WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:02.399 Amen. Thanks so much, Gary, for teaching us that song. 00:00:02.480 --> 00:00:09.720 As he mentioned, we're hoping it really dovetails well with this series that we started last week in this letter of Galatians. 00:00:09.720 --> 00:00:13.120 So if you've got a Bible, then let me invite you to turn there now. 00:00:14.000 --> 00:00:19.500 If you don't have a Bible, you can grab on on the pews or you can scan there, scroll there on your phone. 00:00:19.859 --> 00:00:25.879 And we're in at Galatians chapter 1, verses 11 to 24 this morning. 00:00:25.879 --> 00:00:31.099 Here's why this passage should make us sit up and take notice. 00:00:32.820 --> 00:00:42.799 This here is quite possibly the most remarkable transformation in the life of a human being that there has ever been. 00:00:44.379 --> 00:00:50.239 Here's the headline that sent shockwaves through the religious world of the first century. 00:00:50.840 --> 00:00:55.039 Here's the jaw-dropping news that was doing the rounds in Jerusalem. 00:00:55.039 --> 00:00:58.159 Here is your extra, extra read all about it moment. 00:00:59.960 --> 00:01:06.379 That's all about the stunning U-turn that nobody saw coming. 00:01:08.420 --> 00:01:12.560 And you'll see this headline in the words that are in the speech marks at verse 12. 00:01:12.680 --> 00:01:13.420 Do you see it there? 00:01:14.579 --> 00:01:15.599 Here's the headline. 00:01:15.599 --> 00:01:44.019 This is Paul's story right here of how pre-Jesus, he was a bigot, he was a fanatic, 00:01:44.019 --> 00:01:54.459 who was both wholehearted in his devotion to Judaism and in his persecution of the church of Jesus Christ. 00:01:54.979 --> 00:02:02.959 And this is about how Jesus changed his life and sent him in a completely new direction. 00:02:02.959 --> 00:02:04.959 But this is about how Jesus changed his life and sent him in a completely new direction. 00:02:04.959 --> 00:02:08.199 But this is no autobiography here. 00:02:10.879 --> 00:02:12.359 Here's what he's aiming at. 00:02:12.919 --> 00:02:15.180 You're taking notes, here's the note, okay? 00:02:15.919 --> 00:02:24.740 The big reason why he's writing this is really so that we know that we can trust his gospel. 00:02:24.740 --> 00:02:32.180 He wants us to know, he wants the Galatians to know that we can trust his gospel. 00:02:33.640 --> 00:02:38.180 If you were here last week, you'll remember the reason Paul is writing to these Christians 00:02:38.180 --> 00:02:41.080 who are in this region of Galatia. 00:02:41.460 --> 00:02:44.379 Try to put it in red there, okay, so you can see it. 00:02:44.379 --> 00:02:55.120 He's writing because certain people have infiltrated the churches there and their intent on undermining Paul and his gospel. 00:02:55.259 --> 00:03:04.000 If you remember last week, we thought about Paul's gospel is the one, the message that's totally centered on a totally sufficient Jesus. 00:03:04.539 --> 00:03:05.099 Say that again. 00:03:05.500 --> 00:03:08.460 It's totally centered on a totally sufficient Jesus. 00:03:08.460 --> 00:03:16.180 Someone becomes a Christian, we thought about this last week, by grace alone, through faith alone, in Jesus alone. 00:03:16.300 --> 00:03:21.240 The big headline from last week's sermon was that Jesus plus nothing equals everything. 00:03:23.060 --> 00:03:27.400 Jesus plus nothing equals everything. 00:03:29.000 --> 00:03:32.580 And these Paul's teachers are seeking to undermine Paul's message. 00:03:32.719 --> 00:03:36.580 Now, come with me to the text if we want to just get a run up from last week. 00:03:36.580 --> 00:03:39.460 See the third word that he uses there at verse 1. 00:03:39.620 --> 00:03:41.940 Paul, an apostle. 00:03:43.280 --> 00:03:49.520 And we thought last week about how in using that word, he's telling us that he's someone who's received his message from Jesus. 00:03:49.840 --> 00:03:51.520 He's not received it secondhand. 00:03:51.760 --> 00:03:53.380 He's not received it hearsay. 00:03:53.600 --> 00:03:56.240 He's received it from Jesus himself. 00:03:56.500 --> 00:04:00.540 We thought last week that your source really matters. 00:04:01.820 --> 00:04:02.680 Remember this? 00:04:02.680 --> 00:04:11.340 In our world of AI, in our world of deep fakes, in our world of fact checking, where you can find anything online. 00:04:14.040 --> 00:04:15.800 Reliability is absolutely everything. 00:04:17.319 --> 00:04:19.500 To be an apostle, Paul writes that word. 00:04:19.600 --> 00:04:20.379 Here's what he's saying. 00:04:20.620 --> 00:04:23.360 I got my message straight from the horse's mouth. 00:04:23.360 --> 00:04:31.319 But these false teachers are saying to the Galatians, are you sure that you can trust him? 00:04:31.520 --> 00:04:33.500 Are you sure that you can trust it? 00:04:34.620 --> 00:04:37.780 Is it not just another conspiracy theory? 00:04:38.180 --> 00:04:40.560 Life is full of conspiracy theorists. 00:04:41.060 --> 00:04:44.740 Again, you look hard enough online, you will find anything out there. 00:04:46.460 --> 00:04:49.259 History is full of conspiracy theories. 00:04:49.259 --> 00:04:53.399 Is this a classic example of what Mark Twain said? 00:04:54.899 --> 00:05:00.159 That a lie can travel halfway around the world before the truth has even put its boots on. 00:05:02.039 --> 00:05:06.539 And of course, the irony of that is that many believe that Mark Twain wasn't the one that actually said it, 00:05:06.599 --> 00:05:08.599 which I think makes the point wonderfully. 00:05:08.600 --> 00:05:12.439 But a lie gets out there. 00:05:12.660 --> 00:05:14.280 A lie causes havoc. 00:05:15.200 --> 00:05:18.180 And is Paul's message just another example of that? 00:05:18.320 --> 00:05:19.980 The guy's just a few degrees off. 00:05:20.700 --> 00:05:21.820 Just missed the mark. 00:05:23.420 --> 00:05:25.080 Just by a few inches. 00:05:25.240 --> 00:05:29.200 So what Paul is doing here, his intention is to defend his gospel. 00:05:30.120 --> 00:05:31.540 And that's why he's telling his story. 00:05:32.320 --> 00:05:33.620 He's defending his gospel. 00:05:33.760 --> 00:05:35.080 See him right at verse 11. 