WEBVTT 00:00:00.480 --> 00:00:08.120 Pray with me. Lord, we thank you for this reliable eyewitness account of the birth of your church 00:00:08.120 --> 00:00:14.439 that is much more than just a history of the birth of your church, but is in fact exactly what you 00:00:14.439 --> 00:00:20.320 wanted us to know about the start and the development and the spread of the gospel in the 00:00:20.320 --> 00:00:25.859 first century. Lord, we thank you that we have the example of the Apostle Paul here in Acts chapter 18. 00:00:25.859 --> 00:00:34.960 Help us to, by your Holy Spirit, seek to imitate him in every way we can. Lord, knowing that he was 00:00:34.960 --> 00:00:43.579 simply following you and your son. Paul was on mission because your son was on mission, and Lord, 00:00:43.659 --> 00:00:51.359 help us to do likewise. Pray your blessing on this in Jesus' name. Amen. Amen. So if you are following 00:00:51.359 --> 00:00:58.759 along, we are on, maybe I should get onto the page as well, we'll start on page 104 and then 106, 00:00:59.460 --> 00:01:07.620 and I think that'll be it. So 104 and 106. So we've been in Acts for some time, and if you have been 00:01:07.620 --> 00:01:15.920 following along, it is almost impossible to read the Acts of the Apostles without coming away with 00:01:15.920 --> 00:01:22.780 this very strong impression that the will of God is for all to turn to Christ. That is God's will, 00:01:22.879 --> 00:01:30.019 and therefore, central to the Acts of the Apostle is the grace and mercy of Christ as the church grows 00:01:30.019 --> 00:01:37.960 and is strengthened, and that continues throughout the age to this very day. Central to the story then 00:01:37.959 --> 00:01:45.379 is not just the spread of the gospel, but the spreading of the gospel by people like the Apostle 00:01:45.379 --> 00:01:53.599 Paul or Peter or any one of the unnamed members of the early church, to bear witness to the cross, 00:01:54.019 --> 00:02:03.319 to evangelize, both in word and lifestyle, so that people know what our hope is, and that hope is Christ. 00:02:03.319 --> 00:02:11.579 But we've also seen that evangelism can be difficult, not only in the text, but we've also 00:02:11.579 --> 00:02:17.879 been confronted with the call in our own lives to evangelize and to share the faith and to bear 00:02:17.879 --> 00:02:28.259 witness to the cross. We can also see and testify to the difficulty of it today. Evangelism is difficult. 00:02:28.259 --> 00:02:36.759 Why? Because we are putting ourselves on the line for not our own cause, but somebody else's cause, 00:02:36.979 --> 00:02:44.699 and we risk opposition, and sometimes that opposition is terrifying. Sometimes it's subtle 00:02:44.699 --> 00:02:53.680 and difficult, more of like an interpersonal opposition that put us down a few rungs on the social ladder, 00:02:53.680 --> 00:03:01.080 and sometimes it's very overt, and we see this not often in Canada, but we certainly see it across the 00:03:01.080 --> 00:03:08.900 world, that to proclaim the gospel is to invite opposition, and sometimes that opposition takes 00:03:08.900 --> 00:03:18.360 the form of violence. But evangelism can be joyful. It's going to be hard, of course, but it can also be 00:03:18.360 --> 00:03:24.080 a very joyful thing, especially when you share what your faith, and you see that 00:03:24.080 --> 00:03:33.320 that people are moved. Maybe not giving their heart to Christ immediately, but it's like they have a 00:03:33.320 --> 00:03:37.460 pebble in their shoe, or a gnawing in the back of their head. You see that the Spirit is at work, 00:03:37.540 --> 00:03:46.340 questions are being asked. A lot of consternation is happening. But nevertheless, evangelism can be very 00:03:46.340 --> 00:03:55.920 scary. I liken it to, in some ways, being conscripted to join an army, to fight in a battle you don't 00:03:55.920 --> 00:04:05.219 believe in. Sometimes. It can be difficult. So a text like ours today, although recognizing the difficulty 00:04:05.219 --> 00:04:12.699 of evangelism is not just to highlight the difficulty, but to provide an encouragement for us 00:04:12.699 --> 00:04:19.479 to see how the good Lord will help us to faithfully and confidently bear witness to our faith. That he 00:04:19.479 --> 00:04:25.480 doesn't just ask us to share the faith, but he gives us the strength to do so. It's a remarkable thing. 00:04:26.759 --> 00:04:32.800 So how does God provide this help? Well, he provides it through the very gospel message we are called to 00:04:32.800 --> 00:04:39.519 proclaim. So for the sake of breaking up our text, we'll look at three points. And we won't actually 00:04:39.519 --> 00:04:46.839 spend much time, I mean, Gord read all the way to verse 23, but we'll get to about verse 12 or 13. 00:04:47.379 --> 00:04:55.620 We'll have a few mentions about the rest of this section. But so basically, Acts 18, 1 to 13, or 12 00:04:55.620 --> 00:05:01.680 to 13, we'll see three things. The first thing, how God provides help as we share our faith, is that 00:05:01.680 --> 00:05:08.339 God provides refreshment to continue. That it is a very real thing that we would experience 00:05:08.339 --> 00:05:13.579 the need to be refreshed, and he provides that refreshment to continue. He also provides the 00:05:13.579 --> 00:05:20.000 strength to proclaim the gospel message, and also, and finally, the confidence to trust in him, 00:05:20.519 --> 00:05:27.719 that he will lead, and that he is true, and that it is worth putting our lives on the line for. So 00:05:27.719 --> 00:05:33.459 look with me, verses 1 to 5. The first point, the gospel provides refreshment to continue. I'll just read 00:05:33.459 --> 00:05:40.199 this for us again. After this, Paul left Athens and went to Corinth. Really quickly, so the previous 00:05:40.199 --> 00:05:46.939 section, Paul is in Athens, it's very famous. This was from two weeks ago. Paul gets to Athens, and it's 00:05:46.939 --> 00:05:53.299 kind of like a bit of a furlough for him, except he gets there, and it says that his heart, or his soul, 00:05:53.659 --> 00:05:57.159 it's like he has a gut punch in his soul when he sees all the idolatry. 00:05:57.160 --> 00:06:06.740 And he goes to the Acropolis, or to Mars Hill, rather, and he debates with the leading thinkers 00:06:06.740 --> 00:06:13.660 at the time. Some come to faith, some mock him, and then he makes his way to Corinth, which is 00:06:13.660 --> 00:06:21.320 some 75, 80 kilometers away from Athens. So that's where we are, verse 2. And he found a Jew named Aquila, 00:06:21.319 --> 00:06:28.779 a native Apontis, recently come from Italy with his wife Priscilla, because Claudius had commanded 00:06:28.779 --> 00:06:34.060 all the Jews to leave Rome. And he went to see them, and because he was of the same trade, he stayed 00:06:34.060 --> 00:06:39.159 with them and worked, for they were tent makers by trade. And he reasoned in the synagogue every 00:06:39.159 --> 00:06:46.819 Sabbath and tried to persuade Jews and Greeks. I have this habit, maybe you do as well. I see the 00:06:46.819 --> 00:06:51.159 Apostle Paul as almost like a mythical figure. Like, yeah, he's a human being, but he's not really 00:06:51.159 --> 00:06:58.120 a human being, because he does some crazy things. He's super strong, super faith, incredible man of 00:06:58.120 --> 00:07:07.659 courage, knowledge, mental fortitude. But this text is very clear he's a man. A man that leans on the 00:07:07.659 --> 00:07:15.439 grace of God, but a man nevertheless. And he was susceptible to bodily harm. So we've journeyed with 00:07:15.439 --> 00:07:22.620 Paul, so to speak, these past few chapters. And we have seen him subject to bodily harm, emotional hurt, 00:07:23.160 --> 00:07:29.939 and weariness. He's experienced relational breakdown between him and his dear friend Barnabas. 00:07:30.480 --> 00:07:37.459 He's been imprisoned wrongfully after a severe public beating without trial. He's had a tumultuous 00:07:37.459 --> 00:07:44.199 time in Thessalonica and in Berea at the hands of his own people. Like I mentioned, he gets to Athens, 00:07:44.199 --> 00:07:49.339 and one of the things they accuse him of, of being essentially a half-baked philosopher. 