WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:15.099 It was the best of times, but it was the worst of times. 00:00:16.379 --> 00:00:20.500 So begins Charles Dickens' tale of two cities, right? 00:00:20.500 --> 00:00:29.740 His long, sprawling, sometimes boring novel about London and Paris during the French Revolution. 00:00:30.000 --> 00:00:37.299 Well, in our passage this morning, Luke's going to tell us his own tale of two cities. 00:00:38.179 --> 00:00:44.539 Two cities that are addressed with a revolutionary message, but who give two very different responses. 00:00:46.480 --> 00:00:58.200 And what makes this tale of two cities relevant to us today is actually this same revolutionary message is summoning each one of us, even here this morning. 00:01:00.000 --> 00:01:03.539 A summons to have our world turned upside down, as it were. 00:01:04.500 --> 00:01:08.340 Or maybe, perhaps better put, to have our world turned right side up. 00:01:10.620 --> 00:01:16.780 So let's pick up our study of Acts today in chapter 17, verses 1 through 15. 00:01:16.780 --> 00:01:23.780 That's page 296 in the Pew Bible, Acts 17, verses 1 through 15. 00:01:30.540 --> 00:01:32.640 Let me read Luke's tale of two cities. 00:01:32.640 --> 00:01:42.599 Now, when they, that is, Paul and Silas and Timothy, had passed through Amphipolis and Apollonia, they came to Thessalonica, where there was a synagogue of the Jews. 00:01:43.879 --> 00:01:49.799 And Paul went in, as was his custom, and on three Sabbath days he reasoned with them from the Scriptures, 00:01:49.799 --> 00:01:55.879 explaining and proving that it was necessary for the Christ to suffer and to rise from the dead. 00:01:56.959 --> 00:02:01.739 And saying, this Jesus, whom I proclaim to you, is the Christ. 00:02:03.359 --> 00:02:10.319 And some of them were persuaded and joined Paul and Silas, as did a great many of the devout Greeks, and not a few of the leading women. 00:02:10.319 --> 00:02:15.879 But the Jews, that is, the Jewish leaders of the synagogue, were jealous. 00:02:16.680 --> 00:02:26.900 And taking some wicked men of the rabble, they formed a mob, set the city in an uproar, and attacked the house of Jason, seeking to bring them out to the crowd. 00:02:27.959 --> 00:02:32.579 And when they could not find them, they dragged Jason and some of the brothers before the city authorities, shouting, 00:02:33.099 --> 00:02:38.419 These men, who have turned the world upside down, have come here also. 00:02:38.419 --> 00:02:46.439 And Jason has received them, and they are all acting against the decrees of Caesar, saying that there is another king, Jesus. 00:02:48.419 --> 00:02:51.619 And the people in the city authorities were disturbed when they heard these things. 00:02:52.379 --> 00:02:55.919 And when they had taken money as security from Jason and the rest, they let them go. 00:02:57.679 --> 00:03:00.759 The brothers immediately sent Paul and Silas away by night to Berea. 00:03:01.500 --> 00:03:03.979 And when they arrived, they went into the Jewish synagogue. 00:03:03.979 --> 00:03:08.599 Now, these Jews were more noble than those in Thessalonica. 00:03:09.239 --> 00:03:15.620 They received the word with all eagerness, examining the scriptures daily to see if these things were so. 00:03:16.679 --> 00:03:21.739 Many of them, therefore, believed, with not a few Greek women of high standing, as well as men. 00:03:23.280 --> 00:03:28.399 But when the Jews from Thessalonica learned that the word of God was proclaimed by Paul at Berea also, 00:03:28.799 --> 00:03:32.459 they came there too, agitating and stirring up the crowds. 00:03:32.460 --> 00:03:36.640 Then the brothers immediately sent Paul off on his way to the sea. 00:03:37.300 --> 00:03:38.900 But Silas and Timothy remained there. 00:03:39.980 --> 00:03:42.060 Those who conducted Paul brought him as far as Athens. 00:03:42.939 --> 00:03:48.320 And after receiving a command for Silas and Timothy to come to him as soon as possible, they departed. 00:03:48.319 --> 00:03:54.819 Well, we have a great contrast here, don't we? 00:03:55.639 --> 00:04:03.659 Paul comes, arrives, proclaims the message, the good news that Israel's long-awaited king and the world's true Lord has come. 00:04:04.159 --> 00:04:07.120 This Jesus whom I proclaim to you, he says, is the Christ. 00:04:08.740 --> 00:04:13.799 And at Thessalonica, this word is met with highly charged accusation. 00:04:13.800 --> 00:04:26.660 And then at Berea, a city some 30 miles down the road, it's met with a noble or open-minded examination. 00:04:27.939 --> 00:04:30.800 One message, two responses. 00:04:30.800 --> 00:04:36.280 And it's this contrast between these two that I think Luke wants us to see. 00:04:37.600 --> 00:04:44.360 And for us today, I think that there are sort of three things that kind of come out of this contrast as we hold them in tension. 00:04:45.840 --> 00:04:51.340 I think that as we look at this contrast for us today, there's an encouragement and there's a challenge. 