WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:04.700 Some things in life just have a bigger impact on us. 00:00:05.400 --> 00:00:09.519 I've been a keen follower of the cricket for many years, 00:00:09.660 --> 00:00:12.759 and let me tell you, it has impacted many parts of my life. 00:00:13.259 --> 00:00:17.300 Not just watching or going to games, but financial decisions. 00:00:17.960 --> 00:00:19.500 Will I buy merchandise? 00:00:20.519 --> 00:00:23.539 I teach my kids the love of the game. 00:00:23.539 --> 00:00:30.939 And then there's the emotional rollercoaster of the highs of the wins and the joy, 00:00:31.259 --> 00:00:35.159 and then the depressing lows of the losses. 00:00:36.519 --> 00:00:40.599 Some decisions just have bigger impacts on our life. 00:00:41.859 --> 00:00:45.700 Decisions to get married, decisions to have kids, decisions where we live, 00:00:45.820 --> 00:00:49.620 who will be our friends, what career, what should I study? 00:00:49.619 --> 00:00:58.019 These things impact what we love, what we do with our time, and what we do with our money. 00:00:59.439 --> 00:01:04.420 But none of these compare to the impact on our lives of following Jesus. 00:01:05.599 --> 00:01:13.539 At least, nothing compares to what the impact of following Jesus should have on our lives. 00:01:14.459 --> 00:01:18.219 Following Jesus should impact the things that I love. 00:01:18.219 --> 00:01:20.900 It should shape what I spend my money on. 00:01:21.019 --> 00:01:24.299 It should wake me up to think about how I think about the world. 00:01:24.659 --> 00:01:26.780 It should impact my ethics. 00:01:28.340 --> 00:01:32.420 Following Jesus should impact all of my life. 00:01:33.319 --> 00:01:37.819 But I wonder if we can resist or fight God's influence. 00:01:39.019 --> 00:01:43.379 Today, we are continuing in the series, For All People. 00:01:43.900 --> 00:01:46.460 Throughout this series, in the book of Acts, the second half of the book of Acts, 00:01:46.459 --> 00:01:48.859 we've seen how God is for all people. 00:01:48.979 --> 00:01:51.979 He is for the slave and the free, the male and the female. 00:01:52.139 --> 00:01:54.219 He's for the Jew and the Gentile. 00:01:54.339 --> 00:01:59.099 God is for people all across the world, for all different types of people. 00:01:59.819 --> 00:02:02.679 And today, we see not just that God is for all people, 00:02:02.799 --> 00:02:05.599 but God is for all of their life. 00:02:06.339 --> 00:02:10.199 God wants to impact all of our lives. 00:02:10.199 --> 00:02:17.199 And the challenge for us today will be to see how God needs to continue to impact our lives. 00:02:17.419 --> 00:02:24.199 How God will continue to shape our lives so that we are more like him every day. 00:02:24.639 --> 00:02:27.280 Let me pray as we look at Acts 19. 00:02:27.280 --> 00:02:34.360 Dear Heavenly Father, we thank you for your love for us, us who are far from you. 00:02:34.860 --> 00:02:40.840 And we ask that as we look at your word today, that you would help shape all of our lives. 00:02:41.699 --> 00:02:43.800 We ask this in your Son's name. Amen. 00:02:44.939 --> 00:02:46.240 Today, we're in Acts 19. 00:02:46.420 --> 00:02:48.219 Please have your Bibles open. 00:02:48.439 --> 00:02:52.719 You can be using the St. Paul's app with the three points in there today. 00:02:52.719 --> 00:02:55.819 The three points today that we will... 00:02:55.819 --> 00:03:01.039 Firstly, we're going to see that the Gospel impacts our belief. 00:03:01.379 --> 00:03:03.879 Before, we see that the Gospel impacts our control. 00:03:04.340 --> 00:03:07.599 And then finally, that the Gospel impacts our worship. 00:03:08.240 --> 00:03:09.120 Have the app open. 00:03:09.240 --> 00:03:10.020 Take some notes. 00:03:10.199 --> 00:03:11.000 Write them down. 00:03:11.379 --> 00:03:12.879 Have your Bibles open. 00:03:13.819 --> 00:03:16.800 And so we meet Paul in Ephesus. 00:03:17.759 --> 00:03:20.740 And Paul meets some disciples. 00:03:20.740 --> 00:03:26.340 But on closer inspection, it's not clear whose disciples they are. 00:03:27.080 --> 00:03:34.860 They had been baptised in the baptism of John, but they haven't heard of the Holy Spirit. 00:03:34.980 --> 00:03:36.260 They haven't heard of Jesus. 00:03:37.439 --> 00:03:42.420 I think it's likely that these are people who have been discipled by Apollos. 00:03:44.080 --> 00:03:49.320 John had been baptising people in the expectation of Jesus' coming. 00:03:49.319 --> 00:03:52.500 But for some reason, these men haven't heard about him. 00:03:53.000 --> 00:03:55.879 They only have a partial faith. 00:03:56.959 --> 00:03:58.759 They've only gotten part of the story. 00:03:59.019 --> 00:04:02.219 They've heard and loved the first part of the story from John, 00:04:02.780 --> 00:04:07.199 that there would be someone that would come, who would save them, who would deal with their sin. 00:04:07.359 --> 00:04:08.439 But they didn't have the sequel. 00:04:09.199 --> 00:04:11.639 They didn't yet have the better part of the story. 00:04:11.759 --> 00:04:13.719 They hadn't heard about Jesus yet. 00:04:13.719 --> 00:04:18.100 And so Paul clarifies this good news. 00:04:18.180 --> 00:04:18.779 Have a look with me. 00:04:18.839 --> 00:04:20.540 Acts chapter 19, verse 4. 00:04:21.899 --> 00:04:24.360 John's baptism was a baptism of repentance. 00:04:25.439 --> 00:04:30.040 He told the people to believe in the one coming after him, that is, in Jesus. 00:04:30.899 --> 00:04:34.759 On hearing this, they were baptised in the name of the Lord Jesus. 00:04:34.759 --> 00:04:40.680 When Paul placed his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came on them, and they spoke in tongues and prophesied. 00:04:41.560 --> 00:04:44.579 Paul carefully and lovingly corrected these disciples. 00:04:44.740 --> 00:04:45.920 He taught them about Jesus. 00:04:46.939 --> 00:04:54.120 The Holy Spirit has come upon them, and God has used Paul to correct their belief about God, 00:04:54.659 --> 00:04:56.560 so that they would know him better. 00:04:57.199 --> 00:05:00.439 So that they would know Jesus, who reveals God. 00:05:00.439 --> 00:05:03.079 And God works through their lives. 00:05:03.240 --> 00:05:09.279 For all Christians, he gives the Holy Spirit, and we see the outworking of the Holy Spirit in their life. 00:05:10.139 --> 00:05:11.819 This is a wonderful promise. 00:05:12.600 --> 00:05:16.220 A promise that, for Christians, God is with us. 00:05:17.319 --> 00:05:21.480 If you're not a Christian, if you're still unsure, this is a wonderful promise. 00:05:22.339 --> 00:05:25.399 That God will give you his Holy Spirit. 00:05:25.519 --> 00:05:29.220 That he promises to be with you every single day. 00:05:30.439 --> 00:05:33.459 For Christians today, we have the whole story. 00:05:34.240 --> 00:05:35.660 We're not like these disciples. 00:05:35.800 --> 00:05:36.800 We know the whole story. 00:05:36.920 --> 00:05:37.959 We know of Jesus. 00:05:39.819 --> 00:05:42.779 But I wonder if we can also be like these disciples, 00:05:43.579 --> 00:05:48.180 where we need to continue to learn and get to know our God better. 00:05:49.459 --> 00:05:52.800 Imagine thinking that we could fully understand God now. 00:05:53.100 --> 00:05:57.959 What a puny, tiny God he'd have to be for me to get my head around him. 00:05:57.959 --> 00:06:00.979 God is massive. 00:06:01.180 --> 00:06:03.419 He is way too amazing. 00:06:03.799 --> 00:06:05.500 His love is beyond us. 00:06:05.939 --> 00:06:08.039 His justice is always right. 