WEBVTT

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 If you were to summarize all of that just in one simple phrase and sentence, for you, what would it be? Alex, what would it be for you?

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 God on the mood to reach every tribe, tongue and nation, spirit, people spurred on by the death and resurrection of Christ.

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 God on the mood to every tribe and tongue spurred on by the death and the resurrection of Christ.

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 This message that has to keep going.

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 This message that, hey, there is going to be suffering.

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 There is going to be persecution and there is death.

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 And yet there is someone who dealt with death.

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 And this message is going to keep moving to the point where we read Revelation 7, where every tribe and tongue will be worshipping God.

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 And that will be it.

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 Flo, what is it for you?

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 The Holy Spirit's movement in and through and for the church.

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 There are so many things that happen in the book of Acts.

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 And we're going to go through four chapters today because simply there's just too much.

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 But there's a couple of things that are for certain.

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 All of this is done by the Holy Spirit.

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 If you look at the beginning of your book, actually, there's not going to be one passage that we read today, but we're going to be flying through.

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 So if you look at the Bible, the title, Acts chapter 1, is the Acts of the Apostles.

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 That's what it says, at least in my one.

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 That's what it says.

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 That's the title, the Acts of the Apostles.

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 When really I would say, no, it's the Acts of the Holy Spirit through the Apostles.

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 If there's one common denominator in all of this, it's the Holy Spirit.

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 If there's also something else that is consistent throughout, it's that there will be pain.

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 It won't be easy.

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 This message that keeps going through is the most important thing we'll ever hear.

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 But it is also the hardest thing we'll ever hear.

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 And that's what we see as we go through the book of Acts.

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 And really, we reach this point where we, my hope is that we are sat here like, okay, what do I have to do?

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 This message is going to keep going, with or without me.

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 But what is it that I need to do?

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 Why am I gathering here?

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 And where must I scatter to?

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 Some of us are like, okay, I get it.

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 But just speaking to that colleague, speaking to that family, speaking to that friend, it's just hard.

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 What if they don't receive it well?

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 What if they mock me?

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 What if they never talk to me again?

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 And we're all strapped with this kind of fear that we have.

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 What if that happens if we share the gospel?

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 Well, let me kind of allay that fear for you.

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 It will happen.

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 If it happened to Peter, if it happened to Jesus, if it happened to Paul, the chances are it's going to happen to us.

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 So let me get rid of that fear right now.

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 It's happening.

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 But sometimes it's the fear of the unknown that really paralyzes us.

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 What if we just change the way we think and go, actually, we're going to go and share the gospel.

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 And there will be people guaranteed, absolutely, who will not receive it well.

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 Does that change things for you?

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 Maybe a few months ago now, I asked a few of us, well, who's in full-time ministry?

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 And the answer should be all of us are in full-time ministry.

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 And we've just been seconded to the work fields that we're in.

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 We've been seconded to the friendship groups and to the families that we're supposed to be in.

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 I listened to this podcast this week that featured our dear Queenie Lau, who, oh, you should listen to it.

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 If you're interested, let me know and I'll send you the link.

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 She just had this conviction.

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 She's like, I am so clear that God placed me where I am working.

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 That's the reason why I'm there.

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 And the law stuff is secondary to this.

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 But my main thing is this is why I'm there.

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 Wouldn't it be great if all of us had a little bit of Queenie in our eyes, in our hearts, when we go into work and go, I am doing this work.

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 But it's because God put me here.

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 And that everything that I'm doing right now is because he put me there.

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 What if we had that kind of mindset?

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 And what if we were completely prepared for any interaction that we've had?

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 Can I have a raise of hands?

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 Who's tried to share the gospel before and has not gone well?

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 And it's been awkward and it's been weird.

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 Can I just put a hand?

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 Excellent.

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 Okay.

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 Lift your hand and be proud of that.

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 Josh, tell us about your one.

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 My pastor encouraged us to bring a friend who wasn't Christian to church.

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 Yeah.

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 So I invited my friend and he stopped being my friend.

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 Wow.

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 Invited his friend to church because his pastor told him to.

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 And then he lost his friend.

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 Out.

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 And of course, I've had the privilege of hearing that before.

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 And that hurts.

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 That hurts and that still stings.

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 There's so many things that happen when we do.

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 And it's really out of our control.

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 So then the question then becomes, well, do we still do it?

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 Is this something that we do?

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 Julian, what was yours?

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 I guess the recent one was try to talk about faith at work and it just became very awkward.

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 Try to talk about faith at work and then it became very awkward.

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 Could that have just been because of you, of your personality?

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 I decline to comment.

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 Decline to comment.

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 He pleased the fifth.

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 He pleased the fifth.

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 What if we went looking for those awkward conversations?

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 What if we were looking for those moments where, okay, well, I have to bring this up.

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 I have to share.

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 Now, there is a way to do it.

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 If you look at just the accounts of Acts, Paul does it in different ways.

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 It's not as though he's doing the same thing, whacking people with the same Bible, with the same hammer each time.

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 No, he does it actually very differently.

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 And actually, we see in these next few chapters, he does it very differently.

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 Sometimes it gets awkward.

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 Sometimes he loses people.

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 Sometimes 40 people decide to fast until they're able to kill him.

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 That is what happens with Paul as we look at these scriptures.

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 So if you have your Bibles, we're going to be flying through.

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 Flying through Acts chapter 23, 24, 25, 26.

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 And then next week will be the finale, which will be exciting.

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 Honestly, as I was reading this, this plays out like a movie.

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 In fact, there is a movie on the Apostle Paul, which I don't know whether it could.

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 I haven't watched it myself, but I think this just feels like a movie.

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 It just covers so much ground.

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 And we're going to try and go through.

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 But I'm going to try and ground us in the different responses that Paul gets from the four different people that he speaks to.

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 And it's different.

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 And it's terrifying.

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 And yet he just keeps going.

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 And he can remain stoic.

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 And he stays in the same way.

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 Acts chapter 3, the first person he meets is the high priest called Ananias.

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 Just for your info, we have not met Ananias yet.

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 There's been different people who have linked to him.

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 But he's really the high priest, same as Caiaphas back in Jesus' time.

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 And so this guy was basically in control and was the leader of what was a group that we can call just the Sanhedrin.

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 The Sanhedrin are two groups of people, intense Jewish sects.

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 One of the Pharisees and one of the Sadducees.

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 And they were both kind of very exclusive kind of groups.

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 And they formed the Sanhedrin that had a lot of power.

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 And so Paul gets dragged in front of this group.

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 And Ananias speaks to him.

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 Now, Josephus, the historian, actually comments on this Ananias, this high priest, as someone who is greedy, who is hot-tempered, and who speaks profanities always.

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 High priest, everyone.

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 And it's just fascinating.

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 So this is what happens.

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 We're going to try and go through a little bit.

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 Acts chapter 23.

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 And looking intently at the council, Paul said, brothers, I have lived my life before God in all good conscience up to this day.

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 And the high priest, Ananias, commanded those who stood by him to strike him on the mouth.

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 So Ananias, this high priest, who's in a part of the Sanhedrin, listens to Paul, but he can't get through one sentence.

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 And he tells the guys next to Paul to give him a bit of a slap.

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 Paul, who has been calm for the most of this book in Acts, because he's like, I've got to be a role model to the future believers.

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 He just loses it.

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 He loses it.

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 And he goes, God is going to strike you, you whitewashed wall.

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 Are you sitting to judge me according to the law?

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 And yet, contrary to the law, you order me to be struck.

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 Paul gets angry.

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 Which is interesting.

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 The reason why he gets angry is like, you're trying to try me by this law, and yet you're doing something outside the law.

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 Can you see how stupid this is, that you just did that?

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 Even more interestingly, afterwards, they said, would you revile God's high priest?

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 He didn't realize that Ananias was God's high priest.

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 Well, how would you?

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 Why would you?

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 If you look at someone who's greedy, who's hot-tempered, who speaks profanities, why would you think they're the high priest?

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 So Paul doesn't actually know him.

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 But the moment he realizes, he actually apologizes.

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 I did not remember this, that he was the high priest.

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 For it is written, you shall not speak evil of a ruler of your people.

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 So just that moment, he retracts it.

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 He says, okay, my bad.

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 I didn't know who you were.

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 You didn't act like you should be, but still, that's not interesting.

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 Paul again submits to authority, not because he's scared of authority, but he submits to authority because of the power behind the authority.

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 Because of God.

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 That's why when you see in Romans 13, when he says, submit to authority, I'm going to submit to any authority.

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 Why?

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 Because I know that God is the one who put you there in front of me, above me.

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 So he submits.

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 And then Paul gets really smart.

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 So what he does here, now when Paul perceived that one power Sadducees and the other Pharisees, he cried out in the council, brothers, I am a Pharisee, a son of Pharisees.

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 It is with respect to the hope and the resurrection of the dead that I am on trial.

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 He looks at these two groups and he sees a key difference between these two groups, which is this.

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 One group, the Sadducees, do not believe in the resurrection of the dead.

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 They don't believe it at all.

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 They believe in what's here and what's now, not the supernatural.

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 They just want everything that they see.

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 That's what it is.

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 The Pharisees, on the other hand, actually do believe in the resurrection from the dead.

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 And these two groups have fought for the longest time.

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 And so Paul, being smart, says, hey, guys, I'm a Pharisee.

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 I'm one of you guys.

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 And I actually believe in the resurrection from the dead.

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 And he watches that basically the drama unfold between these two groups.

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 And these two groups get so distracted by this issue that they've been fighting for for so long, they actually forget about Paul.

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 Paul, so in some ways, he turns them on each other.

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 It reminds me of Matthew chapter 10, where Jesus says, be wise as serpents, but as innocent as doves.

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 He looks at the situation.

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 He looks at the group of people that are trying to get him into trouble, trying to kill him.

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 And he puts them against each other.

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 And he says, guys, Pharisees, I'm actually here because I believe in the resurrection from the dead.

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 And so anyway, it gets a little bit violent straight away.

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 Can you imagine a group of holy people, Pharisees and Sadducees, because of something that they disagree with,

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 because of someone that they're unlike, they suddenly start getting violent.

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 They jump from theology straight to aggression.

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 Fascinating.

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 And then verse 12, we go down a little bit.

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 When it was day, the Jews made a part and bound themselves by an oath, neither to eat nor drink, till they had killed Paul.

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 There were more than 40 who made this conspiracy.

