WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:08.099 Good morning, everyone. It's great to be with you in person on this as we kick off our new series in the Book of Acts. 00:00:08.740 --> 00:00:14.099 And if you've never met me before, either in person or here on the screen, my name is Steve Jeffers. 00:00:14.200 --> 00:00:15.460 I'm the senior pastor here at St. Paul's. 00:00:15.939 --> 00:00:21.600 And it's great to be regathering again for those who are able to do that. 00:00:21.600 --> 00:00:28.719 So if you've got, as Nick had indicated, if you've got a Bible in front of you, if you've got the St. Paul's app, that would be fantastic. 00:00:28.719 --> 00:00:33.859 I've got an outline for today's talk there in front of you, and then you help you to follow along. 00:00:34.439 --> 00:00:43.500 So let me pray, and then we're going to launch straight into Acts chapter 1 and set the scene for us for this series. 00:00:44.899 --> 00:00:53.500 Gracious God, we thank you for every life and for every life that is tuned in now to your word. 00:00:53.500 --> 00:01:08.439 We pray as we look at your word in front of us today, but also in the coming weeks, as we look at the Book of Acts, we ask that you would shape our lives. 00:01:09.260 --> 00:01:14.079 Help us to get a big vision of what you are doing in your world. 00:01:14.079 --> 00:01:26.319 God, the work that you have been doing for centuries and are continuing to do now in all the confusion and the chaos of our world right now, 00:01:26.379 --> 00:01:32.640 that you are still working, transforming and changing lives. 00:01:32.719 --> 00:01:35.079 And we pray that you would change our lives. 00:01:36.079 --> 00:01:43.079 Align us as individuals, as a church, to your great storyline. 00:01:43.079 --> 00:01:43.159 Amen. 00:01:44.420 --> 00:01:50.599 So, Lord, we pray that you would mercifully send your spirit and do your work through your word. 00:01:51.400 --> 00:01:51.780 Amen. 00:01:53.480 --> 00:02:05.079 Edward Lorenz was a physicist working in the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in the 1960s on the computer modelling of weather systems. 00:02:05.079 --> 00:02:15.419 He devised a program which, once you typed in certain data, it could kind of predict what the weather pattern was going to be. 00:02:16.460 --> 00:02:22.259 However, one day in his work, he typed in the wrong data. 00:02:22.379 --> 00:02:23.240 He made a mistake. 00:02:23.419 --> 00:02:24.379 It wasn't a big mistake. 00:02:24.379 --> 00:02:35.400 He meant to type in a six-digit number, 0.506127, but instead he only typed in a three-digit number, 0.506. 00:02:35.539 --> 00:02:37.460 It's a very small error, really. 00:02:37.620 --> 00:02:41.379 I mean, you know, my calculations with the tape measure, I wouldn't even notice it. 00:02:41.599 --> 00:02:44.099 It's one in one thousandths of a difference, really. 00:02:44.300 --> 00:02:48.500 He didn't think it would make that much of a difference to the outcome, 00:02:48.500 --> 00:02:53.719 but he decided to test it anyway, what the difference would be. 00:02:54.520 --> 00:02:55.819 This is what he went on to describe. 00:02:57.560 --> 00:03:02.699 It's as if a tiny atmospheric disturbance in China, 00:03:04.379 --> 00:03:07.539 no greater than the beat of a butterfly's wing, 00:03:08.780 --> 00:03:15.319 a week or so later becoming a Force 12 hurricane in New York. 00:03:16.060 --> 00:03:17.599 That's how big the difference was. 00:03:18.500 --> 00:03:24.639 And his discovery became known as the butterfly effect. 00:03:28.740 --> 00:03:33.780 When something very small, something very minute, minor, 00:03:34.840 --> 00:03:39.300 grows and grows and grows in its impact. 00:03:39.300 --> 00:03:46.580 Now, what could be depressing for us is that on the most part for us as people, 00:03:47.580 --> 00:03:58.600 there's no butterfly effect in our lives magnifying the little contribution that we as individuals make to history. 00:03:58.599 --> 00:04:09.439 Most of us have to face the fact that we will drop the little pebbles of our lives into the turbulent oceans of world events, 00:04:09.439 --> 00:04:16.759 and in no time at all, it will bear no trace of us ever existing. 00:04:17.519 --> 00:04:18.680 It doesn't take long. 00:04:18.719 --> 00:04:19.839 It's kind of depressing, really. 00:04:20.379 --> 00:04:22.139 It's kind of depressing way to start a sermon. 00:04:22.139 --> 00:04:30.360 And it's depressing, particularly for two major areas in life or stages in life. 00:04:30.360 --> 00:04:37.579 When you are old and you see the end realized, the fact of it ends coming sooner rather than later, 00:04:37.579 --> 00:04:40.319 and you realize, well, will I be remembered? 00:04:40.319 --> 00:04:46.759 But also for a younger generation that have grown up and heard consistently the words said to them, 00:04:47.099 --> 00:04:48.480 you can make a difference. 00:04:48.639 --> 00:04:49.719 You can change the world. 00:04:49.819 --> 00:04:52.300 You can be who you want to be and change the world. 00:04:52.639 --> 00:04:58.600 And there's a whole generation of young people growing up with the assumption that they are world changers 00:04:58.600 --> 00:05:07.640 until they leave university and sit at a desk and realize that it doesn't happen so fast as they would imagine. 00:05:09.220 --> 00:05:10.540 And so that's for most of us. 00:05:11.140 --> 00:05:17.300 There's not a butterfly effect amplifying the contribution that we make in history. 00:05:18.980 --> 00:05:20.740 But not so with Jesus Christ. 00:05:20.740 --> 00:05:29.100 He was born in an obscure village, the child of a peasant woman. 00:05:29.860 --> 00:05:31.800 He grew up in still another village. 00:05:31.920 --> 00:05:36.420 He worked in a carpenter shop in obscurity until he was about 30 years of age. 00:05:37.040 --> 00:05:40.699 Then for three years, he was a traveling preacher. 00:05:40.840 --> 00:05:41.600 Never wrote a book. 00:05:43.079 --> 00:05:44.079 Never held an office. 00:05:44.579 --> 00:05:45.480 Never had a family. 00:05:46.240 --> 00:05:47.100 Never owned a house. 00:05:47.100 --> 00:05:48.140 He never went to university. 00:05:48.300 --> 00:05:52.420 Never traveled more than 300 kilometers from the place where he was born. 00:05:53.000 --> 00:05:58.120 He never did the things that we associate with greatness. 00:06:00.400 --> 00:06:03.900 And he was only 33 when the tide of public opinion turned against him. 00:06:03.980 --> 00:06:05.040 His friends ran away. 00:06:05.500 --> 00:06:06.980 He was handed over to his enemies. 00:06:07.140 --> 00:06:12.620 He was nailed to a cross, crucified, executed between two thieves 00:06:12.620 --> 00:06:19.180 because he was regarded as a criminal himself and he was laid in a borrowed grave. 00:06:20.120 --> 00:06:21.780 Wasn't needing it for very long. 00:06:23.180 --> 00:06:31.100 2,000 years later, right across the globe, penetrating all kinds of people, groups and cultures, 00:06:32.579 --> 00:06:36.139 this world is still enthralled by him. 00:06:36.139 --> 00:06:42.379 All the armies that have ever marched, all the navies that have ever sailed, 00:06:42.500 --> 00:06:45.899 all the parliaments that have ever sat, all the kings that have ever reigned, 00:06:46.060 --> 00:06:56.039 put them all together and they're not even close to the impact on humanity 00:06:56.039 --> 00:06:58.899 as the one solitary life of Jesus Christ. 00:06:58.899 --> 00:07:08.819 The ripples of the life, the death, the resurrection, the ascension of Jesus Christ of Nazareth 00:07:08.819 --> 00:07:16.799 have increased in amplitude and expanded in diameter right across the globe 00:07:16.799 --> 00:07:20.799 in every culture and people group and nation for centuries. 