WEBVTT 00:00:00.380 --> 00:00:06.000 Well, good morning everyone. Great to connect with you again this morning and thank you so much 00:00:06.000 --> 00:00:12.380 to Jackie and to Jolene. You have basically got the whole message for this morning and just put 00:00:12.380 --> 00:00:17.800 in a snapshot for me, which is just brilliant, but it'll be great just to dive a little bit 00:00:17.800 --> 00:00:24.580 deeper into Acts 16 and what the implications might mean for us. It was about three decades 00:00:24.579 --> 00:00:31.159 ago now. I was sitting in the church office in a country church when I responded to a knock at the 00:00:31.159 --> 00:00:38.679 door. I opened the door and there standing before me was a man who was intoxicated. He was in fact 00:00:38.679 --> 00:00:47.239 quite messed up. He slept the night down by the river. His face was covered in dry blood from a 00:00:47.239 --> 00:00:52.599 fight that he had had through the course of the evening with others sleeping down there. 00:00:52.600 --> 00:00:59.520 And he knocked on the door because he wanted a sandwich and a cup of tea. I sat down, I got 00:00:59.520 --> 00:01:04.659 to the food and I sat down beside him while he ate his sandwich and he drank his tea and we talked 00:01:04.659 --> 00:01:12.659 and he recalled how his life was a mess up from all sorts of different reasons, but he wasn't looking 00:01:12.659 --> 00:01:17.939 to change. He wasn't looking really for a conversation. He just wanted the food and to be gone. 00:01:17.939 --> 00:01:24.500 His life was a mess, but he was on one level content with where it was at that point. 00:01:25.579 --> 00:01:32.700 Now, as I talk with him, I had this thought in my mind that even to this day that I'm ashamed of, 00:01:33.819 --> 00:01:43.900 and that is the thought that I cannot imagine this man being in church. The thought that if I started to 00:01:43.900 --> 00:01:49.140 speak to him about a greater hope right now in Jesus Christ, he just wouldn't get it. He wouldn't 00:01:49.140 --> 00:01:59.719 understand it. I just thought this man was not the Christian type. I'm ashamed to say. My sinful 00:01:59.719 --> 00:02:09.939 prejudices were in full swing on that day and in that moment. So what do you think the Christian type is? 00:02:09.939 --> 00:02:19.099 What sort of people are Christians in your mind? What sort of people get drawn into the Christian faith? 00:02:20.120 --> 00:02:26.340 Well, we're up to Acts chapter 16, as you have just heard, and we see here in this chapter that in fact 00:02:26.340 --> 00:02:36.479 God's mercy is for all people. That is, there is no Christian type. So get your Bibles, open up to Acts 16, 00:02:36.479 --> 00:02:42.840 the St. Paul's app if you've got it. Open that up. You'll see I've got some points there to get 00:02:42.840 --> 00:02:50.959 through. It's Acts 16, and we're ready to go. So first of all, God's mercy is to three people in Acts 16. 00:02:51.099 --> 00:02:58.819 The first person we're introduced to is Lydia in verses 11 to 15. There are a few things that we know 00:02:58.819 --> 00:03:07.359 about Lydia straight up. She is from the city of Thyatira, which was part of Asia Minor in those 00:03:07.359 --> 00:03:15.919 days, and we know that she's a businesswoman. She is a dealer in purple cloth. Now, cloth, which was 00:03:15.919 --> 00:03:23.459 dyed purple and then from there turned into clothes and other items, was very expensive. The whole process 00:03:23.460 --> 00:03:30.800 was very, very detailed. It was expensive cloth, and it was really only the wealthy people, the rich 00:03:30.800 --> 00:03:39.480 people who could afford it. Purple cloth was therefore in their culture a sign of wealth. You wear 00:03:39.480 --> 00:03:46.600 something purple, you are a wealthy individual. It's the sort of thing that the royalty bought and the 00:03:46.599 --> 00:03:55.079 the elite in society purchased. Lydia, therefore, is a person who sold beautiful clothes to beautifully 00:03:55.079 --> 00:04:03.219 rich people. Lydia is the equivalent, if you like, in our day of the owner of a chain of high-end 00:04:03.219 --> 00:04:09.919 boutiques in ritzy suburbs of cities. She was also, we are told here, a worship of God. Now, that's a 00:04:09.919 --> 00:04:16.360 technical term in the New Testament, which means that she is a God-fearer. Now, these God-fearers were 00:04:16.360 --> 00:04:22.980 Gentiles who had left behind their other religious practices and their paganism, and they started 00:04:22.980 --> 00:04:29.220 reading the Jewish Bible, the Old Testament, and starting to seek the Bible, the God of the Old 00:04:29.220 --> 00:04:37.300 Testament. And so Lydia is, therefore, an admirable person, a decent person, a pious, and a successful 00:04:37.300 --> 00:04:45.800 person. So how does God's mercy come to her? Have a look at verse 13 with me. 00:04:46.360 --> 00:04:53.460 On the Sabbath, we went outside the city gates to the river where we expected to find a place of 00:04:53.460 --> 00:05:02.720 prayer. We sat down and began to speak to the women who had gathered there. So the setting here 00:05:02.720 --> 00:05:10.840 is a low-key discussion. It's not a church service. Paul is not preaching, but the key is at the end of 00:05:10.839 --> 00:05:22.299 verse 14. The Lord opened her heart to respond to Paul's message. Now, the word respond there means 00:05:22.299 --> 00:05:29.219 she is attracted to. The Lord opened her heart to be attracted to Paul's message. Lydia, that is, 00:05:29.299 --> 00:05:36.599 didn't just believe. She didn't have an intellectual assent to what Paul said, but she found what Paul said 00:05:36.600 --> 00:05:45.340 to be wonderful, to be beautiful. We also know broadly the content of what Paul was saying to 00:05:45.340 --> 00:05:55.780 this group of women, because back in verse 10, Luke tells us what their task was. After Paul had seen the 00:05:55.780 --> 00:06:04.240 vision, we got ready at once to leave for Macedonia, concluding that God had called us to preach the 00:06:04.240 --> 00:06:15.360 gospel to them. So what Lydia was attracted to is the core, the central message of the Christian faith. 