WEBVTT 00:00:00.560 --> 00:00:05.740 Good morning, everyone. Thank you for your warm welcome. Good to be with you this morning. 00:00:08.000 --> 00:00:13.540 A long time ago, I used to live just two streets up from here. Well, roughly two streets, Montpelier Park. 00:00:14.599 --> 00:00:18.379 And I don't think I appreciate what a great church there was just down the road. 00:00:19.179 --> 00:00:22.879 But lovely to be with you today and to be able to open God's Word. 00:00:23.539 --> 00:00:28.560 So if you've got a Bible, it'd be great if you'd open it at Acts chapter 12 that we just had read for us. 00:00:30.219 --> 00:00:31.920 That's what we're going to be thinking this morning. 00:00:33.320 --> 00:00:38.880 So as you get to the end of chapter 11 in Acts, we're told there's a famine coming. 00:00:41.039 --> 00:00:47.079 And when you get to chapter 12, the problems for the church there are not that there's going to be no food, 00:00:47.460 --> 00:00:49.659 but rather that there's no protection. 00:00:51.000 --> 00:00:54.600 They find themselves in this war zone here. 00:00:54.600 --> 00:01:04.099 And if you've been working your way through Acts, you know that Acts is full of this kind of opposition and persecution. 00:01:05.719 --> 00:01:12.939 Largely coming from the Jews, the Sanhedrin, the kind of leaders who put Jesus to death. 00:01:12.939 --> 00:01:19.179 But then now Herod, the kind of politician, is getting involved in the act. 00:01:21.299 --> 00:01:26.379 Herod arrested some who belonged to the church, intending to persecute them. 00:01:26.759 --> 00:01:28.039 He killed James. 00:01:29.319 --> 00:01:31.659 He proceeded to seize Peter also. 00:01:31.799 --> 00:01:37.299 This is the decapitation of the church that you're witnessing here. 00:01:37.299 --> 00:01:46.500 Now the obvious question to ask is, why is God allowing these things to happen? 00:01:48.899 --> 00:01:51.579 You might have the same question when you watch the news. 00:01:53.519 --> 00:02:02.120 Afghanistan, Myanmar, Yemen, Syria, the Ukraine. 00:02:02.120 --> 00:02:06.359 Why is God allowing this to happen? 00:02:08.900 --> 00:02:11.860 And Acts chapter 12 does give you a moment's pause, doesn't it? 00:02:14.939 --> 00:02:21.099 David Attenborough, who's the great naturalist, was asked if he believed in God. 00:02:21.180 --> 00:02:22.700 He answered tentatively. 00:02:22.939 --> 00:02:28.480 He said, sometimes I stand beside a termite mound, 00:02:28.479 --> 00:02:33.959 and I wonder what knowledge they could have of me. 00:02:35.039 --> 00:02:39.099 Now it's not a ringing endorsement of the reality of God, 00:02:39.139 --> 00:02:42.519 but you can see what he's edging towards. 00:02:44.759 --> 00:02:46.599 The Bible opens with this statement. 00:02:48.060 --> 00:02:51.780 In the beginning, God created. 00:02:51.780 --> 00:03:01.920 And in that statement, you get a gulf that is far vaster than termite to human being. 00:03:03.060 --> 00:03:09.120 An infinite, eternal, omnipotent God. 00:03:10.560 --> 00:03:16.620 And my tiny, little, microscopic life, 00:03:16.620 --> 00:03:23.379 what knowledge would the termite have of God, of a human being? 00:03:24.879 --> 00:03:29.599 What of my knowledge of this infinite, eternal being? 00:03:31.840 --> 00:03:34.200 I've called this first part of the sermon today, 00:03:35.620 --> 00:03:37.599 The Uncertain Will of God. 00:03:37.599 --> 00:03:45.000 Now, if you want the kind of more classier description, 00:03:45.240 --> 00:03:47.659 it is the unsearchable will of God. 00:03:47.759 --> 00:03:51.439 But let's just talk about uncertainty for a moment or two. 00:03:51.500 --> 00:03:54.879 It doesn't mean that God's unpredictable, or that he's fickle, 00:03:55.400 --> 00:04:01.780 but it does mean we are not able to second-guess him 00:04:01.780 --> 00:04:06.919 when the Bible hasn't told us what to expect. 00:04:08.479 --> 00:04:09.400 Will he heal? 00:04:11.020 --> 00:04:12.000 Will he not heal? 00:04:13.000 --> 00:04:14.060 Will he intervene? 00:04:15.379 --> 00:04:16.660 Will he not intervene? 00:04:19.100 --> 00:04:20.959 James was killed with a sword. 00:04:23.079 --> 00:04:24.079 Peter was seized. 00:04:27.060 --> 00:04:29.560 Now, notice, will you, that we've given the time of year. 00:04:29.560 --> 00:04:32.100 Luke's a kind of precise historian, isn't he? 00:04:32.120 --> 00:04:35.259 And he just kind of puts in this date for us. 00:04:36.100 --> 00:04:40.480 He tells us that it happened, end of verse 3, 00:04:41.240 --> 00:04:44.500 during the festival of unleavened bread. 00:04:44.840 --> 00:04:48.680 And then he goes on to tell us that Peter's trial 00:04:48.680 --> 00:04:52.019 is slated for after the Passover. 00:04:52.199 --> 00:04:53.540 This is Easter. 00:04:54.040 --> 00:04:54.959 That's where we are. 00:04:55.879 --> 00:04:58.579 We're 12 years previously. 00:04:58.579 --> 00:05:00.120 This is AD 44. 00:05:00.759 --> 00:05:02.519 Maybe 14 years previously. 00:05:04.919 --> 00:05:06.039 Jesus was on trial. 00:05:07.979 --> 00:05:10.219 And prior to his trial, this is how he prayed. 00:05:10.339 --> 00:05:13.099 And going a little further, Jesus fell to the ground and prayed 00:05:13.099 --> 00:05:16.139 that if it were possible, the hour might pass from him. 00:05:16.439 --> 00:05:16.979 And he said, 00:05:17.039 --> 00:05:19.319 Abba Father, all things are possible for you. 00:05:20.620 --> 00:05:21.839 Remove this cup from me. 00:05:22.360 --> 00:05:24.079 Yet not what I will, but what you will. 00:05:24.639 --> 00:05:26.740 Now, you can hear the tension in those words, can't you? 00:05:26.740 --> 00:05:29.000 If it were possible. 00:05:29.360 --> 00:05:31.019 All things are possible for you. 00:05:33.079 --> 00:05:37.939 If the Son of God in his humanity struggled, 00:05:38.660 --> 00:05:41.120 how much more us? 00:05:42.120 --> 00:05:43.600 How much more people like us? 00:05:44.879 --> 00:05:48.819 And this passage poses two questions we're going to think about this morning. 00:05:48.819 --> 00:05:50.219 And the first question is this. 00:05:50.579 --> 00:05:56.379 How does it look, what does it look like to trust an unsearchable God? 00:05:58.139 --> 00:06:00.079 Or maybe put it slightly differently. 00:06:00.719 --> 00:06:06.500 What does faithful Christianity look like in a world where evil is real 00:06:06.500 --> 00:06:10.060 and you are uncertain of what God is planning? 00:06:10.060 --> 00:06:12.339 That's our world. 00:06:12.740 --> 00:06:13.439 That's where we live. 00:06:15.720 --> 00:06:17.040 Okay, look at verse 6. 00:06:18.800 --> 00:06:21.639 Verse 6 states, doesn't it? 00:06:22.519 --> 00:06:28.840 The night before Herod was to bring him, Peter, to trial, 00:06:30.079 --> 00:06:32.439 Peter was pacing the floor, 00:06:33.980 --> 00:06:35.120 trembling with anxiety, 00:06:35.120 --> 00:06:38.699 filled with fury at what happened to him. 00:06:40.079 --> 00:06:41.220 Not any of the above. 00:06:42.620 --> 00:06:43.280 Peter was. 00:06:44.139 --> 00:06:47.439 It's one of these great anti-climaxes in the Bible, isn't it? 00:06:49.399 --> 00:06:49.840 Sleeping. 00:06:51.000 --> 00:06:54.920 And I think you could almost insert the word soundly into that sentence 00:06:54.920 --> 00:07:00.540 in the light of the effort that has to be made to wake him up. 00:07:00.540 --> 00:07:06.900 It has to be slapped in the side to bring him to consciousness. 00:07:07.720 --> 00:07:08.520 Now, here's the thing. 00:07:10.580 --> 00:07:14.920 How can you sleep soundly when you know you're going to die? 00:07:16.640 --> 00:07:19.560 I think a lot of us would really like to know the answer to that question. 00:07:20.960 --> 00:07:23.840 How can you sleep soundly when you know you're going to die? 00:07:23.839 --> 00:07:28.179 Now, very helpfully, Peter, when he talked to the children this morning, 00:07:28.279 --> 00:07:33.699 took us back into that incident that took place in the Gospels on the boat. 00:07:35.039 --> 00:07:37.099 And we've had it unpacked for us. 00:07:37.879 --> 00:07:38.639 The storm. 00:07:39.339 --> 00:07:40.620 The disciples think they're going to die. 00:07:40.779 --> 00:07:41.699 Jesus is asleep. 00:07:42.219 --> 00:07:42.939 He gets up. 00:07:43.159 --> 00:07:45.339 He tells the wind to be quiet. 