WEBVTT

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 Let me pray for the reading and teaching of God's Word.

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 Heavenly Father, we ask that you will speak to us.

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 We are hungry for your righteousness.

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 We humble ourselves before you to receive meekly the implanted Word, which is able to save ourselves.

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 Amen.

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 We want to be faithful witnesses to Jesus.

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 So in this passage, speak to us.

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 Teach us from Paul's example here of how to do that, even when our environment, people around us are hostile to faith.

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 In Jesus' name we pray. Amen.

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 Acts chapter 22, starting verse 22.

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 Up to this word they listened to him.

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 Then they raised their voices and said,

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 Away with such a fellow from the earth, for he should not be allowed to live.

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 And as they were shouting and throwing off their cloaks and flinging dust into the air, the tribune ordered him to be brought into the barracks, saying that he should be examined by flogged to find out why they were shouting against him like this.

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 But when they had stretched him out for the whips, Paul said to the centurion who was standing by,

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 Is it lawful for you to flog a man who is a Roman citizen and uncondemned?

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 When the centurion heard this, he went to the tribune and said to him,

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 What are you about to do?

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 For this man is a Roman citizen.

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 So the tribune came and said to him, Tell me, are you a Roman citizen?

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 And he said, Yes.

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 The tribune answered, I bought this citizenship for a large sum.

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 Paul said, But I am a citizen by birth.

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 So those who were about to examine him withdrew from him immediately, and the tribune also was afraid,

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 for he realized that Paul was a Roman citizen and that he had bound him.

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 But on the next day, he desired to know the real reason why he was being accused by the Jews.

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 He unbound him and commanded the chief priests and all the council to meet.

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 And he brought Paul down and set him before them.

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 And looking intently at the council, Paul said,

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 Brothers, I have lived my life before God in all good conscience up to this day.

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 And the high priest Ananias commanded those who stood by him to strike him on the mouth.

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 Then Paul said to him, God is going to strike you, you whitewashed wall.

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 Are you sitting to judge me according to the law?

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 And yet contrary to the law, you order me to be struck?

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 Those who stood by said, Would you be vile God's high priest?

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 And Paul said, I did not know, brothers, that he was the high priest.

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 For it is written, You shall not speak evil of a ruler of your people.

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 Now when Paul perceived that one part were Sadducees and the other Pharisees,

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 he cried out in the council, Brothers, I am a Pharisee, a son of Pharisees.

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 It is with respect to the hope and the resurrection of the dead that I am on trial.

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 And when he had said this, a dissension arose between the Pharisees and the Sadducees,

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 and the assembly was divided.

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 For the Sadducees say that there is no resurrection, nor angel, nor spirit.

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 But the Pharisees acknowledged them all.

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 Then a great clamor arose, and some of the scribes of the Pharisees' party stood up and contended sharply.

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 We find nothing wrong in this man.

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 What if a spirit or an angel spoke to him?

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 And when the dissension became violent,

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 the tribune, afraid that Paul would be torn to pieces by them,

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 commanded the soldiers to go down and take him away from among them by force

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 and bring him into the barracks.

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 The following night, the Lord stood by him and said,

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 Take courage, for as you have testified to the facts about meeting Jews,

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 so you must testify also again.

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 When it was day, the Jews made a plot and bound themselves by an oath,

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 neither to eat nor drink till they had killed Paul.

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 There were more than forty who made this conspiracy.

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 They went to the chief priests and elders and said,

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 We have strictly bound ourselves by an oath to taste no food till we have killed Paul.

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 Now therefore you, along with the council,

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 give notice to the tribune to bring him down to you,

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 as though you were going to determine his case more exactly.

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 And we are ready to kill him before he comes near.

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 Now the son of Paul's sister heard of their ambush,

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 so he went and entered the barracks and told Paul.

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 Paul called one of the centurions and said,

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 Take this young man to the tribune, for he has something to tell him.

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 So he took him and brought him to the tribune and said,

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 Paul the prisoner called me and asked me to bring this young man to you,

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 as he has something to say to you.

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 The tribune took him by the hand and going aside, asked him privately,

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 What is it that you have to tell him?

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 And he said,

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 The Jews have agreed to ask you to bring Paul down to the council tomorrow,

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 as though they were going to inquire somewhat more closely about him.

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 But do not be persuaded by them.

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 For more than 40 of their men are lying in ambush for him,

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 who have bound themselves by an oath neither to eat nor drink till they have killed him.

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 And now they are ready, waiting for your consent.

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 So the tribune dismissed the young man, charging him,

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 Tell no one that you have informed me of these things.

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 Then he called two of the centurions and said,

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 Get ready 200 soldiers with 70 horsemen and 200 spearmen

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 to go as far as Caesarea at the third hour of the night.

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 Also provide mounts for Paul to ride and bring him safely to Felix the governor.

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 And he wrote a letter to this effect.

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 Claudius Lysias, to His Excellency the Governor Felix,

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 Greetings.

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 This man was seized by the Jews and was about to be killed by them

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 when I came upon them with the soldiers and rescued him.

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 Having learned that he was a Roman citizen.

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 And desiring to know the charge for which they were accusing him,

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 I brought him down to their council.

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 I found that he was being accused about questions of their law,

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 but charged with nothing deserving death or imprisonment.

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 And when it was disclosed to me that there would be a plot against the man,

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 I sent him to you at once,

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 ordering his accusers also to state before you what they have against him.

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 So the soldiers, according to their instructions,

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 took Paul and brought him by night to Antipatrus.

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 And on the next day they returned to the barracks,

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 letting the horsemen go on with him.

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 When they had come to Caesarea and delivered the letter to the governor,

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 they presented Paul also before him.

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 On reading the letter, he asked what province he was from,

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 and when he learned that he was from Cilicia,

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 he said,

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 I will give you a hearing when your accusers arrive.

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 And he commanded him to be guarded in Herod's praetorium.

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 This is God's holy and authoritative word.

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 Various religious groups face persecution for harassment for their faith

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 throughout the world, according to the Pew Research Center.

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 But according to the research which started around 2007 and continues to today,

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 Christians are harassed in more countries than any other religious group.

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 Open Doors USA wrote in their 2021 World Watch List report

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 that 340 million Christians live in places where they experience high levels of persecution.

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 It's one in eight believers worldwide.

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 In other words, many fellow Christians live still, to this day,

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 in an environment that is hostile to our faith,

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 much like the believers in the book of Acts.

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 And our passage today teaches us some valuable lessons

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 on how we ought to conduct ourselves in such an environment.

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 So this will be a particularly relevant message for those of you who will become missionaries

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 in places where Christians are persecuted.

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 But most of you might be wondering,

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 well then, what does this have to do with me?

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 I'm not planning on becoming a foreign missionary.

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 And there's no persecution here in the U.S.

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 You're right that the U.S. has largely been spared

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 of the persecution that Christians face much in the world.

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 However, it is becoming increasingly clear

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 that there is a growing clash of worldviews and ethics

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 in our cultural moment.

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 And in some places of even this country,

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 being a Bible-believing Christian

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 is no longer something that confers social respectability.

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 Rather, it is a social liability.

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 To give you one example,

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 Carl Truman, a Presbyterian pastor

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 and professor at Westminster Theological Seminary,

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 widely respected, highly regarded,

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 he recently wrote a book entitled

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 The Rise and Triumph of the Modern Self,

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 which is a thoughtful and theological

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 and philosophical critique

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 of the American cultural attitudes towards sex.

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 There's no hate-mongering in that book at all.

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 Both the ideas in the book

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 and the tone of the book

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 are eminently reasonable.

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 But on August 7th of last year,

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 he gave a series of talks on this topic

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 to the Sacramento Gospel Conference,

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 which was live-streamed

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 through the YouTube channel

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 of the Emmanuel Baptist Church.

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 And the Wall Street Journal notes that,

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 quote,

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 twice during the event,

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 the live broadcast was booted off the air.

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 Viewers were informed

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 that the first interruption

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 was due to a copyright violation,

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 possibly the result of Christian music

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 that the conference organizers

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 played during the break.

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 But in the second,

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 more mysterious instance,

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 Truman's presentation went dark

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 because of a, quote,

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 content violation.

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 Neither Truman nor Emmanuel Baptist Church

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 has been told

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 whether that was intervention

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 by a machine's algorithm

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 or by a human being

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 who was watching it,

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 who had been flagging it.

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 What is clear is that Google,

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 which now owns YouTube,

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 determined that the Bible's teaching

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 on sexual ethics,

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 as communicated by Truman,

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 was, quote,

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 harmful content,

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 or a form of hate and harassment.

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 Admittedly,

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 this is still nothing like

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 the censorship and persecution

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 that believers

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 in some other parts of the world face.

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 Nevertheless,

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 in a real way,

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 some Christians' beliefs

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 are marginalized

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 and viewed as irrational

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 and unacceptable.

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 And for that reason,

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 even for us,

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 this passage offers

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 some very helpful insights

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 on how we should navigate

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 this complex world,

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 how to conduct ourselves

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 as witnesses for Jesus

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 in such climate.

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 In Matthew 10, 16-18,

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 this is the New International Version,

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 Jesus said to his disciples,

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 I am sending you out

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 like sheep among wolves,

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 therefore be as shrewd as snakes

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 and as innocent as doves.

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 Be on your guard,

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 you will be handed over

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 to the local councils

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 and be flogged in the synagogues.

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 On my account,

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 you will be brought before governors

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 and kings as witnesses to them

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 and to the Gentiles.

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 What Jesus told his disciples

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 is happening exactly

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 in this passage.

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 Paul's taken before kings

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 and governors

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 to bear witness to them

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 about Jesus.

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 He's taken before the Gentiles

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 and Paul must be shrewd

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 as a snake

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 and innocent as a dove.

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 And that's the main lesson

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 that Luke wants to convey to us

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 here through Paul's example,

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 that as sheep among wolves,

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 we must be shrewd and innocent,

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 trusting in God's presence

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 and protection.

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 So let's first talk about

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 Paul's shrewdness

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 and then we'll talk about

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 Paul's innocence

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 and then about finally

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 God's presence.

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 So Paul is here

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 in the middle of his defense

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 before the Jewish mob.

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 He's sharing his testimony

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 of his conversion,

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 how the Lord Jesus,

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 the reason Lord Jesus

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 met him on the road

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 to Damascus.

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 And he's trying to explain

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 to them that he's not someone

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 who is against the Jews,

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 hostile to the Jewish people

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 and the law and the temple.

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 But he's trying to tell them

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 why he was sent

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 by the Lord Jesus

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 to go minister to the Gentiles.

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 But as soon as Paul mentions

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 going to the Gentiles

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 to talk about Jesus,

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 the Jewish mob is fed up with him

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 and will hear him no longer.

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 It says in verse 22,

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 up to this word

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 they listened to him

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 and then they raised

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 their voices and said,

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 away with such a thumb

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 from the earth,

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 for he should not

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 be allowed to live.

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 They want to get rid

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 of Paul for good.

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 They want not just

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 his censorship

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 or imprisonment,

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 but his execution.

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 The mob starts

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 getting out of control again

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 and then they start

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 in verse 23 shouting

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 and throwing off their cloaks

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 and flinging dust

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 into the air,

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 which are all gestures

00:13:24.940 --> 00:13:26.039
 that Jews use

00:13:26.039 --> 00:13:27.440
 to protest something

00:13:27.440 --> 00:13:29.200
 or to express indignation.

00:13:29.200 --> 00:13:31.440
 And not wanting

00:13:31.440 --> 00:13:32.280
 to lose control

00:13:32.280 --> 00:13:32.980
 of the situation,

00:13:33.220 --> 00:13:33.980
 the Roman Tribune

00:13:33.980 --> 00:13:34.900
 orders Paul

00:13:34.900 --> 00:13:35.540
 to be brought

00:13:35.540 --> 00:13:36.280
 into the barracks

00:13:36.280 --> 00:13:37.160
 saying that he should

00:13:37.160 --> 00:13:38.460
 be examined by flogging

00:13:38.460 --> 00:13:39.200
 to find out why

00:13:39.200 --> 00:13:39.720
 they were shouting

00:13:39.720 --> 00:13:40.900
 against him like this.

00:13:43.120 --> 00:13:44.180
 He knows something

00:13:44.180 --> 00:13:44.920
 that Paul has said

00:13:44.920 --> 00:13:45.840
 that has provoked the mob,

00:13:45.900 --> 00:13:46.680
 but he didn't understand

00:13:46.680 --> 00:13:47.280
 that because Paul

00:13:47.280 --> 00:13:48.000
 was speaking to them

00:13:48.000 --> 00:13:48.879
 in the Hebrew language

00:13:48.879 --> 00:13:50.020
 and so he plans

00:13:50.020 --> 00:13:51.320
 on interrogating him

00:13:51.320 --> 00:13:52.420
 by flogging,

00:13:52.580 --> 00:13:53.680
 basically torturing him

00:13:53.680 --> 00:13:54.759
 to extract information

00:13:54.759 --> 00:13:55.320
 from him.

00:13:56.540 --> 00:13:57.400
 This was a really

00:13:57.400 --> 00:13:59.040
 cruel method of torture.

00:13:59.759 --> 00:14:00.960
 Some people died

00:14:00.960 --> 00:14:01.900
 from the flogging

00:14:01.900 --> 00:14:02.879
 that the Romans used.

00:14:03.520 --> 00:14:04.600
 A lot of people

00:14:04.600 --> 00:14:05.740
 were crippled for life.

00:14:06.580 --> 00:14:08.020
 So Paul's facing

00:14:08.020 --> 00:14:09.360
 grave danger

00:14:09.360 --> 00:14:11.060
 at this point in time.

00:14:12.080 --> 00:14:12.879
 And as Paul

00:14:12.879 --> 00:14:14.900
 is being stretched out

00:14:14.900 --> 00:14:15.840
 in preparation

00:14:15.840 --> 00:14:17.000
 for the flogging

00:14:17.000 --> 00:14:18.500
 for maximal damage,

00:14:18.960 --> 00:14:20.220
 Paul says in verse 25

00:14:20.220 --> 00:14:21.259
 to the centurion

00:14:21.259 --> 00:14:22.100
 who was standing by,

00:14:22.660 --> 00:14:23.879
 is it lawful for you

00:14:23.879 --> 00:14:24.840
 to flog a man

00:14:24.840 --> 00:14:26.020
 who is a Roman citizen

00:14:26.020 --> 00:14:27.160
 and uncondemned?