00:07:50.699 --> 00:08:01.419 He is constantly, constantly both in the midst of a joyful ministry and difficult opposition. 00:08:03.339 --> 00:08:10.039 And he gets to a Corinth, and he is fairly beaten up. I mean, in our text today, it just says that after 00:08:10.040 --> 00:08:14.560 Paul left Athens and went to Corinth, it doesn't comment on his personal well-being, but Paul actually 00:08:14.560 --> 00:08:19.760 comments on this in 1 Corinthians chapter 2. And this is what he says. It's a short bit, but it paints 00:08:19.760 --> 00:08:28.320 a picture of how weary this man was. This is verses 1 and then following, just a snippet of 1 Corinthians 2, 00:08:28.319 --> 00:08:34.779 1 to 3. And I, when I came to you, brothers, he's talking to the Corinthians, I was with you in weakness 00:08:34.779 --> 00:08:41.659 and in fear and in much trembling. Weakness, fear, and trembling. 00:08:44.179 --> 00:08:51.319 Say what you want about the Bible, some of the grand claims it makes, miracles, are they real, are they not real? 00:08:51.320 --> 00:08:59.140 Well, you can have those kind of pushbacks, but you can't push back against the reality that the Bible's a very 00:08:59.140 --> 00:09:06.300 human book, that it records a very human reaction to very difficult things. It doesn't sugarcoat things. 00:09:07.600 --> 00:09:14.640 Paul was weak, he was fearful, and he had much trembling. It's a very human book. 00:09:14.639 --> 00:09:22.779 So the apostle comes to Corinth, he's exhausted, he's beat down, he needs refreshment and encouragement. 00:09:23.600 --> 00:09:31.080 Not long after he arrives, he finds a husband and wife, who've just arrived, somewhat recently from Italy. 00:09:31.939 --> 00:09:40.480 Claudius, the emperor, expels the Jews from Rome in 49 AD, and they seem to have settled in Corinth. 00:09:40.480 --> 00:09:48.920 And they're not just this Jewish couple, but they're believers, which is to say that the gospel went before Paul to Rome. 00:09:50.139 --> 00:10:00.019 Interestingly, some historians think that the reason why Claudius expelled the Jews was because of Christianity landing in Rome 00:10:00.019 --> 00:10:04.060 and causing a kerfuffle with the existing synagogues. 00:10:04.059 --> 00:10:12.819 Anyways, whether that's true or not, here they are. And not just fellow Jews, not just fellow believers, but fellow tradesmen. 00:10:13.799 --> 00:10:21.539 And Paul later on in, where is it, in 1 Thessalonians and in Romans 16, 00:10:22.579 --> 00:10:24.179 oh sorry, just in Romans 16, 00:10:24.179 --> 00:10:31.059 he will say of Aquila and Priscilla that they were dear friends and workers of the gospel, 00:10:31.659 --> 00:10:34.839 and that they stuck their necks out on the line for him. 00:10:35.679 --> 00:10:39.459 Not exactly sure when that happened or how it went down, 00:10:40.179 --> 00:10:45.039 but these, this couple, they're a godsend to the apostle. 00:10:45.039 --> 00:10:53.639 I don't know if you've needed a, just a kind word, a real embrace, somebody just to be a listening ear, 00:10:54.179 --> 00:10:57.799 a good meal, in a time where you are beat down. 00:10:58.099 --> 00:11:06.459 I was, I was homesick, so I went to Redeemer in Ancaster, Ontario for a year before I came to Ottawa. 00:11:07.059 --> 00:11:09.919 I had a bad interaction with somebody very close to me. 00:11:09.919 --> 00:11:15.099 I was homesick, I was 18, wasn't as much bravado as I thought. 00:11:15.779 --> 00:11:19.439 And, and where my parents were living at the time was about two hours away. 00:11:19.500 --> 00:11:24.579 And they phoned them up, they drove all the way, and they bought me a steak. 00:11:25.039 --> 00:11:25.639 We went out for dinner. 00:11:26.079 --> 00:11:30.879 And it didn't solve my problem, but it was, it was a refreshment. 00:11:30.919 --> 00:11:31.599 It was what I needed. 00:11:32.079 --> 00:11:33.719 They, we, we didn't just buy me a steak. 00:11:33.759 --> 00:11:35.480 We went to a restaurant and we ate a steak. 00:11:37.659 --> 00:11:39.039 But I don't know what it was. 00:11:39.039 --> 00:11:41.159 It just, it was like wind in my sails. 00:11:41.259 --> 00:11:42.519 It was the refreshment that I needed. 00:11:44.480 --> 00:11:46.559 That's what Aquila and Priscilla are like here. 00:11:47.620 --> 00:11:53.159 They are an encouragement from God when refreshment is needed by the apostle. 00:11:54.120 --> 00:12:01.039 A bit later in the narrative, Silas and Timothy arrive from Macedonia, and they bring with them good news twofold. 00:12:01.039 --> 00:12:10.879 The first, we learn later on in, in, uh, first Thessalonians, that they reported that the church in Thessalonica and Macedonia was still going strong. 00:12:11.919 --> 00:12:12.319 Wow. 00:12:13.439 --> 00:12:16.059 Paul proclaims the gospel, then he takes off. 00:12:17.339 --> 00:12:18.799 Nobody's phoning him up about it. 00:12:18.819 --> 00:12:19.599 He's not getting letters. 00:12:19.600 --> 00:12:22.360 He's not too sure what the, what is, what has happened. 00:12:22.420 --> 00:12:24.460 He's entrusted these believers to the Lord. 00:12:24.659 --> 00:12:26.580 He's left Timothy and Silas as well. 00:12:26.639 --> 00:12:28.480 They come back, they say, hey, listen, it's still going strong. 00:12:29.300 --> 00:12:32.240 Uh, your labor has not been in vain. 00:12:33.460 --> 00:12:34.120 Encouragement again. 00:12:34.120 --> 00:12:41.860 And also with them, they brought, um, uh, financial aid from Corinth, uh, as well. 00:12:42.460 --> 00:12:48.000 Uh, relief so that Paul could continue on in his, in his, uh, focus on spreading the gospel. 00:12:49.120 --> 00:12:50.139 Again, encouragement. 00:12:50.379 --> 00:12:52.259 A time needed of refreshment. 00:12:52.659 --> 00:12:54.259 So what does this tell us about ministry? 00:12:54.399 --> 00:12:57.960 And when I say ministry, I don't mean me up here, paid minister. 00:12:57.960 --> 00:13:06.800 I mean, the ministry that we are all called to, to follow the Lord by his strength to the best of our ability and to seek to obey him. 00:13:07.139 --> 00:13:09.740 Again, by his strength to the best of our ability. 00:13:10.519 --> 00:13:12.379 What does this tell us about ministry? 00:13:12.900 --> 00:13:15.540 First thing is that ministry can be difficult. 00:13:16.740 --> 00:13:23.440 With the beautiful and the glorious joy of, of seeing people consider the Christian faith or your children. 00:13:23.440 --> 00:13:31.660 If, if this is kind of just the focus of your life right now, or coworkers or employees or fellow employees, 00:13:32.300 --> 00:13:35.240 that there's great joy in seeing people consider the Christian faith. 00:13:35.540 --> 00:13:40.080 There's also the reality of opposition and disappointment. 00:13:40.980 --> 00:13:45.780 And that opposition and disappointment, it takes many different forms. 00:13:47.120 --> 00:13:51.860 And in every case, opposition isn't exactly easy. 00:13:51.860 --> 00:13:55.240 It's always, to a certain degree, difficult to endure. 00:13:56.639 --> 00:13:59.360 So it's difficult to withstand such abuse or gossip. 00:14:00.580 --> 00:14:05.180 Whether it's mockery, false accusations, or physical harm, as we see with the Apostle Paul. 00:14:06.259 --> 00:14:11.440 But how about when it seems, actually, it's not so much opposition, but an apathy. 00:14:12.620 --> 00:14:13.600 We share the gospel. 00:14:14.240 --> 00:14:17.399 We do not see any fruit. 00:14:17.399 --> 00:14:20.639 It's like the needle doesn't, it doesn't move. 00:14:20.759 --> 00:14:23.199 Not an inch, not a centimeter, not a millimeter. 00:14:24.519 --> 00:14:26.459 Like what, like what gives? 00:14:26.939 --> 00:14:27.939 I'm following the Lord. 00:14:28.299 --> 00:14:29.519 I'm seeking to obey him. 00:14:30.039 --> 00:14:35.959 I see in the Acts of the Apostles, it's like, boom, action, non-stop throughout these pages. 00:14:36.819 --> 00:14:39.399 But I haven't seen somebody even consider the Christian faith. 