WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:29.980 Please do open your Bibles back up to Acts chapter 9, Acts chapter 9, verses 32 to 43. 00:00:29.980 --> 00:00:36.640 That we would be built up, your church would be built up, and the whole world would be filled with your glory. Amen. 00:00:40.060 --> 00:00:47.900 I wonder what your gut, your instantaneous answer to the question would be if I asked you, what is Jesus doing right now? 00:00:48.900 --> 00:00:51.640 What is Jesus doing right now? 00:00:53.500 --> 00:00:59.540 You might say, in the language of the creeds and of Psalm 110, Jesus is seated at the right hand of God. That's good. 00:00:59.979 --> 00:01:01.099 Point. You get a point for that. 00:01:02.140 --> 00:01:05.539 You might go a bit further. You might use the language of Paul in Romans 8. 00:01:05.599 --> 00:01:08.599 He's seated at the right hand of God, and he's interceding for us. 00:01:08.640 --> 00:01:10.259 You have two points for that. 00:01:11.599 --> 00:01:14.500 You might think Jesus isn't doing very much right now. 00:01:14.739 --> 00:01:18.659 You might look around at the world and think, what is Jesus doing right now? 00:01:18.719 --> 00:01:19.439 Where are you, God? 00:01:19.439 --> 00:01:24.980 Well, I can say with confidence, he's not doing nothing right now. 00:01:25.060 --> 00:01:26.000 Jesus is doing something. 00:01:26.099 --> 00:01:27.819 He is seated at the right hand of the Father. 00:01:28.359 --> 00:01:29.840 He's interceding for his people. 00:01:30.799 --> 00:01:34.140 But there's something else that Jesus is doing right now. 00:01:35.099 --> 00:01:36.939 There's something that Jesus is doing right now. 00:01:37.060 --> 00:01:40.039 He's doing it in Acts chapter 9 that we read earlier. 00:01:40.120 --> 00:01:44.819 Acts chapter 9 on the coast of the Mediterranean Sea in the late 30s AD. 00:01:44.819 --> 00:01:48.419 And he's doing the same thing in Ealing in 2026. 00:01:49.699 --> 00:01:53.579 Jesus, in his own words, is building his church. 00:01:53.679 --> 00:01:54.379 And we just sang it. 00:01:54.439 --> 00:01:56.099 Jesus is building his church. 00:01:57.500 --> 00:02:00.759 The line comes from Matthew chapter 16. 00:02:00.879 --> 00:02:04.679 But it's actually, it's perfectly true of the whole of the book of Acts. 00:02:04.780 --> 00:02:06.759 It could even be the subtitle for the book of Acts. 00:02:06.819 --> 00:02:09.699 It could say, Acts, Jesus is building his church. 00:02:09.699 --> 00:02:15.139 In fact, it's been said before, the book of Acts is, the full title is the Acts of the Apostles. 00:02:15.299 --> 00:02:18.979 But you could describe it as the Acts of the Holy Spirit through the Apostles. 00:02:19.259 --> 00:02:21.759 Or even the Acts of the Lord Jesus. 00:02:23.299 --> 00:02:25.019 Luke makes that clear. 00:02:25.139 --> 00:02:28.199 That that is his intention to display that throughout the whole of the book. 00:02:28.479 --> 00:02:30.500 In the very first verse of Acts. 00:02:30.639 --> 00:02:32.679 In Acts chapter 1, verse 1. 00:02:33.219 --> 00:02:35.699 Luke writes to the person he's writing to. 00:02:35.780 --> 00:02:38.299 In the first book, Theophilus, the guy he's writing to. 00:02:38.300 --> 00:02:43.520 I have dealt with all that Jesus began to do and to teach. 00:02:44.280 --> 00:02:50.240 The first book, Luke's Gospel, deals with all that Jesus began to do and to teach. 00:02:50.340 --> 00:02:51.080 What's the implication? 00:02:51.260 --> 00:02:57.240 This book, the second book, Acts, deals with what Jesus is continuing to do and to teach. 00:02:57.280 --> 00:02:58.660 And what does he continue to do? 00:02:59.160 --> 00:03:01.920 He continues to build his church. 00:03:03.180 --> 00:03:05.900 That is what the book of Acts documents. 00:03:05.900 --> 00:03:08.719 It is this global expansion of the church. 00:03:08.819 --> 00:03:15.460 The church starts in Jerusalem and it spreads to Judea and then to Samaria and then to the ends of the earth. 00:03:17.140 --> 00:03:19.580 That is what you see as you read through the book of Acts. 00:03:19.659 --> 00:03:21.819 That's Jesus' promise that is fulfilled. 00:03:21.960 --> 00:03:24.500 In the first seven chapters, you see the church in Jerusalem. 00:03:24.980 --> 00:03:27.060 The church in Jerusalem is growing. 00:03:27.319 --> 00:03:28.280 It is successful. 00:03:28.280 --> 00:03:29.919 The disciples are preaching the word. 00:03:29.919 --> 00:03:34.740 And chapter seven, it culminates with Stephen's speech in Jerusalem. 00:03:35.120 --> 00:03:39.719 And he gets stoned and the believers are scattered across the region. 00:03:41.039 --> 00:03:43.039 It's a bad time to use a football phrase. 00:03:43.139 --> 00:03:45.620 But they do think it's all over at that point. 00:03:45.740 --> 00:03:46.920 But it's not all over. 00:03:47.099 --> 00:03:52.979 Because as the persecution increases, the spread of the gospel also increases. 00:03:52.979 --> 00:03:55.899 They're persecuted in Jerusalem. 00:03:55.899 --> 00:03:56.859 So what do they do? 00:03:57.239 --> 00:03:59.319 Philip travels to Samaria. 00:03:59.819 --> 00:04:02.839 Samaritans, only half Jewish, receive the Holy Spirit. 00:04:03.039 --> 00:04:04.259 Jesus is building his church. 00:04:05.099 --> 00:04:10.439 Philip then goes on the road to Gaza and meets the Ethiopian eunuch who receives the Holy Spirit. 00:04:12.259 --> 00:04:17.899 And then in chapter nine, we get the blockbuster conversion of Saul, once persecutor of the church. 00:04:17.899 --> 00:04:25.839 And now Jesus' instrument to carry his name, not to Jews, not to half Jews, Samaritans, but to the Gentiles. 00:04:26.759 --> 00:04:28.739 The gospel is going out. 00:04:28.899 --> 00:04:30.459 Jesus is building his church. 00:04:31.379 --> 00:04:39.519 And just after what we read in chapter 10, you get Peter's monumental vision as Jesus declares all foods clean. 00:04:39.779 --> 00:04:43.479 And the Gentiles coming into the church do not need to become Jews. 00:04:43.579 --> 00:04:45.159 They do not need to live like Jews. 00:04:45.160 --> 00:04:51.420 They are welcomed into the church as the Roman centurion Cornelius and his whole household receive the Holy Spirit. 