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 Please take out your copy of God's Word, which I pray you have with you, that it's well read and treasured in your hearts this morning.

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 And turn with me to the book of Acts, chapter 25.

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 If you were with us last spring and then not for the summer and you're back now, yes, we are still in the book of Acts.

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 We are hastening our way to its end, however, moving rather quickly, not because we are tired of the book of Acts,

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 but because the story hastens us to the end.

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 Back in chapter 21, Paul's back in Jerusalem and he's arrested there for no good reason.

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 But the Jews bring up charges against him, blaspheming the temple, causing false worship of God.

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 And the Romans, evil men that they were, are used by God to rush in and to rescue Paul from certain death at the hands of the Jews.

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 And we've been walking now through the subsequent chapters, looking at various trials that Paul is standing.

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 Different places have been.

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 Last week, chapter 24, he stood trial before the Roman governor, Felix.

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 And they concluded there was nothing really he could be charged for, but he held him anyway for two years.

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 And at the end of chapter 24, Felix is, he wasn't a very good governor, so he's removed from his post.

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 And he's replaced by a man named Festus.

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 So we saw that at the very end of chapter 24, verse 27 says,

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 When two years had elapsed, Felix was succeeded by Portius Festus.

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 And desiring to do the Jews a favor, Felix left Paul in prison.

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 And so today we're going to look at chapters 25 and 26.

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 Yes, both chapters all together, although we'll come and focus in on just a few verses.

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 But I am going to read it for our benefit.

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 It only takes about eight minutes, so hang with me in the text.

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 I'll pause from time to time and just make some comments, some clarifying comments,

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 hopefully to keep you on the same page.

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 You're understanding what's happening in this episode of Paul's life.

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 But before I do that, let me just introduce to you, in real brief, three characters that you're going to hear in this story.

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 Obviously, we have Paul as a primary character.

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 Festus, who I already mentioned, Roman governor of Judea, successor to Felix.

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 We have King Agrippa, who was the Jewish client ruler of Judea.

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 And that is to say, he ruled the region that was ruled by a higher power, which in our story is Rome.

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 He was granted power by Rome to rule the religious life of the Jews in Judea.

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 He would have appointed the high priest, and he would have judged matters of Jewish law.

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 So he's underneath the authority of Rome, but still holds quite a bit of power for Jewish worship.

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 And then we're also going to see Bernice, who is Agrippa's younger sister.

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 Just as an interesting historical aside to you, it's most likely that they were also lovers.

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 So you, King Agrippa, but this is what's happening.

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 This is why she's probably with him at this trial.

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 So, beloved, this is God's word to us.

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 It was written for his glory and for our good.

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 We would all do well to listen to it in order to believe its promises and to obey its commands.

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 We see in Acts 25, verse 1, Luke writes,

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 Now, three days after Festus had arrived in the province, he went up to Jerusalem from Caesarea.

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 I'll stop for a moment here to remind you that Caesarea was the Roman capital of Judea,

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 but Jerusalem is still the center of Jewish life.

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 It's in a higher elevation, so everything goes up to Jerusalem or down from Jerusalem.

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 And he travels there to earn favor with the Jewish population.

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 Festus, as a governor, a Roman governor, was charged with keeping the peace in the province.

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 And so he goes to pay his dues, as it were.

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 We also will see that he's apt to grant favors to the Jews to gain their approval of him being there in that region.

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 Verse 2,

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 And the chief priests and the principal men of the Jews laid out their case against Paul.

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 And they urged him, asking as a favor against Paul that he summon him to Jerusalem,

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 because they were planning an ambush to kill him on the way.

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 Festus replied that Paul was being kept at Caesarea, and that he himself intended to go there shortly.

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 So, said he, let the men of authority among you go down with me,

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 and if there's anything wrong about the man, let them bring charges against him.

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 After he stayed among them not more than eight or ten days, he went down to Caesarea.

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 And the next day he took his seat on the tribunal and ordered Paul to be brought.

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 But when he had arrived, the Jews who had come down from Jerusalem stood around him,

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 bringing many and serious charges against him that they could not prove.

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 Paul argued in his defense,

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 Neither against the law of the Jews, nor against the temple, nor against Caesar,

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 have I committed any offense.

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 And this is a duplication of Paul's previous trial before Felix,

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 which was two years prior.

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 Standing in the same place, he's now again having to defend against these same false accusations.

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 Verse 9.

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 But Festus, wishing to do the Jews a favor, said to Paul,

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 Do you wish to go up to Jerusalem and there be tried on these charges before me?

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 But Paul said,

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 To Caesar you have appealed.

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 To Caesar you shall go.

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 Now, Paul's appeal to Caesar was his right as a Roman citizen.

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 Although Festus did not have to grant the request to Paul,

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 the complication of the matter and his charge to keep the peace in Judea

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 made Paul's appeal a convenient out for Festus.

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 It was his chance to say,

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 Oh, well then okay.

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 Festus was a fairly unseasoned governor.

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 He was very young.

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 And you'll note in verse 12 that he confers with his council.

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 Is this a thing we should do?

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 Is he within his right as a Roman citizen?

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 They say,

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 Yes, he is.

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 And he uses it as an opportunity to escape what could happen

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 if he doesn't put Paul on trial.

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 Now remember that after Paul's trial before the Sanhedrin in chapter 23,

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 when he's experiencing a great discouragement,

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 Jesus shows up and encourages him with the following from Acts chapter 23 verse 11.

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 Luke records this,

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 The following night the Lord stood by him and said,

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 Take courage,

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 for as you have testified to the facts about me in Jerusalem,

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 so you must also testify in Rome.

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 So Paul has been given clear instruction by Jesus himself, right?

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 Jesus encourages him by saying,

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 I'm going to preserve your life unto Rome.

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 I still have a purpose for you to go to that place.

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 And Paul seizes the opportunity to bring this to pass.

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 He exercises his Roman right and he says,

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 I appeal to Caesar.

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 Verse 13.

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 Now when some days had passed,

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 Agrippa the king and Bernice arrived at Caesarea and greeted Festus.

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 And as they stayed there many days,

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 Festus laid Paul's case before the king saying,

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 There is a man left prisoner by Felix.

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 And when I was at Jerusalem,

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 the chief priests and the elders of the Jews laid out their case against him,

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 asking for a sentence of condemnation against him.

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 I answered them that it was not the custom of the Romans

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 to give up anyone before the accused met the accusers face to face

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 and had opportunity to make his defense concerning the charge laid against him.

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 So when they came together here,

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 I made no delay,

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 but on the next day took my seat in the tribunal

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 and ordered the man to be brought.

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 When the accusers stood up,

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 They brought no charge in his case of such evils as I supposed.

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 He's saying they brought silly charges.

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 That wasn't what I thought they were going to be.

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 Verse 19.

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 Rather,

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 they had certain points of dispute with him

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 about their own religion

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 and about a certain Jesus

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 who was dead,

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 but whom Paul asserted to be alive.

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 Being at a loss,

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 how to investigate these questions,

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 I asked whether he wanted to go to Jerusalem

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 and be tried there regarding them.

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 And I love what he basically says is,

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 I don't have a way of affirming whether or not Jesus is alive.

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 So I asked him if he wanted to go to another trial.

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 Verse 21.

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 But when Paul had appealed to be kept in custody

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 for the decision of the emperor,

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 I ordered him to be held until I could send him to Caesar.

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 Then Agrippa said to Festus,

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 I would like to hear the man myself.

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 Tomorrow, said he,

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 you will hear him.

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 So on the next day,

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 Agrippa and Bernice came with great pomp

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 and they entered the audience hall

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 with the military tribunes

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 and the prominent men of the city.

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 Then at the command of Festus,

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 Paul was brought in.

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 And Festus said,

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 King Agrippa and all who are present with us,

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 you see this man about whom

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 the whole Jewish people petitioned me,

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 both in Jerusalem and here,

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 shouting that he ought not to live any longer.

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 But I found that he had done nothing deserving death.

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 And as he himself appealed to the emperor,

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 I decided to go ahead and send him.

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 But I have nothing definite to write to my lord about him.

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 Therefore, I have brought him before you all

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 and especially before you, King Agrippa,

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 so that after we have examined him,

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 I may have something to write.

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 For it seems to me unreasonable in sending a prisoner

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 not to indicate the charges against him.

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 So it's interesting to note at this point

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 that Festus isn't even sure

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 under what charges he would send Paul to Rome.

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 It's very vague,

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 the charges that are placed against him.

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 He's hoping to gain some clarity

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 in matters of Jewish religious law.

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 All of the injustice that Paul is experiencing

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 is due to his proclamation of Jesus as the Christ.

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 And this is not inconsistent with Jewish belief.

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 They believed in a Messiah,

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 particularly the part of Judaism that he was,

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 a Pharisee.

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 They believed in the resurrection of the dead.

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 He's just saying,

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 this has happened.

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 The thing that you guys believe,

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 I believe,

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 but I believe it rightly

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 because Jesus is the Christ.

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 And this is infuriating to them.

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 Just as Jesus was unjustly tried and crucified,

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 Paul is being held for crimes

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 that he did not commit.

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 The student is certainly not greater than his master.

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 Chapter 26, verse 1.

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 So Agrippa said to Paul,

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 you have permission to speak for yourself.

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 Then Paul stretched out his hand

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 and made his defense.

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 I consider myself fortunate

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 that it is before you, King Agrippa,

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 I'm going to make my defense today

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 against all the accusations of the Jews,

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 especially because you are familiar

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 with all the customs and controversies of the Jews.

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 Therefore, I beg you to listen to me patiently.

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 My manner of life from my youth,

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 spent from the beginning among my own nation

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 and in Jerusalem,

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 is known by all the Jews.

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 They have known for a long time,

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 if they are willing to testify,

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 that according to the strictest party of our religion,

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 I have lived as a Pharisee.

