WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:02.080 Acts of the Apostles. 00:00:02.160 --> 00:00:06.040 Over the last five weeks, we've seen something strange about the Acts of the Apostles, 00:00:06.120 --> 00:00:11.120 and that is the Acts of the Apostles isn't actually about the Acts of the Apostles. 00:00:12.019 --> 00:00:12.980 Sounds a bit weird. 00:00:14.000 --> 00:00:17.879 But primarily, the Acts of the Apostles is about the unstoppable Jesus. 00:00:19.300 --> 00:00:26.179 The unstoppable Jesus gathering his died-for people from the four corners of the earth. 00:00:26.179 --> 00:00:34.439 The first volume of this was Luke's Gospel, talking about how Jesus actually died for his people. 00:00:34.560 --> 00:00:37.780 Now Jesus is gathering them for the four points of the earth. 00:00:38.439 --> 00:00:39.380 Why is he gathering them? 00:00:39.600 --> 00:00:46.219 Because he wants them to be a wonderful spiritual empire that we call the church. 00:00:48.379 --> 00:00:51.620 Now, of course, the apostles had a critical role in Jesus' mission. 00:00:51.619 --> 00:00:55.619 They were appointed as witnesses. 00:00:57.079 --> 00:01:01.759 Witnesses of God's long-promised, long-awaited Savior and King. 00:01:03.799 --> 00:01:10.259 And as we've gone through each of the five weeks, we've seen what happens when the Gospel of Jesus is spoken. 00:01:10.780 --> 00:01:11.140 Remember? 00:01:11.759 --> 00:01:16.640 Ordinary people speaking the extraordinary Gospel of Jesus. 00:01:16.640 --> 00:01:18.540 What happens? 00:01:18.780 --> 00:01:22.420 Well, all sorts of people are radically changed. 00:01:22.620 --> 00:01:23.319 That's what happens. 00:01:24.460 --> 00:01:25.480 From the inside out. 00:01:25.960 --> 00:01:28.439 According to chapter 4, verse 4, we're at passage this morning. 00:01:28.859 --> 00:01:32.280 That number is now in excess of 5,000 people. 00:01:33.799 --> 00:01:35.519 Just get a feel of that. 00:01:37.280 --> 00:01:38.420 Radically changed. 00:01:39.200 --> 00:01:41.439 People who've turned to Jesus in repentance. 00:01:42.219 --> 00:01:44.840 People who've now received complete forgiveness for their sin. 00:01:44.840 --> 00:01:50.240 They've received a fresh start in new relationship with God. 00:01:50.320 --> 00:01:51.799 A new acceptance before God. 00:01:53.240 --> 00:01:59.120 Including, as we saw last week, this 40-year-old who had been profoundly disabled. 00:01:59.280 --> 00:02:00.859 Unable to walk since birth. 00:02:04.960 --> 00:02:12.439 And he, above all else, was thought to be visibly, thought to be carrying the curse of God. 00:02:12.840 --> 00:02:14.219 That's how the Jews would have viewed him. 00:02:14.840 --> 00:02:20.960 And yet, this man also was just renewed and swept into the kingdom of Jesus. 00:02:22.319 --> 00:02:27.580 Nobody is beyond the scope and the power of the Gospel of Jesus. 00:02:27.920 --> 00:02:29.360 And the renewing of Jesus. 00:02:31.300 --> 00:02:32.400 But that's not all of it. 00:02:32.759 --> 00:02:35.740 This renewal was expressed in a radical new community. 00:02:35.980 --> 00:02:37.280 We see that at the end of chapter 2. 00:02:37.280 --> 00:02:44.759 A radical new community defined and shaped by the mind of Jesus. 00:02:45.819 --> 00:02:52.860 And we're told in chapter 2 that that community was marked out by people's concern to learn more about God's salvation. 00:02:54.139 --> 00:02:58.400 To share in thankfulness to God, one with the other, and together. 00:02:58.400 --> 00:03:01.000 Thankfulness for God's mercy and grace. 00:03:02.319 --> 00:03:03.900 And they were caring for one another. 00:03:04.659 --> 00:03:05.099 Practically. 00:03:06.280 --> 00:03:06.719 Deeply. 00:03:07.420 --> 00:03:11.200 And all of that combined to make them such a winsome community. 00:03:11.199 --> 00:03:15.399 That people on the outside were looking in saying, hey, I want a part of that. 00:03:16.539 --> 00:03:20.679 And so, they themselves were responsible for more people being attracted to the Gospel. 00:03:21.519 --> 00:03:23.359 More people receiving a fresh start. 00:03:25.459 --> 00:03:27.439 Now, if you want an exciting picture. 00:03:28.199 --> 00:03:31.519 Man, the first three or four chapters of Acts give you just that. 00:03:31.679 --> 00:03:32.579 An exciting picture. 00:03:32.580 --> 00:03:39.480 What do we expect when we speak the Gospel of Jesus? 00:03:40.280 --> 00:03:41.280 Make it more personal. 00:03:41.380 --> 00:03:46.300 What do you expect when you speak this Gospel of Jesus? 00:03:48.600 --> 00:03:50.540 At risk of perhaps being negative. 00:03:52.540 --> 00:03:58.060 Do you expect anything if you speak the Gospel of Jesus? 00:03:58.060 --> 00:04:05.979 Well, with all that excitement behind us, suddenly we move into chapter 4. 00:04:07.000 --> 00:04:11.280 And it seems like all the excitement just disappears, dissipates. 00:04:11.659 --> 00:04:14.340 And things go terribly, terribly dark. 00:04:15.259 --> 00:04:20.920 Over the next two or three weeks, we're going to see the rise of opposition. 00:04:21.360 --> 00:04:23.340 Opposition from outside in. 00:04:24.240 --> 00:04:26.939 And even more awful, opposition from inside out. 00:04:28.060 --> 00:04:30.360 But things go dark. 00:04:31.180 --> 00:04:36.660 The Gospel of Jesus, which has given thousands a fresh start in relationship with God, 00:04:37.740 --> 00:04:40.860 now attracts opposition and persecution. 00:04:42.040 --> 00:04:43.500 So, we need to add one more thing. 00:04:44.420 --> 00:04:45.199 What happens? 00:04:45.420 --> 00:04:48.439 What can we expect when we hear the Gospel of Jesus spoken? 00:04:50.920 --> 00:04:53.199 And the answer needs to be opposition. 00:04:55.439 --> 00:04:55.879 Persecution. 00:04:55.879 --> 00:04:55.920 Persecution. 00:04:58.060 --> 00:04:59.639 We pick up the story here. 00:04:59.699 --> 00:05:08.240 Once again, these Jewish political and religious authorities make it their business to stop any mention of Jesus. 00:05:08.579 --> 00:05:13.720 Making it their business to reverse any influence that they perceive Jesus might be having. 00:05:13.720 --> 00:05:23.000 Just a few weeks earlier, we're not sure exactly what time gap there is between the start of Acts and chapter 4. 00:05:23.420 --> 00:05:26.060 But it could be as little as 6 or 7 weeks. 00:05:26.200 --> 00:05:28.280 It could be a couple of months, 3 or 4 months. 00:05:28.680 --> 00:05:35.500 But just recently, anyway, these guys had sought to silence Jesus by having them murdered illegally. 00:05:35.500 --> 00:05:41.339 And they're up for the task again. 00:05:44.139 --> 00:05:47.699 But, as we move into the story, we need to take with us this thought. 00:05:48.199 --> 00:05:53.279 That as their first attempt to stop the unstoppable Jesus was an exercise in futility, 00:05:54.480 --> 00:05:59.019 then so this attempt will be an exercise in futility. 00:05:59.019 --> 00:06:01.359 We'll see that as the story plays out over the next few weeks. 00:06:01.599 --> 00:06:04.060 Let's look at the story with the first heading, then. 00:06:04.399 --> 00:06:08.079 A strong Gospel will most likely bring strong opposition. 00:06:08.579 --> 00:06:11.139 Picking up the first 22 verses, really, just the story. 00:06:12.799 --> 00:06:13.539 So, verse 1. 00:06:13.540 --> 00:06:17.100 Quite literally, Peter is mid-sentence. 00:06:18.439 --> 00:06:24.600 He's explaining how Jesus was the fulfillment of God's foundation promise of salvation. 00:06:26.060 --> 00:06:27.860 And mid-sentence, he's interrupted. 00:06:28.680 --> 00:06:31.520 And he's interrupted by a sizable contingent of people. 00:06:31.660 --> 00:06:33.379 We're told here, as Simon reminds us, 00:06:33.740 --> 00:06:37.220 the commander of the temple police was a contingent of police. 00:06:38.600 --> 00:06:40.400 The duty priests at the temple. 00:06:41.660 --> 00:06:43.180 A contingent of Sadducees. 00:06:43.180 --> 00:06:45.079 They were the religious professors of the day. 00:06:45.879 --> 00:06:47.620 Pretty heavy duty guys. 00:06:48.540 --> 00:06:52.240 All of these made part of the Jewish religious authorities. 00:06:54.840 --> 00:06:55.939 What's their intention? 00:06:57.939 --> 00:06:58.840 Very clear. 00:07:00.800 --> 00:07:05.120 They're going to silence any reference to Jesus. 00:07:05.780 --> 00:07:09.800 And so, only hours after healing, 00:07:10.420 --> 00:07:12.379 this profoundly disabled guy, 00:07:13.180 --> 00:07:18.840 Peter and John were illegally arrested and locked up. 00:07:20.240 --> 00:07:21.400 Just hours later. 00:07:21.959 --> 00:07:24.500 He hasn't even finished explaining the context of it. 00:07:24.500 --> 00:07:28.060 And he's dragged off and locked up. 00:07:28.060 --> 00:07:29.100 Why? 00:07:29.100 --> 00:07:31.920 Well, we're told in verse 2. 00:07:32.160 --> 00:07:35.300 At first glance, it seems like it was a sort of doctrinal problem. 00:07:35.839 --> 00:07:37.279 These Sadducees took exception. 00:07:37.420 --> 00:07:38.399 They didn't believe in resurrection. 00:07:38.399 --> 00:07:44.120 So, the Sadducees appeared to take exception to Peter and John speaking about the resurrection of Jesus. 00:07:45.219 --> 00:07:49.819 But another possibility is that these guys were just intellectually outraged. 