WEBVTT 00:00:00.360 --> 00:00:04.459 Okay, so with Acts 11, those verses open in front of you. 00:00:04.540 --> 00:00:06.259 Thanks so much, Colin and Ellen, for reading them. 00:00:08.099 --> 00:00:11.880 Here's a thing that until last week I didn't know was a thing. 00:00:13.580 --> 00:00:17.760 People leaving Google reviews of this church online. 00:00:20.100 --> 00:00:20.500 Intrigued? 00:00:21.320 --> 00:00:22.359 Want to see three of them? 00:00:23.620 --> 00:00:24.960 You want to see three of them, don't you? 00:00:24.960 --> 00:00:27.679 Right, someone going by the name E.W. wrote, 00:00:27.679 --> 00:00:31.420 Nice interior architecture in a nice location. 00:00:32.359 --> 00:00:35.019 Okay, these people might be here today, I don't know if you see. 00:00:35.560 --> 00:00:37.060 Dr. Whale Abdu said, 00:00:37.880 --> 00:00:39.859 We're a great venue for birthday parties. 00:00:40.019 --> 00:00:40.939 Give an amen to that one. 00:00:41.299 --> 00:00:42.380 Great venue for birthday parties. 00:00:42.519 --> 00:00:44.460 Local tour guide Chris Middleton said, 00:00:44.539 --> 00:00:46.920 We're a fantastic community hub. 00:00:47.679 --> 00:00:49.560 So you bring that together on Google, 00:00:50.359 --> 00:00:53.899 we're getting 4.8 out of 5 stars currently. 00:00:54.939 --> 00:00:55.079 Yeah? 00:00:55.079 --> 00:00:59.399 Now I'm going to give our building team a few seconds to enjoy that. 00:01:01.640 --> 00:01:03.099 And then I'm going to burst our bubble 00:01:03.099 --> 00:01:05.780 and say, 00:01:06.079 --> 00:01:08.700 That's not really what we're interested in. 00:01:10.679 --> 00:01:12.180 To nick a line from the rhyme, 00:01:12.599 --> 00:01:14.680 you might remember from when you were little, 00:01:15.680 --> 00:01:17.159 We're not interested in the church. 00:01:18.000 --> 00:01:20.159 Not really all that interested in the steeple. 00:01:20.159 --> 00:01:22.539 But what we're really interested in 00:01:22.539 --> 00:01:24.739 is what people would see when they look inside 00:01:24.739 --> 00:01:26.920 and see all the people. 00:01:29.379 --> 00:01:31.319 Here's a question we're going to be challenged with today. 00:01:32.959 --> 00:01:36.319 Would our community call us Christians? 00:01:37.939 --> 00:01:38.939 Sound a strange question? 00:01:40.000 --> 00:01:41.340 Would our community call us Christians? 00:01:41.340 --> 00:01:43.799 Come with me to Acts chapter 11. 00:01:43.859 --> 00:01:44.920 I'll show you what I mean by that. 00:01:46.420 --> 00:01:49.680 If there was a lonely planet guide to the Roman Empire 00:01:49.680 --> 00:01:51.400 in the first century, 00:01:52.400 --> 00:01:56.780 three most biggest influential and biggest cities you would have. 00:01:57.000 --> 00:01:57.079 Right? 00:01:57.180 --> 00:01:58.180 Number one, Rome. 00:01:58.900 --> 00:02:00.420 Number two, Alexandria. 00:02:00.719 --> 00:02:01.420 Number three, 00:02:01.420 --> 00:02:04.359 this place called Antioch. 00:02:04.439 --> 00:02:05.200 You'll find it in the map. 00:02:05.299 --> 00:02:06.939 It's kind of the top north one. 00:02:07.519 --> 00:02:08.960 What you see about Antioch 00:02:08.960 --> 00:02:13.159 is you're looking at something about half a million people. 00:02:13.259 --> 00:02:13.900 You see in the map, 00:02:14.000 --> 00:02:17.439 it's geographically a cracking location to be, isn't it? 00:02:17.479 --> 00:02:18.800 You can kind of go around the corner. 00:02:18.920 --> 00:02:19.439 You can go down. 00:02:19.539 --> 00:02:20.439 You can go into Asia. 00:02:21.139 --> 00:02:23.460 It's a good big city. 00:02:23.819 --> 00:02:25.680 People even from China there. 00:02:25.680 --> 00:02:26.780 All sorts of different people. 00:02:26.879 --> 00:02:28.860 Jews, Greeks, Romans, Persians, Indians. 00:02:29.180 --> 00:02:31.280 People from far away as China. 00:02:32.099 --> 00:02:33.239 And the locals, 00:02:33.599 --> 00:02:35.559 and I think they're called Antiochians. 00:02:35.679 --> 00:02:36.919 I think that is the thing. 00:02:37.139 --> 00:02:37.299 Okay? 00:02:37.479 --> 00:02:41.959 Apparently, they are famous for loving a joke. 00:02:43.139 --> 00:02:43.399 Right? 00:02:43.699 --> 00:02:45.279 Loving a bit of banter. 00:02:45.339 --> 00:02:46.719 They love nothing more. 00:02:47.199 --> 00:02:49.239 And this is what historians around the time will say. 00:02:49.539 --> 00:02:52.839 Nothing more than to dish out a witty nickname. 00:02:53.899 --> 00:02:55.959 That's what you do when you're from Antioch. 00:02:56.419 --> 00:02:58.039 And here's why that's significant. 00:02:58.039 --> 00:03:04.680 Because when the local people in Antioch looked at these first disciples of Jesus, 00:03:05.719 --> 00:03:08.579 watching these people like dandelions in the sun, 00:03:09.639 --> 00:03:12.180 just cropping up everywhere, out of nowhere. 00:03:12.180 --> 00:03:15.439 We just cannot predict where the next one is going to come from. 00:03:15.920 --> 00:03:19.620 Here is what they called these early disciples. 00:03:19.840 --> 00:03:20.719 Verse 26. 00:03:21.960 --> 00:03:28.879 The disciples were called Christians first at Antioch. 00:03:28.879 --> 00:03:32.819 Now, if you're here today and you're wondering, 00:03:33.439 --> 00:03:34.719 what is a Christian? 00:03:34.939 --> 00:03:38.340 You've come here with all sorts of ideas in your mind. 00:03:38.479 --> 00:03:40.299 Ideas, I imagine, from the media. 00:03:40.859 --> 00:03:42.759 Ideas, I'd imagine, from your upbringing. 00:03:42.979 --> 00:03:45.400 Perhaps what you've seen in the place that you live. 00:03:45.479 --> 00:03:46.960 Perhaps from television. 00:03:47.099 --> 00:03:48.060 The Vicar of Dibley. 00:03:48.280 --> 00:03:50.819 What was that show on BBC a few years ago called Rev? 00:03:50.819 --> 00:03:53.199 If all these kind of things are in your mind. 00:03:53.500 --> 00:03:55.840 You've picked a great Sunday to be with us. 00:03:56.699 --> 00:04:00.680 Because this is the origin of the name. 00:04:02.099 --> 00:04:02.739 Do you know what it means? 00:04:03.500 --> 00:04:07.799 Christian means literally many Jesus. 00:04:07.800 --> 00:04:14.120 So when the locals saw Jesus at work in the lives of these people, 00:04:14.200 --> 00:04:19.220 when they heard Jesus being proclaimed and praised from their lips, 00:04:19.319 --> 00:04:22.280 they laughed and they teased and they said, 00:04:22.400 --> 00:04:26.160 ha-ha, you guys are just little Jesuses. 00:04:28.259 --> 00:04:29.460 You know the kind of thing? 00:04:29.519 --> 00:04:30.660 Here comes the God Squad. 00:04:31.580 --> 00:04:32.180 Look out. 00:04:32.259 --> 00:04:33.420 Here come the Jesus freaks. 00:04:33.560 --> 00:04:33.920 Way-oh. 00:04:34.040 --> 00:04:35.139 Here are the Bible bashers. 00:04:35.139 --> 00:04:37.060 Here are the Holy Joes. 00:04:37.800 --> 00:04:38.180 Okay? 00:04:39.040 --> 00:04:42.319 It's what people see in Antioch when they look at these early disciples. 00:04:42.540 --> 00:04:46.120 You guys are just little Jesuses. 00:04:46.220 --> 00:04:47.840 Now that's a nickname worth having, isn't it? 00:04:50.540 --> 00:04:53.720 So the name Christian in its original context is a nickname. 00:04:55.379 --> 00:04:57.960 And Luke lets us see in this passage, I think, 00:04:58.220 --> 00:05:01.600 what it was about the lives of these disciples in Antioch 00:05:01.600 --> 00:05:03.800 that caused the locals to say that. 00:05:04.319 --> 00:05:05.280 There's four of them. 00:05:05.279 --> 00:05:07.839 We're going to look at them in just a second. 