:48:36.699
 found them

00:48:36.699 --> 00:48:37.019
 sleeping,

00:48:37.139 --> 00:48:37.360
 for their

00:48:37.360 --> 00:48:37.860
 eyes were

00:48:37.860 --> 00:48:38.199
 heavy.

00:48:38.940 --> 00:48:39.519
 So leaving

00:48:39.519 --> 00:48:40.079
 them again,

00:48:40.199 --> 00:48:40.500
 he doesn't

00:48:40.500 --> 00:48:40.780
 even wake

00:48:40.780 --> 00:48:40.960
 them up

00:48:40.960 --> 00:48:41.300
 that time,

00:48:41.360 --> 00:48:41.659
 so leaving

00:48:41.659 --> 00:48:42.179
 them again,

00:48:42.179 --> 00:48:42.820
 he went

00:48:42.820 --> 00:48:43.320
 away and

00:48:43.320 --> 00:48:43.780
 prayed for

00:48:43.780 --> 00:48:44.139
 the third

00:48:44.139 --> 00:48:44.639
 time,

00:48:45.199 --> 00:48:45.740
 saying the

00:48:45.740 --> 00:48:46.740
 same words

00:48:46.740 --> 00:48:47.480
 again.

00:48:47.579 --> 00:48:47.960
 So three

00:48:47.960 --> 00:48:48.519
 times he

00:48:48.519 --> 00:48:48.880
 said,

00:48:48.980 --> 00:48:49.179
 is there

00:48:49.179 --> 00:48:49.639
 any other

00:48:49.639 --> 00:48:49.940
 way for

00:48:49.940 --> 00:48:50.220
 this to

00:48:50.220 --> 00:48:50.480
 happen?

00:48:51.199 --> 00:48:51.760
 I would

00:48:51.760 --> 00:48:52.280
 prefer to

00:48:52.280 --> 00:48:53.380
 avoid the

00:48:53.380 --> 00:48:53.900
 persecution,

00:48:54.519 --> 00:48:55.119
 but your

00:48:55.119 --> 00:48:55.440
 will be

00:48:55.440 --> 00:48:55.659
 done.

00:48:55.659 --> 00:48:55.940
 Then he

00:48:55.940 --> 00:48:56.179
 came to

00:48:56.179 --> 00:48:56.460
 the disciples

00:48:56.460 --> 00:48:56.779
 and said

00:48:56.779 --> 00:48:57.179
 to them,

00:48:57.719 --> 00:48:58.599
 sleep and

00:48:58.599 --> 00:48:59.000
 take your

00:48:59.000 --> 00:48:59.859
 rest later

00:48:59.859 --> 00:49:00.319
 on.

00:49:00.759 --> 00:49:01.019
 See,

00:49:01.099 --> 00:49:01.579
 the hour is

00:49:01.579 --> 00:49:01.980
 at hand,

00:49:02.000 --> 00:49:02.199
 and the

00:49:02.199 --> 00:49:02.460
 Son of

00:49:02.460 --> 00:49:02.759
 Man is

00:49:02.759 --> 00:49:03.019
 betrayed

00:49:03.019 --> 00:49:03.299
 into the

00:49:03.299 --> 00:49:03.639
 hands of

00:49:03.639 --> 00:49:03.899
 sinners.

00:49:04.059 --> 00:49:04.500
 Rise,

00:49:05.039 --> 00:49:05.460
 let us

00:49:05.460 --> 00:49:06.039
 be going.

00:49:06.239 --> 00:49:06.539
 See,

00:49:06.940 --> 00:49:07.759
 my betrayer

00:49:07.759 --> 00:49:08.279
 is at

00:49:08.279 --> 00:49:08.679
 hand.

00:49:09.879 --> 00:49:10.179
 So we

00:49:10.179 --> 00:49:10.480
 ask that

00:49:10.480 --> 00:49:10.699
 the Lord

00:49:10.699 --> 00:49:10.980
 would take

00:49:10.980 --> 00:49:11.420
 the persecution

00:49:11.420 --> 00:49:11.779
 from him.

00:49:11.799 --> 00:49:12.199
 He doesn't

00:49:12.199 --> 00:49:12.759
 do so,

00:49:13.000 --> 00:49:13.299
 and he

00:49:13.299 --> 00:49:14.099
 boldly

00:49:14.099 --> 00:49:14.859
 faces it.

00:49:16.079 --> 00:49:16.679
 The will

00:49:16.679 --> 00:49:17.259
 of God,

00:49:17.519 --> 00:49:17.739
 that the

00:49:17.739 --> 00:49:18.159
 people of

00:49:18.159 --> 00:49:18.920
 God are

00:49:18.920 --> 00:49:19.460
 persecuted

00:49:19.460 --> 00:49:19.839
 for the

00:49:19.839 --> 00:49:20.940
 sake of

00:49:20.940 --> 00:49:21.079
 the

00:49:21.079 --> 00:49:21.500
 gospel.

00:49:22.599 --> 00:49:23.199
 Jesus is

00:49:23.199 --> 00:49:23.679
 our great

00:49:23.679 --> 00:49:24.239
 example in

00:49:24.239 --> 00:49:24.399
 this.

00:49:24.399 --> 00:49:25.039
 Hebrews 12,

00:49:25.039 --> 00:49:25.699
 1 and 2.

00:49:26.139 --> 00:49:26.420
 Therefore,

00:49:26.619 --> 00:49:26.880
 since we

00:49:26.880 --> 00:49:27.239
 are surrounded

00:49:27.239 --> 00:49:27.559
 by so

00:49:27.559 --> 00:49:28.000
 great a

00:49:28.000 --> 00:49:28.300
 cloud of

00:49:28.300 --> 00:49:28.579
 witnesses,

00:49:28.759 --> 00:49:29.000
 let us

00:49:29.000 --> 00:49:29.559
 also lay

00:49:29.559 --> 00:49:30.099
 aside every

00:49:30.099 --> 00:49:31.079
 weight and

00:49:31.079 --> 00:49:31.699
 sin which

00:49:31.699 --> 00:49:32.259
 clings so

00:49:32.259 --> 00:49:32.659
 closely,

00:49:33.000 --> 00:49:33.440
 and let us

00:49:33.440 --> 00:49:33.960
 run with

00:49:33.960 --> 00:49:34.500
 endurance the

00:49:34.500 --> 00:49:34.860
 race that

00:49:34.860 --> 00:49:35.099
 is set

00:49:35.099 --> 00:49:35.759
 before us.