00:06:09.060 --> 00:06:12.719 But he is a God who continues to reveal who he is. 00:06:13.579 --> 00:06:17.799 We get to know him better as we continue to follow him. 00:06:17.800 --> 00:06:22.500 So just like these disciples had an opportunity to hear the gospel 00:06:22.500 --> 00:06:24.280 and got to know God fully, 00:06:24.620 --> 00:06:29.620 we continue to get to know God as we follow him and read his word. 00:06:30.699 --> 00:06:34.060 For me personally, I've gotten to know God more and more 00:06:34.060 --> 00:06:37.019 as I've gone through life and as I've read his word. 00:06:37.840 --> 00:06:43.019 As I've been sinned against and worked hard not to hold a grudge, 00:06:43.019 --> 00:06:47.620 I've learned how hard it is to forgive other people 00:06:47.620 --> 00:06:50.599 and how amazing my God is that he would forgive me. 00:06:51.639 --> 00:06:56.479 As a father, I learned the hard way about my own lack of patience 00:06:56.479 --> 00:07:02.120 and how amazing God's patience is for us, his little children. 00:07:02.120 --> 00:07:10.819 My own anger at lockdown rule breakers has reminded me of God's love for us, 00:07:11.060 --> 00:07:11.720 his enemies. 00:07:12.860 --> 00:07:18.680 The joy of relationship with God is that we get to know him more and more each day 00:07:18.680 --> 00:07:21.959 as we continue to hear from him and talk to him 00:07:21.959 --> 00:07:24.060 and journey through life following him. 00:07:24.959 --> 00:07:26.079 So let me encourage you. 00:07:26.540 --> 00:07:30.360 Keep letting the gospel impact your belief about God 00:07:30.360 --> 00:07:34.000 because we never arrive fully knowing him 00:07:34.000 --> 00:07:37.199 until we arrive with him. 00:07:38.439 --> 00:07:41.180 That's our first point this morning, fairly short point to start us off. 00:07:41.780 --> 00:07:44.120 God impacts our belief in God. 00:07:44.420 --> 00:07:46.280 We continue to get to know him. 00:07:47.240 --> 00:07:51.620 But it also impacts our desire to have control. 00:07:52.100 --> 00:07:53.139 That's our second point today. 00:07:53.840 --> 00:07:55.960 The gospel impacts our control. 00:07:56.920 --> 00:07:59.080 Paul stayed in Ephesus. 00:07:59.079 --> 00:08:02.159 He was there preaching for two years 00:08:02.159 --> 00:08:04.839 and he moved from the synagogue to a lecture hall. 00:08:05.759 --> 00:08:09.800 And Luke expresses the impact of Paul's preaching by saying in verse 10 00:08:09.800 --> 00:08:13.800 that all of the Jews and Greeks who lived in the province of Asia 00:08:13.800 --> 00:08:15.979 had heard the word of the Lord. 00:08:17.159 --> 00:08:22.699 God worked through Paul to show that God is the one who is in control. 00:08:23.479 --> 00:08:25.180 Everybody is hearing about it 00:08:25.180 --> 00:08:29.000 and God does wonderful miracles through Paul to prove it. 00:08:29.000 --> 00:08:29.759 Verse 11. 00:08:30.280 --> 00:08:32.360 God did extraordinary miracles through Paul 00:08:32.360 --> 00:08:35.879 so that even handkerchiefs and aprons that had touched him 00:08:35.879 --> 00:08:37.279 were taken to the sick 00:08:37.279 --> 00:08:39.720 and their illnesses were cured 00:08:39.720 --> 00:08:41.940 and the evil spirits left them. 00:08:42.500 --> 00:08:47.159 This is a wonderful picture of both the gospel going out through Paul's preaching 00:08:47.159 --> 00:08:53.899 but also God's power working to show that God is really in control. 00:08:55.219 --> 00:08:56.480 And Luke sets up a contrast. 00:08:56.980 --> 00:08:58.659 You've got Paul on the one hand 00:08:58.659 --> 00:09:02.159 who is preaching, who knows God, who's doing these amazing miracles 00:09:02.159 --> 00:09:06.819 and another group of people who are trying to imitate him. 00:09:07.919 --> 00:09:11.919 Luke tells us a story of the seven sons of Sceva 00:09:11.919 --> 00:09:13.240 who were exorcists. 00:09:13.579 --> 00:09:14.500 They were ghostbusters. 00:09:14.500 --> 00:09:21.340 In first century Asia, exorcism could be a lucrative business. 00:09:22.340 --> 00:09:25.159 And the Jews in the ancient world were pretty famous 00:09:25.159 --> 00:09:27.440 for being able to cast out demons. 00:09:28.399 --> 00:09:31.779 And there were seven sons of a Jewish priest named Sceva 00:09:31.779 --> 00:09:35.200 and they were in the business of exorcism. 00:09:35.539 --> 00:09:38.139 And they wanted to get in on this new technique 00:09:38.139 --> 00:09:41.519 of healing and doing miracles that Paul had. 00:09:42.059 --> 00:09:43.820 You know, it's like they've just been to a conference 00:09:43.820 --> 00:09:46.840 and they've heard everybody saying that a new way to do business 00:09:46.840 --> 00:09:48.920 was to use the name of Jesus. 00:09:50.340 --> 00:09:54.500 And so, verse 13, they try out this new technique they've heard. 00:09:55.560 --> 00:09:56.280 They would say, 00:09:56.780 --> 00:09:59.140 in the name of Jesus whom Paul preaches, 00:09:59.460 --> 00:10:01.120 I command you to come out. 00:10:02.180 --> 00:10:04.960 It's almost like knowing a friend of a friend 00:10:04.960 --> 00:10:06.700 and saying you actually know them. 00:10:06.700 --> 00:10:12.460 Except this grasping for power and control leaves them in trouble. 00:10:13.520 --> 00:10:16.080 I love, I don't love too much about the evil spirits, 00:10:16.140 --> 00:10:19.580 but I really appreciate the response from this evil spirit 00:10:19.580 --> 00:10:22.060 to these men who are trying to have control. 00:10:22.160 --> 00:10:23.160 Have a look at verse 15. 00:10:23.159 --> 00:10:25.879 Jesus I know. 00:10:26.459 --> 00:10:28.419 And Paul I know about. 00:10:29.419 --> 00:10:31.079 But who are you? 00:10:32.379 --> 00:10:34.240 And then the man with the evil spirit beats them. 00:10:34.879 --> 00:10:36.980 And the seven sons of Sceva run out naked. 00:10:38.319 --> 00:10:41.139 Their actions show how foolish it is 00:10:41.139 --> 00:10:45.659 to try and name check Jesus for money and power and control. 00:10:46.240 --> 00:10:49.000 Instead of submitting their lives to him, 00:10:49.480 --> 00:10:50.399 following him. 00:10:50.399 --> 00:10:53.620 Many of us can do the same thing. 00:10:54.699 --> 00:10:56.899 Instead of following Jesus, 00:10:57.039 --> 00:10:57.860 instead of submitting to him, 00:10:57.899 --> 00:10:59.220 maybe we just name check him. 00:10:59.939 --> 00:11:01.139 You know, on the census the other week, 00:11:01.159 --> 00:11:02.100 we just ticked Christian. 00:11:03.819 --> 00:11:06.659 And instead of actually submitting to Jesus 00:11:06.659 --> 00:11:08.519 as the Lord over our lives, 00:11:08.659 --> 00:11:12.379 we try and hold on to power and control. 00:11:14.439 --> 00:11:18.100 These men are ultimately shamed in front of everybody else. 00:11:18.419 --> 00:11:20.319 Stripped naked and humiliated. 00:11:21.399 --> 00:11:24.539 Let's not be shamed before God on the final day 00:11:24.539 --> 00:11:26.879 if we just give him lip service. 00:11:27.039 --> 00:11:28.500 If we just say we know him 00:11:28.500 --> 00:11:31.699 without actually ever getting to know Jesus. 00:11:33.000 --> 00:11:35.240 This situation with the seven sons of Sceva 00:11:35.240 --> 00:11:37.639 enhances the reputation of Jesus. 00:11:38.399 --> 00:11:41.159 When the people in Ephesus hear about it, 00:11:41.159 --> 00:11:44.679 they are afraid of Jesus and hold him in high honour. 