00:05:07.919 --> 00:05:11.599 But before we get there, see what's going on in the book of Acts. 00:05:12.519 --> 00:05:13.179 Here's the question. 00:05:13.279 --> 00:05:19.079 How did the gospel, how did the news of Jesus even get to a place like Antioch on the map? 00:05:20.419 --> 00:05:23.299 Well, verse 19 in the text, if we get into it, 00:05:23.300 --> 00:05:28.800 it connects us back to the persecution that happened in Jerusalem, 00:05:29.259 --> 00:05:30.840 if you remember in chapter 8. 00:05:31.920 --> 00:05:34.960 The early followers of Jesus, they were chased out of Jerusalem. 00:05:34.959 --> 00:05:40.180 And they ran to Judea and Samaria. 00:05:41.000 --> 00:05:44.019 Now, of course, they are being pushed out of their city. 00:05:44.639 --> 00:05:47.740 But what's going on, remember, Alistair took us there a number of weeks ago, 00:05:47.979 --> 00:05:51.639 is that Jesus' plan for the spread of the gospel is happening. 00:05:52.679 --> 00:05:56.859 Man's worst plays into God's plans and his best. 00:05:56.860 --> 00:06:02.000 So Jesus said, you're going to be my witnesses in Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria, ends of the earth. 00:06:02.080 --> 00:06:03.100 How is that going to happen? 00:06:03.180 --> 00:06:04.160 How are people going to go? 00:06:04.520 --> 00:06:05.980 In this case, it is persecution. 00:06:06.139 --> 00:06:07.500 It is driving out the people. 00:06:08.300 --> 00:06:09.680 It's fulfilling Jesus' plan. 00:06:10.740 --> 00:06:14.639 And here in verse 11 of chapter 11, verse 19 of chapter 11, 00:06:15.160 --> 00:06:17.480 here's what we learn about those people who went. 00:06:17.480 --> 00:06:25.759 They went as far as Phoenicia, Cyprus, and Antioch. 00:06:26.700 --> 00:06:28.680 And like bees carrying pollen. 00:06:28.939 --> 00:06:30.860 And notice, by the way, that these aren't apostles. 00:06:31.120 --> 00:06:33.420 The apostles are the guys who are staying in Jerusalem. 00:06:33.960 --> 00:06:38.240 These are just ordinary believers, ordinary disciples of Jesus. 00:06:39.580 --> 00:06:44.300 They carry the message about Jesus wherever they go, like bees carrying pollen. 00:06:44.300 --> 00:06:49.259 And hey, presto, by God's grace, through the work of his Holy Spirit, 00:06:49.800 --> 00:06:53.400 spiritual pollination happens everywhere they go. 00:06:54.600 --> 00:06:56.160 The gospel is going long. 00:06:56.240 --> 00:06:57.139 That's what Luke's telling us. 00:06:57.220 --> 00:06:58.840 The gospel is going long. 00:06:59.460 --> 00:07:02.639 And the gospel is going deep. 00:07:02.920 --> 00:07:05.639 Because in Antioch, look at what happened at verse 21. 00:07:07.780 --> 00:07:09.800 The Lord's hand was at work. 00:07:09.800 --> 00:07:15.240 These are the descriptions of a historian who wants people down the line to know the details. 00:07:16.020 --> 00:07:17.939 So he's taking his time to tell us this. 00:07:18.000 --> 00:07:19.259 The Lord's hand was at work. 00:07:20.120 --> 00:07:23.280 And great numbers turned to the Lord. 00:07:24.819 --> 00:07:26.939 And Luke tells us that again at verse 24. 00:07:27.199 --> 00:07:28.400 To bookend that wee bit. 00:07:29.019 --> 00:07:31.199 A great number of people were brought to the Lord. 00:07:31.300 --> 00:07:35.280 So Luke wants us to know that what happened in Antioch was no drop in the ocean. 00:07:35.279 --> 00:07:39.139 What happened in Antioch was an unmissable act of God. 00:07:40.979 --> 00:07:42.759 Great number of people become Christians. 00:07:43.219 --> 00:07:48.739 And reports of this filter back from Antioch, filter back all the way down to Jerusalem. 00:07:49.919 --> 00:07:55.279 And verse 22, what they do is they send Barnabas from Jerusalem to go back to Antioch, 00:07:56.099 --> 00:08:02.959 almost as their ambassador, to go to Antioch and to see if what is happening is the real deal. 00:08:02.959 --> 00:08:09.139 And what happens is that Barnabas confirms what the people in Antioch are saying about the disciples, 00:08:09.620 --> 00:08:12.859 that yes, they are many Jesuses. 00:08:13.000 --> 00:08:14.139 Look at verse 23. 00:08:14.500 --> 00:08:17.699 When he sees his disciples going for it, what is he? 00:08:18.859 --> 00:08:19.799 He's glad. 00:08:21.679 --> 00:08:21.899 Right? 00:08:21.959 --> 00:08:24.719 I take it that's always one of the marks of the Holy Spirit in our lives, 00:08:24.740 --> 00:08:27.159 when we see what God is doing somewhere else, 00:08:27.740 --> 00:08:29.740 and it makes us glad. 00:08:30.560 --> 00:08:32.620 It's not all about here, is it? 00:08:33.420 --> 00:08:35.740 Makes us glad when we see what God is doing elsewhere. 00:08:37.540 --> 00:08:39.720 These guys are Christians, says Barnabas. 00:08:40.440 --> 00:08:41.080 They've got it. 00:08:41.200 --> 00:08:41.600 It's real. 00:08:41.780 --> 00:08:42.460 God is at work. 00:08:43.120 --> 00:08:45.920 Last week we thought about the first Gentile Christian. 00:08:46.060 --> 00:08:47.259 Do you remember his name was Cornelius? 00:08:47.360 --> 00:08:49.040 If you want to listen back, you can on the website. 00:08:49.200 --> 00:08:50.680 If not, just read it in your own time. 00:08:51.200 --> 00:08:52.900 Cornelius, the first Gentile Christian. 00:08:53.320 --> 00:08:54.759 Now do you see what's going on? 00:08:54.900 --> 00:08:56.720 We've got the first Gentile church. 00:08:57.720 --> 00:08:58.759 The gospel's growing. 00:08:58.879 --> 00:08:59.460 It's going long. 00:08:59.519 --> 00:09:00.300 It's going deep. 00:09:00.299 --> 00:09:04.259 And here are the four reasons the people in Antioch called these people Christians. 00:09:06.019 --> 00:09:08.379 And as we look at these, remember the question we're asking ourselves. 00:09:08.519 --> 00:09:11.339 Would our community call us Christians? 00:09:11.340 --> 00:09:13.800 So here is number one. 00:09:14.060 --> 00:09:16.220 What do they see about these guys? 00:09:17.100 --> 00:09:20.379 They see, first of all, that these people are worshipping somebody else. 00:09:22.280 --> 00:09:23.300 What did Barnabas see? 00:09:23.379 --> 00:09:24.160 Verse 23. 00:09:26.259 --> 00:09:30.639 He saw what the grace of God had done. 00:09:30.639 --> 00:09:32.179 Now just take in that phrase. 00:09:33.759 --> 00:09:37.139 It's not about these people that they've turned over a new leaf. 00:09:37.220 --> 00:09:38.460 They've decided to be better. 00:09:39.039 --> 00:09:41.080 Decided to have a crack at this Christianity thing. 00:09:41.139 --> 00:09:41.639 No, no, no, no. 00:09:42.600 --> 00:09:50.199 This is about God giving them new hearts as he, and like only he can do, 00:09:50.659 --> 00:09:54.379 as he breathes in life to spiritual dead bodies. 00:09:54.379 --> 00:10:04.100 He takes souls and he transfers them from the kingdom of darkness to the kingdom of light. 00:10:04.279 --> 00:10:09.259 And that means that if you are a Christian, that is what's going on in your life. 00:10:09.899 --> 00:10:12.220 It doesn't matter if you've had an amazing testimony. 00:10:12.340 --> 00:10:14.460 It doesn't matter if you've been brought up as a Christian, all of you. 00:10:14.460 --> 00:10:18.580 What is going on is a miracle that God has taken you from darkness 00:10:18.580 --> 00:10:22.540 and transferred you to light through the work of his son on the cross. 