00:07:20.800 --> 00:07:25.800 That is what the book of Acts is about. 00:07:26.560 --> 00:07:29.920 It's where we see it starting to move on. 00:07:30.420 --> 00:07:34.520 And that is what makes Acts so relevant to us today. 00:07:35.180 --> 00:07:46.439 The point here is that when you plug your one solitary obscure life into God's mission in Jesus Christ, 00:07:46.439 --> 00:07:54.600 you plug yourself into eternal life and hope and value and significance and joy, 00:07:55.120 --> 00:07:57.300 increasingly so forever. 00:07:58.439 --> 00:07:59.420 That's the point. 00:08:01.180 --> 00:08:04.159 So to make that point, I've got four points. 00:08:05.540 --> 00:08:11.379 And if you've got your app in front of you, you can open it up and follow along with me. 00:08:11.379 --> 00:08:12.199 Four points. 00:08:12.279 --> 00:08:17.560 God's mission, power for God's mission, weakness and the advance of God's mission 00:08:17.560 --> 00:08:19.920 and fourthly, living for God's mission. 00:08:20.060 --> 00:08:21.800 So first of all, God's mission. 00:08:22.620 --> 00:08:25.659 And I'll spend more time on this one than on the others. 00:08:26.719 --> 00:08:28.459 What is God's mission? 00:08:28.659 --> 00:08:29.920 What is his storyline? 00:08:30.420 --> 00:08:33.379 What is his view, his worldview, if you like? 00:08:34.000 --> 00:08:39.399 And God's worldview, his storyline has four main chapters to it. 00:08:39.399 --> 00:08:42.139 First is creation. 00:08:43.779 --> 00:08:45.759 In Genesis 1, right at the beginning of the Bible, 00:08:46.199 --> 00:08:49.699 the God who stands outside of all of creation, who always existed, 00:08:50.759 --> 00:08:55.519 created all things by speaking them into existence, such is the power of his word. 00:08:56.019 --> 00:08:59.439 He made the first people, Adam and Eve, in his image. 00:08:59.519 --> 00:09:04.939 And all people from Adam and Eve are bearers of the image of God, 00:09:05.000 --> 00:09:07.240 which gives us a special dignity. 00:09:07.240 --> 00:09:15.379 The great American theologian, Jonathan Edwards, wrote that the only reason that God would have 00:09:15.379 --> 00:09:19.379 for creating us, humanity and all that exists, 00:09:20.419 --> 00:09:28.340 is not in order for this God, this creator, to get cosmic love and joy and relationship with his creation, 00:09:28.340 --> 00:09:36.519 but to impart it to his creation, that we might experience his cosmic love and joy. 00:09:36.519 --> 00:09:45.519 And the storyline of the Bible contains the only storyline across every culture throughout all of humanity, 00:09:45.519 --> 00:09:48.399 the history of humanity, the only storyline, 00:09:48.860 --> 00:09:59.439 where the divine creator of all that exists creates in order to impart love and joy to his creation, 00:09:59.759 --> 00:10:00.939 not to extract it. 00:10:00.940 --> 00:10:06.220 That's chapter one of God's storyline. 00:10:06.320 --> 00:10:09.420 Chapter two is the fall, Genesis three. 00:10:09.940 --> 00:10:17.400 The first people decide to reject God's love and rule and do things their way. 00:10:17.580 --> 00:10:22.680 And all people have followed suit in living life with no consideration with God whatsoever. 00:10:22.679 --> 00:10:28.519 And as a result, all relationships are cosmically fractured. 00:10:29.439 --> 00:10:35.519 Our special dignity as image bearers of God means that God holds us rightly so, 00:10:35.819 --> 00:10:40.099 especially accountable for our rejection of him, all people. 00:10:40.100 --> 00:10:47.080 And in his judgment in the early bits of the Bible in Genesis chapter 11, 00:10:47.080 --> 00:10:52.759 is to scatter people from his presence across the earth, 00:10:53.120 --> 00:10:55.139 confusing their languages and their cultures, 00:10:55.240 --> 00:11:00.540 so that we as humanity cannot work together in order to collectively oppose God. 00:11:01.800 --> 00:11:02.759 That's chapter two. 00:11:02.840 --> 00:11:07.960 Chapter three is that God has got a plan to reverse all of that. 00:11:10.100 --> 00:11:16.920 God's plan of redemption begins with a promise to Abraham in the very next chapter in Genesis chapter 12. 00:11:17.399 --> 00:11:22.560 And the promise is that all the peoples of the earth are going to be blessed through Abraham 00:11:22.560 --> 00:11:27.580 and through Abraham brought back to God in relationship with him. 00:11:29.000 --> 00:11:31.159 And it's a plan that he's worked out through history. 00:11:31.240 --> 00:11:32.700 So I'm fast forwarding a lot here. 00:11:33.080 --> 00:11:35.220 Still read the Old Testament, fast forwarding a whole lot here. 00:11:35.220 --> 00:11:47.600 This is how Galatians 3 in the New Testament puts it. 00:11:47.600 --> 00:11:53.120 You are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus. 00:11:53.120 --> 00:12:14.200 If you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham's seed and heirs according to the promise. 00:12:14.200 --> 00:12:21.920 Your trust in Jesus Christ means that you inherit all of Abraham's plans and purposes, 00:12:22.420 --> 00:12:28.240 or God's plans and purposes to bring everything blessing through Abraham. 00:12:29.759 --> 00:12:34.379 Jesus is the one who takes the judgment of God for our sin, for rejecting God, 00:12:34.820 --> 00:12:36.360 the punishment that we deserve. 00:12:36.480 --> 00:12:38.180 He dies the death that we should have died, 00:12:38.180 --> 00:12:42.740 but he rose victorious over sin. 00:12:44.200 --> 00:12:51.120 And everyone who puts their faith in the cosmic Lord Jesus is gathered back into relationship with God. 00:12:51.879 --> 00:12:56.140 And what Jesus does from that moment is he forms the new people of God, 00:12:56.400 --> 00:13:01.080 forms a new community, a new humanity that lives as it's meant to live 00:13:01.080 --> 00:13:04.840 under the rule of the cosmic Lord Jesus. 00:13:07.340 --> 00:13:08.900 It's called the church. 00:13:08.899 --> 00:13:16.959 The former dividing walls of hostility between people have been broken down. 00:13:17.579 --> 00:13:23.139 As a result of his work of reconciling people to God and to each other, 00:13:23.299 --> 00:13:33.079 Jesus calls his church to take this good news of reconciliation to the ends of the earth 00:13:33.080 --> 00:13:39.820 and to make disciples for the cosmic Lord Jesus from every people group and nationality and culture. 00:13:41.040 --> 00:13:45.580 And this is what we're seeing the beginning of here in the book of Acts. 00:13:46.139 --> 00:13:50.160 We start to see that plan being unfolded in front of us. 00:13:50.159 --> 00:14:00.939 Chapter 4 of God's storyline is not the end of the story. 00:14:01.719 --> 00:14:04.899 It's the beginning of a chapter that has no ending. 00:14:05.959 --> 00:14:08.120 It's a chapter where God reigns forever. 00:14:08.519 --> 00:14:11.059 There's no longer any carnage or evil and sin. 00:14:11.740 --> 00:14:15.959 Revelation chapter 5, we get a glimpse of how God brings history to its ultimate goal. 00:14:15.960 --> 00:14:25.500 It was God's design in the death of Jesus Christ to ransom from every kind of race and language and people and nation 00:14:25.500 --> 00:14:28.840 to make a people for himself. 00:14:29.879 --> 00:14:32.600 And these people would have one king. 00:14:33.720 --> 00:14:39.660 That is that they would live with Jesus as their supreme treasure and Lord. 00:14:40.820 --> 00:14:43.560 Jesus is the one who unites all people. 