00:04:52.120 --> 00:04:54.019 And lastly, there is a summons. 00:04:54.879 --> 00:04:56.500 As I mentioned, there's a call. 00:04:56.500 --> 00:05:01.980 So first, let's look at the encouragement in this contrast. 00:05:02.120 --> 00:05:02.639 And it's this. 00:05:03.139 --> 00:05:08.860 Don't we see here that healthy churches can grow even in hard places? 00:05:09.519 --> 00:05:15.899 You know, you might think that the opposition in Thessalonica would have destroyed any chance of the church taking root there, right? 00:05:16.819 --> 00:05:18.160 But that's not what we see. 00:05:19.399 --> 00:05:19.839 Compare. 00:05:19.939 --> 00:05:20.439 Look down. 00:05:20.579 --> 00:05:23.259 Compare verse 4 and verse 12. 00:05:23.259 --> 00:05:27.439 Look at both of those verses, one in Thessalonica, one in Berea. 00:05:28.759 --> 00:05:30.639 In both cities, we see something stunning. 00:05:31.939 --> 00:05:43.480 That men and women, Jews and Greeks, working class and upper class, they're all responding and joining themselves to Christ and the church. 00:05:43.480 --> 00:05:46.780 You know, it's funny, isn't it? 00:05:46.819 --> 00:05:53.500 Somewhere along the way, we got this idea that Christianity only really gets traction among the uneducated or the impoverished. 00:05:55.140 --> 00:05:57.439 But historically, that's just not true. 00:05:59.480 --> 00:06:05.439 In fact, in places where Christianity is growing even today, like in China, for instance, it's growing across the social strata. 00:06:05.439 --> 00:06:16.980 But, educated and uneducated, rich and poor, powerful and marginalized, all finding in Jesus their true king. 00:06:19.199 --> 00:06:31.399 It's just what Luke shows us here in Acts 17, that all kinds of people find the message of Jesus as king, not just merely plausible, but intellectually compelling and personally liberating. 00:06:31.399 --> 00:06:43.979 But, you know, we also got this idea somewhere along the way that sort of stiff cultural opposition or resistance to the gospel will somehow eliminate any hopes of seeing real growth and health in the church. 00:06:44.939 --> 00:06:51.579 But again, doesn't Luke's tale of two cities here prove that healthy churches can thrive in hard contexts? 00:06:51.579 --> 00:07:02.060 And if Luke's description is enough, listen to Paul's own description of the church in 1 Thessalonians, a letter he wrote not long after leaving that city. 00:07:02.519 --> 00:07:04.019 This is what he writes in the first chapter. 00:07:04.099 --> 00:07:07.599 In fact, if you want to turn over there, this would be a good paragraph to look at. 00:07:08.839 --> 00:07:10.719 1 Thessalonians in chapter 1. 00:07:12.060 --> 00:07:13.360 Pick up in verse 4. 00:07:13.360 --> 00:07:24.740 This is a paragraph, by the way, that's really captured our imagination as a church. 00:07:26.199 --> 00:07:27.040 Paul writes this, 00:07:27.040 --> 00:07:36.400 For we know, brothers and sisters loved by God, that he has chosen you, because our gospel came to you not only in word, but also in power and in the Holy Spirit and with full conviction. 00:07:37.540 --> 00:07:40.120 You know what kind of men we proved to be among you for your sake. 00:07:40.800 --> 00:07:43.180 And you became imitators of us and of the Lord. 00:07:43.900 --> 00:07:53.819 For you received the word in much affliction, with the joy of the Holy Spirit, so that you became an example to all the believers in Macedonia and in Achaia. 00:07:53.819 --> 00:08:04.920 For not only has the word of the Lord sounded forth from you in Macedonia and Achaia, but your faith in God has gone forth everywhere, so that we need not say anything. 00:08:05.939 --> 00:08:12.620 For they themselves report concerning us the kind of reception we had among you, and how you turned to God from idols. 00:08:13.360 --> 00:08:15.879 To serve the living and true God. 00:08:16.540 --> 00:08:21.680 So here Paul admits that the church was born in much affliction. 00:08:21.680 --> 00:08:27.720 And yet the church is growing in joy and in faithful imitation of Christ. 00:08:28.540 --> 00:08:32.419 And even more, the word is sounding forth from them like a ringing bell. 00:08:32.419 --> 00:08:36.379 To the surrounding cities and regions. 00:08:36.599 --> 00:08:39.000 So much so that, did you catch what Paul said there? 00:08:39.699 --> 00:08:43.839 It's almost as if the apostles are now out of a job in Macedonia and Achaia. 00:08:44.360 --> 00:08:48.219 They show up to a city and people are already talking about the great thing that happened in Thessalonica. 00:08:48.220 --> 00:08:54.320 Brothers and sisters, I think this is an encouragement to us today. 00:08:55.820 --> 00:08:59.980 An encouragement not to be driven by fear. 00:09:02.019 --> 00:09:07.560 Not to be blown and tossed by the rhetoric of the culture wars that we live in. 00:09:07.559 --> 00:09:12.239 And not to give in to discouragement thinking all is lost. 00:09:14.939 --> 00:09:21.859 And also not to think that we need to radically sort of reinvent the message or the methods of the gospel. 