00:14:28.140 --> 00:14:29.000
 This is a rhetorical

00:14:29.000 --> 00:14:29.460
 question.

00:14:30.059 --> 00:14:30.980
 Paul already knows

00:14:30.980 --> 00:14:31.740
 that the answer

00:14:31.740 --> 00:14:32.879
 is no.

00:14:33.100 --> 00:14:34.340
 It is not lawful

00:14:34.340 --> 00:14:35.960
 for the Roman citizen

00:14:35.960 --> 00:14:36.740
 to be flogged

00:14:36.740 --> 00:14:38.120
 without due process.

00:14:39.379 --> 00:14:40.259
 But this is Paul's

00:14:40.259 --> 00:14:41.659
 polite and indirect way

00:14:41.659 --> 00:14:42.899
 of informing the centurion

00:14:42.899 --> 00:14:44.240
 that he is,

00:14:44.399 --> 00:14:44.620
 in fact,

00:14:44.679 --> 00:14:45.480
 a Roman citizen

00:14:45.480 --> 00:14:46.639
 with certain protections

00:14:46.639 --> 00:14:47.580
 and legal rights.

00:14:49.659 --> 00:14:51.039
 Earlier in chapter 21,

00:14:51.120 --> 00:14:51.700
 verse 38,

00:14:51.840 --> 00:14:52.580
 the tribune

00:14:52.580 --> 00:14:53.740
 had mistaken Paul

00:14:53.740 --> 00:14:54.480
 for an Egyptian.

00:14:55.200 --> 00:14:57.120
 But now he's mistaken

00:14:57.120 --> 00:14:59.600
 him for an ordinary Jew,

00:14:59.700 --> 00:15:00.360
 just a Jew,

00:15:01.000 --> 00:15:02.500
 and not as a Roman citizen.

00:15:03.460 --> 00:15:04.279
 It would have been fine

00:15:04.279 --> 00:15:04.960
 for him to do that

00:15:04.960 --> 00:15:05.440
 to Jews,

00:15:05.560 --> 00:15:07.419
 but it would have been

00:15:07.419 --> 00:15:08.240
 illegal for him

00:15:08.240 --> 00:15:09.379
 to do it to a Roman citizen.

00:15:10.200 --> 00:15:11.960
 So this alarms him.

00:15:12.399 --> 00:15:13.899
 The centurion is taken aback

00:15:13.899 --> 00:15:14.879
 by Paul's declaration

00:15:14.879 --> 00:15:15.419
 of citizenship.

00:15:15.919 --> 00:15:16.460
 And so he goes

00:15:16.460 --> 00:15:17.159
 to his superior

00:15:17.159 --> 00:15:18.440
 and reports it back to him.

00:15:18.799 --> 00:15:19.419
 And he expresses

00:15:19.419 --> 00:15:20.039
 some cynicism

00:15:20.039 --> 00:15:21.279
 because he had to pay

00:15:21.279 --> 00:15:21.839
 a lot of money

00:15:21.839 --> 00:15:22.839
 to become a Roman citizen.

00:15:22.959 --> 00:15:23.279
 So he says,

00:15:23.319 --> 00:15:23.959
 I bought this

00:15:23.959 --> 00:15:24.799
 for a large sum.

00:15:25.539 --> 00:15:26.399
 In order to become

00:15:26.399 --> 00:15:28.139
 a naturalized Roman citizen,

00:15:28.360 --> 00:15:29.379
 you have to be sponsored

00:15:29.379 --> 00:15:30.339
 by someone prominent,

00:15:30.559 --> 00:15:31.839
 usually a military general

00:15:31.839 --> 00:15:33.599
 or even the emperor

00:15:33.599 --> 00:15:35.539
 of the Roman Empire itself.

00:15:37.019 --> 00:15:38.059
 And so he must have been

00:15:38.059 --> 00:15:39.480
 a pretty well-to-do,

00:15:39.679 --> 00:15:40.439
 prominent person

00:15:40.439 --> 00:15:41.659
 with social standing.

00:15:41.799 --> 00:15:42.819
 He purchased the citizenship

00:15:42.819 --> 00:15:44.000
 for a large amount of money.

00:15:44.620 --> 00:15:45.500
 And so he's implicitly

00:15:45.500 --> 00:15:46.759
 questioning Paul's claim.

00:15:46.899 --> 00:15:47.919
 How can you,

00:15:48.120 --> 00:15:49.159
 a poor Jew,

00:15:49.159 --> 00:15:51.159
 afford something like that?

00:15:52.579 --> 00:15:54.100
 But Paul replies to him

00:15:54.100 --> 00:15:54.779
 in verse 28,

00:15:55.600 --> 00:15:57.360
 I am a citizen by birth.

00:15:58.299 --> 00:15:59.139
 In order to be

00:15:59.139 --> 00:16:00.319
 a Roman citizen by birth,

00:16:00.439 --> 00:16:01.539
 both of your parents

00:16:01.539 --> 00:16:02.740
 have to be Roman citizens.

00:16:03.459 --> 00:16:05.039
 And being a citizen by birth

00:16:05.039 --> 00:16:06.179
 was considered at that time

00:16:06.179 --> 00:16:07.339
 to be more prestigious

00:16:07.339 --> 00:16:09.779
 than being a naturalized citizen.

00:16:11.059 --> 00:16:12.600
 And so it says in verse 29,

00:16:13.120 --> 00:16:13.959
 those who were about

00:16:13.959 --> 00:16:14.639
 to examine him

00:16:14.639 --> 00:16:16.220
 withdrew from him immediately.

00:16:16.939 --> 00:16:17.819
 And the tribune also

00:16:17.819 --> 00:16:18.620
 was afraid,

00:16:18.620 --> 00:16:19.500
 before he realized

00:16:19.500 --> 00:16:21.220
 that Paul was a Roman citizen,

00:16:21.399 --> 00:16:22.600
 that he had bound him.

00:16:23.620 --> 00:16:24.379
 You can imagine

00:16:24.379 --> 00:16:26.179
 the tribune's predicament.

00:16:27.480 --> 00:16:28.039
 Even though Paul

00:16:28.039 --> 00:16:29.740
 was guaranteed due process,

00:16:30.440 --> 00:16:31.759
 before he was condemned

00:16:31.759 --> 00:16:33.019
 by a fair trial,

00:16:33.480 --> 00:16:34.679
 he had bound him

00:16:34.679 --> 00:16:35.659
 and very nearly

00:16:35.659 --> 00:16:36.620
 flogged him,

00:16:37.320 --> 00:16:38.159
 even though he was not

00:16:38.159 --> 00:16:39.659
 even allowed to find him.

00:16:40.820 --> 00:16:42.120
 If Paul were to seek

00:16:42.120 --> 00:16:43.039
 legal redress,

00:16:43.240 --> 00:16:44.080
 he could be punished

00:16:44.080 --> 00:16:45.440
 and possibly lose his post.

00:16:45.440 --> 00:16:46.880
 He had to stop the record.

00:16:46.880 --> 00:16:47.900
 That's why the tribune

00:16:47.900 --> 00:16:48.460
 was afraid.

00:16:49.420 --> 00:16:50.300
 Now, this episode

00:16:50.300 --> 00:16:52.740
 is a very good demonstration

00:16:52.740 --> 00:16:53.820
 of Paul's shrewks.

00:16:55.040 --> 00:16:57.080
 Paul knew his legal rights

00:16:57.080 --> 00:16:58.020
 as a Roman citizen.

00:16:58.640 --> 00:16:59.560
 And he used it

00:16:59.560 --> 00:17:00.400
 to his advantage

00:17:00.400 --> 00:17:01.320
 when the situation

00:17:01.320 --> 00:17:02.300
 called for it.

00:17:03.060 --> 00:17:03.540
 Likewise,

00:17:04.039 --> 00:17:05.140
 we should know

00:17:05.140 --> 00:17:06.340
 our legal rights.

00:17:07.440 --> 00:17:08.100
 Whether that's here

00:17:08.100 --> 00:17:09.019
 in the United States

00:17:09.019 --> 00:17:10.019
 or the foreign country

00:17:10.019 --> 00:17:11.100
 you happen to be in,

00:17:12.100 --> 00:17:13.000
 administering in,

00:17:13.000 --> 00:17:15.140
 and we should appropriately

00:17:15.140 --> 00:17:16.279
 invoke those rights

00:17:16.279 --> 00:17:17.119
 because we can continue

00:17:17.119 --> 00:17:17.680
 to proclaim

00:17:17.680 --> 00:17:18.900
 the gospel of Jesus Christ.

00:17:20.299 --> 00:17:20.740
 However,

00:17:20.799 --> 00:17:22.059
 there is an important caveat.

00:17:22.940 --> 00:17:23.480
 The fact that

00:17:23.480 --> 00:17:24.279
 some situations

00:17:24.279 --> 00:17:24.960
 call for us

00:17:24.960 --> 00:17:26.599
 to assert our legal rights

00:17:26.599 --> 00:17:27.279
 does not mean

00:17:27.279 --> 00:17:28.359
 that we should always

00:17:28.359 --> 00:17:29.299
 do so.

00:17:29.960 --> 00:17:30.420
 For example,

00:17:30.559 --> 00:17:31.940
 as chapter 22,

00:17:32.019 --> 00:17:33.299
 verse 29 tells us,

00:17:34.059 --> 00:17:35.380
 the Roman tribune

00:17:35.380 --> 00:17:36.359
 was not allowed

00:17:36.359 --> 00:17:37.799
 even to bind Paul

00:17:37.799 --> 00:17:40.460
 before he was condemned.

00:17:41.099 --> 00:17:42.440
 But earlier in chapter 21,

00:17:42.440 --> 00:17:43.200
 verse 33,

00:17:43.500 --> 00:17:44.380
 he bowed to him

00:17:44.380 --> 00:17:46.500
 before a Jewish mob.

00:17:47.460 --> 00:17:48.420
 When they came

00:17:48.420 --> 00:17:49.120
 to arrest him,

00:17:49.180 --> 00:17:50.000
 Paul could have

00:17:50.000 --> 00:17:51.240
 asserted his Roman citizenship

00:17:51.240 --> 00:17:52.460
 right then and there

00:17:52.460 --> 00:17:53.320
 and said,

00:17:53.440 --> 00:17:54.900
 I am a Roman citizen

00:17:54.900 --> 00:17:55.700
 by birth.

00:17:56.700 --> 00:17:58.120
 But this Jewish mob

00:17:58.120 --> 00:17:58.580
 over here,

00:17:58.660 --> 00:17:59.580
 they're abusing me

00:17:59.580 --> 00:18:00.360
 without cause.

00:18:01.680 --> 00:18:02.519
 Paul could have done that.

00:18:03.160 --> 00:18:04.059
 He could have easily

00:18:04.059 --> 00:18:05.600
 turned the table on them.

00:18:06.860 --> 00:18:08.039
 And maybe the Roman tribune

00:18:08.039 --> 00:18:08.720
 wouldn't have even

00:18:08.720 --> 00:18:09.519
 arrested Paul,

00:18:09.799 --> 00:18:10.240
 would have instead

00:18:10.240 --> 00:18:11.380
 arrested some of the people

00:18:11.380 --> 00:18:12.299
 who were trying to kill him.

00:18:12.440 --> 00:18:16.080
 But Paul didn't do that.

00:18:18.559 --> 00:18:19.740
 It's impossible to say

00:18:19.740 --> 00:18:20.600
 exactly why,

00:18:20.720 --> 00:18:21.640
 what is going through

00:18:21.640 --> 00:18:22.279
 Paul's mind

00:18:22.279 --> 00:18:24.200
 because Luke doesn't tell us.

00:18:25.120 --> 00:18:25.940
 But remember that

00:18:25.940 --> 00:18:27.080
 these Jews were accusing

00:18:27.080 --> 00:18:27.980
 Paul of being

00:18:27.980 --> 00:18:29.420
 against the Jewish people

00:18:29.420 --> 00:18:30.000
 and the law

00:18:30.000 --> 00:18:30.620
 and the temple.

00:18:31.400 --> 00:18:32.480
 And Paul's assertion

00:18:32.480 --> 00:18:33.580
 of Roman citizenship

00:18:33.580 --> 00:18:34.720
 right before the Jews

00:18:34.720 --> 00:18:36.140
 in order to preserve himself

00:18:36.140 --> 00:18:37.160
 at their expense

00:18:37.160 --> 00:18:38.360
 would have confirmed

00:18:38.360 --> 00:18:39.620
 to them that Paul

00:18:39.619 --> 00:18:40.479
 was in fact

00:18:40.479 --> 00:18:41.579
 someone who had betrayed

00:18:41.579 --> 00:18:43.039
 his Jewish sympathies

00:18:43.039 --> 00:18:43.899
 long time ago.

00:18:45.899 --> 00:18:46.919
 So it's possible

00:18:46.919 --> 00:18:47.379
 that Paul,

00:18:47.519 --> 00:18:48.259
 even though it would have

00:18:48.259 --> 00:18:49.259
 been expedient for him

00:18:49.259 --> 00:18:49.879
 at that point

00:18:49.879 --> 00:18:51.019
 to reveal his citizenship,

00:18:52.079 --> 00:18:53.039
 that he didn't do so

00:18:53.039 --> 00:18:53.579
 for the sake

00:18:53.579 --> 00:18:54.559
 of his gospel witness

00:18:54.559 --> 00:18:55.159
 to the Jews.

00:18:55.160 --> 00:18:58.160
 For Paul,

00:18:58.259 --> 00:18:59.279
 the ultimate goal

00:18:59.279 --> 00:19:00.880
 was bearing witness

00:19:00.880 --> 00:19:01.440
 to Jesus

00:19:01.440 --> 00:19:03.360
 not self-preservation.

00:19:04.560 --> 00:19:04.940
 In fact,

00:19:04.980 --> 00:19:05.660
 he already said

00:19:05.660 --> 00:19:06.460
 in Acts 21,

00:19:06.580 --> 00:19:07.100
 verse 13,

00:19:07.180 --> 00:19:08.000
 I am ready not only

00:19:08.000 --> 00:19:08.720
 to be imprisoned

00:19:08.720 --> 00:19:09.620
 but even to die

00:19:09.620 --> 00:19:10.000
 in Jerusalem

00:19:10.000 --> 00:19:10.580
 for the name

00:19:10.580 --> 00:19:11.380
 of the Lord Jesus.