00:10:23.280 --> 00:10:24.259 It's what he's done. 00:10:24.400 --> 00:10:26.220 It's what's going on here in Antioch. 00:10:26.300 --> 00:10:30.379 The grace of God is at work, which is tremendously freeing 00:10:30.379 --> 00:10:34.519 because that means you and I did not get into God's good books because of our works. 00:10:34.860 --> 00:10:39.440 It means that we've been saved purely by his grace and his compassion and his love 00:10:39.440 --> 00:10:40.980 because he is that kind of God. 00:10:40.980 --> 00:10:45.019 What's going on in Antioch? 00:10:45.080 --> 00:10:46.500 There's new creations everywhere. 00:10:48.159 --> 00:10:49.240 You can imagine, right? 00:10:49.460 --> 00:10:54.300 Cosmopolitan city that prizes material prosperity and beauty, 00:10:55.240 --> 00:10:57.899 thinks nothing of cutting someone down with a bit of wit. 00:10:58.740 --> 00:11:01.960 And you're living in a place all under the banner of Caesar is Lord. 00:11:02.600 --> 00:11:04.500 That's really who's worshipped here. 00:11:05.300 --> 00:11:08.779 Yes, we can do stuff under his, but that's the banner we're operating under. 00:11:08.779 --> 00:11:11.919 You can imagine if you're somebody who says, actually, no, 00:11:13.519 --> 00:11:17.819 there was a man who came back from the dead and he's Lord of all. 00:11:19.500 --> 00:11:22.379 And he controls my tongue, my thoughts and my wallet. 00:11:22.480 --> 00:11:25.439 You can imagine that that is your confession in a place like Antioch. 00:11:25.779 --> 00:11:29.559 You're going to stand out like a mile, stand out a mile like a sore thumb. 00:11:29.559 --> 00:11:32.719 I loved it. 00:11:32.779 --> 00:11:35.599 It was down, um, uh, 00:11:36.599 --> 00:11:39.319 Wee Cafe in Birdie House with Grace yesterday. 00:11:40.599 --> 00:11:41.379 Just opened it. 00:11:41.439 --> 00:11:44.959 It's a kind of 20 schemes thing where they're trying to get people back into work. 00:11:45.019 --> 00:11:47.039 They've opened this cafe in this community. 00:11:47.879 --> 00:11:49.419 And I loved it just on the door. 00:11:50.919 --> 00:11:54.359 Nailing their colours to the mass in the community, what they're all about. 00:11:54.459 --> 00:11:56.659 Jesus, I'm the bread of life. 00:11:57.000 --> 00:11:57.379 There it is. 00:11:57.459 --> 00:11:57.699 Bang. 00:11:57.859 --> 00:11:58.619 This is who we are. 00:11:58.620 --> 00:11:59.220 Loved it. 00:12:00.700 --> 00:12:02.399 These people are worshipping someone else. 00:12:02.500 --> 00:12:03.799 There's something else that makes them tick. 00:12:03.879 --> 00:12:05.419 There's someone else who they're all about. 00:12:06.200 --> 00:12:08.299 I guess the question I was asking myself this week is, 00:12:08.480 --> 00:12:10.399 Do people in my life know what I'm all about? 00:12:10.879 --> 00:12:13.139 Do they know that I worship somebody else? 00:12:13.840 --> 00:12:14.519 Think about it. 00:12:14.539 --> 00:12:18.279 In your workplace, in your school, in your university, 00:12:19.060 --> 00:12:20.360 do people know? 00:12:20.440 --> 00:12:22.000 Your family friends, do they know? 00:12:22.000 --> 00:12:25.419 That these people are worshipping somebody else. 00:12:26.980 --> 00:12:28.399 That's what they're saying in Antioch. 00:12:28.460 --> 00:12:31.720 Secondly, these people, they think they're heading somewhere else. 00:12:32.659 --> 00:12:34.320 And here's your boy Barnabas. 00:12:35.320 --> 00:12:35.700 Right? 00:12:35.779 --> 00:12:38.559 You might remember Luke introduced us to him at the end of chapter 4. 00:12:40.340 --> 00:12:41.519 His name's not Barnabas. 00:12:41.580 --> 00:12:43.320 That's the interesting thing about Barnabas. 00:12:43.600 --> 00:12:44.580 His name's not Barnabas. 00:12:44.639 --> 00:12:45.740 His name is Joseph. 00:12:46.500 --> 00:12:49.259 Barnabas, if you remember, is his nickname. 00:12:49.259 --> 00:12:51.279 It means son of encouragement. 00:12:52.080 --> 00:12:54.379 So the believers see this guy doing his thing, 00:12:55.139 --> 00:12:57.620 and they say the defining feature of your life 00:12:57.620 --> 00:12:58.919 is that you're an encourager. 00:12:59.679 --> 00:13:00.319 Love that. 00:13:01.179 --> 00:13:02.100 You've had a hard day. 00:13:02.600 --> 00:13:04.299 Barnabas is the guy you want to call. 00:13:05.000 --> 00:13:07.399 Your life's rocking all over the place. 00:13:07.960 --> 00:13:10.059 You don't know if you're going to make it tomorrow. 00:13:10.240 --> 00:13:12.200 He's the guy that you want to turn up at the door. 00:13:12.799 --> 00:13:14.120 Barnabas is an encourager. 00:13:14.240 --> 00:13:16.740 And I think that's why they send him to this church in Antioch. 00:13:17.620 --> 00:13:18.879 Tough place to be a Christian. 00:13:18.879 --> 00:13:19.740 Who are we going to send? 00:13:19.919 --> 00:13:21.279 We're going to send the encourager. 00:13:23.100 --> 00:13:26.080 Luke gives us a wee description of him again at verse 24. 00:13:26.379 --> 00:13:27.299 He's a good man. 00:13:27.679 --> 00:13:31.539 He's full of the Holy Spirit and faith. 00:13:33.480 --> 00:13:35.820 And boy, is he using those gifts in Antioch. 00:13:37.159 --> 00:13:38.580 And we're not just told about him. 00:13:38.720 --> 00:13:40.200 We're told what he's saying. 00:13:41.779 --> 00:13:42.779 What he's saying, 00:13:42.779 --> 00:13:44.139 he was glad 00:13:44.139 --> 00:13:49.980 and encouraged them all to remain true to the Lord with all their hearts. 00:13:49.980 --> 00:13:50.820 That's what he's saying. 00:13:51.139 --> 00:13:52.720 That's his message to the disciples. 00:13:53.139 --> 00:13:54.159 You want to boil it down? 00:13:54.279 --> 00:13:56.240 It just means keep on going. 00:13:57.300 --> 00:13:58.320 Remain true to the Lord. 00:13:58.519 --> 00:14:00.019 Keep on persevering. 00:14:00.580 --> 00:14:00.700 Right? 00:14:00.740 --> 00:14:02.360 I was thinking about it this week. 00:14:02.920 --> 00:14:05.519 This is like Dory from Finding Nemo. 00:14:05.899 --> 00:14:06.740 Do you remember her phrase? 00:14:07.360 --> 00:14:08.200 What's her phrase? 00:14:09.259 --> 00:14:10.060 Keep on swimming. 00:14:10.220 --> 00:14:11.159 Just keep on swimming. 00:14:11.840 --> 00:14:12.759 Just keep on swimming. 00:14:13.279 --> 00:14:14.039 So she says, 00:14:14.159 --> 00:14:15.139 just keep on swimming. 00:14:16.139 --> 00:14:16.840 Keep on going. 00:14:16.919 --> 00:14:17.819 And that's Barnabas. 00:14:19.740 --> 00:14:20.279 She says, 00:14:20.299 --> 00:14:21.159 just keep on going. 00:14:22.279 --> 00:14:23.240 Just keep on going. 00:14:23.299 --> 00:14:23.879 I know it's tough. 00:14:24.000 --> 00:14:24.799 Just keep on going. 00:14:25.279 --> 00:14:26.779 Life following Jesus is tough. 00:14:29.240 --> 00:14:31.080 Finding life exhausting as a parent, 00:14:31.179 --> 00:14:32.480 wondering if you can keep on going. 00:14:33.480 --> 00:14:35.200 The ups and downs of your health 00:14:35.200 --> 00:14:36.980 making you anxious about the future. 00:14:38.740 --> 00:14:40.179 The death of a loved one 00:14:40.179 --> 00:14:42.439 left a huge hole in your heart. 