WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:05.679 So it's Acts chapter 18, 1-22, and it's page 1114 in the Red Bible. 00:00:09.040 --> 00:00:12.599 After this, Paul left Athens and went to Corinth. 00:00:13.580 --> 00:00:16.859 There he met a Jew named Aquila, a native of Pontus, 00:00:17.160 --> 00:00:19.859 who had recently come from Italy with his wife Priscilla, 00:00:20.539 --> 00:00:23.320 because Claudius had ordered all the Jews to leave Rome. 00:00:24.440 --> 00:00:28.980 Paul went to see them, and because he was a tentmaker, as they were, 00:00:28.980 --> 00:00:30.800 he stayed and worked with them. 00:00:31.620 --> 00:00:36.899 Every Sabbath he reasoned in the synagogue, trying to persuade the Jews and Greeks. 00:00:37.859 --> 00:00:40.740 When Silas and Timothy came from Macedonia, 00:00:41.100 --> 00:00:43.659 Paul devoted himself exclusively to preaching, 00:00:44.200 --> 00:00:46.579 testifying to the Jews that Jesus was the Christ. 00:00:47.359 --> 00:00:50.019 But when the Jews opposed Paul, he became abusive. 00:00:50.620 --> 00:00:53.100 He shook out his clothes in protest and said to them, 00:00:53.519 --> 00:00:57.280 Your blood be on your own heads. I am clear of my responsibility. 00:00:57.280 --> 00:01:00.120 From now on, I will go to the Gentiles. 00:01:00.980 --> 00:01:05.320 Then Paul left the synagogue and went next door to the house of Titus Justus, 00:01:05.780 --> 00:01:06.840 a worshipper of God. 00:01:07.659 --> 00:01:11.920 Crispus, the synagogue ruler, and his entire household believed in the Lord, 00:01:12.340 --> 00:01:15.520 and many of the Corinthians who heard him believed and were baptized. 00:01:16.560 --> 00:01:19.020 One night the Lord spoke to Paul in a vision, 00:01:19.599 --> 00:01:22.859 Do not be afraid. Keep on speaking. Do not be silent. 00:01:22.859 --> 00:01:26.439 For I am with you, and no one is going to attack and harm you, 00:01:26.640 --> 00:01:28.920 because I have many people in this city. 00:01:29.780 --> 00:01:32.239 So Paul stayed for a year and a half, 00:01:32.379 --> 00:01:35.140 a year and a half, and teaching them the word of God. 00:01:36.200 --> 00:01:41.819 While Galileo was prontical of the Acacia, 00:01:41.819 --> 00:01:49.199 the Jews made a united attack on Paul and brought him into court. 00:01:49.979 --> 00:01:54.299 This man, they charged, is persuading the people to worship God 00:01:54.299 --> 00:01:56.139 in ways contrary to the law. 00:01:56.879 --> 00:02:00.299 Just as Paul was just about to speak, 00:02:00.939 --> 00:02:02.599 Galileo said to the Jews, 00:02:02.599 --> 00:02:07.599 If you Jews were making a complaint about some misdemeanor or serious crime, 00:02:08.000 --> 00:02:10.039 it would be reasonable for me to listen to you. 00:02:10.039 --> 00:02:14.159 But since it involves questions about words and names and your own law, 00:02:14.719 --> 00:02:16.180 settle the matter yourselves. 00:02:16.879 --> 00:02:18.859 I will not be a judge of such things. 00:02:19.479 --> 00:02:21.500 So he had them ejected from the court. 00:02:22.599 --> 00:02:27.500 Then they all turned on Sosin, the synagogue ruler, 00:02:28.139 --> 00:02:29.899 and beat them in front of the court. 00:02:30.680 --> 00:02:33.459 But Galileo showed no concern whatsoever. 00:02:34.919 --> 00:02:37.079 Paul stayed on in Corinth for some time. 00:02:37.080 --> 00:02:40.560 He then left the brothers and sailed for Syria, 00:02:41.240 --> 00:02:43.020 accompanied by Priscilla and Aquila. 00:02:44.340 --> 00:02:49.980 Before he sailed, he had his hair cut off at Sancria 00:02:49.980 --> 00:02:52.000 because of a vow he had taken. 00:02:52.860 --> 00:02:56.140 They arrived at Ephesus, where Paul left Priscilla and Aquila. 00:02:57.020 --> 00:03:02.060 And he himself went into the synagogue and reasoned with the Jews. 00:03:02.060 --> 00:03:06.680 When they asked him to spend more time with them, he declined. 00:03:07.360 --> 00:03:08.819 But as he left, he promised, 00:03:09.280 --> 00:03:11.020 I will come back if it is God's will. 00:03:11.539 --> 00:03:13.039 Then he set sail for Ephesus. 00:03:13.819 --> 00:03:15.159 When he landed at Caesarea, 00:03:15.620 --> 00:03:17.420 he went up and greeted the church, 00:03:17.920 --> 00:03:19.480 and then he went down to Antioch. 00:03:19.479 --> 00:03:39.780 Thanks, Louise. 00:03:41.780 --> 00:03:44.299 There's some notes going around, if you'd like them, 00:03:44.759 --> 00:03:45.500 and a pen, 00:03:47.039 --> 00:03:48.599 if you want to take some notes. 00:03:48.599 --> 00:03:52.159 Just a reminder that we do follow up 00:03:52.159 --> 00:03:56.000 each of the Sunday morning Bible studies 00:03:56.000 --> 00:03:59.400 on our Wednesday evening home groups 00:03:59.400 --> 00:04:02.039 in our gospel communities. 00:04:02.219 --> 00:04:04.780 We look through it a bit more in depth 00:04:04.780 --> 00:04:08.560 and look through at some of the applications for our lives 00:04:08.560 --> 00:04:10.620 and for us as a church. 00:04:10.840 --> 00:04:13.879 So I encourage you to get involved in that. 00:04:13.879 --> 00:04:16.300 So we're in Acts 18. 00:04:17.300 --> 00:04:20.660 And, well, we're really going to focus on the first 17 verses. 00:04:20.660 --> 00:04:37.960 God 00:04:37.959 --> 00:05:07.939 Thank you. 00:05:07.959 --> 00:05:12.500 Okay, well let's pray. 00:05:26.099 --> 00:05:31.639 Father, you know how we find the Christian life hard. 00:05:31.639 --> 00:05:39.319 Lord, you know how we find being a witness for you hard. 00:05:39.319 --> 00:05:54.480 And therefore we pray that what we look at together from your word would encourage us, give us strength, give us confidence. 00:05:54.480 --> 00:06:04.319 And it would help us to rest in you and in the work that you are doing. 00:06:04.319 --> 00:06:08.319 So we pray that you would help us all. 00:06:09.180 --> 00:06:11.060 Pour out your spirit on us. 00:06:11.480 --> 00:06:14.719 Help me to be faithful, to speak clearly. 00:06:14.720 --> 00:06:25.420 And we pray that we would all be people who are changed and built up as a result of what we hear and look at together. 00:06:26.380 --> 00:06:28.100 In Jesus' name we pray. 00:06:29.000 --> 00:06:29.460 Amen. 00:06:29.459 --> 00:06:31.459 Amen. 00:06:36.459 --> 00:06:40.099 Men wanted for hazardous journey. 00:06:41.259 --> 00:06:42.379 Small wages. 00:06:43.039 --> 00:06:43.779 Bitter cold. 00:06:44.839 --> 00:06:47.019 Long months of complete darkness. 00:06:48.199 --> 00:06:49.299 Constant danger. 00:06:50.279 --> 00:06:51.759 Safe return doubtful. 00:06:52.819 --> 00:06:55.899 Honor and recognition in case of success. 00:06:55.899 --> 00:06:59.859 You might have heard those words before. 00:06:59.859 --> 00:07:09.959 It was an advert placed in a London newspaper by the great explorer Ernest Shackleton as he looked for his team to travel to the Antarctic. 00:07:11.359 --> 00:07:12.519 Hazardous journey. 00:07:13.359 --> 00:07:14.439 Small wages. 00:07:14.659 --> 00:07:15.339 Bitter cold. 00:07:15.339 --> 00:07:20.419 Well, gospel work is really no different for Paul. 00:07:20.859 --> 00:07:28.039 Because for him it meant hazardous journeys, constant danger and safe return doubtful. 00:07:29.419 --> 00:07:33.659 He's coming to the end of his second church planting expedition. 00:07:34.359 --> 00:07:36.319 If you look there on the screen you'll see the map. 00:07:36.399 --> 00:07:39.339 He's been sent out from his home church in Antioch. 00:07:39.979 --> 00:07:45.059 And at the end of this section we saw in verse 22 he returns to his home church in Antioch. 00:07:45.339 --> 00:07:49.219 But he's been directed by God through Turkey. 00:07:49.819 --> 00:07:52.019 That's where it says Phrygia and Galatia. 00:07:52.119 --> 00:07:54.419 Modern day Turkey where he's been planting churches. 