WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:04.299 Please join me in your copy of God's Word, which I hope you have with you. 00:00:04.299 --> 00:00:07.940 I hope it's well read and treasured in your hearts. 00:00:07.940 --> 00:00:11.160 To the book of Acts chapter 21. 00:00:15.560 --> 00:00:20.179 Our text this morning will begin in verse 27 of Acts chapter 21 00:00:20.179 --> 00:00:26.860 and go through verse 29 of Acts chapter 22. 00:00:27.900 --> 00:00:29.600 That's right, not three verses. 00:00:29.760 --> 00:00:32.479 We're going to go almost a whole chapter this morning. 00:00:32.579 --> 00:00:34.600 And this morning's sermon will be a bit different 00:00:34.600 --> 00:00:37.340 because this morning's text is such a long one. 00:00:37.340 --> 00:00:43.060 It's setting a stage for really the rest of Luke's second narrative 00:00:43.060 --> 00:00:49.200 for Paul's arrest and his coming trials, his journey to Rome. 00:00:50.359 --> 00:00:54.020 Also, because I'm just not feeling super hot today, here's the plan. 00:00:55.320 --> 00:00:57.780 As we read the text, I'm going to stop. 00:00:57.840 --> 00:01:00.100 I'm going to pause and I'm going to make comments. 00:01:00.200 --> 00:01:01.420 I hope for your benefit. 00:01:01.640 --> 00:01:05.260 I hope this will be helpful to you in understanding what's happening 00:01:05.260 --> 00:01:10.040 to the life of Paul as Christ ministers through him in Jerusalem. 00:01:11.280 --> 00:01:14.640 And then at the end of that, as I'm making notes through, 00:01:14.760 --> 00:01:17.859 at the end of that, we will do a brief outline, 00:01:18.400 --> 00:01:19.580 which will be the following. 00:01:19.980 --> 00:01:23.439 Number one, we'll note the ferocity of the crowd. 00:01:23.439 --> 00:01:27.239 Number two, the fearlessness of Paul. 00:01:27.859 --> 00:01:31.659 And number three, the faithfulness of Paul. 00:01:31.859 --> 00:01:35.359 So the ferocity of the crowd, the fearlessness of Paul. 00:01:35.679 --> 00:01:38.799 And number three, the faithfulness of Paul. 00:01:39.780 --> 00:01:44.259 Before I begin reading, beloved, let me remind you that this is God's word to us. 00:01:45.019 --> 00:01:48.700 That it was written for his glory and for our good. 00:01:48.700 --> 00:01:55.180 And we would all do well to listen to it in order to believe its promises and obey its commands. 00:01:55.280 --> 00:01:57.859 I'll begin in verse 27 of chapter 21. 00:01:59.159 --> 00:02:01.760 When the seven days were almost completed, 00:02:02.680 --> 00:02:05.060 the Jews from Asia, seeing him in the temple, 00:02:05.320 --> 00:02:09.280 stirred up the whole crowd and laid hands on him, crying out, 00:02:09.840 --> 00:02:10.960 Men of Israel, help! 00:02:11.500 --> 00:02:14.120 This is the man who was teaching everyone everywhere 00:02:14.120 --> 00:02:17.300 against the people and the law and this place. 00:02:17.300 --> 00:02:22.960 Moreover, he even brought Greeks into the temple and has defiled this holy place. 00:02:23.700 --> 00:02:27.300 For they had previously seen Trophimus the Ephesian with him in the city, 00:02:27.640 --> 00:02:30.500 and they supposed that Paul had brought him into the temple. 00:02:31.320 --> 00:02:35.000 Then all the city was stirred up and the people ran together. 00:02:35.680 --> 00:02:38.420 They seized Paul and dragged him out of the temple, 00:02:38.680 --> 00:02:41.640 and at once the gates were shut. 00:02:41.639 --> 00:02:48.299 Recall that Paul, in order to maintain unity amongst the Jewish Christians in Jerusalem, 00:02:48.559 --> 00:02:52.979 was participating in a custom along with four men. 00:02:53.099 --> 00:02:56.559 We spent an expansive amount of time on this last week. 00:02:57.319 --> 00:03:01.500 Luke's reference to the seven days has to do with that custom, 00:03:01.659 --> 00:03:05.899 the purification that would have occurred at the end of that custom at the temple. 00:03:05.900 --> 00:03:09.879 So we see that Paul is participating in the custom, 00:03:10.620 --> 00:03:12.879 and Jews from Asia, 00:03:12.980 --> 00:03:17.080 that is Jews who had rejected the gospel in Ephesus 00:03:17.080 --> 00:03:20.620 and sought Paul's life there. 00:03:21.080 --> 00:03:23.700 Some of these Jews are now in Jerusalem, 00:03:24.140 --> 00:03:29.000 and they create a commotion by making a presumptive accusation 00:03:29.000 --> 00:03:31.699 that Paul has taken a Gentile, 00:03:31.800 --> 00:03:35.139 a non-Jewish person by heritage, 00:03:35.460 --> 00:03:38.199 in the holy place of the temple. 00:03:38.300 --> 00:03:40.659 The temple had various courts, 00:03:40.800 --> 00:03:42.659 the Holy of Holies at the center, 00:03:42.780 --> 00:03:46.219 that only the high priest went into one day a week, 00:03:46.300 --> 00:03:47.340 called the Day of Atonement. 00:03:47.840 --> 00:03:50.680 The holy place, which was reserved for Jewish worship, 00:03:50.860 --> 00:03:52.500 and then the court of the Gentiles, 00:03:52.920 --> 00:03:55.159 which Gentiles were allowed to be in. 00:03:55.159 --> 00:04:00.120 So they presumed, having seen Paul with Trophimus, 00:04:00.280 --> 00:04:01.719 I think that's how you say his name, 00:04:02.340 --> 00:04:04.099 that they had taken him in there. 00:04:04.319 --> 00:04:09.219 And I would suppose they're just looking for accusation to rail against him. 00:04:10.319 --> 00:04:12.280 The text says that we've read so far, 00:04:12.379 --> 00:04:14.699 at once the gates were shut. 00:04:14.800 --> 00:04:17.180 The temple guard closed the gates to the temple 00:04:17.180 --> 00:04:22.560 so that the temple would not be defiled by Paul's death. 00:04:22.560 --> 00:04:26.060 They have dragged him out in order to kill him. 00:04:26.920 --> 00:04:28.560 Continue reading in verse 31. 00:04:30.079 --> 00:04:31.860 And as they were seeking to kill him, 00:04:32.759 --> 00:04:35.439 word came to the tribune of the cohort 00:04:35.439 --> 00:04:38.280 that all Jerusalem was in confusion. 00:04:39.259 --> 00:04:42.819 He at once took soldiers and centurions and ran down to them. 00:04:43.259 --> 00:04:45.540 And when they saw the tribune and the soldiers, 00:04:45.879 --> 00:04:48.439 they stopped beating Paul. 00:04:48.439 --> 00:04:53.519 Now the tribune is the commanding officer of the cohort 00:04:53.519 --> 00:04:58.300 that's there of Roman soldiers that are there in Jerusalem. 00:04:58.920 --> 00:05:02.459 A cohort loosely means a band of soldiers. 00:05:02.899 --> 00:05:06.180 In this case in Jerusalem, there were a thousand soldiers, 00:05:06.879 --> 00:05:11.800 760 foot soldiers and 240 cavalry soldiers. 00:05:12.339 --> 00:05:15.180 There's a mention of both soldiers and centurions. 00:05:15.180 --> 00:05:17.360 So if your curiosity is piqued, 00:05:17.439 --> 00:05:20.920 the centurion was a professional officer of the Roman army. 00:05:21.019 --> 00:05:24.819 So also a soldier, but an officer in the Roman army. 00:05:25.800 --> 00:05:30.160 The tribune was charged with keeping the peace in Jerusalem. 00:05:30.360 --> 00:05:32.939 Remember, this is an occupying army. 00:05:33.160 --> 00:05:35.840 And he was meant with all of these Roman soldiers, 00:05:35.939 --> 00:05:38.399 the cohort of a thousand soldiers, 00:05:38.500 --> 00:05:41.439 to keep down any insurrections. 