00:11:45.019 --> 00:11:46.059 They realise, wow, 00:11:46.500 --> 00:11:49.219 there is something special about Jesus 00:11:49.219 --> 00:11:51.419 that we haven't seen from anyone else. 00:11:52.860 --> 00:11:54.419 And these people realise 00:11:54.419 --> 00:11:56.559 they can't hedge their bets. 00:11:56.919 --> 00:11:59.620 They can't try and hold on to power and control 00:11:59.620 --> 00:12:01.459 and follow Jesus. 00:12:01.919 --> 00:12:03.659 They can't have it both ways. 00:12:04.639 --> 00:12:06.539 And so we get this wonderful picture 00:12:06.539 --> 00:12:09.199 of radical discipleship in verse 19. 00:12:09.579 --> 00:12:10.019 Have a look. 00:12:10.120 --> 00:12:10.679 Verse 19. 00:12:11.539 --> 00:12:13.620 A number who had practised sorcery 00:12:13.620 --> 00:12:15.799 brought their scrolls together 00:12:15.799 --> 00:12:17.559 and burned them publicly. 00:12:18.339 --> 00:12:20.879 When they calculated the value of the scrolls, 00:12:21.379 --> 00:12:24.339 the total came to 50,000 drachmas. 00:12:24.340 --> 00:12:29.620 The result of the story of Jesus' power and control 00:12:29.620 --> 00:12:33.120 is that people leave their backup plans behind. 00:12:34.040 --> 00:12:36.420 50,000 drachmas is a lot of money. 00:12:36.500 --> 00:12:39.280 That's 50,000 days labour. 00:12:39.940 --> 00:12:42.399 This is an incredible amount of money. 00:12:43.860 --> 00:12:45.220 Many people at this time 00:12:45.220 --> 00:12:46.940 would have had magic scrolls. 00:12:47.600 --> 00:12:51.000 It was a way to practice magic 00:12:51.000 --> 00:12:52.660 and sorcery and witchcraft. 00:12:52.659 --> 00:12:56.500 This was how you could have power and control 00:12:56.500 --> 00:12:57.579 in the first century. 00:12:58.360 --> 00:12:59.579 This was how you could have 00:12:59.579 --> 00:13:01.539 some power and control 00:13:01.539 --> 00:13:05.159 over death, disease and the devil. 00:13:06.639 --> 00:13:07.699 And at this point in the church 00:13:07.699 --> 00:13:09.759 it's full of syncretism. 00:13:10.519 --> 00:13:11.959 Mixing of religions. 00:13:12.980 --> 00:13:15.279 Mixing Christianity and witchcraft. 00:13:16.139 --> 00:13:19.339 They hadn't yet fully converted to Christianity. 00:13:19.679 --> 00:13:21.459 They're not wholly trusting in Jesus. 00:13:21.460 --> 00:13:24.280 They're still holding on to their scrolls, 00:13:24.280 --> 00:13:25.600 to their magic spells, 00:13:25.720 --> 00:13:26.840 to their control. 00:13:28.560 --> 00:13:30.580 But when they realise how empty 00:13:30.580 --> 00:13:34.160 and meaningless these words on parchment are, 00:13:34.680 --> 00:13:36.379 they don't even sell them, 00:13:36.759 --> 00:13:37.759 they burn them. 00:13:39.080 --> 00:13:41.800 It's a picture of true radical discipleship. 00:13:42.460 --> 00:13:45.040 People getting rid of their backup plan. 00:13:45.039 --> 00:13:49.620 Their attempts at control over death, 00:13:49.620 --> 00:13:51.019 disease and the devil 00:13:51.019 --> 00:13:54.339 and instead trusting fully in Jesus. 00:13:55.819 --> 00:13:56.360 In verse 20, 00:13:56.439 --> 00:13:57.159 in this way, 00:13:57.620 --> 00:13:59.459 the word of the Lord spread widely 00:13:59.459 --> 00:14:00.980 and grew in power. 00:14:02.480 --> 00:14:04.399 People chose radical discipleship. 00:14:04.879 --> 00:14:06.319 They gave up their backup plans, 00:14:06.779 --> 00:14:07.439 their control 00:14:07.439 --> 00:14:09.379 and trusted in Jesus. 00:14:09.719 --> 00:14:10.939 And it spread the gospel. 00:14:10.940 --> 00:14:13.880 This week, 00:14:14.080 --> 00:14:15.200 I was reading 00:14:15.200 --> 00:14:17.440 about some Chinese war history. 00:14:18.260 --> 00:14:19.300 And in the later years 00:14:19.300 --> 00:14:20.320 of the Qing dynasty, 00:14:20.880 --> 00:14:22.260 there was a general called 00:14:22.260 --> 00:14:23.060 Xiang Yu. 00:14:23.760 --> 00:14:25.040 He was second in command 00:14:25.040 --> 00:14:26.520 to a leader called Song Yi. 00:14:27.660 --> 00:14:29.180 And they and their armies 00:14:29.180 --> 00:14:30.920 had been repeatedly defeated 00:14:30.920 --> 00:14:32.560 by the Qing armies 00:14:32.560 --> 00:14:34.160 and been forced to retreat. 00:14:34.159 --> 00:14:35.839 And so they retreated 00:14:35.839 --> 00:14:37.719 to try and wait out their enemy. 00:14:38.839 --> 00:14:39.419 And eventually, 00:14:39.659 --> 00:14:41.139 their army was tired 00:14:41.139 --> 00:14:42.699 and lethargic, 00:14:43.079 --> 00:14:44.059 waiting for the enemy 00:14:44.059 --> 00:14:44.919 to be weakened. 00:14:45.819 --> 00:14:46.539 But Xiang Yu, 00:14:46.639 --> 00:14:47.480 the second in command, 00:14:47.639 --> 00:14:48.240 realized 00:14:48.240 --> 00:14:50.659 waiting wasn't going to work. 00:14:51.819 --> 00:14:53.100 They had to do something radical. 00:14:53.539 --> 00:14:54.679 They were going to run out of food. 00:14:55.000 --> 00:14:56.139 The men were going to be weak. 00:14:56.740 --> 00:14:57.679 So Xiang Yu, 00:14:57.779 --> 00:14:58.539 the second in command, 00:14:58.720 --> 00:14:59.319 took charge. 00:15:00.139 --> 00:15:00.879 He killed 00:15:00.879 --> 00:15:02.439 his commander, Song Yi. 00:15:02.439 --> 00:15:04.000 He took control of the armies 00:15:04.000 --> 00:15:05.120 and marched across 00:15:05.120 --> 00:15:05.980 the Yellow River 00:15:05.980 --> 00:15:07.600 to fight the enemy troops. 00:15:08.460 --> 00:15:10.399 What is most amazing 00:15:10.399 --> 00:15:11.620 is that he ordered 00:15:11.620 --> 00:15:13.120 his troops 00:15:13.120 --> 00:15:14.360 to sink their ships, 00:15:15.039 --> 00:15:16.919 to break their cooking pots, 00:15:17.220 --> 00:15:18.279 and to only take 00:15:18.279 --> 00:15:20.399 three days worth of food with them. 00:15:21.039 --> 00:15:22.720 His message was really clear. 00:15:23.500 --> 00:15:24.639 We will win 00:15:24.639 --> 00:15:27.360 or we will die trying. 00:15:27.759 --> 00:15:29.139 There is no going back. 00:15:30.259 --> 00:15:31.100 Although his troops 00:15:31.100 --> 00:15:32.659 were outnumbered 10 to 1, 00:15:33.059 --> 00:15:33.980 Xiang Yu's army 00:15:33.980 --> 00:15:34.960 crushed 00:15:34.960 --> 00:15:36.340 the Qing troops. 00:15:37.539 --> 00:15:38.440 Xiang Yu gained 00:15:38.440 --> 00:15:39.420 much fame 00:15:39.420 --> 00:15:40.180 for his efforts 00:15:40.180 --> 00:15:41.960 and there is a phrase 00:15:41.960 --> 00:15:42.779 in Chinese 00:15:42.779 --> 00:15:43.500 that came from it. 00:15:43.560 --> 00:15:44.220 The phrase is 00:15:44.220 --> 00:15:45.779 Polful Chen Zhou, 00:15:46.420 --> 00:15:47.720 which literally means 00:15:47.720 --> 00:15:49.360 break your pots, 00:15:50.279 --> 00:15:50.980 sink your ships. 00:15:52.100 --> 00:15:53.920 There is no turning back. 00:15:54.500 --> 00:15:55.600 Polful Chen Zhou. 00:15:56.600 --> 00:15:58.320 That's what the seven sons 00:15:58.320 --> 00:15:58.920 of Sceva 00:15:58.920 --> 00:15:59.759 didn't have. 00:16:00.379 --> 00:16:01.659 They didn't have 00:16:01.659 --> 00:16:02.740 total commitment 00:16:02.740 --> 00:16:03.379 to Jesus. 00:16:04.339 --> 00:16:05.159 Jesus was just 00:16:05.159 --> 00:16:05.980 a magic word 00:16:05.980 --> 00:16:06.439 to them. 00:16:07.860 --> 00:16:08.459 And this is what 00:16:08.459 --> 00:16:09.219 the people 00:16:09.219 --> 00:16:10.819 in the Ephesus church 00:16:10.819 --> 00:16:11.319 realise. 00:16:12.360 --> 00:16:13.399 There can be no 00:16:13.399 --> 00:16:14.279 backup plan 00:16:14.279 --> 00:16:14.879 to Jesus. 00:16:15.539 --> 00:16:16.480 Jesus is 00:16:16.480 --> 00:16:17.839 the only plan. 00:16:20.079 --> 00:16:21.059 Yet I wonder, 00:16:21.059 --> 00:16:23.039 is it still possible 00:16:23.039 --> 00:16:24.039 that we hold on 00:16:24.039 --> 00:16:25.179 to our backup plans? 