00:19:12.720 --> 00:19:13.700
 But when he is away

00:19:13.700 --> 00:19:14.380
 from the Jews

00:19:14.380 --> 00:19:15.840
 facing the Roman tribune,

00:19:16.400 --> 00:19:17.580
 Paul surely invokes

00:19:17.580 --> 00:19:18.519
 his Roman citizenship

00:19:18.519 --> 00:19:19.900
 so that he might be

00:19:19.900 --> 00:19:21.840
 scared of the plogging.

00:19:21.839 --> 00:19:24.519
 We see Paul sure this

00:19:24.519 --> 00:19:25.539
 in other parts

00:19:25.539 --> 00:19:26.459
 of this passage as well.

00:19:26.939 --> 00:19:27.919
 Claudius Lysias,

00:19:28.480 --> 00:19:29.220
 that's the name

00:19:29.220 --> 00:19:30.000
 of the Roman tribune,

00:19:30.419 --> 00:19:31.119
 having been unable

00:19:31.119 --> 00:19:32.220
 to discern the real reason

00:19:32.220 --> 00:19:33.039
 why Paul was being

00:19:33.039 --> 00:19:34.199
 accused by the Jews,

00:19:34.339 --> 00:19:35.299
 convenes the Jewish

00:19:35.299 --> 00:19:36.079
 council again

00:19:36.079 --> 00:19:37.459
 so that he could observe

00:19:37.459 --> 00:19:38.779
 their formal examination

00:19:38.779 --> 00:19:39.359
 of him.

00:19:40.539 --> 00:19:42.159
 But as the examination

00:19:42.159 --> 00:19:42.879
 proceeds,

00:19:43.139 --> 00:19:43.980
 Paul realized

00:19:43.980 --> 00:19:44.539
 very quickly

00:19:44.539 --> 00:19:46.279
 that the odds

00:19:46.279 --> 00:19:47.220
 are stacked against him.

00:19:47.259 --> 00:19:48.439
 This is not a fair trial.

00:19:49.919 --> 00:19:50.599
 The Sanhedrin

00:19:50.599 --> 00:19:51.759
 is already prejudiced

00:19:51.759 --> 00:19:52.299
 against him

00:19:52.299 --> 00:19:53.299
 and have predetermined

00:19:53.299 --> 00:19:54.240
 his guilt.

00:19:55.420 --> 00:19:55.900
 So it says

00:19:55.900 --> 00:19:56.839
 in chapter 23,

00:19:57.119 --> 00:19:57.839
 verse 6,

00:19:58.619 --> 00:19:59.680
 when Paul perceived

00:19:59.680 --> 00:20:00.700
 that one part

00:20:00.700 --> 00:20:01.680
 of the Sanhedrin

00:20:01.680 --> 00:20:02.660
 were Sadducees

00:20:02.660 --> 00:20:04.200
 and the other Pharisees,

00:20:04.480 --> 00:20:05.319
 he cried out

00:20:05.319 --> 00:20:06.099
 in the council,

00:20:06.859 --> 00:20:07.119
 Brothers,

00:20:07.339 --> 00:20:08.420
 I am a Pharisee,

00:20:08.480 --> 00:20:09.839
 a son of Pharisees.

00:20:09.920 --> 00:20:10.779
 It is with respect

00:20:10.779 --> 00:20:11.279
 to the hope

00:20:11.279 --> 00:20:11.900
 and the resurrection

00:20:11.900 --> 00:20:12.480
 of the dead

00:20:12.480 --> 00:20:13.519
 that I am on trial.

00:20:14.519 --> 00:20:15.619
 The Jewish ruling

00:20:15.619 --> 00:20:16.140
 council,

00:20:16.379 --> 00:20:17.140
 the Sanhedrin,

00:20:17.619 --> 00:20:18.480
 was at that time

00:20:18.480 --> 00:20:19.640
 majority Sadducees,

00:20:19.799 --> 00:20:20.339
 but they had

00:20:20.339 --> 00:20:21.259
 a very strong

00:20:21.259 --> 00:20:21.839
 and vocal

00:20:21.839 --> 00:20:23.179
 Pharisee minority.

00:20:24.079 --> 00:20:24.559
 There were

00:20:24.559 --> 00:20:25.559
 several theological

00:20:25.559 --> 00:20:26.159
 differences

00:20:26.159 --> 00:20:27.159
 between Sadducees

00:20:27.159 --> 00:20:27.859
 and Pharisees.

00:20:27.959 --> 00:20:28.480
 The Pharisees

00:20:28.480 --> 00:20:29.500
 were reformers

00:20:29.500 --> 00:20:31.099
 who supplemented,

00:20:31.159 --> 00:20:31.619
 who added

00:20:31.619 --> 00:20:32.779
 to the Mosaic law

00:20:32.779 --> 00:20:35.419
 by counting

00:20:35.419 --> 00:20:36.500
 the rabbinic traditions,

00:20:36.619 --> 00:20:37.399
 the oral traditions

00:20:37.399 --> 00:20:38.379
 handed from generation

00:20:38.379 --> 00:20:39.039
 after generation

00:20:39.039 --> 00:20:39.879
 as authoritative.

00:20:41.000 --> 00:20:41.740
 The Sadducees,

00:20:41.819 --> 00:20:42.379
 on the other hand,

00:20:42.439 --> 00:20:44.000
 were traditionalists,

00:20:44.639 --> 00:20:45.379
 and they rejected

00:20:45.379 --> 00:20:47.000
 not only the oral tradition

00:20:47.000 --> 00:20:47.720
 of the rabbis,

00:20:47.799 --> 00:20:48.859
 but also the books

00:20:48.859 --> 00:20:49.660
 of scriptures

00:20:49.660 --> 00:20:50.759
 besides the Torah,

00:20:51.059 --> 00:20:51.400
 the law,

00:20:51.460 --> 00:20:52.220
 the first five books

00:20:52.220 --> 00:20:52.599
 of the Bible.

00:20:52.740 --> 00:20:53.160
 They rejected

00:20:53.160 --> 00:20:54.259
 the rest of the Old Testament.

00:20:55.960 --> 00:20:57.039
 And the one effect

00:20:57.039 --> 00:20:57.819
 of that was that

00:20:57.819 --> 00:20:59.000
 Sadducees denied

00:20:59.000 --> 00:20:59.740
 the resurrection

00:20:59.740 --> 00:21:00.460
 of the dead,

00:21:01.019 --> 00:21:01.599
 which is really

00:21:01.599 --> 00:21:02.880
 only explicitly tied

00:21:02.880 --> 00:21:03.480
 in the later

00:21:03.480 --> 00:21:04.380
 scriptural passages

00:21:04.380 --> 00:21:05.799
 like Ezekiel 37

00:21:05.799 --> 00:21:06.680
 and Daniel 12.

00:21:07.920 --> 00:21:08.720
 So the Sadducees

00:21:08.720 --> 00:21:09.619
 believed that both

00:21:09.619 --> 00:21:10.759
 body and soul

00:21:10.759 --> 00:21:11.819
 ceased to exist

00:21:11.819 --> 00:21:12.619
 after death.

00:21:13.140 --> 00:21:13.740
 They believed

00:21:13.740 --> 00:21:14.759
 in the annihilation

00:21:14.759 --> 00:21:15.380
 of the soul.

00:21:15.380 --> 00:21:17.500
 And taught

00:21:17.500 --> 00:21:18.140
 that there is

00:21:18.140 --> 00:21:18.920
 no afterlife

00:21:18.920 --> 00:21:19.740
 where the soul

00:21:19.740 --> 00:21:20.480
 or the spirit

00:21:20.480 --> 00:21:22.200
 is in an angelic state

00:21:22.200 --> 00:21:23.600
 or as a spirit

00:21:23.600 --> 00:21:24.800
 awaiting the future

00:21:24.800 --> 00:21:25.780
 bodily resurrection.

00:21:27.220 --> 00:21:28.080
 Now these differences

00:21:28.080 --> 00:21:29.140
 are summarized by Luke

00:21:29.140 --> 00:21:30.060
 in chapter 23,

00:21:30.180 --> 00:21:30.580
 verse 8.

00:21:30.680 --> 00:21:31.760
 The Sadducees say

00:21:31.760 --> 00:21:32.500
 that there is

00:21:32.500 --> 00:21:33.620
 no resurrection,

00:21:34.120 --> 00:21:34.800
 nor angel,

00:21:34.980 --> 00:21:35.600
 nor spirit,

00:21:36.100 --> 00:21:37.200
 but the Pharisees

00:21:37.200 --> 00:21:38.340
 acknowledged them all.

00:21:39.380 --> 00:21:39.760
 Paul,

00:21:39.960 --> 00:21:41.600
 given his extensive training

00:21:41.600 --> 00:21:42.820
 as a Pharisee

00:21:42.820 --> 00:21:44.140
 under the esteemed

00:21:44.140 --> 00:21:45.360
 Pharisee Gamaliel,

00:21:45.380 --> 00:21:46.760
 is well aware

00:21:46.760 --> 00:21:47.820
 that the resurrection

00:21:47.820 --> 00:21:48.600
 of the dead

00:21:48.600 --> 00:21:49.840
 is the hot button

00:21:49.840 --> 00:21:50.700
 theological issue

00:21:50.700 --> 00:21:51.240
 of the day.

00:21:52.140 --> 00:21:53.400
 He knows that

00:21:53.400 --> 00:21:54.680
 that doctrine

00:21:54.680 --> 00:21:56.040
 is a central point

00:21:56.040 --> 00:21:56.720
 of contention

00:21:56.720 --> 00:21:57.800
 between Sadducees

00:21:57.800 --> 00:21:58.580
 and Pharisees.

00:21:59.120 --> 00:22:00.360
 And he is exploiting

00:22:00.360 --> 00:22:02.080
 that to divide

00:22:02.080 --> 00:22:02.600
 the opinions

00:22:02.600 --> 00:22:03.020
 of the St.

00:22:03.080 --> 00:22:04.400
 Pedro concerning him

00:22:04.400 --> 00:22:05.840
 and win over

00:22:05.840 --> 00:22:06.680
 the favor

00:22:06.680 --> 00:22:07.500
 of the Pharisees.

00:22:08.940 --> 00:22:10.140
 And Paul is not,

00:22:10.220 --> 00:22:11.260
 I want to add,

00:22:11.460 --> 00:22:12.580
 being deceptive

00:22:12.579 --> 00:22:13.199
 or manipulative

00:22:13.199 --> 00:22:13.539
 here,

00:22:14.359 --> 00:22:16.240
 he is a Pharisee.

00:22:17.019 --> 00:22:18.779
 He was descended

00:22:18.779 --> 00:22:19.659
 from Pharisees.

00:22:21.039 --> 00:22:22.539
 And the central

00:22:22.539 --> 00:22:23.399
 theological issue

00:22:23.399 --> 00:22:24.019
 at hand

00:22:24.019 --> 00:22:25.960
 is the resurrection

00:22:25.960 --> 00:22:27.159
 of Jesus

00:22:27.159 --> 00:22:28.279
 from the dead.

00:22:28.960 --> 00:22:29.839
 And for Paul,

00:22:30.000 --> 00:22:30.960
 Jesus' resurrection

00:22:30.960 --> 00:22:31.799
 in particular

00:22:31.799 --> 00:22:33.960
 was inextricably tied

00:22:33.960 --> 00:22:35.740
 to the general

00:22:35.740 --> 00:22:36.199
 resurrection

00:22:36.199 --> 00:22:36.759
 of the dead.

00:22:36.759 --> 00:22:37.519
 That's why

00:22:37.519 --> 00:22:38.379
 when some believers

00:22:38.379 --> 00:22:39.700
 in the city of Corinth

00:22:39.700 --> 00:22:41.079
 argue that there is

00:22:41.079 --> 00:22:41.779
 no resurrection

00:22:41.779 --> 00:22:42.440
 of the dead,

00:22:43.039 --> 00:22:43.859
 Paul wrote to them

00:22:43.859 --> 00:22:44.859
 saying in 1 Corinthians

00:22:44.859 --> 00:22:46.339
 15, 16 and 17,

00:22:46.720 --> 00:22:47.379
 if the dead

00:22:47.379 --> 00:22:48.579
 are not raised,

00:22:48.980 --> 00:22:49.980
 not even Christ

00:22:49.980 --> 00:22:50.819
 has been raised.

00:22:51.420 --> 00:22:52.279
 And if Christ

00:22:52.279 --> 00:22:53.440
 has not been raised,

00:22:53.599 --> 00:22:54.920
 your faith is futile

00:22:54.920 --> 00:22:55.720
 and you are still

00:22:55.720 --> 00:22:56.779
 in your sins.

00:22:58.339 --> 00:22:59.519
 Belief in the resurrection

00:22:59.519 --> 00:23:00.200
 of the dead

00:23:00.200 --> 00:23:01.940
 is at the very heart

00:23:01.940 --> 00:23:03.259
 of the Christian faith

00:23:03.259 --> 00:23:04.299
 because without it,

00:23:04.379 --> 00:23:05.200
 there is no resurrection

00:23:05.200 --> 00:23:05.779
 of Christ.

00:23:06.759 --> 00:23:08.900
 So Paul is not

00:23:08.900 --> 00:23:09.660
 distorting the truth

00:23:09.660 --> 00:23:10.339
 when he says,

00:23:10.480 --> 00:23:11.339
 it is with respect

00:23:11.339 --> 00:23:12.019
 to the hope

00:23:12.019 --> 00:23:12.640
 and the resurrection

00:23:12.640 --> 00:23:13.420
 of the dead

00:23:13.420 --> 00:23:14.359
 that I am on trial.

00:23:15.819 --> 00:23:16.680
 Even though Paul,

00:23:16.799 --> 00:23:17.000
 of course,

00:23:17.059 --> 00:23:18.240
 understands that the Pharisees

00:23:18.240 --> 00:23:19.079
 didn't agree with him

00:23:19.079 --> 00:23:19.799
 on every point,

00:23:19.900 --> 00:23:20.740
 he recognizes that

00:23:20.740 --> 00:23:21.779
 they are on the same page

00:23:21.779 --> 00:23:23.140
 about this particular matter

00:23:23.140 --> 00:23:24.839
 and so he uses that

00:23:24.839 --> 00:23:25.500
 to his advantage.