00:05:41.439 --> 00:05:43.519 So when there was an uprising, 00:05:43.759 --> 00:05:45.639 just like when Jesus was crucified, 00:05:46.120 --> 00:05:51.399 they worked to appease the population at any cost. 00:05:52.060 --> 00:05:55.459 If it meant crucifying our Lord and Savior, 00:05:56.139 --> 00:05:57.060 this is what they would do. 00:05:57.139 --> 00:05:58.860 If it meant arresting Paul, 00:05:59.480 --> 00:06:00.939 this is what they would do. 00:06:01.000 --> 00:06:02.659 They wanted to keep peace 00:06:02.659 --> 00:06:05.180 in the place that they were ruling over. 00:06:05.360 --> 00:06:09.920 So the tribune is not particularly sympathetic toward Paul. 00:06:09.920 --> 00:06:13.460 He's just meaning to keep the crowd in order, 00:06:13.660 --> 00:06:17.500 which in this case works out to Paul's benefit. 00:06:18.199 --> 00:06:18.680 Verse 33. 00:06:20.220 --> 00:06:22.319 Then the tribune came up and arrested him 00:06:22.319 --> 00:06:25.800 and ordered him to be bound with two chains. 00:06:25.980 --> 00:06:27.980 He would be bound between two soldiers. 00:06:29.139 --> 00:06:33.319 He inquired who he was and what he had done. 00:06:34.040 --> 00:06:36.100 Some in the crowd were shouting one thing, 00:06:36.240 --> 00:06:36.980 some another. 00:06:36.980 --> 00:06:40.340 And as he could not learn the facts because of the uproar, 00:06:40.420 --> 00:06:42.860 he ordered him to be brought into the barracks. 00:06:43.360 --> 00:06:44.879 And when he came to the steps, 00:06:45.300 --> 00:06:47.439 he was actually carried by the soldiers 00:06:47.439 --> 00:06:49.500 because of the violence of the crowd. 00:06:49.720 --> 00:06:51.580 For the mob of the people followed, 00:06:51.759 --> 00:06:52.540 crying out, 00:06:53.020 --> 00:06:54.000 away with him. 00:06:55.000 --> 00:06:58.100 So Paul is arrested by the commanding officer 00:06:58.100 --> 00:07:00.980 who assumes that he is guilty of something. 00:07:01.640 --> 00:07:01.960 Otherwise, 00:07:02.259 --> 00:07:04.620 why would the crowd be so furious with him? 00:07:04.620 --> 00:07:06.939 He has to be guilty of something. 00:07:07.079 --> 00:07:07.399 However, 00:07:08.079 --> 00:07:11.079 as he makes inquiry to Paul's crime, 00:07:11.180 --> 00:07:13.800 the crowd is in such an uproar, 00:07:14.439 --> 00:07:16.620 and so clearly not on the same page. 00:07:16.720 --> 00:07:17.819 One saying one thing, 00:07:17.899 --> 00:07:19.300 one saying another. 00:07:19.480 --> 00:07:22.100 This is mob violence 00:07:22.100 --> 00:07:24.800 that Paul finds himself in the middle of. 00:07:25.699 --> 00:07:28.579 But the tribune decides to take Paul to the barracks, 00:07:28.620 --> 00:07:31.300 which would have been just across the street 00:07:31.300 --> 00:07:33.759 from the temple where he could question him 00:07:33.759 --> 00:07:36.920 by torture for a confession. 00:07:38.060 --> 00:07:40.240 The crowd at this point is in such a frenzy 00:07:40.240 --> 00:07:43.900 that Paul has to be carried above the crowd. 00:07:44.000 --> 00:07:44.980 This is my presumption, 00:07:45.080 --> 00:07:46.000 but that he's actually carried, 00:07:46.160 --> 00:07:49.300 lifted up above the crowd for his safety 00:07:49.300 --> 00:07:51.960 so that he can, in fact, be questioned. 00:07:52.900 --> 00:07:53.379 Verse 37. 00:07:54.759 --> 00:07:57.379 As Paul was about to be brought into the barracks, 00:07:57.379 --> 00:07:58.800 he said to the tribune, 00:07:59.199 --> 00:08:01.120 may I say something to you? 00:08:01.699 --> 00:08:02.540 And he said, 00:08:03.019 --> 00:08:03.939 do you know Greek? 00:08:04.259 --> 00:08:05.800 Are you not the Egyptian then 00:08:05.800 --> 00:08:07.699 who recently stirred up a revolt 00:08:07.699 --> 00:08:10.180 and led the 4,000 men of the assassins 00:08:10.180 --> 00:08:11.560 out into the wilderness? 00:08:13.159 --> 00:08:16.339 Because Paul speaks in Greek to the tribune, 00:08:17.100 --> 00:08:18.759 the tribune wrongly assumes 00:08:18.759 --> 00:08:20.659 that Paul was an Egyptian man 00:08:20.659 --> 00:08:22.439 that some years earlier led a group, 00:08:22.600 --> 00:08:23.699 here Luke records, 00:08:23.800 --> 00:08:25.360 of 4,000 men 00:08:25.360 --> 00:08:26.960 to the Mount of Olives 00:08:26.960 --> 00:08:27.759 where he proclaimed 00:08:27.759 --> 00:08:28.960 that the walls of Jerusalem 00:08:28.960 --> 00:08:30.040 would fall at his command 00:08:30.040 --> 00:08:32.100 and the Romans would be routed. 00:08:32.180 --> 00:08:33.600 So there was a man from Egypt, 00:08:33.659 --> 00:08:36.139 we just know him as the Egyptian here, 00:08:36.740 --> 00:08:38.639 makes this bold proclamation 00:08:38.639 --> 00:08:41.399 that he would command the walls to fall 00:08:41.399 --> 00:08:44.220 and Rome would be driven out. 00:08:45.220 --> 00:08:46.340 Before that happened, 00:08:46.600 --> 00:08:48.639 Governor Felix led Roman troops against him, 00:08:48.720 --> 00:08:50.680 killing much of the insurrection, 00:08:50.879 --> 00:08:54.080 but the man known as the Egyptian escaped. 00:08:54.080 --> 00:08:57.860 Paul simply gives the tribune a simple response. 00:08:58.100 --> 00:08:58.580 Verse 39, 00:08:58.879 --> 00:08:59.680 Paul replied, 00:09:00.740 --> 00:09:03.200 I am a Jew from Tarsus and Cilicia, 00:09:03.700 --> 00:09:05.980 a citizen of no obscure city. 00:09:06.660 --> 00:09:07.639 I beg you, 00:09:07.759 --> 00:09:09.639 permit me to speak to the people. 00:09:10.540 --> 00:09:11.759 And when he had given him permission, 00:09:11.980 --> 00:09:13.980 Paul, standing on the steps, 00:09:14.600 --> 00:09:16.120 motioned with his hand to the people. 00:09:16.800 --> 00:09:18.400 And when there was a great hush, 00:09:18.480 --> 00:09:20.900 he addressed them in the Hebrew language, 00:09:21.060 --> 00:09:21.420 saying, 00:09:21.419 --> 00:09:23.259 Brothers and fathers, 00:09:23.860 --> 00:09:26.219 hear the defense that I now make before you. 00:09:26.860 --> 00:09:28.599 And when they heard that he was addressing them 00:09:28.599 --> 00:09:29.759 in the Hebrew language, 00:09:30.059 --> 00:09:32.839 they became even more quiet. 00:09:34.039 --> 00:09:36.139 I imagine they became even more quiet 00:09:36.139 --> 00:09:38.620 because of the mass confusion 00:09:38.620 --> 00:09:41.219 about who he was. 00:09:42.059 --> 00:09:44.159 Upon hearing him speak in Aramaic, 00:09:44.159 --> 00:09:48.839 I think many of the crowd recognized him as a Jew, 00:09:49.039 --> 00:09:51.600 which calmed some of their false assumption about him. 00:09:52.639 --> 00:09:55.579 So with the crowd now quiet, 00:09:55.879 --> 00:09:58.339 and Paul standing on the steps, 00:09:59.079 --> 00:10:01.980 he tells of his dramatic conversion. 00:10:02.819 --> 00:10:05.439 He tells them how he went from Christianity's 00:10:05.439 --> 00:10:07.719 most violent persecutor 00:10:07.720 --> 00:10:11.200 to Christianity's greatest missionary. 00:10:12.480 --> 00:10:13.399 Verse 3. 00:10:14.399 --> 00:10:15.200 And he said, 00:10:16.160 --> 00:10:17.100 I am a Jew, 00:10:17.440 --> 00:10:19.160 born in Tarsus and Cilicia, 00:10:19.300 --> 00:10:21.060 brought up in this city, 00:10:21.840 --> 00:10:23.600 educated at the feet of Gamaliel, 00:10:24.040 --> 00:10:26.580 according to the strict manner of the law of our fathers, 00:10:26.700 --> 00:10:28.100 being zealous for God 00:10:28.100 --> 00:10:30.300 as all of you are this day. 00:10:31.200 --> 00:10:33.440 I persecuted this way, 00:10:33.540 --> 00:10:34.560 speaking of Christianity, 00:10:34.559 --> 00:10:35.939 to the deaf, 00:10:36.699 --> 00:10:38.299 binding and delivering to prison 00:10:38.299 --> 00:10:39.500 both men and women 00:10:39.500 --> 00:10:40.899 as the high priest 00:10:40.899 --> 00:10:42.339 and the whole council of elders 00:10:42.339 --> 00:10:43.459 can bear me witness. 