00:06:15.660 --> 00:06:22.600 The gospel, the good news is that Jesus Christ, the eternal son of God, came into the world that he had 00:06:22.600 --> 00:06:31.160 made, died for our sins and turned God's judgment away from us. But this Jesus rose again on the third 00:06:31.160 --> 00:06:38.560 day, eternally triumphant over evil, so that there is now no condemnation for those who put their trust 00:06:38.560 --> 00:06:48.900 in him, but only the prospect of everlasting eternal joy in his presence. And so Lydia wasn't just 00:06:48.900 --> 00:06:57.660 convinced that that message was true, but she saw it as beautiful. She was attracted to it. It was 00:06:57.660 --> 00:07:07.120 wonderful to her. Jesus, in fact, it was wonderful to her. God had opened her heart in such a way that Jesus 00:07:07.120 --> 00:07:19.700 looked magnificent. This is a woman whose business was beauty. She sold beautiful clothes to beautiful people, 00:07:19.699 --> 00:07:28.219 beautiful people, and she had never seen a beauty like this before. Jesus, Jesus was magnificent. 00:07:29.800 --> 00:07:36.860 Jesus gave her life, and she gave her life to Jesus. 00:07:39.000 --> 00:07:45.480 And then we move into verse 16, and we see another recipient of God's mercy. It's verse 16. 00:07:45.480 --> 00:07:52.640 Once when we were going to the place of prayer, we were met by a slave girl, a female slave, who had a 00:07:52.640 --> 00:08:00.220 spirit by which she predicted the future. She earned a great deal of money for her owners by fortune 00:08:00.220 --> 00:08:08.540 telling. Now, we know a lot about this person. Firstly, she is young. It says female slave, but the word 00:08:08.540 --> 00:08:16.640 used in the original language means that she is young, a young slave. She's a girl is who she is. She's a kid. 00:08:17.740 --> 00:08:23.000 Her parents must have sold her. She's been rejected by her family. She's enslaved and oppressed 00:08:23.000 --> 00:08:31.100 and economically exploited by her owners. But she's also enslaved with inner demons too. 00:08:31.100 --> 00:08:37.060 We know from the original language that she had what was called the spirit of the python. 00:08:38.600 --> 00:08:45.680 Now, that doesn't mean much to us, but the ancient reader knew exactly what that meant. 00:08:47.540 --> 00:08:55.960 It means that this girl belonged to a group of people that were odd, very odd. 00:08:55.960 --> 00:09:03.639 They spoke loudly. They acted weirdly. They cried out. They shrieked. They spoke in different voices. 00:09:03.800 --> 00:09:09.560 This young girl would all of a sudden speak with a voice of a mature man. They were very troubled, 00:09:09.720 --> 00:09:17.320 very broken people, and they were isolating society. And yet, on so many occasions, what they predicted 00:09:17.320 --> 00:09:22.820 about the future actually came true. And so people were, at the same time, intrigued by them. 00:09:22.820 --> 00:09:29.820 And so if Lydia is an owner of a high-end boutique for the rich, this girl is a drunk, addicted prostitute, 00:09:30.900 --> 00:09:37.960 exploited by her pimps, living in a seedy suburb of the city, but also able to predict the future. 00:09:40.620 --> 00:09:44.920 Repulsive, and yet in some level, we're attracted to her. 00:09:46.740 --> 00:09:49.920 How did God's mercy come to her? Verse 17. 00:09:49.919 --> 00:09:53.579 She followed Paul and the rest of us, shouting, 00:09:53.779 --> 00:09:59.120 These men are servants of the Most High God who are telling you the way to be saved. 00:10:00.759 --> 00:10:02.279 And she kept this up for many days. 00:10:03.379 --> 00:10:07.500 Now notice that she knows exactly who Paul and his team were, 00:10:07.639 --> 00:10:10.500 and nobody else knows who Paul and the team are. 00:10:11.259 --> 00:10:15.819 She knew who they were and that they were coming to tell them the gospel. 00:10:15.820 --> 00:10:19.820 She knew that they were coming to tell them the way to be saved. 00:10:20.200 --> 00:10:27.280 She was impeccably accurate, even though the source of that accuracy was, in fact, evil. 00:10:28.420 --> 00:10:31.220 And then we read this in verse 18. 00:10:32.120 --> 00:10:38.520 Finally, Paul became so annoyed that he turned around and said to the Spirit, 00:10:38.519 --> 00:10:47.379 Now, the Apostle Paul here looks really impatient and really unloving with this girl. 00:10:48.740 --> 00:10:49.759 That's because he is. 00:10:50.819 --> 00:10:54.159 That is, you know, he's not Jesus after all. 00:10:54.240 --> 00:10:54.819 We know that. 00:10:55.699 --> 00:10:59.980 But it also shows us that this little encounter is not a made-up encounter. 00:10:59.980 --> 00:11:04.940 This is not the way that you would write a legend. 00:11:06.779 --> 00:11:08.560 You would write it this way. 00:11:09.259 --> 00:11:10.639 If it was a legend, you'd say, 00:11:11.080 --> 00:11:13.620 Paul, deeply moved by compassion, 00:11:14.320 --> 00:11:16.340 turned and looked on the girl with mercy, 00:11:16.759 --> 00:11:17.220 and said, 00:11:17.340 --> 00:11:18.879 You poor, troubled soul. 00:11:19.600 --> 00:11:20.920 But that's how you'd write legend. 00:11:21.220 --> 00:11:22.379 But that's not what's happening here. 00:11:23.159 --> 00:11:25.279 Paul got irritated. 00:11:25.279 --> 00:11:26.879 He was fed up. 00:11:27.579 --> 00:11:28.159 And he said, 00:11:28.379 --> 00:11:30.199 In the name of Jesus Christ, 00:11:30.379 --> 00:11:32.639 I command you to come out of her. 00:11:34.339 --> 00:11:35.559 And at that moment, 00:11:36.439 --> 00:11:37.799 the Spirit left her. 00:11:40.659 --> 00:11:43.899 So Lydia gets a Bible study down by the river. 