WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:03.760 I'm going to continue our sermon series in Acts. 00:00:04.719 --> 00:00:11.320 So we've been following the journey of the Apostle Paul as he moves in this final section 00:00:11.320 --> 00:00:17.480 of the book, chapters 21 through 28, which takes the Apostle Paul from Jerusalem all 00:00:17.480 --> 00:00:18.280 the way to Rome. 00:00:19.120 --> 00:00:24.820 And at this point in the story where we're going to pick up today, Paul's basically been 00:00:24.820 --> 00:00:28.199 arrested in Jerusalem for his own protection. 00:00:30.100 --> 00:00:35.100 A crowd was ready to tear him away in anger, and the Roman official, the Roman Tribune, 00:00:35.159 --> 00:00:36.780 sort of saves him from the angry crowd. 00:00:37.439 --> 00:00:41.539 And this morning we're going to look at how this Roman official is going to put him before 00:00:41.539 --> 00:00:48.560 the Sanhedrin, before the Jewish ruling council, hopefully to get to the bottom of what's going 00:00:48.560 --> 00:00:52.799 on, of why Paul has been causing so much turmoil in the city. 00:00:52.799 --> 00:01:00.780 So let's look together at Acts 23, and let's pick up actually with verse 30 of chapter 00:01:00.780 --> 00:01:01.219 22. 00:01:02.000 --> 00:01:03.199 Let me read this for us. 00:01:05.539 --> 00:01:11.299 But on the next day, desiring to know the real reason why Paul was being accused by the Jews, 00:01:12.420 --> 00:01:17.000 he, that is the Roman Tribune, unbound him and commanded the high priests and all the council 00:01:17.000 --> 00:01:17.459 to meet. 00:01:18.239 --> 00:01:20.579 And he brought Paul down and set him before them. 00:01:20.579 --> 00:01:26.179 And looking intently at the council, Paul said, brothers, I have lived my life before 00:01:26.179 --> 00:01:28.980 God in all good conscience up to this day. 00:01:30.159 --> 00:01:35.259 And the high priest Ananias commanded those who stood by him to strike him on the mouth. 00:01:36.560 --> 00:01:40.840 Then Paul said, God is going to strike you, you whitewashed wall. 00:01:41.319 --> 00:01:45.659 Are you sitting to judge me according to the law, and yet contrary to the law, you order me 00:01:45.659 --> 00:01:46.439 to be struck? 00:01:47.920 --> 00:01:50.799 Those who stood by said, would you revile God's high priest? 00:01:51.899 --> 00:01:55.239 And Paul said, I did not know, brothers, that he was the high priest, for it is written, 00:01:55.819 --> 00:01:58.299 you shall not speak evil of a ruler of your people. 00:02:00.299 --> 00:02:04.420 Now, when Paul perceived that one part were Sadducees and the other Pharisees, he cried out 00:02:04.420 --> 00:02:08.159 in the council, brothers, I am a Pharisee, a son of Pharisees. 00:02:08.159 --> 00:02:12.639 It is with respect to the hope and the resurrection of the dead that I am on trial. 00:02:13.560 --> 00:02:17.879 And when he had said this, a dissension arose between the Pharisees and the Sadducees, and 00:02:17.879 --> 00:02:19.000 the assembly was divided. 00:02:19.840 --> 00:02:24.379 For the Sadducees say there is no resurrection, nor angel, nor spirit, but the Pharisees acknowledged 00:02:24.379 --> 00:02:24.900 them all. 00:02:26.159 --> 00:02:31.199 Then a great clamor arose, and some of the scribes of the Pharisees' party stood up and contended 00:02:31.199 --> 00:02:33.680 sharply, we find nothing wrong in this man. 00:02:33.740 --> 00:02:35.840 What if a spirit or an angel spoke to him? 00:02:35.840 --> 00:02:41.360 And when the dissension became violent, the tribune, afraid that Paul would be torn to 00:02:41.360 --> 00:02:46.960 pieces by them, commanded the soldiers to go down and take him away from them by force 00:02:46.960 --> 00:02:48.580 and bring him into the barracks. 00:02:49.939 --> 00:02:57.759 The following night, the Lord stood by him and said, take courage, for as you have testified 00:02:57.759 --> 00:03:03.699 to the facts about me in Jerusalem, so you must also testify in Rome. 00:03:03.699 --> 00:03:06.060 So, let's pray together. 00:03:07.979 --> 00:03:13.199 Lord, we're thankful that we get to gather this morning and listen to your word together. 00:03:13.979 --> 00:03:19.339 And God, we ask that by your Holy Spirit you would meet with us, and you would cause this 00:03:19.339 --> 00:03:23.759 passage of Scripture to come alive, not just in our hearing, but in our hearts, God. 00:03:25.379 --> 00:03:29.939 So, Lord Jesus, we ask that you would come and you would make yourself real and make this 00:03:29.939 --> 00:03:33.699 passage do its work in our hearts for your name's sake. 00:03:34.740 --> 00:03:35.039 Amen. 00:03:38.500 --> 00:03:44.099 Well, I don't know what you think, but I think that it is often easy to get distracted from 00:03:44.099 --> 00:03:45.099 the main thing. 00:03:46.579 --> 00:03:52.419 I was in the DMV the other day to update my registration, my car registration, and I noticed 00:03:52.419 --> 00:03:58.139 that there was this sign on the wall at the end of this immensely long line where the workers 00:03:58.139 --> 00:04:00.079 were sitting at their windows to help the people. 00:04:00.719 --> 00:04:06.419 And this sign said something to the effect of, no obscene language will be tolerated. 00:04:06.839 --> 00:04:08.959 If you're being rude or violent, we'll make you leave immediately. 00:04:09.599 --> 00:04:14.679 And then it said something like, our overriding mission is to treat everyone with respect and 00:04:14.679 --> 00:04:16.259 to be courteous in all our interactions. 00:04:16.259 --> 00:04:19.399 That was their mission at the DMV. 00:04:21.420 --> 00:04:26.539 And, you know, I couldn't help thinking, well, you know, I'm glad that they want to be respectful 00:04:26.539 --> 00:04:31.980 and kind, but after waiting in this long line, shouldn't your mission be to process licenses 00:04:31.980 --> 00:04:35.519 and registrations as quickly and as accurately as possible? 00:04:36.680 --> 00:04:37.980 I mean, you're the DMV. 00:04:38.099 --> 00:04:39.819 That's why you exist, right? 00:04:41.079 --> 00:04:45.839 I'm glad you want to be nice, but I just want to get this errand done so I can get on with my life. 00:04:46.259 --> 00:04:49.459 Well, it's easy to pick on the DMV, isn't it? 00:04:49.459 --> 00:04:53.360 And I know some of you work at the DMV, and thank you very much for the work that you do. 00:04:53.459 --> 00:04:55.439 I'm glad you put up with people like me every day. 00:04:56.899 --> 00:05:02.279 But it just struck me as a funny example of how it's easy to lose sight sometimes of the main thing. 00:05:04.920 --> 00:05:08.800 Of course, as Christians, it's easy to do the same thing, isn't it? 00:05:09.539 --> 00:05:15.740 There are all sorts of things that the Christian faith contains, all sorts of implications for how we live. 00:05:16.259 --> 00:05:17.920 All sorts of ideas and doctrines. 00:05:18.019 --> 00:05:21.480 You know, the Christian faith is sort of like this lush and expansive garden, 00:05:21.659 --> 00:05:25.399 and around every turn in the path, there's a new beauty to behold, a new scent to take in. 00:05:25.439 --> 00:05:30.379 But, you know, amidst all that, we can lose sight of the center. 00:05:30.819 --> 00:05:33.339 We can lose sight of the main thing. 00:05:33.339 --> 00:05:41.799 But our passage this morning is one of those passages that brings us back, 00:05:42.679 --> 00:05:50.199 that sort of re-centers us and re-positions us once again on the main thing. 00:05:50.199 --> 00:05:58.839 In chapter 22, verse 30, where we picked up, we're told that this Roman tribune wants to know the real reason 00:05:58.839 --> 00:06:00.899 why Paul is on trial. 00:06:02.120 --> 00:06:05.079 And, of course, there are lots of ways of answering that question, right? 00:06:05.779 --> 00:06:10.719 Paul's on trial, we might say, because he's been falsely accused of defiling the temple. 00:06:11.099 --> 00:06:13.219 That's what we saw in chapter 21. 00:06:13.220 --> 00:06:16.680 So maybe that's why Paul's on trial. 