00:14:43.720 --> 00:14:46.019 The uncertainty about what tomorrow looks like, 00:14:46.179 --> 00:14:48.360 let alone plans coming together for next year. 00:14:48.419 --> 00:14:49.340 Is it crippling you? 00:14:50.100 --> 00:14:52.259 All meaning that you might be here physically today, 00:14:52.360 --> 00:14:54.779 but spiritually inside you are struggling. 00:14:56.939 --> 00:14:58.179 Barnabas is the kind of person 00:14:58.179 --> 00:14:59.059 who draws alongside 00:14:59.059 --> 00:15:00.720 and he brings people back. 00:15:01.580 --> 00:15:03.519 And I take it this morning. 00:15:04.799 --> 00:15:06.559 I think all of us need that. 00:15:07.919 --> 00:15:09.120 To draw alongside 00:15:09.120 --> 00:15:11.439 and to say, 00:15:11.500 --> 00:15:12.519 I know life's tough. 00:15:12.759 --> 00:15:15.319 But let's keep on going. 00:15:16.100 --> 00:15:17.059 Let's keep on going. 00:15:18.559 --> 00:15:20.100 Where does Barnabas bring them back to? 00:15:20.159 --> 00:15:21.980 He brings them back to the Lord. 00:15:23.019 --> 00:15:24.019 Love this guy. 00:15:24.179 --> 00:15:26.220 Can you imagine him doing this thing in the church? 00:15:26.899 --> 00:15:27.519 I'm all ears. 00:15:27.679 --> 00:15:28.240 I love you. 00:15:28.319 --> 00:15:29.700 Tell me what's going on in your life. 00:15:29.700 --> 00:15:31.800 I want to listen. 00:15:33.200 --> 00:15:34.540 And that sounds brutal. 00:15:35.500 --> 00:15:36.320 Oh, isn't life 00:15:36.320 --> 00:15:39.580 just so complicated and hard sometimes? 00:15:40.420 --> 00:15:42.120 But here's what you and I need. 00:15:42.820 --> 00:15:44.080 Just look at Jesus. 00:15:45.379 --> 00:15:46.300 Would you look at him? 00:15:46.600 --> 00:15:48.120 Would you remember who he is? 00:15:49.280 --> 00:15:50.180 Remember what he's done? 00:15:50.460 --> 00:15:51.840 Would you remember what he's doing? 00:15:52.300 --> 00:15:53.100 The right hand of God. 00:15:53.160 --> 00:15:54.020 He's praying for us. 00:15:54.779 --> 00:15:56.799 Do you remember what he said was going to happen? 00:15:56.939 --> 00:15:57.679 Do you remember how he said 00:15:57.679 --> 00:15:58.919 he wouldn't leave us as orphans? 00:15:58.960 --> 00:15:59.779 He would come back? 00:16:00.340 --> 00:16:01.279 Do you remember how he said that? 00:16:01.319 --> 00:16:03.579 Do you remember how the Bible is the story of the God 00:16:03.579 --> 00:16:05.779 who is faithful to keeping his promises? 00:16:05.960 --> 00:16:08.079 Not one of God's good plans will ever fail. 00:16:08.079 --> 00:16:09.220 Do you remember that? 00:16:09.500 --> 00:16:10.899 Do you remember how Jesus said 00:16:10.899 --> 00:16:12.600 that heaven's ahead of us? 00:16:12.600 --> 00:16:15.279 Do you remember how he said 00:16:15.279 --> 00:16:16.360 in the words of the old hymn 00:16:16.360 --> 00:16:17.779 he will hold us fast. 00:16:18.320 --> 00:16:19.580 He will hold us fast. 00:16:20.279 --> 00:16:22.220 Where I fear my faithful fail 00:16:22.220 --> 00:16:24.639 he will hold us fast. 00:16:25.240 --> 00:16:26.840 Barnabas draws alongside 00:16:26.840 --> 00:16:27.639 and he just says 00:16:27.639 --> 00:16:29.000 let's just keep on going. 00:16:29.899 --> 00:16:31.019 Let's just keep on going. 00:16:33.080 --> 00:16:34.779 You know about the Sally Lloyd-Jones 00:16:34.779 --> 00:16:36.960 thoughts to make your heart sing. 00:16:37.040 --> 00:16:38.100 We do it with the kids sometimes. 00:16:38.100 --> 00:16:39.240 She's got a wonderful way 00:16:39.240 --> 00:16:40.399 of just phrasing it at the end. 00:16:40.399 --> 00:16:43.259 There's three travellers just going on 00:16:43.259 --> 00:16:45.259 and one at the front 00:16:45.259 --> 00:16:46.399 says to the guys at the back 00:16:46.399 --> 00:16:48.059 listen, talking of Jesus 00:16:48.059 --> 00:16:50.299 he's already gone ahead of us 00:16:50.299 --> 00:16:51.139 into the new day. 00:16:51.819 --> 00:16:52.720 He knows the way. 00:16:52.899 --> 00:16:53.939 He knows what will happen. 00:16:54.139 --> 00:16:55.399 He is all we need. 00:16:55.480 --> 00:16:56.299 Let's keep on walking. 00:16:56.919 --> 00:16:58.279 It's another Christian life sometimes. 00:16:59.459 --> 00:17:01.220 Day after day after day 00:17:01.220 --> 00:17:02.220 just plodding 00:17:02.220 --> 00:17:03.379 slogging it out 00:17:03.379 --> 00:17:05.500 in the paths of faithfulness. 00:17:05.680 --> 00:17:06.819 Living by faith 00:17:06.819 --> 00:17:07.859 not in today 00:17:07.859 --> 00:17:09.220 but living by faith 00:17:09.220 --> 00:17:09.980 in what God has said 00:17:09.980 --> 00:17:11.079 is true about the future 00:17:11.079 --> 00:17:12.460 and the heavenly city 00:17:12.460 --> 00:17:13.559 which is ahead of us. 00:17:16.160 --> 00:17:16.579 Do we need, 00:17:16.640 --> 00:17:17.120 some of us need 00:17:17.120 --> 00:17:17.960 some of that today. 00:17:18.880 --> 00:17:19.660 Do we need to draw 00:17:19.660 --> 00:17:20.680 alongside one another 00:17:20.680 --> 00:17:22.039 and do what Barnabas M. Seuer 00:17:22.039 --> 00:17:23.160 is doing in Antioch. 00:17:23.279 --> 00:17:23.779 Life's tough. 00:17:23.880 --> 00:17:24.259 I get it. 00:17:24.319 --> 00:17:24.720 I know. 00:17:24.920 --> 00:17:25.920 Oh, it's hard 00:17:25.920 --> 00:17:27.799 but Jesus 00:17:27.799 --> 00:17:31.460 aren't just Barnabas 00:17:31.460 --> 00:17:32.240 the kind of guy 00:17:32.240 --> 00:17:32.720 who would make 00:17:32.720 --> 00:17:34.160 a really good friend. 00:17:36.940 --> 00:17:37.599 Imagine that 00:17:37.599 --> 00:17:38.679 in Antioch 00:17:38.679 --> 00:17:39.079 you're just 00:17:39.079 --> 00:17:40.839 people looking at you. 00:17:40.959 --> 00:17:42.139 Life is incredibly tough 00:17:42.139 --> 00:17:42.459 for them 00:17:42.459 --> 00:17:43.039 but somehow 00:17:43.039 --> 00:17:43.599 they're just 00:17:43.599 --> 00:17:44.980 keeping on going 00:17:44.980 --> 00:17:45.500 with Jesus. 00:17:46.819 --> 00:17:47.500 It's people 00:17:47.500 --> 00:17:47.879 they think 00:17:47.879 --> 00:17:48.339 they're heading 00:17:48.339 --> 00:17:49.480 somewhere else. 00:17:51.319 --> 00:17:51.879 Number three, 00:17:51.980 --> 00:17:52.419 these people 00:17:52.419 --> 00:17:53.000 they're devoted 00:17:53.000 --> 00:17:53.559 to learning 00:17:53.559 --> 00:17:54.799 something else. 00:17:56.099 --> 00:17:56.740 See Barnabas 00:17:56.740 --> 00:17:57.459 verse 25 00:17:57.459 --> 00:17:57.919 and again 00:17:57.919 --> 00:17:58.619 I love this 00:17:58.619 --> 00:17:59.099 in the text 00:17:59.099 --> 00:18:00.480 he goes to Tarsus. 