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 And now I stand here on trial

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 because of my hope and the promise

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 made by God to our fathers,

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 to which our twelve tribes hope to attain

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 as they earnestly worship night and day.

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 And for this hope I am accused by Jews, O King.

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 Why is it thought incredible by any of you

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 that God raises the dead?

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 I myself was convinced

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 that I ought to do many things

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 in opposing the name of Jesus of Nazareth.

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 And I did so in Jerusalem.

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 I not only locked up many of the saints in prison

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 after receiving authority from the chief priests,

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 but when they were put to death,

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 I cast my vote against them.

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 So he's saying,

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 I was a Pharisee,

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 the strictest order of Jews,

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 looking to the promise of the Old Testament

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 that the prophets had made.

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 And I was zealous against what's called the way,

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 against Jesus of Nazareth.

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 We know that Paul was present

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 at the stoning of Stephen,

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 the first Christian martyr.

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 It would appear that he voted for the death of others

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 as well that may not be recorded in the book of Acts.

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 He possibly, quite possibly,

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 was part of the Sanhedrin,

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 part of that ruling group of Jews.

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 Well known.

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 He's saying,

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 these men know the kind of Pharisee that I was.

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 So it's likely that he's amongst his peers

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 in Judaism being accused.

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 Verse 11.

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 And I punished them often in all the synagogues

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 and tried to make them blaspheme.

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 And in raging fury against them,

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 I persecuted them even to foreign cities.

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 In this connection,

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 I journeyed to Damascus

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 with the authority and commission of the chief priests.

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 At midday, O King,

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 I saw on the way a light from heaven,

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 brighter than the sun,

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 that shone around me

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 and those who journeyed with me.

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 And when we had all fallen to the ground,

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 I heard a voice saying to me in the Hebrew language,

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 Saul, Saul,

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 why are you persecuting me?

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 It is hard for you to kick against the goads.

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 And so that you're not distracted by that.

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 Goads were sharpened rods used to prod cattle.

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 So all that Jesus is saying to him,

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 and he would have understood,

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 is that it's futile for you to resist

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 God's will in the world.

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 What a silly thing for a cow to do

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 to kick against a stick made

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 to make them move forward.

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 Verse 15.

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 And I said,

00:14:49.840 --> 00:14:50.760
 Who are you, Lord?

00:14:51.060 --> 00:14:52.200
 And the Lord said,

00:14:52.640 --> 00:14:53.520
 I am Jesus,

00:14:53.740 --> 00:14:54.740
 whom you are persecuting.

00:14:55.540 --> 00:14:57.100
 But rise and stand upon your feet,

00:14:57.160 --> 00:14:58.860
 for I have appeared to you for this purpose,

00:14:59.300 --> 00:15:01.100
 to appoint you as a servant and witness

00:15:01.100 --> 00:15:02.920
 to the things in which you have seen me

00:15:02.920 --> 00:15:05.280
 and to those in which I will appear to you,

00:15:05.820 --> 00:15:07.100
 delivering you from your people

00:15:07.100 --> 00:15:08.000
 and from the Gentiles

00:15:08.000 --> 00:15:09.540
 to whom I am sending you,

00:15:09.860 --> 00:15:10.760
 to open their eyes

00:15:10.760 --> 00:15:12.940
 so that they may turn from darkness to light

00:15:12.940 --> 00:15:14.780
 and from the power of Satan to God,

00:15:15.200 --> 00:15:16.900
 that they may receive forgiveness of sins

00:15:16.900 --> 00:15:18.160
 and a place among those

00:15:18.160 --> 00:15:20.620
 who are sanctified by faith in me.

00:15:21.860 --> 00:15:23.200
 Therefore, O King Agrippa,

00:15:23.640 --> 00:15:26.060
 I was not disobedient to the heavenly vision,

00:15:26.620 --> 00:15:28.440
 but declared first to those in Damascus,

00:15:28.500 --> 00:15:29.340
 then in Jerusalem,

00:15:29.440 --> 00:15:31.200
 and throughout all the region of Judea,

00:15:31.240 --> 00:15:32.640
 and also to the Gentiles,

00:15:33.120 --> 00:15:35.340
 that they should repent and turn to God,

00:15:35.780 --> 00:15:38.300
 performing deeds in keeping with their repentance.

00:15:39.180 --> 00:15:39.960
 For this reason,

00:15:40.000 --> 00:15:41.260
 the Jews seized me in the temple

00:15:41.259 --> 00:15:42.220
 and tried to kill me.

00:15:42.879 --> 00:15:43.480
 To this day,

00:15:43.480 --> 00:15:45.500
 I have had the help that comes from God,

00:15:45.559 --> 00:15:47.519
 and so I stand here testifying,

00:15:47.639 --> 00:15:49.120
 both to small and great,

00:15:49.720 --> 00:15:52.139
 saying nothing but what the prophets of Moses said

00:15:52.139 --> 00:15:53.519
 would come to pass,

00:15:53.860 --> 00:15:55.240
 that the Christ must suffer,

00:15:55.379 --> 00:15:57.860
 and that by being the first to rise from the dead,

00:15:57.919 --> 00:15:59.819
 He will proclaim light both to our people

00:15:59.819 --> 00:16:01.240
 and to the Gentiles.

00:16:02.080 --> 00:16:04.059
 And as he was saying these things in his defense,

00:16:04.480 --> 00:16:06.139
 Festus said with a loud voice,

00:16:06.139 --> 00:16:08.720
 Paul, you are out of your mind.

00:16:09.360 --> 00:16:12.519
 Your great learning is driving you out of your mind.

00:16:13.360 --> 00:16:14.299
 But Paul said,

00:16:14.980 --> 00:16:16.360
 I am not out of my mind,

00:16:16.480 --> 00:16:17.620
 most excellent Festus,

00:16:17.899 --> 00:16:20.939
 but I am speaking true and rational words.

00:16:21.480 --> 00:16:23.319
 For the King knows about these things,

00:16:23.399 --> 00:16:25.059
 and to Him I speak boldly.

00:16:25.460 --> 00:16:27.279
 For I am persuaded that none of these things

00:16:27.279 --> 00:16:28.720
 has escaped his notice,

00:16:28.899 --> 00:16:31.700
 for this has not been done in a corner.

00:16:31.700 --> 00:16:32.520
 That is to say,

00:16:32.920 --> 00:16:34.660
 the spread of the gospel,

00:16:34.940 --> 00:16:36.040
 the teaching of the gospel,

00:16:36.240 --> 00:16:37.300
 wasn't hidden from him.

00:16:37.379 --> 00:16:39.120
 He was fully aware of the teaching of the gospel

00:16:39.120 --> 00:16:40.700
 of Jesus Christ.

00:16:41.420 --> 00:16:43.420
 Verse 27, and we're almost there.

00:16:45.220 --> 00:16:45.960
 King Agrippa,

00:16:46.379 --> 00:16:48.160
 do you believe the prophets?

00:16:48.820 --> 00:16:50.360
 I know that you believe.

00:16:51.100 --> 00:16:52.340
 And Agrippa said to Paul,

00:16:52.640 --> 00:16:54.879
 in a short time would you persuade me

00:16:54.879 --> 00:16:55.759
 to be a Christian?

00:16:56.780 --> 00:16:57.980
 And Paul said,

00:16:58.520 --> 00:16:59.920
 whether short or long,

00:16:59.919 --> 00:17:02.379
 I would to God that not only you,

00:17:02.519 --> 00:17:04.119
 but also all who hear me this day

00:17:04.119 --> 00:17:06.480
 might become such as I am,

00:17:06.940 --> 00:17:08.619
 except for these chains.

00:17:09.519 --> 00:17:10.639
 Then the King rose,

00:17:10.720 --> 00:17:11.659
 and the governor and Bernice,

00:17:11.700 --> 00:17:12.920
 and those who were sitting with them.

00:17:13.500 --> 00:17:14.420
 When they had withdrawn,

00:17:14.559 --> 00:17:15.500
 they said to one another,

00:17:16.099 --> 00:17:17.339
 this man is doing nothing

00:17:17.339 --> 00:17:19.480
 to deserve death or imprisonment.

00:17:19.960 --> 00:17:21.839
 And Agrippa said to Festus,

00:17:22.039 --> 00:17:23.759
 this man could have been set free

00:17:23.759 --> 00:17:27.159
 if he had not appealed to Caesar.

00:17:27.160 --> 00:17:33.620
 So, I have posited to you before

00:17:33.620 --> 00:17:36.360
 that I believe it is correct

00:17:36.360 --> 00:17:38.160
 to think of Luke's account,

00:17:38.600 --> 00:17:40.440
 most often referred to

00:17:40.440 --> 00:17:42.700
 as the Acts of the Apostles,

00:17:43.259 --> 00:17:46.200
 as the second of a two-volume work.

00:17:46.820 --> 00:17:50.700
 The first, we call the Gospel according to Luke,

00:17:51.100 --> 00:17:53.660
 is an account of Jesus' earthly ministry.

00:17:53.660 --> 00:17:57.100
 The second is an account

00:17:57.100 --> 00:17:59.900
 of Jesus' ascended ministry

00:17:59.900 --> 00:18:01.480
 in the life of His apostles

00:18:01.480 --> 00:18:05.040
 by the agency of the Holy Spirit.

00:18:05.860 --> 00:18:08.640
 This is why I prefer to call this work

00:18:08.640 --> 00:18:10.480
 the Acts of the Holy Spirit

00:18:10.480 --> 00:18:13.800
 or the Acts of the Ascended Jesus.

00:18:14.080 --> 00:18:15.300
 I'm sure I never will,

00:18:15.380 --> 00:18:16.660
 but if I ever work as a Bible translator,

00:18:16.779 --> 00:18:18.880
 that's the way my suggestion would go.