00:07:47.359 --> 00:07:50.639 Now, if you're reading Matthew's Gospel, just before that incident, 00:07:50.639 --> 00:07:54.680 Matthew tells us that a man came to Jesus and said, 00:07:55.099 --> 00:07:57.939 I will follow you wherever you go. 00:07:59.519 --> 00:08:01.019 And Jesus said to the guy, 00:08:02.419 --> 00:08:04.939 foxes of a hole, birds of the air of a nest, 00:08:05.360 --> 00:08:07.219 but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay his head. 00:08:10.939 --> 00:08:11.800 My home, 00:08:13.000 --> 00:08:14.680 my family, 00:08:15.680 --> 00:08:16.879 my money 00:08:16.879 --> 00:08:20.060 are the reassuring 00:08:20.060 --> 00:08:21.240 facts, 00:08:21.459 --> 00:08:22.639 factors about my life 00:08:22.639 --> 00:08:25.219 that gives me a sense that I'm in control. 00:08:26.060 --> 00:08:27.199 I've got a place to live. 00:08:28.259 --> 00:08:29.939 I've got some people that quite like me. 00:08:30.659 --> 00:08:32.980 I've got some cash we can manage. 00:08:33.639 --> 00:08:33.919 Right? 00:08:34.259 --> 00:08:35.059 I'm in control. 00:08:38.620 --> 00:08:40.100 Jesus takes his disciples 00:08:40.100 --> 00:08:42.840 onto the boat 00:08:42.840 --> 00:08:45.639 and into the storm 00:08:45.639 --> 00:08:47.519 to the place 00:08:47.519 --> 00:08:48.559 where it doesn't really matter 00:08:48.559 --> 00:08:49.779 if you've got a great house 00:08:49.779 --> 00:08:51.399 and loads of money in the bank. 00:08:51.519 --> 00:08:53.000 You are not in control. 00:08:55.039 --> 00:08:55.779 But hey, 00:08:57.100 --> 00:08:58.720 Jesus is in control. 00:09:00.860 --> 00:09:02.460 He can control the storm. 00:09:03.860 --> 00:09:06.019 He can keep us safe 00:09:06.019 --> 00:09:08.120 in the storm. 00:09:10.000 --> 00:09:11.580 That's a great bit of news. 00:09:11.580 --> 00:09:15.759 Jesus leads his people 00:09:15.759 --> 00:09:16.520 into the storm. 00:09:16.620 --> 00:09:17.340 Make no mistake, 00:09:17.840 --> 00:09:19.259 he will lead his people 00:09:19.259 --> 00:09:20.180 into the storm. 00:09:21.139 --> 00:09:22.160 Undoubtedly so. 00:09:23.620 --> 00:09:24.940 It's part of God's 00:09:24.940 --> 00:09:26.200 unsearchable ways. 00:09:26.320 --> 00:09:26.800 Illness 00:09:26.800 --> 00:09:27.800 or redundancy 00:09:27.800 --> 00:09:28.700 or bereavement 00:09:28.700 --> 00:09:29.520 or discrimination 00:09:29.520 --> 00:09:30.540 or whatever else 00:09:30.540 --> 00:09:32.340 you might like to think of. 00:09:33.460 --> 00:09:33.940 But Peter, 00:09:34.400 --> 00:09:35.500 Peter can sleep 00:09:35.500 --> 00:09:36.400 in the storm 00:09:36.400 --> 00:09:38.259 because he knows 00:09:38.259 --> 00:09:38.920 as Jesus 00:09:38.920 --> 00:09:39.660 has led him 00:09:39.659 --> 00:09:40.819 into this place. 00:09:42.019 --> 00:09:43.059 He will lead him 00:09:43.059 --> 00:09:44.240 through this place. 00:09:45.819 --> 00:09:46.100 You see, 00:09:46.159 --> 00:09:47.299 the thing about death is 00:09:47.299 --> 00:09:49.439 death is that 00:09:49.439 --> 00:09:50.299 terrible, 00:09:50.519 --> 00:09:51.339 terrible 00:09:51.339 --> 00:09:52.500 dead end. 00:09:53.120 --> 00:09:54.459 That horrible, 00:09:54.659 --> 00:09:55.740 horrible cul-de-sac 00:09:55.740 --> 00:09:56.839 that nobody knows 00:09:56.839 --> 00:09:57.919 what it's going to be like 00:09:57.919 --> 00:10:01.939 except Jesus 00:10:01.939 --> 00:10:04.579 who says to us 00:10:04.579 --> 00:10:05.279 even though 00:10:05.279 --> 00:10:06.039 we walk 00:10:06.039 --> 00:10:06.720 through the valley 00:10:06.720 --> 00:10:07.860 of the shadow of death, 00:10:07.860 --> 00:10:09.720 we should fear no evil 00:10:09.720 --> 00:10:11.820 for he will be with us 00:10:11.820 --> 00:10:13.659 and his rod and staff 00:10:13.659 --> 00:10:15.440 will come for us. 00:10:16.779 --> 00:10:17.419 Peter knew that. 00:10:20.340 --> 00:10:21.240 Now there's a second 00:10:21.240 --> 00:10:22.340 little aspect 00:10:22.340 --> 00:10:23.000 to this. 00:10:23.560 --> 00:10:24.139 Living in 00:10:24.139 --> 00:10:25.200 these unsearchable 00:10:25.200 --> 00:10:25.740 ways of God 00:10:25.740 --> 00:10:26.519 and it's the church 00:10:26.519 --> 00:10:27.580 that prays. 00:10:28.379 --> 00:10:29.340 Don't say Peter here 00:10:29.340 --> 00:10:30.139 as a solitary hero. 00:10:30.600 --> 00:10:31.560 Peter struggles with fear 00:10:31.560 --> 00:10:32.180 all the days 00:10:32.180 --> 00:10:32.879 of his life. 00:10:35.220 --> 00:10:36.759 It dogs his life 00:10:36.759 --> 00:10:38.960 verse 4. 00:10:39.439 --> 00:10:40.539 Herod sees Peter 00:10:40.539 --> 00:10:41.399 and put him in prison 00:10:41.399 --> 00:10:42.059 verse 5. 00:10:42.220 --> 00:10:43.179 Ernest prayer 00:10:43.179 --> 00:10:44.399 was made for him 00:10:44.399 --> 00:10:45.659 in the church 00:10:45.659 --> 00:10:46.600 and those two things 00:10:46.600 --> 00:10:46.939 are, 00:10:47.439 --> 00:10:49.200 they are closely linked. 00:10:51.580 --> 00:10:52.740 Peter slept 00:10:52.740 --> 00:10:54.539 because the church 00:10:54.539 --> 00:10:55.179 didn't sleep. 00:10:56.960 --> 00:10:57.860 Now this is not 00:10:57.860 --> 00:10:58.600 a perfect church. 00:10:58.679 --> 00:10:59.399 This is not a church 00:10:59.399 --> 00:10:59.899 that's kind of 00:10:59.899 --> 00:11:00.559 oh, 00:11:00.740 --> 00:11:01.500 we know what's going 00:11:01.500 --> 00:11:02.159 to happen here. 00:11:02.500 --> 00:11:03.580 That's why we're praying. 00:11:03.580 --> 00:11:06.740 You can see 00:11:06.740 --> 00:11:08.300 there's this 00:11:08.300 --> 00:11:09.680 lovely irony 00:11:09.680 --> 00:11:10.340 in the passage 00:11:10.340 --> 00:11:10.800 isn't there? 00:11:12.020 --> 00:11:12.759 Where this 00:11:12.759 --> 00:11:13.700 iron gate 00:11:13.700 --> 00:11:14.280 in the prison 00:11:14.280 --> 00:11:14.960 just kind of 00:11:14.960 --> 00:11:16.879 opens by itself 00:11:16.879 --> 00:11:18.860 but Peter 00:11:18.860 --> 00:11:19.440 can't get into 00:11:19.440 --> 00:11:19.780 the pyramid. 00:11:20.780 --> 00:11:21.400 Can't get the door 00:11:21.400 --> 00:11:21.700 to open 00:11:21.700 --> 00:11:24.139 because the people 00:11:24.139 --> 00:11:25.000 inside are not 00:11:25.000 --> 00:11:25.680 you know, 00:11:25.740 --> 00:11:26.700 they're not tuned in 00:11:26.700 --> 00:11:27.259 to everything 00:11:27.259 --> 00:11:28.379 that's going on. 00:11:30.259 --> 00:11:31.340 But make no mistake, 00:11:31.440 --> 00:11:32.000 their praying 00:11:32.000 --> 00:11:33.080 makes a difference 00:11:33.080 --> 00:11:35.100 and above all 00:11:35.100 --> 00:11:36.179 it makes a difference 00:11:36.179 --> 00:11:36.899 to Peter. 00:11:39.559 --> 00:11:40.080 Peter, 00:11:40.720 --> 00:11:41.419 or Jesus 00:11:41.419 --> 00:11:42.379 urged his disciples 00:11:42.379 --> 00:11:43.379 to pray with him 00:11:43.379 --> 00:11:44.100 and sadly 00:11:44.100 --> 00:11:45.440 they left him 00:11:45.440 --> 00:11:46.019 to sweat 00:11:46.019 --> 00:11:46.940 and agonise 00:11:46.940 --> 00:11:47.960 and wrestle 00:11:47.960 --> 00:11:48.559 alone. 00:11:49.019 --> 00:11:49.840 And I suspect 00:11:49.840 --> 00:11:50.320 there's 00:11:50.320 --> 00:11:52.799 a lot of that 00:11:52.799 --> 00:11:53.860 going on these days. 00:11:55.700 --> 00:11:56.399 These are not 00:11:56.399 --> 00:11:56.919 good days 00:11:56.919 --> 00:11:57.559 for commitment. 00:11:57.860 --> 00:11:58.559 People choose 00:11:58.559 --> 00:11:59.299 churches on the 00:11:59.299 --> 00:12:00.320 basis of the music 00:12:00.320 --> 00:12:01.580 or the preaching 00:12:01.580 --> 00:12:02.560 or the kids' work 00:12:02.560 --> 00:12:03.360 and feel liberty 00:12:03.360 --> 00:12:04.220 to opt out 00:12:04.220 --> 00:12:05.220 or in 00:12:05.220 --> 00:12:06.300 as these things 00:12:06.300 --> 00:12:07.280 are or aren't 00:12:07.280 --> 00:12:08.040 being delivered. 00:12:09.879 --> 00:12:10.760 Now that is 00:12:10.760 --> 00:12:12.060 a bad plan. 00:12:14.700 --> 00:12:15.700 Sooner or later 00:12:15.700 --> 00:12:16.520 you and I 00:12:16.520 --> 00:12:17.560 will find 00:12:17.560 --> 00:12:18.160 ourselves 00:12:18.160 --> 00:12:19.100 in the storm 00:12:19.100 --> 00:12:22.379 and we will 00:12:22.379 --> 00:12:22.920 need people 00:12:22.920 --> 00:12:24.000 to pray for us. 00:12:24.880 --> 00:12:25.840 Now this may not 00:12:25.840 --> 00:12:26.660 be the best reason 00:12:26.660 --> 00:12:27.580 for church membership 00:12:27.580 --> 00:12:31.040 but this much 00:12:31.040 --> 00:12:31.440 is true 00:12:31.440 --> 00:12:32.000 that the more 00:12:32.000 --> 00:12:33.120 deeply woven 00:12:33.120 --> 00:12:34.080 into the fabric 00:12:34.080 --> 00:12:35.000 of the church 00:12:35.000 --> 00:12:36.360 family we are 00:12:36.360 --> 00:12:37.740 the more we will 00:12:37.740 --> 00:12:38.620 benefit from the 00:12:38.620 --> 00:12:39.660 prayers of God's 00:12:39.660 --> 00:12:40.000 people. 