WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:18.800 All right, so today we're going to hear of Acts 13. 00:00:19.719 --> 00:00:23.960 It's not the central chapter in the book of Acts, but it's definitely a central chapter. 00:00:23.960 --> 00:00:30.880 So the book of Acts as a whole is Luke's account of how Christ continued to work in the world 00:00:30.880 --> 00:00:36.420 through the divine person of the Holy Spirit and through the body of which he is the head, 00:00:36.740 --> 00:00:38.160 that is, the church. 00:00:38.880 --> 00:00:46.040 So this saga begins in Jerusalem and extends to Judea and to Samaria, but these are still 00:00:46.040 --> 00:00:47.500 largely Jewish areas. 00:00:48.179 --> 00:00:51.420 Gentile expansion is sporadic at best. 00:00:51.420 --> 00:00:57.520 But here, Paul and Barnabas are set apart for that work, which is really good news for 00:00:57.520 --> 00:00:59.660 all of us who happen to be Gentiles. 00:01:00.060 --> 00:01:02.660 That is not Jewish, those of us who are not Jewish. 00:01:03.380 --> 00:01:06.900 So let's read Acts 13, 1 to 12 together. 00:01:07.079 --> 00:01:09.579 This is on page 921 in your pew Bibles. 00:01:13.760 --> 00:01:15.900 Page 921. 00:01:15.900 --> 00:01:22.520 And it reads as follows. 00:01:24.000 --> 00:01:30.980 Now there were in the church at Antioch prophets and teachers, Barnabas, Simeon, who was called 00:01:30.980 --> 00:01:39.140 Niger, Lucius of Cyrene, Mannaan, a lifelong friend of Herod the Tetrarch, and Saul. 00:01:39.140 --> 00:01:46.280 While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, set apart for me Barnabas 00:01:46.280 --> 00:01:49.120 and Saul for the work to which I have called them. 00:01:49.960 --> 00:01:54.359 Then, after fasting and praying, they laid their hands on them and sent them off. 00:01:55.519 --> 00:02:01.719 So, being sent out by the Holy Spirit, they went down to Seleucia, and from there they 00:02:01.719 --> 00:02:02.780 sailed to Cyprus. 00:02:02.780 --> 00:02:08.520 When they arrived at Salamis, they proclaimed the word of God in the synagogues of the Jews, 00:02:08.740 --> 00:02:10.759 and they had John to assist them. 00:02:11.539 --> 00:02:16.240 When they had gone through the whole island as far as Paphos, they came upon a certain 00:02:16.240 --> 00:02:19.659 magician, a Jewish false prophet named Bar-Jesus. 00:02:20.900 --> 00:02:27.060 He was with the proconsul, Sergius Paulus, a man of intelligence, who summoned Barnabas and 00:02:27.060 --> 00:02:29.379 Saul and sought to hear the word of God. 00:02:29.379 --> 00:02:37.500 But Elamas the magician, for that is the meaning of his name, opposed them, seeking to turn the 00:02:37.500 --> 00:02:39.659 proconsul away from the faith. 00:02:40.680 --> 00:02:47.340 But Saul, who is also called Paul, filled with the Holy Spirit, looked intently at him and 00:02:47.340 --> 00:02:54.699 said, you son of the devil, you enemy of all righteousness, full of all deceit and villainy, 00:02:54.699 --> 00:02:59.359 will you not stop making crooked the straight paths of the Lord? 00:03:00.219 --> 00:03:06.399 And now, behold, the hand of the Lord is upon you, and you will be blind and unable to see the sun 00:03:06.399 --> 00:03:07.099 for a time. 00:03:08.299 --> 00:03:14.079 Immediately, mist and darkness fell upon him, and he went about seeking people to lead him by the hand. 00:03:14.080 --> 00:03:23.300 Then, the proconsul believed when he saw what had occurred, for he was astonished at the teaching 00:03:23.300 --> 00:03:24.700 of the Lord. 00:03:26.780 --> 00:03:32.340 So last Sunday, we celebrated communion, where we all partook of the body and blood of Christ 00:03:32.340 --> 00:03:33.360 as a church. 00:03:34.080 --> 00:03:38.280 My prayer is that this church never stops using crunchy bread. 00:03:38.280 --> 00:03:45.800 Along with singing together, the collective crunch when we chew the crackers is a reminder 00:03:45.800 --> 00:03:50.520 that when we gather, on Sundays especially, we gather as a body. 00:03:51.479 --> 00:03:54.379 It's that function of the church that I want to focus on today. 00:03:55.520 --> 00:04:00.139 So I want to try something that many of you probably haven't done before. 00:04:01.060 --> 00:04:06.060 So in the churches that I was in growing up, sometimes the pastor would ask the congregation 00:04:06.060 --> 00:04:10.759 to turn to their neighbor and say something, often the theme of the sermon. 00:04:11.640 --> 00:04:17.220 So I will ask the same of you to remind us all that we gather to hear the sermon not just as a lecture, 00:04:17.939 --> 00:04:20.879 but as a collective body feeding on the Word of God. 00:04:21.720 --> 00:04:24.180 So first step, you have to identify your neighbor. 00:04:24.319 --> 00:04:27.560 So it's either someone to your left, to your right, in front, or in back of you. 00:04:28.040 --> 00:04:30.079 So first step, identify that neighbor. 00:04:33.519 --> 00:04:33.920 Okay? 00:04:33.920 --> 00:04:34.000 Okay? 00:04:36.060 --> 00:04:38.980 Sounds like neighbors have been identified. 00:04:39.300 --> 00:04:44.160 So I want you to turn to your neighbor and say, neighbor. 00:04:49.560 --> 00:04:50.680 So three sentences. 00:04:51.220 --> 00:04:54.740 I don't want to be a helicopter believer. 00:05:00.519 --> 00:05:01.360 Second sentence. 00:05:01.360 --> 00:05:01.540 Second sentence. 00:05:02.319 --> 00:05:05.520 You don't want me to be a helicopter believer. 00:05:05.980 --> 00:05:08.740 You don't want me to be a helicopter believer. 00:05:09.740 --> 00:05:11.040 And third sentence. 00:05:11.639 --> 00:05:14.960 Please help me not to be a helicopter believer. 00:05:15.800 --> 00:05:18.020 You don't want me to be a helicopter believer. 00:05:18.740 --> 00:05:19.300 See? 00:05:19.420 --> 00:05:20.780 That wasn't so bad, was it? 00:05:21.560 --> 00:05:25.720 So, to explain that, I'm going to need two big points from this text. 00:05:25.720 --> 00:05:29.520 First, the church is a community on mission. 00:05:29.960 --> 00:05:33.720 Meaning it's a community that has been sent by God into the world. 00:05:34.440 --> 00:05:36.400 And it is a community of commission. 00:05:37.020 --> 00:05:40.240 Meaning each of us, if we've been united to Christ by faith, 00:05:40.660 --> 00:05:44.420 has been sent by God into the world, and he continues to send us. 00:05:45.020 --> 00:05:46.080 So that's our first thing. 00:05:46.180 --> 00:05:47.160 The nature of the church. 00:05:47.420 --> 00:05:51.240 That we've been sent both as individuals and as a community. 00:05:51.240 --> 00:05:53.319 Point two. 00:05:54.460 --> 00:05:57.480 We're sent not into a world that's full of rainbows and puppies 00:05:57.480 --> 00:05:59.460 that are ready to hug us at every turn. 00:05:59.920 --> 00:06:02.879 But rather, a world that is hostile to us. 00:06:03.319 --> 00:06:06.680 And especially to the one whom we bear witness to. 00:06:07.600 --> 00:06:10.400 So the second point is the nature of our Christian task. 00:06:11.379 --> 00:06:15.199 So I say these things, obviously, not to scare us, but to encourage us. 00:06:15.480 --> 00:06:19.280 Because the resources that the Lord has given us are more than sufficient. 00:06:19.279 --> 00:06:21.619 So let's get back to the text. 00:06:22.239 --> 00:06:23.439 It begins in Antioch. 00:06:23.699 --> 00:06:25.539 The new central office of the church. 00:06:25.899 --> 00:06:28.119 Where the disciples were first called Christians. 00:06:29.359 --> 00:06:30.179 Verses one to four. 00:06:30.619 --> 00:06:31.799 You have the prophets and teachers. 00:06:32.539 --> 00:06:35.399 And they're worshiping the Lord and fasting. 00:06:36.439 --> 00:06:38.559 Now the first thing to know, which we see in verse one. 00:06:39.079 --> 00:06:43.479 Is the diversity and abundance of prophets and teachers in the church. 00:06:44.059 --> 00:06:45.279 You have Barnabas, the encourager. 00:06:45.279 --> 00:06:49.659 You have Simeon, who's most likely from Africa, as his nickname suggests. 00:06:50.339 --> 00:06:53.719 You have Manan, who's a foster brother of Herod the Tetrarch. 