00:16:26.379 --> 00:16:27.299 Our control, 00:16:27.479 --> 00:16:28.719 particularly over death, 00:16:29.099 --> 00:16:29.419 disease, 00:16:29.739 --> 00:16:30.659 and the devil. 00:16:31.719 --> 00:16:33.039 In this season of COVID, 00:16:33.779 --> 00:16:34.699 are you holding on 00:16:34.699 --> 00:16:35.739 to other backup plans 00:16:35.739 --> 00:16:36.939 and not trusting God 00:16:36.939 --> 00:16:37.339 fully? 00:16:37.340 --> 00:16:39.519 Now, 00:16:39.600 --> 00:16:40.060 some of us 00:16:40.060 --> 00:16:40.820 might mix 00:16:40.820 --> 00:16:41.580 Christianity 00:16:41.580 --> 00:16:43.759 with superstition. 00:16:44.580 --> 00:16:45.700 Mixing Christianity 00:16:45.700 --> 00:16:46.540 with 00:16:46.540 --> 00:16:49.360 superstitious practices 00:16:49.360 --> 00:16:50.780 and modern-day 00:16:50.780 --> 00:16:51.240 witchcraft, 00:16:51.399 --> 00:16:52.340 like Ouija boards, 00:16:52.960 --> 00:16:53.700 tarot cards, 00:16:53.860 --> 00:16:54.340 astrology, 00:16:54.560 --> 00:16:55.320 horoscopes, 00:16:56.920 --> 00:16:58.000 fortune tellers, 00:16:58.100 --> 00:16:59.000 most of these 00:16:59.000 --> 00:16:59.759 are fake. 00:17:01.160 --> 00:17:02.280 But when we trust 00:17:02.280 --> 00:17:02.759 in them 00:17:02.759 --> 00:17:04.259 to give us 00:17:04.259 --> 00:17:04.779 some control, 00:17:04.920 --> 00:17:05.680 to give us 00:17:05.680 --> 00:17:06.200 some idea 00:17:06.200 --> 00:17:06.779 of where we are 00:17:06.779 --> 00:17:07.519 to go in the future, 00:17:07.680 --> 00:17:08.279 we are making 00:17:08.279 --> 00:17:09.400 an idol to worship 00:17:09.400 --> 00:17:10.640 and we are not 00:17:10.640 --> 00:17:11.539 trusting in God 00:17:11.539 --> 00:17:12.039 fully. 00:17:13.740 --> 00:17:14.200 Now, 00:17:14.279 --> 00:17:15.299 it might not be, 00:17:15.380 --> 00:17:16.279 for most of us, 00:17:17.400 --> 00:17:18.519 magic scrolls 00:17:18.519 --> 00:17:19.740 and sorcery 00:17:19.740 --> 00:17:20.660 or even modern-day 00:17:20.660 --> 00:17:21.259 witchcraft. 00:17:22.160 --> 00:17:23.160 But we have 00:17:23.160 --> 00:17:24.480 many other issues, 00:17:24.640 --> 00:17:25.440 many other ways 00:17:25.440 --> 00:17:26.500 of trying to hold 00:17:26.500 --> 00:17:27.380 on to control 00:17:27.380 --> 00:17:28.100 in the world 00:17:28.100 --> 00:17:28.740 around us. 00:17:29.880 --> 00:17:30.900 It might be 00:17:30.900 --> 00:17:31.900 trying to have 00:17:31.900 --> 00:17:32.360 a certain amount 00:17:32.360 --> 00:17:32.640 of money, 00:17:33.420 --> 00:17:33.860 a certain amount 00:17:33.860 --> 00:17:34.700 of money in my life 00:17:34.700 --> 00:17:35.580 and then I'll be 00:17:35.579 --> 00:17:35.939 okay, 00:17:36.079 --> 00:17:37.019 then I'll be safe. 00:17:37.179 --> 00:17:37.519 If I've got 00:17:37.519 --> 00:17:37.960 a certain amount 00:17:37.960 --> 00:17:38.259 of money, 00:17:38.339 --> 00:17:38.779 it doesn't matter 00:17:38.779 --> 00:17:39.379 if I get sick, 00:17:39.419 --> 00:17:39.679 I'll be able 00:17:39.679 --> 00:17:40.279 to live on that. 00:17:42.179 --> 00:17:43.279 The Ephesian church 00:17:43.279 --> 00:17:45.019 tried to mix 00:17:45.019 --> 00:17:45.759 their Christianity 00:17:45.759 --> 00:17:46.699 with other things 00:17:46.699 --> 00:17:47.939 and they ended up 00:17:47.939 --> 00:17:48.720 burning them 00:17:48.720 --> 00:17:49.759 because they realized 00:17:49.759 --> 00:17:50.859 that those other things 00:17:50.859 --> 00:17:52.879 didn't compare 00:17:52.879 --> 00:17:53.679 at all to Jesus. 00:17:55.399 --> 00:17:56.679 Following God 00:17:56.679 --> 00:17:58.579 without a backup plan 00:17:58.579 --> 00:17:59.419 is what true 00:17:59.419 --> 00:18:00.579 discipleship looks like. 00:18:01.039 --> 00:18:02.099 Without another option. 00:18:02.099 --> 00:18:02.899 It's that phrase, 00:18:02.900 --> 00:18:04.000 powerful change 00:18:04.000 --> 00:18:06.400 to burn the other 00:18:06.400 --> 00:18:06.940 options 00:18:06.940 --> 00:18:08.100 to fully 00:18:08.100 --> 00:18:09.240 follow Jesus. 00:18:10.440 --> 00:18:11.300 That is what 00:18:11.300 --> 00:18:11.700 the gospel 00:18:11.700 --> 00:18:12.720 calls us to do. 00:18:13.680 --> 00:18:14.480 It impacts 00:18:14.480 --> 00:18:15.500 all of our life 00:18:15.500 --> 00:18:16.660 and not just 00:18:16.660 --> 00:18:17.640 the church 00:18:17.640 --> 00:18:18.360 we tune into 00:18:18.360 --> 00:18:18.980 on Sunday, 00:18:19.340 --> 00:18:20.160 not just what we 00:18:20.160 --> 00:18:21.060 tick on the census. 00:18:22.960 --> 00:18:23.920 Has God been 00:18:23.920 --> 00:18:24.960 speaking to you 00:18:24.960 --> 00:18:26.500 about a certain 00:18:26.500 --> 00:18:27.759 aspect of your life? 00:18:28.640 --> 00:18:29.240 Where is he 00:18:29.240 --> 00:18:30.180 putting his finger 00:18:30.180 --> 00:18:30.920 on you and saying 00:18:30.920 --> 00:18:32.400 don't trust this? 00:18:32.700 --> 00:18:33.740 Don't trust in your money. 00:18:34.879 --> 00:18:35.700 Give your control 00:18:35.700 --> 00:18:36.259 over to me. 00:18:37.099 --> 00:18:37.799 Don't trust 00:18:37.799 --> 00:18:38.680 in your selfishness. 00:18:39.039 --> 00:18:39.720 Don't trust in 00:18:39.720 --> 00:18:40.579 that everything 00:18:40.579 --> 00:18:41.400 will be in fine. 00:18:41.740 --> 00:18:42.240 Don't trust 00:18:42.240 --> 00:18:43.460 that you've got this. 00:18:43.839 --> 00:18:44.180 Don't trust 00:18:44.180 --> 00:18:44.940 in your pride. 00:18:45.940 --> 00:18:46.940 Trust in me. 00:18:49.740 --> 00:18:50.559 We've seen today 00:18:50.559 --> 00:18:51.180 that the gospel 00:18:51.180 --> 00:18:52.019 is not just something 00:18:52.019 --> 00:18:52.920 we tick on a census 00:18:52.920 --> 00:18:54.619 but it impacts 00:18:54.619 --> 00:18:55.579 all of our lives. 00:18:55.579 --> 00:18:57.599 from what we believe 00:18:57.599 --> 00:18:58.579 about God 00:18:58.579 --> 00:18:59.779 to what we try 00:18:59.779 --> 00:19:00.379 and control. 00:19:01.339 --> 00:19:01.799 Finally, 00:19:01.980 --> 00:19:02.220 today, 00:19:02.319 --> 00:19:03.039 our third point, 00:19:03.559 --> 00:19:04.619 we'll see God's 00:19:04.619 --> 00:19:06.419 impact on our worship 00:19:06.419 --> 00:19:08.019 and specifically 00:19:08.019 --> 00:19:09.039 money. 00:19:10.139 --> 00:19:10.579 The gospel 00:19:10.579 --> 00:19:11.720 has spread so much 00:19:11.720 --> 00:19:12.559 through Ephesus 00:19:12.559 --> 00:19:14.220 that Luke notes 00:19:14.220 --> 00:19:15.379 in verse 23 00:19:15.379 --> 00:19:16.500 that there was 00:19:16.500 --> 00:19:17.159 a disturbance 00:19:17.159 --> 00:19:18.079 about the way. 00:19:18.240 --> 00:19:19.000 There was a disturbance 00:19:19.000 --> 00:19:20.019 for Christians. 00:19:20.879 --> 00:19:21.699 There was a 00:19:21.699 --> 00:19:22.879 silversmith 00:19:22.879 --> 00:19:23.500 by the name 00:19:23.500 --> 00:19:24.439 of Demetrius 00:19:24.440 --> 00:19:26.000 and he was 00:19:26.000 --> 00:19:27.539 greatly angered 00:19:27.539 --> 00:19:28.500 at the progress 00:19:28.500 --> 00:19:29.200 of Christianity 00:19:29.200 --> 00:19:31.019 and the disruption 00:19:31.019 --> 00:19:31.920 that Christians 00:19:31.920 --> 00:19:32.759 brought to him. 00:19:34.000 --> 00:19:34.860 He was a silversmith 00:19:34.860 --> 00:19:35.820 and silver 00:19:35.820 --> 00:19:37.320 was what fueled 00:19:37.320 --> 00:19:38.779 the Gentile economy 00:19:38.779 --> 00:19:40.500 and it was heavily 00:19:40.500 --> 00:19:41.940 used in idol making. 