00:07:54.560 --> 00:07:58.539 But he's gone from there now into Europe, into Greece. 00:07:59.659 --> 00:08:05.599 It's a two and a half year trip that would take him through five influential cities. 00:08:05.599 --> 00:08:08.899 Each bringing its own challenge. 00:08:10.159 --> 00:08:14.979 In Philippi he faced beatings and imprisonment. 00:08:15.339 --> 00:08:20.159 In Thessalonica he had to hide from a rioting mob. 00:08:20.219 --> 00:08:25.859 In fact we read in chapter 17 that the whole city ended in a riot. 00:08:26.379 --> 00:08:27.439 And we're out to get him. 00:08:28.399 --> 00:08:33.819 In Berea he had to run for his life as opposition increased and closed in. 00:08:33.820 --> 00:08:46.600 In Athens what we looked at last week he faces loneliness as he ventures into this godless society without his team and he's ridiculed as a babbler. 00:08:47.960 --> 00:08:57.000 And now in chapter 18 we read that after all of this Paul left Athens and went to Corinth. 00:08:57.000 --> 00:09:07.519 It's no wonder then that when Paul would later write to these Christians, to this new church in Corinth, he would say this. 00:09:07.519 --> 00:09:22.179 In fact aware of Paul's fear, look at verse 9. 00:09:22.179 --> 00:09:23.179 Verse 9. 00:09:23.179 --> 00:09:26.879 One night the Lord spoke to Paul in a vision. 00:09:27.919 --> 00:09:29.419 Do not be afraid. 00:09:30.939 --> 00:09:32.559 Keep on speaking. 00:09:33.779 --> 00:09:35.359 Do not be silent. 00:09:36.739 --> 00:09:38.219 For I am with you. 00:09:39.659 --> 00:09:43.539 Now I know that many people became Christians in these cities. 00:09:43.539 --> 00:09:45.879 There were lots of churches planted. 00:09:46.579 --> 00:09:53.559 But sometimes I think we forget the fact that Paul was an ordinary human just like us. 00:09:54.559 --> 00:09:55.879 He wasn't Superman. 00:09:57.039 --> 00:09:59.019 His name wasn't Peter Parker. 00:09:59.819 --> 00:10:01.099 His name was Paul. 00:10:02.399 --> 00:10:03.539 He was tired. 00:10:04.299 --> 00:10:05.219 He was lonely. 00:10:05.860 --> 00:10:06.839 He was afraid. 00:10:07.319 --> 00:10:08.439 He felt inadequate. 00:10:09.379 --> 00:10:11.559 He felt he wanted to get away. 00:10:11.559 --> 00:10:20.379 You see, being part of God's mission is like joining Ernest Shackleton on one of his expeditions. 00:10:21.399 --> 00:10:26.259 Gospel work is always going to be hard work. 00:10:28.199 --> 00:10:32.199 So how do we keep going in our Christian lives? 00:10:32.359 --> 00:10:37.459 And how do we keep going in our gospel work in whatever context that may be? 00:10:37.460 --> 00:10:45.100 Well, as we follow Paul on this final leg of his journey before he reaches his home family church, 00:10:45.940 --> 00:10:52.420 we see how God sustains us and he will sustain his mission. 00:10:52.720 --> 00:10:56.259 God sustains us and he sustains his mission. 00:10:56.440 --> 00:11:00.120 First, there are the provision of God's people. 00:11:00.639 --> 00:11:02.019 Look at verse 1 again. 00:11:02.019 --> 00:11:04.860 And after this, Paul left Athens and he went to Corinth. 00:11:05.480 --> 00:11:11.980 There he met a Jew named Aquila, a native of Pontus, who had recently come from Italy with his wife Priscilla, 00:11:13.000 --> 00:11:17.199 because Claudius had ordered all of the Jews to leave Rome. 00:11:17.200 --> 00:11:22.960 Now, it was well known that the Jews often went rioting in Rome. 00:11:23.500 --> 00:11:25.600 It was kind of a kick against the authorities. 00:11:25.820 --> 00:11:28.780 I don't think Priscilla and Aquila were involved in that, 00:11:28.879 --> 00:11:32.700 but just the Jews in general didn't like Roman rule. 00:11:33.360 --> 00:11:38.320 In fact, they'd become such a headache to Claudius that he's kicked them all out of the city. 00:11:39.000 --> 00:11:40.980 It was a form of ethnic cleansing. 00:11:40.980 --> 00:11:46.600 So, politically speaking, we could say Priscilla and Aquila have become refugees. 00:11:46.899 --> 00:11:49.960 They've got no home and they've got no work. 00:11:51.779 --> 00:11:57.180 However, missionally speaking, from God's perspective, 00:11:58.320 --> 00:12:03.560 they were God's provision to partner Paul in his gospel work. 00:12:03.559 --> 00:12:08.659 So, verse 3, Paul went to see them, and because he was a tent maker, 00:12:08.779 --> 00:12:13.759 that was his livelihood as they were, he stayed and worked with them. 00:12:13.859 --> 00:12:16.859 It's literally he became partners with them. 00:12:17.679 --> 00:12:23.959 Every Sabbath, he reasoned in the synagogue, trying to persuade the Jews and the Greeks. 00:12:24.679 --> 00:12:28.019 So, Paul, having arrived on his own after this, 00:12:28.359 --> 00:12:32.959 all these trials of going through all these cities and arriving in this city on his own, 00:12:33.559 --> 00:12:38.699 he's got partners with him now who've joined with him in the gospel. 00:12:39.799 --> 00:12:43.139 In fact, when Paul would write to the Christians in Rome, 00:12:43.139 --> 00:12:46.019 he would refer to Priscilla and Aquila as, 00:12:46.759 --> 00:12:49.359 my fellow workers in Christ Jesus, 00:12:49.859 --> 00:12:54.319 who risked their lives for me and for the churches. 00:12:56.959 --> 00:13:02.619 Now, I think we understand what it is to be lonely and to be struggling. 00:13:03.559 --> 00:13:05.159 And to find things hard. 00:13:06.599 --> 00:13:13.339 We can find being a Christian in college or in our school really lonely. 00:13:14.199 --> 00:13:17.219 Maybe we're the only Christian in our year. 00:13:17.220 --> 00:13:22.500 We feel inadequate in our witness at work. 00:13:23.860 --> 00:13:26.360 We maybe feel alone in that. 00:13:28.960 --> 00:13:36.720 We maybe feel too weak to fight the daily battle of living a gospel life in a godless world. 00:13:36.720 --> 00:13:40.960 And whatever context we find ourselves in, 00:13:41.920 --> 00:13:46.639 being a witness, gospel work is always hard work. 00:13:48.320 --> 00:13:51.940 And what we need is somebody like an Aquila or a Priscilla, 00:13:52.360 --> 00:13:54.840 somebody who's going to get alongside us. 00:13:55.879 --> 00:13:59.480 Well, God in his goodness has provided for us. 00:13:59.480 --> 00:14:05.340 And the way he provides for us in each of our contexts is through the church, 00:14:05.480 --> 00:14:06.379 through his people. 00:14:07.820 --> 00:14:10.800 So the people that we are here with this morning 00:14:10.800 --> 00:14:15.460 are God's provision for you and for me. 00:14:16.460 --> 00:14:19.279 The people that you are sitting beside right now, 00:14:19.340 --> 00:14:20.899 the person behind you, 00:14:21.899 --> 00:14:25.360 are God's given partners to you. 00:14:25.860 --> 00:14:27.539 They are God's gift to you. 00:14:28.019 --> 00:14:29.659 They are your fellow workers, 00:14:29.840 --> 00:14:32.080 people who are going to stick by you, 00:14:32.440 --> 00:14:34.399 people who are going to walk with you 00:14:34.399 --> 00:14:37.080 and enable you to keep going as a Christian 00:14:37.080 --> 00:14:41.300 and people who are going to help you in the Christian ministry. 00:14:43.340 --> 00:14:45.860 Now you may be here for all kinds of reasons. 00:14:47.560 --> 00:14:50.659 You might have been raised and bought up here in Carragoline. 00:14:51.519 --> 00:14:53.960 You might have moved here because of work. 00:14:53.960 --> 00:14:56.720 You may be here because, well, 00:14:56.759 --> 00:14:59.040 you got married to somebody who actually lives here. 00:15:00.080 --> 00:15:01.580 You may simply have decided, 00:15:01.759 --> 00:15:03.480 I just want a change in location. 00:15:04.480 --> 00:15:07.460 But for whatever reason you have for being here, 00:15:08.400 --> 00:15:11.620 please don't lose sight of the great big fact 00:15:11.620 --> 00:15:16.200 that you are also here as part of God's provision 00:15:16.200 --> 00:15:20.460 to support and encourage fellow believers 00:15:20.460 --> 00:15:22.759 in their day-to-day gospel work. 00:15:22.759 --> 00:15:26.519 You are not here by chance. 