00:23:26.599 --> 00:23:27.819
 And Paul's calculation

00:23:27.819 --> 00:23:29.859
 proves accurately.

00:23:30.519 --> 00:23:31.500
 He says in verse 7,

00:23:31.579 --> 00:23:32.440
 when he had said this,

00:23:32.539 --> 00:23:33.859
 a dissension arose

00:23:33.859 --> 00:23:34.920
 between the Pharisees

00:23:34.920 --> 00:23:35.579
 and the Sadducees

00:23:35.579 --> 00:23:36.119
 and the assembly

00:23:36.119 --> 00:23:36.879
 was dividing.

00:23:37.759 --> 00:23:38.759
 The word translated

00:23:38.759 --> 00:23:39.799
 dissension here

00:23:39.799 --> 00:23:40.939
 is later translated

00:23:40.939 --> 00:23:42.719
 24-5 as riot.

00:23:43.599 --> 00:23:44.399
 So the disagreement

00:23:44.399 --> 00:23:45.759
 here is not

00:23:45.759 --> 00:23:46.299
 a civil,

00:23:46.539 --> 00:23:47.259
 cordial one.

00:23:48.059 --> 00:23:49.359
 Verse 9 confirms this.

00:23:49.439 --> 00:23:49.659
 It says,

00:23:49.660 --> 00:23:51.100
 then a clamor arose

00:23:51.100 --> 00:23:52.440
 and some of the scribes

00:23:52.440 --> 00:23:53.060
 and Pharisees

00:23:53.060 --> 00:23:53.080
 and the Pharisees

00:23:53.080 --> 00:23:54.140
 party stood up

00:23:54.140 --> 00:23:55.540
 and contended sharply.

00:23:56.060 --> 00:23:57.519
 We find nothing wrong

00:23:57.519 --> 00:23:58.140
 in this man.

00:23:58.259 --> 00:23:58.920
 What if a spirit

00:23:58.920 --> 00:23:59.620
 or an angel

00:23:59.620 --> 00:24:00.560
 spoke to him?

00:24:01.340 --> 00:24:01.900
 So imagine,

00:24:02.080 --> 00:24:03.880
 people are rising up

00:24:03.880 --> 00:24:04.480
 from their seats,

00:24:04.620 --> 00:24:06.259
 they're raising their voices,

00:24:06.460 --> 00:24:07.740
 they're flailing their arms,

00:24:08.300 --> 00:24:09.740
 possibly even calling names.

00:24:10.620 --> 00:24:12.140
 There is great clamor

00:24:12.140 --> 00:24:13.960
 and sharp contention.

00:24:15.180 --> 00:24:17.780
 And this verbal brawl

00:24:17.780 --> 00:24:19.900
 soon erupts into

00:24:19.900 --> 00:24:22.080
 an actual physical brawl

00:24:22.080 --> 00:24:23.620
 because it says

00:24:23.620 --> 00:24:24.259
 in verse 10,

00:24:24.340 --> 00:24:25.220
 when the dissension

00:24:25.220 --> 00:24:26.820
 became violent,

00:24:28.000 --> 00:24:28.520
 the tribune,

00:24:28.680 --> 00:24:29.800
 afraid that Paul

00:24:29.800 --> 00:24:30.680
 would be torn to pieces

00:24:30.680 --> 00:24:31.300
 by them,

00:24:31.720 --> 00:24:32.620
 commanded the soldiers

00:24:32.620 --> 00:24:33.500
 to go down

00:24:33.500 --> 00:24:34.500
 and take him away

00:24:34.500 --> 00:24:35.080
 from among them

00:24:35.080 --> 00:24:35.620
 by force

00:24:35.620 --> 00:24:36.020
 and bring him

00:24:36.020 --> 00:24:36.720
 into the barracks.

00:24:36.720 --> 00:24:38.779
 Just as Paul

00:24:38.779 --> 00:24:39.799
 surely addressed

00:24:39.799 --> 00:24:40.480
 the tribune

00:24:40.480 --> 00:24:41.900
 as a Roman citizen,

00:24:42.720 --> 00:24:43.839
 he now surely

00:24:43.839 --> 00:24:45.240
 addresses the Sanhedrin

00:24:45.240 --> 00:24:47.539
 as a Pharisee,

00:24:47.539 --> 00:24:48.559
 which helps him

00:24:48.559 --> 00:24:50.100
 escape the kangaroo court

00:24:50.100 --> 00:24:50.740
 that had already

00:24:50.740 --> 00:24:52.200
 predetermined his guilt.

00:24:53.799 --> 00:24:54.640
 And like Paul,

00:24:55.039 --> 00:24:56.200
 we also need to know

00:24:56.200 --> 00:24:56.839
 our theology

00:24:56.839 --> 00:24:59.079
 and we need to know

00:24:59.079 --> 00:25:00.420
 the culture of the people

00:25:00.420 --> 00:25:01.279
 with whom we are

00:25:01.279 --> 00:25:02.079
 sharing the gospel.

00:25:03.500 --> 00:25:05.259
 What are their belief systems?

00:25:05.259 --> 00:25:07.859
 How is their society run?

00:25:08.720 --> 00:25:10.379
 What will be the stumbling blocks

00:25:10.379 --> 00:25:11.740
 for them coming to faith

00:25:11.740 --> 00:25:12.200
 in Jesus?

00:25:13.359 --> 00:25:14.579
 So that we can navigate

00:25:14.579 --> 00:25:15.220
 the complexities

00:25:15.220 --> 00:25:16.160
 of that culture

00:25:16.160 --> 00:25:16.700
 and the ministry

00:25:16.700 --> 00:25:17.900
 effectively among them.

00:25:20.059 --> 00:25:21.319
 There's one more episode

00:25:21.319 --> 00:25:22.180
 in this passage

00:25:22.180 --> 00:25:22.859
 that showcases

00:25:22.859 --> 00:25:23.680
 Paul's shrewdness

00:25:23.680 --> 00:25:24.359
 as a missionary.

00:25:25.180 --> 00:25:26.039
 In chapter 23,

00:25:26.140 --> 00:25:27.279
 verses 12 to 15,

00:25:27.500 --> 00:25:28.019
 this is more than

00:25:28.019 --> 00:25:28.940
 40 Jews

00:25:28.940 --> 00:25:29.940
 bind themselves

00:25:29.940 --> 00:25:30.539
 with an oath

00:25:30.539 --> 00:25:30.960
 that's saying

00:25:30.960 --> 00:25:31.559
 that they would neither

00:25:31.559 --> 00:25:32.680
 drink nor eat

00:25:32.680 --> 00:25:34.000
 until they've killed Paul.

00:25:34.000 --> 00:25:35.680
 That means they are

00:25:35.680 --> 00:25:37.579
 literally dead serious

00:25:37.579 --> 00:25:38.519
 about killing Paul.

00:25:40.519 --> 00:25:41.640
 They're willing to lose

00:25:41.640 --> 00:25:42.579
 their lives trying

00:25:42.579 --> 00:25:43.519
 to kill Paul.

00:25:44.720 --> 00:25:45.720
 In God's providence,

00:25:45.839 --> 00:25:47.480
 the son of Paul's sister,

00:25:47.599 --> 00:25:48.339
 which we didn't even know

00:25:48.339 --> 00:25:48.819
 he had,

00:25:49.339 --> 00:25:51.140
 overhears this plot.

00:25:52.539 --> 00:25:53.279
 And then it says

00:25:53.279 --> 00:25:54.059
 in verse 17,

00:25:54.759 --> 00:25:55.680
 Paul called one

00:25:55.680 --> 00:25:56.460
 of the centurions

00:25:56.460 --> 00:25:57.180
 and said,

00:25:57.319 --> 00:25:58.259
 take this young man

00:25:58.259 --> 00:25:58.839
 to the tribune

00:25:58.839 --> 00:26:00.759
 for he has something

00:26:00.759 --> 00:26:01.359
 to tell them.

00:26:01.359 --> 00:26:02.859
 So he hears from his nephew

00:26:02.859 --> 00:26:03.719
 about this plot

00:26:03.719 --> 00:26:04.279
 and then Paul

00:26:04.279 --> 00:26:05.319
 sends the nephew

00:26:05.319 --> 00:26:06.139
 to the tribune

00:26:06.139 --> 00:26:07.500
 to report that to him.

00:26:08.139 --> 00:26:08.939
 And the centurion

00:26:08.939 --> 00:26:10.599
 takes him over

00:26:10.599 --> 00:26:12.259
 and then nephew

00:26:12.259 --> 00:26:12.859
 gets to share this

00:26:12.859 --> 00:26:13.419
 with the tribune.

00:26:13.939 --> 00:26:14.959
 But notice a couple

00:26:14.959 --> 00:26:15.439
 of things here.

00:26:15.500 --> 00:26:16.159
 Notice that Paul

00:26:16.159 --> 00:26:17.159
 refers to his nephew

00:26:17.159 --> 00:26:18.779
 generically as a young man.

00:26:19.659 --> 00:26:20.319
 Doesn't call him

00:26:20.319 --> 00:26:20.779
 his nephew.

00:26:21.619 --> 00:26:22.479
 And the centurion

00:26:22.479 --> 00:26:23.539
 also calls him

00:26:23.539 --> 00:26:24.079
 a young man.

00:26:24.799 --> 00:26:26.079
 And notice that Paul

00:26:26.079 --> 00:26:27.859
 doesn't tell the centurion

00:26:27.859 --> 00:26:29.539
 about the assassination plot.

00:26:29.539 --> 00:26:31.119
 Instead,

00:26:31.399 --> 00:26:32.440
 he wants his nephew

00:26:32.440 --> 00:26:33.379
 to tell the tribune

00:26:33.379 --> 00:26:34.159
 directly.

00:26:35.259 --> 00:26:36.119
 It's obvious

00:26:36.119 --> 00:26:37.359
 that there is an interest

00:26:37.359 --> 00:26:39.220
 in keeping this intelligence

00:26:39.220 --> 00:26:40.059
 confidential.

00:26:41.440 --> 00:26:42.759
 Because verse 19 says,

00:26:42.940 --> 00:26:43.519
 the tribune

00:26:43.519 --> 00:26:44.539
 took him by the hand

00:26:44.539 --> 00:26:45.960
 and going aside,

00:26:46.339 --> 00:26:47.759
 asked him privately,

00:26:48.559 --> 00:26:49.500
 what is it

00:26:49.500 --> 00:26:50.680
 that you have to tell him?

00:26:51.700 --> 00:26:52.940
 And after hearing

00:26:52.940 --> 00:26:54.259
 Paul's nephew's report,

00:26:54.339 --> 00:26:55.259
 he says in verse 22,

00:26:55.639 --> 00:26:56.379
 that the tribune

00:26:56.379 --> 00:26:57.619
 dismissed the young man,

00:26:57.680 --> 00:26:58.319
 charging him,

00:26:58.319 --> 00:26:59.779
 tell no one

00:26:59.779 --> 00:27:00.679
 that you have informed

00:27:00.679 --> 00:27:01.519
 me of these things.

00:27:02.319 --> 00:27:03.220
 Why are they so

00:27:03.220 --> 00:27:04.159
 hush-hush about him?

00:27:05.179 --> 00:27:06.480
 There's several reasons.

00:27:07.279 --> 00:27:08.339
 Paul is protecting

00:27:08.339 --> 00:27:09.159
 the whistleblower,

00:27:09.379 --> 00:27:09.899
 his nephew,

00:27:11.119 --> 00:27:12.220
 by referring to him

00:27:12.220 --> 00:27:13.679
 genetically as a young man.

00:27:14.099 --> 00:27:15.399
 Because if word gets out

00:27:15.399 --> 00:27:16.720
 that Paul's nephew

00:27:16.720 --> 00:27:18.879
 leaked this valuable information,

00:27:19.419 --> 00:27:20.980
 then him and his family

00:27:20.980 --> 00:27:21.939
 might be endangered

00:27:21.939 --> 00:27:22.700
 by the Jews

00:27:22.700 --> 00:27:23.079
 that were trying

00:27:23.079 --> 00:27:23.659
 to kill Paul.

00:27:25.059 --> 00:27:26.179
 Possessing intelligence

00:27:26.179 --> 00:27:27.899
 about an assassination plot

00:27:27.900 --> 00:27:28.580
 was potentially

00:27:28.580 --> 00:27:29.920
 a money-making opportunity.

00:27:30.660 --> 00:27:31.780
 In the same way

00:27:31.780 --> 00:27:32.540
 that people nowadays

00:27:32.540 --> 00:27:33.080
 make money

00:27:33.080 --> 00:27:34.060
 by divulging

00:27:34.060 --> 00:27:35.180
 valuable intelligence

00:27:35.180 --> 00:27:36.660
 to interested parties.

00:27:37.759 --> 00:27:38.800
 So if Paul

00:27:38.800 --> 00:27:39.720
 entrusted

00:27:39.720 --> 00:27:41.220
 this sensitive information

00:27:41.220 --> 00:27:42.820
 to the centurion,

00:27:43.340 --> 00:27:44.040
 or if the nephew

00:27:44.040 --> 00:27:45.220
 told the centurion

00:27:45.220 --> 00:27:46.640
 about the conspiracy,

00:27:47.259 --> 00:27:47.900
 the centurion

00:27:47.900 --> 00:27:49.160
 could have leaked it

00:27:49.160 --> 00:27:50.000
 to other parties

00:27:50.000 --> 00:27:52.080
 in order to gain

00:27:52.080 --> 00:27:53.000
 the favor of the Jews,

00:27:53.080 --> 00:27:53.720
 or maybe in hopes

00:27:53.720 --> 00:27:54.700
 of some kind of payment.

00:27:54.700 --> 00:27:56.600
 And that would have

00:27:56.600 --> 00:27:57.140
 prompted them

00:27:57.140 --> 00:27:58.160
 to change their plans.