00:14:40.340 --> 00:14:44.939 I'm telling you, apathy can sometimes be more discouraging than outright opposition. 00:14:45.539 --> 00:14:46.079 It can be difficult. 00:14:46.080 --> 00:14:46.200 It can be difficult. 00:14:48.900 --> 00:14:56.420 Especially when there's apathy as you seek to bear witness to Christ to those that are close to us. 00:14:56.560 --> 00:15:01.200 Friends, children, adult children who seem completely unresponsive and indifferent. 00:15:03.480 --> 00:15:05.840 So, ministry is difficult. 00:15:05.840 --> 00:15:13.259 But it also tells us, this text, that it is not a sin to feel exhausted. 00:15:13.899 --> 00:15:15.820 It's not a sin to feel worn out. 00:15:15.920 --> 00:15:19.540 It's not a sin to feel emotionally beat up. 00:15:20.399 --> 00:15:21.560 It is not wrong. 00:15:21.559 --> 00:15:24.419 And it's also not evidence of faithlessness. 00:15:25.799 --> 00:15:26.939 I think that's a big thing. 00:15:28.119 --> 00:15:28.739 To hear that. 00:15:29.379 --> 00:15:33.959 If you are seeking to follow the Lord, and it is just discouraging because, 00:15:35.019 --> 00:15:37.219 we talk about the parable of the sower. 00:15:37.220 --> 00:15:40.560 It's not just that there's four kinds of soil, if you know the parable. 00:15:41.680 --> 00:15:42.500 There's only one. 00:15:42.879 --> 00:15:44.080 And it's not hard soil. 00:15:44.220 --> 00:15:45.320 It's like, it's cement. 00:15:46.940 --> 00:15:49.080 And nothing seems to bear fruit. 00:15:50.680 --> 00:15:56.560 That, friends, is not a sinful thing to feel discouraged. 00:15:56.559 --> 00:15:58.439 And it's not a sign of faithlessness. 00:15:59.679 --> 00:16:04.899 So, furloughs, retreats, rests, times of healing are appropriate and needed. 00:16:05.879 --> 00:16:08.339 In this humanity, if you remember some of the gospel stories, 00:16:08.459 --> 00:16:14.500 Christ would, he would, he would retire away from the crowds to commune with the Father. 00:16:15.619 --> 00:16:16.559 Christ himself. 00:16:17.399 --> 00:16:18.219 Christ himself. 00:16:21.339 --> 00:16:24.639 However, there is a real temptation to allow such difficulty 00:16:24.639 --> 00:16:27.059 to undermine our faith. 00:16:27.399 --> 00:16:27.860 We shrink. 00:16:28.000 --> 00:16:28.539 We hide. 00:16:28.740 --> 00:16:31.919 We start to give excuses for not bearing witness. 00:16:32.559 --> 00:16:35.539 Again, not that we're out there evangelizing every person we see, 00:16:35.639 --> 00:16:36.879 but when we feel like a prompt, 00:16:37.340 --> 00:16:39.600 when we feel like, man, this is an opportunity to share my faith, 00:16:39.639 --> 00:16:40.980 and we say, maybe not today. 00:16:41.179 --> 00:16:42.240 I'll wait till the next time. 00:16:42.639 --> 00:16:46.460 We give up on the call to give a reason for our hope in Christ. 00:16:47.000 --> 00:16:48.720 Friends, we must fight against this. 00:16:49.240 --> 00:16:51.019 And how do we fight against this fear? 00:16:51.279 --> 00:16:53.080 And in this, in this case, it's faithlessness. 00:16:53.080 --> 00:16:58.639 We ask the Lord for his help and his strength and a fresh filling of his spirit. 00:16:59.040 --> 00:17:06.420 If not, then that faithlessness, that, that real temptation to undermine our faith, 00:17:06.500 --> 00:17:14.019 it subtly creeps in and grows and grows and becomes a lot bigger than we would ever want, 00:17:14.220 --> 00:17:15.960 want it to be. 00:17:15.960 --> 00:17:19.960 So we acknowledge the difficulty as a reality of sharing the faith, 00:17:20.100 --> 00:17:22.700 that it's important, but we never, we never stay there. 00:17:23.019 --> 00:17:24.620 We look to the Lord for strength. 00:17:25.680 --> 00:17:27.120 An example about this. 00:17:27.299 --> 00:17:29.000 So I was away at our synod. 00:17:29.100 --> 00:17:32.019 That's Anglican speak for an annual general meeting. 00:17:32.019 --> 00:17:39.259 But before, I had a privilege just a couple days before to spend some time with some church 00:17:39.259 --> 00:17:45.119 planners and one of the speakers that came to it, it was a small group, there's six of 00:17:45.119 --> 00:17:47.740 us, was this man named David Short. 00:17:47.920 --> 00:17:50.379 Now, David Short, if you've never heard of the name, that's fine. 00:17:51.240 --> 00:17:57.200 He, well, he's actually on his way to retirement now, but he has been the lead pastor of a church 00:17:57.200 --> 00:17:58.240 called St. John's Vancouver. 00:17:58.240 --> 00:18:04.039 That is where J.I. Packer, if you're familiar with that name, J.I. Packer, famous evangelical, 00:18:04.319 --> 00:18:06.160 that's where he worshipped until he died. 00:18:07.700 --> 00:18:12.059 David Short was the pastor of St. John's Shaughnessy. 00:18:12.859 --> 00:18:16.660 St. John's Shaughnessy was the first church to leave the Anglican Church of Canada 00:18:16.660 --> 00:18:24.779 over the issue of the blessing of same-sex marriage, but really it was the issue of leaving 00:18:24.779 --> 00:18:33.440 orthodoxy. And he was a courageous man and a bold man. He was also a man that went on leave 00:18:33.440 --> 00:18:41.420 for two years because of stress. Because it took its toll on him. Licking his wounds, regrouping, 00:18:41.420 --> 00:18:49.240 dealing with his mental exhaustion, his spiritual exhaustion. 00:18:50.840 --> 00:19:00.600 Listen, the Bible, in the scriptures, they don't say, it doesn't say, hey, listen, just go do up your wounds 00:19:00.600 --> 00:19:07.300 and jump back into it right away. We need you. No, no, no, no, no. This is Christ's mission. 00:19:07.299 --> 00:19:14.700 And Christ uses us, but he certainly does not need us. I love that story because St. John's now is 00:19:14.700 --> 00:19:21.819 the most vibrant church and the biggest Anglican church in the West Coast. They have been faithful. 00:19:21.980 --> 00:19:26.919 David returned, and he's had 10 plus ministries after his return of fruitful ministry. 00:19:28.399 --> 00:19:34.720 I'll just say this, we are not disposable slaves of Christ. He doesn't use us until we are spent 00:19:34.720 --> 00:19:45.440 foul, and then we were off to the slaughterhouse. This is the Christ who lived for us and bled for us 00:19:45.440 --> 00:19:52.640 and who died for us and who was buried instead of us being buried and who rose again to new life, 00:19:52.700 --> 00:19:58.200 defeating death, and who sits at the right hand of God. And it says that we too will join him 00:19:58.200 --> 00:20:06.680 in glory, sitting with him and enjoying him forever. We are not disposable. 00:20:09.559 --> 00:20:14.080 We are not these slaves that he easily tosses away. 00:20:17.080 --> 00:20:23.340 You don't die for somebody that you find as a disposable slave. This is not the behavior of 00:20:23.339 --> 00:20:32.579 some cosmic tyrant or this evil manipulative boss or abusive leader or heavenly narcissist. 00:20:35.019 --> 00:20:42.139 And yet, because Christ lays down his life, sacrificially pouring it out for us so that we 00:20:42.139 --> 00:20:48.159 could have abundant life, that begins to change us. So that we say, hold on a second, my life was 00:20:48.160 --> 00:20:54.180 bought at a cost. And if Christ is willing to do that for me, by his strength, I will grow to do that 00:20:54.180 --> 00:21:02.880 for others. How will we do that? By bearing witness, by laying down our lives for our friends, by giving 00:21:02.880 --> 00:21:08.500 without expecting to receive, because we know when we give, especially to the poor, but when we give in 00:21:08.500 --> 00:21:14.740 general, we are lending to the Lord. It's a beautiful thing. And it's not under a compulsion. 