00:09:22.099 --> 00:09:25.379 If we hope to see God's kingdom take root in our city and in our day. 00:09:26.239 --> 00:09:29.099 I mean, look at how Paul approaches Thessalonica and then Berea. 00:09:29.100 --> 00:09:34.720 It's not as if Paul preaches at Thessalonica, gets slandered and misrepresented and forced to leave. 00:09:34.800 --> 00:09:37.120 And then says, well, that didn't work. 00:09:37.740 --> 00:09:40.080 And then tries a totally different strategy in Berea. 00:09:40.240 --> 00:09:41.800 And somehow it happens to work. 00:09:42.000 --> 00:09:42.279 No. 00:09:42.840 --> 00:09:45.000 He does the same exact thing in both cities. 00:09:46.920 --> 00:09:49.960 And by God's grace, the church takes root in both. 00:09:51.700 --> 00:09:55.540 So isn't that a great encouragement that we can keep the message clear? 00:09:56.000 --> 00:09:57.120 Look at verses 2 through 3. 00:09:57.120 --> 00:09:58.779 It's a good model for us, actually. 00:09:59.399 --> 00:10:00.860 Look at how Paul approaches this. 00:10:01.200 --> 00:10:08.100 He patiently, over a number of weeks we're told, he patiently reasons. 00:10:09.300 --> 00:10:14.600 And that word reason there implies that he's listening and engaging with questions and concerns. 00:10:16.399 --> 00:10:17.840 And he explains. 00:10:18.279 --> 00:10:19.960 The emphasis there is on clarity. 00:10:19.960 --> 00:10:25.240 He's literally opening up, as it were, as clear as he can, the truth about Jesus. 00:10:25.240 --> 00:10:27.980 And he proves. 00:10:28.060 --> 00:10:33.620 He lays out the evidence, putting the claims and the evidence side by side as best he can. 00:10:33.620 --> 00:10:36.779 And we know that he loves. 00:10:38.000 --> 00:10:44.419 We know from 1 Thessalonians that we just read from that Paul stays in this city longer than just these three weeks that sort of Luke mentions here. 00:10:44.419 --> 00:10:45.419 And he's there. 00:10:45.419 --> 00:10:46.360 And he's there. 00:10:46.360 --> 00:10:47.059 He's living. 00:10:47.059 --> 00:10:48.099 He's loving. 00:10:48.099 --> 00:10:50.379 He's sharing his life with them. 00:10:51.799 --> 00:10:55.379 That's the shape of good gospel outreach. 00:10:56.419 --> 00:11:00.059 Reasoning, explaining, proving, loving. 00:11:00.059 --> 00:11:07.779 And yes, sometimes it will be misrepresented. 00:11:09.079 --> 00:11:10.599 Even slandered. 00:11:10.600 --> 00:11:16.980 You know, when the synagogue leaders in Thessalonica stir up a riot, these wicked men of the rabble. 00:11:17.139 --> 00:11:17.940 Isn't that a great phrase? 00:11:19.060 --> 00:11:23.560 And they say to the governing authorities, these men are turning the world upside down. 00:11:24.259 --> 00:11:26.639 It's obviously not a compliment, right? 00:11:27.259 --> 00:11:30.759 It's not like they're giving them a high five for being so cutting edge. 00:11:31.680 --> 00:11:33.700 Way to turn the world upside down, guys. 00:11:35.460 --> 00:11:36.759 You're trending on Facebook. 00:11:36.759 --> 00:11:43.240 No, the word for world here basically means the Roman world. 00:11:44.139 --> 00:11:46.679 It's not cosmos, sort of absolutely everything. 00:11:46.860 --> 00:11:47.700 It's the oikumene. 00:11:48.220 --> 00:11:49.659 It's the Roman world. 00:11:50.899 --> 00:11:54.200 And turning upside down functionally means that they're subverting it. 00:11:55.539 --> 00:12:02.799 So the charge being leveled against Paul and Silas and Timothy here is that they're subverting the rule of the empire. 00:12:02.799 --> 00:12:07.839 It's a charge of high treason. 00:12:10.419 --> 00:12:15.459 These men, they're saying, or at least trying to say, are socially dangerous. 00:12:16.299 --> 00:12:18.379 They're bad for our city. 00:12:19.019 --> 00:12:20.319 We don't want them here. 00:12:20.599 --> 00:12:21.559 And neither do you. 00:12:23.979 --> 00:12:29.839 Now keep in mind, historically, only about a year before this incident, Claudius, the emperor, had all the Jews expelled from Rome. 00:12:29.840 --> 00:12:32.980 Because of a theological conflict. 00:12:33.100 --> 00:12:35.980 We'll get into that in a couple weeks when we meet some of those Jews in chapter 18. 00:12:37.200 --> 00:12:42.280 So you see, there are political tensions in the air cropping up over the Christian movement. 00:12:42.879 --> 00:12:48.800 And that's probably why the city authorities are so, Luke says, disturbed at this accusation. 00:12:48.799 --> 00:12:59.859 And of course, in the way that this accusation was meant, it wasn't true. 00:13:02.719 --> 00:13:09.399 Christians weren't plotting a military coup to overthrow Caesar and enthrone Jesus in Rome. 00:13:10.679 --> 00:13:12.779 Wasn't exactly the strategy, right? 00:13:12.779 --> 00:13:16.459 Jesus was sitting at the Father's right hand, ruling and reigning over everything. 