WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:02.620 29 in your pew Bibles. 00:00:06.759 --> 00:00:11.580 After the uproar ceased, Paul sent for the disciples, and after encouraging them, he 00:00:11.580 --> 00:00:14.240 said farewell and departed for Macedonia. 00:00:15.120 --> 00:00:19.240 When he had gone through those regions and had given them much encouragement, he came 00:00:19.240 --> 00:00:19.760 to Greece. 00:00:20.699 --> 00:00:24.920 There he spent three months, and when a plot was made against him by the Jews as he was 00:00:24.920 --> 00:00:27.960 about to sail for Syria, he decided to return through Macedonia. 00:00:28.960 --> 00:00:33.820 Sopater, the Berean, son of Pyrrhus, accompanied him, and of the Thessalonians, Aristarchus 00:00:33.820 --> 00:00:39.740 and Secundus, and Gaius of Derbe and Timothy, and the Asians, Tychicus and Trophimus. 00:00:40.359 --> 00:00:44.939 These went on ahead and were waiting for us at Troas, but we sailed away from Philippi 00:00:44.939 --> 00:00:50.019 after the days of unleavened bread, and in five days we came to them at Troas, where we stayed 00:00:50.019 --> 00:00:50.880 for seven days. 00:00:51.480 --> 00:00:54.980 On the first day of the week, when we were gathered together to break bread, Paul talked 00:00:54.979 --> 00:00:59.979 with them, intending to depart on the next day, and he prolonged his speech until midnight. 00:01:00.799 --> 00:01:06.140 There were many lamps in the upper room where we were gathered, and a young man named Eutychus, 00:01:06.299 --> 00:01:11.000 sitting at the window, sank into a deep sleep as Paul talked still longer. 00:01:11.719 --> 00:01:15.560 And being overcome by sleep, he fell down from the third story and was taken up dead. 00:01:16.420 --> 00:01:20.280 But Paul went down and bent over him, and taking him in his arms, said, Do not be alarmed, 00:01:20.280 --> 00:01:22.040 for his life is in him. 00:01:22.799 --> 00:01:26.519 And when Paul had gone up and had broken bread and eaten, he conversed with them a long while 00:01:26.519 --> 00:01:28.599 until daybreak, and so departed. 00:01:29.200 --> 00:01:32.500 And they took the youth away alive, and were not a little comforted. 00:01:33.340 --> 00:01:38.939 But going ahead to the ship, we set sail for Assos, intending to take Paul aboard there, 00:01:39.060 --> 00:01:41.780 for so he had arranged, intending himself to go by land. 00:01:42.219 --> 00:01:45.219 And when he met us at Assos, we took him on board and went to Mytilene. 00:01:45.219 --> 00:01:50.060 And sailing from there, we came the following day opposite Chios, the next day we touched 00:01:50.060 --> 00:01:52.539 at Samos, and the day after that we went to Miletus. 00:01:53.379 --> 00:01:57.519 For Paul had decided to sail past Ephesus so that he might not have to spend time in Asia, 00:01:57.920 --> 00:02:02.739 for he was hastening to be at Jerusalem, if possible, on the day of Pentecost. 00:02:04.039 --> 00:02:07.079 Well, Christians need encouragement. 00:02:08.280 --> 00:02:13.060 I don't know about you, but there are a multitude of things that can easily weigh us down, 00:02:13.060 --> 00:02:19.159 distract us, confuse us, intimidate us, divide us, steal our joy, undermine our hope, 00:02:19.300 --> 00:02:22.300 and weaken our faith in the Lord. 00:02:22.560 --> 00:02:25.000 Maybe it's the feeling that you are alone. 00:02:25.920 --> 00:02:27.159 Perhaps you're new here in New Haven. 00:02:28.319 --> 00:02:32.920 Maybe you're working in a busy, advancement-driven environment, 00:02:32.920 --> 00:02:36.920 and you go home at night to a quiet but empty apartment, 00:02:36.919 --> 00:02:43.119 and you wonder how long it will take or whether you will ever find true friends here. 00:02:43.939 --> 00:02:45.599 Maybe you've been here for a long time, 00:02:46.199 --> 00:02:51.779 but some of your closest brothers and sisters in Christ have left town and scattered across the world, 00:02:52.079 --> 00:02:55.719 and you feel weary of the revolving door syndrome. 00:02:56.659 --> 00:02:57.959 Or maybe you're growing older, 00:02:57.960 --> 00:03:00.599 and with every funeral you attend, 00:03:00.960 --> 00:03:04.980 your circle of family and friends becomes gradually smaller. 00:03:06.180 --> 00:03:09.460 Or maybe it's the pressures of the world that weigh you down. 00:03:10.580 --> 00:03:14.780 Maybe you're wrestling with questions and doubts that you haven't had to face previously. 00:03:14.920 --> 00:03:19.400 Perhaps you're surrounded by people who are smarter and seem more accomplished than you 00:03:19.400 --> 00:03:20.840 and seem happy and content, 00:03:21.840 --> 00:03:25.060 with no need or expressed desire for God, 00:03:25.060 --> 00:03:28.000 who seem perhaps vaguely respectful toward you, 00:03:28.120 --> 00:03:31.500 but inwardly dismissive of Christian beliefs. 00:03:32.699 --> 00:03:34.159 Or maybe you live in the midst of chaos. 00:03:35.159 --> 00:03:38.219 Maybe in your family or your neighborhood or your workplace, 00:03:38.439 --> 00:03:44.680 there's pervasive gossip, rivalry, addiction, deception, manipulation, backstabbing, 00:03:44.680 --> 00:03:48.640 and you're tempted to become entangled in some of these toxic patterns. 00:03:49.980 --> 00:03:51.939 Maybe you've become disillusioned with the church. 00:03:51.939 --> 00:03:56.340 Sometimes conflict in the church is the most discouraging, 00:03:56.439 --> 00:04:00.099 because as Christians we sort of expect to have trouble in the world, 00:04:00.439 --> 00:04:03.879 but we know that Christians are called to rise to a higher standard. 00:04:05.240 --> 00:04:08.500 And when we don't, when our sinful natures express themselves, 00:04:09.219 --> 00:04:13.560 we can easily become deflated or embittered or distant from one another. 00:04:13.819 --> 00:04:16.819 Well, I could go on and on, but I think the point is clear. 00:04:17.920 --> 00:04:18.819 Christians need encouragement. 00:04:19.720 --> 00:04:21.259 And that's what this morning's passage is about. 00:04:21.939 --> 00:04:27.019 It's about encouragement from God for us individually and for us as a church. 00:04:27.899 --> 00:04:32.639 It's about how we can participate in actively encouraging one another. 00:04:33.579 --> 00:04:37.579 Verses 1 to 12 in particular are bookended by references to encouragement. 00:04:37.779 --> 00:04:42.339 Verses 1 and 2 talk about how Paul encouraged the disciples at Ephesus 00:04:42.339 --> 00:04:44.759 and then in the region of Macedonia. 00:04:44.759 --> 00:04:51.159 Verse 12, after Paul raised Eutychus from the dead, it said the people were not a little comforted. 00:04:51.219 --> 00:04:56.740 That's actually the same word that's translated encouragement earlier on or encouraged earlier on. 00:04:57.659 --> 00:05:01.339 Now, this word encouragement has a broad range of meaning. 00:05:02.579 --> 00:05:07.779 Mostly, I think we tend to think of it in terms of comforting or assuring or consoling someone. 00:05:07.779 --> 00:05:14.659 It can also mean exhorting or even warning someone against potential future dangers. 00:05:14.660 --> 00:05:23.220 But both of these together, the word encouragement, it's as if a coach is speaking to their team 00:05:23.220 --> 00:05:27.440 and urging on the runners to finish their race well. 00:05:27.439 --> 00:05:38.699 And so, whether it's a warning or a word of comfort, it's a word that motivates us to press on toward the goal of following Jesus Christ. 00:05:38.699 --> 00:05:43.019 So, this morning, I want to look at not just the reasons that we need encouragement, 00:05:43.479 --> 00:05:48.240 but three ways that God provides encouragement for those of us who follow Jesus. 00:05:49.139 --> 00:05:52.339 The first way that God provides encouragement is through community, 00:05:53.159 --> 00:05:56.279 through Christians spending time and sharing resources together. 00:05:57.439 --> 00:06:04.819 And what we see in this passage is that the Apostle Paul went to great lengths to spend time in person with God's people. 