00:19:42.360 --> 00:19:43.000 Demetrius 00:19:43.000 --> 00:19:44.240 made shrines 00:19:44.240 --> 00:19:45.160 and idols 00:19:45.160 --> 00:19:46.320 of Artemis 00:19:46.320 --> 00:19:47.480 also known 00:19:47.480 --> 00:19:48.380 as Aphrodite 00:19:48.380 --> 00:19:49.320 the goddess 00:19:49.320 --> 00:19:49.940 of love. 00:19:51.360 --> 00:19:51.900 Artemis 00:19:51.900 --> 00:19:52.519 had a temple 00:19:52.519 --> 00:19:53.220 in Ephesus 00:19:53.220 --> 00:19:54.599 and this was 00:19:54.599 --> 00:19:55.480 one of the 00:19:55.480 --> 00:19:56.319 seven wonders 00:19:56.319 --> 00:19:57.420 of the ancient world. 00:19:57.619 --> 00:19:58.279 This was the 00:19:58.279 --> 00:19:59.799 biggest building 00:19:59.799 --> 00:20:01.099 that existed 00:20:01.099 --> 00:20:02.160 at the time. 00:20:02.960 --> 00:20:03.779 So you can imagine 00:20:03.779 --> 00:20:04.759 how this city 00:20:04.759 --> 00:20:05.660 would have had 00:20:05.660 --> 00:20:06.379 pride 00:20:06.379 --> 00:20:07.859 in this 00:20:07.859 --> 00:20:08.680 temple 00:20:08.680 --> 00:20:09.740 and in this 00:20:09.740 --> 00:20:10.099 God. 00:20:10.680 --> 00:20:11.299 It's like when 00:20:11.299 --> 00:20:11.879 people come to 00:20:11.879 --> 00:20:12.119 Sydney, 00:20:12.279 --> 00:20:13.180 back in those years 00:20:13.180 --> 00:20:13.579 when people 00:20:13.579 --> 00:20:14.259 could be tourists, 00:20:14.720 --> 00:20:15.259 people come to 00:20:15.259 --> 00:20:15.980 Sydney and it's like 00:20:15.980 --> 00:20:16.700 have you visited 00:20:16.700 --> 00:20:17.859 the Opera House? 00:20:18.039 --> 00:20:18.359 Have you seen 00:20:18.359 --> 00:20:19.099 the Harbour Bridge? 00:20:20.180 --> 00:20:20.859 People going to 00:20:20.859 --> 00:20:21.240 Ephesus, 00:20:21.719 --> 00:20:22.259 they would be 00:20:22.259 --> 00:20:22.439 asked, 00:20:22.740 --> 00:20:23.659 have you seen 00:20:23.659 --> 00:20:24.519 our great 00:20:24.519 --> 00:20:25.179 temple to 00:20:25.179 --> 00:20:25.879 Artemis? 00:20:27.740 --> 00:20:28.719 The gospel 00:20:28.719 --> 00:20:29.799 spreads in 00:20:29.799 --> 00:20:30.439 this city. 00:20:31.519 --> 00:20:32.079 The gospel 00:20:32.079 --> 00:20:32.939 which says 00:20:32.939 --> 00:20:34.119 idols 00:20:34.119 --> 00:20:34.919 are nothing. 00:20:35.779 --> 00:20:36.479 These gods 00:20:36.479 --> 00:20:37.299 are not real. 00:20:39.000 --> 00:20:39.579 This gospel 00:20:39.579 --> 00:20:40.199 was critical 00:20:40.199 --> 00:20:41.539 of the pagan 00:20:41.539 --> 00:20:42.399 culture. 00:20:43.919 --> 00:20:44.539 Demetrius 00:20:44.539 --> 00:20:45.000 would have been 00:20:45.000 --> 00:20:46.099 losing business, 00:20:46.259 --> 00:20:46.859 losing silver 00:20:46.859 --> 00:20:48.159 hand over fist 00:20:48.160 --> 00:20:49.180 and he would 00:20:49.180 --> 00:20:49.540 have felt 00:20:49.540 --> 00:20:50.060 the loss 00:20:50.060 --> 00:20:51.160 of prestige 00:20:51.160 --> 00:20:52.100 for himself 00:20:52.100 --> 00:20:53.480 and his city 00:20:53.480 --> 00:20:54.360 and for the 00:20:54.360 --> 00:20:54.900 God that he 00:20:54.900 --> 00:20:55.360 worshipped. 00:20:56.680 --> 00:20:57.580 The gospel 00:20:57.580 --> 00:20:58.460 invades 00:20:58.460 --> 00:20:59.880 every aspect 00:20:59.880 --> 00:21:00.480 of life 00:21:00.480 --> 00:21:01.759 and it's 00:21:01.759 --> 00:21:02.160 impacting 00:21:02.160 --> 00:21:02.800 business for 00:21:02.800 --> 00:21:03.500 these tradies. 00:21:04.080 --> 00:21:04.840 It's impacting 00:21:04.840 --> 00:21:05.620 their economy. 00:21:06.360 --> 00:21:06.900 It's changing 00:21:06.900 --> 00:21:07.580 what people are 00:21:07.580 --> 00:21:08.140 spending their 00:21:08.140 --> 00:21:08.660 money on 00:21:08.660 --> 00:21:09.180 and their 00:21:09.180 --> 00:21:09.800 time on 00:21:09.800 --> 00:21:11.220 and the gospel 00:21:11.220 --> 00:21:12.140 confronts 00:21:12.140 --> 00:21:13.340 both the 00:21:13.340 --> 00:21:13.700 sinfulness 00:21:13.700 --> 00:21:14.440 in our 00:21:14.440 --> 00:21:15.160 hearts, 00:21:16.000 --> 00:21:16.420 the gospel 00:21:16.420 --> 00:21:17.320 also confronts 00:21:17.319 --> 00:21:17.839 the sin 00:21:17.839 --> 00:21:18.639 of the 00:21:18.639 --> 00:21:18.980 city 00:21:18.980 --> 00:21:20.179 and when 00:21:20.179 --> 00:21:20.819 it does 00:21:20.819 --> 00:21:21.939 it causes 00:21:21.939 --> 00:21:22.480 friction. 00:21:23.480 --> 00:21:24.319 Have a look 00:21:24.319 --> 00:21:24.960 with me at 00:21:24.960 --> 00:21:25.779 verse 25 00:21:25.779 --> 00:21:26.579 of chapter 19 00:21:26.579 --> 00:21:27.599 and see how 00:21:27.599 --> 00:21:28.059 the gospel 00:21:28.059 --> 00:21:28.879 is impacting 00:21:28.879 --> 00:21:29.759 Demetrius. 00:21:31.159 --> 00:21:31.859 Demetrius is 00:21:31.859 --> 00:21:32.359 speaking here 00:21:32.359 --> 00:21:32.799 and he read 00:21:32.799 --> 00:21:34.220 you know my 00:21:34.220 --> 00:21:34.700 friends 00:21:34.700 --> 00:21:35.659 that we 00:21:35.659 --> 00:21:36.460 receive a 00:21:36.460 --> 00:21:36.939 good income 00:21:36.939 --> 00:21:37.480 from this 00:21:37.480 --> 00:21:37.899 business 00:21:37.899 --> 00:21:38.939 and you 00:21:38.939 --> 00:21:39.539 see and 00:21:39.539 --> 00:21:40.059 hear how 00:21:40.059 --> 00:21:40.480 this fellow 00:21:40.480 --> 00:21:41.139 Paul has 00:21:41.139 --> 00:21:41.759 convinced 00:21:41.759 --> 00:21:42.439 and led 00:21:42.439 --> 00:21:42.679 astray 00:21:42.679 --> 00:21:43.480 large numbers 00:21:43.480 --> 00:21:43.980 of people 00:21:43.980 --> 00:21:44.399 here in 00:21:44.399 --> 00:21:44.740 Ephesus 00:21:44.740 --> 00:21:45.399 and in 00:21:45.399 --> 00:21:45.740 practically 00:21:45.740 --> 00:21:46.220 the whole 00:21:46.220 --> 00:21:46.579 province 00:21:46.579 --> 00:21:47.039 of Asia 00:21:47.039 --> 00:21:47.940 what a 00:21:47.940 --> 00:21:48.299 wonderful 00:21:48.299 --> 00:21:48.759 report 00:21:48.759 --> 00:21:49.099 about the 00:21:49.099 --> 00:21:49.319 gospel 00:21:49.319 --> 00:21:49.659 going 00:21:49.659 --> 00:21:49.920 out. 00:21:50.819 --> 00:21:51.259 He says 00:21:51.259 --> 00:21:51.899 that gods 00:21:51.899 --> 00:21:52.599 made by 00:21:52.599 --> 00:21:53.500 human hands 00:21:53.500 --> 00:21:54.019 are no 00:21:54.019 --> 00:21:54.700 gods at 00:21:54.700 --> 00:21:55.059 all. 00:21:56.079 --> 00:21:56.500 There is 00:21:56.500 --> 00:21:56.980 danger 00:21:56.980 --> 00:21:57.639 not only 00:21:57.639 --> 00:21:58.059 that our 00:21:58.059 --> 00:21:58.680 trade will 00:21:58.680 --> 00:21:59.019 lose its 00:21:59.019 --> 00:21:59.480 good name 00:21:59.480 --> 00:22:00.200 but also 00:22:00.200 --> 00:22:00.559 that the 00:22:00.559 --> 00:22:01.059 temple of 00:22:01.059 --> 00:22:01.379 the great 00:22:01.379 --> 00:22:01.700 goddess 00:22:01.700 --> 00:22:02.159 Artemis 00:22:02.159 --> 00:22:02.460 will be 00:22:02.460 --> 00:22:03.059 discredited 00:22:03.059 --> 00:22:03.639 and the 00:22:03.639 --> 00:22:03.879 goddess 00:22:03.879 --> 00:22:04.559 herself 00:22:04.559 --> 00:22:05.200 who is 00:22:05.200 --> 00:22:05.559 worshipped 00:22:05.559 --> 00:22:05.759 throughout 00:22:05.759 --> 00:22:06.240 the province 00:22:06.240 --> 00:22:06.700 of Asia 00:22:06.700 --> 00:22:07.200 and the 00:22:07.200 --> 00:22:07.440 world 00:22:07.440 --> 00:22:07.799 will be 00:22:07.799 --> 00:22:08.099 robbed 00:22:08.099 --> 00:22:08.720 of her 00:22:08.720 --> 00:22:09.159 divine 00:22:09.159 --> 00:22:09.799 majesty. 