00:14:43.559 --> 00:14:53.359 God's big plan for all of time and eternity and space is for people to come under the authority of Jesus 00:14:53.359 --> 00:14:59.879 and turn to him in faith and repentance and enjoy his cosmic love. 00:15:00.799 --> 00:15:03.319 Forever, increasingly so. 00:15:03.320 --> 00:15:16.220 And the book of Acts is saying, conform your life to that storyline. 00:15:17.160 --> 00:15:18.840 Live for that storyline. 00:15:19.820 --> 00:15:23.960 Be involved in the work that God is doing in this world. 00:15:24.320 --> 00:15:28.100 The only work that will last forever. 00:15:28.100 --> 00:15:38.480 So as we open up the beginning of Acts, we're in chapter 3 of God's storyline. 00:15:39.800 --> 00:15:41.240 Chapter 4 is yet to come. 00:15:41.320 --> 00:15:48.000 We're still in chapter 3 ever since Jesus was here and until he comes back again. 00:15:48.720 --> 00:15:53.779 And did you notice there, as Nick read it out to us, in chapter 1, verse 1, it says, 00:15:53.779 --> 00:16:03.399 In my former book, Theophilus, I wrote about all that Jesus began to do and to teach. 00:16:04.659 --> 00:16:14.159 The word began there is the key word in understanding the relevance of this book for us right now, today. 00:16:14.159 --> 00:16:26.379 What Luke stresses here is that what Jesus did on earth 2,000 years ago was the beginning of his doing and his teaching. 00:16:26.879 --> 00:16:34.579 And the clear implication is that now, now that Jesus has ascended, as we are told here in Acts 1, 00:16:34.779 --> 00:16:41.539 and sits at the right hand of the Father, ruling all that is, he's not done. 00:16:42.299 --> 00:16:43.740 His work is not finished. 00:16:44.159 --> 00:16:46.819 He's not dead. 00:16:47.000 --> 00:16:47.959 He's not absent. 00:16:48.240 --> 00:16:49.939 He's alive in his presence. 00:16:50.319 --> 00:16:58.699 Jesus is continuing to build his church by drawing people into his cosmic love and joy as his family. 00:17:00.000 --> 00:17:05.619 Wherever people come under the authority of his name and receive his forgiveness of sins, 00:17:05.619 --> 00:17:13.619 trust in his power, they get their obscure lives plugged into his eternal spirit. 00:17:14.160 --> 00:17:15.100 He's not a story line. 00:17:20.900 --> 00:17:30.480 You see, the fact that Jesus is alive, the fact that he's ascended and he's seated and ruling all things, 00:17:31.000 --> 00:17:35.160 gives purpose to our solitary lives. 00:17:35.160 --> 00:17:47.200 He is the one changing the world one life at a time forever and he includes us in that. 00:17:48.040 --> 00:17:49.820 He invites us to be part of it. 00:17:49.819 --> 00:18:02.879 So I think that Luke's desire here is for the unfolding message of Acts to have a transforming impact on our lives. 00:18:02.880 --> 00:18:12.820 He wants us to be part of what God is doing in the universe now as what he's always been doing in the universe. 00:18:12.819 --> 00:18:20.399 You see, Acts is a two-part book, if you like. 00:18:21.159 --> 00:18:22.740 It's part of a two-part book. 00:18:23.200 --> 00:18:25.200 It's a second part of a two-volume work. 00:18:25.200 --> 00:18:30.440 It's part of a two-part book, written by Luke, a first-century doctor. 00:18:31.840 --> 00:18:39.920 The Gospel of Luke and this book of Acts go together as one work, one piece of literature, 00:18:40.420 --> 00:18:44.960 and they are both addressed to a man named Theophilus. 00:18:44.960 --> 00:18:57.539 Theophilus is most likely a Roman aristocrat because Luke addresses him as your excellency at the beginning of his gospel. 00:18:58.819 --> 00:19:06.740 And so Luke could well be writing both Luke and Acts to inform an educated Gentile 00:19:06.740 --> 00:19:11.920 of the extraordinary spread of the Christian faith across the Roman Empire 00:19:11.920 --> 00:19:17.560 and to convince this man of its extraordinary truth 00:19:17.560 --> 00:19:21.820 so that this man is drawn into it 00:19:21.820 --> 00:19:29.720 and despite his aristocracy and the important part he might play in the Roman Empire 00:19:29.720 --> 00:19:34.580 to show him there is something greater for his life to be included in, 00:19:35.360 --> 00:19:38.240 something much more significant for him to give himself to. 00:19:41.920 --> 00:19:48.360 something much more important. 00:19:50.519 --> 00:19:54.300 See, Luke goes to enormous lengths in his gospel 00:19:54.300 --> 00:20:03.720 to show us that Jesus Christ rose from the dead in bodily form. 00:20:05.279 --> 00:20:10.980 Not just an idea, not just a concept, but physically rose from the dead. 00:20:10.980 --> 00:20:13.380 It says in Acts 1 verse 3, 00:20:13.579 --> 00:20:16.720 after his suffering, that is his trial and his death, 00:20:17.079 --> 00:20:19.960 he showed himself to these men, his disciples, 00:20:20.220 --> 00:20:22.799 and gave many convincing proves, 00:20:23.099 --> 00:20:26.640 many convincing proves that he is alive. 00:20:28.039 --> 00:20:31.099 He appeared to them over a period of 40 days 00:20:31.099 --> 00:20:33.279 and spoke about the kingdom of God. 00:20:33.279 --> 00:20:42.660 You see, we are called here in the book of Acts to be witnesses to the gospel, 00:20:42.779 --> 00:20:44.859 the glorious gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ, 00:20:45.019 --> 00:20:52.279 and you cannot be an authentic instrument in the hands of the living and the reigning Jesus Christ 00:20:52.279 --> 00:20:54.420 if you don't think he's alive. 00:20:54.920 --> 00:20:57.299 If you just think he's a great idea, 00:20:57.559 --> 00:20:59.200 you cannot be an effective witness. 00:20:59.200 --> 00:21:06.360 You must know that he is alive and he is reigning right now over everything, 00:21:07.000 --> 00:21:08.680 even the things we don't understand. 00:21:11.180 --> 00:21:17.779 Reigning as Lord of the universe of all time and space is in his hands. 00:21:17.779 --> 00:21:21.859 I mean, you need to be profoundly persuaded 00:21:21.859 --> 00:21:26.720 that Jesus has broken the power of death 00:21:26.720 --> 00:21:30.980 and that he is alive and alive with indestructible life. 00:21:31.059 --> 00:21:32.359 He will never die again. 00:21:34.259 --> 00:21:35.799 He hasn't been resuscitated. 00:21:36.359 --> 00:21:37.859 He's been resurrected. 00:21:38.899 --> 00:21:40.220 Never to be defeated. 00:21:40.759 --> 00:21:43.220 And his kingdom is unstoppable. 00:21:43.639 --> 00:21:46.019 His storyline will advance. 00:21:46.019 --> 00:21:51.059 You need to be profoundly, profoundly convicted of that. 00:21:53.059 --> 00:21:57.779 It's so important to constantly come back again and again and again 00:21:57.779 --> 00:22:00.019 to the death and resurrection of Jesus, 00:22:01.019 --> 00:22:03.259 to God's mission in this world 00:22:03.259 --> 00:22:09.619 so that our lives are constantly realigned with him and his work. 00:22:09.619 --> 00:22:14.219 Because we get so easily distracted by our own storylines 00:22:14.219 --> 00:22:16.079 and our own missions and agendas. 00:22:16.759 --> 00:22:18.139 The disciples are no different. 00:22:18.819 --> 00:22:19.879 The apostles are confused. 00:22:20.000 --> 00:22:20.500 Verse 6. 00:22:21.839 --> 00:22:22.419 Verse 6. 00:22:22.739 --> 00:22:24.559 Their vision is so small. 00:22:25.799 --> 00:22:26.179 Lord, 00:22:26.959 --> 00:22:30.199 are you at this time going to restore the kingdom to Israel? 00:22:31.659 --> 00:22:32.719 Like, that's it. 00:22:32.720 --> 00:22:36.440 They're thinking of their homes and their villages and stuff. 00:22:36.940 --> 00:22:39.059 And Jesus' mission is global. 00:22:41.259 --> 00:22:42.120 You see, they, you know, 00:22:42.180 --> 00:22:43.860 don't entirely blame these guys, right? 