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 I don't know what you're worried about when you spread the gospel.

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 But my guess is that the chances are you probably won't be hunted down by 40 people who decide to fast and not eat or drink until you're dead.

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 And yet here we see things escalate quickly because of this.

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 Thankfully, thankfully, actually, verse 11, just a side note on this.

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 The following night, the Lord stood by him and said, take courage, for as you have testified to the facts about me in Jerusalem, so you must testify also in Rome.

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 So actually, after that whole incident with the Sanhedrin, you'd expect maybe if God's speaking to Paul, you'd hope God would say something like, hey, Paul, thanks for standing up for me.

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 Thanks for being courageous.

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 I got this from here.

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 No harm will be done to you.

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 No, no, no.

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 God says, hey, we're not done.

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 You're going to be going to Rome.

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 It's interesting when God often sees the suffering that we go through.

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 He doesn't remove the suffering from us.

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 He says, I am with you there and you have further to go.

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 This is this is not where you end.

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 Theologian says God does not always shield his servants from the storm, but he always speaks to them in the midst of it.

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 The promise of the future is often God's way of giving us strength for the present.

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 I think about this group of people.

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 The Pharisees.

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 As I've said before, I actually have so much sympathy for these Pharisees.

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 They have given up so much to be where they were at.

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 They knew scripture.

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 They abided by the law.

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 And yet they were still so far away.

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 Their hearts were still so hard.

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 They believed in the resurrection of the dead, but when they saw, when they actually have been encountered with, hey, there is someone who actually died and rose again.

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 They couldn't believe it.

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 Their hearts were so hard.

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 It reminds me of Jesus when he was preaching on the parable of the sower, that there are these different soils that the gospel falls on.

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 And one of them is simply just the path.

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 It is so hard.

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 The seeds don't even go in.

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 And what was the path here?

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 This was just legalism.

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 This was tradition.

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 This was, dare I say, theology.

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 They were so stuck in their own heads.

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 They were refusing to see the truth that someone really did die and really did rise again.

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 And so when we go out and share the gospel, that's going to be one of the things that we see.

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 People who are just like, no, I'm not interested whatsoever.

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 In fact, I'm going to get 40 of my friends and we're going to hunt you down and we're going to try and kill you.

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 Well, maybe not the second part.

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 But they're like, no, I'm not interested at all.

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 Thank you.

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 But no, thank you.

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 We're just going to leave it here.

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 I don't believe in that God stuff.

00:13:04.200 --> 00:13:09.040
 And we have to be prepared for that kind of group of people.

00:13:09.900 --> 00:13:15.759
 The hardest group of people, I think, to reach with the good news are those who think they know it all.

00:13:16.420 --> 00:13:16.740
 Correct?

00:13:17.840 --> 00:13:23.540
 Those who seem to know everything, those who seem to have the right answers for everything, those are the ones who are the hardest.

00:13:23.820 --> 00:13:26.500
 And so when we approach those people, let's not be afraid.

00:13:28.060 --> 00:13:30.660
 And it doesn't mean that we have to now know everything.

00:13:30.659 --> 00:13:36.699
 But what Paul shows is that actually he just has a personal experience that he can't help but share.

00:13:36.939 --> 00:13:39.639
 Whether they believe it or not, take it or leave it.

00:13:40.279 --> 00:13:43.199
 He has this take it or leave it mindset that we can see.

00:13:43.579 --> 00:13:44.860
 And I think that's really interesting.

00:13:46.000 --> 00:13:47.059
 Thomas Watson says this,

00:13:47.120 --> 00:13:50.159
 A stone is hard because it has no pause for the water to soak in.

00:13:50.519 --> 00:13:53.919
 A hard heart has no pause for the tears of repentance to soak in.

00:13:54.179 --> 00:13:57.339
 The worst kind of hardness is that which grows under the sun of the gospel.

00:13:57.340 --> 00:14:04.280
 To hear the resurrection preached and to feel nothing is to have a heart that is not just a path but a pavement of ice.

00:14:05.340 --> 00:14:08.680
 I wonder whether there are people that we know in our lives who have that.

00:14:10.240 --> 00:14:11.160
 Some of you are nodding.

00:14:11.259 --> 00:14:13.780
 You're like, yep, I've been trying with that person but nothing.

00:14:14.899 --> 00:14:19.320
 My encouragement to you is, well, I don't think there was anyone who probably had a harder heart than Saul.

00:14:20.160 --> 00:14:23.639
 He cared so much about what he thought was right that he was willing to kill.

00:14:24.200 --> 00:14:25.560
 Which is the irony in all of this.

00:14:25.559 --> 00:14:29.779
 And yet all it takes, all it takes is an encounter with Jesus.

00:14:30.659 --> 00:14:32.439
 All it takes is for the Holy Spirit to move.

00:14:33.219 --> 00:14:34.639
 I'm going to pause here for 10 seconds.

00:14:34.719 --> 00:14:36.459
 I'm going to do this every time we go through a character.

00:14:36.739 --> 00:14:37.939
 I'm going to pause here for 10 seconds.

00:14:38.179 --> 00:14:44.339
 And let's ask the Holy Spirit, who's the person who we think is that hard rock?

00:14:44.759 --> 00:14:48.179
 That path that the seeds fall on and it doesn't go into?

00:14:49.139 --> 00:14:49.759
 Have a think.

00:14:50.119 --> 00:14:52.759
 And if that person comes up in your mind, pray for that person right now.

00:14:52.759 --> 00:15:09.779
 Lord, we know that hearts will only be softened.

00:15:10.659 --> 00:15:14.720
 Stone only be turned to flesh when your spirit pours in.

00:15:14.720 --> 00:15:18.139
 And so we pray for those people that come to mind right now.

00:15:20.620 --> 00:15:23.060
 Those Ananiases that we have in our lives.

00:15:24.220 --> 00:15:25.820
 Those Pharisees, those Sadducees.

00:15:27.540 --> 00:15:29.580
 Lord, would you move in ways that only you can.

00:15:31.259 --> 00:15:31.879
 Thank you, God.

00:15:31.879 --> 00:15:34.399
 So they plot to kill him.

00:15:35.919 --> 00:15:38.559
 Interestingly, they don't because Paul continues to move.

00:15:38.639 --> 00:15:38.799
 Why?

00:15:38.919 --> 00:15:40.980
 Because God's already said, hey, you won't die here.

00:15:41.039 --> 00:15:41.659
 You're heading to Rome.

00:15:42.500 --> 00:15:43.960
 Also, Paul has a nephew.

00:15:44.700 --> 00:15:48.559
 Paul has a nephew who hears about these 40 people trying to ambush Paul.

00:15:48.679 --> 00:15:49.820
 And he goes to tell Paul.

00:15:50.539 --> 00:15:53.939
 And so from there, Paul then tells the guards and tells them, hey, these guys are trying to kill me.

00:15:53.940 --> 00:15:58.200
 And so what happens is all of this gets sent to Felix, the governor.

00:15:58.400 --> 00:16:02.100
 And so this is where we fast forward a little bit and we move where he meets.

00:16:02.600 --> 00:16:04.960
 He goes to Caesarea and he meets the governor.

00:16:05.960 --> 00:16:11.060
 The governor here, Felix, is the same person, same role that Pontius Pilate had when Jesus was around.

00:16:12.020 --> 00:16:13.100
 So he meets Felix.

00:16:13.700 --> 00:16:19.560
 And if from Ananias he got hostility from Felix, he gets the procrastinating spirit.

00:16:20.200 --> 00:16:22.280
 He gets something that's very interesting that happens here.

00:16:22.279 --> 00:16:26.379
 So he moves from Jerusalem and he goes to Caesarea, which is basically the headquarters for Rome.

00:16:26.679 --> 00:16:28.120
 And they thwart the plot to kill him.

00:16:28.399 --> 00:16:29.959
 And he meets Felix.

00:16:30.399 --> 00:16:31.240
 And it's really interesting.

00:16:31.360 --> 00:16:36.819
 And we're going to fast forward a little bit because basically, actually, what's really interesting here is Ananias and the crew,

00:16:36.959 --> 00:16:40.240
 they hear about him going to Caesarea and they miss the opportunity to kill him.

00:16:40.439 --> 00:16:42.720
 So they actually hunt him down and chase him all the way to Caesarea.

00:16:43.039 --> 00:16:47.100
 And when they get there, Ananias is there and they appointed a spokesperson.

00:16:47.319 --> 00:16:48.759
 This is the beginning of chapter four, by the way.

00:16:49.799 --> 00:16:52.039
 And they appoint a spokesperson, Tertullus.

00:16:52.039 --> 00:16:53.159
 He must have been good with his speech.

00:16:53.779 --> 00:16:57.699
 Well, here, what I'd call it, it would be he is a gifted suck up.

00:16:58.360 --> 00:16:59.339
 And so this is what he says.

00:17:00.019 --> 00:17:01.740
 Since through you we enjoy much peace.

00:17:01.919 --> 00:17:08.240
 And since by your foresight, most excellent Felix, reforms are being made for this nation in every way and everywhere,

00:17:08.440 --> 00:17:10.539
 we accept this with all gratitude.

00:17:10.799 --> 00:17:11.599
 What a sleazebag.

00:17:11.980 --> 00:17:12.420
 Verse four.

00:17:12.759 --> 00:17:15.940
 But to detain you no further, I beg you in your kindness to hear us briefly.

00:17:16.039 --> 00:17:18.940
 We found this man a plague, one who stirs up riots.

00:17:18.940 --> 00:17:23.160
 So they take their case to the governor.

00:17:24.299 --> 00:17:26.700
 And Felix then listens to their case.

00:17:27.100 --> 00:17:29.120
 And then Paul actually gets the chance to explain himself.

00:17:29.440 --> 00:17:31.220
 So the action continues to build here.

00:17:31.539 --> 00:17:35.160
 And so chapter four, verse 11, verse 10, actually, Paul gets to speak.

00:17:35.160 --> 00:17:38.700
 Knowing that for many years you have been a judge over this nation, I cheerfully make my defense.

00:17:39.180 --> 00:17:42.519
 You can verify that it is not more than 12 days since I went up to worship in Jerusalem.

00:17:42.920 --> 00:17:48.160
 And they did not find me disputing with anyone or stirring up a crowd either in the temple or in the synagogues or in the city.

00:17:48.420 --> 00:17:49.440
 And he continues to go.

00:17:49.640 --> 00:17:50.620
 And he goes all the way to the end.