00:04:52.040 --> 00:04:54.060 Jesus is building his church. 00:04:55.700 --> 00:05:02.879 And as you read these back-to-back incredible events, you read of Stephen's speech, and then you read of Philip and the Ethiopian, 00:05:02.980 --> 00:05:06.780 and the Samaritans receiving the Holy Spirit, and Paul's conversion, and Peter's vision, 00:05:08.260 --> 00:05:12.700 Acts 9, 32 to 43 feels almost out of place. 00:05:12.699 --> 00:05:15.620 It is a little bit strange. 00:05:16.079 --> 00:05:17.399 It feels strange for a few reasons. 00:05:17.479 --> 00:05:23.459 It feels strange because, for those who are familiar with the Gospels, you begin to wonder, is this really Peter? 00:05:24.139 --> 00:05:25.779 It feels a lot like Jesus. 00:05:25.879 --> 00:05:27.480 It sounds a lot like Jesus. 00:05:28.399 --> 00:05:32.500 Maybe Theophilus is reading Acts, and you think, oh, I thought I read that in the last book. 00:05:32.860 --> 00:05:35.079 Is Luke getting confused here? 00:05:35.079 --> 00:05:42.159 Or maybe Luke is, he's got the camera angle on Paul, but he has to shift it to Peter somehow, 00:05:42.359 --> 00:05:45.919 and so this is his way of introducing Peter back into the story. 00:05:47.379 --> 00:05:53.860 Is this a couple of warm-up miracles before the big event of Cornelius in chapter 10? 00:05:54.819 --> 00:05:57.360 No, this isn't a camera shift. 00:05:57.500 --> 00:05:58.659 This isn't a filler scene. 00:05:59.019 --> 00:06:01.019 This isn't Luke's memory playing up. 00:06:01.019 --> 00:06:07.939 This passage here in Acts chapter 9, I think, illustrates the heartbeat of the book of Acts, 00:06:08.939 --> 00:06:14.740 the Gospel going out, the Word prevailing, Jesus building his church. 00:06:16.159 --> 00:06:19.779 In fact, we see that in the very verse just before this passage. 00:06:19.899 --> 00:06:24.759 In verse 31, we get this great summary of the Gospel work that's been going on. 00:06:24.759 --> 00:06:27.180 Acts 9, 31. 00:06:27.300 --> 00:06:32.639 So the church throughout all Judea and Galilee and Samaria had peace and was being built up, 00:06:33.259 --> 00:06:39.099 and walking in the fear of the Lord and in the comfort of the Holy Spirit, it multiplied. 00:06:40.259 --> 00:06:45.099 The church throughout all Judea and Galilee and Samaria is being built up and multiplying, 00:06:45.680 --> 00:06:48.259 and that's almost like the hyperlink, and you click on the hyperlink, 00:06:48.319 --> 00:06:53.039 and it takes you into these two episodes, these two miracles, Aeneas and Tabitha. 00:06:53.040 --> 00:06:59.480 And Luke is illustrating, he's displaying exactly how it is that the church is being built up, 00:06:59.580 --> 00:07:03.760 how it is that they're walking in the fear of the Lord and in the comfort of the Holy Spirit. 00:07:04.960 --> 00:07:08.939 Jesus is building his church, and we're going to see how he does it. 00:07:08.960 --> 00:07:13.879 And the first way that we see Jesus building his church is that he heals and he restores. 00:07:14.920 --> 00:07:16.280 That's our first point this morning. 00:07:16.379 --> 00:07:17.780 Jesus heals and restores. 00:07:17.779 --> 00:07:25.000 While it is about Peter, these passages, Peter looks like he's the active player in the game, 00:07:25.099 --> 00:07:26.500 but really it's not about Peter. 00:07:26.959 --> 00:07:27.879 It is all about Jesus. 00:07:28.039 --> 00:07:29.779 It is Jesus who is doing the healing. 00:07:31.500 --> 00:07:36.819 In verse 32, Peter is going here and there among those churches in Galilee and Judea and Samaria. 00:07:38.119 --> 00:07:43.319 He's visiting the saints, and he comes down from Samaria into the northwest of Judea to a place called Lydda, 00:07:43.319 --> 00:07:46.199 and he finds a man named Aeneas. 00:07:47.659 --> 00:07:50.860 Aeneas, the name means praiseworthy. 00:07:51.839 --> 00:07:56.540 But as you meet Luke's description of Aeneas, he's not particularly praiseworthy. 00:07:56.639 --> 00:08:01.360 I don't mean to be derogatory, but he's a paralyzed man who's been on his bed for eight years. 00:08:02.620 --> 00:08:03.699 And what does Peter do? 00:08:05.060 --> 00:08:08.539 Peter says to him, Aeneas, Jesus Christ heals you. 00:08:09.000 --> 00:08:10.139 Rise and make your bed. 00:08:10.139 --> 00:08:11.959 And he does. 00:08:13.079 --> 00:08:14.539 Jesus heals Aeneas. 00:08:17.279 --> 00:08:26.479 At the same time, in nearby Joppa, a believer named Tabitha in Aramaic, Dorcas in Greek, falls ill and she dies. 00:08:28.379 --> 00:08:30.419 Tabitha is well known by her church. 00:08:30.500 --> 00:08:31.659 She's loved by her church. 00:08:32.379 --> 00:08:37.240 She's full of good works and acts of charity, literally almsgiving. 00:08:37.379 --> 00:08:39.759 She's a woman of means, and she uses her means for good. 00:08:39.759 --> 00:08:40.679 She gives to the poor. 00:08:41.120 --> 00:08:45.419 She shows that she has money or income, and she makes wonderful garments. 00:08:46.799 --> 00:08:53.759 It seems as though she's one of the widows in the church, and they're there, weeping, mourning, where she's laid in an upper room. 00:08:55.439 --> 00:08:56.960 And so Peter is sent for. 00:08:57.819 --> 00:08:59.960 And Peter goes to where Tabitha is laid. 00:08:59.960 --> 00:09:02.720 And he kneels down, and he prays. 00:09:03.320 --> 00:09:06.060 And he says to her, Tabitha, arise. 00:09:07.060 --> 00:09:07.759 And she does. 00:09:08.960 --> 00:09:11.040 Jesus restores Tabitha. 00:09:12.120 --> 00:09:16.019 Peter says explicitly to Aeneas, it is Jesus Christ who heals you. 00:09:16.019 --> 00:09:23.679 And he implicitly reveals that it is Jesus Christ who heals Tabitha as he prays to his Lord and his Master for her to be raised up. 00:09:24.379 --> 00:09:25.939 Jesus heals and restores. 00:09:27.679 --> 00:09:32.620 But then when we see that it's Jesus doing it, we have to ask the question, why is Peter there at all? 00:09:33.539 --> 00:09:35.279 Why did they need Peter? 00:09:36.559 --> 00:09:39.679 There are saints there in Lydda that he's gone to visit. 00:09:39.679 --> 00:09:41.739 Why couldn't one of them do it? 00:09:42.359 --> 00:09:45.739 Why did he have to go when there's a group of disciples in Joppa? 