00:18:18.880 --> 00:18:22.440
 In Matthew 28, verses 18-20,

00:18:22.600 --> 00:18:24.320
 before Jesus ascended,

00:18:24.600 --> 00:18:25.060
 He said,

00:18:25.120 --> 00:18:26.360
 I hope you're familiar with this,

00:18:26.460 --> 00:18:29.200
 He said to His apostles and to us,

00:18:30.200 --> 00:18:32.260
 all authority in heaven and on earth

00:18:32.260 --> 00:18:33.360
 has been given to Me.

00:18:34.320 --> 00:18:35.580
 Go therefore and make disciples

00:18:35.580 --> 00:18:36.360
 of all nations,

00:18:36.540 --> 00:18:37.900
 baptizing them in the name of the Father

00:18:37.900 --> 00:18:38.980
 and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,

00:18:39.080 --> 00:18:40.440
 teaching them to observe

00:18:40.440 --> 00:18:41.720
 all that I have commanded you,

00:18:41.820 --> 00:18:43.800
 and behold, I am with you always

00:18:43.800 --> 00:18:45.760
 to the end of the age.

00:18:45.759 --> 00:18:48.039
 He says, in essence,

00:18:48.259 --> 00:18:51.319
 I possess all power over all things,

00:18:51.539 --> 00:18:55.119
 and I want you to go and make disciples.

00:18:56.019 --> 00:18:58.519
 Don't be troubled in your making of disciples,

00:18:58.680 --> 00:19:00.140
 for My power, My provision,

00:19:00.279 --> 00:19:03.200
 and My presence will be with you.

00:19:04.099 --> 00:19:06.200
 We often misread this, right?

00:19:06.299 --> 00:19:07.980
 The Great Commission,

00:19:08.140 --> 00:19:10.319
 the command for us to go on,

00:19:10.440 --> 00:19:13.440
 to go and work for Jesus,

00:19:13.440 --> 00:19:15.880
 and miss that He so carefully sandwiches

00:19:15.880 --> 00:19:18.680
 in the middle of us going and making disciples

00:19:18.680 --> 00:19:21.700
 that the authority belongs to Him

00:19:21.700 --> 00:19:23.940
 and that He is with us.

00:19:25.320 --> 00:19:27.600
 He's made these beautiful promises for us

00:19:27.600 --> 00:19:30.500
 in the process of our disciple-making,

00:19:30.680 --> 00:19:32.340
 of Paul's disciple-making.

00:19:33.420 --> 00:19:36.620
 And how is it that Jesus' promise is accomplished?

00:19:37.019 --> 00:19:38.940
 How is it that He is with us?

00:19:39.059 --> 00:19:41.360
 His authority and His power is with us.

00:19:41.359 --> 00:19:43.219
 Acts 1.8.

00:19:43.759 --> 00:19:45.659
 Again, before Jesus is ascended,

00:19:45.799 --> 00:19:46.319
 He says,

00:19:47.319 --> 00:19:48.359
 You will receive power

00:19:48.359 --> 00:19:50.659
 when the Holy Spirit has come upon you,

00:19:51.099 --> 00:19:52.919
 and you will be My witnesses in Jerusalem

00:19:52.919 --> 00:19:55.039
 and in all Judea and Samaria

00:19:55.039 --> 00:19:57.799
 and to the end of the earth.

00:19:58.939 --> 00:20:01.319
 The early disciples received the Spirit

00:20:01.319 --> 00:20:04.379
 in a unique way on the day of Pentecost.

00:20:04.380 --> 00:20:08.220
 And now, all who place saving faith

00:20:08.220 --> 00:20:11.360
 in Jesus Christ have been given the Spirit.

00:20:12.120 --> 00:20:13.940
 And that Spirit produces in us

00:20:13.940 --> 00:20:16.800
 obedience to Jesus' commands.

00:20:17.960 --> 00:20:20.320
 Observe Paul's immediate obedience

00:20:20.320 --> 00:20:22.180
 from our text today.

00:20:22.500 --> 00:20:25.780
 Chapter 26, verse 19 and following.

00:20:26.780 --> 00:20:27.660
 He says,

00:20:27.780 --> 00:20:29.020
 Therefore, O King Agrippa,

00:20:29.160 --> 00:20:33.320
 I was not disobedient to the heavenly vision.

00:20:33.319 --> 00:20:36.000
 But declared first to those in Damascus.

00:20:36.019 --> 00:20:37.179
 This is where He was, right?

00:20:37.220 --> 00:20:38.279
 He was in Damascus,

00:20:38.339 --> 00:20:39.619
 and He began immediately

00:20:39.619 --> 00:20:42.619
 to be a witness to who Jesus is.

00:20:43.359 --> 00:20:44.960
 Then, in Jerusalem,

00:20:45.500 --> 00:20:46.879
 so catch Acts 1.8,

00:20:47.319 --> 00:20:47.980
 in Jerusalem,

00:20:48.599 --> 00:20:51.319
 and throughout all the region of Judea,

00:20:51.859 --> 00:20:53.899
 and also to the Gentiles,

00:20:53.960 --> 00:20:54.639
 which would be to say,

00:20:54.779 --> 00:20:58.659
 to Samaria and to the ends of the earth.

00:20:58.660 --> 00:21:00.640
 That's an immediate obedience

00:21:00.640 --> 00:21:02.519
 to what Jesus said would happen

00:21:02.519 --> 00:21:05.560
 in Acts 1.8.

00:21:06.759 --> 00:21:08.960
 So, Jesus' earthly ministry

00:21:08.960 --> 00:21:12.920
 is continued in His ascended ministry

00:21:12.920 --> 00:21:14.740
 in the lives of His followers

00:21:14.740 --> 00:21:16.600
 by the agency of the Holy Spirit.

00:21:16.720 --> 00:21:19.320
 Beloved, that's where we find ourselves today,

00:21:19.400 --> 00:21:22.300
 in the continuation of that ministry.

00:21:22.480 --> 00:21:23.779
 Luke ceased recording

00:21:23.779 --> 00:21:26.339
 at the end of Acts 28.

00:21:26.339 --> 00:21:28.940
 But the church lives on

00:21:28.940 --> 00:21:30.879
 and carries the ministry of Christ

00:21:30.879 --> 00:21:32.339
 as He is with us

00:21:32.339 --> 00:21:34.759
 and as He has all authority.

00:21:35.839 --> 00:21:37.619
 So today, let's observe

00:21:37.619 --> 00:21:41.799
 six things that Jesus works to do

00:21:41.799 --> 00:21:44.599
 through Paul and us.

00:21:45.379 --> 00:21:46.660
 So this is your outline for today.

00:21:47.599 --> 00:21:49.960
 Six things that Jesus works to do,

00:21:50.599 --> 00:21:51.539
 aims to do,

00:21:51.539 --> 00:21:53.359
 through Paul,

00:21:53.799 --> 00:21:55.599
 and through us.

00:21:59.000 --> 00:21:59.819
 Number one,

00:22:01.500 --> 00:22:04.079
 to go and tell.

00:22:06.220 --> 00:22:07.359
 To go and tell.

00:22:07.799 --> 00:22:09.720
 Chapter 26, verse 16.

00:22:10.299 --> 00:22:12.500
 In the middle of verse 17,

00:22:13.500 --> 00:22:16.539
 Jesus says,

00:22:16.639 --> 00:22:18.519
 But rise and stand upon your feet,

00:22:18.599 --> 00:22:19.680
 for I have appeared to you

00:22:19.680 --> 00:22:21.299
 for this purpose.

00:22:21.539 --> 00:22:23.759
 To appoint you as a servant

00:22:23.759 --> 00:22:25.359
 and witness to the things

00:22:25.359 --> 00:22:26.279
 in which you have seen Me

00:22:26.279 --> 00:22:27.539
 and to those in which

00:22:27.539 --> 00:22:29.420
 I will appear to you.

00:22:29.539 --> 00:22:30.700
 In verse 17,

00:22:30.779 --> 00:22:31.440
 the middle portion,

00:22:32.039 --> 00:22:32.879
 to whom,

00:22:32.960 --> 00:22:33.539
 the Gentiles,

00:22:33.659 --> 00:22:37.420
 to whom I am sending you.

00:22:38.460 --> 00:22:40.019
 Jesus sent Paul

00:22:40.019 --> 00:22:41.299
 and He sends us

00:22:41.299 --> 00:22:43.240
 to be a servant

00:22:43.240 --> 00:22:44.639
 and witness

00:22:44.639 --> 00:22:46.000
 to what He had done

00:22:46.000 --> 00:22:49.019
 and to what He would do.

00:22:49.019 --> 00:22:51.460
 Jesus emptied Himself

00:22:51.460 --> 00:22:52.839
 of the glories of Heaven

00:22:52.839 --> 00:22:53.920
 to become a man

00:22:53.920 --> 00:22:55.559
 in order to be

00:22:55.559 --> 00:22:56.500
 a servant

00:22:56.500 --> 00:22:57.480
 and a witness

00:22:57.480 --> 00:22:58.759
 to the Father.

00:22:59.799 --> 00:23:01.339
 And He said in John 20,

00:23:01.480 --> 00:23:02.139
 verse 21,

00:23:02.799 --> 00:23:04.119
 As the Father has sent Me,

00:23:04.240 --> 00:23:05.139
 even so,

00:23:05.619 --> 00:23:08.119
 I am sending you.

00:23:09.799 --> 00:23:10.400
 So,

00:23:10.799 --> 00:23:12.700
 go and tell.

00:23:12.700 --> 00:23:14.920
 This is God's will

00:23:14.920 --> 00:23:15.480
 for you

00:23:15.480 --> 00:23:16.980
 in Christ Jesus.

00:23:18.180 --> 00:23:19.480
 And in our going and telling,

00:23:19.660 --> 00:23:21.000
 Jesus intends to save

00:23:21.000 --> 00:23:22.940
 all who call upon His name,

00:23:23.019 --> 00:23:24.360
 all who believe in Him

00:23:24.360 --> 00:23:25.559
 for their salvation,

00:23:25.740 --> 00:23:27.000
 all who He died

00:23:27.000 --> 00:23:28.039
 to save.