00:17:50.619 --> 00:17:56.839
 And it's really interesting here because what he's saying is, governor, with all due respect, I've been around for a little while now.

00:17:57.539 --> 00:17:58.859
 I have not been causing trouble.

00:17:59.839 --> 00:18:01.939
 They say I've been causing trouble, but I have not.

00:18:02.579 --> 00:18:05.919
 As evidenced by just my peacemaking all through this time here.

00:18:05.919 --> 00:18:07.319
 And actually, Felix knows that.

00:18:07.359 --> 00:18:16.319
 Because if we fast forward to verse 22, but Felix, having a rather accurate knowledge of the way, put them off, saying, when Lysias, the tribune, comes down, I will decide your case.

00:18:16.539 --> 00:18:17.740
 So he knows about the way.

00:18:18.379 --> 00:18:22.379
 And by now, they would have known that the way, they killed the main guy, they killed Jesus.

00:18:23.099 --> 00:18:26.000
 And just when they thought that would be it, the way continues to grow.

00:18:26.220 --> 00:18:27.559
 But they now have enough evidence.

00:18:27.659 --> 00:18:30.159
 They have enough years to go, well, actually, this group, they're kind of docile.

00:18:30.879 --> 00:18:31.720
 They're kind of harmless.

00:18:31.899 --> 00:18:33.059
 They're not trying to overthrow anyone.

00:18:33.480 --> 00:18:34.480
 They're trying to live peacefully.

00:18:35.059 --> 00:18:36.700
 So actually, he knows about this.

00:18:36.799 --> 00:18:41.539
 So actually, Paul appeals to him on that point and says, hey, I'm not here to cause trouble.

00:18:43.159 --> 00:18:45.939
 And then a really interesting interaction happens here.

00:18:45.940 --> 00:18:49.460
 So Felix says, okay, I'm going to listen to you later.

00:18:49.620 --> 00:18:50.640
 And I'm going to move on.

00:18:51.000 --> 00:18:54.779
 And after some days, verse 24, Felix came with his wife, Drusilla, who was Jewish.

00:18:55.059 --> 00:18:57.779
 And he sent for Paul and heard him speak about faith in Christ Jesus.

00:18:58.080 --> 00:19:03.340
 And as he reasoned about righteousness and self-control and the coming judgment, Felix was alarmed and said, go away for the present.

00:19:03.440 --> 00:19:06.420
 When I get an opportunity, I will summon you.

00:19:06.580 --> 00:19:07.640
 Isn't that interesting?

00:19:08.240 --> 00:19:11.000
 Felix goes a little step further than what Pontius Pilate did.

00:19:11.360 --> 00:19:13.019
 And Felix says, okay, well, I'm going to keep you here.

00:19:13.019 --> 00:19:16.059
 I don't quite know what to do with you, but I will come and have chats with you.

00:19:16.799 --> 00:19:20.660
 And so him and his wife, Drusilla, go and spend time with Paul.

00:19:21.579 --> 00:19:22.619
 And they talk.

00:19:23.660 --> 00:19:24.680
 And Paul's not afraid.

00:19:25.759 --> 00:19:28.359
 And they talk about the message of Jesus.

00:19:28.359 --> 00:19:35.079
 They talk about the exact words, righteousness, self-control and the coming judgment.

00:19:36.459 --> 00:19:37.459
 Isn't that interesting?

00:19:37.759 --> 00:19:45.500
 That this powerful man who was in complete control was face to face with this prisoner and says, I'm going to come and spend some time with you.

00:19:45.639 --> 00:19:47.399
 And Paul doesn't miss that opportunity.

00:19:47.879 --> 00:19:49.000
 And he speaks.

00:19:50.000 --> 00:19:51.019
 And what does he get?

00:19:51.799 --> 00:19:53.639
 He gets someone who is alarmed.

00:19:54.039 --> 00:19:55.599
 Why was Felix alarmed?

00:19:55.599 --> 00:20:00.659
 This powerful man who had nothing to worry about, who was in control.

00:20:00.779 --> 00:20:01.659
 Why was he alarmed?

00:20:02.000 --> 00:20:04.179
 Well, because kind of because of his wife.

00:20:04.859 --> 00:20:06.579
 Because his wife really wasn't his wife.

00:20:07.299 --> 00:20:08.879
 Drusilla was actually married to someone else.

00:20:11.240 --> 00:20:12.959
 Drusilla was actually Jewish as well.

00:20:13.500 --> 00:20:15.259
 And so this was an illicit marriage.

00:20:15.799 --> 00:20:19.500
 And she actually then marries this Felix who's not Jewish.

00:20:19.939 --> 00:20:21.799
 So this is not a good arrangement.

00:20:22.639 --> 00:20:23.579
 And it's interesting.

00:20:23.699 --> 00:20:24.679
 He's alarmed by it.

00:20:24.680 --> 00:20:28.400
 He's like, oh, I didn't realize what I was doing was not right.

00:20:29.259 --> 00:20:33.320
 I didn't realize that this wasn't pleasing in the sight of God.

00:20:34.240 --> 00:20:40.320
 And his response when he finds out that it's not right, that he's alarmed, he procrastinates and says, you know what?

00:20:40.380 --> 00:20:41.360
 I'm going to deal with you later.

00:20:42.240 --> 00:20:43.600
 I don't want to talk about this anymore.

00:20:44.019 --> 00:20:46.060
 This is just getting a little bit too uncomfortable for me.

00:20:46.299 --> 00:20:47.039
 We're going to move on.

00:20:47.039 --> 00:20:50.759
 And maybe, and it says, go away for the present.

00:20:50.859 --> 00:20:53.960
 When I get an opportunity, I will summon you.

00:20:58.339 --> 00:20:58.700
 Paul.

00:20:59.539 --> 00:21:03.559
 He could have actually just said kind words to Felix and maybe have been released.

00:21:04.420 --> 00:21:08.579
 He could have maybe said, hey, this doesn't need to trouble you, Felix.

00:21:08.740 --> 00:21:09.720
 I'm not here to cause trouble.

00:21:09.720 --> 00:21:13.740
 I'm actually here just to spread the good news of peace, joy, goodness, kindness.

00:21:14.299 --> 00:21:15.539
 So actually, if you just let me go, we're good.

00:21:16.299 --> 00:21:16.519
 No, no.

00:21:16.519 --> 00:21:19.980
 Paul goes, hey, Felix, there is sin in your life.

00:21:20.960 --> 00:21:23.880
 There is judgment that is coming from you, for you.

00:21:24.740 --> 00:21:25.759
 You better repent.

00:21:26.220 --> 00:21:28.019
 You better display self-control.

00:21:28.140 --> 00:21:29.900
 You're not supposed to be with Drusilla.

00:21:31.579 --> 00:21:35.400
 Can you see Paul's just like, no, I could use this opportunity to get released, but I'm not.

00:21:35.579 --> 00:21:37.259
 I'm going to continue to speak truth.

00:21:37.259 --> 00:21:42.500
 And when he continues to speak truth, when we continue to speak truth, often people will be alarmed.

00:21:43.039 --> 00:21:43.839
 And this tells me something.

00:21:44.339 --> 00:21:47.119
 Let's not cheapen what the gospel actually truly is.

00:21:48.339 --> 00:21:52.119
 When we go and share the gospel, there's one thing that we must share about.

00:21:52.859 --> 00:21:53.680
 And that is sin.

00:21:54.460 --> 00:21:59.559
 We must share about the fact that we are sinners, that we all fall short of the glory of God.

00:21:59.660 --> 00:22:03.019
 Because it's so easy to share about Christianity without sharing about sin.

00:22:03.039 --> 00:22:03.920
 And this is how you do it.

00:22:04.299 --> 00:22:05.400
 Hey, just believe in God.

00:22:05.400 --> 00:22:05.740
 Why?

00:22:05.900 --> 00:22:06.859
 Because he's there for you.

00:22:07.559 --> 00:22:07.839
 Why?

00:22:07.960 --> 00:22:13.279
 Because when you are struggling, when you are sick, or when you are struggling to find a job,

00:22:13.500 --> 00:22:16.839
 or when you are in pain in some ways, Jesus will just be there for you.

00:22:16.900 --> 00:22:17.440
 He loves you.

00:22:19.000 --> 00:22:21.460
 He's like a teddy bear that you can just hold on to.

00:22:22.319 --> 00:22:23.500
 He's like a comfort blanket.

00:22:24.519 --> 00:22:26.220
 And he's here for your good.

00:22:27.059 --> 00:22:29.279
 And if you follow him, he will cause you to be prosperous.

00:22:29.819 --> 00:22:30.500
 I'll tell you what that is.

00:22:30.519 --> 00:22:32.279
 That is cheapening what the gospel truly is.

00:22:32.279 --> 00:22:37.359
 The gospel, the true gospel actually can be quite offensive.

00:22:37.359 --> 00:22:42.539
 The true gospel is saying to someone, hey, actually, I know you're working hard at this.

00:22:42.959 --> 00:22:45.299
 I know you're trying to climb up in your career.

00:22:45.500 --> 00:22:49.059
 I know you're trying to get more money so you can make good impact in your field.

00:22:49.059 --> 00:22:51.139
 So you can be a good person.

00:22:52.359 --> 00:22:54.799
 I think I'm here to tell you that there is no such thing as a good person.

00:22:54.879 --> 00:22:57.119
 I don't know about you, but I have sin inside me.

00:22:57.460 --> 00:22:59.119
 I have selfishness inside me.

00:22:59.519 --> 00:23:00.259
 I don't know about you.

00:23:00.259 --> 00:23:04.059
 When you look at the news, you see people just displaying selfishness.

00:23:04.379 --> 00:23:09.900
 And I realized just before I point the finger that actually this thing is pointing back at me,

00:23:10.339 --> 00:23:13.640
 that I am that actually I am far worse than I imagined.

00:23:14.059 --> 00:23:15.859
 I don't know about you, but that's the good news.

00:23:16.660 --> 00:23:20.680
 It's only good news if we share first the bad news, which is that there is a problem with how we are living.

00:23:21.400 --> 00:23:24.559
 And very honestly, I don't think that's a hard pitch to make right now.

00:23:25.299 --> 00:23:28.019
 We can look around the world and go, yep, things are not going well.

00:23:28.019 --> 00:23:30.940
 Everything is not okay and the world is on fire.

00:23:32.160 --> 00:23:37.779
 But to be able to share what the gospel is, we must be able to share that we are in deep need of a savior.