00:22:43.920 --> 00:22:46.220 I mean, they're as narrow-minded as we are. 00:22:47.220 --> 00:22:49.000 They knew that the Old Testament promise 00:22:49.000 --> 00:22:50.259 of the outpouring of God's spirit 00:22:50.259 --> 00:22:52.259 was a promise for the last days 00:22:52.259 --> 00:22:54.779 when God would establish his kingdom on earth 00:22:54.779 --> 00:22:55.819 and restore his people. 00:22:55.819 --> 00:22:57.200 And so their question is, 00:22:57.299 --> 00:22:58.439 Jesus, is this it now? 00:22:59.039 --> 00:23:00.339 You know, is that time come? 00:23:01.119 --> 00:23:04.099 Will Jesus bring down the final curtain of history, 00:23:04.319 --> 00:23:05.500 beat up the Roman Empire, 00:23:05.779 --> 00:23:07.659 re-establish the kingdom as it used to be, 00:23:07.919 --> 00:23:09.579 take Israel to its glory days 00:23:09.579 --> 00:23:11.279 and reign over all creation 00:23:11.279 --> 00:23:13.679 with Israel at the top of the pile? 00:23:15.179 --> 00:23:17.659 And Jesus corrects their thinking in verse 7 00:23:17.659 --> 00:23:21.980 and then instructs them to basically, 00:23:22.200 --> 00:23:23.379 guys, lift your eyes. 00:23:23.380 --> 00:23:26.420 Lift your eyes to a much bigger storyline, 00:23:26.620 --> 00:23:27.880 a much bigger plan. 00:23:30.400 --> 00:23:32.520 He's saying your primary concern 00:23:32.520 --> 00:23:35.940 is not the restoration of national Israel, 00:23:36.320 --> 00:23:38.420 but your primary concern 00:23:38.420 --> 00:23:40.540 is to receive the Holy Spirit, 00:23:40.680 --> 00:23:42.320 God dwelling in you, 00:23:42.600 --> 00:23:46.280 that you might fulfill the task 00:23:46.280 --> 00:23:47.620 that I have given you, 00:23:48.060 --> 00:23:50.600 my plan for all things. 00:23:52.240 --> 00:23:53.180 Have a look at verse 8. 00:23:53.380 --> 00:23:55.840 But you receive power 00:23:55.840 --> 00:23:58.180 when the Holy Spirit comes on you 00:23:58.180 --> 00:24:00.700 and you will be my witnesses. 00:24:02.360 --> 00:24:05.260 This is the reason why you get the Holy Spirit. 00:24:05.620 --> 00:24:07.000 You will be my witnesses 00:24:07.000 --> 00:24:08.520 in Jerusalem, 00:24:09.720 --> 00:24:10.640 Judea and Samaria, 00:24:11.980 --> 00:24:12.840 the earth. 00:24:14.340 --> 00:24:16.240 Isaiah 49 verse 6, 00:24:16.460 --> 00:24:18.740 God promised that salvation would be 00:24:18.740 --> 00:24:20.700 proclaimed to the ends of the earth 00:24:20.700 --> 00:24:22.480 and Jesus confirms 00:24:22.480 --> 00:24:25.200 that this promise here 00:24:25.200 --> 00:24:27.819 with these disciples. 00:24:28.559 --> 00:24:29.680 That's the promise. 00:24:30.580 --> 00:24:32.000 Salvation must be proclaimed 00:24:32.000 --> 00:24:33.660 to the ends of the earth 00:24:33.660 --> 00:24:36.420 and these are his last words 00:24:36.420 --> 00:24:37.220 to his disciples. 00:24:38.580 --> 00:24:41.059 Jesus' last words to his disciples 00:24:41.059 --> 00:24:44.740 are to be their primary concern, 00:24:45.160 --> 00:24:46.319 their first concern. 00:24:46.319 --> 00:24:50.079 There is more work to be done 00:24:50.079 --> 00:24:51.019 in God's mission 00:24:51.019 --> 00:24:52.859 before chapter 4 comes 00:24:52.859 --> 00:24:55.339 and chapter 4 has not arrived yet. 00:24:55.419 --> 00:24:56.200 That's what he's saying 00:24:56.200 --> 00:24:57.960 to his disciples. 00:24:58.779 --> 00:25:00.099 First for the apostles, 00:25:00.599 --> 00:25:02.779 then for all who are called 00:25:02.779 --> 00:25:05.159 to faith in Jesus Christ 00:25:05.159 --> 00:25:07.000 through their witness 00:25:07.000 --> 00:25:09.079 are tasked with advancing 00:25:09.079 --> 00:25:12.019 God's mission to the ends of the earth 00:25:12.019 --> 00:25:14.200 as our primary first concern. 00:25:19.639 --> 00:25:21.160 It's a huge task. 00:25:23.039 --> 00:25:24.660 And the encouraging thing is 00:25:24.660 --> 00:25:25.619 what we see here 00:25:25.619 --> 00:25:27.379 from verse 8 00:25:27.379 --> 00:25:29.059 is that we have power 00:25:29.059 --> 00:25:30.759 for God's mission 00:25:30.759 --> 00:25:32.259 to accomplish his task. 00:25:33.099 --> 00:25:35.079 See, this is not merely human work. 00:25:35.980 --> 00:25:38.339 It is spirit-empowered witness. 00:25:38.599 --> 00:25:39.759 Jesus is calling them 00:25:39.759 --> 00:25:41.440 to a supernatural activity. 00:25:42.099 --> 00:25:44.140 They will no longer be mere advocates, 00:25:44.879 --> 00:25:46.619 not just mere advocates 00:25:46.619 --> 00:25:47.680 who can prove, 00:25:47.879 --> 00:25:48.879 like a good lawyer, 00:25:49.879 --> 00:25:50.920 argue really well 00:25:50.920 --> 00:25:52.480 that Jesus is risen from the dead. 00:25:53.519 --> 00:25:55.000 Under the influence 00:25:55.000 --> 00:25:56.539 of the Holy Spirit, 00:25:57.019 --> 00:25:58.180 they will speak 00:25:58.180 --> 00:26:01.319 with an unwavering assurance 00:26:01.319 --> 00:26:03.420 of one who has tasted 00:26:03.420 --> 00:26:06.400 and knows in their heart 00:26:06.400 --> 00:26:09.240 the reality so immediately 00:26:09.240 --> 00:26:10.220 that all doubt 00:26:10.220 --> 00:26:11.440 about the resurrection of Jesus 00:26:11.440 --> 00:26:12.300 is gone. 00:26:12.860 --> 00:26:13.660 Under the power 00:26:13.660 --> 00:26:15.000 of the Spirit of God, 00:26:15.420 --> 00:26:16.400 you move from being 00:26:16.400 --> 00:26:18.080 an advocate of Christianity 00:26:18.080 --> 00:26:19.940 to being a witness 00:26:19.940 --> 00:26:21.259 of the living Christ 00:26:21.259 --> 00:26:22.140 in your own life. 00:26:22.700 --> 00:26:24.900 You move from simply deducing 00:26:24.900 --> 00:26:27.380 Christian truths 00:26:27.380 --> 00:26:28.759 from valid premises 00:26:28.759 --> 00:26:31.039 to proclaiming them 00:26:31.039 --> 00:26:32.200 as boldly 00:26:32.200 --> 00:26:33.039 as someone 00:26:33.039 --> 00:26:34.180 who's experienced 00:26:34.180 --> 00:26:34.920 the realities 00:26:34.920 --> 00:26:36.720 in their own life. 00:26:37.759 --> 00:26:38.740 This is the power 00:26:38.740 --> 00:26:39.539 and the witness 00:26:39.539 --> 00:26:40.660 that will take Christ 00:26:40.660 --> 00:26:41.720 to the ends of the earth. 00:26:41.980 --> 00:26:43.440 Not just mere facts, 00:26:44.379 --> 00:26:45.279 but facts, 00:26:45.920 --> 00:26:47.599 truths lived out 00:26:47.599 --> 00:26:49.200 and shaping our lives. 00:26:49.200 --> 00:26:53.000 And so the church 00:26:53.000 --> 00:26:53.660 is not merely 00:26:53.660 --> 00:26:54.880 a human institution. 00:26:56.660 --> 00:26:59.160 In all that the church does, 00:26:59.660 --> 00:27:00.580 it is to do it 00:27:00.580 --> 00:27:01.120 in the power 00:27:01.120 --> 00:27:01.980 of the Holy Spirit. 00:27:03.759 --> 00:27:05.019 And the promise here 00:27:05.019 --> 00:27:05.740 of the Spirit 00:27:05.740 --> 00:27:06.980 in verse 8 00:27:06.980 --> 00:27:08.519 is valid 00:27:08.519 --> 00:27:10.200 until the Great Commission 00:27:10.200 --> 00:27:11.380 is complete 00:27:11.380 --> 00:27:13.640 and the witness of Christ 00:27:13.640 --> 00:27:14.380 is planted 00:27:14.380 --> 00:27:16.299 around the world. 00:27:16.380 --> 00:27:17.080 In other words, 00:27:17.279 --> 00:27:18.319 it is a promise 00:27:18.319 --> 00:27:20.419 until chapter 4 comes. 00:27:22.339 --> 00:27:23.700 We are told in verse 9 00:27:23.700 --> 00:27:24.980 that after Jesus 00:27:24.980 --> 00:27:26.039 said these things, 00:27:26.119 --> 00:27:26.740 he was taken up 00:27:26.740 --> 00:27:27.899 before their very eyes 00:27:27.899 --> 00:27:28.379 and a cloud 00:27:28.379 --> 00:27:30.919 hid them from their sight, 00:27:31.000 --> 00:27:32.059 hid him from their sight. 