00:15:27.399 --> 00:15:30.319 You are here as part of God's good design. 00:15:31.519 --> 00:15:33.539 We are not just weekly attenders 00:15:33.539 --> 00:15:36.259 turning up to a meeting on a Sunday morning. 00:15:36.679 --> 00:15:39.580 We are partners in the gospel. 00:15:41.299 --> 00:15:43.039 That's why we take time, 00:15:43.399 --> 00:15:44.600 whether it's tea and coffee, 00:15:44.759 --> 00:15:45.700 whether it's afterwards, 00:15:45.939 --> 00:15:47.159 whether it's during the week, 00:15:47.159 --> 00:15:49.120 to get alongside people. 00:15:50.019 --> 00:15:51.600 Nick very helpfully said, 00:15:51.719 --> 00:15:52.939 not prompted by me, 00:15:53.259 --> 00:15:55.399 the reason why he looks for a church family, 00:15:55.799 --> 00:15:57.939 I don't do things well on my own. 00:15:57.939 --> 00:15:58.919 Well, you know what? 00:15:59.000 --> 00:16:00.740 None of us do things well on our own. 00:16:01.139 --> 00:16:02.079 We've got partners 00:16:02.079 --> 00:16:04.179 to encourage us 00:16:04.179 --> 00:16:05.879 and to support us. 00:16:06.879 --> 00:16:09.659 So we are able to keep going in God's mission 00:16:09.659 --> 00:16:11.199 because God in his goodness 00:16:11.199 --> 00:16:13.639 has provided one another 00:16:13.639 --> 00:16:17.899 to keep on in the mission he has called us to. 00:16:17.899 --> 00:16:21.579 So first, he provides us with people. 00:16:22.240 --> 00:16:25.559 Second, there is the power of God's Spirit. 00:16:26.620 --> 00:16:27.299 Verse 5. 00:16:28.579 --> 00:16:31.539 When Silas and Timothy came from Macedonia, 00:16:31.699 --> 00:16:34.259 so here now the team is getting bigger, 00:16:34.620 --> 00:16:36.399 another sign of God's provision, 00:16:37.720 --> 00:16:40.059 Paul devoted himself exclusively 00:16:40.059 --> 00:16:41.639 to preaching, 00:16:41.899 --> 00:16:43.279 to testifying to the Jews 00:16:43.279 --> 00:16:44.559 that Jesus was the Christ. 00:16:44.559 --> 00:16:46.259 So part of the partnership was 00:16:46.259 --> 00:16:48.519 that these others would do all the work. 00:16:48.919 --> 00:16:50.719 They would provide for Paul financially 00:16:50.719 --> 00:16:52.539 so he could get on with his job. 00:16:54.239 --> 00:16:56.099 But what kind of response was there 00:16:56.099 --> 00:16:57.359 for Paul in his preaching? 00:16:57.859 --> 00:16:58.919 Well, look at verse 6. 00:17:00.519 --> 00:17:02.779 But when the Jews opposed Paul 00:17:02.779 --> 00:17:04.379 and became abusive, 00:17:05.220 --> 00:17:07.240 he shook out his clothes in protest 00:17:07.240 --> 00:17:07.980 and said to them, 00:17:08.339 --> 00:17:10.480 your blood be on your own heads. 00:17:10.899 --> 00:17:13.000 I am clear of my responsibility. 00:17:13.000 --> 00:17:16.000 From now on, I'm going to the Gentiles. 00:17:17.000 --> 00:17:20.400 It was simply a closed door. 00:17:21.140 --> 00:17:23.180 People didn't want to know. 00:17:23.720 --> 00:17:25.079 They refused to accept 00:17:25.079 --> 00:17:28.119 that Jesus Christ was God's saving King. 00:17:29.099 --> 00:17:31.220 And so at this point in the account, 00:17:31.619 --> 00:17:32.599 we're left wondering, 00:17:33.000 --> 00:17:35.500 is there anybody in this city 00:17:35.500 --> 00:17:37.700 who could possibly become a Christian? 00:17:38.940 --> 00:17:40.299 They're opposing him. 00:17:40.460 --> 00:17:41.420 They're against him. 00:17:41.420 --> 00:17:45.620 And maybe you ask the same question. 00:17:46.960 --> 00:17:48.960 What is it going to take for, 00:17:49.960 --> 00:17:51.420 and you fill in the blank there 00:17:51.420 --> 00:17:52.779 with the person that you know, 00:17:52.980 --> 00:17:54.160 what will it take for 00:17:54.160 --> 00:17:56.580 to become a Christian? 00:17:57.539 --> 00:17:59.279 Whether it's somebody in your family 00:17:59.279 --> 00:18:01.340 or somebody in your work 00:18:01.340 --> 00:18:03.320 or one of your friends. 00:18:03.319 --> 00:18:06.099 They just seem opposed. 00:18:06.299 --> 00:18:07.740 They just don't seem interested. 00:18:09.839 --> 00:18:11.720 Well, pause in this situation. 00:18:13.659 --> 00:18:15.019 Well, go back, please, 00:18:15.139 --> 00:18:16.659 to 1 Corinthians, 00:18:16.779 --> 00:18:17.960 or go forwards, rather, 00:18:18.059 --> 00:18:18.960 to 1 Corinthians. 00:18:19.500 --> 00:18:22.240 Keep your finger in Acts 18. 00:18:22.240 --> 00:18:25.240 and jump ahead, 00:18:26.700 --> 00:18:27.480 Acts Romans, 00:18:27.779 --> 00:18:28.980 1 Corinthians. 00:18:33.539 --> 00:18:35.859 This is chapter 2 00:18:35.859 --> 00:18:37.019 and verse 1. 00:18:37.880 --> 00:18:39.220 This is Paul's letter 00:18:39.220 --> 00:18:39.960 that he wrote 00:18:39.960 --> 00:18:41.599 to these believers. 00:18:41.799 --> 00:18:43.319 So I've already given the plot away. 00:18:43.460 --> 00:18:44.660 People do become Christians 00:18:44.660 --> 00:18:46.359 and he does write a letter to them. 00:18:46.359 --> 00:18:49.859 But this is what he writes to them. 00:18:50.139 --> 00:18:51.000 And he remembers 00:18:51.000 --> 00:18:51.979 what it was like 00:18:51.979 --> 00:18:53.459 when he first arrived there. 00:18:54.259 --> 00:18:55.539 Chapter 2, verse 1. 00:18:56.539 --> 00:18:58.000 When I came to you, 00:18:58.119 --> 00:18:59.039 brothers and sisters, 00:18:59.859 --> 00:19:01.159 I did not come 00:19:01.159 --> 00:19:02.819 with eloquence 00:19:02.819 --> 00:19:04.519 or superior wisdom 00:19:04.519 --> 00:19:06.679 as I proclaimed to you 00:19:06.679 --> 00:19:08.319 the testimony about God. 00:19:08.319 --> 00:19:10.619 For I resolved to know 00:19:10.619 --> 00:19:12.319 nothing while I was with you 00:19:12.319 --> 00:19:14.399 except Jesus Christ 00:19:14.399 --> 00:19:16.519 and him crucified. 00:19:17.659 --> 00:19:19.000 I came to you 00:19:19.000 --> 00:19:19.720 in weakness 00:19:19.720 --> 00:19:21.200 and fear 00:19:21.200 --> 00:19:23.519 and with much trembling. 00:19:24.539 --> 00:19:25.439 My message 00:19:25.439 --> 00:19:26.480 and my preaching 00:19:26.480 --> 00:19:28.039 were not with wise 00:19:28.039 --> 00:19:29.819 and persuasive words, 00:19:30.759 --> 00:19:32.439 but with a demonstration 00:19:32.439 --> 00:19:34.559 of the Spirit's power 00:19:34.559 --> 00:19:36.399 so that your faith 00:19:36.399 --> 00:19:37.379 might not rest 00:19:37.380 --> 00:19:38.600 on men's wisdom 00:19:38.600 --> 00:19:41.980 but on God's power. 00:19:44.700 --> 00:19:45.280 You see, 00:19:45.360 --> 00:19:46.320 it's not about 00:19:46.320 --> 00:19:48.040 being a great speaker. 00:19:48.640 --> 00:19:49.620 It's not about 00:19:49.620 --> 00:19:51.340 us having the right answers. 00:19:51.820 --> 00:19:52.600 It's not about 00:19:52.600 --> 00:19:53.760 being clever 00:19:53.760 --> 00:19:54.920 in our arguments, 00:19:55.040 --> 00:19:55.640 as helpful 00:19:55.640 --> 00:19:56.260 and as good 00:19:56.260 --> 00:19:57.460 as all those things are. 00:19:57.860 --> 00:19:59.580 It was simply for Paul 00:19:59.580 --> 00:20:01.320 about proclaiming Christ 00:20:01.320 --> 00:20:03.740 and depending 00:20:03.740 --> 00:20:04.740 on the power 00:20:04.740 --> 00:20:06.400 of God's Holy Spirit. 00:20:07.380 --> 00:20:09.000 because this is 00:20:09.000 --> 00:20:09.980 how God does 00:20:09.980 --> 00:20:10.560 his work 00:20:10.560 --> 00:20:11.320 in people 00:20:11.320 --> 00:20:12.180 who are not yet 00:20:12.180 --> 00:20:12.660 believers. 