00:27:59.259 --> 00:28:00.019
 So in a dangerous

00:28:00.019 --> 00:28:01.180
 situation like this,

00:28:01.420 --> 00:28:02.039
 communication

00:28:02.039 --> 00:28:03.140
 had to be

00:28:03.140 --> 00:28:03.920
 discreet

00:28:03.920 --> 00:28:05.380
 and careful.

00:28:07.380 --> 00:28:07.880
 Similarly,

00:28:08.039 --> 00:28:08.600
 when there is

00:28:08.600 --> 00:28:09.759
 intense persecution

00:28:09.759 --> 00:28:10.740
 against Christians,

00:28:11.539 --> 00:28:12.559
 we have to be

00:28:12.559 --> 00:28:13.420
 judicious about

00:28:13.420 --> 00:28:14.180
 how we speak

00:28:14.180 --> 00:28:15.480
 and how we act.

00:28:16.440 --> 00:28:17.080
 Avoiding

00:28:17.080 --> 00:28:18.240
 inflammatory language

00:28:18.240 --> 00:28:19.539
 and other potential

00:28:19.539 --> 00:28:20.180
 triggers.

00:28:20.880 --> 00:28:21.620
 Being discreet

00:28:21.620 --> 00:28:22.660
 about our ministries

00:28:22.660 --> 00:28:23.240
 and meetings.

00:28:24.880 --> 00:28:25.759
 In the book,

00:28:25.960 --> 00:28:26.920
 God's Smugglers,

00:28:27.640 --> 00:28:28.680
 Dutch missionary

00:28:28.680 --> 00:28:29.759
 Andrew van der Beek,

00:28:30.000 --> 00:28:30.840
 who is the founder

00:28:30.840 --> 00:28:31.660
 of Open Doors,

00:28:31.740 --> 00:28:32.400
 a missions organization

00:28:32.400 --> 00:28:33.580
 that supports Christians

00:28:33.580 --> 00:28:34.640
 who are persecuted

00:28:34.640 --> 00:28:35.380
 around the world,

00:28:35.900 --> 00:28:36.660
 recalls how

00:28:36.660 --> 00:28:37.460
 in the latter half

00:28:37.460 --> 00:28:38.540
 of the 1990s,

00:28:38.580 --> 00:28:39.519
 in the communist countries

00:28:39.519 --> 00:28:40.519
 behind the so-called

00:28:40.519 --> 00:28:41.340
 Iron Curtain,

00:28:41.840 --> 00:28:42.840
 Christians could not

00:28:42.840 --> 00:28:43.600
 meet openly

00:28:43.600 --> 00:28:44.400
 for worship.

00:28:45.120 --> 00:28:46.019
 So they had to keep

00:28:46.019 --> 00:28:46.700
 their gatherings

00:28:46.700 --> 00:28:47.320
 small,

00:28:48.700 --> 00:28:49.360
 in secret.

00:28:50.200 --> 00:28:50.940
 So instead of

00:28:50.940 --> 00:28:51.980
 all the worshippers

00:28:51.980 --> 00:28:52.860
 arriving around

00:28:52.860 --> 00:28:53.559
 the same time

00:28:53.559 --> 00:28:54.240
 like we do,

00:28:54.839 --> 00:28:55.500
 their arrival

00:28:55.500 --> 00:28:56.720
 would be staggered,

00:28:57.019 --> 00:28:57.400
 timed,

00:28:57.539 --> 00:28:58.380
 and spread out

00:28:58.380 --> 00:28:59.620
 over several hours.

00:29:00.220 --> 00:29:01.200
 Only one person

00:29:01.200 --> 00:29:02.140
 or two arriving

00:29:02.140 --> 00:29:02.779
 at a time

00:29:02.779 --> 00:29:04.480
 to avoid any suspicion.

00:29:06.380 --> 00:29:07.360
 As sheep

00:29:07.360 --> 00:29:08.279
 among wolves,

00:29:08.539 --> 00:29:09.880
 we must be shrewd.

00:29:12.180 --> 00:29:13.079
 But the fact

00:29:13.079 --> 00:29:13.480
 that we are

00:29:13.480 --> 00:29:14.299
 to be shrewd

00:29:14.299 --> 00:29:15.720
 does not mean

00:29:15.720 --> 00:29:16.319
 that we can

00:29:16.319 --> 00:29:17.960
 sacrifice our integrity

00:29:17.960 --> 00:29:19.120
 at the altar

00:29:19.120 --> 00:29:20.299
 of pragmatism.

00:29:20.299 --> 00:29:23.599
 Jesus told us

00:29:23.599 --> 00:29:24.240
 not only to be

00:29:24.240 --> 00:29:25.379
 as shrewd as snakes

00:29:25.379 --> 00:29:26.039
 but also to be

00:29:26.039 --> 00:29:26.599
 as innocent

00:29:26.599 --> 00:29:27.579
 as doves.

00:29:28.559 --> 00:29:30.539
 Jesus taught us

00:29:30.539 --> 00:29:31.059
 this for a reason.

00:29:31.200 --> 00:29:32.099
 Luke points out

00:29:32.099 --> 00:29:33.039
 how Paul is a model

00:29:33.039 --> 00:29:33.879
 of this principle

00:29:33.879 --> 00:29:34.359
 as well.

00:29:35.220 --> 00:29:36.200
 There are several

00:29:36.200 --> 00:29:37.359
 attestations

00:29:37.359 --> 00:29:38.659
 in this passage alone

00:29:38.659 --> 00:29:40.000
 of Paul's innocence.

00:29:40.980 --> 00:29:41.879
 Several people,

00:29:42.079 --> 00:29:42.879
 really all of the

00:29:42.879 --> 00:29:43.579
 major characters

00:29:43.579 --> 00:29:44.639
 in this passage

00:29:44.639 --> 00:29:46.099
 attest to Paul's

00:29:46.099 --> 00:29:46.440
 innocence.

00:29:46.960 --> 00:29:47.399
 First,

00:29:47.500 --> 00:29:47.879
 it is from

00:29:47.879 --> 00:29:48.700
 Paul's own mouth

00:29:48.700 --> 00:29:49.460
 in chapter 22,

00:29:49.539 --> 00:29:50.200
 verse 25.

00:29:50.580 --> 00:29:51.180
 Just before

00:29:51.180 --> 00:29:52.420
 he is to be

00:29:52.420 --> 00:29:52.840
 flogged,

00:29:52.960 --> 00:29:53.500
 Paul says,

00:29:54.059 --> 00:29:55.180
 I am uncondemned.

00:29:55.259 --> 00:29:55.960
 Is it lawful

00:29:55.960 --> 00:29:56.420
 for you

00:29:56.420 --> 00:29:57.160
 to flog a Roman

00:29:57.160 --> 00:29:57.480
 citizen

00:29:57.480 --> 00:29:58.920
 who is uncondemned?

00:30:00.460 --> 00:30:01.240
 The Roman

00:30:01.240 --> 00:30:02.059
 legal system,

00:30:02.160 --> 00:30:02.940
 at least for citizens

00:30:02.940 --> 00:30:03.779
 at the time,

00:30:03.920 --> 00:30:04.400
 required,

00:30:04.539 --> 00:30:05.539
 like our legal system,

00:30:05.779 --> 00:30:06.460
 that the defendant

00:30:06.460 --> 00:30:08.519
 be presumed innocent

00:30:08.519 --> 00:30:09.500
 until proven guilty.

00:30:10.220 --> 00:30:11.080
 And Paul's claiming,

00:30:11.220 --> 00:30:12.380
 I am uncondemned.

00:30:13.299 --> 00:30:14.160
 I'm innocent.

00:30:14.799 --> 00:30:15.519
 Is it lawful

00:30:15.519 --> 00:30:16.200
 for you to treat me

00:30:16.200 --> 00:30:16.860
 like a criminal?

00:30:18.440 --> 00:30:19.299
 So Paul is innocent.

00:30:20.140 --> 00:30:21.360
 Even some members

00:30:21.360 --> 00:30:22.259
 of the Sanhedrin,

00:30:22.360 --> 00:30:22.880
 the Jewish ruling

00:30:22.880 --> 00:30:23.799
 council itself,

00:30:24.420 --> 00:30:25.160
 in chapter 23,

00:30:25.240 --> 00:30:25.640
 verse 10,

00:30:25.720 --> 00:30:26.519
 says this of Paul,

00:30:26.779 --> 00:30:28.660
 we find nothing wrong

00:30:28.660 --> 00:30:29.799
 in this man.

00:30:30.420 --> 00:30:30.819
 Again,

00:30:30.940 --> 00:30:31.900
 Luke's reminding us

00:30:31.900 --> 00:30:33.140
 Paul is innocent.

00:30:34.319 --> 00:30:34.960
 And finally,

00:30:35.080 --> 00:30:36.059
 the Roman tribune

00:30:36.059 --> 00:30:36.900
 himself,

00:30:37.200 --> 00:30:38.000
 Claudius Lysias,

00:30:38.200 --> 00:30:38.940
 writes in his letter

00:30:38.940 --> 00:30:39.740
 to Governor Felix

00:30:39.740 --> 00:30:40.559
 in chapter 23,

00:30:40.660 --> 00:30:41.160
 verse 29,

00:30:41.160 --> 00:30:42.819
 I found that he was

00:30:42.819 --> 00:30:43.319
 being accused

00:30:43.319 --> 00:30:43.880
 about questions

00:30:43.880 --> 00:30:44.380
 of their law,

00:30:44.460 --> 00:30:45.360
 but charged with

00:30:45.360 --> 00:30:47.180
 nothing deserving

00:30:47.180 --> 00:30:49.080
 death or imprisonment.

00:30:49.700 --> 00:30:50.460
 Three times,

00:30:50.560 --> 00:30:51.420
 Luke's emphasizing

00:30:51.420 --> 00:30:52.620
 Paul's innocence.

00:30:53.800 --> 00:30:55.260
 Christians may indeed

00:30:55.260 --> 00:30:56.040
 turn the world

00:30:56.040 --> 00:30:56.800
 upside down

00:30:56.800 --> 00:30:58.180
 by preaching Jesus

00:30:58.180 --> 00:30:58.680
 in the power

00:30:58.680 --> 00:30:59.340
 of the Holy Spirit,

00:31:00.180 --> 00:31:01.280
 but they are not

00:31:01.280 --> 00:31:02.600
 to be violent threats

00:31:02.600 --> 00:31:04.260
 or mutinous outlaws.

00:31:05.620 --> 00:31:06.520
 They are to be

00:31:06.520 --> 00:31:07.380
 aided to peace,

00:31:07.840 --> 00:31:09.120
 not disorder in society.

00:31:09.119 --> 00:31:12.879
 And Paul's innocence

00:31:12.879 --> 00:31:13.939
 is contrasted

00:31:13.939 --> 00:31:14.799
 from the miscarriage

00:31:14.799 --> 00:31:15.199
 of justice

00:31:15.199 --> 00:31:15.979
 by the authorities

00:31:15.979 --> 00:31:16.500
 themselves.

00:31:16.879 --> 00:31:17.619
 In chapter 23,

00:31:17.739 --> 00:31:18.179
 verse 1,

00:31:18.259 --> 00:31:19.399
 when Paul's testifying

00:31:19.399 --> 00:31:20.259
 before the Sanhedrin,

00:31:20.359 --> 00:31:20.779
 Paul says,

00:31:21.279 --> 00:31:21.500
 Brothers,

00:31:21.639 --> 00:31:22.559
 I have lived my life

00:31:22.559 --> 00:31:23.139
 before God

00:31:23.139 --> 00:31:24.899
 in all good conscience

00:31:24.899 --> 00:31:25.759
 up to this day.

00:31:26.859 --> 00:31:27.599
 That's a bold thing

00:31:27.599 --> 00:31:27.939
 to say.

00:31:28.019 --> 00:31:28.619
 Paul is saying,

00:31:28.859 --> 00:31:30.339
 up to this very day,

00:31:30.939 --> 00:31:32.039
 I have not been

00:31:32.039 --> 00:31:33.539
 transgressing God's law.

00:31:34.059 --> 00:31:35.819
 I have a clear conscience.

00:31:36.239 --> 00:31:37.299
 There's nothing wrong

00:31:37.299 --> 00:31:38.119
 that I have done

00:31:38.119 --> 00:31:39.159
 that I have not taken

00:31:39.159 --> 00:31:39.899
 before the Lord

00:31:39.899 --> 00:31:40.500
 in confession.

00:31:40.959 --> 00:31:41.479
 There is no

00:31:41.479 --> 00:31:42.959
 unconfessed sin

00:31:42.959 --> 00:31:43.439
 in my life.

00:31:43.659 --> 00:31:45.519
 I have a clear conscience.

00:31:46.399 --> 00:31:47.039
 I've been keeping

00:31:47.039 --> 00:31:47.500
 the law

00:31:47.500 --> 00:31:48.599
 to the best of my ability.

00:31:50.159 --> 00:31:51.019
 And then the high priest

00:31:51.019 --> 00:31:52.179
 Ananias orders Paul

00:31:52.179 --> 00:31:53.319
 to be struck in the mouth.

00:31:54.479 --> 00:31:55.899
 That's because

00:31:55.899 --> 00:31:57.719
 he's trying to show

00:31:57.719 --> 00:31:59.019
 people that Paul's a liar.

00:31:59.759 --> 00:32:00.719
 Strike him in the mouth

00:32:00.719 --> 00:32:01.439
 so he can lie

00:32:01.439 --> 00:32:02.219
 with his mouth again.

00:32:06.039 --> 00:32:07.479
 But Paul is not a liar.

00:32:08.119 --> 00:32:09.159
 So he says in verse 3,

00:32:09.299 --> 00:32:10.959
 God is going to strike you.

00:32:11.599 --> 00:32:13.079
 You whitewashed wall.

00:32:13.579 --> 00:32:14.779
 Are you sitting to judge me

00:32:14.779 --> 00:32:15.759
 according to the law?

00:32:16.139 --> 00:32:17.399
 And yet contrary to the law,

00:32:17.479 --> 00:32:18.699
 you order me to be struck?

00:32:20.299 --> 00:32:21.959
 Leviticus 19.15,

00:32:22.379 --> 00:32:23.279
 the law,

00:32:23.379 --> 00:32:23.979
 the Old Testament law,

00:32:24.079 --> 00:32:25.959
 forbids partiality in court.