00:12:41.780 --> 00:12:42.620 Not the best 00:12:42.620 --> 00:12:43.840 reason for being 00:12:43.840 --> 00:12:44.379 a church member 00:12:44.379 --> 00:12:45.120 but it's certainly 00:12:45.120 --> 00:12:46.820 an important reason. 00:12:49.180 --> 00:12:50.120 So here's how you 00:12:50.120 --> 00:12:50.680 trust in an 00:12:50.680 --> 00:12:51.560 unsearchable God. 00:12:53.220 --> 00:12:54.160 You trust him 00:12:54.160 --> 00:12:54.560 to lead you 00:12:54.560 --> 00:12:55.259 through the storm 00:12:55.259 --> 00:12:57.259 and you join 00:12:57.259 --> 00:12:57.879 the imperfect 00:12:57.879 --> 00:12:58.840 prayers of his 00:12:58.840 --> 00:12:59.120 people. 00:13:01.319 --> 00:13:02.240 Now let me 00:13:02.240 --> 00:13:02.700 switch your 00:13:02.700 --> 00:13:03.319 attention from 00:13:03.319 --> 00:13:04.240 the uncertainty 00:13:04.240 --> 00:13:06.480 to the certainty 00:13:06.480 --> 00:13:07.439 in this passage. 00:13:09.899 --> 00:13:10.939 So Acts 12 00:13:10.939 --> 00:13:11.539 is about 00:13:11.539 --> 00:13:13.220 powerful people 00:13:13.220 --> 00:13:13.879 pursuing 00:13:13.879 --> 00:13:16.419 their agendas. 00:13:19.379 --> 00:13:19.960 Herod, 00:13:20.100 --> 00:13:20.659 the Jews, 00:13:20.860 --> 00:13:21.559 increased their 00:13:21.559 --> 00:13:22.559 grip on power 00:13:22.559 --> 00:13:23.819 by raising 00:13:23.819 --> 00:13:24.460 their approval 00:13:24.460 --> 00:13:25.060 ratings. 00:13:27.560 --> 00:13:28.180 And that's 00:13:28.180 --> 00:13:28.620 what we see 00:13:28.620 --> 00:13:29.060 around our 00:13:29.060 --> 00:13:29.280 world, 00:13:29.360 --> 00:13:29.660 isn't it? 00:13:29.720 --> 00:13:30.440 Leaders and 00:13:30.440 --> 00:13:31.040 regimes 00:13:31.040 --> 00:13:32.780 squashing 00:13:32.780 --> 00:13:33.540 dissent, 00:13:34.400 --> 00:13:34.960 locking up 00:13:34.960 --> 00:13:35.400 those who 00:13:35.400 --> 00:13:35.840 don't agree 00:13:35.840 --> 00:13:36.259 with them. 00:13:37.460 --> 00:13:37.860 And it could 00:13:37.860 --> 00:13:38.240 be all those 00:13:38.240 --> 00:13:38.700 places we 00:13:38.700 --> 00:13:39.220 mentioned at 00:13:39.220 --> 00:13:39.920 the beginning. 00:13:40.120 --> 00:13:40.400 It could even 00:13:40.400 --> 00:13:40.980 be Scotland 00:13:40.980 --> 00:13:41.420 with its 00:13:41.420 --> 00:13:42.540 woke agenda. 00:13:43.620 --> 00:13:43.920 You don't 00:13:43.920 --> 00:13:44.620 want to upset 00:13:44.620 --> 00:13:45.220 these people. 00:13:48.580 --> 00:13:49.040 And these 00:13:49.040 --> 00:13:49.740 kind of 00:13:49.740 --> 00:13:50.360 pictures all 00:13:50.360 --> 00:13:50.660 too easily 00:13:50.660 --> 00:13:51.000 fill our 00:13:51.000 --> 00:13:51.519 minds with 00:13:51.519 --> 00:13:52.600 fear. 00:13:52.600 --> 00:13:53.000 You don't 00:13:53.000 --> 00:13:53.220 want to 00:13:53.220 --> 00:13:54.240 follow Herod 00:13:54.240 --> 00:13:55.680 or any 00:13:55.680 --> 00:13:55.960 of his 00:13:55.960 --> 00:13:56.360 many 00:13:56.360 --> 00:13:57.399 successors. 00:13:58.779 --> 00:13:59.259 But notice 00:13:59.259 --> 00:13:59.920 in this 00:13:59.920 --> 00:14:01.340 passage that 00:14:01.340 --> 00:14:01.620 there are 00:14:01.620 --> 00:14:02.500 two agendas, 00:14:02.659 --> 00:14:03.019 not just 00:14:03.019 --> 00:14:03.360 one. 00:14:05.659 --> 00:14:06.300 So it's not 00:14:06.300 --> 00:14:06.879 just Herod 00:14:06.879 --> 00:14:07.440 playing out 00:14:07.440 --> 00:14:08.639 his plans. 00:14:09.700 --> 00:14:10.080 We read 00:14:10.080 --> 00:14:10.360 of an 00:14:10.360 --> 00:14:10.879 angel. 00:14:11.120 --> 00:14:11.220 Well, 00:14:11.300 --> 00:14:12.720 maybe two 00:14:12.720 --> 00:14:13.120 angels, 00:14:13.320 --> 00:14:13.659 but there's 00:14:13.659 --> 00:14:14.159 certainly two 00:14:14.159 --> 00:14:15.000 incidents that 00:14:15.000 --> 00:14:15.899 concern angels. 00:14:16.060 --> 00:14:17.279 One who 00:14:17.279 --> 00:14:17.980 facilitates 00:14:17.980 --> 00:14:18.639 Peter's release 00:14:18.639 --> 00:14:19.200 and the other 00:14:19.200 --> 00:14:19.840 that brings 00:14:19.840 --> 00:14:20.540 Herod to the 00:14:20.539 --> 00:14:20.779 end of 00:14:20.779 --> 00:14:21.279 his life. 00:14:23.339 --> 00:14:23.959 And this 00:14:23.959 --> 00:14:24.639 section of 00:14:24.639 --> 00:14:25.279 Acts that 00:14:25.279 --> 00:14:25.620 was not 00:14:25.620 --> 00:14:26.000 written in 00:14:26.000 --> 00:14:26.519 chapters but 00:14:26.519 --> 00:14:27.159 in chunks 00:14:27.159 --> 00:14:28.019 runs through 00:14:28.019 --> 00:14:29.339 from 932 to 00:14:29.339 --> 00:14:30.620 chapter 1224. 00:14:31.399 --> 00:14:31.939 And there's a 00:14:31.939 --> 00:14:32.399 woman who's 00:14:32.399 --> 00:14:32.799 raised from 00:14:32.799 --> 00:14:33.819 the dead and 00:14:33.819 --> 00:14:34.419 there's a man 00:14:34.419 --> 00:14:34.839 who has a 00:14:34.839 --> 00:14:35.379 vision and 00:14:35.379 --> 00:14:35.799 there's a 00:14:35.799 --> 00:14:36.299 prophet who 00:14:36.299 --> 00:14:36.799 predicts that 00:14:36.799 --> 00:14:37.059 there's going 00:14:37.059 --> 00:14:37.339 to be a 00:14:37.339 --> 00:14:37.620 famine. 00:14:39.919 --> 00:14:40.579 And here's 00:14:40.579 --> 00:14:40.939 Luke's 00:14:40.939 --> 00:14:41.419 summary of 00:14:41.419 --> 00:14:41.779 what is 00:14:41.779 --> 00:14:42.339 really going 00:14:42.339 --> 00:14:42.799 on. 00:14:43.620 --> 00:14:44.099 So you 00:14:44.099 --> 00:14:44.319 look at 00:14:44.319 --> 00:14:45.120 verse 24 00:14:45.120 --> 00:14:46.439 and this 00:14:46.439 --> 00:14:46.740 is his 00:14:46.740 --> 00:14:47.059 little, 00:14:47.379 --> 00:14:47.959 let me tell 00:14:47.959 --> 00:14:48.279 you what's 00:14:48.279 --> 00:14:48.779 really happening 00:14:48.779 --> 00:14:49.199 here. 00:14:49.200 --> 00:14:50.820 But the 00:14:50.820 --> 00:14:51.220 word of 00:14:51.220 --> 00:14:51.980 God continued 00:14:51.980 --> 00:14:52.860 to spread 00:14:52.860 --> 00:14:54.740 and flourish. 00:14:57.520 --> 00:14:58.259 Here's the 00:14:58.259 --> 00:14:58.940 certain plan 00:14:58.940 --> 00:14:59.400 of God. 00:15:00.480 --> 00:15:00.680 Okay. 00:15:03.020 --> 00:15:03.580 So, 00:15:03.980 --> 00:15:05.980 which of 00:15:05.980 --> 00:15:06.780 these agendas 00:15:06.780 --> 00:15:08.580 has got 00:15:08.580 --> 00:15:09.220 your attention? 00:15:11.800 --> 00:15:12.160 Who's, 00:15:14.240 --> 00:15:14.940 which of 00:15:14.940 --> 00:15:15.360 these agendas 00:15:15.360 --> 00:15:15.879 are you 00:15:15.879 --> 00:15:17.060 investing in? 00:15:17.059 --> 00:15:19.959 there's one 00:15:19.959 --> 00:15:20.539 that's visible 00:15:20.539 --> 00:15:22.639 and you can 00:15:22.639 --> 00:15:23.219 see it around 00:15:23.219 --> 00:15:23.959 us here in 00:15:23.959 --> 00:15:24.500 this country 00:15:24.500 --> 00:15:24.919 and you can 00:15:24.919 --> 00:15:25.319 see it as 00:15:25.319 --> 00:15:25.819 you switch on 00:15:25.819 --> 00:15:26.339 the news, 00:15:27.179 --> 00:15:27.639 the agendas 00:15:27.639 --> 00:15:28.219 of the 00:15:28.219 --> 00:15:30.519 world or 00:15:30.519 --> 00:15:31.279 there's an 00:15:31.279 --> 00:15:32.039 agenda set out 00:15:32.039 --> 00:15:32.959 here in the 00:15:32.959 --> 00:15:33.259 scriptures. 00:15:33.539 --> 00:15:33.639 Now, 00:15:34.219 --> 00:15:35.019 let me draw 00:15:35.019 --> 00:15:35.439 your attention 00:15:35.439 --> 00:15:38.379 to a few 00:15:38.379 --> 00:15:39.239 aspects of 00:15:39.239 --> 00:15:40.579 what is true 00:15:40.579 --> 00:15:41.000 of God's 00:15:41.000 --> 00:15:41.179 agenda. 00:15:41.239 --> 00:15:41.599 Let's start 00:15:41.599 --> 00:15:41.819 with the 00:15:41.819 --> 00:15:42.179 grace of 00:15:42.179 --> 00:15:42.439 God. 00:15:42.440 --> 00:15:44.860 Now, 00:15:44.880 --> 00:15:45.200 one of the 00:15:45.200 --> 00:15:45.820 strange things 00:15:45.820 --> 00:15:46.200 about this 00:15:46.200 --> 00:15:46.940 chapter is 00:15:46.940 --> 00:15:48.880 why does 00:15:48.880 --> 00:15:49.540 Herod last 00:15:49.540 --> 00:15:50.080 until verse 00:15:50.080 --> 00:15:50.580 23? 