WEBVTT

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 And speak, the first reading is in Acts 17, where we were a little bit earlier.

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 Acts 17, it's on page 1113 if you've got a red covered Bible.

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 Acts 17, and we're going to read verses 1 to 10.

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 These readings introduce to us a new series as we go through the book of 1 Thessalonians.

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 So all those who are going to be speaking through the summer, different people, will be taking a section on 1 Thessalonians.

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 This first reading tells us how the church started in that city.

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 So Acts 17, starting at verse 1.

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 When they had passed through Amphipolis and Apollonia, they came to Thessalonica, where there was a Jewish synagogue.

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 As his custom was, Paul went into the synagogue, and on three Sabbath days, he reasoned with them from the scriptures,

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 explaining and proving that the Christ had to suffer and rise from the dead.

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 This Jesus I am proclaiming to you is the Christ, he said.

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 Some of the Jews were persuaded and joined Paul and Silas, as did a large number of God-fearing Greeks and not a few prominent women.

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 But the Jews were jealous, so they rounded up some bad characters from the marketplace.

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 They formed a mob and started a riot in the city.

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 They rushed to Jason's house in search of Paul and Silas in order to bring them out to the crowd.

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 But when they did not find them, they dragged Jason and some other brothers before the city officials, shouting,

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 These men, who have caused trouble all over the world, have now come here.

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 And Jason has welcomed them into his house.

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 They are all defying Caesar's decrees, saying that there is another one called Jesus.

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 When they heard this, the crowd and the city officials were thrown into turmoil.

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 They put Jason and the others on bail and let them go.

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 As soon as it was night, the brothers sent Paul and Silas away to Berea.

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 On arriving there, they went to the Jewish synagogue.

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 So that's Acts, and then if you go to page 1186 to Thessalonians.

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 It's on page 1186.

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 And it's 1 Thessalonians chapter 1, the first 10 verses.

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 Page 1186, 1 Thessalonians chapter 1.

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 So this is a letter written back to the church that was started.

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 Paul, Silas, and Timothy.

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 To the church of the Thessalonians.

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 In God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

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 Grace and peace to you.

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 We always thank God for all of you, mentioning you in our prayers.

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 We continually remember before our God and Father your work produced by faith,

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 your labour prompted by love,

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 your endurance inspired by hope in our Lord Jesus Christ.

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 For we know, brothers and sisters, loved by God, that he has chosen you.

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 Because our gospel came to you not simply with words,

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 but also with power, with the Holy Spirit, and with deep conviction.

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 You know how we lived among you for your sake.

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 You became imitators of us and of the Lord.

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 In spite of severe suffering, you welcomed the message with the joy given by the Holy Spirit.

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 And so you became a model to all the believers in Macedonia and Achaia.

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 The Lord's message rang out from you, not only in Macedonia and Achaia.

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 Your faith in God has become known everywhere.

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 Therefore, we do not need to say anything about it,

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 for they themselves report what kind of reception you gave us.

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 They tell how you turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God

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 and to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead,

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 Jesus, who rescues us from the coming wrath.

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 Ralph.

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 Ralph.

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 Can I pray for you and for us?

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 Yep.

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 That won't upset you, will it?

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 That would be great.

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 No?

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 Okay, so I'm going to pray for Ralph.

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 This is Ralph Depping.

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 He watches television all day.

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 That's his work.

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 And he's also an elder, one of the leaders in the church.

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 So I'm going to pray for him.

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 Father God, we thank you so much for Ralph.

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 We thank you for the gifts that you have given to him.

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 We thank you for his love.

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 We thank you for his care for this church family.

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 We pray for him now as he speaks,

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 that you would fill him with your Holy Spirit,

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 that you would fill us with your Spirit,

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 that we may receive your words,

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 hearing clearly what you are saying,

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 changing us, transforming us,

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 and teaching us what it is to welcome the gospel in our lives.

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 So bless him, and bless us also in Jesus' name.

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 Amen.

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 Amen.

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 Of course, I've got to clarify what exactly it is I do now, don't I?

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 My current work involves working for Sky Television,

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 so that's why I get to watch Sky Telly all day.

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 Not quite, but it's a little bit of my job.

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 So we're going to be moving a little bit between Acts 17

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 and 1 Thessalonians this morning,

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 mainly in 1 Thessalonians,

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 but we're referring back to Acts 17,

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 so keep your finger at Acts 17 as well.

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 I don't know if you've ever had a phone conversation

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 quite like the one that I had last Saturday morning.

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 This is kind of how it went to start, but anyway.

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 Can I speak to Ralph, please?

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 What's this in relation to?

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 I need to speak to Deppie and Ralph.

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 This is very urgent.

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 What's this about?

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 I need to speak to Deppie and Ralph, sir.

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 It is an urgent message.

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 I am from Microsoft.

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 Your computer is infected with viruses.

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 We are calling to help you stop your computer sending out viruses.

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 I said that was the call that I had last Saturday morning at home.

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 Someone was calling me with an urgent message,

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 demanding that I respond and answer them,

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 confirm who I was,

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 and hand over control on my computer.

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 If the message is true,

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 well then I do have a serious problem with my computer,

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 and this man,

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 who is phoning me up,

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 is here to help.

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 But if the message isn't true,

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 if the message is false,

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 then he was trying to trick me into believing him.

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 And you know what?

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 That was the thing that was going to create the serious problems,

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 wasn't it?

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 Where none existed before.

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 How I welcomed that message was going to be absolutely critical to the rest of my day.

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 Could I trust the message?

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 Could I trust the messenger,

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 the one who was bringing it?

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 What evidence was there

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 this was really someone from Microsoft

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 calling me up

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 with a message,

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 an authentic message,

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 that I should believe?

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 Now,

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 I'll leave you in suspense for a little bit.

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 I'll let you know later on

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 how I got on with that phone call.

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 We may not have had such phone calls

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 or experienced conversations like that,

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 but I think in a lot of ways

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 we're in that very position here this morning,

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 right now.

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 You see,

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 I'm bringing you a message,

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 and it's an urgent message,

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 and there's a serious problem.

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 And I'm asking you to believe the message

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 and to take action.

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 But who am I?

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 Why would you listen to me?

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 What's the message?

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 Why should I welcome it?

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 I know for a lot of people,

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 this isn't your usual church here this morning.

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 And so,

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 you're going to be extra wary,

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 aren't you?

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 The person up the front

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 and what they're saying.

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 Well,

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 I just want to encourage you

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 that you're right to be wary.

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 And even for the people that are regularly here,

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 you're right to listen

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 with that kind of slight wariness

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 and listening carefully.

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 Because the message of the gospel,

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 the message of a church,

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 is a serious business.

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 It's not to be taken lightly.

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 You see,

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 the message of Jesus makes bold claims,

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 and it demands a radical response.

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 And if we get it wrong,

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 if we get the message wrong,

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 if we get our response to the message wrong,

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 the results are serious.

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 We could end up ignoring this great news

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 of salvation,

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 of being saved from the coming wrath of God.

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 Or on the other hand,

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 we could be tricked

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 into believing

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 and to living for something

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 that is just a complete sham.

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 So the stakes are high,

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 how we believe

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 and how we welcome the message.

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 So the way I want us to consider

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 the message this morning,

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 the message of Jesus,

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 is to look at the Bible record

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 that we have with us.

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 We're going to look

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 at how that same message

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 came to a church in Greece.

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 The church we want to look at

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 is in the Greek city of Thessalonica.

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 It's still a city in Greece.

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 You can go there today on your holidays

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 and spend some euros.

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 I know it would be very welcome there.

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 But we're not looking at the church

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 in Thessalonica as it is today,

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 but as it was 2,000 years ago.

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 We're looking at the very first time

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 that the message of Christianity

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 reached the city of Thessalonica.

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 So it started in the Holy Land,

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 in Israel,

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 and it began to spread out

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 and eventually it spread to Greece.

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 And we're looking at how that message came

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 in order to read about this church

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 and how it welcomed the message.

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 We're going to look at the first person accounts

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 that we have from that time

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 as they are written for us

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 in the New Testament.

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 So we've read the account, haven't we,

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 in chapter 17 of Acts

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 and how the church was established.

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 And what we've read in 1 Thessalonians,

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 it's a copy of a letter

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 that the founder of the church, Paul,

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 the messenger that brought the message,

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 is writing to the congregation.

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 So the person who established the church,

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 who brought the message, the messenger,

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 is writing back to the church

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 to encourage them and to help them

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 and help them in their understanding.

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 And I think what we get in chapter 1

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 is kind of a reorientation

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 or a recap of what has happened

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 in Acts chapter 17.

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 So Paul is linking back

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 to the time that he spent with them,

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 how the message came,

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 and how the church was established.

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 And I think it's worthwhile to us

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 just to look briefly at chapter 17 in Acts,

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 so page 1113.

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 Paul and his companions

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 had come to the city of Thessalonica.

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 I mean, Scripture is rooted in history,

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 it's rooted in geography,

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 it's rooted in real places.

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 And you'd see that they passed through

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 a couple of different towns

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 and then they came to Thessalonica,

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 which was a strategic city.

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 It was about the size of Cork City

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 and was an important place

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 in the Roman Empire.

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 And there they preached

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 in the local Jewish place of worship

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 for three Sundays,

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 or three Saturdays,

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 the Sabbath,

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 in a row, the synagogue.

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 And that was their custom, wasn't it?

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 They would go to a city

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 and they would seek out people

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 that were already expecting to hear

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 about a king from heaven

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 that had come to rescue them.

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 And this was the message that Paul had

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 and he sought out people

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 that were willing to receive it.

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 So in the synagogue,

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 Paul tells the Jews about Jesus,

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 that Jesus is the one.

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 Jesus is the long-promised King of God

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 that has come to restore all things.

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 And this was the message

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 that the Jews were waiting to hear.

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 But instead of restoration

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 through conquest,

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 instead of restoration

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 by ridding Israel of all her enemies

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 and freeing Israel from the Romans,

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 the message of Jesus

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 is restoration through suffering,

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 restoration through death,

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 restoration through resurrection.

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 We read in verse 4

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 that some were persuaded in the synagogue,

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 along with a large number

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 of God-fearing Greeks

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 or Gentiles, non-Jews,

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 and also a few prominent,

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 not a few prominent women,

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 so a large number of prominent women.

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 But then do you see what happens

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 from verse 5 onwards?

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 The message and the messenger

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 comes under attack.

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 The message is not welcomed by everyone.

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 It's not universally accepted, is it?

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 Even among the Jews

00:13:27.959 --> 00:13:28.859
 who are meant to be waiting

00:13:28.859 --> 00:13:30.279
 for this message of a Messiah

00:13:30.279 --> 00:13:30.879
 that had come.

00:13:32.019 --> 00:13:32.739
 Verse 5,

00:13:32.839 --> 00:13:34.959
 we have bad characters.

00:13:35.839 --> 00:13:36.759
 We have a riot.

00:13:37.799 --> 00:13:39.259
 If we go to verses 8 and 9,

00:13:39.779 --> 00:13:40.739
 there's turmoil.

00:13:42.059 --> 00:13:43.979
 The Christians have to be put on bail.

00:13:43.980 --> 00:13:46.240
 And then in verse 10,

00:13:46.899 --> 00:13:48.500
 we have Paul and Silas

00:13:48.500 --> 00:13:50.240
 having to slip away

00:13:50.240 --> 00:13:51.680
 under the cover of darkness

00:13:51.680 --> 00:13:53.800
 in fear of their lives.

00:13:54.879 --> 00:13:56.180
 I don't know how you feel about this,

00:13:56.259 --> 00:13:57.800
 but I think there was a very real risk

00:13:57.800 --> 00:13:59.360
 that the message,

00:13:59.500 --> 00:14:00.980
 the word that was being scattered

00:14:00.980 --> 00:14:02.539
 among the Thessalonian people

00:14:02.539 --> 00:14:04.860
 would be strangled

00:14:04.860 --> 00:14:07.899
 by thorns of persecution and suffering.

00:14:08.759 --> 00:14:10.100
 It's a little embryonic church,

00:14:10.759 --> 00:14:11.920
 the word being planted,

00:14:11.919 --> 00:14:13.679
 and all these persecutions

00:14:13.679 --> 00:14:14.939
 coming in on top of it

00:14:14.939 --> 00:14:15.719
 to strangle it.

00:14:17.219 --> 00:14:18.759
 So I think it's some relief

00:14:18.759 --> 00:14:21.339
 to Paul and to us this morning

00:14:21.339 --> 00:14:23.339
 that we have the letters

00:14:23.339 --> 00:14:25.620
 to the Thessalonian church.

00:14:26.240 --> 00:14:27.740
 From what we read in chapter 1,

00:14:27.959 --> 00:14:28.819
 we find a church

00:14:28.819 --> 00:14:31.019
 that has not only managed to survive,

00:14:31.719 --> 00:14:32.819
 but has actually become

00:14:32.819 --> 00:14:34.360
 a model church

00:14:34.360 --> 00:14:37.599
 to the whole region and beyond.

00:14:38.599 --> 00:14:40.319
 But we read in Acts 17

00:14:40.320 --> 00:14:41.580
 of the kind of persecution

00:14:41.580 --> 00:14:42.780
 and the church has survived

00:14:42.780 --> 00:14:43.700
 and has become a model.

00:14:44.820 --> 00:14:46.640
 Why did this church,

00:14:47.260 --> 00:14:49.040
 in the midst of such chaos

00:14:49.040 --> 00:14:50.620
 and opposition,

00:14:51.700 --> 00:14:53.840
 manage to hold fast to the message?

00:14:53.840 --> 00:14:58.160
 I think the answer is,

00:14:59.160 --> 00:15:01.500
 or the one that we're going to look at this morning,

00:15:02.019 --> 00:15:04.620
 is right bang in the middle of chapter 1.

00:15:04.860 --> 00:15:06.120
 If you look at verse 6,

00:15:06.420 --> 00:15:07.720
 and there's just one phrase,

00:15:08.480 --> 00:15:09.620
 and we have it up at the top

00:15:09.620 --> 00:15:11.340
 as the title this morning.

00:15:12.300 --> 00:15:12.980
 And verse 6 says,

00:15:13.180 --> 00:15:14.820
 You became imitators of us

00:15:14.820 --> 00:15:16.040
 and of the Lord

00:15:16.040 --> 00:15:18.920
 in spite of severe suffering.

00:15:18.919 --> 00:15:22.079
 You welcomed the message

00:15:22.079 --> 00:15:23.699
 with joy,

00:15:24.079 --> 00:15:26.319
 with the joy given by the Holy Spirit.

00:15:26.579 --> 00:15:27.500
 Do you see that phrase?