00:23:41.119 --> 00:23:43.400
 Sin is the biggest thing.

00:23:43.539 --> 00:23:45.519
 We cannot cheapen the gospel.

00:23:47.079 --> 00:23:48.519
 Jesus does love you.

00:23:49.759 --> 00:23:51.139
 Oh, Chris.

00:23:51.139 --> 00:23:54.960
 It's an incredible podcast, Diary of the CEO, Stephen Barlin.

00:23:55.039 --> 00:23:55.819
 Oh, yeah, yeah, yeah.

00:23:55.819 --> 00:24:01.919
 Yeah, that's like a master class on how we share the gospel with the atheists, I guess.

00:24:02.919 --> 00:24:04.879
 I just wanted to share that with everybody if you wanted to watch it.

00:24:05.200 --> 00:24:05.879
 Diary of the CEO.

00:24:06.240 --> 00:24:06.679
 There we go.

00:24:06.919 --> 00:24:07.240
 You agree?

00:24:07.480 --> 00:24:08.099
 Wesley Huff.

00:24:08.379 --> 00:24:08.480
 Yeah.

00:24:08.559 --> 00:24:09.019
 Wesley Huff.

00:24:09.179 --> 00:24:09.639
 Yeah, yeah.

00:24:09.879 --> 00:24:10.539
 There we go.

00:24:11.220 --> 00:24:11.460
 Fine.

00:24:11.480 --> 00:24:13.619
 Can you share that link with us and maybe we'll put it into the WhatsApp group?

00:24:16.259 --> 00:24:17.500
 That's something that else is true.

00:24:17.500 --> 00:24:23.940
 Those of you who have been placed in your specific field, you know, I don't even know how to share the gospel in my field.

00:24:24.140 --> 00:24:29.440
 Well, I guarantee you there will be someone here who knows a bit more, who has actually read a book about it, who has listened to a podcast about it.

00:24:29.559 --> 00:24:32.140
 And there are people out there who have gone before us and done this.

00:24:32.259 --> 00:24:32.339
 Why?

00:24:32.539 --> 00:24:36.259
 Because the book of Acts shows us that this has been going on for 2,000 years now.

00:24:36.559 --> 00:24:37.380
 You are not alone.

00:24:37.980 --> 00:24:38.540
 Equip yourself.

00:24:38.760 --> 00:24:41.460
 Find the people who can inspire you in your specific field.

00:24:41.540 --> 00:24:43.000
 If you are in law, go and speak to Queenie.

00:24:43.720 --> 00:24:44.700
 Go and hang out with Queenie.

00:24:45.560 --> 00:24:52.160
 Ask her how she is one of the youngest senior councils in Hong Kong and yet still shares the gospel and realizes actually that's not her main job.

00:24:52.220 --> 00:24:55.180
 Her main job is in full-time ministry sharing the good news of Jesus.

00:24:55.280 --> 00:24:56.080
 What does that look like?

00:24:57.000 --> 00:24:58.480
 There is so much good material out there.

00:24:59.300 --> 00:24:59.980
 But be prepared.

00:25:00.240 --> 00:25:00.880
 But be prepared.

00:25:00.880 --> 00:25:04.140
 When you do it, some people will be like, oh, ooh, that alarms me.

00:25:04.200 --> 00:25:05.000
 That hurts a little bit.

00:25:05.300 --> 00:25:06.680
 You're saying that I'm not a good person?

00:25:07.140 --> 00:25:08.759
 And I'm like, yeah, we're not good people.

00:25:09.480 --> 00:25:11.580
 You're saying that babies are born in sin?

00:25:12.460 --> 00:25:14.100
 And I'm like, yes, have you met my baby?

00:25:16.400 --> 00:25:18.460
 Have you seen how selfish my baby is?

00:25:19.320 --> 00:25:21.019
 Yes, he was born in iniquity.

00:25:22.759 --> 00:25:23.660
 He can't help it.

00:25:23.680 --> 00:25:24.360
 I can't help it.

00:25:24.380 --> 00:25:25.080
 We all have it.

00:25:27.440 --> 00:25:29.200
 Let us not cheapen the gospel.

00:25:29.320 --> 00:25:31.299
 Yes, Jesus does love us.

00:25:31.740 --> 00:25:34.940
 But he loves us so much that he meets us exactly where we're at.

00:25:34.940 --> 00:25:38.600
 But he also loves us so much that he wouldn't let us stay where we're at.

00:25:39.120 --> 00:25:43.299
 When you love someone and they are just living in a way that is destructive for themselves,

00:25:43.400 --> 00:25:45.019
 you're like, no, no, I can't leave you here.

00:25:46.279 --> 00:25:47.820
 And that is the gospel.

00:25:49.220 --> 00:25:50.259
 And of course, those things.

00:25:50.580 --> 00:25:53.759
 The problem here is Felix, of course, he's in an illicit marriage.

00:25:54.220 --> 00:25:56.100
 He also is trying to please the Jews.

00:25:56.460 --> 00:26:00.380
 So he's actually trying to keep Paul there just to keep the Jews quiet.

00:26:00.380 --> 00:26:03.540
 And he's also keeping Paul in prison.

00:26:03.660 --> 00:26:03.800
 Why?

00:26:03.920 --> 00:26:05.440
 Because he's hoping that Paul will bribe him.

00:26:06.400 --> 00:26:07.520
 So money, sex, and power.

00:26:07.620 --> 00:26:08.160
 The triple threat.

00:26:08.300 --> 00:26:09.380
 He's guilty of them all.

00:26:12.560 --> 00:26:15.880
 But often it's not that serious for us.

00:26:15.980 --> 00:26:20.920
 Well, sometimes those idols, sometimes those things are not necessarily money, sex, and power.

00:26:21.040 --> 00:26:24.120
 If we keep tracing back, it probably does go back to those things.

00:26:24.119 --> 00:26:27.500
 But so often it's actually, oh, I just want a healthy, happy family.

00:26:27.879 --> 00:26:30.679
 I just want a career where I'm just feeling fulfillment.

00:26:31.779 --> 00:26:32.479
 Those things.

00:26:33.119 --> 00:26:34.919
 Keller calls those things counterfeit gods.

00:26:35.019 --> 00:26:38.639
 Things that we try and chase after, thinking that those are the things that are going to satisfy us.

00:26:38.979 --> 00:26:40.119
 And yet they don't.

00:26:42.019 --> 00:26:45.339
 Tozer says this, the things of this world are not necessarily sinful in themselves.

00:26:45.500 --> 00:26:47.919
 It is the love of things that chokes the life of the spirit.

00:26:48.359 --> 00:26:51.199
 We have allowed our hearts to become cluttered with a thousand trifles.

00:26:51.259 --> 00:26:52.839
 And there is no room left for the king.

00:26:52.839 --> 00:26:57.919
 We are often so busy doing the work of the Lord that we have no time for the Lord of the work.

00:26:58.919 --> 00:27:03.619
 We are often so busy doing the work of the Lord that we have no time for the Lord of the work.

00:27:04.220 --> 00:27:04.599
 Ouch.

00:27:04.779 --> 00:27:06.279
 Those of us who are in ministry and too busy.

00:27:09.859 --> 00:27:10.779
 What are your things?

00:27:11.579 --> 00:27:14.519
 If we go back to the parable that Jesus shared, this is the thorny path.

00:27:14.579 --> 00:27:15.859
 This is the thorny soil.

00:27:16.220 --> 00:27:19.819
 Where actually there is a desire for it, but everything else just chokes.

00:27:19.819 --> 00:27:22.939
 Now, when we go out, we will see those kinds of people.

00:27:23.019 --> 00:27:23.539
 Hey, that's it.

00:27:24.200 --> 00:27:26.299
 I would love, I love the whole Christian thing.

00:27:26.480 --> 00:27:27.200
 It's a good thing.

00:27:27.599 --> 00:27:29.659
 It makes me, it looks like it makes you a better person.

00:27:29.740 --> 00:27:30.839
 It makes me feel warm and fuzzy.

00:27:31.159 --> 00:27:33.839
 But I really can't because I've also got this thing that I have to do.

00:27:34.399 --> 00:27:36.700
 I would love to, but I can't because Sundays are for this.

00:27:36.700 --> 00:27:43.019
 And so that's probably the sort that's most common in our field right here.

00:27:44.640 --> 00:27:48.120
 How do you get to the point where we can show them actually those things are just things,

00:27:48.539 --> 00:27:52.700
 but our love for them is what's pulling us away from the real thing, the only thing.

00:27:54.340 --> 00:27:56.519
 How do we reflect on that in our own lives?

00:27:56.519 --> 00:28:03.079
 I'm reminded of a conversation that Nicky Gumbel, the founder of Alpha, was an imaginary conversation

00:28:03.079 --> 00:28:08.839
 that he shared about the devil and his demons saying, hey, how are we going to distract mankind

00:28:08.839 --> 00:28:09.639
 from Jesus?

00:28:10.579 --> 00:28:11.059
 What should we do?

00:28:11.119 --> 00:28:14.559
 Should we get them just addicted to all the pleasures of this world?

00:28:14.940 --> 00:28:20.319
 Should we throw suffering at them where they will just be so just disgruntled and frustrated

00:28:20.319 --> 00:28:20.819
 with God?

00:28:20.819 --> 00:28:22.879
 And then the devil says, no, no, no.

00:28:23.759 --> 00:28:25.039
 Why don't we let them believe?

00:28:26.019 --> 00:28:28.939
 But then we also let them believe that there's no hurry.

00:28:29.879 --> 00:28:31.899
 There's no urgency to this.

00:28:32.319 --> 00:28:33.759
 Why don't we just let them believe that?

00:28:34.779 --> 00:28:36.879
 That actually there is God, there is Jesus.

00:28:37.220 --> 00:28:40.859
 Let's not find that because the more you find it, the more they'll believe it.

00:28:41.279 --> 00:28:42.119
 But let them believe.

00:28:42.299 --> 00:28:44.359
 But then let them also believe that there is no hurry.

00:28:46.679 --> 00:28:50.500
 One of my favorite books, and Wes shared about this to me last week,

00:28:50.500 --> 00:28:52.339
 The Screwtape Letters by C.S. Lewis.

00:28:53.160 --> 00:28:55.220
 And he says this in this way.

00:28:56.480 --> 00:28:57.200
 Where is it?