00:05:35.079 --> 00:05:39.539 I want you to know, brothers and sisters, that the gospel I preached, 00:05:39.620 --> 00:05:42.800 this is the one that they heard, is not of human origin. 00:05:42.959 --> 00:05:46.120 I did not receive it from any man, nor was I taught it. 00:05:46.259 --> 00:05:49.779 Rather, I received it by revelation from Jesus Christ. 00:05:49.839 --> 00:05:52.839 So everything he's about to say is to prove that thesis. 00:05:55.620 --> 00:05:57.839 So we're going to see him point to two big reasons. 00:05:57.979 --> 00:05:58.299 Why? 00:05:58.620 --> 00:05:58.959 Why? 00:05:59.959 --> 00:06:00.899 Friends, why they? 00:06:01.019 --> 00:06:01.659 Why us? 00:06:01.979 --> 00:06:03.779 Why we can trust this message? 00:06:03.779 --> 00:06:05.939 What we're going to do is see these two things that he says, 00:06:06.219 --> 00:06:10.079 and then we're really going to think about two quickfire things that we can take from this. 00:06:10.139 --> 00:06:10.659 Are you up for it? 00:06:11.279 --> 00:06:12.959 Here's the first thing that he says. 00:06:13.019 --> 00:06:14.419 While you can trust his gospel. 00:06:14.579 --> 00:06:18.579 Number one, he says, trust the transformation. 00:06:19.559 --> 00:06:21.879 I think Paul's big point is this. 00:06:23.779 --> 00:06:29.399 What else explains the total transformation of his life 00:06:29.399 --> 00:06:32.699 other than the truth of his gospel? 00:06:32.699 --> 00:06:36.939 Now see him speak so honestly and vulnerably, 00:06:37.259 --> 00:06:39.620 and with great humility from verse 13. 00:06:39.699 --> 00:06:40.620 Look at it in the text. 00:06:40.979 --> 00:06:43.959 I find this so incredibly refreshing and instructive. 00:06:44.279 --> 00:06:47.180 Somebody that's up for telling you about all the mistakes they made in life? 00:06:48.939 --> 00:06:50.019 About how they got it wrong? 00:06:51.620 --> 00:06:53.199 I was on holiday a few months ago, 00:06:53.279 --> 00:06:56.599 reading Michael Parkinson's autobiography, 00:06:56.719 --> 00:06:58.019 rock and roll in my life, okay? 00:06:58.099 --> 00:06:59.539 Reading this guy's autobiography. 00:06:59.540 --> 00:07:01.620 The old BBC chat show host. 00:07:02.900 --> 00:07:04.860 And his son writes the foreword. 00:07:06.700 --> 00:07:07.819 About his dad. 00:07:08.540 --> 00:07:09.660 And he says this. 00:07:10.580 --> 00:07:11.600 In the foreword. 00:07:11.680 --> 00:07:12.340 This got me. 00:07:12.460 --> 00:07:13.280 He said, of course, 00:07:13.279 --> 00:07:17.159 every autobiography is written through the unreliable filter 00:07:17.159 --> 00:07:20.539 of personal remembrance and self-justification. 00:07:23.339 --> 00:07:27.399 Friends, how many autobiographies that you see in Waterstones and Blackwells 00:07:27.399 --> 00:07:28.659 that people release, 00:07:29.699 --> 00:07:32.579 the subtitle of those autobiographies is effectively, 00:07:32.779 --> 00:07:34.359 here's why I did what I did. 00:07:34.360 --> 00:07:37.639 And here's why I was right in doing what I did. 00:07:39.819 --> 00:07:42.460 If you're thinking of a former Scottish First Minister 00:07:42.460 --> 00:07:43.580 who's just released a book, 00:07:43.660 --> 00:07:45.080 you said that, not me, okay? 00:07:47.120 --> 00:07:48.080 Sorry, not sorry. 00:07:48.740 --> 00:07:50.080 But it's true, isn't it, friends? 00:07:50.100 --> 00:07:51.840 If we were writing a story about our lives, 00:07:51.920 --> 00:07:54.040 it would be a self-justification one. 00:07:56.300 --> 00:07:57.840 Paul is completely the opposite. 00:07:57.839 --> 00:08:02.719 What comes naturally to us is to play the defence. 00:08:04.679 --> 00:08:06.739 What comes naturally to Paul is to tell you 00:08:06.739 --> 00:08:08.719 every single way that he got it wrong in life 00:08:08.719 --> 00:08:11.959 and how Jesus has totally given him life and transformed it. 00:08:12.060 --> 00:08:14.059 And it's just incredibly refreshing. 00:08:14.479 --> 00:08:15.459 Whoever you are here today, 00:08:15.519 --> 00:08:17.179 whatever you think about the God of the Bible, 00:08:18.000 --> 00:08:18.979 what do you make of that? 00:08:20.819 --> 00:08:21.839 Now, come with me. 00:08:21.919 --> 00:08:22.819 See this in the text. 00:08:22.899 --> 00:08:25.299 He's telling us about his old way of life. 00:08:27.839 --> 00:08:28.759 See it there. 00:08:28.839 --> 00:08:31.699 What was his chief ambition from verse 13? 00:08:31.839 --> 00:08:33.500 See his choice of verb there. 00:08:33.959 --> 00:08:36.159 Again, attention to detail in the text, really important. 00:08:36.720 --> 00:08:38.699 What did he want to do to the church? 00:08:39.919 --> 00:08:43.039 He didn't want to debate the Christians. 00:08:43.279 --> 00:08:45.799 He did not want to oppose the Christians. 00:08:46.039 --> 00:08:47.419 What's the word in the text? 00:08:47.740 --> 00:08:50.039 He wanted to destroy the church. 00:08:50.980 --> 00:08:53.620 Because in his mind, in his former way of life, 00:08:53.699 --> 00:08:56.519 these Christians were making a mockery of everything 00:08:56.519 --> 00:08:58.960 that he and his people stood for. 00:08:59.199 --> 00:09:01.879 He was like one of those Daleks in Doctor Who. 00:09:04.439 --> 00:09:05.960 Exterminate, exterminate. 00:09:06.419 --> 00:09:08.439 In fact, the first time you meet him in the Bible 00:09:08.439 --> 00:09:11.079 is at the end of Acts 7. 00:09:13.019 --> 00:09:15.360 And he's holding the coat of an angry mob 00:09:15.360 --> 00:09:16.939 and he's egging people on 00:09:16.939 --> 00:09:21.659 in the stoning to death of the first Christian martyr, 00:09:21.659 --> 00:09:23.879 a man named Stephen. 00:09:26.879 --> 00:09:29.240 So he wants to destroy the church. 00:09:30.419 --> 00:09:32.259 It's not just going on up there. 00:09:33.279 --> 00:09:35.319 He's active in it, you see? 00:09:35.659 --> 00:09:37.839 But a parallel track in Paul's life, 00:09:37.939 --> 00:09:40.459 running alongside that desire to destroy the church, 00:09:40.839 --> 00:09:41.759 do you see it as well, 00:09:41.819 --> 00:09:45.199 was a desire to excel in Judaism. 00:09:45.200 --> 00:09:47.860 What does he tell us? 00:09:48.680 --> 00:09:50.620 That he tells us he was advancing 00:09:50.620 --> 00:09:52.480 beyond many of his peers. 00:09:53.800 --> 00:09:57.040 He tells us that he was extremely zealous 00:09:57.040 --> 00:09:59.080 for the traditions of his fathers. 