00:06:04.819 --> 00:06:09.500 Verse 1, he was in Ephesus, and there had just been a riot. 00:06:09.980 --> 00:06:11.980 If you were here last week, Pastor Matt talked about that. 00:06:12.480 --> 00:06:16.759 It says, after the uproar ceased, it doesn't say Paul immediately ran out of town. 00:06:17.000 --> 00:06:23.420 It says he sent for the disciples, and after encouraging them, he said farewell and departed. 00:06:24.279 --> 00:06:29.839 He very intentionally stayed in a city where there had been this furious uproar. 00:06:29.839 --> 00:06:36.019 But before he left, he wanted to speak to the disciples and encourage them to persevere. 00:06:37.159 --> 00:06:41.779 Then verse 2, he went through Macedonia and gave them much encouragement. 00:06:43.079 --> 00:06:48.819 Most scholars believe that this verse 2 actually refers to a period of one or two years. 00:06:49.739 --> 00:06:55.219 Paul refers to some of his travels in this period in 2 Corinthians chapter 2 and chapter 7. 00:06:55.220 --> 00:07:01.520 And then it says he spent three more months in Greece, and then he returned through Macedonia again. 00:07:01.600 --> 00:07:09.440 He spent a lot of time traveling around, and his main purpose was to encourage the Christian believers in these different places. 00:07:10.300 --> 00:07:16.760 For much of Acts chapter 16 through 19, we've seen Paul traveling around and preaching the gospel 00:07:16.760 --> 00:07:20.380 and planting churches in cities where none had previously existed. 00:07:21.440 --> 00:07:24.080 But in this chapter, he changes his focus. 00:07:24.079 --> 00:07:28.039 He goes back around to those same cities where he had planted new churches, 00:07:28.039 --> 00:07:33.000 and he spends time with these believers, encouraging them and building them up. 00:07:33.879 --> 00:07:40.399 You know, Paul wasn't just concerned about preaching the gospel to as many people as possible, 00:07:40.459 --> 00:07:43.039 as quickly as possible, as extensively as possible. 00:07:43.560 --> 00:07:48.240 He was also concerned that these people who had come to believe the good news of Jesus 00:07:48.240 --> 00:07:51.319 would grow and go on to maturity. 00:07:51.319 --> 00:07:56.420 And so we invested this time, this probably a two-year period in this chapter, 00:07:57.219 --> 00:08:00.420 encouraging these Christian believers. 00:08:00.420 --> 00:08:07.420 Now, we see not only the Apostle Paul, but also ordinary Christians spending extended time together. 00:08:08.319 --> 00:08:12.420 In verse 7 through 12, between… 00:08:12.420 --> 00:08:15.319 Verse 1 through 6 sort of focuses on Paul's travels, 00:08:15.439 --> 00:08:18.160 and then 13 through 16 again focuses on Paul's travels. 00:08:18.280 --> 00:08:21.160 But in the middle sandwiched between those two sections, 00:08:21.160 --> 00:08:26.420 we get a little insight, a glimpse into one particular Christian community, 00:08:27.000 --> 00:08:28.200 the one at Troas. 00:08:29.460 --> 00:08:30.640 And verse 7 says, 00:08:31.080 --> 00:08:33.980 they met on the first day of the week, that is, on Sunday. 00:08:34.700 --> 00:08:38.399 Now, in the pagan Roman Empire, most people had to work on Sunday. 00:08:39.139 --> 00:08:40.899 Sunday was not normally a day off. 00:08:40.899 --> 00:08:46.100 And so Christians would either meet very early in the morning, sometimes before sunrise, 00:08:46.759 --> 00:08:51.000 or in this case here, in the evening, after work. 00:08:51.919 --> 00:08:55.279 And Luke tells us they gathered together to break bread. 00:08:56.079 --> 00:09:00.139 And that phrase was a common expression for sharing a meal together. 00:09:00.139 --> 00:09:05.500 The Christians didn't just meet in a building, hear somebody talk, 00:09:05.779 --> 00:09:07.779 and then go their own separate ways. 00:09:08.759 --> 00:09:12.620 It seems that every week they sat down and shared a meal together. 00:09:13.080 --> 00:09:15.500 As an expression of mutual trust and love, 00:09:15.580 --> 00:09:19.980 they were treating each other like family, like close friends. 00:09:21.360 --> 00:09:24.480 And this was the common practice of the early Christians in several places. 00:09:24.659 --> 00:09:29.340 Acts 2 talks about the Christians in Jerusalem who broke bread in their own homes. 00:09:30.180 --> 00:09:35.700 1 Corinthians 11 refers to a common meal that Christians in Corinth routinely share together. 00:09:36.820 --> 00:09:39.780 And it was in this context of regularly sharing meals together 00:09:39.780 --> 00:09:45.660 and sitting around a table and spending extended and both formal and informal time together 00:09:45.660 --> 00:09:48.759 that Christians also celebrated what we now call the Lord's Supper. 00:09:50.060 --> 00:09:51.960 1 Corinthians 11 also talks about this. 00:09:52.420 --> 00:09:56.980 Share eating bread and drinking from a cup to remember Jesus' death and resurrection 00:09:56.980 --> 00:10:01.159 and to celebrate His ongoing presence with them by His Holy Spirit. 00:10:02.139 --> 00:10:05.659 So the Lord's Supper wasn't just a time where individuals connected with God. 00:10:05.720 --> 00:10:08.360 It was celebrated in the context of a community of people 00:10:08.360 --> 00:10:13.100 who were committed to each other and sharing their lives with each other. 00:10:13.100 --> 00:10:20.220 So just imagine, right, at the end of a tiring day of work in Troas, 00:10:20.320 --> 00:10:23.100 which was a port city where people were constantly coming and going, 00:10:23.720 --> 00:10:27.340 Christians found refuge and joy in gathering together. 00:10:27.340 --> 00:10:32.220 And they were reminded as they gathered together, 00:10:32.280 --> 00:10:34.040 they were reminded of their true identity, 00:10:34.560 --> 00:10:38.139 that it wasn't just whatever work they had done throughout the day, 00:10:38.519 --> 00:10:40.800 but they were God's beloved people, 00:10:41.639 --> 00:10:43.960 welcomed into His household, empowered by His Spirit, 00:10:44.280 --> 00:10:47.300 and provided for by their loving Heavenly Father. 00:10:48.480 --> 00:10:49.500 And so they were encouraged. 00:10:50.780 --> 00:10:51.820 Christians spent time together, 00:10:51.820 --> 00:10:55.300 and they also shared their resources with one another. 00:10:55.420 --> 00:10:57.840 Verse 4, interestingly, 00:10:58.060 --> 00:11:00.680 tells us that Paul was accompanied by seven other guys 00:11:00.680 --> 00:11:02.400 from five different cities. 00:11:03.120 --> 00:11:04.080 And in verse 5, 00:11:04.800 --> 00:11:06.980 Luke seems to include himself in the mix 00:11:06.980 --> 00:11:09.740 because the pronouns turn from they to we. 00:11:10.640 --> 00:11:12.560 So it seems that Luke also joined them, 00:11:12.900 --> 00:11:14.260 and Luke may have been from Philippi, 00:11:14.340 --> 00:11:15.540 which would have been a six-different city. 00:11:15.940 --> 00:11:16.480 Now you wonder, 00:11:16.580 --> 00:11:19.260 well, why does Paul have this group of people 00:11:19.259 --> 00:11:22.620 that seem to be randomly mentioned as traveling with him? 00:11:23.740 --> 00:11:26.819 Luke doesn't tell us here why they were together, 00:11:26.980 --> 00:11:31.120 but we learn later in Acts, Acts 24, 17, 00:11:31.460 --> 00:11:35.299 and also more extensively from 2 Corinthians 8 and 9 and Romans 15, 00:11:36.139 --> 00:11:37.559 we learn that at this time, 00:11:38.080 --> 00:11:42.000 Paul was in the process of collecting a large amount of money 00:11:42.000 --> 00:11:46.220 from the churches throughout Macedonia and Greece. 00:11:46.220 --> 00:11:49.620 And the reason he was collecting a large amount of money 00:11:49.620 --> 00:11:51.259 is because the Christians in Jerusalem, 00:11:51.500 --> 00:11:52.379 the Jewish Christians, 00:11:52.899 --> 00:11:56.000 were going through a time of extreme financial hardship. 00:11:57.139 --> 00:12:03.620 And so Paul wanted to collect a generous gift 00:12:03.620 --> 00:12:05.800 to support these brothers and sisters. 