00:15:53.280 --> 00:15:53.760 Or, 00:15:53.900 --> 00:15:54.340 let me put it 00:15:54.340 --> 00:15:54.680 to you another 00:15:54.680 --> 00:15:55.040 way, 00:15:55.960 --> 00:15:56.600 is enjoying 00:15:56.600 --> 00:15:57.060 people's 00:15:57.060 --> 00:15:58.220 flattery worse 00:15:58.220 --> 00:15:58.860 than murdering 00:15:58.860 --> 00:15:59.260 somebody? 00:16:01.140 --> 00:16:01.300 Oh, 00:16:03.020 --> 00:16:03.360 why do you 00:16:03.360 --> 00:16:03.860 get struck 00:16:03.860 --> 00:16:05.460 down when 00:16:05.460 --> 00:16:05.760 he just 00:16:05.760 --> 00:16:06.240 kind of gets 00:16:06.240 --> 00:16:06.800 a bit carried 00:16:06.800 --> 00:16:07.240 away with 00:16:07.240 --> 00:16:08.300 the audience? 00:16:08.299 --> 00:16:13.719 Now, 00:16:13.779 --> 00:16:13.959 I made 00:16:13.959 --> 00:16:14.179 the point 00:16:14.179 --> 00:16:14.419 at the 00:16:14.419 --> 00:16:15.120 start that 00:16:15.120 --> 00:16:15.439 God's 00:16:15.439 --> 00:16:15.740 ways are 00:16:15.740 --> 00:16:16.120 not our 00:16:16.120 --> 00:16:16.419 ways, 00:16:16.500 --> 00:16:16.839 and that 00:16:16.839 --> 00:16:17.379 passage we 00:16:17.379 --> 00:16:17.559 read, 00:16:17.659 --> 00:16:18.019 we heard 00:16:18.019 --> 00:16:18.679 from Isaiah, 00:16:18.979 --> 00:16:19.719 Isaiah 55, 00:16:20.939 --> 00:16:21.359 is probably 00:16:21.359 --> 00:16:22.039 the clearest 00:16:22.039 --> 00:16:23.039 passage in 00:16:23.039 --> 00:16:23.359 the Bible 00:16:23.359 --> 00:16:23.859 that makes 00:16:23.859 --> 00:16:24.559 that point. 00:16:26.019 --> 00:16:26.639 For my 00:16:26.639 --> 00:16:27.139 thoughts are 00:16:27.139 --> 00:16:27.479 not your 00:16:27.479 --> 00:16:27.919 thoughts, 00:16:29.039 --> 00:16:29.579 neither are 00:16:29.579 --> 00:16:30.219 your ways my 00:16:30.219 --> 00:16:30.479 ways, 00:16:30.579 --> 00:16:31.019 declares the 00:16:31.019 --> 00:16:31.240 Lord, 00:16:31.339 --> 00:16:31.679 for as the 00:16:31.679 --> 00:16:32.079 heavens are 00:16:32.079 --> 00:16:32.479 high above 00:16:32.479 --> 00:16:33.000 the heavens, 00:16:33.179 --> 00:16:33.620 high above 00:16:33.620 --> 00:16:34.079 the earth, 00:16:34.919 --> 00:16:35.459 so are my 00:16:35.459 --> 00:16:35.879 ways above 00:16:35.879 --> 00:16:36.479 your ways. 00:16:36.679 --> 00:16:36.899 Now, 00:16:37.319 --> 00:16:37.779 what you need 00:16:37.779 --> 00:16:38.199 to know is 00:16:38.199 --> 00:16:39.159 the for, 00:16:40.399 --> 00:16:41.199 for my 00:16:41.199 --> 00:16:42.539 ways are 00:16:42.539 --> 00:16:42.919 not your 00:16:42.919 --> 00:16:43.360 ways. 00:16:44.199 --> 00:16:44.539 So, 00:16:45.059 --> 00:16:46.439 what has he 00:16:46.439 --> 00:16:47.159 just said 00:16:47.159 --> 00:16:47.959 that shows 00:16:47.959 --> 00:16:48.480 that his 00:16:48.480 --> 00:16:49.059 ways are 00:16:49.059 --> 00:16:49.500 not our 00:16:49.500 --> 00:16:49.919 ways? 00:16:51.600 --> 00:16:52.179 Listen to 00:16:52.179 --> 00:16:52.439 what it 00:16:52.439 --> 00:16:52.740 says, 00:16:53.059 --> 00:16:53.620 seek the 00:16:53.620 --> 00:16:55.220 Lord while 00:16:55.220 --> 00:16:55.639 he may be 00:16:55.639 --> 00:16:55.980 found, 00:16:56.339 --> 00:16:56.860 let the 00:16:56.860 --> 00:16:57.839 wicked forsake 00:16:57.839 --> 00:16:58.480 his way, 00:16:59.159 --> 00:16:59.579 and the 00:16:59.579 --> 00:17:00.259 unrighteous 00:17:00.259 --> 00:17:01.159 man his 00:17:01.159 --> 00:17:01.839 thoughts, 00:17:02.959 --> 00:17:03.339 let them 00:17:03.339 --> 00:17:03.839 return to 00:17:03.839 --> 00:17:04.139 the Lord 00:17:04.139 --> 00:17:04.500 that he 00:17:04.500 --> 00:17:04.839 may have 00:17:04.839 --> 00:17:05.559 compassion 00:17:05.559 --> 00:17:06.099 on him, 00:17:06.099 --> 00:17:07.480 and to 00:17:07.480 --> 00:17:08.059 our God 00:17:08.059 --> 00:17:08.459 for he 00:17:08.459 --> 00:17:08.599 will 00:17:08.599 --> 00:17:09.299 abundantly 00:17:09.299 --> 00:17:09.899 pardon. 00:17:12.699 --> 00:17:13.119 What's 00:17:13.119 --> 00:17:13.480 God been 00:17:13.480 --> 00:17:13.819 doing in 00:17:13.819 --> 00:17:14.279 Acts chapter 00:17:14.279 --> 00:17:14.679 12? 00:17:16.599 --> 00:17:17.159 He's been 00:17:17.159 --> 00:17:17.639 saying to 00:17:17.639 --> 00:17:18.299 this wicked, 00:17:18.559 --> 00:17:19.119 unrighteous 00:17:19.119 --> 00:17:19.619 king, 00:17:21.000 --> 00:17:22.199 seek the 00:17:22.199 --> 00:17:22.539 Lord. 00:17:24.119 --> 00:17:24.539 He's been 00:17:24.539 --> 00:17:24.959 saying it 00:17:24.959 --> 00:17:25.339 through his 00:17:25.339 --> 00:17:26.000 involvement with 00:17:26.000 --> 00:17:26.419 people like 00:17:26.419 --> 00:17:26.959 James and 00:17:26.959 --> 00:17:27.399 Peter and 00:17:27.399 --> 00:17:27.699 seeing the 00:17:27.699 --> 00:17:27.959 way they 00:17:27.959 --> 00:17:28.099 are, 00:17:28.339 --> 00:17:28.899 but above 00:17:28.899 --> 00:17:29.199 all, 00:17:30.619 --> 00:17:30.980 he's been 00:17:30.980 --> 00:17:31.879 doing it 00:17:31.880 --> 00:17:32.500 as he 00:17:32.500 --> 00:17:33.760 researches, 00:17:34.240 --> 00:17:34.660 as he 00:17:34.660 --> 00:17:35.360 scrutinizes 00:17:35.360 --> 00:17:36.240 this escape, 00:17:36.400 --> 00:17:36.700 as he 00:17:36.700 --> 00:17:37.140 thinks. 00:17:37.420 --> 00:17:37.880 It's got 00:17:37.880 --> 00:17:38.500 God's 00:17:38.500 --> 00:17:39.100 fingerprints 00:17:39.100 --> 00:17:40.120 all over 00:17:40.120 --> 00:17:40.620 the thing. 00:17:41.660 --> 00:17:42.340 The door 00:17:42.340 --> 00:17:42.980 just opened, 00:17:43.560 --> 00:17:43.980 the chains 00:17:43.980 --> 00:17:44.620 fell off. 00:17:46.460 --> 00:17:46.680 Do you 00:17:46.680 --> 00:17:46.840 hear? 00:17:47.120 --> 00:17:47.580 God is 00:17:47.580 --> 00:17:48.760 speaking into 00:17:48.760 --> 00:17:49.500 his life. 00:17:50.640 --> 00:17:51.000 Oh my 00:17:51.000 --> 00:17:51.320 goodness. 00:17:53.820 --> 00:17:54.420 God has 00:17:54.420 --> 00:17:54.980 been holding 00:17:54.980 --> 00:17:55.340 out his 00:17:55.340 --> 00:17:55.880 hands to 00:17:55.880 --> 00:17:56.480 this evil 00:17:56.480 --> 00:17:57.220 seek the 00:17:57.220 --> 00:17:57.460 Lord, 00:17:57.640 --> 00:17:58.020 turn, 00:17:58.400 --> 00:17:58.860 repent. 00:17:58.859 --> 00:18:02.639 so what 00:18:02.639 --> 00:18:02.899 is it 00:18:02.899 --> 00:18:03.039 that 00:18:03.039 --> 00:18:03.519 distinguishes 00:18:03.519 --> 00:18:03.959 God 00:18:03.959 --> 00:18:04.199 from 00:18:04.199 --> 00:18:04.639 me? 00:18:07.159 --> 00:18:07.659 The 00:18:07.659 --> 00:18:08.179 measure of 00:18:08.179 --> 00:18:08.299 his 00:18:08.299 --> 00:18:08.919 grace. 00:18:11.579 --> 00:18:12.159 If you 00:18:12.159 --> 00:18:12.619 listen to 00:18:12.619 --> 00:18:12.899 this and 00:18:12.899 --> 00:18:13.139 you're not 00:18:13.139 --> 00:18:13.659 a Christian, 00:18:15.839 --> 00:18:16.359 understand 00:18:16.359 --> 00:18:16.899 that your 00:18:16.899 --> 00:18:17.339 past, 00:18:17.479 --> 00:18:17.699 whatever 00:18:17.699 --> 00:18:18.679 your past 00:18:18.679 --> 00:18:19.219 has 00:18:19.219 --> 00:18:20.459 involved, 00:18:21.299 --> 00:18:22.559 does not 00:18:22.559 --> 00:18:23.359 disqualify 00:18:23.359 --> 00:18:25.459 you from 00:18:25.459 --> 00:18:26.259 knowing God 00:18:26.259 --> 00:18:27.039 as your 00:18:27.039 --> 00:18:27.479 father. 00:18:28.859 --> 00:18:31.240 let 00:18:31.240 --> 00:18:31.539 Herod 00:18:31.539 --> 00:18:31.939 encourage 00:18:31.939 --> 00:18:32.279 you to 00:18:32.279 --> 00:18:32.639 see that 00:18:32.639 --> 00:18:33.000 if God 00:18:33.000 --> 00:18:33.519 pursued 00:18:33.519 --> 00:18:34.639 this evil 00:18:34.639 --> 00:18:35.139 king, 00:18:35.979 --> 00:18:37.639 he is 00:18:37.639 --> 00:18:38.199 inviting you 00:18:38.199 --> 00:18:38.619 to seek 00:18:38.619 --> 00:18:38.939 him. 00:18:40.619 --> 00:18:41.019 But let 00:18:41.019 --> 00:18:41.619 Herod also 00:18:41.619 --> 00:18:41.899 be a 00:18:41.899 --> 00:18:42.179 warning. 00:18:44.039 --> 00:18:44.419 The window 00:18:44.419 --> 00:18:45.099 of opportunity 00:18:45.099 --> 00:18:45.679 does not 00:18:45.679 --> 00:18:46.240 remain open 00:18:46.240 --> 00:18:46.639 forever. 00:18:47.240 --> 00:18:47.559 Seek the 00:18:47.559 --> 00:18:48.379 Lord while 00:18:48.379 --> 00:18:49.079 he may be 00:18:49.079 --> 00:18:49.479 found. 