00:06:53.779 --> 00:06:55.319 He grew up with Herod the Tetrarch. 00:06:56.019 --> 00:06:58.039 And this is the same Herod of the Gospels, 00:06:58.179 --> 00:07:01.719 who was involved in the deaths of John the Baptist and of Jesus himself. 00:07:02.679 --> 00:07:05.339 So Manan grew up with royalty. 00:07:06.299 --> 00:07:09.719 But now he's standing with the church, facing bitter opposition. 00:07:09.720 --> 00:07:13.200 You have Lucius from a city in northern Africa. 00:07:13.980 --> 00:07:18.620 And you have Saul, the former Jewish pharisaical superstar. 00:07:19.160 --> 00:07:21.460 Persecutor of Christians turned evangelist. 00:07:22.380 --> 00:07:29.240 Think of this as similar to having the Avengers, Earth's Mightiest Heroes, at one church. 00:07:29.240 --> 00:07:34.079 And this makes verse two a little bit more surprising. 00:07:34.460 --> 00:07:39.100 Because when the church is ministering to the Lord, probably praying and fasting, 00:07:39.540 --> 00:07:40.900 the Holy Spirit speaks. 00:07:41.740 --> 00:07:46.620 Now we don't know if this was a voice from above or the still small voice that the believers are hearing. 00:07:46.759 --> 00:07:49.259 But however it happened, the message was clear. 00:07:50.439 --> 00:07:50.939 Verse two. 00:07:51.900 --> 00:07:57.220 Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them. 00:07:57.220 --> 00:08:00.720 So basically, the Holy Spirit says, 00:08:01.300 --> 00:08:04.060 your two best teachers, I've got another work for them, 00:08:04.380 --> 00:08:06.080 miles away in the middle of the sea. 00:08:07.320 --> 00:08:10.620 So not only was this probably a little weird for Paul and Barnabas, 00:08:10.680 --> 00:08:12.460 but it must have been tough for the congregation. 00:08:13.320 --> 00:08:16.720 When you've got great gifted people in your congregation, you want to keep them. 00:08:17.680 --> 00:08:18.980 But this is our first point. 00:08:19.960 --> 00:08:23.060 The church is a community on mission. 00:08:23.940 --> 00:08:25.020 And what is that mission? 00:08:25.019 --> 00:08:30.659 Well, according to Christ, it is to go out into the world and make disciples of all nations. 00:08:31.599 --> 00:08:34.879 Note, disciples, not just converts. 00:08:35.980 --> 00:08:41.840 The goal is to train up learners in order to send them out into every sphere of human life. 00:08:42.879 --> 00:08:48.639 So in that sense, the most important indicator of church growth is spiritual maturity. 00:08:48.639 --> 00:08:55.740 And so it's in the following verse that we have an act of the church that shows this kind of maturity. 00:08:56.639 --> 00:08:58.980 The word has been spoken in a clear way. 00:08:59.720 --> 00:09:01.639 And verse three is the church's response. 00:09:02.500 --> 00:09:06.500 It says, when they had fasted and prayed and laid their hands on them, 00:09:07.179 --> 00:09:08.519 they sent them away. 00:09:08.519 --> 00:09:12.340 The church is a place of commission. 00:09:13.340 --> 00:09:17.679 Meaning the church is meant to send people out, not just keep people in. 00:09:18.819 --> 00:09:22.840 We see this even in the language that Luke uses to describe the twelve disciples. 00:09:23.460 --> 00:09:28.159 Throughout the Gospels, they're called disciples because they're learning from Christ in his earthly ministry. 00:09:28.159 --> 00:09:35.240 But after Christ dies, is resurrected and ascends, the twelve are then called the apostles. 00:09:36.120 --> 00:09:38.100 Because they're those who have been sent. 00:09:39.000 --> 00:09:41.360 Emboldened and empowered by the Holy Spirit. 00:09:42.279 --> 00:09:44.500 Obviously, that doesn't mean that they stop learning. 00:09:45.059 --> 00:09:47.620 But there has been a shift in their identity. 00:09:49.759 --> 00:09:51.699 You likewise have been sent. 00:09:52.659 --> 00:09:53.480 Do you work? 00:09:54.179 --> 00:09:56.079 Your workplace is a mission field. 00:09:56.080 --> 00:09:57.960 Are you home with kids? 00:09:58.680 --> 00:10:01.240 Your children are an essential mission field. 00:10:01.920 --> 00:10:03.040 Are you in school? 00:10:04.259 --> 00:10:05.879 Students definitely need Jesus. 00:10:06.840 --> 00:10:08.800 But you have not been sent alone. 00:10:09.759 --> 00:10:11.820 This is big point number one. 00:10:12.060 --> 00:10:13.480 You're part of a new community. 00:10:13.920 --> 00:10:14.480 The church. 00:10:14.960 --> 00:10:16.440 Your local body of believers. 00:10:17.400 --> 00:10:19.600 Which brings us back to this main illustration. 00:10:19.780 --> 00:10:21.720 That thing that I told you to speak to your neighbor. 00:10:21.720 --> 00:10:26.160 I don't want to be a helicopter believer. 00:10:27.160 --> 00:10:28.440 What in the world is that? 00:10:28.540 --> 00:10:30.460 Well, let's think about a helicopter. 00:10:30.879 --> 00:10:34.180 What's distinctive about what a helicopter can do? 00:10:36.080 --> 00:10:37.019 It can hover. 00:10:38.899 --> 00:10:45.560 One of the main tactical advantages of a helicopter is that it can escape congested areas easily 00:10:45.560 --> 00:10:47.639 because it can just take off and land vertically. 00:10:47.639 --> 00:10:53.860 When you're stuck in traffic on 95 or 15, like, this is the kind of transportation that you want. 00:10:53.919 --> 00:10:56.819 You just want to lift up and roll on out. 00:10:58.759 --> 00:11:00.519 But what does that have to do with the church? 00:11:02.159 --> 00:11:08.819 Well, some of us want the versatility and the flexibility of a helicopter in our relationships. 00:11:08.820 --> 00:11:18.420 If we're in the midst of an especially hairy church conflict, maybe we would just like to lift off and rise above it. 00:11:19.080 --> 00:11:25.040 Love is too hard, so maybe we'll just hover for a little bit until things die down. 00:11:26.379 --> 00:11:31.580 Maybe you think because you're only here for a few years or a few months, setting roots would be a bad idea. 00:11:32.560 --> 00:11:37.900 Maybe you think, ah, it'll be a little too messy for me to get involved in people's lives and then have to leave. 00:11:37.899 --> 00:11:42.899 Maybe you think, ah, it'll be a little too messy for me to get involved in people's lives and then have to be a little too messy. 00:11:42.899 --> 00:11:43.939 Let's be honest. 00:11:44.059 --> 00:11:49.500 Many of us have entertained these thoughts, or perhaps we are entertaining those thoughts right now. 00:11:50.500 --> 00:11:58.740 In one way or another, we've acted like helicopters, hovering over the fray out of fear of pain, 00:11:59.439 --> 00:12:04.539 or hovering over the joy out of fear of commitment. 00:12:04.539 --> 00:12:13.219 Church, I'm here to tell you that this will not work, and it's dangerous to your spiritual health. 00:12:14.099 --> 00:12:17.139 In one sense, the church does not need air support. 00:12:18.039 --> 00:12:19.139 It needs foot soldiers. 00:12:20.039 --> 00:12:23.539 It needs Christians who are willing to guard one another in the trenches. 00:12:23.539 --> 00:12:30.539 Especially at a church like Trinity, it's easy to look at the fact that the population of the church is always shifting 00:12:30.539 --> 00:12:35.360 and to think that you won't be able to have a meaningful contribution to the community. 00:12:36.419 --> 00:12:39.939 But there is no time too short to commit to a local church. 00:12:40.539 --> 00:12:46.459 There is no time that no one in the congregation needs encouragement, prayer, a moment of hospitality, 00:12:46.460 --> 00:12:52.519 a reminder from scripture, or some other manifestation of the gifts that the Holy Spirit has given you. 00:12:54.100 --> 00:12:57.300 So that first sentence, I don't want to be a helicopter believer. 00:12:58.340 --> 00:13:02.240 Hovering over the life of the church does not serve my soul well. 00:13:03.360 --> 00:13:07.100 You deny yourself the love of your brothers and sisters. 00:13:08.400 --> 00:13:12.480 Second one was, you don't want me to be a helicopter believer. 