00:10:00.300 --> 00:10:01.420 And can I just pause for a minute 00:10:01.420 --> 00:10:03.720 and say it's really worth noting that word zeal. 00:10:03.720 --> 00:10:08.660 We're much more likely to talk about, 00:10:08.779 --> 00:10:10.620 I think, being passionate today. 00:10:10.820 --> 00:10:14.279 But zeal is a word that the Bible uses 00:10:14.279 --> 00:10:16.620 and encourages us to be as Christians. 00:10:17.060 --> 00:10:18.420 People who are zealous. 00:10:18.540 --> 00:10:19.899 It's becoming a big prayer of mine. 00:10:20.460 --> 00:10:22.759 Lord, I realize I get excited about all the wrong things. 00:10:22.840 --> 00:10:24.480 Would you make me zealous for your name 00:10:24.480 --> 00:10:26.259 and your glory and your gospel 00:10:26.259 --> 00:10:29.720 and seeing my life in the contours of that? 00:10:30.680 --> 00:10:31.720 Here's the thing though. 00:10:33.720 --> 00:10:37.840 Friends, we can be zealous about all the wrong things. 00:10:40.560 --> 00:10:44.680 Political causes, career, grades, 00:10:44.899 --> 00:10:46.379 even church traditions. 00:10:47.879 --> 00:10:49.519 And so maybe here's a word in season 00:10:49.519 --> 00:10:51.519 for us who are here today, 00:10:51.600 --> 00:10:53.500 who are starting new seasons. 00:10:55.379 --> 00:10:57.180 Whether we're going to university, 00:10:57.379 --> 00:10:59.139 whether we're just coming back to university, 00:10:59.279 --> 00:11:00.720 whether we're going on to a new job, 00:11:00.720 --> 00:11:04.100 whether we're hitting a new season post-retirement, 00:11:04.620 --> 00:11:06.420 after work, whatever it is. 00:11:06.840 --> 00:11:09.639 Friends, life will present you with all sorts of things 00:11:09.639 --> 00:11:12.259 that are worth being passionate about. 00:11:13.600 --> 00:11:15.840 It will say, here's all sorts of things 00:11:15.840 --> 00:11:17.840 that you can spend your life pursuing. 00:11:19.519 --> 00:11:21.639 But this tells you that you can be zealous 00:11:21.639 --> 00:11:22.879 about all the wrong things. 00:11:24.699 --> 00:11:27.379 Be known as someone who's zealous first 00:11:27.379 --> 00:11:29.319 for the gospel. 00:11:31.439 --> 00:11:33.539 Wouldn't that be a wonderful life ambition? 00:11:34.480 --> 00:11:36.419 Another way to frame the question 00:11:36.419 --> 00:11:38.539 is that what are you known for? 00:11:39.460 --> 00:11:41.460 I've learned that with kids, my kids. 00:11:42.340 --> 00:11:43.879 I can teach them all sorts of things, 00:11:43.980 --> 00:11:45.700 but do you know what they'll learn really from me? 00:11:45.780 --> 00:11:48.820 They'll learn the thing that I'm excited about in life. 00:11:50.620 --> 00:11:53.120 Are you known as someone who is first and foremost 00:11:53.120 --> 00:11:55.900 zealous for the gospel? 00:11:56.139 --> 00:11:57.500 Paul says, I was zealous, 00:11:57.600 --> 00:11:59.280 but I was zealous in the wrong direction. 00:11:59.400 --> 00:12:01.320 It's almost like he's one of those wind-up toys 00:12:01.320 --> 00:12:02.600 that was really zealous this way, 00:12:02.639 --> 00:12:04.540 and God's just turned him and said, 00:12:04.540 --> 00:12:06.660 I don't want you to be unzealous, as it were. 00:12:06.720 --> 00:12:08.639 I just want you to be zealous about the gospel. 00:12:08.639 --> 00:12:12.080 Here's the thing. 00:12:12.139 --> 00:12:14.220 If the careers teacher at school had asked Paul 00:12:14.220 --> 00:12:16.319 what he wanted to be when he grows up, 00:12:17.220 --> 00:12:19.279 there's no debate what Paul would have said. 00:12:20.259 --> 00:12:22.179 He wants to be a Pharisee, 00:12:22.439 --> 00:12:23.899 and he wants to be the best. 00:12:26.000 --> 00:12:28.419 He's not just the next big thing. 00:12:29.980 --> 00:12:32.460 He's not just the poster boy of Judaism. 00:12:32.460 --> 00:12:35.460 He is on the fast-track program to massive things. 00:12:35.460 --> 00:12:41.759 Paul wants to plant his flag on the world. 00:12:44.900 --> 00:12:46.360 Recognition, honor, status. 00:12:46.500 --> 00:12:48.460 That was the future that Paul had for himself, 00:12:49.220 --> 00:12:53.160 and yet see that while Paul had one plan for his life, 00:12:54.040 --> 00:12:56.620 God had another one. 00:12:59.460 --> 00:13:02.660 See him begin to talk about his new way of life. 00:13:02.659 --> 00:13:03.600 Verse 15. 00:13:04.559 --> 00:13:06.539 See Paul talk about his calling. 00:13:08.339 --> 00:13:10.079 Paul encounters the risen Jesus 00:13:10.079 --> 00:13:12.559 on the way to Damascus in Acts 9, 00:13:13.579 --> 00:13:16.919 where he was going fully intent on causing carnage, 00:13:16.939 --> 00:13:18.500 and in that moment, everything changed 00:13:18.500 --> 00:13:20.100 when he meets the risen Jesus. 00:13:21.100 --> 00:13:23.519 This is where he's got his gospel from. 00:13:25.519 --> 00:13:27.899 God had this plan in place for Paul. 00:13:28.000 --> 00:13:30.120 Do you see it in the text from verse 15? 00:13:30.120 --> 00:13:37.480 God did this plan in place for Paul before he was even born. 00:13:39.000 --> 00:13:40.620 Now, I've done that with all of my kids. 00:13:41.240 --> 00:13:42.440 We've given them names. 00:13:43.340 --> 00:13:45.639 You know them from when they were in their mother's womb. 00:13:46.299 --> 00:13:47.360 You have plans for them. 00:13:47.460 --> 00:13:48.399 You have ambitions. 00:13:48.600 --> 00:13:49.120 You have prayers, 00:13:49.279 --> 00:13:51.460 things that you'd long for them to be true when they grow up. 00:13:51.560 --> 00:13:52.360 But do you know what? 00:13:52.560 --> 00:13:54.240 You've got no control over it. 00:13:54.240 --> 00:13:58.019 How different then this God 00:13:58.019 --> 00:14:00.259 who has known Paul 00:14:00.259 --> 00:14:01.399 and who has called him, 00:14:01.440 --> 00:14:03.899 who set apart him for this work 00:14:03.899 --> 00:14:06.820 before he was even in his mother's womb. 00:14:06.879 --> 00:14:07.919 How about that for a thought? 00:14:10.180 --> 00:14:11.100 Sure story too, 00:14:11.220 --> 00:14:12.519 if you're a Christian here today, 00:14:13.100 --> 00:14:13.960 we're not Paul. 00:14:14.180 --> 00:14:15.200 We are not apostles. 