00:09:46.199 --> 00:09:51.179 Why is Tabitha so praiseworthy indeed, unable to heal herself? 00:09:51.899 --> 00:09:53.359 Is she lacking in faith? 00:09:54.299 --> 00:09:57.079 Why is Aeneas, praiseworthy in name, paralyzed? 00:09:57.339 --> 00:09:58.559 Is he lacking in faith? 00:10:00.799 --> 00:10:02.500 Peter was needed. 00:10:03.339 --> 00:10:05.599 Peter was sent for by the disciples. 00:10:05.600 --> 00:10:13.600 God ordained for Peter to be in those places because Peter was a capital A, as we say, capital A apostle. 00:10:15.200 --> 00:10:22.220 As readers of Acts, Luke is reminding us here, just before the episode with Cornelius, who it is that Peter is. 00:10:22.340 --> 00:10:26.100 We're getting Peter's credentials as one of the apostles. 00:10:27.399 --> 00:10:32.960 Peter was one of the twelve who walked with Jesus in his earthly ministry from his baptism to his burial. 00:10:32.960 --> 00:10:39.500 He follows in the footsteps in Jesus' life, and then he follows in Jesus' footsteps here. 00:10:39.920 --> 00:10:41.660 We're meant to make that connection. 00:10:41.900 --> 00:10:43.259 It's not misremembering. 00:10:43.660 --> 00:10:47.800 We're meant to make the connection between Peter and Jesus. 00:10:48.720 --> 00:10:53.940 Just as Jesus told the paralytic to take up his mat and walk in Luke chapter 5, 00:10:54.840 --> 00:10:58.480 Peter tells Aeneas to rise and make his bed in Acts 9. 00:10:58.480 --> 00:11:05.759 Just as Jesus tells all the mourners to leave the house in Luke chapter 8, 00:11:06.300 --> 00:11:11.920 Peter puts all the mourners and the widows and the tunics and garments out of the house in Acts chapter 9. 00:11:13.440 --> 00:11:19.379 Jesus says to Jairus' daughter, little girl, or in Aramaic, Talitha, arise. 00:11:20.279 --> 00:11:22.759 Peter tells Tabitha to arise. 00:11:22.840 --> 00:11:26.139 There's one letter difference, a beta and a lambda, a B and an L. 00:11:26.139 --> 00:11:33.199 I think that's why Luke includes the Aramaic name, is so that we can make that connection between the two. 00:11:34.100 --> 00:11:38.120 Luke wants us to see the similarity between Jesus and Peter. 00:11:38.480 --> 00:11:44.899 He wants us to know that Peter is an apostle holding a special office in church history. 00:11:44.899 --> 00:11:51.620 So we have Peter following in the footsteps of Jesus. 00:11:51.779 --> 00:11:57.259 Peter is being authenticated as an apostle, as part of this long line throughout the Bible, 00:11:58.059 --> 00:12:02.480 of prophets and apostles like Moses and Joshua, like Elijah and Elisha, 00:12:03.220 --> 00:12:05.579 of those who work signs and wonders. 00:12:06.699 --> 00:12:10.559 Peter is the one who Jesus is acting through as an apostle. 00:12:10.559 --> 00:12:18.559 But that is also why we would say that this sort of miraculous activity isn't normative today. 00:12:19.259 --> 00:12:21.019 It's not expected today. 00:12:21.139 --> 00:12:28.219 We don't expect something to happen through an apostolic conduit in the same way. 00:12:29.219 --> 00:12:31.359 Now, we need to be careful when we say that. 00:12:31.519 --> 00:12:38.539 That is not in the slightest to say that God cannot or does not work in miraculous ways still. 00:12:38.539 --> 00:12:42.419 We know that deep down because we pray for God to heal people. 00:12:43.139 --> 00:12:45.099 We pray for God to heal those who are sick. 00:12:45.559 --> 00:12:47.059 We pray for God to end suffering. 00:12:47.860 --> 00:12:49.779 We pray to ask God for healing. 00:12:51.059 --> 00:12:56.240 In fact, as we're going to see, God arguably works in the most miraculous way 00:12:56.240 --> 00:12:59.959 of bringing those who are dead in sin to life in Christ. 00:13:00.819 --> 00:13:04.379 He turns those who have hearts of stone to have hearts of flesh. 00:13:04.379 --> 00:13:13.139 But the office of apostle that Peter held is not one that continues today. 00:13:13.259 --> 00:13:18.960 Peter did not appoint an apostolic heir, someone to continue his healing ministry. 00:13:20.059 --> 00:13:25.659 In fact, as you read the narrative, I don't think the miracles, the climaxes, 00:13:25.720 --> 00:13:28.019 they're not the high points of the narrative. 00:13:28.019 --> 00:13:36.059 It is rather the locals turning to Christ that is the high point in verses 35 and verse 42. 00:13:37.379 --> 00:13:42.179 The result of these miracles isn't Peter setting up this traveling ministry 00:13:42.179 --> 00:13:44.039 where he goes around healing and raising people. 00:13:44.679 --> 00:13:49.740 The result of these miracles is that Christ is exalted, not Peter is exalted. 00:13:50.759 --> 00:13:55.960 In fact, that's a very easy rule of thumb to tell a genuine ministry from a false ministry. 00:13:55.960 --> 00:13:59.639 Who is being exalted? Is it creature or creator? 00:14:00.100 --> 00:14:01.240 Is it man or God? 00:14:01.340 --> 00:14:04.460 And here, it is clearly the Lord Jesus who's being exalted. 00:14:05.480 --> 00:14:08.120 It is the Lord Jesus who is healing and restoring. 00:14:09.960 --> 00:14:12.360 And so the same is true for us today. 00:14:12.519 --> 00:14:16.300 While there are no apostles, it's not normative but not impossible 00:14:16.300 --> 00:14:19.280 for the paralyzed to walk, for the dead to rise. 00:14:19.420 --> 00:14:21.860 Jesus is still building his church in this way 00:14:21.860 --> 00:14:26.740 by healing and restoring those who are dead in sin to life in Christ. 00:14:28.120 --> 00:14:31.580 Now, while Aeneas was healed, while he could walk again, 00:14:32.360 --> 00:14:34.980 he wasn't given a perfect resurrection body. 00:14:35.560 --> 00:14:40.680 He would likely grow old and maybe lose the better use of his legs, 00:14:40.779 --> 00:14:42.759 maybe completely lose the use of his legs. 00:14:43.539 --> 00:14:45.080 Tabitha was raised from the dead. 00:14:45.580 --> 00:14:46.600 She would die again. 00:14:46.600 --> 00:14:53.460 But Jesus is building his church not in these temporary physical healings, 00:14:53.740 --> 00:14:58.500 but through the inward regenerative healing and restoration 00:14:58.500 --> 00:15:02.120 of people from sin to new life with him. 00:15:03.399 --> 00:15:06.680 This is the way that Jesus has been building his church for two millennia 00:15:06.680 --> 00:15:11.139 as the church spread from Jerusalem to Judea to Sumeria to the ends of the earth. 