00:11:45.000 --> 00:11:47.659 This girl gets a power encounter. 00:11:49.179 --> 00:11:53.059 Lydia needed to see that Jesus is more beautiful and magnificent and fulfilling 00:11:53.059 --> 00:11:57.719 than her money and her purple clothes. 00:11:59.199 --> 00:12:01.039 This girl needs a new master. 00:12:02.039 --> 00:12:03.339 She needs a new lord. 00:12:04.339 --> 00:12:06.719 A new boss over her life. 00:12:07.519 --> 00:12:08.299 And she gets that. 00:12:11.619 --> 00:12:15.019 The third person we encounter here 00:12:15.019 --> 00:12:17.679 is a Roman jailer. 00:12:17.679 --> 00:12:20.559 Now this person comes on the scene 00:12:20.559 --> 00:12:22.379 because the owners of the slave girl 00:12:22.379 --> 00:12:24.399 are pretty ticked off 00:12:24.399 --> 00:12:26.500 by the income loss 00:12:26.500 --> 00:12:27.919 that Paul has now 00:12:27.919 --> 00:12:29.579 inflicted upon them 00:12:29.579 --> 00:12:31.199 by healing the slave girl. 00:12:31.979 --> 00:12:32.739 Paul and Silas 00:12:32.739 --> 00:12:34.559 are handed over to local magistrates 00:12:34.559 --> 00:12:35.779 who order them to be beaten 00:12:35.779 --> 00:12:36.759 without a trial. 00:12:37.979 --> 00:12:39.079 And then in verse 23, 00:12:39.419 --> 00:12:40.479 we read this. 00:12:42.059 --> 00:12:43.439 They were thrown into prison 00:12:43.440 --> 00:12:46.640 and the jailer was commanded 00:12:46.640 --> 00:12:48.400 to guard them carefully. 00:12:49.820 --> 00:12:51.520 When he received these orders, 00:12:52.040 --> 00:12:54.040 he put them in the inner cell 00:12:54.040 --> 00:12:56.960 and fastened their feet to the stocks. 00:12:58.360 --> 00:12:59.740 So what do we know about him? 00:13:01.120 --> 00:13:02.420 The first thing we know 00:13:02.420 --> 00:13:03.840 is that he's a jailer. 00:13:04.300 --> 00:13:06.740 And that means that he is most likely 00:13:06.740 --> 00:13:08.860 an ex-Roman soldier. 00:13:08.860 --> 00:13:13.039 When the ranking soldiers retired, 00:13:13.279 --> 00:13:14.539 they generally moved 00:13:14.539 --> 00:13:17.480 into civil service roles. 00:13:18.800 --> 00:13:20.919 He was what we would call 00:13:20.919 --> 00:13:21.860 in our society 00:13:21.860 --> 00:13:24.500 nowadays working class. 00:13:24.940 --> 00:13:25.960 His home is comfortable, 00:13:26.580 --> 00:13:27.779 but his home is, 00:13:27.980 --> 00:13:28.659 how do I put this, 00:13:28.740 --> 00:13:29.919 a long way from the harbour. 00:13:31.300 --> 00:13:33.139 We can also see 00:13:33.139 --> 00:13:35.460 that he was a brutal guy. 00:13:36.519 --> 00:13:37.240 Verse 23, 00:13:37.240 --> 00:13:38.779 he is commanded 00:13:38.779 --> 00:13:40.000 by the magistrates 00:13:40.000 --> 00:13:42.980 to guard Paul and Silas carefully. 00:13:44.180 --> 00:13:45.399 In verse 24, 00:13:46.019 --> 00:13:46.820 he says, 00:13:47.220 --> 00:13:49.240 he put them in the inner cell 00:13:49.240 --> 00:13:51.299 and fastened their feet 00:13:51.299 --> 00:13:52.100 to the stocks. 00:13:52.500 --> 00:13:52.960 That is, 00:13:53.220 --> 00:13:54.779 he didn't wash their wounds, 00:13:55.039 --> 00:13:56.680 he didn't bandage them up, 00:13:56.980 --> 00:13:58.039 he didn't do anything 00:13:58.039 --> 00:13:59.180 that you would consider 00:13:59.180 --> 00:14:01.320 carefully looking after them. 00:14:02.419 --> 00:14:03.600 He didn't do anything for them. 00:14:04.419 --> 00:14:05.220 He was asked 00:14:05.220 --> 00:14:06.440 to watch them closely. 00:14:06.440 --> 00:14:07.080 Instead, 00:14:07.760 --> 00:14:08.620 he put them 00:14:08.620 --> 00:14:09.900 into the deepest dungeon, 00:14:10.060 --> 00:14:11.000 away from the light, 00:14:11.160 --> 00:14:12.100 away from the air. 00:14:12.600 --> 00:14:13.480 And he also puts them 00:14:13.480 --> 00:14:14.240 in the stocks. 00:14:15.220 --> 00:14:15.860 The stocks, 00:14:16.360 --> 00:14:18.480 spread your limbs out 00:14:18.480 --> 00:14:20.900 past what was considered normal. 00:14:21.500 --> 00:14:22.140 It induced 00:14:22.140 --> 00:14:23.820 incredibly painful 00:14:23.820 --> 00:14:24.780 muscle cramps. 00:14:25.140 --> 00:14:27.140 It was unnecessarily cruel. 00:14:27.480 --> 00:14:28.720 It was a form of torture. 00:14:28.720 --> 00:14:31.220 This is a guy 00:14:31.220 --> 00:14:32.540 who Paul 00:14:32.540 --> 00:14:34.000 just frankly 00:14:34.000 --> 00:14:35.340 could not sit down with 00:14:35.340 --> 00:14:36.220 like he did with Lydia 00:14:36.220 --> 00:14:37.320 and talk with 00:14:37.320 --> 00:14:38.120 about the gospel. 00:14:39.399 --> 00:14:40.940 He had to show 00:14:40.940 --> 00:14:41.720 the good news 00:14:41.720 --> 00:14:42.779 of Jesus Christ 00:14:42.779 --> 00:14:43.960 in his life. 00:14:45.940 --> 00:14:46.820 And so this jailer 00:14:46.820 --> 00:14:47.800 notices two things 00:14:47.800 --> 00:14:48.279 in the lives 00:14:48.279 --> 00:14:49.180 of Paul and Silas. 00:14:49.179 --> 00:14:51.799 He sees 00:14:51.799 --> 00:14:52.559 in the face 00:14:52.559 --> 00:14:53.359 of suffering 00:14:53.359 --> 00:14:55.500 a peace 00:14:55.500 --> 00:14:56.459 and a joy 00:14:56.459 --> 00:14:58.379 and in the face 00:14:58.379 --> 00:14:59.159 of cruelty 00:14:59.159 --> 00:15:00.579 a kindness 00:15:00.579 --> 00:15:02.079 and a forgiveness. 00:15:03.279 --> 00:15:04.399 Verse 25. 00:15:05.779 --> 00:15:06.799 About midnight, 00:15:07.039 --> 00:15:07.739 Paul and Silas 00:15:07.739 --> 00:15:08.339 were praying 00:15:08.339 --> 00:15:09.239 and singing hymns 00:15:09.239 --> 00:15:09.739 to God 00:15:09.739 --> 00:15:11.459 and the other prisoners 00:15:11.459 --> 00:15:12.559 were listening to them. 00:15:13.599 --> 00:15:14.279 They were listening. 00:15:14.279 --> 00:15:16.699 The word actually means 00:15:16.699 --> 00:15:17.860 they were fascinated, 00:15:18.899 --> 00:15:20.919 amazed by Paul and Silas. 