00:23:29.180 --> 00:23:30.799
 Jesus' ascended ministry

00:23:30.799 --> 00:23:32.400
 is the justification

00:23:32.400 --> 00:23:33.920
 and sanctification

00:23:33.920 --> 00:23:35.600
 of His church.

00:23:35.599 --> 00:23:37.079
 So we can have

00:23:37.079 --> 00:23:38.099
 a great confidence

00:23:38.099 --> 00:23:39.419
 in our going and telling

00:23:39.419 --> 00:23:41.599
 as we are merely tools

00:23:41.599 --> 00:23:42.459
 in the hands

00:23:42.459 --> 00:23:43.000
 of Him

00:23:43.000 --> 00:23:44.339
 who all authority

00:23:44.339 --> 00:23:45.419
 in Heaven and on Earth

00:23:45.419 --> 00:23:46.500
 has been given.

00:23:47.500 --> 00:23:48.959
 We can join with Paul

00:23:48.959 --> 00:23:49.599
 in saying,

00:23:49.759 --> 00:23:50.559
 Romans 1,

00:23:50.839 --> 00:23:51.879
 verse 16,

00:23:51.980 --> 00:23:52.799
 For I am not ashamed

00:23:52.799 --> 00:23:53.419
 of the Gospel,

00:23:54.319 --> 00:23:55.279
 for it is the power

00:23:55.279 --> 00:23:56.219
 of God

00:23:56.219 --> 00:23:57.119
 for salvation

00:23:57.119 --> 00:23:58.319
 to everyone

00:23:58.319 --> 00:23:59.539
 who believes.

00:24:00.959 --> 00:24:02.259
 In Paul's telling

00:24:02.259 --> 00:24:03.539
 of Jesus' words

00:24:03.539 --> 00:24:03.899
 to him

00:24:03.899 --> 00:24:04.859
 on the Damascus road,

00:24:04.859 --> 00:24:07.179
 he presses further

00:24:07.179 --> 00:24:08.579
 that confidence.

00:24:09.799 --> 00:24:10.759
 Look at the following things

00:24:10.759 --> 00:24:12.059
 that Jesus works to do

00:24:12.059 --> 00:24:13.039
 through Paul

00:24:13.039 --> 00:24:14.279
 and through us.

00:24:14.359 --> 00:24:15.119
 That was number one,

00:24:15.500 --> 00:24:17.139
 to go and to tell.

00:24:17.219 --> 00:24:17.759
 Number two,

00:24:19.399 --> 00:24:21.039
 to open the eyes

00:24:21.039 --> 00:24:22.699
 of unbelievers.

00:24:23.979 --> 00:24:25.419
 Jesus works to do this

00:24:25.419 --> 00:24:26.240
 through Paul

00:24:26.240 --> 00:24:27.959
 and through us.

00:24:28.359 --> 00:24:30.539
 The first part of verse 18,

00:24:31.019 --> 00:24:33.599
 to open their eyes.

00:24:34.859 --> 00:24:35.859
 Paul was made blind

00:24:35.859 --> 00:24:36.779
 on the Damascus road

00:24:36.779 --> 00:24:38.459
 to later be given sight.

00:24:38.979 --> 00:24:39.839
 In the same way,

00:24:39.959 --> 00:24:41.419
 Jesus makes those blinded

00:24:41.419 --> 00:24:42.219
 to the truth

00:24:42.219 --> 00:24:43.199
 able to see

00:24:43.199 --> 00:24:44.599
 and live.

00:24:45.439 --> 00:24:46.199
 Paul wrote to the

00:24:46.199 --> 00:24:46.899
 Corinthian believers

00:24:46.899 --> 00:24:48.639
 in 2 Corinthians 4,

00:24:48.839 --> 00:24:49.779
 verse 4,

00:24:50.339 --> 00:24:52.119
 In their case,

00:24:52.219 --> 00:24:53.579
 those who don't believe,

00:24:53.959 --> 00:24:54.919
 in their case,

00:24:55.639 --> 00:24:56.599
 the God of this world

00:24:56.599 --> 00:24:58.059
 has blinded the minds

00:24:58.059 --> 00:24:59.240
 of the unbelievers

00:24:59.240 --> 00:25:00.700
 to keep them

00:25:00.700 --> 00:25:01.420
 from seeing

00:25:01.420 --> 00:25:02.640
 the light of the gospel

00:25:02.640 --> 00:25:03.400
 of the glory

00:25:03.400 --> 00:25:04.559
 of Christ

00:25:04.559 --> 00:25:05.740
 who is the image

00:25:05.740 --> 00:25:06.279
 of God.

00:25:07.240 --> 00:25:07.480
 So,

00:25:07.680 --> 00:25:08.460
 unbelievers

00:25:08.460 --> 00:25:10.420
 have darkened

00:25:10.420 --> 00:25:11.200
 vision,

00:25:11.740 --> 00:25:12.859
 darkened hearts.

00:25:12.960 --> 00:25:13.980
 They cannot see

00:25:13.980 --> 00:25:15.740
 the glorious truth

00:25:15.740 --> 00:25:17.180
 of the gospel.

00:25:17.180 --> 00:25:19.100
 But,

00:25:19.299 --> 00:25:20.160
 our text this morning

00:25:20.160 --> 00:25:21.100
 tells us

00:25:21.100 --> 00:25:22.640
 that Jesus

00:25:22.640 --> 00:25:24.039
 aims through

00:25:24.039 --> 00:25:25.100
 our evangelism

00:25:25.100 --> 00:25:27.180
 to bring about

00:25:27.180 --> 00:25:29.539
 spiritual sight,

00:25:29.660 --> 00:25:30.500
 to take the spiritually

00:25:30.500 --> 00:25:31.120
 blind

00:25:31.120 --> 00:25:32.060
 and give them

00:25:32.060 --> 00:25:33.140
 sight.

00:25:34.140 --> 00:25:34.720
 But how?

00:25:34.799 --> 00:25:35.299
 How is it that

00:25:35.299 --> 00:25:36.279
 He works this?

00:25:37.240 --> 00:25:37.799
 Paul goes on

00:25:37.799 --> 00:25:38.840
 in 2 Corinthians 4,

00:25:38.980 --> 00:25:39.940
 verse 6,

00:25:40.580 --> 00:25:40.980
 and saying,

00:25:41.060 --> 00:25:42.000
 For God who said,

00:25:42.860 --> 00:25:43.640
 Let light shine

00:25:43.640 --> 00:25:44.299
 out of darkness,

00:25:45.299 --> 00:25:46.700
 has shown in our hearts

00:25:46.700 --> 00:25:47.500
 to give the light

00:25:47.500 --> 00:25:48.160
 of the knowledge

00:25:48.160 --> 00:25:49.140
 of the glory of God

00:25:49.140 --> 00:25:50.559
 in the face

00:25:50.559 --> 00:25:51.960
 of Jesus Christ.

00:25:52.880 --> 00:25:53.539
 Paul states

00:25:53.539 --> 00:25:55.279
 that the all-powerful God

00:25:55.279 --> 00:25:56.860
 who spoke light

00:25:56.860 --> 00:25:58.140
 into existence,

00:25:58.360 --> 00:25:58.960
 said it

00:25:58.960 --> 00:26:00.100
 and it appeared,

00:26:01.140 --> 00:26:03.059
 births believing faith

00:26:03.059 --> 00:26:03.900
 into the hearts

00:26:03.900 --> 00:26:04.960
 of men.

00:26:06.000 --> 00:26:06.360
 So,

00:26:06.440 --> 00:26:07.039
 when Jesus says

00:26:07.039 --> 00:26:07.660
 to Paul,

00:26:08.660 --> 00:26:09.880
 I am sending you

00:26:09.880 --> 00:26:11.620
 to open their eyes,

00:26:12.400 --> 00:26:13.140
 we should rightly

00:26:13.140 --> 00:26:13.900
 understand

00:26:13.900 --> 00:26:15.080
 that we are

00:26:15.080 --> 00:26:15.759
 instruments

00:26:15.759 --> 00:26:17.099
 in His saving

00:26:17.099 --> 00:26:17.680
 purpose.

00:26:18.000 --> 00:26:19.339
 God saves people

00:26:19.339 --> 00:26:20.180
 through the proclamation

00:26:20.180 --> 00:26:21.259
 of the Gospel.

00:26:21.779 --> 00:26:22.039
 So,

00:26:22.140 --> 00:26:22.940
 we go and

00:26:22.940 --> 00:26:23.660
 proclaim

00:26:23.660 --> 00:26:24.400
 as God

00:26:24.400 --> 00:26:25.440
 works

00:26:25.440 --> 00:26:26.400
 to make the blind

00:26:26.400 --> 00:26:27.379
 see.

00:26:28.779 --> 00:26:29.740
 Jesus also

00:26:29.740 --> 00:26:30.319
 works

00:26:30.319 --> 00:26:31.559
 in the life

00:26:31.559 --> 00:26:32.019
 of Paul

00:26:32.019 --> 00:26:33.099
 and in our lives

00:26:33.099 --> 00:26:34.879
 to turn

00:26:34.879 --> 00:26:35.700
 unbelievers

00:26:35.700 --> 00:26:37.259
 from darkness

00:26:37.259 --> 00:26:38.640
 to light.

00:26:38.640 --> 00:26:41.960
 the second part

00:26:41.960 --> 00:26:43.640
 of verse 18.

00:26:43.780 --> 00:26:45.020
 18b,

00:26:45.220 --> 00:26:45.800
 if you will.

00:26:47.380 --> 00:26:48.520
 To open their eyes

00:26:48.520 --> 00:26:49.360
 so that

00:26:49.360 --> 00:26:50.500
 they may turn

00:26:50.500 --> 00:26:52.060
 from darkness

00:26:52.060 --> 00:26:53.759
 to light.