00:18:49.659 --> 00:18:49.939 When you 00:18:49.939 --> 00:18:50.159 go to 00:18:50.159 --> 00:18:50.599 24, 00:18:51.459 --> 00:18:51.879 you can't 00:18:51.879 --> 00:18:52.179 find him 00:18:52.179 --> 00:18:52.579 anymore. 00:18:52.979 --> 00:18:53.319 It's too 00:18:53.319 --> 00:18:53.559 late. 00:18:54.339 --> 00:18:54.799 There is a 00:18:54.799 --> 00:18:55.159 too late. 00:18:56.899 --> 00:18:57.219 And if 00:18:57.219 --> 00:18:57.500 you're a 00:18:57.500 --> 00:18:57.799 Christian, 00:18:57.959 --> 00:18:58.279 remember, 00:18:58.279 --> 00:18:59.180 it's not 00:18:59.180 --> 00:18:59.480 for us 00:18:59.480 --> 00:18:59.960 to decide 00:18:59.960 --> 00:19:00.359 who God 00:19:00.359 --> 00:19:00.619 is going 00:19:00.619 --> 00:19:00.940 to hold 00:19:00.940 --> 00:19:01.399 his hands 00:19:01.399 --> 00:19:01.920 out to. 00:19:03.259 --> 00:19:03.899 In Luke's 00:19:03.899 --> 00:19:04.720 first volume, 00:19:05.879 --> 00:19:06.660 Luke 23, 00:19:08.420 --> 00:19:09.339 Jesus shows 00:19:09.339 --> 00:19:11.700 mercy to a 00:19:11.700 --> 00:19:12.519 criminal who's 00:19:12.519 --> 00:19:13.299 dying beside 00:19:13.299 --> 00:19:13.579 him. 00:19:14.599 --> 00:19:15.220 In Luke's 00:19:15.220 --> 00:19:16.019 second volume 00:19:16.019 --> 00:19:16.779 in Acts 00:19:16.779 --> 00:19:17.660 chapter 9, 00:19:18.500 --> 00:19:19.000 he shows 00:19:19.000 --> 00:19:19.839 mercy to the 00:19:19.839 --> 00:19:20.200 chief of 00:19:20.200 --> 00:19:20.519 sinners. 00:19:22.879 --> 00:19:23.660 It kind 00:19:23.660 --> 00:19:24.119 of blows 00:19:24.119 --> 00:19:24.559 away the 00:19:24.559 --> 00:19:25.039 whole idea 00:19:25.039 --> 00:19:25.740 of worthiness, 00:19:25.839 --> 00:19:26.279 doesn't it? 00:19:26.279 --> 00:19:28.379 God's 00:19:28.379 --> 00:19:28.940 ways really 00:19:28.940 --> 00:19:29.500 aren't our 00:19:29.500 --> 00:19:29.859 ways. 00:19:29.960 --> 00:19:30.440 The gospel 00:19:30.440 --> 00:19:31.039 is God's 00:19:31.039 --> 00:19:31.819 unstoppable 00:19:31.819 --> 00:19:32.619 mission to 00:19:32.619 --> 00:19:33.720 deliver compassion 00:19:33.720 --> 00:19:35.359 and pardon to 00:19:35.359 --> 00:19:36.240 the wicked and 00:19:36.240 --> 00:19:37.299 the unrighteous. 00:19:38.440 --> 00:19:39.559 Are you in 00:19:39.559 --> 00:19:39.960 step with 00:19:39.960 --> 00:19:40.220 that? 00:19:40.879 --> 00:19:41.379 Really? 00:19:43.059 --> 00:19:43.720 Or are 00:19:43.720 --> 00:19:44.099 there some 00:19:44.099 --> 00:19:44.579 people that 00:19:44.579 --> 00:19:44.980 you go, 00:19:46.299 --> 00:19:46.579 nah, 00:19:47.480 --> 00:19:48.200 not him. 00:19:50.299 --> 00:19:50.839 Second 00:19:50.839 --> 00:19:51.139 thing, 00:19:52.079 --> 00:19:52.200 the 00:19:52.200 --> 00:19:52.639 pastor of 00:19:52.639 --> 00:19:53.039 Jesus. 00:19:53.039 --> 00:19:54.619 verse 17 00:19:54.619 --> 00:19:55.079 ends by 00:19:55.079 --> 00:19:55.559 telling us 00:19:55.559 --> 00:19:56.000 that Peter 00:19:56.000 --> 00:19:58.319 departed and 00:19:58.319 --> 00:19:59.019 went to 00:19:59.019 --> 00:19:59.899 another place. 00:20:01.779 --> 00:20:02.180 Now, 00:20:02.259 --> 00:20:02.599 as you know, 00:20:02.639 --> 00:20:03.059 up to this 00:20:03.059 --> 00:20:03.440 point, 00:20:03.700 --> 00:20:04.039 Peter has 00:20:04.039 --> 00:20:04.379 been the 00:20:04.379 --> 00:20:04.720 leader of 00:20:04.720 --> 00:20:05.180 the church. 00:20:05.259 --> 00:20:05.619 He's the 00:20:05.619 --> 00:20:06.180 rock that 00:20:06.180 --> 00:20:06.839 Jesus spoke 00:20:06.839 --> 00:20:07.099 of. 00:20:07.180 --> 00:20:07.379 He's 00:20:07.379 --> 00:20:07.619 preached 00:20:07.619 --> 00:20:08.220 those great 00:20:08.220 --> 00:20:08.639 sermons 00:20:08.639 --> 00:20:09.139 in Acts. 00:20:09.480 --> 00:20:09.920 He's 00:20:09.920 --> 00:20:10.539 operated the 00:20:10.539 --> 00:20:11.700 keys that 00:20:11.700 --> 00:20:12.039 let the 00:20:12.039 --> 00:20:12.680 Gentiles 00:20:12.680 --> 00:20:13.279 into the 00:20:13.279 --> 00:20:13.859 church. 00:20:15.539 --> 00:20:15.879 But now 00:20:15.879 --> 00:20:16.359 that's it. 00:20:17.759 --> 00:20:18.559 You almost 00:20:18.559 --> 00:20:19.200 hear nothing 00:20:19.200 --> 00:20:19.700 else of 00:20:19.700 --> 00:20:20.139 Peter in 00:20:20.139 --> 00:20:20.420 the rest 00:20:20.420 --> 00:20:20.899 of Acts. 00:20:20.900 --> 00:20:22.860 get a 00:20:22.860 --> 00:20:23.180 glimpse of 00:20:23.180 --> 00:20:23.380 him in 00:20:23.380 --> 00:20:23.820 15. 00:20:25.220 --> 00:20:25.640 But he's 00:20:25.640 --> 00:20:26.019 getting off 00:20:26.019 --> 00:20:26.640 the stage. 00:20:27.840 --> 00:20:28.300 He's 00:20:28.300 --> 00:20:28.840 vacating the 00:20:28.840 --> 00:20:29.360 platform. 00:20:29.920 --> 00:20:30.220 He's 00:20:30.220 --> 00:20:30.860 stepping down. 00:20:30.980 --> 00:20:31.500 Another guy 00:20:31.500 --> 00:20:31.960 called 00:20:31.960 --> 00:20:32.980 Saul, 00:20:34.080 --> 00:20:34.540 Paul, 00:20:34.720 --> 00:20:35.080 is going 00:20:35.080 --> 00:20:35.540 to become 00:20:35.540 --> 00:20:36.320 the main 00:20:36.320 --> 00:20:36.920 person 00:20:36.920 --> 00:20:38.340 from here 00:20:38.340 --> 00:20:38.680 on. 00:20:40.660 --> 00:20:40.880 And 00:20:40.880 --> 00:20:41.180 Peter's 00:20:41.180 --> 00:20:41.580 okay with 00:20:41.580 --> 00:20:41.780 that. 00:20:42.820 --> 00:20:43.440 He 00:20:43.440 --> 00:20:43.960 leaves 00:20:43.960 --> 00:20:45.360 for another 00:20:45.360 --> 00:20:46.060 place, 00:20:46.519 --> 00:20:46.980 a less 00:20:46.980 --> 00:20:47.500 significant 00:20:47.500 --> 00:20:48.120 place, 00:20:48.519 --> 00:20:48.900 a less 00:20:48.900 --> 00:20:49.500 prominent 00:20:49.500 --> 00:20:50.300 place. 00:20:50.900 --> 00:20:53.360 here's 00:20:53.360 --> 00:20:53.759 how life 00:20:53.759 --> 00:20:54.280 normally 00:20:54.280 --> 00:20:54.920 works. 00:20:55.300 --> 00:20:55.480 Okay? 00:20:56.620 --> 00:20:57.040 You would 00:20:57.040 --> 00:20:57.700 describe it 00:20:57.700 --> 00:20:59.100 the normal 00:20:59.100 --> 00:21:00.380 direction of 00:21:00.380 --> 00:21:01.160 travel is 00:21:01.160 --> 00:21:01.820 to be 00:21:01.820 --> 00:21:03.519 upwardly 00:21:03.519 --> 00:21:03.840 mobile. 00:21:05.780 --> 00:21:06.560 You get a 00:21:06.560 --> 00:21:07.100 slightly better 00:21:07.100 --> 00:21:07.540 house. 00:21:08.500 --> 00:21:09.120 You might 00:21:09.120 --> 00:21:09.380 get a 00:21:09.380 --> 00:21:10.060 better car. 00:21:11.060 --> 00:21:11.480 You get a 00:21:11.480 --> 00:21:11.800 little bit 00:21:11.800 --> 00:21:12.400 of a step 00:21:12.400 --> 00:21:12.720 up at 00:21:12.720 --> 00:21:13.160 work. 00:21:13.940 --> 00:21:14.160 You have 00:21:14.160 --> 00:21:14.519 a little 00:21:14.519 --> 00:21:14.960 bit more 00:21:14.960 --> 00:21:15.440 dough. 00:21:16.140 --> 00:21:16.460 You go 00:21:16.460 --> 00:21:17.060 on slightly 00:21:17.060 --> 00:21:17.360 better 00:21:17.360 --> 00:21:17.980 holidays. 00:21:17.980 --> 00:21:22.079 That's 00:21:22.079 --> 00:21:22.620 the usual 00:21:22.620 --> 00:21:23.279 direction 00:21:23.279 --> 00:21:23.799 of travel. 00:21:26.700 --> 00:21:27.279 Though 00:21:27.279 --> 00:21:27.900 he was 00:21:27.900 --> 00:21:28.400 in the 00:21:28.400 --> 00:21:28.920 form of 00:21:28.920 --> 00:21:29.380 God, 00:21:30.380 --> 00:21:32.259 he did 00:21:32.259 --> 00:21:32.759 not count 00:21:32.759 --> 00:21:33.620 equality a 00:21:33.620 --> 00:21:34.039 thing to 00:21:34.039 --> 00:21:35.059 be grasped, 00:21:36.440 --> 00:21:38.019 but emptied 00:21:38.019 --> 00:21:38.519 himself, 00:21:38.660 --> 00:21:39.120 taking the 00:21:39.120 --> 00:21:39.759 form of a 00:21:39.759 --> 00:21:40.059 servant. 00:21:40.180 --> 00:21:40.339 Do you 00:21:40.339 --> 00:21:40.700 see where 00:21:40.700 --> 00:21:41.220 Jesus is 00:21:41.220 --> 00:21:41.480 going? 00:21:42.980 --> 00:21:43.539 Downward 00:21:43.539 --> 00:21:44.140 mobility. 00:21:44.140 --> 00:21:50.900 So he 00:21:50.900 --> 00:21:51.580 associates 00:21:51.580 --> 00:21:51.900 with the 00:21:51.900 --> 00:21:52.440 marginalized, 00:21:54.180 --> 00:21:54.840 the lepers 00:21:54.840 --> 00:21:55.900 and the 00:21:55.900 --> 00:21:56.480 beggars. 00:21:57.759 --> 00:21:58.940 He mixes 00:21:58.940 --> 00:22:00.080 with the 00:22:00.080 --> 00:22:00.820 despised 00:22:00.820 --> 00:22:01.680 tax collectors 00:22:01.680 --> 00:22:02.960 and prostitutes. 