00:14:15.700 --> 00:14:17.240 But we have Paul's God. 00:14:17.240 --> 00:14:20.299 God thought of you and I 00:14:20.299 --> 00:14:22.460 way before you and I were thinking of him. 00:14:24.720 --> 00:14:25.220 You know, 00:14:25.259 --> 00:14:26.919 in our individualistic world, 00:14:27.000 --> 00:14:28.100 it can be easy to think 00:14:28.100 --> 00:14:29.100 that becoming a Christian 00:14:29.100 --> 00:14:31.560 is about taking Jesus into our lives. 00:14:33.539 --> 00:14:35.940 Like an app that we download onto our phone. 00:14:37.000 --> 00:14:38.620 But the truth that this tells us 00:14:38.620 --> 00:14:40.279 is that by grace, 00:14:40.440 --> 00:14:42.259 Jesus has taken us into his. 00:14:42.259 --> 00:14:47.559 And Paul here is using the language of Jeremiah before him. 00:14:47.659 --> 00:14:49.659 Notice the way verse 16 is worded. 00:14:50.259 --> 00:14:51.460 God revealed his son. 00:14:52.659 --> 00:14:54.419 And we'd almost expect him to say, 00:14:54.840 --> 00:14:55.379 to me? 00:14:56.819 --> 00:14:57.299 Yeah? 00:14:58.419 --> 00:14:59.179 But he says, 00:14:59.259 --> 00:15:02.059 God revealed his son in me. 00:15:02.139 --> 00:15:04.639 He's telling us just how deeply impacted 00:15:04.639 --> 00:15:07.819 and gripped by this message 00:15:07.819 --> 00:15:10.100 he has been inwardly. 00:15:10.100 --> 00:15:12.540 And again, 00:15:12.620 --> 00:15:13.080 let me just say, 00:15:13.159 --> 00:15:13.300 friends, 00:15:13.360 --> 00:15:15.320 I recognize that there are many of us here today 00:15:15.320 --> 00:15:17.480 who are thinking through this Christian faith. 00:15:17.560 --> 00:15:19.060 And thank you so much for coming. 00:15:19.159 --> 00:15:20.620 We love that you're here. 00:15:20.820 --> 00:15:22.620 You're in the best place to do that. 00:15:23.300 --> 00:15:24.460 To come to church, 00:15:24.540 --> 00:15:25.800 to think about these things. 00:15:26.279 --> 00:15:27.360 But can I just say that 00:15:27.360 --> 00:15:29.440 sitting in church or saying words 00:15:29.440 --> 00:15:32.100 may well be a great place to start. 00:15:32.240 --> 00:15:32.800 Singing hymns, 00:15:32.860 --> 00:15:33.480 singing truths. 00:15:35.120 --> 00:15:36.639 But that isn't the thing 00:15:36.639 --> 00:15:37.700 that makes you a Christian. 00:15:37.700 --> 00:15:41.259 In the same way that sitting in a garage 00:15:41.259 --> 00:15:42.460 doesn't make you a car. 00:15:45.020 --> 00:15:47.460 Friends, we've got to put our faith in this Jesus. 00:15:49.560 --> 00:15:50.980 But Paul is saying that 00:15:50.980 --> 00:15:53.040 that gripping has led him 00:15:53.040 --> 00:15:54.960 to see his life 00:15:54.960 --> 00:15:56.180 in completely different ways. 00:15:56.280 --> 00:15:58.540 This thing has gripped him inwardly. 00:15:58.620 --> 00:16:00.060 The question you've got to ask yourselves 00:16:00.060 --> 00:16:01.100 is Jesus, 00:16:01.520 --> 00:16:02.560 who he says he is? 00:16:03.560 --> 00:16:05.700 Has this message gripped you inwardly? 00:16:05.700 --> 00:16:06.220 Inwardly. 00:16:07.840 --> 00:16:09.180 Paul begins talking about 00:16:09.180 --> 00:16:10.580 his new commission in life. 00:16:10.660 --> 00:16:11.220 Do you see it? 00:16:11.500 --> 00:16:12.520 Jesus has given him 00:16:12.520 --> 00:16:14.060 a completely new purpose. 00:16:14.360 --> 00:16:16.160 That is to take the gospel message 00:16:16.160 --> 00:16:17.520 to the Gentiles. 00:16:17.580 --> 00:16:18.580 And that word just means 00:16:18.580 --> 00:16:21.080 the non-Jewish people of the world. 00:16:21.580 --> 00:16:22.900 Here's the thing, friends. 00:16:25.640 --> 00:16:27.220 We might be in tiny, 00:16:27.400 --> 00:16:28.540 tiny little font 00:16:28.540 --> 00:16:30.060 in that word Gentiles here. 00:16:30.059 --> 00:16:32.799 But look hard enough 00:16:32.799 --> 00:16:33.859 and you'll see yourself. 00:16:36.099 --> 00:16:37.419 We're in this verse. 00:16:39.099 --> 00:16:40.079 God's plan 00:16:40.079 --> 00:16:42.339 to bless the nations 00:16:42.339 --> 00:16:43.559 of the world. 00:16:43.699 --> 00:16:44.339 We're here. 00:16:44.779 --> 00:16:45.479 But here's the thing, 00:16:45.579 --> 00:16:46.279 riddle me this. 00:16:47.759 --> 00:16:50.299 With all Paul's credentials, 00:16:50.519 --> 00:16:51.039 his training, 00:16:51.219 --> 00:16:51.819 his background, 00:16:52.159 --> 00:16:52.819 his CV, 00:16:54.099 --> 00:16:55.139 would it make 00:16:55.139 --> 00:16:57.159 more sense, 00:16:57.259 --> 00:16:58.119 do you not think, 00:16:58.120 --> 00:16:59.659 to send him as the missionary? 00:16:59.879 --> 00:17:01.240 Not to the Gentiles, 00:17:02.000 --> 00:17:04.819 but to the Jews. 00:17:06.839 --> 00:17:07.779 You ever thought about that? 00:17:09.779 --> 00:17:11.380 Is he like, 00:17:14.380 --> 00:17:16.319 poor football manager 00:17:16.319 --> 00:17:17.339 won't say any names, 00:17:17.420 --> 00:17:18.160 who's playing someone 00:17:18.160 --> 00:17:18.960 out of position. 00:17:19.720 --> 00:17:20.500 Is that this God? 00:17:21.059 --> 00:17:22.099 Would Paul not be 00:17:22.099 --> 00:17:23.139 the perfect horse 00:17:23.139 --> 00:17:25.139 for the Jewish course? 00:17:27.599 --> 00:17:28.559 Here's what I think. 00:17:30.539 --> 00:17:31.539 It's just a thought. 00:17:33.799 --> 00:17:34.759 Haven't thought about this 00:17:34.759 --> 00:17:35.539 for a long time, friends. 00:17:35.659 --> 00:17:36.259 I think, 00:17:36.859 --> 00:17:37.179 and Kate, 00:17:37.199 --> 00:17:37.899 it was so helpful 00:17:37.899 --> 00:17:38.899 reminding me of this 00:17:38.899 --> 00:17:39.319 on Wednesday, 00:17:39.919 --> 00:17:42.659 I think this is just 00:17:42.659 --> 00:17:44.339 how God works. 00:17:46.759 --> 00:17:47.699 His wisdom 00:17:47.699 --> 00:17:50.019 baffles human wisdom. 00:17:50.019 --> 00:17:52.879 His logic 00:17:52.879 --> 00:17:54.759 is so far above 00:17:54.759 --> 00:17:56.099 our logic. 00:17:56.720 --> 00:17:57.779 He does things. 00:17:58.420 --> 00:17:59.059 He uses 00:17:59.059 --> 00:17:59.900 the unexpected. 