00:15:28.139 --> 00:15:31.259
 You welcomed the message.

00:15:33.019 --> 00:15:34.419
 So I want us to look

00:15:34.419 --> 00:15:35.519
 and focus on

00:15:35.519 --> 00:15:36.219
 the two verses

00:15:36.219 --> 00:15:37.319
 that just go before,

00:15:37.759 --> 00:15:38.399
 verse 6,

00:15:38.500 --> 00:15:39.639
 so verses 4 and 5,

00:15:39.819 --> 00:15:40.740
 and use them

00:15:40.740 --> 00:15:43.000
 as the starting point

00:15:43.000 --> 00:15:43.980
 or the branching out point

00:15:43.980 --> 00:15:45.899
 to look at the rest of chapter 1.

00:15:45.899 --> 00:15:47.419
 Because I think

00:15:47.419 --> 00:15:49.120
 we want to understand the message,

00:15:49.240 --> 00:15:49.480
 don't we?

00:15:49.539 --> 00:15:50.459
 What is this message

00:15:50.459 --> 00:15:51.459
 that we're talking about?

00:15:51.779 --> 00:15:52.360
 That's important.

00:15:52.740 --> 00:15:53.740
 How it came,

00:15:54.459 --> 00:15:55.620
 and then how it was welcomed

00:15:55.620 --> 00:15:56.500
 by the believers there.

00:15:56.559 --> 00:15:57.720
 For we want to have confidence

00:15:57.720 --> 00:16:00.919
 that we have welcomed

00:16:00.919 --> 00:16:02.139
 the right message,

00:16:02.559 --> 00:16:03.659
 the real message,

00:16:03.899 --> 00:16:05.139
 and that we're not just following

00:16:05.139 --> 00:16:07.299
 cleverly invented myths.

00:16:07.720 --> 00:16:09.480
 What confidence do you have this morning

00:16:09.480 --> 00:16:10.860
 that what you're hearing is true?

00:16:11.500 --> 00:16:12.879
 Or whichever church

00:16:12.879 --> 00:16:14.019
 you go to normally

00:16:14.019 --> 00:16:14.720
 or wherever you are,

00:16:14.720 --> 00:16:16.779
 how do you know it's true?

00:16:16.879 --> 00:16:18.180
 And I think we should have confidence

00:16:18.180 --> 00:16:20.019
 because what we're talking about

00:16:20.019 --> 00:16:21.660
 is serious business.

00:16:23.980 --> 00:16:25.560
 Firstly, verse 4,

00:16:26.440 --> 00:16:27.519
 For we know, brothers,

00:16:28.060 --> 00:16:29.860
 loved by God

00:16:29.860 --> 00:16:31.740
 that He has chosen you.

00:16:33.340 --> 00:16:35.860
 God, God is at work.

00:16:36.620 --> 00:16:37.660
 God is at work.

00:16:38.300 --> 00:16:39.860
 And God must be at work.

00:16:39.860 --> 00:16:43.460
 For if God is not the person

00:16:43.460 --> 00:16:44.740
 behind the message,

00:16:45.200 --> 00:16:46.980
 then what's the point?

00:16:47.159 --> 00:16:48.560
 What's the ultimate meaning

00:16:48.560 --> 00:16:49.860
 or impact

00:16:49.860 --> 00:16:51.639
 or purpose of the message

00:16:51.639 --> 00:16:53.080
 if God Himself

00:16:53.080 --> 00:16:54.840
 is not the one behind it?

00:16:55.740 --> 00:16:57.080
 But we read in verse 4

00:16:57.080 --> 00:16:58.919
 that God is the source

00:16:58.919 --> 00:17:00.300
 of the message that came to Him.

00:17:00.620 --> 00:17:02.600
 He is the one that loves them.

00:17:02.840 --> 00:17:04.339
 He is the one that has chosen them.

00:17:04.339 --> 00:17:09.039
 All responses to the Christian message

00:17:09.039 --> 00:17:10.779
 begin with this,

00:17:11.199 --> 00:17:13.399
 God's loving initiative

00:17:13.399 --> 00:17:15.759
 towards His people.

00:17:16.459 --> 00:17:17.659
 He is the one.

00:17:18.119 --> 00:17:19.799
 He is the one who rescues us

00:17:19.799 --> 00:17:21.919
 through Jesus Christ

00:17:21.919 --> 00:17:24.079
 from the wrath that is coming

00:17:24.079 --> 00:17:25.659
 that we read about in verse 10.

00:17:25.660 --> 00:17:28.800
 Every Christian story,

00:17:29.680 --> 00:17:31.200
 every church plant

00:17:31.200 --> 00:17:33.080
 begins with the same truth.

00:17:34.200 --> 00:17:36.680
 You know you are loved by God

00:17:36.680 --> 00:17:38.820
 because He has chosen you.

00:17:40.840 --> 00:17:41.779
 And His choosing

00:17:41.779 --> 00:17:43.400
 means there's no grounds

00:17:43.400 --> 00:17:44.160
 for boasting.

00:17:44.800 --> 00:17:45.580
 There's no grounds

00:17:45.580 --> 00:17:46.880
 for self-congratulation,

00:17:47.060 --> 00:17:48.620
 for patting yourself on the back,

00:17:48.720 --> 00:17:49.920
 for feeling better

00:17:49.920 --> 00:17:51.120
 than the person over there

00:17:51.120 --> 00:17:51.880
 or over there

00:17:51.880 --> 00:17:53.340
 or outside the door.

00:17:54.340 --> 00:17:55.519
 There's no barriers.

00:17:55.660 --> 00:17:57.100
 It can be erected between us.

00:17:57.480 --> 00:17:59.019
 If God has chosen us,

00:17:59.620 --> 00:18:00.740
 there are no barriers.

00:18:01.820 --> 00:18:02.880
 He loves you.

00:18:04.140 --> 00:18:05.279
 He has chosen you.

00:18:05.740 --> 00:18:07.860
 The initiative comes from Him.

00:18:09.540 --> 00:18:10.440
 I wish we had time

00:18:10.440 --> 00:18:11.740
 to dwell more in verse 4.

00:18:11.860 --> 00:18:13.019
 I really wish we had.

00:18:13.080 --> 00:18:13.700
 There's so much

00:18:13.700 --> 00:18:15.500
 just in that one verse

00:18:15.500 --> 00:18:16.779
 that we could take this morning.

00:18:20.240 --> 00:18:22.120
 But please just take this point

00:18:22.120 --> 00:18:22.779
 as we go on

00:18:22.779 --> 00:18:23.680
 that God loves you

00:18:23.680 --> 00:18:24.420
 and has chosen you.

00:18:24.420 --> 00:18:26.039
 I ask that we move

00:18:26.039 --> 00:18:27.519
 to verse 5 and onwards

00:18:27.519 --> 00:18:30.080
 that we hold verse 4 very dearly.

00:18:30.880 --> 00:18:32.440
 For we can argue, can't we?

00:18:32.460 --> 00:18:34.279
 And we get confused at times

00:18:34.279 --> 00:18:36.240
 between God's calling

00:18:36.240 --> 00:18:37.640
 and our response.

00:18:38.200 --> 00:18:39.960
 God calls and we respond.

00:18:40.360 --> 00:18:42.480
 And Christians argue

00:18:42.480 --> 00:18:43.440
 which is more important,

00:18:43.519 --> 00:18:44.320
 that God calls

00:18:44.320 --> 00:18:45.220
 or that we respond?

00:18:45.220 --> 00:18:47.259
 And who really makes the decision

00:18:47.259 --> 00:18:48.039
 when those two things

00:18:48.039 --> 00:18:49.240
 come together to believe?

00:18:49.339 --> 00:18:50.200
 Is it God's decision

00:18:50.200 --> 00:18:51.079
 or is it my decision?

00:18:52.279 --> 00:18:53.420
 And I think we need to know this,

00:18:53.500 --> 00:18:55.480
 that both are very clear

00:18:55.480 --> 00:18:57.299
 and both are there in Scripture.

00:18:58.160 --> 00:18:58.600
 Verse 4,

00:18:58.700 --> 00:18:59.940
 God has chosen you.

00:19:00.799 --> 00:19:01.779
 And in verse 6,

00:19:02.559 --> 00:19:04.240
 you welcomed the message.

00:19:05.120 --> 00:19:05.559
 Do you see?

00:19:05.940 --> 00:19:08.420
 The two go together

00:19:08.420 --> 00:19:09.940
 and we try to push them apart

00:19:09.940 --> 00:19:11.620
 and say this is it

00:19:11.620 --> 00:19:12.279
 and this is it,

00:19:12.279 --> 00:19:13.359
 but the two are there.

00:19:13.899 --> 00:19:15.200
 So we start with 4

00:19:15.200 --> 00:19:16.379
 and we move to 5.

00:19:17.000 --> 00:19:17.920
 And verse 5 has that

00:19:17.920 --> 00:19:18.779
 great linking word,

00:19:18.940 --> 00:19:21.299
 because, because, because.

00:19:22.420 --> 00:19:23.799
 We say that we are loved

00:19:23.799 --> 00:19:24.399
 and chosen.

00:19:25.039 --> 00:19:26.299
 How do we know this?

00:19:27.299 --> 00:19:29.480
 Because, because, because.

00:19:29.619 --> 00:19:30.700
 We know we are loved

00:19:30.700 --> 00:19:31.200
 and chosen

00:19:31.200 --> 00:19:32.440
 because of what comes

00:19:32.440 --> 00:19:33.259
 in verse 5.

00:19:33.259 --> 00:19:35.200
 Firstly,

00:19:36.059 --> 00:19:37.319
 the gospel came to them,

00:19:37.460 --> 00:19:38.079
 verse 5,

00:19:39.160 --> 00:19:40.779
 not simply with words,

00:19:40.980 --> 00:19:42.140
 because our gospel came to you

00:19:42.140 --> 00:19:43.119
 not simply with words,

00:19:43.220 --> 00:19:44.059
 but also with power,

00:19:44.200 --> 00:19:44.980
 with the Holy Spirit

00:19:44.980 --> 00:19:45.980
 and with deep conviction.

00:19:47.279 --> 00:19:47.900
 And when you read that,

00:19:47.940 --> 00:19:48.759
 it's tempting, isn't it,

00:19:48.759 --> 00:19:49.839
 to skip the,

00:19:49.879 --> 00:19:51.119
 the not simply bit.

00:19:51.220 --> 00:19:52.140
 You kind of, you know,

00:19:52.180 --> 00:19:53.379
 you're eager to get into things.

00:19:53.460 --> 00:19:54.539
 You say, oh, not simply, okay.

00:19:54.819 --> 00:19:55.680
 So we'll get on to the bit

00:19:55.680 --> 00:19:56.160
 that follows

00:19:56.160 --> 00:19:57.420
 because that's the complicated bit

00:19:57.420 --> 00:19:58.400
 and that's where we need to be.

00:19:58.940 --> 00:19:59.759
 But we'd be wrong

00:19:59.759 --> 00:20:00.859
 to skip this part

00:20:00.859 --> 00:20:02.180
 of the message coming.

00:20:02.180 --> 00:20:04.140
 Yes, there was more

00:20:04.140 --> 00:20:05.400
 than words at work

00:20:05.400 --> 00:20:06.560
 in the gospel

00:20:06.560 --> 00:20:07.779
 that came to the church

00:20:07.779 --> 00:20:08.600
 in Thessalonica.

00:20:09.720 --> 00:20:11.539
 But it's never less than words.

00:20:13.460 --> 00:20:14.360
 For words,

00:20:14.560 --> 00:20:15.960
 the content of the message

00:20:15.960 --> 00:20:17.440
 is absolutely,

00:20:17.640 --> 00:20:18.759
 they're absolutely critical.

00:20:20.100 --> 00:20:21.740
 Imagine if my phone conversation

00:20:21.740 --> 00:20:22.560
 continued like this.

00:20:22.980 --> 00:20:24.480
 Sir, you have a problem

00:20:24.480 --> 00:20:25.140
 with your computer.

00:20:26.100 --> 00:20:28.160
 Okay, I'm not going to tell you

00:20:28.160 --> 00:20:28.620
 who I am,

00:20:28.720 --> 00:20:31.180
 but what is the problem?

00:20:31.180 --> 00:20:33.060
 I can't say.

00:20:34.200 --> 00:20:35.100
 Sorry, you're telling me

00:20:35.100 --> 00:20:35.900
 there's a problem

00:20:35.900 --> 00:20:37.400
 with my computer?

00:20:37.560 --> 00:20:38.320
 Well, what kind of problem?

00:20:39.480 --> 00:20:40.240
 I can't say.

00:20:40.320 --> 00:20:42.299
 I don't, I don't have any words.

00:20:42.660 --> 00:20:43.380
 I've nothing really.

00:20:43.519 --> 00:20:44.060
 It's a problem

00:20:44.060 --> 00:20:44.820
 with your computer, sir.

00:20:44.860 --> 00:20:45.519
 You have to listen to me.

00:20:45.560 --> 00:20:46.299
 This is very urgent.

00:20:47.759 --> 00:20:48.740
 What kind of a message

00:20:48.740 --> 00:20:49.220
 would that be?

00:20:49.279 --> 00:20:50.240
 What kind of a conversation

00:20:50.240 --> 00:20:50.680
 would that be

00:20:50.680 --> 00:20:51.779
 if there was no content,

00:20:52.220 --> 00:20:53.180
 if there was no words,

00:20:53.220 --> 00:20:54.140
 if there was no information

00:20:54.140 --> 00:20:54.880
 communicated?

00:20:54.880 --> 00:20:59.120
 And a word of warning,

00:20:59.800 --> 00:21:00.900
 as we were here this morning,

00:21:01.180 --> 00:21:02.820
 we must not assume the message.

00:21:02.960 --> 00:21:04.320
 We must not assume the content.

00:21:04.840 --> 00:21:05.800
 We mustn't sit here

00:21:05.800 --> 00:21:06.360
 on a Sundays

00:21:06.360 --> 00:21:08.040
 and treat what we do

00:21:08.040 --> 00:21:09.400
 as some kind of social gathering

00:21:09.400 --> 00:21:10.660
 where we drink cups of tea

00:21:10.660 --> 00:21:11.780
 and we welcome one another

00:21:11.780 --> 00:21:13.240
 and we sing songs

00:21:13.240 --> 00:21:14.180
 and head off

00:21:14.180 --> 00:21:16.140
 and those things are great

00:21:16.140 --> 00:21:16.640
 and all those things

00:21:16.640 --> 00:21:18.480
 are critical to what we do,

00:21:18.600 --> 00:21:19.820
 but because they're infused

00:21:19.820 --> 00:21:20.720
 with the message.