00:22:04.320 --> 00:22:05.220 And these 00:22:05.220 --> 00:22:06.160 things trash 00:22:06.160 --> 00:22:07.060 his reputation. 00:22:08.980 --> 00:22:09.259 They 00:22:09.259 --> 00:22:09.660 ultimately, 00:22:09.840 --> 00:22:10.280 they give him 00:22:10.280 --> 00:22:10.880 a place 00:22:10.880 --> 00:22:11.680 among the 00:22:11.680 --> 00:22:12.480 criminals to 00:22:12.480 --> 00:22:12.860 die. 00:22:12.859 --> 00:22:14.879 But of 00:22:14.879 --> 00:22:15.039 course, 00:22:15.119 --> 00:22:15.359 you see, 00:22:15.419 --> 00:22:15.839 this is the 00:22:15.839 --> 00:22:16.059 thing, 00:22:16.119 --> 00:22:16.459 isn't it? 00:22:16.639 --> 00:22:17.139 Jesus is 00:22:17.139 --> 00:22:17.799 not pursuing 00:22:17.799 --> 00:22:18.179 his own 00:22:18.179 --> 00:22:18.559 agenda. 00:22:20.099 --> 00:22:20.779 He isn't 00:22:20.779 --> 00:22:22.199 asking what 00:22:22.199 --> 00:22:22.639 he would 00:22:22.639 --> 00:22:23.699 enjoy doing. 00:22:25.000 --> 00:22:26.139 What would 00:22:26.139 --> 00:22:26.619 I like to 00:22:26.619 --> 00:22:26.839 do? 00:22:28.740 --> 00:22:29.179 He's 00:22:29.179 --> 00:22:29.679 serving his 00:22:29.679 --> 00:22:30.079 father's 00:22:30.079 --> 00:22:30.359 plan. 00:22:30.459 --> 00:22:30.559 He's 00:22:30.559 --> 00:22:30.939 looking for 00:22:30.939 --> 00:22:31.439 his father's 00:22:31.439 --> 00:22:31.799 approval. 00:22:33.019 --> 00:22:33.379 And Peter 00:22:33.379 --> 00:22:33.899 is heading in 00:22:33.899 --> 00:22:34.199 the same 00:22:34.199 --> 00:22:34.740 direction. 00:22:36.019 --> 00:22:36.699 Out of the 00:22:36.699 --> 00:22:37.059 limelight, 00:22:37.219 --> 00:22:37.619 off the 00:22:37.619 --> 00:22:37.979 platform, 00:22:38.199 --> 00:22:38.619 down into 00:22:38.619 --> 00:22:39.240 some less 00:22:39.240 --> 00:22:39.899 prominent but 00:22:39.899 --> 00:22:40.519 no less 00:22:40.519 --> 00:22:41.000 significant 00:22:41.000 --> 00:22:41.559 ministry. 00:22:41.559 --> 00:22:44.319 the 00:22:44.319 --> 00:22:45.059 progress of 00:22:45.059 --> 00:22:45.200 the 00:22:45.200 --> 00:22:47.419 gospel or 00:22:47.419 --> 00:22:47.599 the 00:22:47.599 --> 00:22:48.319 progress of 00:22:48.319 --> 00:22:48.679 me, 00:22:50.139 --> 00:22:51.299 my agenda 00:22:51.299 --> 00:22:53.059 or his 00:22:53.059 --> 00:22:53.539 agenda. 00:22:54.700 --> 00:22:55.539 Those are the 00:22:55.539 --> 00:22:55.799 kind of 00:22:55.799 --> 00:22:56.379 choices that 00:22:56.379 --> 00:22:56.879 we have. 00:23:00.259 --> 00:23:00.859 Now, 00:23:00.960 --> 00:23:01.319 it's about 00:23:01.319 --> 00:23:03.240 our thinking. 00:23:03.519 --> 00:23:04.000 It's about an 00:23:04.000 --> 00:23:04.659 attitude in 00:23:04.659 --> 00:23:05.440 our minds. 00:23:05.440 --> 00:23:06.460 So we're 00:23:06.460 --> 00:23:06.960 all used to 00:23:06.960 --> 00:23:07.380 seeing the 00:23:07.380 --> 00:23:07.980 images of 00:23:07.980 --> 00:23:09.460 the Ukrainian 00:23:09.460 --> 00:23:10.160 president, 00:23:10.299 --> 00:23:10.980 Zelensky, 00:23:11.400 --> 00:23:12.840 with his 00:23:12.840 --> 00:23:13.640 kind of 00:23:13.640 --> 00:23:14.640 five o'clock 00:23:14.640 --> 00:23:15.299 shadow and 00:23:15.299 --> 00:23:16.700 his battle 00:23:16.700 --> 00:23:17.500 fatigues as 00:23:17.500 --> 00:23:17.920 if he's just 00:23:17.920 --> 00:23:18.380 come off 00:23:18.380 --> 00:23:18.900 patrol. 00:23:21.360 --> 00:23:21.920 And there's 00:23:21.920 --> 00:23:22.559 something entirely 00:23:22.559 --> 00:23:23.380 appropriate about 00:23:23.380 --> 00:23:23.960 that, of course, 00:23:24.039 --> 00:23:24.440 isn't there? 00:23:25.019 --> 00:23:25.820 There's a war 00:23:25.820 --> 00:23:26.140 on. 00:23:27.640 --> 00:23:28.200 You don't 00:23:28.200 --> 00:23:28.900 expect to see 00:23:28.900 --> 00:23:29.259 him walking 00:23:29.259 --> 00:23:29.900 down a red 00:23:29.900 --> 00:23:31.240 carpet to get 00:23:31.240 --> 00:23:31.860 into a big 00:23:31.860 --> 00:23:32.680 stretch limo where 00:23:32.680 --> 00:23:33.299 somebody opens 00:23:33.299 --> 00:23:33.820 the door for 00:23:33.820 --> 00:23:33.940 him. 00:23:33.940 --> 00:23:34.259 You think, 00:23:34.360 --> 00:23:34.740 no, no, no, 00:23:34.740 --> 00:23:35.279 that's all 00:23:35.279 --> 00:23:35.759 wrong. 00:23:39.259 --> 00:23:39.920 Peter had 00:23:39.920 --> 00:23:40.500 that wartime 00:23:40.500 --> 00:23:41.100 mentality. 00:23:42.900 --> 00:23:43.740 As he heads 00:23:43.740 --> 00:23:45.940 off to play 00:23:45.940 --> 00:23:46.519 a different 00:23:46.519 --> 00:23:47.660 part that 00:23:47.660 --> 00:23:48.380 his commanding 00:23:48.380 --> 00:23:49.019 officer has 00:23:49.019 --> 00:23:49.720 just assigned 00:23:49.720 --> 00:23:50.220 him to, 00:23:52.420 --> 00:23:52.740 and 00:23:52.740 --> 00:23:53.340 consequently, 00:23:53.519 --> 00:23:53.960 the word of 00:23:53.960 --> 00:23:55.460 God increases 00:23:55.460 --> 00:23:56.580 and multiplies. 00:23:59.240 --> 00:23:59.840 I'm going to 00:23:59.840 --> 00:24:00.279 say one other 00:24:00.279 --> 00:24:00.580 thing. 00:24:01.840 --> 00:24:02.680 This is the 00:24:02.680 --> 00:24:03.380 certain plan of 00:24:03.380 --> 00:24:03.759 God. 00:24:03.759 --> 00:24:04.319 This is how 00:24:04.319 --> 00:24:04.680 it happens 00:24:04.680 --> 00:24:06.319 as we start 00:24:06.319 --> 00:24:06.740 to get in 00:24:06.740 --> 00:24:07.140 step with 00:24:07.140 --> 00:24:07.519 the grace 00:24:07.519 --> 00:24:07.940 of God 00:24:07.940 --> 00:24:08.440 that reaches 00:24:08.440 --> 00:24:08.980 down to 00:24:08.980 --> 00:24:09.339 the wicked 00:24:09.339 --> 00:24:09.900 and the 00:24:09.900 --> 00:24:10.539 unrighteous. 00:24:11.140 --> 00:24:11.660 As we 00:24:11.660 --> 00:24:12.200 start to be 00:24:12.200 --> 00:24:12.640 ready to 00:24:12.640 --> 00:24:13.519 step down, 00:24:13.799 --> 00:24:14.119 down, 00:24:14.259 --> 00:24:14.519 down, 00:24:14.700 --> 00:24:15.160 down. 00:24:17.039 --> 00:24:17.700 And then 00:24:17.700 --> 00:24:18.259 clearly, 00:24:18.759 --> 00:24:20.259 as we 00:24:20.259 --> 00:24:21.819 cooperate and 00:24:21.819 --> 00:24:22.400 participate in 00:24:22.400 --> 00:24:22.859 the prayers of 00:24:22.859 --> 00:24:23.420 the church. 00:24:23.740 --> 00:24:24.779 So twice in 00:24:24.779 --> 00:24:25.220 this chapter, 00:24:25.319 --> 00:24:25.660 we're reminded 00:24:25.660 --> 00:24:26.059 of the prayer 00:24:26.059 --> 00:24:26.339 meeting. 00:24:26.940 --> 00:24:27.599 Verse 4, 00:24:27.660 --> 00:24:28.180 verse 12. 00:24:28.180 --> 00:24:30.360 And we 00:24:30.360 --> 00:24:30.680 are most 00:24:30.680 --> 00:24:31.200 certainly meant 00:24:31.200 --> 00:24:31.620 to make that 00:24:31.620 --> 00:24:31.960 connection 00:24:31.960 --> 00:24:32.400 between the 00:24:32.400 --> 00:24:32.840 prayer of the 00:24:32.840 --> 00:24:33.259 church and 00:24:33.259 --> 00:24:33.720 the progress 00:24:33.720 --> 00:24:33.940 of the 00:24:33.940 --> 00:24:34.299 gospel. 00:24:36.160 --> 00:24:36.660 Listen to 00:24:36.660 --> 00:24:36.980 what Jesus 00:24:36.980 --> 00:24:37.620 said on 00:24:37.620 --> 00:24:38.240 those two 00:24:38.240 --> 00:24:38.779 subjects. 00:24:38.779 --> 00:24:42.240 truly I say 00:24:42.240 --> 00:24:42.720 to you, 00:24:43.859 --> 00:24:44.579 whoever says 00:24:44.579 --> 00:24:44.960 to this 00:24:44.960 --> 00:24:45.379 mountain, 00:24:45.660 --> 00:24:46.119 be taken 00:24:46.119 --> 00:24:46.480 up and 00:24:46.480 --> 00:24:46.920 thrown into 00:24:46.920 --> 00:24:47.359 the sea and 00:24:47.359 --> 00:24:47.740 does not 00:24:47.740 --> 00:24:48.039 doubt in 00:24:48.039 --> 00:24:48.480 their heart, 00:24:48.559 --> 00:24:49.000 but believes 00:24:49.000 --> 00:24:49.279 that what 00:24:49.279 --> 00:24:49.579 they say 00:24:49.579 --> 00:24:49.980 will come 00:24:49.980 --> 00:24:50.579 to pass, 00:24:50.940 --> 00:24:51.500 it will be 00:24:51.500 --> 00:24:52.000 done for 00:24:52.000 --> 00:24:52.299 him. 00:24:53.759 --> 00:24:54.039 Therefore, 00:24:54.139 --> 00:24:54.579 whatever you 00:24:54.579 --> 00:24:55.000 ask in 00:24:55.000 --> 00:24:55.220 prayer, 00:24:55.339 --> 00:24:55.680 believe that 00:24:55.680 --> 00:24:55.920 you have 00:24:55.920 --> 00:24:56.379 received it 00:24:56.379 --> 00:24:56.539 and it 00:24:56.539 --> 00:24:56.779 will be 00:24:56.779 --> 00:24:57.160 yours. 