00:18:00.460 --> 00:18:01.579 He uses the person 00:18:01.579 --> 00:18:01.879 who's, 00:18:02.240 --> 00:18:02.680 in a sense, 00:18:02.759 --> 00:18:03.519 got not a lot 00:18:03.519 --> 00:18:04.180 to offer 00:18:04.180 --> 00:18:05.480 to leave us 00:18:05.480 --> 00:18:06.339 in no doubt 00:18:06.339 --> 00:18:07.539 that God is God 00:18:07.539 --> 00:18:08.480 and all glory 00:18:08.480 --> 00:18:09.740 goes to him. 00:18:11.660 --> 00:18:11.900 And so, 00:18:12.119 --> 00:18:12.559 don't doubt 00:18:12.559 --> 00:18:13.220 this morning 00:18:13.220 --> 00:18:14.139 that God has plans 00:18:14.139 --> 00:18:14.639 and purposes 00:18:14.639 --> 00:18:15.740 for where he's put you. 00:18:15.799 --> 00:18:16.119 If you're thinking, 00:18:16.220 --> 00:18:16.759 what on earth 00:18:16.759 --> 00:18:17.639 am I doing here? 00:18:17.700 --> 00:18:17.920 Friends, 00:18:17.920 --> 00:18:18.600 his logic 00:18:18.600 --> 00:18:20.480 is so much 00:18:20.480 --> 00:18:21.080 greater than 00:18:21.080 --> 00:18:21.600 our logic. 00:18:23.539 --> 00:18:23.940 So, 00:18:24.000 --> 00:18:24.620 number one reason 00:18:24.620 --> 00:18:25.039 why you should 00:18:25.039 --> 00:18:25.800 trust my gospel, 00:18:25.960 --> 00:18:26.500 says Paul, 00:18:26.740 --> 00:18:28.519 is trust the transformation. 00:18:30.220 --> 00:18:30.960 And really quickly, 00:18:31.060 --> 00:18:32.000 here's the second thing 00:18:32.000 --> 00:18:32.460 Paul says, 00:18:32.640 --> 00:18:33.519 just really simply 00:18:33.519 --> 00:18:35.240 trust the timeline. 00:18:37.779 --> 00:18:38.759 See the end 00:18:38.759 --> 00:18:39.720 of verse 17. 00:18:39.880 --> 00:18:40.940 After meeting Jesus, 00:18:41.120 --> 00:18:41.880 Paul tells us 00:18:41.880 --> 00:18:42.480 that he soon 00:18:42.480 --> 00:18:43.620 went into Arabia. 00:18:43.619 --> 00:18:46.219 Now, 00:18:46.299 --> 00:18:47.139 what was he doing 00:18:47.139 --> 00:18:47.599 there? 00:18:47.939 --> 00:18:49.099 All sorts of 00:18:49.099 --> 00:18:50.099 theories 00:18:50.099 --> 00:18:50.779 as to what 00:18:50.779 --> 00:18:51.619 Paul was doing, 00:18:51.739 --> 00:18:52.159 but I think 00:18:52.159 --> 00:18:53.099 what seems likely 00:18:53.099 --> 00:18:54.059 is that he just 00:18:54.059 --> 00:18:55.179 retreats, 00:18:55.779 --> 00:18:57.399 which means 00:18:57.399 --> 00:18:58.219 that he goes away 00:18:58.219 --> 00:18:58.899 for a time of 00:18:58.899 --> 00:18:59.479 solitude 00:18:59.479 --> 00:19:00.699 and reflection. 00:19:01.019 --> 00:19:01.239 Paul, 00:19:01.839 --> 00:19:02.659 Jesus has just 00:19:02.659 --> 00:19:03.699 turned Paul's world 00:19:03.699 --> 00:19:05.319 completely upside down, 00:19:05.479 --> 00:19:06.159 inside out, 00:19:06.259 --> 00:19:06.939 back to front. 00:19:07.239 --> 00:19:08.079 He's got to get away 00:19:08.079 --> 00:19:09.119 just to think 00:19:09.119 --> 00:19:10.299 about everything 00:19:10.299 --> 00:19:11.279 that's gone on. 00:19:11.279 --> 00:19:12.559 And yet, 00:19:12.779 --> 00:19:14.379 after three years, 00:19:14.519 --> 00:19:15.220 verse 18, 00:19:16.299 --> 00:19:16.980 he goes up 00:19:16.980 --> 00:19:17.779 to Jerusalem, 00:19:18.579 --> 00:19:19.660 where he spends 00:19:19.660 --> 00:19:21.019 15 days 00:19:21.019 --> 00:19:22.319 with Peter. 00:19:22.420 --> 00:19:22.519 Now, 00:19:22.559 --> 00:19:23.259 I would have loved 00:19:23.259 --> 00:19:23.920 to have been a fly 00:19:23.920 --> 00:19:24.319 on the wall 00:19:24.319 --> 00:19:25.259 in that conversation. 00:19:26.920 --> 00:19:27.299 Clearly, 00:19:27.399 --> 00:19:27.960 they're not talking 00:19:27.960 --> 00:19:28.799 about the weather 00:19:28.799 --> 00:19:31.059 when they get together, 00:19:31.160 --> 00:19:32.139 but here's the point 00:19:32.139 --> 00:19:33.319 of all of this. 00:19:34.660 --> 00:19:36.420 If the accusation 00:19:36.420 --> 00:19:37.379 against Paul 00:19:37.379 --> 00:19:38.980 was that he 00:19:38.980 --> 00:19:40.000 nicked his gospel 00:19:40.000 --> 00:19:40.740 from others, 00:19:41.279 --> 00:19:42.119 but a four 00:19:42.119 --> 00:19:43.079 attempting to 00:19:43.079 --> 00:19:44.000 plagiarize it 00:19:44.000 --> 00:19:44.980 and pass it off 00:19:44.980 --> 00:19:45.940 as his own, 00:19:47.639 --> 00:19:49.799 15 days. 00:19:51.440 --> 00:19:52.420 15 days. 00:19:52.920 --> 00:19:54.059 Why is that significant? 00:19:54.200 --> 00:19:54.299 Well, 00:19:54.319 --> 00:19:55.099 they say it takes 00:19:55.099 --> 00:19:56.759 20,000 00:19:56.759 --> 00:19:58.920 to 25,000 00:19:58.920 --> 00:19:59.259 hours 00:19:59.259 --> 00:19:59.740 to truly 00:19:59.740 --> 00:20:00.579 master a subject. 00:20:00.799 --> 00:20:01.039 Have you heard 00:20:01.039 --> 00:20:01.440 of that one? 00:20:02.200 --> 00:20:03.019 20,000 00:20:03.019 --> 00:20:04.839 to 25,000 00:20:04.839 --> 00:20:05.059 hours 00:20:05.059 --> 00:20:05.480 to truly 00:20:05.480 --> 00:20:06.279 master a subject. 00:20:06.379 --> 00:20:06.879 Even to write 00:20:06.879 --> 00:20:07.579 a dissertation, 00:20:07.799 --> 00:20:08.759 it takes you students, 00:20:08.879 --> 00:20:09.019 what, 00:20:09.099 --> 00:20:09.839 18 months 00:20:09.839 --> 00:20:10.480 to do that? 00:20:11.279 --> 00:20:12.980 No way 00:20:12.980 --> 00:20:14.039 was 15 days 00:20:14.039 --> 00:20:14.680 long enough 00:20:14.680 --> 00:20:15.220 for Peter 00:20:15.220 --> 00:20:16.019 to give Paul 00:20:16.019 --> 00:20:16.920 a crash course 00:20:16.920 --> 00:20:17.599 in the gospel 00:20:17.599 --> 00:20:18.680 and the whole 00:20:18.680 --> 00:20:20.180 framework of doctrinal 00:20:20.180 --> 00:20:21.039 thinking that goes 00:20:21.039 --> 00:20:21.579 around it. 00:20:21.700 --> 00:20:22.420 Can he do that 00:20:22.420 --> 00:20:23.279 in 15 days? 00:20:24.480 --> 00:20:25.500 And yet, 00:20:26.119 --> 00:20:27.339 15 days 00:20:27.339 --> 00:20:28.680 is long enough 00:20:28.680 --> 00:20:29.879 for both Peter 00:20:29.879 --> 00:20:30.559 and Paul 00:20:30.559 --> 00:20:31.299 to realize 00:20:31.299 --> 00:20:31.859 that they were 00:20:31.859 --> 00:20:32.279 preaching 00:20:32.279 --> 00:20:34.379 the same gospel. 00:20:34.380 --> 00:20:34.440 gospel. 00:20:36.920 --> 00:20:37.860 Not in a great 00:20:37.860 --> 00:20:38.520 minds think 00:20:38.520 --> 00:20:38.880 alike 00:20:38.880 --> 00:20:39.460 kind of way, 00:20:39.580 --> 00:20:40.060 not in a 00:20:40.060 --> 00:20:40.600 what a lovely 00:20:40.600 --> 00:20:41.200 coincidence 00:20:41.200 --> 00:20:41.980 kind of way. 00:20:42.320 --> 00:20:42.420 No, 00:20:42.480 --> 00:20:42.800 this is 00:20:42.800 --> 00:20:43.820 same source 00:20:43.820 --> 00:20:44.520 equals 00:20:44.520 --> 00:20:46.220 same gospel. 