00:13:12.480 --> 00:13:20.420 For you to hover above the life of the church is to deny your brothers and sisters your love and your gifts 00:13:20.420 --> 00:13:23.740 and the opportunity to grow in the image of Christ with you. 00:13:25.139 --> 00:13:29.060 And that last one was, help me not to be a helicopter believer. 00:13:30.240 --> 00:13:33.620 We need one another for this to continue to work. 00:13:34.039 --> 00:13:38.399 We need to continue to encourage one another to be involved in one another's lives. 00:13:38.399 --> 00:13:43.899 To pray for one another, to encourage one another, to continue to challenge one another. 00:13:45.159 --> 00:13:51.759 As members of the body of Christ, it is our joyous call to serve and grow with one another. 00:13:52.240 --> 00:13:56.980 So, if you are a Christian and you have not made a local church your home, 00:13:57.860 --> 00:13:59.699 I commend Trinity to you for membership. 00:14:00.439 --> 00:14:01.259 Join a small group. 00:14:01.579 --> 00:14:03.259 Talk to the elders more if you're interested. 00:14:03.259 --> 00:14:10.159 But keep in mind that if you do join, you're not just joining a group of people. 00:14:11.120 --> 00:14:13.120 The church is not just a social club. 00:14:14.019 --> 00:14:20.639 The great thing about verse 4 is what it suggests about the purpose and the power of the church. 00:14:21.539 --> 00:14:24.279 Verse 3 says that the church sent them off. 00:14:24.700 --> 00:14:28.559 The Greek word really suggests that the church let them go. 00:14:29.500 --> 00:14:32.340 Because it's clear who's calling the shots in this story. 00:14:32.340 --> 00:14:34.160 The Holy Spirit is. 00:14:34.720 --> 00:14:38.300 He's the one who sent Paul and Barnabas to Antioch in the first place. 00:14:38.820 --> 00:14:40.580 And so he's the one who sent them away. 00:14:41.620 --> 00:14:44.040 He's also the one who brought you here. 00:14:44.660 --> 00:14:47.920 And he's the one who's given you the gifts that you have. 00:14:48.899 --> 00:14:52.980 The church is the place and the group of people that he works through 00:14:52.980 --> 00:14:55.840 to shape you into the image of Christ. 00:14:56.580 --> 00:15:00.240 And the Holy Spirit is the one who is with us when we face opposition. 00:15:00.240 --> 00:15:02.460 Like Paul and Barnabas. 00:15:03.340 --> 00:15:05.320 I want to read verses 6 to 12 again. 00:15:07.560 --> 00:15:10.600 When they had gone through the whole island as far as Paphos, 00:15:10.680 --> 00:15:12.379 they came upon a certain magician. 00:15:13.279 --> 00:15:15.360 A Jewish false prophet named Bar-Jesus. 00:15:16.120 --> 00:15:19.000 He was with the proconsul, Sergius Paulus, a man of intelligence, 00:15:19.620 --> 00:15:23.159 who summoned Barnabas and Saul and sought to hear the word of God. 00:15:23.159 --> 00:15:26.939 But El-Amas, the magician, for that is the meaning of his name, 00:15:27.600 --> 00:15:30.919 opposed them, seeking to turn the proconsul away from the faith. 00:15:32.199 --> 00:15:34.579 But Saul, who was also called Paul, 00:15:34.819 --> 00:15:35.839 it's the first time he's called Paul, 00:15:36.539 --> 00:15:38.839 every time after this he'll be Paul, 00:15:39.679 --> 00:15:40.699 filled with the Holy Spirit, 00:15:41.500 --> 00:15:43.419 looked intently at him and said, 00:15:43.539 --> 00:15:46.740 You son of the devil, you enemy of all righteousness, 00:15:47.100 --> 00:15:49.559 full of all deceit and villainy, 00:15:49.559 --> 00:15:53.099 will you not stop making crooked the straight paths of the Lord? 00:15:53.399 --> 00:15:56.459 And now, behold, the hand of the Lord is upon you, 00:15:56.500 --> 00:15:59.559 and you will be blind and unable to see the sun for a time. 00:16:00.539 --> 00:16:02.879 And immediately mist and darkness fell upon him. 00:16:03.419 --> 00:16:05.879 He went about seeking people to lead him by the hand. 00:16:07.099 --> 00:16:08.399 Then the proconsul believed. 00:16:09.739 --> 00:16:11.039 When he saw what had occurred, 00:16:11.179 --> 00:16:13.219 for he was astonished at the teaching of the Lord. 00:16:14.159 --> 00:16:15.459 So on the island of Cyprus, 00:16:15.460 --> 00:16:18.639 our dynamic duo meets up with Bar Jesus, 00:16:19.680 --> 00:16:20.759 a Jewish false prophet, 00:16:20.920 --> 00:16:23.379 whose name means son of Jesus. 00:16:24.580 --> 00:16:25.360 More on that later. 00:16:26.519 --> 00:16:28.800 His compatriot is the actual focus of this story, 00:16:28.960 --> 00:16:30.920 proconsul Sergius Paulus. 00:16:31.620 --> 00:16:32.720 A few notes on this guy. 00:16:33.340 --> 00:16:35.300 He's a smart man, a man of intelligence. 00:16:35.940 --> 00:16:37.139 He's politically powerful, 00:16:37.300 --> 00:16:39.740 as a proconsul is a governor of a Roman province. 00:16:40.639 --> 00:16:43.139 Also, he's primed and ready for the gospel, 00:16:43.139 --> 00:16:47.059 as it's clear that the Holy Spirit has done preliminary work, 00:16:47.519 --> 00:16:48.399 getting his heart ready. 00:16:49.360 --> 00:16:50.939 That's in the second half of verse 7. 00:16:51.620 --> 00:16:53.899 The fact that he called for Paul and Barnabas 00:16:53.899 --> 00:16:56.000 shows us that Sergius Paulus knows 00:16:56.000 --> 00:16:58.460 that there's something different about what these men have to offer. 00:17:00.220 --> 00:17:02.659 But Elemas can't have Paul and Barnabas 00:17:02.659 --> 00:17:04.059 moving in on his territory. 00:17:04.759 --> 00:17:06.779 Chances are this guy has spent a lot of time 00:17:06.779 --> 00:17:08.440 building his political influence. 00:17:08.980 --> 00:17:10.639 He has Sergius Paulus' ear. 00:17:10.640 --> 00:17:13.440 He trusts him in matters of faith. 00:17:13.860 --> 00:17:16.140 And now these pesky Christians are getting in the way. 00:17:17.460 --> 00:17:22.300 And so, Bar-Jesus seeks to turn the proconsul away from the faith. 00:17:23.840 --> 00:17:25.820 So why does Paul get so angry? 00:17:27.140 --> 00:17:30.780 There's a legitimate rage in this utterance and in his gaze. 00:17:31.360 --> 00:17:33.480 This is not just a benign stare. 00:17:33.480 --> 00:17:38.180 Imagine the stare that a mother gives her child 00:17:38.180 --> 00:17:41.380 when he's embarrassing her in public. 00:17:43.299 --> 00:17:44.900 That stare that says, 00:17:45.400 --> 00:17:47.400 if you don't get right, 00:17:48.039 --> 00:17:49.480 when we get home... 00:17:51.259 --> 00:17:52.240 But Paul doesn't wait. 00:17:52.880 --> 00:17:55.319 Paul lets loose an indictment and a sentence, 00:17:55.759 --> 00:17:57.279 calling him a son of the devil 00:17:57.279 --> 00:17:58.519 and then blinding him. 00:17:58.519 --> 00:18:00.119 You son of the devil, 00:18:00.259 --> 00:18:01.559 you enemy of all righteousness, 00:18:01.940 --> 00:18:03.839 full of all deceit and villainy, 00:18:04.000 --> 00:18:05.720 will you not stop making crooked 00:18:05.720 --> 00:18:07.400 the straight paths of the Lord? 00:18:09.139 --> 00:18:10.579 That sounds a little harsh. 00:18:11.559 --> 00:18:13.139 Is Paul overreacting? 00:18:14.980 --> 00:18:16.740 To that we have to say no. 00:18:17.480 --> 00:18:18.879 Because of verse 9. 00:18:19.920 --> 00:18:22.519 This is not Paul's overly emotional response. 00:18:23.139 --> 00:18:25.379 This is the judgment of the Holy Spirit. 00:18:25.380 --> 00:18:28.440 So how is bar Jesus 00:18:28.440 --> 00:18:31.120 actually bar Satan? 00:18:32.400 --> 00:18:34.700 What makes this man a son of the devil? 00:18:36.480 --> 00:18:38.520 Well, understanding the father-son relationship 00:18:38.520 --> 00:18:40.360 of this culture and time is necessary 00:18:40.360 --> 00:18:42.360 for us to kind of get the full brunt 00:18:42.360 --> 00:18:45.360 of what Paul is saying here. 00:18:46.160 --> 00:18:47.800 So now in the 21st century, 00:18:48.060 --> 00:18:50.260 we're in a time where you can hypothetically 00:18:50.260 --> 00:18:52.840 basically do whatever job that you want to do 00:18:52.840 --> 00:18:54.020 if you train for it. 00:18:54.019 --> 00:18:56.400 But what we see in Christ's time 00:18:56.400 --> 00:18:57.720 and in the time of the apostles 00:18:57.720 --> 00:18:59.839 is a culture where as a child, 00:18:59.940 --> 00:19:00.980 specifically a male child, 00:19:01.339 --> 00:19:02.859 you do what your dad does. 00:19:04.019 --> 00:19:05.879 Jesus is referred to as the son of Joseph, 00:19:06.000 --> 00:19:06.539 the carpenter. 