00:12:06.139 --> 00:12:08.340 And it was a sign of solidarity 00:12:08.340 --> 00:12:12.100 between the Gentile churches scattered throughout the Roman world 00:12:12.100 --> 00:12:14.879 and the Jewish Christians back in Jerusalem 00:12:14.879 --> 00:12:15.920 where it all began. 00:12:16.899 --> 00:12:20.319 And it was a generous gift that showed the unity of the church 00:12:20.319 --> 00:12:22.319 across geographical boundaries 00:12:22.319 --> 00:12:24.959 and across ethnic and national boundaries. 00:12:26.099 --> 00:12:26.939 And so most likely, 00:12:27.059 --> 00:12:28.939 this team of guys in verse 4 00:12:28.939 --> 00:12:32.139 were a team of representatives from different churches 00:12:32.139 --> 00:12:34.000 who were going together 00:12:34.000 --> 00:12:36.360 to deliver this gift to Jerusalem. 00:12:37.319 --> 00:12:38.099 Because as we'll see, 00:12:38.339 --> 00:12:39.339 this is where Paul's going. 00:12:39.980 --> 00:12:41.539 Luke gives us a lot of the stops along the way, 00:12:41.620 --> 00:12:42.559 but he's heading to Jerusalem, 00:12:42.559 --> 00:12:44.539 and he gets there in the next chapter, 00:12:44.839 --> 00:12:45.519 in chapter 21. 00:12:45.519 --> 00:12:52.240 So these Christians were spending time together, 00:12:52.240 --> 00:12:55.860 and they were sharing their resources with one another. 00:12:55.860 --> 00:13:00.600 Now, what can we take away from these examples? 00:13:02.019 --> 00:13:04.139 You know, this passage doesn't give us rules 00:13:04.139 --> 00:13:09.100 for how or when or where we should gather 00:13:09.100 --> 00:13:12.899 for weekly Christian worship services. 00:13:13.259 --> 00:13:16.919 But it does give us a glimpse into what I think is an attractive community. 00:13:18.080 --> 00:13:19.100 So let me say two things. 00:13:19.100 --> 00:13:21.460 I want to say, first, it's worth it 00:13:21.460 --> 00:13:23.720 to gather together in person 00:13:23.720 --> 00:13:24.940 with other believers. 00:13:25.820 --> 00:13:27.580 Now, I know it's not always easy. 00:13:29.080 --> 00:13:31.399 Maybe, you know, 00:13:31.480 --> 00:13:33.060 it wasn't easy for you to get here this morning. 00:13:34.320 --> 00:13:35.800 Paul had to travel long distances 00:13:35.800 --> 00:13:38.100 to meet with believers in different cities. 00:13:38.100 --> 00:13:40.040 The Christians in Troas had to work all day 00:13:40.040 --> 00:13:41.580 and then meet in the evening. 00:13:42.500 --> 00:13:44.920 That's probably why Eutychus fell asleep, by the way. 00:13:45.759 --> 00:13:47.540 Eutychus was a common name for a slave. 00:13:48.519 --> 00:13:50.139 And he had probably spent all day, 00:13:51.060 --> 00:13:52.659 I don't know, loading ships in the port 00:13:52.659 --> 00:13:55.240 or working in the field 00:13:55.240 --> 00:13:56.920 under the sweating in the hot sun. 00:13:58.300 --> 00:14:00.540 And then he was listening to Paul talk for hours 00:14:00.540 --> 00:14:02.100 in a hot and stuffy room. 00:14:03.080 --> 00:14:04.159 No wonder he fell asleep. 00:14:05.600 --> 00:14:06.639 We'll get back to him later. 00:14:07.800 --> 00:14:10.200 The point is, it's worth it to spend time together. 00:14:11.159 --> 00:14:12.200 Even if you're tired. 00:14:13.200 --> 00:14:14.820 Even if you have to travel some distance. 00:14:14.940 --> 00:14:16.620 Even if coming to church delays 00:14:16.620 --> 00:14:18.379 your kid's regular nap schedule 00:14:18.379 --> 00:14:19.460 one day a week. 00:14:20.040 --> 00:14:22.399 Even if there is disorder and rioting in the city 00:14:22.399 --> 00:14:23.480 like there was in Ephesus. 00:14:25.139 --> 00:14:26.080 It's worth it. 00:14:26.720 --> 00:14:28.060 Because when we come together, 00:14:29.120 --> 00:14:30.259 God encourages us. 00:14:30.259 --> 00:14:32.759 We're reminded that we're not alone. 00:14:34.500 --> 00:14:36.139 God has called us to himself 00:14:36.139 --> 00:14:37.740 and God has called us into his family. 00:14:39.379 --> 00:14:40.539 And so I want to encourage you. 00:14:41.220 --> 00:14:42.819 Take advantage of the opportunities 00:14:42.819 --> 00:14:46.519 to not only come on Sunday 00:14:46.519 --> 00:14:48.100 and listen to the message 00:14:48.100 --> 00:14:50.360 and participate as we sing and pray together 00:14:50.360 --> 00:14:52.720 but also to connect informally with one another. 00:14:53.740 --> 00:14:55.519 As the Christians did 00:14:55.519 --> 00:14:57.439 by sharing a meal every week in Troas. 00:14:57.440 --> 00:14:59.660 Stay for fellowship hour 00:14:59.660 --> 00:15:01.640 or come to the picnic in the park today 00:15:01.640 --> 00:15:03.640 or join a small group 00:15:03.640 --> 00:15:06.140 that meet either here in the building 00:15:06.140 --> 00:15:07.660 or in people's homes during the week. 00:15:08.540 --> 00:15:11.120 Christian community takes time to develop. 00:15:11.960 --> 00:15:13.320 It can't be rushed. 00:15:14.580 --> 00:15:16.220 And so that's why it's worth it 00:15:16.220 --> 00:15:17.440 to spend time together. 00:15:17.720 --> 00:15:19.380 And yet it's as we spend time together 00:15:19.379 --> 00:15:21.899 and as we encourage one another 00:15:21.899 --> 00:15:24.879 that God builds us up 00:15:24.879 --> 00:15:25.879 and strengthens us 00:15:25.879 --> 00:15:28.019 for the challenges that we're facing. 00:15:28.820 --> 00:15:30.439 So it's worth it to gather in person 00:15:30.439 --> 00:15:31.480 with other believers. 00:15:31.639 --> 00:15:33.039 It's worth it to share our resources 00:15:33.039 --> 00:15:35.539 with other Christians more broadly. 00:15:36.379 --> 00:15:37.799 And we have some great opportunities 00:15:37.799 --> 00:15:38.720 to do that as well. 00:15:39.779 --> 00:15:40.799 That's why we're supporting 00:15:40.799 --> 00:15:42.000 the New London Church Plant 00:15:42.000 --> 00:15:44.059 and wanting to send this group 00:15:44.059 --> 00:15:46.000 of believers off 00:15:46.000 --> 00:15:49.580 as they prepare to launch a church 00:15:49.580 --> 00:15:50.700 in the next few months 00:15:50.700 --> 00:15:52.820 by praying for them, 00:15:52.899 --> 00:15:54.200 by investing in them personally, 00:15:54.320 --> 00:15:56.399 and by giving generously to them. 00:15:57.659 --> 00:15:59.059 That's why we have ongoing partnership 00:15:59.059 --> 00:16:00.559 with missionaries 00:16:00.559 --> 00:16:03.360 and campus workers like Laura 00:16:03.360 --> 00:16:06.139 and missionaries like Hannah Massad 00:16:06.139 --> 00:16:07.120 who's coming next week. 00:16:07.120 --> 00:16:10.539 And there's all kinds 00:16:10.539 --> 00:16:11.620 of other opportunities 00:16:11.620 --> 00:16:12.919 that we'll be sharing 00:16:12.919 --> 00:16:13.620 in the coming weeks 00:16:13.620 --> 00:16:15.519 about how we can share resources together 00:16:15.519 --> 00:16:17.560 with other churches in New Haven, 00:16:18.580 --> 00:16:20.139 with other churches throughout the world, 00:16:20.340 --> 00:16:22.560 and how we can learn to give 00:16:22.560 --> 00:16:23.159 to one another 00:16:23.159 --> 00:16:24.399 and receive from one another. 00:16:25.299 --> 00:16:26.200 And that's one way 00:16:26.200 --> 00:16:27.679 that God builds us up 00:16:27.679 --> 00:16:29.620 and encourages us. 00:16:30.340 --> 00:16:31.200 So God encourages us 00:16:31.200 --> 00:16:31.700 through community. 00:16:31.799 --> 00:16:32.500 That's the first thing. 00:16:33.799 --> 00:16:35.120 Second, God encourages us 00:16:35.120 --> 00:16:35.720 through His Word. 00:16:37.120 --> 00:16:37.980 Verse 2 says, 00:16:38.100 --> 00:16:38.960 Paul went through the regions 00:16:38.960 --> 00:16:40.560 and gave them much encouragement. 00:16:41.560 --> 00:16:43.179 Literally, it could be translated, 00:16:43.879 --> 00:16:44.820 some other translations 00:16:44.820 --> 00:16:45.700 say something like this, 00:16:45.740 --> 00:16:46.820 having encouraged them 00:16:46.820 --> 00:16:48.879 with many words. 00:16:49.759 --> 00:16:51.340 Specifically mentions words. 