00:21:21.320 --> 00:21:22.640
 We're not a social club.

00:21:22.640 --> 00:21:23.580
 That's not what it's about

00:21:23.580 --> 00:21:24.180
 on a Sunday.

00:21:24.940 --> 00:21:26.420
 As good as these things are,

00:21:26.500 --> 00:21:27.840
 without the clear retelling

00:21:27.840 --> 00:21:29.140
 of the gospel each week,

00:21:29.660 --> 00:21:30.440
 they are meaningless.

00:21:30.580 --> 00:21:31.840
 It's as if God wasn't there

00:21:31.840 --> 00:21:32.980
 or wasn't behind it.

00:21:35.540 --> 00:21:36.920
 And we need to not just do

00:21:36.920 --> 00:21:38.100
 this retelling on a Sunday.

00:21:38.420 --> 00:21:39.080
 We need to do it

00:21:39.080 --> 00:21:39.880
 throughout the week.

00:21:40.360 --> 00:21:41.700
 The words of the gospel,

00:21:42.040 --> 00:21:42.900
 the message,

00:21:43.360 --> 00:21:44.040
 the content

00:21:44.040 --> 00:21:45.580
 need to be heard and shared.

00:21:47.360 --> 00:21:48.759
 Pastor and author

00:21:48.759 --> 00:21:49.880
 Kevin DeYoung

00:21:49.880 --> 00:21:51.360
 put this very well

00:21:51.360 --> 00:21:51.940
 and I just read it

00:21:51.940 --> 00:21:52.400
 during the week

00:21:52.400 --> 00:21:53.880
 and thought it fit very well

00:21:53.880 --> 00:21:55.440
 and he puts it this way

00:21:55.440 --> 00:21:56.500
 and it's up there

00:21:56.500 --> 00:21:57.540
 if you're able to read

00:21:57.540 --> 00:21:59.000
 but you can just listen as well.

00:21:59.600 --> 00:22:00.220
 What he says is

00:22:00.220 --> 00:22:01.380
 don't assume,

00:22:01.940 --> 00:22:02.460
 articulate.

00:22:03.360 --> 00:22:04.600
 The first generation

00:22:04.600 --> 00:22:05.500
 receives the gospel.

00:22:05.960 --> 00:22:07.160
 The second generation

00:22:07.160 --> 00:22:08.160
 assumes the gospel.

00:22:09.000 --> 00:22:09.580
 What happens?

00:22:09.700 --> 00:22:10.900
 The third generation

00:22:10.900 --> 00:22:11.980
 loses the gospel.

00:22:12.660 --> 00:22:13.580
 We must not only

00:22:13.580 --> 00:22:14.640
 affirm the gospel

00:22:14.640 --> 00:22:15.800
 when we're having it

00:22:15.800 --> 00:22:16.740
 presented to us

00:22:16.740 --> 00:22:18.540
 like what's happening now.

00:22:18.880 --> 00:22:20.500
 We must teach our people

00:22:20.500 --> 00:22:21.620
 to articulate it.

00:22:21.619 --> 00:22:23.179
 we must sing it strong

00:22:23.179 --> 00:22:23.959
 and preach it loud.

00:22:24.059 --> 00:22:25.019
 We must be passionate

00:22:25.019 --> 00:22:26.339
 about clarity

00:22:26.339 --> 00:22:27.379
 and be clear

00:22:27.379 --> 00:22:28.259
 with our passions.

00:22:29.319 --> 00:22:30.399
 It must be clear

00:22:30.399 --> 00:22:31.399
 and we must be passionate

00:22:31.399 --> 00:22:32.079
 and those things

00:22:32.079 --> 00:22:32.979
 must go together.

00:22:34.779 --> 00:22:35.779
 Words are important.

00:22:35.899 --> 00:22:36.819
 We see that in the Bible

00:22:36.819 --> 00:22:37.559
 again and again.

00:22:37.719 --> 00:22:38.819
 God reveals himself

00:22:38.819 --> 00:22:39.619
 to his people

00:22:39.619 --> 00:22:40.459
 through words.

00:22:40.859 --> 00:22:42.000
 The words of the prophets,

00:22:42.219 --> 00:22:43.079
 the words of the apostles,

00:22:43.259 --> 00:22:44.159
 they're written down

00:22:44.159 --> 00:22:45.699
 in the Bible.

00:22:45.700 --> 00:22:47.360
 Paul, when he came to Acts,

00:22:47.440 --> 00:22:48.980
 he reasoned from the scriptures.

00:22:51.100 --> 00:22:51.799
 And not only that,

00:22:51.920 --> 00:22:53.180
 but Jesus himself

00:22:53.180 --> 00:22:54.259
 is identified as

00:22:54.259 --> 00:22:57.860
 the word of God.

00:22:57.980 --> 00:22:59.700
 The ultimate revelation

00:22:59.700 --> 00:23:00.660
 of who God is.

00:23:00.720 --> 00:23:01.640
 The ultimate word.

00:23:01.759 --> 00:23:02.759
 The ultimate communication

00:23:02.759 --> 00:23:04.759
 by God of himself

00:23:04.759 --> 00:23:05.559
 to his people

00:23:05.559 --> 00:23:06.460
 is Jesus.

00:23:06.460 --> 00:23:09.059
 Jesus is the word

00:23:09.059 --> 00:23:09.799
 made flesh,

00:23:09.980 --> 00:23:10.480
 made human.

00:23:11.840 --> 00:23:12.799
 Look at the chapter

00:23:12.799 --> 00:23:13.440
 in front of us.

00:23:13.500 --> 00:23:14.180
 Verse 5.

00:23:14.180 --> 00:23:15.100
 What he says,

00:23:15.519 --> 00:23:16.539
 our gospel

00:23:16.539 --> 00:23:18.620
 with words.

00:23:19.600 --> 00:23:20.480
 Verse 6.

00:23:20.799 --> 00:23:21.580
 It says you welcome

00:23:21.580 --> 00:23:22.460
 the message.

00:23:23.900 --> 00:23:24.560
 If you skip down

00:23:24.560 --> 00:23:25.360
 to verse 8,

00:23:25.620 --> 00:23:26.799
 speaking of the Thessalonians,

00:23:27.100 --> 00:23:27.840
 the Lord's message

00:23:27.840 --> 00:23:28.940
 rang out from you.

00:23:30.400 --> 00:23:31.100
 The gospel.

00:23:31.660 --> 00:23:32.700
 This message is the theme

00:23:32.700 --> 00:23:33.259
 of the whole

00:23:33.259 --> 00:23:33.820
 of the scriptures.

00:23:33.820 --> 00:23:35.060
 It fills each

00:23:35.060 --> 00:23:35.940
 and every page

00:23:35.940 --> 00:23:36.539
 of the Bible.

00:23:37.660 --> 00:23:39.120
 And what we believe

00:23:39.120 --> 00:23:41.680
 is of first importance.

00:23:42.860 --> 00:23:44.060
 For there are many groups

00:23:44.059 --> 00:23:45.240
 and many churches

00:23:45.240 --> 00:23:46.159
 that are church

00:23:46.159 --> 00:23:47.700
 only in name.

00:23:48.339 --> 00:23:49.299
 For they no longer

00:23:49.299 --> 00:23:51.059
 hold to the clear

00:23:51.059 --> 00:23:52.500
 message of the gospel.

00:23:53.240 --> 00:23:54.399
 The message they have

00:23:54.399 --> 00:23:55.519
 is a different message,

00:23:55.619 --> 00:23:56.339
 a different gospel

00:23:56.339 --> 00:23:58.019
 with a different focus.

00:23:58.799 --> 00:23:59.500
 And it's one

00:23:59.500 --> 00:24:00.899
 that's not fit for purpose.

00:24:01.740 --> 00:24:02.659
 Because the message

00:24:02.659 --> 00:24:03.460
 we need to hear

00:24:03.460 --> 00:24:04.559
 is one that saves us

00:24:04.559 --> 00:24:05.339
 from the wrath

00:24:05.339 --> 00:24:06.720
 of God.

00:24:06.720 --> 00:24:10.700
 and we need a message

00:24:10.700 --> 00:24:11.779
 that will rescue us

00:24:11.779 --> 00:24:13.779
 from the coming wrath.

00:24:15.120 --> 00:24:16.400
 Look at verses 9

00:24:16.400 --> 00:24:17.539
 and 10.

00:24:19.420 --> 00:24:20.680
 Second half of verse 9.

00:24:20.779 --> 00:24:21.299
 They tell

00:24:21.299 --> 00:24:23.059
 how you turn to God

00:24:23.059 --> 00:24:23.640
 from idols

00:24:23.640 --> 00:24:24.360
 to serve the living

00:24:24.360 --> 00:24:25.039
 and true God

00:24:25.039 --> 00:24:25.860
 and to wait

00:24:25.860 --> 00:24:26.940
 for his Son from heaven

00:24:26.940 --> 00:24:28.480
 whom he raised

00:24:28.480 --> 00:24:29.180
 from the dead,

00:24:29.559 --> 00:24:29.819
 Jesus,

00:24:30.240 --> 00:24:31.940
 who rescues us

00:24:31.940 --> 00:24:32.839
 from the coming

00:24:32.839 --> 00:24:34.000
 wrath.

00:24:34.000 --> 00:24:36.920
 Verse 10.

00:24:37.039 --> 00:24:38.420
 We read about Jesus,

00:24:38.960 --> 00:24:40.319
 the Son of God

00:24:40.319 --> 00:24:40.900
 that has come

00:24:40.900 --> 00:24:41.539
 from heaven.

00:24:42.099 --> 00:24:43.000
 God who comes

00:24:43.000 --> 00:24:45.000
 into a broken world

00:24:45.000 --> 00:24:46.180
 from the kingdom

00:24:46.180 --> 00:24:46.640
 of heaven

00:24:46.640 --> 00:24:47.180
 and he comes

00:24:47.180 --> 00:24:47.859
 as a man.

00:24:48.579 --> 00:24:49.559
 The same God-man,

00:24:49.680 --> 00:24:50.000
 it says,

00:24:50.099 --> 00:24:50.900
 he dies

00:24:50.900 --> 00:24:52.200
 and he's raised

00:24:52.200 --> 00:24:53.240
 to life again.

00:24:53.440 --> 00:24:54.039
 He's resurrected.

00:24:54.180 --> 00:24:54.680
 But why?

00:24:55.799 --> 00:24:56.759
 The clear message

00:24:56.759 --> 00:24:57.779
 to save us

00:24:57.779 --> 00:24:58.700
 from the coming wrath.

00:24:59.599 --> 00:25:01.019
 That's not a popular message.

00:25:01.019 --> 00:25:03.680
 It's not when you hear a lot.

00:25:03.839 --> 00:25:05.299
 It's even when you don't

00:25:05.299 --> 00:25:06.240
 often hear a lot of

00:25:06.240 --> 00:25:06.700
 in churches,

00:25:07.059 --> 00:25:07.680
 believe it or not.

00:25:09.359 --> 00:25:10.400
 But it's important

00:25:10.400 --> 00:25:11.660
 because you see,

00:25:11.779 --> 00:25:14.240
 God cannot continue

00:25:14.240 --> 00:25:17.019
 to forever tolerate

00:25:17.019 --> 00:25:18.259
 a broken world.

00:25:18.799 --> 00:25:19.920
 God can't continue

00:25:19.920 --> 00:25:21.000
 to put up with the suffering

00:25:21.000 --> 00:25:21.680
 and injustice

00:25:21.680 --> 00:25:22.440
 and rebellion

00:25:22.440 --> 00:25:23.879
 that is against him.

00:25:24.579 --> 00:25:26.220
 So his wrath,

00:25:27.819 --> 00:25:30.279
 his perfect justice,

00:25:31.019 --> 00:25:32.420
 and his punishment

00:25:32.420 --> 00:25:33.900
 against rebels

00:25:33.900 --> 00:25:34.559
 is coming.

00:25:36.039 --> 00:25:37.379
 If that is true,

00:25:37.819 --> 00:25:38.700
 what is the message

00:25:38.700 --> 00:25:39.460
 we need to hear?

00:25:40.819 --> 00:25:42.180
 We need a rescuer.

00:25:43.379 --> 00:25:45.700
 We need a rescuer.

00:25:46.440 --> 00:25:46.879
 Jesus,

00:25:48.059 --> 00:25:49.420
 the one who delivers us.

00:25:50.099 --> 00:25:51.539
 So here in verse 10,

00:25:52.500 --> 00:25:53.500
 we have a summary,

00:25:54.259 --> 00:25:54.839
 a snapshot,

00:25:55.039 --> 00:25:55.319
 if you like,

00:25:55.359 --> 00:25:56.160
 an instant picture

00:25:56.160 --> 00:25:57.559
 of the message.

00:25:58.139 --> 00:25:59.180
 And this was the word

00:25:59.180 --> 00:25:59.900
 that was preached

00:25:59.900 --> 00:26:00.980
 to the Thessalonians

00:26:00.980 --> 00:26:02.500
 and the one that we seek

00:26:02.500 --> 00:26:03.640
 to continue to preach

00:26:03.640 --> 00:26:05.480
 as followers of Jesus,

00:26:05.620 --> 00:26:07.320
 the words that came.

00:26:08.220 --> 00:26:09.019
 Have you welcomed

00:26:09.019 --> 00:26:10.500
 this message?

00:26:11.780 --> 00:26:12.440
 And again,

00:26:12.500 --> 00:26:13.340
 we must not sit here

00:26:13.340 --> 00:26:13.759
 this morning

00:26:13.759 --> 00:26:14.660
 and just nod our head

00:26:14.660 --> 00:26:15.140
 in agreement.

00:26:16.240 --> 00:26:17.320
 As Kevin DeYoung tells us,

00:26:17.380 --> 00:26:18.440
 don't assume the message.

00:26:18.759 --> 00:26:19.360
 Articulate it

00:26:19.360 --> 00:26:20.220
 or speak it out.

00:26:20.980 --> 00:26:22.080
 Speak to each other.

00:26:23.220 --> 00:26:23.940
 Speak to people

00:26:23.940 --> 00:26:25.000
 that don't know it.

00:26:25.920 --> 00:26:27.000
 Speak it on Facebook,

00:26:27.000 --> 00:26:28.019
 on email and Twitter.

00:26:28.440 --> 00:26:29.160
 Say it again

00:26:29.160 --> 00:26:30.299
 and again and again.

00:26:30.920 --> 00:26:31.759
 Learn the message.

00:26:32.299 --> 00:26:32.980
 Speak the message.

00:26:33.519 --> 00:26:34.460
 Learn the message again.