00:24:57.160 --> 00:24:59.380 Now, 00:24:59.400 --> 00:24:59.900 Jesus spoke 00:24:59.900 --> 00:25:00.240 those words 00:25:00.240 --> 00:25:00.900 just after 00:25:00.900 --> 00:25:01.140 he had 00:25:01.140 --> 00:25:01.560 driven the 00:25:01.560 --> 00:25:02.259 traders out 00:25:02.259 --> 00:25:02.460 of the 00:25:02.460 --> 00:25:03.900 temple and 00:25:03.900 --> 00:25:04.100 he had 00:25:04.100 --> 00:25:04.440 pronounced 00:25:04.440 --> 00:25:05.540 judgment on 00:25:05.540 --> 00:25:06.300 Jerusalem's 00:25:06.300 --> 00:25:07.420 religion by 00:25:07.420 --> 00:25:08.080 means of 00:25:08.080 --> 00:25:08.779 the fig tree. 00:25:09.920 --> 00:25:10.279 Curse the 00:25:10.279 --> 00:25:10.720 fig tree, 00:25:10.940 --> 00:25:11.279 died, 00:25:11.440 --> 00:25:11.759 withered, 00:25:12.460 --> 00:25:12.720 boom. 00:25:16.279 --> 00:25:17.140 Jesus is 00:25:17.140 --> 00:25:17.960 referring here 00:25:17.960 --> 00:25:18.420 in this 00:25:18.420 --> 00:25:19.700 section to 00:25:19.700 --> 00:25:20.519 Jerusalem when 00:25:20.519 --> 00:25:21.060 he says, 00:25:21.740 --> 00:25:22.360 whoever says, 00:25:22.680 --> 00:25:23.240 he didn't 00:25:23.240 --> 00:25:23.620 say, 00:25:24.000 --> 00:25:24.500 whoever says 00:25:24.500 --> 00:25:24.860 to a 00:25:24.860 --> 00:25:25.180 mountain, 00:25:25.779 --> 00:25:26.279 he said, 00:25:26.680 --> 00:25:26.880 whoever 00:25:26.880 --> 00:25:27.600 says to 00:25:27.600 --> 00:25:28.160 this 00:25:28.160 --> 00:25:28.760 mountain, 00:25:29.020 --> 00:25:29.500 the mountain 00:25:29.500 --> 00:25:30.200 is Jerusalem. 00:25:31.120 --> 00:25:31.280 Okay. 00:25:34.200 --> 00:25:34.740 Now, 00:25:34.780 --> 00:25:35.140 the book of 00:25:35.140 --> 00:25:35.680 Acts shows 00:25:35.680 --> 00:25:36.060 you that 00:25:36.060 --> 00:25:36.960 Jerusalem is 00:25:36.960 --> 00:25:37.560 a massive 00:25:37.560 --> 00:25:38.360 obstacle to 00:25:38.360 --> 00:25:38.800 the progress 00:25:38.800 --> 00:25:39.060 of the 00:25:39.060 --> 00:25:39.480 church. 00:25:41.160 --> 00:25:41.680 They're 00:25:41.680 --> 00:25:42.060 trying to 00:25:42.060 --> 00:25:42.820 dampen 00:25:42.820 --> 00:25:44.260 the 00:25:44.260 --> 00:25:45.360 enthusiasm, 00:25:45.560 --> 00:25:45.680 they're 00:25:45.680 --> 00:25:45.940 trying to 00:25:45.940 --> 00:25:46.360 kill their 00:25:46.360 --> 00:25:46.660 leaders, 00:25:47.200 --> 00:25:47.460 they're 00:25:47.460 --> 00:25:48.380 trying to 00:25:48.380 --> 00:25:49.080 crush the 00:25:49.080 --> 00:25:49.580 whole thing 00:25:49.580 --> 00:25:50.600 at the 00:25:50.600 --> 00:25:50.920 outset. 00:25:52.620 --> 00:25:53.140 Now, 00:25:53.180 --> 00:25:53.420 if you've 00:25:53.420 --> 00:25:53.760 been around 00:25:53.760 --> 00:25:54.260 in Jerusalem 00:25:54.260 --> 00:25:54.680 in those 00:25:54.680 --> 00:25:55.200 days, 00:25:56.300 --> 00:25:56.740 and you'd 00:25:56.740 --> 00:25:58.480 seen the 00:25:58.480 --> 00:25:59.200 Sanhedrin 00:25:59.200 --> 00:26:00.339 and the 00:26:00.339 --> 00:26:01.240 Pharisees 00:26:01.240 --> 00:26:02.480 who control 00:26:02.480 --> 00:26:03.120 the police 00:26:03.120 --> 00:26:04.019 and who run 00:26:04.019 --> 00:26:04.700 the courts 00:26:04.700 --> 00:26:05.299 and who've 00:26:05.299 --> 00:26:05.620 got the 00:26:05.620 --> 00:26:06.019 ear of the 00:26:06.019 --> 00:26:06.160 Roman 00:26:06.160 --> 00:26:06.559 governor, 00:26:06.900 --> 00:26:07.259 and you've 00:26:07.259 --> 00:26:07.799 got Jesus 00:26:07.799 --> 00:26:08.079 and his 00:26:08.079 --> 00:26:08.759 little band 00:26:08.759 --> 00:26:09.440 of followers, 00:26:10.019 --> 00:26:10.519 and you've 00:26:10.519 --> 00:26:10.920 been asked, 00:26:11.160 --> 00:26:11.720 which one of 00:26:11.720 --> 00:26:12.339 these two do 00:26:12.339 --> 00:26:12.620 you think 00:26:12.620 --> 00:26:13.339 will survive? 00:26:13.839 --> 00:26:14.339 I don't 00:26:14.339 --> 00:26:14.660 think it 00:26:14.660 --> 00:26:14.759 would have 00:26:14.759 --> 00:26:14.920 been a 00:26:14.920 --> 00:26:15.500 hard question 00:26:15.500 --> 00:26:16.079 to answer. 00:26:16.079 --> 00:26:21.740 But within 00:26:21.740 --> 00:26:22.659 40 years 00:26:22.659 --> 00:26:24.119 of the 00:26:24.119 --> 00:26:24.519 death of 00:26:24.519 --> 00:26:25.000 Jesus, 00:26:26.000 --> 00:26:27.279 the mountain 00:26:27.279 --> 00:26:27.679 has been 00:26:27.679 --> 00:26:28.220 moved out 00:26:28.220 --> 00:26:28.699 the road. 00:26:30.740 --> 00:26:31.179 Judaism 00:26:31.179 --> 00:26:31.799 is no 00:26:31.799 --> 00:26:32.339 longer the 00:26:32.339 --> 00:26:32.740 threat that 00:26:32.740 --> 00:26:33.179 it was to 00:26:33.179 --> 00:26:33.599 the church 00:26:33.599 --> 00:26:34.419 and the 00:26:34.419 --> 00:26:35.319 progress of 00:26:35.319 --> 00:26:35.740 the gospel 00:26:35.740 --> 00:26:36.379 goes on 00:26:36.379 --> 00:26:36.679 to the 00:26:36.679 --> 00:26:37.039 world. 00:26:39.099 --> 00:26:39.799 Come with 00:26:39.799 --> 00:26:40.139 me to 00:26:40.139 --> 00:26:40.919 the 16th 00:26:40.919 --> 00:26:41.379 century. 00:26:41.380 --> 00:26:44.340 16th 00:26:44.340 --> 00:26:44.660 century, 00:26:44.760 --> 00:26:45.180 the church 00:26:45.180 --> 00:26:46.100 is moribund. 00:26:47.180 --> 00:26:47.740 The medieval 00:26:47.740 --> 00:26:48.500 church is 00:26:48.500 --> 00:26:49.140 just a 00:26:49.140 --> 00:26:50.560 mass of 00:26:50.560 --> 00:26:52.320 money-making 00:26:52.320 --> 00:26:52.940 schemes. 00:26:54.740 --> 00:26:55.060 And a 00:26:55.060 --> 00:26:55.660 friar called 00:26:55.660 --> 00:26:56.440 Martin Luther 00:26:56.440 --> 00:26:58.020 in a 00:26:58.020 --> 00:26:59.040 backwater 00:26:59.040 --> 00:26:59.440 called 00:26:59.440 --> 00:27:00.120 Wittenberg 00:27:00.120 --> 00:27:01.040 in Germany 00:27:01.040 --> 00:27:04.540 rediscovers 00:27:04.540 --> 00:27:05.140 the gospel 00:27:05.140 --> 00:27:05.760 and stands 00:27:05.760 --> 00:27:06.380 against the 00:27:06.380 --> 00:27:07.300 Pope and 00:27:07.300 --> 00:27:07.680 the Holy 00:27:07.680 --> 00:27:07.940 Roman 00:27:07.940 --> 00:27:08.460 Empire. 00:27:09.660 --> 00:27:10.300 Not 00:27:10.300 --> 00:27:10.660 alone, 00:27:11.020 --> 00:27:11.220 but 00:27:11.220 --> 00:27:11.940 pretty much 00:27:11.940 --> 00:27:12.299 alone. 00:27:14.220 --> 00:27:14.660 And God 00:27:14.660 --> 00:27:15.299 moves this 00:27:15.299 --> 00:27:15.839 mountain out 00:27:15.839 --> 00:27:15.960 of the 00:27:15.960 --> 00:27:16.240 way. 00:27:18.720 --> 00:27:19.299 We've 00:27:19.299 --> 00:27:19.900 heard today 00:27:19.900 --> 00:27:21.039 about 00:27:21.039 --> 00:27:21.539 Romania. 00:27:23.799 --> 00:27:24.740 Go back 00:27:24.740 --> 00:27:25.700 just over 00:27:25.700 --> 00:27:28.039 35 years 00:27:28.039 --> 00:27:28.500 and you 00:27:28.500 --> 00:27:28.920 would not 00:27:28.920 --> 00:27:29.279 have heard 00:27:29.279 --> 00:27:29.740 that kind 00:27:29.740 --> 00:27:30.160 of report 00:27:30.160 --> 00:27:30.720 in church. 00:27:32.160 --> 00:27:33.000 Go back 00:27:33.000 --> 00:27:33.220 to the 00:27:33.220 --> 00:27:33.579 bad old 00:27:33.579 --> 00:27:33.980 days of 00:27:33.980 --> 00:27:34.620 the 70s 00:27:34.620 --> 00:27:34.880 and the 00:27:34.880 --> 00:27:35.120 Soviet 00:27:35.120 --> 00:27:35.519 Union 00:27:35.519 --> 00:27:36.039 and Romania 00:27:36.039 --> 00:27:36.680 under the 00:27:36.680 --> 00:27:37.220 rule of 00:27:37.220 --> 00:27:37.860 Ceausescu 00:27:37.860 --> 00:27:39.059 and nobody's 00:27:39.059 --> 00:27:39.839 setting up 00:27:39.839 --> 00:27:40.259 these kind 00:27:40.259 --> 00:27:40.740 of places. 00:27:41.220 --> 00:27:42.319 It's all 00:27:42.319 --> 00:27:42.799 underground. 00:27:43.460 --> 00:27:43.579 Oh, 00:27:43.620 --> 00:27:44.180 the gospel's 00:27:44.180 --> 00:27:44.460 there, 00:27:44.620 --> 00:27:44.940 but it's 00:27:44.940 --> 00:27:45.420 underground. 00:27:47.460 --> 00:27:47.980 1989, 00:27:49.319 --> 00:27:50.660 the mountain 00:27:50.660 --> 00:27:51.100 moves. 00:27:51.099 --> 00:27:55.439 mountain 00:27:55.439 --> 00:27:55.839 that you 00:27:55.839 --> 00:27:56.099 and I 00:27:56.099 --> 00:27:56.240 are 00:27:56.240 --> 00:27:56.599 conscious 00:27:56.599 --> 00:27:56.799 of 00:27:56.799 --> 00:27:57.119 today 00:27:57.119 --> 00:27:57.359 is 00:27:57.359 --> 00:27:57.899 Islam. 