00:13:16.600 --> 00:13:19.079 He didn't really need to be sitting on a throne in Rome. 00:13:19.399 --> 00:13:20.179 Thank you very much. 00:13:22.980 --> 00:13:29.199 In fact, one of the points that Luke seems to be making here for a broader Greco-Roman audience is that such allegations against Christians are false. 00:13:29.879 --> 00:13:33.860 The church's mission is not some sort of power play military takeover. 00:13:34.240 --> 00:13:35.779 Far from it. 00:13:35.779 --> 00:13:45.699 But, that the kingdom of Jesus is not the way of the sword, but the way of the cross and the resurrection. 00:13:48.779 --> 00:13:59.240 And Paul, true to this message, comes not manipulating, not coercing, but reasoning and persuading and loving. 00:13:59.240 --> 00:14:11.500 But, of course, for some, this call to complete allegiance to Jesus as king is still considered today a socially or culturally dangerous idea. 00:14:11.620 --> 00:14:12.840 You don't need me to tell you that. 00:14:14.399 --> 00:14:21.019 After all, some say, won't allegiance to Jesus as the one true king make you utterly intolerant of other people? 00:14:21.659 --> 00:14:23.019 Unloving to those who disagree? 00:14:23.019 --> 00:14:27.080 How can you say that your way is right and theirs is wrong? 00:14:29.240 --> 00:14:31.940 That seems bad for our city. 00:14:33.940 --> 00:14:41.259 Or, won't allegiance to Jesus as king mean that you have to suppress your identity and lose your freedom? 00:14:41.759 --> 00:14:47.940 Won't you have to commit some form of intellectual or emotional suicide to believe something like that? 00:14:48.000 --> 00:14:51.680 That idea is bad for our city. 00:14:51.679 --> 00:14:59.439 And that brings us to the second thing that Luke's tale of two cities puts before us. 00:15:00.359 --> 00:15:05.479 There's not just an encouragement for us here to not despair, but there's also a challenge. 00:15:07.059 --> 00:15:08.739 And the challenge is this. 00:15:08.740 --> 00:15:25.539 One of the things we say we value as a culture is being open-minded, isn't it? 00:15:25.539 --> 00:15:36.319 We place a high value on not judging too quickly and certainly not letting prejudice or certainly not social conformity override our reason, right? 00:15:38.159 --> 00:15:44.659 And Luke's story is challenging us, as it were, to put our money where our mouth is. 00:15:44.659 --> 00:15:50.719 To not merely say that we should be open-minded, but to actually do it. 00:15:52.539 --> 00:15:56.860 The Jews in Berea are held up as an example to us. 00:15:56.939 --> 00:15:57.740 Look at verse 11. 00:15:59.719 --> 00:16:04.059 They examine the scriptures daily to see if these things were so. 00:16:05.240 --> 00:16:08.399 And that, Luke says, makes them more noble. 00:16:09.500 --> 00:16:13.299 And the sense of that word means something like more open-minded. 00:16:13.299 --> 00:16:23.199 You see, Christianity, friends, welcomes careful questioning, thorough examination, reasoned investigation. 00:16:23.559 --> 00:16:27.979 In fact, the nature of Christianity not only welcomes this, but it practically demands it. 00:16:29.959 --> 00:16:35.859 You see, Christianity doesn't come along and say, look, you should believe in Jesus simply because it works. 00:16:36.539 --> 00:16:41.179 Because it gives you subjective peace or inner strength or joy. 00:16:41.179 --> 00:16:44.299 You know, lots of religions claim to work in that way. 00:16:45.500 --> 00:16:49.559 Maybe some of you experience them working in that way from time to time. 00:16:51.679 --> 00:17:00.019 But rather, Christianity comes and says, believe in Jesus not just because it works, but ultimately because it's true. 00:17:00.019 --> 00:17:09.299 Because Jesus was an actual person who lived and died and rose again in history. 00:17:09.440 --> 00:17:18.220 We're not talking about something off in a theoretical realm, but a flesh and blood person who made good on his claims. 00:17:18.220 --> 00:17:29.240 Now, you might be thinking, there is no way I could consider Christianity to be true. 00:17:29.900 --> 00:17:32.140 It's one thing if it works, but come on. 00:17:33.579 --> 00:17:37.039 There is no way I could give my whole life to Jesus as king, as Lord. 00:17:37.140 --> 00:17:43.860 I mean, look, all of my friends, all of my colleagues, all my professors, all my teachers, none of them believe this. 00:17:43.859 --> 00:17:47.719 And they're all really, really fill in the blank, right? 00:17:48.099 --> 00:17:48.899 They're all smart. 00:17:49.079 --> 00:17:49.799 They're all important. 00:17:49.959 --> 00:17:50.839 They're all accomplished. 00:17:50.959 --> 00:17:51.699 They're all influential. 00:17:52.159 --> 00:17:57.839 They've all published big books that eventually end up being doorstops after a while. 00:17:59.879 --> 00:18:00.899 No, books are great. 00:18:01.099 --> 00:18:01.719 Publish books. 00:18:02.119 --> 00:18:03.639 Do that, friends, in the academy. 00:18:03.640 --> 00:18:17.220 But, you know, when you step back, isn't it interesting that Thessalonica, as we know, was the leading city of the district. 