00:19:06.960 --> 00:19:07.799 And according to Mark, 00:19:08.019 --> 00:19:09.680 Jesus did a little carpentry himself. 00:19:10.539 --> 00:19:12.139 It was customary for a father 00:19:12.139 --> 00:19:13.660 to teach his son the trade 00:19:13.660 --> 00:19:15.539 when he was about 12 years old. 00:19:16.259 --> 00:19:17.440 It was really important 00:19:17.440 --> 00:19:20.000 that children get into the family business. 00:19:21.099 --> 00:19:22.079 As opposed to, for example, 00:19:22.079 --> 00:19:26.139 someone like me who avoids the law like the plague 00:19:26.139 --> 00:19:27.960 while my parents are both in law, 00:19:28.779 --> 00:19:30.079 a first century Jewish man 00:19:30.079 --> 00:19:32.460 would be carrying on his father's business. 00:19:33.779 --> 00:19:35.559 And this is the sense in which we see 00:19:35.559 --> 00:19:37.619 this same son of the devil language 00:19:37.619 --> 00:19:40.240 used by Jesus in John 8. 00:19:41.379 --> 00:19:42.519 When he speaks to a crowd 00:19:42.519 --> 00:19:43.599 who doesn't believe him, 00:19:44.179 --> 00:19:45.139 Jesus says this, 00:19:45.140 --> 00:19:47.840 you are of your father the devil 00:19:47.840 --> 00:19:50.880 and your will is to do your father's desires. 00:19:51.520 --> 00:19:53.360 He was a murderer from the beginning 00:19:53.360 --> 00:19:55.740 and has nothing to do with the truth 00:19:55.740 --> 00:19:58.840 because there is no truth in him. 00:20:00.920 --> 00:20:03.020 So to be someone's child, 00:20:03.480 --> 00:20:05.360 this is for men and women, 00:20:06.300 --> 00:20:08.340 to be someone's child, biblically, 00:20:09.140 --> 00:20:11.440 is to do what they do. 00:20:11.440 --> 00:20:16.720 So to be a child of the devil 00:20:16.720 --> 00:20:20.539 is to do as he does. 00:20:21.640 --> 00:20:22.860 It is to kill. 00:20:23.559 --> 00:20:24.720 It is to steal. 00:20:24.960 --> 00:20:25.840 It is to deceive. 00:20:26.160 --> 00:20:27.900 It is ultimately to destroy. 00:20:29.559 --> 00:20:32.320 So insofar as someone acts these things out, 00:20:33.100 --> 00:20:35.320 one reveals one's parentage. 00:20:36.980 --> 00:20:37.680 So bar Jesus, 00:20:37.840 --> 00:20:39.680 in seeking to turn the proconsul 00:20:39.680 --> 00:20:40.980 away from the faith, 00:20:41.779 --> 00:20:44.160 performs an utterly demonic task, 00:20:44.820 --> 00:20:46.460 attempting to keep Sergius Paulus 00:20:46.460 --> 00:20:48.980 away from eternal joy and salvation 00:20:48.980 --> 00:20:50.980 through the knowledge of Jesus Christ 00:20:50.980 --> 00:20:51.660 as his savior. 00:20:53.279 --> 00:20:54.960 So why does Paul get so mad 00:20:54.960 --> 00:20:56.400 that Elemas makes crooked 00:20:56.400 --> 00:20:57.820 the straight paths of the Lord? 00:20:58.680 --> 00:21:00.880 If a drug dealer peddles drugs 00:21:00.880 --> 00:21:02.640 to your child in front of you, 00:21:03.240 --> 00:21:04.680 do you just walk up to him 00:21:04.680 --> 00:21:05.100 and ask, 00:21:05.460 --> 00:21:07.460 oh, could you kindly not do that? 00:21:07.460 --> 00:21:10.960 I imagine there would be some anger. 00:21:11.860 --> 00:21:13.480 Paul's anger is the anger 00:21:13.480 --> 00:21:14.500 that we should experience 00:21:14.500 --> 00:21:16.680 when we see a distortion of the gospel, 00:21:17.340 --> 00:21:18.840 the clear good news, 00:21:19.340 --> 00:21:21.140 the good news that we were created 00:21:21.140 --> 00:21:22.220 for God's glory, 00:21:22.620 --> 00:21:23.960 but chose to reject him, 00:21:24.400 --> 00:21:26.400 becoming corrupt to our very core 00:21:26.400 --> 00:21:28.759 and dead in our trespasses and sins, 00:21:29.079 --> 00:21:30.559 worthy of the wrath of God. 00:21:30.799 --> 00:21:33.340 But while we were yet his enemies, 00:21:33.600 --> 00:21:34.799 God sent his son 00:21:34.799 --> 00:21:36.220 in the person of Jesus Christ, 00:21:36.359 --> 00:21:38.460 who lived a perfect human life 00:21:38.460 --> 00:21:40.740 and died and took the punishment 00:21:40.740 --> 00:21:42.579 that was due us as our substitute, 00:21:43.180 --> 00:21:44.419 and after dying, 00:21:44.559 --> 00:21:45.879 rose on the third day. 00:21:46.599 --> 00:21:47.779 The good news 00:21:47.779 --> 00:21:49.599 that if we trust Jesus Christ 00:21:49.599 --> 00:21:51.500 solely and wholly 00:21:51.500 --> 00:21:53.099 for our salvation, 00:21:53.500 --> 00:21:55.019 our sins are forgiven, 00:21:55.339 --> 00:21:56.539 and he clothes us 00:21:56.539 --> 00:21:57.399 with his righteousness, 00:21:57.700 --> 00:21:59.139 and he seals us 00:21:59.139 --> 00:22:00.299 with his spirit, 00:22:00.980 --> 00:22:02.619 through whom he shapes us 00:22:02.619 --> 00:22:04.319 into his image. 00:22:05.679 --> 00:22:08.039 That is the good news. 00:22:09.239 --> 00:22:11.339 Anything substantively different 00:22:11.339 --> 00:22:12.059 from that 00:22:12.059 --> 00:22:14.959 is a despicable distortion. 00:22:17.039 --> 00:22:18.059 Let's take an example 00:22:18.059 --> 00:22:18.639 from the gym. 00:22:19.819 --> 00:22:20.839 Imagine that for me 00:22:20.839 --> 00:22:23.059 to secure my own salvation, 00:22:23.619 --> 00:22:25.119 I have to lift 00:22:25.119 --> 00:22:26.759 a 500-pound weight. 00:22:27.599 --> 00:22:28.119 If we can imagine 00:22:28.119 --> 00:22:28.879 the weight in front of me, 00:22:28.939 --> 00:22:30.059 it's 500 pounds. 00:22:30.059 --> 00:22:32.619 If I can successfully 00:22:32.619 --> 00:22:33.419 lift this weight, 00:22:33.839 --> 00:22:34.899 I will effectively 00:22:34.899 --> 00:22:35.899 defeat my sin 00:22:35.899 --> 00:22:37.319 and essentially 00:22:37.319 --> 00:22:38.079 win at life. 00:22:39.519 --> 00:22:40.039 Unfortunately, 00:22:41.319 --> 00:22:42.379 I mean, 00:22:42.419 --> 00:22:42.899 do I look like 00:22:42.899 --> 00:22:43.359 I'm going to lift 00:22:43.359 --> 00:22:44.079 500 pounds? 00:22:45.679 --> 00:22:47.179 I do not spend 00:22:47.179 --> 00:22:48.000 two hours a day 00:22:48.000 --> 00:22:48.839 doing CrossFit. 00:22:49.539 --> 00:22:50.519 500 pounds 00:22:50.519 --> 00:22:51.139 would destroy 00:22:51.139 --> 00:22:52.179 all kinds of muscles 00:22:52.179 --> 00:22:52.759 and ligaments 00:22:52.759 --> 00:22:53.859 or whatever I engage 00:22:53.859 --> 00:22:54.919 in trying to lift 00:22:54.919 --> 00:22:55.919 that monstrous weight. 00:22:57.019 --> 00:22:58.299 So someone might say, 00:22:58.299 --> 00:22:59.159 oh, 00:22:59.440 --> 00:23:00.279 you just need 00:23:00.279 --> 00:23:01.299 a really good spotter. 00:23:01.399 --> 00:23:02.539 You just need somebody 00:23:02.539 --> 00:23:03.519 to come alongside you 00:23:03.519 --> 00:23:03.960 and just kind of 00:23:03.960 --> 00:23:04.579 help you out. 00:23:07.399 --> 00:23:08.059 Nobody's going to be able 00:23:08.059 --> 00:23:08.379 to help. 00:23:08.619 --> 00:23:09.619 That's not going to work. 00:23:10.299 --> 00:23:10.980 And that's also 00:23:10.980 --> 00:23:12.339 not what Jesus does. 00:23:12.980 --> 00:23:13.859 Jesus is not someone 00:23:13.859 --> 00:23:14.480 who just comes 00:23:14.480 --> 00:23:15.460 alongside you 00:23:15.460 --> 00:23:16.740 and kind of gives you 00:23:16.740 --> 00:23:17.819 that little extra push 00:23:17.819 --> 00:23:18.559 that you need. 00:23:19.079 --> 00:23:19.740 We're not just 00:23:19.740 --> 00:23:20.859 a little bit sinful 00:23:20.859 --> 00:23:21.740 and we just need Jesus 00:23:21.740 --> 00:23:22.579 to kind of come in 00:23:22.579 --> 00:23:23.399 and shine us up 00:23:23.399 --> 00:23:23.859 a little bit. 00:23:23.859 --> 00:23:26.299 No, down to our thoughts 00:23:26.299 --> 00:23:27.179 and our desires 00:23:27.179 --> 00:23:28.819 we've been sullied. 