00:06:17.100 --> 00:06:22.020 But underneath that accusation is a sort of growing animosity and even hatred towards Paul 00:06:22.020 --> 00:06:24.080 because of his stance towards the Gentiles. 00:06:25.520 --> 00:06:30.480 He thinks that Gentiles can become members of the family of God without getting circumcised, 00:06:30.540 --> 00:06:32.060 without coming under the law of Moses. 00:06:32.520 --> 00:06:35.320 And in the first century, that was incredibly offensive to many Jews. 00:06:35.380 --> 00:06:38.180 So maybe that's the real reason why he's on trial. 00:06:38.180 --> 00:06:44.120 But, you know, instead of trying to defend himself on any of these fronts, 00:06:44.319 --> 00:06:46.480 Paul goes right to the center of it all. 00:06:47.259 --> 00:06:49.340 The real reason underneath all the reasons. 00:06:49.500 --> 00:06:51.280 And in verse 6, Paul puts it like this. 00:06:52.660 --> 00:06:58.160 It's with respect to the hope and the resurrection of the dead that I'm on trial. 00:07:00.180 --> 00:07:03.759 That's what's really going on here, he says. 00:07:04.759 --> 00:07:05.939 That's the main thing. 00:07:05.939 --> 00:07:09.879 That's the reason under all the reasons. 00:07:10.680 --> 00:07:13.600 The reality and the hope of the resurrection. 00:07:16.600 --> 00:07:20.339 Now, as you look over that paragraph again, you might be thinking, 00:07:21.060 --> 00:07:26.060 it sort of seems like Paul's just being a little savvy or shrewd here, doesn't it? 00:07:26.519 --> 00:07:29.759 Crying resurrection in the middle of the crowd, in the middle of the council. 00:07:30.300 --> 00:07:34.220 He sort of perceives that the council's made up of two opposing parties on this issue. 00:07:34.220 --> 00:07:39.260 There's the more sort of liberal Sadducee party who are pretty skeptical about any kind of afterlife, 00:07:39.460 --> 00:07:42.580 any sort of soul or spirit, let alone anything like a bodily resurrection. 00:07:43.460 --> 00:07:48.060 And then there are the more conservative Pharisees who sort of will take all of that, hook, line, and sinker. 00:07:49.740 --> 00:07:52.420 And Paul, sensing that his back's a bit against the wall, 00:07:53.280 --> 00:07:58.460 it seems like he's found a strategic way to divide the council and get them fighting each other rather than ganged up on him. 00:07:58.459 --> 00:08:02.699 So, cry resurrection in the middle of the crowd and let the argument begin. 00:08:02.879 --> 00:08:08.219 You know, it's like crying bomb in an airport and watching everyone run and get crazy. 00:08:10.519 --> 00:08:13.799 But at the same time, is Paul merely being shrewd here? 00:08:15.179 --> 00:08:19.899 Is he simply splitting the double team so he can get out as quickly as possible? 00:08:19.899 --> 00:08:23.560 In other words, is he being a bit insincere? 00:08:26.620 --> 00:08:29.799 Well, we have to admit that it was a good strategy on his part. 00:08:31.560 --> 00:08:33.679 But I don't think that's all it was. 00:08:36.519 --> 00:08:42.939 It would seem that Paul isn't merely throwing down the resurrection card to cause a fight or to create a diversion. 00:08:42.940 --> 00:08:46.800 But rather to get the real issue out on the table. 00:08:48.120 --> 00:08:53.720 To just come right out and name the 400-pound gorilla in the room. 00:08:56.920 --> 00:09:02.280 After all, doesn't all the conflict that Paul finds himself in, all the disagreements, all the disputes, 00:09:02.660 --> 00:09:04.760 really come down to one thing? 00:09:05.840 --> 00:09:10.620 The hope of the resurrection and its fulfillment in Jesus? 00:09:12.940 --> 00:09:16.280 I mean, after all, think about it. 00:09:17.500 --> 00:09:23.880 Why are good, faithful Jews like Paul even talking about Jesus in the first place? 00:09:25.380 --> 00:09:29.200 I mean, anyone crucified by the Romans, as Jesus was, 00:09:29.720 --> 00:09:34.320 didn't really qualify as the long-awaited Messiah in the minds of most Jews. 00:09:36.440 --> 00:09:37.960 And yet, here they were. 00:09:39.020 --> 00:09:41.100 Fanning out like a flame, women and men, 00:09:41.100 --> 00:09:47.300 proclaiming that the crucified Jesus of Nazareth was indeed Israel's true king, the Messiah. 00:09:48.540 --> 00:09:54.000 That God raised him from the dead, surprising everyone involved, 00:09:54.700 --> 00:09:57.500 and demonstrating him to be the one that they had waited for. 00:10:00.940 --> 00:10:06.200 And in addition to that, why were these Christians doing such strange things? 00:10:06.200 --> 00:10:10.140 Why were they, after all, eating with Gentiles, 00:10:10.220 --> 00:10:14.920 the people that they had spent thousands of years resolutely not spending time with? 00:10:16.200 --> 00:10:19.259 And why were they saying such audacious things, 00:10:19.400 --> 00:10:23.080 like circumcision wasn't necessary anymore to be included in God's people? 00:10:23.820 --> 00:10:27.060 Wasn't that like saying that the law of Moses just didn't apply in the same way anymore? 00:10:27.059 --> 00:10:32.819 What could have possibly led them to say and do such things? 00:10:35.619 --> 00:10:39.859 And again, was it not the resurrection? 00:10:41.299 --> 00:10:47.819 That in Jesus Christ, in his resurrection, God's work of new creation had begun. 00:10:48.299 --> 00:10:54.919 That God's work of putting things back in order after sin and the fall had brought chaos and death, 00:10:54.919 --> 00:10:56.899 that now, in and through the resurrection of Jesus, 00:10:57.000 --> 00:10:58.939 the world was being put right again. 00:11:00.879 --> 00:11:03.500 The one thing the law of Moses couldn't actually do. 00:11:05.019 --> 00:11:08.339 That men and women were being put right, not just with one another, 00:11:09.339 --> 00:11:11.719 but even with God himself, 00:11:13.199 --> 00:11:16.139 through this risen Jesus. 00:11:16.139 --> 00:11:23.740 And so all the things that got Paul in so much trouble really all came back, 00:11:24.580 --> 00:11:25.500 as he says here, 00:11:26.039 --> 00:11:27.720 to the reality of the resurrection. 00:11:29.240 --> 00:11:31.159 After all, if Jesus hadn't been raised, 00:11:31.720 --> 00:11:34.919 Paul probably wouldn't be there on trial before the Jewish high council. 00:11:35.179 --> 00:11:38.000 I'm sure he could have found much better things to do with his time. 00:11:39.600 --> 00:11:42.120 We read from 1 Corinthians 15 a little earlier in the service, 00:11:42.120 --> 00:11:45.840 and there we heard how central to Paul and all of the apostles 00:11:45.840 --> 00:11:49.679 was the gospel and the resurrection to the gospel 00:11:49.679 --> 00:11:51.340 that they handed down to the churches. 00:11:53.100 --> 00:11:55.179 God raised him from the dead. 00:11:57.100 --> 00:11:58.840 But you know, Paul goes on in that same chapter, 00:11:58.960 --> 00:12:00.340 as many of you know from reading it, 00:12:00.620 --> 00:12:01.820 to say that, look, friends, 00:12:01.879 --> 00:12:03.379 if Christ has not been raised, 00:12:03.740 --> 00:12:04.820 then our faith is futile, 00:12:05.539 --> 00:12:05.899 empty, 00:12:06.360 --> 00:12:06.980 and vain. 00:12:06.980 --> 00:12:11.259 And so again, 00:12:11.340 --> 00:12:13.240 it all comes down to the reality of the resurrection. 00:12:14.700 --> 00:12:15.080 And you know, 00:12:15.120 --> 00:12:16.700 that's actually pretty good news. 00:12:19.039 --> 00:12:21.259 It's good news for lots of reasons, 00:12:21.980 --> 00:12:23.259 but I think we see that it's good news 00:12:23.259 --> 00:12:25.500 for at least two reasons in our passage here. 00:12:26.820 --> 00:12:29.720 And we see the first reason in verse 1, 00:12:30.240 --> 00:12:31.420 where Paul says, 00:12:31.419 --> 00:12:33.979 I've lived my life before God 00:12:33.979 --> 00:12:38.159 in all good conscience up to this day. 00:12:39.779 --> 00:12:43.199 Paul could honestly look back over his life and say, 00:12:43.879 --> 00:12:46.079 I have a good conscience before God. 00:12:47.579 --> 00:12:48.259 Now, of course, 00:12:48.339 --> 00:12:50.419 Paul doesn't mean that he never sinned, 00:12:50.500 --> 00:12:51.599 that he was perfect. 