00:49:36.500 --> 00:49:36.840
 This is

00:49:36.840 --> 00:49:37.039
 what I've

00:49:37.039 --> 00:49:37.380
 been talking

00:49:37.380 --> 00:49:37.639
 about.

00:49:37.719 --> 00:49:37.960
 This is

00:49:37.960 --> 00:49:38.500
 the race

00:49:38.500 --> 00:49:40.139
 set before

00:49:40.139 --> 00:49:40.360
 us,

00:49:40.400 --> 00:49:41.000
 this battle

00:49:41.000 --> 00:49:41.320
 that we're

00:49:41.320 --> 00:49:41.719
 in to

00:49:41.719 --> 00:49:42.440
 preach the

00:49:42.440 --> 00:49:42.840
 good news

00:49:42.840 --> 00:49:43.460
 to the

00:49:43.460 --> 00:49:44.239
 whole world.

00:49:44.960 --> 00:49:45.480
 Looking to

00:49:45.480 --> 00:49:45.860
 Jesus,

00:49:46.019 --> 00:49:46.500
 the founder

00:49:46.500 --> 00:49:47.639
 and perfecter

00:49:47.639 --> 00:49:47.900
 of our

00:49:47.900 --> 00:49:48.239
 faith,

00:49:48.920 --> 00:49:49.219
 who for

00:49:49.219 --> 00:49:49.880
 the joy

00:49:49.880 --> 00:49:50.380
 that was

00:49:50.380 --> 00:49:50.980
 set before

00:49:50.980 --> 00:49:51.380
 him,

00:49:51.940 --> 00:49:52.639
 endured the

00:49:52.639 --> 00:49:53.039
 cross,

00:49:53.380 --> 00:49:54.219
 despising the

00:49:54.219 --> 00:49:54.539
 shame,

00:49:55.039 --> 00:49:55.400
 and is

00:49:55.400 --> 00:49:55.759
 seated at

00:49:55.759 --> 00:49:56.019
 the right

00:49:56.019 --> 00:49:56.519
 hand of

00:49:56.519 --> 00:49:57.000
 the throne

00:49:57.000 --> 00:49:57.900
 of God.

00:49:57.980 --> 00:49:58.300
 So we see

00:49:58.300 --> 00:49:58.900
 Jesus looks

00:49:58.900 --> 00:49:59.599
 to the joy

00:49:59.599 --> 00:50:00.099
 that is

00:50:00.099 --> 00:50:01.119
 before him

00:50:01.119 --> 00:50:01.619
 and the

00:50:01.619 --> 00:50:02.599
 exaltation

00:50:02.599 --> 00:50:03.980
 of his

00:50:03.980 --> 00:50:04.619
 person at

00:50:04.619 --> 00:50:04.960
 the right

00:50:04.960 --> 00:50:05.719
 hand of

00:50:05.719 --> 00:50:06.179
 God in

00:50:06.179 --> 00:50:06.840
 order to

00:50:06.840 --> 00:50:08.300
 endure the

00:50:08.300 --> 00:50:08.759
 suffering that

00:50:08.759 --> 00:50:09.019
 will come.

00:50:09.079 --> 00:50:09.559
 He has an

00:50:09.559 --> 00:50:10.119
 eternal

00:50:10.119 --> 00:50:11.039
 mindset.

00:50:11.840 --> 00:50:12.400
 He has a

00:50:12.400 --> 00:50:13.159
 concern for

00:50:13.159 --> 00:50:13.719
 the will of

00:50:13.719 --> 00:50:14.239
 God and the

00:50:14.239 --> 00:50:14.739
 glory of

00:50:14.739 --> 00:50:15.059
 God.

00:50:16.119 --> 00:50:16.559
 And so he

00:50:16.559 --> 00:50:18.239
 suffers well.

00:50:18.320 --> 00:50:19.000
 He's obedient

00:50:19.000 --> 00:50:20.539
 at all

00:50:20.539 --> 00:50:21.699
 cost.

00:50:22.380 --> 00:50:22.739
 Jesus is

00:50:22.739 --> 00:50:23.219
 certainly the

00:50:23.219 --> 00:50:23.940
 greatest and

00:50:23.940 --> 00:50:24.820
 highest example

00:50:24.820 --> 00:50:26.099
 of this.

00:50:26.940 --> 00:50:27.280
 There are

00:50:27.280 --> 00:50:28.360
 lesser examples.

00:50:28.800 --> 00:50:29.340
 I want you to

00:50:29.340 --> 00:50:30.119
 be encouraged by

00:50:30.119 --> 00:50:30.679
 these things.

00:50:30.780 --> 00:50:31.199
 They can be of

00:50:31.199 --> 00:50:32.380
 massive encouragement

00:50:32.380 --> 00:50:33.320
 to us.

00:50:33.420 --> 00:50:34.460
 To know about

00:50:34.460 --> 00:50:35.500
 the persecution

00:50:35.500 --> 00:50:36.239
 that happens in

00:50:36.239 --> 00:50:37.019
 the world around

00:50:37.019 --> 00:50:38.440
 us makes me

00:50:38.440 --> 00:50:39.239
 being called

00:50:39.239 --> 00:50:41.780
 weird so

00:50:41.780 --> 00:50:42.639
 inconsequential.

00:50:42.639 --> 00:50:42.719
 people.

00:50:44.259 --> 00:50:44.839
 You familiar

00:50:44.839 --> 00:50:45.279
 with Voice of

00:50:45.279 --> 00:50:45.859
 the Martyrs?