00:15:11.139 --> 00:15:16.279 This is the way that Jesus is building his church in England and across the globe. 00:15:19.699 --> 00:15:22.240 And in fact, we can forget, can't we, 00:15:22.299 --> 00:15:26.039 that every person who becomes a Christian, 00:15:26.159 --> 00:15:28.840 every convert, every adult baptism, 00:15:29.159 --> 00:15:32.539 every covenant child who holds fast to their baptism 00:15:32.539 --> 00:15:36.980 is not a number on a church spreadsheet or a church growth chart, 00:15:36.980 --> 00:15:41.960 but someone born in sin and raised to newness of life in Christ. 00:15:42.860 --> 00:15:47.240 Angels rejoice over each one that Jesus heals and restores. 00:15:48.200 --> 00:15:50.920 So if someone asks us, what is Jesus doing now? 00:15:51.420 --> 00:15:54.460 Why aren't there miracles going on if Jesus is real, 00:15:54.539 --> 00:15:56.420 if Jesus is living and working? 00:15:57.139 --> 00:15:57.639 There are. 00:15:58.379 --> 00:16:02.000 Jesus is raising those who are dead in sin every day. 00:16:03.300 --> 00:16:04.620 Jesus heals and restores. 00:16:04.759 --> 00:16:05.659 Jesus works miracles. 00:16:05.659 --> 00:16:08.679 And that is how he is building his church. 00:16:09.559 --> 00:16:14.419 Those that he heals and restores are raised to newness of life in him. 00:16:16.000 --> 00:16:20.199 But that also means that as those raised to newness of life in him, 00:16:20.399 --> 00:16:24.100 they are different to the way they were before. 00:16:25.120 --> 00:16:29.759 Those who are healed and those who are restored live transformed lives. 00:16:30.959 --> 00:16:32.399 That's our second point this morning. 00:16:32.399 --> 00:16:34.459 Jesus transforms lives. 00:16:35.659 --> 00:16:38.379 As we read those two episodes, 00:16:38.500 --> 00:16:41.219 there's two really clear examples of transformed lives, right? 00:16:41.579 --> 00:16:42.639 There's Aeneas and Tabitha. 00:16:43.639 --> 00:16:46.939 Imagine Aeneas' life is completely different after this event. 00:16:47.819 --> 00:16:51.600 Can you imagine after eight years of being bedbound, 00:16:52.120 --> 00:16:52.919 unable to stand, 00:16:53.039 --> 00:16:55.939 you suddenly regain the perfect use of your legs? 00:16:55.940 --> 00:16:59.560 All those things that would have required assistance, 00:16:59.560 --> 00:17:00.560 getting up in the morning, 00:17:00.560 --> 00:17:02.000 going to the markets, 00:17:02.420 --> 00:17:03.420 going to church. 00:17:03.760 --> 00:17:05.279 You can suddenly do all on your own. 00:17:06.500 --> 00:17:08.860 Those things that were completely impossible, 00:17:09.620 --> 00:17:12.559 just going for a walk and looking at beautiful litter, 00:17:13.160 --> 00:17:13.900 going for a run, 00:17:14.100 --> 00:17:15.480 doing the local park run, 00:17:15.720 --> 00:17:17.860 is suddenly an achievable thing. 00:17:17.920 --> 00:17:18.640 He can do that. 00:17:18.640 --> 00:17:21.140 His life has been completely transformed. 00:17:22.560 --> 00:17:26.759 But the irony is that while we see those lives transformed, 00:17:27.700 --> 00:17:31.220 they're not the transformed lives that Jesus is building the church with. 00:17:31.920 --> 00:17:36.740 Again, we see that the transformed lives are those of believers. 00:17:36.740 --> 00:17:39.200 These illustrations, 00:17:39.660 --> 00:17:43.920 or they're like physical illustrations of Aeneas and Tabitha. 00:17:44.279 --> 00:17:45.440 They both really happened, 00:17:45.660 --> 00:17:47.359 but they illustrate the deeper, 00:17:48.180 --> 00:17:49.039 the greater, 00:17:49.220 --> 00:17:52.539 the spiritual work by which Jesus is building his church. 00:17:54.559 --> 00:17:57.940 The book of Acts is full of these summary statements, 00:17:58.039 --> 00:17:59.620 like the one we read in verse 31, 00:17:59.980 --> 00:18:03.319 where Luke kind of interjects into the narrative 00:18:03.319 --> 00:18:06.099 that the Lord added to the number of believers day by day, 00:18:06.099 --> 00:18:09.059 or the word of God multiplied and increased. 00:18:09.639 --> 00:18:12.599 The number of disciples grew and multiplied greatly. 00:18:13.500 --> 00:18:16.959 And this passage has these two mini summary statements in it, 00:18:17.459 --> 00:18:19.639 building on that one in verse 31. 00:18:20.879 --> 00:18:22.099 We have in verse 35, 00:18:22.839 --> 00:18:25.699 all the residents of Lydda and Sharon saw him, 00:18:25.879 --> 00:18:26.559 saw Aeneas, 00:18:27.179 --> 00:18:28.799 and they turned to the Lord. 00:18:30.099 --> 00:18:31.559 And then in verse 42, 00:18:32.659 --> 00:18:33.740 it and it, 00:18:33.740 --> 00:18:37.740 Tabitha's resurrection became known throughout all Joppa, 00:18:38.099 --> 00:18:39.980 and many believed in the Lord. 00:18:41.599 --> 00:18:42.339 In Lydda, 00:18:42.420 --> 00:18:43.960 they turn to the Lord. 00:18:45.000 --> 00:18:45.759 In Joppa, 00:18:45.859 --> 00:18:47.279 they believe in the Lord. 00:18:47.380 --> 00:18:48.539 We have turning to the Lord. 00:18:48.620 --> 00:18:49.960 We have believing in the Lord. 00:18:50.059 --> 00:18:52.720 We have repentance and faith. 00:18:53.000 --> 00:18:54.900 The two sides of the coin, 00:18:55.079 --> 00:18:57.279 or as one Puritan phrased it, 00:18:57.299 --> 00:18:59.359 the two wings by which we fly to heaven. 00:18:59.359 --> 00:19:00.939 Repentance and faith, 00:19:01.079 --> 00:19:02.519 turning and believing. 00:19:03.179 --> 00:19:07.019 Just like Jesus' very first words in Mark chapter 1, 00:19:07.139 --> 00:19:09.439 repent and believe the good news. 00:19:11.519 --> 00:19:15.199 Repentance and faith mark the new beginning, 00:19:15.339 --> 00:19:18.219 the total change of the believer's life. 00:19:18.220 --> 00:19:20.759 They were once dead in Adam. 00:19:20.900 --> 00:19:22.339 They are now alive in Christ. 00:19:22.460 --> 00:19:23.839 They were once a sinner, 00:19:24.200 --> 00:19:25.480 and they are now a saint. 00:19:26.360 --> 00:19:30.019 All because they have turned from their sin to God, 00:19:30.579 --> 00:19:32.440 and they have put their faith in Christ. 