00:26:34.660 --> 00:26:36.140
 Speak the message again.

00:26:38.279 --> 00:26:39.500
 Paul puts it like this

00:26:39.500 --> 00:26:40.400
 elsewhere in the Bible.

00:26:40.400 --> 00:26:42.359
 For what I received,

00:26:42.880 --> 00:26:44.000
 I passed on to you

00:26:44.000 --> 00:26:46.019
 as of first importance,

00:26:46.980 --> 00:26:49.460
 that Christ died for sins

00:26:49.460 --> 00:26:51.259
 according to the scriptures,

00:26:52.039 --> 00:26:53.079
 that he was buried

00:26:53.079 --> 00:26:54.919
 and that he was raised again

00:26:54.919 --> 00:26:55.919
 on the third day

00:26:55.919 --> 00:26:57.679
 according to the scriptures.

00:26:58.859 --> 00:26:59.859
 The gospel message

00:26:59.859 --> 00:27:00.759
 needs to be heard.

00:27:03.480 --> 00:27:04.779
 Back to verse 5.

00:27:05.240 --> 00:27:05.980
 The gospel that came

00:27:05.980 --> 00:27:06.939
 to the Thessalonians,

00:27:07.039 --> 00:27:07.579
 as it says,

00:27:07.939 --> 00:27:09.579
 was not simply with words,

00:27:09.939 --> 00:27:11.439
 it also came in power.

00:27:11.879 --> 00:27:13.119
 Not simple words,

00:27:13.419 --> 00:27:14.460
 but words with power.

00:27:15.259 --> 00:27:16.039
 Now what does that mean?

00:27:16.799 --> 00:27:17.960
 What does it mean here

00:27:17.960 --> 00:27:18.899
 when we say

00:27:18.899 --> 00:27:20.000
 that the gospel came in power?

00:27:20.079 --> 00:27:21.779
 Because we come across ideas

00:27:21.779 --> 00:27:23.920
 in the Bible that have

00:27:23.920 --> 00:27:24.660
 lots of meanings

00:27:24.660 --> 00:27:25.740
 and lots of expressions

00:27:25.740 --> 00:27:27.059
 and the way we use English,

00:27:27.200 --> 00:27:28.500
 we understand that a word

00:27:28.500 --> 00:27:29.319
 like power can mean

00:27:29.319 --> 00:27:30.000
 lots of things.

00:27:30.700 --> 00:27:31.619
 So we have to look,

00:27:31.980 --> 00:27:32.319
 I think,

00:27:32.399 --> 00:27:33.180
 for the clues

00:27:33.180 --> 00:27:34.539
 to get some understanding

00:27:34.539 --> 00:27:35.180
 in the passage.

00:27:35.279 --> 00:27:36.139
 Well, what is the meaning?

00:27:38.220 --> 00:27:38.920
 And on power,

00:27:39.000 --> 00:27:39.599
 I don't think we get

00:27:39.599 --> 00:27:40.940
 any direct comment

00:27:40.940 --> 00:27:41.700
 from Paul about

00:27:41.700 --> 00:27:42.920
 what the power means.

00:27:44.980 --> 00:27:46.019
 It could mean

00:27:46.019 --> 00:27:47.539
 that there were powerful signs

00:27:47.539 --> 00:27:48.259
 and wonders

00:27:48.259 --> 00:27:49.019
 that accompanied

00:27:49.019 --> 00:27:50.279
 the message

00:27:50.279 --> 00:27:50.940
 as it went

00:27:50.940 --> 00:27:52.700
 to the Thessalonians.

00:27:53.259 --> 00:27:53.960
 And we see that

00:27:53.960 --> 00:27:55.180
 in the history

00:27:55.180 --> 00:27:56.339
 of the early church

00:27:56.339 --> 00:27:57.500
 in Acts.

00:27:58.240 --> 00:27:59.559
 Often there were signs

00:27:59.559 --> 00:27:59.980
 and wonders

00:27:59.980 --> 00:28:01.500
 that went with the gospel,

00:28:01.680 --> 00:28:02.579
 powerful signs

00:28:02.579 --> 00:28:03.539
 to confirm the message.

00:28:03.680 --> 00:28:04.720
 But we don't actually

00:28:04.720 --> 00:28:05.839
 read of any of that

00:28:05.839 --> 00:28:06.980
 in Acts 17.

00:28:08.119 --> 00:28:08.460
 So I think

00:28:08.460 --> 00:28:09.079
 rather than

00:28:09.079 --> 00:28:10.500
 the power in this case

00:28:10.500 --> 00:28:12.019
 being powerful signs

00:28:12.019 --> 00:28:12.559
 or wonders,

00:28:12.839 --> 00:28:13.899
 which is one possibility,

00:28:14.259 --> 00:28:15.099
 it seems instead

00:28:15.099 --> 00:28:15.859
 in the context

00:28:15.859 --> 00:28:17.160
 of what Paul is writing here

00:28:17.160 --> 00:28:19.000
 in verses 4 and 5,

00:28:19.000 --> 00:28:19.900
 that the power

00:28:19.900 --> 00:28:21.599
 is the intrinsic power

00:28:21.599 --> 00:28:22.359
 of the gospel

00:28:22.359 --> 00:28:24.400
 to save people.

00:28:26.200 --> 00:28:27.220
 Paul makes this,

00:28:27.400 --> 00:28:27.839
 I think,

00:28:27.900 --> 00:28:28.359
 quite clear,

00:28:28.440 --> 00:28:29.799
 this idea in Romans.

00:28:29.940 --> 00:28:30.420
 You don't need to turn

00:28:30.420 --> 00:28:30.680
 to it,

00:28:30.740 --> 00:28:32.200
 chapter 1 and verse 16.

00:28:33.259 --> 00:28:33.680
 Paul says,

00:28:33.779 --> 00:28:34.500
 I'm not ashamed

00:28:34.500 --> 00:28:35.039
 of the gospel

00:28:35.039 --> 00:28:35.700
 because it is

00:28:35.700 --> 00:28:37.700
 the power of God

00:28:37.700 --> 00:28:39.180
 for the salvation

00:28:39.180 --> 00:28:40.420
 of everyone

00:28:40.420 --> 00:28:41.200
 who believes,

00:28:41.759 --> 00:28:42.859
 first for the Jew

00:28:42.859 --> 00:28:44.559
 and then for the Gentile.

00:28:45.579 --> 00:28:46.299
 And as we saw

00:28:46.299 --> 00:28:46.980
 in Acts 17,

00:28:47.140 --> 00:28:48.039
 that's what happened,

00:28:48.039 --> 00:28:48.420
 isn't it?

00:28:48.759 --> 00:28:49.720
 That the gospel

00:28:49.720 --> 00:28:50.759
 came in power,

00:28:51.299 --> 00:28:52.180
 first to the Jews

00:28:52.180 --> 00:28:53.319
 and then to the Gentiles

00:28:53.319 --> 00:28:54.240
 and everyone,

00:28:54.379 --> 00:28:55.000
 regardless of being

00:28:55.000 --> 00:28:55.619
 Jew or Gentile,

00:28:55.680 --> 00:28:57.359
 was saved by the gospel message.

00:28:57.819 --> 00:28:58.519
 It is the power

00:28:58.519 --> 00:28:59.779
 to bring about rescue

00:28:59.779 --> 00:29:01.059
 and deliverance

00:29:01.059 --> 00:29:03.139
 from the wrath of God.

00:29:04.159 --> 00:29:05.220
 Isn't that the power

00:29:05.220 --> 00:29:07.220
 that we really need

00:29:07.220 --> 00:29:08.519
 if the wrath of God

00:29:08.519 --> 00:29:08.980
 is coming?

00:29:09.839 --> 00:29:11.119
 And this is what we find,

00:29:11.200 --> 00:29:12.240
 this is what we find

00:29:12.240 --> 00:29:13.019
 in chapter 1

00:29:13.019 --> 00:29:14.079
 and all the verses

00:29:14.079 --> 00:29:14.940
 in Acts 17.

00:29:14.940 --> 00:29:16.620
 people that are being saved

00:29:16.620 --> 00:29:17.440
 by the power

00:29:17.440 --> 00:29:18.640
 of the gospel.

00:29:19.440 --> 00:29:20.420
 So the message

00:29:20.420 --> 00:29:21.299
 didn't just come

00:29:21.299 --> 00:29:22.720
 simply with words,

00:29:22.920 --> 00:29:23.940
 but it was accompanied

00:29:23.940 --> 00:29:25.160
 by saving power.

00:29:27.000 --> 00:29:28.759
 We see it in verse 9 again,

00:29:28.880 --> 00:29:29.299
 don't we?

00:29:30.400 --> 00:29:31.700
 They tell how you turn

00:29:31.700 --> 00:29:32.400
 to God

00:29:32.400 --> 00:29:33.480
 from idols

00:29:33.480 --> 00:29:34.880
 to serve

00:29:34.880 --> 00:29:35.600
 the living

00:29:35.600 --> 00:29:36.860
 and true God.

00:29:36.859 --> 00:29:39.219
 people responded

00:29:39.219 --> 00:29:39.939
 by the power

00:29:39.939 --> 00:29:40.519
 of the gospel

00:29:40.519 --> 00:29:41.219
 and turned

00:29:41.219 --> 00:29:42.240
 instead of living

00:29:42.240 --> 00:29:42.959
 for self,

00:29:43.519 --> 00:29:44.000
 they literally

00:29:44.000 --> 00:29:45.539
 did a 180

00:29:45.539 --> 00:29:46.639
 and they began

00:29:46.639 --> 00:29:47.500
 to live for God.

00:29:48.559 --> 00:29:49.419
 That's the power

00:29:49.419 --> 00:29:50.699
 of the gospel

00:29:50.699 --> 00:29:50.979
 and

00:29:50.979 --> 00:29:53.240
 well,

00:29:54.079 --> 00:29:55.339
 it's incredible.

00:29:55.759 --> 00:29:56.259
 The gospel

00:29:56.259 --> 00:29:57.159
 coming in power.

00:29:57.519 --> 00:29:57.959
 People who were

00:29:57.959 --> 00:29:58.759
 looking to idols

00:29:58.759 --> 00:29:59.599
 are now looking

00:29:59.599 --> 00:30:00.079
 to God.

00:30:01.119 --> 00:30:02.479
 Man-made comforts.

00:30:02.639 --> 00:30:03.199
 Little idols

00:30:03.199 --> 00:30:03.879
 were ruling them.

00:30:04.039 --> 00:30:04.740
 But when the gospel

00:30:04.740 --> 00:30:05.199
 came,

00:30:05.579 --> 00:30:06.259
 they turned.

00:30:06.859 --> 00:30:09.479
 We may,

00:30:09.639 --> 00:30:10.579
 of course,

00:30:10.740 --> 00:30:11.479
 want to object

00:30:11.479 --> 00:30:12.219
 at this point

00:30:12.219 --> 00:30:13.159
 to what happened

00:30:13.159 --> 00:30:15.419
 or maybe we're thinking

00:30:15.419 --> 00:30:16.259
 in our heads,

00:30:16.299 --> 00:30:17.079
 we have a little comment.

00:30:18.119 --> 00:30:18.339
 Yeah,

00:30:18.579 --> 00:30:18.839
 I mean,

00:30:18.899 --> 00:30:19.419
 the simple,

00:30:20.000 --> 00:30:20.719
 superstitious

00:30:20.719 --> 00:30:22.779
 first century Greeks,

00:30:23.079 --> 00:30:23.259
 you know,

00:30:23.339 --> 00:30:25.039
 their little wooden idols,

00:30:25.199 --> 00:30:26.059
 their little clay idols.

00:30:26.579 --> 00:30:26.759
 So,

00:30:27.039 --> 00:30:27.319
 okay,

00:30:27.839 --> 00:30:28.740
 they gave up them

00:30:28.740 --> 00:30:30.379
 for some invisible God

00:30:30.379 --> 00:30:31.159
 who lives in heaven.

00:30:32.659 --> 00:30:33.319
 Big deal.

00:30:33.399 --> 00:30:34.319
 That's not very powerful.

00:30:34.759 --> 00:30:35.399
 They just gave up

00:30:35.399 --> 00:30:36.799
 one religious superstition

00:30:36.799 --> 00:30:38.159
 for another religious superstition.

00:30:38.500 --> 00:30:39.279
 Little wooden idols

00:30:39.279 --> 00:30:40.379
 for invisible God.

00:30:40.519 --> 00:30:40.799
 I mean,

00:30:41.180 --> 00:30:41.559
 you know,

00:30:41.819 --> 00:30:43.339
 it's not very convincing,

00:30:43.500 --> 00:30:43.740
 is it,

00:30:43.759 --> 00:30:44.319
 to read that.

00:30:45.899 --> 00:30:47.039
 But you've missed a point

00:30:47.039 --> 00:30:47.659
 and you haven't

00:30:47.659 --> 00:30:49.119
 looked carefully enough,

00:30:49.180 --> 00:30:49.419
 I think,

00:30:49.539 --> 00:30:50.159
 because this isn't

00:30:50.159 --> 00:30:51.059
 some small change

00:30:51.059 --> 00:30:51.559
 of allegiance

00:30:51.559 --> 00:30:52.680
 between competing

00:30:52.680 --> 00:30:53.680
 sellers of religion.

00:30:53.680 --> 00:30:55.519
 for the message,

00:30:55.700 --> 00:30:56.380
 verse 6.

00:30:56.980 --> 00:30:57.960
 Do you see the context?

00:30:58.600 --> 00:30:59.279
 It's been welcomed

00:30:59.279 --> 00:30:59.860
 in the midst

00:30:59.860 --> 00:31:02.000
 of severe suffering.

00:31:03.019 --> 00:31:03.960
 Remember back to

00:31:03.960 --> 00:31:04.580
 what we read

00:31:04.580 --> 00:31:05.200
 in Acts 17.

00:31:05.460 --> 00:31:06.299
 The Christian message

00:31:06.299 --> 00:31:07.380
 is turning the world

00:31:07.380 --> 00:31:07.900
 upside down.

00:31:08.160 --> 00:31:08.759
 This message,

00:31:08.880 --> 00:31:09.580
 which is taking over

00:31:09.580 --> 00:31:10.160
 the whole world,

00:31:10.220 --> 00:31:11.200
 has come to our city.

00:31:11.660 --> 00:31:12.580
 What are we going to do?

00:31:13.460 --> 00:31:13.820
 Yes,

00:31:13.940 --> 00:31:14.700
 the idol makers

00:31:14.700 --> 00:31:15.920
 are going out of business.

00:31:17.160 --> 00:31:17.820
 Sorcery books

00:31:17.820 --> 00:31:18.460
 are no longer

00:31:18.460 --> 00:31:19.140
 being purchased.