00:26:54.640 --> 00:26:55.440
 The heart

00:26:55.440 --> 00:26:56.259
 of an unbeliever

00:26:56.259 --> 00:26:57.800
 is dark.

00:26:58.560 --> 00:26:59.020
 John writes

00:26:59.020 --> 00:27:00.380
 in 1 John 1

00:27:00.380 --> 00:27:02.180
 verses 5-7,

00:27:02.180 --> 00:27:03.860
 this is the message

00:27:03.860 --> 00:27:04.360
 we have heard

00:27:04.360 --> 00:27:04.759
 from Him

00:27:04.759 --> 00:27:05.220
 and proclaim

00:27:05.220 --> 00:27:05.880
 to you

00:27:05.880 --> 00:27:07.299
 that God

00:27:07.299 --> 00:27:07.920
 is light

00:27:07.920 --> 00:27:09.200
 and in Him

00:27:09.200 --> 00:27:10.360
 is no darkness

00:27:10.360 --> 00:27:11.360
 at all.

00:27:12.019 --> 00:27:12.720
 If we say

00:27:12.720 --> 00:27:13.460
 we have fellowship

00:27:13.460 --> 00:27:13.940
 with Him

00:27:13.940 --> 00:27:15.019
 while we walk

00:27:15.019 --> 00:27:16.019
 in darkness,

00:27:16.440 --> 00:27:17.700
 we lie

00:27:17.700 --> 00:27:18.759
 and do not

00:27:18.759 --> 00:27:19.259
 practice

00:27:19.259 --> 00:27:20.779
 the truth.

00:27:21.100 --> 00:27:21.220
 So,

00:27:21.299 --> 00:27:22.680
 these metaphors

00:27:22.680 --> 00:27:23.539
 are being used

00:27:23.539 --> 00:27:24.120
 for the way

00:27:24.120 --> 00:27:24.820
 of righteousness

00:27:24.820 --> 00:27:25.519
 and the way

00:27:25.519 --> 00:27:26.640
 of wickedness.

00:27:27.019 --> 00:27:27.759
 The light

00:27:27.759 --> 00:27:28.600
 is righteousness

00:27:28.600 --> 00:27:29.539
 and the darkness

00:27:29.539 --> 00:27:31.120
 is wickedness.

00:27:32.079 --> 00:27:32.619
 John goes on

00:27:32.619 --> 00:27:33.000
 to say,

00:27:33.099 --> 00:27:34.479
 but if we walk

00:27:34.479 --> 00:27:35.039
 in the light

00:27:35.039 --> 00:27:36.179
 as He is in the light,

00:27:36.879 --> 00:27:37.559
 we have fellowship

00:27:37.559 --> 00:27:38.159
 with one another

00:27:38.159 --> 00:27:38.859
 and the blood

00:27:38.859 --> 00:27:40.000
 of Jesus His Son

00:27:40.000 --> 00:27:40.899
 cleanses us

00:27:40.899 --> 00:27:42.299
 from all sin.

00:27:43.239 --> 00:27:43.479
 So,

00:27:43.559 --> 00:27:44.339
 Jesus works

00:27:44.339 --> 00:27:46.479
 to make the unbelievers

00:27:46.479 --> 00:27:48.019
 see with spiritual eyes

00:27:48.019 --> 00:27:49.839
 so that they will not

00:27:49.839 --> 00:27:51.359
 walk in the darkness

00:27:51.359 --> 00:27:52.299
 in the evil ways

00:27:52.299 --> 00:27:52.679
 of the world

00:27:52.679 --> 00:27:53.379
 but in the light

00:27:53.379 --> 00:27:55.039
 of the truth.

00:27:56.259 --> 00:27:57.239
 And it is good

00:27:57.239 --> 00:27:58.779
 to be in the light.

00:28:00.319 --> 00:28:01.099
 Jesus also works

00:28:01.099 --> 00:28:01.419
 works

00:28:01.419 --> 00:28:03.219
 to open the eyes

00:28:03.219 --> 00:28:04.519
 of unbelievers.

00:28:04.759 --> 00:28:05.359
 Number four,

00:28:05.819 --> 00:28:07.559
 to deliver unbelievers

00:28:07.559 --> 00:28:09.199
 from the power

00:28:09.199 --> 00:28:09.699
 of Satan.

00:28:12.359 --> 00:28:13.219
 We'll call it

00:28:13.219 --> 00:28:14.500
 18c,

00:28:15.039 --> 00:28:16.119
 verse 18c,

00:28:16.119 --> 00:28:17.659
 so that they may

00:28:17.659 --> 00:28:20.159
 turn from the power

00:28:20.159 --> 00:28:20.740
 of Satan

00:28:20.740 --> 00:28:22.139
 to God.

00:28:23.019 --> 00:28:24.119
 The unbeliever

00:28:24.119 --> 00:28:25.059
 is turned from the power

00:28:25.059 --> 00:28:25.799
 of Satan to God

00:28:25.799 --> 00:28:27.279
 through the giving

00:28:27.279 --> 00:28:28.399
 of spiritual sight

00:28:28.400 --> 00:28:30.220
 because Satan's

00:28:30.220 --> 00:28:32.019
 only power

00:28:32.019 --> 00:28:33.200
 is the power

00:28:33.200 --> 00:28:34.140
 of deception.

00:28:35.580 --> 00:28:36.700
 In John 8,

00:28:36.820 --> 00:28:37.440
 verse 44,

00:28:37.720 --> 00:28:38.920
 Jesus calls Satan

00:28:38.920 --> 00:28:41.019
 the father of lies.

00:28:41.860 --> 00:28:43.100
 In Ephesians 6,

00:28:43.160 --> 00:28:43.720
 verse 11,

00:28:44.340 --> 00:28:45.800
 Paul instructs believers

00:28:45.800 --> 00:28:46.280
 to,

00:28:46.860 --> 00:28:49.060
 in order to avoid

00:28:49.060 --> 00:28:50.940
 the powers of the world,

00:28:50.940 --> 00:28:53.019
 put on the whole

00:28:53.019 --> 00:28:54.160
 armor of God

00:28:54.160 --> 00:28:55.259
 that you may be able

00:28:55.259 --> 00:28:56.220
 to stand against

00:28:56.220 --> 00:28:57.019
 the schemes

00:28:57.019 --> 00:28:58.820
 of the devil.

00:28:59.900 --> 00:29:00.660
 And he lists

00:29:00.660 --> 00:29:01.519
 as the first

00:29:01.519 --> 00:29:02.360
 and last

00:29:02.360 --> 00:29:03.560
 metaphorical items

00:29:03.560 --> 00:29:04.160
 to put on

00:29:04.160 --> 00:29:05.080
 as the armor of God.

00:29:05.259 --> 00:29:06.220
 In verse 14,

00:29:06.480 --> 00:29:07.580
 the belt of

00:29:07.580 --> 00:29:08.640
 truth.

00:29:09.320 --> 00:29:10.200
 In verse 17,

00:29:10.759 --> 00:29:11.660
 the sword

00:29:11.660 --> 00:29:12.460
 of the Spirit,

00:29:13.380 --> 00:29:14.019
 which is the

00:29:14.019 --> 00:29:15.779
 Word of God,

00:29:15.940 --> 00:29:16.400
 which is the

00:29:16.400 --> 00:29:16.920
 Scripture.

00:29:16.920 --> 00:29:17.080
 Scripture.

00:29:18.640 --> 00:29:19.740
 Gospel proclamation

00:29:19.740 --> 00:29:21.500
 has such great power

00:29:21.500 --> 00:29:22.840
 because by it,

00:29:22.920 --> 00:29:23.980
 Jesus makes people

00:29:23.980 --> 00:29:26.080
 believe the truth.

00:29:27.220 --> 00:29:28.440
 He unbinds them

00:29:28.440 --> 00:29:28.980
 from the many

00:29:28.980 --> 00:29:29.880
 varied deceptions

00:29:29.880 --> 00:29:30.440
 of Satan

00:29:30.440 --> 00:29:32.060
 and turns their hearts

00:29:32.060 --> 00:29:33.300
 toward the truth.

00:29:34.300 --> 00:29:35.279
 If you are in Christ

00:29:35.279 --> 00:29:35.759
 today,

00:29:36.360 --> 00:29:37.180
 if you have believed

00:29:37.180 --> 00:29:37.700
 in Him,

00:29:37.779 --> 00:29:39.039
 it is because belief

00:29:39.039 --> 00:29:39.800
 has been worked

00:29:39.800 --> 00:29:40.480
 in you.

00:29:41.240 --> 00:29:42.060
 You have believed

00:29:42.060 --> 00:29:42.600
 the truth

00:29:42.600 --> 00:29:43.000
 because you are

00:29:43.000 --> 00:29:43.759
 a child of God

00:29:43.759 --> 00:29:44.560
 and no longer

00:29:44.560 --> 00:29:46.779
 a child of the devil.

00:29:46.920 --> 00:29:48.180
 Well,

00:29:48.220 --> 00:29:49.720
 Jesus works this

00:29:49.720 --> 00:29:51.100
 through the life

00:29:51.100 --> 00:29:51.539
 of Paul

00:29:51.539 --> 00:29:52.740
 and in our lives

00:29:52.740 --> 00:29:54.120
 as well.

00:29:55.420 --> 00:29:56.519
 He also works

00:29:56.519 --> 00:29:57.820
 to bring about,

00:29:57.880 --> 00:29:58.180
 and we are going

00:29:58.180 --> 00:29:58.700
 to take five

00:29:58.700 --> 00:29:59.539
 and six together,

00:30:00.980 --> 00:30:02.500
 to grant

00:30:02.500 --> 00:30:04.000
 unbelievers

00:30:04.000 --> 00:30:04.600
 forgiveness

00:30:04.600 --> 00:30:05.660
 of sins.