00:18:01.399 --> 00:18:01.539 See, 00:18:01.599 --> 00:18:02.299 remember our map 00:18:02.299 --> 00:18:02.599 it was just 00:18:02.599 --> 00:18:03.139 around the corner 00:18:03.139 --> 00:18:04.099 he goes to Tarsus 00:18:04.099 --> 00:18:05.179 because he knows 00:18:05.179 --> 00:18:05.679 that that's where 00:18:05.679 --> 00:18:06.359 Paul is. 00:18:07.959 --> 00:18:08.579 Now Paul's there 00:18:08.579 --> 00:18:09.480 because the disciples 00:18:09.480 --> 00:18:10.399 had smuggled him 00:18:10.399 --> 00:18:11.099 out of Jerusalem 00:18:11.099 --> 00:18:12.039 and sent him 00:18:12.039 --> 00:18:12.740 to Tarsus 00:18:12.740 --> 00:18:13.559 on a boat 00:18:13.559 --> 00:18:14.119 when the Jews 00:18:14.119 --> 00:18:14.719 made an attempt 00:18:14.719 --> 00:18:15.179 of his life 00:18:15.179 --> 00:18:15.619 that's back 00:18:15.619 --> 00:18:16.399 in chapter 9 00:18:16.399 --> 00:18:18.839 and Barnabas 00:18:18.839 --> 00:18:19.179 gets there 00:18:19.179 --> 00:18:19.459 and thinks 00:18:19.459 --> 00:18:19.719 no, no 00:18:19.719 --> 00:18:20.399 I'm not the guy 00:18:20.399 --> 00:18:21.139 for this job 00:18:21.139 --> 00:18:22.339 I need Paul 00:18:22.339 --> 00:18:23.179 and I love 00:18:23.179 --> 00:18:23.819 the humility 00:18:23.819 --> 00:18:24.539 that Barnabas 00:18:24.539 --> 00:18:25.079 shows here 00:18:25.079 --> 00:18:25.859 because this is 00:18:25.859 --> 00:18:27.279 a chance 00:18:27.279 --> 00:18:28.019 for Barnabas 00:18:28.019 --> 00:18:28.779 to put his name 00:18:28.779 --> 00:18:29.419 on the map. 00:18:30.379 --> 00:18:30.859 Right, 00:18:30.899 --> 00:18:31.339 who wouldn't 00:18:31.339 --> 00:18:32.179 want to be part 00:18:32.180 --> 00:18:33.400 of the first 00:18:33.400 --> 00:18:34.420 Gentile church 00:18:34.420 --> 00:18:35.060 to be the guy 00:18:35.060 --> 00:18:35.860 that God used 00:18:35.860 --> 00:18:36.519 to go and say 00:18:36.519 --> 00:18:36.799 hey, 00:18:38.160 --> 00:18:39.100 I played a part 00:18:39.100 --> 00:18:39.660 in this, 00:18:39.880 --> 00:18:40.019 right, 00:18:40.100 --> 00:18:41.039 established Barnabas 00:18:41.039 --> 00:18:42.279 International Ministries 00:18:42.279 --> 00:18:42.700 you know, 00:18:42.720 --> 00:18:43.299 could get all this 00:18:43.299 --> 00:18:44.100 kind of stuff out 00:18:44.100 --> 00:18:46.539 but Barnabas 00:18:46.539 --> 00:18:47.420 knows the guy 00:18:47.420 --> 00:18:48.580 who Jesus said 00:18:48.580 --> 00:18:49.080 was going to be 00:18:49.080 --> 00:18:49.980 the minister of his 00:18:49.980 --> 00:18:51.060 to the Gentiles 00:18:51.060 --> 00:18:53.500 was Paul 00:18:53.500 --> 00:18:55.840 and Barnabas 00:18:55.840 --> 00:18:56.080 says, 00:18:56.160 --> 00:18:56.640 you know what, 00:18:56.920 --> 00:18:57.100 no, 00:18:57.420 --> 00:18:58.440 Jesus said it was him 00:18:58.440 --> 00:19:00.160 and he goes to get him 00:19:00.160 --> 00:19:01.140 and he brings him back 00:19:01.140 --> 00:19:02.000 and the two of them 00:19:02.000 --> 00:19:03.620 do it together 00:19:03.620 --> 00:19:05.680 and the two of them 00:19:05.680 --> 00:19:06.259 get involved 00:19:06.259 --> 00:19:06.820 in the lives 00:19:06.820 --> 00:19:07.240 of the people 00:19:07.240 --> 00:19:08.300 in Antioch 00:19:08.300 --> 00:19:09.120 get involved 00:19:09.120 --> 00:19:10.040 in what's going on 00:19:10.040 --> 00:19:11.180 and they teach 00:19:11.180 --> 00:19:12.920 so what they do 00:19:12.920 --> 00:19:13.720 is the word in the text 00:19:13.720 --> 00:19:14.340 that Luke tells us 00:19:14.340 --> 00:19:15.259 they teach 00:19:15.259 --> 00:19:16.720 they teach 00:19:16.720 --> 00:19:17.720 these young believers 00:19:17.720 --> 00:19:19.220 they get them 00:19:19.220 --> 00:19:19.940 in their Bibles 00:19:19.940 --> 00:19:20.700 to see 00:19:20.700 --> 00:19:22.740 who Jesus is 00:19:22.740 --> 00:19:24.540 come and see 00:19:24.540 --> 00:19:25.080 come and learn 00:19:25.080 --> 00:19:26.380 what he's done 00:19:26.380 --> 00:19:27.720 why it matters 00:19:27.720 --> 00:19:29.120 what it is 00:19:29.120 --> 00:19:30.320 to be a child of God 00:19:30.319 --> 00:19:31.039 what it means 00:19:31.039 --> 00:19:32.279 to live the Christian life 00:19:32.279 --> 00:19:33.000 what happens 00:19:33.000 --> 00:19:33.819 after death 00:19:33.819 --> 00:19:35.419 the whole shebang 00:19:35.419 --> 00:19:36.759 what Paul would call 00:19:36.759 --> 00:19:37.079 later 00:19:37.079 --> 00:19:37.839 the whole 00:19:37.839 --> 00:19:39.139 council of God 00:19:39.139 --> 00:19:40.299 and you see 00:19:40.299 --> 00:19:40.980 how they do it 00:19:40.980 --> 00:19:42.439 not just for a one-off course 00:19:42.439 --> 00:19:42.899 they do it 00:19:42.899 --> 00:19:43.779 verse 26 00:19:43.779 --> 00:19:44.700 for a whole 00:19:44.700 --> 00:19:45.939 year 00:19:45.939 --> 00:19:48.379 just nurturing 00:19:48.379 --> 00:19:49.000 these 00:19:49.000 --> 00:19:50.439 young believers 00:19:50.439 --> 00:19:51.220 in the ways 00:19:51.220 --> 00:19:52.439 of the Christian faith 00:19:52.439 --> 00:19:54.179 it's why 00:19:54.179 --> 00:19:54.799 in our meetings 00:19:54.799 --> 00:19:55.559 that the Bible 00:19:55.559 --> 00:19:56.200 is central 00:19:56.200 --> 00:19:56.659 it's why 00:19:56.659 --> 00:19:57.559 we do Bible studies 00:19:57.559 --> 00:19:58.179 during the week 00:19:58.179 --> 00:19:59.159 in our small groups 00:19:59.160 --> 00:20:00.019 it's why we do 00:20:00.019 --> 00:20:00.660 one-to-ones 00:20:00.660 --> 00:20:01.300 reading the Bible 00:20:01.300 --> 00:20:01.660 together 00:20:01.660 --> 00:20:02.860 because this is 00:20:02.860 --> 00:20:03.580 what we need 00:20:03.580 --> 00:20:04.560 the gospel 00:20:04.560 --> 00:20:05.620 to quote Tim Keller 00:20:05.620 --> 00:20:06.600 it's not the ABC 00:20:06.600 --> 00:20:07.600 of the Christian life 00:20:07.600 --> 00:20:08.480 it's the A to Z 00:20:08.480 --> 00:20:09.620 of the Christian life 00:20:09.620 --> 00:20:10.800 we never graduate 00:20:10.800 --> 00:20:11.560 from this 00:20:11.560 --> 00:20:14.220 these guys 00:20:14.220 --> 00:20:14.800 have a heart 00:20:14.800 --> 00:20:15.620 for nurturing 00:20:15.620 --> 00:20:16.560 the young believers 00:20:16.560 --> 00:20:17.740 and the fundamentals 00:20:17.740 --> 00:20:18.960 of the faith 00:20:18.960 --> 00:20:19.820 you know 00:20:19.820 --> 00:20:20.779 my dad sent me 00:20:20.779 --> 00:20:21.440 a picture on 00:20:21.440 --> 00:20:23.160 family whatsapp group 00:20:23.160 --> 00:20:24.080 sure you've got them 00:20:24.080 --> 00:20:24.779 he did it 00:20:24.779 --> 00:20:26.300 I think it was November 00:20:26.300 --> 00:20:27.680 I get so confused 00:20:27.680 --> 00:20:28.400 about what storm 00:20:28.400 --> 00:20:28.880 was what 00:20:28.880 --> 00:20:30.360 he just sent me 00:20:30.360 --> 00:20:30.620 a picture 00:20:30.620 --> 00:20:31.400 and I'm pretty sure 00:20:31.400 --> 00:20:32.120 it was storm 00:20:32.120 --> 00:20:33.180 Arwen 00:20:33.180 --> 00:20:33.740 is that the one 00:20:33.740 --> 00:20:34.460 storm Arwen 00:20:34.460 --> 00:20:35.299 he sends me 00:20:35.299 --> 00:20:35.640 a picture 00:20:35.640 --> 00:20:36.620 of a huge tree 00:20:36.620 --> 00:20:37.140 in the garden 00:20:37.140 --> 00:20:37.860 that's come down 00:20:37.860 --> 00:20:39.620 and what's happened 00:20:39.620 --> 00:20:40.220 it's come down 00:20:40.220 --> 00:20:41.220 but all you see 00:20:41.220 --> 00:20:42.200 is just roots 00:20:42.200 --> 00:20:43.940 in the picture 00:20:43.940 --> 00:20:44.860 just roots 00:20:44.860 --> 00:20:47.120 these roots 00:20:47.120 --> 00:20:47.480 that have just 00:20:47.480 --> 00:20:48.360 been nourishing 00:20:48.360 --> 00:20:48.900 this tree 00:20:48.900 --> 00:20:49.700 for years 00:20:49.700 --> 00:20:50.259 and years 00:20:50.259 --> 00:20:50.640 and years 00:20:50.640 --> 00:20:51.779 these roots 00:20:51.779 --> 00:20:52.660 there seems to be 00:20:52.660 --> 00:20:53.539 hundreds of them 00:20:53.539 --> 00:20:54.460 these roots 00:20:54.460 --> 00:20:54.920 there's not just 00:20:54.920 --> 00:20:55.440 tons of them 00:20:55.440 --> 00:20:56.220 there's metres 00:20:56.220 --> 00:20:56.700 and metres 00:20:56.700 --> 00:20:57.759 of these roots 00:20:57.759 --> 00:21:00.220 and what's happened 00:21:00.220 --> 00:21:01.059 is he's been brave 00:21:01.059 --> 