00:07:49.879 --> 00:07:56.120 Because here are these uneducated, unsophisticated fishermen teaching the people in the temple precincts. 00:07:56.120 --> 00:08:03.540 And these sort of Jewish religious professors may well have taken that, you know, not well. 00:08:03.540 --> 00:08:05.439 How dare they? 00:08:07.120 --> 00:08:11.260 Whatever the reason at heart, it was an association with Jesus. 00:08:11.259 --> 00:08:18.159 These men, Peter and John, in their eyes were enemies of the truth. 00:08:18.620 --> 00:08:20.079 They were danger to God's people. 00:08:20.560 --> 00:08:21.420 They needed to be stopped. 00:08:21.420 --> 00:08:32.800 The next day, Peter and John would have been seriously intimidated because they were dragged before what we would call today a high court. 00:08:33.279 --> 00:08:34.259 Hastily convened. 00:08:35.779 --> 00:08:39.240 And even that would have echoes in their mind of just a few weeks earlier. 00:08:39.340 --> 00:08:40.899 That's exactly what happened with Jesus. 00:08:41.379 --> 00:08:47.740 The heaviest court in the land, the Sanhedrin, was sort of rushed together, patched together for an ad hoc meeting. 00:08:47.740 --> 00:08:52.220 And Peter and John were dragged before this court. 00:08:53.680 --> 00:08:57.740 Now remember, this court was therefore full of the brightest professors of Jewish religion. 00:08:59.220 --> 00:09:11.060 They were full of the most powerful Jewish political leaders who only weeks earlier had actually manipulated the Roman governor into turning a blind eye to an illegal murder. 00:09:12.000 --> 00:09:14.159 These were seriously powerful men. 00:09:14.159 --> 00:09:17.919 They had the power of life and death. 00:09:19.699 --> 00:09:23.819 Weeks earlier, they had murdered Jesus without regard for truth or justice. 00:09:25.779 --> 00:09:30.699 Yet, we're told in verse 7 that Peter and John are stood before them. 00:09:31.100 --> 00:09:36.539 Uneducated, unsophisticated men are stood before them and asked to give account of what had just happened. 00:09:36.539 --> 00:09:41.879 Overkill, you'd say. 00:09:43.419 --> 00:09:44.699 Serious intimidation. 00:09:46.259 --> 00:09:50.539 But their attempt to intimidate Peter into silence failed abjectly. 00:09:51.839 --> 00:09:52.759 Verses 8 to 12. 00:09:53.240 --> 00:09:56.259 Peter sort of takes a deep breath and you can just see it happening, can't you? 00:09:56.759 --> 00:09:59.779 You can see him fighting down the fear and the nerves. 00:10:00.419 --> 00:10:02.879 Trying to get control of his breathing and speech. 00:10:02.879 --> 00:10:06.559 Takes a deep breath and with the enabling of God's spirit, we're told. 00:10:08.019 --> 00:10:09.159 Looks them in the eye. 00:10:10.960 --> 00:10:17.659 And repeats to these powerful men the same thing as he'd repeated to the crowd, as he'd said to the crowd the day before. 00:10:18.460 --> 00:10:19.759 He'd talked to them about Jesus. 00:10:19.759 --> 00:10:25.399 Now, that's what they call tweaking the tiger's tail, is it not? 00:10:26.639 --> 00:10:30.319 You're standing there in the clink because of what you said about Jesus. 00:10:30.779 --> 00:10:34.299 And you turn to the guys who've got the power of life and death and talk to them about Jesus. 00:10:35.740 --> 00:10:36.019 Phew. 00:10:36.740 --> 00:10:37.819 Strong stuff, isn't it? 00:10:37.820 --> 00:10:48.340 And once again we see that the real issue is not the actual healing of the man. 00:10:49.360 --> 00:10:51.280 They don't seem to have a particular issue with that. 00:10:51.340 --> 00:10:53.320 They can't argue with what they see with their eyes. 00:10:54.340 --> 00:10:57.460 No, the problem for them is their association with Jesus. 00:10:57.460 --> 00:11:03.780 These guys thought they'd gotten rid of Jesus. 00:11:06.500 --> 00:11:10.420 But through the words of Peter and John, he's back. 00:11:12.620 --> 00:11:15.639 And once again drawing huge crowds. 00:11:16.480 --> 00:11:21.639 Once again influencing deep responses from those crowds. 00:11:21.639 --> 00:11:27.279 And look at verse 12. 00:11:27.939 --> 00:11:31.860 I don't think it's possible to get more bold than what Peter's just going to say. 00:11:33.100 --> 00:11:35.279 There's salvation in no one else. 00:11:38.059 --> 00:11:43.439 For there's no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved. 00:11:43.440 --> 00:11:58.320 And in that sentence, Peter exposes the useless traditions of the Jewish religious leaders and Judaism. 00:11:58.700 --> 00:12:00.080 He exposes their blindness. 00:12:01.160 --> 00:12:02.580 He exposes their false teaching. 00:12:03.120 --> 00:12:04.880 He exposes their sin and their wickedness. 00:12:05.680 --> 00:12:08.780 Which interestingly connects back to chapter 3, verse 26. 00:12:08.779 --> 00:12:16.199 Because the whole point, Peter had been saying to the crowd, the whole point of God sending Jesus was to deliver his people from wickedness. 00:12:16.519 --> 00:12:21.759 And here we see, rather than being delivered from wickedness, we see these guys pursuing wickedness. 00:12:27.799 --> 00:12:35.839 They taught, these Jewish religious leaders taught, that heaven was secured by performing religious duties. 00:12:38.779 --> 00:12:41.139 Going to the temple, saying your prayer. 00:12:41.679 --> 00:12:43.879 Giving alms to the poor on your way to pray. 00:12:47.679 --> 00:12:57.339 Peter says, salvation or acceptance with God is only found through faith in Jesus and is actually undeserved. 00:13:00.519 --> 00:13:01.519 Chug and cheese. 00:13:01.519 --> 00:13:09.139 They believed they were actually protecting God's name and God's character by killing Jesus. 00:13:10.259 --> 00:13:11.679 Peter says, verse 11, 00:13:12.240 --> 00:13:12.539 Uh-uh. 00:13:13.240 --> 00:13:20.939 You guys need to understand that what you did with Jesus was essentially a rejection of not only God's plan of salvation, 00:13:21.059 --> 00:13:22.480 but a rejection of God himself. 00:13:27.480 --> 00:13:30.000 That's not really looking for common ground here, is it? 00:13:31.519 --> 00:13:37.799 They taught that God kept heaven for good religious Jews. 00:13:40.199 --> 00:13:49.419 Which meant that people like that profoundly handicapped man would never have gotten into heaven. 00:13:49.419 --> 00:13:56.299 But there he is before them. 00:13:56.299 --> 00:14:04.479 With Peter saying that this newly healed cripple was proof that heaven was for sinners. 00:14:05.059 --> 00:14:09.539 That heaven was precisely for people who were under the curse of God. 00:14:12.659 --> 00:14:19.000 Heaven was for sinners who turned to Jesus alone for their salvation like this man had just done the day before. 00:14:19.419 --> 00:14:27.819 Friends, I suspect, as we read into the story here, 00:14:27.819 --> 00:14:32.919 these guys, this Sanhedrin, this Supreme Jewish Council, this Supreme Court, 00:14:33.339 --> 00:14:34.479 a term we might recognize, 00:14:35.159 --> 00:14:39.399 were utterly frustrated and seething with anger. 00:14:39.399 --> 00:14:48.899 And so, 00:14:49.579 --> 00:14:52.159 they're caught. 00:14:53.759 --> 00:14:55.340 They can't silence Peter. 00:14:56.679 --> 00:15:01.939 They can't deny the reality of this guy standing before them healed and praising God 00:15:01.940 --> 00:15:05.060 and looking to Jesus as a source of his healing. 00:15:06.580 --> 00:15:09.980 They're surprised, utterly surprised by Peter's confident defense. 00:15:11.040 --> 00:15:12.560 Their options are severely limited. 00:15:13.720 --> 00:15:14.540 And so, what do they do? 00:15:14.620 --> 00:15:15.580 They revert to type. 00:15:17.620 --> 00:15:24.020 And they physically threaten violence on Peter and John before releasing them. 00:15:24.019 --> 00:15:28.079 In their frustration, 00:15:28.340 --> 00:15:31.279 they're saying that something needs to be done here. 00:15:34.799 --> 00:15:37.819 But they recognize they couldn't simply kill Peter and John 00:15:37.819 --> 00:15:40.179 because, if nothing else, 00:15:40.220 --> 00:15:41.100 a fear of the crowd. 00:15:41.199 --> 00:15:42.740 The crowd had seen what happened. 00:15:42.939 --> 00:15:44.019 They couldn't deny it. 00:15:44.139 --> 00:15:46.199 And the crowd as a whole were just praising God, 00:15:46.419 --> 00:15:49.679 not quite understanding exactly what happened and how it happened, 00:15:49.679 --> 00:15:51.739 but they could see the evidence of it. 00:15:57.139 --> 00:15:57.539 So, 00:15:57.979 --> 00:15:59.419 in a sort of lame 00:15:59.419 --> 00:16:02.539 conclusion to this big drama, 00:16:04.000 --> 00:16:06.899 they call Peter and John in again and threaten them. 00:16:07.319 --> 00:16:07.479 Say, 00:16:07.559 --> 00:16:07.679 look, 00:16:08.000 --> 00:16:09.099 we're going to release you, 00:16:09.179 --> 00:16:10.039 but we're warning you, 00:16:10.339 --> 00:16:12.039 do not speak of Jesus again 00:16:12.039 --> 00:16:14.479 or there'll be trouble. 00:16:18.219 --> 00:16:19.159 And once again, 00:16:19.679 --> 00:16:21.179 Peter looks them in the eye and says, 00:16:21.299 --> 00:16:21.419 well, 00:16:22.279 --> 00:16:23.559 you'll need to do what you do, 00:16:23.639 --> 00:16:24.519 but I can tell you now, 00:16:24.659 --> 00:16:26.679 I cannot but speak about Jesus. 