00:20:47.380 --> 00:20:48.040 And this 00:20:48.040 --> 00:20:48.420 takes me 00:20:48.420 --> 00:20:49.200 to root two 00:20:49.200 --> 00:20:50.240 really quick 00:20:50.240 --> 00:20:51.840 fire bits 00:20:51.840 --> 00:20:52.700 of application 00:20:52.700 --> 00:20:53.320 for us. 00:20:53.420 --> 00:20:53.880 Here's number 00:20:53.880 --> 00:20:54.260 one. 00:20:57.840 --> 00:20:58.380 Friends, 00:20:58.600 --> 00:20:59.080 number one, 00:20:59.160 --> 00:20:59.660 don't doubt 00:20:59.660 --> 00:21:00.279 the reliability 00:21:00.279 --> 00:21:01.180 of the gospel. 00:21:03.620 --> 00:21:04.660 As we have it 00:21:04.660 --> 00:21:05.200 in the Bible, 00:21:05.340 --> 00:21:05.880 don't doubt 00:21:05.880 --> 00:21:06.560 the reliability 00:21:06.560 --> 00:21:07.820 of the gospel. 00:21:08.000 --> 00:21:08.620 I love, 00:21:09.800 --> 00:21:10.440 and you'll notice 00:21:10.440 --> 00:21:11.220 I've gone at pains 00:21:11.220 --> 00:21:11.759 to point out 00:21:11.759 --> 00:21:12.540 all the little 00:21:12.540 --> 00:21:13.300 details there. 00:21:13.400 --> 00:21:14.460 I love all the 00:21:14.460 --> 00:21:15.279 details that we 00:21:15.279 --> 00:21:15.759 get here. 00:21:15.900 --> 00:21:16.840 15 days, 00:21:17.240 --> 00:21:17.720 Arabia, 00:21:18.300 --> 00:21:18.640 Peter, 00:21:18.900 --> 00:21:19.320 so we get 00:21:19.320 --> 00:21:20.580 the timeline, 00:21:20.920 --> 00:21:21.640 we get the places, 00:21:21.840 --> 00:21:22.620 we get the people. 00:21:23.120 --> 00:21:23.320 Do you know 00:21:23.320 --> 00:21:23.900 I love that? 00:21:24.940 --> 00:21:25.640 That the Bible 00:21:25.640 --> 00:21:26.880 isn't full of people 00:21:26.880 --> 00:21:27.940 speaking in riddles 00:21:27.940 --> 00:21:28.820 wrapped in myths 00:21:28.819 --> 00:21:30.279 presented in enigmas. 00:21:31.359 --> 00:21:32.839 It is real places, 00:21:33.039 --> 00:21:33.720 real people, 00:21:33.960 --> 00:21:34.599 real history. 00:21:34.740 --> 00:21:35.579 I love how 00:21:35.579 --> 00:21:36.419 earthy 00:21:36.419 --> 00:21:37.500 a book 00:21:37.500 --> 00:21:38.399 the Bible 00:21:38.399 --> 00:21:39.399 is. 00:21:40.419 --> 00:21:41.139 What are these 00:21:41.139 --> 00:21:41.720 false teachers 00:21:41.720 --> 00:21:42.359 trying to do 00:21:42.359 --> 00:21:43.099 here with Paul? 00:21:43.220 --> 00:21:43.539 They're trying to 00:21:43.539 --> 00:21:44.439 drive a wedge 00:21:44.439 --> 00:21:45.179 between what 00:21:45.179 --> 00:21:46.059 he is saying 00:21:46.059 --> 00:21:47.599 and what God 00:21:47.599 --> 00:21:48.079 is saying. 00:21:48.960 --> 00:21:50.139 To relegate 00:21:50.139 --> 00:21:51.179 him from 00:21:51.179 --> 00:21:52.359 primary source 00:21:52.359 --> 00:21:54.000 to secondary 00:21:54.000 --> 00:21:54.599 source. 00:21:55.240 --> 00:21:55.639 From 00:21:55.639 --> 00:21:56.279 authoritative 00:21:56.279 --> 00:21:56.859 teaching 00:21:56.859 --> 00:21:58.500 to opinion 00:21:58.500 --> 00:21:59.019 peace. 00:22:02.079 --> 00:22:02.559 Friends, 00:22:02.579 --> 00:22:02.899 what we can 00:22:02.899 --> 00:22:03.419 take from this 00:22:03.419 --> 00:22:03.699 today, 00:22:03.819 --> 00:22:04.379 all these little 00:22:04.379 --> 00:22:04.799 details, 00:22:04.919 --> 00:22:05.139 is really 00:22:05.139 --> 00:22:06.000 simply this. 00:22:06.359 --> 00:22:06.919 The gospel 00:22:06.919 --> 00:22:07.339 that has 00:22:07.339 --> 00:22:08.119 come to us 00:22:08.119 --> 00:22:09.179 via Paul 00:22:09.179 --> 00:22:09.919 all those 00:22:09.919 --> 00:22:10.459 years ago 00:22:10.459 --> 00:22:12.039 is legit. 00:22:14.279 --> 00:22:15.079 And I think 00:22:15.079 --> 00:22:15.419 that's the 00:22:15.419 --> 00:22:16.199 primary purpose 00:22:16.199 --> 00:22:16.779 of him doing 00:22:16.779 --> 00:22:17.139 this. 00:22:17.399 --> 00:22:17.819 You can 00:22:17.819 --> 00:22:18.979 trust my 00:22:18.979 --> 00:22:19.359 gospel. 00:22:19.500 --> 00:22:19.799 And here's 00:22:19.799 --> 00:22:20.419 number two. 00:22:21.859 --> 00:22:22.139 Friends, 00:22:22.219 --> 00:22:23.139 don't underestimate 00:22:23.140 --> 00:22:23.920 the power 00:22:23.920 --> 00:22:24.300 of your 00:22:24.300 --> 00:22:24.720 story. 00:22:26.480 --> 00:22:27.340 If you're a 00:22:27.340 --> 00:22:27.840 Christian here 00:22:27.840 --> 00:22:28.340 this morning, 00:22:28.420 --> 00:22:28.880 then you have 00:22:28.880 --> 00:22:29.340 a wonderful 00:22:29.340 --> 00:22:30.000 story to 00:22:30.000 --> 00:22:30.280 tell. 00:22:31.800 --> 00:22:32.560 It might 00:22:32.560 --> 00:22:32.860 not be 00:22:32.860 --> 00:22:33.340 dramatic, 00:22:33.740 --> 00:22:34.300 but make 00:22:34.300 --> 00:22:35.220 no mistake 00:22:35.220 --> 00:22:36.360 that every 00:22:36.360 --> 00:22:36.840 single 00:22:36.840 --> 00:22:37.460 conversion 00:22:37.460 --> 00:22:38.140 is a 00:22:38.140 --> 00:22:38.520 miracle. 00:22:41.000 --> 00:22:41.440 For do 00:22:41.440 --> 00:22:42.080 you not 00:22:42.080 --> 00:22:42.600 love the 00:22:42.600 --> 00:22:43.259 subtle yet 00:22:43.259 --> 00:22:43.759 profound 00:22:43.759 --> 00:22:44.320 way that 00:22:44.320 --> 00:22:44.800 Paul has 00:22:44.800 --> 00:22:45.200 crafted 00:22:45.200 --> 00:22:46.060 verse 24? 00:22:49.500 --> 00:22:50.220 When we 00:22:50.220 --> 00:22:50.720 think about 00:22:50.720 --> 00:22:51.259 the story 00:22:51.259 --> 00:22:51.660 that we're 00:22:51.660 --> 00:22:52.060 telling, 00:22:52.059 --> 00:22:54.139 he says, 00:22:54.259 --> 00:22:54.519 not that 00:22:54.519 --> 00:22:55.279 people praised 00:22:55.279 --> 00:22:55.879 Paul because 00:22:55.879 --> 00:22:56.519 of God. 00:22:56.819 --> 00:22:57.359 Paul's not 00:22:57.359 --> 00:22:58.099 interested in 00:22:58.099 --> 00:22:58.779 man's praise. 00:22:58.879 --> 00:22:59.200 What's he 00:22:59.200 --> 00:22:59.539 writing? 00:22:59.980 --> 00:23:00.960 People praised 00:23:00.960 --> 00:23:02.220 God because 00:23:02.220 --> 00:23:02.980 of me. 00:23:03.200 --> 00:23:04.099 That matter, 00:23:04.740 --> 00:23:05.119 order, 00:23:05.419 --> 00:23:06.700 really matters. 