00:30:06.460 --> 00:30:07.100
 Five.

00:30:07.500 --> 00:30:07.980
 Number five.

00:30:08.600 --> 00:30:09.240
 And number six,

00:30:09.300 --> 00:30:10.080
 to give unbelievers

00:30:10.080 --> 00:30:10.720
 a place

00:30:10.720 --> 00:30:11.920
 in the kingdom.

00:30:13.500 --> 00:30:14.600
 The last part

00:30:14.600 --> 00:30:15.539
 of verse 18.

00:30:15.539 --> 00:30:17.539
 18D.

00:30:19.299 --> 00:30:20.680
 That they may receive

00:30:20.680 --> 00:30:21.980
 forgiveness of sins

00:30:21.980 --> 00:30:22.740
 and a place

00:30:22.740 --> 00:30:23.519
 among those

00:30:23.519 --> 00:30:24.819
 who are sanctified

00:30:24.819 --> 00:30:25.539
 by faith

00:30:25.539 --> 00:30:26.879
 in me.

00:30:27.559 --> 00:30:28.639
 That is to say

00:30:28.639 --> 00:30:29.960
 that by believing

00:30:29.960 --> 00:30:30.940
 in Jesus Christ,

00:30:31.200 --> 00:30:32.119
 they would be

00:30:32.119 --> 00:30:33.399
 justified.

00:30:34.519 --> 00:30:35.480
 To be justified

00:30:35.480 --> 00:30:36.920
 is to be declared

00:30:36.920 --> 00:30:37.879
 righteous.

00:30:38.539 --> 00:30:39.700
 But it has two

00:30:39.700 --> 00:30:40.680
 components to it.

00:30:40.740 --> 00:30:41.680
 It's a legal

00:30:41.680 --> 00:30:42.399
 declaration.

00:30:42.400 --> 00:30:44.060
 We stand before God

00:30:44.060 --> 00:30:45.580
 and we're declared

00:30:45.580 --> 00:30:46.920
 justified.

00:30:47.860 --> 00:30:48.720
 And the two sides

00:30:48.720 --> 00:30:49.440
 of that are

00:30:49.440 --> 00:30:50.660
 the forgiveness

00:30:50.660 --> 00:30:51.480
 of sin,

00:30:52.259 --> 00:30:54.140
 this infinite debt

00:30:54.140 --> 00:30:54.840
 that we could not

00:30:54.840 --> 00:30:55.759
 pay because of

00:30:55.759 --> 00:30:56.960
 our infinite

00:30:56.960 --> 00:30:57.400
 disobedience

00:30:57.960 --> 00:30:58.820
 against an infinite

00:30:58.820 --> 00:30:59.259
 God.

00:30:59.700 --> 00:31:00.660
 The darkness

00:31:00.660 --> 00:31:01.680
 not able to dwell

00:31:01.680 --> 00:31:02.640
 with the light.

00:31:03.040 --> 00:31:03.780
 We needed

00:31:03.780 --> 00:31:04.740
 forgiveness of sin.

00:31:05.040 --> 00:31:05.440
 There's nothing

00:31:05.440 --> 00:31:06.320
 we could do

00:31:06.320 --> 00:31:07.259
 in order to gain

00:31:07.259 --> 00:31:08.740
 that forgiveness.

00:31:08.740 --> 00:31:09.019
 forgiveness.

00:31:10.120 --> 00:31:11.120
 But we have it

00:31:11.120 --> 00:31:11.940
 in Jesus'

00:31:12.200 --> 00:31:12.700
 sacrifice

00:31:12.700 --> 00:31:14.859
 on our behalf.

00:31:14.940 --> 00:31:16.059
 He was put forth

00:31:16.059 --> 00:31:17.299
 as a propitiation,

00:31:17.460 --> 00:31:18.400
 as a replacement

00:31:18.400 --> 00:31:19.180
 sacrifice

00:31:19.180 --> 00:31:20.420
 for us.

00:31:20.539 --> 00:31:21.039
 He stood

00:31:21.039 --> 00:31:22.380
 in our place.

00:31:22.480 --> 00:31:23.359
 In our stead,

00:31:23.819 --> 00:31:24.940
 He died.

00:31:25.420 --> 00:31:26.519
 He was the only

00:31:26.519 --> 00:31:27.700
 one that could

00:31:27.700 --> 00:31:28.900
 accomplish this.

00:31:29.160 --> 00:31:30.039
 That could bear

00:31:30.039 --> 00:31:30.779
 the infinite

00:31:30.779 --> 00:31:31.740
 wrath of God

00:31:31.740 --> 00:31:33.039
 against our

00:31:33.039 --> 00:31:34.059
 sins.

00:31:34.180 --> 00:31:35.240
 That's one side

00:31:35.240 --> 00:31:35.920
 of justification,

00:31:36.200 --> 00:31:36.400
 right?

00:31:36.579 --> 00:31:37.519
 The infinite debt

00:31:37.519 --> 00:31:38.099
 of your sin

00:31:38.099 --> 00:31:39.119
 has been dismissed

00:31:39.119 --> 00:31:39.799
 if you've been

00:31:39.799 --> 00:31:41.139
 declared justified.

00:31:41.879 --> 00:31:42.660
 Now, that's not enough.

00:31:42.779 --> 00:31:43.460
 You're just brought

00:31:43.460 --> 00:31:44.519
 up to zero now.

00:31:45.019 --> 00:31:46.059
 But we must also

00:31:46.059 --> 00:31:46.940
 keep the law

00:31:46.940 --> 00:31:47.599
 to be found

00:31:47.599 --> 00:31:48.240
 right before God.

00:31:48.299 --> 00:31:48.779
 We must be

00:31:48.779 --> 00:31:50.720
 righteous before God.

00:31:50.839 --> 00:31:51.139
 And so,

00:31:51.500 --> 00:31:52.119
 the granting

00:31:52.119 --> 00:31:52.759
 of righteousness

00:31:52.759 --> 00:31:54.299
 is also part

00:31:54.299 --> 00:31:55.440
 of justification.

00:31:55.920 --> 00:31:56.819
 That Jesus came

00:31:56.819 --> 00:31:57.440
 and lived

00:31:57.440 --> 00:31:59.139
 a perfect life

00:31:59.139 --> 00:32:00.400
 was necessary

00:32:00.400 --> 00:32:00.920
 for us.

00:32:00.980 --> 00:32:01.839
 He fulfilled

00:32:01.839 --> 00:32:02.420
 the law

00:32:02.420 --> 00:32:03.480
 that we might

00:32:03.480 --> 00:32:04.279
 have His

00:32:04.279 --> 00:32:05.480
 righteousness.

00:32:05.480 --> 00:32:06.160
 And so,

00:32:06.440 --> 00:32:07.420
 when we believe

00:32:07.420 --> 00:32:08.519
 in Christ,

00:32:09.480 --> 00:32:10.519
 both things

00:32:10.519 --> 00:32:11.440
 are imputed

00:32:11.440 --> 00:32:11.980
 to us.

00:32:12.039 --> 00:32:12.259
 It's called

00:32:12.259 --> 00:32:13.000
 double imputation.

00:32:14.339 --> 00:32:15.440
 Our sin

00:32:15.440 --> 00:32:16.740
 cast off

00:32:16.740 --> 00:32:17.380
 onto Christ,

00:32:17.740 --> 00:32:18.259
 His righteousness

00:32:18.259 --> 00:32:20.180
 given to us.

00:32:20.860 --> 00:32:21.779
 Wonderful verse

00:32:21.779 --> 00:32:22.599
 that sums this up

00:32:22.599 --> 00:32:23.440
 so well.

00:32:23.559 --> 00:32:24.599
 2 Corinthians 5,

00:32:24.740 --> 00:32:25.420
 verse 21.

00:32:25.420 --> 00:32:28.360
 For our sake,

00:32:28.559 --> 00:32:30.000
 God made Christ

00:32:30.000 --> 00:32:30.720
 to be sin

00:32:30.720 --> 00:32:31.740
 who knew no sin

00:32:31.740 --> 00:32:33.599
 so that in Him

00:32:33.599 --> 00:32:34.759
 we might become

00:32:34.759 --> 00:32:35.960
 the righteousness

00:32:35.960 --> 00:32:37.259
 of God.

00:32:39.279 --> 00:32:39.579
 So,

00:32:41.960 --> 00:32:43.120
 believers are granted,

00:32:43.359 --> 00:32:44.319
 unbelievers are granted

00:32:44.319 --> 00:32:44.880
 forgiveness.

00:32:45.059 --> 00:32:45.799
 They become believers

00:32:45.799 --> 00:32:47.700
 and they're given

00:32:47.700 --> 00:32:49.120
 a place by righteousness

00:32:49.120 --> 00:32:50.299
 in the kingdom.

00:32:50.980 --> 00:32:53.539
 5 and 6.

00:32:54.920 --> 00:32:55.220
 So,

00:32:55.220 --> 00:32:55.559
 Paul,

00:32:55.799 --> 00:32:56.440
 right,

00:32:57.079 --> 00:32:58.000
 Paul believed.

00:32:58.000 --> 00:32:59.059
 Paul believed

00:32:59.059 --> 00:32:59.619
 in the gospel

00:32:59.619 --> 00:33:02.099
 of Jesus Christ.

00:33:02.619 --> 00:33:03.579
 And we see him

00:33:03.579 --> 00:33:04.640
 as one character

00:33:04.640 --> 00:33:05.279
 in this story

00:33:05.279 --> 00:33:07.279
 responding to the truth

00:33:07.279 --> 00:33:08.180
 proclaimed.

00:33:08.339 --> 00:33:10.039
 He tells us of it

00:33:10.039 --> 00:33:11.279
 proclaimed to him

00:33:11.279 --> 00:33:13.019
 by Christ Himself.

00:33:13.559 --> 00:33:13.720
 Right?