00:23:29.519 --> 00:23:30.799 We place our faith 00:23:30.799 --> 00:23:31.759 in Christ alone 00:23:31.759 --> 00:23:33.299 because it is in his death 00:23:33.299 --> 00:23:33.919 and resurrection 00:23:33.919 --> 00:23:34.879 that our sins 00:23:34.879 --> 00:23:35.619 have been forgiven. 00:23:36.339 --> 00:23:37.019 He took them 00:23:37.019 --> 00:23:37.939 once and for all 00:23:37.939 --> 00:23:38.859 and gave us 00:23:38.859 --> 00:23:39.639 a new identity 00:23:39.639 --> 00:23:40.459 in him. 00:23:41.019 --> 00:23:41.699 We don't need 00:23:41.699 --> 00:23:42.500 a spotter. 00:23:43.159 --> 00:23:44.500 We need to step aside 00:23:44.500 --> 00:23:45.579 and let him take 00:23:45.579 --> 00:23:45.899 the weight 00:23:45.899 --> 00:23:46.719 on his shoulders. 00:23:47.439 --> 00:23:47.959 Whether it's 00:23:47.959 --> 00:23:49.399 500 pounds of metal 00:23:49.399 --> 00:23:50.179 or the guilt 00:23:50.179 --> 00:23:50.659 and power 00:23:50.659 --> 00:23:51.500 of my sin, 00:23:51.500 --> 00:23:53.579 it's way too much 00:23:53.579 --> 00:23:54.000 for me 00:23:54.000 --> 00:23:55.940 but it is not 00:23:55.940 --> 00:23:56.380 too much 00:23:56.380 --> 00:23:57.019 for the Savior. 00:23:58.779 --> 00:23:59.579 Anything that 00:23:59.579 --> 00:24:00.299 purports to be 00:24:00.299 --> 00:24:00.839 the gospel 00:24:00.839 --> 00:24:03.220 but does not 00:24:03.220 --> 00:24:04.240 revolve around 00:24:04.240 --> 00:24:05.599 complete dependence 00:24:05.599 --> 00:24:07.079 on the Lord 00:24:07.079 --> 00:24:07.920 Jesus Christ, 00:24:08.700 --> 00:24:09.339 his life, 00:24:10.000 --> 00:24:10.559 his death, 00:24:10.880 --> 00:24:12.000 and his resurrection 00:24:12.000 --> 00:24:14.440 is a poisonous 00:24:14.440 --> 00:24:16.440 distorted lie. 00:24:18.160 --> 00:24:18.880 There's another 00:24:18.880 --> 00:24:19.599 prominent teaching 00:24:19.599 --> 00:24:20.980 that the Lord's 00:24:20.980 --> 00:24:23.360 prominent teaching 00:24:23.360 --> 00:24:24.039 today that the 00:24:24.039 --> 00:24:24.799 Lord's primary 00:24:24.799 --> 00:24:25.779 desire for you 00:24:25.779 --> 00:24:26.860 is that you 00:24:26.860 --> 00:24:27.400 be prosperous, 00:24:28.140 --> 00:24:29.039 that you be 00:24:29.039 --> 00:24:29.360 healthy, 00:24:29.539 --> 00:24:29.880 that you be 00:24:29.880 --> 00:24:30.220 wealthy, 00:24:30.400 --> 00:24:30.740 that you be 00:24:30.740 --> 00:24:31.099 happy, 00:24:31.360 --> 00:24:31.839 that by your 00:24:31.839 --> 00:24:32.420 words you can 00:24:32.420 --> 00:24:33.220 kind of speak 00:24:33.220 --> 00:24:33.759 these things 00:24:33.759 --> 00:24:34.559 into existence. 00:24:36.000 --> 00:24:37.440 This gospel 00:24:37.440 --> 00:24:39.120 is toothless. 00:24:40.019 --> 00:24:40.759 The true gospel 00:24:40.759 --> 00:24:41.819 promises joy 00:24:41.819 --> 00:24:42.519 in the midst 00:24:42.519 --> 00:24:43.220 of suffering, 00:24:43.660 --> 00:24:44.660 strength in the 00:24:44.660 --> 00:24:45.880 midst of weakness. 00:24:46.240 --> 00:24:47.000 Any power that 00:24:47.000 --> 00:24:47.740 you have is not 00:24:47.740 --> 00:24:49.019 yours but the 00:24:49.019 --> 00:24:50.039 power of Christ 00:24:50.039 --> 00:24:51.139 if you are 00:24:51.139 --> 00:24:51.859 joined to him 00:24:51.859 --> 00:24:52.480 by faith. 00:24:53.799 --> 00:24:54.799 Anything less 00:24:54.799 --> 00:24:56.440 is garbage. 00:24:57.779 --> 00:24:58.379 Yes, that's 00:24:58.379 --> 00:24:58.980 strong language, 00:24:59.099 --> 00:24:59.379 I know, 00:24:59.940 --> 00:25:00.680 but these are 00:25:00.680 --> 00:25:01.680 matters of life 00:25:01.680 --> 00:25:02.539 and death 00:25:02.539 --> 00:25:04.099 and they require 00:25:04.099 --> 00:25:05.079 the utmost attention. 00:25:05.079 --> 00:25:06.939 And this is the 00:25:06.939 --> 00:25:07.619 reason why the 00:25:07.619 --> 00:25:08.460 judgment on the 00:25:08.460 --> 00:25:09.179 false prophet, 00:25:09.419 --> 00:25:09.879 bar Jesus, 00:25:10.819 --> 00:25:11.779 is blindness. 00:25:13.679 --> 00:25:14.439 You may be 00:25:14.439 --> 00:25:15.199 reminded of another 00:25:15.199 --> 00:25:15.779 story that 00:25:15.779 --> 00:25:16.699 involved Paul 00:25:16.699 --> 00:25:17.439 and blindness, 00:25:18.559 --> 00:25:19.199 his own. 00:25:20.339 --> 00:25:20.799 Do you remember 00:25:20.799 --> 00:25:21.259 the story? 00:25:22.500 --> 00:25:22.960 Paul, 00:25:23.240 --> 00:25:23.980 breathing murder, 00:25:24.199 --> 00:25:24.980 is on his way 00:25:24.980 --> 00:25:25.699 to Damascus 00:25:25.699 --> 00:25:26.639 on a rampage, 00:25:26.939 --> 00:25:27.740 persecuting Christians 00:25:27.740 --> 00:25:28.359 left and right, 00:25:28.659 --> 00:25:29.439 tying them up, 00:25:29.799 --> 00:25:30.399 bringing them to 00:25:30.399 --> 00:25:30.699 prison, 00:25:30.899 --> 00:25:31.419 and in other 00:25:31.419 --> 00:25:31.779 cases, 00:25:32.039 --> 00:25:32.980 even overseeing 00:25:32.980 --> 00:25:33.620 their deaths. 00:25:34.900 --> 00:25:36.079 If anyone was a 00:25:36.079 --> 00:25:36.960 fervent enemy of 00:25:36.960 --> 00:25:38.180 Christianity and 00:25:38.180 --> 00:25:39.000 not likely to be 00:25:39.000 --> 00:25:39.380 converted, 00:25:40.279 --> 00:25:40.960 Paul was that 00:25:40.960 --> 00:25:41.319 guy. 00:25:42.519 --> 00:25:43.380 But God had a 00:25:43.380 --> 00:25:44.019 different plan. 00:25:45.000 --> 00:25:45.839 When Paul was on 00:25:45.839 --> 00:25:46.240 that road, 00:25:46.339 --> 00:25:46.819 the resurrected 00:25:46.819 --> 00:25:47.720 Christ appeared 00:25:47.720 --> 00:25:48.140 to him, 00:25:48.420 --> 00:25:49.240 calling him out 00:25:49.240 --> 00:25:50.180 and subsequently 00:25:50.180 --> 00:25:51.160 blinding him. 00:25:52.640 --> 00:25:53.779 Paul had to find 00:25:53.779 --> 00:25:54.539 Ananias, 00:25:55.019 --> 00:25:56.059 who nursed him 00:25:56.059 --> 00:25:56.700 back to health, 00:25:57.180 --> 00:25:58.180 restored his sight, 00:25:58.559 --> 00:25:58.980 and had him 00:25:58.980 --> 00:26:00.140 baptized so that 00:26:00.140 --> 00:26:01.000 he could begin 00:26:01.000 --> 00:26:01.960 the most fruitful 00:26:01.960 --> 00:26:02.819 Christian ministry 00:26:02.819 --> 00:26:03.200 ever. 00:26:04.440 --> 00:26:04.940 Then, 00:26:05.740 --> 00:26:06.740 a few chapters 00:26:06.740 --> 00:26:07.339 later in the 00:26:07.339 --> 00:26:07.859 same book, 00:26:08.880 --> 00:26:09.880 this same Paul 00:26:09.880 --> 00:26:11.039 comes across 00:26:11.039 --> 00:26:12.259 a man just as 00:26:12.259 --> 00:26:13.440 spiritually blind 00:26:13.440 --> 00:26:14.579 as he was, 00:26:15.539 --> 00:26:16.900 just as intent 00:26:16.900 --> 00:26:17.980 on keeping people 00:26:17.980 --> 00:26:19.019 away from Jesus 00:26:19.019 --> 00:26:20.940 as he was. 00:26:22.299 --> 00:26:23.200 I can't help 00:26:23.200 --> 00:26:23.720 but think that 00:26:23.720 --> 00:26:24.359 in the background 00:26:24.359 --> 00:26:25.299 of this encounter, 00:26:26.880 --> 00:26:27.599 Paul is seeing 00:26:27.599 --> 00:26:28.279 himself 00:26:28.279 --> 00:26:30.259 and recoiling. 00:26:32.839 --> 00:26:33.579 Has this ever 00:26:33.579 --> 00:26:34.200 happened to you? 00:26:36.299 --> 00:26:37.319 Ezekiel 36 00:26:37.319 --> 00:26:38.099 describes this 00:26:38.099 --> 00:26:38.579 phenomenon. 00:26:39.980 --> 00:26:40.720 God promises 00:26:40.720 --> 00:26:41.700 in verses 26 00:26:41.700 --> 00:26:42.359 and 27, 00:26:42.480 --> 00:26:42.960 which we read 00:26:42.960 --> 00:26:43.379 earlier, 00:26:43.799 --> 00:26:44.379 in salvation 00:26:44.379 --> 00:26:45.079 to remove 00:26:45.079 --> 00:26:45.899 your heart of 00:26:45.899 --> 00:26:46.759 stone and 00:26:46.759 --> 00:26:47.279 replace it 00:26:47.279 --> 00:26:47.720 with a heart 00:26:47.720 --> 00:26:48.259 of flesh. 