00:12:53.120 --> 00:12:54.519 Rather, he means that 00:12:54.519 --> 00:12:59.419 he always had strove to live with integrity, 00:12:59.419 --> 00:13:01.659 to follow God's will, 00:13:01.979 --> 00:13:04.519 to ask for forgiveness when he fell short. 00:13:04.839 --> 00:13:05.419 In other words, 00:13:05.479 --> 00:13:05.860 he was saying, 00:13:05.959 --> 00:13:08.379 look, there's no ongoing blatant pattern 00:13:08.379 --> 00:13:10.559 of contradiction in my life, 00:13:10.839 --> 00:13:12.219 holding what I hold, 00:13:12.379 --> 00:13:13.500 believing what I believe, 00:13:13.879 --> 00:13:14.979 proclaiming what I proclaim. 00:13:18.099 --> 00:13:20.500 He felt that God could look at his life 00:13:20.500 --> 00:13:21.479 and at his message 00:13:21.479 --> 00:13:23.019 and be pleased. 00:13:25.219 --> 00:13:25.699 Now, 00:13:25.700 --> 00:13:29.500 the high priest Ananias apparently 00:13:29.500 --> 00:13:30.960 doesn't think 00:13:30.960 --> 00:13:32.860 that's true. 00:13:33.740 --> 00:13:34.680 And the first thing he does 00:13:34.680 --> 00:13:35.920 when Paul says such a thing 00:13:35.920 --> 00:13:37.820 is order him to be struck 00:13:37.820 --> 00:13:39.000 straight on the mouth, 00:13:39.440 --> 00:13:40.759 which was sort of a sign 00:13:40.759 --> 00:13:42.780 that Ananias was accusing him 00:13:42.780 --> 00:13:43.780 of blasphemy. 00:13:45.300 --> 00:13:47.200 Anyone who could utter such a thing 00:13:47.200 --> 00:13:48.560 was a blasphemer 00:13:48.560 --> 00:13:51.160 and needed to be struck immediately. 00:13:51.159 --> 00:13:51.600 Now, 00:13:54.879 --> 00:13:56.679 what does that show us? 00:13:57.419 --> 00:13:59.740 It shows us that there's this massive gap 00:13:59.740 --> 00:14:01.600 between how Ananias 00:14:01.600 --> 00:14:03.539 understands a life of integrity 00:14:03.539 --> 00:14:04.199 before God 00:14:04.199 --> 00:14:05.519 and how Paul understands it, 00:14:05.559 --> 00:14:05.740 right? 00:14:06.620 --> 00:14:07.279 Now, of course, 00:14:07.459 --> 00:14:08.699 the irony historically 00:14:08.699 --> 00:14:10.159 is that this Ananias 00:14:10.159 --> 00:14:11.159 was sort of known 00:14:11.159 --> 00:14:12.839 to be a completely lousy 00:14:12.839 --> 00:14:14.199 and immoral high priest. 00:14:15.259 --> 00:14:16.120 He was violent 00:14:16.120 --> 00:14:16.959 and he was greedy 00:14:16.959 --> 00:14:19.179 and no one really liked him. 00:14:19.179 --> 00:14:22.199 And he constantly broke the law, 00:14:22.339 --> 00:14:23.099 historians tell us, 00:14:23.120 --> 00:14:24.219 with little remorse or repentance. 00:14:24.359 --> 00:14:24.899 In fact, 00:14:25.500 --> 00:14:26.359 his very action 00:14:26.359 --> 00:14:27.099 of having Paul 00:14:27.099 --> 00:14:28.039 struck on the mouth 00:14:28.039 --> 00:14:28.859 is sort of evidence 00:14:28.859 --> 00:14:30.039 of his bad character 00:14:30.039 --> 00:14:32.099 as Paul's stern rebuke 00:14:32.099 --> 00:14:33.419 in verse three shows 00:14:33.419 --> 00:14:34.459 doing that 00:14:34.459 --> 00:14:35.819 was actually against the law. 00:14:38.099 --> 00:14:39.539 So here's Ananias 00:14:39.539 --> 00:14:40.659 sort of claiming 00:14:40.659 --> 00:14:42.759 that Paul is blaspheming 00:14:42.759 --> 00:14:44.199 while at the same time himself 00:14:44.199 --> 00:14:45.559 not following the very law 00:14:45.559 --> 00:14:46.599 by which he claims 00:14:46.599 --> 00:14:47.599 to be judging Paul. 00:14:47.600 --> 00:14:51.279 So Paul denounces Ananias 00:14:51.279 --> 00:14:51.840 as a hypocrite, 00:14:51.920 --> 00:14:53.139 calls him a whitewashed wall 00:14:53.139 --> 00:14:53.700 and that makes us 00:14:53.700 --> 00:14:54.340 a little uncomfortable. 00:14:55.519 --> 00:14:55.899 We think, 00:14:56.379 --> 00:14:56.820 oh man, 00:14:56.899 --> 00:14:57.500 did Paul sort of 00:14:57.500 --> 00:14:58.600 go off the rocker here? 00:14:58.659 --> 00:15:00.240 Was this a fit of rage? 00:15:01.399 --> 00:15:02.580 Die, whitewashed wall. 00:15:02.700 --> 00:15:03.620 How dare you strike me? 00:15:03.700 --> 00:15:04.759 No, well, I mean, 00:15:05.060 --> 00:15:05.820 I think Paul's 00:15:05.820 --> 00:15:07.159 sort of just being clear 00:15:07.159 --> 00:15:09.180 and speaking truth to power 00:15:09.180 --> 00:15:10.180 and not being afraid. 00:15:10.179 --> 00:15:14.639 But of course, 00:15:14.699 --> 00:15:16.000 when Paul sort of 00:15:16.000 --> 00:15:17.500 rebukes Ananias 00:15:17.500 --> 00:15:18.159 for hypocrisy, 00:15:18.219 --> 00:15:19.039 he doesn't realize 00:15:19.039 --> 00:15:20.039 who he's talking to. 00:15:20.139 --> 00:15:20.679 He doesn't realize 00:15:20.679 --> 00:15:21.479 the office 00:15:21.479 --> 00:15:24.179 that this person occupies. 00:15:25.959 --> 00:15:26.799 Someone points out, 00:15:26.859 --> 00:15:27.439 is this how you're going 00:15:27.439 --> 00:15:28.459 to talk to the high priest? 00:15:30.219 --> 00:15:30.699 And you know, 00:15:30.739 --> 00:15:31.879 since this was an impromptu 00:15:31.879 --> 00:15:32.500 sort of gathering 00:15:32.500 --> 00:15:33.159 of the council 00:15:33.159 --> 00:15:34.459 at the tribune's request, 00:15:34.959 --> 00:15:35.979 it was probably the case 00:15:35.979 --> 00:15:36.559 that Ananias 00:15:36.559 --> 00:15:37.139 wasn't wearing 00:15:37.139 --> 00:15:38.139 his sort of distinctive 00:15:38.139 --> 00:15:39.580 high priestly garb. 00:15:40.159 --> 00:15:40.620 And since Paul 00:15:40.620 --> 00:15:41.319 hadn't been a resident 00:15:41.319 --> 00:15:41.720 of Jerusalem 00:15:41.720 --> 00:15:42.819 for about two decades, 00:15:42.860 --> 00:15:43.779 he probably didn't even know 00:15:43.779 --> 00:15:44.379 that Ananias 00:15:44.379 --> 00:15:45.480 had occupied the office, 00:15:45.740 --> 00:15:46.439 which is probably why 00:15:46.439 --> 00:15:47.259 he had no idea 00:15:47.259 --> 00:15:48.279 who was talking to him. 00:15:49.939 --> 00:15:50.580 In any event, 00:15:50.639 --> 00:15:51.439 as soon as Paul 00:15:51.439 --> 00:15:52.259 sort of realizes 00:15:52.259 --> 00:15:53.819 that he's misstepped, 00:15:54.659 --> 00:15:55.600 he refrains from saying 00:15:55.600 --> 00:15:56.179 anything further 00:15:56.179 --> 00:15:57.059 about Ananias 00:15:57.059 --> 00:15:58.539 and says, 00:15:58.919 --> 00:15:59.439 I was wrong. 00:15:59.779 --> 00:16:00.019 Okay. 00:16:02.259 --> 00:16:02.860 But anyway, 00:16:02.939 --> 00:16:03.939 the important point 00:16:03.939 --> 00:16:05.460 or the important question 00:16:05.460 --> 00:16:06.500 really is, 00:16:06.500 --> 00:16:08.399 what in the world 00:16:08.399 --> 00:16:10.059 allows Paul to say 00:16:10.059 --> 00:16:10.840 that he's got 00:16:10.840 --> 00:16:11.600 a good conscience 00:16:11.600 --> 00:16:12.399 before God 00:16:12.399 --> 00:16:13.679 when his lifestyle 00:16:13.679 --> 00:16:14.340 is apparently 00:16:14.340 --> 00:16:15.480 so offensive 00:16:15.480 --> 00:16:16.960 to everyone around him 00:16:16.960 --> 00:16:17.480 on the council? 00:16:17.620 --> 00:16:17.820 I mean, 00:16:17.899 --> 00:16:18.740 this is the sort of 00:16:18.740 --> 00:16:19.759 highest Jewish council 00:16:19.759 --> 00:16:20.259 in the land. 00:16:20.600 --> 00:16:21.340 These are the guys 00:16:21.340 --> 00:16:22.259 who call the shots 00:16:22.259 --> 00:16:23.419 and they're the ones 00:16:23.419 --> 00:16:23.820 who are saying, 00:16:23.940 --> 00:16:24.200 Paul, 00:16:24.419 --> 00:16:25.460 you don't fit. 00:16:27.860 --> 00:16:28.799 What accounts 00:16:28.799 --> 00:16:30.580 for such a radical difference? 00:16:33.779 --> 00:16:34.460 And again, 00:16:34.519 --> 00:16:35.120 I think the answer 00:16:35.120 --> 00:16:36.080 has to be 00:16:36.080 --> 00:16:37.720 the resurrection. 00:16:40.159 --> 00:16:41.000 Paul is operating 00:16:41.000 --> 00:16:41.860 out of the understanding 00:16:41.860 --> 00:16:42.899 that Israel's king 00:16:42.899 --> 00:16:43.659 had arrived in Jesus 00:16:43.659 --> 00:16:44.580 and that through him, 00:16:44.879 --> 00:16:45.759 God's new creation 00:16:45.759 --> 00:16:46.980 was being sprung 00:16:46.980 --> 00:16:47.600 on the world. 