00:21:01.880 he's gone online 00:21:01.880 --> 00:21:02.940 he's bought a chainsaw 00:21:02.940 --> 00:21:04.259 to try and free the tree 00:21:04.259 --> 00:21:05.559 and he's cut a few things off 00:21:05.559 --> 00:21:06.140 to loosen it 00:21:06.140 --> 00:21:06.700 and all of a sudden 00:21:06.700 --> 00:21:07.220 bam 00:21:07.220 --> 00:21:08.539 the tree's gone back 00:21:08.539 --> 00:21:09.920 the roots have brought it back 00:21:09.920 --> 00:21:11.600 and he flings the chainsaw 00:21:11.600 --> 00:21:12.779 and he jumps out 00:21:12.779 --> 00:21:13.700 over the other side 00:21:13.700 --> 00:21:16.880 the roots were so down in it 00:21:16.880 --> 00:21:19.900 it's true isn't it 00:21:19.900 --> 00:21:21.380 what we want for our lives 00:21:21.380 --> 00:21:22.759 the roots of our lives 00:21:22.759 --> 00:21:24.720 to be deep in the word 00:21:24.720 --> 00:21:26.980 to be deep in the word 00:21:26.980 --> 00:21:29.220 and is it not true 00:21:29.220 --> 00:21:30.420 that storms reveal 00:21:30.420 --> 00:21:31.360 in our lives 00:21:31.360 --> 00:21:32.460 storms reveal 00:21:32.460 --> 00:21:33.380 where our roots 00:21:33.380 --> 00:21:35.420 really are 00:21:35.420 --> 00:21:36.360 alright 00:21:36.360 --> 00:21:37.120 I remember one of the first 00:21:37.120 --> 00:21:38.019 hospital visits 00:21:38.019 --> 00:21:39.220 ever did in this church 00:21:39.220 --> 00:21:40.400 was to go and see 00:21:40.400 --> 00:21:41.259 a lady called Ruby 00:21:41.259 --> 00:21:42.799 Ruby was 00:21:42.799 --> 00:21:44.799 she was dying of cancer 00:21:44.799 --> 00:21:45.660 down at the western 00:21:45.660 --> 00:21:46.900 some of you will know her 00:21:46.900 --> 00:21:47.779 remember her 00:21:47.779 --> 00:21:48.900 some of you won't 00:21:48.900 --> 00:21:50.460 but just what a wonderful 00:21:50.460 --> 00:21:51.100 godly lady 00:21:51.100 --> 00:21:51.960 remember going to see her 00:21:51.960 --> 00:21:52.860 she's sitting there 00:21:52.859 --> 00:21:54.119 she is a shadow 00:21:54.119 --> 00:21:55.019 of her former self 00:21:55.019 --> 00:21:55.979 as she just said 00:21:55.979 --> 00:21:57.539 I'm scared 00:21:57.539 --> 00:21:59.699 and I loved her honesty 00:21:59.699 --> 00:22:00.939 she said I'm scared 00:22:00.939 --> 00:22:02.179 I'm scared 00:22:02.179 --> 00:22:04.179 refreshing 00:22:04.179 --> 00:22:05.919 about how she was feeling 00:22:05.919 --> 00:22:07.899 but she said something else 00:22:07.899 --> 00:22:08.699 she just said 00:22:08.699 --> 00:22:09.459 but I know 00:22:09.459 --> 00:22:10.240 Christ 00:22:10.240 --> 00:22:11.199 has me 00:22:11.199 --> 00:22:13.839 and that's roots 00:22:13.839 --> 00:22:16.959 they taught them 00:22:16.959 --> 00:22:18.639 for a year 00:22:18.639 --> 00:22:19.740 these guys 00:22:19.740 --> 00:22:20.440 they're learning 00:22:20.440 --> 00:22:21.279 something else 00:22:21.279 --> 00:22:21.859 it comes out 00:22:21.859 --> 00:22:22.279 in the storms 00:22:22.279 --> 00:22:23.000 of their life 00:22:23.000 --> 00:22:24.259 people in Antioch 00:22:24.259 --> 00:22:25.200 looking and saying 00:22:25.200 --> 00:22:26.720 they're learning 00:22:26.720 --> 00:22:27.579 something else 00:22:27.579 --> 00:22:28.299 something else 00:22:28.299 --> 00:22:29.259 is making them tick 00:22:29.259 --> 00:22:31.420 roots down in the words 00:22:31.420 --> 00:22:32.240 and fourthly 00:22:32.240 --> 00:22:32.839 these people 00:22:32.839 --> 00:22:33.799 they're up for helping 00:22:33.799 --> 00:22:35.059 someone else 00:22:35.059 --> 00:22:36.000 and I love this 00:22:36.000 --> 00:22:36.900 verse 27 00:22:36.900 --> 00:22:39.059 this man 00:22:39.059 --> 00:22:39.660 this prophet 00:22:39.660 --> 00:22:40.519 called Agabus 00:22:40.519 --> 00:22:42.200 and remember 00:22:42.200 --> 00:22:43.079 I think we're to understand 00:22:43.079 --> 00:22:43.839 that these are unique 00:22:43.839 --> 00:22:44.620 things that happened 00:22:44.620 --> 00:22:45.539 in this time 00:22:45.539 --> 00:22:47.639 God tells them 00:22:47.639 --> 00:22:49.019 about a severe famine 00:22:49.019 --> 00:22:49.619 that's going to hit 00:22:49.619 --> 00:22:50.440 the Roman world 00:22:50.440 --> 00:22:51.819 and historians back up 00:22:51.819 --> 00:22:52.460 the authenticity 00:22:52.460 --> 00:22:53.220 of this 00:22:53.220 --> 00:22:55.960 and the response 00:22:55.960 --> 00:22:56.680 of the believers 00:22:56.680 --> 00:22:57.339 is they hear 00:22:57.339 --> 00:22:58.460 they see what it is 00:22:58.460 --> 00:22:59.480 right 00:22:59.480 --> 00:23:01.079 we hear of a recession 00:23:01.079 --> 00:23:01.980 we hear 00:23:01.980 --> 00:23:03.920 of financial troubles 00:23:03.920 --> 00:23:04.539 that might be coming 00:23:04.539 --> 00:23:05.659 what's our first thought 00:23:05.659 --> 00:23:06.279 as a culture 00:23:06.279 --> 00:23:07.159 it's make sure 00:23:07.159 --> 00:23:08.159 that we've got enough 00:23:08.159 --> 00:23:09.920 make sure that you have 00:23:09.920 --> 00:23:11.039 enough in the pension pot 00:23:11.039 --> 00:23:11.920 make sure that you have 00:23:11.920 --> 00:23:13.180 enough in your savings account 00:23:13.180 --> 00:23:14.700 make sure that you've got 00:23:14.700 --> 00:23:15.339 the toilet roll 00:23:15.339 --> 00:23:16.339 when it's about to go 00:23:16.339 --> 00:23:17.740 make sure you've got the milk 00:23:17.740 --> 00:23:19.079 before everyone else buys it 00:23:19.079 --> 00:23:20.179 that's not these guys 00:23:20.179 --> 00:23:20.980 first reaction 00:23:20.980 --> 00:23:24.039 it's not to look after 00:23:24.039 --> 00:23:24.599 number one 00:23:24.599 --> 00:23:25.899 they think 00:23:25.899 --> 00:23:27.459 of their poorer 00:23:27.459 --> 00:23:28.559 brothers and sisters 00:23:28.559 --> 00:23:29.959 who are back in Jerusalem 00:23:29.959 --> 00:23:31.500 for whom this is going to 00:23:31.500 --> 00:23:32.339 hit them really 00:23:32.339 --> 00:23:34.139 really hard 00:23:34.139 --> 00:23:36.259 that's their first thought 00:23:36.259 --> 00:23:39.559 we see on a personal level 00:23:39.559 --> 00:23:40.639 we can work that out 00:23:40.639 --> 00:23:42.039 is there someone 00:23:42.039 --> 00:23:43.639 in our church family 00:23:43.639 --> 00:23:44.240 here 00:23:44.240 --> 00:23:45.359 who's going through 00:23:45.359 --> 00:23:46.140 a hard time 00:23:46.140 --> 00:23:47.279 maybe financially 00:23:47.279 --> 00:23:50.740 maybe we've got a duty 00:23:50.740 --> 00:23:51.319 to help 00:23:51.319 --> 00:23:52.440 it's a church family 00:23:52.440 --> 00:23:53.240 we want to be the kind 00:23:53.240 --> 00:23:53.880 of church family 00:23:53.880 --> 00:23:55.579 who's looking out 00:23:55.579 --> 00:23:56.279 for one another 00:23:56.279 --> 00:23:57.740 and wider as well 00:23:57.740 --> 00:23:59.480 I've been added 00:23:59.480 --> 00:24:00.740 to a whatsapp group 00:24:00.740 --> 00:24:01.519 that's been set up 00:24:01.519 --> 00:24:02.319 by a ton of churches 00:24:02.319 --> 00:24:03.160 down south 00:24:03.160 --> 00:24:04.120 and up here as well 00:24:04.120 --> 00:24:05.440 just thinking about 00:24:05.440 --> 00:24:06.359 how we can support 00:24:06.359 --> 00:24:07.240 our brothers and sisters 00:24:07.240 --> 00:24:07.900 in Ukraine 00:24:07.900 --> 00:24:09.480 prayer updates 00:24:09.480 --> 00:24:10.079 coming in 00:24:10.079 --> 00:24:11.180 different