WEBVTT

00:00:00.360 --> 00:00:05.400
 Please take out your copy of God's Word and turn to Acts chapter 18.

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! Acts chapter 18.

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 Acts chapter 18 in our text for this morning will be verses 1-23.

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! This is Luke's second narrative account of Jesus' life.

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 His first is the Gospel according to Luke, which is about Jesus' earthly ministry.

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 His second is the book we're studying this morning and have been for quite some time,

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 often called the Acts of the Apostles, which I like to call the Acts of the Risen and Ascended Jesus.

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 It was written that we might witness the working of Jesus by the agency of the Holy Spirit in the lives of His church.

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 In today's text, we will note the conclusion of the Apostle Paul's second missionary journey.

00:01:02.640 --> 00:01:06.500
 But first we're going to see his arrival and ministry in the city of Corinth.

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 He has traveled now down through Macedonia.

00:01:10.700 --> 00:01:12.539
 He's in Europe now.

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 From Philippi to Thessalonica and then to Berea.

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 He has been beaten and imprisoned.

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 He has escaped a mob riot and he has been chased out of the region.

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 He has gone further south to Athens where he sees gospel fruit, but it seems not much.

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 And in verse 1 of chapter 18, Luke records for us,

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 after this, Paul left Athens and went to Corinth.

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 Corinth was on the land bridge that connects the Peloponnesian Peninsula with mainland Greece.

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 I'd encourage you to look at that.

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 You may even have a map in the back of your copy of God's Word that would show you this little island,

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 this little bridge, this little land bridge between the two.

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 Not an island, a land bridge.

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 It was, therefore, in a very strategic location as the city of Corinth had two ports,

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 one on the east coast, the other on the west.

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 In order to save a 200-mile journey around the peninsula,

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 many ships were taken out at one port, and I found this so fascinating as an aside,

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 and rolled on logs for four miles through the city to be put in the other port.

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 This was easier.

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 This was more efficient than sailing all the way around the peninsula.

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 Also of interesting note, in AD 67, so beyond the time of our text today,

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 Nero began a canal that was not completed until 1893.

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 Now if you look at a modern map, you'll see a canal that cuts across that land bridge.

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 The town of Corinth was a transient town.

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 Lots of sailors, lots of tradesmen,

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 very little stability in the town,

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 and as such it was full of vice.

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 What comes to my mind when I think of Corinth is

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 what happens in Corinth stays in Corinth.

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 People coming and going all the time and living licentiously as a result.

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 1,500 feet above the city of Corinth was the Acropolis,

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 where the temple of Aphrodite was.

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 Each evening the temple's 1,000 priestesses,

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 who were ritual prostitutes,

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 would descend the mountain into the city for the quote-unquote worship of Aphrodite.

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 Corinth surpassed other Greek cities in wickedness,

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 and that's saying a lot.

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 It actually became the phrase,

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 to Corinthianize,

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 was common in this day,

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 which meant to practice whoredom,

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 to Corinthianize.

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 It was a dark and depressing city.

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 And we find Paul there discouraged.

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 As he reflects upon his time in Corinth,

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 when writing to the church there in 1 Corinthians 2.3,

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 he says,

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 and I was with you in weakness,

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 and in fear,

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 and much trembling.

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 I was not encouraged,

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 I was discouraged when I came to you.

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 Do you ever feel discouraged in your faith?

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 Has your labor in the gospel ever been or felt fruitless?

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 I know that our common discouragement shared amongst our church

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 comes because we see so many people come,

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 but then also so many people go.

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 Those of us who stay here can often feel discouraged

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 as we send people out.

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 But beloved, this should not be so.

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 We are positioned in a place,

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 in a unique way,

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 to minister far and wide the Word of the Lord.

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 We have seen this across the past eight years.

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 We gather and go each week here in this area.

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 And we gather in Dahlonega.

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 And we go to the ends of the earth.

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 Is that an encouraging reality?

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 Or a discouraging one?

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 Saying goodbye to people that we love

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 will always be bittersweet.

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 It should never not be.

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 Have some element of bitter to it.

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 It's hard to say goodbye

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 to people that we know and love

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 and share our lives with.

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 But I contend with you today

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 that it ultimately ought to be sweet.

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 It ought to be an encouragement

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 to our souls to see people sent forth.

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 And this is going to get tested.

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 It's been tested in the past.

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 We've sent a lot of people out from this place.

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 I noted to you last week

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 that if you take our start date,

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 we just honestly,

00:06:42.519 --> 00:06:43.560
 we kind of picked a random date.

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 When do we actually exist as we exist?

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 We said January 1 of 2009.

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 And you come to the present day,

00:06:52.740 --> 00:06:54.699
 there are only six people

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 who are original members of our church

00:06:57.620 --> 00:07:00.000
 that have had an uninterrupted time here.

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 Only six.

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 Across eight years.

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 And that's not been because of turmoil.

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 And I know a lot of you are fresh

00:07:07.839 --> 00:07:09.879
 and new to the life of our church.

00:07:10.019 --> 00:07:12.639
 We've had a very good and growing congregation.

00:07:12.939 --> 00:07:14.980
 We haven't had massive upheavals and upsets.

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 And all of a sudden,

00:07:15.759 --> 00:07:16.920
 we're one number

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 and then we're half that number

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 because people got upset

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 and got in clubs

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 and took off.

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 We've never had any kind of controversy like that.

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 But people have come

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 and they have been trained up,

00:07:26.400 --> 00:07:27.520
 we hope, by grace.

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 And then they've gone.

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 Gone off to other places.

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 We've seen people go all over the world.

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 We've seen people spread across the southeast.

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 Last year,

00:07:38.080 --> 00:07:39.560
 we had the great blessing

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 of starting another church

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 in Oakwood, Georgia.

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 And I don't know about you guys,

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 but when we get together all together

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 at things like the picnic yesterday,

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 I feel that loss a little more.

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 Like I recognize how much I miss

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 some of those people

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 when I see them again.

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 Like, ah,

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 it was so good

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 when I got to see you every week

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 and now it seems to be only

00:08:01.039 --> 00:08:03.859
 a couple times a year.

00:08:05.060 --> 00:08:06.979
 We recently sent out

00:08:06.979 --> 00:08:08.620
 Ash and Janine Harris.

00:08:08.799 --> 00:08:09.560
 Ash took a job

00:08:09.560 --> 00:08:11.699
 in Boone, North Carolina.

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 I mentioned earlier,

00:08:14.199 --> 00:08:14.779
 Oziama,

00:08:15.439 --> 00:08:15.920
 Obele,

00:08:16.039 --> 00:08:17.399
 going to Brazil soon.

00:08:18.939 --> 00:08:20.459
 Kirby and Leanna White

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 are going to soon be leaving

00:08:22.099 --> 00:08:23.180
 in just a couple of weeks,

00:08:23.259 --> 00:08:24.659
 going to Washington State

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 where Kirby is from.

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 Michael and Lauren Shealy

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 are moving.

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 He's being commissioned

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 and stationed.

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 They're moving to Columbus, Georgia.

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 Daniel and Carly Walker

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 are going back to Madison County

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 at least for a season.

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 We don't know how long

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 at this point,

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 but they will be gone

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 for a bit of time.

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 And Phillip and Natalie Akins

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 are going to Canton

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 for jobs there.

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 And I may have missed somebody.

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 I really tried not to,

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 but I may have missed

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 someone who will be leaving us

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 probably for good.

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 There are countless others.

00:09:00.899 --> 00:09:03.480
 College students,

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 many of you are going to be gone

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 after this Sunday.

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 And the summer will be

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 a little bit more quiet

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 without you here

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 and you will be missed.

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 I'm becoming further

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 and further convinced

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 that faithful gospel ministry

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 leaves much room

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 for discouragement.

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 But,

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 I want to be encouraged

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 in the midst

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 of faithful gospel ministry.

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 So join me in our text

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 for today

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 to that end.

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 That is where we're aiming

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 to be encouraged

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 in the midst

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 of faithful gospel ministry.

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 Beloved,

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 this is God's word to us.

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 It was written for His glory

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 and for our good.

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 And we would all do well

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 to listen to it

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 in order to believe

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 its promises

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 and obey its commands.

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 Begin reading in verse 1.

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 After this,

00:10:06.219 --> 00:10:07.519
 Paul left Athens

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 and went to Corinth.

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 And he found a Jew

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 named Aquila,

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 a native of Pontus,

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 recently come from Italy

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 with his wife Priscilla

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 because Claudius

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 had commanded

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 all the Jews

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 to leave Rome.

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 And he went to see them.

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 And because he was

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 of the same trade,

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 he stayed with them

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 and worked,

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 for they were tent makers

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 by trade.

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 And he reasoned

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 in the synagogue

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 every Sabbath

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 and tried to persuade

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 Jews and Greeks.

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 When Silas and Timothy

00:10:36.340 --> 00:10:37.480
 arrived from Macedonia,

00:10:38.100 --> 00:10:38.860
 Paul was occupied

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 with the word,

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 testifying to the Jews

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 that the Christ

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 was Jesus.

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 And when they opposed

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 and reviled him,

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 he shook out his garments

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 and said to them,

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 your blood be on your own heads.

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 I am innocent.

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 From now on,

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 I will go to the Gentiles.

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 And he left there

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 and went to the house

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 of a man named Titius Justice,

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 a worshiper of God.

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 His house was next door

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 to the synagogue.

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 Crispus,

00:11:07.500 --> 00:11:08.339
 the ruler of the synagogue,

00:11:08.559 --> 00:11:09.439
 believed in the Lord

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 together with his entire household.

00:11:11.639 --> 00:11:12.819
 And many of the Corinthians

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 hearing Paul believed

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 and were baptized.

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 And the Lord said to Paul

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 one night in a vision,

00:11:19.580 --> 00:11:20.399
 Do not be afraid,

00:11:20.980 --> 00:11:21.940
 but go on speaking

00:11:21.940 --> 00:11:23.259
 and do not be silent,

00:11:23.700 --> 00:11:24.680
 for I am with you

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 and no one will attack you

00:11:26.120 --> 00:11:26.759
 to harm you,

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 for I have many in this city

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 who are my people.

00:11:30.519 --> 00:11:32.060
 And he stayed a year

00:11:32.060 --> 00:11:33.100
 and six months

00:11:33.100 --> 00:11:34.700
 teaching the word of God

00:11:34.700 --> 00:11:35.259
 among them.

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 But when Galio

00:11:36.840 --> 00:11:38.480
 was proconsul of Achaia,

00:11:38.840 --> 00:11:40.920
 the Jews made a united attack

00:11:40.920 --> 00:11:41.480
 on Paul

00:11:41.480 --> 00:11:42.279
 and brought him

00:11:42.279 --> 00:11:43.399
 before the tribunal,

00:11:43.580 --> 00:11:43.960
 saying,

00:11:43.960 --> 00:11:46.300
 this man is persuading people

00:11:46.300 --> 00:11:47.139
 to worship God

00:11:47.139 --> 00:11:48.480
 contrary to the law.

00:11:49.360 --> 00:11:50.080
 But when Paul

00:11:50.080 --> 00:11:51.920
 was about to open his mouth,

00:11:52.180 --> 00:11:53.680
 Galio said to the Jews,

00:11:54.360 --> 00:11:54.920
 If it were a matter

00:11:54.920 --> 00:11:55.740
 of wrongdoing

00:11:55.740 --> 00:11:56.879
 or vicious crime,

00:11:57.000 --> 00:11:57.620
 O Jews,

00:11:57.840 --> 00:11:58.759
 I would have reason

00:11:58.759 --> 00:11:59.860
 to accept your complaint.

00:12:00.700 --> 00:12:01.639
 But since it is a matter

00:12:01.639 --> 00:12:02.440
 of questions

00:12:02.440 --> 00:12:04.360
 about words and names

00:12:04.360 --> 00:12:05.500
 and your own law,

00:12:06.160 --> 00:12:07.340
 see to it yourselves.

00:12:07.879 --> 00:12:09.440
 I refuse to be a judge

00:12:09.440 --> 00:12:10.460
 of these things.

00:12:11.200 --> 00:12:12.180
 And he drove them

00:12:12.180 --> 00:12:13.220
 from the tribunal.

00:12:13.960 --> 00:12:15.460
 And they all seized

00:12:15.460 --> 00:12:16.340
 Sosthenes,

00:12:16.620 --> 00:12:17.680
 the ruler of the synagogue,

00:12:17.680 --> 00:12:18.620
 and beat him

00:12:18.620 --> 00:12:19.600
 in front of the tribunal.

00:12:20.139 --> 00:12:21.480
 But Galio paid no attention

00:12:21.480 --> 00:12:22.620
 to any of this.

00:12:23.820 --> 00:12:24.320
 After this,

00:12:24.400 --> 00:12:25.740
 Paul stayed many days longer

00:12:25.740 --> 00:12:26.660
 and then took leave

00:12:26.660 --> 00:12:27.220
 of the brothers

00:12:27.220 --> 00:12:28.560
 and set sail for Syria

00:12:28.560 --> 00:12:29.840
 and with him

00:12:29.840 --> 00:12:31.240
 Priscilla and Aquila.

00:12:32.040 --> 00:12:32.800
 At Kincray,

00:12:32.920 --> 00:12:33.960
 he had cut his hair

00:12:33.960 --> 00:12:35.340
 for he was under a vow.

00:12:36.180 --> 00:12:37.340
 And they came to Ephesus

00:12:37.340 --> 00:12:38.660
 and he left them there,

00:12:38.980 --> 00:12:39.800
 but he himself

00:12:39.800 --> 00:12:40.680
 went into the synagogue

00:12:40.680 --> 00:12:41.420
 and reasoned

00:12:41.420 --> 00:12:42.060
 with the Jews.

00:12:42.059 --> 00:12:43.639
 When they asked him

00:12:43.639 --> 00:12:45.159
 to stay for a longer period,

00:12:45.279 --> 00:12:45.919
 he declined.

00:12:46.419 --> 00:12:47.439
 But on taking leave of them,

00:12:47.479 --> 00:12:47.919
 he said,

00:12:48.019 --> 00:12:49.139
 I will return to you

00:12:49.139 --> 00:12:50.479
 if God wills.

00:12:50.819 --> 00:12:51.719
 And he set sail

00:12:51.719 --> 00:12:52.319
 from Ephesus.

00:12:53.199 --> 00:12:53.939
 When he had landed

00:12:53.939 --> 00:12:54.579
 at Caesarea,

00:12:54.799 --> 00:12:55.419
 he went up

00:12:55.419 --> 00:12:56.279
 and greeted the church

00:12:56.279 --> 00:12:57.339
 and then went down

00:12:57.339 --> 00:12:58.199
 to Antioch.

00:12:58.799 --> 00:12:59.399
 After spending

00:12:59.399 --> 00:13:00.399
 some time there,

00:13:00.479 --> 00:13:01.079
 he departed

00:13:01.079 --> 00:13:02.459
 and went from one place

00:13:02.459 --> 00:13:03.439
 to the next

00:13:03.439 --> 00:13:04.139
 through the region

00:13:04.139 --> 00:13:04.879
 of Galatia

00:13:04.879 --> 00:13:05.819
 and Phrygia,

00:13:06.439 --> 00:13:06.879
 strengthening

00:13:06.879 --> 00:13:08.339
 all the disciples.

00:13:08.340 --> 00:13:09.680
 Now,

00:13:10.200 --> 00:13:11.580
 that is a lot of text,

00:13:11.800 --> 00:13:12.019
 right?

00:13:12.259 --> 00:13:13.540
 And the information

00:13:13.540 --> 00:13:14.240
 comes at us

00:13:14.240 --> 00:13:16.519
 almost in a rapid-fire sense.

00:13:16.800 --> 00:13:17.120
 And so,

00:13:17.399 --> 00:13:18.060
 I understand

00:13:18.060 --> 00:13:19.040
 if you're already going

00:13:19.040 --> 00:13:19.860
 why

00:13:19.860 --> 00:13:21.860
 verses 1-23.

00:13:22.060 --> 00:13:22.759
 So it's my hope

00:13:22.759 --> 00:13:24.200
 to wrap it together

00:13:24.200 --> 00:13:24.840
 for you

00:13:24.840 --> 00:13:26.200
 thematically

00:13:26.200 --> 00:13:27.639
 by helping us

00:13:27.639 --> 00:13:28.340
 consider

00:13:28.340 --> 00:13:30.060
 five ways

00:13:30.060 --> 00:13:30.700
 that God

00:13:30.700 --> 00:13:31.500
 encourages

00:13:31.500 --> 00:13:33.120
 the souls

00:13:33.120 --> 00:13:34.560
 of His discouraged

00:13:34.560 --> 00:13:35.720
 servants.

00:13:36.019 --> 00:13:36.879
 Five ways

00:13:36.879 --> 00:13:37.659
 that God

00:13:37.659 --> 00:13:38.240
 encourages

00:13:38.240 --> 00:13:38.820
 the souls

00:13:38.820 --> 00:13:39.980
 of His

00:13:39.980 --> 00:13:40.820
 discouraged

00:13:40.820 --> 00:13:41.779
 servants.

00:13:41.879 --> 00:13:42.120
 And I'm going

00:13:42.120 --> 00:13:42.460
 to give those

00:13:42.460 --> 00:13:43.059
 five to you

00:13:43.059 --> 00:13:43.439
 and then we'll

00:13:43.439 --> 00:13:43.980
 take them

00:13:43.980 --> 00:13:45.120
 one at a time.

00:13:45.200 --> 00:13:45.820
 So number one,

00:13:46.899 --> 00:13:47.539
 God encourages

00:13:47.539 --> 00:13:47.960
 the souls

00:13:47.960 --> 00:13:48.220
 of His

00:13:48.220 --> 00:13:48.580
 discouraged

00:13:48.580 --> 00:13:49.100
 servants

00:13:49.100 --> 00:13:50.559
 number one

00:13:50.559 --> 00:13:51.460
 with new

00:13:51.460 --> 00:13:52.659
 partners.

00:13:54.279 --> 00:13:55.439
 Number two

00:13:55.439 --> 00:13:57.139
 with provision.

00:13:58.779 --> 00:14:00.039
 Number three

00:14:00.039 --> 00:14:01.360
 with His

00:14:01.360 --> 00:14:02.179
 presence.

00:14:04.039 --> 00:14:05.340
 Number four

00:14:05.340 --> 00:14:06.840
 with protection.

00:14:06.879 --> 00:14:09.080
 I guess they all

00:14:09.080 --> 00:14:09.679
 start with P's.

00:14:10.740 --> 00:14:11.899
 Number five,

00:14:12.559 --> 00:14:14.059
 with purpose.

00:14:15.679 --> 00:14:16.720
 In so many ways

00:14:16.720 --> 00:14:17.279
 I'm not a good

00:14:17.279 --> 00:14:17.620
 Baptist,

00:14:17.799 --> 00:14:18.240
 but in that way

00:14:18.240 --> 00:14:18.639
 I am.

00:14:19.639 --> 00:14:20.460
 I like to

00:14:20.460 --> 00:14:20.939
 alliterate.

00:14:23.320 --> 00:14:24.139
 So firstly,

00:14:24.379 --> 00:14:25.240
 God encourages

00:14:25.240 --> 00:14:26.000
 the souls

00:14:26.000 --> 00:14:26.439
 of His

00:14:26.439 --> 00:14:27.000
 discouraged

00:14:27.000 --> 00:14:27.659
 servants

00:14:27.659 --> 00:14:29.480
 with new

00:14:29.480 --> 00:14:30.860
 partners.

00:14:31.440 --> 00:14:32.059
 We see Him

00:14:32.059 --> 00:14:32.659
 in this new

00:14:32.659 --> 00:14:33.019
 city

00:14:33.019 --> 00:14:35.319
 by Himself.

00:14:35.519 --> 00:14:36.019
 He does not

00:14:36.019 --> 00:14:36.500
 have

00:14:36.500 --> 00:14:37.299
 Silas and

00:14:37.299 --> 00:14:37.620
 Timothy.

00:14:37.960 --> 00:14:39.319
 His missionary

00:14:39.319 --> 00:14:40.240
 band has been

00:14:40.240 --> 00:14:40.980
 split up for

00:14:40.980 --> 00:14:41.319
 various

00:14:41.319 --> 00:14:41.819
 circumstances.