00:15:21.439 --> 00:15:22.439 Now this is a culture 00:15:22.439 --> 00:15:25.519 where if you are in grief, 00:15:26.319 --> 00:15:27.779 you wail. 00:15:28.519 --> 00:15:29.839 If you are angry, 00:15:30.360 --> 00:15:31.399 you curse. 00:15:32.240 --> 00:15:32.659 That is, 00:15:33.079 --> 00:15:34.059 you express 00:15:34.059 --> 00:15:35.139 the inner emotions 00:15:35.139 --> 00:15:37.139 in very verbal, 00:15:37.879 --> 00:15:38.740 verbose ways. 00:15:40.159 --> 00:15:40.759 And here we have 00:15:40.759 --> 00:15:41.579 Paul and Silas 00:15:41.579 --> 00:15:43.179 expressing peace 00:15:43.179 --> 00:15:44.399 and joy 00:15:44.399 --> 00:15:46.719 in quite tangible ways. 00:15:47.500 --> 00:15:48.319 They were singing 00:15:48.319 --> 00:15:49.579 praises to God 00:15:49.579 --> 00:15:51.239 rather than cursing. 00:15:52.739 --> 00:15:53.879 And the jailer 00:15:53.879 --> 00:15:55.120 would have either 00:15:55.120 --> 00:15:55.679 heard it, 00:15:56.319 --> 00:15:56.959 he certainly 00:15:56.959 --> 00:15:58.199 would have experienced it. 00:15:59.039 --> 00:15:59.679 The joy 00:15:59.679 --> 00:16:00.500 and the peace. 00:16:01.179 --> 00:16:01.819 But the jailer 00:16:01.819 --> 00:16:03.120 also experienced 00:16:03.120 --> 00:16:03.859 a kindness 00:16:03.859 --> 00:16:04.679 and a forgiveness. 00:16:05.379 --> 00:16:05.739 Have a look 00:16:05.739 --> 00:16:06.519 in verse 26. 00:16:06.620 --> 00:16:07.179 Suddenly there was 00:16:07.179 --> 00:16:08.459 such a violent earthquake 00:16:08.459 --> 00:16:09.719 that the foundations 00:16:09.719 --> 00:16:10.279 of the prison 00:16:10.279 --> 00:16:10.819 were shaken. 00:16:11.219 --> 00:16:12.259 At once all 00:16:12.259 --> 00:16:13.480 the prison doors 00:16:13.480 --> 00:16:14.340 flew open 00:16:14.340 --> 00:16:15.480 and everyone's 00:16:15.480 --> 00:16:16.679 chains came loose. 00:16:18.319 --> 00:16:18.659 The jailer 00:16:18.659 --> 00:16:19.220 woke up 00:16:19.220 --> 00:16:20.679 and when he saw 00:16:20.679 --> 00:16:21.340 the prison doors 00:16:21.340 --> 00:16:21.720 open, 00:16:22.439 --> 00:16:23.600 he drew his sword 00:16:23.600 --> 00:16:24.139 and was about 00:16:24.139 --> 00:16:25.059 to kill himself 00:16:25.059 --> 00:16:26.220 because he thought 00:16:26.220 --> 00:16:26.799 the prisoners 00:16:26.799 --> 00:16:27.580 had escaped. 00:16:29.179 --> 00:16:29.960 This jailer 00:16:29.960 --> 00:16:30.620 was not going to 00:16:30.620 --> 00:16:31.439 wait for his own 00:16:31.439 --> 00:16:32.639 execution for failing 00:16:32.639 --> 00:16:33.700 to secure the prisoners. 00:16:33.700 --> 00:16:36.480 And in that moment 00:16:36.480 --> 00:16:37.540 as he draws his sword 00:16:37.540 --> 00:16:39.240 Paul calls out 00:16:39.240 --> 00:16:40.780 don't harm 00:16:40.780 --> 00:16:41.560 yourself. 00:16:42.900 --> 00:16:44.020 We are all here. 00:16:47.420 --> 00:16:48.360 So not only 00:16:48.360 --> 00:16:49.220 does Paul and Silas 00:16:49.220 --> 00:16:50.200 not leave themselves 00:16:50.200 --> 00:16:51.000 but somehow 00:16:51.000 --> 00:16:51.580 they managed 00:16:51.580 --> 00:16:52.640 to keep the other 00:16:52.640 --> 00:16:53.200 prisoners 00:16:53.200 --> 00:16:54.640 with them as well. 00:16:56.320 --> 00:16:57.580 They had an opportunity 00:16:57.580 --> 00:16:58.400 in this moment 00:16:58.400 --> 00:16:59.920 to pay back 00:16:59.920 --> 00:17:01.379 for the treatment 00:17:01.379 --> 00:17:02.500 that they had received. 00:17:02.500 --> 00:17:04.559 they didn't take it. 00:17:06.700 --> 00:17:07.420 And in that split 00:17:07.420 --> 00:17:08.079 second moment 00:17:08.079 --> 00:17:08.980 it moved 00:17:08.980 --> 00:17:09.900 this jailer. 00:17:10.700 --> 00:17:11.240 Verse 29 00:17:11.240 --> 00:17:11.799 the jailer 00:17:11.799 --> 00:17:12.859 called for lights 00:17:12.859 --> 00:17:13.759 he rushed in 00:17:13.759 --> 00:17:14.200 and he felt 00:17:14.200 --> 00:17:14.720 trembling 00:17:14.720 --> 00:17:15.619 before Paul 00:17:15.619 --> 00:17:16.579 and Silas. 00:17:16.660 --> 00:17:17.440 Not the other prisoners 00:17:17.440 --> 00:17:18.480 he knew it was 00:17:18.480 --> 00:17:19.339 Paul and Silas 00:17:19.339 --> 00:17:20.420 these are the guys 00:17:20.420 --> 00:17:20.799 here 00:17:20.799 --> 00:17:21.619 these are the guys 00:17:21.619 --> 00:17:22.259 who are different. 00:17:24.480 --> 00:17:25.180 He says 00:17:25.180 --> 00:17:25.559 sirs 00:17:25.559 --> 00:17:26.259 what must I do 00:17:26.259 --> 00:17:27.519 to be saved? 00:17:27.519 --> 00:17:30.319 they overcame 00:17:30.319 --> 00:17:30.859 evil 00:17:30.859 --> 00:17:31.819 with good 00:17:31.819 --> 00:17:33.859 they overcame 00:17:33.859 --> 00:17:35.240 mercilessness 00:17:35.240 --> 00:17:36.579 with mercy 00:17:36.579 --> 00:17:38.079 with unkindness 00:17:38.079 --> 00:17:38.779 with kindness 00:17:38.779 --> 00:17:40.400 they forgave him 00:17:40.400 --> 00:17:41.160 and he 00:17:41.160 --> 00:17:42.220 was 00:17:42.220 --> 00:17:43.259 amazed 00:17:43.259 --> 00:17:45.200 they saved 00:17:45.200 --> 00:17:46.099 his 00:17:46.099 --> 00:17:47.119 life 00:17:47.119 --> 00:17:48.759 and now 00:17:48.759 --> 00:17:49.579 he wants 00:17:49.579 --> 00:17:50.099 his life 00:17:50.099 --> 00:17:50.660 to be truly 00:17:50.660 --> 00:17:51.200 saved. 00:17:52.720 --> 00:17:54.059 He knows 00:17:54.059 --> 00:17:54.539 that Paul 00:17:54.539 --> 00:17:55.160 and Silas 00:17:55.160 --> 00:17:56.059 have something 00:17:56.059 --> 00:17:57.299 that he does not have. 00:17:58.859 --> 00:17:59.980 It's got to do 00:17:59.980 --> 00:18:00.740 with their God. 00:18:02.059 --> 00:18:03.079 They have a power 00:18:03.079 --> 00:18:04.039 in their lives 00:18:04.039 --> 00:18:04.679 that produces 00:18:04.679 --> 00:18:05.299 peace 00:18:05.299 --> 00:18:06.220 and joy 00:18:06.220 --> 00:18:06.960 and kindness 00:18:06.960 --> 00:18:07.519 and forgiveness. 