00:26:48.599 --> 00:26:49.079 He promises 00:26:49.079 --> 00:26:49.660 to place 00:26:49.660 --> 00:26:50.440 his spirit, 00:26:50.559 --> 00:26:51.879 his own spirit 00:26:51.879 --> 00:26:53.039 inside of you 00:26:53.039 --> 00:26:53.920 and to cause 00:26:53.920 --> 00:26:54.599 you to walk 00:26:54.599 --> 00:26:55.119 in the way 00:26:55.119 --> 00:26:55.599 that he would 00:26:55.599 --> 00:26:56.500 have you walk. 00:26:56.500 --> 00:26:58.339 But a few 00:26:58.339 --> 00:26:59.019 verses down 00:26:59.019 --> 00:27:00.119 in verse 31, 00:27:00.640 --> 00:27:01.259 he describes 00:27:01.259 --> 00:27:02.000 how we will 00:27:02.000 --> 00:27:02.579 view our 00:27:02.579 --> 00:27:03.680 old selves. 00:27:04.339 --> 00:27:04.859 He says, 00:27:05.259 --> 00:27:05.859 then you will 00:27:05.859 --> 00:27:06.740 remember your 00:27:06.740 --> 00:27:07.720 evil ways 00:27:07.720 --> 00:27:08.740 and your deeds 00:27:08.740 --> 00:27:09.500 that were not 00:27:09.500 --> 00:27:09.920 good, 00:27:10.500 --> 00:27:11.200 and you will 00:27:11.200 --> 00:27:12.539 loathe yourselves 00:27:12.539 --> 00:27:13.440 for your 00:27:13.440 --> 00:27:14.079 iniquities 00:27:14.079 --> 00:27:15.039 and your 00:27:15.039 --> 00:27:15.779 abominations. 00:27:17.039 --> 00:27:17.980 Sometimes we're 00:27:17.980 --> 00:27:19.119 especially sensitive 00:27:19.119 --> 00:27:20.380 to see others 00:27:20.380 --> 00:27:21.140 who are suffering 00:27:21.140 --> 00:27:21.900 as we are 00:27:21.900 --> 00:27:22.960 or who have 00:27:22.960 --> 00:27:23.640 sinned 00:27:23.640 --> 00:27:24.859 as we have. 00:27:24.859 --> 00:27:27.219 Has your 00:27:27.219 --> 00:27:28.059 faith penetrated 00:27:28.059 --> 00:27:28.779 you this 00:27:28.779 --> 00:27:29.399 deeply? 00:27:30.319 --> 00:27:30.859 Has it 00:27:30.859 --> 00:27:31.399 shaped your 00:27:31.399 --> 00:27:32.279 affections? 00:27:32.879 --> 00:27:33.299 Has it 00:27:33.299 --> 00:27:34.259 shaped your 00:27:34.259 --> 00:27:34.779 emotions? 00:27:35.839 --> 00:27:36.519 Do you see 00:27:36.519 --> 00:27:37.199 your sin 00:27:37.199 --> 00:27:38.000 in the ways 00:27:38.000 --> 00:27:38.419 in which you 00:27:38.419 --> 00:27:39.099 rebel against 00:27:39.099 --> 00:27:40.599 God and 00:27:40.599 --> 00:27:41.419 recoil in 00:27:41.419 --> 00:27:41.839 loathing? 00:27:43.099 --> 00:27:43.579 Does that 00:27:43.579 --> 00:27:44.179 then remind 00:27:44.179 --> 00:27:44.699 you of the 00:27:44.699 --> 00:27:45.659 joy of God's 00:27:45.659 --> 00:27:46.319 grace and 00:27:46.319 --> 00:27:46.899 his forgiveness? 00:27:48.559 --> 00:27:49.219 This is, 00:27:49.379 --> 00:27:49.599 I think, 00:27:49.679 --> 00:27:50.139 the root of 00:27:50.139 --> 00:27:50.939 Paul's anger 00:27:50.939 --> 00:27:51.899 and the fruit 00:27:51.899 --> 00:27:52.399 of the Holy 00:27:52.399 --> 00:27:53.179 Spirit working 00:27:53.179 --> 00:27:53.759 in him in 00:27:53.759 --> 00:27:54.279 this moment. 00:27:54.859 --> 00:27:56.000 He sees 00:27:56.000 --> 00:27:56.719 in Bar-Jesus 00:27:56.719 --> 00:27:58.839 a little bit 00:27:58.839 --> 00:27:59.099 of his 00:27:59.099 --> 00:27:59.959 former self, 00:28:01.000 --> 00:28:02.359 blind to 00:28:02.359 --> 00:28:02.959 the joys 00:28:02.959 --> 00:28:03.539 of Christ 00:28:03.539 --> 00:28:04.219 and seeking 00:28:04.219 --> 00:28:04.579 to bring 00:28:04.579 --> 00:28:05.379 others down 00:28:05.379 --> 00:28:05.979 into his 00:28:05.979 --> 00:28:06.699 own blindness. 00:28:08.000 --> 00:28:08.659 So, 00:28:09.059 --> 00:28:09.839 the Holy 00:28:09.839 --> 00:28:10.219 Spirit, 00:28:10.439 --> 00:28:10.939 through Paul, 00:28:11.919 --> 00:28:12.879 makes Bar-Jesus' 00:28:13.159 --> 00:28:14.459 physical situation 00:28:14.459 --> 00:28:16.619 match his 00:28:16.619 --> 00:28:17.779 spiritual situation. 00:28:19.179 --> 00:28:20.199 But he does 00:28:20.199 --> 00:28:20.599 so with 00:28:20.599 --> 00:28:21.019 mercy. 00:28:22.379 --> 00:28:22.679 Note, 00:28:22.680 --> 00:28:23.200 he's just 00:28:23.200 --> 00:28:23.519 going to 00:28:23.519 --> 00:28:24.080 be blind 00:28:24.080 --> 00:28:24.840 for a 00:28:24.840 --> 00:28:25.320 time. 00:28:25.960 --> 00:28:26.320 This is 00:28:26.320 --> 00:28:26.640 not a 00:28:26.640 --> 00:28:27.440 final judgment, 00:28:28.140 --> 00:28:28.680 but a 00:28:28.680 --> 00:28:29.900 warning that 00:28:29.900 --> 00:28:30.460 would hopefully 00:28:30.460 --> 00:28:31.039 lead to 00:28:31.039 --> 00:28:31.400 Elamas' 00:28:31.640 --> 00:28:32.580 own repentance. 00:28:34.400 --> 00:28:34.880 So, 00:28:35.240 --> 00:28:35.960 hearing all 00:28:35.960 --> 00:28:36.360 of this, 00:28:36.920 --> 00:28:37.259 you might 00:28:37.259 --> 00:28:37.580 think, 00:28:38.060 --> 00:28:38.500 well, 00:28:38.560 --> 00:28:38.920 that's all 00:28:38.920 --> 00:28:39.279 well and 00:28:39.279 --> 00:28:39.519 good, 00:28:39.779 --> 00:28:40.220 but I'm 00:28:40.220 --> 00:28:40.500 just an 00:28:40.500 --> 00:28:40.779 ordinary 00:28:40.779 --> 00:28:41.220 believer. 00:28:41.600 --> 00:28:41.980 I'm no 00:28:41.980 --> 00:28:42.299 Paul. 00:28:42.600 --> 00:28:43.039 I'm not 00:28:43.039 --> 00:28:43.160 going to 00:28:43.160 --> 00:28:43.480 be going 00:28:43.480 --> 00:28:44.320 around blinding 00:28:44.320 --> 00:28:45.120 people and 00:28:45.120 --> 00:28:45.700 calling people 00:28:45.700 --> 00:28:46.140 children of 00:28:46.140 --> 00:28:46.480 the devil. 00:28:46.700 --> 00:28:47.120 That could 00:28:47.120 --> 00:28:48.180 get weird 00:28:48.180 --> 00:28:48.680 really 00:28:48.680 --> 00:28:48.980 quickly. 00:28:50.019 --> 00:28:50.360 Yes, 00:28:50.640 --> 00:28:51.019 you're right, 00:28:51.100 --> 00:28:51.400 that could 00:28:51.400 --> 00:28:51.740 get weird 00:28:51.740 --> 00:28:52.200 very quickly. 00:28:53.060 --> 00:28:53.600 But this 00:28:53.600 --> 00:28:54.299 episode tells 00:28:54.299 --> 00:28:54.920 us a lot 00:28:54.920 --> 00:28:55.820 about how 00:28:55.820 --> 00:28:56.360 a life 00:28:56.360 --> 00:28:57.120 infused with 00:28:57.120 --> 00:28:57.480 the Holy 00:28:57.480 --> 00:28:58.259 Spirit should 00:28:58.259 --> 00:28:58.600 look. 00:28:59.580 --> 00:29:00.200 There will 00:29:00.200 --> 00:29:00.820 be times 00:29:00.820 --> 00:29:01.380 where you 00:29:01.380 --> 00:29:01.960 will face 00:29:01.960 --> 00:29:03.060 opposition and 00:29:03.060 --> 00:29:03.620 a firm 00:29:03.620 --> 00:29:04.759 rebuke will 00:29:04.759 --> 00:29:05.560 be necessary. 00:29:06.420 --> 00:29:07.320 Sometimes you 00:29:07.320 --> 00:29:08.200 will need to 00:29:08.200 --> 00:29:08.759 shut somebody 00:29:08.759 --> 00:29:09.140 down. 00:29:09.779 --> 00:29:10.100 But, 00:29:11.100 --> 00:29:12.100 there also 00:29:12.100 --> 00:29:12.720 will be times 00:29:12.720 --> 00:29:13.259 where a firm 00:29:13.259 --> 00:29:14.400 rebuke is 00:29:14.400 --> 00:29:14.840 inappropriate. 00:29:16.220 --> 00:29:16.700 Example, 00:29:16.759 --> 00:29:17.039 let's say 00:29:17.039 --> 00:29:17.620 that a friend 00:29:17.619 --> 00:29:18.399 comes to 00:29:18.399 --> 00:29:18.699 you and 00:29:18.699 --> 00:29:19.039 tells you 00:29:19.039 --> 00:29:19.379 that they're 00:29:19.379 --> 00:29:20.159 really excited 00:29:20.159 --> 00:29:20.619 about a 00:29:20.619 --> 00:29:20.919 church. 00:29:21.739 --> 00:29:22.059 You, 00:29:22.179 --> 00:29:22.500 being the 00:29:22.500 --> 00:29:23.299 savvy 21st 00:29:23.299 --> 00:29:23.819 century person 00:29:23.819 --> 00:29:24.099 that you 00:29:24.099 --> 00:29:24.379 are, 00:29:24.639 --> 00:29:25.159 go home 00:29:25.159 --> 00:29:25.559 and the 00:29:25.559 --> 00:29:25.899 first thing 00:29:25.899 --> 00:29:26.279 you do, 00:29:26.519 --> 00:29:26.919 you check 00:29:26.919 --> 00:29:27.479 the website. 00:29:28.939 --> 00:29:29.319 But in 00:29:29.319 --> 00:29:29.679 looking at 00:29:29.679 --> 00:29:30.079 the website, 00:29:30.279 --> 00:29:30.679 you notice 00:29:30.679 --> 00:29:31.319 a few red 00:29:31.319 --> 00:29:31.819 flags. 00:29:32.879 --> 00:29:33.099 Maybe 00:29:33.099 --> 00:29:33.919 Christ is 00:29:33.919 --> 00:29:35.959 just seen 00:29:35.959 --> 00:29:36.619 as special 00:29:36.619 --> 00:29:37.199 but kind 00:29:37.199 --> 00:29:37.859 of one 00:29:37.859 --> 00:29:38.439 among many 00:29:38.439 --> 00:29:38.759 religious 00:29:38.759 --> 00:29:39.279 options. 