00:18:18.400 --> 00:18:23.400 In fact, Paul sort of passes through Amphipolis and Abilonia to get to Thessalonica to do some work there so that it will spread. 00:18:24.000 --> 00:18:25.420 Thessalonica is the leading city. 00:18:25.540 --> 00:18:28.140 It's the capital, the hotspot, the influential center. 00:18:28.140 --> 00:18:35.300 And Berea, well, Cicero even says it's a little off the beaten path. 00:18:37.300 --> 00:18:39.360 It wasn't quite Nowheresville. 00:18:41.940 --> 00:18:44.080 But it wasn't the leading city of the region. 00:18:45.759 --> 00:18:50.060 And yet it's interesting what happens when we contrast the responses of the two. 00:18:51.580 --> 00:18:57.060 You see, it's not the bigger, more influential, more important place that's more open-minded. 00:18:58.140 --> 00:19:01.040 Or even more intellectually engaged. 00:19:02.460 --> 00:19:03.600 Just the opposite. 00:19:06.560 --> 00:19:13.580 I guess what I'm trying to say is that it's easy to hide our prejudices behind our prestige. 00:19:16.420 --> 00:19:24.420 It's easy to make a good show of being reasoned and open-minded when actually we're just protecting our interests. 00:19:28.140 --> 00:19:29.720 Friend, don't make that mistake. 00:19:31.180 --> 00:19:35.040 Why not examine it for yourself with an open mind? 00:19:37.980 --> 00:19:44.480 But you know, it's not just the people around us that keep us from an open-minded examination of the claims of Christianity, is it? 00:19:44.480 --> 00:19:48.339 Isn't it also the nature of this claim itself? 00:19:49.440 --> 00:19:51.740 That Jesus is king. 00:19:53.460 --> 00:19:57.819 That we owe him our utter allegiance and loyalty. 00:19:58.019 --> 00:19:59.500 The right over our lives. 00:19:59.700 --> 00:20:00.880 Every part of it. 00:20:02.799 --> 00:20:06.120 It's not hard to see why we avoid considering that with an open mind. 00:20:06.119 --> 00:20:10.399 We don't want another king. 00:20:10.939 --> 00:20:12.279 As verse 7 says. 00:20:13.319 --> 00:20:15.639 We're happy being our own kings. 00:20:18.859 --> 00:20:20.979 We're happy with the kings that we've set up. 00:20:21.739 --> 00:20:24.679 And our comfortable equilibrium that we've developed. 00:20:24.680 --> 00:20:31.680 I'd much rather run my life my own way than give him the throne of my life. 00:20:33.080 --> 00:20:34.840 Sure, he can be an advisor. 00:20:35.580 --> 00:20:36.980 Even a wise teacher. 00:20:37.660 --> 00:20:39.380 Even some kind of divine being. 00:20:39.519 --> 00:20:40.500 But not king. 00:20:44.400 --> 00:20:45.460 After all, we think. 00:20:45.980 --> 00:20:48.140 Why can't I just run my own life? 00:20:49.039 --> 00:20:50.180 Do some good works. 00:20:50.400 --> 00:20:51.080 Be a good person. 00:20:51.079 --> 00:20:55.619 And then, God will just accept me on the basis of how I've lived my life. 00:20:58.679 --> 00:21:00.139 Isn't that a much safer bargain? 00:21:02.240 --> 00:21:03.399 I earn God's favor. 00:21:03.919 --> 00:21:04.799 I keep control. 00:21:05.199 --> 00:21:05.879 Everybody wins. 00:21:11.879 --> 00:21:15.879 But friends, what makes us so sure that our good works can actually earn God's favor? 00:21:15.880 --> 00:21:22.700 And what makes us so sure that we're capable of running our own lives well? 00:21:24.860 --> 00:21:27.980 Does history prove that humans are good at running their own lives? 00:21:28.120 --> 00:21:30.300 And taking care of this world that we live in? 00:21:30.299 --> 00:21:39.980 But underneath it all, isn't the biggest question, isn't the biggest barrier this one? 00:21:41.419 --> 00:21:49.539 That if I give my life to this king, to this lord, how can I be sure that he has my best in mind? 00:21:51.139 --> 00:21:59.779 How can I be sure that if I submit my life to him, I won't end up, let's just be honest, miserable and alone? 00:21:59.779 --> 00:22:10.740 Nearly every other king that we see in the world, every other power, every other authority, every other so-called Caesar, 00:22:11.399 --> 00:22:13.619 aren't they usually out for their own interest? 00:22:16.019 --> 00:22:18.259 To advance their own little kingdom? 00:22:19.259 --> 00:22:21.940 What makes Jesus' kingship any different? 00:22:21.940 --> 00:22:30.100 In other words, can I trust him? 00:22:32.100 --> 00:22:39.200 Can you trust that he's not just another king like all the rest, but a wholly different kind of king? 00:22:39.200 --> 00:22:45.799 And that brings us to the third and last thing we see in this passage. 00:22:47.220 --> 00:22:48.140 There's a summons. 00:22:49.000 --> 00:22:52.319 And it's a summons to see something deeper about this king. 00:22:52.400 --> 00:22:53.740 And it's found in verse 3. 00:22:54.700 --> 00:22:55.360 Look at it again. 00:22:55.359 --> 00:23:04.679 It was necessary, Paul explains, for the Christ, the Messiah, this king, necessary to suffer and to rise from the dead. 00:23:04.759 --> 00:23:06.039 Did you catch that little word? 00:23:07.559 --> 00:23:08.079 Necessary. 