00:18:08.000 --> 00:18:08.899 He doesn't have it 00:18:08.899 --> 00:18:10.639 doesn't have any of it 00:18:10.639 --> 00:18:12.000 and he wants it. 00:18:13.839 --> 00:18:15.000 What must 00:18:15.000 --> 00:18:15.720 I do 00:18:15.720 --> 00:18:16.519 to be saved? 00:18:17.319 --> 00:18:18.159 He wants 00:18:18.159 --> 00:18:18.819 a relationship 00:18:18.819 --> 00:18:19.480 with the God 00:18:19.480 --> 00:18:20.019 that they've been 00:18:20.019 --> 00:18:20.839 praying and singing 00:18:20.839 --> 00:18:21.599 praises to 00:18:21.599 --> 00:18:23.099 but notice the question 00:18:23.099 --> 00:18:24.119 what 00:18:24.119 --> 00:18:25.000 must 00:18:25.000 --> 00:18:25.759 I 00:18:25.759 --> 00:18:26.599 do 00:18:26.599 --> 00:18:28.039 to be 00:18:28.039 --> 00:18:28.479 saved? 00:18:29.479 --> 00:18:30.259 He assumes 00:18:30.259 --> 00:18:30.659 that he needs 00:18:30.659 --> 00:18:31.259 to do something 00:18:31.259 --> 00:18:31.679 here. 00:18:33.379 --> 00:18:33.959 Paul's answer 00:18:33.959 --> 00:18:34.519 is very simple 00:18:34.519 --> 00:18:35.219 in verse 31 00:18:35.219 --> 00:18:36.219 believe 00:18:36.219 --> 00:18:37.299 in the Lord 00:18:37.299 --> 00:18:37.599 Jesus 00:18:37.599 --> 00:18:38.279 and you'll 00:18:38.279 --> 00:18:38.779 be saved. 00:18:39.299 --> 00:18:39.579 Believe 00:18:39.579 --> 00:18:40.599 in what 00:18:40.599 --> 00:18:40.979 Jesus 00:18:40.979 --> 00:18:41.839 has already 00:18:41.839 --> 00:18:42.819 done 00:18:42.819 --> 00:18:43.839 for you 00:18:43.839 --> 00:18:44.579 and you 00:18:44.579 --> 00:18:44.879 will be 00:18:44.879 --> 00:18:45.339 saved. 00:18:46.459 --> 00:18:47.279 Once again 00:18:47.279 --> 00:18:48.859 Paul has 00:18:48.859 --> 00:18:49.699 demonstrated 00:18:49.699 --> 00:18:50.239 the gospel 00:18:50.239 --> 00:18:51.179 to this jailer. 00:18:51.180 --> 00:18:52.840 that's what 00:18:52.840 --> 00:18:53.259 he's done 00:18:53.259 --> 00:18:54.039 all the way 00:18:54.039 --> 00:18:54.519 through here. 00:18:54.779 --> 00:18:55.080 He has 00:18:55.080 --> 00:18:56.019 demonstrated 00:18:56.019 --> 00:18:56.860 the core 00:18:56.860 --> 00:18:57.400 message of 00:18:57.400 --> 00:18:57.779 Christianity. 00:18:58.200 --> 00:18:58.560 Now did you 00:18:58.560 --> 00:18:59.120 notice that 00:18:59.120 --> 00:18:59.860 little incident 00:18:59.860 --> 00:19:00.920 in verses 00:19:00.920 --> 00:19:01.940 35 to 00:19:01.940 --> 00:19:02.600 39? 00:19:03.080 --> 00:19:03.700 Paul is 00:19:03.700 --> 00:19:04.320 released 00:19:04.320 --> 00:19:05.420 but he 00:19:05.420 --> 00:19:06.120 doesn't go 00:19:06.120 --> 00:19:06.920 quietly. 00:19:08.019 --> 00:19:08.539 It's very 00:19:08.539 --> 00:19:08.960 odd. 00:19:10.259 --> 00:19:10.539 It was 00:19:10.539 --> 00:19:11.220 against the 00:19:11.220 --> 00:19:11.560 law 00:19:11.560 --> 00:19:12.799 to throw 00:19:12.799 --> 00:19:13.360 a Roman 00:19:13.360 --> 00:19:13.820 citizen 00:19:13.820 --> 00:19:14.740 into prison 00:19:14.740 --> 00:19:15.720 without a 00:19:15.720 --> 00:19:16.220 trial 00:19:16.220 --> 00:19:18.160 and Paul 00:19:18.160 --> 00:19:19.200 is a 00:19:19.200 --> 00:19:19.460 Roman 00:19:19.460 --> 00:19:19.960 citizen 00:19:19.960 --> 00:19:20.759 and he 00:19:20.759 --> 00:19:21.180 has not 00:19:21.180 --> 00:19:21.600 had a 00:19:21.600 --> 00:19:21.839 fair 00:19:21.839 --> 00:19:22.360 trial. 00:19:23.360 --> 00:19:24.279 So now 00:19:24.279 --> 00:19:24.700 these 00:19:24.700 --> 00:19:25.640 magistrates 00:19:25.640 --> 00:19:26.200 are running 00:19:26.200 --> 00:19:26.880 scared. 00:19:27.400 --> 00:19:27.539 Their 00:19:27.539 --> 00:19:28.299 livelihood 00:19:28.299 --> 00:19:29.460 and even 00:19:29.460 --> 00:19:30.180 their lives 00:19:30.180 --> 00:19:30.480 are on 00:19:30.480 --> 00:19:30.860 the line 00:19:30.860 --> 00:19:31.259 here. 00:19:32.720 --> 00:19:33.539 So you've 00:19:33.539 --> 00:19:34.000 got to ask 00:19:34.000 --> 00:19:34.460 yourself the 00:19:34.460 --> 00:19:34.940 question 00:19:34.940 --> 00:19:36.420 why did 00:19:36.420 --> 00:19:37.000 Paul 00:19:37.000 --> 00:19:38.100 not speak 00:19:38.100 --> 00:19:39.319 up before 00:19:39.319 --> 00:19:40.100 he was 00:19:40.100 --> 00:19:40.519 thrown 00:19:40.519 --> 00:19:41.880 into prison? 00:19:42.539 --> 00:19:43.140 When the 00:19:43.140 --> 00:19:44.240 magistrates 00:19:44.240 --> 00:19:45.579 were standing 00:19:45.579 --> 00:19:46.000 there and 00:19:46.000 --> 00:19:46.379 they're getting 00:19:46.379 --> 00:19:46.720 beaten, 00:19:46.839 --> 00:19:47.119 why did 00:19:47.119 --> 00:19:47.359 they not 00:19:47.359 --> 00:19:47.659 just put 00:19:47.659 --> 00:19:47.939 their hand 00:19:47.939 --> 00:19:48.119 up and 00:19:48.119 --> 00:19:48.359 say hey 00:19:48.359 --> 00:19:48.879 guys Roman 00:19:48.879 --> 00:19:49.339 citizen, 00:19:50.079 --> 00:19:50.419 you know, 00:19:50.699 --> 00:19:51.279 against the 00:19:51.279 --> 00:19:51.559 law. 00:19:53.359 --> 00:19:53.980 Why did 00:19:53.980 --> 00:19:54.859 he raise 00:19:54.859 --> 00:19:55.439 that issue 00:19:55.439 --> 00:19:56.179 afterwards 00:19:56.179 --> 00:19:56.519 and not 00:19:56.519 --> 00:19:56.899 before? 00:20:01.579 --> 00:20:02.019 One 00:20:02.019 --> 00:20:02.720 reason is 00:20:02.720 --> 00:20:03.339 he's 00:20:03.339 --> 00:20:04.019 identifying 00:20:04.019 --> 00:20:05.039 with the 00:20:05.039 --> 00:20:05.639 church in 00:20:05.639 --> 00:20:06.319 Philippi who 00:20:06.319 --> 00:20:06.599 will not 00:20:06.599 --> 00:20:06.859 have the 00:20:06.859 --> 00:20:07.039 same 00:20:07.039 --> 00:20:07.519 privileges 00:20:07.519 --> 00:20:08.939 that he 00:20:08.939 --> 00:20:10.159 has got 00:20:10.159 --> 00:20:10.799 and will 00:20:10.799 --> 00:20:12.419 suffer the 00:20:12.419 --> 00:20:12.839 same way 00:20:12.839 --> 00:20:13.179 he was 00:20:13.179 --> 00:20:13.500 suffering 00:20:13.500 --> 00:20:13.839 now. 00:20:15.579 --> 00:20:17.019 But more 00:20:17.019 --> 00:20:17.519 importantly 00:20:17.519 --> 00:20:18.879 the main 00:20:18.879 --> 00:20:19.939 reason is 00:20:19.939 --> 00:20:20.259 that this 00:20:20.259 --> 00:20:21.299 jailer needs 00:20:21.299 --> 00:20:21.779 him to go 00:20:21.779 --> 00:20:22.240 to prison. 