00:23:07.460 --> 00:23:08.259 People praised 00:23:08.259 --> 00:23:09.539 God because 00:23:09.539 --> 00:23:10.279 of me. 00:23:10.359 --> 00:23:10.679 Is that not 00:23:10.679 --> 00:23:11.179 freeing to 00:23:11.179 --> 00:23:11.679 know when we 00:23:11.679 --> 00:23:12.099 share our 00:23:12.099 --> 00:23:12.799 story that it 00:23:12.799 --> 00:23:13.539 really isn't 00:23:13.539 --> 00:23:14.519 about us? 00:23:15.879 --> 00:23:16.659 Because when 00:23:16.659 --> 00:23:17.240 it's all about 00:23:17.240 --> 00:23:17.679 Jesus, 00:23:18.240 --> 00:23:18.480 friends, 00:23:18.599 --> 00:23:19.419 the pressure's 00:23:19.419 --> 00:23:20.099 off. 00:23:22.059 --> 00:23:22.480 We can 00:23:22.480 --> 00:23:23.119 talk about 00:23:23.119 --> 00:23:23.940 our mistakes 00:23:23.940 --> 00:23:24.319 when we 00:23:24.319 --> 00:23:25.139 recognise that 00:23:25.139 --> 00:23:25.559 it's all 00:23:25.559 --> 00:23:26.299 about Jesus. 00:23:26.879 --> 00:23:27.419 We can 00:23:27.419 --> 00:23:28.000 know the 00:23:28.000 --> 00:23:28.619 freedom of 00:23:28.619 --> 00:23:29.259 talking about 00:23:29.259 --> 00:23:30.619 struggles when 00:23:30.619 --> 00:23:31.220 we know that 00:23:31.220 --> 00:23:31.980 it's all about 00:23:31.980 --> 00:23:32.659 Jesus. 00:23:35.299 --> 00:23:36.179 Because Jesus 00:23:36.179 --> 00:23:36.619 is all 00:23:36.619 --> 00:23:37.119 sufficient. 00:23:38.879 --> 00:23:39.359 Friends, 00:23:39.399 --> 00:23:39.819 you've got a 00:23:39.819 --> 00:23:40.299 story to 00:23:40.299 --> 00:23:40.639 tell. 00:23:41.639 --> 00:23:42.379 A story that's 00:23:42.379 --> 00:23:42.819 all about 00:23:42.819 --> 00:23:43.099 him. 00:23:43.359 --> 00:23:44.000 How many of 00:23:44.000 --> 00:23:44.440 us became 00:23:44.440 --> 00:23:45.139 Christians through 00:23:45.139 --> 00:23:45.639 the personal 00:23:45.639 --> 00:23:46.399 story of a 00:23:46.399 --> 00:23:46.659 friend? 00:23:47.919 --> 00:23:48.659 I'd imagine 00:23:48.659 --> 00:23:49.119 it's probably 00:23:49.119 --> 00:23:50.119 about 90% 00:23:50.119 --> 00:23:50.659 of us, 00:23:50.719 --> 00:23:50.939 right? 00:23:52.659 --> 00:23:53.479 Couple that 00:23:53.479 --> 00:23:53.819 with the 00:23:53.819 --> 00:23:54.239 fact that 00:23:54.239 --> 00:23:54.719 according to 00:23:54.719 --> 00:23:55.079 the recent 00:23:55.079 --> 00:23:55.679 stats in 00:23:55.679 --> 00:23:56.599 the quiet 00:23:56.599 --> 00:23:57.519 revival paper 00:23:57.519 --> 00:23:57.959 that's just 00:23:57.959 --> 00:23:58.639 been produced, 00:23:59.919 --> 00:24:01.239 that 34%, 00:24:01.239 --> 00:24:01.839 that's over 00:24:01.839 --> 00:24:02.619 one in three 00:24:02.619 --> 00:24:03.979 non-church-going 00:24:03.979 --> 00:24:05.119 18 to 24 00:24:05.119 --> 00:24:05.859 year olds, 00:24:06.619 --> 00:24:07.239 albeit in 00:24:07.239 --> 00:24:07.699 England and 00:24:07.699 --> 00:24:08.059 Wales, 00:24:08.500 --> 00:24:09.139 say that they 00:24:09.139 --> 00:24:09.659 would attend 00:24:09.659 --> 00:24:10.259 church if 00:24:10.259 --> 00:24:11.119 invited by a 00:24:11.119 --> 00:24:11.419 friend. 00:24:13.099 --> 00:24:13.619 See the 00:24:13.619 --> 00:24:14.239 combination of 00:24:14.239 --> 00:24:14.739 the two of 00:24:14.739 --> 00:24:15.279 those things. 00:24:15.419 --> 00:24:16.179 Can I suggest 00:24:16.179 --> 00:24:16.579 that there's 00:24:16.579 --> 00:24:17.359 never been a 00:24:17.359 --> 00:24:18.159 better time 00:24:18.160 --> 00:24:19.840 for us to 00:24:19.840 --> 00:24:20.920 tell our 00:24:20.920 --> 00:24:21.420 story? 00:24:23.220 --> 00:24:23.600 Friends, 00:24:23.680 --> 00:24:24.600 don't underestimate 00:24:24.600 --> 00:24:25.519 what God can 00:24:25.519 --> 00:24:26.300 do through the 00:24:26.300 --> 00:24:27.440 simple stories 00:24:27.440 --> 00:24:28.640 that show that 00:24:28.640 --> 00:24:29.279 you and I 00:24:29.279 --> 00:24:30.019 are wholly 00:24:30.019 --> 00:24:31.100 and joyfully, 00:24:31.580 --> 00:24:32.720 totally dependent 00:24:32.720 --> 00:24:34.060 on Jesus. 00:24:37.180 --> 00:24:38.279 Really simple 00:24:38.279 --> 00:24:39.180 lives that leave 00:24:39.180 --> 00:24:39.980 people asking, 00:24:40.980 --> 00:24:42.519 how on earth 00:24:42.519 --> 00:24:43.240 do you explain 00:24:43.240 --> 00:24:43.540 that? 00:24:45.220 --> 00:24:46.019 I'll just tell you 00:24:46.019 --> 00:24:46.300 something that 00:24:46.300 --> 00:24:46.700 happened to me 00:24:46.700 --> 00:24:47.519 recently and this 00:24:47.519 --> 00:24:48.160 passage made 00:24:48.160 --> 00:24:49.480 me think of 00:24:49.480 --> 00:24:49.700 it. 00:24:52.839 --> 00:24:53.500 Just as we 00:24:53.500 --> 00:24:53.879 close, you 00:24:53.879 --> 00:24:54.220 know, Alex 00:24:54.220 --> 00:24:54.519 and I had 00:24:54.519 --> 00:24:54.980 dinner with my 00:24:54.980 --> 00:24:55.740 friend Class 00:24:55.740 --> 00:24:56.220 and his wife 00:24:56.220 --> 00:24:56.900 Beth a few 00:24:56.900 --> 00:24:57.480 weeks back. 00:24:58.460 --> 00:24:58.879 They used to 00:24:58.879 --> 00:24:59.240 be part of 00:24:59.240 --> 00:24:59.639 this church 00:24:59.639 --> 00:25:00.680 family about 00:25:00.680 --> 00:25:02.319 10, over 00:25:02.319 --> 00:25:03.220 10 years ago 00:25:03.220 --> 00:25:04.240 and they moved 00:25:04.240 --> 00:25:04.539 out to 00:25:04.539 --> 00:25:05.079 Wallyford and 00:25:05.079 --> 00:25:05.519 are now part 00:25:05.519 --> 00:25:06.000 of Wallyford 00:25:06.000 --> 00:25:06.839 Community Church. 00:25:07.059 --> 00:25:07.819 When I first 00:25:07.819 --> 00:25:08.480 met Class 00:25:08.480 --> 00:25:09.220 in this church, 00:25:09.480 --> 00:25:10.200 he wasn't a 00:25:10.200 --> 00:25:10.519 Christian. 00:25:12.460 --> 00:25:13.019 Respectful, I 00:25:13.019 --> 00:25:13.740 think, but 00:25:13.740 --> 00:25:14.599 sceptical. 00:25:14.720 --> 00:25:15.519 Had a lot of 00:25:15.519 --> 00:25:16.019 questions. 00:25:16.019 --> 00:25:17.240 And all of 00:25:17.240 --> 00:25:18.099 our chat used 00:25:18.099 --> 00:25:18.660 to be about 00:25:18.660 --> 00:25:19.700 career, houses 00:25:19.700 --> 00:25:20.420 and stakes. 00:25:20.539 --> 00:25:20.900 Loved his 00:25:20.900 --> 00:25:21.180 stake. 00:25:21.240 --> 00:25:21.660 I love my 00:25:21.660 --> 00:25:21.920 stake. 