00:19:33.940 --> 00:19:35.360 And the healing of Aeneas, 00:19:35.700 --> 00:19:36.960 and the raising of Dorcas, 00:19:37.079 --> 00:19:40.299 they illustrate this internal transformation 00:19:40.299 --> 00:19:42.720 which Jesus is building his church with. 00:19:43.880 --> 00:19:45.600 Sinners repent and believe. 00:19:45.599 --> 00:19:47.219 They turn to God, 00:19:47.299 --> 00:19:48.179 and they believe. 00:19:48.679 --> 00:19:49.480 And as they do so, 00:19:49.559 --> 00:19:52.219 they are inwardly and they are outwardly transformed. 00:19:55.539 --> 00:19:56.779 Turning to the Lord 00:19:56.779 --> 00:19:58.819 has been God's call to his people 00:19:58.819 --> 00:20:01.119 all throughout the biblical narrative. 00:20:02.199 --> 00:20:03.599 In Deuteronomy chapter 30, 00:20:03.779 --> 00:20:04.219 he writes, 00:20:04.379 --> 00:20:06.099 Turn to the Lord with all your heart 00:20:06.099 --> 00:20:07.379 and with all your soul. 00:20:08.599 --> 00:20:09.759 Isaiah chapter 45, 00:20:10.019 --> 00:20:11.659 Turn to me and be saved, 00:20:11.859 --> 00:20:13.240 all the ends of the earth. 00:20:14.359 --> 00:20:15.299 Psalm 22, 00:20:15.299 --> 00:20:16.659 All the ends of the earth 00:20:16.659 --> 00:20:18.399 shall remember and turn to the Lord. 00:20:19.559 --> 00:20:22.200 And just as Jesus told the disciples in Acts 1 00:20:22.200 --> 00:20:24.240 that all the ends of the earth will turn to him, 00:20:24.619 --> 00:20:26.940 we are seeing that fulfilled in Acts 9. 00:20:27.819 --> 00:20:29.119 All the ends of the earth, 00:20:29.940 --> 00:20:32.879 whether in Jerusalem or Judea or Samaria, 00:20:33.639 --> 00:20:35.359 they are turning to the Lord. 00:20:35.359 --> 00:20:38.339 Now, 00:20:38.939 --> 00:20:40.479 turning repentance 00:20:40.479 --> 00:20:41.659 is, 00:20:42.319 --> 00:20:42.819 like I said, 00:20:42.899 --> 00:20:45.359 is the other side of that two-sided coin, 00:20:45.500 --> 00:20:46.759 repentance and faith. 00:20:47.139 --> 00:20:50.439 And faith is the side that we talk a lot about. 00:20:50.839 --> 00:20:53.799 And repentance is the side that is often, 00:20:54.399 --> 00:20:55.539 I believe, 00:20:55.619 --> 00:20:56.039 neglected. 00:20:56.579 --> 00:20:58.279 We don't talk about it quite so much. 00:20:58.279 --> 00:21:00.000 So, 00:21:00.099 --> 00:21:02.279 we're going to talk about repentance. 00:21:03.940 --> 00:21:04.460 Puritans 00:21:04.460 --> 00:21:07.420 had an uncanny ability 00:21:07.420 --> 00:21:08.759 to flesh out 00:21:08.759 --> 00:21:10.899 what you'd think is a small topic 00:21:10.899 --> 00:21:12.180 in ways you could never imagine. 00:21:12.899 --> 00:21:13.759 In Thomas Watson, 00:21:14.379 --> 00:21:15.099 his book, 00:21:15.339 --> 00:21:16.940 The Doctrine of Repentance, 00:21:17.099 --> 00:21:19.059 he gives us six ingredients 00:21:19.059 --> 00:21:20.119 that make up 00:21:20.119 --> 00:21:22.500 the spiritual medicine 00:21:22.500 --> 00:21:23.660 of true repentance. 00:21:23.660 --> 00:21:23.900 repentance. 00:21:24.820 --> 00:21:25.019 And, 00:21:25.140 --> 00:21:26.400 like all good Puritans do, 00:21:26.500 --> 00:21:27.320 each of those ingredients 00:21:27.320 --> 00:21:28.100 has subpoints, 00:21:28.580 --> 00:21:29.400 and the subpoints 00:21:29.400 --> 00:21:30.180 have subpoints. 00:21:30.740 --> 00:21:31.600 And if you're lucky, 00:21:32.040 --> 00:21:33.019 the subpoints subpoints 00:21:33.019 --> 00:21:34.779 don't have another subpoint to them. 00:21:35.900 --> 00:21:37.180 One of his ingredients, 00:21:37.240 --> 00:21:38.100 I won't give you all of them, 00:21:38.220 --> 00:21:39.700 one of Watson's ingredients 00:21:39.700 --> 00:21:41.279 of true repentance 00:21:41.279 --> 00:21:44.820 is turning from sin 00:21:44.820 --> 00:21:46.800 and to God. 00:21:47.880 --> 00:21:50.820 That is the natural aspect 00:21:50.820 --> 00:21:52.500 or the double aspect of repentance. 00:21:52.500 --> 00:21:54.299 It is turning from one thing 00:21:54.299 --> 00:21:56.019 to another thing. 00:21:56.799 --> 00:21:57.819 Leaving behind 00:21:57.819 --> 00:21:58.960 the old way of life. 00:21:59.500 --> 00:22:00.779 Putting off the old man. 00:22:00.900 --> 00:22:01.940 Putting on the new man. 00:22:03.640 --> 00:22:04.960 We could maybe use 00:22:04.960 --> 00:22:06.660 some sanctified imagination 00:22:06.660 --> 00:22:08.319 and think about 00:22:08.319 --> 00:22:09.759 the residents of Lydda 00:22:09.759 --> 00:22:11.180 and Sharon and Joppa. 00:22:12.460 --> 00:22:14.119 After these two episodes 00:22:14.119 --> 00:22:15.539 of Aeneas and Tabitha, 00:22:16.180 --> 00:22:17.539 word spreads around the region. 00:22:18.779 --> 00:22:19.839 Somebody nearby says, 00:22:19.960 --> 00:22:20.960 did you hear about 00:22:20.960 --> 00:22:21.960 what happened in Joppa? 00:22:22.500 --> 00:22:23.019 And they say, 00:22:23.099 --> 00:22:23.900 what are you talking about? 00:22:24.299 --> 00:22:24.920 Are you talking about 00:22:24.920 --> 00:22:25.660 what happened with Aeneas? 00:22:25.720 --> 00:22:26.759 No, I'm not talking about that. 00:22:26.839 --> 00:22:27.880 I'm talking about the way 00:22:27.880 --> 00:22:29.059 that the people lived there. 00:22:30.140 --> 00:22:31.759 They used to be adulterers. 00:22:32.200 --> 00:22:33.960 They used to be swindlers, 00:22:34.319 --> 00:22:35.000 idolatrous. 00:22:35.000 --> 00:22:38.980 But now they are full of love 00:22:38.980 --> 00:22:40.160 for their friends 00:22:40.160 --> 00:22:41.440 and love for their enemies. 00:22:42.059 --> 00:22:43.400 They have changed. 00:22:43.579 --> 00:22:44.539 They've turned. 00:22:46.380 --> 00:22:47.440 And what about in Joppa? 00:22:47.559 --> 00:22:48.599 They used to be 00:22:48.599 --> 00:22:50.500 this prideful, 00:22:50.579 --> 00:22:51.539 pharisaical bunch. 00:22:51.599 --> 00:22:52.400 And now there are people 00:22:52.400 --> 00:22:54.619 marked by faith in Christ. 00:22:56.680 --> 00:22:57.680 Maybe Peter 00:22:57.680 --> 00:22:59.359 or someone from the Jerusalem church 00:22:59.359 --> 00:23:00.359 would write them a letter 00:23:00.359 --> 00:23:01.559 similar to Paul's letter 00:23:01.559 --> 00:23:03.019 to Thessalonians saying, 00:23:03.619 --> 00:23:05.200 word of your turning 00:23:05.200 --> 00:23:06.659 from idols to God 00:23:06.659 --> 00:23:07.859 has gone around 00:23:07.859 --> 00:23:08.819 the local region. 