00:20:14.700 --> 00:20:15.840 If we take 00:20:15.840 --> 00:20:17.620 the Spirit of God 00:20:17.620 --> 00:20:18.920 and here's a little 00:20:18.920 --> 00:20:19.720 helpful phrase 00:20:19.720 --> 00:20:20.820 it's on the screen there, 00:20:20.900 --> 00:20:22.140 the Spirit of God 00:20:22.140 --> 00:20:24.200 takes the Gospel 00:20:24.200 --> 00:20:24.940 of God 00:20:24.940 --> 00:20:26.800 and he works 00:20:26.800 --> 00:20:29.100 that into 00:20:29.100 --> 00:20:30.160 people's lives 00:20:30.160 --> 00:20:31.080 helping them 00:20:31.080 --> 00:20:31.680 to see, 00:20:32.180 --> 00:20:32.740 helping them 00:20:32.740 --> 00:20:38.059 who Christ is. 00:20:38.059 --> 00:20:40.259 The Spirit of God 00:20:40.259 --> 00:20:41.900 takes the Gospel 00:20:41.900 --> 00:20:42.620 of God 00:20:42.620 --> 00:20:44.380 and does the work 00:20:44.380 --> 00:20:44.920 of God 00:20:44.920 --> 00:20:46.539 in people's lives. 00:20:47.920 --> 00:20:48.480 You and I 00:20:48.480 --> 00:20:49.400 can't make anybody 00:20:49.400 --> 00:20:50.220 become a Christian. 00:20:50.460 --> 00:20:51.279 Paul couldn't make 00:20:51.279 --> 00:20:52.519 anybody become a Christian. 00:20:53.019 --> 00:20:54.180 Our responsibility 00:20:54.180 --> 00:20:55.880 is to simply 00:20:55.880 --> 00:20:56.900 be faithful 00:20:56.900 --> 00:20:58.880 and to share 00:20:58.880 --> 00:20:59.460 Christ 00:20:59.460 --> 00:21:00.600 with others 00:21:00.600 --> 00:21:01.640 as God 00:21:01.640 --> 00:21:02.540 provides those 00:21:02.540 --> 00:21:03.280 opportunities. 00:21:04.480 --> 00:21:05.460 That's why Paul 00:21:05.460 --> 00:21:05.880 would say, 00:21:05.980 --> 00:21:06.840 go back to chapter 00:21:06.840 --> 00:21:08.620 18 and verse 6, 00:21:09.500 --> 00:21:10.000 he says, 00:21:10.080 --> 00:21:10.600 your blood 00:21:10.600 --> 00:21:11.540 be on your own 00:21:11.540 --> 00:21:11.880 heads. 00:21:12.240 --> 00:21:13.080 I'm clear 00:21:13.080 --> 00:21:14.380 of my responsibility. 00:21:15.040 --> 00:21:15.980 I've presented 00:21:15.980 --> 00:21:16.960 Christ to you 00:21:16.960 --> 00:21:17.940 and you don't 00:21:17.940 --> 00:21:18.740 want to know. 00:21:19.900 --> 00:21:21.120 We cannot be 00:21:21.120 --> 00:21:22.040 responsible for 00:21:22.040 --> 00:21:23.120 people's response 00:21:23.120 --> 00:21:24.540 or their reaction. 00:21:24.539 --> 00:21:26.500 We simply 00:21:26.500 --> 00:21:27.539 bring Christ 00:21:27.539 --> 00:21:30.099 living a Christ-like 00:21:30.099 --> 00:21:30.659 life, 00:21:31.420 --> 00:21:32.680 offering salvation, 00:21:33.740 --> 00:21:34.759 warning of 00:21:34.759 --> 00:21:35.220 judgment 00:21:35.220 --> 00:21:36.980 and prayerfully 00:21:36.980 --> 00:21:37.619 resting 00:21:37.619 --> 00:21:39.779 in the Spirit 00:21:39.779 --> 00:21:41.559 to take our lives, 00:21:41.680 --> 00:21:42.639 to take our message 00:21:42.639 --> 00:21:44.279 and to do the work 00:21:44.279 --> 00:21:45.759 in people's lives. 00:21:46.519 --> 00:21:47.759 It's not our job 00:21:47.759 --> 00:21:49.480 to make people 00:21:49.480 --> 00:21:49.960 believers. 00:21:51.440 --> 00:21:52.720 So what happened 00:21:52.720 --> 00:21:53.759 as Paul rested 00:21:53.759 --> 00:21:54.519 in the power 00:21:54.519 --> 00:21:55.460 of God's Spirit? 00:21:56.119 --> 00:21:56.599 Well, look at 00:21:56.599 --> 00:21:57.200 verse 7 00:21:57.200 --> 00:21:59.480 of chapter 18. 00:22:00.660 --> 00:22:01.359 He had faced 00:22:01.359 --> 00:22:02.059 the opposition. 00:22:02.400 --> 00:22:03.000 They didn't want 00:22:03.000 --> 00:22:03.379 to know, 00:22:03.500 --> 00:22:04.259 so Paul left 00:22:04.259 --> 00:22:04.779 the synagogue 00:22:04.779 --> 00:22:05.859 and he went 00:22:05.859 --> 00:22:06.700 next door 00:22:06.700 --> 00:22:08.160 to a house 00:22:08.160 --> 00:22:10.079 of Titius Justice, 00:22:10.500 --> 00:22:11.140 a worshipper 00:22:11.140 --> 00:22:11.519 of God. 00:22:11.599 --> 00:22:12.359 Here was somebody 00:22:12.359 --> 00:22:13.220 who was interested 00:22:13.220 --> 00:22:14.319 and look what 00:22:14.319 --> 00:22:15.440 happens amazingly. 00:22:16.000 --> 00:22:16.519 Crispus, 00:22:16.660 --> 00:22:17.220 the synagogue 00:22:17.220 --> 00:22:17.700 ruler, 00:22:18.019 --> 00:22:18.759 here was the guy 00:22:18.759 --> 00:22:19.259 who had been 00:22:19.259 --> 00:22:20.279 opposed to Paul 00:22:20.279 --> 00:22:21.160 and had kind of 00:22:21.160 --> 00:22:21.819 been the leader 00:22:21.819 --> 00:22:22.339 in it. 00:22:22.339 --> 00:22:23.980 Well, he and 00:22:23.980 --> 00:22:25.480 his entire family 00:22:25.480 --> 00:22:27.339 believed in the Lord 00:22:27.339 --> 00:22:29.179 and many of the 00:22:29.179 --> 00:22:30.000 Corinthians who 00:22:30.000 --> 00:22:30.500 heard him 00:22:30.500 --> 00:22:31.139 believed 00:22:31.139 --> 00:22:32.240 and were 00:22:32.240 --> 00:22:32.699 baptized. 00:22:34.240 --> 00:22:35.179 Paul's message 00:22:35.179 --> 00:22:36.179 hadn't changed. 00:22:37.199 --> 00:22:38.019 It just simply 00:22:38.019 --> 00:22:39.139 shows us that 00:22:39.139 --> 00:22:40.119 salvation is 00:22:40.119 --> 00:22:41.019 God's work. 00:22:42.480 --> 00:22:43.500 Sometimes it's 00:22:43.500 --> 00:22:44.119 opening up 00:22:44.119 --> 00:22:44.859 one door for 00:22:44.859 --> 00:22:45.240 somebody, 00:22:45.379 --> 00:22:46.339 somebody is closing 00:22:46.339 --> 00:22:46.939 a door on 00:22:46.939 --> 00:22:47.259 another. 00:22:47.259 --> 00:22:47.359 together. 00:22:48.259 --> 00:22:48.920 But it's 00:22:48.920 --> 00:22:49.579 the Spirit 00:22:49.579 --> 00:22:50.220 of God 00:22:50.220 --> 00:22:51.259 taking the 00:22:51.259 --> 00:22:52.000 Gospel of 00:22:52.000 --> 00:22:52.980 God and 00:22:52.980 --> 00:22:53.480 doing the 00:22:53.480 --> 00:22:54.099 work of 00:22:54.099 --> 00:22:55.019 God in 00:22:55.019 --> 00:22:55.599 people's 00:22:55.599 --> 00:22:56.059 lives. 00:22:56.819 --> 00:22:57.680 It's God's 00:22:57.680 --> 00:22:58.039 work. 00:22:59.160 --> 00:22:59.640 So the 00:22:59.640 --> 00:23:00.339 reason Paul 00:23:00.339 --> 00:23:00.839 could keep 00:23:00.839 --> 00:23:01.220 going, 00:23:01.599 --> 00:23:02.059 the reason 00:23:02.059 --> 00:23:02.980 we can keep 00:23:02.980 --> 00:23:03.579 going when 00:23:03.579 --> 00:23:04.119 we face 00:23:04.119 --> 00:23:04.920 the opposition 00:23:04.920 --> 00:23:06.240 is because 00:23:06.240 --> 00:23:06.779 it's not 00:23:06.779 --> 00:23:08.019 dependent on 00:23:08.019 --> 00:23:08.519 us, 00:23:09.299 --> 00:23:10.019 it's not 00:23:10.019 --> 00:23:10.759 about our 00:23:10.759 --> 00:23:11.299 power, 00:23:12.299 --> 00:23:12.879 but it's 00:23:12.879 --> 00:23:13.379 about the 00:23:13.379 --> 00:23:14.220 power of 00:23:14.220 --> 00:23:15.259 God's Spirit 00:23:15.259 --> 00:23:16.839 opening up 00:23:16.839 --> 00:23:17.759 people's eyes 00:23:17.759 --> 00:23:19.160 to hear the 00:23:19.160 --> 00:23:20.359 truth of 00:23:20.359 --> 00:23:20.940 who Christ 00:23:20.940 --> 00:23:21.339 is. 00:23:26.379 --> 00:23:27.240 The third 00:23:27.240 --> 00:23:27.839 thing that we 00:23:27.839 --> 00:23:28.240 look at, 00:23:28.319 --> 00:23:28.839 we see in 00:23:28.839 --> 00:23:29.700 verses 9 to 00:23:29.700 --> 00:23:30.059 10, 00:23:31.279 --> 00:23:32.119 is that we 00:23:32.119 --> 00:23:32.579 can keep 00:23:32.579 --> 00:23:34.259 going because 00:23:34.259 --> 00:23:35.019 of God's 00:23:35.019 --> 00:23:35.519 promise. 00:23:39.180 --> 00:23:39.740 Despite 00:23:39.740 --> 00:23:40.599 people coming 00:23:40.599 --> 00:23:41.259 to faith, 00:23:42.700 --> 00:23:43.220 Paul was 00:23:43.220 --> 00:23:44.619 still very 00:23:44.619 --> 00:23:45.439 afraid about 00:23:45.439 --> 00:23:46.139 speaking to 00:23:46.139 --> 00:23:46.479 people. 