00:16:47.860 --> 00:16:48.279 In Christ, 00:16:48.379 --> 00:16:49.139 neither circumcision 00:16:49.139 --> 00:16:50.000 nor uncircumcision 00:16:50.000 --> 00:16:51.279 counts for anything, 00:16:51.460 --> 00:16:52.039 Paul would say, 00:16:52.200 --> 00:16:52.879 but now, 00:16:53.080 --> 00:16:54.080 a new creation. 00:16:56.620 --> 00:16:56.879 And you know, 00:16:56.899 --> 00:16:57.639 I think in many ways, 00:16:58.139 --> 00:16:59.240 we Christians today 00:16:59.240 --> 00:17:00.720 can find ourselves 00:17:00.720 --> 00:17:02.060 in a very similar situation 00:17:02.060 --> 00:17:02.560 to Paul. 00:17:02.559 --> 00:17:02.619 Paul, 00:17:03.379 --> 00:17:04.859 and here's what I mean. 00:17:06.179 --> 00:17:07.559 I mean that the shape 00:17:07.559 --> 00:17:08.539 of a life 00:17:08.539 --> 00:17:10.359 that's pleasing to God 00:17:10.359 --> 00:17:13.119 in light of the risen Jesus, 00:17:14.619 --> 00:17:16.720 a life that is full of integrity 00:17:16.720 --> 00:17:17.599 and wholeness 00:17:17.599 --> 00:17:19.159 and a life that makes sense 00:17:19.159 --> 00:17:20.679 in light of Jesus' resurrection 00:17:20.679 --> 00:17:22.779 will often be confusing 00:17:22.779 --> 00:17:25.079 or even offensive at times 00:17:25.079 --> 00:17:27.079 to those who don't accept 00:17:27.079 --> 00:17:28.279 the reality of the resurrection. 00:17:31.480 --> 00:17:31.920 Okay, 00:17:31.980 --> 00:17:32.660 in what ways? 00:17:33.740 --> 00:17:34.220 Well, 00:17:34.259 --> 00:17:34.799 here's one. 00:17:37.000 --> 00:17:37.740 The resurrection 00:17:37.740 --> 00:17:38.480 of Jesus Christ 00:17:38.480 --> 00:17:39.220 means that the way 00:17:39.220 --> 00:17:39.799 to God 00:17:39.799 --> 00:17:40.960 has been opened up 00:17:40.960 --> 00:17:42.200 through him 00:17:42.200 --> 00:17:43.680 and through him alone. 00:17:44.220 --> 00:17:45.359 That Jesus' death 00:17:45.359 --> 00:17:46.240 and resurrection 00:17:46.240 --> 00:17:47.240 has dealt with sin 00:17:47.240 --> 00:17:48.039 once for all 00:17:48.039 --> 00:17:49.480 and reconciles us 00:17:49.480 --> 00:17:50.139 to God 00:17:50.139 --> 00:17:50.579 when we place 00:17:50.579 --> 00:17:51.319 our trust in him. 00:17:52.339 --> 00:17:53.079 That we're saved, 00:17:53.159 --> 00:17:53.639 in other words, 00:17:53.919 --> 00:17:54.740 through faith in him 00:17:54.740 --> 00:17:56.000 and not through anything else. 00:17:56.339 --> 00:17:56.779 And don't you see 00:17:56.779 --> 00:17:57.659 that this salvation 00:17:57.659 --> 00:17:58.579 through faith alone 00:17:58.579 --> 00:17:59.779 in the risen Christ 00:17:59.779 --> 00:18:00.859 ends up being 00:18:00.859 --> 00:18:02.599 the great leveler 00:18:02.599 --> 00:18:04.240 of all the ways 00:18:04.240 --> 00:18:04.899 in which we try 00:18:04.899 --> 00:18:05.659 to prop up 00:18:05.659 --> 00:18:06.679 our identities 00:18:06.679 --> 00:18:08.619 and make ourselves 00:18:08.619 --> 00:18:10.259 better than each other. 00:18:12.960 --> 00:18:14.059 And isn't that 00:18:14.059 --> 00:18:14.859 what's at the root 00:18:14.859 --> 00:18:16.220 of so much 00:18:16.220 --> 00:18:17.059 of the offense 00:18:17.059 --> 00:18:18.119 of the high council? 00:18:18.240 --> 00:18:18.740 Here are the people 00:18:18.740 --> 00:18:20.120 who built their entire life 00:18:20.120 --> 00:18:20.859 around keeping 00:18:20.859 --> 00:18:21.740 the Jewish law 00:18:21.740 --> 00:18:23.019 and hear Paul saying, 00:18:23.500 --> 00:18:24.000 actually, 00:18:25.400 --> 00:18:27.599 that's not it. 00:18:30.900 --> 00:18:32.160 This is what Paul saw 00:18:32.160 --> 00:18:33.259 so clearly 00:18:33.259 --> 00:18:34.019 that not even 00:18:34.019 --> 00:18:35.700 those God-given regulations 00:18:35.700 --> 00:18:36.839 were able to make 00:18:36.839 --> 00:18:37.720 someone more acceptable 00:18:37.720 --> 00:18:38.240 to God. 00:18:38.319 --> 00:18:38.799 That Jews were 00:18:38.799 --> 00:18:39.299 no better off 00:18:39.299 --> 00:18:39.960 than Gentiles. 00:18:40.079 --> 00:18:40.759 That the righteous 00:18:40.759 --> 00:18:42.000 are no better off 00:18:42.000 --> 00:18:42.900 than the tax collectors 00:18:42.900 --> 00:18:43.500 and the sinners. 00:18:43.880 --> 00:18:45.279 But all of them 00:18:45.279 --> 00:18:46.440 come as equals 00:18:46.440 --> 00:18:48.720 to God 00:18:48.720 --> 00:18:49.400 through Christ 00:18:49.400 --> 00:18:50.320 and Christ alone. 00:18:53.059 --> 00:18:54.039 Which means 00:18:54.039 --> 00:18:54.460 that people 00:18:54.460 --> 00:18:55.240 who would normally 00:18:55.240 --> 00:18:56.259 have never 00:18:56.259 --> 00:18:57.400 spent time together 00:18:57.400 --> 00:19:00.320 now 00:19:00.320 --> 00:19:03.019 around the risen Christ 00:19:03.019 --> 00:19:03.920 are eating together 00:19:03.920 --> 00:19:05.940 and praying together 00:19:05.940 --> 00:19:08.080 and serving one another 00:19:08.080 --> 00:19:10.220 and participating 00:19:10.220 --> 00:19:11.960 in deep fellowship. 00:19:11.960 --> 00:19:14.579 You see, 00:19:14.640 --> 00:19:15.180 the resurrection 00:19:15.180 --> 00:19:16.039 was breaking 00:19:16.039 --> 00:19:17.340 all sorts 00:19:17.340 --> 00:19:18.279 of boundaries 00:19:18.279 --> 00:19:19.100 that the comfortable, 00:19:19.660 --> 00:19:20.980 normal society 00:19:20.980 --> 00:19:21.960 said 00:19:21.960 --> 00:19:22.960 shouldn't be broken. 00:19:25.259 --> 00:19:26.640 Across race 00:19:26.640 --> 00:19:27.380 and gender 00:19:27.380 --> 00:19:28.500 and class, 00:19:29.019 --> 00:19:30.200 people were coming 00:19:30.200 --> 00:19:30.819 together 00:19:30.819 --> 00:19:32.200 as equals. 00:19:34.539 --> 00:19:35.480 And that made 00:19:35.480 --> 00:19:36.039 a lot of people 00:19:36.039 --> 00:19:36.819 confused 00:19:36.819 --> 00:19:38.259 and even uncomfortable 00:19:38.259 --> 00:19:40.200 and sometimes offended. 00:19:40.200 --> 00:19:44.100 And that ought 00:19:44.100 --> 00:19:45.039 to be the case today 00:19:45.039 --> 00:19:47.080 that around 00:19:47.080 --> 00:19:48.039 the risen Jesus 00:19:48.039 --> 00:19:49.000 is gathered 00:19:49.000 --> 00:19:50.059 people 00:19:50.059 --> 00:19:52.360 of every sort 00:19:52.360 --> 00:19:54.059 coming 00:19:54.059 --> 00:19:55.200 as equals 00:19:55.200 --> 00:19:55.779 to him 00:19:55.779 --> 00:19:57.279 and seeing 00:19:57.279 --> 00:19:57.860 one another 00:19:57.860 --> 00:19:58.380 as full 00:19:58.380 --> 00:19:59.220 of equal dignity 00:19:59.220 --> 00:19:59.779 and worth. 00:20:04.240 --> 00:20:04.960 So on the one hand, 00:20:05.000 --> 00:20:05.340 the resurrection 00:20:05.340 --> 00:20:06.140 starts to make us 00:20:06.140 --> 00:20:06.759 more accepting 00:20:06.759 --> 00:20:07.319 of differences 00:20:07.319 --> 00:20:08.000 and less tied 00:20:08.000 --> 00:20:08.700 to our old identities. 00:20:08.819 --> 00:20:09.059 But you know, 00:20:09.100 --> 00:20:09.779 on the other hand, 00:20:09.779 --> 00:20:10.500 the resurrection 00:20:10.500 --> 00:20:11.740 also gives shape 00:20:11.740 --> 00:20:13.279 to a very peculiar 00:20:13.279 --> 00:20:14.879 life of sacrifice 00:20:14.879 --> 00:20:15.460 and obedience. 00:20:16.660 --> 00:20:16.879 You see, 00:20:16.940 --> 00:20:17.319 the resurrection 00:20:17.319 --> 00:20:17.720 of Jesus 00:20:17.720 --> 00:20:18.740 means that for believers, 00:20:19.180 --> 00:20:19.899 the best is yet 00:20:19.899 --> 00:20:20.460 to come. 00:20:22.980 --> 00:20:24.000 If we will be 00:20:24.000 --> 00:20:24.879 raised with him, 00:20:24.940 --> 00:20:25.839 if our bodies 00:20:25.839 --> 00:20:26.379 even are going 00:20:26.379 --> 00:20:26.920 to be raised 00:20:26.920 --> 00:20:27.680 incorruptible 00:20:27.680 --> 00:20:28.399 and in glory 00:20:28.399 --> 00:20:29.420 in a new heavens 00:20:29.420 --> 00:20:29.980 and new earth, 00:20:30.200 --> 00:20:31.099 then there's a future 00:20:31.099 --> 00:20:32.599 ahead that far 00:20:32.599 --> 00:20:33.720 outstrips any 00:20:33.720 --> 00:20:34.440 satisfaction 00:20:34.440 --> 00:20:35.339 or pleasure 00:20:35.339 --> 00:20:36.460 that this present 00:20:36.460 --> 00:20:37.579 life could offer. 