00:14:41.819 --> 00:14:42.879
 And we find

00:14:42.879 --> 00:14:43.439
 Him by

00:14:43.439 --> 00:14:43.960
 Himself,

00:14:44.159 --> 00:14:44.720
 but He

00:14:44.720 --> 00:14:45.419
 seeks out,

00:14:45.460 --> 00:14:45.659
 it would

00:14:45.659 --> 00:14:46.019
 seem,

00:14:46.379 --> 00:14:47.159
 He finds

00:14:47.159 --> 00:14:48.199
 a Jew

00:14:48.199 --> 00:14:48.799
 named

00:14:48.799 --> 00:14:49.460
 Aquila,

00:14:50.220 --> 00:14:50.620
 a native of

00:14:50.620 --> 00:14:51.079
 Pontus,

00:14:51.199 --> 00:14:51.559
 and his

00:14:51.559 --> 00:14:52.100
 wife

00:14:52.100 --> 00:14:53.600
 Priscilla.

00:14:54.139 --> 00:14:54.759
 And He

00:14:54.759 --> 00:14:55.379
 joins

00:14:55.379 --> 00:14:55.939
 Himself

00:14:55.940 --> 00:14:56.900
 to them.

00:14:57.160 --> 00:14:57.580
 They are

00:14:57.580 --> 00:14:58.040
 also

00:14:58.040 --> 00:14:58.960
 tent makers

00:14:58.960 --> 00:14:59.900
 by trade

00:14:59.900 --> 00:15:00.120
 and He

00:15:00.120 --> 00:15:00.580
 stays with

00:15:00.580 --> 00:15:00.800
 them and

00:15:00.800 --> 00:15:01.640
 He works

00:15:01.640 --> 00:15:02.580
 with them.

00:15:03.700 --> 00:15:03.960
 And the

00:15:03.960 --> 00:15:04.360
 Bible does not

00:15:04.360 --> 00:15:05.060
 tell us of

00:15:05.060 --> 00:15:05.560
 the conversion

00:15:05.560 --> 00:15:06.320
 of Aquila

00:15:06.320 --> 00:15:06.720
 and Priscilla,

00:15:07.360 --> 00:15:07.800
 but they

00:15:07.800 --> 00:15:08.640
 were likely

00:15:08.640 --> 00:15:09.280
 already

00:15:09.280 --> 00:15:09.800
 Christians

00:15:09.800 --> 00:15:10.600
 at this

00:15:10.600 --> 00:15:11.300
 point,

00:15:11.580 --> 00:15:12.360
 having come

00:15:12.360 --> 00:15:12.660
 from the

00:15:12.660 --> 00:15:13.080
 church that

00:15:13.080 --> 00:15:14.180
 already existed

00:15:14.180 --> 00:15:15.560
 in Rome.

00:15:16.400 --> 00:15:16.920
 We can

00:15:16.920 --> 00:15:17.940
 fail as we

00:15:17.940 --> 00:15:18.720
 study Acts

00:15:18.720 --> 00:15:19.360
 to remember

00:15:19.360 --> 00:15:20.480
 that the

00:15:20.480 --> 00:15:21.020
 Gospel was

00:15:21.020 --> 00:15:21.800
 not just

00:15:21.800 --> 00:15:23.120
 going forth

00:15:23.120 --> 00:15:23.520
 into the

00:15:23.520 --> 00:15:24.120
 world on a

00:15:24.120 --> 00:15:24.760
 single front.

00:15:24.860 --> 00:15:25.340
 It wasn't

00:15:25.340 --> 00:15:26.300
 just Paul

00:15:26.300 --> 00:15:26.600
 and his

00:15:26.600 --> 00:15:26.899
 missionary

00:15:26.899 --> 00:15:27.680
 band that

00:15:27.680 --> 00:15:28.060
 was preaching

00:15:28.060 --> 00:15:28.399
 the good

00:15:28.399 --> 00:15:29.060
 news of

00:15:29.060 --> 00:15:30.139
 Jesus Christ.

00:15:30.379 --> 00:15:31.320
 But followers

00:15:31.320 --> 00:15:31.680
 of Jesus

00:15:31.680 --> 00:15:32.360
 Christ were

00:15:32.360 --> 00:15:32.879
 doing what

00:15:32.879 --> 00:15:33.540
 followers of

00:15:33.540 --> 00:15:34.060
 Jesus Christ

00:15:34.060 --> 00:15:34.460
 do.

00:15:35.160 --> 00:15:35.540
 They were

00:15:35.540 --> 00:15:36.220
 taking the

00:15:36.220 --> 00:15:36.800
 message of

00:15:36.800 --> 00:15:38.000
 God's saving

00:15:38.000 --> 00:15:39.120
 work to

00:15:39.120 --> 00:15:40.860
 all people.

00:15:41.300 --> 00:15:41.840
 Luke's

00:15:41.840 --> 00:15:42.680
 narrative is

00:15:42.680 --> 00:15:43.700
 primarily about

00:15:43.700 --> 00:15:44.340
 the Apostle

00:15:44.340 --> 00:15:44.940
 Paul's ministry

00:15:44.940 --> 00:15:46.540
 as it should

00:15:46.540 --> 00:15:47.259
 be and as it

00:15:47.259 --> 00:15:48.040
 serves us

00:15:48.040 --> 00:15:48.480
 well, but the

00:15:48.480 --> 00:15:49.400
 Gospel is

00:15:49.400 --> 00:15:51.100
 going forth.

00:15:51.240 --> 00:15:51.680
 And so it's

00:15:51.680 --> 00:15:52.759
 likely that this

00:15:52.759 --> 00:15:53.920
 couple have

00:15:53.920 --> 00:15:54.780
 already become

00:15:54.780 --> 00:15:55.280
 part of the

00:15:55.279 --> 00:15:55.980
 church in

00:15:55.980 --> 00:15:57.500
 Rome before

00:15:57.500 --> 00:15:58.120
 ever meeting

00:15:58.120 --> 00:15:59.120
 Paul.

00:15:59.459 --> 00:15:59.860
 Likely.

00:15:59.959 --> 00:16:00.159
 We don't

00:16:00.159 --> 00:16:00.419
 know for

00:16:00.419 --> 00:16:00.879
 sure, but

00:16:00.879 --> 00:16:01.240
 likely.

00:16:02.339 --> 00:16:03.159
 And God

00:16:03.159 --> 00:16:03.620
 in His

00:16:03.620 --> 00:16:04.620
 gracious

00:16:04.620 --> 00:16:06.019
 providence

00:16:06.019 --> 00:16:07.699
 brings new

00:16:07.699 --> 00:16:08.360
 partners in

00:16:08.360 --> 00:16:08.799
 the Gospel

00:16:08.799 --> 00:16:09.480
 to Corinth

00:16:09.480 --> 00:16:10.959
 ahead of

00:16:10.959 --> 00:16:11.179
 Paul.

00:16:11.339 --> 00:16:11.819
 Catch that.

00:16:11.899 --> 00:16:12.439
 Before Paul

00:16:12.439 --> 00:16:13.339
 ever gets

00:16:13.339 --> 00:16:14.639
 there, Aquila

00:16:14.639 --> 00:16:15.620
 and Priscilla

00:16:15.620 --> 00:16:16.679
 are there.

00:16:17.559 --> 00:16:18.659
 Brought there,

00:16:19.179 --> 00:16:19.919
 partners of the

00:16:19.919 --> 00:16:20.720
 same trade,

00:16:21.159 --> 00:16:21.699
 they give him

00:16:21.699 --> 00:16:22.339
 a place to

00:16:22.339 --> 00:16:22.839
 stay,

00:16:22.840 --> 00:16:23.680
 they give

00:16:23.680 --> 00:16:24.220
 him a

00:16:24.220 --> 00:16:24.759
 livelihood

00:16:24.759 --> 00:16:26.540
 upon his

00:16:26.540 --> 00:16:27.019
 arrival.

00:16:28.100 --> 00:16:28.820
 And the

00:16:28.820 --> 00:16:29.440
 way in which

00:16:29.440 --> 00:16:30.120
 they arrive

00:16:30.120 --> 00:16:32.180
 there, Luke

00:16:32.180 --> 00:16:32.800
 records for

00:16:32.800 --> 00:16:33.820
 us because of

00:16:33.820 --> 00:16:34.899
 the command

00:16:34.899 --> 00:16:36.120
 of Claudius

00:16:36.120 --> 00:16:37.740
 that all

00:16:37.740 --> 00:16:38.300
 the Jews

00:16:38.300 --> 00:16:39.480
 had to leave

00:16:39.480 --> 00:16:40.139
 Rome.

00:16:41.139 --> 00:16:41.980
 That decree

00:16:41.980 --> 00:16:42.480
 is mentioned

00:16:42.480 --> 00:16:44.100
 here in this

00:16:44.100 --> 00:16:44.960
 text and

00:16:44.960 --> 00:16:45.560
 one other

00:16:45.560 --> 00:16:46.399
 place in

00:16:46.399 --> 00:16:47.600
 all recorded

00:16:47.600 --> 00:16:49.139
 history by

00:16:49.139 --> 00:16:49.639
 a Roman

00:16:49.639 --> 00:16:50.660
 historian named

00:16:50.659 --> 00:16:51.659
 Suetonus,

00:16:52.100 --> 00:16:52.559
 I think,

00:16:53.059 --> 00:16:54.519
 who wrote

00:16:54.519 --> 00:16:55.600
 70 years

00:16:55.600 --> 00:16:56.120
 after the

00:16:56.120 --> 00:16:56.539
 fact the

00:16:56.539 --> 00:16:56.899
 following.

00:16:58.279 --> 00:16:58.579
 As the

00:16:58.579 --> 00:16:59.079
 Jews were

00:16:59.079 --> 00:17:00.339
 indulging in

00:17:00.339 --> 00:17:01.120
 constant

00:17:01.120 --> 00:17:02.399
 riots at

00:17:02.399 --> 00:17:03.399
 the instigation

00:17:03.399 --> 00:17:04.079
 of

00:17:04.079 --> 00:17:05.619
 Crestus,

00:17:06.420 --> 00:17:07.119
 Claudius

00:17:07.119 --> 00:17:08.420
 banished them

00:17:08.420 --> 00:17:09.460
 from Rome.

00:17:09.599 --> 00:17:10.159
 It's just one

00:17:10.159 --> 00:17:10.599
 sentence,

00:17:10.720 --> 00:17:11.099
 this one

00:17:11.099 --> 00:17:11.839
 mention of

00:17:11.839 --> 00:17:12.420
 this thing

00:17:12.420 --> 00:17:12.960
 that happened

00:17:12.960 --> 00:17:14.159
 by this

00:17:14.159 --> 00:17:14.879
 Roman historian

00:17:14.879 --> 00:17:16.039
 Suetonus.

00:17:16.399 --> 00:17:16.920
 Now,

00:17:17.399 --> 00:17:18.039
 the word

00:17:18.039 --> 00:17:18.460
 he uses

00:17:18.460 --> 00:17:18.940
 here,

00:17:19.259 --> 00:17:20.160
 Crestus,

00:17:20.559 --> 00:17:21.700
 a name,

00:17:21.819 --> 00:17:22.160
 a formal

00:17:22.160 --> 00:17:22.600
 name,

00:17:22.980 --> 00:17:23.340
 Crestus,

00:17:23.440 --> 00:17:23.819
 is just

00:17:23.819 --> 00:17:25.059
 one letter

00:17:25.059 --> 00:17:26.600
 variation from

00:17:26.600 --> 00:17:27.360
 the Latin

00:17:27.360 --> 00:17:28.380
 for Christ

00:17:28.380 --> 00:17:30.140
 Christus.

00:17:31.019 --> 00:17:32.079
 So many

00:17:32.079 --> 00:17:33.579
 presume that

00:17:33.579 --> 00:17:33.900
 what was

00:17:33.900 --> 00:17:34.539
 happening in

00:17:34.539 --> 00:17:35.039
 Rome was

00:17:35.039 --> 00:17:35.680
 because of

00:17:35.680 --> 00:17:36.200
 the preaching

00:17:36.200 --> 00:17:36.559
 of the

00:17:36.559 --> 00:17:37.039
 gospel,

00:17:38.039 --> 00:17:38.380
 Jews were

00:17:38.380 --> 00:17:38.759
 doing what

00:17:38.759 --> 00:17:39.059
 so many

00:17:39.059 --> 00:17:39.539
 Jews seem

00:17:39.539 --> 00:17:39.880
 to do

00:17:39.880 --> 00:17:40.160
 in this

00:17:40.160 --> 00:17:40.380
 day.

00:17:40.539 --> 00:17:40.720
 They were

00:17:40.720 --> 00:17:40.900
 getting

00:17:40.900 --> 00:17:41.779
 furious

00:17:41.779 --> 00:17:42.700
 about the

00:17:42.700 --> 00:17:43.000
 preaching

00:17:43.000 --> 00:17:43.400
 of the

00:17:43.400 --> 00:17:43.920
 good news

00:17:43.920 --> 00:17:44.539
 of Jesus

00:17:44.539 --> 00:17:45.160
 Christ and

00:17:45.160 --> 00:17:46.019
 were rioting

00:17:46.019 --> 00:17:46.940
 as a result.

00:17:46.940 --> 00:17:48.559
 And what

00:17:48.559 --> 00:17:49.380
 Suetonus

00:17:49.380 --> 00:17:50.140
 has understood

00:17:50.140 --> 00:17:50.880
 some years

00:17:50.880 --> 00:17:51.299
 later,

00:17:51.420 --> 00:17:52.000
 hearing the

00:17:52.000 --> 00:17:52.440
 telling,

00:17:52.539 --> 00:17:52.860
 he keeps

00:17:52.860 --> 00:17:53.420
 hearing this

00:17:53.420 --> 00:17:53.940
 name,

00:17:54.539 --> 00:17:55.340
 that there

00:17:55.340 --> 00:17:55.680
 was a

00:17:55.680 --> 00:17:56.180
 man there

00:17:56.180 --> 00:17:56.440
 that was

00:17:56.440 --> 00:17:56.740
 causing

00:17:56.740 --> 00:17:57.100
 all of

00:17:57.100 --> 00:17:57.320
 this.

00:17:57.500 --> 00:17:57.640
 Now,

00:17:57.720 --> 00:17:58.259
 that is

00:17:58.259 --> 00:17:58.519
 still

00:17:58.519 --> 00:17:59.100
 possible.

00:17:59.240 --> 00:17:59.400
 There was

00:17:59.400 --> 00:17:59.900
 actually a

00:17:59.900 --> 00:18:00.380
 guy named

00:18:00.380 --> 00:18:01.000
 Crestus

00:18:01.000 --> 00:18:01.940
 causing the

00:18:01.940 --> 00:18:02.720
 Jews to

00:18:02.720 --> 00:18:04.080
 riot in

00:18:04.080 --> 00:18:04.960
 Rome.

00:18:05.039 --> 00:18:05.279
 But I

00:18:05.279 --> 00:18:05.779
 think more

00:18:05.779 --> 00:18:06.279
 likely,

00:18:06.860 --> 00:18:07.200
 he just

00:18:07.200 --> 00:18:07.519
 made a

00:18:07.519 --> 00:18:08.120
 mistake in

00:18:08.120 --> 00:18:08.480
 the hearing

00:18:08.480 --> 00:18:08.840
 of the

00:18:08.840 --> 00:18:09.660
 word and

00:18:09.660 --> 00:18:10.240
 recorded it

00:18:10.240 --> 00:18:10.559
 as

00:18:10.559 --> 00:18:11.900
 Crestus.

00:18:12.059 --> 00:18:12.240
 So,

00:18:12.440 --> 00:18:12.920
 probably,

00:18:13.080 --> 00:18:13.420
 the Jews

00:18:13.420 --> 00:18:13.759
 are in an

00:18:13.759 --> 00:18:14.320
 uproar all

00:18:14.320 --> 00:18:14.720
 the time

00:18:14.720 --> 00:18:15.059
 because of

00:18:15.059 --> 00:18:15.400
 the preaching

00:18:15.400 --> 00:18:15.920
 of the

00:18:15.920 --> 00:18:16.360
 good news

00:18:16.359 --> 00:18:17.139
 of Jesus

00:18:17.139 --> 00:18:18.099
 Christ.

00:18:18.339 --> 00:18:19.159
 And Claudius

00:18:19.159 --> 00:18:19.959
 sends them

00:18:19.959 --> 00:18:21.779
 away from

00:18:21.779 --> 00:18:22.059
 Rome.

00:18:22.139 --> 00:18:22.559
 And that's

00:18:22.559 --> 00:18:23.079
 how

00:18:23.079 --> 00:18:24.819
 Aquila and

00:18:24.819 --> 00:18:25.379
 Priscilla find

00:18:25.379 --> 00:18:26.619
 themselves in

00:18:26.619 --> 00:18:27.639
 Corinth to

00:18:27.639 --> 00:18:28.439
 become new

00:18:28.439 --> 00:18:29.159
 partners in

00:18:29.159 --> 00:18:30.079
 gospel ministry

00:18:30.079 --> 00:18:31.559
 with Paul.

00:18:32.139 --> 00:18:32.500
 And they also

00:18:32.500 --> 00:18:33.259
 become partners

00:18:33.259 --> 00:18:34.539
 with them in

00:18:34.539 --> 00:18:35.059
 their living

00:18:35.059 --> 00:18:36.000
 situation and

00:18:36.000 --> 00:18:36.419
 in their

00:18:36.419 --> 00:18:37.219
 livelihood.

00:18:37.939 --> 00:18:38.279
 The text

00:18:38.279 --> 00:18:38.859
 says that they

00:18:38.859 --> 00:18:39.759
 are tent

00:18:39.759 --> 00:18:40.179
 makers.

00:18:40.659 --> 00:18:40.959
 If you're

00:18:40.959 --> 00:18:41.479
 familiar with

00:18:41.479 --> 00:18:41.899
 the life of

00:18:41.899 --> 00:18:42.099
 Paul,

00:18:42.159 --> 00:18:42.439
 you've probably

00:18:42.439 --> 00:18:43.199
 heard him

00:18:43.199 --> 00:18:44.179
 spoken of as

00:18:44.180 --> 00:18:44.740
 a tent

00:18:44.740 --> 00:18:45.000
 maker,

00:18:45.120 --> 00:18:45.360
 we can

00:18:45.360 --> 00:18:45.820
 tend to

00:18:45.820 --> 00:18:46.240
 use that

00:18:46.240 --> 00:18:47.120
 term of

00:18:47.120 --> 00:18:48.360
 bivocational

00:18:48.360 --> 00:18:49.060
 ministers,

00:18:49.279 --> 00:18:49.580
 that they're

00:18:49.580 --> 00:18:50.360
 tent makers,

00:18:50.440 --> 00:18:50.920
 they do some

00:18:50.920 --> 00:18:51.580
 other work to

00:18:51.580 --> 00:18:51.920
 earn their

00:18:51.920 --> 00:18:53.080
 livelihood than

00:18:53.080 --> 00:18:53.720
 just preaching

00:18:53.720 --> 00:18:54.820
 the gospel.

00:18:55.360 --> 00:18:55.960
 But interestingly,

00:18:56.160 --> 00:18:57.000
 the Greek word

00:18:57.000 --> 00:18:57.320
 used for

00:18:57.320 --> 00:18:57.680
 tent makers

00:18:57.680 --> 00:18:58.360
 could also

00:18:58.360 --> 00:18:59.360
 refer to

00:18:59.360 --> 00:19:00.200
 leather

00:19:00.200 --> 00:19:00.720
 workers.

00:19:01.400 --> 00:19:02.000
 It could

00:19:02.000 --> 00:19:02.420
 also be

00:19:02.420 --> 00:19:03.380
 leather

00:19:03.380 --> 00:19:03.779
 workers.

00:19:03.920 --> 00:19:04.060
 And I

00:19:04.060 --> 00:19:04.360
 always had

00:19:04.360 --> 00:19:04.759
 this picture

00:19:04.759 --> 00:19:04.960
 in my

00:19:04.960 --> 00:19:05.420
 mind of

00:19:05.420 --> 00:19:06.080
 Paul with

00:19:06.080 --> 00:19:06.620
 canvas,

00:19:06.980 --> 00:19:08.360
 sewing canvas

00:19:08.360 --> 00:19:08.720
 tents,

00:19:08.960 --> 00:19:09.980
 but tents in

00:19:09.980 --> 00:19:10.539
 this day were

00:19:10.539 --> 00:19:11.279
 made from

00:19:11.279 --> 00:19:12.160
 animal skin.