00:21:14.740 --> 00:21:22.519 It's not under a gun to our heads. If you don't do this, you're going to hell. It is an act of joyful 00:21:22.519 --> 00:21:25.960 obedience because of what Christ has done for us. 00:21:28.839 --> 00:21:33.880 So as we obey his example and proclaim that sweet gospel to those that are far off, 00:21:35.200 --> 00:21:40.319 and we get tired, and we get beat up, and we get broken, he will refresh us. I don't know how. 00:21:40.319 --> 00:21:46.359 I don't know what it will look like. I don't know if we have any vegetarians. It's not going to be a steak 00:21:46.359 --> 00:21:51.799 like what I needed when I was 18 years old. I mean, it's a bit of a different, not the greatest, 00:21:51.919 --> 00:21:54.740 it's a bit of apples and oranges because I was just homesick. I wasn't doing the Lord's work. 00:21:55.079 --> 00:22:03.460 But nevertheless, I don't know how he will refresh you, but he will. He will. Pray for it. Trust him for it. 00:22:03.460 --> 00:22:09.299 Expect him to provide what you need to obey him because he delights in giving good gifts. 00:22:09.940 --> 00:22:10.960 He delights in his children. 00:22:12.640 --> 00:22:14.500 So as we transition to the next section, 00:22:15.940 --> 00:22:17.440 Paul would need such an encouragement, 00:22:18.319 --> 00:22:22.059 and he would need strength as he continued proclaiming the gospel to the Corinthian people. 00:22:22.120 --> 00:22:26.660 So the second point, that the gospel provides strength to proclaim the good news. 00:22:26.660 --> 00:22:29.060 So look with me, verses 6 to 8. 00:22:30.660 --> 00:22:33.180 And when they opposed, so we'll go back actually to verse 5. 00:22:33.240 --> 00:22:35.160 When Silas and Timothy arrived from Macedonia, 00:22:35.320 --> 00:22:37.019 Paul was occupied with the word, 00:22:37.600 --> 00:22:40.540 testifying to the Jews that the Christ was Jesus. 00:22:41.220 --> 00:22:42.960 And when they opposed and reviled him, 00:22:43.019 --> 00:22:44.940 he shook out his garments and said to them, 00:22:45.180 --> 00:22:47.480 Your blood be on your own heads. I am innocent. 00:22:48.080 --> 00:22:50.140 For now I will go to the Gentiles. 00:22:50.680 --> 00:22:53.940 And he left there, and he went to the house of a man named Titius Justus, 00:22:53.940 --> 00:22:58.820 A worshiper of God, his house, was next door to the synagogue. 00:22:59.779 --> 00:23:02.740 Crispus, the ruler of the synagogue, believed in the Lord, 00:23:03.000 --> 00:23:04.440 together with his entire household. 00:23:05.100 --> 00:23:08.100 And many of the Corinthians, hearing Paul, believed and were baptized. 00:23:08.920 --> 00:23:11.820 It's just a beautiful picture of the gospel going forth. 00:23:11.900 --> 00:23:15.779 So once again we see Paul proclaiming the gospel to his Jewish brethren. 00:23:16.519 --> 00:23:20.340 And once again, as is the theme in verses 18 and 19, 00:23:20.779 --> 00:23:22.680 they reject both the gospel and Paul. 00:23:22.680 --> 00:23:27.220 And Paul, faithfully proclaiming the message, 00:23:27.380 --> 00:23:29.660 he shakes out his garment, 00:23:30.860 --> 00:23:34.380 just to say that he is leaving them behind. 00:23:35.360 --> 00:23:36.500 And what he quotes here, 00:23:37.539 --> 00:23:39.200 Your blood be on your own heads. 00:23:39.320 --> 00:23:41.400 I am innocent. From now on I will go to the Gentiles. 00:23:41.460 --> 00:23:43.220 That bit about your blood being on your own head. 00:23:43.840 --> 00:23:46.299 That is a quote from Ezekiel chapter 33, 00:23:46.500 --> 00:23:50.039 and it won't get into it, but in Ezekiel 33 there's watchmen. 00:23:50.279 --> 00:23:51.600 They're supposed to be the nation of Israel. 00:23:51.599 --> 00:23:56.099 They are to watch for the sword that will come. 00:23:56.299 --> 00:23:58.740 And if the watchman sounds the alarm, 00:23:59.480 --> 00:24:01.039 the people have to respond. 00:24:01.719 --> 00:24:05.000 And if they respond correctly, 00:24:05.240 --> 00:24:06.240 they will be saved. 00:24:06.319 --> 00:24:07.699 If they don't respond correctly, 00:24:07.899 --> 00:24:10.139 the sword will come down on them. 00:24:10.179 --> 00:24:11.159 And then that's on them. 00:24:11.240 --> 00:24:11.980 It's not on the watchman. 00:24:11.980 --> 00:24:13.360 And if the watchman doesn't do his job, 00:24:13.519 --> 00:24:14.920 then it's on him. 00:24:15.839 --> 00:24:17.480 And Paul is just simply saying, 00:24:18.180 --> 00:24:19.759 listen, I've declared to you the gospel. 00:24:21.079 --> 00:24:23.259 It is up to you to embrace it or not. 00:24:23.640 --> 00:24:24.819 And if you don't embrace it, 00:24:25.200 --> 00:24:27.420 your blood is on your hands. 00:24:27.480 --> 00:24:28.420 It's not on me. 00:24:29.420 --> 00:24:30.860 It would have been a stark thing 00:24:30.860 --> 00:24:32.319 and an offensive thing 00:24:32.319 --> 00:24:34.440 for these religious Jews in the synagogue 00:24:34.440 --> 00:24:38.160 to hear such an indictment against them. 00:24:38.539 --> 00:24:39.259 They would have certainly 00:24:39.259 --> 00:24:40.220 have caught the reference. 00:24:41.220 --> 00:24:42.420 I'll say just on an aside, 00:24:42.539 --> 00:24:43.900 it is both a warning for us 00:24:43.900 --> 00:24:45.900 to hear rightly the gospel, 00:24:46.059 --> 00:24:48.460 but also to proclaim rightly the gospel. 00:24:48.460 --> 00:24:53.380 So, continue on. 00:24:53.460 --> 00:24:54.960 Let us be faithful, friends, 00:24:55.059 --> 00:24:56.380 in sharing our hope in Christ 00:24:56.380 --> 00:24:58.740 as he directs and leads 00:24:58.740 --> 00:25:00.319 and gives us the strength 00:25:00.319 --> 00:25:01.980 to be faithful to him. 00:25:02.100 --> 00:25:03.920 So, Paul here, notice, 00:25:05.100 --> 00:25:08.799 thinking through his time in Athens, 00:25:08.900 --> 00:25:10.579 he has all the time in the world for skeptics. 00:25:11.059 --> 00:25:12.400 And I think we ought to too. 00:25:12.680 --> 00:25:13.880 Seekers, listen, 00:25:14.559 --> 00:25:15.319 sharing the gospel 00:25:15.319 --> 00:25:16.340 and seeing people come to faith, 00:25:16.440 --> 00:25:17.460 it's not some linear line, 00:25:17.460 --> 00:25:19.740 but often it kind of goes like this. 00:25:20.380 --> 00:25:20.900 You wonder, 00:25:21.240 --> 00:25:22.880 did somebody understand it? 00:25:23.600 --> 00:25:25.000 Are they interested at all? 00:25:25.079 --> 00:25:26.279 They might have pushed you away 00:25:26.279 --> 00:25:27.019 or ignored you 00:25:27.019 --> 00:25:27.940 and then six months, 00:25:28.140 --> 00:25:28.660 nine months, 00:25:28.779 --> 00:25:29.420 a year later, 00:25:29.819 --> 00:25:30.319 all of a sudden, 00:25:30.400 --> 00:25:31.299 they're on this faith journey 00:25:31.299 --> 00:25:31.579 or like, 00:25:31.620 --> 00:25:32.440 where did this come from? 00:25:33.120 --> 00:25:34.960 We ought to be patient 00:25:34.960 --> 00:25:35.920 with skeptics 00:25:35.920 --> 00:25:38.039 and spiritual seekers. 00:25:39.079 --> 00:25:40.759 But a section like this, 00:25:41.279 --> 00:25:43.100 it tells us that, 00:25:43.180 --> 00:25:43.360 listen, 00:25:43.759 --> 00:25:45.039 there's only so much 00:25:45.039 --> 00:25:46.460 that is appropriate 00:25:46.460 --> 00:25:47.319 to put up with 00:25:47.319 --> 00:25:49.139 if people are going to oppose you. 00:25:49.500 --> 00:25:51.079 And it is completely okay 00:25:51.079 --> 00:25:52.379 to kind of 00:25:52.379 --> 00:25:54.740 wash your hands of them. 00:25:55.099 --> 00:25:55.700 Move on. 00:25:56.079 --> 00:25:57.539 It doesn't mean you have to be hate-filled 00:25:57.539 --> 00:25:58.939 or tell them that to their face. 00:25:59.740 --> 00:26:00.939 But it is okay 00:26:00.939 --> 00:26:02.299 to just move on 00:26:02.299 --> 00:26:04.200 to another group of people. 00:26:05.319 --> 00:26:05.679 Listen, 00:26:05.779 --> 00:26:08.139 we have this incredible opportunity, 00:26:08.139 --> 00:26:08.879 I think, 00:26:08.939 --> 00:26:09.220 in our day. 00:26:09.319 --> 00:26:09.439 I mean, 00:26:09.480 --> 00:26:10.079 I talked about 00:26:10.079 --> 00:26:11.419 the ground being 00:26:11.419 --> 00:26:13.399 as if it were cement, 00:26:13.599 --> 00:26:14.079 let alone, 00:26:14.299 --> 00:26:14.559 you know, 00:26:14.559 --> 00:26:15.179 hard ground. 00:26:15.539 --> 00:26:16.619 But I think we might be 00:26:16.619 --> 00:26:17.359 on our way to 00:26:17.359 --> 00:26:18.700 like a golden age 00:26:18.700 --> 00:26:20.480 of evangelism 00:26:20.480 --> 00:26:22.480 in the next few years 00:26:22.480 --> 00:26:23.619 or maybe the next few decades. 