00:16:31.000 --> 00:16:31.399 Now, 00:16:31.500 --> 00:16:32.179 that wouldn't have 00:16:32.179 --> 00:16:33.039 sort of 00:16:33.039 --> 00:16:34.199 helped the 00:16:34.199 --> 00:16:35.819 speaker of the Sanhedrin 00:16:35.819 --> 00:16:37.120 to sort of settle down inside, 00:16:37.199 --> 00:16:37.439 would it? 00:16:39.459 --> 00:16:40.519 Peter's defying them. 00:16:43.059 --> 00:16:44.139 Not only defying them, 00:16:44.199 --> 00:16:44.899 but defying them 00:16:44.899 --> 00:16:46.659 knowing full well 00:16:46.659 --> 00:16:48.500 what it's going to mean 00:16:48.500 --> 00:16:49.120 physically. 00:16:49.679 --> 00:16:53.579 It was a big call. 00:17:00.579 --> 00:17:00.939 Friends, 00:17:01.719 --> 00:17:02.879 let's just prop there for a minute 00:17:02.879 --> 00:17:03.239 and just 00:17:03.239 --> 00:17:05.039 step back 00:17:05.039 --> 00:17:06.599 and get a bird's eye 00:17:06.599 --> 00:17:07.099 in the story. 00:17:07.779 --> 00:17:07.960 Now, 00:17:08.819 --> 00:17:09.539 it's an absolutely 00:17:09.539 --> 00:17:10.599 amazing 00:17:10.599 --> 00:17:10.839 and 00:17:10.839 --> 00:17:11.480 unexpected 00:17:11.480 --> 00:17:13.599 response 00:17:13.599 --> 00:17:16.659 to what was 00:17:16.659 --> 00:17:18.119 an incredible miracle. 00:17:20.679 --> 00:17:22.459 Less than 24 hours earlier 00:17:22.459 --> 00:17:23.659 and everybody could see 00:17:23.659 --> 00:17:24.539 the evidence of it. 00:17:28.639 --> 00:17:29.199 Unexpected 00:17:29.199 --> 00:17:30.919 and sad response 00:17:30.919 --> 00:17:32.179 because these guys 00:17:32.179 --> 00:17:33.019 seem to be 00:17:33.019 --> 00:17:33.699 totally 00:17:33.699 --> 00:17:34.559 lacking 00:17:34.559 --> 00:17:35.799 any joy 00:17:35.799 --> 00:17:38.159 at seeing 00:17:38.159 --> 00:17:38.919 this man 00:17:38.919 --> 00:17:39.559 suffering 00:17:39.559 --> 00:17:40.279 relieved. 00:17:44.279 --> 00:17:45.279 Their only 00:17:45.279 --> 00:17:45.799 concern 00:17:45.799 --> 00:17:46.740 appears to be 00:17:46.740 --> 00:17:47.539 to stop 00:17:47.539 --> 00:17:48.619 any mention 00:17:48.619 --> 00:17:49.180 of Jesus. 00:17:49.180 --> 00:17:54.400 and they've 00:17:54.400 --> 00:17:55.100 taken the decision 00:17:55.100 --> 00:17:55.759 once again 00:17:55.759 --> 00:17:56.640 that if violence 00:17:56.640 --> 00:17:57.320 is their only 00:17:57.320 --> 00:17:57.799 option, 00:17:58.860 --> 00:18:00.080 then violence 00:18:00.080 --> 00:18:01.080 is a good 00:18:01.080 --> 00:18:01.440 option. 00:18:01.440 --> 00:18:07.940 And Peter and John 00:18:07.940 --> 00:18:08.519 would have left 00:18:08.519 --> 00:18:08.740 that, 00:18:08.820 --> 00:18:09.420 been released 00:18:09.420 --> 00:18:10.799 knowing that 00:18:10.799 --> 00:18:11.400 full well. 00:18:14.039 --> 00:18:14.539 So, 00:18:15.539 --> 00:18:17.240 bring it up 00:18:17.240 --> 00:18:17.860 into our day. 00:18:17.859 --> 00:18:20.240 the cost 00:18:20.240 --> 00:18:21.179 of refusing 00:18:21.179 --> 00:18:21.579 to be 00:18:21.579 --> 00:18:22.219 intimidated 00:18:22.219 --> 00:18:24.240 and silenced, 00:18:24.740 --> 00:18:25.559 I would suggest 00:18:25.559 --> 00:18:26.240 he continues 00:18:26.240 --> 00:18:26.939 unchanged 00:18:26.939 --> 00:18:28.000 in our own 00:18:28.000 --> 00:18:28.199 day. 00:18:33.819 --> 00:18:34.799 How sad 00:18:34.799 --> 00:18:35.259 is it then 00:18:35.259 --> 00:18:37.079 that we are 00:18:37.079 --> 00:18:38.259 so quickly 00:18:38.259 --> 00:18:38.779 prepared 00:18:38.779 --> 00:18:39.359 to pay 00:18:39.359 --> 00:18:40.039 the cost 00:18:40.039 --> 00:18:41.159 of not 00:18:41.159 --> 00:18:41.599 speaking 00:18:41.599 --> 00:18:42.339 about Jesus? 00:18:46.139 --> 00:18:46.659 Now, 00:18:46.819 --> 00:18:47.319 my friends 00:18:47.319 --> 00:18:47.639 call me 00:18:47.640 --> 00:18:48.040 Eeyore, 00:18:48.240 --> 00:18:49.220 so I put 00:18:49.220 --> 00:18:49.700 that really 00:18:49.700 --> 00:18:50.120 negatively 00:18:50.120 --> 00:18:50.400 there, 00:18:50.440 --> 00:18:50.759 didn't I? 00:18:51.960 --> 00:18:52.560 Because I 00:18:52.560 --> 00:18:52.759 want to 00:18:52.759 --> 00:18:53.180 emphasize 00:18:53.180 --> 00:18:55.660 that the 00:18:55.660 --> 00:18:56.120 point is 00:18:56.120 --> 00:18:57.400 that a 00:18:57.400 --> 00:18:58.280 quiet life 00:18:58.280 --> 00:18:59.320 can be 00:18:59.320 --> 00:18:59.800 purchased, 00:18:59.940 --> 00:19:00.460 it may be 00:19:00.460 --> 00:19:00.980 purchased. 00:19:01.980 --> 00:19:02.759 The world 00:19:02.759 --> 00:19:03.080 out there 00:19:03.080 --> 00:19:03.520 makes it 00:19:03.520 --> 00:19:04.140 clear to us 00:19:04.140 --> 00:19:04.460 you can 00:19:04.460 --> 00:19:05.120 purchase a 00:19:05.120 --> 00:19:05.860 quiet life, 00:19:06.200 --> 00:19:06.600 you can 00:19:06.600 --> 00:19:07.340 exist well 00:19:07.340 --> 00:19:08.160 among us. 00:19:12.060 --> 00:19:12.660 But the 00:19:12.660 --> 00:19:13.220 cost of that 00:19:13.220 --> 00:19:14.280 quiet life 00:19:14.279 --> 00:19:18.180 being quiet 00:19:18.180 --> 00:19:19.039 about Jesus. 00:19:24.399 --> 00:19:25.480 Being silent 00:19:25.480 --> 00:19:26.119 about Jesus 00:19:26.119 --> 00:19:26.759 before our 00:19:26.759 --> 00:19:27.299 families, 00:19:28.079 --> 00:19:28.619 and gosh, 00:19:29.819 --> 00:19:30.420 we know 00:19:30.420 --> 00:19:31.240 how easy 00:19:31.240 --> 00:19:31.899 that is. 00:19:33.799 --> 00:19:34.759 It's horrible 00:19:34.759 --> 00:19:35.839 to be closed 00:19:35.839 --> 00:19:36.579 out of family 00:19:36.579 --> 00:19:37.119 discussions. 00:19:37.119 --> 00:19:37.319 Christians. 00:19:39.439 --> 00:19:40.199 It's horrible 00:19:40.199 --> 00:19:40.639 to see the 00:19:40.639 --> 00:19:41.399 family cluster 00:19:41.399 --> 00:19:42.099 over here 00:19:42.099 --> 00:19:43.359 and leave 00:19:43.359 --> 00:19:44.059 one stuck 00:19:44.059 --> 00:19:44.559 out like a 00:19:44.559 --> 00:19:45.079 sore thumb 00:19:45.079 --> 00:19:46.159 who happens 00:19:46.159 --> 00:19:46.479 to be the 00:19:46.479 --> 00:19:46.799 Christian. 00:19:48.239 --> 00:19:49.019 It hurts. 00:19:50.439 --> 00:19:51.299 It's difficult. 00:19:51.419 --> 00:19:51.679 It makes 00:19:51.679 --> 00:19:52.739 family gatherings 00:19:52.739 --> 00:19:54.039 just awfully 00:19:54.039 --> 00:19:54.879 tense. 00:19:54.880 --> 00:19:58.900 but the 00:19:58.900 --> 00:19:59.420 contract's 00:19:59.420 --> 00:19:59.620 on the 00:19:59.620 --> 00:19:59.900 table. 00:20:01.060 --> 00:20:01.360 You can 00:20:01.360 --> 00:20:01.720 be back 00:20:01.720 --> 00:20:01.940 in the 00:20:01.940 --> 00:20:02.260 family 00:20:02.260 --> 00:20:03.560 if you 00:20:03.560 --> 00:20:03.980 shut up 00:20:03.980 --> 00:20:04.320 about that 00:20:04.320 --> 00:20:04.820 Jesus of 00:20:04.820 --> 00:20:05.100 yours. 00:20:06.820 --> 00:20:07.240 Same 00:20:07.240 --> 00:20:07.640 applies for 00:20:07.640 --> 00:20:08.140 workmates 00:20:08.140 --> 00:20:08.380 in the 00:20:08.380 --> 00:20:08.800 workplace, 00:20:08.960 --> 00:20:09.480 friends and 00:20:09.480 --> 00:20:09.780 neighbors. 00:20:13.280 --> 00:20:13.880 We've got a 00:20:13.880 --> 00:20:14.360 neighbor across 00:20:14.360 --> 00:20:14.780 the road who 00:20:14.780 --> 00:20:15.540 hasn't spoken 00:20:15.540 --> 00:20:16.220 to us in 00:20:16.220 --> 00:20:16.820 20 years 00:20:16.820 --> 00:20:17.340 except to 00:20:17.340 --> 00:20:18.060 swear at us. 00:20:21.540 --> 00:20:22.000 Keeps 00:20:22.000 --> 00:20:22.580 telling all the 00:20:22.580 --> 00:20:23.040 other neighbors 00:20:23.040 --> 00:20:23.520 he's really 00:20:23.520 --> 00:20:24.140 friendly with 00:20:24.140 --> 00:20:24.840 how we've 00:20:24.840 --> 00:20:25.500 devalued the 00:20:25.500 --> 00:20:25.840 neighborhood. 00:20:26.400 --> 00:20:26.560 We've 00:20:26.560 --> 00:20:27.180 devalued the 00:20:27.180 --> 00:20:27.560 price of 00:20:27.560 --> 00:20:27.920 houses. 00:20:28.480 --> 00:20:28.660 We've 00:20:28.660 --> 00:20:29.240 devalued 00:20:29.240 --> 00:20:29.700 everything. 00:20:32.220 --> 00:20:32.660 Why? 00:20:33.660 --> 00:20:34.400 I've asked 00:20:34.400 --> 00:20:34.540 him. 00:20:35.240 --> 00:20:35.580 He's never 00:20:35.580 --> 00:20:35.960 been able to 00:20:35.960 --> 00:20:36.259 tell me. 00:20:36.340 --> 00:20:36.620 He just 00:20:36.620 --> 00:20:37.200 yells at 00:20:37.200 --> 00:20:37.360 me. 00:20:37.920 --> 00:20:38.700 I suspect 00:20:38.700 --> 00:20:39.600 it's because 00:20:39.600 --> 00:20:42.500 I'm a 00:20:42.500 --> 00:20:42.820 Christian. 00:20:43.180 --> 00:20:43.560 We're a 00:20:43.560 --> 00:20:43.780 Christian. 00:20:45.280 --> 00:20:45.840 And it 00:20:45.840 --> 00:20:46.280 hurts. 00:20:48.420 --> 00:20:49.140 It hurts 00:20:49.140 --> 00:20:49.580 when you see 00:20:49.580 --> 00:20:50.220 the neighbors 00:20:50.220 --> 00:20:51.000 round about 00:20:51.000 --> 00:20:52.480 chatting away 00:20:52.480 --> 00:20:53.800 and 00:20:53.799 --> 00:20:55.480 that's 00:20:55.480 --> 00:20:55.680 not 00:20:55.680 --> 00:20:56.220 extended to 00:20:56.220 --> 00:20:56.539 us. 00:21:03.019 --> 00:21:03.460 Likewise, 00:21:03.579 --> 00:21:03.859 my friends, 00:21:03.899 --> 00:21:04.279 a quiet 00:21:04.279 --> 00:21:04.720 form of 00:21:04.720 --> 00:21:05.059 Christian 00:21:05.059 --> 00:21:06.700 life can 00:21:06.700 --> 00:21:07.339 be purchased 00:21:07.339 --> 00:21:08.759 through a 00:21:08.759 --> 00:21:09.700 modified gospel. 