00:19:12.160 --> 00:19:12.440
 They were

00:19:12.440 --> 00:19:13.120
 made from

00:19:13.120 --> 00:19:14.279
 leather.

00:19:14.519 --> 00:19:15.940
 So likely

00:19:15.940 --> 00:19:16.519
 they made

00:19:16.519 --> 00:19:16.840
 tents,

00:19:16.940 --> 00:19:17.100
 but they

00:19:17.100 --> 00:19:17.560
 also may

00:19:17.560 --> 00:19:18.019
 have made

00:19:18.019 --> 00:19:19.019
 many other

00:19:19.019 --> 00:19:19.279
 things.

00:19:19.360 --> 00:19:19.720
 Maybe in

00:19:19.720 --> 00:19:20.240
 Corinth all

00:19:20.240 --> 00:19:20.640
 the rage

00:19:20.640 --> 00:19:20.940
 was to

00:19:20.940 --> 00:19:21.259
 have an

00:19:21.259 --> 00:19:21.740
 original

00:19:21.740 --> 00:19:22.720
 Priscilla

00:19:22.720 --> 00:19:23.279
 purse.

00:19:25.759 --> 00:19:26.500
 A Paul

00:19:26.500 --> 00:19:26.920
 belt,

00:19:27.140 --> 00:19:27.580
 something like

00:19:27.580 --> 00:19:27.900
 that.

00:19:27.900 --> 00:19:29.060
 But this is

00:19:29.060 --> 00:19:29.380
 the work

00:19:29.380 --> 00:19:29.820
 that they're

00:19:29.820 --> 00:19:31.040
 doing when

00:19:31.040 --> 00:19:32.060
 they're

00:19:32.060 --> 00:19:32.840
 there.

00:19:34.480 --> 00:19:35.259
 You'll also

00:19:35.259 --> 00:19:36.019
 note that

00:19:36.019 --> 00:19:36.840
 Priscilla and

00:19:36.840 --> 00:19:37.580
 Aquila go

00:19:37.580 --> 00:19:38.540
 with him.

00:19:38.880 --> 00:19:39.300
 So verse

00:19:39.300 --> 00:19:39.840
 18,

00:19:41.019 --> 00:19:41.660
 after a year

00:19:41.660 --> 00:19:42.140
 and a half

00:19:42.140 --> 00:19:42.400
 and in

00:19:42.400 --> 00:19:43.060
 this trial,

00:19:43.680 --> 00:19:44.180
 Paul stays

00:19:44.180 --> 00:19:44.960
 many days

00:19:44.960 --> 00:19:45.480
 longer.

00:19:45.880 --> 00:19:46.380
 Luke records,

00:19:46.460 --> 00:19:46.820
 we don't know

00:19:46.820 --> 00:19:47.400
 exactly how

00:19:47.400 --> 00:19:47.700
 long,

00:19:47.780 --> 00:19:48.240
 but many

00:19:48.240 --> 00:19:49.440
 days longer

00:19:49.440 --> 00:19:49.840
 than he

00:19:49.840 --> 00:19:50.880
 takes leave

00:19:50.880 --> 00:19:51.100
 of the

00:19:51.100 --> 00:19:52.180
 brothers and

00:19:52.180 --> 00:19:52.620
 sets sails

00:19:52.620 --> 00:19:53.120
 for Syria

00:19:53.120 --> 00:19:53.980
 and with

00:19:53.980 --> 00:19:54.820
 him go

00:19:54.820 --> 00:19:55.980
 Priscilla

00:19:55.980 --> 00:19:58.540
 and Aquila.

00:19:59.200 --> 00:19:59.740
 And then in

00:19:59.740 --> 00:20:00.400
 verse 19,

00:20:00.759 --> 00:20:01.080
 when they

00:20:01.080 --> 00:20:01.520
 come to

00:20:01.520 --> 00:20:01.920
 Ephesus,

00:20:02.180 --> 00:20:03.040
 he leaves

00:20:03.040 --> 00:20:04.500
 them there

00:20:04.500 --> 00:20:04.960
 and along

00:20:04.960 --> 00:20:05.660
 with Apollos,

00:20:05.780 --> 00:20:06.820
 they become

00:20:06.820 --> 00:20:07.420
 the beginning

00:20:07.420 --> 00:20:08.580
 of the church

00:20:08.580 --> 00:20:09.980
 there at

00:20:09.980 --> 00:20:10.360
 Ephesus.

00:20:10.540 --> 00:20:10.740
 So they

00:20:10.740 --> 00:20:11.600
 become partners

00:20:11.599 --> 00:20:12.219
 with him,

00:20:12.339 --> 00:20:13.059
 new partners

00:20:13.059 --> 00:20:13.539
 with him

00:20:13.539 --> 00:20:14.839
 in gospel

00:20:14.839 --> 00:20:15.859
 ministry.

00:20:17.159 --> 00:20:17.659
 Beloved,

00:20:17.759 --> 00:20:18.980
 this is

00:20:18.980 --> 00:20:19.959
 God's

00:20:19.959 --> 00:20:20.419
 church.

00:20:20.740 --> 00:20:21.379
 It belongs

00:20:21.379 --> 00:20:21.740
 to him.

00:20:21.859 --> 00:20:22.219
 Christ's

00:20:22.219 --> 00:20:22.679
 family church

00:20:22.679 --> 00:20:23.179
 at Dahlonega

00:20:23.179 --> 00:20:24.559
 is his.

00:20:24.899 --> 00:20:25.819
 And if you

00:20:25.819 --> 00:20:26.480
 are a follower

00:20:26.480 --> 00:20:27.259
 of Jesus Christ,

00:20:27.399 --> 00:20:28.119
 you are

00:20:28.119 --> 00:20:28.819
 God's

00:20:28.819 --> 00:20:30.199
 children.

00:20:30.199 --> 00:20:31.199
 And he

00:20:31.199 --> 00:20:32.079
 will not

00:20:32.079 --> 00:20:33.480
 leave us

00:20:33.480 --> 00:20:34.399
 alone.

00:20:35.619 --> 00:20:36.459
 Partners in

00:20:36.459 --> 00:20:36.939
 ministry

00:20:36.939 --> 00:20:38.159
 will go.

00:20:38.959 --> 00:20:39.819
 They will.

00:20:39.819 --> 00:20:40.299
 I think

00:20:40.299 --> 00:20:40.539
 if we're

00:20:40.539 --> 00:20:40.679
 doing

00:20:40.679 --> 00:20:41.099
 faithful

00:20:41.099 --> 00:20:41.599
 ministry,

00:20:41.599 --> 00:20:42.359
 if we're

00:20:42.359 --> 00:20:43.519
 looking out

00:20:43.519 --> 00:20:44.000
 to the

00:20:44.000 --> 00:20:44.359
 world,

00:20:44.500 --> 00:20:44.919
 partners in

00:20:44.919 --> 00:20:45.200
 ministry

00:20:45.200 --> 00:20:46.740
 will go.

00:20:46.980 --> 00:20:47.919
 But they

00:20:47.919 --> 00:20:48.399
 will also

00:20:48.399 --> 00:20:49.139
 come.

00:20:49.639 --> 00:20:49.879
 They will

00:20:49.879 --> 00:20:50.619
 also come.

00:20:50.839 --> 00:20:51.039
 We have

00:20:51.039 --> 00:20:51.819
 new opportunity

00:20:51.819 --> 00:20:52.700
 for new

00:20:52.700 --> 00:20:53.259
 relationship

00:20:53.259 --> 00:20:54.279
 and new

00:20:54.279 --> 00:20:55.700
 investment.

00:20:56.399 --> 00:20:56.839
 And those

00:20:56.839 --> 00:20:57.379
 who come

00:20:57.379 --> 00:20:58.339
 are of great

00:20:58.339 --> 00:20:59.059
 benefit to

00:20:59.059 --> 00:21:00.579
 us in

00:21:00.579 --> 00:21:01.139
 that way.

00:21:02.399 --> 00:21:03.119
 Paul writes

00:21:03.119 --> 00:21:03.359
 to the

00:21:03.359 --> 00:21:03.679
 Philippian

00:21:03.679 --> 00:21:04.139
 church in

00:21:04.139 --> 00:21:04.819
 chapter 1

00:21:04.819 --> 00:21:05.460
 verses 3

00:21:05.460 --> 00:21:06.079
 through 5

00:21:06.079 --> 00:21:06.900
 of Philippians.

00:21:07.900 --> 00:21:08.299
 I thank

00:21:08.299 --> 00:21:08.920
 my God

00:21:08.920 --> 00:21:09.539
 in all

00:21:09.539 --> 00:21:10.340
 my remembrance

00:21:10.340 --> 00:21:11.579
 of you.

00:21:12.100 --> 00:21:12.840
 Always in

00:21:12.840 --> 00:21:13.480
 every prayer

00:21:13.480 --> 00:21:14.000
 of mine

00:21:14.000 --> 00:21:14.700
 for you

00:21:14.700 --> 00:21:15.680
 all making

00:21:15.680 --> 00:21:16.340
 my prayer

00:21:16.340 --> 00:21:16.960
 with joy.

00:21:17.140 --> 00:21:17.460
 Why?

00:21:18.380 --> 00:21:19.100
 Because of

00:21:19.100 --> 00:21:20.120
 your partnership

00:21:20.120 --> 00:21:20.660
 in the

00:21:20.660 --> 00:21:21.059
 gospel.

00:21:21.740 --> 00:21:22.200
 From the

00:21:22.200 --> 00:21:22.940
 first day

00:21:22.940 --> 00:21:24.019
 when he

00:21:24.019 --> 00:21:24.440
 came to

00:21:24.440 --> 00:21:24.740
 them,

00:21:25.100 --> 00:21:25.400
 when they

00:21:25.400 --> 00:21:25.940
 became

00:21:25.940 --> 00:21:26.480
 believers,

00:21:27.340 --> 00:21:28.160
 until

00:21:28.160 --> 00:21:29.500
 now.

00:21:30.079 --> 00:21:30.319
 And so

00:21:30.319 --> 00:21:30.940
 here's Paul

00:21:30.940 --> 00:21:31.539
 from a

00:21:31.539 --> 00:21:32.059
 distance

00:21:32.059 --> 00:21:32.680
 writing a

00:21:32.680 --> 00:21:33.140
 letter to

00:21:33.140 --> 00:21:33.380
 the

00:21:33.380 --> 00:21:33.800
 Philippian

00:21:33.800 --> 00:21:34.240
 church,

00:21:34.660 --> 00:21:34.980
 thanking

00:21:34.980 --> 00:21:35.480
 God,

00:21:35.840 --> 00:21:36.300
 praising

00:21:36.300 --> 00:21:37.259
 him for

00:21:37.259 --> 00:21:37.460
 the

00:21:37.460 --> 00:21:38.020
 partnership

00:21:38.020 --> 00:21:38.620
 they

00:21:38.620 --> 00:21:39.480
 still

00:21:39.480 --> 00:21:40.600
 had.

00:21:42.140 --> 00:21:42.800
 So God

00:21:42.800 --> 00:21:43.259
 encourages

00:21:43.259 --> 00:21:44.740
 the souls

00:21:44.740 --> 00:21:45.520
 of his

00:21:45.520 --> 00:21:46.020
 discouraged

00:21:46.020 --> 00:21:46.620
 servants

00:21:46.620 --> 00:21:48.200
 with new

00:21:48.200 --> 00:21:49.440
 partners.

00:21:50.960 --> 00:21:51.480
 Secondly,

00:21:51.640 --> 00:21:52.080
 he does

00:21:52.080 --> 00:21:53.980
 so with

00:21:53.980 --> 00:21:54.540
 provision,

00:21:54.860 --> 00:21:55.400
 and just

00:21:55.400 --> 00:21:55.920
 as a

00:21:55.920 --> 00:21:57.100
 side

00:21:57.100 --> 00:21:57.900
 alliterated

00:21:57.900 --> 00:21:58.400
 point,

00:21:58.700 --> 00:21:59.520
 with provision

00:21:59.520 --> 00:22:00.759
 from old

00:22:00.759 --> 00:22:01.100
 partners.

00:22:01.099 --> 00:22:01.259
 believers.

00:22:02.819 --> 00:22:03.419
 We see

00:22:03.419 --> 00:22:03.559
 in the

00:22:03.559 --> 00:22:03.879
 first part

00:22:03.879 --> 00:22:04.199
 of verse

00:22:04.199 --> 00:22:05.259
 5 that

00:22:05.259 --> 00:22:06.139
 Silas and

00:22:06.139 --> 00:22:06.500
 Timothy

00:22:06.500 --> 00:22:08.279
 arrive from

00:22:08.279 --> 00:22:09.059
 Macedonia.

00:22:10.159 --> 00:22:10.539
 You may

00:22:10.539 --> 00:22:11.599
 recall that

00:22:11.599 --> 00:22:12.059
 when Paul

00:22:12.059 --> 00:22:12.439
 was in

00:22:12.439 --> 00:22:12.819
 Athens,

00:22:13.000 --> 00:22:13.240
 he was

00:22:13.240 --> 00:22:14.199
 waiting for

00:22:14.199 --> 00:22:14.919
 Silas and

00:22:14.919 --> 00:22:15.939
 Timothy to

00:22:15.939 --> 00:22:16.699
 rejoin him

00:22:16.699 --> 00:22:17.099
 as he had

00:22:17.099 --> 00:22:17.659
 left them in

00:22:17.659 --> 00:22:18.119
 Berea with

00:22:18.119 --> 00:22:18.539
 orders to

00:22:18.539 --> 00:22:18.899
 come to

00:22:18.899 --> 00:22:19.639
 him as

00:22:19.639 --> 00:22:20.000
 soon as

00:22:20.000 --> 00:22:20.339
 possible.

00:22:20.439 --> 00:22:20.719
 That's

00:22:20.719 --> 00:22:21.039
 what he

00:22:21.039 --> 00:22:21.339
 was there

00:22:21.339 --> 00:22:21.719
 doing,

00:22:22.019 --> 00:22:22.219
 and then

00:22:22.219 --> 00:22:22.519
 as Paul

00:22:22.519 --> 00:22:22.899
 does,

00:22:22.959 --> 00:22:23.279
 as he's

00:22:23.279 --> 00:22:23.599
 waiting,

00:22:23.740 --> 00:22:24.139
 he went

00:22:24.139 --> 00:22:24.419
 about

00:22:24.419 --> 00:22:24.959
 preaching

00:22:24.959 --> 00:22:25.259
 the good

00:22:25.259 --> 00:22:26.219
 news of

00:22:26.219 --> 00:22:26.599
 Christ.

00:22:26.719 --> 00:22:26.899
 You can

00:22:26.899 --> 00:22:27.439
 see Acts

00:22:27.439 --> 00:22:28.019
 17,

00:22:28.299 --> 00:22:28.839
 15,

00:22:28.839 --> 00:22:30.240
 and 16

00:22:30.240 --> 00:22:31.140
 about that.

00:22:31.980 --> 00:22:32.299
 Now Luke

00:22:32.299 --> 00:22:32.700
 does not

00:22:32.700 --> 00:22:33.319
 record for

00:22:33.319 --> 00:22:33.720
 us that

00:22:33.720 --> 00:22:34.319
 Silas and

00:22:34.319 --> 00:22:35.079
 Timothy ever

00:22:35.079 --> 00:22:35.940
 found Paul

00:22:35.940 --> 00:22:36.620
 in Athens,

00:22:36.819 --> 00:22:37.740
 but many

00:22:37.740 --> 00:22:38.339
 have suggested

00:22:38.339 --> 00:22:38.799
 that they

00:22:38.799 --> 00:22:40.220
 did and

00:22:40.220 --> 00:22:40.759
 were sent

00:22:40.759 --> 00:22:41.660
 back into

00:22:41.660 --> 00:22:42.519
 Macedonia so

00:22:42.519 --> 00:22:42.740
 they would

00:22:42.740 --> 00:22:42.980
 have gone

00:22:42.980 --> 00:22:43.519
 north once

00:22:43.519 --> 00:22:44.279
 again to

00:22:44.279 --> 00:22:45.000
 Paul before

00:22:45.000 --> 00:22:45.799
 they joined

00:22:45.799 --> 00:22:46.200
 him in

00:22:46.200 --> 00:22:46.480
 Corinth.

00:22:46.640 --> 00:22:47.160
 So he

00:22:47.160 --> 00:22:47.420
 meets up

00:22:47.420 --> 00:22:47.620
 with them

00:22:47.620 --> 00:22:47.960
 in Athens,

00:22:48.059 --> 00:22:48.400
 he sends

00:22:48.400 --> 00:22:48.900
 them back

00:22:48.900 --> 00:22:49.200
 out,

00:22:49.640 --> 00:22:50.220
 he goes

00:22:50.220 --> 00:22:51.120
 on to

00:22:51.120 --> 00:22:51.460
 Corinth,

00:22:51.559 --> 00:22:51.819
 and then

00:22:51.819 --> 00:22:52.620
 they later

00:22:52.620 --> 00:22:54.380
 rejoin him.

00:22:55.319 --> 00:22:55.740
 I tend

00:22:55.740 --> 00:22:56.099
 to agree,

00:22:56.359 --> 00:22:57.200
 and here's

00:22:57.200 --> 00:22:57.519
 why.

00:22:57.519 --> 00:22:59.440
 In 1 Thessalonians

00:22:59.440 --> 00:23:00.099
 3,

00:23:00.259 --> 00:23:00.779
 verses 1 and

00:23:00.779 --> 00:23:00.960
 2,

00:23:01.059 --> 00:23:01.599
 Paul writes,

00:23:02.379 --> 00:23:02.859
 Therefore,

00:23:03.099 --> 00:23:03.400
 when we

00:23:03.400 --> 00:23:03.799
 could bear

00:23:03.799 --> 00:23:04.119
 it no

00:23:04.119 --> 00:23:04.519
 longer,

00:23:05.559 --> 00:23:06.559
 we were

00:23:06.559 --> 00:23:07.099
 willing to

00:23:07.099 --> 00:23:07.660
 be left

00:23:07.660 --> 00:23:08.680
 behind at

00:23:08.680 --> 00:23:09.139
 Athens

00:23:09.139 --> 00:23:09.819
 alone,

00:23:10.579 --> 00:23:11.599
 and we

00:23:11.599 --> 00:23:12.519
 sent

00:23:12.519 --> 00:23:13.139
 Timothy,

00:23:13.859 --> 00:23:14.579
 our brother

00:23:14.579 --> 00:23:15.160
 and God's

00:23:15.160 --> 00:23:15.799
 co-worker in

00:23:15.799 --> 00:23:16.480
 the gospel of

00:23:16.480 --> 00:23:16.920
 Christ,

00:23:17.420 --> 00:23:18.220
 to establish

00:23:18.220 --> 00:23:19.579
 and exhort

00:23:19.579 --> 00:23:20.440
 you in

00:23:20.440 --> 00:23:21.059
 your faith.

00:23:21.900 --> 00:23:22.359
 So I

00:23:22.359 --> 00:23:22.920
 think,

00:23:23.240 --> 00:23:23.539
 therefore,

00:23:23.680 --> 00:23:24.359
 when we

00:23:24.359 --> 00:23:24.639
 could bear

00:23:24.639 --> 00:23:24.900
 it no

00:23:24.900 --> 00:23:25.259
 longer,

00:23:25.359 --> 00:23:25.819
 as Paul

00:23:25.819 --> 00:23:26.500
 and Silas

00:23:26.500 --> 00:23:27.359
 and Timothy,

00:23:28.200 --> 00:23:28.579
 and then

00:23:28.579 --> 00:23:29.640
 we were

00:23:29.640 --> 00:23:30.140
 willing to

00:23:30.140 --> 00:23:30.500
 be left

00:23:30.500 --> 00:23:30.920
 behind at

00:23:30.920 --> 00:23:31.180
 Athens

00:23:31.180 --> 00:23:31.559
 alone,

00:23:31.680 --> 00:23:32.579
 as Paul

00:23:32.579 --> 00:23:34.019
 and Silas,

00:23:34.400 --> 00:23:34.859
 because they

00:23:34.859 --> 00:23:36.319
 sent Timothy

00:23:36.319 --> 00:23:37.220
 to the

00:23:37.220 --> 00:23:37.980
 Thessalonians.