00:27:59.579 --> 00:28:00.219 Some of 00:28:00.219 --> 00:28:00.419 you may 00:28:00.419 --> 00:28:00.939 have read 00:28:00.939 --> 00:28:01.659 or heard 00:28:01.659 --> 00:28:01.980 of a 00:28:01.980 --> 00:28:02.279 book 00:28:02.279 --> 00:28:04.519 written by 00:28:04.519 --> 00:28:04.779 David 00:28:04.779 --> 00:28:05.219 Garrison 00:28:05.219 --> 00:28:05.539 called 00:28:05.539 --> 00:28:06.000 The Wind 00:28:06.000 --> 00:28:06.400 in the 00:28:06.400 --> 00:28:06.880 House of 00:28:06.880 --> 00:28:08.680 the House 00:28:08.680 --> 00:28:09.500 of Islam. 00:28:09.500 --> 00:28:10.259 It's 00:28:10.259 --> 00:28:11.819 quite a 00:28:11.819 --> 00:28:12.160 challenging 00:28:12.160 --> 00:28:12.619 book to 00:28:12.619 --> 00:28:13.180 read because 00:28:13.180 --> 00:28:13.440 it's got 00:28:13.440 --> 00:28:14.599 so many 00:28:14.599 --> 00:28:15.240 statistics 00:28:15.240 --> 00:28:15.680 in it. 00:28:15.759 --> 00:28:16.180 It's so 00:28:16.180 --> 00:28:16.640 carefully 00:28:16.640 --> 00:28:17.480 researched. 00:28:20.279 --> 00:28:20.680 Garrison 00:28:20.680 --> 00:28:22.279 has 00:28:22.279 --> 00:28:24.220 noted that 00:28:24.220 --> 00:28:24.599 there's been 00:28:24.599 --> 00:28:25.220 82 00:28:25.220 --> 00:28:26.119 movements 00:28:26.119 --> 00:28:26.940 in the 00:28:26.940 --> 00:28:27.579 entire 00:28:27.579 --> 00:28:28.099 history of 00:28:28.099 --> 00:28:28.319 Islam 00:28:28.319 --> 00:28:29.220 from 600 00:28:29.220 --> 00:28:29.680 AD 00:28:29.680 --> 00:28:30.519 to the 00:28:30.519 --> 00:28:30.940 present. 00:28:30.940 --> 00:28:31.380 Now, 00:28:32.059 --> 00:28:32.740 a movement 00:28:32.740 --> 00:28:33.240 in 00:28:33.240 --> 00:28:35.140 Garrison's 00:28:35.140 --> 00:28:36.980 research 00:28:36.980 --> 00:28:37.400 is 00:28:37.400 --> 00:28:38.940 a 00:28:38.940 --> 00:28:39.460 thousand 00:28:39.460 --> 00:28:40.340 baptized 00:28:40.340 --> 00:28:41.100 believers 00:28:41.100 --> 00:28:42.500 or a 00:28:42.500 --> 00:28:42.820 hundred 00:28:42.820 --> 00:28:43.360 churches 00:28:43.360 --> 00:28:43.860 planted. 00:28:44.279 --> 00:28:44.880 That's a 00:28:44.880 --> 00:28:45.200 movement, 00:28:45.799 --> 00:28:46.400 either or. 00:28:46.900 --> 00:28:47.539 Thousand 00:28:47.539 --> 00:28:48.059 baptized 00:28:48.059 --> 00:28:48.440 believers, 00:28:48.920 --> 00:28:49.259 hundred 00:28:49.259 --> 00:28:49.880 churches 00:28:49.880 --> 00:28:50.680 planted. 00:28:53.360 --> 00:28:54.200 Now, 00:28:54.240 --> 00:28:54.380 there have 00:28:54.380 --> 00:28:54.660 only been 00:28:54.660 --> 00:28:55.559 82 in 00:28:55.559 --> 00:28:56.019 the whole 00:28:56.019 --> 00:28:56.380 of the 00:28:56.380 --> 00:28:56.840 life of 00:28:56.840 --> 00:28:58.600 Islam, 00:28:58.880 --> 00:28:59.840 but 69 00:28:59.839 --> 00:29:00.720 of those 00:29:00.720 --> 00:29:01.199 movements 00:29:01.199 --> 00:29:01.679 have taken 00:29:01.679 --> 00:29:02.339 place between 00:29:02.339 --> 00:29:03.339 2000 and 00:29:03.339 --> 00:29:04.220 2012. 00:29:05.480 --> 00:29:06.339 There has 00:29:06.339 --> 00:29:07.159 never been 00:29:07.159 --> 00:29:07.679 a time 00:29:07.679 --> 00:29:08.980 in history 00:29:08.980 --> 00:29:09.980 where more 00:29:09.980 --> 00:29:10.759 Muslims are 00:29:10.759 --> 00:29:11.279 coming to 00:29:11.279 --> 00:29:12.119 Christ than 00:29:12.119 --> 00:29:12.639 today. 00:29:14.759 --> 00:29:15.519 On the 00:29:15.519 --> 00:29:15.879 eve of the 00:29:15.879 --> 00:29:16.899 79 Islamic 00:29:16.899 --> 00:29:17.779 Revolution in 00:29:17.779 --> 00:29:18.199 Iran, 00:29:20.419 --> 00:29:20.779 there were 00:29:20.779 --> 00:29:21.179 reckoned to 00:29:21.179 --> 00:29:21.599 be no more 00:29:21.599 --> 00:29:22.339 than 500 00:29:22.339 --> 00:29:22.759 Muslim 00:29:22.759 --> 00:29:23.099 background 00:29:23.099 --> 00:29:23.599 believers 00:29:23.599 --> 00:29:24.579 in a 00:29:24.579 --> 00:29:25.019 nation of 00:29:25.019 --> 00:29:25.899 40 million. 00:29:26.359 --> 00:29:27.019 Forty years 00:29:27.019 --> 00:29:27.539 later, 00:29:28.379 --> 00:29:28.759 there are 00:29:28.759 --> 00:29:29.480 hundreds of 00:29:29.480 --> 00:29:30.099 thousands of 00:29:30.099 --> 00:29:30.500 Iranian 00:29:30.500 --> 00:29:31.299 Muslims who 00:29:31.299 --> 00:29:31.579 have given 00:29:31.579 --> 00:29:31.940 their lives 00:29:31.940 --> 00:29:32.440 to Christ. 00:29:34.240 --> 00:29:34.500 Now, 00:29:34.839 --> 00:29:35.640 be clear, 00:29:37.180 --> 00:29:37.640 this is 00:29:37.640 --> 00:29:38.180 still a 00:29:38.180 --> 00:29:40.180 small 00:29:40.180 --> 00:29:41.140 percentage of 00:29:41.140 --> 00:29:41.819 a huge 00:29:41.819 --> 00:29:42.380 empire. 00:29:42.880 --> 00:29:43.120 I think 00:29:43.120 --> 00:29:43.420 there's 00:29:43.420 --> 00:29:45.099 1.9 00:29:45.099 --> 00:29:45.980 billion Muslims 00:29:45.980 --> 00:29:46.299 in the 00:29:46.299 --> 00:29:46.599 world. 00:29:48.579 --> 00:29:48.819 And there 00:29:48.819 --> 00:29:49.680 are pockets, 00:29:50.559 --> 00:29:50.980 so he 00:29:50.980 --> 00:29:51.460 talks about 00:29:51.460 --> 00:29:52.120 this house 00:29:52.120 --> 00:29:52.599 of Islam 00:29:52.599 --> 00:29:53.680 in terms 00:29:53.680 --> 00:29:54.400 of rooms, 00:29:54.960 --> 00:29:55.519 different 00:29:55.519 --> 00:29:56.759 parts of 00:29:56.759 --> 00:29:57.099 the world, 00:29:57.180 --> 00:29:57.360 and there 00:29:57.360 --> 00:29:57.700 are some 00:29:57.700 --> 00:29:58.039 parts of 00:29:58.039 --> 00:29:58.220 the world 00:29:58.220 --> 00:29:58.519 where there 00:29:58.519 --> 00:29:58.960 is very 00:29:58.960 --> 00:29:59.220 little 00:29:59.220 --> 00:29:59.640 happening. 00:30:02.100 --> 00:30:02.539 But 00:30:02.539 --> 00:30:03.279 central to 00:30:03.279 --> 00:30:03.500 that 00:30:03.500 --> 00:30:04.120 progress 00:30:04.120 --> 00:30:04.579 are the 00:30:04.579 --> 00:30:05.160 prayers of 00:30:05.160 --> 00:30:05.460 God's 00:30:05.460 --> 00:30:05.799 people. 00:30:08.100 --> 00:30:08.680 So let 00:30:08.680 --> 00:30:09.100 me end, 00:30:09.240 --> 00:30:09.539 I'm going 00:30:09.539 --> 00:30:09.779 to finish 00:30:09.779 --> 00:30:10.100 with this, 00:30:10.180 --> 00:30:10.360 I'm going 00:30:10.360 --> 00:30:10.680 to end 00:30:10.680 --> 00:30:11.279 with this. 00:30:11.960 --> 00:30:12.500 Here's the 00:30:12.500 --> 00:30:13.100 question that 00:30:13.100 --> 00:30:13.420 all this 00:30:13.420 --> 00:30:13.960 poses for 00:30:13.960 --> 00:30:14.299 us, 00:30:14.740 --> 00:30:15.000 okay, 00:30:15.380 --> 00:30:16.019 very simple 00:30:16.019 --> 00:30:16.519 question. 00:30:18.799 --> 00:30:19.339 Would you 00:30:19.339 --> 00:30:19.680 have been at 00:30:19.680 --> 00:30:19.940 the prayer 00:30:19.940 --> 00:30:20.140 meeting? 00:30:23.259 --> 00:30:23.980 Will you be 00:30:23.980 --> 00:30:24.319 at the prayer 00:30:24.319 --> 00:30:24.620 meeting? 00:30:26.279 --> 00:30:27.059 Let me pray, 00:30:27.220 --> 00:30:27.400 then we're 00:30:27.400 --> 00:30:27.779 going to sing. 00:30:28.740 --> 00:30:29.420 Heavenly Father, 00:30:29.519 --> 00:30:29.940 thank you 00:30:29.940 --> 00:30:32.039 for helping 00:30:32.039 --> 00:30:32.759 us to live 00:30:32.759 --> 00:30:33.259 in a world 00:30:33.259 --> 00:30:34.039 of uncertainty, 00:30:35.619 --> 00:30:36.519 to know 00:30:36.519 --> 00:30:36.759 how to 00:30:36.759 --> 00:30:37.139 sleep in 00:30:37.139 --> 00:30:37.639 the storm. 00:30:39.720 --> 00:30:40.319 Thank you, 00:30:40.379 --> 00:30:40.759 Lord God, 00:30:40.819 --> 00:30:41.119 that you 00:30:41.119 --> 00:30:41.339 are 00:30:41.339 --> 00:30:43.259 outstandingly 00:30:43.259 --> 00:30:43.680 gracious 00:30:43.680 --> 00:30:45.559 to the 00:30:45.559 --> 00:30:45.779 wicked 00:30:45.779 --> 00:30:46.859 and to 00:30:46.859 --> 00:30:46.980 the 00:30:46.980 --> 00:30:47.579 unrighteous. 00:30:48.920 --> 00:30:49.559 We pray, 00:30:49.700 --> 00:30:49.799 Lord, 00:30:49.859 --> 00:30:50.059 that you 00:30:50.059 --> 00:30:50.460 would help 00:30:50.460 --> 00:30:52.299 us as we 00:30:52.299 --> 00:30:52.940 seek to 00:30:52.940 --> 00:30:54.039 invest in 00:30:54.039 --> 00:30:54.619 your agenda 00:30:54.619 --> 00:30:55.319 and walk 00:30:55.319 --> 00:30:56.000 in step 00:30:56.000 --> 00:30:56.460 with your 00:30:56.460 --> 00:30:56.960 plans. 00:30:57.839 --> 00:30:58.420 We ask 00:30:58.420 --> 00:30:58.740 this for 00:30:58.740 --> 00:30:59.000 Jesus' 00:30:59.200 --> 00:30:59.420 sake. 00:30:59.500 --> 00:30:59.720 Amen. 00:30:59.720 --> 00:30:59.819 Amen.