00:26:23.740 --> 00:26:24.240 There is 00:26:24.240 --> 00:26:26.119 a giant vacuum 00:26:26.119 --> 00:26:27.960 and people are seeing it, 00:26:28.019 --> 00:26:28.519 it seems, 00:26:29.000 --> 00:26:29.740 that the promise 00:26:29.740 --> 00:26:30.919 of consumerism, 00:26:31.500 --> 00:26:33.599 the promise of entertainment, 00:26:33.859 --> 00:26:34.519 the promise 00:26:34.519 --> 00:26:37.319 of pleasure on tap, 00:26:37.419 --> 00:26:40.019 the promise of endless progress, 00:26:40.019 --> 00:26:42.319 it is being seen 00:26:42.319 --> 00:26:42.900 as wanting. 00:26:43.660 --> 00:26:44.799 It is not producing 00:26:44.799 --> 00:26:46.319 the life that people want. 00:26:47.940 --> 00:26:48.379 Depression 00:26:48.379 --> 00:26:50.319 is high. 00:26:51.099 --> 00:26:51.660 Suicide, 00:26:52.359 --> 00:26:53.680 especially among younger people, 00:26:53.859 --> 00:26:54.440 unfortunately, 00:26:55.000 --> 00:26:56.220 does not go down 00:26:56.220 --> 00:26:57.660 but continues 00:26:57.660 --> 00:26:58.660 to rise. 00:26:59.400 --> 00:26:59.660 Friends, 00:26:59.740 --> 00:27:01.160 we have a wonderful opportunity. 00:27:01.339 --> 00:27:02.240 Let us look to the Lord 00:27:02.240 --> 00:27:03.180 to strengthen us 00:27:03.180 --> 00:27:04.379 for we don't have 00:27:04.379 --> 00:27:07.579 a competing ideology. 00:27:08.019 --> 00:27:08.200 I mean, 00:27:08.220 --> 00:27:08.680 in some ways, 00:27:08.680 --> 00:27:09.700 it competes 00:27:09.700 --> 00:27:10.600 if people are just 00:27:10.600 --> 00:27:12.000 all the way into, 00:27:12.140 --> 00:27:12.600 say, 00:27:12.640 --> 00:27:13.380 consumerism 00:27:13.380 --> 00:27:17.140 or a type of pleasure on tap 00:27:17.140 --> 00:27:18.080 or progress. 00:27:18.600 --> 00:27:19.580 But we don't have 00:27:19.580 --> 00:27:21.960 a competing ideology. 00:27:22.220 --> 00:27:22.740 We have 00:27:22.740 --> 00:27:23.940 the hope of the nations. 00:27:25.100 --> 00:27:26.019 We have 00:27:26.019 --> 00:27:26.779 the gospel 00:27:26.779 --> 00:27:28.620 that is 00:27:28.620 --> 00:27:29.880 the sure 00:27:29.880 --> 00:27:31.799 and true promise 00:27:31.799 --> 00:27:32.480 that we will 00:27:32.480 --> 00:27:34.140 abide with Christ forever 00:27:34.140 --> 00:27:34.920 because our sins 00:27:34.920 --> 00:27:35.539 are forgiven. 00:27:35.539 --> 00:27:38.299 So as we 00:27:38.299 --> 00:27:38.980 look to the Lord 00:27:38.980 --> 00:27:39.539 for strength, 00:27:39.619 --> 00:27:40.220 let us then 00:27:40.220 --> 00:27:41.279 have confidence 00:27:41.279 --> 00:27:42.859 as we proclaim 00:27:42.859 --> 00:27:44.859 this wonderful, 00:27:45.240 --> 00:27:45.720 truthful, 00:27:46.559 --> 00:27:47.359 beautiful gospel 00:27:47.359 --> 00:27:47.920 of Christ. 00:27:48.879 --> 00:27:49.519 And this leads us 00:27:49.519 --> 00:27:50.099 into our third 00:27:50.099 --> 00:27:51.059 and final section 00:27:51.059 --> 00:27:52.759 that the gospel 00:27:52.759 --> 00:27:53.740 doesn't just 00:27:53.740 --> 00:27:54.799 refresh us 00:27:54.799 --> 00:27:55.440 when we need it, 00:27:55.500 --> 00:27:56.740 doesn't just strengthen us 00:27:56.740 --> 00:27:58.359 when we need strengthening, 00:27:58.480 --> 00:27:58.980 but it gives us 00:27:58.980 --> 00:27:59.500 confidence 00:27:59.500 --> 00:28:00.720 to trust that God 00:28:00.720 --> 00:28:02.680 is truly at work 00:28:02.680 --> 00:28:03.400 and that his son 00:28:03.400 --> 00:28:04.279 did truly rise 00:28:04.279 --> 00:28:04.799 from the grave. 00:28:05.019 --> 00:28:05.500 Look with me 00:28:05.500 --> 00:28:06.960 verses 9 and 10. 00:28:07.259 --> 00:28:07.860 These are the words 00:28:07.860 --> 00:28:08.740 of Christ himself. 00:28:10.380 --> 00:28:11.259 And the Lord said 00:28:11.259 --> 00:28:12.259 to Paul one night 00:28:12.259 --> 00:28:12.720 in a vision, 00:28:12.840 --> 00:28:13.620 do not be afraid 00:28:13.620 --> 00:28:14.740 but go on speaking 00:28:14.740 --> 00:28:15.660 and do not be silent 00:28:15.660 --> 00:28:17.039 for I am with you 00:28:17.039 --> 00:28:19.420 and no one will attack you 00:28:19.420 --> 00:28:20.019 to harm you 00:28:20.019 --> 00:28:21.080 for I have many 00:28:21.080 --> 00:28:21.779 in the city 00:28:21.779 --> 00:28:23.400 who are my people. 00:28:24.799 --> 00:28:25.420 What's incredible 00:28:25.420 --> 00:28:25.920 about this 00:28:25.920 --> 00:28:26.460 is that the Lord 00:28:26.460 --> 00:28:27.660 has already counted 00:28:27.660 --> 00:28:29.100 those who have yet 00:28:29.100 --> 00:28:29.900 to hear the gospel 00:28:29.900 --> 00:28:31.000 as his people. 00:28:31.580 --> 00:28:32.120 His people. 00:28:32.119 --> 00:28:34.239 That's in the original language 00:28:34.239 --> 00:28:36.159 that is who Jesus 00:28:36.159 --> 00:28:37.079 is referring to. 00:28:37.919 --> 00:28:38.679 There are some people 00:28:38.679 --> 00:28:39.059 in the city 00:28:39.059 --> 00:28:39.839 that are already mine 00:28:39.839 --> 00:28:40.919 but go, 00:28:41.119 --> 00:28:41.739 share the gospel. 00:28:43.259 --> 00:28:43.739 It is Christ 00:28:43.739 --> 00:28:44.500 who does the saving. 00:28:44.719 --> 00:28:45.179 He is the one 00:28:45.179 --> 00:28:45.979 who calls his sheep. 00:28:46.119 --> 00:28:46.699 They are the one 00:28:46.699 --> 00:28:48.639 who know his voice 00:28:48.639 --> 00:28:50.599 and he invites us 00:28:50.599 --> 00:28:52.219 in the case of the Apostle Paul, 00:28:52.279 --> 00:28:52.819 the Impulse Paul 00:28:52.819 --> 00:28:53.659 but he invites us 00:28:53.659 --> 00:28:55.519 to simply be a herald. 00:28:56.319 --> 00:28:57.239 We don't twist arms, 00:28:57.959 --> 00:28:59.119 we proclaim the gospel 00:28:59.119 --> 00:29:00.199 and then it's up to the Lord. 00:29:00.279 --> 00:29:01.239 We can pray of course 00:29:01.240 --> 00:29:03.140 but he does the saving 00:29:03.140 --> 00:29:04.279 and he knows 00:29:04.279 --> 00:29:04.980 who are his 00:29:04.980 --> 00:29:07.420 and when he calls 00:29:07.420 --> 00:29:08.480 they will know his voice 00:29:08.480 --> 00:29:09.339 and I'm telling you 00:29:09.339 --> 00:29:10.940 this is an excellent, 00:29:11.460 --> 00:29:11.980 exciting, 00:29:12.500 --> 00:29:13.140 and comforting, 00:29:13.839 --> 00:29:14.799 confidence building 00:29:14.799 --> 00:29:15.319 insight 00:29:15.319 --> 00:29:15.759 into 00:29:15.759 --> 00:29:18.359 the idea 00:29:18.359 --> 00:29:19.120 of evangelism 00:29:19.120 --> 00:29:19.819 throughout the Bible. 00:29:19.819 --> 00:29:23.240 this is God 00:29:23.240 --> 00:29:25.319 predestining people 00:29:25.319 --> 00:29:26.139 to salvation 00:29:26.139 --> 00:29:29.240 and it assures us 00:29:29.240 --> 00:29:31.659 that God is at work 00:29:31.659 --> 00:29:33.319 that as we obey him 00:29:33.319 --> 00:29:35.019 he does the rest. 00:29:36.919 --> 00:29:39.000 So the Bible provides us 00:29:39.000 --> 00:29:39.639 great confidence 00:29:39.639 --> 00:29:40.279 to trust 00:29:40.279 --> 00:29:42.039 that although we are on mission 00:29:42.039 --> 00:29:44.359 it is Christ 00:29:44.359 --> 00:29:45.240 who is on mission. 00:29:45.720 --> 00:29:46.879 Although we are doing 00:29:46.879 --> 00:29:47.579 the proclaiming 00:29:47.579 --> 00:29:48.220 it is Christ 00:29:48.220 --> 00:29:48.859 that is moving 00:29:48.859 --> 00:29:49.879 in the hearts 00:29:49.879 --> 00:29:51.299 and he is calling 00:29:51.299 --> 00:29:52.099 all sorts of people 00:29:52.099 --> 00:29:52.639 to himself. 00:29:52.879 --> 00:29:53.659 Interestingly here 00:29:53.659 --> 00:29:55.159 Jesus 00:29:55.159 --> 00:29:56.659 will 00:29:56.659 --> 00:29:58.960 say in the gospels 00:29:58.960 --> 00:30:00.419 that there are sheep 00:30:00.419 --> 00:30:01.659 that are not of this flock 00:30:01.659 --> 00:30:02.960 but that are of his own 00:30:02.960 --> 00:30:04.039 and this seems to be 00:30:04.039 --> 00:30:05.879 a confirmation of that. 00:30:07.000 --> 00:30:08.139 The gospel is going out 00:30:08.139 --> 00:30:08.879 to the Jewish people 00:30:08.879 --> 00:30:10.000 but it is also going out 00:30:10.000 --> 00:30:10.960 to the Gentiles. 