00:23:38.220 --> 00:23:38.380
 Are you

00:23:38.380 --> 00:23:39.019
 catching that?

00:23:39.400 --> 00:23:40.079
 So at

00:23:40.079 --> 00:23:40.599
 very least

00:23:40.599 --> 00:23:40.880
 we can

00:23:40.880 --> 00:23:41.579
 see that

00:23:41.579 --> 00:23:42.200
 it's

00:23:42.200 --> 00:23:42.779
 probable,

00:23:43.059 --> 00:23:43.319
 it's very

00:23:43.319 --> 00:23:43.740
 likely,

00:23:44.140 --> 00:23:44.720
 that Timothy

00:23:44.720 --> 00:23:45.480
 left them

00:23:45.480 --> 00:23:46.480
 in Athens,

00:23:46.660 --> 00:23:47.539
 and then Silas

00:23:47.539 --> 00:23:48.000
 may have

00:23:48.000 --> 00:23:48.740
 also been

00:23:48.740 --> 00:23:49.440
 sent

00:23:49.440 --> 00:23:50.480
 somewhere.

00:23:51.140 --> 00:23:51.500
 But either

00:23:51.500 --> 00:23:51.720
 way,

00:23:51.799 --> 00:23:52.140
 they come

00:23:52.140 --> 00:23:52.339
 and they

00:23:52.339 --> 00:23:52.859
 find him.

00:23:52.980 --> 00:23:53.640
 They find

00:23:53.640 --> 00:23:54.400
 him coming

00:23:54.400 --> 00:23:55.339
 from Macedonia,

00:23:55.339 --> 00:23:56.839
 they find

00:23:56.839 --> 00:23:57.000
 him.

00:23:57.059 --> 00:23:57.500
 And when

00:23:57.500 --> 00:23:58.199
 they find

00:23:58.199 --> 00:23:58.599
 him,

00:23:58.759 --> 00:23:59.079
 midway

00:23:59.079 --> 00:23:59.339
 through

00:23:59.339 --> 00:24:00.259
 verse 5,

00:24:00.399 --> 00:24:00.559
 Luke

00:24:00.559 --> 00:24:01.159
 records,

00:24:01.740 --> 00:24:02.019
 in the

00:24:02.019 --> 00:24:02.679
 ESV,

00:24:03.259 --> 00:24:04.779
 Paul was

00:24:04.779 --> 00:24:05.579
 occupied

00:24:05.579 --> 00:24:07.379
 with the

00:24:07.379 --> 00:24:07.799
 Word,

00:24:08.459 --> 00:24:09.119
 testifying to

00:24:09.119 --> 00:24:09.559
 the Jews

00:24:09.559 --> 00:24:10.539
 that the

00:24:10.539 --> 00:24:11.019
 Christ

00:24:11.019 --> 00:24:11.839
 was

00:24:11.839 --> 00:24:12.879
 Jesus.

00:24:13.240 --> 00:24:13.720
 So we've

00:24:13.720 --> 00:24:14.179
 seen him

00:24:14.179 --> 00:24:14.919
 earlier in

00:24:14.919 --> 00:24:15.459
 the text,

00:24:15.740 --> 00:24:15.899
 right?

00:24:15.980 --> 00:24:16.379
 He seems

00:24:16.379 --> 00:24:16.579
 to be

00:24:16.579 --> 00:24:16.859
 working

00:24:16.859 --> 00:24:17.339
 during the

00:24:17.339 --> 00:24:17.939
 week and

00:24:17.939 --> 00:24:18.299
 attending

00:24:18.299 --> 00:24:19.119
 the synagogue

00:24:19.119 --> 00:24:19.859
 on the

00:24:19.859 --> 00:24:20.220
 weekends,

00:24:20.639 --> 00:24:21.000
 on the

00:24:21.000 --> 00:24:21.319
 Sabbath,

00:24:21.959 --> 00:24:22.179
 our

00:24:22.179 --> 00:24:22.659
 Saturday.

00:24:22.660 --> 00:24:24.460
 But here,

00:24:24.660 --> 00:24:25.019
 Paul's

00:24:25.019 --> 00:24:26.740
 occupied with

00:24:26.740 --> 00:24:28.320
 the Word.

00:24:29.740 --> 00:24:30.900
 Acts 18.5

00:24:30.900 --> 00:24:31.400
 in the

00:24:31.400 --> 00:24:32.019
 NASB

00:24:32.019 --> 00:24:32.420
 translation

00:24:32.420 --> 00:24:33.140
 says this,

00:24:33.200 --> 00:24:33.440
 but when

00:24:33.440 --> 00:24:33.840
 Silas and

00:24:33.840 --> 00:24:34.400
 Timothy came

00:24:34.400 --> 00:24:34.940
 down from

00:24:34.940 --> 00:24:35.519
 Macedonia,

00:24:36.400 --> 00:24:37.680
 Paul began

00:24:37.680 --> 00:24:38.360
 devoting

00:24:38.360 --> 00:24:38.860
 himself

00:24:38.860 --> 00:24:39.700
 completely

00:24:39.700 --> 00:24:41.100
 to the

00:24:41.100 --> 00:24:41.320
 Word.

00:24:41.380 --> 00:24:41.640
 And I

00:24:41.640 --> 00:24:42.040
 think that's

00:24:42.040 --> 00:24:42.540
 a better

00:24:42.540 --> 00:24:43.400
 rendering of

00:24:43.400 --> 00:24:43.660
 the middle

00:24:43.660 --> 00:24:44.400
 part of

00:24:44.400 --> 00:24:45.220
 verse 5.

00:24:45.300 --> 00:24:45.740
 That is to

00:24:45.740 --> 00:24:45.920
 say,

00:24:46.100 --> 00:24:47.759
 when Silas

00:24:47.759 --> 00:24:48.100
 and Timothy

00:24:48.100 --> 00:24:48.779
 came and

00:24:48.779 --> 00:24:49.460
 joined Paul,

00:24:49.779 --> 00:24:50.560
 he began

00:24:50.560 --> 00:24:51.200
 to be

00:24:51.200 --> 00:24:51.660
 occupied,

00:24:52.019 --> 00:24:52.320
 meaning,

00:24:52.660 --> 00:24:53.200
 he spent

00:24:53.200 --> 00:24:54.100
 all week

00:24:54.100 --> 00:24:54.400
 long.

00:24:54.480 --> 00:24:54.700
 He was

00:24:54.700 --> 00:24:55.259
 able to

00:24:55.259 --> 00:24:56.140
 set aside

00:24:56.140 --> 00:24:57.100
 tent making

00:24:57.100 --> 00:24:57.860
 for the

00:24:57.860 --> 00:24:58.259
 sake of

00:24:58.259 --> 00:24:58.580
 spending

00:24:58.580 --> 00:24:59.640
 more time

00:24:59.640 --> 00:25:01.279
 in gospel

00:25:01.279 --> 00:25:02.180
 proclamation.

00:25:03.640 --> 00:25:04.279
 A bit

00:25:04.279 --> 00:25:04.500
 of a

00:25:04.500 --> 00:25:05.040
 proof to

00:25:05.040 --> 00:25:05.320
 this,

00:25:05.720 --> 00:25:06.240
 2 Corinthians

00:25:06.240 --> 00:25:07.360
 11.9

00:25:07.360 --> 00:25:08.480
 And when

00:25:08.480 --> 00:25:08.940
 I was

00:25:08.940 --> 00:25:09.220
 with you,

00:25:09.279 --> 00:25:09.420
 this is

00:25:09.420 --> 00:25:09.640
 Paul,

00:25:09.720 --> 00:25:09.980
 when I

00:25:09.980 --> 00:25:10.340
 was with

00:25:10.340 --> 00:25:11.019
 you and

00:25:11.019 --> 00:25:11.400
 was in

00:25:11.400 --> 00:25:11.720
 need,

00:25:12.080 --> 00:25:12.400
 I did

00:25:12.400 --> 00:25:12.779
 not burden

00:25:12.779 --> 00:25:13.240
 anyone,

00:25:13.680 --> 00:25:14.420
 for the

00:25:14.420 --> 00:25:15.460
 brothers who

00:25:15.460 --> 00:25:15.880
 came from

00:25:15.880 --> 00:25:16.420
 Macedonia

00:25:16.420 --> 00:25:17.480
 supplied my

00:25:17.480 --> 00:25:17.820
 need.

00:25:17.920 --> 00:25:18.360
 I think

00:25:18.360 --> 00:25:18.560
 he's

00:25:18.560 --> 00:25:19.100
 referring to

00:25:19.100 --> 00:25:19.600
 Silas and

00:25:19.600 --> 00:25:20.140
 Timothy when

00:25:20.140 --> 00:25:20.440
 they come

00:25:20.440 --> 00:25:20.580
 from

00:25:20.580 --> 00:25:21.060
 Macedonia,

00:25:21.059 --> 00:25:22.359
 so I

00:25:22.359 --> 00:25:22.940
 refrained

00:25:22.940 --> 00:25:23.359
 and will

00:25:23.359 --> 00:25:24.519
 refrain from

00:25:24.519 --> 00:25:25.200
 burdening you

00:25:25.200 --> 00:25:26.279
 in any way.

00:25:26.419 --> 00:25:26.619
 So they

00:25:26.619 --> 00:25:27.139
 bring this

00:25:27.139 --> 00:25:28.519
 provision to

00:25:28.519 --> 00:25:29.639
 him which

00:25:29.639 --> 00:25:30.500
 enables him

00:25:30.500 --> 00:25:31.259
 to no longer

00:25:31.259 --> 00:25:32.299
 be a tent

00:25:32.299 --> 00:25:32.859
 maker but

00:25:32.859 --> 00:25:33.319
 to devote

00:25:33.319 --> 00:25:34.119
 himself fully

00:25:34.119 --> 00:25:35.139
 to gospel

00:25:35.139 --> 00:25:35.700
 proclamation,

00:25:36.099 --> 00:25:36.480
 at least for

00:25:36.480 --> 00:25:37.599
 this frame

00:25:37.599 --> 00:25:39.299
 of his

00:25:39.299 --> 00:25:39.700
 ministry.

00:25:40.220 --> 00:25:40.700
 God

00:25:40.700 --> 00:25:41.879
 provides

00:25:41.879 --> 00:25:43.039
 for his

00:25:43.039 --> 00:25:43.299
 own.

00:25:44.299 --> 00:25:44.960
 God cares

00:25:44.960 --> 00:25:45.259
 for his

00:25:45.259 --> 00:25:46.440
 people and

00:25:46.440 --> 00:25:46.720
 this should

00:25:46.720 --> 00:25:47.220
 greatly

00:25:47.220 --> 00:25:48.740
 encourage our

00:25:48.740 --> 00:25:49.079
 souls.

00:25:49.079 --> 00:25:49.539
 God

00:25:49.539 --> 00:26:01.139
 cares,

00:26:01.279 --> 00:26:01.619
 beloved,

00:26:01.759 --> 00:26:02.919
 about every

00:26:02.919 --> 00:26:04.460
 tiny little

00:26:04.460 --> 00:26:05.639
 detail of

00:26:05.639 --> 00:26:06.939
 your little

00:26:06.939 --> 00:26:08.240
 life.

00:26:09.619 --> 00:26:09.899
 In

00:26:09.899 --> 00:26:10.139
 Matthew

00:26:10.139 --> 00:26:10.759
 chapter 10

00:26:10.759 --> 00:26:11.379
 verse 29,

00:26:12.619 --> 00:26:13.159
 Jesus says,

00:26:13.240 --> 00:26:13.659
 as recorded

00:26:13.659 --> 00:26:14.279
 by Matthew,

00:26:14.659 --> 00:26:15.240
 are not

00:26:15.240 --> 00:26:16.240
 two sparrows

00:26:16.240 --> 00:26:16.980
 sold for a

00:26:16.980 --> 00:26:17.259
 penny,

00:26:17.259 --> 00:26:18.400
 and not

00:26:18.400 --> 00:26:18.839
 one of

00:26:18.839 --> 00:26:19.180
 them will

00:26:19.180 --> 00:26:19.660
 fall to

00:26:19.660 --> 00:26:20.220
 the ground

00:26:20.220 --> 00:26:21.759
 apart from

00:26:21.759 --> 00:26:22.200
 your father.

00:26:22.299 --> 00:26:22.640
 So even

00:26:22.640 --> 00:26:23.200
 this very

00:26:23.200 --> 00:26:24.160
 cheap bird,

00:26:24.259 --> 00:26:24.480
 which would

00:26:24.480 --> 00:26:24.779
 have been

00:26:24.779 --> 00:26:25.579
 the poor

00:26:25.579 --> 00:26:26.140
 person's

00:26:26.140 --> 00:26:26.799
 sacrifice at

00:26:26.799 --> 00:26:27.160
 the temple,

00:26:27.519 --> 00:26:29.220
 two sparrows

00:26:29.220 --> 00:26:30.559
 sold for a

00:26:30.559 --> 00:26:31.200
 penny are

00:26:31.200 --> 00:26:31.859
 precious in

00:26:31.859 --> 00:26:32.900
 God's sight,

00:26:33.140 --> 00:26:34.319
 and yet we're

00:26:34.319 --> 00:26:35.720
 more precious

00:26:35.720 --> 00:26:37.240
 than those

00:26:37.240 --> 00:26:38.379
 two sparrows.

00:26:39.740 --> 00:26:40.119
 Luke,

00:26:40.259 --> 00:26:40.480
 however,

00:26:40.619 --> 00:26:41.559
 records the

00:26:41.559 --> 00:26:42.900
 same speaking

00:26:42.900 --> 00:26:44.019
 by Jesus.

00:26:44.019 --> 00:26:44.519
 in this

00:26:44.519 --> 00:26:44.759
 way,

00:26:44.879 --> 00:26:45.039
 Luke

00:26:45.039 --> 00:26:45.480
 chapter 12

00:26:45.480 --> 00:26:46.099
 verse 6,

00:26:47.200 --> 00:26:47.759
 are not

00:26:47.759 --> 00:26:49.220
 five sparrows

00:26:49.220 --> 00:26:49.940
 sold for

00:26:49.940 --> 00:26:50.619
 two pennies,

00:26:51.099 --> 00:26:51.559
 and not

00:26:51.559 --> 00:26:51.920
 one of

00:26:51.920 --> 00:26:52.460
 them is

00:26:52.460 --> 00:26:52.839
 forgotten

00:26:52.839 --> 00:26:54.359
 before God.

00:26:54.480 --> 00:26:54.720
 So in

00:26:54.720 --> 00:26:55.259
 one text we

00:26:55.259 --> 00:26:55.559
 see that

00:26:55.559 --> 00:26:56.000
 two sparrows

00:26:56.000 --> 00:26:56.299
 are sold

00:26:56.299 --> 00:26:57.160
 for a

00:26:57.160 --> 00:26:57.339
 penny,

00:26:57.460 --> 00:26:57.639
 and in

00:26:57.639 --> 00:26:58.079
 another text

00:26:58.079 --> 00:26:58.339
 we've got

00:26:58.339 --> 00:26:58.960
 five for

00:26:58.960 --> 00:26:59.559
 two pennies,

00:26:59.680 --> 00:27:00.180
 which seems

00:27:00.180 --> 00:27:00.599
 to confuse

00:27:00.599 --> 00:27:01.139
 the price

00:27:01.139 --> 00:27:03.299
 of sparrows.

00:27:04.539 --> 00:27:05.240
 I suggest

00:27:05.240 --> 00:27:05.740
 to you

00:27:05.740 --> 00:27:07.119
 that if you

00:27:07.119 --> 00:27:07.480
 were a poor

00:27:07.480 --> 00:27:08.059
 person and

00:27:08.059 --> 00:27:08.400
 you went to

00:27:08.400 --> 00:27:08.839
 the temple

00:27:08.839 --> 00:27:10.240
 and you

00:27:10.240 --> 00:27:12.159
 bought four

00:27:12.159 --> 00:27:13.119
 for two

00:27:13.119 --> 00:27:13.539
 pennies,

00:27:13.720 --> 00:27:14.279
 they threw

00:27:14.279 --> 00:27:15.159
 in an odd

00:27:15.159 --> 00:27:15.639
 sparrow.

00:27:17.299 --> 00:27:18.159
 And beloved,

00:27:18.319 --> 00:27:18.959
 you and I

00:27:18.959 --> 00:27:20.299
 are the odd

00:27:20.299 --> 00:27:20.679
 sparrow.

00:27:21.599 --> 00:27:23.099
 God cares

00:27:23.099 --> 00:27:24.720
 for us.

00:27:25.799 --> 00:27:26.399
 So God

00:27:26.399 --> 00:27:27.000
 encourages the

00:27:27.000 --> 00:27:27.599
 souls of His

00:27:27.599 --> 00:27:28.179
 discouraged

00:27:28.179 --> 00:27:29.139
 servants with

00:27:29.139 --> 00:27:30.379
 new partners

00:27:30.379 --> 00:27:32.139
 and with

00:27:32.139 --> 00:27:33.039
 provision

00:27:33.039 --> 00:27:33.980
 coming by

00:27:33.980 --> 00:27:34.399
 the hand of

00:27:34.399 --> 00:27:35.379
 old partners.

00:27:36.559 --> 00:27:37.119
 And He also,

00:27:38.039 --> 00:27:38.419
 and most

00:27:38.420 --> 00:27:38.960
 importantly,

00:27:39.220 --> 00:27:39.779
 encourages the

00:27:39.779 --> 00:27:40.900
 souls of His

00:27:40.900 --> 00:27:41.259
 discouraged

00:27:41.259 --> 00:27:42.840
 servants with

00:27:42.840 --> 00:27:43.620
 His presence.

00:27:44.820 --> 00:27:45.160
 With His

00:27:45.160 --> 00:27:45.560
 presence.

00:27:48.500 --> 00:27:49.140
 Paul seems

00:27:49.140 --> 00:27:50.340
 to be so

00:27:50.340 --> 00:27:51.380
 discouraged at

00:27:51.380 --> 00:27:52.500
 this point that

00:27:52.500 --> 00:27:54.080
 God visits

00:27:54.080 --> 00:27:54.759
 him in a

00:27:54.759 --> 00:27:55.000
 vision.

00:27:55.300 --> 00:27:55.600
 In a very

00:27:55.600 --> 00:27:57.360
 special way,

00:27:57.460 --> 00:27:58.240
 he comes

00:27:58.240 --> 00:27:59.620
 alongside

00:27:59.620 --> 00:28:01.560
 Paul in a

00:28:01.560 --> 00:28:02.019
 vision in

00:28:02.019 --> 00:28:02.980
 verse 9.

00:28:03.060 --> 00:28:03.600
 And he says,

00:28:04.279 --> 00:28:05.180
 do not be

00:28:05.180 --> 00:28:05.880
 afraid, but

00:28:05.880 --> 00:28:06.820
 go on speaking

00:28:06.820 --> 00:28:07.620
 and do not

00:28:07.620 --> 00:28:08.320
 be silent,

00:28:08.420 --> 00:28:09.120
 why?

00:28:09.620 --> 00:28:10.580
 For I

00:28:10.580 --> 00:28:11.960
 am with

00:28:11.960 --> 00:28:12.240
 you.

00:28:13.120 --> 00:28:13.779
 For I am

00:28:13.779 --> 00:28:14.320
 with you.

00:28:15.740 --> 00:28:16.500
 Jesus made

00:28:16.500 --> 00:28:17.259
 this very

00:28:17.259 --> 00:28:18.380
 promise to

00:28:18.380 --> 00:28:18.900
 the apostles

00:28:18.900 --> 00:28:19.340
 in Matthew

00:28:19.340 --> 00:28:20.140
 chapter 28,

00:28:20.600 --> 00:28:21.400
 verses 18

00:28:21.400 --> 00:28:22.880
 through 20.

00:28:23.000 --> 00:28:23.380
 And Jesus

00:28:23.380 --> 00:28:24.000
 came and

00:28:24.000 --> 00:28:24.519
 said to

00:28:24.519 --> 00:28:24.880
 them,

00:28:25.960 --> 00:28:27.060
 all authority

00:28:27.060 --> 00:28:27.539
 in heaven and

00:28:27.539 --> 00:28:27.880
 on earth has

00:28:27.880 --> 00:28:28.180
 been given

00:28:28.180 --> 00:28:28.840
 to me.