00:21:10.460 --> 00:21:11.220 That's a real 00:21:11.220 --> 00:21:11.779 pressure as 00:21:11.779 --> 00:21:11.980 well. 00:21:13.659 --> 00:21:14.500 So if we 00:21:14.500 --> 00:21:15.659 have a form 00:21:15.659 --> 00:21:16.299 of gospel 00:21:16.299 --> 00:21:17.039 that sort of 00:21:17.039 --> 00:21:17.859 plays down 00:21:17.859 --> 00:21:18.319 unique and 00:21:18.319 --> 00:21:21.019 life-changing 00:21:21.019 --> 00:21:22.019 confrontation with 00:21:22.019 --> 00:21:23.519 Jesus, if 00:21:23.519 --> 00:21:25.220 we decide to 00:21:25.220 --> 00:21:25.920 be flexible, 00:21:27.139 --> 00:21:27.539 if we 00:21:27.539 --> 00:21:28.500 decide we'll 00:21:28.500 --> 00:21:29.160 just fit with 00:21:29.160 --> 00:21:29.639 where people 00:21:29.639 --> 00:21:30.180 are at, 00:21:30.639 --> 00:21:31.160 and everybody 00:21:31.160 --> 00:21:31.920 has a view 00:21:31.920 --> 00:21:32.400 of God they 00:21:32.400 --> 00:21:32.839 would like to 00:21:32.839 --> 00:21:33.099 sort of 00:21:33.099 --> 00:21:33.839 operate with 00:21:33.839 --> 00:21:35.180 and hold 00:21:35.180 --> 00:21:35.680 on to, 00:21:36.119 --> 00:21:36.619 and a view 00:21:36.619 --> 00:21:36.980 of what it 00:21:36.980 --> 00:21:37.559 means to do 00:21:37.559 --> 00:21:38.059 life well, 00:21:38.220 --> 00:21:38.619 well, if we 00:21:38.619 --> 00:21:39.420 can just 00:21:39.420 --> 00:21:39.859 accommodate 00:21:39.859 --> 00:21:41.079 that, then 00:21:41.079 --> 00:21:41.759 we will have 00:21:41.759 --> 00:21:42.119 a quiet 00:21:42.119 --> 00:21:42.559 life. 00:21:43.680 --> 00:21:44.180 People around 00:21:44.180 --> 00:21:44.500 us will 00:21:44.500 --> 00:21:45.200 think we're 00:21:45.200 --> 00:21:45.639 nice. 00:21:48.700 --> 00:21:49.339 But friends, 00:21:49.339 --> 00:21:50.139 surely the 00:21:50.139 --> 00:21:51.220 cost of no 00:21:51.220 --> 00:21:54.500 opposition is 00:21:54.500 --> 00:21:55.199 the cost of 00:21:55.199 --> 00:21:55.839 betraying the 00:21:55.839 --> 00:21:56.179 gospel. 00:21:59.679 --> 00:22:00.399 Surely that 00:22:00.399 --> 00:22:01.179 cost would be 00:22:01.179 --> 00:22:02.399 far greater 00:22:02.399 --> 00:22:03.980 than the 00:22:03.980 --> 00:22:04.679 cost of 00:22:04.679 --> 00:22:05.339 speaking about 00:22:05.339 --> 00:22:05.679 Jesus. 00:22:11.240 --> 00:22:11.859 This might 00:22:11.859 --> 00:22:12.279 sound a bit 00:22:12.279 --> 00:22:12.939 brash, but 00:22:12.939 --> 00:22:14.259 in my mind 00:22:14.259 --> 00:22:14.779 this week as 00:22:14.779 --> 00:22:15.359 I was preparing, 00:22:15.500 --> 00:22:15.879 I just thought, 00:22:15.980 --> 00:22:16.480 well, it comes 00:22:16.480 --> 00:22:17.319 down to a very 00:22:17.319 --> 00:22:17.980 simple equation. 00:22:17.980 --> 00:22:18.720 who would I 00:22:18.720 --> 00:22:19.360 be prepared 00:22:19.360 --> 00:22:19.880 to take a 00:22:19.880 --> 00:22:20.440 beating for? 00:22:25.259 --> 00:22:25.839 I don't 00:22:25.839 --> 00:22:26.420 like pain, 00:22:27.079 --> 00:22:28.700 not at all, 00:22:29.539 --> 00:22:30.319 but that's the 00:22:30.319 --> 00:22:30.680 equation, 00:22:31.740 --> 00:22:32.240 potentially. 00:22:33.700 --> 00:22:34.299 Anyway, let's 00:22:34.299 --> 00:22:34.700 move on. 00:22:35.299 --> 00:22:35.920 So a big, 00:22:36.400 --> 00:22:37.079 a strong gospel 00:22:37.079 --> 00:22:37.460 will most 00:22:37.460 --> 00:22:37.920 likely bring 00:22:37.920 --> 00:22:38.680 strong opposition, 00:22:39.279 --> 00:22:40.460 and a big 00:22:40.460 --> 00:22:42.980 gospel with 00:22:42.980 --> 00:22:43.720 strong opposition 00:22:43.720 --> 00:22:44.539 needs a big 00:22:44.539 --> 00:22:45.120 response. 00:22:47.980 --> 00:22:49.900 continue the 00:22:49.900 --> 00:22:50.440 story, verse 00:22:50.440 --> 00:22:51.200 24. 00:22:51.700 --> 00:22:52.480 Once released, 00:22:52.940 --> 00:22:53.279 Peter and 00:22:53.279 --> 00:22:53.799 John waste 00:22:53.799 --> 00:22:54.480 no time 00:22:54.480 --> 00:22:55.059 getting back 00:22:55.059 --> 00:22:55.279 to the 00:22:55.279 --> 00:22:55.460 other 00:22:55.460 --> 00:22:55.960 believers 00:22:55.960 --> 00:22:58.579 to bring 00:22:58.579 --> 00:22:59.000 some 00:22:59.000 --> 00:23:01.180 potentially 00:23:01.180 --> 00:23:02.000 disconcerting 00:23:02.000 --> 00:23:03.299 news of 00:23:03.299 --> 00:23:03.680 the new 00:23:03.680 --> 00:23:04.339 normal for 00:23:04.339 --> 00:23:04.660 them as 00:23:04.660 --> 00:23:05.120 Christians, 00:23:06.079 --> 00:23:06.380 a new 00:23:06.380 --> 00:23:07.120 normal which 00:23:07.120 --> 00:23:08.160 is starting 00:23:08.160 --> 00:23:08.700 to look 00:23:08.700 --> 00:23:09.660 dark with 00:23:09.660 --> 00:23:10.140 violent 00:23:10.140 --> 00:23:10.640 opposition. 00:23:10.640 --> 00:23:10.720 situation. 00:23:14.220 --> 00:23:17.060 Now, if 00:23:17.060 --> 00:23:17.400 Peter and 00:23:17.400 --> 00:23:17.759 John come 00:23:17.759 --> 00:23:18.060 into the 00:23:18.060 --> 00:23:18.380 room that 00:23:18.380 --> 00:23:18.820 we were in 00:23:18.820 --> 00:23:19.340 here today, 00:23:19.900 --> 00:23:20.220 and they 00:23:20.220 --> 00:23:20.380 said, 00:23:20.460 --> 00:23:20.680 well, look, 00:23:20.780 --> 00:23:21.280 okay, here, 00:23:21.420 --> 00:23:22.820 this is what's 00:23:22.820 --> 00:23:23.100 going to go 00:23:23.100 --> 00:23:23.540 down in the 00:23:23.540 --> 00:23:24.420 next few 00:23:24.420 --> 00:23:24.860 days and 00:23:24.860 --> 00:23:25.120 weeks. 00:23:26.420 --> 00:23:27.180 Be prepared, 00:23:27.320 --> 00:23:27.540 everybody. 00:23:28.420 --> 00:23:29.140 These guys are 00:23:29.140 --> 00:23:29.960 threatening serious 00:23:29.960 --> 00:23:30.440 violence. 00:23:30.940 --> 00:23:31.600 How would we 00:23:31.600 --> 00:23:32.140 respond to 00:23:32.140 --> 00:23:32.460 Peter and 00:23:32.460 --> 00:23:32.680 John? 00:23:32.680 --> 00:23:34.180 Well, I 00:23:34.180 --> 00:23:34.720 think we 00:23:34.720 --> 00:23:35.080 might be 00:23:35.080 --> 00:23:35.539 tempted to 00:23:35.539 --> 00:23:36.060 say, Peter 00:23:36.060 --> 00:23:36.299 and John, 00:23:36.380 --> 00:23:36.840 just come in 00:23:36.840 --> 00:23:37.240 here, sit 00:23:37.240 --> 00:23:37.680 down there, 00:23:37.960 --> 00:23:38.240 pick your 00:23:38.240 --> 00:23:38.620 head down 00:23:38.620 --> 00:23:38.840 and be 00:23:38.840 --> 00:23:39.200 quiet. 00:23:39.820 --> 00:23:40.460 Don't stir 00:23:40.460 --> 00:23:41.000 the possum 00:23:41.000 --> 00:23:41.460 anymore. 00:23:47.060 --> 00:23:47.640 Perhaps we 00:23:47.640 --> 00:23:48.019 need to get 00:23:48.019 --> 00:23:48.759 our best PR 00:23:48.759 --> 00:23:49.600 people on the 00:23:49.600 --> 00:23:50.259 job, and 00:23:50.259 --> 00:23:50.759 let's try and 00:23:50.759 --> 00:23:52.279 rebuild this 00:23:52.279 --> 00:23:53.100 relationship with 00:23:53.100 --> 00:23:53.580 the Jewish 00:23:53.580 --> 00:23:54.580 political and 00:23:54.580 --> 00:23:54.840 religious 00:23:54.840 --> 00:23:55.320 authorities. 00:23:55.920 --> 00:23:56.700 Let's get 00:23:56.700 --> 00:23:57.019 them to see 00:23:57.019 --> 00:23:57.279 that we're 00:23:57.279 --> 00:23:58.720 not all 00:23:58.720 --> 00:23:59.320 hotheads, 00:24:00.080 --> 00:24:00.560 that we're 00:24:00.560 --> 00:24:00.960 not going to 00:24:00.960 --> 00:24:01.420 make life 00:24:01.420 --> 00:24:02.039 miserable for 00:24:02.039 --> 00:24:02.220 them. 00:24:02.680 --> 00:24:06.799 Now, that's 00:24:06.799 --> 00:24:07.060 not what 00:24:07.060 --> 00:24:07.400 happens. 00:24:07.820 --> 00:24:08.120 We're told 00:24:08.120 --> 00:24:08.700 very simply, 00:24:09.700 --> 00:24:10.320 the believers 00:24:10.320 --> 00:24:11.900 just go to 00:24:11.900 --> 00:24:12.220 prayer. 00:24:14.019 --> 00:24:14.460 They go to 00:24:14.460 --> 00:24:14.740 prayer. 00:24:16.779 --> 00:24:17.320 Big 00:24:17.320 --> 00:24:17.920 opposition, 00:24:19.460 --> 00:24:20.279 big response. 00:24:23.980 --> 00:24:24.980 Verse 25 00:24:24.980 --> 00:24:25.779 and 26, 00:24:26.700 --> 00:24:27.700 big response, 00:24:28.600 --> 00:24:29.240 let's pray 00:24:29.240 --> 00:24:29.799 to our 00:24:29.799 --> 00:24:30.440 big God. 00:24:30.440 --> 00:24:34.220 sovereign 00:24:34.220 --> 00:24:34.620 Lord. 00:24:34.620 --> 00:24:36.980 Do you 00:24:36.980 --> 00:24:37.320 hear it? 00:24:38.279 --> 00:24:38.820 Sovereign 00:24:38.820 --> 00:24:39.080 Lord. 00:24:39.360 --> 00:24:40.360 How comforting 00:24:40.360 --> 00:24:41.720 is that to 00:24:41.720 --> 00:24:43.240 say when 00:24:43.240 --> 00:24:43.820 you're under 00:24:43.820 --> 00:24:44.960 the shadow 00:24:44.960 --> 00:24:45.240 or the 00:24:45.240 --> 00:24:45.700 umbrella of 00:24:45.700 --> 00:24:46.220 a potential 00:24:46.220 --> 00:24:46.600 beating, 00:24:47.460 --> 00:24:47.980 potential 00:24:47.980 --> 00:24:49.000 powerful guys 00:24:49.000 --> 00:24:49.880 who seem 00:24:49.880 --> 00:24:50.420 to be out 00:24:50.420 --> 00:24:50.940 of control. 