00:33:13.839 --> 00:33:14.880
 And he responds

00:33:14.880 --> 00:33:16.740
 in belief.

00:33:17.119 --> 00:33:17.319
 Right?

00:33:18.200 --> 00:33:19.000
 His belief

00:33:19.000 --> 00:33:20.599
 which is evidenced

00:33:20.599 --> 00:33:22.920
 by his obedience.

00:33:23.859 --> 00:33:24.599
 What does he do?

00:33:24.700 --> 00:33:25.460
 He immediately

00:33:25.460 --> 00:33:26.360
 goes and does

00:33:26.360 --> 00:33:26.920
 the thing

00:33:26.920 --> 00:33:28.340
 that Christ

00:33:28.340 --> 00:33:29.220
 commanded him

00:33:29.220 --> 00:33:30.279
 to do.

00:33:31.079 --> 00:33:31.900
 And in the same way,

00:33:31.980 --> 00:33:32.180
 beloved,

00:33:32.279 --> 00:33:32.720
 in our day,

00:33:32.799 --> 00:33:34.140
 we can't simply say,

00:33:34.440 --> 00:33:34.660
 right,

00:33:34.779 --> 00:33:35.759
 when I was a child,

00:33:35.880 --> 00:33:36.920
 I prayed a prayer.

00:33:38.039 --> 00:33:39.539
 I can't with confidence

00:33:39.539 --> 00:33:40.640
 when my young children

00:33:40.640 --> 00:33:41.039
 say to me,

00:33:41.079 --> 00:33:41.900
 I believe in Jesus,

00:33:42.059 --> 00:33:42.200
 go,

00:33:42.340 --> 00:33:42.600
 yay!

00:33:43.460 --> 00:33:43.799
 I go,

00:33:44.720 --> 00:33:45.860
 I really hope so.

00:33:46.559 --> 00:33:47.299
 Let's see.

00:33:47.799 --> 00:33:48.640
 Let's see.

00:33:48.640 --> 00:33:50.380
 Is there an evidencing

00:33:50.380 --> 00:33:51.200
 of your faith

00:33:51.200 --> 00:33:52.620
 in Jesus Christ?

00:33:53.440 --> 00:33:54.660
 Work out your salvation

00:33:54.660 --> 00:33:56.240
 with fear and trembling.

00:33:56.380 --> 00:33:57.140
 Make your calling

00:33:57.140 --> 00:33:58.940
 and election sure.

00:33:59.660 --> 00:34:00.740
 And I don't want to make this

00:34:00.740 --> 00:34:02.320
 extra complicated for you.

00:34:02.740 --> 00:34:03.960
 I'm not trying to make it

00:34:03.960 --> 00:34:05.420
 mystical for you.

00:34:05.600 --> 00:34:06.720
 How do we ever know

00:34:06.720 --> 00:34:08.000
 if we're a Christian?

00:34:08.780 --> 00:34:09.400
 You obey.

00:34:10.180 --> 00:34:11.659
 You find in yourself

00:34:11.659 --> 00:34:12.579
 the desire

00:34:12.579 --> 00:34:13.619
 to pursue holiness.

00:34:14.559 --> 00:34:15.559
 If you find that your life

00:34:15.559 --> 00:34:16.680
 is entirely bent

00:34:16.680 --> 00:34:18.360
 against the commands of God,

00:34:18.940 --> 00:34:20.340
 then you're not a Christian.

00:34:21.340 --> 00:34:22.659
 If you come to church

00:34:22.659 --> 00:34:23.780
 and you find yourself

00:34:23.780 --> 00:34:24.800
 offended because you

00:34:24.800 --> 00:34:26.420
 don't want to change,

00:34:27.160 --> 00:34:28.100
 you may not

00:34:28.100 --> 00:34:29.400
 be a Christian.

00:34:30.400 --> 00:34:31.860
 If you find rather yourself

00:34:31.860 --> 00:34:33.340
 gladly submitting yourself

00:34:33.340 --> 00:34:34.140
 to the Word of God,

00:34:34.740 --> 00:34:34.940
 going,

00:34:35.360 --> 00:34:36.040
 God has given me

00:34:36.040 --> 00:34:36.800
 good commands.

00:34:36.880 --> 00:34:38.000
 I want to please Him.

00:34:38.440 --> 00:34:39.660
 And I don't do so perfectly,

00:34:39.800 --> 00:34:40.180
 but oh,

00:34:40.240 --> 00:34:41.140
 I want to.

00:34:41.880 --> 00:34:42.000
 Right?

00:34:42.160 --> 00:34:43.860
 My sin grieves me

00:34:43.860 --> 00:34:44.760
 and it grieves me

00:34:44.760 --> 00:34:45.900
 the more I mature

00:34:45.900 --> 00:34:46.940
 in Christ.

00:34:47.440 --> 00:34:48.260
 What a wicked,

00:34:48.640 --> 00:34:49.300
 horrible thing

00:34:49.300 --> 00:34:49.860
 that I've been set

00:34:49.860 --> 00:34:50.560
 free from sin

00:34:50.559 --> 00:34:51.860
 and yet I still,

00:34:51.980 --> 00:34:52.759
 like a dog,

00:34:53.039 --> 00:34:54.000
 return to my vomit.

00:34:55.259 --> 00:34:56.739
 You'll find that impulse

00:34:56.739 --> 00:34:58.139
 within yourself.

00:34:59.259 --> 00:35:00.079
 Make your calling

00:35:00.079 --> 00:35:02.000
 and election sure.

00:35:02.559 --> 00:35:03.440
 Measure it out

00:35:03.440 --> 00:35:05.299
 by your obedience.

00:35:05.500 --> 00:35:05.960
 Not that you're

00:35:05.960 --> 00:35:06.900
 perfectly obedient,

00:35:07.159 --> 00:35:07.920
 you hear me say,

00:35:08.039 --> 00:35:08.739
 but that you are

00:35:08.739 --> 00:35:11.079
 striving for obedience.

00:35:11.239 --> 00:35:11.940
 This is an evidence

00:35:11.940 --> 00:35:12.799
 that the Spirit of God

00:35:12.799 --> 00:35:13.619
 lives within you

00:35:13.619 --> 00:35:14.299
 and He's working

00:35:14.299 --> 00:35:15.059
 to bring about

00:35:15.059 --> 00:35:17.400
 obedience in you.

00:35:17.400 --> 00:35:18.519
 We're caught up

00:35:18.519 --> 00:35:20.039
 in our American

00:35:20.039 --> 00:35:21.400
 Christian culture

00:35:21.400 --> 00:35:22.639
 of decisionism.

00:35:23.160 --> 00:35:23.220
 Right?

00:35:23.340 --> 00:35:23.960
 It's wicked.

00:35:24.420 --> 00:35:25.780
 It's deceptive.

00:35:25.960 --> 00:35:27.220
 And if it's deceptive,

00:35:27.260 --> 00:35:28.139
 you know who it belongs to?

00:35:29.260 --> 00:35:29.780
 Amen.

00:35:31.400 --> 00:35:32.820
 We see another character

00:35:32.820 --> 00:35:35.079
 in our text today.

00:35:35.940 --> 00:35:36.460
 Festus.

00:35:37.119 --> 00:35:38.760
 Who thought that the gospel

00:35:38.760 --> 00:35:41.160
 was absolute foolishness.

00:35:42.019 --> 00:35:42.260
 Right?

00:35:42.380 --> 00:35:43.599
 He doesn't even entertain

00:35:43.599 --> 00:35:44.500
 the idea.

00:35:44.639 --> 00:35:45.420
 He says to Paul

00:35:45.420 --> 00:35:46.820
 in verse 24,

00:35:46.820 --> 00:35:47.780
 Paul, you're out

00:35:47.780 --> 00:35:48.860
 of your mind.

00:35:49.539 --> 00:35:50.539
 Your great learning

00:35:50.539 --> 00:35:51.720
 is driving you

00:35:51.720 --> 00:35:53.000
 out of your mind.

00:35:53.080 --> 00:35:53.660
 He saw Him

00:35:53.660 --> 00:35:56.800
 as absolutely crazy.

00:35:58.019 --> 00:35:58.460
 And beloved,

00:35:58.539 --> 00:35:59.200
 we're going to deal

00:35:59.200 --> 00:36:00.059
 with people like that

00:36:00.059 --> 00:36:00.580
 in the world.

00:36:00.780 --> 00:36:01.880
 That's not changed.

00:36:02.140 --> 00:36:03.440
 There's no new thing

00:36:03.440 --> 00:36:04.200
 under the sun.

00:36:04.940 --> 00:36:06.200
 People are going to think

00:36:06.200 --> 00:36:07.360
 that the way of Jesus

00:36:07.360 --> 00:36:08.960
 is insanity.

00:36:09.860 --> 00:36:09.980
 Right?

00:36:11.519 --> 00:36:12.360
 These people

00:36:12.360 --> 00:36:13.860
 have turned the world

00:36:13.860 --> 00:36:15.480
 upside down

00:36:15.480 --> 00:36:17.820
 following Christ

00:36:17.820 --> 00:36:18.400
 is the world

00:36:18.400 --> 00:36:19.699
 right side up.

00:36:19.940 --> 00:36:20.719
 Take a confidence

00:36:20.719 --> 00:36:21.159
 in that.

00:36:21.420 --> 00:36:22.119
 What a great benefit

00:36:22.119 --> 00:36:23.960
 it is that we can gather

00:36:23.960 --> 00:36:24.500
 as a church

00:36:24.500 --> 00:36:25.059
 and we can all look

00:36:25.059 --> 00:36:25.740
 around at each other

00:36:25.740 --> 00:36:27.500
 and say we're not crazy.

00:36:28.119 --> 00:36:28.240
 Right?

00:36:28.240 --> 00:36:29.280
 We're not alone

00:36:29.280 --> 00:36:30.300
 in this world.