00:27:34.200 --> 00:27:35.639 At the end of his 00:27:35.639 --> 00:27:37.039 earthly ministry, 00:27:37.299 --> 00:27:39.720 Jesus is restored 00:27:39.720 --> 00:27:41.359 to his rightful place. 00:27:42.879 --> 00:27:44.599 And his rightful place 00:27:44.599 --> 00:27:47.319 is the seated ruler 00:27:47.319 --> 00:27:49.559 of all time 00:27:49.559 --> 00:27:50.339 and eternity. 00:27:51.259 --> 00:27:52.099 The one who has 00:27:52.099 --> 00:27:53.679 the power of all things, 00:27:54.139 --> 00:27:55.240 control of all things 00:27:55.240 --> 00:27:55.899 in his hand. 00:27:56.919 --> 00:27:57.980 He now rules, 00:27:58.139 --> 00:27:59.559 occupying the highest place 00:27:59.559 --> 00:28:00.639 as Lord of all, 00:28:00.839 --> 00:28:01.539 and from there 00:28:01.539 --> 00:28:02.480 he exercises 00:28:02.480 --> 00:28:04.059 his universal reign 00:28:04.059 --> 00:28:05.659 that goes forever 00:28:05.659 --> 00:28:06.399 and ever 00:28:06.399 --> 00:28:07.220 and guarantees 00:28:07.220 --> 00:28:08.319 the success 00:28:08.319 --> 00:28:09.259 of his mission. 00:28:09.259 --> 00:28:10.579 It will not fail. 00:28:10.839 --> 00:28:11.619 His storyline 00:28:11.619 --> 00:28:12.599 cannot be altered. 00:28:12.759 --> 00:28:13.619 It will not fail. 00:28:13.619 --> 00:28:21.179 It's really important 00:28:21.179 --> 00:28:22.259 that we grapple with that 00:28:22.259 --> 00:28:25.679 because what you see 00:28:25.679 --> 00:28:28.059 in the rest of Acts 00:28:28.059 --> 00:28:29.719 from verse 10 onwards 00:28:29.719 --> 00:28:31.739 is 00:28:31.739 --> 00:28:34.699 weakness. 00:28:36.899 --> 00:28:37.579 Weakness 00:28:37.579 --> 00:28:39.119 at the very beginning 00:28:39.119 --> 00:28:40.139 of God's mission. 00:28:41.559 --> 00:28:42.939 Having been commissioned 00:28:42.939 --> 00:28:44.079 to go 00:28:44.079 --> 00:28:44.899 to the ends 00:28:44.899 --> 00:28:45.899 of the earth, 00:28:46.000 --> 00:28:46.479 we see 00:28:46.479 --> 00:28:47.659 in verse 10 00:28:47.659 --> 00:28:49.419 a rebuke. 00:28:50.799 --> 00:28:51.939 Men of Galilee, 00:28:52.059 --> 00:28:53.059 why do you stand here 00:28:53.059 --> 00:28:54.639 looking into the sky? 00:28:55.919 --> 00:28:56.319 Like you 00:28:56.319 --> 00:28:57.059 bunch of 00:28:57.059 --> 00:28:58.319 stargazers, 00:28:58.719 --> 00:28:59.599 you've been given 00:28:59.599 --> 00:29:00.239 a mission 00:29:00.239 --> 00:29:00.939 and you 00:29:00.939 --> 00:29:01.599 stand, 00:29:01.719 --> 00:29:02.319 you've been told 00:29:02.319 --> 00:29:03.299 the Spirit will come, 00:29:03.579 --> 00:29:04.599 get on down to Jerusalem. 00:29:04.879 --> 00:29:05.539 Why are you 00:29:05.539 --> 00:29:06.799 standing here? 00:29:07.720 --> 00:29:08.399 Get on 00:29:08.399 --> 00:29:09.079 with the mission. 00:29:10.919 --> 00:29:11.799 It seems 00:29:11.799 --> 00:29:12.779 like this is 00:29:12.779 --> 00:29:13.779 fundamentally 00:29:13.779 --> 00:29:15.059 inconsistent. 00:29:20.220 --> 00:29:20.779 And so 00:29:20.779 --> 00:29:21.779 one has to ask, 00:29:22.059 --> 00:29:22.460 why 00:29:22.460 --> 00:29:23.960 does Luke 00:29:23.960 --> 00:29:24.940 include 00:29:24.940 --> 00:29:26.119 the second half 00:29:26.119 --> 00:29:27.240 of chapter 1 00:29:27.240 --> 00:29:27.740 of Acts? 00:29:29.639 --> 00:29:30.159 You know, 00:29:30.200 --> 00:29:30.700 he's on this 00:29:30.700 --> 00:29:31.319 role 00:29:31.319 --> 00:29:32.079 of, 00:29:32.159 --> 00:29:32.500 you know, 00:29:33.079 --> 00:29:34.200 Jesus ascended 00:29:34.200 --> 00:29:34.759 on high, 00:29:34.859 --> 00:29:35.099 going to get 00:29:35.099 --> 00:29:35.899 the Holy Spirit, 00:29:36.000 --> 00:29:36.259 going to take 00:29:36.259 --> 00:29:36.740 this message 00:29:36.740 --> 00:29:37.039 to the end 00:29:37.039 --> 00:29:37.519 of the earth. 00:29:37.779 --> 00:29:38.019 I mean, 00:29:38.059 --> 00:29:38.559 it's like 00:29:38.559 --> 00:29:40.039 gusto, 00:29:40.460 --> 00:29:40.680 you know, 00:29:40.759 --> 00:29:41.000 like, 00:29:41.220 --> 00:29:41.519 whoa, 00:29:41.920 --> 00:29:42.279 we've got 00:29:42.279 --> 00:29:43.380 purpose in our lives. 00:29:45.559 --> 00:29:46.440 Why doesn't he 00:29:46.440 --> 00:29:47.140 just jump 00:29:47.140 --> 00:29:48.579 straight from there 00:29:48.579 --> 00:29:50.799 to Acts chapter 2 00:29:50.799 --> 00:29:51.500 and the day 00:29:51.500 --> 00:29:52.339 of Pentecost 00:29:52.339 --> 00:29:53.079 and thousands 00:29:53.079 --> 00:29:53.500 of people 00:29:53.500 --> 00:29:54.299 coming to Christ? 00:29:55.460 --> 00:29:55.759 You know, 00:29:55.859 --> 00:29:56.640 there's a logical 00:29:56.640 --> 00:29:57.279 connection 00:29:57.279 --> 00:29:58.019 between those 00:29:58.019 --> 00:29:58.799 two things. 00:30:00.279 --> 00:30:00.920 Instead, 00:30:01.359 --> 00:30:02.299 what we have 00:30:02.299 --> 00:30:03.859 is the details 00:30:03.859 --> 00:30:04.680 around Judas' 00:30:04.900 --> 00:30:05.500 betrayal, 00:30:06.019 --> 00:30:06.539 Matthias' 00:30:06.759 --> 00:30:07.319 selection, 00:30:08.160 --> 00:30:09.180 why include 00:30:09.180 --> 00:30:09.960 the lying, 00:30:10.119 --> 00:30:10.700 the mistrust, 00:30:10.839 --> 00:30:11.339 the betrayal, 00:30:11.559 --> 00:30:12.160 the death? 00:30:13.500 --> 00:30:14.519 It's not like, 00:30:15.259 --> 00:30:15.539 you know, 00:30:15.559 --> 00:30:15.980 he's a great 00:30:15.980 --> 00:30:17.019 story writer here 00:30:17.019 --> 00:30:17.500 and he's wanting 00:30:17.500 --> 00:30:18.539 to build up 00:30:18.539 --> 00:30:19.319 Matthias and 00:30:19.319 --> 00:30:19.539 let's, 00:30:19.880 --> 00:30:20.099 you know, 00:30:20.359 --> 00:30:21.059 this guy's going 00:30:21.059 --> 00:30:21.640 to play a key 00:30:21.640 --> 00:30:22.099 role, 00:30:22.220 --> 00:30:22.460 you know, 00:30:22.500 --> 00:30:23.759 in chapter 15 00:30:23.759 --> 00:30:24.160 of Acts, 00:30:24.220 --> 00:30:24.720 so we need to 00:30:24.720 --> 00:30:25.319 introduce his 00:30:25.319 --> 00:30:26.059 character now. 00:30:26.519 --> 00:30:27.099 So let's get 00:30:27.099 --> 00:30:28.039 Matthias in on 00:30:28.039 --> 00:30:28.880 the scene now 00:30:28.880 --> 00:30:29.400 rather than 00:30:29.400 --> 00:30:30.039 drop him in 00:30:30.039 --> 00:30:30.359 from, 00:30:32.639 --> 00:30:33.359 Matthias doesn't 00:30:33.359 --> 00:30:33.659 even get 00:30:33.659 --> 00:30:34.799 mentioned again 00:30:34.799 --> 00:30:36.180 in the rest 00:30:36.180 --> 00:30:36.759 of Acts. 00:30:38.019 --> 00:30:38.779 So why 00:30:38.779 --> 00:30:39.519 this diversion? 00:30:42.460 --> 00:30:43.359 Now on one 00:30:43.359 --> 00:30:44.279 important level, 00:30:45.379 --> 00:30:46.680 we could say 00:30:46.680 --> 00:30:47.240 that the 00:30:47.240 --> 00:30:47.940 appointment of 00:30:47.940 --> 00:30:48.700 Matthias 00:30:48.700 --> 00:30:50.500 shows us 00:30:50.500 --> 00:30:51.539 that the 00:30:51.539 --> 00:30:52.359 pursuit of 00:30:52.359 --> 00:30:53.319 the Spirit's 00:30:53.319 --> 00:30:53.899 power 00:30:53.899 --> 00:30:55.639 is not 00:30:55.639 --> 00:30:56.759 disconnected 00:30:56.759 --> 00:30:58.140 from the 00:30:58.140 --> 00:30:58.619 pursuit 00:30:58.619 --> 00:30:59.680 towards the 00:30:59.680 --> 00:31:00.240 teaching and 00:31:00.240 --> 00:31:00.720 the work of 00:31:00.720 --> 00:31:01.200 the historical 00:31:01.200 --> 00:31:01.640 Jesus. 