00:50:46.539 --> 00:50:47.000
 You can

00:50:47.000 --> 00:50:47.480
 subscribe to

00:50:47.480 --> 00:50:48.039
 this for free.

00:50:48.179 --> 00:50:48.500
 This is a

00:50:48.500 --> 00:50:49.339
 cool organization.

00:50:50.500 --> 00:50:51.559
 Persecution.com

00:50:51.559 --> 00:50:53.639
 They'll send you a

00:50:53.639 --> 00:50:54.119
 deal like this.

00:50:54.159 --> 00:50:54.539
 I think it's

00:50:54.539 --> 00:50:55.379
 monthly that it

00:50:55.379 --> 00:50:55.719
 comes.

00:50:56.859 --> 00:50:57.319
 They tend to

00:50:57.319 --> 00:50:57.960
 stack up on my

00:50:57.960 --> 00:50:58.539
 desk and I

00:50:58.539 --> 00:50:58.960
 read them and

00:50:58.960 --> 00:50:59.359
 then go back.

00:50:59.420 --> 00:50:59.679
 I don't even

00:50:59.679 --> 00:51:00.359
 know where we're

00:51:00.359 --> 00:51:01.039
 at in the

00:51:01.039 --> 00:51:02.500
 April.

00:51:02.759 --> 00:51:03.079
 Monthly.

00:51:04.159 --> 00:51:04.619
 These will

00:51:04.619 --> 00:51:05.219
 come to you.

00:51:05.440 --> 00:51:06.339
 Great resources.

00:51:06.559 --> 00:51:07.299
 Great videos.

00:51:08.500 --> 00:51:09.239
 Pray for these

00:51:09.239 --> 00:51:09.599
 people.

00:51:10.619 --> 00:51:11.339
 I can guarantee

00:51:11.339 --> 00:51:11.639
 you they're

00:51:11.639 --> 00:51:12.379
 praying for us.

00:51:13.460 --> 00:51:14.599
 They pity us

00:51:14.599 --> 00:51:16.019
 for not

00:51:16.019 --> 00:51:16.559
 getting to

00:51:16.559 --> 00:51:17.559
 experience the

00:51:17.559 --> 00:51:18.500
 reproach of

00:51:18.500 --> 00:51:19.539
 Christ the

00:51:19.539 --> 00:51:20.099
 way they do.

00:51:21.219 --> 00:51:21.799
 Pray for

00:51:21.799 --> 00:51:22.099
 them.

00:51:22.279 --> 00:51:22.980
 Be encouraged

00:51:22.980 --> 00:51:24.259
 by them.

00:51:25.079 --> 00:51:25.739
 Another resource

00:51:25.739 --> 00:51:25.980
 I want to

00:51:25.980 --> 00:51:26.359
 commend to you

00:51:26.359 --> 00:51:26.859
 is Fox's

00:51:26.859 --> 00:51:27.139
 Book of

00:51:27.139 --> 00:51:28.420
 Martyrs.

00:51:28.940 --> 00:51:29.639
 Thumb through

00:51:29.639 --> 00:51:30.179
 these pages

00:51:30.179 --> 00:51:30.799
 and then try

00:51:30.799 --> 00:51:31.500
 to put American

00:51:31.500 --> 00:51:32.400
 Christianity in

00:51:32.400 --> 00:51:33.579
 the context of

00:51:33.579 --> 00:51:34.019
 the history of

00:51:34.019 --> 00:51:34.420
 the church.

00:51:34.879 --> 00:51:35.219
 Something's

00:51:35.219 --> 00:51:35.940
 really wrong

00:51:35.940 --> 00:51:37.639
 with us in

00:51:37.639 --> 00:51:38.099
 that way.

00:51:38.699 --> 00:51:39.179
 I want to

00:51:39.179 --> 00:51:40.579
 read one to

00:51:40.579 --> 00:51:41.599
 you quickly.

00:51:41.599 --> 00:51:42.880
 There were

00:51:42.880 --> 00:51:44.920
 ten systematic

00:51:44.920 --> 00:51:45.659
 persecutions

00:51:45.659 --> 00:51:46.880
 by the Roman

00:51:46.880 --> 00:51:47.259
 Empire.

00:51:47.839 --> 00:51:48.500
 This one

00:51:48.500 --> 00:51:49.039
 happens in

00:51:49.039 --> 00:51:49.759
 the seventh

00:51:49.759 --> 00:51:50.559
 systematic

00:51:50.559 --> 00:51:51.079
 persecution.

00:51:52.420 --> 00:51:53.159
 It's under

00:51:53.159 --> 00:51:53.699
 the emperor

00:51:53.699 --> 00:51:54.699
 Decius

00:51:54.699 --> 00:51:55.759
 and in

00:51:55.759 --> 00:51:56.579
 Asia under

00:51:56.579 --> 00:51:57.059
 the governor

00:51:57.059 --> 00:51:58.159
 Optimus.

00:51:59.699 --> 00:51:59.920
 It's

00:51:59.920 --> 00:52:01.920
 80-249-251.

00:52:02.079 --> 00:52:02.819
 This took

00:52:02.819 --> 00:52:03.159
 place.

00:52:03.420 --> 00:52:03.880
 Short little

00:52:03.880 --> 00:52:04.500
 account.

00:52:04.679 --> 00:52:05.239
 Two quick

00:52:05.239 --> 00:52:05.839
 paragraphs.

00:52:05.840 --> 00:52:08.300
 A weak

00:52:08.300 --> 00:52:08.940
 Christian

00:52:08.940 --> 00:52:11.440
 Nicomachus

00:52:11.440 --> 00:52:16.200
 was brought

00:52:16.200 --> 00:52:17.240
 before Optimus

00:52:17.240 --> 00:52:17.940
 and ordered

00:52:17.940 --> 00:52:18.920
 to sacrifice

00:52:18.920 --> 00:52:19.360
 to the

00:52:19.360 --> 00:52:20.019
 pagan idols.