00:31:19.299 --> 00:31:19.580
 In fact,

00:31:19.600 --> 00:31:20.220
 they're being burned

00:31:20.220 --> 00:31:20.880
 as what we read

00:31:20.880 --> 00:31:22.400
 in Acts.

00:31:23.059 --> 00:31:23.759
 The temple

00:31:23.759 --> 00:31:25.039
 prostitution business

00:31:25.039 --> 00:31:26.079
 is now at risk

00:31:26.079 --> 00:31:27.019
 as people have stopped

00:31:27.019 --> 00:31:28.400
 going to the temples

00:31:28.400 --> 00:31:30.059
 and taking part

00:31:30.059 --> 00:31:31.180
 in all that happens there.

00:31:32.279 --> 00:31:33.460
 The whole sordid

00:31:33.460 --> 00:31:34.839
 order of society

00:31:34.839 --> 00:31:37.259
 is being left behind

00:31:37.259 --> 00:31:38.960
 for a God

00:31:38.960 --> 00:31:39.680
 who,

00:31:39.860 --> 00:31:40.600
 in verse 3,

00:31:41.000 --> 00:31:41.960
 promotes love

00:31:41.960 --> 00:31:43.360
 and promotes faith

00:31:43.360 --> 00:31:44.339
 and promotes hope.

00:31:45.079 --> 00:31:45.640
 A message

00:31:45.640 --> 00:31:46.120
 that changes

00:31:46.120 --> 00:31:47.120
 priorities of people

00:31:47.120 --> 00:31:47.700
 to no longer

00:31:47.700 --> 00:31:48.720
 live for self

00:31:48.720 --> 00:31:49.819
 and pleasure

00:31:49.819 --> 00:31:51.679
 but instead

00:31:51.679 --> 00:31:52.319
 they can welcome

00:31:52.319 --> 00:31:53.579
 suffering and disgrace

00:31:53.579 --> 00:31:55.319
 because they're looking

00:31:55.319 --> 00:31:56.379
 for a saviour

00:31:56.379 --> 00:31:56.919
 from heaven.

00:31:58.179 --> 00:31:59.019
 This is the power

00:31:59.019 --> 00:31:59.759
 of the gospel

00:31:59.759 --> 00:32:01.259
 to turn people

00:32:01.259 --> 00:32:01.879
 away from idols

00:32:01.879 --> 00:32:02.480
 and to turn them

00:32:02.480 --> 00:32:03.339
 to serve the true

00:32:03.339 --> 00:32:04.179
 and living God.

00:32:05.119 --> 00:32:06.439
 We may scoff

00:32:06.439 --> 00:32:06.919
 at the idea

00:32:06.919 --> 00:32:07.579
 of bowing down

00:32:07.579 --> 00:32:08.639
 to little idols now.

00:32:08.799 --> 00:32:08.960
 You know,

00:32:09.019 --> 00:32:09.960
 we think it's ridiculous

00:32:09.960 --> 00:32:12.299
 but how many of us

00:32:12.299 --> 00:32:13.220
 bow down each day

00:32:13.220 --> 00:32:14.740
 to our TV idol?

00:32:15.419 --> 00:32:16.079
 How many of us

00:32:16.079 --> 00:32:16.679
 bow down to our

00:32:16.679 --> 00:32:17.439
 computer idol,

00:32:17.519 --> 00:32:18.200
 our phone idol?

00:32:18.659 --> 00:32:19.299
 We may not have

00:32:19.299 --> 00:32:19.960
 little statues

00:32:19.960 --> 00:32:20.799
 that we fear

00:32:20.799 --> 00:32:21.519
 and we appease

00:32:21.519 --> 00:32:22.299
 but we fear

00:32:22.299 --> 00:32:23.019
 losing our internet

00:32:23.019 --> 00:32:24.359
 connection for a day.

00:32:25.559 --> 00:32:26.480
 We appease

00:32:26.480 --> 00:32:27.500
 our God of stuff

00:32:27.500 --> 00:32:27.960
 and gadget

00:32:27.960 --> 00:32:28.720
 by making them

00:32:28.720 --> 00:32:29.279
 the focus

00:32:29.279 --> 00:32:30.359
 of our energies

00:32:30.359 --> 00:32:31.039
 and our time

00:32:31.039 --> 00:32:31.559
 and our money.

00:32:33.159 --> 00:32:34.119
 Or maybe not,

00:32:34.200 --> 00:32:34.839
 maybe for others

00:32:34.839 --> 00:32:35.720
 it's your work,

00:32:36.299 --> 00:32:36.899
 your desk,

00:32:37.839 --> 00:32:38.339
 the importance

00:32:38.339 --> 00:32:39.139
 of your desk at work,

00:32:39.399 --> 00:32:40.819
 the fields you work in

00:32:40.819 --> 00:32:41.460
 as farmers.

00:32:42.299 --> 00:32:42.899
 You're so eager

00:32:42.899 --> 00:32:43.639
 to do our jobs

00:32:43.639 --> 00:32:44.440
 that we don't have time

00:32:44.440 --> 00:32:45.379
 for the true and living God

00:32:45.379 --> 00:32:46.220
 and they're our idols.

00:32:46.220 --> 00:32:48.660
 Or we worship people,

00:32:48.860 --> 00:32:50.059
 we worship our partners,

00:32:50.259 --> 00:32:50.819
 our spouses,

00:32:50.960 --> 00:32:51.460
 our children,

00:32:51.940 --> 00:32:53.100
 they rule our lives

00:32:53.100 --> 00:32:53.940
 and we fear

00:32:53.940 --> 00:32:54.720
 messing them up

00:32:54.720 --> 00:32:55.140
 or we fear

00:32:55.140 --> 00:32:56.140
 messing up the relationship

00:32:56.140 --> 00:32:57.319
 and that dominates us.

00:32:57.880 --> 00:32:59.140
 We have to appease them.

00:33:01.360 --> 00:33:01.700
 We,

00:33:02.480 --> 00:33:03.100
 I,

00:33:03.759 --> 00:33:04.900
 am the superstitious

00:33:04.900 --> 00:33:06.980
 21st century equivalent

00:33:06.980 --> 00:33:08.640
 of the Thessalonians.

00:33:08.640 --> 00:33:12.220
 We are the simple creatures

00:33:12.220 --> 00:33:14.660
 with our created gods,

00:33:15.320 --> 00:33:16.120
 worshipping them

00:33:16.120 --> 00:33:16.920
 instead of turning

00:33:16.920 --> 00:33:18.400
 to the living God

00:33:18.400 --> 00:33:19.200
 and serving Him.

00:33:21.000 --> 00:33:21.940
 We need

00:33:21.940 --> 00:33:23.500
 the power

00:33:23.500 --> 00:33:24.660
 of the gospel

00:33:24.660 --> 00:33:26.500
 to rescue us

00:33:26.500 --> 00:33:27.380
 and to turn us

00:33:27.380 --> 00:33:28.200
 towards the Savior

00:33:28.200 --> 00:33:28.740
 from heaven.

00:33:32.960 --> 00:33:33.880
 Verse 5,

00:33:33.980 --> 00:33:34.520
 because our gospel

00:33:34.520 --> 00:33:34.940
 came to you

00:33:34.940 --> 00:33:35.960
 not simply with words

00:33:35.960 --> 00:33:37.440
 but also with power

00:33:37.440 --> 00:33:39.079
 with the Holy Spirit.

00:33:39.940 --> 00:33:40.660
 So what's up

00:33:40.660 --> 00:33:41.740
 with the Holy Spirit then?

00:33:42.160 --> 00:33:43.120
 Why does he get a mention?

00:33:43.819 --> 00:33:44.880
 We know the content

00:33:44.880 --> 00:33:45.440
 of the gospel,

00:33:45.579 --> 00:33:46.380
 we've spoken about that,

00:33:46.440 --> 00:33:46.799
 the words,

00:33:46.880 --> 00:33:47.539
 we see the power

00:33:47.539 --> 00:33:48.059
 of the gospel

00:33:48.059 --> 00:33:48.819
 to change lives

00:33:48.819 --> 00:33:49.660
 and then we hear

00:33:49.660 --> 00:33:50.400
 that the Holy Spirit

00:33:50.400 --> 00:33:51.400
 is part of this message

00:33:51.400 --> 00:33:51.740
 coming.

00:33:53.259 --> 00:33:54.059
 There's lots

00:33:54.059 --> 00:33:54.500
 and lots

00:33:54.500 --> 00:33:54.860
 and lots

00:33:54.860 --> 00:33:55.319
 we could say

00:33:55.319 --> 00:33:55.819
 about the work

00:33:55.819 --> 00:33:56.620
 of the Holy Spirit

00:33:56.620 --> 00:33:57.680
 in bringing

00:33:57.680 --> 00:33:58.700
 the gospel message.

00:33:59.740 --> 00:34:01.620
 He convicts people

00:34:01.620 --> 00:34:02.160
 of sin,

00:34:02.539 --> 00:34:03.180
 makes them aware

00:34:03.180 --> 00:34:03.759
 of their sin.

00:34:04.059 --> 00:34:04.900
 He brings about

00:34:04.900 --> 00:34:05.759
 the new birth,

00:34:05.920 --> 00:34:07.160
 the change inside

00:34:07.160 --> 00:34:07.960
 where people are able

00:34:07.960 --> 00:34:08.700
 to follow God

00:34:08.700 --> 00:34:09.840
 and he comes to live

00:34:09.840 --> 00:34:10.700
 inside the believer

00:34:10.700 --> 00:34:11.480
 and empower them.

00:34:12.740 --> 00:34:13.360
 I'm not going to try

00:34:13.360 --> 00:34:14.160
 and squeeze all that

00:34:14.160 --> 00:34:14.519
 in here

00:34:14.519 --> 00:34:16.160
 because we know

00:34:16.160 --> 00:34:16.680
 that the work

00:34:16.680 --> 00:34:17.180
 of the Spirit

00:34:17.180 --> 00:34:18.820
 is so massive

00:34:18.820 --> 00:34:19.599
 in this whole area.

00:34:20.720 --> 00:34:21.539
 But let's look for

00:34:21.539 --> 00:34:23.740
 why I think Paul

00:34:23.740 --> 00:34:24.800
 included this here.

00:34:25.559 --> 00:34:25.960
 Again,

00:34:26.099 --> 00:34:26.639
 trying to stick

00:34:26.639 --> 00:34:27.420
 to the context

00:34:27.420 --> 00:34:28.000
 of the passage

00:34:28.000 --> 00:34:28.660
 and what it says

00:34:28.660 --> 00:34:29.400
 rather than reading

00:34:29.400 --> 00:34:30.320
 in all that we could

00:34:30.320 --> 00:34:31.780
 to see what it says.

00:34:31.940 --> 00:34:33.119
 Let's look for the clues.

00:34:34.900 --> 00:34:36.820
 It's verse 6,

00:34:36.920 --> 00:34:37.360
 I think.

00:34:38.360 --> 00:34:39.340
 I think verse 6

00:34:39.340 --> 00:34:40.500
 is a big help

00:34:40.500 --> 00:34:41.079
 in understanding

00:34:41.079 --> 00:34:42.240
 the role of the Holy Spirit

00:34:42.240 --> 00:34:43.960
 in the message coming.

00:34:45.220 --> 00:34:46.079
 You became imitators

00:34:46.079 --> 00:34:46.440
 of us

00:34:46.440 --> 00:34:47.360
 and of the Lord

00:34:47.360 --> 00:34:48.840
 in spite of severe suffering.

00:34:49.280 --> 00:34:50.519
 You welcome the message

00:34:50.519 --> 00:34:51.460
 with the joy

00:34:51.460 --> 00:34:52.820
 given by the Holy Spirit.

00:34:53.720 --> 00:34:54.980
 You see the two things linked?

00:34:55.740 --> 00:34:56.519
 The message,

00:34:57.180 --> 00:34:57.740
 the Spirit.

00:34:57.739 --> 00:35:00.759
 And the reference

00:35:00.759 --> 00:35:01.199
 to the Holy Spirit

00:35:01.199 --> 00:35:01.759
 brings us back

00:35:01.759 --> 00:35:02.779
 to the context again

00:35:02.779 --> 00:35:03.319
 of the letter

00:35:03.319 --> 00:35:04.119
 and the context

00:35:04.119 --> 00:35:05.099
 of how the church

00:35:05.099 --> 00:35:05.619
 was born

00:35:05.619 --> 00:35:06.479
 and it makes sense.

00:35:07.199 --> 00:35:07.919
 The church was born

00:35:07.919 --> 00:35:08.899
 in severe suffering.

00:35:09.919 --> 00:35:10.719
 Churches do not always

00:35:10.719 --> 00:35:11.399
 start out

00:35:11.399 --> 00:35:12.599
 or indeed continue

00:35:12.599 --> 00:35:13.299
 in prosperity

00:35:13.299 --> 00:35:13.879
 and blessing.

00:35:14.419 --> 00:35:14.779
 In fact,

00:35:14.919 --> 00:35:15.719
 many churches

00:35:15.719 --> 00:35:17.179
 are born

00:35:17.179 --> 00:35:18.239
 in suffering.

00:35:19.619 --> 00:35:20.639
 Paul suffered.

00:35:22.159 --> 00:35:23.159
 Acts 17.

00:35:23.559 --> 00:35:24.479
 The local believers

00:35:24.479 --> 00:35:24.879
 suffered.

00:35:25.700 --> 00:35:26.579
 They were arrested.

00:35:27.180 --> 00:35:28.519
 They faced being dragged

00:35:28.519 --> 00:35:29.300
 from their homes

00:35:29.300 --> 00:35:30.119
 and brought before

00:35:30.119 --> 00:35:31.000
 the magistrates.

00:35:31.619 --> 00:35:32.420
 They had enemies

00:35:32.420 --> 00:35:33.200
 who were actively

00:35:33.200 --> 00:35:34.440
 seeking to persecute them.

00:35:35.640 --> 00:35:36.460
 They were suffering

00:35:36.460 --> 00:35:37.640
 for the gospel

00:35:37.640 --> 00:35:38.900
 and because of the gospel.

00:35:41.140 --> 00:35:42.119
 Think about that.

00:35:43.059 --> 00:35:44.200
 In order to welcome

00:35:44.200 --> 00:35:44.880
 that message,

00:35:45.160 --> 00:35:45.840
 what that meant,

00:35:46.539 --> 00:35:47.860
 in such circumstances,

00:35:48.519 --> 00:35:49.539
 would you welcome

00:35:49.539 --> 00:35:50.000
 the message?