00:10:44.339 --> 00:10:46.019 From them I received letters to the brothers, 00:10:46.099 --> 00:10:47.579 and I journeyed toward Damascus 00:10:47.579 --> 00:10:49.539 to take those also who were there 00:10:49.539 --> 00:10:51.579 and bring them in bonds to Jerusalem 00:10:51.579 --> 00:10:52.759 to be punished. 00:10:53.659 --> 00:10:55.019 As I was on my way 00:10:55.019 --> 00:10:56.419 and drew near to Damascus, 00:10:56.839 --> 00:10:58.839 about noon a great light from heaven 00:10:58.839 --> 00:11:00.419 suddenly shone around me. 00:11:01.059 --> 00:11:02.379 And I fell to the ground 00:11:02.379 --> 00:11:03.899 and heard a voice saying to me, 00:11:03.899 --> 00:11:05.919 Saul, Saul, 00:11:06.199 --> 00:11:08.000 why are you persecuting me? 00:11:08.539 --> 00:11:09.559 And I answered, 00:11:09.779 --> 00:11:10.860 Who are you, Lord? 00:11:11.379 --> 00:11:12.559 And he said to me, 00:11:12.720 --> 00:11:14.639 I am Jesus of Nazareth, 00:11:14.939 --> 00:11:16.639 whom you are persecuting. 00:11:17.500 --> 00:11:19.519 Now those who were with me saw the light, 00:11:19.600 --> 00:11:21.899 but did not understand the voice of the one 00:11:21.899 --> 00:11:23.340 who was speaking to me. 00:11:24.059 --> 00:11:25.079 And I said, 00:11:25.299 --> 00:11:26.699 What shall I do, Lord? 00:11:27.139 --> 00:11:28.579 And the Lord said to me, 00:11:28.939 --> 00:11:30.939 Rise and go into Damascus, 00:11:30.940 --> 00:11:32.620 and there you will be told 00:11:32.620 --> 00:11:34.800 all that is appointed for you to do. 00:11:35.760 --> 00:11:37.240 And since I could not see 00:11:37.240 --> 00:11:38.980 because of the brightness of that light, 00:11:39.200 --> 00:11:40.560 I was led by the hand 00:11:40.560 --> 00:11:41.860 by those who were with me 00:11:41.860 --> 00:11:43.260 and came into Damascus. 00:11:43.900 --> 00:11:45.240 And one Ananias, 00:11:45.300 --> 00:11:46.980 a devout man according to the law, 00:11:47.440 --> 00:11:49.120 well spoken of by all the Jews 00:11:49.120 --> 00:11:49.760 who lived there, 00:11:50.180 --> 00:11:50.820 came to me 00:11:50.820 --> 00:11:52.860 and standing by me said to me, 00:11:53.260 --> 00:11:54.000 Brother Saul, 00:11:54.320 --> 00:11:55.300 receive your sight. 00:11:56.080 --> 00:11:56.940 And at that very hour 00:11:56.940 --> 00:11:57.780 I received my sight 00:11:57.779 --> 00:11:58.519 and saw him. 00:11:58.519 --> 00:11:59.500 And he said, 00:12:00.259 --> 00:12:01.139 The God of our fathers 00:12:01.139 --> 00:12:03.120 appointed to know his will, 00:12:03.500 --> 00:12:04.919 to see the righteous one 00:12:04.919 --> 00:12:06.620 and to hear a voice from his mouth. 00:12:07.100 --> 00:12:08.620 For you will be a witness for him 00:12:08.620 --> 00:12:09.279 to everyone 00:12:09.279 --> 00:12:11.600 of what you have seen and heard. 00:12:12.220 --> 00:12:13.759 And now why do you wait? 00:12:14.779 --> 00:12:15.740 Rise and be baptized 00:12:15.740 --> 00:12:17.939 and wash away your sins, 00:12:18.439 --> 00:12:20.299 calling on his name. 00:12:21.600 --> 00:12:23.279 Now it is worth pointing out 00:12:23.279 --> 00:12:24.079 at this point 00:12:24.080 --> 00:12:26.780 and noting that as Paul is telling 00:12:26.780 --> 00:12:27.840 of his conversion, 00:12:28.440 --> 00:12:30.480 he is sharing the gospel 00:12:30.480 --> 00:12:32.120 of Jesus Christ. 00:12:32.700 --> 00:12:34.820 He is weaving his story 00:12:34.820 --> 00:12:36.940 into the greater narrative 00:12:36.940 --> 00:12:38.560 of the world 00:12:38.560 --> 00:12:41.120 and God's redemptive purpose in it 00:12:41.120 --> 00:12:43.420 as he recounts the words 00:12:43.420 --> 00:12:44.460 of Ananias, 00:12:44.820 --> 00:12:46.200 Rise and be baptized 00:12:46.200 --> 00:12:48.700 and wash away your sins, 00:12:49.160 --> 00:12:51.100 calling on his name. 00:12:51.100 --> 00:12:53.720 Now I will spare you 00:12:53.720 --> 00:12:55.200 the Greek work it takes 00:12:55.200 --> 00:12:57.000 to arrive at the following conclusion, 00:12:58.100 --> 00:12:59.080 but Ananias' call 00:12:59.080 --> 00:12:59.980 to rise and be baptized 00:12:59.980 --> 00:13:01.259 and wash away your sins, 00:13:01.540 --> 00:13:02.980 calling on your name 00:13:02.980 --> 00:13:04.740 is more literally translated, 00:13:05.740 --> 00:13:07.519 and I appreciate ESV, 00:13:07.620 --> 00:13:08.620 which is the translation I'm using, 00:13:08.759 --> 00:13:10.540 making it sound poetic, 00:13:11.220 --> 00:13:13.080 but it's more literally translated, 00:13:13.800 --> 00:13:14.340 rise, 00:13:15.240 --> 00:13:16.700 get yourself baptized, 00:13:17.639 --> 00:13:19.519 and your sins washed away, 00:13:19.519 --> 00:13:22.399 having called on his name. 00:13:23.299 --> 00:13:24.120 That is, 00:13:25.059 --> 00:13:27.319 Ananias preached the gospel 00:13:27.319 --> 00:13:29.279 of salvation by grace alone, 00:13:29.740 --> 00:13:30.980 through faith alone, 00:13:31.460 --> 00:13:32.819 in Jesus Christ alone. 00:13:33.519 --> 00:13:34.720 He is not suggesting 00:13:34.720 --> 00:13:37.720 that baptism washes away sin, 00:13:38.079 --> 00:13:40.319 but that faith in Jesus Christ, 00:13:40.480 --> 00:13:43.360 calling on the name of Jesus Christ, 00:13:43.879 --> 00:13:45.319 washes away sin, 00:13:45.319 --> 00:13:47.720 which leads to the obedience 00:13:47.720 --> 00:13:49.240 of baptism. 00:13:49.600 --> 00:13:50.180 Hear it again. 00:13:50.360 --> 00:13:50.920 Rise, 00:13:51.340 --> 00:13:52.460 get yourself baptized, 00:13:53.120 --> 00:13:54.960 and your sins washed away, 00:13:55.580 --> 00:13:58.540 having called on his name. 00:13:58.720 --> 00:14:00.899 So the calling on the name 00:14:00.899 --> 00:14:03.639 precedes baptism. 00:14:04.779 --> 00:14:05.840 Verse 17, 00:14:06.700 --> 00:14:09.720 When I had returned to Jerusalem 00:14:09.720 --> 00:14:11.220 and was praying in the temple, 00:14:11.360 --> 00:14:13.279 I fell into a trance, 00:14:13.279 --> 00:14:15.899 and saw him saying to me, 00:14:16.059 --> 00:14:18.179 saw Christ saying to Paul, 00:14:19.139 --> 00:14:21.059 Make haste and get out of Jerusalem quickly, 00:14:21.379 --> 00:14:22.799 because they will not accept 00:14:22.799 --> 00:14:24.279 your testimony about me. 00:14:24.839 --> 00:14:25.740 And I said, 00:14:25.899 --> 00:14:26.179 Lord, 00:14:26.379 --> 00:14:27.759 they themselves know 00:14:27.759 --> 00:14:29.579 that in one synagogue after another 00:14:29.579 --> 00:14:30.799 I imprisoned and beat 00:14:30.799 --> 00:14:32.519 those who believed in you. 00:14:33.019 --> 00:14:34.419 And when the blood of Stephen, 00:14:34.559 --> 00:14:35.120 your witness, 00:14:35.199 --> 00:14:36.000 was being shed, 00:14:36.120 --> 00:14:37.980 I myself was standing by 00:14:37.980 --> 00:14:39.100 and approving 00:14:39.100 --> 00:14:40.620 and watching over the garments 00:14:40.620 --> 00:14:42.320 of those who killed him. 00:14:42.980 --> 00:14:44.100 And he said to me, 00:14:44.440 --> 00:14:44.860 Go, 00:14:45.340 --> 00:14:47.179 for I will send you far away 00:14:47.179 --> 00:14:48.720 to the Gentiles. 00:14:49.580 --> 00:14:51.360 So Paul recounts 00:14:51.360 --> 00:14:53.560 Jesus is commissioning him 00:14:53.560 --> 00:14:54.679 in a trance 00:14:54.679 --> 00:14:55.720 to carry the gospel 00:14:55.720 --> 00:14:57.019 to Gentiles, 00:14:57.100 --> 00:14:59.399 to non-Jewish peoples. 