00:28:29.800 --> 00:28:30.480
 Go therefore

00:28:30.480 --> 00:28:30.779
 and make

00:28:30.779 --> 00:28:31.320
 disciples of

00:28:31.320 --> 00:28:31.800
 all nations,

00:28:31.960 --> 00:28:32.620
 baptizing them

00:28:32.620 --> 00:28:32.900
 in the name

00:28:32.900 --> 00:28:33.480
 of the Father

00:28:33.480 --> 00:28:34.320
 and of the

00:28:34.320 --> 00:28:34.720
 Son and of the

00:28:34.720 --> 00:28:35.160
 Holy Spirit,

00:28:35.259 --> 00:28:35.680
 teaching them

00:28:35.680 --> 00:28:36.100
 to observe

00:28:36.100 --> 00:28:37.320
 all that I

00:28:37.320 --> 00:28:38.460
 have commanded

00:28:38.460 --> 00:28:38.799
 you.

00:28:39.019 --> 00:28:39.400
 There's the

00:28:39.400 --> 00:28:40.220
 great commission,

00:28:40.620 --> 00:28:41.860
 the command

00:28:41.860 --> 00:28:42.680
 given to all

00:28:42.680 --> 00:28:43.220
 followers of

00:28:43.220 --> 00:28:43.900
 Jesus Christ,

00:28:43.980 --> 00:28:44.460
 and he ends

00:28:44.460 --> 00:28:45.039
 it this way,

00:28:45.140 --> 00:28:45.779
 and behold,

00:28:46.259 --> 00:28:47.140
 I am with

00:28:47.140 --> 00:28:48.519
 you always

00:28:48.519 --> 00:28:50.140
 to the end

00:28:50.140 --> 00:28:50.940
 of the age.

00:28:51.660 --> 00:28:52.080
 And we do

00:28:52.080 --> 00:28:52.600
 not want to

00:28:52.600 --> 00:28:53.019
 forget that

00:28:53.019 --> 00:28:53.560
 that wonderful

00:28:53.560 --> 00:28:54.140
 promise at the

00:28:54.140 --> 00:28:54.740
 end of verse

00:28:54.740 --> 00:28:55.600
 20 is coupled

00:28:55.600 --> 00:28:57.720
 with Jesus'

00:28:57.980 --> 00:28:58.860
 proclamation at

00:28:58.860 --> 00:28:59.420
 the beginning of

00:28:59.420 --> 00:29:00.279
 verse 18.

00:29:00.279 --> 00:29:01.359
 all authority

00:29:01.359 --> 00:29:02.700
 in heaven and

00:29:02.700 --> 00:29:03.720
 on earth has

00:29:03.720 --> 00:29:04.119
 been given

00:29:04.119 --> 00:29:04.980
 to me.

00:29:05.519 --> 00:29:05.859
 So we have

00:29:05.859 --> 00:29:07.240
 the all-powerful

00:29:07.240 --> 00:29:08.859
 ascended Jesus

00:29:08.859 --> 00:29:10.019
 Christ with

00:29:10.019 --> 00:29:12.559
 us always.

00:29:13.639 --> 00:29:14.399
 How is it that

00:29:14.399 --> 00:29:14.859
 God's presence

00:29:14.859 --> 00:29:15.559
 is with us?

00:29:16.480 --> 00:29:18.000
 Jesus, who is

00:29:18.000 --> 00:29:19.259
 God, says to

00:29:19.259 --> 00:29:19.819
 the apostles,

00:29:20.819 --> 00:29:21.740
 I am with you

00:29:21.740 --> 00:29:22.519
 always.

00:29:22.599 --> 00:29:23.180
 And to Paul,

00:29:23.519 --> 00:29:25.180
 for I am

00:29:25.180 --> 00:29:25.660
 with you.

00:29:25.819 --> 00:29:26.319
 And he says

00:29:26.319 --> 00:29:27.039
 the same to

00:29:27.039 --> 00:29:28.720
 all his people.

00:29:29.299 --> 00:29:29.859
 But how?

00:29:29.859 --> 00:29:30.339
 How?

00:29:30.500 --> 00:29:30.939
 How is this

00:29:30.939 --> 00:29:31.519
 accomplished?

00:29:31.779 --> 00:29:31.879
 Right?

00:29:32.179 --> 00:29:32.740
 How is the

00:29:32.740 --> 00:29:34.159
 presence of

00:29:34.159 --> 00:29:36.519
 Christ experienced

00:29:36.519 --> 00:29:38.119
 by his people?

00:29:39.339 --> 00:29:39.859
 In 2 Corinthians

00:29:39.859 --> 00:29:41.479
 13-14, Paul

00:29:41.479 --> 00:29:42.679
 writes this to

00:29:42.679 --> 00:29:43.059
 the Corinthian

00:29:43.059 --> 00:29:43.419
 believers,

00:29:44.319 --> 00:29:44.839
 the grace of

00:29:44.839 --> 00:29:45.240
 the Lord Jesus

00:29:45.240 --> 00:29:46.879
 Christ and the

00:29:46.879 --> 00:29:47.719
 love of God

00:29:47.719 --> 00:29:48.559
 and the

00:29:48.559 --> 00:29:49.319
 fellowship of

00:29:49.319 --> 00:29:50.299
 the Holy Spirit

00:29:50.299 --> 00:29:52.119
 be with you

00:29:52.119 --> 00:29:53.259
 all.

00:29:54.439 --> 00:29:54.859
 This is a

00:29:54.859 --> 00:29:55.419
 classic

00:29:55.419 --> 00:29:56.199
 Trinitarian

00:29:56.199 --> 00:29:57.199
 text where we

00:29:57.199 --> 00:29:58.279
 see all of

00:29:58.279 --> 00:29:59.059
 the persons of

00:29:59.059 --> 00:29:59.719
 the Godhead

00:29:59.720 --> 00:30:00.779
 in a single

00:30:00.779 --> 00:30:01.079
 verse.

00:30:01.180 --> 00:30:01.740
 But today,

00:30:02.079 --> 00:30:02.779
 note the

00:30:02.779 --> 00:30:03.339
 phrase,

00:30:03.940 --> 00:30:05.680
 be with you.

00:30:06.559 --> 00:30:07.559
 How is it?

00:30:07.759 --> 00:30:08.660
 How is it

00:30:08.660 --> 00:30:09.559
 that all of

00:30:09.559 --> 00:30:10.519
 these aspects

00:30:10.519 --> 00:30:11.339
 of who God

00:30:11.339 --> 00:30:11.559
 is,

00:30:11.640 --> 00:30:13.100
 is with us?

00:30:14.259 --> 00:30:15.200
 It's by the

00:30:15.200 --> 00:30:16.600
 fellowship of

00:30:16.600 --> 00:30:17.259
 the Holy Spirit.

00:30:17.960 --> 00:30:18.559
 If you are a

00:30:18.559 --> 00:30:19.160
 follower of Jesus

00:30:19.160 --> 00:30:19.579
 Christ,

00:30:19.660 --> 00:30:20.000
 if you are

00:30:20.000 --> 00:30:20.900
 regenerate,

00:30:21.559 --> 00:30:22.579
 you are such

00:30:22.579 --> 00:30:23.960
 because the

00:30:23.960 --> 00:30:24.460
 very Spirit of

00:30:24.460 --> 00:30:25.279
 God dwells

00:30:25.279 --> 00:30:25.720
 within you.

00:30:25.720 --> 00:30:26.620
 and He uses

00:30:26.620 --> 00:30:28.360
 a tool to

00:30:28.360 --> 00:30:29.620
 accomplish His

00:30:29.620 --> 00:30:30.680
 purposes in

00:30:30.680 --> 00:30:31.360
 our life.

00:30:31.680 --> 00:30:32.059
 It's His

00:30:32.059 --> 00:30:32.380
 Word.

00:30:34.100 --> 00:30:34.779
 I cannot say

00:30:34.779 --> 00:30:35.220
 it to you

00:30:35.220 --> 00:30:35.660
 enough.

00:30:36.059 --> 00:30:36.680
 I will not

00:30:36.680 --> 00:30:37.600
 grow tired of

00:30:37.600 --> 00:30:37.920
 saying,

00:30:38.440 --> 00:30:40.779
 God's Word

00:30:40.779 --> 00:30:42.079
 is authoritative.

00:30:42.559 --> 00:30:43.600
 It's powerful.

00:30:44.059 --> 00:30:44.980
 It's inerrant.

00:30:45.240 --> 00:30:46.240
 It is sufficient

00:30:46.240 --> 00:30:48.019
 for our living.

00:30:48.559 --> 00:30:49.259
 We live in an

00:30:49.259 --> 00:30:49.759
 age where the

00:30:49.759 --> 00:30:50.319
 Word of God is

00:30:50.319 --> 00:30:51.279
 being altogether

00:30:51.279 --> 00:30:52.799
 thrown out.

00:30:52.799 --> 00:30:54.460
 I have met

00:30:54.460 --> 00:30:55.159
 across the past

00:30:55.159 --> 00:30:55.940
 couple of weeks

00:30:55.940 --> 00:30:56.579
 people who

00:30:56.579 --> 00:30:57.259
 profess to

00:30:57.259 --> 00:30:57.740
 follow Jesus

00:30:57.740 --> 00:30:58.599
 Christ who

00:30:58.599 --> 00:30:59.200
 have no

00:30:59.200 --> 00:31:00.339
 familiarity with

00:31:00.339 --> 00:31:00.720
 the Bible

00:31:00.720 --> 00:31:01.519
 whatsoever.

00:31:02.079 --> 00:31:02.500
 Just in

00:31:02.500 --> 00:31:03.019
 talking with

00:31:03.019 --> 00:31:03.299
 them about

00:31:03.299 --> 00:31:03.659
 what the

00:31:03.659 --> 00:31:04.779
 Gospel even

00:31:04.779 --> 00:31:05.599
 is.

00:31:06.240 --> 00:31:06.779
 Regular

00:31:06.779 --> 00:31:08.319
 attenders of

00:31:08.319 --> 00:31:08.940
 churches in

00:31:08.940 --> 00:31:09.879
 our area that

00:31:09.879 --> 00:31:10.740
 have no

00:31:10.740 --> 00:31:12.039
 idea.

00:31:13.180 --> 00:31:13.960
 I attended

00:31:13.960 --> 00:31:14.859
 a meeting of

00:31:14.859 --> 00:31:15.700
 our association

00:31:15.700 --> 00:31:16.359
 of churches

00:31:16.359 --> 00:31:17.279
 this past

00:31:17.279 --> 00:31:18.039
 week that

00:31:18.039 --> 00:31:18.680
 lasted three

00:31:18.680 --> 00:31:19.159
 and a half

00:31:19.159 --> 00:31:20.200
 hours and the

00:31:20.200 --> 00:31:20.940
 Bible was not

00:31:20.940 --> 00:31:22.740
 referenced once.

00:31:22.799 --> 00:31:25.099
 a group of

00:31:25.099 --> 00:31:25.579
 pastors,

00:31:26.159 --> 00:31:26.720
 me and the

00:31:26.720 --> 00:31:27.339
 Association of

00:31:27.339 --> 00:31:27.680
 Missionaries,

00:31:27.740 --> 00:31:28.720
 the only ones

00:31:28.720 --> 00:31:29.779
 with Bibles on

00:31:29.779 --> 00:31:31.000
 our table ready

00:31:31.000 --> 00:31:32.180
 to use them.

00:31:33.460 --> 00:31:34.019
 And as a note,

00:31:34.079 --> 00:31:34.519
 I didn't get a

00:31:34.519 --> 00:31:34.859
 chance.

00:31:35.960 --> 00:31:36.700
 I was asked to

00:31:36.700 --> 00:31:37.399
 pray so I packed

00:31:37.399 --> 00:31:37.799
 a lot of

00:31:37.799 --> 00:31:38.480
 scripture into my

00:31:38.480 --> 00:31:40.799
 prayer at the

00:31:40.799 --> 00:31:41.099
 end.

00:31:44.379 --> 00:31:45.019
 Altogether in

00:31:45.019 --> 00:31:45.519
 some cases,

00:31:45.639 --> 00:31:46.460
 just entirely

00:31:46.460 --> 00:31:47.440
 dismissed it.

00:31:47.480 --> 00:31:47.839
 But beloved,

00:31:47.919 --> 00:31:48.480
 if we want to

00:31:48.480 --> 00:31:48.980
 experience the

00:31:48.980 --> 00:31:49.579
 presence of God,

00:31:49.960 --> 00:31:50.539
 the Spirit of

00:31:50.539 --> 00:31:51.180
 God is with us

00:31:51.180 --> 00:31:51.639
 and He's going

00:31:51.639 --> 00:31:52.559
 to use the

00:31:52.559 --> 00:31:53.980
 Word to help

00:31:53.980 --> 00:31:55.119
 us to do

00:31:55.119 --> 00:31:55.419
 so.

00:31:55.919 --> 00:31:56.399
 And I hope

00:31:56.399 --> 00:31:56.980
 as a Christian

00:31:56.980 --> 00:31:57.859
 you have spent

00:31:57.859 --> 00:31:59.159
 time in God's

00:31:59.159 --> 00:31:59.940
 Word, that you

00:31:59.940 --> 00:32:00.659
 have been changed

00:32:00.659 --> 00:32:01.319
 by it and that

00:32:01.319 --> 00:32:01.940
 you have felt

00:32:01.940 --> 00:32:02.879
 that presence

00:32:02.879 --> 00:32:03.799
 in it.

00:32:04.359 --> 00:32:05.440
 God speaks to

00:32:05.440 --> 00:32:06.819
 me through

00:32:06.819 --> 00:32:07.220
 His Word.

00:32:07.879 --> 00:32:08.559
 As I take it

00:32:08.559 --> 00:32:09.440
 up and as I

00:32:09.440 --> 00:32:10.720
 read it, I see

00:32:10.720 --> 00:32:11.539
 and savor His

00:32:11.539 --> 00:32:12.319
 goodness.

00:32:13.159 --> 00:32:13.720
 He speaks

00:32:13.720 --> 00:32:14.480
 into me.

00:32:14.539 --> 00:32:14.859
 The Bible

00:32:14.859 --> 00:32:16.059
 reads me,

00:32:16.720 --> 00:32:17.839
 exposes my

00:32:17.839 --> 00:32:18.359
 sinfulness,

00:32:18.740 --> 00:32:19.339
 leads me in

00:32:19.339 --> 00:32:19.799
 obedience.

00:32:19.799 --> 00:32:20.000
 obedience.

00:32:20.539 --> 00:32:21.099
 I can be

00:32:21.099 --> 00:32:22.000
 close to

00:32:22.000 --> 00:32:22.559
 God because

00:32:22.559 --> 00:32:23.500
 I have

00:32:23.500 --> 00:32:25.539
 His Word.

00:32:27.079 --> 00:32:27.680
 Martin Lloyd

00:32:27.680 --> 00:32:28.240
 Jones said

00:32:28.240 --> 00:32:28.879
 this, and I

00:32:28.879 --> 00:32:29.460
 just wanted to

00:32:29.460 --> 00:32:29.779
 include, I

00:32:29.779 --> 00:32:30.359
 put this on

00:32:30.359 --> 00:32:31.139
 your bulletin,

00:32:31.619 --> 00:32:32.019
 Andy, thank

00:32:32.019 --> 00:32:32.419
 you for making

00:32:32.419 --> 00:32:35.180
 it fit, because

00:32:35.180 --> 00:32:35.859
 this is often

00:32:35.859 --> 00:32:37.180
 the way I feel

00:32:37.180 --> 00:32:37.639
 as I meet

00:32:37.639 --> 00:32:38.519
 with God in

00:32:38.519 --> 00:32:39.359
 His Word.

00:32:41.779 --> 00:32:42.440
 Analogy by

00:32:42.440 --> 00:32:43.200
 the great

00:32:43.200 --> 00:32:44.279
 Dr. Lloyd

00:32:44.279 --> 00:32:45.440
 Jones, a man

00:32:45.440 --> 00:32:45.819
 and his little

00:32:45.819 --> 00:32:46.500
 child are walking

00:32:46.500 --> 00:32:47.440
 down the road and

00:32:47.440 --> 00:32:48.019
 they are walking

00:32:48.019 --> 00:32:48.920
 hand in hand.

00:32:49.779 --> 00:32:50.339
 And the child

00:32:50.339 --> 00:32:50.879
 knows that he

00:32:50.879 --> 00:32:51.819
 is the child of

00:32:51.819 --> 00:32:53.119
 his father and

00:32:53.119 --> 00:32:53.779
 he knows that his

00:32:53.779 --> 00:32:54.759
 father loves him

00:32:54.759 --> 00:32:55.819
 and he rejoices in

00:32:55.819 --> 00:32:56.440
 that and he is

00:32:56.440 --> 00:32:57.500
 happy in it.

00:32:58.079 --> 00:32:58.700
 There is no

00:32:58.700 --> 00:32:59.639
 uncertainty about

00:32:59.639 --> 00:33:00.779
 it all, but

00:33:00.779 --> 00:33:01.279
 suddenly the

00:33:01.279 --> 00:33:02.460
 father, moved

00:33:02.460 --> 00:33:03.900
 by some impulse,

00:33:04.359 --> 00:33:04.940
 takes hold of

00:33:04.940 --> 00:33:05.980
 the child and

00:33:05.980 --> 00:33:06.759
 picks him up,

00:33:07.379 --> 00:33:07.920
 carries him in

00:33:07.920 --> 00:33:08.339
 his arm,

00:33:09.079 --> 00:33:09.619
 kisses him,

00:33:10.200 --> 00:33:11.099
 embraces him,

00:33:11.680 --> 00:33:12.559
 showers his love

00:33:12.559 --> 00:33:13.779
 upon him, and

00:33:13.779 --> 00:33:14.119
 then he puts

00:33:14.119 --> 00:33:14.740
 him down again

00:33:14.740 --> 00:33:15.879
 and they go on

00:33:15.879 --> 00:33:17.279
 walking together.

00:33:18.019 --> 00:33:19.299
 We need that

00:33:19.299 --> 00:33:20.839
 experience and

00:33:20.839 --> 00:33:22.039
 it is waiting for

00:33:22.039 --> 00:33:23.359
 us by the power

00:33:23.359 --> 00:33:23.799
 of the Spirit

00:33:23.799 --> 00:33:25.299
 in His Word.

00:33:25.420 --> 00:33:26.920
 Take it up and

00:33:26.920 --> 00:33:27.980
 read.

00:33:28.160 --> 00:33:29.059
 Whoever comes

00:33:29.059 --> 00:33:30.700
 and whoever

00:33:30.700 --> 00:33:31.519
 goes,

00:33:32.460 --> 00:33:33.559
 Jesus is with

00:33:33.559 --> 00:33:35.000
 us and Jesus

00:33:35.000 --> 00:33:36.680
 is enough.

00:33:38.559 --> 00:33:39.240
 God encourages

00:33:39.240 --> 00:33:40.700
 the souls of

00:33:40.700 --> 00:33:41.379
 His discouraged

00:33:41.379 --> 00:33:42.539
 servants with

00:33:42.539 --> 00:33:43.259
 new partners,

00:33:43.440 --> 00:33:44.359
 with provision,

00:33:44.359 --> 00:33:45.740
 with His

00:33:45.740 --> 00:33:46.740
 presence,

00:33:47.059 --> 00:33:48.439
 and with

00:33:48.439 --> 00:33:49.139
 protection.

00:33:50.839 --> 00:33:51.459
 In the same

00:33:51.459 --> 00:33:51.859
 vision,

00:33:53.259 --> 00:33:54.119
 middle part of

00:33:54.119 --> 00:33:55.099
 verse 10,

00:33:56.399 --> 00:33:57.139
 Jesus says

00:33:57.139 --> 00:33:58.379
 to Paul,

00:33:58.639 --> 00:33:59.500
 and no one

00:33:59.500 --> 00:34:00.619
 will attack you

00:34:00.619 --> 00:34:02.119
 to harm you.