00:23:09.819 --> 00:23:15.679 You see, friends, here's the difference between casual religion and a heart-changing relationship with God. 00:23:16.240 --> 00:23:21.000 Here's the difference between holding Jesus at arm's length and gladly embracing him as king. 00:23:21.000 --> 00:23:27.380 Here's the difference between keeping up the status quo and having your world turned upside down. 00:23:28.440 --> 00:23:29.900 It was necessary. 00:23:31.960 --> 00:23:35.559 The Messiah had to suffer and die. 00:23:37.279 --> 00:23:39.940 Of course, everyone thinks something's wrong with the world, right? 00:23:40.700 --> 00:23:42.839 The question is, what's going to rescue us? 00:23:43.480 --> 00:23:44.279 Good education? 00:23:44.980 --> 00:23:45.819 Better laws? 00:23:46.099 --> 00:23:47.059 A stronger economy? 00:23:47.140 --> 00:23:48.180 None of these things are bad. 00:23:48.640 --> 00:23:50.079 They're all good and worthy pursuits. 00:23:50.079 --> 00:23:52.619 But the problem's much, much deeper. 00:23:55.039 --> 00:24:00.039 The problem is we've rebelled against our creator and justly deserved death. 00:24:01.579 --> 00:24:07.139 And the only way for us to be reconciled to him and know the life for which we were created 00:24:07.139 --> 00:24:12.619 is for our penalty to be taken away by another in our place. 00:24:12.619 --> 00:24:20.500 And Luke says that Paul explained and proved this from the scriptures. 00:24:22.899 --> 00:24:25.599 Of course, Paul probably had certain passages in mind. 00:24:26.259 --> 00:24:28.679 Isaiah 53, Psalm 22. 00:24:28.680 --> 00:24:33.580 Some others we've seen along the way in the story of Acts. 00:24:33.680 --> 00:24:38.120 But look at the whole sweep of the biblical story. 00:24:39.400 --> 00:24:41.180 It's there on every page, isn't it? 00:24:41.180 --> 00:24:47.860 In order for Israel to be brought home from captivity, she must pass through the darkness of exile. 00:24:49.600 --> 00:24:53.920 In order for worshipers to draw near to God, there must be a sacrifice. 00:24:53.920 --> 00:25:01.100 In order for Adam and Eve to return to the garden, someone must pass under the flaming sword of judgment. 00:25:02.880 --> 00:25:10.120 The very warp and woof of God's long, patient revelation in scripture is this. 00:25:10.560 --> 00:25:19.700 That our only hope is that a king must come, suffer, and be raised for us. 00:25:19.700 --> 00:25:24.180 And the good news is this. 00:25:25.259 --> 00:25:30.600 This Jesus, whom I proclaim to you, is that king. 00:25:33.200 --> 00:25:41.360 The king who in love willingly came and did all that was necessary, dying our death, rising for our life. 00:25:41.779 --> 00:25:45.720 All that was necessary for you and me to be reconciled to God through trusting in him. 00:25:45.720 --> 00:25:49.900 Do you remember how Dickens' novel ends? 00:25:50.460 --> 00:25:51.420 A tale of two cities? 00:25:53.559 --> 00:25:55.799 Of course not, because you read it in like ninth grade, right? 00:25:58.059 --> 00:26:06.440 The two main characters, Charles and Sidney, one French, the other English, who look practically identical to one another, both fall in love with the same woman. 00:26:07.660 --> 00:26:12.180 But she, Lucy, eventually marries Charles, the French aristocrat, and they have a child. 00:26:12.180 --> 00:26:19.940 And then as the French Revolution rages on, Charles is captured, arrested, imprisoned, and sentenced to death. 00:26:23.160 --> 00:26:29.860 But at the end of the story, Sidney, the jilted Englishman, visits Charles in prison. 00:26:30.960 --> 00:26:37.360 And on the night before he's about to face the guillotine, Sidney offers to take his place so that he can go free. 00:26:37.359 --> 00:26:40.399 And Charles refuses, of course. 00:26:42.019 --> 00:26:45.759 So Sidney has him drugged and smuggled away to England with his family. 00:26:47.579 --> 00:26:50.639 And that night in prison, a young seamstress is there. 00:26:50.779 --> 00:26:52.219 She's also contemned to die. 00:26:52.979 --> 00:26:56.099 And she comes up to Sidney to talk with him, thinking that he's Charles. 00:26:56.219 --> 00:26:58.419 And then she realizes it's not him. 00:26:59.619 --> 00:27:01.339 And her eyes grow wide. 00:27:01.339 --> 00:27:04.519 And she asks, are you dying for him? 00:27:05.659 --> 00:27:10.099 And Sidney responds, and his wife, and his child. 00:27:10.799 --> 00:27:11.220 Hush. 00:27:12.000 --> 00:27:12.459 Yes. 00:27:16.459 --> 00:27:17.720 It's a moving scene. 00:27:19.720 --> 00:27:25.480 But how much more moving to realize that this is what the king has done for us? 00:27:25.480 --> 00:27:34.059 How much more riveting to realize that what Jesus has done is actually more than just one friend taking the place of another. 00:27:34.380 --> 00:27:35.599 As amazing as that is. 00:27:35.680 --> 00:27:37.220 But the king of glory. 00:27:38.000 --> 00:27:39.120 Emptying himself. 