00:22:11.279 --> 00:22:11.799 Demetrius 00:22:11.799 --> 00:22:12.779 he's worried 00:22:12.779 --> 00:22:13.220 about his 00:22:13.220 --> 00:22:13.599 income 00:22:13.599 --> 00:22:14.959 he's worried 00:22:14.959 --> 00:22:15.319 about the 00:22:15.319 --> 00:22:16.339 large amount 00:22:16.339 --> 00:22:17.379 of people 00:22:17.379 --> 00:22:17.779 becoming 00:22:17.779 --> 00:22:18.219 Christians 00:22:18.219 --> 00:22:19.980 he's worried 00:22:19.980 --> 00:22:21.019 about society 00:22:21.019 --> 00:22:21.939 changing around 00:22:21.939 --> 00:22:22.259 him. 00:22:22.839 --> 00:22:23.459 Much like for 00:22:23.459 --> 00:22:24.159 Christians today 00:22:24.159 --> 00:22:25.539 who see society 00:22:25.539 --> 00:22:26.319 changing around 00:22:26.319 --> 00:22:26.819 them and go 00:22:26.819 --> 00:22:28.099 it's not like how 00:22:28.099 --> 00:22:28.779 it was when I 00:22:28.779 --> 00:22:29.219 grew up. 00:22:29.599 --> 00:22:30.439 That's Demetrius. 00:22:30.639 --> 00:22:31.419 He's seeing people 00:22:31.419 --> 00:22:32.079 become Christians 00:22:32.079 --> 00:22:33.019 and he's going 00:22:33.019 --> 00:22:33.779 it's not how it 00:22:33.779 --> 00:22:34.359 should be. 00:22:35.459 --> 00:22:36.299 It's not like the 00:22:36.299 --> 00:22:37.000 old days. 00:22:38.199 --> 00:22:38.980 He's worried 00:22:38.980 --> 00:22:40.000 about people in 00:22:40.000 --> 00:22:40.719 his trade 00:22:40.719 --> 00:22:41.559 are going to 00:22:41.559 --> 00:22:42.240 continue to make 00:22:42.240 --> 00:22:43.019 money to make 00:22:43.019 --> 00:22:43.440 gods. 00:22:43.700 --> 00:22:44.319 He's worried 00:22:44.319 --> 00:22:44.740 about the 00:22:44.740 --> 00:22:45.180 God he 00:22:45.180 --> 00:22:45.940 worships. 00:22:47.559 --> 00:22:48.079 Demetrius 00:22:48.079 --> 00:22:48.640 hasn't seen 00:22:48.640 --> 00:22:49.120 the Christians 00:22:49.120 --> 00:22:49.759 come in and 00:22:49.759 --> 00:22:50.539 said you 00:22:50.539 --> 00:22:50.980 Christians are 00:22:50.980 --> 00:22:51.640 fine you 00:22:51.640 --> 00:22:52.099 stay over 00:22:52.099 --> 00:22:52.980 there I'll 00:22:52.980 --> 00:22:53.559 believe what 00:22:53.559 --> 00:22:54.500 I believe you 00:22:54.500 --> 00:22:55.079 believe what 00:22:55.079 --> 00:22:55.920 you believe and 00:22:55.920 --> 00:22:56.299 we can 00:22:56.299 --> 00:22:56.779 coexist. 00:22:58.079 --> 00:22:58.700 He hasn't 00:22:58.700 --> 00:22:59.460 even just 00:22:59.460 --> 00:23:00.859 said keep 00:23:00.859 --> 00:23:01.400 it away from 00:23:01.400 --> 00:23:02.380 me good for 00:23:02.380 --> 00:23:02.880 you I don't 00:23:02.880 --> 00:23:03.299 want to hear 00:23:03.299 --> 00:23:03.819 it. 00:23:05.039 --> 00:23:05.579 Demetrius 00:23:05.579 --> 00:23:06.880 sees the 00:23:06.880 --> 00:23:08.400 massive impact 00:23:08.400 --> 00:23:09.579 of Christianity 00:23:09.579 --> 00:23:10.720 in life. 00:23:12.240 --> 00:23:13.039 He sees its 00:23:13.039 --> 00:23:13.720 impact on 00:23:13.720 --> 00:23:14.440 the economy. 00:23:16.059 --> 00:23:16.620 It probably 00:23:16.620 --> 00:23:17.000 would have 00:23:17.000 --> 00:23:17.599 been easier 00:23:17.599 --> 00:23:18.319 for him if 00:23:18.319 --> 00:23:18.680 he could 00:23:18.680 --> 00:23:19.859 transition his 00:23:19.859 --> 00:23:20.880 work to 00:23:20.880 --> 00:23:22.160 making new 00:23:22.160 --> 00:23:22.940 gods to 00:23:22.940 --> 00:23:23.559 making whoever 00:23:23.559 --> 00:23:23.920 this new 00:23:23.920 --> 00:23:24.599 God is but 00:23:24.599 --> 00:23:24.960 the God 00:23:24.960 --> 00:23:25.519 that we 00:23:25.519 --> 00:23:27.299 worship can't 00:23:27.299 --> 00:23:27.980 be made by 00:23:27.980 --> 00:23:29.079 human hands. 00:23:31.140 --> 00:23:32.120 Paul himself 00:23:32.120 --> 00:23:32.880 he's not afraid 00:23:32.880 --> 00:23:34.519 of this pagan 00:23:34.519 --> 00:23:35.039 worldview. 00:23:36.240 --> 00:23:36.839 Instead he 00:23:36.839 --> 00:23:37.640 confronts them 00:23:37.640 --> 00:23:39.599 and he has 00:23:39.599 --> 00:23:40.519 seen the impact 00:23:40.519 --> 00:23:41.420 of the gospel. 00:23:43.119 --> 00:23:44.099 It's easy to 00:23:44.099 --> 00:23:45.420 dismiss Demetrius' 00:23:45.579 --> 00:23:46.379 concerns because 00:23:46.379 --> 00:23:47.299 we don't live 00:23:47.299 --> 00:23:47.740 like that. 00:23:48.279 --> 00:23:49.339 I don't know 00:23:49.339 --> 00:23:50.220 anybody who 00:23:50.220 --> 00:23:51.079 makes their 00:23:51.079 --> 00:23:52.279 living carving 00:23:52.279 --> 00:23:53.440 out idols of 00:23:53.440 --> 00:23:53.859 gods. 00:23:55.900 --> 00:23:56.440 And yet for 00:23:56.440 --> 00:23:58.099 us we often 00:23:58.099 --> 00:24:00.099 worship more 00:24:00.099 --> 00:24:01.220 intangible things. 00:24:02.539 --> 00:24:03.299 Ideas, 00:24:04.259 --> 00:24:04.759 ambition, 00:24:05.799 --> 00:24:06.240 the amount of 00:24:06.240 --> 00:24:06.960 zeros in our 00:24:06.960 --> 00:24:07.480 bank account, 00:24:07.559 --> 00:24:08.139 maybe physical 00:24:08.139 --> 00:24:08.859 things like 00:24:08.859 --> 00:24:10.200 house or beauty. 00:24:11.400 --> 00:24:12.039 We take 00:24:12.039 --> 00:24:12.839 something good 00:24:12.839 --> 00:24:13.579 from God 00:24:13.579 --> 00:24:14.200 that he has 00:24:14.200 --> 00:24:15.299 created and 00:24:15.299 --> 00:24:16.180 we worship it 00:24:16.180 --> 00:24:16.559 as the 00:24:16.559 --> 00:24:17.039 creator. 00:24:18.660 --> 00:24:19.500 Or we can 00:24:19.500 --> 00:24:20.039 run the risk 00:24:20.039 --> 00:24:20.700 of syncretism 00:24:20.700 --> 00:24:21.180 which is what 00:24:21.180 --> 00:24:22.000 the Ephesian 00:24:22.000 --> 00:24:22.440 church was 00:24:22.440 --> 00:24:22.740 doing when 00:24:22.740 --> 00:24:22.940 they were 00:24:22.940 --> 00:24:23.440 mixing their 00:24:23.440 --> 00:24:24.859 religion where 00:24:24.859 --> 00:24:25.420 we worship 00:24:25.420 --> 00:24:26.359 multiple gods. 00:24:27.900 --> 00:24:28.940 For an hour 00:24:28.940 --> 00:24:29.639 or so on a 00:24:29.639 --> 00:24:30.139 Sunday morning 00:24:30.139 --> 00:24:30.579 we'll worship 00:24:30.579 --> 00:24:31.019 the God of 00:24:31.019 --> 00:24:31.900 the Bible but 00:24:31.900 --> 00:24:32.420 Monday to 00:24:32.420 --> 00:24:33.539 Friday I'll 00:24:33.539 --> 00:24:34.000 worship the 00:24:34.000 --> 00:24:34.759 pride and 00:24:34.759 --> 00:24:35.259 glory of 00:24:35.259 --> 00:24:35.960 myself at 00:24:35.960 --> 00:24:37.299 work or 00:24:37.299 --> 00:24:37.879 at school. 00:24:37.880 --> 00:24:38.920 I'll 00:24:38.920 --> 00:24:39.480 worship the 00:24:39.480 --> 00:24:40.520 pride of a 00:24:40.520 --> 00:24:40.800 sporting 00:24:40.800 --> 00:24:41.780 accomplishment. 00:24:42.560 --> 00:24:43.000 Then it 00:24:43.000 --> 00:24:43.400 gets to the 00:24:43.400 --> 00:24:44.300 weekend Friday 00:24:44.300 --> 00:24:45.480 afternoon and 00:24:45.480 --> 00:24:45.860 I'm going to 00:24:45.860 --> 00:24:46.660 worship pleasure. 00:24:48.560 --> 00:24:49.200 And maybe if I 00:24:49.200 --> 00:24:49.780 meet with others 00:24:49.780 --> 00:24:50.700 socially distanced 00:24:50.700 --> 00:24:51.060 down at the 00:24:51.060 --> 00:24:51.580 park I'm going 00:24:51.580 --> 00:24:52.240 to worship my 00:24:52.240 --> 00:24:53.380 kids and my 00:24:53.380 --> 00:24:54.140 family by telling 00:24:54.140 --> 00:24:55.140 them how great I 00:24:55.140 --> 00:24:55.760 am and how 00:24:55.760 --> 00:24:56.480 great my kids 00:24:56.480 --> 00:24:56.820 are. 00:24:58.820 --> 00:24:59.580 Demetrius could 00:24:59.580 --> 00:25:01.060 see where the 00:25:01.060 --> 00:25:01.700 gospel was 00:25:01.700 --> 00:25:02.720 impacting all of 00:25:02.720 --> 00:25:02.940 life. 00:25:03.260 --> 00:25:03.980 He did not 00:25:03.980 --> 00:25:04.539 like it. 00:25:06.120 --> 00:25:06.839 Is it 00:25:06.839 --> 00:25:09.740 possible that 00:25:09.740 --> 00:25:10.400 we can become 00:25:10.400 --> 00:25:11.240 too content 00:25:11.240 --> 00:25:12.920 and the 00:25:12.920 --> 00:25:13.660 gospel isn't 00:25:13.660 --> 00:25:14.640 radically changing 00:25:14.640 --> 00:25:15.259 our lives 00:25:15.259 --> 00:25:15.599 anymore? 