00:29:40.179 --> 00:29:40.639 Maybe it's 00:29:40.639 --> 00:29:40.879 a place 00:29:40.879 --> 00:29:41.159 where the 00:29:41.159 --> 00:29:41.679 Bible is 00:29:41.679 --> 00:29:42.019 seen as 00:29:42.019 --> 00:29:42.659 fraught with 00:29:42.659 --> 00:29:43.359 error and 00:29:43.359 --> 00:29:43.859 in need of 00:29:43.859 --> 00:29:44.519 revision by 00:29:44.519 --> 00:29:45.459 conscientious 00:29:45.459 --> 00:29:45.859 believers. 00:29:45.859 --> 00:29:47.779 upon finding 00:29:47.779 --> 00:29:48.240 these things 00:29:48.240 --> 00:29:48.500 out, 00:29:49.199 --> 00:29:49.500 do you 00:29:49.500 --> 00:29:50.119 find your 00:29:50.119 --> 00:29:50.740 friend and 00:29:50.740 --> 00:29:51.159 attempt to 00:29:51.159 --> 00:29:51.519 call down 00:29:51.519 --> 00:29:52.119 fire from 00:29:52.119 --> 00:29:52.359 heaven? 00:29:55.639 --> 00:29:56.119 Probably 00:29:56.119 --> 00:29:56.459 not. 00:29:57.779 --> 00:29:58.419 No, you 00:29:58.419 --> 00:29:58.979 would engage 00:29:58.979 --> 00:29:59.379 your friend 00:29:59.379 --> 00:30:00.079 in conversation. 00:30:00.519 --> 00:30:00.819 You would 00:30:00.819 --> 00:30:01.399 determine what 00:30:01.399 --> 00:30:01.939 it is about 00:30:01.939 --> 00:30:02.459 that church 00:30:02.459 --> 00:30:03.059 that draws 00:30:03.059 --> 00:30:03.639 them and 00:30:03.639 --> 00:30:03.839 you would 00:30:03.839 --> 00:30:04.359 apply the 00:30:04.359 --> 00:30:05.039 true gospel 00:30:05.039 --> 00:30:05.779 to that 00:30:05.779 --> 00:30:06.199 longing. 00:30:09.719 --> 00:30:10.199 Sometimes 00:30:10.199 --> 00:30:10.639 that's the 00:30:10.639 --> 00:30:11.059 way to go. 00:30:12.639 --> 00:30:13.159 Sometimes 00:30:13.159 --> 00:30:13.519 what I 00:30:13.519 --> 00:30:14.039 affectionately 00:30:14.039 --> 00:30:14.720 call the 00:30:14.720 --> 00:30:15.240 sledgehammer 00:30:15.240 --> 00:30:15.879 method is 00:30:15.879 --> 00:30:16.399 necessary. 00:30:17.420 --> 00:30:18.339 But in 00:30:18.339 --> 00:30:18.759 order to 00:30:18.759 --> 00:30:19.519 discern which 00:30:19.519 --> 00:30:20.180 is appropriate 00:30:20.180 --> 00:30:21.839 when, we 00:30:21.839 --> 00:30:22.619 must be in 00:30:22.619 --> 00:30:23.480 constant prayer 00:30:23.480 --> 00:30:24.220 and we 00:30:24.220 --> 00:30:24.859 must be in 00:30:24.859 --> 00:30:25.240 constant 00:30:25.240 --> 00:30:25.859 community 00:30:25.859 --> 00:30:26.839 because it 00:30:26.839 --> 00:30:27.099 is the 00:30:27.099 --> 00:30:27.819 Holy Spirit 00:30:27.819 --> 00:30:28.460 that offers 00:30:28.460 --> 00:30:29.220 that guidance. 00:30:29.899 --> 00:30:30.659 This is why 00:30:30.659 --> 00:30:31.220 Luke, in 00:30:31.220 --> 00:30:31.960 recounting this 00:30:31.960 --> 00:30:32.859 experience of 00:30:32.859 --> 00:30:34.259 Paul's, prefaces 00:30:34.259 --> 00:30:35.180 it by saying 00:30:35.180 --> 00:30:35.920 that Paul is 00:30:35.920 --> 00:30:36.799 filled with 00:30:36.799 --> 00:30:37.839 the Holy Spirit 00:30:37.839 --> 00:30:39.379 in verse 00:30:39.379 --> 00:30:40.059 nine when he 00:30:40.059 --> 00:30:40.700 does this. 00:30:40.700 --> 00:30:42.400 It is 00:30:42.400 --> 00:30:43.000 God's 00:30:43.000 --> 00:30:44.420 power and 00:30:44.420 --> 00:30:44.880 it is in 00:30:44.880 --> 00:30:45.480 submitting to 00:30:45.480 --> 00:30:46.340 God's 00:30:46.340 --> 00:30:47.700 will that 00:30:47.700 --> 00:30:48.259 that power 00:30:48.259 --> 00:30:49.019 is manifested 00:30:49.019 --> 00:30:49.700 in us. 00:30:50.799 --> 00:30:51.200 And this 00:30:51.200 --> 00:30:51.740 brings us to 00:30:51.740 --> 00:30:52.240 the end 00:30:52.240 --> 00:30:52.960 of our 00:30:52.960 --> 00:30:53.440 passage. 00:30:54.759 --> 00:30:55.360 The 00:30:55.360 --> 00:30:56.080 joyous 00:30:56.080 --> 00:30:56.759 climax. 00:30:58.019 --> 00:30:58.360 Verse 00:30:58.360 --> 00:30:58.840 12. 00:31:01.039 --> 00:31:01.640 Then 00:31:01.640 --> 00:31:02.940 the 00:31:02.940 --> 00:31:03.740 proconsul 00:31:03.740 --> 00:31:04.460 believed 00:31:04.460 --> 00:31:05.620 when he 00:31:05.620 --> 00:31:06.259 saw what 00:31:06.259 --> 00:31:06.920 had occurred 00:31:06.920 --> 00:31:08.039 for he 00:31:08.039 --> 00:31:09.160 was astonished 00:31:09.160 --> 00:31:10.460 at the 00:31:10.460 --> 00:31:10.980 teaching 00:31:10.980 --> 00:31:12.340 of the 00:31:12.340 --> 00:31:12.720 Lord. 00:31:15.360 --> 00:31:16.100 Two 00:31:16.100 --> 00:31:16.480 things. 00:31:17.400 --> 00:31:18.340 First, he 00:31:18.340 --> 00:31:19.160 believed 00:31:19.160 --> 00:31:20.320 when he 00:31:20.320 --> 00:31:20.759 saw. 00:31:22.100 --> 00:31:22.800 Here is a 00:31:22.800 --> 00:31:23.300 case where 00:31:23.300 --> 00:31:24.980 seeing really 00:31:24.980 --> 00:31:26.140 does lead to 00:31:26.140 --> 00:31:26.980 true believing. 00:31:28.120 --> 00:31:28.820 But it's even 00:31:28.820 --> 00:31:29.300 deeper than 00:31:29.300 --> 00:31:29.600 that. 00:31:31.360 --> 00:31:32.080 The 00:31:32.080 --> 00:31:32.740 proconsul 00:31:32.740 --> 00:31:34.240 seeing is 00:31:34.240 --> 00:31:34.700 in direct 00:31:34.700 --> 00:31:36.380 contrast to 00:31:36.380 --> 00:31:36.820 the false 00:31:36.820 --> 00:31:37.380 prophet's 00:31:37.380 --> 00:31:37.880 blindness. 00:31:39.400 --> 00:31:40.260 This is a 00:31:40.260 --> 00:31:41.260 reminder of 00:31:41.260 --> 00:31:41.740 the purpose 00:31:41.740 --> 00:31:42.140 of this 00:31:42.140 --> 00:31:43.260 passage and 00:31:43.260 --> 00:31:43.560 of the 00:31:43.560 --> 00:31:44.120 book of 00:31:44.120 --> 00:31:44.660 Acts as 00:31:44.660 --> 00:31:45.100 a whole. 00:31:46.060 --> 00:31:46.620 This is 00:31:46.620 --> 00:31:47.200 the story 00:31:47.200 --> 00:31:47.520 of the 00:31:47.520 --> 00:31:48.340 Holy Spirit 00:31:48.340 --> 00:31:49.320 opening eyes 00:31:49.320 --> 00:31:49.980 and hearts 00:31:49.980 --> 00:31:50.740 through the 00:31:50.740 --> 00:31:51.440 work of 00:31:51.440 --> 00:31:51.840 believers. 00:31:52.780 --> 00:31:53.460 A story 00:31:53.460 --> 00:31:54.040 that we 00:31:54.040 --> 00:31:54.740 as the 00:31:54.740 --> 00:31:55.580 church are 00:31:55.580 --> 00:31:56.020 a part 00:31:56.020 --> 00:31:56.740 of and 00:31:56.740 --> 00:31:57.120 that we've 00:31:57.120 --> 00:31:57.640 been invited 00:31:57.640 --> 00:31:58.140 to take 00:31:58.140 --> 00:31:58.900 an active 00:31:58.900 --> 00:32:00.000 part of. 00:32:01.300 --> 00:32:01.840 Few 00:32:01.840 --> 00:32:02.320 things are 00:32:02.320 --> 00:32:03.200 more satisfying 00:32:03.200 --> 00:32:05.040 than seeing 00:32:05.040 --> 00:32:05.540 the light 00:32:05.539 --> 00:32:05.859 in a 00:32:05.859 --> 00:32:06.359 student's 00:32:06.359 --> 00:32:07.000 eyes when 00:32:07.000 --> 00:32:07.539 they finally 00:32:07.539 --> 00:32:08.220 figure something 00:32:08.220 --> 00:32:08.599 out. 00:32:09.420 --> 00:32:10.359 That feeling 00:32:10.359 --> 00:32:11.480 is multiplied 00:32:11.480 --> 00:32:12.579 exponentially 00:32:12.579 --> 00:32:14.259 when you 00:32:14.259 --> 00:32:14.759 see the 00:32:14.759 --> 00:32:15.599 gospel take 00:32:15.599 --> 00:32:16.159 root in 00:32:16.159 --> 00:32:16.599 someone's 00:32:16.599 --> 00:32:16.960 life. 00:32:21.180 --> 00:32:21.980 Point two, 00:32:22.079 --> 00:32:22.720 the teaching 00:32:22.720 --> 00:32:23.579 of the 00:32:23.579 --> 00:32:23.920 Lord. 00:32:25.079 --> 00:32:25.519 It says 00:32:25.519 --> 00:32:25.779 that the 00:32:25.779 --> 00:32:26.339 proconsul 00:32:26.339 --> 00:32:27.960 believed when 00:32:27.960 --> 00:32:28.519 he saw what 00:32:28.519 --> 00:32:28.960 had occurred 00:32:28.960 --> 00:32:29.519 for he was 00:32:29.519 --> 00:32:30.659 astonished at 00:32:30.659 --> 00:32:31.940 the teaching 00:32:31.940 --> 00:32:33.160 of the 00:32:33.160 --> 00:32:33.519 Lord. 00:32:34.519 --> 00:32:34.960 That seems 00:32:34.960 --> 00:32:35.360 weird. 