00:24:52.700 --> 00:24:53.059 Sovereign 00:24:53.059 --> 00:24:53.480 Lord who 00:24:53.480 --> 00:24:53.820 made the 00:24:53.820 --> 00:24:54.420 heaven and 00:24:54.420 --> 00:24:54.900 the earth 00:24:54.900 --> 00:24:55.860 and the 00:24:55.860 --> 00:24:56.620 sea and 00:24:56.620 --> 00:24:57.680 everything in 00:24:57.680 --> 00:24:57.880 them. 00:24:57.880 --> 00:25:02.260 God is 00:25:02.260 --> 00:25:03.260 in the 00:25:03.260 --> 00:25:03.540 world. 00:25:03.540 --> 00:25:03.660 That's a 00:25:03.660 --> 00:25:04.560 powerful God. 00:25:05.000 --> 00:25:05.820 That's a God 00:25:05.820 --> 00:25:06.220 who's in 00:25:06.220 --> 00:25:06.680 charge of 00:25:06.680 --> 00:25:08.120 every single 00:25:08.120 --> 00:25:09.480 moment and 00:25:09.480 --> 00:25:10.480 part of his 00:25:10.480 --> 00:25:10.980 universe. 00:25:10.980 --> 00:25:11.099 God is. 00:25:14.759 --> 00:25:15.240 And so 00:25:15.240 --> 00:25:15.839 the big 00:25:15.839 --> 00:25:17.420 response is 00:25:17.420 --> 00:25:18.240 that they 00:25:18.240 --> 00:25:18.880 remind 00:25:18.880 --> 00:25:19.539 themselves 00:25:19.539 --> 00:25:21.360 of just 00:25:21.360 --> 00:25:22.400 how big 00:25:22.400 --> 00:25:23.759 God is. 00:25:25.700 --> 00:25:26.579 They remind 00:25:26.579 --> 00:25:27.120 themselves 00:25:27.120 --> 00:25:27.960 that what 00:25:27.960 --> 00:25:28.539 they're part 00:25:28.539 --> 00:25:28.940 of here 00:25:28.940 --> 00:25:30.120 is God's 00:25:30.120 --> 00:25:30.660 salvation 00:25:30.660 --> 00:25:31.380 history, 00:25:31.640 --> 00:25:32.039 God's 00:25:32.039 --> 00:25:32.519 salvation 00:25:32.519 --> 00:25:33.099 pathway. 00:25:33.759 --> 00:25:34.360 It was 00:25:34.360 --> 00:25:35.579 God's 00:25:35.579 --> 00:25:36.660 cause 00:25:36.660 --> 00:25:37.160 that they 00:25:37.160 --> 00:25:37.779 were witnesses 00:25:37.779 --> 00:25:38.140 to. 00:25:38.140 --> 00:25:41.480 it was 00:25:41.480 --> 00:25:42.200 the died 00:25:42.200 --> 00:25:43.060 for people 00:25:43.060 --> 00:25:43.600 of the 00:25:43.600 --> 00:25:44.160 unstoppable 00:25:44.160 --> 00:25:45.000 Jesus who 00:25:45.000 --> 00:25:45.300 were being 00:25:45.300 --> 00:25:46.080 opposed and 00:25:46.080 --> 00:25:46.480 threatened. 00:25:48.000 --> 00:25:49.040 The ones 00:25:49.040 --> 00:25:50.120 that the 00:25:50.120 --> 00:25:50.520 Lord has 00:25:50.520 --> 00:25:51.420 said all 00:25:51.420 --> 00:25:51.960 eternity 00:25:51.960 --> 00:25:52.680 was shaped 00:25:52.680 --> 00:25:53.820 to save 00:25:53.820 --> 00:25:54.660 and having 00:25:54.660 --> 00:25:55.180 been saved 00:25:55.180 --> 00:25:55.660 would never 00:25:55.660 --> 00:25:56.140 be lost, 00:25:56.240 --> 00:25:56.620 not one 00:25:56.620 --> 00:25:56.900 of them. 00:26:00.800 --> 00:26:01.320 They 00:26:01.320 --> 00:26:01.720 remind 00:26:01.720 --> 00:26:02.240 themselves 00:26:02.240 --> 00:26:03.240 that God 00:26:03.240 --> 00:26:03.700 was not 00:26:03.700 --> 00:26:04.380 threatened by 00:26:04.380 --> 00:26:04.860 the wicked 00:26:04.860 --> 00:26:05.700 threats of 00:26:05.700 --> 00:26:06.280 evil people. 00:26:06.980 --> 00:26:07.180 He 00:26:07.180 --> 00:26:07.620 quoted from 00:26:07.620 --> 00:26:08.460 Psalm 2 00:26:08.460 --> 00:26:08.740 there. 00:26:10.440 --> 00:26:10.860 And that 00:26:10.860 --> 00:26:11.320 God would 00:26:11.320 --> 00:26:12.039 deal with 00:26:12.039 --> 00:26:12.799 opposition to 00:26:12.799 --> 00:26:13.340 his cause 00:26:13.340 --> 00:26:13.660 and his 00:26:13.660 --> 00:26:14.279 people as 00:26:14.279 --> 00:26:14.660 he has 00:26:14.660 --> 00:26:15.539 always done. 00:26:17.160 --> 00:26:17.740 What has 00:26:17.740 --> 00:26:18.240 God done, 00:26:18.360 --> 00:26:18.759 Psalm 2? 00:26:19.279 --> 00:26:19.460 Well, 00:26:20.200 --> 00:26:20.920 God sits 00:26:20.920 --> 00:26:21.720 enthroned in 00:26:21.720 --> 00:26:22.039 heaven and 00:26:22.039 --> 00:26:22.440 he just has 00:26:22.440 --> 00:26:22.860 a bit of a 00:26:22.860 --> 00:26:23.200 cackle. 00:26:24.320 --> 00:26:24.980 Is that the 00:26:24.980 --> 00:26:25.600 best you got? 00:26:29.440 --> 00:26:30.180 Even more 00:26:30.180 --> 00:26:30.680 than that, 00:26:31.160 --> 00:26:31.480 Peter's 00:26:31.480 --> 00:26:32.759 confident that 00:26:32.759 --> 00:26:33.539 as with the 00:26:33.539 --> 00:26:33.920 death of 00:26:33.920 --> 00:26:34.340 Christ, 00:26:35.120 --> 00:26:36.039 the wickedness 00:26:36.039 --> 00:26:36.339 of these 00:26:36.339 --> 00:26:36.819 people will 00:26:36.819 --> 00:26:37.319 actually just 00:26:37.319 --> 00:26:38.159 become part 00:26:38.159 --> 00:26:38.680 of God's 00:26:38.680 --> 00:26:39.139 overarching 00:26:39.139 --> 00:26:39.779 plan. 00:26:40.920 --> 00:26:41.139 And so 00:26:41.139 --> 00:26:41.500 rather than 00:26:41.500 --> 00:26:42.599 stop or 00:26:42.599 --> 00:26:43.460 derail God's 00:26:43.460 --> 00:26:43.639 plan, 00:26:43.740 --> 00:26:44.059 we'll actually 00:26:44.059 --> 00:26:44.859 serve to 00:26:44.859 --> 00:26:45.819 fulfill God's 00:26:45.819 --> 00:26:46.139 plan. 00:26:47.240 --> 00:26:47.680 Now that's 00:26:47.680 --> 00:26:48.059 sovereignty, 00:26:48.259 --> 00:26:48.619 isn't it? 00:26:50.240 --> 00:26:50.859 That our 00:26:50.859 --> 00:26:51.980 worst intentions 00:26:51.980 --> 00:26:52.659 is simply 00:26:52.659 --> 00:26:53.159 just picked 00:26:53.159 --> 00:26:53.599 up by the 00:26:53.599 --> 00:26:54.539 Lord and 00:26:54.539 --> 00:26:55.180 used for 00:26:55.180 --> 00:26:55.420 good. 00:26:59.259 --> 00:26:59.779 And they 00:26:59.779 --> 00:27:00.139 reminded 00:27:00.139 --> 00:27:00.599 themselves, 00:27:00.740 --> 00:27:01.559 verse 27 and 00:27:01.559 --> 00:27:01.980 28, 00:27:02.859 --> 00:27:03.859 that that's 00:27:03.859 --> 00:27:04.619 exactly what 00:27:04.619 --> 00:27:05.059 happened with 00:27:05.059 --> 00:27:05.379 Jesus. 00:27:08.099 --> 00:27:08.599 So, 00:27:08.940 --> 00:27:09.139 friends, 00:27:09.179 --> 00:27:09.440 do you see 00:27:09.440 --> 00:27:09.799 the point 00:27:09.799 --> 00:27:10.019 of their 00:27:10.019 --> 00:27:10.299 prayer? 00:27:13.319 --> 00:27:13.740 They're 00:27:13.740 --> 00:27:14.319 reminding 00:27:14.319 --> 00:27:15.079 themselves 00:27:15.079 --> 00:27:16.339 that 00:27:16.339 --> 00:27:17.019 opposition, 00:27:17.179 --> 00:27:17.519 whatever 00:27:17.519 --> 00:27:18.339 shape or 00:27:18.339 --> 00:27:18.919 form or 00:27:18.919 --> 00:27:19.579 severity it 00:27:19.579 --> 00:27:19.879 took, 00:27:20.720 --> 00:27:21.279 opposition 00:27:21.279 --> 00:27:22.559 did not 00:27:22.559 --> 00:27:23.740 mean the 00:27:23.740 --> 00:27:24.460 unstoppable 00:27:24.460 --> 00:27:25.059 Jesus 00:27:25.059 --> 00:27:26.359 suddenly was 00:27:26.359 --> 00:27:26.899 stopped. 00:27:26.899 --> 00:27:26.980 But 00:27:26.980 --> 00:27:35.660 opposition 00:27:35.660 --> 00:27:36.420 does not 00:27:36.420 --> 00:27:36.839 mean the 00:27:36.839 --> 00:27:37.319 unstoppable 00:27:37.319 --> 00:27:38.000 Jesus is 00:27:38.000 --> 00:27:38.579 somehow or 00:27:38.579 --> 00:27:38.759 other 00:27:38.759 --> 00:27:39.980 unexpectedly 00:27:39.980 --> 00:27:40.900 defeated in 00:27:40.900 --> 00:27:41.680 his task of 00:27:41.680 --> 00:27:42.299 gathering his 00:27:42.299 --> 00:27:42.940 died for 00:27:42.940 --> 00:27:43.279 people. 00:27:44.180 --> 00:27:44.860 In fact, 00:27:45.180 --> 00:27:45.819 they're reminding 00:27:45.819 --> 00:27:46.420 themselves that 00:27:46.420 --> 00:27:47.220 opposition has 00:27:47.220 --> 00:27:48.660 always been the 00:27:48.660 --> 00:27:49.279 trademark 00:27:49.279 --> 00:27:51.620 response of 00:27:51.620 --> 00:27:52.079 rebels, 00:27:52.640 --> 00:27:53.960 especially to 00:27:53.960 --> 00:27:54.660 God's servant, 00:27:54.920 --> 00:27:55.360 Sam 2. 00:27:55.359 --> 00:28:01.839 what else 00:28:01.839 --> 00:28:02.539 might we have 00:28:02.539 --> 00:28:03.759 expected is 00:28:03.759 --> 00:28:04.139 really what 00:28:04.139 --> 00:28:04.459 they're saying 00:28:04.459 --> 00:28:04.959 as they pray. 00:28:06.319 --> 00:28:06.539 And so 00:28:06.539 --> 00:28:07.319 filling their 00:28:07.319 --> 00:28:08.019 hearts and 00:28:08.019 --> 00:28:09.159 minds with 00:28:09.159 --> 00:28:10.199 that truth 00:28:10.199 --> 00:28:13.279 squeezes out 00:28:13.279 --> 00:28:15.099 any developing 00:28:15.099 --> 00:28:17.919 panic and 00:28:17.919 --> 00:28:18.759 enables them to 00:28:18.759 --> 00:28:19.579 continue to have 00:28:19.579 --> 00:28:20.879 a quiet trust 00:28:20.879 --> 00:28:21.679 and confidence 00:28:21.680 --> 00:28:22.840 in God's 00:28:22.840 --> 00:28:23.259 care of 00:28:23.259 --> 00:28:23.400 them. 00:28:24.759 --> 00:28:25.140 And even 00:28:25.140 --> 00:28:25.620 more than 00:28:25.620 --> 00:28:26.000 that, as 00:28:26.000 --> 00:28:26.380 we'll see in 00:28:26.380 --> 00:28:26.640 just a 00:28:26.640 --> 00:28:27.340 second, it 00:28:27.340 --> 00:28:28.420 actually gives 00:28:28.420 --> 00:28:29.420 them boldness 00:28:29.420 --> 00:28:32.640 as they face a 00:28:32.640 --> 00:28:34.240 potentially awful 00:28:34.240 --> 00:28:34.720 future. 00:28:35.960 --> 00:28:36.180 And so 00:28:36.180 --> 00:28:37.720 verse 29, 31, 00:28:37.799 --> 00:28:38.100 they actually 00:28:38.100 --> 00:28:38.920 ask that. 00:28:39.220 --> 00:28:40.200 They ask God 00:28:40.200 --> 00:28:41.840 for boldness to 00:28:41.840 --> 00:28:43.100 keep on keeping 00:28:43.100 --> 00:28:44.160 on being 00:28:44.160 --> 00:28:44.860 witnesses, to 00:28:44.860 --> 00:28:45.580 keep on keeping 00:28:45.580 --> 00:28:47.120 on speaking the 00:28:47.120 --> 00:28:47.660 gospel of 00:28:47.660 --> 00:28:48.100 Jesus. 