00:15:00.220 --> 00:15:02.019 It has always been 00:15:02.019 --> 00:15:03.080 God's purpose 00:15:03.080 --> 00:15:04.620 to make himself known 00:15:04.620 --> 00:15:06.019 throughout the world. 00:15:07.019 --> 00:15:08.440 In Psalm 86, 9, 00:15:08.440 --> 00:15:09.540 David writes, 00:15:09.720 --> 00:15:11.200 All the nations you have made 00:15:11.200 --> 00:15:12.840 shall come and worship 00:15:12.840 --> 00:15:14.120 before you, O Lord, 00:15:14.400 --> 00:15:17.060 and shall glorify your name. 00:15:17.920 --> 00:15:19.420 Many Jews 00:15:19.420 --> 00:15:21.560 had missed this reality. 00:15:22.140 --> 00:15:23.940 Many of them were hanging on 00:15:23.940 --> 00:15:25.500 to their ethnic 00:15:25.500 --> 00:15:27.140 and national identity 00:15:27.140 --> 00:15:27.840 as a people 00:15:27.840 --> 00:15:28.880 who had been invaded 00:15:28.880 --> 00:15:29.840 and were being ruled 00:15:29.840 --> 00:15:31.040 by Rome. 00:15:31.580 --> 00:15:32.280 They had missed 00:15:32.280 --> 00:15:33.640 that God intended 00:15:33.640 --> 00:15:34.780 His glory 00:15:34.780 --> 00:15:35.480 to go out 00:15:35.480 --> 00:15:37.040 amongst all peoples. 00:15:37.180 --> 00:15:37.760 Praise God. 00:15:37.759 --> 00:15:39.059 I think most, 00:15:39.159 --> 00:15:39.879 if not all of us, 00:15:39.919 --> 00:15:40.539 are benefits 00:15:40.539 --> 00:15:41.799 of that good purpose 00:15:41.799 --> 00:15:43.419 in the world. 00:15:44.200 --> 00:15:44.460 So, 00:15:44.620 --> 00:15:45.860 having missed that reality, 00:15:46.000 --> 00:15:46.379 the Jews, 00:15:47.019 --> 00:15:47.759 verse 22, 00:15:49.360 --> 00:15:50.220 Luke records for us, 00:15:50.279 --> 00:15:51.100 Up to this word 00:15:51.100 --> 00:15:52.220 they listened to Him. 00:15:53.259 --> 00:15:54.240 Then they raised 00:15:54.240 --> 00:15:54.860 their voices 00:15:54.860 --> 00:15:55.879 and said, 00:15:55.960 --> 00:15:57.179 so this is in response 00:15:57.179 --> 00:15:59.000 to Paul saying, 00:15:59.159 --> 00:16:00.620 Jesus commissioned me 00:16:00.620 --> 00:16:01.620 to go 00:16:01.620 --> 00:16:02.899 to the Gentiles. 00:16:02.899 --> 00:16:05.720 they raised their voices 00:16:05.720 --> 00:16:06.360 and said, 00:16:06.579 --> 00:16:08.000 halfway through verse 22, 00:16:08.840 --> 00:16:10.000 away with such a fellow 00:16:10.000 --> 00:16:10.879 from the earth. 00:16:11.120 --> 00:16:12.720 He should not be allowed 00:16:12.720 --> 00:16:14.120 to live. 00:16:14.799 --> 00:16:15.860 And as they were shouting 00:16:15.860 --> 00:16:17.120 and throwing off their cloaks 00:16:17.120 --> 00:16:18.179 and flinging dust 00:16:18.179 --> 00:16:18.939 into the air, 00:16:19.439 --> 00:16:20.600 the tribune ordered him 00:16:20.600 --> 00:16:21.100 to be brought 00:16:21.100 --> 00:16:21.879 into the barracks 00:16:21.879 --> 00:16:22.879 saying that he should be 00:16:22.879 --> 00:16:24.659 examined by flogging 00:16:24.659 --> 00:16:25.959 to find out why 00:16:25.959 --> 00:16:26.860 they were shouting 00:16:26.860 --> 00:16:28.039 against him 00:16:28.039 --> 00:16:29.460 like this. 00:16:29.460 --> 00:16:32.340 Jewish prejudice 00:16:32.340 --> 00:16:33.960 against Gentiles 00:16:33.960 --> 00:16:35.220 threw them 00:16:35.220 --> 00:16:36.200 once again 00:16:36.200 --> 00:16:37.720 into a rage 00:16:37.720 --> 00:16:39.259 which they expressed 00:16:39.259 --> 00:16:40.300 by calling again 00:16:40.300 --> 00:16:41.180 for Paul's death 00:16:41.180 --> 00:16:41.879 and making 00:16:41.879 --> 00:16:43.120 expressions 00:16:43.120 --> 00:16:44.500 of disdain 00:16:44.500 --> 00:16:45.580 in throwing off 00:16:45.580 --> 00:16:46.519 their cloaks 00:16:46.519 --> 00:16:48.220 and flinging dust 00:16:48.220 --> 00:16:49.500 into the air. 00:16:49.620 --> 00:16:50.019 And so, 00:16:50.720 --> 00:16:51.820 the tribune proceeds 00:16:51.820 --> 00:16:52.740 with his original plan 00:16:52.740 --> 00:16:53.560 to torture Paul 00:16:53.560 --> 00:16:54.580 to find out 00:16:54.580 --> 00:16:55.519 what he is guilty of. 00:16:56.560 --> 00:16:57.259 Verse 25, 00:16:57.259 --> 00:17:00.240 But when they had 00:17:00.240 --> 00:17:01.319 stretched him out 00:17:01.319 --> 00:17:02.679 for the whips, 00:17:03.580 --> 00:17:04.920 Paul said to the centurion 00:17:04.920 --> 00:17:06.099 who was standing by, 00:17:07.099 --> 00:17:07.859 Is it lawful 00:17:07.859 --> 00:17:09.019 for you to flog a man 00:17:09.019 --> 00:17:10.200 who is a Roman citizen 00:17:10.200 --> 00:17:11.920 and uncondemned? 00:17:12.900 --> 00:17:13.839 When the centurion 00:17:13.839 --> 00:17:14.579 heard this, 00:17:14.759 --> 00:17:15.759 he went to the tribune 00:17:15.759 --> 00:17:16.660 and said to him, 00:17:16.859 --> 00:17:19.039 What are you about to do? 00:17:19.039 --> 00:17:20.579 For this man 00:17:20.579 --> 00:17:22.359 is a Roman citizen. 00:17:23.539 --> 00:17:23.799 You see, 00:17:23.879 --> 00:17:24.440 Roman citizens 00:17:24.440 --> 00:17:25.039 were exempted 00:17:25.039 --> 00:17:27.500 from torturous methods 00:17:27.500 --> 00:17:28.839 of inquiry. 00:17:29.740 --> 00:17:30.399 So Paul, 00:17:30.879 --> 00:17:32.220 with a simple question 00:17:32.220 --> 00:17:32.599 asked, 00:17:33.299 --> 00:17:33.740 I think, 00:17:33.819 --> 00:17:34.720 in the way I read it, 00:17:35.379 --> 00:17:36.119 makes it known 00:17:36.119 --> 00:17:36.879 to a centurion 00:17:36.879 --> 00:17:38.059 that he is 00:17:38.059 --> 00:17:39.579 a Roman citizen. 00:17:39.779 --> 00:17:40.579 Is it lawful? 00:17:40.839 --> 00:17:41.379 Knowing full well 00:17:41.379 --> 00:17:41.980 it wasn't. 00:17:42.519 --> 00:17:43.460 For you to flog 00:17:43.460 --> 00:17:44.119 a man who is 00:17:44.119 --> 00:17:44.940 a Roman citizen 00:17:44.940 --> 00:17:47.259 and uncondemned? 00:17:48.559 --> 00:17:49.559 Paul's treatment 00:17:49.559 --> 00:17:51.200 could have cost 00:17:51.200 --> 00:17:52.059 the tribune 00:17:52.059 --> 00:17:53.460 his career 00:17:53.460 --> 00:17:54.659 or possibly 00:17:54.659 --> 00:17:56.460 even his life. 00:17:57.279 --> 00:17:58.359 So the centurion 00:17:58.359 --> 00:17:59.399 hastens to him 00:17:59.399 --> 00:18:00.179 and reports 00:18:00.179 --> 00:18:01.399 Paul's citizenship 00:18:01.399 --> 00:18:02.039 to the tribune 00:18:02.039 --> 00:18:03.279 who comes 00:18:03.279 --> 00:18:04.839 and questions Paul 00:18:04.839 --> 00:18:07.279 in order to confirm it. 00:18:08.539 --> 00:18:09.259 Verse 27, 00:18:09.379 --> 00:18:09.779 So the tribune 00:18:09.779 --> 00:18:10.879 came and said to him, 00:18:10.980 --> 00:18:11.359 Tell me, 00:18:11.419 --> 00:18:12.539 are you a Roman citizen? 00:18:13.179 --> 00:18:14.119 And he said, 00:18:14.759 --> 00:18:15.119 Yes. 00:18:15.919 --> 00:18:17.059 The tribune answered, 00:18:17.720 --> 00:18:19.259 I bought this citizenship 00:18:19.259 --> 00:18:21.680 for a large sum, 00:18:21.779 --> 00:18:23.279 which likely means 00:18:23.279 --> 00:18:24.660 that he had bribed his way 00:18:24.660 --> 00:18:25.980 into becoming a citizen. 00:18:26.420 --> 00:18:27.900 The law did not allow 00:18:27.900 --> 00:18:28.539 for such a thing, 00:18:28.640 --> 00:18:30.539 but likely he paid his way in 00:18:30.539 --> 00:18:35.319 through illegal bribery. 00:18:36.519 --> 00:18:37.119 Paul said, 00:18:38.039 --> 00:18:40.200 But I am a citizen by birth, 00:18:40.299 --> 00:18:42.160 a legitimate citizen. 00:18:42.799 --> 00:18:43.339 Verse 29, 00:18:44.039 --> 00:18:44.879 So those who are about 00:18:44.879 --> 00:18:45.859 to examine him, 00:18:46.500 --> 00:18:47.200 torture him, 00:18:47.299 --> 00:18:48.039 and ask him questions, 00:18:48.180 --> 00:18:49.000 withdrew from him, 00:18:49.000 --> 00:18:49.900 immediately. 