00:52:21.019 --> 00:52:21.480
 Nicomachus

00:52:21.480 --> 00:52:22.120
 replied,

00:52:22.760 --> 00:52:23.160
 I cannot

00:52:23.160 --> 00:52:23.760
 pay the

00:52:23.760 --> 00:52:24.220
 respect to

00:52:24.220 --> 00:52:24.860
 devils that

00:52:24.860 --> 00:52:25.140
 is due

00:52:25.140 --> 00:52:26.400
 only to

00:52:26.400 --> 00:52:26.519
 the

00:52:26.519 --> 00:52:26.980
 Almighty.

00:52:28.539 --> 00:52:28.820
 It's a good

00:52:28.820 --> 00:52:29.660
 start, right?

00:52:30.620 --> 00:52:31.140
 He was

00:52:31.140 --> 00:52:31.440
 immediately

00:52:31.440 --> 00:52:32.019
 placed on

00:52:32.019 --> 00:52:32.539
 the rack

00:52:32.539 --> 00:52:33.480
 and after

00:52:33.480 --> 00:52:34.079
 enduring his

00:52:34.079 --> 00:52:34.739
 torments for

00:52:34.739 --> 00:52:35.519
 only a short

00:52:35.519 --> 00:52:36.119
 time,

00:52:36.719 --> 00:52:37.340
 recanted his

00:52:37.340 --> 00:52:38.400
 faith in

00:52:38.400 --> 00:52:38.800
 Christ.

00:52:39.860 --> 00:52:40.639
 As soon as

00:52:40.639 --> 00:52:41.239
 he was freed

00:52:41.239 --> 00:52:41.599
 from the

00:52:41.599 --> 00:52:41.940
 rack,

00:52:42.380 --> 00:52:43.420
 he was seized

00:52:43.420 --> 00:52:44.159
 with a great

00:52:44.159 --> 00:52:45.679
 agony and

00:52:45.679 --> 00:52:46.199
 fell to the

00:52:46.199 --> 00:52:47.639
 ground and

00:52:47.639 --> 00:52:48.019
 died.

00:52:48.960 --> 00:52:49.259
 Okay, so

00:52:49.259 --> 00:52:49.739
 there's the

00:52:49.739 --> 00:52:50.440
 weak Christian

00:52:50.440 --> 00:52:51.960
 Nicomachus.

00:52:51.960 --> 00:52:54.699
 seeing what

00:52:54.699 --> 00:52:55.280
 seemed to be

00:52:55.280 --> 00:52:55.880
 a terrible

00:52:55.880 --> 00:52:56.840
 judgment,

00:52:57.740 --> 00:52:58.260
 Denisa,

00:52:59.000 --> 00:53:00.240
 a 16-year-old

00:53:00.240 --> 00:53:01.460
 girl who

00:53:01.460 --> 00:53:02.099
 was among

00:53:02.099 --> 00:53:02.880
 the observers

00:53:02.880 --> 00:53:03.840
 exclaimed,

00:53:04.699 --> 00:53:05.039
 are young

00:53:05.039 --> 00:53:05.460
 people in the

00:53:05.460 --> 00:53:05.639
 room?

00:53:06.300 --> 00:53:06.599
 Are you

00:53:06.599 --> 00:53:06.840
 hearing?

00:53:07.340 --> 00:53:07.840
 Denisa,

00:53:08.039 --> 00:53:08.800
 a 16-year-old

00:53:08.800 --> 00:53:09.119
 girl,

00:53:09.820 --> 00:53:10.599
 yells out,

00:53:12.179 --> 00:53:12.460
 Oh,

00:53:12.559 --> 00:53:13.159
 unhappy

00:53:13.159 --> 00:53:13.720
 wretch,

00:53:14.240 --> 00:53:15.000
 why would

00:53:15.000 --> 00:53:15.500
 you buy

00:53:15.500 --> 00:53:16.420
 a moment's

00:53:16.420 --> 00:53:17.179
 ease at

00:53:17.179 --> 00:53:18.119
 the expense

00:53:18.119 --> 00:53:18.740
 of a

00:53:18.740 --> 00:53:19.139
 miserable

00:53:19.139 --> 00:53:20.220
 eternity?

00:53:20.219 --> 00:53:22.079
 When

00:53:22.079 --> 00:53:22.459
 Optimus

00:53:22.459 --> 00:53:23.059
 heard this,

00:53:23.139 --> 00:53:23.699
 he called

00:53:23.699 --> 00:53:24.019
 her to

00:53:24.019 --> 00:53:24.519
 himself,

00:53:24.980 --> 00:53:25.299
 and when

00:53:25.299 --> 00:53:25.679
 Denisa

00:53:25.679 --> 00:53:26.559
 confessed that

00:53:26.559 --> 00:53:27.019
 she was a

00:53:27.019 --> 00:53:27.379
 Christian,

00:53:28.359 --> 00:53:28.799
 he had her

00:53:28.799 --> 00:53:29.139
 beheaded.

00:53:31.299 --> 00:53:32.079
 Are you

00:53:32.079 --> 00:53:32.759
 more like

00:53:32.759 --> 00:53:34.239
 Nicomachus

00:53:34.239 --> 00:53:36.299
 or Denisa?

00:53:38.839 --> 00:53:39.459
 Christian,

00:53:39.559 --> 00:53:39.899
 we are to

00:53:39.899 --> 00:53:40.879
 be obedient

00:53:40.879 --> 00:53:41.819
 no matter

00:53:41.819 --> 00:53:43.619
 the cost.

00:53:44.359 --> 00:53:45.059
 The companion

00:53:45.059 --> 00:53:45.539
 to the coming

00:53:45.539 --> 00:53:45.919
 of the kingdom

00:53:45.919 --> 00:53:46.639
 of God is

00:53:46.639 --> 00:53:47.299
 Christian

00:53:47.299 --> 00:53:48.679
 persecution.