pictures 00:24:11.180 --> 00:24:11.940 being sent 00:24:11.940 --> 00:24:14.180 how can we support 00:24:14.180 --> 00:24:15.480 our brothers and sisters 00:24:15.480 --> 00:24:15.920 over there 00:24:15.920 --> 00:24:16.960 not just in Ukraine 00:24:16.960 --> 00:24:17.740 but the surrounding 00:24:17.740 --> 00:24:19.120 countries as well 00:24:19.120 --> 00:24:20.480 who are taking refugees 00:24:20.480 --> 00:24:21.799 and I take it 00:24:21.799 --> 00:24:22.940 that should be our heart 00:24:22.940 --> 00:24:23.980 to want to help 00:24:23.980 --> 00:24:25.720 our brothers and sisters 00:24:25.720 --> 00:24:28.039 we'll think about ways 00:24:28.039 --> 00:24:29.019 potentially that we could 00:24:29.019 --> 00:24:29.440 do that 00:24:29.440 --> 00:24:29.960 I'm sure 00:24:29.960 --> 00:24:31.840 but there's something 00:24:31.840 --> 00:24:32.559 bigger going on 00:24:32.559 --> 00:24:33.559 I think we need to see here 00:24:33.559 --> 00:24:34.000 and this is 00:24:34.000 --> 00:24:35.200 this is where we need to see 00:24:35.200 --> 00:24:35.960 this is more than just 00:24:35.960 --> 00:24:37.059 an office whip round 00:24:37.059 --> 00:24:38.059 for a good cause 00:24:38.059 --> 00:24:40.519 this is Gentiles 00:24:40.519 --> 00:24:42.579 wanting to care 00:24:42.579 --> 00:24:43.440 for their Jewish 00:24:43.440 --> 00:24:44.419 brothers and sisters 00:24:44.419 --> 00:24:46.079 because 00:24:46.079 --> 00:24:48.179 their common faith 00:24:48.179 --> 00:24:48.720 in Jesus 00:24:48.720 --> 00:24:50.779 has connected them 00:24:50.779 --> 00:24:53.779 and they've decided 00:24:53.779 --> 00:24:54.339 to do this 00:24:54.339 --> 00:24:54.859 notice that word 00:24:54.859 --> 00:24:55.339 in the text 00:24:55.339 --> 00:24:56.399 that it's not just 00:24:56.399 --> 00:24:56.839 something they feel 00:24:56.839 --> 00:24:57.700 obliged to do 00:24:57.700 --> 00:24:58.839 they want to do this 00:24:58.839 --> 00:25:00.119 it's a choice 00:25:00.119 --> 00:25:01.379 it's a gut conviction 00:25:01.379 --> 00:25:02.480 because they realise 00:25:02.480 --> 00:25:03.200 that they have got 00:25:03.200 --> 00:25:05.519 a Christ shaped duty 00:25:05.519 --> 00:25:07.039 to look after 00:25:07.039 --> 00:25:07.799 their fellow brothers 00:25:07.799 --> 00:25:08.379 and sisters 00:25:08.379 --> 00:25:10.240 and again 00:25:10.240 --> 00:25:10.859 do you see 00:25:10.859 --> 00:25:11.940 how the gospel 00:25:11.940 --> 00:25:13.019 Luke is showing us 00:25:13.019 --> 00:25:14.940 is smashing down 00:25:14.940 --> 00:25:16.539 worldly barriers 00:25:16.539 --> 00:25:19.700 you guys 00:25:19.700 --> 00:25:20.339 are just little 00:25:20.339 --> 00:25:21.139 Jesuses 00:25:21.139 --> 00:25:22.359 you're little 00:25:22.359 --> 00:25:23.039 Jesuses 00:25:23.039 --> 00:25:25.740 and so here's 00:25:25.740 --> 00:25:27.079 the question then 00:25:27.079 --> 00:25:27.599 would our 00:25:27.599 --> 00:25:28.660 community 00:25:28.660 --> 00:25:29.440 call us 00:25:29.440 --> 00:25:30.680 Christians 00:25:30.680 --> 00:25:32.460 by that definition 00:25:32.460 --> 00:25:33.500 let me flip it around 00:25:33.500 --> 00:25:35.920 are we giving 00:25:35.920 --> 00:25:36.619 our community 00:25:36.619 --> 00:25:37.640 and you can 00:25:37.640 --> 00:25:38.220 broaden that out 00:25:38.220 --> 00:25:38.900 our neighbours 00:25:38.900 --> 00:25:39.920 our work colleagues 00:25:39.920 --> 00:25:41.079 whatever it is 00:25:41.079 --> 00:25:41.460 you want 00:25:41.460 --> 00:25:42.500 are we giving 00:25:42.500 --> 00:25:43.019 our community 00:25:43.019 --> 00:25:43.759 cause 00:25:43.759 --> 00:25:45.440 to call us 00:25:45.440 --> 00:25:45.880 Christians 00:25:45.880 --> 00:25:47.519 and here's 00:25:47.519 --> 00:25:47.980 where I'm reminded 00:25:47.980 --> 00:25:48.759 just as we close 00:25:48.759 --> 00:25:49.279 of my friend 00:25:49.279 --> 00:25:49.839 Thomas 00:25:49.839 --> 00:25:51.160 right 00:25:51.160 --> 00:25:51.819 Thomas was one of 00:25:51.819 --> 00:25:52.519 my best friends 00:25:52.519 --> 00:25:53.119 growing up 00:25:53.119 --> 00:25:54.539 and we were 00:25:54.539 --> 00:25:55.059 kind of students 00:25:55.059 --> 00:25:55.720 at roughly the same 00:25:55.720 --> 00:25:56.079 time 00:25:56.079 --> 00:25:56.640 I was up in 00:25:56.640 --> 00:25:57.000 Aberdeen 00:25:57.000 --> 00:25:57.460 he was down 00:25:57.460 --> 00:25:57.880 in Edinburgh 00:25:57.880 --> 00:25:58.480 and what we used 00:25:58.480 --> 00:25:58.859 to do 00:25:58.859 --> 00:25:59.619 like most students 00:25:59.619 --> 00:25:59.839 do 00:25:59.839 --> 00:26:00.380 is during the 00:26:00.380 --> 00:26:01.279 summer in particular 00:26:01.279 --> 00:26:03.400 get work 00:26:03.400 --> 00:26:04.880 so I used 00:26:04.880 --> 00:26:05.080 to work 00:26:05.080 --> 00:26:05.440 at banks 00:26:05.440 --> 00:26:06.019 Thomas used 00:26:06.019 --> 00:26:06.320 to work 00:26:06.320 --> 00:26:06.900 at bars 00:26:06.900 --> 00:26:07.980 one of the 00:26:07.980 --> 00:26:08.519 bars he used 00:26:08.519 --> 00:26:08.880 to work 00:26:08.880 --> 00:26:09.540 at in the 00:26:09.540 --> 00:26:09.860 summer 00:26:09.860 --> 00:26:11.200 was Edinburgh 00:26:11.200 --> 00:26:11.740 University 00:26:11.740 --> 00:26:12.420 TV at 00:26:12.420 --> 00:26:12.720 bar 00:26:12.720 --> 00:26:13.300 that's where 00:26:13.300 --> 00:26:13.560 he used 00:26:13.560 --> 00:26:14.000 to work 00:26:14.000 --> 00:26:15.259 and he used 00:26:15.259 --> 00:26:15.600 to work 00:26:15.600 --> 00:26:16.440 there during 00:26:16.440 --> 00:26:17.019 August 00:26:17.019 --> 00:26:17.680 during the 00:26:17.680 --> 00:26:17.920 Edinburgh 00:26:17.920 --> 00:26:18.380 festival 00:26:18.380 --> 00:26:19.680 now that is 00:26:19.680 --> 00:26:20.240 a tough 00:26:20.240 --> 00:26:20.759 environment 00:26:20.759 --> 00:26:21.280 to be a 00:26:21.280 --> 00:26:21.860 Christian in 00:26:21.860 --> 00:26:22.900 with every 00:26:22.900 --> 00:26:23.519 angle you 00:26:23.519 --> 00:26:23.980 look at that 00:26:23.980 --> 00:26:24.320 from 00:26:24.320 --> 00:26:25.259 long hours 00:26:25.259 --> 00:26:26.140 that kind 00:26:26.140 --> 00:26:26.540 of work 00:26:26.540 --> 00:26:27.460 temptation 00:26:27.460 --> 00:26:28.340 everywhere 00:26:28.340 --> 00:26:30.880 but the 00:26:30.880 --> 00:26:31.640 people in 00:26:31.640 --> 00:26:32.040 his team 00:26:32.040 --> 00:26:32.980 watched Thomas 00:26:32.980 --> 00:26:34.059 and they 00:26:34.059 --> 00:26:34.519 watched what 00:26:34.519 --> 00:26:34.920 he didn't 00:26:34.920 --> 00:26:35.160 do 00:26:35.160 --> 00:26:35.460 how he 00:26:35.460 --> 00:26:35.720 didn't 00:26:35.720 --> 00:26:36.240 join in 00:26:36.240 --> 00:26:36.900 going big 00:26:36.900 --> 00:26:37.120 on the 00:26:37.120 --> 00:26:37.400 booze 00:26:37.400 --> 00:26:37.700 he didn't 00:26:37.700 --> 00:26:38.059 join in 00:26:38.059 --> 00:26:38.400 the crude 00:26:38.400 --> 00:26:38.740 chat 00:26:38.740 --> 00:26:39.120 and they 00:26:39.120 --> 00:26:39.339 watched 00:26:39.339 --> 00:26:39.599 what he 00:26:39.599 --> 00:26:39.819 did 00:26:39.819 --> 00:26:40.220 do 00:26:40.220 --> 00:26:41.380 how he 00:26:41.380 --> 00:26:41.759 spoke 00:26:41.759 --> 00:26:42.039 about 00:26:42.039 --> 00:26:42.400 Jesus 00:26:42.400 --> 00:26:42.839 he was 00:26:42.839 --> 00:26:43.180 just a 