00:28:57.680 --> 00:29:01.720
 You will find that anything or nothing is sufficient to attract his wandering attention.

00:29:02.160 --> 00:29:06.000
 It does not matter how small the sins are provided that their cumulative effect is to

00:29:06.000 --> 00:29:09.119
 edge the man away from the light and out into the nothing.

00:29:10.180 --> 00:29:12.859
 Murder is no better than cards if cards can do the trick.

00:29:12.859 --> 00:29:15.380
 The safest road to hell is the gradual one.

00:29:15.380 --> 00:29:22.100
 The gentle slope, soft underfoot, without sudden turnings, without milestones, without signposts.

00:29:23.980 --> 00:29:29.360
 C.S. Lewis is again imagining a conversation that the enemy has with his underlings on how

00:29:29.360 --> 00:29:30.280
 to distract us.

00:29:31.320 --> 00:29:35.060
 That path, the safest road to hell is the gradual one.

00:29:35.059 --> 00:29:38.079
 The gentle slope, the distractions where we say,

00:29:38.799 --> 00:29:42.879
 I like it, but it's not the convenient time for it.

00:29:44.679 --> 00:29:47.000
 Felix went as far as trembling, but he stayed there.

00:29:47.079 --> 00:29:48.839
 He had a convenient time to hear Paul again,

00:29:49.159 --> 00:29:51.659
 but we never read that he had a convenient time to repent.

00:29:55.720 --> 00:29:56.700
 Sadly for Paul.

00:29:56.700 --> 00:30:01.019
 The next line tells us, verse 27, chapter 24,

00:30:01.160 --> 00:30:04.160
 When two years had elapsed, Felix was succeeded by Portius Festus,

00:30:04.220 --> 00:30:07.360
 and desiring to do the Jews a favor, Felix left Paul in prison.

00:30:08.000 --> 00:30:08.519
 That's it.

00:30:08.840 --> 00:30:10.039
 One sentence, two years.

00:30:11.279 --> 00:30:15.840
 Paul gets left there because he wasn't afraid to share the true gospel.

00:30:16.319 --> 00:30:18.660
 He refused to cheapen the gospel.

00:30:19.360 --> 00:30:20.580
 And he was left there for two years.

00:30:21.220 --> 00:30:22.600
 Because someone procrastinated.

00:30:22.599 --> 00:30:26.799
 Because someone decided that actually, it's kind of interesting,

00:30:27.219 --> 00:30:29.699
 but what alarmed me is that I have to change my life.

00:30:29.879 --> 00:30:33.980
 So then he passes it to his successor, Festus, the other governor.

00:30:34.240 --> 00:30:36.819
 And this one isn't even as good as the one before.

00:30:37.139 --> 00:30:40.500
 And so when the new guy comes in, actually, what Festus wants to do,

00:30:40.559 --> 00:30:42.059
 he wants to deal with this case very quickly.

00:30:42.500 --> 00:30:44.740
 He's like, okay, this case has been lying around for too long.

00:30:44.819 --> 00:30:45.659
 It's now at my desk.

00:30:45.879 --> 00:30:46.740
 Let's get rid of it.

00:30:46.740 --> 00:30:49.059
 So straight away, he orders Paul to come and speak.

00:30:49.480 --> 00:30:51.879
 And when he comes to speak, and actually, it so happens,

00:30:51.880 --> 00:30:52.780
 there's a king who comes.

00:30:52.920 --> 00:30:54.320
 King Agrippa comes as well.

00:30:54.820 --> 00:30:56.800
 So then Festus, the new governor in charge,

00:30:57.160 --> 00:30:59.440
 presents Paul's case to the king.

00:30:59.900 --> 00:31:01.840
 And this is what he says about this.

00:31:02.180 --> 00:31:06.120
 And he's saying, okay, this is chapter 25, verse 14.

00:31:06.680 --> 00:31:08.060
 And as they stayed there many days,

00:31:08.160 --> 00:31:09.760
 Festus laid Paul's case before the king,

00:31:09.900 --> 00:31:11.820
 saying, there is a man left prisoner by Felix.

00:31:12.640 --> 00:31:13.040
 Brackets.

00:31:13.280 --> 00:31:15.360
 This wasn't my problem, but it's now become my problem.

00:31:15.440 --> 00:31:16.840
 But I'm trying to deal with it, king.

00:31:17.080 --> 00:31:17.820
 So here it is.

00:31:18.140 --> 00:31:19.180
 Can you give me some advice?

00:31:19.620 --> 00:31:21.540
 And when asked Jerusalem, the chief priests and the elders of the Jews

00:31:21.539 --> 00:31:22.720
 laid out their case against him,

00:31:22.779 --> 00:31:24.659
 asking for a sentence of condemnation against him,

00:31:24.980 --> 00:31:26.839
 I answered them that it was not the custom of the Romans

00:31:26.839 --> 00:31:29.819
 to give up anyone before the accused met the accusers face to face

00:31:29.819 --> 00:31:32.319
 and had an opportunity to make his defense

00:31:32.319 --> 00:31:34.019
 concerning the charge laid against him.

00:31:34.359 --> 00:31:36.359
 So when they came together here, I made no delay,

00:31:36.659 --> 00:31:38.740
 but on the next day took my seat on the tribunal

00:31:38.740 --> 00:31:40.200
 and ordered the man to be brought.

00:31:40.519 --> 00:31:41.579
 When the accusers stood up,

00:31:41.680 --> 00:31:44.180
 they brought no charge in his case of such evil as I supposed.

00:31:44.519 --> 00:31:45.759
 Here's the key line, verse 19.

00:31:46.759 --> 00:31:48.539
 Rather, he's saying, hey,

00:31:48.539 --> 00:31:50.539
 this case landed on my desk.

00:31:50.680 --> 00:31:51.819
 I don't really know what to do with it

00:31:51.819 --> 00:31:53.500
 because it's against what we're trying to do here.

00:31:53.500 --> 00:31:56.359
 And obviously, I can't really find anything wrong with this guy.

00:31:56.879 --> 00:31:57.659
 And then verse 19.

00:31:57.819 --> 00:31:59.879
 Rather, they had certain points of dispute with him

00:31:59.879 --> 00:32:02.859
 about their own religion and about a certain Jesus who was dead,

00:32:03.220 --> 00:32:05.339
 but whom Paul asserted to be alive.

00:32:05.480 --> 00:32:07.460
 Being at a loss how to investigate these questions,

00:32:07.559 --> 00:32:09.079
 I asked whether he wanted to go to Jerusalem

00:32:09.079 --> 00:32:11.480
 and be tried there regarding them.

00:32:13.079 --> 00:32:15.500
 He says, I don't know what to do with this group of people.

00:32:15.500 --> 00:32:17.460
 And this guy, it's just a little bit weird.

00:32:17.599 --> 00:32:19.799
 We can't, he's not following procedure here.

00:32:20.019 --> 00:32:22.480
 And honestly, the dispute is only a really small, petty one.

00:32:22.539 --> 00:32:23.160
 It's about this guy.

00:32:23.460 --> 00:32:24.559
 It's about this guy called Jesus.

00:32:24.740 --> 00:32:26.700
 And there's a group who say that he's still alive

00:32:26.700 --> 00:32:27.799
 and there's a group that says he's dead.

00:32:28.460 --> 00:32:29.839
 And I don't really know what to do with it.

00:32:30.720 --> 00:32:32.140
 Just that line in itself,

00:32:32.400 --> 00:32:34.480
 the casual blasé referral

00:32:34.480 --> 00:32:38.180
 to the single most important event

00:32:38.180 --> 00:32:40.720
 in the history of mankind,

00:32:41.660 --> 00:32:44.240
 that someone died and rose again.

00:32:44.240 --> 00:32:47.279
 What he does do accidentally

00:32:47.279 --> 00:32:49.859
 is he realizes that Christianity,

00:32:50.279 --> 00:32:52.039
 the crooks of Christianity is down to this one point.

00:32:52.859 --> 00:32:55.819
 Did that guy die and stay dead?

00:32:56.700 --> 00:32:57.799
 Or is he still alive?

00:32:59.319 --> 00:33:00.559
 The resurrection of Jesus.

00:33:02.160 --> 00:33:04.420
 Now, Felix procrastinated.

00:33:04.599 --> 00:33:05.559
 He was alarmed by it.

00:33:06.680 --> 00:33:09.259
 Festus just treats it like a minor administrative headache.

00:33:10.140 --> 00:33:11.079
 He's like, let's get rid of this.

00:33:11.079 --> 00:33:13.579
 When we go and share the gospel,

00:33:14.240 --> 00:33:16.039
 we must focus everything that we share

00:33:16.039 --> 00:33:17.679
 on the resurrection of Jesus Christ.

00:33:17.779 --> 00:33:18.639
 That is the main thing.

00:33:19.139 --> 00:33:20.220
 If someone comes to you and says,

00:33:20.319 --> 00:33:20.919
 well, I don't know.

00:33:20.939 --> 00:33:22.179
 I don't know about the miracles.

00:33:22.879 --> 00:33:24.259
 I don't know about that big whale,

00:33:24.539 --> 00:33:25.859
 that big fish that eats up Jonah.

00:33:25.939 --> 00:33:26.699
 I don't understand that bit.

00:33:26.939 --> 00:33:28.740
 I don't know about the blind man who got to see again

00:33:28.740 --> 00:33:30.159
 because I've never seen that before in my life.

00:33:31.319 --> 00:33:32.119
 And actually, you know what?

00:33:32.519 --> 00:33:33.259
 I'm a scientist.

00:33:33.359 --> 00:33:34.779
 I don't even know how God created

00:33:34.779 --> 00:33:37.179
 the whole universe in those six days

00:33:37.179 --> 00:33:38.539
 and then decided to rest on the seven days.

00:33:38.619 --> 00:33:39.299
 None of it makes sense.

00:33:39.299 --> 00:33:40.339
 Well, here's the thing.

00:33:41.220 --> 00:33:42.180
 Start with the resurrection

00:33:42.180 --> 00:33:44.279
 because if you believe in the resurrection,

00:33:44.480 --> 00:33:45.559
 none of those other things really matter.

00:33:46.980 --> 00:33:49.180
 When we say that we believe in a God

00:33:49.180 --> 00:33:50.099
 that died and rose again,

00:33:50.680 --> 00:33:52.099
 we're saying that this is a God

00:33:52.099 --> 00:33:54.899
 that defies just the laws of nature and science.