00:34:03.699 --> 00:34:04.379
 Luke tells us

00:34:04.379 --> 00:34:05.000
 that Paul is

00:34:05.000 --> 00:34:05.419
 able to

00:34:05.419 --> 00:34:06.299
 minister for a

00:34:06.299 --> 00:34:07.240
 year and a

00:34:07.240 --> 00:34:08.599
 half without

00:34:08.599 --> 00:34:09.440
 harm, which is a

00:34:09.440 --> 00:34:10.139
 pretty astounding

00:34:10.139 --> 00:34:10.739
 thing in the

00:34:10.739 --> 00:34:12.199
 ministry of Paul.

00:34:12.199 --> 00:34:13.579
 That does not

00:34:13.579 --> 00:34:14.279
 mean that Paul

00:34:14.279 --> 00:34:15.279
 didn't experience

00:34:15.279 --> 00:34:15.939
 conflict.

00:34:16.719 --> 00:34:17.599
 He has set up

00:34:17.599 --> 00:34:18.500
 camp, and I love

00:34:18.500 --> 00:34:19.000
 that he did,

00:34:19.079 --> 00:34:20.279
 right next door to

00:34:20.279 --> 00:34:20.699
 the synagogue.

00:34:21.119 --> 00:34:21.599
 The Jews didn't

00:34:21.599 --> 00:34:22.019
 want to hear him

00:34:22.019 --> 00:34:22.299
 anymore.

00:34:22.379 --> 00:34:22.559
 He said,

00:34:22.639 --> 00:34:23.019
 I'm going to go

00:34:23.019 --> 00:34:23.699
 to the Gentiles,

00:34:23.859 --> 00:34:24.639
 and he went

00:34:24.639 --> 00:34:26.299
 right next door to

00:34:26.299 --> 00:34:27.319
 the synagogue

00:34:27.319 --> 00:34:28.379
 itself.

00:34:29.000 --> 00:34:30.059
 I am confident

00:34:30.059 --> 00:34:30.819
 that across this

00:34:30.819 --> 00:34:31.539
 year and a half,

00:34:31.699 --> 00:34:32.259
 people just didn't

00:34:32.259 --> 00:34:32.939
 go, yeah,

00:34:33.000 --> 00:34:33.639
 yeah, Paul,

00:34:33.779 --> 00:34:34.579
 let's ignore him

00:34:34.579 --> 00:34:35.399
 for a while.

00:34:35.400 --> 00:34:36.880
 They are still

00:34:36.880 --> 00:34:37.900
 upset at him,

00:34:38.220 --> 00:34:39.380
 but he does not

00:34:39.380 --> 00:34:41.820
 receive harm.

00:34:42.780 --> 00:34:43.260
 And Luke records

00:34:43.260 --> 00:34:44.460
 a specific conflict

00:34:44.460 --> 00:34:45.160
 for our benefit.

00:34:45.519 --> 00:34:47.019
 This story about

00:34:47.019 --> 00:34:48.500
 Galio and the

00:34:48.500 --> 00:34:49.800
 Jews bringing Paul

00:34:49.800 --> 00:34:50.960
 before Galio is

00:34:50.960 --> 00:34:51.639
 to make that

00:34:51.639 --> 00:34:52.019
 point.

00:34:52.280 --> 00:34:53.480
 Like, Jesus made

00:34:53.480 --> 00:34:54.420
 a promise to him

00:34:54.420 --> 00:34:54.940
 that he wouldn't

00:34:54.940 --> 00:34:55.940
 be harmed and

00:34:55.940 --> 00:34:56.920
 kept that promise,

00:34:57.000 --> 00:34:57.760
 and here's an

00:34:57.760 --> 00:34:59.039
 occasion that that

00:34:59.039 --> 00:34:59.900
 happened.

00:35:00.139 --> 00:35:01.519
 So, Galio was

00:35:01.519 --> 00:35:02.400
 the proconsul of

00:35:02.400 --> 00:35:04.240
 Achaia, young in

00:35:04.240 --> 00:35:04.980
 that position,

00:35:05.400 --> 00:35:06.920
 some have

00:35:06.920 --> 00:35:07.539
 supposed the

00:35:07.539 --> 00:35:08.320
 Jews made a

00:35:08.320 --> 00:35:09.360
 united attack on

00:35:09.360 --> 00:35:10.420
 Paul because

00:35:10.420 --> 00:35:12.260
 Galio was young.

00:35:12.340 --> 00:35:12.660
 They knew they

00:35:12.660 --> 00:35:13.160
 didn't have a

00:35:13.160 --> 00:35:14.260
 legitimate claim

00:35:14.260 --> 00:35:15.079
 against Paul,

00:35:15.160 --> 00:35:15.460
 and so they

00:35:15.460 --> 00:35:15.960
 thought that they

00:35:15.960 --> 00:35:16.840
 could wrap him

00:35:16.840 --> 00:35:18.059
 up in a power

00:35:18.059 --> 00:35:18.900
 trip and get him

00:35:18.900 --> 00:35:20.019
 to deliver some

00:35:20.019 --> 00:35:20.599
 kind of judgment

00:35:20.599 --> 00:35:22.059
 against Paul.

00:35:22.320 --> 00:35:22.880
 And the charge

00:35:22.880 --> 00:35:23.240
 they brought,

00:35:23.340 --> 00:35:23.800
 verse 13,

00:35:23.880 --> 00:35:24.660
 is this man is

00:35:24.660 --> 00:35:25.639
 persuading people

00:35:25.639 --> 00:35:26.740
 to worship God

00:35:26.740 --> 00:35:28.880
 contrary to the

00:35:28.880 --> 00:35:29.180
 law.

00:35:30.119 --> 00:35:30.880
 And other

00:35:30.880 --> 00:35:31.700
 times,

00:35:32.639 --> 00:35:33.760
 the trial

00:35:33.760 --> 00:35:35.380
 and execution

00:35:35.380 --> 00:35:36.340
 of our Lord

00:35:36.340 --> 00:35:36.820
 and Savior,

00:35:37.579 --> 00:35:37.920
 Rome got

00:35:37.920 --> 00:35:38.480
 involved in a

00:35:38.480 --> 00:35:38.900
 way Rome

00:35:38.900 --> 00:35:39.800
 should not

00:35:39.800 --> 00:35:40.400
 have gotten

00:35:40.400 --> 00:35:41.519
 involved.

00:35:41.640 --> 00:35:42.140
 But by God's

00:35:42.140 --> 00:35:42.579
 providence,

00:35:42.680 --> 00:35:43.039
 they did,

00:35:43.079 --> 00:35:43.480
 and in this

00:35:43.480 --> 00:35:43.760
 case,

00:35:43.820 --> 00:35:44.260
 by God's

00:35:44.260 --> 00:35:44.720
 providence,

00:35:45.260 --> 00:35:46.599
 they didn't.

00:35:47.140 --> 00:35:48.140
 Galio stayed

00:35:48.140 --> 00:35:49.039
 out of it.

00:35:49.160 --> 00:35:49.559
 If we're a

00:35:49.559 --> 00:35:50.019
 matter of

00:35:50.019 --> 00:35:50.980
 wrongdoing or

00:35:50.980 --> 00:35:52.099
 vicious crime,

00:35:52.480 --> 00:35:53.300
 oh Jews,

00:35:53.660 --> 00:35:54.160
 I would have

00:35:54.160 --> 00:35:54.900
 reason to

00:35:54.900 --> 00:35:56.400
 accept your

00:35:56.400 --> 00:35:57.300
 complaint.

00:35:58.000 --> 00:35:58.240
 But he

00:35:58.240 --> 00:35:58.980
 dismisses it

00:35:58.980 --> 00:35:59.420
 rather.

00:35:59.900 --> 00:36:00.440
 By God's

00:36:00.440 --> 00:36:00.960
 grace,

00:36:01.860 --> 00:36:02.740
 Galio issues

00:36:02.739 --> 00:36:03.699
 a summary

00:36:03.699 --> 00:36:04.519
 judgment and

00:36:04.519 --> 00:36:05.000
 just throws

00:36:05.000 --> 00:36:05.419
 the case

00:36:05.419 --> 00:36:05.719
 out.

00:36:06.399 --> 00:36:06.959
 From his

00:36:06.959 --> 00:36:07.419
 perspective,

00:36:07.539 --> 00:36:07.819
 the issue

00:36:07.819 --> 00:36:08.279
 was merely

00:36:08.279 --> 00:36:08.919
 an issue

00:36:08.919 --> 00:36:10.299
 of semantics.

00:36:10.839 --> 00:36:11.099
 Clearly

00:36:11.099 --> 00:36:11.479
 not.

00:36:12.179 --> 00:36:12.699
 Paul is

00:36:12.699 --> 00:36:13.439
 saying the

00:36:13.439 --> 00:36:15.039
 one way

00:36:15.039 --> 00:36:15.839
 to worship

00:36:15.839 --> 00:36:16.379
 the true

00:36:16.379 --> 00:36:16.659
 and living

00:36:16.659 --> 00:36:17.199
 God is

00:36:17.199 --> 00:36:17.939
 through the

00:36:17.939 --> 00:36:18.559
 personal work

00:36:18.559 --> 00:36:19.319
 of Jesus

00:36:19.319 --> 00:36:19.939
 Christ.

00:36:20.039 --> 00:36:20.339
 It wasn't

00:36:20.339 --> 00:36:20.819
 just a matter

00:36:20.819 --> 00:36:21.319
 of semantics,

00:36:21.539 --> 00:36:22.319
 but from

00:36:22.319 --> 00:36:22.819
 Galio's

00:36:22.819 --> 00:36:23.219
 perspective,

00:36:23.459 --> 00:36:24.279
 it was.

00:36:24.439 --> 00:36:24.719
 Eh,

00:36:24.719 --> 00:36:25.019
 the God

00:36:25.019 --> 00:36:25.459
 of the Jews.

00:36:25.659 --> 00:36:25.879
 Worship

00:36:25.879 --> 00:36:26.339
 him however

00:36:26.339 --> 00:36:27.779
 you want

00:36:27.779 --> 00:36:28.039
 to.

00:36:28.599 --> 00:36:29.500
 He viewed

00:36:29.500 --> 00:36:30.279
 their charge

00:36:30.280 --> 00:36:30.700
 as a

00:36:30.700 --> 00:36:31.300
 theological

00:36:31.300 --> 00:36:32.840
 debate and

00:36:32.840 --> 00:36:33.280
 not as a

00:36:33.280 --> 00:36:34.160
 matter of

00:36:34.160 --> 00:36:34.600
 judicial

00:36:34.600 --> 00:36:35.440
 concern.

00:36:36.300 --> 00:36:36.720
 I love

00:36:36.720 --> 00:36:36.980
 that Luke

00:36:36.980 --> 00:36:37.720
 records for

00:36:37.720 --> 00:36:38.340
 us as

00:36:38.340 --> 00:36:39.120
 Paul stands

00:36:39.120 --> 00:36:40.040
 trial so

00:36:40.040 --> 00:36:40.440
 many times.

00:36:40.460 --> 00:36:40.620
 We're going

00:36:40.620 --> 00:36:40.920
 to see a

00:36:40.920 --> 00:36:41.360
 lot of

00:36:41.360 --> 00:36:41.880
 Paul standing

00:36:41.880 --> 00:36:42.740
 trial in

00:36:42.740 --> 00:36:43.060
 the coming

00:36:43.060 --> 00:36:44.340
 chapters of

00:36:44.340 --> 00:36:44.640
 Acts.

00:36:44.700 --> 00:36:44.880
 But in

00:36:44.880 --> 00:36:45.400
 verse 14,

00:36:45.760 --> 00:36:46.180
 he says,

00:36:46.260 --> 00:36:46.500
 but when

00:36:46.500 --> 00:36:47.080
 Paul was

00:36:47.080 --> 00:36:47.620
 about to

00:36:47.620 --> 00:36:48.140
 open his

00:36:48.140 --> 00:36:48.620
 mouth,

00:36:49.280 --> 00:36:49.880
 he got

00:36:49.880 --> 00:36:50.180
 interrupted.

00:36:50.280 --> 00:36:50.480
 He didn't

00:36:50.480 --> 00:36:50.800
 have to

00:36:50.800 --> 00:36:51.720
 say anything

00:36:51.720 --> 00:36:52.760
 and the

00:36:52.760 --> 00:36:54.800
 charges were

00:36:54.800 --> 00:36:55.920
 dismissed.

00:36:56.900 --> 00:36:57.140
 Now,

00:36:58.700 --> 00:36:58.980
 does

00:36:58.980 --> 00:36:59.700
 following

00:36:59.699 --> 00:37:00.259
 Jesus Christ

00:37:00.259 --> 00:37:00.619
 mean that

00:37:00.619 --> 00:37:00.919
 we'll never

00:37:00.919 --> 00:37:01.219
 come to

00:37:01.219 --> 00:37:01.599
 any harm?

00:37:01.799 --> 00:37:02.239
 Absolutely

00:37:02.239 --> 00:37:02.659
 not.

00:37:03.339 --> 00:37:03.679
 Those who

00:37:03.679 --> 00:37:04.000
 desire to

00:37:04.000 --> 00:37:04.359
 live godly

00:37:04.359 --> 00:37:04.819
 in Christ

00:37:04.819 --> 00:37:05.480
 Jesus will

00:37:05.480 --> 00:37:07.199
 be persecuted

00:37:07.199 --> 00:37:08.119
 in some

00:37:08.119 --> 00:37:08.619
 measure.

00:37:08.739 --> 00:37:09.019
 People are

00:37:09.019 --> 00:37:09.419
 going to

00:37:09.419 --> 00:37:11.379
 dislike the

00:37:11.379 --> 00:37:12.759
 message of

00:37:12.759 --> 00:37:13.519
 Jesus Christ.

00:37:13.939 --> 00:37:14.059
 So,

00:37:14.579 --> 00:37:15.399
 Paul certainly

00:37:15.399 --> 00:37:16.599
 didn't avoid

00:37:16.599 --> 00:37:17.219
 harm in

00:37:17.219 --> 00:37:17.939
 other cases.

00:37:18.059 --> 00:37:18.460
 He had been

00:37:18.460 --> 00:37:18.939
 harmed up to

00:37:18.939 --> 00:37:19.480
 this point.

00:37:19.879 --> 00:37:20.659
 He will be

00:37:20.659 --> 00:37:21.839
 harmed beyond

00:37:21.839 --> 00:37:22.480
 this point.

00:37:23.059 --> 00:37:23.480
 But at

00:37:23.480 --> 00:37:24.279
 this time,

00:37:24.599 --> 00:37:25.579
 a way that

00:37:25.579 --> 00:37:26.359
 God encourages

00:37:26.359 --> 00:37:27.779
 him as he

00:37:27.779 --> 00:37:28.839
 protects him.

00:37:28.840 --> 00:37:30.539
 And we

00:37:30.539 --> 00:37:30.940
 can see

00:37:30.940 --> 00:37:31.740
 that as

00:37:31.740 --> 00:37:32.019
 the Jews

00:37:32.019 --> 00:37:32.280
 are very

00:37:32.280 --> 00:37:32.700
 unhappy

00:37:32.700 --> 00:37:33.539
 with this

00:37:33.539 --> 00:37:34.340
 dismissal

00:37:34.340 --> 00:37:35.280
 of the

00:37:35.280 --> 00:37:35.780
 charges that

00:37:35.780 --> 00:37:36.220
 they brought,

00:37:36.800 --> 00:37:37.780
 they turn,

00:37:37.860 --> 00:37:38.180
 and I think

00:37:38.180 --> 00:37:38.760
 it's right to

00:37:38.760 --> 00:37:39.680
 understand this,

00:37:40.039 --> 00:37:40.620
 we see they

00:37:40.620 --> 00:37:42.539
 all seized.

00:37:43.260 --> 00:37:43.980
 Driven from

00:37:43.980 --> 00:37:44.519
 the tribunal,

00:37:44.660 --> 00:37:45.220
 verse 17,

00:37:45.360 --> 00:37:46.140
 and they all

00:37:46.140 --> 00:37:46.820
 seized

00:37:46.820 --> 00:37:48.160
 Sosthenes.

00:37:48.680 --> 00:37:49.280
 They all

00:37:49.280 --> 00:37:49.880
 being those

00:37:49.880 --> 00:37:50.300
 Jews who

00:37:50.300 --> 00:37:50.760
 had brought

00:37:50.760 --> 00:37:51.260
 this united

00:37:51.260 --> 00:37:52.760
 charge against

00:37:52.760 --> 00:37:54.440
 Paul.

00:37:54.440 --> 00:37:56.599
 Sosthenes,

00:37:56.700 --> 00:37:57.380
 we find out

00:37:57.380 --> 00:37:58.119
 in 1 Corinthians

00:37:58.119 --> 00:37:59.079
 chapter 1,

00:37:59.139 --> 00:37:59.740
 verses 1 and

00:37:59.740 --> 00:38:00.099
 2,

00:38:00.800 --> 00:38:01.320
 is a follower

00:38:01.320 --> 00:38:01.599
 of Jesus

00:38:01.599 --> 00:38:02.000
 Christ.

00:38:02.099 --> 00:38:02.720
 When Paul

00:38:02.720 --> 00:38:03.200
 wrote that

00:38:03.200 --> 00:38:03.840
 letter,

00:38:03.980 --> 00:38:04.240
 he says,

00:38:04.360 --> 00:38:04.599
 Paul,

00:38:05.260 --> 00:38:05.720
 called by the

00:38:05.720 --> 00:38:06.200
 will of God

00:38:06.200 --> 00:38:06.480
 to be an

00:38:06.480 --> 00:38:06.920
 apostle of

00:38:06.920 --> 00:38:07.539
 Christ Jesus

00:38:07.539 --> 00:38:08.559
 and our

00:38:08.559 --> 00:38:09.000
 brother

00:38:09.000 --> 00:38:10.659
 Sosthenes

00:38:10.659 --> 00:38:11.380
 to the

00:38:11.380 --> 00:38:11.880
 church of

00:38:11.880 --> 00:38:12.420
 God that

00:38:12.420 --> 00:38:13.260
 is in

00:38:13.260 --> 00:38:14.440
 Corinth.

00:38:15.619 --> 00:38:15.880
 So,

00:38:15.980 --> 00:38:16.420
 either

00:38:16.420 --> 00:38:17.420
 A,

00:38:17.500 --> 00:38:17.940
 Sosthenes

00:38:17.940 --> 00:38:18.700
 was already

00:38:18.700 --> 00:38:19.340
 a Christian,

00:38:19.720 --> 00:38:19.880
 right?

00:38:19.980 --> 00:38:20.420
 Much like

00:38:20.420 --> 00:38:20.980
 Crispus,

00:38:21.079 --> 00:38:21.480
 who was the

00:38:21.480 --> 00:38:22.780
 prior leader

00:38:22.780 --> 00:38:23.220
 of the synagogue,

00:38:23.360 --> 00:38:23.780
 had become a

00:38:23.780 --> 00:38:24.260
 believer with

00:38:24.260 --> 00:38:24.620
 all of his

00:38:24.620 --> 00:38:24.960
 family.

00:38:26.320 --> 00:38:26.820
 Sosthenes

00:38:26.820 --> 00:38:27.100
 could have

00:38:27.100 --> 00:38:27.720
 also been a

00:38:27.720 --> 00:38:28.120
 follower of

00:38:28.120 --> 00:38:28.580
 Christ and

00:38:28.580 --> 00:38:29.740
 still there

00:38:29.740 --> 00:38:30.640
 in charge.

00:38:31.020 --> 00:38:31.280
 He's already

00:38:31.280 --> 00:38:31.800
 a Christian

00:38:31.800 --> 00:38:32.640
 and he's

00:38:32.640 --> 00:38:33.200
 persecuted,

00:38:33.500 --> 00:38:34.420
 physically harmed

00:38:34.420 --> 00:38:34.940
 for his

00:38:34.940 --> 00:38:35.300
 faith.

00:38:36.120 --> 00:38:36.560
 Or,

00:38:37.320 --> 00:38:37.920
 I prefer the

00:38:37.920 --> 00:38:38.300
 first one,

00:38:38.440 --> 00:38:38.760
 so you know,

00:38:39.040 --> 00:38:39.180
 but,

00:38:39.900 --> 00:38:40.260
 or,

00:38:41.200 --> 00:38:42.120
 he made the

00:38:42.120 --> 00:38:42.660
 case against

00:38:42.660 --> 00:38:43.340
 Paul poorly.

00:38:43.580 --> 00:38:44.580
 He was the

00:38:44.580 --> 00:38:45.020
 representative.