00:16:52.659 --> 00:16:53.620 And words are some 00:16:53.620 --> 00:16:55.120 of the most powerful means, 00:16:56.360 --> 00:16:58.299 well, both of cutting people down 00:16:58.299 --> 00:17:00.320 as well as building people up. 00:17:01.340 --> 00:17:02.320 And in this passage, 00:17:02.320 --> 00:17:03.320 we see three forms 00:17:03.320 --> 00:17:05.660 of encouragement through word. 00:17:05.660 --> 00:17:07.680 First, we see preaching 00:17:07.680 --> 00:17:08.820 or teaching, 00:17:09.240 --> 00:17:09.900 public teaching. 00:17:10.800 --> 00:17:11.640 Verse 7 says, 00:17:11.720 --> 00:17:12.920 Paul prolonged his speech 00:17:12.920 --> 00:17:13.580 until midnight. 00:17:14.960 --> 00:17:15.820 He didn't, 00:17:15.920 --> 00:17:16.580 it seemed like he didn't 00:17:16.580 --> 00:17:17.380 do this routinely, 00:17:18.080 --> 00:17:19.360 the all-night preaching marathon, 00:17:20.060 --> 00:17:21.220 but he intended to depart 00:17:21.220 --> 00:17:21.779 the next morning. 00:17:21.860 --> 00:17:22.540 He had one night, 00:17:22.720 --> 00:17:23.900 so he took advantage of it. 00:17:24.660 --> 00:17:25.540 And he wanted the people 00:17:25.540 --> 00:17:27.140 to get the most out of it. 00:17:27.140 --> 00:17:30.540 In the second half of this chapter, 00:17:30.540 --> 00:17:31.720 we have another example 00:17:31.720 --> 00:17:33.220 of one of Paul's speeches, 00:17:33.860 --> 00:17:34.560 which we'll look at 00:17:34.560 --> 00:17:34.940 in a couple, 00:17:35.020 --> 00:17:35.620 in two weeks, 00:17:35.880 --> 00:17:36.880 where he's encouraging 00:17:36.880 --> 00:17:38.540 and exhorting the elders 00:17:38.540 --> 00:17:40.220 of the church in Ephesus. 00:17:41.240 --> 00:17:42.000 Paul was committed 00:17:42.000 --> 00:17:44.259 to faithfully preaching 00:17:44.259 --> 00:17:45.759 and teaching the Word of God 00:17:45.759 --> 00:17:46.960 because he believed 00:17:46.960 --> 00:17:48.640 that God would change 00:17:48.640 --> 00:17:50.300 people's lives through it. 00:17:52.040 --> 00:17:53.200 Isaiah 55 says, 00:17:53.200 --> 00:17:54.440 For as the rain and the snow 00:17:54.440 --> 00:17:55.360 come down from heaven 00:17:55.360 --> 00:17:57.220 and do not return there, 00:17:57.299 --> 00:17:58.180 but water the earth, 00:17:59.059 --> 00:17:59.960 making it bring forth 00:17:59.960 --> 00:18:00.500 and sprout, 00:18:01.500 --> 00:18:02.519 bringing seed to the sower 00:18:02.519 --> 00:18:03.440 and bread to the eater, 00:18:04.860 --> 00:18:06.240 so shall my word be 00:18:06.240 --> 00:18:08.519 that goes out from my mouth. 00:18:08.960 --> 00:18:10.759 It shall not return to me empty, 00:18:10.880 --> 00:18:11.980 but it shall accomplish 00:18:11.980 --> 00:18:12.940 that which I purpose, 00:18:13.400 --> 00:18:14.420 and it shall succeed 00:18:14.420 --> 00:18:15.440 in the thing for which 00:18:15.440 --> 00:18:16.580 I sent it. 00:18:17.680 --> 00:18:18.279 And you know, 00:18:18.319 --> 00:18:18.740 at Trinity, 00:18:18.940 --> 00:18:20.340 we really believe this. 00:18:21.420 --> 00:18:22.420 That's why the sermon 00:18:22.420 --> 00:18:23.640 is a central part 00:18:23.640 --> 00:18:25.039 of our worship service. 00:18:25.160 --> 00:18:26.420 It's not the only important thing 00:18:26.420 --> 00:18:27.279 that we do on Sunday, 00:18:27.480 --> 00:18:28.560 but it's central 00:18:28.560 --> 00:18:30.180 because we believe 00:18:30.180 --> 00:18:31.100 that God works 00:18:31.100 --> 00:18:32.039 through the preaching 00:18:32.039 --> 00:18:33.300 of His Word. 00:18:34.720 --> 00:18:35.580 So come 00:18:35.580 --> 00:18:37.500 and prayerfully expect 00:18:37.500 --> 00:18:38.519 God to be at work 00:18:38.519 --> 00:18:40.460 when we hear from His Word. 00:18:41.340 --> 00:18:41.840 Praise God 00:18:41.840 --> 00:18:42.640 that He uses something 00:18:42.640 --> 00:18:43.900 so ordinary 00:18:43.900 --> 00:18:47.519 as spoken words 00:18:47.519 --> 00:18:50.480 to enliven our faith 00:18:50.480 --> 00:18:51.860 and strengthen our hope 00:18:51.859 --> 00:18:53.519 and motivate our love. 00:18:54.979 --> 00:18:55.479 You know, 00:18:55.519 --> 00:18:55.899 if you're looking 00:18:55.899 --> 00:18:56.759 for a new church, 00:18:57.759 --> 00:18:58.779 let me urge you, 00:18:59.079 --> 00:18:59.899 find a church 00:18:59.899 --> 00:19:00.679 where the pastor 00:19:00.679 --> 00:19:01.659 and the leaders 00:19:01.659 --> 00:19:02.579 believe 00:19:02.579 --> 00:19:03.899 that God changes 00:19:03.899 --> 00:19:04.939 people's lives 00:19:04.939 --> 00:19:06.399 through His Word 00:19:06.399 --> 00:19:07.979 faithfully proclaimed 00:19:07.979 --> 00:19:09.459 and applied 00:19:09.459 --> 00:19:09.919 in the power 00:19:09.919 --> 00:19:10.639 of the Holy Spirit. 00:19:10.640 --> 00:19:14.420 But, you know, 00:19:14.480 --> 00:19:14.820 it's not 00:19:14.820 --> 00:19:16.740 only preaching 00:19:16.740 --> 00:19:18.080 that God uses 00:19:18.080 --> 00:19:18.860 to change people. 00:19:18.940 --> 00:19:20.020 It's also conversation 00:19:20.020 --> 00:19:21.020 and dialogue. 00:19:21.940 --> 00:19:22.780 The words used 00:19:22.780 --> 00:19:24.120 to describe Paul's teaching, 00:19:24.980 --> 00:19:25.880 he talked with them, 00:19:25.940 --> 00:19:26.320 verse 7, 00:19:26.380 --> 00:19:27.180 he conversed with them, 00:19:27.220 --> 00:19:27.740 verse 11, 00:19:28.580 --> 00:19:29.860 they don't only refer 00:19:29.860 --> 00:19:31.280 to sermons 00:19:31.280 --> 00:19:32.140 or speeches. 00:19:32.780 --> 00:19:33.880 In many contexts, 00:19:33.960 --> 00:19:34.420 they can refer 00:19:34.420 --> 00:19:35.060 to dialogue 00:19:35.060 --> 00:19:36.120 and discussion. 00:19:36.119 --> 00:19:38.079 And so, 00:19:38.159 --> 00:19:38.639 Paul certainly 00:19:38.639 --> 00:19:39.359 spent time 00:19:39.359 --> 00:19:39.879 preaching 00:19:39.879 --> 00:19:40.500 and proclaiming 00:19:40.500 --> 00:19:40.819 the Word, 00:19:40.899 --> 00:19:41.579 but he also spent 00:19:41.579 --> 00:19:42.419 time interacting 00:19:42.419 --> 00:19:43.479 with people 00:19:43.479 --> 00:19:44.519 about it. 00:19:46.399 --> 00:19:47.459 Deuteronomy 6, 00:19:48.659 --> 00:19:49.779 Moses instructed 00:19:49.779 --> 00:19:51.019 the people of Israel, 00:19:51.959 --> 00:19:52.319 he said, 00:19:52.359 --> 00:19:52.839 these words 00:19:52.839 --> 00:19:53.959 that I command you today, 00:19:54.699 --> 00:19:55.339 let them be 00:19:55.339 --> 00:19:56.299 on your heart. 00:19:57.139 --> 00:19:57.819 And he says, 00:19:57.859 --> 00:19:58.519 you shall teach them 00:19:58.519 --> 00:19:59.339 to your children 00:19:59.339 --> 00:20:00.339 diligently, 00:20:00.779 --> 00:20:02.099 and you shall 00:20:02.099 --> 00:20:02.759 talk of them. 00:20:02.759 --> 00:20:03.960 when you sit 00:20:03.960 --> 00:20:04.680 in your house, 00:20:05.240 --> 00:20:05.839 and when you walk 00:20:05.839 --> 00:20:06.480 by the way, 00:20:07.039 --> 00:20:08.200 and when you lie down, 00:20:08.779 --> 00:20:09.700 and when you rise. 00:20:11.000 --> 00:20:11.480 In other words, 00:20:11.519 --> 00:20:12.559 what Moses was saying 00:20:12.559 --> 00:20:13.119 was, 00:20:14.119 --> 00:20:14.900 don't only, 00:20:15.700 --> 00:20:16.559 don't limit 00:20:16.559 --> 00:20:18.799 the truth about God 00:20:18.799 --> 00:20:21.019 to formal gatherings 00:20:21.019 --> 00:20:22.980 where the law 00:20:22.980 --> 00:20:23.480 was read 00:20:23.480 --> 00:20:25.559 in the Old Testament, 00:20:25.779 --> 00:20:26.200 for example. 00:20:27.379 --> 00:20:27.980 He was saying, 00:20:28.079 --> 00:20:28.819 let the reality 00:20:28.819 --> 00:20:29.799 of who God is, 00:20:29.900 --> 00:20:30.680 God's character, 00:20:31.640 --> 00:20:32.420 God's promises, 00:20:33.460 --> 00:20:34.259 God's commands, 00:20:35.420 --> 00:20:36.660 God's mighty acts, 00:20:37.240 --> 00:20:38.180 let that shape 00:20:38.180 --> 00:20:39.480 your informal, 00:20:39.900 --> 00:20:41.480 ongoing conversation. 00:20:42.900 --> 00:20:43.579 He applies it 00:20:43.579 --> 00:20:44.559 particularly to parents. 