00:33:56.039 --> 00:33:57.659
 If you don't believe in the resurrection,

00:33:57.859 --> 00:33:59.379
 then none of it really matters.

00:34:00.559 --> 00:34:02.480
 Everything hinges on that.

00:34:03.759 --> 00:34:05.759
 And of course, when we go and share these things with people

00:34:05.759 --> 00:34:08.800
 and have these people have really smart questions to ask,

00:34:08.800 --> 00:34:10.320
 don't be afraid to say,

00:34:10.539 --> 00:34:11.440
 I don't actually know.

00:34:12.039 --> 00:34:13.760
 But I know that there are people who might do.

00:34:14.340 --> 00:34:16.280
 In fact, let's go and ask him right now.

00:34:16.940 --> 00:34:18.060
 I've got a friend called Gemini.

00:34:18.820 --> 00:34:19.680
 Let's go and ask him.

00:34:21.120 --> 00:34:22.840
 And honestly, I joke, but it's helpful.

00:34:24.240 --> 00:34:25.640
 Ask people in your life group.

00:34:25.720 --> 00:34:26.680
 Ask people in your church.

00:34:27.480 --> 00:34:29.400
 Ask smart pastors like Pastor Gabe.

00:34:30.060 --> 00:34:31.240
 He would have to give you good answers.

00:34:31.239 --> 00:34:35.919
 But be prepared for this.

00:34:37.099 --> 00:34:38.459
 That there will be people

00:34:38.459 --> 00:34:41.459
 who take the resurrection of Jesus Christ

00:34:41.459 --> 00:34:43.399
 and treat it like a minor inconvenience.

00:34:45.379 --> 00:34:47.879
 But for us, 1 Corinthians 15, Paul says this,

00:34:47.959 --> 00:34:49.379
 but that is of utmost importance.

00:34:49.479 --> 00:34:50.259
 That's the only thing.

00:34:50.459 --> 00:34:51.959
 That's the only thing that keeps me going

00:34:51.959 --> 00:34:53.079
 when I'm facing death

00:34:53.079 --> 00:34:55.219
 is when I know that someone faced death

00:34:55.219 --> 00:34:57.239
 and conquered death and now rose again.

00:34:57.299 --> 00:34:57.919
 So I grieve,

00:34:57.920 --> 00:34:59.860
 but I don't grieve in the same way that you do

00:34:59.860 --> 00:35:01.079
 because I believe that death

00:35:01.079 --> 00:35:02.380
 has been dealt with once and for all.

00:35:04.019 --> 00:35:05.280
 Because of the person of Jesus

00:35:05.280 --> 00:35:06.639
 is alive right now.

00:35:07.800 --> 00:35:09.260
 But be prepared that there are people

00:35:09.260 --> 00:35:11.260
 who are completely uninterested.

00:35:12.420 --> 00:35:13.579
 And of course, when you say,

00:35:13.720 --> 00:35:15.079
 I don't know, be okay with that.

00:35:15.780 --> 00:35:16.700
 I always worry.

00:35:16.980 --> 00:35:18.880
 I'm always cynical of the people

00:35:18.880 --> 00:35:21.099
 who seem to be able to explain

00:35:21.099 --> 00:35:22.039
 everything about God,

00:35:22.519 --> 00:35:23.980
 who seem to know God so well.

00:35:24.539 --> 00:35:25.740
 But the truth is we cannot.

00:35:26.500 --> 00:35:27.700
 You'd be worried if I could.

00:35:28.840 --> 00:35:29.860
 Just like Harry Potter

00:35:29.860 --> 00:35:31.340
 was not able to explain

00:35:31.340 --> 00:35:32.920
 the life of J.K. Rowling

00:35:32.920 --> 00:35:34.119
 to his friends.

00:35:35.320 --> 00:35:36.559
 We're in a different realm.

00:35:38.400 --> 00:35:39.360
 And that's okay.

00:35:41.659 --> 00:35:43.039
 What Paul focuses on, though,

00:35:43.079 --> 00:35:44.519
 is not how to argue with people,

00:35:44.639 --> 00:35:45.139
 but just, hey,

00:35:45.960 --> 00:35:47.400
 I was one of you,

00:35:48.099 --> 00:35:49.059
 and then I met him,

00:35:49.680 --> 00:35:50.920
 and now I'm not.

00:35:51.780 --> 00:35:53.059
 It's a personal testimony.

00:35:54.200 --> 00:35:55.559
 When we're talking about testimony,

00:35:55.720 --> 00:35:57.000
 we're not talking about arguing people

00:35:57.000 --> 00:35:58.719
 about things that are so theological

00:35:58.719 --> 00:35:59.420
 and scientific.

00:35:59.840 --> 00:36:00.699
 We're talking about

00:36:00.699 --> 00:36:02.179
 a personal relationship with God

00:36:02.179 --> 00:36:02.960
 that we now have

00:36:02.960 --> 00:36:03.900
 because we met him.

00:36:05.380 --> 00:36:06.960
 And it's up to the Holy Spirit

00:36:06.960 --> 00:36:07.840
 to move them.

00:36:08.239 --> 00:36:11.579
 So he speaks to King Agrippa.

00:36:12.460 --> 00:36:13.800
 Now, Paul, chapter six now,

00:36:13.920 --> 00:36:14.840
 we're in the final chapter

00:36:14.840 --> 00:36:15.599
 in case those of you

00:36:15.599 --> 00:36:17.280
 who are struggling to follow.

00:36:17.280 --> 00:36:18.960
 So, chapter six,

00:36:20.200 --> 00:36:21.480
 verse one,

00:36:21.540 --> 00:36:22.380
 so Agrippa said to Paul,

00:36:22.460 --> 00:36:23.000
 you have permission

00:36:23.000 --> 00:36:23.860
 to speak for yourself.

00:36:23.960 --> 00:36:25.120
 Then Paul stretched out his hand

00:36:25.120 --> 00:36:26.019
 and made his defense.

00:36:26.300 --> 00:36:28.140
 I consider myself fortunate

00:36:28.140 --> 00:36:29.240
 that it is before you,

00:36:29.320 --> 00:36:29.740
 King Agrippa,

00:36:29.880 --> 00:36:31.780
 I'm going to make my defense today

00:36:31.780 --> 00:36:33.240
 against all the accusations

00:36:33.240 --> 00:36:34.760
 of the Jews.

00:36:36.240 --> 00:36:38.019
 Man, I'd be getting tired

00:36:38.019 --> 00:36:38.660
 if I was Paul.

00:36:38.840 --> 00:36:40.100
 Just time and time again,

00:36:40.180 --> 00:36:41.620
 just explaining to himself,

00:36:41.700 --> 00:36:42.400
 yet each time,

00:36:42.519 --> 00:36:44.200
 he does it with respect.

00:36:44.199 --> 00:36:48.939
 Now, Agrippa is a really

00:36:48.939 --> 00:36:49.619
 interesting person

00:36:49.619 --> 00:36:50.799
 because he's actually

00:36:50.799 --> 00:36:51.439
 almost there.

00:36:52.639 --> 00:36:52.899
 Why?

00:36:53.019 --> 00:36:53.500
 Because actually,

00:36:53.539 --> 00:36:54.299
 he is very familiar.

00:36:54.579 --> 00:36:56.139
 He himself was of Jewish descent.

00:36:56.379 --> 00:36:57.759
 So he would have known about this

00:36:57.759 --> 00:36:58.919
 and Paul seems to know this

00:36:58.919 --> 00:37:00.679
 about him too.

00:37:01.539 --> 00:37:02.819
 So he explains

00:37:02.819 --> 00:37:03.819
 and we won't go through that

00:37:03.819 --> 00:37:04.539
 because he explains

00:37:04.539 --> 00:37:05.419
 basically his story.

00:37:05.699 --> 00:37:06.379
 And once he's finished

00:37:06.379 --> 00:37:06.799
 this story,

00:37:06.899 --> 00:37:07.599
 actually Festus,

00:37:07.679 --> 00:37:08.219
 the new governor,

00:37:08.399 --> 00:37:08.799
 chips in.

00:37:09.019 --> 00:37:10.019
 And chapter 26,

00:37:10.299 --> 00:37:10.939
 verse 24,

00:37:11.019 --> 00:37:11.199
 he says,

00:37:11.279 --> 00:37:12.599
 Paul, you are out of your mind.

00:37:12.839 --> 00:37:13.559
 Your great learning

00:37:13.559 --> 00:37:14.500
 is driving you

00:37:14.500 --> 00:37:15.299
 out of your mind.

00:37:16.440 --> 00:37:19.320
 Is what he's saying here.

00:37:19.920 --> 00:37:20.219
 He's saying,

00:37:20.259 --> 00:37:20.500
 Paul,

00:37:20.619 --> 00:37:21.659
 you have completely lost your mind.

00:37:21.739 --> 00:37:22.880
 You have read so many books.

00:37:23.199 --> 00:37:24.320
 You have completely lost it.

00:37:24.360 --> 00:37:25.000
 You are crazy.

00:37:26.619 --> 00:37:27.139
 And then Paul

00:37:27.139 --> 00:37:28.360
 answers him respectfully.

00:37:28.799 --> 00:37:29.099
 He says,

00:37:29.199 --> 00:37:30.179
 I am not out of my mind,

00:37:30.259 --> 00:37:31.299
 most excellent Festus,

00:37:31.579 --> 00:37:32.279
 but I am speaking

00:37:32.279 --> 00:37:34.259
 true and rational words.

00:37:34.940 --> 00:37:35.679
 For the king knows

00:37:35.679 --> 00:37:36.320
 about these things

00:37:36.320 --> 00:37:36.880
 and to him

00:37:36.880 --> 00:37:38.079
 I speak boldly.

00:37:38.119 --> 00:37:38.759
 For I am persuaded

00:37:38.759 --> 00:37:39.579
 none of these things

00:37:39.579 --> 00:37:40.420
 has escaped his notice

00:37:40.420 --> 00:37:41.759
 for this has not been done

00:37:41.759 --> 00:37:42.320
 in a corner.

00:37:42.320 --> 00:37:43.740
 King Agrippa,

00:37:43.900 --> 00:37:44.920
 do you believe the prophets?

00:37:45.039 --> 00:37:45.800
 I know that you believe.