00:25:16.559 --> 00:25:16.960 Is it 00:25:16.960 --> 00:25:17.480 possible that 00:25:17.480 --> 00:25:17.940 we've gotten 00:25:17.940 --> 00:25:18.860 inoculated 00:25:18.860 --> 00:25:19.440 against the 00:25:19.440 --> 00:25:19.980 gospel and 00:25:19.980 --> 00:25:20.420 it's not 00:25:20.420 --> 00:25:21.700 impacting us? 00:25:23.360 --> 00:25:24.160 When I was 00:25:24.160 --> 00:25:25.160 younger I 00:25:25.160 --> 00:25:25.740 didn't eat a 00:25:25.740 --> 00:25:26.220 whole lot of 00:25:26.220 --> 00:25:27.799 spicy food but 00:25:27.799 --> 00:25:28.579 now I really 00:25:28.579 --> 00:25:29.259 love the stuff. 00:25:29.599 --> 00:25:30.279 I really like 00:25:30.279 --> 00:25:30.640 two in 00:25:30.640 --> 00:25:31.059 particular. 00:25:31.059 --> 00:25:33.799 one spicy 00:25:33.799 --> 00:25:34.779 sauce is 00:25:34.779 --> 00:25:34.940 called 00:25:34.940 --> 00:25:35.460 laogama. 00:25:35.659 --> 00:25:35.859 It's a 00:25:35.859 --> 00:25:36.359 Chinese one. 00:25:36.720 --> 00:25:37.079 And this 00:25:37.079 --> 00:25:37.359 one, 00:25:37.599 --> 00:25:38.000 sriracha, 00:25:38.319 --> 00:25:38.740 I've been 00:25:38.740 --> 00:25:39.379 putting a lot 00:25:39.379 --> 00:25:39.919 of this on 00:25:39.919 --> 00:25:40.779 food recently. 00:25:40.980 --> 00:25:41.419 I really 00:25:41.419 --> 00:25:41.899 like it. 00:25:42.700 --> 00:25:43.000 And I've 00:25:43.000 --> 00:25:43.379 gotten used 00:25:43.379 --> 00:25:43.720 to it. 00:25:44.200 --> 00:25:44.599 When we 00:25:44.599 --> 00:25:45.099 have dinner 00:25:45.099 --> 00:25:46.659 and it's 00:25:46.659 --> 00:25:46.960 got a bit 00:25:46.960 --> 00:25:47.839 of a spice, 00:25:48.159 --> 00:25:48.579 Alyssa and 00:25:48.579 --> 00:25:49.339 I, we're 00:25:49.339 --> 00:25:50.059 totally fine, 00:25:50.220 --> 00:25:50.599 don't even 00:25:50.599 --> 00:25:51.099 notice it. 00:25:51.399 --> 00:25:51.819 And then we 00:25:51.819 --> 00:25:52.200 look over at 00:25:52.200 --> 00:25:52.839 the kids and 00:25:52.839 --> 00:25:53.740 they're sweating, 00:25:54.500 --> 00:25:55.679 they're drinking 00:25:55.679 --> 00:25:56.740 litres of water, 00:25:57.200 --> 00:25:57.519 they're just, 00:25:57.599 --> 00:25:58.240 I can't eat 00:25:58.240 --> 00:25:58.619 this. 00:25:59.480 --> 00:25:59.960 I've gotten 00:25:59.960 --> 00:26:00.819 so used to 00:26:00.819 --> 00:26:01.899 it, it 00:26:01.899 --> 00:26:02.419 doesn't affect 00:26:02.419 --> 00:26:02.899 me anymore. 00:26:03.639 --> 00:26:04.079 I've gotten 00:26:04.079 --> 00:26:04.899 comfortable with 00:26:04.899 --> 00:26:05.259 it. 00:26:05.939 --> 00:26:06.619 Until, of 00:26:06.619 --> 00:26:07.799 course, I 00:26:07.799 --> 00:26:08.500 accidentally put 00:26:08.500 --> 00:26:09.159 too much 00:26:09.159 --> 00:26:09.379 in. 00:26:10.019 --> 00:26:10.419 I remember 00:26:10.419 --> 00:26:11.240 one time I 00:26:11.240 --> 00:26:12.559 was at a 00:26:12.559 --> 00:26:13.299 movie and 00:26:13.299 --> 00:26:13.639 it was all 00:26:13.639 --> 00:26:14.819 dark and I 00:26:14.819 --> 00:26:15.599 put a little 00:26:15.599 --> 00:26:15.939 bit of 00:26:15.939 --> 00:26:16.799 wasabi or 00:26:16.799 --> 00:26:17.079 what I 00:26:17.079 --> 00:26:17.379 thought was 00:26:17.379 --> 00:26:17.639 a little 00:26:17.639 --> 00:26:17.899 bit of 00:26:17.899 --> 00:26:18.579 wasabi on 00:26:18.579 --> 00:26:19.119 my sushi, 00:26:19.460 --> 00:26:19.859 but it was 00:26:19.859 --> 00:26:20.240 a huge 00:26:20.240 --> 00:26:21.659 amount and 00:26:21.659 --> 00:26:22.379 it cleared 00:26:22.379 --> 00:26:23.019 out everything. 00:26:25.460 --> 00:26:26.139 A spicy 00:26:26.139 --> 00:26:26.859 sauce doesn't 00:26:26.859 --> 00:26:27.679 impact me until 00:26:27.679 --> 00:26:28.279 I accidentally 00:26:28.279 --> 00:26:29.059 put too 00:26:29.059 --> 00:26:29.879 much of it 00:26:29.879 --> 00:26:30.220 in. 00:26:30.220 --> 00:26:31.120 And then 00:26:31.120 --> 00:26:31.720 I notice 00:26:31.720 --> 00:26:31.960 it. 00:26:33.140 --> 00:26:33.940 The gospel 00:26:33.940 --> 00:26:36.140 is intrusive. 00:26:37.460 --> 00:26:38.059 The gospel 00:26:38.059 --> 00:26:39.259 is something 00:26:39.259 --> 00:26:39.819 that should 00:26:39.819 --> 00:26:40.559 impact all 00:26:40.559 --> 00:26:40.880 of our 00:26:40.880 --> 00:26:41.380 lives. 00:26:42.500 --> 00:26:42.740 And yet 00:26:42.740 --> 00:26:43.360 we can 00:26:43.360 --> 00:26:43.839 get used 00:26:43.839 --> 00:26:44.259 to it. 00:26:45.079 --> 00:26:45.299 We can 00:26:45.299 --> 00:26:45.920 get comfortable 00:26:45.920 --> 00:26:46.420 with it 00:26:46.420 --> 00:26:47.440 and complacent. 00:26:48.900 --> 00:26:49.600 If you're 00:26:49.600 --> 00:26:50.059 still not 00:26:50.059 --> 00:26:50.720 sure about 00:26:50.720 --> 00:26:51.240 who Jesus 00:26:51.240 --> 00:26:51.660 is, 00:26:51.819 --> 00:26:53.140 maybe you've 00:26:53.140 --> 00:26:53.579 heard the 00:26:53.579 --> 00:26:54.059 news about 00:26:54.059 --> 00:26:55.000 Jesus dying 00:26:55.000 --> 00:26:55.339 on the 00:26:55.339 --> 00:26:55.640 cross, 00:26:56.019 --> 00:26:56.620 rising to 00:26:56.620 --> 00:26:57.079 life so 00:26:57.079 --> 00:26:57.559 that you 00:26:57.559 --> 00:26:58.039 too can 00:26:58.039 --> 00:26:58.279 have 00:26:58.279 --> 00:26:58.700 life. 00:26:59.659 --> 00:26:59.960 Maybe 00:26:59.960 --> 00:27:00.220 you've 00:27:00.220 --> 00:27:00.659 heard this 00:27:00.659 --> 00:27:01.279 message so 00:27:01.279 --> 00:27:01.980 many times 00:27:01.980 --> 00:27:02.639 you've 00:27:02.639 --> 00:27:03.019 just gotten 00:27:03.019 --> 00:27:03.420 used to 00:27:03.420 --> 00:27:03.639 it. 00:27:04.920 --> 00:27:05.659 Take a 00:27:05.659 --> 00:27:06.460 moment and 00:27:06.460 --> 00:27:07.359 consider how 00:27:07.359 --> 00:27:08.200 amazing it 00:27:08.200 --> 00:27:09.319 is that 00:27:09.319 --> 00:27:09.819 the God 00:27:09.819 --> 00:27:10.119 of the 00:27:10.119 --> 00:27:10.480 universe 00:27:10.480 --> 00:27:11.480 would die 00:27:11.480 --> 00:27:12.220 for you 00:27:12.220 --> 00:27:13.180 because he 00:27:13.180 --> 00:27:13.819 loves you. 00:27:14.819 --> 00:27:15.440 Pour a 00:27:15.440 --> 00:27:16.159 bit extra 00:27:16.159 --> 00:27:17.000 sauce onto 00:27:17.000 --> 00:27:17.859 the reality 00:27:17.859 --> 00:27:18.519 that God 00:27:18.519 --> 00:27:19.259 himself would 00:27:19.259 --> 00:27:19.799 die for 00:27:19.799 --> 00:27:20.859 you so 00:27:20.859 --> 00:27:21.119 that you 00:27:21.119 --> 00:27:21.420 can be 00:27:21.420 --> 00:27:22.119 impacted by 00:27:22.119 --> 00:27:22.519 the gospel 00:27:22.519 --> 00:27:22.920 today. 00:27:22.920 --> 00:27:25.120 It might 00:27:25.120 --> 00:27:25.560 be the 00:27:25.560 --> 00:27:26.000 same for 00:27:26.000 --> 00:27:26.259 those 00:27:26.259 --> 00:27:26.700 following 00:27:26.700 --> 00:27:27.120 Jesus. 