00:20:37.579 --> 00:20:39.639 which means 00:20:39.639 --> 00:20:40.699 that any sacrifice 00:20:40.699 --> 00:20:41.379 that we make 00:20:41.379 --> 00:20:41.799 now, 00:20:42.579 --> 00:20:44.359 no matter how hard, 00:20:44.519 --> 00:20:45.759 no matter how grueling, 00:20:46.399 --> 00:20:47.519 no matter how inconvenient, 00:20:48.199 --> 00:20:50.799 is infinitely worth it. 00:20:54.299 --> 00:20:54.839 In fact, 00:20:54.879 --> 00:20:55.960 I think so much 00:20:55.960 --> 00:20:57.659 of Christian discipleship 00:20:57.659 --> 00:20:58.799 makes very, 00:20:59.000 --> 00:21:00.099 very little sense 00:21:00.099 --> 00:21:01.199 apart from the resurrection. 00:21:01.200 --> 00:21:03.840 And not just because 00:21:03.840 --> 00:21:04.380 the resurrection 00:21:04.380 --> 00:21:05.840 declares Jesus 00:21:05.840 --> 00:21:06.480 as Lord 00:21:06.480 --> 00:21:07.039 and therefore 00:21:07.039 --> 00:21:07.539 the one who has 00:21:07.539 --> 00:21:08.440 the right to tell us 00:21:08.440 --> 00:21:09.080 what to do, 00:21:09.920 --> 00:21:11.920 but it also makes 00:21:11.920 --> 00:21:13.059 not much sense 00:21:13.059 --> 00:21:13.860 in another way. 00:21:13.960 --> 00:21:14.140 I mean, 00:21:14.200 --> 00:21:14.779 think about it. 00:21:15.160 --> 00:21:16.620 Why follow 00:21:16.620 --> 00:21:18.299 Christ's teaching 00:21:18.299 --> 00:21:19.680 about radical generosity 00:21:19.680 --> 00:21:21.880 or sexual fidelity 00:21:21.880 --> 00:21:22.660 and purity 00:21:22.660 --> 00:21:25.240 or self-giving service 00:21:25.240 --> 00:21:27.779 if this life 00:21:27.779 --> 00:21:28.740 was really 00:21:28.740 --> 00:21:29.680 your only shot 00:21:29.680 --> 00:21:30.220 at happiness 00:21:30.220 --> 00:21:30.920 and fulfillment. 00:21:33.259 --> 00:21:34.799 That would be insane. 00:21:36.120 --> 00:21:36.819 Wouldn't it? 00:21:37.940 --> 00:21:38.880 No one would 00:21:38.880 --> 00:21:40.100 actually do that. 00:21:43.120 --> 00:21:44.720 But if this life 00:21:44.720 --> 00:21:46.640 was actually 00:21:46.640 --> 00:21:47.900 being swept up 00:21:47.900 --> 00:21:48.940 into a new life, 00:21:49.640 --> 00:21:50.500 if in Christ 00:21:50.500 --> 00:21:51.319 the future to come 00:21:51.319 --> 00:21:52.100 were the consummation 00:21:52.100 --> 00:21:53.500 of all of our longings here, 00:21:53.799 --> 00:21:54.480 longings that money 00:21:54.480 --> 00:21:55.160 and sex and power 00:21:55.160 --> 00:21:56.339 only hinted at, 00:21:57.620 --> 00:21:58.360 then faithfulness 00:21:58.359 --> 00:21:58.959 in these areas 00:21:58.959 --> 00:21:59.779 suddenly makes 00:21:59.779 --> 00:22:01.459 complete sense. 00:22:04.339 --> 00:22:04.679 I mean, 00:22:04.719 --> 00:22:05.339 think about it this way. 00:22:05.579 --> 00:22:06.500 People save 00:22:06.500 --> 00:22:07.379 for retirement 00:22:07.379 --> 00:22:08.719 without question, 00:22:08.879 --> 00:22:09.359 don't they? 00:22:10.679 --> 00:22:11.579 Because they think 00:22:11.579 --> 00:22:12.459 that every little 00:22:12.459 --> 00:22:13.579 sacrifice they make 00:22:13.579 --> 00:22:15.019 before the age of 65 00:22:15.019 --> 00:22:16.479 is going to increase 00:22:16.479 --> 00:22:17.079 their capacity 00:22:17.079 --> 00:22:17.699 for joy 00:22:17.699 --> 00:22:18.979 after they retire. 00:22:18.980 --> 00:22:20.720 every quarter 00:22:20.720 --> 00:22:22.019 I get a financial report 00:22:22.019 --> 00:22:23.599 telling me 00:22:23.599 --> 00:22:24.400 that if I would only 00:22:24.400 --> 00:22:24.960 put in 00:22:24.960 --> 00:22:26.200 X more dollars 00:22:26.200 --> 00:22:26.640 a month 00:22:26.640 --> 00:22:27.160 into my 00:22:27.160 --> 00:22:27.920 whatever it is, 00:22:27.980 --> 00:22:28.640 403B 00:22:28.640 --> 00:22:29.539 or 401K, 00:22:30.000 --> 00:22:30.720 then oh, 00:22:30.819 --> 00:22:31.599 look at how much 00:22:31.599 --> 00:22:32.140 more money 00:22:32.140 --> 00:22:32.559 I would get 00:22:32.559 --> 00:22:33.279 when I retire. 00:22:33.420 --> 00:22:33.819 It would be 00:22:33.819 --> 00:22:35.019 exponentially more. 00:22:37.660 --> 00:22:38.039 Friends, 00:22:38.099 --> 00:22:38.860 how much more 00:22:38.860 --> 00:22:39.680 will Christ 00:22:39.680 --> 00:22:40.500 have in store 00:22:40.500 --> 00:22:43.119 for those 00:22:43.119 --> 00:22:43.480 who 00:22:43.480 --> 00:22:44.799 have made 00:22:44.799 --> 00:22:45.559 sacrifices 00:22:45.559 --> 00:22:46.059 for Him 00:22:46.059 --> 00:22:46.740 in this life. 00:22:50.299 --> 00:22:51.460 We cannot dream 00:22:51.460 --> 00:22:52.160 what beauties 00:22:52.160 --> 00:22:52.779 are in store 00:22:52.779 --> 00:22:53.519 in God's future 00:22:53.519 --> 00:22:54.400 when He liberates 00:22:54.400 --> 00:22:54.880 creation 00:22:54.880 --> 00:22:55.720 from its bondage 00:22:55.720 --> 00:22:56.259 to decay 00:22:56.259 --> 00:22:57.400 and sets us 00:22:57.400 --> 00:22:58.279 free along with it 00:22:58.279 --> 00:22:59.220 just as He's 00:22:59.220 --> 00:22:59.880 shown us 00:22:59.880 --> 00:23:00.500 He's going to do 00:23:00.500 --> 00:23:01.400 in the resurrection 00:23:01.400 --> 00:23:01.960 of Jesus. 00:23:03.960 --> 00:23:04.920 And the greatest 00:23:04.920 --> 00:23:05.779 gift of all 00:23:05.779 --> 00:23:06.099 of that 00:23:06.099 --> 00:23:06.640 is going to be 00:23:06.640 --> 00:23:07.799 God Himself 00:23:07.799 --> 00:23:09.740 to delight in Him 00:23:09.740 --> 00:23:10.700 and to enjoy Him, 00:23:11.019 --> 00:23:12.200 to be present 00:23:12.200 --> 00:23:13.460 with the one 00:23:13.460 --> 00:23:14.140 who came up 00:23:14.140 --> 00:23:14.880 with the idea 00:23:14.880 --> 00:23:15.539 of pleasure 00:23:15.539 --> 00:23:15.980 and joy 00:23:15.980 --> 00:23:17.039 in the first place. 00:23:17.120 --> 00:23:17.599 Imagine 00:23:17.599 --> 00:23:19.460 what it must be like 00:23:19.460 --> 00:23:20.660 to be with that one 00:23:20.660 --> 00:23:21.160 forever. 00:23:23.740 --> 00:23:24.859 What sacrifice 00:23:24.859 --> 00:23:25.920 wouldn't be worth 00:23:25.920 --> 00:23:27.059 the joy of that? 00:23:29.359 --> 00:23:30.279 And if Christ 00:23:30.279 --> 00:23:30.900 has been raised 00:23:30.900 --> 00:23:31.519 then we can know 00:23:31.519 --> 00:23:32.460 that no sacrifice 00:23:32.460 --> 00:23:33.259 is lost 00:23:33.259 --> 00:23:34.700 and every sacrifice 00:23:34.700 --> 00:23:35.359 will carry 00:23:35.359 --> 00:23:36.059 its own 00:23:36.059 --> 00:23:37.559 abundant reward. 00:23:39.740 --> 00:23:42.259 So the resurrection 00:23:42.259 --> 00:23:42.880 gives us 00:23:42.880 --> 00:23:43.579 this good 00:23:43.579 --> 00:23:44.579 conscience 00:23:44.579 --> 00:23:45.380 before God 00:23:45.380 --> 00:23:46.019 that seems 00:23:46.019 --> 00:23:46.839 so strange 00:23:46.839 --> 00:23:47.539 from the outside 00:23:47.539 --> 00:23:48.420 but is so full 00:23:48.420 --> 00:23:49.160 of integrity 00:23:49.160 --> 00:23:50.319 and purpose 00:23:50.319 --> 00:23:51.160 on the inside. 00:23:53.960 --> 00:23:54.759 But we see here 00:23:54.759 --> 00:23:55.259 that the resurrection 00:23:55.259 --> 00:23:56.220 doesn't just impart 00:23:56.220 --> 00:23:57.180 a good conscience 00:23:57.180 --> 00:23:58.920 but it also 00:23:58.920 --> 00:23:59.740 gives us 00:23:59.740 --> 00:24:00.279 and it gives 00:24:00.279 --> 00:24:01.500 Paul in our story 00:24:01.500 --> 00:24:02.500 a great courage. 00:24:04.620 --> 00:24:05.279 Look at 00:24:05.279 --> 00:24:06.339 verse 11. 