00:23:14.460 --> 00:23:16.419 That's what we see here. 00:23:16.559 --> 00:23:17.559 All the residents 00:23:17.559 --> 00:23:19.299 turn to the Lord. 00:23:21.839 --> 00:23:22.299 Watson, 00:23:22.299 --> 00:23:23.299 Thomas Watson, 00:23:23.659 --> 00:23:25.339 writes on this turning 00:23:25.339 --> 00:23:26.059 from sin, 00:23:26.059 --> 00:23:29.179 is turning from sin 00:23:29.179 --> 00:23:30.500 a necessary ingredient 00:23:30.500 --> 00:23:31.139 in repentance? 00:23:32.240 --> 00:23:33.159 If so, 00:23:33.940 --> 00:23:35.039 then there is little 00:23:35.039 --> 00:23:36.259 repentance to be found. 00:23:37.259 --> 00:23:38.139 People are not turned 00:23:38.139 --> 00:23:38.919 from their sins. 00:23:39.500 --> 00:23:40.460 They're still the same 00:23:40.460 --> 00:23:41.000 as they were. 00:23:42.419 --> 00:23:43.339 Like beasts 00:23:43.339 --> 00:23:44.299 in Noah's ark, 00:23:44.759 --> 00:23:45.960 they went into the ark 00:23:45.960 --> 00:23:46.599 unclean 00:23:46.599 --> 00:23:47.460 and they came out 00:23:47.460 --> 00:23:47.960 unclean. 00:23:49.519 --> 00:23:50.440 Those are hard words. 00:23:51.419 --> 00:23:52.319 And we should pray 00:23:52.319 --> 00:23:53.000 that that is not 00:23:53.000 --> 00:23:53.879 the case with us. 00:23:53.880 --> 00:23:56.180 We should pray 00:23:56.180 --> 00:23:56.940 to God 00:23:56.940 --> 00:23:57.660 that our repentance 00:23:57.660 --> 00:23:58.320 would be true. 00:23:59.020 --> 00:23:59.840 That if we turn 00:23:59.840 --> 00:24:00.280 from sin, 00:24:00.360 --> 00:24:01.140 we turn from sin 00:24:01.140 --> 00:24:02.180 and don't return 00:24:02.180 --> 00:24:03.020 to sin. 00:24:04.780 --> 00:24:05.860 The difference 00:24:05.860 --> 00:24:07.660 between a repentant 00:24:07.660 --> 00:24:08.200 person, 00:24:08.360 --> 00:24:08.840 someone who was 00:24:08.840 --> 00:24:09.700 turned from sin, 00:24:10.700 --> 00:24:12.320 should be as stark 00:24:12.320 --> 00:24:13.720 as the before 00:24:13.720 --> 00:24:14.320 and after 00:24:14.320 --> 00:24:15.120 of Aeneas. 00:24:16.480 --> 00:24:17.440 Once paralyzed, 00:24:17.560 --> 00:24:18.060 now walking. 00:24:19.180 --> 00:24:20.400 It should be as stark 00:24:20.400 --> 00:24:22.080 as Dorcas, 00:24:22.200 --> 00:24:22.480 dead 00:24:22.480 --> 00:24:23.460 and then alive. 00:24:23.880 --> 00:24:26.560 They say 00:24:26.560 --> 00:24:27.360 that, 00:24:27.600 --> 00:24:28.320 and one 00:24:28.320 --> 00:24:29.400 that I know, 00:24:29.720 --> 00:24:30.380 person who has 00:24:30.380 --> 00:24:31.020 had a near-death 00:24:31.020 --> 00:24:31.800 experience, 00:24:32.380 --> 00:24:33.140 say that it 00:24:33.140 --> 00:24:34.260 completely changed 00:24:34.260 --> 00:24:34.840 their outlook 00:24:34.840 --> 00:24:35.400 on life. 00:24:36.780 --> 00:24:37.660 People say things 00:24:37.660 --> 00:24:38.380 like it's changed 00:24:38.380 --> 00:24:39.060 their lifestyle. 00:24:39.880 --> 00:24:40.880 They go out more. 00:24:40.960 --> 00:24:41.840 They go and enjoy 00:24:41.840 --> 00:24:42.720 the world they're in. 00:24:43.720 --> 00:24:44.520 They change 00:24:44.520 --> 00:24:45.320 their relationships. 00:24:45.880 --> 00:24:47.520 They spend more time 00:24:47.520 --> 00:24:49.000 with their loved ones. 00:24:49.640 --> 00:24:50.920 They change their values 00:24:50.920 --> 00:24:51.440 and the things 00:24:51.440 --> 00:24:52.140 that they prioritize 00:24:52.140 --> 00:24:52.860 in life. 00:24:55.360 --> 00:24:55.820 Tabitha, 00:24:55.900 --> 00:24:56.520 you can imagine, 00:24:56.660 --> 00:24:57.300 if she was full 00:24:57.300 --> 00:24:57.860 of good works 00:24:57.860 --> 00:24:59.280 before this 00:24:59.280 --> 00:25:01.020 beyond near-death 00:25:01.020 --> 00:25:01.580 experience, 00:25:01.700 --> 00:25:02.600 how much more so 00:25:02.600 --> 00:25:03.500 would she be 00:25:03.500 --> 00:25:04.520 after this near-death, 00:25:05.240 --> 00:25:05.900 real-death 00:25:05.900 --> 00:25:06.820 experience? 00:25:06.819 --> 00:25:09.480 And shouldn't the same 00:25:09.480 --> 00:25:10.099 thing be true 00:25:10.099 --> 00:25:10.519 of us? 00:25:11.599 --> 00:25:12.519 We are those 00:25:12.519 --> 00:25:13.039 who were 00:25:13.039 --> 00:25:13.639 dead 00:25:13.639 --> 00:25:15.159 in our sins 00:25:15.159 --> 00:25:16.379 and are alive 00:25:16.379 --> 00:25:16.939 in Christ. 00:25:18.619 --> 00:25:19.359 Would that, 00:25:19.500 --> 00:25:20.099 should that not 00:25:20.099 --> 00:25:21.379 completely change 00:25:21.379 --> 00:25:22.759 the way that we live? 00:25:24.839 --> 00:25:25.839 Our turning 00:25:25.839 --> 00:25:26.980 from sin 00:25:26.980 --> 00:25:27.559 and turning 00:25:27.559 --> 00:25:28.159 to God 00:25:28.159 --> 00:25:29.299 should be obvious, 00:25:29.399 --> 00:25:30.259 it should be apparent 00:25:30.259 --> 00:25:31.399 to everyone 00:25:31.399 --> 00:25:32.279 around us 00:25:32.279 --> 00:25:33.779 so that word 00:25:33.779 --> 00:25:34.480 could go around 00:25:34.480 --> 00:25:34.960 the region 00:25:34.960 --> 00:25:35.399 saying, 00:25:35.539 --> 00:25:35.920 have you heard 00:25:35.920 --> 00:25:36.539 about those guys 00:25:36.539 --> 00:25:36.940 in Ealing? 00:25:39.500 --> 00:25:40.160 Of course, 00:25:40.220 --> 00:25:41.139 we need to be 00:25:41.139 --> 00:25:42.259 careful with this. 00:25:42.980 --> 00:25:44.000 When we talk about 00:25:44.000 --> 00:25:45.200 Jesus transforming 00:25:45.200 --> 00:25:46.000 lives here, 00:25:46.339 --> 00:25:47.259 we're talking about 00:25:47.259 --> 00:25:48.059 sanctification. 00:25:48.440 --> 00:25:49.160 And when we talk 00:25:49.160 --> 00:25:51.200 about Jesus healing, 00:25:51.420 --> 00:25:52.259 as I was earlier, 00:25:52.339 --> 00:25:52.980 we're talking about 00:25:52.980 --> 00:25:53.559 justification. 00:25:54.359 --> 00:25:55.240 Justification is 00:25:55.240 --> 00:25:55.899 what saves. 00:25:56.500 --> 00:25:57.259 Justification is 00:25:57.259 --> 00:25:58.200 what makes us 00:25:58.200 --> 00:25:59.059 right before God, 00:25:59.139 --> 00:25:59.539 not our 00:25:59.539 --> 00:26:00.200 sanctification. 