00:23:47.319 --> 00:23:47.799 I take 00:23:47.799 --> 00:23:48.399 comfort from 00:23:48.399 --> 00:23:48.639 that. 00:23:48.719 --> 00:23:49.039 I'm glad 00:23:49.039 --> 00:23:49.599 Paul was 00:23:49.599 --> 00:23:50.279 afraid because 00:23:50.279 --> 00:23:51.579 I'm pretty 00:23:51.579 --> 00:23:52.359 scared too. 00:23:54.259 --> 00:23:55.159 Gospel work 00:23:55.159 --> 00:23:55.659 is always 00:23:55.659 --> 00:23:56.419 hard work. 00:23:57.500 --> 00:23:57.939 But look 00:23:57.939 --> 00:23:58.259 what the 00:23:58.259 --> 00:23:58.779 Lord has 00:23:58.779 --> 00:23:59.219 to say. 00:23:59.339 --> 00:23:59.859 Verse 9, 00:23:59.959 --> 00:24:00.419 one night 00:24:00.419 --> 00:24:00.799 the Lord 00:24:00.799 --> 00:24:01.419 spoke to 00:24:01.419 --> 00:24:01.879 Paul in 00:24:01.879 --> 00:24:02.279 a vision, 00:24:03.859 --> 00:24:04.279 do not 00:24:04.279 --> 00:24:05.099 be afraid, 00:24:06.779 --> 00:24:07.579 keep on 00:24:07.579 --> 00:24:08.219 speaking, 00:24:09.559 --> 00:24:10.459 do not 00:24:10.459 --> 00:24:11.579 be silent, 00:24:12.199 --> 00:24:12.959 for I am 00:24:12.960 --> 00:24:13.559 with you, 00:24:13.980 --> 00:24:14.640 no one 00:24:14.640 --> 00:24:15.039 is going 00:24:15.039 --> 00:24:15.720 to attack 00:24:15.720 --> 00:24:16.579 you and 00:24:16.579 --> 00:24:17.420 harm you 00:24:17.420 --> 00:24:18.519 because I 00:24:18.519 --> 00:24:19.120 have many 00:24:19.120 --> 00:24:20.120 people in 00:24:20.120 --> 00:24:20.640 the city, 00:24:21.000 --> 00:24:21.980 meaning there's 00:24:21.980 --> 00:24:22.600 lots of 00:24:22.600 --> 00:24:23.400 people here 00:24:23.400 --> 00:24:23.880 who are 00:24:23.880 --> 00:24:24.279 going to 00:24:24.279 --> 00:24:24.600 become 00:24:24.600 --> 00:24:25.059 believers 00:24:25.059 --> 00:24:25.720 in this 00:24:25.720 --> 00:24:26.039 city. 00:24:29.240 --> 00:24:30.039 Now while 00:24:30.039 --> 00:24:30.600 this is a 00:24:30.600 --> 00:24:30.980 promise, 00:24:31.140 --> 00:24:31.720 and it is 00:24:31.720 --> 00:24:32.180 a promise, 00:24:32.380 --> 00:24:32.819 we have to 00:24:32.819 --> 00:24:33.180 be very 00:24:33.180 --> 00:24:33.779 careful that 00:24:33.779 --> 00:24:34.180 we don't 00:24:34.180 --> 00:24:34.900 claim too 00:24:34.900 --> 00:24:35.819 much from 00:24:35.819 --> 00:24:36.539 this promise. 00:24:37.500 --> 00:24:38.059 So for 00:24:38.059 --> 00:24:38.460 example, 00:24:38.620 --> 00:24:39.120 in verse 10 00:24:39.120 --> 00:24:39.600 it says, 00:24:40.120 --> 00:24:40.920 God says to 00:24:40.920 --> 00:24:41.140 Paul, 00:24:41.240 --> 00:24:41.720 no one 00:24:41.720 --> 00:24:42.100 is going 00:24:42.100 --> 00:24:42.680 to attack 00:24:42.680 --> 00:24:43.080 you and 00:24:43.080 --> 00:24:43.759 harm you. 00:24:45.740 --> 00:24:46.420 But have 00:24:46.420 --> 00:24:46.779 a look at 00:24:46.779 --> 00:24:47.740 chapter 20 00:24:47.740 --> 00:24:49.500 verse 22. 00:24:51.960 --> 00:24:52.640 A little 00:24:52.640 --> 00:24:53.320 while after 00:24:53.320 --> 00:24:53.800 this, 00:24:54.300 --> 00:24:55.060 chapter 20 00:24:55.060 --> 00:24:55.900 verse 22, 00:24:57.840 --> 00:24:58.960 Paul says, 00:24:59.080 --> 00:24:59.539 and now 00:24:59.539 --> 00:25:00.300 compelled by 00:25:00.300 --> 00:25:00.860 the Spirit 00:25:00.860 --> 00:25:01.480 I am going 00:25:01.480 --> 00:25:02.279 to Jerusalem, 00:25:02.740 --> 00:25:03.460 not knowing 00:25:03.460 --> 00:25:03.880 what will 00:25:03.880 --> 00:25:04.480 happen to 00:25:04.480 --> 00:25:05.000 me there, 00:25:05.300 --> 00:25:05.840 I only 00:25:05.840 --> 00:25:06.360 know that 00:25:06.360 --> 00:25:07.080 in every 00:25:07.080 --> 00:25:08.240 city the 00:25:08.240 --> 00:25:08.980 Holy Spirit 00:25:08.980 --> 00:25:09.940 warns me 00:25:09.940 --> 00:25:11.180 that prison 00:25:11.180 --> 00:25:12.259 and hardships 00:25:12.259 --> 00:25:12.960 are facing 00:25:12.960 --> 00:25:13.299 me. 00:25:14.500 --> 00:25:15.160 So what 00:25:15.160 --> 00:25:15.620 happened the 00:25:15.620 --> 00:25:16.360 promise about 00:25:16.360 --> 00:25:16.980 protection? 00:25:17.980 --> 00:25:19.019 Well obviously 00:25:19.019 --> 00:25:19.779 this promise 00:25:19.779 --> 00:25:20.600 of protection 00:25:20.600 --> 00:25:21.799 was quite 00:25:21.799 --> 00:25:23.000 specific to 00:25:23.000 --> 00:25:23.700 the city of 00:25:23.700 --> 00:25:24.400 Corinth for 00:25:24.400 --> 00:25:24.980 this time 00:25:24.980 --> 00:25:25.539 that he was 00:25:25.539 --> 00:25:26.019 going to be 00:25:26.019 --> 00:25:26.340 there. 00:25:27.660 --> 00:25:28.120 And the 00:25:28.120 --> 00:25:29.539 promise that 00:25:29.539 --> 00:25:30.160 he received 00:25:30.160 --> 00:25:30.539 through the 00:25:30.539 --> 00:25:31.140 vision was 00:25:31.140 --> 00:25:31.559 nonetheless 00:25:31.559 --> 00:25:32.900 very encouraging 00:25:32.900 --> 00:25:33.500 for Paul. 00:25:33.700 --> 00:25:34.400 It renewed 00:25:34.400 --> 00:25:35.200 his confidence. 00:25:35.440 --> 00:25:36.200 So verse 11, 00:25:36.740 --> 00:25:37.820 Paul stayed 00:25:37.820 --> 00:25:38.779 for a year 00:25:38.779 --> 00:25:39.460 and a half 00:25:39.460 --> 00:25:40.720 teaching them 00:25:40.720 --> 00:25:41.440 the word 00:25:41.440 --> 00:25:41.980 of God. 00:25:44.680 --> 00:25:45.460 Now we've 00:25:45.460 --> 00:25:45.900 got to try 00:25:45.900 --> 00:25:46.340 and figure 00:25:46.340 --> 00:25:46.980 out how 00:25:46.980 --> 00:25:47.519 much is 00:25:47.519 --> 00:25:48.400 this a 00:25:48.400 --> 00:25:48.940 promise for 00:25:48.940 --> 00:25:49.279 you and 00:25:49.279 --> 00:25:49.840 I today. 00:25:50.860 --> 00:25:51.480 We can't 00:25:51.480 --> 00:25:51.980 just lift 00:25:51.980 --> 00:25:52.779 promises and 00:25:52.779 --> 00:25:53.380 things out of 00:25:53.380 --> 00:25:53.920 context and 00:25:53.920 --> 00:25:54.420 say oh this 00:25:54.420 --> 00:25:54.940 is for me 00:25:54.940 --> 00:25:55.759 as it was 00:25:55.759 --> 00:25:56.120 then. 00:25:57.140 --> 00:25:57.980 Well first 00:25:57.980 --> 00:25:58.559 and foremost 00:25:58.559 --> 00:25:59.279 this is a 00:25:59.279 --> 00:25:59.799 promise for 00:25:59.799 --> 00:26:00.200 Paul. 00:26:01.019 --> 00:26:01.640 But I 00:26:01.640 --> 00:26:02.340 think through 00:26:02.340 --> 00:26:03.140 this promise 00:26:03.140 --> 00:26:03.860 God is 00:26:03.860 --> 00:26:04.400 revealing 00:26:04.400 --> 00:26:06.279 universal truth 00:26:06.279 --> 00:26:07.039 to his 00:26:07.039 --> 00:26:07.640 people for 00:26:07.640 --> 00:26:08.120 each and 00:26:08.120 --> 00:26:09.019 every generation. 00:26:09.460 --> 00:26:10.380 It's a 00:26:10.380 --> 00:26:10.940 promise for 00:26:10.940 --> 00:26:12.180 Paul but 00:26:12.180 --> 00:26:13.120 in this 00:26:13.120 --> 00:26:14.480 promise there 00:26:14.480 --> 00:26:15.140 is truth 00:26:15.140 --> 00:26:15.980 for us. 00:26:16.940 --> 00:26:17.640 Let's read 00:26:17.640 --> 00:26:18.140 verse 10 00:26:18.140 --> 00:26:18.480 again. 00:26:19.819 --> 00:26:20.200 He says 00:26:20.200 --> 00:26:20.799 for I am 00:26:20.799 --> 00:26:21.380 with you 00:26:21.380 --> 00:26:23.220 no one is 00:26:23.220 --> 00:26:23.640 going to 00:26:23.640 --> 00:26:24.240 attack and 00:26:24.240 --> 00:26:24.960 harm you 00:26:24.960 --> 00:26:26.720 because I 00:26:26.720 --> 00:26:27.200 have many 00:26:27.200 --> 00:26:28.140 people in 00:26:28.140 --> 00:26:28.880 this city. 00:26:30.299 --> 00:26:30.920 Now the 00:26:30.920 --> 00:26:31.500 principle 00:26:31.500 --> 00:26:32.519 behind the 00:26:32.519 --> 00:26:33.100 promise is 00:26:33.100 --> 00:26:33.500 this. 00:26:33.500 --> 00:26:36.619 God has 00:26:36.619 --> 00:26:37.700 people whom 00:26:37.700 --> 00:26:38.200 he will 00:26:38.200 --> 00:26:39.680 save through 00:26:39.680 --> 00:26:41.960 you and 00:26:41.960 --> 00:26:42.460 he will 00:26:42.460 --> 00:26:43.400 keep you 00:26:43.400 --> 00:26:45.299 until they 00:26:45.299 --> 00:26:45.980 are saved. 