00:30:11.539 --> 00:30:12.399 Those that are far 00:30:12.400 --> 00:30:14.080 will be welcomed 00:30:14.080 --> 00:30:16.660 into the spiritual people 00:30:16.660 --> 00:30:17.660 of Israel 00:30:17.660 --> 00:30:19.340 that they will call Abraham 00:30:19.340 --> 00:30:20.960 their spiritual father. 00:30:21.060 --> 00:30:21.840 It's a beautiful thing. 00:30:22.019 --> 00:30:23.900 One fold of sheep 00:30:23.900 --> 00:30:25.440 Jew and Gentile together 00:30:25.440 --> 00:30:26.960 but he doesn't just call 00:30:26.960 --> 00:30:27.740 the nice people 00:30:27.740 --> 00:30:28.759 the wonderful people 00:30:28.759 --> 00:30:30.040 he calls the Corinthians. 00:30:31.740 --> 00:30:32.900 Just a brief bit 00:30:32.900 --> 00:30:33.600 about the Corinthians. 00:30:35.200 --> 00:30:36.080 Corinth was 00:30:36.080 --> 00:30:37.440 apart from Athens 00:30:37.440 --> 00:30:38.680 and Ephesus 00:30:38.680 --> 00:30:39.780 and of Rome 00:30:39.780 --> 00:30:40.960 it was a leading city 00:30:40.960 --> 00:30:42.160 in the ancient world. 00:30:42.740 --> 00:30:43.559 It was an economic 00:30:43.559 --> 00:30:44.440 and cultural hub 00:30:44.440 --> 00:30:46.779 and two things 00:30:46.779 --> 00:30:47.640 among others 00:30:47.640 --> 00:30:49.019 marked Corinth 00:30:49.019 --> 00:30:50.400 pride and immorality. 00:30:50.880 --> 00:30:51.940 It's tied to idolatry 00:30:51.940 --> 00:30:53.120 but pride and immorality. 00:30:53.579 --> 00:30:54.400 They enjoyed wealth 00:30:54.400 --> 00:30:55.500 and political prestige 00:30:55.500 --> 00:30:56.900 as the capital 00:30:56.900 --> 00:30:58.519 of this province 00:30:58.519 --> 00:30:59.160 that they were in. 00:30:59.259 --> 00:30:59.720 They boasted 00:30:59.720 --> 00:31:01.000 the temple of Aphrodite 00:31:01.000 --> 00:31:02.519 which at its height 00:31:02.519 --> 00:31:02.880 had some 00:31:02.880 --> 00:31:03.579 a thousand 00:31:03.579 --> 00:31:05.340 cultic prostitutes. 00:31:06.500 --> 00:31:07.559 They dominated 00:31:07.559 --> 00:31:08.100 the religious 00:31:08.100 --> 00:31:09.220 and social landscape. 00:31:09.940 --> 00:31:10.920 So so intense 00:31:10.920 --> 00:31:13.060 was the immorality 00:31:13.060 --> 00:31:13.779 of Corinth 00:31:13.779 --> 00:31:16.740 that for centuries 00:31:16.740 --> 00:31:17.880 derivatives of the name 00:31:17.880 --> 00:31:18.340 Corinth 00:31:18.340 --> 00:31:19.820 was used to describe 00:31:19.820 --> 00:31:20.519 immorality 00:31:20.519 --> 00:31:22.600 and harlotry. 00:31:23.620 --> 00:31:24.180 To say 00:31:24.180 --> 00:31:26.000 you're acting like 00:31:26.000 --> 00:31:26.700 a Corinthian 00:31:26.700 --> 00:31:28.060 everybody understood 00:31:28.060 --> 00:31:28.720 what that meant. 00:31:31.039 --> 00:31:32.360 They treated people 00:31:32.360 --> 00:31:33.060 as commodities 00:31:33.060 --> 00:31:34.220 cash was king 00:31:34.220 --> 00:31:35.460 image bearers 00:31:35.460 --> 00:31:36.740 treated like animals. 00:31:38.539 --> 00:31:39.380 The fair and the just 00:31:39.380 --> 00:31:40.380 thing would have been 00:31:40.380 --> 00:31:43.240 to end that city. 00:31:44.340 --> 00:31:45.060 It was evil. 00:31:45.460 --> 00:31:46.200 Death and decay 00:31:46.200 --> 00:31:47.100 filled the air 00:31:47.100 --> 00:31:47.660 of Corinth 00:31:47.660 --> 00:31:49.400 and the just thing 00:31:49.400 --> 00:31:49.840 would have been 00:31:49.840 --> 00:31:50.980 to deal with it. 00:31:52.000 --> 00:31:52.260 And yet 00:31:52.260 --> 00:31:53.780 the Lord Jesus 00:31:53.780 --> 00:31:54.920 loved Corinth. 00:31:56.020 --> 00:31:57.660 He died for her people 00:31:57.660 --> 00:31:59.360 and what does he do? 00:31:59.500 --> 00:32:00.880 He sends his chief apostle 00:32:00.880 --> 00:32:01.500 to proclaim 00:32:01.500 --> 00:32:02.360 the good news 00:32:02.360 --> 00:32:04.120 of salvation 00:32:04.120 --> 00:32:04.860 through the forgiveness 00:32:04.860 --> 00:32:05.720 of sins. 00:32:05.720 --> 00:32:07.700 He doesn't treat 00:32:07.700 --> 00:32:08.160 the Corinthians 00:32:08.160 --> 00:32:09.100 as they ought 00:32:09.100 --> 00:32:09.680 to be treated. 00:32:09.799 --> 00:32:10.100 Instead 00:32:10.100 --> 00:32:10.839 what does he refer 00:32:10.839 --> 00:32:12.519 to them as? 00:32:13.579 --> 00:32:14.440 My people 00:32:14.440 --> 00:32:15.460 who are in the city. 00:32:15.660 --> 00:32:16.680 Not all of them 00:32:16.680 --> 00:32:18.559 but his people 00:32:18.559 --> 00:32:19.779 that were in the city. 00:32:21.360 --> 00:32:22.360 People that deserve 00:32:22.360 --> 00:32:22.799 death 00:32:22.799 --> 00:32:23.660 and what does he do? 00:32:23.799 --> 00:32:24.579 He instead gives 00:32:24.579 --> 00:32:25.120 mercy 00:32:25.120 --> 00:32:26.519 and grace 00:32:26.519 --> 00:32:28.059 and love. 00:32:30.299 --> 00:32:30.720 Friends 00:32:30.720 --> 00:32:31.120 the gospel 00:32:31.120 --> 00:32:32.400 can transform 00:32:32.400 --> 00:32:33.640 even Corinth 00:32:33.640 --> 00:32:35.200 which is to say 00:32:35.200 --> 00:32:37.600 that a passage 00:32:37.600 --> 00:32:38.240 like this 00:32:38.240 --> 00:32:38.920 can help us 00:32:38.920 --> 00:32:39.340 to say 00:32:39.340 --> 00:32:41.340 maybe Christ 00:32:41.340 --> 00:32:42.240 says 00:32:42.240 --> 00:32:44.180 go proclaim 00:32:44.180 --> 00:32:44.660 the gospel 00:32:44.660 --> 00:32:45.140 in Ottawa. 00:32:45.360 --> 00:32:46.280 I still have people 00:32:46.280 --> 00:32:46.860 in that city. 00:32:48.259 --> 00:32:48.860 Imagine. 00:32:49.680 --> 00:32:50.720 You have no idea 00:32:50.720 --> 00:32:51.640 who those people are. 00:32:52.519 --> 00:32:52.860 This idea 00:32:52.860 --> 00:32:53.660 of predestination 00:32:53.660 --> 00:32:54.320 doesn't mean 00:32:54.320 --> 00:32:55.680 that we judge 00:32:55.680 --> 00:32:56.300 who is in 00:32:56.300 --> 00:32:56.960 who is out. 00:32:57.180 --> 00:32:58.480 That is up to God. 00:32:58.580 --> 00:32:59.259 We proclaim 00:32:59.259 --> 00:32:59.759 the gospel. 00:32:59.759 --> 00:33:01.420 But it means 00:33:01.420 --> 00:33:02.220 that we have 00:33:02.220 --> 00:33:03.140 no idea 00:33:03.140 --> 00:33:03.799 who God 00:33:03.799 --> 00:33:04.359 is calling. 00:33:05.160 --> 00:33:05.619 My goodness 00:33:05.619 --> 00:33:06.079 it could be 00:33:06.079 --> 00:33:06.480 anybody. 00:33:09.079 --> 00:33:09.940 It's a very 00:33:09.940 --> 00:33:10.720 exciting thing. 00:33:12.099 --> 00:33:12.960 The Lord knows 00:33:12.960 --> 00:33:15.200 and his gospel 00:33:15.200 --> 00:33:16.700 will go forward. 00:33:17.000 --> 00:33:17.920 Two things 00:33:17.920 --> 00:33:19.240 how the gospel 00:33:19.240 --> 00:33:19.960 will transform 00:33:19.960 --> 00:33:20.339 Corinth 00:33:20.339 --> 00:33:21.240 and how it might 00:33:21.240 --> 00:33:22.019 transform our city 00:33:22.019 --> 00:33:22.359 as well. 00:33:23.240 --> 00:33:23.720 Corinth 00:33:23.720 --> 00:33:25.440 the two things 00:33:25.440 --> 00:33:25.879 that I mentioned 00:33:25.879 --> 00:33:26.619 that mark it 00:33:26.619 --> 00:33:28.000 pride and immorality 00:33:28.000 --> 00:33:28.440 the gospel 00:33:28.440 --> 00:33:29.519 destroys pride. 00:33:29.759 --> 00:33:30.160 How? 00:33:30.859 --> 00:33:31.619 Because grace 00:33:31.619 --> 00:33:32.680 humbles prideful people 00:33:32.680 --> 00:33:34.259 and the humble 00:33:34.259 --> 00:33:35.000 receive grace. 