00:37:45.880 --> 00:37:46.420
 Can you see

00:37:46.420 --> 00:37:48.000
 when faced with someone

00:37:48.000 --> 00:37:48.940
 who's calling him crazy,

00:37:49.059 --> 00:37:49.880
 when faced with someone

00:37:49.880 --> 00:37:51.360
 who is being condescending to him,

00:37:51.840 --> 00:37:52.840
 Paul remains respectful.

00:37:54.300 --> 00:37:54.559
 He says,

00:37:54.640 --> 00:37:54.760
 hey,

00:37:55.200 --> 00:37:56.780
 I'm not out of my mind.

00:37:57.200 --> 00:37:57.960
 I am indeed

00:37:57.960 --> 00:37:58.760
 smarter than you,

00:37:58.880 --> 00:38:00.320
 but I have not lost my mind.

00:38:00.680 --> 00:38:02.120
 But what I am telling you here

00:38:02.120 --> 00:38:04.200
 is the truth.

00:38:05.000 --> 00:38:05.519
 And actually,

00:38:05.600 --> 00:38:06.720
 I'm not even making it up.

00:38:06.760 --> 00:38:07.900
 It's been a good few years now.

00:38:07.980 --> 00:38:08.880
 This hasn't been done

00:38:08.880 --> 00:38:09.680
 in secret

00:38:09.679 --> 00:38:11.259
 is what he's saying.

00:38:11.639 --> 00:38:12.339
 What he's saying

00:38:12.339 --> 00:38:13.359
 is that you've seen

00:38:13.359 --> 00:38:14.980
 the people

00:38:14.980 --> 00:38:15.699
 who have been following

00:38:15.699 --> 00:38:16.859
 the way live.

00:38:17.059 --> 00:38:17.779
 You've seen

00:38:17.779 --> 00:38:18.579
 how this truth

00:38:18.579 --> 00:38:19.719
 continues to permeate

00:38:19.719 --> 00:38:20.440
 into society.

00:38:20.599 --> 00:38:21.759
 We're not causing trouble,

00:38:21.899 --> 00:38:22.940
 but we are bringing hope

00:38:22.940 --> 00:38:23.679
 and peace and joy.

00:38:24.039 --> 00:38:25.159
 Lives are being transformed

00:38:25.159 --> 00:38:25.859
 because of this.

00:38:26.119 --> 00:38:27.079
 And he turns to King Agrippa

00:38:27.079 --> 00:38:27.319
 and says,

00:38:27.379 --> 00:38:28.239
 do you believe in the prophets?

00:38:28.319 --> 00:38:28.919
 I know you do.

00:38:30.579 --> 00:38:31.399
 I know you do

00:38:31.399 --> 00:38:32.480
 because you're of Jewish descent.

00:38:32.579 --> 00:38:33.299
 You're a Jewish boy

00:38:33.299 --> 00:38:33.919
 just like me.

00:38:34.319 --> 00:38:35.179
 You went to the same

00:38:35.179 --> 00:38:35.759
 kind of school

00:38:35.759 --> 00:38:36.359
 as I did.

00:38:36.559 --> 00:38:37.339
 You know this.

00:38:37.340 --> 00:38:38.440
 You know this is true.

00:38:40.360 --> 00:38:41.480
 And then King Agrippa

00:38:41.480 --> 00:38:42.039
 says this,

00:38:42.680 --> 00:38:43.780
 in a short time,

00:38:43.920 --> 00:38:44.780
 would you persuade me

00:38:44.780 --> 00:38:45.519
 to be a Christian?

00:38:46.480 --> 00:38:47.360
 And then Paul answers him,

00:38:47.440 --> 00:38:48.240
 whether sure or long

00:38:48.240 --> 00:38:49.079
 I would to God

00:38:49.079 --> 00:38:49.940
 that not only you

00:38:49.940 --> 00:38:51.160
 but also all who hear me

00:38:51.160 --> 00:38:51.579
 this day

00:38:51.579 --> 00:38:53.220
 might become such as I am

00:38:53.220 --> 00:38:55.480
 except for these chains.

00:38:56.360 --> 00:38:56.720
 Now,

00:38:57.800 --> 00:38:58.860
 people are actually guessing

00:38:58.860 --> 00:38:59.840
 whether King Agrippa

00:38:59.840 --> 00:39:00.740
 was being sarcastic.

00:39:01.440 --> 00:39:01.740
 He's like,

00:39:01.940 --> 00:39:02.480
 are you trying to,

00:39:02.780 --> 00:39:03.220
 are you going to try

00:39:03.220 --> 00:39:04.039
 and make me a Christian now?

00:39:04.579 --> 00:39:05.440
 He could have been saying that.

00:39:05.660 --> 00:39:06.720
 Or he could have been sincere

00:39:06.719 --> 00:39:06.939
 and said,

00:39:07.000 --> 00:39:07.379
 well actually,

00:39:07.699 --> 00:39:07.899
 really,

00:39:07.959 --> 00:39:08.619
 is that all it takes?

00:39:09.119 --> 00:39:10.119
 In this short time,

00:39:10.239 --> 00:39:11.119
 just this short conversation,

00:39:11.199 --> 00:39:11.579
 you're going to try

00:39:11.579 --> 00:39:12.719
 and convert me to Christianity

00:39:12.719 --> 00:39:14.719
 and have me leave behind

00:39:14.719 --> 00:39:15.779
 all my Jewish descent?

00:39:17.799 --> 00:39:18.659
 Whichever way it is,

00:39:19.119 --> 00:39:19.980
 what's more important

00:39:19.980 --> 00:39:21.159
 isn't his response,

00:39:21.239 --> 00:39:22.279
 it's actually Paul's response

00:39:22.279 --> 00:39:22.779
 after that.

00:39:23.319 --> 00:39:23.819
 Paul's saying,

00:39:23.939 --> 00:39:24.259
 hey look,

00:39:25.059 --> 00:39:25.980
 am I trying to convert you?

00:39:26.059 --> 00:39:26.419
 I don't know.

00:39:26.939 --> 00:39:28.239
 Short or long conversation,

00:39:28.759 --> 00:39:30.019
 it doesn't really matter.

00:39:30.219 --> 00:39:30.519
 And actually,

00:39:30.599 --> 00:39:31.419
 it's not even just you,

00:39:31.719 --> 00:39:32.119
 King Agrippa.

00:39:32.119 --> 00:39:33.799
 I hope that everyone here

00:39:33.799 --> 00:39:35.099
 who's listening to me right now,

00:39:35.259 --> 00:39:36.960
 they would hear this good news

00:39:36.960 --> 00:39:38.099
 and they would believe.

00:39:39.239 --> 00:39:40.400
 And they would be just like me,

00:39:40.519 --> 00:39:41.159
 filled with hope,

00:39:41.440 --> 00:39:42.299
 transformed completely,

00:39:42.400 --> 00:39:43.440
 but maybe without these chains,

00:39:43.759 --> 00:39:44.380
 is what he's saying.

00:39:45.880 --> 00:39:46.900
 You guys could all do

00:39:46.900 --> 00:39:47.539
 without these chains,

00:39:47.639 --> 00:39:48.900
 but I am an ambassador in chains.

00:39:48.960 --> 00:39:49.759
 I'm good with this.

00:39:49.900 --> 00:39:50.699
 But my hope is that

00:39:50.699 --> 00:39:51.440
 I'm stood here

00:39:51.440 --> 00:39:53.139
 after two years of waiting,

00:39:53.900 --> 00:39:55.519
 but I'm still good.

00:39:56.299 --> 00:39:57.420
 Because I hope that you guys

00:39:57.420 --> 00:39:58.359
 would accept this good news.

00:39:58.360 --> 00:40:00.920
 Can you see just Paul's heart?

00:40:01.400 --> 00:40:02.140
 It's different.

00:40:03.320 --> 00:40:04.900
 It's different to what

00:40:04.900 --> 00:40:06.280
 often you and I have,

00:40:06.599 --> 00:40:07.620
 but yet what we see here

00:40:07.620 --> 00:40:08.380
 is a King Agrippa.

00:40:09.079 --> 00:40:11.019
 Maybe this is the rocky ground

00:40:11.019 --> 00:40:11.900
 where there is no depth,

00:40:11.940 --> 00:40:13.220
 where he did accept

00:40:13.220 --> 00:40:14.820
 some things that were true.

00:40:15.480 --> 00:40:16.780
 He was taught those things

00:40:16.780 --> 00:40:17.320
 as a boy,

00:40:17.380 --> 00:40:17.800
 as a Jew,

00:40:18.480 --> 00:40:19.640
 and yet he was almost there,

00:40:19.700 --> 00:40:20.440
 but not quite there.

00:40:20.860 --> 00:40:22.019
 He believed in a Messiah.

00:40:22.340 --> 00:40:23.340
 He believed in a God,

00:40:23.640 --> 00:40:24.900
 which was already way better

00:40:24.900 --> 00:40:26.320
 than most people

00:40:26.320 --> 00:40:27.780
 in Roman civilization at the time.

00:40:27.940 --> 00:40:29.720
 At least this God.

00:40:31.240 --> 00:40:32.180
 And yet he was almost there,

00:40:32.220 --> 00:40:33.140
 but he wasn't there at all.

00:40:35.700 --> 00:40:36.720
 Spurgeon says this,

00:40:37.120 --> 00:40:38.040
 an almost Christian

00:40:38.040 --> 00:40:38.920
 is one of the most

00:40:38.920 --> 00:40:39.980
 difficult people to reach

00:40:39.980 --> 00:40:40.960
 because he has enough

00:40:40.960 --> 00:40:41.460
 of the gospel

00:40:41.460 --> 00:40:42.519
 to immunize him

00:40:42.519 --> 00:40:43.600
 against the power of it,

00:40:43.920 --> 00:40:44.820
 but not enough

00:40:44.820 --> 00:40:45.360
 of the gospel

00:40:45.360 --> 00:40:46.460
 to save him by it.

00:40:47.400 --> 00:40:48.560
 An almost Christian

00:40:48.560 --> 00:40:49.380
 is one of the most

00:40:49.380 --> 00:40:50.560
 difficult people to reach

00:40:50.560 --> 00:40:51.800
 because he has enough

00:40:51.800 --> 00:40:52.320
 of the gospel

00:40:52.320 --> 00:40:53.340
 to immunize him

00:40:53.340 --> 00:40:54.540
 against the power of it,

00:40:54.740 --> 00:40:55.820
 but not enough

00:40:55.820 --> 00:40:56.400
 of the gospel

00:40:56.400 --> 00:40:57.660
 to save him.