00:53:50.219 --> 00:53:50.619
 The kingdom

00:53:50.619 --> 00:53:50.939
 of God

00:53:50.939 --> 00:53:51.519
 will come

00:53:51.519 --> 00:53:52.480
 with or

00:53:52.480 --> 00:53:53.099
 without you.

00:53:54.079 --> 00:53:54.459
 I pray that

00:53:54.459 --> 00:53:54.639
 you would

00:53:54.639 --> 00:53:54.980
 choose to

00:53:54.980 --> 00:53:55.239
 be a

00:53:55.239 --> 00:53:55.799
 minister of

00:53:55.799 --> 00:53:56.359
 reconciliation

00:53:56.359 --> 00:53:57.259
 and not

00:53:57.259 --> 00:53:58.339
 sit idly

00:53:58.339 --> 00:53:59.539
 by on

00:53:59.539 --> 00:54:00.239
 the sidelines.

00:54:00.659 --> 00:54:00.859
 Your

00:54:00.859 --> 00:54:01.679
 momentary

00:54:01.679 --> 00:54:02.259
 comfort is

00:54:02.259 --> 00:54:02.759
 not worth

00:54:02.759 --> 00:54:03.359
 trading for

00:54:03.359 --> 00:54:03.679
 the

00:54:03.679 --> 00:54:05.099
 astounding

00:54:05.099 --> 00:54:06.159
 joy you

00:54:06.159 --> 00:54:06.399
 can have

00:54:06.399 --> 00:54:06.879
 in Christ

00:54:06.879 --> 00:54:08.159
 even now

00:54:08.159 --> 00:54:08.599
 in the

00:54:08.599 --> 00:54:09.599
 midst of

00:54:09.599 --> 00:54:09.980
 such

00:54:09.980 --> 00:54:11.159
 suffering.

00:54:12.019 --> 00:54:12.419
 Remember

00:54:12.419 --> 00:54:12.699
 what Jesus

00:54:12.699 --> 00:54:13.079
 said in

00:54:13.079 --> 00:54:13.859
 John 15,

00:54:14.599 --> 00:54:15.099
 If the

00:54:15.099 --> 00:54:15.579
 world hates

00:54:15.579 --> 00:54:15.959
 you,

00:54:16.599 --> 00:54:16.980
 know that

00:54:16.980 --> 00:54:17.159
 it has

00:54:17.159 --> 00:54:17.500
 hated me

00:54:17.500 --> 00:54:17.899
 before it

00:54:17.899 --> 00:54:18.419
 hated you.

00:54:18.420 --> 00:54:19.700
 If you

00:54:19.700 --> 00:54:20.119
 were of

00:54:20.119 --> 00:54:20.740
 the world,

00:54:20.960 --> 00:54:21.639
 the world

00:54:21.639 --> 00:54:22.139
 would love

00:54:22.139 --> 00:54:22.619
 you as

00:54:22.619 --> 00:54:23.139
 its own.

00:54:24.139 --> 00:54:24.800
 But because

00:54:24.800 --> 00:54:24.980
 you were

00:54:24.980 --> 00:54:25.260
 not of

00:54:25.260 --> 00:54:25.680
 the world,

00:54:26.000 --> 00:54:26.360
 but I

00:54:26.360 --> 00:54:26.880
 chose you

00:54:26.880 --> 00:54:27.360
 out of

00:54:27.360 --> 00:54:27.880
 the world,

00:54:28.619 --> 00:54:28.940
 therefore

00:54:28.940 --> 00:54:29.380
 the world

00:54:29.380 --> 00:54:29.940
 hates you.

00:54:30.960 --> 00:54:31.320
 Remember

00:54:31.320 --> 00:54:31.740
 the word

00:54:31.740 --> 00:54:32.000
 that I

00:54:32.000 --> 00:54:32.420
 said to

00:54:32.420 --> 00:54:32.559
 you,

00:54:32.619 --> 00:54:33.159
 a servant

00:54:33.159 --> 00:54:34.019
 is not

00:54:34.019 --> 00:54:34.559
 greater

00:54:34.559 --> 00:54:35.460
 than his

00:54:35.460 --> 00:54:35.920
 master.

00:54:36.619 --> 00:54:37.019
 If they

00:54:37.019 --> 00:54:37.480
 persecuted

00:54:37.480 --> 00:54:37.800
 me,

00:54:38.240 --> 00:54:38.780
 they will

00:54:38.780 --> 00:54:39.099
 also

00:54:39.099 --> 00:54:39.680
 persecute

00:54:39.680 --> 00:54:40.019
 you.

00:54:40.579 --> 00:54:41.180
 If they

00:54:41.180 --> 00:54:41.420
 kept

00:54:41.420 --> 00:54:42.119
 my word,

00:54:43.220 --> 00:54:43.780
 they will

00:54:43.780 --> 00:54:44.320
 also keep

00:54:44.320 --> 00:54:44.800
 yours.

00:54:44.800 --> 00:54:45.860
 do

00:54:45.860 --> 00:54:46.519
 not

00:54:46.519 --> 00:54:47.420
 continue

00:54:47.420 --> 00:54:47.840
 to go

00:54:47.840 --> 00:54:48.380
 on from

00:54:48.380 --> 00:54:48.680
 this

00:54:48.680 --> 00:54:49.180
 day

00:54:49.180 --> 00:54:50.980
 willing

00:54:50.980 --> 00:54:51.400
 to be

00:54:51.400 --> 00:54:52.220
 complacent

00:54:52.220 --> 00:54:53.019
 and

00:54:53.019 --> 00:54:53.420
 comfortable.

00:54:54.380 --> 00:54:54.519
 Be

00:54:54.519 --> 00:54:55.140
 bold

00:54:55.140 --> 00:54:55.900
 for the

00:54:55.900 --> 00:54:56.220
 sake of

00:54:56.220 --> 00:54:56.560
 others,

00:54:56.660 --> 00:54:57.060
 the gospel

00:54:57.060 --> 00:54:57.440
 of Jesus

00:54:57.440 --> 00:54:57.920
 Christ,

00:54:58.019 --> 00:54:58.380
 the glory

00:54:58.380 --> 00:54:58.720
 of his

00:54:58.720 --> 00:54:59.080
 name,

00:54:59.800 --> 00:55:00.400
 and be

00:55:00.400 --> 00:55:00.780
 prepared.