00:26:47.980 --> 00:26:48.759 Did you 00:26:48.759 --> 00:26:49.319 get that? 00:26:50.119 --> 00:26:51.000 God has 00:26:51.000 --> 00:26:52.720 people who 00:26:52.720 --> 00:26:53.400 he is going 00:26:53.400 --> 00:26:54.099 to save 00:26:54.099 --> 00:26:55.599 through you 00:26:55.599 --> 00:26:57.420 and he 00:26:57.420 --> 00:26:58.019 will keep 00:26:58.019 --> 00:26:59.140 you until 00:26:59.140 --> 00:26:59.559 they are 00:26:59.559 --> 00:27:00.019 saved. 00:27:00.019 --> 00:27:01.359 Do you 00:27:01.359 --> 00:27:02.000 believe that? 00:27:03.339 --> 00:27:04.359 I find that 00:27:04.359 --> 00:27:05.220 a huge 00:27:05.220 --> 00:27:05.940 encouragement. 00:27:06.639 --> 00:27:07.619 That means 00:27:07.619 --> 00:27:08.039 that the 00:27:08.039 --> 00:27:08.619 people we 00:27:08.619 --> 00:27:09.139 are with, 00:27:09.500 --> 00:27:10.039 people who 00:27:10.039 --> 00:27:10.619 we work 00:27:10.619 --> 00:27:10.900 with, 00:27:11.220 --> 00:27:11.700 people who 00:27:11.700 --> 00:27:12.160 we hang 00:27:12.160 --> 00:27:12.700 out with, 00:27:13.980 --> 00:27:14.639 the people 00:27:14.639 --> 00:27:15.000 that we 00:27:15.000 --> 00:27:15.799 live with 00:27:15.799 --> 00:27:16.900 are not 00:27:16.900 --> 00:27:17.839 coincidences. 00:27:18.859 --> 00:27:19.440 The 00:27:19.440 --> 00:27:20.079 relationships 00:27:20.079 --> 00:27:20.619 that we 00:27:20.619 --> 00:27:20.920 are in, 00:27:21.000 --> 00:27:21.460 the people 00:27:21.460 --> 00:27:21.980 that God 00:27:21.980 --> 00:27:22.400 has given 00:27:22.400 --> 00:27:22.960 to you in 00:27:22.960 --> 00:27:23.200 those 00:27:23.200 --> 00:27:24.019 circumstances 00:27:24.019 --> 00:27:25.819 are those 00:27:25.819 --> 00:27:26.399 who God 00:27:26.399 --> 00:27:27.259 knows about 00:27:27.259 --> 00:27:29.339 who already 00:27:29.339 --> 00:27:30.339 in God's 00:27:30.339 --> 00:27:31.960 plan has 00:27:31.960 --> 00:27:32.619 them belonging 00:27:32.619 --> 00:27:33.419 to God but 00:27:33.419 --> 00:27:33.960 through you 00:27:33.960 --> 00:27:34.399 they are going 00:27:34.399 --> 00:27:34.939 to believe 00:27:34.939 --> 00:27:35.539 in God. 00:27:37.539 --> 00:27:38.460 So verse 00:27:38.460 --> 00:27:38.819 9, 00:27:40.319 --> 00:27:41.240 do not be 00:27:41.240 --> 00:27:41.819 afraid, 00:27:43.599 --> 00:27:44.279 keep on 00:27:44.279 --> 00:27:45.019 speaking, 00:27:46.579 --> 00:27:47.200 do not 00:27:47.200 --> 00:27:48.159 be silent 00:27:48.159 --> 00:27:50.519 for I 00:27:50.519 --> 00:27:51.220 am with 00:27:51.220 --> 00:27:51.519 you. 00:27:53.740 --> 00:27:54.460 Now that 00:27:54.460 --> 00:27:54.939 doesn't mean 00:27:54.940 --> 00:27:55.299 the next 00:27:55.299 --> 00:27:55.740 time we 00:27:55.740 --> 00:27:56.120 meet a 00:27:56.120 --> 00:27:56.620 friend or 00:27:56.620 --> 00:27:57.000 a buddy 00:27:57.000 --> 00:27:57.460 we say 00:27:57.460 --> 00:27:57.840 to them 00:27:57.840 --> 00:27:59.059 excuse me 00:27:59.059 --> 00:27:59.580 are you 00:27:59.580 --> 00:28:00.120 elect? 00:28:02.000 --> 00:28:02.720 Are you 00:28:02.720 --> 00:28:03.660 predestined? 00:28:04.740 --> 00:28:05.420 Are you 00:28:05.420 --> 00:28:05.920 chosen? 00:28:06.039 --> 00:28:06.539 Because if 00:28:06.539 --> 00:28:07.180 you are 00:28:07.180 --> 00:28:08.039 I have 00:28:08.039 --> 00:28:08.580 something to 00:28:08.580 --> 00:28:09.120 tell you. 00:28:10.460 --> 00:28:11.059 Well the 00:28:11.059 --> 00:28:11.460 fact is 00:28:11.460 --> 00:28:11.900 they don't 00:28:11.900 --> 00:28:12.180 know and 00:28:12.180 --> 00:28:12.480 they'll look 00:28:12.480 --> 00:28:12.700 at you 00:28:12.700 --> 00:28:13.600 fairly oddly 00:28:13.600 --> 00:28:14.920 and the 00:28:14.920 --> 00:28:15.539 reality is 00:28:15.539 --> 00:28:16.000 we don't 00:28:16.000 --> 00:28:16.240 know. 00:28:17.259 --> 00:28:18.059 God does 00:28:18.059 --> 00:28:18.820 and I'm 00:28:18.820 --> 00:28:19.320 glad he 00:28:19.320 --> 00:28:19.680 does. 00:28:20.000 --> 00:28:20.580 It's his 00:28:20.580 --> 00:28:21.100 business. 00:28:21.600 --> 00:28:22.160 God is the 00:28:22.160 --> 00:28:22.519 one who 00:28:22.519 --> 00:28:23.360 knows and 00:28:23.360 --> 00:28:23.880 he is the 00:28:23.880 --> 00:28:24.220 one who 00:28:24.220 --> 00:28:24.820 will ultimately 00:28:24.819 --> 00:28:25.899 save and 00:28:25.899 --> 00:28:26.399 that gives 00:28:26.399 --> 00:28:27.240 us huge 00:28:27.240 --> 00:28:27.859 encouragement 00:28:27.859 --> 00:28:28.519 because it's 00:28:28.519 --> 00:28:29.179 not about 00:28:29.179 --> 00:28:29.899 us. 00:28:32.059 --> 00:28:33.079 God has 00:28:33.079 --> 00:28:34.059 those who 00:28:34.059 --> 00:28:34.720 he will 00:28:34.720 --> 00:28:36.759 save through 00:28:36.759 --> 00:28:37.539 people like 00:28:37.539 --> 00:28:37.960 you and 00:28:37.960 --> 00:28:39.359 me and 00:28:39.359 --> 00:28:39.980 he is going 00:28:39.980 --> 00:28:40.619 to keep 00:28:40.619 --> 00:28:42.599 us until 00:28:42.599 --> 00:28:43.220 they are 00:28:43.220 --> 00:28:43.740 saved. 00:28:45.019 --> 00:28:45.819 That is 00:28:45.819 --> 00:28:46.740 ultimately the 00:28:46.740 --> 00:28:47.379 purpose of 00:28:47.379 --> 00:28:48.000 why we are 00:28:48.000 --> 00:28:48.379 here. 00:28:49.659 --> 00:28:50.460 God is 00:28:50.460 --> 00:28:50.919 going to 00:28:50.919 --> 00:28:51.500 keep your 00:28:51.500 --> 00:28:51.919 life. 00:28:52.720 --> 00:28:53.179 He's going 00:28:53.179 --> 00:28:53.859 to preserve 00:28:53.859 --> 00:28:54.379 your life. 00:28:54.479 --> 00:28:54.719 You will 00:28:54.719 --> 00:28:55.439 not live 00:28:55.439 --> 00:28:55.899 a day 00:28:55.899 --> 00:28:56.979 longer or 00:28:56.979 --> 00:28:57.379 a day 00:28:57.379 --> 00:28:59.899 less until 00:28:59.899 --> 00:29:00.639 God has 00:29:00.639 --> 00:29:01.159 brought to 00:29:01.159 --> 00:29:02.339 salvation all 00:29:02.339 --> 00:29:03.219 those that 00:29:03.219 --> 00:29:03.839 he wants to 00:29:03.839 --> 00:29:04.479 save through 00:29:04.479 --> 00:29:04.819 you. 00:29:05.659 --> 00:29:06.419 That's how 00:29:06.419 --> 00:29:07.139 he works. 00:29:08.939 --> 00:29:10.019 We can't 00:29:10.019 --> 00:29:10.619 plan this 00:29:10.619 --> 00:29:10.899 out. 00:29:11.159 --> 00:29:11.699 We can't 00:29:11.699 --> 00:29:12.500 even fathom 00:29:12.500 --> 00:29:12.839 it. 00:29:14.019 --> 00:29:14.779 But it 00:29:14.779 --> 00:29:15.199 gives us 00:29:15.199 --> 00:29:16.240 great confidence 00:29:16.240 --> 00:29:17.779 that God 00:29:17.779 --> 00:29:18.339 will work 00:29:18.339 --> 00:29:19.000 through people 00:29:19.000 --> 00:29:19.679 like us 00:29:19.680 --> 00:29:20.860 as he 00:29:20.860 --> 00:29:21.600 pleases. 00:29:23.039 --> 00:29:23.880 So we 00:29:23.880 --> 00:29:24.580 can keep 00:29:24.580 --> 00:29:25.080 on going 00:29:25.080 --> 00:29:26.539 because of 00:29:26.539 --> 00:29:27.200 the promise 00:29:27.200 --> 00:29:28.519 of God's 00:29:28.519 --> 00:29:28.840 word. 00:29:30.960 --> 00:29:31.680 And then 00:29:31.680 --> 00:29:32.120 the fourth 00:29:32.120 --> 00:29:34.120 one is 00:29:34.120 --> 00:29:34.420 we can 00:29:34.420 --> 00:29:34.980 keep going 00:29:34.980 --> 00:29:35.519 because of 00:29:35.519 --> 00:29:35.860 God's 00:29:35.860 --> 00:29:36.500 providence 00:29:36.500 --> 00:29:37.779 over all 00:29:37.779 --> 00:29:38.320 things. 00:29:39.779 --> 00:29:40.100 Gospel 00:29:40.100 --> 00:29:40.820 work is 00:29:40.820 --> 00:29:41.560 hard work 00:29:41.560 --> 00:29:43.860 and even 00:29:43.860 --> 00:29:44.560 with all the 00:29:44.560 --> 00:29:45.019 promises 00:29:45.019 --> 00:29:46.640 opposition 00:29:46.640 --> 00:29:47.519 continues. 00:29:47.519 --> 00:29:48.339 verse 12. 00:29:50.099 --> 00:29:50.420 While 00:29:50.420 --> 00:29:51.299 Galio was 00:29:51.299 --> 00:29:52.339 proconsul 00:29:52.339 --> 00:29:53.400 of Achaia 00:29:53.400 --> 00:29:54.940 the Jews 00:29:54.940 --> 00:29:55.359 made a 00:29:55.359 --> 00:29:56.259 united attack 00:29:56.259 --> 00:29:56.700 on Paul 00:29:56.700 --> 00:29:57.200 and brought 00:29:57.200 --> 00:29:57.779 him into 00:29:57.779 --> 00:29:58.220 court. 