00:18:50.640 --> 00:18:51.180 And the tribune 00:18:51.180 --> 00:18:52.500 also was afraid, 00:18:53.140 --> 00:18:54.180 for he realized 00:18:54.180 --> 00:18:55.980 that Paul was a Roman citizen 00:18:55.980 --> 00:18:59.039 and that he had bound him, 00:18:59.160 --> 00:19:02.039 unlawfully bound him. 00:19:02.160 --> 00:19:03.039 And this sets us up 00:19:03.039 --> 00:19:03.859 for the trials 00:19:03.859 --> 00:19:04.660 that are to come 00:19:04.660 --> 00:19:07.319 in coming weeks. 00:19:07.960 --> 00:19:10.240 So, as a reminder, 00:19:11.160 --> 00:19:12.039 and in brief, 00:19:12.099 --> 00:19:12.980 at least that's my intention, 00:19:13.940 --> 00:19:15.019 let's note together 00:19:15.019 --> 00:19:16.579 the ferocity of the crowd, 00:19:16.579 --> 00:19:19.539 the fearlessness of Paul, 00:19:19.759 --> 00:19:22.159 and the faithfulness of Paul. 00:19:22.659 --> 00:19:23.179 Number one, 00:19:23.799 --> 00:19:26.359 the ferocity of the crowd. 00:19:26.359 --> 00:19:34.799 Now, the way in which 00:19:34.799 --> 00:19:35.879 this crowd acts 00:19:35.879 --> 00:19:38.679 should be no surprise to you 00:19:38.679 --> 00:19:40.479 if you have been a student 00:19:40.479 --> 00:19:42.000 of the book of Acts 00:19:42.000 --> 00:19:42.839 along with us. 00:19:43.559 --> 00:19:44.919 We have seen in our study together 00:19:44.919 --> 00:19:46.639 a great number of crowds 00:19:46.639 --> 00:19:48.279 upset by the teaching of Paul. 00:19:48.699 --> 00:19:50.959 And we know that many years earlier, 00:19:50.959 --> 00:19:52.919 it was persecution of Christians 00:19:52.920 --> 00:19:53.779 in Jerusalem 00:19:53.779 --> 00:19:55.680 that flung wide the gates 00:19:55.680 --> 00:19:57.140 for a broad spreading 00:19:57.140 --> 00:19:58.160 of the gospel. 00:19:58.640 --> 00:20:00.019 Everywhere we've seen 00:20:00.019 --> 00:20:01.400 so far in the book of Acts, 00:20:01.880 --> 00:20:03.620 where the gospel is preached, 00:20:03.800 --> 00:20:04.960 there is opposition 00:20:04.960 --> 00:20:06.820 to the gospel. 00:20:08.259 --> 00:20:09.300 Dovetailing this morning 00:20:09.300 --> 00:20:10.279 with Paul's telling 00:20:10.279 --> 00:20:11.160 of his conversion 00:20:11.160 --> 00:20:12.400 in today's text, 00:20:12.920 --> 00:20:14.940 we can recall Luke's record 00:20:14.940 --> 00:20:16.360 following the stoning 00:20:16.360 --> 00:20:18.140 of the first Christian martyr, 00:20:18.140 --> 00:20:18.700 Stephen, 00:20:19.480 --> 00:20:22.180 which was overseen by Paul. 00:20:22.880 --> 00:20:24.200 We read in Acts 8, 00:20:24.279 --> 00:20:25.820 verses 1 through 4, 00:20:26.299 --> 00:20:27.720 And Saul approved 00:20:27.720 --> 00:20:29.620 of Stephen's execution. 00:20:30.500 --> 00:20:31.580 And there arose on that day 00:20:31.580 --> 00:20:32.500 a great persecution 00:20:32.500 --> 00:20:34.340 against the church in Jerusalem. 00:20:34.940 --> 00:20:36.160 And they were all scattered 00:20:36.160 --> 00:20:37.019 throughout the regions 00:20:37.019 --> 00:20:38.279 of Judea and Samaria 00:20:38.279 --> 00:20:39.740 except the apostles. 00:20:40.880 --> 00:20:42.640 Devout men buried Stephen 00:20:42.640 --> 00:20:43.940 and made great lamentation 00:20:43.940 --> 00:20:44.400 over him. 00:20:44.980 --> 00:20:46.720 But Saul was ravaging 00:20:46.720 --> 00:20:47.460 the church 00:20:47.460 --> 00:20:49.279 and entering house after house. 00:20:49.440 --> 00:20:50.860 He dragged off men and women 00:20:50.859 --> 00:20:52.619 and committed them to prison. 00:20:53.439 --> 00:20:54.419 And verse 4 says, 00:20:55.199 --> 00:20:56.740 Now those who were scattered 00:20:56.740 --> 00:21:00.399 went about preaching the word. 00:21:02.079 --> 00:21:03.299 Darkened hearts, 00:21:03.919 --> 00:21:06.619 apart from God's saving grace, 00:21:06.959 --> 00:21:08.399 want nothing to do 00:21:08.399 --> 00:21:09.599 with the truth. 00:21:10.500 --> 00:21:11.139 But rather, 00:21:11.279 --> 00:21:13.199 as Paul states in Romans 1, 00:21:13.500 --> 00:21:14.359 verse 18, 00:21:14.359 --> 00:21:15.299 these people, 00:21:15.819 --> 00:21:17.799 by their unrighteousness, 00:21:18.139 --> 00:21:20.579 suppress the truth. 00:21:21.179 --> 00:21:22.439 We find in our day 00:21:22.439 --> 00:21:23.119 this to be true. 00:21:23.179 --> 00:21:25.179 There's a great labor made 00:21:25.179 --> 00:21:28.379 to suppress the truth of God. 00:21:29.279 --> 00:21:31.099 Here, this crowd called 00:21:31.099 --> 00:21:33.379 for Paul's death. 00:21:34.240 --> 00:21:35.240 This morning, 00:21:36.019 --> 00:21:37.059 around the world, 00:21:37.219 --> 00:21:39.039 many Christians meet in secret. 00:21:40.199 --> 00:21:41.759 Many Christians will be hated, 00:21:41.759 --> 00:21:43.119 ridiculed, 00:21:43.559 --> 00:21:44.079 imprisoned, 00:21:44.980 --> 00:21:45.279 beaten, 00:21:45.980 --> 00:21:46.940 and killed. 00:21:47.879 --> 00:21:49.480 This should not 00:21:49.480 --> 00:21:51.299 surprise us. 00:21:51.920 --> 00:21:53.039 If we are 00:21:53.039 --> 00:21:55.140 faithful witnesses, 00:21:56.140 --> 00:21:57.660 we will not be 00:21:57.660 --> 00:21:58.279 exempt 00:21:58.279 --> 00:22:00.599 from this kind of disdain. 00:22:00.980 --> 00:22:02.519 What should surprise us 00:22:02.519 --> 00:22:03.379 is if we 00:22:03.379 --> 00:22:04.480 don't experience 00:22:04.480 --> 00:22:05.359 opposition 00:22:05.359 --> 00:22:06.440 to the preaching 00:22:06.440 --> 00:22:08.160 of the gospel. 00:22:09.099 --> 00:22:09.920 The apostle Peter 00:22:09.920 --> 00:22:10.820 wrote to Christians 00:22:10.820 --> 00:22:11.900 experiencing persecution 00:22:11.900 --> 00:22:13.519 in 1 Peter 4, 12, 00:22:14.100 --> 00:22:14.440 Beloved, 00:22:14.519 --> 00:22:16.039 do not be surprised 00:22:16.039 --> 00:22:17.259 at the fiery trial 00:22:17.259 --> 00:22:18.700 when it comes upon you 00:22:18.700 --> 00:22:19.800 to test you 00:22:19.800 --> 00:22:21.039 as though 00:22:21.039 --> 00:22:22.900 something strange 00:22:22.900 --> 00:22:23.700 were happening 00:22:23.700 --> 00:22:24.759 to you. 00:22:25.880 --> 00:22:26.420 And Paul wrote 00:22:26.420 --> 00:22:26.920 to Timothy 00:22:26.920 --> 00:22:28.380 in 2 Timothy 3, 12. 00:22:28.660 --> 00:22:29.640 You're familiar with this 00:22:29.640 --> 00:22:30.580 if you've been with us 00:22:30.580 --> 00:22:32.000 in our study of Acts. 00:22:32.140 --> 00:22:32.480 Indeed, 00:22:33.060 --> 00:22:34.019 all who desire 00:22:34.019 --> 00:22:35.340 to live a godly life 00:22:35.340 --> 00:22:36.680 in Christ Jesus 00:22:36.680 --> 00:22:38.519 will be persecuted. 00:22:39.519 --> 00:22:40.560 I know that it will 00:22:40.560 --> 00:22:41.420 take a different shape 00:22:41.420 --> 00:22:42.000 in the place 00:22:42.000 --> 00:22:43.180 that we live, 00:22:43.360 --> 00:22:44.420 but we will 00:22:44.420 --> 00:22:45.840 meet with opposition. 00:22:46.120 --> 00:22:47.120 We will meet 00:22:47.120 --> 00:22:48.580 disdain. 00:22:48.700 --> 00:22:49.900 We will be met 00:22:49.900 --> 00:22:51.779 with ferocity. 00:22:53.180 --> 00:22:53.740 Beloved, 00:22:53.779 --> 00:22:55.000 if we are faithful stewards 00:22:55.000 --> 00:22:56.160 of the good news 00:22:56.160 --> 00:22:57.320 that we have partaken of, 00:22:57.680 --> 00:22:58.820 then the crowds 00:22:58.820 --> 00:22:59.660 will be 00:22:59.660 --> 00:23:00.779 ferocious. 