00:32:26.639 --> 00:32:28.659
 But Ananias was clearly partial,

00:32:29.199 --> 00:32:30.500
 having already presumed

00:32:30.500 --> 00:32:31.119
 Paul's guilt.

00:32:32.079 --> 00:32:32.959
 So in the same way

00:32:32.959 --> 00:32:33.959
 that Jesus pronounced

00:32:33.959 --> 00:32:35.079
 woe on the Pharisees

00:32:35.079 --> 00:32:36.599
 and describes for their hypocrisy

00:32:36.599 --> 00:32:38.059
 in Matthew 23.27,

00:32:38.500 --> 00:32:40.399
 calling them whitewashed tombs,

00:32:40.759 --> 00:32:42.519
 which outwardly appear beautiful,

00:32:42.720 --> 00:32:43.559
 but within are full

00:32:43.559 --> 00:32:44.599
 of dead people's bones

00:32:44.599 --> 00:32:45.740
 and all uncleanness.

00:32:46.419 --> 00:32:48.179
 Paul pronounces God's judgment

00:32:48.179 --> 00:32:49.059
 upon Ananias

00:32:49.059 --> 00:32:49.759
 who calls him

00:32:49.759 --> 00:32:50.960
 a whitewashed wall,

00:32:51.519 --> 00:32:53.000
 a wall that is rotting

00:32:53.000 --> 00:32:54.879
 and crumbling on the inside,

00:32:55.460 --> 00:32:56.619
 but whitewashed

00:32:56.619 --> 00:32:57.519
 to look sturdy

00:32:57.519 --> 00:32:58.619
 and clean on the outside.

00:32:58.619 --> 00:33:01.739
 Though he is supposed

00:33:01.739 --> 00:33:02.719
 to be, Ananias,

00:33:02.839 --> 00:33:03.699
 rendering judgment

00:33:03.699 --> 00:33:04.939
 in accordance with the law,

00:33:05.359 --> 00:33:06.239
 he is himself

00:33:06.239 --> 00:33:07.959
 in violation of the law

00:33:07.959 --> 00:33:10.299
 as the supposed judge himself.

00:33:11.539 --> 00:33:12.319
 And at this point,

00:33:12.399 --> 00:33:13.479
 Ananias' associates

00:33:13.479 --> 00:33:15.299
 scold Paul in verse 4,

00:33:15.419 --> 00:33:15.659
 saying,

00:33:15.799 --> 00:33:16.479
 Would you revile

00:33:16.479 --> 00:33:17.500
 God's high priest?

00:33:18.679 --> 00:33:19.819
 And Paul's response

00:33:19.819 --> 00:33:20.959
 is to me surprising.

00:33:21.199 --> 00:33:21.419
 He says,

00:33:21.519 --> 00:33:21.919
 Humbly,

00:33:22.479 --> 00:33:23.719
 I did not know, brothers,

00:33:24.199 --> 00:33:25.399
 that he was the high priest,

00:33:25.519 --> 00:33:26.079
 for it is written,

00:33:26.199 --> 00:33:27.319
 You shall not speak evil

00:33:27.319 --> 00:33:28.339
 of a ruler of your people.

00:33:30.720 --> 00:33:31.879
 I think if I were

00:33:31.879 --> 00:33:33.000
 put in Paul's place,

00:33:33.039 --> 00:33:33.799
 I would have responded

00:33:33.799 --> 00:33:34.759
 a little bit differently.

00:33:35.619 --> 00:33:36.519
 I think I would have

00:33:36.519 --> 00:33:37.559
 been tempted to reply,

00:33:38.220 --> 00:33:40.259
 I couldn't care any less

00:33:40.259 --> 00:33:41.500
 that you're the high priest,

00:33:41.599 --> 00:33:42.200
 Ananias.

00:33:44.339 --> 00:33:45.899
 You're all pretending

00:33:45.899 --> 00:33:47.259
 to be dignified

00:33:47.259 --> 00:33:49.839
 and presiding over this trial

00:33:49.839 --> 00:33:51.460
 when this is all a farce.

00:33:52.339 --> 00:33:53.899
 This is a mockery of justice

00:33:53.899 --> 00:33:55.679
 and you deserve every word

00:33:55.679 --> 00:33:57.079
 I said to you moments ago.

00:33:57.319 --> 00:33:59.960
 That's what Paul

00:33:59.960 --> 00:34:00.480
 could have said.

00:34:01.579 --> 00:34:02.720
 But he doesn't do that.

00:34:04.579 --> 00:34:06.299
 Even while he's being

00:34:06.299 --> 00:34:07.799
 subjected to a sham

00:34:07.799 --> 00:34:08.400
 of a trial,

00:34:08.980 --> 00:34:10.199
 even at the face

00:34:10.199 --> 00:34:11.639
 of his own death,

00:34:11.739 --> 00:34:12.219
 potentially,

00:34:12.579 --> 00:34:14.179
 he wants to hold on

00:34:14.179 --> 00:34:15.500
 to his integrity

00:34:15.500 --> 00:34:17.179
 and do what is right

00:34:17.179 --> 00:34:17.980
 by God's word.

00:34:19.119 --> 00:34:20.779
 Because God's word says

00:34:20.779 --> 00:34:22.659
 in Exodus 22, 28,

00:34:23.219 --> 00:34:24.880
 You shall not speak evil

00:34:24.880 --> 00:34:26.039
 of a ruler of your people.

00:34:28.660 --> 00:34:30.220
 Even when we are wronged,

00:34:30.220 --> 00:34:32.740
 we must do no wrong in return.

00:34:33.820 --> 00:34:35.420
 Even when we are reviled

00:34:35.420 --> 00:34:36.559
 and sinned against,

00:34:36.640 --> 00:34:37.640
 we must not revile

00:34:37.640 --> 00:34:39.960
 and sin in return.

00:34:39.960 --> 00:34:43.340
 Peter Wenner,

00:34:43.440 --> 00:34:44.320
 who is a conservative

00:34:44.320 --> 00:34:45.639
 policy advisor

00:34:45.639 --> 00:34:47.260
 and political speech writer,

00:34:47.820 --> 00:34:49.139
 he was formerly working

00:34:49.139 --> 00:34:50.280
 for George W. Bush,

00:34:50.340 --> 00:34:51.579
 he wrote in an article

00:34:51.579 --> 00:34:52.659
 recently in The Atlantic

00:34:52.659 --> 00:34:55.119
 critiquing Donald Trump Jr.'s

00:34:55.119 --> 00:34:55.840
 recent speech

00:34:55.840 --> 00:34:56.840
 at Turning Point USA.

00:34:56.840 --> 00:34:57.120
 saying,

00:34:57.920 --> 00:34:59.039
 this is what

00:34:59.039 --> 00:35:00.380
 Trump Jr. said,

00:35:01.340 --> 00:35:01.620
 quote,

00:35:01.720 --> 00:35:02.760
 if we get together,

00:35:03.059 --> 00:35:04.280
 they cannot cancel us all,

00:35:04.380 --> 00:35:04.600
 okay?

00:35:05.100 --> 00:35:05.880
 They won't.

00:35:07.000 --> 00:35:08.039
 And this will be contrary

00:35:08.039 --> 00:35:09.260
 to a lot of our beliefs

00:35:09.260 --> 00:35:09.900
 because

00:35:09.900 --> 00:35:12.059
 I'd love not to have

00:35:12.059 --> 00:35:12.700
 to participate

00:35:12.700 --> 00:35:13.559
 in cancel culture.

00:35:13.760 --> 00:35:15.380
 I'd love that it didn't exist,

00:35:15.480 --> 00:35:16.920
 but as long as it does,

00:35:17.100 --> 00:35:17.360
 folks,

00:35:17.460 --> 00:35:18.700
 we better be playing

00:35:18.700 --> 00:35:19.460
 the same game,

00:35:19.519 --> 00:35:19.780
 okay?

00:35:20.860 --> 00:35:21.559
 We've been playing

00:35:21.559 --> 00:35:23.120
 T-ball for half a century

00:35:23.120 --> 00:35:24.039
 while they're playing

00:35:24.039 --> 00:35:25.180
 hardball and cheating,

00:35:25.300 --> 00:35:25.539
 right?

00:35:25.539 --> 00:35:26.880
 We've turned

00:35:26.880 --> 00:35:27.739
 the other cheek,

00:35:28.380 --> 00:35:29.219
 and I understand,

00:35:29.400 --> 00:35:29.980
 sort of,

00:35:30.059 --> 00:35:31.259
 the biblical reference,

00:35:31.860 --> 00:35:33.159
 I understand the mentality,

00:35:34.119 --> 00:35:34.980
 but it's gotten

00:35:34.980 --> 00:35:36.059
 us nothing,

00:35:36.139 --> 00:35:36.400
 okay?

00:35:37.039 --> 00:35:38.300
 It's gotten us nothing

00:35:38.300 --> 00:35:39.000
 while we're seated

00:35:39.000 --> 00:35:40.279
 ground in every major

00:35:40.279 --> 00:35:41.420
 institution in our country.

00:35:46.219 --> 00:35:46.739
 First,

00:35:46.980 --> 00:35:47.579
 Trump Jr.

00:35:47.739 --> 00:35:48.940
 is mistaken

00:35:48.940 --> 00:35:49.739
 to conflate

00:35:49.739 --> 00:35:50.340
 conservatives

00:35:50.340 --> 00:35:51.300
 with Christians,

00:35:52.239 --> 00:35:53.219
 even though there are

00:35:53.219 --> 00:35:54.039
 a lot of conservative

00:35:54.039 --> 00:35:54.440
 Christians.

00:35:54.440 --> 00:35:55.780
 there are

00:35:55.780 --> 00:35:56.760
 atheist conservatives

00:35:56.760 --> 00:35:57.679
 and there are

00:35:57.679 --> 00:35:58.559
 corrupt conservatives,

00:35:59.119 --> 00:35:59.860
 just as there are

00:35:59.860 --> 00:36:00.659
 atheist liberals

00:36:00.659 --> 00:36:01.800
 and corrupt liberals.

00:36:04.059 --> 00:36:04.700
 Second,

00:36:04.860 --> 00:36:05.260
 claiming

00:36:05.260 --> 00:36:06.340
 that turning

00:36:06.340 --> 00:36:07.380
 the other cheek

00:36:07.380 --> 00:36:09.659
 has gotten

00:36:09.659 --> 00:36:10.559
 us nothing

00:36:10.559 --> 00:36:12.260
 exposes

00:36:12.260 --> 00:36:12.940
 his naked

00:36:12.940 --> 00:36:13.619
 pragmatism.

00:36:15.519 --> 00:36:16.500
 For him,

00:36:16.599 --> 00:36:17.119
 it's about

00:36:17.119 --> 00:36:18.099
 what works,

00:36:18.720 --> 00:36:20.940
 what gets us

00:36:20.940 --> 00:36:21.539
 things,

00:36:21.539 --> 00:36:23.980
 what gets us

00:36:23.980 --> 00:36:24.779
 influence,

00:36:24.779 --> 00:36:25.860
 what gets us

00:36:25.860 --> 00:36:26.360
 clout,

00:36:26.800 --> 00:36:27.480
 what gets us

00:36:27.480 --> 00:36:28.840
 power in this country,

00:36:29.300 --> 00:36:29.860
 what gets us

00:36:29.860 --> 00:36:31.059
 the things that we want.

00:36:31.059 --> 00:36:33.059
 to be

00:36:33.059 --> 00:36:33.900
 to be

00:36:33.900 --> 00:36:34.860
 but that's not

00:36:34.860 --> 00:36:35.639
 what following

00:36:35.639 --> 00:36:36.659
 Jesus is about.

00:36:40.659 --> 00:36:41.659
 I want

00:36:41.659 --> 00:36:42.199
 the major

00:36:42.199 --> 00:36:42.779
 institutions

00:36:42.779 --> 00:36:43.500
 in our country

00:36:43.500 --> 00:36:44.179
 to reflect

00:36:44.179 --> 00:36:45.519
 Christian values

00:36:45.519 --> 00:36:46.400
 and Christian

00:36:46.400 --> 00:36:47.059
 priorities

00:36:47.059 --> 00:36:47.779
 just as much

00:36:47.779 --> 00:36:48.199
 as the next

00:36:48.199 --> 00:36:48.619
 person,

00:36:49.400 --> 00:36:50.480
 but not

00:36:50.480 --> 00:36:51.480
 at the expense

00:36:51.480 --> 00:36:52.360
 of our integrity,

00:36:52.360 --> 00:36:55.260
 not by

00:36:55.260 --> 00:36:55.920
 compromising

00:36:55.920 --> 00:36:56.519
 our witness

00:36:56.519 --> 00:36:57.260
 to the world,

00:36:58.019 --> 00:36:58.920
 not by being

00:36:58.920 --> 00:36:59.860
 disobedient

00:36:59.860 --> 00:37:00.380
 to our

00:37:00.380 --> 00:37:01.220
 Lord's commands.

00:37:03.519 --> 00:37:04.539
 Jesus did not

00:37:04.539 --> 00:37:04.880
 say,

00:37:05.039 --> 00:37:05.519
 I am sending

00:37:05.519 --> 00:37:05.960
 you out

00:37:05.960 --> 00:37:06.480
 like sheep

00:37:06.480 --> 00:37:07.240
 among wolves

00:37:07.240 --> 00:37:08.019
 that forget

00:37:08.019 --> 00:37:08.579
 outfitted

00:37:08.579 --> 00:37:09.160
 with body

00:37:09.160 --> 00:37:09.539
 armors

00:37:09.539 --> 00:37:10.240
 and guns,

00:37:10.940 --> 00:37:11.680
 slander back

00:37:11.680 --> 00:37:12.260
 when slander,

00:37:12.380 --> 00:37:13.079
 revile back

00:37:13.079 --> 00:37:13.700
 when revile.

00:37:13.800 --> 00:37:13.920
 No,

00:37:13.980 --> 00:37:14.380
 that's not

00:37:14.380 --> 00:37:14.800
 what Jesus

00:37:14.800 --> 00:37:15.200
 said.

00:37:19.120 --> 00:37:19.880
 He said,

00:37:19.960 --> 00:37:20.440
 I am sending

00:37:20.440 --> 00:37:20.720
 you out

00:37:20.720 --> 00:37:21.240
 like sheep

00:37:21.240 --> 00:37:22.120
 among wolves

00:37:22.119 --> 00:37:23.219
 and that

00:37:23.219 --> 00:37:32.059
 means you're

00:37:32.059 --> 00:37:32.359
 going to be

00:37:32.359 --> 00:37:33.139
 torn apart.