00:55:00.960 --> 00:55:01.060
 You

00:55:01.060 --> 00:55:01.340
 will

00:55:01.340 --> 00:55:02.080
 be

00:55:02.080 --> 00:55:03.440
 persecuted.

00:55:03.860 --> 00:55:04.320
 If you

00:55:04.320 --> 00:55:04.700
 have not

00:55:04.700 --> 00:55:05.019
 placed

00:55:05.019 --> 00:55:05.380
 believing

00:55:05.380 --> 00:55:05.820
 faith

00:55:05.820 --> 00:55:06.539
 in

00:55:06.539 --> 00:55:06.760
 Jesus

00:55:06.760 --> 00:55:07.200
 Christ,

00:55:07.760 --> 00:55:08.360
 this

00:55:08.360 --> 00:55:08.660
 is

00:55:08.660 --> 00:55:09.519
 not

00:55:09.519 --> 00:55:09.700
 a

00:55:09.700 --> 00:55:09.880
 good

00:55:09.880 --> 00:55:10.539
 evangelistic

00:55:10.539 --> 00:55:10.860
 sermon.

00:55:10.860 --> 00:55:14.539
 you

00:55:14.539 --> 00:55:14.780
 need to

00:55:14.780 --> 00:55:14.940
 know,

00:55:15.039 --> 00:55:15.099
 though,

00:55:15.140 --> 00:55:15.360
 that there

00:55:15.360 --> 00:55:15.460
 are

00:55:15.460 --> 00:55:15.720
 people

00:55:15.720 --> 00:55:15.900
 in

00:55:15.900 --> 00:55:16.099
 this

00:55:16.099 --> 00:55:16.440
 room

00:55:16.440 --> 00:55:17.280
 that

00:55:17.280 --> 00:55:17.420
 are

00:55:17.420 --> 00:55:17.780
 willing

00:55:17.780 --> 00:55:18.099
 to

00:55:18.099 --> 00:55:18.539
 risk

00:55:18.539 --> 00:55:19.300
 everything.

00:55:19.440 --> 00:55:19.620
 And I

00:55:19.620 --> 00:55:20.140
 mean that.

00:55:20.300 --> 00:55:20.620
 I know

00:55:20.620 --> 00:55:21.160
 people in

00:55:21.160 --> 00:55:21.400
 this

00:55:21.400 --> 00:55:21.700
 room

00:55:21.700 --> 00:55:22.019
 who are

00:55:22.019 --> 00:55:22.260
 willing

00:55:22.260 --> 00:55:22.539
 to

00:55:22.539 --> 00:55:22.960
 risk

00:55:22.960 --> 00:55:23.980
 everything,

00:55:24.440 --> 00:55:24.760
 their

00:55:24.760 --> 00:55:25.320
 lives,

00:55:25.500 --> 00:55:25.720
 the

00:55:25.720 --> 00:55:25.960
 lives

00:55:25.960 --> 00:55:26.079
 of

00:55:26.079 --> 00:55:26.220
 their

00:55:26.220 --> 00:55:26.800
 families,

00:55:27.800 --> 00:55:28.660
 so that

00:55:28.660 --> 00:55:28.880
 you

00:55:28.880 --> 00:55:29.059
 would

00:55:29.059 --> 00:55:29.539
 repent

00:55:29.539 --> 00:55:30.579
 and

00:55:30.579 --> 00:55:31.039
 believe

00:55:31.039 --> 00:55:31.320
 in

00:55:31.320 --> 00:55:31.720
 Christ.

00:55:32.920 --> 00:55:33.160
 When

00:55:33.160 --> 00:55:33.300
 we

00:55:33.300 --> 00:55:33.579
 come

00:55:33.579 --> 00:55:33.780
 to

00:55:33.780 --> 00:55:33.920
 you

00:55:33.920 --> 00:55:34.059
 with

00:55:34.059 --> 00:55:34.180
 the

00:55:34.180 --> 00:55:34.400
 good

00:55:34.400 --> 00:55:34.860
 news

00:55:34.860 --> 00:55:35.680
 and

00:55:35.680 --> 00:55:36.000
 suffer

00:55:36.000 --> 00:55:36.380
 for

00:55:36.380 --> 00:55:36.640
 it,

00:55:37.079 --> 00:55:37.460
 or at

00:55:37.460 --> 00:55:37.780
 least

00:55:37.780 --> 00:55:38.220
 are

00:55:38.220 --> 00:55:38.460
 willing

00:55:38.460 --> 00:55:38.640
 to

00:55:38.640 --> 00:55:38.820
 suffer

00:55:38.820 --> 00:55:39.140
 for

00:55:39.140 --> 00:55:39.360
 it,

00:55:40.120 --> 00:55:40.300
 we

00:55:40.300 --> 00:55:40.420
 are

00:55:40.420 --> 00:55:40.940
 saying

00:55:40.940 --> 00:55:41.340
 in

00:55:41.340 --> 00:55:41.560
 me

00:55:41.560 --> 00:55:42.039
 behold

00:55:42.039 --> 00:55:42.240
 the

00:55:42.240 --> 00:55:42.380
 love

00:55:42.380 --> 00:55:42.519
 of

00:55:42.519 --> 00:55:42.840
 God.