00:28:48.099 --> 00:28:53.039 and now 00:28:53.039 --> 00:28:53.439 Lord, 00:28:55.599 --> 00:28:56.139 this is the 00:28:56.139 --> 00:28:56.519 bit when we 00:28:56.519 --> 00:28:56.819 go to our 00:28:56.819 --> 00:28:57.199 prayers and 00:28:57.199 --> 00:28:57.459 we say, 00:28:57.559 --> 00:28:57.899 Lord, this is 00:28:57.899 --> 00:28:58.899 what we need, 00:28:58.980 --> 00:28:59.399 this is what we 00:28:59.399 --> 00:28:59.719 want. 00:29:00.139 --> 00:29:00.639 This is the 00:29:00.639 --> 00:29:01.419 supermarket aisle 00:29:01.419 --> 00:29:02.159 of the prayer 00:29:02.159 --> 00:29:02.500 list. 00:29:04.019 --> 00:29:04.459 And now 00:29:04.459 --> 00:29:04.799 Lord, 00:29:05.579 --> 00:29:06.879 remember the 00:29:06.879 --> 00:29:07.439 context? 00:29:08.639 --> 00:29:09.299 And now 00:29:09.299 --> 00:29:09.699 Lord, 00:29:10.459 --> 00:29:11.659 look upon 00:29:11.659 --> 00:29:12.500 their threats 00:29:12.500 --> 00:29:14.759 and grant 00:29:14.759 --> 00:29:15.160 to your 00:29:15.160 --> 00:29:15.859 servants to 00:29:15.859 --> 00:29:17.660 continue to 00:29:17.660 --> 00:29:18.319 speak your 00:29:18.319 --> 00:29:18.960 word with all 00:29:18.960 --> 00:29:19.519 boldness. 00:29:21.680 --> 00:29:22.440 What a 00:29:22.440 --> 00:29:22.759 prayer. 00:29:27.759 --> 00:29:28.920 They pray 00:29:28.920 --> 00:29:29.680 to be 00:29:29.680 --> 00:29:30.180 faithful 00:29:30.180 --> 00:29:30.880 witnesses. 00:29:32.359 --> 00:29:33.380 As God 00:29:33.380 --> 00:29:33.900 wants them 00:29:33.900 --> 00:29:34.279 to be, 00:29:34.900 --> 00:29:35.680 and clearly 00:29:35.680 --> 00:29:36.359 as they 00:29:36.359 --> 00:29:36.859 want to 00:29:36.859 --> 00:29:37.099 be. 00:29:38.720 --> 00:29:39.720 And most 00:29:39.720 --> 00:29:40.420 amazingly, 00:29:40.579 --> 00:29:40.940 they pray 00:29:40.940 --> 00:29:41.400 this, 00:29:41.400 --> 00:29:42.920 knowing 00:29:42.920 --> 00:29:43.820 the 00:29:43.820 --> 00:29:44.240 likelihood 00:29:44.240 --> 00:29:44.820 that this 00:29:44.820 --> 00:29:45.300 prayer 00:29:45.300 --> 00:29:46.620 would bring 00:29:46.620 --> 00:29:47.180 them more 00:29:47.180 --> 00:29:47.720 opposition 00:29:47.720 --> 00:29:50.300 and very 00:29:50.300 --> 00:29:50.780 likely 00:29:50.780 --> 00:29:51.340 physical 00:29:51.340 --> 00:29:51.740 harm. 00:29:52.040 --> 00:29:52.420 And that's 00:29:52.420 --> 00:29:52.960 exactly what 00:29:52.960 --> 00:29:53.259 we'll see 00:29:53.259 --> 00:29:53.600 as the 00:29:53.600 --> 00:29:54.300 story unfolds 00:29:54.300 --> 00:29:54.780 next week. 00:29:57.580 --> 00:29:58.320 What a 00:29:58.320 --> 00:29:58.600 prayer. 00:30:02.259 --> 00:30:02.920 Pray it 00:30:02.920 --> 00:30:03.160 in the 00:30:03.160 --> 00:30:04.160 context and 00:30:04.160 --> 00:30:04.800 under the 00:30:04.800 --> 00:30:05.880 lordship of 00:30:05.880 --> 00:30:07.140 the unstoppable 00:30:07.140 --> 00:30:07.660 Jesus. 00:30:08.180 --> 00:30:08.700 In the 00:30:08.700 --> 00:30:09.400 power of 00:30:09.400 --> 00:30:09.840 the secret 00:30:09.840 --> 00:30:11.060 weapon of 00:30:11.059 --> 00:30:11.460 witnesses, 00:30:11.919 --> 00:30:12.019 the 00:30:12.019 --> 00:30:12.599 Holy Spirit. 00:30:16.220 --> 00:30:16.839 And not 00:30:16.839 --> 00:30:17.220 only that, 00:30:17.279 --> 00:30:17.539 they keep 00:30:17.539 --> 00:30:18.039 on praying, 00:30:18.220 --> 00:30:18.480 and they 00:30:18.480 --> 00:30:19.039 pray for 00:30:19.039 --> 00:30:19.839 the unstoppable 00:30:19.839 --> 00:30:20.519 Jesus to 00:30:20.519 --> 00:30:21.119 continue 00:30:21.119 --> 00:30:22.119 demonstrating his 00:30:22.119 --> 00:30:22.819 power among 00:30:22.819 --> 00:30:23.500 unbelievers. 00:30:23.899 --> 00:30:24.220 So they're 00:30:24.220 --> 00:30:24.619 praying for 00:30:24.619 --> 00:30:24.859 that, 00:30:24.919 --> 00:30:25.139 that they 00:30:25.139 --> 00:30:25.500 might be 00:30:25.500 --> 00:30:25.879 faithful 00:30:25.879 --> 00:30:26.220 witnesses, 00:30:26.639 --> 00:30:27.379 while you 00:30:27.379 --> 00:30:28.220 stretch out 00:30:28.220 --> 00:30:28.899 your hand 00:30:28.899 --> 00:30:29.619 to heal 00:30:29.619 --> 00:30:30.419 and signs 00:30:30.419 --> 00:30:30.980 and wonders 00:30:30.980 --> 00:30:31.559 are performed 00:30:31.559 --> 00:30:31.940 through the 00:30:31.940 --> 00:30:32.220 name of 00:30:32.220 --> 00:30:32.599 your holy 00:30:32.599 --> 00:30:33.740 servant 00:30:33.740 --> 00:30:34.240 Jesus. 00:30:37.019 --> 00:30:37.700 Do you get 00:30:37.700 --> 00:30:37.940 what they're 00:30:37.940 --> 00:30:38.220 praying there? 00:30:38.220 --> 00:30:39.140 the very 00:30:39.140 --> 00:30:39.500 thing, 00:30:39.579 --> 00:30:39.940 the healing 00:30:39.940 --> 00:30:40.259 of this 00:30:40.259 --> 00:30:40.779 profoundly 00:30:40.779 --> 00:30:41.680 disabled man 00:30:41.680 --> 00:30:42.160 and other 00:30:42.160 --> 00:30:43.420 miraculous things, 00:30:43.500 --> 00:30:43.940 the coming of 00:30:43.940 --> 00:30:44.279 the spirit 00:30:44.279 --> 00:30:44.539 and other 00:30:44.539 --> 00:30:44.819 things, 00:30:45.180 --> 00:30:45.779 the very 00:30:45.779 --> 00:30:46.279 thing that 00:30:46.279 --> 00:30:47.180 stirred up 00:30:47.180 --> 00:30:47.819 these Jewish 00:30:47.819 --> 00:30:48.220 religious 00:30:48.220 --> 00:30:49.160 authorities to 00:30:49.160 --> 00:30:49.980 see the 00:30:49.980 --> 00:30:50.579 hand of 00:30:50.579 --> 00:30:50.880 Jesus, 00:30:50.980 --> 00:30:51.519 the fingerprint 00:30:51.519 --> 00:30:52.019 of Jesus 00:30:52.019 --> 00:30:52.799 back among 00:30:52.799 --> 00:30:53.079 them when 00:30:53.079 --> 00:30:53.380 they thought 00:30:53.380 --> 00:30:53.620 they were 00:30:53.620 --> 00:30:53.960 rid of him, 00:30:54.380 --> 00:30:54.640 they're 00:30:54.640 --> 00:30:55.019 praying for 00:30:55.019 --> 00:30:55.559 more of 00:30:55.559 --> 00:30:55.860 that. 00:30:55.859 --> 00:30:59.059 Why? 00:31:01.019 --> 00:31:02.059 Because that's 00:31:02.059 --> 00:31:02.519 the thing 00:31:02.519 --> 00:31:03.139 that's swept 00:31:03.139 --> 00:31:03.479 to this 00:31:03.479 --> 00:31:03.859 point in 00:31:03.859 --> 00:31:04.939 time with 00:31:04.939 --> 00:31:05.879 the interpretation 00:31:05.879 --> 00:31:06.819 of the 00:31:06.819 --> 00:31:07.500 focus on to 00:31:07.500 --> 00:31:07.799 Jesus, 00:31:08.019 --> 00:31:08.439 that's the 00:31:08.439 --> 00:31:08.759 thing that's 00:31:08.759 --> 00:31:09.519 swept more 00:31:09.519 --> 00:31:10.479 than 5,000 00:31:10.479 --> 00:31:11.519 people into 00:31:11.519 --> 00:31:12.539 a fresh start 00:31:12.539 --> 00:31:13.099 with Jesus. 00:31:14.039 --> 00:31:14.679 And they 00:31:14.679 --> 00:31:15.339 want that. 00:31:17.719 --> 00:31:18.419 And they're 00:31:18.419 --> 00:31:18.939 willing to 00:31:18.939 --> 00:31:19.459 pay the 00:31:19.459 --> 00:31:21.500 price for 00:31:21.500 --> 00:31:21.799 that. 00:31:21.799 --> 00:31:21.919 And they're 00:31:21.919 --> 00:31:25.839 willing to 00:31:25.859 --> 00:31:34.479 they know 00:31:34.479 --> 00:31:35.199 full well the 00:31:35.199 --> 00:31:36.039 consequences of 00:31:36.039 --> 00:31:36.459 their prayer, 00:31:37.279 --> 00:31:37.919 suffering and 00:31:37.919 --> 00:31:38.559 pain for them 00:31:38.559 --> 00:31:39.000 personally, 00:31:39.719 --> 00:31:40.419 but forgiveness 00:31:40.419 --> 00:31:41.119 and a fresh 00:31:41.119 --> 00:31:42.059 start in a new 00:31:42.059 --> 00:31:42.839 relationship with 00:31:42.839 --> 00:31:43.339 God for 00:31:43.339 --> 00:31:43.619 countless 00:31:43.619 --> 00:31:44.299 thousands of 00:31:44.299 --> 00:31:44.779 needy people. 00:31:48.559 --> 00:31:49.119 Again, 00:31:49.119 --> 00:31:50.539 as they saw 00:31:50.539 --> 00:31:50.699 it, 00:31:51.379 --> 00:31:52.299 a fresh start 00:31:52.299 --> 00:31:52.919 for countless 00:31:52.919 --> 00:31:53.839 more thousands 00:31:53.839 --> 00:31:54.319 of people. 00:31:55.859 --> 00:31:57.379 is well worth 00:31:57.379 --> 00:31:57.859 the cost 00:31:57.859 --> 00:31:58.139 they might 00:31:58.139 --> 00:31:58.419 have to 00:31:58.419 --> 00:31:58.639 pay. 00:32:04.379 --> 00:32:05.299 My parents, 00:32:05.859 --> 00:32:06.379 I got one 00:32:06.379 --> 00:32:06.799 brother who's 00:32:06.799 --> 00:32:07.379 not a believer, 00:32:09.179 --> 00:32:09.519 and I could 00:32:09.519 --> 00:32:10.139 never understand 00:32:10.139 --> 00:32:10.939 why my parents 00:32:10.939 --> 00:32:11.500 said, 00:32:12.000 --> 00:32:12.679 until I became 00:32:12.679 --> 00:32:13.359 a parent myself, 00:32:13.479 --> 00:32:14.539 I could never 00:32:14.539 --> 00:32:15.079 understand why 00:32:15.079 --> 00:32:15.740 my mom and 00:32:15.740 --> 00:32:16.159 dad said it was 00:32:16.159 --> 00:32:17.079 so hard to 00:32:17.079 --> 00:32:17.740 pray for my 00:32:17.740 --> 00:32:17.979 brother. 00:32:17.980 --> 00:32:20.980 and the 00:32:20.980 --> 00:32:21.900 prayer had to 00:32:21.900 --> 00:32:22.259 go along 00:32:22.259 --> 00:32:22.759 these lines. 