00:33:35.160 --> 00:33:36.019 The gospel tells us 00:33:36.019 --> 00:33:37.339 we cannot achieve 00:33:37.339 --> 00:33:38.339 a utopia 00:33:38.339 --> 00:33:39.339 with innovation 00:33:39.339 --> 00:33:40.900 achieve a utopia 00:33:40.900 --> 00:33:42.660 with economic prowess 00:33:42.660 --> 00:33:43.240 and growth 00:33:43.240 --> 00:33:44.420 better education 00:33:44.420 --> 00:33:45.920 higher standards 00:33:45.920 --> 00:33:46.660 of living 00:33:46.660 --> 00:33:48.119 more regulations 00:33:48.119 --> 00:33:49.640 more taxation 00:33:49.640 --> 00:33:50.900 more wealth distribution 00:33:50.900 --> 00:33:52.680 more environmental 00:33:52.680 --> 00:33:56.299 saviorism 00:33:56.299 --> 00:33:57.539 for lack of a better term. 00:33:57.539 --> 00:33:59.899 all good things 00:33:59.899 --> 00:34:00.359 that are taken 00:34:00.359 --> 00:34:01.879 to utopian 00:34:01.879 --> 00:34:02.480 ends 00:34:02.480 --> 00:34:04.139 that can't 00:34:04.139 --> 00:34:05.200 solve the issue 00:34:05.200 --> 00:34:06.980 of pride 00:34:06.980 --> 00:34:08.500 can't bring 00:34:08.500 --> 00:34:09.400 human flourishing 00:34:09.400 --> 00:34:09.980 in a city 00:34:09.980 --> 00:34:11.019 but the gospel 00:34:11.019 --> 00:34:11.440 rather 00:34:11.440 --> 00:34:13.119 changes that. 00:34:13.599 --> 00:34:14.559 It says that 00:34:14.559 --> 00:34:14.840 yes 00:34:14.840 --> 00:34:15.460 work hard 00:34:15.460 --> 00:34:16.000 but don't 00:34:16.000 --> 00:34:16.639 somehow think 00:34:16.639 --> 00:34:17.820 salvation is around 00:34:17.820 --> 00:34:18.199 the corner. 00:34:19.400 --> 00:34:19.960 Don't somehow 00:34:19.960 --> 00:34:20.340 think 00:34:20.340 --> 00:34:21.400 that if you 00:34:21.400 --> 00:34:22.119 only 00:34:22.119 --> 00:34:24.579 got GHG 00:34:24.579 --> 00:34:25.279 down 00:34:25.279 --> 00:34:26.079 2% 00:34:26.079 --> 00:34:26.679 salvation 00:34:26.679 --> 00:34:27.000 is around 00:34:27.000 --> 00:34:27.839 the corner 00:34:27.839 --> 00:34:28.099 or 00:34:28.099 --> 00:34:28.880 that if you 00:34:28.880 --> 00:34:29.579 get the government 00:34:29.579 --> 00:34:30.400 a bit smaller 00:34:30.400 --> 00:34:31.039 salvation 00:34:31.039 --> 00:34:31.539 is around 00:34:31.539 --> 00:34:31.880 the corner. 00:34:31.880 --> 00:34:34.940 If our welfare 00:34:34.940 --> 00:34:35.539 system was 00:34:35.539 --> 00:34:36.400 fantastic 00:34:36.400 --> 00:34:37.380 salvation 00:34:37.380 --> 00:34:38.260 is around 00:34:38.260 --> 00:34:38.500 the corner. 00:34:38.579 --> 00:34:39.780 You put it in 00:34:39.780 --> 00:34:40.380 left to right 00:34:40.380 --> 00:34:41.079 on the political 00:34:41.079 --> 00:34:41.440 spectrum. 00:34:41.519 --> 00:34:42.059 You put it in. 00:34:42.559 --> 00:34:43.320 Not salvation. 00:34:44.380 --> 00:34:44.760 The gospel 00:34:44.760 --> 00:34:45.820 says it is only 00:34:45.820 --> 00:34:46.940 by the grace 00:34:46.940 --> 00:34:47.460 of Christ 00:34:47.460 --> 00:34:47.840 when we 00:34:47.840 --> 00:34:48.599 know 00:34:48.599 --> 00:34:49.840 our sinfulness 00:34:49.840 --> 00:34:50.539 and then we 00:34:50.539 --> 00:34:51.000 look up 00:34:51.000 --> 00:34:51.720 at the cross 00:34:51.720 --> 00:34:52.960 and we revel 00:34:52.960 --> 00:34:54.519 in saying 00:34:54.519 --> 00:34:55.860 he would die 00:34:55.860 --> 00:34:56.260 for me. 00:34:57.360 --> 00:34:58.220 Transforms the culture. 00:34:58.480 --> 00:34:59.019 The second thing 00:34:59.019 --> 00:34:59.579 it destroys 00:34:59.579 --> 00:35:00.240 immorality. 00:35:00.239 --> 00:35:01.559 Why? 00:35:01.919 --> 00:35:02.939 Because it calls 00:35:02.939 --> 00:35:04.000 believers to 00:35:04.000 --> 00:35:04.339 holiness. 00:35:05.419 --> 00:35:06.079 And how does that 00:35:06.079 --> 00:35:06.779 change a society? 00:35:06.919 --> 00:35:07.959 Well, no longer 00:35:07.959 --> 00:35:09.159 do we see pleasure 00:35:09.159 --> 00:35:10.139 as the ultimate 00:35:10.139 --> 00:35:11.199 end in itself. 00:35:11.719 --> 00:35:12.039 Instead, 00:35:12.519 --> 00:35:13.159 our ultimate 00:35:13.159 --> 00:35:14.039 end becomes 00:35:14.039 --> 00:35:14.559 the knowledge 00:35:14.559 --> 00:35:15.379 and enjoyment 00:35:15.379 --> 00:35:16.199 of Christ 00:35:16.199 --> 00:35:16.699 himself. 00:35:17.479 --> 00:35:18.000 We know 00:35:18.000 --> 00:35:18.779 him and we 00:35:18.779 --> 00:35:19.459 get a foretaste 00:35:19.459 --> 00:35:20.219 of heaven now 00:35:20.219 --> 00:35:21.059 that will be 00:35:21.059 --> 00:35:21.899 what we experience 00:35:21.899 --> 00:35:22.419 in full 00:35:22.419 --> 00:35:23.199 in the life 00:35:23.199 --> 00:35:23.619 to come. 00:35:24.399 --> 00:35:24.939 Our lives 00:35:24.939 --> 00:35:25.659 become rightly 00:35:25.659 --> 00:35:26.019 ordered 00:35:26.019 --> 00:35:27.519 and that we 00:35:27.519 --> 00:35:28.879 enjoy pleasure 00:35:28.879 --> 00:35:29.739 in its rightful 00:35:29.739 --> 00:35:30.219 spot. 00:35:30.239 --> 00:35:30.939 And when it 00:35:30.939 --> 00:35:31.319 comes to 00:35:31.319 --> 00:35:31.939 physical 00:35:31.939 --> 00:35:32.739 pleasure 00:35:32.739 --> 00:35:33.259 between a 00:35:33.259 --> 00:35:33.699 man and 00:35:33.699 --> 00:35:34.039 a woman, 00:35:34.159 --> 00:35:34.699 it is in 00:35:34.699 --> 00:35:35.299 the context 00:35:35.299 --> 00:35:36.819 of a 00:35:36.819 --> 00:35:37.179 committed 00:35:37.179 --> 00:35:37.959 monogamous 00:35:37.959 --> 00:35:38.799 relationship, 00:35:39.000 --> 00:35:39.919 marriage between 00:35:39.919 --> 00:35:40.899 one man and 00:35:40.899 --> 00:35:41.339 one woman. 00:35:42.259 --> 00:35:42.919 It rightly 00:35:42.919 --> 00:35:44.119 orders society. 00:35:45.679 --> 00:35:46.419 And then all 00:35:46.419 --> 00:35:46.779 of a sudden 00:35:46.779 --> 00:35:47.299 the things 00:35:47.299 --> 00:35:47.639 that are 00:35:47.639 --> 00:35:48.339 vices turn 00:35:48.339 --> 00:35:49.399 in to 00:35:49.399 --> 00:35:49.739 gifts. 00:35:51.019 --> 00:35:51.500 It's a 00:35:51.500 --> 00:35:52.219 beautiful thing 00:35:52.219 --> 00:35:53.519 what the 00:35:53.519 --> 00:35:54.139 gospel does 00:35:54.139 --> 00:35:54.799 to an 00:35:54.799 --> 00:35:55.239 immoral 00:35:55.239 --> 00:35:55.919 society. 00:35:57.039 --> 00:35:57.799 It helps 00:35:57.799 --> 00:35:58.439 us to seek 00:35:58.439 --> 00:35:58.799 what is 00:35:58.799 --> 00:35:59.659 truly true, 00:35:59.659 --> 00:36:00.139 what is 00:36:00.139 --> 00:36:01.699 beautiful, 00:36:02.079 --> 00:36:02.699 and what 00:36:02.699 --> 00:36:03.099 is good. 00:36:04.920 --> 00:36:05.819 Two things 00:36:05.819 --> 00:36:07.420 that define 00:36:07.420 --> 00:36:08.500 the Christian 00:36:08.500 --> 00:36:09.579 soul seem 00:36:09.579 --> 00:36:10.579 like a 00:36:10.579 --> 00:36:11.139 joy kill, 00:36:11.279 --> 00:36:11.639 but they're 00:36:11.639 --> 00:36:12.179 actually the 00:36:12.179 --> 00:36:12.699 pathway to 00:36:12.699 --> 00:36:13.239 true joy, 00:36:13.659 --> 00:36:14.000 humility, 00:36:14.119 --> 00:36:14.739 and self-denial. 00:36:14.739 --> 00:36:15.440 It's wonderful. 00:36:17.379 --> 00:36:17.859 Listen, 00:36:17.960 --> 00:36:18.699 we can rail 00:36:18.699 --> 00:36:21.219 on the 00:36:21.219 --> 00:36:22.039 decay of the 00:36:22.039 --> 00:36:22.559 West or the 00:36:22.559 --> 00:36:23.259 decay of Canada, 00:36:23.260 --> 00:36:24.220 and this 00:36:24.220 --> 00:36:24.600 weekend, 00:36:24.720 --> 00:36:25.320 if anything, 00:36:25.900 --> 00:36:26.380 has shown 00:36:26.380 --> 00:36:26.880 that there 00:36:26.880 --> 00:36:29.280 is maybe 00:36:29.280 --> 00:36:29.680 a difficult 00:36:29.680 --> 00:36:30.220 road ahead, 00:36:31.200 --> 00:36:31.740 a very 00:36:31.740 --> 00:36:32.380 difficult road 00:36:32.380 --> 00:36:33.440 ahead. 00:36:34.520 --> 00:36:35.240 But we 00:36:35.240 --> 00:36:35.680 are people 00:36:35.680 --> 00:36:36.680 who hope 00:36:36.680 --> 00:36:37.980 in Christ. 00:36:38.680 --> 00:36:39.480 Not hope 00:36:39.480 --> 00:36:40.740 in a plan 00:36:40.740 --> 00:36:41.500 or an 00:36:41.500 --> 00:36:42.060 ideology 00:36:42.060 --> 00:36:43.100 that we 00:36:43.100 --> 00:36:43.420 need to 00:36:43.420 --> 00:36:43.900 work towards, 00:36:44.020 --> 00:36:44.960 but towards, 00:36:45.500 --> 00:36:46.700 we hope in a 00:36:46.700 --> 00:36:47.660 risen Christ 00:36:47.660 --> 00:36:48.180 who has already 00:36:48.180 --> 00:36:48.820 done the work. 00:36:48.820 --> 00:36:50.120 And he 00:36:50.120 --> 00:36:50.940 calls us 00:36:50.940 --> 00:36:51.559 just to 00:36:51.559 --> 00:36:52.380 bear witness 00:36:52.380 --> 00:36:52.900 to that. 00:36:54.320 --> 00:36:54.900 So friends, 00:36:55.620 --> 00:36:56.180 does Christ 00:36:56.180 --> 00:36:58.019 have people, 00:36:58.900 --> 00:36:59.400 his own 00:36:59.400 --> 00:36:59.980 flock here 00:36:59.980 --> 00:37:00.460 in the city, 00:37:00.820 --> 00:37:01.580 that have yet 00:37:01.580 --> 00:37:02.260 to come into 00:37:02.260 --> 00:37:02.620 his fold? 00:37:02.680 --> 00:37:02.960 The answer 00:37:02.960 --> 00:37:03.360 is yes. 00:37:04.519 --> 00:37:05.180 Let us be 00:37:05.180 --> 00:37:06.059 very confident 00:37:06.059 --> 00:37:06.920 in proclaiming 00:37:06.920 --> 00:37:07.180 that. 00:37:08.340 --> 00:37:08.620 And the 00:37:08.620 --> 00:37:09.180 gospel gives 00:37:09.180 --> 00:37:09.500 us that 00:37:09.500 --> 00:37:09.900 confidence. 