00:20:46.140 --> 00:20:46.619 I think for those 00:20:46.619 --> 00:20:47.180 of us who are parents, 00:20:47.319 --> 00:20:48.160 let us look 00:20:48.160 --> 00:20:49.039 for opportunities 00:20:49.039 --> 00:20:50.599 to communicate 00:20:50.599 --> 00:20:51.379 and dialogue 00:20:51.379 --> 00:20:52.119 with our children 00:20:52.119 --> 00:20:53.420 about spiritual matters, 00:20:53.539 --> 00:20:56.180 not just expect 00:20:56.180 --> 00:20:56.980 the Sunday school teachers 00:20:56.980 --> 00:20:57.619 to do that, 00:20:58.220 --> 00:20:59.259 and not even just 00:20:59.259 --> 00:20:59.920 limit that 00:20:59.920 --> 00:21:01.240 to a formal time 00:21:01.240 --> 00:21:02.379 for family devotions. 00:21:03.740 --> 00:21:05.379 But look for opportunities 00:21:05.379 --> 00:21:06.339 throughout the day 00:21:06.339 --> 00:21:08.299 as questions come up, 00:21:08.339 --> 00:21:09.440 as situations come up, 00:21:09.500 --> 00:21:12.700 to share truths 00:21:12.700 --> 00:21:14.019 about God 00:21:14.019 --> 00:21:15.099 and to point 00:21:15.099 --> 00:21:16.519 your children to God 00:21:16.519 --> 00:21:17.420 and engage with them 00:21:17.420 --> 00:21:18.420 throughout the day. 00:21:18.420 --> 00:21:20.600 But it also applies 00:21:20.600 --> 00:21:21.140 more broadly, 00:21:21.340 --> 00:21:22.480 not just to parents. 00:21:23.620 --> 00:21:24.720 So when you get together 00:21:24.720 --> 00:21:25.580 with another believer, 00:21:27.080 --> 00:21:27.740 or when you talk 00:21:27.740 --> 00:21:28.259 with somebody 00:21:28.259 --> 00:21:29.800 perhaps after church 00:21:29.800 --> 00:21:30.300 this morning, 00:21:31.440 --> 00:21:32.640 don't just immediately 00:21:32.640 --> 00:21:33.420 go to, 00:21:34.000 --> 00:21:34.580 how's the weather? 00:21:35.140 --> 00:21:35.320 I mean, 00:21:35.360 --> 00:21:35.539 that's, 00:21:35.800 --> 00:21:36.180 come on, 00:21:36.220 --> 00:21:36.840 it's sort of boring. 00:21:37.980 --> 00:21:38.200 Right? 00:21:38.279 --> 00:21:40.000 That's the conversation 00:21:40.000 --> 00:21:40.800 you have when you can't 00:21:40.800 --> 00:21:41.380 find anything better 00:21:41.380 --> 00:21:41.820 to talk about. 00:21:42.080 --> 00:21:42.360 I mean, 00:21:42.380 --> 00:21:43.080 it's better than nothing 00:21:43.080 --> 00:21:43.940 sometimes, right? 00:21:44.940 --> 00:21:45.740 Sometimes it's a way 00:21:45.740 --> 00:21:46.740 of loving people 00:21:46.740 --> 00:21:47.660 by engaging with them 00:21:47.660 --> 00:21:48.340 at whatever level 00:21:48.340 --> 00:21:48.960 you can find. 00:21:50.360 --> 00:21:51.220 But we're Christians, 00:21:52.000 --> 00:21:52.900 and if we're Christians, 00:21:52.960 --> 00:21:54.019 we can go further than that. 00:21:54.940 --> 00:21:55.680 Ask questions like, 00:21:55.920 --> 00:21:57.140 what did you take away 00:21:57.140 --> 00:21:58.059 from the sermon today? 00:21:59.720 --> 00:22:00.120 Or, 00:22:00.320 --> 00:22:01.880 what has God been doing 00:22:01.880 --> 00:22:03.019 in your life lately? 00:22:04.620 --> 00:22:05.019 Or, 00:22:05.080 --> 00:22:05.740 are there any ways 00:22:05.740 --> 00:22:06.840 I can be praying for you? 00:22:06.839 --> 00:22:10.980 Questions like that 00:22:10.980 --> 00:22:11.919 can open the door 00:22:11.919 --> 00:22:14.679 to encouraging one another 00:22:14.679 --> 00:22:16.759 by sharing what God 00:22:16.759 --> 00:22:17.879 is teaching you 00:22:17.879 --> 00:22:18.980 and doing in your life, 00:22:19.240 --> 00:22:19.480 and by, 00:22:19.819 --> 00:22:21.720 and also how we can pray 00:22:21.720 --> 00:22:22.500 and support each other. 00:22:23.579 --> 00:22:24.319 And it's one way 00:22:24.319 --> 00:22:25.519 that God encourages us, 00:22:26.079 --> 00:22:27.199 not only through formal 00:22:27.199 --> 00:22:27.919 preaching and teaching, 00:22:28.039 --> 00:22:28.579 but also through 00:22:28.579 --> 00:22:30.099 informal conversations. 00:22:31.459 --> 00:22:32.879 The third form 00:22:32.879 --> 00:22:33.679 of encouragement 00:22:33.679 --> 00:22:34.379 through word 00:22:34.379 --> 00:22:36.500 is that God encourages us 00:22:36.500 --> 00:22:37.900 through writing, 00:22:39.039 --> 00:22:40.700 through His word written. 00:22:41.819 --> 00:22:42.480 It doesn't say, 00:22:42.579 --> 00:22:44.380 it doesn't tell us this 00:22:44.380 --> 00:22:44.960 in this passage, 00:22:45.140 --> 00:22:46.220 but Paul wrote 00:22:46.220 --> 00:22:47.400 some of his most 00:22:47.400 --> 00:22:48.579 extensive letters 00:22:48.579 --> 00:22:50.819 during this period of time. 00:22:51.660 --> 00:22:52.859 He wrote 2 Corinthians 00:22:52.859 --> 00:22:54.880 during the time of verse 2 00:22:54.880 --> 00:22:56.259 when he was in Macedonia. 00:22:56.420 --> 00:22:57.220 He wrote Romans 00:22:57.220 --> 00:22:58.579 during the time 00:22:58.579 --> 00:22:59.519 that he was in Greece 00:22:59.519 --> 00:23:01.279 in Corinth, actually, 00:23:01.500 --> 00:23:01.839 in verse, 00:23:02.460 --> 00:23:03.099 well, it mentions that 00:23:03.099 --> 00:23:03.539 in verse 3, 00:23:04.240 --> 00:23:05.079 verse 2 and 3. 00:23:05.079 --> 00:23:07.139 So some of Paul's 00:23:07.139 --> 00:23:08.259 most lengthy letters, 00:23:08.960 --> 00:23:09.679 written letters, 00:23:09.919 --> 00:23:11.039 he wrote during this time. 00:23:11.099 --> 00:23:12.179 And he took the time 00:23:12.179 --> 00:23:13.179 to write these letters 00:23:13.179 --> 00:23:15.359 to encourage Christians 00:23:15.359 --> 00:23:16.679 that he couldn't be with 00:23:16.679 --> 00:23:17.259 in person. 00:23:19.259 --> 00:23:19.599 And so, 00:23:20.779 --> 00:23:21.059 you know, 00:23:21.119 --> 00:23:21.319 it's, 00:23:21.779 --> 00:23:22.119 if there's, 00:23:22.279 --> 00:23:23.500 if there is a Christian believer 00:23:23.500 --> 00:23:24.679 that you can't be with 00:23:24.679 --> 00:23:25.319 in person, 00:23:26.319 --> 00:23:28.019 who needs encouragement, 00:23:29.460 --> 00:23:30.220 take the time, 00:23:31.579 --> 00:23:31.980 it's, 00:23:32.079 --> 00:23:32.659 it can be worth it, 00:23:32.699 --> 00:23:33.779 take the time to write to them 00:23:33.779 --> 00:23:34.420 as Paul did. 00:23:35.339 --> 00:23:35.660 And you know, 00:23:35.720 --> 00:23:36.119 part of the, 00:23:36.279 --> 00:23:37.420 one of the main purposes 00:23:37.420 --> 00:23:39.259 of both Romans 00:23:39.259 --> 00:23:40.039 and 2 Corinthians 00:23:40.039 --> 00:23:41.139 and most of Paul's letters 00:23:41.139 --> 00:23:42.680 was literally this, 00:23:42.720 --> 00:23:43.920 to encourage the believers. 00:23:44.960 --> 00:23:46.059 2 Corinthians begins 00:23:46.059 --> 00:23:48.000 by talking about 00:23:48.000 --> 00:23:49.539 the God and Father 00:23:49.539 --> 00:23:50.819 of our Lord Jesus Christ 00:23:50.819 --> 00:23:52.339 who comforts us 00:23:52.339 --> 00:23:54.180 in all our afflictions 00:23:54.180 --> 00:23:55.819 so that we may be able 00:23:55.819 --> 00:23:56.960 to comfort others 00:23:56.960 --> 00:23:58.680 who are in any affliction 00:23:58.680 --> 00:23:59.299 with the comfort 00:23:59.299 --> 00:24:00.119 that we ourselves 00:24:00.119 --> 00:24:01.720 have received from God. 00:24:01.720 --> 00:24:03.920 and toward the end 00:24:03.920 --> 00:24:04.440 of Romans. 00:24:05.740 --> 00:24:06.460 He says, 00:24:06.880 --> 00:24:07.700 whatever was written 00:24:07.700 --> 00:24:09.100 in former days 00:24:09.100 --> 00:24:10.400 was written 00:24:10.400 --> 00:24:11.259 for our instruction 00:24:11.259 --> 00:24:12.860 so that through endurance 00:24:12.860 --> 00:24:13.839 and the encouragement 00:24:13.839 --> 00:24:14.700 of the Scriptures 00:24:14.700 --> 00:24:15.759 we might have hope. 00:24:16.799 --> 00:24:17.279 And then he says, 00:24:17.339 --> 00:24:18.180 may the God of endurance 00:24:18.180 --> 00:24:18.980 and encouragement 00:24:18.980 --> 00:24:20.400 grant you to live 00:24:20.400 --> 00:24:21.420 in harmony with one another 00:24:21.420 --> 00:24:22.620 in accord with Christ Jesus. 