00:31:01.859 --> 00:31:02.240 Let me just 00:31:02.240 --> 00:31:02.879 simplify that. 00:31:04.500 --> 00:31:05.140 It was 00:31:05.140 --> 00:31:06.299 absolutely 00:31:06.299 --> 00:31:07.539 important 00:31:07.539 --> 00:31:08.920 that the 00:31:08.920 --> 00:31:09.640 replacement 00:31:09.640 --> 00:31:10.640 for Judas 00:31:10.640 --> 00:31:12.640 was himself 00:31:12.640 --> 00:31:14.140 an eyewitness 00:31:14.140 --> 00:31:15.599 to the life, 00:31:15.779 --> 00:31:16.359 the teaching 00:31:16.359 --> 00:31:17.099 and the deeds 00:31:17.099 --> 00:31:17.539 of Jesus 00:31:17.539 --> 00:31:18.099 Christ. 00:31:19.359 --> 00:31:20.299 The resurrected 00:31:20.299 --> 00:31:20.799 Jesus, 00:31:21.119 --> 00:31:21.680 absolutely 00:31:21.680 --> 00:31:22.279 essential 00:31:22.279 --> 00:31:23.619 that he 00:31:23.619 --> 00:31:24.339 himself 00:31:24.339 --> 00:31:25.140 was an 00:31:25.140 --> 00:31:25.819 eyewitness 00:31:25.819 --> 00:31:26.200 to the 00:31:26.200 --> 00:31:26.599 resurrection 00:31:26.599 --> 00:31:27.139 of Jesus. 00:31:28.679 --> 00:31:29.419 It is 00:31:29.419 --> 00:31:30.240 very clear 00:31:30.240 --> 00:31:31.079 here that 00:31:31.079 --> 00:31:31.599 the Holy 00:31:31.599 --> 00:31:32.740 Spirit has 00:31:32.740 --> 00:31:34.059 an unwavering 00:31:34.059 --> 00:31:35.359 zeal for 00:31:35.359 --> 00:31:36.299 the glory 00:31:36.299 --> 00:31:36.879 of the 00:31:36.879 --> 00:31:37.379 crucified, 00:31:37.779 --> 00:31:38.319 risen and 00:31:38.319 --> 00:31:38.839 ascended 00:31:38.839 --> 00:31:39.659 Jesus Christ. 00:31:39.859 --> 00:31:40.359 They're not 00:31:40.359 --> 00:31:40.980 disconnected. 00:31:42.779 --> 00:31:43.359 There's not 00:31:43.359 --> 00:31:46.139 Bible-believing, 00:31:46.359 --> 00:31:47.059 gospel-centered 00:31:47.059 --> 00:31:48.299 Jesus people 00:31:48.299 --> 00:31:49.559 Christians and 00:31:49.559 --> 00:31:50.779 the Holy Spirit-filled 00:31:50.779 --> 00:31:51.399 Jesus Christian 00:31:51.399 --> 00:31:51.679 people. 00:31:52.319 --> 00:31:52.899 They're not 00:31:52.899 --> 00:31:53.500 separated. 00:31:53.500 --> 00:31:55.500 God's 00:31:55.500 --> 00:31:57.140 God's 00:31:57.140 --> 00:31:57.759 God's 00:31:57.759 --> 00:31:58.140 God's 00:31:58.140 --> 00:31:59.359 God's 00:31:59.359 --> 00:32:02.259 God's 00:32:02.259 --> 00:32:03.140 God's 00:32:03.140 --> 00:32:03.420 God's 00:32:03.420 --> 00:32:04.039 God's 00:32:04.039 --> 00:32:04.640 approach. 00:32:04.640 --> 00:32:07.259 He does 00:32:07.259 --> 00:32:07.740 not 00:32:07.740 --> 00:32:09.140 idolize 00:32:09.140 --> 00:32:09.720 it at 00:32:09.720 --> 00:32:10.460 all as 00:32:10.460 --> 00:32:10.599 it 00:32:10.599 --> 00:32:10.980 pursues 00:32:10.980 --> 00:32:11.339 God's 00:32:11.339 --> 00:32:11.759 mission in 00:32:11.759 --> 00:32:12.200 the world. 00:32:12.759 --> 00:32:12.920 Luke 00:32:12.920 --> 00:32:13.680 reveals a 00:32:13.680 --> 00:32:14.099 church of 00:32:14.099 --> 00:32:14.480 weakness, 00:32:14.640 --> 00:32:15.099 of frailty 00:32:15.099 --> 00:32:15.759 and failure, 00:32:16.119 --> 00:32:16.759 even though it 00:32:16.759 --> 00:32:17.160 has this 00:32:17.160 --> 00:32:18.079 astonishing 00:32:18.079 --> 00:32:18.859 power in 00:32:18.859 --> 00:32:19.180 the Holy 00:32:19.180 --> 00:32:19.700 Spirit, 00:32:19.700 --> 00:32:21.100 even as 00:32:21.100 --> 00:32:21.299 they 00:32:21.299 --> 00:32:22.200 supernaturally 00:32:22.200 --> 00:32:22.940 empowered to 00:32:22.940 --> 00:32:23.700 pursue God's 00:32:23.700 --> 00:32:24.279 mission in 00:32:24.279 --> 00:32:25.240 the world of 00:32:25.240 --> 00:32:26.519 redemption across 00:32:26.519 --> 00:32:27.039 the globe, 00:32:27.160 --> 00:32:27.980 through cultures 00:32:27.980 --> 00:32:28.660 to every people 00:32:28.660 --> 00:32:29.019 group, 00:32:30.220 --> 00:32:31.660 we are still 00:32:31.660 --> 00:32:32.039 weak. 00:32:33.440 --> 00:32:34.319 The power is 00:32:34.319 --> 00:32:34.920 not us. 00:32:36.019 --> 00:32:36.860 He records the 00:32:36.860 --> 00:32:37.640 apostasy of 00:32:37.640 --> 00:32:38.720 Judas, the 00:32:38.720 --> 00:32:39.640 casting of lots 00:32:39.640 --> 00:32:39.980 for his 00:32:39.980 --> 00:32:40.580 replacement, 00:32:40.740 --> 00:32:41.360 effectively the 00:32:41.360 --> 00:32:42.000 gambling to 00:32:42.000 --> 00:32:42.340 see who's 00:32:42.340 --> 00:32:43.240 going to come 00:32:43.240 --> 00:32:43.779 out the top 00:32:43.779 --> 00:32:44.880 dog, the 00:32:44.880 --> 00:32:45.740 hypocrisy of 00:32:45.740 --> 00:32:46.559 Ananias and 00:32:46.559 --> 00:32:47.299 Sapphira in 00:32:47.299 --> 00:32:48.120 chapter 5, 00:32:48.220 --> 00:32:48.640 the bickering 00:32:48.640 --> 00:32:49.280 widows in 00:32:49.280 --> 00:32:50.140 chapter 6, 00:32:50.640 --> 00:32:51.000 Peter's 00:32:51.000 --> 00:32:52.759 reluctance to 00:32:52.759 --> 00:32:53.860 heed Christ's 00:32:53.860 --> 00:32:54.460 call in 00:32:54.460 --> 00:32:55.480 chapter 10, 00:32:55.820 --> 00:32:56.380 and even 00:32:56.380 --> 00:32:57.280 Paul's dispute 00:32:57.280 --> 00:32:57.680 with John 00:32:57.680 --> 00:32:58.920 Mark in 00:32:58.920 --> 00:32:59.900 chapter 15. 00:33:01.280 --> 00:33:02.800 Luke is 00:33:02.800 --> 00:33:03.460 at least 00:33:03.460 --> 00:33:04.100 making the 00:33:04.100 --> 00:33:04.560 point that 00:33:04.560 --> 00:33:05.160 even though 00:33:05.160 --> 00:33:06.000 we have 00:33:06.000 --> 00:33:07.100 this astonishing 00:33:07.100 --> 00:33:07.740 power of the 00:33:07.740 --> 00:33:08.380 Holy Spirit, 00:33:09.040 --> 00:33:09.780 we need to 00:33:09.780 --> 00:33:10.420 acknowledge our 00:33:10.420 --> 00:33:11.600 sin, our 00:33:11.600 --> 00:33:12.580 failure, our 00:33:12.580 --> 00:33:13.060 frailty. 00:33:13.700 --> 00:33:14.520 We need to 00:33:14.520 --> 00:33:15.180 deal with the 00:33:15.180 --> 00:33:15.800 sins and the 00:33:15.800 --> 00:33:16.520 failures and 00:33:16.520 --> 00:33:17.300 recognise our 00:33:17.300 --> 00:33:18.360 frailty and 00:33:18.359 --> 00:33:19.459 recognise our 00:33:19.459 --> 00:33:21.479 total, total 00:33:21.479 --> 00:33:23.519 dependence upon 00:33:23.519 --> 00:33:25.339 the Holy Spirit 00:33:25.339 --> 00:33:26.859 for the task at 00:33:26.859 --> 00:33:27.119 hand. 00:33:29.199 --> 00:33:29.559 And so the 00:33:29.559 --> 00:33:30.159 pattern of the 00:33:30.159 --> 00:33:33.459 church is 00:33:33.459 --> 00:33:36.000 weakness and 00:33:36.000 --> 00:33:36.799 dependence, 00:33:38.079 --> 00:33:39.119 prayerful dependence 00:33:39.119 --> 00:33:39.559 upon God. 00:33:39.619 --> 00:33:40.159 That's why I love 00:33:40.159 --> 00:33:41.439 verse 14. 00:33:42.099 --> 00:33:43.479 They all join 00:33:43.480 --> 00:33:44.180 together 00:33:44.180 --> 00:33:47.319 constantly in 00:33:47.319 --> 00:33:47.720 prayer. 00:33:48.839 --> 00:33:49.720 Constantly in 00:33:49.720 --> 00:33:50.059 prayer. 00:33:51.680 --> 00:33:52.220 That's why I 00:33:52.220 --> 00:33:52.819 love the fact 00:33:52.819 --> 00:33:53.700 that we're 00:33:53.700 --> 00:33:54.279 pushing the 00:33:54.279 --> 00:33:54.900 one plus one 00:33:54.900 --> 00:33:55.579 plus one, 00:33:56.079 --> 00:33:57.059 that the work 00:33:57.059 --> 00:33:58.240 of God to 00:33:58.240 --> 00:33:59.160 supernaturally 00:33:59.160 --> 00:34:00.539 change someone's 00:34:00.539 --> 00:34:01.700 storyline so 00:34:01.700 --> 00:34:02.559 that they embrace 00:34:02.559 --> 00:34:03.420 Jesus and get 00:34:03.420 --> 00:34:04.400 included in God's 00:34:04.400 --> 00:34:06.019 eternal work is 00:34:06.019 --> 00:34:07.220 a work of God in 00:34:07.220 --> 00:34:07.620 the heart, 00:34:07.740 --> 00:34:08.659 nothing less than 00:34:08.659 --> 00:34:10.179 that, nothing 00:34:10.179 --> 00:34:10.639 less. 00:34:14.119 --> 00:34:15.019 And Acts is 00:34:15.019 --> 00:34:16.119 written to us 00:34:16.119 --> 00:34:17.299 to give us 00:34:17.299 --> 00:34:18.159 certainty that 00:34:18.159 --> 00:34:19.199 God's plans for 00:34:19.199 --> 00:34:20.420 his church are 00:34:20.420 --> 00:34:21.739 always fulfilled 00:34:21.739 --> 00:34:23.039 because of his 00:34:23.039 --> 00:34:23.859 great power, 00:34:24.319 --> 00:34:25.099 despite our 00:34:25.099 --> 00:34:25.980 frailty and 00:34:25.980 --> 00:34:26.699 our failure. 