00:20:23.079 --> 00:20:23.879 This jailer 00:20:23.879 --> 00:20:24.579 needs him to 00:20:24.579 --> 00:20:25.259 go to prison 00:20:25.259 --> 00:20:26.480 so that he 00:20:26.480 --> 00:20:27.000 could be 00:20:27.000 --> 00:20:28.259 saved because 00:20:28.259 --> 00:20:29.059 the jailer 00:20:29.059 --> 00:20:29.659 is not 00:20:29.659 --> 00:20:30.179 free. 00:20:30.819 --> 00:20:31.759 Paul needed 00:20:31.759 --> 00:20:32.679 to surrender 00:20:32.679 --> 00:20:33.519 his physical 00:20:33.519 --> 00:20:35.000 freedom so 00:20:35.000 --> 00:20:35.439 that this 00:20:35.439 --> 00:20:36.339 jailer might 00:20:36.339 --> 00:20:37.399 know true 00:20:37.399 --> 00:20:38.259 salvation and 00:20:38.259 --> 00:20:38.599 freedom. 00:20:40.220 --> 00:20:40.859 Paul gave 00:20:40.859 --> 00:20:41.399 up his 00:20:41.399 --> 00:20:42.299 freedom so 00:20:42.299 --> 00:20:42.639 that the 00:20:42.639 --> 00:20:43.220 one who 00:20:43.220 --> 00:20:43.759 thought that 00:20:43.759 --> 00:20:44.119 he was 00:20:44.119 --> 00:20:44.559 free 00:20:44.559 --> 00:20:46.039 could in 00:20:46.039 --> 00:20:46.399 fact be 00:20:46.399 --> 00:20:46.639 truly 00:20:46.639 --> 00:20:46.980 free. 00:20:48.099 --> 00:20:48.799 Paul and 00:20:48.799 --> 00:20:49.379 Silas were 00:20:49.379 --> 00:20:50.000 in stocks 00:20:50.000 --> 00:20:50.539 in the 00:20:50.539 --> 00:20:51.559 dungeon but 00:20:51.559 --> 00:20:51.919 they were 00:20:51.919 --> 00:20:52.339 singing. 00:20:53.119 --> 00:20:53.539 That is 00:20:53.539 --> 00:20:53.839 their 00:20:53.839 --> 00:20:54.599 incarceration 00:20:54.599 --> 00:20:55.539 and their 00:20:55.539 --> 00:20:56.179 suffering 00:20:56.179 --> 00:20:57.159 could not 00:20:57.159 --> 00:20:58.200 take touch. 00:20:58.500 --> 00:20:58.779 It could 00:20:58.779 --> 00:20:59.200 not take 00:20:59.200 --> 00:21:00.240 away the 00:21:00.240 --> 00:21:00.919 freedom and 00:21:00.919 --> 00:21:01.440 the joy that 00:21:01.440 --> 00:21:01.779 they already 00:21:01.779 --> 00:21:02.079 had in 00:21:02.079 --> 00:21:02.419 Jesus. 00:21:02.839 --> 00:21:03.319 The reason 00:21:03.319 --> 00:21:03.700 why Paul 00:21:03.700 --> 00:21:04.179 was happy 00:21:04.179 --> 00:21:04.659 to go into 00:21:04.659 --> 00:21:05.359 prison because 00:21:05.359 --> 00:21:05.599 he was 00:21:05.599 --> 00:21:06.359 already free. 00:21:07.440 --> 00:21:08.339 The jailer 00:21:08.339 --> 00:21:08.740 had the 00:21:08.740 --> 00:21:09.819 keys to 00:21:09.819 --> 00:21:10.579 the chains 00:21:10.579 --> 00:21:11.220 but he 00:21:11.220 --> 00:21:11.700 was not 00:21:11.700 --> 00:21:12.079 free. 00:21:12.079 --> 00:21:14.679 he needed 00:21:14.679 --> 00:21:15.220 rescuing. 00:21:16.439 --> 00:21:17.220 He needed 00:21:17.220 --> 00:21:17.500 to be 00:21:17.500 --> 00:21:18.039 saved. 00:21:19.740 --> 00:21:20.279 And it 00:21:20.279 --> 00:21:21.039 was only 00:21:21.039 --> 00:21:22.079 because Paul 00:21:22.079 --> 00:21:22.779 kept his 00:21:22.779 --> 00:21:23.539 mouth shut, 00:21:24.859 --> 00:21:25.399 surrendered 00:21:25.399 --> 00:21:26.039 his body 00:21:26.039 --> 00:21:26.460 to the 00:21:26.460 --> 00:21:27.279 magistrates, 00:21:27.799 --> 00:21:28.639 then to 00:21:28.639 --> 00:21:29.379 the crowd 00:21:29.379 --> 00:21:31.039 and finally 00:21:31.039 --> 00:21:31.439 to the 00:21:31.439 --> 00:21:33.139 prison that 00:21:33.139 --> 00:21:34.059 this jailer 00:21:34.059 --> 00:21:35.720 found true 00:21:35.720 --> 00:21:36.659 freedom. 00:21:37.720 --> 00:21:38.759 Only then 00:21:38.759 --> 00:21:42.379 and in 00:21:42.379 --> 00:21:42.980 that sense 00:21:42.980 --> 00:21:43.180 the 00:21:43.180 --> 00:21:43.819 apostle Paul 00:21:43.819 --> 00:21:44.359 was walking 00:21:44.359 --> 00:21:44.579 in the 00:21:44.579 --> 00:21:45.180 footsteps of 00:21:45.180 --> 00:21:45.359 his 00:21:45.359 --> 00:21:46.000 savior Jesus 00:21:46.000 --> 00:21:46.440 Christ. 00:21:47.940 --> 00:21:48.480 Jesus 00:21:48.480 --> 00:21:49.180 was beaten 00:21:49.180 --> 00:21:50.740 so that we 00:21:50.740 --> 00:21:51.079 could be 00:21:51.079 --> 00:21:51.400 healed. 00:21:52.839 --> 00:21:53.099 Jesus 00:21:53.099 --> 00:21:53.720 was put on 00:21:53.720 --> 00:21:55.099 trial so 00:21:55.099 --> 00:21:55.420 that we 00:21:55.420 --> 00:21:56.019 could be 00:21:56.019 --> 00:21:56.420 free from 00:21:56.420 --> 00:21:57.119 condemnation. 00:21:58.119 --> 00:21:58.339 Jesus 00:21:58.339 --> 00:21:59.759 was restrained 00:21:59.759 --> 00:22:00.680 by nails 00:22:00.680 --> 00:22:01.539 to a 00:22:01.539 --> 00:22:03.039 cross so 00:22:03.039 --> 00:22:03.400 that we 00:22:03.400 --> 00:22:04.039 might find 00:22:04.039 --> 00:22:05.059 liberation 00:22:05.059 --> 00:22:06.240 from death. 00:22:06.859 --> 00:22:07.160 He was 00:22:07.160 --> 00:22:08.039 executed for 00:22:08.039 --> 00:22:08.660 our sin 00:22:08.660 --> 00:22:09.759 so that we 00:22:09.759 --> 00:22:10.120 would be 00:22:10.120 --> 00:22:10.740 set free 00:22:10.740 --> 00:22:12.279 from sin 00:22:12.279 --> 00:22:13.380 and death. 00:22:14.600 --> 00:22:15.360 He chose 00:22:15.360 --> 00:22:16.180 not to 00:22:16.180 --> 00:22:16.779 speak up. 00:22:17.920 --> 00:22:18.480 He chose 00:22:18.480 --> 00:22:19.100 not to 00:22:19.100 --> 00:22:19.600 call down 00:22:19.600 --> 00:22:20.440 legions of 00:22:20.440 --> 00:22:20.920 angels. 00:22:21.620 --> 00:22:22.200 He chose 00:22:22.200 --> 00:22:23.259 not to 00:22:23.259 --> 00:22:24.000 plead his 00:22:24.000 --> 00:22:24.720 cause. 