00:26:00.200 --> 00:26:02.860 but the 00:26:02.860 --> 00:26:03.480 sanctification 00:26:03.480 --> 00:26:04.860 is promised 00:26:04.860 --> 00:26:05.680 and it should be 00:26:05.680 --> 00:26:06.740 expected in the 00:26:06.740 --> 00:26:07.039 believer. 00:26:08.600 --> 00:26:09.559 Just because 00:26:09.559 --> 00:26:10.500 we won't be 00:26:10.500 --> 00:26:11.640 perfect in this 00:26:11.640 --> 00:26:13.100 life does not 00:26:13.100 --> 00:26:13.600 give us 00:26:13.600 --> 00:26:15.059 license to sin. 00:26:16.220 --> 00:26:17.279 We should seek 00:26:17.279 --> 00:26:18.259 at every opportunity 00:26:18.259 --> 00:26:19.080 to put sin to 00:26:19.080 --> 00:26:19.900 death and seek 00:26:19.900 --> 00:26:20.700 to live for Christ. 00:26:22.220 --> 00:26:23.019 That is how 00:26:23.019 --> 00:26:23.860 Jesus is building 00:26:23.860 --> 00:26:24.480 his church. 00:26:24.580 --> 00:26:25.140 It is through 00:26:25.140 --> 00:26:26.660 transformed lives. 00:26:28.539 --> 00:26:29.519 And lastly, 00:26:29.519 --> 00:26:31.299 as well as 00:26:31.299 --> 00:26:32.900 those lives 00:26:32.900 --> 00:26:33.859 being transformed 00:26:33.859 --> 00:26:34.920 as they are 00:26:34.920 --> 00:26:35.680 viewed from 00:26:35.680 --> 00:26:36.139 the outside. 00:26:36.379 --> 00:26:37.319 Those lives 00:26:37.319 --> 00:26:38.079 are transformed 00:26:38.079 --> 00:26:39.539 in their view 00:26:39.539 --> 00:26:40.940 towards the 00:26:40.940 --> 00:26:41.259 outside, 00:26:41.480 --> 00:26:41.900 in their view 00:26:41.900 --> 00:26:42.299 of the 00:26:42.299 --> 00:26:42.660 outside. 00:26:45.879 --> 00:26:46.740 Notice how 00:26:46.740 --> 00:26:47.319 it is 00:26:47.319 --> 00:26:48.639 that those 00:26:48.639 --> 00:26:49.019 in Lydda 00:26:49.019 --> 00:26:49.500 and Sharon 00:26:49.500 --> 00:26:50.660 and those 00:26:50.660 --> 00:26:51.160 in Joppa 00:26:51.160 --> 00:26:51.819 come to 00:26:51.819 --> 00:26:52.160 faith. 00:26:53.220 --> 00:26:53.519 In verse 00:26:53.519 --> 00:26:54.000 35, 00:26:54.579 --> 00:26:55.299 the residents 00:26:55.299 --> 00:26:55.879 of Lydda 00:26:55.879 --> 00:26:56.440 and Sharon 00:26:56.440 --> 00:26:57.920 saw him. 00:26:57.920 --> 00:26:59.640 they saw 00:26:59.640 --> 00:27:00.140 Aeneas 00:27:00.140 --> 00:27:00.960 and they 00:27:00.960 --> 00:27:01.320 turned to 00:27:01.320 --> 00:27:01.620 the Lord. 00:27:02.880 --> 00:27:03.100 And then 00:27:03.100 --> 00:27:03.779 verse 42, 00:27:04.860 --> 00:27:05.300 it became 00:27:05.300 --> 00:27:05.759 known 00:27:05.759 --> 00:27:06.460 throughout 00:27:06.460 --> 00:27:07.019 all Joppa. 00:27:07.279 --> 00:27:07.740 It became 00:27:07.740 --> 00:27:07.960 known, 00:27:08.019 --> 00:27:08.580 it was told 00:27:08.580 --> 00:27:09.100 throughout 00:27:09.100 --> 00:27:09.600 all Joppa. 00:27:11.220 --> 00:27:12.140 They saw 00:27:12.140 --> 00:27:12.539 Aeneas, 00:27:12.600 --> 00:27:13.180 it became 00:27:13.180 --> 00:27:13.680 known. 00:27:13.779 --> 00:27:14.080 How does 00:27:14.080 --> 00:27:14.560 that happen? 00:27:15.100 --> 00:27:15.560 It is because 00:27:15.560 --> 00:27:16.519 people went 00:27:16.519 --> 00:27:17.279 into those 00:27:17.279 --> 00:27:17.759 places 00:27:17.759 --> 00:27:19.220 and told 00:27:19.220 --> 00:27:20.300 and showed 00:27:20.300 --> 00:27:21.180 the changes 00:27:21.180 --> 00:27:21.560 that had 00:27:21.560 --> 00:27:21.840 happened. 00:27:22.000 --> 00:27:22.320 Probably 00:27:22.320 --> 00:27:22.980 Aeneas and 00:27:22.980 --> 00:27:23.560 Tabitha most 00:27:23.560 --> 00:27:23.920 of all. 00:27:23.920 --> 00:27:26.240 people made 00:27:26.240 --> 00:27:26.960 known to 00:27:26.960 --> 00:27:27.360 the world 00:27:27.360 --> 00:27:27.900 around them 00:27:27.900 --> 00:27:28.539 the transformation 00:27:28.539 --> 00:27:29.080 that had 00:27:29.080 --> 00:27:29.500 gone on 00:27:29.500 --> 00:27:29.940 in their 00:27:29.940 --> 00:27:30.360 hearts. 00:27:32.420 --> 00:27:32.880 And while 00:27:32.880 --> 00:27:33.800 the healings 00:27:33.800 --> 00:27:35.180 of Aeneas 00:27:35.180 --> 00:27:35.840 and Tabitha 00:27:35.840 --> 00:27:36.779 might be 00:27:36.779 --> 00:27:37.560 extraordinary, 00:27:38.560 --> 00:27:39.019 underneath 00:27:39.019 --> 00:27:40.039 the extraordinary 00:27:40.039 --> 00:27:41.180 actions is 00:27:41.180 --> 00:27:41.920 an ordinary 00:27:41.920 --> 00:27:42.539 obedience. 00:27:44.580 --> 00:27:45.180 They are 00:27:45.180 --> 00:27:45.640 the ones 00:27:45.640 --> 00:27:47.080 who rise 00:27:47.080 --> 00:27:48.100 and go. 00:27:49.259 --> 00:27:49.640 In fact, 00:27:49.720 --> 00:27:50.279 all through 00:27:50.279 --> 00:27:51.259 chapters 8 00:27:51.259 --> 00:27:51.900 to 11 00:27:51.900 --> 00:27:52.680 in Acts, 00:27:52.759 --> 00:27:53.000 you get 00:27:53.000 --> 00:27:53.599 this strange 00:27:53.599 --> 00:27:54.140 repetition, 00:27:54.480 --> 00:27:54.880 either of 00:27:54.880 --> 00:27:55.500 the command, 00:27:55.700 --> 00:27:56.420 rise and 00:27:56.420 --> 00:27:56.779 go, 00:27:57.299 --> 00:27:57.619 or of 00:27:57.619 --> 00:27:58.319 the response, 00:27:58.680 --> 00:27:59.339 he rose 00:27:59.339 --> 00:27:59.940 and went. 00:28:01.380 --> 00:28:01.940 That's what 00:28:01.940 --> 00:28:02.559 Peter does 00:28:02.559 --> 00:28:03.180 even when 00:28:03.180 --> 00:28:03.900 the disciples 00:28:03.900 --> 00:28:05.539 in Joppa 00:28:05.539 --> 00:28:06.140 go to find 00:28:06.140 --> 00:28:06.319 him. 00:28:06.420 --> 00:28:06.819 They say, 00:28:07.279 --> 00:28:07.619 come to 00:28:07.619 --> 00:28:08.200 see Tabitha, 00:28:08.559 --> 00:28:08.940 and he 00:28:08.940 --> 00:28:09.720 rose and 00:28:09.720 --> 00:28:10.079 went. 00:28:11.539 --> 00:28:12.019 That's what 00:28:12.019 --> 00:28:12.779 Philip does 00:28:12.779 --> 00:28:14.019 first as he 00:28:14.019 --> 00:28:14.380 goes to 00:28:14.380 --> 00:28:14.859 Samaria, 00:28:15.000 --> 00:28:15.660 he rose and 00:28:15.660 --> 00:28:16.059 went, 00:28:16.599 --> 00:28:17.119 and then an 00:28:17.119 --> 00:28:17.619 angel of the 00:28:17.619 --> 00:28:18.299 Lord commands 00:28:18.299 --> 00:28:19.160 him to rise 00:28:19.160 --> 00:28:19.980 and go to 00:28:19.980 --> 00:28:20.279 Gaza. 00:28:20.279 --> 00:28:22.639 Paul is 00:28:22.639 --> 00:28:23.039 told, 00:28:23.720 --> 00:28:24.420 rise and 00:28:24.420 --> 00:28:25.019 go into 00:28:25.019 --> 00:28:25.899 Damascus and 00:28:25.899 --> 00:28:26.500 find a man 00:28:26.500 --> 00:28:27.339 named Ananias. 