00:55:43.700 --> 00:55:43.900
 I

00:55:43.900 --> 00:55:44.180
 care

00:55:44.180 --> 00:55:44.440
 about

00:55:44.440 --> 00:55:44.600
 you

00:55:44.600 --> 00:55:45.060
 deeply

00:55:45.060 --> 00:55:45.680
 and

00:55:45.680 --> 00:55:45.780
 as

00:55:45.780 --> 00:55:45.900
 I

00:55:45.900 --> 00:55:46.360
 sacrifice

00:55:46.360 --> 00:55:46.640
 to

00:55:46.640 --> 00:55:46.820
 come

00:55:46.820 --> 00:55:46.980
 to

00:55:46.980 --> 00:55:47.140
 you

00:55:47.140 --> 00:55:47.300
 and

00:55:47.300 --> 00:55:47.600
 preach

00:55:47.600 --> 00:55:47.780
 to

00:55:47.780 --> 00:55:48.000
 you

00:55:48.000 --> 00:55:48.400
 and

00:55:48.400 --> 00:55:48.640
 risk

00:55:48.640 --> 00:55:48.800
 my

00:55:48.800 --> 00:55:49.280
 reputation

00:55:49.280 --> 00:55:49.420
 or

00:55:49.420 --> 00:55:49.539
 my

00:55:49.539 --> 00:55:49.860
 status

00:55:49.860 --> 00:55:49.980
 or

00:55:49.980 --> 00:55:50.080
 my

00:55:50.080 --> 00:55:50.440
 position

00:55:50.440 --> 00:55:51.000
 or

00:55:51.000 --> 00:55:51.200
 my

00:55:51.200 --> 00:55:51.800
 job

00:55:51.800 --> 00:55:52.580
 behold

00:55:52.580 --> 00:55:53.100
 the

00:55:53.100 --> 00:55:53.480
 love

00:55:53.480 --> 00:55:54.340
 of

00:55:54.340 --> 00:55:54.800
 Christ.

00:55:55.480 --> 00:55:56.019
 Repent

00:55:56.019 --> 00:55:57.640
 and

00:55:57.640 --> 00:55:58.240
 believe.

00:56:00.280 --> 00:56:00.840
 It's

00:56:00.840 --> 00:56:01.200
 not very

00:56:01.200 --> 00:56:01.780
 evangelistic

00:56:01.780 --> 00:56:02.560
 in the

00:56:02.560 --> 00:56:02.860
 world's

00:56:02.860 --> 00:56:03.140
 terms,

00:56:03.260 --> 00:56:03.360
 I

00:56:03.360 --> 00:56:03.840
 should

00:56:03.840 --> 00:56:04.200
 say,

00:56:04.320 --> 00:56:04.460
 but

00:56:04.460 --> 00:56:04.880
 I'm

00:56:04.880 --> 00:56:05.200
 unwilling

00:56:05.200 --> 00:56:05.400
 to

00:56:05.400 --> 00:56:05.600
 neuter

00:56:05.600 --> 00:56:05.740
 the

00:56:05.740 --> 00:56:06.080
 gospel.

00:56:06.780 --> 00:56:06.880
 The

00:56:06.880 --> 00:56:07.220
 call to

00:56:07.220 --> 00:56:07.480
 follow

00:56:07.480 --> 00:56:07.840
 Jesus

00:56:07.840 --> 00:56:08.320
 is a

00:56:08.320 --> 00:56:08.700
 call to

00:56:08.700 --> 00:56:09.000
 die.

00:56:10.120 --> 00:56:10.320
 You

00:56:10.320 --> 00:56:10.600
 know

00:56:10.600 --> 00:56:10.920
 that.

00:56:11.640 --> 00:56:11.920
 Not

00:56:11.920 --> 00:56:12.360
 enough

00:56:12.360 --> 00:56:12.640
 churches

00:56:12.640 --> 00:56:12.800
 are

00:56:12.800 --> 00:56:13.059
 saying

00:56:13.059 --> 00:56:13.300
 that.

00:56:13.400 --> 00:56:13.460
 A

00:56:13.460 --> 00:56:13.559
 lot

00:56:13.559 --> 00:56:13.640
 of

00:56:13.640 --> 00:56:13.840
 churches

00:56:13.840 --> 00:56:13.980
 are

00:56:13.980 --> 00:56:14.260
 saying

00:56:14.260 --> 00:56:15.220
 the

00:56:15.220 --> 00:56:15.620
 risk

00:56:15.620 --> 00:56:15.760
 of

00:56:15.760 --> 00:56:16.059
 following

00:56:16.059 --> 00:56:16.420
 Jesus

00:56:16.420 --> 00:56:16.700
 is

00:56:16.700 --> 00:56:16.840
 that

00:56:16.840 --> 00:56:17.100
 someone

00:56:17.100 --> 00:56:17.300
 with

00:56:17.300 --> 00:56:17.420
 their

00:56:17.420 --> 00:56:17.580
 head

00:56:17.580 --> 00:56:17.780
 bowed

00:56:17.780 --> 00:56:17.840
 and

00:56:17.840 --> 00:56:17.940
 their

00:56:17.940 --> 00:56:18.140
 eyes

00:56:18.140 --> 00:56:18.400
 closed

00:56:18.400 --> 00:56:18.680
 might

00:56:18.680 --> 00:56:19.080
 peak.

00:56:19.940 --> 00:56:20.360
 That's

00:56:20.360 --> 00:56:20.440
 the

00:56:20.440 --> 00:56:20.740
 potential

00:56:20.740 --> 00:56:21.300
 risk

00:56:21.300 --> 00:56:21.700
 you

00:56:21.700 --> 00:56:22.059
 face.

00:56:22.059 --> 00:56:23.639
 Most

00:56:23.639 --> 00:56:23.900
 places

00:56:23.900 --> 00:56:24.179
 in the

00:56:24.179 --> 00:56:24.519
 world

00:56:24.519 --> 00:56:24.820
 to

00:56:24.820 --> 00:56:25.039
 follow

00:56:25.039 --> 00:56:25.539
 Jesus

00:56:25.539 --> 00:56:26.000
 means

00:56:26.000 --> 00:56:26.099
 to

00:56:26.099 --> 00:56:26.199
 be

00:56:26.199 --> 00:56:26.460
 disowned

00:56:26.460 --> 00:56:26.639
 by

00:56:26.639 --> 00:56:26.779
 your

00:56:26.779 --> 00:56:27.059
 family.