00:22:25.880 --> 00:22:26.400 As a 00:22:26.400 --> 00:22:27.060 lamb is 00:22:27.060 --> 00:22:28.220 silent, so 00:22:28.220 --> 00:22:28.779 was Jesus 00:22:28.779 --> 00:22:29.400 Christ in 00:22:29.400 --> 00:22:29.860 front of his 00:22:29.860 --> 00:22:30.440 accusers. 00:22:31.360 --> 00:22:31.740 And he 00:22:31.740 --> 00:22:32.160 chose it 00:22:32.160 --> 00:22:32.960 for us. 00:22:35.779 --> 00:22:36.660 And we 00:22:36.660 --> 00:22:37.380 see 00:22:37.380 --> 00:22:38.940 this is 00:22:38.940 --> 00:22:39.780 the immediate 00:22:39.780 --> 00:22:40.600 impact 00:22:40.600 --> 00:22:42.560 on this 00:22:42.560 --> 00:22:43.340 jailer. 00:22:44.260 --> 00:22:45.000 Belief in 00:22:45.000 --> 00:22:45.400 Jesus 00:22:45.400 --> 00:22:46.440 transforms 00:22:46.440 --> 00:22:47.040 this jailer. 00:22:47.400 --> 00:22:48.120 Firstly, we 00:22:48.120 --> 00:22:49.180 see upon 00:22:49.180 --> 00:22:50.000 release coming 00:22:50.000 --> 00:22:50.420 out of the 00:22:50.420 --> 00:22:51.280 prison, he 00:22:51.280 --> 00:22:51.560 showed 00:22:51.560 --> 00:22:52.520 compassion and 00:22:52.520 --> 00:22:53.480 care and he 00:22:53.480 --> 00:22:54.160 washed their 00:22:54.160 --> 00:22:54.760 wounds. 00:22:55.720 --> 00:22:56.860 Secondly, he's 00:22:56.860 --> 00:22:59.560 baptized as a 00:22:59.560 --> 00:23:00.740 public declaration 00:23:00.740 --> 00:23:01.940 that he is now 00:23:01.940 --> 00:23:02.940 lined with the 00:23:02.940 --> 00:23:03.720 Christian faith and 00:23:03.720 --> 00:23:04.100 the Christian 00:23:04.100 --> 00:23:04.620 community. 00:23:04.619 --> 00:23:06.399 Christianity is 00:23:06.399 --> 00:23:07.279 both personal 00:23:07.279 --> 00:23:08.039 but it's 00:23:08.039 --> 00:23:08.899 never private. 00:23:09.179 --> 00:23:09.439 It is 00:23:09.439 --> 00:23:10.059 personal but it's 00:23:10.059 --> 00:23:10.659 never private. 00:23:11.099 --> 00:23:13.319 And thirdly, he 00:23:13.319 --> 00:23:14.259 got what Paul and 00:23:14.259 --> 00:23:14.959 Silas had. 00:23:15.799 --> 00:23:16.319 You see it 00:23:16.319 --> 00:23:16.579 there? 00:23:17.099 --> 00:23:18.159 He was filled 00:23:18.159 --> 00:23:20.239 with joy 00:23:20.239 --> 00:23:22.859 because he had 00:23:22.859 --> 00:23:23.719 come to believe 00:23:23.719 --> 00:23:24.379 in God. 00:23:24.639 --> 00:23:25.139 He is now 00:23:25.139 --> 00:23:25.919 finally free. 00:23:25.920 --> 00:23:27.620 God's 00:23:27.620 --> 00:23:40.740 mercy is 00:23:40.740 --> 00:23:41.380 in fact for 00:23:41.380 --> 00:23:42.019 all people. 00:23:42.779 --> 00:23:43.400 They are a 00:23:43.400 --> 00:23:44.120 snapshot if you 00:23:44.120 --> 00:23:45.000 like to show how 00:23:45.000 --> 00:23:45.640 very different 00:23:45.640 --> 00:23:46.279 people come to 00:23:46.279 --> 00:23:47.180 put their faith in 00:23:47.180 --> 00:23:47.920 Jesus Christ. 00:23:48.519 --> 00:23:49.620 Three very 00:23:49.620 --> 00:23:50.279 different people. 00:23:50.940 --> 00:23:52.220 One was from 00:23:52.220 --> 00:23:53.900 Asia, one was 00:23:53.900 --> 00:23:54.740 a Greek, one 00:23:54.740 --> 00:23:55.340 was a Roman. 00:23:55.920 --> 00:23:57.900 Economically, they 00:23:57.900 --> 00:23:58.640 are upper class, 00:23:58.779 --> 00:23:59.519 middle class and 00:23:59.519 --> 00:24:00.220 low class. 00:24:00.800 --> 00:24:01.320 One was 00:24:01.320 --> 00:24:02.200 spiritually open, 00:24:02.660 --> 00:24:03.080 one was 00:24:03.080 --> 00:24:03.900 spiritually hostile 00:24:03.900 --> 00:24:05.060 and one was 00:24:05.060 --> 00:24:06.140 indifferent. 00:24:07.900 --> 00:24:08.720 One was 00:24:08.720 --> 00:24:09.400 logical and 00:24:09.400 --> 00:24:10.400 gentle, one 00:24:10.400 --> 00:24:11.759 was apathetic and 00:24:11.759 --> 00:24:12.840 brutal and one 00:24:12.840 --> 00:24:13.740 was troubled and 00:24:13.740 --> 00:24:14.200 oppressed. 00:24:15.400 --> 00:24:16.380 The good news of 00:24:16.380 --> 00:24:18.160 Jesus Christ is 00:24:18.160 --> 00:24:20.259 for everyone and 00:24:20.259 --> 00:24:21.640 everyone needs the 00:24:21.640 --> 00:24:22.180 good news of 00:24:22.180 --> 00:24:22.840 Jesus Christ. 00:24:22.839 --> 00:24:23.419 Jesus Christ is 00:24:23.419 --> 00:24:23.839 for you. 00:24:23.839 --> 00:24:23.980 There is no 00:24:23.980 --> 00:24:26.159 such thing as a 00:24:26.159 --> 00:24:27.579 Christian type. 00:24:28.899 --> 00:24:30.759 The gospel can and 00:24:30.759 --> 00:24:32.720 has changed anyone 00:24:32.720 --> 00:24:34.220 from the morally 00:24:34.220 --> 00:24:36.259 respectable religious 00:24:36.259 --> 00:24:37.599 person through to the 00:24:37.599 --> 00:24:38.740 serial killer, from 00:24:38.740 --> 00:24:39.899 advanced cities to 00:24:39.899 --> 00:24:41.299 jungles, from palaces to 00:24:41.299 --> 00:24:42.279 refugee camps. 00:24:42.659 --> 00:24:43.720 How has it done 00:24:43.720 --> 00:24:43.879 that? 00:24:43.980 --> 00:24:44.980 Because it's true. 00:24:44.980 --> 00:24:45.079 true. 00:24:46.700 --> 00:24:48.420 The gospel is true for 00:24:48.420 --> 00:24:48.860 everyone. 00:24:49.259 --> 00:24:50.099 We live in a culture 00:24:50.099 --> 00:24:51.680 that says, well, if it's 00:24:51.680 --> 00:24:53.120 true for you, then it's 00:24:53.120 --> 00:24:53.779 true for you. 00:24:54.839 --> 00:24:56.420 But Christianity doesn't 00:24:56.420 --> 00:24:58.380 do anything with you. 00:24:58.519 --> 00:24:59.319 It doesn't help you in 00:24:59.319 --> 00:25:00.220 any way. 00:25:01.220 --> 00:25:02.579 Unless what Jesus says 00:25:02.579 --> 00:25:04.380 about himself, his 00:25:04.380 --> 00:25:06.299 perfect life, his death 00:25:06.299 --> 00:25:06.980 for our sin, his 00:25:06.980 --> 00:25:08.759 resurrection and reign 00:25:08.759 --> 00:25:10.400 over all things is 00:25:10.400 --> 00:25:11.539 actually true. 00:25:11.539 --> 00:25:13.339 If it's not true, it 00:25:13.339 --> 00:25:15.539 is powerless to bring 00:25:15.539 --> 00:25:16.440 transformation and 00:25:16.440 --> 00:25:16.859 change. 