00:28:27.980 --> 00:28:28.940 And Ananias is 00:28:28.940 --> 00:28:29.240 told, 00:28:29.480 --> 00:28:30.039 rise and 00:28:30.039 --> 00:28:30.799 go and 00:28:30.799 --> 00:28:31.319 find a man 00:28:31.319 --> 00:28:31.839 named Paul. 00:28:33.619 --> 00:28:34.059 And in 00:28:34.059 --> 00:28:34.720 chapter 10, 00:28:35.099 --> 00:28:35.660 Peter is 00:28:35.660 --> 00:28:36.160 about to 00:28:36.160 --> 00:28:36.940 rise and 00:28:36.940 --> 00:28:37.819 go to 00:28:37.819 --> 00:28:38.259 meet 00:28:38.259 --> 00:28:39.220 Cornelius 00:28:39.220 --> 00:28:40.399 and tell 00:28:40.399 --> 00:28:41.079 him of 00:28:41.079 --> 00:28:41.720 the risen 00:28:41.720 --> 00:28:42.539 Lord. 00:28:43.460 --> 00:28:44.099 Again and 00:28:44.099 --> 00:28:44.579 again in 00:28:44.579 --> 00:28:45.059 these chapters 00:28:45.059 --> 00:28:45.379 you have 00:28:45.379 --> 00:28:45.899 this pattern 00:28:45.899 --> 00:28:46.779 of rise and 00:28:46.779 --> 00:28:47.079 go, 00:28:47.480 --> 00:28:48.180 rise and 00:28:48.180 --> 00:28:48.440 go, 00:28:48.619 --> 00:28:49.200 rise and 00:28:49.200 --> 00:28:49.420 go. 00:28:51.259 --> 00:28:51.840 And so 00:28:51.840 --> 00:28:52.200 what can 00:28:52.200 --> 00:28:52.559 we make 00:28:52.559 --> 00:28:52.920 of that 00:28:52.920 --> 00:28:54.100 as 00:28:54.100 --> 00:28:54.460 believers? 00:28:55.360 --> 00:28:55.980 We can 00:28:55.980 --> 00:28:56.819 rise and 00:28:56.819 --> 00:28:57.019 go. 00:28:59.299 --> 00:28:59.860 There are 00:28:59.860 --> 00:29:00.600 multiple ways 00:29:00.600 --> 00:29:01.580 that we can 00:29:01.580 --> 00:29:01.960 do that. 00:29:02.900 --> 00:29:03.360 We could 00:29:03.360 --> 00:29:04.220 be like 00:29:04.220 --> 00:29:04.700 Peter and 00:29:04.700 --> 00:29:05.240 Paul and 00:29:05.240 --> 00:29:05.519 we could 00:29:05.519 --> 00:29:06.400 do cross 00:29:06.400 --> 00:29:06.759 cultural 00:29:06.759 --> 00:29:07.299 ministry 00:29:07.299 --> 00:29:08.680 going across 00:29:08.680 --> 00:29:09.580 physical 00:29:09.580 --> 00:29:09.960 country 00:29:09.960 --> 00:29:10.319 borders. 00:29:11.460 --> 00:29:12.019 We could 00:29:12.019 --> 00:29:12.360 be like 00:29:12.360 --> 00:29:12.799 Tabitha. 00:29:13.120 --> 00:29:13.460 We could 00:29:13.460 --> 00:29:14.080 faithfully 00:29:14.080 --> 00:29:14.880 honor God 00:29:14.880 --> 00:29:15.259 in our 00:29:15.259 --> 00:29:15.600 work, 00:29:16.200 --> 00:29:17.000 being full 00:29:17.000 --> 00:29:17.299 of good 00:29:17.299 --> 00:29:17.799 works and 00:29:17.799 --> 00:29:18.200 charity. 00:29:19.200 --> 00:29:20.660 we're not 00:29:20.660 --> 00:29:21.059 apostles. 00:29:21.299 --> 00:29:21.840 We can't 00:29:21.840 --> 00:29:22.539 plan for 00:29:22.539 --> 00:29:22.980 miracles, 00:29:23.860 --> 00:29:24.200 but we 00:29:24.200 --> 00:29:24.779 can plan 00:29:24.779 --> 00:29:24.960 for 00:29:24.960 --> 00:29:25.660 faithfulness. 00:29:26.420 --> 00:29:26.759 We can 00:29:26.759 --> 00:29:27.240 plan to 00:29:27.240 --> 00:29:27.880 live lives 00:29:27.880 --> 00:29:28.440 that honor 00:29:28.440 --> 00:29:28.960 Christ, 00:29:29.360 --> 00:29:29.759 transformed 00:29:29.759 --> 00:29:30.500 lives that 00:29:30.500 --> 00:29:31.160 honor Christ, 00:29:31.759 --> 00:29:32.220 and we can 00:29:32.220 --> 00:29:32.779 live lives 00:29:32.779 --> 00:29:33.440 that make 00:29:33.440 --> 00:29:33.920 him known 00:29:33.920 --> 00:29:34.720 as we 00:29:34.720 --> 00:29:35.440 rise and 00:29:35.440 --> 00:29:35.620 go. 00:29:37.080 --> 00:29:37.860 Jesus said 00:29:37.860 --> 00:29:38.720 we do not 00:29:38.720 --> 00:29:39.480 hide our 00:29:39.480 --> 00:29:39.980 light under 00:29:39.980 --> 00:29:40.400 a bushel, 00:29:41.720 --> 00:29:42.180 but we 00:29:42.180 --> 00:29:43.100 let the 00:29:43.100 --> 00:29:43.620 light shine 00:29:43.620 --> 00:29:43.960 to those 00:29:43.960 --> 00:29:44.200 who are 00:29:44.200 --> 00:29:44.920 around us 00:29:44.920 --> 00:29:45.960 so that 00:29:45.960 --> 00:29:46.299 they may 00:29:46.299 --> 00:29:46.840 see our 00:29:46.839 --> 00:29:47.459 good works 00:29:47.459 --> 00:29:49.419 and give 00:29:49.419 --> 00:29:49.939 glory to 00:29:49.939 --> 00:29:50.079 our 00:29:50.079 --> 00:29:50.459 Father in 00:29:50.459 --> 00:29:50.679 heaven. 00:29:52.919 --> 00:29:54.119 Jesus is 00:29:54.119 --> 00:29:54.859 actively, 00:29:55.220 --> 00:29:55.980 to this day, 00:29:56.079 --> 00:29:56.599 building his 00:29:56.599 --> 00:29:56.959 church. 00:29:57.720 --> 00:29:58.639 He's healing 00:29:58.639 --> 00:29:59.439 and he is 00:29:59.439 --> 00:30:00.339 restoring lost 00:30:00.339 --> 00:30:00.679 sinners. 00:30:02.059 --> 00:30:02.500 And as those 00:30:02.500 --> 00:30:02.980 who are healed 00:30:02.980 --> 00:30:03.559 and restored, 00:30:03.980 --> 00:30:04.740 our lives are 00:30:04.740 --> 00:30:05.559 being transformed 00:30:05.559 --> 00:30:06.099 by his 00:30:06.099 --> 00:30:06.399 spirit. 00:30:07.619 --> 00:30:08.399 And so we 00:30:08.399 --> 00:30:09.039 do want to 00:30:09.039 --> 00:30:09.480 honor him. 00:30:10.000 --> 00:30:10.559 We want to 00:30:10.559 --> 00:30:10.959 serve him. 00:30:11.019 --> 00:30:11.579 We want to 00:30:11.579 --> 00:30:12.019 make him 00:30:12.019 --> 00:30:13.019 known to 00:30:13.019 --> 00:30:13.359 the ends 00:30:13.359 --> 00:30:13.599 of the 00:30:13.599 --> 00:30:13.899 earth. 00:30:13.900 --> 00:30:14.980 we want 00:30:14.980 --> 00:30:15.500 to see 00:30:15.500 --> 00:30:16.080 his 00:30:16.080 --> 00:30:16.440 church 00:30:16.440 --> 00:30:17.019 continue 00:30:17.019 --> 00:30:17.800 to be 00:30:17.800 --> 00:30:18.960 built as 00:30:18.960 --> 00:30:19.440 more and 00:30:19.440 --> 00:30:20.360 more turn 00:30:20.360 --> 00:30:20.720 and believe 00:30:20.720 --> 00:30:21.080 in him. 00:30:22.700 --> 00:30:23.240 Let me 00:30:23.240 --> 00:30:23.759 pray for us.