00:35:50.099 --> 00:35:50.900
 Would you be so quick

00:35:50.900 --> 00:35:51.980
 to switch your allegiances?

00:35:53.000 --> 00:35:53.440
 Seriously,

00:35:53.440 --> 00:35:55.760
 why ditch your current

00:35:55.760 --> 00:35:57.460
 kind of harmless idols

00:35:57.460 --> 00:35:57.820
 maybe,

00:35:58.460 --> 00:35:58.760
 you know,

00:35:58.860 --> 00:35:59.559
 from what you can see,

00:35:59.639 --> 00:36:00.519
 things you can control,

00:36:00.760 --> 00:36:02.220
 and bring such suffering

00:36:02.220 --> 00:36:02.900
 on yourself

00:36:02.900 --> 00:36:06.639
 because of the Holy Spirit.

00:36:07.460 --> 00:36:08.860
 The end of verse 6.

00:36:09.900 --> 00:36:10.400
 They endured

00:36:10.400 --> 00:36:11.300
 all of that suffering

00:36:11.300 --> 00:36:12.619
 with joy.

00:36:13.039 --> 00:36:14.039
 With joy

00:36:14.039 --> 00:36:15.960
 given by the Holy Spirit.

00:36:16.579 --> 00:36:17.139
 Ah, come on.

00:36:17.900 --> 00:36:18.380
 Suffering?

00:36:19.280 --> 00:36:19.659
 Okay.

00:36:19.900 --> 00:36:20.619
 With joy?

00:36:21.199 --> 00:36:21.639
 Really?

00:36:22.719 --> 00:36:23.219
 No one.

00:36:23.420 --> 00:36:24.440
 No one finds joy

00:36:24.440 --> 00:36:25.199
 in being dragged

00:36:25.199 --> 00:36:26.440
 before the courts

00:36:26.440 --> 00:36:27.739
 and having to be bailed out

00:36:27.739 --> 00:36:28.799
 in order to keep the peace.

00:36:30.279 --> 00:36:31.400
 But that's exactly

00:36:31.400 --> 00:36:32.259
 what this is saying.

00:36:33.839 --> 00:36:35.099
 The Holy Spirit

00:36:35.099 --> 00:36:36.719
 enables joy

00:36:36.719 --> 00:36:37.380
 in suffering.

00:36:38.900 --> 00:36:39.779
 And it's one of the things,

00:36:39.839 --> 00:36:40.619
 one of the qualities,

00:36:40.779 --> 00:36:40.980
 I think,

00:36:41.000 --> 00:36:41.900
 of the Christian message

00:36:41.900 --> 00:36:42.619
 that makes it

00:36:42.619 --> 00:36:43.839
 unique.

00:36:43.840 --> 00:36:46.340
 it's not a message

00:36:46.340 --> 00:36:47.900
 primarily of success,

00:36:48.120 --> 00:36:48.579
 of wealth,

00:36:48.740 --> 00:36:49.260
 of healing,

00:36:49.780 --> 00:36:50.480
 of conquest,

00:36:50.620 --> 00:36:51.220
 of achievement,

00:36:51.760 --> 00:36:52.579
 of ultimate victory

00:36:52.579 --> 00:36:53.360
 in this life.

00:36:54.400 --> 00:36:55.720
 Because that's what the Jews

00:36:55.720 --> 00:36:56.500
 were expecting,

00:36:56.600 --> 00:36:56.920
 wasn't it,

00:36:56.940 --> 00:36:57.539
 from the Messiah.

00:36:58.300 --> 00:36:59.300
 But Paul taught them

00:36:59.300 --> 00:36:59.880
 in the synagogue

00:36:59.880 --> 00:37:01.500
 that the Messiah

00:37:01.500 --> 00:37:03.160
 must suffer.

00:37:04.380 --> 00:37:05.079
 It's a message

00:37:05.079 --> 00:37:05.800
 of joy,

00:37:05.920 --> 00:37:06.240
 yes,

00:37:06.720 --> 00:37:07.559
 in suffering.

00:37:07.559 --> 00:37:09.360
 Of a Savior

00:37:09.360 --> 00:37:10.200
 who suffered

00:37:10.200 --> 00:37:11.420
 and died.

00:37:11.420 --> 00:37:13.260
 And it's such joy

00:37:13.260 --> 00:37:14.280
 that characterizes

00:37:14.280 --> 00:37:15.820
 the Spirit's work

00:37:15.820 --> 00:37:16.720
 in bringing the gospel.

00:37:17.300 --> 00:37:17.860
 It's a joy

00:37:17.860 --> 00:37:18.480
 that welcomes

00:37:18.480 --> 00:37:19.119
 the message

00:37:19.119 --> 00:37:20.200
 of a servant king

00:37:20.200 --> 00:37:22.579
 who was spat on,

00:37:23.480 --> 00:37:24.159
 who was whipped,

00:37:24.300 --> 00:37:24.860
 who was beaten.

00:37:26.460 --> 00:37:27.639
 Jesus was devoid

00:37:27.639 --> 00:37:28.300
 of property

00:37:28.300 --> 00:37:29.639
 and health

00:37:29.639 --> 00:37:30.720
 and well-being

00:37:30.720 --> 00:37:31.480
 in the end.

00:37:32.599 --> 00:37:33.360
 He was actually

00:37:33.360 --> 00:37:33.920
 stripped

00:37:33.920 --> 00:37:35.820
 of his last clothes

00:37:35.820 --> 00:37:36.760
 as he went

00:37:36.760 --> 00:37:37.400
 to the cross.

00:37:38.019 --> 00:37:38.920
 He hung there

00:37:38.920 --> 00:37:39.460
 naked,

00:37:39.960 --> 00:37:41.400
 naked on a tree.

00:37:41.420 --> 00:37:42.300
 a torture instrument

00:37:42.300 --> 00:37:43.680
 for the world

00:37:43.680 --> 00:37:44.260
 to mock.

00:37:46.119 --> 00:37:47.720
 We need the Holy Spirit.

00:37:48.619 --> 00:37:49.300
 We need him

00:37:49.300 --> 00:37:50.280
 to bring about joy

00:37:50.280 --> 00:37:52.720
 in such a spectacle.

00:37:54.099 --> 00:37:55.800
 For there's no human joy

00:37:55.800 --> 00:37:57.940
 in looking at the cross.

00:37:59.280 --> 00:38:00.599
 There's no human source

00:38:00.599 --> 00:38:01.220
 for that joy

00:38:01.220 --> 00:38:02.360
 in the sufferings of Christ.

00:38:03.000 --> 00:38:04.220
 Or there's no human joy

00:38:04.220 --> 00:38:05.320
 to want to follow that.

00:38:05.940 --> 00:38:06.800
 Or to want to suffer

00:38:06.800 --> 00:38:07.420
 like that.

00:38:07.420 --> 00:38:10.440
 Can the followers

00:38:10.440 --> 00:38:12.220
 expect it to be treated

00:38:12.220 --> 00:38:13.380
 better than their master?

00:38:14.780 --> 00:38:15.900
 Oh, that the message

00:38:15.900 --> 00:38:16.680
 of the cross,

00:38:16.880 --> 00:38:18.400
 the message of the cross

00:38:18.400 --> 00:38:19.320
 would go hand in hand

00:38:19.320 --> 00:38:19.940
 with the joy

00:38:19.940 --> 00:38:20.880
 of the Holy Spirit

00:38:20.880 --> 00:38:23.320
 so that when we see Jesus,

00:38:23.820 --> 00:38:25.240
 we see a glorious

00:38:25.240 --> 00:38:26.400
 suffering king.

00:38:26.400 --> 00:38:31.660
 back to verse 5

00:38:31.660 --> 00:38:32.320
 and the final

00:38:32.320 --> 00:38:34.139
 thing that the gospel

00:38:34.139 --> 00:38:34.840
 came with,

00:38:35.000 --> 00:38:35.700
 the message.

00:38:36.619 --> 00:38:37.460
 The gospel came to you

00:38:37.460 --> 00:38:38.500
 not simply with words,

00:38:39.660 --> 00:38:40.440
 but with power,

00:38:40.660 --> 00:38:41.660
 with the Holy Spirit,

00:38:42.320 --> 00:38:43.519
 and with deep conviction.

00:38:44.780 --> 00:38:45.860
 The final piece

00:38:45.860 --> 00:38:46.840
 for the Thessalonians

00:38:46.840 --> 00:38:47.400
 was that it came

00:38:47.400 --> 00:38:48.059
 with deep conviction.

00:38:48.240 --> 00:38:48.700
 This, I think,

00:38:48.960 --> 00:38:49.599
 shifts our attention

00:38:49.599 --> 00:38:51.099
 somewhat from the message

00:38:51.099 --> 00:38:52.220
 to the messenger.

00:38:52.219 --> 00:38:53.959
 And it's something

00:38:53.959 --> 00:38:55.279
 if you're reading Thessalonians

00:38:55.279 --> 00:38:55.879
 as we've read

00:38:55.879 --> 00:38:56.739
 chapter 1 this morning,

00:38:56.779 --> 00:38:57.399
 we're going to be

00:38:57.399 --> 00:38:57.899
 going through it

00:38:57.899 --> 00:38:58.519
 for a couple of months,

00:38:58.799 --> 00:39:00.519
 that we can't get away from.

00:39:01.139 --> 00:39:03.419
 The who is so very important

00:39:03.419 --> 00:39:05.039
 to this letter.

00:39:05.859 --> 00:39:07.259
 Paul reminds them,

00:39:07.319 --> 00:39:07.679
 doesn't he,

00:39:07.719 --> 00:39:08.919
 in the latter part

00:39:08.919 --> 00:39:09.539
 of verse 5,

00:39:09.859 --> 00:39:11.559
 of what deep conviction

00:39:11.559 --> 00:39:13.399
 looks like.

00:39:14.399 --> 00:39:15.759
 You know how we lived

00:39:15.759 --> 00:39:17.359
 among you for your sake.

00:39:18.719 --> 00:39:19.879
 Full assurance

00:39:19.880 --> 00:39:21.840
 by Paul in the message.

00:39:22.720 --> 00:39:22.920
 You see,

00:39:23.000 --> 00:39:23.599
 Paul isn't some

00:39:23.599 --> 00:39:24.700
 hired sales rep

00:39:24.700 --> 00:39:25.340
 for the latest

00:39:25.340 --> 00:39:26.160
 religious fad

00:39:26.160 --> 00:39:27.300
 that he's trying to sell

00:39:27.300 --> 00:39:28.400
 into these new places

00:39:28.400 --> 00:39:28.920
 that's come out

00:39:28.920 --> 00:39:29.599
 of the Holy Land.

00:39:30.099 --> 00:39:30.340
 You see,

00:39:30.440 --> 00:39:31.420
 Paul is fully assured

00:39:31.420 --> 00:39:32.140
 of his message

00:39:32.140 --> 00:39:34.480
 and deeply convinced

00:39:34.480 --> 00:39:35.700
 that it is the power

00:39:35.700 --> 00:39:36.820
 of God for salvation,

00:39:36.940 --> 00:39:37.619
 the only message

00:39:37.619 --> 00:39:38.180
 worth bringing.

00:39:39.240 --> 00:39:40.240
 So Paul not only

00:39:40.240 --> 00:39:41.140
 shares the message,

00:39:41.640 --> 00:39:43.340
 but Paul shares

00:39:43.340 --> 00:39:44.640
 his very life

00:39:44.640 --> 00:39:45.480
 with the believers.

00:39:46.320 --> 00:39:46.900
 He is willing

00:39:46.900 --> 00:39:48.780
 to model Jesus

00:39:48.780 --> 00:39:49.500
 to them.

00:39:49.500 --> 00:39:50.920
 So that in verse 6,

00:39:51.199 --> 00:39:52.300
 the Thessalonians

00:39:52.300 --> 00:39:53.079
 become imitators

00:39:53.079 --> 00:39:53.719
 of Paul

00:39:53.719 --> 00:39:54.980
 and in turn

00:39:54.980 --> 00:39:56.159
 imitators of the Lord.

00:39:57.780 --> 00:39:58.139
 And again,

00:39:58.280 --> 00:39:59.159
 how did Paul imitate

00:39:59.159 --> 00:39:59.800
 his saviour?

00:40:01.119 --> 00:40:02.260
 Through his joy

00:40:02.260 --> 00:40:03.559
 in suffering.

00:40:05.039 --> 00:40:06.000
 Jesus poured

00:40:06.000 --> 00:40:06.880
 immense,

00:40:07.119 --> 00:40:08.360
 immense sufferings

00:40:08.360 --> 00:40:08.960
 into the life

00:40:08.960 --> 00:40:09.380
 of Paul.

00:40:09.460 --> 00:40:10.159
 Remember Paul,

00:40:10.579 --> 00:40:11.320
 his old name?

00:40:11.559 --> 00:40:12.079
 He used to be called

00:40:12.079 --> 00:40:12.559
 Saul.

00:40:13.539 --> 00:40:14.460
 And Saul used to go around

00:40:14.460 --> 00:40:15.539
 persecuting the Christians.

00:40:16.400 --> 00:40:17.440
 He presided over them

00:40:17.440 --> 00:40:17.980
 being killed.

00:40:17.980 --> 00:40:19.159
 He was on a mission

00:40:19.159 --> 00:40:20.400
 to eradicate the church

00:40:20.400 --> 00:40:21.740
 and God changed

00:40:21.740 --> 00:40:22.260
 his life.

00:40:23.300 --> 00:40:24.599
 The most unlikely person

00:40:24.599 --> 00:40:25.599
 to change allegiance

00:40:25.599 --> 00:40:26.219
 was Saul.

00:40:26.639 --> 00:40:28.159
 But he was transformed

00:40:28.159 --> 00:40:29.199
 by meeting Christ.

00:40:30.179 --> 00:40:31.119
 And Christ told him

00:40:31.119 --> 00:40:32.639
 he would suffer greatly

00:40:32.639 --> 00:40:33.360
 for the gospel.

00:40:34.639 --> 00:40:35.420
 Christ poured his

00:40:35.420 --> 00:40:36.300
 sufferings into Paul

00:40:36.300 --> 00:40:37.420
 and Paul received him

00:40:37.420 --> 00:40:38.199
 with joy as he went

00:40:38.199 --> 00:40:38.960
 through beatings

00:40:38.960 --> 00:40:39.559
 and imprisonments

00:40:39.559 --> 00:40:40.300
 and shipwrecked.

00:40:40.900 --> 00:40:41.960
 He had deep conviction

00:40:41.960 --> 00:40:42.800
 as he was hounded

00:40:42.800 --> 00:40:43.679
 from city to city,

00:40:43.780 --> 00:40:44.400
 keeping one step

00:40:44.400 --> 00:40:44.900
 of the people

00:40:44.900 --> 00:40:45.679
 that would kill him

00:40:45.679 --> 00:40:46.759
 for preaching this gospel.