00:25:22.000 --> 00:25:22.240 We always 00:25:22.240 --> 00:25:22.720 used to talk 00:25:22.720 --> 00:25:23.299 about stakes. 00:25:24.639 --> 00:25:25.500 He becomes 00:25:25.500 --> 00:25:26.160 a Christian. 00:25:28.180 --> 00:25:28.980 Long story 00:25:28.980 --> 00:25:29.700 short, when I 00:25:29.700 --> 00:25:31.480 saw him a 00:25:31.480 --> 00:25:32.059 few weeks 00:25:32.059 --> 00:25:33.720 ago, his 00:25:33.720 --> 00:25:34.339 plate is 00:25:34.339 --> 00:25:36.220 full, right? 00:25:36.680 --> 00:25:37.879 We, full of 00:25:37.879 --> 00:25:39.220 career, pressures 00:25:39.220 --> 00:25:40.200 at work, full of 00:25:40.200 --> 00:25:41.200 kids and all the 00:25:41.200 --> 00:25:42.099 things that are 00:25:42.099 --> 00:25:42.799 going on there. 00:25:42.799 --> 00:25:44.460 all the things 00:25:44.460 --> 00:25:44.899 that we could 00:25:44.899 --> 00:25:45.279 have talked 00:25:45.279 --> 00:25:45.619 about. 00:25:46.980 --> 00:25:47.940 All he wanted 00:25:47.940 --> 00:25:48.680 to talk about 00:25:48.680 --> 00:25:49.019 was the 00:25:49.019 --> 00:25:49.359 gospel. 00:25:52.220 --> 00:25:52.779 And his 00:25:52.779 --> 00:25:53.519 desire to 00:25:53.519 --> 00:25:54.259 witness at 00:25:54.259 --> 00:25:54.639 work. 00:25:56.359 --> 00:25:56.919 And his 00:25:56.919 --> 00:25:57.980 concern for a 00:25:57.980 --> 00:25:58.319 friend. 00:25:59.519 --> 00:25:59.879 And his 00:25:59.879 --> 00:26:00.980 desire to be a 00:26:00.980 --> 00:26:01.740 good and godly 00:26:01.740 --> 00:26:02.399 dad who loved 00:26:02.399 --> 00:26:02.960 his kids and 00:26:02.960 --> 00:26:03.460 brought them up 00:26:03.460 --> 00:26:04.119 in the faith. 00:26:05.379 --> 00:26:05.720 And his 00:26:05.720 --> 00:26:06.559 church family, 00:26:06.700 --> 00:26:07.240 about how God 00:26:07.240 --> 00:26:07.839 is at work 00:26:07.839 --> 00:26:08.359 there and how 00:26:08.359 --> 00:26:09.359 God is providing 00:26:09.359 --> 00:26:10.799 miraculously for 00:26:10.799 --> 00:26:11.099 them. 00:26:11.099 --> 00:26:11.459 And all the 00:26:11.459 --> 00:26:11.819 people that 00:26:11.819 --> 00:26:12.159 are coming 00:26:12.159 --> 00:26:12.579 in from the 00:26:12.579 --> 00:26:13.219 outside, the 00:26:13.219 --> 00:26:13.759 impact they 00:26:13.759 --> 00:26:14.219 want to make 00:26:14.219 --> 00:26:14.919 on the 00:26:14.919 --> 00:26:15.359 community. 00:26:15.799 --> 00:26:16.519 And see at a 00:26:16.519 --> 00:26:16.959 time when I 00:26:16.959 --> 00:26:17.500 was feeling a 00:26:17.500 --> 00:26:20.899 bit flat, wow, 00:26:20.980 --> 00:26:21.439 that was just 00:26:21.439 --> 00:26:21.939 what I needed. 00:26:24.279 --> 00:26:25.059 And here's what 00:26:25.059 --> 00:26:25.759 I thought as I 00:26:25.759 --> 00:26:26.319 looked at him and 00:26:26.319 --> 00:26:27.059 as I listened to 00:26:27.059 --> 00:26:27.339 him. 00:26:27.740 --> 00:26:28.339 And I thought 00:26:28.339 --> 00:26:29.279 about the class 00:26:29.279 --> 00:26:29.919 that I first 00:26:29.919 --> 00:26:31.559 knew ten years 00:26:31.559 --> 00:26:31.959 ago. 00:26:34.519 --> 00:26:35.240 Only the 00:26:35.240 --> 00:26:37.219 gospel, as 00:26:37.219 --> 00:26:38.199 through it Jesus 00:26:38.199 --> 00:26:39.139 grips the 00:26:39.139 --> 00:26:40.240 lives of people 00:26:40.240 --> 00:26:41.940 deep down 00:26:41.940 --> 00:26:43.059 inwardly through 00:26:43.059 --> 00:26:43.640 the Spirit. 00:26:45.740 --> 00:26:46.720 Only God 00:26:46.720 --> 00:26:47.440 could do that. 00:26:49.099 --> 00:26:49.859 What else 00:26:49.859 --> 00:26:50.720 explains it? 00:26:50.779 --> 00:26:51.519 The gospel that 00:26:51.519 --> 00:26:52.559 came to Paul and 00:26:52.559 --> 00:26:53.859 transformed Paul and 00:26:53.859 --> 00:26:54.660 has preached to the 00:26:54.660 --> 00:26:55.680 Gentiles, went to 00:26:55.680 --> 00:26:56.539 the nations, has 00:26:56.539 --> 00:26:57.559 come to us. 00:26:58.859 --> 00:27:00.000 How else do you 00:27:00.000 --> 00:27:00.779 explain it? 00:27:01.519 --> 00:27:02.220 I'll tell you how 00:27:02.220 --> 00:27:03.000 you explain it. 00:27:03.259 --> 00:27:05.220 This gospel is 00:27:05.220 --> 00:27:05.720 legit. 00:27:05.720 --> 00:27:08.039 Father, we 00:27:08.039 --> 00:27:09.079 simply pray this 00:27:09.079 --> 00:27:12.180 morning, as your 00:27:12.180 --> 00:27:12.980 word continues to 00:27:12.980 --> 00:27:13.460 work in our 00:27:13.460 --> 00:27:14.279 lives, we pray 00:27:14.279 --> 00:27:15.019 Lord that what we 00:27:15.019 --> 00:27:16.960 see not, you 00:27:16.960 --> 00:27:17.740 would show us. 00:27:20.440 --> 00:27:21.460 Father, what we 00:27:21.460 --> 00:27:23.500 have not, you 00:27:23.500 --> 00:27:24.140 would give us. 00:27:26.140 --> 00:27:27.160 And what we are 00:27:27.160 --> 00:27:28.319 not, you would 00:27:28.319 --> 00:27:28.900 make us. 00:27:28.900 --> 00:27:31.600 Father, thank you 00:27:31.600 --> 00:27:32.920 for your love 00:27:32.920 --> 00:27:34.120 for us. 00:27:35.160 --> 00:27:35.960 And we thank you 00:27:35.960 --> 00:27:36.640 that we can trust 00:27:36.640 --> 00:27:37.500 this gospel that 00:27:37.500 --> 00:27:38.600 has come to us. 00:27:40.840 --> 00:27:41.820 Father, we thank you 00:27:41.820 --> 00:27:42.280 that you are the 00:27:42.280 --> 00:27:42.900 God who is in the 00:27:42.900 --> 00:27:43.940 business through the 00:27:43.940 --> 00:27:45.519 gospel, through the 00:27:45.519 --> 00:27:46.380 Lord Jesus, through 00:27:46.380 --> 00:27:47.160 your spirit of giving 00:27:47.160 --> 00:27:47.620 life. 00:27:48.200 --> 00:27:48.860 And so Lord, I pray 00:27:48.860 --> 00:27:49.320 that you would just 00:27:49.320 --> 00:27:50.120 be with us as we 00:27:50.120 --> 00:27:50.860 finish our time 00:27:50.860 --> 00:27:51.280 together. 00:27:51.860 --> 00:27:52.440 Lord, that these 00:27:52.440 --> 00:27:53.460 truths really would 00:27:53.460 --> 00:27:55.000 grip us inwardly. 00:27:55.860 --> 00:27:56.540 And so Father, we 00:27:56.540 --> 00:27:57.240 thank you for your 00:27:57.240 --> 00:27:58.019 grace to us and we 00:27:58.019 --> 00:27:58.660 pray all of these 00:27:58.660 --> 00:27:59.379 things in Jesus' 00:27:59.619 --> 00:27:59.859 name. 00:28:00.480 --> 00:28:00.839 Amen.