00:27:40.120 --> 00:27:40.839 For sinners. 00:27:44.579 --> 00:27:50.740 So now you see why the accusers in verse 6 of our passage spoke better than they knew. 00:27:50.740 --> 00:27:57.160 The death and resurrection of Jesus does turn the world upside down. 00:27:58.819 --> 00:28:04.980 Unlike any other king, Christ used his infinite power and glory not to lord it over others. 00:28:05.319 --> 00:28:06.839 Not to be served. 00:28:07.319 --> 00:28:08.299 But to serve. 00:28:09.579 --> 00:28:12.059 And to give his life as a ransom for many. 00:28:12.059 --> 00:28:21.039 And doesn't all this mean that through the cross and resurrection, we see that this is a king. 00:28:22.639 --> 00:28:25.599 This king is a king you can trust. 00:28:26.659 --> 00:28:28.819 It was necessary for the Messiah to die. 00:28:28.940 --> 00:28:29.720 That we know. 00:28:31.899 --> 00:28:34.179 And Jesus has gladly done it for you. 00:28:34.180 --> 00:28:37.860 So when you give your life to him. 00:28:38.400 --> 00:28:40.480 When you give him your total allegiance. 00:28:41.140 --> 00:28:42.360 No strings attached. 00:28:42.500 --> 00:28:44.120 You're giving your life to the one. 00:28:44.920 --> 00:28:46.440 Who gave his life for you. 00:28:48.600 --> 00:28:50.480 And that means you have nothing to fear. 00:28:52.779 --> 00:28:54.460 If he's done all that for you. 00:28:55.660 --> 00:28:56.560 Emptying himself. 00:28:56.779 --> 00:28:57.200 Suffering. 00:28:57.560 --> 00:28:57.920 Dying. 00:28:58.420 --> 00:29:03.240 How could his risen lordship over your life not be for your good. 00:29:03.240 --> 00:29:05.079 Not be to bring you too. 00:29:05.279 --> 00:29:07.180 Into the reality of his new creation. 00:29:11.559 --> 00:29:14.200 And so friends you can enter in to his kingdom. 00:29:15.200 --> 00:29:17.620 And you can stop having your mind closed. 00:29:17.740 --> 00:29:20.259 By the need for power and status and approval. 00:29:20.440 --> 00:29:20.960 And instead. 00:29:21.960 --> 00:29:25.160 You can come enter into a truly revolutionary life. 00:29:27.960 --> 00:29:31.460 After all doesn't the world say that wealth and power and status. 00:29:31.460 --> 00:29:33.559 That that's what matters. 00:29:35.680 --> 00:29:37.279 But through the cross and resurrection. 00:29:37.480 --> 00:29:38.539 Jesus shows us. 00:29:39.420 --> 00:29:41.579 That true power comes through service. 00:29:43.259 --> 00:29:47.100 And that true status comes through being brought low. 00:29:47.500 --> 00:29:48.700 For the sake of others. 00:29:49.700 --> 00:29:51.519 And that true wealth is found. 00:29:52.240 --> 00:29:53.500 When you give it away. 00:29:53.500 --> 00:29:58.099 The first will be last. 00:29:58.880 --> 00:30:00.400 And the last will be first. 00:30:01.599 --> 00:30:03.640 Jesus has turned the world upside down. 00:30:06.140 --> 00:30:07.619 This isn't just another king. 00:30:08.180 --> 00:30:09.680 But a wholly different king. 00:30:10.799 --> 00:30:12.319 And friends that is good news. 00:30:13.119 --> 00:30:13.960 For you. 00:30:14.619 --> 00:30:15.440 For me. 00:30:16.279 --> 00:30:17.160 For the world. 00:30:17.160 --> 00:30:18.160 For the world. 00:30:18.160 --> 00:30:18.420 For the world. 00:30:18.420 --> 00:30:18.860 For the world. 00:30:18.860 --> 00:30:19.300 For the world. 00:30:19.300 --> 00:30:20.000 For the world. 00:30:20.000 --> 00:30:20.560 For the world. 00:30:20.560 --> 00:30:21.420 So Christian. 00:30:21.540 --> 00:30:21.940 I wonder. 00:30:22.840 --> 00:30:24.160 Will you too. 00:30:24.660 --> 00:30:25.180 Take up. 00:30:25.580 --> 00:30:27.140 This noble example. 00:30:27.140 --> 00:30:28.460 Of the Bereans. 00:30:29.680 --> 00:30:30.900 And daily. 00:30:31.220 --> 00:30:31.779 Eagerly. 00:30:31.900 --> 00:30:33.080 Examine the scriptures. 00:30:33.279 --> 00:30:35.160 To see if these things are so. 00:30:37.540 --> 00:30:39.300 Will you make it a life giving. 00:30:39.440 --> 00:30:40.420 Noble practice. 00:30:40.519 --> 00:30:41.700 To commune with God. 00:30:41.759 --> 00:30:42.320 And his word. 00:30:42.540 --> 00:30:43.680 And to be shaped. 00:30:43.940 --> 00:30:44.720 More and more. 00:30:44.720 --> 00:30:46.299 Into this kingdom. 00:30:46.940 --> 00:30:47.339 Life. 00:30:48.480 --> 00:30:49.620 Maybe one of the reasons. 00:30:49.740 --> 00:30:50.720 We're so bored. 00:30:50.940 --> 00:30:51.980 In our walk with God. 00:30:52.039 --> 00:30:53.100 Is because we're not. 00:30:53.600 --> 00:30:54.839 Actually getting it. 00:30:59.779 --> 00:31:01.039 And if you're not a Christian. 00:31:01.839 --> 00:31:02.299 Yet. 00:31:04.339 --> 00:31:05.860 Will you see through. 00:31:06.380 --> 00:31:08.380 The misrepresentations. 00:31:09.420 --> 00:31:11.180 And really consider the heart. 00:31:11.480 --> 00:31:12.259 Of Christianity. 00:31:12.480 --> 00:31:12.880 This morning. 00:31:12.880 --> 00:31:15.220 That there is a king. 00:31:15.220 --> 00:31:15.840 Who yes. 00:31:16.000 --> 00:31:16.800 Calls you. 00:31:17.520 --> 00:31:19.240 To utmost allegiance. 