00:56:27.179 --> 00:56:27.239
 It

00:56:27.239 --> 00:56:27.279
 means

00:56:27.279 --> 00:56:27.360
 you

00:56:27.360 --> 00:56:27.639
 can't

00:56:27.639 --> 00:56:27.820
 go

00:56:27.820 --> 00:56:28.159
 to

00:56:28.159 --> 00:56:28.719
 university.

00:56:29.199 --> 00:56:29.340
 It

00:56:29.340 --> 00:56:29.519
 means

00:56:29.519 --> 00:56:29.639
 you

00:56:29.639 --> 00:56:29.799
 may

00:56:29.799 --> 00:56:29.920
 be

00:56:29.920 --> 00:56:30.199
 beaten

00:56:30.199 --> 00:56:30.340
 in

00:56:30.340 --> 00:56:30.440
 the

00:56:30.440 --> 00:56:30.659
 street

00:56:30.659 --> 00:56:30.799
 and

00:56:30.799 --> 00:56:31.000
 left

00:56:31.000 --> 00:56:31.360
 for

00:56:31.360 --> 00:56:31.539
 dead.

00:56:31.599 --> 00:56:31.639
 It

00:56:31.639 --> 00:56:31.759
 may

00:56:31.759 --> 00:56:31.960
 mean

00:56:31.960 --> 00:56:32.360
 you

00:56:32.360 --> 00:56:32.519
 are

00:56:32.519 --> 00:56:33.259
 imprisoned.

00:56:34.219 --> 00:56:34.519
 It

00:56:34.519 --> 00:56:34.539
 may

00:56:34.539 --> 00:56:34.699
 mean

00:56:34.699 --> 00:56:34.940
 you're

00:56:34.940 --> 00:56:35.639
 beheaded.

00:56:36.559 --> 00:56:36.960
 Horrible

00:56:36.960 --> 00:56:37.759
 atrocities.

00:56:38.519 --> 00:56:38.699
 It's

00:56:38.699 --> 00:56:38.940
 a call

00:56:38.940 --> 00:56:39.400
 to die.

00:56:39.940 --> 00:56:40.299
 It's

00:56:40.299 --> 00:56:40.519
 a call

00:56:40.519 --> 00:56:41.000
 to hold

00:56:41.000 --> 00:56:41.159
 our

00:56:41.159 --> 00:56:41.420
 lives

00:56:41.420 --> 00:56:41.699
 loosely.

00:56:41.820 --> 00:56:41.880
 It's

00:56:41.880 --> 00:56:42.099
 a call

00:56:42.099 --> 00:56:42.239
 to

00:56:42.239 --> 00:56:42.759
 give

00:56:42.759 --> 00:56:42.960
 them

00:56:42.960 --> 00:56:43.199
 up

00:56:43.199 --> 00:56:43.420
 for

00:56:43.420 --> 00:56:43.559
 the

00:56:43.559 --> 00:56:43.779
!

00:56:43.779 --> 00:56:44.500
 of

00:56:44.500 --> 00:56:44.639
 our

00:56:44.639 --> 00:56:44.920
 king.

00:56:45.719 --> 00:56:45.800
 And

00:56:45.800 --> 00:56:45.900
 if

00:56:45.900 --> 00:56:45.980
 you

00:56:45.980 --> 00:56:46.159
 don't

00:56:46.159 --> 00:56:46.559
 find

00:56:46.559 --> 00:56:47.000
 Christ

00:56:47.000 --> 00:56:47.500
 precious

00:56:47.500 --> 00:56:47.980
 enough

00:56:47.980 --> 00:56:48.179
 to

00:56:48.179 --> 00:56:48.380
 give

00:56:48.380 --> 00:56:48.559
 up

00:56:48.559 --> 00:56:49.199
 everything

00:56:49.199 --> 00:56:49.480
 to

00:56:49.480 --> 00:56:49.739
 gain

00:56:49.739 --> 00:56:49.960
 him

00:56:49.960 --> 00:56:50.099
 then

00:56:50.099 --> 00:56:50.179
 you

00:56:50.179 --> 00:56:50.300
 don't

00:56:50.300 --> 00:56:50.579
 deserve

00:56:50.579 --> 00:56:50.780
 him.

00:56:53.019 --> 00:56:53.480
 Because

00:56:53.480 --> 00:56:53.639
 the

00:56:53.639 --> 00:56:53.820
 call

00:56:53.820 --> 00:56:53.940
 to

00:56:53.940 --> 00:56:54.119
 follow

00:56:54.119 --> 00:56:54.639
 Christ

00:56:54.639 --> 00:56:54.820
 is

00:56:54.820 --> 00:56:54.920
 a

00:56:54.920 --> 00:56:55.039
 call

00:56:55.039 --> 00:56:55.159
 to

00:56:55.159 --> 00:56:55.300
 die

00:56:55.300 --> 00:56:55.420
 but

00:56:55.420 --> 00:56:55.539
 it's

00:56:55.539 --> 00:56:55.860
 also

00:56:55.860 --> 00:56:56.059
 a

00:56:56.059 --> 00:56:56.400
 call

00:56:56.400 --> 00:56:57.059
 to

00:56:57.059 --> 00:56:57.420
 a

00:56:57.420 --> 00:56:57.900
 measurable

00:56:57.900 --> 00:56:58.960
 joy

00:56:58.960 --> 00:56:59.340
 in

00:56:59.340 --> 00:56:59.619
 him

00:56:59.619 --> 00:56:59.960
 here

00:56:59.960 --> 00:57:00.940
 and

00:57:00.940 --> 00:57:01.179
 forever

00:57:01.179 --> 00:57:01.460
 more.

00:57:02.579 --> 00:57:03.039
 Let's

00:57:03.039 --> 00:57:03.179
 pray

00:57:03.179 --> 00:57:03.440
 together.