00:37:34.639 --> 00:37:34.980
 That means

00:37:34.980 --> 00:37:35.319
 we will

00:37:35.319 --> 00:37:35.759
 suffer.

00:37:37.019 --> 00:37:37.359
 That means

00:37:37.359 --> 00:37:37.980
 we will be

00:37:37.980 --> 00:37:38.420
 persecuted.

00:37:39.559 --> 00:37:39.920
 And that

00:37:39.920 --> 00:37:40.500
 means some

00:37:40.500 --> 00:37:40.920
 Christians

00:37:40.920 --> 00:37:41.599
 will even

00:37:41.599 --> 00:37:42.859
 die for

00:37:42.859 --> 00:37:43.420
 their faith.

00:37:44.099 --> 00:37:44.779
 But that

00:37:44.779 --> 00:37:45.599
 is the

00:37:45.599 --> 00:37:46.159
 path of

00:37:46.159 --> 00:37:46.460
 Christian

00:37:46.460 --> 00:37:46.900
 obedience.

00:37:50.199 --> 00:37:51.199
 Why must

00:37:51.199 --> 00:37:51.679
 we follow

00:37:51.679 --> 00:37:52.319
 that path?

00:37:53.599 --> 00:37:54.119
 1 Peter

00:37:54.119 --> 00:37:54.739
 chapter 2

00:37:54.739 --> 00:37:55.799
 19-25

00:37:55.799 --> 00:37:56.399
 says this,

00:37:56.480 --> 00:37:57.039
 for this,

00:37:57.119 --> 00:37:57.519
 I can have

00:37:57.519 --> 00:37:57.940
 this to show

00:37:57.940 --> 00:37:58.139
 you,

00:37:58.519 --> 00:37:58.940
 for this

00:37:58.940 --> 00:37:59.460
 is a

00:37:59.460 --> 00:37:59.859
 gracious

00:37:59.859 --> 00:38:00.339
 thing.

00:38:00.940 --> 00:38:01.179
 When

00:38:01.179 --> 00:38:01.799
 mindful of

00:38:01.799 --> 00:38:02.119
 God,

00:38:02.480 --> 00:38:02.639
 one

00:38:02.639 --> 00:38:03.099
 endures

00:38:03.099 --> 00:38:03.759
 sorrows

00:38:03.759 --> 00:38:04.059
 while

00:38:04.059 --> 00:38:04.539
 suffering

00:38:04.539 --> 00:38:05.460
 unjustly.

00:38:06.199 --> 00:38:06.599
 For what

00:38:06.599 --> 00:38:07.539
 credit is it

00:38:07.539 --> 00:38:08.059
 if when

00:38:08.059 --> 00:38:08.619
 you sin

00:38:08.619 --> 00:38:08.940
 and are

00:38:08.940 --> 00:38:09.219
 beaten

00:38:09.219 --> 00:38:09.659
 for it

00:38:09.659 --> 00:38:09.839
 you

00:38:09.839 --> 00:38:10.359
 endure?

00:38:11.039 --> 00:38:11.460
 But if

00:38:11.460 --> 00:38:11.759
 when you

00:38:11.759 --> 00:38:12.339
 do good

00:38:12.339 --> 00:38:12.859
 and suffer

00:38:12.859 --> 00:38:13.319
 for it

00:38:13.319 --> 00:38:13.460
 you

00:38:13.460 --> 00:38:14.019
 endure,

00:38:14.299 --> 00:38:15.119
 this is a

00:38:15.119 --> 00:38:15.539
 gracious

00:38:15.539 --> 00:38:16.139
 thing in the

00:38:16.139 --> 00:38:16.500
 sight of

00:38:16.500 --> 00:38:16.739
 God.

00:38:17.300 --> 00:38:17.559
 For

00:38:17.559 --> 00:38:18.159
 two days

00:38:18.159 --> 00:38:18.619
 you have

00:38:18.619 --> 00:38:19.119
 been called

00:38:19.119 --> 00:38:19.460
 because

00:38:19.460 --> 00:38:20.360
 Christ also

00:38:20.360 --> 00:38:21.300
 suffered for

00:38:21.300 --> 00:38:21.639
 you,

00:38:22.000 --> 00:38:22.480
 leaving you

00:38:22.480 --> 00:38:23.019
 an example

00:38:23.019 --> 00:38:23.739
 so that

00:38:23.739 --> 00:38:24.219
 you might

00:38:24.219 --> 00:38:24.820
 follow in

00:38:24.820 --> 00:38:25.300
 his steps.

00:38:26.239 --> 00:38:26.460
 He

00:38:26.460 --> 00:38:27.159
 committed no

00:38:27.159 --> 00:38:27.579
 sin,

00:38:27.900 --> 00:38:28.320
 neither was

00:38:28.320 --> 00:38:29.099
 deceit found

00:38:29.099 --> 00:38:29.500
 in his

00:38:29.500 --> 00:38:29.820
 mouth.

00:38:30.139 --> 00:38:30.420
 When he

00:38:30.420 --> 00:38:31.039
 was reviled,

00:38:31.159 --> 00:38:31.460
 he did

00:38:31.460 --> 00:38:32.280
 not revile

00:38:32.280 --> 00:38:32.880
 in return.

00:38:33.119 --> 00:38:33.400
 When he

00:38:33.400 --> 00:38:34.000
 suffered,

00:38:34.360 --> 00:38:34.719
 he did

00:38:34.719 --> 00:38:35.460
 not threaten,

00:38:35.639 --> 00:38:36.440
 but continued

00:38:36.440 --> 00:38:37.059
 entrusting

00:38:37.059 --> 00:38:37.679
 himself to

00:38:37.679 --> 00:38:38.119
 him who

00:38:38.119 --> 00:38:38.500
 judges

00:38:38.500 --> 00:38:39.139
 justly.

00:38:39.860 --> 00:38:40.159
 He

00:38:40.159 --> 00:38:40.599
 himself

00:38:40.599 --> 00:38:41.239
 bore our

00:38:41.239 --> 00:38:41.800
 sin in

00:38:41.800 --> 00:38:42.320
 his body

00:38:42.320 --> 00:38:42.840
 on the

00:38:42.840 --> 00:38:43.260
 tree,

00:38:43.599 --> 00:38:43.980
 that we

00:38:43.980 --> 00:38:44.679
 might die

00:38:44.679 --> 00:38:45.259
 sin and

00:38:45.259 --> 00:38:45.719
 live to

00:38:45.719 --> 00:38:46.219
 righteousness.

00:38:47.079 --> 00:38:47.719
 By his

00:38:47.719 --> 00:38:48.359
 wounds you

00:38:48.359 --> 00:38:48.779
 have been

00:38:48.779 --> 00:38:49.259
 healed,

00:38:49.839 --> 00:38:50.239
 for you

00:38:50.239 --> 00:38:51.039
 are straying

00:38:51.039 --> 00:38:51.799
 like sheep,

00:38:52.079 --> 00:38:52.480
 but have

00:38:52.480 --> 00:38:53.139
 now returned

00:38:53.139 --> 00:38:53.519
 to the

00:38:53.519 --> 00:38:54.000
 shepherd and

00:38:54.000 --> 00:38:54.799
 overseer of

00:38:54.799 --> 00:38:55.460
 your soul.

00:38:57.039 --> 00:38:57.539
 Because

00:38:57.539 --> 00:38:58.079
 Jesus,

00:38:58.659 --> 00:38:59.519
 the Lion of

00:38:59.519 --> 00:38:59.779
 Judah,

00:38:59.879 --> 00:39:00.179
 who had

00:39:00.179 --> 00:39:00.619
 all the

00:39:00.619 --> 00:39:01.059
 power in

00:39:01.059 --> 00:39:01.779
 the world,

00:39:03.440 --> 00:39:04.239
 died as

00:39:04.239 --> 00:39:05.319
 the sacrificial

00:39:05.319 --> 00:39:06.219
 lamb of

00:39:06.219 --> 00:39:06.919
 God.

00:39:08.719 --> 00:39:09.539
 We are

00:39:09.539 --> 00:39:10.119
 now to

00:39:10.119 --> 00:39:11.779
 be his

00:39:11.779 --> 00:39:12.259
 sheep,

00:39:13.219 --> 00:39:13.899
 following in

00:39:13.899 --> 00:39:14.619
 his footsteps.

00:39:15.119 --> 00:39:15.679
 Living as

00:39:15.679 --> 00:39:16.579
 sheep among

00:39:16.579 --> 00:39:17.299
 wolves,

00:39:17.719 --> 00:39:17.879
 so that

00:39:17.879 --> 00:39:18.079
 we might

00:39:18.079 --> 00:39:18.940
 bear witness

00:39:18.940 --> 00:39:19.579
 to Jesus,

00:39:19.919 --> 00:39:20.359
 even in

00:39:20.359 --> 00:39:20.879
 a hostile

00:39:20.879 --> 00:39:21.199
 lamb.

00:39:23.039 --> 00:39:23.879
 And because

00:39:23.879 --> 00:39:24.339
 we are

00:39:24.339 --> 00:39:24.919
 sheep among

00:39:24.919 --> 00:39:25.259
 wolves,

00:39:25.359 --> 00:39:25.619
 it is

00:39:25.619 --> 00:39:26.480
 necessary that

00:39:26.480 --> 00:39:27.119
 we be as

00:39:27.119 --> 00:39:28.059
 true as

00:39:28.059 --> 00:39:28.819
 snakes and

00:39:28.819 --> 00:39:29.339
 innocent as

00:39:29.339 --> 00:39:29.719
 doves.

00:39:32.000 --> 00:39:32.719
 And as

00:39:32.719 --> 00:39:33.239
 we're enduring

00:39:33.239 --> 00:39:34.019
 suffering and

00:39:34.019 --> 00:39:34.779
 persecution for

00:39:34.779 --> 00:39:35.539
 Christ's sake,

00:39:36.199 --> 00:39:36.960
 maintaining our

00:39:36.960 --> 00:39:37.339
 innocence,

00:39:38.199 --> 00:39:39.059
 God assures us

00:39:39.059 --> 00:39:39.659
 that we will

00:39:39.659 --> 00:39:40.279
 never suffer

00:39:40.279 --> 00:39:40.599
 alone.

00:39:41.819 --> 00:39:42.119
 And that's

00:39:42.119 --> 00:39:43.019
 my final point,

00:39:43.159 --> 00:39:43.579
 and it's my

00:39:43.579 --> 00:39:44.199
 shortest point,

00:39:44.199 --> 00:39:44.639
 so don't

00:39:44.639 --> 00:39:44.839
 worry.

00:39:46.619 --> 00:39:47.099
 God's

00:39:47.099 --> 00:39:47.559
 presence.

00:39:48.099 --> 00:39:48.719
 Smackdown in

00:39:48.719 --> 00:39:49.099
 the middle of

00:39:49.099 --> 00:39:49.679
 this passage,

00:39:49.919 --> 00:39:50.599
 chapter 23,

00:39:50.719 --> 00:39:51.259
 verse 11,

00:39:51.339 --> 00:39:51.980
 it says this,

00:39:52.739 --> 00:39:53.299
 the following

00:39:53.299 --> 00:39:53.899
 night, the

00:39:53.899 --> 00:39:55.000
 Lord stood

00:39:55.000 --> 00:39:56.480
 by him and

00:39:56.480 --> 00:39:56.759
 said,

00:39:57.599 --> 00:39:58.659
 take courage,

00:39:59.599 --> 00:40:00.059
 for as you

00:40:00.059 --> 00:40:00.799
 have testified

00:40:00.799 --> 00:40:01.679
 to the facts

00:40:01.679 --> 00:40:02.639
 about me in

00:40:02.639 --> 00:40:03.059
 Jerusalem,

00:40:03.579 --> 00:40:04.399
 so you must

00:40:04.399 --> 00:40:05.639
 testify also

00:40:05.639 --> 00:40:06.719
 in Rome.

00:40:07.919 --> 00:40:08.559
 Isn't that

00:40:08.559 --> 00:40:09.059
 wonderful?

00:40:09.059 --> 00:40:10.719
 what God

00:40:10.719 --> 00:40:11.119
 said?

00:40:11.119 --> 00:40:11.960
 The Lord

00:40:11.960 --> 00:40:12.759
 himself, the

00:40:12.759 --> 00:40:13.460
 Lord Jesus

00:40:13.460 --> 00:40:15.779
 himself appears

00:40:15.779 --> 00:40:16.239
 to Paul.

00:40:16.320 --> 00:40:16.719
 He didn't send

00:40:16.719 --> 00:40:17.480
 an angel here.

00:40:18.079 --> 00:40:18.719
 He appears

00:40:18.719 --> 00:40:20.360
 himself, and

00:40:20.360 --> 00:40:20.900
 he says the

00:40:20.900 --> 00:40:21.920
 Lord stood

00:40:21.920 --> 00:40:23.019
 by Paul.

00:40:24.659 --> 00:40:25.940
 He stands

00:40:25.940 --> 00:40:26.880
 by his people

00:40:26.880 --> 00:40:27.340
 who bear

00:40:27.340 --> 00:40:28.360
 faithful witness

00:40:28.360 --> 00:40:28.920
 to him.

00:40:29.519 --> 00:40:30.239
 He stands

00:40:30.239 --> 00:40:31.099
 by his people

00:40:31.099 --> 00:40:31.799
 who suffer

00:40:31.799 --> 00:40:32.559
 for his

00:40:32.559 --> 00:40:33.500
 name's sake.

00:40:34.480 --> 00:40:35.039
 It reminds

00:40:35.039 --> 00:40:35.460
 me of what

00:40:35.460 --> 00:40:36.119
 Paul said at

00:40:36.119 --> 00:40:36.460
 the end of

00:40:36.460 --> 00:40:36.940
 his life.