00:31:19.480 --> 00:31:19.960 And loyalty. 00:31:21.580 --> 00:31:22.960 But who gave himself. 00:31:23.300 --> 00:31:24.180 Fully to prove. 00:31:24.280 --> 00:31:25.520 That he's the only one. 00:31:25.600 --> 00:31:26.800 Who actually deserves it. 00:31:30.960 --> 00:31:32.620 A tale of two cities. 00:31:34.840 --> 00:31:36.100 Which are you this morning. 00:31:38.040 --> 00:31:38.760 Let's pray. 00:31:38.759 --> 00:31:49.839 Let's take a moment. 00:31:49.920 --> 00:31:50.839 And just be quiet. 00:31:51.180 --> 00:31:52.379 Before God together. 00:31:55.019 --> 00:31:56.220 And consider the ways. 00:31:56.319 --> 00:31:57.119 In which our hearts. 00:31:57.319 --> 00:31:58.180 Have been responding. 00:32:00.940 --> 00:32:01.960 To the lordship. 00:32:02.039 --> 00:32:02.599 Of Christ. 00:32:02.599 --> 00:32:02.720 Christ. 00:32:02.720 --> 00:32:10.019 Perhaps there's an area. 00:32:10.200 --> 00:32:10.579 Where we've. 00:32:11.420 --> 00:32:12.339 Been unwilling. 00:32:14.299 --> 00:32:16.039 To fully entrust to him. 00:32:21.740 --> 00:32:22.660 Perhaps you've been. 00:32:23.660 --> 00:32:24.579 Considering Christianity. 00:32:24.579 --> 00:32:25.559 For some time. 00:32:25.640 --> 00:32:26.380 But haven't yet. 00:32:28.059 --> 00:32:29.039 Made a decision. 00:32:29.160 --> 00:32:30.140 To trust in him. 00:32:30.140 --> 00:32:30.740 Father. 00:32:36.740 --> 00:32:37.900 I pray this morning. 00:32:38.780 --> 00:32:41.800 That the message. 00:32:41.800 --> 00:32:42.660 Of your son. 00:32:42.740 --> 00:32:43.480 Jesus Christ. 00:32:43.480 --> 00:32:44.160 Our lord. 00:32:44.500 --> 00:32:45.940 The world's true king. 00:32:47.320 --> 00:32:47.860 Lord. 00:32:47.900 --> 00:32:48.400 That the message. 00:32:48.400 --> 00:32:49.060 Of his cross. 00:32:49.120 --> 00:32:49.700 And resurrection. 00:32:49.700 --> 00:32:50.580 Would melt. 00:32:51.000 --> 00:32:51.880 Our hearts. 00:32:53.740 --> 00:32:55.020 To trust him. 00:32:55.019 --> 00:32:58.119 And by your spirit. 00:32:58.119 --> 00:32:58.900 To live. 00:32:59.460 --> 00:33:00.619 In light of his kingdom. 00:33:04.660 --> 00:33:05.139 Lord. 00:33:05.240 --> 00:33:05.720 We confess. 00:33:05.779 --> 00:33:06.559 It's not easy. 00:33:06.779 --> 00:33:07.519 To have our. 00:33:08.099 --> 00:33:09.079 Comfortable worlds. 00:33:09.200 --> 00:33:10.240 Turned upside down. 00:33:10.339 --> 00:33:11.859 We've spent so many years. 00:33:12.460 --> 00:33:12.799 Building. 00:33:13.200 --> 00:33:14.139 Our reputations. 00:33:14.139 --> 00:33:15.059 And our prestige. 00:33:15.059 --> 00:33:16.160 And our status. 00:33:16.920 --> 00:33:18.160 We have so much. 00:33:18.379 --> 00:33:18.819 Invested. 00:33:18.940 --> 00:33:19.480 We think. 00:33:20.180 --> 00:33:21.440 In these things. 00:33:22.460 --> 00:33:23.500 That they're painful. 00:33:23.500 --> 00:33:24.279 To think about. 00:33:24.279 --> 00:33:26.639 Letting go. 00:33:26.819 --> 00:33:27.839 Or sitting loose to. 00:33:28.000 --> 00:33:29.200 Or not considering. 00:33:29.339 --> 00:33:30.119 Ultimate anymore. 00:33:34.379 --> 00:33:35.220 And yet. 00:33:36.299 --> 00:33:37.180 The glory. 00:33:37.299 --> 00:33:38.039 Of knowing you. 00:33:40.200 --> 00:33:41.099 How does it not. 00:33:41.099 --> 00:33:42.359 Outstrip all these things. 00:33:43.059 --> 00:33:43.500 Father. 00:33:43.660 --> 00:33:44.799 Impress it upon our hearts. 00:33:44.920 --> 00:33:45.399 We pray. 00:33:46.980 --> 00:33:47.460 Amen. 00:33:52.019 --> 00:33:52.639 Well friends. 00:33:52.700 --> 00:33:53.319 We're going to worship. 00:33:53.319 --> 00:33:54.139 This king. 00:33:54.139 --> 00:33:54.659 Together. 00:33:54.659 --> 00:33:55.639 In song. 00:33:55.639 --> 00:33:56.419 As we respond. 00:33:56.579 --> 00:33:57.299 So let's stand. 00:33:57.859 --> 00:33:58.740 And let's sing together. 00:33:58.740 --> 00:34:00.160 Perhaps. 00:34:00.160 --> 00:34:02.980 Thank you. 00:34:09.760 --> 00:34:10.159 Once. 00:34:10.280 --> 00:34:11.079 Harvest. 00:34:11.159 --> 00:34:11.199 Once. 00:34:11.199 --> 00:34:13.019 Once. 00:34:13.019 --> 00:34:13.059 Now. 00:34:13.059 --> 00:34:13.420 இர. 00:34:13.420 --> 00:34:13.920 If. 00:34:13.920 --> 00:34:14.059 You were. 00:34:14.059 --> 00:34:14.260 Four. 00:34:14.260 --> 00:34:14.920 I'm forgiven. 00:34:14.920 --> 00:34:16.840 Because. 00:34:16.920 --> 00:34:17.400 You were. 00:34:17.400 --> 00:34:18.019 Forgiven. 00:34:18.019 --> 00:34:18.920 Forgiven. 00:34:18.920 --> 00:34:20.800 Because. 00:34:20.960 --> 00:34:21.480 You were. 00:34:21.619 --> 00:34:22.579 Forsaken. 00:34:22.679 --> 00:34:27.079 Unaccepted. 00:34:27.079 --> 00:34:29.579 You were condemned 00:34:29.579 --> 00:34:33.759 I would lie to them 00:34:33.759 --> 00:34:37.079 Your spirit is within me 00:34:37.079 --> 00:34:42.860 Because you died and rose again 00:34:42.860 --> 00:34:47.860 Sin had bound me 00:34:47.860 --> 00:34:51.779 But your mercy freed me 00:34:51.779 --> 00:34:54.079 Your grace was given me