00:26:43.180 --> 00:26:43.680 good guy 00:26:43.680 --> 00:26:44.160 to work 00:26:44.160 --> 00:26:44.519 with 00:26:44.519 --> 00:26:45.319 and the 00:26:45.319 --> 00:26:45.700 end of the 00:26:45.700 --> 00:26:46.299 whole summer 00:26:46.299 --> 00:26:46.720 of working 00:26:46.720 --> 00:26:47.140 together 00:26:47.140 --> 00:26:47.980 his non-Christian 00:26:47.980 --> 00:26:48.720 supervisor 00:26:48.720 --> 00:26:49.440 who I found out 00:26:49.440 --> 00:26:49.799 this week 00:26:49.799 --> 00:26:50.160 from him 00:26:50.160 --> 00:26:50.559 was called 00:26:50.559 --> 00:26:50.980 Lucy 00:26:50.980 --> 00:26:52.740 posted a picture 00:26:52.740 --> 00:26:53.360 on Facebook 00:26:53.360 --> 00:26:54.039 and I spent 00:26:54.039 --> 00:26:54.640 hours trying to 00:26:54.640 --> 00:26:55.099 find it this 00:26:55.099 --> 00:26:55.539 week and I 00:26:55.539 --> 00:26:55.980 couldn't 00:26:55.980 --> 00:26:57.339 picture on 00:26:57.339 --> 00:26:57.720 Facebook 00:26:57.720 --> 00:26:58.599 best Christian 00:26:58.599 --> 00:26:58.919 I've ever 00:26:58.919 --> 00:26:59.240 met 00:26:59.240 --> 00:27:02.000 now that's 00:27:02.000 --> 00:27:02.779 a Google 00:27:02.779 --> 00:27:03.379 review worth 00:27:03.379 --> 00:27:03.919 having isn't 00:27:03.919 --> 00:27:04.240 it 00:27:04.240 --> 00:27:06.219 what I loved 00:27:06.219 --> 00:27:06.539 about the 00:27:06.539 --> 00:27:06.919 story I 00:27:06.919 --> 00:27:07.459 texted Thomas 00:27:07.459 --> 00:27:07.799 this week 00:27:07.799 --> 00:27:08.099 said do you 00:27:08.099 --> 00:27:08.439 remember that 00:27:08.439 --> 00:27:08.839 photo he 00:27:08.839 --> 00:27:09.059 said I 00:27:09.059 --> 00:27:09.439 remember that 00:27:09.439 --> 00:27:09.899 photo it was 00:27:09.899 --> 00:27:11.079 back in 2009 00:27:11.079 --> 00:27:13.480 and he said I 00:27:13.480 --> 00:27:13.959 remember it 00:27:13.959 --> 00:27:15.279 because Lucy 00:27:15.279 --> 00:27:16.619 she lives in a 00:27:16.619 --> 00:27:17.240 totally different 00:27:17.240 --> 00:27:17.639 part of the 00:27:17.639 --> 00:27:18.219 world now she's 00:27:18.219 --> 00:27:18.619 doing something 00:27:18.619 --> 00:27:19.500 completely different 00:27:19.500 --> 00:27:20.839 but every now 00:27:20.839 --> 00:27:21.839 and then I 00:27:21.839 --> 00:27:22.500 hear from her 00:27:22.500 --> 00:27:24.779 life's going 00:27:24.779 --> 00:27:25.359 really hard 00:27:25.359 --> 00:27:26.039 Thomas would you 00:27:26.039 --> 00:27:26.559 pray for me 00:27:26.559 --> 00:27:28.519 I just need 00:27:28.519 --> 00:27:28.940 someone to 00:27:28.940 --> 00:27:29.359 chat to 00:27:29.359 --> 00:27:29.839 Thomas if 00:27:29.839 --> 00:27:30.240 you get 10 00:27:30.240 --> 00:27:30.599 minutes to 00:27:30.599 --> 00:27:31.079 speak on the 00:27:31.079 --> 00:27:31.579 phone would 00:27:31.579 --> 00:27:31.980 you like to 00:27:31.980 --> 00:27:33.200 FaceTime or 00:27:33.200 --> 00:27:33.519 Zoom 00:27:33.519 --> 00:27:36.940 Christian 00:27:36.940 --> 00:27:38.819 let's just 00:27:38.819 --> 00:27:39.799 never underestimate 00:27:39.799 --> 00:27:40.839 the power of 00:27:40.839 --> 00:27:41.659 just a simple 00:27:41.659 --> 00:27:43.419 witness to the 00:27:43.419 --> 00:27:44.299 grace of Jesus 00:27:44.299 --> 00:27:46.059 and let that 00:27:46.059 --> 00:27:46.700 encourage you this 00:27:46.700 --> 00:27:47.259 morning if you're 00:27:47.259 --> 00:27:47.859 in a place and 00:27:47.859 --> 00:27:48.379 you're just finding 00:27:48.379 --> 00:27:49.139 it hard to 00:27:49.139 --> 00:27:49.799 witness for him 00:27:49.799 --> 00:27:52.200 to just keep on 00:27:52.200 --> 00:27:52.819 going never 00:27:52.819 --> 00:27:53.700 underestimate what 00:27:53.700 --> 00:27:54.279 God can do 00:27:54.279 --> 00:27:54.639 through the 00:27:54.639 --> 00:27:55.819 simple witness 00:27:55.819 --> 00:27:58.339 of a Christian 00:27:58.339 --> 00:27:59.599 would the people 00:27:59.599 --> 00:28:00.419 in our community 00:28:00.419 --> 00:28:01.359 call us 00:28:01.359 --> 00:28:02.359 Christians 00:28:02.359 --> 00:28:04.059 because the 00:28:04.059 --> 00:28:05.759 disciples were 00:28:05.759 --> 00:28:06.579 first called 00:28:06.579 --> 00:28:07.299 Christians 00:28:07.299 --> 00:28:09.279 here at 00:28:09.279 --> 00:28:09.899 Antioch 00:28:09.899 --> 00:28:12.240 let's pray 00:28:12.240 --> 00:28:12.740 shall we 00:28:12.740 --> 00:28:16.559 and so 00:28:16.559 --> 00:28:17.139 heavenly father 00:28:17.139 --> 00:28:17.819 we just thank 00:28:17.819 --> 00:28:18.319 you for this 00:28:18.319 --> 00:28:18.859 morning and 00:28:18.859 --> 00:28:19.480 thank you for 00:28:19.480 --> 00:28:20.419 the challenge 00:28:20.419 --> 00:28:21.059 that this has 00:28:21.059 --> 00:28:21.599 brought us 00:28:21.599 --> 00:28:23.339 the challenge 00:28:23.339 --> 00:28:24.539 to be 00:28:24.539 --> 00:28:25.559 witnesses for 00:28:25.559 --> 00:28:26.459 you in our 00:28:26.459 --> 00:28:27.419 community 00:28:27.419 --> 00:28:28.459 father thank you 00:28:28.459 --> 00:28:29.379 for the comfort 00:28:29.379 --> 00:28:29.839 that these 00:28:29.839 --> 00:28:30.339 verses have 00:28:30.339 --> 00:28:30.959 brought today 00:28:30.959 --> 00:28:33.099 that if our 00:28:33.099 --> 00:28:33.740 faith is in 00:28:33.740 --> 00:28:34.079 you 00:28:34.079 --> 00:28:35.759 if we believe 00:28:35.759 --> 00:28:36.219 in the Lord 00:28:36.219 --> 00:28:37.039 Jesus that is 00:28:37.039 --> 00:28:38.240 not because 00:28:38.240 --> 00:28:39.039 we've decided 00:28:39.039 --> 00:28:41.599 to make a 00:28:41.599 --> 00:28:41.980 decision that 00:28:41.980 --> 00:28:42.779 is because first 00:28:42.779 --> 00:28:43.539 and foremost you 00:28:43.539 --> 00:28:44.099 are a God who 00:28:44.099 --> 00:28:44.939 is gracious and 00:28:44.939 --> 00:28:45.559 good and the 00:28:45.559 --> 00:28:46.279 grace of God 00:28:46.279 --> 00:28:47.059 has been at 00:28:47.059 --> 00:28:47.559 work in our 00:28:47.559 --> 00:28:48.939 lives and we 00:28:48.939 --> 00:28:49.579 thank you for 00:28:49.579 --> 00:28:50.240 the new life 00:28:50.240 --> 00:28:50.819 that is found 00:28:50.819 --> 00:28:51.519 in Jesus 00:28:51.519 --> 00:28:53.559 and so father 00:28:53.559 --> 00:28:54.299 I pray for 00:28:54.299 --> 00:28:56.240 us today 00:28:56.240 --> 00:28:57.400 particularly as 00:28:57.400 --> 00:28:58.500 we come now 00:28:58.500 --> 00:28:59.299 to remember 00:28:59.299 --> 00:29:01.440 your son Jesus 00:29:01.440 --> 00:29:01.980 and what he's 00:29:01.980 --> 00:29:02.500 done for us on 00:29:02.500 --> 00:29:03.059 the cross 00:29:03.059 --> 00:29:04.140 as we take the 00:29:04.140 --> 00:29:04.599 bread and the 00:29:04.599 --> 00:29:05.140 wine together 00:29:05.140 --> 00:29:05.779 father would you 00:29:05.779 --> 00:29:06.680 be moving in 00:29:06.680 --> 00:29:07.240 our midst 00:29:07.240 --> 00:29:08.859 bringing that 00:29:08.859 --> 00:29:09.880 sense of 00:29:09.880 --> 00:29:10.740 knowledge of 00:29:10.740 --> 00:29:11.759 who he is 00:29:11.759 --> 00:29:14.099 and so father 00:29:14.099 --> 00:29:14.559 I pray that you 00:29:14.559 --> 00:29:14.920 would just be 00:29:14.920 --> 00:29:15.440 with us as we 00:29:15.440 --> 00:29:16.000 do that now 00:29:16.000 --> 00:29:16.460 in Jesus 00:29:16.460 --> 00:29:17.440 precious name 00:29:17.440 --> 00:29:18.519 amen