00:23:01.779 --> 00:23:02.980 If the prospect 00:23:02.980 --> 00:23:04.320 of ferocious crowds 00:23:04.320 --> 00:23:05.680 is frightful to you, 00:23:05.680 --> 00:23:07.759 then let the example 00:23:07.759 --> 00:23:08.759 of Paul serve you 00:23:08.759 --> 00:23:09.820 in these next moments 00:23:09.820 --> 00:23:10.980 as we look at 00:23:10.980 --> 00:23:12.019 number two, 00:23:12.940 --> 00:23:13.799 the fearlessness 00:23:13.799 --> 00:23:15.480 of Paul. 00:23:17.060 --> 00:23:18.500 Paul was not at all 00:23:18.500 --> 00:23:19.240 surprised 00:23:19.240 --> 00:23:20.460 by the ferocity 00:23:20.460 --> 00:23:21.320 of the crowd. 00:23:22.160 --> 00:23:23.140 As stated before, 00:23:23.220 --> 00:23:23.880 he had experienced 00:23:23.880 --> 00:23:24.660 such opposition 00:23:24.660 --> 00:23:25.720 almost everywhere 00:23:25.720 --> 00:23:26.820 that he went. 00:23:26.880 --> 00:23:27.360 It was becoming 00:23:27.360 --> 00:23:28.799 an old trick for him. 00:23:29.320 --> 00:23:29.920 And he said 00:23:29.920 --> 00:23:30.880 to the Ephesian elders 00:23:30.880 --> 00:23:31.940 in Acts 20, 00:23:32.240 --> 00:23:33.920 verses 22 and 23, 00:23:33.920 --> 00:23:35.720 and now behold, 00:23:36.000 --> 00:23:37.600 I am going to Jerusalem 00:23:37.600 --> 00:23:39.500 constrained by the Spirit, 00:23:39.960 --> 00:23:40.779 not knowing 00:23:40.779 --> 00:23:41.300 what will happen 00:23:41.300 --> 00:23:41.980 to me there, 00:23:42.519 --> 00:23:42.960 except 00:23:42.960 --> 00:23:44.700 that the Holy Spirit 00:23:44.700 --> 00:23:45.800 testifies to me 00:23:45.800 --> 00:23:46.820 in every city 00:23:46.820 --> 00:23:48.000 that imprisonment 00:23:48.000 --> 00:23:49.640 and afflictions 00:23:49.640 --> 00:23:51.039 await me. 00:23:51.380 --> 00:23:52.420 He was very aware 00:23:52.420 --> 00:23:53.779 that something 00:23:53.779 --> 00:23:56.180 in our term 00:23:56.180 --> 00:23:56.960 bad 00:23:56.960 --> 00:23:57.640 would happen 00:23:57.640 --> 00:23:58.100 to him 00:23:58.100 --> 00:23:59.039 in Jerusalem. 00:23:59.039 --> 00:24:00.619 And he seemed 00:24:00.619 --> 00:24:01.759 so very untroubled 00:24:01.759 --> 00:24:02.460 by this, 00:24:03.200 --> 00:24:04.099 believing, I suppose, 00:24:04.200 --> 00:24:04.700 as he wrote 00:24:04.700 --> 00:24:06.460 in Romans 8, 18, 00:24:06.599 --> 00:24:07.519 for I consider 00:24:07.519 --> 00:24:08.980 that the sufferings 00:24:08.980 --> 00:24:10.139 of this present time 00:24:10.139 --> 00:24:11.519 are not worth 00:24:11.519 --> 00:24:12.279 comparing 00:24:12.279 --> 00:24:13.920 with the glory 00:24:13.920 --> 00:24:15.000 that is to be revealed 00:24:15.000 --> 00:24:16.259 to us. 00:24:17.299 --> 00:24:18.279 So he goes on 00:24:18.279 --> 00:24:19.099 in Acts 20, 00:24:19.319 --> 00:24:20.279 verse 24, 00:24:20.420 --> 00:24:20.940 to say, 00:24:20.940 --> 00:24:22.680 but I do not 00:24:22.680 --> 00:24:23.600 account my life 00:24:23.600 --> 00:24:24.799 of any value 00:24:24.799 --> 00:24:26.360 nor as precious 00:24:26.360 --> 00:24:27.200 to myself 00:24:27.200 --> 00:24:28.920 if only I may 00:24:28.920 --> 00:24:29.980 finish my course 00:24:29.980 --> 00:24:30.680 and the ministry 00:24:30.680 --> 00:24:31.240 that I received 00:24:31.240 --> 00:24:31.960 from the Lord Jesus 00:24:31.960 --> 00:24:32.720 to testify 00:24:32.720 --> 00:24:34.279 to the gospel 00:24:34.279 --> 00:24:35.519 of the grace 00:24:35.519 --> 00:24:36.220 of God. 00:24:37.080 --> 00:24:37.900 Paul believed 00:24:37.900 --> 00:24:38.500 that his life 00:24:38.500 --> 00:24:40.320 only had value 00:24:40.320 --> 00:24:41.539 in that 00:24:41.539 --> 00:24:43.100 it ascribed 00:24:43.100 --> 00:24:43.840 value 00:24:43.840 --> 00:24:45.420 to Jesus Christ. 00:24:46.299 --> 00:24:47.279 He said as much 00:24:47.279 --> 00:24:48.500 in Philippians 1, 21, 00:24:48.500 --> 00:24:49.339 for to me 00:24:49.339 --> 00:24:50.900 to live is Christ 00:24:50.900 --> 00:24:52.240 and to die 00:24:52.240 --> 00:24:53.500 is gain. 00:24:54.359 --> 00:24:56.140 And in Acts 21, 00:24:56.640 --> 00:24:57.460 the last part 00:24:57.460 --> 00:24:58.380 of verse 13, 00:24:59.420 --> 00:24:59.859 he said, 00:25:00.019 --> 00:25:00.579 I am ready 00:25:00.579 --> 00:25:01.539 not only to be 00:25:01.539 --> 00:25:02.019 imprisoned 00:25:02.019 --> 00:25:03.859 but even to die 00:25:03.859 --> 00:25:04.480 in Jerusalem 00:25:04.480 --> 00:25:05.700 for the name 00:25:05.700 --> 00:25:07.720 of the Lord Jesus. 00:25:09.200 --> 00:25:10.599 So Paul is 00:25:10.599 --> 00:25:11.660 fearless 00:25:11.660 --> 00:25:13.220 in the face 00:25:13.220 --> 00:25:14.859 of opposition. 00:25:15.960 --> 00:25:16.640 He believes 00:25:16.640 --> 00:25:17.259 that if God 00:25:17.259 --> 00:25:18.099 is for him, 00:25:18.500 --> 00:25:19.160 no one 00:25:19.160 --> 00:25:19.819 can be 00:25:19.819 --> 00:25:20.839 against him. 00:25:21.539 --> 00:25:22.160 He believes 00:25:22.160 --> 00:25:22.539 that he is 00:25:22.539 --> 00:25:23.119 filling up 00:25:23.119 --> 00:25:23.779 what is lacking 00:25:23.779 --> 00:25:24.440 in the suffering 00:25:24.440 --> 00:25:25.619 of Christ. 00:25:26.319 --> 00:25:27.099 And he believes 00:25:27.099 --> 00:25:28.220 that this is 00:25:28.220 --> 00:25:29.000 an opportunity 00:25:29.000 --> 00:25:29.859 to preach 00:25:29.859 --> 00:25:30.660 the good news 00:25:30.660 --> 00:25:31.859 of Jesus. 00:25:33.299 --> 00:25:33.819 Beloved, 00:25:33.900 --> 00:25:34.619 do you seize 00:25:34.619 --> 00:25:36.079 every opportunity 00:25:36.079 --> 00:25:37.279 to make Christ 00:25:37.279 --> 00:25:37.839 known? 00:25:38.740 --> 00:25:39.799 Do you press 00:25:39.799 --> 00:25:40.599 forward 00:25:40.599 --> 00:25:42.220 or do you 00:25:42.220 --> 00:25:42.660 shrink 00:25:42.660 --> 00:25:43.880 back? 00:25:44.640 --> 00:25:45.240 Are you a 00:25:45.240 --> 00:25:46.380 faithful ambassador 00:25:46.380 --> 00:25:47.559 of the gospel? 00:25:47.559 --> 00:25:48.559 faithfulness 00:25:48.559 --> 00:25:48.559 00:25:48.559 --> 00:25:49.399 Let's be 00:25:49.399 --> 00:25:50.500 further spurned 00:25:50.500 --> 00:25:51.079 on by the 00:25:51.079 --> 00:25:51.839 example of Paul 00:25:51.839 --> 00:25:52.740 as we consider 00:25:52.740 --> 00:25:53.839 number three, 00:25:54.039 --> 00:25:55.139 the faithfulness 00:25:55.139 --> 00:25:56.419 of Paul. 00:25:57.359 --> 00:25:58.539 The faithfulness 00:25:58.539 --> 00:25:58.940 of Paul. 00:25:58.940 --> 00:26:02.299 I imagine 00:26:02.299 --> 00:26:04.039 as Paul 00:26:04.039 --> 00:26:04.440 is being 00:26:04.440 --> 00:26:04.880 carried 00:26:04.880 --> 00:26:05.259 to the 00:26:05.259 --> 00:26:05.620 barrack 00:26:05.620 --> 00:26:06.720 that he 00:26:06.720 --> 00:26:07.240 whispered 00:26:07.240 --> 00:26:07.580 a prayer 00:26:07.580 --> 00:26:07.920 that went 00:26:07.920 --> 00:26:08.360 something 00:26:08.360 --> 00:26:09.559 like this. 00:26:10.720 --> 00:26:11.480 Thank you, 00:26:11.559 --> 00:26:11.720 Lord, 00:26:12.299 --> 00:26:13.320 for gathering 00:26:13.320 --> 00:26:14.400 another crowd 00:26:14.400 --> 00:26:14.820 to hear the 00:26:14.820 --> 00:26:15.559 good news 00:26:15.559 --> 00:26:16.460 of your 00:26:16.460 --> 00:26:17.180 saving grace. 