00:34:27.480 --> 00:34:28.299 And so do you 00:34:28.299 --> 00:34:29.079 have confidence? 00:34:30.119 --> 00:34:30.839 Do you have 00:34:30.839 --> 00:34:32.379 confidence in 00:34:32.379 --> 00:34:33.619 this as we move 00:34:33.619 --> 00:34:34.519 together from this 00:34:34.519 --> 00:34:35.460 point as a church, 00:34:35.460 --> 00:34:37.240 as we look in 00:34:37.240 --> 00:34:38.019 this season of 00:34:38.019 --> 00:34:39.039 COVID-19 and 00:34:39.039 --> 00:34:39.820 our frailty and 00:34:39.820 --> 00:34:40.599 our weakness is 00:34:40.599 --> 00:34:41.460 evident amongst 00:34:41.460 --> 00:34:42.539 us, as we look 00:34:42.539 --> 00:34:43.960 beyond 2020 for 00:34:43.960 --> 00:34:44.860 the next stage of 00:34:44.860 --> 00:34:45.800 vision for us as a 00:34:45.800 --> 00:34:46.420 church here at 00:34:46.420 --> 00:34:46.960 St. Paul's, 00:34:47.199 --> 00:34:48.199 where is your 00:34:48.199 --> 00:34:48.679 confidence? 00:34:48.800 --> 00:34:50.000 Is it in strategic 00:34:50.000 --> 00:34:50.639 planning? 00:34:50.860 --> 00:34:52.699 Is it in, I 00:34:52.699 --> 00:34:53.360 don't know what it 00:34:53.360 --> 00:34:54.699 is in, your 00:34:54.699 --> 00:34:55.360 ability to 00:34:55.360 --> 00:34:56.980 communicate truth 00:34:56.980 --> 00:34:58.800 or is it in 00:34:58.800 --> 00:35:00.240 God's spirit to 00:35:00.240 --> 00:35:01.300 bring transformation 00:35:01.300 --> 00:35:02.960 in people's lives? 00:35:03.699 --> 00:35:04.679 And will that 00:35:04.679 --> 00:35:05.440 confidence lead 00:35:05.440 --> 00:35:07.320 you to vitally, 00:35:07.619 --> 00:35:08.440 vitally, 00:35:08.579 --> 00:35:10.539 radically align 00:35:10.539 --> 00:35:11.320 yourself with 00:35:11.320 --> 00:35:12.179 God's work in 00:35:12.179 --> 00:35:12.639 the world? 00:35:14.880 --> 00:35:15.679 It's an important 00:35:15.679 --> 00:35:16.139 question. 00:35:18.980 --> 00:35:21.079 Is your life 00:35:21.079 --> 00:35:23.260 living for God's 00:35:23.260 --> 00:35:24.360 storyline, his 00:35:24.360 --> 00:35:25.059 mission in the 00:35:25.059 --> 00:35:25.380 world? 00:35:26.840 --> 00:35:27.400 Or is it 00:35:27.400 --> 00:35:28.300 something that you 00:35:28.300 --> 00:35:29.579 hold out to one 00:35:29.579 --> 00:35:30.760 side, you dip in 00:35:30.760 --> 00:35:31.500 and out of? 00:35:31.980 --> 00:35:33.820 You see, what 00:35:33.820 --> 00:35:34.400 we're going to 00:35:34.400 --> 00:35:35.280 realize is, 00:35:35.440 --> 00:35:36.360 there's another 00:35:36.360 --> 00:35:37.619 story that has 00:35:37.619 --> 00:35:38.400 arisen in the 00:35:38.400 --> 00:35:39.599 last 100 years, 00:35:39.720 --> 00:35:40.420 another storyline, 00:35:40.599 --> 00:35:41.420 another grand 00:35:41.420 --> 00:35:42.019 narrative, another 00:35:42.019 --> 00:35:42.960 vision, worldview, 00:35:43.119 --> 00:35:43.599 if you like. 00:35:44.119 --> 00:35:44.900 It's become the 00:35:44.900 --> 00:35:46.740 purpose of life for 00:35:46.740 --> 00:35:48.159 most people in the 00:35:48.159 --> 00:35:49.039 Western world, 00:35:49.380 --> 00:35:50.099 particularly in the 00:35:50.099 --> 00:35:51.099 last 60 to 70 00:35:51.099 --> 00:35:51.659 years. 00:35:52.119 --> 00:35:53.340 It has captivated 00:35:53.340 --> 00:35:54.200 the Western world. 00:35:54.659 --> 00:35:55.579 The technical term 00:35:55.579 --> 00:35:56.500 for this particular 00:35:56.500 --> 00:35:57.840 storyline is 00:35:57.840 --> 00:35:58.380 philosophical 00:35:58.380 --> 00:35:59.300 naturalism. 00:35:59.900 --> 00:36:01.220 It's the fancy 00:36:01.220 --> 00:36:02.780 way of describing 00:36:02.780 --> 00:36:04.800 materialism as a 00:36:04.800 --> 00:36:05.180 worldview. 00:36:06.760 --> 00:36:07.460 And it's worth 00:36:07.460 --> 00:36:09.240 comparing this 00:36:09.240 --> 00:36:10.560 worldview, which 00:36:10.560 --> 00:36:11.540 dominates the 00:36:11.540 --> 00:36:11.960 West, it 00:36:11.960 --> 00:36:12.880 dominates the 00:36:12.880 --> 00:36:13.720 culture here at 00:36:13.720 --> 00:36:15.220 Chatswood, to 00:36:15.220 --> 00:36:16.360 God's storyline. 00:36:18.920 --> 00:36:19.420 Philosophical 00:36:19.420 --> 00:36:20.120 naturalism, 00:36:20.260 --> 00:36:21.720 materialism, is a 00:36:21.720 --> 00:36:22.760 three-chapter 00:36:22.760 --> 00:36:23.360 story. 00:36:24.560 --> 00:36:26.220 First, the big 00:36:26.220 --> 00:36:26.540 bang. 00:36:26.880 --> 00:36:27.200 Secondly, 00:36:27.320 --> 00:36:27.720 evolution. 00:36:27.719 --> 00:36:28.539 thirdly, the 00:36:28.539 --> 00:36:28.959 end. 00:36:29.859 --> 00:36:30.899 In the big bang, 00:36:31.019 --> 00:36:31.779 there's no 00:36:31.779 --> 00:36:32.779 supernatural or 00:36:32.779 --> 00:36:34.000 spiritual power that 00:36:34.000 --> 00:36:34.779 rules the physical 00:36:34.779 --> 00:36:35.379 universe. 00:36:36.759 --> 00:36:37.799 It says that 00:36:37.799 --> 00:36:38.839 everything that can 00:36:38.839 --> 00:36:39.439 be measured, 00:36:40.039 --> 00:36:41.019 which is the only 00:36:41.019 --> 00:36:41.799 thing worthy, 00:36:42.139 --> 00:36:42.839 by the way, 00:36:43.419 --> 00:36:44.399 it's the only valid 00:36:44.399 --> 00:36:45.039 things, the things 00:36:45.039 --> 00:36:45.459 that can be 00:36:45.459 --> 00:36:45.839 measured, 00:36:47.019 --> 00:36:49.099 is a result of 00:36:49.099 --> 00:36:50.439 an explosion that 00:36:50.439 --> 00:36:51.299 appeared out of 00:36:51.299 --> 00:36:52.500 nothing billions of 00:36:52.500 --> 00:36:53.019 years ago. 00:36:54.000 --> 00:36:54.500 Freak 00:36:54.500 --> 00:36:54.899 accident. 00:36:54.900 --> 00:36:57.740 chapter 2 of 00:36:57.740 --> 00:36:58.940 the storyline is 00:36:58.940 --> 00:36:59.900 that on the back 00:36:59.900 --> 00:37:00.599 of that freak 00:37:00.599 --> 00:37:01.639 accident, against 00:37:01.639 --> 00:37:03.079 all odds, humanity 00:37:03.079 --> 00:37:04.440 has evolved from 00:37:04.440 --> 00:37:05.460 prehistoric soup 00:37:05.460 --> 00:37:08.460 to become, 00:37:08.780 --> 00:37:10.079 today, the 00:37:10.079 --> 00:37:11.099 dominant species 00:37:11.099 --> 00:37:12.139 on the earth. 00:37:12.400 --> 00:37:12.860 Today. 00:37:13.180 --> 00:37:14.639 One day, maybe 00:37:14.639 --> 00:37:15.639 overtaken by 00:37:15.639 --> 00:37:16.260 something else. 00:37:17.160 --> 00:37:18.000 And despite what 00:37:18.000 --> 00:37:19.300 people might feel 00:37:19.300 --> 00:37:20.500 inside them, 00:37:21.900 --> 00:37:22.820 there is no 00:37:22.820 --> 00:37:23.619 such thing as 00:37:23.619 --> 00:37:24.639 absolute truth 00:37:24.639 --> 00:37:25.559 no such thing 00:37:25.559 --> 00:37:25.960 as absolute 00:37:25.960 --> 00:37:26.859 right, no such 00:37:26.859 --> 00:37:27.539 thing as absolute 00:37:27.539 --> 00:37:28.039 wrong. 