00:36:30.639 --> 00:36:30.699
 Right?

00:36:30.820 --> 00:36:33.019
 These fantastic stories

00:36:33.019 --> 00:36:34.139
 that we believe

00:36:34.139 --> 00:36:34.820
 to be true,

00:36:35.079 --> 00:36:36.780
 we believe together

00:36:36.780 --> 00:36:37.980
 that they're true.

00:36:38.079 --> 00:36:38.780
 I'm so thankful

00:36:38.780 --> 00:36:39.820
 that Christ saved me

00:36:39.820 --> 00:36:40.500
 as an individual,

00:36:40.500 --> 00:36:41.599
 but He saved me

00:36:41.599 --> 00:36:42.559
 to a church,

00:36:42.980 --> 00:36:44.980
 a people for His possession.

00:36:46.059 --> 00:36:49.099
 I am increasingly encouraged

00:36:49.099 --> 00:36:50.319
 that other people

00:36:50.319 --> 00:36:51.839
 are crazy like me.

00:36:53.420 --> 00:36:54.199
 Festus thinks

00:36:54.199 --> 00:36:56.279
 it's absolute foolishness.

00:36:57.659 --> 00:36:58.319
 And then Agrippa.

00:36:59.219 --> 00:37:00.119
 I think Agrippa

00:37:00.119 --> 00:37:02.179
 is the most sad to me

00:37:02.179 --> 00:37:04.440
 because he had knowledge

00:37:04.440 --> 00:37:06.440
 but not belief.

00:37:07.779 --> 00:37:09.299
 And I think that many people

00:37:09.300 --> 00:37:10.480
 in our day fall into

00:37:10.480 --> 00:37:12.120
 this category of person,

00:37:12.220 --> 00:37:13.140
 the way they respond

00:37:13.140 --> 00:37:13.720
 to the gospel.

00:37:13.880 --> 00:37:16.080
 They have knowledge.

00:37:16.320 --> 00:37:17.400
 They're aware of it,

00:37:17.460 --> 00:37:19.460
 but they don't believe in it.

00:37:19.720 --> 00:37:20.940
 Or they say they believe in it,

00:37:20.980 --> 00:37:22.160
 but they don't believe.

00:37:22.240 --> 00:37:23.200
 It doesn't actually change

00:37:23.200 --> 00:37:23.980
 who they are.

00:37:25.580 --> 00:37:26.560
 Verse 26, Paul says,

00:37:26.680 --> 00:37:27.440
 For the King knows

00:37:27.440 --> 00:37:28.200
 about these things,

00:37:28.260 --> 00:37:29.640
 and to Him I speak boldly.

00:37:30.220 --> 00:37:30.980
 For I am persuaded

00:37:30.980 --> 00:37:31.820
 that none of these things

00:37:31.820 --> 00:37:33.100
 has escaped as noticed,

00:37:33.539 --> 00:37:34.600
 for it has not been done

00:37:34.600 --> 00:37:35.640
 in a corner.

00:37:35.740 --> 00:37:36.340
 He's aware,

00:37:36.420 --> 00:37:37.620
 he's informed about

00:37:37.620 --> 00:37:38.760
 this way,

00:37:38.760 --> 00:37:39.720
 this way of following

00:37:39.720 --> 00:37:40.400
 Jesus Christ.

00:37:40.540 --> 00:37:41.520
 Jesus is the fulfillment

00:37:41.520 --> 00:37:43.880
 of the Old Testament prophecies,

00:37:43.960 --> 00:37:45.060
 which is why he asks him,

00:37:45.120 --> 00:37:46.200
 Do you believe the prophets?

00:37:47.060 --> 00:37:48.240
 I know you believe.

00:37:48.400 --> 00:37:49.480
 I know you're standing.

00:37:49.600 --> 00:37:50.700
 You have to believe

00:37:50.700 --> 00:37:51.860
 the prophets.

00:37:52.920 --> 00:37:54.180
 And Agrippa's response to him

00:37:54.180 --> 00:37:55.380
 is in such a short time,

00:37:55.460 --> 00:37:56.600
 would you persuade me

00:37:56.600 --> 00:37:57.880
 to be a Christian?

00:37:59.640 --> 00:38:00.940
 It's particularly sad

00:38:00.940 --> 00:38:01.860
 when people have

00:38:01.860 --> 00:38:04.060
 access to

00:38:04.060 --> 00:38:06.020
 knowledge of the truth,

00:38:06.180 --> 00:38:06.800
 but don't place

00:38:06.800 --> 00:38:07.640
 believing faith

00:38:07.640 --> 00:38:09.039
 in it.

00:38:09.820 --> 00:38:10.920
 On your bulletin today,

00:38:11.120 --> 00:38:12.280
 there's a Spurgeon quote

00:38:12.280 --> 00:38:13.300
 as I like to use.

00:38:14.060 --> 00:38:14.460
 He said,

00:38:14.560 --> 00:38:15.019
 Wisdom

00:38:15.019 --> 00:38:17.120
 is the right use

00:38:17.120 --> 00:38:17.800
 of knowledge.

00:38:18.760 --> 00:38:19.720
 To know

00:38:19.720 --> 00:38:20.880
 is not to be wise.

00:38:21.560 --> 00:38:22.300
 Many men know

00:38:22.300 --> 00:38:23.060
 a great deal

00:38:23.060 --> 00:38:23.800
 and are all

00:38:23.800 --> 00:38:24.740
 the greater fools

00:38:24.740 --> 00:38:25.340
 for it.

00:38:26.080 --> 00:38:27.120
 There is no fool

00:38:27.120 --> 00:38:28.000
 so great a fool

00:38:28.000 --> 00:38:29.240
 as a knowing fool,

00:38:29.720 --> 00:38:30.400
 but to know

00:38:30.400 --> 00:38:31.740
 how to use knowledge

00:38:31.740 --> 00:38:33.800
 is to have wisdom.

00:38:33.800 --> 00:38:36.019
 So,

00:38:36.180 --> 00:38:37.519
 in conclusion this morning,

00:38:39.120 --> 00:38:40.000
 believe

00:38:40.000 --> 00:38:42.060
 the exhortation

00:38:42.060 --> 00:38:43.120
 this morning

00:38:43.120 --> 00:38:44.200
 to you.

00:38:45.000 --> 00:38:46.380
 If you have not placed

00:38:46.380 --> 00:38:47.400
 saving faith

00:38:47.400 --> 00:38:48.519
 in Jesus Christ,

00:38:49.500 --> 00:38:50.600
 find in this moment

00:38:50.600 --> 00:38:51.780
 the day of your salvation.

00:38:53.019 --> 00:38:53.920
 You don't need

00:38:53.920 --> 00:38:54.720
 for me to lead you

00:38:54.720 --> 00:38:55.280
 in a prayer.

00:38:55.620 --> 00:38:56.780
 Cry out to God

00:38:56.780 --> 00:38:57.700
 that He would save

00:38:57.700 --> 00:38:59.140
 your soul.

00:39:00.140 --> 00:39:00.880
 Believe that He is

00:39:00.880 --> 00:39:01.840
 the only Son of God,

00:39:01.920 --> 00:39:02.740
 made man in order

00:39:02.739 --> 00:39:04.139
 to live a sinless life.

00:39:04.939 --> 00:39:05.879
 Sacrifice on a cross

00:39:05.879 --> 00:39:06.459
 for the forgiveness

00:39:06.459 --> 00:39:06.939
 of your sin.

00:39:07.059 --> 00:39:08.359
 Risen and ascended,

00:39:08.519 --> 00:39:08.899
 exalted

00:39:08.899 --> 00:39:10.159
 at the right hand

00:39:10.159 --> 00:39:11.279
 of the Father.

00:39:12.339 --> 00:39:13.099
 Open your eyes

00:39:13.099 --> 00:39:14.019
 so that you may turn

00:39:14.019 --> 00:39:15.119
 from darkness to light

00:39:15.119 --> 00:39:15.719
 and from the power

00:39:15.719 --> 00:39:16.599
 of Satan to God

00:39:16.599 --> 00:39:17.699
 that you may receive

00:39:17.699 --> 00:39:18.899
 forgiveness of sins

00:39:18.899 --> 00:39:19.959
 and a place among those

00:39:19.959 --> 00:39:20.539
 who are sanctified

00:39:20.539 --> 00:39:21.179
 by faith

00:39:21.179 --> 00:39:22.519
 in Jesus Christ.

00:39:24.279 --> 00:39:25.379
 If you have believed

00:39:25.379 --> 00:39:25.959
 in Christ

00:39:25.959 --> 00:39:26.879
 for the salvation

00:39:26.879 --> 00:39:27.559
 of your soul,

00:39:28.799 --> 00:39:29.719
 evidence that

00:39:29.719 --> 00:39:30.799
 belief

00:39:30.800 --> 00:39:32.480
 by obedience

00:39:32.480 --> 00:39:34.720
 heartily agree

00:39:34.720 --> 00:39:36.280
 with Paul's response

00:39:36.280 --> 00:39:37.980
 to Agrippa,

00:39:38.460 --> 00:39:39.880
 I would to God

00:39:39.880 --> 00:39:41.220
 that not only you

00:39:41.220 --> 00:39:42.860
 but also all

00:39:42.860 --> 00:39:43.960
 who hear me this day

00:39:43.960 --> 00:39:45.080
 might become

00:39:45.080 --> 00:39:46.460
 such as I am.

00:39:47.000 --> 00:39:47.920
 Let's pray together.

00:39:48.360 --> 00:39:48.360


00:39:48.360 --> 00:39:48.360


00:39:48.360 --> 00:39:48.360


00:39:48.360 --> 00:39:48.360


00:39:48.360 --> 00:39:48.360


00:39:48.360 --> 00:39:48.360


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00:39:48.360 --> 00:39:48.360


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00:39:48.360 --> 00:39:48.360