00:26:17.980 --> 00:26:18.740 Thank you 00:26:18.740 --> 00:26:19.259 for allowing 00:26:19.259 --> 00:26:19.740 me, 00:26:19.880 --> 00:26:20.440 who once 00:26:20.440 --> 00:26:21.519 was set 00:26:21.519 --> 00:26:22.480 against you 00:26:22.480 --> 00:26:23.039 and your 00:26:23.039 --> 00:26:23.539 ways, 00:26:23.680 --> 00:26:24.420 to now be 00:26:24.420 --> 00:26:25.660 part of your 00:26:25.660 --> 00:26:26.400 saving work. 00:26:26.400 --> 00:26:27.800 Thank you 00:26:27.800 --> 00:26:28.320 for granting 00:26:28.320 --> 00:26:28.720 it to me 00:26:28.720 --> 00:26:29.000 that I 00:26:29.000 --> 00:26:29.700 should suffer 00:26:29.700 --> 00:26:30.780 for Christ's 00:26:30.780 --> 00:26:31.040 sake. 00:26:31.680 --> 00:26:32.340 Thank you 00:26:32.340 --> 00:26:33.040 for using 00:26:33.040 --> 00:26:34.019 the wickedness 00:26:34.019 --> 00:26:34.480 of Rome 00:26:34.480 --> 00:26:35.040 to carry 00:26:35.040 --> 00:26:35.840 me bound 00:26:35.840 --> 00:26:36.820 up a 00:26:36.820 --> 00:26:37.160 flight of 00:26:37.160 --> 00:26:37.519 steps 00:26:37.519 --> 00:26:38.000 where I 00:26:38.000 --> 00:26:38.400 might 00:26:38.400 --> 00:26:39.160 address 00:26:39.160 --> 00:26:39.720 the 00:26:39.720 --> 00:26:40.060 crowd. 00:26:40.920 --> 00:26:41.519 Thank you 00:26:41.519 --> 00:26:41.880 for your 00:26:41.880 --> 00:26:42.180 goodness 00:26:42.180 --> 00:26:43.360 to me. 00:26:44.259 --> 00:26:44.700 Now, 00:26:44.860 --> 00:26:45.420 oh God, 00:26:45.519 --> 00:26:46.460 work mightily 00:26:46.460 --> 00:26:47.759 by the hands 00:26:47.759 --> 00:26:47.980 of your 00:26:47.980 --> 00:26:48.360 servant 00:26:48.360 --> 00:26:49.180 for the 00:26:49.180 --> 00:26:49.480 sake of 00:26:49.480 --> 00:26:49.960 your name. 00:26:50.900 --> 00:26:51.280 Amen. 00:26:51.279 --> 00:26:52.960 And then 00:26:52.960 --> 00:26:53.379 Paul, 00:26:54.000 --> 00:26:54.759 with kindness 00:26:54.759 --> 00:26:56.639 and respect, 00:26:57.339 --> 00:26:57.639 makes a 00:26:57.639 --> 00:26:58.200 request 00:26:58.200 --> 00:26:59.379 of the 00:26:59.379 --> 00:26:59.759 tribune. 00:27:00.039 --> 00:27:00.379 And I 00:27:00.379 --> 00:27:01.119 love this, 00:27:01.200 --> 00:27:01.740 especially 00:27:01.740 --> 00:27:02.339 in our 00:27:02.339 --> 00:27:02.700 day. 00:27:03.339 --> 00:27:03.740 The most 00:27:03.740 --> 00:27:04.460 popular thing 00:27:04.460 --> 00:27:04.960 seems to 00:27:04.960 --> 00:27:05.319 be to 00:27:05.319 --> 00:27:06.000 rage 00:27:06.000 --> 00:27:06.500 against 00:27:06.500 --> 00:27:07.599 authority. 00:27:08.399 --> 00:27:08.980 Says 00:27:08.980 --> 00:27:09.899 simply, 00:27:10.420 --> 00:27:11.160 may I 00:27:11.160 --> 00:27:11.639 say 00:27:11.639 --> 00:27:12.200 something 00:27:12.200 --> 00:27:13.399 to you? 00:27:14.059 --> 00:27:14.619 And then 00:27:14.619 --> 00:27:14.940 he goes 00:27:14.940 --> 00:27:15.240 on, 00:27:15.299 --> 00:27:15.720 I am a 00:27:15.720 --> 00:27:16.200 Jew from 00:27:16.200 --> 00:27:16.859 Tarsus 00:27:16.859 --> 00:27:17.440 and Cilicia, 00:27:17.579 --> 00:27:18.039 a citizen 00:27:18.039 --> 00:27:18.680 of no 00:27:18.680 --> 00:27:19.399 obscure city. 00:27:19.799 --> 00:27:20.559 I beg 00:27:20.559 --> 00:27:20.899 you, 00:27:21.599 --> 00:27:22.200 permit me 00:27:22.200 --> 00:27:22.940 to speak 00:27:22.940 --> 00:27:23.220 to the 00:27:23.220 --> 00:27:23.599 people. 00:27:24.500 --> 00:27:25.000 And then 00:27:25.000 --> 00:27:25.259 to the 00:27:25.259 --> 00:27:25.480 Jewish 00:27:25.480 --> 00:27:25.980 crowd, 00:27:26.159 --> 00:27:26.440 he says, 00:27:26.519 --> 00:27:26.899 I am a 00:27:26.899 --> 00:27:27.299 Jew born 00:27:27.299 --> 00:27:27.779 in Tarsus 00:27:27.779 --> 00:27:28.319 and Cilicia, 00:27:28.960 --> 00:27:29.559 brought up 00:27:29.559 --> 00:27:29.839 in the 00:27:29.839 --> 00:27:30.159 city, 00:27:30.779 --> 00:27:31.200 educated 00:27:31.200 --> 00:27:31.500 at the 00:27:31.500 --> 00:27:31.720 feet of 00:27:31.720 --> 00:27:32.099 Gamaliel, 00:27:32.220 --> 00:27:32.440 according 00:27:32.440 --> 00:27:32.720 to the 00:27:32.720 --> 00:27:32.919 strict 00:27:32.919 --> 00:27:33.200 manner 00:27:33.200 --> 00:27:33.539 of the 00:27:33.539 --> 00:27:33.819 law 00:27:33.819 --> 00:27:34.799 of our 00:27:34.799 --> 00:27:36.139 fathers. 00:27:36.399 --> 00:27:36.539 He 00:27:36.539 --> 00:27:36.899 stands 00:27:36.899 --> 00:27:37.119 in 00:27:37.119 --> 00:27:37.500 solidarity 00:27:37.500 --> 00:27:37.899 with 00:27:37.899 --> 00:27:38.099 them, 00:27:38.319 --> 00:27:38.779 being 00:27:38.779 --> 00:27:39.440 zealous 00:27:39.440 --> 00:27:40.339 for God 00:27:40.339 --> 00:27:41.579 as all 00:27:41.579 --> 00:27:42.119 of you 00:27:42.119 --> 00:27:42.759 are 00:27:42.759 --> 00:27:43.599 this 00:27:43.599 --> 00:27:43.960 day. 00:27:44.700 --> 00:27:44.940 Can 00:27:44.940 --> 00:27:45.059 you 00:27:45.059 --> 00:27:45.519 believe 00:27:45.519 --> 00:27:46.019 that he 00:27:46.019 --> 00:27:46.899 commends 00:27:46.899 --> 00:27:47.299 them 00:27:47.299 --> 00:27:48.940 for being 00:27:48.940 --> 00:27:49.539 so 00:27:49.539 --> 00:27:50.740 fired up 00:27:50.740 --> 00:27:51.299 against 00:27:51.299 --> 00:27:51.619 him? 00:27:52.339 --> 00:27:52.759 He 00:27:52.759 --> 00:27:53.059 says, 00:27:53.319 --> 00:27:54.180 I also 00:27:54.180 --> 00:27:54.700 am 00:27:54.700 --> 00:27:55.579 zealous 00:27:55.579 --> 00:27:57.019 as you 00:27:57.019 --> 00:27:57.399 are 00:27:57.399 --> 00:27:58.460 zealous. 00:27:59.779 --> 00:28:00.240 Paul 00:28:00.240 --> 00:28:01.039 respects both 00:28:01.039 --> 00:28:01.599 the office 00:28:01.599 --> 00:28:01.879 of the 00:28:01.879 --> 00:28:02.279 tribune 00:28:02.279 --> 00:28:02.659 and the 00:28:02.659 --> 00:28:02.879 zeal 00:28:02.879 --> 00:28:03.139 of the 00:28:03.139 --> 00:28:03.420 Jews 00:28:03.420 --> 00:28:03.879 and his 00:28:03.879 --> 00:28:04.339 desire 00:28:04.339 --> 00:28:04.759 to see 00:28:04.759 --> 00:28:04.960 them 00:28:04.960 --> 00:28:05.579 turn 00:28:05.579 --> 00:28:06.559 from 00:28:06.559 --> 00:28:06.740 their 00:28:06.740 --> 00:28:07.259 ways 00:28:07.259 --> 00:28:08.399 to 00:28:08.399 --> 00:28:08.799 rightly 00:28:08.799 --> 00:28:09.539 worship 00:28:09.539 --> 00:28:10.619 Christ. 00:28:11.000 --> 00:28:11.599 He's not 00:28:11.599 --> 00:28:11.980 saying that 00:28:11.980 --> 00:28:12.759 their action 00:28:12.759 --> 00:28:13.980 is warranted, 00:28:13.980 --> 00:28:15.140 but he's 00:28:15.140 --> 00:28:16.860 rewarding 00:28:16.860 --> 00:28:17.440 the 00:28:17.440 --> 00:28:18.220 motivation 00:28:18.220 --> 00:28:18.940 behind it, 00:28:19.000 --> 00:28:19.279 proper 00:28:19.279 --> 00:28:19.620 worship 00:28:19.620 --> 00:28:20.039 of God 00:28:20.039 --> 00:28:20.259 and he 00:28:20.259 --> 00:28:20.740 wants to 00:28:20.740 --> 00:28:21.079 see them 00:28:21.079 --> 00:28:21.420 worship 00:28:21.420 --> 00:28:22.019 God 00:28:22.019 --> 00:28:22.940 as they 00:28:22.940 --> 00:28:23.440 should 00:28:23.440 --> 00:28:24.460 by Christ. 00:28:25.279 --> 00:28:25.740 Then he 00:28:25.740 --> 00:28:26.019 tells them 00:28:26.019 --> 00:28:26.480 a story. 00:28:27.940 --> 00:28:28.480 In telling 00:28:28.480 --> 00:28:29.099 his story 00:28:29.099 --> 00:28:29.880 to this 00:28:29.880 --> 00:28:30.160 Jewish 00:28:30.160 --> 00:28:30.680 audience, 00:28:31.500 --> 00:28:31.940 Paul wants 00:28:31.940 --> 00:28:32.180 them to 00:28:32.180 --> 00:28:32.940 see God's 00:28:32.940 --> 00:28:33.299 sovereign 00:28:33.299 --> 00:28:33.740 working 00:28:33.740 --> 00:28:34.420 in his 00:28:34.420 --> 00:28:35.640 conversion. 