00:38:45.360 --> 00:38:45.880
 He was the

00:38:45.880 --> 00:38:47.500
 DA in this

00:38:47.500 --> 00:38:47.780
 case.

00:38:48.180 --> 00:38:48.740
 And he made

00:38:48.740 --> 00:38:49.620
 the case against

00:38:49.620 --> 00:38:50.320
 Paul poorly.

00:38:50.800 --> 00:38:51.520
 And it was later

00:38:51.520 --> 00:38:52.080
 that he became a

00:38:52.080 --> 00:38:52.600
 Christian and they

00:38:52.600 --> 00:38:53.200
 were furious with

00:38:53.200 --> 00:38:53.520
 him because he

00:38:53.520 --> 00:38:53.980
 didn't make the

00:38:53.980 --> 00:38:55.019
 case well and

00:38:55.019 --> 00:38:56.699
 therefore they

00:38:56.699 --> 00:38:57.320
 beat him.

00:38:58.940 --> 00:38:59.619
 Point being,

00:38:59.840 --> 00:39:00.440
 whether or not

00:39:00.440 --> 00:39:01.639
 we escape

00:39:01.639 --> 00:39:02.139
 harm,

00:39:02.820 --> 00:39:03.400
 the promise

00:39:03.400 --> 00:39:04.280
 that God is

00:39:04.280 --> 00:39:05.719
 always in

00:39:05.719 --> 00:39:06.780
 loving control

00:39:06.780 --> 00:39:08.880
 remains true.

00:39:09.280 --> 00:39:09.760
 He is with

00:39:09.760 --> 00:39:10.059
 us.

00:39:10.519 --> 00:39:10.980
 He is in

00:39:10.980 --> 00:39:11.559
 control.

00:39:12.199 --> 00:39:12.579
 Romans 8,

00:39:12.639 --> 00:39:12.960
 31,

00:39:13.119 --> 00:39:13.659
 what then shall

00:39:13.659 --> 00:39:14.159
 we say to

00:39:14.159 --> 00:39:14.579
 these things?

00:39:14.639 --> 00:39:15.199
 If God is

00:39:15.199 --> 00:39:15.639
 for us,

00:39:15.900 --> 00:39:17.659
 who can be

00:39:17.659 --> 00:39:19.420
 against us?

00:39:19.420 --> 00:39:21.460
 So,

00:39:22.139 --> 00:39:23.019
 we see this

00:39:23.019 --> 00:39:23.720
 protection.

00:39:24.260 --> 00:39:24.840
 We pick up a

00:39:24.840 --> 00:39:25.320
 little bit more

00:39:25.320 --> 00:39:26.019
 about that

00:39:26.019 --> 00:39:26.639
 protection and

00:39:26.639 --> 00:39:27.659
 what it meant

00:39:27.659 --> 00:39:28.220
 to Paul,

00:39:28.340 --> 00:39:29.059
 I believe,

00:39:29.340 --> 00:39:30.059
 by looking at

00:39:30.059 --> 00:39:31.420
 verse 18.

00:39:35.420 --> 00:39:36.300
 After this,

00:39:36.400 --> 00:39:36.880
 Paul stayed,

00:39:36.920 --> 00:39:37.340
 it's after this

00:39:37.340 --> 00:39:37.619
 trial,

00:39:37.720 --> 00:39:38.200
 Paul stayed

00:39:38.200 --> 00:39:38.659
 many days

00:39:38.659 --> 00:39:40.460
 longer and

00:39:40.460 --> 00:39:40.760
 then took

00:39:40.760 --> 00:39:41.159
 leave of the

00:39:41.159 --> 00:39:41.639
 brothers that

00:39:41.639 --> 00:39:41.960
 sailed for

00:39:41.960 --> 00:39:42.539
 Syria and

00:39:42.539 --> 00:39:42.820
 with him

00:39:42.820 --> 00:39:43.159
 Priscilla and

00:39:43.159 --> 00:39:43.420
 Aquila.

00:39:43.800 --> 00:39:43.980
 At

00:39:43.980 --> 00:39:44.200
 King

00:39:44.200 --> 00:39:44.400
 Cray,

00:39:44.500 --> 00:39:45.019
 not very far

00:39:45.019 --> 00:39:45.360
 away,

00:39:45.599 --> 00:39:46.420
 they landed.

00:39:46.420 --> 00:39:47.740
 He had cut

00:39:47.740 --> 00:39:48.240
 his hair

00:39:48.240 --> 00:39:49.159
 for he was

00:39:49.159 --> 00:39:49.820
 under a vow.

00:39:49.940 --> 00:39:50.460
 He shaved

00:39:50.460 --> 00:39:51.079
 his head

00:39:51.079 --> 00:39:52.000
 for he was

00:39:52.000 --> 00:39:53.599
 under a vow.

00:39:53.720 --> 00:39:54.880
 And this vow

00:39:54.880 --> 00:39:55.280
 would have

00:39:55.280 --> 00:39:56.079
 been a

00:39:56.079 --> 00:39:57.480
 Nazarite vow.

00:39:57.599 --> 00:39:57.980
 You can read

00:39:57.980 --> 00:39:58.500
 about this if

00:39:58.500 --> 00:39:58.900
 you're interested

00:39:58.900 --> 00:39:59.559
 in it from

00:39:59.559 --> 00:40:01.079
 Numbers 6.

00:40:02.380 --> 00:40:03.119
 And this

00:40:03.119 --> 00:40:04.220
 term Nazarite

00:40:04.220 --> 00:40:04.720
 comes from the

00:40:04.720 --> 00:40:05.780
 Hebrew word for

00:40:05.780 --> 00:40:06.940
 consecrated

00:40:06.940 --> 00:40:08.820
 or separated.

00:40:09.720 --> 00:40:10.159
 And Jews

00:40:10.159 --> 00:40:10.940
 made vows

00:40:10.940 --> 00:40:11.960
 to God

00:40:11.960 --> 00:40:12.619
 to thank

00:40:12.619 --> 00:40:13.300
 him for

00:40:13.300 --> 00:40:14.260
 past blessing

00:40:14.260 --> 00:40:15.320
 or to

00:40:15.320 --> 00:40:16.119
 petition him

00:40:16.119 --> 00:40:18.239
 for future

00:40:18.239 --> 00:40:19.059
 blessing.

00:40:19.559 --> 00:40:20.219
 I think in

00:40:20.219 --> 00:40:20.779
 this case

00:40:20.779 --> 00:40:21.400
 to thank

00:40:21.400 --> 00:40:21.559
 him.

00:40:21.679 --> 00:40:22.359
 He's now,

00:40:22.500 --> 00:40:23.059
 he's past

00:40:23.059 --> 00:40:23.739
 this year and

00:40:23.739 --> 00:40:24.339
 a half time,

00:40:24.759 --> 00:40:25.359
 he's past

00:40:25.359 --> 00:40:26.039
 this trial,

00:40:26.400 --> 00:40:27.000
 and he has

00:40:27.000 --> 00:40:28.139
 made a vow

00:40:28.139 --> 00:40:28.799
 in order to

00:40:28.799 --> 00:40:29.539
 thank God

00:40:29.539 --> 00:40:30.219
 for his

00:40:30.219 --> 00:40:31.400
 good pleasure

00:40:31.400 --> 00:40:33.859
 in staying

00:40:33.859 --> 00:40:34.719
 harm from

00:40:34.719 --> 00:40:34.940
 him.

00:40:35.579 --> 00:40:36.619
 The criteria

00:40:36.619 --> 00:40:37.099
 for a

00:40:37.099 --> 00:40:37.880
 Nazarite vow

00:40:37.880 --> 00:40:38.759
 were as

00:40:38.759 --> 00:40:39.539
 follows.

00:40:40.279 --> 00:40:40.599
 The person

00:40:40.599 --> 00:40:40.900
 who made a

00:40:40.900 --> 00:40:41.239
 vow had

00:40:41.239 --> 00:40:41.799
 to abstain

00:40:41.799 --> 00:40:43.239
 from alcohol,

00:40:43.599 --> 00:40:43.880
 vinegar,

00:40:44.139 --> 00:40:45.139
 or any food

00:40:45.139 --> 00:40:45.759
 with grapes

00:40:45.759 --> 00:40:46.099
 in it.

00:40:47.099 --> 00:40:47.380
 They had

00:40:47.380 --> 00:40:47.779
 to allow

00:40:47.779 --> 00:40:48.259
 their hair

00:40:48.259 --> 00:40:48.639
 to grow

00:40:48.639 --> 00:40:49.019
 until the

00:40:49.019 --> 00:40:49.380
 period of

00:40:49.380 --> 00:40:50.239
 time set

00:40:50.239 --> 00:40:50.900
 forth in

00:40:50.900 --> 00:40:51.179
 the vow

00:40:51.179 --> 00:40:51.779
 was complete,

00:40:51.880 --> 00:40:52.059
 so it

00:40:52.059 --> 00:40:52.299
 might be

00:40:52.299 --> 00:40:52.880
 30 days,

00:40:52.940 --> 00:40:53.159
 it might

00:40:53.159 --> 00:40:53.659
 be 60

00:40:53.659 --> 00:40:54.099
 days,

00:40:54.400 --> 00:40:54.679
 but they

00:40:54.679 --> 00:40:54.819
 couldn't

00:40:54.819 --> 00:40:55.079
 cut their

00:40:55.079 --> 00:40:56.500
 hair during

00:40:56.500 --> 00:40:56.880
 that time.

00:40:56.960 --> 00:40:57.179
 Some of

00:40:57.179 --> 00:40:57.559
 you may be

00:40:57.559 --> 00:40:58.319
 familiar with

00:40:58.319 --> 00:40:59.119
 Samson.

00:40:59.699 --> 00:41:00.179
 Samson had

00:41:00.179 --> 00:41:00.440
 made a

00:41:00.440 --> 00:41:01.359
 lifelong vow,

00:41:02.000 --> 00:41:02.299
 and he

00:41:02.299 --> 00:41:02.599
 didn't do

00:41:02.599 --> 00:41:02.880
 any of these

00:41:02.880 --> 00:41:03.359
 things for

00:41:03.359 --> 00:41:05.059
 his lifespan.

00:41:06.159 --> 00:41:06.559
 Third,

00:41:06.880 --> 00:41:07.319
 they couldn't

00:41:07.319 --> 00:41:07.900
 be made

00:41:07.900 --> 00:41:08.460
 unclean by

00:41:08.460 --> 00:41:08.920
 exposure to

00:41:08.920 --> 00:41:09.119
 a dead

00:41:09.119 --> 00:41:09.339
 body.

00:41:09.440 --> 00:41:09.699
 Not really

00:41:09.699 --> 00:41:10.359
 important at

00:41:10.359 --> 00:41:10.619
 the time.

00:41:10.940 --> 00:41:11.299
 They had

00:41:11.299 --> 00:41:11.679
 to avoid

00:41:11.679 --> 00:41:12.380
 dead people

00:41:12.380 --> 00:41:14.420
 as well.

00:41:14.420 --> 00:41:16.000
 At the

00:41:16.000 --> 00:41:16.659
 completion of

00:41:16.659 --> 00:41:17.139
 the vow,

00:41:18.200 --> 00:41:18.639
 the head

00:41:18.639 --> 00:41:19.079
 was to be

00:41:19.079 --> 00:41:19.599
 shaved,

00:41:19.740 --> 00:41:20.360
 and a series

00:41:20.360 --> 00:41:21.200
 of offerings

00:41:21.200 --> 00:41:21.820
 were to be

00:41:21.820 --> 00:41:22.000
 made.

00:41:22.079 --> 00:41:22.260
 There were

00:41:22.260 --> 00:41:22.800
 three offerings

00:41:22.800 --> 00:41:23.220
 that were to

00:41:23.220 --> 00:41:23.579
 be made,

00:41:24.119 --> 00:41:24.720
 and one of

00:41:24.720 --> 00:41:25.559
 those offerings,

00:41:25.639 --> 00:41:25.960
 the peace

00:41:25.960 --> 00:41:26.300
 offering,

00:41:26.400 --> 00:41:26.840
 the hair was

00:41:26.840 --> 00:41:27.320
 to be placed

00:41:27.320 --> 00:41:27.760
 on the same

00:41:27.760 --> 00:41:28.460
 offering fire

00:41:28.460 --> 00:41:29.360
 and burnt.

00:41:29.360 --> 00:41:29.820
 This is the

00:41:29.820 --> 00:41:30.680
 prescription found

00:41:30.680 --> 00:41:32.099
 in Numbers

00:41:32.099 --> 00:41:33.220
 chapter 6.

00:41:33.920 --> 00:41:34.200
 Now, the

00:41:34.200 --> 00:41:34.840
 exact nature

00:41:34.840 --> 00:41:35.320
 of Paul's

00:41:35.320 --> 00:41:36.140
 vow is

00:41:36.140 --> 00:41:37.099
 obscure,

00:41:37.280 --> 00:41:37.640
 but as I

00:41:37.640 --> 00:41:38.059
 said before,

00:41:38.140 --> 00:41:38.579
 I think it

00:41:38.579 --> 00:41:38.980
 was likely

00:41:38.980 --> 00:41:39.380
 made for

00:41:39.380 --> 00:41:39.960
 that past

00:41:39.960 --> 00:41:40.440
 protection.

00:41:40.559 --> 00:41:40.840
 It was a

00:41:40.840 --> 00:41:41.539
 way that

00:41:41.539 --> 00:41:41.880
 he was

00:41:41.880 --> 00:41:42.920
 being thankful

00:41:42.920 --> 00:41:43.280
 for what

00:41:43.280 --> 00:41:43.680
 God had

00:41:43.680 --> 00:41:44.539
 done for

00:41:44.539 --> 00:41:44.880
 him.

00:41:45.620 --> 00:41:45.900
 And Paul

00:41:45.900 --> 00:41:46.240
 did not

00:41:46.240 --> 00:41:46.800
 see his

00:41:46.800 --> 00:41:47.380
 adherence

00:41:47.380 --> 00:41:48.200
 to Jewish

00:41:48.200 --> 00:41:48.940
 tradition

00:41:48.940 --> 00:41:50.280
 in contradiction

00:41:50.280 --> 00:41:51.260
 with his

00:41:51.260 --> 00:41:52.300
 faith in

00:41:52.300 --> 00:41:53.059
 Jesus Christ,

00:41:53.120 --> 00:41:53.440
 but in

00:41:53.440 --> 00:41:54.000
 this case,

00:41:54.160 --> 00:41:54.559
 practiced

00:41:54.559 --> 00:41:55.960
 the spirit

00:41:55.960 --> 00:41:57.460
 of this

00:41:57.460 --> 00:41:58.039
 tradition

00:41:58.039 --> 00:41:59.420
 as a matter

00:41:59.420 --> 00:42:00.099
 of thanking

00:42:00.099 --> 00:42:00.619
 God for

00:42:00.619 --> 00:42:01.800
 what he

00:42:01.800 --> 00:42:02.219
 had done.

00:42:03.340 --> 00:42:03.579
 Now,

00:42:03.619 --> 00:42:03.960
 of interesting

00:42:03.960 --> 00:42:04.420
 note,

00:42:04.719 --> 00:42:05.159
 and to

00:42:05.159 --> 00:42:05.900
 that point,

00:42:07.420 --> 00:42:08.199
 a Nazarite

00:42:08.199 --> 00:42:08.860
 was meant

00:42:08.860 --> 00:42:09.820
 to break

00:42:09.820 --> 00:42:10.259
 the vow,

00:42:10.360 --> 00:42:10.719
 end the

00:42:10.719 --> 00:42:11.059
 vow,

00:42:11.279 --> 00:42:12.199
 by shaving

00:42:12.199 --> 00:42:12.699
 their head

00:42:12.699 --> 00:42:13.480
 at the

00:42:13.480 --> 00:42:13.840
 temple.

00:42:14.279 --> 00:42:14.739
 Paul's not

00:42:14.739 --> 00:42:15.000
 at the

00:42:15.000 --> 00:42:15.340
 temple in

00:42:15.340 --> 00:42:15.659
 Jerusalem,

00:42:15.920 --> 00:42:16.279
 is he?

00:42:16.400 --> 00:42:17.019
 He's a

00:42:17.019 --> 00:42:17.579
 long way

00:42:17.579 --> 00:42:17.900
 from the

00:42:17.900 --> 00:42:19.239
 temple in

00:42:19.239 --> 00:42:19.599
 Jerusalem.

00:42:20.659 --> 00:42:21.159
 Paul seems

00:42:21.159 --> 00:42:21.559
 to be more

00:42:21.559 --> 00:42:22.199
 concerned with

00:42:22.199 --> 00:42:22.900
 the timing

00:42:22.900 --> 00:42:23.719
 of his

00:42:23.719 --> 00:42:24.259
 completion of

00:42:24.259 --> 00:42:24.619
 the vow

00:42:24.619 --> 00:42:24.960
 than the

00:42:24.960 --> 00:42:26.279
 location of

00:42:26.279 --> 00:42:26.840
 the completion

00:42:26.840 --> 00:42:27.800
 of his

00:42:27.800 --> 00:42:28.180
 bow.

00:42:28.280 --> 00:42:28.560
 So he

00:42:28.560 --> 00:42:28.960
 shaves

00:42:28.960 --> 00:42:29.400
 his head

00:42:29.400 --> 00:42:31.080
 before going

00:42:31.080 --> 00:42:31.960
 to Jerusalem.

00:42:32.140 --> 00:42:32.260
 Now,

00:42:32.320 --> 00:42:32.600
 how do I

00:42:32.600 --> 00:42:32.840
 know that

00:42:32.840 --> 00:42:33.039
 he went

00:42:33.039 --> 00:42:33.539
 to Jerusalem?

00:42:34.180 --> 00:42:34.620
 Well,

00:42:34.640 --> 00:42:34.960
 I don't.

00:42:35.060 --> 00:42:35.580
 I think I

00:42:35.580 --> 00:42:35.860
 know he

00:42:35.860 --> 00:42:36.120
 went to

00:42:36.120 --> 00:42:36.500
 Jerusalem.

00:42:37.180 --> 00:42:37.900
 Verse 22,

00:42:38.060 --> 00:42:38.560
 Luke records

00:42:38.560 --> 00:42:38.880
 this,

00:42:39.000 --> 00:42:39.539
 when he

00:42:39.539 --> 00:42:40.060
 had landed

00:42:40.060 --> 00:42:41.539
 at Caesarea,

00:42:41.880 --> 00:42:42.620
 which is

00:42:42.620 --> 00:42:43.500
 north of

00:42:43.500 --> 00:42:44.160
 Jerusalem,

00:42:44.700 --> 00:42:45.380
 he went

00:42:45.380 --> 00:42:46.720
 up and

00:42:46.720 --> 00:42:47.019
 greeted the

00:42:47.019 --> 00:42:47.400
 church,

00:42:47.840 --> 00:42:48.200
 and then

00:42:48.200 --> 00:42:49.200
 went down

00:42:49.200 --> 00:42:49.960
 to Antioch.

00:42:50.180 --> 00:42:50.700
 And always

00:42:50.700 --> 00:42:51.400
 in this day,

00:42:51.580 --> 00:42:52.120
 Jerusalem was

00:42:52.120 --> 00:42:52.740
 always up,

00:42:52.840 --> 00:42:53.240
 and everything

00:42:53.240 --> 00:42:53.740
 else was

00:42:53.740 --> 00:42:54.800
 always down.

00:42:55.440 --> 00:42:56.160
 So he

00:42:56.160 --> 00:42:57.519
 went south

00:42:57.519 --> 00:42:58.199
 to Jerusalem,

00:42:58.460 --> 00:42:59.259
 and then

00:42:59.259 --> 00:42:59.519
 he went

00:42:59.519 --> 00:43:00.280
 north to

00:43:00.280 --> 00:43:00.860
 Antioch,

00:43:01.059 --> 00:43:01.400
 but Luke

00:43:01.400 --> 00:43:01.599
 would have

00:43:01.599 --> 00:43:02.179
 recorded it,

00:43:02.420 --> 00:43:02.759
 he went

00:43:02.759 --> 00:43:03.619
 up to

00:43:03.619 --> 00:43:04.000
 Jerusalem,

00:43:04.099 --> 00:43:04.300
 and he

00:43:04.300 --> 00:43:05.099
 went down

00:43:05.099 --> 00:43:05.639
 to Antioch.