00:37:29.119 --> 00:37:30.219 Because everything 00:37:30.219 --> 00:37:31.279 is an accident 00:37:31.279 --> 00:37:32.179 and random, 00:37:32.980 --> 00:37:33.739 then life, 00:37:33.900 --> 00:37:34.819 therefore, has 00:37:34.819 --> 00:37:36.059 no absolute 00:37:36.059 --> 00:37:37.079 purpose, 00:37:38.359 --> 00:37:38.739 and so, 00:37:38.900 --> 00:37:39.819 therefore, every 00:37:39.819 --> 00:37:40.900 individual is 00:37:40.900 --> 00:37:42.779 free to make 00:37:42.779 --> 00:37:43.940 of it as they 00:37:43.940 --> 00:37:44.900 see fit. 00:37:44.900 --> 00:37:47.960 and the goal 00:37:47.960 --> 00:37:49.160 of life in 00:37:49.160 --> 00:37:49.639 philosophical 00:37:49.639 --> 00:37:51.820 naturalism is 00:37:51.820 --> 00:37:52.900 therefore to 00:37:52.900 --> 00:37:53.880 consume as 00:37:53.880 --> 00:37:54.539 much as 00:37:54.539 --> 00:37:55.680 possible of 00:37:55.680 --> 00:37:56.260 the material 00:37:56.260 --> 00:37:58.880 world for 00:37:58.880 --> 00:37:59.220 your own 00:37:59.220 --> 00:37:59.800 experiences. 00:38:00.280 --> 00:38:02.000 Whatever it is 00:38:02.000 --> 00:38:03.180 that makes 00:38:03.180 --> 00:38:04.920 this moment in 00:38:04.920 --> 00:38:06.119 your storyline 00:38:06.119 --> 00:38:08.780 as happy and 00:38:08.780 --> 00:38:09.420 as agreeable as 00:38:09.420 --> 00:38:10.099 it possibly can. 00:38:10.099 --> 00:38:12.259 that's 00:38:12.259 --> 00:38:12.659 philosophical 00:38:12.659 --> 00:38:13.259 naturalism. 00:38:14.480 --> 00:38:15.019 And you 00:38:15.019 --> 00:38:15.679 need to 00:38:15.679 --> 00:38:16.380 pursue your 00:38:16.380 --> 00:38:16.799 personal 00:38:16.799 --> 00:38:17.339 happiness 00:38:17.339 --> 00:38:19.519 because 00:38:19.519 --> 00:38:21.079 chapter 3 00:38:21.079 --> 00:38:22.699 is coming 00:38:22.699 --> 00:38:24.059 at any 00:38:24.059 --> 00:38:24.400 time. 00:38:25.259 --> 00:38:25.799 And chapter 00:38:25.799 --> 00:38:26.860 3 is 00:38:26.860 --> 00:38:27.960 the end. 00:38:29.239 --> 00:38:30.039 Humanity 00:38:30.039 --> 00:38:30.659 will become 00:38:30.659 --> 00:38:31.380 extinct. 00:38:32.159 --> 00:38:32.719 There's no 00:38:32.719 --> 00:38:33.179 form of 00:38:33.179 --> 00:38:33.779 afterlife. 00:38:34.319 --> 00:38:35.039 This life 00:38:35.039 --> 00:38:35.819 is it. 00:38:35.820 --> 00:38:37.760 that's it. 00:38:39.480 --> 00:38:39.960 Now, where 00:38:39.960 --> 00:38:41.000 materialism says 00:38:41.000 --> 00:38:42.160 everything is 00:38:42.160 --> 00:38:42.900 random and 00:38:42.900 --> 00:38:44.320 therefore, there's 00:38:44.320 --> 00:38:45.160 no good, there's 00:38:45.160 --> 00:38:46.240 no evil, nothing 00:38:46.240 --> 00:38:47.120 to ever hope 00:38:47.120 --> 00:38:48.380 for, the 00:38:48.380 --> 00:38:49.820 biblical story 00:38:49.820 --> 00:38:50.420 says that we 00:38:50.420 --> 00:38:51.000 have a loving 00:38:51.000 --> 00:38:52.700 creator, a 00:38:52.700 --> 00:38:53.460 loving creator 00:38:53.460 --> 00:38:55.420 who has triumphed 00:38:55.420 --> 00:38:57.100 over evil at 00:38:57.100 --> 00:38:58.360 great cost to 00:38:58.360 --> 00:38:59.500 himself in 00:38:59.500 --> 00:39:00.720 order to love 00:39:00.720 --> 00:39:01.480 his creatures 00:39:01.480 --> 00:39:02.019 dearly. 00:39:03.600 --> 00:39:04.160 And as we 00:39:04.160 --> 00:39:05.039 look forward to 00:39:05.039 --> 00:39:05.800 a day where 00:39:05.800 --> 00:39:06.640 when everything 00:39:06.640 --> 00:39:07.360 wrong will be 00:39:07.360 --> 00:39:08.180 made right 00:39:08.180 --> 00:39:10.000 and we 00:39:10.000 --> 00:39:10.700 will live 00:39:10.700 --> 00:39:11.380 with him 00:39:11.380 --> 00:39:12.940 in blissful 00:39:12.940 --> 00:39:14.480 joy for 00:39:14.480 --> 00:39:14.940 all of 00:39:14.940 --> 00:39:15.400 eternity, 00:39:15.660 --> 00:39:16.440 increasing 00:39:16.440 --> 00:39:17.760 joy for 00:39:17.760 --> 00:39:18.160 all of 00:39:18.160 --> 00:39:19.220 eternity as 00:39:19.220 --> 00:39:20.480 he embraces 00:39:20.480 --> 00:39:22.240 us with 00:39:22.240 --> 00:39:23.360 his cosmic 00:39:23.360 --> 00:39:24.760 love and 00:39:24.760 --> 00:39:25.180 joy. 00:39:26.860 --> 00:39:28.180 He imparts 00:39:28.180 --> 00:39:29.019 it to us 00:39:29.019 --> 00:39:29.580 forever. 00:39:29.579 --> 00:39:29.799 forever. 00:39:34.799 --> 00:39:35.679 There's a 00:39:35.679 --> 00:39:36.299 difference between 00:39:36.299 --> 00:39:37.259 two storylines. 00:39:39.599 --> 00:39:40.860 Know this, 00:39:41.900 --> 00:39:42.500 whatever 00:39:42.500 --> 00:39:44.440 storyline you 00:39:44.440 --> 00:39:45.299 hold to, 00:39:46.420 --> 00:39:46.819 philosophical 00:39:46.819 --> 00:39:48.039 naturalism, the 00:39:48.039 --> 00:39:48.719 Bible storyline 00:39:48.719 --> 00:39:49.659 with Jesus as 00:39:49.659 --> 00:39:50.420 centre or any 00:39:50.420 --> 00:39:51.139 other storyline 00:39:51.139 --> 00:39:51.500 that you 00:39:51.500 --> 00:39:52.199 particularly want 00:39:52.199 --> 00:39:52.860 to grasp hold 00:39:52.860 --> 00:39:54.900 of, every 00:39:54.900 --> 00:39:56.099 single storyline 00:39:56.099 --> 00:39:58.139 requires you to 00:39:58.139 --> 00:39:59.059 surrender for 00:39:59.059 --> 00:39:59.299 it. 00:39:59.880 --> 00:40:00.940 Every single 00:40:00.940 --> 00:40:02.440 storyline requires 00:40:02.440 --> 00:40:03.559 your time, your 00:40:03.559 --> 00:40:04.239 talents, your 00:40:04.239 --> 00:40:05.199 treasures. 00:40:05.480 --> 00:40:06.199 It requires 00:40:06.199 --> 00:40:07.099 everything from 00:40:07.099 --> 00:40:07.839 you, your 00:40:07.839 --> 00:40:08.219 storyline. 00:40:12.139 --> 00:40:13.019 And what we 00:40:13.019 --> 00:40:13.860 proclaim here as 00:40:13.860 --> 00:40:15.000 a church again 00:40:15.000 --> 00:40:15.980 and again and 00:40:15.980 --> 00:40:16.960 again and again 00:40:16.960 --> 00:40:17.779 and again and 00:40:17.779 --> 00:40:18.759 again and we 00:40:18.759 --> 00:40:19.599 will do so right 00:40:19.599 --> 00:40:20.239 through the book 00:40:20.239 --> 00:40:21.380 of Acts, the 00:40:21.380 --> 00:40:22.259 biblical storyline 00:40:22.260 --> 00:40:23.240 is compelling. 00:40:24.120 --> 00:40:24.580 It is 00:40:24.580 --> 00:40:25.080 convincing. 00:40:26.700 --> 00:40:27.380 Not just 00:40:27.380 --> 00:40:28.080 convincingly 00:40:28.080 --> 00:40:29.000 truth-wise but 00:40:29.000 --> 00:40:29.460 it's also 00:40:29.460 --> 00:40:30.200 compelling from 00:40:30.200 --> 00:40:30.700 the heart. 00:40:31.700 --> 00:40:32.780 It draws you 00:40:32.780 --> 00:40:33.900 in to God's 00:40:33.900 --> 00:40:34.620 cosmic love and 00:40:34.620 --> 00:40:34.760 joy. 00:40:38.200 --> 00:40:39.320 It's also 00:40:39.320 --> 00:40:41.780 more true and 00:40:41.780 --> 00:40:43.460 reasonable than 00:40:43.460 --> 00:40:44.240 all the grand 00:40:44.240 --> 00:40:45.280 storylines of 00:40:45.280 --> 00:40:45.760 this world. 00:40:47.780 --> 00:40:48.800 And so right 00:40:48.800 --> 00:40:49.760 now and 00:40:49.760 --> 00:40:50.120 throughout the 00:40:50.120 --> 00:40:50.800 book of Acts 00:40:50.800 --> 00:40:51.320 as we go 00:40:51.320 --> 00:40:51.660 through in the 00:40:51.659 --> 00:40:52.420 coming weeks, 00:40:53.159 --> 00:40:54.299 like Theophilus, 00:40:55.099 --> 00:40:56.339 I invite you, 00:40:56.719 --> 00:40:57.420 as Luke did 00:40:57.420 --> 00:40:58.319 to Theophilus, 00:40:58.399 --> 00:40:59.379 I invite you 00:40:59.379 --> 00:41:01.279 to jump on 00:41:01.279 --> 00:41:03.119 board with 00:41:03.119 --> 00:41:04.059 God's work in 00:41:04.059 --> 00:41:04.819 this world, in 00:41:04.819 --> 00:41:05.559 the Lord Jesus. 00:41:06.519 --> 00:41:07.699 Start investigating 00:41:07.699 --> 00:41:08.699 the claims and 00:41:08.699 --> 00:41:10.239 align your life 00:41:10.239 --> 00:41:11.899 with Jesus and 00:41:11.899 --> 00:41:12.940 his grand plan 00:41:12.940 --> 00:41:14.159 for all of 00:41:14.159 --> 00:41:14.639 humanity. 00:41:15.399 --> 00:41:15.679 Amen.