00:25:17.559 --> 00:25:18.680 Powerless to set you 00:25:18.680 --> 00:25:19.000 free. 00:25:21.399 --> 00:25:23.079 If it's not true, it 00:25:23.079 --> 00:25:23.759 doesn't work. 00:25:25.339 --> 00:25:28.019 But if it is true, it 00:25:28.019 --> 00:25:28.720 works for everyone. 00:25:30.180 --> 00:25:31.539 There is no religion in 00:25:31.539 --> 00:25:32.599 the world as culturally 00:25:32.599 --> 00:25:33.759 diverse as Christianity 00:25:33.759 --> 00:25:34.879 because it's true. 00:25:35.579 --> 00:25:37.240 Every world religion has 00:25:37.240 --> 00:25:38.559 the majority of its 00:25:38.559 --> 00:25:39.920 people in one or two 00:25:39.920 --> 00:25:40.379 continents. 00:25:40.380 --> 00:25:42.800 Except for Christianity. 00:25:44.060 --> 00:25:45.340 Approximately 20% of 00:25:45.340 --> 00:25:46.340 Christians are in 00:25:46.340 --> 00:25:46.700 Africa. 00:25:47.420 --> 00:25:49.000 Another 20% in Latin 00:25:49.000 --> 00:25:49.480 America. 00:25:50.160 --> 00:25:51.640 Nearly 20% in Asia. 00:25:51.840 --> 00:25:53.120 A little more than 20% 00:25:53.120 --> 00:25:53.720 in Europe. 00:25:54.180 --> 00:25:54.960 And a little less than 00:25:54.960 --> 00:25:56.400 20% in North America. 00:25:59.140 --> 00:26:01.000 That's spread and 00:26:01.000 --> 00:26:03.060 impact across all kinds 00:26:03.060 --> 00:26:03.820 of different areas and 00:26:03.820 --> 00:26:04.600 cultures and people 00:26:04.600 --> 00:26:04.940 groups. 00:26:05.640 --> 00:26:06.960 No other religion is 00:26:06.960 --> 00:26:09.320 even close to being that 00:26:09.320 --> 00:26:10.100 well distributed. 00:26:10.380 --> 00:26:12.780 Because it is true for 00:26:12.780 --> 00:26:13.440 all people. 00:26:15.200 --> 00:26:16.460 There is no Christian 00:26:16.460 --> 00:26:16.960 type. 00:26:19.340 --> 00:26:20.480 There is no greater 00:26:20.480 --> 00:26:22.300 unifying power on the 00:26:22.300 --> 00:26:24.240 face of the earth than 00:26:24.240 --> 00:26:25.240 the good news of Jesus 00:26:25.240 --> 00:26:25.740 Christ. 00:26:26.600 --> 00:26:28.400 It brings diverse groups 00:26:28.400 --> 00:26:29.140 of people together. 00:26:29.820 --> 00:26:31.960 I love the last verse of 00:26:31.960 --> 00:26:32.560 this section. 00:26:33.060 --> 00:26:34.560 After Paul and Silas came 00:26:34.560 --> 00:26:36.020 out of the prison, they 00:26:36.020 --> 00:26:37.760 went to Lydia's house where 00:26:37.759 --> 00:26:38.460 they met with the 00:26:38.460 --> 00:26:40.599 brothers and sisters and 00:26:40.599 --> 00:26:41.640 encouraged them. 00:26:42.440 --> 00:26:44.099 This is the new Christian 00:26:44.099 --> 00:26:45.240 church of Philippi. 00:26:45.920 --> 00:26:47.779 It is all those who have 00:26:47.779 --> 00:26:49.440 believed in Jesus Christ. 00:26:49.680 --> 00:26:50.400 Who are they? 00:26:51.099 --> 00:26:52.700 At the very least we know in 00:26:52.700 --> 00:26:54.000 this new church is Lydia. 00:26:54.579 --> 00:26:55.420 It's in her house. 00:26:55.420 --> 00:26:58.500 Lydia, the slave girl and 00:26:58.500 --> 00:26:59.579 the jailer. 00:26:59.579 --> 00:27:03.579 worshipping Jesus side by 00:27:03.579 --> 00:27:06.220 side as new description 00:27:06.220 --> 00:27:09.179 brothers and sisters in 00:27:09.179 --> 00:27:09.599 Christ. 00:27:11.259 --> 00:27:15.240 Friends, how much clearer does 00:27:15.240 --> 00:27:16.919 the Bible need to be that 00:27:16.919 --> 00:27:18.839 heritage, social class, 00:27:19.220 --> 00:27:20.899 gender means nothing? 00:27:20.900 --> 00:27:21.500 Nothing. 00:27:25.940 --> 00:27:27.600 None of it's a hindrance or a 00:27:27.600 --> 00:27:28.400 barrier to Jesus. 00:27:29.160 --> 00:27:32.640 There is no Christian type. 00:27:34.340 --> 00:27:35.300 And so for the Christians 00:27:35.300 --> 00:27:36.620 tuning in, listen to me right 00:27:36.620 --> 00:27:36.980 now. 00:27:37.980 --> 00:27:41.240 God can and does work in the 00:27:41.240 --> 00:27:43.660 most unlikely individual. 00:27:46.519 --> 00:27:48.040 Just like me. 00:27:48.039 --> 00:27:50.879 Just like you. 00:27:52.680 --> 00:27:54.379 It's what I'd forgotten. 00:27:56.000 --> 00:27:57.559 All those years ago sitting 00:27:57.559 --> 00:27:58.619 on that front step of the 00:27:58.619 --> 00:28:00.980 house with that intoxicated 00:28:00.980 --> 00:28:03.279 man that that was me 00:28:03.279 --> 00:28:03.779 spiritually. 00:28:04.619 --> 00:28:05.700 I'd forgotten that. 00:28:09.099 --> 00:28:10.119 But if you're not a 00:28:10.119 --> 00:28:12.559 Christian yet, this all 00:28:12.559 --> 00:28:13.799 simply means that God's 00:28:13.799 --> 00:28:14.920 mercy is for you. 00:28:15.859 --> 00:28:16.859 The good use of Jesus 00:28:16.859 --> 00:28:19.519 Christ is for you. 00:28:20.179 --> 00:28:21.059 I don't know, 00:28:21.259 --> 00:28:22.419 I may not know you 00:28:22.419 --> 00:28:22.899 personally. 00:28:23.359 --> 00:28:24.779 You may have just tuned in. 00:28:25.379 --> 00:28:27.899 But I do know that you 00:28:27.899 --> 00:28:29.039 are the Christian type. 00:28:30.639 --> 00:28:32.159 The gospel can change 00:28:32.159 --> 00:28:32.639 anyone. 00:28:33.479 --> 00:28:35.019 Jesus was beautiful enough 00:28:35.019 --> 00:28:37.500 for Lydia, powerful enough 00:28:37.500 --> 00:28:39.279 for the slave girl, and 00:28:39.279 --> 00:28:40.579 liberating enough for the 00:28:40.579 --> 00:28:41.619 jailer. 00:28:43.379 --> 00:28:45.359 He's got what you'd need 00:28:45.359 --> 00:28:46.719 right now too. 00:28:46.859 --> 00:28:50.279 There is no Christian type 00:28:50.279 --> 00:28:53.500 and who knows what you'll 00:28:53.500 --> 00:28:55.439 become when you see Jesus 00:28:55.439 --> 00:28:59.059 as beautiful, powerful, and 00:28:59.059 --> 00:29:00.819 liberating for you and your 00:29:00.819 --> 00:29:01.179 life. 00:29:01.179 --> 00:29:02.000 Amen.