00:40:57.780 --> 00:41:03.680
 by it. McLaren says there is no almost in the kingdom of heaven. To be almost across the chasm

00:41:03.680 --> 00:41:08.680
 is to fall to the bottom. Agrippa represents the soul that sees the light,

00:41:08.900 --> 00:41:13.280
 weighs the cost, and decides that the world is worth more than the truth.

00:41:17.260 --> 00:41:23.620
 He had the level at an information level, but he didn't go into the communion with God.

00:41:23.619 --> 00:41:30.440
 He had the intellect, but it didn't drop into his heart. Before we turn and go, hey, those are the

00:41:30.440 --> 00:41:36.239
 people that we have to reach. I wonder whether we stop there and go, hmm, is that us? Are we kind of

00:41:36.239 --> 00:41:43.199
 close to the gospel, but not quite there? Because almost is not quite enough. Agrippa stayed at the

00:41:43.199 --> 00:41:48.380
 tradition level, but it didn't go into the personal level. His rocky ground was his power, his tradition.

00:41:48.380 --> 00:41:55.000
 I wonder what ours is. I wonder what we're actually holding on to that stops us from truly

00:41:55.000 --> 00:42:04.039
 living by and experiencing the power of God. Almost Agrippa. Ironically, Paul was the one in

00:42:04.039 --> 00:42:09.660
 chains here, but in reality, they were the ones that were really in chains. And he said that. He's like,

00:42:09.680 --> 00:42:13.260
 I wish that you guys were where I was at. Maybe mine is these things here, but it really doesn't

00:42:13.260 --> 00:42:18.420
 matter. I'm here to share with you the good news of Jesus Christ. I was like you. I was blind.

00:42:18.860 --> 00:42:23.620
 I was a murderer. And yeah, I was completely transformed.

00:42:26.640 --> 00:42:31.720
 I don't know what experiences we will face when we go out and share the gospel, but I think we can

00:42:31.720 --> 00:42:36.180
 take great comfort in the fact that Paul met all kinds of responses, whether they were procrastinating

00:42:36.180 --> 00:42:42.180
 ones, whether they were alarmed, offended by the message of Jesus, or whether they were uninterested,

00:42:42.179 --> 00:42:46.919
 or whether they were hostile and tried to kill him. I don't know about you, but I take comfort in that.

00:42:47.000 --> 00:42:51.019
 And next time I go and share the gospel, I'm like, oh, actually, I'm going to be prepared for anything.

00:42:52.000 --> 00:42:56.179
 Because if it happened to Paul, if it happened to Peter, and if it happened to Jesus,

00:42:57.059 --> 00:43:00.799
 then it's probably going to happen to me. And if it doesn't happen to me, it's probably because I'm

00:43:00.799 --> 00:43:07.980
 doing it wrong. In some weird, strange way, that actually lifts the fear off my shoulders.

00:43:07.980 --> 00:43:16.079
 I'm like, take it or leave it. This is what it did to me. This is how it transformed me.

00:43:20.679 --> 00:43:24.860
 Let's spend the final few minutes now reflecting, because if we look at the parable of the sower,

00:43:25.559 --> 00:43:30.780
 the hard ground, the thorns, the rocky ground, what Paul represents is the good soil.

00:43:30.780 --> 00:43:39.420
 The one who was willing to see the depth of his sin, how he was actually blinded by his own tradition,

00:43:39.940 --> 00:43:46.680
 blinded by his rage. And then Jesus encounters him and actually blinds him. But the moment he opens

00:43:46.680 --> 00:43:54.860
 his eyes, he sees a new way. My prayer is that we would be the good soil, because we can't go out of

00:43:54.860 --> 00:44:00.599
 here from here. If we are procrastinating, if we are uninterested, if we are hostile, if we're not

00:44:00.599 --> 00:44:06.400
 alarmed and offended by what we are in front of a holy God, you can't give what you don't have

00:44:06.400 --> 00:44:12.559
 yourself, right? So the prayer is, Holy Spirit, would you convict me of that sin and righteousness?

00:44:13.180 --> 00:44:20.640
 Would you free me from the chains and the things of this world that choke me away from, pull me away

00:44:20.639 --> 00:44:30.599
 from you? Free me from that need to approve, need to please, need to be liked, and be willing to share

00:44:30.599 --> 00:44:34.940
 the truth to the people that you put around me, those who I deeply love and those who I don't love much,

00:44:35.359 --> 00:44:39.719
 those who are reacting to me in all kinds of ways, but let me be the same.

00:44:42.960 --> 00:44:48.639
 Again, the style is different. I think we live in an age where people crave relationship.

00:44:48.639 --> 00:44:53.239
 They're yearning for authentic people sharing in an authentic way.

00:44:56.599 --> 00:44:58.319
 This week, a few of us, we were actually

00:44:58.319 --> 00:45:04.299
 away in Thailand with a group of missionaries all around Asia coming together, and I was just blown

00:45:04.299 --> 00:45:11.099
 away by the obedience and trust that people around the globe have in following this message and saying

00:45:11.099 --> 00:45:18.000
 yes to God, even if it meant the moment they chose to follow Jesus, their families would disown them.

00:45:18.639 --> 00:45:25.239
 Even if it meant they had to surrender their own comforts and their own ambitions.

00:45:27.799 --> 00:45:33.099
 What's the common denominator to here as we look at this book is that there were people who were

00:45:33.099 --> 00:45:38.539
 constrained by the spirit, who couldn't help. Now that they know the truth, they can't help but share it.

00:45:38.539 --> 00:45:47.699
 My prayer is that when we go and share that message, we will encounter good soil. People who are receptive,

00:45:48.480 --> 00:45:54.559
 but also that God will give you what you need to prepare you when you meet the rocky, when you meet

00:45:54.559 --> 00:46:02.360
 the thorny, when you meet the offensive, when you meet the hostile. Imagine if we all left here now

00:46:02.360 --> 00:46:14.680
 just so passionate, so convicted by the brokenness that we see in this world, and we want to play our part in

00:46:14.680 --> 00:46:19.900
 sharing light. Imagine what it would be like if the next people that you speak to that is not in this room,

00:46:20.900 --> 00:46:24.620
 you shared the good news of Jesus to.

00:46:24.619 --> 00:46:29.579
 Let's spend a moment now before we have the worship team come up just to

00:46:29.579 --> 00:46:31.960
 just ask the Holy Spirit to guide.

00:46:32.799 --> 00:46:38.319
 As I look around the room, I see people already who are saying yes to Jesus, saying yes to his Holy Spirit,

00:46:38.380 --> 00:46:43.940
 saying I will do this, I will do Alpha, I will go back into my workplace, I will go and speak to that friend now.

00:46:43.940 --> 00:46:49.400
 So my final exhortation is this, lean on the Holy Spirit.

00:46:50.900 --> 00:46:53.599
 If that person comes to Christ, it won't be because of you.

00:46:55.780 --> 00:46:57.960
 It will be because of the Holy Spirit convicting him.

00:46:58.179 --> 00:47:01.480
 It will be because of the power of the cross moving in that person.

00:47:02.380 --> 00:47:03.720
 We just need to be the vessels.

00:47:05.679 --> 00:47:08.539
 Would we be vessels that have no fear?

00:47:09.900 --> 00:47:10.920
 Because God is with us.

00:47:12.220 --> 00:47:13.360
 Spend a moment to pray now.

00:47:13.940 --> 00:47:43.920
 God, we are with you.

00:47:43.920 --> 00:47:44.820
 We are inspired by Paul.

00:47:47.200 --> 00:47:48.680
 He was a chosen instrument.

00:47:54.400 --> 00:48:00.099
 And yet we are also recognizing this morning that we have also been chosen.

00:48:00.099 --> 00:48:12.360
 to share this good news that we profess to believe in, this way that we say that we follow.

00:48:12.360 --> 00:48:13.360
 Holy Spirit, we need you.

00:48:13.360 --> 00:48:24.519
 We need you to shake us out of our procrastinating spirits.

00:48:24.679 --> 00:48:24.679


00:48:24.679 --> 00:48:24.679


00:48:24.679 --> 00:48:24.679


00:48:24.679 --> 00:48:24.679


00:48:24.679 --> 00:48:31.239
 the fear that's in us

00:48:31.239 --> 00:48:32.739
 the insecurity that's in us

00:48:32.739 --> 00:48:34.179
 the anxieties that are in us

00:48:40.980 --> 00:48:42.259
 the same power

00:48:42.259 --> 00:48:43.519
 that conquered the grave

00:48:43.519 --> 00:48:46.239
 the same power that filled Peter and Paul

00:48:46.239 --> 00:48:49.179
 is the same power that lives inside us

00:48:49.179 --> 00:48:54.799
 would you use us?

00:48:54.899 --> 00:48:55.579
 would you send us?

00:49:06.980 --> 00:49:09.179
 give us the courage to have awkward conversations

00:49:09.179 --> 00:49:18.500
 give us the resilience

00:49:18.500 --> 00:49:19.940
 when others mock us

00:49:19.940 --> 00:49:27.539
 but most of all

00:49:27.539 --> 00:49:28.960
 fill us with compassion and love

00:49:28.960 --> 00:49:30.860
 for those we share this message to

00:49:30.860 --> 00:49:39.239
 Lord would you have your way in us?

00:49:41.179 --> 00:49:42.880
 would you fill us up and send us out?

00:49:46.179 --> 00:49:48.000
 we seek to be your hands and your feet

00:49:48.159 --> 00:49:50.840
 but still

00:49:50.840 --> 00:49:52.780
 but still

00:49:52.780 --> 00:49:52.780


00:49:52.780 --> 00:49:52.780


00:49:52.780 --> 00:49:52.780


00:49:52.780 --> 00:49:53.239
 but still

00:49:53.239 --> 00:49:53.239


00:49:53.239 --> 00:49:53.920
 but still

00:49:53.920 --> 00:49:53.920


00:49:53.920 --> 00:49:54.760
 but still

00:49:54.760 --> 00:49:55.460
 but still

00:49:55.460 --> 00:49:55.460


00:49:55.460 --> 00:49:55.460


00:49:55.460 --> 00:49:55.460


00:49:55.460 --> 00:49:56.400
 but still

00:49:56.400 --> 00:49:56.400


00:49:56.400 --> 00:49:56.940
 but still

00:49:56.940 --> 00:49:57.460
 but still

00:49:57.460 --> 00:50:10.659
 but still