00:40:49.799 --> 00:40:50.679
 Going through this,

00:40:50.819 --> 00:40:52.239
 it asks a question

00:40:52.239 --> 00:40:52.699
 of me.

00:40:53.539 --> 00:40:54.139
 It asks a question

00:40:54.139 --> 00:40:54.719
 of us all.

00:40:55.759 --> 00:40:56.539
 How important

00:40:56.539 --> 00:40:57.179
 is the messenger

00:40:57.179 --> 00:40:57.579
 then

00:40:57.579 --> 00:40:59.379
 in bringing the gospel?

00:41:00.440 --> 00:41:01.259
 Does the messenger

00:41:01.259 --> 00:41:01.639
 matter?

00:41:03.199 --> 00:41:04.419
 For I am no Paul

00:41:04.419 --> 00:41:06.079
 as I stand here

00:41:06.079 --> 00:41:06.519
 this morning.

00:41:06.619 --> 00:41:07.159
 As the gospel

00:41:07.159 --> 00:41:08.519
 is spoken in our service,

00:41:09.599 --> 00:41:10.919
 it's coming with words,

00:41:11.759 --> 00:41:12.319
 it is coming

00:41:12.319 --> 00:41:12.819
 with the power

00:41:12.819 --> 00:41:13.480
 to save,

00:41:13.480 --> 00:41:14.699
 and the Holy Spirit

00:41:14.699 --> 00:41:15.900
 is there for us

00:41:15.900 --> 00:41:16.940
 if we would receive him

00:41:16.940 --> 00:41:17.920
 so that we can receive

00:41:17.920 --> 00:41:18.840
 the message with joy.

00:41:19.559 --> 00:41:20.179
 But what about

00:41:20.179 --> 00:41:22.079
 the deep conviction?

00:41:24.079 --> 00:41:25.260
 And I stand exposed

00:41:25.260 --> 00:41:27.000
 for the call of God

00:41:27.000 --> 00:41:28.280
 on all of us

00:41:28.280 --> 00:41:29.400
 and on me in particular

00:41:29.400 --> 00:41:30.280
 as I stand here

00:41:30.280 --> 00:41:31.760
 is to live among you,

00:41:32.980 --> 00:41:33.820
 to live among you

00:41:33.820 --> 00:41:34.559
 for your sake,

00:41:35.340 --> 00:41:36.699
 to allow my following

00:41:36.699 --> 00:41:37.519
 of Jesus,

00:41:38.039 --> 00:41:39.260
 as it says in verse 6,

00:41:39.340 --> 00:41:40.280
 to be an example

00:41:40.280 --> 00:41:42.340
 that can be imitated

00:41:42.340 --> 00:41:42.960
 by others.

00:41:43.640 --> 00:41:44.260
 And this makes it

00:41:44.260 --> 00:41:44.860
 very personal,

00:41:44.960 --> 00:41:45.440
 doesn't it?

00:41:47.440 --> 00:41:48.320
 And as I say it,

00:41:48.340 --> 00:41:48.880
 I feel weak

00:41:48.880 --> 00:41:49.380
 and unable

00:41:49.380 --> 00:41:52.579
 for my conviction waivers

00:41:52.579 --> 00:41:53.860
 and my example

00:41:53.860 --> 00:41:54.519
 is not always

00:41:54.519 --> 00:41:55.120
 one to imitate,

00:41:55.360 --> 00:41:55.960
 but the message

00:41:55.960 --> 00:41:56.920
 must be lived out

00:41:56.920 --> 00:41:57.600
 in a community.

00:41:59.680 --> 00:42:00.680
 We're not

00:42:00.680 --> 00:42:01.760
 100-meter sprinters

00:42:01.760 --> 00:42:03.579
 competing against

00:42:03.579 --> 00:42:04.160
 one another

00:42:04.160 --> 00:42:05.500
 to get to the end.

00:42:06.620 --> 00:42:07.380
 If anything,

00:42:07.519 --> 00:42:07.880
 we're like

00:42:07.880 --> 00:42:09.660
 three-legged racers

00:42:09.659 --> 00:42:10.239
 in a marathon

00:42:10.239 --> 00:42:11.980
 holding each other

00:42:11.980 --> 00:42:13.440
 trying to get there.

00:42:14.759 --> 00:42:15.839
 So I look to you

00:42:15.839 --> 00:42:18.279
 as you look to me

00:42:18.279 --> 00:42:19.779
 as we all look

00:42:19.779 --> 00:42:20.559
 to Christ together.

00:42:21.759 --> 00:42:23.019
 The gospel is about

00:42:23.019 --> 00:42:23.719
 deep conviction

00:42:23.719 --> 00:42:24.539
 to the message

00:42:24.539 --> 00:42:26.199
 and deep conviction

00:42:26.199 --> 00:42:27.039
 to other people.

00:42:28.000 --> 00:42:29.219
 It's chapter 2

00:42:29.219 --> 00:42:30.440
 and verse 8

00:42:30.440 --> 00:42:30.859
 which is such

00:42:30.859 --> 00:42:31.500
 a great summary.

00:42:31.960 --> 00:42:33.379
 I had to go ahead

00:42:33.379 --> 00:42:33.980
 and pluck it out.

00:42:34.079 --> 00:42:34.819
 Apologies to whoever

00:42:34.819 --> 00:42:35.279
 is preaching

00:42:35.279 --> 00:42:36.759
 on chapter 2

00:42:36.759 --> 00:42:37.359
 and verse 8.

00:42:37.360 --> 00:42:40.180
 We loved you

00:42:40.180 --> 00:42:40.840
 so much

00:42:40.840 --> 00:42:42.700
 that we were delighted

00:42:42.700 --> 00:42:43.599
 to share with you

00:42:43.599 --> 00:42:45.120
 not only the gospel

00:42:45.120 --> 00:42:45.740
 of God

00:42:45.740 --> 00:42:47.680
 but our lives

00:42:47.680 --> 00:42:48.599
 as well

00:42:48.599 --> 00:42:49.500
 because you had

00:42:49.500 --> 00:42:50.539
 become so dear

00:42:50.539 --> 00:42:51.860
 to us.

00:42:53.019 --> 00:42:53.640
 The messenger

00:42:53.640 --> 00:42:55.280
 is part of God's purpose.

00:42:56.120 --> 00:42:56.740
 Not that God

00:42:56.740 --> 00:42:58.160
 is dependent on us

00:42:58.160 --> 00:42:58.599
 for he can

00:42:58.599 --> 00:43:00.400
 and he sometimes

00:43:00.400 --> 00:43:01.019
 does use

00:43:01.019 --> 00:43:01.680
 different means

00:43:01.680 --> 00:43:02.140
 to reach people

00:43:02.140 --> 00:43:02.780
 but I think

00:43:02.780 --> 00:43:03.720
 his normal method

00:43:03.720 --> 00:43:04.680
 in building his church

00:43:04.680 --> 00:43:05.740
 is person to person

00:43:05.739 --> 00:43:07.379
 and we have to be

00:43:07.379 --> 00:43:08.399
 that daily example

00:43:08.399 --> 00:43:09.019
 of Christ

00:43:09.019 --> 00:43:09.899
 and his selfless

00:43:09.899 --> 00:43:10.439
 suffering

00:43:10.439 --> 00:43:11.919
 to each other.

00:43:12.979 --> 00:43:13.719
 Are you willing

00:43:13.719 --> 00:43:14.919
 to share your life

00:43:14.919 --> 00:43:15.719
 with the person

00:43:15.719 --> 00:43:16.439
 next to you?

00:43:18.019 --> 00:43:19.439
 The person behind you?

00:43:19.559 --> 00:43:20.139
 The people

00:43:20.139 --> 00:43:21.119
 that are out

00:43:21.119 --> 00:43:22.539
 in junior church

00:43:22.539 --> 00:43:23.359
 and up in creche?

00:43:25.119 --> 00:43:25.859
 How deep

00:43:25.859 --> 00:43:26.579
 is your conviction?

00:43:28.379 --> 00:43:29.539
 Maybe it's just

00:43:29.539 --> 00:43:30.500
 enough

00:43:30.500 --> 00:43:31.759
 to be here

00:43:31.759 --> 00:43:32.219
 on Sunday

00:43:32.219 --> 00:43:32.779
 for a couple

00:43:32.779 --> 00:43:33.259
 of hours.

00:43:33.260 --> 00:43:35.380
 That's good.

00:43:35.700 --> 00:43:36.320
 It's a good

00:43:36.320 --> 00:43:37.040
 starting point

00:43:37.040 --> 00:43:38.140
 but I'd ask you

00:43:38.140 --> 00:43:38.980
 not to stop there.

00:43:39.200 --> 00:43:40.680
 Build on it.

00:43:41.200 --> 00:43:41.660
 Grow it.

00:43:41.860 --> 00:43:42.400
 Look to others

00:43:42.400 --> 00:43:43.000
 for an example

00:43:43.000 --> 00:43:43.640
 of what it means

00:43:43.640 --> 00:43:44.700
 to have deep conviction

00:43:44.700 --> 00:43:46.640
 and for aim

00:43:46.640 --> 00:43:47.220
 as we see

00:43:47.220 --> 00:43:48.380
 what happened here

00:43:48.380 --> 00:43:48.860
 is not just

00:43:48.860 --> 00:43:49.440
 to be an example

00:43:49.440 --> 00:43:50.100
 to one another

00:43:50.100 --> 00:43:51.140
 but for the message

00:43:51.140 --> 00:43:51.720
 to go out

00:43:51.720 --> 00:43:52.140
 as it did

00:43:52.140 --> 00:43:53.240
 in verses 7 and 8.

00:43:53.720 --> 00:43:54.360
 Do you see that?

00:43:54.600 --> 00:43:55.180
 It went out

00:43:55.180 --> 00:43:56.020
 from Macedonia

00:43:56.020 --> 00:43:56.660
 and Achaia

00:43:56.660 --> 00:43:57.660
 which is basically

00:43:57.660 --> 00:43:58.400
 the whole of Greece

00:43:58.400 --> 00:44:00.260
 and as Paul

00:44:00.260 --> 00:44:01.060
 went around

00:44:01.060 --> 00:44:03.020
 not just to other churches

00:44:03.019 --> 00:44:03.500
 but he says

00:44:03.500 --> 00:44:03.840
 everywhere.

00:44:04.079 --> 00:44:04.639
 So Paul went

00:44:04.639 --> 00:44:04.960
 to cities

00:44:04.960 --> 00:44:05.199
 where there

00:44:05.199 --> 00:44:05.940
 was no churches

00:44:05.940 --> 00:44:07.320
 and Paul says

00:44:07.320 --> 00:44:09.179
 verse 8

00:44:09.179 --> 00:44:09.860
 we do not need

00:44:09.860 --> 00:44:10.340
 to say anything

00:44:10.340 --> 00:44:10.780
 about it

00:44:10.780 --> 00:44:11.579
 for they themselves

00:44:11.579 --> 00:44:12.280
 report the kind

00:44:12.280 --> 00:44:12.699
 of reception

00:44:12.699 --> 00:44:13.340
 he gave us.

00:44:13.940 --> 00:44:15.539
 So the reputation

00:44:15.539 --> 00:44:16.599
 of the church

00:44:16.599 --> 00:44:17.340
 in Thessalonia

00:44:17.340 --> 00:44:18.900
 it went out

00:44:18.900 --> 00:44:19.320
 it went out

00:44:19.320 --> 00:44:19.759
 everywhere

00:44:19.759 --> 00:44:20.639
 and people knew

00:44:20.639 --> 00:44:21.119
 of the church.

00:44:21.300 --> 00:44:22.079
 Ah the message

00:44:22.079 --> 00:44:23.139
 yes we've heard

00:44:23.139 --> 00:44:23.800
 the message

00:44:23.800 --> 00:44:24.739
 I know you're

00:44:24.739 --> 00:44:25.219
 the first person

00:44:25.219 --> 00:44:25.639
 to bring it to us

00:44:25.639 --> 00:44:26.159
 but we've heard

00:44:26.159 --> 00:44:26.739
 the rumours

00:44:26.739 --> 00:44:27.440
 and the stories

00:44:27.440 --> 00:44:28.500
 of these people

00:44:28.500 --> 00:44:28.960
 that have turned

00:44:28.960 --> 00:44:29.360
 from idols

00:44:29.360 --> 00:44:30.599
 to serve the living God

00:44:30.599 --> 00:44:31.320
 and who are

00:44:31.320 --> 00:44:32.219
 awaiting a saviour

00:44:32.219 --> 00:44:32.839
 to rescue them

00:44:32.839 --> 00:44:33.739
 from the coming wrath

00:44:33.739 --> 00:44:34.799
 we've heard that message

00:44:34.799 --> 00:44:36.399
 and wouldn't it be great

00:44:36.399 --> 00:44:37.099
 if that's the kind

00:44:37.099 --> 00:44:38.099
 of reputation

00:44:38.099 --> 00:44:38.799
 that we had

00:44:38.799 --> 00:44:39.239
 as a church

00:44:39.239 --> 00:44:39.699
 that we went

00:44:39.699 --> 00:44:40.639
 to Kinsale

00:44:40.639 --> 00:44:42.639
 or around Cork

00:44:42.639 --> 00:44:43.500
 or Waterford

00:44:43.500 --> 00:44:44.359
 or Wexford

00:44:44.359 --> 00:44:44.799
 or Dublin

00:44:44.799 --> 00:44:45.279
 or Donegal

00:44:45.279 --> 00:44:46.259
 or further afield

00:44:46.259 --> 00:44:47.739
 that yes the church

00:44:47.739 --> 00:44:48.399
 in Carragallion

00:44:48.399 --> 00:44:49.119
 we've heard of them

00:44:49.119 --> 00:44:50.619
 they love Jesus

00:44:50.619 --> 00:44:52.959
 and it all starts

00:44:52.959 --> 00:44:53.319
 with this

00:44:53.319 --> 00:44:54.159
 welcoming the message

00:44:54.159 --> 00:44:54.639
 in the midst

00:44:54.639 --> 00:44:55.599
 of severe suffering.

00:44:55.599 --> 00:44:58.500
 I've gone well

00:44:58.500 --> 00:44:59.199
 over my time

00:44:59.199 --> 00:45:00.739
 but I have to tell you

00:45:00.739 --> 00:45:01.400
 about my Microsoft

00:45:01.400 --> 00:45:01.839
 caller

00:45:01.839 --> 00:45:02.400
 don't I?