00:32:36.460 --> 00:32:36.799 It didn't 00:32:36.799 --> 00:32:37.360 strike me as 00:32:37.360 --> 00:32:37.840 a very 00:32:37.840 --> 00:32:39.039 didactic 00:32:39.039 --> 00:32:39.500 passage, 00:32:39.720 --> 00:32:41.160 meaning it's 00:32:41.160 --> 00:32:41.660 not like Paul 00:32:41.660 --> 00:32:42.039 went through 00:32:42.039 --> 00:32:42.440 kind of a 00:32:42.440 --> 00:32:42.980 point-by-point 00:32:42.980 --> 00:32:43.700 explanation of 00:32:43.700 --> 00:32:44.100 the gospel 00:32:44.100 --> 00:32:44.460 in this 00:32:44.460 --> 00:32:44.820 passage. 00:32:46.200 --> 00:32:46.759 What does 00:32:46.759 --> 00:32:47.080 he mean by 00:32:47.080 --> 00:32:47.640 the teaching 00:32:47.640 --> 00:32:48.120 of the 00:32:48.120 --> 00:32:48.380 Lord? 00:32:50.059 --> 00:32:50.660 I think 00:32:50.660 --> 00:32:51.140 this shows 00:32:51.140 --> 00:32:51.620 us that 00:32:51.620 --> 00:32:52.700 the gospel, 00:32:53.519 --> 00:32:53.880 while it is 00:32:53.880 --> 00:32:54.559 primarily a 00:32:54.559 --> 00:32:54.960 message, 00:32:55.120 --> 00:32:55.420 yes, 00:32:56.360 --> 00:32:57.420 it is also 00:32:57.420 --> 00:32:58.440 a way of 00:32:58.440 --> 00:32:58.820 living, 00:32:59.779 --> 00:33:00.120 thinking, 00:33:00.119 --> 00:33:01.279 and breathing 00:33:01.279 --> 00:33:01.819 in the 00:33:01.819 --> 00:33:02.179 world. 00:33:03.279 --> 00:33:03.599 The 00:33:03.599 --> 00:33:04.139 proconsul 00:33:04.139 --> 00:33:05.000 was amazed 00:33:05.000 --> 00:33:05.479 at the 00:33:05.479 --> 00:33:06.500 power that 00:33:06.500 --> 00:33:06.919 a believer 00:33:06.919 --> 00:33:07.459 in Jesus 00:33:07.459 --> 00:33:08.319 Christ and 00:33:08.319 --> 00:33:09.099 partaker in 00:33:09.099 --> 00:33:09.959 his spirit 00:33:09.959 --> 00:33:11.319 has access 00:33:11.319 --> 00:33:11.639 to. 00:33:13.059 --> 00:33:13.859 The word 00:33:13.859 --> 00:33:14.459 is a powerful 00:33:14.459 --> 00:33:14.799 thing, 00:33:14.919 --> 00:33:15.299 brothers and 00:33:15.299 --> 00:33:15.599 sisters. 00:33:16.619 --> 00:33:17.219 The church 00:33:17.219 --> 00:33:18.559 is a powerful 00:33:18.559 --> 00:33:19.019 people, 00:33:20.139 --> 00:33:20.979 a people who 00:33:20.979 --> 00:33:21.739 have been sent 00:33:21.739 --> 00:33:22.359 out on a 00:33:22.359 --> 00:33:22.619 mission, 00:33:23.659 --> 00:33:24.179 and a people 00:33:24.179 --> 00:33:24.739 who have been 00:33:24.739 --> 00:33:25.319 sent to 00:33:25.319 --> 00:33:25.819 commission. 00:33:27.539 --> 00:33:28.419 That is who 00:33:28.419 --> 00:33:28.919 you are. 00:33:28.920 --> 00:33:30.519 that is who 00:33:30.519 --> 00:33:31.100 we are. 00:33:31.920 --> 00:33:32.779 Each of us 00:33:32.779 --> 00:33:33.800 has a full-time 00:33:33.800 --> 00:33:34.600 Christian ministry 00:33:34.600 --> 00:33:35.100 because it's 00:33:35.100 --> 00:33:35.600 part of our 00:33:35.600 --> 00:33:36.180 identity. 00:33:37.160 --> 00:33:38.039 My faith and 00:33:38.039 --> 00:33:38.580 my relationship 00:33:38.580 --> 00:33:39.220 with Christ 00:33:39.220 --> 00:33:40.100 are not just 00:33:40.100 --> 00:33:40.740 things that I 00:33:40.740 --> 00:33:41.480 reckon with on 00:33:41.480 --> 00:33:42.539 Sundays or 00:33:42.539 --> 00:33:43.120 whenever I have 00:33:43.120 --> 00:33:43.720 small group. 00:33:44.740 --> 00:33:45.500 These things 00:33:45.500 --> 00:33:46.500 ought to extend 00:33:46.500 --> 00:33:47.440 to and fill 00:33:47.440 --> 00:33:48.259 our thoughts, 00:33:48.620 --> 00:33:49.300 our words, 00:33:49.420 --> 00:33:50.420 and our actions. 00:33:51.300 --> 00:33:52.120 Because in the 00:33:52.120 --> 00:33:52.820 world that we 00:33:52.820 --> 00:33:53.320 face, 00:33:54.279 --> 00:33:54.900 whether it's in 00:33:54.900 --> 00:33:55.440 the office, 00:33:55.940 --> 00:33:56.440 whether it's at 00:33:56.440 --> 00:33:56.900 home, 00:33:57.320 --> 00:33:57.920 whether it's in 00:33:57.920 --> 00:33:58.240 church, 00:33:58.240 --> 00:33:58.700 whether it's 00:33:58.700 --> 00:33:59.620 a stop-and-shop, 00:33:59.720 --> 00:34:00.000 whether it's 00:34:00.000 --> 00:34:00.640 in your car, 00:34:00.740 --> 00:34:01.059 whether it's 00:34:01.059 --> 00:34:01.420 on your way 00:34:01.420 --> 00:34:02.079 to class, 00:34:03.039 --> 00:34:05.799 we face an 00:34:05.799 --> 00:34:07.480 enemy who 00:34:07.480 --> 00:34:08.119 wants nothing 00:34:08.119 --> 00:34:08.820 better than to 00:34:08.820 --> 00:34:09.619 make us fall 00:34:09.619 --> 00:34:10.179 and take us 00:34:10.179 --> 00:34:10.820 off of the 00:34:10.820 --> 00:34:11.460 straight ways 00:34:11.460 --> 00:34:12.099 of the Lord. 00:34:13.699 --> 00:34:15.920 But we have 00:34:15.920 --> 00:34:16.579 the word of 00:34:16.579 --> 00:34:17.119 God in the 00:34:17.119 --> 00:34:17.420 scriptures. 00:34:18.679 --> 00:34:19.260 We have the 00:34:19.260 --> 00:34:20.719 very spirit of 00:34:20.719 --> 00:34:21.280 God as a 00:34:21.280 --> 00:34:21.960 gift of faith. 00:34:23.820 --> 00:34:24.599 And we have 00:34:24.599 --> 00:34:25.139 one another. 00:34:25.139 --> 00:34:27.519 Father, let's 00:34:27.519 --> 00:34:28.239 go out in 00:34:28.239 --> 00:34:28.619 power. 00:34:29.980 --> 00:34:30.420 Amen? 00:34:32.059 --> 00:34:32.699 Let's pray. 00:34:40.199 --> 00:34:42.879 Father, before 00:34:42.879 --> 00:34:43.460 your son went 00:34:43.460 --> 00:34:43.940 to the cross, 00:34:44.019 --> 00:34:44.619 he told his 00:34:44.619 --> 00:34:46.599 disciples, it 00:34:46.599 --> 00:34:47.199 is to your 00:34:47.199 --> 00:34:48.139 advantage that I 00:34:48.139 --> 00:34:48.719 go away. 00:34:49.460 --> 00:34:50.299 For if I do 00:34:50.299 --> 00:34:51.059 not go away, 00:34:51.139 --> 00:34:51.519 the helper 00:34:51.519 --> 00:34:52.359 will not come 00:34:52.359 --> 00:34:52.759 to you. 00:34:52.760 --> 00:34:54.600 surely this 00:34:54.600 --> 00:34:55.400 was as 00:34:55.400 --> 00:34:55.940 confusing for 00:34:55.940 --> 00:34:56.440 the disciples 00:34:56.440 --> 00:34:57.260 as it may 00:34:57.260 --> 00:34:57.880 be for us 00:34:57.880 --> 00:34:58.580 sometimes. 00:34:59.500 --> 00:35:00.280 But Lord, I 00:35:00.280 --> 00:35:00.680 pray that you 00:35:00.680 --> 00:35:01.260 continue to 00:35:01.260 --> 00:35:02.540 remind us and 00:35:02.540 --> 00:35:03.380 solidify in 00:35:03.380 --> 00:35:04.220 us the fact 00:35:04.220 --> 00:35:05.480 that having 00:35:05.480 --> 00:35:06.400 the Holy Spirit 00:35:06.400 --> 00:35:07.540 inside of us 00:35:07.540 --> 00:35:09.080 is even better 00:35:09.080 --> 00:35:09.680 than having 00:35:09.680 --> 00:35:10.780 Jesus beside 00:35:10.780 --> 00:35:12.020 us in this 00:35:12.020 --> 00:35:12.720 present life. 00:35:14.500 --> 00:35:15.280 May the 00:35:15.280 --> 00:35:16.200 believers this 00:35:16.200 --> 00:35:18.020 morning come 00:35:18.020 --> 00:35:18.620 to a deeper 00:35:18.620 --> 00:35:19.440 communion with 00:35:19.440 --> 00:35:20.680 you through 00:35:20.680 --> 00:35:22.280 your son in 00:35:22.280 --> 00:35:22.920 your spirit. 00:35:24.200 --> 00:35:24.740 Lord, may the 00:35:24.740 --> 00:35:25.320 non-believers 00:35:25.320 --> 00:35:26.040 here come to 00:35:26.040 --> 00:35:26.519 a saving 00:35:26.519 --> 00:35:27.180 knowledge of 00:35:27.180 --> 00:35:27.680 you through 00:35:27.680 --> 00:35:29.160 repentance and 00:35:29.160 --> 00:35:29.540 faith. 00:35:30.680 --> 00:35:31.540 Lord, we thank 00:35:31.540 --> 00:35:31.980 you and we 00:35:31.980 --> 00:35:32.519 praise you. 00:35:33.100 --> 00:35:33.940 In the name of 00:35:33.940 --> 00:35:34.560 your son, Jesus 00:35:34.560 --> 00:35:35.700 Christ, and by 00:35:35.700 --> 00:35:36.280 the power of 00:35:36.280 --> 00:35:37.080 your Holy Spirit, 00:35:37.220 --> 00:35:37.580 we pray. 00:35:38.600 --> 00:35:38.920 Amen. 00:35:38.920 --> 00:35:39.040 Amen. 00:35:46.920 --> 00:35:47.360 Amen. 00:35:47.620 --> 00:35:48.260 Well, to 00:35:48.260 --> 00:35:49.760 respond, we're 00:35:49.760 --> 00:35:50.280 going to sing a 00:35:50.280 --> 00:35:50.960 song about being 00:35:50.960 --> 00:35:51.920 sent forth and 00:35:51.920 --> 00:35:52.840 sent out with 00:35:52.840 --> 00:35:53.300 the gospel. 00:35:53.440 --> 00:35:53.760 So let's 00:35:53.760 --> 00:35:54.880 stand and 00:35:54.880 --> 00:35:55.039 let's 00:35:55.039 --> 00:35:55.179 stand.