00:24:23.880 --> 00:24:24.259 You know, 00:24:24.279 --> 00:24:25.100 there's a lot of stuff 00:24:25.100 --> 00:24:25.759 in 2 Corinthians 00:24:25.759 --> 00:24:26.360 and Romans 00:24:26.360 --> 00:24:27.600 and all of Paul's letters, 00:24:27.599 --> 00:24:29.539 but one of the main purposes, 00:24:29.859 --> 00:24:31.019 one of his overall purposes, 00:24:31.799 --> 00:24:32.699 was to encourage 00:24:32.699 --> 00:24:33.879 these believers 00:24:33.879 --> 00:24:34.819 in Corinth 00:24:34.819 --> 00:24:35.559 and in Rome 00:24:35.559 --> 00:24:36.159 to warn them 00:24:36.159 --> 00:24:37.240 against potential dangers, 00:24:37.919 --> 00:24:39.159 to comfort them 00:24:39.159 --> 00:24:40.559 and reassure them 00:24:40.559 --> 00:24:41.659 of God's promises 00:24:41.659 --> 00:24:42.859 and God's love for them, 00:24:43.699 --> 00:24:44.859 and to motivate them 00:24:44.859 --> 00:24:45.839 to persevere 00:24:45.839 --> 00:24:47.059 in faith 00:24:47.059 --> 00:24:47.980 and in hope 00:24:47.980 --> 00:24:48.459 and in love. 00:24:49.779 --> 00:24:50.959 So through his word, 00:24:51.619 --> 00:24:52.139 preached, 00:24:52.399 --> 00:24:52.799 discussed, 00:24:53.119 --> 00:24:53.339 written, 00:24:53.879 --> 00:24:54.779 that God gives us wisdom 00:24:54.779 --> 00:24:56.779 to face life's many challenges, 00:24:57.619 --> 00:24:59.019 understanding of his character 00:24:59.019 --> 00:24:59.779 and his ways, 00:25:00.039 --> 00:25:01.440 warning against spiritual dangers 00:25:01.440 --> 00:25:02.539 and reassurance 00:25:02.539 --> 00:25:03.220 of his promises. 00:25:03.980 --> 00:25:04.720 God encourages us 00:25:04.720 --> 00:25:05.279 through his word. 00:25:06.700 --> 00:25:07.720 That's the second point. 00:25:08.980 --> 00:25:09.680 So God encourages us 00:25:09.680 --> 00:25:10.240 through community, 00:25:11.200 --> 00:25:11.859 he encourages us 00:25:11.859 --> 00:25:12.539 through his word, 00:25:13.200 --> 00:25:13.700 and third, 00:25:13.839 --> 00:25:14.660 he encourages us 00:25:14.660 --> 00:25:17.099 through his mighty deeds. 00:25:18.839 --> 00:25:19.680 This passage begins, 00:25:20.460 --> 00:25:21.279 the central part 00:25:21.279 --> 00:25:21.799 of this passage, 00:25:21.879 --> 00:25:22.579 as I said earlier, 00:25:23.059 --> 00:25:23.899 is the story 00:25:23.899 --> 00:25:24.639 about Eutychus. 00:25:25.420 --> 00:25:26.319 And so I want to 00:25:26.319 --> 00:25:27.339 camp out there 00:25:27.339 --> 00:25:28.220 for the rest of the time. 00:25:29.720 --> 00:25:29.899 Right? 00:25:31.279 --> 00:25:32.019 Eutychus falls 00:25:32.019 --> 00:25:33.059 from a third-story window, 00:25:33.559 --> 00:25:34.759 and he's apparently 00:25:34.759 --> 00:25:35.539 raised from the dead. 00:25:37.440 --> 00:25:38.440 Now you might wonder, 00:25:38.960 --> 00:25:40.119 of all the stories 00:25:40.119 --> 00:25:40.619 that Luke 00:25:40.619 --> 00:25:41.599 could have chosen 00:25:41.599 --> 00:25:42.160 to include 00:25:42.160 --> 00:25:42.899 in the book of Acts, 00:25:42.920 --> 00:25:43.740 why did he include 00:25:43.740 --> 00:25:44.200 this one? 00:25:45.839 --> 00:25:46.779 What's his point? 00:25:47.500 --> 00:25:48.359 Besides the fact 00:25:48.359 --> 00:25:50.220 that Luke was there, 00:25:50.680 --> 00:25:51.839 and Luke seems 00:25:51.839 --> 00:25:52.740 to enjoy 00:25:52.740 --> 00:25:53.619 telling good stories. 00:25:54.619 --> 00:25:55.139 But what are we 00:25:55.139 --> 00:25:55.939 supposed to take away 00:25:55.939 --> 00:25:57.359 from this story? 00:25:58.259 --> 00:25:59.199 Well, let me start 00:25:59.199 --> 00:25:59.879 with two, 00:26:00.839 --> 00:26:01.419 what I think 00:26:01.419 --> 00:26:02.419 are minor points 00:26:02.419 --> 00:26:03.000 that are not 00:26:03.000 --> 00:26:03.719 the central point 00:26:03.719 --> 00:26:04.199 of the passage, 00:26:04.339 --> 00:26:05.059 but I think are still 00:26:05.059 --> 00:26:05.919 worth a brief mention, 00:26:06.379 --> 00:26:07.059 and then I'll get 00:26:07.059 --> 00:26:07.699 to the main point. 00:26:08.739 --> 00:26:09.279 Number one, 00:26:10.159 --> 00:26:10.659 if you've ever 00:26:10.659 --> 00:26:11.739 fallen asleep in church, 00:26:11.939 --> 00:26:12.779 you're not alone. 00:26:12.779 --> 00:26:17.680 The way Luke 00:26:17.680 --> 00:26:18.339 tells the story, 00:26:18.859 --> 00:26:19.599 he actually seems 00:26:19.599 --> 00:26:20.240 quite sympathetic 00:26:20.240 --> 00:26:21.559 to Eutychus. 00:26:21.639 --> 00:26:22.059 Verse 7, 00:26:22.139 --> 00:26:22.440 he says, 00:26:22.519 --> 00:26:23.119 Paul prolonged 00:26:23.119 --> 00:26:23.539 his speech 00:26:23.539 --> 00:26:24.119 until midnight. 00:26:24.940 --> 00:26:25.519 Now that means 00:26:25.519 --> 00:26:26.099 if they started 00:26:26.099 --> 00:26:26.700 at 8, 00:26:27.240 --> 00:26:28.200 Paul had been going 00:26:28.200 --> 00:26:29.299 already for 4 hours. 00:26:30.660 --> 00:26:31.339 Verse 8, 00:26:31.599 --> 00:26:32.099 he explains, 00:26:32.200 --> 00:26:33.079 there were many lamps 00:26:33.079 --> 00:26:34.539 or torches 00:26:34.539 --> 00:26:35.480 in the upper room, 00:26:35.839 --> 00:26:36.759 which meant 00:26:36.759 --> 00:26:37.440 it would have become 00:26:37.440 --> 00:26:38.420 hot and stuffy 00:26:38.420 --> 00:26:39.519 by that time. 00:26:39.639 --> 00:26:40.339 Eutychus was sitting 00:26:40.339 --> 00:26:40.899 at the window, 00:26:41.439 --> 00:26:42.240 trying to get some air, 00:26:43.519 --> 00:26:44.619 gradually dozing off, 00:26:45.159 --> 00:26:46.179 and Paul goes on 00:26:46.179 --> 00:26:46.659 and on. 00:26:47.379 --> 00:26:47.859 Verse 9, 00:26:47.939 --> 00:26:48.559 Paul talked 00:26:48.559 --> 00:26:49.279 still longer, 00:26:50.279 --> 00:26:50.959 and finally, 00:26:51.679 --> 00:26:52.500 Eutychus was overcome 00:26:52.500 --> 00:26:53.059 by sleep. 00:26:53.119 --> 00:26:53.339 I mean, 00:26:53.379 --> 00:26:54.339 you can't blame the kid, 00:26:54.859 --> 00:26:55.159 right? 00:26:55.559 --> 00:26:56.419 In this case, 00:26:57.699 --> 00:26:58.980 if you have trouble 00:26:58.980 --> 00:26:59.559 staying awake 00:26:59.559 --> 00:27:00.119 in church 00:27:00.119 --> 00:27:01.659 or paying attention 00:27:01.659 --> 00:27:02.240 during the sermon, 00:27:02.359 --> 00:27:03.679 let me say two things. 00:27:04.819 --> 00:27:05.399 Number one, 00:27:06.039 --> 00:27:06.659 do what you can 00:27:06.659 --> 00:27:07.339 to stay awake. 00:27:08.319 --> 00:27:09.299 This is God's Word 00:27:09.299 --> 00:27:10.059 we're here to listen to 00:27:10.059 --> 00:27:10.639 after all. 00:27:11.519 --> 00:27:12.259 So, you know, 00:27:12.399 --> 00:27:13.079 if you can, 00:27:13.139 --> 00:27:13.859 get a good night's sleep 00:27:13.859 --> 00:27:14.559 on Saturday night. 00:27:14.659 --> 00:27:15.059 Don't stay up 00:27:15.059 --> 00:27:15.720 until 4 a.m. 00:27:16.740 --> 00:27:17.379 Wake up, 00:27:17.819 --> 00:27:18.539 eat a little breakfast, 00:27:18.700 --> 00:27:19.419 drink a little coffee 00:27:19.419 --> 00:27:20.039 if that helps you, 00:27:20.119 --> 00:27:20.839 stand at the back 00:27:20.839 --> 00:27:21.819 if that helps you 00:27:21.819 --> 00:27:22.839 not fall asleep 00:27:22.839 --> 00:27:23.740 on these hot 00:27:23.740 --> 00:27:24.819 summer Sundays. 00:27:27.259 --> 00:27:27.940 But second, 00:27:28.799 --> 00:27:29.980 don't stay away 00:27:29.980 --> 00:27:31.179 out of the fear 00:27:31.179 --> 00:27:32.079 of falling asleep. 00:27:33.519 --> 00:27:34.179 Even if you're 00:27:34.179 --> 00:27:34.700 coming off 00:27:34.700 --> 00:27:35.619 an overnight shift 00:27:35.619 --> 00:27:37.220 or you're taking meds 00:27:37.220 --> 00:27:38.419 that make you drowsy, 00:27:38.420 --> 00:27:40.440 know that there is 00:27:40.440 --> 00:27:41.080 a place for you 00:27:41.080 --> 00:27:41.620 in the church. 00:27:42.279 --> 00:27:43.240 I'd rather you come 00:27:43.240 --> 00:27:44.300 and hear half the sermon 00:27:44.300 --> 00:27:45.580 than stay home 00:27:45.580 --> 00:27:46.560 because you're afraid 00:27:46.560 --> 00:27:47.279 to fall asleep. 