00:24:07.339 --> 00:24:07.980 Jesus Himself 00:24:07.980 --> 00:24:08.720 comes to Paul 00:24:08.720 --> 00:24:09.200 in the night 00:24:09.200 --> 00:24:10.240 and speaks 00:24:10.240 --> 00:24:11.579 a word of courage 00:24:11.579 --> 00:24:12.420 to his heart 00:24:12.420 --> 00:24:14.420 and He assures 00:24:14.420 --> 00:24:14.960 Paul that 00:24:14.960 --> 00:24:16.440 Paul will reach 00:24:16.440 --> 00:24:16.900 Rome 00:24:16.900 --> 00:24:17.600 that even though 00:24:17.600 --> 00:24:18.160 things look 00:24:18.160 --> 00:24:18.960 as bleak 00:24:18.960 --> 00:24:19.519 as could be 00:24:19.519 --> 00:24:20.220 that even though 00:24:20.220 --> 00:24:21.160 his defense 00:24:21.160 --> 00:24:22.160 before the crowds 00:24:22.160 --> 00:24:23.000 in chapter 22 00:24:23.000 --> 00:24:24.079 and his defense 00:24:24.079 --> 00:24:25.000 here before the council 00:24:25.000 --> 00:24:26.160 in chapter 23 00:24:26.160 --> 00:24:27.279 seem to have actually 00:24:27.279 --> 00:24:29.000 done very little good 00:24:29.000 --> 00:24:31.059 even though his life 00:24:31.059 --> 00:24:32.039 is in total danger 00:24:32.039 --> 00:24:32.600 and even though 00:24:32.600 --> 00:24:33.079 the opposition 00:24:33.079 --> 00:24:34.180 seems to be growing 00:24:34.180 --> 00:24:35.640 Jesus promises Paul 00:24:35.640 --> 00:24:36.799 that he must 00:24:36.799 --> 00:24:37.740 also testify 00:24:37.740 --> 00:24:38.620 in Rome. 00:24:40.660 --> 00:24:41.500 And the rest 00:24:41.500 --> 00:24:42.380 of chapter 23 00:24:42.380 --> 00:24:43.640 starting in verse 12 00:24:43.640 --> 00:24:45.420 the second half 00:24:45.420 --> 00:24:45.779 of the chapter 00:24:45.779 --> 00:24:46.299 that we didn't 00:24:46.299 --> 00:24:46.859 read together 00:24:46.859 --> 00:24:49.059 we see Jesus 00:24:49.059 --> 00:24:50.019 starting to make 00:24:50.019 --> 00:24:50.799 good 00:24:50.799 --> 00:24:52.039 on that promise 00:24:52.039 --> 00:24:53.259 right from the start. 00:24:54.859 --> 00:24:55.740 We learn there 00:24:55.740 --> 00:24:56.900 that 40 men 00:24:56.900 --> 00:24:57.720 take an oath 00:24:57.720 --> 00:24:58.859 to murder Paul. 00:24:59.279 --> 00:25:00.339 They hatch 00:25:00.339 --> 00:25:01.079 this plot 00:25:01.079 --> 00:25:02.220 to assassinate him 00:25:02.220 --> 00:25:02.720 on the way 00:25:02.720 --> 00:25:03.240 to the next 00:25:03.240 --> 00:25:04.059 council hearing 00:25:04.059 --> 00:25:05.599 but it seems 00:25:05.599 --> 00:25:06.740 just in time 00:25:06.740 --> 00:25:07.899 Paul's nephew 00:25:07.899 --> 00:25:09.539 hears of the ambush 00:25:09.539 --> 00:25:10.639 and he hurries 00:25:10.639 --> 00:25:11.480 to warn Paul 00:25:11.480 --> 00:25:12.359 and Paul sends him 00:25:12.359 --> 00:25:12.879 to the tribune 00:25:12.879 --> 00:25:13.359 and then again 00:25:13.359 --> 00:25:14.579 it seems just in time 00:25:14.579 --> 00:25:15.799 Paul suddenly being 00:25:15.799 --> 00:25:17.299 escorted by the Romans 00:25:17.299 --> 00:25:18.279 under heavy guard 00:25:18.279 --> 00:25:19.259 out of Jerusalem 00:25:19.259 --> 00:25:20.079 into Caesarea. 00:25:21.359 --> 00:25:22.000 And in Caesarea 00:25:22.000 --> 00:25:22.799 he will appear 00:25:22.799 --> 00:25:23.859 before one of the most 00:25:23.859 --> 00:25:25.559 powerful secular rulers 00:25:25.559 --> 00:25:26.179 in the region 00:25:26.179 --> 00:25:27.599 and if that's not all 00:25:27.599 --> 00:25:29.000 he's going to arrive 00:25:29.000 --> 00:25:29.500 in Caesarea 00:25:29.500 --> 00:25:30.319 with a letter 00:25:30.319 --> 00:25:31.799 essentially declaring 00:25:31.799 --> 00:25:32.759 his innocence 00:25:32.759 --> 00:25:34.779 Claudius Lysias 00:25:34.779 --> 00:25:35.559 this tribune 00:25:35.559 --> 00:25:36.480 who's been keeping 00:25:36.480 --> 00:25:37.220 track of Paul 00:25:37.220 --> 00:25:37.700 in Jerusalem 00:25:37.700 --> 00:25:38.819 writes in verse 29 00:25:38.819 --> 00:25:39.579 this letter 00:25:39.579 --> 00:25:40.960 to the governor 00:25:40.960 --> 00:25:41.460 and says 00:25:41.460 --> 00:25:42.839 I found that he 00:25:42.839 --> 00:25:43.619 was being accused 00:25:43.619 --> 00:25:44.279 about questions 00:25:44.279 --> 00:25:45.099 of their law 00:25:45.099 --> 00:25:46.980 but charged with 00:25:46.980 --> 00:25:47.859 nothing deserving 00:25:47.859 --> 00:25:49.019 death or imprisonment. 00:25:51.259 --> 00:25:52.159 Paul ends up 00:25:52.159 --> 00:25:53.119 leaving Jerusalem 00:25:53.119 --> 00:25:54.559 completely vindicated. 00:25:57.299 --> 00:25:58.259 And don't you see 00:25:58.259 --> 00:25:58.559 friends 00:25:58.559 --> 00:25:59.740 Luke doesn't mean 00:25:59.740 --> 00:26:00.299 for us 00:26:00.299 --> 00:26:02.279 to see all of this 00:26:02.279 --> 00:26:03.859 as mere coincidence. 00:26:06.419 --> 00:26:07.139 No 00:26:07.139 --> 00:26:08.579 the risen Lord 00:26:08.579 --> 00:26:09.940 who came 00:26:09.940 --> 00:26:10.659 to Paul 00:26:10.659 --> 00:26:11.559 that night 00:26:11.559 --> 00:26:11.960 and said 00:26:11.960 --> 00:26:13.319 keep up your courage 00:26:13.319 --> 00:26:15.240 has been 00:26:15.240 --> 00:26:16.759 orchestrating 00:26:16.759 --> 00:26:17.419 and working 00:26:17.419 --> 00:26:18.299 the whole time. 00:26:19.359 --> 00:26:20.559 In fact 00:26:20.559 --> 00:26:22.539 this whole chapter 00:26:22.539 --> 00:26:23.899 has actually 00:26:23.899 --> 00:26:24.659 been a fulfillment 00:26:24.659 --> 00:26:25.740 of Jesus' words. 00:26:26.779 --> 00:26:27.480 In the gospel 00:26:27.480 --> 00:26:28.440 of Luke chapter 21 00:26:28.440 --> 00:26:29.500 Jesus tells his disciples 00:26:29.500 --> 00:26:30.220 that after he's gone 00:26:30.220 --> 00:26:30.759 to the father 00:26:30.759 --> 00:26:31.759 they're going to lay 00:26:31.759 --> 00:26:32.660 their hands on you 00:26:32.660 --> 00:26:34.059 and persecute you 00:26:34.059 --> 00:26:35.539 delivering you up 00:26:35.539 --> 00:26:36.299 to the synagogues 00:26:36.299 --> 00:26:36.680 and prisons 00:26:36.680 --> 00:26:37.480 and you will be brought 00:26:37.480 --> 00:26:38.100 before kings 00:26:38.100 --> 00:26:38.600 and governors 00:26:38.600 --> 00:26:39.600 for my name's sake. 00:26:41.079 --> 00:26:41.839 And then Jesus says 00:26:41.839 --> 00:26:42.360 this will be your 00:26:42.360 --> 00:26:42.880 opportunity 00:26:42.880 --> 00:26:44.539 to bear witness. 00:26:47.339 --> 00:26:48.440 Paul's imprisonment 00:26:48.440 --> 00:26:49.180 and trial 00:26:49.180 --> 00:26:50.460 in the hands 00:26:50.460 --> 00:26:51.500 of the risen Christ 00:26:51.500 --> 00:26:53.720 is an opportunity 00:26:53.720 --> 00:26:55.980 to bear witness. 00:26:55.980 --> 00:26:58.700 and an opportunity 00:26:58.700 --> 00:26:59.400 he would have had 00:26:59.400 --> 00:27:00.980 in no other way 00:27:00.980 --> 00:27:01.480 it seems. 00:27:01.960 --> 00:27:02.599 I mean think about it 00:27:02.599 --> 00:27:03.360 would Paul have been 00:27:03.360 --> 00:27:04.319 granted a meeting 00:27:04.319 --> 00:27:06.140 with this Jewish council 00:27:06.140 --> 00:27:06.759 in Jerusalem 00:27:06.759 --> 00:27:07.640 had he just sort of 00:27:07.640 --> 00:27:08.319 requested it? 00:27:10.099 --> 00:27:11.000 The one who was 00:27:11.000 --> 00:27:11.860 sort of public enemy 00:27:11.860 --> 00:27:12.420 number one. 00:27:12.500 --> 00:27:13.099 Hey by the way 00:27:13.099 --> 00:27:13.779 can we get together 00:27:13.779 --> 00:27:14.620 and have a chat? 00:27:15.519 --> 00:27:16.180 Probably not. 00:27:19.019 --> 00:27:19.720 And we can be 00:27:19.720 --> 00:27:20.380 nearly certain 00:27:20.380 --> 00:27:20.960 that Paul would have 00:27:20.960 --> 00:27:22.200 never been witnessing 00:27:22.200 --> 00:27:23.160 to the elites 00:27:23.160 --> 00:27:23.860 in Caesarea 00:27:23.860 --> 00:27:25.299 without what happened 00:27:25.299 --> 00:27:25.860 in Jerusalem. 00:27:27.240 --> 00:27:28.539 And there's no doubt 00:27:28.539 --> 00:27:29.460 that had Paul 00:27:29.460 --> 00:27:30.019 made his way 00:27:30.019 --> 00:27:30.779 to Rome 00:27:30.779 --> 00:27:32.039 on his own accord 00:27:32.039 --> 00:27:32.840 as a free man 00:27:32.840 --> 00:27:33.640 and not as a prisoner 00:27:33.640 --> 00:27:34.620 as he intended to do 00:27:34.620 --> 00:27:35.900 there's no way 00:27:35.900 --> 00:27:37.080 that he would have arrived 00:27:37.080 --> 00:27:39.539 waiting for an audience 00:27:39.539 --> 00:27:41.160 with Caesar's own court. 00:27:43.940 --> 00:27:45.380 No, the resurrected Lord 00:27:45.380 --> 00:27:47.539 took Paul's trials 00:27:47.539 --> 00:27:48.799 and imprisonment 00:27:48.799 --> 00:27:49.900 and turned them 00:27:49.900 --> 00:27:51.019 into these incredible 00:27:51.019 --> 00:27:54.079 unique opportunities 00:27:54.079 --> 00:27:55.720 to bear witness. 