00:37:10.500 --> 00:37:11.180 Just to 00:37:11.180 --> 00:37:11.600 wrap things 00:37:11.600 --> 00:37:11.860 up, 00:37:12.900 --> 00:37:13.820 Jesus has 00:37:13.820 --> 00:37:14.059 this, 00:37:14.400 --> 00:37:14.820 Paul has 00:37:14.820 --> 00:37:15.200 this vision 00:37:15.200 --> 00:37:15.660 of Jesus, 00:37:15.900 --> 00:37:16.600 and it 00:37:16.600 --> 00:37:16.960 says very 00:37:16.960 --> 00:37:17.500 specifically 00:37:17.500 --> 00:37:18.420 that, 00:37:18.420 --> 00:37:19.079 I'll read 00:37:19.079 --> 00:37:19.519 it again, 00:37:20.039 --> 00:37:20.599 do not 00:37:20.599 --> 00:37:21.240 be afraid, 00:37:21.840 --> 00:37:22.220 go on 00:37:22.220 --> 00:37:22.539 speaking, 00:37:22.639 --> 00:37:22.820 and do 00:37:22.820 --> 00:37:23.099 not be 00:37:23.099 --> 00:37:23.420 silent. 00:37:23.559 --> 00:37:23.820 I think 00:37:23.820 --> 00:37:24.220 that is 00:37:24.220 --> 00:37:24.480 something 00:37:24.480 --> 00:37:24.960 for all 00:37:24.960 --> 00:37:25.300 believers. 00:37:25.460 --> 00:37:25.659 But then 00:37:25.659 --> 00:37:25.920 he says 00:37:25.920 --> 00:37:26.099 this, 00:37:26.159 --> 00:37:26.480 for I am 00:37:26.480 --> 00:37:26.940 with you, 00:37:27.380 --> 00:37:27.880 and no 00:37:27.880 --> 00:37:28.139 one will 00:37:28.139 --> 00:37:28.599 attack you 00:37:28.599 --> 00:37:28.920 to harm 00:37:28.920 --> 00:37:29.059 you, 00:37:29.099 --> 00:37:29.300 for I 00:37:29.300 --> 00:37:29.599 have many 00:37:29.599 --> 00:37:29.820 in the 00:37:29.820 --> 00:37:30.079 city who 00:37:30.079 --> 00:37:30.240 are my 00:37:30.240 --> 00:37:30.500 people. 00:37:31.039 --> 00:37:31.480 There was 00:37:31.480 --> 00:37:31.920 a promise 00:37:31.920 --> 00:37:32.420 to Paul 00:37:32.420 --> 00:37:33.559 that for 00:37:33.559 --> 00:37:34.079 a time 00:37:34.079 --> 00:37:34.539 he would 00:37:34.539 --> 00:37:35.599 go without 00:37:35.599 --> 00:37:37.740 any fear 00:37:37.740 --> 00:37:38.720 for his 00:37:38.720 --> 00:37:39.079 life. 00:37:40.420 --> 00:37:40.880 But the 00:37:40.880 --> 00:37:41.340 apostle Paul 00:37:41.340 --> 00:37:41.960 died by 00:37:41.960 --> 00:37:42.340 a sword. 00:37:43.260 --> 00:37:43.659 All of 00:37:43.659 --> 00:37:45.340 us will 00:37:45.340 --> 00:37:45.820 experience 00:37:45.820 --> 00:37:46.300 some kind 00:37:46.300 --> 00:37:46.599 of harm. 00:37:46.659 --> 00:37:46.980 That is not 00:37:46.980 --> 00:37:47.559 a promise 00:37:47.559 --> 00:37:48.000 for us, 00:37:48.000 --> 00:37:48.280 but what 00:37:48.280 --> 00:37:49.099 is promised 00:37:49.099 --> 00:37:50.380 is that 00:37:50.380 --> 00:37:50.739 as we 00:37:50.739 --> 00:37:51.199 proclaim 00:37:51.199 --> 00:37:52.019 the goodness 00:37:52.019 --> 00:37:53.000 of God, 00:37:53.039 --> 00:37:53.360 as we 00:37:53.360 --> 00:37:54.059 look to 00:37:54.059 --> 00:37:55.599 heaven itself, 00:37:55.800 --> 00:37:56.500 we can be 00:37:56.500 --> 00:37:57.219 sure that 00:37:57.219 --> 00:37:57.619 we will be 00:37:57.619 --> 00:37:58.199 with Christ. 00:37:59.179 --> 00:37:59.679 And not 00:37:59.679 --> 00:38:00.079 only that, 00:38:00.119 --> 00:38:00.340 but that 00:38:00.340 --> 00:38:00.820 he is with 00:38:00.820 --> 00:38:01.280 us now. 00:38:01.280 --> 00:38:02.280 God 00:38:02.280 --> 00:38:03.280 will be 00:38:03.280 --> 00:38:04.380 so 00:38:04.380 --> 00:38:04.540 to 00:38:04.540 --> 00:38:04.660 God. 00:38:04.660 --> 00:38:05.460 So, 00:38:05.460 --> 00:38:05.840 let us 00:38:05.840 --> 00:38:06.220 entrust 00:38:06.220 --> 00:38:06.620 ourselves 00:38:06.620 --> 00:38:06.980 to the 00:38:06.980 --> 00:38:07.200 Lord, 00:38:07.440 --> 00:38:07.740 trusting 00:38:07.740 --> 00:38:08.060 that he 00:38:08.060 --> 00:38:08.220 will 00:38:08.220 --> 00:38:08.700 refresh 00:38:08.700 --> 00:38:09.060 us 00:38:09.060 --> 00:38:09.480 when we 00:38:09.480 --> 00:38:09.680 need 00:38:09.680 --> 00:38:09.880 it, 00:38:09.980 --> 00:38:10.580 that he 00:38:10.580 --> 00:38:10.720 will 00:38:10.720 --> 00:38:11.180 strengthen 00:38:11.180 --> 00:38:11.420 us 00:38:11.420 --> 00:38:11.680 as we 00:38:11.680 --> 00:38:11.960 seek to 00:38:11.960 --> 00:38:12.240 obey 00:38:12.240 --> 00:38:12.500 him, 00:38:13.220 --> 00:38:13.500 that he 00:38:13.500 --> 00:38:14.000 will give 00:38:14.000 --> 00:38:14.300 us great 00:38:14.300 --> 00:38:14.800 confidence 00:38:14.800 --> 00:38:15.220 in the 00:38:15.220 --> 00:38:15.560 gospel, 00:38:15.740 --> 00:38:16.000 in the 00:38:16.000 --> 00:38:16.480 power of 00:38:16.480 --> 00:38:16.620 his 00:38:16.620 --> 00:38:17.000 gospel, 00:38:17.000 --> 00:38:18.940 as we 00:38:18.940 --> 00:38:19.800 seek to 00:38:19.800 --> 00:38:20.300 proclaim 00:38:20.300 --> 00:38:20.820 the goodness 00:38:20.820 --> 00:38:21.239 of God. 00:38:21.340 --> 00:38:21.559 Let us 00:38:21.559 --> 00:38:21.780 pray. 00:38:22.679 --> 00:38:23.000 Heavenly 00:38:23.000 --> 00:38:23.360 Father, 00:38:23.800 --> 00:38:24.300 thank you 00:38:24.300 --> 00:38:24.860 so much 00:38:24.860 --> 00:38:25.840 for this 00:38:25.840 --> 00:38:26.599 example of 00:38:26.599 --> 00:38:27.079 the Apostle 00:38:27.079 --> 00:38:27.880 Paul in 00:38:27.880 --> 00:38:29.579 Acts 18, 00:38:29.860 --> 00:38:30.880 but really 00:38:30.880 --> 00:38:31.599 it's the 00:38:31.599 --> 00:38:32.500 example of 00:38:32.500 --> 00:38:33.360 your care 00:38:33.360 --> 00:38:33.699 for your 00:38:33.699 --> 00:38:33.980 people. 00:38:34.920 --> 00:38:35.219 Lord, 00:38:35.280 --> 00:38:35.679 we pray 00:38:35.679 --> 00:38:36.039 that we 00:38:36.039 --> 00:38:36.340 would be 00:38:36.340 --> 00:38:36.739 bold, 00:38:37.519 --> 00:38:38.039 that you 00:38:38.039 --> 00:38:38.320 would give 00:38:38.320 --> 00:38:38.800 us great 00:38:38.800 --> 00:38:39.260 confidence 00:38:39.260 --> 00:38:39.840 in the 00:38:39.840 --> 00:38:40.179 gospel, 00:38:40.320 --> 00:38:40.719 but Lord, 00:38:40.719 --> 00:38:42.579 more than 00:38:42.579 --> 00:38:42.799 that, 00:38:42.899 --> 00:38:43.459 help us 00:38:43.459 --> 00:38:44.159 to just 00:38:44.159 --> 00:38:44.539 look to 00:38:44.539 --> 00:38:44.739 you, 00:38:45.379 --> 00:38:45.699 to just 00:38:45.699 --> 00:38:46.059 seek your 00:38:46.059 --> 00:38:46.439 face, 00:38:46.699 --> 00:38:47.139 to the 00:38:47.139 --> 00:38:47.459 best of 00:38:47.459 --> 00:38:47.579 our 00:38:47.579 --> 00:38:47.980 ability, 00:38:48.159 --> 00:38:48.319 Lord, 00:38:48.399 --> 00:38:48.739 help us 00:38:48.739 --> 00:38:49.000 to make 00:38:49.000 --> 00:38:49.299 these 00:38:49.299 --> 00:38:50.059 incremental 00:38:50.059 --> 00:38:50.819 changes, 00:38:51.599 --> 00:38:52.480 spiritual 00:38:52.480 --> 00:38:53.179 disciplines, 00:38:53.679 --> 00:38:54.439 taking time 00:38:54.439 --> 00:38:54.719 in your 00:38:54.719 --> 00:38:55.019 word, 00:38:55.139 --> 00:38:55.719 taking time 00:38:55.719 --> 00:38:56.259 in prayer 00:38:56.259 --> 00:38:56.779 by your 00:38:56.779 --> 00:38:57.179 strength, 00:38:57.299 --> 00:38:57.399 Lord, 00:38:57.759 --> 00:38:58.219 so that 00:38:58.219 --> 00:38:58.500 we can 00:38:58.500 --> 00:38:59.419 grow in 00:38:59.419 --> 00:39:00.019 our faith 00:39:00.019 --> 00:39:01.839 and get 00:39:01.839 --> 00:39:02.419 to enjoy 00:39:02.419 --> 00:39:02.899 the goodness 00:39:02.899 --> 00:39:03.419 of the 00:39:03.419 --> 00:39:03.939 gospel of 00:39:03.939 --> 00:39:04.239 Christ. 00:39:05.099 --> 00:39:05.459 We pray 00:39:05.459 --> 00:39:05.819 all this 00:39:05.819 --> 00:39:06.259 in Jesus' 00:39:06.259 --> 00:39:06.579 name. 00:39:06.939 --> 00:39:07.159 Amen.