00:27:28.200 --> 00:27:28.660 The gospel 00:27:28.660 --> 00:27:29.320 has impacted 00:27:29.320 --> 00:27:29.900 so many 00:27:29.900 --> 00:27:30.560 different parts 00:27:30.560 --> 00:27:30.820 of my 00:27:30.820 --> 00:27:31.460 life but 00:27:31.460 --> 00:27:31.620 I've 00:27:31.620 --> 00:27:31.840 gotten 00:27:31.840 --> 00:27:32.220 used to 00:27:32.220 --> 00:27:32.860 it just 00:27:32.860 --> 00:27:33.240 like eating 00:27:33.240 --> 00:27:33.940 spicy food. 00:27:35.660 --> 00:27:36.660 We can't 00:27:36.660 --> 00:27:37.400 keep doing 00:27:37.400 --> 00:27:37.860 the same 00:27:37.860 --> 00:27:39.360 things expecting 00:27:39.360 --> 00:27:40.220 different 00:27:40.220 --> 00:27:40.779 results. 00:27:42.180 --> 00:27:42.920 Do you 00:27:42.920 --> 00:27:43.500 want God 00:27:43.500 --> 00:27:44.019 to impact 00:27:44.019 --> 00:27:44.580 your life? 00:27:45.680 --> 00:27:46.440 Do you 00:27:46.440 --> 00:27:46.980 want to 00:27:46.980 --> 00:27:47.620 have a 00:27:47.620 --> 00:27:48.320 closer walk 00:27:48.320 --> 00:27:48.740 with him? 00:27:49.620 --> 00:27:50.160 Do you 00:27:50.160 --> 00:27:50.920 need help 00:27:50.920 --> 00:27:52.240 handing over 00:27:52.240 --> 00:27:53.839 control to 00:27:53.839 --> 00:27:54.220 God? 00:27:55.559 --> 00:27:56.160 I want to 00:27:56.160 --> 00:27:56.880 encourage you 00:27:56.880 --> 00:27:57.579 to do 00:27:57.579 --> 00:27:57.880 something 00:27:57.880 --> 00:27:58.319 different. 00:28:00.319 --> 00:28:00.900 Effectively 00:28:00.900 --> 00:28:01.779 pour a bit 00:28:01.779 --> 00:28:02.380 more chili 00:28:02.380 --> 00:28:02.880 sauce on 00:28:02.880 --> 00:28:03.680 it so 00:28:03.680 --> 00:28:03.940 that you 00:28:03.940 --> 00:28:04.660 see God's 00:28:04.660 --> 00:28:05.759 impact in 00:28:05.759 --> 00:28:06.259 your life. 00:28:07.460 --> 00:28:08.299 I want to 00:28:08.299 --> 00:28:08.839 challenge you. 00:28:08.980 --> 00:28:09.299 I want to 00:28:09.299 --> 00:28:09.660 challenge you 00:28:09.660 --> 00:28:10.099 this week. 00:28:10.900 --> 00:28:11.720 I want to 00:28:11.720 --> 00:28:12.620 challenge everybody 00:28:12.620 --> 00:28:13.240 watching. 00:28:14.380 --> 00:28:14.859 I want to 00:28:14.859 --> 00:28:15.500 challenge you 00:28:15.500 --> 00:28:15.980 for the next 00:28:15.980 --> 00:28:17.180 seven days 00:28:17.180 --> 00:28:18.519 to spend 00:28:18.519 --> 00:28:19.299 five minutes 00:28:19.299 --> 00:28:19.960 reading the 00:28:19.960 --> 00:28:20.960 Bible and 00:28:20.960 --> 00:28:21.579 five minutes 00:28:21.579 --> 00:28:21.960 praying. 00:28:22.599 --> 00:28:23.240 Challenge for 00:28:23.240 --> 00:28:23.500 the next 00:28:23.500 --> 00:28:24.079 seven days 00:28:24.079 --> 00:28:24.880 five minutes 00:28:24.880 --> 00:28:25.220 reading the 00:28:25.220 --> 00:28:25.460 Bible, 00:28:25.759 --> 00:28:26.359 five minutes 00:28:26.359 --> 00:28:26.779 praying. 00:28:27.000 --> 00:28:27.259 Let me 00:28:27.259 --> 00:28:27.819 encourage you 00:28:27.819 --> 00:28:28.579 send me a 00:28:28.579 --> 00:28:28.980 message. 00:28:29.620 --> 00:28:30.160 If we're 00:28:30.160 --> 00:28:30.539 friends on 00:28:30.539 --> 00:28:31.259 Facebook you 00:28:31.259 --> 00:28:31.559 can send 00:28:31.559 --> 00:28:31.759 me a 00:28:31.759 --> 00:28:32.099 message. 00:28:33.099 --> 00:28:33.740 If we're 00:28:33.740 --> 00:28:34.099 not yet 00:28:34.099 --> 00:28:35.140 friends on 00:28:35.140 --> 00:28:36.180 Facebook send 00:28:36.180 --> 00:28:36.720 me an 00:28:36.720 --> 00:28:37.000 email. 00:28:37.220 --> 00:28:37.519 James. 00:28:37.819 --> 00:28:38.299 Barnett 00:28:38.299 --> 00:28:38.539 at 00:28:38.539 --> 00:28:39.880 stpauls.org.au 00:28:39.880 --> 00:28:40.539 Let me 00:28:40.539 --> 00:28:40.940 know you're 00:28:40.940 --> 00:28:41.319 doing this 00:28:41.319 --> 00:28:41.920 challenge so 00:28:41.920 --> 00:28:42.519 that we can 00:28:42.519 --> 00:28:42.880 do this 00:28:42.880 --> 00:28:43.220 together. 00:28:43.539 --> 00:28:43.900 Let's 00:28:43.900 --> 00:28:44.200 read the 00:28:44.200 --> 00:28:44.640 Bible for 00:28:44.640 --> 00:28:45.539 five minutes 00:28:45.539 --> 00:28:46.440 and pray 00:28:46.440 --> 00:28:47.120 for five 00:28:47.120 --> 00:28:47.700 minutes each 00:28:47.700 --> 00:28:48.120 day for the 00:28:48.120 --> 00:28:48.920 next seven 00:28:48.920 --> 00:28:49.180 days. 00:28:49.259 --> 00:28:49.620 Let's do 00:28:49.620 --> 00:28:49.980 something 00:28:49.980 --> 00:28:52.160 different so 00:28:52.160 --> 00:28:52.539 that we can 00:28:52.539 --> 00:28:53.519 see God's 00:28:53.519 --> 00:28:54.700 impact on 00:28:54.700 --> 00:28:55.240 our life. 00:28:56.660 --> 00:28:57.620 We are at 00:28:57.620 --> 00:28:58.279 the start of 00:28:58.279 --> 00:28:58.940 a season 00:28:58.940 --> 00:28:59.720 celebrating what 00:28:59.720 --> 00:29:00.779 God is doing 00:29:00.779 --> 00:29:01.559 across the 00:29:01.559 --> 00:29:02.680 world in our 00:29:02.680 --> 00:29:03.319 mission month. 00:29:03.319 --> 00:29:03.359 life. 00:29:04.799 --> 00:29:05.240 But let's 00:29:05.240 --> 00:29:06.200 first ask God 00:29:06.200 --> 00:29:07.159 to change 00:29:07.159 --> 00:29:07.980 our hearts 00:29:07.980 --> 00:29:10.039 so that we 00:29:10.039 --> 00:29:10.519 can know 00:29:10.519 --> 00:29:11.639 him and 00:29:11.639 --> 00:29:12.480 trust him 00:29:12.480 --> 00:29:13.460 and worship 00:29:13.460 --> 00:29:14.039 him more 00:29:14.039 --> 00:29:14.480 and more. 00:29:15.159 --> 00:29:15.519 Let me 00:29:15.519 --> 00:29:15.759 pray. 00:29:17.379 --> 00:29:17.939 Heavenly 00:29:17.939 --> 00:29:19.960 Father we 00:29:19.960 --> 00:29:20.579 thank you 00:29:20.579 --> 00:29:21.859 for your 00:29:21.859 --> 00:29:22.279 love for 00:29:22.279 --> 00:29:22.579 us. 00:29:23.220 --> 00:29:23.720 Thank you 00:29:23.720 --> 00:29:24.059 that your 00:29:24.059 --> 00:29:24.720 gospel has 00:29:24.720 --> 00:29:25.419 gone out and 00:29:25.419 --> 00:29:26.179 it has come 00:29:26.179 --> 00:29:27.220 to us here 00:29:27.220 --> 00:29:28.500 far from 00:29:28.500 --> 00:29:28.919 Ephesus. 00:29:30.399 --> 00:29:30.899 But Lord we 00:29:30.899 --> 00:29:31.539 thank you for 00:29:31.539 --> 00:29:32.299 how you are 00:29:32.299 --> 00:29:33.299 impacting our 00:29:33.299 --> 00:29:33.740 lives. 00:29:34.859 --> 00:29:35.559 Father we 00:29:35.559 --> 00:29:35.960 thank you 00:29:35.960 --> 00:29:36.960 that Jesus 00:29:36.960 --> 00:29:38.240 has died 00:29:38.240 --> 00:29:39.059 and been 00:29:39.059 --> 00:29:39.779 raised so 00:29:39.779 --> 00:29:40.059 that we 00:29:40.059 --> 00:29:40.539 can know 00:29:40.539 --> 00:29:40.879 you, 00:29:41.180 --> 00:29:41.619 that we 00:29:41.619 --> 00:29:42.139 can have 00:29:42.139 --> 00:29:42.779 relationship 00:29:42.779 --> 00:29:43.419 with you 00:29:43.419 --> 00:29:43.879 forever. 00:29:45.200 --> 00:29:45.720 Heavenly 00:29:45.720 --> 00:29:46.419 Father we 00:29:46.419 --> 00:29:48.079 ask this 00:29:48.079 --> 00:29:48.859 week over 00:29:48.859 --> 00:29:49.200 the next 00:29:49.200 --> 00:29:49.980 seven days 00:29:49.980 --> 00:29:51.619 that you 00:29:51.619 --> 00:29:52.200 would work 00:29:52.200 --> 00:29:52.759 on our 00:29:52.759 --> 00:29:53.200 hearts, 00:29:53.680 --> 00:29:54.200 that we 00:29:54.200 --> 00:29:54.740 would know 00:29:54.740 --> 00:29:54.980 you, 00:29:55.079 --> 00:29:55.299 that we 00:29:55.299 --> 00:29:55.919 would trust 00:29:55.919 --> 00:29:56.859 you and 00:29:56.859 --> 00:29:57.159 we would 00:29:57.159 --> 00:29:57.680 worship you 00:29:57.680 --> 00:29:58.079 more and 00:29:58.079 --> 00:29:58.480 more each 00:29:58.480 --> 00:29:58.740 day. 00:29:59.259 --> 00:29:59.619 Amen.