00:45:03.119 --> 00:45:04.039
 Leaving you in suspense

00:45:04.039 --> 00:45:04.920
 that wasn't very fair.

00:45:07.259 --> 00:45:08.019
 Needless to say

00:45:08.019 --> 00:45:08.980
 he was a scammer

00:45:08.980 --> 00:45:10.360
 trying to part a fool

00:45:10.360 --> 00:45:10.960
 from his money

00:45:10.960 --> 00:45:12.839
 I didn't give in

00:45:12.839 --> 00:45:14.219
 his aim was to get

00:45:14.219 --> 00:45:15.279
 control of my computer

00:45:15.279 --> 00:45:17.179
 at which point

00:45:17.179 --> 00:45:18.299
 he would then install

00:45:18.299 --> 00:45:19.400
 the viruses on us

00:45:19.400 --> 00:45:21.420
 and then charge me

00:45:21.420 --> 00:45:22.139
 for the privilege

00:45:22.139 --> 00:45:22.960
 of removing them.

00:45:22.960 --> 00:45:24.500
 You've been warned.

00:45:25.760 --> 00:45:27.240
 His message was a lie.

00:45:28.079 --> 00:45:29.099
 The words he spoke

00:45:29.099 --> 00:45:30.940
 they were all wrong.

00:45:31.760 --> 00:45:32.880
 He had no power

00:45:32.880 --> 00:45:33.940
 to fix my computer

00:45:33.940 --> 00:45:35.400
 and I can tell you

00:45:35.400 --> 00:45:36.220
 if he got hold of it

00:45:36.220 --> 00:45:37.519
 I wouldn't have any joy

00:45:37.519 --> 00:45:38.099
 in the suffering

00:45:38.099 --> 00:45:38.880
 that was going to follow.

00:45:40.820 --> 00:45:41.900
 And I was completely

00:45:41.900 --> 00:45:42.480
 unimpressed

00:45:42.480 --> 00:45:43.519
 by his lack of assurance

00:45:43.519 --> 00:45:44.579
 when I began to question

00:45:44.579 --> 00:45:45.519
 him of his own message

00:45:45.519 --> 00:45:46.740
 and he struggled

00:45:46.740 --> 00:45:47.539
 to convince me.

00:45:48.380 --> 00:45:48.980
 So in the end

00:45:48.980 --> 00:45:49.699
 I lost nothing

00:45:49.699 --> 00:45:50.539
 by ignoring it.

00:45:51.240 --> 00:45:52.460
 In fact I was better off.

00:45:53.860 --> 00:45:54.599
 So what are you going

00:45:54.599 --> 00:45:55.400
 to do with the message

00:45:55.400 --> 00:45:56.460
 you've heard this morning?

00:45:57.599 --> 00:45:58.300
 You can treat it

00:45:58.300 --> 00:45:59.559
 in exactly the same way.

00:46:00.519 --> 00:46:01.079
 You can treat it

00:46:01.079 --> 00:46:01.619
 as a scam

00:46:01.619 --> 00:46:02.320
 and dismiss it.

00:46:03.079 --> 00:46:04.000
 Or you can weigh up

00:46:04.000 --> 00:46:04.599
 the evidence

00:46:04.599 --> 00:46:05.579
 the words

00:46:05.579 --> 00:46:06.960
 the power

00:46:06.960 --> 00:46:08.780
 the work of the spirit

00:46:08.780 --> 00:46:10.400
 and the deep conviction

00:46:10.400 --> 00:46:10.960
 of the people

00:46:10.960 --> 00:46:11.599
 that believe.

00:46:12.880 --> 00:46:13.480
 You know our church

00:46:13.480 --> 00:46:14.059
 isn't perfect

00:46:14.059 --> 00:46:15.000
 the Thessalonians

00:46:15.000 --> 00:46:15.460
 we're going to see

00:46:15.460 --> 00:46:16.059
 aren't perfect

00:46:16.059 --> 00:46:17.780
 Paul has to rebuke them

00:46:17.780 --> 00:46:18.800
 as well as encourage them.

00:46:19.699 --> 00:46:20.940
 But we must come back

00:46:20.940 --> 00:46:21.940
 time and again

00:46:21.940 --> 00:46:23.139
 and ask of our church

00:46:23.139 --> 00:46:23.800
 and of ourselves

00:46:23.800 --> 00:46:24.860
 about the gospel

00:46:24.860 --> 00:46:25.619
 we believe.

00:46:26.500 --> 00:46:27.740
 Does it have word?

00:46:28.059 --> 00:46:29.139
 Does it have power?

00:46:29.559 --> 00:46:30.360
 Does it have spirit?

00:46:30.519 --> 00:46:31.400
 Does it have conviction?

00:46:32.220 --> 00:46:33.519
 If the evidence is there

00:46:33.519 --> 00:46:35.159
 believe the gospel

00:46:35.159 --> 00:46:36.599
 and look to heaven

00:46:36.599 --> 00:46:37.460
 for a saviour

00:46:37.460 --> 00:46:38.599
 from the coming

00:46:38.599 --> 00:46:39.880
 wrath of God.

00:46:39.880 --> 00:46:53.420
 Thanks Ralph.

00:46:53.840 --> 00:46:54.960
 Well in response

00:46:54.960 --> 00:46:55.660
 to what we've heard

00:46:55.660 --> 00:46:56.400
 we're going to sing

00:46:56.400 --> 00:46:58.440
 our final song

00:46:58.440 --> 00:46:59.260
 He is the Lord

00:46:59.260 --> 00:47:01.000
 and He reigns on high

00:47:01.000 --> 00:47:03.000
 If you look at

00:47:03.000 --> 00:47:03.780
 the second verse

00:47:03.780 --> 00:47:04.880
 if you could flick that up

00:47:04.880 --> 00:47:10.079
 and He comes in power

00:47:10.079 --> 00:47:10.800
 the next one

00:47:10.800 --> 00:47:11.180
 sorry

00:47:11.180 --> 00:47:12.340
 there we are

00:47:12.340 --> 00:47:12.960
 Your gospel

00:47:12.960 --> 00:47:13.539
 O Lord

00:47:13.539 --> 00:47:14.660
 is the hope

00:47:14.660 --> 00:47:15.519
 for our nation

00:47:15.519 --> 00:47:17.140
 it's the power

00:47:17.140 --> 00:47:17.780
 of God

00:47:17.780 --> 00:47:20.099
 for our salvation

00:47:20.099 --> 00:47:21.119
 so let's stand

00:47:21.119 --> 00:47:22.380
 as we remind ourselves

00:47:22.380 --> 00:47:23.019
 and sing

00:47:23.019 --> 00:47:24.340
 of how great

00:47:24.340 --> 00:47:25.460
 our God is.

00:47:25.460 --> 00:47:25.599
 Amen.

00:47:25.599 --> 00:47:25.960
 Amen.

00:47:25.960 --> 00:47:26.460
 Amen.

00:47:26.460 --> 00:47:27.460
 Amen.

00:47:27.460 --> 00:47:28.460
 Amen.

00:47:28.460 --> 00:47:28.599
 Amen.

00:47:28.599 --> 00:47:28.640
 Amen.

00:47:28.640 --> 00:47:29.099
 Amen.

00:47:29.099 --> 00:47:30.500
 Amen.

00:47:30.500 --> 00:47:30.599
 Amen.

00:47:30.599 --> 00:47:30.640
 Amen.

00:47:30.640 --> 00:47:31.099
 Amen.

00:47:31.099 --> 00:47:31.140
 Amen.

00:47:31.140 --> 00:47:31.640
 Amen.

00:47:34.880 --> 00:47:35.780
 Amen.

00:47:35.780 --> 00:47:36.680
 Amen.

00:47:36.680 --> 00:47:36.780
 Amen.

00:47:36.960 --> 00:47:37.400
 Amen.

00:47:45.579 --> 00:47:47.579
 He is the Lord

00:47:47.579 --> 00:47:49.780
 and He reigns on high

00:47:49.780 --> 00:47:53.099
 He is the Lord

00:47:53.480 --> 00:47:56.059
 He's been to the darkness

00:47:56.059 --> 00:47:58.260
 created the light

00:47:58.260 --> 00:48:01.440
 He is the Lord

00:48:01.440 --> 00:48:06.440
 Who is like unto Him ever ending in days

00:48:07.019 --> 00:48:09.840
 He is the Lord

00:48:09.840 --> 00:48:12.820
 And He comes in power

00:48:12.820 --> 00:48:15.099
 We call on His name

00:48:15.099 --> 00:48:18.679
 He is the Lord

00:48:18.679 --> 00:48:21.900
 Show Your power

00:48:21.900 --> 00:48:26.440
 O Lord our God

00:48:26.440 --> 00:48:30.159
 Show Your power

00:48:30.159 --> 00:48:34.759
 O Lord our God

00:48:34.759 --> 00:48:37.799
 O Lord our God

00:48:37.799 --> 00:48:41.759
 Your gospel, O Lord

00:48:41.759 --> 00:48:44.099
 Is the hope for our nation

00:48:44.099 --> 00:48:47.759
 You are the Lord

00:48:47.759 --> 00:48:50.199
 The power of God

00:48:50.199 --> 00:48:52.239
 For our salvation

00:48:52.239 --> 00:48:56.039
 You are the Lord

00:48:56.039 --> 00:48:58.420
 We ask not for riches

00:48:58.420 --> 00:49:00.680
 But look to the cross

00:49:00.680 --> 00:49:04.280
 You are the Lord

00:49:04.280 --> 00:49:06.920
 For our inheritance

00:49:06.920 --> 00:49:08.820
 Give us the lost

00:49:08.820 --> 00:49:12.320
 You are the Lord

00:49:12.320 --> 00:49:15.420
 Show Your power

00:49:15.420 --> 00:49:23.059
 Show Your power

00:49:23.059 --> 00:49:23.599
 Show Your power

00:49:23.599 --> 00:49:28.280
 O Lord our God

00:49:28.280 --> 00:49:31.820
 Show Your power

00:49:31.820 --> 00:49:32.820
 Show Your power

00:49:32.820 --> 00:49:37.100
 O Lord our God

00:49:37.100 --> 00:49:40.000
 Show Your power

00:49:40.000 --> 00:49:44.700
 O Lord our God

00:49:44.700 --> 00:49:47.700
 O Lord our God

00:49:47.699 --> 00:49:51.599
 Please do take a seat

00:49:51.599 --> 00:49:56.659
 Just a couple of instructions

00:49:56.659 --> 00:49:58.119
 And then I'm going to pray

00:49:58.119 --> 00:50:00.119
 And we're going to have lunch now

00:50:00.119 --> 00:50:02.779
 Which is going to be served over where the hatch is

00:50:02.779 --> 00:50:04.939
 And so there's going to be tables there

00:50:04.939 --> 00:50:08.279
 So a couple of volunteers to get the tables that are behind the screen

00:50:08.279 --> 00:50:08.980
 Put them there

00:50:08.980 --> 00:50:11.599
 And anybody who can help bring the food out

00:50:11.599 --> 00:50:13.360
 If you've got children

00:50:13.360 --> 00:50:15.380
 If you could kind of look after them

00:50:15.380 --> 00:50:18.159
 And then we're going to form a nice orderly queue

00:50:18.159 --> 00:50:19.579
 As we always do

00:50:19.579 --> 00:50:22.000
 Over that way to there

00:50:22.000 --> 00:50:22.860
 Pick up your dinner

00:50:22.860 --> 00:50:24.319
 A drink

00:50:24.319 --> 00:50:25.940
 And then just sit around

00:50:25.940 --> 00:50:27.219
 And chat

00:50:27.219 --> 00:50:29.199
 To people as well

00:50:29.199 --> 00:50:30.699
 So I'm going to give thanks to God

00:50:30.699 --> 00:50:32.460
 For the food that we're going to have now

00:50:32.460 --> 00:50:36.619
 And please just use this time just to chat

00:50:36.619 --> 00:50:40.559
 We're here to celebrate the arrival of Ben

00:50:40.559 --> 00:50:44.240
 Celebrate Peter and Maeve are leaving in the right way

00:50:44.240 --> 00:50:45.400
 You understand that

00:50:45.400 --> 00:50:47.500
 But let's pray

00:50:47.500 --> 00:50:50.500
 Father thank you so much for your goodness

00:50:50.500 --> 00:50:54.380
 Thank you most of all for the gospel

00:50:54.380 --> 00:50:57.840
 For that message that has come to us

00:50:57.840 --> 00:51:01.720
 We pray that you would work it into our lives

00:51:01.719 --> 00:51:05.199
 Convincing us of its truth

00:51:05.199 --> 00:51:08.959
 Changing us and transforming us

00:51:08.959 --> 00:51:13.319
 We thank you now for the food that we are going to enjoy together

00:51:13.319 --> 00:51:17.500
 We thank you for the reasons that we are having this lunch

00:51:17.500 --> 00:51:18.899
 For little Ben

00:51:18.899 --> 00:51:20.500
 For his family

00:51:20.500 --> 00:51:25.219
 Thank you that we can celebrate these great gifts that you give to us

00:51:25.219 --> 00:51:27.639
 Thank you also for Peter and Maeve

00:51:27.639 --> 00:51:30.419
 And we pray your blessing on them

00:51:30.420 --> 00:51:32.300
 So we thank you Father

00:51:32.300 --> 00:51:34.960
 For each and every one of your good gifts

00:51:34.960 --> 00:51:36.200
 In Jesus name

00:51:36.200 --> 00:51:37.420
 Amen

00:51:37.420 --> 00:51:43.800
 Thank you I thank you for the puppy that we are lettingسم학INE

00:51:43.800 --> 00:51:46.900
 For their family to pursue Seymour

00:51:46.900 --> 00:51:48.340
 In Jesus name

00:51:48.340 --> 00:51:49.039
 Amen

00:51:49.039 --> 00:51:50.159
 So we sharing the information that we are going to estudium

00:51:50.159 --> 00:51:51.760
 Angelus

00:51:51.760 --> 00:51:53.000
 Who's going to get to find the School of Housing

00:51:53.000 --> 00:51:53.920
 What other things are trying to do here

00:51:54.960 --> 00:51:55.119
 Those children,...

00:51:55.119 --> 00:52:07.380
 A mother

00:52:07.420 --> 00:52:37.400
 Thank you.

00:52:37.420 --> 00:53:07.400
 Thank you.

00:53:07.420 --> 00:53:09.420
 Thank you.

00:53:37.420 --> 00:53:39.420
 Thank you.

00:54:07.420 --> 00:54:09.420
 Thank you.

00:54:37.420 --> 00:54:39.420
 Thank you.

00:55:07.420 --> 00:55:09.420
 Thank you.