00:28:36.819 --> 00:28:37.180 Paul 00:28:37.180 --> 00:28:37.700 wanted his 00:28:37.700 --> 00:28:38.220 accusers 00:28:38.220 --> 00:28:38.940 to know 00:28:38.940 --> 00:28:39.480 as he 00:28:39.480 --> 00:28:39.900 would write 00:28:39.900 --> 00:28:40.519 to Timothy 00:28:40.519 --> 00:28:40.960 in 1 00:28:40.960 --> 00:28:41.860 Timothy 1 00:28:41.860 --> 00:28:42.960 15 00:28:42.960 --> 00:28:43.779 and 16. 00:28:44.600 --> 00:28:45.259 The saying 00:28:45.259 --> 00:28:45.940 is trustworthy 00:28:45.940 --> 00:28:47.180 and deserving 00:28:47.180 --> 00:28:47.559 of full 00:28:47.559 --> 00:28:48.120 acceptance 00:28:48.120 --> 00:28:49.319 that Christ 00:28:49.319 --> 00:28:49.920 Jesus came 00:28:49.920 --> 00:28:50.200 into the 00:28:50.200 --> 00:28:50.579 world to 00:28:50.579 --> 00:28:51.380 save sinners 00:28:51.380 --> 00:28:52.100 of whom 00:28:52.100 --> 00:28:53.000 I am 00:28:53.000 --> 00:28:53.539 the foremost. 00:28:54.640 --> 00:28:55.100 But I 00:28:55.100 --> 00:28:55.500 received 00:28:55.500 --> 00:28:55.960 mercy 00:28:55.960 --> 00:28:57.140 for this 00:28:57.140 --> 00:28:57.539 reason, 00:28:57.660 --> 00:28:58.180 that in 00:28:58.180 --> 00:28:58.600 me 00:28:58.600 --> 00:28:59.700 as the 00:28:59.700 --> 00:29:00.200 foremost, 00:29:00.960 --> 00:29:01.200 Jesus 00:29:01.200 --> 00:29:01.720 Christ 00:29:01.720 --> 00:29:02.400 might display 00:29:02.400 --> 00:29:03.220 his perfect 00:29:03.220 --> 00:29:03.880 patience 00:29:03.880 --> 00:29:04.299 and his 00:29:04.299 --> 00:29:04.720 example 00:29:04.720 --> 00:29:05.759 to those 00:29:05.759 --> 00:29:06.019 who were 00:29:06.019 --> 00:29:06.380 to believe 00:29:06.380 --> 00:29:06.759 in him 00:29:06.759 --> 00:29:08.299 for eternal 00:29:08.299 --> 00:29:08.740 life. 00:29:09.779 --> 00:29:10.380 I would 00:29:10.380 --> 00:29:10.800 have liked 00:29:10.800 --> 00:29:11.100 to have 00:29:11.100 --> 00:29:11.280 known 00:29:11.280 --> 00:29:11.840 what else 00:29:11.840 --> 00:29:12.260 Paul 00:29:12.260 --> 00:29:12.900 intended 00:29:12.900 --> 00:29:13.940 to say. 00:29:14.360 --> 00:29:15.000 The God 00:29:15.000 --> 00:29:15.680 in his 00:29:15.680 --> 00:29:16.400 sovereignty 00:29:16.400 --> 00:29:17.460 and most 00:29:17.460 --> 00:29:18.060 likely I 00:29:18.060 --> 00:29:18.600 would suggest 00:29:18.600 --> 00:29:19.000 as a 00:29:19.000 --> 00:29:19.300 judgment 00:29:19.300 --> 00:29:19.820 against the 00:29:19.820 --> 00:29:20.120 people. 00:29:20.960 --> 00:29:21.380 They cut 00:29:21.380 --> 00:29:21.820 him off 00:29:21.820 --> 00:29:22.560 and he's 00:29:22.560 --> 00:29:22.780 carried 00:29:22.780 --> 00:29:23.100 into the 00:29:23.100 --> 00:29:23.500 barracks 00:29:23.500 --> 00:29:24.220 and his 00:29:24.220 --> 00:29:24.580 speech 00:29:24.580 --> 00:29:25.580 stops 00:29:25.580 --> 00:29:26.400 there. 00:29:27.260 --> 00:29:28.240 But feel 00:29:28.240 --> 00:29:29.720 the faithfulness 00:29:29.720 --> 00:29:30.620 of Paul 00:29:30.620 --> 00:29:31.480 in the midst 00:29:31.480 --> 00:29:32.100 of that 00:29:32.100 --> 00:29:32.880 kind 00:29:32.880 --> 00:29:33.840 of situation. 00:29:34.420 --> 00:29:35.140 If all 00:29:35.140 --> 00:29:35.400 of you 00:29:35.400 --> 00:29:35.940 suddenly 00:29:35.940 --> 00:29:36.780 turned on 00:29:36.780 --> 00:29:37.020 me 00:29:37.020 --> 00:29:37.360 and were 00:29:37.360 --> 00:29:37.900 yelling at 00:29:37.900 --> 00:29:37.980 me, 00:29:38.060 --> 00:29:38.380 I would 00:29:38.380 --> 00:29:39.080 likely walk 00:29:39.080 --> 00:29:39.940 out that 00:29:39.940 --> 00:29:40.340 door. 00:29:40.380 --> 00:29:41.900 Or jump 00:29:41.900 --> 00:29:42.620 out that 00:29:42.620 --> 00:29:43.400 window. 00:29:45.080 --> 00:29:45.560 Paul 00:29:45.560 --> 00:29:46.240 waves his 00:29:46.240 --> 00:29:47.560 hand and 00:29:47.560 --> 00:29:48.120 he hushes 00:29:48.120 --> 00:29:48.680 an audience 00:29:48.680 --> 00:29:49.160 and he 00:29:49.160 --> 00:29:49.640 speaks to 00:29:49.640 --> 00:29:49.860 them in 00:29:49.860 --> 00:29:50.000 their 00:29:50.000 --> 00:29:50.600 language 00:29:50.600 --> 00:29:51.740 in the 00:29:51.740 --> 00:29:53.020 way that 00:29:53.020 --> 00:29:53.300 he had 00:29:53.300 --> 00:29:54.420 hoped would 00:29:54.420 --> 00:29:54.940 bring about 00:29:54.940 --> 00:29:55.920 conversion, 00:29:56.100 --> 00:29:56.640 bring about 00:29:56.640 --> 00:29:57.200 faith. 00:29:57.560 --> 00:29:57.940 We get 00:29:57.940 --> 00:29:58.380 no record 00:29:58.380 --> 00:29:59.060 of maybe 00:29:59.060 --> 00:29:59.500 somebody in 00:29:59.500 --> 00:29:59.960 that crowd 00:29:59.960 --> 00:30:01.800 reached out 00:30:01.800 --> 00:30:02.060 to the 00:30:02.060 --> 00:30:02.340 Jerusalem 00:30:02.340 --> 00:30:02.820 elders, 00:30:03.460 --> 00:30:03.980 sought out 00:30:03.980 --> 00:30:04.680 more about 00:30:04.680 --> 00:30:05.520 this way 00:30:05.520 --> 00:30:05.880 that they 00:30:05.880 --> 00:30:06.860 were so 00:30:06.860 --> 00:30:08.420 set against. 00:30:08.420 --> 00:30:09.700 we don't 00:30:09.700 --> 00:30:09.980 know, 00:30:10.060 --> 00:30:10.300 but we 00:30:10.300 --> 00:30:11.140 can observe 00:30:11.140 --> 00:30:12.519 in Paul 00:30:12.519 --> 00:30:12.820 his 00:30:12.820 --> 00:30:13.380 fearlessness 00:30:13.380 --> 00:30:15.320 and his 00:30:15.320 --> 00:30:16.400 faithfulness. 00:30:17.160 --> 00:30:17.880 Beloved, 00:30:17.920 --> 00:30:18.240 if you are 00:30:18.240 --> 00:30:19.000 in Christ, 00:30:19.740 --> 00:30:20.380 you have a 00:30:20.380 --> 00:30:21.480 similar story 00:30:21.480 --> 00:30:22.019 to tell. 00:30:23.160 --> 00:30:23.380 The 00:30:23.380 --> 00:30:24.279 juxtaposition 00:30:24.279 --> 00:30:24.779 of your 00:30:24.779 --> 00:30:25.640 old self 00:30:25.640 --> 00:30:26.060 to your 00:30:26.060 --> 00:30:26.779 new self 00:30:26.779 --> 00:30:28.039 may not 00:30:28.039 --> 00:30:28.500 be as 00:30:28.500 --> 00:30:29.220 stark as 00:30:29.220 --> 00:30:29.700 Paul's 00:30:29.700 --> 00:30:30.060 conversion 00:30:30.060 --> 00:30:30.600 story, 00:30:31.220 --> 00:30:31.840 but each 00:30:31.840 --> 00:30:32.580 and every 00:30:32.580 --> 00:30:32.960 person 00:30:32.960 --> 00:30:34.019 who was 00:30:34.019 --> 00:30:35.019 once dead 00:30:35.019 --> 00:30:35.680 and has 00:30:35.680 --> 00:30:36.200 now been 00:30:36.200 --> 00:30:36.660 made 00:30:36.660 --> 00:30:37.579 alive 00:30:37.579 --> 00:30:38.700 by God's 00:30:38.700 --> 00:30:39.420 mercy to 00:30:39.420 --> 00:30:40.000 us in 00:30:40.000 --> 00:30:40.440 Christ 00:30:40.440 --> 00:30:40.940 has an 00:30:40.940 --> 00:30:41.759 equally 00:30:41.759 --> 00:30:43.000 miraculous 00:30:43.000 --> 00:30:43.700 story 00:30:43.700 --> 00:30:45.079 to tell. 00:30:46.259 --> 00:30:46.980 In the 00:30:46.980 --> 00:30:47.680 face of 00:30:47.680 --> 00:30:48.420 ferocity 00:30:48.420 --> 00:30:48.839 against the 00:30:48.839 --> 00:30:49.279 gospel of 00:30:49.279 --> 00:30:49.920 Jesus Christ, 00:30:50.680 --> 00:30:51.299 are you 00:30:51.299 --> 00:30:51.859 fearless, 00:30:52.579 --> 00:30:53.220 trusting in 00:30:53.220 --> 00:30:53.680 God's 00:30:53.680 --> 00:30:54.079 sovereign 00:30:54.079 --> 00:30:54.559 purpose 00:30:54.559 --> 00:30:55.379 for your 00:30:55.379 --> 00:30:55.819 good 00:30:55.819 --> 00:30:56.519 and his 00:30:56.519 --> 00:30:56.859 glory? 00:30:57.440 --> 00:30:58.059 Are you 00:30:58.059 --> 00:30:58.639 faithful 00:30:58.639 --> 00:30:59.619 in the 00:30:59.619 --> 00:30:59.900 telling 00:30:59.900 --> 00:31:00.859 of your 00:31:00.859 --> 00:31:01.160 story? 00:31:01.680 --> 00:31:02.180 Let's pray 00:31:02.180 --> 00:31:02.480 together. 00:31:02.480 --> 00:31:02.559 Amen.