00:27:58.859 --> 00:27:59.519 And friends 00:27:59.519 --> 00:28:00.759 the same is true for us. 00:28:02.460 --> 00:28:03.940 It is no mistake 00:28:03.940 --> 00:28:06.000 when you find yourself 00:28:06.000 --> 00:28:07.379 questioned 00:28:07.379 --> 00:28:08.779 or maybe people 00:28:08.779 --> 00:28:10.059 raising eyebrows at you 00:28:10.059 --> 00:28:11.079 or maybe even getting 00:28:11.079 --> 00:28:11.879 a little offended. 00:28:13.559 --> 00:28:14.940 Friend these are moments 00:28:14.940 --> 00:28:16.180 that your Lord 00:28:16.180 --> 00:28:17.759 has ordained 00:28:17.759 --> 00:28:18.819 for you 00:28:18.819 --> 00:28:20.319 to be able to step in 00:28:20.319 --> 00:28:21.779 and bear witness. 00:28:24.559 --> 00:28:25.759 And the resurrection 00:28:25.759 --> 00:28:26.220 of Jesus 00:28:26.220 --> 00:28:27.079 gives us 00:28:27.079 --> 00:28:28.139 the same 00:28:28.139 --> 00:28:29.839 great courage 00:28:29.839 --> 00:28:30.819 that Paul had. 00:28:32.379 --> 00:28:32.879 You see, 00:28:32.939 --> 00:28:33.299 the promise 00:28:33.299 --> 00:28:34.619 to arrive in Rome 00:28:34.619 --> 00:28:35.720 is obviously 00:28:35.720 --> 00:28:37.519 peculiar to Paul, 00:28:37.619 --> 00:28:38.639 particular to him. 00:28:39.379 --> 00:28:40.419 But the fact 00:28:40.419 --> 00:28:41.460 that the resurrected Lord 00:28:41.460 --> 00:28:42.039 will work 00:28:42.039 --> 00:28:43.159 our trials 00:28:43.159 --> 00:28:44.319 for our good 00:28:44.319 --> 00:28:45.480 and for his glory 00:28:45.480 --> 00:28:46.200 is a promise 00:28:46.200 --> 00:28:46.859 that belongs 00:28:46.859 --> 00:28:47.919 to absolutely 00:28:47.920 --> 00:28:49.039 every believer. 00:28:52.039 --> 00:28:52.800 John Newton, 00:28:52.940 --> 00:28:53.519 the hymn writer, 00:28:53.759 --> 00:28:54.300 once wrote, 00:28:55.360 --> 00:28:57.259 everything is necessary 00:28:57.259 --> 00:28:58.220 that he sends. 00:28:59.800 --> 00:29:01.259 Nothing can be necessary 00:29:01.259 --> 00:29:02.519 that he withholds. 00:29:05.660 --> 00:29:06.860 Everything is necessary 00:29:06.860 --> 00:29:07.560 that he sends. 00:29:07.680 --> 00:29:08.560 It's all a part 00:29:08.560 --> 00:29:09.279 of his plan. 00:29:10.400 --> 00:29:12.140 And nothing can be necessary. 00:29:12.259 --> 00:29:13.680 Nothing can be necessary 00:29:13.680 --> 00:29:15.200 that he withholds. 00:29:15.200 --> 00:29:18.299 That's the confidence 00:29:18.299 --> 00:29:18.920 and courage 00:29:18.920 --> 00:29:19.380 we have 00:29:19.380 --> 00:29:19.779 in Christ 00:29:19.779 --> 00:29:20.519 the risen Lord. 00:29:22.299 --> 00:29:22.500 You see, 00:29:22.559 --> 00:29:22.660 friends, 00:29:22.700 --> 00:29:23.120 after all, 00:29:23.200 --> 00:29:24.140 if Jesus Christ 00:29:24.140 --> 00:29:24.720 was able 00:29:24.720 --> 00:29:25.880 through his resurrection 00:29:25.880 --> 00:29:26.940 to turn 00:29:26.940 --> 00:29:28.759 the worst evil 00:29:28.759 --> 00:29:30.220 into the greatest good, 00:29:31.160 --> 00:29:32.559 when he died 00:29:32.559 --> 00:29:33.000 on the cross 00:29:33.000 --> 00:29:33.640 and rose again, 00:29:33.700 --> 00:29:34.200 if he was able 00:29:34.200 --> 00:29:35.220 to turn the evil 00:29:35.220 --> 00:29:35.980 of the cross 00:29:35.980 --> 00:29:37.259 into our salvation, 00:29:37.700 --> 00:29:38.259 then surely, 00:29:38.440 --> 00:29:38.559 friends, 00:29:38.600 --> 00:29:39.080 he can take 00:29:39.080 --> 00:29:40.480 any lesser evil 00:29:40.480 --> 00:29:41.620 that comes our way 00:29:41.620 --> 00:29:42.380 and make it 00:29:42.380 --> 00:29:43.039 a servant 00:29:43.039 --> 00:29:44.039 for our good. 00:29:48.339 --> 00:29:49.019 And that's why 00:29:49.019 --> 00:29:49.639 it's so critical 00:29:49.639 --> 00:29:50.619 that we don't lose sight 00:29:50.619 --> 00:29:51.480 of the main thing. 00:29:53.059 --> 00:29:54.079 Of all the things 00:29:54.079 --> 00:29:54.619 that can vie 00:29:54.619 --> 00:29:55.399 for our attention 00:29:55.399 --> 00:29:56.500 and fill our vision, 00:29:56.940 --> 00:29:57.980 this is the thing, 00:29:58.039 --> 00:29:59.519 this is the one thing 00:29:59.519 --> 00:30:01.420 we need to keep central. 00:30:02.059 --> 00:30:02.960 This is the thing 00:30:02.960 --> 00:30:04.500 that can't lose its place. 00:30:06.159 --> 00:30:07.159 Because when we keep 00:30:07.159 --> 00:30:08.619 the resurrection central, 00:30:08.779 --> 00:30:10.299 our lives before God 00:30:10.299 --> 00:30:11.339 are filled 00:30:11.339 --> 00:30:13.059 with this good conscience 00:30:13.059 --> 00:30:15.740 and our lives 00:30:15.740 --> 00:30:16.619 in the midst of trials 00:30:16.619 --> 00:30:17.259 are filled 00:30:17.259 --> 00:30:19.019 with a great 00:30:19.019 --> 00:30:20.879 and indestructible courage. 00:30:24.879 --> 00:30:25.319 Friends, 00:30:25.359 --> 00:30:25.859 is that true 00:30:25.859 --> 00:30:26.639 for you today? 00:30:26.879 --> 00:30:27.740 Are you clinging 00:30:27.740 --> 00:30:30.240 to this resurrected Christ 00:30:30.240 --> 00:30:31.859 and finding 00:30:31.859 --> 00:30:33.899 that good conscience 00:30:33.899 --> 00:30:36.419 and that sure courage? 00:30:37.379 --> 00:30:38.039 Let's pray. 00:30:38.039 --> 00:30:38.079 Let's pray. 00:30:41.339 --> 00:30:42.939 Lord Jesus, 00:30:43.059 --> 00:30:43.619 we praise you 00:30:43.619 --> 00:30:44.720 as the resurrected one, 00:30:45.759 --> 00:30:47.539 the one before whom 00:30:47.539 --> 00:30:48.259 one day every knee 00:30:48.259 --> 00:30:48.639 will bow 00:30:48.639 --> 00:30:49.159 and every tongue 00:30:49.159 --> 00:30:50.319 confess that you are Lord. 00:30:51.319 --> 00:30:51.699 Lord, 00:30:51.759 --> 00:30:52.199 help us, 00:30:52.259 --> 00:30:52.639 your people, 00:30:52.759 --> 00:30:53.619 to be doing that 00:30:53.619 --> 00:30:55.019 even now, 00:30:55.720 --> 00:30:57.039 to be setting you 00:30:57.039 --> 00:30:58.279 apart in our hearts 00:30:58.279 --> 00:30:58.959 as Lord 00:30:58.959 --> 00:31:00.559 and to be finding 00:31:00.559 --> 00:31:01.399 in that God 00:31:01.399 --> 00:31:03.519 the great confidence 00:31:03.519 --> 00:31:05.399 and the great peace 00:31:05.399 --> 00:31:06.139 that comes 00:31:06.139 --> 00:31:07.779 in knowing you. 00:31:07.779 --> 00:31:09.660 Lord, 00:31:09.700 --> 00:31:10.319 for those who are here 00:31:10.319 --> 00:31:10.799 this morning 00:31:10.799 --> 00:31:11.500 who are wrestling 00:31:11.500 --> 00:31:13.099 with the reality 00:31:13.099 --> 00:31:13.779 of the resurrection, 00:31:13.779 --> 00:31:14.740 if it seems like 00:31:14.740 --> 00:31:15.680 something that's 00:31:15.680 --> 00:31:16.579 just so hard 00:31:16.579 --> 00:31:17.720 to wrap their minds around, 00:31:17.819 --> 00:31:18.519 I pray that you would 00:31:18.519 --> 00:31:19.259 help them 00:31:19.259 --> 00:31:22.460 to understand it 00:31:22.460 --> 00:31:24.279 and to ask good questions 00:31:24.279 --> 00:31:26.099 and to explore it 00:31:26.099 --> 00:31:26.960 with friends. 00:31:27.680 --> 00:31:28.160 And Lord, 00:31:28.200 --> 00:31:29.059 for those of us 00:31:29.059 --> 00:31:31.240 who profess a belief 00:31:31.240 --> 00:31:31.660 in you, 00:31:31.759 --> 00:31:32.160 Lord Jesus, 00:31:32.660 --> 00:31:33.799 as the risen one, 00:31:33.799 --> 00:31:36.119 O Lord, 00:31:36.180 --> 00:31:37.299 would we keep it central 00:31:37.299 --> 00:31:41.399 and would it be like 00:31:41.399 --> 00:31:43.339 the star 00:31:43.339 --> 00:31:44.379 that guides us 00:31:44.379 --> 00:31:45.619 through every storm 00:31:45.619 --> 00:31:46.500 and every night sky. 00:31:47.740 --> 00:31:48.200 Lord, 00:31:48.240 --> 00:31:48.659 we pray this 00:31:48.659 --> 00:31:49.319 in Christ's name. 00:31:49.639 --> 00:31:49.919 Amen. 00:31:56.000 --> 00:31:56.480 Well, 00:31:56.480 --> 00:31:56.619 friends, 00:31:56.680 --> 00:31:57.519 we're going to respond 00:31:57.519 --> 00:31:58.779 and we're going to close 00:31:58.779 --> 00:32:00.879 by singing a song 00:32:00.879 --> 00:32:02.740 about who Jesus is 00:32:02.740 --> 00:32:03.659 and what he's done 00:32:03.660 --> 00:32:04.779 and particularly 00:32:04.779 --> 00:32:05.680 in the last verse 00:32:05.680 --> 00:32:06.160 of this hymn 00:32:06.160 --> 00:32:07.279 about the power 00:32:07.279 --> 00:32:07.940 and the reality 00:32:07.940 --> 00:32:08.580 of the resurrection. 