00:29:59.059 --> 00:29:59.740 Now this 00:29:59.740 --> 00:30:00.299 puts Paul 00:30:00.299 --> 00:30:00.740 into a 00:30:00.740 --> 00:30:01.259 serious 00:30:01.259 --> 00:30:01.980 situation. 00:30:03.059 --> 00:30:03.500 He knows 00:30:03.500 --> 00:30:04.440 what Roman 00:30:04.440 --> 00:30:05.079 rulers are 00:30:05.079 --> 00:30:05.700 capable of 00:30:05.700 --> 00:30:06.000 doing. 00:30:07.319 --> 00:30:07.839 His own 00:30:07.839 --> 00:30:08.700 friends Priscilla 00:30:08.700 --> 00:30:09.200 and Aquila 00:30:09.200 --> 00:30:09.619 had been 00:30:09.619 --> 00:30:10.240 kicked out 00:30:10.240 --> 00:30:11.039 of Rome. 00:30:12.519 --> 00:30:13.180 He knows 00:30:13.180 --> 00:30:13.740 fine well 00:30:13.740 --> 00:30:14.139 what had 00:30:14.139 --> 00:30:14.619 happened to 00:30:14.619 --> 00:30:15.299 Jesus when 00:30:15.299 --> 00:30:15.680 he had 00:30:15.680 --> 00:30:16.259 faced a 00:30:16.259 --> 00:30:16.500 Roman 00:30:16.500 --> 00:30:17.019 court. 00:30:17.519 --> 00:30:19.700 There is 00:30:19.700 --> 00:30:20.539 no guarantee 00:30:20.539 --> 00:30:21.639 that Paul 00:30:21.639 --> 00:30:22.019 is going 00:30:22.019 --> 00:30:22.400 to get 00:30:22.400 --> 00:30:22.879 justice. 00:30:24.200 --> 00:30:24.599 In fact 00:30:24.599 --> 00:30:24.940 look at 00:30:24.940 --> 00:30:25.299 the end 00:30:25.299 --> 00:30:25.599 of this 00:30:25.599 --> 00:30:25.960 account. 00:30:26.359 --> 00:30:26.579 Look at 00:30:26.579 --> 00:30:26.960 what this 00:30:26.960 --> 00:30:28.019 judge is 00:30:28.019 --> 00:30:28.420 like. 00:30:28.660 --> 00:30:29.420 Verse 17. 00:30:29.579 --> 00:30:29.819 At the 00:30:29.819 --> 00:30:30.119 end of 00:30:30.119 --> 00:30:30.299 this 00:30:30.299 --> 00:30:31.019 situation 00:30:31.019 --> 00:30:31.960 we're 00:30:31.960 --> 00:30:32.400 told that 00:30:32.400 --> 00:30:32.819 they all 00:30:32.819 --> 00:30:33.460 turned on 00:30:33.460 --> 00:30:34.079 Sosthenes 00:30:34.079 --> 00:30:34.720 the synagogue 00:30:34.720 --> 00:30:36.519 ruler and 00:30:36.519 --> 00:30:37.019 they beat 00:30:37.019 --> 00:30:37.339 him up. 00:30:37.480 --> 00:30:37.700 They gave 00:30:37.700 --> 00:30:38.059 him a good 00:30:38.059 --> 00:30:39.079 kicking in 00:30:39.079 --> 00:30:39.539 front of 00:30:39.539 --> 00:30:40.119 the court. 00:30:41.720 --> 00:30:42.359 Galio the 00:30:42.359 --> 00:30:42.720 judge, 00:30:42.839 --> 00:30:43.039 well he 00:30:43.039 --> 00:30:43.500 showed no 00:30:43.500 --> 00:30:43.920 concern 00:30:43.920 --> 00:30:44.379 whatsoever. 00:30:44.559 --> 00:30:44.799 He just 00:30:44.799 --> 00:30:45.099 let them 00:30:45.099 --> 00:30:45.440 get on 00:30:45.440 --> 00:30:45.859 with it. 00:30:47.519 --> 00:30:49.900 It seems 00:30:49.900 --> 00:30:50.639 that he's 00:30:50.639 --> 00:30:51.359 not bothered 00:30:51.359 --> 00:30:52.019 what happens 00:30:52.019 --> 00:30:52.500 to people 00:30:52.500 --> 00:30:52.980 so long 00:30:52.980 --> 00:30:53.799 as people 00:30:53.799 --> 00:30:54.319 are happy 00:30:54.319 --> 00:30:54.700 and he 00:30:54.700 --> 00:30:55.000 kind of 00:30:55.000 --> 00:30:55.579 keeps some 00:30:55.579 --> 00:30:55.980 kind of 00:30:55.980 --> 00:30:56.599 order and 00:30:56.599 --> 00:30:57.559 the majority 00:30:57.559 --> 00:30:57.960 of the 00:30:57.960 --> 00:30:58.339 people are 00:30:58.339 --> 00:30:58.559 happy, 00:30:58.639 --> 00:30:59.000 it's all 00:30:59.000 --> 00:30:59.400 okay. 00:31:01.299 --> 00:31:01.900 He's not 00:31:01.900 --> 00:31:02.319 the kind 00:31:02.319 --> 00:31:02.819 of judge 00:31:02.819 --> 00:31:03.139 you would 00:31:03.139 --> 00:31:03.599 want at 00:31:03.599 --> 00:31:04.200 this time. 00:31:05.480 --> 00:31:06.119 So it's 00:31:06.119 --> 00:31:06.559 really not 00:31:06.559 --> 00:31:07.079 looking good 00:31:07.079 --> 00:31:07.579 for Paul. 00:31:08.859 --> 00:31:09.539 But then 00:31:09.539 --> 00:31:10.339 verse 14, 00:31:11.420 --> 00:31:11.980 just as 00:31:11.980 --> 00:31:12.440 Paul was 00:31:12.440 --> 00:31:12.940 about to 00:31:12.940 --> 00:31:13.319 speak, 00:31:13.440 --> 00:31:13.799 maybe he 00:31:13.799 --> 00:31:14.220 had some 00:31:14.220 --> 00:31:14.579 kind of 00:31:14.579 --> 00:31:15.099 defence 00:31:15.099 --> 00:31:15.660 lined up 00:31:15.660 --> 00:31:15.800 as 00:31:15.800 --> 00:31:16.080 something 00:31:16.080 --> 00:31:16.279 he 00:31:16.279 --> 00:31:16.480 could 00:31:16.480 --> 00:31:16.900 say. 00:31:17.840 --> 00:31:18.000 Well, 00:31:18.040 --> 00:31:18.420 Galio 00:31:18.420 --> 00:31:19.019 interrupted 00:31:19.019 --> 00:31:19.420 and he 00:31:19.420 --> 00:31:19.779 said to 00:31:19.779 --> 00:31:19.960 the 00:31:19.960 --> 00:31:20.340 Jews, 00:31:20.779 --> 00:31:21.279 if you 00:31:21.279 --> 00:31:21.580 Jews 00:31:21.580 --> 00:31:21.759 were 00:31:21.759 --> 00:31:22.060 making 00:31:22.060 --> 00:31:22.279 a 00:31:22.279 --> 00:31:22.680 complaint 00:31:22.680 --> 00:31:23.000 about 00:31:23.000 --> 00:31:23.320 some 00:31:23.320 --> 00:31:24.180 misdemeanour 00:31:24.180 --> 00:31:25.120 or serious 00:31:25.120 --> 00:31:25.660 crime, 00:31:26.100 --> 00:31:26.400 it would 00:31:26.400 --> 00:31:27.019 be reasonable 00:31:27.019 --> 00:31:27.440 for me 00:31:27.440 --> 00:31:27.860 to listen 00:31:27.860 --> 00:31:28.320 to you. 00:31:29.259 --> 00:31:29.460 Well, 00:31:29.480 --> 00:31:29.960 it's such a 00:31:29.960 --> 00:31:30.460 contradiction 00:31:30.460 --> 00:31:30.960 to his 00:31:30.960 --> 00:31:31.360 character, 00:31:31.580 --> 00:31:31.840 especially 00:31:31.840 --> 00:31:32.220 when he 00:31:32.220 --> 00:31:32.940 let Sosthenes 00:31:32.940 --> 00:31:33.440 get beaten 00:31:33.440 --> 00:31:33.880 up a little 00:31:33.880 --> 00:31:34.560 while later. 00:31:37.240 --> 00:31:38.160 Verse 15, 00:31:38.259 --> 00:31:38.759 but since 00:31:38.759 --> 00:31:39.380 it involves 00:31:39.380 --> 00:31:40.240 questions about 00:31:40.240 --> 00:31:40.940 words and 00:31:40.940 --> 00:31:41.519 names of 00:31:41.519 --> 00:31:42.060 your law, 00:31:42.500 --> 00:31:42.960 well settle 00:31:42.960 --> 00:31:43.420 the matters 00:31:43.420 --> 00:31:43.900 yourselves. 00:31:43.900 --> 00:31:44.420 I'm not 00:31:44.420 --> 00:31:44.720 going to 00:31:44.720 --> 00:31:45.120 judge on 00:31:45.120 --> 00:31:45.300 these 00:31:45.300 --> 00:31:45.519 things. 00:31:45.600 --> 00:31:45.900 That's 00:31:45.900 --> 00:31:46.440 theology, 00:31:46.640 --> 00:31:46.880 that's 00:31:46.880 --> 00:31:47.380 not my 00:31:47.380 --> 00:31:47.880 department, 00:31:48.040 --> 00:31:48.380 you look 00:31:48.380 --> 00:31:49.000 after that. 00:31:51.420 --> 00:31:52.340 Roman rule 00:31:52.340 --> 00:31:53.160 it may be, 00:31:54.620 --> 00:31:55.480 but God's 00:31:55.480 --> 00:31:56.180 providence 00:31:56.180 --> 00:31:57.940 is overruling 00:31:57.940 --> 00:31:58.320 all of 00:31:58.320 --> 00:31:58.700 this. 00:31:59.920 --> 00:32:00.620 God has 00:32:00.620 --> 00:32:01.280 his hand 00:32:01.280 --> 00:32:02.780 on Paul's 00:32:02.780 --> 00:32:03.220 life, 00:32:04.240 --> 00:32:05.000 and God 00:32:05.000 --> 00:32:05.500 has his 00:32:05.500 --> 00:32:06.340 hand over 00:32:06.340 --> 00:32:06.820 the rulers 00:32:06.820 --> 00:32:07.240 of the 00:32:07.240 --> 00:32:07.519 day. 00:32:09.220 --> 00:32:09.880 And in 00:32:09.880 --> 00:32:10.780 our life 00:32:10.780 --> 00:32:11.340 and over 00:32:11.340 --> 00:32:11.920 God's 00:32:11.920 --> 00:32:12.259 mission, 00:32:12.680 --> 00:32:13.060 he will 00:32:13.060 --> 00:32:13.880 work all 00:32:13.880 --> 00:32:14.880 things for 00:32:14.880 --> 00:32:15.620 good to 00:32:15.620 --> 00:32:16.020 what he 00:32:16.020 --> 00:32:16.580 wants to 00:32:16.580 --> 00:32:16.820 do. 00:32:18.340 --> 00:32:18.900 And that's 00:32:18.900 --> 00:32:19.320 what we 00:32:19.320 --> 00:32:19.900 can take 00:32:19.900 --> 00:32:20.460 from this 00:32:20.460 --> 00:32:20.920 as we 00:32:20.920 --> 00:32:22.080 venture out 00:32:22.080 --> 00:32:22.560 into a 00:32:22.560 --> 00:32:23.200 new week, 00:32:23.580 --> 00:32:24.120 as we 00:32:24.120 --> 00:32:24.820 keep going 00:32:24.820 --> 00:32:25.220 as a 00:32:25.220 --> 00:32:25.520 church 00:32:25.520 --> 00:32:26.260 family to 00:32:26.260 --> 00:32:26.720 be his 00:32:26.720 --> 00:32:27.100 witness, 00:32:27.460 --> 00:32:27.720 to be 00:32:27.720 --> 00:32:28.140 involved 00:32:28.140 --> 00:32:28.660 in his 00:32:28.660 --> 00:32:29.120 mission. 