00:32:23.400 --> 00:32:23.860 He was 00:32:23.860 --> 00:32:24.460 married, 00:32:24.620 --> 00:32:24.960 a lovely, 00:32:25.299 --> 00:32:25.779 still is 00:32:25.779 --> 00:32:26.039 married, 00:32:26.299 --> 00:32:27.460 lovely wife, 00:32:27.720 --> 00:32:28.559 three beautiful 00:32:28.559 --> 00:32:29.019 girls, 00:32:29.799 --> 00:32:30.740 very successful 00:32:30.740 --> 00:32:31.339 businessmen. 00:32:33.660 --> 00:32:34.440 Mom and dad 00:32:34.440 --> 00:32:35.339 had to work out 00:32:35.339 --> 00:32:35.620 if they were 00:32:35.620 --> 00:32:36.200 prepared to 00:32:36.200 --> 00:32:37.240 pray the 00:32:37.240 --> 00:32:38.220 prayer that 00:32:38.220 --> 00:32:38.519 said, 00:32:38.720 --> 00:32:38.940 Lord, 00:32:39.779 --> 00:32:40.680 do whatever 00:32:40.680 --> 00:32:41.259 you need to 00:32:41.259 --> 00:32:43.880 do in this 00:32:43.880 --> 00:32:44.759 man's life 00:32:44.759 --> 00:32:47.220 to get his 00:32:47.220 --> 00:32:48.319 attention and 00:32:48.319 --> 00:32:48.859 bring him to 00:32:48.859 --> 00:32:49.200 repentance. 00:32:53.379 --> 00:32:54.019 I'm a dad 00:32:54.019 --> 00:32:54.680 of four kids, 00:32:55.160 --> 00:32:55.879 twelve grandkids. 00:32:56.819 --> 00:32:57.720 I'm finding the 00:32:57.720 --> 00:32:58.359 same difficulty 00:32:58.359 --> 00:32:58.819 praying the 00:32:58.819 --> 00:32:59.279 same prayer. 00:33:01.579 --> 00:33:02.220 What will it 00:33:02.220 --> 00:33:02.420 mean? 00:33:02.539 --> 00:33:02.859 What will it 00:33:02.859 --> 00:33:03.440 mean for me 00:33:03.440 --> 00:33:04.619 if the Lord 00:33:04.619 --> 00:33:05.099 uses me as 00:33:05.099 --> 00:33:06.660 the model of 00:33:06.660 --> 00:33:07.400 sweeping my 00:33:07.400 --> 00:33:08.119 children into 00:33:08.119 --> 00:33:08.539 the kingdom, 00:33:08.660 --> 00:33:09.319 and I believe 00:33:09.319 --> 00:33:10.240 most of them 00:33:10.240 --> 00:33:10.740 already are in 00:33:10.740 --> 00:33:11.000 the kingdom, 00:33:11.180 --> 00:33:11.420 thankfully? 00:33:11.420 --> 00:33:14.120 what might 00:33:14.120 --> 00:33:14.800 that mean to 00:33:14.800 --> 00:33:15.080 see them 00:33:15.080 --> 00:33:16.259 mature and 00:33:16.259 --> 00:33:16.660 grow in 00:33:16.660 --> 00:33:17.039 Christ? 00:33:19.120 --> 00:33:19.779 Am I 00:33:19.779 --> 00:33:20.240 prepared to 00:33:20.240 --> 00:33:20.600 be the 00:33:20.600 --> 00:33:20.840 model, 00:33:21.200 --> 00:33:21.600 the model 00:33:21.600 --> 00:33:22.680 of handling 00:33:22.680 --> 00:33:23.220 illness, 00:33:24.080 --> 00:33:26.500 or rejection, 00:33:26.880 --> 00:33:27.580 or whatever 00:33:27.580 --> 00:33:28.100 that model 00:33:28.100 --> 00:33:28.640 might be? 00:33:31.620 --> 00:33:32.680 Big prayers, 00:33:33.360 --> 00:33:34.120 big responses 00:33:34.120 --> 00:33:35.420 to the 00:33:35.420 --> 00:33:35.740 gospel. 00:33:37.440 --> 00:33:37.880 So my 00:33:37.880 --> 00:33:38.200 friends, 00:33:39.320 --> 00:33:39.779 hopefully that 00:33:39.779 --> 00:33:40.460 personal thing 00:33:40.460 --> 00:33:41.920 didn't clatter 00:33:41.920 --> 00:33:42.380 what I've been 00:33:42.380 --> 00:33:42.799 saying this 00:33:42.799 --> 00:33:43.019 morning, 00:33:43.120 --> 00:33:45.539 but question 00:33:45.539 --> 00:33:46.279 now to you, 00:33:46.420 --> 00:33:47.440 do you expect 00:33:47.440 --> 00:33:50.579 and accept 00:33:50.579 --> 00:33:52.759 opposition 00:33:52.759 --> 00:33:54.920 and persecution 00:33:54.920 --> 00:33:56.360 and real 00:33:56.360 --> 00:33:57.120 loss when you 00:33:57.120 --> 00:33:57.480 speak the 00:33:57.480 --> 00:33:58.740 gospel of 00:33:58.740 --> 00:33:59.100 Jesus? 00:34:00.779 --> 00:34:01.620 To family, 00:34:01.799 --> 00:34:02.039 friends, 00:34:02.160 --> 00:34:02.539 workmates, 00:34:02.680 --> 00:34:02.920 neighbours, 00:34:03.059 --> 00:34:03.240 whoever? 00:34:06.720 --> 00:34:08.639 Or do you 00:34:08.639 --> 00:34:09.619 simply conclude 00:34:09.619 --> 00:34:10.759 that opposition 00:34:10.759 --> 00:34:13.059 really shows 00:34:13.059 --> 00:34:13.679 that the 00:34:13.679 --> 00:34:14.059 so-called 00:34:14.059 --> 00:34:14.960 unstoppable 00:34:14.960 --> 00:34:15.619 Jesus is 00:34:15.619 --> 00:34:16.119 actually really 00:34:16.119 --> 00:34:16.859 quite easily 00:34:16.859 --> 00:34:17.719 stopped in 00:34:17.719 --> 00:34:18.299 real life? 00:34:23.299 --> 00:34:24.179 How sad 00:34:24.179 --> 00:34:25.059 is it when 00:34:25.059 --> 00:34:25.440 the first 00:34:25.440 --> 00:34:26.039 response of 00:34:26.039 --> 00:34:26.679 Christians to 00:34:26.679 --> 00:34:27.980 opposition is 00:34:27.980 --> 00:34:28.420 to lose 00:34:28.420 --> 00:34:29.400 confidence in 00:34:29.400 --> 00:34:30.059 the message of 00:34:30.059 --> 00:34:30.779 salvation in 00:34:30.779 --> 00:34:31.639 Jesus? 00:34:31.639 --> 00:34:31.779 Jesus? 00:34:36.279 --> 00:34:37.519 We need to, 00:34:37.739 --> 00:34:38.480 we forget 00:34:38.480 --> 00:34:38.799 rather, 00:34:39.199 --> 00:34:39.639 we forget 00:34:39.639 --> 00:34:40.519 that so 00:34:40.519 --> 00:34:41.239 often people 00:34:41.239 --> 00:34:42.299 don't oppose 00:34:42.299 --> 00:34:43.299 God's pathway 00:34:43.299 --> 00:34:44.079 to salvation 00:34:44.079 --> 00:34:44.639 in Jesus 00:34:44.639 --> 00:34:45.679 because it's 00:34:45.679 --> 00:34:46.920 stupid or 00:34:46.920 --> 00:34:47.239 there's a 00:34:47.239 --> 00:34:47.539 lack of 00:34:47.539 --> 00:34:48.159 evidence for 00:34:48.159 --> 00:34:48.319 it. 00:34:48.579 --> 00:34:49.359 They oppose 00:34:49.359 --> 00:34:51.879 it because 00:34:51.879 --> 00:34:52.500 they don't 00:34:52.500 --> 00:34:53.099 want to go 00:34:53.099 --> 00:34:53.639 to Jesus. 00:34:55.000 --> 00:34:55.819 They don't 00:34:55.819 --> 00:34:56.379 want to give 00:34:56.379 --> 00:34:56.659 up their 00:34:56.659 --> 00:34:57.019 autonomy. 00:34:57.019 --> 00:34:59.679 they don't 00:34:59.679 --> 00:35:00.300 want to 00:35:00.300 --> 00:35:00.900 admit they're 00:35:00.900 --> 00:35:01.400 not good 00:35:01.400 --> 00:35:01.780 people. 00:35:02.320 --> 00:35:02.679 They don't 00:35:02.679 --> 00:35:03.199 want to 00:35:03.199 --> 00:35:03.980 admit that 00:35:03.980 --> 00:35:04.519 of themselves 00:35:04.519 --> 00:35:05.039 they can't 00:35:05.039 --> 00:35:05.780 earn heaven 00:35:05.780 --> 00:35:06.460 and acceptance 00:35:06.460 --> 00:35:07.239 before God 00:35:07.239 --> 00:35:08.880 and they'll 00:35:08.880 --> 00:35:09.679 stick at it 00:35:09.679 --> 00:35:10.820 in their 00:35:10.820 --> 00:35:11.500 defiance. 00:35:15.940 --> 00:35:16.320 And so my 00:35:16.320 --> 00:35:16.559 friends, 00:35:16.639 --> 00:35:16.940 we need to 00:35:16.940 --> 00:35:17.420 remember that 00:35:17.420 --> 00:35:18.199 often times 00:35:18.199 --> 00:35:19.780 opposition is 00:35:19.780 --> 00:35:20.559 evidence that 00:35:20.559 --> 00:35:22.340 the gospel is 00:35:22.340 --> 00:35:22.880 getting under 00:35:22.880 --> 00:35:23.440 the skin of 00:35:23.440 --> 00:35:23.719 people. 00:35:23.719 --> 00:35:29.759 Or perhaps 00:35:29.759 --> 00:35:30.319 you're already 00:35:30.319 --> 00:35:31.000 defeated when 00:35:31.000 --> 00:35:31.500 you speak the 00:35:31.500 --> 00:35:32.399 gospel of 00:35:32.399 --> 00:35:32.859 Jesus to 00:35:32.859 --> 00:35:33.319 your friends 00:35:33.319 --> 00:35:33.839 and family 00:35:33.839 --> 00:35:36.119 because your 00:35:36.119 --> 00:35:36.879 horizon is 00:35:36.879 --> 00:35:37.679 dominated by 00:35:37.679 --> 00:35:38.500 the power of 00:35:38.500 --> 00:35:38.919 those who are 00:35:38.919 --> 00:35:39.619 opposing you. 00:35:40.139 --> 00:35:41.000 Social media, 00:35:41.599 --> 00:35:43.059 absolutely cruel. 00:35:44.259 --> 00:35:44.879 People just 00:35:44.879 --> 00:35:45.839 lash out and 00:35:45.839 --> 00:35:46.359 tear you to 00:35:46.359 --> 00:35:47.139 shreds if you 00:35:47.139 --> 00:35:47.719 dare to say 00:35:47.719 --> 00:35:48.480 anything against 00:35:48.480 --> 00:35:49.259 the sort of 00:35:49.259 --> 00:35:50.500 normal accepted 00:35:50.500 --> 00:35:51.099 culture. 00:35:53.719 --> 00:35:54.919 But if we 00:35:54.919 --> 00:35:55.480 focus on that 00:35:55.480 --> 00:35:56.139 horizon then we 00:35:56.139 --> 00:35:56.480 will be 00:35:56.480 --> 00:35:56.819 defeated. 00:35:57.919 --> 00:35:58.759 But there's a 00:35:58.759 --> 00:35:59.539 horizon behind 00:35:59.539 --> 00:36:00.179 that horizon 00:36:00.179 --> 00:36:02.139 which is the 00:36:02.139 --> 00:36:02.799 sovereign Lord. 00:36:06.480 --> 00:36:07.119 And yes, 00:36:07.199 --> 00:36:07.539 the sovereign 00:36:07.539 --> 00:36:08.379 Lord will use 00:36:08.379 --> 00:36:09.399 social media. 00:36:10.879 --> 00:36:11.500 This is a 00:36:11.500 --> 00:36:12.019 really hard one 00:36:12.019 --> 00:36:12.439 for me but 00:36:12.439 --> 00:36:13.179 even the Lord 00:36:13.179 --> 00:36:13.899 will use social 00:36:13.899 --> 00:36:16.119 media for 00:36:16.119 --> 00:36:16.419 good. 00:36:17.839 --> 00:36:18.359 And probably 00:36:18.359 --> 00:36:18.859 he's the only 00:36:18.859 --> 00:36:19.399 one who can 00:36:19.399 --> 00:36:19.819 use it for 00:36:19.819 --> 00:36:20.199 good but I 00:36:20.199 --> 00:36:20.779 won't start my 00:36:20.779 --> 00:36:21.319 normal rant 00:36:21.319 --> 00:36:21.779 about social 00:36:21.779 --> 00:36:22.039 media. 