00:27:48.340 --> 00:27:49.220 You can also sit 00:27:49.220 --> 00:27:49.779 next to someone 00:27:49.779 --> 00:27:50.220 and say, 00:27:50.420 --> 00:27:51.720 I need you to help me. 00:27:53.180 --> 00:27:54.039 And God gave you 00:27:54.039 --> 00:27:54.460 an elbow, 00:27:55.259 --> 00:27:55.860 so just, 00:27:56.940 --> 00:27:57.360 you know, 00:27:57.519 --> 00:27:58.840 help me stay awake. 00:27:59.500 --> 00:27:59.960 It's part of how 00:27:59.960 --> 00:28:00.860 we can help each other. 00:28:01.560 --> 00:28:02.340 I'm serious, 00:28:02.480 --> 00:28:02.840 actually. 00:28:03.619 --> 00:28:04.519 Sometimes that's 00:28:04.519 --> 00:28:05.980 a way to love 00:28:05.980 --> 00:28:06.359 your neighbor 00:28:06.359 --> 00:28:08.099 is to gently 00:28:08.099 --> 00:28:08.779 help them 00:28:08.779 --> 00:28:09.359 to stay awake. 00:28:10.419 --> 00:28:10.720 All right. 00:28:11.639 --> 00:28:12.779 Second minor point. 00:28:14.179 --> 00:28:14.899 God doesn't just 00:28:14.899 --> 00:28:15.899 care about adults, 00:28:16.079 --> 00:28:16.899 He cares about 00:28:16.899 --> 00:28:17.619 young people. 00:28:18.539 --> 00:28:19.399 Verse 12 says, 00:28:19.720 --> 00:28:20.579 Eutychus was a youth. 00:28:21.539 --> 00:28:22.079 That word was 00:28:22.079 --> 00:28:22.679 commonly used 00:28:22.679 --> 00:28:23.139 for a boy 00:28:23.139 --> 00:28:23.939 between about 00:28:23.939 --> 00:28:25.399 nine and 14 years old. 00:28:26.659 --> 00:28:27.099 Now, 00:28:27.159 --> 00:28:28.139 if you're a middle schooler, 00:28:28.699 --> 00:28:29.899 maybe you can identify 00:28:29.899 --> 00:28:30.639 with Eutychus. 00:28:31.600 --> 00:28:32.180 Maybe you feel like 00:28:32.180 --> 00:28:33.340 it's sometimes hard 00:28:33.340 --> 00:28:35.320 to track 00:28:35.320 --> 00:28:36.600 with a long sermon. 00:28:37.700 --> 00:28:38.400 Maybe you feel like 00:28:38.400 --> 00:28:39.259 the adults in the church 00:28:39.259 --> 00:28:40.720 don't really notice you 00:28:40.720 --> 00:28:41.920 or understand you. 00:28:42.940 --> 00:28:43.560 Maybe you wonder 00:28:43.560 --> 00:28:44.500 whether you really belong 00:28:44.500 --> 00:28:45.160 here in the church, 00:28:45.259 --> 00:28:46.640 but let me say to you, 00:28:46.700 --> 00:28:47.600 God sees you 00:28:47.600 --> 00:28:49.620 and God knows you 00:28:49.620 --> 00:28:51.840 and He cares about you 00:28:51.840 --> 00:28:52.620 right where you are. 00:28:53.400 --> 00:28:54.380 And there is no 00:28:54.380 --> 00:28:56.120 minimum age requirement 00:28:56.120 --> 00:28:57.880 for the Holy Spirit 00:28:57.880 --> 00:28:59.600 to be powerfully at work 00:28:59.599 --> 00:29:01.099 in and through 00:29:01.099 --> 00:29:01.899 your life. 00:29:02.839 --> 00:29:03.619 Samuel the prophet 00:29:03.619 --> 00:29:04.199 heard the voice 00:29:04.199 --> 00:29:05.019 of God as a boy. 00:29:05.740 --> 00:29:06.599 Josiah became king 00:29:06.599 --> 00:29:07.359 of Israel when he was 00:29:07.359 --> 00:29:07.639 eight. 00:29:08.039 --> 00:29:08.679 And Eutychus, 00:29:09.259 --> 00:29:10.579 the otherwise unknown 00:29:10.579 --> 00:29:12.500 middle school age boy, 00:29:12.779 --> 00:29:13.939 was rescued after 00:29:13.939 --> 00:29:14.759 a terrible accident. 00:29:15.980 --> 00:29:16.559 And in verse 10, 00:29:16.599 --> 00:29:16.779 it says, 00:29:16.899 --> 00:29:17.559 when Paul went down 00:29:17.559 --> 00:29:18.240 to Eutychus, 00:29:18.679 --> 00:29:19.359 it says he took him 00:29:19.359 --> 00:29:20.039 in his arms. 00:29:21.219 --> 00:29:21.659 Or literally, 00:29:21.859 --> 00:29:23.159 he threw his arms 00:29:23.159 --> 00:29:23.699 around him. 00:29:24.819 --> 00:29:25.879 The same word is used 00:29:25.879 --> 00:29:26.299 in the story 00:29:26.299 --> 00:29:27.179 of the prodigal son. 00:29:27.180 --> 00:29:28.720 when the father 00:29:28.720 --> 00:29:29.759 ran to him 00:29:29.759 --> 00:29:30.519 and threw his arms 00:29:30.519 --> 00:29:31.000 around him 00:29:31.000 --> 00:29:33.160 when he had come home. 00:29:34.340 --> 00:29:34.980 And the father said 00:29:34.980 --> 00:29:35.620 he was lost 00:29:35.620 --> 00:29:36.680 and now he's found. 00:29:36.759 --> 00:29:37.380 He was dead 00:29:37.380 --> 00:29:38.940 and now he's alive. 00:29:40.240 --> 00:29:41.000 Imagine if you were 00:29:41.000 --> 00:29:41.480 Eutychus, 00:29:41.600 --> 00:29:42.220 falling asleep 00:29:42.220 --> 00:29:43.000 on the windowsill 00:29:43.000 --> 00:29:44.000 and waking up 00:29:44.000 --> 00:29:45.539 with the apostle Paul 00:29:45.539 --> 00:29:47.279 throwing his arms 00:29:47.279 --> 00:29:47.860 around you 00:29:47.860 --> 00:29:50.100 and bringing you 00:29:50.100 --> 00:29:50.519 to life. 00:29:52.019 --> 00:29:52.160 I mean, 00:29:52.160 --> 00:29:52.920 that'd be pretty amazing. 00:29:52.920 --> 00:29:56.160 All right, 00:29:56.200 --> 00:29:57.120 those are the side points. 00:29:58.580 --> 00:29:59.640 The main point is this. 00:30:00.720 --> 00:30:01.680 The raising of Eutychus 00:30:01.680 --> 00:30:02.140 is meant 00:30:02.140 --> 00:30:04.320 to greatly encourage us. 00:30:05.620 --> 00:30:06.300 Verse 12, 00:30:06.920 --> 00:30:07.420 Luke gives 00:30:07.420 --> 00:30:09.039 an ironic understatement. 00:30:09.160 --> 00:30:09.440 He says, 00:30:09.539 --> 00:30:10.400 the people took 00:30:10.400 --> 00:30:11.600 the youth away alive 00:30:11.600 --> 00:30:12.279 and were not 00:30:12.279 --> 00:30:13.160 a little comforted. 00:30:14.900 --> 00:30:15.620 They were, 00:30:15.840 --> 00:30:16.500 I think, 00:30:16.920 --> 00:30:18.560 very greatly comforted. 00:30:19.539 --> 00:30:20.259 And the raising 00:30:20.259 --> 00:30:20.740 of Eutychus 00:30:20.740 --> 00:30:21.660 was a physical reminder 00:30:21.660 --> 00:30:23.140 that God brings 00:30:23.140 --> 00:30:24.740 life out of death. 00:30:25.920 --> 00:30:26.800 Every time 00:30:26.800 --> 00:30:27.920 that those Christians 00:30:27.920 --> 00:30:28.460 in Troas 00:30:28.460 --> 00:30:28.980 gathered 00:30:28.980 --> 00:30:31.200 and saw that boy Eutychus, 00:30:31.680 --> 00:30:32.380 they'd be reminded, 00:30:32.620 --> 00:30:33.759 our God brings 00:30:33.759 --> 00:30:34.700 life out of death, 00:30:34.820 --> 00:30:35.840 just like he did 00:30:35.840 --> 00:30:37.019 for this boy. 00:30:38.480 --> 00:30:39.220 Now, of course, 00:30:39.279 --> 00:30:40.080 most of the time 00:30:40.080 --> 00:30:41.759 we don't see miracles 00:30:41.759 --> 00:30:42.440 like this. 00:30:43.519 --> 00:30:44.380 In the Bible, 00:30:45.060 --> 00:30:45.900 the only people 00:30:45.900 --> 00:30:47.320 who saw dead people 00:30:47.320 --> 00:30:48.100 restored to life 00:30:48.100 --> 00:30:49.620 were Elijah and Elisha 00:30:49.620 --> 00:30:50.420 in the Old Testament 00:30:50.420 --> 00:30:51.660 and Jesus, 00:30:51.900 --> 00:30:52.080 Paul, 00:30:52.140 --> 00:30:52.500 and Peter 00:30:52.500 --> 00:30:53.300 in the New Testament. 00:30:54.259 --> 00:30:55.539 So, even in the Bible, 00:30:55.880 --> 00:30:57.360 it's not a common occurrence. 00:30:57.860 --> 00:30:59.060 It's not something 00:30:59.060 --> 00:31:00.180 that we should expect. 00:31:02.380 --> 00:31:03.700 And even in this very chapter, 00:31:03.820 --> 00:31:04.660 the Apostle Paul 00:31:04.660 --> 00:31:05.800 is on his way 00:31:05.800 --> 00:31:06.400 to Jerusalem 00:31:06.400 --> 00:31:08.860 and he's talking 00:31:08.860 --> 00:31:10.480 about being persecuted 00:31:10.480 --> 00:31:12.060 and being put in prison 00:31:12.060 --> 00:31:13.180 and even being willing 00:31:13.180 --> 00:31:13.660 to die. 00:31:16.460 --> 00:31:17.200 Eutychus was raised 00:31:17.200 --> 00:31:17.640 from the dead 00:31:17.640 --> 00:31:19.000 and sometimes God does. 00:31:19.360 --> 00:31:20.320 Sometimes God still does. 00:31:20.560 --> 00:31:21.720 Powerful miracles. 00:31:23.080 --> 00:31:23.520 Amazing, 00:31:24.060 --> 00:31:24.880 divine intervention. 