00:43:05.679 --> 00:43:05.880
 So he

00:43:05.880 --> 00:43:06.420
 likely took

00:43:06.420 --> 00:43:06.880
 his hair

00:43:06.880 --> 00:43:07.440
 with him,

00:43:08.079 --> 00:43:10.119
 and went

00:43:10.119 --> 00:43:10.699
 through some

00:43:10.699 --> 00:43:11.599
 practice there

00:43:11.599 --> 00:43:13.000
 in Jerusalem.

00:43:14.179 --> 00:43:14.619
 So,

00:43:15.219 --> 00:43:16.059
 God

00:43:16.059 --> 00:43:16.639
 encouraged the

00:43:16.639 --> 00:43:17.199
 souls of

00:43:17.199 --> 00:43:18.039
 his discouraged

00:43:18.039 --> 00:43:18.780
 servants

00:43:18.780 --> 00:43:20.639
 with protection.

00:43:21.259 --> 00:43:22.159
 And I

00:43:22.159 --> 00:43:22.639
 just wonder

00:43:22.639 --> 00:43:23.380
 how often

00:43:23.380 --> 00:43:24.219
 we lose

00:43:24.219 --> 00:43:25.179
 sight of

00:43:25.179 --> 00:43:25.900
 God's good

00:43:25.900 --> 00:43:26.639
 favor upon

00:43:26.639 --> 00:43:27.000
 us,

00:43:27.160 --> 00:43:27.579
 and the

00:43:27.579 --> 00:43:28.039
 ways in

00:43:28.039 --> 00:43:28.340
 which he

00:43:28.340 --> 00:43:29.000
 keeps us

00:43:29.000 --> 00:43:30.079
 safe and

00:43:30.079 --> 00:43:31.000
 prevents harm

00:43:31.000 --> 00:43:32.500
 for us.

00:43:34.000 --> 00:43:34.440
 And finally,

00:43:34.539 --> 00:43:34.960
 God encourages

00:43:34.960 --> 00:43:35.440
 the souls of

00:43:35.440 --> 00:43:36.160
 his discouraged

00:43:36.160 --> 00:43:37.300
 servants with

00:43:37.300 --> 00:43:38.220
 purpose.

00:43:39.840 --> 00:43:40.980
 With purpose.

00:43:42.000 --> 00:43:42.420
 In verse

00:43:42.420 --> 00:43:43.019
 six,

00:43:43.920 --> 00:43:44.460
 you see a

00:43:44.460 --> 00:43:45.180
 very,

00:43:45.440 --> 00:43:46.220
 seemingly

00:43:46.220 --> 00:43:47.680
 very fruitless

00:43:47.680 --> 00:43:48.780
 ministry at

00:43:48.780 --> 00:43:49.180
 the synagogue.

00:43:49.840 --> 00:43:50.599
 They opposed

00:43:50.599 --> 00:43:51.460
 and they

00:43:51.460 --> 00:43:52.660
 reviled him.

00:43:52.659 --> 00:43:53.440
 And when

00:43:53.440 --> 00:43:54.199
 that happened,

00:43:54.679 --> 00:43:55.000
 he did

00:43:55.000 --> 00:43:55.519
 something that

00:43:55.519 --> 00:43:56.039
 he doesn't

00:43:56.039 --> 00:43:56.519
 do in most

00:43:56.519 --> 00:43:56.699
 of the

00:43:56.699 --> 00:43:57.059
 synagogues

00:43:57.059 --> 00:43:57.379
 he goes

00:43:57.379 --> 00:43:57.559
 to.

00:43:57.699 --> 00:43:58.299
 He shakes

00:43:58.299 --> 00:43:58.639
 out his

00:43:58.639 --> 00:43:59.019
 garments,

00:43:59.460 --> 00:43:59.799
 which was

00:43:59.799 --> 00:44:00.119
 a sign

00:44:00.119 --> 00:44:00.599
 of judgment.

00:44:01.619 --> 00:44:02.359
 It was a

00:44:02.359 --> 00:44:02.659
 way of

00:44:02.659 --> 00:44:02.940
 saying,

00:44:03.079 --> 00:44:03.359
 I don't

00:44:03.359 --> 00:44:04.000
 even want

00:44:04.000 --> 00:44:04.699
 the dirt

00:44:04.699 --> 00:44:05.279
 I picked

00:44:05.279 --> 00:44:05.579
 up in

00:44:05.579 --> 00:44:06.119
 your presence

00:44:06.119 --> 00:44:06.500
 to go

00:44:06.500 --> 00:44:07.039
 with me.

00:44:07.480 --> 00:44:08.079
 You have

00:44:08.079 --> 00:44:08.699
 heard the

00:44:08.699 --> 00:44:09.460
 gospel message

00:44:09.460 --> 00:44:10.079
 and you

00:44:10.079 --> 00:44:10.420
 have not

00:44:10.420 --> 00:44:10.879
 responded

00:44:10.879 --> 00:44:11.559
 in faith.

00:44:11.619 --> 00:44:11.839
 It was a

00:44:11.839 --> 00:44:12.099
 sign of

00:44:12.099 --> 00:44:12.339
 judgment.

00:44:12.659 --> 00:44:13.139
 And the

00:44:13.139 --> 00:44:13.639
 language he

00:44:13.639 --> 00:44:13.940
 uses is

00:44:13.940 --> 00:44:14.519
 very strong

00:44:14.519 --> 00:44:14.980
 to that end.

00:44:15.039 --> 00:44:15.460
 Your blood

00:44:15.460 --> 00:44:15.980
 be on your

00:44:15.980 --> 00:44:17.079
 own heads.

00:44:17.519 --> 00:44:17.920
 I am

00:44:17.920 --> 00:44:18.219
 innocent.

00:44:18.759 --> 00:44:19.179
 From now

00:44:19.179 --> 00:44:19.460
 on,

00:44:19.739 --> 00:44:20.339
 I will go

00:44:20.339 --> 00:44:20.960
 to the

00:44:20.960 --> 00:44:21.400
 Gentiles.

00:44:21.519 --> 00:44:21.940
 And he

00:44:21.940 --> 00:44:22.179
 doesn't

00:44:22.179 --> 00:44:22.519
 mean that

00:44:22.519 --> 00:44:22.780
 in an

00:44:22.780 --> 00:44:23.139
 absolute

00:44:23.139 --> 00:44:23.659
 sense.

00:44:23.760 --> 00:44:23.960
 We know

00:44:23.960 --> 00:44:24.380
 that Paul

00:44:24.380 --> 00:44:24.599
 is the

00:44:24.599 --> 00:44:25.079
 apostle to

00:44:25.079 --> 00:44:25.179
 the

00:44:25.179 --> 00:44:25.599
 Gentiles.

00:44:25.820 --> 00:44:26.260
 He still

00:44:26.260 --> 00:44:26.559
 will make

00:44:26.559 --> 00:44:26.940
 a habit

00:44:26.940 --> 00:44:27.360
 of going

00:44:27.360 --> 00:44:27.760
 into the

00:44:27.760 --> 00:44:28.019
 synagogue

00:44:28.019 --> 00:44:28.619
 and preaching

00:44:28.619 --> 00:44:29.059
 the gospel

00:44:29.059 --> 00:44:29.920
 to the

00:44:29.920 --> 00:44:30.179
 Jews.

00:44:30.280 --> 00:44:30.519
 But he

00:44:30.519 --> 00:44:31.159
 means there

00:44:31.159 --> 00:44:32.280
 in that

00:44:32.280 --> 00:44:33.079
 city and

00:44:33.079 --> 00:44:33.440
 we see

00:44:33.440 --> 00:44:33.920
 him go

00:44:33.920 --> 00:44:35.019
 next door

00:44:35.019 --> 00:44:35.519
 to the

00:44:35.519 --> 00:44:36.199
 house of

00:44:36.199 --> 00:44:36.559
 Titius

00:44:36.559 --> 00:44:37.400
 Justice.

00:44:38.400 --> 00:44:38.940
 So even

00:44:38.940 --> 00:44:39.699
 after declaring

00:44:39.699 --> 00:44:40.039
 judgment

00:44:40.039 --> 00:44:40.480
 against the

00:44:40.480 --> 00:44:40.760
 Jews,

00:44:40.920 --> 00:44:42.019
 Jews were

00:44:42.019 --> 00:44:42.980
 converted.

00:44:43.159 --> 00:44:43.699
 God still

00:44:43.699 --> 00:44:44.780
 had a

00:44:44.780 --> 00:44:45.780
 purpose.

00:44:46.099 --> 00:44:46.360
 We see

00:44:46.360 --> 00:44:47.820
 in verse

00:44:47.820 --> 00:44:48.240
 8,

00:44:48.340 --> 00:44:49.019
 Crispus the

00:44:49.019 --> 00:44:49.500
 ruler of

00:44:49.500 --> 00:44:49.900
 the synagogue,

00:44:50.079 --> 00:44:50.300
 which must

00:44:50.300 --> 00:44:50.620
 have just

00:44:50.620 --> 00:44:51.300
 enraged

00:44:51.300 --> 00:44:52.300
 the Jews,

00:44:52.760 --> 00:44:53.180
 believed in

00:44:53.180 --> 00:44:53.440
 the Lord

00:44:53.440 --> 00:44:54.060
 together with

00:44:54.060 --> 00:44:55.200
 his entire

00:44:55.200 --> 00:44:56.420
 household.

00:44:56.640 --> 00:44:56.960
 And they've

00:44:56.960 --> 00:44:57.519
 been adding

00:44:57.519 --> 00:44:58.120
 more to

00:44:58.120 --> 00:44:58.480
 the number.

00:44:58.620 --> 00:44:59.060
 And many

00:44:59.060 --> 00:44:59.340
 of the

00:44:59.340 --> 00:44:59.700
 Corinthians

00:44:59.700 --> 00:45:00.800
 hearing Paul

00:45:00.800 --> 00:45:03.200
 believed and

00:45:03.200 --> 00:45:03.480
 they were

00:45:03.480 --> 00:45:03.920
 baptized.

00:45:05.360 --> 00:45:05.980
 The very

00:45:05.980 --> 00:45:07.060
 last part of

00:45:07.060 --> 00:45:07.760
 the vision

00:45:07.760 --> 00:45:08.120
 that Paul

00:45:08.120 --> 00:45:08.539
 sees,

00:45:08.680 --> 00:45:09.200
 Jesus says

00:45:09.200 --> 00:45:09.720
 to him,

00:45:10.300 --> 00:45:10.680
 I have

00:45:10.680 --> 00:45:11.860
 many in

00:45:11.860 --> 00:45:12.780
 this city

00:45:12.780 --> 00:45:13.760
 who are

00:45:13.760 --> 00:45:14.260
 my people.

00:45:15.320 --> 00:45:15.680
 So the

00:45:15.680 --> 00:45:16.140
 encouragement

00:45:16.140 --> 00:45:16.640
 that he

00:45:16.640 --> 00:45:17.800
 brings to

00:45:17.800 --> 00:45:18.560
 Paul is

00:45:18.559 --> 00:45:21.039
 this renewed

00:45:21.039 --> 00:45:22.440
 vigor for

00:45:22.440 --> 00:45:23.259
 his purpose.

00:45:24.259 --> 00:45:24.940
 God has

00:45:24.940 --> 00:45:26.179
 good purpose

00:45:26.179 --> 00:45:26.920
 to save

00:45:26.920 --> 00:45:27.400
 people.

00:45:27.880 --> 00:45:28.039
 And he

00:45:28.039 --> 00:45:28.840
 reminds Paul

00:45:28.840 --> 00:45:29.380
 of this by

00:45:29.380 --> 00:45:29.679
 saying,

00:45:29.880 --> 00:45:30.340
 keep going,

00:45:30.480 --> 00:45:30.759
 don't be

00:45:30.759 --> 00:45:31.360
 afraid,

00:45:31.739 --> 00:45:32.099
 preach the

00:45:32.099 --> 00:45:32.360
 good news

00:45:32.360 --> 00:45:32.659
 of Jesus

00:45:32.659 --> 00:45:33.380
 Christ because

00:45:33.380 --> 00:45:34.699
 I have

00:45:34.699 --> 00:45:35.960
 many in

00:45:35.960 --> 00:45:36.440
 the city

00:45:36.440 --> 00:45:37.539
 who are

00:45:37.539 --> 00:45:39.239
 my people.

00:45:39.360 --> 00:45:40.099
 People will

00:45:40.099 --> 00:45:41.539
 respond by

00:45:41.539 --> 00:45:42.299
 my intervention

00:45:42.299 --> 00:45:43.440
 to the good

00:45:43.440 --> 00:45:44.940
 news of

00:45:44.940 --> 00:45:45.420
 the gospel.

00:45:46.639 --> 00:45:47.059
 So Paul is

00:45:47.059 --> 00:45:47.299
 able to

00:45:47.299 --> 00:45:47.840
 say this.

00:45:47.960 --> 00:45:48.380
 He writes

00:45:48.380 --> 00:45:49.599
 to the

00:45:49.599 --> 00:45:49.980
 Corinthian

00:45:49.980 --> 00:45:50.539
 believers in

00:45:50.539 --> 00:45:51.079
 1 Corinthians

00:45:51.079 --> 00:45:52.019
 chapter 2

00:45:52.019 --> 00:45:53.279
 verses 1

00:45:53.279 --> 00:45:53.759
 through 5

00:45:53.759 --> 00:45:54.039
 which I

00:45:54.039 --> 00:45:54.360
 read to

00:45:54.360 --> 00:45:54.460
 you

00:45:54.460 --> 00:45:54.840
 verse 3

00:45:54.840 --> 00:45:55.340
 previously.

00:45:55.539 --> 00:45:55.799
 He says,

00:45:55.900 --> 00:45:56.239
 And when I

00:45:56.239 --> 00:45:56.679
 came to

00:45:56.679 --> 00:45:56.880
 you,

00:45:56.980 --> 00:45:57.320
 brothers,

00:45:58.079 --> 00:45:58.539
 did not

00:45:58.539 --> 00:45:58.880
 come

00:45:58.880 --> 00:45:59.480
 proclaiming

00:45:59.480 --> 00:45:59.699
 to you

00:45:59.699 --> 00:46:00.259
 the testimony

00:46:00.259 --> 00:46:00.940
 of God

00:46:00.940 --> 00:46:02.279
 with lofty

00:46:02.279 --> 00:46:03.599
 speech or

00:46:03.599 --> 00:46:04.179
 wisdom which

00:46:04.179 --> 00:46:04.799
 they loved.

00:46:05.840 --> 00:46:06.320
 For I

00:46:06.320 --> 00:46:06.980
 decided to

00:46:06.980 --> 00:46:07.599
 do nothing

00:46:07.599 --> 00:46:08.400
 among you

00:46:08.400 --> 00:46:09.239
 except Jesus

00:46:09.239 --> 00:46:10.679
 Christ and

00:46:10.679 --> 00:46:11.400
 him crucified.

00:46:12.139 --> 00:46:12.500
 And I

00:46:12.500 --> 00:46:12.820
 was with

00:46:12.820 --> 00:46:13.059
 you in

00:46:13.059 --> 00:46:13.400
 weakness

00:46:13.400 --> 00:46:13.980
 and in

00:46:13.980 --> 00:46:15.139
 fear and

00:46:15.139 --> 00:46:15.880
 much trembling.

00:46:15.880 --> 00:46:17.039
 And my

00:46:17.039 --> 00:46:17.800
 speech and

00:46:17.800 --> 00:46:18.380
 my message

00:46:18.380 --> 00:46:19.000
 were not

00:46:19.000 --> 00:46:19.860
 implausible

00:46:19.860 --> 00:46:21.280
 words of

00:46:21.280 --> 00:46:22.680
 wisdom but

00:46:22.680 --> 00:46:23.400
 in demonstration

00:46:23.400 --> 00:46:24.460
 of the spirit

00:46:24.460 --> 00:46:25.500
 and of power

00:46:25.500 --> 00:46:26.440
 so that your

00:46:26.440 --> 00:46:27.340
 faith may not

00:46:27.340 --> 00:46:27.940
 rest in the

00:46:27.940 --> 00:46:28.619
 wisdom of

00:46:28.619 --> 00:46:30.039
 men but in

00:46:30.039 --> 00:46:30.680
 the power

00:46:30.680 --> 00:46:32.000
 of God.

00:46:32.960 --> 00:46:33.640
 And that

00:46:33.640 --> 00:46:34.720
 purpose that

00:46:34.720 --> 00:46:35.260
 God has given

00:46:35.260 --> 00:46:36.180
 to each and

00:46:36.180 --> 00:46:36.940
 every one of

00:46:36.940 --> 00:46:37.840
 us ought to

00:46:37.840 --> 00:46:38.960
 encourage us

00:46:38.960 --> 00:46:40.559
 when we are

00:46:40.559 --> 00:46:41.280
 discouraged.

00:46:42.059 --> 00:46:42.860
 The point of

00:46:42.860 --> 00:46:43.640
 our lives and

00:46:43.640 --> 00:46:44.099
 certainly the

00:46:44.099 --> 00:46:44.780
 point of the

00:46:44.780 --> 00:46:45.440
 life of this

00:46:45.440 --> 00:46:46.320
 church is not

00:46:46.320 --> 00:46:46.800
 that we get

00:46:46.800 --> 00:46:47.480
 together and

00:46:47.480 --> 00:46:48.420
 huddle together.

00:46:48.800 --> 00:46:49.480
 Not that we

00:46:49.480 --> 00:46:50.320
 create a safe

00:46:50.320 --> 00:46:51.039
 environment for

00:46:51.039 --> 00:46:51.539
 all of us to

00:46:51.539 --> 00:46:52.039
 feel like we're

00:46:52.039 --> 00:46:52.900
 not quite so

00:46:52.900 --> 00:46:54.059
 weird in.

00:46:54.720 --> 00:46:55.460
 But that we

00:46:55.460 --> 00:46:56.240
 might gather

00:46:56.240 --> 00:46:57.780
 together to be

00:46:57.780 --> 00:46:58.679
 fueled and

00:46:58.679 --> 00:46:59.920
 equipped in

00:46:59.920 --> 00:47:00.760
 order that we

00:47:00.760 --> 00:47:01.900
 would go.

00:47:02.380 --> 00:47:03.200
 That's why we

00:47:03.200 --> 00:47:04.300
 come together.

00:47:04.780 --> 00:47:05.320
 And some of

00:47:05.320 --> 00:47:05.760
 us are going to

00:47:05.760 --> 00:47:07.000
 go back to

00:47:07.000 --> 00:47:07.960
 campus or to

00:47:07.960 --> 00:47:09.039
 a job or to

00:47:09.039 --> 00:47:10.039
 our neighbor.

00:47:10.179 --> 00:47:10.740
 Some of us are

00:47:10.740 --> 00:47:11.679
 going to go much

00:47:11.679 --> 00:47:13.940
 much further.

00:47:13.940 --> 00:47:14.900
 We should

00:47:14.900 --> 00:47:16.280
 praise God for

00:47:16.280 --> 00:47:17.519
 every mile that

00:47:17.519 --> 00:47:18.840
 he covers with

00:47:18.840 --> 00:47:19.460
 the good news of

00:47:19.460 --> 00:47:21.099
 Jesus Christ using

00:47:21.099 --> 00:47:22.500
 us.

00:47:23.860 --> 00:47:24.360
 Beloved, our

00:47:24.360 --> 00:47:25.740
 time is brief.

00:47:27.059 --> 00:47:27.420
 And Jesus

00:47:27.420 --> 00:47:28.679
 Christ is coming

00:47:28.679 --> 00:47:29.460
 back.

00:47:30.619 --> 00:47:31.240
 Let us not be

00:47:31.240 --> 00:47:32.059
 discouraged in our

00:47:32.059 --> 00:47:32.820
 labor, but rather

00:47:32.820 --> 00:47:34.380
 be encouraged with

00:47:34.380 --> 00:47:36.340
 new partners, with

00:47:36.340 --> 00:47:37.880
 provision, with

00:47:37.880 --> 00:47:39.599
 his presence, with

00:47:39.599 --> 00:47:40.960
 protection, and with

00:47:40.960 --> 00:47:41.599
 purpose.

00:47:42.340 --> 00:47:42.820
 Let's pray

00:47:42.820 --> 00:47:43.100
 together.