00:40:37.480 --> 00:40:38.199
 In 2 Timothy

00:40:38.199 --> 00:40:39.259
 chapter 4,

00:40:40.420 --> 00:40:41.279
 verse 16,

00:40:41.380 --> 00:40:41.739
 when he was

00:40:41.739 --> 00:40:42.480
 being persecuted,

00:40:43.139 --> 00:40:43.480
 he says,

00:40:43.559 --> 00:40:44.139
 at my first

00:40:44.139 --> 00:40:44.639
 defense,

00:40:45.039 --> 00:40:45.980
 no one came

00:40:45.980 --> 00:40:46.699
 to stand

00:40:46.699 --> 00:40:47.539
 by me,

00:40:47.719 --> 00:40:48.420
 but all

00:40:48.420 --> 00:40:49.380
 deserted me

00:40:49.380 --> 00:40:50.639
 may not be

00:40:50.639 --> 00:40:51.319
 charged against

00:40:51.319 --> 00:40:51.659
 them.

00:40:53.000 --> 00:40:53.599
 But he says

00:40:53.599 --> 00:40:53.799
 this,

00:40:53.859 --> 00:40:55.259
 but the

00:40:55.259 --> 00:40:56.739
 Lord stood

00:40:56.739 --> 00:40:58.339
 by me

00:40:58.339 --> 00:40:59.400
 and strengthened

00:40:59.400 --> 00:41:00.359
 me.

00:41:03.659 --> 00:41:04.460
 In the

00:41:04.460 --> 00:41:05.039
 face of the

00:41:05.039 --> 00:41:05.880
 most intense

00:41:05.880 --> 00:41:06.900
 persecution,

00:41:07.440 --> 00:41:08.019
 even when

00:41:08.019 --> 00:41:08.820
 your family

00:41:08.820 --> 00:41:09.380
 members leave

00:41:09.380 --> 00:41:09.519
 you,

00:41:09.599 --> 00:41:10.200
 even when

00:41:10.200 --> 00:41:11.220
 every single

00:41:11.220 --> 00:41:11.780
 one of your

00:41:11.780 --> 00:41:12.220
 brothers and

00:41:12.220 --> 00:41:12.740
 sisters in

00:41:12.740 --> 00:41:14.200
 church forsake

00:41:14.200 --> 00:41:14.579
 you,

00:41:15.119 --> 00:41:15.720
 even when no

00:41:15.720 --> 00:41:16.220
 one else

00:41:16.220 --> 00:41:16.980
 stands by

00:41:16.980 --> 00:41:17.280
 you,

00:41:17.360 --> 00:41:17.900
 the Lord

00:41:17.900 --> 00:41:19.360
 will stand

00:41:19.360 --> 00:41:20.180
 by you.

00:41:21.240 --> 00:41:21.800
 That's the

00:41:21.800 --> 00:41:22.340
 promise of

00:41:22.340 --> 00:41:22.960
 this passage.

00:41:24.900 --> 00:41:25.840
 Right after

00:41:25.840 --> 00:41:26.720
 Paul's traumatic

00:41:26.720 --> 00:41:27.500
 trial before

00:41:27.500 --> 00:41:28.180
 the Sanhedrin,

00:41:28.440 --> 00:41:29.380
 and right before

00:41:29.380 --> 00:41:30.340
 the Jews plot

00:41:30.340 --> 00:41:31.119
 to assassinate

00:41:31.119 --> 00:41:31.400
 him,

00:41:31.800 --> 00:41:32.240
 he says the

00:41:32.240 --> 00:41:33.280
 Lord stood

00:41:33.280 --> 00:41:34.220
 by Paul,

00:41:34.480 --> 00:41:35.039
 and he told

00:41:35.039 --> 00:41:35.340
 him,

00:41:35.759 --> 00:41:37.159
 take courage,

00:41:38.440 --> 00:41:39.000
 assuring him

00:41:39.000 --> 00:41:39.340
 that he will

00:41:39.340 --> 00:41:40.119
 not die in

00:41:40.119 --> 00:41:40.519
 Jerusalem.

00:41:41.279 --> 00:41:41.539
 In fact,

00:41:41.559 --> 00:41:41.900
 you're going to

00:41:41.900 --> 00:41:42.340
 go all the

00:41:42.340 --> 00:41:42.880
 way to Rome.

00:41:43.539 --> 00:41:43.980
 You will bear

00:41:43.980 --> 00:41:44.599
 witness to me

00:41:44.599 --> 00:41:45.019
 even in the

00:41:45.019 --> 00:41:45.800
 capital of this

00:41:45.800 --> 00:41:46.279
 empire.

00:41:46.759 --> 00:41:47.199
 You will bear

00:41:47.199 --> 00:41:47.840
 witness to the

00:41:47.840 --> 00:41:48.460
 name of the

00:41:48.460 --> 00:41:49.119
 Lord Jesus

00:41:49.119 --> 00:41:50.460
 before Caesar

00:41:50.460 --> 00:41:51.139
 himself.

00:41:53.039 --> 00:41:53.739
 You will not

00:41:53.739 --> 00:41:54.320
 die here.

00:41:54.960 --> 00:41:55.779
 Take courage.

00:41:56.599 --> 00:41:57.539
 Take heart.

00:41:57.539 --> 00:42:00.380
 God had to

00:42:00.380 --> 00:42:00.800
 say that to

00:42:00.800 --> 00:42:01.480
 Paul because

00:42:01.480 --> 00:42:02.300
 Paul was

00:42:02.300 --> 00:42:03.179
 losing heart,

00:42:03.739 --> 00:42:05.059
 because his

00:42:05.059 --> 00:42:05.719
 courage was

00:42:05.719 --> 00:42:06.219
 failing.

00:42:09.019 --> 00:42:09.699
 Even a

00:42:09.699 --> 00:42:10.059
 weathered

00:42:10.059 --> 00:42:10.599
 veteran like

00:42:10.599 --> 00:42:11.199
 Paul grows

00:42:11.199 --> 00:42:11.519
 weary,

00:42:11.940 --> 00:42:12.259
 weak,

00:42:12.259 --> 00:42:13.199
 and fearful

00:42:13.199 --> 00:42:13.820
 at times,

00:42:14.000 --> 00:42:14.460
 and our

00:42:14.460 --> 00:42:15.880
 gracious Lord

00:42:15.880 --> 00:42:16.800
 Jesus knows

00:42:16.800 --> 00:42:17.119
 that.

00:42:19.639 --> 00:42:20.500
 Our Lord is

00:42:20.500 --> 00:42:21.300
 not callous.

00:42:22.840 --> 00:42:23.719
 He's not

00:42:23.719 --> 00:42:24.679
 indifferent to

00:42:24.679 --> 00:42:25.219
 our suffering.

00:42:28.339 --> 00:42:29.039
 When we

00:42:29.039 --> 00:42:29.619
 bear witness

00:42:29.619 --> 00:42:30.099
 to Jesus,

00:42:30.239 --> 00:42:30.619
 Jesus is

00:42:30.619 --> 00:42:31.279
 with us

00:42:31.279 --> 00:42:32.639
 to strengthen

00:42:32.639 --> 00:42:32.960
 us.

00:42:33.039 --> 00:42:33.299
 He will

00:42:33.299 --> 00:42:34.500
 never leave

00:42:34.500 --> 00:42:35.000
 us alone.

00:42:36.719 --> 00:42:37.379
 Some of

00:42:37.379 --> 00:42:37.960
 you have

00:42:37.960 --> 00:42:39.619
 testified to

00:42:39.619 --> 00:42:40.319
 your Lord,

00:42:40.419 --> 00:42:40.819
 our Lord

00:42:40.819 --> 00:42:41.179
 Jesus,

00:42:41.759 --> 00:42:42.239
 to your

00:42:42.239 --> 00:42:42.719
 friends and

00:42:42.719 --> 00:42:44.079
 family over

00:42:44.079 --> 00:42:44.659
 the holidays,

00:42:45.879 --> 00:42:47.179
 and maybe

00:42:47.179 --> 00:42:47.539
 you're

00:42:47.539 --> 00:42:48.500
 discouraged by

00:42:48.500 --> 00:42:49.219
 their response.

00:42:52.699 --> 00:42:53.219
 Perhaps

00:42:53.219 --> 00:42:53.799
 some of you

00:42:53.799 --> 00:42:54.559
 were mocked

00:42:54.559 --> 00:42:56.119
 or ostracized

00:42:56.119 --> 00:42:56.679
 recently for

00:42:56.679 --> 00:42:57.279
 your faith in

00:42:57.279 --> 00:42:57.900
 Jesus at

00:42:57.900 --> 00:42:58.860
 school or

00:42:58.860 --> 00:42:59.719
 by your

00:42:59.719 --> 00:43:00.559
 family members

00:43:00.559 --> 00:43:01.440
 or at

00:43:01.440 --> 00:43:01.799
 work.

00:43:03.320 --> 00:43:03.639
 And maybe

00:43:03.639 --> 00:43:04.019
 you're not

00:43:04.019 --> 00:43:04.779
 afraid to

00:43:04.779 --> 00:43:05.360
 take a stand

00:43:05.360 --> 00:43:05.860
 for Jesus

00:43:05.860 --> 00:43:06.320
 again.

00:43:07.559 --> 00:43:07.960
 But the

00:43:07.960 --> 00:43:08.519
 Lord Jesus

00:43:08.519 --> 00:43:09.340
 says to you

00:43:09.340 --> 00:43:10.139
 this morning,

00:43:10.980 --> 00:43:11.719
 take heart,

00:43:12.659 --> 00:43:14.380
 take courage.

00:43:15.320 --> 00:43:15.659
 Those who

00:43:15.659 --> 00:43:16.799
 acknowledge him

00:43:16.799 --> 00:43:17.699
 before man

00:43:17.699 --> 00:43:18.679
 will be

00:43:18.679 --> 00:43:19.219
 acknowledged

00:43:19.219 --> 00:43:20.400
 before God

00:43:20.400 --> 00:43:21.980
 who is in

00:43:21.980 --> 00:43:22.739
 heaven by

00:43:22.739 --> 00:43:23.079
 the Lord

00:43:23.079 --> 00:43:23.820
 Jesus himself.

00:43:24.559 --> 00:43:25.920
 so let's

00:43:25.920 --> 00:43:26.400
 bear witness

00:43:26.400 --> 00:43:26.840
 to him

00:43:26.840 --> 00:43:27.500
 as sheep

00:43:27.500 --> 00:43:28.320
 among wolves,

00:43:29.639 --> 00:43:30.579
 shrewd and

00:43:30.579 --> 00:43:30.960
 innocent,

00:43:31.299 --> 00:43:31.980
 trusting in

00:43:31.980 --> 00:43:32.820
 God's presence

00:43:32.820 --> 00:43:33.380
 and protection.

00:43:34.199 --> 00:43:34.639
 Let's pray

00:43:34.639 --> 00:43:34.960
 together.

00:43:39.400 --> 00:43:40.039
 God,

00:43:40.119 --> 00:43:40.699
 we thank you

00:43:40.699 --> 00:43:42.679
 that you

00:43:42.679 --> 00:43:43.099
 are a

00:43:43.099 --> 00:43:43.519
 gracious,

00:43:45.519 --> 00:43:46.440
 gentle,

00:43:46.440 --> 00:43:48.800
 and kind

00:43:48.800 --> 00:43:49.380
 Lord and

00:43:49.380 --> 00:43:49.679
 master.

00:43:54.679 --> 00:43:55.800
 We thank you

00:43:55.800 --> 00:43:56.760
 that when we

00:43:56.760 --> 00:43:58.500
 suffer for your

00:43:58.500 --> 00:43:59.220
 name's sake,

00:43:59.860 --> 00:44:00.440
 you do not

00:44:00.440 --> 00:44:01.179
 leave us.

00:44:02.500 --> 00:44:03.280
 You are not

00:44:03.280 --> 00:44:03.840
 indifferent.

00:44:04.220 --> 00:44:04.599
 You're not

00:44:04.599 --> 00:44:05.240
 callous.

00:44:05.240 --> 00:44:05.440
 You

00:44:05.440 --> 00:44:12.639
 sympathize.

00:44:12.639 --> 00:44:13.079
 you

00:44:13.079 --> 00:44:14.480
 empathize.

00:44:14.579 --> 00:44:14.739
 You

00:44:14.739 --> 00:44:16.980
 are near.

00:44:17.679 --> 00:44:18.099
 You're not

00:44:18.099 --> 00:44:18.639
 far off.

00:44:21.619 --> 00:44:22.219
 God,

00:44:22.279 --> 00:44:22.779
 we ask

00:44:22.779 --> 00:44:23.319
 that that

00:44:23.319 --> 00:44:23.779
 truth,

00:44:23.859 --> 00:44:24.019
 that we

00:44:24.019 --> 00:44:24.579
 would remember

00:44:24.579 --> 00:44:25.159
 that truth

00:44:25.159 --> 00:44:25.659
 and that we

00:44:25.659 --> 00:44:26.579
 would be

00:44:26.579 --> 00:44:27.659
 encouraged by

00:44:27.659 --> 00:44:28.460
 that truth

00:44:28.460 --> 00:44:29.359
 to bear

00:44:29.359 --> 00:44:30.359
 faithful witness

00:44:30.359 --> 00:44:30.980
 to Jesus

00:44:30.980 --> 00:44:33.099
 here at home

00:44:33.099 --> 00:44:33.879
 and to the

00:44:33.879 --> 00:44:34.400
 end of the

00:44:34.400 --> 00:44:34.759
 earth.

00:44:34.760 --> 00:44:41.740
 because your

00:44:41.740 --> 00:44:42.660
 name is

00:44:42.660 --> 00:44:43.320
 worthy of

00:44:43.320 --> 00:44:43.640
 it all.

00:44:48.200 --> 00:44:48.880
 Because there

00:44:48.880 --> 00:44:49.380
 is no other

00:44:49.380 --> 00:44:50.040
 name under

00:44:50.040 --> 00:44:51.960
 heaven given

00:44:51.960 --> 00:44:52.660
 to mankind

00:44:52.660 --> 00:44:53.320
 by which we

00:44:53.320 --> 00:44:53.820
 must be

00:44:53.820 --> 00:44:54.120
 saved.

00:44:57.500 --> 00:44:58.100
 It's in

00:44:58.100 --> 00:44:58.640
 that precious

00:44:58.640 --> 00:44:59.120
 name we

00:44:59.120 --> 00:44:59.360
 pray.

00:44:59.860 --> 00:45:00.240
 Amen.