00:32:31.100 --> 00:32:32.020 We have 00:32:32.020 --> 00:32:32.500 a God 00:32:32.500 --> 00:32:32.940 who is 00:32:32.940 --> 00:32:33.860 over 00:32:33.860 --> 00:32:34.860 every 00:32:34.860 --> 00:32:35.280 single 00:32:35.280 --> 00:32:35.700 ruler, 00:32:36.220 --> 00:32:36.540 over 00:32:36.540 --> 00:32:36.920 every 00:32:36.920 --> 00:32:37.400 single 00:32:37.400 --> 00:32:37.840 event 00:32:37.840 --> 00:32:38.340 and 00:32:38.340 --> 00:32:38.940 circumstance. 00:32:39.340 --> 00:32:39.540 We 00:32:39.540 --> 00:32:39.760 don't 00:32:39.760 --> 00:32:40.040 always 00:32:40.040 --> 00:32:40.640 understand 00:32:40.640 --> 00:32:40.980 what's 00:32:40.980 --> 00:32:41.680 going on 00:32:41.680 --> 00:32:42.500 or what's 00:32:42.500 --> 00:32:42.920 happening, 00:32:42.920 --> 00:32:44.860 but we 00:32:44.860 --> 00:32:45.440 trust that 00:32:45.440 --> 00:32:45.840 he is 00:32:45.840 --> 00:32:46.039 in 00:32:46.039 --> 00:32:46.640 control 00:32:46.640 --> 00:32:47.940 and he 00:32:47.940 --> 00:32:48.680 will work 00:32:48.680 --> 00:32:49.560 all 00:32:49.560 --> 00:32:50.279 things 00:32:50.279 --> 00:32:51.640 for his 00:32:51.640 --> 00:32:52.120 good. 00:32:54.560 --> 00:32:55.300 Gospel 00:32:55.300 --> 00:32:55.840 work 00:32:55.840 --> 00:32:58.019 is hard 00:32:58.019 --> 00:32:58.420 work. 00:32:59.920 --> 00:33:00.680 We will 00:33:00.680 --> 00:33:01.380 always face 00:33:01.380 --> 00:33:02.160 obstacles. 00:33:03.279 --> 00:33:03.700 We will 00:33:03.700 --> 00:33:04.100 face 00:33:04.100 --> 00:33:04.820 opposition. 00:33:04.819 --> 00:33:07.200 And as 00:33:07.200 --> 00:33:07.539 you go 00:33:07.539 --> 00:33:08.079 into this 00:33:08.079 --> 00:33:08.460 week, 00:33:09.179 --> 00:33:09.460 whether 00:33:09.460 --> 00:33:09.700 you're 00:33:09.700 --> 00:33:09.919 going 00:33:09.919 --> 00:33:10.259 into 00:33:10.259 --> 00:33:10.879 school, 00:33:11.419 --> 00:33:11.619 whether 00:33:11.619 --> 00:33:11.879 to 00:33:11.879 --> 00:33:12.460 college, 00:33:13.019 --> 00:33:13.200 whether 00:33:13.200 --> 00:33:13.399 you're 00:33:13.399 --> 00:33:13.639 looking 00:33:13.639 --> 00:33:13.960 after 00:33:13.960 --> 00:33:14.200 your 00:33:14.200 --> 00:33:14.740 children, 00:33:15.339 --> 00:33:15.519 whether 00:33:15.519 --> 00:33:15.779 to 00:33:15.779 --> 00:33:16.279 work, 00:33:17.619 --> 00:33:17.859 wherever 00:33:17.859 --> 00:33:18.740 you find 00:33:18.740 --> 00:33:19.240 yourself, 00:33:20.299 --> 00:33:20.859 you will 00:33:20.859 --> 00:33:21.639 feel weak. 00:33:23.000 --> 00:33:23.379 You may 00:33:23.379 --> 00:33:23.939 be afraid. 00:33:25.399 --> 00:33:25.799 You may 00:33:25.799 --> 00:33:26.220 be feel 00:33:26.220 --> 00:33:26.639 lonely. 00:33:28.200 --> 00:33:29.059 But God 00:33:29.059 --> 00:33:29.740 will sustain 00:33:29.740 --> 00:33:30.159 us. 00:33:31.500 --> 00:33:32.099 He saw 00:33:32.099 --> 00:33:32.959 Paul through 00:33:32.959 --> 00:33:35.319 Corinth and 00:33:35.319 --> 00:33:35.639 he will 00:33:35.639 --> 00:33:36.439 sustain us 00:33:36.439 --> 00:33:37.819 in our 00:33:37.819 --> 00:33:39.419 mission as 00:33:39.419 --> 00:33:39.759 we live 00:33:39.759 --> 00:33:40.199 for him. 00:33:41.419 --> 00:33:42.359 Let's pray 00:33:42.359 --> 00:33:43.519 together. 00:33:43.519 --> 00:33:56.839 Our 00:33:56.839 --> 00:33:57.379 Father, we 00:33:57.379 --> 00:33:58.160 confess that 00:33:58.160 --> 00:33:58.579 we are 00:33:58.579 --> 00:33:59.339 very often 00:33:59.339 --> 00:34:01.139 afraid, 00:34:02.759 --> 00:34:03.440 we're 00:34:03.440 --> 00:34:04.000 very often 00:34:04.000 --> 00:34:04.900 feeling lonely, 00:34:06.200 --> 00:34:07.900 and we're 00:34:07.900 --> 00:34:08.400 very often 00:34:08.400 --> 00:34:09.219 feeling weak. 00:34:09.219 --> 00:34:09.279 weak. 00:34:12.779 --> 00:34:13.500 But we 00:34:13.500 --> 00:34:13.939 thank you 00:34:13.939 --> 00:34:14.319 that you 00:34:14.319 --> 00:34:15.019 have provided 00:34:15.019 --> 00:34:15.819 for us 00:34:15.819 --> 00:34:17.279 one another, 00:34:18.119 --> 00:34:18.659 so we 00:34:18.659 --> 00:34:19.019 are not 00:34:19.019 --> 00:34:19.359 alone. 00:34:21.679 --> 00:34:22.379 Thank you 00:34:22.379 --> 00:34:22.739 that you 00:34:22.739 --> 00:34:23.159 have given 00:34:23.159 --> 00:34:23.659 to us 00:34:23.659 --> 00:34:24.279 the power 00:34:24.279 --> 00:34:25.159 of your 00:34:25.159 --> 00:34:26.059 Holy Spirit, 00:34:26.559 --> 00:34:28.359 because we 00:34:28.359 --> 00:34:28.919 are weak, 00:34:29.839 --> 00:34:30.739 but it's 00:34:30.739 --> 00:34:31.299 his power 00:34:31.299 --> 00:34:31.839 at work 00:34:31.839 --> 00:34:32.799 through us. 00:34:35.719 --> 00:34:36.519 We thank 00:34:36.519 --> 00:34:36.799 you that 00:34:36.799 --> 00:34:37.099 you have 00:34:37.099 --> 00:34:37.519 given us 00:34:37.519 --> 00:34:38.159 the promises 00:34:38.159 --> 00:34:38.639 of your 00:34:38.639 --> 00:34:39.039 word, 00:34:39.219 --> 00:34:42.119 so although 00:34:42.119 --> 00:34:42.599 we feel 00:34:42.599 --> 00:34:43.679 afraid going 00:34:43.679 --> 00:34:44.279 into new 00:34:44.279 --> 00:34:44.939 situations, 00:34:45.739 --> 00:34:47.439 you have 00:34:47.439 --> 00:34:47.879 your hand 00:34:47.879 --> 00:34:48.599 over us, 00:34:48.799 --> 00:34:49.419 and you 00:34:49.419 --> 00:34:49.859 will keep 00:34:49.859 --> 00:34:50.599 us to do 00:34:50.599 --> 00:34:51.159 your work 00:34:51.159 --> 00:34:51.519 that you 00:34:51.519 --> 00:34:51.899 have called 00:34:51.899 --> 00:34:52.319 us to. 00:34:55.019 --> 00:34:55.679 And we 00:34:55.679 --> 00:34:56.059 thank you 00:34:56.059 --> 00:34:56.399 for your 00:34:56.399 --> 00:34:57.239 rule over 00:34:57.239 --> 00:34:57.859 all of our 00:34:57.859 --> 00:34:58.319 lives, 00:34:59.259 --> 00:34:59.819 over our 00:34:59.819 --> 00:35:00.159 work, 00:35:00.799 --> 00:35:01.219 over our 00:35:01.219 --> 00:35:01.619 family, 00:35:02.959 --> 00:35:03.419 over our 00:35:03.419 --> 00:35:03.939 college, 00:35:04.959 --> 00:35:05.399 and over 00:35:05.399 --> 00:35:06.099 our friends. 00:35:09.219 --> 00:35:10.000 we trust 00:35:10.000 --> 00:35:10.419 you with 00:35:10.419 --> 00:35:10.719 it all, 00:35:11.719 --> 00:35:12.619 and we 00:35:12.619 --> 00:35:13.119 praise you 00:35:13.119 --> 00:35:13.500 that you 00:35:13.500 --> 00:35:13.879 are a 00:35:13.879 --> 00:35:14.959 good and 00:35:14.959 --> 00:35:15.439 a great 00:35:15.439 --> 00:35:15.839 God. 00:35:18.599 --> 00:35:19.159 In 00:35:19.159 --> 00:35:19.779 Jesus' name 00:35:19.779 --> 00:35:20.279 we pray. 00:35:21.359 --> 00:35:21.759 Amen. 00:35:21.759 --> 00:35:21.859 Amen. 00:35:21.860 --> 00:35:28.920 Well, our 00:35:28.920 --> 00:35:30.220 vision going 00:35:30.220 --> 00:35:31.059 forward has 00:35:31.059 --> 00:35:31.519 to be 00:35:31.519 --> 00:35:33.059 here for 00:35:33.059 --> 00:35:35.059 to be 00:35:38.400 --> 00:35:38.679 a 00:35:38.679 --> 00:35:39.059 hat. 00:35:39.239 --> 00:35:39.739 Amen.