00:32:09.019 --> 00:32:09.160 So, 00:32:09.400 --> 00:32:10.100 let's stand 00:32:10.100 --> 00:32:11.440 and let's sing together. 00:32:11.440 --> 00:32:11.500 Let's sing together. 00:32:19.500 --> 00:32:21.440 Come behold 00:32:22.000 --> 00:32:24.640 the wondrous mystery 00:32:24.640 --> 00:32:26.440 In the dawning 00:32:27.040 --> 00:32:29.180 of the King 00:32:29.180 --> 00:32:30.400 He, 00:32:30.400 --> 00:32:30.420 He, 00:32:30.580 --> 00:32:31.460 the theme 00:32:31.460 --> 00:32:34.060 of heaven's praises 00:32:34.060 --> 00:32:38.000 Roped in frail humanity 00:32:38.000 --> 00:32:40.840 In our longing 00:32:40.840 --> 00:32:43.180 In our darkness 00:32:43.180 --> 00:32:45.420 Now the light 00:32:45.420 --> 00:32:48.000 Of life has come 00:32:48.000 --> 00:32:50.019 Look to Christ 00:32:50.019 --> 00:32:52.500 Who condescended 00:32:52.500 --> 00:32:54.600 Took on flesh 00:32:54.599 --> 00:32:56.219 To ransom us 00:32:56.219 --> 00:32:58.079 To ransom us 00:32:58.079 --> 00:33:05.219 Come behold 00:33:05.219 --> 00:33:08.359 The wondrous mystery 00:33:08.359 --> 00:33:09.219 He, 00:33:09.480 --> 00:33:10.639 the perfect 00:33:10.639 --> 00:33:12.859 Son of man 00:33:12.859 --> 00:33:15.279 In His living 00:33:15.279 --> 00:33:17.619 In His suffering 00:33:17.619 --> 00:33:19.679 Never trace 00:33:19.680 --> 00:33:22.200 No state of sin 00:33:22.200 --> 00:33:24.180 See the true 00:33:24.180 --> 00:33:26.799 And better Adam 00:33:26.799 --> 00:33:28.960 Come to save 00:33:28.960 --> 00:33:31.440 The hell-bound man 00:33:31.440 --> 00:33:33.720 It's the great 00:33:33.720 --> 00:33:36.000 And sure fulfillment 00:33:36.000 --> 00:33:38.299 Of the law 00:33:38.299 --> 00:33:41.460 In Him we stand 00:33:41.460 --> 00:33:49.079 Come behold 00:33:49.079 --> 00:33:49.559 Come behold 00:33:49.559 --> 00:33:52.400 The wondrous mystery 00:33:52.400 --> 00:33:54.579 Christ the Lord 00:33:54.579 --> 00:33:56.860 Upon the tree 00:33:56.860 --> 00:33:59.259 In the stead 00:33:59.259 --> 00:34:01.079 Of ruined sinners 00:34:01.799 --> 00:34:03.819 Hangs the Lamb 00:34:03.819 --> 00:34:05.079 In victory 00:34:05.079 --> 00:34:08.320 See the price 00:34:08.320 --> 00:34:10.079 Of our redemption 00:34:10.079 --> 00:34:14.179 See the Father's plan 00:34:14.179 --> 00:34:15.400 Unfold 00:34:15.400 --> 00:34:18.579 Bringing many sons 00:34:18.579 --> 00:34:19.900 To glory 00:34:19.900 --> 00:34:22.259 Grace on measure 00:34:22.259 --> 00:34:25.079 Love untold 00:34:25.079 --> 00:34:32.699 Come behold 00:34:32.699 --> 00:34:35.880 The wondrous mystery 00:34:35.880 --> 00:34:38.000 Slain by death 00:34:38.000 --> 00:34:40.280 The God of life 00:34:40.280 --> 00:34:42.480 But no grave 00:34:42.480 --> 00:34:43.679 Could e'er 00:34:43.679 --> 00:34:44.980 Restrain Him 00:34:44.980 --> 00:34:46.519 Praise the Lord 00:34:46.519 --> 00:34:48.900 He is alive 00:34:48.900 --> 00:34:51.900 What a poor taste 00:34:51.900 --> 00:34:53.920 Of deliverance 00:34:53.920 --> 00:34:57.179 How unwavering 00:34:57.179 --> 00:34:58.500 Our hope 00:34:58.500 --> 00:35:00.920 Christ in power 00:35:00.920 --> 00:35:03.280 Resurrected 00:35:03.280 --> 00:35:05.579 As we will be 00:35:05.579 --> 00:35:07.579 When He comes 00:35:07.579 --> 00:35:07.860 When He comes 00:35:07.860 --> 00:35:08.579 When He comes 00:35:08.579 --> 00:35:10.559 What a poor taste 00:35:10.559 --> 00:35:12.360 Of deliverance 00:35:12.360 --> 00:35:14.579 How unwavering 00:35:14.579 --> 00:35:17.579 Our hope 00:35:17.579 --> 00:35:21.480 Christ in power 00:35:21.480 --> 00:35:23.579 Resurrected 00:35:24.119 --> 00:35:26.460 As we will be 00:35:26.460 --> 00:35:28.579 When He comes 00:35:28.579 --> 00:35:35.400 Yeah 00:35:35.400 --> 00:35:35.579 Yeah 00:35:35.579 --> 00:35:36.219 Yeah 00:35:36.219 --> 00:35:37.699 Yeah 00:35:37.699 --> 00:35:42.199 All right friends 00:35:42.199 --> 00:35:43.199 That's the end of our service 00:35:43.199 --> 00:35:44.019 Let me just point out 00:35:44.019 --> 00:35:44.880 A couple quick announcements 00:35:44.880 --> 00:35:45.639 Before we go 00:35:45.639 --> 00:35:47.659 Tonight we're going to 00:35:47.659 --> 00:35:48.699 Continue our series 00:35:48.699 --> 00:35:49.679 In the book of Revelation 00:35:49.679 --> 00:35:51.319 So if you ever wondered 00:35:51.319 --> 00:35:52.759 What that strange book held 00:35:52.759 --> 00:35:54.739 Come on tonight 00:35:54.739 --> 00:35:55.279 And we're going to 00:35:55.279 --> 00:35:56.519 Continue just working through it 00:35:56.519 --> 00:35:57.179 Verse by verse 00:35:57.179 --> 00:35:58.739 Also 00:35:58.739 --> 00:36:00.299 Next Sunday 00:36:00.299 --> 00:36:02.219 Our Sunday school 00:36:02.219 --> 00:36:03.379 Are starting up again 00:36:03.379 --> 00:36:03.980 At nine o'clock 00:36:03.980 --> 00:36:04.719 So there's going to be 00:36:04.719 --> 00:36:05.919 An adult class downstairs 00:36:05.919 --> 00:36:07.419 Starting on the topic of prayer 00:36:07.419 --> 00:36:08.899 There's a description of that 00:36:08.899 --> 00:36:09.419 In the bulletin 00:36:09.419 --> 00:36:10.299 I hope you'll check that out 00:36:10.299 --> 00:36:11.159 And I hope you'll come 00:36:11.159 --> 00:36:12.159 Next Sunday 00:36:12.159 --> 00:36:13.919 To start attending that class 00:36:13.919 --> 00:36:15.879 Last thing 00:36:15.879 --> 00:36:17.299 In your bulletin 00:36:17.299 --> 00:36:18.399 I'm not sure we pointed this out 00:36:18.399 --> 00:36:19.099 At the beginning of the service 00:36:19.099 --> 00:36:19.879 John did you point this out? 00:36:20.099 --> 00:36:20.759 No okay 00:36:20.759 --> 00:36:21.639 So in your bulletin 00:36:21.639 --> 00:36:23.319 You found this really cool looking 00:36:23.319 --> 00:36:24.379 Blue card 00:36:24.379 --> 00:36:25.319 About the 00:36:25.319 --> 00:36:26.039 I Heart New Haven 00:36:26.039 --> 00:36:27.119 Day of service coming up 00:36:27.119 --> 00:36:28.420 So this is a way for you 00:36:28.420 --> 00:36:29.159 An easy way for you 00:36:29.159 --> 00:36:30.099 To sign up 00:36:30.099 --> 00:36:32.219 For that big sort of 00:36:32.219 --> 00:36:33.679 Inter-church way 00:36:33.679 --> 00:36:35.119 Of serving our city 00:36:35.119 --> 00:36:36.019 And loving our city 00:36:36.019 --> 00:36:37.900 So if you fill that out 00:36:37.900 --> 00:36:38.819 Some of you probably 00:36:38.819 --> 00:36:39.460 Already dropped it 00:36:39.460 --> 00:36:40.299 In the offering basket 00:36:40.299 --> 00:36:40.900 You can give it 00:36:40.900 --> 00:36:41.859 To any of the staff members 00:36:41.859 --> 00:36:42.679 Or anyone who looks like 00:36:42.679 --> 00:36:43.380 They know what they're doing 00:36:43.380 --> 00:36:44.079 On your way out 00:36:44.079 --> 00:36:44.960 We'll also have these 00:36:44.960 --> 00:36:45.500 In the bulletin 00:36:45.500 --> 00:36:46.319 Next week too 00:36:46.319 --> 00:36:47.639 So you can sign up then 00:36:47.639 --> 00:36:48.759 The website's on there too 00:36:48.759 --> 00:36:50.960 Let me end with a benediction 00:36:50.960 --> 00:36:52.119 From the book of Ephesians 00:36:52.119 --> 00:36:53.339 Paul says 00:36:53.339 --> 00:36:54.119 Now to him who is able 00:36:54.119 --> 00:36:55.400 To do far more abundantly 00:36:55.400 --> 00:36:56.639 Than all we ask 00:36:56.639 --> 00:36:57.199 Or think 00:36:57.199 --> 00:36:58.179 According to the power 00:36:58.179 --> 00:36:59.079 At work within us 00:36:59.079 --> 00:37:00.339 To him be glory 00:37:00.339 --> 00:37:00.839 In the church 00:37:00.839 --> 00:37:01.679 And in Christ Jesus 00:37:01.679 --> 00:37:02.880 Throughout all generations 00:37:02.880 --> 00:37:03.920 Forever and ever 00:37:03.920 --> 00:37:04.880 Amen 00:37:04.880 --> 00:37:07.179 Brothers and sisters 00:37:07.179 --> 00:37:07.759 Go in peace 00:37:07.760 --> 00:37:37.760 00:37:37.760 --> 00:38:07.740 Thank you.