00:31:26.920 --> 00:31:27.820 But we still live 00:31:27.820 --> 00:31:28.780 in a world of persecution 00:31:28.780 --> 00:31:30.200 and sickness 00:31:30.200 --> 00:31:31.180 and war 00:31:31.180 --> 00:31:33.120 and all kinds of losses 00:31:33.120 --> 00:31:34.600 and crosses. 00:31:36.040 --> 00:31:37.300 But every once in a while, 00:31:38.080 --> 00:31:39.580 God breaks into our world. 00:31:40.660 --> 00:31:41.960 He breaks into our world 00:31:41.960 --> 00:31:42.720 that's under the power 00:31:42.720 --> 00:31:43.360 of sin and death 00:31:43.359 --> 00:31:43.779 and He gives us 00:31:43.779 --> 00:31:44.579 a little picture 00:31:44.579 --> 00:31:46.779 of what is to come 00:31:46.779 --> 00:31:48.399 when one day 00:31:48.399 --> 00:31:49.019 Jesus Christ 00:31:49.019 --> 00:31:49.699 will come again 00:31:49.699 --> 00:31:51.479 and make all things new. 00:31:52.519 --> 00:31:53.339 And on that day, 00:31:53.399 --> 00:31:54.119 there will be healing 00:31:54.119 --> 00:31:55.699 and peace 00:31:55.699 --> 00:31:57.000 and joy 00:31:57.000 --> 00:31:57.740 and wholeness 00:31:57.740 --> 00:31:58.299 and life 00:31:58.299 --> 00:32:01.279 and Jesus will reign 00:32:01.279 --> 00:32:04.019 forever and ever. 00:32:05.299 --> 00:32:06.339 And every time, 00:32:07.139 --> 00:32:08.399 they would look at Eutychus. 00:32:08.400 --> 00:32:10.519 when they gathered 00:32:10.519 --> 00:32:11.080 on a Sunday, 00:32:11.160 --> 00:32:11.840 on that first day 00:32:11.840 --> 00:32:12.120 of the week, 00:32:12.160 --> 00:32:12.680 they remembered 00:32:12.680 --> 00:32:14.180 not only did God 00:32:14.180 --> 00:32:15.900 raise our Eutychus 00:32:15.900 --> 00:32:16.700 and restore Him 00:32:16.700 --> 00:32:17.220 to life 00:32:17.220 --> 00:32:18.480 so that He could be 00:32:18.480 --> 00:32:19.060 with us 00:32:19.060 --> 00:32:19.720 for the rest 00:32:19.720 --> 00:32:20.580 of His earthly life, 00:32:21.240 --> 00:32:22.620 God raised 00:32:22.620 --> 00:32:23.460 our Savior, 00:32:23.820 --> 00:32:24.840 Jesus Christ, 00:32:25.000 --> 00:32:25.640 from the dead. 00:32:26.720 --> 00:32:27.940 Never to die again. 00:32:29.800 --> 00:32:30.120 You see, 00:32:30.180 --> 00:32:31.340 every miraculous 00:32:31.340 --> 00:32:32.140 healing, 00:32:33.140 --> 00:32:34.360 every providential 00:32:34.360 --> 00:32:35.060 deliverance, 00:32:35.220 --> 00:32:36.460 every answered prayer 00:32:36.460 --> 00:32:38.600 is an extension 00:32:38.600 --> 00:32:39.279 of the greatest 00:32:39.279 --> 00:32:40.240 resurrection of all, 00:32:40.759 --> 00:32:41.319 the resurrection 00:32:41.319 --> 00:32:42.240 of Jesus Christ. 00:32:43.019 --> 00:32:43.860 And it's a foretaste 00:32:43.860 --> 00:32:44.880 of what God will do 00:32:44.880 --> 00:32:45.759 one day 00:32:45.759 --> 00:32:47.400 to take us up 00:32:47.400 --> 00:32:48.079 in His arms 00:32:48.079 --> 00:32:49.660 and give us life 00:32:49.660 --> 00:32:50.920 forever in His kingdom. 00:32:52.900 --> 00:32:53.840 Brothers and sisters, 00:32:53.940 --> 00:32:54.380 the resurrection 00:32:54.380 --> 00:32:55.079 of Jesus 00:32:55.079 --> 00:32:56.720 is the most encouraging 00:32:56.720 --> 00:32:57.539 reality of all. 00:32:58.579 --> 00:32:59.940 If you're feeling alone, 00:33:01.180 --> 00:33:01.840 remember Jesus' 00:33:01.980 --> 00:33:02.460 final words 00:33:02.460 --> 00:33:03.200 to His disciples. 00:33:04.039 --> 00:33:04.480 Behold, 00:33:04.480 --> 00:33:06.660 I am with you 00:33:06.660 --> 00:33:07.440 always, 00:33:08.539 --> 00:33:10.000 even to the very end 00:33:10.000 --> 00:33:11.140 of this 00:33:11.140 --> 00:33:12.759 present evil age. 00:33:14.279 --> 00:33:15.539 If you feel surrounded 00:33:15.539 --> 00:33:17.180 by the pressures 00:33:17.180 --> 00:33:17.860 of the world, 00:33:18.799 --> 00:33:19.799 remember that you serve 00:33:19.799 --> 00:33:20.539 a risen Savior 00:33:20.539 --> 00:33:22.019 who said, 00:33:22.120 --> 00:33:22.500 in this world 00:33:22.500 --> 00:33:23.319 you will have trouble, 00:33:24.019 --> 00:33:24.819 but take heart, 00:33:25.539 --> 00:33:26.299 for I have overcome 00:33:26.299 --> 00:33:26.779 the world. 00:33:27.620 --> 00:33:28.660 If you're weary 00:33:28.660 --> 00:33:30.519 because of your labors 00:33:30.519 --> 00:33:31.160 in the church, 00:33:32.240 --> 00:33:32.880 listen to the words 00:33:32.880 --> 00:33:33.420 of Paul. 00:33:34.800 --> 00:33:35.160 Therefore, 00:33:35.340 --> 00:33:35.680 he said, 00:33:35.740 --> 00:33:36.560 my beloved brothers 00:33:36.560 --> 00:33:37.380 and sisters, 00:33:38.520 --> 00:33:40.020 and this was at the end 00:33:40.020 --> 00:33:41.240 of his great chapter 00:33:41.240 --> 00:33:42.300 on the bodily resurrection, 00:33:42.480 --> 00:33:43.340 1 Corinthians 15, 00:33:43.440 --> 00:33:43.660 he says, 00:33:43.740 --> 00:33:44.640 in light of the resurrection 00:33:44.640 --> 00:33:45.340 of Christ, 00:33:46.060 --> 00:33:47.740 let nothing move you. 00:33:48.780 --> 00:33:50.120 Always be abounding 00:33:50.120 --> 00:33:51.480 in the work of the Lord 00:33:51.480 --> 00:33:52.400 because you know 00:33:52.400 --> 00:33:53.600 that your labor 00:33:53.600 --> 00:33:54.300 in the Lord 00:33:54.300 --> 00:33:57.240 is not in vain. 00:33:58.340 --> 00:33:59.240 Brothers and sisters, 00:33:59.340 --> 00:33:59.940 be encouraged. 00:34:00.320 --> 00:34:00.940 Be encouraged 00:34:00.940 --> 00:34:01.900 in community, 00:34:02.039 --> 00:34:02.500 be encouraged 00:34:02.500 --> 00:34:03.279 through God's Word, 00:34:04.100 --> 00:34:04.820 be encouraged 00:34:04.820 --> 00:34:06.640 as we see God's mighty deeds. 00:34:06.720 --> 00:34:07.140 Let's pray. 00:34:15.800 --> 00:34:16.420 Our Father, 00:34:16.480 --> 00:34:17.119 we thank you 00:34:17.119 --> 00:34:19.820 that you 00:34:19.820 --> 00:34:21.720 care about us 00:34:21.720 --> 00:34:22.700 all the way 00:34:22.700 --> 00:34:23.260 from the beginning 00:34:23.260 --> 00:34:23.920 of our lives 00:34:23.920 --> 00:34:24.599 to the end. 00:34:26.320 --> 00:34:26.880 And Lord, 00:34:26.940 --> 00:34:27.679 from the first 00:34:27.679 --> 00:34:29.199 moment 00:34:29.199 --> 00:34:30.199 when you open 00:34:30.199 --> 00:34:30.940 our eyes 00:34:30.940 --> 00:34:32.059 to see you 00:34:32.059 --> 00:34:33.940 and believe in you 00:34:33.940 --> 00:34:36.000 and begin following you 00:34:36.000 --> 00:34:36.619 all the way 00:34:36.619 --> 00:34:37.799 to the end 00:34:37.799 --> 00:34:38.440 of our lives 00:34:38.440 --> 00:34:38.980 and to the day 00:34:38.980 --> 00:34:39.739 when you will return 00:34:39.739 --> 00:34:40.199 in glory. 00:34:40.839 --> 00:34:41.819 We thank you 00:34:41.819 --> 00:34:43.539 for how you have 00:34:43.539 --> 00:34:44.099 given us 00:34:44.099 --> 00:34:45.419 one another, 00:34:45.639 --> 00:34:46.639 for how you've given us 00:34:46.639 --> 00:34:47.179 your word, 00:34:47.279 --> 00:34:49.179 and how you have acted 00:34:49.179 --> 00:34:50.879 in history, 00:34:50.879 --> 00:34:51.919 in this world, 00:34:52.139 --> 00:34:53.839 to encourage us. 00:34:53.840 --> 00:34:55.620 Lord, 00:34:55.700 --> 00:34:56.120 we pray 00:34:56.120 --> 00:34:56.579 that we would 00:34:56.579 --> 00:34:57.059 be encouraged 00:34:57.059 --> 00:34:57.480 today 00:34:57.480 --> 00:34:57.940 and that 00:34:57.940 --> 00:34:59.200 by your Spirit 00:34:59.200 --> 00:34:59.820 that we would 00:34:59.820 --> 00:35:02.240 encourage one another 00:35:02.240 --> 00:35:06.600 so that we might 00:35:06.600 --> 00:35:07.900 press on 00:35:07.900 --> 00:35:09.059 toward the goal 00:35:09.059 --> 00:35:09.480 that you have set 00:35:09.480 --> 00:35:10.019 before us. 00:35:10.140 --> 00:35:10.559 We pray this 00:35:10.559 --> 00:35:11.160 in Jesus' name. 00:35:11.480 --> 00:35:11.740 Amen. 00:35:11.740 --> 00:35:11.880 Amen. 00:35:11.880 --> 00:35:23.760 Please stand 00:35:23.760 --> 00:35:24.599 and sing with us. 00:35:24.599 --> 00:35:54.579 Thank you.