00:36:23.719 --> 00:36:25.639 Or perhaps 00:36:25.639 --> 00:36:25.959 you're just 00:36:25.959 --> 00:36:26.819 immobilized by 00:36:26.819 --> 00:36:27.359 fear. 00:36:29.639 --> 00:36:30.239 Fear of 00:36:30.239 --> 00:36:31.019 verbal attack. 00:36:31.879 --> 00:36:32.559 You just 00:36:32.559 --> 00:36:33.739 find that you 00:36:33.739 --> 00:36:34.500 can't cope with 00:36:34.500 --> 00:36:34.980 the notion of 00:36:34.980 --> 00:36:35.579 being dismissed 00:36:35.579 --> 00:36:36.139 as a hate 00:36:36.139 --> 00:36:37.639 speaker or a 00:36:37.639 --> 00:36:38.099 lunatic. 00:36:39.199 --> 00:36:39.839 Fear of 00:36:39.839 --> 00:36:40.619 physical and 00:36:40.619 --> 00:36:41.459 emotional loss. 00:36:41.839 --> 00:36:42.159 Loss of 00:36:42.159 --> 00:36:42.539 friendships. 00:36:43.039 --> 00:36:43.419 Loss of 00:36:43.419 --> 00:36:44.079 other relationships. 00:36:44.319 --> 00:36:44.659 Loss of 00:36:44.659 --> 00:36:45.459 career promotion. 00:36:46.039 --> 00:36:46.519 Sometimes we 00:36:46.519 --> 00:36:46.939 think that when 00:36:46.939 --> 00:36:47.399 we become a 00:36:47.399 --> 00:36:47.899 Christian that 00:36:47.899 --> 00:36:48.799 that means our 00:36:48.799 --> 00:36:49.439 career will be 00:36:49.439 --> 00:36:49.959 onwards upwards. 00:36:50.459 --> 00:36:51.099 Oftentimes it's 00:36:51.099 --> 00:36:51.539 the opposite. 00:36:51.759 --> 00:36:52.219 Oftentimes we 00:36:52.219 --> 00:36:52.959 lose out on 00:36:52.959 --> 00:36:53.639 promotion. 00:36:53.719 --> 00:36:54.219 because we're 00:36:54.219 --> 00:36:54.619 Christians. 00:36:55.939 --> 00:36:56.799 And so on and 00:36:56.799 --> 00:36:57.259 so forth. 00:36:58.719 --> 00:36:59.419 Loss of a 00:36:59.419 --> 00:36:59.879 hassle-free 00:36:59.879 --> 00:37:00.239 life. 00:37:00.379 --> 00:37:00.679 Loss of 00:37:00.679 --> 00:37:01.019 ease and 00:37:01.019 --> 00:37:01.419 comfort. 00:37:05.579 --> 00:37:06.279 Fear will 00:37:06.279 --> 00:37:07.259 immobilize us. 00:37:09.039 --> 00:37:09.799 We need a 00:37:09.799 --> 00:37:10.339 big prayer. 00:37:11.879 --> 00:37:12.739 We need lots 00:37:12.739 --> 00:37:13.299 of confidence 00:37:13.299 --> 00:37:13.859 in God's 00:37:13.859 --> 00:37:14.459 Holy Spirit 00:37:14.459 --> 00:37:16.239 and confidence 00:37:16.239 --> 00:37:17.099 in the 00:37:17.099 --> 00:37:17.539 unstoppable 00:37:17.539 --> 00:37:17.959 Jesus. 00:37:19.159 --> 00:37:19.659 So the 00:37:19.659 --> 00:37:20.179 question comes 00:37:20.179 --> 00:37:20.639 down to this 00:37:20.639 --> 00:37:20.859 and I'm 00:37:20.859 --> 00:37:21.299 finishing on 00:37:21.299 --> 00:37:21.459 this. 00:37:21.559 --> 00:37:21.819 I'm sorry 00:37:21.819 --> 00:37:22.119 I've gone 00:37:22.119 --> 00:37:22.559 over time 00:37:22.559 --> 00:37:22.899 this morning 00:37:22.900 --> 00:37:23.680 but the 00:37:23.680 --> 00:37:24.059 question is 00:37:24.059 --> 00:37:24.200 this. 00:37:24.260 --> 00:37:24.720 How much 00:37:24.720 --> 00:37:25.480 has prayer 00:37:25.480 --> 00:37:28.340 been part 00:37:28.340 --> 00:37:28.619 of your 00:37:28.619 --> 00:37:29.280 planning 00:37:29.280 --> 00:37:30.980 to speak 00:37:30.980 --> 00:37:31.559 the gospel 00:37:31.559 --> 00:37:33.019 in the 00:37:33.019 --> 00:37:33.579 past weeks 00:37:33.579 --> 00:37:34.119 and months? 00:37:36.680 --> 00:37:37.300 There's two 00:37:37.300 --> 00:37:37.880 assumptions in 00:37:37.880 --> 00:37:38.039 there. 00:37:38.160 --> 00:37:38.519 One that you 00:37:38.519 --> 00:37:38.820 have been 00:37:38.820 --> 00:37:39.280 speaking the 00:37:39.280 --> 00:37:40.240 gospel where 00:37:40.240 --> 00:37:40.539 you've had 00:37:40.539 --> 00:37:41.240 opportunity to 00:37:41.240 --> 00:37:41.740 you've been 00:37:41.740 --> 00:37:42.340 doing so in 00:37:42.340 --> 00:37:42.840 the context 00:37:42.840 --> 00:37:43.300 of prayer. 00:37:43.300 --> 00:37:43.340 prayer. 00:37:45.620 --> 00:37:46.019 Are you 00:37:46.019 --> 00:37:47.200 daily spreading 00:37:47.200 --> 00:37:47.680 out your 00:37:47.680 --> 00:37:48.600 helplessness 00:37:48.600 --> 00:37:50.100 before the 00:37:50.100 --> 00:37:50.660 Lord in 00:37:50.660 --> 00:37:50.960 prayer? 00:37:51.260 --> 00:37:51.860 Looking to 00:37:51.860 --> 00:37:52.840 his power 00:37:52.840 --> 00:37:54.019 to effect 00:37:54.019 --> 00:37:55.120 change in 00:37:55.120 --> 00:37:55.620 those to 00:37:55.620 --> 00:37:55.960 whom you're 00:37:55.960 --> 00:37:56.320 speaking? 00:37:58.960 --> 00:37:59.680 Is it 00:37:59.680 --> 00:38:01.080 something that 00:38:01.080 --> 00:38:01.720 you say is 00:38:01.720 --> 00:38:02.620 important and 00:38:02.620 --> 00:38:03.440 uniting for us 00:38:03.440 --> 00:38:03.920 as a church 00:38:03.920 --> 00:38:04.320 family? 00:38:04.620 --> 00:38:05.560 We want to 00:38:05.560 --> 00:38:06.240 impact our 00:38:06.240 --> 00:38:07.760 community with 00:38:07.760 --> 00:38:08.420 the gospel of 00:38:08.420 --> 00:38:08.700 Jesus. 00:38:08.900 --> 00:38:09.320 We want to 00:38:09.320 --> 00:38:09.780 see people 00:38:09.780 --> 00:38:10.080 saved. 00:38:10.079 --> 00:38:12.159 But are 00:38:12.159 --> 00:38:12.840 we praying? 00:38:13.980 --> 00:38:14.480 One for 00:38:14.480 --> 00:38:15.360 confidence to 00:38:15.360 --> 00:38:16.440 speak and 00:38:16.440 --> 00:38:17.500 two that the 00:38:17.500 --> 00:38:17.940 Lord might 00:38:17.940 --> 00:38:18.579 sovereignly 00:38:18.579 --> 00:38:20.079 change stubborn 00:38:20.079 --> 00:38:20.900 hard-hearted 00:38:20.900 --> 00:38:21.619 lives, 00:38:22.659 --> 00:38:23.179 rebellious 00:38:23.179 --> 00:38:23.519 lives, 00:38:23.659 --> 00:38:24.519 angry lives. 00:38:30.319 --> 00:38:31.559 If not, 00:38:32.179 --> 00:38:33.420 if we're not 00:38:33.420 --> 00:38:34.259 praying then 00:38:34.259 --> 00:38:35.179 most likely 00:38:35.179 --> 00:38:36.579 we will be 00:38:36.579 --> 00:38:37.259 carrying the 00:38:37.259 --> 00:38:37.920 burden of 00:38:37.920 --> 00:38:38.980 success as 00:38:38.980 --> 00:38:39.460 witnesses 00:38:39.460 --> 00:38:40.860 on our 00:38:40.860 --> 00:38:41.440 own shoulders. 00:38:43.000 --> 00:38:43.280 And my 00:38:43.280 --> 00:38:43.699 friend, I 00:38:43.699 --> 00:38:44.159 tell you, I've 00:38:44.159 --> 00:38:45.800 learned, I've 00:38:45.800 --> 00:38:46.380 learned really 00:38:46.380 --> 00:38:47.019 painfully over 00:38:47.019 --> 00:38:47.400 the years, 00:38:48.159 --> 00:38:49.119 that's a 00:38:49.119 --> 00:38:49.579 burden you 00:38:49.579 --> 00:38:50.099 can't bear. 00:38:54.179 --> 00:38:54.800 And let me 00:38:54.800 --> 00:38:55.400 also say I've 00:38:55.400 --> 00:38:55.860 learned it's a 00:38:55.860 --> 00:38:56.179 burden you 00:38:56.179 --> 00:38:56.760 don't need to 00:38:56.760 --> 00:38:56.980 bear. 00:38:58.920 --> 00:38:59.559 So let's 00:38:59.559 --> 00:38:59.780 pray. 00:39:05.300 --> 00:39:05.980 Lord, too 00:39:05.980 --> 00:39:06.900 often prayer is 00:39:06.900 --> 00:39:07.440 our last 00:39:07.440 --> 00:39:07.840 resort. 00:39:09.460 --> 00:39:11.519 Lord, may 00:39:11.519 --> 00:39:12.059 our 00:39:12.059 --> 00:39:14.519 Lord, may 00:39:14.519 --> 00:39:15.019 our 00:39:15.019 --> 00:39:15.420 Lord, may 00:39:15.420 --> 00:39:17.019 our 00:39:17.019 --> 00:39:19.420 Lord, may 00:39:19.420 --> 00:39:19.619 our 00:39:19.619 --> 00:39:33.740 horizon be 00:39:33.740 --> 00:39:34.280 filled with 00:39:34.280 --> 00:39:34.619 you and 00:39:34.619 --> 00:39:34.820 your 00:39:34.820 --> 00:39:35.220 sovereignty 00:39:35.219 --> 00:39:35.799 and the 00:39:35.799 --> 00:39:36.339 unstoppable 00:39:36.339 --> 00:39:37.519 Jesus and 00:39:37.519 --> 00:39:38.059 the power 00:39:38.059 --> 00:39:38.379 of your 00:39:38.379 --> 00:39:39.879 spirit to 00:39:39.879 --> 00:39:40.719 change people 00:39:40.719 --> 00:39:41.039 from the 00:39:41.039 --> 00:39:41.699 inside out. 00:39:42.339 --> 00:39:42.859 And help us 00:39:42.859 --> 00:39:43.299 then, Lord, 00:39:43.379 --> 00:39:43.919 just to be 00:39:43.919 --> 00:39:45.299 happy to do 00:39:45.299 --> 00:39:45.919 the part that 00:39:45.919 --> 00:39:46.539 you've asked 00:39:46.539 --> 00:39:47.179 us to do, 00:39:47.239 --> 00:39:47.579 and that is 00:39:47.579 --> 00:39:48.500 simply to speak 00:39:48.500 --> 00:39:49.419 the message 00:39:49.419 --> 00:39:49.919 of Jesus. 00:39:52.679 --> 00:39:53.359 Help us to 00:39:53.359 --> 00:39:54.199 hear this this 00:39:54.199 --> 00:39:54.679 morning, Lord, 00:39:54.719 --> 00:39:55.319 and change our 00:39:55.319 --> 00:39:56.119 hearts, warmer 00:39:56.119 --> 00:39:56.619 hearts. 00:39:57.279 --> 00:39:58.179 In Jesus' name I 00:39:58.179 --> 00:39:58.419 pray. 00:39:58.759 --> 00:39:58.980 Amen. 00:39:58.980 --> 00:39:59.059 Amen. 00:39:59.059 --> 00:39:59.119 Amen. 00:39:59.119 --> 00:39:59.139 Amen. 00:39:59.139 --> 00:39:59.159 Amen. 00:39:59.159 --> 00:39:59.179 Amen. 00:39:59.179 --> 00:39:59.199 Amen. 00:39:59.199 --> 00:39:59.259 Amen. 00:39:59.259 --> 00:39:59.279 Amen. 00:39:59.279 --> 00:39:59.319 Amen. 00:39:59.319 --> 00:39:59.339 Amen. 00:39:59.339 --> 00:39:59.399 Amen. 00:39:59.399 --> 00:40:01.159 Amen. 00:40:01.159 --> 00:40:01.179 Amen. 00:40:01.179 --> 00:40:03.159 Amen. 00:40:03.159 --> 00:40:03.199 Amen. 00:40:03.199 --> 00:40:05.199 Amen.